Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE:PEG) Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

Ralph LaRossa: Yes, 2 separate — so good pickup, David, definitely on track for that date that we talked about in the Investment Day. But the work starts earlier, right, because it’s just a lot of engineering work that needs to be done because some of those — some of that fabrication starts years in advance. So the engineering is taking place and kicked off. We have a good idea, the costs are minimal as we had explained, and it’s on target for that date that we had said. So again, more execution from the team down there.

David Arcaro: Yes. Great. And then just one other minor question related to that, just as a follow-on. Are you — how are you thinking about hydrogen and the prospects of potentially producing hydrogen at your nuclear facilities. Do you have involvement or any perspective on the discussions going on now in terms of framing up that policy structure and how additionality might be considered. Just wondering if that’s front of mind for you.

Ralph LaRossa: No, it’s not top of mind because it’s not a big driver for us one way or the other, but it’s something we certainly want to do for a couple of reasons. I mean one, it’s the right thing to do from an environmental standpoint, if we can help on the hydrogen development front. So that’s one piece of it. Two, it’s good for the region economically for New Jersey in the southern part of the state down there. If we could get some activities, additional construction activity, more jobs that southern area around our Salem plant has been challenged economically over the years. So another positive from that aspect. And then from the third, look, it is going to have some incremental financial impacts for us. I think additionality might make a lot of sense. But again, I think we’re a small player in that, and we’ll see where policymakers go with it.

Operator: Next question is from Durgesh Chopra with Evercore ISI.

Durgesh Chopra: Just I want to go back to the pension lift-out real quick, Dan, congrats for getting it done in short order here. Just if memory serves me right, the portion of the pension, which is not covered by rates, or on the regulatory side was around 30%, and this lift-out is for 20%. So I’m just wondering if — what are you doing with the 10% that is not covered by rates? Just any thoughts there.

Daniel Cregg: Yes, your order magnitude is right there, Durgesh. And essentially, the transaction and the go-forward pension plans would have been more complicated to do this kind of a transaction with active employees because you kind of got a moving target, right? Your service cost continues to go forward. And those kind of elements come into play. And so right now, just think about what sits outside of this lift-out in Power & other as just being status quo.

Durgesh Chopra: Got it. Okay. That’s helpful. And then just any thoughts on potential for a settlement in the GSMP filing. You’ve had a nice track record here. Energy efficiency was a very constructive outcome. So any color you can share there?

Ralph LaRossa: Durgesh, I’ll give you a couple of pieces. Yes, last night was the first public hearing that we had on the GSMP filing. 17 individuals spoke in favor of the filing, 1 against. So just in sheer numbers and conversation, it was a very positive outcome. 4 public officials spoke in favor of the project and the work that’s been done so far by our folks out in the field. So really, really positive there. So I’m very optimistic that public sentiment is in the right direction. That should all lead to a continuation of our opportunity to settle. I would be surprised if we were in a situation that was anything about a settlement when we get to the end of this.

Operator: The next question comes from the line of Carly Davenport with Goldman Sachs.