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Exelon Announces Fourth Quarter 2015 Results, Provides 2016 Earnings Expectation, Announces Plans to Raise Dividend

February 3, 2016 8:00 AM

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC) announced fourth quarter 2015 consolidated earnings as follows:

Full Year

Fourth Quarter

2015

2014

2015

2014

Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Results:

Net Income ($ millions)

$2,227

$2,068

$347

$421

Diluted Earnings per Share

$2.49

$2.39

$0.38

$0.48

GAAP Results:

Net Income ($ millions)

$2,269

$1,623

$309

$18

Diluted Earnings per Share

$2.54

$1.88

$0.33

$0.02

“Despite a challenging year for the sector, strong operating performance at both our utilities and our generation business enabled us to deliver strong earnings,” said Exelon President and CEO Christopher M. Crane. “We will provide stable growth, sustainable earnings and an attractive dividend through a combination of regulated and contracted investments and return of capital. Consistent with this strategy, we plan to grow our dividend 2.5 percent each year over the next three years.”

Fourth Quarter Operating Results

As shown in the table above, Exelon’s adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings decreased to $0.38 per share in the fourth quarter of 2015 from $0.48 per share in the fourth quarter of 2014. Earnings in the fourth quarter of 2015 primarily reflected the following negative factors:

These factors were partially offset by:

Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2015 do not include the following items (after-tax) that were included in reported GAAP earnings:

(in millions) (per diluted share)

Exelon Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings

$347

$0.38

Unrealized Gains Related to Nuclear Decommissioning Trust (NDT) Fund Investments 51 0.05
Long-Lived Asset Impairments (6) (0.01)
Merger and Integration Costs (9) (0.01)
PHI Merger Related Redeemable Debt Exchange (13) (0.01)
Amortization of Commodity Contract Intangibles (10) (0.01)
Reassessment of State Deferred Income Taxes (41) (0.05)
Reduction of State Income Tax Reserve 10 0.01
CENG Non-Controlling Interest (20) (0.02)

Exelon GAAP Net Income

$309

$0.33

Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2014 do not include the following items (after-tax) that were included in reported GAAP earnings:

(in millions) (per diluted share)

Exelon Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings

$421

$0.48

Mark-to-Market Impact of Economic Hedging Activities (70) (0.08)
Unrealized Gains Related to NDT Fund Investments 24 0.03
Plant Retirements and Divestitures 48 0.06
Long-Lived Asset Impairments (337) (0.39)
Merger and Integration Costs (25) (0.03)
Mark-to-Market Impact of PHI Merger Related Interest Rate Swaps (55) (0.06)
Amortization of Commodity Contract Intangibles (22) (0.03)
Reassessment of State Deferred Income Taxes 27 0.03
Tax Settlements 5 0.01
Bargain-Purchase Gain 28 0.03
CENG Non-Controlling Interest (26) (0.03)

Exelon GAAP Net Income

$18

$0.02

2016 Earnings Outlook

Exelon introduced a guidance range for 2016 adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings of $2.40 to $2.70 per share. Operating earnings guidance is based on the assumption of normal weather, which is determined based on historical average heating and cooling degree days for a 30-year period in the respective utilities' service territories.

The outlook for 2016 adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings for Exelon and its subsidiaries excludes the following items:

Dividend

Exelon's Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2016 dividend of $0.31 per share and approved a revised dividend policy. The approved policy would raise our dividend 2.5 percent each year for the next three years, beginning with the June 2016 dividend. The Board will take formal action to declare the next dividend in the second quarter.

Fourth Quarter and Recent Highlights

Operating Company Results

Generation consists of the generation, physical delivery and marketing of power across multiple geographical regions through its customer-facing business, Constellation, which sells electricity and natural gas to both wholesale and retail customers. Generation also sells renewable energy and other energy-related products and services.

Generation's fourth quarter 2015 GAAP net income was $154 million, compared with net loss of $91 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings for the fourth quarter of 2015 and 2014 do not include various items (after- tax) that were included in reported GAAP earnings. A reconciliation of Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings to GAAP Net Income is presented in the table below:

($ millions)

4Q15

4Q14

Generation Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings

$142

$231

Mark-to-Market Impact of Economic Hedging Activities (71)
Unrealized Gains Related to NDT Fund Investments 51 24
Merger and Integration Costs (2) (9)
Amortization of Commodity Contract Intangibles (10) (22)
Long-Lived Asset Impairments (6) (338)
Plant Retirements and Divestitures 48
Reassessment of State Deferred Income Taxes (11) 39
Reduction of State Income Tax Reserve 10
Tax Settlements 5
Bargain-Purchase Gain 28
CENG Non-Controlling Interest (20) (26)

Generation GAAP Net (Loss) Income

$154

$(91)

Generation’s Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings in the fourth quarter of 2015 decreased $89 million compared with the same quarter in 2014. This decrease primarily reflected timing of nuclear projects, impacts of increased nuclear refueling outages and increased depreciation expense, partially offset by the favorable settlement of certain state income tax positions.

ComEd consists of electricity transmission and distribution operations in northern Illinois.

ComEd's fourth quarter 2015 GAAP net income was $87 million, compared with net income of $73 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2014 do not include merger and integration costs that were included in reported GAAP earnings. A reconciliation of Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings to GAAP Net Income is presented in the table below:

($ millions) 4Q15 4Q14

ComEd Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings

$87

$75

Merger and Integration Costs (2)

ComEd GAAP Net Income

$87

$73

ComEd’s Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings in the fourth quarter of 2015 increased $12 million compared with the same quarter in 2014, primarily due to higher electric distribution and transmission formula rate earnings at ComEd reflecting the impacts of increased capital investment and favorable distribution ROE, partially offset by unfavorable weather and volume.

For the fourth quarter of 2015, heating degree-days in the ComEd service territory were down 26.8 percent relative to the same period in 2014 and 25.1 percent below normal. Cooling degree days were down 66.7 percent from prior year and 90.9 percent below normal. Total retail electric deliveries decreased 4.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared with the same period in 2014.

Weather-normalized retail electric deliveries were down 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 relative to 2014.

PECO consists of electricity transmission and distribution operations and retail natural gas distribution operations in southeastern Pennsylvania.

PECO’s fourth quarter 2015 GAAP net income was $79 million, compared with $98 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2014 do not include merger and integration costs that were included in reported GAAP earnings. A reconciliation of Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings to GAAP Net Income is presented in the table below:

($ millions) 4Q15 4Q14

PECO Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings

$79

$99

Merger and Integration Costs (1)

PECO GAAP Net Income

$79

$98

PECO’s Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings in the fourth quarter of 2015 decreased $20 million from the same quarter in 2014, primarily due to unfavorable weather, partially offset by a reduction in uncollectible accounts expense.

For the fourth quarter of 2015, heating degree-days in the PECO service territory were down 34.5 percent relative to the same period in 2014 and were 39.9 percent below normal. Cooling degree-days were down 16.0 percent from prior year and 8.7 percent below normal. Total retail electric deliveries were down 5.9 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. Natural gas deliveries (including both retail and transportation components) in the fourth quarter of 2015 were down 22.8 percent compared with the same period in 2014.

Weather-normalized retail electric deliveries and gas deliveries increased 0.2 percent and 1.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 relative to 2014, respectively.

BGE consists of electricity transmission and distribution operations and retail natural gas distribution operations in Central Maryland.

BGE’s fourth quarter 2015 GAAP net income was $74 million, compared with $52 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2014 do not include merger and integration costs that were included in reported GAAP earnings. A reconciliation of Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings to GAAP Net Income is presented in the table below:

($ millions) 4Q15 4Q14

BGE Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings

$74

$53

Merger and Integration Costs (1)

BGE GAAP Net Income

$74

$52

BGE’s Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings in the fourth quarter of 2015 increased $21 million from the same quarter in 2014, primarily due to increased distribution revenue pursuant to increased rates effective in December 2014 and increased transmission revenue. Due to revenue decoupling, BGE is not affected by actual weather with the exception of major storms.

Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings

Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings, which generally exclude significant one-time charges or credits that are not normally associated with ongoing operations, mark-to-market adjustments from economic hedging activities and unrealized gains and losses from NDT fund investments, are provided as a supplement to results reported in accordance with GAAP. Management uses such adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings measures internally to evaluate the company’s performance and manage its operations. Reconciliation of GAAP to adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings for historical periods is attached. Additional earnings release attachments, which include the reconciliation on pages 8 and 9 are posted on Exelon’s Web site: www.exeloncorp.com and have been furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K on February 3, 2016.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This presentation contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made by Exelon include those factors discussed herein, as well as the items discussed in (1) Exelon’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K in (a) ITEM 1A. Risk Factors, (b) ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and (c) ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: Note 23; (2) Exelon’s Third Quarter 2015 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in (a) Part II, Other Information, ITEM 1A. Risk Factors; (b) Part 1, Financial Information, ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and (c) Part I, Financial Information, ITEM 1. Financial Statements: Note 19; and (3) other factors discussed in filings with the SEC by Exelon. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this presentation. Exelon does not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revision to its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this presentation.

Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC) is the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with 2015 revenues of approximately $29.4 billion. Headquartered in Chicago, Exelon does business in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. Exelon is one of the largest competitive U.S. power generators, with more than 32,000 megawatts of owned capacity comprising one of the nation’s cleanest and lowest-cost power generation fleets. The company’s Constellation business unit provides energy products and services to more than 2.5 million residential, public sector and business customers, including more than two-thirds of the Fortune 100. Exelon’s utilities deliver electricity and natural gas to more than 7.8 million customers in central Maryland (BGE), northern Illinois (ComEd) and southeastern Pennsylvania (PECO). Follow Exelon on Twitter @Exelon.

EXELON CORPORATION
Reconciliation of Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings to GAAP Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

(in millions, except per share data)

Three Months Ended December 31, 2015 Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
Adjusted Adjusted
GAAP (a) Adjustments Non-GAAP GAAP (a) Adjustments Non-GAAP
Operating revenues $ 6,702 $ (20 ) (b),(c) $ 6,682 $ 7,255 $ (311 ) (b),(c) $ 6,944
Operating expenses
Purchased power and fuel 2,874 (33 ) (b),(c) 2,841 3,603 (471 ) (b),(c) 3,132
Operating and maintenance 2,204 (24 ) (d),(e) 2,180 2,563 (557 ) (d),(e),(k) 2,006
Depreciation and amortization 633 633 582 582
Taxes other than income 292 292 267 267
Total operating expenses 6,003 (57 ) 5,946 7,015 (1,028 ) 5,987
Gain (loss) on sales of assets 8 8 80 (83 ) (k) (3 )
Gain on acquisition of businesses 28 (28 ) (l)
Operating income 707 37 744 348 606 954
Other income and (deductions)
Interest expense (316 ) (316 ) (343 ) 102 (d),(m) (241 )
Other, net 172 (73 ) (f),(g) 99 110 (41 ) (f),(n) 69
Total other income and (deductions) (144 ) (73 ) (217 ) (233 ) 61 (172 )
Income before income taxes 563 (36 ) 527 115 667 782
Income taxes 268 (54 ) (b),(c),(d),(e),(f),(g),(h),(i) 214 20 291 (b),(c),(d),(e),(f),(h),(k).(m),(n) 311
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates (4 ) (4 )
Net income 291 18 309 95 376 471
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and preference stock dividends (18 ) (20 ) (j) (38 ) 77 (27 ) (j) 50
Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 309 $ 38 $ 347 $ 18 $ 403 $ 421
Effective tax rate 47.6 % 40.6 % 17.4 % 39.8 %
Earnings per average common share
Basic $ 0.34 $ 0.04 $ 0.38 $ 0.02 $ 0.47 $ 0.49
Diluted $ 0.33 $ 0.05 $ 0.38 $ 0.02 $ 0.46 $ 0.48
Average common shares outstanding
Basic 921 921 861 861
Diluted 924 924 868 868
Effect of adjustments on earnings per average diluted common share recorded in accordance with GAAP:
Mark-to-market impact of economic hedging activities (b) $ $ 0.08
Amortization of commodity contract intangibles (c) 0.01 0.03
Merger and integration costs (d) 0.01 0.03
Long-lived asset impairment (e) 0.01 0.39
Unrealized gains related to NDT fund investments (f) (0.05 ) (0.03 )
PHI merger related redeemable debt exchange (g) 0.01
Reassessment of state deferred income taxes (h) 0.05 (0.03 )
Reduction in state income tax reserve (i) (0.01 )
Non-controlling interest (j) 0.02 0.03
Plant retirements and divestitures (k) (0.06 )
Bargain-purchase gain (l) (0.03 )
Mark-to-market impact of PHI merger related interest rate swaps (m) 0.06
Tax settlements (n) (0.01 )
Total adjustments $ 0.05 $ 0.46
(a) Results reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP).
(b) Adjustment to exclude the mark-to-market impact of economic hedging activities, net of intercompany eliminations.
(c) Adjustment to exclude the non-cash amortization of intangible assets, net, related to commodity contracts recorded at fair value, if and when applicable, related to the Constellation merger, the CENG integration and the Integrys acquisition.
(d) Adjustment to exclude certain costs associated with mergers and acquisitions, including, if and when applicable, professional fees, employee-related expenses, integration activities, upfront credit facilities fees, merger commitments, and certain pre-acquisition contingencies related to the Constellation merger, CENG integration and the Integrys and pending PHI acquisitions.
(e) Adjustment to exclude charges to earnings primarily related to the impairments of certain generating assets which were held for sale in 2014 and certain upstream assets in 2014 and 2015.
(f) Adjustment to exclude the unrealized gains on NDT fund investments to the extent not offset by contractual accounting as described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
(g) Adjustment to exclude the costs associated with the exchange and redemption in December 2015 of certain mandatorily redeemable debt issued to finance the PHI merger.
(h) Adjustment to exclude the non-cash impact of the remeasurement of state deferred income taxes, primarily as a result of changes in forecasted apportionment.
(i) Adjustment to exclude the reduction of a previously recorded state income tax reserve associated with the 2014 sales of Keystone and Conemaugh.
(j) Adjustment to exclude Generation’s non-controlling interest related to CENG exclusion items, primarily related to the impact of unrealized gains and losses on NDT fund investments in 2015, and in 2014 the impact of unrealized gains and losses on NDT fund investments, costs incurred associated with the integration, mark-to-market activity, and non-cash amortization of intangible assets, net, related to commodity contracts.
(k) Adjustment to exclude the impacts associated with the sales of Generation's ownership interests in Fore River and West Valley generating stations in 2014.
(l) Adjustment to exclude the excess of the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired over the purchase price of Integrys.
(m) Adjustment to exclude the impact of mark-to-market activity on forward-starting interest rate swaps held at Exelon Corporate related to financing for the pending PHI acquisition, which were terminated on June 8, 2015.
(n) Adjustment to reflect a benefit related to favorable settlements in 2014 of certain income tax positions on Constellation’s pre-acquisition tax returns.
EXELON CORPORATION
Reconciliation of Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings to GAAP Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

(in millions, except per share data)

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015 Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014
Adjusted Adjusted
GAAP (a) Adjustments Non-GAAP GAAP (a) Adjustments Non-GAAP
Operating revenues $ 29,447 $ (210 ) (b),(c) $ 29,237 $ 27,429 $ 460 (b),(c),(d) $ 27,889
Operating expenses
Purchased power and fuel 13,084 55 (b),(c) 13,139 13,003 (251 ) (b),(c) 12,752
Operating and maintenance 8,322 (90 ) (d),(e),(f),(g) 8,232 8,568 (809 ) (d),(e),(f),(o) 7,759
Depreciation and amortization 2,450 2,450 2,314 2,314
Taxes other than income 1,200 1,200 1,154 1,154
Total operating expenses 25,056 (35 ) 25,021 25,039 (1,060 ) 23,979
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates (20 ) 12 (b),(c) (8 )
Gain on sales of assets 18 18 437 (411 ) (o) 26
Gain on consolidation and acquisition of

businesses

289 (289 ) (p),(q)
Operating income 4,409 (175 ) 4,234 3,096 832 3,928
Other income and (deductions)
Interest expense (1,071 ) (27 ) (d),(h),(i) (1,098 ) (1,065 ) 134 (b),(d),(h) (931 )
Other, net (8 ) 284 (j),(k) 276 455 (193 ) (i),(j) 262
Total other income and (deductions) (1,079 ) 257 (822 ) (610 ) (59 ) (669 )
Income before income taxes 3,330 82 3,412 2,486 773 3,259
Income taxes 1,073 92 (b),(c),(d),(e),(f),(g),(h),(i),(j),(k),(l),(m) 1,165 666 391 (b),(c),(d),(e),(f),(h),(i),(j),(l),(o),(p) 1,057
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates (7 ) (7 )
Net income 2,250 (10 ) 2,240 1,820 382 2,202
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and preference stock dividends (19 ) 32 (n) 13 197 (63 ) (n) 134
Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 2,269 $ (42 ) $ 2,227 $ 1,623 $ 445 $ 2,068
Effective tax rate 32.2 % 34.1 % 26.8 % 32.4 %
Earnings per average common share
Basic $ 2.55 $ (0.05 ) $ 2.50 $ 1.89 $ 0.51 $ 2.40
Diluted $ 2.54 $ (0.05 ) $ 2.49 $ 1.88 $ 0.51 $ 2.39
Average common shares outstanding
Basic 890 890 860 860
Diluted 893 893 864 864
Effect of adjustments on earnings per average diluted common share recorded in accordance with GAAP:
Mark-to-market impact of economic hedging activities (b) $ (0.18 ) $ 0.42
Amortization of commodity contract intangibles (c) 0.07
Merger and integration costs (d) 0.07 0.14
Long-lived asset impairment (e) 0.02 0.50
Asset retirement obligation (f) (0.01 ) (0.02 )
Midwest Generation bankruptcy recoveries (g) (0.01 )
Mark-to-market impact of PHI merger related swaps (h) (0.02 ) 0.07
Tax settlement (i) (0.06 ) (0.12 )
Unrealized (gains) losses related to NDT fund investments (j) 0.13 (0.10 )
PHI merger related redeemable debt exchange (k) 0.01
Reassessment of state deferred income taxes (l) 0.05 (0.03 )
Reduction in state income tax reserve (m) (0.01 )
Non-controlling interest (n) (0.04 ) 0.07
Plant retirements and divestitures (o) (0.28 )
Gain on CENG integration (p) (0.18 )
Bargain-purchase gain (q) (0.03 )
Total adjustments $ (0.05 ) $ 0.51

Note: For the year ended December 31, 2014, includes the results of operations of CENG beginning April 1, 2014, the date the nuclear operating services agreement was executed.

(a) Results reported in accordance with GAAP.
(b) Adjustment to exclude the mark-to-market impact of economic hedging activities, net of intercompany eliminations.
(c) Adjustment to exclude the non-cash amortization of intangible assets, net, related to commodity contracts recorded at fair value, if and when applicable, related to the Constellation merger, the CENG integration and the Integrys acquisition.
(d) Adjustment to exclude certain costs associated with mergers and acquisitions, including, if and when applicable, professional fees, employee-related expenses, integration activities, upfront credit facilities fees, merger commitments, and certain pre-acquisition contingencies related to the Constellation merger, CENG integration and the Integrys and pending PHI acquisitions.
(e) Adjustment to exclude charges to earnings related to the impairments of certain generating assets which were held for sale and wind generating assets in 2014 and charges in 2014 and 2015 related to the impairment of investments in long-term leases and certain upstream assets.
(f) Adjustment to exclude the non-cash benefit pursuant to the annual update of the Generation nuclear decommissioning obligation related to the non-regulatory units.
(g) Adjustment to exclude a benefit for the favorable settlement of a long-term railcar lease agreement pursuant to the Midwest Generation bankruptcy.
(h) Adjustment to exclude the impact of mark-to-market activity on forward-starting interest rate swaps held at Exelon Corporate related to financing for the pending PHI acquisition, which were terminated on June 8, 2015.
(i) Adjustment to reflect a benefit related to favorable settlements in 2014 and 2015 of certain income tax positions on Constellation’s pre-acquisition tax returns.
(j) Adjustment to exclude the unrealized gains and losses on NDT fund investments to the extent not offset by contractual accounting as described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
(k) Adjustment to exclude the costs associated with the exchange and redemption in December 2015 of certain mandatorily redeemable debt issued to finance the PHI merger
(l) Adjustment to exclude the non-cash impact of the remeasurement of state deferred income taxes, primarily as a result of changes in forecasted apportionment.
(m) Adjustment to exclude the reduction of a previously recorded state income tax reserve associated with the 2014 sales of Keystone and Conemaugh.
(n) Adjustment to exclude Generation’s non-controlling interest related to CENG exclusion items, primarily related to the impact of unrealized gains and losses on NDT fund investments and mark-to-market activity in 2015, and in 2014 the impact of unrealized gains and losses on NDT fund investments, costs incurred associated with the integration, non-cash amortization of intangible assets, net, related to commodity contracts, mark-to-market activity, and changes in asset retirement obligations.
(o) Adjustment to exclude the impacts associated with the sales of Generation's ownership interests in Safe Harbor and the Fore River and West Valley generating stations in 2014.
(p) Adjustment to exclude the gain recorded upon consolidation of CENG resulting from the difference in the fair value of CENG’s net assets as of April 1, 2014 and the equity method investment previously recorded on Generation’s and Exelon’s books and the settlement of pre-existing transactions between Generation and CENG.
(q) Adjustment to exclude the excess of the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired over the purchase price of Integrys.

Exelon Corporation

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Investor Relations

312-394-3967

or

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Corporate Communications

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Source: Exelon Corporation

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