Climate and weather
115 of 521 companies dropped a paragraph in Risk Factors that uses one of these words:
climate change, greenhouse gas, carbon emissions, extreme weather, hurricane, wildfire.
The paragraph was in the earlier 10-K and nothing like it is in the latest.
It counts text; it does not say how serious a risk is. Words in capitals only (such as AI) must be in capitals.
By sector
Sector is the SEC's industry description of the company. Each count opens that sector's quotes below.
| Sector | Companies | Compared |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, NEC | 1 | 1 |
| Apparel & Other Finishd Prods of Fabrics & Similar Matl | 1 | 1 |
| Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties | 1 | 1 |
| Electrical Industrial Apparatus | 1 | 1 |
| Farm Machinery & Equipment | 1 | 1 |
| Food and Kindred Products | 1 | 1 |
| Meat Packing Plants | 1 | 1 |
| Metal Mining | 1 | 1 |
| Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment | 1 | 1 |
| Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products | 1 | 1 |
| Natural Gas Transmisison & Distribution | 1 | 1 |
| Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment | 1 | 1 |
| Oil Royalty Traders | 1 | 1 |
| Paper Mills | 1 | 1 |
| Retail-Drug Stores and Proprietary Stores | 1 | 1 |
| Retail-Eating & Drinking Places | 1 | 1 |
| Retail-Radio, Tv & Consumer Electronics Stores | 1 | 1 |
| Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, NEC | 1 | 1 |
| Telephone & Telegraph Apparatus | 1 | 1 |
| Computer Communications Equipment | 2 | 3 |
| Natural Gas Transmission | 2 | 3 |
| Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers | 2 | 3 |
| Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas | 4 | 7 |
| Electric & Other Services Combined | 6 | 12 |
| Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys | 2 | 4 |
| Accident & Health Insurance | 1 | 2 |
| Cigarettes | 1 | 2 |
| Converted Paper & Paperboard Prods (No Contaners/Boxes) | 1 | 2 |
| Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware | 1 | 2 |
| Fats & Oils | 1 | 2 |
| Industrial Organic Chemicals | 1 | 2 |
| Instruments For Meas & Testing of Electricity & Elec Signals | 1 | 2 |
| Mining & Quarrying of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) | 1 | 2 |
| Printed Circuit Boards | 1 | 2 |
| Pumps & Pumping Equipment | 1 | 2 |
| Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment | 1 | 2 |
| Refuse Systems | 1 | 2 |
| Rubber & Plastics Footwear | 1 | 2 |
| Services-General Medical & Surgical Hospitals, NEC | 1 | 2 |
| Ship & Boat Building & Repairing | 1 | 2 |
| Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) | 1 | 2 |
| National Commercial Banks | 5 | 11 |
| Hospital & Medical Service Plans | 2 | 5 |
| Investment Advice | 3 | 8 |
| Electric Services | 5 | 15 |
| Petroleum Refining | 2 | 6 |
| Air Transportation, Scheduled | 1 | 3 |
| Electronic Computers | 1 | 3 |
| Measuring & Controlling Devices, NEC | 1 | 3 |
| Railroads, Line-Haul Operating | 1 | 3 |
| Services-Consumer Credit Reporting, Collection Agencies | 1 | 3 |
| Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics | 1 | 3 |
| Water Transportation | 1 | 3 |
| Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries | 1 | 3 |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts | 8 | 27 |
| Finance Services | 8 | 28 |
| Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) | 1 | 4 |
| Retail-Eating Places | 1 | 4 |
| Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services | 1 | 4 |
| Semiconductors & Related Devices | 3 | 15 |
| Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus | 2 | 10 |
| Beverages | 1 | 5 |
| Biological Products, (No Diagnostic Substances) | 1 | 5 |
| Retail-Variety Stores | 1 | 5 |
| Services-Business Services, NEC | 3 | 16 |
| Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance | 2 | 12 |
| Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service | 1 | 6 |
| State Commercial Banks | 1 | 6 |
| Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies | 1 | 7 |
| Pharmaceutical Preparations | 1 | 11 |
| Services-Prepackaged Software | 1 | 19 |
268 paragraphs · Electric Services show all sectors
Electric power consumption is generally seasonal. In many parts of the country, demand for power peaks during the hot summer months, with market prices also peaking at that time. In other areas, power demand peaks during the winter. As a result, overall operating results in the future may fluctuate substantially on a seasonal basis. In addition, AEP has historically sold less power, and consequently earned less income, when weather conditions are milder. Unusually mild weather in the future could reduce future net income and cash flows and negatively impact financial condition. In addition, unusually extreme weather conditions could impact AEP’s results of operations in a manner that would not likely be sustainable.
Read in the 10-K filed Feb 13, 2025 ↗
In July 2024, Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas, bringing sustained winds, storm surges and torrential rain, which impacted our operations, customers and personnel in our Texas Gulf Coast markets. Hurricane Beryl caused significant damage to Houston Electric’s electric delivery system, resulting in a substantial number of its customers (peaking at more than 2.1 million customers out of 2.8 million customers) being without power, many for extended periods of time.
Read in the 10-K filed Feb 20, 2025 ↗
The total cost for the restoration of Houston Electric’s electric delivery facilities as a result of Hurricane Beryl is currently estimated to be $1.1 billion, excluding carrying costs, but such estimate is preliminary and restoration costs could vary from that estimate. Houston Electric believes it is entitled to recover prudently incurred storm restoration costs in accordance with applicable regulatory and legal principles. However, neither the amount nor timing of the recovery is certain. Houston Electric’s failure to recover costs incurred as a result of Hurricane Beryl could adversely affect our liquidity, cash flows and financial condition.
Read in the 10-K filed Feb 20, 2025 ↗
Various federal, state and local governmental and regulatory agencies and other entities, such as the Texas Governor’s office, the Texas legislature and the PUCT, have called for or are conducting inquiries and investigations into Hurricane Beryl and the efforts made by Houston Electric to prepare for, and respond to, this event, including, among other things, the electric service outage issues. Moreover, additional governmental and regulatory agencies and other entities may conduct such inquiries and investigations, as well. On August 12, 2024, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation to evaluate CenterPoint Energy’s conduct during Hurricane Beryl. Certain government officials have also made public statements calling for, and proposed legislation seeking to require, Houston Electric to pay certain costs related to TEEEF. For more information regarding TEEEF-related risks, see “— Houston Electric’s use of TEEEF ...” There are significant uncertainties around these inquiries and investigations and potential results and consequences, including with respect to our recovery of costs incurred as a result of Hurricane Beryl and whether any financial penalties will be assessed or changes to Houston Electric’s system, service territories, operations and/or regulatory treatment will result therefrom. If these or other inquiries, investigations or reviews ultimately result in changes to Houston Electric’s system, service territories, operations and/or regulatory treatment, such changes could have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Further, on January 22, 2025, a putative shareholder of CenterPoint Energy, Donel Davidson, filed a derivative petition in Harris County District Court, Texas, alleging breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment on behalf of CenterPoint Energy against certain of its current and former directors and officers citing, in part, the topics of these inquiries and investigations. The action seeks to recover damages and other relief from the defendants on behalf of CenterPoint Energy. Additionally, on February 12, 2025, a second putative shareholder of CenterPoint Energy made a demand on the Board to investigate the same basic allegations raised in the derivative petition filed by Donel Davidson.
Read in the 10-K filed Feb 20, 2025 ↗
CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric are subject to current and potential future litigation and claims arising out of Hurricane Beryl, which litigation and claims could include allegations of, among other things, personal injury, property damage, various economic losses in connection with loss of power, unlawful business practices, and others. As of December 31, 2024, five lawsuits had been filed against CenterPoint Energy and/or Houston Electric in the District Courts of Harris County, including three putative class actions claiming losses due to power outages following Hurricane Beryl. Each class action seeks damages in excess of $100 million for, among other things, business interruption, property damage and loss, cost of repair, loss of use and market value, lost income, nuisance, extreme mental anguish and/or punitive damages. CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries have general and excess liability insurance policies that provide coverage for third party bodily injury and property damage claims. Given the nature of some allegations, it is possible that the insurers could dispute coverage for some types of claims or damages that may be alleged by plaintiffs, and CenterPoint Energy has received from two insurers denial of indemnity coverage in the putative class actions based on the failure to supply exclusion. Those insurers have also reserved their rights with respect to coverage in those actions. CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric intend to continue to pursue all available insurance coverage for all of these matters. While CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric intend to vigorously defend themselves against the lawsuits, final resolution of these matters, or any potential future claims or liabilities, may require expenditures that may be in excess of established insurance or reserves and may have a material adverse effect on the Registrants’ financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and liquidity.
Read in the 10-K filed Feb 20, 2025 ↗
The occurrence of extreme weather events, including winter storms and record hot temperatures, or other causes could lead to additional reforms to the Texas electric market, some measure of which, if implemented, could have an adverse impact on Houston Electric.
Read in the 10-K filed Feb 20, 2025 ↗
During and in the aftermath of the February 2021 Winter Storm Event, the Texas legislature revised applicable statutes and granted the PUCT and ERCOT additional regulatory authority, both oversight and enforcement, that focuses on ensuring ERCOT market participants, including power generation facilities and TDUs (like Houston Electric), have adopted sufficient winterization standards and protection. Houston Electric believes it is in compliance with the requirements applicable to it. If any additional protections are required in the future as a result of additional extreme weather events or other causes, complying with these new protections may increase the cost of electricity, which could adversely affect Houston Electric’s results of operations. Any potential decreases in customer usage due to higher electricity prices charged by REPs may not result in increased base rates charged by Houston Electric for its services until its next general base rate proceeding. For further information on Houston Electric’s regulatory proceedings, see “— Rate regulation of Registrants’ Electric...”
Read in the 10-K filed Feb 20, 2025 ↗
In addition, the PUCT and ERCOT continue to review, among other things, the appropriate reliability standard and market design for the Texas electric market. There are uncertainties whether any further changes will result from these discussions or other efforts. If there are changes to how the Texas electric market is structured or regulated, including as a result of Hurricane Beryl and related investigations, such changes could have an adverse impact on Houston Electric’s business, financial condition and results of operations. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
Read in the 10-K filed Feb 20, 2025 ↗
Because utility companies, including our electric, natural gas and water utility subsidiaries, have large customer bases, they are subject to adverse publicity focused on the safety and reliability of their distribution services and the speed with which they are able to respond to electric outages, natural gas leaks and similar interruptions caused by storm damage or other unanticipated events, including those related to climate change.
Read in the 10-K filed Feb 14, 2025 ↗
In March 2019, Entergy voluntarily set a climate goal to achieve a 50 percent reduction in its carbon emission rate from the year 2000 by 2030. In September 2020, Entergy voluntarily committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. In November 2022, Entergy voluntarily set a climate goal to achieve 50 percent carbon-free energy capacity by 2030. Due to stronger than initially expected sales growth, likely necessitating the development of new generation capacity that is not carbon-free, Entergy expects that achievement of the 50% carbon-free energy generating capacity goal will be delayed for a period beyond 2030 that has not yet been determined. In addition, achievement of the 2030 emission rate goal could also be challenged as a result of the forecasted and future sales growth. Further risks to achieving the 2030 and 2050 goals include, among other things, the ability to execute on renewable resource plans, regulatory approvals, customer demand for carbon-free energy that exceeds Entergy’s or its Utility operating companies’ ability to add lower carbon or carbon-free capacity, load growth, potential tariffs, carbon policy and regulation at the federal or state level, including mandates related to reliability standards, and supply chain costs and constraints. Technology research and development, innovation, and advancements in carbon-free generation are also critical to Entergy’s ability to achieve its 2050 commitment. Entergy cannot predict the ultimate impact of achieving these objectives, or the various implementation aspects, on its system reliability, or its results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.
Read in the 10-K filed Feb 18, 2025 ↗
The price for Signal Peak’s coal depends upon factors beyond our control, including but not limited to: overall global economic and geopolitical conditions, the effect of worldwide energy consumption, including the impact of technological advances on energy consumption; international developments impacting the supply of coal; international developments impacting the supply of oil & gas; and the impact of domestic and foreign governmental laws and regulations, including environmental and climate change regulations. Any adverse change in these factors could result in weaker demand and lower prices for Global Holding’s products, and, as a result, could impact Global Holding’s ability to pay future dividends, which in turn could adversely affect our cash flow and results of operations.
Read in the 10-K filed Feb 27, 2025 ↗