vistra-20231231
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 , 2023
— OR —
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __ to __
Commission File Number 001-38086
Vistra Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 36-4833255
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
6555 Sierra Drive Irving, Texas 75039 (214) 812-4600
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Title of Each Class Trading Symbol(s) Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Common stock, par value $0.01 per share VST New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicated by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of June 30, 2023, the aggregate market value of the Vistra Corp. common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $ 9,654,651,880 based on the closing sale price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class Outstanding as of February 23, 2024
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share 347,885,110
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement relating to its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this annual report on Form 10-K.
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
iii
Forward-Looking Statements
vii
Industry and Market Information
ix
PART I.
Item 1.
BUSINESS
1
M arket Discussion
1
B usiness Strategy
6
H uman Capital Resources
6
E n v ironmental Regulations and Related Considerations
9
C orporate Information
17
Available Information
17
Item 1A.
RISK FACTORS
18
Item 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
44
Item 1C.
CYBERSECURITY
45
Item 2.
PROPERTIES
46
Item 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
48
Item 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
48
PART II.
Item 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
49
Item 6.
[RESERVED]
50
Item 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION, AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
50
Significant Activities and Events, and Items Influencing Future Performance
50
C ritical Accounting Estimates
55
R esults of Operations
59
F inancial Condition
67
C ommit ments and Contingencies
72
Changes in Accounting Standards
72
Item 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
73
Item 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
77
Consolidated Statements of Operations
79
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
79
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
80
Consolidated Balance Sheets
82
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
84
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements:
85
1. Business and Significant Accounting Policies
85
2. Transaction Agreement
91
3. Development of Generation Facilities
93
4. Retirement of Generation Facilities
94
5. Revenue
95
6. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets and Liabilities
99
7. Income Taxes
102
8. Tax Receivable Agreement Obligation
105
i
Table of Contents
9. Earnings Per Share
107
10. Accounts Receivable Financing
107
11. Collateral Financing Agreement with Affiliate
108
12. Debt
109
13. Leases
117
14. Commitments and Contingencies
119
15. Equity
128
16. Fair Value Measurements
132
17. Commodity and Other Derivative Contractual Assets and Liabilities
135
18. Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefits (OPEB)
139
19. Stock-Based Compensation
146
20. Related Party Transactions
148
21. Segment Information
149
22. Supplementary Financial Information
150
Item 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
157
Item 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
157
Item 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
159
Item 9C.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTION
159
PART III.
Item 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
160
Item 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
160
Item 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
160
Item 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
160
Item 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
160
PART IV.
Item 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
161
Item 16.
FORM 10-K SUMMARY
179
Signatures
180
ii
Table of Contents
GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
When the following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report, they have the meanings indicated below.
Current and Former Related Entities:
Ambit Ambit Holdings, LLC, and/or its subsidiaries (d/b/a Ambit), depending on context
Crius Crius Energy Trust and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context
Dynegy Dynegy Inc., and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context
Dynegy Energy Services Dynegy Energy Services, LLC and Dynegy Energy Services (East), LLC (each d/b/a Dynegy, Better Buy Energy, Brighten Energy, Honor Energy and True Fit Energy), indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Vistra, that are REPs in certain areas of MISO and PJM, respectively, and are engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers.
Homefield Energy Illinois Power Marketing Company (d/b/a Homefield Energy), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra, a REP in certain areas of MISO that is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to municipal customers
Luminant subsidiaries of Vistra engaged in competitive market activities consisting of electricity generation and wholesale energy sales and purchases as well as commodity risk management
Merger Sub Black Pen Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra
Oncor Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a direct, majority-owned subsidiary of Oncor Holdings and formerly an indirect subsidiary of EFH Corp., that is engaged in regulated electricity transmission and distribution activities
Parent Vistra Corp.
Public Power Public Power, LLC (d/b/a Public Power), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra, a REP in certain areas of PJM, ISO-NE, NYISO and MISO that is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers
TCEH or Predecessor Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Future Competitive Holdings Company LLC, and, prior to the Effective Date, the parent company of the TCEH Debtors whose major subsidiaries included Luminant and TXU Energy
TriEagle Energy TriEagle Energy, LP (d/b/a TriEagle Energy, TriEagle Energy Services, Eagle Energy, Energy Rewards, Power House Energy and Viridian Energy), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra, a REP in certain areas of ERCOT and PJM that is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers
TXU Energy TXU Energy Retail Company LLC (d/b/a TXU), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra that is a REP in competitive areas of ERCOT and is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers
U.S. Gas & Electric U.S. Gas and Electric, LLC (d/b/a USG&E, Illinois Gas & Electric and ILG&E), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra, a REP in certain areas of PJM, ISO-NE, NYISO and MISO that is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers
Value Based Brands Value Based Brands LLC (d/b/a 4Change Energy, Express Energy and Veteran Energy), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra that is a REP in competitive areas of ERCOT and is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers
Vistra Vistra Corp., and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context
Vistra Intermediate Vistra Intermediate Company LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra
Vistra Operations Vistra Operations Company LLC, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra that is the issuer of certain series of notes (see Note 12 to the Financial Statements) and borrower under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities
Vistra Zero subsidiaries of Vistra engaged in the operation and development of renewables and energy storage assets resulting in continued modernization of our generation fleet.
Transmission System Operators:
CAISO The California Independent System Operator
ERCOT Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc.
ISO-NE ISO New England Inc.
MISO Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.
NYISO New York Independent System Operator, Inc.
iii
Table of Contents
PJM PJM Interconnection, LLC
Authoritative Organizations:
CFTC U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
CPUC California Public Utilities Commission
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FERC U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FTC Federal Trade Commission
IEPA Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
IPCB Illinois Pollution Control Board
IRS U.S. Internal Revenue Service
MSHA U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration
NERC North American Electric Reliability Corporation
NRC U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
PUCT Public Utility Commission of Texas
RCT Railroad Commission of Texas, which among other things, has oversight of lignite mining activity in Texas, and has jurisdiction over oil and natural gas exploration and production, permitting and inspecting intrastate pipelines, and overseeing natural gas utility rates and compliance
SEC U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
TCEQ Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
TRE Texas Reliability Entity, Inc., an independent organization that develops reliability standards for the ERCOT region and monitors and enforces compliance with NERC standards and monitors compliance with ERCOT protocols
Rules and Regulations:
CAA Clean Air Act
Exchange Act Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
IRA Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
Securities Act Securities Act of 1933, as amended
General Terms:
2022 Form 10-K Vistra's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2023
Ambit Transaction the acquisition of Ambit by an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra on November 1, 2019 (Ambit Acquisition Date)
ARO asset retirement and mining reclamation obligation
CCGT combined cycle natural gas turbine
CCR coal combustion residuals
Chapter 11 Cases Cases in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Bankruptcy Court) concerning voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (Bankruptcy Code) filed on April 29, 2014 (Petition Date) by Energy Future Holdings Corp. (EFH Corp.) and the majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC, Energy Future Competitive Holdings Company LLC and TCEH but excluding Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (Debtors). On October 3, 2016 (Effective Date), subsidiaries of TCEH that were Debtors in the Chapter 11 Cases (TCEH Debtors), along with certain other Debtors that became subsidiaries of Vistra on that date (Contributed EFH Debtors), completed their reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code and emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases as subsidiaries of a newly formed company, Vistra (Emergence).
CME Chicago Mercantile Exchange
CO 2
carbon dioxide
Crius Transaction the acquisition of equity interests of two wholly owned subsidiaries of Crius that indirectly owned the operating business of Crius by an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra on July 15, 2019 (Crius Acquisition Date)
iv
Table of Contents
CT combustion turbine
Dynegy Merger the merger of Dynegy with and into Vistra, with Vistra as the surviving corporation
Dynegy Merger Date April 9, 2018, the date Vistra and Dynegy completed the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 29, 2019, by and between Vistra and Dynegy
EBITDA earnings (net income) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization
Energy Harbor Energy Harbor Corp., and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context
ESG environmental, social and governance
ESS energy storage system
Fitch Fitch Ratings Inc. (a credit rating agency)
GAAP generally accepted accounting principles
GHG greenhouse gas
GWh gigawatt-hours
Green Finance Framework Framework adopted by the Company and made available on its website pursuant to which the Company may issue financial instruments to fund new or existing projects that support renewable energy and energy efficiency, with alignment to the Company's environmental, social, and governance strategy
Heat Rate
Heat Rate is a measure of the efficiency of converting a fuel source to electricity
ICE Intercontinental Exchange
ISO independent system operator
ITC investment tax credit
kW kilowatt
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate, an interest rate at which banks can borrow funds, in marketable size, from other banks in the London interbank market
load demand for electricity
LTSA long-term service agreements for plant maintenance
Market Heat Rate
Market Heat Rate is the implied relationship between wholesale electricity prices and natural gas prices and is calculated by dividing the wholesale market price of electricity, which is based on the price offer of the marginal supplier (generally natural gas plants), by the market price of natural gas.
MMBtu million British thermal units
Moody's Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (a credit rating agency)
MW megawatts
MWh megawatt-hours
NO X
nitrogen oxide
NYMEX the New York Mercantile Exchange, a commodity derivatives exchange
NYSE New York Stock Exchange
OPEB postretirement employee benefits other than pensions
Plan of Reorganization Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization filed by the Debtors in August 2016 and confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court in August 2016 solely with respect to the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors
PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale as part of the tax-free spin-off from EFH Corp. executed pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization on the Effective Date by the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors (Spin-Off), the contribution of certain of the assets of the Predecessor and its subsidiaries by a subsidiary of TEX Energy LLC to Vistra Preferred Inc. (PrefCo) in exchange for all of PrefCo's authorized preferred stock, consisting of 70,000 shares, par value $0.01 per share
PTC production tax credit
REP retail electric provider
RTO regional transmission organization
S&P Standard & Poor's Ratings (a credit rating agency)
Series A Preferred Stock Vistra's 8.0% Series A Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share
v
Table of Contents
Series B Preferred Stock Vistra's 7.0% Series B Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Green Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share
Series C Preferred Stock Vistra's 8.875% Series C Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share
SG&A selling, general and administrative
SO 2
sulfur dioxide
SOFR Secured Overnight Financing Rate, the average rate at which institutions can borrow U.S. dollars overnight while posting U.S. Treasury Bonds as collateral
ST steam turbine
Tax Matters Agreement Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, by and among EFH Corp., Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC, EFIH Finance Inc. and EFH Merger Co. LLC
TRA Tax Receivable Agreement, containing certain rights (TRA Rights) to receive payments from Vistra related to certain tax benefits, including benefits realized as a result of certain transactions entered into at Emergence (see Note 8 to the Financial Statements)
U.S. United States of America
Vistra Operations Commodity-Linked Credit Agreement Credit agreement, dated as of February 4, 2022 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, and/or otherwise modified from time to time) by and among Vistra Operations, Vistra Intermediate, the lenders party thereto, the other credit parties thereto, the administrative agent, the collateral agent, and the other parties named therein
Vistra Operations Credit Agreement Credit agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among Vistra Operations, Vistra Intermediate, the lenders party thereto, the letter of credit issuers party thereto, the administrative agent, the collateral agent, and the other parties named therein
Vistra Operations Credit Facilities Vistra Operations senior secured financing facilities (see Note 12 to the Financial Statements)
vi
Table of Contents
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that are included in this report, or made in presentations, in response to questions or otherwise, that address activities, events or developments that may occur in the future, including (without limitation) such matters as activities related to our financial or operational projections, capital allocation, capital expenditures, liquidity, dividend policy, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, future acquisitions or dispositions, development or operation of power generation assets, market and industry developments and the growth of our businesses and operations (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "intends," "plans," "potential," "will likely," "unlikely," "believe," "expect," "anticipated," "estimate," "should," "could," "may," "projection," "forecast," "target," "goal," "objective" and "outlook"), are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that in making any such forward-looking statement our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such forward-looking statement involves uncertainties and risks and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the discussion under Item 1A. Risk Factors and Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition, and Results of Operations in this annual report on Form 10-K and the following important factors, among others, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in or implied by such forward-looking statements:
• our ability to consummate the acquisition of Energy Harbor, and if consummated, our ability to achieve synergies and forecasted operational results;
• the actions and decisions of judicial and regulatory authorities;
• prevailing applicable federal, state and local governmental policies and regulatory actions, including those of the legislatures and other government actions of states in which we operate, the U.S. Congress, the FERC, the NERC, the TRE, the public utility commissions of states and locales in which we operate, CAISO, ERCOT, ISO-NE, MISO, NYISO, PJM, the RCT, the NRC, the EPA, the environmental regulatory bodies of states in which we operate, the MSHA and the CFTC;
• expectations regarding, or impacts of, environmental matters, including costs of compliance, availability and adequacy of emission credits, and the impact of ongoing proceedings and potential regulations or changes to current regulations;
• legal and administrative proceedings and settlements;
• general industry trends;
• economic conditions, including the impact of any inflationary period, recession or economic downturn;
• investor sentiment relating to climate change and utilization of fossil fuels in connection with power generation;
• the severity, magnitude and duration of extreme weather events, drought and limitations on access to water, and other weather conditions and natural phenomena, contingencies and uncertainties relating thereto;
• acts of sabotage, geopolitical conflicts, wars, or terrorist, cybersecurity, cybercriminal, or cyber-espionage threats or activities;
• risk of contract performance claims by us or our counterparties, and risks of, or costs associated with, pursuing or defending such claims;
• our ability to collect trade receivables from counterparties in the amount or at the time expected, if at all;
• our ability to attract, retain and profitably serve customers;
• restrictions on or prohibitions of competitive retail pricing or direct-selling businesses;
• adverse publicity associated with our retail products or direct selling businesses, including our ability to address the marketplace and regulators regarding our compliance with applicable laws;
• changes in wholesale electricity prices or energy commodity prices, including the price of natural gas;
• sufficiency of, access to, and costs associated with coal, fuel oil, natural gas, and uranium inventories and transportation and storage thereof;
• changes in the ability of counterparties and suppliers to provide or deliver commodities, materials, or services as needed;
• beliefs and assumptions about the benefits of state- or federal-based subsidies to our market competition, and the corresponding impacts on us, including if such subsidies are disproportionately available to our competitors;
• the effects of, or changes to, market design and the power, ancillary services and capacity procurement processes in the markets in which we operate;
• changes in Market Heat Rates in the CAISO, ERCOT, ISO-NE, MISO, NYISO and PJM electricity markets;
• our ability to effectively hedge against unfavorable commodity prices, including the price of natural gas, market heat rates and interest rates;
• changes in market supply or demand and demographic patterns;
• our ability to mitigate forced outage risk, including managing risk associated with Capacity Performance in PJM and performance incentives in ISO-NE;
• efforts to identify opportunities to reduce congestion and improve busbar power prices;
vii
Table of Contents
• access to adequate transmission facilities to meet changing demands;
• changes in interest rates, commodity prices, rates of inflation or foreign exchange rates;
• changes in operating expenses, liquidity needs and capital expenditures;
• access to capital, the attractiveness of the cost and other terms of such capital and the success of financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in capital markets;
• our ability to maintain prudent financial leverage and achieve our capital allocation, performance, and cost-saving initiatives and objectives;
• our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to make principal and interest payments in respect of, or refinance, our debt obligations;
• our expectation that we will continue to pay (i) a consistent aggregate cash dividend amount to common stockholders on a quarterly basis and (ii) the applicable semiannual cash dividend to the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock stockholders, respectively;
• our expectation that we will continue to make share repurchases under, and the possibility that we may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of, our share repurchase program, and the possibility that the program may be suspended, discontinued or not completed prior to its termination;
• our ability to implement and successfully execute upon our strategic and growth initiatives, including the completion and integration of mergers, acquisitions and/or joint venture activity, the identification and completion of sales and divestitures activity, and the completion and commercialization of our other business development and construction projects;
• competition for new energy development and other business opportunities;
• counterparties' collateral demands and other factors affecting our liquidity position and financial condition;
• changes in technology (including large-scale electricity storage) used by and services offered by us;
• changes in electricity transmission that allow additional power generation to compete with our generation assets;
• our ability to attract and retain qualified employees;
• significant changes in our relationship with our employees, including the availability of qualified personnel, and the potential adverse effects if labor disputes or grievances were to occur or changes in laws or regulations relating to independent contractor status;
• changes in assumptions used to estimate costs of providing employee benefits, including medical and dental benefits, pension and OPEB, and future funding requirements related thereto, including joint and several liability exposure under ERISA;
• hazards customary to the industry and the possibility that we may not have adequate insurance to cover losses resulting from such hazards;
• our ability to effectively and efficiently plan, prepare for and execute expected asset retirements and reclamation obligations and the impacts thereof, and
• actions by credit rating agencies.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only at the date on which it is made, and except as may be required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict them. In addition, we may be unable to assess the impact of any such event or condition or the extent to which any such event or condition, or combination of events or conditions, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statement. As such, you should not unduly rely on such forward-looking statements.
viii
Table of Contents
INDUSTRY AND MARKET INFORMATION
Certain industry and market data and other statistical information used throughout this report are based on independent industry publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources, including certain data published by CAISO, ERCOT, ISO-NE, MISO, NYISO, PJM, the environmental regulatory bodies of states in which we operate and NYMEX. We did not commission any of these publications, reports or other sources. Some data is also based on good faith estimates, which are derived from our review of internal surveys, as well as the independent sources listed above. Industry publications, reports and other sources generally state that they have obtained information from sources believed to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information. While we believe that each of these studies, publications, reports and other sources is reliable, we have not independently investigated or verified the information contained or referred to therein and make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. Forecasts are particularly likely to be inaccurate, especially over long periods of time, and we do not know what assumptions were used in preparing such forecasts. Statements regarding industry and market data and other statistical information used throughout this report involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors.
ix
Table of Contents
PART I
Item 1. BUSINESS
References in this report to "we," "our," "us" and "the Company" are to Vistra and/or its subsidiaries, as apparent in the context. See Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations for defined terms.
General
Vistra is an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. We combine an innovative, customer-centric approach to retail sales with safe, reliable, diverse, and efficient power generation. Our integrated power generation and wholesale operation allows us to efficiently obtain the electricity needed to serve our customers at the lowest cost. The integrated model enables us to structure products and contracts in a way that offers significant value compared to stand-alone retail electric providers.
The Company brings its products and services to market in 20 states and the District of Columbia, including all major competitive wholesale power markets in the U.S. We serve approximately 4 million residential, commercial, and industrial retail customers with electricity and natural gas. Our generation fleet totals approximately 37,000 megawatts of generation capacity powered by a diverse portfolio, including natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery energy storage facilities. Vistra is guided by four core principles: we do business the right way, we work as a team, we compete to win, and we care about our stakeholders, including our customers, our communities where we work and live, our employees, and our investors.
Market Discussion
The operations of Vistra, as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company, are further aligned into six reportable business segments: (i) Retail, (ii) Texas, (iii) East, (iv) West, (v) Sunset and (vi) Asset Closure. Our Texas, East, West and Sunset segments include our electricity generation operations, and our Asset Closure segment is engaged in the decommissioning and reclamation of retired plants and mines.
Retail Operations
Vistra is one of the largest competitive residential retail electricity providers in the U.S. Our Retail operations are engaged in retail sales of electricity, natural gas and related services to approximately 4 million customers. Substantially all of our retail activities are conducted by TXU Energy, Ambit Energy, Dynegy Energy Services, Homefield Energy, and U.S. Gas & Electric across 19 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Our TXU Energy brand, which has been used to sell electricity to customers in the competitive retail electricity market in Texas for approximately 20 years, is registered and protected by trademark law and is the only material intellectual property asset that we own. We have also acquired the trade names for Ambit Energy, Dynegy Energy Services, Homefield Energy, TriEagle Energy, Public Power and U.S. Gas & Electric through the Ambit Transaction, Crius Transaction and the Dynegy Merger, as the case may be. As of December 31, 2023, we have reflected intangible assets on our balance sheet for our trade names of approximately $1.341 billion (see Note 6 to the Financial Statements).
The largest portion of our retail operations are in Texas, where we provide retail electricity to approximately 2.5 million customers. We believe that we have differentiated ourselves by providing a distinctive customer experience predicated on delivering reliable and innovative power products and solutions to our customers, which give our customers choice, convenience and control over how and when they use electricity and related services. Our retail business also offers a comprehensive suite of green products and services, including 100% wind and solar options, as well as thermostats, dashboards and other programs designed to encourage reduced consumption and increased energy efficiency.
1
Table of Contents
Electricity Generation Operations
Vistra is the largest competitive power generator in the U.S. as measured by MWh. At December 31, 2023, our generating capacity was powered by the following:
Primary Fuel
Technology
Net Capacity (MW)
% of Net Capacity
Natural Gas
CCGT, CT or ST
24,313 66%
Coal
ST
8,428 23%
Nuclear
Nuclear
2,400 7%
Renewable
Solar/Battery
1,358 4%
Fuel Oil
CT
203 —%
Total
36,702 100%
Our natural gas-fueled generation fleet is comprised of 23 CCGT generation facilities totaling 19,512 MW and 11 peaking generation facilities totaling 4,801 MW. We satisfy our fuel requirements at these facilities through a combination of spot market and near-term purchase contracts. Additionally, we have near-term natural gas transportation agreements and natural gas storage agreements in place to ensure reliable fuel supply.
Our coal/lignite-fueled generation fleet is comprised of seven generation facilities totaling 8,428 MW of generation capacity. Maintenance outages at these units are scheduled during the spring or fall off-peak demand periods. We meet our fuel requirements at our coal-fueled generation facilities in PJM and MISO with coal purchased from multiple suppliers under contracts of various lengths and transported to the facilities by either railcar or barges. We meet our fuel requirements in ERCOT using lignite that we mine at the Oak Grove generation facility and coal purchased and transported by railcar at the Coleto Creek and Martin Lake generation facilities.
We own and operate two nuclear generation units at the Comanche Peak plant site in ERCOT, each of which is designed for a capacity of 1,200 MW. Comanche Peak Unit 1 and Unit 2 went into commercial operation in 1990 and 1993, respectively, and are generally operated at full capacity. Refueling (nuclear fuel assembly replacement) outages for each unit are scheduled to occur every eighteen months during the spring or fall off-peak demand periods. Every three years, the refueling cycle results in the refueling of both units during the same year, which occurred in 2023. While one unit is undergoing a refueling outage, the remaining unit is intended to operate at full capacity. During a refueling outage, other maintenance, modification and testing activities are completed that cannot be accomplished when the unit is in operation. The Comanche Peak facility operated at a capacity factor of 90%, 94% and 96% in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
We have contracts in place for all of Comanche Peak's 2024 through 2027 nuclear fuel requirements. We do not anticipate any significant difficulties in acquiring uranium and contracting for associated conversion, enrichment and fabrication services in the foreseeable future, but we are closely monitoring developments that may arise out of the Russia and Ukraine conflict. See Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition, and Results of Operations – Significant Activities and Events, and Items Influencing Future Performance – Macroeconomic Conditions .
Our generation operations by segment are represented in the following table:
Segment
Net Capacity (MW)
% of Net Capacity
ISO/RTO
Texas
18,151 49% ERCOT
East
12,093 33% PJM, ISO-NE and NYISO
West
1,880 5% CAISO
Sunset
4,578 13% MISO, PJM and ERCOT
Total
36,702 100%
2
Table of Contents
Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) — Separate from our operations, ISOs/RTOs administer the transmission infrastructure and markets across a regional footprint in most of the markets in which we operate. They are responsible for dispatching all generation facilities in their respective footprints and are responsible for both maximum utilization and reliable and efficient operation of the transmission system. ISOs/RTOs administer energy and ancillary service markets in the short term, which usually consists of day-ahead and real-time markets. Several ISOs/RTOs also ensure long-term planning reserves through monthly, semiannual, annual and multi-year capacity markets. The ISOs/RTOs that oversee most of the wholesale power markets in which we operate currently impose, and will likely continue to impose, bid and price limits or other similar mechanisms. NERC regions and ISOs/RTOs often have different geographic footprints, and while there may be geographic overlap between NERC regions and ISOs/RTOs, their respective roles and responsibilities do not generally overlap.
In ISO/RTO regions with centrally dispatched market structures (e.g., ERCOT, PJM, ISO-NE, NYISO, MISO, and CAISO), all generators selling into the centralized market receive the same price for energy sold based on the bid price associated with the production of the last MWh that is needed to balance supply with demand within a designated zone or at a given location. Different zones or locations within the same ISO/RTO may produce different prices respective to other zones or locations within the same ISO/RTO due to transmission losses and congestion. For example, a less efficient and/or less economical natural gas-fueled unit may be needed in some hours to meet demand. If this unit's production is required to meet demand on the margin, its offer price will set the market clearing price for all dispatched generation in the same market (although the price paid at other zones or locations may vary because of transmission losses and congestion), regardless of the price that any other unit may have offered into the market. Generators will receive the location-based marginal price for their output.
ERCOT — ERCOT is an ISO that manages the flow of electricity from approximately 98,000 MW of expected Summer 2023 peak generation capacity to approximately 26 million Texas customers, representing approximately 90% of the state's electric load.
As an energy-only market, ERCOT's market design is distinct from other competitive electricity markets in the U.S. Other markets maintain a minimum planning reserve margin through regulated planning, resource adequacy requirements and/or capacity markets. In contrast, ERCOT's resource adequacy is currently predominately dependent on energy-market price signals. The PUCT has voted to recommend a Performance Credit Mechanism (PCM) that would align a required reliability standard with resource availability during higher-risk system conditions in a centrally-cleared market. These changes are currently being evaluated by the PUCT and ERCOT and have not been implemented as of the date hereof. In 2014, ERCOT implemented the Operating Reserve Demand Curve (ORDC), pursuant to which wholesale electricity prices in the real-time electricity market increase automatically as available operating reserves decrease below defined threshold levels, creating a price adder. The slope of the ORDC curve is determined through a mathematical loss of load probability calculation using forecasted reserves and historical data. In both March 2019 and March 2020, ERCOT implemented 0.25 standard deviation shifts in the loss of load probability calculation and moved to using a single blended ORDC curve; these changes resulted in a more rapid escalation in power prices as operating reserves fall below defined thresholds. Effective January 1, 2022, when operating reserves drop to 3,000 MW or less, the ORDC automatically adjusts power prices to $5,000/MWh which is equal to the high system-wide offer cap. ERCOT also calculates the "peaker net margin" based on revenues a hypothetical unhedged peaking unit would collect in the market. If the peaker net margin exceeds a certain threshold, the system-wide offer cap is reduced to the low system-wide offer cap of $2,000/MWh for the remainder of the calendar year. In December 2023, the PUCT also approved an Emergency Pricing Program that temporarily lowers the system-wide offer cap to $2,000/MWh if prices have been at the cap for 12 hours in a rolling 24-hour period. Historically, high demand due to elevated temperatures in the summer months or high demand due to reduced temperatures in the winter months, combined with underperformance of wind generation, has created the conditions during which the ORDC contributes meaningfully to power prices. Extreme weather conditions can also lead to scarcity conditions regardless of season. Other than during periods of "scarcity pricing," the price of power is typically set by natural gas-fueled generation facilities (see Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition, and Results of Operations – Significant Activities and Events, and Items Influencing Future Performance ).
3
Table of Contents
Transactions in ERCOT take place in two key markets: the day-ahead market and the real-time market. The day-ahead market is a voluntary, financial electricity market conducted the day before each operating day in which generators and purchasers of electricity may bid for one or more hours of electricity supply or consumption. The real-time market is a physical market in which electricity is dispatched and priced in five-minute intervals. The day-ahead market provides market participants with visibility into where prices are expected to clear, and the prices are not impacted by subsequent events. Conversely, the real-time market exposes purchasers to the risk of transient operational events and price spikes. These two markets allow market participants to manage their risk profile by adjusting their participation in each market. In addition, ERCOT uses ancillary services to maintain system reliability, including regulation service, responsive reserve service and non-spinning reserve service. Ancillary services are provided by generators and qualified loads to help maintain the stable voltage and frequency requirements of the transmission system. ERCOT currently procures ancillary services in the day-ahead market, but plans to implement co-optimization of energy and ancillary services in the real-time market in 2026. Because ERCOT has one of the highest concentrations of wind and solar capacity generation among U.S. markets, the ERCOT market is more susceptible to fluctuations in wholesale electricity supply due to intermittent wind and solar production, making ERCOT more vulnerable to periods of generation scarcity. Beginning in July 2021, ERCOT has increased its ancillary service procurement volumes to maintain a more conservative level of operating reserves. ERCOT implemented the ERCOT Contingency Reserve Service (ECRS) in June 2023 to further address the need for operating reserves to manage load and intermittent resource output uncertainty. The Texas legislature has also directed the creation of a new ancillary service, Dispatchable Reliability Reserve Service, that is currently projected to be implemented in 2026.
PJM — PJM is an RTO that manages the flow of electricity from approximately 183,000 MW of generation capacity to approximately 65 million customers in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Like ERCOT, PJM administers markets for wholesale electricity and provides transmission planning for the region, utilizing a locational marginal pricing (LMP) methodology which calculates a price for every generator and load point within PJM. PJM operates day-ahead and real-time markets into which generators can bid to provide energy and ancillary services. PJM also administers a forward capacity auction, the Reliability Pricing Model (RPM), which establishes a long-term market for capacity. We have participated in RPM auctions for years up to and including PJM's planning year 2024-2025, which ends May 31, 2025. PJM's RPM auction for planning year 2025-2026 was delayed and is expected to be run in June 2024. We also enter into bilateral capacity transactions. PJM's Capacity Performance (CP) rules were designed to improve system reliability and include penalties for under-performing units and reward for over-performing units during shortage events. Full transition of the capacity market to CP rules occurred in planning year 2020-2021. An independent market monitor continually monitors PJM markets to ensure a robust, competitive market and to identify improper behavior by any entity.
ISO-NE — ISO-NE is an ISO that manages the flow of electricity from approximately 32,400 MW of winter generation capacity to approximately 15 million customers in the states of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine.
ISO-NE dispatches power plants to meet system energy and reliability needs and settles physical power deliveries at LMPs. Its energy markets allow market participants to buy and sell energy and ancillary services at prices established through real-time and day-ahead auctions. Energy prices vary among the locations in ISO-NE and are largely influenced by transmission constraints and fuel supply. ISO-NE offers the Forward Capacity Market where capacity prices are determined through auctions. Performance incentive rules have the potential to increase capacity payments for those resources that are providing excess energy or reserves during a shortage event, while penalizing those that produce less than the required level.
NYISO — NYISO is an ISO that manages the flow of electricity from approximately 37,000 MW of installed summer generation capacity to approximately 20 million New York customers.
NYISO dispatches power plants to meet system energy and reliability needs and settles physical power deliveries at LMPs. Its energy markets allow market participants to buy and sell energy and ancillary services at prices established through real-time and day-ahead auctions. Energy prices vary among the regional zones and locations in the NYISO and are largely influenced by transmission constraints and fuel supply. NYISO offers the Installed Capacity Market, a forward capacity market where capacity prices are determined through auctions. Strip auctions occur one to two months prior to the commencement of a six-month seasonal planning period. Subsequent auctions provide an opportunity to sell excess capacity for the balance of the seasonal planning period or the upcoming month. Due to the short-term nature of the NYISO-operated capacity auctions and a relatively liquid bilateral market for NYISO capacity products, our Independence facility sells a significant portion of its capacity through bilateral transactions. The balance is cleared through the seasonal and monthly capacity auctions.
4
Table of Contents
CAISO — CAISO is an ISO that manages the flow of electricity to approximately 32 million customers primarily in California, representing approximately 80% percent of the state's electric load.
Energy is priced in CAISO utilizing an LMP methodology. The capacity market is comprised of Generic, Flexible and Local Resource Adequacy (RA) Capacity and is administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Unlike other centrally cleared capacity markets, the resource adequacy markets in California are primarily bilaterally traded markets. In 2020, the CPUC introduced a central procurement entity for Local RA Capacity effective for the 2023 compliance year. The central procurement entity runs a pay-as-bid auction for Local RA Capacity. In November 2016, CAISO implemented a voluntary capacity auction for annual, monthly, and intra-month procurement to cover for deficiencies in the market. The voluntary Competitive Solicitation Process, which FERC approved in October 2015, is a modification to the Capacity Procurement Mechanism (CPM) and provides another avenue to sell RA capacity.
MISO — MISO is an RTO that manages the flow of electricity from approximately 190,000 MW of installed generation capacity to approximately 45 million customers in all or parts of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Montana, South Dakota and Manitoba, Canada.
MISO dispatches power plants to meet system energy and reliability needs and settles physical power deliveries at LMPs. Its energy markets allow market participants to buy and sell energy and ancillary services at prices established through real-time and day-ahead auctions. Energy prices vary among the regional zones and locations in MISO and are largely influenced by transmission constraints and fuel supply. An independent market monitor is responsible for evaluating the performance of the markets and identifying conduct by market participants or MISO that may compromise the efficiency or distort the outcome of the markets.
MISO administers a one-year Planning Resource Auction for the next planning year from June 1st of the current year to May 31st of the following year. In 2022, FERC approved MISO's proposal to change the annual Planning Resource Auction into a seasonal auction, effective for the 2023-2024 planning year. We participate in these auctions with open capacity that has not been committed through bilateral or retail transactions. We also participate in the MISO annual and monthly financial transmission rights auctions to manage the cost of our transmission congestion, as measured by the congestion component of the LMP price differential between two points on the transmission grid across the market area.
Wholesale Operations — Our wholesale commodity risk management group is responsible for dispatching our generation fleet in response to market needs after implementing portfolio optimization strategies, thus linking and integrating the generation fleet production with our retail customer and wholesale sales opportunities. Market demand, also known as load, faced by electric power systems, such as those we operate in, varies from moment to moment as a result of changes in business and residential demand, which is often driven by weather. Unlike most other commodities, the production and consumption of electricity must remain balanced on an instantaneous basis. There is a certain baseline demand for electricity across an electric power system that occurs throughout the day, which is typically satisfied by baseload generation units with low variable operating costs. Baseload generation units can also increase output to satisfy certain incremental demand and reduce output when demand is unusually low. Intermediate/load-following generation units, which can more efficiently change their output to satisfy increases in demand, typically satisfy a large proportion of changes in intraday load as they respond to daily increases in demand or unexpected changes in supply created by reduced generation from renewable resources or other generator outages. Peak daily loads may be satisfied by peaking units. Peaking units are typically the most expensive to operate, but they can quickly start up and shut down to meet brief peaks in demand. In general, baseload units, intermediate/load following units and peaking units are dispatched into the ISO/RTO grid in order from lowest to highest variable cost. Price formation is typically based on the highest variable cost unit that clears the market to satisfy system demand at a given point in time.
Our commodity risk management group also enters into electricity, natural gas and other commodity derivative contracts to reduce exposure to changes in prices primarily to mitigate the volatility of future revenues and fuel costs for our generation facilities and purchased power costs for our Retail segment.
Seasonality
The demand for and market prices of electricity and natural gas are affected by weather. As a result, our operating results are impacted by extreme or sustained weather conditions and may fluctuate on a seasonal basis. Typically, demand for and the price of electricity is higher in the summer and winter seasons, when the temperatures are more extreme, and the demand for and price of natural gas is also generally higher in the winter. More severe weather conditions such as heat waves or extreme winter weather have made, and may make, such fluctuations more pronounced. The pattern of this fluctuation may change depending on, among other things, the retail load served and the terms of contracts to purchase or sell electricity.
5
Table of Contents
Competition
Competition in the markets in which we operate is impacted by electricity and fuel prices, congestion along the power grid, subsidies provided by state and federal governments for new and existing generation facilities, including renewables generation and battery ESS, new market entrants, construction of new generation assets, technological advances in power generation, the actions of environmental and other regulatory authorities, and other factors. We primarily compete with other electricity generators and retailers based on our ability to generate electric supply, market and sell electricity at competitive prices and to efficiently utilize transportation from third-party pipelines and transmission from electric utilities to deliver electricity to end-users. Competitors in the generation and retail power markets in which we participate include numerous regulated utilities, industrial companies, non-utility generators, competitive subsidiaries of regulated utilities, independent power producers, REPs and other energy marketers. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for additional information concerning the risks faced with respect to the markets in which we operate.
Business Strategy
Vistra is a leader in the clean power transition. With a strong zero-carbon generation portfolio and a deliberate and responsible strategy to decarbonize, Vistra understands our obligation to balance reliability, affordability, and sustainability. To align our strategy with this obligation we have defined four strategic priorities that we aim to execute against:
• Long-term, attractive earnings profile through the integrated business model.
• Strategic energy transition that supports the reliability and affordability of electricity.
• Significant and consistent shareholder return of capital.
• Maintaining a strong balance sheet.
Long-term, attractive earnings profile through the integrated business model. Our integrated business model distinguishes us from our electricity competitors as it pairs our reliable and efficient diversified generation fleet and wholesale commodity risk management capabilities with our retail platform. Integrating retail with power generation stands as a fundamental competitive advantage that mitigates the impact of commodity price fluctuations and enhances the stability and predictability of our cash flows. Stability and predictability of cash flows are essential as we evaluate economically attractive investments.
Strategic energy transition that supports the reliability and affordability of electricity. As one of the largest electricity generators in the U.S., Vistra has led the way in decarbonization efforts and is committed to sustainability, setting aggressive targets, and transitioning our fleet to low-to-no carbon resources, all while balancing our obligations to our stakeholders. While the way we generate electricity may be changing, our essential role in providing reliable and affordable electricity is not.
Significant and consistent shareholder return of capital. We make thoughtful capital allocation decisions that balances the goal of returning significant and consistent capital to our stockholders through share repurchases and quarterly dividends with the allocation of capital to maintain current assets and explore opportunities for growth.
Maintaining a strong balance sheet. Vistra' s disciplined approach to capital management supports our commitment to maintain a strong balance sheet. A strong balance sheet ensures our access to diverse sources of liquidity and provides financial flexibility for our capital allocation decisions, including decisions to return significant and consistent capital to our stockholders.
Human Capital Resources
Vistra's approach to human capital management is guided by our core values. These values are:
• We do business the right way. Every decision we make and action we take will be evidence of the utmost integrity and compliance.
• We compete to win. We will create the leading integrated energy company with an unmatched work ethic, an analysis-driven and disciplined culture with strong leadership and decision-making throughout the organization.
• We work as a team. We are committed to each other, everything we do and to the success of our company.
• We care about our key stakeholders. We respect our fellow employees, we focus on our customers and we care about our communities where we live and do business. We will maintain productive and respectful relationship with our legislators, regulators and community leaders.
6
Table of Contents
Our core values apply to all employees, suppliers and contractors and guide how we interact with our partner companies, communities, the environment and all other stakeholders. We aim to conduct all aspects of our business in accordance with these core values, which serve as the cultural foundation of the Company.
Vistra believes our most valuable asset is our talented, dedicated and diverse group of employees who work together to achieve our objectives, and our top priority is ensuring their safety. As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately 4,870 full-time employees, including approximately 1,200 employees under collective bargaining agreements.
Safety
Vistra's mindset around safety is exemplified by our motto: Best Defense. Everyone wins. No one gets hurt. Our safety culture revolves around people and human performance. We place a high importance on continuous improvement, along with a keen focus on numerous learning and error-prevention tools. To facilitate a learning environment, our various operating plants share their investigations and learnings of all safety events with all operations employees on weekly calls. The information is presented by front-line employees and supported by management. The lessons from each event are shared across the fleet to prevent similar incidents at other locations. All personnel at Vistra locations are encouraged to be actively involved in the safety process. Managers are required to participate in safety engagements with staff to enable constant communication and sustained interaction. In 2023, the generation fleet conducted more than 56,000 leadership safety engagements across the fleet continuing our employee driven safety program focused on engagement of all employees.
Our focus on reducing the severity of injuries for both our employees and contractors who work with us has shown positive results. Since the implementation of our Best Defense safety program, the number of serious injuries or fatalities has decreased significantly. Although we do not focus on recordable incidents, our Total Recordable Incident rate (TRIR) for company employees was 0.54, in the top quartile as compared to the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) 2022 Total Company Injury Data. We encourage near-miss reporting and review of events to promote a learning environment. In 2023, safety learning calls were held every week where near-miss and safety events were reviewed by our operating teams to promote learning across the fleet.
All Vistra employees are covered by our safety program. Corporate and retail employees are required to complete periodic training on safety topics through our online learning management system. Employees who are located at a power plant are required to complete trainings based on job function, which is also tracked through our central learning management system. In addition, the Company engages an independent third-party conformity assessment and certification vendor to manage adherence to our safety standards for all vendors and contractors who work at our plants. In addition, we work closely with our suppliers and contractors to ensure our safety practices are upheld.
All of our power plant facilities have effective health and safety programs and comply with OSHA regulations. In addition to compliance, our generation fleet has a total of 14 plants that have been awarded the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star designation by the OSHA for superior demonstration of effective safety and health management systems and for maintaining injury and illness rates below the national averages for our industry. Our Hopewell, Ontelaunee and Independence generation facilities completed reevaluations and were re-certified as VPP Star in 2023. VPP Star status is the highest designation of OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs. The achievement recognizes employers and workers who have implemented effective safety and health management systems and maintain injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) averages for their respective industries. These sites are self-sufficient in their ability to control workplace hazards and are reevaluated every three to five years. Additionally, 32 of our power plants and mine locations have adopted a proactive Behavior Based Safety approach to safety which focuses on identifying and providing feedback on at-risk behaviors observed.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We recognize the value of having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Our diversity includes all the ways we differ, such as age, gender, ethnicity and physical appearance, as well as underlying differences such as thoughts, styles, religions, nationality, education and numerous other traits. Creating and maintaining an environment where differences are valued and respected enhances our ability to recruit and retain the best talent in the marketplace and to provide a work environment that allows all employees to be their best.
7
Table of Contents
Vistra's diversity is evolving, and our Board and management are leading by example. Currently, four of the eleven Board members are women, and two of the eleven are ethnically diverse. Overall, 32% of the Company's workforce is ethnically diverse. Women currently hold 24% of the Company's senior management positions, and ethnically diverse employees represent 27% of senior management.
During 2023, we continued our efforts to unlock the full potential of our people by launching multiple new initiatives within our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Our Chief Diversity Officer continued to develop and lead Vistra's employee-led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council, established in 2020. We continued to utilize our fifteen Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to promote the appreciation of and communicate awareness of diverse employee groups and communities and their contribution to the overall success of the organization, both internally and externally. ERGs represent not only diverse cultures, but also employees with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community and employees engaged in innovation and analytics. The emphasis on skills-based hiring continues to evolve as we see increased mobility of employees throughout the organization as well as increased retention. Vistra is elevating its commitment to disability diversity by increasing our commitment and support level with DisabilityIn. We now have leaders on all eligible committees within the organization (executive sponsor, Chief Diversity Officer, ERG leader, accessibility). We centralized our intern program to ensure a diverse intern pool from across the country and are expanding our college partnerships to ensure geographically diverse opportunities in research, sponsorships and recruitment. Training on inclusion and acceptance is being presented to all frontline employees to ensure every employee is included in the conversation.
Vistra is active in our communities to promote inclusivity. Vistra's supply chain diversity initiative seeks to reflect our customer base and workforce compositions through creating a diverse supply chain. Vistra continued to expand its commitment to an inclusive economy by fostering mentorship of diverse businesses. Further, in the fourth year of Vistra's $10 million five-year commitment to support underserved communities, Vistra provided funding to educational and economic development nonprofits around the country working to transform underserved communities for the better.
Training and Development
We believe the development of employees at all levels is critical to Vistra's current and future success. We have launched key programs to develop leaders at all levels of the organization. Vistra's Essentials of Leadership provides new managers with skills to lead organizations in situational leadership, business acumen, inclusive leadership, and exposes them to best practices from across the company. We continue to evaluate and refine our programs as the development needs of our employees change. In 2023, Vistra refreshed our Front-Line Leader development program focusing on the development of supervisors and managers at our plants.
Vistra also provides many other training and development programs to help grow and develop employees at every level, including online learning platform courses, learning management system courses, recorded webinars and presentations, self-paced development and employee-specific skill training. The Vistra Learning Community is our online platform that strategically supports employees in completing thousands of hours of professional training to support continuing education requirements for their respective professional licenses, including accounting, legal and nuclear. In 2024, Vistra continued its formal mentoring program available to all employees to focus on topics like organizational knowledge, career development, individual development, collaboration and leadership. Over 500 employees participated in 2023. In addition, all full-time employees, other than those in a collective bargaining unit, receive a formal performance review guiding development and improving results of the business.
Employee Benefits
Maintaining attractive benefits and pay are important for recruiting and retaining talent. We are committed to maintaining an equitable compensation structure, including performing annual salary reviews by employee category level within significant locations of operations. Eligible full- and part-time employees are provided access to medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability coverage, accident coverage, critical illness coverage and hospital indemnity coverage. Regular full-time employees are eligible for short-term disability benefits, and all employees are eligible for the employee assistance program, parental leave, maternity leave and a 401(k) plan through which the Company matches employee contributions up to 6%.
8
Table of Contents
Wellness
We believe a healthy workforce leads to greater well-being at work and at home. To help keep our workforce healthy, we offer access to on-site medical clinics at six locations. Our healthcare plans are also designed to reward employees for getting annual physicals, age and gender health screenings and immunizations. In addition, our employee medical plans promote mental health and emotional wellness and offer resources for employees seeking assistance. Fitness centers in multiple facilities offer cardio equipment, a selection of free weights and exercise mats. Our employee-led wellness team engages our people to get active and support causes that promote healthy living. With support from the company, the wellness team covers the registration costs for employees to participate in running and cycling events throughout the year.
Environmental Regulations and Related Considerations
We are subject to extensive environmental regulation by governmental authorities, including the EPA and the environmental regulatory bodies of states in which we operate. The EPA has finalized or proposed several regulatory actions establishing new requirements for control of certain emissions from sources, including electricity generation facilities. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for additional discussion of risks posed to us regarding regulatory requirements. See Note 14 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of litigation related to EPA reviews.
Climate Change
There is continuing emphasis domestically and internationally on global climate change and how GHG emissions, such as CO 2 , contribute to global climate change. GHG emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels, primarily by our coal-fueled-generation plants as well as our natural gas-fueled generation plants represent the substantial majority of our total GHG emissions. CO 2 , methane and nitrous oxide are emitted in this combustion process, with CO 2 representing the largest portion of these GHG emissions. We estimate that our generation facilities produced approximately 95 million short tons of CO 2 in the year ended 2023.
To manage our environmental impact from our business activities and reduce our emissions profile, Vistra set emissions reduction targets. Vistra is targeting to achieve a 60% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO 2 equivalent emissions by 2030 as compared to a 2010 baseline with a long-term goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, assuming necessary advancements in technology and supportive market constructs and public policy. Since 2010, Vistra has retired more than 15,100 MW of coal and natural gas power plants resulting in a 50% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions, a 68% reduction in nitrogen oxide (NO X ) emissions, and an 89% reduction in sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) emissions through year-end 2023, compared to a 2010 baseline. In furtherance of Vistra's efforts to meet its net-zero target, Vistra expects to deploy multiple levers to transition the company to operating with net-zero emissions, including decarbonization of existing business lines and further diversification into low-to-no emission businesses, primarily renewables and battery ESS. We have already taken or announced significant steps to transform our generation portfolio and reduce the emissions intensity of our generation fleet, including:
• Solar Projects — We operate solar generations facilities totaling 338 MW in Texas. We have announced our plans to develop:
◦ additional solar generation facilities in Texas, with expected commercial operation dates beginning in 2025, and
◦ up to 300 MW of solar generation facilities at retired or to-be retired plant sites in Illinois with expected commercial operation dates ranging from 2024 to 2026.
• Battery Energy Storage Projects — We operate battery ESS totaling 270 MW in Texas and 750 MW in California. We have announced our plans to develop up to 150 MW of battery ESS at retired or to-be-retired plant sites in Illinois with expected commercial operation dates ranging from 2024 to 2026.
• Acquisition of CCGTs — In 2016 and 2017, we acquired 4,042 MW of CCGTs in Texas. In 2018, we acquired 15,448 MW of CCGTs across various ISOs/RTOs in connection with the Dynegy Merger.
• Retirements of Fossil Fuel Generation — Since 2018, lignite/coal-fueled generation facilities retired include 4,167 MW in Texas, 4,040 MW in Illinois and 1,300 MW in Ohio. We expect to retire an additional 4,578 MW of coal-fueled generation facilities in Illinois, Ohio and Texas no later than year-end 2027.
• Acquisition of Nuclear Generation Facilities — In 2023, we announced the acquisition of 4,048 MW of nuclear generation facilities in PJM from Energy Harbor. We anticipate the transaction will close on March 1, 2024.
9
Table of Contents
We will only invest in growth projects if we are confident in the expected returns. See Note 3 to the Financial Statements for discussion of our solar and battery ESS projects and Note 4 to the Financial Statements for discussion of our retirement of generation facilities.
Green Finance Framework
In December 2021, we announced the publication of our Green Finance Framework, which allows us to issue green financial instruments to fund new or existing projects that support renewable energy and energy efficiency with alignment to our ESG strategy. See Note 15 to the Financial Statements for more information concerning the Series B Preferred Stock issued under our Green Finance Framework.
GHG Emissions
In July 2019, the EPA finalized a rule that repealed the Clean Power Plan (CPP) and established new regulations addressing GHG emissions from existing coal-fueled electric generation units, referred to as the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule. The ACE rule developed emission guidelines that states must use when developing plans to regulate GHG emissions from existing coal-fueled electric generation units. In response to challenges brought by environmental groups and certain states, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit Court) vacated the ACE rule, including the repeal of the CPP, in January 2021 and remanded the rule to the EPA for further action. In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion reversing the D.C. Circuit Court's decision, and finding that the EPA exceeded its authority under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act when the EPA set emission requirements in the CPP based on generation shifting. In October 2022, the D.C. Circuit Court issued an amended judgment, denying petitions for review of the ACE rule and challenges to the repeal of the CPP. In addition, the EPA opened a docket seeking input on questions related to the regulation of GHGs under Section 111(d) which closed in March 2023. In May 2023, the EPA released a new proposal regulating power plant GHG emissions, while also proposing to repeal the ACE rule. The new GHG proposal sets limits for (a) new natural gas-fired combustion turbines, (b) existing coal-, oil- and natural gas-fired steam generation units, and (c) certain existing natural gas-fired combustion turbines. The proposed standards are based on technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration/storage (CCS), low-GHG hydrogen co-firing, and natural gas co-firing. Starting in 2030, the proposal would generally require more CO 2 emissions control at fossil fuel-fired power plants that operate more frequently and for more years and would phase in increasingly stringent CO 2 requirements over time. Under the proposal, states would be required to submit plans to the EPA within 24 months of the rule's effective date that provide for the establishment, implementation, and enforcement of standards of performance for existing sources. These state plans must generally establish standards that are at least as stringent as the EPA's emission guidelines. Existing steam generation units must start complying with their standards of performance on January 1, 2030. Existing combustion turbine units must start complying with their standards of performance on January 1, 2032, or January 1, 2035, depending on their subcategory. We submitted comments to the EPA on this proposal in August 2023.
State Regulation of GHGs
Many states where we operate generation facilities have, are considering, or are in some stage of implementing, state-only regulatory programs intended to reduce emissions of GHGs from stationary sources as a means of addressing climate change.
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) — RGGI is a state-driven GHG emission control program that took effect in 2009 and was initially implemented by ten New England and Mid-Atlantic states to reduce CO 2 emissions from power plants. The participating RGGI states implemented a cap-and-trade program. Compliance with RGGI can be achieved by reducing emissions, purchasing or trading allowances, or securing offset allowances from an approved offset project. We are required to hold allowances equal to at least 50 percent of emissions in each of the first two years of the three-year control period.
In December 2017, the RGGI states released an updated model rule with changes to the CO 2 budget trading program, including an additional 30 percent reduction in the CO 2 annual cap by the year 2030, relative to 2020 levels. RGGI is currently conducting its third program review which may include an updated model rule.
10
Table of Contents
Our generation facilities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Virginia emitted approximately 10 million short tons of CO 2 during 2023. The spot market price of RGGI allowances required to operate these facilities as of December 31, 2023 was approximately $15.35 per allowance. The spot market price of RGGI allowances required to operate our affected facilities during 2024 was approximately $16.21 per allowance on February 23, 2024. While the cost of allowances required to operate our RGGI-affected facilities is expected to increase in future years, we expect that the cost of compliance would be reflected in the power market, and the actual impact to gross margin would be largely offset by an increase in revenue.
Massachusetts — In August 2017, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) adopted final rules establishing an annual declining limit on aggregate CO 2 emissions from 21 in-state fossil-fueled electricity generation units. The rules establish an allowance trading system under which the annual aggregate electricity generation unit sector cap on CO 2 emissions declines from 8.96 million metric tons in 2018 to 1.8 million metric tons in 2050. MassDEP allocated emission allowances to affected facilities for 2018. Beginning in 2019, the allocation process transitioned to a competitive auction process whereby allowances are partially distributed through a competitive auction process and partially distributed based on the process and schedule established by the rule. Beginning in 2021, all allowances were distributed through the auction. Limited banking of unused allowances is allowed.
Virginia — In May 2019, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality issued a final rule to adopt a carbon cap-and trade program for fossil-fueled electricity generation units, including our Hopewell facility, beginning in 2020. The program is based on the RGGI proposed 2017 model rule and linked Virginia to RGGI in 2021. The Governor of Virginia issued an executive order in January 2022 to begin the process of removing the state from RGGI. The Virginia State Pollution Control Board withdrew the state from RGGI at the end of 2023, coinciding with the end of the program's three-year compliance period and contract with RGGI, Inc. In August 2023, opponents of the state's action filed suit seeking a stay alleging withdrawal from RGGI is impermissible without new legislation. Virginia is not participating in RGGI at this time.
New Jersey — In January 2018, the Governor of New Jersey signed an executive order directing the state's environmental agency and public utilities board to begin the process of rejoining RGGI, and New Jersey formally rejoined RGGI in June 2019. In June 2019, New Jersey adopted two rules that govern New Jersey's reentry into the RGGI auction and distribution of the RGGI auction proceeds.
Pennsylvania — In April 2022, the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board finalized regulations that would establish Pennsylvania's participation in RGGI. In July 2022, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania (Commonwealth Court) took action to uphold a preliminary injunction over Pennsylvania's RGGI regulations. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied a request for emergency relief from the injunction in August 2022. In November 2023, the Commonwealth Court found that Pennsylvania cannot join RGGI without legislative approval and enjoined the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection from implementing RGGI. The state has appealed this decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court where it is still pending. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protections has indicated it will not seek to implement RGGI until the Pennsylvania Supreme Court acts. As a result, RGGI is not being implemented or enforced in Pennsylvania at this time.
California — Our assets in California are subject to the California Global Warming Solutions Act, which required the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop a GHG emission control program to reduce emissions of GHGs in the state to 1990 levels by 2020. In April 2015, the Governor of California issued an executive order establishing a new statewide GHG reduction target of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 to ensure California meets its 2050 GHG reduction target of 80 percent below 1990 levels. We have participated in quarterly auctions or in secondary markets, as appropriate, to secure allowances for our affected assets.
In July 2017, California enacted legislation extending its GHG cap-and-trade program through 2030 and the CARB adopted amendments to its cap-and-trade regulations that, among other things, established a framework for extending the program beyond 2020 and linking the program to the new cap-and-trade program in Ontario, Canada beginning in January 2018.
11
Table of Contents
Air Emissions
The Clean Air Act (CAA)
The CAA and comparable state laws and regulations relating to air emissions impose various responsibilities on owners and operators of sources of air emissions, which include requirements to obtain construction and operating permits, pay permit fees, monitor emissions, submit reports and compliance certifications, and keep records. The CAA requires that fossil-fueled electricity generation plants meet certain pollutant emission standards and have sufficient emission allowances to cover SO 2 emissions and in some regions NO X emissions.
In order to ensure continued compliance with the CAA and related rules and regulations, we utilize various emission reduction technologies. These technologies include flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems, dry sorbent injection (DSI), baghouses and activated carbon injection or mercury oxidation systems on select units and electrostatic precipitators, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, low-NO X burners and/or overfire air systems on all units.
Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR)
In 2016, the EPA finalized the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update (CSAPR Update) to address 22 states' obligations with respect to the 2008 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). In 2019, following challenges by numerous parties, the D.C. Circuit Court found that the CSAPR Update did not fully address certain states' 2008 ozone NAAQS obligations. In October 2020, the EPA proposed an action to address the outstanding 2008 ozone NAAQS obligations in response to the D.C. Circuit Court's 2019 ruling. Vistra subsidiaries filed comments on that rulemaking in December 2020, and the EPA published a final rule in the Federal Register on April 30, 2021 that reduces ozone season NO X budgets in certain states. We do not believe that the final rule causes a material adverse impact on our future financial results.
In October 2015, the EPA revised the primary and secondary ozone NAAQS to lower the 8-hour standard for ozone emissions during ozone season (May to September). As required under the CAA, in October 2018, the State of Texas submitted a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to the EPA demonstrating that emissions from Texas sources do not contribute significantly to nonattainment in, or interfere with maintenance by, any other state with respect to the revised ozone NAAQS. In February 2023, the EPA disapproved Texas' SIP and the State of Texas, Luminant, certain trade groups, and others challenged that disapproval in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (Fifth Circuit Court). In March 2023, those same parties filed motions to stay the EPA's SIP disapproval in the Fifth Circuit Court, and the EPA moved to transfer our challenges to the D.C. Circuit Court or have those challenges dismissed.
In April 2022, prior to the EPA's disapproval of Texas' SIP, the EPA proposed a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to address the 2015 ozone NAAQS. We, along with many other companies, trade groups, states and ISOs, including ERCOT, PJM and MISO, filed responsive comments to the EPA's proposal in June 2022, expressing concerns about certain elements of the proposal, particularly those that may result in challenges to electric reliability under certain conditions. In March 2023, the EPA administrator signed its final FIP. The FIP applies to 22 states beginning with the 2023 ozone seasons. States where Vistra operates electric generation units that would be subject to this rule are Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Texas would be moved into the revised Group 3 trading program previously established in the Revised CSAPR Update Rule that includes emission budgets for 2023 that the EPA says are achievable through existing controls installed at power plants. Allowances will be limited under the program and will be further reduced beginning in ozone season 2026 to a level that is intended to reduce operating time of coal-fueled power plants during ozone season or force coal plants to retire, particularly those that do not have selective catalytic reduction systems such as our Martin Lake power plant.
In May 2023, the Fifth Circuit Court granted our motion to stay the EPA's disapproval of Texas' SIP pending a decision on the merits and denied the EPA's motion to transfer our challenge to the D.C. Circuit Court. As a result of the stay, we do not believe the EPA has authority to implement the FIP as to Texas sources pending the resolution of the merits, meaning that Texas will remain in Group 2 and not be subject to any requirements under the FIP at least until the Fifth Circuit Court rules on the merits. Oral argument was heard in December 2023 before the Fifth Circuit Court. In June 2023, the EPA published the final FIP in the Federal Register, which included requirements as to Texas despite the stay of the SIP disapproval by the Fifth Circuit Court. In June 2023, the State of Texas, Luminant and various other parties also filed challenges to the FIP in the Fifth Circuit Court, filed a motion to stay the FIP and confirm venue for this dispute in the Fifth Circuit Court. After the motion to stay and to confirm venue was filed, the EPA signed an interim final rule on June 29, 2023 that confirms the FIP as to Texas is stayed. In July 2023, the Fifth Circuit Court ruled that the FIP challenge would be held in abeyance pending the resolution of the litigation on the SIP disapproval and denied the motion to stay as not needed given the EPA's administrative stay.
12
Table of Contents
Regional Haze — Reasonable Progress and Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) for Texas
The Regional Haze Program of the CAA establishes "as a national goal the prevention of any future, and the remedying of any existing, impairment of visibility in mandatory class I federal areas which impairment results from man-made pollution." There are two components to the Regional Haze Program. First, states must establish goals for reasonable progress for Class I federal areas within the state and establish long-term strategies to reach those goals and to assist Class I federal areas in neighboring states to achieve reasonable progress set by those states towards a goal of natural visibility by 2064. Second, certain electricity generation units built between 1962 and 1977 are subject to BART standards designed to improve visibility if such units cause or contribute to impairment of visibility in a federal class I area.
In October 2017, the EPA issued a final rule addressing BART for Texas electricity generation units, with the rule serving as a partial approval of Texas' 2009 SIP and a partial FIP. For SO 2 , the rule established an intrastate Texas emission allowance trading program as a "BART alternative" that operates in a similar fashion to a CSAPR trading program. The program includes 39 generation units (including the Martin Lake, Big Brown, Monticello, Sandow 4, Coleto Creek, Stryker 2 and Graham 2 plants). The compliance obligations in the program started on January 1, 2019. For NO X , the rule adopted the CSAPR's ozone program as BART and for particulate matter, the rule approved Texas' SIP that determines that no electricity generation units are subject to BART for particulate matter. In August 2020, the EPA issued a final rule affirming the prior BART final rule but also included additional revisions that were proposed in November 2019. Challenges to both the 2017 rule and the 2020 rules have been consolidated in the D.C. Circuit Court, where we have intervened in support of the EPA. We are in compliance with the rule, and the retirements of our Monticello, Big Brown and Sandow 4 plants have enhanced our ability to comply. The EPA is in the process of reconsidering the BART rule, and the challenges in the D.C. Circuit Court have been held in abeyance pending the EPA's final action on reconsideration. In May 2023, a proposed BART rule was published in the Federal Register that would withdraw the trading program provisions of the prior rule and would establish SO 2 limits on six facilities in Texas, including Martin Lake and Coleto Creek. Under the current proposal, compliance would be required within 3 years for Martin Lake and 5 years for Coleto Creek. Due to the announced shutdown for Coleto Creek, we do not anticipate any impacts at that facility, and we are evaluating potential compliance options at Martin Lake should this proposal become final. We submitted comments to the EPA on this proposal in August 2023.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
The CAA requires the EPA to regulate emissions of pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. The EPA has established NAAQS for six such pollutants, including SO 2 and ozone. Each state is responsible for developing a SIP that will attain and maintain the NAAQS. These plans may result in the imposition of emission limits on our facilities.
SO 2 Designations for Texas
In November 2016, the EPA finalized its nonattainment designations for counties surrounding our Martin Lake generation plant and our now retired Big Brown and Monticello plants. The final designations require Texas to develop nonattainment plans for these areas. In February 2017, the State of Texas and Luminant filed challenges to the nonattainment designations in the Fifth Circuit Court. In August 2019, the EPA issued a proposed Error Correction Rule for all three areas, which, if finalized, would have revised its previous nonattainment designations and each area at issue would be designated unclassifiable. In May 2021, the EPA finalized a "Clean Data" determination for the areas surrounding the retired Big Brown and Monticello plants, redesignating those areas as attainment based on monitoring data supporting an attainment designation. In June 2021, the EPA published two notices; one that it was withdrawing the August 2019 Error Correction Rule and a second separate notice denying petitions from Luminant and the State of Texas to reconsider the original nonattainment designations. We, along with the State of Texas, challenged that EPA action and have consolidated it with the pending challenge in the Fifth Circuit Court, and this case was argued before the Fifth Circuit Court in July 2022. In September 2021, the TCEQ considered a proposal for its nonattainment SIP revision for the Martin Lake area and an agreed order to reduce SO 2 emissions from the plant. The proposed agreed order associated with the SIP proposal reduces emission limits as of January 2022. Emission reductions required are those necessary to demonstrate attainment with the NAAQS. The TCEQ's SIP action was finalized in February 2022 and has been submitted to the EPA for review and approval. In January 2024, in a split decision, the Fifth Circuit Court denied the petitions for review we and the State of Texas filed over EPA' 2016 nonattainment designation for SO 2 for the area around Martin Lake. As a result of this decision, the EPA's nonattainment designation – originally made in 2016 – remains in place. We anticipate the EPA will likely move forward with either proposing a federal plan for the area in light of an approved consent decree between the Sierra Club and the EPA that requires the EPA taking final action promulgating a FIP for the nonattainment area by December 13, 2024 or the EPA may approve Texas' SIP submittal discussed above. In February 2024, we filed a petition asking the full Fifth Circuit Court to review the panel decision issued in January 2024.
13
Table of Contents
Ozone Designations
The EPA issued a final rule in October 2015 lowering the ozone NAAQS from 75 to 70 parts per billion. Areas surrounding our Dicks Creek, Miami Fort and Zimmer facilities in Ohio, our Calumet facility in Illinois and our Wise, Ennis and Midlothian facilities in Texas were designated marginal nonattainment areas in June 2018 by the EPA with an attainment deadline of August 2021. The EPA is required to take action on areas that did not attain by that date by bumping up the region to a "moderate" designation with an attainment deadline of August 2024. States will be required to develop SIPs to address emissions in areas with a higher (more stringent) classification.
Particulate Matte r
In February 2024, the EPA issued a 715-page rule addressing the annual health-based national ambient air quality standards for fine particulate matter (or PM2.5). In general, the rule lowers the level of the annual PM2.5 standard from 12.0 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) to 9.0 µg/m3. The effective date of the rule is 60 days from publication in the Federal Register, and the earliest attainment date for areas exceeding the new standard is 2032. At this time, we are still determining what impact, if any, this rule will have on our existing plants or any plants we may build in the future. Based on 2020-2022 design value associated with the rule, we have just five plants (Oakland (California), Calumet (Illinois), Liberty (Pennsylvania), Miami Fort (Ohio) and Lake Hubbard (Texas)) operating in areas where the air quality monitoring data are currently exceeding the new PM2.5 standard. We have previously announced that our Miami Fort generation facility will close by the end of 2027. States will have to develop a plan (by late 2027 at the earliest) to get those areas into attainment and there would be a possibility that additional controls would be required for those sites. However, before the state begins this planning process, the designation process will occur within two years from the issuance of the final rule. The states develop recommendations about the boundaries of the nonattainment counties and the EPA must finalize the designations including the boundaries of each nonattainment area.
CCR/Groundwater
The combustion of coal to generate electric power creates large quantities of ash and byproducts that are managed at power generation facilities in dry form in landfills and in wet form in surface impoundments. Each of our coal-fueled plants has at least one CCR surface impoundment.
Coal Combustion Residuals
The EPA's CCR rule, which took effect in October 2015, establishes minimum federal requirements for the construction, retrofitting, operation and closure of, and corrective action with respect to, existing and new CCR landfills and surface impoundments, as well as inactive CCR surface impoundments. The requirements include location restrictions, structural integrity criteria, groundwater monitoring, operating criteria, liner design criteria, closure and post-closure care, recordkeeping and notification. The deadlines for beginning and completing closure vary depending on several factors. The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (the WIIN Act), which was enacted in December 2016, provides for EPA review and approval of state CCR permit programs.
14
Table of Contents
In August 2018, the D.C. Circuit Court issued a decision that vacates and remands certain provisions of the 2015 CCR rule, including an applicability exemption for legacy impoundments. In August 2020, the EPA issued a final rule establishing a deadline of April 11, 2021 to cease receipt of waste and initiate closure at unlined CCR impoundments. The final rule allows a generation plant to seek the EPA's approval to extend this deadline if no alternative disposal capacity is available and either a conversion to comply with the CCR rule is underway or retirement will occur by either 2023 or 2028 (depending on the size of the impoundment at issue). Prior to the November 2020 deadline, we submitted applications to the EPA requesting compliance extensions under both conversion and retirement scenarios. In 2022 and 2023, we withdrew the applications for Coffeen, Martin Lake, Joppa and Zimmer stations because extensions were no longer needed. In November 2020, environmental groups petitioned for review of this rule in the D.C. Circuit Court, and Vistra subsidiaries filed a motion to intervene in support of the EPA in December 2020. Also, in November 2020, the EPA finalized a rule that would allow an alternative liner demonstration for certain qualifying facilities. In November 2020, we submitted an application for an alternate liner demonstration for one CCR unit at Martin Lake, however, we withdrew the application for an alternate liner demonstration in November 2023 after determining the pond was no longer needed for CCR. In August 2021, we submitted a request to transfer our conversion application for the Zimmer facility to a retirement application following the announcement that Zimmer will close by May 31, 2022. In January 2022, the EPA determined that our conversion and retirement applications for our CCR facilities were complete but has not yet proposed action on any of those applications. In addition, in January 2022, the EPA also made a series of public statements, including in a press release, that purported to impose new, more onerous closure requirements for CCR units. The EPA issued these new purported requirements without prior notice and without following the legal requirements for adopting new rules. These new purported requirements announced by the EPA are contrary to existing regulations and the EPA's prior positions. In April 2022, we, along with the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group (USWAG), a trade association of over 130 utility operating companies, energy companies, and certain other industry associations, filed petitions for review with the D.C. Circuit Court and have asked the court to determine that the EPA cannot implement or enforce the new purported requirements because the EPA has not followed the required procedures. The State of Texas and the TCEQ have intervened in support of the petitions filed by the Vistra subsidiaries and USWAG, and various environmental groups have intervened on behalf of the EPA. Briefing before the D.C. Circuit Court is complete, and the court will hear argument in March 2024.
In May 2023, the EPA issued another proposal that further revises the federal CCR rule that would expand coverage of groundwater monitoring and closure requirements to the following two new categories of units: (a) legacy units which are CCR impoundments at inactive sites that ceased receiving waste before October 19, 2015 and (b) so-called "CCR management units" which generally could encompass areas of CCR located at a facility that is currently regulated by the existing CCR rule. CCR Management Units, as defined by the EPA in the proposal, could include any ash deposits, haul roads, and previously closed impoundments and landfills. As part of the proposed rule, the EPA identified 134 CCR management units at 82 different facilities across the country, including six of our potential units. The Vermilion ash ponds discussed below are the only unit which we believe qualify as a legacy CCR surface impoundment and given our closure plan for that site we do not believe this proposal, if finalized, will have any impact on that site. We are continuing to evaluate what would be required of the CCR management units identified in the proposal should the proposal become final in its current form. We submitted comments in July 2023.
MISO — In 2012, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) issued violation notices alleging violations of groundwater standards onsite at our Baldwin and Vermilion facilities' CCR surface impoundments. These violation notices remain unresolved; however, in 2016, the IEPA approved our closure and post-closure care plans for the Baldwin old east, east, and west fly ash CCR surface impoundments. We have completed closure activities at those ponds at our Baldwin facility.
At our retired Vermilion facility, which was not potentially subject to the EPA's 2015 CCR rule until the aforementioned D.C. Circuit Court decision in August 2018, we submitted proposed corrective action plans involving closure of two CCR surface impoundments ( i.e. , the old east and the north impoundments) to the IEPA in 2012, and we submitted revised plans in 2014. In May 2017, in response to a request from the IEPA for additional information regarding the closure of these Vermilion surface impoundments, we agreed to perform additional groundwater sampling and closure options and riverbank stabilizing options. In May 2018, Prairie Rivers Network (PRN) filed a citizen suit in federal court in Illinois against Dynegy Midwest Generation, LLC (DMG), alleging violations of the Clean Water Act for alleged unauthorized discharges. In August 2018, we filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. In November 2018, the district court granted our motion to dismiss and judgment was entered in our favor. In June 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of the lawsuit. In April 2019, PRN also filed a complaint against DMG before the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB), alleging that groundwater flows allegedly associated with the ash impoundments at the Vermilion site have resulted in exceedances both of surface water standards and Illinois groundwater standards dating back to 1992. We answered that complaint in July 2021. In July 2023, PRN filed an unopposed motion to voluntarily dismiss the case with prejudice, which the IPCB granted in August 2023 and closed the case.
15
Table of Contents
In 2012, the IEPA issued violation notices alleging violations of groundwater standards at the Newton and Coffeen facilities' CCR surface impoundments. We are addressing these CCR surface impoundments in accordance with the federal CCR rule. In June 2018, the IEPA issued a violation notice for alleged seep discharges claimed to be coming from the surface impoundments at our retired Vermilion facility, which is owned by our subsidiary DMG, and that notice was referred to the Illinois Attorney General. In June 2021, the Illinois Attorney General and the Vermilion County State Attorney filed a complaint in Illinois state court with an agreed interim consent order which the court subsequently entered. Given the violation notices and the enforcement action, the unique characteristics of the site, and the proximity of the site to the only national scenic river in Illinois, we agreed to enter into the interim consent order to resolve this matter. Per the terms of the agreed interim consent order, DMG is required to evaluate the closure alternatives under the requirements of the newly implemented Illinois Coal Ash regulation (discussed below) and close the site by removal. In addition, the interim consent order requires that during the impoundment closure process, impacted groundwater will be collected before it leaves the site or enters the nearby Vermilion river and, if necessary, DMG will be required to install temporary riverbank protection if the river migrates within a certain distance of the impoundments. The interim order was modified in December 2022 to require certain amendments to the Safety Emergency Response Plan. In June 2023, the Illinois state court approved and entered the final consent order, which included the terms above and a requirement that when IEPA issues a final closure permit for the site, DMG will demolish the power station and submit for approval to construct an on-site landfill within the footprint of the former plant to store and manage the coal ash. These proposed closure costs are reflected in the ARO in our consolidated balance sheets (see Note 22 to the Financial Statements).
In July 2019, coal ash disposal and storage legislation in Illinois was enacted. The legislation addresses state requirements for the proper closure of coal ash ponds in the state of Illinois. The law tasks the IEPA and the IPCB to set up a series of guidelines, rules and permit requirements for closure of ash ponds. Under the final rule, which was finalized and became effective in April 2021, coal ash impoundment owners would be required to submit a closure alternative analysis to the IEPA for the selection of the best method for coal ash remediation at a particular site. The rule does not mandate closure by removal at any site. In May 2021, we filed an appeal in the Illinois Fourth Judicial District over certain provisions of the final rule and that case remains pending. Other parties have also filed appeals of certain provisions of the final rule. In October 2021, we filed operating permit applications for 18 impoundments as required by the Illinois coal ash rule, and filed construction permit applications for three of our sites in January 2022 and five of our sites in July 2022. One additional closure construction application was filed for our Baldwin facility in August 2023.
For all of the above matters, if certain corrective action measures, including groundwater treatment or removal of ash, are required at any of our coal-fueled facilities, we may incur significant costs that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The Illinois coal ash rule was finalized in April 2021 and does not require removal. However, the rule required us to undertake further site specific evaluations required by each program. We will not know the full range of decommissioning costs, including groundwater remediation, if any, that ultimately may be required under the Illinois rule until permit applications have been approved by the IEPA. However, the CCR surface impoundment and landfill closure costs currently reflected in our existing ARO liabilities, reflect the costs of closure methods that our operations and environmental services teams believe are appropriate based on existing closure requirements and protective of the environment for each location. Once the IEPA acts on our permit applications, we will reassess the decommissioning costs and adjust our ARO liabilities accordingly.
Water
The EPA and the environmental regulatory bodies of states in which we operate have jurisdiction over the diversion, impoundment and withdrawal of water for cooling and other purposes and the discharge of wastewater (including storm water) from our facilities. We believe our facilities are presently in material compliance with applicable federal and state requirements relating to these activities. We believe we hold all required permits relating to these activities for facilities in operation and have applied for or obtained necessary permits for facilities under construction. We also believe we can satisfy the requirements necessary to obtain any required permits or renewals.
16
Table of Contents
Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs) — In November 2015, the EPA revised the ELGs for steam electricity generation facilities, which will impose more stringent standards (as individual permits are renewed) for wastewater streams, such as FGD, fly ash, bottom ash and flue gas mercury control wastewaters. Various parties filed petitions for review of the ELG rule, and the petitions were consolidated in the Fifth Circuit Court. In April 2017, the EPA granted petitions requesting reconsideration of the ELG rule and administratively stayed the rule's compliance date deadlines. In April 2019, the Fifth Circuit Court vacated and remanded portions of the EPA's ELG rule pertaining to effluent limitations for legacy wastewater and leachate. The EPA published a final rule in October 2020 that extends the compliance date for both FGD and bottom ash transport water to no later than December 2025, as negotiated with the state permitting agency. Additionally, the final rule allows for a retirement exemption that exempts facilities certifying that units will retire by December 2028 provided certain effluent limitations are met. In November 2020, environmental groups petitioned for review of the new ELG revisions, and Vistra subsidiaries filed a motion to intervene in support of the EPA in December 2020. Notifications were made to Texas, Illinois and Ohio state agencies on the retirement exemption for applicable coal plants by the regulatory deadline of October 13, 2021. In March 2023, the EPA published its proposed supplemental ELG rule, which retains the retirement exemption from the 2020 ELG rule and sets new limits for plants that are continuing to operate. The proposed rule also establishes pretreatment standards for combustion residual leachate, and we are currently evaluating the impact of those proposed requirements. We submitted comments on the proposal in May 2023.
Radioactive Waste
The nuclear industry has developed ways to store used nuclear fuel on site at nuclear generation facilities, primarily using dry cask storage, since there are no facilities for reprocessing or disposal of used nuclear fuel currently in operation in the U.S. Luminant stores its used nuclear fuel on-site in storage pools or dry cask storage facilities and believes its on-site used nuclear fuel storage capability is sufficient for the foreseeable future.
Corporate Information
Vistra is a Delaware corporation whose common stock is listed and trade on the NYSE. Our principal executive office is located at 6555 Sierra Drive, Irving, Texas 75039. The telephone number for our principal executive office is (214) 812-4600. We maintain a website located at www.vistracorp.com .
Available Information
We file our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports with the SEC. You may obtain copies of these documents, free of charge, on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or on Vistra's website at www.vistracorp.com , as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Vistra also posts important information, including press releases, investor presentations, sustainability reports, and notices of upcoming events on its website and utilizes its website as a channel of distribution to reach public investors and as a means of disclosing material non-public information for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Investors may be notified of postings to our website by signing up for email alerts and RSS feeds on the "Investor Relations" page. The information on Vistra's website shall not be deemed a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this annual report on Form 10-K.
17
Table of Contents
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
Summary of Risk Factors
The following summarizes the principal factors that make an investment in our company speculative or risky, all of which are more fully described in the Risk Factors section below. This summary should be read in conjunction with the Risk Factors section and should not be relied upon as an exhaustive summary of the material risks facing our business. The following factors could result in harm to our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and prospects, among other impacts:
Market, Financial and Economic Risks
• Our revenues, results of operations and operating cash flows are affected by price fluctuations in the wholesale power market and other market factors beyond our control.
• We purchase natural gas, coal, fuel oil, and nuclear fuel for our generation facilities, and higher than expected fuel costs or disruptions in these fuel markets may have an adverse impact on, our costs, revenues, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
• We have retired, announced planned retirements of, and may be forced to retire or idle additional underperforming generation units which could result in significant costs and have an adverse effect on our operating results.
• Our assets or positions cannot be fully hedged against changes in commodity prices and Market Heat Rates, and hedging transactions may not work as planned or hedge counterparties may default on their obligations.
• Competition, changes in market structure, and/or state or federal interference in the wholesale and retail power markets, together with subsidized generation, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
• Our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected by energy market participants continuing to construct new generation facilities or expanding or enhancing existing generation facilities despite relatively low power prices and such additional generation capacity results in a reduction in wholesale power prices.
• Our liquidity needs could be difficult to satisfy, particularly during times of uncertainty in the financial markets or during times of significant fluctuation in commodity prices, and we may be unable to access capital on favorable terms or at all in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
• The agreements and instruments governing our debt, including the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and indentures, contain restrictions and limitations that could affect our ability to operate our business, our liquidity, and our results of operations, and any failure to comply with these restrictions could have a material adverse effect on us.
• We may not be able to complete future acquisitions on favorable terms or at all, successfully integrate future acquisitions into our business, or effectively identify and invest in value-creating businesses, assets or projects, which could result in unanticipated expenses and losses or otherwise hinder or delay our growth strategy.
• Our ability to achieve the expected growth of our Vistra Zero portfolio, consisting of our solar generation, battery ESS, and other renewables development projects, is subject to substantial capital requirements and other significant uncertainties.
• Tax legislation initiatives or challenges to our tax positions, or potential future legislation or the imposition of new or increased taxes or fees, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Regulatory and Legislative Risks
• Our businesses are subject to ongoing complex governmental regulations and legislation that have adversely impacted, and may in the future adversely impact, our businesses, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
• Our cost of compliance with existing and new environmental laws could have a material adverse effect on us.
18
Table of Contents
• Pending or proposed laws or regulations, or the repeal of existing beneficial laws or regulations, including those proposed or implemented under the Biden administration, could have a material adverse effect on our businesses, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
• Changes to laws, rules or regulations related to market structures in the markets in which we participate may have a material adverse effect on our businesses, results of operation, liquidity and financial condition.
• We could be materially and adversely affected if current regulations are implemented or if new federal or state legislation or regulations are adopted to address global climate change, or if we are subject to lawsuits for alleged damage to persons or property resulting from greenhouse gas emissions.
• Litigation, legal proceedings, regulatory investigations or other administrative proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities and reputational damage that could have a material adverse effect on us.
Operational Risks
• Volatile power supply costs and demand for power have and could in the future adversely affect the financial performance of our retail businesses.
• Our retail operations are subject to significant competition from other REPs, which could result in a loss of existing customers and the inability to attract new customers.
• Cybersecurity attacks or technology systems failures could disrupt business operations and expose us to significant liabilities, reputational damage, loss of customers, and regulatory action.
• The operation of our businesses is subject to information security and operational technology risks, including cybersecurity breaches and failure of critical information and operations technology systems. Attacks on our infrastructure that breach cyber/data security measures could expose us to significant liabilities, reputational damage, regulatory action, and disrupt business operations, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
• We may suffer material losses, costs and liabilities due to operational risks, regulatory risks, and the risk of nuclear accidents arising from the ownership and operation of the Comanche Peak nuclear generation facility.
• The operation and maintenance of power generation facilities and related mining operations are capital intensive and involve significant risks that could adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
• We may be materially and adversely affected by obligations to comply with federal and state regulations, laws, and other legal requirements that govern the operations, assessments, storage, closure, corrective action, disposal and monitoring relating to CCR.
• We have been and may in the future be materially and adversely affected by the effects of extreme weather conditions and seasonality.
• Events outside of our control, including an epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease may materially adversely affect our business.
• Changes in technology, increased electricity conservation efforts, or energy sustainability efforts may reduce the value of our business, introduce new or emerging risks and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on us.
Risks Related to Our Structure and Ownership of our Common Stock
• Evolving expectations from stakeholders, including investors, on ESG issues, including climate change and sustainability matters, and erosion of stakeholder trust or confidence could influence actions or decisions about our company and our industry and could adversely affect our business, operations, financial results, or stock price.
• We may not pay any dividends on our common stock in the future, and we may not realize the anticipated benefits of our share repurchase program.
19
Table of Contents
Please carefully consider the following discussion of significant factors, events, and uncertainties that make an investment in our securities risky. These factors, in addition to others specifically addressed in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition, and Results of Operations (MD&A) , provide important information for the understanding of our forward-looking statements in this annual report on Form 10-K. If one or more of the factors, events and uncertainties discussed below or in the MD&A were to materialize, our business, results of operations, liquidity, financial condition, cash flows, reputation or prospects could be materially adversely affected. In addition, if one or more of such factors, events and uncertainties were to materialize, it could cause results or outcomes to differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statement in this annual report on Form 10-K. There may be further risks and uncertainties that are not currently known or that are not currently believed to be material that may adversely affect our business, results of operations, liquidity, financial condition and prospects and the market price of our common stock in the future. The realization of any of these factors could cause investors in our securities (including our common stock) to lose all or a substantial portion of their investment.
Market, Financial and Economic Risks
Our revenues, results of operations and operating cash flows generally are affected by price fluctuations in the wholesale power market and other market factors beyond our control.
We are not guaranteed any rate of return on capital investments in our businesses. We conduct integrated power generation and retail electricity activities, focusing on power generation, wholesale electricity sales and purchases, retail sales of electricity and natural gas to end users and commodity risk management. Our wholesale and retail businesses are to some extent countercyclical in nature, particularly for the wholesale power and ancillary services supplied to the retail business. However, we do have a wholesale power position that is subject to wholesale power price moves, which may be significant. As a result, our revenues, results of operations and operating cash flows depend in large part upon wholesale market prices for electricity, natural gas, uranium, lignite, coal, fuel oil, and transportation in our regional markets and other competitive markets in which we operate and upon prevailing retail electricity rates, which may be impacted by, among other things, actions of regulatory authorities.
Market prices for power, capacity, ancillary services, natural gas, coal and fuel oil are unpredictable and may fluctuate substantially over relatively short periods of time. Unlike most other commodities, electric power can only be stored on a very limited basis and generally must be produced concurrently with its use. As a result, power prices are subject to significant volatility due to supply and demand imbalances, especially in the day-ahead and spot markets. Demand for electricity can fluctuate dramatically, creating periods of substantial under- or over-supply. Over-supply can occur as a result of the construction of new power generation sources, as we have observed in recent years. During periods of over-supply, electricity prices might be depressed. For example, the cost of electricity from renewable resources, such as solar, wind and battery ESS, has dropped substantially in recent years. In many instances, energy from these sources are bid into the relevant spot market at a price of zero or close to zero during certain times of the day, lowering the clearing price for all power wholesalers in such market. Also, at times there is political pressure, or pressure from regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over wholesale and retail energy commodity and transportation rates, to impose price limitations, bidding rules and other mechanisms to address volatility and other issues in these markets.
Extreme weather events can also materially impact power prices or otherwise exacerbate conditions or circumstances that result in volatility of power prices. For example, in February 2021, the U.S. experienced Winter Storm Uri and extreme cold temperatures in the central U.S., including Texas. This severe weather event substantially increased the demand for natural gas used in our electric power generation business, and the cold further limited the availability of renewable generation across the region contributing to extremely high market prices for natural gas and electricity, which resulted in substantial increases in the costs to procure sufficient fuel supply and increased collateral posting requirements. Winter Storm Elliott, in December 2022, and Winter Storm Heather, in January 2024, were other examples of extreme weather across the U.S. that resulted in widespread wholesale power market volatility.
20
Table of Contents
The majority of our facilities operate as "merchant" facilities without long-term power sales agreements. As a result, we largely sell electric energy, capacity and ancillary services into the wholesale energy spot market or into other wholesale and retail power markets on a short-term basis and are not guaranteed any rate of return on our capital investments. Consequently, there can be no assurance that we will be able to sell any or all of the electric energy, capacity or ancillary services from those facilities at commercially attractive rates or that our facilities will be able to operate profitably. We depend, in large part, upon prevailing market prices for power, capacity and fuel. Given the volatility of commodity power prices, to the extent we are unable to hedge or otherwise secure long-term power sales agreements for the output of our power generation facilities, our revenues and profitability will be subject to volatility, and our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
We purchase natural gas, coal, fuel oil, and nuclear fuel for our generation facilities, and higher than expected fuel costs, volatility, or disruption in these fuel markets may have an adverse impact on our costs, revenues, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We rely on natural gas, coal, fuel oil, and nuclear fuel for the majority of our power generation facilities. Delivery of these fuels to the facilities is dependent upon the continuing availability of such fuels and financial viability of contractual counterparties as well as upon the infrastructure (including mines, rail lines, rail cars, barge facilities, roadways, riverways and natural gas pipelines) available and functioning to serve each generation facility, and geopolitical risk, including the current Russia and Ukraine conflict and the potential for additional U.S. sanctions against Russia or other potential restrictions on Russian energy deliveries. See Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition, and Results of Operations – Significant Activities and Events, and Items Influencing Future Performance - Macroeconomic Conditions . As a result, we have experienced, and remain subject to the risks of disruptions or curtailments in the production of power at our generation facilities if no fuel is available at any price, if a counterparty fails to perform or if there is a disruption in the fuel delivery infrastructure. Certain of our generation facilities rely on a limited number of counterparties, such as natural gas suppliers and railcar companies, to provide the necessary fuel. Disputes relating to or non-performance of contractual arrangements have resulted in, and may continue to result in adverse impacts to our costs, revenues, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.
As part of our strategy to mitigate the potential negative effects of commodity price volatility, we have sold forward a substantial portion of our expected power sales in the next few years in order to lock in long-term prices. In order to hedge our obligations under these forward power sales contracts, we have entered into long-term and short-term contracts for the purchase and delivery of fuel. Many of the forward power sales contracts do not allow us to pass through changes in fuel costs or discharge the power sale obligations in the case of a disruption in fuel supply due to force majeure events or the default of a fuel supplier or transporter. Fuel costs (including diesel, natural gas, lignite, coal and nuclear fuel) are volatile, and the wholesale price for power does not always change at the same rate as changes in fuel costs, and disruptions in our fuel supplies may therefore require us to find alternative fuel sources at costs which may be higher than planned, to find other sources of power to deliver to counterparties at a higher cost, or to pay damages to counterparties for failure to deliver power as contracted. Long-term and short-term contracts are subject to risk of non-delivery or claims of force majeure, which may impact our ability to economically recover the value of the contract. In addition, we purchase and sell natural gas and other energy related commodities, and volatility in these markets may affect costs incurred in meeting our obligations. Further, any changes in the costs of natural gas, coal, fuel oil, nuclear fuel or transportation rates and changes in the relationship between such costs and the market prices of power will affect our financial results. If we are unable to procure fuel for physical delivery at prices we consider favorable, or if we are unable to procure these fuels at all, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. For example, supply challenges were among the primary drivers of the significant loss experienced in 2021 as a result of Winter Storm Uri.
We also buy significant quantities of fuel on a short-term or spot market basis. Prices for all of our fuels fluctuate, sometimes rising or falling significantly over a relatively short period of time. The price we can obtain for the sale of energy may not rise at the same rate, or may not rise at all, to match a rise in fuel or delivery costs. This may have a material adverse effect on our financial and operating performance. Volatility in market prices for fuel and power results from, among other factors:
• demand for energy commodities and general economic conditions, including impacts of inflation and the relative strength or weakness of U.S. dollar compared to other currencies;
• volatility in commodity prices and the supply of commodities, including but not limited to natural gas, coal and fuel oil;
• volatility in Market Heat Rates;
• volatility in coal and rail transportation prices;
• volatility in nuclear fuel and related enrichment and conversion services;
21
Table of Contents
• transmission or transportation disruptions, constraints, congestion, inoperability or inefficiencies of electricity, natural gas or coal transmission or transportation, or other changes in power transmission infrastructure;
• severe, sustained or unexpected weather conditions, including extreme cold, drought and limitations on access to water;
• seasonality;
• changes in electricity and fuel usage resulting from conservation efforts, changes in technology or other factors;
• illiquidity in the wholesale power or other commodity markets;
• importation of liquified natural gas to certain markets;
• development and availability of new fuels, new technologies and new forms of competition for the production and storage of power, including competitively priced alternative energy sources or storage;
• changes in market structure and liquidity;
• changes in the way we operate our facilities, including curtailed operation due to market pricing, environmental regulations and legislation, safety or other factors;
• changes in generation capacity or efficiency;
• outages or otherwise reduced output from our generation facilities or those of our competitors;
• changes in electric capacity, including the addition of new supplies of power as a result of the development of new plants, expansion of existing plants, the continued operation of uneconomic power plants due to federal, state or local subsidies, or additional transmission capacity;
• local, regional, national, or global supply chain constraints or shortages;
• our creditworthiness and liquidity and the willingness of fuel suppliers and transporters to do business with us;
• changes in the credit risk, payment practices, or financial condition of market participants;
• changes in production and storage levels of natural gas, lignite, coal, uranium, diesel and other refined products;
• pandemics and epidemics (including the impacts thereto, or recovery therefrom), natural disasters, wars, sabotage, terrorist acts, embargoes and other catastrophic events; and
• changes in law, including judicial decisions, federal, state and local energy, environmental and other regulation and legislation.
See " Economic downturns would likely have a material adverse effect on our businesses" for a discussion of potential risks arising from current U.S. and global economic and geopolitical conditions.
We have retired, announced planned retirements of, and may be forced to retire or idle additional underperforming generation units which could result in significant costs and have an adverse effect on our operating results.
A sustained decrease in the financial results from, or the value of, our generation units has resulted in the retirement or planned retirement of, and ultimately could result in additional retirements or idling of, generation units. We have operated certain of our lignite- and coal-fueled generation assets only during parts of the year that have higher electricity demand and, therefore, higher related wholesale electricity prices. In connection with the closure and remediation of retired generation units, we have spent, and may in the future spend, a significant amount of money, internal resources and time to complete the required closure and reclamation, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial and operating performance.
Our assets or positions cannot be fully hedged against changes in commodity prices and Market Heat Rates, and hedging transactions may not work as planned, or counterparties may default on their obligations, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our hedging activities do not fully protect us against the risks associated with changes in commodity prices, most notably electricity and natural gas prices, because of the expected useful life of our generation assets and the size of our position relative to the duration of available markets for various hedging activities. Generally, commodity markets that we participate in to hedge our exposure to electricity prices and Market Heat Rates have limited liquidity after two to three years. Further, our ability to hedge our revenues by utilizing cross-commodity hedging strategies with natural gas hedging instruments is generally limited to a duration of four to five years. To the extent we have unhedged positions, fluctuating commodity prices and/or Market Heat Rates can materially impact our results of operations, cash flows, liquidity and financial condition, either favorably or unfavorably.
22
Table of Contents
To manage our financial exposure related to commodity price fluctuations, we routinely enter into contracts to hedge portions of purchase and sale commitments, fuel requirements and inventories of natural gas, lignite, coal, diesel fuel, uranium and refined products, and other commodities, within established risk management guidelines. As part of this strategy, we routinely utilize fixed-price forward physical purchase and sale contracts, futures, financial swaps and option contracts traded in over-the-counter markets or on exchanges. Given our exposure to risks of commodity price movements, we devote a considerable amount of time and effort to the establishment of risk management policies and procedures, as well as the ongoing review of the implementation of these policies and procedures. Additionally, we have processes and controls in place that are designed to monitor and accurately report hedging activities and positions. The policies, procedures, processes and controls in place may not always function as planned and cannot eliminate all the risks associated with these activities, including unauthorized hedging activity, or improper reporting thereof, by our employees in violation of our existing risk management policies and procedures. For example, we hedge the expected needs of our wholesale and retail customers, but unexpected changes due to weather, natural disasters, consumer behavior, market constraints or other factors could cause us to purchase electricity to meet unexpected demand in periods of high wholesale market prices or resell excess electricity into the wholesale market in periods of low prices. As a result of these and other factors, the impacts of our commodity hedging activities and risk management decisions may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Based on economic and other considerations, including our available liquidity, we may not be able to, or we may decide not to, hedge the entire exposure of our operations to commodity price risk. To the extent we do not hedge against commodity price risk and applicable commodity prices change in ways adverse to us, we could be materially and adversely affected. To the extent we do hedge against commodity price risk, those hedges may ultimately prove to be ineffective. Additionally, there may be changes to existing laws or regulations that could significantly impact our ability to effectively hedge, which may have a material adverse effect on us.
With the continued tightening of credit markets that began in 2008 and expansion of regulatory oversight through various financial reforms, there has been a decline in the number of market participants in the wholesale energy commodities markets, resulting in less liquidity. Notably, participation by financial institutions and other intermediaries (including investment banks) in such markets has declined. Extended declines in market liquidity could adversely affect our ability to hedge our financial exposure to desired levels.
To the extent we engage in hedging and risk management, and power purchase agreement activities, we are exposed to the credit risk that counterparties that owe us money, energy or other commodities as a result of these activities will not perform their obligations to us. Should the counterparties to these arrangements fail to perform, we could be forced to enter into alternative hedging arrangements or honor the underlying commitment at then-current market prices. Additionally, our counterparties may seek bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 or liquidation under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. Our credit risk may be exacerbated to the extent collateral held by us cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount due to us. There can be no assurance that any such losses or impairments to the carrying value of our financial assets would not materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In such event, we could incur losses or forgo expected gains in addition to amounts, if any, already paid to the counterparties. Market participants in the ISOs/RTOs in which we operate are also exposed to risks that another market participant may default on its obligations to pay such ISO/RTO for electricity or services taken, in which case such costs, to the extent not offset by posted security and other protections available to such ISO/RTO, may be allocated to various non-defaulting ISO/RTO market participants, including us.
We do not apply hedge accounting to our commodity derivative transactions, which may cause increased volatility in our quarterly and annual financial results.
We engage in economic hedging activities to manage our exposure related to commodity price fluctuations through the use of financial and physical derivative contracts for commodities. These derivatives are accounted for in accordance with GAAP, which requires that we record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value immediately recognized in earnings as unrealized gains or losses. GAAP permits an entity to designate qualifying derivative contracts as normal purchases and sales. If designated, those contracts are not recorded at fair value. GAAP also permits an entity to designate qualifying derivative contracts in a hedge accounting relationship. If a hedge accounting relationship is used, a significant portion of the changes in fair value is not immediately recognized in earnings. We have elected not to apply hedge accounting to our commodity contracts, and we have designated contracts as normal purchases and sales in only limited cases, such as certain retail sales contract portfolios. As a result, our quarterly and annual financial results in accordance with GAAP are subject to significant fluctuations caused by changes in forward commodity prices.
23
Table of Contents
Competition, changes in market structure, and/or state or federal interference in the wholesale and retail power markets, together with subsidized generation, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our generation and competitive retail businesses rely on a competitive wholesale marketplace. The competitive wholesale marketplace may be undermined by changes in market structure and out-of-market subsidies provided by federal or state entities, including bailouts of uneconomic plants, imports of power from Canada, renewable mandates or subsidies, as well as out-of-market payments to new generators. Multiple potential changes have been and are being evaluated by the PUCT and the Texas legislature for the ERCOT market, including the PCM that would align a required reliability standard with resource availability during higher-risk system conditions, the ultimate resolution of which is unknown.
Our power generation business competes with other non-utility generators, regulated utilities, unregulated subsidiaries of regulated utilities, other energy service companies and financial institutions in the sale of electric energy, capacity and ancillary services, as well as in the procurement of fuel, transmission and transportation services. Moreover, aggregate demand for power may be met by generation capacity based on several competing technologies, as well as power generation facilities fueled by alternative or renewable energy sources, including hydroelectric power, synthetic fuels, solar, wind, wood, geothermal, waste heat and solid waste sources. Regulatory initiatives designed to enhance and/or subsidize renewable generation increases competition from these types of facilities and out-of-market subsidies to existing or new generation can undermine the competitive wholesale marketplace, which can lead to premature retirement of existing facilities, including those owned by us.
We also compete against other energy merchants on the basis of our relative operating skills, financial position and access to credit sources. Electric energy customers, wholesale energy suppliers and transporters often seek financial guarantees, credit support such as letters of credit and other assurances that their energy contracts will be satisfied. Companies with which we compete may have greater resources or experience in these areas. Over time, some of our plants may become unable to compete because of subsidized generation, including public utility commission supported power purchase agreements, and the construction of new plants. Such new plants could have a number of advantages including more efficient equipment and newer technology that could result in fewer emissions or more advantageous locations on the electric transmission system. Additionally, these competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new laws and regulations because of the newer technology utilized in their facilities or the additional resources derived from owning more efficient facilities.
Other factors may contribute to increased competition in wholesale power markets. We expect that we will continue to face intense competition from numerous companies, including new entrants or consolidation of existing competitors, in the industry. Certain federal and state entities in jurisdictions in which we operate have either enacted or are considering regulations or legislation to subsidize otherwise uneconomic plants and attempt to incentivize, including through certain tax benefits, the construction and development of additional renewable resources as well as increases in energy efficiency investments. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 contains a number of tax credits and incentives relating to renewable projects and clean energy technologies such as nuclear energy. New entrants or existing competitors may find it more economical to develop new renewable projects or invest in clean energy technologies in which we would like to invest. Subsidies (or increases thereto) to our competitors could result in increased competition for us, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, our retail marketing efforts compete for customers in a competitive environment, which impacts the margins that we can earn on the volumes we are able to serve. Further, with retail competition, it is easier for residential customers where we serve load to switch competitive electricity generation suppliers for their energy needs. The volatility and uncertainty that results from such mobility may have material adverse effects on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. For example, if fewer customers switch to another supplier than anticipated, the load we must serve will be greater than anticipated, and if market prices of fuel have increased, our costs will increase more than expected due to the need to go to the market to cover the incremental supply obligation. If more customers switch to another supplier than anticipated, the load we must serve will be lower than anticipated and, if market prices of electricity have decreased, our operating results could suffer.
24
Table of Contents
Our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected by energy market participants continuing to construct new generation facilities or expanding or enhancing existing generation facilities despite relatively low power prices and such additional generation capacity results in a reduction in wholesale power prices.
Given the overall attractiveness of certain markets in which we operate and certain tax benefits associated with renewable energy, among other matters, energy market participants have continued to construct new generation facilities or invest in enhancements or expansions of existing generation facilities despite relatively low wholesale power prices. Assuming this market dynamic continues, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected if such additional generation capacity results in an over-supply of electricity that causes a reduction in wholesale power prices. Additionally, new or existing market participants without, or with less, fossil fuel operations may gain additional market share, or reduce our market share, due to evolving expectations and sentiments of key stakeholders, government, and regulatory authorities regarding our operations and activities.
Economic downturns would likely have a material adverse effect on our businesses.
Our results of operations may be negatively affected by sustained downturns or sluggishness in the economy, including lower prices for power, generation capacity and natural gas, which can fluctuate substantially. Increased unemployment of residential customers and decreased demand for products and services by commercial and industrial customers resulting from an economic downturn could lead to declines in the demand for energy and an increase in the number of uncollectible customer balances, which would negatively impact our overall sales and cash flows. The convergence of current global conditions, including sustained inflation, elevated interest rates, and the geopolitical climate, has and could lead to, or accelerate or exacerbate the occurrence of, a significant economic downturn, as well as changes in consumer and counterparty behavior, higher costs of capital, decreases in the value of our existing long-dated contracts, commodity price increases and volatility, supply chain shortages, and other adverse impacts to our business. Additionally, prolonged economic downturns that negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could result in future material impairment charges to write down the carrying value of certain assets to their respective fair values.
Our liquidity needs could be difficult to satisfy, particularly during times of uncertainty in the financial markets or during times of significant fluctuation in commodity prices, and we may be unable to access capital on favorable terms or at all in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on us. We currently maintain non-investment grade credit ratings that could negatively affect our ability to access capital on favorable terms or result in higher collateral requirements, particularly if our credit ratings were to be downgraded in the future.
Our businesses are capital intensive. In general, we rely on access to financial markets and credit facilities as a significant source of liquidity for our capital requirements, hedging transactions and other obligations not satisfied by cash-on-hand or operating cash flows. The inability to raise capital or to access credit facilities, particularly on favorable terms, could adversely impact our liquidity and our ability to meet our obligations or sustain and grow our businesses and could increase capital costs and collateral requirements, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our access to capital and the cost and other terms of acquiring capital are dependent upon, and could be adversely impacted by, various factors, including:
• general economic and capital markets conditions, including changes in financial markets that reduce available liquidity or the ability to obtain or renew credit facilities on favorable terms or at all;
• conditions and economic weakness in the U.S. power markets;
• regulatory developments;
• changes in interest rates;
• a deterioration, or perceived deterioration, of our creditworthiness, enterprise value or financial or operating results;
• a downgrade of Vistra's or its applicable subsidiaries' credit ratings, or credit ratings of its issuances;
• our level of indebtedness and compliance with covenants in our debt agreements;
• our ability to meet our sustainability targets in our secured credit facilities;
• a deterioration of the creditworthiness or bankruptcy of one or more lenders or counterparties under our credit facilities that affects the ability of such lender(s) to make loans to us;
• credit, security, or collateral requirements, including those relating to volatility in commodity prices;
• general credit availability from banks or other lenders for us and our industry peers;
• investor and lender confidence in and sentiment of the industry, our business, and the wholesale electricity markets in which we operate;
• a material breakdown in or oversight in effectuating our risk management procedures;
• the occurrence of changes in our businesses;
25
Table of Contents
• disruptions, constraints, or inefficiencies in the continued reliable operation of our generation facilities and battery ESS; and
• changes in or the operation of provisions of tax and regulatory laws.
There are also increasing financial risks for companies that own and operate fossil fuel generation as institutional lenders or other sources of capital have become more attentive to sustainable financing practices and some of them may seek commitments on emission reduction targets or expected use or proceeds when providing funding to, or decline to provide funding for companies who produce or utilize fossil fuel energy or that have higher levels of GHG emissions. Our Vistra Operations Credit Agreement contains Sustainability Adjustments. These adjustments use baseline values from KPI Metrics and provide for decreases in the applicable credit spread adjustments and commitment fee rates if our reported metrics are a certain percentage below the baseline values, adjusted on a year-to-year basis. Conversely, if our reported metrics are a certain percentage above the baseline values, adjusted on a year-to-year basis, the applicable credit spread adjustments and fee rates are increased. Building in these adjustments to our credit agreement helps to show lenders we are committed to lowering our GHG emissions, but failing to meet the targets on a regular basis could be viewed negatively by such lenders. Additionally, the lending practices of institutional lenders have been the subject of intensive lobbying efforts in recent years, oftentimes public in nature, by environmental activists and others concerned about climate change not to provide funding for companies in the broader energy sector. Limitations on our access to, or increases in our cost of, capital could have a material adverse effect on us.
In addition, we currently maintain non-investment grade credit ratings. As a result, we may not be able to access capital on terms (financial or otherwise) as favorable as companies that maintain investment-grade credit ratings or we may be unable to access capital at all at times when the credit markets tighten. In addition, due to our non-investment grade credit ratings, counterparties request collateral support (including cash or letters of credit) in order to enter into certain transactions with us.
A downgrade in long-term debt ratings generally causes borrowing costs to increase and the potential pool of investors to shrink and could trigger liquidity demands pursuant to contractual arrangements. Future transactions by Vistra or any of its subsidiaries, including the issuance of additional debt, could result in a temporary or permanent downgrade in our credit ratings.
Our indebtedness could adversely affect our ability in the future to raise additional capital to fund our operations. It could also expose us to the risk of increased interest rates and limit our ability to react to changes in the economy, or our industry, as well as impact our cash available for distribution.
As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $14.4 billion of total indebtedness and approximately $10.9 billion of indebtedness net of cash. Our debt could have negative consequences for our financial condition including:
• increasing our vulnerability to general economic and industry conditions;
• requiring a significant portion of our cash flows from operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, therefore reducing our ability to pay dividends to holders of our common stock or to fund our operations, capital expenditures and future business opportunities;
• limiting our ability to enter into long-term power sales or fuel purchases which require credit support;
• limiting our ability to fund operations or future acquisitions;
• limiting our ability to repurchase shares under the share repurchase program;
• restricting our ability to make distributions or pay dividends with respect to our common and preferred stock and the ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us, in light of restricted payment and other financial covenants in our credit facilities and other financing agreements;
• inhibiting the growth of our stock price;
• exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates because certain of our borrowings, including borrowings under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities, are at variable rates of interest, only a portion of which are hedged;
• limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital including collateral postings, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes; and
• limiting our ability to adjust to changing market conditions and placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors who may have less debt.
We may not be successful in obtaining additional capital for these or other reasons. Furthermore, we may be unable to refinance or replace our existing indebtedness on favorable terms or at all upon the expiration or termination thereof. Our failure to obtain additional capital or enter into new or replacement financing arrangements when due may constitute a default under such existing indebtedness and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
26
Table of Contents
The agreements and instruments governing our debt, including the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and indentures, contain restrictions and limitations that could affect our ability to operate our business, or liquidity, and results of operations, and any failure to comply with these restrictions could have a material adverse effect on us.
The agreements and instruments governing our debt, including the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and indentures, contain restrictions that could adversely affect us by limiting our ability to operate our businesses and plan for, or react to, market conditions or to meet our capital needs and could result in an event of default under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and/or indentures. The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and indentures contain events of default customary for financings of this type. If we fail to comply with the covenants in the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and/or indentures and are unable to obtain a waiver or amendment, or a default exists and is continuing, the lenders under such agreements or notes, as the case may be, could give notice and declare outstanding borrowings thereunder immediately due and payable. The breach of any covenants or obligations in certain agreements and instruments governing our debt, including the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and indentures, not otherwise waived or amended, could result in a default under the applicable debt obligations and could trigger acceleration of those obligations, which in turn could trigger cross defaults under other agreements governing our debt, and any such acceleration of outstanding borrowings could have a material adverse effect on us.
Certain obligations are required to be secured by letters of credit, surety bonds, first liens, or cash, which increase our costs. If we are unable to provide such security, it may restrict our ability to conduct our business, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
We undertake certain hedging and commodity activities and enter certain financing arrangements with various counterparties that require cash collateral or the posting of letters of credit which are at risk of being drawn down in the event we default on our obligations. We currently use margin deposits, prepayments, surety bonds, letters of credit and first liens as credit support for commodity procurement and risk management activities. Future cash collateral requirements may increase based on the extent of our involvement in standard contracts and movements in commodity prices, the use of first lien collateral, and also based on our credit ratings and the general perception of creditworthiness in the markets in which we operate. In the case of commodity arrangements, the amount of such credit support that must be provided is typically based on the difference between the price of the commodity in a given contract and the market price of the commodity. Significant movements in market prices can result in our being required to provide cash collateral and letters of credit in very large amounts. The effectiveness of our strategy may be dependent on the amount of collateral available to enter into or maintain these contracts, and liquidity requirements may be greater than we anticipate or will be able to meet. Without enough working capital or other sources of available liquidity to post as collateral, we may not be able to manage price volatility effectively or to implement our strategy. A material increase in the amount of letters of credit or cash collateral required to be provided to our counterparties may have a material adverse effect on us.
The Transactions (as defined below) remain subject to customary closing conditions which, if not satisfied or waived, would delay the Transactions or adversely impact our ability to complete the Transactions on the terms set forth in the Transaction Agreement (as defined below) or at all.
The completion of the Transactions remain subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions. These closing conditions may not be fulfilled in a timely manner or at all, and, accordingly, the Transactions may not be completed.
If we are unable to complete the Transactions, we still will incur and will remain liable for significant transaction costs, including legal, accounting, advisory and other costs relating to the Transactions. Also, depending upon the reasons for not completing the Transactions, we may be required to pay Energy Harbor a termination fee of $225 million. If such a termination fee is payable, the payment could affect Vistra's share price.
Failure to consummate the Transactions as currently contemplated or at all could adversely affect the price of Vistra's common stock and our future business and financial results.
We cannot guarantee when or if these conditions will be satisfied or that the Transactions will be successfully completed. If the Transactions are not consummated, or are consummated on different terms than as contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, we could be adversely affected and subject to a variety of risks associated with the failure to consummate the Transactions, or to consummate the Transactions as contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, including:
• our stockholders may be prevented from realizing the anticipated potential benefits of the Transactions;
• the market price of our common stock could decline significantly;
• reputational harm due to the adverse public perception of any failure to successfully complete the Transactions;
27
Table of Contents
• under certain circumstances, we may be required to pay Energy Harbor a termination fee of up to $225 million or reimburse Energy Harbor's expenses up to $20 million; and
• the attention of our management and employees may be diverted from their day-to-day business and operational matters and our relationships with our customers and suppliers may be disrupted as a result of efforts relating to attempting to consummate the Transactions.
Any delay in the consummation of the Transactions, any uncertainty about the consummation of the Transactions on terms other than those contemplated by the Transaction Agreement and any failure to consummate the Transactions could adversely affect our business, financial results and common stock price.
Following the completion of the Transactions, we may be unable to successfully integrate Energy Harbor's businesses with Vistra's nuclear and retail businesses and its Vistra Zero renewable and battery ESS projects or realize the anticipated synergies and other expected benefits of the Transactions on the anticipated timeframe or at all.
The Transactions involve the combination of Energy Harbor's nuclear and retail businesses with Vistra's nuclear and retail businesses and certain of Vistra Zero renewables and battery ESS projects under Vistra Vision. This new combination expects to benefit from certain cost savings, operating efficiencies and a growing renewables and battery ESS portfolio, some of which will take time to realize. We will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to the integration of our and Energy Harbor's business practices and operations into Vistra Vision. The potential difficulties we may encounter in building Vistra Vision include the following:
• the inability to successfully combine our nuclear, retail, renewables and battery storage business and Energy Harbor's nuclear and retail businesses in a manner that permits Vistra Vision to achieve the cost savings anticipated to result from the Transactions, which would result in the anticipated benefits of the Transactions not being realized in the timeframe currently anticipated or at all;
• the complexities associated with maintaining the second-largest competitive nuclear fleet in the U.S.;
• the complexities of combining two companies with different histories, geographic footprints and asset mixes;
• the complexities in combining two companies with separate technology systems;
• potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen increased expenses, delays or conditions associated with the Transactions;
• failure to perform by third-party service providers who provide key services for the combined company; and
• performance shortfalls as a result of the diversion of management’s attention caused by completing the Transactions and integrating the companies' operations.
For all these reasons, it is possible that the integration process could result in the distraction of our management, the disruption of our ongoing business or inconsistencies in operations, services, standards, controls, policies and procedures, any of which could adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with operators, vendors and employees, to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Transactions, or could otherwise materially and adversely affect its business and financial results.
We may not be able to complete future acquisitions on favorable terms or at all, successfully integrate future acquisitions into our business, or effectively identify and invest in value-creating businesses, assets or projects, which could result in unanticipated expenses and losses or otherwise hinder or delay our growth strategy.
As part of our growth strategy, including our desire to grow our retail platform, we may pursue acquisitions of assets or operating entities. This strategy depends on the Company's ability to successfully identify and evaluate acquisition opportunities and consummate acquisitions on favorable terms. Our ability to continue to implement this component of our growth strategy will be limited by our ability to identify appropriate acquisition or joint venture candidates and our financial resources, including available cash and access to capital. In addition, the Company will compete with other companies for these limited acquisition opportunities, which may increase the Company's cost of making acquisitions or limit the Company’s ability to make acquisitions at all. Any expense incurred in completing acquisitions or entering into joint ventures, the time it takes to integrate an acquisition or our failure to integrate acquired businesses successfully could result in unanticipated expenses and losses. Furthermore, we may not be able to fully realize the anticipated benefits from any future acquisitions or joint ventures we may pursue. In addition, the process of integrating acquired operations into our existing operations may involve unknown risks, result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenses, and may require significant financial resources that would otherwise be available for the execution of our business strategy. If the Company is unable to identify and consummate future acquisitions, it may impede the Company's ability to execute its growth strategy.
28
Table of Contents
Our ability to achieve the expected growth of our Vistra Zero portfolio, consisting of our solar generation, battery ESS, and other renewables development projects, is subject to substantial capital requirements and other significant uncertainties.
We have a substantial capital allocation plan intended for investments in renewable assets, including solar development projects and battery ESS. As part of our business strategy, we plan to continually assess potential strategic acquisitions or investments in renewable assets, emerging technologies and related projects. Notably, the Company's ability to successfully develop our current renewables projects, or in the future acquire additional renewable assets, may be impacted by the demand for and viability of renewable assets generally, which may vary depending on availability of projects and financing, as well as public policy, financial and tax mechanisms implemented at the state and federal levels to support the development of renewable assets. Various factors could result in increased costs or result in delays or cancellation of our current or future renewable projects, or the loss of, or declines in the value of, our investments in projects including, but not limited to, risks relating to siting, financing, engineering and construction, permitting, interconnection requests, federal and state regulatory approvals, new legislation or regulatory changes impacting the industry, commissioning delays, import tariffs, changes to federal income tax laws, economic events or factors, environmental and community concerns, availability of or requirements for additional funding, enhanced competition, or the potential for termination of the power sales contract as a result of a failure to meet certain milestones. Further, the recent proliferation of renewable projects has resulted in a large volume of interconnection requests submitted to grid operators, including the markets in which we operate, resulting in significant delays to the approval process and estimated completion dates for our projects and others. FERC and regional ISOs are working to address these backlogs, including with potential regulatory rule changes, which would change the interconnection process, the results of which are currently unknown. Additionally, the increased demand for construction of renewables projects, such as battery ESS and solar projects, and other labor market and supply chain constraints have resulted, and may continue to result, in limited availability of qualified specialists, contractors, and necessary services or materials, leading to delays in and higher costs for the development and construction of our current and future planned projects. Should any of these factors occur, our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows could be adversely affected, or our future growth opportunities may not be realized as anticipated.
While certain of our subsidiaries are in various stages of developing and constructing solar generation facilities and battery ESS and certain of these projects have signed long-term contracts or made similar arrangements for the sale of electricity, in other cases, our subsidiaries may enter into obligations in the development process even though the subsidiaries have not yet secured power purchase arrangements or other important elements for a successful project. If the project does not proceed as planned, our subsidiaries may remain obligated for certain liabilities even though the project will not be completed. Development is inherently uncertain and we may forgo certain development opportunities and we may undertake significant development costs before determining that we will not proceed with a particular project. We believe that capitalized costs for projects under development are recoverable; however, there can be no assurance that any individual project will be completed and reach commercial operation. If these development efforts are not successful, we may abandon a project under development and write off the costs incurred in connection with such project and could incur additional losses associated with any related contingent liabilities.
Circumstances associated with potential divestitures could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
In evaluating our business and the strategic fit of our various assets, we may determine to sell one or more of such assets. Despite a decision to divest an asset, we may encounter difficulty in finding a buyer willing to purchase the asset at an acceptable price and on acceptable terms and in a timely manner. In addition, a prospective buyer may have difficulty obtaining financing. Divestitures could involve additional risks, including:
• difficulties in the separation of operations and personnel;
• the need to provide significant ongoing post-closing transition support to a buyer;
• management's attention may be temporarily diverted;
• the retention of certain current or future liabilities in order to induce a buyer to complete a divestiture;
• the obligation to indemnify or reimburse a buyer for certain past liabilities of a divested asset;
• the disruption of our business; and
• potential loss of key employees.
We may not be successful in managing these or any other significant risks that we may encounter in divesting any asset, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
29
Table of Contents
If our goodwill, intangible assets, or long-lived assets become impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings.
We have significant goodwill, intangible assets and long-lived assets recorded on our balance sheet. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets are required to be tested for impairment at least annually. Additionally, we review goodwill, our intangible assets and long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. Factors that may be considered include a decline in future cash flows, slower growth rates in the energy industry, and a sustained decrease in the price of our common stock.
We performed our annual assessment of goodwill and non-amortizing intangibles in the fourth quarter of 2023 and determined that no material impairment was required. However, impairment assessments will be performed in future periods and may result in an impairment loss, which could be material.
Issuances or acquisitions of our common stock, or sales or dispositions of our common stock by stockholders, that result in an ownership change as defined in Internal Revenue Code (IRC) § 382 could further limit our ability to use certain tax attributes and our federal net operating losses to offset our future taxable income.
If an "ownership change," as defined in Section 382 of the IRC (IRC §382) occurs, the amount of NOLs that could be used in any one year following such ownership change could be substantially limited. In general, an "ownership change" would occur when there is a greater than 50 percentage point increase in ownership of a company's stock by stockholders, each of which owns (or is deemed to own under IRC §382) 5 percent or more of such company's stock. Given IRC §382's broad definition, an ownership change could be the unintended consequence of otherwise normal market trading in our stock that is outside our control. Vistra acquired NOLs from its merger with Dynegy; however, Vistra's use of such attributes is limited under IRC §382 because the merger constituted an "ownership change" with respect to Dynegy. If there is an "ownership change" with respect to Vistra (including by the normal trading activity of greater than 5% stockholders), the utilization of all NOLs existing at that time would be subject to additional annual limitations based upon a formula provided under IRC §382 that is based on the fair market value of the Company and prevailing interest rates at the time of the ownership change. In addition, any ownership change with respect to Vistra could result in additional limitations on our ability to use certain tax attributes, including depreciation, existing at the time of any such ownership change and have an impact on our tax liabilities.
Tax legislation initiatives or challenges to our tax positions, or potential future legislation or the imposition of new or increased taxes or fees, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We are subject to the tax laws and regulations of the U.S. federal, state and local governments. From time to time, legislative measures may be enacted that could adversely affect our overall tax positions regarding income or other taxes. There can be no assurance that our effective tax rate or tax payments will not be adversely affected by these legislative measures. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), enacted December 22, 2017, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), enacted August 16, 2022, both introduced significant changes to current U.S. federal tax law. For example, the IRA includes the enactment of several new proposals, including, but not limited to (i) a corporate alternative minimum tax based on book income and (ii) additional requirements to qualify for enhanced renewable energy tax credits. These changes are complex and continue to be the subject of additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, the reaction to the federal tax changes by the individual states continues to evolve. Our interpretations and assumptions around U.S. tax reform may evolve in future periods as further administrative guidance and regulations are issued, which may materially affect our effective tax rate or tax payments.
U.S. federal, state and local tax laws and regulations are extremely complex and subject to varying interpretations. There can be no assurance that our tax positions will be sustained if challenged by relevant tax authorities and if not sustained, there could be a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
U.S. federal income tax reform and changes in other tax laws could adversely affect us. Additionally, states in which we operate or own assets may impose new or increased taxes or fees on various aspects of our operations. The passage of any legislation as a result of these proposals and other similar changes in U.S. federal income tax laws or the imposition of new or increased taxes or fees could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
30
Table of Contents
Regulatory and Legislative Risks
Our businesses are subject to ongoing complex governmental regulations and legislation that have adversely impacted, and may in the future adversely impact, our businesses, results of operations, liquidity, financial condition, and cash flows.
Our businesses operate in changing market environments influenced by various state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding the restructuring of the energy industry, including competition in power generation and sale of electricity, natural gas, emissions and renewable energy certificates, and other commodities. Although we attempt to comply with changing legislative and regulatory requirements, there is a risk that we will fail to adapt to any such changes successfully or on a timely basis. Compliance with, or changes to, the requirements under these legal and regulatory regimes, including those proposed or implemented under the current presidential administration or during any future change of administration, or any repeal of existing beneficial laws or regulations, may adversely impact our businesses, results of operations, liquidity, financial condition, and cash flows.
Our businesses are subject to numerous state and federal laws (including, but not limited to, Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act, the Federal Power Act, the Natural Gas Policy Act, the Atomic Energy Act, the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and the Consumer Protection Act and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act), changing governmental policy and regulatory actions (including those of the FERC, the NERC, the RCT, the MSHA, the EPA, the NRC, the DOJ, the FTC, the CFTC, state public utility commissions and state environmental regulatory agencies), and the rules, guidelines and protocols of ERCOT, CAISO, ISO-NE, MISO, NYISO and PJM with respect to various matters, including, but not limited to, market structure and design, operation of nuclear generation facilities, construction and operation of other generation facilities, development, operation and reclamation of lignite mines, recovery of costs and investments, decommissioning costs, market behavior rules, present or prospective wholesale and retail competition, administrative pricing mechanisms (and adjustments thereto), rates for wholesale sales of electricity, mandatory reliability standards and environmental matters. We, along with other market participants, are subject to electricity pricing constraints and market behavior and other competition-related rules and regulations. Additionally, Ambit’s direct selling business (i) could be found by regulators not to be in compliance with applicable law or regulations, which may lead to our inability to obtain or maintain a license, permit, or similar certification and (ii) may be required to alter its compensation practices in order to comply with applicable federal or state law or regulations. Changes in, revisions to, or reinterpretations of, existing laws and regulations may have a material adverse effect on our businesses, results of operations, liquidity, financial condition and cash flows.
Extreme weather events have resulted, and in the future may result, in efforts by both federal and state government and regulatory agencies to investigate and determine the causes of such events. For example, as a result of Winter Storm Uri, we received a civil investigative demand from the Attorney General of Texas as well as a request for information from ERCOT, NERC, and other regulatory bodies related to this event. Winter Storm Elliott, in December 2022, has also led to regulatory requests for information and notices of investigation by NERC, FERC, regional reliability entities, and independent market monitors for regions across the country. Such investigations have resulted, and in the future may result, in changes in laws or regulations that impact our industry and businesses including, but not limited to, additional requirements for winterization of various facets of the electricity supply chain including generation, transmission, and fuel supply; improvements in coordination among the various participants in the electricity supply chain during any future event; restrictions or limitations on the types of plans permitted to be offered to customers; potential revisions to the method of calculation of market compensation and incentives relating to the continued operation of assets that only run periodically, including during extreme weather events or other times of scarcity; and other potential legislative and regulatory corrective actions that may be taken. Previously announced or future legal proceedings, regulatory actions, investigations, or other administrative proceedings involving market participants may lead to adverse determinations or other findings of violations of laws, rules, or regulations, any of which may impact the ability of market participants to satisfy, in whole or in part, their respective obligations. The Texas Legislature, the PUCT, and ERCOT have implemented new requirements and continue to consider future market design and other rule changes in response to Winter Storm Uri and other extreme weather events.
31
Table of Contents
Finally, the regulatory environment has undergone significant changes in the last several years due to state and federal policies affecting wholesale and retail competition and the creation of incentives for the addition of large amounts of new renewable generation. For example, changes to, or development of, legislation that requires the use of clean renewable and alternate fuel sources or mandate the implementation of energy conservation programs that require the implementation of new technologies, could increase our capital expenditures and/or impact our financial condition. Changes enacted by the Texas Legislature through Senate Bill 2627, the Powering Texas Forward Act, to administer Texas Energy Fund (TEF) programs, which include grants and loans to finance the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric facilities in Texas, may negatively impact our financial condition if it materially changes market fundamentals. Additionally, in some retail energy markets, state legislators, government agencies and other interested parties have made proposals to change the use of market-based pricing, re-regulate areas of these markets that have previously been competitive, or permit electricity delivery companies to construct or acquire generation facilities. Other proposals to re-regulate the retail energy industry may be made, and legislative or other actions affecting electricity and natural gas deregulation or restructuring process may be delayed, discontinued or reversed in states in which we currently operate or may in the future operate. If such changes were to be enacted by a regulatory body, we may lose customers, incur higher costs and/or find it more difficult to acquire new customers. These changes are ongoing, and we cannot predict the future design of the wholesale power markets or the ultimate effect that the changing regulatory environment will have on our business.
We are required to obtain, and to comply with, government permits and approvals.
We are required to obtain, and to comply with, numerous permits and licenses from federal, state and local governmental agencies. The process of obtaining and renewing necessary permits and licenses can be lengthy and complex and can sometimes result in the establishment of conditions that make the project or activity for which the permit or license was sought unprofitable or otherwise unattractive. In addition, such permits or licenses may be subject to denial, revocation or modification under various circumstances. Failure to obtain or comply with the conditions of permits or licenses, or failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, may result in the delay or temporary suspension of our operations and electricity sales or the curtailment of our delivery of electricity to our customers and may subject us to penalties and other sanctions. Although various regulators routinely renew existing permits and licenses, renewal of our existing permits or licenses could be denied or jeopardized by various factors, including (a) failure to provide adequate financial assurance for closure, (b) failure to comply with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations or permit conditions, (c) local community, political or other opposition and (d) executive, legislative or regulatory action.
Our inability to procure and comply with the permits and licenses required for our operations, or the cost to us of such procurement or compliance, could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, new environmental legislation or regulations, if enacted, or changed interpretations of existing laws, may cause activities at our facilities to need to be changed to avoid violating applicable laws and regulations or elicit claims that historical activities at our facilities violated applicable laws and regulations. In addition to the possible imposition of fines in the case of any such violations, we may be required to undertake significant capital investments and obtain additional operating permits or licenses, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our cost of compliance with existing and new environmental laws could have a material adverse effect on us.
We are subject to extensive environmental regulation by governmental authorities, including federal and state environmental agencies and/or attorneys general. We may incur significant additional costs beyond those currently contemplated to comply with these regulatory requirements. If we fail to comply with these regulatory requirements, we could be subject to administrative, civil or criminal liabilities and fines. Existing environmental regulations could be revised or reinterpreted, new laws and regulations could be adopted or become applicable to us or our facilities, and future changes in environmental laws and regulations could occur, including potential regulatory and enforcement developments related to air emissions and CCR, all of which could result in significant additional costs beyond those currently contemplated to comply with existing requirements. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on us.
32
Table of Contents
The EPA has recently finalized or proposed several regulatory actions establishing new requirements for control of certain emissions from sources, including electricity generation facilities. In the future, the EPA may also propose and finalize additional regulatory actions that may adversely affect our existing generation facilities or our ability to cost-effectively develop new generation facilities. There is no assurance that the currently installed emissions control equipment at our lignite, coal and/or natural gas-fueled generation facilities will satisfy the requirements under any future EPA or state environmental regulations. Some of the recent regulatory actions, such as the EPA's Good Neighbor Plan for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS, May 2023 proposal to regulated GHG emissions that would replace the ACE rule, and actions under the Regional Haze program, could require us to install significant additional control equipment, resulting in potentially material costs of compliance for our generation units, including capital expenditures, higher operating and fuel costs and potential production curtailments or plant retirements. These costs or operation impacts could have a material adverse effect on us.
We may not be able to obtain or maintain all required environmental regulatory approvals. If there is a delay in obtaining any required environmental regulatory approvals, if we fail to obtain, maintain or comply with any such approval or if an approval is retroactively disallowed or adversely modified, the operation of our generation facilities could be stopped, disrupted, curtailed or modified or become subject to additional costs. Any such stoppage, disruption, curtailment, modification or additional costs could have a material adverse effect on us.
In addition, we may be responsible for any on-site liabilities associated with the environmental condition of facilities that we have acquired, leased, developed or sold, regardless of when the liabilities arose and whether they are now known or unknown. In connection with certain acquisitions and sales of assets, we may obtain, or be required to provide, indemnification against certain environmental liabilities. Another party could, depending on the circumstances, assert an environmental claim against us or fail to meet its indemnification obligations to us, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
We could be materially and adversely affected if new federal or state legislation or regulations are adopted to address global climate change that could require efforts that exceed or are more expensive than our currently planned initiatives or if we are subject to lawsuits for alleged damage to persons or property resulting from greenhouse gas emissions.
There is continuing emphasis nationally and internationally on global climate change and how GHG emissions, such as CO 2 , contribute to global climate change. Over the last several years, the U.S. Congress has considered and debated several proposals intended to address climate change using different approaches, including a cap on carbon emissions with emitters allowed to trade unused emission allowances (cap-and-trade), a tax on carbon or GHG emissions, incentives for the development of low-carbon technology and federal renewable portfolio standards. In July 2019, the EPA finalized the ACE rule that developed emissions guidelines that states must use when developing plans to regulate GHG emissions from existing coal-fueled electric generation units. In January 2021, the ACE rule was vacated by the D.C. Circuit Court and remanded to the EPA for further consideration in accordance with the court's ruling. The D.C. Circuit Court's decision was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in West Virginia v. EPA , in which it held that the EPA does not have the authority to apply generation shifting in the regulation of GHG emissions. The judgment reversed the D.C. Circuit Court's decision and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion. The EPA is in the process of developing a more stringent and more encompassing rule to replace the ACE rule in its remand proceeding and has been directed by the Biden Administration to review this rule and others promulgated by the EPA during the Trump Administration. Prior to the vacatur and remand by the D.C. Circuit Court, states where we operate coal plants (Texas, Illinois and Ohio) had begun the development of their state plans to comply with the ACE rule. In addition, a number of federal court cases have been filed in recent years asserting damage claims related to GHG emissions, and the results in those proceedings could establish adverse precedent that might apply to companies (including us) that produce GHG emissions. We could be materially and adversely affected if new federal and/or state legislation or regulations are adopted to address global climate change that could require efforts that exceed or are more expensive than our currently planned initiatives or if we are subject to lawsuits for alleged damage to persons or property resulting from GHG emissions.
Additionally, in January 2021, President Biden issued written notification to the United Nations of the U.S.'s intention to rejoin the Paris Agreement, effective in February 2021. Although the Paris Agreement does not create any binding obligations for nations to limit their GHG emissions, it does include pledges to voluntarily limit or reduce future emissions, and various corporations, investors and U.S. states and local governments have previously pledged to further the goals of the Paris Agreement. Additionally, the Biden Administration has directed certain agencies to submit a plan to the National Climate Task Force to achieve a carbon-pollution-free electricity sector by 2035. The Company's plan to transition to clean power generation sources and reduce its GHG emissions may not be completed in this timeframe and we may not otherwise achieve our sustainability and emissions reduction targets as expected. Accordingly, we may be required to accelerate or change our targets, incur additional expenses, and/or adjust or cease certain operations as a result of newly implemented federal and/or state regulations to reduce future carbon emissions.
33
Table of Contents
Luminant's mining operations are subject to RCT oversight.
We currently own and operate, or are in the process of reclaiming, various surface lignite coal mines in Texas to provide fuel for our electricity generation facilities. We also own or lease, and are in the process of reclaiming, multiple waste-to-energy surface facilities in Pennsylvania. The RCT, which exercises broad authority to regulate reclamation activity, reviews on an ongoing basis whether Luminant is compliant with RCT rules and regulations and whether it has met all the requirements of its mining permits in Texas. Any new rules and regulations adopted by the RCT or the Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining, which also regulates mining activity nationwide, or any changes in the interpretation of existing rules and regulations, could result in higher compliance costs or otherwise adversely affect our financial condition or cause a revocation of a mining permit. Any revocation of a mining permit would mean that Luminant would no longer be allowed to mine lignite at the applicable mine to serve its generation facilities.
Luminant's lignite mining reclamation activity will require significant resources as existing and retired mining operations are reclaimed over the next several years.
In conjunction with Luminant's announcements in 2017 to retire several power generation assets and related mining operations, along with the continuous reclamation activity at its continuing mining operations for its mines related to the Oak Grove generation asset, Luminant is expected to spend a significant amount of money, internal resources and time to complete the required reclamation activities. For the next five years, Vistra is projected to spend approximately $245 million (on a nominal basis) to achieve its mining reclamation objectives.
Litigation, legal proceedings, regulatory investigations or other administrative proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities and reputational damage that could have a material adverse effect on us.
We are involved in the ordinary course of business in a number of lawsuits involving, among other matters, employment, commercial, and environmental issues, and other claims for injuries and damages. We evaluate litigation claims and legal proceedings to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and to estimate, if possible, potential losses. Based on these evaluations and estimates, when required by applicable accounting rules, we establish reserves and disclose the relevant litigation claims or legal proceedings, as appropriate. These evaluations and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time and involve a significant amount of judgment. Actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from current evaluations and estimates. The settlement or resolution of such claims or proceedings may have a material adverse effect on us. We use appropriate means to contest litigation threatened or filed against us, but the litigation environment poses a significant business risk.
We are also involved in the ordinary course of business in regulatory investigations and other administrative proceedings, and we are exposed to the risk of additional regulatory investigations or administrative proceedings. As we adopt new technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI), there is a risk that the content, analyses, recommendations, or judgments that AI applications assist in producing are alleged to be deficient, inaccurate, biased, or infringe on other's rights or property interests. Any such regulatory investigation or administrative proceeding could result in us incurring penalties and other costs which may have a material adverse effect on us.
34
Table of Contents
Our retail businesses, which each have REP certifications that are subject to review of the public utility commissions in the states in which we operate, are subject to changing state rules and regulations that could have a material impact on the profitability of our business.
The competitiveness of our U.S. retail businesses partially depends on state regulatory policies that establish the structure, rules, terms and conditions on which services are offered to retail customers. Specifically, the public utility commissions and/or the attorney generals of the various jurisdictions in which the Retail segment operates may at any time initiate an investigation into whether our retail operations comply with certain commission rules or state laws and whether we have met the requirements for REP certification, including financial requirements. These state policies and investigations, which can include controls on the retail rates our retail businesses can charge, the imposition of additional costs on sales, restrictions on our ability to obtain new customers through various marketing channels and disclosure requirements, investigations into whether our retail operations comply with certain commission rules or state laws and whether we have met the requirements for REP certification, including financial requirements, can affect the competitiveness of our retail businesses. Any removal or revocation of a REP certification would mean that we would no longer be allowed to provide electricity service to retail customers in the applicable jurisdiction, and such decertification could have a material adverse effect on us. Additionally, state or federal imposition of net metering or renewable portfolio standard programs can make it more or less expensive for retail customers to supplement or replace their reliance on grid power. Our retail businesses may have limited ability to influence development of these state rules, regulations and policies, and our business model may be more or less effective, depending on changes to the regulatory environment.
Operational Risks
Volatile power supply costs and demand for power have and could in the future adversely affect the financial performance of our retail businesses.
Although we are the primary provider of our retail businesses' wholesale electricity supply requirements, our retail businesses purchase a portion of their supply requirements from third parties. As a result, the financial performance of our retail business depends on their ability to obtain adequate supplies of electric generation from third parties at prices below the prices they charge their customers. Consequently, our earnings and cash flows could be adversely affected in any period in which the retail businesses' wholesale electricity supply costs rise at a greater rate than the rates they charge to customers. The price of wholesale electricity supply purchases associated with the retail businesses' energy commitments can be different than that reflected in the rates charged to customers due to, among other factors:
• varying supply procurement contracts used and the timing of entering into related contracts;
• subsequent changes in the overall price of natural gas;
• daily, monthly or seasonal fluctuations in the price of natural gas relative to the 12-month forward prices;
• transmission constraints and the Company's ability to move power to our customers;
• out-of-market payments, uplifts, or other non-pass through charges, and
• changes in Market Heat Rate.
The retail businesses' earnings and cash flows could also be adversely affected in any period in which their customers' actual usage of electricity significantly varies from the forecasted usage, which could occur due to, among other factors, transmission and distribution outages, demand-side management programs, competition and economic conditions, or extreme weather events, such as Winter Storm Uri in February 2021.
Our retail operations are subject to significant competition from other REPs, which could result in a loss of existing customers and the inability to attract new customers.
We operate in a very competitive retail market where our retail operation faces significant competition for customers. We believe our brands are viewed favorably in these markets, but despite our commitment to providing superior customer service and innovative products, customer sentiment toward our brands, including by comparison to our competitors' brands, depends on certain factors beyond our control. For example, competitor REPs may offer different products, lower electricity prices and other incentives, which, despite our long-standing relationship with many customers, may attract customers away from us. If we are unable to successfully compete with competitors in the retail market it is possible our retail customer counts could decline, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
35
Table of Contents
As we try to grow our retail business and operate our business strategy, we compete with various other REPs that may have certain advantages over us. For example, in new markets, our principal competitor for new customers may be the incumbent REP, which has the advantage of long-standing relationships with its customers, including well-known brand recognition. In addition to competition from the incumbent REP, we may face competition from a number of other energy service providers, other energy industry participants, or nationally branded providers of consumer products and services who may develop businesses that will compete with us. Some of these competitors or potential competitors may be larger than we are or have greater resources or access to capital than we have. Competitors may also incorporate AI into their businesses, services, and products more quickly or more successfully than we do. In retail markets with substantial competition, high customer acquisition costs may outweigh the potential margin and it may not be profitable for us to compete in these markets.
Our retail operations rely on the infrastructure of local utilities or independent transmission system operators to provide electricity to, and to obtain information about, our customers. Any infrastructure failure could negatively impact customer satisfaction and could have a material adverse effect on us.
The substantial majority of our retail operations depend on transmission and distribution facilities owned and operated by unaffiliated utilities to deliver the electricity that we sell to our customers. If transmission capacity is inadequate, our ability to sell and deliver electricity may be hindered and we may have to forgo sales or buy more expensive wholesale electricity than is available in the capacity-constrained area or, with respect to capacity performance in PJM and performance incentives in ISO-NE, we may be subject to significant penalties. For example, during some periods, transmission access is constrained in some areas of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where we have a significant number of customers. The cost to provide service to these customers may exceed the cost to provide service to other customers, resulting in lower operating margins. In addition, any infrastructure failure that interrupts or impairs delivery of electricity to our customers could negatively impact customer satisfaction with our service. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on us.
Cybersecurity attacks or technology systems failures could disrupt business operations and expose us to significant liabilities, reputational damage, loss of customers, and regulatory action.
Our businesses depend on the secure and reliable storage, processing and communication of electronic data and sophisticated computer hardware and software systems. Our information technology systems and infrastructure, and those of our vendors and suppliers, face constant threats that have in the past and could in the future compromise data confidentiality, integrity, or availability. While we have controls in place designed to protect our information technology (IT) infrastructure, such breaches and threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex, requiring the continuing evolution of our program. A breach or similar IT incident could interrupt normal business operations and affect our ability to use our generation assets, customer information, or communication systems, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Potential disruptions from cyber/data and physical security breaches to "critical cyber assets" that interrupt the delivery of power to the Bulk Electric System could incur penalties of up to $1 million per violation for failure to comply with mandatory electric reliability standards by FERC under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Further, our retail business requires us to regularly access, collect, store, and transmit customer data, including sensitive customer data. New data privacy and data protection laws and regulations, increased enforcement, and other government actions could impact our businesses and failure to comply with them could adversely affect our business and financial results. Our retail business may need to provide access to customer data, including sensitive customer data, to third parties and service providers to provide services, such as call center operations. Under new data protection laws, in certain circumstances, Vistra could incur liability for a third-party or service provider's misuse or loss of the data.
36
Table of Contents
Although we take precautions to protect our infrastructure, we have been, and will likely continue to be, subject to attempts at phishing and other cybersecurity intrusions. International conflict increases the risk of state-sponsored cyber threats and escalated use of cybercriminal and cyber-espionage activities. In particular, the current geopolitical climate has further escalated cybersecurity risk, with various government agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, issuing warnings of increased cyber threats, particularly for U.S. critical infrastructure. As of the date of this report, the Company has not identified a cyber/data event causing any material operational, reputational or financial impact. However, we recognize the growing threat within the general marketplace and our industry, especially as generative AI becomes more widely used by threat actors. There is no assurance that we will be able to prevent any such impacts in the future. In the event of a material cyber breach, critical operational capabilities to support our generation, commercial, or retail operations could be disrupted or lost. Additionally, customer, confidential, or proprietary data could be compromised, misused, or inappropriately disclosed. If critical operational capabilities or data were impacted, it could adversely affect our reputation, diminish customer confidence, expose us to legal or regulatory claims, impair our business strategy, or impact our results of operation or financial condition, which could have a material adverse effect on us. Our efforts to deter, identify, and mitigate future breaches may require additional, significant capital and operating costs and may not be successful.
We may suffer material losses, costs and liabilities due to operation risks, regulatory risks, and the risk of nuclear accidents arising from the ownership and operation of the Comanche Peak nuclear generation facility.
We own and operate a nuclear generation facility in Glen Rose, Texas (Comanche Peak Facility). The ownership and operation of a nuclear generation facility involves certain risks. These risks include:
• unscheduled outages or unexpected costs due to equipment, mechanical, structural, cybersecurity, insider threat, third-party compromise or other problems;
• inadequacy or lapses in maintenance protocols;
• the impairment of reactor operation and safety systems due to human error or force majeure;
• the costs of, and liabilities relating to, storage, handling, treatment, transport, release, use and disposal of radioactive materials;
• the costs of procuring nuclear fuel, including impacts from restrictions on imports from Russia or China (see Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition, and Results of Operations – Significant Activities and Events, and Items Influencing Future Performance – Macroeconomic Conditions );
• the costs of storing and maintaining spent nuclear fuel at our on-site dry cask storage facility;
• terrorist or cybersecurity attacks by nation-states or other threat actors and the cost to protect and recover against any such attack;
• the impact of a natural disaster;
• limitations on the amounts and types of insurance coverage commercially available; and
• uncertainties with respect to the technological and financial aspects of modifying or decommissioning nuclear facilities at the end of their useful lives.
Any prolonged unavailability of the Comanche Peak Facility could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation, cash flows, financial position and reputation. The following are among the more significant related risks:
• Operational Risk — Operations at any generation facility could degrade to the point where the facility would have to be shut down. If such degradations were to occur at the Comanche Peak Facility, the process of identifying and correcting the causes of the operational downgrade to return the facility to operation could require significant time and expense, resulting in both lost revenue and increased fuel and purchased power expense to meet supply commitments. Furthermore, a shut-down or failure at any other nuclear generation facility could cause regulators to require a shut-down or reduced availability at the Comanche Peak Facility.
• Regulatory Risk — The NRC may modify, suspend or revoke licenses and impose civil penalties for failure to comply with the Atomic Energy Act, the regulations under it or the terms of the licenses of nuclear generation facilities. Unless extended, as to which no assurance can be given, the NRC operating licenses for the two licensed operating units at the Comanche Peak Facility will expire in 2030 and 2033, respectively. Changes in regulations by the NRC, as well as any extension of our operating licenses, could require a substantial increase in capital expenditures or result in increased operating or decommissioning costs.
37
Table of Contents
• Nuclear Accident Risk — Although the safety record of the Comanche Peak Facility and other nuclear generation facilities generally has been very good, accidents and other unforeseen problems have occurred both in the U.S. and elsewhere. The consequences of an accident can be severe and include loss of life, injury, lasting negative health impacts and property damage. Any accident, or perceived accident, could result in significant liabilities and damage our reputation. Any such resulting liability from a nuclear accident could exceed our resources, including insurance coverage, and could ultimately result in the suspension or termination of power generation from the Comanche Peak Facility.
The operation and maintenance of power generation facilities and related mining operations are capital intensive and involve significant risks that could adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
The operation and maintenance of power generation facilities and related mining operations involve many risks, including, as applicable, start-up risks, breakdown or failure of facilities, equipment or processes, operator error, lack of sufficient capital to maintain the facilities, the dependence on a specific fuel source, the ability to timely obtain parts for equipment repairs, the inability to transport our product to our customers in an efficient manner due to the lack of transmission capacity or the impact of unusual or adverse weather conditions or other natural events, or terrorist attacks, as well as the risk of performance below expected levels of output, efficiency or reliability, the occurrence of any of which could result in substantial lost revenues and/or increased expenses. A significant number of our facilities were constructed many years ago. Older generation equipment, even if maintained or refurbished in accordance with good engineering practices, may require significant capital expenditures to operate at peak efficiency or reliability. The risk of increased maintenance and capital expenditures arises from (a) increased starting and stopping of generation equipment due to the volatility of the competitive generation market and the prospect of continuing low wholesale electricity prices that may not justify sustained or year-round operation of all our generation facilities, (b) any unexpected failure to generate power, including failure caused by equipment breakdown or unplanned outage (whether by order of applicable governmental regulatory authorities, the impact of weather events or natural disasters or otherwise), (c) damage to facilities due to storms, natural disasters, wars, terrorist or cybersecurity attacks, including nation-state attacks or organized cybercrime and other catastrophic events and (d) the passage of time and normal wear and tear. Further, our ability to successfully and timely complete routine maintenance or other capital projects at our existing facilities is contingent upon many variables and subject to substantial risks. Should any such efforts be unsuccessful, we could be subject to additional costs or losses and write downs of our investment in the project.
We cannot be certain of the level of capital expenditures that will be required due to changing environmental and safety laws and regulations (including changes in the interpretation or enforcement thereof), needed facility repairs. The unexpected requirement of large capital expenditures could have a material adverse effect on us. Moreover, if we significantly modify a unit, we may be required to install the best available control technology or to achieve the lowest achievable emission rates as such terms are defined under the new source review provisions of the CAA, which would likely result in substantial additional capital expenditures.
In addition, unplanned outages at any of our generation facilities, whether because of equipment breakdown or otherwise, typically increase our operation and maintenance expenses and may reduce our revenues as a result of selling fewer MWh or non-performance penalties or require us to incur significant costs as a result of running one of our higher cost units or to procure replacement power at spot market prices in order to fulfill contractual commitments. If we do not have adequate liquidity to meet margin and collateral requirements, we may be exposed to significant losses, may miss significant opportunities and may have increased exposure to the volatility of spot markets, which could have a material adverse effect on us. Further, our inability to operate our generation facilities efficiently, manage capital expenditures and costs, and generate earnings and cash flows from our asset-based businesses could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. While we maintain insurance, obtain warranties from vendors and obligate contractors to meet certain performance levels, the proceeds of such insurance, warranties or performance guarantees may not be adequate to cover our lost revenues, increased expenses or liquidated damages payments should we experience equipment breakdown or non-performance by contractors or vendors.
38
Table of Contents
Operation of power generation facilities involves significant risks and hazards customary to the power industry that could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations, and we may not have adequate insurance to cover these risks and hazards. Our employees, contractors, customers and the general public may be exposed to a risk of injury due to the nature of our operations.
Power generation involves hazardous activities, including acquiring, transporting and unloading fuel, operating large pieces of equipment and delivering electricity to transmission and distribution systems. In addition to natural risks such as extreme weather, earthquake, flood, lightning, hurricane and wind, other human-made hazards, such as nuclear accidents, dam failure, gas or other explosions, mine area collapses, fire, structural collapse, machinery failure and other dangerous incidents are inherent risks in our operations. These and other hazards can cause significant personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property, plant and equipment, contamination of, or damage to, the environment and suspension of operations. Further, our employees and contractors work in, and customers and the general public may be exposed to, potentially dangerous environments at or near our operations. As a result, employees, contractors, customers and the general public are at risk for serious injury, including loss of life.
The occurrence of any one of these events may result in us being named as a defendant in lawsuits asserting claims for substantial damages, including for environmental cleanup costs, personal injury and property damage and fines and/or penalties. We maintain an amount of insurance protection that we consider adequate, but we cannot provide any assurance that our insurance will be sufficient or effective under all circumstances and against all hazards or liabilities to which we may be subject and, even if we do have insurance coverage for a particular circumstance, we may be subject to a large deductible and maximum cap. A successful claim for which we are not fully insured could hurt our financial results and materially harm our financial condition. Further, due to rising insurance costs and changes in the insurance markets, including increasing pressure on firms that provide insurance to companies that own and operate fossil fuel generation, we cannot provide any assurance that our insurance coverage will continue to be available at all or at rates or on terms similar to those presently available. Any losses not covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
We have been and may in the future be materially and adversely affected by obligations to comply with federal and state regulations, laws, and other legal requirements that govern the operations, assessments, storage, closure, corrective action, disposal and monitoring relating to CCR.
As a result of electricity produced for decades at coal-fueled power plants in Illinois, Texas and Ohio, we manage large amounts of CCR material in surface impoundments. In addition to the federal requirements under the CCR rule, CCR surface impoundments will continue to be regulated by existing state laws, regulations and permits, as well as additional legal requirements that may be imposed in the future. These federal and state laws, regulations and other legal requirements may require or result in additional expenditures, increased operating and maintenance costs and/or result in closure of certain power generation facilities, which could affect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company. We have recognized ARO related to these CCR-related requirements. As the closure and CCR management work progresses and final closure plans and corrective action measures are developed and approved at each site, the scope and complexity of work and the amount of CCR material could be greater than current estimates and could, therefore, materially impact earnings through increased compliance expenditures.
The EPA has been directed by the Biden Administration to review a number of environmental rules adopted by the EPA during the Trump Administration, including the CCR rule, the ELG rule, the ACE rule and the particulate matter (PM) and NAAQS rules. All of these rules may significantly and adversely impact our existing coal fleet and may lead to accelerated plant closure timeframes. In addition, the new GHG rule expected to be finalized this year and the PM2.5 NAAQS rule released this year along with other NAAQS that may be issued in the future have the potential to adversely impact our natural gas-fired units.
The EPA is reviewing applications submitted by us to extend closure deadlines for many of our CCR impoundments. The scope and cost of that closure work could increase significantly based on new or potential requirements imposed by the EPA or state agencies, including the EPA's interpretations on requirements for closure of CCR units. There is no assurance that our current assumptions for closure activities will be accepted by the EPA or state agencies. If ponds must be closed sooner than anticipated, plant closures timeframes may be accelerated.
39
Table of Contents
The availability and cost of emission allowances could adversely impact our costs of operations.
We are required to maintain, through either allocations or purchases, sufficient emission allowances for SO 2 , CO 2 and NO X to support our operations in the ordinary course of operating our power generation facilities. These allowances are used to meet the obligations imposed on us by various applicable environmental laws. If our operational needs require more than our allocated allowances, we may be forced to purchase such allowances on the open market, which could be costly. If we are unable to maintain sufficient emission allowances to match our operational needs, we may have to curtail our operations so as not to exceed our available emission allowances or install costly new emission controls. As we use the emission allowances that we have purchased on the open market, costs associated with such purchases will be recognized as operating expense. If such allowances are available for purchase, but only at significantly higher prices, the purchase of such allowances could materially increase our costs of operations in the affected markets.
We have been and may in the future be materially and adversely affected by the effects of extreme weather conditions and seasonality.
We have been and may in the future be materially affected by weather conditions and our businesses may fluctuate substantially on a seasonal basis as the weather changes. In addition, we are subject to the effects of extreme weather conditions, including sustained or extreme cold or hot temperatures, hurricanes, floods, droughts, storms, fires, earthquakes or other natural disasters, which could stress our generation facilities and grid reliability, limit our ability to procure adequate fuel supply, or result in outages, damage or destroy our assets and result in casualty losses that are not ultimately offset by insurance proceeds, and could require increased capital expenditures or maintenance costs, including supply chain costs.
Moreover, an extreme weather event could cause disruption in service to customers due to downed wires and poles or damage to other operating equipment, which could result in us foregoing sales of electricity and lost revenue. Similarly, certain extreme weather events have previously affected, and may in the future, affect, the availability of generation and transmission capacity, limiting our ability to source or deliver power where it is needed or limit our ability to source fuel for our plants, including due to damage to rail or natural gas pipeline infrastructure. Additionally, extreme weather has resulted, and may in the future result, in (i) unexpected increases in customer load, requiring our retail operation to procure additional electricity supplies at wholesale prices in excess of customer sales prices for electricity, (ii) the failure of equipment at our generation facilities, (iii) a decrease in the availability of, or increases in the cost of, fuel sources, including natural gas, diesel and coal, or (iv) unpredictable curtailment of customer load by the applicable ISO/RTO in order to maintain grid reliability, resulting in the realization of lower wholesale prices or retail customer sales. For example, Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 had a material impact on our results of operations.
Additionally, 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.
Weather conditions, which cannot be reliably predicted, could have adverse consequences by requiring us to seek additional sources of electricity when wholesale market prices are high or to sell excess electricity when market prices are low, as well as significantly limiting the supply of, or increasing the cost of our fuel supply, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
Events outside of our control, including an epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease may materially adversely affect our business.
We face risks related to epidemics, outbreaks or other public health events that are outside of our control, and could significantly disrupt our operations and adversely affect our financial condition. The global or national outbreak of an illness or other communicable disease, or any other public health crisis may cause disruptions to our business and operational plans, as a result of a number of factors, including (a) a protracted slowdown of broad sectors of the economy, (b) changes in demand or supply for commodities, (c) significant changes in legislation or regulatory policy to address the pandemic (including prohibitions on certain marketing channels, moratoriums or conditions on disconnections or limits or restrictions on late fees), (d) reduced demand for electricity (particularly from commercial and industrial customers), (e) increased late or uncollectible customer payments, (f) negative impacts on the health of our workforce, (g) a deterioration of our ability to ensure business continuity (including increased vulnerability to cyber and other information technology risks as a result of a significant portion of our workforce continuing to work from home), and (h) the inability of the Company's contractors, suppliers, and other business partners to fulfill their contractual obligations.
40
Table of Contents
Changes in technology, increased electricity conservation efforts, or energy sustainability efforts may reduce the value of our business, introduce new or emerging risks, and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on us.
If we cannot adopt technological developments on a timely basis, demand for our services may decline, or we may face challenges in implementing or evolving our business strategy. Significant technological changes continue to impact our industry. To grow and remain competitive, we will need to adapt to changes in available technology like generative AI, continually invest in our assets, increase generation capacity, increase our use of renewable technologies, enhance our existing offerings, and introduce new offerings to meet our current and potential customers’ changing service demands. Competitors may incorporate AI into their businesses, services, and products more quickly or more successfully than we do. Adopting new and sophisticated technologies may result in implementation issues, such as scheduling and supplier delays, unexpected or increased costs, technological constraints, regulatory issues, customer dissatisfaction, and other issues that could cause delays in launching new technological capabilities, which in turn could result in significant costs or reduce the anticipated benefits of the upgrades. As we adopt new technologies, like AI, there is a risk that the content, analyses, recommendations, or judgments that AI applications assist in producing are alleged to be deficient, inaccurate, biased, or infringe on other’s rights or property interests. Our new services could fail to retain or gain acceptance in the marketplace, or costs associated with these services could be higher than anticipated. As such, our adoption of technology or failure to adopt technology could have a material adverse effect on our business, brand, financial condition, business strategy, and operating results.
Technological advances have improved, and are likely to continue to improve, for existing and alternative methods to produce and store power, including natural gas turbines, wind turbines, fuel cells, hydrogen, micro turbines, photovoltaic (solar) cells, batteries and concentrated solar thermal devices, along with improvements in traditional technologies. Such technological advances may be superior to, or may not be compatible with, some of our existing technologies, investments and infrastructure, and may require us to make significant expenditures to remain competitive, and have resulted, and are expected to continue to reduce the costs of power production or storage, which may result in the obsolescence of certain of our operating assets. Consequently, the value of our more traditional generation assets could be significantly reduced as a result of these competitive advances, which could have a material adverse effect on us and our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to anticipate and successfully adapt to technological changes, to offer services and products that meet customer demands and evolving industry standards. In addition, changes in technology have altered, and are expected to continue to alter, the channels through which retail customers buy electricity ( i.e. , self-generation or distributed-generation facilities). To the extent self-generation or distributed generation facilities become a more cost-effective option for customers, our financial condition, operating cash flows and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Technological advances in demand-side management and increased conservation efforts have resulted, and are expected to continue to result, in a decrease in electricity demand. A significant decrease in electricity demand as a result of such efforts would significantly reduce the value of our generation assets. Certain regulatory and legislative bodies have introduced or are considering requirements and/or incentives to reduce power consumption. Effective power conservation by our customers could result in reduced electricity demand or significantly slow the growth in such demand. Any such reduction in demand could have a material adverse effect on us. Furthermore, we may incur increased capital expenditures if we are required to increase investment in conservation measures. Additionally, increased governmental and consumer focus on energy sustainability efforts, including desire for, or incentives related to, the development, implementation and usage of low-carbon technology, may result in decreased demand for the traditional generation technologies that we currently own and operate.
We may potentially be affected by emerging technologies that may over time affect change in capacity markets and the energy industry overall including distributed generation and clean technology.
Some of these emerging technologies are shale gas production, distributed renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency, broad consumer adoption of electric vehicles, distributed generation and energy storage devices. Additionally, large-scale cryptocurrency mining is becoming increasingly prevalent in certain markets, including ERCOT, and many of these cryptocurrency mining facilities are "behind-the-meter." Such emerging technologies could affect the price of energy, levels of customer-owned generation, customer expectations and current business models and make portions of our electric system power supply and transmission and/or distribution facilities obsolete prior to the end of their useful lives. These emerging technologies may also affect the financial viability of utility counterparties and could have significant impacts on wholesale market prices, which could ultimately have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
41
Table of Contents
The loss of the services of our "key" management and personnel could adversely affect our ability to successfully operate our businesses.
Our future success will depend on our ability to continue to attract and retain highly qualified personnel. We compete for such personnel with many other companies, in and outside of our industry, government entities and other organizations. Potential difficulties in attracting and retaining highly qualified, skilled employees could restrict our ability to adequately support our business needs and/or result in increased personnel costs. In addition, effective succession planning is important to our long-term success. Failure to timely and effectively ensure transfer of knowledge and smooth transitions involving senior management and other key personnel could hinder our strategic planning and execution.
We could be materially and adversely impacted by strikes or work stoppages by our unionized employees.
As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately 1,200 employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. The terms of all current collective bargaining agreements covering represented personnel engaged in lignite mining operations, lignite-, coal-, natural gas- and nuclear-fueled generation operation, as well as some battery operations, expire on various dates between March 2024 and March 2028, but remain effective thereafter unless and until terminated by either party. In the event that our union employees strike, participate in a work stoppage or slowdown or engage in other forms of labor strife or disruption, we would be responsible for procuring replacement labor or we could experience reduced power generation or outages. We have in place strike contingency plans that address the procurement of replacement labor. Strikes, work stoppages or the inability to negotiate current or future collective bargaining agreements on favorable terms or at all could have a material adverse effect on us.
Risks Related to Our Structure and Ownership of our Common Stock
Vistra is a holding company and its ability to obtain funds from its subsidiaries is structurally subordinated to existing and future liabilities of its subsidiaries.
Vistra is a holding company that does not conduct any business operations of its own. As a result, Vistra's cash flows and ability to meet its obligations are largely dependent upon the operating cash flows of Vistra's subsidiaries and the payment of such operating cash flows to Vistra in the form of dividends, distributions, loans or otherwise. These subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities from Vistra and have no obligation (other than any existing contractual obligations) to provide Vistra with funds to satisfy its obligations. Any decision by a subsidiary to provide Vistra with funds to satisfy its obligations, including those under the TRA, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or otherwise, will depend on, among other things, such subsidiary's results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, cash requirements, contractual prohibitions and other restrictions, applicable law and other factors. The deterioration of income from, or other available assets of, any such subsidiary for any reason could limit or impair its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to Vistra.
Evolving expectations from stakeholders, including investors, on ESG issues, including climate change and sustainability matters, and erosion of stakeholder trust or confidence could influence actions or decisions about our company and our industry and could adversely affect our business, operations, financial results or stock price.
Companies across all industries are facing evolving expectations or increasing scrutiny from stakeholders related to their approach to ESG matters. For Vistra, climate change, safety and stakeholder relations remain primary focus areas, and changing expectations of our practices and performance across these and other ESG areas may impose additional costs or create exposure to new or additional risks. Our operations, projects and growth opportunities require us to have strong relationships with key stakeholders, including local communities and other groups directly impacted by our activities, as well as governments and government agencies, investor advocacy groups, certain institutional investors, investment funds and others which are increasingly focused on ESG practices. Certain financial institutions have announced policies to presently or in the future cease investing or to divest investments in companies that derive any or a specified portion of their income from, or have any or a specified portion of their operations in, coal and/or other fossil fuels.
42
Table of Contents
While we are strategically focused on successfully adapting to the energy transition and strongly committed to our ESG practices and performance (including transparency and accountability thereof), our plans to transition to clean power generation sources and reduce our carbon footprint may not be completed in the timeframe and we may not achieve our targets as expected, which could impact stakeholder trust and confidence. Any such erosion of stakeholder trust and confidence, evolving expectations from stakeholders on such ESG issues, and such parties' resulting actions or decisions about our company and our industry could have negative impacts on our business, operations, financial results, and stock price, including:
• negative stakeholder sentiment toward us and our industry, including concerns over environmental or sustainability matters and potential changes in federal and state regulatory actions related thereto;
• loss of business or loss of market share, including to competitors who do not have any, or comparable amounts, of operations involving fossil fuels;
• loss of ability to secure growth opportunities;
• the inability to, or increased difficulties and costs of, obtaining services, materials, or insurance from third parties;
• reductions in our credit ratings or increased costs of, or limited access to, capital;
• delays in project execution;
• legal action;
• inability or limitations on ability to receive applicable government subsidies, or competitors with smaller or no fossil operations receiving subsidies for which we are not eligible, or in larger amounts;
• increased regulatory oversight;
• loss of ability to obtain and maintain necessary approvals and permits from governments and regulatory agencies on a timely basis and on acceptable terms;
• impediments on our ability to acquire or renew rights-of-way or land rights on a timely basis and on acceptable terms;
• changing investor sentiment regarding investment in the power and utilities industry or our company;
• restricted access to and cost of capital; and
• loss of ability to hire and retain top talent.
We may not pay any dividends on our common stock in the future, and we may not realize the anticipated benefits of our share repurchase program.
The Board has adopted a dividend program which we initiated in the first quarter of 2019. Each dividend under the program will be subject to declaration by the Board and, thus, may be subject to numerous factors in existence at the time of any such declaration including, but not limited to, prevailing market conditions, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, contractual prohibitions and other restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends. There is no assurance that the Board will declare, or that we will pay, any dividends on our common stock in the future.
The Board has approved a share repurchase program in an aggregate authorized amount of $5.75 billion. Under this share repurchase program or any other future share repurchase programs, we may make share repurchases through a variety of methods, including open share market purchases or privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of repurchases, if any, will depend on factors such as the stock price, economic and market conditions, and corporate and regulatory requirements. Any failure to repurchase shares after we have announced our intention to do so may negatively impact our reputation, investor confidence and the price of our common stock.
Holders of our preferred stock may have interests and rights that are different from our common stockholders.
We are permitted under our certificate of incorporation to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock. We can issue shares of our preferred stock in one or more series and can set the terms of the preferred stock without seeking any further approval from our common stockholders. Any preferred stock that we issue may rank ahead of our common stock in terms of dividend priority or liquidation premiums and may have greater voting rights than our common stock, which could dilute the value of our common stock to current stockholders and could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As of December 31, 2023, 1,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 1,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and 476,081 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. The Preferred Stock represents a perpetual equity interest in the Company and, unlike our indebtedness, will not give rise to a claim for payment of a principal amount at a particular date; provided , the Company may redeem the Preferred Stock at the specified times (or upon certain specified events) at the applicable redemption price set forth in the certificate of designation of each of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, and Series C Preferred Stock, respectively (Certificates of Designation). The Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities of the Company. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Company, the holders of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, pro rata and in preference to the holders of any other capital stock, an
43
Table of Contents
amount per share equal to $1,000 plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, if any.
Unless we have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock and the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock, each voting as a separate class, we may not adopt any amendment to our certificate of incorporation (including the applicable Certificates of Designation) that would have a material adverse effect on the powers, preferences, duties, or special rights of such series of Preferred Stock, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, unless we have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock and the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock, voting as a class together with the holders of any parity securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, we may not: (i) create or issue any senior securities, (ii) create or issue any parity securities (including any additional Preferred Stock) if the cumulative dividends payable on the outstanding Preferred Stock (or parity securities, if applicable) are in arrears; (iii) create or issue any additional Preferred Stock or any parity securities with an aggregate liquidation preference, together with the issued and outstanding Preferred Stock and any parity securities that are then outstanding, of greater than $2.5 billion, and (iv) engage in any Transaction that results in a Covered Disposition (as such terms are defined in the Certificates of Designation).
In addition, holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as, and if declared by our Board, semi-annual cash dividends on the Preferred Stock, which are cumulative from the applicable initial issuance date of the Preferred Stock and payable in arrears, and unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are being paid or declared on the Preferred Stock, we may not (i) declare or pay any dividends on any junior securities, including our common stock, or (ii) redeem or repurchase any parity securities or junior securities, subject to limited exceptions set forth in the Certificates of Designation. There is no assurance that the Board will declare, or that we will pay, any dividends on our Preferred Stock in the future. The holders of Preferred Stock (along with any parity securities then outstanding with similar rights) are entitled to elect two additional directors in the event any dividends on Preferred Stock are in arrears for three or more semi-annual dividend periods (whether or not consecutive), and such directors may have competing and different interests to those elected by our common stockholders. The dividend rate for the Series A Preferred Stock from and including the initial issuance date of October 15, 2021 until the first reset date of October 15, 2026 will be 8.0% per annum of the $1,000 liquidation preference per share of Series A Preferred Stock. The dividend rate for the Series B Preferred Stock from and including the initial issuance date of December 10, 2021 until the first reset date of December 15, 2026 will be 7.0% per annum of the $1,000 liquidation preference per share of Series B Preferred Stock. The dividend rate for the Series C Preferred Stock from and including the initial issuance date of December 29, 2023 until the first reset date of January 15, 2029 will be 8.875% per annum of the $1,000 liquidation preference per share of Series C Preferred Stock. On and after the first reset date of the Series A Preferred Stock, the dividend rate on the Series A Preferred Stock for each subsequent five-year period (each, a Reset Period) will be adjusted based upon the applicable Treasury rate, plus a spread of 6.93% per annum; provided that the applicable Treasury rate for each Reset Period will not be lower than 1.07%. On and after the first reset date of the Series B Preferred Stock, the dividend rate on the Series B Preferred Stock for each Reset Period will be adjusted based upon the applicable Treasury rate, plus a spread of 5.74% per annum; provided that the applicable Treasury rate for each Reset Period will not be lower than 1.26%. On and after the first reset date of the Series C Preferred Stock, the dividend rate on the Series C Preferred Stock for each Reset Period will be adjusted based upon the applicable Treasury rate, plus a spread of 5.045% per annum; provided that the applicable Treasury rate for each Reset Period will not be lower than 3.830%. In the event that the Company does not exercise its option to redeem all the shares of Preferred Stock within 120 days after the first date on which a Change of Control Trigger Event (as defined in the Certificate of Designation) occurs, the then-applicable dividend rate for the Preferred Stock will be increased by 5.00%.
Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
44
Table of Contents
Item 1C. CYBERSECURITY
The Company has a cybersecurity and incident response program designed to assess, identify, and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats, including matters related to the cybersecurity of the Company's critical infrastructure, data, or information technology systems and the Company's actions to prepare for, identify, assess, respond, mitigate and remediate material cyber, information security, or technology risks (collectively referred to as Information Security). This program includes:
• operating a Cyber Security Operations Center;
• raising employee awareness through annual general and job-specific cybersecurity trainings and employee phishing simulations;
• maintaining defined cyber incident response plans;
• enhancing security measures to protect our systems and data;
• evolving monitoring capabilities to improve early detection and rapid response to potential cyber threats; and
• adapting to new work environments that include off-site work through mitigation of remote network risk to our internal systems, assets, or data.
Cybersecurity represents an important component of the Company's overall approach to enterprise risk management and is integrated into the risk management process and ongoing assessment. In addition to an internal security program, we strive to stay ahead of the threat landscape by working to conduct due diligence on key third-party vendors' Information Security programs and risks. We make strategic investments in our perimeter and internal defenses, cyber security operations center, and regulatory compliance activities with the advice of consultants and third parties. Moreover, to minimize risk, we maintain an insurance policy that provides coverage for matters relating to Information Security.
Vistra's Chief Information Officer (CIO) ensures Information Security is built into the Company's larger technology strategy and oversees our Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Our CISO and his Information Security team are responsible for leading the enterprise-wide information security strategy, policy, standards, architecture, and processes and our Cyber Incident Response Teams under the CISO are responsible for monitoring and analyzing the Company's cybersecurity posture in partnership with Risk and Legal.
The CIO and CISO collaborate with our internal audit department and external consultants to review information technology-related risks (based upon the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework) as part of the overall Vistra cyber risk management process. Through these processes, the CIO and CISO are informed about and monitor the prevention, detection, mitigation and remediation of cybersecurity threats.
We also participate in industry groups and with regulators to gain additional knowledge, including, but not limited to, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center, U.S. Cyber Emergency Response Team, the NRC and NERC. We apply the knowledge gained through industry partnerships, government organizations, external cyber risk platforms, and program maturity assessments to improve our processes to detect and mitigate cyber threats.
As of the date of this report, we have not identified any impacts from cybersecurity threats, including those from any previous cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected our results of operation or financial condition. However, despite our efforts, we cannot eliminate all risks from cybersecurity threats, or provide assurances that we have not experienced undetected cybersecurity incidents. For additional information on risks from cybersecurity threats, see Item 1A. Risk Factors .
While the Board has established a separate Risk and Sustainability Committee to oversee enterprise risk processes, the Board maintains oversight of Vistra's Information Security. Vistra engaged a third-party advisor to provide cybersecurity oversight and tabletop training to the full Board in 2023 to further our commitment to responsible oversight of cybersecurity risk management. At least quarterly, our CIO reports to the Board on our Information Security program, including cybersecurity risks and threats (including the emerging threat landscape), an assessment of our Information Security program, and the status of projects to strengthen our Information Security program. In furtherance of our commitment to responsible oversight of cybersecurity risk management, in 2023, the Board appointed a director who brings extensive cybersecurity expertise to the Board.
45
Table of Contents
Our CIO serves as head of Vistra's Technology Services and is responsible for ensuring the reliability, security, and continued development of the Company's technology platforms and delivering new solutions to support the business. The CIO has served in various senior information technology roles in public companies for over 30 years, including Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc., General Motors, Pfizer, and Electronic Data Systems.
Our CISO also has over 35 years of information technology experience. He is a 10-year U.S. Air Force veteran and has held technology positions in infrastructure management and operations with Raytheon and Blockbuster. He also maintains Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certifications.
Item 2. PROPERTIES
The following table presents our asset fleet as of December 31, 2023 by segment. All of our facilities are 100% (fee simple) owned.
Facility Location ISO/RTO Technology Primary Fuel
Net Capacity (MW) (a)
Texas Segment
Ennis Ennis, TX ERCOT CCGT Natural Gas 366
Forney Forney, TX ERCOT CCGT Natural Gas 1,912
Hays San Marcos, TX ERCOT CCGT Natural Gas 1,047
Lamar Paris, TX ERCOT CCGT Natural Gas 1,076
Midlothian Midlothian, TX ERCOT CCGT Natural Gas 1,596
Odessa Odessa, TX ERCOT CCGT Natural Gas 1,054
Wise Poolville, TX ERCOT CCGT Natural Gas 787
Martin Lake Tatum, TX ERCOT ST Coal 2,250
Oak Grove Franklin, TX ERCOT ST Coal 1,600
DeCordova Granbury, TX ERCOT CT Natural Gas 260
Graham Graham, TX ERCOT ST Natural Gas 630
Lake Hubbard Dallas, TX ERCOT ST Natural Gas 921
Morgan Creek Colorado City, TX ERCOT CT Natural Gas 390
Permian Basin Monahans, TX ERCOT CT Natural Gas 325
Stryker Creek Rusk, TX ERCOT ST Natural Gas 685
Trinidad Trinidad, TX ERCOT ST Natural Gas 244
Comanche Peak (b)
Glen Rose, TX ERCOT Nuclear Nuclear 2,400
Brightside Live Oak County, TX ERCOT Solar Renewable 50
Emerald Grove Crane County, TX ERCOT Solar Renewable 108
Upton 2 Upton County, TX ERCOT Solar/Battery Renewable 190
DeCordova Granbury, TX ERCOT Battery Renewable 260
Total Texas Segment 18,151
46
Table of Contents
Facility Location ISO/RTO Technology Primary Fuel
Net Capacity (MW) (a)
East Segment
Fayette Masontown, PA PJM CCGT Natural Gas 726
Hanging Rock Ironton, OH PJM CCGT Natural Gas 1,430
Hopewell Hopewell, VA PJM CCGT Natural Gas 370
Kendall Minooka, IL PJM CCGT Natural Gas 1,288
Liberty Eddystone, PA PJM CCGT Natural Gas 607
Ontelaunee Reading, PA PJM CCGT Natural Gas 600
Sayreville Sayreville, NJ PJM CCGT Natural Gas 349
Washington Beverly, OH PJM CCGT Natural Gas 711
Calumet Chicago, IL PJM CT Natural Gas 380
Dicks Creek Monroe, OH PJM CT Natural Gas 155
Miami Fort (CT) North Bend, OH PJM CT Fuel Oil 77
Pleasants Saint Marys, WV PJM CT Natural Gas 388
Richland (c)
Defiance, OH PJM CT Natural Gas 423
Stryker (c)
Stryker, OH PJM CT Fuel Oil 16
Bellingham Bellingham, MA ISO-NE CCGT Natural Gas 566
Blackstone Blackstone, MA ISO-NE CCGT Natural Gas 544
Casco Bay Veazie, ME ISO-NE CCGT Natural Gas 543
Lake Road Dayville, CT ISO-NE CCGT Natural Gas 827
Masspower Indian Orchard, MA ISO-NE CCGT Natural Gas 281
Milford Milford, CT ISO-NE CCGT Natural Gas 600
Independence Oswego, NY NYISO CCGT Natural Gas 1,212
Total East Segment 12,093
West Segment
Moss Landing 1 & 2 Moss Landing, CA CAISO CCGT Natural Gas 1,020
Moss Landing Moss Landing, CA CAISO Battery Renewable 750
Oakland Oakland, CA CAISO CT Fuel Oil 110
Total West Segment 1,880
Sunset Segment
Coleto Creek Goliad, TX ERCOT ST Coal 650
Baldwin Baldwin, IL MISO ST Coal 1,185
Newton Newton, IL MISO ST Coal 615
Kincaid Kincaid, IL PJM ST Coal 1,108
Miami Fort 7 & 8 North Bend, OH PJM ST Coal 1,020
Total Sunset Segment 4,578
Total capacity 36,702
___________
(a) Approximate net generation capacity. Actual net generation capacity may vary based on a number of factors, including ambient temperature. We have not included units that have been retired or are out of operation.
(b) In October 2022, we announced the submission of our application to the NRC for license renewal at our two-unit Comanche Peak Nuclear Plant. The current licenses for Units 1 and 2 extend into 2030 and 2033, respectively, and we are applying to renew the licenses into 2050 and 2053, respectively.
(c) We have entered into an agreement to sell the Richland and Stryker generation facilities, and closing is expected in early March 2024.
47
Table of Contents
See Note 3 to the Financial Statements for discussion of our solar and battery energy storage projects currently under development and Note 4 to the Financial Statements for discussion of our retirement of certain generation facilities, including the Zimmer, Joppa and Edwards generation facilities that we retired in June 2022, September 2022 and January 2023, respectively, that are reported in our Asset Closure segment and excluded from the table above.
Our wholesale commodity risk management group also procures renewable energy credits from renewable generation in ERCOT to support our electricity sales to wholesale and retail customers to satisfy the increasing demand for renewable resources from such customers. As of December 31, 2023, Vistra had long-term agreements to procure renewable energy credits from approximately 885 MW of renewable generation. These renewable generation sources deliver electricity when conditions make them available, and, when on-line, they generally compete with baseload units. Because they cannot be relied upon to meet demand continuously due to their dependence on weather and time of day, these generation sources are categorized as non-dispatchable and create the need for intermediate/load-following resources to respond to changes in their output.
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 14 to the Financial Statements for discussion of material litigation matters to which Vistra is a party.
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Vistra currently owns and operates, or is in the process of reclaiming, 12 surface lignite coal mines in Texas to provide fuel for its electricity generation facilities. Vistra also owns or leases, and is in the process of reclaiming, two waste-to-energy surface facilities in Pennsylvania. These mining operations are regulated by the MSHA under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended (the Mine Act), as well as other federal and state regulatory agencies such as the RCT and Office of Surface Mining. The MSHA inspects U.S. mines, including Vistra's mines, on a regular basis, and if it believes a violation of the Mine Act or any health or safety standard or other regulation has occurred, it may issue a citation or order, generally accompanied by a proposed fine or assessment. Such citations and orders can be contested and appealed, which often results in a reduction of the severity and amount of fines and assessments and sometimes results in dismissal. Disclosure of MSHA citations, orders and proposed assessments are provided in Exhibit 95.1 to this annual report on Form 10-K.
48
Table of Contents
PART II
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Vistra's common stock is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol "VST". Vistra's authorized capital stock consists of 1,800,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share.
As of February 23, 2024, there were 472 stockholders of record.
The Board has authority to declare dividends to the holders of our common stock. The Board intends to continue the payment of dividends to the holders of the Company's common stock in the future. The declaration and payment of future dividends, however, will be at the discretion of the Board and will depend on numerous factors in existence at the time of any such declaration including, but not limited to, prevailing market conditions, Vistra's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, Delaware law and contractual limitations.
Stock Performance Graph
The performance graph below compares Vistra's cumulative total return on common stock during the five-year period from December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2023 with the cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 Stock Index (S&P 500) and the S&P Utility Index (S&P Utilities). The graph below compares the return in each period assuming that $100 was invested at December 31, 2018 in Vistra's common stock, the S&P 500 and the S&P Utilities, and that all dividends were reinvested.
December 31,
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Vistra Corp. $ 100.00 $ 102.48 $ 90.41 $ 108.08 $ 113.57 $ 193.89
S&P 500 $ 100.00 $ 131.47 $ 155.65 $ 200.59 $ 163.98 $ 207.04
S&P Utilities $ 100.00 $ 126.35 $ 127.01 $ 149.46 $ 151.79 $ 141.05
The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
49
Table of Contents
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
The following table provides information about our repurchase of common stock, during the three months ended December 31, 2023.
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Program Maximum Dollar Amount of Shares that may yet be Purchased under the Program (in millions)
October 1 - October 31, 2023 4,246,310 $ 32.15 4,246,310 $ 993
November 1 - November 30, 2023 3,682,876 $ 34.81 3,682,876 $ 865
December 1 - December 31, 2023 3,061,650 $ 37.55 3,061,650 $ 750
For the quarter ended December 31, 2023 10,990,836 $ 34.54 10,990,836 $ 750
In October 2021, we announced that the Board had authorized a share repurchase program (Share Repurchase Program) under which up to $2.0 billion of our outstanding common stock may be repurchased. The Share Repurchase Program became effective on October 11, 2021. In August 2022, March 2023 and February 2024, the Board authorized incremental amounts of $1.25 billion, $1.0 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, for repurchases to bring the total authorized under the Share Repurchase Program to $5.75 billion. We expect to complete repurchases under the Share Repurchase Program by the end of 2025.
See Note 15 to the Financial Statements for more information concerning the Share Repurchase Program.
Item 6. [RESERVED]
Not applicable.
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION, AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . See Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition, and Results of Operations in our 202 2 Form 10-K for a discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, which is incorporated here by reference.
All dollar amounts in the tables in the following discussion and analysis are stated in millions of U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Significant Activities and Events, and Items Influencing Future Performance
Proposed Merger with Energy Harbor
On March 6, 2023, Vistra Operations and its wholly-owned subsidiary (Merger Sub) entered into a Transaction Agreement with Energy Harbor pursuant to which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Energy Harbor, with Energy Harbor surviving as an indirect subsidiary of Vistra. The Transaction Agreement, the Merger and the other Transactions were approved by each of Vistra's Board and Energy Harbor's board of directors. On February 16, 2024, we received approval from FERC to acquire Energy Harbor. FERC's approval was the last regulatory approval needed, and we anticipate closing on March 1, 2024. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements for more information concerning the Transaction Agreement.
50
Table of Contents
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
In August 2022, the U.S. enacted the IRA, which, among other things, implements substantial new and modified energy tax credits, including a nuclear PTC, a solar PTC, a first-time stand-alone battery storage investment tax credit, a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) on book income of certain large corporations, and a 1% excise tax on net stock repurchases. Treasury regulations are expected to further define the scope of the legislation in many important respects over the next twelve months. The excise tax on stock repurchases is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements. Vistra is not subject to the CAMT in the 2023 tax year since it only applies to corporations that have a three-year average annual adjusted financial statement income in excess of $1 billion. We have taken the CAMT and relevant extensions or expansions of existing tax credits applicable to projects in our immediate development pipeline into account when forecasting cash taxes for periods after the law takes effect. See Note 1 for our accounting policy related to refundable and transferable PTCs and ITCs.
Repurchase of TRA Rights and Preferred Stock Issuance
On December 29, 2023, Vistra repurchased (Repurchase) approximately 74% of the outstanding beneficial interests in the TRA Rights to receive payments under the TRA from a select group of registered holders of the TRA Rights (Selling Holders) in exchange for consideration of $1.50 per repurchased TRA Right, totaling an aggregate purchase price for the Repurchase of approximately $476 million. The shares of Series C Preferred Stock were issued (see Note 15 to the Financial Statements) to the Selling Holders in exchange for the TRA Rights in a transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. As part of the transaction, on January 29, 2024, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 registering the resale of the shares by the Selling Holders of Series C Preferred Stock from time to time under Rule 415 of the Securities Act. If the Company repurchases TRA Rights at any time during the 180 days following December 29, 2023 at a price per TRA Right greater than $1.50, the Company will pay the Selling Holders an amount equal to such excess purchase price per TRA Right sold by the Selling Holders.
On January 11, 2024, Vistra repurchased an additional 43,494,944 TRA Rights from a select group of registered holders of TRA Rights in exchange for consideration of $1.50 per repurchased TRA Right. Total consideration of $65 million was paid using cash on hand.
On January 31, 2024, Vistra announced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all outstanding TRA Rights in exchange for consideration of $1.50 per tendered TRA Right accepted for purchase prior to close of business on February 13, 2024 (Early Tender Date), which included an early tender premium of $0.05 per TRA Right accepted for purchase. As of the Early Tender Date, 55,056,931 TRA Rights were accepted for purchase for total consideration of $83 million, which was paid using cash on hand. TRA Rights accepted for purchase after the Early Tender Date, but prior to the close of business on February 28, 2024, will receive consideration of $1.45 per TRA Right accepted for purchase, which will be paid in March 2024 using cash on hand.
As of the Early Tender Date, we have repurchased an aggregate 98% of the original outstanding TRA Rights, of which 10,430,083 TRA Rights remain outstanding.
See Note 8 to the Financial Statements for details of the TRA and Note 15 to the Financial Statements for details of the Series C Preferred Stock.
Financial and Operating Performance
The following are financial and operating highlights we achieved in the execution of our four strategic priorities:
Long-term, attractive earnings profile through the integrated business model.
• We continued to execute our integrated business model through exceptional operational performance and capitalization of market opportunities which drove strong earnings during the year ended December 31, 2023, highlighting our competitive advantage of coupling retail with our reliable and efficient generation fleet and wholesale commodity risk management capabilities which reduces the effects of commodity price movements and contributes to the stability and predictability of our cash flows.
• Our commercial team focused on effectively and efficiently managing risk by opportunistically hedging for 2023 and beyond and optimizing our assets and business positions which led to strong plant operating performance and energy margins.
51
Table of Contents
• Our retail brands served the retail electricity and natural gas needs of end-use residential, small business and commercial and industrial electricity customers through multiple sales and marketing channels through products and solutions that differentiate from our competitors leading to an increase in residential customer counts within markets we continue to operate.
Strategic energy transition that supports the reliability and affordability of electricity.
• In June 2023, an additional 350 MW battery ESS at our Moss Landing Power Plant site commenced commercial operations.
• As of June 30, 2023, the net proceeds of our Series B Preferred Stock were fully allocated to eligible solar and battery projects, pursuant to our Green Finance Framework.
• We continued development and construction activities on the planned development of up to 300 MW of solar photovoltaic power generation facilities and up to 150 MW of battery ESS at retired or to-be-retired plant sites in Illinois.
• We retired our Edwards coal generation plant on January 1, 2023.
Significant and consistent shareholder return of capital.
• During the year ended December 31, 2023, we paid dividends to common stockholders totaling $313 million.
• During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased 45 million shares for $1.3 billion under our stock repurchase program. Total shares repurchased under the program established in October 2021 are 143 million shares for $3.5 billion. See Note 15 to the Financial Statements for more information about our dividend and Share Repurchase Program.
Maintaining a strong balance sheet.
• In December 2023, we issued $400 million of 6.950% Senior Secured Notes due 2033 and $350 million of 7.750% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2031 in which the net proceeds were used to fund the tender offer (Senior Secured Notes Tender Offer) to purchase for cash $759 million aggregate principal amount of certain notes in January 2024, including $58 million of 4.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2024, $345 million of 3.550% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 and $356 million of the 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2025.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, our operating segments delivered strong operating performance with a disciplined focus on cost management, while generating and selling essential electricity in a safe and reliable manner. Our performance reflected strong plant operating performance, summer scarcity pricing events in Texas and effectiveness of our comprehensive hedging strategy and the value we were able to lock in as forward power and natural gas curves increased beginning in 2022.
Macroeconomic Conditions
With forward power and natural gas curves increasing during 2022 and the continued volatility in 2023, we have increased our hedging for future periods. As of December 31, 2023, we have hedged approximately 91% of our expected generation volumes on average for the two-year period 2024 through 2025 (with approximately 98% hedged for 2024 and approximately 83% hedged for 2025).
The industry continues to experience supply chain constraints that have reduced the availability of certain equipment and supply relevant to construction of renewables projects, and increased the lead time to procure certain materials necessary to maintain our natural gas, nuclear and coal fleet. We are proactively managing the increased costs of materials and supply chain disruptions and continuing to prudently re-evaluate the business cases and timing of our planned development projects, which has resulted in a deferral of some of our planned capital spend for our renewables projects. In addition, we have proactively engaged our suppliers to secure key materials needed to maintain our existing generation facilities prior to future planned outages, and our Vistra Zero operational and development projects are anticipated to benefit from the impact of the IRA. The inflationary environment continues to drive elevated interest rates, resulting in increased expected refinancing or borrowing costs, including project financing for our development projects and refinancing expected in connection with debt due in 2024 and beyond.
52
Table of Contents
We are closely monitoring developments in the Russia and Ukraine conflict, specifically with regards to, (i) sanctions (or potential sanctions) against Russian energy exports and Russian nuclear fuel supply and enrichment activities, and (ii) actions by Russia to limit energy deliveries, which may further impact commodity prices in Europe and globally. In addition, current policies being considered by the U.S. Congress, namely H.R. 1042 the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, would restrict imports of uranium if signed into law. The bill passed out of the House of Representatives in December 2023, and the future of the bill remains uncertain as it awaits consideration in the Senate. Our 2024 refueling has not been affected by the Russia and Ukraine conflict, nor have we seen any disruption to the delivery of nuclear fuel. We are taking affirmative action by building strategic inventory and deploying mitigating strategies in our procurement portfolio to ensure we can secure the nuclear fuel needed to continue to operate our nuclear facility through potential Russian supply disruption. We work with a diverse set of global nuclear fuel cycle suppliers to procure our nuclear fuel years in advance, and therefore, we expect to have enough nuclear fuel to support all our refueling needs, including the Energy Harbor facilities following the expected closing of the Transactions, through 2027. If imports from Russia are restricted, refueling operations of U.S. merchant nuclear power generators could be challenged in future years.
Capacity Markets
PJM, NYISO, ISO-NE, MISO and CAISO ensure long-term grid reliability through monthly, semiannual, annual and multi-year capacity auctions or bilateral transactions where power suppliers commit to making the generation resources available to the ISO as needed for a specific time period. We participate in these capacity market auctions and also enter into bilateral capacity sales, and a portion of our East, West and Sunset segment revenues are impacted by the capacity auction results or bilateral contracts. The following information summarizes the auction pricing for zones in which we operate as well as our capacity auction and bilateral capacity sales by planning period. Performance incentive rules increase capacity payments for those resources that are providing excess energy or reserves during a shortage event, while penalizing those that produce less than the required level.
PJM
Reliability Pricing Model (RPM) auction results, for the zones in which our assets are located, are as follows for each planning year:
2023-2024 2024-2025
(average price per MW-day)
RTO zone $ 34.13 $ 28.92
ComEd zone 34.13 28.92
MAAC zone 49.49 49.49
EMAAC zone 49.49 54.95
ATSI zone 34.13 28.92
DEOK zone 34.13 96.24
Our capacity sales in PJM, net of purchases, aggregated by planning year and capacity type through planning year 2024-2025, are as follows:
2023-2024 2024-2025
East
Segment Sunset Segment East
Segment Sunset Segment
CP auction capacity sold, net (MW) 5,811 1,667 5,567 1,338
Bilateral capacity sold, net (MW) 378 166 400 38
Total segment capacity sold, net (MW)
6,189 1,833 5,967 1,376
Average price per MW-day $ 38.61 $ 36.82 $ 36.80 $ 75.11
53
Table of Contents
NYISO
The most recent seasonal auction results for NYISO's Rest-of-State zones, in which the capacity for our Independence plant clears, are as follows for each planning period:
Winter
2023 - 2024
Price per kW-month $ 3.83
Due to the short-term, seasonal nature of the NYISO capacity auctions, we monetize the majority of our capacity through bilateral trades. Our capacity sales, aggregated by season through winter 2025-2026, are as follows:
East Segment
Winter
2023 - 2024 Summer
2024 Winter
2024 - 2025 Summer
2025 Winter
2025 - 2026
Auction capacity sold (MW) 12 — — — —
Bilateral capacity sold (MW) 1,132 873 591 175 59
Total capacity sold (MW)
1,144 873 591 175 59
Average price per kW-month $ 2.27 $ 3.80 $ 3.44 $ 4.10 $ 4.10
ISO-NE
The most recent Forward Capacity Auction results for ISO-NE Rest-of-Pool, in which most of our assets are located, are as follows for each planning year:
2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
Price per kW-month $ 2.00 $ 2.61 $ 2.59 $ 2.59 $ 3.58
We continue to market and pursue longer term multi-year capacity transactions that extend through planning year 2027-2028.
East Segment
2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
Auction capacity sold (MW) 3,213 3,103 3,032 2,836 3,261
Bilateral capacity sold (MW) 22 78 78 58 8
Total capacity sold (MW)
3,235 3,181 3,110 2,894 3,269
Average price per kW-month $ 2.22 $ 3.12 $ 2.72 $ 2.60 $ 3.58
MISO
The capacity auction results for MISO Local Resource Zone 4, in which our assets are located, are as follows for each planning year:
2023-2024
Price per MW-day $ 9.25
MISO capacity sales through planning year 2026-2027 are as follows:
Sunset Segment
2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027
Bilateral capacity sold in MISO (MW) 1,702 984 423 101
Total MISO segment capacity sold (MW)
1,702 984 423 101
Average price per kW-month $ 4.36 $ 4.34 $ 4.94 $ 4.59
54
Table of Contents
CAISO
Our capacity sales as part of the California Public Utilities Commission Resource Adequacy (RA) Program in California, aggregated by calendar year for 2024 through 2027 for Moss Landing, are as follows:
West Segment
2024 2025 2026 2027
Bilateral capacity sold (Avg MW) 1,880 1,770 1,250 750
Electricity Prices
The price of electricity has a significant impact on our operating revenues and purchased power costs. Electricity prices are typically set by the cost to fuel a generation facility and the amount of fuel needed to generate one unit of electricity (Heat Rate) from the generation facility. Market Heat Rate is the implied relationship between wholesale electricity prices and the commodity price of the marginal supplier (generally natural gas plants).
Wholesale electricity prices generally track to increases or decreases in the price of natural gas, with exceptions such as when ERCOT power prices rise significantly during weather events as a result of the scarcity of available generation resources relative to power demand. The price of natural gas is volatile; therefore, the costs to operate a natural gas-fueled generation facility can be volatile as well. In contrast to our natural gas-fueled generation facilities, changes in natural gas prices have no significant effect on the cost of generating power at our nuclear-, lignite- and coal-fueled facilities; however, all other factors being equal, changes in natural gas prices affect our operating margins on these facilities as electricity prices generally track to natural gas prices. Other variables that could impact electricity prices include, but are not limited to, the price of other fuels, generation resources in the region, weather, on-going competition, emerging technologies, and macroeconomic and regulatory factors.
The wholesale market price of electricity divided by the market price of natural gas represents the Market Heat Rate. Market Heat Rate can be affected by a number of factors, including generation availability, mix of assets and the efficiency of the marginal supplier (generally natural gas-fueled generation facilities) in generating electricity. Our Market Heat Rate exposure is impacted by changes in the availability of generation resources, such as additions and retirements of generation facilities, and mix of generation assets. For example, increasing renewable (wind and solar) generation capacity generally depresses Market Heat Rates, particularly during periods when total demand is relatively low. However, increasing penetration of renewable generation capacity may also contribute to greater volatility of wholesale market prices independent of changes in the price of natural gas, given their intermittent nature.
As a result of our exposure to the variability of natural gas prices and Market Heat Rates, retail sales and hedging activities are critical to our operating results and maintaining consistent cash flow levels. Our integrated power generation and retail electricity business provides us opportunities to hedge our generation position utilizing retail electricity markets as a sales channel. Our approach to managing electricity price risk focuses on the following:
• employing disciplined, liquidity-efficient hedging and risk management strategies through physical and financial energy-related contracts intended to partially hedge gross margins;
• continuing focus on cost management to better withstand gross margin volatility;
• following a retail pricing strategy that appropriately reflects the value of our product offering to customers, the magnitude and costs of commodity price, liquidity risk and retail demand variability; and
• improving retail customer service to attract and retain high-value customers.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We follow accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. Application of these accounting policies in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the reporting of assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and revenues and expenses during the periods covered. The following is a summary of certain critical accounting estimates that are impacted by judgments and uncertainties and under which different amounts might be reported using different assumptions or estimation methodologies.
55
Table of Contents
Derivative Instruments and Mark-to-Market Accounting
We enter into contracts for the purchase and sale of energy-related commodities, and also enter into other derivative instruments such as options, swaps, futures and forwards primarily to manage commodity price and interest rate risks. Under accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities, these instruments are subject to mark-to-market accounting, and the determination of market values for these instruments is based on numerous assumptions and estimation techniques.
Mark-to-market accounting recognizes changes in the fair value of derivative instruments in the financial statements as market prices change. Such changes in fair value are accounted for as unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses in net income with an offset to derivative assets and liabilities. The availability of quoted market prices in energy markets is dependent on the type of commodity (e.g., natural gas, electricity, etc.), time period specified and delivery point. Where quoted market prices are not available, the fair value is based on unobservable inputs, which require significant judgment. Derivative instruments valued based on unobservable inputs primarily include (i) forward sales and purchases of electricity (including certain retail contracts), natural gas and coal, (ii) electricity, natural gas and coal options, and (iii) financial transmission rights. In computing fair value for derivatives, each forward pricing curve is separated into liquid and illiquid periods. The liquid period varies by delivery point and commodity. Generally, the liquid period is supported by exchange markets, broker quotes and frequent trading activity. For illiquid periods, fair value is estimated based on forward price curves developed using proprietary modeling techniques that take into account available market information and other inputs that might not be readily observable in the market. Any significant changes to these inputs could result in a material change to the value of the assets or liabilities recorded on our consolidated balance sheets and could result in a material change to the unrealized gains or losses recorded in our consolidated statements of operations. We estimate fair value as described in Note 16 to the Financial Statements.
Accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities allow for normal purchase or sale elections, which generally eliminate the requirement for mark-to-market recognition in net income. Normal purchases and sales (NPNS) are contracts that provide for physical delivery of quantities expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business and are not subject to mark-to-market accounting if the NPNS election is made and are accounted for on an accrual basis. Determining whether a contract qualifies for the normal purchase or sale election requires judgment as to whether or not the contract will physically deliver and requires that management ensure compliance with all associated qualification and documentation requirements. If it is determined that a transaction designated as a normal purchase or sale no longer meets the scope exception due to changes in estimates, the related contract would be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with immediate recognition through earnings.
See Note 17 to the Financial Statements for further discussion regarding derivative instruments.
Accounting for Income Taxes
Our income tax expense and related consolidated balance sheet amounts involve significant management estimates and judgments. Amounts of deferred income tax assets and liabilities, as well as current and noncurrent accruals, involve estimates and judgments of the timing and probability of recognition of income and deductions by taxing authorities. Further, we assess the likelihood that we will be able to realize or utilize our deferred tax assets. If realization is not more likely than not, we would record a valuation allowance against such deferred tax assets for the amount we would not expect to utilize, which would reduce the carrying value of the deferred tax amounts. When evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including the following:
• the creation and timing of future income associated with the reversal of deferred tax liabilities in excess of deferred tax assets;
• the existence, or lack thereof, of statutory limitations on the period that net operating losses may be carried forward; and
• the amounts and history of income or losses, adjusted for certain non-recurring items.
Actual income taxes could vary from estimated amounts due to the future impacts of various items, including changes in income tax laws, our forecasted financial condition and results of operations in future periods, as well as final review of filed tax returns by taxing authorities.
56
Table of Contents
Income tax returns are regularly subject to examination by applicable tax authorities. In management's opinion, the liability recorded pursuant to income tax accounting guidance related to uncertain tax positions reflects future taxes that may be owed as a result of any examination.
See Notes 1 and 7 to the Financial Statements for further discussion of income tax matters.
Accounting for Tax Receivable Agreement (TRA)
On the Effective Date, Vistra entered into the TRA with a transfer agent. Pursuant to the TRA, we issued the TRA Rights for the benefit of the first-lien creditors of TCEH entitled to receive such TRA Rights under the Plan of Reorganization. Vistra reflected the obligation associated with TRA Rights at fair value in the amount of $574 million as of the Effective Date related to these future payment obligations. In December 2023, we repurchased approximately 74% of the TRA Rights to receive payments under the TRA from a select group of registered holders of the TRA Rights. Also, during the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded an increase to the carrying value of the TRA obligation totaling $82 million as a result of adjustments to forecasted taxable income due to increases in longer-term commodity price forecasts. As of December 31, 2023, the TRA obligation has been adjusted to $171 million, and the expected undiscounted federal and state payments under the TRA is estimated to be approximately $350 million. After giving effect to the January 2024 additional repurchases and the January and February 2024 early tender offer repurchases, we have repurchased an aggregate 98% of the original outstanding TRA Rights, of which 10,430,083 TRA Rights remain outstanding as of the Early Tender Date.
The TRA obligation value is the discounted amount of projected payments to be made each year under the TRA, based on certain assumptions, including but not limited to:
• the amount of tax basis related to (i) the Lamar and Forney acquisition and (ii) step-up resulting from the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale (which is estimated to be approximately $5.5 billion) and the allocation of such tax basis step-up among the assets subject thereto;
• the depreciable lives of the assets subject to such tax basis step-up, which generally is expected to be 15 years for most of such assets;
• a blended federal/state corporate income tax rate in all future years of 23.2%;
• future taxable income by year for future years;
• the Company generally expects to generate sufficient taxable income to be able to utilize the deductions arising out of (i) the tax basis step up attributable to the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale, (ii) the entire tax basis of the assets acquired as a result of the Lamar and Forney Acquisition, and (iii) tax benefits related to imputed interest deemed to be paid by us as a result of payments under the TRA in the tax year in which such deductions arise;
• a discount rate of 15%, which represented our view at the Effective Date of the rate that a market participant would use based on the risk associated with the uncertainty in the amount and timing of the cash flows, at the time of Emergence; and
• additional states that Vistra now operates in, the relevant tax rates of those states and how income will be apportioned to those states.
There may be significant changes, which may be material, to the estimate of the related liability due to various reasons including changes in federal and state tax laws and regulations, changes in estimates of the amount or timing of future consolidated taxable income, utilization of acquired net operating losses, reversals of temporary book/tax differences and other items. Changes in those estimates are recognized as adjustments to the related TRA obligation, with offsetting impacts recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement. See Note 8 to the Financial Statements.
Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO)
As part of business combination accounting, new fair values were established for all AROs assumed in the Dynegy Merger. A liability is initially recorded at fair value for an ARO associated with the legal obligation associated with law, regulatory, contractual or constructive retirement requirements of tangible long-lived assets. These liabilities primarily relate to nuclear generation plant decommissioning, land reclamation related to lignite mining, and remediation or closure of coal ash basins. In estimating the ARO liability, we are required to make significant estimates and assumptions.
57
Table of Contents
For the estimates and assumptions of the nuclear generation plant decommissioning, we use unit-by-unit decommissioning cost studies to provide a marketplace assessment of the expected costs (in current year dollars) and timing of decommissioning activities, which are validated by comparison to current decommissioning projects within the industry and other estimates. Decommissioning cost studies are updated for each of our nuclear units at least every five years unless circumstances warrant a more frequent update. In estimating the liability for December 31, 2023, we have included an assumption that Vistra receives a license extension of 20 years from the NRC to continue to operate Comanche Peak Units 1 and 2 through 2050 and 2053, respectively. The costs to ultimately decommission the facility are recoverable through the regulatory rate making process as part of Oncor's delivery fees and therefore changes in estimates of the ARO do not impact Vistra's earnings.
The estimates and assumptions required for the mining land reclamation related to lignite mining, such as costs to fill in mining pits and interpretation of the mining permit closure requirements, are complex and require a significant amount of judgment. To develop the estimate of costs to fill in mining pits, we utilize a complex proprietary model to estimate the volume of the pit. A significant portion of the estimate is associated with the Asset Closure segment, thus related to closed facilities with changes in the estimate recorded to our consolidated statements of operations.
These obligations are adjusted on a regular basis to reflect the passage of time and to incorporate revisions to the following significant estimates and assumptions:
• estimation of dates for retirement, which can be dependent on environmental and other legislation;
• amounts and timing of future cash expenditures associated with retirement, settlement or remediation activities;
• discount rates;
• cost escalation factors;
• market risk premium;
• inflation rates; and
• if applicable, past experience with government regulators regarding similar obligations.
For the next five years, Vistra is projected to spend approximately $516 million (on a nominal basis) to achieve its mining reclamation and other coal ash remediation objectives. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we transferred zero, $61 million and zero, respectively, in ARO obligations to third parties for remediation. Any remaining unpaid third-party obligation was reclassified to other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits in our consolidated balance sheets.
See Note 22 to the Financial Statements for additional discussion of ARO obligations and adjustments made to the ARO obligation estimates during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate long-lived assets (including intangible assets with finite lives) for impairment, in accordance with accounting standards related to impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. For our generation assets, possible indications include an expectation of continuing long-term declines in natural gas prices and/or Market Heat Rates or an expectation that "more likely than not" a generation asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its estimated useful life. The determination of the existence of these and other indications of impairment involves judgments that are subjective in nature and may require the use of estimates in forecasting future results and cash flows related to an asset or group of assets. Further, the unique nature of our property, plant and equipment, which includes a fleet of generation assets with a diverse fuel mix and individual generation units that have varying production or output rates, requires the use of significant judgments in determining the existence of impairment indications and the grouping of assets for impairment testing. See Note 22 to the Financial Statements for discussion of impairments of long-lived assets recorded in the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Recoverability of long-lived assets is determined by a comparison of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset group to the net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group, through considering specific assumptions for forward natural gas and electricity prices, forward capacity prices, the effects of enacted environmental rules, generation plant performance, forecasted capital expenditures, forecasted fuel prices and forecasted operating costs. The carrying value of such asset groups is determined to be unrecoverable if the projected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value.
58
Table of Contents
If an asset group carrying value is determined to be unrecoverable, fair value will be calculated based on a market participant view and a loss will be recorded for the amount the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined primarily by discounted cash flows (income approach) and supported by available market valuations, if applicable. The income approach involves estimates of future performance that reflect assumptions regarding, among other things, forward natural gas and electricity prices, forward capacity prices, Market Heat Rates, the effects of enacted environmental rules, generation plant performance, forecasted capital expenditures and forecasted fuel prices. Another key assumption in the income approach is the discount rate applied to the forecasted cash flows. Any significant change to one or more of these factors can have a material impact on the fair value measurement of our long-lived assets. Additional material impairments related to our generation facilities may occur in the future if forward wholesale electricity prices decline in the markets in which we operate in or if additional environmental regulations increase the cost of producing electricity at our generation facilities.
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, such as the intangible asset related to the trade names of TXU Energy TM , Ambit Energy, 4Change Energy TM , Homefield, Dynegy Energy Services, TriEagle Energy, Public Power and U.S. Gas & Electric, respectively, are required to be evaluated for impairment at least annually (we have selected October 1 as our annual impairment test date) or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may exist, such as the indicators used to evaluate impairments to long-lived assets discussed above or declines in values of comparable public companies in our industry.
As of December 31, 2023, our goodwill balances totaled $2.461 billion and $122 million for our Retail reporting unit and Texas Generation reporting unit, respectively. Under this goodwill impairment analysis, if at the assessment date, a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value, the excess carrying value is written off as an impairment charge. Accounting standards allow a company to qualitatively assess if the carrying value of a reporting unit with goodwill is more likely than not less than the fair value of that reporting unit. If the entity determines the carrying value, including goodwill, is not more likely greater than the fair value, no further testing of goodwill for impairment is required. On the most recent goodwill testing date, we performed a qualitative assessment and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of our Retail and Texas Generation reporting units exceeded their carrying value at October 1, 2023. Significant qualitative factors evaluated included reporting unit financial performance and market multiples, general macroeconomic, industry, and market conditions, cost factors, customer attrition, interest rates and changes in reporting unit book value.
As of December 31, 2023, intangible assets with indefinite useful lives related to our retail trade names totaled $1.341 billion. Under this impairment analysis, if at the assessment date, a retail trade name's carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value, the excess carrying value is written off as an impairment charge.
Accounting standards allow a company to qualitatively assess if the carrying value of our retail trade name intangible assets is more likely than not less than the fair value. On the most recent testing date, we performed a qualitative assessment and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of our retail trade names exceeded their carrying value at October 1, 2023. Significant qualitative factors evaluated included trade name financial performance, general macroeconomic, industry, and market conditions, customer attrition and interest rates.
Results of Operations
Net income (loss) attributable to Vistra common stock increased $2.6 billion to income of $1.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023 from a loss of $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022. For additional information see the following discussion of our results of operations.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
In analyzing and planning for our business, we supplement our use of GAAP financial measures with non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as performance measures. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our business that, when viewed (i) with our GAAP results and (ii) the accompanying reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures may provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are financial measures that management uses to allocate resources, determine our ability to fund capital expenditures, assess performance against our peers, and evaluate overall financial performance, we believe they provide useful information for investors.
59
Table of Contents
These non-GAAP financial measures should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures and are, by definition, an incomplete understanding of Vistra and must be considered in conjunction with GAAP measures. In addition, non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized; therefore, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. We strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not rely on any single financial measure.
When EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA is discussed in reference to performance on a consolidated basis, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is Net income (loss).
Vistra Consolidated Financial Results — Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022
The following table presents net income (loss), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Retail Texas East West Sunset Asset
Closure Eliminations / Corporate and Other Vistra Consolidated
Operating revenues $ 10,572 $ 3,823 $ 4,215 $ 914 $ 1,831 $ — $ (6,576) $ 14,779
Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees (9,046) (1,951) (2,031) (328) (776) (3) 6,578 (7,557)
Operating costs (123) (894) (297) (58) (254) (74) (2) (1,702)
Depreciation and amortization (102) (544) (647) (79) (62) — (68) (1,502)
Selling, general and administrative expenses (858) (134) (82) (24) (51) (34) (125) (1,308)
Impairment of long-lived assets — — — — (49) — — (49)
Operating income (loss) 443 300 1,158 425 639 (111) (193) 2,661
Other income 1 35 3 21 1 110 86 257
Other deductions — (2) — — (5) — (7) (14)
Interest expense and related charges (20) 21 — 8 (2) (5) (742) (740)
Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement — — — — — — (164) (164)
Income (loss) before income taxes
424 354 1,161 454 633 (6) (1,020) 2,000
Income tax expense — — (1) — — — (507) (508)
Net income (loss)
$ 424 $ 354 $ 1,160 $ 454 $ 633 $ (6) $ (1,527) $ 1,492
60
Table of Contents
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Retail Texas East West Sunset Asset
Closure Eliminations / Corporate and Other Vistra Consolidated
Income tax expense — — 1 — — — 507 508
Interest expense and related charges (a) 20 (21) — (8) 2 5 742 740
Depreciation and amortization (b)
102 635 647 79 62 — 68 1,593
EBITDA before Adjustments 546 968 1,808 525 697 (1) (210) 4,333
Unrealized net (gain) loss resulting from commodity hedging transactions 586 799 (1,117) (267) (455) (36) — (490)
Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement (c) — — — — — — 135 135
Non-cash compensation expenses — — — — — — 78 78
Transition and merger expenses — 1 1 — 1 — 47 50
Impairment of long-lived assets — — — — 49 — — 49
PJM capacity performance default impacts (d) — — 3 — 6 — — 9
Winter Storm Uri impacts (e) (52) 4 — — — — — (48)
Other, net 25 (2) 12 5 60 (2) (113) (15)
Adjusted EBITDA $ 1,105 $ 1,770 $ 707 $ 263 $ 358 $ (39) $ (63) $ 4,101
____________
(a) Includes $36 million of unrealized mark-to-market net losses on interest rate swaps.
(b) Includes nuclear fuel amortization of $91 million in the Texas segment.
(c) Includes $29 million gain recognized on the repurchase of TRA Rights in December 2023 (see Note 8 to the Financial Statements).
(d) Represents estimate of anticipated market participant defaults or settlements on initial PJM capacity performance penalties due to extreme magnitude of penalties associated with Winter Storm Elliott.
(e) Includes the application of bill credits. The Company incentivized certain large commercial and industrial customers to curtail their usage during Winter Storm Uri by providing bill credits for use in future periods. The Company believes the inclusion of the bill credits as a reduction to Adjusted EBITDA in the years in which such bill credits are applied more accurately reflects its operating performance. We estimate remaining bill credit amounts to be applied in future periods for 2024 (approximately $11 million) and 2025 (approximately $26 million).
The following table presents net income (loss), EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2022:
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Retail Texas East West Sunset Asset
Closure Eliminations / Corporate and Other Vistra Consolidated
Operating revenues $ 9,455 $ 3,733 $ 3,706 $ 336 $ 868 $ 384 $ (4,754) $ 13,728
Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees (7,169) (2,968) (3,546) (481) (670) (322) 4,755 (10,401)
Operating costs (143) (808) (255) (42) (251) (145) (1) (1,645)
Depreciation and amortization (145) (537) (706) (42) (66) (31) (69) (1,596)
Selling, general and administrative expenses (826) (131) (66) (21) (35) (44) (66) (1,189)
Impairment of long-lived assets — — — — (74) — — (74)
Operating income (loss) 1,172 (711) (867) (250) (228) (158) (135) (1,177)
61
Table of Contents
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Retail Texas East West Sunset Asset
Closure Eliminations / Corporate and Other Vistra Consolidated
Other income 2 78 2 6 — 16 13 117
Other deductions (2) (2) — — 1 (2) 1 (4)
Interest expense and related charges (14) 20 (3) 6 (3) (3) (371) (368)
Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement — — — — — — (128) (128)
Income (loss) before income taxes
1,158 (615) (868) (238) (230) (147) (620) (1,560)
Income tax benefit — — — — — — 350 350
Net income (loss)
$ 1,158 $ (615) $ (868) $ (238) $ (230) $ (147) $ (270) $ (1,210)
Income tax benefit — — — — — — (350) (350)
Interest expense and related charges (a) 14 (20) 3 (6) 3 3 371 368
Depreciation and amortization (b) 145 623 706 42 66 31 69 1,682
EBITDA before Adjustments 1,317 (12) (159) (202) (161) (113) (180) 490
Unrealized net (gain) loss resulting from commodity hedging transactions (291) 1,610 759 351 100 (19) — 2,510
Generation plant retirement expenses — — — — 7 (3) — 4
Fresh start/purchase accounting impacts — (2) (1) — 9 — — 6
Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement — — — — — — 128 128
Non-cash compensation expenses — — — — — — 65 65
Transition and merger expenses 7 — 1 — — — 5 13
Impairment of long-lived assets — — — — 74 — — 74
Winter Storm Uri (c) (141) (178) — — — — — (319)
Other, net 31 20 8 3 13 10 (62) 23
Adjusted EBITDA $ 923 $ 1,438 $ 608 $ 152 $ 42 $ (125) $ (44) $ 2,994
____________
(a) Includes $250 million of unrealized mark-to-market net gains on interest rate swaps.
(b) Includes nuclear fuel amortization of $86 million in the Texas segment.
(c) Adjusted EBITDA impacts of Winter Storm Uri reflects $183 million related to a reduction in the allocation of ERCOT default uplift charges which were expected to be paid over several decades under protocols existing at the time of the storm and $144 million related to the application of bill credits to large commercial and industrial customers that curtailed their usage during Winter Storm Uri. The adjustment for ERCOT default uplift charges relates to (i) ERCOT receiving payments that reduced the market wide default balance and (ii) the fourth quarter 2022 derecognition of the remaining default balance in connection with a settlement between Brazos and ERCOT.
Operating income increased $3.838 billion to $2.661 billion in the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Results for the year ended December 31, 2023 were favorably impacted by $490 million in pre-tax unrealized mark-to-market gains on derivative positions due to power and natural gas forward market curves moving down in the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $2.510 billion in pre-tax unrealized mark-to-market losses on commodity derivative positions due to power and natural gas forward market curves moving up materially in the year ended December 31, 2022. See further information on our derivative results in Energy-Related Commodity Contracts and Mark-to-Market Activities below.
62
Table of Contents
Operating results for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 were favorably impacted by strong plant operating performance allowing us to realize the value created by our comprehensive hedging strategy, partially offset by lower than expected retail sales volumes due to unfavorable weather. The following table presents operational performance of our retail and generation segments.
Year Ended December 31,
Retail Texas East West Sunset
2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022
Retail sales volumes (GWh):
Retail electricity sales volumes:
Sales volumes in ERCOT
70,275 65,207
Sales volumes in Northeast/Midwest
27,147 32,882
Total retail electricity sales volumes
97,422 98,089
Production volumes (GWh):
Natural gas facilities 41,849 34,784 60,502 54,569 5,462 5,134
Lignite and coal facilities 23,899 25,211 16,572 21,824
Nuclear facilities 18,893 19,688
Solar facilities 781 822
Capacity factors:
CCGT facilities 55.1 % 48.8 % 62.2 % 57.2 % 61.0 % 57.1 %
Lignite and coal facilities 70.9 % 74.8 % 41.3 % 54.4 %
Nuclear facilities 89.9 % 93.6 %
Weather - percent of normal (a):
Cooling degree days 115 % 111 % 112 % 109 % 90 % 107 % 79 % 107 % 112 % 113 %
Heating degree days 85 % 108 % 88 % 123 % 87 % 99 % 125 % 109 % 86 % 99 %
____________
(a) Reflects cooling degree or heating degree days for the region based on Weather Services International (WSI) data.
Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2023 2022
Market pricing Average Market On-Peak Power Prices ($MWh) (b):
Average ERCOT North power price ($/MWh) $ 48.30 $ 62.17 PJM West Hub $ 39.22 $ 83.59
AEP Dayton Hub $ 36.22 $ 79.51
Average NYMEX Henry Hub natural gas price ($/MMBtu) $ 2.53 $ 6.39 NYISO Zone C $ 30.38 $ 65.54
Massachusetts Hub $ 41.02 $ 92.17
Average natural gas price (a): Indiana Hub $ 38.92 $ 82.03
TetcoM3 ($/MMBtu) $ 1.90 $ 6.81 Northern Illinois Hub $ 32.67 $ 71.76
Algonquin Citygates ($/MMBtu) $ 2.94 $ 9.16 CAISO NP15 $ 63.92 $ 93.12
____________
(a) Reflects the average of daily quoted prices for the periods presented and does not reflect costs incurred by us.
(b) Reflects the average of day-ahead quoted prices for the periods presented and does not necessarily reflect prices we realized.
63
Table of Contents
For the year ended December 31, 2023, other income totaled $257 million driven by a gain of $89 million from the sale of property in Freestone County, Texas recorded in the Asset Closure Segment and $86 million in interest income due to holding a material cash balance anticipating the Energy Harbor transaction closing. For the year ended December 31, 2022, other income totaled $117 million driven by insurance proceeds of $70 million which primarily consists of business interruption claim proceeds recorded in the Texas segment. See Note 22 to the Financial Statements.
The increase in consolidated interest expense and related charges of $372 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, is primarily due to (a) unrealized mark-to-market losses on interest rate swaps of $36 million in 2023 compared to unrealized mark-to-market gains on interest rate swaps of $250 million in 2022 due to less volatility in interest rates in the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, (b) an increase in interest paid/accrued of $63 million driven by higher effective interest rates in 2023 and (c) $21 million of commitment fees related to the Commitment Letter in the year ended December 31, 2023. See Note 22 to the Financial Statements.
The following table presents additional changes to net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to 2022
Retail
Texas East West Sunset
Favorable change in realized revenue net of fuel driven by effectiveness of comprehensive hedging
$ — $ 483 $ 153 $ 113 $ 357
Higher margins driven by increase in customers and interyear timing of power supply costs
290 — — — —
Winter Storm Uri bill credit runoff
92 — — — —
Impacts of mild weather in 2023
(160) — — — —
Change in operating costs due primarily to change in generation volumes
— (86) (40) (17) 1
Change in SG&A and other
(40) (65) (14) 15 (42)
Change in Adjusted EBITDA $ 182 $ 332 $ 99 $ 111 $ 316
Favorable/(unfavorable) change in depreciation and amortization 43 (12) 59 (37) 4
Change in unrealized net gains (losses) on hedging activities
(877) 811 1,876 618 555
Impairment of long-lived assets — — — — 25
PJM capacity performance default impacts — — (3) — (6)
Winter Storm Uri impact (ERCOT default uplift) (89) (182) — — —
Other (including interest expenses) 7 20 (3) — (31)
Change in Net income $ (734) $ 969 $ 2,028 $ 692 $ 863
To supplement the amounts and explanations noted above, primary drivers of results for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 include:
• Comprehensive hedging strategy . See Energy-Related Commodity Contracts and Mark-to-Market Activities below.
• Winter Storm Uri impacts . 2022 GAAP and Adjusted EBITDA results continued to be materially impacted by Winter Storm Uri. In 2022, a $189 million default uplift liability to ERCOT was extinguished and resulted in net income during the year, but had no impact on Adjusted EBITDA in 2022 as the initial liability incurred in 2021 was excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.
• SG&A expenses and other . 2023 is unfavorable compared to 2022 driven primarily by higher incentive compensation in 2023 and insurance recoveries recorded in Texas in 2022.
64
Table of Contents
Asset Closure Segment — Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022
Year Ended December 31, Favorable (Unfavorable)
Change
2023 2022
Operating revenues $ — $ 384 $ (384)
Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees (3) (322) 319
Operating costs (74) (145) 71
Depreciation and amortization — (31) 31
Selling, general and administrative expenses (34) (44) 10
Operating loss (111) (158) 47
Other income 110 16 94
Other deductions — (2) 2
Interest expense and related charges (5) (3) (2)
Income (loss) before income taxes
(6) (147) 141
Net loss
$ (6) $ (147) $ 141
Adjusted EBITDA $ (39) $ (125) $ 86
Production volumes (GWh) — 9,401 (9,401)
For the year ended December 31, 2022, results and volumes for the Asset Closure segment include those from Edwards generation plant that we retired on January 1, 2023 and include unrealized hedging gains related to coal and power derivatives of $19 million. Operating costs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 also include ongoing costs associated with the decommissioning and reclamation of retired plants and mines. GAAP and Adjusted EBITDA results for 2023 are favorable to 2022 primarily due to the $89 million gain on sale of land in Freestone County, Texas.
Energy-Related Commodity Contracts and Mark-to-Market Activities
As forward power prices materially increased in 2022, our generation segments (Texas, East, West and Sunset) aggressively sold forward power for 2023 and future years. While settled power prices in 2023 are lower than 2022, the strategic hedging allowed us to lock in margins for 2023 which resulted in realized revenue net of fuel above what we were able to recognize in 2022 (were mostly hedged going into 2022 so did not recognize the full benefit of settled prices). The forward power sales are also the drivers of the changes in unrealized gains/losses on hedging activities. As power prices increase/decrease in comparison to what our generation segments have sold forward, the generation segments recognize unrealized losses/gains. The retail segment procures power from the generation segments to serve future load obligations and thus changes in forward power prices have an inverse effect on unrealized mark to market for the retail segment as compared to the generation segments. This is evident in 2022 as material increase in forward power prices drove material unrealized losses in our generation segment, partially offset by unrealized gains in our retail segment. In 2023, forward power prices decreased slightly which resulted in unrealized gains in our generation segments which is partially offset by unrealized losses in our retail segment.
65
Table of Contents
The table below summarizes the changes in commodity contract assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The net change in these assets and liabilities, excluding "other activity" as described below, reflects $490 million in unrealized net gains and $2.51 billion in unrealized net losses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, arising from mark-to-market accounting for positions in the commodity contract portfolio.
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022
Commodity contract net liability at beginning of period $ (3,148) $ (866)
Settlements/termination of positions (a) 1,643 1,218
Changes in fair value of positions in the portfolio (b) (1,153) (3,728)
Other activity (c) (82) 228
Commodity contract net liability at end of period $ (2,740) $ (3,148)
____________
(a) Represents reversals of previously recognized unrealized gains and losses upon settlement/termination (offsets realized gains/(losses) recognized in the settlement period). Excludes changes in fair value in the month the position settled as well as amounts related to positions entered into, and settled, in the same month.
(b) Represents unrealized net gains/(losses) recognized, reflecting the effect of changes in fair value. Excludes changes in fair value in the month the position settled as well as amounts related to positions entered into, and settled, in the same month.
(c) Represents changes in fair value of positions due to receipt or payment of cash not reflected in unrealized gains or losses. Amounts are generally related to premiums related to options purchased or sold as well as certain margin deposits classified as settlement for certain transactions executed on the CME.
The following maturity table presents the net commodity contract liability arising from recognition of fair values at December 31, 2023, scheduled by the source of fair value and contractual settlement dates of the underlying positions.
Maturity dates of unrealized commodity contract net liability at December 31, 2023
Source of Fair Value Less than
1 year 1-3 years 4-5 years Excess of
5 years Total
Prices actively quoted $ (725) $ (207) $ 3 $ — $ (929)
Prices provided by other external sources (358) (409) — — (767)
Prices based on models (355) (454) (138) (97) (1,044)
Total $ (1,438) $ (1,070) $ (135) $ (97) $ (2,740)
We have engaged in natural gas hedging activities to mitigate the risk of higher or lower wholesale electricity prices that have corresponded to increases or declines in natural gas prices. When natural gas prices are elevated or depressed, we continue to seek opportunities to manage our wholesale power price exposure through hedging activities, including forward wholesale and retail electricity sales.
Estimated hedging levels for generation volumes in our Texas, East, West and Sunset segments as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:
2024 2025
Nuclear/Renewable/Coal Generation:
Texas 96 % 93 %
Sunset 96 % 58 %
Natural Gas Generation:
Texas 89 % 80 %
East 99 % 80 %
West 100 % 81 %
66
Table of Contents
Financial Condition
Cash Flows
Operating Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022 — Cash provided by operating activities totaled $5.453 billion and $485 million in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The favorable change of $4.968 billion was primarily driven by (a) a decrease in net margin deposits (return of cash) of $1.899 billion in the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to an increase in net margin deposits of $1.874 billion in the year ended December 31, 2022 related to commodity contracts which support our comprehensive hedging strategy, including the impacts of cash margin deposits returned and replaced with amounts posted under an affiliate financing agreement (see Note 11 to the Financial Statements) and (b) an increase in cash from operating income exclusive of net margin deposits, partially offset by $544 million of securitization proceeds from ERCOT in the year ended December 31, 2022 (see Note 1 to the Financial Statements).
Depreciation and amortization — Depreciation and amortization expense reported as a reconciling adjustment in the consolidated statements of cash flows exceeds the amount reported in the consolidated statements of operations by $454 million, $451 million and $297 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The difference represents amortization of nuclear fuel, which is reported as fuel costs in the consolidated statements of operations consistent with industry practice, and amortization of intangible net assets and liabilities that are reported in various other consolidated statements of operations line items including operating revenues and fuel and purchased power costs and delivery fees (see Note 6 to the Financial Statements).
Investing Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022 — Cash used in investing activities totaled $2.145 billion and $1.239 billion in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase of $906 million was driven by (a) $543 million in higher net purchases of environmental allowances and (b) a $375 million increase in capital expenditures due primarily to continued development of our solar and energy storage generation facilities (see Note 3 to the Financial Statements), partially offset by $37 million in higher proceeds from the sale of assets driven by our sale of property in Freestone County, Texas in the year ended December 31, 2023.
Year Ended December 31, Increase (Decrease)
2023 2022
Capital expenditures, including LTSA prepayments $ (764) $ (628) (136)
Nuclear fuel purchases (214) (198) (16)
Growth and development expenditures (698) (475) (223)
Total capital expenditures (1,676) (1,301) (375)
Net sales (purchases) of environmental allowances (571) (28) (543)
Net sales of (investments in) nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities (23) (23) 0
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment 115 78 37
Other investing activity 10 35 (25)
Cash used in investing activities $ (2,145) $ (1,239) $ (906)
67
Table of Contents
Financing Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022 — Cash used in financing activities totaled $294 million and $80 million in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The $214 million increase in cash used was driven by (a) the net repayment of $1.075 billion in the year ended December 31, 2023 of short-term debt and accounts receivable financing amounts borrowed in the year ended December 31, 2022 driven by changes in collateral posting requirements and (b) $1.5 billion principal amount of senior secured notes issued in May 2022, partially offset by (1) $2.5 billion principal amount of senior secured and senior unsecured notes issued in September 2023 and December 2023, of which $750 million will be used to fund cash tender offers in January 2024, and (2) lower share repurchases in 2023.
Year Ended December 31, Increase (Decrease)
2023 2022
Share repurchases $ (1,245) $ (1,949) $ 704
Issuances of senior notes 2,498 1,498 1,000
Other net long-term borrowings (repayments), including the forward capacity agreements (33) (251) 218
Net short-term borrowings (repayments) (650) 650 (1,300)
Net borrowings (repayments) under the accounts receivable financing facilities (425) 425 (850)
Dividends paid to common stockholders (313) (302) (11)
Dividends paid to preferred stockholders (150) (151) 1
Other financing activity 24 — 24
Cash used in financing activities $ (294) $ (80) $ (214)
Collateral Financing Agreement With Affiliate
On June 15, 2023, Vistra Operations entered into a facility agreement (Facility Agreement) with a Delaware trust formed by the Company that sold 450,000 pre-capitalized trust securities (P-Caps) redeemable May 17, 2028 for an initial purchase price of $450 million. The Trust is not consolidated by Vistra. The Trust invested the proceeds from the sale of the P-Caps in a portfolio of either (a) U.S. Treasury securities (Treasuries) or (b) Treasuries and/or principal and interest strips of Treasuries (Treasury Strips, and together with the Treasuries and cash denominated in U.S. dollars, the Eligible Assets). At the direction of Vistra Operations, the Eligible Assets held by the Trust will be (i) delivered to one or more designated subsidiaries of Vistra Operations in order to allow such subsidiaries to use the Eligible Assets to meet certain posting obligations with counterparties, and/or (ii) pledged as collateral support for a letter of credit program.
Under the Facility Agreement, Vistra Operations will have the right (Issuance Right), from time to time, to require the Trust to purchase from Vistra Operations up to $450 million aggregate principal amount of Vistra Operations' 7.233% senior secured notes due 2028 (7.233% Senior Secured Notes) in exchange for the delivery of all or a portion of the Treasuries and Treasury Strips corresponding to the portion of the issuance right exercised at such time.
As of December 31, 2023, all of the Eligible Assets were being utilized to meet a portion of our current and future collateral posting obligations.
The Trust will terminate at any time prior to May 17, 2028 and distribute the 7.233% Senior Secured Notes to the holders of the P-Caps if its sole assets consist of 7.233% Senior Secured Notes that Vistra Operations is no longer entitled to repurchase.
See Note 11 for additional details of the collateral financing agreement with affiliate.
Debt Activity
We remain committed to a strong balance sheet and have continued to state our objective to reduce our consolidated net leverage. We also intend to maintain adequate liquidity and pursue opportunities to refinance our long-term debt to extend maturities.
68
Table of Contents
In May 2024 and July 2024, after taking into account the Senior Secured Notes Tender Offer settled in January 2024, $342 million of 4.875% Senior Secured Notes and $1.155 billion of 3.550% Senior Secured Notes, respectively, will reach maturity. We plan to fund these upcoming principal payments using a combination of cash on hand and new debt issuances. Increases in interest rates will likely result in increased borrowing costs.
See Note 10 to the Financial Statements for details of the Receivables Facility and Repurchase Facility and Note 12 to the Financial Statements for details of the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities, the Commodity-Linked Facility and other long-term debt.
Available Liquidity
The following table summarizes changes in available liquidity for the year ended December 31, 2023:
December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Change
Cash and cash equivalents (a) $ 3,485 $ 455 $ 3,030
Vistra Operations Credit Facilities — Revolving Credit Facility (b) 1,213 1,236 (23)
Vistra Operations — Commodity-Linked Facility (c) 1,101 808 293
Total available liquidity (d)(e) $ 5,799 $ 2,499 $ 3,300
____________
(a) See the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the Financial Statements and Cash Flows above for details of the increase in cash and cash equivalents for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase includes proceeds from the issuance of $1.75 billion and $750 million principal amount of Vistra Operations senior secured and senior unsecured notes in September 2023 and December 2023, respectively. Proceeds from the September 2023 issuance are expected to be used, together with cash on hand, to fund the Transactions. Proceeds from the December 2023 issuance were used to settle the Senior Secured Notes Tender Offers in January 2024.
(b) The decrease in availability for the year ended December 31, 2023 was driven by a $73 million increase in letters of credit outstanding under the facility and the maturity of $200 million of commitments under the Non-Extended Revolving Credit Facility, partially offset by $250 million in net repayments of borrowings under the facility.
(c) As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the borrowing bases are less than the facility limits of $1.575 billion and $1.35 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, available capacity reflects the borrowing base of $1.101 billion and no cash borrowings. As of December 31, 2022, available capacity reflects the borrowing base of $1.208 billion less $400 million in cash borrowings.
(d) Excludes amounts available to be borrowed under the Receivables Facility and the Repurchase Facility, respectively. See Note 10 to the Financial Statements for detail on our accounts receivable financing.
(e) Excludes any additional letters of credit that may be issued under the Secured LOC Facilities. See Note 12 to the Financial Statements for detail on our Secured LOC Facilities.
We expect to use cash on hand and borrowings under the Receivables Facility and Repurchase Facility and other liquidity facilities to fund the approximately $3.1 billion cash necessary to close the Energy Harbor acquisition. In addition, we believe that we will have access to sufficient liquidity to fund our other anticipated cash requirements through at least the next 12 months. Our operational cash flows tend to be seasonal and weighted toward the second half of the year.
Interest payments on long-term debt are expected to total approximately $744 million in 2024, $1.293 billion in 2025-2026, $955 million in 2027-2028 and $1.052 billion thereafter. See Note 12 to the Financial Statements for details of our long-term debt maturities.
Our obligations under commodity purchase and services agreements, including capacity payments, nuclear fuel and natural gas take-or-pay contracts, coal contracts, business services and nuclear-related outsourcing and other purchase commitments, are expected to total approximately $2.615 billion in 2024, $2.192 billion in 2025-2026, $982 million in 2027-2028 and $437 million thereafter. See Note 13 to the Financial Statements for maturities of lease liabilities and Note 14 to the Financial Statements for commitments related to long-term service and maintenance contracts.
69
Table of Contents
Capital Expenditures
Estimated 2024 capital expenditures and nuclear fuel purchases as of December 31, 2023 total approximately $1.695 billion and include:
• $745 million for solar and energy storage development;
• $727 million for investments in generation and mining facilities;
• $149 million for nuclear fuel purchases; and
• $74 million for other growth expenditures.
Liquidity Effects of Commodity Hedging and Trading Activities
We have entered into commodity hedging and trading transactions that require us to post collateral if the forward price of the underlying commodity moves such that the hedging or trading instrument we hold has declined in value. We use cash, letters of credit, Eligible Assets (see Note 11 to the Financial Statements) and other forms of credit support to satisfy such collateral posting obligations. See Note 12 to the Financial Statements for discussion of the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and the Commodity-Linked Facility.
Exchange cleared transactions typically require initial margin ( i.e. , the upfront cash and/or letter of credit posted to take into account the size and maturity of the positions and credit quality) in addition to variation margin ( i.e. , the daily cash margin posted to take into account changes in the value of the underlying commodity). The amount of initial margin required is generally defined by exchange rules. Clearing agents, however, typically have the right to request additional initial margin based on various factors, including market depth, volatility and credit quality, which may be in the form of cash, letters of credit, a guaranty or other forms as negotiated with the clearing agent. Cash collateral received from counterparties is either used for working capital and other business purposes, including reducing borrowings under credit facilities, or is required to be deposited in a separate account and restricted from being used for working capital and other corporate purposes. With respect to over-the-counter transactions, counterparties generally have the right to substitute letters of credit for such cash collateral. In such event, the cash collateral previously posted would be returned to such counterparties, which would reduce liquidity in the event the cash was not restricted.
As of December 31, 2023, we received or posted cash, letters of credit and Eligible Assets for commodity hedging and trading activities as follows:
• $1.244 billion in cash and Eligible Assets has been posted with counterparties as compared to $3.137 billion posted as of December 31, 2022;
• $45 million in cash has been received from counterparties as compared to $39 million received as of December 31, 2022;
• $2.408 billion in letters of credit have been posted with counterparties as compared to $2.314 billion posted as of December 31, 2022; and
• $143 million in letters of credit have been received from counterparties as compared to $74 million received as of December 31, 2022.
See Collateral Support Obligations below for information related to collateral posted in accordance with the PUCT and ISO/RTO rules.
Income Tax Payments
In the next 12 months, we do not expect to make federal income tax payments due to Vistra's NOL carryforwards. We expect to make approximately $35 million in state income tax payments offset by $10 million in state tax refunds.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, there were no federal income tax payments, $44 million in state income tax payments, $13 million in state income tax refunds and $9 million in TRA payments.
Capitalization
Our capitalization ratios consisted of 70% and 71% long-term debt (less amounts due currently) and 30% and 29% stockholders' equity at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Total long-term debt (including amounts due currently) to capitalization was 73% and 71% at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
70
Table of Contents
Financial Covenants
The Vistra Operations Credit Agreement and the Vistra Operations Commodity-Linked Credit Agreement each includes a covenant, solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility and the Commodity-Linked Facility and solely during a compliance period (which, in general, is applicable when the aggregate revolving borrowings and issued revolving letters of credit exceed 30% of the revolving commitments, provided that solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility only such amounts in excess of $300 million are taken into account for purposes of determining whether a compliance period is in effect), that requires the consolidated first-lien net leverage ratio not to exceed 4.25 to 1.00 (or, during a collateral suspension period, the consolidated total net leverage ratio not to exceed 5.50 to 1.00). In addition, each of the Secured LOC Facilities includes a covenant that requires the consolidated first-lien net leverage ratio not to exceed 4.25 to 1.00 (or, for certain facilities that include a collateral suspension mechanism, during a collateral suspension period, the consolidated total net leverage ratio not to exceed 5.50 to 1.00). As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with the Vistra Operations Credit Agreement, Vistra Operations Commodity-Linked Credit Agreement and Secured LOC Facilities financial covenants.
See Note 12 to the Financial Statements for discussion of other covenants related to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.
Collateral Support Obligations
The RCT has rules in place to assure that parties can meet their mining reclamation obligations. In September 2016, the RCT agreed to a collateral bond of up to $975 million to support Luminant's reclamation obligations. The collateral bond is effectively a first lien on all of Vistra Operations' assets (which ranks pari passu with the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities) that contractually enables the RCT to be paid (up to $975 million) before the other first-lien lenders in the event of a liquidation of our assets. Collateral support relates to land mined or being mined and not yet reclaimed as well as land for which permits have been obtained but mining activities have not yet begun and land already reclaimed but not released from regulatory obligations by the RCT, and includes cost contingency amounts.
The PUCT has rules in place to assure adequate creditworthiness of each REP, including the ability to return customer deposits, if necessary. Under these rules, at December 31, 2023, Vistra has posted letters of credit in the amount of $91 million with the PUCT, which is subject to adjustments.
The ISOs/RTOs we operate in have rules in place to assure adequate creditworthiness of parties that participate in the markets operated by those ISOs/RTOs. Under these rules, Vistra has posted collateral support totaling $554 million in the form of letters of credit, $30 million in the form of a surety bond and $3 million of cash at December 31, 2023 (which is subject to daily adjustments based on settlement activity with the ISOs/RTOs).
Material Cross Default/Acceleration Provisions
Certain of our contractual arrangements contain provisions that could result in an event of default if there were a failure under financing arrangements to meet payment terms or to observe covenants that could result in an acceleration of payments due. Such provisions are referred to as "cross default" or "cross acceleration" provisions.
A default by Vistra Operations or any of its restricted subsidiaries in respect of certain specified indebtedness in an aggregate amount in excess of the greater of $300 million and 17.5% of Consolidated EBITDA may result in a cross default under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and the Commodity-Linked Facility. Such a default would allow the lenders under each such facility to accelerate the maturity of outstanding balances under such facilities, which totaled approximately $2.5 billion and zero, respectively, as of December 31, 2023.
Each of Vistra Operations' (or its subsidiaries') commodity hedging agreements and interest rate swap agreements that are secured with a lien on its assets on a pari passu basis with the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities lenders contains a cross-default provision. An event of a default by Vistra Operations or any of its subsidiaries relating to indebtedness equal to or above a threshold defined in the applicable agreement that results in the acceleration of such debt, would give such counterparty under these hedging agreements the right to terminate its hedge or interest rate swap agreement with Vistra Operations (or its applicable subsidiary) and require all outstanding obligations under such agreement to be settled.
71
Table of Contents
Under the Vistra Operations Senior Unsecured Indentures, the Vistra Operations Senior Secured Indenture and the Indenture governing the 7.233% Senior Secured Notes, a default under any document evidencing indebtedness for borrowed money by Vistra Operations or any Guarantor Subsidiary for failure to pay principal when due at final maturity or that results in the acceleration of such indebtedness in an aggregate amount of $300 million or more may result in a cross default under the Vistra Operations Senior Unsecured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes, the 7.233% Senior Secured Notes, the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities, the Receivables Facility, the Commodity-Linked Facility and other current or future documents evidencing any indebtedness for borrowed money by the applicable borrower or issuer, as the case may be, and the applicable Guarantor Subsidiaries party thereto.
Additionally, we enter into energy-related physical and financial contracts, the master forms of which contain provisions whereby an event of default or acceleration of settlement would occur if we were to default under an obligation in respect of borrowings in excess of thresholds, which may vary by contract.
The Receivables Facility contains a cross-default provision. The cross-default provision applies, among other instances, if TXU Energy, Dynegy Energy Services, Ambit Texas, Value Based Brands, TriEagle Energy, each indirect subsidiaries of Vistra and originators under the Receivables Facility (Originators), and Vistra or any of their respective subsidiaries fails to make a payment of principal or interest on any indebtedness that is outstanding in a principal amount of at least $300 million, in the case of Vistra, and in a principal amount of at least $50 million, in the case of TXU Energy or any of the other Originators, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, or if other events occur or circumstances exist under such indebtedness which give rise to a right of the debtholder to accelerate such indebtedness, or if such indebtedness becomes due before its stated maturity. If this cross-default provision is triggered, a termination event under the Receivables Facility would occur and the Receivables Facility may be terminated.
The Repurchase Facility contains a cross-default provision. The cross-default provision applies, among other instances, if an event of default (or similar event) occurs under the Receivables Facility or the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities. If this cross-default provision is triggered, a termination event under the Repurchase Facility would occur and the Repurchase Facility may be terminated.
Under the Secured LOC Facilities, a default by Vistra Operations or any of its restricted subsidiaries in respect of certain specified indebtedness in an aggregate amount in excess of $300 million may result in a cross default under the Secured LOC Facilities. In addition, a default under any document evidencing indebtedness for borrowed money by Vistra Operations or any Guarantor Subsidiary for failure to pay principal when due at final maturity or that results in the acceleration of such indebtedness in an aggregate amount of $300 million or more, may result in a termination of the Secured LOC Facilities.
Under the Vistra Operations Senior Unsecured Indenture and the Vistra Operations Senior Secured Indenture governing the 7.750% Senior Unsecured Notes and 6.950% Senior Secured Notes, respectively, a default under any document evidencing indebtedness for borrowed money by Vistra Operations or any Guarantor Subsidiary for failure to pay principal when due at final maturity or that results in the acceleration of such indebtedness in an aggregate amount that exceeds the greater of 1.5% of total assets and $600 million may result in a cross default under the respective notes and other current or future documents evidencing any indebtedness for borrowed money by the applicable borrower or issuer, as the case may be, and the applicable Guarantor Subsidiaries party thereto.
Guarantees
See Note 14 to the Financial Statements for discussion of guarantees.
Commitments and Contingencies
See Note 14 to the Financial Statements for discussion of commitments and contingencies.
Changes in Accounting Standards
See Note 1 to the Financial Statements for discussion of changes in accounting standards.
72
Table of Contents
Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the risk that in the normal course of business we may experience a loss in value because of changes in market conditions that affect economic factors such as commodity prices, interest rates and counterparty credit. Our exposure to market risk is affected by several factors, including the size, duration and composition of our energy and financial portfolio, as well as the volatility and liquidity of markets. Instruments used to manage this exposure include interest rate swaps to hedge debt costs, as well as exchange-traded, over-the-counter contracts and other contractual arrangements to hedge commodity prices.
Risk Oversight
We manage the commodity price, counterparty credit and commodity-related operational risk related to the competitive energy business within limitations established by senior management and in accordance with overall risk management policies. Interest rate risk is managed centrally by our treasury function. Market risks are monitored by risk management groups that operate independently of the wholesale commercial operations, utilizing defined practices and analytical methodologies. These techniques measure the risk of change in value of the portfolio of contracts and the hypothetical effect on this value from changes in market conditions and include, but are not limited to, position reporting and review, Value at Risk (VaR) methodologies and stress test scenarios. Key risk control activities include, but are not limited to, transaction review and approval (including credit review), operational and market risk measurement, transaction authority oversight, validation of transaction capture, market price validation and reporting, and portfolio valuation and reporting, including mark-to-market, VaR and other risk measurement metrics.
Vistra has a risk management organization that enforces applicable risk limits, including the respective policies and procedures to ensure compliance with such limits, and evaluates the risks inherent in our businesses.
Commodity Price Risk
Our business is subject to the inherent risks of market fluctuations in the price of electricity, natural gas and other energy-related products it markets or purchases. We actively manage the portfolio of generation assets, fuel supply and retail sales load to mitigate the near-term impacts of these risks on results of operations. Similar to other participants in the market, we cannot fully manage the long-term value impact of structural declines or increases in natural gas and power prices.
In managing energy price risk, we enter into a variety of market transactions including, but not limited to, short- and long-term contracts for physical delivery, exchange-traded and over-the-counter financial contracts and bilateral contracts with customers. Activities include hedging, the structuring of long-term contractual arrangements and proprietary trading. We continuously monitor the valuation of identified risks and adjust positions based on current market conditions. We strive to use consistent assumptions regarding forward market price curves in evaluating and recording the effects of commodity price risk.
VaR Methodology
A VaR methodology is used to measure the amount of market risk that exists within the portfolio under a variety of market conditions. The resultant VaR produces an estimate of a portfolio's potential for loss given a specified confidence level and considers, among other things, market movements utilizing standard statistical techniques given historical and projected market prices and volatilities.
Parametric processes are used to calculate VaR and are considered by management to be the most effective way to estimate changes in a portfolio's value based on assumed market conditions for liquid markets. The use of this method requires a number of key assumptions, such as use of (i) an assumed confidence level, (ii) an assumed holding period ( i.e. , the time necessary for management action, such as to liquidate positions) and (iii) historical estimates of volatility and correlation data. The table below details a VaR measure related to various portfolios of contracts.
73
Table of Contents
VaR for Underlying Generation Assets and Energy-Related Contracts
This measurement estimates the potential loss in value, due to changes in market conditions, of all underlying generation assets and contracts, based on a 95% confidence level and an assumed holding period of 60 days. The forward period covered by this calculation includes the current and subsequent calendar year at the time of calculation.
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022
Month-end average VaR $ 190 $ 489
Month-end high VaR $ 423 $ 686
Month-end low VaR $ 115 $ 283
The month-end high VaR risk measure in 2023 is currently lower than the prior year due to lower prices and higher hedge levels.
Price Sensitivities
The following sensitivity table provides approximate estimates of the potential impact of movements in power prices and spark spreads (the difference between the power revenue and fuel expense of natural gas-fired generation as calculated using an assumed Heat Rate of 7.2 MMBtu/MWh) on realized pre-tax earnings (in millions) taking into account the hedge positions noted above for the periods presented. The residual natural gas position is calculated based on two steps: first, calculating the difference between actual Heat Rates of our natural gas generation units and the assumed 7.2 Heat Rate used to calculate the sensitivity to spark spreads; and second, calculating the residual natural gas exposure that is not already included in the natural gas generation spark spread sensitivity shown in the table below. The estimates related to price sensitivity are based on our expected generation, related hedges and forward prices as of December 31, 2023.
2024 2025
Texas:
Nuclear/Renewable/Coal Generation: $2.50/MWh increase in power price $ 5 $ 9
Nuclear/Renewable/Coal Generation: $2.50/MWh decrease in power price $ (4) $ (8)
Natural Gas Generation: $1.00/MWh increase in spark spread $ 7 $ 10
Natural Gas Generation: $1.00/MWh decrease in spark spread $ (6) $ (9)
Residual Natural Gas Position: $0.25/MMBtu increase in natural gas price $ (9) $ 8
Residual Natural Gas Position: $0.25/MMBtu decrease in natural gas price $ 3 $ (11)
East:
Natural Gas Generation: $1.00/MWh increase in spark spread $ 2 $ 11
Natural Gas Generation: $1.00/MWh decrease in spark spread $ — $ (10)
Residual Natural Gas Position: $0.25/MMBtu increase in natural gas price $ (7) $ (25)
Residual Natural Gas Position: $0.25/MMBtu decrease in natural gas price $ 7 $ 25
West:
Natural Gas Generation: $1.00/MWh increase in spark spread $ — $ 1
Natural Gas Generation: $1.00/MWh decrease in spark spread $ — $ (1)
Residual Natural Gas Position: $0.25/MMBtu increase in natural gas price $ 1 $ 2
Residual Natural Gas Position: $0.25/MMBtu decrease in natural gas price $ (1) $ (2)
Sunset:
Coal Generation: $2.50/MWh increase in power price $ 3 $ 27
Coal Generation: $2.50/MWh decrease in power price $ (2) $ (27)
74
Table of Contents
Interest Rate Risk
We manage our interest rate risk to limit the impact of interest rate changes on our results of operations and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, a majority of our borrowings have fixed interest rates. The inflationary environment continues to drive elevated interest rates, resulting in increased expected refinancing or borrowing costs. See Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition, and Results of Operations – Significant Activities and Events, and Items Influencing Future Performance – Macroeconomic Conditions.
The following table provides information concerning our financial instruments at December 31, 2023 and 2022 that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Debt amounts consist of the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities. See Note 12 to the Financial Statements for further discussion of these financial instruments.
Expected Maturity Date 2023
Total Carrying
Amount 2023
Total Fair
Value 2022
Total Carrying
Amount 2022
Total Fair
Value
2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 There-after
Long-term debt, including current maturities (a):
Variable rate debt amount $ 25 $ 25 $ 25 $ 25 $ 25 $ 2,375 $ 2,500 $ 2,500 $ 2,514 $ 2,486
Average interest rate (b) 7.36 % 7.36 % 7.36 % 7.36 % 7.36 % 7.36 % 7.36 % 6.12 %
Debt swapped to fixed (c):
Notional amount $ — $ — $ 2,300 $ — $ — $ 1,625 $ 3,925 $ 4,600
Average pay rate 5.42 % 5.41 % 5.37 % 5.28 % 5.28 % 5.28 %
Average receive rate 7.36 % 7.36 % 7.36 % 7.36 % 7.36 % 7.36 %
___________
(a) Unamortized premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs are excluded from the table.
(b) The weighted average interest rate presented is based on the rates in effect at December 31, 2023.
(c) Interest rate swaps have maturity dates through December 2030, of which $1.625 billion become effective in July 2026. Maturities are presented net of $600 million and $700 million of debt swapped to variable maturing in 2024 and 2026, respectively, that is matched against the terms of the equivalent amounts of debt swapped to fixed that effectively fix the out-of-the-money position of such swaps (see Note 12 to the Financial Statements).
As of December 31, 2023, the potential reduction of annual pretax earnings over the next twelve months due to a one percentage-point (100 basis points) increase in floating interest rates on long-term debt totaled approximately $2 million taking into account the interest rate swaps discussed in Note 12 to Financial Statements.
Credit Risk
Credit risk relates to the risk of loss associated with nonperformance by counterparties. We minimize credit risk by evaluating potential counterparties, monitoring ongoing counterparty risk and assessing overall portfolio risk. This includes review of counterparty financial condition, current and potential credit exposures, credit rating and other quantitative and qualitative credit criteria. We also employ certain risk mitigation practices, including utilization of standardized master agreements that provide for netting and setoff rights, as well as credit enhancements such as margin deposits and customer deposits, letters of credit, parental guarantees and surety bonds. See Note 17 to the Financial Statements for further discussion of this exposure.
Credit Exposure
Our gross credit exposure (excluding collateral impacts) associated with retail and wholesale trade accounts receivable and net derivative assets arising from commodity contracts and hedging and trading activities totaled $1.976 billion at December 31, 2023.
75
Table of Contents
As of December 31, 2023, Retail segment credit exposure totaled approximately $1.302 billion, including $1.241 billion of trade accounts receivable and $61 million related to derivatives. Cash deposits and letters of credit held as collateral for these receivables totaled $54 million, resulting in a net exposure of $1.248 billion. Allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable are established for the expected loss from nonpayment by these customers based on historical experience, market or operational conditions and changes in the financial condition of large business customers.
As of December 31, 2023, aggregate Texas, East, Sunset and Asset Closure segments credit exposure totaled $674 million including $545 million related to derivative assets and $129 million of trade accounts receivable, after taking into account master netting agreement provisions but excluding collateral impacts.
Including collateral posted to us by counterparties, our net Texas, East, Sunset and Asset Closure segments exposure was $551 million, as seen in the following table that presents the distribution of credit exposure by counterparty credit quality as of December 31, 2023. Credit collateral includes cash and letters of credit but excludes other credit enhancements such as guarantees or liens on assets.
Exposure
Before Credit
Collateral Credit
Collateral Net
Exposure
Investment grade $ 539 $ 26 $ 513
Below investment grade or no rating 135 97 38
Totals
$ 674 $ 123 $ 551
Significant ( i.e. , 10% or greater) concentration of credit exposure exists with two counterparties, which represented an aggregate $293 million, or 53%, of our total net exposure as of December 31, 2023. We view exposure to these counterparties to be within an acceptable level of risk tolerance due to the counterparties' credit ratings, the counterparties' market role and deemed creditworthiness and the importance of our business relationship with the counterparty. An event of default by one or more counterparties could subsequently result in termination-related settlement payments that reduce available liquidity if amounts such as margin deposits are owed to the counterparties or delays in receipts of expected settlements owed to us.
Contracts classified as "normal" purchase or sale and non-derivative contractual commitments are not marked-to-market in the financial statements and are excluded from the detail above. Such contractual commitments may contain pricing that is favorable considering current market conditions and therefore represent economic risk if the counterparties do not perform.
76
Table of Contents
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of Vistra Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Vistra Corp. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), consolidated statements of cash flows, and consolidated statement of changes in equity, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(b) (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
77
Table of Contents
Fair Value Measurements — Certain Complex Level 3 Derivative Assets and Liabilities — Refer to Notes 1 and 16 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company has derivative assets and liabilities whose fair values are based on complex proprietary models and/or unobservable inputs. These financial instruments can span a broad array of contract types, some of which include especially complex valuations due to unique contract terms and significant judgement by management in estimating prices or volumes, including (1) power purchases and sales that include power and heat rate positions; (2) physical power and natural gas options and swaptions; (3) forward purchase contracts for congestion revenue rights; and (4) retail sales contracts. Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, these financial instruments are generally classified as Level 3 derivative assets or liabilities.
Given management uses complex proprietary models and/or unobservable inputs to estimate the fair value of the aforementioned Level 3 derivative assets and liabilities, performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of the fair value of Level 3 derivative assets and liabilities required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our energy commodity fair value specialists who possess significant quantitative and modeling expertise.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the evaluation of the fair value of Level 3 derivative assets and liabilities included the following, among others:
• We tested the effectiveness of controls over derivative asset and liability valuations, including controls related to appropriate application of illiquid price curves and other significant unobservable valuation inputs.
• We obtained the Company's complete listing of derivative assets and liabilities and related fair values as of December 31, 2023, to obtain an understanding of the types of instruments outstanding.
• We assessed the consistency by which management has applied illiquid price curves and significant unobservable valuation inputs.
• With the assistance of our energy commodity fair value specialists, we developed independent estimates of the fair value of a sample of Level 3 derivative instruments and compared our estimates to the Company's estimates.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Dallas, Texas
February 28, 2024
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2002.
78
Table of Contents
VISTRA CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Operating revenues (Note 5) $ 14,779 $ 13,728 $ 12,077
Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees ( 7,557 ) ( 10,401 ) ( 9,169 )
Operating costs ( 1,702 ) ( 1,645 ) ( 1,559 )
Depreciation and amortization ( 1,502 ) ( 1,596 ) ( 1,753 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses ( 1,308 ) ( 1,189 ) ( 1,040 )
Impairment of long-lived and other assets ( 49 ) ( 74 ) ( 71 )
Operating income (loss) 2,661 ( 1,177 ) ( 1,515 )
Other income (Note 22) 257 117 140
Other deductions (Note 22) ( 14 ) ( 4 ) ( 16 )
Interest expense and related charges (Note 22) ( 740 ) ( 368 ) ( 384 )
Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement (Note 8) ( 164 ) ( 128 ) 53
Net income (loss) before income taxes 2,000 ( 1,560 ) ( 1,722 )
Income tax (expense) benefit (Note 7) ( 508 ) 350 458
Net income (loss) 1,492 ( 1,210 ) ( 1,264 )
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest 1 ( 17 ) ( 10 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Vistra 1,493 ( 1,227 ) ( 1,274 )
Cumulative dividends attributable to preferred stock ( 150 ) ( 150 ) ( 21 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Vistra common stock $ 1,343 $ ( 1,377 ) $ ( 1,295 )
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic
369,771,359 422,447,074 482,214,544
Diluted
375,193,110 422,447,074 482,214,544
Net income (loss) per weighted average share of common stock outstanding:
Basic $ 3.63 $ ( 3.26 ) $ ( 2.69 )
Diluted $ 3.58 $ ( 3.26 ) $ ( 2.69 )
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Millions of Dollars)
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Net income (loss) $ 1,492 $ ( 1,210 ) $ ( 1,264 )
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax effects:
Effects related to pension and other retirement benefit obligations (net of tax expense of $ — , $ 7 and $ 9 )
( 1 ) 23 32
Total other comprehensive income (loss) ( 1 ) 23 32
Comprehensive income (loss) 1,491 ( 1,187 ) ( 1,232 )
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest 1 ( 17 ) ( 10 )
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Vistra $ 1,492 $ ( 1,204 ) $ ( 1,242 )
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
79
Table of Contents
VISTRA CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Millions of Dollars)
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Cash flows — operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 1,492 $ ( 1,210 ) $ ( 1,264 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 1,956 2,047 2,050
Deferred income tax expense (benefit), net 457 ( 359 ) ( 475 )
Gain on sale of land ( 95 ) ( 8 ) ( 9 )
Impairment of long-lived and other assets 49 74 71
Unrealized net (gain) loss from mark-to-market valuations of commodities ( 490 ) 2,510 759
Unrealized net (gain) loss from mark-to-market valuations of interest rate swaps 36 ( 250 ) ( 134 )
Change in asset retirement obligation liability 27 13 ( 5 )
Asset retirement obligation accretion expense 34 34 38
Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement 164 128 ( 53 )
Gain on TRA settlement ( 29 ) — —
Bad debt expense 164 179 110
Stock-based compensation 77 63 47
Other, net 103 ( 71 ) 50
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable — trade 214 ( 852 ) ( 228 )
Inventories ( 174 ) 36 ( 100 )
Accounts payable — trade ( 350 ) 94 402
Commodity and other derivative contractual assets and liabilities 82 ( 228 ) 32
Margin deposits, net 1,899 ( 1,874 ) ( 1,000 )
Uplift securitization proceeds receivable from ERCOT — 544 ( 544 )
Accrued interest 46 16 13
Accrued taxes 5 ( 8 ) ( 20 )
Accrued employee incentive 58 21 ( 68 )
Asset retirement obligation settlement ( 81 ) ( 87 ) ( 88 )
Major plant outage deferral ( 32 ) 20 2
Other — net assets 84 ( 17 ) ( 27 )
Other — net liabilities ( 243 ) ( 330 ) 235
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities 5,453 485 ( 206 )
Cash flows — investing activities:
Capital expenditures, including nuclear fuel purchases and LTSA prepayments ( 1,676 ) ( 1,301 ) ( 1,033 )
Proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities 601 670 483
Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities ( 624 ) ( 693 ) ( 505 )
Proceeds from sales of environmental allowances 500 1,275 392
Purchases of environmental allowances ( 1,071 ) ( 1,303 ) ( 605 )
Insurance proceeds 15 39 89
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment 115 78 30
Other, net ( 5 ) ( 4 ) ( 4 )
Cash used in investing activities ( 2,145 ) ( 1,239 ) ( 1,153 )
80
Table of Contents
VISTRA CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Millions of Dollars)
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022 2021
Cash flows — financing activities:
Issuances of preferred stock — — 2,000
Issuances of long-term debt 2,498 1,498 1,250
Repayments/repurchases of debt ( 33 ) ( 251 ) ( 381 )
Borrowings under Term Loan A — — 1,250
Repayment under Term Loan A — — ( 1,250 )
Proceeds from forward capacity agreement — — 500
Net borrowings/(repayments) under accounts receivable financing ( 425 ) 425 ( 300 )
Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility 100 1,750 1,450
Repayments under Revolving Credit Facility ( 350 ) ( 1,500 ) ( 1,450 )
Borrowings under Commodity-Linked Facility — 3,150 —
Repayments under Commodity-Linked Facility ( 400 ) ( 2,750 ) —
Debt issuance costs ( 59 ) ( 31 ) ( 13 )
Stock repurchases ( 1,245 ) ( 1,949 ) ( 471 )
Dividends paid to common stockholders ( 313 ) ( 302 ) ( 290 )
Dividends paid to preferred stockholders ( 150 ) ( 151 ) —
Other, net 83 31 ( 21 )
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities ( 294 ) ( 80 ) 2,274
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 3,014 ( 834 ) 915
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — beginning balance 525 1,359 444
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — ending balance $ 3,539 $ 525 $ 1,359
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
81
Table of Contents
VISTRA CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Millions of Dollars)
December 31,
2023 2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,485 $ 455
Restricted cash (Note 22) 40 37
Trade accounts receivable — net (Note 22) 1,674 2,059
Income taxes receivable 6 27
Inventories (Note 22) 740 570
Commodity and other derivative contractual assets (Note 17) 3,645 4,538
Margin deposits related to commodity contracts 1,244 3,137
Margin deposits posted under affiliate financing agreement (Note 11) 439 —
Prepaid expense and other current assets 364 293
Total current assets 11,637 11,116
Restricted cash (Note 22) 14 33
Investments (Note 22) 2,035 1,729
Property, plant and equipment — net (Note 22) 12,432 12,554
Operating lease right-of-use assets (Note 13) 50 51
Goodwill (Note 6) 2,583 2,583
Identifiable intangible assets — net (Note 6) 1,864 1,958
Commodity and other derivative contractual assets (Note 17) 577 702
Accumulated deferred income taxes (Note 7) 1,223 1,710
Other noncurrent assets 551 351
Total assets $ 32,966 $ 32,787
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings (Note 12) $ — $ 650
Accounts receivable financing (Note 10) — 425
Long-term debt due currently (Note 12) 2,286 38
Trade accounts payable 1,147 1,556
Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities (Note 17) 5,258 6,610
Margin deposits related to commodity contracts 45 39
Accrued taxes other than income 203 199
Accrued interest 206 160
Asset retirement obligations (Note 22) 124 128
Operating lease liabilities (Note 13) 7 8
Other current liabilities 547 524
Total current liabilities 9,823 10,337
Margin deposits financing with affiliate (Note 11) 439 —
Long-term debt, less amounts due currently (Note 12) 12,116 11,933
Operating lease liabilities (Note 13) 48 45
Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities (Note 17) 1,688 1,726
Accumulated deferred income taxes (Note 7) 1 1
Tax Receivable Agreement obligation (Note 8) 164 514
Asset retirement obligations (Note 22) 2,414 2,309
82
Table of Contents
VISTRA CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Millions of Dollars)
December 31,
2023 2022
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits (Note 22) 951 1,004
Total liabilities 27,644 27,869
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Total equity (Note 15):
Preferred stock, number of shares authorized — 100,000,000 ; Series A (liquidation preference — $ 1,000 ; shares outstanding: December 31, 2023 and 2022 — 1,000,000 ; Series B (liquidation preference — $ 1,000 ; shares outstanding: December 31, 2023 and 2022 — 1,000,000 ; Series C (liquidation preference — $ 1,000 ; shares outstanding: December 31, 2023 — 476,081 ; December 31, 2022 — zero )
2,476 2,000
Common stock (par value — $ 0.01 ; number of shares authorized — 1,800,000,000 )
(shares outstanding: December 31, 2023 — 351,457,016 ; December 31, 2022 — 389,754,870 )
5 5
Treasury stock, at cost (shares: December 31, 2023 — 192,178,156 ; December 31, 2022 — 147,424,202 )
( 4,662 ) ( 3,395 )
Additional paid-in-capital 10,095 9,928
Retained deficit ( 2,613 ) ( 3,643 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income 6 7
Stockholders' equity 5,307 4,902
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary 15 16
Total equity 5,322 4,918
Total liabilities and equity $ 32,966 $ 32,787
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
83
Table of Contents
VISTRA CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(Millions of Dollars)
Preferred Stock Common Stock Treasury Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Stockholders' Equity Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiary Total Equity
Balances at
December 31, 2020
$ — $ 5 $ ( 973 ) $ 9,786 $ ( 399 ) $ ( 48 ) $ 8,371 $ ( 10 ) $ 8,361
Series A Preferred Stock issued 1,000 — — ( 10 ) — — 990 — 990
Series B Preferred Stock issued 1,000 — — ( 15 ) — — 985 — 985
Stock repurchases — — ( 585 ) — — — ( 585 ) — ( 585 )
Effects of stock-based compensation — — — 60 — — 60 — 60
Net income (loss) — — — — ( 1,274 ) — ( 1,274 ) 10 ( 1,264 )
Dividends declared on common stock — — — — ( 290 ) — ( 290 ) — ( 290 )
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — — — — — 32 32 — 32
Investment by noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — 1 1
Other — — — 3 ( 1 ) — 2 — 2
Balances at
December 31, 2021
$ 2,000 $ 5 $ ( 1,558 ) $ 9,824 $ ( 1,964 ) $ ( 16 ) $ 8,291 $ 1 $ 8,292
Stock repurchases — — ( 1,837 ) — — — ( 1,837 ) — ( 1,837 )
Effects of stock-based compensation — — — 103 — — 103 — 103
Net income (loss) — — — — ( 1,227 ) — ( 1,227 ) 17 ( 1,210 )
Dividends declared on common stock — — — — ( 302 ) — ( 302 ) — ( 302 )
Dividends declared on preferred stock — — — — ( 151 ) — ( 151 ) — ( 151 )
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — — — — — 23 23 — 23
Other — — — 1 1 — 2 ( 2 ) —
Balances at
December 31, 2022
$ 2,000 $ 5 $ ( 3,395 ) $ 9,928 $ ( 3,643 ) $ 7 $ 4,902 $ 16 $ 4,918
Series C Preferred Stock issued 476 — — — — — 476 — 476
Stock repurchases ( 1,267 ) ( 1,267 ) ( 1,267 )
Effects of stock-based compensation — — — 168 — — 168 — 168
Net income (loss) — — — — 1,493 — 1,493 ( 1 ) 1,492
Dividends declared on common stock — — — — ( 313 ) — ( 313 ) — ( 313 )
Dividends declared on preferred stock — — — — ( 150 ) — ( 150 ) — ( 150 )
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — — — — — ( 1 ) ( 1 ) — ( 1 )
Other — — — ( 1 ) — — ( 1 ) — ( 1 )
Balances at
December 31, 2023
$ 2,476 $ 5 $ ( 4,662 ) $ 10,095 $ ( 2,613 ) $ 6 $ 5,307 $ 15 $ 5,322
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
84
Table of Contents
VISTRA CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of Business
References in this report to "we," "our," "us" and "the Company" are to Vistra and/or its subsidiaries, as apparent in the context. See Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations for defined terms.
Vistra is a holding company operating an integrated retail and electric power generation business primarily in markets throughout the U.S. Through our subsidiaries, we are engaged in competitive energy market activities including electricity generation, wholesale energy sales and purchases, commodity risk management and retail sales of electricity and natural gas to end users.
Vistra has six reportable segments: (i) Retail, (ii) Texas, (iii) East, (iv) West, (v) Sunset and (vi) Asset Closure. See Note 21 for further information concerning our reportable business segments.
Transaction Agreement
On March 6, 2023, Vistra Operations and Merger Sub entered into a transaction agreement (Transaction Agreement) with Energy Harbor pursuant to which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Energy Harbor, with Energy Harbor surviving as an indirect subsidiary of Vistra (Merger, and collectively with the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, the Transactions). The Transaction Agreement, the Merger and the other Transactions were approved by each of Vistra's board of directors (Board) and Energy Harbor's board of directors. On February 16, 2024, we received approval from FERC to acquire Energy Harbor. FERC's approval was the last regulatory approval needed, and we anticipate closing on March 1, 2024. See Note 2 for more information concerning the Transaction Agreement.
Winter Storm Uri
In February 2021, a severe winter storm with extremely cold temperatures affected much of the U.S., including Texas. This severe weather resulted in surging demand for power, natural gas supply shortages, operational challenges for generators, and a significant load shed event that was ordered by ERCOT beginning on February 15, 2021 and continuing through February 18, 2021. Winter Storm Uri had a material adverse impact on our 2021 results of operations and operating cash flows.
As part of the 2021 regular Texas legislative sessions and in response to extraordinary costs incurred by electricity market participants during Winter Storm Uri, the Texas legislature passed House Bill (HB) 4492 for ERCOT to obtain financing to distribute to load-serving entities (LSEs) that were uplifted and paid to ERCOT exceptionally high price adders and ancillary service costs during Winter Storm Uri. In October 2021, the PUCT issued a Debt Obligation Order approving $ 2.1 billion financing and the methodology for allocation of proceeds to the LSEs. In December 2021, ERCOT finalized the amount of allocations to the LSEs, and we received $ 544 million of proceeds from ERCOT in the second quarter of 2022. The Company accounted for the proceeds we received by analogy to the contribution model within Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 958-605, Not-for-Profit Entities - Revenue Recognition and the grant model within International Accounting Standard 20, Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance , as a reduction to expenses in the statements of operations in the annual period for which the proceeds are intended to compensate. We concluded that the threshold for recognizing a receivable was met in December 2021 as the amounts to be received were determinable and ERCOT was directed by its governing body, the PUCT, to take all actions required to effectuate the $ 2.1 billion funding approved in the Debt Obligation Order. The final financial impact of Winter Storm Uri continues to be subject to the outcome of litigation arising from the event.
Recent Developments
See Note 8 for information on the 2024 TRA Rights repurchases and tender offer, Note 12 for information on the January 2024 Senior Secured Notes Tender Offer and Note 15 for information on the February 2024 declaration of common and preferred stock dividends and the additional $ 1.5 billion authorization under the Share Repurchase Program.
85
Table of Contents
Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and on the same basis as the audited financial statements included in our 2022 Form 10-K. All intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. All dollar amounts in the financial statements and tables in the notes are stated in millions of U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of financial statements requires estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the reporting of assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet dates and the reported amounts of revenue and expense, including fair value measurements, estimates of expected obligations, judgments related to the potential timing of events and other estimates. In the event estimates and/or assumptions prove to be different from actual amounts, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information.
Derivative Instruments and Mark-to-Market Accounting
We enter into contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity, natural gas, coal and other commodities utilizing instruments such as options, swaps, futures and forwards primarily to manage commodity price and interest rate risks. If the instrument meets the definition of a derivative under accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in net income as unrealized gains and losses. This recognition is referred to as mark-to-market accounting. The fair values of our unsettled derivative instruments under mark-to-market accounting are reported in the consolidated balance sheets as commodity and other derivative contractual assets or liabilities. We report derivative assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets without taking into consideration netting arrangements we have with counterparties. Margin deposits that contractually offset these assets and liabilities are reported separately in the consolidated balance sheets, except for certain margin amounts related to changes in fair value on CME transactions that are legally characterized as settlement of derivative contracts rather than collateral. When derivative instruments are settled and realized gains and losses are recorded, the previously recorded unrealized gains and losses and derivative assets and liabilities are reversed. See Notes 16 and 17 for additional information regarding fair value measurement and commodity and other derivative contractual assets and liabilities. A commodity-related derivative contract may be designated as a normal purchase or sale if the commodity is to be physically received or delivered for use or sale in the normal course of business. If designated as normal, the derivative contract is accounted for under the accrual method of accounting (not marked-to-market) with no balance sheet or income statement recognition of the contract until settlement.
Because derivative instruments are frequently used as economic hedges, accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities allow for hedge accounting, which provides for the designation of such instruments as cash flow or fair value hedges if certain conditions are met. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no derivative positions accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges.
We report commodity hedging and trading results as revenue, fuel expense or purchased power in the consolidated statements of operations depending on the type of activity. Electricity hedges, financial natural gas hedges and trading activities are primarily reported as revenue. Physical or financial hedges for coal or fuel oil, along with physical natural gas trades, are primarily reported as fuel expense. Realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with interest rate swap transactions are reported in the consolidated statements of operations in interest expense.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when electricity is delivered to our customers in an amount that we expect to invoice for volumes delivered or services provided. Sales tax is excluded from revenue. Energy sales and services that have been delivered but not billed by period end are estimated. Accrued unbilled revenues are based on estimates of customer usage since the date of the last meter reading provided by the independent system operators or electric distribution companies. Estimated amounts are adjusted when actual usage is known and billed.
86
Table of Contents
We record wholesale generation revenue when volumes are delivered or services are performed for transactions that are not accounted for on a mark-to-market basis. These revenues primarily consist of physical electricity sales to the ISO/RTO, ancillary service revenue for reliability services, capacity revenue for making installed generation and demand response available for system reliability requirements, and certain other electricity sales contracts. See Note 5 for detailed descriptions of revenue from contracts with customers. See Derivative Instruments and Mark-to-Market Accounting for revenue recognition related to derivative contracts.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate long-lived assets (including intangible assets with finite lives) for impairment whenever indications of impairment exist. The carrying value of such assets is deemed to be impaired if the projected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value. If there is such impairment, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined primarily by discounted cash flows, supported by available market valuations, if applicable. See Note 22 for details of impairments of long-lived assets recorded.
Finite-lived intangibles identified as a result of fresh start reporting or purchase accounting are amortized over their estimated useful lives based
/stocks — the workspaceLOADING