ER26-3380-000 · 2026-07-31 · PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.
Attachment D - Kelly Affidavit.pdf
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Attachment D
Affidavit of Ms. Gwen Kelly,
Senior Director in Credit Risk and Collateral Management
of PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEFORE THE
FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
)
PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.
)
Docket No. ER26-____-000
)
AFFIDAVIT OF GWEN KELLY
ON BEHALF OF PJM INTERCONNECTION, L.L.C.
1.
My name is Gwen Kelly. I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration from the
University of Hartford. My background includes more than 34 years of experience
in credit and collateral management, including 29 years in credit, treasury, and
finance functions at various subsidiaries in Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.
2.
Since March 2021, I have served as the Senior Director, Credit Risk and Collateral
Management at PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (“PJM”). My business address is
2750 Monroe Boulevard, Audubon, Pennsylvania, 19403.
3.
In this role, I am responsible for overseeing PJM’s credit risk management
program, including the development and administration of collateral requirements,
the evaluation of participant creditworthiness, and the management of credit
exposures arising from participation in PJM-administered markets.
4.
This affidavit supports PJM’s filing to implement a Reliability Backstop
Procurement (“RBP”) and the related credit provisions required to support the
credit requirements of the RBP Sellers and Load Serving Entities (“LSE”) that are
allocated RBP Charges.
5.
I participated in the development of the proposed RBP credit provisions. The
statements contained in this affidavit are based upon my personal knowledge, my
review of the analyses performed in developing the proposed RBP credit
framework, and my experience administering PJM’s credit program.
Development of Proposed RBP Credit Methodology
6.
In developing the proposed RBP credit framework, PJM evaluated the financial
risks associated with the proposed RBP design. Based on those evaluations, PJM
developed collateral methodologies intended to mitigate the distinct financial
exposures created by the RBP design for both generation resources seeking RBP
commitments and LSEs that become responsible for payment of RBP Charges.
7.
PJM determined that the proposed RBP creates two fundamentally distinct
categories of financial exposure. RBP Sellers present payment risk associated with
RBP Shortfall Charges for delayed or non-delivery of new generation resources to
satisfy their RBP commitments. LSEs present payment risk associated with their
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allocated responsibility for RBP Charges. As these exposures differ in both
character and duration, PJM developed separate collateral requirements tailored to
each type of obligation.
8.
In developing the proposed RBP credit framework, PJM sought to calibrate the
amount and duration of required collateral so that collateral remains commensurate
with the financial exposure. The proposed RBP credit provisions are intended to
provide protection against non-payment by RBP Sellers and applicable LSEs, while
avoiding collateral requirements that exceed the underlying exposure being
secured.
Analysis Supporting the Proposed RBP Credit Requirements for RBP Sellers
9.
The proposed Open Access Transmission Tariff (“Tariff”) language establishes an
RBP credit requirement applicable to RBP Sellers who plan to submit a bid in the
RBP.1 An RBP credit requirement will be determined for each RBP Resource for
which an RBP Sell Offer is submitted. The total RBP credit requirement for each
RBP Seller is the sum of each credit requirement for each RPB Sell Offer.2 For
example, if an RBP Seller has five RBP Resources, a credit requirement would be
determined for each RBP Resource. This approach ensures that adequate collateral
is provided in the event not every offered RBP Resource receives an RBP
commitment, i.e., discrete RBP Collateral tied to each RBP commitment.
10.
PJM aligned the credit requirement to mitigate the non-payment risk of RBP
Shortfall Charges associated with requiring new generation resources to undertake
long-term commitments through the RBP. Unlike many existing generation
resources participating in PJM’s Reliability Pricing Model (“RPM”), resources
seeking RBP commitments may require additional financing, permitting,
equipment procurement, construction, and other development activities before
achieving commercial operation.
11.
PJM concluded that resources seeking RBP commitments present risks that a
committed resource may fail to achieve commercial operation or experience delays
in reaching commercial operation. PJM therefore concluded that RBP Shortfall
Charge risk warrants a customized credit approach for those charges. Accordingly,
PJM developed a methodology requiring an RBP Seller to post RBP Collateral prior
to or contemporaneously with submission of an RBP Sell Offer.
12.
Specifically, PJM developed an RBP Seller collateral methodology using the RBP
Sell Offer price, the quantity of committed megawatts (“MW”), and the first three
Delivery Years associated—mirroring the fact that RBP Shortfall Charges may
only be assessed for the resource’s first three Delivery Years of expected operation
1 Proposed Tariff Section, Attachment DD, section 18.8(a).
2 Proposed Tariff Section, Attachment DD, section18.8.
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before the RBP commitment is rescinded—to determine the RBP Seller’s collateral
requirement.
13.
PJM found that, for each RBP Sell Offer, a credit requirement to cover the RBP
Shortfall Charges equivalent to the sum of 20% of the RBP Sell Offer Price * RBP
Unforced Capacity (“UCAP”) MW for each of the first three Delivery Years
offered would adequately mitigate the risk. This requirement is expressed
formulaically in the proposed Tariff as
∑0.2 × (𝑅𝐵𝑃 𝑆𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑂𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛
$
𝑀𝑊𝐷𝑎𝑦) 𝑛× (𝑈𝐶𝐴𝑃 𝑖𝑛 𝑀𝑊)𝑛× 365
3
𝑛=1
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑛= 𝐷𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑌𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠
14.
As such, the RBP credit requirement reflects and matches (i) the seller’s ability to
offer an RBP Resource at a different price and different UCAP commitment level
for each Delivery Year for the first three years; and (ii) the requirement that an RBP
Resource must reach commercial operation within three Delivery Years of its target
in-service date. Further, given that the RBP Shortfall Charges are keyed to the
resource’s committed offer price and MW level, the RBP Seller credit requirement
properly covers the risk.
15.
PJM also evaluated how long RBP Seller collateral should remain posted.
Consistent with PJM’s objective of aligning collateral with the underlying financial
exposure, PJM concluded that collateral should remain in place only while the
associated performance risk continues to exist.
16.
Accordingly, PJM developed an approach under which collateral associated with
RBP Sell Offers that do not receive commitments is returned because the associated
performance risk no longer exists. For RBP Resources with RBP commitments,
PJM determined that collateral should remain posted until commercial operation
has been achieved and should continue to be maintained for an additional one-year
period to permit PJM to confirm sustained commercial operation before the
remaining collateral may be released. A full 12-month cycle ensures that the asset
can reliably operate across all four seasons.
17.
PJM also evaluated ownership transfers of committed RBP Resources prior to
commercial operation. PJM concluded that a transfer of a committed resource does
not eliminate the underlying performance risk associated with that resource.
Accordingly, PJM developed a methodology under which the transferring RBP
Seller remains financially responsible until the receiving party independently
demonstrates the financial capability to support the transferred commitment by
posting the required collateral and affirmatively assuming responsibility for the
associated obligations.
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18.
Here is an example of the RBP Seller credit requirement based on a 100 MW
commitment, $555/MW-Day RBP Sell Offer price, 15-year commitment starts in
the 2028/2029 Delivery Year:
Shortfall Charge Year 1 (2028/2029): 0.2 * $555/MW-Day * 100 MW * 365 = $4,051,500
Shortfall Charge Year 2 (2029/2030): 0.2 * $555/MW-Day * 100 MW * 365 = $4,051,500
Shortfall Charge Year 3 (2030/2031): 0.2 * $555/MW-Day * 100 MW * 365 = $4,051,500
Credit Requirement = $4,051,500 + $4,051,500 + $4,051,500 = $12,154,500
Analysis Supporting the Proposed RBP Credit Requirements for LSEs Responsible
for Payment of RBP Charges
19.
PJM separately evaluated the financial risks associated with LSEs that become
responsible for payment of RBP Charges, allocated pursuant to the RBP cost
allocation methodology. Specifically, PJM evaluated the credit tools needed to
mitigate potential defaults from non-payment of RBP Charges. PJM did so because
it has the obligation to appropriately mitigate risk of default. PJM found that its
current credit tools do not contemplate the long-term nature of RBP and the risk of
future non-payment that results.
20.
Based upon that evaluation, PJM determined that only those LSEs allocated
responsibility for RBP Charges should be required to provide RBP Collateral.
Conversely, LSEs not allocated responsibility for RBP Charges do not present the
payment exposure the proposed credit provisions are intended to address and
therefore are not subject to the RBP credit requirement.
21.
PJM evaluated methodologies for determining the amount of collateral required
from LSEs. PJM considered that the relevant financial exposure is created by the
portfolio of committed RBP resources rather than by any individual LSE in
isolation.
22.
Based upon that evaluation, PJM developed a methodology that first determines the
aggregate collateral necessary to address the payment exposure associated with the
portfolio of committed RBP Resources and then allocates that collateral
requirement among the LSEs responsible for payment of RBP Charges.
23.
PJM further determined that applying a uniform credit rate to each LSE’s allocated
RBP UCAP MW level (i.e., the portion of the overall RBP commitment costs
allocated to the LSE, and the basis for an LSE’s RBP Charges) provides an
objective, transparent, and consistent means of allocating the aggregate collateral
requirement among the LSEs responsible for the underlying payment obligations.
24.
PJM evaluated the appropriate initial credit rate applicable to all committed RBP
UCAP MW. In developing that rate, PJM sought to establish an initial level of
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collateral that provides commensurate protection against non-payment while
avoiding full collateralization of the entire 15-year contractual commitment.
25.
As part of that evaluation, PJM estimated the contractual value associated with a
1-MW RBP commitment using conservative assumptions, including a 15-year
commitment term application of the RBP price throughout that commitment period.
Under those assumptions, the estimated contractual value of a 1-MW RBP
commitment is approximately $3.04 million, assuming the RBP clearing price at
the price cap of $555/MW.
26.
Based upon that analysis, PJM concluded that an initial credit rate of $1.5 million
per committed RBP MW would collateralize approximately 50% of the estimated
contractual value associated with the commitment.
27.
PJM also evaluated the present value of the expected payment stream associated
with RBP commitments through application of a discounted cash flow analysis.
For a 1-MW 15-year committed resource from the 2028/2029 Delivery Year to the
2042/2043 Delivery Year, RBP Sell Offer price of $555/MW-day, each year’s
payment is $202,575 (=$555/MW-Day * 1 MW * 365). We discounted the
cashflow back to September 2026, using discount rate of 9.5%:
2028/2029 notional payment - $202,575, Net Present Value (“NPV”) in September
2026 = $172,841
2029/2030 notional payment - $202,575, NPV in September 2026 = $157,850
. . .
2042/2043 notional payment - $202,575, NPV in September 2026 = $48,514
All the NPV added together is $1,481,569.
28.
The 9.5% discount rate was used, as it is the capacity market Weighted Average
Cost of Capital developed by The Brattle Group (“Brattle”) as part of PJM’s 2025
periodic review of the Cost of New Entry of Capacity Resources into the PJM
Region.3 Given Brattle’s thorough analysis in arriving at 9.5%, it represents a well-
supported discount rate to “check” the validity of PJM’s proposed RBP credit
requirement.
29.
PJM further considered how the payment exposure with the portfolio of committed
RBP Resources changes over the 15-year commitment term. PJM concluded that
the remaining payment exposure naturally declines as remaining, forward RBP
payment obligations are satisfied and as committed RBP Resources are removed
3 The Brattle Group, Brattle 2025 CONE Report for PJM, PJM Interconnection, L.L.C., 26-34 (Apr. 9, 2025),
https://www.pjm.com/-/media/DotCom/committees-groups/committees/mic/2025/20250411-special/item-
1-02-revised-cone-report-final.pdf [https://perma.cc/B3VN-EY34].
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from the portfolio through rescinded commitments or other changes affecting the
remaining payment obligations.
30.
Accordingly, PJM developed a provision permitting reductions to the RBP credit
rate when changes in the underlying RBP commitment portfolio demonstrate that
previously required collateral exceeds the remaining expected payment exposure.
PJM concluded that this approach aligns required collateral with the remaining
financial exposure through the commitment term.
31.
PJM also evaluated how collateral should be determined before an Electric
Distributor reports any actual RBP Obligation MW cost allocations for a Delivery
Year. Consistent with the “default” cost allocation approach, PJM will look to each
LSE’s allocated Daily Unforced Capacity Obligation (which is used to allocate
RPM capacity payments), as it provides an objective and administratively practical
proxy until actual RBP Obligation MW allocations have been established. Once
any RBP Obligation MW are reported, PJM determined that collateral should
instead be based upon those actual allocated RBP Obligation MW because they
provide the most accurate measure of each LSE’s corresponding payment exposure.
32.
PJM also evaluated transfers of LSE obligations during the commitment term. PJM
concluded that the underlying payment exposure associated with transferred RBP
payment obligations remains until the receiving LSE independently satisfies the
applicable collateral requirements and assumes responsibility for the transferred
obligations. Accordingly, PJM proposes that the transferring LSE remains
financially responsible until the receiving LSE has posted the required collateral
and assumed responsibility for the transferred obligations.
33.
Here is an example: RBP credit requirement for LSEs based on a 100 MW
commitment = $1,500,000 * 100 MW = $150,000,000
34.
This concludes my affidavit.
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEFORE THE
FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.
Docket No. ER26-
_-000
VERIFICATION
I, Gwen Kelly, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1746, state, under penalty of perjury, that I
am the Gwen Kelly referred to in the foregoing document entitled "Affidavit of Gwen
Kelly, Senior Director Credit Risk and Collateral Management at PJM Interconnection,
L.L.C.," that I have read the same and am familiar with the contents thereof, and that the
facts set forth therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and
belief.
Aen) Felly
Sr. Manager, Underwriting
Credit Risk & Collateral Management
Risk Management
PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.
of July 2026.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, the undersigned notary public, this 31st day
Nekih DMettich
Notary Public
My Commision expires: /2/23/3027
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Notary Seal
MICHELE A MATTICOLA - Notary Public
Montgomery County
My Commission Expires December 23, 2027
Commission Number 1249359