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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
☑ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 001-32576
ITC HOLDINGS CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Michigan
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
32-0058047
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
27175 Energy Way
Novi, Michigan 48377
(Address Of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
(248) 946-3000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
None
Trading Symbol(s)
None
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports),
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes o No þ * (Note: the Registrant is a voluntary filer and
has not been subject to the filing requirements under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the preceding 12
months.)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to submit such files). Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller
reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting
company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller Reporting
Company
Emerging growth
company
o
o
☑
☐
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the
effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the
registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No þ
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates on June 30, 2020 was $0.
All shares of outstanding common stock of ITC Holdings Corp. are held by its parent company, ITC Investment Holdings Inc., which
is an indirect subsidiary of Fortis Inc. There were 224,203,112 shares of common stock, no par value, outstanding as of February 11,
2021.
None
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Table of Contents
ITC Holdings Corp.
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020
INDEX
PART I
Item 1.
Business
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases
of Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8.
Item 9.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
PART III
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
Item 12.
Item 13.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
PART IV
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary
Signatures
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Unless otherwise noted or the context requires, all references in this report to:
ITC Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries
• “ITC Great Plains” are references to ITC Great Plains, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings;
• “ITC Holdings” are references to ITC Holdings Corp. and not any of its subsidiaries;
• “ITC Interconnection” are references to ITC Interconnection LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC
Holdings;
• “ITC Midwest” are references to ITC Midwest LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings;
• “ITCTransmission” are references to International Transmission Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
ITC Holdings;
• “METC” are references to Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
MTH;
• “MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries” are references to ITCTransmission, METC and ITC Midwest
together;
• “MTH” are references to Michigan Transco Holdings, LLC, the sole member of METC and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of ITC Holdings;
• “Regulated Operating Subsidiaries” are references to ITCTransmission, METC, ITC Midwest, ITC Great
Plains and ITC Interconnection together; and
• “Company”, “we,” “our” and “us” are references to ITC Holdings together with all of its subsidiaries.
Other definitions
• “2017 Omnibus Plan” are references to the Company’s February 27, 2017 long-term equity incentive plan
as amended July 10, 2017 and February 4, 2020;
• “ACPB” are references to an award under the annual corporate performance bonus plan;
• “ADIT” are references to accumulated deferred income tax;
• “AFUDC” are references to an allowance for funds used during construction;
• “ALJ” are references to an administrative law judge;
• “Ancillary Services Agreement” are references to the Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale
Agreement for Ancillary Services entered into by METC and Consumers Energy dated as of April 29,
2002;
• “AOCI” are references to accumulated other comprehensive income or (loss);
• “ARAM” are references to the average rate assumption method of amortization;
• “CIA” are references to the Coordination and Interconnection Agreement entered into by ITCTransmission
and DTE Electric dated as of February 28, 2003;
• “Consumers Energy” are references to Consumers Energy Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CMS
Energy Corporation;
• “COVID-19” are references to the Coronavirus disease that the World Health Organization declared a
pandemic in March 2020;
• “D.C. Circuit Court” are references to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit;
• “DCF” are references to discounted cash flow;
• “DOE” are references to the Department of Energy;
• “DTE Electric” are references to DTE Electric Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DTE Energy;
• “DTE Energy” are references to DTE Energy Company;
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• “DTIA” are references to the Distribution-Transmission Interconnection Agreement entered into by ITC
Midwest and IP&L dated as of December 17, 2007 and amended and restated effective as of December
1, 2016;
• “DT Interconnection Agreement” are references to the Amended and Restated Distribution-Transmission
Interconnection Agreement entered into by METC and Consumers Energy dated April 1, 2001 and most
recently amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2015;
• “Easement Agreement” are references to the Amended and Restated Easement Agreement entered into
by METC and Consumers Energy dated April 29, 2002 and as further supplemented;
• “Eiffel” are references to Eiffel Investment Pte Ltd, a private limited company duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of Singapore that is the GIC subsidiary that is a minority investor in ITC
Investment Holdings and successor to Finn Investment Pte Ltd;
• “ESPP” are references to the Fortis Amended and Restated 2012 Employee Share Purchase Plan;
• “Exchange Act” are references to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
• “Executive Omnibus Plan” are references to the Company’s February 4, 2020 long-term equity incentive
plan;
• “FASB” are references to the Financial Accounting Standards Board;
• “FERC” are references to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;
• “Formula Rate” are references to a FERC-approved formula template used to calculate an annual
revenue requirement;
• “Fortis” are references to Fortis Inc.;
• “FortisUS” are references to FortisUS Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Fortis;
• “FPA” are references to the Federal Power Act;
• “GAAP” are references to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America;
• “Generator Interconnection Agreement” are references to the Amended and Restated Generator
Interconnection Agreement entered into by Consumers Energy and METC dated as of April 29, 2002 and
most recently amended effective as of November 1, 2018;
• “GIAs” are references to generator interconnection agreements;
• “GIC” are references to GIC Private Limited;
• “GIOA” are references to the Generator Interconnection and Operation Agreement entered into by DTE
Electric and ITCTransmission dated as of February 28, 2003;
• “Initial Complaint” are references to a November 2013 complaint to the FERC under Section 206 of the
FPA regarding the base ROE;
• “ITC Investment Holdings” are references to ITC Investment Holdings Inc., a majority owned indirect
subsidiary of Fortis in which GIC has an indirect minority ownership interest;
• “IP&L” are references to Interstate Power and Light Company, an Alliant Energy Corporation subsidiary;
• “IRS” are references to the Internal Revenue Service;
• “ISO” are references to Independent System Operators;
• “KCC” are references to the Kansas Corporation Commission;
• “kV” are references to kilovolts (one kilovolt equaling 1,000 volts);
• “kW” are references to kilowatts (one kilowatt equaling 1,000 watts);
• “LBA” are references to a Local Balancing Authority;
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• “LGIA” are references to the Large Generator Interconnection Agreement entered into by ITC Midwest,
IP&L, and MISO dated as of December 20, 2007 and amended as of August 2, 2017;
• “LIBOR” are references to the London Interbank Offered Rate;
• “May 2020 Order” are references to an order issued by the FERC on May 21, 2020 regarding MISO ROE
Complaints;
• “MECS” are references to the Michigan Electric Coordinated Systems;
• “Merger Agreement” are references to the agreement and plan of merger between Fortis, FortisUS,
Element Acquisition Sub, Inc. and ITC Holdings for the merger;
• “Mid-Kansas” are references to Mid-Kansas Electric Company LLC;
• “Mid-Kansas Agreement” are references to an Amended and Restated Maintenance Agreement entered
into by Mid-Kansas and ITC Great Plains dated as of August 24, 2010, and most recently amended
effective as of March 6, 2017;
• “MISO” are references to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc., a FERC-approved RTO
which oversees the operation of the bulk power transmission system for a substantial portion of the
Midwestern United States and Manitoba, Canada, and of which ITCTransmission, METC and ITC
Midwest are members;
• “MISO ROE Complaints” are references to the Initial Complaint and the Second Complaint;
• “MOA” are references to the Master Operating Agreement entered into by ITCTransmission and DTE
Electric dated as of February 28, 2003;
• “Moody’s” are references Moody’s Investor Service, Inc.;
• “MVPs” are references to multi-value projects, which have been determined by MISO to have regional
value while meeting near-term system needs;
• “MW” are references to megawatts (one megawatt equaling 1,000,000 watts);
• “NERC” are references to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation;
• “NOLs” are references to net operating loss carryforwards for income taxes;
• “NOPR” are references to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued by the FERC;
• “November 2018 Order” are references to an order issued by the FERC on November 15, 2018 regarding
MISO ROE Complaints;
• “November 2019 Order” are references to an order issued by the FERC on November 21, 2019 regarding
MISO ROE Complaints;
• “NYSE” are references to the New York Stock Exchange;
• “Operating Agreement” are references to the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement entered into
by Consumers Energy and METC dated as of April 29, 2002;
• “OSA” are references to the Operations Services Agreement for 34.5 kV Transmission Facilities entered
into by ITC Midwest and IP&L effective as of January 1, 2011;
• “PBU” are references to a performance-based unit;
• “PCBs” are references to polychlorinated biphenyls;
• “PJM” are references to PJM Interconnection LLC, a FERC-approved RTO which oversees the operation
of the bulk power transmission system for a substantial portion of the Eastern United States, and of which
ITC Interconnection is a member;
• “ROE” are references to return on equity;
• “RSGM” are references to the Reverse South Georgia Method of amortization;
• “RTO” are references to Regional Transmission Organizations;
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• “SBU” are references to a service-based unit;
• “SEC” are references to the Securities and Exchange Commission;
• “Second Complaint” are references to an additional complaint filed on February 12, 2015 with the FERC
under Section 206 of the FPA regarding the base ROE;
• “September 2016 Order” are references to an order issued by the FERC on September 28, 2016
regarding the Initial Complaint;
• “Shareholders Agreement” are references to the Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2016
by and among the Company, ITC Investment Holdings, FortisUS, Eiffel (as successor to Finn Investment
Pte Ltd), and any other person that becomes a shareholder of ITC Investment Holdings pursuant to such
agreement;
• “SOFR” are references to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate;
• “SPP” are references to Southwest Power Pool, Inc., a FERC-approved RTO which oversees the
operation of the bulk power transmission system for a substantial portion of the South Central United
States, and of which ITC Great Plains is a member;
• “S&P” are references to S&P Global Ratings;
• “TCJA” are references to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, a comprehensive tax reform bill enacted on
December 22, 2017;
• “TO” are references to transmission owner;
• “ULCS” are references to Utility Lines Construction Services, LLC; and
• “USD” are references to the United States dollar
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ITEM 1.
BUSINESS.
Overview
PART I
Our business consists primarily of the electric transmission operations of our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries. ITC Holdings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Investment Holdings. Fortis owns a majority
indirect equity interest in ITC Investment Holdings, with GIC holding an indirect equity interest of 19.9%.
Through our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, we own and operate high-voltage electric transmission systems
in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma that
transmit electricity from generating stations to local distribution facilities connected to our transmission systems.
ITC Holdings provides safe and reliable electric transmission service to connect consumers to cleaner and
more cost-effective energy resources. ITC Holdings is leading the way in making investments in a modernized
grid to maintain reliability and accommodate future demands as our economy and lifestyles become
increasingly dependent on electricity. We are actively involved in planning an integrated energy network to
serve our customers, communities and the greater grid.
Our business strategy is focused on owning, operating, maintaining and investing in transmission
infrastructure and grid solutions in order to enhance system reliability, protect critical infrastructure, reduce
transmission constraints, interconnect new renewable generation resources, expand access to electricity
markets and lower the overall cost of delivered energy.
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries earn revenues for the use of their electric transmission systems by
their customers, which include investor-owned utilities, municipalities, cooperatives, power marketers and
alternative energy suppliers. As independent transmission companies, our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries
are subject to rate regulation only by the FERC, and our cost-based rates are discussed in “Item 7
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Cost-Based
Formula Rates with True-Up Mechanism.”
Development of Business
As we move toward a cleaner and more electrified economy, the power grid is experiencing a transformation.
Technology deployment and innovation are occurring at an accelerated rate within our industry, so ITC Holdings
is actively identifying and investing in infrastructure required to meet evolving system needs and energy policy
objectives. Our long-term growth plan includes ongoing investments in our current regulated transmission
systems and the identification of incremental strategic projects primarily located in and around our service
territories.
We expect to invest approximately $3.9 billion from 2021 through 2025 at our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries. Included in this amount are capital expenditures to: (1) maintain and replace our current
transmission infrastructure including enhancing system integrity and reliability and accommodating load growth;
(2) upgrade physical and technological grid security; (3) promote the transformation of the generation fleet to
cleaner and more sustainable resources through required interconnections and transmission build-out; and (4)
develop and build regional transmission infrastructure.
Refer to “Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations —
Capital Investment and Operating Results Trends” for additional details about our long-term capital investments.
Refer to the discussion of risks associated with our strategic investment opportunities in “Item 1A Risk Factors.”
Operations
As transmission-only companies, our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries function as conduits, allowing for
power from generators to be transmitted to local distribution systems either entirely through our Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries’ own systems or in conjunction with neighboring transmission systems. Third parties
then transmit power through these local distribution systems to end-use consumers. The transmission of
electricity by our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries is a central function to the provision of electricity to
residential, commercial and industrial end-use consumers. The operations performed by our Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries fall into the following categories:
• asset planning;
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• engineering;
• asset protection and performance;
• cyber security operations center; and
• real time operations.
Asset Planning
The Asset Planning group uses detailed system models and load forecasts to develop our system expansion
capital plans. Expansion capital plans identify projects that address reliability issues and/or produce economic
savings for customers by eliminating constraints.
The Asset Planning group submits projects into the MISO and SPP planning processes. As the regional
planning authorities, MISO and SPP administer open and transparent processes through which the submitted
Asset Planning group plans are vetted. MISO and SPP produce transmission expansion plans, which include
projects to be constructed by their members, including our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries and ITC
Great Plains.
Engineering
The Engineering group is composed of the Design, Capital Projects and Asset Management teams. The
Engineering group works with outside contractors to perform various aspects of our design, construction and
maintenance, but retains internal technical experts who have experience with respect to the key elements of the
transmission system such as substations, lines, equipment and protective relaying systems.
Design — The Design team is responsible for the design of our transmission systems and setting the
standards for equipment used on our systems.
Capital Projects — The Capital Projects team is responsible for project and construction management for
capital projects, which includes the construction of new transmission infrastructure as well as asset renewal
projects.
Asset Management — The Asset Management team performs the following activities:
• manages our vegetation management program;
• provides engineering technical support to the field;
• specifies, maintains and troubleshoots the protection and controls system that is used to protect and
monitor our transmission infrastructure; and
• develops and tracks preventative maintenance to promote safe and reliable systems adhering to
mandatory requirements of the NERC and FERC.
By performing preventive maintenance on our assets, we can minimize the need for reactive maintenance,
resulting in improved reliability and cost savings for our customers. Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries
contract with ULCS, which is a division of Asplundh Tree Expert Co., to perform the majority of their
maintenance. The agreement with ULCS provides us with access to an experienced and scalable workforce
with knowledge of our system at an established rate.
Asset Protection and Performance
The Asset Protection and Performance group is responsible for safety, human performance, security, and
emergency preparedness and response. Given the inherent hazardous nature of the utilities industry, we
proactively work to ensure that all personnel are free to perform in a safe and secure environment. Our focus is
not to compromise the safety of our employees, contractors or the public in the course of providing the most
reliable electricity transmission services. We maintain a safety program that includes proactive measures rooted
in human performance tools to achieve that focus. Our emergency response plans ensure that we are prepared
for a crisis and can maintain continuity of our business and service during said crisis. We operate a security
command center from our headquarters facility in Michigan that monitors our most critical assets on a
continuous basis. The security command center also gathers intelligence and works with our government and
industry partners to prevent threats to our assets.
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Cyber Security Operations Center
The Cyber Security Operations Center is responsible for reducing the risk of cyber-attacks, data breaches,
and data theft by deploying advanced monitoring techniques, technical controls, and administrative policies. As
the threat landscape becomes increasingly sophisticated and expansive, we continue to educate our user
community and advance our protections against ongoing cyber threats.
Real Time Operations
System Operations — From our operations facilities in Michigan, transmission system operators
continuously monitor the performance of the transmission systems of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries,
using software and communication systems to perform analysis to plan for contingencies and maintain security
and reliability following any unplanned events on the system. Transmission system operators are also
responsible for the switching and protective tagging function, taking equipment in and out of service to ensure
capital construction projects and maintenance programs can be completed safely and reliably.
Local Balancing Authority Operator — Under the functional control of MISO, ITCTransmission and METC
operate their electric transmission systems as a combined LBA area, known as MECS. From our operations
facilities in Michigan, our employees perform the LBA functions as outlined in MISO’s Balancing Authority
Agreement. These functions include actual interchange data administration and verification as well as MECS
LBA area emergency procedure implementation and coordination. Besides ITCTransmission and METC, our
other Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are not responsible for LBA functions for their respective assets.
Operating Contracts
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries have various operating contracts, including numerous interconnection
agreements with generation and transmission providers that address terms and conditions of interconnection.
The following significant agreements exist at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries:
ITCTransmission
DTE Electric operates an electric distribution system that is interconnected with ITCTransmission’s
transmission system. A set of three operating contracts sets forth the terms and conditions related to DTE
Electric’s and ITCTransmission’s interconnected systems. These contracts include the following:
Master Operating Agreement. The MOA governs the primary day-to-day operational responsibilities of
ITCTransmission and DTE Electric. The MOA
that
ITCTransmission provides to DTE Electric and certain generation-based support services that DTE Electric is
required to provide to ITCTransmission.
identifies control area coordination services
Generator Interconnection and Operation Agreement. The GIOA established, re-established and
maintains the direct electricity interconnection of DTE Electric’s electricity generating assets with
ITCTransmission’s transmission system for the purpose of transmitting electric power from and to the
electricity generating facilities.
Coordination and Interconnection Agreement. The CIA outlines the rights, obligations and responsibilities
of ITCTransmission and DTE Electric regarding, among other things, the operation and interconnection of
DTE Electric’s distribution system and ITCTransmission’s transmission system, and the construction of new
facilities or modification of existing facilities. Additionally, the CIA allocates costs for operation of supervisory,
communications and metering equipment.
METC
Consumers Energy operates an electric distribution system that is interconnected with METC’s transmission
system. METC is a party to a number of operating contracts with Consumers Energy that govern the operations
and maintenance of its transmission system. These contracts include the following:
Amended and Restated Easement Agreement. Under the Easement Agreement, Consumers Energy
provides METC with an easement to the land on which a majority of METC’s transmission towers, poles,
lines and other transmission facilities used to transmit electricity for Consumers Energy and others are
located. METC pays Consumers Energy an annual rent for the easement and also pays for any rentals,
property taxes and other fees related to the property covered by the Easement Agreement.
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Amended and Restated Operating Agreement. Under the Operating Agreement, METC is responsible for
maintaining and operating its transmission system, providing Consumers Energy with information and
access to its transmission system and related books and records, administering and performing the duties of
control area operator (that is, the entity exercising operational control over the transmission system) and, if
requested by Consumers Energy, building connection facilities necessary to permit interaction with new
distribution facilities built by Consumers Energy.
Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale Agreement for Ancillary Services. Since METC does not
own any generating facilities, it must procure ancillary services from third party suppliers, such as
Consumers Energy. Currently, under the Ancillary Services Agreement, METC pays Consumers Energy for
providing certain generation-based services necessary to support the reliable operation of the bulk power
grid, such as voltage support and generation capability and capacity to balance loads and generation.
Amended and Restated Distribution-Transmission Interconnection Agreement. The DT Interconnection
Agreement provides for the interconnection of Consumers Energy’s distribution system with METC’s
transmission system and defines the continuing rights, responsibilities and obligations of the parties with
respect to the use of certain of their own and the other party’s properties, assets and facilities.
Amended and Restated Generator
Interconnection
Agreement specifies the terms and conditions under which Consumers Energy and METC maintain the
interconnection of Consumers Energy’s generation resources and METC’s transmission assets.
Interconnection Agreement. The Generator
ITC Midwest
IP&L operates an electric distribution system that interconnects with ITC Midwest’s transmission system. ITC
Midwest is a party to a number of operating contracts with IP&L that govern the operations and maintenance of
their respective systems. These contracts include the following:
Distribution-Transmission Interconnection Agreement. The DTIA governs the rights, responsibilities and
obligations of ITC Midwest and IP&L, with respect to the use of certain of their own and the other party’s
property, assets and facilities and the construction of new facilities or modification of existing facilities.
Large Generator Interconnection Agreement. ITC Midwest, IP&L and MISO entered into the LGIA in
order to establish, re-establish and maintain the direct electricity interconnection of IP&L’s electricity
generating assets with ITC Midwest’s transmission system for the purposes of transmitting electric power
from and to the electricity generating facilities.
Operations Services Agreement For 34.5 kV Transmission Facilities. ITC Midwest and IP&L entered into
the OSA under which IP&L performs certain operations functions for ITC Midwest’s 34.5 kV transmission
system. The OSA provides that when ITC Midwest upgrades 34.5 kV facilities to higher operating voltages it
may notify IP&L of the change and the OSA is no longer applicable to those facilities.
ITC Great Plains
Amended and Restated Maintenance Agreement. Mid-Kansas and ITC Great Plains have entered into
the Mid-Kansas Agreement pursuant to which Mid-Kansas has agreed to perform various field operations
and maintenance services related to certain ITC Great Plains assets.
ITC Interconnection
ITC Interconnection acquired certain transmission assets from a merchant generating company and placed a
345kV transmission line in service. As a result, ITC Interconnection is a TO in PJM and is subject to rate
regulation by the FERC. The revenues earned by ITC Interconnection are based on its facilities reimbursement
agreement with the merchant generating company.
Regulatory Environment
Many regulators and public policy makers support the need for further investment in the transmission grid.
The growth and changing mix of electricity generation, wholesale power sales and consumption combined with
historically inadequate transmission investment have resulted in significant transmission constraints across the
United States and increased stress on aging equipment. These problems will continue without increased
investment in transmission infrastructure. Transmission system investments can also increase system reliability
and reduce the frequency of power outages. Such investments can reduce transmission constraints and
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improve access to lower cost generation resources, resulting in a lower overall cost of delivered electricity for
end-use consumers. The DOE has established the Office of Electricity that focuses on working with reliability
experts from the power industry, state governments and their Canadian counterparts to improve grid reliability
and increase investment in the country’s electric infrastructure. In addition, the FERC has signaled its desire for
substantial new investment in the transmission sector by implementing various financial and other incentives.
The FERC has also issued orders to promote non-discriminatory transmission access for all transmission
customers. In the United States, electric transmission assets are predominantly owned, operated and
maintained by utilities that also own electricity generation and distribution assets, known as vertically integrated
utilities. The FERC has recognized that the vertically-integrated utility model inhibits the provision of non-
discriminatory transmission access and, in order to alleviate this potential discrimination, the FERC has
mandated that all transmission systems over which it has jurisdiction must be operated in a comparable, non-
discriminatory manner such that any seller of electricity affiliated with a TO or transmission operator is not
provided with preferential treatment. The FERC has also indicated that independent transmission companies
can play a prominent role in furthering its policy goals and has encouraged the legal and functional separation
of transmission operations from generation and distribution operations.
The FERC requires TOs to comply with certain reliability standards and may take enforcement actions for
violations, including the imposition of substantial fines. NERC is responsible for developing and enforcing these
mandatory reliability standards. We continually assess our transmission systems against standards established
by NERC, as well as the standards of applicable regional entities under NERC that have been delegated certain
authority for the purpose of proposing and enforcing reliability standards.
Finally, utility holding companies are subject to FERC regulations related to access to books and records in
addition to the requirement of the FERC to review and approve mergers and consolidations involving utility
assets and holding companies in certain circumstances.
Federal Regulation
As electric transmission companies, our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries charge rates that are regulated by
the FERC. The FERC is an independent regulatory commission within the DOE that regulates the interstate
transmission and certain wholesale sales of natural gas, the transmission of oil and oil products by pipeline and
the transmission and wholesale sales of electricity in interstate commerce. The FERC also administers
accounting and financial reporting regulations and standards of conduct for the companies it regulates. In order
to facilitate open access transmission for participants in wholesale power markets, FERC Order No. 888
encourages investor owned utilities to cede operational control over their transmission systems to ISOs, which
are not-for-profit entities.
As an alternative to ceding operating control of their transmission assets to ISOs, certain investor owned
utilities began to promote the formation of for-profit transmission companies, which would assume control of the
operation of the grid. FERC Order No. 2000 encourages utilities to voluntarily transfer operational control of
their transmission systems to RTOs. RTOs, as envisioned in Order No. 2000, would assume many of the
functions of an ISO, but the FERC permitted greater flexibility with regard to the organization and structure of
RTOs than it had for ISOs. RTOs could accommodate the inclusion of independently owned, for-profit
companies that own transmission assets within their operating structure. Independent ownership would facilitate
not only the independent operation of the transmission systems, but also the formation of companies with a
greater financial interest in maintaining and augmenting the capacity and reliability of those systems. RTOs,
such as MISO and SPP, monitor electric reliability and are responsible for coordinating the operation of the
wholesale electric transmission system and ensuring fair, non-discriminatory access to the transmission grid.
FERC Order No. 1000 amended certain existing transmission planning and cost allocation requirements to
ensure that FERC-jurisdictional services are provided at just and reasonable rates and on a basis that is just
and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential.
Revenue Requirement Calculations and Cost Sharing for Projects with Regional Benefits
The cost-based Formula Rates used by our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries include revenue requirement
calculations for various types of projects. Network revenues continue to be the largest component of revenues
recovered through our Formula Rates. However, regional cost sharing revenues have experienced long-term
growth as a result of projects that have been identified as having regional benefits and are therefore eligible for
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regional cost recovery. Separate calculations of revenue requirement are performed for projects that have been
approved for regional cost sharing.
We have projects that are eligible for regional cost sharing under the MISO tariff, such as certain network
upgrade projects, and the MVPs. Additionally, certain projects at ITC Great Plains are eligible for recovery
through a region-wide charge in the SPP tariff, including three regional cost sharing projects in Kansas.
State Regulation
The regulatory agencies in the states where our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ assets are located do not
have jurisdiction over our rates or terms and conditions of service. However, they typically have jurisdiction over
siting of transmission facilities and related matters as described below. Additionally, we are subject to the
regulatory oversight of various state environmental quality departments for compliance with any state
environmental standards and regulations.
ITCTransmission, METC and ITC Interconnection
Michigan
The Michigan Public Service Commission has jurisdiction over the siting of certain transmission facilities.
Additionally, ITCTransmission, METC and ITC Interconnection have the right as independent transmission
companies to condemn property in the state of Michigan for the purposes of building or maintaining
transmission facilities.
ITCTransmission, METC and ITC Interconnection are also subject to the regulatory oversight of the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and certain local
authorities for compliance with all environmental standards and regulations.
ITC Midwest
Iowa
The Iowa Utilities Board has the power of supervision over the construction, operation and maintenance of
transmission facilities in Iowa by any entity, which includes the power to issue franchises. Iowa law further
provides that any entity granted a franchise by the Iowa Utilities Board is vested with the power of
condemnation in Iowa to the extent the Iowa Utilities Board approves and deems necessary for public use. A
city has the power, pursuant to Iowa law, to grant a franchise to erect, maintain and operate transmission
facilities within the city, which franchise may regulate the conditions required and manner of use of the streets
and public grounds of the city and may confer the power to appropriate and condemn private property.
ITC Midwest also is subject to the regulatory oversight of certain state agencies (including the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources) and certain local authorities with respect to the issuance of environmental,
highway, railroad and similar permits.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over the construction, siting and routing of new
transmission lines or upgrades of existing lines through Minnesota’s Certificate of Need and Route Permit
Processes. Transmission companies are also required to participate in the state’s Biennial Transmission
Planning Process and are subject to the state’s preventative maintenance requirements. Pursuant to Minnesota
law, ITC Midwest has the right as an independent transmission company to condemn property in the state of
Minnesota for the purpose of building new transmission facilities.
ITC Midwest is also subject to the regulatory oversight of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in conjunction with the
Department of Commerce and certain local authorities for compliance with applicable environmental standards
and regulations.
Illinois
The Illinois Commerce Commission exercises jurisdiction over the siting of new transmission lines through its
requirements for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Right-Of-Way acquisition that apply to
construction of new or upgraded facilities.
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ITC Midwest is also subject to the regulatory oversight of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Pollution Control Board and certain local authorities for
compliance with all environmental standards and regulations.
Missouri
Because ITC Midwest is a “public utility” and an “electrical corporation” under Missouri law, the Missouri
Public Service Commission has jurisdiction to determine whether ITC Midwest may operate in such capacity.
The Missouri Public Service Commission also exercises jurisdiction with regard to other non-rate matters
affecting its sole Missouri asset such as transmission substation construction, general safety and the transfer of
the franchise or property.
ITC Midwest is also subject to the regulatory oversight of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for
compliance with all environmental standards and regulations relating to this transmission line.
Wisconsin
ITC Midwest is a “public utility” and independent TO in Wisconsin. The Public Service Commission of
Wisconsin granted ITC Midwest a certificate of authority to transact public utility business in the state. The
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin also recognized ITC Holdings as a public utility holding company
under Wisconsin statutes.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin exercises jurisdiction over the siting of new transmission lines
through the issuance of certificates of authority and certificates of public convenience and necessity. Upon
receipt of such certificates for a transmission project, ITC Midwest has condemnation authority as a foreign
transmission provider under Wisconsin law. ITC Midwest is also subject to the jurisdiction of certain local and
state agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, relating to environmental and road
permits.
ITC Great Plains
Kansas
ITC Great Plains is a “public utility” and an “electric utility” in Kansas pursuant to state statutes. The KCC
issued an order approving the issuance of a limited certificate of convenience to ITC Great Plains for the
purposes of building, owning and operating SPP transmission projects in Kansas. In addition to its certificate of
authority, the KCC has jurisdiction over the siting of electric transmission lines.
ITC Great Plains is also subject to the regulatory oversight of the Kansas Department of Health and
Environment for compliance with all environmental standards and regulations relating to the construction phase
of any transmission line.
Oklahoma
ITC Great Plains has approval from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to operate in Oklahoma,
pursuant to Oklahoma statutes as an electric public utility providing only transmission services. The Oklahoma
Corporation Commission does not exercise jurisdiction over the siting of any transmission lines.
ITC Great Plains is subject to the regulatory oversight of Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality for
compliance with environmental standards and regulations relating to construction of certain proposed
transmission lines.
Sources of Revenue
See “Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations —
Significant Components of Results of Operations — Revenues” for a discussion of our principal sources of
revenue.
Seasonality
The cost-based Formula Rates in effect for our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, as discussed in “Item 7
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Cost-Based
Formula Rates with True-Up Mechanism,” mitigate the seasonality of net income for our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries. Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries accrue or defer revenues to the extent that the actual
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revenue requirement for the reporting period is higher or lower, respectively, than the amounts billed relating to
that reporting period. For example, to the extent that amounts billed are less than our revenue requirement for a
reporting period, a revenue accrual is recorded for the difference and the difference results in no net income
impact.
Operating cash flows are seasonal at our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, in that cash received for
revenues is typically higher in the summer months when peak load is higher.
Principal Customers
Our principal transmission service customers are DTE Electric, Consumers Energy and IP&L, which
accounted for approximately 21.6%, 23.9% and 23.9%, respectively, of our consolidated billed revenues for the
year ended December 31, 2020. One or more of these customers together have consistently represented a
significant percentage of our operating revenue. These percentages of total billed revenues of DTE Electric,
Consumers Energy and IP&L include the collection of 2018 revenue accruals and deferrals and exclude any
amounts for the 2020 revenue accruals and deferrals that were included in our 2020 operating revenues, but
will not be billed to our customers until 2022. Refer to “Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Cost-Based Formula Rates with True-Up Mechanism” for a
discussion on the difference between billed revenues and operating revenues. Our remaining revenues were
generated from providing service to other entities such as alternative energy suppliers, power marketers and
other wholesale customers that provide electricity to end-use consumers and from transaction-based capacity
reservations. Nearly all of our revenues are from transmission customers in the United States. Although we may
recognize allocated revenues from time to time from Canadian entities reserving transmission over the Ontario
or Manitoba interface, these revenues have not been and are not expected to be material to us.
Billing
MISO and SPP are responsible for billing and collecting the majority of our transmission service revenues as
well as independently administering the transmission tariff in their respective service territory. As the billing
agents for our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries and ITC Great Plains, MISO and SPP independently bill
DTE Electric, Consumers Energy, IP&L and other customers on a monthly basis and collect fees for the use of
our transmission systems.
See “Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk — Credit Risk” for discussion of our
credit policies.
Competition
Each of our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries operates the primary transmission system in its
respective service area and has limited competition for certain projects. However, due to the implementation of
the FERC Order No. 1000, other entities with transmission development initiatives may compete with us by
seeking approval to be named the party authorized to build new capital projects that we are also pursuing. Our
subsidiaries may also compete with other entities on development opportunities for transmission investment in
locations outside of our existing service areas. See further discussion of Order No. 1000 above under
“Regulatory Environment — Federal Regulation.”
Human Capital Resources
ITC Holdings places significant emphasis on attracting, developing and retaining individuals who exemplify
the values that are the cornerstone of our company. As of December 31, 2020, we had 698 employees, with low
employee turnover and no significant change in the number of employees from the prior year. None of our
employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. In addition, we work with many outside firms to
provide additional resources to support our business. We utilize human capital resources employed by these
firms to assist with construction, maintenance, field operations and other corporate functions of our business.
We believe that we have good relationships with our suppliers of contracted services.
We believe that our compensation and benefit programs have been appropriately designed to attract and
retain talent. Compensation for employees is made up of a combination of base salary, short-term incentive and
long-term incentive pay structures. In addition, we offer a comprehensive package of additional benefits for all of
our employees and various professional development opportunities through internal and external programs.
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Safety is of the utmost importance for our employees, and we consider safety to be a key priority for our
company. Our safety policies, procedures and training practices have resulted in safety performance metrics
that consistently rank ITC Holdings in the top decile among comparable electric utilities.
We strive to provide an inclusive and diverse environment for all of our employees. We believe that by
recognizing and valuing our employees’ similarities, as well as their differences, we make our shared goals
possible. In addition to our internal commitments to inclusion and diversity, we are also implementing a supplier
diversity program. This effort will further diversify our supplier base through the recruitment and growth of
businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans.
Environmental Matters
See “Environmental Matters” in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements.
Available Information Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Our Internet address is http://www.itc-holdings.com. Visit our website to learn more about us. Financial and
other material information regarding us is routinely posted on our website and is readily accessible. All of our
reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including our annual reports on Form 10-K,
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, can be
accessed free of charge through our website. These reports are available as soon as practicable after they are
electronically filed with the SEC. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this report.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
Risks Related to Our Business
Certain elements of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ Formula Rates have been and can be
challenged, which could result in lowered rates and/or refunds of amounts previously collected and
thus may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows.
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries provide transmission service under rates regulated by the FERC. The
FERC has approved the cost-based Formula Rates used by our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to calculate
their respective annual revenue requirements, but it has not expressly approved the amount of actual capital
and operating expenditures to be used in the Formula Rates. All aspects of our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries’ rates approved by the FERC, including the Formula Rate templates, the rates of return on the
actual equity portion of their respective capital structures, ROE adders for independent transmission ownership,
the approved capital structures and other aspects of our rates, are subject to challenge by interested parties at
the FERC, or by the FERC on its own initiative in a proceeding under Section 206 of the FPA. In addition,
interested parties may challenge the annual implementation and calculation by our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries of their projected rates and Formula Rate true up pursuant to their approved Formula Rates under
the Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ Formula Rate implementation protocols. End-use consumers and entities
supplying electricity to end-use consumers may also attempt to influence government and/or regulators to
change the rate setting methodologies that apply to our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, particularly if rates
for delivered electricity increase substantially. If a challenger can establish that any of these aspects are unjust,
unreasonable, unduly discriminatory or preferential, then the FERC will make adjustments to them and/or
disallow any of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ inclusion of those aspects in the rate setting formula. This
could result in lowered rates and/or refunds of amounts collected, any of which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our actual capital investment may be lower than planned, which would cause a lower than anticipated
rate base and would therefore result in lower revenues, earnings and associated cash flows compared
to our current expectations. In addition, we may incur expenses related to the pursuit of strategic
investment opportunities, which may be higher than forecasted.
Each of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ rate base, revenues, earnings and associated cash flows are
determined in part by additions to property, plant and equipment and when those additions are placed in
service. If our operating subsidiaries’ capital investment and the resulting in-service property, plant and
equipment are lower than anticipated for any reason, our operating subsidiaries will have a lower than
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anticipated rate base, thus causing their revenue requirements and future earnings and cash flows to be lower
than anticipated.
Any capital investment at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries may be lower than our published estimates
due to, among other factors, the impact of:
•
•
•
•
actual or forecasted loads;
regional economic conditions;
weather conditions;
union strikes or labor shortages;
• material and equipment prices and availability;
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
variances between estimated and actual costs of construction contracts awarded;
our ability to obtain financing for such expenditures, if necessary;
limitations on the amount of construction that can be undertaken on our system or transmission
systems owned by others at any one time;
regulatory requirements relating to our rate construct, including our ability to recover costs;
the potential for greater competition;
environmental, siting or regional planning issues; and
legal proceedings.
Our ability to engage in construction projects resulting from pursuing these initiatives is subject to significant
uncertainties, including the factors discussed above, and will depend on obtaining any necessary regulatory and
other approvals for the project and for us to initiate construction, our achieving status as the builder of the
project in some circumstances and other factors. In addition, projects may be canceled, the scope of planned
projects may change, or projects may not be completed on time, any of which may adversely affect our level of
investment or cause our projected investments to be inaccurate.
In addition, we may incur expenses to pursue strategic investment opportunities. If these payments or
expenses are higher than anticipated, our future results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could
be materially and adversely affected.
The regulations to which we are subject may limit our ability to raise capital and/or pursue
acquisitions, development opportunities or other transactions or may subject us to liabilities.
Each of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries is a “public utility” under the FPA and, accordingly, is subject
to regulation by the FERC. Approval of the FERC is required under Section 203 of the FPA for a disposition or
acquisition of regulated public utility facilities, either directly or indirectly through a holding company. Such
approval is also required to acquire a significant interest in securities of a public utility. Section 203 of the FPA
also provides the FERC with explicit authority over utility holding companies’ purchases or acquisitions of, and
mergers or consolidations with, a public utility. Finally, each of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries must also
seek approval by the FERC under Section 204 of the FPA for issuances of its securities (including debt
securities). If we are unable to obtain the necessary FERC approvals for potential acquisitions, dispositions or
merger activities, or to raise capital, our strategic and growth opportunities may be limited. This could have an
adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
We are also pursuing development projects for construction of transmission facilities and interconnections
with generating resources. These projects may require regulatory approval by Federal agencies, including the
FERC, applicable RTOs and state and local regulatory agencies. Failure to secure such regulatory approval for
new strategic development projects could adversely affect our ability to grow our business and increase our
revenues. If we fail to obtain these approvals when necessary, we may incur liabilities for such failure.
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Changes in energy laws, regulations or policies could impact our business, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows.
Each of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries is regulated by the FERC as a “public utility” under the FPA
and is a TO in MISO, SPP or PJM. We cannot predict whether the approved rate methodologies for any of our
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries will be changed. In addition, the U.S. Congress periodically considers
enacting energy legislation that could assign new responsibilities to the FERC, modify provisions of the FPA or
provide the FERC or another entity with increased authority to regulate transmission matters. Our Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries may be affected by any such changes in federal energy laws, regulations or policies in
the future. While our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are subject to the FERC’s exclusive jurisdiction for
purposes of rate regulation, changes in state laws affecting other matters, such as transmission siting and
construction, could limit investment opportunities available to us.
The widespread outbreak of an illness or other communicable disease, including the COVID-19
pandemic, or any other public health crisis, could have a material adverse impact on our business,
results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and credit metrics.
We could be negatively impacted by the widespread outbreak of an illness or any other communicable
diseases, or any other public health crisis that results in economic and trade disruptions, including the disruption
of global supply chains. COVID-19 is currently impacting the global economy, supply chains and markets. As a
result of efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, such as through various “stay in place” orders issued by states
served by our transmission systems, many of the businesses that use our transmission systems, including
those with large manufacturing operations, have and may continue to experience operating restrictions or
temporarily shut down operations. The impact of efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 on our business, results
of operations and financial condition is uncertain and will ultimately depend on the duration and severity of the
pandemic, the length that the various business restrictions are in effect, the impact of recent resurgences of
COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States, and the efficacy and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
We cannot predict whether, and the extent to which, COVID-19 will have a material impact on our liquidity,
financial condition, and results of operations. We require access to the capital markets to fund capital
investments. To the extent that our access to the capital markets is adversely affected by COVID-19, we may
need to consider alternative sources of funding for our operations and for working capital, any of which may not
be available and may increase our cost of capital. The extent to which COVID-19 may impact our liquidity,
financial condition, and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and
cannot be predicted; an extended period of global supply chain and economic disruption could materially impact
our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and credit metrics.
Each of our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries depends on its primary customer for a
substantial portion of its revenues, and any material failure by those primary customers to make
payments for transmission services could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Each of ITCTransmission, METC and ITC Midwest derive a substantial portion of their revenues from the
transmission of electricity to the local distribution facilities of DTE Electric, Consumers Energy and IP&L,
respectively. Each of these customers is expected to constitute the majority of the revenues of the respective
MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiary for the foreseeable future. Any material failure by DTE Electric,
Consumers Energy or IP&L to make payments for transmission services could have an adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
A significant amount of the land on which our assets are located is subject to easements, mineral
rights and other similar encumbrances. As a result, we must comply with the provisions of various
easements, mineral rights and other similar encumbrances, which may adversely impact our ability to
complete construction projects in a timely manner.
METC does not own the majority of the land on which its electric transmission assets are located. Instead,
under the provisions of the Easement Agreement, METC pays an annual rent to Consumers Energy in
exchange for rights-of-way, leases, fee interests and licenses which allow METC to use the land on which its
transmission lines are located. Under the terms of the Easement Agreement, METC’s easement rights could be
eliminated if METC fails to meet certain requirements, such as paying contractual rent to Consumers Energy in
a timely manner. Additionally, a significant amount of the land on which our other subsidiaries’ assets are
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located is subject to easements, mineral rights and other similar encumbrances. As a result, they must comply
with the provisions of various easements, mineral rights and other similar encumbrances, which may adversely
impact their ability to complete their construction projects in a timely manner.
We contract with third parties to provide services for certain aspects of our business. If any of these
agreements are terminated, we may face a shortage of labor or replacement contractors to provide the
services formerly provided by these third parties.
We enter into various agreements and arrangements with third parties to provide services for construction,
maintenance and operations of certain aspects of our business, and we utilize the services of contractors to a
significant extent. If any of these agreements or arrangements is terminated for any reason, it could result in a
shortage of a readily available workforce to provide such services and we may face difficulty finding a qualified
replacement workforce. In such a situation, if we are unable to find adequate replacements for contractors in a
timely manner, it could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and the ability to carry on our
business.
Hazards associated with high-voltage electricity transmission may result in suspension of our
operations, costly litigation or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.
Our operations are subject to the usual hazards associated with high-voltage electricity transmission,
including explosions, fires, mechanical failure, unscheduled downtime, equipment interruptions, remediation,
chemical spills, discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous substances or gases and other environmental
risks. These hazards can cause personal injury and loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and
equipment and environmental damage, and may result in suspension of operations, litigation by aggrieved
parties and the imposition of civil or criminal penalties which may have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations. We maintain property and casualty insurance, but we are
not fully insured against all potential hazards incident to our business, such as damage to poles, towers and
lines or losses caused by outages.
We are subject to environmental regulations and to laws that can give rise to substantial liabilities
from environmental contamination.
We are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, which impose limitations on
the discharge of pollutants into the environment, establish standards for the management, treatment, storage,
transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and hazardous materials, and impose obligations to
investigate and remediate contamination in certain circumstances. Liabilities relating to investigation and
remediation of contamination, as well as other liabilities concerning hazardous materials or contamination such
as claims for personal injury or property damage, may arise at many locations, including formerly owned or
operated properties and sites where wastes have been treated or disposed of, as well as properties we
currently own or operate. Such liabilities may arise even where the contamination does not result from
noncompliance with applicable environmental laws. Under a number of environmental laws, such liabilities may
also be joint and several, meaning that a party can be held responsible for more than its share of the liability
involved, or even the entire share.
We have incurred expenses in connection with environmental compliance, and we anticipate that we will
continue to do so in the future. Failure to comply with the extensive environmental laws and regulations
applicable to us could result in significant civil or criminal penalties and remediation costs. Our assets and
operations also involve the use of materials classified as hazardous, toxic or otherwise dangerous. Some of our
facilities and properties are located near environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands and habitats of
endangered or threatened species. In addition, certain properties in which we operate are, or are suspected of
being, affected by environmental contamination. Compliance with these laws and regulations, and liabilities
concerning contamination or hazardous materials, may adversely affect our costs and, therefore, our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
If amounts billed for transmission service for our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ transmission
systems are lower than expected, or our actual revenue requirements are higher than expected, the
timing of actual collection of our total revenues would be delayed.
If amounts billed for transmission service are lower than expected, the timing of actual collections of our
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ total revenue requirement would likely be delayed until such circumstances
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are adjusted through the true-up mechanism, which would be settled within a two-year period, in our Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries’ Formula Rates. Lower than expected amounts collected could result from lower network
load or point-to-point transmission service on our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ transmission systems due
to a weak economy, changes in the nature or composition of the transmission assets of our Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries and surrounding areas, poor transmission quality of neighboring transmission systems,
or for any other reason. In addition, if the revenue requirements of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are
higher than expected, the timing of actual collection of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries' total revenue
requirements would likely be delayed until such circumstances are reflected through the true-up mechanism,
which would be settled within a two-year period, in our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries' Formula Rates. This
could be due to higher actual expenditures compared to the forecasted expenditures used to develop their
billing rates or for any other reason. The effect of such under-collection would be to reduce the amount of our
available cash resources from what we had expected, until such under-collection is corrected through the true-
up mechanism in the Formula Rate template, which may require us to increase our outstanding indebtedness,
thereby reducing our available borrowing capacity, and may require us to pay interest at a rate that exceeds the
interest to which we are entitled in connection with the operation of the true-up mechanism.
We are subject to various regulatory requirements, including reliability standards; contract filing
requirements; reporting, recordkeeping and accounting requirements; and transaction approval
requirements. Violations of these requirements, whether intentional or unintentional, may result in
penalties that, under some circumstances, could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The various regulatory requirements to which we are subject include reliability standards established by the
NERC, which acts as the nation’s Electric Reliability Organization approved by the FERC in accordance with
Section 215 of the FPA. These standards address operation, planning and security of the bulk power system,
including requirements with respect to real-time transmission operations, emergency operations, vegetation
management, critical infrastructure protection and personnel training. Failure to comply with these requirements
can result in monetary penalties as well as non-monetary sanctions. Monetary penalties vary based on an
assigned risk factor for each potential violation, the severity of the violation and various other circumstances,
such as whether the violation was intentional or concealed, whether there are repeated violations, the degree of
the violator’s cooperation in investigating and remediating the violation and the presence of a compliance
program, and such penalties can be substantial. Non-monetary sanctions include potential limitations on the
violator’s activities or operation and placing the violator on a watchlist for major violators. If any of our
subsidiaries violate the NERC reliability standards, even unintentionally, in any material way, any penalties or
sanctions imposed against us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results
of operations and cash flows.
Certain of our subsidiaries are also subject to requirements under Sections 203 and 205 of the FPA for
approval of transactions; reporting, recordkeeping and accounting requirements; and for filing contracts related
to the provision of jurisdictional services. Under the FERC policy, failure to file jurisdictional agreements on a
timely basis may result in foregoing the time value of revenues collected under the agreement, but not to the
point where a loss would be incurred. The failure to obtain timely approval of transactions subject to FPA
Section 203, or to comply with applicable reporting, recordkeeping or accounting requirements under FPA
Section 205, could subject us to penalties that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows.
Acts of war, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, severe weather and other catastrophic events may
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows.
Acts of war, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, severe weather and other catastrophic events may negatively
affect our business, financial condition and cash flows in unpredictable ways, such as increased security
measures and disruptions of markets. Energy related assets, including, for example, our transmission facilities
and DTE Electric’s, Consumers Energy’s and IP&L’s generation and distribution facilities that we interconnect
with, may be at risk of acts of war and terrorist attacks, as well as natural disasters, severe weather and other
catastrophic events. Such events or threats may have a material effect on the economy in general and could
result in a decline in energy consumption, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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A cyber-attack or incident could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows.
Various U.S. Government agencies have noted that external threat sources continue to seek to exploit,
through cyber attacks, potential vulnerabilities in the U.S. energy infrastructure including electric transmission
assets. These cyber threats and attacks are becoming more sophisticated and dynamic. Cyber security
incidents could harm our business by limiting our transmission capabilities, delay our development and
construction of new facilities or capital improvement projects on existing facilities or expose us to liability. Cyber
attacks targeting our information systems could also impair our records, networks, systems and programs, or
transmit viruses to other systems. Such events or the threat of such events may increase costs associated with
heightened security requirements. In addition, if our major customers or suppliers experience a cyber attack it
may reduce their ability to use our transmission facilities or service our transmission assets. If our business or
those of our customers and suppliers are subject to a cyber attack, it may have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Changes in tax laws or regulations may negatively affect our results of operations, net income,
financial condition, cash flows and credit metrics.
We are subject to taxation by various taxing authorities at the federal, state and local levels. Various
representatives of the government, corporations, industry groups and the public continue to pursue changes to
tax laws and regulations, and corporate tax reform continues to be a priority in many jurisdictions. Due to unique
aspects of the treatment of taxes for regulated utilities, the impacts of changes in tax laws for us and our
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries may differ from the impacts to other corporations generally. Changes in
federal, state or local tax rates or other aspects of tax laws could materially and adversely affect our results of
operations, net income, financial condition, cash flows, and credit metrics.
Advances in technology may negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows.
Research and development efforts continue to seek improvements to existing or new alternative
technologies to produce, store and distribute power, including fuel cells, microturbines, distributed generation
and battery storage. It is possible that adoption of such alternative technologies could be significant enough to
cause a reduction in the demand for electricity from the traditional bulk electric system or could make portions of
our transmission systems obsolete before the end of their useful lives. Such advances in alternative
technologies could decrease the need for capital investments in our transmission systems over time or increase
cost, and as a result could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows.
Risks Relating to Our Corporate and Financial Structure
ITC Holdings is a holding company with no operations, and unless we receive dividends or other
payments from our subsidiaries, we may be unable to fulfill our cash obligations.
As a holding company with no business operations, ITC Holdings’ material assets consist primarily of the
stock and membership interests in our subsidiaries. Our only sources of cash to meet our obligations are
dividends and other payments received by us from time to time from our subsidiaries, the proceeds raised from
the sale of our securities and borrowings under our various credit agreements. Each of our subsidiaries,
however, is legally distinct from us and has no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to make funds available to
us. The ability of each of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries and our other subsidiaries to pay dividends and
make other payments to us is subject to, among other things, the availability of funds, after taking into account
capital expenditure requirements, the terms of its indebtedness, applicable state laws and regulations of the
FERC and the FPA. Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries target a FERC-approved capital structure of 60%
equity and 40% debt that may limit the ability of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to use net assets for the
payment of dividends to ITC Holdings. In addition, ITC Holdings’ right to receive any assets of any subsidiary,
and therefore the right of its creditors to participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to the claims
of that subsidiary’s creditors. If ITC Holdings does not receive cash or other assets from our subsidiaries, it may
be unable to pay principal and interest on its indebtedness.
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We have a considerable amount of debt and our reliance on debt financing may limit our ability to
fulfill our debt obligations and/or to obtain additional financing.
We have a considerable amount of debt and our consolidated indebtedness includes various debt securities
and borrowings, which utilize indentures, revolving and term loan credit agreements and commercial paper that
we rely on as sources of capital and liquidity. Our capital structure can have several important consequences,
including, but not limited to, the following:
• If future cash flows are insufficient, we may not be able to make principal or interest payments on our debt
obligations, which could result in the occurrence of an event of default under one or more of those debt
instruments.
• We may need to increase our indebtedness in order to make the capital expenditures and other expenses
or investments planned by us.
• Our indebtedness has the general effect of reducing our flexibility to react to changing business and
economic conditions insofar as they affect our financial condition. A substantial portion of the dividends
and payments in lieu of taxes we receive from our subsidiaries will be dedicated to the payment of interest
on our indebtedness, thereby, reducing our available cash.
• In the event that we are liquidated, the creditors of our subsidiaries will be entitled to payment in full of the
subsidiaries’ indebtedness prior to making any payments to ITC Holdings for the payment of its
indebtedness.
• We currently have debt instruments outstanding with short-term maturities or relatively short remaining
maturities. Our ability to secure additional financing prior to or after these facilities mature, if needed, may
be substantially restricted by the existing level of our indebtedness and the restrictions contained in our
debt instruments. Additionally, the interest rates at which we might secure additional financings may be
higher than our currently outstanding debt instruments or higher than forecasted at any point in time,
which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
• Market conditions could affect our access to capital markets, restrict our ability to secure financing to
make the capital expenditures and investments and pay other expenses planned by us which could
adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
We may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. The incurrence of additional indebtedness
would increase the leverage-related risks described above.
Adverse changes in our credit ratings may negatively affect us.
Our ability to access capital markets is important to our ability to operate our business. Increased scrutiny of
the energy industry and the impact of regulation, as well as changes in our financial performance and
unfavorable conditions in the capital markets could result in credit agencies reexamining and downgrading our
credit ratings. In addition, because we are a subsidiary of Fortis, a downgrade in Fortis’ credit rating could cause
our credit rating to be downgraded as well, even if our creditworthiness has not otherwise deteriorated. A
downgrade in our credit ratings could restrict or discontinue our ability to access capital markets at attractive
rates and increase our borrowing costs. A rating downgrade could also increase the interest we pay on
commercial paper and under our revolving and term loan credit agreements.
Certain provisions in our debt instruments limit our financial and operating flexibility.
Our debt instruments on a consolidated basis, including senior notes, secured notes, first mortgage bonds,
revolving and term loan credit agreements and commercial paper, contain numerous financial and operating
covenants that place significant restrictions on, among other things, our ability to:
• incur additional indebtedness;
• engage in sale and lease-back transactions;
• create liens or other encumbrances;
• enter into mergers, consolidations, liquidations or dissolutions, or sell or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of our assets;
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• create and acquire subsidiaries; and
• pay dividends or make distributions on our stock or on the stock or member capital of our subsidiaries.
In addition, the covenants require us to meet certain financial ratios, such as maintaining certain debt to
capitalization ratios and certain funds from operations to debt levels. Our ability to comply with these and other
requirements and restrictions may be affected by changes in economic or business conditions, results of
operations or other events beyond our control. A failure to comply with the obligations contained in any of our
debt instruments could result in acceleration of related debt and the acceleration of debt under other
instruments evidencing indebtedness that may contain cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES.
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ transmission facilities are located in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota,
Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. Our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries and ITC Great Plains
have agreements with other utilities for the joint ownership of specific substations, transmission lines and other
transmission assets. See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for more information on the jointly
owned assets.
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries own the assets of transmission systems and related assets, including:
• approximately 16,000 circuit miles of overhead and underground transmission lines rated at voltages of
34.5 kV to 345 kV, along with related transmission towers and poles;
• station assets, such as transformers and circuit breakers, at approximately 673 stations and substations
which either interconnect our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ transmission facilities or connect our
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ facilities with generation or distribution facilities owned by others;
• other transmission equipment necessary to safely operate the system (e.g., monitoring and metering
equipment);
• warehouses and related equipment; and
• associated land held in fee, rights-of-way and easements.
ITCTransmission owns a corporate headquarters facility and operations control room in Novi, Michigan and a
facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan that includes a back-up operations control room, along with associated furniture,
fixtures and office equipment for these facilities.
METC does not own the majority of the land on which its assets are located, but under the provisions of the
Easement Agreement, METC has an easement to use the land, rights-of-way, leases and licenses in the land
on which its transmission lines are located that are held or controlled by Consumers Energy. See “Item 1
Business - Operating Contracts - METC - Amended and Restated Easement Agreement.”
Certain of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries have issued First Mortgage Bonds and Senior Secured
Notes. Under the terms of these instruments, the respective bondholders and noteholders have the benefit of a
first mortgage lien on substantially all of the assets of the corresponding debt issuer. Refer to Note 10 to the
consolidated financial statements for more information on the outstanding debt of our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2020, there were no liens or encumbrances on the assets of ITC
Interconnection.
The assets of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are suitable for electric transmission and adequate for
the electricity demand in our service territory. We prioritize capital spending based in part on meeting reliability
standards within the industry. This includes replacing and upgrading existing assets as needed.
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
We are involved in certain legal proceedings before various courts, governmental agencies and mediation
panels concerning matters arising in the ordinary course of business. These proceedings include certain
contract disputes, regulatory matters and pending judicial matters. We cannot predict the final disposition of
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such proceedings. We regularly review legal matters and record provisions for claims that are considered
probable of loss.
Refer to Notes 6 and 18 to the consolidated financial statements for a description of certain pending legal
proceedings, which description is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
ITC Holdings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Investment Holdings and ITC Holdings’ common stock is
not publicly traded.
ITC Holdings paid dividends of $330 million and $250 million to our parent, ITC Investment Holdings, during
the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. ITC Holdings also paid dividends of $58 million to
ITC Investment Holdings in January 2021. The timing and amount of future dividends is subject to an approved
dividend declaration from our Board of Directors, and is dependent upon cash flows, capital requirements,
legislative and regulatory developments, and financial condition of ITC Holdings, among other factors deemed
relevant.
ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
Information required by Item 6 of Form 10-K is omitted pursuant to the SEC’s adoption of amendments to
Regulation S-K effective February 10, 2021.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS.
Safe Harbor Statement Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Our reports, filings and other public announcements contain certain statements that describe our
management’s beliefs concerning future business conditions, plans and prospects, growth opportunities, the
outlook for our business and the electric transmission industry, and expectations with respect to various legal
and regulatory proceedings based upon information currently available. Such statements are “forward-looking”
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Wherever possible, we
have identified these forward-looking statements by words such as “will,” “may,” “anticipates,” “believes,”
“intends,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasted,” “projects,” “likely” and similar phrases. These forward-looking
statements are based upon assumptions our management believes are reasonable. Such forward-looking
statements are based on estimates and assumptions and subject to significant risks and uncertainties which
could cause our actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or
implied by, these statements, including, among others, the risks and uncertainties listed in this report under
“Item 1A Risk Factors” and in our other reports filed with the SEC from time to time.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and can be affected by assumptions we might
make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors mentioned in our discussion in this report
will be important in determining future results. Consequently, we cannot assure you that our expectations or
forecasts expressed in such forward-looking statements will be achieved. Except as required by law, we
undertake no obligation to publicly update any of our forward-looking or other statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
Statement on Prior Period Comparisons
This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses the financial condition, changes in financial condition and
results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and provides year-to-year comparisons
between the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Discussions of such information for the year ended
December 31, 2018 and year-to-year comparisons between the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 that
are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
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Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.
Overview
ITC Holdings and its subsidiaries are engaged in the transmission of electricity in the United States. ITC
Holdings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Investment Holdings. Through our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries, we own and operate high-voltage electric transmission systems in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula
and portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma that transmit electricity from
generating stations to local distribution facilities connected to our transmission systems.
ITC Holdings provides safe and reliable electric transmission service to connect consumers to cleaner and
more cost-effective energy resources. ITC Holdings is leading the way in making investments in a modernized
grid to maintain reliability and accommodate future demands as our economy and lifestyles become
increasingly dependent on electricity. We are actively involved in planning an integrated energy network to
serve our customers, communities and the greater grid.
Our business strategy is focused on owning, operating, maintaining and investing in transmission
infrastructure and grid solutions in order to enhance system reliability, protect critical infrastructure, reduce
transmission constraints, interconnect new renewable generation resources, expand access to electricity
markets and lower the overall cost of delivered energy.
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries earn revenues for the use of their electric transmission systems by
their customers, which include investor-owned utilities, municipalities, cooperatives, power marketers and
alternative energy suppliers. As independent transmission companies, our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries
are subject to rate regulation only by the FERC, and our cost-based rates are discussed below under “— Cost-
Based Formula Rates with True-Up Mechanism” as well as in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ primary operating responsibilities include maintaining, improving and
expanding their transmission systems to meet their customers’ ongoing needs, scheduling outages on system
elements to allow for maintenance and construction, maintaining appropriate system voltages and monitoring
flows over transmission lines and other facilities to ensure physical limits are not exceeded.
Significant recent matters that influenced our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the
year ended December 31, 2020 or that may affect future results include:
• The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that led to efforts to control the spread of the virus, which have
resulted in impacts to businesses and facilities in various industries around the world, such as operating
restrictions and closures, and disruptions to the global economy and supply chains;
• Our capital expenditures of $885 million at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries during the year ended
December 31, 2020, as described below under “— Capital Investment and Operating Results Trends”
resulted primarily from our focus on improving system reliability, increasing system capacity and
upgrading the transmission network to support new generating resources, which included electric
transmission asset acquisitions from Consumers Energy of $58 million, of which $29 million was an
acquisition premium that was excluded from rate base;
• Debt issuances, other borrowings and repayments as described in Note 10 to the consolidated financial
statements to fund capital investment at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries as well as for general
corporate purposes;
• Issuance of the May 2020 Order related to the MISO ROE Complaints, as described in Note 18 to the
consolidated financial statements, which reaffirmed the decision in the November 2019 Order to dismiss
the Second Complaint and the revised methodology outlined in the November 2019 Order for determining
the base ROE for the period of the Initial Complaint and the period subsequent to the September 2016
Order; and
• Issuance of a NOPR by the FERC on March 20, 2020 that included a proposal to update the transmission
incentives policy, among other things, to grant incentives to transmission projects based upon benefits to
customers ensuring reliability and reducing the cost of delivered power by reducing transmission
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congestion, to eliminate the ROE adder for independent transmission ownership, and to increase the
ROE adder for RTO participation.
These items are discussed in more detail throughout “Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Cost-Based Formula Rates with True-Up Mechanism
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries calculate their revenue requirements using cost-based Formula Rates
that are effective without the need to file rate cases with the FERC, although the rates are subject to legal
challenge at the FERC. Under their cost-based formula, each of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries
separately calculates a revenue requirement based on financial information specific to each company. The
calculation of projected revenue requirement for a future period is used to establish the transmission rate used
for billing purposes. The calculation of actual revenue requirements for a historic period is used to calculate the
amount of revenues recognized in that period and determine the over- or under-collection for that period.
Under these Formula Rates, our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries recover expenses and earn an
authorized return on and recover investments in property, plant and equipment on a current basis. The Formula
Rates for a given year reflect forecasted expenses, property, plant and equipment, point-to-point revenues,
network load at our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries and other items for the upcoming calendar year to
establish projected revenue requirements for each of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries that are used as the
basis for billing for service on their systems from January 1 to December 31 of that year. Our Formula Rates
include a true-up mechanism, whereby our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries compare their actual revenue
requirements to their billed revenues for each year to determine any over- or under-collection of revenue. The
over- or under-collection typically results from differences between the projected revenue requirement used as
the basis for billing and actual revenue requirement at each of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, or from
differences between actual and projected monthly network peak loads at our MISO Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries. In the event billed revenues in a given year are more or less than actual revenue requirements,
which are calculated primarily using information from that year’s FERC Form No. 1, our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries will refund or collect additional revenues, with interest, within a two-year period such that
customers pay only the amounts that correspond to actual revenue requirements for that given period. This
annual true-up ensures that our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries recover their allowed costs and earn their
authorized returns.
See “Cost-Based Formula Rates with True-Up Mechanism” in Note 6 to the consolidated financial
statements for further discussion of our Formula Rates and see “Rate of Return on Equity Complaints” in Note
18 to the consolidated financial statements for detail on ROE matters.
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Illustrative Example of Formula Rate Setting
The Formula Rate setting example shown below is for illustrative purposes only and is not based on our
actual financial data.
Line
1 Rate base (a)
Item
Instructions
2 Multiply by 13-month weighted average cost of capital (b)
3
Authorized return on rate base
(Line 1 x Line 2)
4 Recoverable operating expenses (including depreciation and
amortization)
5
Income taxes (c)
6 Gross revenue requirement
____________________________
(Line 3 + Line 4 + Line 5)
Amount
1,000,000
8.46 %
84,600
150,000
37,500
272,100
$
$
$
$
(a) Consists primarily of in-service property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation.
(b) The weighted average cost of capital for purposes of this illustration is calculated below. The cost of capital
for debt is included at a flat interest rate for purposes of this illustration and is not based on our actual cost
of capital. The cost of capital rate for equity represents the current maximum allowed MISO ROE per the
May 2020 Order on the Initial Complaint. See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for detail on
ROE matters.
Debt
Equity
Percentage of
Total Capitalization
40.00%
60.00%
100.00%
Cost of Capital
5.00% =
10.77% =
Weighted
Average
Cost of
Capital
2.00 %
6.46 %
8.46 %
(c) Represents an approximation of the federal and state income tax expense for purposes of this illustration
and is not based on our actual tax expense.
Revenue Accruals and Deferrals — Effects of Monthly Peak Loads
For our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, monthly network peak loads are used for billing network
revenues, which currently is the largest component of our operating revenues. One of the primary factors that
impacts the revenue accruals and deferrals at our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries is actual monthly
network peak loads experienced as compared to those forecasted in establishing the annual network
transmission rate. Under their cost-based Formula Rates that contain a true-up mechanism, our MISO
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries accrue or defer revenues to the extent that their actual revenue requirement
for the reporting period is higher or lower, respectively, than the amounts billed relating to that reporting period.
Although monthly network peak loads do not impact operating revenues recognized, network load affects the
timing of our cash flows from transmission service. The monthly network peak load of our MISO Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries is generally impacted by weather and economic conditions and seasonally shaped with
higher load in the summer months when cooling demand is higher.
ITC Great Plains does not receive revenue based on a peak load or a dollar amount per kW each month.
Therefore, peak load does not have a seasonal effect on operating cash flows. The SPP tariff applicable to ITC
Great Plains is billed ratably each month based on its annual projected revenue requirement posted annually by
SPP.
Capital Investment and Operating Results Trends
We expect a long-term upward trend in rate base resulting from our anticipated capital investment, in excess
of depreciation and any acquisition premiums, from our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ long-term capital
investment programs to improve reliability, increase system capacity and upgrade the transmission network to
support new generating resources. Investments in property, plant and equipment, when placed in-service upon
completion of a capital project, are added to the rate base of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries. While we
expect increases in rate base to result in a corresponding long-term upward trend in revenues and earnings, our
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revenues and earnings are also impacted by changes in our ROE or required refunds resulting from the
resolution of the incentive adders complaints and MISO ROE Complaints, as described in Note 6 and Note 18
to the consolidated financial statements, or other future increases or decreases to our rates for incentive adders
and base ROE.
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries strive for high reliability of their systems and improvement in system
accessibility for all generation resources. The FERC requires compliance with certain reliability standards and
may take enforcement actions against violators, including the imposition of substantial fines. NERC is
responsible for developing and enforcing these mandatory reliability standards. We continually assess our
transmission systems against standards established by NERC, as well as the standards of applicable regional
entities under NERC that have been delegated certain authority for the purpose of proposing and enforcing
reliability standards. We believe that we meet the applicable standards in all material respects, although further
investment in our transmission systems and an increase in maintenance activities will likely be needed to
maintain compliance, improve reliability and address any new standards that may be promulgated.
We also assess our transmission systems against our own planning criteria that are filed annually with the
FERC. Based on our planning studies, we see needs to make capital investments to: (1) maintain and replace
our current transmission infrastructure including enhancing system integrity and reliability and accommodating
load growth; (2) upgrade physical and technological grid security; (3) promote the transformation of the
generation fleet to cleaner and more sustainable resources through required interconnections and transmission
build-out; and (4) develop and build regional transmission infrastructure. We do not currently expect any
material decrease in planned capital expenditures due to COVID-19; however, we continue to evaluate potential
impacts of COVID-19 on our forecasted capital expenditures. Depending on the length and severity of future
impacts of COVID-19, certain planned capital expenditures may be shifted to later years of the forecast. The
following table shows our actual and expected capital expenditures at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries:
Actual Capital
Forecasted
Expenditures for the
Capital
year ended
Expenditures
(In millions of USD)
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment (a)
____________________________
December 31, 2020
$
885 $
2021 — 2025
3,864
(a) Amounts represent the cash payments to acquire or construct property, plant and equipment, as presented
in the consolidated statements of cash flows. These amounts exclude non-cash additions to property, plant
and equipment for the AFUDC equity as well as accrued liabilities for construction, labor and materials that
have not yet been paid.
Our long-term growth plan includes ongoing investments in our current regulated transmission systems and
the identification of incremental strategic projects primarily located in and around our service territories. Refer to
“Item 1 Business — Development of Business” for additional information.
Investments in property, plant and equipment could be lower than expected due to a variety of factors, as
discussed in “Item 1A Risk Factors”. In addition, investments in transmission network upgrades for generator
interconnection projects could change from prior estimates significantly due to changes in the MISO queue for
generation projects and other factors beyond our control.
Recent Developments
COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Efforts to control the
outbreak of COVID-19 have resulted in impacts to businesses and facilities in various industries around the
world, such as operating restrictions and closures, and disruptions to the global economy and supply chains.
The COVID-19 pandemic has and will continue to impact our customers throughout our operating footprint. To
date, COVID-19 has not had a material impact on our net income. However, we have implemented various
temporary cost saving measures related to operating expenses, including operation and maintenance expenses
and general and administrative expenses, in an attempt to reduce costs that are collected from customers
through our Formula Rates.
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The total impact on our operations from COVID-19 is unknown at this time and will ultimately depend on the
duration and severity of the pandemic, the length that the various business restrictions are in effect, the impact
of recent resurgences of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States, and the efficacy and distribution of
COVID-19 vaccines. We are continuing to monitor developments involving our workforce, customers and
suppliers and cannot predict whether COVID-19 will have a material impact on our consolidated results of
operations, cash flows or financial condition. We are also monitoring the evolving situation and guidance from
federal, state and local public health authorities. We are taking steps to mitigate the potential risks to us and our
employees posed by COVID-19, including enabling remote work arrangements for employees when
appropriate, and are following all government requirements to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
Monthly Network Peak Load
For our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, monthly network peak loads are used for billing network
revenues, which currently is the largest component of our operating revenues. One of the primary factors that
impacts our collection of revenues is actual monthly network peak load, which is impacted by a number of
factors including network usage and weather. Although monthly network peak loads do not impact our
recognition of operating revenues, actual network load affects the timing of collection of our cash flows from
transmission service. During 2020, actual monthly network peak load for our MISO Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries decreased compared to pre-COVID-19 forecasted load. This decrease was primarily as a result of
reductions in, or suspension of, operations for many businesses and facilities in our operating footprint due to
COVID-19. While the decrease in monthly network peak load was significant in the early months of the
pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on monthly network peak loads became less pronounced over the second
half of the year. We are unable to predict the possible future impacts of COVID-19, weather and other factors on
monthly network peak loads at our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries.
Liquidity and Access to Capital Markets
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a disruption in capital markets and has resulted in periods of limited
access to certain types of funding in the United States, including borrowings on commercial paper programs.
We rely on both internal and external sources of liquidity to provide working capital and fund capital
investments. During 2020, we were able to successfully access the capital markets to satisfy our liquidity needs.
However, if further disruption to the capital markets occurs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we may have
limited access to capital markets and encounter increased borrowing costs.
Rate of Return on Equity Complaints
Two complaints were filed with the FERC by combinations of consumer advocates, consumer groups,
municipal parties and other parties challenging the base ROE in MISO. In addition to the MISO ROE
Complaints, complaints were filed with the FERC regarding the regional base ROE rate for ISO New England
TOs. See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for a summary of the MISO ROE Complaints and
related proceedings.
Related FERC Orders
In April 2017, the D.C. Circuit Court vacated certain precedent-setting FERC orders that established and
applied the two-step DCF methodology for the determination of base ROE for ISO New England TOs. The court
remanded the orders to the FERC for further justification of its establishment of the new base ROE for the ISO
New England TOs. The vacated orders in the ISO New England matters also provided the precedent for the
September 2016 Order on the Initial Complaint and the ALJ initial decision on the Second Complaint for our
MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries. On October 16, 2018, in the New England matters, the FERC issued
an order on remand which proposed a new methodology for 1) determining when an existing ROE is no longer
just and reasonable; and 2) setting a new just and reasonable ROE if an existing ROE has been found not to be
just and reasonable.
The FERC issued a similar order, the November 2018 Order, in the MISO ROE Complaints, establishing a
paper hearing on the application of the proposed new methodology to the proceedings pending before the
FERC involving the ROE of the MISO TOs, including our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries. The
November 2018 Order included illustrative, non-binding calculations for the ROE that could have been
established for the Initial Complaint using the FERC's proposed methodology. The November 2018 Order and
our response to the order through briefs and reply briefs did not provide a reasonable basis for a change to the
reserve or ROEs utilized for any of the complaint refund periods nor all subsequent periods.
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November 2019 Order
On November 21, 2019, the FERC issued an order on the MISO ROE Complaints. The FERC did not adopt
the methodology proposed in the November 2018 Order, but rather applied a methodology to the Initial
Complaint period that used two financial models to determine the base ROE. The FERC determined that the
base ROE for the Initial Complaint should be 9.88% and the top of the range of reasonableness for that period
should be 12.24% and that this base ROE should apply during the first refund period of November 12, 2013 to
February 11, 2015 and from the date of the September 2016 Order prospectively. In the November 2019 Order,
the FERC also dismissed the Second Complaint. Therefore, based on the November 2019 Order, for the
Second Complaint refund period from February 12, 2015 to May 11, 2016, no refund is due. As a result, we
reversed the aggregate estimated current liability we had previously recorded for the Second Complaint, as
noted below in “Financial Statement Impacts”. In addition, for the period from May 12, 2016 to September 27,
2016, no refund is due because no complaint had been filed for that period. The FERC ordered refunds to be
made in accordance with the November 2019 Order and, on December 18, 2019, the FERC granted an
extension until December 23, 2020 for settlement of the refunds. The MISO TOs, including our MISO Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries, and several other parties filed requests for rehearing of the November 2019 Order. The
MISO TOs filed their request for rehearing primarily on the basis that the methodology applied by the FERC in
the November 2019 Order does not allow the MISO TOs to earn a reasonable rate of return on their investment,
as required by precedent. On January 21, 2020, the FERC issued an order granting rehearing for further
consideration.
May 2020 Order
On May 21, 2020, the FERC issued an order on rehearing of the November 2019 Order. In this order, the
FERC revised its November 2019 Order methodology, finding that three financial models should be used to
determine the base ROE, among other revisions. By applying the new methodology, FERC determined that the
base ROE for the Initial Complaint should be 10.02% and the top of the range of reasonableness for that period
should be 12.62%. The FERC determined that this base ROE should apply during the first refund period of
November 12, 2013 to February 11, 2015 and from the date of the September 2016 Order prospectively. The
FERC ordered refunds to be made in accordance with the May 2020 Order by December 23, 2020, and on
October 8, 2020, the FERC granted an extension to September 23, 2021. In the May 2020 Order, the FERC
also reaffirmed its decision to dismiss the Second Complaint and its finding that no refunds would be ordered on
the Second Complaint. Our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are parties to multiple appeals of the
September 2016 Order, November 2019 Order and May 2020 Order at the D.C. Circuit Court.
Financial Statement Impacts
As of December 31, 2020, we had recorded an aggregate current regulatory asset and current regulatory
liability of $8 million and $13 million, respectively, and as of December 31, 2019, we had recorded an aggregate
current regulatory liability of $70 million in the consolidated statements of financial position. These impacts
reflect amounts owed from or due to customers under the terms outlined in the May 2020 Order and the
November 2019 Order on the Initial Complaint and the periods subsequent to the September 2016 Order.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we refunded $31 million of the regulatory liability to customers. We
had recorded an aggregate estimated current regulatory liability in the consolidated statements of financial
position of $151 million as of December 31, 2018 for the Second Complaint, which was reversed in November
2019 following the November 2019 Order. Although the November 2019 Order and May 2020 Order dismissed
the Second Complaint with no refunds required, it is possible upon appeal that our MISO Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries will be required to provide refunds related to the Second Complaint and these refunds could be
material.
Our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries currently record revenues at the base ROE of 10.02%
established in the May 2020 Order plus applicable incentive adders. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial
statements for a summary of incentive adders for transmission rates.
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The recognition of the obligations associated with the MISO ROE Complaints resulted in the following
impacts to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income:
(In millions of USD)
Revenue increase
Interest expense (decrease) increase
Estimated net income increase (decrease)
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
32 $
(3)
25
69 $
(12)
61
1
7
(4)
As of December 31, 2020, our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries had a total of approximately $5
billion of equity in their collective capital structures for ratemaking purposes. Based on this level of aggregate
equity, we estimate that each 10 basis point change in the authorized ROE would impact annual consolidated
net income by approximately $5 million.
Challenges to Incentive Adders for Transmission Rates
On March 20, 2020, the FERC issued a NOPR including a proposal to update the transmission incentives
policy to grant incentives to transmission projects based upon benefits to customers. The outcome of this
proposal may impact the incentive adders that our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are authorized to apply to
their base ROEs on a prospective basis. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for a summary of
incentive adders for transmission rates.
MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries
On April 20, 2018, Consumers Energy, IP&L, Midwest Municipal Transmission Group, Missouri River Energy
Services, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and WPPI Energy filed a complaint with the FERC
under section 206 of the FPA, challenging the adders for independent transmission ownership that are included
in transmission rates charged by the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries. The adders for independent
transmission ownership allowed up to 50 basis points or 100 basis points to be added to the MISO Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries’ authorized ROE, subject to any ROE cap established by the FERC. On October 18,
2018, the FERC issued an order granting the complaint in part, setting revised adders for independent
transmission ownership for each of the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to 25 basis points, and
requiring the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to include the revised adders, effective April 20, 2018, in
their Formula Rates. In addition, the order directed the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to provide
refunds, with interest, for the period from April 20, 2018 through October 18, 2018. The MISO Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries began reflecting the 25 basis point adder for independent transmission ownership in
transmission rates in November 2018. Refunds of $7 million were primarily made in the fourth quarter of 2018
and were completed in the first quarter of 2019. The MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries sought rehearing
of the FERC’s October 18, 2018 order, and on July 18, 2019, the FERC denied the rehearing request. On
September 11, 2019, the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries filed an appeal of the FERC’s order in the
D.C. Circuit Court. On December 16, 2019, the D.C. Circuit Court established a briefing schedule for the
appeal. An initial brief was filed on January 27, 2020 and a reply brief was filed on April 24, 2020. Oral
argument on the appeal was held on September 23, 2020. We do not expect the final resolution of this
proceeding to have a material adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial
condition.
ITC Great Plains
On June 11, 2019, KCC filed a complaint with the FERC under section 206 of the FPA, challenging the ROE
adder for independent transmission ownership that is included in the transmission rate charged by ITC Great
Plains. The complaint argues that because ITC Great Plains is similarly situated to our MISO Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries with respect to ownership by Fortis and GIC, the same rationale by which the FERC
lowered the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries adders for independent transmission ownership, as
discussed above, also applies to ITC Great Plains. The adder for independent transmission ownership allowed
up to 100 basis points to be added to the ITC Great Plains authorized ROE, subject to any ROE cap
established by the FERC. ITC Great Plains filed an answer to the complaint on July 1, 2019 asking the FERC
to deny the complaint since KCC showed no evidence that ITC Great Plains’ independence or the benefits they
provide as an independent TO has been compromised or reduced as a result of the Fortis and GIC acquisition.
On July 16, 2020, the FERC issued an order granting the complaint, setting the revised adder for independent
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transmission ownership for ITC Great Plains to 25 basis points, and requiring ITC Great Plains to include the
revised adder, effective June 11, 2019, in their Formula Rates. In addition, the order directed ITC Great Plains
to provide refunds, with interest, for the period from June 11, 2019 through July 16, 2020 within 60 days of the
date of the order. On September 15, 2020, the FERC granted an extension to issue refunds until November 19,
2020. On August 17, 2020, ITC Great Plains filed a request for rehearing of the order and on September 17,
2020, the FERC denied the rehearing request. On November 12, 2020, ITC Great Plains filed an appeal of the
July 16, 2020 order, and on December 14, 2020, ITC Great Plains filed an appeal of the September 17, 2020
order, both of which were filed in the D.C. Circuit Court. As of December 31, 2019, we had recorded an
estimated current regulatory liability of $2 million related to this complaint and during 2020 refunds of $4 million
were made to settle the refund liability. We do not expect the final resolution of this proceeding to have a
material adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
Significant Components of Results of Operations
Revenues
We derive nearly all of our revenues from providing transmission, scheduling, control and dispatch services
and other related services over our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ transmission systems to DTE Electric,
Consumers Energy, IP&L and other entities, such as alternative energy suppliers, power marketers and other
wholesale customers that provide electricity to end-use consumers, as well as from transaction-based capacity
reservations on our transmission systems. MISO and SPP are responsible for billing and collecting the majority
of transmission service revenues. As the billing agents for our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries and ITC
Great Plains, MISO and SPP collect fees for the use of our transmission systems, invoicing DTE Electric,
Consumers Energy, IP&L and other customers on a monthly basis.
Network Revenues are generated from network customers for their use of our electric transmission systems
and are based on the actual revenue requirements as a result of our accounting under our cost-based Formula
Rates that contain a true-up mechanism. Refer below under “— Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates —
Revenue Recognition under Cost-Based Formula Rates with True-Up Mechanism” for a discussion of revenue
recognition relating to network revenues.
Network revenues from ITC Great Plains include the annual revenue requirements specific to projects that
are charged exclusively within one pricing zone within SPP or are classified as direct assigned network
upgrades under the SPP tariff and contain a true-up mechanism.
Regional Cost Sharing Revenues are generated from transmission customers throughout RTO regions for
their use of our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ network upgrade projects that are eligible for regional
cost sharing under provisions of the MISO tariff, including MVPs. Additionally, certain projects at ITC Great
Plains are eligible for recovery through a region-wide charge under provisions of the SPP tariff. Regional cost
sharing revenues are treated as a reduction to the net network revenue requirement under our cost-based
Formula Rates.
Point-to-Point Revenues consist of revenues generated from a type of transmission service for which the
customer pays for transmission capacity reserved along a specified path between two points on an hourly, daily,
weekly or monthly basis. Point-to-point revenues also include other components pursuant to schedules under
the MISO and SPP transmission tariffs. Point-to-point revenues are treated as a revenue credit to network or
regional customers and are a reduction to gross revenue requirement when calculating net revenue
requirement under our cost-based Formula Rates.
Scheduling, Control and Dispatch Revenues are allocated to our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries
by MISO as compensation for the services performed in operating the transmission system. Such services
include monitoring of reliability data, current and next day analysis, implementation of emergency procedures
and outage coordination and switching.
Other Revenues consist of rental revenues, easement revenues, revenues relating to utilization of jointly
owned assets under our transmission ownership and operating agreements and amounts from providing
ancillary services to customers. The majority of other revenues are treated as a revenue credit and taken as a
reduction to gross revenue requirement when calculating net revenue requirement under our cost-based
Formula Rates.
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Operating Expenses
Operation and Maintenance Expenses consist primarily of the costs for contractors that operate and
maintain our transmission systems as well as our personnel involved in operation and maintenance activities.
Operation expenses include activities related to control area operations, which involve balancing loads and
generation and transmission system operations activities, including monitoring the status of our transmission
lines and stations. Rental expenses relating to land easements, including METC’s Easement Agreement, are
also recorded within operation expenses.
Maintenance expenses include preventive or planned activities, such as vegetation management, tower
painting and equipment inspections, as well as reactive maintenance for equipment failures.
General and Administrative Expenses consist primarily of costs for personnel in our legal, information
technology, finance, regulatory, human resources, community relations and communication functions, general
office expenses and fees for professional services. Professional services are principally composed of outside
legal, consulting, audit and information technology services.
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses consist primarily of depreciation of property, plant and
equipment using the straight-line method of accounting. Additionally, this consists of amortization of various
regulatory and intangible assets.
Taxes Other than Income Taxes consist primarily of property taxes and payroll taxes.
Other Items of Income or Expense
Interest Expense consists primarily of interest on debt at ITC Holdings and our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries. Additionally, the amortization of debt financing expenses and loss on extinguishment of debt are
recorded to interest expense. An allowance for borrowed funds used during construction is included in property,
plant and equipment accounts and treated as a reduction to interest expense. The amortization of gains and
losses on settled and terminated derivative financial instruments is recorded to interest expense. The interest
portion of the refunds relating to the MISO ROE Complaints is also recorded to interest expense.
Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC equity”) is recorded as an item of
other income and is included in property, plant and equipment accounts. The allowance represents a return on
equity at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries used for construction purposes in accordance with the FERC
regulations. The capitalization rate applied to the construction work in progress balance is based on the
proportion of equity to total capital (which currently includes equity and long-term debt) and the authorized
return on equity for our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries.
Income Tax Provision
Income tax provision consists of current and deferred federal and state income taxes.
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Results of Operations
The following table summarizes historical operating results for the periods indicated:
(In millions of USD)
OPERATING REVENUES
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
2019
Increase
(Decrease)
Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
Increase
(Decrease)
Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
Transmission and other services
$
1,290 $
1,286 $
Formula Rate true-up
Total operating revenue
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operation and maintenance
General and administrative
Depreciation and amortization
Taxes other than income taxes
Other operating (income) and
expenses, net
Total operating expenses
OPERATING INCOME
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME)
Interest expense, net
Allowance for equity funds used during
construction
Other (income) and expenses, net
Total other expenses (income)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAX PROVISION
8
1,298
41
1,327
87
115
219
124
—
545
753
240
(27)
(3)
210
543
136
113
138
203
118
—
572
755
224
(29)
—
195
560
132
4
(33)
(29)
(26)
(23)
16
6
—
(27)
(2)
16
2
(3)
15
(17)
4
— % $
1,192 $
(80) %
(2) %
(36)
1,156
(23) %
(17) %
8 %
5 %
n/a
(5) %
— %
109
127
180
109
(4)
521
635
7 %
224
(7) %
n/a
8 %
(3) %
3 %
(33)
3
194
441
111
NET INCOME
$
407 $
428 $
(21)
(5) % $
330 $
Operating Revenues
94
77
171
4
11
23
9
4
51
120
—
4
(3)
1
119
21
98
8 %
(214) %
15 %
4 %
9 %
13 %
8 %
(100) %
10 %
19 %
— %
(12) %
(100) %
1 %
27 %
19 %
30 %
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to year ended December 31, 2019
The following table sets forth the components of and changes in operating revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019 which included revenue accruals and deferrals in Note 6 to the consolidated
financial statements:
2020
2019
Amount
Percentage
Amount
Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
(In millions of USD)
Network revenues (a)
Regional cost sharing revenues (a)
Point-to-point
Scheduling, control and dispatch (a)
Other
Recognition of net liabilities for MISO
ROE Complaints
$
852
362
13
20
19
32
66 % $
28 %
1 %
2 %
1 %
2 %
836
371
13
17
21
69
63 % $
28 %
1 %
1 %
2 %
5 %
Total
$ 1,298
100 % $ 1,327
100 % $
____________________________
16
(9)
—
3
(2)
(37)
(29)
2 %
(2) %
— %
18 %
(10) %
(54) %
(2) %
(a) Includes a portion of the Formula Rate true-up of $8 million and $41 million for the year ended December
31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Operating revenues decreased during the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to the same period in
2019, primarily due to differences in the amount of adjustments that were made in each period to the net refund
liabilities recorded related to the MISO ROE Complaints, as described in Note 18 to the consolidated financial
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statements. The adjustments resulted in a net increase in operating revenues of $32 million for the year ended
December 31, 2020, compared to an increase in operating revenues of $69 million for the year ended 2019.
Excluding the impact of the adjustments for the MISO ROE Complaints, operating revenues increased due to
a higher rate base associated with higher balances of property, plant and equipment in service for the year
ended December 31, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. The increase was partially offset by cost
saving measures that were implemented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in lower
revenue requirements to customers as these costs are recovered through rates.
Operating Expenses
Operation and maintenance expenses
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to year ended December 31, 2019
Operation and maintenance expense decreased primarily due to lower expenses associated with substation
and overhead line maintenance activities and vegetation management resulting from the temporary cost saving
measures that were implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
General and administrative expenses
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to year ended December 31, 2019
General and administrative expenses decreased due to reduced general business expenses of $4 million
and professional advisory services of $7 million primarily resulting from the temporary cost saving measures
that were implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease was also due to lower
compensation-related expenses, primarily due to a decrease in share-based compensation expense of
$7 million.
Depreciation and amortization expenses
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to year ended December 31, 2019
Depreciation and amortization expenses increased primarily due to a higher depreciable base resulting from
property, plant and equipment in-service additions.
Other Expenses (Income)
Interest Expense, Net
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to year ended December 31, 2019
Interest expense, net increased due to a decrease in the amount of reversals of interest expense recorded in
2020, as compared to the amount recorded in 2019, pursuant to FERC orders on the MISO ROE Complaints,
as described in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements. Interest expense, net also increased due to
higher debt balances and higher amortization of interest as a result of losses on interest rate swaps terminated
in 2020, as discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.
Income Tax Provision
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to year ended December 31, 2019
Our effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were 25.0% and 23.6%,
respectively. Our effective tax rate as of December 31, 2020 exceeded our 21% statutory federal income tax
rate primarily due to state income taxes, partially offset by AFUDC equity. The amount of income tax expense
relating to AFUDC equity was recognized as a regulatory asset and is not included in the income tax provision.
See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding our income tax provision.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We expect to maintain our approach of funding our future capital requirements with cash from operations at
our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, our existing cash and cash equivalents, future issuances under our
commercial paper program and amounts available under our revolving credit agreements (the terms of which
are described in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements). In addition, we may from time to time secure
debt funding in the capital markets, although we can provide no assurance that we will be able to obtain
financing on favorable terms or at all. As market conditions warrant, we may also from time to time repurchase
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debt securities issued by us, in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, by tender offer or
otherwise. We expect that our capital requirements will arise principally from our need to:
• Fund capital expenditures (including purchase commitments as described in Note 18) at our Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries. Our plans with regard to property, plant and equipment investments are described
in detail above under “— Capital Investment and Operating Results Trends.”
• Fund our debt service requirements, including principal repayments and periodic interest payments, which
are further described in detail below.
• Fund working capital requirements.
In addition to the expected capital requirements above, any adverse determinations or settlements relating to
the regulatory matters or contingencies described in Notes 6 and 18 to the consolidated financial statements
would result in additional capital requirements.
We believe that we have sufficient capital resources to meet our currently anticipated short-term needs.
However, we rely on both internal and external sources of liquidity to provide working capital and fund capital
investments. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the global economy and capital markets in various ways,
including negative impacts which have varied in duration and magnitude. An extended period of economic
disruption could impact our ability to access the capital markets requiring us to seek alternative forms of
financing which could negatively impact our liquidity and capital resources. ITC Holdings’ sources of cash are
dividends and other payments received by us from our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries and any of our other
subsidiaries as well as the proceeds raised from the sale of our debt securities. Each of our Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries, while wholly-owned by ITC Holdings, is legally distinct from ITC Holdings and has no
obligation, contingent or otherwise, to make funds available to us.
We expect to continue to utilize our commercial paper program and revolving credit agreements as well as
our cash and cash equivalents as needed to meet our short-term cash requirements. As of December 31, 2020,
we had consolidated indebtedness under our revolving credit agreements of $198 million, with unused capacity
under our revolving credit agreements of $702 million. ITC Holdings had $67 million of commercial paper issued
and outstanding, net of discount, as of December 31, 2020, with the ability to issue an additional $333 million
under the commercial paper program. In 2020, we paid $9 million of interest and commitment fees under our
revolving and term loan credit agreements and commercial paper program.
To address our future capital requirements, we expect that we will need to obtain additional long-term debt
financing. As of December 31, 2020, we had various notes and bonds outstanding with terms, including fixed
interest rate and principal payment terms, specific to each borrowing. Maturity dates for these long-term debt
issuances range from 2022 to 2055. Total future interest payment obligations associated with these existing
fixed-rate, long-term debt obligations were $4 billion as of December 31, 2020, with expected interest payment
obligations of $240 million due within the next twelve months. Certain of our capital projects could be delayed if
we experience difficulties in accessing capital pursuant to complications from COVID-19, or otherwise. We
expect to be able to obtain such additional financing as needed, in amounts and upon terms that will be
acceptable to us due to our strong credit ratings and our historical ability to obtain financing. See Note 10 to the
consolidated financial statements for a detailed discussion of our debt activity, including the commercial paper
program and our term loan and revolving credit agreements, during the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019.
METC has a contractual obligation through December 31, 2050 for an Easement Agreement for transmission
purposes and rights-of-way, leasehold interests, fee interests and licenses associated with the land over which
the transmission lines cross. The cost for use of the rights-of-way is $10 million per year. See Note 18 for
additional details related to the easement.
We have certain obligations including contingent liabilities and other current and long-term liabilities, that
have uncertainty regarding the timing and any amount of future cash flows necessary to settle these obligations.
Such items include:
•
•
•
long-term incentive awards;
pension and other postretirement obligations;
regulatory liabilities related to asset removal costs and refundable income taxes; and
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•
liabilities to refund deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades.
We have material exposure to LIBOR through the revolving credit agreements of ITC Holdings and certain of
our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries. It is expected that LIBOR will be phased out beginning in late 2021. We
believe that SOFR, the rate selected as the preferred alternative to LIBOR, will be an acceptable replacement
rate when LIBOR is discontinued. However, we cannot reasonably estimate the expected impact of the planned
discontinuation of LIBOR at this time.
Credit Ratings
Credit ratings by nationally recognized statistical rating agencies are an important component of our liquidity
profile. Credit ratings relate to our ability to issue debt securities and the cost to borrow money and should not
be viewed as a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at
any time and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. Our current credit ratings are
displayed in the following table. An explanation of these ratings may be obtained from the respective rating
agency.
ITC Holdings
Senior Unsecured Notes
Commercial Paper
ITCTransmission
First Mortgage Bonds
METC
Senior Secured Notes
ITC Midwest
First Mortgage Bonds
ITC Great Plains
First Mortgage Bonds
Covenants
S&P
Moody’s
Rating
Outlook
Rating
Outlook
BBB+
A-2
A
A
A
A
Negative
Negative
Negative
Negative
Negative
Negative
Baa2
Prime-2
A1
A1
A1
A1
Stable
Stable
Stable
Stable
Stable
Stable
Our debt instruments contain numerous financial and operating covenants that place significant restrictions
on certain transactions, such as incurring additional indebtedness, engaging in sale and lease-back
transactions, creating liens or other encumbrances, entering into mergers, consolidations, liquidations or
dissolutions, creating or acquiring subsidiaries and selling or otherwise disposing of all or substantially all of our
assets. In addition, the covenants require us to meet certain financial ratios, such as maintaining certain debt to
capitalization ratios and certain funds from operations to debt levels. As of December 31, 2020, we were not in
violation of any debt covenant. In the event of a downgrade in our credit ratings, none of the covenants would
be directly impacted, although the borrowing costs under our revolving credit agreements may increase.
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Cash Flows
The following table summarizes cash flows for the periods indicated:
(In millions of USD)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense
Recognition, refund and collection of revenue accruals and deferrals — including
accrued interest
Deferred income tax expense
Other
Net cash provided by operating activities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment
Contributions in aid of construction
Other
Net cash used in investing activities
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net issuance/repayment of debt (including commercial paper and revolving and term
loan credit agreements)
Dividends to ITC Investment Holdings
Refundable deposits from and repayments to generators for transmission network
upgrades, net
Settlement of interest rate swaps
Other
Net cash provided by financing activities
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED
CASH
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH — Beginning of period
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH — End of period
$
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to year ended December 31, 2019
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
407 $
428 $
330
219
203
(47)
138
(85)
632
(885)
2
5
(878)
(55)
135
(82)
629
(865)
10
1
(854)
180
17
107
19
653
(769)
21
1
(747)
561
(330)
463
(250)
238
(200)
50
(23)
(12)
246
11
—
(3)
221
—
6
6 $
(4)
10
6 $
3
—
(5)
36
(58)
68
10
Net cash provided by operating activities was $632 million and $629 million for the year ended December 31,
2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was due primarily to lower
payments for operation and maintenance expenses and general and administrative expenses and the timing of
the settlement of payables for operating activities. This increase was partially offset by an increase in payments
pursuant to our long-term incentive plans of $22 million, the refunds, including interest, related to the MISO
ROE Complaints of $31 million and higher property tax payments of $14 million during the year ended
December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to year ended December 31, 2019
Net cash used in investing activities was $878 million and $854 million for the year ended December 31,
2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to an increase
in capital expenditures of $20 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in
2019.
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Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to year ended December 31, 2019
Net cash provided by financing activities was $246 million and $221 million for the year ended December 31,
2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in cash provided by financing activities was due primarily to an
increase in issuances of long-term debt of $855 million, a decrease in retirement of long-term debt of
$168 million and an increase in net refundable deposits for transmission network upgrades of $39 million during
the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. These increases were partially offset
by increases in net repayments under our revolving and term loan credit agreements of $592 million, net
repayments of commercial paper of $333 million, dividend payments of $80 million and settlement of interest
rate swaps of $23 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. See
Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for detail on the issuances and retirements of debt, borrowings
under our term loan credit agreement and a description of our revolving credit agreements and commercial
paper program.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these
consolidated financial statements requires the application of appropriate technical accounting rules and
guidance, as well as the use of estimates. The application of these policies requires judgments regarding future
events.
These estimates and judgments, in and of themselves, could materially impact the consolidated financial
statements and disclosures based on varying assumptions, as future events rarely develop exactly as
forecasted, and even the best estimates routinely require adjustment.
The following accounting policies are the most significant to the portrayal of our financial condition and
results of operations and/or that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.
Regulation
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are subject to rate regulation by the FERC. As a result, we apply
accounting principles in accordance with the standards set forth by the FASB for accounting for the effects of
certain types of regulation. Use of this accounting guidance results in differences in the application of GAAP
between regulated and non-regulated businesses and requires the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities
for certain transactions that would have been treated as expense or revenue in non-regulated businesses. As
described in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, we had regulatory assets and liabilities of $264
million and $626 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020. Future changes in the regulatory and
competitive environments could result in discontinuing the application of the accounting standards for the effects
of certain types of regulations. If we were to discontinue the application of this guidance on the operations of our
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, we may be required to record losses relating to certain regulatory assets or
gains relating to certain regulatory liabilities. We also may be required to record losses of $29 million relating to
intangible assets at December 31, 2020 that are described in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.
We believe that currently available facts support the continued applicability of the standards for accounting
for the effects of certain types of regulation and that all regulatory assets and liabilities are recoverable or
refundable under our current rate environment.
Revenue Recognition under Cost-Based Formula Rates with True-Up Mechanism
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries recover expenses and earn an authorized return on and recover
investments in property, plant and equipment on a current basis, under their forward-looking cost-based
Formula Rates with a true-up mechanism.
Under their Formula Rates, our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries use forecasted expenses, property, plant
and equipment, point-to-point revenues and other items for the upcoming calendar year to establish their
projected revenue requirement and for the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, their component of the
billed network rates for service on their systems from January 1 to December 31 of that year. Our Formula
Rates include a true-up mechanism, whereby our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries compare their actual
revenue requirements to their billed revenues for each year to determine any over- or under-collection of
revenue. The over- or under-collection typically results from differences between the projected revenue
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requirement used as the basis for billing and actual revenue requirement at each of our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries, or from differences between actual and projected monthly network peak loads at our MISO
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries.
The true-up mechanisms under our Formula Rates meet the GAAP requirements for accounting for rate-
regulated utilities and the effects of certain alternative revenue programs. Accordingly, revenue is recognized
during each reporting period based on actual revenue requirements calculated using the cost-based Formula
Rates. Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries accrue or defer revenues to the extent that their actual revenue
requirement for the reporting period is higher or lower, respectively, than the amounts billed relating to that
reporting period. The true-up amount is automatically reflected in customer bills within two years under the
provisions of the Formula Rates. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for the regulatory assets
and liabilities recorded at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ as a result of the Formula Rate revenue
accruals and deferrals.
Contingent Obligations
We are subject to a number of federal and state laws and regulations, as well as other factors and conditions
that potentially subject us to environmental, litigation, income tax and other contingencies. We periodically
evaluate our exposure to such contingencies and record liabilities for those matters where a loss is considered
probable and reasonably estimable. Our liabilities exclude any estimates for legal costs not yet incurred
associated with handling these matters, which could be material. The adequacy of liabilities recorded can be
significantly affected by external events or conditions that can be unpredictable; thus, the ultimate outcome of
such matters could materially affect our consolidated financial statements. These events or conditions include,
without limitation, the following:
• Changes in existing state or federal regulation by governmental authorities having jurisdiction over air
quality, water quality, control of toxic substances, hazardous and solid wastes and other environmental
matters.
• Changes in existing federal income tax laws or IRS regulations.
• Identification and evaluation of lawsuits or complaints in which we may be or have been named as a
defendant.
• Resolution or progression of existing matters through the legislative process, the courts, the FERC, the
NERC, the IRS or the Environmental Protection Agency.
Refer to Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for discussion on contingencies, including the
MISO ROE Complaints.
Pension and Postretirement Costs
We sponsor certain retirement benefits for our employees, which include retirement pension plans and
certain postretirement health care, dental and life insurance benefits. Our periodic costs and obligations
associated with these plans are developed from actuarial valuations derived from a number of assumptions,
including rates of return on plan assets, discount rates, the rate of increase in health care costs, the amount and
timing of plan sponsor contributions and demographic factors such as retirements, mortality and turnover,
among others. We evaluate these assumptions annually and update them periodically to reflect our actual
experience. Three critical assumptions in determining our periodic costs and obligations are discount rate,
expected long-term return on plan assets and the rate of increases in health care costs. The discount rate
represents the market rate for synthesized AA-rated zero-coupon bonds with durations corresponding to the
expected durations of the benefit obligations and is used to calculate the present value of the expected future
cash flows for benefit obligations under our plans. In determining our long-term rate of return on plan assets, we
consider the current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected long-term rates of return
on those types of asset classes. Assumed health care cost trend rates may have a significant effect on the
amounts reported for the health care plans.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material effect on
our financial condition.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Commodity Price Risk
We have commodity price risk at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries arising from market price fluctuations
for materials such as copper, aluminum, steel, oil and gas and other goods used in construction and
maintenance activities. Higher costs of these materials are passed on to us by the contractors for these
activities. These items affect only cash flows, as the amounts are included as components of net revenue
requirement and any higher costs are included in rates under their cost-based Formula Rates.
Interest Rate Risk
Fixed Rate Debt
Based on the borrowing rates currently available for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities,
the fair value of our consolidated long-term debt and debt maturing within one year, excluding revolving credit
agreements and commercial paper, was $7,119 million at December 31, 2020. The total book value of our
consolidated long-term debt and debt maturing within one year, net of discount and deferred financing fees and
excluding revolving credit agreements and commercial paper, was $6,097 million at December 31, 2020. We
performed an analysis calculating the impact of changes in interest rates on the fair value of long-term debt and
debt maturing within one year, excluding revolving credit agreements and commercial paper at December 31,
2020. An increase in interest rates of 10% (from 5.0% to 5.5%, for example) at December 31, 2020 would
decrease the fair value of debt by $213 million, and a decrease in interest rates of 10% at December 31, 2020
would increase the fair value of debt by $227 million at that date.
Revolving Credit Agreements
At December 31, 2020, we had a consolidated total of $198 million outstanding under our revolving credit
agreements, which are variable rate loans and fair value approximates book value. A 10% increase or decrease
in borrowing rates under the revolving credit agreements compared to the weighted average rates in effect at
December 31, 2020 would increase or decrease interest expense by less than $1 million for an annual period
with a constant borrowing level of $198 million.
Commercial Paper
At December 31, 2020, ITC Holdings had $67 million of commercial paper issued and outstanding, net of
discount, under the commercial paper program. Due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments, the
carrying value approximates fair value. A 10% increase or decrease in interest rates for commercial paper would
increase or decrease interest expense by less than $1 million for an annual period with a continuous level of
commercial paper outstanding of $67 million.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
We use derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swap contracts, to manage our exposure to
fluctuations in interest rates. The use of these financial instruments mitigates exposure to these risks and the
variability of our operating results. We are not a party to leveraged derivatives and do not enter into derivative
financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
In May 2020, we terminated $450 million of 5-year interest rate swap contracts that managed interest rate
risk associated with the $700 million Senior Notes at ITC Holdings with a maturity date of May 14, 2030 as
described in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements. At December 31, 2020, ITC Holdings did not have
any interest rate swaps outstanding.
Credit Risk
Our credit risk is primarily with DTE Electric, Consumers Energy and IP&L, which were responsible for
approximately 21.6%, 23.9% and 23.9%, respectively, or $265 million, $292 million and $292 million,
respectively, of our consolidated billed revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020. These percentages
and amounts of total billed revenues of DTE Electric, Consumers Energy and IP&L include the collection of
2018 revenue accruals and deferrals and exclude any amounts for the 2020 revenue accruals and deferrals that
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were included in our 2020 operating revenues but will not be billed to our customers until 2022. Refer to
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Cost-Based
Formula Rates with True-Up Mechanism” for a discussion on the difference between billed revenues and
operating revenues. Under DTE Electric’s and Consumers Energy’s current rate structure, DTE Electric and
Consumers Energy include in their retail rates the actual cost of transmission services provided by
ITCTransmission and METC, respectively, in their billings to their customers, effectively passing through to end-
use consumers the total cost of transmission service. IP&L currently includes in their retail rates an allowance
for transmission services provided by ITC Midwest in their billings to their customers. However, any financial
difficulties experienced by DTE Electric, Consumers Energy or IP&L may affect their ability to make payments
for transmission service to ITCTransmission, METC, and ITC Midwest, which could negatively impact our
business. MISO, as our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ billing agent, bills DTE Electric, Consumers
Energy, IP&L and other customers on a monthly basis and collects fees for the use of the MISO Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries’ transmission systems. SPP is the billing agent for ITC Great Plains and bills
transmission customers for the use of ITC Great Plains transmission systems. MISO and SPP have
implemented strict credit policies for its members’ customers, which include customers using our transmission
systems. Specifically, MISO and SPP require a letter of credit or cash deposit equal to the credit exposure,
which is determined by a credit scoring model and other factors, from any customer using a member’s
transmission system.
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The following financial statements and schedules are included herein:
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder’s Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and
2018
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Schedule I — Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Page
43
44
46
47
48
49
50
129
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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable, not absolute,
assurance as to the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting, no matter
how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, internal control over financial reporting determined to be
effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and may not
prevent or detect all misstatements.
Under management’s supervision, an evaluation of the design and effectiveness of our internal control over
financial reporting was conducted based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control — Integrated Framework
(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Our
assessment included documenting, evaluating and testing of the design and operating effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal
control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of
ITC Holdings Corp.
Novi, Michigan
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of ITC Holdings Corp. and
subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of
comprehensive income, changes in stockholder’s equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15
(collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of
its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm
registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to
be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing
standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to
perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain
an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on
the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such
opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial
statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such
procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial
statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates
to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially
challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any
way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical
audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to
which it relates.
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Regulatory Matters — Impact of rate regulation on the financial statements — Refer to Notes 3, 6 and 7
to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s regulated operating subsidiaries are subject to rate regulation by the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (the “regulatory agency”). Management has determined it meets the requirements
under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to prepare its financial
statements applying the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based rate regulation. The
Company’s rates are subject to regulatory rate-setting processes through a formula rate with a true-up
mechanism, including an authorized return on equity. Regulatory decisions can have an impact on rates,
recovery of certain costs, including the costs of transmission assets and regulatory assets, conditions of service,
accounting, financing authorization and operating-related matters, the timely recovery of costs and the return on
equity. Accounting for the economics of rate regulation impacts multiple financial statement line items and
disclosures, such as property, plant, and equipment; regulatory assets and liabilities; operating revenues and
expenses; and income taxes.
We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by
management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of
subjectivity involved in assessing the potential impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements.
Management judgments include assessing the likelihood of recovery of costs incurred or potential refunds to
customers. While the Company has indicated they expect to recover costs from customers through regulated
rates, there is a risk that the formula inputs remain subject to legal challenge at the regulatory agency. The
Company uses the formula to calculate annual revenue requirements unless the regulatory agency determines
the resulting rates to be unjust and unreasonable. Auditing these judgments required especially subjective
judgment and specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate-setting process due to their
inherent complexities.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the regulatory agency included the
following, among others:
• We evaluated the effectiveness of controls over the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory
developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in
rates.
• We assessed relevant regulatory orders, regulatory statutes and interpretations, as well as procedural
memorandums, utility and intervener filings, and other publicly available information to evaluate the
likelihood of recovery in future rates or of future reduction in rates and the ability to earn a reasonable
return on equity.
For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the annual formula rate filings and open complaints for
any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions. We obtained an analysis from
management, regarding cost recoveries or potential future reduction in rates.
•
• We evaluated the Company’s disclosures related to the impacts of rate regulation, including the
balances recorded and regulatory developments.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Detroit, Michigan
February 11, 2021
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2001.
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ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(In millions of USD, except share data)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
Inventory
Regulatory assets
Prepaid and other current assets
Total current assets
Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $2,055 and
$1,930, respectively)
Other assets
Goodwill
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $46 and $42, respectively)
Regulatory assets
Other assets
Total other assets
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation
Accrued interest
Accrued taxes
Regulatory liabilities
Refundable deposits and advances for construction
Debt maturing within one year
Other current liabilities
Total current liabilities
Accrued pension and postretirement liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Regulatory liabilities
Refundable deposits
Other liabilities
Long-term debt
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Notes 6 and 18)
TOTAL LIABILITIES
STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Common stock, without par value, 235,000,000 shares authorized, 224,203,112 shares issued and
outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
Total stockholder’s equity
December 31,
2020
2019
$
4 $
114
42
52
12
224
4
117
39
12
15
187
9,327
8,582
950
29
212
83
950
33
229
77
1,274
1,289
$
10,825 $
10,058
$
130 $
55
55
61
14
37
67
18
437
59
1,013
612
65
50
6,295
82
61
48
66
123
27
235
16
658
73
873
584
19
47
5,572
8,531
7,826
892
1,410
(8)
2,294
892
1,333
7
2,232
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
$
10,825 $
10,058
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions of USD)
OPERATING REVENUES
Transmission and other services
Formula Rate true-up
Total operating revenue
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operation and maintenance
General and administrative
Depreciation and amortization
Taxes other than income taxes
Other operating (income) and expense, net
Total operating expenses
OPERATING INCOME
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME)
Interest expense, net
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
Other (income) and expenses, net
Total other expenses (income)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAX PROVISION
NET INCOME
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
Derivative instruments, net of tax (Note 14)
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME, NET OF TAX
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
1,290 $
1,286 $
1,192
8
1,298
41
1,327
(36)
1,156
87
115
219
124
—
545
753
240
(27)
(3)
210
543
136
407
(15)
(15)
113
138
203
118
—
572
755
224
(29)
—
195
560
132
428
3
3
109
127
180
109
(4)
521
635
224
(33)
3
194
441
111
330
1
1
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
$
392 $
431 $
331
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN
STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Accumulated
Other
Total
Common Stock
Retained Comprehensive Stockholder’s
Earnings
Income (Loss)
Equity
(In millions of USD)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2017
Opening balance reclassification
Net income
Dividends to ITC Investment Holdings
Other comprehensive income, net of tax (Note 14)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2018
Net income
Dividends to ITC Investment Holdings
Other comprehensive income, net of tax (Note 14)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2019
Net income
Dividends to ITC Investment Holdings
Other comprehensive (loss), net of tax (Note 14)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2020
$
892 $
1,026 $
2 $
1,920
—
—
—
—
(1)
330
(200)
—
1
—
—
1
—
330
(200)
1
892 $
1,155 $
4 $
2,051
—
—
—
428
(250)
—
—
—
3
428
(250)
3
892 $
1,333 $
7 $
2,232
—
—
—
407
(330)
—
—
—
(15)
407
(330)
(15)
892 $
1,410 $
(8) $
2,294
$
$
$
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions of USD)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense
Recognition, refund and collection of revenue accruals and deferrals — including accrued interest
Deferred income tax expense
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
Share-based compensation
Other
Changes in assets and liabilities, exclusive of changes shown separately:
Accounts receivable
Income tax receivable
Accounts payable
Accrued interest
Accrued compensation
Accrued taxes
Net refund payments and adjustments related to return on equity complaints
Other current and non-current assets and liabilities, net
Net cash provided by operating activities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment
Contributions in aid of construction
Other
Net cash used in investing activities
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of long-term debt
Borrowings under revolving credit agreements
Borrowings under term loan credit agreements
Net (repayment) issuance of commercial paper
Retirement of long-term debt — including extinguishment of debt costs
Repayments of revolving credit agreements
Repayments of term loan credit agreements
Dividends to ITC Investment Holdings
Refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades
Repayment of refundable deposits from generators for transmission network upgrades
Settlement of interest rate swaps
Other
Net cash provided by financing activities
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH — Beginning of period
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
407 $
428 $
330
219
(47)
138
(27)
25
4
—
—
4
7
(14)
(3)
(65)
(16)
632
203
(55)
135
(29)
32
10
(10)
1
(11)
(2)
10
3
(82)
(4)
629
180
17
107
(33)
6
4
17
14
6
(10)
1
7
6
1
653
(885)
(865)
(769)
2
5
10
1
21
1
(878)
(854)
(747)
1,030
1,495
275
(133)
(35)
(1,596)
(475)
(330)
60
(10)
(23)
(12)
246
—
6
175
1,090
200
200
(203)
(999)
—
(250)
19
(8)
—
(3)
221
(4)
10
400
832
—
—
(100)
(844)
(50)
(200)
6
(3)
—
(5)
36
(58)
68
10
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH — End of period
$
6 $
6 $
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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1. GENERAL
ITC HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ITC Holdings and its subsidiaries are engaged in the transmission of electricity in the United States. ITC
Holdings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Investment Holdings. Fortis owns a majority indirect equity interest
in ITC Investment Holdings, with GIC holding an indirect equity interest of 19.9%. Through our Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries, we own, operate, maintain and invest in high-voltage electric transmission systems in
Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma that
transmit electricity from generating stations to local distribution facilities connected to our transmission systems.
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are independent electric transmission utilities, with rates regulated by
the FERC and established on a cost-of-service model. ITCTransmission’s service area is located in
southeastern Michigan, while METC’s service area covers approximately two-thirds of Michigan’s Lower
Peninsula and is contiguous with ITCTransmission’s service area. ITC Midwest’s service area is located in
portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri and ITC Great Plains currently owns assets located in Kansas
and Oklahoma. MISO bills and collects revenues from the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ customers.
SPP bills and collects revenue from ITC Great Plains’ customers. ITC Interconnection currently owns assets in
Michigan and earns revenues based on its facilities reimbursement agreement with a merchant generating
company.
Recent Developments Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Efforts to control the recent
outbreak of COVID-19 have resulted in impacts to businesses and facilities in various industries around the
world, such as operating restrictions and closures, and disruptions to the global economy and supply chains.
The COVID-19 pandemic has and will continue to impact our customers throughout our operating footprint. To
date, COVID-19 has not had a material impact on our net income. However, we have implemented various
temporary cost saving measures related to operating expenses, including operation and maintenance expenses
and general and administrative expenses, in an attempt to reduce costs that are collected from customers
through our Formula Rates.
The duration and total impact on our operations from COVID-19 is unknown at this time and will ultimately
depend on the duration and severity of the pandemic, the length that the various business restrictions are in
effect, the impact of recent resurgences of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States, and the efficacy
and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. We are continuing to monitor developments involving our workforce,
customers and suppliers and cannot predict whether COVID-19 will have a material impact on our consolidated
results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. We are also monitoring the evolving situation and
guidance from federal, state and local public health authorities. We are taking steps to mitigate the potential
risks to us and our employees posed by COVID-19, including enabling remote work arrangements for
employees when appropriate, and are following all government requirements to reduce the transmission of
COVID-19.
Monthly Network Peak Load
For our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, monthly network peak loads are used for billing network
revenues, which currently is the largest component of our operating revenues. One of the primary factors that
impacts our collection of revenues is actual monthly network peak load, which is impacted by a number of
factors including network usage and weather. Although monthly network peak loads do not impact our
recognition of operating revenues, actual network load affects the timing of collection of our cash flows from
transmission service. During 2020, actual monthly network peak load for our MISO Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries decreased compared to pre-COVID-19 forecasted load. This decrease was primarily as a result of
reductions in, or suspension of, operations for many businesses and facilities in our operating footprint due to
COVID-19. While the decrease in monthly network peak load was significant in the early months of the
pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on monthly network peak loads became less pronounced over the second
half of the year. We are unable to predict the possible future impacts of COVID-19, weather and other factors on
monthly network peak loads at our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries.
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2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recently Adopted Pronouncements
Accounting for Cloud Computing Arrangements
In August 2018, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to address the accounting for implementation costs
incurred in a cloud computing agreement that is a service contract. The new standard aligns the accounting for
implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement as a service contract with existing guidance
on capitalizing costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use software. In addition, the new
guidance requires entities to expense capitalized implementation costs of a cloud computing arrangement that
is a service contract over the term of the agreement and to present the expense in the same income statement
line item as the hosting fees. The guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019
with either prospective or retrospective adoption permitted. We adopted the standard prospectively on January
1, 2020. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A summary of the major accounting policies followed in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated
financial statements, which conform to GAAP, is presented below:
Principles of Consolidation — ITC Holdings consolidates its majority owned subsidiaries. We eliminate
all intercompany balances and transactions.
Use of Estimates — The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires us to use
estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and
expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from our
estimates.
Regulation — Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the
FERC, which issues orders pertaining to rates, recovery of certain costs, including the costs of
transmission assets and regulatory assets, conditions of service, accounting, financing authorization and
operating-related matters. The utility operations of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries meet the
accounting standards set forth by the FASB for the accounting effects of certain types of regulation. These
accounting standards recognize the cost based rate setting process, which results in differences in the
application of GAAP between regulated and non-regulated businesses. These standards require the
recording of regulatory assets and liabilities for certain transactions that would have been recorded as
revenue and expense in non-regulated businesses. Regulatory assets represent costs that will be
included as a component of future tariff rates and regulatory liabilities represent amounts provided in the
current tariff rates that are intended to recover costs expected to be incurred in the future or amounts to
be refunded to customers.
Cash and Cash Equivalents — We consider all unrestricted highly-liquid temporary investments with
an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents — Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents
include cash and cash equivalents that are legally or contractually restricted for use or withdrawal or are
formally set aside for a specific purpose.
Accounts Receivable Reserve — We recognize losses for uncollectible accounts based on the current
expected credit loss model. As of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 we did not have an accounts
receivable reserve.
Inventories — Materials and supplies inventories are valued at average cost. Additionally, the costs of
warehousing activities are recorded here and included in the cost of materials when requisitioned.
Property, Plant and Equipment — Depreciation and amortization expense on property, plant and
equipment was $209 million, $194 million and $170 million for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Property, plant and equipment in service at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries is stated at its
original cost when first devoted to utility service. The gross book value of assets retired less salvage
proceeds is charged to accumulated depreciation. The provision for depreciation of transmission assets is
a significant component of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ cost of service under FERC-approved
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rates. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line
method for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax reporting purposes. The
composite depreciation rate for our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries included in our consolidated
statements of comprehensive income was 2.0% for 2020, 2019 and 2018. The composite depreciation
rates include depreciation primarily on transmission station equipment, towers, poles and overhead and
underground lines that have a useful life ranging from 45 to 60 years. The portion of depreciation expense
related to asset removal costs is added to regulatory liabilities or deducted from regulatory assets and
removal costs incurred are deducted from regulatory liabilities or added to regulatory assets. Certain of
our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries capitalize to property, plant and equipment AFUDC in accordance
with the FERC regulations. AFUDC represents the composite cost incurred to fund the construction of
assets, including interest expense and a return on equity capital devoted to construction of assets. The
interest component of AFUDC was a reduction to interest expense of $7 million for 2020, $8 million for
2019 and $9 million for 2018.
For acquisitions of property, plant and equipment greater than the net book value (other than asset
acquisitions accounted for under the purchase method of accounting that result in goodwill), the
acquisition premium is recorded to property, plant and equipment and amortized over the estimated
remaining useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and
accelerated methods for income tax reporting purposes.
Property, plant and equipment includes capital equipment inventory stated at original cost consisting of
items that are expected to be used exclusively for capital projects.
Property, plant and equipment at our non-regulated subsidiaries is stated at its acquired cost.
Proceeds from salvage less the net book value of the disposed assets is recognized as a gain or loss on
disposal. Depreciation is computed based on the acquired cost less expected residual value and is
recognized over the estimated useful lives of the assets on a straight-line method for financial reporting
purposes and accelerated methods for income tax reporting purposes.
Generator Interconnection Projects and Contributions in Aid of Construction — Certain capital
investment at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries relates to investments made under GIAs. The GIAs
typically consist of both transmission network upgrades, which are a category of upgrades deemed by the
FERC to benefit the transmission system as a whole, as well as direct connection facilities, which are
necessary to interconnect the generating facility to the transmission system and primarily benefit the
generating facility. As a result, GIAs typically require the generator to make a contribution in aid of
construction to our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to cover the cost of certain investments made by us
as part of the agreement.
Our investments in transmission facilities are recorded to property, plant and equipment, and are
recorded net of any contribution in aid of construction. We also receive refundable deposits from the
generator for certain investment in network upgrade facilities in advance of construction, which are
recorded to current or non-current liabilities depending on the expected refund date.
Jointly Owned Utility Plant/Coordinated Services — Certain of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries
have agreements with other utilities for the joint ownership of substation assets and transmission lines as
described in Note 16. We account for these jointly owned assets by recording property, plant and
equipment for the percentage of our undivided ownership interest. Various agreements provide the
authority for construction of capital improvements and the operating costs associated with the substations
and lines. Generally, each party is responsible for the capital, operation and maintenance and other costs
of these jointly owned facilities based upon each participant’s undivided ownership interest, and each
participant is responsible for providing its own financing. Our participating share of expenses associated
with these jointly held assets are primarily recorded within operation and maintenance expenses on our
consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Fair Value Through Net Income — We have certain investments in mutual funds, including fixed
income securities and equity securities that are classified as fair value through net income. The fixed
income security investments primarily fund our two supplemental nonqualified, noncontributory, retirement
benefit plans for selected management employees as described in Note 12. Gains and losses associated
with our mutual funds as described in Note 13 are recorded in earnings.
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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — Other than goodwill, our long-lived assets are reviewed for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may
not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the expected undiscounted future cash
flows generated by the asset, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value and an impairment loss
is recognized in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets — Goodwill is not subject to amortization; however, goodwill is
required to be assessed for impairment, and a resulting write-down, if any, is to be reflected in operating
expense. We have goodwill recorded relating to our acquisitions of ITCTransmission and METC and ITC
Midwest’s acquisition of the IP&L transmission assets. Goodwill is reviewed at the reporting unit level at
least annually for impairment and whenever facts or circumstances indicate that the value of goodwill may
be impaired. Our reporting units are ITCTransmission, METC and ITC Midwest as each entity represents
an individual operating segment to which goodwill has been assigned.
In order to perform an impairment analysis, we have the option of performing a qualitative assessment
to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more
likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, in which case no
further testing is required. If an entity bypasses the qualitative assessment or performs a qualitative
assessment but determines that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its
carrying amount, a quantitative, fair value-based test is performed to assess and measure goodwill
impairment, if any. If a quantitative assessment is performed, we determine the fair value of our reporting
units using valuation techniques based on discounted future cash flows under various scenarios and
consider estimates of market-based valuation multiples for companies within the peer group of our
reporting units.
We completed our annual goodwill impairment test for our reporting units as of October 1, 2020 and
determined that no impairment exists. There were no events subsequent to October 1, 2020 that
indicated impairment of our goodwill. Our intangible assets other than goodwill have finite lives and are
amortized over their useful lives. Refer to Note 9 for additional discussion on our goodwill and intangible
assets.
Deferred Financing Fees and Discount or Premium on Debt — Costs related to the issuance of long-
term debt are generally recorded as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt and
amortized over the life of the debt issue. Debt issuance costs incurred prior to the associated debt funding
are presented as an asset. Unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the revolving credit
agreements, commercial paper and other similar arrangements are presented as an asset (regardless of
whether there are any amounts outstanding under those credit facilities) and amortized over the life of the
particular arrangement. The debt discount or premium related to the issuance of long-term debt is
recorded to long-term debt and amortized over the life of the debt issue. We recorded $5 million during
the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 to interest expense for the amortization of deferred
financing fees and debt discounts.
Asset Retirement Obligations — A conditional asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation to
perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a
future event that may or may not be within our control. We have identified conditional asset retirement
obligations primarily associated with the removal of equipment containing PCBs and asbestos. We record
a liability at fair value for a legal asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. When a
new legal obligation is recorded, we capitalize the costs of the liability by increasing the carrying amount
of the related long-lived asset. We accrete the liability to its present value each period and depreciate the
capitalized cost over the useful life of the related asset. At the end of the asset’s useful life, we settle the
obligation for its recorded amount. We recognize regulatory assets for the timing differences between the
incurred costs to settle our legal asset retirement obligations and the recognition of such obligations as
applicable for our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries. There were no significant changes to our asset
retirement obligations in 2020. Our asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 of $6
million are included in other liabilities.
Derivatives and Hedging — We may use derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swap
contracts, to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. For derivative instruments that have
been designated and qualify as cash flow hedges of the exposure to variability in expected future cash
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flows, the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative is initially reported, net of tax, as a component of other
comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income
when the underlying hedged transaction affects net income. Cash flows related to interest rate swaps that
are designated in hedging relationships are generally classified on the consolidated statements of cash
flows within cash flows from financing activities. The fair values of derivatives are recognized as current or
long-term assets and liabilities depending on the timing of settlements and resulting cash flows. Refer to
Note 10 for additional discussion regarding derivative instruments.
Contingent Obligations — We are subject to a number of federal and state laws and regulations, as
well as other factors and conditions that potentially subject us to environmental, litigation and other risks.
We periodically evaluate our exposure to such risks and record liabilities for those matters when a loss is
considered probable and reasonably estimable. We reverse the liabilities recorded for those matters when
a loss is no longer considered probable or the liabilities are otherwise settled. Our liabilities exclude any
estimates for legal costs not yet incurred associated with handling these matters. The adequacy of
liabilities can be significantly affected by external events or conditions that can be unpredictable; thus, the
ultimate outcome of such matters could materially affect our consolidated financial statements.
Revenues — Substantially all of our revenue from contracts with customers is generated from
providing transmission services to customers based on tariff rates, as approved by the FERC. Revenues
from the transmission of electricity are recognized as services are provided based on our FERC-approved
cost-based Formula Rates. We record a reserve for revenue subject to refund when such refund is
probable and can be reasonably estimated. This reserve is recorded as a reduction to operating
revenues.
The cost-based Formula Rates at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries include a true-up mechanism
that compares the actual revenue requirements of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to their billed
revenues for each year to determine any over- or under-collection of revenue requirements and we record
a revenue deferral or accrual for the difference. The true-up mechanisms under our Formula Rates are
considered alternative revenue programs of rate-regulated utilities. Operating revenues arising from these
alternative revenue programs are presented on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income in
the line “Formula Rate true-up”, which is separate from the reporting of our tariff revenues, which are
presented in the line “Transmission and other services”. Only the initial origination of our alternative
revenue program revenue is reported in the Formula Rate true-up line on our consolidated statements of
comprehensive income. When those amounts are subsequently included in the price of utility service and
billed or refunded to customers, we account for that event as the recovery or settlement of the associated
regulatory asset or regulatory liability, respectively. Refer to Note 6 under “Cost-Based Formula Rates
with True-Up Mechanism” and Note 4 under “Formula Rate True-Up” for a discussion of our revenue
accounting under our cost-based Formula Rates.
Share-Based Payment and Employee Share Purchase Plan — Under our long-term incentive plans,
we grant long-term incentive awards consisting of PBUs and SBUs. Generally, each PBU and SBU
granted is valued based on one share of Fortis common stock traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange,
converted to U.S. dollars and settled only in cash. However, certain SBUs granted to the executives may
settle in cash, 100% Fortis common stock, or 50% cash and 50% Fortis common stock depending on
executives’ settlement elections and whether certain share ownership requirements are met. The awards
are classified as liability awards and vest on the date specified in the applicable grant agreements,
provided the service and performance criteria, as applicable, are satisfied. The PBUs and SBUs earn
dividend equivalents which are also re-measured and settled consistent with the target award at the end
of the vesting period.
Compensation cost is recognized over the expected vesting period and remeasured each reporting
period based on Fortis’ stock price. The PBUs are also remeasured each reporting period based on the
applicable market and performance conditions in the awards. Compensation cost is adjusted for
forfeitures in the period in which they occur and the final measure of compensation cost for the awards is
based on the cash settlement amount.
We also have an Employee Share Purchase Plan which enables ITC employees to purchase shares of
Fortis common stock. Our cost of the plan is based on the value of our contribution, as additional
compensation to a participating employee, equal to 10% of an employee’s contribution up to a maximum
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annual contribution of 1% of an employee’s base pay and an amount equal to 10% of all dividends
payable by Fortis on the Fortis shares allocated to an employee’s ESPP account.
Refer to Note 15 for additional discussion of the plans.
Comprehensive Income (Loss) — Comprehensive income (loss) is the change in common
stockholder’s equity during a period arising from transactions and events from non-owner sources,
including net income and any gain or loss arising from our interest rate swaps.
Income Taxes — Deferred income taxes are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of
events that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Deferred
income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial
statements and the tax bases of various assets and liabilities, using the tax rates expected to be in effect
for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse, and classified as non-current in our
consolidated statements of financial position.
The accounting standards for uncertainty in income taxes prescribe a recognition threshold and a
measurement attribute for tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return that may not be
sustainable. As of December 31, 2020, we have not recognized any uncertain income tax positions.
We file our federal and Michigan income tax returns as part of the FortisUS consolidated tax returns
and we are a party to an intercompany tax sharing agreement that establishes the method for determining
tax liabilities that are due and allocating tax attributes that are utilized on the consolidated income tax
returns. We continue to file with various other state and city jurisdictions where we have a separate return
filing obligation. Our prior consolidated federal tax returns are no longer subject to U.S. federal tax
examinations for tax years 2017 and earlier. State and city jurisdictions that remain subject to examination
range from tax years 2016 to 2019. In the event we are assessed interest or penalties by any income tax
jurisdictions, interest and penalties would be recorded as interest expense and other expense,
respectively, in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Refer to Notes 7 and 11 for additional discussion on income taxes.
4. REVENUE
Our total revenues are comprised of revenues which arise from three classifications including transmission
services, other services, and Formula Rate true-up. As other services revenue is immaterial, it is presented in
combination with transmission services on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Transmission Services
transmission systems. As
Through our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, we generate nearly all our revenue from providing electric
transmission services over our
transmission companies, our
transmission services are provided and revenues are received based on our tariffs, as approved by the FERC.
The transmission revenue requirements at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are set annually using
Formula Rates and remain in effect for a one-year period. By updating the inputs to the formula and resulting
rates on an annual basis, the revenues at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries reflect changing operating data
and financial performance, including the amount of network load on their transmission systems (for our MISO
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries), operating expenses and additions to property, plant and equipment when
placed in service, among other items.
independent
We recognize revenue for transmission services over time as transmission services are provided to
customers (generally using an output measure of progress based on transmission load delivered). Customers
simultaneously receive and consume the benefits provided by the Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ services.
We recognize revenue in the amount to which we have the right to invoice because we have a right to
consideration in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of performance completed
to date. As billing agents, MISO and SPP independently bill our customers on a monthly basis and collects fees
for the use of our transmission systems. No component of the transaction price is allocated to unsatisfied
performance obligations.
Transmission service revenue includes an estimate for unbilled revenues from service that has been
provided but not billed by the end of an accounting period. Unbilled revenues are dependent upon a number of
factors that require management’s judgment including estimates of transmission network load (for the MISO
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Regulated Operating Subsidiaries) and preliminary information provided by billing agents. Due to the seasonal
fluctuations of actual load, the unbilled revenue amount generally increases during the spring and summer and
decreases during the fall and winter. See Note 5 for information on changes in unbilled accounts receivable.
Other Services
Other services revenue consists of rental revenues, easement revenues, and amounts from providing
ancillary services. A portion of other services revenue is treated as a revenue credit and reduces gross revenue
requirement when calculating net revenue requirement under our Formula Rates. Total other services revenue
was $5 million, $7 million and $5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Formula Rate True-Up
The true-up mechanism under our Formula Rates is considered an alternative revenue program of a rate-
regulated utility given it permits our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to adjust future rates in response to past
activities or completed events in order to collect our actual revenue requirements under our Formula Rates. In
accordance with our accounting policy, only the current year origination of the true-up is reported as a Formula
Rate true-up. See “Cost-Based Formula Rates with True-Up Mechanism” in Note 6 for more information on our
Formula Rates.
5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
The following table presents the components of accounts receivable on the consolidated statements of
financial position:
(In millions of USD)
Trade accounts receivable
Unbilled accounts receivable
Other
Total accounts receivable
6. REGULATORY MATTERS
December 31,
2020
2019
2018
2017
$
2 $
2 $
2 $
102
10
102
13
92
8
2
108
9
$
114 $
117 $
102 $
119
Cost-Based Formula Rates with True-Up Mechanism
The transmission revenue requirements at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are set annually using
Formula Rates and remain in effect for a one-year period. By updating the inputs to the formula and resulting
rates on an annual basis, the revenues at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries reflect changing operational
data and financial performance, including the amount of network load on their transmission systems (for our
MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries), operating expenses and additions to property, plant and equipment
when placed in service, among other items. The formula used to derive the rates does not require further action
or FERC filings each year, although the formula inputs remain subject to legal challenge at the FERC. Our
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries will continue to use the formula to calculate their respective annual revenue
requirements unless the FERC determines the resulting rates to be unjust and unreasonable and another
mechanism is determined by the FERC to be just and reasonable. See “Rate of Return on Equity Complaints” in
Note 18 for detail on ROE matters for our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries and "Incentive Adders for
Transmission Rates" discussed in Note 6 herein.
The cost-based Formula Rates at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries include a true-up mechanism that
compares the actual revenue requirements of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to their billed revenues for
each year to determine any over- or under-collection of revenue requirements. Revenue is recognized for
services provided during each reporting period based on actual revenue requirements calculated using the
formula. Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries accrue or defer revenues to the extent that the actual revenue
requirement for the reporting period is higher or lower, respectively, than the amounts billed relating to that
reporting period. The amount of accrued or deferred revenues is reflected in future revenue requirements and
thus flows through to customer bills within two years under the provisions of our Formula Rates.
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The net changes in regulatory assets and liabilities associated with our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’
Formula Rate revenue accruals and deferrals, including accrued interest, were as follows during the year ended
December 31, 2020:
(In millions of USD)
Net regulatory assets as of December 31, 2019
Net refund of 2018 revenue deferrals and accruals, including accrued interest
Net revenue accrual for the year ended December 31, 2020
Net accrued interest payable for the year ended December 31, 2020
Net regulatory assets as of December 31, 2020
Total
3
40
8
(1)
50
$
$
Regulatory assets and liabilities associated with our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ Formula Rate
revenue accruals and deferrals, including accrued interest, are recorded in the consolidated statements of
financial position as follows:
(In millions of USD)
Current regulatory assets
Non-current regulatory assets
Current regulatory liabilities
Non-current regulatory liabilities
Net regulatory assets
Incentive Adders for Transmission Rates
December 31,
2020
2019
$
44 $
19
(1)
(12)
$
50 $
12
43
(51)
(1)
3
The FERC has authorized the use of ROE incentives, or adders, that can be applied to the rates of TOs
when certain conditions are met. Our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries and ITC Great Plains utilize ROE
adders related to independent transmission ownership and RTO participation.
MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries
On April 20, 2018, Consumers Energy, IP&L, Midwest Municipal Transmission Group, Missouri River Energy
Services, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and WPPI Energy filed a complaint with the FERC
under section 206 of the FPA, challenging the adders for independent transmission ownership that are included
in transmission rates charged by the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries. The adders for independent
transmission ownership allowed up to 50 basis points or 100 basis points to be added to the MISO Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries’ authorized ROE, subject to any ROE cap established by the FERC. On October 18,
2018, the FERC issued an order granting the complaint in part, setting revised adders for independent
transmission ownership for each of the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to 25 basis points, and
requiring the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to include the revised adders, effective April 20, 2018, in
their Formula Rates. In addition, the order directed the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to provide
refunds, with interest, for the period from April 20, 2018 through October 18, 2018. The MISO Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries began reflecting the 25 basis point adder for independent transmission ownership in
transmission rates in November 2018. Refunds of $7 million were primarily made in the fourth quarter of 2018
and were completed in the first quarter of 2019. The MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries sought rehearing
of the FERC’s October 18, 2018 order, and on July 18, 2019, the FERC denied the rehearing request. On
September 11, 2019, the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries filed an appeal of the FERC’s order in the
D.C. Circuit Court. On December 16, 2019, the D.C. Circuit Court established a briefing schedule for the
appeal. An initial brief was filed on January 27, 2020 and a reply brief was filed on April 24, 2020. Oral
argument on the appeal was held on September 23, 2020. We do not expect the final resolution of this
proceeding to have a material adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial
condition.
For each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the authorized incentive adders for the
MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries included a 25 basis point adder for independent transmission
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ownership and a 50 basis point adder for RTO participation. See Note 18 for information regarding the MISO
ROE Complaints and the associated impact to the base ROE of our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries.
ITC Great Plains
On June 11, 2019, KCC filed a complaint with the FERC under section 206 of the FPA, challenging the ROE
adder for independent transmission ownership that is included in the transmission rate charged by ITC Great
Plains. The complaint argues that because ITC Great Plains is similarly situated to our MISO Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries with respect to ownership by Fortis and GIC, the same rationale by which the FERC
lowered the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries adders for independent transmission ownership, as
discussed above, also applies to ITC Great Plains. The adder for independent transmission ownership allowed
up to 100 basis points to be added to the ITC Great Plains authorized ROE, subject to any ROE cap established
by the FERC. ITC Great Plains filed an answer to the complaint on July 1, 2019 asking the FERC to deny the
complaint since KCC showed no evidence that ITC Great Plains’ independence or the benefits they provide as
an independent TO has been compromised or reduced as a result of the Fortis and GIC acquisition. On July 16,
2020, the FERC issued an order granting the complaint, setting the revised adder for independent transmission
ownership for ITC Great Plains to 25 basis points, and requiring ITC Great Plains to include the revised adder,
effective June 11, 2019, in their Formula Rates. In addition, the order directed ITC Great Plains to provide
refunds, with interest, for the period from June 11, 2019 through July 16, 2020 within 60 days of the date of the
order. On September 15, 2020, the FERC granted an extension to issue refunds until November 19, 2020. On
August 17, 2020, ITC Great Plains filed a request for rehearing of the order and on September 17, 2020, the
FERC denied the rehearing request. On November 12, 2020, ITC Great Plains filed an appeal of the July 16,
2020 order, and on December 14, 2020, ITC Great Plains filed an appeal of the September 17, 2020 order, both
of which were filed in the D.C. Circuit Court. As of December 31, 2019, we had recorded an estimated current
regulatory liability of $2 million related to this complaint and during 2020 refunds of $4 million were made to
settle the refund liability. We do not expect the final resolution of this proceeding to have a material adverse
impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
For each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the authorized ROE used by ITC Great Plains
was 12.16% and was composed of a base ROE of 10.66% with a 100 basis point adder for independent
transmission ownership and a 50 basis point adder for RTO participation. Based on the July 16, 2020 order and
as of December 31, 2020, the authorized ROE used by ITC Great Plains was revised to 11.41% and is
composed of a base ROE of 10.66% with a 25 basis point adder for independent transmission ownership and a
50 basis point adder for RTO participation.
Rate of Return on Equity Complaints
See “Rate of Return on Equity Complaints” in Note 18 for a discussion of the MISO ROE Complaints.
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7. REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Regulatory Assets
The following table summarizes the regulatory asset balances:
(In millions of USD)
Regulatory Assets:
Current:
Revenue accruals (including accrued interest of $2 and $1 as of December 31,
2020 and 2019, respectively) (a)
Refund related to the Initial Complaint (including accrued interest of $2 as of
December 31, 2020) (b)
Total current
Non-current:
Revenue accruals (including accrued interest of less than $1 and $1 as of
December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively) (a)
ITCTransmission ADIT deferral (net of accumulated amortization of $54 and $51
as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively)
METC ADIT deferral (net of accumulated amortization of $33 and $31 as of
December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively)
METC regulatory deferrals (net of accumulated amortization of $11 and $10 as
of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively)
Income taxes recoverable related to AFUDC equity
ITC Great Plains start-up, development and pre-construction (net of
accumulated amortization of $7 and $6 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively)
Pensions and postretirement
Income taxes recoverable related to implementation of the Michigan Corporate
Income Tax
Accrued asset removal costs
Total non-current
Total
____________________________
December 31,
2020
2019
$
44 $
8
52
19
7
10
4
106
6
30
6
24
212
$
264 $
12
—
12
43
10
12
5
99
7
25
7
21
229
241
(a) Refer to discussion of revenue accruals in Note 6 under “Cost-Based Formula Rates with True-Up
Mechanism.” Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries do not earn a return on the balance of these regulatory
assets, but do accrue interest carrying costs, which are subject to rate recovery along with the principal
amount of the revenue accrual.
(b) Refer to discussion of the refund liability in Note 18 under “Rate of Return on Equity Complaints.”
ITCTransmission ADIT Deferral
The carrying amount of the ITCTransmission ADIT Deferral is the remaining unamortized balance of the
portion of ITCTransmission’s purchase price in excess of fair value of net assets acquired from DTE Energy
approved for inclusion in future rates by the FERC. The original amount recorded for this regulatory asset of $61
million is recognized in rates and amortized on a straight-line basis over 20 years beginning March 1, 2003.
ITCTransmission includes the remaining unamortized balance of this regulatory asset in rate base.
ITCTransmission recorded amortization expense of $3 million annually during 2020, 2019 and 2018, which is
included in depreciation and amortization in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and
recovered through ITCTransmission’s cost-based Formula Rate template.
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METC ADIT Deferral
The carrying amount of the METC ADIT Deferral is the remaining unamortized balance of the portion of
METC’s purchase price in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired at the time MTH acquired METC from
Consumers Energy approved for inclusion in future rates by the FERC. The original amount approved for
recovery recorded for this regulatory asset of $43 million is recognized in rates and amortized on a straight-line
basis over 18 years beginning January 1, 2007. METC includes the remaining unamortized balance of this
regulatory asset in rate base. METC recorded amortization expense of $2 million annually during 2020, 2019
and 2018, which is included in depreciation and amortization in our consolidated statements of comprehensive
income and recovered through METC’s cost-based Formula Rate template.
METC Regulatory Deferrals
The carrying amount of the METC Regulatory Deferrals is the amount METC has deferred, as a regulatory
asset, of depreciation and related interest expense associated with new transmission assets placed in service
from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2005 that were included on METC’s balance sheet at the time
MTH acquired METC from Consumers Energy. The original amount recorded for this regulatory asset of $15
million, and approved for inclusion in future rates by the FERC, is recognized in rates and amortized over 20
years beginning January 1, 2007. METC includes the remaining unamortized balance of this regulatory asset in
rate base. METC recorded amortization expense of $1 million annually during 2020, 2019 and 2018, which is
included in depreciation and amortization in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and
recovered through METC’s cost-based Formula Rate template.
Income Taxes Recoverable Related to AFUDC Equity
Accounting standards for income taxes provide that a regulatory asset be recorded if it is probable that a
future increase in taxes payable, relating to the book depreciation of AFUDC equity that has been capitalized to
property, plant and equipment, will be recovered from customers through future rates. The regulatory asset for
the tax effects of AFUDC equity is recovered over the life of the underlying book asset in a manner that is
consistent with the depreciation of the AFUDC equity that has been capitalized to property, plant and
equipment. This regulatory asset and the related offsetting deferred income tax liabilities do not affect rate base.
ITC Great Plains Start-Up, Development and Pre-Construction
In 2013, ITC Great Plains made a filing with the FERC, under Section 205 of the FPA, to recover start-up,
development and pre-construction expenses in future rates. These expenses included certain costs incurred by
ITC Great Plains for two regional cost sharing projects in Kansas prior to construction. In March 2015, FERC
accepted ITC Great Plains’ request to commence amortization of the authorized regulatory assets, subject to
refund. In December 2015, the FERC issued an order accepting an uncontested settlement agreement
establishing the amounts of the regulatory assets and associated carrying charges to be recovered. ITC Great
Plains includes the unamortized balance of these regulatory assets in rate base and will amortize them over a
10-year period, beginning in the second quarter of 2015. The amortization expense is recorded to general and
administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and recovered through ITC
Great Plains’ cost-based Formula Rate.
Pensions and Postretirement
Accounting standards for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans for rate-regulated entities
allow for amounts that otherwise would have been charged to AOCI to be recorded as a regulatory asset. As the
unrecognized amounts recorded to this regulatory asset are recognized, expenses will be recovered from
customers in future rates under our cost based Formula Rates. This regulatory asset is not included when
determining rate base.
Income Taxes Recoverable Related to Implementation of the Michigan Corporate Income Tax
Under the Michigan Corporate Income Tax, we are taxed at a rate of 6.0% on federal taxable income
attributable to our operations in the state of Michigan, subject to certain adjustments. In 2011, due to certain
Michigan tax law changes we were required to establish new deferred income tax balances under the Michigan
Corporate Income Tax, and the net result was incremental deferred state income tax liabilities at both
ITCTransmission and METC. Under our cost-based Formula Rate, the future tax receivable as a result of the
tax law change has resulted in the recognition of a regulatory asset, which will be collected from customers for
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the 23-year period and the 32-year period for ITCTransmission and METC, respectively, beginning in 2016.
ITCTransmission and METC include this regulatory asset within deferred taxes for rate-making purposes when
determining rate base.
Accrued Asset Removal Costs
The carrying amount of the accrued asset removal costs represents the difference between incurred costs to
remove property, plant and equipment and the estimated removal costs included and collected in rates. The
portion of depreciation expense included in our depreciation rates related to asset removal costs reduces this
regulatory asset and removal costs incurred are added to this regulatory asset. In addition, this regulatory asset
has also been adjusted for timing differences between incurred costs to settle legal asset retirement obligations
and the recognition of such obligations under the standards set forth by the FASB. Our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries include this item, excluding the cost component related to the recognition of our legal asset
retirement obligations under the standards set forth by the FASB, as a reduction to accumulated depreciation for
rate-making purposes, when determining rate base.
Regulatory Liabilities
The following table summarizes the regulatory liability balances:
(In millions of USD)
Regulatory Liabilities:
Current:
Revenue deferrals (including accrued interest of less than $1 and $4 as of
December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively) (a)
Refund related to the Initial Complaint (including accrued interest of $1 and $6
as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively) (b)
Refund related to ITC Great Plains incentive adder complaint (c)
Total current
Non-current:
Revenue deferrals (including accrued interest of less than $1 as of December
31, 2020 and 2019) (a)
Accrued asset removal costs
Excess state income tax deductions
Income taxes refundable related to implementation of the TCJA
Pensions and postretirement
Other
Total non-current
Total
____________________________
December 31,
2020
2019
$
1 $
13
—
14
12
73
3
507
16
1
612
$
626 $
51
70
2
123
1
72
2
509
—
—
584
707
(a) Refer to discussion of revenue deferrals in Note 6 under “Cost-Based Formula Rates with True-Up
Mechanism.” Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries accrue interest on the true-up amounts which will be
refunded through rates along with the principal amount of revenue deferrals in future periods.
(b) Refer to discussion of the refund liability in Note 18 under “Rate of Return on Equity Complaints.”
(c) Refer to discussion of the ITC Great Plains incentive adder in Note 6 under “Incentive Adders for
Transmission Rates.”
Accrued Asset Removal Costs
The carrying amount of the accrued asset removal costs represents the difference between incurred costs to
remove property, plant and equipment and the estimated removal costs included and collected in rates. The
portion of depreciation expense included in our depreciation rates related to asset removal costs is added to this
regulatory liability and removal expenditures incurred are charged to this regulatory liability. Our Regulated
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Operating Subsidiaries include this item within accumulated depreciation for rate-making purposes and
determining rate base.
Excess State Income Tax Deductions
Our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries have taken state income tax deductions associated with property
additions that exceed the tax basis of property, and the unrealized income tax benefits resulting from these
deductions are expected to be refunded to customers through future rates when the income tax benefits are
realized. This regulatory liability is included within deferred taxes for rate-making purposes when determining
rate base.
Income Taxes Refundable Related to Implementation of the TCJA
Under the TCJA the income tax rate changed from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after 2017.
The Company was required to revalue its deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new federal corporate income
tax rate as of the date of the enactment of the TCJA, which resulted in lower net deferred tax liabilities and the
establishment of a net regulatory liability for excess deferred taxes at our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries.
The excess deferred taxes are generally the result of accelerated federal tax deductions realized by our
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries in periods when the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate was 35% and now
would be returned to customers in a period where the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate is 21%. As the
excess deferred taxes must be returned to customers this net regulatory liability is recognized. For our
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, our deferred taxes are subject to a normalization method of accounting for
the excess tax reserves resulting from the change in the federal statutory tax rate which involves the use of
ARAM for the determination of the timing of the return of the excess deferred taxes to customers associated
with public utility property. In addition, a portion of our excess deferred taxes at our Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries are associated with other types of deferred taxes that are not related to public utility property and
are subject to amortization. We have elected to amortize these excess deferred taxes using RSGM. During the
years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recorded $2 million and $1 million, respectively, of amortization
related to the excess deferred taxes under ARAM and RSGM. The net regulatory liability is included within
deferred taxes for rate-making purposes when determining rate base.
Pensions and Postretirement
Accounting standards for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans for rate-regulated entities
allow for amounts that otherwise would have been credited to AOCI to be recorded as a regulatory liability. As
the unrecognized amounts recorded to this regulatory liability are recognized, amounts will be returned to
customers in future rates under our cost based Formula Rates. This regulatory liability is not included when
determining rate base.
8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment — net consisted of the following:
(In millions of USD)
Property, plant and equipment
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries:
December 31,
2020
2019
Property, plant and equipment in service
$
10,661 $
Construction work in progress
Capital equipment inventory
Other
ITC Holdings and other
Total
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
Property, plant and equipment, net
523
103
81
14
11,382
(2,055)
$
9,327 $
9,973
375
99
51
14
10,512
(1,930)
8,582
Additions to property, plant and equipment in service and construction work in progress during 2020 and
2019 were due primarily to asset acquisitions and projects to upgrade or replace existing transmission plant and
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update grid security to improve the reliability of our transmission systems as well as transmission infrastructure
to support generator interconnections and investments that provide regional benefits such as our MVPs.
9. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had goodwill balances recorded at ITCTransmission, METC and ITC
Midwest of $173 million, $454 million and $323 million, respectively, which resulted from the ITCTransmission
and METC acquisitions and ITC Midwest’s acquisition of the IP&L transmission assets, respectively.
Intangible Assets
METC has recorded intangible assets with finite lives derived from the portion of regulatory assets recorded
on METC’s historical FERC financial statements that were not recorded on METC’s historical GAAP financial
statements. These intangible assets are associated with the METC Regulatory Deferrals and the METC ADIT
Deferral as described in Note 7. The carrying amounts of the intangible asset for the METC Regulatory
Deferrals and the METC ADIT Deferral were $12 million and $4 million (net of accumulated amortization of $28
million and $15 million), respectively, as of December 31, 2020, and $14 million and $5 million (net of
accumulated amortization of $26 million and $14 million), respectively, as of December 31, 2019. The
amortization periods for the METC Regulatory Deferrals and the METC ADIT Deferral are 20 and 18,
respectively, beginning January 1, 2007. METC earns an equity return on the remaining unamortized balance of
both intangible assets and recovers the amortization expense through METC’s cost-based Formula Rate
template.
ITC Great Plains has recorded intangible assets for payments made by and obligations of ITC Great Plains
to certain TOs to acquire rights, which are required under the SPP tariff to designate ITC Great Plains to build,
own and operate projects within the SPP region, including three regional cost sharing projects in Kansas. The
carrying amount of these intangible assets was $13 million and $14 million (net of accumulated amortization of
$3 million and $2 million) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The amortization period for these
intangible assets is 50 years, beginning March 31, 2011.
We recognized $4 million, $3 million, and $4 million of amortization expense of our intangible assets during
the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, recorded in depreciation and amortization
on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. We expect the annual amortization of our intangible
assets that have been recorded as of December 31, 2020 to be as follows:
(In millions of USD)
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026 and thereafter
Total
$
$
3
3
4
3
3
13
29
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10. DEBT
Amounts of outstanding debt were classified as debt maturing within one year and long-term debt in the
consolidated statements of financial position as follows:
(In millions of USD)
December 31,
2020
2019
ITC Holdings 6.375% Senior Notes, due September 30, 2036
$
200 $
ITC Holdings 4.05% Senior Notes, due July 1, 2023
ITC Holdings 3.65% Senior Notes, due June 15, 2024
ITC Holdings 5.30% Senior Notes, due July 1, 2043
ITC Holdings 3.25% Notes, due June 30, 2026
ITC Holdings 2.70% Senior Notes, due November 15, 2022
ITC Holdings 3.35% Senior Notes, due November 15, 2027
ITC Holdings 2.95% Senior Notes, due May 14, 2030
ITC Holdings Term Loan Credit Agreement, due June 11, 2021
ITC Holdings Revolving Credit Agreement, due October 21, 2023
ITC Holdings Commercial Paper Program (a)
ITCTransmission 6.125% First Mortgage Bonds, Series C, due March 31, 2036
ITCTransmission 4.625% First Mortgage Bonds, Series E, due August 15, 2043
ITCTransmission 4.27% First Mortgage Bonds, Series F, due June 10, 2044
ITCTransmission 4.00% First Mortgage Bonds, Series G, due March 30, 2053
ITCTransmission 3.30% First Mortgage Bonds, Series H, due August 28, 2049
ITCTransmission Revolving Credit Agreement, due October 21, 2023
METC 5.64% Senior Secured Notes, due May 6, 2040
METC 3.98% Senior Secured Notes, due October 26, 2042
METC 4.19% Senior Secured Notes, due December 15, 2044
METC 3.90% Senior Secured Notes, due April 26, 2046
METC 4.55% Senior Secured Notes, due January 15, 2049
METC 4.65% Senior Secured Notes, due July 10, 2049
METC 3.02% Senior Secured Notes, due October 14, 2055
METC Revolving Credit Agreement, due October 21, 2023
ITC Midwest 6.15% First Mortgage Bonds, Series A, due January 31, 2038
ITC Midwest 7.27% First Mortgage Bonds, Series C, due December 22, 2020 (a)
ITC Midwest 4.60% First Mortgage Bonds, Series D, due December 17, 2024
ITC Midwest 3.50% First Mortgage Bonds, Series E, due January 19, 2027
ITC Midwest 4.09% First Mortgage Bonds, Series F, due April 30, 2043
ITC Midwest 3.83% First Mortgage Bonds, Series G, due April 7, 2055
ITC Midwest 4.16% First Mortgage Bonds, Series H, due April 18, 2047
ITC Midwest 4.32% First Mortgage Bonds, Series I, due November 1, 2051
ITC Midwest 3.13% First Mortgage Bonds, Series J, due July 15, 2051
ITC Midwest Revolving Credit Agreement, due October 21, 2023
ITC Great Plains 4.16% First Mortgage Bonds, Series A, due November 26, 2044
ITC Great Plains Revolving Credit Agreement, due October 21, 2023
Total principal
Unamortized deferred financing fees and discount
Total debt
____________________________
250
400
300
400
500
500
700
—
37
67
100
285
100
225
75
33
50
75
150
200
50
50
150
20
175
—
75
100
100
225
200
175
180
75
150
33
200
250
400
300
400
500
500
—
200
34
200
100
285
100
225
75
24
50
75
150
200
50
50
—
79
175
35
75
100
100
225
200
175
—
130
150
32
6,405
(43)
$
6,362 $
5,844
(37)
5,807
(a) As of December 31, 2020 and 2019 there was $67 million and $235 million, respectively, of debt included
within debt maturing within one year in the consolidated statements of financial position.
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The annual maturities of debt as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:
(In millions of USD)
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026 and thereafter
Total
ITC Holdings
Senior Unsecured Notes
$
$
67
500
448
475
—
4,915
6,405
On May 14, 2020, ITC Holdings completed the private offering of $700 million aggregate principal amount of
unsecured 2.95% Senior Notes, due May 14, 2030. The net proceeds from this offering were used to repay the
amount outstanding under ITC Holdings’ $400 million term loan credit agreement, to repay $122 million under
ITC Holdings’ revolving credit agreement, and to repay $92 million under ITC Holdings’ commercial paper
program, with remaining proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes. These Senior Notes were issued
under ITC Holdings’ indenture, dated April 18, 2013.
Term Loan Credit Agreement
On June 12, 2019, ITC Holdings entered into an unsecured, unguaranteed $400 million term loan credit
agreement with a maturity date of June 11, 2021, under which ITC Holdings borrowed $200 million. The
proceeds were used for the early redemption of the $200 million 5.50% Senior Notes due January 15, 2020. In
January 2020, ITC Holdings drew upon the remaining $200 million under the term loan credit agreement to
repay outstanding commercial paper balances. These borrowings were repaid in full in May 2020 from the
proceeds of the ITC Holdings Senior Notes issued on May 14, 2020. The weighted-average interest rate
throughout the life of the loan was 2.27%.
Commercial Paper Program
ITC Holdings has an ongoing commercial paper program for the issuance and sale of unsecured commercial
paper in an aggregate amount not to exceed $400 million outstanding at any one time. As of December 31,
2020, ITC Holdings had $67 million of commercial paper, net of discount, issued and outstanding under the
program, with a weighted-average interest rate of 0.3% and weighted average remaining days to maturity of 14
days. The amount outstanding as of December 31, 2020 was classified as debt maturing within one year in the
consolidated statements of financial position. As of December 31, 2019, ITC Holdings had $200 million of
commercial paper issued and outstanding.
ITCTransmission
First Mortgage Bonds
On August 28, 2019, ITCTransmission issued $75 million aggregate principal amount of 3.30% First
Mortgage Bonds, due August 28, 2049. The proceeds were used to repay existing indebtedness under the
revolving credit agreement and will also be used to partially fund capital expenditures and for general corporate
purposes. All of ITCTransmission’s First Mortgage Bonds are issued under its First Mortgage and Deed of Trust
and secured by a first mortgage lien on substantially all of its real property and tangible personal property.
METC
Senior Secured Notes
On October 14, 2020, METC issued $150 million of 3.02% Senior Secured Notes, due October 14, 2055.
The proceeds from the issuance were used to repay amounts outstanding under METC’s term loan credit
agreement, to repay borrowings under its revolving credit agreement, to partially fund capital expenditures and
for general corporate purposes. All of METC’s Senior Secured Notes are issued under its first mortgage
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indenture and secured by a first mortgage lien on substantially all of its real property and tangible personal
property.
On January 15, 2019, METC issued $50 million of 4.55% Senior Secured Notes, due January 15, 2049. On
July 10, 2019, METC issued an additional $50 million of Senior Secured Notes at 4.65% with terms and
conditions identical to those of the 4.55% Senior Secured Notes except the interest rate which includes a 10
basis point premium and the due date which is 30 years from the date of the issuance. The proceeds from both
issuances were used to repay borrowings under the METC revolving credit agreement, to partially fund capital
expenditures and for general corporate purposes. All of METC’s Senior Secured Notes are issued under its first
mortgage indenture and secured by a first mortgage lien on substantially all of its real property and tangible
personal property.
Term Loan Credit Agreement
On January 23, 2020, METC entered into an unsecured, unguaranteed term loan credit agreement, due
January 23, 2021, under which METC borrowed the maximum of $75 million available under the agreement.
The proceeds were used for general corporate purposes, primarily the repayment of borrowings under the
METC revolving credit agreement. This borrowing was repaid in full on October 14, 2020 from the proceeds of
the METC Senior Secured Notes issued on October 14, 2020. The weighted-average interest rate throughout
the life of the loan was 1.08%.
ITC Midwest
First Mortgage Bonds
On July 15, 2020, ITC Midwest issued an aggregate of $180 million of 3.13% First Mortgage Bonds due July
15, 2051. The proceeds were used to partially repay existing indebtedness under the ITC Midwest revolving
credit agreement, partially fund capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes. ITC Midwest’s First
Mortgage Bonds were issued under its first mortgage and deed of trust and secured by a first mortgage lien on
substantially all of its real property and tangible personal property.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In May 2020, we terminated $450 million of 5-year interest rate swap contracts that managed the interest
rate risk associated with the ITC Holdings $700 million Senior Notes with a maturity date of May 14, 2030. A
summary of the terminated interest rate swaps is provided below:
Interest Rate Swaps
(in millions of USD,
except percentages)
5-year interest rate
swaps
Notional
Amount
Weighted Average
Fixed Rate of
Interest Rate Swaps
Comparable
Reference Rate
of Notes
Loss on Derivatives
Settlement Date
$
450
1.41 %
0.38%
$
23 May 2020
The interest rate swaps qualified for cash flow hedge accounting treatment and the cumulative pre-tax loss
of $23 million was recognized in May 2020 for the effective portion of the hedges and recorded net of tax in
AOCI. This amount is being amortized as a component of interest expense over the initial five years of the term
of the related debt. Consistent with our accounting policy, the swap settlement payment was recognized within
cash flows from financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. At December 31, 2020, ITC
Holdings did not have any interest rate swaps outstanding. As of December 31, 2019, ITC Holdings had
$200 million of interest rate swaps outstanding.
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Revolving Credit Agreements
On January 10, 2020, ITC Holdings, ITCTransmission, METC, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains amended
and restated their respective revolving credit agreements each dated October 23, 2017. The amendments
extend the maturity date of the revolving credit agreements from October 2022 to October 2023. The
determination of the applicable interest rates and commitment fee rates in the new agreements is consistent
with the previous agreements and remain subject to adjustment based on the borrower’s credit rating. At
December 31, 2020, ITC Holdings and certain of its Regulated Operating Subsidiaries had the following
unsecured revolving credit facilities available:
(In millions of USD, except percentages)
ITC Holdings
ITCTransmission
METC
ITC Midwest
ITC Great Plains
Total
____________________________
Total
Available
Capacity
Outstanding
Balance (a)
Unused
Capacity
$
400 $
37 $
363 (d)
100
100
225
75
33
20
75
33
$
900 $
198 $
67
80
150
42
702
Weighted
Average
Interest Rate on
Outstanding
Balance (b)
1.4%
1.1%
1.1%
1.1%
1.1%
Commitment
Fee Rate (c)
0.175 %
0.10 %
0.10 %
0.10 %
0.10 %
(a) Included within long-term debt in the consolidated statements of financial position.
(b) Interest charged on borrowings depends on the variable rate structure we elected at the time of each
borrowing.
(c) Calculation based on the average daily unused commitments, subject to adjustment based on the
borrower’s credit rating.
(d) ITC Holdings’ revolving credit agreement may be used for general corporate purposes, including to repay
commercial paper issued pursuant to the commercial paper program described above, if necessary. While
outstanding commercial paper does not reduce available capacity under ITC Holdings’ revolving credit
agreement, the unused capacity under this agreement adjusted for the commercial paper outstanding was
$296 million as of December 31, 2020.
11. INCOME TAXES
Our effective tax rate varied from the statutory federal income tax rate due to differences between the book
and tax treatment of various transactions as follows:
(In millions of USD)
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
Income tax expense at federal statutory rate (a)
$
114 $
118 $
State income taxes (net of federal benefit) (b)
AFUDC equity
Other, net
Total income tax provision
____________________________
28
(4)
(2)
22
(5)
(3)
93
31
(6)
(7)
$
136 $
132 $
111
(a) The federal statutory rate is 21% for 2020, 2019 and 2018.
(b) Amounts for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 include $2 million, $1 million and $6
million, respectively, related to the remeasurement of Iowa NOLs due to the rate change from 12.0% to
9.8% effective January 1, 2021.
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Components of the income tax provision were as follows:
(In millions of USD)
Current income tax (benefit) expense
Deferred income tax expense
Total income tax provision
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
$
(2) $
(3) $
138
135
136 $
132 $
4
107
111
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, our effective tax rates were 25.0%, 23.6% and
25.2%, respectively.
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) consisted of the following:
(In millions of USD)
Property, plant and equipment
Federal income tax NOLs and other credits
METC regulatory deferral (a)
Acquisition adjustments — ADIT deferrals (a)
Goodwill
Refund liabilities (a)
Regulatory liability gross up — TCJA
Pension and postretirement liabilities
State income tax NOLs (net of federal benefit)
True-up adjustment principal & interest
Other, net
Net deferred tax liabilities
Gross deferred income tax liabilities
Gross deferred income tax assets
Net deferred tax liabilities
____________________________
December 31,
2020
2019
$
(1,156) $
(1,071)
85
(4)
(5)
117
(5)
(7)
(139)
(133)
—
134
20
58
(14)
8
19
134
18
52
(1)
4
$
$
(1,013) $
(873)
(1,333) $
(1,233)
320
$
(1,013) $
360
(873)
(a) Deferred income tax assets for refund liabilities are related to the Initial Complaint and the ITC Great Plains
incentive adder complaint. See Note 7 for additional details regarding these matters.
We have federal income tax NOLs as of December 31, 2020. We expect to use our NOLs prior to their
expirations starting in 2036. We also have state income tax NOLs as of December 31, 2020, all of which we
expect to use prior to their expiration starting in 2022.
12. RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND ASSETS HELD IN TRUST
Pension and Postretirement Plan Benefits
We have a qualified defined benefit pension plan (“retirement plan”) for eligible employees, comprised of a
traditional final average pay plan and a cash balance plan. The traditional final average pay plan is
noncontributory, covers select employees, and provides retirement benefits based on years of benefit service,
average final compensation, and age at retirement. The cash balance plan is also noncontributory, covers
substantially all employees, and provides retirement benefits based on eligible compensation and interest
credits. Our funding practice for the retirement plan is generally to fund the annual net pension cost, though we
may contribute additional amounts as necessary to meet the minimum funding requirements of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or as we deem appropriate. We made contributions of $4 million to the
retirement plan in each of 2020, 2019, and 2018. We expect to contribute $4 million to the retirement plan in
2021.
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We also have two supplemental nonqualified, noncontributory, defined benefit pension plans for selected
management employees (the “supplemental benefit plans” and collectively with the retirement plan, the
“pension plans”). The supplemental benefit plans provide for benefits that supplement those provided by the
retirement plan. The obligations under these supplemental benefit plans are included in the pension benefit
obligation calculations below. The investments held in trust for the supplemental benefit plans of $56 million and
$54 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, are not included in the plan asset amounts presented
throughout this footnote, but are included in other assets on our consolidated statements of financial position.
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, we contributed $3 million, $1 million, and $3 million,
respectively, to these supplemental benefit plans.
We provide certain postretirement health care, dental, and life insurance benefits for eligible employees (the
“postretirement benefit plan”). We contributed $10 million, $9 million, and $9 million to the postretirement benefit
plan in 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. We expect to contribute $11 million to the postretirement benefit
plan in 2021.
Net periodic benefit costs by component for the pension plans and postretirement benefit plan were as
follows:
(In millions of USD)
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
2018
Pension Plans
Years Ended December 31,
Postretirement Benefit Plan
Years Ended December 31,
10
3
(3)
—
10
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of unrecognized loss
$
8 $
7 $
7 $
11 $
9 $
4
(6)
1
5
(5)
1
4
(5)
1
4
(5)
—
4
(4)
—
Net benefit cost
$
7 $
8 $
7 $
10 $
9 $
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The following table reconciles the obligations, assets, and funded status of the pension plans and
postretirement benefit plan as well as the presentation of the funded status of the plans in the consolidated
statements of financial position:
(In millions of USD)
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Pension Plans
December 31,
Postretirement Benefit Plan
December 31,
2020
2019
2020
2019
Beginning projected benefit obligation
$
(141) $
(123) $
(113) $
Service cost
Interest cost
Plan amendments
Actuarial net gain/(loss)
Benefits paid
Ending projected benefit obligation
Change in Plan Assets:
Beginning plan assets at fair value
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Benefits paid
Ending plan assets at fair value
Funded status, underfunded
Accumulated benefit obligation:
Retirement plan
Supplemental benefit plans
Total accumulated benefit obligation
Amounts recorded as:
Funded Status:
(8)
(4)
—
(16)
7
(7)
(5)
—
(12)
6
(11)
(4)
2
3
1
(162)
(141)
(122)
91
15
4
(3)
107
73
16
4
(2)
91
95
16
10
(1)
120
(55) $
(50) $
(2) $
(95) $
(60)
(78)
(57)
N/A
N/A
(155) $
(135) $
— $
$
$
$
Accrued pension and postretirement liabilities
$
(57) $
(55) $
(2) $
Other non-current assets
Other current liabilities
Total
Unrecognized Amounts in Non-current Regulatory
Assets/(Liabilities):
Net actuarial loss/(gain)
Net prior service cost/(credit)
Total
$
$
$
6
(4)
9
(4)
N/A
N/A
(55) $
(50) $
(2) $
30 $
—
30 $
24 $
—
24 $
(14) $
(2)
(16) $
(90)
(9)
(4)
—
(11)
1
(113)
72
15
9
(1)
95
(18)
N/A
N/A
—
(18)
N/A
N/A
(18)
1
—
1
The unrecognized amounts that otherwise would have been charged and/or credited to AOCI in accordance
with the GAAP guidance on accounting for retirement benefits are recorded as a regulatory asset or regulatory
liability on our consolidated statements of financial position, as discussed in Note 7. The amounts recorded as a
regulatory asset or regulatory liability represent a net periodic benefit cost or credit to be recognized in our
operating income in future periods. Our measurement of the accumulated benefit obligation for the
postretirement benefit plan as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 does not reflect the potential receipt of any
subsidies under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.
The net actuarial losses for the year ended December 31, 2019 within the change in benefit obligation for
both the Pension Plans and Postretirement Benefit Plan are primarily the result of decreases in the discount
rates.
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The net actuarial loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 within the change in benefit obligation for the
Pension Plans is primarily the result of decreases in the discount rates. The net actuarial gain for the year
ended December 31, 2020 within the change in benefit obligation for the Postretirement Benefit Plan was driven
primarily by per capita experience gains as well as other actuarial gains, partially offset by a decrease in the
discount rate.
The combined projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for those plans in which the projected
benefit obligation is in excess of the fair value of plan assets are as follows:
(In millions of USD)
Projected benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets (a)
____________________________
Pension Plans
December 31,
2020
2019
$
(61) $
—
(59)
—
(a) The investments held in trust for our supplemental benefit plans are not included in the plan asset amounts
presented herein, but are included in Other Assets on our consolidated statements of financial position.
The combined accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for those plans in which the
accumulated benefit obligation is in excess of the fair value of plan assets are as follows:
(In millions of USD)
Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets (a)
____________________________
Pension Plans
December 31,
2020
2019
$
(60) $
—
(57)
—
(a) The investments held in trust for our supplemental benefit plans are not included in the plan asset amounts
presented herein, but are included in Other Assets on our consolidated statements of financial position.
Actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations for the pension plans and postretirement
benefit plan are as follows:
Weighted average discount rate
Weighted average interest crediting rate
Annual rate of salary increases
Health care cost trend rate
Ultimate health care cost trend rate
Year that the ultimate trend rate is reached
Annual rate of increase in dental benefit costs
Pension Plans
December 31,
2020
2.49%
4.00%
4.00%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2019
3.27%
4.00%
4.00%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2018
4.28%
4.50%
4.00%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Postretirement Benefit Plan
December 31,
2020
2019
2018
2.94%
3.61%
4.47%
N/A
4.00%
6.00%
5.00%
2025
N/A
4.00%
6.25%
5.00%
2025
N/A
4.00%
6.50%
5.00%
2025
4.50%
4.50%
4.50%
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Actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit cost for the pension plans and postretirement benefit
plan are as follows:
Pension Plans
Postretirement Benefit Plan
Years Ended December 31,
Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
2018
Weighted average discount rate — service
cost
Weighted average discount rate — interest
cost
Weighted average interest crediting rate
Annual rate of salary increases
Health care cost trend rate
Ultimate health care cost trend rate
Year that the ultimate trend rate is reached
Expected long-term rate of return on plan
assets
3.47%
4.42%
3.70%
3.80%
4.58%
3.80%
2.91%
4.00%
4.00%
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.99%
4.50%
4.00%
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.26%
4.50%
4.00%
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.30%
4.28%
3.58%
N/A
4.00%
6.25%
5.00%
2025
N/A
4.00%
6.50%
5.00%
2025
N/A
4.00%
6.75%
5.00%
2025
6.00%
6.60%
6.40%
4.50%
5.00%
4.90%
At December 31, 2020, the projected benefit payments for the pension plans and postretirement benefit plan
calculated using the same assumptions as those used to calculate the benefit obligations described above are
as follows:
(In millions of USD)
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026 through 2030
Investment Objectives and Fair Value Measurement
Pension Plans
$
7 $
8
9
9
10
59
Postretirement
Benefit Plan
2
2
2
2
3
21
The general investment objectives of the retirement plan and postretirement benefit plan include maximizing
the return within reasonable and prudent levels of risk and controlling administrative and management costs.
Investment decisions are made by our retirement benefits board as delegated by our board of directors. Equity
investments may include various types of U.S. and international equity securities, such as large-cap, mid-cap,
and small-cap stocks. Fixed income investments may include cash and short-term instruments, U.S.
Government securities, corporate bonds, mortgages, and other fixed income investments. No investments are
prohibited for use in the retirement plan or postretirement benefit plan, including derivatives, but our exposure to
derivatives currently is not material. We intend that the long-term capital growth of the retirement and
postretirement benefit plans, together with employer contributions, will provide for the payment of the benefit
obligations.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the plan assets of the retirement plan and postretirement benefit plan
consisted of the following assets by category:
Asset Category
Fixed income securities
Equity securities
Total
Target Allocation
Pension Plans
Postretirement Benefit Plan
2020
2020
2019
2020
2019
50 %
50 %
100 %
50 %
50 %
100 %
50 %
50 %
100 %
50 %
50 %
100 %
50 %
50 %
100 %
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We determine our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets based on the current and expected target
allocations of the retirement plan and postretirement benefit plan investments and considering historical and
expected long-term rates of return on comparable fixed income investments and equity investments.
The measurement of fair value is based on a three-tier hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in
measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active
markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or
indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists,
therefore, requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. Changes in economic conditions or model-based
valuation techniques may require the transfer of financial instruments from one fair value level to another. In
such instances, the transfer is reported at the beginning of the reporting period. For the years ended December
31, 2020 and 2019, there were no transfers between levels.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the fair value of retirement plan and postretirement
benefit plan assets measured on a recurring basis at the Level 1 tier were as follows:
(In millions of USD)
Mutual funds — U.S. equity securities
Mutual funds — international equity securities
Mutual funds — fixed income securities
Total
Pension Plans
December 31,
Postretirement Benefit Plan
December 31,
2020
2019
2020
2019
$
43 $
11
53
$
107 $
36 $
9
46
91 $
57 $
3
60
120 $
45
2
48
95
The mutual funds consist primarily of publicly traded mutual funds and are recorded at fair value based on
observable trades for identical securities in an active market.
Defined Contribution Plan
We also sponsor a defined contribution retirement savings plan. Participation in this plan is available to
substantially all employees. We match employee contributions up to certain predefined limits based upon
eligible compensation and the employee’s contribution rate. The cost of this plan was $6 million in 2020 and
$5 million in each of 2019 and 2018.
13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The measurement of fair value is based on a three-tier hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in
measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active
markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or
indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists,
therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. Changes in economic conditions or model-based
valuation techniques may require the transfer of financial instruments from one fair value level to another. In
such instances, the transfer is reported at the beginning of the reporting period. For the years ended December
31, 2020 and 2019, there were no transfers between levels.
Our assets measured at fair value subject to the three-tier hierarchy at December 31, 2020, were as follows:
(in millions of USD)
Financial assets measured on a recurring basis:
Cash equivalents
Mutual funds — fixed income securities
Mutual funds — equity securities
Total
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
Significant
Other Observable
Inputs
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
$
$
1 $
52
10
63 $
— $
— $
—
— $
—
—
—
—
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Our assets measured at fair value subject to the three-tier hierarchy at December 31, 2019, were as follows:
(in millions of USD)
Financial assets measured on a recurring basis:
Mutual funds — fixed income securities
Mutual funds — equity securities
Interest rate swap derivatives
Total
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
Significant
Other Observable
Inputs
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
$
$
50 $
8
—
58 $
— $
—
3
3 $
—
—
—
—
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on
a recurring basis. The assets included in the table consist of investments recorded within cash and cash
equivalents and other long-term assets, including investments held in a trust associated with our supplemental
benefit plans described in Note 12. The mutual funds we own are publicly traded and are recorded at fair value
based on observable trades for identical securities in an active market. Changes in the observed trading prices
and liquidity of money market funds are monitored as additional support for determining fair value. Gains and
losses for all mutual fund investments are recorded in other operating income and expense.
As of December 31, 2019, the assets related to derivatives consisted of interest rate swaps discussed in
Note 10. The fair value of our interest rate swap derivatives is determined based on a DCF method using
LIBOR swap rates, which are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
We also held non-financial assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
These consist of goodwill and intangible assets. We did not record any impairment charges on long-lived assets
and no other significant events occurred requiring non-financial assets and liabilities to be measured at fair
value (subsequent to initial recognition) during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Refer to Note 9
for additional information on our goodwill and intangible assets.
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities
Fixed Rate Debt
Based on the borrowing rates obtained from third party lending institutions currently available for bank loans
with similar terms and average maturities from active markets, the fair value of our consolidated long-term debt
and debt maturing within one year, excluding revolving and term loan credit agreements and commercial paper,
was $7,119 million and $5,672 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These fair values
represent Level 2 under the three-tier hierarchy described above. The total book value of our consolidated long-
term debt and debt maturing within one year, net of discount and deferred financing fees and excluding
revolving and term loan credit agreements and commercial paper, was $6,097 million and $5,108 million at
December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Revolving and Term Loan Credit Agreements
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had a consolidated total of $198 million and $499 million, respectively,
outstanding under our revolving and term loan credit agreements, which are variable rate loans. The fair value
of these loans approximates book value based on the borrowing rates currently available for variable rate loans
obtained from third party lending institutions. These fair values represent Level 2 under the three-tier hierarchy
described above.
Other Financial Instruments
The carrying value of other financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities, including
cash and cash equivalents, special deposits and commercial paper, approximates their fair value due to the
short-term nature of these instruments.
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14. STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The following table provides the components of changes in AOCI:
(In millions of USD)
Balance at the beginning of period
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
7 $
4 $
Reclassification of deferred tax effects on interest rate cash flow hedges
stranded in AOCI, subject to the TCJA, into retained earnings
—
—
Other Comprehensive Income
Derivative Instruments
Reclassification of net loss relating to interest rate cash flow hedges
from AOCI to earnings (net of tax of $1 for the year ended December
31, 2020 and less than $1 for each of the years ended December 31,
2019 and 2018) (a)
(Loss) gain on interest rate swaps relating to interest rate cash flow
hedges (net of tax of $8 and $1 for the years ended December 31,
2020 and 2019, respectively)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
Balance at the end of period
____________________________
3
(18)
(15)
1
2
3
$
(8) $
7 $
2
1
1
—
1
4
(a) The reclassification of the net loss relating to interest rate cash flow hedges is reported in interest expense
on a pre-tax basis.
The amount of net loss relating to interest rate cash flow hedges to be reclassified from AOCI to earnings for
the 12-month period ending December 31, 2021 is expected to be approximately $4 million (net of tax of less
than $2 million). The reclassification is reported in interest expense on a pre-tax basis.
15. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION AND EMPLOYEE SHARE PURCHASE PLAN
We recorded share-based compensation costs as follows:
(In millions of USD)
Operation and maintenance expenses
General and administrative expenses
Amounts capitalized to property, plant and equipment
Total share-based compensation costs
Total tax benefit recognized in the consolidated statements of
comprehensive income
Long-Term Incentive Plans
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
$
$
2 $
2 $
23
7
30
8
32 $
40 $
8 $
8 $
1
7
3
11
4
Under our long-term incentive plans, we may grant long-term incentive awards of PBUs and SBUs to
employees, including executive officers, of ITC Holdings and its subsidiaries. Generally, each PBU and SBU
granted will be valued based on one share of Fortis common stock traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange,
converted to U.S. dollars and settled only in cash. However, certain SBUs granted to the executives may settle
in cash, 100% Fortis common stock, or 50% cash and 50% Fortis common stock depending on executives’
settlement elections and whether certain share ownership requirements are met. PBUs and SBUs that are
granted pursuant to our long-term incentive plans generally vest on either the third December 31st or January
1st following the grant date, provided the service and performance criteria, as applicable, are satisfied, and will
be settled during the subsequent quarter. However, certain awards may vest over a shorter period or on the
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grant date if certain retirement eligibility criteria are met. The granted awards and related dividend equivalents
have no shareholder rights.
Performance-Based Units
The PBUs are classified as liability awards based on the cash settlement feature. The PBUs are measured at
fair value at the end of each reporting period, which will fluctuate based on the price of Fortis common stock and
the level of achievement of the financial performance criteria, including a market condition and a performance
condition. The payout may range from 0% - 200% of the target award, depending on actual performance
relative to the performance criteria. The PBUs earn dividend equivalents which are also re-measured consistent
with the target award and settled in cash at the end of the vesting period.
The following table shows the changes in PBUs during the year ended December 31, 2020:
PBUs at December 31, 2019
Granted
Vested and paid out
Forfeited
PBUs at December 31, 2020
Number of
Performance
Based Units
976,228
319,440
(335,619)
(59,098)
900,951
The following table presents the classification in the consolidated statements of financial position of
obligations related to outstanding PBUs not yet settled:
(In millions of USD)
Accrued compensation
Other long-term liabilities
Total
December 31,
2020
2019
$
$
20 $
22
42 $
17
19
36
The aggregate fair value of PBUs as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $59 million and $54 million,
respectively. At December 31, 2020, $17 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to PBUs not
yet vested is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 1.6 years.
Service-Based Units
The SBUs are classified as liability awards based on the possibility of cash settlement. The SBUs are
measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period, which will fluctuate based on the price of Fortis
common stock. The SBUs earn dividend equivalents which are also re-measured based on the price of Fortis
common stock and settled in cash at the end of the vesting period.
The following table shows the changes in SBUs during the year ended December 31, 2020:
SBUs at December 31, 2019
Granted
Vested and paid out
Forfeited
SBUs at December 31, 2020
76
Number of
Service
Based Units
745,250
246,714
(266,918)
(37,336)
687,710
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The following table presents the classification in the consolidated statements of financial position of
obligations related to outstanding SBUs not yet settled:
(In millions of USD)
Accrued compensation
Other long-term liabilities
Total
December 31,
2020
2019
$
$
9 $
10
19 $
10
10
20
The aggregate fair value of SBUs as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $28 million and $30 million,
respectively. At December 31, 2020, $9 million of the total unrecognized compensation cost related to SBUs not
yet vested is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 1.6 years.
Employee Share Purchase Plan
ITC employees are permitted to purchase common shares of Fortis stock under the Fortis ESPP. ITC
Holdings also makes contributions as additional compensation to participating employees’ ESPP accounts. The
cost of ITC Holdings’ contribution for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was less than $1
million, respectively.
16. JOINTLY OWNED UTILITY PLANT/COORDINATED SERVICES
Certain of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries have agreements with other utilities for the joint ownership
of substation assets and transmission lines as discussed in Note 3. We have investments in jointly owned utility
assets as shown in the table below as of December 31, 2020:
(In millions of USD)
ITCTransmission (b)
METC (c)
ITC Midwest (d)
ITC Great Plains (e)
Total
____________________________
Net Investments (a)
Substations
Lines
$
$
— $
17
44
10
29
41
41
23
71 $
134
(a) Amount represents our investment in jointly held plant, which has been reduced by the ownership interest
amounts of other parties.
(b) ITCTransmission has joint ownership in two 345 kV transmission lines with a municipal power agency that
has a 50.4% ownership interest in the transmission lines. An Ownership and Operating Agreement with the
municipal power agency provides ITCTransmission with authority for construction of capital improvements
and for the operation and management of the transmission lines. The municipal power agency is
responsible for the capital and operation and maintenance costs allocable to their ownership interest.
(c) METC has joint ownership in several assets within various substations with Consumers Energy, other
municipal distribution systems and other generators. The rights, responsibilities and obligations for these
jointly owned assets are documented in the DT Interconnection Agreement with Consumers Energy and in
numerous interconnection facilities agreements with various municipalities and other generators. In
addition, other municipal power agencies and cooperatives have an ownership interest in several METC
345 kV transmission lines. This ownership entitles these municipal power agencies and cooperatives to
approximately 608 MW of network transmission service from the METC transmission system. As of
December 31, 2020, METC’s ownership percentages for jointly owned substation facilities and lines ranged
from less than 1.0% to 92.0% and 1.0% to 41.9%, respectively.
(d) ITC Midwest has joint ownership in several substations and transmission lines with various parties. ITC
Midwest’s ownership percentages for jointly owned substation facilities and lines ranged from 28.0% to
80.0% and 11.0% to 80.0%, respectively, as of December 31, 2020.
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(e) ITC Great Plains has joint ownership in a transmission project with an electric cooperative. ITC Great Plains
is responsible for construction and operation of the project and the electric cooperative is responsible for
their ownership percentage of capital and operation and maintenance costs. As of December 31, 2020, ITC
Great Plains’ ownership percentage in the project was 51.0%.
17. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Intercompany Receivables and Payables
ITC Holdings may incur charges from Fortis and other subsidiaries of Fortis that are not subsidiaries of ITC
Holdings for general corporate expenses incurred. In addition, ITC Holdings may perform additional services for,
or receive additional services from, Fortis and such subsidiaries. These transactions are in the normal course of
business and payments for these services are settled through accounts receivable and accounts payable, as
necessary. We had intercompany receivables from Fortis and such subsidiaries of less than $1 million at
December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and intercompany payables to Fortis and such subsidiaries of less
than $1 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
Related party charges for corporate expenses from Fortis and such subsidiaries are recorded in general and
administrative expense. ITC Holdings had such expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 of
$10 million and for the year ended December 31, 2018 of $8 million. Related party billings for services to Fortis
and other subsidiaries recorded as an offset to general and administrative expenses for ITC Holdings were $2
million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and less than $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019
and 2018.
Dividends
We paid dividends of $330 million, $250 million and $200 million during the years ended December 31, 2020,
2019 and 2018, respectively, to ITC Investment Holdings. ITC Holdings also paid dividends of $58 million to ITC
Investment Holdings in January 2021.
Transfer of Membership Interests
In February 2021, we transferred our membership interests in certain wholly-owned development entities to
our parent company, ITC Investment Holdings. The transfer was accounted for at book value as a non-
reciprocal transfer of value. There was no gain or loss recognized on the transfer. The transfer will not have a
material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
Intercompany Tax Sharing Agreement
We are organized as a corporation for tax purposes and subject to a tax sharing agreement as a wholly-
owned subsidiary of ITC Investment Holdings. Additionally, we record income taxes based on our separate
company tax position and make or receive tax-related payments with ITC Investment Holdings. In April 2020,
ITC Holdings paid $2 million to ITC Investment Holdings for matters related to the State of Michigan income
taxes. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we received a payment of $2 million from
FortisUS for a tax refund that originated prior to establishing the tax sharing agreement.
18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
Environmental Matters
We are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, which impose limitations on
the discharge of pollutants into the environment, establish standards for the management, treatment, storage,
transportation and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and hazardous materials, and impose obligations to
investigate and remediate contamination in certain circumstances. Liabilities relating to investigation and
remediation of contamination, as well as other liabilities concerning hazardous materials or contamination, such
as claims for personal injury or property damage, may arise at many locations, including formerly owned or
operated properties and sites where wastes have been treated or disposed of, as well as properties currently
owned or operated by us. Such liabilities may arise even where the contamination does not result from
noncompliance with applicable environmental laws. Under some environmental laws, such liabilities may also
be joint and several, meaning that a party can be held responsible for more than its share of the liability
involved, or even the entire share. Although environmental requirements generally have become more stringent
and compliance with those requirements more expensive, we are not aware of any specific developments that
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would increase our costs for such compliance in a manner that would be expected to have a material adverse
effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
Our assets and operations also involve the use of materials classified as hazardous, toxic or otherwise
dangerous. Many of the properties that we own or operate have been used for many years and include older
facilities and equipment that may be more likely than newer ones to contain or be made from such materials.
Some of these properties include aboveground or underground storage tanks and associated piping. Some of
them also include large electrical equipment filled with mineral oil, which may contain or previously have
contained PCBs. Some of our facilities and electrical equipment may also contain asbestos containment
materials. Our facilities and equipment are often situated on or near property owned by others so that, if they
are the source of contamination, others’ property may be affected. For example, aboveground and underground
transmission lines sometimes traverse properties that we do not own and transmission assets that we own or
operate are sometimes commingled at our transmission stations with distribution assets owned or operated by
our transmission customers.
Some properties in which we have an ownership interest or at which we operate are, or are suspected of
being, affected by environmental contamination. We are not aware of any pending or threatened claims against
us with respect to environmental contamination relating to these properties, or of any investigation or
remediation of contamination at these properties, that entail costs likely to materially affect us. Some facilities
and properties are located near environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands.
Litigation
We are involved in certain legal proceedings before various courts, governmental agencies and mediation
panels concerning matters arising in the ordinary course of business. These proceedings include certain
contract disputes, eminent domain and vegetation management activities, regulatory matters and pending
judicial matters. We cannot predict the final disposition of such proceedings. We regularly review legal matters
and record provisions for claims that are considered probable of loss.
Rate of Return on Equity Complaints
Two complaints were filed with the FERC by combinations of consumer advocates, consumer groups,
municipal parties and other parties challenging the base ROE in MISO. The complaints were filed with the
FERC under Section 206 of the FPA requesting that the FERC find the MISO regional base ROE rate (the “base
ROE”) for all MISO TO’s, including our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, to no longer be just and
reasonable.
Initial Complaint
On November 12, 2013, the Association of Businesses Advocating Tariff Equity, Coalition of MISO
Transmission Customers, Illinois Industrial Energy Consumers, Indiana Industrial Energy Consumers, Inc.,
Minnesota Large Industrial Group and Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group (collectively, the “complainants”) filed
the Initial Complaint with the FERC. The complainants sought a FERC order to reduce the base ROE used in
the formula transmission rates for our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to 9.15%, reducing the equity
component of our capital structure and terminating the ROE adders approved for certain Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries. The FERC set the base ROE for hearing and settlement procedures, while denying all other
aspects of the Initial Complaint. The ROE collected through the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ rates
during the period November 12, 2013 through September 27, 2016 consisted of a base ROE of 12.38% plus
applicable incentive adders.
On September 28, 2016, the FERC issued the September 2016 Order that set the base ROE at 10.32%,
with a maximum ROE of 11.35%, effective for the period from November 12, 2013 through February 11, 2015
based on the two-step DCF methodology adopted in previous complaint matters for other utilities. The
September 2016 Order required our MISO Regulated Operating subsidiaries to provide refunds, including
interest, which were completed in 2017. Additionally, the base ROE established by the September 2016 Order
was to be used prospectively from the date of that order until a new approved base ROE was established by the
FERC. On October 28, 2016, the MISO TOs, including our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, filed a
request with the FERC for rehearing of the September 2016 Order regarding the short-term growth projections
in the two-step DCF analysis. Additional impacts to the base ROE for the period of the Initial Complaint and the
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related accrued refund liabilities resulted from the November 2019 Order and May 2020 Order issued by the
FERC, as discussed below.
Second Complaint
On February 12, 2015, the Second Complaint was filed with the FERC by Arkansas Electric Cooperative
Corporation, Mississippi Delta Energy Agency, Clarksdale Public Utilities Commission, Public Service
Commission of Yazoo City and Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., seeking a FERC order to
reduce the base ROE used in the formula transmission rates of our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries to
8.67%, with an effective date of February 12, 2015.
On June 30, 2016, the presiding ALJ issued an initial decision that recommended a base ROE of 9.70% for
the refund period from February 12, 2015 through May 11, 2016, with a maximum ROE of 10.68%, which also
would be applicable going forward from the date of a final FERC order. The Second Complaint was dismissed
as a result of the November 2019 Order and the dismissal of the complaint was reaffirmed in the May 2020
Order, as discussed below.
Related FERC Orders
In April 2017, the D.C. Circuit Court vacated certain precedent-setting FERC orders that established and
applied the two-step DCF methodology for the determination of base ROE for ISO New England TOs. The court
remanded the orders to the FERC for further justification of its establishment of the new base ROE for the ISO
New England TOs. The vacated orders in the ISO New England matters also provided the precedent for the
September 2016 Order on the Initial Complaint and the ALJ initial decision on the Second Complaint for our
MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries. On October 16, 2018, in the New England matters, the FERC issued
an order on remand which proposed a new methodology for 1) determining when an existing ROE is no longer
just and reasonable; and 2) setting a new just and reasonable ROE if an existing ROE has been found not to be
just and reasonable.
The FERC issued a similar order, the November 2018 Order, in the MISO ROE Complaints, establishing a
paper hearing on the application of the proposed new methodology to the proceedings pending before the
FERC involving the ROE of the MISO TOs, including our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries. The
November 2018 Order included illustrative, non-binding calculations for the ROE that could have been
established for the Initial Complaint using the FERC's proposed methodology. The November 2018 Order and
our response to the order through briefs and reply briefs did not provide a reasonable basis for a change to the
reserve or ROEs utilized for any of the complaint refund periods nor all subsequent periods.
November 2019 Order
On November 21, 2019, the FERC issued an order on the MISO ROE Complaints. The FERC did not adopt
the methodology proposed in the November 2018 Order, but rather applied a methodology to the Initial
Complaint period that used two financial models to determine the base ROE. The FERC determined that the
base ROE for the Initial Complaint should be 9.88% and the top of the range of reasonableness for that period
should be 12.24% and that this base ROE should apply during the first refund period of November 12, 2013 to
February 11, 2015 and from the date of the September 2016 Order prospectively. In the November 2019 Order,
the FERC also dismissed the Second Complaint. Therefore, based on the November 2019 Order, for the
Second Complaint refund period from February 12, 2015 to May 11, 2016, no refund is due. As a result, we
reversed the aggregate estimated current liability we had previously recorded for the Second Complaint, as
noted below in “Financial Statement Impacts”. In addition, for the period from May 12, 2016 to September 27,
2016, no refund is due because no complaint had been filed for that period. The FERC ordered refunds to be
made in accordance with the November 2019 Order and, on December 18, 2019, the FERC granted an
extension until December 23, 2020 for settlement of the refunds. The MISO TOs, including our MISO Regulated
Operating Subsidiaries, and several other parties filed requests for rehearing of the November 2019 Order. The
MISO TOs filed their request for rehearing primarily on the basis that the methodology applied by the FERC in
the November 2019 Order does not allow the MISO TOs to earn a reasonable rate of return on their investment,
as required by precedent. On January 21, 2020, the FERC issued an order granting rehearing for further
consideration.
May 2020 Order
On May 21, 2020, the FERC issued an order on rehearing of the November 2019 Order. In this order, the
FERC revised its November 2019 Order methodology, finding that three financial models should be used to
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determine the base ROE, among other revisions. By applying the new methodology, FERC determined that the
base ROE for the Initial Complaint should be 10.02% and the top of the range of reasonableness for that period
should be 12.62%. The FERC determined that this base ROE should apply during the first refund period of
November 12, 2013 to February 11, 2015 and from the date of the September 2016 Order prospectively. The
FERC ordered refunds to be made in accordance with the May 2020 Order by December 23, 2020, and on
October 8, 2020, the FERC granted an extension to September 23, 2021. In the May 2020 Order, the FERC
also reaffirmed its decision to dismiss the Second Complaint and its finding that no refunds would be ordered on
the Second Complaint. Our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries are parties to multiple appeals of the
September 2016 Order, November 2019 Order and May 2020 Order at the D.C. Circuit Court.
Financial Statement Impacts
As of December 31, 2020, we had recorded an aggregate current regulatory asset and current regulatory
liability of $8 million and $13 million, respectively, and as of December 31, 2019, we had recorded an aggregate
current regulatory liability of $70 million in the consolidated statements of financial position. These impacts
reflect amounts owed from or due to customers under the terms outlined in the May 2020 Order and the
November 2019 Order on the Initial Complaint and the periods subsequent to the September 2016 Order.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we refunded $31 million of the regulatory liability to customers. We
had recorded an aggregate estimated current regulatory liability in the consolidated statements of financial
position of $151 million as of December 31, 2018 for the Second Complaint, which was reversed in November
2019 following the November 2019 Order. Although the November 2019 Order and May 2020 Order dismissed
the Second Complaint with no refunds required, it is possible upon appeal that our MISO Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries will be required to provide refunds related to the Second Complaint and these refunds could be
material.
Our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries currently record revenues at the base ROE of 10.02%
established in the May 2020 Order plus applicable incentive adders. See Note 6 for a summary of incentive
adders for transmission rates.
The recognition of the obligations associated with the MISO ROE Complaints resulted in the following
impacts to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income:
(In millions of USD)
Revenue increase
Interest expense (decrease) increase
Estimated net income increase (reduction)
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
32 $
(3)
25
69 $
(12)
61
1
7
(4)
As of December 31, 2020, our MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries had a total of approximately $5
billion of equity in their collective capital structures for ratemaking purposes. Based on this level of aggregate
equity, we estimate that each 10 basis point change in the authorized ROE would impact annual consolidated
net income by approximately $5 million.
Purchase Obligations
At December 31, 2020, we had purchase obligations of $83 million representing commitments for materials,
services and equipment that had not been received as of December 31, 2020, primarily for construction and
maintenance projects for which we have an executed contract. Of these purchase obligations, $73 million is
expected to be paid in 2021, with the majority of the items related to materials and equipment that have long
production lead times.
Other Commitments
METC
Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale Agreement for Ancillary Services. Since METC does not own
any generating facilities, it must procure ancillary services from third party suppliers, such as Consumers
Energy. Currently, under the Ancillary Services Agreement, METC pays Consumers Energy for providing certain
generation-based services necessary to support the reliable operation of the bulk power grid, such as voltage
support and generation capability and capacity to balance loads and generation.
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Amended and Restated Easement Agreement. Under the Easement Agreement, Consumers Energy
provides METC with an easement to the land on which a majority of METC’s transmission towers, poles, lines
and other transmission facilities used to transmit electricity for Consumers Energy and others are located. The
term of the Easement Agreement runs through December 31, 2050 and is subject to 10 automatic 50-year
renewals thereafter unless METC gives notice of nonrenewal at least one year in advance. METC pays
Consumers Energy $10 million in annual rent per year for the easement and also pays for any rentals, property,
taxes, and other fees related to the property covered by the Easement Agreement. Payments to Consumers
Energy under the Easement Agreement are charged to operation and maintenance expenses.
ITC Midwest
Operations Services Agreement For 34.5 kV Transmission Facilities. ITC Midwest and IP&L entered into the
OSA under which IP&L performs certain operations functions for ITC Midwest’s 34.5 kV transmission system.
The OSA provides that when ITC Midwest upgrades 34.5 kV facilities to higher operating voltages it may notify
IP&L of the change and the OSA is no longer applicable to those facilities.
ITC Great Plains
Amended and Restated Maintenance Agreement. Mid-Kansas and ITC Great Plains have entered into the
Mid-Kansas Agreement pursuant to which Mid-Kansas has agreed to perform various field operations and
maintenance services related to certain ITC Great Plains assets.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Our credit risk is primarily with DTE Electric, Consumers Energy and IP&L, which were responsible for
approximately 21.6%, 23.9% and 23.9%, respectively, or $265 million, $292 million and $292 million,
respectively, of our consolidated billed revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020. These percentages
and amounts of total billed revenues of DTE Electric, Consumers Energy and IP&L include the collection of
2018 revenue accruals and deferrals and exclude any amounts for the 2020 revenue accruals and deferrals that
were included in our 2020 operating revenues but will not be billed to our customers until 2022. Under DTE
Electric’s and Consumers Energy’s current rate structure, DTE Electric and Consumers Energy include in their
retail rates the actual cost of transmission services provided by ITCTransmission and METC, respectively, in
their billings to their customers, effectively passing through to end-use consumers the total cost of transmission
service. IP&L currently includes in their retail rates an allowance for transmission services provided by ITC
Midwest in their billings to their customers. However, any financial difficulties experienced by DTE Electric,
Consumers Energy or IP&L may affect their ability to make payments for transmission service to
ITCTransmission, METC, and ITC Midwest, which could negatively impact our business. MISO, as our MISO
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’ billing agent, bills DTE Electric, Consumers Energy, IP&L and other
customers on a monthly basis and collects fees for the use of the MISO Regulated Operating Subsidiaries’
transmission systems. SPP is the billing agent for ITC Great Plains and bills transmission customers for the use
of ITC Great Plains transmission systems. MISO and SPP have implemented strict credit policies for its
members’ customers, which include customers using our transmission systems. Specifically, MISO and SPP
require a letter of credit or cash deposit equal to the credit exposure, which is determined by a credit scoring
model and other factors, from any customer using a member’s transmission system.
The financial results of ITC Interconnection are currently not material to our consolidated financial
statements, including billed revenues.
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19. SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported on the
consolidated statements of financial position that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the
consolidated statements of cash flows:
(In millions of USD)
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash included in:
Other non-current assets
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
December 31,
2020
2019
2018
2017
4 $
4 $
6 $
66
2
6 $
2
4
6 $
10 $
2
68
$
$
Restricted cash included in other non-current assets primarily represents cash on deposit to pay for
vegetation management, land easements and land purchases for the purpose of transmission line construction.
Supplementary Cash Flow Information
(In millions of USD)
Supplementary cash flows information:
Interest paid (net of interest capitalized)
Income taxes paid
Income tax refunds received
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
236 $
228 $
223
2
2
135
27
—
—
3
92
29
5
—
13
94
33
—
Supplementary non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets (a)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease
liabilities
____________________________
(a) Amounts consist of current and accrued liabilities for construction, labor, materials and other costs that have
not been included in investing activities. These amounts have not been paid for as of December 31, 2020,
2019 or 2018, respectively, but will be or have been included as a cash outflow from investing activities for
expenditures for property, plant and equipment when paid.
Excess tax benefits are recognized as an adjustment to income tax expense in the consolidated statements
of comprehensive income. Cash retained as a result of those excess tax benefits is presented in the
consolidated statements of cash flows as cash inflows from operating activities.
20. SEGMENT INFORMATION
We identify reportable segments based on the criteria set forth by the FASB regarding disclosures about
segments of an enterprise, including the regulatory environment of our subsidiaries and the business activities
performed to earn revenues and incur expenses.
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries
We aggregate ITCTransmission, METC, ITC Midwest, ITC Great Plains and ITC Interconnection into one
reportable operating segment based on their similar regulatory environment and economic characteristics,
among other factors. They are engaged in the transmission of electricity within the United States, earn revenues
from the same types of customers and are regulated by the FERC.
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ITC Holdings and Other
Information below for ITC Holdings and Other consists primarily of a holding company whose activities
include debt financings and general corporate activities. The other subsidiaries of ITC Holdings, excluding the
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries, do not have significant operations.
2020
(In millions of USD)
Operating revenues
Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense, net
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income tax provision (benefit)
Net income
Property, plant and equipment, net
Goodwill
Total assets (a)
Capital expenditures
2019
(In millions of USD)
Operating revenues
Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense, net
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income tax provision (benefit)
Net income
Property, plant and equipment, net
Goodwill
Total assets (a)
Capital expenditures
Regulated
Operating
ITC Holdings
Reconciliations/
Subsidiaries
and Other
Eliminations
Total
$
1,333 $
1 $
(36) $
1,298
218
118
683
179
504
9,319
950
10,710
886
1
122
(140)
(43)
407
8
—
5,830
—
—
—
—
—
(504)
—
—
219
240
543
136
407
9,327
950
(5,715)
10,825
(1)
885
Regulated
Operating
ITC Holdings
Reconciliations/
Subsidiaries
and Other
Eliminations
Total
$
1,358 $
— $
(31) $
1,327
201
105
710
179
531
8,573
950
9,946
874
2
119
(150)
(47)
428
9
—
5,402
—
—
—
—
—
(531)
—
—
203
224
560
132
428
8,582
950
(5,290)
10,058
(9)
865
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2018
(In millions of USD)
Operating revenues
Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense, net
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income tax provision (benefit)
Net income
Property, plant and equipment, net
Goodwill
Total assets (a)
Capital expenditures
Regulated
Operating
ITC Holdings
Reconciliations/
Subsidiaries
and Other
Eliminations
Total
$
1,185 $
— $
(29) $
1,156
179
110
585
148
437
7,901
950
9,224
773
1
114
(144)
(37)
330
9
—
4,977
—
—
—
—
—
(437)
—
—
(4,872)
(4)
180
224
441
111
330
7,910
950
9,329
769
____________________________
(a) Reconciliation of total assets results primarily from differences in the netting of deferred tax assets and
liabilities in our segments as compared to the classification in our consolidated statements of financial
position.
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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that
material information required to be disclosed in our reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms,
and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial
disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that a
control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute,
assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control
systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud,
if any, with a company have been detected.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and
with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of
the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15
of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective, at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended
December 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal
control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
DIRECTORS
Our Bylaws provide for the election of directors at each annual meeting of shareholders. Each director
serves until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her
resignation or removal.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the Shareholders Agreement, the Board must consist of the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company (Ms. Apsey), a representative of Eiffel, the GIC subsidiary that is a minority
investor in ITC Investment Holdings (Mr. Greenbaum), a minority of representatives of Fortis (Messrs. Hutchens
and Laurito) and a majority of directors who are independent of Fortis. All directors must be independent of any
“market participant” in MISO and SPP and a majority of the directors must be “independent” as defined in the
Shareholders Agreement. See “Item 13 Certain Relationships And Related Transactions, And Director
Independence — Director Independence.”
Linda H. Apsey, 51. Ms. Apsey became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in November
2016 and was elected a director of the Company in January 2017. From May 2016 through January 2017, Ms.
Apsey served as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Business Unit Officer, where she was
responsible for leading all aspects of the financial and operational performance of our five Regulated Operating
Subsidiaries and the Company’s development. She had previously served as the Company’s Executive Vice
President, Chief Business Unit Officer and President, ITC Michigan since February 2015 where she was
responsible for leading all aspects of the financial and operational performance of the Company’s five
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Regulated Operating Subsidiaries and acting as the business unit head and president of the ITCTransmission
and METC operating companies. Ms. Apsey currently serves as a director of the Fortis utility subsidiary,
FortisAlberta Inc.
Robert A. Elliott, 65. Mr. Elliott became a director of the Company in January 2017. Mr. Elliott has served as
President and Owner of Elliott Accounting, an accounting, income tax and management advisory services
organization in Tucson, Arizona, since 1983. He also serves as an Investment Advisor Representative for
Greenberg Financial Group, a brokerage firm, a position in which he has served since 2001. Mr. Elliott is
currently the Chairman of the Board of UNS Energy Corporation, a subsidiary of Fortis, and has been a board
member of that company since 2014. Mr. Elliott currently serves on the board of directors of AAA Auto Club
Partners and AAA Mountain West Group and served as the Chair of the board of directors of AAA Mountain
West Group from 2016 to 2020. He previously served on the board of directors of AAA Arizona Inc. from 2007 to
2016 and AAA CSAA Insurance from 2018 to 2020. The Board selected Mr. Elliott to serve as a director
because of his accounting experience, his familiarity with Fortis subsidiary operations and his experience
serving as a leader on other boards of directors.
Albert Ernst, 71. Mr. Ernst became a director of the Company in January 2017. Mr. Ernst was also a
member of the ITC Holdings Board of Directors from August 2014 through the closing of the transactions
resulting from the Merger Agreement in October 2016, as described in the Merger Agreement. Mr. Ernst is a
retired member of the law firm of Dykema Gossett PLLC, where he also served as director of Dykema’s Energy
Industry Group. His experience with companies in the public utility, energy, transmission, telecommunications
and rural electric cooperative fields spans more than three decades. With Dykema, Mr. Ernst worked with
leading energy clients including our subsidiaries, ITCTransmission and METC. He also served as a consultant
on utility-related matters to the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and the General
Services Administration. The Board selected Mr. Ernst to serve as a director due to his lifelong career in the
energy industry, as well as his invaluable experience with public utility and energy matters and decades of
experience in the practice of law.
Debora M. Frodl, 55. Ms. Frodl became a director of the Company in August 2020. Ms. Frodl is the founder
of DF Strategies, a strategic consultancy firm in Minneapolis, MN, since 2018. She previously enjoyed a 28-year
career at General Electric, where she most recently was Global Executive Director, Ecomagination from
December 2012 to December 2017. Ms. Frodl gained over twenty years of senior executive experience at GE
Capital, serving in roles including Senior Vice President and CEO and President. Ms. Frodl currently serves as
a member of the Board of Directors for Renewable Energy Group, Inc., XL Fleet Corporation, and Spring Valley
Acquisition Corporation. Since 2014, Ms. Frodl has served as an ambassador for the US Department of
Energy’s Clean Energy, Education & Empowerment for Women Initiative. She also serves on the Advisory
Board for the National Renewable Energy Lab, Joint Institute of Strategic Energy Analysis and University of
Minnesota, Institute on the Environment. The Board selected Ms. Frodl to serve as a director due to her career
in the energy industry, and her leadership experience and familiarity within the geographic region in which the
Company operates and conducts its business.
Alexander I. Greenbaum, 37. Mr. Greenbaum became a director of the Company in July 2019. Mr.
Greenbaum is the North America Head of Infrastructure for GIC. In this role he is responsible for acquisitions
and asset management for a diverse portfolio of infrastructure assets. Prior to joining GIC in May 2015, he was
an Executive Director in the Infrastructure group of UBS Investment Bank from July 2005 until May 2015. Mr.
Greenbaum currently serves on the board of directors of Tallgrass Energy, LP, a partnership that owns,
operates, acquires and develops midstream energy assets in North America, and Genesee & Wyoming Inc., a
railroad holding company that operates railroads in North America and Europe. He previously served on the
boards of directors of Arrowhead ST Holdings, a crude oil pipeline operator, HEP Catalyst InvestCo, a crude oil
and natural gas gathering and processing company that operates in the Permian Basin, Starwest Generation,
an independent power producer with operations in Arizona, and Texas Transmission Holdings Company. Mr.
Greenbaum was appointed as a member of our Board of Directors by Eiffel.
Lt. Gen. Ronnie Hawkins, Jr., USAF, Retired, 65. Lt. Gen. Hawkins, Jr. became a director of the Company
in June 2020. Lt. Gen. Hawkins Jr. was appointed as President of Angelo State University, which is part of the
Texas Tech University System, in 2020. Lt. Gen. Hawkins Jr. is also the President and CEO of the Hawkins
Group, a consultancy focusing on digital, information technology and cybersecurity challenges for Fortune 500
clients and the U.S. Government. He founded the Hawkins Group in 2015 after serving more than a 37-year
decorated career in the United States Air Force, which included leadership roles in critical infrastructure and key
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information systems used by the Department of Defense and its coalition partners. The Board selected Lt. Gen.
Hawkins Jr. due to his vast knowledge of cybersecurity and information systems as well as his leadership
experience.
David G. Hutchens, 54. Mr. Hutchens became a director of the Company in January 2021. Mr. Hutchens is
the President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortis and has served as such since January 2021. Prior to his
current position, Mr. Hutchens was appointed to Chief Operating Officer of Fortis in January 2020 while
concurrently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of UNS Energy Corporation, a position in which he held
since May 2014. Mr. Hutchens also served as Executive Vice President, Western Utility Operations with Fortis
from 2018 to 2020. His career in the energy sector spans more than 25 years, having held a variety of positions
at electric and gas utilities in Arizona. He currently serves as a director of the Fortis utility subsidiaries, FortisBC,
Fortis Alberta and UNS Energy Corporation.
James P. Laurito, 64. Mr. Laurito became a director of the Company in October 2016. Mr. Laurito has
served as Fortis’ Executive Vice President, Business Development since April 2016 and was named Chief
Technology Officer in 2018. Previously, Mr. Laurito served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortis’
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation subsidiary from January 2010 to November 2014. Prior to joining
Central Hudson, Mr. Laurito served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of both New York State Electric
and Gas Corporation and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation, subsidiaries of Avangrid, Inc. Mr. Laurito has
been Chairman of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation since January 1, 2015 and currently
serves on the board of Belize Electricity Co. Ltd. and Fortis’ Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation
subsidiary.
Sandra E. Pierce, 62. Ms. Pierce was appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Company in May
2020 and has served as a director of the Company since January 2017. Ms. Pierce is Senior Executive Vice
President, Private Client Group & Regional Banking Director and Chair of Michigan for Huntington National
Bank. Ms. Pierce joined Huntington in 2016 after its merger with FirstMerit Corporation in 2016. While at
FirstMerit, Ms. Pierce served as Vice Chairman of FirstMerit Corporation and Chairman and CEO of FirstMerit
Michigan, from 2013 to 2016. Ms. Pierce currently serves as a board member of Barton Malow Enterprises,
Penske Automotive Group and American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. She also serves as the vice chair of
Business Leaders of Michigan, chair of the Detroit Financial Advisory Board and the chair of the Henry Ford
Health System. The Board selected Ms. Pierce to serve as a director due to her leadership experience and
familiarity with the geographic region in which the Company operates and conducts business.
Kevin L. Prust, 65. Mr. Prust became a director of the Company in January 2017. Mr. Prust retired in 2014
as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Weitz Company, LLC, a large national and
international construction firm, a position he held since joining the company in 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Prust was
with McGladrey & Pullen LLP, a national CPA firm, from 1978 through 2008 serving in various positions and
becoming partner in 1985. Mr. Prust previously served on the board of Mercy Medical Center, in Des Moines,
Iowa from 2009 to 2018. In 2015 Mr. Prust served on the board of Stock Building Supply Holdings, Inc. until the
company was acquired. The Board selected Mr. Prust to serve as a director because of the expansive financial
and accounting experience he obtained as a chief financial officer as well as his familiarity with the geographic
region in which the Company operates and conducts business. The Board has determined that Mr. Prust is an
“audit committee financial expert”, as that term is defined under SEC rules.
A. Douglas Rothwell, 64. Mr. Rothwell became a director of the Company in October 2017. Mr. Rothwell
served as President and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan - a business roundtable of the state’s top 100
CEOs from 2005 through 2020. Mr. Rothwell currently chairs the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s
(“UNC”) Ackland Museum board in addition to serving as an Executive Residence for Economic Development at
UNC. He previously chaired the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the American Center for Mobility
and the UNC Board of Visitors. The Board selected Mr. Rothwell to serve as a director because of his vast
experience working with business leaders in various industries to foster business development and growth and
his familiarity and business contacts within the geographic region in which the Company operates and conducts
business.
Set forth below are the names, ages and titles of our current executive officers and a description of their
business experience. Our executive officers serve as executive officers at the pleasure of the Board of
Directors.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
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Linda H. Apsey, 51. Ms. Apsey’s background is described above under “Directors.”
Gretchen L. Holloway, 46. Ms. Holloway was named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in
July 2017. Prior to this role, Ms. Holloway served as Vice President, Interim Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer, a position in which she served since October 2016. In her role, Ms. Holloway is responsible for the
Company’s accounting, internal audit, treasury, financial planning and analysis, management reporting, risk
management and tax functions. From May 2016 to October 2016, Ms. Holloway was Vice President and
Treasurer and from November 2015 until May 2016, Ms. Holloway served as Vice President, Finance and
Treasurer of the Company. In this role and her immediate past role, she was responsible for all treasury and
corporate planning activities including cash management and as the Company’s liaison with the investment
banking community and rating agencies. Ms. Holloway served from February 2015 to November 2015 as Vice
President, Finance of the Company, where she was responsible for corporate finance activities including
oversight of the budget and forecast processes and other financial analysis. Ms. Holloway currently serves as a
member of the Finance & Audit Committee for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation and as a member
of the Board of Directors of Inforum.
Jon E. Jipping, 54. Jon E. Jipping has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
since June 2007. Mr. Jipping is responsible for transmission system planning, system operations, engineering,
supply chain, field construction and maintenance, and information technology. Prior to this appointment, Mr.
Jipping served as Senior Vice President - Engineering and was responsible for transmission system design,
project engineering and asset management. Mr. Jipping joined the Company as Director of Engineering in
March 2003, was appointed Vice President - Engineering in 2005 and was named Senior Vice President in
February 2006. Mr. Jipping currently serves on the board of Wataynikaneyap Power PM Inc., an entity owned
by FortisOntario, Inc., a subsidiary of Fortis, which was created to develop and operate transmission to connect
remote First Nation communities to the electrical grid in northwestern Ontario, Canada. He was appointed to the
Michigan Technological University Board of Trustees as a Board Member in 2020.
Christine Mason Soneral, 48. Christine Mason Soneral has served as Senior Vice President, General
Counsel, Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer since October 2020. She was named Senior Vice President
and General Counsel in April 2015 and served as Vice President and General Counsel from February 2015
through this appointment. She is responsible for all corporate legal affairs and the leadership of our legal
department, which includes the legal, real estate, contract administration and corporate compliance functions.
Prior to this role, Ms. Mason Soneral was Vice President and General Counsel-Utility Operations since 2007
and was responsible for legal matters connected with the operations, capital projects, contract, regulatory,
property and litigation matters of the Company’s Regulated Operating Subsidiaries. Ms. Mason Soneral served
on the board of Citizens Research Council, a privately funded, not-for-profit public affairs research organization
from 2014 to 2020. Ms. Mason Soneral also currently serves as a member of the Michigan State University
College of Social Science's External Advisory Board and is a Co-Founder and Director of Michigan State
University’s Women’s Leadership Institute.
Krista K. Tanner, 46. Ms. Tanner has served as our Senior Vice President and Chief Business Unit Officer
since February 2019. Ms. Tanner is responsible for strategic direction, customer service, local government and
community affairs and financial performance for four of the Company’s operating subsidiaries: ITC Midwest, ITC
Great Plains, ITCTransmission and METC. Ms. Tanner joined the Company in November 2014 where she
served as Vice President, ITC Holdings and President, ITC Midwest. In this role she served as the business unit
head, providing leadership and strategic direction for ITC Midwest. Ms. Tanner joined the Company from Alliant
Energy, where she served as director of regulatory policy from 2011 to 2014. While at Alliant Energy she
directed Alliant Energy’s regional and federal regulatory policy group and led Alliant Energy’s legal strategy
across regulatory jurisdictions. Ms. Tanner previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of the
Midwest Reliability Organization from 2017 to 2019. Ms. Tanner currently serves as a member of the Board of
Directors of Delta Dental of Iowa.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors, employees and executive
officers, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and principal accounting officer. The Code of
Conduct and Ethics, as currently in effect (together with any amendments that may be adopted from time to
time), is available on our website at www.itc-holdings.com. To the extent required by the Code of Conduct and
Ethics or by applicable law, we will post any amendments to the Code of Conduct and Ethics and any waivers
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that are required to be disclosed by the rules of the SEC on our website, within the required periods.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The following Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the elements of compensation for our Chief
Executive Officer (or “CEO”), our Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive
officers who were serving as such at December 31, 2020, and our former Executive Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer. We refer to these individuals collectively as the “named executive officers” or “NEOs”.
The Company’s named executive officers for 2020 were:
Name
Linda H. Apsey
Gretchen L. Holloway
Jon E. Jipping
Christine Mason Soneral
Krista Tanner
Daniel J. Oginsky
Position
President and Chief Executive Officer
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Chief
Compliance Officer
Senior Vice Present and Chief Business Unit Officer
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Mr. Oginsky, whose employment with the Company terminated in May 2020, is included as an NEO in the
discussion below in accordance with applicable SEC rules.
Executive Summary
The Governance and Human Resources Committee (the “Committee”) is responsible for determining the
compensation of our NEOs and administering the plans in which the NEOs participate. The goals of our
compensation system are to attract first-class executive talent in a competitive environment and to motivate and
retain key employees who are crucial to our success by rewarding Company and individual performance that
promotes long-term sustainable growth and increases shareholder value. The key components of our NEOs'
compensation package include base salary, annual cash incentive bonuses, long-term equity incentives, as well
as certain perquisites and other benefits. In determining the amount of NEO compensation, we consider
competitive compensation practices of other utilities and similarly sized organizations, the executive's individual
performance against objectives, the executive's responsibilities and expertise, and our performance in relation
to annual goals that are designed to strengthen and enhance our value.
The Committee made the following decisions with regard to executive compensation in 2020:
• Base salary increases. Base salary increases were provided to each of our NEOs in 2020 to reward
individual performance and to remain competitive and aligned with market.
• Annual cash incentive bonuses. The NEOs earned cash incentive bonuses for 2020 performance of
approximately 141% of target. This was based on achieving 85% of the performance targets established
under the annual corporate performance bonus plan in early 2020 and achievement of certain
performance factors which resulted in a bonus multiplier of 1.66. See “Compensation Discussion and
Analysis - Key Components of Our NEO Compensation Program - Annual Corporate Performance
Bonus.”
• Long-term equity incentives. We granted long-term equity incentive awards to our NEOs in January
2020. Total award opportunities were set as a percentage of base salary and delivered one-third in the
form of SBUs and two-thirds in the form of PBUs.
Overview and Philosophy
The objectives of our compensation program are to attract first-class executive talent in a competitive
environment and to motivate and retain key employees who are crucial to our success by rewarding Company
and individual performance that promotes long-term sustainable growth and increases shareholder value by:
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• Performing best-in-class utility operations;
• Improving reliability, reducing congestion, and facilitating access to generation resources; and
• Utilizing our experience and skills to seek and identify opportunities to invest in needed transmission and
to optimize the value of those investments.
Our compensation program is designed to motivate and reward individual and corporate performance. Our
compensation philosophy is to:
• Provide for flexibility in pay practices to recognize our unique position and growth proposition;
• Use a market-based pay program aligned with pay-for-performance objectives;
• Leverage incentives, where possible, and align long-term incentive awards with improvements in our
financial performance and shareholder value;
• Provide benefits through flexible, cost-effective plans while taking into account business needs and
affordability; and
• Provide other non-monetary awards to recognize and incentivize performance.
Risk and Reward Balance
When reviewing the compensation program, the Committee considers the impact of the program on the
Company’s risk profile. The Committee believes that the compensation program has been structured with the
appropriate mix and design of elements to provide strong incentives for executives to balance risk and reward,
without excessive risk taking.
The Committee engaged FW Cook, its independent compensation consultant, to conduct an annual
comprehensive compensation program risk assessment. In July 2020, FW Cook reviewed the attributes and
structure of our executive compensation programs for the purpose of identifying potential sources of risk within
the program design. The review covered compensation plan design and administration/governance risk.
Based on a report from FW Cook concluding that the Company’s compensation programs do not create risks
that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse impact on the Company, the Committee concluded that
none of our compensation programs and features contain elements that create material risk to the Company.
Risk mitigating factors with respect to the Company’s compensation programs included a market competitive
pay mix, the linking of pay to performance through annual cash bonus and long-term equity incentive plans,
caps on annual cash bonus and long-term equity incentive plan payouts, various performance measures that
are both financially and operationally focused, stock ownership guidelines, prohibition on hedging and pledging,
oversight by an independent committee of directors, regular review of NEO tally sheets and engagement of an
independent compensation consultant.
Benchmarking and Relationship of Compensation Elements
Benchmarking. We reviewed market competitive target pay levels from two distinct market samples, utility
and general industry data, as reflected in published surveys. FW Cook, the Committee’s independent advisor,
compiled data for the following components of compensation — base salary, target annual cash bonus incentive
and target long-term incentive, as well as target total cash compensation and target total direct compensation.
Position-specific market target pay levels are reviewed for utility-specific data from the Willis Towers Watson
Energy Services Executive Compensation Survey and general industry data from the Willis Towers Watson
General Industry Executive Compensation Survey. The energy services data is used as our primary source with
the general industry data provided as an additional reference point for positions other than those specific to the
utility industry. The market data were aged and size-adjusted to correspond to our adjusted revenue scope. The
adjusted revenue scope accounts for our unique business model and reflects the competitive incremental
revenue that would normally be embedded in rates to reflect a typical cost of goods sold factor.
Our compensation strategy is to target compensation at the median (50th percentile) of the energy services
benchmark data, plus or minus 20%, based on consideration of individual characteristics (performance,
experience, etc.), internal equity and other factors. The Committee adopted this strategy in October 2019. In
November 2019, the Committee reviewed the benchmarking study conducted by its independent consultant
comparing NEO target total direct compensation, which is the sum of base salary, target annual incentives and
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target long-term incentives, to the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile survey data to assess the market
competitiveness of our compensation opportunities. Overall, the study found target total direct compensation
provided to our NEOs is at the high end of the targeted competitive position.
Use of Tally Sheets. The Committee reviews tally sheets, every other year, as prepared by management to
facilitate its assessment of the total annual compensation of our NEOs. The tally sheets contain annual cash
compensation (salary and bonuses), long-term equity incentives, benefit contributions and perquisites. In
addition, the tally sheets include retirement program balances, outstanding vested and unvested equity values
and potential severance and termination scenario values.
Pay Review Process. In addition to the Committee’s benchmarking analysis, our CEO reviewed and
examined market survey compensation levels and practices, as well as individual responsibilities and
performance, our compensation philosophy and other related information to develop proposed compensation
for each of our NEOs, other than herself. Ms. Apsey evaluated the performance of the NEOs, other than herself,
and made recommendations on their salaries, target cash bonus incentive levels and long-term equity incentive
awards. The Committee considered these recommendations in its decision making and conferred with FW
Cook, its compensation consultant, to understand the impact and result of any such recommendations. The
Committee uses market data and recommendations from FW Cook and makes recommendations on Ms.
Apsey’s salary, cash bonus incentive targets and long-term equity incentive awards to the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors (other than Ms. Apsey) evaluates Ms. Apsey’s performance and considers the
Committee’s recommendations in its decision making.
The Committee reviewed and considered each element of compensation and the resulting target total direct
compensation, along with the objectives of our compensation program, the input of the CEO and the market
data to set the 2020 target pay levels. The Committee did not determine the mix of compensation elements
using a pre-set formula. In setting executive compensation levels, the Committee retained full discretion to
consider or disregard data collected through benchmarking studies. Compensation decisions also considered
individual and Company performance, retention concerns, the importance of the position, internal equity and
other factors.
Key Components of Our NEO Compensation Program
The key components of our executive compensation program are discussed below.
• Base Salary — provides sufficient competitive pay to attract and retain experienced and successful
executives.
• Cash Bonus Incentive — encourages and rewards contributions to our annual corporate performance
goals.
• Long Term Equity Incentives — encourages a multi-year focus on performance, rewards building long-
term shareholder value and helps retain NEOs.
The other elements of our executive compensation program are discussed below under the heading “Other
Components of Our Executive Compensation Program” which summarize the benefit programs that are
available to our NEOs.
In aggregate, the NEOs’ target total direct compensation value (salary, annual target bonus and long-term
incentive opportunities) was at the high end of the targeted competitive position of median plus or minus 20%
when compared to the energy services benchmark data. Current positioning reflects median base salaries and
above median target bonus and long-term incentive opportunities. The Committee continues to monitor and
balance competitive practice, talent needs and cost considerations when setting compensation.
Base Salary
The Committee annually reviews and approves the base salaries, and any adjustments thereto, of the NEOs.
In making these determinations, the Committee considers the executive’s job responsibilities, individual
performance, leadership and years of experience, the performance of the Company, the recommendation of the
CEO (except for the base salary of the CEO) and the target total direct compensation package as well as the
benchmarking analysis conducted by its advisor.
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The 2020 base salaries for the NEOs, including any year-over-year change, were:
NEO
2019 Base Salary
2020 Base Salary
Percent Increase
Linda H. Apsey
Gretchen L. Holloway
Jon E. Jipping
Christine Mason Soneral
Krista Tanner
Daniel J. Oginsky
$
800,000 $
816,000
390,000
580,000
390,000
325,000
485,000
397,800
585,800
393,900
339,600
485,000
2.0 %
2.0 %
1.0 %
1.0 %
4.5 %
— %
Ms. Tanner’s higher percentage increase reflects her expanding role and responsibilities.
Annual Corporate Performance Bonus
Early each year, the Committee approves our annual corporate performance bonus plan goals and targets,
which are based on key Company objectives relating to operational excellence and superior financial
performance. The corporate performance goals and targets were designed to align the interests of customers,
the shareholder and management, and encourage teamwork and coordination among all of our executives and
employees with a common focus on the growth and success of the Company. Target levels for the corporate
performance goals were determined based on long-term strategic plans, historical performance, expectations
for future growth and desired improvement over time.
The annual corporate performance bonus plan goals were individually weighted. Weights were assigned to
each goal based on areas of focus during the year and difficulty in achieving target performance. Weights were
also assigned so that there was a balance between operational and financial goals. Each goal operated
independently, and, for most goals, there was not a range of acceptable performance; if a goal was not
achieved, there was no payout for that goal. Where performance goals were stated in a range, the threshold
goals were generally expected to be achieved while the maximum goals were considered “stretch” goals with
lower expectation of achievement. The bonus goal targets were established to motivate NEOs toward
operational excellence and superior financial performance and were designed to be challenging to meet, while
remaining achievable.
For 2020, Financial goals, representing 20%, plus Safety & Compliance, representing 20%, determined 40%
of the target bonus opportunity, while System Performance, representing 30%, and Capital Project Plan,
representing 30%, determined the remaining 60% of the target bonus opportunity. This reflected the inherent
importance of driving operational performance, reliability and needed investment in our transmission system for
the benefit of our customers.
The annual corporate performance bonus plan consisted of three primary measurement categories:
Financial, Safety & Compliance, and System Performance. Our safety, operations and security goals were
established to deliver high performance in core company operations. Benchmarks and metrics were used in
connection with these goals to establish a level of performance in the top decile or quartile within our industry.
Likewise, our infrastructure protection goals led to the deployment of industry leading practices resulting in a
generally enhanced security posture.
Corporate performance goal criteria approved by the Committee for 2020, the rationale for the target goal (in
some cases in relation to the prior year target) and actual bonus results, were as set forth below.
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Financial goals represented 20% of the total maximum annual bonus target and included specific measures
for Non-Field Operation and Maintenance Expense and Net Income.
Category
Goal
Rationale for Goal
Rationale for Target Goal
Non-field Operation and
Maintenance Expense and
General and Administrative
Expenses
Adjusted Net Income (1)
Financial
20%
Maximum
Potential
Payout
Controlling
general and
administrative
expenses is an
important part of
controlling rates
charged to
transmission
customers.
Target is consistent
with the approach used
in 2019 and based on
the 2020 Board-
approved budget.
Non-Field O&M and
G&A expense at or
under budget of
$168M.
Represents the
Company’s
financial
performance as it
reflects a true
measure of
earnings
contributions
from our
Regulated
Operating
Subsidiaries.
Target based on the
2020 Board-approved
budget.
Adjusted Net Income
at or above $491M to
achieve 10%;
Adjusted Net Income
at or above $467M to
achieve 5%.
Potential
Payout
2020
Results
10 % $140M
Actual
Payout
10%
5% - 10% $496M
10%
Total
20 %
20%
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Safety & Compliance goals represented 20% of the total maximum annual bonus target and included specific
measures for Lost Time, Recordable Incidents and Infrastructure Protection.
Potential
Payout
5 %
2020 Results
0
Actual
Payout
5%
5 %
2
5%
10 % Completed
10%
Category
Goal
Safety as
measured by
lost time
Rationale for Goal
Maintaining the
safety of our
employees and
contractors is a
core value and
is at the
foundation of
our success.
Safety &
Compliance
20% Maximum
Potential Payout
Safety as
measured by
recordable
incidents
Maintaining the
safety of our
employees and
contractors is a
core value and
is at the
foundation of
our success.
Infrastructure
Protection
Maintaining
cyber and
physical security
is critical to
ensuring system
reliability and
ongoing
operations.
Rationale for Target
Target number of
incidents remained the
same as prior years
and was based on
industry top decile
performance, which
reflects an aggressive
view and philosophy
on the importance of
safety.
2 or fewer lost work
day cases for injuries
to Company
employees and
specified contract
employees.
Target number of
incidents reduced by 1
from prior year and
was based on industry
top decile
performance, which
reflects an aggressive
view and philosophy
on the importance of
safety.
8 or fewer recordable
incidents for injuries to
Company employees
and specified contract
employees.
Goal focused on
implementing updated
security objectives.
Emphasized securing
our information
systems and physical
space, helping protect
our most important
assets.
Implementation of the
2020 Cyber Plan and
Physical Security Plan,
as presented to and
approved by the Board
of Directors,
implementation of each
Plan worth 5%.
Total
20 %
20 %
System Performance goals represented 60% of the total maximum annual bonus target and included specific
measures for System Outages, Maintenance Plans and Capital Project Plan. Achievement of targets for outage
frequency were made more difficult for ITC Midwest in 2020 from previous years due to improved system
performance.
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Category
Goal
Outage
frequency
Rationale for
Goal
Reducing and
limiting
system
outages are
critical to
ensuring
system
reliability.
System
Performance
and Capital
Project Plan
60%
Maximum
Potential
Payout
Field
Operation
and
Maintenance
Plan
Performing
necessary
preventive
maintenance
is critical to
ensuring
system
reliability.
Capital
Project Plan
Performing
necessary
system
upgrades is
critical to
ensuring
system
reliability,
providing a
robust
transmission
grid and
delivering
financial
performance.
Potential
Payout
2020 Results
15 % ITCTransmis
Actual
Payout
10%
sion - 13
METC - 32
ITC Midwest
- 63/50
15 % ITCTransmis
5%
sion and
METC high
priority
initiatives not
completed;
ITC Midwest
high priority
initiatives
completed
under
budget;
All completed
high priority
Field O&M
initiatives
under budget
of $91.0M
15 - 30% $938M
30%
Rationale for Target
Target unchanged from prior
year for ITCTransmission and
METC, reduced from prior year
for ITC Midwest; all targets
aligned with industry benchmark
data. Number of Forced,
Sustained Line Outages,
excluding the "External" cause
classification, for:
ITCTransmission (13 or fewer,
representing top decile
performance);
METC (25 or fewer, representing
top decile performance);
ITC Midwest (63 or fewer,
representing a reduction of 3
outages and top decile
performance, no more than 52 at
the 69kV level representing top
quartile performance.);
Each target is worth 5%.
Target is reflective of goal to
complete the normal
maintenance schedule of high
priority maintenance activities.
Complete high priority 2020 Field
O&M Initiatives for:
ITCTransmission (15)
METC (13)
ITC Midwest (10)
Each target worth 5%.
Payout reduced by 5% if not at
or under Field O&M overall
maintenance budget of $91.0M.
Target is based on accrued
capital investment.
The maximum payout represents
the risk-adjusted capital
investment plan for 2020, with a
threshold level also established.
Complete $721M of the 2020
Capital Project Plan to achieve
30%; Complete $683M to
achieve 15%.
Total Bonus (as a percent of target bonus level)
____________________________
60 %
100 %
45%
85%
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(1) We utilize adjusted net income as a criterion in measuring achievement of financial goals for our annual
corporate performance bonus. This non-GAAP financial measure reconciles to net income of our
Regulated Operating Subsidiaries as follows:
(In millions of USD)
Net Income of Regulated Operating Subsidiaries
Adjustments Related to ROE Matters
Other Adjustments
Adjusted Net Income
$
$
2020
504
(12)
4
496
Additionally, our executives, including the NEOs, are eligible for an executive bonus multiplier. To further
motivate management to provide value to the shareholder, we include a performance factor under which their
ACPBs may be increased for outperformance by as much as 100% based on multiple measures, as follows:
Measure
Capital Project Plan
Cash from Operations
Pre-Working Capital
Adjusted Consolidated
Net Income (1)
Inclusion & Diversity
Plan
Bonus Multiplier
Threshold
$759M
Maximum Achievement Multiplier
$938M
$820M
2.00x
Weight
30%
Result
0.60x
$669M
$703M
$680M
$391M
Create Plan
$411M
Level 2
Milestones
$401M
Level 2
Milestones
1.25x
1.50x
2.00x
25%
30%
15%
0.31x
0.45x
0.30x
1.66x
____________________________
(1) We utilize adjusted consolidated net income as a criterion in measuring achievement of financial goals
for the executive bonus multiplier. This non-GAAP financial measure reconciles to consolidated net
income of ITC Holdings as follows:
(In millions of USD)
Net Income
Adjustments Related to ROE Matters
Other
Adjusted Consolidated Net Income
$
$
2020
407
(12)
6
401
Each measure has an established scale, which includes a threshold level and below equating to a 1.00x
multiplier, having no impact on the bonus award, to a maximum of 2.00x, which would increase the bonus by
100%. Achievement against performance scales related to each of the above metrics produced an executive
bonus multiplier of 1.66x. This performance factor was applied to each executive’s ACPB factor of 85% to
produce a final payment of approximately 141% of target.
Bonuses are based on a target bonus, which for each executive is a percentage of his or her base salary.
The Committee considers each individual’s job responsibilities and the results of its benchmarking analysis
when determining the base bonus percentage for the executive officers, including the NEOs, which we refer to
as the “target bonus levels”. Target bonus levels for 2020 were 100% of base salary for each NEO. Mr. Oginsky
received a prorated portion of the annual bonus based on his time employed by the Company in 2020.
Long-Term Incentive
The Committee provides and maintains a long-term equity incentive program under the 2017 Omnibus Plan,
the Executive Omnibus Plan and the Fortis Inc. 2020 Restricted Share Unit Plan. In February 2020, the
Committee approved grants of SBUs and PBUs to the NEOs, based on our CEO’s recommendation (except for
grants to the CEO), and also on the Committee’s assessment of the performance of the Company and the
executive. Award opportunities for the NEOs were provided in a mix of PBUs (weighted 67%) and SBUs
(weighted 33%). The PBUs can be earned for results in two equally-weighted measures, Total Shareholder
Return (relative to Fortis’ peer group) and cumulative consolidated net income, over the three-year performance
period. The PBU metrics were selected as Total Shareholder Return aligns with the Fortis shareholder
the sustained growth (organic and
experience and cumulative consolidated net
income measures
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development), cost management and efficiency. Each unit is generally equivalent to one share of Fortis stock
(as traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange) and earned PBU units are payable in cash and earned SBU units
are payable in cash or Fortis common stock. Awards to the CEO were also presented to the Board of Directors
by the Committee and ratified by the Board of Directors (other than the CEO). The amounts and more detailed
terms of the 2020 SBU and PBU grants made under the Fortis Inc. 2020 Restricted Share Unit Plan and the
Executive Omnibus Plan are described in the narrative following the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table. The
awards were designed to reward, motivate and encourage long-term performance, act as a retention
mechanism, and further align the interests of the NEOs with the interests of the Fortis shareholder. Total value
for the award for each grantee was determined based on a percentage of salary. For the NEOs, when the 2020
awards were made, the award values were targeted to be:
NEO
Ms. Apsey
Ms. Holloway
Mr. Jipping
Ms. Mason Soneral
Ms. Tanner
Mr. Oginsky
Grant Value
Percent of
Salary
250 %
175 %
175 %
175 %
175 %
175 %
In determining the size of grants under the long-term incentive program and the award mix, the Committee
considered market practice, the recommendation of the CEO (with respect to grants other than to the CEO) in
light of comparisons to benchmarking data, expense to the Company and the practice of other U.S. Fortis
subsidiary companies.
Other Components of Our Executive Compensation Program
Pension Benefits. As is common in our industry and as established pursuant to our initial formation
requirements included in the acquisition agreement with DTE Energy for ITCTransmission, we maintain a tax-
qualified defined benefit retirement plan for eligible employees, comprised of a traditional pension component
and a cash balance component. All employees, including the NEOs, participate in either the traditional
component or the cash balance component. We have also established a supplemental nonqualified,
noncontributory retirement benefit plan for selected management employees: the Executive Supplemental
Retirement Plan, or ESRP, in which all of the NEOs participate. This plan provides for benefits that supplement
those provided by our qualified defined benefit retirement plan. Benefits payable to the NEOs pursuant to the
retirement plans are set by the terms of those plans. The Committee exercises no regular discretionary authority
in the determination of benefits. The retirement plans may be modified, amended or terminated at any time,
although no such action may reduce a NEO’s earned benefits. See “Pension Benefits” for information regarding
participation by the NEOs in our retirement plans as well as a description of the terms of the plans.
Benefits and Perquisites. The NEOs participate in a variety of benefit programs, which are designed to
enable us to attract and retain our workforce in a competitive marketplace. These programs include our Savings
and Investment Plan, which consists of an employee deferral contribution component and an employer safe-
harbor matching contribution component.
Our NEOs are provided a limited number of perquisites in addition to benefits provided to our other
employees. The purpose of these perquisites is to minimize distractions from the NEOs’ attention to important
Company initiatives, to facilitate their access to work functions and personnel, and to encourage interactions
among NEOs and others within professional, business and local communities. NEOs are provided perquisites
such as auto allowance, financial, estate and legal planning, income tax return preparation, annual physical,
club memberships, and personal liability insurance. Additionally, we own aircraft to facilitate the business travel
schedules of our executives and other employees, particularly to locations that do not provide efficient
commercial flight schedules. Ms. Apsey and guests who travel with her are permitted to travel for personal
business on our aircraft, with an annual maximum of 50 flight hours for such personal travel. Ms. Apsey incurs
imputed income for all guests and herself for personal travel in the amount of the incremental cost to the
Company of such travel.
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We purchase tickets to various sporting, civic, cultural, charity and entertainment events. We use these
tickets for business development, partnership building, charitable donations and community involvement. If not
used for business purposes, we may make these tickets available to employees, including the NEOs, as a form
of recognition and reward for their efforts. Because such tickets have already been purchased, we do not
believe that there is any aggregate incremental cost to the Company, if a NEO uses a ticket for personal
purposes.
None of the NEOs are reimbursed for income taxes associated with the value of the perquisites. The
Committee continues to monitor and review the Company’s perquisite program. Perquisites are further
discussed in footnote 5 to the “Summary Compensation Table”.
Potential Severance Compensation. Pursuant to their employment agreements, each NEO is entitled to
certain benefits and payments upon a termination of his or her employment. Benefits and payments to be
provided vary based on the circumstances of the termination. We believe it is important to provide these
protections in order to ensure our NEOs will remain engaged and committed to us during an acquisition of the
Company or other transition in management. See “Employment Agreements and Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change in Control” for further detail on these employment agreements, including a discussion of
the compensation to be provided upon termination or a change in control.
Stock Ownership Policy
The Board believes that having a share ownership policy is a key element of strong corporate governance
and aligns the interests of management with the interests of Fortis shareholders. Under these guidelines, which
became effective January 1, 2020, officers, including NEOs, must achieve and maintain the applicable level of
Fortis stock ownership by the fifth anniversary of when the guidelines first became applicable to the individual.
The current levels are as follows:
Position
Chief Executive Officer
Executive and Senior Vice Presidents
Vice Presidents
Ownership Level
2x annual base salary
1.5x annual base salary
1x annual base salary
The securities that qualify for the purpose of determining compliance with the policy are common shares of
Fortis stock and the executive’s outstanding SBU awards. Share ownership levels include Fortis securities
beneficially owned: (i) in a trust; (ii) by the executive’s spouse; and (iii) by the executive’s minor children. Any
executive that fails to maintain minimum stock ownership under these guidelines, will not be eligible for future
equity-based compensation awards until the later of (i) the end of the one-year period commencing on the date
of such failure or (ii) such time as the executive is again in compliance with the guidelines. Each of the NEOs is
in compliance with this policy.
Governance and Human Resources Committee Report
The Governance and Human Resources Committee has reviewed and discussed this Compensation
Discussion and Analysis with management and, based on the review and discussions with management, has
recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this
report.
DEBORA M. FRODL ALEXANDER I. GREENBAUM DAVID G. HUTCHENS A. DOUGLAS ROTHWELL
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Summary Compensation
The following table provides a summary of compensation paid or accrued by the Company and its
subsidiaries to or on behalf of the NEOs for services rendered by them during each of the last three calendar
years, as required by SEC rules and regulations. The material terms of plans and agreements pursuant to which
certain items set forth below were paid are discussed elsewhere in Compensation of Executive Officers and
Directors.
Summary Compensation Table
Stock Awards ($)
(1)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($) (2)
Change in
Pension Value &
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(3)
All Other
Compensation
($) (4)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
Salary ($)
(c)
Total ($)
(i)
$
819,630 $
2,036,614 $
1,151,376 $
359,039 $
84,625 $
4,451,284
794,692
752,712
399,570
388,115
367,962
589,347
578,000
553,674
396,285
389,469
377,204
2,061,860
1,747,386
695,003
703,598
599,433
1,023,422
1,046,405
899,149
688,169
703,598
612,373
1,352,000
1,169,118
561,296
659,100
572,945
826,564
980,200
859,418
555,793
659,100
585,333
339,797
593,288
479,176
252,759
483,988
466,685
847,330
875,001
758,200
—
819,650
724,698
322,636
123,927
181,670
147,032
81,152
522,326
568,493
63,980
200,948
170,742
66,424
123,653
23,000
236,208
51,865
55,516
66,909
36,936
36,362
34,351
38,199
38,169
37,869
35,950
36,500
35,250
4,586,704
3,860,052
1,874,475
1,934,207
1,655,843
2,999,858
3,211,267
2,414,090
1,877,145
1,959,409
1,676,584
34,620
1,570,534
1,662,596
36,742
36,556
2,785,685
2,451,589
2,038,004
Name
(a)
Linda H. Apsey,
President & CEO
Gretchen L. Holloway
SVP & CFO
Jon E. Jipping,
EVP & COO
Christine Mason Soneral,
SVP, General Counsel,
Secretary & CCO
Krista Tanner,
SVP & CBUO
Daniel J. Oginsky,
Former EVP & CAO (5)
Year
(b)
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
2018
2020
2020
2019
2018
____________________________
(1) The amounts reported in this column represent the fair value of PBU awards and SBU awards granted to
the NEOs under the 2017 Omnibus Plan, the Executive Omnibus Plan and the Fortis Inc. 2020 Restricted
Share Unit Plan in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or ASC 718.
The grant date fair value of the SBU awards is based on the applicable share price on the grant date. The
grant date fair value of the PBU awards is based on the applicable share price on the grant date and the
payout of the performance (which approximates target achievement), and market conditions, with the
market condition fair value determined using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model. The SBU awards
and PBU awards are liability awards, subject to remeasurement through the vesting date, and settled in
cash, see “Grants of Plan-Based Awards.” The value of the 2020 PBU awards at the grant date assuming
that the highest level of performance conditions will be achieved are as follows:
Ms. Apsey
Ms. Holloway
Mr. Jipping
Ms. Mason Soneral
Ms. Tanner
Mr. Oginsky
$
2,715,447
926,663
1,364,526
917,538
791,024
1,129,749
(2) The amounts reported in this column include cash awards tied to the achievement of annual Company
performance goals under our annual corporate performance bonus plan in effect for each of 2020, 2019 and
2018. For information regarding the corporate goals for 2020, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis -
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Key Components of Our NEO Compensation Program - Annual Corporate Performance Bonus." Mr.
Oginsky’s 2020 bonus was prorated based on his time employed by the Company in 2020.
(3) All amounts reported in this column pertain to the tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan and the
supplemental nonqualified, noncontributory retirement plan maintained by the Company. None of the
income on nonqualified deferred compensation was above-market or preferential. Variations in the amounts
from year to year reflect an additional year of service and pay changes used in the accrued benefit, as well
as changes in assumptions on which the benefits are calculated, for which the formula has not been
materially revised. The discount rate used for the present value of accumulated benefits was 4.39% in 2018,
3.44% in 2019 and 2.74% for 2020. The mortality assumption was changed from the Adjusted RP-2014
table projected for future mortality improvements with MP-2017 generational scale to the Pri-2012 tables
with MP-2020 mortality improvement scale.
(4) All Other Compensation includes amounts for auto allowance, financial, estate and legal planning, income
tax return preparation, annual physical, club memberships, event tickets, personal liability insurance,
personal use of company aircraft and for other benefits such as Company contributions on behalf of the
NEOs pursuant to the matching component of the Savings and Investment Plan. Perquisites have been
valued for purposes of these tables on the basis of the aggregate incremental cost to the Company. The
incremental cost of the personal use of the Company aircraft was determined based upon the Company’s
expenses incurred in connection with the actual costs of maintenance, landing, parking, crew and catering
and estimated fuel costs relating to Ms. Apsey’s hours of use of the aircraft. Fuel expense was determined
by calculating the average fuel cost for the month and the average amount of fuel used per hour. These
benefits and perquisites for 2020, 2019 and 2018 are itemized in the table below as required by applicable
SEC rules.
Name
Linda H. Apsey
Gretchen L. Holloway
Jon E. Jipping
Christine Mason Soneral
Krista Tanner
Daniel J. Oginsky
Year
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
2018
2020
2020
2019
2018
401(k) Match
Personal Use of
Company
Aircraft
Other Benefits
Severance
Payments
Total
$
17,100 $
40,440 $
27,085 $
— $
16,800
14,750
15,450
15,100
14,750
17,100
16,800
16,500
15,450
15,100
14,750
14,120
15,450
15,100
14,750
19,777
25,074
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
18,939
27,085
21,486
21,262
19,601
21,099
21,369
21,369
20,500
21,400
20,500
20,500
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
84,625
55,516
66,909
36,936
36,362
34,351
38,199
38,169
37,869
35,950
36,500
35,250
34,620
3,385
1,643,761
1,662,596
21,642
21,806
—
—
36,742
36,556
We purchase tickets to various sporting, civic, cultural, charity and entertainment events. We use these
tickets for business development, partnership building, charitable donations and community involvement. If
not used for business purposes, we may make these tickets available to employees, including the NEOs, as
a form of recognition and reward for their efforts. Because such tickets have already been purchased, we do
not believe that there is any aggregate incremental cost to the Company, if a NEO uses a ticket for personal
purposes. The severance payments made to Mr. Oginsky include cash payments totaling $1,643,761, made
up of (i) $259,898 paid as a prorated portion of his annual bonus, (ii) continuation of his base salary totaling
$283,192, (iii) acceleration of SBUs totaling $337,849 (iv) $743,232 paid as a prorated portion of his PBU
award, and (v) premiums for COBRA coverage totaling $19,590.
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(5) Mr. Oginsky’s employment with the Company was terminated in May 2020.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth information concerning each grant of an award made to a NEO during 2020.
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
Grant
Date
Award
Type
Threshold
($)
Target
($)(1)
Maximum
($)(1)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)(2)
Maximum
(#)(2)
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)
Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
($)(3)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
$
— $
— $
—
—
—
16,367 $ 678,890
Name
(a)
Linda H. Apsey
Gretchen L.
Holloway
Jon E. Jipping
Christine Mason
Soneral
Krista Tanner
Daniel J. Oginsky
(b)
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
SBU
PBU
ACPB
SBU
PBU
ACPB
SBU
PBU
ACPB
SBU
PBU
ACPB
SBU
PBU
ACPB
SBU
PBU
ACPB
—
—
—
816,000
1,632,000
—
—
—
—
397,800
795,600
—
—
—
—
585,800
1,171,600
—
—
—
—
393,900
787,800
—
—
—
—
339,600
679,200
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
16,366
32,732
65,464
—
—
—
—
—
—
5,585
11,170
22,340
—
—
—
—
—
—
8,224
16,448
32,896
—
—
—
—
—
—
5,530
11,060
22,120
—
—
—
—
—
—
4,768
9,535
19,070
—
—
—
—
—
—
6,809
13,618
27,236
—
—
1,357,723
—
5,585
231,671
—
—
463,332
—
8,225
341,159
—
—
682,263
—
5,530
229,400
—
—
458,769
—
4,768
197,777
—
—
395,512
—
6,809
282,455
—
—
564,875
—
485,000
970,000
—
—
—
____________________________
(1) The amount shown in Column (d) represents the potential payout for the ACPB based on “target bonus
levels.” The amount payable assuming maximum achievement of all bonus goals is set forth in column (e).
Actual dollar amounts paid are disclosed and reported in the “Summary Compensation Table” as Non-
Equity Incentive Plan Compensation. For more information regarding the ACPBs, see “Compensation
Discussion and Analysis — Key Components of Our NEO Compensation Program — Annual Corporate
Performance Bonus.”
(2) Payment of each PBU award is contingent on meeting performance targets based on (1) Fortis Total
Shareholder Return in comparison to the Total Shareholder Return during the performance period for each
of the companies that comprise the 2020 Fortis peer group and (2) cumulative consolidated net income for
each fiscal year during the performance period. The performance measures are independent of each other.
If threshold, target or maximum performance goals are attained in the performance period, 50%, 100% or
200% of the target amount, respectively, may be earned. If actual performance falls between threshold,
target and maximum, the awards would be prorated between levels based on performance outcome. For
more information regarding performance share awards, see “Grant of Plan-Based Awards - Performance-
Based Unit Award Agreements.”
(3) Grant Date Fair Value consists of SBUs and PBUs awarded under the Fortis Inc. 2020 Restricted Share
Unit Plan and Executive Omnibus Plan, respectively, with a grant date of January 1, 2020. The SBUs and
PBUs reflected here are recorded at fair value at the date of grant, which was $41.48 per share. Share fair
values were converted from Canadian Dollars to US Dollars using the “Award Conversion Rate” defined in
the plans.
The Committee has established long-term incentive targets as a percentage of the base salary for each NEO
in consideration of benchmarking data on total direct compensation, the importance of the NEO’s position to the
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success of the Company, our need to create meaningful incentives to enhance performance and the culture of
teamwork that makes our company successful. The Committee did not have a pre-established targeted
allocation of total direct compensation.
The Committee had the power to award SBUs in the form of equity or cash under the Fortis Inc. 2020
Restricted Share Unit Plan and PBUs in the form of equity or cash under the Executive Omnibus Plan with the
terms of each award set forth in a written agreement with the recipient. Grants made in 2020 to the NEOs were
made under their respective plans pursuant to terms stated in the SBU and PBU award agreements.
Performance-Based Unit Award Agreements
The PBU award agreements entered into with each NEO on January 1, 2020 (the “PBU Grant Date”) (each a
“PBU Agreement”) provide generally that the award will vest on January 1, 2023 (the “PBU Vesting Date”) to the
extent one or more of the performance goals are met and if the grantee continues to be employed by the
Company through the PBU Vesting Date. One-half of the Target Number of PBUs shall be related to the Fortis
Total Shareholder Return goal (the “TSR goal”) and one-half of the Target Number of PBUs shall be related to
the Cumulative Consolidated Net Income goal (the “CCNI goal”). The PBUs will become earned as set forth in
the following table:
Measurement Category
Goal at
Threshold
Shares at
Threshold
Goal at
Target
Fortis Total Shareholder
Return
30th
percentile
Cumulative Consolidated Net
Income
99% of
Target
50% of TSR
Target Units
50% of
CCNI
Target Units
50th
percentile
100% of
Target
Shares at
Target
100% of
TSR Target
Units
100% of
CCNI
Target Units
Goal at
Maximum
Shares at
Maximum
85th
percentile
102% of
Target
200% of
TSR Target
Units
200% of
CCNI
Target Units
The performance period for the award is January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022 (the “Payment Criteria
Period”). The performance measures are independent of each other; that is, if the threshold level of one
performance measure is attained, units relating to that measure will be “earned” (subject to vesting as otherwise
provided in the PBU Agreement) even if the threshold level of the other performance measure is not attained.
The number of PBUs that are “earned” with respect to each performance measure will be prorated between
levels based on performance. The Committee will have discretion to reduce the number of PBUs earned under
certain circumstances.
Total Shareholder Return of Fortis will be compared to each of the companies (the “Peer Companies”) listed
in the Fortis Peer Group 2020 Report excluding any company that is no longer traded on the Toronto Stock
Exchange or a “national securities exchange” at the end of the Payment Criteria Period. The Peer Companies
currently consist of the following 25 U.S. and Canadian public utility companies:
Alliant Energy Corporation
Ameren Corporation
Atmos Energy Corporation
Canadian Utilities Limited
CenterPoint Energy Inc.
CMS Energy Corporation
Consolidated Edison Inc.
DTE Energy Company
Edison International
Emera Incorporated
Entergy Corporation
Evergy, Inc.
Eversource Energy
FirstEnergy Corp.
Hydro One Limited
NiSource Inc.
OGE Energy Corp.
PG&E Corporation
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
PPL Corporation
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.
Sempra Energy
UGI Corporation
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Xcel Energy Inc.
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The Total Shareholder Return of Fortis and the Peer Companies shall be computed in U.S. dollars as follows:
A: Calculate the Market Price as of the first day of the Payment Criteria Period (if necessary, converted
into U.S. dollars based on the Award Conversion Rate as defined in the Executive Omnibus Plan)
B: Calculate the Market Price as of the last day of the Payment Criteria Period (if necessary, converted
into U.S. dollars based on the Award Conversion Rate)
C: Calculate the total dividends paid per share of its common stock (or equivalent security) during the
Payment Criteria Period (if necessary, converted into U.S. dollars based on the Award Conversion
Rate)
Total Shareholder Return = ((B - A) + C)/A
Adjusted Consolidated Net Income for the Company for each calendar year in the Payment Criteria Period
shall be equal to net income as set forth in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements contained
in its annual report on Form 10-K for such year, as adjusted for extraordinary items and changes in Return on
Equity, in each case in the Committee’s discretion. Cumulative Consolidated Net Income for the Company
during the Payment Criteria Period shall be the sum of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Income for each of the
three years in the Payment Criteria Period.
If the grantee ceases to be employed before the PBU Vesting Date due to death, disability or “Retirement”,
and the grantee has been employed with the Company for 15 years or more, the grantee will receive, following
the PBU Vesting Date, the number of PBUs to which the grantee would have otherwise been entitled if the
grantee had remained employed through the PBU Vesting Date. If the grantee ceases to be employed before
the PBU Vesting Date due to death, disability or Retirement, and the grantee has been employed with the
Company for less than 15 years, the grantee will receive, following the PBU Vesting Date, (i) one-third of the
number of PBUs to which the grantee would have otherwise been entitled if the grantee had remained an
employee through the PBU Vesting Date shall be deemed to have vested on the PBU Vesting Date if
termination occurred on or after the one-year anniversary of the PBU Grant Date and before the two-year
anniversary of the PBU Grant Date, and (ii) two-thirds of the number of PBUs to which the grantee would have
otherwise been entitled if the grantee had remained an employee through the PBU Vesting Date shall be
deemed to have vested on the PBU Vesting Date if termination occurred one or after the two-year anniversary
of the PBU Grant Date but before the PBU Vesting Date. If termination occurs prior to the PBU Vesting Date
other than as a result of death, disability or Retirement, grantee will forfeit the award.
“Retirement” is defined to mean termination of grantee’s employment with the Company upon or after
completing 10 years of service with the Company after attaining the age of 45 if the grantee has provided the
Company with at least six months’ written notice of such retirement.
Upon a “Change of Control”, as defined in the Executive Omnibus Plan, all outstanding PBUs become
redeemable on the effective date of the consummation of the event resulting in the Change of Control (the
“Change of Control Redemption Date”). In the event of a Change of Control, the payout percentage for
outstanding PBUs is the product of (i) the higher of (A) 100% of the target number of PBUs in the award or (B)
the actual payout percentage based on the Committee’s assessment of performance of the payment criteria
from the beginning of the Payment Criteria Period for the award through the date of the Change of Control,
multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the Payment Criteria Period
for the award through the date on which the Change of Control occurred and the denominator of which is the
total number of days in the payment criteria period for the award.
Grantees are entitled to receive additional PBUs equal to the “dividend equivalent” when a cash dividend is
paid on common shares of Fortis stock (each a “Common Share”). Such “dividend equivalent” shall be equal to
a fraction where the numerator is the product of (a) the number of PBUs in the grantee’s account on the date
that the dividends are paid, including PBUs previously credited as “dividend equivalents,” multiplied by (b) the
dividend paid per Common Share and the denominator of which is the “Market Price” of one Common Share
calculated on the date that dividends are paid, converted to U.S. dollars based on the Award Conversion Rate.
All “dividend equivalent” PBUs shall have a PBU Vesting Date which is the same as the PBU Vesting Date for
the PBUs in respect of which such additional PBUs are credited.
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Service-Based Unit Award Agreements
The SBU award agreements entered into with each NEO on January 1, 2020 (the “SBU Grant Date”) (each a
“SBU Agreement”) provide generally that, so long as the grantee remains employed by the Company, the SBUs
fully vest upon the earlier of (i) January 1, 2023 (the “SBU Vesting Date”) or (ii) the grantee's death, disability or
“Retirement”. If the grantee ceases to be employed before the SBU Vesting Date due to death, disability or
Retirement, and the grantee has been employed with the Company for 15 years or more, the grantee will
receive, the number of SBUs to which the grantee would have otherwise been entitled if the grantee had
remained employed through the SBU Vesting Date. If the grantee ceases to be employed before the SBU
Vesting Date due to death, disability or Retirement, and the grantee has been employed with the Company for
less than 15 years, the grantee will receive a prorated number of SBUs to reflect the actual period between the
SBU Grant Date and the date of the grantee’s death, disability or Retirement. If termination occurs prior to the
SBU Vesting Date other than as a result of death, disability or Retirement, grantee will forfeit the award.
Upon a “Change of Control”, all outstanding SBUs become redeemable on the date that is immediately prior
to the Change of Control Redemption Date.
“Retirement” and “Change of Control” are defined in the same manner as defined in the description of the
PBU Agreement disclosed above. Grantees are entitled to receive additional dividend equivalent SBUs in the
same manner as defined in the description of the PBU Agreement disclosed above.
The SBU Agreement provides that the grantee may elect to have their SBU awards vest as common shares
of Fortis Inc. stock or cash payment. If the grantee does not satisfy their share holding requirement stated in the
Stock Ownership Policy, 50% of the SBU awards must settle in common shares of Fortis Inc. stock.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information with respect to SBUs and PBUs that have not vested as of the end
of 2020 held by the NEOs.
Number of Shares or
Units of Stock That
Have Not Vested (#)
(SBUs)
Market Value of
Shares or Units of
Stock That Have Not
Vested ($) (SBUs) (1)
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards: Number of
Unearned Shares, Units
or Other Rights That
Have Not Vested (#)
(PBUs)
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards: Market or
Payout Value of
Unearned Shares,
Units or Other Rights
That Have Not Vested
($) (PBUs) (1)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
21,432 (2) $
16,967 (4)
7,314 (2)
5,790 (4)
10,877 (2)
8,527 (4)
7,314(2)
5,733 (4)
4,353 (2)
4,943 (4)
—
874,897
692,621
298,544
236,357
444,014
348,059
298,544
234,040
177,702
201,777
—
42,865 (3) $
33,934 (5)
29,254 (3)
23,160 (5)
43,506 (3)
34,104 (5)
29,254 (3)
22,932 (5)
17,413 (3)
19,770 (5)
12,128 (3)
3,499,470
2,770,369
1,194,174
945,405
1,775,971
1,392,125
1,194,174
936,095
710,805
807,022
495,065
Name
(a)
Linda H. Apsey
Gretchen L. Holloway
Jon E. Jipping
Christine Mason Soneral
Krista Tanner
Daniel J. Oginsky
____________________________
(1) Value was determined by multiplying the number of units that have not vested by the closing price of Fortis
common stock on the NYSE as of December 31, 2020 ($40.82).
(2) These unvested SBUs were granted in 2019 and generally vest on December 31, 2021. These SBU
numbers include the original SBU grant plus dividend equivalent units earned.
(3) These unvested PBUs were granted in 2019 and generally vest on December 31, 2021. These PBU
numbers include the original PBU grant plus dividend equivalent units earned. The award contains
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performance conditions established by the Committee. In order for PBUs to vest such performance
conditions must be achieved. Amounts reported reflect PBU payouts as if the maximum performance goals
have been achieved. Mr. Oginsky’s PBUs were prorated on the date of the termination of his employment
with the Company and remain outstanding until performance conditions are achieved.
(4) These unvested SBUs were granted in 2020 and generally vest on January 1, 2023. These SBU numbers
include the original SBU grant plus dividend equivalent units earned.
(5) These unvested PBUs were granted in 2020 and generally vest on January 1, 2023. These PBU numbers
include the original PBU grant plus dividend equivalent units earned. The award contains performance
conditions established by the Committee. In order for PBUs to vest such performance conditions must be
achieved. Amounts reported reflect PBU payouts as if the maximum performance goals have been
achieved.
Equity grants made to NEOs in 2019 were made pursuant to the 2017 Omnibus Plan. The PBU grants made
to NEOs in 2020 were made pursuant to the Executive Omnibus Plan and the SBU grants made to NEOs in
2020 were made pursuant to the Fortis Inc. Restricted Share Unit Plan. The terms of the grants are described
above in the narrative discussion accompanying the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” Table.
In February 2019, Mr. Jipping entered into a letter agreement with the Company amending his employment
agreement and long-term incentive awards, including his SBU and PBU awards granted under the 2017
Omnibus Plan. Under the terms of the letter agreement upon Mr. Jipping’s voluntary termination of employment,
his SBU and PBU awards, which would otherwise be forfeited, will continue to vest on their normal schedule
even if Mr. Jipping does not meet the retirement age, as defined in the 2017 Omnibus Plan, for continued
vesting at the time of his termination. The letter agreement also removes Section 7c(ii)(B) of Mr. Jipping’s
employment agreement which defines his rights to terminate the employment agreement if his job
responsibilities and authority were substantially diminished.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table provides information with respect to SBUs and PBUs held by the NEOs that vested
during 2020:
Name
(a)
Stock Awards
Number of Shares or Units of
Stock Acquired on Vesting (#)
(b)
Value of Shares or Units of Stock
Realized on Vesting ($) (1)
(c)
Linda H. Apsey
Gretchen L. Holloway
Jon E. Jipping
Christine Mason Soneral
Krista Tanner
Daniel J. Oginsky
19.032 (2) $
61,664 (3)
6,529 (2)
21,153 (3)
9,793 (2)
31,730 (3)
6,670 (2)
21,610 (3)
1,705 (2)
5,521 (3)
8,380 (4)
17,838 (3)
793,001
2,569,323
272,051
881,369
408,054
1,322,093
272,260
900,422
71,023
230,035
337,849 (4)
743,232
____________________________
(1) Value is based on the 5-day VWAP price of common stock on the TSX on the vesting date, converted from
Canadian Dollars to US Dollars using the “Award Conversion Rate” defined in the 2017 Omnibus Plan,
which is $41.6667.
(2) Amounts reported reflect the vesting of SBUs granted March 7, 2018 and associated dividend equivalent
units.
(3) Amounts reported reflect the vesting of PBUs granted March 7, 2018 and associated dividend equivalent
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units. The award contains performance conditions established by the Committee. The performance period
ended on December 31, 2020. The Committee certified the achievement of 162% of the applicable
performance goals on February 2, 2021. Amount for Mr. Oginsky is prorated based on his termination date.
(4) Amounts reported reflect the prorated vesting of SBUs granted March 7, 2018 and March 6, 2019, and
associated dividend equivalent units, that vested upon Mr. Oginsky’s termination of employment with the
Company. The value is based on the 5-day VWAP price of common stock on the TSX on the vesting date,
converted from Canadian Dollar to US Dollars using the “Award Conversion Rate” defined in the 2017
Omnibus Plan.
Pension Benefits
The following table provides information with respect to each pension benefit plan that provides for payments
or other benefits at, following or in connection with retirement. Those plans are the International Transmission
Company Retirement Plan (the “Qualified Plan”) and the ESRP.
Pension Benefits Table
Name
(a)
Linda H. Apsey
Gretchen Holloway
Jon E. Jipping
Christine Mason Soneral
Krista Tanner
Daniel J. Oginsky
Plan Name
(b)
Cash Balance Component
ESRP Shift
Total Qualified Plan
ESRP
Cash Balance Component
Total Qualified Plan
ESRP
Traditional Component
Total Qualified Plan
ESRP
Cash Balance Component
Total Qualified Plan
ESRP
Cash Balance Component
Total Qualified Plan
ESRP
Cash Balance Component
Total Qualified Plan
ESRP
Number of Years
Credited Service
(#)(1)
Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit ($)(2)
Payments During
Last Fiscal Year
($)
(c)
(d)
(e)
26.58 $
N/A
17.83
16.95
5.91
30.03
15.92
13.29
13.28
6.14
6.14
15.58
467,421
39,359
506,780
2,131,664
327,627
327,627
418,557
2,075,036
2,075,036
1,693,928
319,719
319,719
825,637
136,977
136,977
281,183
393,485
393,485
15.58
1,173,054
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
____________________________
(1) Credited service is estimated as of December 31, 2020 and represents the service reflected in the
determination of benefits. For determining vesting, service with DTE Energy is counted for the Qualified
Plan only.
For Ms. Apsey and Mr. Jipping, the credited service for the cash balance and traditional components of
the Qualified Plan, respectively, includes service with DTE Energy. The Company began operations on
February 28, 2003, following its acquisition of ITCTransmission from DTE Energy. As of that date, the
benefits from DTE Energy’s qualified plan that had accrued, as well as the associated assets from DTE
Energy’s pension trust, were transferred to the Qualified Plan. Therefore, even though DTE Energy
service is included in determining the benefits under the traditional and cash balance components of the
Qualified Plan, the benefits associated with this additional service do not represent a benefit
augmentation, but rather a transfer of benefit liability and associated assets from DTE Energy’s
qualified plan to the Qualified Plan. With respect to the ESRP, credited service includes Company
service only for the period during which the NEO was an ESRP participant.
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(2) The “Present Value of Accumulated Benefit” is the estimated lump-sum equivalent value measured as
of December 31, 2020 (the “measurement date” used for financial accounting purposes) of the benefit
that was earned as of that date. Certain benefits are payable as an annuity only, not as a lump sum,
and/or may not be payable for several years in the future. The values reflected are based on several
assumptions. The date at which the present values were estimated was December 31, 2020. The rate
at which future expected benefit payments were discounted in calculating present values was 2.74%,
the same rate used for fiscal year-end 2020 financial accounting disclosure of the Qualified Plan. The
future annual earnings rate on account balances under the cash balance and ESRP shift components
of the Qualified Plan, and for ESRP benefits, was assumed to be 1.42% for 2021 and 4.00% thereafter.
We assumed no NEOs would die or become disabled prior to retirement or terminate employment with
us prior to becoming eligible for benefits unreduced for early retirement. The assumed retirement age
for each executive was generally the earliest age at which benefits unreduced for early retirement were
available under the respective plans. For the traditional component of the defined benefit plan, that age
is the earlier of (1) age 58 with 30 years of service (including service with DTE Energy), or (2) age 60
with 15 years of service. For consistency, we generally use the same assumed retirement
commencement age for other benefits, including benefits expressed as an account value where the
concept of benefit reductions for early retirement is not meaningful. The assumed retirement benefit
commencement ages were 58 for each NEO, except that Mr. Oginsky’s ESRP benefit will be paid in a
lump sum on March 1, 2021.
Post-retirement mortality was assumed to be in accordance with the Pri-2012 mortality table projected
for future mortality improvements with MP-2020 generational scale. Benefits under the traditional
component of the Qualified Plan were assumed to be paid as a monthly annuity payable for the lifetime
of the employee. For all other benefits, payment was assumed to be as a single lump sum, although
other actuarially equivalent forms are available.
We maintain one tax-qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plan and one supplemental
nonqualified, noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan. First, we maintain the Qualified Plan, which
provides funded, tax-qualified benefits up to the limits on compensation and benefits under the Internal
Revenue Code. Generally, all of our salaried employees, including the NEOs, are eligible to participate.
We maintain the ESRP, in which all of our NEOs participate. The ESRP provides additional retirement
benefits which are not tax qualified.
The following describes the Qualified Plan and the ESRP, and pension benefits provided to the NEOs under
those plans.
Qualified Plan
There are two primary retirement benefit components of the Qualified Plan. Each NEO earns benefits from
the Company under only one of these primary components.
Because our first operating utility subsidiary was acquired from DTE Energy, a component of the Qualified
Plan bears relation to the DTE Energy Corporation Retirement Plan (the “DTE Plan”). Generally, persons who
were participants in the “traditional component” of the DTE Plan as of February 28, 2003 (the date
ITCTransmission was acquired from DTE Energy) earn benefits under the traditional component of our Qualified
Plan. All other participants earn benefits under the cash balance component. Ms. Apsey also has benefits under
the ESRP shift described below.
Benefits under the Qualified Plan are funded by an irrevocable tax-exempt trust. A NEO’s benefit under the
Qualified Plan is payable from the assets held by the tax-exempt trust.
NEOs become fully vested in their normal retirement benefits described below with 3 years of service,
including service with DTE Energy, or upon attainment of the plan’s normal retirement age of 65. If a NEO
terminates employment with less than 3 years of service, the NEO is not vested in any portion of his or her
benefit.
Traditional Component of Qualified Plan
Mr. Jipping participates in the traditional component of the Qualified Plan. The benefits are determined under
the following formula, stated as an annual single life annuity payable in equal monthly installments at the normal
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retirement age of 65: 1.5% times average final compensation times credited service up to 30 years, plus 1.4%
times average final compensation times credited service in excess of 30 years. Credited service includes
service with DTE Energy. Although benefits under the formula are defined in terms of a single life annuity, other
annuity forms (e.g., joint and survivor benefits) are available that have the same actuarial value as the single life
annuity benefit. The benefits are not payable in the form of a lump sum.
Average final compensation is equal to one-fifth of the NEO’s salary (excluding any bonuses or special pay)
during the 260 weeks of credited service, not necessarily consecutive, at any time during the NEO’s
employment that results in the highest average.
Benefits provided under the Qualified Plan are based on compensation up to a compensation limit under the
Internal Revenue Code (which was $285,000 in 2020 and is indexed in future years). In addition, benefits
provided under the Qualified Plan may not exceed a benefit limit under the Internal Revenue Code (which was
$230,000 payable as a single life annuity beginning at normal retirement age in 2020).
NEOs may retire with a reduced benefit as early as age 45 after 15 years of credited service. If a NEO has
30 years of credited service at retirement, the benefit that would be payable at normal retirement age is reduced
for commencement ages below 58. The percentage of the normal retirement benefit payable at sample
commencement ages is as follows:
Age 58 and older: 100%
Age 55:
85%
Age 50:
40%
If a NEO has less than 30 years but more than 15 years of credited service at retirement, the benefit that
would be payable at normal retirement age is reduced for commencement ages below age 60. The percentage
of the normal retirement benefit payable at sample commencement ages is as follows:
Age 60 and older: 100%
Age 55:
71%
Age 50:
40%
If a NEO terminates employment prior to earning 15 years of credited service, the annuity benefit may not
commence prior to attaining age 65. If the NEO terminates employment after earning 15 years of credited
service but below age 45, the benefit may commence as early as age 45. The percentage of the normal
retirement benefit payable at sample commencement ages is as follows:
Age 65 and older: 100%
Age 60:
58%
Age 55:
36%
Age 50:
23%
Mr. Jipping’s annual accrued benefit payable in monthly installments as an annuity for his lifetime, beginning
at age 60, is approximately $124,000. He is fully vested.
Cash Balance Component of Qualified Plan
Mses. Apsey, Holloway, Mason Soneral and Tanner participate in the cash balance component of the
Qualified Plan. The benefits are stated as a notional account value.
Each year, a NEO’s account is increased by a “contribution credit” equal to 7% of pay. For this purpose, pay
is equal to base salary plus bonuses and overtime up to the same compensation limit as applies under the
traditional component of the Qualified Plan ($285,000 in 2020). Each year, a NEO’s account is also increased
by an “interest credit” based on 30-year Treasury rates.
Upon termination of employment, a vested NEO may elect full payment of his or her account. Alternate forms
of benefit (e.g., various forms of annuities) are available as well that have the same actuarial value as the
account.
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Mses. Apsey, Holloway, Mason Soneral and Tanner are entitled to immediate payment of their account value
on termination of employment, even if before normal retirement age. Ms. Apsey’s estimated account value as of
year-end 2020 is approximately $440,000, Ms. Holloway’s is approximately $291,000, Ms. Mason Soneral’s is
approximately $291,000, Ms. Tanner is approximately $122,000. Mr. Oginsky is entitled to receive a payment
equal to his account value of $355,000 in connection with the termination of his employment in May 2020.
The ESRP provides notional account accruals similar to the cash balance component of the Qualified Plan.
The “compensation credit” to the NEO’s notional account, analogous to the contribution credit in the cash
balance component of the Qualified Plan, is equal to 9% of base salary plus actual bonus earned under the
Company’s annual bonus plan. The “investment credit,” analogous to the interest credit in the cash balance
component of the Qualified Plan, is similarly based on 30-year Treasury rates.
The ESRP shift benefit is an amount that would otherwise be payable from the ESRP, but is instead being
paid from the Qualified Plan, subject to applicable qualified plan legal limits on the ability to discriminate in favor
of highly paid employees. The NEO’s cash balance account is increased by any amounts shifted from the
ESRP. The purpose of the benefit is to provide the NEO and the Company the tax advantages of providing
benefits through a tax qualified plan.
Ms. Apsey has received ESRP shift additions to her Qualified Plan cash balance account. There was no shift
of compensation credits for 2020, although previous shifts have continued to earn interest credits. As of year-
end 2020, her ESRP shift balance was approximately $37,000.
Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan
The ESRP is a nonqualified retirement plan. Only selected executives participate, including all our NEOs.
The purpose of the ESRP is to promote the success of the Company and its subsidiaries by providing the ability
to attract and retain talented executives by providing such designated executives with additional retirement
benefits.
The ESRP resembles the cash balance component of the Qualified Plan in that benefits are expressed as a
notional account value and the vested account balance is payable as a lump sum on termination of
employment, although an installment option of equivalent value is also available.
Each year, a NEO’s account is increased by a “compensation credit” equal to 9% of pay. For this purpose,
pay is equal to base salary plus any bonus under the Company’s annual corporate performance bonus plan.
There is no limit on compensation that may be taken into account as in the Qualified Plan. Each year, a NEO’s
account is also increased by an “investment credit” equal to the same earnings rate as the interest credit in the
cash balance component of the Qualified Plan, based on 30-year Treasury rates.
The plan has been in effect since March 1, 2003. Vesting occurs at 20% for each year of participation. All of
our NEOs are fully vested.
As noted above in the description of the Qualified Plan, a portion of the ESRP account balance may be
shifted to the cash balance component of the Qualified Plan each year, as permitted under the rules for qualified
plans. Such a shift allows the NEOs to become immediately vested in the account values shifted and confers
certain tax advantages to the NEOs and us. As of December 31, 2020, the ESRP account values, net of the
amounts shifted to the Qualified Plan, are as follows:
Ms. Apsey
Ms. Holloway
Mr. Jipping
Ms. Mason Soneral
Ms. Tanner
Mr. Oginsky
$
2,007,114
371,553
1,671,249
749,482
251,388
1,173,054
The ESRP is funded with a Rabbi Trust, which we cannot use for any purpose other than to satisfy the benefit
obligations under the ESRP, except in the event of the Company’s bankruptcy, in which case the assets are
available to general creditors.
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Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
We maintain the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan under which nonqualified deferred compensation is
permissible. Only selected officers of the Company, including the NEOs, are eligible to participate in this plan.
NEOs are allowed to defer up to 100% of their salary and bonus. Investment earnings are based on the various
investment options available under the plan and are selected by the individual NEOs. Distributions will generally
be made at the NEO’s termination of employment for any reason. Mr. Jipping elected to participate in 2019 and
his deferral was withheld in 2020. Mr. Jipping also elected to participate in 2020, and his deferral will be made in
2021 due to his 2020 bonus payment occurring in 2021. Mr. Jipping is the only NEO that participated in the
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan in 2020.
Employment Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
Employment Agreements
As referenced above, we entered into employment agreements with Ms. Apsey and Mr. Jipping in December
2012 which superseded the employment agreements then in effect. In February 2015, we entered into an
employment agreement with Ms. Mason Soneral which superseded her employment agreement then in effect.
In July 2017, we entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Holloway, which superseded her employment
agreement then in effect. In February 2019, we entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Tanner which
superseded her employment agreement then in effect. Each employment agreement is subject to automatic
one-year employment term renewals each year beginning on its second anniversary, unless either party
provides the other with 30 days’ advance written notice of intent not to renew the employment term. Ms. Apsey’s
agreement was modified in October 2016 in connection with her appointment as President and Chief Executive
Officer and the initial term of the agreement expired on December 31, 2018 but is subject to the automatic one-
year renewal provision described above. The following describes the material terms of the employment
agreements, as amended, with the NEOs who remained employed by the Company on December 31, 2020.
The employment agreements provide that each NEO will receive an annual base salary equal to their current
base salary, which is subject to annual review and increase by our Board of Directors at its discretion. The
employment agreements also provide that NEOs are eligible to receive an annual cash bonus, subject to our
achievement of certain performance targets established by our Board of Directors, as detailed in “Compensation
Discussion and Analysis.” The employment agreements also provide the NEOs with the right to participate in
equity plans, employee benefit plans and retirement plans, including but not limited to welfare plans, retiree
welfare benefit plans and defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
In addition, the NEOs’ employment agreements provide for payments by us of certain benefits upon
termination of employment. The rights available at termination depend on the situation and circumstances
surrounding the terminating event. The terms “Cause” and “Good Reason” are used in the employment
agreements of each NEO and an understanding of these terms is necessary to determine the appropriate rights
for which a NEO is eligible. The terms are defined as follows:
•
Cause means: a NEO’s continued failure substantially to perform his or her duties (other than as a
result of total or partial incapacity due to physical or mental illness) for a period of 10 days following
written notice by the Company to the NEO of such failure; dishonesty in the performance of the NEO’s
duties; a NEO’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contender to, a crime constituting a felony or
misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; willful malfeasance or willful misconduct in connection with a
NEO’s duties; any act or omission which is injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of
the Company; or violation of the non-compete or confidentiality provisions of the employment
agreement.
• Good reason means: a greater than 10% reduction in the total value of the NEO’s base salary, target
bonus, and employee benefits; or if the NEO’s responsibilities and authority are substantially
diminished.
If a NEO’s employment is terminated with cause by the Company or by the NEO without good reason, the
NEO will generally only receive his or her accrued but unpaid compensation and benefits as of the date of his or
her employment termination. If the NEO terminates due to death or disability (as defined in the employment
agreements), the NEO (or the NEO’s spouse or estate) would also receive a pro rata portion of his or her
current year annual target bonus.
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If a NEO’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by the NEO for good reason, the
NEO will receive the following, subject to the NEO’s execution of a release agreement and commencing
generally on the earliest date that is permitted under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code:
•
any accrued but unpaid compensation and benefits including:
◦ Ms. Apsey: cash balance and ESRP shift under the Qualified Plan and vested portion of ESRP
balance;
◦ Mr. Jipping: annual benefit under the traditional component of the Qualified Plan and vested
portion of ESRP balance; and
◦ Ms. Mason Soneral, Ms. Holloway and Ms. Tanner: cash balance under the Qualified Plan and
vested portion of ESRP balance
continued payment of the NEO’s then-current base salary for two years;
if the termination is within six months before or two years after a “Change of Control” (as defined in the
employment agreements), payment of an amount equal to two times the average of the ACPBs, that
were payable to the NEO for the three fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which his or
her employment terminates, payable in equal installments over the period in which continued base
salary payments are made;
a pro rata portion of the ACPB for the year of termination, based upon the Company’s actual
achievement of the performance targets for such year as determined under the annual corporate
performance bonus plan and paid at the time that such bonus would normally be paid;
eligibility to continue coverage under our active medical, dental and vision plans subject to applicable
COBRA rules; if such coverage is elected, we will reimburse the NEO for the shorter of 18 months, or
until the NEO becomes eligible for coverage under another employer-sponsored group plan, in an
amount equal to our periodic cost of such coverage for other executives, plus a tax gross-up amount;
outplacement services for up to two years; and
for Ms. Apsey, deemed satisfaction of the eligibility requirements of our Postretirement Welfare Plan for
purposes of participation therein; and for Mr.Jipping, participation in our Postretirement Welfare Plan
only if, by the end of their specified severance period, he has achieved the necessary age and service
credit otherwise necessary to meet the eligibility requirements. In addition, if we terminate our
Postretirement Welfare Plan and, by application of the provisions described in the prior sentence, any of
these NEOs would otherwise be entitled to retiree welfare benefits, we will establish other coverage for
the NEO or the NEO will receive a cash payment equal to our cost of providing such benefits, in order
to assist the NEO in obtaining other retiree welfare benefits.
•
•
•
•
•
•
In addition, while employed by us and for a period of two years after any termination of employment without
cause by the Company (other than due to their disability) or for good reason by them and for a period of one
year following any other termination of their employment, the NEOs will be subject to certain covenants not to
compete with or assist other entities in competing with our business and not to encourage our employees to
terminate their employment with us. At all times while employed and thereafter, all of the NEOs will also be
subject to a covenant not to disclose confidential information.
In the event the NEO becomes subject to excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code as
a result of payments and benefits received under the employment agreements or any other plan, arrangement
or agreement with us, we will pay the NEO only that portion of such payments which are in total equal to one
dollar less than the amount that would subject the NEO to the excise tax.
Payments in the Event of Termination
The benefits to be provided to the NEOs as a result of termination under various scenarios are detailed in
the tables below. The tables assume that the termination occurred on December 31, 2020.
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Linda H. Apsey - Termination Scenarios: Value of Potential Payments
Total Value of Severance, Benefits and Unvested Equity Awards(1)(2)
Voluntary
Resignation
Involuntary For
Cause
Involuntary Not-
for-Cause or
Voluntary Good
Reason
Change In
Control (pre-
tax)(3)
Disability
Death (pre-
retirement)(4)
$
— $
— $
1,632,000 $
4,116,287 $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
816,000
816,000
1,151,376
1,151,376
—
—
—
—
—
—
291,622
1,651,740
1,651,740
1,651,740
583,245
1,628,218
3,134,919
3,134,919
—
—
—
—
—
25,000
25,000
31,733
31,733
848,541
848,541
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
— $
— $
4,563,517 $
9,452,895 $
5,602,659 $
5,602,659
Gretchen L. Holloway - Termination Scenarios: Value of Potential Payments
Total Value of Severance, Benefits and Unvested Equity Awards(1)(2)
Voluntary
Resignation
Involuntary For
Cause
Involuntary Not-
for-Cause or
Voluntary Good
Reason
Change In
Control (pre-
tax)(3)
Disability
Death (pre-
retirement)(4)
$
— $
— $
795,600 $
2,004,880 $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
397,800
397,800
561,296
561,296
—
—
499,515
565,071
565,071
565,071
199,029
—
—
—
555,626
(828,134)
—
—
25,000
25,000
10,787
10,787
1,069,790
1,069,790
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
— $
— $
2,091,227 $
2,894,526 $
2,032,661 $
2,032,661
Compensation
Cash Severance
Target Short-term Bonus
Pro Rata Short-term
(Annual) Incentive
Comp
Retention Awards
Service-Based Unit
Awards (5)
Performance-Based Unit
Awards (6)
Benefits and Perquisites
Retirement Plan
ESRP
Perquisites
Health & Welfare
Benefits
Postretirement Welfare
Plan (7)
Total Payout:
Compensation
Cash Severance
Target Short-term Bonus
Pro Rata Short-term
(Annual) Incentive
Comp
Service-Based Unit
Awards (5)
Performance-Based Unit
Awards (6)
280G Cutback
Benefits and Perquisites
Retirement Plan
ESRP
Perquisites
Health & Welfare
Benefits
Total Payout:
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Jon E. Jipping - Termination Scenarios: Value of Potential Payments
Total Value of Severance, Benefits and Unvested Equity Awards(1)(2)
Voluntary
Resignation or
Voluntary Good
Reason
Involuntary For
Cause
Involuntary Not-
for-Cause
Change In
Control (pre-
tax)(3)
Disability
Death (pre-
retirement)(4)
$
— $
— $
1,171,600 $
2,990,971 $
— $
—
—
—
843,749
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
585,800
585,800
826,564
826,564
—
—
148,005
843,749
843,749
843,749
295,995
824,011
1,584,048
1,584,048
—
—
—
—
25,000
25,000
25,137
25,137
874,856
874,856
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
843,749 $
— $
3,367,157 $
6,410,288 $
3,013,597 $
3,013,597
Christine Mason Soneral - Termination Scenarios: Value of Potential Payments
Total Value of Severance, Benefits and Unvested Equity Awards(1)(2)
Voluntary
Resignation
Involuntary For
Cause
Involuntary Not-
for-Cause or
Voluntary Good
Reason
Change In
Control (pre-
tax)(3)
Disability
Death (pre-
retirement)(4)
$
— $
— $
787,000 $
2,021,964 $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
393,900
393,900
555,793
555,793
—
—
99,515
570,827
570,827
570,827
199,029
554,074
1,065,135
1,065,135
—
—
—
—
25,000
25,000
24,793
24,793
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
— $
— $
1,691,130 $
3,752,451 $
2,029,862 $
2,029,862
Compensation
Cash Severance
Target Short-term Bonus
Pro Rata Short-term
(Annual) Incentive
Comp
Service-Based Unit
Awards (5)
Performance-Based Unit
Awards (6)
Benefits and Perquisites
Retirement Plan
ESRP
Perquisites
Health & Welfare
Benefits
Postretirement Welfare
Plan (7)
Total Payout:
Compensation
Cash Severance
Target Short-term Bonus
Pro Rata Short-term
(Annual) Incentive
Comp
Service-Based Unit
Awards (5)
Performance-Based Unit
Awards (6)
Benefits and Perquisites
Retirement Plan
ESRP
Perquisites
Health & Welfare
Benefits
Total Payout:
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Krista Tanner - Termination Scenarios: Value of Potential Payments
Total Value of Severance, Benefits and Unvested Equity Awards(1)(2)
Voluntary
Resignation
Involuntary For
Cause
Involuntary Not-
for-Cause or
Voluntary Good
Reason
Change In
Control (pre-
tax)(3)
Disability
Death (pre-
retirement)(4)
$
— $
— $
679,200 $
1,172,021 $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
339,600
339,600
479,176
479,176
—
—
59,234
247,288
247,288
247,288
118,468
—
—
—
371,439
(415,126)
—
—
25,000
25,000
20,545
20,545
758,914
758,914
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
— $
— $
1,381,623 $
1,900,343 $
1,345,802 $
1,345,802
Compensation
Cash Severance
Target Short-term Bonus
Pro Rata Short-term
(Annual) Incentive
Comp
Service-Based Unit
Awards (5)
Performance-Based Unit
Awards (6)
280G Cutback
Benefits and Perquisites
Retirement Plan
ESRP
Perquisites
Health & Welfare
Benefits
Total Payout:
____________________________
(1) All scenarios include the value of severance. For Ms. Apsey and Mr. Jipping, the value of the
Postretirement Welfare Plan is additionally included where applicable. The Pension Benefits Table
assumes that none of the NEOs are terminated prior to retirement age and that benefits are paid once
retirement commences (age 58 is assumed). All other accrued pension benefits, outside of present
value reductions outlined in footnote (5), and additional pension benefits upon death, have not been
included in these termination scenarios but can be found in the “Pension Benefits Table”.
(2) Upon any termination of employment, benefits that are accrued but unpaid prior to that event are paid.
These benefits are assumed to be $0 in the above tables.
(3) Change in control values include severance amounts reflecting cutbacks to the extent employer
payments exceed the executive respective limits. Ms. Holloway and Ms. Tanner would be subject to an
excise tax on the employer payments as of the assumed change in control date; therefore, cutbacks in
the amounts of $828,134 (Ms. Holloway) and $415,126 (Ms. Tanner) have been reflected.
(4) In the event of Mr. Jipping’s termination for death (pre-retirement), his spouse would receive half the
50% joint and survivor annuity under the traditional component of the Qualified Plan. Under termination
for death (pre-retirement), Ms. Apsey’s, Ms. Mason Soneral’s, Ms. Holloway’s and Ms. Tanner’s
Qualified Plan benefits are payable immediately to the surviving spouse (if any) and ESRP benefits are
payable to a designated beneficiary. The above termination scenarios do not reflect the reduction in
present value of death benefits ($154,161 for Ms. Apsey, $83,796 for Ms. Holloway, $1,045,683 for Mr.
Jipping, $105,645 for Ms. Mason Soneral and $44,310 for Ms. Tanner compared to present value in the
Pension Benefits Table).
(5) Under the 2017 Omnibus Plan, outstanding and unvested SBUs and respective dividend equivalents
shall be deemed to be vested SBUs and redeemable on the Change of Control Redemption Date (as
defined in the 2017 Omnibus Plan). In the case of Death or Disability (each as defined in the 2017
Omnibus Plan) termination, outstanding and unvested SBUs and respective dividend equivalents shall
be deemed to be vested SBUs and redeemable on the date of the death or on the date on which the
grantee’s service is terminated due to Disability. In the case of Retirement or Involuntary Termination
Without Cause (each as defined in the 2017 Omnibus Plan) within one year of the grant date,
outstanding and unvested SBUs and respective dividend equivalents shall be deemed to be forfeited. If
Retirement or Involuntary Termination Without Cause occurs one year or more after the grant date,
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SBUs and respective dividend equivalents shall be deemed to have vested pro-rata based on the
period served from the grant date to termination. For Mr. Jipping, pursuant to the Jipping Letter
Agreement, upon a voluntary termination of employment, his SBUs, which would otherwise be forfeited,
will continue to vest on their normal schedule. Under the Fortis Inc. 2020 Restricted Share Unit Plan,
outstanding and unvested SBUs and respective dividend equivalents shall be deemed to be vested
SBUs and redeemable on the date that is immediately prior to the effective date of the consummation of
the transaction resulting from the Change of Control. In the case of Death, Disability or Retirement
termination and 15 years or more of service with the Company or its Affiliates, the outstanding and
unvested SBU awards and respective dividend equivalents shall be deemed vested and redeemable on
the date of the death or on the date on which the grantee’s service is terminated due to Disability or
Retirement. In the case of Death, Disability or Retirement termination and less than 15 years of service
with the Company or its Affiliates, the outstanding and unvested SBU awards and respective dividend
equivalents shall be deemed to have vested pro-rata based on the period served from grant date to
termination and redeemable on the date of the death or on the date on which the grantee’s service is
terminated due to Disability or Retirement. In the case of Cause, Involuntary Termination Without Cause
and Voluntary Termination outstanding and unvested SBU awards and respective dividend equivalents
shall be deemed to be forfeited.
(6) Under the 2017 Omnibus Plan, outstanding and unvested PBU awards and respective dividend
equivalents accelerate on a prorated basis under a Change in Control (as defined in the 2017 Omnibus
Plan), based on the higher of (A) 100% of the target number of PBUs in the award or (B) the actual
payout percentage based on the Committee’s assessment of performance of the payment criteria from
the beginning of the Payment Criteria Period for the award through the date of the Change of Control
(as defined in the 2017 Omnibus Plan). In the case of Death or Disability termination, the outstanding
and unvested PBU awards and respective dividend equivalents will remain outstanding and be payable
on the payout date of such awards subject to the achievement of the applicable payment criteria.
Values shown in the tables above are based on target performance as an estimate of potential
payments. In the case of Retirement or Involuntary Termination Without Cause within one year of the
award grant date, outstanding and unvested PBU awards and respective dividend equivalents shall be
deemed to be forfeited. If Retirement or Involuntary Termination Without Cause occurs one year or
more after the grant date, PBU awards and respective dividend equivalents shall be deemed to have
vested pro-rata based on the period served from grant date to termination. For Mr. Jipping, pursuant to
the Jipping Letter Agreement, upon a voluntary termination of employment, his PBUs, awarded under
the 2017 Omnibus Plan, which would otherwise be forfeited, will continue to vest on their normal
schedule. The table does not reflect any value for Mr. Jipping’s outstanding and unvested PBUs as the
payout is subject to achievement of the performance measures. Under the Executive Omnibus Plan,
outstanding and unvested PBU awards and respective dividend equivalents shall become redeemable
on the Change of Control Redemption Date under a Change in Control (as defined in the Executive
Omnibus Plan). In the case of Death, Disability or Retirement termination and 15 years or more of
service with the Company or its Affiliates, the outstanding and unvested PBU awards and respective
dividend equivalents will remain outstanding and be payable on the payout date of such awards subject
to the achievement of the applicable payment criteria. In the case of Death, Disability or Retirement
termination and less than 15 years of service with the Company or its Affiliates, the outstanding and
unvested PBU awards and respective dividend equivalents shall be deemed to have vested pro-rata
based on the period served from grant date to termination and be payable on the payout date of such
awards subject to the achievement of the applicable payment criteria. Values shown in the tables above
are based on target performance as an estimate of potential payments. In the case of Cause,
Involuntary Termination Without Cause and Voluntary Termination outstanding and unvested PBU
awards and respective dividend equivalents shall be deemed to be forfeited.
(7) The value of the Postretirement Welfare Plan benefit is included in involuntary termination not for cause
and change in control scenarios for Ms. Apsey and Mr. Jipping since their employment agreement
includes a provision for deemed satisfaction of the eligibility requirements when terminated under these
scenarios. It is assumed each would commence their Postretirement Welfare Benefits at age 58. The
rate at which future expected benefit payments were discounted in calculating the Postretirement
Welfare Plan present values was 2.94%, the same rate used for fiscal year-end 2020 accounting
disclosure of the Postretirement Welfare Plan.
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Upon death or disability, a NEO (or his or her estate) receives a pro rata portion of his or her current year
target corporate performance bonus. All balances under the cash balance and ESRP shift components of the
Qualified Plan, and the ESRP balance (vested portion only for disability), are immediately payable. If the NEO
has 10 years of service after age 45, then the NEO (and his or her spouse) is eligible for retiree medical
benefits.
Pursuant to his May 2020 Separation and Release Agreement, subject to his compliance with the terms set
forth in his employment agreement, Mr. Oginsky will receive (i) a pro rata portion of his 2020 bonus, (ii)
continuation of his base salary for (2) years to be paid in accordance with normal Company payroll practices,
(iii) continued employee benefits under COBRA with a portion of applicable COBRA premium costs reimbursed
for a period of up to 18 months and, (iv) outplacement services for up to (2) years post the termination date. The
aforementioned payments and benefits are in exchange for entering into the Separation and Release of Claims
Agreement and replaces all employment arrangements and benefits programs available to Mr. Oginsky prior to
his termination date. Mr. Oginsky received LTIP payments of $337,849 for SBUs and $743,232 for PBUs that
were accelerated and paid in accordance with the LTIP provisions. Mr. Oginsky is entitled to a future payment
pursuant to PBU grants made prior to his employment termination, subject to performance conditions and
dividend equivalents, in February 2022. Mr. Oginsky will receive a lump sum distribution of his ESRP on March
1, 2021 and at this time he has made no election to commence his Retirement Plan benefit.
Pay Ratio
As required by the U.S. Congress under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,
and the SEC under Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the
relationship of the annual total compensation of our employees and the annual total compensation of Linda H.
Apsey our CEO:
For 2020, our last completed fiscal year:
the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of the Company (other than Ms.
Apsey), was $156,386; and
the annual total compensation of Ms. Apsey as reported in the Summary Compensation Table was
$4,451,284.
Based on this information, Ms. Apsey’s 2020 annual total compensation was estimated to be 29 times the
median annual total compensation for all employees, other than Ms. Apsey.
We determined that, as of December 31, 2020, our employee population consisted of 698 individuals with all
of those individuals located in the United States. To identify the “median employee” from our employee
population, excluding Ms. Apsey, we utilized a consistently applied compensation measure that included the
sum of each employee’s 2020 annualized base salary as of December 31, 2020 as reflected in our payroll
records, and target 2020 awards made under our annual corporate performance plan, 2017 Omnibus Plan,
Executive Omnibus Plan and Fortis Inc. 2020 Restricted Share Unit Plan that were not paid in 2020. We
arrayed these values to select our “median employee”.
Under Item 402(u), a company is permitted to identify its “median employee” once every three years if there
has been no significant change to its employee population or employee compensation arrangements that would
result in a significant change to its pay ratio disclosure. We updated our “median employee” for 2020 as it had
been three years since we had last identified the “median employee” for this analysis.
Using our “median employee” and Ms. Apsey, we calculated the 2020 Summary Compensation Table values
for each according to SEC rules.
Director Compensation
The following table provides information concerning the compensation of each person who served as a non-
employee director of the Company during 2020.
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Non-Employee Director Compensation Table
Robert A. Elliott
Albert Ernst
Debora Frodl (2)
Alexander I. Greenbaum (3)
Ronnie Hawkins, Jr. (2)
David G. Hutchens (2)
James P. Laurito
Barry V. Perry
Sandra E. Pierce (4)
Kevin L. Prust
A. Douglas Rothwell (4)
Thomas G. Stephens (5)
Joseph L. Welch (5)
Name
(a)
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($) (1)
(b)
$
140,000 $
140,000
46,667
—
74,668
—
140,000
140,000
175,417
155,000
148,748
155,000
76,505
Total ($)
(h)
140,000
140,000
46,667
—
74,668
—
140,000
140,000
175,417
155,000
148,748
155,000
76,505
____________________________
(1) Includes annual Board retainer and committee chairmanship retainer, as well as a chairperson fee
(for Mr. Welch and Ms. Pierce only).
(2) Ms. Frodl joined the Board in August 2020, Mr. Hawkins joined the Board in June 2020 and Mr.
Hutchens joined the Board in January 2021.
(3) Mr. Greenbaum waived all compensation due to him for his service on the Board.
(4) Ms. Pierce was appointed to chairperson of the Board and Mr. Rothwell was appointed Governance
and Human Resources chair in May 2020.
(5) Mr. Welch left the Board in May 2020 and Mr. Stephens left the Board in February 2021.
Directors who are employees of the Company do not receive separate compensation for their services as a
director. All non-employee directors are compensated under our non-employee director compensation policy,
pursuant to which they are paid an annual cash retainer of $140,000. In addition, we pay an additional cash
retainer of $15,000 annually to the chair of each Board committee and $50,000 annually to our chairperson. We
do not pay per-meeting fees under the policy. Non-employee directors are reimbursed for their out-of-pocket
expenses incurred for the performance of their duties as directors.
We maintain a Director Deferred Compensation Plan under which nonqualified deferred compensation is
permissible. Only non-employee directors of the Company are eligible to participate in this plan. Directors are
allowed to defer up to 100% of their annual board compensation. Investment earnings are based on the various
investment options available under the plan and are selected by the individual directors. Distributions will be
made when the director ceases to serve on the Board and/or ceases to provide other non-employee consulting
services to the Company or any Fortis entity. Messrs. Laurito, Stephens and Ms. Pierce participate in this plan.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of our common stock and Fortis’
common stock as of February 1, 2021, except as otherwise indicated, by:
•
•
each of our current directors;
each of the persons named in the “Summary Compensation Table” under Item 11; and
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•
all current directors and executive officers as a group.
The number of shares beneficially owned is determined under rules of the SEC and the information is not
necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership
includes any shares as to which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power and also
any shares which the individual has the right to acquire on February 1, 2021 or within 60 days thereafter
through the exercise of any stock option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each holder has sole
investment and voting power with respect to the shares set forth in the following table:
Name of Beneficial Owner
Linda H. Apsey
Gretchen L. Holloway
Jon E. Jipping
Christine Mason Soneral
Krista Tanner
Daniel J. Oginsky
Robert A. Elliott
Albert Ernst
Debora Frodl
Alexander I. Greenbaum
Ronnie Hawkins
David G. Hutchens
James P. Laurito
Sandra E. Pierce
Kevin L. Prust
A. Douglas Rothwell
Thomas G. Stephens
All current directors and executive officers as a group
(17 persons)
Number of
Company
Shares
Beneficially
Owned (#)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Percent of
Class (%)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Number of
Fortis shares
Beneficially
Owned (#)
Percent
of Class
(%)
(1)
53,889
7,771
60,000
—
—
72,621
—
14,511
—
—
—
63,891
48,311
—
500
—
2,098
*
*
*
—
—
*
—
*
—
—
—
—
*
—
*
—
*
*
—
— %
309,081
* Less than one percent
____________________________
(1) Includes 4,234 shares owned by the spouse of Mr. Ernst.
ITC Investment Holdings, which owns all of our outstanding common stock, is 80.1% owned by FortisUS and
19.9% owned by Eiffel. FortisUS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortis.
At December 31, 2020, there were no securities authorized for issuance under any compensation plans of
ITC Holdings.
ITEM 13.
INDEPENDENCE.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to its charter, the Governance and Human Resources Committee is charged with monitoring and
reviewing issues involving independence and potential conflicts of interest with respect to our directors and
executive officers. The Committee also determines whether or not a particular relationship serves the best
interest of the Company and its shareholder and whether the relationship should be continued or eliminated. In
addition, our Code of Conduct and Ethics generally forbids conflicts of interest unless approved by the Board or
a designated committee.
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Although the Company does not have a written policy with regard to the approval of transactions between
the Company and its executive officers and directors, each director and officer must annually submit a form to
the General Counsel disclosing his or her conflicts or potential conflicts of interest or certifying that no such
conflicts of interest exist. Throughout the year, if any transaction constituting a conflict of interest arises or
circumstances otherwise change that would cause a director’s or officer’s annual conflict certification to become
incorrect, the director or officer must inform the General Counsel of such circumstances. The Committee
reviews existing conflicts as well as potential conflicts of interest and determines whether any further action is
necessary, such as recommending to the Board whether a director or officer should be requested to offer his or
her resignation. Where the Board makes a determination regarding a potential conflict of interest, a majority of
the Board (excluding any interested member or members) shall decide upon an appropriate course of action.
Additionally, any director or officer who has a question about whether a conflict exists must bring it to the
attention of the Company’s General Counsel or Chairperson of the Committee.
Clayton Welch, Jennifer Welch, Jessica Uher and Katie Welch (each of whom is a son, daughter or
daughter-in-law of Joseph L. Welch, the Company’s Chairperson until May 2020) were employed by us as a
Senior Engineer, Fleet Manager, Manager of Corporate and Field Facilities, and Senior Accountant,
respectively, during 2020 and continue to be employed by us. These individuals are employed on an “at will”
basis and compensated on the same basis as our other employees of similar function, seniority and
responsibility without regard to their relationship with Mr. Welch. These four individuals, none of whom resides
with or is supported financially by Mr. Welch, received aggregate salary, bonus, long-term incentives and
taxable perquisites for services rendered in the above capacities totaling $586,777 during 2020.
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Based on the absence of any material relationship between them and us, other than their capacities as
directors, the Board has determined that Mmes. Frodl and Pierce and Messrs. Elliott, Ernst, Hawkins, Jr., Prust,
and Rothwell are “independent” as defined in the Shareholders Agreement. In addition, our Board has
determined that, as the committees are currently constituted, a majority of the members of the Audit and Risk
Committee are “independent” as defined in the Shareholders Agreement. None of the directors determined to
be independent is or ever has been employed by us.
An independent director under the Shareholders Agreement is a director who meets all of the following
requirements: (a) is elected by the shareholders of ITC Investment Holdings; (b) is designated as an
independent director by the ITC Investment Holdings’ board and Company Board, or the shareholders of ITC
Investment Holdings; (c) is not a director that is nominated by Finn Investment Pte Ltd or any successor or
permitted assign thereof and appointed as a member of the ITC Investment Holdings’ board and Company
Board in accordance with the Shareholders Agreement; (d) is not and during the three years prior to being
designated as an independent director has not been any of the following: (i) a director of FortisUS or any of its
affiliates (other than ITC Investment Holdings or the Company); or (ii) an officer or employee of ITC Investment
Holdings, the Company, FortisUS or any of their affiliates; and (e) would meet the definition of “independent
director” under the NYSE Listed Company Manual if such director were a member of the board of directors of
Fortis, FortisUS, ITC Investment Holdings, or the Company (assuming, in the case of FortisUS, ITC Investment
Holdings and the Company, that such entities were listed on the NYSE).
Mr. Elliott serves on the board of directors of UNS Energy Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
FortisUS. When determining Mr. Elliott’s independence, the board and shareholders agreed to waive the
requirements set forth in the definition of independent director under the Shareholders Agreement which states
that a director is not and during the three years prior to being designated as a director of the company has not
served as a director of FortisUS or any of its affiliates.
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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
The following table provides a summary of the aggregate fees incurred for Deloitte’s services in 2020 and
2019:
Audit fees (1)
Audit-related fees (2)
Tax fees (3)
All other fees (4)
Total fees
$
2020
1,995,000 $
56,000
16,000
4,000
$
2,071,000 $
2019
1,901,000
54,000
208,000
9,000
2,172,000
____________________________
(1) Audit fees were for professional services rendered for the audit of our consolidated financial statements
and internal controls and reviews of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly
reports and services that are normally provided by Deloitte in connection with statutory and regulatory
filing engagements.
(2) Audit-related fees were for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the
performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not reported under
“Audit Fees.” These services include audit of our employee benefit plans.
(3) Tax fees were professional services for federal and state tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
(4) All other fees were for services other than the services reported above. These services included
subscriptions to the Deloitte Accounting Research Tool and attendance at Deloitte sponsored
conferences and labs.
The Audit and Risk Committee of the Board of Directors does not consider the provision of the services
described above by Deloitte to be incompatible with the maintenance of Deloitte’s independence.
The Audit and Risk Committee has adopted a pre-approval policy for all audit and non-audit services
pursuant to which it pre-approves all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public
accounting firm prior to the engagement with respect to such services. To the extent that we need an
engagement for audit and/or non-audit services between Audit and Risk Committee meetings, the Audit and
Risk Committee chairman is authorized by the Audit and Risk Committee to approve the required engagement
on its behalf.
The Audit and Risk Committee approved all of the services performed by Deloitte in 2020 pursuant to the
pre-approval policy.
121
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a)
(1) Financial Statements:
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019
and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule I — Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
All other schedules for which provision is made in Regulation S-X either (i) are not required under the related
instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted, or (ii) the information required is included in
the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto that are a part hereof.
(b)
Exhibit Listing
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report or filed previously and incorporated by reference
to the filing indicated. Our SEC file number is 001-32576.
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
2.1
3.1
3.2
4.3
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 9, 2016, among FortisUS Inc., Element
Acquisition Sub Inc., Fortis Inc., and ITC Holdings Corp. (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on February
11, 2016)
Restated Articles of Incorporation of ITC Holdings Corp. (filed with Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2016)
Eighth Amended and Restated Bylaws of ITC Holdings Corp.
Indenture, dated as of July 16, 2003, between ITC Holdings Corp. and BNY Midwest Trust Company,
as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, Reg. No.
333-123657)
First Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated as of July 15, 2003, between International Transmission
Company and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as amended, Reg. No. 333-123657)
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2003, supplementing the First Mortgage and Deed of
Trust dated as of July 15, 2003, between International Transmission Company and BNY Midwest Trust
Company, as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, Reg.
No. 333-123657)
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2003, supplementing the First Mortgage and
Deed of Trust dated as of July 15, 2003, between International Transmission Company and BNY
Midwest Trust Company, as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as
amended, Reg. No. 333-123657)
Amendment to Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 19, 2005, between International
Transmission Company and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee (filed with Registrant’s
Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, Reg. No. 333-123657)
Second Amendment to Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 24, 2006, between
International Transmission Company and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to
BNY Midwest Trust Company), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on March 30, 2006)
4.10
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 28, 2006, supplementing the First Mortgage and
Deed of Trust dated as of July 15, 2003, between International Transmission Company and BNY
Midwest Trust Company, as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on March 30, 2006)
122
Table of Contents
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
4.12
4.14
4.17
4.18
4.19
4.20
4.23
4.24
4.25
4.26
4.27
4.28
4.29
4.30
4.31
4.32
4.33
4.34
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 10, 2006, supplemental to the Indenture dated as
of July 16, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., (as
successor to BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee) (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on October 10,
2006)
First Mortgage Indenture between Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC and JPMorgan Chase
Bank, dated as of December 10, 2003 (filed with Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2006)
ITC Holdings Corp. Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2007 (filed with Registrant’s
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007)
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 24, 2008, supplemental to the Indenture dated as of
July 16, 2003, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (as successor
to BNY Midwest Trust Company), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on January 25, 2008)
First Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated as of January 14, 2008, between ITC Midwest LLC and The
Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on February 1,
2008)
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 14, 2008, supplemental to the First Mortgage
Indenture between ITC Midwest LLC and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, First
Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated as of January 14, 2008 (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on
February 1, 2008)
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 15, 2008, between ITC Midwest LLC and The
Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York Trust Company,
N.A.), as trustee, to the First Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated as of January 14, 2008 (filed with
Registrant’s Form 8-K on December 23, 2008)
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 25, 2008, between METC and The Bank of New
York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.), as trustee, to the First
Mortgage Indenture between Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC and JPMorgan Chase
Bank, dated as of December 10, 2003 (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on December 23, 2008)
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 11, 2009, between ITC Holdings Corp. and The
Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (f.k.a. The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as
successor to BNY Midwest Trust Company), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on December
14, 2009)
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 10, 2009, between ITC Midwest LLC and The
Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York Trust Company,
N.A.), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on December 17, 2009)
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 20, 2010, between Michigan Electric Transmission
Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan
Chase Bank), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on May 10, 2010)
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 15, 2008, between ITC Midwest LLC and The
Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as
trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011)
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2011, between ITC Midwest LLC and The Bank of
New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.),
as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011)
Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 29, 2011, between ITC Midwest LLC and The
Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York Trust Company,
N.A.), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on December 1, 2011)
Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 5, 2012, between Michigan Electric Transmission
Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan
Chase Bank), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on October 29, 2012)
Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 18, 2013, between ITC Midwest LLC and The
Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York Trust Company,
N.A.), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on April 8, 2013)
Indenture, dated as of April 18, 2013, between ITC Holdings Corp. and Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association, as trustee (including form of note) (filed with Registrant’s Form S-3 on April 18, 2013)
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 3, 2013, between ITC Holdings Corp. and Wells Fargo
Bank, National Association, as trustee (including forms of notes) (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on
July 3, 2013)
123
Table of Contents
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
4.35
4.36
4.38
4.39
4.40
4.41
4.42
4.43
4.44
4.45
4.46
4.47
4.48
4.49
4.50
4.51
4.52
4.53
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 7, 2013, between International Transmission
Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to BNY Midwest Trust
Company), as trustee (including form of bonds) (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on August 16, 2013)
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 16, 2014, between ITC Holdings Corp. and The Bank of New
York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (f.k.a. The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as successor to
BNY Midwest Trust Company), as Trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on May 16, 2014)
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2014 between ITC Holdings Corp. and Wells
Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, together with form of 3.65% Senior Note due 2024 (filed
with Registrant’s Form 8-K on June 4, 2014)
Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2014, between International Transmission Company
and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to BNY Midwest Trust
Company), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on June 10, 2014)
First Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated as of November 12, 2014, between ITC Great Plains, LLC and
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on November 26,
2014)
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 12, 2014, between ITC Great Plains, LLC and
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on November 26,
2014)
Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 5, 2014, between Michigan Electric
Transmission Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to
JPMorgan Chase Bank), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on December 22, 2014)
Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 18, 2015, between ITC Midwest LLC and The Bank
of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.),
as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on April 8, 2015)
Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 31, 2016, between Michigan Electric Transmission
Company, LLC and Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JPMorgan Chase
Bank), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on April 26, 2016)
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 5, 2016, between ITC Holdings Corp. and Wells Fargo
Bank, National Association, as trustee, together with form of 3.25% Note due 2026 (filed with
Registrant’s Form 8-K on July 5, 2016)
Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 15, 2017, between ITC Midwest LLC and The Bank of
New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.),
as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on April 18, 2017)
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 14, 2017 between ITC Holdings Corp. and Wells
Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (with Form of 2.700% Notes due 2022 and Form of
3.350% Notes due 2027) (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on November 15, 2017)
Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 14, 2018, between International Transmission
Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to BNY Midwest Trust
Company), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on March 29, 2018)
Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 28, 2018, between ITC Midwest LLC and The
Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York Trust Company,
N.A.) as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on November 2, 2018)
Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 28, 2018, between Michigan Electric
Transmission Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to
JP Morgan Chase Bank), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on January 15, 2019)
Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 14, 2019, between International Transmission
Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to BNY Midwest Trust
Company), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on August 28, 2019).
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2020, between ITC Holdings Corp. and Wells Fargo
Bank, National Association, as trustee (with Form of 2.95% Notes due 2030) (filed with Registrant’s
Form 8-K on May 14, 2020).
Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 8, 2020, between ITC Midwest LLC and The Bank
of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.)
as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on July 15, 2020).
124
Table of Contents
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
4.54
*10.27
10.51
Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 12, 2020, between Michigan Electric Transmission
Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to JP Morgan
Chase Bank), as trustee (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on October 14, 2020).
Deferred Compensation Plan (filed with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended,
Reg. No. 333-123657)
Form of Amended and Restated Easement Agreement between Consumers Energy Company and
Michigan Electric Transmission Company (filed with Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2006)
*10.81
Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (filed with Registrant’s 2008 Form 10-K)
*10.109
Employment Agreement between ITC Holdings Corp. and Linda H. Blair, effective as of December 21,
2012 (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on December 26, 2012)
*10.110
Employment Agreement between ITC Holdings Corp. and Jon E. Jipping, effective as of December 21,
2012 (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on December 26, 2012)
*10.111
Employment Agreement between ITC Holdings Corp. and Daniel J. Oginsky, effective as of December
21, 2012 (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on December 26, 2012)
*10.120
First Amendment to Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan, dated as of May 16, 2013 (filed with
Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013)
*10.122
Recoupment Policy and Related Consent, effective January 1, 2014 (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on
December 2, 2013)
*10.150
Employment Agreement between ITC Holdings Corp. and Christine Mason Soneral, effective as of
February 3, 2015 (filed with Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015)
*10.168
Letter Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2016, between ITC Holdings Corp. and Linda H. Blair (filed
with Registrant’s Form 8-K on October 12, 2016)
*10.172
*10.173
Employment Agreement between ITC Holdings Corp. and Gretchen L. Holloway, effective as of July 10,
2017
Letter Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2016 between ITC Holdings Corp. and Christine Mason
Soneral (filed with Registrant’s 2016 Form 10-K)
*10.176
2017 Omnibus Plan, effective February 27, 2017 (filed with Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 2017)
*10.177
Summary of 2017 Annual Incentive Plan (filed with Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 2017)
*10.178
Form of Service-Based Unit Award Agreement under 2017 Omnibus Plan (February 2017) (filed with
Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017)
*10.179
Form of Performance-Based Unit Award Agreement under 2017 Omnibus Plan (February 2017) (filed
with Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017)
10.182
Amendment to 2017 Omnibus Plan, dated as of July 10, 2017 (filed with Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 2017)
10.183
ITC Holdings Corp. Director Deferred Compensation Plan, effective March 1, 2017 (filed with
Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017)
10.184
ITC Holdings Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2017, among ITC Holdings Corp.,
with the banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders listed on the respective signature
pages thereof, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders, JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, The Bank of Nova Scotia and Mizuho
Bank, Ltd., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Barclays Bank PLC and Wells Fargo Bank,
National Association, as co-syndication agents and The Bank of Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as
co-documentation agents (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on October 23, 2017)
125
Table of Contents
Exhibit No.
10.185
10.186
10.187
10.188
Description of Exhibit
ITCTransmission Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2017, among International
Transmission Company, with the banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders listed on the
respective signature pages thereof, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the
Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, The Bank of
Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Barclays Bank PLC
and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents and The Bank of Nova Scotia
and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as co-documentation agents (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on October 23,
2017)
METC Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2017, among Michigan Electric
Transmission Company, LLC, with the banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders listed
on the respective signature pages thereof, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the
Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, The Bank of
Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Barclays Bank PLC
and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents and The Bank of Nova Scotia
and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as co-documentation agents (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on October 23,
2017)
ITC Midwest Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2017, among ITC Midwest LLC, with
the banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders listed on the respective signature pages
thereof, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank,
N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, The Bank of Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank,
Ltd., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Barclays Bank PLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association, as co-syndication agents and The Bank of Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as co-
documentation agents (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on October 23, 2017)
ITC Great Plains Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2017, among ITC Great Plains,
LLC, with the banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders listed on the respective
signature pages thereof, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders,
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, The Bank of Nova
Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Barclays Bank PLC and
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents and The Bank of Nova Scotia and
Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as co-documentation agents (filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on October 23, 2017)
*10.190
International Transmission Company Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2019
(filed with Registrant’s 2018 Form 10-K)
*10.191
ITC Holdings Corp. Director Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2019 (filed with
Registrant’s 2018 Form 10-K)
*10.192
10.193
10.194
Letter Agreement, effective as of February 18, 2019, between ITC Holdings Corp. and Jon E. Jipping
(filed with Registrant’s Form 8-K on February 22, 2019).
Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of June 12, 2019, among ITC Holdings Corp., the various
financial institutions and other persons from time to time parties thereto as lenders and Toronto-
Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent for the Lenders, Mizuho Bank, Ltd. and TD Securities
(USA) LLC, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as syndication agent
(filed with the Registrant’s Form 8-K on June 14, 2019).
ITC Holdings Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated as of January 10, 2020, among ITC
Holdings Corp., the banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders listed on the respective
signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as successor
administrative agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as resigning administrative
agent, amending and restating as of January 10, 2020 in the form attached as Exhibit A thereto the
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2017, among ITC Holdings Corp., the banks,
financial institutions and other institutional party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent for the lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC,
The Bank of Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners,
Barclays Bank PLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents and The
Bank of Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as co-documentation agents (filed with the Registrant’s
Form 8-K on January 10, 2020).
126
Table of Contents
Exhibit No.
10.195
10.196
10.197
10.198
Description of Exhibit
ITCTransmission Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated as of January 10, 2020, among
International Transmission Company, the banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders
listed on the respective signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity
as successor administrative agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as resigning
administrative agent, amending and restating as of January 10, 2020 in the form attached as Exhibit A
thereto the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2017, among International
Transmission Company, the banks, financial institutions and other institutional party thereto, JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank
PLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, The Bank of Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as joint lead
arrangers and joint bookrunners, Barclays Bank PLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as
co-syndication agents and The Bank of Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as co-documentation
agents (filed with the Registrant’s Form 8-K on January 10, 2020).
METC Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated as of January 10, 2020, among Michigan
Electric Transmission Company, LLC, the banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders
listed on the respective signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity
as successor administrative agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as resigning
administrative agent, amending and restating as of January 10, 2020 in the form attached as Exhibit A
thereto the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2017, among Michigan Electric
Transmission Company, LLC, the banks, financial institutions and other institutional party thereto,
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
Barclays Bank PLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, The Bank of Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as
joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Barclays Bank PLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association, as co-syndication agents and The Bank of Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as co-
documentation agents (filed with the Registrant’s Form 8-K on January 10, 2020).
ITC Midwest Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated as of January 10, 2020, among ITC
Midwest LLC, the banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders listed on the respective
signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as successor
administrative agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as resigning administrative
agent, amending and restating as of January 10, 2020 in the form attached as Exhibit A thereto the
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2017, among ITC Midwest LLC, the banks,
financial institutions and other institutional party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent for the lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC,
The Bank of Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners,
Barclays Bank PLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents and The
Bank of Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as co-documentation agents (filed with the Registrant’s
Form 8-K on January 10, 2020).
ITC Great Plains Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated as of January 10, 2020, among ITC
Great Plains, LLC, the banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders listed on the respective
signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as successor
administrative agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as resigning administrative agent,
amending and restating as of January 10, 2020 in the form attached as Exhibit A thereto the Revolving
Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2017, among ITC Great Plains, LLC, the banks, financial
institutions and other institutional party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent
for the lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, The
Bank of Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Barclays
Bank PLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents and The Bank of
Nova Scotia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as co-documentation agents (filed with the Registrant’s Form 8-K
on January 10, 2020).
10.199
Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2020, among Michigan Electric Transmission
Company, LLC, the various financial institutions and other persons from time to time parties thereto as
lenders and Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent for the lenders and TD Securities
(USA) LLC, as sole lead arranger and bookrunner (filed with the Registrant’s Form 8-K on January 23,
2020).
*10.200
2017 Omnibus Plan, as amended July 10, 2017 and February 4, 2020 (filed with Registrant’s 2019
Form 10-K).
*10.201
Executive Omnibus Plan, effective January 2020. (filed with Registrant’s 2019 Form 10-K)
*10.202
Form of Performance-Based Unit Award Agreement under Executive Omnibus Plan (January 2020).
(Filed with Registrant’s 2019 Form 10-K)
*10.203
Employment Agreement between ITC Holdings Corp. and Krista K. Tanner, effective as of February 18,
2019.
*10.204
Fortis Inc. 2020 Restricted Share Unit Plan, effective January 1, 2020 (filed with Registrant’s Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2020).
*10.205
Form of Restricted Share Unit Grant Agreement under Fortis Inc. 2020 Restricted Share Unit Plan
(January, 2020) (filed with Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020).
127
Table of Contents
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
*10.206
Separation and Release Agreement, effective as of May 18, 2020, between ITC Holdings Corp. and
Daniel J. Oginsky.
21
List of Subsidiaries
31.1
31.2
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data file because
its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Database
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
104
The cover page from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2020, formatted in Inline XBRL
____________________________
*
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
128
Table of Contents
SCHEDULE I — Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
ITC HOLDINGS CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
December 31,
2020
2019
(In millions of USD, except share data)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable from subsidiaries
Intercompany tax receivable from subsidiaries
Prepaid and other current assets
Total current assets
Other assets
Investment in subsidiaries
Deferred income taxes
Advances to subsidiaries
Other assets
Total other assets
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accrued compensation
Accrued interest
Debt maturing within one year
Other current liabilities
Total current liabilities
Accrued pension and postretirement liabilities
Other liabilities
Long-term debt (net of deferred financing fees and discount of $21 and $17, respectively)
TOTAL LIABILITIES
STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Common stock, without par value, 235,000,000 shares authorized, 224,203,112 shares issued and
outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
Total stockholder’s equity
$
2 $
$
$
9
8
—
19
5,496
160
54
101
5,811
5,830 $
55 $
23
67
8
153
59
58
3,266
3,536
892
1,410
(8)
2,294
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
$
5,830 $
See notes to condensed financial statements (parent company only).
129
2
17
3
5
27
5,136
140
5
94
5,375
5,402
61
21
200
11
293
73
37
2,767
3,170
892
1,333
7
2,232
5,402
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SCHEDULE I — Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
ITC HOLDINGS CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
(In millions of USD)
Other income (expense), net
General and administrative expense
Taxes other than income taxes
Interest expense
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAX BENEFIT
LOSS AFTER TAXES
EQUITY IN SUBSIDIARIES’ NET EARNINGS
NET INCOME
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
Derivative instruments (net of tax of $7 for the year ended December 31, 2020, $1
for the year ended December 31, 2019 and less than $1 for the year ended
December 31, 2018)
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME, NET OF TAX
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
5 $
5 $
(20)
(1)
(122)
(138)
(43)
(95)
502
407
(15)
(15)
(25)
(2)
(119)
(141)
(44)
(97)
525
428
3
3
1
(7)
—
(114)
(120)
(30)
(90)
420
330
1
1
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
$
392 $
431 $
331
See notes to condensed financial statements (parent company only).
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SCHEDULE I — Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
ITC HOLDINGS CORP.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
(In millions of USD)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Equity in subsidiaries' earnings
Dividends from subsidiaries
Deferred and other income taxes
Net intercompany tax payments from (to) subsidiaries
Other
Changes in assets and liabilities, exclusive of changes shown separately:
Accounts receivable from subsidiaries
Intercompany tax receivable from subsidiaries
Income tax receivable
Accrued compensation
Other current and non-current assets and liabilities, net
Net cash used in operating activities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Equity contributions to subsidiaries
Return of capital from subsidiaries
Advances to subsidiaries
Other
Net cash provided by investing activities
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of long-term debt
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement
Borrowings under term loan credit agreements
Net issuance of commercial paper
Retirement of long-term debt — including extinguishment of debt costs
Repayments of revolving credit agreement
Repayments of term loan credit agreement
Dividends to ITC Investment Holdings
Settlement of interest rate swaps
Other
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
407 $
428 $
330
(502)
3
(46)
33
2
9
(4)
—
(6)
6
(98)
(88)
228
(50)
(2)
88
700
293
200
(133)
—
(290)
(400)
(330)
(23)
(7)
10
—
2
(525)
3
(51)
14
6
9
11
1
31
9
(64)
(120)
239
—
(1)
118
—
72
200
200
(203)
(75)
—
(250)
—
—
(56)
(2)
4
(420)
26
(23)
59
2
(4)
(13)
14
2
13
(14)
(202)
324
—
(1)
121
—
37
—
—
—
—
—
(200)
—
(1)
(164)
(57)
61
4
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH — Beginning of period
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH — End of period
$
2 $
2 $
See notes to condensed financial statements (parent company only).
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SCHEDULE I — Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
ITC HOLDINGS CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
1. GENERAL
For ITC Holdings Corp.’s (“ITC Holdings,” “we,” “our” and “us”) presentation (Parent Company only), the
investment in subsidiaries is accounted for using the equity method. The condensed parent company financial
statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes of ITC
Holdings appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As a holding company with no business operations, ITC Holdings’ assets consist primarily of investments in
our subsidiaries. ITC Holdings’ material cash inflows are only from dividends and other payments received from
our subsidiaries, the proceeds raised from the sale of debt securities, issuances under our commercial paper
program and borrowings under our revolving and term loan term credit agreements. ITC Holdings may not be
able to access cash generated by our subsidiaries in order to fulfill cash commitments. The ability of our
subsidiaries to make dividend and other payments to us is subject to the availability of funds after taking into
account their respective funding requirements, the terms of their respective indebtedness, the regulations of the
FERC under the FPA and applicable state laws. In addition, there are practical limitations on using the net
assets of each of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 for dividends based on
management's intent to maintain the FERC-approved capital structure targeting 60% equity and 40% debt for
each of our Regulated Operating Subsidiaries. These net assets are included in Schedule I as the line-item
“Investments in subsidiaries.” Each of our subsidiaries, however, is legally distinct from us and has no
obligation, contingent or otherwise, to make funds available to us.
Recent Developments Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Efforts to control the recent
outbreak of COVID-19 have resulted in impacts to businesses and facilities in various industries around the
world, such as operating restrictions and closures, and disruptions to the global economy and supply chains. To
date, COVID-19 has not had a material impact on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
The duration and total impact on our operations from COVID-19 is unknown at this time and will ultimately
depend on the duration and severity of the pandemic, the length that the various business restrictions are in
effect, the impact of recent resurgences of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States, and the efficacy
and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. We are continuing to monitor developments and cannot predict whether
COVID-19 will have a material impact on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. We are also
monitoring the evolving situation and guidance from federal, state and local public health authorities. We are
taking steps to mitigate the potential risks to us and our employees posed by COVID-19, including enabling
remote work arrangements for employees when appropriate, and are following all government requirements to
reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
2. DEBT
As of December 31, 2020, the maturities of our debt outstanding were as follows:
(In millions of USD)
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026 and thereafter
Total
$
$
67
500
287
400
—
2,100
3,354
Refer to Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on the ITC Holdings
Senior Notes, the ITC Holdings Revolving and Term Loan Credit Agreements, the ITC Holdings Commercial
Paper Program and the ITC Holdings Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
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Fixed Rate Debt
Based on the borrowing rates obtained from third party lending institutions currently available for bank loans
with similar terms and average maturities from active markets, the fair value of the ITC Holdings Senior Notes
was $3,670 million and $2,752 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The total book value of the
ITC Holdings Senior Notes, net of discount and deferred financing fees, was $3,229 million and $2,533 million
at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The fair values of the ITC Holdings Senior Notes represent Level
2 under the three-tier hierarchy described in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
Revolving and Term Loan Credit Agreements
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had $37 million and $234 million respectively, outstanding under our
revolving and term loan credit agreements, which are variable rate loans. The fair value of these loans
approximates book value based on the borrowing rates currently available for variable rate loans obtained from
third party lending institutions. The fair values of the revolving and term loan credit agreements represent Level
2 under the three-tier hierarchy described in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements
Other Financial Instruments
The carrying value of other financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities, including
cash and cash equivalents, special deposits and commercial paper, approximates their fair value due to the
short-term nature of these instruments.
3. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Our related-party transactions during were as follows:
(In millions of USD)
Equity contributions to subsidiaries
Dividends from subsidiaries (a)
Return of capital from subsidiaries (a)
Net income tax payments (to) from: (b)
ITCTransmission
METC
ITC Midwest
ITC Great Plains
ITC Interconnection
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
(88) $
(120) $
3
228
3
239
$
17 $
7 $
9
1
6
—
4
3
(1)
1
(202)
26
324
39
7
3
9
1
____________________________
(a) Includes ITCTransmission, MTH, ITC Midwest and other subsidiaries.
(b) The net income tax payments were pursuant to intercompany tax sharing arrangements, and the total of
these tax payments is presented as a net cash outflow or inflow from operating activities in the condensed
parent company statements of cash flows. Other reconciling items between the parent company and the
consolidated tax liabilities are presented as deferred and other income taxes in the adjustments to reconcile
net income to net cash provided by operating activities. Additionally, ITC Holdings paid its subsidiaries for
NOLs utilized by the consolidated group.
Net Intercompany Receivables and Payables
We may incur charges from our subsidiaries for general corporate expenses incurred. In addition, we may
perform additional services for, or receive additional services from our subsidiaries. These transactions are in
the normal course of business and payments for these services are settled through accounts receivable and
accounts payable, as necessary. We generally settle our intercompany balances with our affiliates on a net
basis monthly.
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Intercompany Tax Sharing Arrangement
As discussed in Note 1 to the condensed financial statements of the parent company, we are a holding
company with no business operations. We file consolidated income tax returns that include our affiliates, which
are taxed as a corporation for federal and Michigan income tax purposes. We operate under an intercompany
tax sharing arrangement with our subsidiaries and as a result may receive or pay federal and state income tax
based on their stand-alone company tax positions.
Retirement Benefits
We are the plan sponsor for a pension plan, other postretirement plans and a defined contribution plan. The
benefits-related expenses recorded by our affiliates result from the inclusion of benefit costs as a component of
the total charge for services performed by our employees under the cost assignment and allocation methods
used by us and our subsidiaries.
Intercompany Loan Agreement
On September 21, 2020, we advanced an intercompany loan to ITC Transmission totaling $50 million, which
remained outstanding at December 31, 2020. We received interest payments of less than $1 million during the
year ended December 31, 2020 from ITC Transmission associated with this intercompany loan. Additionally, at
December 31, 2020 we had a $4 million intercompany loan with ITC Interconnection. During the year ended
December 31, 2020, we received principal and interest payments of less than $1 million from ITC
Interconnection associated with this intercompany loan.
4. SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported on the
condensed statements of financial position that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the
condensed statements of cash flows:
(In millions of USD)
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash included in:
Other non-current assets
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Supplementary Cash Flows Information
(In millions of USD)
Supplementary cash flows information:
Interest paid
Income taxes paid
Income tax refunds received
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY.
Not applicable.
December 31,
2020
2019
2018
2017
2 $
2 $
3 $
60
—
2 $
—
2 $
1
4 $
1
61
$
$
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
$
116 $
2
2
117 $
—
3
117
—
13
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Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City
of Novi, State of Michigan, on February 11, 2021.
SIGNATURES
ITC HOLDINGS CORP.
By:
/s/ LINDA H. APSEY
Linda H. Apsey
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ LINDA H. APSEY
Linda H. Apsey
President and Chief Executive
Officer (principal executive officer)
February 11, 2021
/s/ GRETCHEN L. HOLLOWAY
Gretchen L. Holloway
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
February 11, 2021
/s/ SANDRA E. PIERCE
Sandra E. Pierce
/s/ ROBERT A. ELLIOTT
Robert A. Elliott
/s/ ALBERT ERNST
Albert Ernst
/s/ DEBORA FRODL
Debora Frodl
/s/ ALEXANDER I. GREENBAUM
Alexander I. Greenbaum
/s/ RONNIE D. HAWKINS, JR
Ronnie D. Hawkins, Jr
/s/ DAVID G. HUTCHENS
David G. Hutchens
/s/ JAMES P. LAURITO
James P. Laurito
/s/ KEVIN L. PRUST
Kevin L. Prust
/s/ A. DOUGLAS ROTHWELL
A. Douglas Rothwell
Director and Chairman
February 11, 2021
February 11, 2021
February 11, 2021
February 11, 2021
February 11, 2021
February 11, 2021
February 11, 2021
February 11, 2021
February 11, 2021
February 11, 2021
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
135