NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Capitalized terms and abbreviations appearing in these notes to the Interim Financial Statements are defined in the glossary. Dollars are in millions, unless otherwise noted.
“TEC” refers to Talen Energy Corporation. “TES” refers to Talen Energy Supply, LLC. The terms “Talen,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to TEC and its consolidated subsidiaries (including TES), unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. This presentation has been applied where identification of subsidiaries is not material to the matter being disclosed, and to conform narrative disclosures to the presentation of financial information on a consolidated basis. When identification of a subsidiary is considered important to understanding the matter being disclosed, the specific entity’s name is used. Each disclosure referring to a subsidiary also applies to TEC insofar as such subsidiary’s financial information is included in TEC’s consolidated financial information. TEC and each of its subsidiaries and affiliates are separate legal entities and, except by operation of law, are not liable for the debts or obligations of one another absent an express contractual undertaking to the contrary.
1. Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization and Operations
Talen is a leading independent power producer and energy infrastructure company dedicated to powering the future. We own and operate approximately 10.3 gigawatts of power infrastructure in the United States, including 2.2 gigawatts of nuclear power and a significant dispatchable generation fleet. We produce and sell electricity, capacity, and ancillary services into wholesale U.S. power markets, with our generation fleet principally located in the Mid-Atlantic and Montana. Talen is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
These Interim Financial Statements, which are prepared in accordance with GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, include: (i) the accounts of all controlled subsidiaries; (ii) elimination adjustments for intercompany transactions between controlled subsidiaries; (iii) any undivided interests in jointly owned facilities consolidated on a proportionate basis; and (iv) all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the information set forth. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature except as otherwise disclosed. Certain information and note disclosures have been condensed or omitted from the Interim Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. These Interim Financial Statements and Notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Annual Financial Statements and Notes thereto. The results of operations presented in our Interim Financial Statements are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or for other future periods because interim period results can be disproportionately influenced by operational developments, seasonality, and various other factors.
Reclassifications. Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. The reclassifications did not affect operating income, net income, total assets, total liabilities, net equity, or cash flows.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
See Note 2 to the Annual Financial Statements for additional information on significant accounting policies.
2. Risk Management, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Risk Management Objectives
We are exposed to risks arising from our business, including but not limited to market and commodity price risk, credit and liquidity risk, and interest rate risk. The hedging strategies deployed by our commercial and treasury organizations manage and (or) balance these risks within a structured risk management program in order to minimize near-term future cash flow volatility. Our risk management committee, comprised of certain senior management members across the organization, oversees the management of these risks in accordance with our risk policy. In turn, the risk management committee is overseen by the risk committee of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors, including the risk committee, and management have established procedures to monitor, measure, and manage hedging activities and credit risk in accordance with the risk policy.
Key risk control activities, which are designed to ensure compliance with the risk policy, include, among other activities, credit review and approval, validation of transactions and market prices, verification of risk and transaction limits, portfolio stress tests, analysis and monitoring of margin at risk, and daily portfolio reporting.
Market and Commodity Price Risk. Volatility in the wholesale power markets provides uncertainty in the future earnings and cash flows of the business. The price risk Talen is exposed to includes the price variability associated with future sales and (or) purchases of power, natural gas, coal, uranium, oil products, environmental products, and other energy commodities in competitive wholesale markets. Several factors influence price volatility, including: (i) seasonal changes in demand; (ii) weather conditions; (iii) available regional load-serving supply; (iv) regional transportation and (or) transmission availability; (v) market liquidity; and (vi) federal, regional, and state regulations.
Within the parameters of our risk policy, we generally utilize exchange-traded and over-the-counter traded derivative instruments and, in certain instances, structured products, to economically hedge the commodity price risk of the forecasted future sales and purchases of commodities associated with our generation portfolio.
Open commodity purchase (sales) derivatives range in maturity through 2027. The net notional volumes of commodity derivatives were:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | September 30, 2025 (a) | | December 31, 2024 (a) |
| Power (MWh) | | (48,334,123) | | | (38,615,192) | |
| Natural gas (MMBtu) | | 121,803,853 | | | 32,405,460 | |
| Emission allowances (tons) | | — | | | 100,000 | |
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(a)The volumes may be different than the contractual volumes, as the probability that option contracts will be exercised is considered in the volumes displayed.
Interest Rate Risk. Talen is exposed to interest rate risk from the possibility that changes in interest rates will affect future cash flows associated with existing floating rate debt issuances. To reduce interest rate risk, derivative instruments are utilized to economically hedge the interest rates for a predetermined contractual notional amount, which results in a cash settlement between counterparties. To the extent possible, first lien interest rate fixed-for-floating swaps are utilized to hedge this risk.
Open interest rate derivatives mature in 2026 and 2029. The net notional volumes of open interest rate derivatives were:
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| | |
| | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
Interest rate (in millions) | | $ | 990 | | | $ | 290 | |
Credit Risk. Credit risk, which is the risk of financial loss if a customer, counterparty, or financial institution is unable to perform or pay amounts due, is applicable to cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and derivative instruments. The maximum amount of credit exposure associated with financial assets is equal to the carrying value of such assets. Credit risk, which cannot be completely eliminated, is managed through a number of practices such as ongoing reviews of counterparty creditworthiness, prepayment, inclusion of termination rights in contracts which are triggered by certain events of default, and executing master netting arrangements that permit amounts between parties to be offset. Additionally, credit enhancements such as cash deposits, LCs, and credit insurance may be employed to mitigate credit risk.
Cash and cash equivalents are placed in depository accounts or high-quality, short-term investments with major international banks and financial institutions. Individual counterparty exposure from over-the-counter derivative instruments is managed within predetermined credit limits and includes the use of master netting arrangements and cash-call margins, when appropriate, to reduce credit risk. Exchange-traded commodity contracts, which are executed through futures commission merchants, have minimal credit risk because they are subject to mandatory margin requirements and are cleared with an exchange. However, Talen is exposed to the credit risk of the futures commission merchants arising from daily variation margin cash calls. Restricted cash and cash equivalents deposited to meet initial margin requirements are held by futures commission merchants in segregated accounts for the benefit of Talen.
Outstanding accounts receivable include those from sales of capacity, generated electricity, and ancillary services through contracts directly with ISOs and RTOs and realized settlements of physical and financial derivative instruments with commodity marketers. Additionally, Talen carries accounts receivable due from joint owners for their portion of operating and capital costs for certain jointly owned facilities that are operated by the Company. The majority of outstanding receivables, which are continually monitored, have customary payment terms. The allowance for doubtful accounts was a non-material amount as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
As of September 30, 2025, Talen’s aggregate credit exposure, which excludes the effects of netting arrangements, cash collateral, LCs, and any allowances for doubtful collections, was $445 million and its credit exposure including such netting effects was $48 million. Excluding ISO and RTO counterparties, whose accounts receivable settlements and congestion products are subject to applicable market controls, the ten largest single net credit exposures account for 83% of Talen’s total net credit exposure, which are primarily with entities assigned investment grade credit ratings.
Certain derivative instruments contain credit risk-related contingent features, which may require us to provide cash collateral, LCs, or guarantees from a creditworthy entity if the fair value of a liability eclipses a certain threshold or upon a decline in Talen’s credit rating. The fair values of derivative instruments in a net liability position, and that contain credit risk-related contingent features, were non-material as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
Derivative Instrument Presentation
Balance Sheets Presentation. The fair value of derivative instruments presented within assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were:
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| | |
| | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
| | Assets | | Liabilities | | Assets | | Liabilities |
| Commodity contracts | | $ | 44 | | | $ | 41 | | | $ | 65 | | | $ | — | |
| Interest rate contracts | | 1 | | | 3 | | | 1 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total current derivative instruments | | 45 | | | 44 | | | 66 | | | — | |
| Commodity contracts | | 1 | | | 28 | | | 4 | | | 7 | |
| Interest rate contracts | | — | | | 9 | | | 1 | | | — | |
| Total non-current derivative instruments | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 37 | | | $ | 5 | | | $ | 7 | |
All commodity and interest rate derivatives are economic hedges where the changes in fair value are presented immediately in income as unrealized gains and losses. Changes in the fair value and realized settlements on commodity derivative instruments are presented as separate components of “Energy and other revenues” and “Fuel and energy purchases” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 11 for additional information on fair value. Changes in the fair value and realized settlements on interest rate derivative instruments are presented as “Interest expense and other finance charges” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Effect of Netting. Generally, the right of setoff within master netting arrangements permits the fair value of derivative assets to be offset with derivative liabilities. As an election, derivative assets and derivative liabilities are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with the effect of such permitted netting as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
The net amounts of “Derivative instruments” presented as assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets considering the effect of permitted netting and where cash collateral is pledged in accordance with the underlying agreement were:
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| | Gross Derivative Instruments | | Eligible for Offset | | | | Net Derivative Instruments | | Collateral (Posted) Received | | Net Amounts |
| September 30, 2025 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Assets | | $ | 266 | | | $ | (220) | | | | | $ | 46 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 46 | |
| Liabilities | | 320 | | | (220) | | | | | 100 | | | (19) | | | 81 | |
| December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Assets | | $ | 227 | | | $ | (154) | | | | | $ | 73 | | | $ | (2) | | | $ | 71 | |
| Liabilities | | 173 | | | (154) | | | | | 19 | | | (12) | | | 7 | |
Statements of Operations Presentation. The location and pre-tax effect of “Derivative instruments” presented on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods were:
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| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | |
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | | | | |
| Realized gain (loss) on commodity contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Energy revenues (a) | | $ | 72 | | | $ | 60 | | | $ | 88 | | | $ | 256 | | | | | | |
Fuel and energy purchases (a) | | (36) | | | (24) | | | (17) | | | (31) | | | | | | |
| Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenues (b) | | 42 | | | 95 | | | (23) | | | 63 | | | | | | |
Energy expenses (b) | | (6) | | | 7 | | | (31) | | | (5) | | | | | | |
| Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense and other finance charges | | — | | | (6) | | | (13) | | | 3 | | | | | | |
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(a)Does not include those derivative instruments that settle through physical delivery.
(b)Presented as “Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
3. Revenue
The components of operating revenues for the periods were:
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| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | |
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | | | | |
| Capacity revenues | | $ | 166 | | | $ | 50 | | | $ | 303 | | | $ | 141 | | | | | | |
| Electricity sales and ancillary services, ISO/RTO | | 496 | | | 351 | | | 1,385 | | | 865 | | | | | | |
| Physical electricity sales, bilateral contracts, other | | 35 | | | 38 | | | 72 | | | 124 | | | | | | |
| Other revenue from customers | | — | | | 20 | | | — | | | 91 | | | | | | |
| Total revenue from contracts with customers | | 697 | | | 459 | | | 1,760 | | | 1,221 | | | | | | |
| Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments | | 115 | | | 119 | | | 65 | | | 276 | | | | | | |
| Nuclear PTC | | — | | | 67 | | | — | | | 141 | | | | | | |
| Other revenue | | — | | | 5 | | | 7 | | | 10 | | | | | | |
| Operating revenues | | $ | 812 | | | $ | 650 | | | $ | 1,832 | | | $ | 1,648 | | | | | | |
Accounts Receivable
“Accounts receivable” presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
| Customer accounts receivable | | $ | 115 | | | $ | 66 | |
| Other accounts receivable | | 65 | | | 57 | |
| Accounts receivable | | $ | 180 | | | $ | 123 | |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, there were no significant changes in accounts receivable other than normal receivable recognition and collection transactions. See Note 2 for additional information on Talen’s credit risk on the carrying value of its receivables.
Future Performance Obligations
In the normal course of business, Talen has future performance obligations for capacity sales awarded through market-based capacity auctions and (or) for capacity sales under bilateral contractual arrangements.
The expected future period capacity revenues subject to unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligations were:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2025 (a) | | 2026 | | 2027 | | 2028 | | 2029 |
Expected capacity revenues (b) | | $ | 163 | | | $ | 733 | | | $ | 328 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
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(a)Estimated for the period from October 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
(b)Expected capacity revenues represents MWs cleared in PJM BRAs through May 2027.
See Note 9 for additional information on the PJM BRAs.
4. Income Taxes
Effective Tax Rate Reconciliations
The reconciliations of the effective tax rate for the periods were:
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| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | |
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | | | | |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | | $ | 304 | | | $ | 179 | | | $ | 214 | | | $ | 1,137 | | | | | | |
| Income tax benefit (expense) | | (97) | | | (11) | | | (70) | | | (192) | | | | | | |
| Effective tax rate | | 31.9 | % | | 6.1 | % | | 32.7 | % | | 16.9 | % | | | | | |
| Federal income tax statutory tax rate | | 21 | % | | 21 | % | | 21 | % | | 21 | % | | | | | |
| Income tax benefit (expense) computed at the federal income tax statutory tax rate | | $ | (64) | | | $ | (38) | | | $ | (45) | | | $ | (239) | | | | | | |
| Income tax increase (decrease) due to: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| NDT taxes | | (13) | | | (10) | | | (23) | | | (26) | | | | | | |
| State income taxes, net of federal benefit | | (7) | | | (5) | | | (4) | | | (34) | | | | | | |
| Other permanent differences | | (13) | | | (3) | | | 2 | | | 10 | | | | | | |
| Change in valuation allowance | | — | | | 29 | | | — | | | 63 | | | | | | |
| Nuclear PTC | | — | | | 16 | | | — | | | 34 | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Income tax benefit (expense) | | $ | (97) | | | $ | (11) | | | $ | (70) | | | $ | (192) | | | | | | |
Sale of Nuclear Production Tax Credits
In September 2025, Nuclear PTCs with an aggregate carrying value of $202 million were sold to an unaffiliated third party for cash consideration of $191 million. The $11 million difference between the carrying value and the sales price resulted in loss presented in “Other operating income (expense), net” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company’s Nuclear PTCs remaining after the sale are expected to be utilized in reducing federal income taxes payable.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the “OBBB”) was signed into law. The OBBB, among other things, makes key elements of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, including 100% bonus depreciation, domestic research cost expensing, and the business interest expense limitation. While the Company has included known anticipated effects of the OBBB in its income tax provision, it is in the process of evaluating the full financial effects of the OBBB.
5. Inventory
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| | |
| | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
| Coal | | $ | 97 | | | $ | 92 | |
| Oil products | | 56 | | | 65 | |
| Fuel inventory for electric generation | | 153 | | | 157 | |
| Materials and supplies, net | | 106 | | | 88 | |
| Environmental products | | 4 | | | 57 | |
| Inventory, net | | $ | 263 | | | $ | 302 | |
6. Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Funds
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| | |
| | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
| | Amortized Cost | | Unrealized Gains | | Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value | | Amortized Cost | | Unrealized Gains | | Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
| Cash equivalents | | $ | 163 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 163 | | | $ | 3 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3 | |
| Equity securities | | 383 | | | 717 | | | (18) | | | 1,082 | | | 509 | | | 651 | | | (55) | | | 1,105 | |
| Debt securities | | 613 | | | 9 | | | (3) | | | 619 | | | 615 | | | 3 | | | (7) | | | 611 | |
| Receivables (payables), net | | 6 | | | — | | | — | | | 6 | | | 5 | | | — | | | — | | | 5 | |
| NDT Funds | | $ | 1,165 | | | $ | 726 | | | $ | (21) | | | $ | 1,870 | | | $ | 1,132 | | | $ | 654 | | | $ | (62) | | | $ | 1,724 | |
See Note 11 for additional information on the NDT fair value. There were no available-for-sale debt securities with credit losses as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
As of September 30, 2025, there was no intent to sell available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, and it is not more likely than not that each of these investments will be required to be sold before the recovery of its amortized cost. The aggregate fair value of available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses as of September 30, 2025 was:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fair Value | | Unrealized Losses |
| Corporate debt securities | | $ | 24 | | | $ | (1) | |
| Municipal debt securities | | 54 | | (1) | |
| U.S. Government debt securities | | 126 | | (1) | |
| Debt securities in unrealized loss position | | $ | 204 | | | $ | (3) | |
As of September 30, 2025, the aggregate fair value of debt securities in a loss position for a duration of one year or longer were $24 million and the unrealized losses were non-material.
The contractual maturities for available-for-sale debt securities presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were:
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| | |
| | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
| Maturities within one year | | $ | 36 | | | $ | 82 | |
| Maturities within two to five years | | 234 | | | 220 | |
| Maturities thereafter | | 349 | | | 309 | |
| Debt securities, fair value | | $ | 619 | | | $ | 611 | |
The sales proceeds, gains, and losses for available-for-sale debt securities for the periods were:
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| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | |
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | | | | |
Sales proceeds of NDT funds investments (a) | | $ | 433 | | | $ | 545 | | | $ | 1,601 | | | $ | 1,578 | | | | | | |
| Gross realized gains | | 2 | | | 4 | | | 9 | | | 9 | | | | | | |
| Gross realized losses | | — | | | (2) | | | (5) | | | (8) | | | | | | |
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(a)Sales proceeds are used to pay income taxes and trust management fees. Remaining proceeds are reinvested in the NDT.
The net unrealized gains and losses recognized associated with equity securities still held at the end of the reporting periods were:
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| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 |
| Equity securities, unrealized gains (losses) | | $ | 66 | | | $ | 48 | | | $ | 103 | | | $ | 105 | |
7. Property, Plant and Equipment
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| | | | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
| | Estimated Useful Life (years) | | Gross Value | | Accumulated Depreciation | | Carrying Value | | Gross Value | | Accumulated Depreciation | | Carrying Value |
| Electric generation | | 3-27 | | $ | 3,094 | | | $ | (427) | | | $ | 2,667 | | | $ | 3,030 | | | $ | (292) | | | $ | 2,738 | |
| Nuclear fuel | | 1-6 | | 403 | | | (190) | | | 213 | | | 322 | | | (152) | | | 170 | |
| Other property and equipment | | 1-26 | | 61 | | | (9) | | | 52 | | | 90 | | | (18) | | | 72 | |
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| Capitalized software | | 1-5 | | 9 | | | (4) | | | 5 | | | 8 | | | (3) | | | 5 | |
| Construction work in progress | | | | 138 | | | — | | | 138 | | | 169 | | | — | | | 169 | |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | | | | $ | 3,705 | | | $ | (630) | | | $ | 3,075 | | | $ | 3,619 | | | $ | (465) | | | $ | 3,154 | |
The components of “Depreciation, amortization and accretion” presented on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods were:
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| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | |
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | | | | |
Depreciation expense (a) | | $ | 46 | | | $ | 56 | | | $ | 153 | | | $ | 172 | | | | | | |
Amortization expense (b) | | 1 | | | 5 | | | 9 | | | 11 | | | | | | |
Accretion expense (c) | | 14 | | | 14 | | | 43 | | | 42 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | | $ | 61 | | | $ | 75 | | | $ | 205 | | | $ | 225 | | | | | | |
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(a)Electric generation and other property and equipment.
(b)Intangible assets and capitalized software.
(c)ARO and accrued environmental cost accretion. See Note 8 for additional information.
The cost of nuclear fuel and the amortization of nuclear fuel intangible assets are presented as “Nuclear fuel amortization” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Brandon Shores and H.A. Wagner RMR Agreements
In May 2025, the FERC approved each of the Brandon Shores and H.A. Wagner RMR agreements, under which: (i) Talen will operate the generation facilities in accordance with such arrangements from June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2029, or until such time as the necessary transmission upgrades are placed into service; (ii) Brandon Shores will earn annual fixed-cost payments of $145 million ($312/MWd), inclusive of a $5 million per year unit performance “hold back;” (iii) H.A. Wagner will earn annual fixed-cost payments of $35 million ($137/MWd), inclusive of a $2 million per year unit performance “hold back;” and (iv) each facility will receive separate reimbursement for variable costs and approved project investments. In August 2025, the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel filed an appeal of the FERC’s order approving the Brandon Shores and H.A. Wagner RMR agreements. Talen has intervened in that proceeding and plans to participate.
Additionally, H.A. Wagner Unit 4 is subject to certain emission restrictions associated with its air permits that limit the Unit’s annual runtime. In October 2025, the DOE granted PJM’s request, pursuant to Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, to allow Unit 4 to exceed its air permit emission limits for the remainder of the calendar year when the unit is needed to maintain grid reliability.
Nautilus Derecognition
Under the transition terms associated with the AWS PPA as revised in June 2025, the Company ceased use of the Nautilus facility. In September 2025, the Company terminated the facility lease between the Company and AWS, and the related submetering and supply agreements. AWS is permitted to retain the existing facility structures. Accordingly, during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company derecognized approximately: (i) $15 million of structures and buildings presented as “Property, plant and equipment, net;” (ii) an aggregate $44 million of contract intangible assets and lease right-of-use assets presented as “Other noncurrent assets;” (iii) $10 million of lease liabilities presented as “Other current liabilities;” and (iv) an aggregate $57 million contractual obligations and lease obligations presented as “Other noncurrent liabilities.” The resulting net gain of $8 million is presented as “Other operating income (expense), net” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
8. Asset Retirement Obligations and Accrued Environmental Costs
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| | |
| | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
| Asset retirement obligations | | $ | 516 | | | $ | 498 | |
| Accrued environmental costs | | 20 | | | 21 | |
| Total asset retirement obligations and accrued environmental costs | | 536 | | | 519 | |
Less: asset retirement obligations and accrued environmental costs due within one year (a) | | 59 | | | 51 | |
| | | | |
| Asset retirement obligations and accrued environmental costs due after one year | | $ | 477 | | | $ | 468 | |
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(a)Presented as “Other current liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Certain subsidiaries of the Company have legal retirement obligations for the decommissioning and environmental remediation costs associated with our current and former generation, which include activities such as structure removal and remediation of coal piles, wastewater basins, and ash impoundments. Most of these obligations, except remediation of some ash impoundments, are not expected to be paid until several years, or decades, in the future. The Company’s most significant obligations are associated with the: (i) decommissioning of Susquehanna, which the NDT is expected to fund; and (ii) coal ash disposal units of legacy coal-fired generation facilities which, for certain obligations, the Company has posted surety bonds (some of which have been collateralized with LCs). The carrying value of these AROs include assumptions of estimated future retirement and remediation cash expenditures, cost escalation rates, probabilistic cash flow models, and discount rates.
As environmental regulations issued by the EPA or other rulemaking entities may require the Company to revise and (or) recognize new AROs, the carrying value of AROs, in particular those associated with legacy coal-fired generation facilities, may be impacted by current or future regulatory rulemaking. As of September 30, 2025, the fair values of certain AROs as a result of the EPA CCR Rule cannot be determined. See Note 9 for additional information on the EPA CCR Rule and the regulatory timeline that is expected to determine the associated scope of work.
Additionally, certain subsidiaries of the Company have legal retirement obligations associated with the removal, disposal, and (or) monitoring of asbestos-containing material at certain generation facilities. Given that the ultimate volume of asbestos-containing material is not yet known, the fair value of these obligations cannot be reasonably estimated. These obligations will be recognized upon a change in economic events or other circumstances which enables the fair value to be estimable.
The changes of the ARO carrying value during the period were:
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| December 31, 2024 | | $ | 498 | |
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| Obligations settled | | (21) | |
| Changes in estimates and (or) settlement dates | | (3) | |
| Accretion expense | | 42 | |
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| September 30, 2025 | | $ | 516 | |
The disaggregation of ARO carrying values on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were:
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| | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
| Supplemental Information | | | | |
Nuclear (a) | | $ | 264 | | | $ | 242 | |
Non-nuclear (b) | | 252 | | | 256 | |
| Carrying value | | $ | 516 | | | $ | 498 | |
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(a)Obligations are expected to be settled with available funds in the NDT at the time of decommissioning. See Note 11 for additional information on the NDT.
(b)Certain obligations are: (i) partially supported by surety bonds, some of which have been collateralized with LCs; or (ii) partially prefunded under phased installment agreements.
See “Talen Montana Financial Assurance” in Note 9 for information on Talen Montana’s requirement to provide financial assurance for certain environmental decommissioning and remediation liabilities related to Colstrip.
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal, Regulatory, and Environmental Matters
We are regularly subject to various legal, regulatory, and environmental matters in connection with our business. While we believe we have meritorious positions and will continue to vigorously defend our positions in these matters, we may not be successful in our efforts, and we cannot predict the effect of an adverse outcome of any such matter. If an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, a liability is recognized. In the event of an unfavorable outcome, the liability may be in excess of amounts currently accrued. Because of the inherently unpredictable nature of legal, regulatory, and environmental matters and the wide range of potential outcomes for any such matter, no estimate of the possible losses in excess of amounts accrued, if any, can be made at this time regarding any matter specifically described below. As a result, additional losses actually incurred in excess of amounts accrued could be substantial. Unless otherwise disclosed below, we are unable to predict the outcome of any matter discussed below or reasonably estimate the amount of any associated costs and (or) potential liabilities. Additionally, it is possible that the outcome of any such matter, including market modifications, could materially impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and (or) liquidity.
Legal Matters
We are involved in various legal and administrative proceedings, investigations, claims, and litigation from time to time in the course of our business. Such matters may include, but are not limited to, those relating to employment and benefits, commercial disputes, personal injury, property damage, regulatory matters, environmental matters, and various other claims for injuries and (or) damages. While we believe we have meritorious positions and will continue to appropriately respond to all legal matters, because of the inherently unpredictable nature of legal proceedings, there is a wide range of potential outcomes for any such matter.
Labor Market Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit Against Nuclear Power Generators. On July 11, 2025, two individuals filed a class action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against Human Resources Consultants, LLC, Accelerant Technologies, and 26 nuclear power companies, including Talen, alleging that since at least May 2003 the defendants conspired to fix and suppress employee wages and benefits in violation of federal antitrust law. The proposed class includes a wide range of nuclear power generation workers, such as nuclear operators, engineers, and technicians, who were compensated with hourly wages or annual salaries, as well as benefits and other forms of compensation. The complaint alleges that the nuclear power operators used Accelerant and HR Consultants to facilitate a conspiracy to exchange employee compensation data and held in-person meetings where the power companies aligned on wage schedules, suppressed wages, and fixed compensation. The plaintiffs are seeking treble damages, injunctive relief, a declaratory judgment that the defendants’ conduct violated Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, attorneys’ fees, and costs of suit. Talen was dismissed from the case without prejudice by the plaintiffs on October 13, 2025.
Brunner Island CCR Litigation. On April 2, 2025, the Center for Biological Diversity (the “CBD”) filed a citizen suit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania alleging that the Company and its subsidiary, Brunner Island, LLC, have failed to comply with groundwater monitoring and corrective action requirements at Brunner Island’s Ash Basin 5 and have therefore violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and the EPA CCR Rule. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. Talen believes the alleged claims are without merit and that the CBD’s factual and legal conclusions are incorrect. Talen filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on June 2, 2025, which was followed by an amicus brief from the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group in support of Talen’s motion; briefing on the motion to dismiss was completed on June 30, 2025. No assurance can be provided as to the outcome of the litigation or its impacts on Talen’s operations.
ERCOT Weather Event (Winter Storm Uri) Lawsuits. In connection with the ERCOT Sale, the Company retained certain potential liabilities relating to claims filed from 2021 onward against its former Texas subsidiaries seeking unspecified damages for alleged losses caused by the defendants’ failure to provide sufficient power to the grid during Winter Storm Uri. The claims also allege similar liability against numerous other ERCOT power market participants. In December 2023, five multi-district litigation (“MDL”) bellwether lawsuits, which were selected by the MDL court as representative of all 58 cases filed in the Uri litigation, were dismissed by the MDL court, a ruling subsequently upheld by the Texas First Court of Appeals. In January and February 2025, the plaintiffs (in two groups) filed for relief in the Texas Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the lower courts. In July 2025, the Texas Supreme Court ordered merits briefing by the parties. If the Court of Appeals decision is affirmed by the Texas Supreme Court, Talen expects the dismissal ruling to apply broadly to all Uri cases against Talen’s former subsidiaries. Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, Talen’s maximum potential damages on prepetition Uri claims are expressly limited to payments from Talen’s insurers. However, claims filed after Talen’s restructuring by plaintiffs who did not receive effective notice of the restructuring, if any, may not be subject to the limitations in the Plan of Reorganization.
Spent Nuclear Fuel Litigation. Federal law requires the U.S. government to provide for the permanent disposal of commercial spent nuclear fuel (“SNF”), but the government has not yet done so. Until May 2014, the DOE required nuclear generation facility operators to contribute to a fund intended to pay for the transportation and disposal of SNF, and Talen cannot predict if or when the government will reinstate any such fee in the future. In May 2023, an existing settlement agreement between Susquehanna and the U.S. government was extended through the end of 2025. The settlement agreement requires the government to reimburse Susquehanna for certain SNF storage costs through 2025 and requires Susquehanna to waive certain claims against the government relating to temporary SNF storage. In July 2025, the Company reached an agreement with the DOE for a reimbursement of $14 million (reflecting Talen’s 90% share) related to the 2023-2024 period and received the reimbursement in August 2025.
Regulatory Matters
We are subject to regulation by federal and state agencies and other bodies that exercise regulatory authority in the various regions where we conduct business, including but not limited to the FERC; the DOE; the NRC; NERC; the Federal Communications Commission; and state public utility commissions. In addition, the RTOs and ISOs in the regions in which we conduct business inherently have complex rules that are intended to balance the interests of market stakeholders. Proposed market structure modifications may lead to disputes among stakeholders that might not be resolved for a period of time as a result of regulatory and (or) legal proceedings. Accordingly, we are subject to uncertainty with respect to: (i) new or amended regulations issued by regulatory agencies; and (ii) changes in market design, tariff structure, capacity auctions, and (or) pricing rules.
PJM Capacity Market Reform. In June 2023, the FERC accepted a request by PJM to delay certain PJM Base Residual Auctions in order for PJM to propose market reforms. PJM filed its market reform proposals with the FERC in October 2023. In early 2024, the FERC accepted portions of PJM’s proposed market changes and PJM scheduled certain PJM BRAs on a delayed basis. In September 2024, the Sierra Club and other organizations filed a complaint at the FERC challenging PJM’s rules establishing must-offer exceptions for PJM BRA participation by RMR resources. In October 2024, PJM announced it had concerns about the FERC considering the Sierra Club’s complaints about RMR resources in isolation and therefore intended to file a Section 205 proceeding under the Federal Power Act seeking the FERC’s approval of to-be-determined market reforms, including but not limited to potential revisions to the treatment of RMR resources. As a result, in October 2024, PJM formally requested, which the FERC approved, six-month delays to the scheduled PJM BRAs for the 2027/2028, 2028/2029, and 2029/2030 PJM Capacity Years to December 2025, June 2026, and December 2026, respectively. Currently, the auction for the 2030/2031 PJM Capacity Year in May 2027 is scheduled on a non-delayed basis. Talen can provide no assurance that these or any scheduled PJM BRAs will be held on such dates or at all.
A series of filings aimed at reforming the PJM capacity market were filed at the FERC. In November 2024, the Joint Consumer Advocates, comprised of consumer advocacy groups and government entities from Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and the District of Columbia filed a complaint against PJM asking the FERC to find that PJM’s existing capacity market rules are unjust and unreasonable and to issue an order requiring certain short-term and longer-term changes to PJM’s capacity market rules.
In response, PJM made two FERC filings in December 2024 to address what they perceive as capacity market design issues (the “PJM Capacity Market 205 Proceeding”). PJM proposed to retain the dual fuel combustion turbine as the reference resource and to implement a uniform non-performance charge throughout the RTO for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 PJM Capacity Years, and to administratively include RMR units that meet certain criteria as price takers in the capacity auctions for the next two delivery years and will not assess penalties or pay bonuses to these RMR units. PJM’s filing also clarifies that being excused from being required to offer into the capacity market is no defense to exercising market power by electing not to offer. Further, PJM proposed to make changes to the capacity market mitigation rules. This proposal will eliminate the must-offer exception for intermittent and limited duration resources that are eligible to participate in the capacity market and will allow market sellers to incorporate a risk component in their capacity market offers. In February 2025, the FERC accepted PJM’s proposals in the PJM Capacity Market 205 Proceeding and as a result, the changes to the PJM BRA parameters described above as part of that proceeding were adopted for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 PJM Capacity Years.
In December 2024, the Pennsylvania Governor filed a complaint against PJM at the FERC to address alleged elevated costs to consumers from the PJM capacity market in the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 PJM Capacity Years and proposed, among other things, a lower capacity price cap. As a result of a subsequent agreement between the State of Pennsylvania and PJM that resolved the Governor’s complaint, the Governor withdrew the complaint in February 2025. In April 2025, the FERC accepted PJM’s proposals reflecting its agreement with the State of Pennsylvania. As a result, the PJM BRA imposed a price collar with an approximate minimum and maximum price of $175/MWd and $325/MWd, respectively, which was effective for the 2026/2027 PJM BRA in July 2025 (see Note 3 for additional information on the results) and will also be effective for the 2027/2028 PJM BRA.
In February 2025, the FERC initiated a technical conference docket to consider broad resource adequacy issues across all RTOs, with the initial proceedings taking place in June 2025. The Company has intervened in the new technical conference docket and is closely monitoring those proceedings.
In August 2025, PJM began an accelerated process known as a Critical Issue Fast Path (“CIFP”) process with stakeholders to address how to integrate large load customers quickly and reliably. The CIFP stakeholders represent a wide range of views about resource allocations, costs, and how the addition of large loads like data centers to PJM should be managed in the context of the capacity market. The Company is an active participant in the CIFP process and has submitted a joint proposal amongst itself, Constellation, Calpine, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google representing the group’s collective views on the best approach to large load additions. PJM has expressed its desire to make a filing at the FERC in December 2025, containing PJM’s ultimate proposal to be in place for the 2028/2029 PJM BRA. The FERC will need to approve PJM’s proposal before PJM could implement some or all of its parts. It is uncertain at this time what PJM will propose or what, if any, changes to the capacity market will be approved by the FERC at the end of the CIFP process.
Environmental Matters
Extensive federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations are applicable to our business, including those related to air emissions, water discharges, hazardous substances, and solid waste management. From time to time, in the ordinary course of our business, Talen may be: (i) subject to environmental remediation work at its facilities; (ii) involved in other environmental matters; or (iii) become subject to other, new or revised environmental statutes, regulations, or requirements. It may be necessary for us to modify, curtail, replace, or cease operation of certain facilities or performance of certain operations to comply with statutes, regulations, and other requirements imposed by regulatory bodies, courts, or environmental groups. We may incur significant costs to comply with these requirements, including increased capital expenditures or operation and maintenance expenses, monetary fines, remediation costs, penalties, or other restrictions. Legal challenges to environmental rules or permits add to the uncertainty of estimating future compliance costs. In addition, in January 2025, President Trump issued executive orders directing the heads of all federal agencies to identify and begin the processes to suspend, revise, or rescind all agency actions, including existing regulations, that are unduly burdensome on the identification, development, or use of domestic energy resources. Consequently, in March 2025, the EPA announced that it will reconsider and potentially roll back 31 regulations and policies, many of which directly impact Talen, and various executive actions were taken in April 2025 to further encourage deregulation. The EPA’s reconsiderations remain ongoing, and certain executive orders have subsequently been challenged by states and individual plaintiffs. Future provisions, implementation, and enforcement of these executive actions and the environmental rules continue to be uncertain. Further, costs may increase significantly if the requirements or scope of environmental laws or regulations, or similar rules, are expanded or changed in other ways.
EPA CSAPR and Nitrogen Oxides (“NOx”) Requirements. Coal-fired generation facilities, including those in which Talen has ownership, have been the subject of EPA regulations and efforts by certain states and other parties to strengthen applicable NOx emission limits under the Clean Air Act. In 2015, the EPA revised the 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone to 70 parts per billion (the “EPA 2015 Ozone Standard”). This action triggered updates to state-specific compliance requirements as well as provisions that are intended to limit cross-state emissions. In June 2023, the EPA published a rule in connection with the EPA 2015 Ozone Standard updating the EPA CSAPR ozone season NOx allowance trading program for 2023 and beyond (the “Good Neighbor Plan”). Talen’s facilities in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey were subject to the new rule; however, the entire rule was challenged by multiple parties, and subsequently the Good Neighbor Plan was stayed in its entirety by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2024 pending a complete review of the rule by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. In November 2024, the EPA issued an interim final rule indicating it plans to provide NOx allocations and budgets from the previously applicable and less restrictive Revised CSAPR Update Rule until the Good Neighbor Plan matter is resolved. After initially denying the EPA’s request in February 2025, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in April 2025, granted the EPA’s motion requesting the Good Neighbor Plan litigation be held in abeyance pending the EPA’s review of the stayed rule and further orders by the court. As a result, future implementation and enforcement of the Good Neighbor Plan has continued to be uncertain.
EPA MATS Rule. In May 2024, the EPA published a rule that requires coal-fired generation facilities to reduce particulate matter emissions by the middle of 2027 (or 2028, if an extension is approved). If the rule remains in effect, Colstrip is not expected to meet the new particulate matter standard without substantial upgrades to its control equipment. As a result, Talen Montana and the other Colstrip co-owners face the decision either to invest in new cost-prohibitive control equipment or retire the Colstrip facility. Such a decision must be evaluated in conjunction with compliance requirements under the May 2024 EPA GHG Rule due to timing and costs. Challenges to the EPA MATS Rule have been filed in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, including by Talen and 23 states. After motions to stay the EPA MATS Rule during the pendency of the litigation were denied by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, Talen and other parties filed emergency stay request applications with the U.S. Supreme Court in September 2024, which were denied in October 2024. The appeal on the merits of the 2024 rule remains pending in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The litigation has been held in abeyance since February 2025, while the EPA reconsiders the rule. No assurance can be provided as to when the challenges to the EPA MATS Rule will be resolved or whether such challenges will be resolved in the Company’s favor.
In March 2025, the EPA formally announced that it was reconsidering the 2024 EPA MATS Rule as part of its deregulation agenda. Concurrently, the Trump administration announced it was considering a two-year exemption from compliance obligations via Section 112(i)(4) of the Clean Air Act for affected power plants while the EPA reconsiders the rule. Talen applied for the exemption, which was granted in April 2025. This authorization affords more time for the Colstrip owners to consider the operational future of Colstrip. In June 2025, the EPA proposed a rule to repeal certain 2024 amendments to the EPA MATS Rule and revert to particulate matter standards promulgated in the 2012 EPA MATS Rule. The public comment period on the proposal expired on August 11, 2025. No assurance can be provided as to whether the rule will be finalized and whether a final rule will survive judicial challenge. The day after the EPA announced its reconsideration rule, environmental groups filed separate lawsuits in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for D.C., challenging the presidential exemptions issued to Colstrip and other fossil fuel-fired power plants. On August 5, 2025, the EPA filed a motion in each case requesting the courts hold the litigation in abeyance for six months pending the EPA’s efforts to repeal the 2024 EPA MATS Rule. Talen filed motions to intervene in both cases on August 8, 2025. On September 3, 2025, the U.S. District Court for D.C. granted the EPA’s motion to hold the case in abeyance for six months and also granted Talen’s motion to intervene. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the EPA’s motion for an abeyance and Talen’s motion to intervene in October 2025. No assurance can be provided as to the outcome of this litigation. The Company could be forced to make operating decisions about the future of Colstrip before clarity is obtained on the reconsideration rule and (or) litigation.
EPA GHG Rule. In May 2024, the EPA published a rule that establishes carbon dioxide limits for new electric generating units (“EGUs”) and greenhouse gas (“GHG”) guidelines for certain existing EGUs. Under the guidelines, if existing coal-fired EGUs operate beyond 2031, GHG reductions, such as those achieved by the addition of carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”), are required to be implemented by the end of 2031. Colstrip is not expected to meet the new rules without substantial technology upgrades and pipeline infrastructure build-out. As a result, Talen Montana and the other Colstrip co-owners face the decision either to invest in new cost-prohibitive controls (e.g., CCS technology) or retire the Colstrip facility by the end of 2031. Such a decision must be evaluated in conjunction with compliance requirements under the May 2024 EPA MATS Rule. Petitions have been filed in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, including by coalitions representing 27 states and an ad hoc coalition of power producers of which Talen is a member, requesting a review of the EPA GHG Rule. Stay motions were denied by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in July 2024 and the U.S. Supreme Court in October 2024. Appeals of the EPA GHG Rule remain pending in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has held the litigation in abeyance since February 2025 to allow the EPA to reconsider the rule. No assurance can be provided as to when the challenges to the EPA GHG Rule will be resolved or whether such challenges will be resolved in the Company’s favor. In June 2025, the EPA released a proposed rule to repeal all GHG emission standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. As an alternative, the EPA is proposing a narrow repeal of GHG standards, which would eliminate all emissions guidelines and standards for existing power plants and the Phase 2 GHG emissions standards that would apply to new combustion turbines beginning in 2032. Under the alternative proposal, Phase 1 GHG emissions standards applicable to new and reconstructed baseload fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbines would be retained. The public comment period on the proposal expired on August 7, 2025. No assurance can be provided as to whether the rule will be finalized and whether a final rule will survive judicial challenge. The EPA has also in the past stated its intent to develop GHG regulations for existing natural gas combustion turbines; however, no rule has been proposed, and no recent statements have been made. Operating decisions about the future of Colstrip are highly dependent on the fate of the EPA GHG Rule as well as the EPA MATS Rule. Given the legal and regulatory uncertainties with both rules, it is possible the Company will be required to make decisions about Colstrip’s future before it has clarity about the outcome of litigation and (or) the EPA’s regulations.
GHG Endangerment Finding. In July 2025, the EPA issued a proposal to repeal its 2009 finding that GHG emissions endanger public health and welfare. The EPA made the 2009 endangerment finding in order to promulgate GHG emission standards for new motor vehicles under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act. The EPA has subsequently relied on its 2009 endangerment finding as a basis to regulate other sources of GHGs, including power plants. If finalized, the EPA’s proposal would repeal all GHG emission standards for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines. The proposed rule does not explicitly state how a repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding would impact its authority to regulate GHG emissions from stationary sources. However, the EPA states that the endangerment finding has been broadly used to justify regulation of stationary sources in a manner inconsistent with the Clean Air Act. The EPA also notes that it is currently reconsidering its authority to regulate GHGs from other sources, including stationary sources, in separate rulemakings. The public comment period on the proposal expired on September 22, 2025. No assurance can be provided as to whether the rule will be finalized and whether a final rule will survive judicial challenge.
Pennsylvania RGGI. In October 2019, the then-Governor of Pennsylvania signed an executive order directing the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (the “PADEP”) to draft regulations establishing a cap-and-trade program with the intent of enabling Pennsylvania to join the RGGI, a multi-state regional cap-and-trade program comprised of several Eastern U.S. states. In April 2022, Pennsylvania entered the RGGI program, with compliance set to begin on July 1, 2022. However, in November 2023, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled RGGI was an invalid tax and voided the rulemaking. The PADEP appealed this decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and filed notice with the court that the RGGI program would not be implemented while the appeal is pending. In July 2024, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court permitted certain non-profit environmental groups to intervene in the case. Oral argument in the case took place in May 2025. The litigation is ongoing.
EPA ELG Rule. In November 2015, the EPA revised the effluent limitation guidelines (“ELGs”) for certain power generation facilities, which imposed more stringent standards for wastewater streams as facility discharge permits are renewed. In 2020, the EPA issued changes that would exempt coal generation facility operators from meeting certain wastewater standards if the facility would commit to cease coal-fired generation by the end of 2028, which Talen elected for its wholly owned coal operations. In May 2024, the EPA published revisions to the EPA ELG Rule, which imposed additional requirements for legacy wastewater and combustion residual leachate. These revisions impact Talen’s active generation facilities that have both CCR units and hold National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) discharge permits. These sites include Brandon Shores, Brunner Island, Montour, and potentially Martins Creek. Talen is evaluating what: (i) potential discharge limits may apply; (ii) treatment may be required; and (iii) the implementation timeline may be. Obligations for installing any new wastewater treatment equipment, if necessary, will not be known until each applicable state where the active generation facilities operate makes its own determination with respect to NPDES permit renewals with new limits and associated timing. As a result of the future permit conditions, additional capital expenditures and (or) AROs may be required, which may have a material impact on Talen’s operations and (or) financial condition.
Multiple challenges, including stay requests, to the EPA ELG Rule have been filed in various U.S. Courts of Appeal by parties that include 15 states, environmental groups, and industry groups, including the Utility Water Act Group, of which Talen is a member. The appeals have been consolidated in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, which denied requests to stay the rule in October 2024. At the EPA’s request, the Eighth Circuit has held the consolidated challenges in abeyance since February 2025 to allow the EPA to reconsider the rule. In March 2025, the EPA announced that it will revise the EPA ELG Rule as part of its deregulation agenda while considering immediate relief from some of the existing leachate requirements. In June 2025, the EPA announced that it will issue a proposal in 2025 to extend compliance deadlines under the 2024 EPA ELG Rule and seek information to potentially inform further rulemaking. In September 2025, the EPA issued a direct final rule extending a short-term deadline and a companion proposal extending many compliance deadlines for the 2024 EPA ELG Rule and providing some flexibility relating to some deadlines in the 2020 ELG Rule. The EPA is accepting comments on the direct final rule and proposed rule until November 3, 2025. The EPA has stated that information obtained during this rulemaking will inform whether it will proceed with a second rulemaking to revise the regulatory standards in the 2024 EPA ELG Rule. No assurance can be provided as to what changes will come from the EPA’s regulatory reconsideration of the rule, when the challenges to the EPA ELG Rule merits will be resolved, or whether such changes and challenges will be resolved in the Company’s favor.
EPA CCR Rule. In April 2015, the EPA established regulations under the RCRA to identify CCRs as nonhazardous solid waste and provided CCR management and siting requirements. The 2015 rule was modified in 2020 after a 2018 D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling found that, among other things, the EPA did not adequately regulate unlined impoundments. In its 2020 rulemaking, the EPA specified procedures for owners to extend the operating timeline of certain unlined impoundments. Talen submitted an extension request under this process for an unlined impoundment at Montour, which was withdrawn in December 2024, following the end of basin operations and the initiation of basin closure. The 2018 D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling also found that the EPA did not properly address legacy surface impoundments in the 2015 CCR rule. As a result of the finding, in May 2024, the EPA finalized additional federal CCR regulations effective in November 2024 (the “Legacy CCR Rule”), which provided new requirements for legacy CCR surface impoundments and new requirements for other CCR disposal and management areas at active power plants (“CCR Management Units” or “CCRMUs”). This rule has been challenged in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals by multiple parties, including two industry groups of which Talen is a member. In December 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a requested stay of the Legacy CCR Rule. At the EPA’s request, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has held the case in abeyance since February 2025 to allow the EPA to reconsider the rule. Additionally, the EPA is being challenged by other industry parties on new regulatory interpretations that could be consequential to CCR unit closure practices and costs. In March 2025, the EPA announced that it will prioritize the coal ash program by expediting state permit reviews and complete a rule change within a year. In July 2025, the EPA issued a direct final rule and companion proposal extending compliance deadlines for elements of the Legacy CCR Rule. In September 2025, the EPA issued a notice withdrawing the direct final rule because the agency received adverse comments. The EPA continued to accept public comments on the parallel proposed rule through September 15, 2025. No assurance can be provided as to when and how the regulations will change, when the legal challenges to the Legacy CCR Rule and the EPA’s interpretations will be resolved, or whether such challenges will be decided in the Company’s favor.
Talen continues to review the new Legacy CCR Rule provisions that went into effect in 2024, perform the required applicability assessments, and await additional information and guidance from the EPA concerning the rule’s requirements. Pursuant to the current regulations, initial facility evaluation reports to identify CCR areas which may become regulated and subject to the rule’s requirements are due in February 2026. Following that, site investigation may be required to further investigate applicability, and a subsequent facility report is due in February 2027. The Company has initiated reviews under the facility evaluation report requirements at locations with ash impoundments that have long since ceased coal operations as well as at locations with current coal operations. No assurance can be provided as to whether any specific ash impoundments owned by the Company may or may not be within scope of the updated Legacy CCR Rule until the Company completes its assessments within the regulatory timeframe.
As of September 30, 2025, the Company has recognized cost estimates in complying with the Legacy CCR Rule’s initial compliance requirements and deadlines, including the initial groundwater monitoring requirements. The Company does not yet have sufficient information available to estimate costs for the future compliance obligations under the rule. As the Company continues its applicability evaluations and site assessments to determine the scope of work on its properties imposed by the new rule, additional new AROs and (or) revisions could be required. It is expected estimates will be available, under the timeline provided for by the regulations, as described above, at the completion of the initial facility evaluation reports or at the completion of a subsequent site investigation. Such AROs or ARO changes could be material and, as a result, may have a material impact on Talen’s operations and (or) financial condition.
In April 2025, a citizen suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania alleging that the Company and its subsidiary, Brunner Island, LLC, are in violation of RCRA and the EPA CCR Rule. See the “Legal Matters” section above for additional information.
Certain Resolved Matters
See Note 12 to the Annual Financial Statements for certain legal matters previously resolved.
Guarantees and Other Assurances
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements to provide financial performance assurance to third parties on behalf of certain subsidiaries. These agreements primarily support or enhance the stand-alone creditworthiness attributed to a subsidiary or facilitate the commercial activities in which these subsidiaries engage. Such agreements may include guarantees, stand-by LCs, and (or) surety bonds. Additionally, they may include customary indemnifications to third parties related to asset sales and other transactions. The probability of expected material payment and (or) performance for these assurance agreements is believed to be remote.
Surety Bonds. Surety bonds provide financial performance assurance to third parties on behalf of certain Company subsidiaries for obligations including but not limited to environmental obligations and AROs. In the event of nonperformance by the applicable subsidiary, the beneficiary would make a claim to the surety, and the Company would be required to reimburse any payment by the surety. Talen’s liability with respect to any particular surety bond is released once the obligations secured by the surety bond are performed. Surety bond providers generally have the right to request additional collateral or request that such bonds be replaced by alternate surety providers. As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the aggregate amount of surety bonds outstanding was $232 million and $234 million, respectively, including surety bonds posted on behalf of Talen Montana as discussed below.
Talen Montana Financial Assurance. Pursuant to the Colstrip Administrative Order on Consent (the “Colstrip AOC”), Talen Montana, in its capacity as the Colstrip operator, is obligated to close and remediate coal ash disposal impoundments at Colstrip. The Colstrip AOC specifies an evaluation process between Talen Montana and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (the “MDEQ”) on the scope of remediation and closure activities, requires the MDEQ to approve such scope, and requires financial assurance to be provided to the MDEQ on approved plans. Each of the co-owners of Colstrip has provided its proportionate share of financial assurance to the MDEQ for estimates of coal ash disposal impoundments remediation and closure activities approved by the MDEQ.
The aggregate amount of surety bonds posted to the MDEQ on behalf of Talen Montana’s proportionate share of such activities was $114 million and $125 million as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Talen Montana’s surety bond requirements may increase due to scope changes, cost revisions, and (or) other factors when the MDEQ conducts annual reviews of approved remediation and closure plans as required under the Colstrip AOC. The surety bond requirements are expected to decrease as Colstrip’s coal ash impoundments remediation and closure activities are completed. See Note 8 for additional information on Colstrip AROs.
10. Long-Term Debt and Other Credit Facilities
TES is the borrower/issuer under all the Company’s debt and credit facilities. As of September 30, 2025, TES was not in default under any of its debt or credit agreements.
Long-Term Debt
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | Interest Rate (a) | | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
TLB-1 | | 6.73 % | | $ | 850 | | | $ | 857 | |
| TLB-2 | | 6.73 % | | 844 | | | 850 | |
| | | | | | |
| Secured Notes | | 8.63 % | | 1,200 | | | 1,200 | |
PEDFA 2009B Bonds | | 5.25 % | | 50 | | | 50 | |
PEDFA 2009C Bonds | | 5.25 % | | 81 | | | 81 | |
| | | | | | |
| Total principal | | | | 3,025 | | | 3,038 | |
| Unamortized deferred financing costs and original issuance discounts | | | | (39) | | | (34) | |
| Total carrying value | | | | 2,986 | | | 3,004 | |
| Less: long-term debt, due within one year | | | | 17 | | | 17 | |
| Long-term debt | | | | $ | 2,969 | | | $ | 2,987 | |
__________________
(a)Computed interest rate as of September 30, 2025.
Revolving Credit and Other Facilities
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 | | | |
| | Maturity | | Committed Capacity (a) | | Direct Cash Borrowings | | LCs Issued | | Unused Capacity | | Direct Cash Borrowings | | LCs Issued | | Unused Capacity | | | | | |
RCF | | December 2029 | | $ | 700 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 700 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 700 | | | | | | |
| LCF | | December 2026 | | 900 | | | — | | | 435 | | | 465 | | | — | | | 374 | | | 526 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | | | | $ | 1,600 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 435 | | | $ | 1,165 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 374 | | | $ | 1,226 | | | | | | |
__________________
(a)RCF committed capacity can be used for direct cash borrowings and (or) LCs. Direct cash borrowings are not permitted under the LCF, which can only be used for LCs.
In December 2024, the TLC LCF and Bilateral LCF were terminated. However, as certain LCs remained outstanding under these facilities pending their transition to the LCF, corresponding backstop LCs were issued under the LCF. As of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the amounts of such backstop LCs issued under the LCF were $4 million and $297 million, respectively (which are included in the totals above).
2025 Financing Transactions
Unsecured Notes. In October 2025, TES issued in private offerings and each at par: (i) $1.4 billion in aggregate principal amount of 6.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2034, which bear interest, payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year, at an annual rate of 6.250% and mature on February 1, 2034; and (ii) $1.29 billion in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2036, which bear interest, payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year, at an annual rate of 6.500% and mature on February 1, 2036. We expect to use the net proceeds from the Unsecured Notes, together with the proceeds of the new TLB-3 discussed below, to fund the Freedom and Guernsey Acquisitions.
The Unsecured Notes are subject to customary negative covenants, including but not limited to, certain limitations on incurrence of liens and transactions involving the Susquehanna assets, but do not contain any financial covenants. The Unsecured Notes also contain customary affirmative covenants, events of default, and remedies (including acceleration) and are subject to mandatory redemption provisions in the event that one or both of the Freedom and Guernsey Acquisitions are not completed pursuant to the applicable purchase agreements.
Credit Facility Transactions. Also in October 2025, TES undertook several financing transactions that are expected to become effective concurrently with the closing of either the Freedom Acquisition or the Guernsey Acquisition (whichever closes first):
•TLB-3. Allocated and priced a $1.2 billion senior secured term loan B credit facility (the TLB-3), which constitutes a new tranche of term loans separate from TLB-1 and TLB-2 and the proceeds of which, together with the proceeds from the Unsecured Notes, are intended to be used to fund the Freedom and Guernsey Acquisitions. A portion of the TLB-3 may be incurred on a delayed draw basis to the extent the Freedom and Guernsey Acquisitions do not close concurrently. The applicable interest rate for the TLB-3 will be the Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus 200 basis points.
•RCF. Received commitments to increase its existing RCF (including its revolving LC capacity) from $700 million to $900 million.
•LCF. Received commitments to upsize its existing $900 million LCF to $1.1 billion and extend the maturity from December 2026 to December 2027.
Bridge Commitment Termination. Also in October 2025, in connection with the financing transactions described above, TES terminated the debt commitment letters, dated July 17, 2025 (as amended and restated on August 13, 2025), pursuant to which the commitment parties thereto had agreed to provide TES with (i) senior secured bridge facilities in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1.2 billion; and (ii) senior unsecured bridge facilities in an aggregate principal amount of up to $2.6 billion in order to fund the Freedom and Guernsey Acquisitions.
See Note 17 for additional information on the Freedom and Guernsey Acquisitions.
Other Material Terms; Security Interests
See Note 13 to the Annual Financial Statements for a description of the other material terms of the obligations outlined above and for additional information on the security interests and guarantees supporting these obligations. In addition to the obligations outlined under “Long-Term Debt” and “Revolving Credit and Other Facilities” above, secured obligations included approximately $62 million under Secured ISDAs as of September 30, 2025.
11. Fair Value
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Financial assets and liabilities reported at fair value on a recurring basis primarily include energy commodity derivatives, interest rate derivatives, and investments held within the NDT.
•Level 1 derivative assets and liabilities primarily represent exchange-traded futures and options that are valued using unadjusted prices available from the underlying exchange. Level 1 financial assets also include investments in equity securities and available-for-sale U.S. government debt securities, which are valued using exchange prices.
•Level 2 derivative assets and liabilities primarily represent over-the-counter swaps, options, and forward purchase and sale contracts that are valued using adjusted exchange prices, prices provided by brokers, or pricing service companies that are all corroborated by market data. Level 2 financial assets also include investments in available-for-sale debt securities, including investments in corporate and municipal bonds, that are valued using pricing provided by brokers or pricing service companies and corroborated with market data.
The classifications of recurring fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy were:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
| | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | | | NAV | | Netting (a) | | Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | | | NAV | | Netting (a) | | Total |
| Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash equivalents | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 163 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 163 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 3 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3 | |
Equity securities (b) | | 848 | | — | | | | | 234 | | | — | | | 1,082 | | | 758 | | | — | | | | | 347 | | | — | | | 1,105 | |
| U.S. government debt securities | | 320 | | — | | | | | — | | | — | | | 320 | | | 353 | | | — | | | | | — | | | — | | | 353 | |
| Municipal debt securities | | — | | | 101 | | | | | — | | | — | | | 101 | | | — | | | 85 | | | | | — | | | — | | | 85 | |
| Corporate debt securities | | — | | | 198 | | | | | — | | | — | | | 198 | | | — | | | 173 | | | | | — | | | — | | | 173 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Receivables (payables), net (c) | | — | | | — | | | | | — | | | — | | | 6 | | | — | | | — | | | | | — | | | — | | | 5 | |
| NDT funds | | 1,168 | | | 299 | | | | | 397 | | | — | | | 1,870 | | | 1,111 | | | 258 | | | | | 350 | | | — | | | 1,724 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Commodity derivatives | | 193 | | | 72 | | | | | — | | | (220) | | | 45 | | | 134 | | | 91 | | | | | — | | | (156) | | | 69 | |
| Interest rate derivatives | | — | | | 1 | | | | | — | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | | | 2 | | | | | — | | | — | | | 2 | |
| Total assets | | $ | 1,361 | | | $ | 372 | | | | | $ | 397 | | | $ | (220) | | | $ | 1,916 | | | $ | 1,245 | | | $ | 351 | | | | | $ | 350 | | | $ | (156) | | | $ | 1,795 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Commodity derivatives | | $ | 227 | | | $ | 81 | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | (239) | | | $ | 69 | | | $ | 145 | | | $ | 29 | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | (167) | | | $ | 7 | |
| Interest rate derivatives | | — | | | 12 | | | | | — | | | — | | | 12 | | | — | | | — | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total liabilities | | $ | 227 | | | $ | 93 | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | (239) | | | $ | 81 | | | $ | 145 | | | $ | 29 | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | (167) | | | $ | 7 | |
__________________(a)Amounts represent netting pursuant to master netting arrangements and cash collateral held or placed with the same counterparty.
(b)Includes fixed income funds and real estate investment trusts.
(c)Represents: (i) interest and dividends earned but not received; and (ii) net sold or purchased investments, but not settled.
There were no recurring fair value measurements classified as Level 3 as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
See Note 7 for nonrecurring fair value measurements during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 that are associated with the derecognition of certain Nautilus assets and liabilities. There were no material fair value measurements related to impairments of long-lived assets during the three months ended September 30, 2025 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Reported Fair Value
The carrying value of certain financial assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, including “Cash and cash equivalents,” “Restricted cash and cash equivalents,” “Accounts receivable,” and “Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities” approximate fair value.
The fair value measurements of indebtedness are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of fixed rate debt was estimated primarily by utilizing an income approach whereby the future cash flows of the obligations are discounted at the estimated current cost of funding rates, which incorporates the credit risk associated with the obligations. The carrying value of variable rate and certain other short-term indebtedness approximates fair value.
The carrying value and fair value of indebtedness presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
| | Carrying Value | | Fair Value | | Carrying Value | | Fair Value |
| | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt (a) | | $ | 2,986 | | | $ | 3,101 | | | $ | 3,004 | | | $ | 3,120 | |
__________________
(a)Aggregate value of “Long-term debt” and “Long-term debt, due within one year” presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
12. Postretirement Benefit Obligations
TES and certain subsidiaries sponsor postemployment benefits which include defined benefit pension plans, health and welfare postretirement plans (other postretirement benefit plans), and a defined contribution plan.
The components of net periodic benefit costs for the periods were:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | |
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | | |
Postretirement benefits service cost (a) | | $ | 1 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2 | | | $ | 2 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Postretirement benefit (gain) loss | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest cost | | $ | 17 | | | $ | 17 | | | $ | 51 | | | $ | 50 | | | | |
| Expected return on plan assets | | (19) | | | (17) | | | (56) | | | (52) | | | | |
| Resolved litigation settlement | | — | | | 15 | | | — | | | 15 | | | | |
| Amortization of: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Postretirement prior service cost (credit) | | (1) | | | — | | | (3) | | | — | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Postretirement benefit (gain) loss, net (b) | | $ | (3) | | | $ | 15 | | | $ | (8) | | | $ | 13 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net periodic defined benefit cost (credit) | | $ | (2) | | | $ | 15 | | | $ | (6) | | | $ | 15 | | | | |
_____________
(a)Activity presented as “Operation, maintenance and development” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(b)Activity presented as “Other non-operating income (expense), net” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
13. Stock-Based Compensation
In June 2023, TEC began granting performance stock units (“PSUs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain employees and non-employee directors under the Company’s 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”). The aggregate number of shares authorized for issuance under the Equity Plan is 7,083,461 shares of common stock.
Stock-based Compensation Expense
Stock-based compensation expense presented as “General and administrative” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the periods was:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 |
| | | | | | | | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | $ | 15 | | | $ | 7 | | | $ | 42 | | | $ | 23 | |
| Income tax benefit | | (4) | | | (2) | | | (11) | | | (6) | |
| After-tax stock-based compensation expense | | $ | 11 | | | $ | 5 | | | $ | 32 | | | $ | 17 | |
Performance Stock Units
PSUs have three-year ratable or two-year cliff vesting schedules or vest upon consummation of a change in control event based on the satisfaction of a continued employment condition and the achievement of certain market conditions over a performance period. Participants will be awarded additional PSUs if market conditions exceed targets at the time of vesting. If the Company declares any cash dividends while the PSUs are outstanding, participants will be credited a dividend, payable at the time of vesting, based on the number of shares of common stock underlying the PSUs. The following table summarizes the Company’s non-vested PSUs and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Units (a) | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Unit |
| Non-vested as of December 31, 2024 | | 956,347 | | | $ | 54.23 | |
| Granted | | 102,275 | | | 463.90 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Non-vested as of September 30, 2025 (b) | | 1,058,622 | | | $ | 93.81 | |
_____________
(a)Represents the target number of PSUs.
(b)Subject to the PSU award agreements, the actual amount of PSUs earned by participants at vesting can range from 0% to 200% of the target number of PSUs based on the Company’s stock price performance. In addition, certain of the PSUs are eligible to earn an additional amount of Talen shares based on the incremental Company stock price performance in excess of the PSU targets. Based on the share price of the Company’s common stock as of September 30, 2025, the aggregate non-vested PSUs were 2,750,101.
As of September 30, 2025, $44 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested PSUs granted are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 0.7 years.
The fair value of PSUs is determined using a Monte Carlo valuation methodology based on the fair value of the underlying stock price at the grant date. The following tables summarizes the significant inputs and assumptions for PSUs granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | |
Volatility (a) | | 40% - 50% | | |
| Expected term (in years) | | 1.5 - 2 | | |
Risk-free rate (b) | | 3.78% - 3.99% | | |
__________________(a) Derived from an option pricing method based on the average asset volatility of peer companies and the Company’s leverage ratio.
(b) Based on the U.S. constant maturity treasury rate with a term matching the expected time to the end of the performance measurement period.
Restricted Stock Units
RSUs have three-year ratable or two-year cliff vesting schedules beginning on the grant date, with restrictions on transferring settled shares prior to the final scheduled vesting date for each award. The fair value of RSUs granted is derived from the closing price of TEC common stock on the grant date. The following table summarizes the Company’s non-vested RSUs and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2025:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Units | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Unit |
| Non-vested as of December 31, 2024 | | 549,405 | | | $ | 55.07 | |
| Granted | | 53,096 | | | 209.82 | |
| | | | |
| Vested | | (261,476) | | | (48.71) | |
| Non-vested as of September 30, 2025 | | 341,025 | | | $ | 84.04 | |
As of September 30, 2025, $18 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSUs granted are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 0.8 years.
14. Earnings Per Share
Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, increased by incremental shares that would be outstanding if potentially dilutive non-participating securities were converted to common stock as calculated using the treasury stock method. EPS for the periods were:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | |
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | | | | |
| Numerator: (Millions of Dollars) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net Income (Loss) | | $ | 207 | | | $ | 168 | | | $ | 144 | | | $ | 945 | | | | | | |
| Less: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 29 | | | | | | |
| Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Stockholders | | $ | 207 | | | $ | 168 | | | $ | 144 | | | $ | 916 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Denominator: (Thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic | | 45,684 | | | 50,924 | | | 45,694 | | | 55,703 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Restricted stock units | | 284 | | | 376 | | | 268 | | | 292 | | | | | | |
| Performance stock units | | 2,613 | | | 1,869 | | | 2,626 | | | 1,761 | | | | | | |
| Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted | | 48,582 | | | 53,169 | | | 48,588 | | | 57,756 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Earnings per Share - Basic | | $ | 4.52 | | | $ | 3.30 | | | $ | 3.15 | | | $ | 16.44 | | | | | | |
| Earnings per Share - Diluted | | 4.25 | | | 3.16 | | | 2.96 | | | 15.86 | | | | | | |
15. Stockholders’ Equity
Share Repurchase Program
As of September 30, 2025, the Company had repurchased approximately 23% of its outstanding shares of common stock for a total of approximately $2 billion, exclusive of transaction costs and excise taxes.
In September 2025, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the existing capacity of the Company’s SRP from $995 million to $2 billion and extended the expiration date from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2028. The execution of this additional authorization is contingent on the completion of the Freedom and Guernsey Acquisitions.
See Note 18 to the Annual Financial Statements for additional information relating to the SRP.
Summary of activity under the SRP:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 | | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 |
| | Number of Shares | | Share Price (a) | | Total Amount | | Number of Shares | | Share Price (a) | | Total Amount |
| Share repurchases | | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | 452,130 | | | $ | 186.24 | | | $ | 85 | |
| Share retirements | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 452,130 | | | 186.24 | | | 85 | |
__________________(a)Weighted average price per share, including transaction costs and excise taxes.
Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interests
Purchase of Equity in Cumulus Digital. In March 2024, TES acquired all of the equity of Cumulus Digital held by affiliates of Orion Energy Partners and two former members of Talen senior management in exchange for an aggregate of $39 million. Following these transactions, TES owns 100% of the equity of Cumulus Digital.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Changes in AOCI for the periods were:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | |
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | | | | |
| Beginning balance | | $ | (12) | | | $ | (23) | | | | | | |
Gains (losses) arising during the period | | 14 | | | 26 | | | | | | |
Reclassifications to Consolidated Statements of Operations | | (7) | | | (1) | | | | | | |
| Income tax benefit (expense) | | (3) | | | (7) | | | | | | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | 4 | | | 18 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | $ | (8) | | | $ | (5) | | | | | | |
The components of AOCI, net of tax, as of September 30, were:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | | |
| Available-for-sale securities unrealized gain (loss), net | | $ | 3 | | | $ | 7 | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| Postretirement benefit prior service credits (costs), net | | 12 | | | 16 | | | | |
| Postretirement benefit actuarial gain (loss), net | | (23) | | | (28) | | | | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | $ | (8) | | | $ | (5) | | | | |
Reclassification adjustments from AOCI to the Consolidated Statements of Operations were non-material amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024.
The postretirement obligations components of AOCI are not presented in their entirety on the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the periods; rather, they are included in the computation of net periodic defined benefit costs (credits). See Note 12 for additional information.
16. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Supplemental information for the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the periods was:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | |
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | | | | |
| Cash paid during the period | | | | | | | | | |
Interest and other finance charges, net of capitalized interest (a) | | $ | 143 | | | $ | 159 | | | | | | |
| Income taxes | | 73 | | | 14 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments included on the Statements of Cash Flows | | | | | | | | | |
| Commodity contracts | | $ | 54 | | | $ | (58) | | | | | | |
| Interest rate swap contracts (interest expense) | | 14 | | | (1) | | | | | | |
| Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments | | $ | 68 | | | $ | (59) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion included on the Statements of Cash Flows | | | | | | | | | |
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | | $ | 205 | | | $ | 225 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Other | | 3 | | | (9) | | | | | | |
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | | $ | 208 | | | $ | 216 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Reconciliation of other non-cash operating activities | | | | | | | | | |
| Derivative option premium amortization | | $ | 40 | | | $ | 16 | | | | | | |
| Stock-based compensation | | 42 | | | 24 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Bitcoin revenue | | — | | | (91) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
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| Debt restructuring (gain) loss, net | | — | | | (9) | | | | | | |
| Other | | (2) | | | 2 | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 80 | | | $ | (58) | | | | | | |
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| Capital expenditure accrual increase (decrease) | | $ | 6 | | | $ | (16) | | | | | | |
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__________________(a)Capitalized interest was $2 million and $3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Cash and Restricted Cash
The following table provides a reconciliation of “Cash and cash equivalents” and “Restricted cash and cash equivalents” presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets to such amounts shown on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
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| | September 30, 2025 | | December 31, 2024 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 497 | | | $ | 328 | |
Restricted cash and cash equivalents (a) | | — | | | 37 | |
Total | | $ | 497 | | | $ | 365 | |
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(a)Comprised of commodity exchange margin deposits.
17. Acquisitions and Divestitures
2025 Pending Acquisitions
Freedom and Guernsey Acquisitions. On July 17, 2025, the Company entered into two purchase and sale agreements (the “Purchase Agreements”) with affiliates of Caithness Energy pursuant to which it agreed to purchase (i) the Freedom Generating Station, a 1,045 MW (summer rating) natural gas fired combined cycle generation plant located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, for approximately $1.5 billion in cash; and (ii) the Guernsey Power Station, a 1,836 MW (summer rating) natural gas fired combined cycle generation plant located in Guernsey County, Ohio, for approximately $2.3 billion in cash, in each case as adjusted in accordance with the applicable Purchase Agreement. At closing, the Company is required under each Purchase Agreement to deposit 1% of the purchase price in cash with an escrow agent to secure the payment of certain customary post-closing purchase price adjustments.
Each transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the “HSR”), and regulatory approvals from the FERC and other regulatory agencies. These regulatory filings have all been made and are now pending at the agencies. After discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) regarding the Company’s pending HSR application in connection with the Freedom and Guernsey Acquisitions, the Company determined it prudent to withdraw the application and promptly refiled the application on October 17, 2025 to restart the 30-day review period, and provide additional information to the DOJ voluntarily. The Purchase Agreements provide that either we or the sellers can terminate the applicable agreement if the respective acquisition is not completed by July 17, 2026 (which may be automatically extended to January 17, 2027 in the case of pending antitrust or regulatory approvals). Under certain circumstances, we may be required to pay the sellers a termination fee of approximately $63 million in the case of Freedom and $100 million in the case of Guernsey if the applicable acquisition is not consummated. The Freedom and Guernsey Acquisitions are both expected to close in the first quarter 2026.
See Note 10 for information on recent financing transactions related to the Freedom and Guernsey Acquisitions.
2025 Divestitures
Camden and Dartmouth Sales. In September 2025, we sold the Camden and Dartmouth generation facilities to an unaffiliated party for a combined as-adjusted purchase price of $25 million in cash, subject to further post-closing adjustments. A gain on sale of $22 million is presented as “Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2025.
2024 Divestitures
ERCOT Sale. In May 2024, we sold our 1,710 MW Texas generation portfolio to CPS Energy for $785 million, subject to customary net working capital adjustments. A gain on sale of $564 million is presented as “Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
AWS Data Campus Sale. In March 2024, AWS purchased substantially all the assets related to the AWS Data Campus and certain other assets for gross proceeds of $650 million, of which $350 million were received at closing with the remaining $300 million held in escrow until August 2024. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a $324 million gain on sale is presented as “Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In connection with the AWS Data Campus Sale, the Company entered into the initial AWS PPA. In June 2025, the Company and AWS entered into a revised AWS PPA, under which the Company is expected to provide AWS with up to 1,920 MW of “front-of-the-meter” power through 2042. The transition to the revised AWS PPA is expected to occur in Spring 2026.
18. Segments
Talen’s operating segments are based on the market areas in which our generation facilities operate and reflect the manner in which our Chief Executive Officer, who is the chief operating decision maker, reviews results and allocate resources. Adjusted EBITDA is the key profit metric used to measure financial performance of each segment. Total assets or other asset metrics are not considered a key metric or reviewed by the chief operating decision maker.
“PJM” is engaged in electricity generation, marketing activities, and commodity risk and fuel management within the PJM RTO market and is comprised of Susquehanna and Talen’s natural gas and coal generation facilities in PJM.
“Other” represents an operating segment that includes the operating and marketing activities of Talen Montana’s proportionate share of Colstrip in the WECC market and other non-material operating and development activities. “Other” also includes the operating activities of Nautilus until Bitcoin mining operations were suspended in October 2024 and the operating activities of our Texas power generation facilities in the ERCOT market prior to their disposition in May 2024. We have determined it appropriate to aggregate results of Talen’s remaining non-reportable segments and other operating activities.
“Corporate and Eliminations” represents a non-reportable segment that includes: (i) general and administrative expenses incurred by our corporate function; (ii) interest expense and other corporate activities not allocated to our operating segments; and (iii) intercompany eliminations. This grouping is presented to reconcile the reportable segments to our consolidated results.
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| | PJM | | Other | | Corporate and Eliminations | | Total |
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 | | | | | | | | |
| Operating revenues | | $ | 755 | | | $ | 75 | | | $ | (18) | | | $ | 812 | |
Operation, maintenance and development expenses (a) | | 124 | | | 7 | | | | | |
| Interest expense and other finance charges | | — | | | — | | | 67 | | | 67 | |
Other segment items (b) | | 266 | | | | | | | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | 365 | | | | | | | |
| Capital expenditures | | 61 | | | 3 | | | 1 | | | 65 | |
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| Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | | | | | | | | |
| Operating revenues | | $ | 575 | | | $ | 96 | | | $ | (21) | | | $ | 650 | |
Operation, maintenance and development expenses (a) | | 115 | | | 12 | | | | | |
| Interest expense and other finance charges | | — | | | — | | | 66 | | | 66 | |
Other segment items (b) | | 243 | | | | | | | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | 217 | | | | | | | |
| Capital expenditures | | 54 | | | 3 | | | 1 | | | 58 | |
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| | PJM | | Other | | Corporate and Eliminations | | Total |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 | | | | | | | | |
| Operating revenues | | $ | 1,760 | | | $ | 116 | | | $ | (44) | | | $ | 1,832 | |
Operation, maintenance and development expenses (a) | | 442 | | | 27 | | | | | |
| Interest expense and other finance charges | | — | | | — | | | 203 | | | 203 | |
Other segment items (b) | | 629 | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA | | 689 | | | | | | | |
| Capital expenditures | | 156 | | | 8 | | | 2 | | | 166 | |
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| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | | | | | | | | |
| Operating revenues | | $ | 1,446 | | | $ | 304 | | | $ | (102) | | | $ | 1,648 | |
Operation, maintenance and development expenses (a) | | 384 | | | 61 | | | | | |
| Interest expense and other finance charges | | — | | | — | | | 187 | | | 187 | |
Other segment items (b) | | 470 | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA | | 592 | | | | | | | |
| Capital expenditures | | 123 | | | 23 | | | 1 | | | 147 | |
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(a)This significant segment expense category aligns with the segment-level information that is regularly provided to the CODM.
(b)Other segment items are primarily comprised of fuel and energy purchases.
Reconciliation of segment Adjusted EBITDA to Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes:
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| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | |
| | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | | | | |
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| PJM Segment Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 365 | | | $ | 217 | | | $ | 689 | | | $ | 592 | | | | | | |
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| Reconciling Items: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense and other finance charges | | $ | (67) | | | $ | (66) | | | $ | (203) | | | $ | (187) | | | | | | |
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | | (61) | | | (75) | | | (205) | | | (225) | | | | | | |
| Nuclear fuel amortization | | (27) | | | (30) | | | (71) | | | (93) | | | | | | |
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| Unrealized (gain) loss on commodity derivative contracts | | 36 | | | 102 | | | (54) | | | 58 | | | | | | |
| Nuclear decommissioning trust funds gain (loss), net | | 81 | | | 67 | | | 149 | | | 169 | | | | | | |
| Stock-based and other long-term incentive compensation expense | | (18) | | | (11) | | | (49) | | | (43) | | | | | | |
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Gain (loss) on asset sales, net (a) | | 25 | | | — | | | 36 | | | 885 | | | | | | |
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| Operational and other restructuring activities | | (14) | | | (40) | | | (23) | | | (61) | | | | | | |
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| "Other" operating segment | | 16 | | | 28 | | | 24 | | | 71 | | | | | | |
| Noncontrolling interest | | — | | | 3 | | | — | | | 21 | | | | | | |
| Corporate and Eliminations | | (18) | | | (15) | | | (60) | | | (57) | | | | | | |
| Other items | | (14) | | | (1) | | | (19) | | | 7 | | | | | | |
| Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes | | $ | 304 | | | $ | 179 | | | $ | 214 | | | $ | 1,137 | | | | | | |
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(a)See Note 17 for additional information.