UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

x	 	Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934	
 	 	 	
 	 	For the Quarterly Period Ended: September 30, 2011	
 	 	 	
o	 	Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934	
Commission File Number: 001-15891
NRG Energy, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)	 	41-1724239
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)	
 	 	 	
211 Carnegie Center, Princeton, New Jersey
(Address of principal executive offices)	 	08540
(Zip Code)	
(609) 524-4500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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 x       No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).
Yes x       No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x	 	Accelerated filer o	 	Non-accelerated filer o	 	Smaller reporting company o	
 	 	 	 	(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	 	 	
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o       No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Yes x       No o
As of October 31, 2011, there were 229,967,461 shares of common stock outstanding, par value $0.01 per share.

 	

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Index

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION	3	
GLOSSARY OF TERMS	4	
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION	7	
ITEM 1 — CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES	7	
ITEM 2 — MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	53	
ITEM 3 — QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	94	
ITEM 4 — CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	96	
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION	97	
ITEM 1 — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	97	
ITEM 1A — RISK FACTORS	97	
ITEM 2 — UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS	97	
ITEM 3 — DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES	97	
ITEM 4 — (REMOVED AND RESERVED)	97	
ITEM 5 — OTHER INFORMATION	97	
ITEM 6 — EXHIBITS	98	
SIGNATURES	99	

2

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of NRG Energy, Inc., or NRG or the Company, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The words “believes,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause NRG Energy, Inc.'s actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties include the factors described under Risk Factors Related to NRG Energy, Inc., in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2010, including the following:
 	 	
•	General economic conditions, changes in the wholesale power markets and fluctuations in the cost of fuel;	
 	 	
•	Volatile power supply costs and demand for power;	
 	 	
•	Hazards customary to the power production industry and power generation operations such as fuel and electricity price volatility, unusual weather conditions, catastrophic weather-related or other damage to facilities, unscheduled generation outages, maintenance or repairs, unanticipated changes to fuel supply costs or availability due to higher demand, shortages, transportation problems or other developments, environmental incidents, or electric transmission or gas pipeline system constraints and the possibility that NRG may not have adequate insurance to cover losses as a result of such hazards;	
 	 	
•	The effectiveness of NRG's risk management policies and procedures, and the ability of NRG's counterparties to satisfy their financial commitments;	
 	 	
•	Counterparties' collateral demands and other factors affecting NRG's liquidity position and financial condition;	
 	 	
•	NRG's ability to operate its businesses efficiently, manage capital expenditures and costs tightly, and generate earnings and cash flows from its asset-based businesses in relation to its debt and other obligations;	
 	 	
•	NRG's ability to enter into contracts to sell power and procure fuel on acceptable terms and prices;	
 	 	
•	The liquidity and competitiveness of wholesale markets for energy commodities;	
 	 	
•	Government regulation, including compliance with regulatory requirements and changes in market rules, rates, tariffs and environmental laws and increased regulation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions;	
 	 	
•	Price mitigation strategies and other market structures employed by ISOs or RTOs that result in a failure to adequately compensate NRG's generation units for all of its costs;	
 	 	
•	NRG's ability to borrow additional funds and access capital markets, as well as NRG's substantial indebtedness and the possibility that NRG may incur additional indebtedness going forward;	
 	 	
•	NRG's ability to receive Federal loan guarantees or cash grants to support development projects;	
 	 	
•	Operating and financial restrictions placed on NRG and its subsidiaries that are contained in the indentures governing NRG's outstanding notes, in NRG's 2011 Senior Credit Facility, and in debt and other agreements of certain of NRG subsidiaries and project affiliates generally;	
 	 	
•	NRG's ability to implement its RepoweringNRG strategy of developing and building new power generation facilities, including new wind and solar projects;	
 	 	
•	NRG's ability to implement its econrg strategy of finding ways to meet the challenges of climate change, clean air and protecting natural resources while taking advantage of business opportunities;	
 	 	
•	NRG's ability to achieve its strategy of regularly returning capital to shareholders;	
 	 	
•	NRG's ability to maintain retail market share;	
 	 	
•	NRG's ability to successfully evaluate investments in new business and growth initiatives;	
 	 	
•	NRG's ability to successfully integrate and manage any acquired businesses; and	
 	 	
•	NRG's ability to develop and maintain successful partnering relationships.	
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and NRG Energy, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG's actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should not be construed as exhaustive.

3

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
When the following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report, they have the meanings indicated below:

2010 Form 10-K	 	NRG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010	
 	 	 	
2011 Revolving Credit Facility	 	The Company's $2.3 billion revolving credit facility due 2016, a component of the 2011 Senior Credit Facility	
 	 	 	
2011 Senior Credit Facility	 	As of July 1, 2011, NRG's new senior secured facility, comprised of a $1.6 billion term loan facility and a $2.3 billion revolving credit facility, which replaces the Senior Credit Facility	
 	 	 	
2011 Term Loan Facility	 	The Company's $1.6 billion term loan facility due 2018, a component of the 2011 Senior Credit Facility	
 	 	 	
316(b) Rule	 	A section of the Clean Water Act regulating cooling water intake structures	
 	 	 	
ASR Agreement	 	Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement	
 	 	 	
Baseload capacity	 	Electric power generation capacity normally expected to serve loads on an around-the-clock basis throughout the calendar year	
 	 	 	
BTA	 	Best Technology Available	
 	 	 	
CAA	 	Clean Air Act	
 	 	 	
CAIR	 	Clean Air Interstate Rule	
 	 	 	
CAISO	 	California Independent System Operator	
 	 	 	
CATR	 	Clean Air Transport Rule	
 	 	 	
Capital Allocation Plan	 	Share repurchase program	
 	 	 	
Capital Allocation Program	 	NRG's plan of allocating capital between debt reduction, reinvestment in the business, and share   repurchases through the Capital   Allocation Plan

C&I	 	Commercial, industrial and governmental/institutional	
 	 	 	
CFTC	 	U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission	
 	 	 	
CPS	 	CPS Energy	
 	 	 	
CSAPR	 	Cross-State Air Pollution Rule	
 	 	 	
DNREC	 	Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control	
 	 	 	
Energy Plus	 	Energy Plus Holdings LLC	
 	 	 	
ERCOT	 	Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the Independent System Operator and the regional reliability coordinator of the various electricity systems within Texas	
 	 	 	
Exchange Act	 	The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended	
 	 	 	
FERC	 	Federal Energy Regulatory Commission	
 	 	 	
FFB	 	Federal Financing Bank	

4

 	
 	 	 	
Funded Letter of Credit Facility	 	Prior to July 1, 2011, NRG's $1.3 billion term loan-backed fully funded senior secured letter   of credit facility, of which $500   million would have matured on February 1, 2013,   and $800 million would have matured on August   31, 2015, and was a component of   NRG's Senior Credit Facility. On July 1, 2011, NRG replaced its Senior Credit Facility, including the Funded Letter of Credit Facility, with the 2011 Senior Credit Facility.	
 	 	 	
GHG	 	Greenhouse Gases	
 	 	 	
Green Mountain Energy	 	Green Mountain Energy Company	
 	 	 	
GWh	 	Gigawatt hour	
 	 	 	
ISO	 	Independent System Operator, also referred to as Regional Transmission Organizations, or RTO	
 	 	 	
ISO-NE	 	ISO New England Inc.	
 	 	 	
LFRM	 	Locational Forward Reserve Market	
 	 	 	
LIBOR	 	London Inter-Bank Offer Rate	
 	 	 	
LTIP	 	Long-Term Incentive Plan	
 	 	 	
MACT	 	Maximum Achievable Control Technology	
 	 	 	
Mass	 	Residential and small business	
 	 	 	
MMBtu	 	Million British Thermal Units	
 	 	 	
MW	 	Megawatts	
 	 	 	
MWh	 	Saleable megawatt hours net of internal/parasitic load megawatt-hours	
 	 	 	
NAAQS	 	National Ambient Air Quality Standards	
 	 	 	
NINA	 	Nuclear Innovation North America LLC	
 	 	 	
NOx	 	Nitrogen oxide	
 	 	 	
NPNS	 	Normal Purchase Normal Sale	
 	 	 	
NRC	 	U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission	
 	 	 	
NYISO	 	New York Independent System Operator	
 	 	 	
OCI	 	Other comprehensive income	
 	 	 	
PJM	 	PJM Interconnection, LLC	
 	 	 	
PJM market	 	The wholesale and retail electric market operated by PJM primarily in all or parts of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia	
 	 	 	
PM 2.5	 	Particulate matter particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less	
 	 	 	
PPA	 	Power Purchase Agreement	
 	 	 	
PUCT	 	Public Utility Commission of Texas	
 	 	 	
Repowering	 	Technologies utilized to replace, rebuild, or redevelop major portions of an existing electrical generating facility, not only to achieve a substantial emissions reduction, but also to increase facility capacity, and improve system efficiency	

5

 	
 	 	 	
RepoweringNRG	 	NRG’s program designed to develop, finance, construct and operate new, highly efficient, environmentally responsible capacity	
 	 	 	
Revolving Credit Facility	 	Prior to July 1, 2011, NRG’s $925 million senior secured revolving credit facility, which would have matured on August 31, 2015, and was a component of NRG’s Senior Credit Facility. On July 1, 2011, NRG replaced the Senior Credit Facility, including the Revolving Credit Facility, with the 2011 Senior Credit Facility.	
 	 	 	
SEC	 	United States Securities and Exchange Commission	
 	 	 	
Securities Act	 	The Securities Act of 1933, as amended	
 	 	 	
Senior Credit Facility	 	Prior to July 1, 2011, NRG’s senior secured facility, which was comprised of a Term Loan Facility, a $925 million Revolving Credit Facility and a $1.3 billion Funded Letter of Credit Facility. On July 1, 2011, NRG replaced the Senior Credit Facility with the 2011 Senior Credit Facility.	
 	 	 	
Senior Notes	 	The Company’s $6.1 billion outstanding unsecured senior notes, consisting of $1.1 billion of 7.375% senior notes due 2017, $1.2 billion of 7.625% senior notes due 2018, $700 million of 8.5% senior notes due 2019, $800 million of 7.625% senior notes due 2019, $1.1 billion of 8.25% senior notes due 2020 and $1.2 billion of 7.875% senior notes due 2021	
 	 	 	
SO2	 	Sulfur dioxide	
 	 	 	
STP	 	South Texas Project — nuclear generating facility located near Bay City, Texas in which NRG owns a 44% interest	
 	 	 	
STPNOC	 	South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company	
 	 	 	
TANE	 	Toshiba America Nuclear Energy Corporation	
 	 	 	
TANE Facility	 	NINA’s $500 million credit facility with TANE which matures on February 24, 2012	
 	 	 	
TEPCO	 	The Tokyo Electric Power Company of Japan, Inc.	
 	 	 	
Term Loan Facility	 	Prior to July 1, 2011, a senior first priority secured term loan, of which approximately $608 million would have matured on February 1, 2013, and $990 million would have matured on August 31, 2015, and was a component of NRG’s Senior Credit Facility. On July 1, 2011, NRG replaced its Senior Credit Facility, including the Term Loan Facility, with the 2011 Senior Credit Facility.	
 	 	 	
U.S.	 	United States of America	
 	 	 	
U.S. DOE	 	United States Department of Energy	
 	 	 	
U.S. EPA	 	United States Environmental Protection Agency	
 	 	 	
U.S. GAAP	 	Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States	
 	 	 	
VaR	 	Value at Risk	

6

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 — CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Three months ended September 30,	 	Nine months ended September 30,	
(In millions, except for per share amounts)	2011	 	2010	 	2011	 	2010	
Operating Revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total operating revenues	$	2,674	
 	 	$	2,685	
 	 	$	6,947	
 	 	$	7,033	
 	
Operating Costs and Expenses	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cost of operations	2,053	
 	 	1,835	
 	 	4,985	
 	 	4,803	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	238	
 	 	210	
 	 	665	
 	 	620	
 	
Impairment charge on emission allowances	160	
 	 	—	
 	 	160	
 	 	—	
 	
Selling, general and administrative	169	
 	 	172	
 	 	479	
 	 	441	
 	
Development costs	11	
 	 	14	
 	 	32	
 	 	36	
 	
Total operating costs and expenses	2,631	
 	 	2,231	
 	 	6,321	
 	 	5,900	
 	
Gain on sale of assets	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	23	
 	
Operating Income	43	
 	 	454	
 	 	626	
 	 	1,156	
 	
Other Income/(Expense)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	16	
 	 	16	
 	 	26	
 	 	41	
 	
Impairment charge on investment	(3	)	 	—	
 	 	(495	)	 	—	
 	
Other income, net	5	
 	 	11	
 	 	13	
 	 	34	
 	
Loss on debt extinguishment	(32	)	 	(1	)	 	(175	)	 	(2	)	
Interest expense	(164	)	 	(168	)	 	(504	)	 	(467	)	
Total other expense	(178	)	 	(142	)	 	(1,135	)	 	(394	)	
(Loss)/Income Before Income Taxes	(135	)	 	312	
 	 	(509	)	 	762	
 	
Income tax (benefit)/expense	(80	)	 	89	
 	 	(815	)	 	271	
 	
Net (Loss)/Income	(55	)	 	223	
 	 	306	
 	 	491	
 	
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	
Net (Loss)/Income Attributable to NRG Energy, Inc.	(55	)	 	223	
 	 	306	
 	 	492	
 	
Dividends for preferred shares	2	
 	 	2	
 	 	7	
 	 	7	
 	
(Loss)/Income Available for Common Stockholders	$	(57	)	 	$	221	
 	 	$	299	
 	 	$	485	
 	
(Loss)/Earnings Per Share Attributable to NRG Energy, Inc. Common Stockholders	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic	240	
 	 	252	
 	 	243	
 	 	254	
 	
Net (loss)/income per weighted average common share — basic	$	(0.24	)	 	$	0.88	
 	 	$	1.23	
 	 	$	1.91	
 	
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted	240	
 	 	253	
 	 	245	
 	 	255	
 	
Net (loss)/income per weighted average common share — diluted	$	(0.24	)	 	$	0.87	
 	 	$	1.22	
 	 	$	1.90	

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 	September 30, 2011	 	December 31, 2010	
(In millions, except shares)	(unaudited)	 	 	
ASSETS	 	 	 	
Current Assets	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,127	
 	 	$	2,951	
 	
Funds deposited by counterparties	259	
 	 	408	
 	
Restricted cash	441	
 	 	8	
 	
Accounts receivable — trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $33 and $25	1,042	
 	 	734	
 	
Inventory	320	
 	 	453	
 	
Derivative instruments	2,588	
 	 	1,964	
 	
Cash collateral paid in support of energy risk management activities	316	
 	 	323	
 	
Prepayments and other current assets	245	
 	 	296	
 	
Total current assets	6,338	
 	 	7,137	
 	
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $4,371 and $3,796	12,843	
 	 	12,517	
 	
Other Assets	 	 	 	
Equity investments in affiliates	576	
 	 	536	
 	
Note receivable — affiliate and capital leases, less current portion	327	
 	 	384	
 	
Goodwill	1,859	
 	 	1,868	
 	
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,345 and $1,064	1,561	
 	 	1,776	
 	
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund	399	
 	 	412	
 	
Derivative instruments	533	
 	 	758	
 	
Restricted cash supporting funded letter of credit facility	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	
Other non-current assets	324	
 	 	208	
 	
Total other assets	5,579	
 	 	7,242	
 	
Total Assets	$	24,760	
 	 	$	26,896	
 	
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	 	 	 	
Current Liabilities	 	 	 	
Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases	$	81	
 	 	$	463	
 	
Accounts payable	974	
 	 	783	
 	
Derivative instruments	2,089	
 	 	1,685	
 	
Deferred income taxes	65	
 	 	108	
 	
Cash collateral received in support of energy risk management activities	259	
 	 	408	
 	
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	527	
 	 	773	
 	
Total current liabilities	3,995	
 	 	4,220	
 	
Other Liabilities	 	 	 	
Long-term debt and capital leases	9,208	
 	 	8,748	
 	
Funded letter of credit	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	
Nuclear decommissioning reserve	331	
 	 	317	
 	
Nuclear decommissioning trust liability	237	
 	 	272	
 	
Deferred income taxes	1,588	
 	 	1,989	
 	
Derivative instruments	408	
 	 	365	
 	
Out-of-market commodity contracts	191	
 	 	223	
 	
Other non-current liabilities	622	
 	 	1,142	
 	
Total non-current liabilities	12,585	
 	 	14,356	
 	
Total Liabilities	16,580	
 	 	18,576	
 	
3.625% convertible perpetual preferred stock (at liquidation value, net of issuance costs)	248	
 	 	248	
 	
Commitments and Contingencies	

 	
 	
Stockholders’ Equity	 	 	 	
Common stock	3	
 	 	3	
 	
Additional paid-in capital	5,348	
 	 	5,323	
 	
Retained earnings	4,099	
 	 	3,800	
 	
Less treasury stock, at cost — 65,568,119 and 56,808,672 shares, respectively	(1,881	)	 	(1,503	)	
Accumulated other comprehensive income	201	
 	 	432	
 	
Noncontrolling interest	162	
 	 	17	
 	
Total Stockholders’ Equity	7,932	
 	 	8,072	
 	
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	24,760	
 	 	$	26,896	

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

8

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

(In millions)	 	
Nine months ended September 30,	2011	 	2010	
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	 	 	 	
Net income	$	306	
 	 	$	491	
 	
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	 	 	 	
Distributions and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	8	
 	 	(19	)	
Depreciation and amortization	665	
 	 	620	
 	
Provision for bad debts	41	
 	 	46	
 	
Amortization of nuclear fuel	31	
 	 	30	
 	
Amortization of financing costs and debt discount/premiums	25	
 	 	23	
 	
Loss on debt extinguishment	58	
 	 	—	
 	
Amortization of intangibles and out-of-market commodity contracts	118	
 	 	(17	)	
Changes in deferred income taxes and liability for uncertain tax benefits	(829	)	 	272	
 	
Changes in nuclear decommissioning trust liability	20	
 	 	26	
 	
Changes in derivative instruments	(201	)	 	(48	)	
Changes in collateral deposits supporting energy risk management activities	7	
 	 	(116	)	
Impairment charge on investment	481	
 	 	—	
 	
Impairment charge on emission allowances	160	
 	 	—	
 	
Cash used by changes in other working capital	(222	)	 	(167	)	
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	668	
 	 	1,141	
 	
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	 	 	 	
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(352	)	 	(142	)	
Capital expenditures	(1,355	)	 	(490	)	
Increase in restricted cash, net	(92	)	 	(17	)	
Increase in restricted cash to support equity requirements for U.S. DOE funded projects	(316	)	 	—	
 	
Decrease in notes receivable	27	
 	 	28	
 	
Purchases of emission allowances	(27	)	 	(56	)	
Proceeds from sale of emission allowances	6	
 	 	14	
 	
Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities	(314	)	 	(245	)	
Proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities	294	
 	 	219	
 	
Proceeds from renewable energy grants	—	
 	 	102	
 	
Proceeds from sale of assets	14	
 	 	30	
 	
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	(17	)	 	—	
 	
Other	(29	)	 	(13	)	
Net Cash Used by Investing Activities	(2,161	)	 	(570	)	
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	 	 	 	
Payment of dividends to preferred stockholders	(7	)	 	(7	)	
Payment for treasury stock	(378	)	 	(180	)	
Net (payments for)/receipts from settlement of acquired derivatives that include financing elements	(61	)	 	58	
 	
Installment proceeds from sale of noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	—	
 	 	50	
 	
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	5,710	
 	 	1,252	
 	
Proceeds from issuance of term loan for funded letter of credit facility	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	
Decrease/(increase) in restricted cash supporting funded letter of credit	1,300	
 	 	(1,301	)	
Payment for settlement of funded letter of credit facility	(1,300	)	 	—	
 	
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	2	
 	 	2	
 	
Payment of debt issuance costs	(149	)	 	(70	)	
Payments for short and long-term debt	(5,450	)	 	(529	)	
Net Cash (Used)/Provided by Financing Activities	(333	)	 	575	
 	
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2	
 	 	(3	)	
Net (Decrease)/Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(1,824	)	 	1,143	
 	
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	2,951	
 	 	2,304	
 	
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	1,127	
 	 	$	3,447	

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

9

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation

NRG Energy, Inc., or NRG or the Company, is an integrated wholesale power generation and retail electricity company with a significant presence in major competitive power markets in the United States. NRG is engaged in: the ownership, development, construction and operation of power generation facilities; the transacting in and trading of fuel and transportation services; the trading of energy, capacity and related products in the United States and select international markets; and the supply of electricity, energy services, and cleaner energy products to retail electricity customers in deregulated markets through its retail businesses, Reliant Energy, Green Mountain Energy, and Energy Plus.

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the SEC's regulations for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The following notes should be read in conjunction with the accounting policies and other disclosures as set forth in the notes to the Company's financial statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, or 2010 Form 10-K. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments consisting of normal and recurring accruals necessary to present fairly the Company's consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2011, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. They also impact the reported amount of net earnings during the reporting period. Actual results could be different from these estimates.

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Other Cash Flow Information

NRG’s investing activities exclude capital expenditures of $217 million which were accrued and unpaid at September 30, 2011.

Recent Accounting Developments

ASU No. 2011-08 — On September 15, 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2011-08,  Intangibles  —  Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Testing Goodwill for Impairment,  or ASU 2011-08. The objective of ASU 2011-08 is to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment. The amendments in ASU 2011-08 permit an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will evaluate whether it will early adopt ASU 2011-08 for its annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter 2011, and therefore has not yet determined whether there will be any impact on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

10

Note 3 — Comprehensive (Loss)/Income

The following table summarizes the components of the Company's comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax:

 	Three months ended September 30,	 	Nine months ended September 30,	
(In millions)	2011	 	2010	 	2011	 	2010	
Net (loss)/income	$	(55	)	 	$	223	
 	 	$	306	
 	 	$	491	
 	
Changes in derivative instruments	(76	)	 	59	
 	 	(225	)	 	162	
 	
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(27	)	 	36	
 	 	(5	)	 	(6	)	
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	(1	)	
Other comprehensive (loss)/income	(104	)	 	95	
 	 	(231	)	 	155	
 	
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	(1	)	
Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to NRG Energy, Inc.	$	(159	)	 	$	318	
 	 	$	75	
 	 	$	647	
 	
The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income, or OCI, net of tax:

(In millions)	 	
Accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2010	$	432	
 	
Changes in derivative instruments	(225	)	
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(5	)	
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities	$	(1	)	
Accumulated other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2011	$	201	

11

Note 4 — Business Acquisitions and Dispositions

The Company's acquisitions that are considered business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 805,  Business Combinations , with identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed provisionally recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The provisional amounts recognized are subject to revision until the evaluations are completed and to the extent that additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date.

2011 Acquisitions

Energy Plus — On September 30, 2011, NRG acquired Energy Plus Holdings LLC, or Energy Plus, for $193 million in cash, net of $5 million cash acquired, funded from cash on hand. Energy Plus is a retail electricity provider with 180,000 customers, a Northeast concentration and a unique sales channel involving exclusive loyalty and affinity program partnerships. Energy Plus will be run as a separate retail business within NRG. The initial accounting for this business combination is not complete because the evaluations necessary to assess the fair values of certain net assets acquired to be recognized are still in process, and therefore the purchase price has been preliminarily allocated to intangible assets as of September 30, 2011.

Solar Acquisitions

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, NRG acquired stakes in three solar facilities for approximately $165 million in cash consideration, as part of the Company's initiative to capture opportunities for future growth in renewables. In addition, NRG committed to contribute additional amounts into the projects, comprised of $291 million in restricted cash and $934 million in letters of credit as of September 30, 2011. The Company may increase its letters of credit to replace the restricted cash at its discretion. In addition, the projects had $49 million in restricted cash for various agreements. NRG's minority partners had additional equity commitments of $96 million as of September 30, 2011.

The purchase price for these acquisitions, considered business combinations, was provisionally allocated as follows, using a cost approach while the Company is in the process of performing its fair value assessments:

 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	 	
Assets	 	
Restricted cash	$	25	
 	
Property, plant and equipment	575	
 	
Intangible assets	48	
 	
Other current and non-current assets	39	
 	
Total assets	$	687	
 	
Liabilities	 	
Accrued expenses	$	364	
 	
Long-term debt	4	
 	
Total liabilities	368	
 	
Less: Non-controlling interest (Ivanpah)	154	
 	
Net assets acquired	$	165	

As required by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement., the Company is in the process of determining the provisional fair values of the property, plant and equipment and the intangible assets at the acquisition date, and expects to have these provisional fair values determined by the end of 2011.

12

The acquisitions of these three solar facilities are further described below:

California Valley Solar Ranch — On September 30, 2011, NRG Solar LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, acquired 100% of the 250 MW California Valley Solar Ranch project, or CVSR, in eastern San Luis Obispo County, California. Operations are expected to commence in phases beginning in the first quarter of 2012 through the fourth quarter of 2013. Power generated from CVSR will be sold to Pacific Gas and Electric under a 25 year Power Purchase Agreement, or PPA. In connection with the acquisition, High Plains Ranch II, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, entered into the California Valley Solar Ranch Financing Agreement with the Federal Financing Bank, or FFB, which is guaranteed by the United States Department of Energy, or U.S. DOE, to borrow up to $1.2 billion to fund the costs of constructing this solar facility, or the CVSR Financing Agreement. The terms of the borrowing, which are non-recourse to NRG, are described further in Note 9, Long-Term Debt .

Agua Caliente — On August 5, 2011, NRG, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, NRG Solar PV LLC, acquired 100% of the 290 MW Agua Caliente solar project, or Agua Caliente, in Yuma, AZ. Operations are scheduled to commence in phases beginning in the third quarter of 2012 through the first quarter of 2014. Power generated from Agua Caliente will be sold to Pacific Gas and Electric under a 25 year PPA. In connection with the acquisition, Agua Caliente Solar, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, entered into the Agua Caliente Financing Agreement with the FFB, which is guaranteed by the U.S. DOE, to borrow up to $967 million to fund the construction of this solar facility, or the Agua Caliente Financing Agreement. The terms of the borrowings, which are non-recourse to NRG, are described further in Note 9,  Long-Term Debt.

Ivanpah — On April 5, 2011, NRG acquired a 50.1% stake in the 392 MW Ivanpah Solar Electric Generation System, or Ivanpah, from BrightSource Energy, Inc., or BSE. Ivanpah is composed of three separate facilities - Ivanpah 1 (126 MW), Ivanpah 2 (133 MW), and Ivanpah 3 (133 MW), all of which are expected to be fully operational by the end of 2013. Power generated from Ivanpah will be sold to Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric, under multiple 20 to 25 year PPAs. The non-controlling interest represents the fair value of the capital contributions from the minority investors in Ivanpah. Ivanpah has entered into the Ivanpah Credit Agreement with the FFB, which is guaranteed by the U.S. DOE, to borrow up to $1.6 billion to fund the construction of this solar facility, or the Ivanpah Credit Agreement. The terms of the borrowings, which are non-recourse to NRG, are described further in Note 9 , Long-Term Debt .
 
2010 Acquisitions

The Company made several acquisitions in 2010, which were recorded as business combinations under ASC 805. Those acquisitions for which purchase accounting was not finalized as of December 31, 2010, are briefly summarized below. See Note 3,  Business Acquisitions  and Note 12,  Debt and Capital Leases,  in the Company's 2010 Form 10-K for additional information related to these acquisitions.

Green Mountain Energy — On November 5, 2010, NRG acquired Green Mountain Energy for $357 million in cash, net of $75 million cash acquired, funded from cash on hand. The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed were provisionally recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The accounting for the Green Mountain Energy acquisition was completed as of September 30, 2011, at which point the provisional fair values became final with no material changes.

Cottonwood — On November 15, 2010, NRG acquired the Cottonwood Generating Station, or Cottonwood, a 1,265 MW combined cycle natural gas plant in the Entergy zone of east Texas for $507 million in cash, funded from cash on hand. The purchase price was primarily allocated to fixed assets acquired, which were recorded at provisional fair value on the acquisition date. The accounting for the Cottonwood acquisition was completed as of March 31, 2011, at which point the provisional fair values became final with no material changes.

2010 Disposition

Padoma — On January 11, 2010, NRG sold its terrestrial wind development company, Padoma Wind Power LLC, or Padoma, to Enel North America, Inc. NRG recognized a gain on the sale of Padoma of $23 million, which was recorded as a component of operating income in the statement of operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

13

Note 5 — Nuclear Innovation North America LLC Developments, Including Impairment Charge

Nuclear Innovation North America LLC, or NINA, which is majority-owned by NRG, was established in May 2008 to focus on marketing, siting, developing, financing and investing in new advanced design nuclear projects in select markets across North America, including the planned South Texas Project Units 3 and 4, or STP 3 & 4, Project. Toshiba America Nuclear Energy Corporation, or TANE, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, is the minority owner of NINA. NINA is a bankruptcy remote entity under NRG's corporate structure and designated as an Excluded Project Subsidiary under NRG's 2011 Senior Credit Facility and senior unsecured notes, which require that NRG not be obligated to contribute any capital to service NINA's debt or fund the repayment of any NINA debt in the event of a default. Furthermore, NRG is not required to continue the funding of NINA and any capital provided to NINA by any other equity partner could result in the dilution of NRG's equity interest.

On March 11, 2011, Japan was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami which, in turn, triggered a nuclear incident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station owned by The Tokyo Electric Power Company of Japan, Inc., or TEPCO. The nuclear incident in Japan introduced multiple and substantial uncertainties around new nuclear development in the United States and the availability of debt and equity financing to NINA. Consequently, NINA announced, on March 21, 2011, that it was reducing the scope of development at the STP 3 & 4 expansion to allow time for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or NRC, and other nuclear stakeholders to assess the impacts from the events in Japan. NINA suspended indefinitely all detailed engineering work and other pre-construction activities and, as a result, dramatically reduced the project workforce. The decision to reduce the scope of activities was made jointly by NINA, NRG and Toshiba. Further, on April 19, 2011, NRG announced that, while it will cooperate with and support its current partners and any prospective future partners in attempting to develop STP 3 & 4 successfully, NRG was withdrawing from further financial participation in NINA's development of STP 3 & 4. NINA, going forward, will be focused solely on securing a combined operating license from the NRC and on obtaining the loan guarantee from the U.S. DOE, two items that are essential to the success of any future project development. TANE agreed, for the time being, to assume responsibility for NINA's ongoing costs associated with continuation of the licensing process.

Due to the events described above, NRG evaluated its investment in NINA for impairment. As part of this process, NRG evaluated the contractual rights and economic interests held by the various stakeholders in NINA, and concluded that while it continues to hold majority legal ownership, NRG ceased to have a controlling financial interest in NINA at the end of the first quarter of 2011. Consequently, NRG deconsolidated NINA as of March 31, 2011, in accordance with ASC 810,  Consolidation , or ASC 810. This resulted in the removal of the following amounts from NRG's consolidated balance sheet: $930 million of construction in progress; $154 million of accounts payable and accrued expenses; $297 million of long-term debt; $17 million of non-controlling interest; and $19 million of other assets and liabilities. Furthermore, NRG assessed the impact of the diminished prospects for the STP 3 & 4 project on the fair value of NINA's assets relative to NINA's existing liabilities as well as NINA's potential contingent liabilities. Based on this assessment, the Company concluded it was remote that NRG would recover any portion of the carrying amount of its equity investment in NINA and, consequently, recorded an impairment charge of $481 million as of March 31, 2011 for the full amount of its investment. In concurrence with the substantial reduction in NINA's project workforce, and to support NINA's reduced scope of work, NRG contributed approximately $11 million from the second quarter of 2011 and $3 million from the third quarter of 2011, bringing the total impairment charge to $495 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. NRG expects to incur additional one-time costs, related to contributions to NINA, of up to $6 million, bringing these total expected costs to $20 million. These additional contributions are expensed as incurred to "Impairment charge on investment." This impairment charge included net assets contributed from all of NINA's equity investors, both NRG and TANE, which the Company previously consolidated.

As part of a March 1, 2010, settlement of litigation with CPS Energy, or CPS, NRG had agreed to pay $80 million to CPS, subject to the U.S. DOE's approval of a fully executed term sheet for a conditional U.S. DOE loan guarantee for STP 3 & 4. NRG also had agreed to donate an additional $10 million, unconditionally, over four years in annual payments of $2.5 million to the Residential Energy Assistance Partnership, or REAP, in San Antonio. Payments of $5 million were made to REAP through March 31, 2011. As a result of the events stemming from the nuclear incident in Japan, the Company no longer believes it probable that the conditional U.S. DOE loan guarantee will be received or accepted. Therefore, as of March 31, 2011, the Company reversed the $80 million contingent liability to CPS previously recorded within other current liabilities, along with the $80 million of associated amounts capitalized to construction in progress within property, plant and equipment. At September 30, 2011, $5 million in liabilities remains on the condensed consolidated balance sheet for the obligations to REAP.

14

Note 6 — Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated carrying values and fair values of NRG's recorded financial instruments are as follows:

 	Carrying Amount	 	Fair Value	
 	September 30, 2011	 	December 31, 2010	 	September 30, 2011	 	December 31, 2010	
 	(In millions)	
Assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,127	
 	 	$	2,951	
 	 	$	1,127	
 	 	$	2,951	
 	
Funds deposited by counterparties	259	
 	 	408	
 	 	259	
 	 	408	
 	
Restricted cash	441	
 	 	8	
 	 	441	
 	 	8	
 	
Cash collateral paid in support of energy
    risk management activities	316	
 	 	323	
 	 	316	
 	 	323	
 	
Investment in available-for-sale securities (classified within other non-current assets):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Debt securities	8	
 	 	8	
 	 	8	
 	 	8	
 	
Marketable equity securities	1	
 	 	3	
 	 	1	
 	 	3	
 	
Trust fund investments	401	
 	 	414	
 	 	401	
 	 	414	
 	
Notes receivable	131	
 	 	177	
 	 	136	
 	 	190	
 	
Derivative assets	3,121	
 	 	2,722	
 	 	3,121	
 	 	2,722	
 	
Restricted cash supporting funded letter of credit facility	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	
Liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Long-term debt, including current portion	9,185	
 	 	9,104	
 	 	8,830	
 	 	9,236	
 	
Funded letter of credit	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,295	
 	
Cash collateral received in support of energy
   risk management activities	259	
 	 	408	
 	 	259	
 	 	408	
 	
Derivative liabilities	$	2,497	
 	 	$	2,050	
 	 	$	2,497	
 	 	$	2,050	

15

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	Fair Value	
As of September 30, 2011	Level 1	 	Level 2	 	Level 3	 	Total	
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,127	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	1,127	
 	
Funds deposited by counterparties	259	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	259	
 	
Restricted cash	441	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	441	
 	
Cash collateral paid in support of energy risk management activities	316	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	316	
 	
Investment in available-for-sale securities (classified within other
    non-current assets):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Debt securities	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	8	
 	 	8	
 	
Marketable equity securities	1	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1	
 	
Trust fund investments:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	1	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1	
 	
U.S. government and federal agency obligations	45	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	45	
 	
Federal agency mortgage-backed securities	—	
 	 	66	
 	 	—	
 	 	66	
 	
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—	
 	 	7	
 	 	—	
 	 	7	
 	
Corporate debt securities	—	
 	 	52	
 	 	—	
 	 	52	
 	
Marketable equity securities	193	
 	 	—	
 	 	33	
 	 	226	
 	
Foreign government fixed income securities	—	
 	 	4	
 	 	—	
 	 	4	
 	
Derivative assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Commodity contracts	1,513	
 	 	1,569	
 	 	39	
 	 	3,121	
 	
Total assets	$	3,896	
 	 	$	1,698	
 	 	$	80	
 	 	$	5,674	
 	
Cash collateral received in support of energy risk management activities	$	259	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	259	
 	
Derivative liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Commodity contracts	1,564	
 	 	805	
 	 	46	
 	 	2,415	
 	
Interest rate contracts	—	
 	 	82	
 	 	—	
 	 	82	
 	
Total liabilities	$	1,823	
 	 	$	887	
 	 	$	46	
 	 	$	2,756	

16

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	Fair Value	
As of December 31, 2010	Level 1	 	Level 2	 	Level 3	 	Total	
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,951	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	2,951	
 	
Funds deposited by counterparties	408	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	408	
 	
Restricted cash	8	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	8	
 	
Cash collateral paid in support of energy risk management activities	323	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	323	
 	
Investment in available-for-sale securities (classified within other
non-current assets):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Debt securities	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	8	
 	 	8	
 	
Marketable equity securities	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	3	
 	
Trust fund investments:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	9	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	9	
 	
U.S. government and federal agency obligations	27	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	27	
 	
Federal agency mortgage-backed securities	—	
 	 	57	
 	 	—	
 	 	57	
 	
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—	
 	 	11	
 	 	—	
 	 	11	
 	
Corporate debt securities	—	
 	 	56	
 	 	—	
 	 	56	
 	
Marketable equity securities	213	
 	 	—	
 	 	39	
 	 	252	
 	
Foreign government fixed income securities	—	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	2	
 	
Derivative assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Commodity contracts	652	
 	 	2,046	
 	 	24	
 	 	2,722	
 	
Restricted cash supporting funded letter of credit facility	1,300	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	
Total assets	$	5,894	
 	 	$	2,172	
 	 	$	71	
 	 	$	8,137	
 	
Cash collateral received in support of energy risk management activities	$	408	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	408	
 	
Derivative liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Commodity contracts	660	
 	 	1,251	
 	 	51	
 	 	1,962	
 	
Interest rate contracts	—	
 	 	88	
 	 	—	
 	 	88	
 	
Total liabilities	$	1,068	
 	 	$	1,339	
 	 	$	51	
 	 	$	2,458	

17

There were no transfers during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010, between Levels 1 and 2. The following tables reconcile, for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010, the beginning and ending balances for financial instruments that are recognized at fair value in the consolidated financial statements at least annually using significant unobservable inputs:

 	Fair Value Measurement Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	 	
 	Three months ended September 30, 2011	 	Nine months ended September 30, 2011	 	
 	Debt Securities	 	Trust Fund Investments	 	 	 	 	 	Debt Securities	 	Trust Fund Investments	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	 	 	 	 	Derivatives(a)	 	Total	 	 	 	 	 	Derivatives(a)	 	Total	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Beginning Balance	$	9	
 	 	$	41	
 	 	$	(26	)	 	$	24	
 	 	$	8	
 	 	$	39	
 	 	$	(27	)	 	$	20	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total gains/(losses) - realized/unrealized:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Included in earnings	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	19	
 	 	19	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Included in OCI	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Included in nuclear decommissioning obligations	—	
 	 	(8	)	 	—	
 	 	(8	)	 	—	
 	 	(7	)	 	—	
 	 	(7	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Purchases	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(2	)	 	(2	)	 	—	
 	 	1	
 	 	6	
 	 	7	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Transfers into Level 3 (b)	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	13	
 	 	13	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(17	)	 	(17	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Transfers out of Level 3  (b)	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	8	
 	 	8	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	12	
 	 	12	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Ending balance as of September 30, 2011	$	8	
 	 	$	33	
 	 	$	(7	)	 	$	34	
 	 	$	8	
 	 	$	33	
 	 	$	(7	)	 	$	34	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
The amount of the total gains for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains relating to assets still held as of September 30, 2011	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	(1	)	 	$	(1	)	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	6	
 	 	$	6	

 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Fair Value Measurement Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	 	
 	Three months ended September 30, 2010	 	Nine months ended September 30, 2010	 	
 	Debt Securities	 	Trust Fund Investments	 	 	 	 	 	Debt Securities	 	Trust Fund Investments	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	 	 	 	 	Derivatives(a)	 	Total	 	 	 	 	 	Derivatives(a)	 	Total	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Beginning Balance	$	10	
 	 	$	32	
 	 	$	(76	)	 	$	(34	)	 	$	9	
 	 	$	37	
 	 	$	(13	)	 	$	33	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total gains/(losses) - realized/unrealized:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Included in earnings	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	18	
 	 	21	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	(13	)	 	(10	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Included in OCI	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Included in nuclear decommissioning obligations	—	
 	 	5	
 	 	—	
 	 	5	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Purchases	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(10	)	 	(10	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	(1	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Sales	(5	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(5	)	 	(5	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(5	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Transfers into Level 3 (b)	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	31	
 	 	31	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(16	)	 	(16	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Transfers out of Level 3 (b)	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(8	)	 	(8	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(2	)	 	(2	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Ending balance as of September 30, 2010	$	7	
 	 	$	37	
 	 	$	(45	)	 	$	(1	)	 	$	7	
 	 	$	37	
 	 	$	(45	)	 	$	(1	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
The amount of the total gains for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains relating to assets still held as of September 30, 2010	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	12	
 	 	$	12	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	(24	)	 	$	(24	)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	
(a)	Consists of derivative assets and liabilities, net.	
 	 	
(b)	Transfers into/out of Level 3 are related to the availability of external broker quotes, and are valued as of the end of the reporting period. All transfers into/out are with Level 2.	

Realized and unrealized gains and losses included in earnings that are related to the energy derivatives are recorded in operating revenues and cost of operations.

In determining the fair value of NRG's Level 2 and 3 derivative contracts, NRG applies a credit reserve to reflect credit risk which is calculated based on credit default swaps. As of September 30, 2011, the credit reserve resulted in a $15 million decrease in fair value which is composed of a $5 million loss in OCI and a $10 million loss in operating revenue and cost of operations. As of September 30, 2010, the credit reserve resulted in a $6 million decrease in fair value which is composed of a $3 million loss in OCI and a $3 million loss in operating revenue and cost of operations.

18

Concentration of Credit Risk

In addition to the credit risk discussion as disclosed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Company's 2010 Form 10-K, the following item is a discussion of the concentration of credit risk for the Company's contractual obligations. Credit risk relates to the risk of loss resulting from non-performance or non-payment by counterparties pursuant to the terms of their contractual obligations. NRG is exposed to counterparty credit risk through various activities including wholesale sales, fuel purchases and retail supply arrangements, and retail customer credit risk through its retail load activities.

Counterparty Credit Risk

The Company monitors and manages counterparty credit risk through credit policies that include: (i) an established credit approval process; (ii) daily monitoring of counterparties' credit limits; (iii) the use of credit mitigation measures such as margin, collateral, prepayment arrangements, or volumetric limits; (iv) the use of payment netting arrangements; and (v) the use of master netting agreements that allow for the netting of positive and negative exposures of various contracts associated with a single counterparty. Risk surrounding counterparty performance and credit could ultimately impact the amount and timing of expected cash flows. The Company seeks to mitigate counterparty credit risk with a diversified portfolio of counterparties. The Company also has credit protection within various agreements to call on additional collateral support if and when necessary. Cash margin is collected and held at NRG to cover the credit risk of the counterparty until positions settle.

As of September 30, 2011, counterparty credit exposure to a significant portion of the Company's counterparties was $1.2 billion and NRG held collateral (cash and letters of credit) against those positions of $262 million, resulting in a net exposure of $938 million. Counterparty credit exposure is discounted at the risk free rate. The following tables highlight the counterparty credit quality and the net counterparty credit exposure by industry sector. Net counterparty credit exposure is defined as the aggregate net asset position for NRG with counterparties where netting is permitted under the enabling agreement and includes all cash flow, mark-to-market and Normal Purchase Normal Sale, or NPNS, and non-derivative transactions. The exposure is shown net of collateral held, and includes amounts net of receivables or payables.

 	Net Exposure (a)	
Category	(% of Total)	
Financial institutions	55	%	
Utilities, energy merchants, marketers and other	37	
 	
Coal and emissions	5	
 	
ISOs	3	
 	
Total as of September 30, 2011	100	%	

 	
 	 	 	
 	Net Exposure (a)	
Category	(% of Total)	
Investment grade	75	%	
Non-Investment grade	1	
 	
Non-rated (b)	24	
 	
Total as of September 30, 2011	100	%	
 	 	
(a)	Counterparty credit exposure excludes uranium and coal transportation contracts because of the unavailability of market prices.	
 	 	
(b)	For non-rated counterparties, the majority are related to ISO and municipal public power entities, which are considered investment grade equivalent ratings based on NRG's internal credit ratings.	

NRG has counterparty credit risk exposure to certain counterparties representing more than 10% of total net exposure discussed above and the aggregate of such counterparties was $263 million. Approximately 73% of NRG's positions relating to this credit risk roll-off by the end of 2012. Changes in hedge positions and market prices will affect credit exposure and counterparty concentration. Given the credit quality, diversification and term of the exposure in the portfolio, NRG does not anticipate a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations from nonperformance by any of NRG's counterparties.

19

Counterparty credit exposure described above excludes credit risk exposure under certain long term agreements, including California tolling agreements, South Central load obligations, solar PPA's, and a coal supply agreement. As external sources or observable market quotes are not available to estimate such exposure, the Company valued these contracts based on various techniques including but not limited to internal models based on a fundamental analysis of the market and extrapolation of observable market data with similar characteristics. Based on these valuation techniques, as of September 30, 2011, credit risk exposure to these counterparties is approximately $686 million for the next five years. This amount excludes potential credit exposure for projects with long term PPAs that have not reached commercial operations. Many of these power contracts are with utilities or public power entities that have strong credit quality and specific public utility commission or other regulatory support. In the case of the coal supply agreement, NRG holds a lien against the underlying asset. These factors significantly reduce the risk of loss.

Retail Customer Credit Risk

NRG is exposed to credit risk through the Company's competitive electricity supply business, which serves retail customers. Retail credit risk results when a customer fails to pay for services rendered. The losses may result from both nonpayment of customer accounts receivable and the loss of in-the-money forward value. NRG manages retail credit risk through the use of established credit policies that include monitoring of the portfolio, and the use of credit mitigation measures such as deposits or prepayment arrangements.

As of September 30, 2011, the Company's retail customer credit exposure to C&I customers was diversified across many customers and various industries, with a significant portion of the exposure attributable to government entities.

NRG is also exposed to retail customer credit risk relating to its Mass customers, which may result in a write-off of bad debt. During 2011, the Company continued to experience improved customer payment behavior, but current economic conditions may affect the ability of the Company's customers to pay bills in a timely manner, which could increase customer delinquencies and may lead to an increase in bad debt expense.

This footnote should be read in conjunction with the complete description under Note 5, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to the Company's 2010 Form 10-K.

20

Note 7 — Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund

NRG's nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets, which are for its portion of the decommissioning of the South Texas Project, or STP 1 & 2, are comprised of securities classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value based on actively quoted market prices. NRG accounts for the nuclear decommissioning trust fund in accordance with ASC 980,  Regulated Operations , or ASC 980. Since the Company is in compliance with PUCT rules and regulations regarding decommissioning trusts and the cost of decommissioning is the responsibility of the Texas ratepayers, not NRG, all realized and unrealized gains or losses (including other-than-temporary impairments) related to the Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund are recorded to the Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Liability to the ratepayers and are not included in net income or accumulated other comprehensive income, consistent with regulatory treatment.

The following table summarizes the aggregate fair values and unrealized gains and losses (including other-than-temporary impairments) for the securities held in the trust funds, as well as information about the contractual maturities of those securities.

 	As of September 30, 2011	 	As of December 31, 2010	
(In millions, except otherwise noted)	Fair Value	 	Unrealized Gains	 	Unrealized Losses	 	Weighted- average maturities (in years)	 	Fair Value	 	Unrealized Gains	 	Unrealized Losses	 	Weighted- average maturities (in years)	
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	$	9	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	—	
 	
U.S. government and federal agency obligations	43	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	10	
 	 	25	
 	 	1	
 	 	—	
 	 	9	
 	
Federal agency mortgage-backed securities	66	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	21	
 	 	57	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	24	
 	
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	7	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	28	
 	 	11	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	29	
 	
Corporate debt securities	52	
 	 	3	
 	 	1	
 	 	10	
 	 	56	
 	 	3	
 	 	1	
 	 	10	
 	
Marketable equity securities	226	
 	 	91	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	252	
 	 	117	
 	 	1	
 	 	—	
 	
Foreign government fixed income securities	4	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	6	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	8	
 	
Total	$	399	
 	 	$	100	
 	 	$	3	
 	 	 	 	$	412	
 	 	$	123	
 	 	$	2	

The following tables summarize proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities and the related realized gains and losses from these sales. The cost of securities sold is determined on the specific identification method.

 	Nine months ended September 30,	
(In millions)	2011	 	2010	
Realized gains	$	4	
 	 	$	4	
 	
Realized losses	3	
 	 	2	
 	
Proceeds from sale of securities	294	
 	 	219	

21

Note 8 — Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

This footnote should be read in conjunction with the complete description under Note 6, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities , to the Company's 2010 Form 10-K.

Energy-Related Commodities

As of September 30, 2011, NRG had energy-related derivative financial instruments extending through December 2013, which are designated as cash flow hedges.

Interest Rate Swaps

NRG is exposed to changes in interest rates through the Company's issuance of variable and fixed rate debt. In order to manage the Company's interest rate risk, NRG enters into interest rate swap agreements. As of September 30, 2011, NRG had interest rate derivative instruments on recourse debt extending through 2013 and on non-recourse debt extending through 2029, the majority of which are designated as cash flow hedges.

Volumetric Underlying Derivative Transactions

The following table summarizes the net notional volume buy/(sell) of NRG's open derivative transactions broken out by commodity, excluding those derivatives that qualified for the NPNS exception as of September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010. Option contracts are reflected using delta volume. Delta volume equals the notional volume of an option adjusted for the probability that the option will be in-the-money at its expiration date.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Total Volume	
 	 	September 30, 2011	December 31, 2010	
Commodity	Units	(In millions)	
Emissions	Short Ton	(3	)	—	
 	
Coal	Short Ton	40	
 	34	
 	
Natural Gas	MMBtu	(8	)	(175	)	
Oil	Barrel	—	
 	1	
 	
Power	MWh	14	
 	5	
 	
Capacity	MW/Day	—	
 	(1	)	
Interest	Dollars	$	1,265	
 	$	2,782	

22

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The following table summarizes the fair value within the derivative instrument valuation on the balance sheet:

 	Fair Value	
 	Derivative Assets	 	Derivative Liabilities	
(In millions)	September 30, 2011	 	December 31, 2010	 	September 30, 2011	 	December 31,
2010	
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow or Fair Value Hedges:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest rate contracts current	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	17	
 	
Interest rate contracts long-term	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	81	
 	 	71	
 	
Commodity contracts current	203	
 	 	392	
 	 	—	
 	 	2	
 	
Commodity contracts long-term	63	
 	 	217	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	
Total Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow or Fair Value Hedges	266	
 	 	609	
 	 	81	
 	 	90	
 	
Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow or Fair Value Hedges:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Commodity contracts current	$	2,385	
 	 	$	1,572	
 	 	$	2,089	
 	 	$	1,666	
 	
Commodity contracts long-term	470	
 	 	541	
 	 	326	
 	 	294	
 	
Interest rate contracts long-term	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1	
 	 	—	
 	
Total Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow or
Fair Value Hedges	2,855	
 	 	2,113	
 	 	2,416	
 	 	1,960	
 	
Total Derivatives	$	3,121	
 	 	$	2,722	
 	 	$	2,497	
 	 	$	2,050	

23

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table summarizes the effects of ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging, or ASC 815, on NRG’s accumulated OCI balance attributable to cash flow hedge derivatives, net of tax:

 	Three months ended September 30, 2011	 	Nine months ended September 30, 2011	
(In millions)	Energy Commodities	 	Interest Rate	 	Total	 	Energy Commodities	 	Interest Rate	 	Total	
Accumulated OCI beginning balance	$	332	
 	 	$	(40	)	 	$	292	
 	 	$	488	
 	 	$	(47	)	 	$	441	
 	
Reclassified from accumulated OCI to income:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
- Due to realization of previously deferred amounts	(91	)	 	—	
 	 	(91	)	 	(281	)	 	11	
 	 	(270	)	
Mark-to-market of cash flow hedge accounting contracts	19	
 	 	(4	)	 	15	
 	 	53	
 	 	(8	)	 	45	
 	
Accumulated OCI ending balance, net of $136 tax	$	260	
 	 	$	(44	)	 	$	216	
 	 	$	260	
 	 	$	(44	)	 	$	216	
 	
Gains/(losses) expected to be realized from OCI during the next 12 months, net of $107 tax	$	186	
 	 	$	(2	)	 	$	184	
 	 	$	186	
 	 	$	(2	)	 	$	184	
 	
Gains recognized in income from the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges	$	9	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	9	
 	 	$	8	
 	 	$	3	
 	 	$	11	

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Three months ended September 30, 2010	 	Nine months ended September 30, 2010	
(In millions)	Energy Commodities	 	Interest Rate	 	Total	 	Energy Commodities	 	Interest Rate	 	Total	
Accumulated OCI beginning balance	$	575	
 	 	$	(66	)	 	$	509	
 	 	$	461	
 	 	$	(55	)	 	$	406	
 	
Reclassified from accumulated OCI to income:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
- Due to realization of previously deferred amounts	(110	)	 	—	
 	 	(110	)	 	(344	)	 	—	
 	 	(344	)	
Mark-to-market of cash flow hedge accounting contracts	173	
 	 	(4	)	 	169	
 	 	521	
 	 	(15	)	 	506	
 	
Accumulated OCI ending balance, net of $342 tax	$	638	
 	 	$	(70	)	 	$	568	
 	 	$	638	
 	 	$	(70	)	 	$	568	
 	
Gains/(losses) expected to be realized from OCI during the next 12 months, net of $224 tax	$	407	
 	 	$	(24	)	 	$	383	
 	 	$	407	
 	 	$	(24	)	 	$	383	
 	
Gains recognized in income from the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges	$	14	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	14	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	2	
 	 	$	2	

Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI into income and amounts recognized in income from the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are recorded to operating revenue for commodity contracts and interest expense for interest rate contracts.

Accounting guidelines require a high degree of correlation between the derivative and the hedged item throughout the period in order to qualify as a cash flow hedge. As of July 31, 2011, the Company's regression analysis for natural gas prices to ERCOT power prices, while positively correlated, did not meet the required threshold for cash flow hedge accounting for calendar year 2011. As a result, the Company de-designated its 2011 ERCOT cash flow hedges as of July 31, 2011 and prospectively marked these derivatives to market through the income statement.
The following table summarizes the amount of gain/(loss) resulting from fair value hedges reflected in interest income/(expense) for interest rate contracts:

 	Three months ended September 30,	 	Nine months ended September 30,	
(In millions)	2011	 	2010	 	2011	 	2010	
Derivative	$	—	
 	 	$	(3	)	 	$	—	
 	 	$	—	
 	
Senior Notes (hedged item)	—	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	

Impact of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations

In accordance with ASC 815, unrealized gains and losses associated with changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not accounted for as cash flow hedge derivatives and ineffectiveness of hedge derivatives are reflected in current period earnings.

24

The following table summarizes the pre-tax effects of economic hedges that did not qualify for cash flow hedge accounting, ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges, and trading activity on NRG's statement of operations. These gains are included within operating revenues and cost of operations.

 	Three months ended September 30,	 	Nine months ended September 30,	
(In millions)	2011	 	2010	 	2011	 	2010	
Unrealized mark-to-market results	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized losses/(gains) on settled positions related to economic hedges	$	50	
 	 	$	(25	)	 	$	72	
 	 	$	(116	)	
Reversal of (gain)/loss positions acquired as part of the Reliant Energy acquisition as of May 1, 2009	(15	)	 	7	
 	 	32	
 	 	157	
 	
Reversal of loss positions acquired as part of the Green Mountain Energy acquisition as of November 5, 2010	4	
 	 	 	 	28	
 	 	—	
 	
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on open positions related to economic hedges	(7	)	 	(60	)	 	77	
 	 	(129	)	
Gains on ineffectiveness associated with open positions treated as
    cash flow hedges	9	
 	 	14	
 	 	8	
 	 	—	
 	
Total unrealized mark-to-market gains/(losses) for economic hedging activities	41	
 	 	(64	)	 	217	
 	 	(88	)	
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized losses on settled positions related to trading activity	8	
 	 	20	
 	 	22	
 	 	46	
 	
Net unrealized gains on open positions related to trading activity	—	
 	 	9	
 	 	22	
 	 	32	
 	
Total unrealized mark-to-market gains for trading activity	8	
 	 	29	
 	 	44	
 	 	78	
 	
Total unrealized gains/(losses)	$	49	
 	 	$	(35	)	 	$	261	
 	 	$	(10	)	

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Three months ended September 30,	 	Nine months ended September 30,	
(In millions)	2011	 	2010	 	2011	 	2010	
Revenue from operations — energy commodities	$	89	
 	 	$	27	
 	 	$	193	
 	 	$	13	
 	
Cost of operations	(40	)	 	(62	)	 	68	
 	 	(23	)	
Total impact to statement of operations	$	49	
 	 	$	(35	)	 	$	261	
 	 	$	(10	)	

Reliant Energy's positions were acquired as of May 1, 2009, and valued using forward prices on that date. Green Mountain Energy's loss positions were acquired as of November 5, 2010, and valued using forward prices on that date. The roll-off amounts were offset by realized gains or losses at the settled prices and are reflected in the cost of operations during the same period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the unrealized gain from open economic hedge positions is the result of an increase in value of forward purchases and sales of natural gas, electricity and fuel due to a decrease in forward power and gas prices.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the unrealized loss from open economic hedge positions is the result of a decrease in value of forward purchases of natural gas, electricity and fuel due to a decrease in forward power and gas prices. This was partially offset by an increase in the value of forward sales of natural gas and electricity.

Credit Risk Related Contingent Features

Certain of the Company's hedging agreements contain provisions that require the Company to post additional collateral if the counterparty determines that there has been deterioration in credit quality, generally termed “adequate assurance” under the agreements, or requires the Company to post additional collateral if there were a one notch downgrade in the Company's credit rating. The collateral required for contracts with adequate assurance clauses that are in a net liability position as of September 30, 2011, was $36 million. The collateral required for contracts with credit rating contingent features was $36 million. The Company is also a party to certain marginable agreements where NRG has a net liability position but the counterparty has not called for the collateral due, which was approximately $14 million as of September 30, 2011.

See Note 6, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to this Form 10-Q for discussion regarding concentration of credit risk.

25

Note 9 — Long-Term Debt

This footnote should be read in conjunction with the complete description under Note 12, Debt and Capital Leases, to the Company's 2010 Form 10-K.

Long-term debt and capital leases consisted of the following:

 	 	September 30, 2011	 	December 31, 2010	 	Interest rate (a)	
 	 	(In millions, except rates)	
NRG Recourse Debt:	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Senior notes, due 2021	 	$	1,200	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	7.875	
Senior notes, due 2020	 	1,100	
 	 	1,100	
 	 	8.250	
Senior notes, due 2019	 	800	
 	 	—	
 	 	7.625	
Senior notes, due 2019	 	691	
 	 	690	
 	 	8.500	
Senior notes, due 2018	 	1,200	
 	 	—	
 	 	7.625	
Senior notes, due 2017	 	1,090	
 	 	1,100	
 	 	7.375	
Senior notes, due 2016	 	—	
 	 	2,400	
 	 	7.375	
Senior notes, due 2014	 	—	
 	 	1,205	
 	 	7.250	
Term loan facility, due 2018	 	1,592	
 	 	—	
 	 	L+3.00	
Term loan facility, due 2013 - 2015 (b)	 	—	
 	 	1,759	
 	 	L+1.75 - L+3.25	
Indian River Power LLC, tax-exempt bonds, due 2040	 	57	
 	 	1	
 	 	6.000	
Indian River Power LLC, tax-exempt bonds, due 2045	 	126	
 	 	66	
 	 	5.375	
Dunkirk Power LLC, tax-exempt bonds, due 2042	 	59	
 	 	59	
 	 	5.875	
Subtotal NRG Recourse Debt	 	7,915	
 	 	8,380	

NRG Non-Recourse Debt:	 	 	 	 	 	 	
NRG Peaker Finance Co. LLC, bonds, due 2019	 	$	210	
 	 	$	206	
 	 	L+1.07	
NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC, senior secured notes,
   due 2013, 2017, and 2025	 	153	
 	 	163	
 	 	5.95 - 7.31	
Ivanpah Financing:	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Solar Partners I, due 2014 and 2033	 	210	
 	 	—	
 	 	1.126 - 3.991	
Solar Partners II, due 2014 and 2038	 	221	
 	 	—	
 	 	1.116 - 4.195	
Solar Partners VIII, due 2014 and 2038	 	195	
 	 	—	
 	 	1.381 - 4.256	
Agua Caliente Solar, LLC	 	108	
 	 	—	
 	 	2.915 - 3.256	
NRG Connecticut Peaking Development LLC, equity bridge loan facility, due 2011	 	—	
 	 	61	
 	 	L+2	
NINA TANE facility	 	—	
 	 	144	
 	 	L+2	
NINA Shaw facility	 	—	
 	 	23	
 	 	L+6	
South Trent Wind LLC, financing agreement, due 2020	 	76	
 	 	78	
 	 	L+2.5	
NRG Solar Blythe LLC, credit agreement, due 2028	 	28	
 	 	29	
 	 	L+2.5	
NRG Roadrunner LLC	 	46	
 	 	—	
 	 	L+2.01	
Other	 	23	
 	 	20	
 	 	various	
Subtotal NRG Non-Recourse Debt	 	1,270	
 	 	724	

Subtotal long-term debt	 	9,185	
 	 	9,104	
 	 	 	
Capital leases:	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Saale Energie GmbH, Schkopau capital lease, due 2021	 	104	
 	 	107	
 	 	 	
Subtotal	 	9,289	
 	 	9,211	
 	 	 	
Less current maturities	 	81	
 	 	463	
 	 	 	
Total long-term debt and capital leases	 	$	9,208	
 	 	$	8,748	
 	 	 	
Funded letter of credit (b)	 	$	—	
 	 	$	1,300	
 	 	L+1.75 - L+3.25	
(a) L+ equals LIBOR plus x%.
(b) On July 1, 2011, the Term loan facility, due 2013-2015 and Funded letter of credit were repaid and replaced, as described below under Senior Credit Facility .

26

Issuance of 2018 Senior Notes

On January 26, 2011, NRG issued $1.2 billion aggregate principal amount at par of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2018, or 2018 Senior Notes. The 2018 Senior Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated February 2, 2006, between NRG and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee, as amended through a Supplemental Indenture, which is discussed in Note 12,  Debt and Capital Leases,  in the Company's 2010 Form 10-K. The Indenture and the form of the note provide, among other things, that the 2018 Senior Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of NRG.

The net proceeds were used primarily to complete the tender offer of the 2014 Senior Notes. Interest is payable semi-annually beginning on July 15, 2011, until their maturity date of January 15, 2018.

Prior to maturity, NRG may redeem all or a portion of the 2018 Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a premium and accrued and unpaid interest. The premium is the greater of: (i) 1.00% of the principal amount of the note or (ii) the excess of the present value of the principal amount at maturity plus all required interest payments due on the note through the maturity date discounted at a Treasury rate plus 0.50%.

Redemption of 2014 Senior Notes

On January 26, 2011, the Company redeemed $945 million of the 2014 Senior Notes through a tender offer, at an early redemption percentage of 102.063%. An additional $2 million was tendered at a redemption percentage of 100.063% and the remaining $253 million of 2014 Senior Notes were called on February 25, 2011, at a redemption percentage of 101.813%. A $28 million loss on the extinguishment of the 2014 Senior Notes was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2011, which primarily consisted of the premiums paid on the redemption and the write-off of previously deferred financing costs.

Issuance of 7.625% 2019 Senior Notes and 2021 Senior Notes

On May 24, 2011, NRG issued $800 million aggregate principal amount at par of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2019, or the 7.625% 2019 Senior Notes, and $1.2 billion aggregate principal amount at par of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2021, or the 2021 Senior Notes. The 7.625% 2019 Senior Notes and the 2021 Senior Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated February 2, 2006, between NRG and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee, as amended through Supplemental Indentures, which is discussed in Note 12,  Debt and Capital Leases , in the Company's 2010 Form 10-K. The Indentures and the form of the notes provide, among other things, that the 7.625% 2019 Senior Notes and the 2021 Senior Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of NRG.

The net proceeds of $2 billion for both the 7.625% 2019 Senior Notes and the 2021 Senior Notes were used to complete the tender offer of the 2016 Senior Notes. Interest is payable semi-annually beginning on November 15, 2011, until their maturity dates of May 15, 2019, and May 15, 2021, respectively.

Prior to May 15, 2014, NRG may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 7.625% 2019 Senior Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, at a redemption price of 107.625% of the principal amount. Prior to May 15, 2014, NRG may redeem all or a portion of the 7.625% 2019 Senior Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a premium and accrued and unpaid interest. The premium is the greater of: (i) 1% of the principal amount of the notes; or (ii) the excess of the principal amount of the note over the following: the present value of 103.813% of the note, plus interest payments due on the note from the date of redemption through May 15, 2014, discounted at a Treasury rate plus 0.50%. In addition, on or after May 15, 2014, NRG may redeem some or all of the notes at redemption prices expressed as percentages of principal amount as set forth in the following table, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the notes redeemed to the first applicable redemption date:

 	 	
Redemption Period	Redemption Percentage	
May 15, 2014 to May 14, 2015	103.813%	
May 15, 2015 to May 14, 2016	101.906%	
May 15, 2016 and thereafter	100.000%	

27

Prior to May 15, 2016, NRG may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Senior Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, at a redemption price of 107.875% of the principal amount. Prior to May 15, 2016, NRG may redeem all or a portion of the 2021 Senior Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a premium and accrued and unpaid interest. The premium is the greater of: (i) 1% of the principal amount of the notes; or (ii) the excess of the principal amount of the note over the following: the present value of 103.938% of the note, plus interest payments due on the note from the date of redemption through May 15, 2016, discounted at a Treasury rate plus 0.50%. In addition, on or after May 15, 2016, NRG may redeem some or all of the notes at redemption prices expressed as percentages of principal amount as set forth in the following table, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the notes redeemed to the first applicable redemption date:

Redemption Period	Redemption Percentage	
May 15, 2016 to May 14, 2017	103.938%	
May 15, 2017 to May 14, 2018	102.625%	
May 15, 2018 to May 14, 2019	101.313%	
May 15, 2019 and thereafter	100.000%	

In connection with the 7.625% 2019 Senior Notes and the 2021 Senior Notes, NRG entered into a registration payment arrangement. For the 7.625% 2019 Senior Notes and the 2021 Senior Notes, for the first 90-day period immediately following a registration default, additional interest will be paid in an amount equal to 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of 7.625% 2019 Senior Notes or the 2021 Senior Notes outstanding, as applicable. The amount of interest paid will increase by an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all registration defaults are cured, up to a maximum amount of interest of 1% per annum of the principal amount of the 7.625% 2019 Senior Notes or the 2021 Senior Notes outstanding, as applicable. The additional interest is paid on the next scheduled interest payment date and following the cure of the registration default, the additional interest payment will cease.

Redemption of 2016 Senior Notes

On May 24, 2011, the Company redeemed $1.7 billion of the 2016 Senior Notes through a tender offer, at an early redemption percentage of 103.938%. An additional $0.4 million was tendered at a redemption percentage of 102.938% and the remaining $666 million of 2016 Senior Notes was called on June 23, 2011, at a redemption percentage of 103.688%. A $115 million loss on the extinguishment of the 2016 Senior Notes was recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, which primarily consisted of the premiums paid on the redemption and the write-off of previously deferred financing costs.

Senior Credit Facility

Prepayment of Senior Credit Facility — In March 2011, NRG made a repayment of approximately $149 million to its first lien lenders under the Term Loan Facility. This payment resulted from the mandatory annual offer of a portion of NRG's excess cash flow (as defined in the Senior Credit Facility) for 2010.

2011 Senior Credit Facility — On July 1, 2011, NRG replaced its Senior Credit Facility, consisting of its Term Loan Facility, Revolving Credit Facility and Funded Letter of Credit Facility, with a new senior secured facility, or the 2011 Senior Credit Facility, which includes the following:
 	 	
•	A $2.3 billion revolving credit facility, or the 2011 Revolving Credit Facility, with a maturity date of July 1, 2016, which will pay interest on amounts drawn at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%. In connection with the issuance of the 2011 Revolving Credit Facility, the outstanding letters of credit were novated from the Funded Letter of Credit Facility to the 2011 Revolving Credit Facility. In addition, the related Funded Letter of Credit loan was repaid, the non-current restricted cash balance was returned to the lenders and the related balances were removed from NRG's balance sheet. A $13 million loss on extinguishment of the Revolving Credit Facility and Funded Letter of Credit Facility was recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2011, which consisted of the write-off of previously deferred financing costs. As of September 30, 2011, a total of $1.949 billion letters of credit were issued under the 2011 Revolving Credit Facility.	

•	A $1.6 billion term loan facility, or the 2011 Term Loan Facility, with a maturity date of July 1, 2018, which will pay interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 3%, with a LIBOR floor of 1%. The debt was issued at 99.75% of face value; the discount will be amortized to interest expense over the life of the loan. Repayments under the 2011Term Loan Facility will consist of 0.25% per quarter, with the remainder due at maturity. The proceeds of the new term loan facility were used to repay the existing Term Loan Facility balance outstanding. A $19 million loss on extinguishment of the Term Loan Facility was recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2011, which consisted of the write-off of previously deferred financing costs.	

28

Indian River Power LLC Tax-Exempt Bonds

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company received additional proceeds of $60 million from the Delaware Economic Development Authority tax-exempt bond financing, and $56 million from the Sussex County, Delaware tax-exempt bond financing, bringing the total proceeds received as of September 30, 2011, to $126 million and $57 million, respectively.

Ivanpah Financing

On April 5, 2011, NRG acquired a majority interest in Ivanpah, as discussed in Note 4, Business Acquisitions and Dispositions . On April 5, 2011, Ivanpah entered into the Ivanpah Credit Agreement with the FFB to borrow up to $1.6 billion to finance the costs of constructing the Ivanpah solar facilities. Each phase of the project is governed by a separate financing agreement and is non recourse to both the other projects and to NRG. Funding requests are submitted to the FFB on a monthly basis and the loans provided by the FFB are guaranteed by the U.S. DOE.   Amounts borrowed under the Ivanpah Credit Agreement accrue interest at a fixed rate based on U.S. Treasury rates plus a spread of 0.375% and are secured by all the assets of Ivanpah. Ivanpah intends to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Treasury for a cash grant; any proceeds received will be utilized to repay the borrowings that mature in 2014.

The following table reflects the borrowings under the Ivanpah Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2011:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Maximum borrowings available under Ivanpah Credit Agreement	 	Amounts borrowed	 	Weighted average interest rate on amounts borrowed	
 	(In millions, except rates)	
Solar Partners I, due June 27, 2014 (a)	$	159	
 	 	$	153	
 	 	1.678	%	
Solar Partners I, due June 27, 2033	392	
 	 	57	
 	 	3.641	%	
Solar Partners II, due February 27, 2014 (a)	132	
 	 	129	
 	 	1.609	%	
Solar Partners II, due February 27, 2038	387	
 	 	92	
 	 	3.925	%	
Solar Partners VIII, due October 27, 2014 (a)	117	
 	 	111	
 	 	1.996	%	
Solar Partners VIII, due October 27, 2038	440	
 	 	84	
 	 	4.021	%	
 	$	1,627	
 	 	$	626	
 	 	 	
(a) The cash portion of the loan is fully drawn; additional amounts will be utilized for capitalized interest. 

Roadrunner Financing

On May 25, 2011, NRG, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, NRG Roadrunner LLC, or Roadrunner, entered into a credit agreement with a bank, or the Roadrunner Financing Agreement, for a $47 million construction loan that converts to a term loan and a $21 million cash grant loan, both of which have an interest rate of LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.01%. The term loans have an interest rate of LIBOR plus an applicable margin which escalates 0.25% every five years and ranges from 2.01% at closing to 2.76% in year fifteen through maturity. The term loan, which is secured by all the assets of Roadrunner, matures on November 30, 2031, and amortizes based upon a predetermined schedule. The cash grant loan matures upon the earlier of the receipt of the cash grant or January 2012. The Roadrunner Financing Agreement also includes a letter of credit facility on behalf of Roadrunner of up to $5 million. Roadrunner pays an availability fee of 100% of the applicable margin on issued letters of credit. As of September 30, 2011, $46 million was outstanding under the construction loan and $2 million letters of credit in support of the PPA were issued.

Also related to the Roadrunner Financing Agreement, in April 2011, Roadrunner entered into a fixed for floating interest rate swap for 75% of the outstanding term loan amount, intended to hedge the risks associated with floating interest rates. Roadrunner will pay its counterparty the equivalent of a 4.313% fixed interest payment on a predetermined notional value, and Roadrunner will receive quarterly the equivalent of a floating interest payment based on a three month LIBOR calculated on the same notional value. All interest rate swap payments by Roadrunner and its counterparty are made quarterly and the LIBOR rate is determined in advance of each interest period. The original notional amount of the swap, which became effective September 30, 2011 and matures in December 2029, was $36 million and amortizes in proportion to the loan.

29

CVSR Financing

On September 30, 2011, NRG acquired CVSR, as discussed in Note 4, Business Acquisitions and Dispositions. In connection with the acquisition, High Plains Ranch II LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, entered into the CVSR Financing Agreement with the FFB, to borrow up to $1.2 billion to finance the costs of constructing this solar facility. The CVSR Financing Agreement, which matures in 2037, is non-recourse to NRG. Funding requests will be submitted to the FFB on a monthly basis and the loans provided by the FFB are guaranteed by the U.S. DOE. Amounts borrowed under the CVSR Financing Agreement accrue interest at a fixed rate based on U.S. Treasury rates plus a spread of 0.375%, and are secured by the assets of CVSR. As of September 30, 2011, no amounts were drawn under this agreement. CVSR intends to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Treasury for a cash grant; any proceeds received will be utilized to repay borrowings under the CVSR Financing Agreement.

Agua Caliente Financing

On August 5, 2011, NRG acquired Agua Caliente, as discussed in Note 4, Business Acquisitions and Dispositions.  In connection with the acquisition, Agua Caliente Solar LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, entered into the Agua Caliente Financing Agreement with the FFB, to borrow up to $967 million to finance the costs of constructing this solar facility.  The Agua Caliente Financing Agreement, which matures in 2037, is non-recourse to NRG. Funding requests will be submitted to the FFB on a monthly basis and the loans provided by the FFB are guaranteed by the U.S. DOE. Amounts borrowed under the Agua Caliente Financing Agreement accrue interest at a fixed rate based on U.S. Treasury rates plus a spread of 0.375%, and are secured by the assets of Agua Caliente.  As of September 30, 2011, $108 million had been drawn under this agreement.

NRG West Holdings Credit Agreement

On August 23, 2011, NRG, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, NRG West Holdings LLC, or West Holdings, entered into a credit agreement with a group of lenders in respect to the El Segundo Energy Center, or the West Holdings Credit Agreement. The West Holdings Credit Agreement, which establishes a $540 million, two tranche construction loan facility with additional facilities for the issuance of letters of credit or working capital loans, is non-recourse to NRG and is secured by the assets of West Holdings.
The two tranche construction loan facility consists of the $480 million Tranche A Construction Facility, or the Tranche A Facility, and the $60 million Tranche B Construction Facility, or the Tranche B Facility. The Tranche A and Tranche B Facilities, which mature in August 2023, convert to a term loan and have an interest rate of LIBOR, plus an applicable margin which increases by 0.125% periodically from conversion through year eight for the Tranche A Facility and increases by 0.125% upon term conversion and on the third and sixth anniversary of the term conversion and by 0.250% on the eighth anniversary of the term conversion for the Tranche B Facility. The Tranche A and Tranche B Facilities amortize based upon a predetermined schedule over the term of the loan with the balance payable at maturity.
The West Holdings Credit Agreement also provides for the issuance of letters of credit and working capital loans to support the El Segundo Energy Center collateral needs. This includes letter of credit facilities on behalf of West Holdings of up to $90 million in support of the PPA, up to $48 million in support of the collateral agent, and a working capital facility which permits loans or the issuance of letters of credit of up to $10 million.
As of September 30, 2011, no amounts had been borrowed under the West Holdings Credit Agreement. On October 18, 2011, under the West Holdings Credit Agreement, West Holdings borrowed $106 million under the Tranche A Facility, issued a $30 million letter of credit in support of the PPA, and issued a $7 million letter of credit under the working capital facility.
Also related to the West Holdings Credit Agreement, on October 18, 2011, West Holdings entered into five fixed for floating interest rate swaps for, in aggregate, 75% of the outstanding construction and term loan amount of both the Tranche A Facility and Tranche B Facility. The swaps are intended to hedge the risks associated with floating interest rates.  The swaps are forward starting and become effective on November 30, 2011. West Holdings will pay its counterparties quarterly the equivalent of a 2.4165% annualized fixed interest payment on a predetermined notional value, and West Holdings will receive quarterly the equivalent of a floating interest payment based on three month LIBOR calculated, in advance of the relevant interest period, on the same notional value. The original notional amount of the swaps, which mature on August 31, 2023, will be $135 million in aggregate and amortizes in proportion to the loan.

NRG CT Peaking

On June 29, 2011, NRG Connecticut Peaking Development LLC repaid the $61 million outstanding under the equity bridge loan facility, or EBL. The commitment was terminated and the collateral held under the EBL, including the letter of credit issued by NRG under the Funded Letter of Credit Facility, has been returned. The EBL was used to fund the majority of the equity portion of the GenConn Energy LLC investment.

30

Note 10 — Variable Interest Entities, or VIEs

NRG has interests in entities that are considered Variable Interest Entities, or VIEs, under ASC 810 but NRG is not considered the primary beneficiary.  NRG accounts for its interests in these entities under the equity method of accounting.

Sherbino I Wind Farm LLC — NRG owns a 50% interest in Sherbino, a joint venture with BP Wind Energy North America Inc. NRG's maximum exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment, which was $94 million as of September 30, 2011.

GenConn Energy LLC — Through its subsidiary, NRG Connecticut Peaking Development LLC, or NRG Connecticut, NRG owns a 50% interest in GenConn, a limited liability company formed to construct, own and operate two 200 MW peaking generation facilities in Connecticut at NRG's Devon and Middletown sites. The GenConn Devon facility reached commercial operation in 2010 and the GenConn Middleton facility reached commercial operations in June 2011. In July of 2011, NRG Connecticut's note receivable due from GenConn of $63 million, as discussed in Note 9,  Capital Leases and Notes Receivable  to the Company's 2010 Form 10-K, was converted into equity. NRG's maximum exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment, which was $134 million as of September 30, 2011.

Note 11 — Changes in Capital Structure

As of September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, the Company had 500,000,000 shares of common stock authorized. The following table reflects the changes in NRG's common shares issued and outstanding:

 	Issued	Treasury	Outstanding	
Balance as of December 31, 2010	304,006,027	
 	(56,808,672	)	247,197,355	
 	
Shares issued under LTIP	168,295	
 	—	
 	168,295	
 	
Shares issued under ESPP	—	
 	120,127	
 	120,127	
 	
Capital Allocation Plan repurchases	—	
 	(8,879,574	)	(8,879,574	)	
Balance as of September 30, 2011	304,174,322	
 	(65,568,119	)	238,606,203	

2011 Capital Allocation Plan

On February 22, 2011, the Company announced a plan to repurchase $180 million of common stock under the Company's 2011 Capital Allocation Plan.  During the first quarter, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement, or ASR Agreement, with a financial institution to repurchase a total of $130 million of NRG common stock, based on a volume weighted average price less a specified discount. Pursuant to the ASR Agreement, the Company received 6,229,574 shares of NRG common stock on April 29, 2011.  On August 4 2011, the Company announced additional share repurchases of $250 million under the Capital Allocation Plan, bringing the total targeted share repurchases for 2011 to $430 million.  During the month of August 2011, the Company purchased 2,650,000 shares of NRG common stock for approximately $58 million.

During the third quarter, the Company entered into a second accelerated share repurchase agreement, or the Second ASR Agreement, with a financial institution to repurchase a total of $190 million of NRG common stock, based on a volume weighted average price less a specified discount. The Second ASR Agreement was accounted for as a forward contract indexed to the Company's own stock and recorded as treasury stock during the third quarter. The share repurchases under the Second ASR Agreement were completed on October 6, 2011, and the Company received 8,646,224 shares of NRG common stock. The Company intends to complete its remaining $52 million of share repurchases by the end of 2011, subject to market prices, financial restrictions under the Company's debt facilities, and as permitted by securities laws.

31

Note 12 — (Loss)/Earnings Per Share

Basic (loss)/earnings per common share is computed by dividing net (loss)/income less accumulated preferred stock dividends by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Shares issued and treasury shares repurchased during the year are weighted for the portion of the year that they were outstanding. Diluted (loss)/earnings per share is computed in a manner consistent with that of basic (loss)/earnings per share while giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the period. Shares borrowed under the Share Lending Agreement (see Note 15,  Capital Structure  — Share Lending Agreements  in the Company's 2010 Form 10-K) were not treated as outstanding for earnings per share purposes.

The reconciliation of NRG's basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per share is shown in the following table:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Three months ended September 30,	 	Nine months ended September 30,	
(In millions, except per share data)	2011	 	2010	 	2011	 	2010	
Basic (loss)/earnings per share attributable to NRG common stockholders	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Numerator:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net (loss)/income attributable to NRG Energy, Inc.	$	(55	)	 	$	223	
 	 	$	306	
 	 	$	492	
 	
Preferred stock dividends	(2	)	 	(2	)	 	(7	)	 	(7	)	
Net (loss)/income attributable to NRG Energy, Inc. available to common stockholders	$	(57	)	 	$	221	
 	 	$	299	
 	 	$	485	
 	
Denominator:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	240	
 	 	252	
 	 	243	
 	 	254	
 	
Basic (loss)/earnings per share:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net (loss)/income attributable to NRG Energy, Inc.	$	(0.24	)	 	$	0.88	
 	 	$	1.23	
 	 	$	1.91	
 	
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share attributable to NRG common stockholders	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Numerator:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net (loss)/income attributable to NRG Energy, Inc. available to common stockholders	$	(57	)	 	$	221	
 	 	$	299	
 	 	$	485	
 	
Denominator:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	240	
 	 	252	
 	 	243	
 	 	254	
 	
Incremental shares attributable to the issuance of equity compensation (treasury stock method)	—	
 	 	1	
 	 	2	
 	 	1	
 	
Total dilutive shares	240	
 	 	253	
 	 	245	
 	 	255	
 	
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net (loss)/income attributable to NRG Energy, Inc.	$	(0.24	)	 	$	0.87	
 	 	$	1.22	
 	 	$	1.90	

The following table summarizes NRG’s outstanding equity instruments that are anti-dilutive and were not included in the computation of the Company’s diluted (loss)/earnings per share:

 	Three months ended September 30,	 	Nine months ended September 30,	
(In millions of shares)	2011	 	2010	 	2011	 	2010	
Equity compensation — NQSOs and PUs	7	
 	 	6	
 	 	7	
 	 	6	
 	
Embedded derivative of 3.625% redeemable perpetual preferred stock	16	
 	 	16	
 	 	16	
 	 	16	
 	
Total	23	
 	 	22	
 	 	23	
 	 	22	

32

Note 13 — Segment Reporting

NRG's segment structure reflects core areas of operation which are primarily segregated based on the Company's wholesale power generation, Reliant Energy, thermal and chilled water business, and corporate activities. Within NRG's wholesale power generation operations, there are distinct components with separate operating results and management structures for the following geographical regions: Texas, Northeast, South Central, West and International. The Company's corporate activities include solar and wind development, NINA activity, Green Mountain Energy, and Energy Plus. Intersegment supply sales between Texas, Reliant Energy, and Green Mountain Energy, are accounted for at market.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	 	 	Wholesale Power Generation	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Three months ended September 30, 2011	Reliant
Energy	 	Texas(a)(b)	 	Northeast	 	South
Central	 	West	 	Internat-
ional	 	Thermal	 	Corporate(c)(d)	 	Elimination	 	Total	
Operating revenues	$	1,637	
 	 	$	822	
 	 	$	299	
 	 	$	279	
 	 	$	49	
 	 	$	35	
 	 	$	37	
 	 	$	227	
 	 	$	(711	)	 	$	2,674	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	24	
 	 	124	
 	 	33	
 	 	23	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	4	
 	 	27	
 	 	—	
 	 	238	
 	
Equity in earnings/(losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	—	
 	 	5	
 	 	4	
 	 	—	
 	 	5	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	16	
 	
Income/(loss) before income taxes	65	
 	 	(56	)	 	10	
 	 	23	
 	 	24	
 	 	8	
 	 	3	
 	 	(212	)	 	—	
 	 	(135	)	
Net income/(loss) attributable to NRG Energy, Inc.	$	65	
 	 	$	(56	)	 	$	10	
 	 	$	23	
 	 	$	24	
 	 	$	6	
 	 	$	3	
 	 	$	(130	)	 	$	—	
 	 	$	(55	)	
Total assets	$	1,623	
 	 	$	12,834	
 	 	$	1,919	
 	 	$	1,279	
 	 	$	2,389	
 	 	$	676	
 	 	$	347	
 	 	$	17,774	
 	 	$	(14,081	)	 	$	24,760	

(a)	Includes inter-segment sales of $597 million to Reliant Energy and $110 million to Green Mountain Energy.	
 	 	
(b)	Includes impairment charge on emission allowances of $160 million.	
 	 	
(c)	Includes Green Mountain Energy results, and Energy Plus assets as of the September 30, 2011, date of acquisition.	
 	 	
(d)	Includes impairment charges on investment of $3 million and loss on debt extinguishment of $32 million.	

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	 	 	Wholesale Power Generation	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Three months ended September 30, 2010	Reliant
Energy	 	Texas(e)	 	Northeast	 	South
Central	 	West	 	Internat-
ional	 	Thermal	 	Corporate	 	Elimination	 	Total	
Operating revenues	$	1,562	
 	 	$	1,040	
 	 	$	353	
 	 	$	166	
 	 	$	43	
 	 	$	30	
 	 	$	40	
 	 	$	(1	)	 	$	(548	)	 	$	2,685	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	32	
 	 	124	
 	 	29	
 	 	17	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	3	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	210	
 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	—	
 	 	8	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	4	
 	 	4	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	16	
 	
(Loss)/income before income taxes	(20	)	 	439	
 	 	23	
 	 	8	
 	 	20	
 	 	10	
 	 	3	
 	 	(171	)	 	—	
 	 	312	
 	
Net (loss)/income attributable to
NRG Energy, Inc.	$	(20	)	 	$	439	
 	 	$	23	
 	 	$	8	
 	 	$	20	
 	 	$	7	
 	 	$	3	
 	 	$	(257	)	 	$	—	
 	 	$	223	
 	
(e) Includes inter-segment sales of $547 million to Reliant Energy.

33

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	 	 	Wholesale Power Generation	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Nine months ended September 30, 2011	Reliant
Energy	 	Texas(a)(b)	 	Northeast	 	South
Central	 	West	 	Internat-
ional	 	Thermal	 	Corporate(c)(d)	 	Elimination	 	Total	
Operating revenues	$	3,906	
 	 	$	2,175	
 	 	$	771	
 	 	$	656	
 	 	$	129	
 	 	$	108	
 	 	$	109	
 	 	$	510	
 	 	$	(1,417	)	 	$	6,947	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	72	
 	 	368	
 	 	89	
 	 	65	
 	 	9	
 	 	—	
 	 	11	
 	 	51	
 	 	—	
 	 	665	
 	
Equity in (losses)/earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	9	
 	 	—	
 	 	10	
 	 	9	
 	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	26	
 	
Income/(loss) before income taxes	368	
 	 	154	
 	 	(3	)	 	49	
 	 	49	
 	 	26	
 	 	6	
 	 	(1,158	)	 	—	
 	 	(509	)	
Net income/(loss) attributable to NRG Energy, Inc.	$	368	
 	 	$	154	
 	 	$	(3	)	 	$	49	
 	 	$	49	
 	 	$	20	
 	 	$	6	
 	 	$	(337	)	 	$	—	
 	 	$	306	

(a)	Includes inter-segment sales of $1,230 million to Reliant Energy and $176 million to Green Mountain Energy.	
 	 	
(b)	Includes impairment charge on emission allowances of $160 million.	
 	 	
(c)	Includes Green Mountain Energy results.	
 	 	
(d)	Includes impairment charges on investment of $495 million, loss on debt extinguishment of $175 million, and tax benefit of $633 million resulting from the resolution of the federal tax audit.	

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	 	 	Wholesale Power Generation	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Nine months ended September 30, 2010	Reliant
Energy	 	Texas (e)	 	Northeast	 	South
Central	 	West	 	Internat-ional	 	Thermal	 	Corporate	 	Elimination	 	Total	
Operating revenues	$	4,020	
 	 	$	2,602	
 	 	$	837	
 	 	$	461	
 	 	$	110	
 	 	$	95	
 	 	$	103	
 	 	$	(3	)	 	$	(1,192	)	 	$	7,033	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	91	
 	 	365	
 	 	92	
 	 	49	
 	 	8	
 	 	—	
 	 	8	
 	 	7	
 	 	—	
 	 	620	
 	
Equity in earnings/(losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	—	
 	 	19	
 	 	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	5	
 	 	19	
 	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	41	
 	
Income/(loss) before income taxes	69	
 	 	971	
 	 	73	
 	 	8	
 	 	34	
 	 	51	
 	 	5	
 	 	(449	)	 	—	
 	 	762	
 	
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	
Net income/(loss)attributable to NRG Energy, Inc.	$	69	
 	 	$	972	
 	 	$	73	
 	 	$	8	
 	 	$	34	
 	 	$	36	
 	 	$	5	
 	 	$	(705	)	 	$	—	
 	 	$	492	
 	
(e) Includes inter-segment sales of $1,187 million to Reliant Energy.

34

Note 14 — Income Taxes

Effective Tax Rate
The income tax provision consisted of the following:

 	Three months ended September 30,	 	Nine months ended September 30,	
(In millions except otherwise noted)	2011	 	2010	 	2011	 	2010	
Income tax (benefit)/expense	$	(80	)	 	$	89	
 	 	$	(815	)	 	$	271	
 	
Effective tax rate	59.3	%	 	28.5	%	 	160.1	%	 	35.6	%	

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, NRG recorded an income tax benefit on pre-tax losses of $135 million and $509 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, NRG's overall effective tax rate was different than the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a reduction in the valuation allowance and a benefit of $633 million resulting from the resolution of the federal tax audit. The benefit is predominantly due to the recognition of previously uncertain tax benefits that were effectively settled upon audit in June 2011 and that were mainly composed of net operating losses of $536 million which had been classified as capital loss carryforwards for financial statement purposes. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, NRG's overall effective tax rate was different than the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a reduction in the valuation allowance resulting from the generation of capital gains partially offset by state and local income taxes.

Uncertain tax benefits

In the second quarter of 2011, the Company received the audit report effectively closing the Internal Revenue Service's audit examination for the years 2004 through 2006. The Company believes the matters addressed under audit are effectively settled in accordance with ASC 740 and recognized a benefit of $536 million to income tax expense during the 2011 second quarter. In August, the Company received the income tax refund for the years under examination.

As of September 30, 2011, a non-current tax liability of $55 million for uncertain tax benefits remains from positions taken on various state tax returns, including accrued interest. NRG has accrued interest and penalties related to these uncertain tax benefits of $2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, and has accrued $10 million since adoption. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits in income tax expense.

The Company continues to be under examination for various state jurisdictions for multiple years.

Tax Receivable and Payable

As of September 30, 2011, NRG recorded a current tax payable of $22 million that represents a tax liability due for domestic state taxes of $19 million, as well as foreign taxes payable of $3 million. In addition, as of September 30, 2011, NRG has a domestic tax receivable of $57 million, of which $45 million is related to property tax refunds as a result of the New York State Empire Zone program. In addition, we have recorded a $49 million non-current asset for Empire Zone credits generated in 2010 and 2011 that are being deferred pursuant to New York State law.

Note 15 — Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

NRG sponsors and operates three defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. In addition, NRG has a 44% undivided ownership interest in STP 1 & 2. South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company, or STPNOC, which operates and maintains STP 1 & 2, provides its employees a defined benefit pension plan as well as postretirement health and welfare benefits. Although NRG does not sponsor the South Texas Project plans, it reimburses STPNOC for 44% of the contributions made towards its retirement plan obligations.

The total amount of employer contributions paid for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, including reimbursements to STPNOC, was $29 million. Relating to its sponsored plans as well as its 44% interest in STP 1 & 2, the Company recognized total net periodic benefit cost of $10 million and $29 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and $9 million and $24 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

35

Note 16 — Commitments and Contingencies

First Lien Structure

NRG has granted first liens to certain counterparties on substantially all of the Company's assets to reduce the amount of cash collateral and letters of credit that it would otherwise be required to post from time to time to support its obligations under out-of-the-money hedge agreements for forward sales of power or MWh equivalents. The Company's lien counterparties may have a claim on NRG's assets to the extent market prices exceed the hedged price. As of September 30, 2011, all hedges under the first liens were in-the-money for NRG on a counterparty aggregate basis.

Contingencies

Set forth below is a description of the Company's material legal proceedings. The Company believes that it has valid defenses to these legal proceedings and intends to defend them vigorously. Pursuant to the requirements of ASC 450,  Contingencies  and related guidance, NRG records reserves for estimated losses from contingencies when information available indicates that a loss is probable and the amount of the loss, or range of loss, can be reasonably estimated. In addition, legal costs are expensed as incurred. Management has assessed each of the following matters based on current information and made a judgment concerning its potential outcome, considering the nature of the claim, the amount and nature of damages sought, and the probability of success. Unless specified below, the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these legal proceedings or reasonably estimate the scope or amount of any associated costs and potential liabilities. As additional information becomes available, management adjusts its assessment and estimates of such contingencies accordingly. Because litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties and unfavorable rulings or developments, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of the Company's liabilities and contingencies could be at amounts that are different from its currently recorded reserves and that such difference could be material.

In addition to the legal proceedings noted below, NRG and its subsidiaries are party to other litigation or legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In management's opinion, the disposition of these ordinary course matters will not materially adversely affect NRG's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

California Department of Water Resources

This matter concerns, among other contracts and other defendants, the California Department of Water Resources, or CDWR, and its wholesale power contract with subsidiaries of WCP (Generation) Holdings, Inc., or WCP. The case originated with a February 2002 complaint filed by the State of California alleging that many parties, including WCP subsidiaries, overcharged the State of California. For WCP, the alleged overcharges totaled approximately $940 million for 2001 and 2002. The complaint demanded that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, abrogate the CDWR contract and sought refunds associated with revenues collected under the contract. In 2003, the FERC rejected this complaint, denied rehearing, and the case was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit where oral argument was held on December 8, 2004. On December 19, 2006, the Ninth Circuit decided that in the FERC's review of the contracts at issue, the FERC could not rely on the Mobile-Sierra  standard presumption of just and reasonable rates, where such contracts were not reviewed by the FERC with full knowledge of the then existing market conditions. WCP and others sought review by the U.S. Supreme Court. WCP's appeal was not selected, but instead held by the Supreme Court. In the appeal that was selected by the Supreme Court, on June 26, 2008, the Supreme Court ruled: (i) that the  Mobile-Sierra  public interest standard of review applied to contracts made under a seller's market-based rate authority; (ii) that the public interest “bar” required to set aside a contract remains a very high one to overcome; and (iii) that the  Mobile-Sierra  presumption of contract reasonableness applies when a contract is formed during a period of market dysfunction unless (a) such market conditions were caused by the illegal actions of one of the parties or (b) the contract negotiations were tainted by fraud or duress. In this related case, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the Ninth Circuit's decision agreeing that the case should be remanded to the FERC to clarify the FERC's 2003 reasoning regarding its rejection of the original complaint relating to the financial burdens under the contracts at issue and to alleged market manipulation at the time these contracts were formed. As a result, the U.S. Supreme Court then reversed and remanded the WCP CDWR case to the Ninth Circuit for treatment consistent with its June 26, 2008, decision in the related case. On October 20, 2008, the Ninth Circuit asked the parties in the remanded CDWR case, including WCP and the FERC, whether that Court should answer a question the U.S. Supreme Court did not address in its June 26, 2008, decision; whether the  Mobile-Sierra  doctrine applies to a third-party that was not a signatory to any of the wholesale power contracts, including the CDWR contract, at issue in that case. Without answering that reserved question, on December 4, 2008, the Ninth Circuit vacated its prior opinion and remanded the WCP CDWR case back to the FERC for proceedings consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court's June 26, 2008, decision.

36

On December 15, 2008, WCP and the other seller-defendants filed with the FERC a Motion for Order Governing Proceedings on Remand. On January 14, 2009, the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California filed an Answer and Cross Motion for an Order Governing Procedures on Remand and on January 28, 2009, WCP and the other seller-defendants filed their reply. At this time, the FERC has not acted on remand.

At this time, while NRG cannot predict with certainty whether WCP will be required to make refunds for rates collected under the CDWR contract or estimate the range of any such possible refunds, a reconsideration of the CDWR contract by the FERC with a resulting order mandating significant refunds could have a material adverse impact on NRG's financial position, statement of operations, and statement of cash flows. As part of the 2006 acquisition of Dynegy's 50% ownership interest in WCP, WCP and NRG assumed responsibility for any risk of loss arising from this case, unless any such loss was deemed to have resulted from certain acts of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Dynegy, in which case any such loss would be shared equally between WCP and Dynegy.

On January 14, 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in an unrelated proceeding involving the Mobile-Sierra doctrine that will affect the standard of review applied to the CDWR contract on remand before the FERC. In  NRG Power Marketing v. Maine Public Utilities Commission , the Supreme Court held that the  Mobile-Sierra  presumption regarding the reasonableness of contract rates does not depend on the identity of the complainant who seeks a FERC investigation/refund.

Louisiana Generating, LLC

On February 11, 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice, or U.S. DOJ, acting at the request of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or U.S. EPA, commenced a lawsuit against Louisiana Generating, LLC, or LaGen, in federal district court in the Middle District of Louisiana alleging violations of the Clean Air Act, or CAA, at the Big Cajun II power plant. This is the same matter for which Notices of Violation, or NOVs, were issued to LaGen on February 15, 2005, and on December 8, 2006. Specifically, it is alleged that in the late 1990's, several years prior to NRG's acquisition of the Big Cajun II power plant from the Cajun Electric bankruptcy and several years prior to the NRG bankruptcy, modifications were made to Big Cajun II Units 1 and 2 by the prior owners without appropriate or adequate permits and without installing and employing the best available control technology, or BACT, to control emissions of nitrogen oxides and/or sulfur dioxides. The relief sought in the complaint includes a request for an injunction to: (i) preclude the operation of Units 1 and 2 except in accordance with the CAA; (ii) order the installation of BACT on Units 1 and 2 for each pollutant subject to regulation under the CAA; (iii) obtain all necessary permits for Units 1 and 2; (iv) order the surrender of emission allowances or credits; (v) conduct audits to determine if any additional modifications have been made which would require compliance with the CAA's Prevention of Significant Deterioration program; (vi) award to the Department of Justice its costs in prosecuting this litigation; and (vii) assess civil penalties of up to $27,500 per day for each CAA violation found to have occurred between January 31, 1997, and March 15, 2004, up to $32,500 for each CAA violation found to have occurred between March 15, 2004, and January 12, 2009, and up to $37,500 for each CAA violation found to have occurred after January 12, 2009.

On April 27, 2009, LaGen filed an objection in the Cajun Electric Cooperative Power, Inc.'s bankruptcy proceeding in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Louisiana to seek to prevent the bankruptcy from closing. LaGen also filed a complaint, or adversary proceeding, in the same bankruptcy proceeding, seeking a judgment that: (i) it did not assume liability from Cajun Electric for any claims or other liabilities under environmental laws with respect to Big Cajun II that arose, or are based on activities that were undertaken, prior to the closing date of the acquisition; (ii) it is not otherwise the successor to Cajun Electric with respect to environmental liabilities arising prior to the acquisition; and (iii) Cajun Electric and/or the Bankruptcy Trustee are exclusively liable for any of the violations alleged in the February 11, 2009, lawsuit to the extent that such claims are determined to have merit. On April 15, 2010, the bankruptcy court signed an order granting LaGen's stipulation of voluntary dismissal without prejudice of the adversary proceeding. The bankruptcy proceeding has since closed.

On June 8, 2009, the parties filed a joint status report in the U.S. DOJ lawsuit setting forth their views of the case and proposing a trial schedule. While the district court entered a Joint Case Management Order on April 28, 2010, indicating the potential of a 2011 liability phase trial, no such trial date has been set.

37

On August 24, 2009, LaGen filed a motion to dismiss this lawsuit, and on September 25, 2009, the U.S. DOJ filed its opposition to the motion. Thereafter, on February 18, 2010, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, or LDEQ, filed a motion to intervene in the above lawsuit and a complaint against LaGen for alleged violations of Louisiana's Prevention of Significant Deterioration, or PSD, regulations and Louisiana's Title V operating permit program. LDEQ seeks substantially similar relief to that requested by the U.S. DOJ. On February 19, 2010, the district court granted LDEQ's motion to intervene. On April 26, 2010, LaGen filed a motion to dismiss the LDEQ complaint. On July 21, 2010, the motions to dismiss the U.S. DOJ and LDEQ complaints were argued to the district court. On August 20, 2010, the parties submitted proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and both parties have submitted additional briefing on emerging jurisprudence from other jurisdictions touching on the issues at stake in the U.S. DOJ lawsuit. On February 4, 2011, LaGen filed motions for summary judgment requesting that the court dismiss all of the U.S. DOJ's claims. Also on February 4, 2011, the U.S. DOJ filed three motions for partial summary judgment. Additional summary judgment briefing was filed by the parties on April 4, 2011. On April 20, 2011, the district court ruled that certain of the liability phase deadlines were vacated until the court ruled on the summary judgment motions submitted by the parties. A status conference was held with the magistrate judge on August 5, 2011. On August 26, 2011, the magistrate judge entered an order delaying remedy phase discovery 90 days. On September 12, 2011, the court set certain motions for summary judgment for hearing on November 2, 2011, at which time the court heard oral argument. No decisions have been issued.

Excess Mitigation Credits

From January 2002 to April 2005, CenterPoint Energy applied excess mitigation credits, or EMCs, to its monthly charges to retail electric providers as ordered by the PUCT. The PUCT imposed these credits to facilitate the transition to competition in Texas, which had the effect of lowering the retail electric providers' monthly charges payable to CenterPoint Energy. As indicated in its Petition for Review filed with the Supreme Court of Texas on June 2, 2008, CenterPoint Energy has claimed that the portion of those EMCs credited to Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC, or RERS, a retail electric provider and NRG subsidiary acquired from RRI Energy, Inc. (formerly Reliant Energy, Inc.), totaled $385 million for RERS's “Price to Beat” Customers. It is unclear what the actual number may be. “Price to Beat” was the rate RERS was required by state law to charge residential and small commercial customers that were transitioned to RERS from the incumbent integrated utility company commencing in 2002. In its original stranded cost case brought before the PUCT on March 31, 2004, CenterPoint Energy sought recovery of all EMCs that were credited to all retail electric providers, including RERS, and the PUCT ordered that relief in its Order on Rehearing in Docket No. 29526, on December 17, 2004. After an appeal to state district court, the court entered a final judgment on August 26, 2005, affirming the PUCT's order with regard to EMCs credited to RERS. Various parties filed appeals of that judgment, and on April 17, 2008, the Court of Appeals for the Third District reversed the lower court's decision ruling that CenterPoint Energy's stranded cost recovery should exclude only EMCs credited to RERS for its “Price to Beat” customers. On June 2, 2008, CenterPoint Energy's Petition for Review with the Supreme Court of Texas was accepted. Oral argument occurred on October 6, 2009, and on March 18, 2011, the Texas Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals, finding no basis for deducting EMCs credited to RERS. Motions for rehearing were filed on May 4, 2011. On June 10, 2011, the Texas Supreme Court denied all motions for rehearing, thereby ending the matter.

In November 2008, CenterPoint Energy and Reliant Energy Inc., or REI, on behalf of itself and affiliates including RERS, agreed to suspend unexpired deadlines, if any, related to limitations periods that might exist for possible claims against REI and its affiliates if CenterPoint Energy is ultimately not allowed to include in its stranded cost calculation those EMCs previously credited to RERS. The agreed upon suspension of unexpired deadlines ceased on August 29, 2011. NRG believes that any possible future CenterPoint Energy claim against RERS for EMCs credited to RERS would lack legal merit. No such claim has been filed.

Wise v. Energy Plus Holdings, LLC

On October 18, 2011, plaintiff filed a purported class action lawsuit on behalf of New York consumers against Energy Plus in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.  Claiming statutory damages in excess of $5 million, the plaintiff alleges violations of New York business laws as well as unjust enrichment.  Specifically, the plaintiff claims that Energy Plus misrepresents that its rates are competitive in the market;  fails to disclose that its rates are substantially higher than those in the market and that Energy Plus has engaged in deceptive practices in its marketing of energy services.  Plaintiff seeks that this matter be: certified as a class action; treble damages; interest; costs; attorneys fees and any other relief that the court deems just and proper.

38

Note 17 — Regulatory Matters

NRG operates in a highly regulated industry and is subject to regulation by various federal and state agencies. As such, NRG is affected by regulatory developments at both the federal and state levels and in the regions in which NRG operates. In addition, NRG is subject to the market rules, procedures, and protocols of the various ISO markets in which NRG participates. These power markets are subject to ongoing legislative and regulatory changes that may impact NRG's wholesale and retail businesses.
 
In addition to the regulatory proceedings noted below, NRG and its subsidiaries are a party to other regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business or have other regulatory exposure. In management's opinion, the disposition of these ordinary course matters will not materially adversely affect NRG's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
 
California — On May 4, 2010, in Southern California Edison Company v. FERC, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated FERC's acceptance of station power rules for the CAISO market, and remanded the case for further proceedings at FERC. On August 30, 2010, FERC issued an Order on Remand effectively disclaiming jurisdiction over how the states impose retail station power charges. Due to reservation-of-rights language in the California utilities' state-jurisdictional station power tariffs, FERC's ruling arguably requires California generators to pay state-imposed retail charges back to the date of enrollment by the facilities in the CAISO's station period program (February 1, 2009, for the Company's Encina and El Segundo facilities; March 1, 2009, for the Company's Long Beach facility). On February 28, 2011, FERC issued an order denying rehearing. The Company, together with other generators, filed an appeal and briefing of the case is currently underway. On April 22, 2011, Southern California Edison Company filed with the California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, seeking authorization to begin charging generators station power charges, and to assess such charges retroactively, which the Company and other generators have challenged. On September 20, 2011, the CPUC issued a suspension letter, providing it up to 180 additional days to consider Southern California Edison's filing. The Company believes it has established an appropriate reserve.

Retail (Replacement Reserve) — On November 14, 2006, Constellation Energy Commodities Group, or Constellation, filed a complaint with the PUCT alleging that ERCOT misapplied the Replacement Reserve Settlement, or RPRS, Formula contained in the ERCOT protocols from April 10, 2006, through September 27, 2006. Specifically, Constellation disputed approximately $4 million in under-scheduling charges for capacity insufficiency asserting that ERCOT applied the wrong protocol. Retail Electric Providers, or REPS, other market participants, ERCOT, and PUCT staff opposed Constellation's complaint. On January 25, 2008, the PUCT entered an order finding that ERCOT correctly settled the capacity insufficiency charges for the disputed dates in accordance with ERCOT protocols and denied Constellation's complaint. On April 9, 2008, Constellation appealed the PUCT order to the Civil District Court of Travis County, Texas and on June 19, 2009, the court issued a judgment reversing the PUCT order, finding that the ERCOT protocols were in irreconcilable conflict with each other. Under the PUCT ordered formula QSEs who under-scheduled capacity within any of ERCOT's four congestion zones were assessed under-scheduling charges which defrayed the costs incurred by ERCOT for RPRS that would otherwise be spread among all load-serving QSEs. Under the Court's decision, all RPRS costs would be assigned to all load-serving QSEs based upon their load ratio share without assessing any separate charge to those QSEs who under-scheduled capacity. If under-scheduling charges for capacity insufficient QSEs were not used to defray RPRS costs, REPS's share of the total RPRS costs allocated to QSEs would increase. On July 20, 2009, REPS filed an appeal to the Third Court of Appeals in Travis County, Texas, thereby staying the effect of the trial court's decision. On October 6, 2010, the parties argued the appeal before the Court of Appeals for the Third District in Austin, Texas. On September 28, 2011, the Court of Appeals reversed the trial court decision, reinstating the PUCT's order, consistent with REPS' position. Constellation may ask the Court of Appeals to reconsider its decision or ask the Texas Supreme Court to hear the case.

Retail (Midwest ISO SECA) — Green Mountain Energy previously provided competitive retail energy supply in the Midwest ISO region during the relevant period of January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2005. By order dated November 18, 2004, FERC eliminated certain regional through-and-out transmission rates charged by transmission owners in the regional electric grids operated by the Midwest Independent Transmission Systems Operator, Inc. and PJM Interconnection, L.L.C., or PJM, respectively. In order to temporarily compensate the transmission owners for revenue lost as a result of the elimination of the through-and-out transmission rates, FERC also ordered MISO, PJM and their respective transmission owners to provide for the recovery of certain Seams Elimination Charge/Cost Adjustments/Assignments, or SECA, charges effective December 1, 2004, through March 31, 2006, based on usage during 2002 and 2003. The tariff amendments filed by MISO and the MISO transmission owners allocated certain SECA charges to various zones and sub-zones within MISO, including a sub-zone called the Green Mountain Energy Company Sub-zone. Over the last several years, there has been extensive litigation before FERC relating to these charges seeking, among other things, to recover monies from Green Mountain Energy, and before the federal appellate courts. Green Mountain Energy has not paid any asserted SECA charges.

39

On May 21, 2010, FERC issued two orders. In its Order on Rehearing, FERC denied all requests for rehearing of its past orders directing and accepting the SECA compliance filings of MISO, PJM, and the transmission owners. In its Order on Initial Decision, FERC: (1) affirmed an order by the Administrative Law Judge granting Green Mountain Energy partial summary judgment and holding Green Mountain Energy not liable for SECA charges for January  -  March 2006; and (2) reversed an August 2006 determination by the Administrative Law Judge that Green Mountain Energy could be held directly liable for some amount of SECA charges. The Order on Initial Decision also directed that the two RTOs and their respective transmission owners submit further compliance filings, which were filed on August 19, 2010. FERC has not yet ruled on those compliance filings.
    
With regard to the SECA charges that had been invoiced to Green Mountain Energy, FERC determined that most of those charges, approximately $22 million plus interest, were owed not by Green Mountain Energy but rather by BP Energy  — one of Green Mountain Energy's suppliers during the period at issue. On August 19, 2010, the transmission owners and MISO made compliance filings in accordance with FERC's Orders allocating SECA charges to a BP Energy Sub-zone, and making no allocation to a Green Mountain Energy sub-zone. BP Energy has not asserted any contractual claims against Green Mountain Energy. The Company believes it has established an appropriate reserve.

Multiple requests for rehearing were filed from the Order on Initial Decision, and BP Energy sought rehearing of the Order on Rehearing. Several parties filed notices of appeal of the Order on Rehearing, which are being held in abeyance pending resolution of SECA-related matters still pending before FERC. On September 19, 2011, two entities  —  Quest Energy and Integrys Energy Services  —  filed a motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit objecting to FERC's request to continue holding the case in abeyance.
On September 30, 2011, FERC issued orders denying BP Energy's request for rehearing of the May, 2010 Order on Rehearing, denying all requests for rehearing of the Order on Initial Decision, and again determined that SECA charges were not owed by Green Mountain Energy. On October 3, 2011, Quest Energy and Integrys Energy Services moved to withdraw their pending motion, and the D.C. Circuit granted that request on October 6, 2011.

40

Note 18 — Environmental Matters

NRG is subject to a wide range of environmental regulations across a broad number of jurisdictions in the development, ownership, construction and operation of domestic and international projects. These laws and regulations generally require that governmental permits and approvals be obtained before construction and during operation of power plants. Environmental laws have become increasingly stringent and NRG expects this trend to continue. The electric generation industry will face new requirements to address air emissions, climate change, combustion byproducts and water use. In general, future laws and regulations are expected to require the addition of emission controls or other environmental quality equipment or the imposition of certain restrictions on the operations of the Company's facilities. NRG expects that future liability under, or compliance with, environmental requirements could have a material effect on the Company's operations or competitive position.

Environmental Capital Expenditures

Based on current rules, technology and plans as well as preliminary plans based on proposed rules, NRG has estimated that environmental capital expenditures from 2011 through 2015 to meet NRG's environmental commitments will be approximately $721 million (of which $180 million will be financed through draws on the Indian River tax exempt facilities) and are primarily associated with controls on the Company's Big Cajun and Indian River facilities. These capital expenditures, in general, are related to installation of particulate, SO 2 , NO x , and mercury controls to comply with current and proposed federal and state air quality rules and consent orders, as well as installation of Best Technology Available, or BTA, under the proposed 316(b) Rule. NRG continues to explore cost effective compliance alternatives. While this estimate reflects anticipated schedules and controls related to the proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and the 316(b) Rule, the full impact on the scope and timing of environmental retrofits from any new or revised regulations cannot be determined until these rules are final. However, NRG believes it is positioned to meet more stringent requirements through its planned capital expenditures, existing controls, and the use of Powder River Basin coal.

NRG's current contracts with the Company's rural electric cooperative customers in the South Central region allow for recovery of a portion of the region's environmental capital costs incurred as the result of complying with any change in environmental law. Cost recoveries begin once the environmental equipment becomes operational and include a capital return. The actual recoveries will depend, among other things, on the timing of the completion of the capital projects and the remaining duration of the contracts.

The U.S. EPA released the final Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, or CSAPR, on July 7, 2011, with additional proposed updates on October 6, 2011. CSAPR will replace CAIR and is designed to bring 27 states into attainment with PM 2.5 and ozone national ambient air quality standards, or NAAQS, reducing SO 2  and NO x  emissions from power plants. Under CSAPR, use of discounted Acid Rain SO 2  and CAIR NO x  allowances will be discontinued and replaced with completely distinct allowance programs. Acid Rain allowances will still be required on a 1:1 basis under the Acid Rain Program. Consequently, in the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $160 million on the Company's Acid Rain Program SO 2  emission allowances, which were recorded as an intangible asset on the Company's balance sheet. The impairment charge reflects the write-off of the value of emission allowances in excess of those required for compliance with the Acid Rain Program.

41

Northeast Region

In January 2006, NRG's Indian River Operations, Inc. received a letter of informal notification from Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, or DNREC, stating that it may be a potentially responsible party with respect to Burton Island Old Ash Landfill, a historic captive landfill located at the Indian River facility. On October 1, 2007, NRG signed an agreement with DNREC to investigate the site through the Voluntary Clean-up Program. On February 4, 2008, DNREC issued findings that no further action is required in relation to surface water and that a previously planned shoreline stabilization project would satisfactorily address shoreline erosion. The landfill itself will require a further Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study to determine the type and scope of any additional work required. Until the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study is approved, the Company is unable to predict the impact of any required remediation. On May 29, 2008, DNREC requested that NRG's Indian River Operations, Inc. participate in the development and performance of a Natural Resource Damage Assessment, or NRDA, at the Burton Island Old Ash Landfill. NRG is currently working with DNREC and other trustees to close out the assessment phase.

Pursuant to a consent order dated September 25, 2007, and amended July 21, 2010, between NRG and DNREC regarding the Indian River plant, NRG agreed to limit the emissions of NO x  and SO 2 , and to mothball Units 1 and 2. Unit 1 was mothballed as planned on May 1, 2011.

South Central Region

On February 11, 2009, the U.S. DOJ acting at the request of the U.S. EPA commenced a lawsuit against LaGen in federal district court in the Middle District of Louisiana alleging violations of the CAA at the Big Cajun II power plant. This is the same matter for which NOVs were issued to LaGen on February 15, 2005, and on December 8, 2006. Further discussion on this matter can be found in Note 16,  Commitments and Contingencies  —  Louisiana Generating, LLC,  to this Form 10-Q .

42

Note 19 — Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

As of September 30, 2011, the Company had outstanding $1.1 billion of 7.375% Senior Notes due 2017, $1.2 billion of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2018, $700 million of 8.50% Senior Notes due 2019, $800 million of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2019, $1.1 billion of 8.25% Senior Notes due 2020 and $1.2 billion of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2021. These notes are guaranteed by certain of NRG's current and future wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries, or guarantor subsidiaries.

Unless otherwise noted below, each of the following guarantor subsidiaries fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Notes as of September 30, 2011:

Arthur Kill Power LLC	NRG Artesian Energy LLC	NRG Services Corporation	
Astoria Gas Turbine Power LLC	NRG Arthur Kill Operations Inc.	NRG Simply Smart Solutions LLC	
Cabrillo Power I LLC	NRG Astoria Gas Turbine Operations Inc.	NRG South Central Affiliate Services Inc.	
Cabrillo Power II LLC	NRG Bayou Cove LLC	NRG South Central Generating LLC	
Carbon Management Solutions LLC	NRG Cabrillo Power Operations Inc.	NRG South Central Operations Inc.	
Clean Edge Energy LLC	NRG California Peaker Operations LLC	NRG South Texas LP	
Conemaugh Power LLC	NRG Cedar Bayou Development Company, LLC	NRG Texas LLC	
Connecticut Jet Power LLC	NRG Connecticut Affiliate Services Inc.	NRG Texas C&I Supply LLC	
Cottonwood Development LLC	NRG Construction LLC	NRG Texas Holding Inc.	
Cottonwood Energy Company LP	NRG Development Company Inc.	NRG Texas Power LLC	
Cottonwood Generating Partners I LLC	NRG Devon Operations Inc.	NRG West Coast LLC	
Cottonwood Generating Partners II LLC	NRG Dunkirk Operations, Inc.	NRG Western Affiliate Services Inc.	
Cottonwood Generating Partners III LLC	NRG El Segundo Operations Inc.	O'Brien Cogeneration, Inc. II	
Cottonwood Technology Partners LP	NRG Energy Labor Services LLC	ONSITE Energy, Inc.	
Devon Power LLC	NRG Energy Services Group LLC	Oswego Harbor Power LLC	
Dunkirk Power LLC	NRG Energy Services LLC	Pennywise Power LLC	
Eastern Sierra Energy Company	NRG Generation Holdings Inc.	RE Retail Receivables LLC	
El Segundo Power LLC	NRG Huntley Operations Inc.	Reliant Energy Northeast LLC	
El Segundo Power II, LLC	NRG Ilion Limited Partnership	Reliant Energy Power Supply LLC	
Elbow Creek Wind Project LLC	NRG Ilion LP LLC	Reliant Energy Retail Holdings LLC	
Energy Protection Insurance Company	NRG International LLC	Reliant Energy Retail Services LLC	
GCP Funding Company, LLC	NRG Maintenance Services LLC	Reliant Energy Texas Retail LLC	
Green Mountain Energy Company	NRG Mextrans Inc.	RERH Holdings, LLC	
Huntley Power LLC	NRG MidAtlantic Affiliate Services Inc.	Saguaro Power LLC	
Indian River Operations Inc.	NRG Middletown Operations Inc.	Somerset Operations Inc.	
Indian River Power LLC	NRG Montville Operations Inc.	Somerset Power LLC	
Keystone Power LLC	NRG New Jersey Energy Sales LLC	Texas Genco Financing Corp.	
Langford Wind Power, LLC	NRG New Roads Holdings LLC	Texas Genco GP, LLC	
Louisiana Generating LLC	NRG North Central Operations Inc.	Texas Genco Holdings, Inc.	
Meriden Gas Turbines LLC	NRG Northeast Affiliate Services Inc.	Texas Genco LP, LLC	
Middletown Power LLC	NRG Norwalk Harbor Operations Inc.	Texas Genco Operating Services LLC	
Montville Power LLC	NRG Operating Services, Inc.	Texas Genco Services, LP	
NEO Corporation	NRG Oswego Harbor Power Operations Inc.	Vienna Operations Inc.	
NEO Freehold-Gen LLC	NRG PacGen Inc.	Vienna Power LLC	
NEO Power Services Inc.	NRG Power Marketing LLC	WCP (Generation) Holdings LLC	
New Genco GP, LLC	NRG Retail LLC	West Coast Power LLC	
Norwalk Power LLC	NRG Rockford Acquisition LLC	 	
NRG Affiliate Services Inc.	NRG Saguaro Operations Inc.	 	

43

The non-guarantor subsidiaries include all of NRG's foreign subsidiaries and certain domestic subsidiaries. NRG conducts much of its business through and derives much of its income from its subsidiaries. Therefore, the Company's ability to make required payments with respect to its indebtedness and other obligations depends on the financial results and condition of its subsidiaries and NRG's ability to receive funds from its subsidiaries. Except for NRG Bayou Cove, LLC, which is subject to certain restrictions under the Company's Peaker financing agreements, there are no restrictions on the ability of any of the guarantor subsidiaries to transfer funds to NRG. In addition, there may be restrictions for certain non-guarantor subsidiaries.

The following condensed consolidating financial information presents the financial information of NRG Energy, Inc., the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries in accordance with Rule 3-10 under the Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation S-X. The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of results of operations or financial position had the guarantor subsidiaries or non-guarantor subsidiaries operated as independent entities.

In this presentation, NRG Energy, Inc. consists of parent company operations. Guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries of NRG are reported on an equity basis. For companies acquired, the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired have been presented on a push-down accounting basis.

44

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	NRG Energy, Inc.
(Note Issuer)	 	Eliminations(a)	 	Consolidated Balance	
Operating Revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total operating revenues	$	2,581	
 	 	$	97	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	(4	)	 	$	2,674	
 	
Operating Costs and Expenses	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cost of operations	1,993	
 	 	63	
 	 	(1	)	 	(2	)	 	2,053	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	224	
 	 	10	
 	 	4	
 	 	—	
 	 	238	
 	
Impairment charge on emission allowances	160	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	160	
 	
Selling, general and administrative	102	
 	 	8	
 	 	61	
 	 	(2	)	 	169	
 	
Development costs	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	11	
 	 	—	
 	 	11	
 	
Total operating costs and expenses	2,479	
 	 	81	
 	 	75	
 	 	(4	)	 	2,631	
 	
Operating Income/(Loss)	102	
 	 	16	
 	 	(75	)	 	—	
 	 	43	
 	
Other Income/(Expense)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	6	
 	 	4	
 	 	88	
 	 	(98	)	 	—	
 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	2	
 	 	14	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	16	
 	
Impairment charge on investment	(3	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(3	)	
Other income, net	3	
 	 	1	
 	 	1	
 	 	—	
 	 	5	
 	
Loss on debt extinguishment	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(32	)	 	—	
 	 	(32	)	
Interest expense	(20	)	 	(13	)	 	(131	)	 	—	
 	 	(164	)	
Total other (expense)/income	(12	)	 	6	
 	 	(74	)	 	(98	)	 	(178	)	
Income/(Loss)Before Income Taxes	90	
 	 	22	
 	 	(149	)	 	(98	)	 	(135	)	
Income tax expense/(benefit)	11	
 	 	3	
 	 	(94	)	 	—	
 	 	(80	)	
Net Income/(Loss) attributable to
NRG Energy, Inc.	$	79	
 	 	$	19	
 	 	$	(55	)	 	$	(98	)	 	$	(55	)	
 	 	
(a)	All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.	

45

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	NRG Energy, Inc.
(Note Issuer)	 	Eliminations(a)	 	Consolidated Balance	
Operating Revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total operating revenues	$	6,670	
 	 	$	291	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	(14	)	 	$	6,947	
 	
Operating Costs and Expenses	 	 	

 	 	 	
Cost of operations	4,791	
 	 	194	
 	 	5	
 	 	(5	)	 	4,985	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	626	
 	 	28	
 	 	11	
 	 	—	
 	 	665	
 	
Impairment charge on emission allowances	160	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	160	
 	
Selling, general and administrative	276	
 	 	20	
 	 	185	
 	 	(2	)	 	479	
 	
Development costs	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	33	
 	 	—	
 	 	32	
 	
Total operating costs and expenses	5,853	
 	 	241	
 	 	234	
 	 	(7	)	 	6,321	
 	
Operating Income/(Loss)	817	
 	 	50	
 	 	(234	)	 	(7	)	 	626	
 	
Other Income/(Expense)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Equity in earnings/(losses) of consolidated subsidiaries	21	
 	 	(5	)	 	185	
 	 	(201	)	 	—	
 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	8	
 	 	18	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	26	
 	
Impairment charge on investment	(495	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(495	)	
Other income, net	3	
 	 	6	
 	 	4	
 	 	—	
 	 	13	
 	
Loss on debt extinguishment	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(175	)	 	—	
 	 	(175	)	
Interest expense	(46	)	 	(40	)	 	(418	)	 	—	
 	 	(504	)	
Total other expense	(509	)	 	(21	)	 	(404	)	 	(201	)	 	(1,135	)	
Income/(Loss) Before Income Taxes	308	
 	 	29	
 	 	(638	)	 	(208	)	 	(509	)	
Income tax expense/(benefit)	123	
 	 	6	
 	 	(944	)	 	—	
 	 	(815	)	
Net Income attributable to NRG Energy, Inc.	$	185	
 	 	$	23	
 	 	$	306	
 	 	$	(208	)	 	$	306	

(a)	All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.	

46

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, 2011

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	NRG Energy, Inc.
(Note Issuer)	 	Eliminations(a)	 	Consolidated Balance	
ASSETS	
Current Assets	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	$	16	
 	 	$	108	
 	 	$	1,003	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	1,127	
 	
Funds deposited by counterparties	259	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	259	
 	
Restricted cash	57	
 	 	322	
 	 	62	
 	 	—	
 	 	441	
 	
Accounts receivable, net	995	
 	 	47	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,042	
 	
Inventory	311	
 	 	9	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	320	
 	
Derivative instruments	2,588	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	2,588	
 	
Cash collateral paid in support of energy risk management activities	316	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	316	
 	
Prepayments and other current assets	116	
 	 	34	
 	 	1,303	
 	 	(1,208	)	 	245	
 	
Total current assets	4,658	
 	 	520	
 	 	2,368	
 	 	(1,208	)	 	6,338	
 	
Net property, plant and equipment	10,545	
 	 	2,254	
 	 	61	
 	 	(17	)	 	12,843	
 	
Other Assets	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Investment in subsidiaries	220	
 	 	481	
 	 	12,978	
 	 	(13,679	)	 	—	
 	
Equity investments in affiliates	37	
 	 	539	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	576	
 	
Notes receivable – affiliate and capital leases, less current portion	—	
 	 	327	
 	 	311	
 	 	(311	)	 	327	
 	
Goodwill	1,859	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,859	
 	
Intangible assets, net	1,284	
 	 	84	
 	 	231	
 	 	(38	)	 	1,561	
 	
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund	399	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	399	
 	
Derivative instruments	533	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	533	
 	
Other non-current assets	51	
 	 	61	
 	 	213	
 	 	(1	)	 	324	
 	
Total other assets	4,383	
 	 	1,492	
 	 	13,733	
 	 	(14,029	)	 	5,579	
 	
Total Assets	$	19,586	
 	 	$	4,266	
 	 	$	16,162	
 	 	$	(15,254	)	 	$	24,760	
 	
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	
Current Liabilities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases	$	1,150	
 	 	$	65	
 	 	$	16	
 	 	$	(1,150	)	 	$	81	
 	
Accounts payable	(6	)	 	326	
 	 	654	
 	 	—	
 	 	974	
 	
Derivative instruments	2,086	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	2,089	
 	
Deferred income taxes	504	
 	 	(51	)	 	(388	)	 	—	
 	 	65	
 	
Cash collateral received in support of energy risk management activities	259	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	259	
 	
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	339	
 	 	30	
 	 	216	
 	 	(58	)	 	527	
 	
Total current liabilities	4,332	
 	 	373	
 	 	498	
 	 	(1,208	)	 	3,995	
 	
Other Liabilities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Long-term debt and capital leases	242	
 	 	1,620	
 	 	7,657	
 	 	(311	)	 	9,208	
 	
Nuclear decommissioning reserve	331	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	331	
 	
Nuclear decommissioning trust liability	237	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	237	
 	
Deferred income taxes	1,441	
 	 	272	
 	 	(125	)	 	—	
 	 	1,588	
 	
Derivative instruments	326	
 	 	52	
 	 	30	
 	 	—	
 	 	408	
 	
Out-of-market commodity contracts	216	
 	 	6	
 	 	—	
 	 	(31	)	 	191	
 	
Other non-current liabilities	493	
 	 	45	
 	 	84	
 	 	—	
 	 	622	
 	
Total non-current liabilities	3,286	
 	 	1,995	
 	 	7,646	
 	 	(342	)	 	12,585	
 	
Total liabilities	7,618	
 	 	2,368	
 	 	8,144	
 	 	(1,550	)	 	16,580	
 	
3.625% Preferred Stock	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	248	
 	 	—	
 	 	248	
 	
Stockholders’ Equity	11,968	
 	 	1,898	
 	 	7,770	
 	 	(13,704	)	 	7,932	
 	
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	19,586	
 	 	$	4,266	
 	 	$	16,162	
 	 	$	(15,254	)	 	$	24,760	

(a)	All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.	

47

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

(In millions)	Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	NRG Energy, Inc.
(Note Issuer)	 	Eliminations(a)	 	Consolidated Balance	
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	$	185	
 	 	$	23	
 	 	$	306	
 	 	$	(208	)	 	$	306	
 	
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided/(used) by operating activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Distributions and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	(10	)	 	2	
 	 	1,184	
 	 	(1,168	)	 	8	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	626	
 	 	28	
 	 	11	
 	 	—	
 	 	665	
 	
Provision for bad debts	41	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	41	
 	
Amortization of nuclear fuel	31	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	31	
 	
Amortization of financing costs and debt discount/premiums	—	
 	 	5	
 	 	20	
 	 	—	
 	 	25	
 	
Loss on debt extinguishment	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	58	
 	 	—	
 	 	58	
 	
Amortization of intangibles and out-of-market commodity contracts	118	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	118	
 	
Changes in deferred income taxes and liability for uncertain tax benefits	123	
 	 	6	
 	 	(958	)	 	—	
 	 	(829	)	
Changes in nuclear decommissioning trust liability	20	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	20	
 	
Changes in derivative instruments	(199	)	 	1	
 	 	(3	)	 	—	
 	 	(201	)	
Changes in collateral deposits supporting energy risk management activities	5	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	7	
 	
Impairment charge on investment	481	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	481	
 	
Impairment charge on emission allowance	160	
 	 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	160	
 	
Cash (used)/provided by changes in other working capital	(1,182	)	 	211	
 	 	742	
 	 	7	
 	 	(222	)	
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	399	
 	 	278	
 	 	1,360	
 	 	(1,369	)	 	668	
 	
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Intercompany loans to subsidiaries	(191	)	 	—	
 	 	(486	)	 	677	
 	 	—	
 	
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	—	
 	 	(91	)	 	(261	)	 	—	
 	 	(352	)	
Capital expenditures	(295	)	 	(1,027	)	 	(33	)	 	—	
 	 	(1,355	)	
Increase in restricted cash, net	(54	)	 	(38	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(92	)	
Increase in restricted cash - U.S. DOE projects	—	
 	 	(254	)	 	(62	)	 	—	
 	 	(316	)	
Decrease in notes receivable	—	
 	 	27	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	27	
 	
Purchases of emission allowances	(27	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(27	)	
Proceeds from sale of emission allowances	6	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	6	
 	
Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities	(314	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(314	)	
Proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities	294	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	294	
 	
Proceeds from sale of assets	14	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	14	
 	
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	(1	)	 	(16	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(17	)	
Other	(11	)	 	(8	)	 	(10	)	 	—	
 	 	(29	)	
Net Cash Used by Investing Activities	(579	)	 	(1,407	)	 	(852	)	 	677	
 	 	(2,161	)	
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Proceeds from intercompany loans	38	
 	 	448	
 	 	191	
 	 	(677	)	 	—	
 	
Payment of dividends to preferred stockholders	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(7	)	 	—	
 	 	(7	)	
Payments of intercompany dividends	(65	)	 	(1,304	)	 	—	
 	 	1,369	
 	 	—	
 	
Payment for treasury stock	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(378	)	 	—	
 	 	(378	)	
Net payments to settle acquired derivatives that include financing elements	(61	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(61	)	
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	116	
 	 	798	
 	 	4,796	
 	 	—	
 	 	5,710	
 	
Decrease in restricted cash supporting funded letter of credit	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	
Payment for settlement of funded letter of credit facility	—	

 	 	(1,300	)	 	—	
 	 	(1,300	)	
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	2	
 	
Payment of debt issuance costs	—	
 	 	(41	)	 	(108	)	 	—	
 	 	(149	)	
Payments for short and long-term debt	—	
 	 	(77	)	 	(5,373	)	 	—	
 	 	(5,450	)	
Net Cash Provided/(Used) by Financing Activities	28	
 	 	1,124	
 	 	(2,177	)	 	692	
 	 	(333	)	
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	2	
 	
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(152	)	 	(3	)	 	(1,669	)	 	—	
 	 	(1,824	)	
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	168	
 	 	111	
 	 	2,672	
 	 	—	
 	 	2,951	
 	
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	16	
 	 	$	108	
 	 	$	1,003	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	1,127	

(a)	All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.	

48

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	NRG Energy, Inc.
(Note Issuer)	 	Eliminations(a)	 	Consolidated Balance	
Operating Revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total operating revenues	$	2,589	
 	 	$	101	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	(5	)	 	$	2,685	
 	
Operating Costs and Expenses	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cost of operations	1,775	
 	 	65	
 	 	—	
 	 	(5	)	 	1,835	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	198	
 	 	9	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	210	
 	
Selling, general and administrative	99	
 	 	5	
 	 	68	
 	 	—	
 	 	172	
 	
Development costs	—	
 	 	2	
 	 	12	
 	 	—	
 	 	14	
 	
Total operating costs and expenses	2,072	
 	 	81	
 	 	83	
 	 	(5	)	 	2,231	
 	
Operating Income/(Loss)	517	
 	 	20	
 	 	(83	)	 	—	
 	 	454	
 	
Other Income/(Expense)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	8	
 	 	—	
 	 	365	
 	 	(373	)	 	—	
 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	4	
 	 	12	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	16	
 	
Other income, net	1	
 	 	6	
 	 	4	
 	 	—	
 	 	11	
 	
Loss on debt extinguishment	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	
Interest expense	1	
 	 	(14	)	 	(155	)	 	—	
 	 	(168	)	
Total other income/(expense)	14	
 	 	4	
 	 	213	
 	 	(373	)	 	(142	)	
Income Before Income Taxes	531	
 	 	24	
 	 	130	
 	 	(373	)	 	312	
 	
Income tax expense/(benefit)	178	
 	 	4	
 	 	(93	)	 	—	
 	 	89	
 	
Net Income attributable to NRG Energy, Inc.	$	353	
 	 	$	20	
 	 	$	223	
 	 	$	(373	)	 	$	223	

(a)	All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.	

49

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	NRG Energy, Inc.
(Note Issuer)	 	Eliminations(a)	 	Consolidated Balance	
Operating Revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total operating revenues	$	6,782	
 	 	$	270	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	(19	)	 	$	7,033	
 	
Operating Costs and Expenses	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cost of operations	4,631	
 	 	184	
 	 	7	
 	 	(19	)	 	4,803	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	590	
 	 	23	
 	 	7	
 	 	—	
 	 	620	
 	
Selling, general and administrative	238	
 	 	10	
 	 	193	
 	 	—	
 	 	441	
 	
Development costs	—	
 	 	8	
 	 	28	
 	 	—	
 	 	36	
 	
Total operating costs and expenses	5,459	
 	 	225	
 	 	235	
 	 	(19	)	 	5,900	
 	
Gain on sale of assets	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	23	
 	 	—	
 	 	23	
 	
Operating Income/(Loss)	1,323	
 	 	45	
 	 	(212	)	 	—	
 	 	1,156	
 	
Other Income/(Expense)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	30	
 	 	—	
 	 	891	
 	 	(921	)	 	—	
 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	5	
 	 	36	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	41	
 	
Other income, net	4	
 	 	23	
 	 	7	
 	 	—	
 	 	34	
 	
Loss on debt extinguishment	—	
 	 	(1	)	 	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	(2	)	
Interest expense	(10	)	 	(36	)	 	(421	)	 	—	
 	 	(467	)	
Total other income/(expense)	29	
 	 	22	
 	 	476	
 	 	(921	)	 	(394	)	
Income Before Income Taxes	1,352	
 	 	67	
 	 	264	
 	 	(921	)	 	762	
 	
Income tax expense/(benefit)	479	
 	 	20	
 	 	(228	)	 	—	
 	 	271	
 	
Net Income	873	
 	 	47	
 	 	492	
 	 	(921	)	 	491	
 	
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(1	)	
Net Income attributable to NRG Energy, Inc.	$	874	
 	 	$	47	
 	 	$	492	
 	 	$	(921	)	 	$	492	

(a)	All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.	

50

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2010

(In millions)	Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	NRG Energy, Inc.
(Note Issuer)	 	Eliminations(a)	 	Consolidated Balance	
ASSETS	
Current Assets	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	$	168	
 	 	$	111	
 	 	$	2,672	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	2,951	
 	
Funds deposited by counterparties	408	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	408	
 	
Restricted cash	2	
 	 	6	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	8	
 	
Accounts receivable-trade, net	693	
 	 	38	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	734	
 	
Inventory	445	
 	 	8	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	453	
 	
Derivative instruments	1,964	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,964	
 	
Cash collateral paid in support of energy risk management activities	321	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	323	
 	
Prepayments and other current assets	112	
 	 	60	
 	 	1,313	
 	 	(1,189	)	 	296	
 	
Total current assets	4,113	
 	 	225	
 	 	3,988	
 	 	(1,189	)	 	7,137	
 	
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	10,816	
 	 	1,515	
 	 	186	
 	 	—	
 	 	12,517	
 	
Other Assets	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Investment in subsidiaries	811	
 	 	248	
 	 	22,046	
 	 	(23,105	)	 	—	
 	
Equity investments in affiliates	47	
 	 	489	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	536	
 	
Notes receivable – affiliate and capital leases, less current portion	6,507	
 	 	380	
 	 	2,130	
 	 	(8,633	)	 	384	
 	
Goodwill	1,868	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,868	
 	
Intangible assets, net	1,716	
 	 	58	
 	 	33	
 	 	(31	)	 	1,776	
 	
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund	412	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	412	
 	
Derivative instruments	758	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	758	
 	
Restricted cash supporting funded letter of
    credit facility	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	
Other non-current assets	42	
 	 	22	
 	 	144	
 	 	—	
 	 	208	
 	
Total other assets	12,161	
 	 	2,497	
 	 	24,353	
 	 	(31,769	)	 	7,242	
 	
Total Assets	$	27,090	
 	 	$	4,237	
 	 	$	28,527	
 	 	$	(32,958	)	 	$	26,896	
 	
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	
Current Liabilities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases	$	1,150	
 	 	$	223	
 	 	$	240	
 	 	$	(1,150	)	 	$	463	
 	
Accounts payable	(2,665	)	 	229	
 	 	3,219	
 	 	—	
 	 	783	
 	
Derivative instruments	1,665	
 	 	3	
 	 	17	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,685	
 	
Deferred income taxes	515	
 	 	(51	)	 	(356	)	 	—	
 	 	108	
 	
Cash collateral received in support of energy risk management activities	408	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	408	
 	
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	399	
 	 	34	
 	 	379	
 	 	(39	)	 	773	
 	
Total current liabilities	1,472	
 	 	438	
 	 	3,499	
 	 	(1,189	)	 	4,220	
 	
Other Liabilities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Long-term debt and capital leases	1,857	
 	 	991	
 	 	14,533	
 	 	(8,633	)	 	8,748	
 	
Funded letter of credit	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	
Nuclear decommissioning reserve	317	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	317	
 	
Nuclear decommissioning trust liability	272	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	272	
 	
Deferred income taxes	1,464	
 	 	279	
 	 	246	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,989	
 	
Derivative instruments	294	
 	 	34	
 	 	37	
 	 	—	
 	 	365	
 	
Out-of-market commodity contracts	248	
 	 	6	
 	 	—	
 	 	(31	)	 	223	
 	
Other non-current liabilities	504	
 	 	29	
 	 	609	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,142	
 	
Total non-current liabilities	4,956	
 	 	1,339	
 	 	16,725	
 	 	(8,664	)	 	14,356	
 	
Total liabilities	6,428	
 	 	1,777	
 	 	20,224	
 	 	(9,853	)	 	18,576	
 	
3.625% Preferred Stock	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	248	
 	 	—	
 	 	248	
 	
Stockholders’ Equity	20,662	
 	 	2,460	
 	 	8,055	
 	 	(23,105	)	 	8,072	
 	
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	27,090	
 	 	$	4,237	
 	 	$	28,527	
 	 	$	(32,958	)	 	$	26,896	

(a)	All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.	

51

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

(In millions)	Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	 	NRG Energy, Inc.
(Note Issuer)	 	Eliminations(a)	 	Consolidated Balance	
Cash Flows from Operating Activities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	$	873	
 	 	$	47	
 	 	$	492	
 	 	$	(921	)	 	$	491	
 	
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided/(used) by operating activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Distributions and equity in (earnings)/losses of unconsolidated affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	12	
 	 	(17	)	 	(854	)	 	840	
 	 	(19	)	
Depreciation and amortization	590	
 	 	23	
 	 	7	
 	 	—	
 	 	620	
 	
Provision for bad debts	46	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	46	
 	
Amortization of nuclear fuel	30	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	30	
 	
Amortization of financing costs and debt discount/premiums	—	
 	 	5	
 	 	18	
 	 	—	
 	 	23	
 	
Amortization of intangibles and out-of market commodity contracts	(17	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(17	)	
Changes in deferred income taxes and liability for uncertain tax benefits	480	
 	 	3	
 	 	(211	)	 	—	
 	 	272	
 	
Changes in nuclear decommissioning trust liability	26	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	26	
 	
Changes in derivative instruments	(48	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(48	)	
Changes in collateral deposits supporting energy risk management activities	(116	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(116	)	
Cash (used)/provided by changes in other working capital	(551	)	 	(82	)	 	466	
 	 	—	
 	 	(167	)	
Net Cash Provided/(Used) by Operating Activities	1,325	
 	 	(21	)	 	(82	)	 	(81	)	 	1,141	
 	
Cash Flows from Investing Activities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Intercompany loans to subsidiaries	(1,261	)	 	—	
 	 	(212	)	 	1,473	
 	 	—	
 	
Acquisition of Business	—	
 	 	(142	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(142	)	
Investment in subsidiaries	—	
 	 	1,724	
 	 	(1,724	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	
Capital expenditures	(223	)	 	(224	)	 	(43	)	 	—	
 	 	(490	)	
Increase in restricted cash, net	1	
 	 	(18	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(17	)	
Decrease in notes receivable	—	
 	 	28	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	28	
 	
Purchases of emission allowances	(56	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(56	)	
Proceeds from sale of emission allowances	14	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	14	
 	
Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities	(245	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(245	)	
Proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities	219	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	219	
 	
Proceeds from renewable energy grants	84	
 	 	18	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	102	
 	
Proceeds from sale of assets	1	
 	 	—	
 	 	29	
 	 	—	
 	 	30	
 	
Other	—	
 	 	(16	)	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	(13	)	
Net Cash (Used)/Provided by Investing Activities	(1,466	)	 	1,370	
 	 	(1,947	)	 	1,473	
 	 	(570	)	
Cash Flows from Financing Activities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Proceeds from intercompany loans	126	
 	 	86	
 	 	1,261	
 	 	(1,473	)	 	—	
 	
Payment of intercompany dividends	(44	)	 	(37	)	 	—	
 	 	81	
 	 	—	
 	
Payment of dividends to preferred stockholders	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(7	)	 	—	
 	 	(7	)	
Payments for treasury stock	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(180	)	 	—	
 	 	(180	)	
Installment proceeds from sale of non-controlling interest in subsidiary	—	
 	 	50	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	50	
 	
Net receipt from acquired derivatives that include financing elements	58	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	58	
 	
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	7	
 	 	145	
 	 	1,100	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,252	
 	
Proceeds from issuance of term loan for funded letter of credit facility	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,300	
 	
Increase of restricted cash supporting funded letter of credit	—	
 	 	(1,301	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(1,301	)	
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	2	
 	
Payment of debt issuance costs	(1	)	 	(8	)	 	(61	)	 	—	
 	 	(70	)	
Payments for short and long-term debt	—	
 	 	(282	)	 	(247	)	 	—	
 	 	(529	)	
Net Cash Provided/(Used) by Financing Activities	146	
 	 	(1,347	)	 	3,168	
 	 	(1,392	)	 	575	
 	
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—	
 	 	(3	)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(3	)	
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	5	
 	 	(1	)	 	1,139	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,143	
 	
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	20	
 	 	120	
 	 	2,164	
 	 	—	
 	 	2,304	
 	
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	25	
 	 	$	119	
 	 	$	3,303	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	3,447	

(a)	All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.	

52

ITEM 2 — MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
As you read this discussion and analysis, refer to NRG's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations to this Form 10-Q, which present the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010. Also refer to NRG's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, or 2010 Form 10-K, which includes detailed discussions of various items impacting the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition, including: Introduction and Overview section which provides a description of NRG's business segments; Strategy section; Business Environment section, including how regulation, weather, and other factors affect NRG's business; and Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section.
The discussion and analysis below has been organized as follows:
 	 	
•	Executive Summary, including introduction and overview, business strategy, and changes to the business environment during the period including regulatory and environmental matters;	
 	 	
•	Results of operations;	
 	 	
•	Financial condition, addressing liquidity position, sources and uses of liquidity, capital resources and requirements, commitments, and off-balance sheet arrangements; and	
 	 	
•	Known trends that may affect NRG’s results of operations and financial condition in the future.	

53

Executive Summary

Introduction and Overview

NRG Energy, Inc., or NRG or the Company, is an integrated wholesale power generation and retail electricity company with a significant presence in major competitive power markets in the United States. NRG is engaged in: the ownership, development, construction and operation of power generation facilities; the transacting in and trading of fuel and transportation services; the trading of energy, capacity and related products in the United States and select international markets; and the supply of electricity, energy services, and cleaner energy products to retail electricity customers in deregulated markets through its retail businesses, Reliant Energy, Green Mountain Energy, and Energy Plus.

The following table summarizes NRG's global generation portfolio by operating segment, which consists of 46 fossil fuel plants and 13 renewable facilities:

 	 	Fossil Fuel, Nuclear, and Renewable	
 	 	(In MW)	
Generation Type	 	Texas	 	Northeast	 	South Central	 	West	 	Thermal	 	Total Domestic	 	Internat-ional	 	Total Global	
Natural gas	 	4,930	
 	 	1,300	
 	 	2,630	
 	 	2,130	
 	 	100	
 	 	11,090	
 	 	—	
 	 	11,090	
 	
Coal	 	4,190	
 	 	1,600	
 	 	1,495	
 	 	—	
 	 	15	
 	 	7,300	
 	 	1,005	
 	 	8,305	
 	
Oil	 	—	
 	 	4,015	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	4,015	
 	 	 	 	4,015	
 	
Nuclear	 	1,175	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,175	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,175	
 	
Wind	 	450	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	450	
 	 	—	
 	 	450	
 	
Solar	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	70	
 	 	—	
 	 	70	
 	 	—	
 	 	70	
 	
Total generation capacity	 	10,745	
 	 	6,915	
 	 	4,125	
 	 	2,200	
 	 	115	
 	 	24,100	
 	 	1,005	
 	 	25,105	

Under Construction	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Natural gas	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	550	
 	 	5	
 	 	555	
 	 	—	
 	 	555	
 	
Solar (a)	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	935	
 	 	—	
 	 	935	
 	 	—	
 	 	935	
 	
Total under construction	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,485	
 	 	5	
 	 	1,490	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,490	
 	
(a) Includes partner interests of 196 MWs
        
In addition, the Company's thermal assets provide steam and chilled water capacity of approximately 1,140 megawatts thermal equivalent, or MWt, through its district energy business.

NRG's domestic generation facilities consist of intermittent, baseload, intermediate and peaking power generation facilities. The sale of capacity and power from baseload generation facilities accounts for the majority of the Company's generation revenues. In addition, NRG's generation portfolio provides the Company with opportunities to capture additional revenues by selling power during periods of peak demand, offering capacity or similar products to retail electric providers and others, and providing ancillary services to support system reliability.

NRG's retail businesses arrange for the transmission and delivery of electricity to customers, bill customers, collect payments for electricity sold and maintain call centers to provide customer service. Based on metered locations, as of September 30, 2011, NRG's retail businesses combined to serve approximately 2.1 million residential, small business, commercial and industrial customers.

Furthermore, NRG is focused on the development and investment in energy-related new businesses and new technologies where the benefits of such investments represent significant commercial opportunities and create a comparative advantage for the Company. These investments include low or no GHG emitting energy generating sources, such as wind, solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, biomass, gasification, the retrofit of post-combustion carbon capture technologies, and fueling infrastructure for electric vehicle ecosystems.

54

NRG's Business Strategy

NRG's business strategy is intended to maximize shareholder value through the production and sale of safe, reliable and affordable power to its customers in the markets served by the Company, while aggressively positioning the Company to meet the market's increasing demand for sustainable and low carbon energy solutions. This dual strategy is designed to perfect the Company's core business of competitive power generation and establish the Company as a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions that promote national energy security, while utilizing the Company's retail business to complement and advance both initiatives.

The Company's core business is focused on: (i) excellence in safety and operating performance of its existing operating assets, (ii) serving the energy needs of end-use residential, commercial and industrial customers in the Company's core markets, (iii) optimal hedging of baseload generation and retail load operations, while retaining optionality on the Company's gas fleet, (iv) repowering of power generation assets at existing sites and reducing environmental impacts, (v) pursuing selective acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures and investments, and (vi) engaging in a proactive capital allocation plan focused on achieving the regular return of and on stockholder capital within the dictates of prudent balance sheet management.

In addition, the Company believes that it is well-positioned to capture the opportunities arising out of a long-term societal trend towards sustainability as a result of technological developments and new product offerings in “green” energy. The Company's initiatives in this area of future growth are focused on: (i) renewables, with a concentration in solar and wind generation and development; (ii) fast start, high efficiency gas-fired capacity in the Company's core regions; (iii) electric vehicle ecosystems; and (iv) smart grid services. The Company's advances in each of these areas are driven by select acquisitions, joint ventures, and investments that are more fully described in the Company's 2010 Form 10-K and this Form 10-Q.

Environmental Matters

Environmental Regulatory Landscape

A number of regulations that could significantly impact the power generation industry are in development or under review by the U.S. EPA or state environmental agencies as of September 30, 2011, including MACT, NAAQS revisions, coal combustion byproducts, and once-through cooling. While most of these regulations have been under consideration for some time, they are expected to gain clarity in 2011 and 2012. The timing and stringency of these regulations will provide a framework for the retrofit of existing fossil plants and deployment of new, cleaner technologies in the next decade. The Company has included capital to meet anticipated Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, and the installation of BTA under the 316(b) Rule in the current estimated environmental capital expenditures. The Company cannot predict the impact of changes in these proposed rules nor future regulations and could face additional investments over time. However, NRG believes it is positioned to meet more stringent requirements through its planned capital expenditures, existing controls, and the use of Powder River Basin coal.

The U.S. EPA released CSAPR on July 7, 2011, with additional proposed updates on October 6, 2011. CSAPR will replace CAIR and is designed to bring 27 states into attainment with PM 2.5 and ozone NAAQS, reducing SO 2  and NO x  emissions from power plants. Proposed implementation will be through cap and trade programs starting in 2012 for Group 1 SO 2 , Group 2 SO 2 , Annual NO x , and Ozone Season NO x . In 2014, the SO 2  cap would be further reduced in Group 1 states. Under CSAPR, use of discounted Acid Rain SO 2  and CAIR NO x  allowances will be discontinued and replaced with completely distinct allowance programs. Acid Rain allowances will still be required on a 1:1 basis under the Acid Rain Program. NRG owns or has minority interests in plants in six states that are covered by the rule.

State	Group 1 SO2	Group 2 SO2	Annual NOx	Ozone NOx	
IL	X	 	X	X	
LA	 	 	 	X	
MD	X	 	X	X	
NY	X	 	X	X	
PA	X	 	X	X	
TX	 	X	X	X	

55

The final rule differed from the proposed rule in that Texas was added into the Group 2 SO2 and Annual NOx programs, Delaware and Connecticut are no longer under the rule and Louisiana is limited to ozone season NO x . In general, with the exception of Pennsylvania Annual and Ozone Season NO x , these states saw tightening of the state budget between the proposed and final rules. On October 6, 2011, the U.S. EPA released an update which proposed additional increases to ten state budgets including Louisiana, New York, and Texas where NRG has operations and delayed implementation of the assurance provisions until 2014. These changes, when final, would result in additional allowances to NRG. NRG's integrated compliance strategy includes enhancing the performance of existing controls, fuel adjustments, and allowance trading. No material capital investment is expected. Several companies and states have filed legal challenges to the rule.
In the third quarter 2011, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $160 million on the Company's Acid Rain Program SO 2  emission allowances, which were recorded as an intangible asset on the Company's balance sheet. The impairment charge reflects the write-off of the value of emission allowances in excess of those required for compliance with the Acid Rain Program.

On March 16, 2011, the U.S. EPA released the proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards to control emissions of hazardous air pollutants. NRG's existing and currently planned environmental capital expenditures are consistent with reductions required per the proposed rule.

In July 2004, the U.S. EPA published rules governing cooling water intake structures at existing power facilities commonly referred to as the 316(b) Rule. As a result of a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the U.S. EPA suspended the rule in July 2007 while preparing a revised version. On March 28, 2011, the U.S. EPA released the proposed 316(b) Rule. States such as California and New York moved ahead with their own more stringent requirements for once-through cooled units, which are expected to satisfy the requirements of the proposed 316(b) Rule. On July 20, 2011, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, or NYDEC, announced the State's final policy on cooling water intake structures, confirming the Company's planned capital expenditure for cooling water intakes in that state. NRG expects to comply with these requirements with a mix of intake and operational modifications.

The California Air Resources Board adopted the state's GHG cap and trade program under AB 32 on October 20, 2011. The program starts in 2013.

Regulatory Matters

As operators of power plants and participants in wholesale energy markets, certain NRG entities are subject to regulation by various federal and state government agencies. These include the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, FERC, NRC, and PUCT as well as other public utility commissions in certain states where NRG's generating or thermal assets are located. In addition, NRG is subject to the market rules, procedures and protocols of the various ISO markets in which it participates. Certain of the retail entities are competitive Retail Electric Providers, or REPs, and as such are subject to the rules and regulations of the PUCT governing REPs, as well as other states where NRG is licensed to sell at retail. NRG must also comply with the mandatory reliability requirements imposed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, or NERC, and the regional reliability councils in the regions where the Company operates. The operations of, and wholesale electric sales from, NRG's Texas region are not subject to rate regulation by the FERC, as they are deemed to operate solely within the ERCOT market and not in interstate commerce.
 
California — On March 17, 2011, FERC issued an order on CAISO's proposal to replace its interim backstop Capacity Procurement Mechanism, or CPM, with a permanent version. The proposed CPM addresses capacity payments for generating units not contracted to fulfill California's Resource Adequacy requirements, but nevertheless needed for reliability. FERC accepted CAISO's proposal effective April 1, 2011, subject to refund and convened a technical conference to expeditiously explore issues related to the pricing of the CPM. Market participants are discussing resolution of these matters and have requested that FERC defer further action until the settlement agreement is finalized.

On September 8, 2011, the San Diego, CA area experienced a large blackout. All of the Company's generating units located within SDG&E's service territory were forced offline as a result of the blackout, but were able to resume operations as the transmission system was restored. Initial indications are that the Company's generating facilities in the area performed in compliance with all regulatory requirements both before and after the blackout during system restoration. The Company has received and is responding to several inquiries from regulators regarding the blackout.

56

New England — On April 13, 2011, FERC issued an order addressing proposed amendments submitted by ISO-NE to its Forward Capacity Market, or FCM, design, as well as two pending complaints. Among other market revisions, FERC's order extends the price floor for “at least” the fifth (2014/2015) and sixth (2015/2016) Forward Capacity Auctions in order to address the effect of historical out-of-market capacity. On August 22, 2011, ISO-NE made a compliance filing requesting permission to eliminate the price floor for the seventh (2016/2017) Forward Capacity Auction. Requests for rehearing have been submitted by numerous parties and compliance filings are pending and being contested.
 
New York — On November 30, 2010, the NYISO filed at FERC its proposed installed capacity demand curves for 2011/2012, 2012/2013, and 2013/2014. The demand curves are a critical determinant of capacity market prices. The Company and other market participants protested the NYISO's filing, and on January 28, 2011, FERC found in favor of generators on a number of issues principally related to determining the cost of new entry and the resulting adjustments to the demand curves should positively affect capacity clearing prices. On May 19, 2011, FERC granted rehearing to remove property taxes from the cost of new entry of new in-city generation, denied other requests for rehearing, and directed the NYISO to make a series of compliance filings to implement the new rate. A coalition of New York in-city generators, including the Company, is seeking rehearing of the May 19, 2011, order. On September 15, 2011, FERC issued an order accepting the NYISO's compliance filing, and directing the NYISO to implement the new rate.

In addition, on June 3, 2011, as amended on June 15, 2011, the same coalition of New York in-city generators filed a complaint with FERC seeking additional transparency into: whether (i) the NYISO was correctly evaluating if new entrants into the capacity markets should be subject to mitigation and, if so, (ii) the NYISO was appropriately setting the level of any mitigation. On June 29, 2011, the NYISO released its July spot capacity auction clearing prices for New York City, which significantly decreased over June clearing prices. Clearing prices for the third quarter 2011 were comparable to the July clearing prices. The apparent cause of this decrease was a decision by the NYISO to allow a new entrant to bid into the July spot capacity auction, either without mitigation or without proper mitigation. Additionally, another new entrant has since indicated that it also received a mitigation exemption from NYISO and that it intends to begin participating in the NYISO capacity market starting with the May 2012 capability period. The addition of this second new entrant may further affect capacity clearing prices in New York. On July 10, 2011, in response to the July spot auction capacity clearing prices, two generators filed a second complaint alleging that the NYISO had improperly exempted both new entrants from mitigation, and requested that FERC immediately direct the NYISO to apply its offer-floor market mitigation rules to both new entrants, to resettle the July capacity spot auction, and other relief. Certain of NRG's subsidiaries filed a motion to intervene at FERC in support of applying offer-floor mitigation to the new entrants. On August 31, 2011, FERC issued an order on the second complaint directing the NYISO to provide additional information, on a confidential basis, regarding its mitigation decisions, and requiring additional comments, which were filed on September 23, 2011. Both complaints are pending before FERC.

PJM — On April 12, 2011, FERC issued an order addressing a complaint filed by PJM Power Providers Group seeking to require PJM to address the potential adverse impacts of out-of-market generation on the PJM capacity market, as well as PJM's subsequent submission seeking revisions to the capacity market design, in particular the Minimum Offer Price Rule, or MOPR. In its order, FERC generally strengthened the MOPR and the protections against market price distortion from out-of-market generation. Requests for rehearing have been submitted by numerous parties and compliance filings are pending and being contested. FERC convened a technical conference on July 28, 2011, to further explore issues associated with self-supply and out-of-market generation. The outcome of this proceeding could affect the Company's ability to meet its obligations under New Jersey's Long-Term Capacity Agreement Pilot Program.

South Central — On April 25, 2011, Entergy Corporation, or Entergy, announced that it will pursue joining the Midwest Independent System Operator regional transmission organization, or MISO, with a current target date for joining of December 2013. Entergy's proposal is subject to approval from the regulatory commissions of the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, as well as the City of New Orleans. The Company's South Central region is dependent upon Entergy's transmission system to conduct its business, and thus would necessarily move with Entergy into MISO. This development is not expected to materially impact the Company's ability to serve its customers in the region, and we are continuing to analyze the impact of the possible changes in transmission access and market design.

Texas — On February 2, 2011, ERCOT experienced unusually cold temperatures that resulted in a power emergency, rotating blackouts, and a new all-time winter peak of 56,334 MW (on February 10, 2011, ERCOT again set a new winter peak of 57,315 MW). Several regulators are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the cold snap, and have issued requests for information to market participants, including NRG. During the load shed event, the Company satisfied its load responsibilities and wholesale obligations, and complied with ERCOT's instructions. On September 15, 2011, FERC and NERC issued the results of its joint investigation into the events of February, making operational recommendations, but finding no wrong-doing. The ERCOT IMM also issued a report that determined that there was no market manipulation.

57

Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or NRC, Task Force Report — On July 12, 2011, the NRC Near-Term Task Force, or the Task Force, issued its report, which reviewed nuclear processes and regulations in light of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan. The Task Force concluded that U.S. nuclear plants are operating safely and did not identify changes to the existing nuclear licensing process nor recommend fundamental changes to spent nuclear fuel storage. The Task Force report made recommendations in three key areas: the NRC's regulatory framework, specific plant design requirements, and emergency preparedness and actions. STPNOC expects the report to be the first step in a longer-term review that the NRC will conduct, along with seeking broad stakeholder input. STPNOC continues to apply lessons learned and work with regulators and industry organizations on appropriate assessments and actions.  Until further actions are taken by the NRC, the Company cannot predict the impact of the recommendations in the NRC Task Force report, and could face additional investments at STP Units 1 & 2.

Changes in Accounting Standards

None.

58

Consolidated Results of Operations
The following table provides selected financial information for the Company:

 	Three months ended September 30,	Nine months ended September 30,	
(In millions except otherwise noted)	2011	2010	Change %	2011	2010	Change %	
Operating Revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Energy revenue (a)	$	465	
 	$	812	
 	(43	)%	$	1,592	
 	$	2,191	
 	(27	)%	
Capacity revenue (a)	196	
 	215	
 	(9	)	564	
 	628	
 	(10	)	
Retail revenue	1,882	
 	1,593	
 	18	
 	4,526	
 	4,179	
 	8	
 	
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities	81	
 	(2	)	N/A	
 	149	
 	(65	)	329	
 	
Contract amortization	(18	)	(23	)	22	
 	(109	)	(137	)	20	
 	
Thermal revenue	36	
 	39	
 	(8	)	109	
 	105	
 	4	
 	
Other revenues (b)	32	
 	51	
 	(37	)	116	
 	132	
 	(12	)	
Total operating revenues	2,674	
 	2,685	
 	—	
 	6,947	
 	7,033	
 	(1	)	
Operating Costs and Expenses	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	
Generation cost of sales (a)	836	
 	711	
 	18	
 	1,968	
 	1,649	
 	19	
 	
Retail cost of sales (a)	871	
 	772	
 	13	
 	2,163	
 	2,204	
 	(2	)	
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities	40	
 	62	
 	(35	)	(68	)	23	
 	(396	)	
Contract and emissions credit amortization (c)	16	
 	3	
 	433	
 	37	
 	8	
 	363	
 	
Thermal cost of sales	17	
 	18	
 	(6	)	49	
 	48	
 	2	
 	
Other cost of operations	273	
 	269	
 	1	
 	836	
 	871	
 	(4	)	
Total cost of operations	2,053	
 	1,835	
 	12	
 	4,985	
 	4,803	
 	4	
 	
Depreciation and amortization	238	
 	210	
 	13	
 	665	
 	620	
 	7	
 	
Impairment charge on emission allowances	160	
 	—	
 	N/A	
 	160	
 	—	
 	N/A	
 	
Selling, general and administrative	169	
 	172	
 	(2	)	479	
 	441	
 	9	
 	
Development costs	11	
 	14	
 	(21	)	32	
 	36	
 	(11	)	
Total operating costs and expenses	2,631	
 	2,231	
 	18	
 	6,321	
 	5,900	
 	7	
 	
Gain on sale of assets	—	
 	—	
 	N/A	
 	—	
 	23	
 	(100	)	
Operating Income	43	
 	454	
 	(91	)	626	
 	1,156	
 	(46	)	
Other Income/(Expense)	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	16	
 	16	
 	—	
 	26	
 	41	
 	(37	)	
Impairment charge on investment	(3	)	—	
 	N/A	
 	(495	)	—	
 	N/A	
 	
Other income, net	5	
 	11	
 	(55	)	13	
 	34	
 	(62	)	
Loss on debt extinguishment	(32	)	(1	)	N/A	
 	(175	)	(2	)	N/A	
 	
Interest expense	(164	)	(168	)	(2	)	(504	)	(467	)	8	
 	
Total other expense	(178	)	(142	)	25	
 	(1,135	)	(394	)	188	
 	
(Loss)/Income before income tax expense	(135	)	312	
 	(143	)	(509	)	762	
 	(167	)	
Income tax (benefit)/expense	(80	)	89	
 	(190	)	(815	)	271	
 	(401	)	
Net (Loss)/Income	(55	)	223	
 	(125	)	306	
 	491	
 	(38	)	
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	(1	)	(100	)	
Net (Loss)/Income Attributable to
NRG Energy, Inc.	$	(55	)	$	223	
 	(125	)	$	306	
 	$	492	
 	(38	)	
Business Metrics	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	
Average natural gas price
— Henry Hub ($/MMBtu)	4.20	
 	4.38	
 	(4	)%	4.21	
 	4.59	
 	(8	)%	
 	 	
(a)	Includes realized gains and losses from financially settled transactions.	
 	 	
(b)	Includes unrealized trading gains and losses.	
 	 	
(c)	Includes amortization of SO2 and NOx credits and excludes amortization of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, credits.	
N/A - Not Applicable

59

Management’s discussion of the results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010

(Loss)/Income before income tax expense — The pre-tax loss of $135 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to pre-tax income of $312 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, primarily reflects:
 	 	
•	a $322 million decrease in gross margin, which includes $146 million primarily resulting from the unprecedented August 2011 heat wave in Texas	

•a $160 million impairment charge on emissions allowances, and

•a $32 million loss on the extinguishment of the Senior Credit Facility.

Net income — The decrease in net income of $278 million primarily reflects the drivers discussed above offset by the tax benefit for the three months ended September 30, 2011, of $80 million, compared with income tax expense of $89 million in the comparable period.

Wholesale Power Generation gross margin

The following is a discussion of gross margin for NRG's wholesale power generation regions, adjusted to eliminate intersegment activity, primarily with Reliant Energy and Green Mountain Energy.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Three months ended September 30, 2011	
(In millions except otherwise noted)	Texas	 	Northeast	 	South Central	 	West	 	Other	 	Total
Wholesale
Power Generation	 	Eliminations	 	ConsolidatedTotal	
Energy revenue	$	725	
 	 	$	207	
 	 	$	205	
 	 	$	23	
 	 	$	13	
 	 	$	1,173	
 	 	$	(708	)	 	$	465	
 	
Capacity revenue	9	
 	 	79	
 	 	61	
 	 	33	
 	 	18	
 	 	200	
 	 	(4	)	 	196	
 	
Thermal revenue	

 	

 	 	
 	
 	 	36	
 	 	36	

 	 	36	
 	
Other revenue	24	
 	 	1	
 	 	6	
 	 	(2	)	 	9	
 	 	38	
 	 	(6	)	 	32	
 	
Generation revenue	758	
 	 	287	
 	 	272	
 	 	54	
 	 	76	
 	 	1,447	
 	 	$	(718	)	 	$	729	
 	
Generation cost of sales	(428	)	 	(176	)	 	(197	)	 	(9	)	 	(26	)	 	(836	)	—	
 	 	 	 	
Thermal cost of sales	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(17	)	 	(17	)	—	
 	 	 	 	
Generation cost of sales	(428	)	 	(176	)	 	(197	)	 	(9	)	 	(43	)	 	(853	)	 	 	 	 	
Generation gross margin	$	330	
 	 	$	111	
 	 	$	75	
 	 	$	45	
 	 	$	33	
 	 	$	594	

Business Metrics	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
MWh sold (in thousands)	14,656	
 	 	3,191	
 	 	5,749	
 	 	158	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
MWh generated (in thousands)	14,217	
 	 	2,611	
 	 	4,488	
 	 	158	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Average on-peak market power prices ($/MWh)	$	108.89	
 	 	$	59.05	
 	 	$	40.07	
 	 	$	40.95	

60

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Three months ended September 30, 2010	
(In millions except otherwise noted)	Texas	 	Northeast	 	South Central	 	West	 	Other	 	Total
Wholesale
Power Generation	 	Eliminations	 	Consolidated Total	
Energy revenue	$	855	
 	 	$	267	
 	 	$	115	
 	 	$	15	
 	 	$	11	
 	 	$	1,263	
 	 	$	(451	)	 	$	812	
 	
Capacity revenue	7	
 	 	107	
 	 	61	
 	 	28	
 	 	17	
 	 	220	
 	 	(5	)	 	215	
 	
Thermal revenue	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	39	
 	 	39	
 	 	—	
 	 	39	
 	
Other revenue	37	
 	 	21	
 	 	3	
 	 	—	
 	 	1	
 	 	62	
 	 	(11	)	 	51	
 	
Generation revenue	899	
 	 	395	
 	 	179	
 	 	43	
 	 	68	
 	 	1,584	
 	 	$	(467	)	 	$	1,117	
 	
Generation cost of sales	(364	)	 	(204	)	 	(114	)	 	(5	)	 	(24	)	 	(711	)	 	 	 	 	
Thermal cost of sales	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(18	)	 	(18	)	 	 	 	 	
Generation cost of sales	(364	)	 	(204	)	 	(114	)	 	(5	)	 	(42	)	 	(729	)	 	 	 	 	
Generation gross margin	$	535	
 	 	$	191	
 	 	$	65	
 	 	$	38	
 	 	$	26	
 	 	$	855	

Business Metrics	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
MWh sold (in thousands)	13,646	
 	 	3,776	
 	3,221	
 	3,458	
 	1,980	
 	100	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
MWh generated (in thousands)	12,995	
 	 	3,443	
 	2,366	
 	3,048	
 	1,688	
 	100	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Average on-peak market power prices ($/MWh)	$	48.15	
 	 	$	68.32	
 	 	$	45.58	
 	 	$	39.54	

 	Three months ended September 30,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weather Metrics	Texas	 	Northeast	 	South Central	 	West	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
CDDs (a)	1,877	
 	 	585	
 	 	1,134	
 	 	606	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
HDDs (a)	—	
 	 	86	
 	 	44	
 	 	52	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2010	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
CDDs	1,620	
 	 	632	
 	 	1,280	
 	 	548	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
HDDs	3	
 	 	98	
 	 	19	
 	 	77	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
30 year average	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
CDDs	1,485	
 	 	430	
 	 	997	
 	 	506	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
HDDs	—	
 	 	159	
 	 	33	
 	 	108	

(a)	National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Climate Prediction Center - A Cooling Degree Day, or CDD, represents the number of degrees that the mean temperature for a particular day is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit in each region. A Heating Degree Day, or HDD, represents the number of degrees that the mean temperature for a particular day is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit in each region. The CDDs/HDDs for a period of time are calculated by adding the CDDs/HDDs for each day during the period.	

Generation gross margin — decreased by $261 million, including intercompany sales, during the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, due to:

Decrease in Texas region	$	(205	)	
Decrease in Northeast region	(80	)	
Increase in South Central region	10	
 	
Increase in West region	7	
 	
Other	7	
 	
 	$	(261	)	

61

The decrease in gross margin in the Texas region was driven by:

Lower energy revenue due to a 27% decrease in realized prices, which reflects lower
    hedged prices in 2011	$	(150	)	
Losses incurred due to hedging and trading optimization activities, and the impact of unplanned outages at gas plants as ERCOT power prices spiked in August 2011	(90	)	
Favorable gross margin impact from a 5% increase in coal generation driven by higher economic dispatch and fewer unplanned outages	17	
 	
Lower purchased energy costs due to fewer unplanned outages at baseload plants	15	
 	
Favorable gross margin impact from a 37% increase in natural gas generation driven by warmer weather compared to 2010	10	
 	
Other	(7	)	
 	$	(205	)	

The decrease in gross margin in the Northeast region was driven by:

Lower gross margin from coal plants due to a 20% decrease in realized energy prices	$	(20	)	
Lower gross margin from coal plants due to a 29% decrease in generation as units were less economic as compared to the prior year	(18	)	
Lower gross margin from oil and gas plants due to an 11% decrease in realized energy prices and a 71% decrease in generation offset by related fuel costs	(5	)	
Lower capacity revenue due to 30% lower prices and 5% lower volumes partially offset by favorable hedges for New York	(20	)	
Lower capacity revenue due to significantly lower LFRM prices and volumes in New England	(8	)	
Other	(9	)	
 	$	(80	)	

The increase in gross margin in the South Central region was driven by:

Impact of a decrease in average realized merchant prices	$	(123	)	
Higher gross margin from merchant energy due to an increase in MWh sold, offset in part by higher costs of sales, primarily related to the addition of the Cottonwood facility and capacity from summer tolling agreements	126	
 	
Higher contract revenue from new contracts with two regional municipalities	11	
 	
Coal and other costs of energy increased due to a 1% increase in generation and an increase in prices driven by higher transportation costs	(4	)	
 	$	10	

The increase in gross margin in the West region was driven by:

Higher merchant revenue due to a 58% increase in generation related to the addition of a new solar facility as well as warmer weather as compared to the prior year quarter	$	8	
 	
Higher capacity revenue due to additional sales at El Segundo and a price increase on the Cabrillo I tolling agreement	5	
 	
Higher natural gas costs related to the increase in merchant revenue due to warmer weather than in the prior year quarter	(4	)	
Other	(2	)	
 	$	7	

62

Retail gross margin

The Company's retail gross margin, which reflects retail operating revenues less retail cost of sales, include the results of NRG's Reliant Energy business segment, as well as the results of Green Mountain Energy which is included in NRG's Corporate business segment.

 	Three months ended September 30, 2011	
(In millions)	Reliant Energy	Green Mountain  (a)	Eliminations	Consolidated Total	
Retail operating revenues	$	1,654	
 	$	230	
 	$	(2	)	$	1,882	
 	
Retail cost of sales	1,401	
 	186	
 	(716	)	871	
 	
(a) Green Mountain Energy was acquired in November 2010.	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Three months ended September 30, 2010	
(In millions)	 	Reliant Energy	Eliminations	Consolidated Total	
Retail operating revenues	 	$	1,593	
 	$	—	
 	$	1,593	
 	
Retail cost of sales	 	1,239	
 	(467	)	772	

Reliant Energy

The following is a detailed discussion of retail gross margin for NRG's Reliant Energy business segment.

Selected Income Statement Data

 	Three months ended September 30,	
(In millions except otherwise noted)	2011	 	2010	
Operating Revenues	 	 	 	
Mass revenues	$	1,035	
 	 	$	997	
 	
Commercial and Industrial revenues	541	
 	 	546	
 	
Supply management revenues	78	
 	 	50	
 	
Retail operating revenues (a)	1,654	
 	 	1,593	
 	
Retail cost of sales (b)	1,401	
 	 	1,239	
 	
Retail gross margin	$	253	
 	 	$	354	

Business Metrics	 	 	 	
Electricity sales volume — GWh	 	 	 	
Mass	8,389	
 	 	7,547	
 	
Commercial and Industrial (a)	7,231	
 	 	7,179	
 	
Average retail customers count (in thousands, metered locations)	 	 	 	
Mass	1,482	
 	 	1,473	
 	
Commercial and Industrial (a)	63	
 	 	63	
 	
Retail customers count (in thousands, metered locations)	 	 	 	
Mass	1,493	
 	 	1,468	
 	
Commercial and Industrial (a)	63	
 	 	62	

Weather Metrics	 	 	 	
CDDs (c)	2,050	
 	 	1,820	
 	
HDDs (c)	—	
 	 	—	

(a)	Includes customers of the Texas General Land Office for which the Company provides services.	
 	 	
(b)	Includes intercompany purchases from the Texas region of $627 million and $467 million, respectively.	
 	 	
(c)	The CDDs/HDDs amounts are representative of the Coast and North Central Zones within the ERCOT market in which Reliant Energy serves its customer base.	

63

 	 	
•	Retail gross margin — Reliant Energy's gross margin decreased $101 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, driven by:	

 	
 	 	 	 	
Unfavorable gross margin impact of an unprecedented heat wave in Texas. Higher supply costs for incremental weather volume resulted in negative margins	$	(56	)	
Favorable volume impact on gross margin due to a 1% increase in customer counts and higher average usage driven by a change in customer mix	25	
 	
Decrease in retail margins of 17% due to lower pricing on acquisitions and renewals consistent with competitive offers	(55	)	
Estimated favorable impact in 2010 as compared to 2011 from the termination of out-of-market supply contracts in conjunction with 2009 CSRA unwind	(15	)	
 	$	(101	)	

•	Trends — Competition and lower unit margins on acquisitions and renewals could drive lower revenues and gross margin in the future. Mass customer counts increased by 16,000 since June 30, 2011, continuing the trend in 2011 of a net customer count increase each quarter. Warmer than normal weather in both periods resulted in higher customer usage of 15% in 2011 and 4% in 2010 when compared to ten-year normal weather.	

Green Mountain Energy

The following is a discussion of retail gross margin for Green Mountain Energy for the three months ended September 30, 2011:

 	 	 	 	
Retail operating revenues	$	230	
 	
Retail cost of sales (a)	186	
 	
Retail gross margin	$	44	
 	
(a) Includes intercompany purchases of $89 million	 	

•	Retail gross margin — Green Mountain Energy's gross margin of $44 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, reflects increased customer usage due to warmer than normal weather, as compared to the ten-year average. During certain periods within the quarter, the unprecedented heat wave in Texas led to abnormally high power prices in ERCOT, which resulted in increased supply costs for the incremental customer usage. Revenues were generated 64% and 36% from residential and commercial customers, respectively. Total metered customer counts were approximately 400,000 and increased approximately 4% or 14,000 from June 30, 2011.	

64

Mark-to-market for Economic Hedging Activities
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities includes asset-backed hedges that did not qualify for cash flow hedge accounting and ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges. Total net mark-to-market results increased by $105 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010.
The breakdown of gains and losses included in operating revenues and operating costs and expenses by region are as follows:

 	Three months ended September 30, 2011	
 	Reliant
Energy	Texas	Northeast	South
Central	West	Thermal	Corporate (a)	Elimination(b)	Total	
 	(In millions)	
Mark-to-market results in operating revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized losses/(gains) on settled positions related to economic hedges	$	—	
 	$	44	
 	$	5	
 	$	7	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	(33	)	$	23	
 	
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on open positions related to economic hedges	1	
 	20	
 	6	
 	(6	)	(5	)	—	
 	—	
 	42	
 	58	
 	
Total mark-to-market gains/(losses) in operating revenues	$	1	
 	$	64	
 	$	11	
 	$	1	
 	$	(5	)	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	9	
 	$	81	
 	
Mark-to-market results in operating costs and expenses	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains)/losses on settled positions related to economic hedges	$	—	
 	$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	(2	)	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	(2	)	$	33	
 	$	27	
 	
Reversal of gain positions acquired as part of the Reliant Energy acquisition as of May 1, 2009	(15	)	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	(15	)	
Reversal of loss positions acquired as part of the Green Mountain Energy acquisition as of November 5, 2010	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	4	
 	—	
 	4	
 	
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on open positions related to economic hedges	(12	)	4	
 	(3	)	8	
 	—	
 	—	
 	(11	)	(42	)	(56	)	
Total mark-to-market (losses)/gains in operating costs and expenses	$	(27	)	$	3	
 	$	(4	)	$	6	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	(9	)	$	(9	)	$	(40	)	
(a) Corporate segment consists of Green Mountain Energy activity.
(b) Represents the elimination of the intercompany activity between the Texas or Northeast regions with Green Mountain Energy or Reliant Energy.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Three months ended September 30, 2010	
 	Reliant
Energy	Texas	Northeast	South
Central	West	Thermal	Corporate	Elimination(a)	Total	
 	(In millions)	
Mark-to-market results in operating revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains)/losses on settled positions related to economic hedges	$	(1	)	$	20	
 	$	(26	)	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	27	
 	$	20	
 	
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on open positions related to economic hedges	1	
 	119	
 	(16	)	(19	)	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	(107	)	(22	)	
Total mark-to-market gains(losses) in operating revenues	$	—	
 	$	139	
 	$	(42	)	$	(19	)	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	(80	)	$	(2	)	
Mark-to-market results in operating costs and expenses	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains)/losses on settled positions related to economic hedges	$	(32	)	$	7	
 	$	3	
 	$	4	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	(27	)	$	(45	)	
Reversal of loss positions acquired as part of the Reliant Energy acquisition as of May 1, 2009	7	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	7	
 	
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on open positions related to economic hedges	(148	)	10	
 	1	
 	6	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	107	
 	(24	)	
Total mark-to-market gains/(losses) in operating costs and expenses	$	(173	)	$	17	
 	$	4	
 	$	10	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	80	
 	$	(62	)	
 	 	
(a)	Represents the elimination of the intercompany activity between the Texas and Reliant Energy regions.	

65

Mark-to-market results consist of unrealized gains and losses. The settlement of these transactions is reflected in the same caption as the items being hedged.

For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the net gains on open positions were due to a decrease in forward power and gas prices. Reliant Energy's $15 million loss from the roll-off of acquired derivatives consists of gain positions that were acquired as of May 1, 2009, and valued using forward prices on that date. The roll-off amounts were offset by realized gains at the settled prices and lower costs of physical power which are reflected in operating costs and expenses during the same period. Green Mountain Energy's $4 million gain from the roll-off of acquired derivatives consists of loss positions that were acquired as of November 5, 2010, and valued using forward prices on that date. The roll-off amounts were offset by realized losses at the settled prices and higher costs of physical power which are reflected in operating costs and expenses during the same period.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, the net losses on open positions were due to a decrease in forward power and gas prices. Reliant Energy's $7 million gain from the roll-off of acquired derivatives consists of loss positions that were acquired as of May 1, 2009, and valued using forward prices on that date. The roll-off amounts were offset by realized losses at the settled prices and higher costs of physical power which are reflected in revenues and cost of operations during the same period.

In accordance with ASC 815, the following table represents the results of the Company's financial and physical trading of energy commodities for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010. The realized financial and physical trading results are included in operating revenue and the unrealized financial and physical trading results are included in other revenue. The Company's trading activities are subject to limits within the Company's Risk Management Policy.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Three months ended September 30,	
(In millions)	2011	2010	
Trading gains/(losses)	 	 	
Realized	$	(43	)	$	2	
 	
Unrealized	8	
 	29	
 	
Total trading (losses)/gains	$	(35	)	$	31	

The change in realized trading results is primarily reflected in the Texas region.

Contract Amortization Revenue

Contract amortization represents the roll-off of in-market customer contracts valued under purchase accounting and the favorable change of $5 million as compared to the prior period in 2010 related primarily to lower contract amortization for Reliant Energy of $13 million, offset by higher contract amortization of $6 million for Green Mountain Energy.

Contract and Emissions Credit Amortization

The increase in contract and emissions credit amortization primarily reflects lower contract amortization, which is an offset to expense, due to the roll-off of energy supply contracts valued in purchase accounting for Reliant Energy.

66

Other Operating Costs

(In millions)	Reliant
Energy	Texas	Northeast	South
Central	West	Thermal	Other	Total	
Three months ended September 30, 2011	$49	$120	$57	$25	$9	$9	$4	$273	
Three months ended September 30, 2010	$52	$104	$70	$19	$16	$10	$(2)	$269	

Other operating costs increased by $4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, due to:

Increase in Texas region operations and maintenance expense	$	14	
 	
Decrease in other operations and maintenance expense	(5	)	
Decrease in property tax expense	(5	)	
 	$	4	

 	 	
◦	Texas operations and maintenance — increased primarily due to the write-off of certain software implementation project costs as well as an increase in normal maintenance work due to increased run time for the region's gas plants, offset in part by a reduction to major maintenance as compared to the same period in 2010.	

◦	Property tax expense — decreased primarily due to the timing of New York Empire Zone tax credits in 2010.	

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $28 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, due primarily to additional depreciation related to the acquisitions of the Cottonwood, Green Mountain Energy, and Northwind Phoenix businesses in 2010.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010 due primarily to a decrease in bad debt expense of $12 million at Reliant Energy due to improved customer payment behavior and decreased revenues. This was offset in part by the acquisition of Green Mountain Energy in November 2010.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates

NRG's equity earnings from unconsolidated affiliates remained flat at $16 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010. Earnings from GenConn increased by $4 million which were offset by a decrease of $3 million due to changes in the fair value of Sherbino's forward gas contract.

67

Impairment Charge on Investment
 
As discussed in more detail in Note 5, Nuclear Innovation North America LLC Developments, Including Impairment Charge, of this Form 10-Q, the devastating March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which in turn, triggered a nuclear incident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, caused NRG to evaluate its investment in NINA for impairment. Consequently, NRG deconsolidated its investment in NINA and took an impairment charge in the first quarter equal to the balance of its investment in NINA. In concurrence with a substantial reduction in NINA's project workforce, and to support NINA's reduced scope of work, NRG contributed an additional $3 million into NINA during the three months ended September 30, 2011, which NRG also expensed as an impairment charge.

Impairment Charge on Emission Allowances
 
As described in Note 18, Environmental Matters, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $160 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011, on the Company's Acid Rain Program SO 2  emission allowances, which were recorded as an intangible asset on the Company's balance sheet. The impairment charge reflects the write-off of the value of emission allowances in excess of those required for compliance with the Acid Rain Program.

Other Income, net

Other income, net, decreased by $6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, which relates primarily to a reduction in interest income of $5 million.

Loss on Debt Extinguishment

A loss on debt extinguishment of $32 million was recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2011, which primarily consisted of the write-off of previously deferred financing costs related to the replacement of NRG's Senior Credit Facility with the 2011 Senior Credit Facility.

Interest Expense

NRG's interest expense decreased by $4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010 due to the following:

Increase/(decrease) in interest expense	(In millions)	
Increase for 2020 Senior Notes issued in August 2010	$	12	
 	
Increase for 2018 Senior Notes issued in January 2011	23	
 	
Increase for 2019 and 2021 Senior Notes issued in May 2011	39	
 	
Decrease for 2014 Senior Notes redeemed in January and February 2011	(18	)	
Decrease for 2016 Senior Notes redeemed in May and June 2011	(44	)	
Increase for project financings	4	
 	
Increase for tax-exempt bonds	3	
 	
Decrease for capitalized interest	(15	)	
Decrease for refinanced term loan and revolving credit facility	(10	)	
Other	2	
 	
Total	$	(4	)	

Income Tax (Benefit)/Expense

For the three months ended September 30, 2011, NRG recorded an income tax benefit of $80 million on a pre-tax loss of $135 million. For the same period in 2010, NRG recorded income tax expense of $89 million on pre-tax income of $312 million. The effective tax rate was 59.3% and 28.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

For the three months ended September 30, 2011, NRG's overall effective tax rate was different than the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a reduction in the valuation allowance.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, NRG's overall effective tax rate was different than the statutory rate of 35% due to a reduction in the valuation allowance resulting from the generation of capital gains partially offset by state and local income taxes.

68

Management’s discussion of the results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

(Loss)/Income before income tax expense — The pre-tax loss of $509 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to pre-tax income of $762 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, reflects:
 	 	
•	a decrease in gross margin of $607 million, which includes $146 million primarily resulting from the unprecedented August 2011 heat wave in Texas,	

•	a $495 million loss on the impairment of NRG's investment in NINA,	

•	a $175 million loss on the extinguishment of the 2014 Senior Notes, the 2016 Senior Notes and the Senior Credit Facility, and	

•	a $160 million impairment charge on emissions allowances.	

Net income — The decrease in net income of $185 million primarily reflects the drivers discussed above, offset by a tax benefit of $815 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, which primarily reflects the impact of the resolution of the federal tax audit in June 2011, compared to income tax expense of $271 million in the prior period.

Wholesale Power Generation gross margin

The following is a discussion of gross margin for NRG's wholesale power generation regions, adjusted to eliminate intersegment activity primarily with Reliant Energy and Green Mountain Energy.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Nine months ended September 30, 2011	
(In millions except otherwise noted)	Texas	 	Northeast	 	South Central	 	West	 	Other	 	Total
Wholesale
Power Generation	 	Eliminations	 	ConsolidatedTotal	
Energy revenue	$	2,003	
 	 	$	503	
 	 	$	435	
 	 	$	35	
 	 	$	43	
 	 	$	3,019	
 	 	$	(1,427	)	 	$	1,592	
 	
Capacity revenue	19	
 	 	228	
 	 	183	
 	 	89	
 	 	54	
 	 	573	
 	 	(9	)	 	564	
 	
Thermal revenue	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	109	
 	 	109	
 	 	—	
 	 	109	
 	
Other revenue	79	
 	 	14	
 	 	14	
 	 	3	
 	 	20	
 	 	130	
 	 	(14	)	 	116	
 	
Generation revenue	2,101	
 	 	745	
 	 	632	
 	 	127	
 	 	226	
 	 	3,831	
 	 	$	(1,450	)	 	$	2,381	
 	
Generation cost of sales	(988	)	 	(449	)	 	(432	)	 	(14	)	 	(85	)	 	(1,968	)	 	 	 	 	
Thermal cost of sales	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(49	)	 	(49	)	 	 	 	 	
Generation cost of sales	(988	)	 	(449	)	 	(432	)	 	(14	)	 	(134	)	 	(2,017	)	 	 	 	 	
Generation gross margin	$	1,113	
 	 	$	296	
 	 	$	200	
 	 	$	113	
 	 	$	92	
 	 	$	1,814	

Business Metrics	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
MWh sold (in thousands)	38,919	
 	7,280	
 	8,127	
 	132	
 	13,223	
 	7,280	
 	241	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
MWh generated (in thousands)	37,210	
 	5,790	
 	6,522	
 	132	
 	12,147	
 	5,790	
 	241	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Average on-peak market power prices ($/MWh)	$	66.81	
 	 	$	57.01	
 	 	$	38.02	
 	 	$	37.06	

69

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Nine months ended September 30, 2010	
(In millions except otherwise noted)	Texas	 	Northeast	 	South Central	 	West	 	Other	 	Total
Wholesale
Power Generation	 	Eliminations	 	Consolidated Total	
Energy revenue	$	2,226	
 	 	$	580	
 	 	$	297	
 	 	$	26	
 	 	$	34	
 	 	$	3,163	
 	 	$	(972	)	 	$	2,191	
 	
Capacity revenue	19	
 	 	311	
 	 	176	
 	 	81	
 	 	53	
 	 	640	
 	 	(12	)	 	628	
 	
Thermal revenue	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	105	
 	 	105	
 	 	—	
 	 	105	
 	
Other revenue	109	
 	 	44	
 	 	12	
 	 	2	
 	 	5	
 	 	172	
 	 	(40	)	 	132	
 	
Generation revenues	2,354	
 	 	935	
 	 	485	
 	 	109	
 	 	197	
 	 	4,080	
 	 	$	(1,024	)	 	$	3,056	
 	
Generation cost of sales	(858	)	 	(395	)	 	(311	)	 	(11	)	 	(74	)	 	(1,649	)	 	 	 	 	
Thermal cost of sales	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(48	)	 	(48	)	 	 	 	 	
Generation cost of sales	(858	)	 	(395	)	 	(311	)	 	(11	)	 	(122	)	 	(1,697	)	 	 	 	 	
Generation gross margin	$	1,496	
 	 	$	540	
 	 	$	174	
 	 	$	98	
 	 	$	75	
 	 	$	2,383	

Business Metrics	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
MWh sold (in thousands)	36,488	
 	 	8,145	
 	 	9,857	
 	 	197	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
MWh generated (in thousands)	34,865	
 	 	7,520	
 	 	8,056	
 	 	197	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Average on-peak market power prices ($/MWh)	$	43.10	
 	 	$	58.41	
 	 	$	42.62	
 	 	$	40.94	

 	Nine months ended September 30,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weather Metrics	Texas	 	Northeast	 	South Central	 	West	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
CDDs	3,197	
 	 	749	
 	 	1,796	
 	 	676	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
HDDs	1,171	
 	 	3,978	
 	 	2,157	
 	 	2,193	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2010	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
CDDs	2,646	
 	 	847	
 	 	1,969	
 	 	623	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
HDDs	1,467	
 	 	3,545	
 	 	2,442	
 	 	2,081	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
30 year average	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
CDDs	2,433	
 	 	534	
 	 	1,486	
 	 	663	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
HDDs	1,205	
 	 	4,089	
 	 	2,227	
 	 	2,073	

70

 	 	
•	Generation gross margin — decreased by $569 million, including intercompany sales, during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, due to:	

 	 	 	 	
Decrease in Texas region	$	(383	)	
Decrease in Northeast region	(244	)	
Increase in South Central region	26	
 	
Increase in West region	15	
 	
Other	17	
 	
 	$	(569	)	

The decrease in gross margin in the Texas region was driven by:

Lower energy revenue due to an 18% decrease in average realized energy prices, which reflects lower
    hedged prices in 2011	$	(331	)	
Losses incurred primarily due to hedging and trading optimization activities, and the impact of unplanned outages at gas plants as ERCOT power prices spiked in August 2011	(83	)	
Higher coal costs due to an 8% increase in realized coal prices offset by favorable financial fuel hedges	(23	)	
Favorable gross margin impact from a 4% increase in coal generation driven by higher economic dispatch and fewer planned outages	33	
 	
Favorable gross margin impact due to a 27% increase in natural gas generation driven by warmer weather	13	
 	
Favorable gross margin impact from a 31% increase in wind generation primarily from the acquisition of
     South Trent in 2010	12	
 	
Other	(4	)	
 	$	(383	)	

The decrease in gross margin in the Northeast region was driven by:

Lower gross margin from coal plants due to a 31% decrease in realized energy prices	$	(101	)	
Lower gross margin from coal plants due to an 18% decrease in generation, due to the retirement of two units at Indian River offset by an increase in generation at Arthur Kill, which benefited from local transmission outages, offset by related fuel costs	(45	)	
Lower capacity revenue due to 11% lower volumes from higher forced outage rates and decreased prices of 16%, offset by favorable hedges for New York	(50	)	
Lower capacity revenue due to significantly lower LFRM prices and volumes in New England	(26	)	
Lower capacity revenue from the expiration of RMR contracts for Montville, Middletown, and Norwalk	(7	)	
Other	(15	)	
 	$	(244	)	

71

The increase in gross margin in the South Central region was driven by:

Higher gross margin from merchant energy due to an 188% increase in MWh sold, offset in part by higher costs of sales, primarily related to the addition of the Cottonwood facility and the capacity from summer tolling agreements	$	33	
 	
Lower merchant revenue related to a 9% decrease in average realized prices	(18	)	
Higher contract revenue from new contracts with three regional municipalities	27	
 	
Higher capacity revenue due primarily to higher cooperative billing peaks	6	
 	
Higher coal costs due to a 6% increase in generation at the region's coal plant which reflects increased outages in 2010 and a $1.98/ton increase in price due to higher transportation costs	(22	)	
 	$	26	

    
The increase in gross margin in the West region was driven by:     

Higher capacity revenue due to additional sales at El Segundo and a price increase on the Cabrillo I tolling agreement	$	8	
 	
Increase in merchant gross margin related to additional generation from a solar facility that was constructed in 2011	1	
 	
Increase in other revenue due to fuel oil sales at Encina	2	
 	
Other	4	
 	
 	$	15	

72

Retail gross margin

The Company's retail gross margin, which reflects retail operating revenues less retail cost of sales, includes the results of NRG's Reliant Energy business segment, as well as the results of Green Mountain Energy which is included in NRG's Corporate business segment.

 	Nine months ended September 30, 2011	
(In millions)	Reliant Energy	Green Mountain (a)	Eliminations	Consolidated Total	
Retail operating revenues	$	4,002	
 	$	528	
 	$	(4	)	$	4,526	
 	
Retail cost of sales	3,201	
 	405	
 	(1,443	)	2,163	
 	
(a) Green Mountain Energy was acquired in November 2010.	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Nine months ended September 30, 2010	
(In millions)	 	Reliant Energy	Eliminations	Consolidated Total	
Retail operating revenues	 	$	4,179	
 	$	—	
 	$	4,179	
 	
Retail cost of sales	 	3,224	
 	(1,020	)	2,204	

Reliant Energy

The following is a detailed discussion of retail gross margin for NRG's Reliant Energy business segment.

Selected Income Statement Data

 	Nine months ended September 30,	
(In millions except otherwise noted)	2011	 	2010	
Operating Revenues	 	 	 	
Mass revenues	$	2,421	
 	 	$	2,518	
 	
Commercial and Industrial revenues	1,441	
 	 	1,537	
 	
Supply management revenues	140	
 	 	124	
 	
Retail operating revenues (a)	4,002	
 	 	4,179	
 	
Retail cost of sales (b)	3,201	
 	 	3,224	
 	
Retail gross margin	$	801	
 	 	$	955	

Business Metrics	 	 	 	
Electricity sales volume — GWh	 	 	 	
Mass	19,158	
 	 	18,093	
 	
Commercial and Industrial (a)	19,596	
 	 	20,071	
 	
Average retail customers count (in thousands, metered locations)	 	 	 	
Mass	1,473	
 	 	1,500	
 	
Commercial and Industrial (a)	61	
 	 	63	
 	
Retail customers count (in thousands, metered locations)	 	 	 	
Mass	1,493	
 	 	1,468	
 	
Commercial and Industrial (a)	63	
 	 	62	

Weather Metrics	 	 	 	
CDDs (c)	3,516	
 	 	3,000	
 	
HDDs (c)	987	
 	 	1,268	

(a)	Includes customers of the Texas General Land Office for which the Company provides services.	
 	 	
(b)	Includes intercompany purchases from the Texas region of $1,290 million and $1,020 million, respectively.	
 	 	
(c)	The CDDs/HDDs amounts are representative of the Coast and North Central Zones within the ERCOT market in which Reliant Energy serves its customer base.	

73

 	 	
•	Retail gross margin — Reliant Energy's gross margin decreased $154 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, driven by:	

 	
 	 	 	 	
Unfavorable gross margin impact of an unprecedented heat wave which resulted in high supply costs for incremental weather volume in August 2011, offset in part by the favorable impact of weather in the earlier part of 2011	$	(44	)	
Favorable volume impact on gross margin due to higher average usage driven by a change in customer mix	13	
 	
Decrease in retail margins of 10% due to lower pricing on acquisitions and renewals consistent with
    competitive offers	(63	)	
Estimated favorable impact in 2010 as compared to 2011 from the termination of out-of-market supply contracts in conjunction with 2009 CSRA unwind	(60	)	
 	$	(154	)	

•	Trends — Mass customer counts increased by approximately 34,000 since December 31, 2010, indicating a stabilization of customer attrition. Higher than normal cooling and heating degree days in both periods resulted in higher customer usage of 16% in 2011 and 8% in 2010 when compared to ten-year normal weather.	

Green Mountain Energy

The following is a discussion of retail gross margin for Green Mountain Energy for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

 	 	 	 	
Retail operating revenues	$	528	
 	
Retail cost of sales (a)	405	
 	
Retail gross margin	$	123	
 	
(a) Includes intercompany purchases of $153 million	 	

•	Retail gross margin — Green Mountain Energy's gross margin of $123 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, reflects increased customer usage due to the impact of colder than normal weather in the first quarter, and warmer than normal weather in the second and third quarters, as compared to the ten-year average and the impact of an unprecedented heat wave in Texas in the third quarter. The extraordinary weather events during the year led to abnormally high power prices in Texas, which resulted in increased cost of sales for the incremental customer usage. Revenues were generated 64% and 36% from residential and commercial customers, respectively. Total metered customer counts were approximately 400,000 and increased approximately 14%, or 48,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. 	

74

Mark-to-market for Economic Hedging Activities
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities includes asset-backed hedges that did not qualify for cash flow hedge accounting and ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges. Total net mark-to-market results increased by $305 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010.
The breakdown of gains and losses included in operating revenues and operating costs and expenses by region are as follows:

 	Nine months ended September 30, 2011	
 	Reliant
Energy	Texas	Northeast	South
Central	West	Thermal	Corporate (a)	Elimination(b)	Total	
 	(In millions)	
Mark-to-market results in operating revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains)/losses on settled positions related to economic hedges	$	(1	)	$	(25	)	$	16	
 	$	20	
 	$	(1	)	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	17	
 	$	26	
 	
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on open positions related to economic hedges	4	
 	99	
 	9	
 	(12	)	3	
 	—	
 	—	
 	20	
 	123	
 	
Total mark-to-market gains in operating revenues	$	3	
 	$	74	
 	$	25	
 	$	8	
 	$	2	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	37	
 	$	149	
 	
Mark-to-market results in operating costs and expenses	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized losses/(gains) on settled positions related to economic hedges	$	79	
 	$	1	
 	$	(5	)	$	(3	)	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	(9	)	$	(17	)	$	46	
 	
Reversal of loss positions acquired as part of the Reliant Energy acquisition as of May 1, 2009	32	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	32	
 	
Reversal of loss positions acquired as part of the Green Mountain Energy acquisition as of November 5, 2010	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	28	
 	—	
 	28	
 	
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on open positions related to economic hedges	(39	)	20	
 	1	
 	16	
 	—	
 	—	
 	(16	)	(20	)	(38	)	
Total mark-to-market gains /(losses) in operating costs and expenses	$	72	
 	$	21	
 	$	(4	)	$	13	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	3	
 	$	(37	)	$	68	
 	
(a) Corporate segment consists of Green Mountain Energy activity.
(b) Represents the elimination of the intercompany activity between the Texas or Northeast regions with Green Mountain Energy or Reliant Energy.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Nine months ended September 30, 2010	
 	Reliant
Energy	Texas	Northeast	South
Central	West	Thermal	Corporate	Elimination(a)	Total	
 	(In millions)	
Mark-to-market results in operating revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains)/losses on settled positions related to economic hedges	$	(1	)	$	(33	)	$	(84	)	$	1	
 	$	—	
 	$	(2	)	$	—	
 	$	18	
 	$	(101	)	
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on open positions related to economic hedges	1	
 	275	
 	(14	)	(41	)	1	
 	—	
 	—	
 	(186	)	36	
 	
Total mark-to-market gains/(losses) in operating revenues	$	—	
 	$	242	
 	$	(98	)	$	(40	)	$	1	
 	$	(2	)	$	—	
 	$	(168	)	$	(65	)	
Mark-to-market results in operating costs and expenses	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains)/losses on settled positions related to economic hedges	$	(52	)	$	30	
 	$	12	
 	$	13	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	(18	)	$	(15	)	
Reversal of loss positions acquired as part of the Reliant Energy acquisition as of May 1, 2009	157	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	157	
 	
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on open positions related to economic hedges	(403	)	27	
 	8	
 	17	
 	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	186	
 	(165	)	
Total mark-to-market (losses)/gains in operating costs and expenses	$	(298	)	$	57	
 	$	20	
 	$	30	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	—	
 	$	168	
 	$	(23	)	
 	 	
(a)	Represents the elimination of the intercompany activity between the Texas and Reliant Energy regions.	

75

Mark-to-market results consist of unrealized gains and losses. The settlement of these transactions is reflected in the same caption as the items being hedged.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the net gains on open positions were due to a decrease in forward power and gas prices. Reliant Energy's $32 million gain from the roll-off of acquired derivatives consists of loss positions that were acquired as of May 1, 2009, and valued using forward prices on that date. Green Mountain Energy's $28 million gain from the roll-off of acquired derivatives consists of loss positions that were acquired as of November 5, 2010, and valued using forward prices on that date. The roll-off amounts were offset by realized losses at the settled prices and higher costs of physical power which are reflected in operating costs and expenses during the same period.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the net losses on open positions were the result of a decrease in the value of the forward purchases of power, gas, and fuels due to a decrease in forward power and gas prices. This was partially offset by an increase in the value of forward sales of natural gas and electricity. Reliant Energy's $157 million gain from the roll-off of acquired derivatives consists of loss positions that were acquired as of May 1, 2009, and valued using forward prices on that date. The roll-off amounts were offset by realized losses at the settled prices and higher costs of physical power which are reflected in operating costs and expenses during the same period.

In accordance with ASC 815, the following table represents the results of the Company's financial and physical trading of energy commodities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010. The realized financial and physical trading results are included in operating revenue and the unrealized financial and physical trading results are included in other revenue. The Company's trading activities are subject to limits within the Company's Risk Management Policy.

 	Nine months ended September 30,	
(In millions)	2011	2010	
Trading gains/(losses)	 	 	
Realized	$	(28	)	$	(22	)	
Unrealized	44	
 	78	
 	
Total trading gains	$	16	
 	$	56	

76

Contract Amortization Revenue

Contract amortization represents the roll-off of in-market customer contracts valued under purchase accounting and the favorable change of $28 million as compared to the prior period in 2010 related primarily to lower contract amortization of $60 million for Reliant Energy, offset by higher contract amortization of $25 million for Green Mountain Energy.

Contract and Emissions Credit Amortization

Contract and emissions credit amortization increased primarily due to lower amortization, which is an offset to expense, in the current year for energy supply contracts that were valued as part of the purchase accounting for Reliant Energy.

Other Operating Costs

(In millions)	Reliant
Energy	Texas	Northeast	South
Central	West	Thermal	Other	Total	
Nine months ended September 30, 2011	$139	$377	$164	$68	$45	$28	$15	$836	
Nine months ended September 30, 2010	$146	$374	$203	$69	$48	$28	$3	$871	

Other operating costs decreased by $35 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, due to:

 	(In millions)	
Decrease in Northeast region operations and maintenance expense	$	(42	)	
Decrease in South Central region operations and maintenance expense	(5	)	
Increase in other operations and maintenance expense	5	
 	
Increase in property tax expense	3	
 	
Other	4	
 	
 	$	(35	)	

◦	Northeast operations and maintenance — decreased as the prior year period included an $11 million charge related to the write-off of previously capitalized costs on the Indian River Unit 3 back-end controls project together with associated cancellation penalties, due to the decision not to proceed with the project following the agreement with DNREC to retire the unit by the end of 2013. In addition, there was a decrease as compared to the same period in 2010 of $12 million in operational labor from headcount reductions, a decrease in normal and major maintenance of $11 million, and prior year write-offs of approximately $7 million at Arthur Kill, Keystone and Conemaugh.	

◦	South Central operations and maintenance — decreased primarily due to the scope and timing of outage work at Big Cajun II in 2010, offset by increased operations and maintenance related to the addition of the Cottonwood Facility.	

◦	Other operations and maintenance — increased as a result of the acquisition of Green Mountain Energy and due to planned outages as compared to the same period in 2010.	

◦	Property tax expense — increased primarily due to the Cottonwood facility acquired in November of 2010.	

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $45 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010 due primarily to additional depreciation related to the acquisitions of the Cottonwood, Green Mountain Energy, and Northwind Phoenix businesses in 2010.

77

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $38 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010 due primarily to the acquisition of Green Mountain Energy in November 2010. Green Mountain Energy's selling, general and administrative costs were $65 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. In addition, selling, general and administrative expenses increased due to increased marketing costs associated with additional advertising campaigns and sponsorship arrangements. This increase was offset in part by a decrease in bad debt expense of $22 million at Reliant Energy due to improved customer payment behavior and decreased revenues.

Gain on Sale of Assets

On January 11, 2010, NRG sold Padoma to Enel, and recognized a gain on the sale of $23 million.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates

NRG's equity earnings from unconsolidated affiliates decreased by $15 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010. The decrease is due primarily to the changes in fair value of Sherbino's forward gas contract of $19 million and a decrease in equity earnings from Gladstone of $10 million, offset by equity earnings of $10 million from GenConn, as the Devon peaking facility commenced commercial operations in June 2010, and $2 million from Saguaro.

Impairment Charge on Investment

As discussed in more detail in Note 5, Nuclear Innovation North America LLC Developments, Including Impairment Charge, in this Form 10-Q, the devastating March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which in turn, triggered a nuclear incident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, caused NRG to evaluate its investment in NINA for impairment. Consequently, NRG deconsolidated its investment in NINA and took an impairment charge in the first quarter equal to the balance of its investment in NINA. In concurrence with a substantial reduction in NINA's project workforce, and to support NINA's reduced scope of work, NRG contributed an additional $14 million into NINA in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. As a result, NRG recorded an impairment charge of $495 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Impairment Charge on Emission Allowances
 
As described in Note 18, Environmental Matters, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $160 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, on the Company's Acid Rain Program SO 2  emission allowances, which were recorded as an intangible asset on the Company's balance sheet. The impairment charge reflects the write-off of the value of emission allowances in excess of those required for compliance with the Acid Rain Program.

Other Income, net

Other income, net, decreased by $21 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, which relates primarily to foreign exchange gains of $14 million recognized in the prior period.

Loss on Debt Extinguishment

A loss on debt extinguishment of $175 million was recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, which primarily consisted of the premiums paid on redemption and the write-off of previously deferred financing costs related to the redemptions of the 2014 Senior Notes and the 2016 Senior Notes, and the write-off of previously deferred financing costs related to the replacement of NRG's Senior Credit Facility with the 2011 Senior Credit Facility.
.

78

Interest Expense

NRG's interest expense increased by $37 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010 due to the following:

Increase/(decrease) in interest expense	(In millions)	
Increase for 2020 Senior Notes issued in August 2010	$	57	
 	
Increase for 2018 Senior Notes issued in January 2011	62	
 	
Increase for 2019 and 2021 Senior Notes issued in May 2011	55	
 	
Decrease for 2014 Senior Notes redeemed in January and February 2011	(47	)	
Decrease for 2016 Senior Notes redeemed in May and June 2011	(58	)	
Increase for project financings	11	
 	
Increase for tax-exempt bonds	10	
 	
Decrease for refinancing of term loan and revolving credit facility	(10	)	
Decrease for capitalized interest	(43	)	
Total	$	37	

Income Tax (Benefit)/Expense

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, NRG recorded an income tax benefit of $815 million as a result of a pre-tax loss of $509 million. For the same period in 2010, NRG recorded income tax expense of $271 million on pre-tax income of $762 million. The effective tax rate was 160.1% and 35.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, NRG's overall effective tax rate was different than the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a benefit of $633 million resulting from the resolution of the federal tax audit. The benefit is predominantly due to the recognition of previously uncertain tax benefits that were effectively settled upon audit in June 2011 and that were mainly composed of net operating losses of $536 million which had been classified as capital loss carryforwards for financial statement purposes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, NRG's overall effective tax rate was different than the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a reduction in the valuation allowance resulting from the generation of capital gains partially offset by state and local income taxes.

79

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity Position

As of September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, NRG's liquidity, excluding collateral received, was approximately $1.9 billion and $4.3 billion, respectively, and comprised of the following:

(In millions)	September 30,
2011	 	December 31,
2010	
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,127	
 	 	$	2,951	
 	
Funds deposited by counterparties	259	
 	 	408	
 	
Restricted cash	441	
 	 	8	
 	
Total	1,827	
 	 	3,367	
 	
2011 Revolving Credit Facility availability	351	
 	 	—	
 	
Funded Letter of Credit Facility availability	—	
 	 	440	
 	
Revolving Credit Facility availability	—	
 	 	853	
 	
Total liquidity	2,178	
 	 	4,660	
 	
Less: Funds deposited as collateral by hedge counterparties	(259	)	 	(408	)	
Total liquidity, excluding collateral received	$	1,919	
 	 	$	4,252	

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, total liquidity, excluding collateral received, decreased by $2 billion due to lower cash and cash equivalent balances of $1.8 billion. Changes in cash and cash equivalent balances are further discussed hereinafter under the heading  Cash Flow Discussion . Cash and cash equivalents and funds deposited by counterparties at September 30, 2011, were predominantly held in money market funds invested in treasury securities, treasury repurchase agreements or government agency debt.

Included in restricted cash is $280 million of cash and cash equivalents held in controlled accounts as collateral to support the Company's equity funding obligations for the Ivanpah, Agua Caliente, and CVSR projects. As discussed more fully in Note 4, Business Acquisitions and Disposition , this is a requirement of the U.S. DOE, which guarantees the Agua Caliente, Ivanpah, and CVSR debt.  This collateral can be replaced, at the Company's discretion, with a letter of credit in order to utilize such amounts for other purposes.  The Company's total liquidity excluding such amounts is $1.6 billion.

The line item “Funds deposited by counterparties” represents the amounts that are held by NRG as a result of collateral posting obligations from the Company's counterparties due to positions in the Company's hedging program. These amounts are segregated into separate accounts that are not contractually restricted but, based on the Company's intention, are not available for the payment of NRG's general corporate obligations. Depending on market fluctuation and the settlement of the underlying contracts, the Company will refund this collateral to the counterparties pursuant to the terms and conditions of the underlying trades. Since collateral requirements fluctuate daily and the Company cannot predict if any collateral will be held for more than twelve months, the funds deposited by counterparties are classified as a current asset on the Company's balance sheet, with an offsetting liability for this cash collateral received within current liabilities. The change in "Funds deposited by counterparties" from December 31, 2010, was due to the roll-off of gas hedges in the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

As discussed more fully in Note 9, Long-Term Debt, to this Form 10-Q, on July 1, 2011, NRG replaced its Senior Credit Facility, consisting of its Term Loan Facility, Revolving Credit Facility and Funded Letter of Credit Facility, with the 2011 Senior Credit Facility.

Management believes that the Company's liquidity position and cash flows from operations will be adequate to finance operating and maintenance capital expenditures, to fund dividends to NRG's preferred shareholders, and to fund other liquidity commitments. Management continues to regularly monitor the Company's ability to finance the needs of its operating, financing and investing activity within the dictates of prudent balance sheet management.

80

SOURCES OF LIQUIDITY

The principal sources of liquidity for NRG's future operating and capital expenditures are expected to be derived from new and existing financing arrangements, existing cash on hand and cash flows from operations. As described in Note 9,  Long-Term Debt , to this Form 10-Q and Note 12,  Debt and Capital Leases , to the Company's 2010 Form 10-K, the Company's financing arrangements consist mainly of the Senior Credit Facility, the Senior Notes, project-related financings and the GenConn Energy LLC related financings.

In addition, NRG has granted first liens to certain counterparties on substantially all of the Company's assets. NRG uses the first lien structure to reduce the amount of cash collateral and letters of credit that it would otherwise be required to post from time to time to support its obligations under out-of-money hedge agreements for forward sales of power or MWh equivalents. To the extent that the underlying hedge positions for a counterparty are in-the-money to NRG, the counterparty would have no claim under the lien program. The lien program limits the volume that can be hedged, not the value of underlying out-of-money positions. The first lien program does not require NRG to post collateral above any threshold amount of exposure. Within the first lien structure, the Company can hedge up to 80% of its baseload capacity and 10% of its non-baseload assets with these counterparties for the first 60 months and then declining thereafter. Net exposure to a counterparty on all trades must be positively correlated to the price of the relevant commodity for the first lien to be available to that counterparty. The first lien structure is not subject to unwind or termination upon a ratings downgrade of a counterparty or NRG and has no stated maturity date.

The Company's lien counterparties may have a claim on its assets to the extent market prices exceed the hedged price. As of September 30, 2011, all hedges under the first liens were in-the-money for NRG on a counterparty aggregate basis.

The following table summarizes the amount of MWs hedged against the Company's baseload assets and as a percentage relative to the Company's baseload capacity under the first lien structure as of September 30, 2011:

Equivalent Net Sales Secured by First Lien Structure (a)	2011	2012	2013	2014	
In MW (b)	2,559	
 	1,461	
 	138	
 	13	
 	
As a percentage of total net baseload capacity (c)	38	%	22	%	2	%	—	

(a)	Equivalent Net Sales include natural gas swaps converted using a weighted average heat rate by region.	
 	 	
(b)	2011 MW value consists of November and December positions only.	
 	 	
(c)	Net baseload capacity under the first lien structure represents 80% of the Company’s total baseload assets.	

USES OF LIQUIDITY

The Company's requirements for liquidity and capital resources, other than for operating its facilities, can generally be categorized by the following: (i) commercial operations activities; (ii) debt service obligations; (iii) capital programs and expenditures including maintenance, environmental and  Repowering NRG; and (iv) corporate financial transactions including return of capital to shareholders.

  Commercial Operations

NRG’s commercial operations activities require a significant amount of liquidity and capital resources. These liquidity requirements are primarily driven by: (i) margin and collateral posted with counterparties; (ii) margin and collateral required to participate in physical markets and commodity exchanges; (iii) timing of disbursements and receipts (i.e., buying fuel or commodities before receiving energy revenues); (iv) initial collateral for large structured transactions; and (v) collateral for project development. As of September 30, 2011, commercial operations had total cash collateral outstanding of $316 million, and $964 million outstanding in letters of credit to third parties primarily to support its commercial activities for both wholesale and retail transactions. As of September 30, 2011, total collateral held from counterparties was $259 million in cash and $7 million of letters of credit. The level of collateral posted to support commercial operations was higher than normal as of September 30, 2011 due to extreme pricing conditions in ERCOT combined with unplanned outages at NRG's facilities during August.  As pricing normalizes, the collateral associated with this extreme pricing should be returned to NRG by the end of the fourth quarter.

Future liquidity requirements may change based on the Company's hedging activities and structures, fuel purchases, and future market conditions, including forward prices for energy and fuel and market volatility. In addition, liquidity requirements are dependent on NRG's credit ratings and the general perception of its creditworthiness.

81

Capital Expenditures

The following table and descriptions summarize the Company's capital expenditures, including accruals, for maintenance, environmental and  Repowering NRG, other than cash paid for acquisitions and equity investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, and the estimated capital expenditures and repowering investments forecast for the remainder of 2011.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	Maintenance	 	Environmental	 	Repowering	 	Total	
Northeast	$	9	
 	 	$	122	
 	 	$	—	
 	 	$	131	
 	
Texas	81	
 	 	—	
 	 	15	
 	 	96	
 	
South Central	14	
 	 	2	
 	 	—	
 	 	16	
 	
West	17	
 	 	—	
 	 	1,252	
 	 	1,269	
 	
Reliant Energy	13	
 	 	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	13	
 	
Other	16	
 	 	—	
 	 	7	
 	 	23	
 	
Total for the nine months ended September 30, 2011	150	
 	 	124	
 	 	1,274	
 	 	1,548	
 	
Funding from debt financing	—	
 	 	(116	)	 	(777	)	 	(893	)	
NRG expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2011	$	150	
 	 	$	8	
 	 	$	497	
 	 	$	655	

Estimated capital expenditures for the remainder of 2011	$	64	
 	 	$	66	
 	 	$	974	
 	 	$	1,104	
 	
Funding from debt financing	—	
 	 	(19	)	 	(706	)	 	(725	)	
Funding from third party equity partners	—	
 	 	—	
 	 	(189	)	 	(189	)	
NRG estimated capital expenditures for the remainder of 2011	$	64	
 	 	$	47	
 	 	$	79	
 	 	$	190	

NRG net estimated total capital expenditures for 2011	$	214	
 	 	$	55	
 	 	$	576	
 	 	$	845	

•	RepoweringNRG capital expenditures — For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company's Repowering NRG capital expenditures included $1.0 billion for solar projects and $209 million for the Company's El Segundo project. For the remainder of 2011, NRG will be continuing its efforts on the solar and El Segundo projects.	
 	 	
•	Maintenance and environmental capital expenditures — For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company's maintenance capital expenditures included $51 million in nuclear fuel expenditures related to STP Units 1 & 2. In addition, $111 million of environmental capital expenditures for the 2011 year-to-date period relate to a project to install selective catalytic reduction systems, scrubbers and fabric filters on Indian River Unit 4, which is expected to be completed in December 2011.	

82

Environmental Capital Expenditures

Based on current rules, technology and plans, NRG has estimated that environmental capital expenditures from 2011 through 2015 to meet NRG's environmental commitments will be approximately $721 million (of which $180 million will be financed through draws on the Indian River tax exempt facilities) and are primarily associated with controls on the Company's Big Cajun and Indian River facilities. These capital expenditures, in general, are related to installation of particulate, SO 2 , NO x , and mercury controls to comply with federal and state air quality rules and consent orders, as well as installation of BTA under the proposed 316(b) Rule. NRG continues to explore cost effective compliance alternatives. This estimate reflects anticipated schedules and controls related to Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and the 316(b) Rule. The full impact on the scope and timing of environmental retrofits from any new or revised regulations cannot be determined until these rules are final; however, NRG believes it is positioned to meet more stringent requirements through its planned capital expenditures, existing controls, and the use of Powder River Basin coal.

NRG's current contracts with the Company's rural electric cooperative customers in the South Central region allow for recovery of a portion of the regions' environmental capital costs incurred as the result of complying with any change in environmental law. Cost recoveries begin once the environmental equipment becomes operational and include a capital return. The actual recoveries will depend, among other things, on the timing of the completion of the capital projects and the remaining duration of the contracts.

83

2011 Capital Allocation Program

On February 22, 2011, the Company announced its 2011 Capital Allocation Plan to purchase $180 million in common stock. During the second quarter, the Company completed the repurchase of 6,229,574 shares of NRG common stock for $130 million under an ASR Agreement. On August 4 2011, the Company announced additional share repurchases of $250 million under the Capital Allocation Plan, bringing the total targeted share repurchases for 2011 to $430 million. During the third quarter, Company purchased 2,650,000 shares of NRG common stock for approximately $58 million and repurchased an additional 8,646,224 shares through a second ASR Agreement that settled on October 6, 2011. The Company intends to complete its remaining $52 million of share repurchases by the end of 2011, subject to market prices, financial restrictions under the Company's debt facilities and as permitted by securities laws.

As part of the 2011 plan, the Company expects to invest approximately $404 million in maintenance and environmental capital expenditures in existing assets, and approximately $2.7 billion in solar and other projects under  Repowering NRG, of which $302 million and $1.3 billion have been spent by September 30, 2011, respectively. In 2011, the Company obtained U.S. DOE loan guarantees for its Ivanpah, Agua Caliente, and CVSR solar projects in the amounts of $1.6 billion, $967 million, and $1.2 billion, respectively.

Finally, in addition to scheduled debt amortization payments, in the first quarter 2011 the Company paid its first lien lenders $149 million of its 2010 excess cash flow, as defined in the Senior Credit Facility.

Simplifying Capital Structure

The Company intends to refinance its remaining $1.1 billion of 2017 Senior Notes to simplify its capital structure, better align covenant packages and extend debt maturities. Upon completion of this undertaking, a single covenant package across credit facilities and debt securities will enable NRG to invest more opportunistically in growth initiatives and enhance its ability to efficiently return capital to all investors. The 2017 Senior Notes refinancing will depend on market conditions and is therefore subject to change.

84

Cash Flow Discussion
The following table reflects the changes in cash flows for the comparative nine month periods:

(In millions)	 	 	 	 	 	
Nine months ended September 30,	2011	 	2010	 	Change	
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	668	
 	 	$	1,141	
 	 	$	(473	)	
Net cash used by investing activities	(2,161	)	 	(570	)	 	(1,591	)	
Net cash (used by) provided by financing activities	(333	)	 	575	
 	 	(908	)	
 
   Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

Changes to net cash provided by operating activities were driven by:

 	 	 	 	
Decrease in operating income adjusted for non-cash charges	$	(532	)	
Other changes in working capital	59	
 	
 	$	(473	)	

 Net Cash Used By Investing Activities

Changes to net cash used by investing activities were driven by:

 	 	 	 	
Increase in capital expenditures due to increased spending on maintenance and RepoweringNRG, primarily for solar projects in construction	$	(865	)	
Increase in restricted cash, which was mainly to support equity requirements for
    U.S. DOE funded projects	(391	)	
Increase in cash paid for acquisitions, which primarily reflects three Solar acquisitions and Energy Plus in 2011, compared to South Trent, Northwind Phoenix and Cottonwood in 2010	(210	)	
Decrease in purchases of emissions allowances	29	
 	
Decrease in cash for sale of assets, which primarily reflects sale of land in 2011, compared to the sale of Padoma in 2010	(16	)	
Receipt of cash grants in 2010	(102	)	
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, primarily related to investments in a clean technology
   joint venture	(17	)	
Other	(19	)	
 	$	(1,591	)	

Net Cash Used By Financing Activities

Changes in net cash used by financing activities were driven by:

 	 	 	 	
Increase in cash paid to repurchase shares of NRG common stock	$	(198	)	
Increase in net cash paid/received for the settlement of acquired derivatives with financing elements	(119	)	
Net increase in the payments of debt, primarily related to payment of secured Senior Notes	(1,842	)	
Settlement of funded letter of credit facility	1,301	
 	
Receipt of cash from noncontrolling interest in 2010	(50	)	
 	$	(908	)	

85

NOLs, Deferred Tax Assets and Uncertain Tax Position Implications, under ASC-740, Income Taxes, or ASC 740

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company had generated a domestic pre-tax book loss of $536 million and foreign pre-tax book income of $27 million. As of September 30, 2011, the Company has cumulative domestic NOL carryforwards of $263 million for financial statement purposes. In addition, the Company has cumulative foreign NOL carryforwards of $259 million, of which $74 million will expire starting 2011 through 2018 and of which $185 million do not have an expiration date.

In addition to these amounts, the Company has $128 million of tax effected uncertain tax benefits which relate primarily to positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductions. As a result of the Company's tax position, and based on current forecasts, NRG anticipates income tax payments, primarily due to foreign, state and local jurisdictions, of up to $50 million in 2011.
 
However, as the position remains uncertain for the $128 million of tax effected uncertain tax benefits, the Company has recorded a non-current tax liability of $55 million and may accrue the remaining balance as an increase to non-current liabilities until final resolution with the related taxing authority. The $55 million non-current tax liability for uncertain tax benefits results primarily from positions taken on various state returns, including accrued interest.
 
In the 2011 second quarter, the Company received the audit report effectively closing the Internal Revenue Service's audit examination for the years 2004 through 2006. The Company believes the matters addressed under audit are effectively settled in accordance with ASC 740 and recognized a benefit of $633 million resulting from the resolution of the federal tax audit. The benefit is predominantly due to the recognition of previously uncertain tax benefits that were effectively settled upon audit in June 2011 and that were mainly composed of net operating losses of $536 million which had been classified as capital loss carryforwards for financial statement purposes. In August, the company received the income tax refund for the years under examination.

The Company continues to be under examination for various state jurisdictions for multiple years.

86

New and On-going Company Initiatives and Development Projects

RepoweringNRG Update

Conventional Power Development

The Company's El Segundo Energy Center LLC, or ESEC, commenced construction at its El Segundo Power Generating Station in El Segundo, California. Full notice to proceed with construction of the 550 MW fast start, gas turbine combined cycle generating facility was provided to the construction vendor on June 6, 2011. On August 23, 2011, the Company through its wholly owned subsidiary, NRG West Holdings LLC, entered into a credit agreement that established a loan facility with respect to ESEC consisting of a $540 million construction loan, $138 million in letter of credit facilities, and a revolving loan facility which permits working capital loans or letters of credit of up to $10 million. At the end of construction, the loan will convert to a term facility with semi annual amortization of principal and interest and a maturity date of August 31, 2023. The Company expects a commercial operation date of August 1, 2013.
 
In early 2011, New Jersey enacted legislation requiring the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, or BPU, to implement a Long-Term Capacity Agreement Pilot Program, or LCAPP, and to conduct a competitive procurement for up to 2,000 MW of new, base load or mid-merit generation facilities. Pursuant to the legislation, on February 10, 2011 the BPU initiated the LCAPP Proceeding, and the associated competitive procurement process. The Company's subsidiary New Jersey Power Development LLC, or NJPD, submitted a proposal to construct a 660 MW combined-cycle generation project in Old Bridge, New Jersey. On March 29, 2011, NJPD's project was one of three projects selected by the BPU to participate in the LCAPP. As a result of that award, in April 2011, NJPD executed a Standard Offer Capacity Agreement with each of the state's electric distribution companies. NJPD filed its Air Permit Application on May 26, 2011, and is moving forward with development activities. However, the LCAPP program remains challenged because of recent FERC changes in the PJM Base Residual Auction rules related to the Minimum Offer Price Rule as more fully discussed under Item 2 —  Regulatory Matters - PJM,  to this Form 10-Q. Additionally, on October 19, 2011, a federal judge denied a BPU motion to dismiss a constitutional challenge to LCAPP by a consortium of generators and utilities.

Renewable Development

As part of its core strategy, NRG intends to invest significantly in the development and acquisition of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind and biomass, as described more fully in Part I, Item 1 —  Renewable Development and Acquisitions , to the Company's 2010 Form 10-K. A brief description of the Company's recent development efforts with respect to each renewable technology follows.

Solar

NRG has acquired and is developing a number of solar projects utilizing photovoltaic, or PV, as well as solar thermal technologies. The following table is a brief summary of the major utility-scale solar projects as of September 30, 2011, that the Company currently owns and is developing.

NRG Owned Projects	Location	PPA	MW (a)	Expected COD	Status	
Ivanpah	Ivanpah, CA	20 - 25 year	392	2013	Under Construction	
Agua Caliente	Yuma County, AZ	25 year	290	2012 - 2014	Under Construction	
CVSR	San Luis Obispo, CA	25 year	250	2012 - 2013	Under Construction	
(a) Represents total project size.

87

Below is a summary of recent developments related to these projects:

Avenal — The Company, together with its 50/50 joint venture partner Eurus Energy America, constructed this PV generating facility in California, which has a capacity of 45 MW. This project secured construction financing on all three sites, and achieved commercial operations during the third quarter 2011.

Roadrunner — This project, which is wholly-owned by NRG, secured construction financing and achieved commercial operation during the third quarter 2011.

Ivanpah — On April 5, 2011, NRG acquired a 50.1% stake in the 392 MW Ivanpah Solar Electric Generation System, or Ivanpah, from BrightSource Energy, Inc., or BSE. Ivanpah is composed of three separate facilities - Ivanpah 1 (126 MW), Ivanpah 2 (133 MW), and Ivanpah 3 (133 MW). Operations for the first phase are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2013, with the second and third phases expected to reach commercial operations in the second and third quarters of 2013, respectively. Power generated from Ivanpah will be sold to Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric, under multiple 20 to 25 year PPAs. Ivanpah has entered into the Ivanpah Credit Agreement with the FFB, which is guaranteed by the U.S. DOE, to borrow up to $1.6 billion to fund the construction of this solar facility. On June 10, 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or FWS, issued a revised biological opinion with respect to the Ivanpah Project.

Western Watershed Project filed a motion seeking a temporary restraining order against the Ivanpah Project on June 27, 2011, to shut the project down in order to protect the desert tortoise as well as other animals.  A hearing was held on June 30, 2011, at which time the judge denied plaintiff's request for a temporary restraining order. A hearing on plaintiff's request for a preliminary injunction was held on August 1, 2011. On August 10, 2011, the court denied plaintiff's request for a preliminary injunction. The plaintiffs appealed this decision on August 20, 2011 to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The district court is scheduled to hear the parties cross motions for summary judgment on January 27, 2012.

Agua Caliente — On August 5, 2011, NRG acquired 100% of the 290 MW Agua Caliente solar project, or Agua Caliente, in Yuma, AZ. Operations are scheduled to commence in phases beginning in the third quarter of 2012 through the first quarter of 2014. Power generated from Agua Caliente will be sold to Pacific Gas and Electric under a 25 year PPA. In connection with the acquisition, Agua Caliente Solar, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, entered into the Agua Caliente Financing Agreement with the FFB, which is guaranteed by the U.S. DOE, to borrow up to $967 million to fund the construction of this solar facility.

CVSR — On September 30, 2011, NRG acquired 100% of the 250 MW California Valley Solar Ranch project, or CVSR, in eastern San Luis Obispo County, California. Operations are expected to commence in phases beginning in the first quarter of 2012 through the fourth quarter of 2013. Power generated from CVSR will be sold to Pacific Gas and Electric under a 25 year PPA. In connection with the acquisition, High Plains Ranch II, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG, entered into the CVSR Financing Agreement with the FFB, which is guaranteed by the U.S. DOE, to borrow up to $1.2 billion to fund the costs of constructing this solar facility.

Distributed Solar
 
As of September 30, 2011, the Company has approximately 6 MW of distributed solar in commercial operations and approximately 3 MW under construction that include solar pavilions at school districts and municipal offices in Arizona, FedEX Field in Maryland, and a 2.1 MW solar installation at a parking lot on the grounds of Arizona State University. All of the Company's distributed solar projects are supported by long-term PPAs.

On September 28, 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with Prologis, Inc. regarding a distributed generation project of up to 733MW led by Prologis, which includes a U.S. DOE loan guarantee commitment of up to $1.4 billion. Subject to certain terms and conditions of the agreement, the Company plans to invest in certain phases of the Project.

88

Solar Development Pipeline
 
In June 2010, NRG acquired a pipeline of solar development projects from US Solar Ventures. These development projects originally totaled 450 MW at the time of acquisition and now total 614 MW after optimization of the portfolio with NRG Solar's own project pipeline. The projects range in size from 20 MW to 238 MW, and have the potential to be operational between 2012 and 2014. The Borrego Solar project is a 26 MW PV solar facility that originated from the development pipeline and has executed a 25-year PPA with San Diego Gas and Electric. The Borrego Solar PPA received regulatory approval from the California Public Utilities Commission on September 8, 2011 and became final 30 days thereafter. The Borrego project achieved another major milestone on October 12, 2011, when the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved its Major Use Permit.
 
The Company has an additional pipeline of solar development projects that total approximately 562 MWs, including the Alpine Solar Project, a 66 MW PV solar project with power sold to Pacific Gas & Electric under a non-appealable 20-year PPA. This project has executed an interconnection agreement with the local utility and has obtained a non-appealable Conditional Use Permit from the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning. The project has executed an EPC contract with a vendor, with construction anticipated to start in the fourth quarter 2011. Also in the pipeline is the Avra Valley Solar Project, formerly known as the Green Valley Solar Project, a 25 MW PV solar project with power sold to Tucson Electric Power under a 20-year PPA.

Retail Growth Initiatives

On September 30, 2011, NRG acquired Energy Plus, a Philadelphia-based retail electricity and natural gas provider with 180,000 customers, principally in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Illinois. Energy Plus also sells electricity to retail customers in Texas and natural gas in New York and New Jersey. Through its rewards program offered through the company's exclusive marketing partnerships with leading loyalty program providers, Energy Plus provides NRG with an additional retail platform to expand its customer services and products in multiple retail markets.

Reliant Energy continues to expand its Reliant eSenseTM product offerings. eSense is a suite of technology solutions that use the advanced meter system network (smart meters) that is being rolled out to customers in ERCOT.  Through the third quarter of 2011, Reliant has 425,000 customers using one of these products that provide customers insights, choices and convenience solutions. Reliant's eSense development was accelerated by the U.S. DOE grant received during 2010. 

Reliant also continues to expand its Home SolutionsSM business with almost 200,000 customers utilizing home services products including protection products such as surge protection, in home power line protection, HVAC maintenance and energy efficiency products like air filter delivery and solar panel leasing.

Reliant Energy continued its expansion across the nation and now offers residential and commercial service in Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC, and also offers commercial service in Delaware.

89

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Development

NRG continues its approximately $25 million build out of the Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Electric Vehicle, or EV, ecosystems, and the Company is on track to be the first company to equip an entire major market with the privately funded infrastructure needed for successful EV adoption and integration.

On July 11, 2011, NRG's manufacturing vendor for the Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth networks, AeroVironment, announced the Underwriters Laboratories certification of its EV fast charging direct current, or DC, station. With this milestone achieved, NRG is moving forward with Freedom Station sm  installations and as of September 30, 2011, eight Freedom Station sm  sites are operational or under construction in Houston and one site is operational in Dallas/Fort Worth.  Two of the Houston stations and the Dallas/Fort Worth station have DC chargers, with the others receiving them as soon as they are manufactured and shipped.

On September 26, 2011, NRG, through its subsidiary, eV2g LLC, agreed to partner with the University of Delaware to develop vehicle-to-grid, or V2G, aggregation technology, a new EV infrastructure technology that manages the interaction of plugged-in electric vehicles with the electric grid to provide electricity supply and ancillary services including frequency regulation, demand response and other grid functions.

Post-combustion Carbon Capture Project

On March 9, 2010, NRG was selected by the U.S. DOE to receive up to $167 million, including funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to build a 60 MW post-combustion carbon capture demonstration unit at NRG's WA Parish plant southwest of Houston. CO 2  captured by the project will be used in enhanced oil recovery in oil fields on the Texas Gulf Coast. An application has been submitted to and approved by the U.S. DOE to conduct a front-end engineering and design study for an up-to 250MW sized project.  An expanded project will allow for larger volumes of CO 2  production, leading to increased oil production through enhanced oil recovery efforts. NRG is currently progressing through the front-end engineering and design study, and 50% of the costs of this phase are being reimbursed by the U.S. DOE. Construction is projected to begin in late 2012 with commercial operations anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Energy Technology Ventures

On January 27, 2011, NRG entered into a joint venture with GE and ConocoPhillips to invest in venture-stage and growth-stage next generation energy technology companies. The joint venture, Energy Technology Ventures, will invest in and offer commercial collaboration opportunities to emerging energy technology companies in various sectors, including renewable power generation, smart grid, energy efficiency, emission controls, oil, natural gas, coal and biofuels.  As of September 30, 2011, NRG has invested in several growth companies through Energy Technology Ventures as part of its plan to invest up to $100 million in this joint venture over four years. 

90

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Obligations under Certain Guarantee Contracts

NRG and certain of its subsidiaries enter into guarantee arrangements in the normal course of business to facilitate commercial transactions with third parties. These arrangements include financial and performance guarantees, stand-by letters of credit, debt guarantees, surety bonds and indemnifications.

Retained or Contingent Interests

NRG does not have any material retained or contingent interests in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity for such assets.

Derivative Instrument Obligations

The Company's 3.625% Preferred Stock includes a feature which is considered an embedded derivative per ASC 815. Although it is considered an embedded derivative, it is exempt from derivative accounting as it is excluded from the scope pursuant to ASC 815. As of September 30, 2011, based on the Company's stock price, the embedded derivative was out-of-the-money and had no redemption value.

Obligations Arising Out of a Variable Interest in an Unconsolidated Entity

Variable Interest in Equity Investments — As of September 30, 2011, NRG has several investments with an ownership interest percentage of 50% or less in energy and energy-related entities that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Two of these investments, GenConn and Sherbino, are variable interest entities for which NRG is not the primary beneficiary, as discussed in Note 10,  Variable Interest Entities, or VIEs,  to this Form 10-Q.

NRG's pro-rata share of non-recourse debt held by unconsolidated affiliates was approximately $274 million as of September 30, 2011. This indebtedness may restrict the ability of these subsidiaries to issue dividends or distributions to NRG. See also Note 16,  Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method,  to the Company's 2010 Form 10-K.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

NRG has a variety of contractual obligations and other commercial commitments that represent prospective cash requirements in addition to the Company's capital expenditure programs, as disclosed in the Company's 2010 Form 10-K. Also see Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies , to this Form 10-Q for a discussion of new commitments and contingencies that also include contractual obligations and commercial commitments that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

91

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

NRG may enter into long-term power purchase and sales contracts, fuel purchase contracts and other energy-related financial instruments to mitigate variability in earnings due to fluctuations in spot market prices and to hedge fuel requirements at generation facilities. In addition, in order to mitigate interest rate risk associated with the issuance of the Company's variable rate and fixed rate debt, NRG enters into interest rate swap agreements. The following disclosures about fair value of derivative instruments provide an update to, and should be read in conjunction with,  Fair Value of Derivative Instruments  in Item 7 — Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations , of the Company's 2010 Form 10-K.

The tables below disclose the activities that include both exchange and non-exchange traded contracts accounted for at fair value in accordance with ASC-820,  Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures , or ASC 820. Specifically, these tables disaggregate realized and unrealized changes in fair value; disaggregate estimated fair values at September 30, 2011, based on their level within the fair value hierarchy defined in ASC 820; and indicate the maturities of contracts at September 30, 2011. The decrease in NRG's net derivative asset at September 30, 2011, as compared to December 31, 2010, was driven by the roll-off of trades that settled during the period offset by gains in fair value due to the decreases in gas and power prices.

Derivative Activity Gains/(Losses)	(In millions)	
Fair value of contracts as of December 31, 2010	$	672	
 	
Contracts realized or otherwise settled during the period	(285	)	
Changes in fair value	237	
 	
Fair value of contracts as of September 30, 2011	$	624	

 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Fair Value of Contracts as of September 30, 2011	

(In millions)
Fair value hierarchy gains/(losses)	Maturity
Less Than
1 Year	 	
Maturity
1-3 Years	 	
Maturity
4-5 Years	 	Maturity
in Excess
4-5 Years	 	
Total Fair
Value	
Level 1	$	(27	)	 	$	(20	)	 	$	(4	)	 	$	—	
 	 	$	(51	)	
Level 2	537	
 	 	199	
 	 	(2	)	 	(52	)	 	682	
 	
Level 3	(11	)	 	4	
 	 	—	
 	 	
 	 	(7	)	
Total	$	499	
 	 	$	183	
 	 	$	(6	)	 	$	(52	)	 	$	624	

The Company applies a credit reserve to reflect credit risk, which is calculated based on published default probabilities. As of September 30, 2011, the credit reserve resulted in a $15 million decrease in fair value which is composed of a $5 million loss in OCI and a $10 million loss in operating revenue and cost of operations.

Based on a sensitivity analysis, the impact of a $1 per MMBtu increase or decrease in natural gas prices across the term of the derivative contracts would cause a change of approximately $43 million in the net value of derivatives as of September 30, 2011.

92

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

NRG's discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations are based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements and related disclosures in compliance with U.S. GAAP requires the application of appropriate technical accounting rules and guidance as well as the use of estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. The application of these policies necessarily involves judgments regarding future events, including the likelihood of success of particular projects and legal and regulatory challenges. These judgments, in and of themselves, could materially affect the financial statements and disclosures based on varying assumptions, which may be appropriate to use. In addition, the financial and operating environment may also have a significant effect, not only on the operation of the business, but on the results reported through the application of accounting measures used in preparing the financial statements and related disclosures, even if the nature of the accounting policies have not changed.

On an ongoing basis, NRG evaluates these estimates, utilizing historic experience, consultation with experts and other methods the Company considers reasonable. In any event, actual results may differ substantially from the Company's estimates. Any effects on the Company's business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.

Critical accounting policies and estimates are the accounting policies that are most important to the portrayal of NRG's financial condition and results of operations and require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgment. NRG's critical accounting policies include derivative accounting, income taxes and valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, evaluation of assets for impairment and other than temporary decline in value, goodwill and other intangible assets, and contingencies.

As discussed in more detail in Note 5, Nuclear Innovation North America LLC Developments, Including Impairment Charge, to the financial statements in this Form 10-Q, the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which in turn, triggered a nuclear incident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, caused NRG to evaluate its investment in NINA for impairment, and consequently, NRG has recorded impairment charges of $495 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

As described in Note 18, Environmental Matters, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $160 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011, on the Company's Acid Rain Program SO 2  emission allowances, which were recorded as an intangible asset on the Company's balance sheet. The impairment charge reflects the write-off of the value of emission allowances in excess of those required for compliance with the Acid Rain Program.

93

ITEM 3 — QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the potential loss that may result from market changes associated with the Company's merchant power generation or with an existing or forecasted financial or commodity transaction. The types of market risks NRG is exposed to in its normal business activities are commodity price risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, credit risk, and currency exchange risk. The following disclosures about market risk provide an update to, and should be read in conjunction with, Item 7A — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,  of the Company's 2010 Form 10-K.

Commodity Price Risk

Commodity price risks result from exposures to changes in spot prices, forward prices, volatilities, and correlations between various commodities, such as natural gas, electricity, coal, oil, renewable energy credits, and emissions credits. NRG manages the commodity price risk of the Company's merchant generation operations and load serving obligations by entering into various derivative or non-derivative instruments to hedge the variability in future cash flows from forecasted sales and purchases of electricity and fuel. NRG measures the risk of the Company's portfolio using several analytical methods, including sensitivity tests, scenario tests, stress tests, position reports, and Value at Risk, or VaR. NRG uses a diversified VaR model to calculate an estimate of the potential loss in the fair value of the Company's energy assets and liabilities, which includes generation assets, load obligations, and bilateral physical and financial transactions.

As of September 30, 2011, the VaR for NRG's commodity portfolio, including generation assets, load obligations and bilateral physical and financial transactions calculated using the diversified VaR model was $74 million.

The following table summarizes average, maximum and minimum VaR for NRG for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(In millions)	2011	 	2010	
VaR as of September 30	$	74	
 	 	$	50	
 	
Three months ended September 30:	

Average	$	72	
 	 	$	55	
 	
Maximum	77	
 	 	64	
 	
Minimum	62	
 	 	50	
 	
Nine months ended September 30,	 	 	 	
Average	$	59	
 	 	$	54	
 	
Maximum	77	
 	 	70	
 	
Minimum	44	
 	 	37	

In order to provide additional information for comparative purposes to NRG’s peers, the Company also uses VaR to estimate the potential loss of derivative financial instruments that are subject to mark-to-market accounting. The VaR for the derivative financial instruments calculated using the diversified VaR model as of September 30, 2011, for the entire term of these instruments entered into for both asset management and trading, was approximately $17 million primarily driven by asset-backed transactions.

94

Interest Rate Risk

NRG is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates through the Company's issuance of fixed rate and variable rate debt. Exposures to interest rate fluctuations may be mitigated by entering into derivative instruments known as interest rate swaps, caps, collars and put or call options.

As of September 30, 2011, the Company had various interest rate swap agreements with notional amounts totaling approximately $1.3 billion. If the swaps had been discontinued on September 30, 2011, the Company would have owed the counterparties approximately $89 million. Based on the investment grade rating of the counterparties, NRG believes its exposure to credit risk due to nonperformance by counterparties to its hedge contracts to be immaterial.

NRG has both long- and short-term debt instruments that subject the Company to the risk of loss associated with movements in market interest rates. As of September 30, 2011, a 1% change in interest rates would result in a $7 million change in interest expense on a rolling twelve month basis.

As of September 30, 2011, the fair value of the Company's long-term debt was $8.8 billion and the related carrying amount was $9.2 billion. NRG estimates that a 1% decrease in market interest rates would have increased the fair value of the Company's long-term debt by $675 million.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk arises from the general funding needs of NRG's activities and in the management of the Company's assets and liabilities. The Company is currently exposed to additional collateral posting if natural gas prices decline primarily due to the long natural gas equivalent position at various exchanges used to hedge NRG's retail supply load obligations.

Based on a sensitivity analysis for power and gas positions under marginable contracts, a $1 per MMBtu change in natural gas prices across the term of the marginable contracts would cause a change in margin collateral posted of approximately $219 million as of September 30, 2011, and a 0.25 MMBtu/MWh change in heat rates for heat rate positions would result in a change in margin collateral posted of approximately $14 million as of September 30, 2011. This analysis uses simplified assumptions and is calculated based on portfolio composition and margin-related contract provisions as of September 30, 2011.

Credit Risk

Credit risk relates to the risk of loss resulting from non-performance or non-payment by counterparties pursuant to the terms of their contractual obligations. NRG is exposed to counterparty credit risk through various activities including wholesale sales, fuel purchases and retail supply arrangements, and retail customer credit risk through its retail load activities. See Note 6,  Fair Value of Financial Instruments , to this Form 10-Q for discussions regarding counterparty credit risk and retail customer credit risk, and Note 8,  Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities , to this Form 10-Q for discussion regarding credit risk contingent features.

Currency Exchange Risk

NRG's foreign earnings and investments may be subject to foreign currency exchange risk, which NRG generally does not hedge. As these earnings and investments are not material to NRG's consolidated results, the Company's foreign currency exposure is limited.

95

ITEM 4 — CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of NRG's management, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, NRG conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, the Company's principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred in the third quarter of 2011 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Inherent Limitations over Internal Controls

NRG's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. However, internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and circumvention by collusion or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even an effective internal control system may not prevent or detect material misstatements on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

96

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1 — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For a discussion of material legal proceedings in which NRG was involved through September 30, 2011, see Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies , to this Form 10-Q.

ITEM 1A — RISK FACTORS
Information regarding risk factors appears in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in the Company's 2010 Form 10-K.

ITEM 2 — UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
For the period ended September 30, 2011	Total number of shares purchased	Average price paid per share	Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plan or program	Dollar value of shares that may be purchased under the 2011 Capital Allocation Plan	
First quarter 2011	—	
 	$	—	
 	—	
 	$	180,000,000	
 	
Second quarter 2011	6,229,574	
 	20.87	
 	6,229,574	
 	50,000,000	
 	
July 1 - July 31	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	50,000,000	
 	
August 1 - August 31	2,650,000	
 	21.73	
 	2,650,000	
 	242,372,395	
 	
September 1 - September 30	—	
 	—	
 	—	
 	242,372,395	
 	
Third quarter 2011 Total	2,650,000	
 	21.73	
 	2,650,000	
 	242,372,395	
 	
Year-to-date 2011	8,879,574	
 	$	21.13	
 	8,879,574	
 	$	242,372,395	

On February 22, 2011, the Company announced a plan to repurchase $180 million of common stock under the Company's 2011 Capital Allocation Plan. On August 4, 2011, the Company announced additional share repurchases of $250 million under the Capital Allocation Plan, bringing the total targeted share repurchases for 2011 to $430 million. Additional share repurchases totaling $190 million under an ASR Agreement were completed on October 6, 2011, and the Company received 8,646,224 shares of NRG common stock, at a volume weighted average cost of $21.97 per share. The Company intends to complete its remaining $52 million of share repurchases by the end of 2011, subject to market prices, financial restrictions under the Company's debt facilities and as permitted by securities laws.

ITEM 3 — DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4 — (REMOVED AND RESERVED)
ITEM 5 — OTHER INFORMATION
None.

97

ITEM 6 — EXHIBITS

Exhibits	 	 	
10.1	 	Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K dated July 1, 2011 and filed on July 5, 2011).	
10.2	 	Form of Market Stock Unit Grant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K/A
dated August 17, 2011 and filed on September 12, 2011).	
31.1	 	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.	
31.2	 	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.	
31.3	 	Certification of Chief Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.	
32	 	Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, filed herewith.	
101.INS	 	XBRL Instance Document.	
101.SCH	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.	
101.CAL	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.	
101.DEF	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.	
101.LAB	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.	
101.PRE	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.	

98

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 	NRG ENERGY, INC.
(Registrant)

 	/s/ DAVID W. CRANE  	 	
 	David W. Crane 	 	
 	Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) 	 	

 	/s/ KIRKLAND B. ANDREWS  	 	
 	Kirkland B. Andrews 	 	
 	Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer) 	 	

 	/s/ JAMES J. INGOLDSBY  	 	
 	James J. Ingoldsby 	 	
Date: November 3, 2011	Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer) 	 	

99

EXHIBIT INDEX

 	 	 	
Exhibits	 	 	
10.1	 	Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K dated July 1, 2011 and filed on July 5, 2011).	
10.2	 	Form of Market Stock Unit Grant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K/A
dated August 17, 2011 and filed on September 12, 2011).	
31.1	 	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.	
31.2	 	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.	
31.3	 	Certification of Chief Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.	
32	 	Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, filed herewith.	
101.INS	 	XBRL Instance Document	
101.SCH	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema	
101.CAL	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase	
101.DEF	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase	
101.LAB	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase	
101.PRE	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase	

100

EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, David W. Crane, certify that:
 	 	
1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of NRG Energy, Inc.;	
 	 	
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;	
 	 	
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;	
 	 	
4.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:	
 	 	
(a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;	
 	 	
(b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;	
 	 	
(c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and	
 	 	
(d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and	
 	 	
5.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):	
 	 	
(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and	
 	 	
(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.	

 	 	
/s/ DAVID W. CRANE	 	
David W. Crane
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)	 	
Date: November 3, 2011

EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Kirkland B. Andrews, certify that:
 	 	
1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of NRG Energy, Inc.;	
 	 	
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;	
 	 	
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;	
 	 	
4.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:	
 	 	
(a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;	
 	 	
(b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;	
 	 	
(c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and	
 	 	
(d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and	
 	 	
5.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):	
 	 	
(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and	
 	 	
(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.	

 	 	
/s/ KIRKLAND B. ANDREWS	 	
Kirkland B. Andrews
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)	 	
Date: November 3, 2011

EXHIBIT 31.3
CERTIFICATION
I, James J. Ingoldsby, certify that:
 	 	
1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of NRG Energy, Inc.;	
 	 	
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;	
 	 	
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;	
 	 	
4.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:	
 	 	
(a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;	
 	 	
(b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;	
 	 	
(c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and	
 	 	
(d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and	
 	 	
5.	The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):	
 	 	
(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and	
 	 	
(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.	

 	 	
/s/ JAMES J. INGOLDSBY	 	
James J. Ingoldsby
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)	 	
Date: November 3, 2011

EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

     In connection with the Quarterly Report of NRG Energy, Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Form 10-Q”), each of the undersigned officers of the Company certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to such officer's knowledge:
 	 	
(1)	The Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and	
 	 	
(2)	
The information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the periods expressed in the Form 10-Q.	
Date: November 3, 2011

 	 	 	 	 	
 	/s/ DAVID W. CRANE  	 	
 	David W. Crane, 	 	
 	Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) 	 	

 	/s/ KIRKLAND B. ANDREWS	 	
 	Kirkland B. Andrews, 	 	
 	Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer) 	 	

 	/s/ JAMES J. INGOLDSBY  	 	
 	James J. Ingoldsby, 	 	
 	Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer) 	 	
     The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of this Form 10-Q or as a separate disclosure document.
     A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to NRG Energy, Inc. and will be retained by NRG Energy, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.