Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___________ to____________
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Commission file number 1-38681 | | Commission file number 1-15973 |
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NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY | | NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | | (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
Oregon | 82-4710680 | | Oregon | 93-0256722 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | | (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
220 N.W. Second Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97209 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number: (503) 226-4211 | | 220 N.W. Second Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97209 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number: (503) 226-4211 |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: |
Registrant Title of each class | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Northwest Natural Holding Company Common Stock | | New York Stock Exchange | |
Northwest Natural Gas Company None | | None | |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None. |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. |
NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY Yes[ X ] No[ ] | | NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY Yes[ ] No[ X ] |
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. |
NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY Yes[ ] No[ X ] | | NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY Yes[ ] No[ X ] |
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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. |
NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY Yes[ X ] No[ ] | | NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY Yes[ X ] No[ ] |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). |
NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY Yes[ X ] No[ ] | | NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY Yes[ X ] No[ ] |
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Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.[ X ] |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. |
NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY | | NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY |
Large Accelerated Filer [ X ] | | Large Accelerated Filer [ ] |
Accelerated Filer [ ] | | Accelerated Filer [ ] |
Non-accelerated Filer [ ] | | Non-accelerated Filer [ X ] |
Smaller Reporting Company [ ] | | Smaller Reporting Company [ ] |
Emerging Growth Company [ ] | | Emerging Growth Company [ ] |
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ] |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). |
NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY Yes[ ] No[ X ] | | NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY Yes[ ] No[ X ] |
As of the end of the second quarter of 2018, the aggregate market value of the shares of Common Stock of Northwest Natural Gas Company (based upon the closing price of these shares on the New York Stock Exchange on June 29, 2018) held by non-affiliates was $1,814,276,842.
At February 22, 2019, 28,896,471 shares of Northwest Natural Holding Company's Common Stock (the only class of Common Stock) were outstanding and 28,844,190 shares of Northwest Natural Gas Company's Common Stock (the only class of Common Stock) were outstanding, all of which were held by Northwest Natural Holding Company.
This combined Form 10-K is separately filed by Northwest Natural Holding Company and Northwest Natural Gas Company. Information contained in this document relating to Northwest Natural Gas Company is filed by Northwest Natural Holding Company and separately by Northwest Natural Gas Company. Northwest Natural Gas Company makes no representation as to information relating to Northwest Natural Holding Company or its subsidiaries, except as it may relate to Northwest Natural Gas Company and its subsidiaries.
Northwest Natural Gas Company meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction (I)(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this report with the reduced disclosure format.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of Northwest Natural Holding Company's Proxy Statement, to be filed in connection with the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, are incorporated by reference in Part III.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I | | |
Item 1. | | |
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Item 1A. | | |
Item 1B. | | |
Item 2. | | |
Item 3. | | |
Item 4. | | |
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PART II | | | | | | |
Item 5. | | |
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Item 6. | | |
Item 7. | | |
Item 7A. | | |
Item 8. | | |
Item 9. | | |
Item 9A. | | |
Item 9B. | | |
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PART III | | | | | |
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Item 10. | | |
Item 11. | | |
Item 12. | | |
Item 13. | | |
Item 14. | | |
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PART IV | | | | | |
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Item 15. | | |
Item 16. | | |
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
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AFUDC | | Allowance for Funds Used During Construction |
AOCI / AOCL | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
ASC | | Accounting Standards Codification |
ASU | | Accounting Standards Update as issued by the FASB |
Average Weather | | The 25-year average of heating degree days based on temperatures established in our last Oregon general rate case |
Bcf | | Billion cubic feet, a volumetric measure of natural gas, where one Bcf is roughly equal to 10 million therms |
CNG | | Compressed Natural Gas |
CODM | | Chief Operating Decision Maker. For accounting purposes, an individual or group of individuals responsible for the allocation of resources and assessing the performance of the entity's business units |
Core Utility Customers | | Residential, commercial, and industrial customers receiving firm service from the utility |
Cost of Gas | | The delivered cost of natural gas sold to customers, including the cost of gas purchased or withdrawn/produced from storage inventory or reserves, gains and losses from gas commodity hedges, pipeline demand costs, seasonal demand cost balancing adjustments, regulatory gas cost deferrals and Company gas use |
CPUC | | California Public Utilities Commission, the entity that regulates our California gas storage business at the Gill Ranch facility with respect to rates and terms of service, among other matters |
Decoupling | | A billing rate mechanism, also referred to as a conservation tariff, which is designed to allow a utility to encourage industrial and small commercial customers to conserve energy while not adversely affecting its earnings due to reductions in sales volumes |
Demand Cost | | A component in core utility customer rates representing the cost of securing firm pipeline capacity, whether the capacity is used or not |
EBITDA | | Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, a non-GAAP financial measure |
EE/CA | | Engineering Evaluation / Cost Analysis |
Encana | | Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. |
Energy Corp | | Northwest Energy Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NW Natural |
EPA | | Environmental Protection Agency |
EPS | | Earnings per share |
FASB | | Financial Accounting Standards Board |
FERC | | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; the entity regulating interstate storage services offered by the Mist gas storage facility |
Firm Service | | Natural gas service offered to customers under contracts or rate schedules that will not be disrupted to meet the needs of other customers |
FMBs | | First Mortgage Bonds |
General Rate Case | | A periodic filing with state or federal regulators to establish billing rates for utility customers |
GHG | | Greenhouse gases |
Gill Ranch | | Gill Ranch Storage, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NWN Gas Storage |
Gill Ranch Facility | | Underground natural gas storage facility near Fresno, California, with 75% owned by Gill Ranch and 25% owned by PG&E |
GTN | | Gas Transmission Northwest, LLC which owns a transmission pipeline serving California and the Pacific Northwest |
Heating Degree Days | | Units of measure reflecting temperature-sensitive consumption of natural gas, calculated by subtracting the average of a day’s high and low temperatures from 59 degrees Fahrenheit |
HATFA | | Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 |
Interruptible Service | | Natural gas service offered to customers (usually large commercial or industrial users) under contracts or rate schedules that allow for interruptions when necessary to meet the needs of firm service customers |
Interstate Storage Services | | The portion of the Mist gas storage facility not used to serve NGD, instead serving utilities, gas marketers, electric generators, and large industrial users |
IPUC | | Public Utility Commission of Idaho; the entity that regulates NW Holdings' Idaho water business with respect to rates and terms of service, among other matters |
IRP | | Integrated Resource Plan |
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KB | | Kelso-Beaver Pipeline, of which 10% is owned by KB Pipeline Company, a subsidiary of NNG Financial |
LNG | | Liquefied Natural Gas, the cryogenic liquid form of natural gas. To reach a liquid form at atmospheric pressure, natural gas must be cooled to approximately negative 260 degrees Fahrenheit |
MAP-21 | | A federal pension plan funding law called the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, July 2012 |
Moody's | | Moody's Investors Service, Inc., credit rating agency |
NAV | | Net Asset Value |
NGD | | Natural Gas Distribution, a segment of NW Natural Holdings and NW Natural Gas Company that provides regulated natural gas distribution services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Oregon and Southwest Washington |
NGD Margin | | A financial measure consisting of NGD operating revenues less the associated cost of gas, franchise taxes, and environmental recoveries |
NNG Financial | | NNG Financial Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NW Holdings |
NOL | | Net Operating Loss |
NRD | | Natural Resource Damages |
NW Holdings | | Northwest Natural Holding Company |
NW Natural | | Northwest Natural Gas Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NW Holdings |
NWN Energy | | NW Natural Energy, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NW Holdings |
NWN Gas Reserves | | NWN Gas Reserves LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Corp |
NWN Gas Storage | | NW Natural Gas Storage, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NWN Energy |
ODEQ | | Oregon Department of Environmental Quality |
OPEIU | | Office and Professional Employees International Union Local No. 11, AFL-CIO, which is also referred to as the Union representing NW Natural's bargaining unit employees |
OPUC | | Public Utility Commission of Oregon; the entity that regulates our Oregon natural gas and water utility businesses with respect to rates and terms of service, among other matters; the OPUC also regulates the Mist gas storage facility's intrastate storage services |
PBGC | | Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation |
PG&E | | Pacific Gas & Electric Company; 25% owner of the Gill Ranch Facility |
PGA | | Purchased Gas Adjustment, a regulatory mechanism which adjusts natural gas customer rates to reflect changes in the forecasted cost of gas and differences between forecasted and actual gas costs from the prior year |
Portland General | | Portland General Electric; primary customer of the North Mist gas storage expansion |
PHMSA | | U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration |
PRP | | Potentially Responsible Parties |
RI/FS | | Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study |
ROD | | Record of Decision |
ROE | | Return on Equity, a measure of corporate profitability, calculated as net income or loss divided by average common stock equity. Authorized ROE refers to the equity rate approved by a regulatory agency for use in determining utility revenue requirements |
ROR | | Rate of Return, a measure of return on utility rate base. Authorized ROR refers to the rate of return approved by a regulatory agency and is generally discussed in the context of ROE and capital structure |
S&P | | Standard & Poor's, a credit rating agency and division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. |
Sales Service | | Service provided whereby a customer purchases both natural gas commodity supply and transportation from the utility |
SEC | | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |
SRRM | | Site Remediation and Recovery Mechanism, a billing rate mechanism for recovering prudently incurred environmental site remediation costs allocable to Oregon through customer billings, subject to an earnings test |
TCJA | | The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017 |
Therm | | The basic unit of natural gas measurement, equal to one hundred thousand British thermal units |
TWH | | Trail West Holdings, LLC, 50% owned by NWN Energy |
TWP | | Trail West Pipeline, LLC, a subsidiary of TWH |
TransCanada | | TransCanada Pipelines Limited, owner of TransCanada American Investments, Ltd., a 50% owner of TWH, and GTN |
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Transportation Service | | Service provided whereby a customer purchases natural gas directly from a supplier but pays the utility to transport the gas over its distribution system to the customer’s facility |
U.S. GAAP | | Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America |
WARM | | An Oregon billing rate mechanism applied to natural gas residential and commercial customers to adjust for temperature variances from average weather |
WUTC | | Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, the entity that regulates our Washington natural gas and water utility businesses with respect to rates and terms of service, among other matters |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to the safe harbors created by such Act. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as anticipates, assumes, intends, plans, seeks, believes, estimates, expects, and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following:
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• | plans, projections and predictions; |
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• | objectives, goals or strategies; |
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• | assumptions, generalizations and estimates; |
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• | ongoing continuation of past practices or patterns; |
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• | future events or performance; |
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• | capital expenditures and allocation; |
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• | capital or organizational structure, including restructuring as a holding company; |
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• | climate change and our role in a low-carbon, renewable-energy future; |
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• | labor relations and workforce succession; |
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• | operational performance and costs; |
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• | energy policy, infrastructure and preferences; |
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• | public policy approach and involvement; |
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• | efficacy of derivatives and hedges; |
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• | liquidity, financial positions, and planned securities issuances; |
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• | project and program development, expansion, or investment; |
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• | business development efforts, including acquisitions and integration thereof; |
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• | pipeline capacity, demand, location, and reliability; |
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• | adequacy of property rights and headquarter development; |
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• | technology implementation and cybersecurity practices; |
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• | procurement and development of gas supplies; |
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• | customers bypassing our infrastructure; |
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• | rate or regulatory outcomes, recovery or refunds; |
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• | impacts or changes of laws, rules and regulations; |
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• | tax liabilities or refunds, including effects of tax reform; |
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• | levels and pricing of gas storage contracts and gas storage markets; |
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• | outcomes, timing and effects of potential claims, litigation, regulatory actions, and other administrative matters; |
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• | projected obligations, expectations and treatment with respect to retirement plans; |
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• | availability, adequacy, and shift in mix, of gas supplies; |
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• | effects of new or anticipated changes in critical accounting policies or estimates; |
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• | approval and adequacy of regulatory deferrals; |
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• | effects and efficacy of regulatory mechanisms; and |
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• | environmental, regulatory, litigation and insurance costs and recoveries, and timing thereof. |
Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We therefore caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed at Item 1A., "Risk Factors" of Part I and Item 7. and Item 7A., "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk", respectively, of Part II of this report.
Any forward-looking statement made in this report speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
PART I
FILING FORMAT
This annual report on Form 10-K is a combined report being filed by two separate registrants: Northwest Natural Holding Company (NW Holdings), and Northwest Natural Gas Company (NW Natural). Except where the content clearly indicates otherwise, any reference in the report to "we," "us" or "our" is to the consolidated entity of NW Holdings and all of its subsidiaries, including NW Natural, which is a distinct SEC registrant that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NW Holdings. Each of NW Holdings' subsidiaries is a separate legal entity with its own assets and liabilities. Information contained herein relating to any individual registrant or its subsidiaries is filed by such registrant on its own behalf. Each registrant makes representations only as to itself and its subsidiaries and makes no other representation whatsoever as to any other company.
Part II - Item 8. Financial statements and supplementary data in this Annual Report on Form 10-K includes separate financial statements (i.e. balance sheets, statements of comprehensive income, statements of cash flows, and statements of equity) for NW Holdings and NW Natural, in that order. References in this discussion to the "Notes" are to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report. The Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are presented on a combined basis for both entities except where expressly noted otherwise. All Items other than Part II - Item 8. are combined for the reporting companies.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
On October 1, 2018, we completed a reorganization into a holding company structure. We believe that our holding company structure is an agile and efficient platform from which to pursue, finance, and oversee new opportunities, such as in the water sector, while also providing legal separation between regulated natural gas distribution operations and other businesses. In this reorganization, shareholders of NW Natural (the predecessor publicly held parent company) became shareholders of NW Holdings, on a one-for-one basis, with the same number of shares and same ownership percentage as they held in NW Natural immediately prior to the reorganization. NW Natural became a wholly-owned subsidiary of NW Holdings. Additionally, certain subsidiaries of NW Natural were transferred to NW Holdings. As required under accounting guidance, these subsidiaries are presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated results of NW Natural within this report.
NW Holdings is a holding company headquartered in Portland, Oregon and owns NW Natural, NW Natural Water Company (NW Water), and other businesses and activities. NW Natural is NW Holdings’ largest subsidiary.
NW Natural distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Oregon and southwest Washington. NW Natural and its predecessors have supplied gas service to the public since 1859, was
incorporated in Oregon in 1910, and began doing business as NW Natural in 1997. NW Natural's natural gas distribution activities are reported in the natural gas distribution (NGD) segment, formerly titled and reported as the utility segment. All other business activities, including certain gas storage activities, water businesses, and other investments and activities are aggregated and reported as "other" at their respective registrant.
In addition, NW Holdings has reported discontinued operations results related to the pending sale of Gill Ranch Storage, LLC (Gill Ranch). NW Natural Gas Storage, LLC (NWN Gas Storage), currently an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NW Holdings, entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement during the second quarter of 2018 that provides for the sale of all membership interests in Gill Ranch. Gill Ranch owns a 75% interest in the natural gas storage facility located near Fresno, California known as the Gill Ranch Gas Storage Facility. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) owns the remaining 25% interest in the Gill Ranch Gas Storage Facility.
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION (NGD) SEGMENT
Both NW Holdings and NW Natural have one reportable segment, the NGD segment, which is conducted by NW Natural. The NGD business purchases and distributes natural gas through approximately 750,000 meters in Oregon and southwest Washington. Approximately 89% of customers are located in Oregon and 11% are located in southwest Washington.
NW Natural has been allocated an exclusive service territory by the OPUC and WUTC, which includes the major population centers in western Oregon, including the Portland metropolitan area, most of the Willamette Valley, the Coastal area from Astoria to Coos Bay, and portions of Washington along the Columbia River. Portland serves as one of the largest ports on the West Coast and is a key distribution center. Major businesses located in NW Natural's service territory include retail, manufacturing, and high-technology industries.
Customers
The NGD business serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers with no individual customer accounting for more than 10% of NW Natural or NW Holdings revenues. On an annual basis, residential and commercial customers typically account for approximately 60% of NGD volumes delivered and approximately 90% of margin. Industrial customers largely account for the remaining volumes and margin.
The following table presents summary meter information for the NGD segment as of December 31, 2018: |
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| | Number of Meters | | % of Volumes | | % of Margin (1) |
Residential | | 680,134 |
| | 37 | % | | 65 | % |
Commercial | | 69,259 |
| | 22 | % | | 27 | % |
Industrial | | 1,028 |
| | 41 | % | | 8 | % |
Other | | N/A |
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| | — | % |
Total | | 750,421 |
| | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
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(1) | NGD margin is also affected by other items, including miscellaneous services, gains or losses from our gas cost incentive sharing mechanism, and other service fees. |
Generally, residential and commercial customers purchase both their natural gas commodity (gas sales) and natural gas delivery services (transportation services) from the NGD business. Industrial customers also purchase transportation services, but may buy the gas commodity either from NW Natural or directly from a third-party gas marketer or supplier. Gas commodity cost is primarily a pass-through cost to customers; therefore, profit margins are not materially affected by an industrial customer's decision to purchase gas from NW Natural or from third parties. Industrial and large commercial customers may also select between firm and interruptible service levels, with firm services generally providing higher profit margins compared to interruptible services.
To help manage gas supplies, industrial tariffs are designed to provide some certainty regarding industrial customers' volumes by requiring an annual service election, special charges for changes between elections, and in some cases, a minimum or maximum volume requirement before changing options.
Customer growth rates for natural gas utilities in the Pacific Northwest historically have been among the highest in the nation due to lower market saturation as natural gas became widely available as a residential heating source after other fuel options. We estimate natural gas was in approximately 63% of single-family residential homes in NW Natural's service territory in 2018. Customer growth in our region comes mainly from the following sources: single-family housing, both new construction and conversions; multifamily housing new construction; and commercial buildings, both new construction and conversions. Single-family new construction has consistently been our strongest performing source of growth. Continued customer growth is closely tied to the comparative price of natural gas to electricity and fuel oil and the economic health of Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. We believe there is potential for continued growth as natural gas is a preferred energy source due to its affordable, reliable, and clean qualities.
Competitive Conditions
In its service areas, the NGD business has no direct competition from other natural gas distributors. However, it competes with other forms of energy in each customer class. This competition among energy suppliers is based on price, efficiency, reliability, performance, preference, market conditions, technology, federal, state, and local energy policy, and environmental impacts.
For residential and small to mid-size commercial customers, the NGD business competes primarily with providers of electricity, fuel oil, and propane.
In the industrial and large commercial markets, the NGD business competes with all forms of energy, including competition from wholesale natural gas marketers. In addition, large industrial customers could bypass NW Natural's natural gas distribution system by installing their own direct pipeline connection to the interstate pipeline
system. NW Natural has designed custom transportation service agreements with several large industrial customers to provide transportation service rates that are competitive with the customer’s costs of installing their own pipeline.
Seasonality of Business
The NGD business is seasonal in nature due to higher gas usage by residential and commercial customers during the cold winter heating months. Other categories of customers experience similar seasonality in their usage but to a lesser extent.
Regulation and Rates
The NGD business is subject to regulation by the OPUC and WUTC. These regulatory agencies authorize rates and allow recovery mechanisms to provide the opportunity to recover prudently incurred capital and operating costs from customers, while also earning a reasonable return on investment for investors. In addition, the OPUC and WUTC also regulate the system of accounts and issuance of securities by NW Natural.
NW Natural files general rate cases and rate tariff requests periodically with the OPUC and WUTC to establish approved rates, an authorized ROE, an overall rate of return on rate base (ROR), an authorized capital structure, and other revenue/cost deferral and recovery mechanisms.
NW Natural is also regulated by the FERC. Under NW Natural's Mist interstate storage certificate with FERC, NW Natural is required to file either a petition for rate approval or a cost and revenue study every five years to change or justify maintaining the existing rates for the interstate storage service.
For further discussion on our most recent general rate cases, see Part II, Item 7, "Results of Operations—Regulatory Matters—Regulation and Rates".
Gas Supply
NW Natural strives to secure sufficient, reliable supplies of natural gas to meet the needs of customers at the lowest reasonable cost, while maintaining price stability and managing gas purchase costs prudently. This is accomplished through a comprehensive strategy focused on the following items:
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• | Reliability - ensuring gas resource portfolios are sufficient to satisfy customer requirements under extreme cold weather conditions; |
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• | Diverse Supply - providing diversity of supply sources; |
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• | Diverse Contracts - maintaining a variety of contract durations, types, and counterparties; and |
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• | Cost Management and Recovery - employing prudent gas cost management strategies. |
Reliability
The effectiveness of the natural gas distribution system ultimately rests on whether reliable service is provided to NGD customers. To ensure effectiveness, the NGD business has developed a risk-based methodology in which it uses a planning standard to serve the highest firm sales demand day in any year with 99% certainty.
The projected maximum design day firm NGD customer sendout is approximately 10.0 million therms. Of this total,
the NGD business is currently capable of meeting about 56% of requirements with gas from storage located within or adjacent to the service territory, while the remaining supply requirements would come from gas purchases under firm gas purchase contracts and recall agreements.
To supplement near-term natural gas supplies, NW Natural can segment transportation capacity, if needed. Pipeline segmentation is a natural gas transportation mechanism under which a shipper can leverage its firm pipeline transportation capacity by separating it into multiple segments with alternate delivery routes. The reliability of service on these alternate routes will vary depending on the constraints of the pipeline system. For those segments with acceptable reliability, segmentation provides a shipper with increased flexibility and potential cost savings compared to traditional pipeline service. Since 2014, the NGD business has relied on segmentation of firm pipeline transportation capacity that flows from Stanfield, Oregon to various points south of Molalla, Oregon.
We believe gas supplies would be sufficient to meet existing NGD firm customer demand in the event of maximum design day weather conditions.
The following table shows the sources of supply projected to be used to satisfy the design day sendout for the 2018-2019 winter heating season:
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Therms in millions | | Therms | | Percent |
Sources of NGD supply: | | | | |
Firm supply purchases | | 3.4 |
| | 34 | % |
Mist underground storage (NGD only) | | 3.1 |
| | 31 | % |
Company-owned LNG storage | | 1.9 |
| | 19 | % |
Off-system storage contract | | 0.5 |
| | 5 | % |
Pipeline segmentation capacity | | 0.6 |
| | 6 | % |
Recall agreements | | 0.4 |
| | 4 | % |
Peak day citygate deliveries | | 0.1 |
| | 1 | % |
Total | | 10.0 |
| | 100 | % |
The OPUC and WUTC have IRP processes in which utilities define different growth scenarios and corresponding resource acquisition strategies in an effort to evaluate supply and demand resource requirements, consider uncertainties in the planning process and the need for flexibility to respond to changes, and establish a plan for providing reliable service at the least cost.
NW Natural files a full IRP biennially for Oregon and Washington with the OPUC and the WUTC, respectively, and files updates between filings. The OPUC acknowledges NW Natural's action plan; whereas the WUTC provides notice that the IRP has met the requirements of the Washington Administrative Code. OPUC acknowledgment of the IRP does not constitute ratemaking approval of any specific resource acquisition strategy or expenditure. However, the Commissioners generally indicate that they would give considerable weight in prudence reviews to actions consistent with acknowledged plans. The WUTC has indicated the IRP process is one factor it will consider in a prudence review. For additional information see Part II, Item 7, "Results of Operations—Regulatory Matters".
Diversity of Supply Sources
NW Natural purchases gas supplies primarily from the Alberta and British Columbia provinces of Canada and multiple receipt points in the U.S. Rocky Mountains to protect against regional supply disruptions and to take advantage of price differentials. For 2018, 61% of gas supply came from Canada, with the balance primarily coming from the U.S. Rocky Mountain region. We believe gas supplies available in the western United States and Canada are adequate to serve NGD customer requirements for the foreseeable future. NW Natural continues to evaluate the long-term supply mix based on projections of gas production and pricing in the U.S. Rocky Mountain region as well as other regions in North America. Additionally, the extraction of shale gas has increased the availability of gas supplies throughout North America for the foreseeable future.
NW Natural supplements firm gas supply purchases with gas withdrawals from gas storage facilities, including underground reservoirs and LNG storage facilities. Storage facilities are generally injected with natural gas during the off-peak months in the spring and summer, and the gas is withdrawn for use during peak demand months in the winter.
The following table presents the storage facilities available for NGD business supply:
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| | Maximum Daily Deliverability (therms in millions) | | Designed Storage Capacity (Bcf) |
Gas Storage Facilities | | | | |
Owned Facility | | | | |
Mist, Oregon(1) | | 3.1 |
| | 10.6 |
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Contracted Facility | | | | |
Jackson Prairie, Washington(2) | | 0.5 |
| | 1.1 |
|
LNG Facilities | | | | |
Owned Facilities | | | | |
Newport, Oregon | | 0.6 |
| | 1.0 |
|
Portland, Oregon | | 1.3 |
| | 0.6 |
|
Total | | 5.5 |
| | 13.3 |
|
| |
(1) | The Mist gas storage facility has a total maximum daily deliverability of 5.4 million therms and a total designed storage capacity of about 16.0 Bcf, of which 3.1 million therms of daily deliverability and 10.6 Bcf of storage capacity are reserved for NGD business customers. |
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(2) | The storage facility is located near Chehalis, Washington and is contracted from Northwest Pipeline, a subsidiary of The Williams Companies. |
The Mist facility serves NGD segment customers and is also used for non-NGD purposes, primarily for contracts with gas storage customers, including utilities and third-party marketers. Under regulatory agreements with the OPUC and WUTC, gas storage at Mist can be developed in advance of NGD customer needs but is subject to recall when needed to serve such customers as their demand increases. When storage capacity is recalled for NGD purposes it becomes part of the NGD segment. In 2018, the NGD business did not recall additional deliverability or associated storage capacity to serve customer needs.
In addition, pipeline capacity and supply resources from certain NW Natural customers may be recalled if needed to meet high demand requirements.
Diverse Contract Durations and Types
NW Natural has a diverse portfolio of short-, medium-, and long-term firm gas supply contracts and a variety of contract types including firm and interruptible supplies as well as supplemental supplies from gas storage facilities.
The portfolio of firm gas supply contracts typically includes the following gas purchase contracts: year-round and winter-only baseload supplies; seasonal supply with an option to call on additional daily supplies during the winter heating season; and daily or monthly spot purchases.
During 2018, a total of 743 million therms were purchased under contracts with durations outlined in the chart below:
|
| | |
Contract Duration (primary term) | Percent of Purchases |
Long-term (one year or longer) | 28 | % |
Short-term (more than one month, less than one year) | 27 |
|
Spot (one month or less) | 45 |
|
Total | 100 | % |
Gas supply contracts are renewed or replaced as they expire. During 2018, no individual supplier provided over 10% of the NGD business gas supply requirements.
Gas Cost Management
The cost of gas sold to NGD customers primarily consists of the following items, which are included in annual PGA rates: gas purchases from suppliers; charges from pipeline companies to transport gas to our distribution system; gas storage costs; gas reserves contracts; and gas commodity derivative contracts.
The NGD business employs a number of strategies to mitigate the cost of gas sold to customers. The primary strategies for managing gas commodity price risk include:
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• | negotiating fixed prices directly with gas suppliers; |
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• | negotiating financial derivative contracts that: (1) effectively convert floating index prices in physical gas supply contracts to fixed prices (referred to as commodity price swaps); or (2) effectively set a ceiling or floor price, or both, on floating index priced physical supply contracts (referred to as commodity price options such as calls, puts, and collars); |
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• | buying physical gas supplies at a set price and injecting the gas into storage for price stability and to minimize pipeline capacity demand costs; and |
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• | investing in gas reserves for longer term price stability. See Note 12 for additional information about our gas reserves. |
NW Natural also contracts with an independent energy marketing company to capture opportunities regarding storage and pipeline capacity when those assets are not serving the needs of NGD business customers. Asset management activities provide opportunities for cost of gas savings for customers and incremental revenues for NW Natural through regulatory incentive-sharing mechanisms.
These activities, net of the amount shared, are included in other for segment reporting purposes.
Gas Cost Recovery
Mechanisms for gas cost recovery are designed to be fair and reasonable, with an appropriate balance between the interests of customers and NW Natural. In general, natural gas distribution rates are designed to recover the costs of, but not to earn a return on, the gas commodity sold. Risks associated with gas cost recovery are minimized by resetting customer rates annually through the PGA and aligning customer and shareholder interests through the use of sharing, weather normalization, and conservation mechanisms in Oregon. See Part II, Item 7, "Results of Operations—Regulatory Matters" and "Results of Operations—Business Segments—Natural Gas Distribution Operations—Cost of Gas."
Transportation of Gas Supplies
NW Natural's gas distribution system is reliant on a single, bi-directional interstate transmission pipeline to bring gas supplies into the natural gas distribution system. Although dependent on a single pipeline, the pipeline’s gas flows into the Portland metropolitan market from two directions: (1) the north, which brings supplies from the British Columbia and Alberta supply basins; and (2) the east, which brings supplies from Alberta as well as the U.S. Rocky Mountain supply basins.
NW Natural incurs monthly demand charges related to firm pipeline transportation contracts. These contracts are multi-year contracts with expirations ranging from 2019 to 2060. The largest pipeline agreements are with Northwest Pipeline. NW Natural actively works with Northwest Pipeline and others to renew contracts in advance of expiration to ensure gas transportation capacity is sufficient to meet customer needs.
Rates for interstate pipeline transportation services are established by FERC within the U.S. and by Canadian authorities for services on Canadian pipelines.
As mentioned above, the service territory is dependent on a single pipeline for its natural gas supply. In October 2018, a critical natural gas pipeline in western Canada experienced a rupture and gas supply to the Pacific Northwest was disrupted. NW Natural was able to serve firm NGD business customers during the incident with natural gas from the Mist storage facility and realignment of other supplies. Pipeline disruptions, replacement projects, and long-term projected natural gas demand in our region underscore the need for pipeline transportation diversity. In addition, there are potential industrial projects in the region, which could increase the demand for natural gas and the need for additional pipeline capacity and diversity.
Currently, there are various interstate pipeline projects proposed, including the Trail West pipeline in which NW Holdings has an interest, that could meet the forecasted demand growth for NW Natural and the region. However, the location of any future pipeline project will likely depend on the location of committed industrial projects. NW Holdings and NW Natural will continue to evaluate and closely monitor the currently prospected projects to determine the best option for our customers. NW Holdings
has an equity investment in Trail West Holdings, LLC (TWH), which is developing plans to build the Trail West pipeline. This pipeline would connect TransCanada Pipelines Limited’s (TransCanada) Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) interstate transmission line to NW Natural's natural gas distribution system. If constructed, this pipeline would provide another transportation path for gas purchases from Alberta and the U.S. Rocky Mountains in addition to the one that currently moves gas through the Northwest Pipeline system.
Gas Distribution
The primary goals of gas distribution operations are safety and reliability of the system, which entails building and maintaining a safe pipeline distribution system.
Safety and the protection of employees, customers, and the public at large are, and will remain, top priorities. NW Natural constructs, operates, and maintains the pipeline distribution system and storage operations with the goal of ensuring natural gas is delivered and stored safely, reliably, and efficiently.
NW Natural has one of the most modern distribution systems in the country with no identified cast iron pipe or bare steel main. The final known bare steel was removed from the system in 2015 and cast iron pipe removal was completed in 2000. Since the 1980s, NW Natural has taken a proactive approach to replacement programs and partnered with the OPUC and WUTC on progressive regulation to further safety and reliability efforts for the distribution system. In the past, NW Natural had a cost recovery program in Oregon that encompassed programs for bare steel replacement, transmission pipeline integrity management, and distribution pipeline integrity management as appropriate. For discussion on current regulatory programs, see Part II, Item 7, "Results of Operations—Regulatory Matters".
Natural gas distribution businesses will continue to be subject to greater federal and state regulation in the future due to pipeline incidents involving other companies.
Additional operating and safety regulations from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) are currently under development. In 2016, PHMSA issued proposed regulations to update safety requirements for natural gas transmission pipelines. Final regulations are anticipated to be issued in 2019. Current proposed regulations indicate a 15-year timeline for implementation of compliance requirements. NW Natural will continue to work diligently with industry associations as well as federal and state regulators to ensure the safety of the system and compliance with new laws and regulations. The costs associated with compliance with federal, state, and local rules are expected to be recovered in rates.
North Mist Gas Storage Expansion Project
In Oregon, there is a need to integrate intermittent resources, such as wind and solar, into the power system with policymakers committing to the elimination of coal-fired electric generation and moving toward a 50% renewable electricity standard by 2040. Flexible natural gas-fired electric generation facilities and associated gas storage are necessary to support the integration of renewable
resources. In 2016, NW Natural began expanding its gas storage facility near Mist, Oregon to provide innovative long-term, no-notice underground gas storage service to support gas-fired electric generating facilities that are intended to facilitate the integration of more wind power into the region's electric generation mix. Natural gas storage enables generation to adjust quickly when renewable energy, such as wind and solar, rises and falls.
This expansion project will be dedicated solely to Portland General Electric (Portland General), a local electric company, to support their gas-fired electric power generation facilities under an initial 30-year contract with options to extend, totaling up to an additional 50 years upon mutual agreement of the parties.
The expansion project includes a new reservoir providing up to 2.5 Bcf of available storage, an additional compressor station with design capacity of 120,000 dekatherms of gas per day, no-notice service that can be drawn on rapidly, and a 13-mile pipeline to connect to Portland General's gas plants at Port Westward. The expansion project is considered part of the NGD segment and has an estimated cost of approximately $149 million, with a targeted in-service date during the spring of 2019. See additional discussion in Part II, Item 7 "Financial Condition—Cash Flows—Investing Activities".
When the expansion is placed into service, the investment will be included in rate base under an established tariff schedule already approved by the OPUC, with revenues recognized consistent with the schedule. Billing rates will be updated annually to the current depreciable asset level and forecasted operating expenses.
While there are additional expansion opportunities in the Mist storage field, further development is not contemplated at this time and any expansion would be based on market demand, project execution, cost effectiveness, available financing, receipt of future permits, and other rights.
OTHER
Certain businesses and activities of NW Holdings and NW Natural are aggregated and reported as other for segment reporting purposes. These include the following businesses and activities aggregated and reported as other under NW Holdings:
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• | water businesses and water acquisition activities; |
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• | an equity method investment in TWH, a joint venture to build and operate a gas transmission pipeline in Oregon. TWH is owned 50% by NWN Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NW Holdings, and 50% by TransCanada American Investments Ltd., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of TransCanada Corporation; |
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• | a minority interest in the Kelso-Beaver Pipeline held by our wholly-owned subsidiary NNG Financial Corporation (NNG Financial); and |
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• | holding company and corporate activities as well as adjustments made in consolidation. |
Additionally, the following businesses and activities are aggregated and reported as other under NW Natural, a wholly owned subsidiary of NW Holdings:
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• | 5.4 Bcf of the Mist gas storage facility contracted to utilities and third-party marketers; |
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• | natural gas asset management activities; and |
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• | appliance retail center operations. |
WATER. During 2018, NW Water completed the purchase of four privately-owned regulated water utilities serving approximately 22,000 people through 7,400 connections in the Pacific Northwest. Several additional acquisition agreements for privately-owned water utilities have been signed, the largest of which is a water and wastewater business in Sunriver, Oregon serving 9,400 connections. These pending transactions are subject to public utility commission approvals and are expected to close during 2019.
MIST GAS STORAGE. The Mist gas storage facility began operations in 1989. It is a 16 Bcf facility with 10.6 Bcf used to provide gas storage for the NGD business. The remaining 5.4 Bcf of the facility is contracted with other utilities and third-party marketers with these results reported in other.
The overall facility consists of seven depleted natural gas reservoirs, 22 injection and withdrawal wells, a compressor station, dehydration and control equipment, gathering lines, and other related facilities. The capacity at Mist serving other utilities and third-party marketers provides multi-cycle gas storage services to customers in the interstate and intrastate markets. The interstate storage services are offered under a limited jurisdiction blanket certificate issued by FERC. Under NW Natural's interstate storage certificate with FERC, NW Natural is required to file either a petition for rate approval or a cost and revenue study every five years to change or justify maintaining the existing rates for the interstate storage service. Intrastate firm storage services in Oregon are offered under an OPUC-approved rate schedule as an optional service to certain eligible customers. Gas storage revenues from the 5.4 Bcf are derived primarily from firm service customers who provide energy-related services, including natural gas distribution, electric generation, and energy marketing. The Mist facility benefits from limited competition as there are few storage facilities in the Pacific Northwest region. Therefore, NW Natural is able to acquire high value, multi-year contracts.
ASSET MANAGEMENT ACTIVITES. NW Natural contracts with an independent energy marketing company to provide asset management services, primarily through the use of natural gas commodity exchange agreements and natural gas pipeline capacity release transactions. The results of these activities are included in other, except for the asset management revenues allocated to NGD business customers pursuant to regulatory agreements, which are reported in the NGD segment.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Properties and Facilities
NW Natural owns, or previously owned, properties and facilities that are currently being investigated that may require environmental remediation and are subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to environmental matters. These laws and regulations may require expenditures over a long time frame to address certain environmental impacts. Estimates of liabilities for environmental costs are difficult to determine with precision because of the various factors that can affect their ultimate disposition. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
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• | the complexity of the site; |
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• | changes in environmental laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels; |
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• | the number of regulatory agencies or other parties involved; |
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• | new technology that renders previous technology obsolete, or experience with existing technology that proves ineffective; |
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• | the ultimate selection of a particular technology; |
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• | the level of remediation required; |
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• | variations between the estimated and actual period of time that must be dedicated to respond to an environmentally-contaminated site; and |
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• | the application of environmental laws that impose joint and several liabilities on all potentially responsible parties. |
NW Natural has received recovery of a portion of such environmental costs through insurance proceeds, seeks the remainder of such costs through customer rates, and believes recovery of these costs is probable. In Oregon, NW Natural has a mechanism to recover expenses, subject to an earnings test and allocation rules. See Part II, Item 7, "Results of Operations—Rate Matters—Rate Mechanisms—Environmental Costs", Note 2, and Note 17.
Greenhouse Gas Matters
We recognize our businesses are likely to be affected by requirements to address greenhouse gas emissions. Future federal, state or local requirements may seek to limit emissions of greenhouse gases, including both carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane. These potential laws and regulations may require certain activities to reduce emissions and/or increase the price paid for energy based on its carbon content.
Current federal rules require the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. In September 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule requiring the annual reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from certain industries, specified large greenhouse gas emission sources, and facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more of CO2 equivalents per year. NW Natural began reporting emission information in 2011. Under this reporting rule, local natural gas distribution companies like NW Natural are required to report system throughput to the EPA on an annual basis. The EPA also has required additional greenhouse gas reporting regulations to which NW Natural is subject, requiring the annual reporting of fugitive emissions from operations.
The Oregon and Washington legislatures and governors continue to consider various greenhouse gas reduction proposals and initiatives. For example, the Oregon legislature will be considering a cap and trade bill during the 2019 legislative session that could create a declining cap on greenhouse gas emissions emitted by a wide variety of emission sources, including electric and natural gas utilities, and would require those entities with a compliance obligation to hold permits, or allowances, to emit greenhouse gas emissions on a per ton basis. While there is uncertainty regarding the extent of the legislation, potential compliance costs, and cost sharing impacts of these and other similar proposals, NW Natural currently expects to be able to recover compliance costs associated with this type of legislation in rates.
The state of Washington's Department of Ecology (DOE) enacted the Clean Air Rule (CAR) in 2016, which capped the maximum greenhouse gas emissions allowed from stationary sources, such as natural gas utilities. For gas distribution utilities, the production of emissions from usage by their customers was considered to be production of emissions attributable to the utility. In December 2017, a Washington State Court ruled that the DOE lacked legislative authority to regulate non-emitting sources, such as local distribution companies. The DOE has appealed the ruling and oral arguments for the appeal are expected to take place during 2019.
The outcome of these or any additional federal, state or local climate change policy developments cannot be determined at this time, but these initiatives could produce a number of results including new regulations, legal actions, additional charges to fund energy efficiency activities, or other regulatory actions. The adoption and implementation of any regulations limiting emissions of greenhouse gases could require NW Natural to incur compliance costs associated with our customers’ use, resulting in an increase in the prices charged to those customers and in a potential decline in the demand for natural gas over time.
With environmental stewardship as one of our core values, we continue to take proactive steps to address greenhouse gas emissions in our region and the communities we serve. We believe NW Natural and its modern pipeline system has an important role to play in helping the Pacific Northwest move to a low-carbon, renewable-energy future.
We intend to vigorously pursue our role in a low-carbon future, and believe we are positioned to do so. Currently, NW Natural delivers more energy in Oregon than any other utility, and use of natural gas by our Sales and Transportation customers’ accounts for approximately 8% of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions according to the State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality In-Boundary GHG Inventory Preliminary 2015 Figures. Sales of natural gas to residential and commercial customers - customers NW Natural procures gas for - accounts for approximately 5% of the state’s emissions. Using this as a starting baseline, in 2017, NW Natural initiated a multi-pronged, multi-year core utility strategy to deliver greater emission reductions. Key components of this strategy include energy efficiency and the continued adoption of the company’s voluntary Smart Energy carbon offset program. NW Natural is also actively pursuing the potential to procure
renewable natural gas for our customers, and is engaging in longer-term efforts to explore the development of renewable hydrogen through power to gas.
EMPLOYEES
At December 31, 2018, our workforce consisted of the following:
|
| | |
NW Natural: | |
Unionized Employees(1) | 635 |
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Non-Unionized Employees | 532 |
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Total NW Natural | 1,167 |
|
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Other Entities: | |
Water Company Employees | 16 |
|
Other | 15 |
|
Total Other Entities | 31 |
|
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Total Employees | 1,198 |
|
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(1) | Members of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local No. 11, AFL-CIO. |
NW Natural's labor agreement with members of OPEIU covers wages, benefits, and working conditions. On May 22, 2014, NW Natural's unionized employees ratified a labor agreement (Joint Accord) that extends to November 30, 2019, and thereafter from year to year unless either party serves notice of its intent to negotiate modifications to the collective bargaining agreement.
Certain subsidiaries may receive services from employees of other subsidiaries. When such services involve regulated entities, those entities receiving services reimburse the entity providing services pursuant to shared services agreements.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANTS
For information concerning executive officers, see Part III, Item 10.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
NW Holdings and NW Natural file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC maintains an Internet site where reports, proxy statements, and other information filed can be read, copied, and requested online at its website (www.sec.gov). In addition, we make available, free of charge, on our website (www.nwnaturalholdings.com), our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) and proxy materials filed under Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference only. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K.
NW Holdings and NW Natural have adopted a Code of Ethics for all employees, officers, and directors that is available on our website. We intend to disclose revisions and amendments to, and any waivers from, the Code of Ethics for officers and directors on our website. Our Corporate Governance Standards, Director Independence Standards, charters of each of the committees of the Board of Directors, and additional information about NW Holdings and NW Natural are also available at the website. Copies of these documents may be requested, at no cost, by writing or calling Shareholder Services, NW Natural, One Pacific Square, 220 N.W. Second Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97209, telephone 503-226-4211 ext. 2402.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s business and financial results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are not within our control, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not currently known to us or that are not currently believed by us to be material may also harm our businesses, financial condition, and results of operations. When considering any investment in NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s securities, investors should carefully consider the following information, as well as information contained in the caption "Forward-Looking Statements", Item 7A, and our other documents filed with the SEC. This list is not exhaustive and the order of presentation does not reflect management’s determination of priority or likelihood. Additionally, our listing of risk factors that primarily affects one of our businesses does not mean that such risk factor is inapplicable to our other businesses.
Risks Related to our Business Generally
REGULATORY RISK. Regulation of NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s regulated businesses, including changes in the regulatory environment, failure of regulatory authorities to approve rates which provide for timely recovery of costs and an adequate return on invested capital, or an unfavorable outcome in regulatory proceedings may adversely impact NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
The OPUC and WUTC have general regulatory authority over NW Natural’s gas and NW Holdings’ water utility businesses in Oregon and Washington, respectively, including: the rates charged to customers; authorized rates of return on rate base, including ROE; the amounts and types of securities our regulated utility companies, like NW Natural, may issue; services our regulated utility companies provide and the manner in which they provide them; the nature of investments our utility companies make; and, deferral and recovery of various expenses, including, but not limited to, pipeline replacement, environmental remediation costs, commodity hedging expense, transactions with affiliated interests, certain employee benefit expenses such as pension, weather adjustment mechanisms, and other matters. The OPUC and WUTC also regulate actions investors may take with respect to our utility companies, NW Natural and NW Holdings. Similarly, FERC has regulatory authority over NW Natural’s interstate storage services, and the CPUC has regulatory authority over NW Holdings’ Gill Ranch storage operations. Additionally, expansion of our businesses, including into water or other sectors, could result in regulation by other regulatory authorities. For example, NW Holdings’ has acquired a water utility business in Idaho that is correspondingly subject to regulatory authority of the IPUC.
The prices the OPUC, WUTC, IPUC, and possible future regulators allow us to charge for retail service, and the maximum FERC-approved rates FERC authorizes us to charge for interstate storage and related transportation services, are the most significant factors affecting both NW Natural’s and NW Holdings’ financial position, results of operations and liquidity. The OPUC, WUTC, IPUC and
possible future regulators have the authority to disallow recovery of costs they find imprudently incurred or otherwise disallowed. Additionally, the rates allowed may be insufficient for recovery of costs incurred. We expect to continue to make expenditures to expand, improve and operate our gas and water utility distribution and gas storage systems. Regulators can find such expansions or improvements of expenditures were not prudently incurred, and deny recovery. Additionally, while the OPUC, WUTC and IPUC have established an authorized rate of return for our utility businesses through the ratemaking process, the regulatory process does not provide assurance that we will be able to achieve the earnings level authorized. Moreover, in the normal course of business we may place assets in service or incur higher than expected levels of operating expense before rate cases can be filed to recover those costs-this is commonly referred to as regulatory lag. The failure of any regulatory commission to approve requested rate increases on a timely basis to recover increased costs or to allow an adequate return could adversely impact NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
As companies with regulated utility businesses, we frequently have dockets open with our regulators. The regulatory proceedings for these dockets typically involve multiple parties, including governmental agencies, consumer advocacy groups, and other third parties. Each party has differing concerns, but all generally have the common objective of limiting amounts included in rates. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of these deferred proceedings or the effects of those outcomes on NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations and financial condition.
ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY RISK. Certain of NW Natural’s, and possibly NW Holdings’, properties and facilities may pose environmental risks requiring remediation, the costs of which are difficult to estimate and which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
NW Natural owns, or previously owned, properties that require environmental remediation or other action. NW Holdings or NW Natural may now, or in the future, own other properties that require environmental remediation or other action. NW Natural and NW Holdings accrue all material loss contingencies relating to these properties. A regulatory asset at NW Natural has been recorded for estimated costs pursuant to a Deferral Order from the OPUC and WUTC. In addition to maintaining regulatory deferrals, NW Natural settled with most of its historical liability insurers for only a portion of the costs it has incurred to date and expects to incur in the future. To the extent amounts NW Natural recovered from insurance are inadequate and it is unable to recover these deferred costs in utility customer rates, NW Natural would be required to reduce its regulatory assets which would result in a charge to earnings in the year in which regulatory assets are reduced. In addition, in Oregon, the OPUC approved the SRRM, which limits recovery of deferred amounts to those amounts which satisfy an annual prudence review and an earnings test that requires NW Natural to contribute additional amounts toward environmental remediation costs above approximately $10 million in years in which NW Natural earns above its
authorized ROE. To the extent NW Natural earns more than its authorized ROE in a year, it would be required to cover environmental expenses greater than the $10 million with those earnings that exceed its authorized ROE. The OPUC ordered a review of the SRRM in 2018 or when we obtain greater certainty of environmental costs, whichever occurs first. We submitted information for review in 2018, and believe we could be subject to further review. These ongoing prudence reviews, the earnings test, or the periodic review could reduce the amounts NW Natural is allowed to recover, and could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Moreover, we may have disputes with regulators and other parties as to the severity of particular environmental matters, what remediation efforts are appropriate, and the portion of the costs NW Natural or NW Holdings should bear. We cannot predict with certainty the amount or timing of future expenditures related to environmental investigations, remediation or other action, the portions of these costs allocable to NW Natural or NW Holdings, or disputes or litigation arising in relation thereto.
Environmental liability estimates are based on current remediation technology, industry experience gained at similar sites, an assessment of probable level of responsibility, and the financial condition of other potentially responsible parties. However, it is difficult to estimate such costs due to uncertainties surrounding the course of environmental remediation, the preliminary nature of certain site investigations, and the application of environmental laws that impose joint and several liabilities on all potentially responsible parties. These uncertainties and disputes arising therefrom could lead to further adversarial administrative proceedings or litigation, with associated costs and uncertain outcomes, all of which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION COMPLIANCE RISK. NW Holdings and NW Natural are subject to environmental regulations for our ongoing businesses, compliance with which could adversely affect our operations or financial results.
NW Holdings and NW Natural are subject to laws, regulations and other legal requirements enacted or adopted by federal, state and local governmental authorities relating to protection of the environment, including those legal requirements that govern discharges of substances into the air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and waste, groundwater quality and availability, plant and wildlife protection, and other aspects of environmental regulation. For example, our natural gas operations are subject to reporting requirements to the EPA and the ODEQ regarding greenhouse gas emissions. These and other current and future additional environmental regulations could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions, which may or may not be recoverable in customer rates or through insurance. If these costs are not recoverable, they could have an adverse effect on NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE RISK. Future legislation, regulation or other initiatives (including ballot initiatives) to address global climate change may expose NW Holdings and NW Natural to regulatory and financial risk. Additionally, our businesses may be subject to physical risks associated with climate change, all of which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
There are a number of international, federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives being proposed and adopted in an attempt to measure, control or limit the effects of global warming and climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane. For example, there are current legislative efforts in Oregon, Washington, and other states in which we operate to cap or otherwise restrict the maximum GHGs an entity may emit without reduction efforts or other undertakings. Such current or future legislation, regulation or other initiatives (including ballot initiatives) could impose on our natural gas businesses operational requirements, additional charges to fund energy efficiency initiatives, or levy a tax based on carbon content. Such initiatives could result in us incurring additional costs to comply with the imposed restrictions, provide a cost advantage to energy sources other than natural gas, reduce demand for natural gas, impose costs or restrictions on end users of natural gas, impact the prices we charge our customers, impose increased costs on us associated with the adoption of new infrastructure and technology to respond to such requirements, and may impact cultural perception of our services or products negatively, diminishing the value of our brand, all of which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s business practices, financial condition and results of operations.
Climate change may cause physical risks, including an increase in sea level, intensified storms, water scarcity and changes in weather conditions, such as changes in precipitation, average temperatures and extreme wind or other climate conditions. A significant portion of the nation’s gas infrastructure is located in areas susceptible to storm damage that could be aggravated by wetland and barrier island erosion, which could give rise to gas supply interruptions and price spikes.
These and other physical changes could result in disruptions to natural gas production and transportation systems potentially increasing the cost of gas and affecting our natural gas businesses’ ability to procure gas to meet customer demand. These changes could also affect our distribution systems resulting in increased maintenance and capital costs, disruption of service, regulatory actions and lower customer satisfaction. Similar disruptions could occur in NW Holdings’ water utility businesses. Additionally, to the extent that climate change adversely impacts the economic health or weather conditions of our service territory directly, it could adversely impact customer demand or our customers' ability to pay. Such physical risks could have an adverse effect on NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
STRATEGIC TRANSACTION RISK. NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s ability to successfully complete strategic transactions, including merger, acquisition, divestiture, joint venture, business development projects or other strategic transactions is subject to significant risks, including the risk that required regulatory or governmental approvals may not be obtained, risks relating to unknown problems or liabilities or problems or liabilities undisclosed to us, and the risk that for these or other reasons, we may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we anticipate from such transactions, which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
From time to time, NW Holdings and NW Natural have pursued and may continue to pursue strategic transactions including merger, acquisition, divestiture, joint venture, business development projects or other strategic transactions, including the entry by NW Holdings into the water sector through the acquisition of a number of water utilities and a water services company, with NW Holdings’ continuing to seek other such opportunities to acquire additional water companies. Any such transactions involve substantial risks, including the following:
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• | purchase or sale transactions that are contracted for may fail to close for a variety of reasons; |
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• | acquired businesses or assets may not produce revenues, earnings or cash flow at anticipated levels; |
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• | acquired businesses or assets could have, environmental, permitting, or other problems for which contractual protections prove inadequate; |
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• | there may be difficulties in integration or operation costs of new businesses; |
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• | there may be liabilities that were not disclosed to us, that exceed our estimates, or for which our rights to indemnification from the seller are limited; |
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• | we may be unable to obtain the necessary regulatory or governmental approvals to close a transaction, such approvals may be granted subject to terms that are unacceptable to us, or we may be unable to achieve anticipated regulatory treatment of any such transaction, or such benefits may be delayed or not occur at all; or |
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• | we may agree to sell assets for a price that is less than the book value of those assets. |
One of more of these conditions could affect NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT RISK. NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s business development projects may encounter unanticipated obstacles, costs, changes or delays that could result in a project becoming impaired, which could negatively impact NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Business development projects involve many risks. We are currently engaged in several business development projects, including, but not limited to, NW Holdings’ early planning and development stages for a regional pipeline in Oregon, and NW Natural’s expansion of its gas storage facility at Mist. We may also engage in other business
development projects such as investments in additional long-term gas reserves, CNG refueling stations, RNG projects, or projects in the water sector. These projects may not be successful. Additionally, we may not be able to obtain required governmental permits and approvals to complete our projects in a cost-efficient or timely manner, potentially resulting in delays or abandonment of the projects. We could also experience issues such as: startup and construction delays; construction cost overruns; disputes with contractors; the inability to negotiate acceptable agreements such as rights-of-way, easements, construction, gas supply or other material contracts; changes in customer demand or commitment; public opposition to projects; changes in market prices; and operating cost increases. Additionally, we may be unable to finance our business development projects at acceptable interest rates or within a scheduled time frame necessary for completing the project. One or more of these events could result in the project becoming impaired, and such impairment could have an adverse effect on NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
JOINT PARTNER RISK. Investing in business development projects through partnerships, joint ventures or other business arrangements affects our ability to manage certain risks and could adversely impact NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We use joint ventures and other business arrangements to manage and diversify the risks of certain development projects, including NW Holdings’ Trail West pipeline and Gill Ranch Facility and NW Natural’s gas reserves agreements. NW Holdings or NW Natural may acquire or develop part-ownership interests in other projects in the future, including but not limited to, in the water sector. Under these arrangements, we may not be able to fully direct the management and policies of the business relationships, and other participants in those relationships may take action contrary to our interests, including making operational decisions that could negatively affect our costs and liabilities. In addition, other participants may withdraw from the project, divest important assets, become financially distressed or bankrupt, or have economic or other business interests or goals that are inconsistent with ours. For example, in January 2019, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, which owns the remaining 25 percent of the Gill Ranch Facility (75 percent of which is owned by NW Holdings), filed for bankruptcy protection. While NW Holdings will monitor that bankruptcy proceeding, and take appropriate actions in an attempt to protect its interests, it does not control, and cannot predict, the outcome of such proceedings and the impact, if any, of the proceeding on the operations of Gill Ranch or the planned sale by NW Holdings’ of its interest in Gill Ranch.
NW Natural’s gas reserves arrangements, which operate as a hedge backed by physical gas supplies, involve a number of risks, including: gas production that is significantly less than the expected volumes, or no gas volumes; operating costs that are higher than expected; changes in the consolidated tax position or tax laws that could affect NW Natural’s ability to take, or the timing of, certain tax benefits that impact the financial outcome of this transaction; inherent risks of gas production, including disruption to
operations or a complete shut-in of the field; and one or more participants in one of these gas reserves arrangements acting contrary to NW Natural’s interests. In addition, while the cost of the original gas reserves venture is currently included in customer rates and additional wells under that arrangement are recovered at specific costs, the occurrence of one or more of these risks could affect NW Natural’s ability to recover this hedge in rates. Further, new gas reserves arrangements have not been approved for inclusion in rates, and regulators may ultimately determine to not include all or a portion of future transactions in rates. The realization of any of the above mentioned situations could adversely impact NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
OPERATING RISK. Transporting and storing natural gas involves numerous risks that may result in accidents and other operating risks and costs, some or all of which may not be fully covered by insurance, and which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
NW Holdings and NW Natural are subject to all of the risks and hazards inherent in the businesses of gas distribution and storage, and water distribution, including:
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• | earthquakes, floods, storms, landslides and other severe weather incidents and natural hazards; |
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• | leaks, losses or contamination of natural gas by other chemicals or compounds or by or of local water as a result of the malfunction of equipment or facilities; |
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• | damages from third parties, including construction, farm and utility equipment or other surface users; |
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• | negative performance by our storage reservoirs, facilities, or wells that could cause us to fail to meet expected or forecasted operational levels or contractual commitments to our customers; |
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• | problems maintaining, or the malfunction of, pipelines, wellbores and related equipment and facilities that form a part of the infrastructure that is critical to the operation of our gas distribution and storage facilities; |
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• | collapse of underground storage caverns; |
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• | operating costs that are substantially higher than expected; |
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• | migration of natural gas through faults in the rock or to some area of the reservoir where existing wells cannot drain the gas effectively, resulting in loss of the gas; |
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• | blowouts (uncontrolled escapes of gas from a pipeline or well) or other accidents, fires and explosions; and |
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• | risks and hazards inherent in the drilling operations associated with the development of the gas storage facilities, and wells. |
These risks could result in personal injury or loss of human life, damage to and destruction of property and equipment, pollution or other environmental damage, breaches of our contractual commitments, and may result in curtailment or suspension of operations, which in turn could lead to significant costs and lost revenues. Further, because our pipeline, storage and distribution facilities are in or near populated areas, including residential areas, commercial business centers, and industrial sites, any loss of human life or adverse financial outcomes resulting from such events could be significant. Additionally, we may not be able to maintain the level or types of insurance we desire, and the
insurance coverage we do obtain may contain large deductibles or fail to cover certain hazards or cover all potential losses. The occurrence of any operating risks not covered by insurance could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
BUSINESS CONTINUITY RISK. NW Holdings and NW Natural may be adversely impacted by local or national disasters, pandemic illness, terrorist activities, cyber-attacks or data breaches, and other extreme events to which we may not be able to promptly respond, which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s operations or financial condition.
Local or national disasters, pandemic illness, terrorist activities, cyber-attacks and data breaches, and other extreme events are a threat to our assets and operations. Companies in critical infrastructure industries may face a heightened risk due to exposure to acts of terrorism, including physical and security breaches of our information technology infrastructure in the form of cyber-attacks. These attacks could target or impact our technology or mechanical systems that operate our distribution, transmission or storage facilities and result in a disruption in our operations, damage to our system and inability to meet customer requirements. In addition, the threat of terrorist activities could lead to increased economic instability and volatility in the price of natural gas or other necessary commodities that could affect our operations. Threatened or actual national disasters or terrorist activities may also disrupt capital or bank markets and our ability to raise capital or obtain debt financing, or impact our suppliers or our customers directly. Local disaster or pandemic illness could result in part of our workforce being unable to operate or maintain our infrastructure or perform other tasks necessary to conduct our business. A slow or inadequate response to events may have an adverse impact on our operations and earnings. We may not be able to maintain sufficient insurance to cover all risks associated with local and national disasters, pandemic illness, terrorist activities and other events. Additionally, large scale natural disasters or terrorist attacks could destabilize the insurance industry making insurance we do have unavailable, which could increase the risk that an event could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s operations or financial results.
HOLDING COMPANY DIVIDEND RISK. As a holding company, NW Holdings depends on its operating subsidiaries, including NW Natural, to meet financial obligations and the ability of NW Holdings to pay dividends on its common stock is dependent on the receipt of dividends and other payments from its subsidiaries, including NW Natural.
As a holding company, NW Holdings’ only significant assets are the stock and membership interests of its operating subsidiaries, which at this time is primarily NW Natural. NW Holdings’ direct and indirect subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities, managed by their own boards of directors, and have no obligation to pay any amounts to their respective shareholders, whether through dividends, loans or other payments. The ability of these companies to pay dividends or make other distributions on their common stock is subject to, among other things: their results of operations, net income, cash flows and financial condition, as well as the success of their business strategies and
general economic and competitive conditions; the prior rights of holders of existing and future debt securities and any future preferred stock issued by those companies; and any applicable legal restrictions.
In addition, the ability of NW Holdings’ subsidiaries to pay upstream dividends and make other distributions is subject to applicable state law and regulatory restrictions. Under the OPUC and WUTC regulatory approvals for the holding company formation, if NW Natural ceases to comply with credit and capital structure requirements approved by the OPUC and WUTC, it will not, with limited exceptions, be permitted to pay dividends to NW Holdings. Under the OPUC and WUTC orders authorizing the holding company reorganization, NW Natural may not pay dividends or make distributions to NW Holdings if NW Natural’s credit ratings and common equity levels fall below specified ratings and levels. If NW Natural’s long-term secured credit ratings are below A- for S&P and A3 for Moody’s, dividends may be issued so long as NW Natural’s common equity is 45% or above. If NW Natural’s long-term secured credit ratings are below BBB for S&P and Baa2 for Moody’s, dividends may be issued so long as NW Natural’s common equity is 46% or above. Dividends may not be issued if NW Natural’s long-term secured credit ratings fall to BB+ or below for S&P or Ba1 or below for Moody’s, or if NW Natural’s common equity is below 44%. In each case, with the common equity level to be determined on a preceding or projected 13-month basis.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT RISK. The cost of providing pension and postretirement healthcare benefits is subject to changes in pension assets and liabilities, changing employee demographics and changing actuarial assumptions, which may have an adverse effect on NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Until NW Natural closed the pension plans to new hires, which for non-union employees was in 2006 and for union employees was in 2009, it provided pension plans and postretirement healthcare benefits to eligible full-time utility employees and retirees. About half of NW Natural’s current utility employees were hired prior to these dates, and therefore remain eligible for these plans. Other businesses we acquire may also have pension plans. The costs of NW Natural, or the other applicable businesses we may acquire, for providing such benefits is subject to change in the market value of the pension assets, changes in employee demographics including longer life expectancies, increases in healthcare costs, current and future legislative changes, and various actuarial calculations and assumptions. The actuarial assumptions used to calculate our future pension and postretirement healthcare expenses may differ materially from actual results due to significant market fluctuations and changing withdrawal rates, wage rates, interest rates and other factors. These differences may result in an adverse impact on the amount of pension contributions, pension expense or other postretirement benefit costs recorded in future periods. Sustained declines in equity markets and reductions in bond rates may have a material adverse effect on the value of the pension fund assets and liabilities. In these circumstances, NW Natural may be required to recognize increased contributions and pension expense earlier than it had planned to the extent that the value of pension assets is less than the total
anticipated liability under the plans, which could have a negative impact on NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
WORKFORCE RISK. NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s businesses are heavily dependent on being able to attract and retain qualified employees and maintain a competitive cost structure with market-based salaries and employee benefits, and workforce disruptions could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s operations and results.
NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s ability to implement our business strategy and serve our customers is dependent upon our continuing ability to attract and retain talented professionals and a technically skilled workforce, and being able to transfer the knowledge and expertise of our workforce to new employees as our largely older workforce retires. We expect that a significant portion of our workforce will retire within the current decade, which will require that we attract, train and retain skilled workers to prevent loss of institutional knowledge or skills gaps. Without an appropriately skilled workforce, our ability to provide quality service and meet our regulatory requirements will be challenged and this could negatively impact NW Holding’s and NW Natural’s earnings. Additionally, a majority of NW Natural workers are represented by the OPEIU Local No.11 AFL-CIO, and are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that extends to November 30, 2019. Disputes with the union representing NW Natural employees over terms and conditions of their agreement, or failure to timely and effectively renegotiate the agreement, could result in instability in our labor relationship and work stoppages that could impact the timely delivery of gas and other services from our utility and storage facilities, which could strain relationships with customers and state regulators and cause a loss of revenues. The collective bargaining agreements may also limit our flexibility in dealing with NW Natural’s workforce, and the ability to change work rules and practices and implement other efficiency-related improvements to successfully compete in today’s challenging marketplace, which may negatively affect NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
LEGISLATIVE, COMPLIANCE AND TAXING AUTHORITY RISK. NW Holdings and NW Natural are subject to governmental regulation, and compliance with local, state and federal requirements, including taxing requirements, and unforeseen changes in or interpretations of such requirements could affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
NW Holdings and NW Natural are subject to regulation by federal, state and local governmental authorities. We are required to comply with a variety of laws and regulations and to obtain authorizations, permits, approvals and certificates from governmental agencies in various aspects of our business. Significant changes in federal, state, or local governmental leadership can accelerate or amplify changes in existing laws or regulations, or the manner in which they are interpreted or enforced. For example, the current U.S. presidential administration has made numerous leadership changes at federal administrative agencies since the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Moreover, the U.S. Congress and the U.S. presidential administration may
make substantial changes to fiscal, tax, regulation and other federal policies. The current U.S. presidential administration has called for and implemented significant changes to U.S. fiscal policies, U.S. trade, healthcare, immigration, foreign, and government regulatory policy. To the extent the U.S. Congress or U.S. presidential administration implements changes to U.S. policy, those changes may impact, among other things, the U.S. and global economy, international trade and relations, unemployment, immigration, corporate taxes, healthcare, the U.S. regulatory environment, inflation and other areas. In addition, foreign governments may implement changes to their policies, in response to changes to U.S. policy or otherwise. Although we cannot predict the impact, if any, of these changes to our businesses, they could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations. Until we know what policy changes are made and how those changes impact our businesses and the business of our competitors over the long term, we will not know if, overall, we will benefit from them or be negatively affected by them.
Though we cannot predict changes in laws, regulations, or enforcement, we expect there to continue to be a number of significant changes. We cannot predict with certainty the impact of any future revisions or changes in interpretations of existing regulations or the adoption of new laws and regulations. Additionally, any failure to comply with existing or new laws and regulations could result in fines, penalties or injunctive measures that could affect operating assets. For example, under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the FERC has civil authority under the Natural Gas Act to impose penalties for current violations of in excess of $1 million per day for each violation. In addition, as the regulatory environment for our businesses increases in complexity, the risk of inadvertent noncompliance may also increase. Changes in regulations, the imposition of additional regulations, and the failure to comply with laws and regulations could negatively influence NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s operating environment and results of operations.
Additionally, changes in federal, state or local tax laws and their related regulations, or differing interpretations or enforcement of applicable law by a federal, state or local taxing authority, could result in substantial cost to us and negatively affect our results of operations. Tax law and its related regulations and case law are inherently complex and dynamic. Disputes over interpretations of tax laws may be settled with the taxing authority in examination, upon appeal or through litigation. Our judgments may include reserves for potential adverse outcomes regarding tax positions that have been taken that may be subject to challenge by taxing authorities. Changes in laws, regulations or adverse judgments and the inherent difficulty in quantifying potential tax effects of business decisions may negatively affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
In this regard, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was approved by the U.S. Congress on December 20, 2017 and signed into law by the U.S. President on December 22, 2017. This legislation makes significant changes to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Such changes include a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and limitations on certain corporate deductions and credits, among other
changes. Certain of these changes may negatively affect NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
There is uncertainty as to how our regulators will reflect the impact of the legislation in rates. The resulting ratemaking treatment may negatively affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
SAFETY REGULATION RISK. NW Holdings and NW Natural may experience increased federal, state and local regulation of the safety of our systems and operations, which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s operating costs and financial results.
The safety and protection of the public, our customers and our employees is and will remain our top priority. We are committed to consistently monitoring and maintaining our distribution systems and storage operations to ensure that natural gas is acquired, stored and delivered safely, reliably and efficiently. Given recent high-profile natural gas explosions, leaks and accidents in other parts of the country involving both distribution systems and storage facilities, we anticipate that the natural gas industry may be the subject of even greater federal, state and local regulatory oversight. For example, in 2016, the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act (PIPES Act) was signed into law increasing regulations for natural gas storage pipelines and underground storage facilities. Similarly, in 2016, California passed legislation directing the Department of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) to develop regulations affecting gas storage operations. DOGGR has issued regulations which require certain integrity testing and tubing for wells at the Gill Ranch Facility within the next 7 years.
We intend to work diligently with industry associations and federal and state regulators to seek to ensure compliance with these and other new laws. We expect there to be increased costs associated with compliance, and those costs could be significant. If these costs are not recoverable in our customer rates, they could have a negative impact on NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s operating costs and financial results.
HEDGING RISK. NW Natural’s risk management policies and hedging activities cannot eliminate the risk of commodity price movements and other financial market risks, and its hedging activities may expose it to additional liabilities for which rate recovery may be disallowed, which could result in an adverse impact on NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s operating revenues, costs, derivative assets and liabilities and operating cash flows.
NW Natural’s gas purchasing requirements expose it to risks of commodity price movements, while its use of debt and equity financing exposes it to interest rate, liquidity and other financial market risks. NW Natural attempts to manage these exposures with both financial and physical hedging mechanisms, including its gas reserves transactions which are hedges backed by physical gas supplies. While NW Natural has risk management procedures for hedging in place, they may not always work as planned and cannot entirely eliminate the risks associated with hedging. Additionally, NW Natural’s hedging activities may cause it to
incur additional expenses to obtain the hedge. NW Natural does not hedge its entire interest rate or commodity cost exposure, and the unhedged exposure will vary over time. Gains or losses experienced through hedging activities, including carrying costs, generally flow through NW Natural’s PGA mechanism or are recovered in future general rate cases. However, the hedge transactions NW Natural enters into for utility purposes are subject to a prudence review by the OPUC and WUTC, and, if found imprudent, those expenses may be, and have been previously, disallowed, which could have an adverse effect on NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, NW Natural’s actual business requirements and available resources may vary from forecasts, which are used as the basis for its hedging decisions, and could cause its exposure to be more or less than anticipated. Moreover, if NW Natural’s derivative instruments and hedging transactions do not qualify for regulatory deferral and it does not elect hedge accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP, NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
NW Natural also has credit-related exposure to derivative counterparties. Counterparties owing NW Natural or its subsidiaries money or physical natural gas commodities could breach their obligations. Should the counterparties to these arrangements fail to perform, NW Natural may be forced to enter into alternative arrangements to meet its normal business requirements. In that event, NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial results could be adversely affected. Additionally, under most of NW Natural’s hedging arrangements, any downgrade of its senior unsecured long-term debt credit rating could allow its counterparties to require NW Natural to post cash, a letter of credit or other form of collateral, which would expose NW Natural to additional costs and may trigger significant increases in borrowing from its credit facilities or equity contribution needs from NW Holdings, if the credit rating downgrade is below investment grade. Further, based on current interpretations, NW Natural is not considered a "swap dealer" or "major swap participant" in 2019, so NW Natural is exempt from certain requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act. If NW Natural is unable to claim this exemption, it could be subject to higher costs for its derivatives activities, and such higher costs could have a negative impact on NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s operating costs and financial results.
INABILITY TO ACCESS CAPITAL MARKET RISK. NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s inability to access capital, or significant increases in the cost of capital, could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s ability to obtain adequate and cost effective short-term and long-term financing depends on maintaining investment grade credit profiles as well as the existence of liquid and stable financial markets. NW Holdings relies on access to equity and bank markets to finance equity contributions to subsidiaries and other business requirements. NW Natural relies on access to capital and bank markets, including commercial paper and bond markets, to finance its operations, construction
expenditures and other business requirements, and to refund maturing debt that cannot be funded entirely by internal cash flows. Disruptions in capital markets could adversely affect our ability to access short-term and long-term financing. Our access to funds under committed credit facilities, which are currently provided by a number of banks, is dependent on the ability of the participating banks to meet their funding commitments. Those banks may not be able to meet their funding commitments if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity. Disruptions in the bank or capital financing markets as a result of economic uncertainty, changing or increased regulation of the financial sector, or failure of major financial institutions could adversely affect NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s access to capital and negatively impact our ability to run our businesses and make strategic investments.
NW Natural is currently rated by S&P and Moody’s and a negative change in its credit ratings, particularly below investment grade, could adversely affect its cost of borrowing and access to sources of liquidity and capital.
Such a downgrade could further limit its access to borrowing under available credit lines. Additionally, downgrades in its current credit ratings below investment grade could cause additional delays in NW Natural's ability to access the capital markets while it seeks supplemental state regulatory approval, which could hamper its ability to access credit markets on a timely basis. NW Holdings' credit profile is largely supported by NW Natural’s credit ratings and any negative change in NW Natural’s credit ratings would likely negatively impact NW Holdings’ access to sources of liquidity and capital and cost of borrowing. A credit downgrade to NW Natural, or resulting negative impact on NW Holdings, could also require additional support in the form of letters of credit, cash or other forms of collateral and otherwise adversely affect NW Holdings' or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
REPUTATIONAL RISKS. Customers', legislators', and regulators' opinions of NW Holdings and NW Natural are affected by many factors, including system reliability and safety, protection of customer information, rates, media coverage, and public sentiment. To the extent that customers, legislators, or regulators have or develop a negative opinion of our businesses, NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s financial positions, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.
A number of factors can affect customer satisfaction including: service interruptions or safety concerns due to failures of equipment or facilities or from other causes, and our ability to promptly respond to such failures; our ability to safeguard sensitive customer information; the timing and magnitude of rate increases; and volatility of rates. Customers', legislators', and regulators' opinions of us can also be affected by media coverage, including the proliferation of social media, which may include information, whether factual or not, that damages our brand and reputation.
If customers, legislators, or regulators have or develop a negative opinion of us and our services, this could result in increased regulatory oversight and could affect the returns on common equity we are allowed to earn. Additionally,
negative opinions about us could make it more difficult for us to achieve favorable legislative or regulatory outcomes. Negative opinions could also result in sales volumes reductions or increased use of other sources of energy. Any of these consequences could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
RELIANCE ON TECHNOLOGY RISK. NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s efforts to integrate, consolidate and streamline each of their operations has resulted in increased reliance on technology, the failure or security breach of which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
Over the last several years NW Holdings and NW Natural have undertaken a variety of initiatives to integrate, standardize, centralize and streamline operations. These efforts have resulted in greater reliance on technological tools such as, at NW Natural: an enterprise resource planning system, an automated dispatch system, an automated meter reading system, a customer information system, a web-based ordering and tracking system, and other similar technological tools and initiatives. The failure of any of these or other similarly important technologies, or our inability to have these technologies supported, updated, expanded or integrated into other technologies, could adversely impact operations. We take precautions to protect our systems, but there is no guarantee that the procedures we have implemented to protect against unauthorized access to secured data and systems are adequate to safeguard against all security breaches. Our businesses could experience breaches of security pertaining to sensitive customer, employee, and vendor information maintained by us in the normal course of business, which could adversely affect our reputation, diminish customer confidence, disrupt operations, materially increase the costs we incur to protect against these risks, and subject us to possible financial liability or increased regulation or litigation, any of which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
Furthermore, we rely on information technology systems in the operation of our businesses. There are various risks associated with these systems, including hardware and software failure, communications failure, data distortion or destruction, unauthorized access to data, misuse of proprietary or confidential data, unauthorized control through electronic means, programming mistakes and other inadvertent errors or deliberate human acts. In particular, cyber security attacks, data breaches, terrorism or other malicious acts could damage, destroy or disrupt all of our business systems. Any failure of information technology systems could result in a loss of operating revenues, an increase in operating expenses and costs to repair or replace damaged assets. As these potential cyber security attacks become more common and sophisticated, we could be required to incur costs to strengthen our systems or obtain specific insurance coverage against potential losses.
REGULATORY ACCOUNTING RISK. In the future, NW Holdings or NW Natural may no longer meet the criteria for continued application of regulatory accounting practices for all or a portion of our regulated operations.
If we can no longer apply regulatory accounting, we could be required to write off our regulatory assets and precluded from the future deferral of costs not recovered through rates at the time such amounts are incurred, even if we are expected to recover these amounts from customers in the future.
GAS PRICE RISK. Higher natural gas commodity prices and volatility in the price of gas may adversely affect NW Natural’s NGD business, whereas lower gas price volatility may adversely affect NW Natural’s and NW Holdings’ gas storage business, in each case negatively affecting NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations and cash flows.
The cost of natural gas is affected by a variety of factors, including weather, changes in demand, the level of production and availability of natural gas supplies, transportation constraints, availability and cost of pipeline
capacity, federal and state energy and environmental regulation and legislation, natural disasters and other catastrophic events, national and worldwide economic and political conditions, and the price and availability of alternative fuels. At NW Natural, the cost we pay for natural gas is generally passed through to customers through an annual PGA rate adjustment. If gas prices were to increase significantly, it would raise the cost of energy to NW Natural’s customers, potentially causing those customers to conserve or switch to alternate sources of energy. Significant price increases could also cause new home builders and commercial developers to select alternative energy sources. Decreases in the volume of gas NW Natural sells could reduce NW Holdings or NW Natural’s earnings, and a decline in customers could slow growth in future earnings. Additionally, because a portion (10% or 20%) of any difference between the estimated average PGA gas cost in rates and the actual average gas cost incurred is recognized as current income or expense, higher average gas costs than those assumed in setting rates can adversely affect NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s operating cash flows, liquidity and results of operations. Additionally, notwithstanding NW Natural’s current rate structure, higher gas costs could result in increased pressure on the OPUC or the WUTC to seek other means to reduce NW Natural’s rates, which also could adversely affect NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations and cash flows.
Higher gas prices may also cause NW Natural to experience an increase in short-term debt and temporarily reduce liquidity because it pays suppliers for gas when it is purchased, which can be in advance of when these costs are recovered through rates. Significant increases in the price of gas can also slow collection efforts as customers experience increased difficulty in paying their higher energy bills, leading to higher than normal delinquent accounts receivable resulting in greater expense associated with collection efforts and increased bad debt expense.
Conversely, storage businesses benefit from price volatility, which impacts the level of demand for services and the rates that can be charged for storage services. Largely due to the abundant supply of natural gas made available by hydraulic fracturing techniques, natural gas prices have dropped significantly to levels that are near historic lows. If prices and volatility remain low or decline further, then the
demand for storage services, and the prices that we will be able to charge for those services, may decline or be depressed for a prolonged period of time. Prices below the costs to operate a storage facility could result in a decision to shut-in all or a portion of the facility. A sustained decline in these prices or a shut-in of all or a portion of the facility could have an adverse impact on NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS OR GOODWILL RISK. Impairments of the value of long-lived assets or goodwill could have a material effect on NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, or results of operations.
NW Holdings and NW Natural review the carrying value of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. The determination of recoverability is based on the undiscounted net cash flows expected to result from the operation of such assets. Projected cash flows depend on the future operating costs and projected revenues associated with the asset. In 2017, NW Natural recognized a $192.5 million impairment of long-lived assets at the Gill Ranch Facility as of December 31, 2017. We review our other long-lived assets to determine if an impairment analysis is necessary.
We review the carrying value of goodwill annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying value may not be recoverable. A goodwill impairment analysis begins with a qualitative analysis of events and circumstances. If the qualitative assessment indicates that the carrying value may be at risk, we will perform a quantitative assessment and recognize a goodwill impairment for any amount in which the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. Any impairment charge taken with respect to our long-lived assets or goodwill could be material and could have a material effect on NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition and results of operations.
CUSTOMER GROWTH RISK. NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s NGD margin, earnings and cash flow may be negatively affected if we are unable to sustain customer growth rates in our NGD segment.
NW Natural’s NGD margins and earnings growth have largely depended upon the sustained growth of its residential and commercial customer base due, in part, to the new construction housing market, conversions of customers to natural gas from other energy sources and growing commercial use of natural gas. The last recession slowed new construction. While new home construction has resumed and the multi-family composition has been higher than its pre-recession pace, overall construction has not returned to the pre-recession pace, and there are predictions of an impending new recessionary cycle. Insufficient growth in these markets, for economic, political or other reasons could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s utility margin, earnings and cash flows.
RISK OF COMPETITION. Our NGD business is subject to increased competition which could negatively affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s results of operations.
In the residential and commercial markets, NW Natural’s NGD business competes primarily with suppliers of electricity, fuel oil, and propane. In the industrial market, NW Natural competes with suppliers of all forms of energy. Competition among these forms of energy is based on price, efficiency, reliability, performance, market conditions, technology, environmental impacts and public perception. Technological improvements in other energy sources such as heat pumps, batteries or other alternative technologies could erode NW Natural’s competitive advantage. If natural gas prices rise relative to other energy sources, or if the cost, environmental impact or public perception of such other energy sources improves relative to natural gas, it may negatively affect NW Natural’s ability to attract new customers or retain our existing residential, commercial and industrial customers, which could have a negative impact on our customer growth rate and NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations.
Our natural gas storage operations compete primarily with other storage facilities and pipelines. Natural gas storage is an increasingly competitive business, with the ability to expand or build new storage capacity in California, the U.S. Rocky Mountains and elsewhere in the United States and Canada. Increased competition in the natural gas storage business could reduce the demand for our natural gas storage services, drive prices down for our storage business, and adversely affect our ability to renew or replace existing contracts at rates sufficient to maintain current revenues and cash flows, which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
RELIANCE ON THIRD PARTIES TO SUPPLY NATURAL GAS RISK. NW Natural relies on third parties to supply the natural gas in its NGD segment, and limitations on NW Natural’s ability to obtain supplies, or failure to receive expected supplies for which it has contracted, could have an adverse impact on NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial results.
NW Natural’s ability to secure natural gas for current and future sales depends upon its ability to purchase and receive delivery of supplies of natural gas from third parties. NW Natural, and in some cases, its suppliers of natural gas, does not have control over the availability of natural gas supplies, competition for those supplies, disruptions in those supplies, priority allocations on transmission pipelines, or pricing of those supplies. Additionally, third parties on whom NW Natural relies may fail to deliver gas for which it has contracted. For example, on October 9, 2018, a 36-inch pipeline near Prince George, British Columbia owned by Enbridge ruptured, disrupting natural gas flows from Canada into Washington while the ruptured pipeline and an adjacent pipeline were assessed and the ruptured pipeline was repaired. Once repaired, pressurization levels for those pipelines were reduced for assessment and testing. If NW Natural is unable or limited in its ability to obtain natural gas from its current suppliers or new sources, it may not be able to meet customers' gas requirements and would likely incur costs associated with actions necessary to mitigate service disruptions, both of which could significantly and negatively impact NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations.
SINGLE TRANSPORTATION PIPELINE RISK. NW Natural relies on a single pipeline company for the transportation of gas to its service territory, a disruption of which could adversely impact its ability to meet customers’ gas requirements, which could significantly and negatively impact NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations.
NW Natural’s distribution system is directly connected to a single interstate pipeline, which is owned and operated by Northwest Pipeline. The pipeline’s gas flows are bi-directional, transporting gas into the Portland metropolitan market from two directions: (1) the north, which brings supplies from the British Columbia and Alberta supply basins; and (2) the east, which brings supplies from the Alberta and the U.S. Rocky Mountain supply basins. If there is a rupture or inadequate capacity in the pipeline, NW Natural may not be able to meet its customers’ gas requirements and we would likely incur costs associated with actions necessary to mitigate service disruptions, both of which could significantly and negatively impact NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s results of operations.
THIRD PARTY PIPELINE RISK. NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s gas storage businesses depend on third-party pipelines that connect our storage facilities to interstate pipelines, the failure or unavailability of which could adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our gas storage facilities are reliant on the continued operation of a third-party pipeline and other facilities that provide delivery options to and from our storage facilities. Because we do not own all of these pipelines, their operations are not within our control. If the third-party pipeline to which we are connected were to become unavailable for current or future withdrawals or injections of natural gas due to repairs, damage to the infrastructure, lack of capacity or other reasons, our ability to operate efficiently and satisfy our customers’ needs could be compromised, thereby potentially having an adverse impact on NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
WEATHER RISK. Warmer than average weather may have a negative impact on our revenues and results of operations.
We are exposed to weather risk in our natural gas business, primarily at NW Natural. A majority of NW Natural’s gas volume is driven by gas sales to space heating residential and commercial customers during the winter heating season. Current NW Natural rates are based on an assumption of average weather. Warmer than average weather typically results in lower gas sales. Colder weather typically results in higher gas sales. Although the effects of warmer or colder weather on utility margin in Oregon are expected to be mitigated through the operation of NW Natural’s weather normalization mechanism, weather variations from normal could adversely affect utility margin because NW Natural may be required to purchase more or less gas at spot rates, which may be higher or lower than the rates assumed in its PGA. Also, a portion of NW Natural’s Oregon residential and commercial customers (usually less than 10%) have opted out of the weather normalization mechanism, and 11% of its customers are
located in Washington where it does not have a weather normalization mechanism. These effects could have an adverse effect on NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
CUSTOMER CONSERVATION RISK. Customers’ conservation efforts may have a negative impact on NW Holdings’ and NW Natural’s revenues.
An increasing national focus on energy conservation, including improved building practices and appliance efficiencies may result in increased energy conservation by customers. This can decrease NW Natural’s sales of natural gas and adversely affect NW Holdings’ or NW Natural’s results of operations because revenues are collected mostly through volumetric rates, based on the amount of gas sold. In Oregon, NW Natural has a conservation tariff which is designed to recover lost utility margin due to declines in residential and small commercial customers’ consumption. However, NW Natural does not have a conservation tariff in Washington that provides it this margin protection on sales to customers in that state. Similar conservation risks exist for water utilities. Customers’ conservation efforts may have a negative impact on NW Holding’s and NW Natural’s financial condition, revenues and results of operations.
Risks Related Primarily to NW Holdings' Water Sector Businesses
NEW WATER SECTOR BUSINESS. NW Holdings has entered the water sector through the acquisition of a number of water companies. Water businesses are subject to a number of risks in addition to the risks described above.
Although the water businesses are not currently expected to materially contribute to the results of operations of NW Holdings, these businesses are subject to risks, in addition to those described above that could adversely affect their results of operations, including:
| |
• | contamination of water supplies, including water provided to customers; |
| |
• | interruptions in water supplies and droughts; |
| |
• | conservation efforts by customers; |
| |
• | regulatory requirements; and |
Significant losses, liabilities or impairments arising from these businesses may adversely affect NW Holdings' financial position or results of operations.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
We have no unresolved staff comments.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
NW Natural's Natural Gas Distribution Properties
NW Natural's natural gas pipeline system consists of approximately 20,000 miles of distribution and transmission mains located in its service territory in Oregon and Washington. In addition, the pipeline system includes service pipelines, meters and regulators, and gas regulating and metering stations. Natural gas pipeline mains are located in municipal streets or alleys pursuant to franchise or occupation ordinances, in county roads or state highways pursuant to agreements or permits granted pursuant to statute, or on lands of others pursuant to easements obtained from the owners of such lands. NW Natural also holds permits for the crossing of numerous navigable waterways and smaller tributaries throughout our entire service territory.
NW Natural owns service building facilities in Portland, Oregon, as well as various satellite service centers, garages, warehouses, and other buildings necessary and useful in the conduct of its business. Resource centers are maintained on owned or leased premises at convenient points in the distribution system to provide service within NW Natural's service territory. NW Natural also owns LNG storage facilities in Portland and near Newport, Oregon.
NW Natural also leases office space in Portland for its corporate headquarters, which expires on May 31, 2020. In anticipation of the expiration of the current lease, NW Natural executed an extensive search and evaluation process that focused on seismic preparedness, safety, reliability, the least cost to our customers, and a continued commitment to our employees and the communities we serve. In October 2017, NW Natural entered into a 20-year operating lease agreement for a new headquarters in Portland. Payments under the new lease are expected to commence in 2020.
NW Natural's Mortgage and Deed of Trust (Mortgage) is a first mortgage lien on substantially all of the property constituting our natural gas distribution plant balances.
These properties are used in the NGD segment.
NW Natural's Natural Gas Storage Properties
NW Natural holds leases and other property interests in approximately 12,000 net acres of underground natural gas storage in Oregon and easements and other property interests related to pipelines associated with these facilities. NW Natural owns rights to depleted gas reservoirs near Mist, Oregon that are continuing to be developed and operated as underground gas storage facilities. NW Natural also holds all future storage rights in certain other areas of the Mist gas field in Oregon in addition to other leases and property interests.
A portion of these properties are used in the NGD segment.
NWN Water's Distribution Properties
We own and maintain water pipelines and hold related leases and other property interests in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, associated with water distribution entities that were acquired during 2018. Pipelines are located in
municipal streets or alleys pursuant to franchise or occupation ordinances, in county roads or state highways pursuant to agreements or permits granted pursuant to statute, or on lands of others pursuant to easements obtained from the owners of such lands. These properties are used by entities that are aggregated and reported as other under NW Holdings.
We consider all of our properties currently used in our operations, both owned and leased, to be well maintained, in good operating condition, and, along with planned additions, adequate for our present and foreseeable future needs.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Other than the proceedings disclosed in Note 17, we have only nonmaterial litigation in the ordinary course of business.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
NW Holdings' common stock is listed and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NWN.
There is no established public trading market for NW Natural's common stock.
As of February 22, 2019, there were 4,950 holders of record of NW Holdings' common stock and NW Holdings was the sole holder of NW Natural's common stock.
The following table provides information about purchases of NW Holdings' equity securities that are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the quarter ended December 31, 2018:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased(1) | | Average Price Paid per Share | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(2) | | Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(2) |
Balance forward | | | | | | 2,124,528 |
| | $ | 16,732,648 |
|
10/01/18-10/31/18 | | — |
| | $ | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
11/01/18-11/30/18 | | 1,147 |
| | 69.02 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
12/01/18-12/31/18 | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Total | | 1,147 |
| |
|
| | 2,124,528 |
| | $ | 16,732,648 |
|
| |
(1) | During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, no shares of NW Holdings common stock were purchased on the open market to meet the requirements of our Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan. However, 1,147 shares of NW Holdings common stock were purchased on the open market to meet the requirements of share-based compensation programs. During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, no shares of NW Holdings common stock were accepted as payment for stock option exercises pursuant to the NW Natural Restated Stock Option Plan. |
| |
(2) | During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, no shares of NW Holdings common stock were repurchased pursuant to the Board-Approved share repurchase program. In October 2018, we received NW Holdings Board Approval to extend the repurchase program through May 2019. For more information on this program, see Note 5. |
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDING COMPANY SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the year ended December 31, |
In thousands, except per share data | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
Operating revenues | | $ | 706,143 |
| | $ | 755,038 |
| | $ | 668,173 |
| | $ | 717,888 |
| | $ | 747,251 |
|
Earnings from continuing operations | | 67,311 |
| | 72,073 |
| | 62,419 |
| | 60,026 |
| | 66,006 |
|
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | | (2,742 | ) | | (127,696 | ) | | (3,524 | ) | | (6,323 | ) | | (7,314 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | 64,569 |
| | (55,623 | ) | | 58,895 |
| | 53,703 |
| | 58,692 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings from continuing operations per share of common stock: | | | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Basic | | $ | 2.34 |
| | $ | 2.51 |
| | $ | 2.26 |
| | $ | 2.19 |
| | $ | 2.43 |
|
Diluted | | 2.33 |
| | 2.51 |
| | 2.25 |
| | 2.19 |
| | 2.42 |
|
Loss from discontinued operations per share of common stock: | | | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Basic | | $ | (0.10 | ) | | $ | (4.45 | ) | | $ | (0.13 | ) | | $ | (0.23 | ) | | $ | (0.27 | ) |
Diluted | | (0.09 | ) | | (4.44 | ) | | (0.13 | ) | | (0.23 | ) | | (0.26 | ) |
Earnings (Loss) per share of common stock: | | | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Basic | | $ | 2.24 |
| | $ | (1.94 | ) | | $ | 2.13 |
| | $ | 1.96 |
| | $ | 2.16 |
|
Diluted | | 2.24 |
| | (1.93 | ) | | 2.12 |
| | 1.96 |
| | 2.16 |
|
Dividends paid per share of common stock | | 1.89 |
| | 1.88 |
| | 1.87 |
| | 1.86 |
| | 1.85 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets, end of period | | $ | 3,242,662 |
| | $ | 3,039,746 |
| | $ | 3,079,801 |
| | $ | 3,069,410 |
| | $ | 3,056,326 |
|
Total equity | | 762,634 |
| | 742,776 |
| | 850,497 |
| | 780,972 |
| | 767,321 |
|
Long-term debt(1) | | 706,247 |
| | 683,184 |
| | 679,334 |
| | 569,445 |
| | 593,095 |
|
| |
(1) | Excludes $20 million of long-term debt in 2014 associated with our discontinued operations. |
NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the year ended December 31, |
In thousands, except per share data | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
Operating revenues | | $ | 705,571 |
| | $ | 755,038 |
| | $ | 667,949 |
| | $ | 717,664 |
| | $ | 747,027 |
|
Earnings from continuing operations | | 68,049 |
| | 71,720 |
| | 62,835 |
| | $ | 60,511 |
| | $ | 66,504 |
|
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | | (1,723 | ) | | (127,343 | ) | | (3,940 | ) | | $ | (6,808 | ) | | $ | (7,812 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | 66,326 |
| | (55,623 | ) | | 58,895 |
| | $ | 53,703 |
| | $ | 58,692 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets, end of period | | $ | 3,192,736 |
| | $ | 3,043,676 |
| | $ | 3,081,470 |
| | $ | 3,072,100 |
| | $ | 3,063,712 |
|
Total equity | | 715,668 |
| | 742,776 |
| | $ | 850,497 |
| | $ | 780,972 |
| | $ | 767,321 |
|
Long-term debt(1) | | 704,134 |
| | 683,184 |
| | $ | 679,334 |
| | $ | 569,445 |
| | $ | 593,095 |
|
| |
(1) | Excludes $20 million of long-term debt in 2014 associated with Gill Ranch discontinued operations. |
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
On October 1, 2018, we completed a reorganization into a holding company structure. We believe that our holding company structure is an agile and efficient platform from which to pursue, finance, and oversee new opportunities, such as in the water sector, while also providing legal separation between regulated natural gas distribution operations and other businesses. In this reorganization, shareholders of NW Natural (the predecessor publicly held parent company) became shareholders of NW Holdings, on a one-for-one basis, with the same number of shares and same ownership percentage as they held in NW Natural immediately prior to the reorganization. NW Natural became a wholly-owned subsidiary of NW Holdings. Additionally, certain subsidiaries of NW Natural were transferred to NW Holdings. As required under accounting guidance, these subsidiaries are presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated results of NW Natural within this report.
NW Holdings is a holding company headquartered in Portland, Oregon and owns NW Natural, NWN Water, and other businesses and activities. NW Natural is NW Holdings’ largest subsidiary.
NW Natural's natural gas distribution activities are reported in the natural gas distribution (NGD) segment, formerly titled and reported as the utility segment. All other business activities, including certain gas storage activities, water businesses, and other investments and activities are aggregated and reported as other at their respective registrant. References in this discussion to "Notes" are to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.
In addition, NW Holdings has reported discontinued operations results related to the pending sale of Gill Ranch Storage, LLC (Gill Ranch). NW Natural Gas Storage, LLC (NWN Gas Storage), currently an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NW Holdings, entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement during the second quarter of 2018 that provides for the sale of all membership interests in Gill Ranch. Gill Ranch owns a 75% interest in the natural gas storage facility located near Fresno, California known as the Gill Ranch Gas Storage Facility. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) owns the remaining 25% interest in the Gill Ranch Gas Storage Facility. For more information, see "Results of Operations - Pending Sale of Gill Ranch Storage" below.
The following is management’s assessment of NW Holdings' and NW Natural's financial condition, including the principal factors that affect results of operations. The discussion covers the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 and refers to the consolidated results of NW Holdings, the substantial majority of which consist of the operating results of NW Natural. When significant activity exists at NW Holdings that does not exist at NW Natural, additional disclosure has been provided.
NW Holdings' direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries include:
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• | Northwest Natural Gas Company (NW Natural); |
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◦ | Northwest Energy Corporation (Energy Corp); |
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▪ | NWN Gas Reserves LLC (NWN Gas Reserves); |
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• | NW Natural Energy, LLC (NWN Energy); |
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◦ | NW Natural Gas Storage, LLC (NWN Gas Storage); |
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▪ | Gill Ranch Storage, LLC (Gill Ranch), which is presented as a discontinued operation; |
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• | NNG Financial Corporation (NNG Financial); |
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◦ | KB Pipeline Company (KB); |
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• | NW Natural Water Company, LLC (NWN Water); |
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◦ | Falls Water Co., Inc. (Falls Water); |
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◦ | Salmon Valley Water Company; |
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◦ | Cascadia Water, LLC (Cascadia); |
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◦ | NW Natural Water of Oregon, LLC (NWN Water of Oregon); |
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◦ | NW Natural Water of Washington, LLC (NWN Water of Washington); |
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◦ | NW Natural Water of Idaho, LLC (NWN Water of Idaho); and |
| |
▪ | Gem State Water Company, LLC (Gem State) |
The NGD segment includes our NW Natural local gas distribution business, NWN Gas Reserves, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Corp, and the NGD-portion of NW Natural's Mist storage facility in Oregon. Other activities aggregated and reported as other at NW Natural include the non-NGD storage activity at Mist as well as asset management services and the appliance retail center operations. Other activities aggregated and reported as other at NW Holdings include NWN Energy's equity investment in Trail West Holding, LLC (TWH), which is pursuing the development of a proposed natural gas pipeline through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Trail West Pipeline, LLC (TWP); NNG Financial's investment in Kelso-Beaver Pipeline (KB Pipeline); and NWN Water, which owns and continues to pursue investments in the water sector. See Note 4 for further discussion of our business segment and other, as well as our direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES. In addition to presenting the results of operations and earnings amounts in total, certain financial measures are expressed in cents per share or exclude the effects of certain items, which are non-GAAP financial measures. We present net income or loss and earnings or loss per share adjusted for certain items along with the U.S. GAAP measures to illustrate their magnitude on ongoing business and operational results. Although the excluded amounts are properly included in the determination of net income or loss and earnings or loss per share under U.S. GAAP, we believe the amount and nature of these items make period to period comparisons of operations difficult or potentially confusing. We use such non-GAAP financial measures to analyze our financial performance because we believe they provide useful information to our investors and creditors in evaluating our financial condition and results of operations. Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial
measures to their closest U.S. GAAP measure used in subsequent sections of Item 7 are provided below.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NW HOLDINGS NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
In millions, except per share data | | Amount | Per Share | | Amount | Per Share | | Amount | Per Share |
Net income from continuing operations | | $ | 67.3 |
| $ | 2.33 |
| | $ | 72.1 |
| $ | 2.51 |
| | $ | 62.4 |
| $ | 2.25 |
|
Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | |
Regulatory environmental disallowance(1) | | — |
| — |
| | — |
| — |
| | 3.3 |
| 0.12 |
|
Tax effects of 2017 TCJA remeasurement(2) | | — |
| — |
| | (3.4 | ) | (0.12 | ) | | — |
| — |
|
Tax effects of non-GAAP adjustment | | — |
| — |
| | — |
| — |
| | (1.3 | ) | (0.05 | ) |
Adjusted net income from continuing operations | | $ | 67.3 |
| $ | 2.33 |
| | $ | 68.7 |
| $ | 2.39 |
| | $ | 64.4 |
| $ | 2.32 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
NGD segment net income from continuing operations | | $ | 57.5 |
| $ | 1.99 |
| | $ | 60.5 |
| $ | 2.10 |
| | $ | 54.6 |
| $ | 1.96 |
|
Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | |
Regulatory environmental disallowance(1) | | — |
| — |
| | — |
| — |
| | 3.3 |
| 0.12 |
|
Tax effects of 2017 TCJA remeasurement(2) | | — |
| — |
| | 1.0 |
| 0.03 |
| | — |
| — |
|
Tax effects of non-GAAP adjustment | | — |
| — |
| | — |
| — |
| | (1.3 | ) | (0.05 | ) |
Adjusted NGD segment net income from continuing operations | | $ | 57.5 |
| $ | 1.99 |
| | $ | 61.5 |
| $ | 2.13 |
| | $ | 56.6 |
| $ | 2.03 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Other net income from continuing operations | | $ | 9.8 |
| $ | 0.34 |
| | $ | 11.6 |
| $ | 0.41 |
| | $ | 7.9 |
| $ | 0.29 |
|
Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | |
Tax effects of 2017 TCJA remeasurement(2) | | — |
| — |
| | (4.4 | ) | (0.15 | ) | | — |
| — |
|
Adjusted other net income from continuing operations | | $ | 9.8 |
| $ | 0.34 |
| | $ | 7.2 |
| $ | 0.26 |
| | $ | 7.9 |
| $ | 0.29 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NW NATURAL NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
In millions | | Amount | | Amount | | Amount |
Net income from continuing operations | | $ | 68.0 |
| | $ | 71.7 |
| | $ | 62.8 |
|
Adjustments: | | | | | | |
Regulatory environmental disallowance(1) | | — |
| | — |
| | 3.3 |
|
Tax effects of 2017 TCJA remeasurement(2) | | — |
| | (3.0 | ) | | — |
|
Tax effects of non-GAAP adjustment | | — |
| | — |
| | (1.3 | ) |
Adjusted net income from continuing operations | | $ | 68.0 |
| | $ | 68.7 |
| | $ | 64.8 |
|
| | | | | | |
NGD segment net income from continuing operations | | $ | 57.5 |
| | $ | 60.5 |
| | $ | 54.6 |
|
Adjustments: | | | | | | |
Regulatory environmental disallowance(1) | | — |
| | — |
| | 3.3 |
|
Tax effects of 2017 TCJA remeasurement(2) | | — |
| | 1.0 |
| | — |
|
Tax effects of non-GAAP adjustment | | — |
| | — |
| | (1.3 | ) |
Adjusted NGD segment net income from continuing operations | | $ | 57.5 |
| | $ | 61.5 |
| | $ | 56.6 |
|
| | | | | | |
Other net income from continuing operations | | $ | 10.6 |
| | $ | 11.2 |
| | $ | 8.3 |
|
Adjustments: | | | | | | |
Tax effects of 2017 TCJA remeasurement(2) | | — |
| | (4.0 | ) | | — |
|
Adjusted other net income from continuing operations | | $ | 10.6 |
| | $ | 7.2 |
| | $ | 8.3 |
|
Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding.
(1) Regulatory environmental disallowance of $3.3 million in 2016 includes $2.8 million recorded in NGD other income (expense), net and $0.5 million recorded in NGD operations and maintenance expense. The tax effect of the adjustment is calculated using the combined federal and state statutory rate in effect at the time of 39.5%. NW Holdings' EPS amounts for the 2016 adjustment are calculated using diluted shares of 27.8 million, as shown on the NW Holdings Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
(2) Non-cash TCJA benefit (expense) associated with continuing operations of $3.4 million was recorded in income tax expense (benefit) in the fourth quarter of 2017 as a result of the federal tax rate changing from 35% to 21% effective December 22, 2017. The majority of this benefit was recorded at NW Natural. NW Holdings EPS amounts are calculated using diluted shares of 28.8 million as shown on the NW Holdings Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The TCJA impacts in the NGD segment and other may not correlate exactly to the consolidated amount due to rounding. See Note 10 for additional information on the TCJA.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We manage our business and strategic initiatives with a long-term view of providing service safely and reliably to our customers, working with regulators on key policy initiatives, and remaining focused on growing our businesses. See "2019 Outlook" below for more information. Highlights for the year include:
| |
• | added over 12,500 natural gas customers in 2018 for an annual growth rate of 1.7% at December 31, 2018; |
| |
• | invested $215 million in NGD distribution systems and facilities for growth and reliability; |
| |
• | completed key components of the North Mist Gas Storage Expansion Project and continue to target an in-service date during the spring of 2019; |
| |
• | NW Natural ranked first in the West in the 2018 J.D. Power Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study and Gas Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study; |
| |
• | completed key aspects of NW Natural's Oregon general rate case and filed for a general rate increase in Washington for the first time in a decade; |
| |
• | completed four water distribution acquisitions with several more pending, the largest of which is a water and wastewater business in Sunriver, Oregon. Once pending transactions close, our water business is expected to serve 18,000 connections; and |
| |
• | delivered increasing dividends for the 63rd consecutive year to shareholders. |
Key financial highlights for NW Holdings include: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
In millions, except per share data | | Amount | Per Share | | Amount | Per Share | | Amount | Per Share |
Net income from continuing operations | | $ | 67.3 |
| $ | 2.33 |
| | $ | 72.1 |
| $ | 2.51 |
| | $ | 62.4 |
| $ | 2.25 |
|
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | | (2.7 | ) | (0.09 | ) | | (127.7 | ) | (4.44 | ) | | (3.5 | ) | (0.13 | ) |
Consolidated net income (loss) | | $ | 64.6 |
| $ | 2.24 |
| | $ | (55.6 | ) | $ | (1.93 | ) | | $ | 58.9 |
| $ | 2.12 |
|
Adjusted net income from continuing operations(1) | | $ | 67.3 |
| $ | 2.33 |
| | $ | 68.7 |
| $ | 2.39 |
| | $ | 64.4 |
| $ | 2.32 |
|
Natural gas distribution margin | | $ | 383.7 |
| | | $ | 392.6 |
| | | $ | 376.6 |
| |
Key financial highlights for NW Natural include: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
In millions, except per share data | | Amount | | Amount | | Amount |
Net income from continuing operations | | $ | 68.0 |
| | $ | 71.7 |
| | $ | 62.8 |
|
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | | (1.7 | ) | | (127.3 | ) | | (3.9 | ) |
Consolidated net income (loss) | | $ | 66.3 |
| | $ | (55.6 | ) | | $ | 58.9 |
|
Adjusted net income from continuing operations(1) | | $ | 68.0 |
| | $ | 68.7 |
| | $ | 64.8 |
|
(1) See the Non-GAAP Reconciliations table at the beginning of Item 7 for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to its closest U.S. GAAP measure.
2018 COMPARED TO 2017. NW Holdings' and NW Natural's net income from continuing operations were $67.3 million and $68.0 million, respectively, in 2018 compared to $72.1 million and $71.7 million, respectively, in 2017. The decrease was primarily due to the benefit associated with the TCJA deferred income tax remeasurement in 2017.
Excluding the benefit in 2017 associated with the TCJA remeasurement, NW Holdings adjusted net income from continuing operations decreased $1.4 million. See the Non-GAAP reconciliations at the beginning of Item 7 for additional information. The decrease was primarily due to the following factors, all of which were driven by activity at NW Natural:
| |
• | an $8.9 million decrease in NGD segment margin primarily due to the deferral of excess revenue associated with the federal income tax rate decrease as a result of the TCJA; |
| |
• | a $4.3 million increase in operations and maintenance expense driven by general payroll and benefits |
increases as well as increases in professional services and contract labor;
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• | a $4.1 million increase in depreciation and amortization primarily due to additional capital expenditures; and |
| |
• | a $3.3 million decrease in other income (expense), net primarily due to an increase in pension and postretirement benefit expense, partially offset by an increase in the equity portion of AFUDC; partially offset by |
| |
• | a $20.2 million decrease in income tax expense due to the decrease in the federal income tax rate as a result of the TCJA and lower pretax earnings. |
2017 COMPARED TO 2016. NW Holdings' and NW Natural's net income from continuing operations were $72.1 million and $71.7 million, respectively, in 2017 compared to $62.4 million and $62.8 million, respectively, in 2016. The increase included a $3.4 million benefit due to the deferred income tax balance remeasurement associated with the TCJA in 2017 and a $3.3 million pre-tax regulatory environmental disallowance in 2016.
Excluding the impact of these items, NW Holdings adjusted net income from continuing operations increased $4.3 million. See the Non-GAAP reconciliations at the beginning of Item 7 for additional information. The increase was primarily due to the following factors, all of which were driven by activity at NW Natural:
| |
• | a $16.0 million increase in NGD segment margin primarily due to customer growth and effects of colder than average weather in 2017 compared to warmer than average weather in 2016; and |
| |
• | a $6.9 million increase in other income (expense), net primarily due an increase in the equity portion of AFUDC; partially offset by |
| |
• | a $15.7 million increase in operations and maintenance expense driven by higher NGD segment payroll and benefits increases, as well as increased NGD segment safety equipment upgrade costs; and |
| |
• | a $1.0 million decrease in revenues from asset management agreements for Mist storage and transportation capacity. |
2019 OUTLOOK
Our 2019 goals leverage our resources and history of innovation to continue meeting the evolving needs of customers, regulators, and shareholders. Our near-term outlook is centered on the following long-term strategic objectives:
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| | | | |
Delivering Our Products | | Grow Our Businesses |
| Ensure Safe and Reliable Service | | | Enable NW Natural Growth |
| Provide a Superior Customer Experience | | | Lead in a Low-Carbon Future |
| Advance Constructive Legislative Policies and Regulation | | | Integrate and Grow our Water Businesses |
SAFETY AND RELIABILITY. Delivering our products safely and reliably to customers is our first priority. During 2019, NW Natural will maintain its vigilant focus on safety and emergency response through hands-on scenario-based training for employees, third-party contractors, and local authorities. To ensure the reliability, resiliency, and safety of NW Natural's infrastructure, we intend to continue to invest in the maintenance and necessary upgrades of our pipeline system, including completing projects to replace end-of-life equipment at our Mist storage facility, renovating several resource centers, and supporting growth and reliability in Oregon and southwest Washington. Safety also includes NW Holdings' and NW Natural's vigilance in maintaining and seeking to strengthen cybersecurity defenses and preparing for large-scale emergency events, such as seismic hazards.
SUPERIOR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE. NW Natural has a legacy of providing excellent customer service and a long-standing dedication to continuous improvement, which has resulted in consistently high rankings in the J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction studies. In 2019, we will strive to enhance our customers' experience to meet their evolving expectations by prioritizing improvements to technology and internal processes which supports our customers' frequent interactions and highest value touchpoints.
POLICIES AND REGULATION. We remain committed to working constructively with policymakers and regulators to provide the best outcomes for both our customers and stakeholders. At NW Natural, we are working closely with the Oregon commission and other stakeholders on several significant items, including the best way to return benefits from the TCJA to NW Natural customers and complete its Oregon general rate case, which we filed in December 2017. With regard to Washington regulation, NW Natural filed a general rate case with Washington in December 2018 and will seek to work productively with parties in an effort to conclude that case in 2019. NW Natural will continue working with the EPA and other stakeholders on an environmentally protective and cost effective clean-up for the Portland Harbor Superfund Site. Finally, we are engaged in policy discussions both in Oregon and Washington at the state and community level to build support for a constructive role for natural gas in a low-carbon future.
NW NATURAL GROWTH. Natural gas is the preferred energy choice in NW Natural's service territory given its efficient, affordable, and reliable qualities. We are focused on leveraging these key attributes to capitalize on our region's strong economic growth. We continue to grow our market share in the single-family residential sector and capture new commercial customers as well as multifamily or mixed-use developments. In addition, one of the largest and most innovative capital projects in the history of NW Natural, the North Mist Gas Storage Expansion, is expected to be completed and begin supporting the integration of renewables into the electric grid in 2019. We will continue to look for opportunities to serve and grow with our communities.
LOW-CARBON PATHWAY. We are deeply committed to a clean energy future. It's why NW Natural launched a low-carbon initiative to reduce emissions in the customers and communities NW Natural serves by leveraging modern pipeline systems in new ways, working closely with customers, policymakers and regulators, and embracing cutting-edge technology. NW Natural partnered with the City of Portland to bring renewable natural gas (RNG) onto its system. We expect the entire project to be operational in 2019 with several other RNG projects underway for completion this year or in 2020. To further understand the role of natural gas in a low-carbon future, NW Natural engaged a premier environmental consultant to complete a deep decarbonization study. The study outlines how natural gas can help achieve crucial emission reductions of 80% by 2050. We will continue helping our customers reduce and offset their consumption as we support the development of renewable natural gas supply and explore other cutting edge solutions to lower the carbon intensity of natural gas, such as power to gas.
INTEGRATE AND GROW WATER. NW Water began its expansion into the water business more than a year ago with a focus on water sector investments that fit our conservative risk profile and core competencies. In 2019 we plan to close our largest acquisition to date in Sunriver, Oregon that serves approximately 9,400 water and wastewater connections. Once all outstanding transactions are closed, NW Water will serve 18,000 connections and have invested nearly $70 million in the water sector.
DIVIDENDS
NW Holdings dividend highlights include:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Per common share | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
Dividends paid | | $ | 1.8925 |
| | $ | 1.8825 |
| | $ | 1.8725 |
|
In January 2019, the NW Holdings' Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on NW Holdings common stock of $0.4750 per share, payable on February 15, 2019, to shareholders of record on January 31, 2019, reflecting an indicated annual dividend rate of $1.90 per share.
See "Financial Condition - Liquidity and Capital Resources" for more information regarding the NW Holdings and NW Natural dividend policies and regulatory conditions on NW Natural dividends to its parent, NW Holdings.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Regulatory Matters
Regulation and Rates
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION. NW Natural's natural gas distribution business is subject to regulation by the OPUC and WUTC with respect to, among other matters, rates and terms of service, systems of accounts, and issuances of securities by NW Natural. In 2018, approximately 89% of NGD customers were located in Oregon, with the remaining 11% in Washington. Earnings and cash flows from natural gas distribution operations are largely determined by rates set in general rate cases and other proceedings in Oregon and Washington. They are also affected by weather, the local economies in Oregon and Washington, the pace of customer growth in the residential, commercial, and industrial markets, and NW Natural's ability to remain price competitive, control expenses, and obtain reasonable and timely regulatory recovery of its natural gas distribution-related costs, including operating expenses and investment costs in plant and other regulatory assets. See "Most Recent General Rate Cases" below.
MIST INTERSTATE GAS STORAGE. NW Natural's interstate storage activity at Mist is subject to regulation by the OPUC, WUTC, and FERC with respect to, among other matters, rates and terms of service. The OPUC also regulates the intrastate storage services at Mist, while FERC regulates the interstate storage services at Mist. The FERC uses a maximum cost of service model which allows for gas storage prices to be set at or below the cost of service as approved by each agency in their last regulatory filing. The OPUC Schedule 80 rates are tied to the FERC rates, and are updated whenever NW Natural modifies FERC maximum rates.
OTHER. In June 2018, NWN Gas Storage entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the sale of all of its ownership interests in Gill Ranch, a natural gas storage facility located near Fresno, California, which is subject to approval by the CPUC and other customary closing conditions. See Note 18 for more information.
Most Recent General Rate Cases
OREGON. Effective November 1, 2012, through October 31, 2018, the OPUC authorized rates to customers based on an ROE of 9.5%, an overall rate of return of 7.78%, and a capital structure of 50% common equity and 50% long-term debt.
Effective November 1, 2018, the OPUC authorized rates to customers based on an ROE of 9.4%, an overall rate of return of 7.317%, and a capital structure of 50% common equity and 50% long-term debt. For additional information, see "Regulatory Proceeding Updates" below.
WASHINGTON. Effective January 1, 2009, the WUTC authorized rates to customers based on an ROE of 10.1% and an overall rate of return of 8.4% with a capital structure of 51% common equity, 5% short-term debt, and 44% long-term debt.
On December 31, 2018, NW Natural filed a general rate case in Washington requesting an ROE of 10.3%, an overall rate of return of 7.63%, and a capital structure of 49.5% common equity, 49.5% long-term debt, and 1% short-term debt. For additional information, see "Regulatory Proceeding Updates" below.
FERC. NW Natural is required under its Mist interstate storage certificate authority and rate approval orders to file every five years either a petition for rate approval or a cost and revenue study to change or justify maintaining the existing rates for its interstate storage services. In January 2018, various state parties filed a request with the FERC to adjust the revenue requirements of public utilities to reflect the recent reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate and other impacts resulting from the TCJA. In July 2018, the FERC issued an order finalizing its regulations regarding the effect of the TCJA. The new regulations required NW Natural to file a petition for rate approval or a cost and revenue study to reflect the new federal corporate income tax rate within thirty days of the rate effective date of NW Natural's Oregon rate case. On October 12, 2018, NW Natural filed a rate petition with FERC for revised maximum cost-based rates, which incorporated the new federal corporate income tax rate. The revised rates became effective November 1, 2018.
NW Natural continuously evaluates the need for rate cases in its jurisdictions. For additional information, see "Regulatory Proceeding Updates—Rate Case" below.
Regulatory Proceeding Updates
During 2018, NW Natural was involved in the regulatory activities discussed below.
INTERSTATE STORAGE AND OPTIMIZATION SHARING. NW Natural received an Order from the OPUC in March 2015 on their review of the current revenue sharing arrangement that allocates a portion of the net revenues generated from non-NGD Mist storage services and third-party asset management services to NGD business customers. The Order required a third-party cost study to be performed. In 2017, a third-party consultant completed a cost study and their final report was filed with the OPUC in February 2018. The OPUC concluded on this matter in the Oregon general rate case proceeding. For additional information, see "Oregon General Rate Case" below.
HOLDING COMPANY REORGANIZATION. In February 2017, NW Natural filed applications with the OPUC, WUTC, and CPUC for approval to reorganize under a holding company structure. In 2017, the OPUC and WUTC approved NW Natural's applications subject to certain restrictions or "ring-fencing" provisions applicable to NW Natural, the company that currently engages, and would continue to engage, in NGD business operations. During the second quarter of 2018, NW Natural received approval to reorganize into a holding company structure from the CPUC. On October 1, 2018, we completed the reorganization to a holding company structure. Effective November 1, 2018 there are a number of conditions under the agreement with the OPUC and the WUTC related to the formation of a holding company structure. One of the conditions is that, for three years, NW Natural will be required to provide an annual $500,000 credit to Oregon customers and a $55,000 credit
to Washington customers. The first-year credit to both Oregon and Washington customers was given in conjunction with the PGA filings, with the rate adjustments commencing on November 1, 2018.
TAX REFORM DEFERRAL. In December 2017, NW Natural filed applications with the OPUC and WUTC to defer the overall net benefit associated with the TCJA that was enacted on December 22, 2017. Through the Oregon general rate case, in October 2018 the OPUC issued an order directing NW Natural and the other parties to the rate case to engage in further regulatory proceedings to resolve open issues with respect to the treatment of the 10-month deferral period of benefits associated with the TCJA. On February 4, 2019, NW Natural and the other parties to the rate case agreed upon terms by which the deferred benefits would be returned to customers via a joint stipulation filed with the OPUC. For it to be effective, the OPUC must issue an Order. See "Regulatory Proceeding Updates-Oregon General Rate Case" below for more information.
NW Natural expects to work with the WUTC regarding the Washington deferral for the TCJA as part of the general rate case filed in Washington on December 31, 2018, and is currently deferring all amounts for the benefit of Washington customers.
WATER BUSINESS. Since we initiated our water strategy in December 2017, we have entered into the following agreements which require or required regulator approval:
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• | Salmon Valley Water Company — We received regulatory approval for this Welches, Oregon acquisition in September 2018, and the transaction closed in November 2018. |
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• | Falls Water Company — We received regulatory approval for this Idaho Falls, Idaho acquisition in July 2018 from the IPUC and closed the transaction in September 2018. |
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• | Lehman Enterprises, Inc. and Sea View Water LLC — We received regulatory approval from the WUTC for these Whidbey Island, Washington acquisitions in October 2018 and closed the transaction in November 2018. |
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• | Sunriver Water, LLC and Sunriver Environmental, LLC — We filed an application for regulatory approval from the OPUC for the Sunriver Water, LLC acquisition in October 2018 and anticipate receiving regulatory approval in 2019. Sunriver Environmental, LLC is not under the OPUC's jurisdiction. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019. |
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• | Spirit Lake East Water Company and Lynnwood Water - We filed an application for regulatory approval from the IPUC for these Coeur d'Alene, Idaho acquisitions in February 2019. |
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• | Estates Water Systems Inc. and Monterra Inc - We filed an application for regulatory approval from the WUTC for these Sequim, Washington acquisitions in February 2019. |
The acquisitions described above are expected to, upon the closing of the Sunriver transaction, represent approximately $70 million of aggregate investment.
OREGON GENERAL RATE CASE. On October 26, 2018, the OPUC issued an order regarding NW Natural's general rate case originally filed in December 2017 and approved the following items:
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• | Annual revenue requirement increase of $23.4 million or 3.72% over NW Natural's revenue from existing rates, which includes approximately $12.1 million that would otherwise be recovered under the conservation tariff deferral; |
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• | Capital structure of 50% debt and 50% equity; |
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• | Return on equity of 9.4%; |
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• | Cost of capital of 7.317%; |
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• | Rate base of $1.186 billion, or an increase of $300 million since the last rate case in 2012; |
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• | Commencing November 1, 2018, ASC 715 pension expenses for the qualified pension plan will be recovered through rates with an increase of $8.1 million to revenue requirement for a total of $11.9 million; and |
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• | The sharing of asset management revenues related to NGD business pipeline and storage assets will be 90%/10% with 90% being credited to customers. Previously customers received 67% of these revenues. |
The rate changes listed above went into effect on November 1, 2018.
In addition to the items above, the OPUC issued an order on October 26, 2018, to freeze NW Natural's pension balancing account as of October 31, 2018. The order directed NW Natural and the other parties to the rate case to engage in further regulatory proceedings extending the general rate case docket to resolve open issues with respect to the recovery of the pension balancing account, and treatment of the 10-month deferral period benefits associated with the TCJA. On February 4, 2019, NW Natural, OPUC Staff, Oregon Citizen’s Utility Board (CUB), and the Alliance of Western Energy Customers (AWEC), which comprise all of the parties to the 2018 Oregon rate case, filed with the OPUC a joint stipulation addressing remaining items related to NW Natural's pension balancing account and the return of deferred TCJA benefits to customers (Settlement). The Settlement is subject to the review and approval of the OPUC. For it to be effective, the OPUC must issue an Order, which may approve or deny the terms of the Settlement or be issued under the OPUC's own terms.
Under the Settlement, the stipulating parties agree that NW Natural properly recorded the remeasurement of regulated NGD excess deferred income taxes pursuant to the effects of the TCJA, and agree that all of NW Natural’s TCJA-related dockets will be resolved in accordance with the terms of the Settlement. Under the Settlement, NW Natural would return excess deferred income taxes pursuant to the TCJA as follows: (i) an annual credit to base rates of $3.4 million; (ii) a credit of $3.0 million per year for five years to sale customers; (iii) a credit to customers' benefit of $5.44 million of deferred income taxes, and $7.07 million of TCJA benefits deferred between January 1, 2018 and October 31, 2018, reflected as a reduction to NW Natural’s pension balancing account, described below. As a result of these returns and credits, NW Natural’s rate base is expected to increase by approximately $15.38 million, and the revenue requirement is expected to increase approximately $1.43
million. If NW Natural files a general rate case within five years of the date of the Order implementing the Settlement, this revenue requirement may be adjusted as part of that general rate case.
As to the future operation and timing of rate recovery of amounts reflected in NW Natural’s pension balancing account, under the Settlement, the stipulating parties agree that, effective October 31, 2018, NW Natural would: (i) reduce the amount of the frozen pension balancing account by $10.5 million, and apply $12.51 million of the Company’s deferred TCJA benefits, for a total reduction of the pension balancing account of approximately $23.01 million; and (ii) reduce the interest rate on the pension balancing account from NW Natural’s authorized rate of return of 7.317 percent to 4.3 percent. NW Natural would then collect the remainder of the pension balancing account balance over ten years in a customer tariff of $7.3 million per year beginning on the rate effective date. If the Settlement is approved, NW Natural expects to recognize an after-tax charge to earnings of approximately $6.7 million in the quarter in which an order is issued.
The Settlement is subject to the review and approval of the OPUC with a decision and order expected in March 2019, and new rates expected to be effective April 1, 2019.
WASHINGTON GENERAL RATE CASE. On December 31, 2018, NW Natural filed for a general rate case in the state of Washington. The requested increase, the first in approximately 10 years, is intended to recover operating costs and investments made in the Washington distribution system and is based upon the following assumptions or requests:
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• | Capital structure of 49.5% long-term debt, 1.0% short-term debt, and 49.5% common equity; |
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• | Return on equity of 10.3%; |
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• | Cost of capital of 7.63%; and |
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• | Rate base of $186.5 million, an increase of $58.7 million since the last rate case. |
The filing also includes a proposal to return federal tax reform benefits to customers related to the TCJA. NW Natural estimates the total liability for tax reform benefits allocated to Washington customers to be approximately $20.2 million, which is comprised of a historical deferred liability of $18.1 million primarily related to property, plant, and equipment and an expected $2.1 million associated with interim tax benefits accumulated from January 1, 2018 to November 30, 2019. NW Natural is requesting that the $18.1 million historical deferral be credited to rates in compliance with the TCJA guidance, which is currently at a rate of approximately $0.5 million annually for the first five years, and which would be reviewed and adjusted in year five for the next five years. NW Natural is requesting that the interim $2.1 million tax benefit be returned to customers over two years.
In addition, NW Natural is requesting a decoupling tariff for Washington customers, which is intended to allow the NGD business to continue encouraging customers to conserve energy without adversely affecting earnings due to reductions in sales volumes. The proposed decoupling tariff would also adjust for any deviation from normal usage, including weather.
Finally, NW Natural is requesting that the WUTC review costs allocable to Washington related to environmental remediation expenses and consider a mechanism for recovery of these costs. The requested costs are estimated to be approximately 3.32% of total costs associated with those sites related to serving Washington customers.
NW Natural's filing will be reviewed by the WUTC and other stakeholders. The process is anticipated to take up to 11 months. NW Natural has requested that the new rates take effect December 1, 2019.
INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN (IRP). NW Natural files a full IRP biennially for Oregon and Washington with the OPUC and WUTC, respectively. NW Natural filed its 2018 Oregon and Washington IRPs in August 2018, and received both a letter of compliance from the WUTC and acknowledgment by the OPUC in February 2019. The IRPs included analysis of different growth scenarios and corresponding resource acquisition strategies. This analysis is needed to develop supply and demand resource requirements, consider uncertainties in the planning process, and to establish a plan for providing reliable and low cost natural gas service.
DEPRECIATION STUDY. Under OPUC regulations, NW Natural is required to file a depreciation study every five years to update or justify maintaining the existing depreciation rates. In December 2016, NW Natural filed the required depreciation study with the OPUC. In September 2017, the parties to the docket filed a settlement with the Commission requesting approval of updated depreciation rates. In January 2018, OPUC issued an order adopting the stipulation. A corresponding docket was filed and approved in Washington for the same depreciation rates. FERC also adopted the new depreciation rates which were included in the rate petition described in Regulation and Rates - FERC above. The new depreciation rates were effective and implemented as of November 1, 2018 for Oregon, Washington, and FERC regulated customers. The new depreciation rates did not materially change NW Natural's depreciation rates and did not have a material impact to financial results.
Rate Mechanisms
During 2018, NW Natural's approved rates and recovery mechanisms for each service area included: |
| | | | |
| OR | | WA |
| 2012 Rate Case | 2018 Rate Case (effective 11/1/2018) | | 2009 Rate Case |
Authorized Rate Structure: | | | | |
ROE | 9.5% | 9.4% | | 10.1% |
ROR | 7.8% | 7.3% | | 8.4% |
Debt/Equity Ratio | 50%/50% | 50%/50% | | 49%/51% |
| | | | |
Key Regulatory Mechanisms: | | | | |
PGA | X | X | | X |
Gas Cost Incentive Sharing | X | X | | |
Decoupling | X | X | | |
WARM | X | X | | |
Environmental Cost Deferral | X | X | | X |
Environmental Cost Recovery (SRRM) | X | X | | |
Pension Balancing | X | | | |
Interstate Storage and Asset Management Sharing | X | X | | X |
PURCHASED GAS ADJUSTMENT. Rate changes are established for NW Natural each year under PGA mechanisms in Oregon and Washington to reflect changes in the expected cost of natural gas commodity purchases. The PGA filings and filings coincident with the PGA include gas costs under spot purchases as well as contract supplies, gas costs hedged with financial derivatives, gas costs from the withdrawal of storage inventories, the production of gas reserves, interstate pipeline demand costs, temporary rate adjustments, which amortize balances of deferred regulatory accounts, and the removal of temporary rate adjustments effective for the previous year.
Each year, NW Natural typically hedges gas prices on a portion of NW Natural's annual sales requirement based on normal weather, including both physical and financial hedges. NW Natural entered the 2018-19 gas year with its forecasted sales volumes hedged at 49% in financial swap and option contracts and 26% in physical gas supplies for Oregon and Washington.
As of December 31, 2018, NW Natural is also hedged in future gas years at approximately 17% for the 2019-20 gas year and between 1% and 8% for annual requirements over the subsequent five gas years. Hedge levels are subject to change based on actual load volumes, which depend to a certain extent on weather, economic conditions, and estimated gas reserve production. Also, gas storage inventory levels may increase or decrease with storage expansion, changes in storage contracts with third parties, variations in the heat content of the gas, and/or storage recall by NW Natural.
In September 2018, NW Natural filed its annual PGA and received OPUC and WUTC approval in October 2018. PGA rate changes were effective November 1, 2018. Rates between states can vary due to different rate structures and mechanisms. Oregon residential customers' rates declined 2.1% from the combined effect of the PGA and Oregon rate case and Washington residential customers' rates declined by 7.2%. In addition, as required with the Washington PGA filing, NW Natural provided the WUTC with a full strategy implementation plan to incorporate risk-responsive hedging strategies in its natural gas procurement process. The plan calls for a flexible hedging approach that reacts to changes in market conditions as those changes occur. NW Natural expects to begin implementing risk-responsive hedging strategies for the 2019-20 PGA for its Washington gas supplies.
Under the current PGA mechanism in Oregon, there is an incentive sharing provision whereby NW Natural is required to select each year an 80% deferral or a 90% deferral of higher or lower actual gas costs compared to estimated PGA prices, such that the impact on NW Natural's current earnings from the incentive sharing is either 20% or 10% of the difference between actual and estimated gas costs, respectively. For the 2017-18 and 2018-19 gas years, NW Natural selected the 90% deferral option. Under the Washington PGA mechanism, NW Natural defers 100% of the higher or lower actual gas costs, and those gas cost differences are passed on to customers through the annual PGA rate adjustment.
EARNINGS TEST REVIEW. NW Natural is subject to an annual earnings review in Oregon to determine if the NGD business is earning above its authorized ROE threshold. If NGD business earnings exceed a specific ROE level, then 33% of the amount above that level is required to be deferred or refunded to customers. Under this provision, if NW Natural selects the 80% deferral gas cost option, then NW Natural retains all earnings up to 150 basis points above the currently authorized ROE. If NW Natural selects the 90% deferral option, then it retains all earnings up to 100 basis points above the currently authorized ROE. For the 2017-18 and 2018-19 gas years, it selected the 90% deferral option. The ROE threshold is subject to adjustment annually based on movements in long-term interest rates. For calendar years 2016, 2017, and 2018, the ROE threshold was 11.06%, 10.66%, and 10.48%, respectively. There were no refunds required for 2016 and 2017. NW Natural does not expect a refund for 2018 based on results, and NW Natural anticipates filing its 2018 earnings test in May 2019.
GAS RESERVES. In 2011, the OPUC approved the Encana gas reserves transaction to provide long-term gas price protection for NGD business customers and determined costs under the agreement would be recovered on an ongoing basis through the annual PGA mechanism. Gas produced from NW Natural's interests is sold at then prevailing market prices, and revenues from such sales, net of associated operating and production costs and amortization, are included in cost of gas. The cost of gas, including a carrying cost for the rate base investment made under the original agreement, is included in NW Natural's annual Oregon PGA filing, which allows NW Natural to recover these costs through customer rates. The net
investment under the original agreement earns a rate of return.
In 2014, NW Natural amended the original gas reserves agreement in response to Encana's sale of its interest in the Jonah field located in Wyoming to Jonah Energy. Under the amended agreement with Jonah Energy, NW Natural has the option to invest in additional wells on a well-by-well basis with drilling costs and resulting gas volumes shared at the amended proportionate working interest for each well in which NW Natural invests. Volumes produced from the additional wells drilled after the amended agreement are included in NW Natural's Oregon PGA at a fixed rate of $0.4725 per therm. NW Natural did not have the opportunity to participate in additional wells in 2016, 2017, or 2018.
DECOUPLING. In Oregon, NW Natural has a decoupling mechanism. Decoupling is intended to break the link between earnings and the quantity of gas consumed by customers, removing any financial incentive to discourage customers’ efforts to conserve energy.
The Oregon decoupling mechanism was reauthorized and the baseline expected usage per customer was reset in the 2018 Oregon general rate case. This mechanism employs a use-per-customer decoupling calculation, which adjusts margin revenues to account for the difference between actual and expected customer volumes. The margin adjustment resulting from differences between actual and expected volumes under the decoupling component is recorded to a deferral account, which is included in the annual PGA filing. In Washington, customer use is not covered by such a tariff. However, NW Natural's general rate case filed in Washington on December 31, 2018, requests that such a tariff be implemented. See "Regulatory Proceeding Updates—Washington General Rate Case" above.
WARM. In Oregon, NW Natural has an approved weather normalization mechanism, which is applied to residential and commercial customer bills. This mechanism is designed to help stabilize the collection of fixed costs by adjusting residential and commercial customer billings based on temperature variances from average weather, with rate decreases when the weather is colder than average and rate increases when the weather is warmer than average. The mechanism is applied to bills from December through mid-May of each heating season. The mechanism adjusts the margin component of customers’ rates to reflect average weather, which uses the 25-year average temperature for each day of the billing period. Daily average temperatures and 25-year average temperatures are based on a set point temperature of 59 degrees Fahrenheit for residential customers and 58 degrees Fahrenheit for commercial customers. The collections of any unbilled WARM amounts due to tariff caps and floors are deferred and earn a carrying charge until collected, or returned, in the PGA the following year. This weather normalization mechanism was reauthorized in the 2012 Oregon general rate case without an expiration date. Residential and commercial customers in Oregon are allowed to opt out of the weather normalization mechanism, and as of December 31, 2018, 8% of eligible customers had opted out. NW Natural does not have a weather normalization mechanism approved for residential and commercial customers in Washington, which account
for about 11% of total customers. See "Business Segments—Natural Gas Distribution" below.
INDUSTRIAL TARIFFS. The OPUC and WUTC have approved tariffs covering NGD service to major industrial customers, which are intended to give NW Natural certainty in the level of gas supplies needed to serve this customer group. The approved terms include, among other things, an annual election period, special pricing provisions for out-of-cycle changes, and a requirement that industrial customers complete the term of their service election under NW Natural's annual PGA tariff.
ENVIRONMENTAL COST DEFERRAL AND SRRM. NW Natural has a SRRM through which it tracks and has the ability to recover past deferred and future prudently incurred environmental remediation costs allocable to Oregon, subject to an earnings test.
Under the SRRM collection process, there are three types of deferred environmental remediation expense:
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• | Pre-review - This class of costs represents remediation spend that has not yet been deemed prudent by the OPUC. Carrying costs on these remediation expenses are recorded at NW Natural's authorized cost of capital. NW Natural anticipates the prudence review for annual costs and approval of the earnings test prescribed by the OPUC to occur by the third quarter of the following year. |
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• | Post-review - This class of costs represents remediation spend that has been deemed prudent and allowed after applying the earnings test, but is not yet included in amortization. NW Natural earns a carrying cost on these amounts at a rate equal to the five-year treasury rate plus 100 basis points. |
| |
• | Amortization - This class of costs represents amounts included in current customer rates for collection and is generally calculated as one-fifth of the post-review deferred balance. NW Natural earns a carrying cost equal to the amortization rate determined annually by the OPUC, which approximates a short-term borrowing rate. NW Natural included $6.1 million and $7.4 million of deferred remediation expense approved by the OPUC for collection during the 2018-19 and 2017-18 PGA years, respectively. |
In addition, the SRRM also provides for the annual collection of $5.0 million from Oregon customers through a tariff rider. As it collects amounts from customers, NW Natural recognizes these collections as revenue and separately amortizes an equal and offsetting amount of the deferred regulatory asset balance through the environmental remediation operating expense line shown separately in the operating expenses section of the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). See Note 17 for more information on our environmental matters.
The SRRM earnings test is an annual review of adjusted NGD ROE compared to authorized NGD ROE. For 2018, the first ten months will be weighted at 9.5% and the last two months at 9.4%, reflecting the ROE change from NW Natural's most recent rate case effective November 1, 2018.
To apply the earnings test NW Natural must first determine what if any costs are subject to the test through the following calculation: |
|
Annual spend |
Less: $5.0 million base rate rider |
Prior year carry-over(1) |
$5.0 million insurance + interest on insurance |
Total deferred annual spend subject to earnings test |
Less: over-earnings adjustment, if any |
Add: deferred interest on annual spend(2) |
Total amount transferred to post-review |
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(1) | Prior year carry-over results when the prior year amount transferred to post-review is negative. The negative amount is carried over to offset annual spend in the following year. |
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(2) | Deferred interest is added to annual spend to the extent the spend is recoverable. |
To the extent the NGD business earns at or below its authorized ROE, the total amount transferred to post-review is recoverable through the SRRM. To the extent more than authorized ROE is earned in a year, the amount transferred to post-review would be reduced by those earnings that exceed its authorized ROE.
For 2018, NW Natural has performed this test, which is anticipated to be submitted to the OPUC in May 2019, and no earnings test adjustment is expected for 2018.
The WUTC has also previously authorized the deferral of environmental costs, if any, that are appropriately allocated to Washington customers. This Order was effective in January 2011 with cost recovery and carrying charges on amounts deferred for costs associated with services provided to Washington customers to be determined in a future proceeding. Annually, or more often if circumstances warrant, NW Natural reviews all regulatory assets for recoverability. If NW Natural should determine all or a portion of these regulatory assets no longer meet the criteria for continued application of regulatory accounting, then NW Natural would be required to write-off the net unrecoverable balances against earnings in the period such a determination was made.
PENSION COST DEFERRAL AND PENSION BALANCING ACCOUNT. From 2011 through October 2018, the OPUC authorized a regulatory mechanism in which NW Natural deferred annual pension expenses above the amount set in rates, with recovery of these deferred amounts through the implementation of a balancing account, which included the expectation of higher and lower pension expenses in future years. During this period the mechanism permitted for NW Natural to accrue interest on the account balance at the NGD business' authorized rate of return. On October 26, 2018, the OPUC issued an order to freeze NW Natural's pension balancing account as of October 31, 2018. The order directed NW Natural and the other parties to the 2018 Oregon rate case to engage in further regulatory proceedings extending the general rate case docket to resolve open issues with respect to the recovery of the pension balancing account. On February 4, 2019, NW Natural and the other parties to the rate case filed a joint stipulation with the OPUC outlining a resolution to the issue.
See "Regulatory Proceeding Updates-Oregon General Rate Case" above. Pension expense deferrals, excluding interest, were $10.3 million, $6.5 million, and $6.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
INTERSTATE STORAGE AND OPTIMIZATION SHARING. On an annual basis, NW Natural credits amounts to Oregon and Washington customers as part of a regulatory incentive sharing mechanism related to net revenues earned from Mist gas storage and asset management activities. Generally, amounts are credited to Oregon customers in June, while credits are given to customers in Washington as reductions in rates through the annual PGA filing in November.
The following table presents the credits to NGD customers: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
In millions | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
Oregon | | $ | 11.7 |
| | $ | 11.7 |
| | $ | 9.4 |
|
Washington | | 1.0 |
| | 1.0 |
| | 1.0 |
|
Business Segment - Natural Gas Distribution (NGD)
NGD margin results are primarily affected by customer growth, revenues from rate-base additions, and, to a certain extent, by changes in delivered volumes due to weather and customers’ gas usage patterns because a significant portion of NGD margin is derived from natural gas sales to residential and commercial customers. In Oregon, NW Natural has a conservation tariff (also called the decoupling mechanism), which adjusts margin up or down each month through a deferred regulatory accounting adjustment designed to offset changes resulting from increases or decreases in average use by residential and commercial customers. NW Natural also has a weather normalization tariff in Oregon, WARM, which adjusts customer bills up or down to offset changes in margin resulting from above- or below-average temperatures during the winter heating season. Both mechanisms are designed to reduce, but not eliminate, the volatility of customer bills and natural gas distribution earnings. See "Regulatory Matters—Rate Mechanisms" above.
The NGD business is seasonal in nature due to higher gas usage by residential and commercial customers during the cold winter heating months. Other categories of customers experience seasonality in their usage but to a lesser extent. Seasonality affects the comparability of the results of operations of the NGD business across quarters but not across years.
NGD segment highlights include:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dollars and therms in millions, except EPS data | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
NGD net income | | $ | 57.5 |
| | $ | 60.5 |
| | $ | 54.6 |
|
Adjusted NGD net income(1) | | 57.5 |
| | 61.5 |
| | 56.6 |
|
EPS - NGD segment | | 1.99 |
| | 2.10 |
| | 1.96 |
|
Adjusted EPS - NGD segment(1) | | 1.99 |
| | 2.13 |
| | 2.03 |
|
Gas sold and delivered (in therms) | | 1,128 |
| | 1,240 |
| | 1,085 |
|
NGD margin(2) | | $ | 383.7 |
|
| $ | 392.6 |
| | $ | 376.6 |
|
(1) See the Non-GAAP Reconciliations table at the beginning of Item 7 for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to its closest U.S. GAAP measure.
(2) See Natural Gas Distribution Margin Table below for additional detail.
2018 COMPARED TO 2017. NGD net income was $57.5 million in 2018 compared to $60.5 million in 2017. NGD net income in 2017 includes a $1.0 million loss from the remeasurement of deferred income tax balances due to the enactment of the TCJA. Excluding this item, adjusted NGD net income decreased $4.0 million, or $0.14 per share. See the NW Holdings non-GAAP reconciliations at the beginning of Item 7 for additional information.
The primary factors contributing to the decrease in adjusted NGD net income were as follows:
| |
• | a $8.9 million decrease in natural gas distribution margin primarily due to: |
| |
▪ | a $7.9 million decrease due to revenues collected and deferred in association with the TCJA; partially offset by |
| |
▪ | a $4.8 million increase from customer growth; and |
| |
▪ | the majority of the remaining decrease was due to the effects of warmer than average weather in 2018 compared to colder than average weather in 2017, partially offset by higher rates from the 2018 Oregon general rate case effective November 1, 2018. |
| |
• | a $6.0 million increase in operations and maintenance expense driven largely from payroll and benefits due to increased headcount, general salary increases, and increased professional services and contract labor expense; |
| |
• | a $4.2 million decrease in other income (expense), net, primarily due to increases in pension non-service component costs, partially offset by increases in the equity portion of AFUDC in 2018; and |
| |
• | a $4.0 million increase in depreciation expense primarily due to additional capital expenditures; partially offset by |
| |
• | a $20.0 million decrease in income tax expense primarily due to the reduction in the federal statutory tax rate from the TCJA and lower pretax income. |
Total natural gas sold and delivered in 2018 decreased 9% over 2017 primarily due to the impact of weather that was 26% warmer than the prior period and 15% warmer than average.
2017 COMPARED TO 2016. NGD net income was $60.5 million in 2017 compared to $54.6 million in 2016, which includes the $1.0 million loss from the remeasurement of deferred income tax balances associated with the TCJA in 2017 and the after-tax $2.0 million regulatory disallowance in 2016. Excluding these items, adjusted NGD net income increased $4.9 million, or $0.10 per share. See the Non-GAAP reconciliations at the beginning of Item 7 for additional information.
The primary factors contributing to this increase in adjusted NGD net income were as follows:
| |
• | a $16.0 million increase in NGD margin primarily due to: |
| |
• | a $6.8 million increase from customer growth; partially offset by; |
| |
• | a $2.7 million decrease from gains in gas cost incentive sharing due to actual gas prices being lower than those estimated in the 2016-2017 PGA, |
but not by the same magnitude as in the prior period;
| |
• | a portion of the remaining increase was due to the effects of colder than average weather in 2017 compared to warmer than average weather in 2016. |
| |
• | a $2.2 million increase in other income (expense), net, primarily due to an increase in the equity portion of AFUDC in 2017; partially offset by |
| |
• | a $10.4 million increase in operations and maintenance expense driven largely from payroll and benefits due to increased headcount, general salary increases, and increased safety equipment update costs; and |
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• | a $3.4 million increase in depreciation expense primarily due to additional capital expenditures. |
Total natural gas sold and delivered in 2017 increased 14% over 2016 primarily due to the impact of weather that was 48% colder than the prior period and 15% colder than average.
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION MARGIN TABLE. The following table summarizes the composition of NGD gas volumes, revenues, and cost of sales:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Favorable/(Unfavorable) |
In thousands, except degree day and customer data | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2018 vs. 2017 | | 2017 vs. 2016 |
NGD volumes (therms): | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential and commercial sales | | 661,163 |
| | 740,369 |
| | 609,222 |
| | (79,206 | ) | | 131,147 |
|
Industrial sales and transportation | | 467,040 |
| | 499,924 |
| | 475,774 |
| | (32,884 | ) | | 24,150 |
|
Total NGD volumes sold and delivered | | 1,128,203 |
| | 1,240,293 |
| | 1,084,996 |
| | (112,090 | ) | | 155,297 |
|
NGD operating revenues: | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential and commercial sales | | $ | 621,782 |
| | $ | 684,214 |
| | $ | 604,390 |
| | $ | (62,432 | ) | | $ | 79,824 |
|
Industrial sales and transportation | | 58,713 |
| | 63,925 |
| | 59,386 |
| | (5,212 | ) | | 4,539 |
|
Other revenues | | 153 |
| | 3,872 |
| | 3,812 |
| | (3,719 | ) | | 60 |
|
Less: Revenue taxes(1) | | — |
| | 19,069 |
| | 17,111 |
| | (19,069 | ) | | 1,958 |
|
Total NGD operating revenues | | 680,648 |
| | 732,942 |
| | 650,477 |
| | (52,294 | ) | | 82,465 |
|
Less: Cost of gas | | 255,743 |
| | 325,019 |
| | 260,588 |
| | 69,276 |
| | (64,431 | ) |
Less: Environmental remediation expense | | 11,127 |
| | 15,291 |
| | 13,298 |
| | 4,164 |
| | (1,993 | ) |
Less: Revenue taxes(1) | | 30,082 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (30,082 | ) | | — |
|
NGD margin | | 383,696 |
| | 392,632 |
| | 376,591 |
| | (8,936 | ) | | 16,041 |
|
NGD margin:(2) | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential and commercial sales | | $ | 352,710 |
| | $ | 355,736 |
| | $ | 338,060 |
| | $ | (3,026 | ) | | $ | 17,676 |
|
Industrial sales and transportation | | 30,817 |
| | 31,847 |
| | 30,989 |
| | (1,030 | ) | | 858 |
|
Miscellaneous revenues | | 5,542 |
| | 3,865 |
| | 3,796 |
| | 1,677 |
| | 69 |
|
Gain from gas cost incentive sharing | | (27 | ) | | 1,237 |
| | 3,960 |
| | (1,264 | ) | | (2,723 | ) |
Other margin adjustments(3) | | (5,346 | ) | | (53 | ) | | (214 | ) | | (5,293 | ) | | 161 |
|
NGD margin | | $ | 383,696 |
| | $ | 392,632 | |