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AMERICAN STATES WATER CO - Quarter Report: 2018 June (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
 
x
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018
or
¨
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
for the transition period from                    to                   
 
Commission file number   001-14431 
American States Water Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
California
 
95-4676679
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
630 E. Foothill Blvd, San Dimas, CA
 
91773-1212
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(909) 394-3600
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
Commission file number   001-12008 
Golden State Water Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
California
 
95-1243678
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
630 E. Foothill Blvd, San Dimas, CA
 
91773-1212
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(909) 394-3600
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether 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 Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
American States Water Company
 
Yes x No ¨
Golden State Water Company
 
Yes x No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).


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American States Water Company
 
Yes x No ¨
Golden State Water Company
 
Yes x No ¨

 Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
American States Water Company
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer ¨
 
Non-accelerated filer ¨
 
Smaller reporting company ¨
Golden State Water Company
Large accelerated filer ¨
 
Accelerated filer ¨
 
Non-accelerated filer x
 
Smaller reporting company ¨

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.¨
 Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
American States Water Company
 
Yes ¨ Nox
Golden State Water Company
 
Yes ¨ Nox
As of August 1, 2018, the number of Common Shares outstanding of American States Water Company was 36,733,506 shares. As of August 1, 2018, all of the 146 outstanding Common Shares of Golden State Water Company were owned by American States Water Company.
Golden State Water Company meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction (H)(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form, in part, with the reduced disclosure format for Golden State Water Company.
 



AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
and
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
FORM 10-Q
 
INDEX


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents

PART I
Item 1. Financial Statements
General
 The basic financial statements included herein have been prepared by Registrant, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal recurring items and estimates necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim period have been made.
 It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto in the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K of American States Water Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Golden State Water Company. 
Filing Format
American States Water Company (“AWR”) is the parent company of Golden State Water Company (“GSWC”) and American States Utility Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("ASUS").
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q is a combined report being filed by two separate Registrants: AWR and GSWC. For more information, please see Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the heading entitled "General" in "Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." References in this report to “Registrant” are to AWR and GSWC collectively, unless otherwise specified. GSWC makes no representations as to the information contained in this report other than with respect to itself.
 
Forward-Looking Information
 This Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated herein contain forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the “safe harbor” from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements are based on current estimates, expectations and projections about future events and assumptions regarding these events and include statements regarding management’s goals, beliefs, plans or current expectations, taking into account the information currently available to management.  Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts.  For example, when we use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may” and other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes, we are making forward-looking statements.  We are not able to predict all the factors that may affect future results.  We caution you that any forward-looking statements made by us are not guarantees of future performance and the actual results may differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements.  Some of the factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements or from historical results, include, but are not limited to: 

the outcome of pending and future regulatory, legislative or other proceedings, investigations or audits, including decisions in GSWC's general rate cases and the results of independent audits of GSWC's construction contracting procurement practices or other independent audits of our costs;
 
changes in the policies and procedures of the California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC");
 
timeliness of CPUC action on GSWC rates;

availability of GSWC's water supplies, which may be adversely affected by drought, changes in weather patterns, contamination, and court decisions or other governmental actions restricting the use of water from the Colorado River, the California State Water Project, and/or pumping of groundwater;

wildfires in GSWC's electric division's service territory, as well as court decisions and regulatory actions that may affect our ability to recover the costs associated with such events or the defense or payment of resulting claims;

our ability to efficiently manage GSWC capital expenditures and operating and maintenance expenses within CPUC authorized levels and timely recover our costs through rates;

the impact of opposition to GSWC rate increases on our ability to recover our costs through rates, including costs associated with construction;


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the impact of opposition by GSWC customers to conservation rate design as well as potential future restrictions on water use mandated in California, which decreases adopted usage and increases customer rates;

the impact of condemnation actions on future GSWC revenues and other aspects of our business if we do not receive adequate compensation for the assets taken, or recovery of all charges associated with the condemnation of such assets, as well as the impact on future revenues if we are no longer entitled to any portion of the revenues generated from such assets;

liabilities of GSWC associated with the inherent risks of damage to private property and injuries to employees and the public if our or their property should come into contact with electrical current or equipment, including through downed power lines or equipment malfunctions;

our ability to forecast the costs of maintaining GSWC’s aging water and electric infrastructure;

our ability to recover increases in permitting costs and costs associated with negotiating and complying with the terms of our franchise agreements with cities and counties and other demands made upon us by the cities and counties in which GSWC operates;

changes in accounting valuations and estimates, including changes resulting from our assessment of anticipated recovery of GSWC's regulatory assets, settlement of liabilities and revenues subject to refund or regulatory disallowances and the timing of such recovery, and the amounts set aside for uncollectible accounts receivable, inventory obsolescence, pensions and post-retirement liabilities, taxes and uninsured losses and claims, including general liability and workers' compensation claims;

changes in environmental laws, health and safety laws and water and recycled water quality requirements and increases in costs associated with complying with these laws and requirements, including costs associated with GSWC's upgrading and building new water treatment plants, GSWC's disposing of residuals from our water treatment plants, handling and storing hazardous chemicals, compliance monitoring activities and GSWC's securing alternative water supplies when necessary;

our ability to obtain adequate, reliable and cost-effective supplies of chemicals, electricity, fuel, water and other raw materials that are needed for our water and wastewater operations;
 
our ability to attract, retain, train, motivate, develop and transition key employees;

our ability to recover the costs associated with any contamination of GSWC’s groundwater supplies from parties responsible for the contamination or through the ratemaking process, and the time and expense incurred by us in obtaining recovery of such costs;

the breakdown or failure of equipment at GSWC's electric division that can cause fires and unplanned electric outages, and whether GSWC will be subject to investigations, penalties, liabilities to customers or other third parties or other costs in connection with such events;
 
adequacy of GSWC's electric division's power supplies and the extent to which we can manage and respond to the volatility of electricity and natural gas prices;
 
GSWC's electric division's ability to comply with the CPUC’s renewable energy procurement requirements;
 
changes in GSWC's long-term customer demand due to changes in customer usage patterns as a result of conservation efforts, regulatory changes affecting demand such as mandatory restrictions on water use, new landscaping or irrigation requirements, recycling of water by customers or purchase of recycled water supplied by other parties, unanticipated population growth or decline, changes in climate conditions, general economic and financial market conditions and cost increases, which may impact our long-term operating revenues if we are unable to secure rate increases in an amount sufficient to offset reduced demand;

changes in accounting treatment for regulated utilities;

effects of changes in or interpretations of tax laws, rates or policies;

changes in estimates used in ASUS’s cost-to-cost method for revenue recognition of certain construction activities;

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termination, in whole or in part, of one or more of ASUS's military utility privatization contracts to provide water and/or wastewater services at military bases for the convenience of the U.S. government or for default;

suspension or debarment of ASUS for a period of time from contracting with the government due to violations of laws or regulations in connection with military utility privatization activities;

delays by the U.S. government in making timely payments to ASUS for water and/or wastewater services or construction activities at military bases because of fiscal uncertainties over the funding of the U.S. government or otherwise;
 
delays in ASUS obtaining economic price or equitable adjustments to our prices on one or more of our contracts to provide water and/or wastewater services at military bases;

disallowance of costs on any of ASUS's contracts to provide water and/or wastewater services at military bases because of audits, cost reviews or investigations by contracting agencies;
 
inaccurate assumptions used by ASUS in preparing bids in our contracted services business;

failure of wastewater systems that ASUS operates on military bases resulting in untreated wastewater or contaminants spilling into nearby properties, streams or rivers;

failure to comply with the terms of our military privatization contracts;

failure of any of our subcontractors to perform services for ASUS in accordance with the terms of our military privatization contracts;

competition for new military privatization contracts;
 
issues with the implementation, maintenance or upgrading of our information technology systems;
 
general economic conditions which may impact our ability to recover infrastructure investments and operating costs from customers;
 
explosions, fires, accidents, mechanical breakdowns, the disruption of information technology and telecommunication systems, human error and similar events that may occur while operating and maintaining water and electric systems in California or operating and maintaining water and wastewater systems on military bases under varying geographic conditions;
 
the impact of storms, earthquakes, floods, mudslides, drought, wildfires, disease and similar natural disasters, or acts of terrorism or vandalism, that affect customer demand, that damage or disrupt facilities, operations or information technology systems owned by us, our customers or third parties on whom we rely or that damage the property of our customers or other third parties or cause bodily injury resulting in liabilities that we may be unable to recover from insurance, other third parties and/or the U.S. government or that the CPUC or the courts do not permit us to recover from ratepayers;
 
potential costs, lost revenues, or other consequences resulting from misappropriation of assets or sensitive information, corruption of data, or operational disruption due to a cyber-attack or other cyber incident;

increases in the cost of obtaining insurance or in uninsured losses that may not be recovered in rates, or under our contracts with the U.S. government, including increases due to difficulties in obtaining insurance for certain risks, such as wildfires and earthquakes in California;
 
restrictive covenants in our debt instruments or changes to our credit ratings on current or future debt that may increase our financing costs or affect our ability to borrow or make payments on our debt; and

our ability to access capital markets and other sources of credit in a timely manner on acceptable terms.
Please consider our forward-looking statements in light of these risks (which are more fully disclosed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K) as you read this Form 10-Q.  We qualify all our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

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AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
(Unaudited)


(in thousands)
 
June 30,
2018
 
December 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment
 
 

 
 

Regulated utility plant, at cost
 
$
1,766,543

 
$
1,722,421

Non-utility property, at cost
 
21,113

 
15,941

Total
 
1,787,656

 
1,738,362

Less - Accumulated depreciation
 
(548,867
)
 
(533,370
)
Net property, plant and equipment
 
1,238,789

 
1,204,992

 
 
 
 
 
Other Property and Investments
 
 

 
 

Goodwill
 
1,116

 
1,116

Other property and investments
 
24,073

 
24,070

Total other property and investments
 
25,189

 
25,186

 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
5,557

 
214

Accounts receivable — customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $751 in 2018 and $806 in 2017)
 
26,631

 
26,127

Unbilled receivable
 
24,681

 
26,411

Receivable from the U.S. government
 
25,977

 
3,725

Other accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $59 in 2018 and $235 in 2017)
 
4,648

 
8,251

Income taxes receivable
 
178

 
4,737

Materials and supplies, at average cost
 
5,364

 
4,795

Regulatory assets — current
 
25,209

 
34,220

Prepayments and other current assets
 
6,769

 
5,596

Contract assets
 
16,153

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on contracts
 

 
41,387

Total current assets
 
141,167

 
155,463

 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory and Other Assets
 
 

 
 

Receivable from the U.S. government
 
30,284

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on contracts
 

 
25,426

Other
 
5,693

 
5,667

Total regulatory and other assets
 
35,977

 
31,093

 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
$
1,441,122

 
$
1,416,734

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements





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AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
(Unaudited)

(in thousands)
 
June 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Capitalization
 
 

 
 

Common shares, no par value
 
 
 
 
Authorized: 60,000,000 shares
 
 
 
 
Outstanding: 36,733,506 shares in 2018 and 36,680,794 shares in 2017
 
$
251,092

 
$
250,124

Earnings reinvested in the business
 
288,118

 
279,821

Total common shareholders’ equity
 
539,210

 
529,945

Long-term debt
 
281,031

 
321,039

Total capitalization
 
820,241

 
850,984

 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 

 
 

Notes payable to bank
 

 
59,000

Long-term debt — current
 
40,313

 
324

Accounts payable
 
43,391

 
50,978

Income taxes payable
 
486

 
225

Accrued other taxes
 
7,904

 
7,344

Accrued employee expenses
 
11,897

 
12,969

Accrued interest
 
3,834

 
3,861

Unrealized loss on purchased power contracts
 
1,710

 
2,941

Contract liabilities
 
7,043

 
3,911

Other
 
13,262

 
15,109

Total current liabilities
 
129,840

 
156,662

 
 
 
 
 
Other Credits
 
 

 
 

Notes payable to bank
 
77,000

 

Advances for construction
 
66,761

 
67,465

Contributions in aid of construction - net
 
123,950

 
123,602

Deferred income taxes
 
115,374

 
115,703

Regulatory liabilities
 
36,008

 
32,178

Unamortized investment tax credits
 
1,402

 
1,436

Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits
 
59,402

 
57,695

Other
 
11,144

 
11,009

Total other credits
 
491,041

 
409,088

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)
 


 


 
 
 
 
 
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
 
$
1,441,122

 
$
1,416,734

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 AND 2017
(Unaudited)


 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2018
 
2017
Operating Revenues
 
 

 
 

Water
 
$
76,733

 
$
80,734

Electric
 
7,841

 
7,612

Contracted services
 
22,327

 
24,849

Total operating revenues
 
106,901

 
113,195

 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses
 
 

 
 

Water purchased
 
16,608

 
17,937

Power purchased for pumping
 
2,231

 
2,157

Groundwater production assessment
 
4,534

 
4,931

Power purchased for resale
 
2,384

 
2,308

Supply cost balancing accounts
 
(2,029
)
 
(5,293
)
Other operation
 
7,782

 
8,172

Administrative and general
 
20,213

 
20,248

Depreciation and amortization
 
10,010

 
9,647

Maintenance
 
3,670

 
3,606

Property and other taxes
 
4,372

 
4,345

ASUS construction
 
11,576

 
11,412

Gain on sale of assets
 
(18
)
 
(8,301
)
Total operating expenses
 
81,333

 
71,169

 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
25,568

 
42,026

 
 
 
 
 
Other Income and Expenses
 
 

 
 

Interest expense
 
(6,048
)
 
(5,926
)
Interest income
 
636

 
620

Other, net
 
579

 
379

Total other income and expenses, net
 
(4,833
)
 
(4,927
)
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income tax expense
 
20,735

 
37,099

 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
4,387

 
14,307

 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
16,348

 
$
22,792

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding
 
36,733

 
36,624

Basic Earnings Per Common Share
 
$
0.44

 
$
0.62

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Number of Diluted Shares
 
36,912

 
36,825

Fully Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
 
$
0.44

 
$
0.62

 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Declared Per Common Share
 
$
0.255

 
$
0.242

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 AND 2017
(Unaudited)

 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2018
 
2017
Operating Revenues
 
 

 
 

Water
 
$
141,145

 
$
147,138

Electric
 
17,673

 
18,114

Contracted services
 
42,811

 
46,753

Total operating revenues
 
201,629

 
212,005

 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses
 
 

 
 

Water purchased
 
30,215

 
30,043

Power purchased for pumping
 
3,924

 
3,754

Groundwater production assessment
 
9,185

 
8,306

Power purchased for resale
 
5,792

 
5,408

Supply cost balancing accounts
 
(5,898
)
 
(7,042
)
Other operation
 
15,770

 
14,332

Administrative and general
 
40,506

 
40,696

Depreciation and amortization
 
19,676

 
19,330

Maintenance
 
7,499

 
7,070

Property and other taxes
 
9,171

 
8,911

ASUS construction
 
21,548

 
22,896

Gain on sale of assets
 
(18
)
 
(8,301
)
Total operating expenses
 
157,370

 
145,403

 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
44,259

 
66,602

 
 
 
 
 
Other Income and Expenses
 
 

 
 

Interest expense
 
(11,971
)
 
(11,831
)
Interest income
 
1,172

 
879

Other, net
 
621

 
1,005

Total other income and expenses, net
 
(10,178
)
 
(9,947
)
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income tax expense
 
34,081

 
56,655

 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
6,951

 
21,162

 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
27,130

 
$
35,493

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding
 
36,723

 
36,607

Basic Earnings Per Common Share
 
$
0.74

 
$
0.96

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Number of Diluted Shares
 
36,896

 
36,799

Fully Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
 
$
0.73

 
$
0.96

 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Declared Per Common Share
 
$
0.510

 
$
0.484


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 AND 2017
(Unaudited)

 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
 
 

 
 

Net income
 
$
27,130

 
$
35,493

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
19,797

 
19,450

Provision for doubtful accounts
 
322

 
339

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits
 
(1,565
)
 
5,948

Stock-based compensation expense
 
1,637

 
1,634

Gain on sale of assets
 
(18
)
 
(8,301
)
Other — net
 
39

 
(523
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Accounts receivable — customers
 
(835
)
 
(6,408
)
Unbilled receivable
 
1,730

 
41

Other accounts receivable
 
3,612

 
489

Receivables from the U.S. government
 
(14,507
)
 
(2,433
)
Materials and supplies
 
(569
)
 
(854
)
Prepayments and other assets
 
(1,171
)
 
(1,102
)
Contract assets
 
12,631

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on contracts
 

 
7,752

Regulatory assets
 
12,240

 
(3,855
)
Accounts payable
 
(3,473
)
 
948

Income taxes receivable/payable
 
4,820

 
29,089

Contract liabilities / Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on contracts
 
3,132

 
(1,849
)
Accrued pension and other post-retirement benefits
 
2,495

 
2,864

Other liabilities
 
(2,376
)
 
(3,283
)
Net cash provided
 
65,071

 
75,439

 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
 
(58,782
)
 
(45,896
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
 
29

 
34,324

Other investing activities
 
98

 
232

Net cash used
 
(58,655
)
 
(11,340
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Proceeds from stock option exercises
 
340

 
524

Receipt of advances for and contributions in aid of construction
 
3,343

 
5,144

Refunds on advances for construction
 
(2,616
)
 
(2,868
)
Retirement or repayments of long-term debt
 
(197
)
 
(191
)
Net change in notes payable to banks
 
18,000

 
(46,000
)
Dividends paid
 
(18,729
)
 
(17,715
)
Other financing activities
 
(1,214
)
 
(1,305
)
Net cash used provided
 
(1,073
)
 
(62,411
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
5,343

 
1,688

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
214

 
436

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
5,557

 
$
2,124

 
 
 
 
 
Non-cash transactions:
 
 
 
 
Accrued payables for investment in utility plant
 
$
16,016

 
$
17,777

Property installed by developers and conveyed
 
$
929

 
$
1,025



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
(Unaudited)

(in thousands)
 
June 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Utility Plant
 
 

 
 

Utility plant, at cost
 
$
1,766,543

 
$
1,722,421

Less - Accumulated depreciation
 
(539,172
)
 
(524,481
)
Net utility plant
 
1,227,371

 
1,197,940

 
 
 
 
 
Other Property and Investments
 
21,974

 
21,956

 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
3,123

 
214

Accounts receivable-customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $751 in 2018 and $806 in 2017)
 
26,631

 
26,127

Unbilled receivable
 
18,107

 
18,852

Other accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $59 in 2018 and 2017)
 
3,275

 
6,105

Income taxes receivable from Parent
 

 
6,590

Materials and supplies, at average cost
 
4,153

 
4,046

Regulatory assets — current
 
25,209

 
34,220

Prepayments and other current assets
 
5,551

 
5,090

Total current assets
 
86,049

 
101,244

 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory and Other Assets
 
 

 
 

Other
 
5,681

 
5,683

Total regulatory and other assets
 
5,681

 
5,683

 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
 
$
1,341,075

 
$
1,326,823

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

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Table of Contents
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
(Unaudited)

(in thousands)
 
June 30,
2018
 
December 31, 2017
Capitalization
 
 

 
 

Common Shares, no par value:
 
 
 
 
 Authorized: 1,000 shares
 
 
 
 
 Outstanding: 146 shares in 2018 and 2017
 
$
242,645

 
$
242,181

Earnings reinvested in the business
 
235,891

 
232,193

Total common shareholder’s equity
 
478,536

 
474,374

Long-term debt
 
281,031

 
321,039

Total capitalization
 
759,567

 
795,413

 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 

 
 

Intercompany payable
 
49,862

 
34,836

Long-term debt — current
 
40,313

 
324

Accounts payable
 
36,075

 
42,497

Income taxes payable to Parent
 
1,016

 

Accrued other taxes
 
7,724

 
7,108

Accrued employee expenses
 
10,450

 
11,338

Accrued interest
 
3,570

 
3,585

Unrealized loss on purchased power contracts
 
1,710

 
2,941

Other
 
12,383

 
14,705

Total current liabilities
 
163,103

 
117,334

 
 
 
 
 
Other Credits
 
 

 
 

Advances for construction
 
66,761

 
67,465

Contributions in aid of construction — net
 
123,950

 
123,602

Deferred income taxes
 
119,830

 
120,780

Regulatory liabilities
 
36,008

 
32,178

Unamortized investment tax credits
 
1,402

 
1,436

Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits
 
59,402

 
57,695

Other
 
11,052

 
10,920

Total other credits
 
418,405

 
414,076

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)
 


 


 
 
 
 
 
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
 
$
1,341,075

 
$
1,326,823

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

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Table of Contents
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 AND 2017
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
Operating Revenues
 
 
 
 
Water
 
$
76,733

 
$
80,734

Electric
 
7,841

 
7,612

Total operating revenues
 
84,574

 
88,346

 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
Water purchased
 
16,608

 
17,937

Power purchased for pumping
 
2,231

 
2,157

Groundwater production assessment
 
4,534

 
4,931

Power purchased for resale
 
2,384

 
2,308

Supply cost balancing accounts
 
(2,029
)
 
(5,293
)
Other operation
 
6,419

 
7,096

Administrative and general
 
15,178

 
15,857

Depreciation and amortization
 
9,430

 
9,394

Maintenance
 
3,170

 
3,049

Property and other taxes
 
4,004

 
3,982

Gain on sale of assets
 

 
(8,301
)
Total operating expenses
 
61,929

 
53,117

 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
22,645

 
35,229

 
 
 
 
 
Other Income and Expenses
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
(5,857
)
 
(5,775
)
Interest income
 
457

 
620

Other, net
 
617

 
438

Total other income and expenses, net
 
(4,783
)
 
(4,717
)
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income tax expense
 
17,862

 
30,512

 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
4,214

 
12,149

 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
13,648

 
$
18,363

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements


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GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 AND 2017
(Unaudited)


 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
Operating Revenues
 
 

 
 

Water
 
$
141,145

 
$
147,138

Electric
 
17,673

 
18,114

Total operating revenues
 
158,818

 
165,252

 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses
 
 

 
 

Water purchased
 
30,215

 
30,043

Power purchased for pumping
 
3,924

 
3,754

Groundwater production assessment
 
9,185

 
8,306

Power purchased for resale
 
5,792

 
5,408

Supply cost balancing accounts
 
(5,898
)
 
(7,042
)
Other operation
 
12,853

 
11,649

Administrative and general
 
30,326

 
31,356

Depreciation and amortization
 
18,764

 
18,832

Maintenance
 
6,325

 
5,970

Property and other taxes
 
8,390

 
8,172

Gain on sale of assets
 

 
(8,301
)
Total operating expenses
 
119,876

 
108,147

 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
38,942

 
57,105

 
 
 
 
 
Other Income and Expenses
 
 

 
 

Interest expense
 
(11,616
)
 
(11,532
)
Interest income
 
837

 
857

Other, net
 
704

 
1,104

Total other income and expenses, net
 
(10,075
)
 
(9,571
)
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income tax expense
 
28,867

 
47,534

 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
6,329

 
18,422

 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
22,538

 
$
29,112

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements


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GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 AND 2017
(Unaudited)

 
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
 
 

 
 

Net income
 
$
22,538

 
$
29,112

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
18,885

 
18,952

Provision for doubtful accounts
 
331

 
342

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits
 
(2,192
)
 
6,234

Stock-based compensation expense
 
1,326

 
1,356

Gain on sale of assets
 

 
(8,301
)
Other — net
 
79

 
(566
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Accounts receivable — customers
 
(835
)
 
(6,408
)
Unbilled receivable
 
745

 
(559
)
Other accounts receivable
 
2,830

 
(29
)
Materials and supplies
 
(107
)
 
(713
)
Prepayments and other assets
 
(460
)
 
(625
)
Regulatory assets
 
12,240

 
(3,855
)
Accounts payable
 
(2,310
)
 
3,290

Intercompany receivable/payable
 
26

 
(643
)
Income taxes receivable/payable from/to Parent
 
7,606

 
25,125

Accrued pension and other post-retirement benefits
 
2,495

 
2,864

Other liabilities
 
(2,603
)
 
(3,000
)
Net cash provided
 
60,594

 
62,576

 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
 
(53,510
)
 
(45,278
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
 

 
34,324

Other investing activities
 
98

 
232

Net cash used
 
(53,412
)
 
(10,722
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Receipt of advances for and contributions in aid of construction
 
3,343

 
5,144

Refunds on advances for construction
 
(2,616
)
 
(2,868
)
Retirement or repayments of long-term debt
 
(197
)
 
(191
)
Net change in intercompany borrowings
 
15,000

 
(51,500
)
Dividends paid
 
(18,750
)
 

Other financing activities
 
(1,053
)
 
(1,104
)
Net cash used
 
(4,273
)
 
(50,519
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
2,909

 
1,335

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
214

 
209

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
3,123

 
$
1,544

 
 
 
 
 
Non-cash transactions:
 
 
 
 
Accrued payables for investment in utility plant
 
$
16,016

 
$
17,759

Property installed by developers and conveyed
 
$
929

 
$
1,025

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

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Table of Contents
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
AND
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
 
Nature of Operations: American States Water Company (“AWR”) is the parent company of Golden State Water Company (“GSWC”) and American States Utility Services, Inc. (“ASUS”) (and its subsidiaries, Fort Bliss Water Services Company (“FBWS”), Terrapin Utility Services, Inc. (“TUS”), Old Dominion Utility Services, Inc. (“ODUS”), Palmetto State Utility Services, Inc. (“PSUS”), Old North Utility Services, Inc. (“ONUS”), Emerald Coast Utility Services, Inc. ("ECUS"), and Fort Riley Utility Services, Inc. ("FRUS")).  The subsidiaries of ASUS are collectively referred to as the “Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries.”
 
GSWC is a public utility engaged principally in the purchase, production, distribution and sale of water in California serving approximately 260,000 customers. GSWC also distributes electricity in several San Bernardino County mountain communities in California serving approximately 24,000 customers through its Bear Valley Electric Service (“BVES”) division. The California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) regulates GSWC’s water and electric businesses in matters including properties, rates, services, facilities and transactions by GSWC with its affiliates. 
 
ASUS, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, operates, maintains and performs construction activities (including renewal and replacement capital work) on water and/or wastewater systems at various U.S. military bases pursuant to 50-year firm fixed-price contracts. These contracts are subject to economic price adjustments and modifications for changes in circumstances, changes in laws and regulations and additions to the contract value for new construction of facilities at the military bases. In September 2017, ASUS was awarded a new 50-year contract by the U.S. government to operate, maintain, and provide construction management services for the water distribution and wastewater collection and treatment facilities at Fort Riley, a United States Army installation located in Kansas. The contract over the 50-year period is subject to annual economic price adjustments. ASUS began operations at Fort Riley in July 2018.
There is no direct regulatory oversight by the CPUC over AWR or the operations, rates or services provided by ASUS or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries.
 
Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto are presented in a combined report filed by two separate Registrants: AWR and GSWC. References in this report to “Registrant” are to AWR and GSWC, collectively, unless otherwise specified.
 
AWR owns all of the outstanding Common Shares of GSWC and ASUS. ASUS owns all of the outstanding Common Shares of the Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements of AWR include the accounts of AWR and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. These financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the AWR consolidated financial statements.
 
The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Registrant, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  The December 31, 2017 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the United States of America. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal, recurring items and estimates necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been made. It is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC.
 
GSWC's Related Party Transactions: GSWC and ASUS provide and/or receive various support services to and from their parent, AWR, and among themselves. GSWC also allocates certain corporate office administrative and general costs to its affiliate, ASUS, using allocation factors approved by the CPUC. GSWC allocated corporate office administrative and general costs to ASUS of approximately $1.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, and approximately $2.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.

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AWR has a $150.0 million syndicated credit facility, which was renewed in May 2018. As of June 30, 2018, AWR had $77.0 million outstanding under this facility. All amounts borrowed under the renewed facility are contractually due in May 2023 pursuant to the new terms and are generally priced off a spread to LIBOR. AWR borrows under this facility and provides funds to its subsidiaries, GSWC and ASUS, in support of their operations.  The interest rate charged to GSWC and ASUS is sufficient to cover AWR’s interest expense under the credit facility. Amounts owed to AWR by GSWC, including for allocated expenses, are included in GSWC's intercompany payable under "Current Liabilities" as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
 
GSWC Long-Term Debt: In March of 2019, $40 million of GSWC's 6.70% senior note will mature. This note has been included in "Current Liabilities" in Registrant's balance sheets as of June 30, 2018. GSWC intends to borrow under its intercompany borrowing arrangement with AWR and/or issue additional long-term debt to fund the repayment of this note.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Under this guidance, an entity recognizes revenue when it transfers goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what the entity expects in exchange for the goods or services. Registrant adopted this guidance under the modified retrospective approach beginning January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on its measurement or timing of revenue recognition but requires additional disclosures (see Note 2).

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which changes the financial statement presentation for the costs of defined benefit pension plans and other retirement benefits. Prior to this guidance, the components of net benefit cost for retirement plans (such as service cost, interest cost, expected return on assets, and the amortization of prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses) were aggregated as operating costs for financial statement presentation purposes. Under the new guidance, the service cost component continues to be presented as operating costs, while all other components of net benefit cost are presented outside of operating income. The new guidance also limits any capitalization of net periodic benefits cost to the service cost component. Registrant adopted the new guidance beginning January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on its financial statements. Registrant used its prior year's disclosure of its pension and other employee benefit plans as an estimation for applying the retrospective presentation requirements of this guidance. The components of net periodic benefits cost, other than the service cost component, have been included in the line item “Other, net” in Registrant's income statements.

In November of 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Restricted Cash. The guidance requires restricted cash to be combined with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period cash balances in the statement of cash flows. The adoption of this new guidance in 2018 did not have an impact on Registrant's cash flow statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)
Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The adoption of this new guidance in 2018 did not have an impact on Registrant's cash flow statements.
        
In February 2016, the FASB issued a new lease accounting standard, Leases (ASC 842). Under the new standard, lessees will recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). For income statement purposes, leases will be classified as either operating or finance. Operating leases will result in straight-line expense while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Registrant will use the practical expedients available under this standard and will not reassess: (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, or (iii) any initial direct costs for existing leases, if any. Management has not yet determined the effect of this standard on Registrant's financial statements, which will depend on Registrant’s lease portfolio as of the adoption date.

Note 2 — Revenues from Contracts with Customers
 
Most of Registrant's revenues are accounted for under the revenue recognition accounting standard, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers - (Topic 606)." The adoption of this accounting standard effective January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on Registrant's measurement or timing of revenue recognition.

GSWC provides water and electric utility services to customers as specified by the CPUC. The transaction prices for water and electric revenues are based on tariff rates authorized by the CPUC, which include both quantity-based and flat charges. Tariff revenues represent the adopted revenue requirement authorized by the CPUC intended to provide GSWC with an opportunity to recover its costs and earn a reasonable return on its net capital investment. The annual revenue requirements are

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comprised of operation and maintenance costs, administrative and general costs, depreciation and taxes in amounts authorized by the CPUC and a return on rate base consistent with the capital structure authorized by the CPUC.

Water and electric revenues are recognized over time as customers simultaneously receive and use the utility services provided. Water and electric revenues include amounts billed to customers on a cyclical basis based on meter readings for services provided. Customer bills also include surcharges for cost-recovery activities, which represent CPUC-authorized balancing and memorandum accounts that allow for the recovery of previously incurred operating costs. Revenues from these surcharges result in no impact to earnings as they are offset by corresponding increases in operating expenses to reflect the recovery of the associated costs. Customer payment terms are approximately 20 business days from the billing date. Unbilled revenues are amounts estimated to be billed for usage since the last meter-reading date to the end of the accounting period. Historical customer usage forms the basis for estimating unbilled revenue.

GSWC bills certain sales and use taxes levied by state or local governments to its customers. Included in these sales and use taxes are franchise fees, which GSWC pays to various municipalities (based on their ordinances) in order to use public rights of way for utility purposes. GSWC bills these franchise fees to its customers based on a CPUC-authorized rate for each ratemaking area as applicable. These franchise fees, which are required to be paid regardless of GSWC’s ability to collect them from its customers, are accounted for on a gross basis. GSWC’s franchise fees billed to customers and recorded as operating revenue were approximately $894,000 and $937,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $1.7 million and $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. When GSWC acts as an agent, and a tax is not required to be remitted if it is not collected from customers, the tax is accounted for on a net basis.

GSWC revenues tracked under the Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (“WRAM”) regulatory accounts for its water segment, and the Base Revenue Requirement Adjustment Mechanism ("BRRAM") regulatory account for its electric segment, are alternative revenue programs accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 980, Regulated Operations.

For ASUS, performance obligations consist of: (i) performing ongoing operation and maintenance of the water and/or wastewater systems and treatment plants for each military base served, and (ii) performing construction activities (including renewal and replacement capital work) on each military base served. The transaction price for each performance obligation is either delineated in, or initially derived from, the applicable 50-year contract and/or any subsequent contract modifications. Depending on the state in which operations are conducted, the Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries are also subject to certain state non-income tax assessments, which are accounted for on a gross basis and have been immaterial to date.

The ongoing performance of operation and maintenance of the water and/or wastewater systems and treatment plants is viewed as a single performance obligation for each 50-year contract with the U.S. government. Registrant recognizes revenue for operations and maintenance fees monthly using the "right to invoice" practical expedient under ASC Topic 606. ASUS has a right to consideration from the U.S. government in an amount that corresponds directly to the value to the U.S. government of ASUS’s performance completed to date. The contractual operations and maintenance fees are firm-fixed, and the level of effort or resources expended in the performance of the operations-and-maintenance-fees performance obligation is largely consistent over the 50-year term. Therefore, Registrant has determined that the monthly amounts invoiced for operations and maintenance performance are a fair reflection of the value transferred to the U.S. government. Invoices to the U.S. government for operations and maintenance service, as well as construction activities, are due upon receipt.
ASUS's construction activities consist of various projects to be performed. Each of these projects' transaction prices is delineated either in the 50-year contract or through a specific contract modification for each construction project, which includes the transaction price for that project. Each construction project is viewed as a separate, single performance obligation. Therefore, it is generally not necessary to allocate a construction transaction price to more than one construction performance obligation. Revenues for construction activities are recognized over time, with progress toward completion measured based on the input method using costs incurred relative to the total estimated costs (cost-to-cost method). Due to the nature of these construction projects, Registrant has determined cost-to-cost input measurement to be the best method to measure progress towards satisfying its construction contract performance obligations, as compared to using an output measurement such as units produced. Changes in job performance, job site conditions, change orders and/or estimated profitability may result in revisions to costs and income for ASUS, and are recognized in the period in which any such revisions are determined. Pre-contract costs for ASUS, which consist of design and engineering labor costs, are deferred if recovery is probable, and are expensed as incurred if recovery is not probable.  Deferred pre-contract costs have been immaterial to date.
Contracted services revenues recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods were not material.

Although GSWC has a diversified base of residential, commercial, industrial and other customers, revenues derived from residential and commercial customers account for approximately 90% and 85% of total water and electric revenues, respectively.     

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For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, disaggregated revenues from contracts with customers by segment are as follows:
(dollar in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
Water:
 
 
 
 
Tariff-based revenues
 
$
70,251

 
$
136,026

CPUC-approved surcharges (cost-recovery activities)
 
728

 
1,521

Other
 
453

 
895

Water revenues from contracts with customers
 
71,432

 
138,442

WRAM under-collection (alternative revenue program)
 
5,301

 
2,703

Total water revenues
 
76,733

 
141,145

 
 
 
 
 
Electric:
 
 
 
 
Tariff-based revenues
 
7,795

 
17,814

CPUC-approved surcharges (cost-recovery activities)
 
63

 
110

Electric revenues from contracts with customers
 
7,858

 
17,924

BRRAM over-collection (alternative revenue program)
 
(17
)
 
(251
)
Total electric revenues
 
7,841

 
17,673

 
 
 
 
 
Contracted services:
 
 
 
 
Water
 
14,233

 
27,233

Wastewater
 
8,094

 
15,578

Contracted services revenues from contracts with customers
 
22,327

 
42,811

 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
$
106,901

 
$
201,629

The opening and closing balances of the receivable from the U.S. government, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers, which related entirely to ASUS, are as follows:    
(dollar in thousands)
 
June 30, 2018
 
January 1, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
Receivable from the U.S. government
 
$
56,261

 
$
40,150

Contract assets
 
$
16,153

 
$
30,388

Contract liabilities
 
$
7,043

 
$
3,911

As a result of the adoption of ASC Topic 606, amounts previously reported under "Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on contracts" are now reflected as either "Receivable from U.S. government" or "Contract assets," depending on whether receipt of these amounts is conditional on something other than the passage of time. Amounts previously reported under "Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on contracts" are now reflected as "Contract liabilities."
Contract Assets - Contract assets are those of ASUS and consist of unbilled revenues recognized from work-in-progress construction projects where the right to payment is conditional on something other than the passage of time. The classification of this asset as current or noncurrent is based on the timing of when ASUS expects to bill these amounts.
Contract Liabilities - Contract liabilities are those of ASUS and consist of billings in excess of revenue recognized. The classification of this liability as current or noncurrent is based on the timing of when ASUS expects to recognize revenue.
Revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 that were included in contract liabilities at the beginning of the period were $2.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
As of June 30, 2018, Registrant's aggregate remaining performance obligations, all of which are for the contracted services segment, was $3.1 billion. Registrant expects to recognize revenue on these remaining performance obligations over the remaining terms from each of the 50-year contracts, which range from 36 to 50 years. Each of the contracts with the U.S. government is subject to termination, in whole or in part, prior to the end of its 50-year term for the convenience of the U.S. government.

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Table of Contents

Note 3 — Regulatory Matters:
 
In accordance with accounting principles for rate-regulated enterprises, Registrant records regulatory assets, which represent probable future recovery of costs from customers through the ratemaking process, and regulatory liabilities, which represent probable future refunds that are to be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. At June 30, 2018, Registrant had approximately $59.4 million of regulatory liabilities, net of regulatory assets not accruing carrying costs. Of this amount, (i) $82.1 million of regulatory liabilities are excess deferred income taxes arising from the lower federal income tax rate due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act") enacted in December 2017 that are expected to be refunded to customers, (ii) $16.5 million of regulatory liabilities are from flowed-through deferred income taxes, (iii) $33.9 million of regulatory assets relates to the underfunded position in Registrant's pension and other post-retirement obligations (not including the two-way pension balancing accounts), and (iv) $1.7 million of regulatory assets relates to a memorandum account authorized by the CPUC to track unrealized gains and losses on BVES's purchase power contracts over the term of the contracts. The remainder relates to other items that do not provide for or incur carrying costs.
 
Regulatory assets represent costs incurred by GSWC for which it has received or expects to receive rate recovery in the future. In determining the probability of costs being recognized in other periods, GSWC considers regulatory rules and decisions, past practices, and other facts or circumstances that would indicate if recovery is probable. If the CPUC determines that a portion of GSWC’s assets are not recoverable in customer rates, GSWC must determine if it has suffered an asset impairment requiring it to write down the asset's value. Regulatory assets are offset against regulatory liabilities within each ratemaking area. Amounts expected to be collected or refunded in the next 12 months have been classified as current assets and current liabilities by ratemaking area. Regulatory assets, less regulatory liabilities, included in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows: 
(dollars in thousands)
 
June 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
GSWC
 
 
 
 
Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism, net of Modified Cost Balancing Account
 
$
29,604

 
$
29,556

Costs deferred for future recovery on Aerojet case
 
10,272

 
10,656

Pensions and other post-retirement obligations (Note 8)
 
31,705

 
33,019

Derivative unrealized loss (Note 5)
 
1,710

 
2,941

Low income rate assistance balancing accounts
 
4,982

 
5,972

General rate case memorandum accounts
 
8,241

 
10,522

Excess deferred income taxes (Note 7)
 
(82,128
)
 
(83,231
)
Flow-through taxes, net (Note 7)
 
(16,508
)
 
(17,716
)
Other regulatory assets
 
15,677

 
14,875

Various refunds to customers
 
(14,354
)
 
(4,552
)
Total
 
$
(10,799
)
 
$
2,042

 Regulatory matters are discussed in detail in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC. The discussion below focuses on significant matters and developments since December 31, 2017.

Alternative-Revenue Programs:
GSWC records the difference between what it bills its water customers and that which is authorized by the CPUC using the Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (“WRAM”) and Modified Cost Balancing Account (“MCBA”) accounts approved by the CPUC.   The over- or under-collection of the WRAM is aggregated with the MCBA over- or under-collection for the corresponding ratemaking area and bears interest at the current 90-day commercial paper rate. 
As required by the accounting guidance for alternative revenue programs, GSWC is required to collect its WRAM balances, net of its MCBA, within 24 months following the year in which an under-collection is recorded in order to recognize such amounts as revenue.  The recovery periods for the majority of GSWC's WRAM/MCBA balances are primarily within 12 to 24 months. GSWC has implemented surcharges to recover its WRAM/MCBA balances as of December 31, 2017. For the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, surcharges (net of surcredits) of approximately $5.6 million and $9.5 million, respectively, were billed to customers to recover previously incurred under-collections in the WRAM/MCBA accounts. For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, surcharges (net of surcredits) of approximately $9.8 million and $13.4 million, respectively, were billed to customers. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, GSWC recorded additional net under-collections in the WRAM/MCBA accounts of $9.9 million due to higher than adopted supply costs as well as lower than adopted customer water usage. As of June 30, 2018, GSWC had an aggregated regulatory asset of $29.6 million, which is comprised of a $6.6 million under-collection in the WRAM accounts and a $23.0 million under-collection in the MCBA accounts.

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Other Regulatory Matters:
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act"):
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was signed into federal law. The provisions of this major tax reform were generally effective January 1, 2018. The most significant provisions of the Tax Act impacting GSWC are the reduction of the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and the elimination of bonus depreciation for regulated utilities. Pursuant to a CPUC directive, the 2018 impact of the Tax Act on the water segment’s adopted revenue requirement is being captured in a memorandum account effective January 1, 2018. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, approximately $3.7 million and $6.4 million, respectively, of reduced water-revenue requirements were tracked and recorded as a regulatory liability, which were offset by decreases in income tax expense. In March 2018, GSWC filed updated testimony revising the revenue requirements to reflect the impacts of the Tax Act in its pending water general rate case that will set new rates for the years 2019 - 2021. On July 1, 2018, new lower water rates, which incorporate the new federal income tax rate, were implemented for all water ratemaking areas.
The CPUC also ordered GSWC to update its pending electric general rate case filing, which will determine new electric rates for the years 2018 - 2021, to reflect the lower corporate tax rate. As a result, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, GSWC reduced electric revenues by approximately $356,000 and $723,000, respectively, and recorded a corresponding regulatory liability that will be satisfied as part of implementing overall new rates from the general rate case retroactive to January 1, 2018.
Reductions in the water and electric revenue requirements resulting from the impacts of the Tax Act are offset by decreases in GSWC's income tax expense, resulting in no material impact to earnings (see Note 7).
Cost of Capital Proceeding:    
In March 2018, the CPUC issued a final decision in the cost of capital proceeding for GSWC and three other water utilities for the years 2018 - 2020. Among other things, the final decision adopted for GSWC's water segment a return on equity of 8.90%, with a return on rate base of 7.91%. The previously authorized return on equity for GSWC’s water segment was 9.43%, with a return on rate base of 8.34%. Including the effects of the Tax Act, the lower return on equity and rate base is expected to decrease GSWC’s annual adopted revenue requirement beginning in 2018 by approximately $3.6 million million. In April 2018, GSWC implemented new water rates to incorporate the cost of capital decision. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, GSWC recorded a regulatory liability with a corresponding decrease in water revenues of approximately $952,000 representing the revenue difference between the old and new cost of capital rates through April 2018.

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Table of Contents

Note 4 — Earnings per Share/Capital Stock:
     In accordance with the accounting guidance for participating securities and earnings per share (“EPS”), Registrant uses the “two-class” method of computing EPS. The “two-class” method is an earnings allocation formula that determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating security. AWR has participating securities related to restricted stock units that earn dividend equivalents on an equal basis with AWR’s Common Shares that have been issued under AWR's stock incentive plans for employees and the non-employee directors stock plans.  In applying the “two-class” method, undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and participating securities.
The following is a reconciliation of Registrant’s net income and weighted average Common Shares outstanding used for calculating basic net income per share:
Basic:
 
For The Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 For The Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net income
 
$
16,348

 
$
22,792

 
27,130

 
35,493

Less: (a) Distributed earnings to common shareholders
 
9,367

 
8,861

 
18,729

 
17,715

Distributed earnings to participating securities
 
51

 
48

 
96

 
91

Undistributed earnings
 
6,930

 
13,883

 
8,305

 
17,687

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
          (b) Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders
 
6,894

 
13,807

 
8,263

 
17,597

Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities
 
36

 
76

 
42

 
90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total income available to common shareholders, basic (a) + (b)
 
$
16,261

 
$
22,668

 
$
26,992

 
$
35,312

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding, basic
 
36,733

 
36,624

 
36,723

 
36,607

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per Common Share
 
$
0.44

 
$
0.62

 
$
0.74

 
$
0.96

 Diluted EPS is based upon the weighted average number of Common Shares, including both outstanding shares and shares potentially issuable in connection with stock options and restricted stock units granted under AWR’s stock incentive plans for employees and the non-employee directors stock plans, and net income. At June 30, 2018 and 2017, there were 47,792 and 91,634 options outstanding, respectively, under these plans. At June 30, 2018 and 2017, there were also 204,909 and 208,059 restricted stock units outstanding, respectively, including performance shares awarded to officers of the Registrant.
 The following is a reconciliation of Registrant’s net income and weighted average Common Shares outstanding for calculating diluted net income per share:
Diluted:
 
For The Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 For The Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Common shareholders earnings, basic
 
$
16,261

 
$
22,668

 
$
26,992

 
$
35,312

Undistributed earnings for dilutive stock-based awards
 
36

 
76

 
42

 
90

Total common shareholders earnings, diluted
 
$
16,297

 
$
22,744

 
$
27,034

 
$
35,402

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic
 
36,733

 
36,624

 
36,723

 
36,607

Stock-based compensation (1)
 
179

 
201

 
173

 
192

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted
 
36,912

 
36,825

 
36,896

 
36,799

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per Common Share
 
$
0.44

 
$
0.62

 
$
0.73

 
$
0.96

 
(1)     In applying the treasury stock method of reflecting the dilutive effect of outstanding stock-based compensation in the calculation of diluted EPS, 47,792 and 91,634 stock options at June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, were deemed to be outstanding in accordance with the accounting guidance on earnings per share.  All of the 204,909 and 208,059 restricted stock units at June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, were included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.
 

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No stock options outstanding at June 30, 2018 had an exercise price greater than the average market price of AWR’s Common Shares for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. There were no stock options outstanding at June 30, 2018 or 2017 that were anti-dilutive.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, AWR issued 52,712 and 73,398 Common Shares, for approximately $340,000 and $524,000, respectively, under Registrant’s Common Share Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan, the 401(k) Plan, the 2000 and 2008 Stock Incentive Plans and the 2003 and 2013 Non-Employee Directors Stock Plans.

During the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, AWR paid quarterly dividends of approximately $9.4 million, or $0.255 per share, and $8.9 million, or $0.242 per share, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, AWR paid quarterly dividends to shareholders of approximately $18.7 million, or $0.51 per share, and $17.7 million, or $0.484 per share, respectively.
Note 5 — Derivative Instruments:
Derivative financial instruments are used to manage exposure to commodity price risk. Commodity price risk represents the potential impact that can be caused by a change in the market value of a commodity. BVES purchases power under long-term contracts at a fixed cost depending on the amount of power and the period during which the power is purchased under such contracts.  In December 2014, the CPUC approved an application that allowed BVES to immediately execute new long-term purchased power contracts with energy providers. BVES began taking power under these long-term contracts effective January 1, 2015 at a fixed cost over three-and five-year terms depending on the amount of power and the period during which the power is purchased under the contracts.
BVES's long-term contracts are subject to the accounting guidance for derivatives and require mark-to-market derivative accounting. Among other things, the CPUC also authorized GSWC to establish a regulatory asset and liability memorandum account to offset the mark-to-market entries required by the accounting guidance.  Accordingly, all unrealized gains and losses generated from the purchased power contracts are deferred monthly into a non-interest bearing regulatory memorandum account that tracks the changes in fair value of the derivatives throughout the term of the contracts. As a result, these unrealized gains and losses do not impact GSWC’s earnings. As of June 30, 2018, there was a $1.7 million unrealized loss in the memorandum account for the purchased power contracts as a result of the drop in energy prices. The notional volume of derivatives remaining under these long-term contracts as of June 30, 2018 was approximately 149,000 megawatt hours.
The accounting guidance for fair value measurements applies to all financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured and reported on a fair value basis. Under the accounting guidance, GSWC makes fair value measurements that are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
 Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
 Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; or
Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).
To value the contracts, Registrant applies the Black-76 model, utilizing various inputs that include quoted market prices for energy over the duration of the contracts. The market prices used to determine the fair value for these derivative instruments were estimated based on independent sources such as broker quotes and publications that are not observable in or corroborated by the market.  Registrant received one broker quote to determine the fair value of its derivative instruments.  When such inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value, the instruments are categorized as Level 3. Accordingly, the valuation of the derivatives on Registrant’s purchased power contract has been classified as Level 3 for all periods presented.
 The following table presents changes in the fair value of GSWC’s Level 3 derivatives for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017:
 
 
For The Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 For The Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Fair value at beginning of the period
 
$
(2,625
)
 
$
(5,460
)
 
$
(2,941
)
 
$
(4,901
)
Unrealized gain on purchased power contracts
 
915

 
967

 
1,231

 
408

Fair value at end of the period
 
$
(1,710
)
 
$
(4,493
)
 
$
(1,710
)
 
$
(4,493
)


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Note 6 — Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
For cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt, the carrying amount is assumed to approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of the amounts.

Investments held in a Rabbi Trust for the supplemental executive retirement plan ("SERP") are measured at fair value and totaled $15.3 million as of June 30, 2018. All equity investments in the Rabbi Trust are Level 1 investments in mutual funds. The investments held in the Rabbi Trust are included in Other Property and Investments on Registrant's balance sheets.

The table below estimates the fair value of long-term debt held by GSWC. The fair values as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were determined using rates for similar financial instruments of the same duration utilizing Level 2 methods and assumptions. The interest rates used for the June 30, 2018 valuation increased as compared to December 31, 2017, decreasing the fair value of long-term debt as of June 30, 2018. Changes in the assumptions will produce different results.
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(dollars in thousands)
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
Financial liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Long-term debt—GSWC (1)
 
$
325,069

 
$
393,172

 
$
325,265

 
$
424,042

___________________
(1) Excludes debt issuance costs and redemption premiums.
Note 7 — Income Taxes:
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was signed into federal law. The provisions of this major tax reform were generally effective January 1, 2018. Among its significant provisions, the Tax Act reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and eliminated bonus depreciation for regulated utilities. AWR's effective tax rate (“ETR”) was 21.2% and 38.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and was 20.4% and 37.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. GSWC's ETR was 23.6% and 39.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and was 21.9% and 38.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Both decreases were due primarily to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate.
AWR's ETR differed from the new federal statutory rate primarily as a result of the differences between GSWC's ETR and the new federal statutory rate. These differences resulted primarily from: (i) state taxes, (ii) permanent differences including the excess tax benefits from share-based payments, which were reflected in the income statements and resulted in a reduction to income tax expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, (iii) differences between book and taxable income that are treated as flow-through adjustments in accordance with regulatory requirements (principally from plant, rate-case, and compensation expenses), and (iv) commencement of the amortization of the excess deferred income tax liability brought about by the lower federal corporate income tax rate. There were no material updates to the excess deferred income tax liability balance during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin 118.

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Note 8 — Employee Benefit Plans:
     The components of net periodic benefit costs, before allocation to the overhead pool, for Registrant’s pension plan, postretirement plan and the supplemental executive retirement plan ("SERP") for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
 
 
For The Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement
Benefits
 
SERP
(dollars in thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Service cost
 
$
1,269

 
$
1,249

 
$
57

 
$
59

 
$
274

 
$
232

Interest cost
 
1,903

 
1,985

 
72

 
85

 
222

 
223

Expected return on plan assets
 
(2,795
)
 
(2,240
)
 
(123
)
 
(122
)
 

 

Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)
 

 

 

 

 

 
3

Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss
 
283

 
253

 
(182
)
 
(170
)
 
262

 
194

Net periodic pension cost under accounting standards
 
660

 
1,247

 
(176
)
 
(148
)
 
758

 
652

Regulatory adjustment — deferred
 

 
92

 

 

 

 

Total expense recognized, before surcharges and allocation to overhead pool
 
$
660

 
$
1,339

 
$
(176
)
 
$
(148
)
 
$
758

 
$
652


 
 
For The Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement
Benefits
 
SERP
(dollars in thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Service cost
 
$
2,670

 
$
2,500

 
$
114

 
$
118

 
$
548

 
$
464

Interest cost
 
3,824

 
3,952

 
144

 
170

 
444

 
446

Expected return on plan assets
 
(5,586
)
 
(4,850
)
 
(246
)
 
(244
)
 

 

Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)
 

 

 

 

 

 
6

Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss
 
628

 
462

 
(364
)
 
(340
)
 
524

 
388

Net periodic pension cost under accounting standards
 
1,536

 
2,064

 
(352
)
 
(296
)
 
1,516

 
1,304

Regulatory adjustment — deferred
 

 
525

 

 

 

 

Total expense recognized, before surcharges and allocation to overhead pool
 
$
1,536

 
$
2,589

 
$
(352
)
 
$
(296
)
 
$
1,516

 
$
1,304

In accordance with new accounting guidance (Note 1), effective January 1, 2018, Registrant changed the financial statement presentation for the costs of its defined benefit pension plans and other retirement benefits. The components of net periodic benefits cost, other than the service cost component, have been included in the line item “Other, net” in Registrant's income statements. Prior period amounts have been reclassified on the income statements to conform to the current-period presentation.
In July 2018, Registrant contributed $1.0 million to its pension plan, and expects to contribute $6.1 million in total to its pension plan during 2018.
Regulatory Adjustment:
As authorized by the CPUC in the most recent water and electric general rate case decisions, GSWC utilizes two-way balancing accounts for its water and electric regions and the general office to track differences between the forecasted annual pension expenses in rates, or expected to be in rates, and the actual annual expense recorded by GSWC in accordance with the accounting guidance for pension costs.  As of June 30, 2018, GSWC had a $2.2 million over-collection in the two-way pension balancing accounts included as part of the pension regulatory asset (Note 3).

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Table of Contents

Note 9 — Contingencies and Gain on Sale of Assets

Condemnation of Properties:
The laws of the State of California provide for the acquisition of public utility property by governmental agencies through their power of eminent domain, also known as condemnation, where doing so is necessary and in the public interest. In addition, these laws provide that the owner of utility property (i) may contest whether the condemnation is necessary and in the public interest, and (ii) is entitled to receive the fair market value of its property if the property is ultimately taken.
Ojai Water System and Gain on Sale of Assets:
Pursuant to a settlement agreement, on June 8, 2017, Casitas Municipal Water District (“Casitas”) acquired the operating assets of GSWC’s 2,900-connection Ojai water system by eminent domain for $34.3 million in cash, including payments for customer receivables and regulatory assets. As a result of this transaction, GSWC recorded a pretax gain of $8.3 million on the sale of the Ojai water system during the second quarter of 2017. The terms of the settlement agreement resolved the eminent domain action and dismissed all claims against GSWC brought by Casitas and another third party.

Environmental Clean-Up and Remediation:
GSWC has been involved in environmental remediation and cleanup at a plant site ("Chadron Plant") that contained an underground storage tank that had been used to store gasoline for its vehicles. The tank was removed from the ground in July 1990 along with the dispenser and ancillary piping. Since then, GSWC has been involved in various remediation activities at the site.  Analyses indicate that off-site monitoring wells may be necessary to document the effectiveness of remediation.
As of June 30, 2018, the total spent to clean-up and remediate GSWC’s plant facility was approximately $5.5 million, of which $1.5 million has been paid by the State of California Underground Storage Tank Fund. Amounts paid by GSWC have been included in rate base and approved by the CPUC for recovery. As of June 30, 2018, GSWC has a regulatory asset and an accrued liability for the estimated additional cost of $1.3 million to complete the cleanup at the site. The estimate includes costs for two years of continued activities of groundwater cleanup and monitoring, future soil treatment and site-closure-related activities. The ultimate cost may vary as there are many unknowns in remediation of underground gasoline spills and this is an estimate based on currently available information. Management believes it is probable that the estimated additional costs will be approved in rate base by the CPUC.
 
Other Litigation:
     Registrant is also subject to other ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business, some of which may include claims for compensatory and punitive damages. Management believes that rate recovery, proper insurance coverage and reserves are in place to insure against, among other things, property, general liability, employment, and workers’ compensation claims incurred in the ordinary course of business. Insurance coverage may not cover certain claims involving punitive damages. However, Registrant does not believe the outcome from any pending suits or administrative proceedings will have a material effect on Registrant's consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Note 10 — Business Segments:
 
AWR has three reportable segments, water, electric and contracted services, whereas GSWC has two segments, water and electric. On a stand-alone basis, AWR has no material assets other than its investments in its subsidiaries. 
 
All activities of GSWC, a rate-regulated utility, are located within California. Activities of ASUS and its subsidiaries are conducted in California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.  Each of ASUS’s wholly owned subsidiaries is regulated, if applicable, by the state in which the subsidiary primarily conducts water and/or wastewater operations.  Fees charged for operations and maintenance and renewal and replacement services are based upon the terms of the contracts with the U.S. government which have been filed, as appropriate, with the commissions in the states in which ASUS’s subsidiaries are incorporated.
 
The tables below set forth information relating to GSWC’s operating segments, ASUS and its subsidiaries and other matters. Total assets by segment are not presented below, as certain of Registrant’s assets are not tracked by segment.  The utility plant amounts are net of respective accumulated provisions for depreciation. Capital additions reflect capital expenditures paid in cash, and exclude U.S. government- and third-party contractor-funded capital expenditures for ASUS and property installed by developers and conveyed to GSWC.

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Table of Contents

 
 
As Of And For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
GSWC
 
 
 
AWR
 
Consolidated
(dollars in thousands)
 
Water
 
Electric
 
ASUS
 
Parent
 
AWR
Operating revenues
 
$
76,733

 
$
7,841

 
$
22,327

 
$

 
$
106,901

Operating income (loss)
 
21,244

 
1,401

 
2,925

 
(2
)
 
25,568

Interest expense, net
 
5,047

 
353

 
(71
)
 
83

 
5,412

Utility plant
 
1,166,867

 
60,504

 
11,418

 

 
1,238,789

Depreciation and amortization expense (1)
 
8,866

 
564

 
580

 

 
10,010

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
3,909

 
305

 
705

 
(532
)
 
4,387

Capital additions
 
24,768

 
1,150

 
2,500

 

 
28,418


 
 
As Of And For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
 
GSWC
 
 
 
AWR
 
Consolidated
(dollars in thousands)
 
Water
 
Electric
 
ASUS
 
Parent
 
AWR
Operating revenues
 
$
80,734

 
$
7,612

 
$
24,849

 
$

 
$
113,195

Operating income (loss) (2)
 
33,695

 
1,534

 
6,800

 
(3
)
 
42,026

Interest expense, net
 
4,805

 
350

 
82

 
69

 
5,306

Utility plant
 
1,093,104

 
56,371

 
5,728

 

 
1,155,203

Depreciation and amortization expense (1)
 
8,858

 
536

 
253

 

 
9,647

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
11,710

 
439

 
2,347

 
(189
)
 
14,307

Capital additions
 
20,593

 
978

 
331

 

 
21,902


 
 
As Of And For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
GSWC
 
 
 
AWR
 
Consolidated
(dollars in thousands)
 
Water
 
Electric
 
ASUS
 
Parent
 
AWR
Operating revenues
 
$
141,145

 
$
17,673

 
$
42,811

 
$

 
$
201,629

Operating income (loss)
 
35,302

 
3,640

 
5,322

 
(5
)
 
44,259

Interest expense, net
 
10,056

 
723

 
(137
)
 
157

 
10,799

Utility plant
 
1,166,867

 
60,504

 
11,418

 

 
1,238,789

Depreciation and amortization expense (1)
 
17,635

 
1,129

 
912

 

 
19,676

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
5,558

 
771

 
1,259

 
(637
)
 
6,951

Capital additions
 
51,386

 
2,124

 
5,272

 

 
58,782


 
 
As Of And For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
 
GSWC
 
 
 
AWR
 
Consolidated
(dollars in thousands)
 
Water
 
Electric
 
ASUS
 
Parent
 
AWR
Operating revenues
 
$
147,138

 
$
18,114

 
$
46,753

 
$

 
$
212,005

Operating income (loss) (2)
 
52,792

 
4,313

 
9,504

 
(7
)
 
66,602

Interest expense, net
 
9,950

 
725

 
156

 
121

 
10,952

Utility plant
 
1,093,104

 
56,371

 
5,728

 

 
1,155,203

Depreciation and amortization expense (1)
 
17,759

 
1,073

 
498

 

 
19,330

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
17,195

 
1,227

 
3,208

 
(468
)
 
21,162

Capital additions
 
43,577

 
1,701

 
618

 

 
45,896

(1)     Depreciation computed on GSWC’s transportation equipment is recorded in other operating expenses and totaled $61,000 and $59,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $121,000 and $120,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

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Table of Contents

(2) Adjusted to conform to current-year presentation pursuant to the adoption of ASU 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.
The following table reconciles total utility plant (a key figure for ratemaking) to total consolidated assets (in thousands):
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Total utility plant
 
$
1,238,789

 
$
1,155,203

Other assets
 
202,333

 
307,450

Total consolidated assets
 
$
1,441,122

 
$
1,462,653

 



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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
General
The following discussion and analysis provides information on AWR’s consolidated operations and assets, and where necessary, includes specific references to AWR’s individual segments and/or its subsidiaries: GSWC and ASUS and its subsidiaries.  Included in the following analysis is a discussion of water and electric gross margins.  Water and electric gross margins are computed by subtracting total supply costs from total revenues.  Registrant uses these gross margins as important measures in evaluating its operating results.  Registrant believes these measures are useful internal benchmarks in evaluating the performance of GSWC.
The discussions and tables included in the following analysis also present Registrant’s operations in terms of earnings per share by business segment.  Registrant believes that the disclosure of earnings per share by business segment provides investors with clarity surrounding the performance of its different services.  Registrant reviews these measurements regularly and compares them to historical periods and to its operating budget. However, these measures, which are not presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or earnings per share, which are determined in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of water and electric gross margins to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is included in the table under the section titled “Operating Expenses: Supply Costs.” Reconciliations to AWR’s diluted earnings per share are included in the discussions under the sections titled “Summary of Second Quarter Results by Segment” and “Summary of Year-to-Date Results by Segment.
Overview
Factors affecting our financial performance are summarized under Forward-Looking Information.
Cost of Capital Proceeding for GSWC's Water Segment:
In March 2018, the CPUC issued a final decision in the cost of capital proceeding for GSWC and three other investor-owned water utilities that serve California. Among other things, the final decision adopts for GSWC (i) a return on equity of 8.90%, (ii) a cost of debt of 6.6%, (iii) a capital structure with 57% equity and 43% debt, (iv) a return on rate base of 7.91%, and (v) the continuation of the water cost of capital adjustment mechanism. GSWC’s prior authorized return on equity and equity ratio for its water segment were 9.43% and 55%, respectively, with a return on rate base of 8.34%. The newly authorized return on rate base of 7.91% reflects a true-up of GSWC’s embedded debt cost from 6.99% to 6.6%.  The reduced debt costs contributed approximately 18 basis points to the 43-basis-point drop in the authorized return on rate base. The effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act") discussed below and the lower return on rate base beginning in 2018 is expected to decrease GSWC’s 2018 adopted annual revenue requirement by approximately $3.6 million, or $0.07 per share.
Contracted Services Operations - Fort Riley:    
On July 1, 2018, ASUS assumed the operation, maintenance and construction management of the water distribution and wastewater collection and treatment facilities at Fort Riley, a United States Army installation located in Kansas, after completing a transition period. The contract was awarded by the U.S. government in September 2017 with an initial value of $601 million over a 50-year period, subject to adjustments for the actual inventory level to be managed and the lower federal corporate income tax rate effective January 1, 2018 resulting from the Tax Act. The 50-year contract will also be subject to annual economic price adjustments. With the addition of Fort Riley, ASUS serves 11 military bases in the United Sates, including four of the largest military installations: Fort Bragg, Fort Bliss, Eglin Air Force Base and Fort Riley.     
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act"):
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was signed into federal law. The provisions of this major tax reform were generally effective January 1, 2018. The most significant provisions of the Tax Act impacting GSWC are the reduction of the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and the elimination of bonus depreciation for regulated utilities. Pursuant to a CPUC directive, the 2018 impact of the Tax Act on the water segment’s adopted revenue requirement is being captured in a memorandum account effective January 1, 2018. Accordingly, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, approximately $3.7 million and $6.4 million, respectively, of reduced water-revenue requirements were added to the memorandum account and recorded as a regulatory liability, which were offset by decreases in income tax expense. As a result, there was no material impact to net earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. In March 2018, GSWC filed updated testimony revising the revenue requirements to reflect the impacts of the Tax Act in its pending water general rate case that will set new rates for the years 2019 - 2021. On July 1, 2018, new lower water rates, which incorporate the new federal corporate income tax rate, were implemented for all water ratemaking areas. The CPUC also ordered GSWC to update its pending electric general rate case filing, which will determine new electric rates for the years 2018 - 2021, to reflect the lower corporate tax rate. As a result, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, GSWC reduced electric revenues by approximately $356,000 and $723,000, respectively, which were offset by a decrease in income tax expense, resulting in no earnings impact.     

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In addition to lowering customer rates, GSWC expects the Tax Act to reduce property-related deferred tax liabilities. Property-related deferred tax liabilities reduce GSWC's rate base. As new plant is placed in service, the lower federal corporate tax rate will result in lower deferred tax liabilities. As a result of the lower federal tax rate and elimination of bonus depreciation by the Tax Act, GSWC expects that its rate base and earnings will increase for the same level of expected capital expenditures. This increase is expected to be partially offset by higher financing costs arising from a greater need to fund capital expenditures through the issuance of debt and/or equity due to lower cash flows from operating activities.     
During the second quarter of 2018, the U.S. government issued contract modifications for three of ASUS's 50-year contracts addressing the impacts of the Tax Act. The modifications did not result in a significant impact to ASUS's results during the second quarter of 2018. Contract modifications to address most of the remaining 50-year contracts are pending and are expected during the third quarter of 2018.
Summary of Second Quarter Results by Segment
     The table below sets forth the second quarter diluted earnings per share by business segment:
 
 
Diluted Earnings per Share
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
6/30/2018
 
6/30/2017
 
CHANGE
Water, excluding one-time gain on sale of Ojai water system
 
$
0.35

 
$
0.35

 
$

Electric
 
0.02

 
0.02

 

Contracted services
 
0.06

 
0.12

 
(0.06
)
AWR (parent)
 
0.01

 

 
0.01

Consolidated diluted earnings per share, adjusted
 
0.44

 
0.49

 
(0.05
)
Gain on sale of Ojai water system
 

 
0.13

 
(0.13
)
Consolidated diluted earnings per share, as reported
 
$
0.44

 
$
0.62

 
$
(0.18
)
Water Segment:
Included in the results for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was the recognition of a pretax gain of $8.3 million, or $0.13 per share, on the sale of GSWC's Ojai water system in June of 2017, with no similar gain recorded in 2018. Excluding this one-time gain, diluted earnings per share at the water segment for both the three month periods ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 were $0.35 per share. Without the effects of the Tax Act and billed surcharges, both of which have no material impact to earnings, the water gross margin was relatively flat during the second quarter of 2018 as compared to the second quarter of 2017. The CPUC-approved third-year rate increases effective January 1, 2018 were mostly offset by the cessation of the Ojai operations in June of 2017, as well as the revenue impact from the lower authorized returns in the cost of capital proceeding effective in 2018. Before reflecting the effects of the new cost of capital authorized by the CPUC and the Tax Act, third-year rate increases are expected to add approximately $4.5 million to the 2018 full year adopted water gross margin (net of the cessation of the Ojai system). Overall operating expenses at the water segment (other than supply costs) were also flat during the second quarter of 2018 as compared to 2017 due, in part, to the cessation of the Ojai operations.
Electric Segment:
For the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, diluted earnings from the electric segment were $0.02 per share. GSWC filed its electric general rate case in May 2017 for new rates in the years 2018-2021. Year-to-date 2018 billed revenues have been based on 2017 adopted rates, pending a final CPUC decision on the electric general rate case, which is expected later in 2018 and retroactive to January 1, 2018.
Contracted Services Segment:
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, diluted earnings per share from the contracted services segment decreased by $0.06 per share as compared to the same period in 2017. Included in the results for the three months ended June 30, 2017, was the effect of the U.S. government-approved third price redetermination for Fort Bragg in North Carolina, retroactive to March 2016. Of the approved increase in management fee revenue, approximately $1.3 million, or $0.02 per share, related to periods prior to the second quarter of 2017. There were no similar retroactive revenues recorded for the same period in 2018. Excluding the effects of the retroactive revenues, diluted earnings per share from the contracted services segment decreased by $0.04 per share as compared to the same period in 2017 due primarily to an overall decrease in construction revenue. ASUS expects overall construction revenue to increase during the remainder of 2018 as compared to the first half of 2018. This decrease in construction revenue was partially offset by an increase in management fee revenue mostly due to the commencement of the water and wastewater operations by ASUS at Eglin Air Force Base ("Eglin") in June 2017.
AWR (parent):
Diluted earnings from AWR (parent) increased by $0.01 per share during three months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017 mostly due to lower state taxes.

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Summary of Year-to-Date Results by Segment
The table below sets forth the year-to-date diluted earnings per share by business segment:
 
 
Diluted Earnings per Share
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
 
6/30/2018
 
6/30/2017
 
CHANGE
Water, excluding one-time gain on sale of Ojai water system
 
$
0.55

 
$
0.60

 
$
(0.05
)
Electric
 
0.06

 
0.06

 

Contracted services
 
0.11

 
0.16

 
(0.05
)
AWR (parent)
 
0.01

 
0.01

 

Consolidated diluted earnings per share, adjusted
 
0.73

 
0.83

 
(0.10
)
Gain on sale of Ojai water system
 

 
0.13

 
(0.13
)
Consolidated diluted earnings per share, as reported
 
$
0.73

 
$
0.96

 
$
(0.23
)
Water Segment:
Included in earnings for the first six months of 2017 was the recognition of a pretax gain of $8.3 million, or $0.13 per share, on the sale of GSWC's Ojai water system in June of 2017, with no similar gain in 2018. Also included in earnings for the first six months of 2017 was the recovery of incremental drought-related items approved by the CPUC in February 2017 resulting in an increase to pretax earnings of $1.5 million, or $0.02 per share in 2017, which did not recur in 2018. Approximately $1.2 million was reflected as a reduction to other operation expenses and approximately $260,000 was reflected as additional revenue. Excluding the effects of both items, diluted earnings per share from the water segment for the six months ended June 30, 2018 decreased by $0.03 per share due to the following items (excluding the effects of the Tax Act and surcharges, which also have no material impact to earnings):
A decrease in the water gross margin, which reduced net earnings by approximately $0.01 per share. This decrease was due, in part, to the cessation of the Ojai operations in June of 2017, as well as the revenue impact from the lower authorized returns in the cost of capital proceeding approved by the CPUC effective in 2018. These decreases were partially offset by the impact of third-year rate increases effective January 1, 2018.
An overall increase in operating expenses (excluding supply costs) lowered net earnings by approximately $0.01 per share resulting primarily from higher conservation and regulatory expenses, unplanned maintenance, depreciation, and property taxes, as compared to the same period in 2017.
Losses incurred due to market conditions during the six months ended June 30, 2018 on Registrant's investments held to fund a retirement benefit plan, as compared to gains generated in the same period of 2017, negatively impacted earnings by $0.01 per share.
Electric Segment:
For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, diluted earnings from the electric segment were $0.06 per share. Year-to-date 2018 billed revenues have been based on 2017 adopted rates, pending a final CPUC decision on the electric general rate case, which is expected later in 2018 and retroactive to January 1, 2018.
Contracted Services Segment:
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, diluted earnings per share from the contracted services segment were $0.11 per share as compared to $0.16 per share for the same period in 2017. As previously discussed, included in the results for the six months ended June 30, 2017 were retroactive revenues resulting from the approval of the third price redetermination at Fort Bragg, which totaled approximately $1.0 million, or $0.02 per share, related to periods prior to 2017. Excluding this retroactive amount, diluted earnings per share from the contracted services segment were $0.11 per share as compared to $0.14 per share for the same period in 2017, a decrease of $0.03 per share. The decrease in contracted services earnings was due to overall lower construction revenue and higher operating expenses. ASUS expects construction revenue to increase during the remainder of 2018 as compared to the first half of 2018.ASUS assumed operations of the water distribution and wastewater collection and treatment facilities at Fort Riley, a United States Army installation located in Kansas, on July 1, 2018 pursuant to the terms of a 50-year contract awarded in September 2017. There had been operating expenses associated with transition activity at Fort Riley since the contract was awarded in September 2017, partially offset by transition revenue earned under the 50-year contract.
The decreases in contracted services earnings discussed above were partially offset by (i) the successful resolution of various price adjustments during 2017, and (ii) earnings generated from Eglin upon the commencement of the operation of its water and wastewater systems by ASUS in June 2017.
The following discussion and analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 provides information on AWR’s consolidated operations and assets and, where necessary, includes specific references to AWR’s individual segments and subsidiaries: GSWC and ASUS and its subsidiaries.

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Table of Contents

Consolidated Results of Operations — Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
OPERATING REVENUES
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Water
 
$
76,733

 
$
80,734

 
$
(4,001
)
 
(5.0
)%
Electric
 
7,841

 
7,612

 
229

 
3.0
 %
Contracted services
 
22,327

 
24,849

 
(2,522
)
 
(10.1
)%
Total operating revenues
 
106,901

 
113,195

 
(6,294
)
 
(5.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING EXPENSES
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Water purchased
 
16,608

 
17,937

 
(1,329
)
 
(7.4
)%
Power purchased for pumping
 
2,231

 
2,157

 
74

 
3.4
 %
Groundwater production assessment
 
4,534

 
4,931

 
(397
)
 
(8.1
)%
Power purchased for resale
 
2,384

 
2,308

 
76

 
3.3
 %
Supply cost balancing accounts
 
(2,029
)
 
(5,293
)
 
3,264

 
(61.7
)%
Other operation
 
7,782

 
8,172

 
(390
)
 
(4.8
)%
Administrative and general
 
20,213

 
20,248

 
(35
)
 
(0.2
)%
Depreciation and amortization
 
10,010

 
9,647

 
363

 
3.8
 %
Maintenance
 
3,670

 
3,606

 
64

 
1.8
 %
Property and other taxes
 
4,372

 
4,345

 
27

 
0.6
 %
ASUS construction
 
11,576

 
11,412

 
164

 
1.4
 %
Gain on sale of assets
 
(18
)
 
(8,301
)
 
8,283

 
(99.8
)%
Total operating expenses
 
81,333

 
71,169

 
10,164

 
14.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME
 
25,568

 
42,026

 
(16,458
)
 
(39.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest expense
 
(6,048
)
 
(5,926
)
 
(122
)
 
2.1
 %
Interest income
 
636

 
620

 
16

 
2.6
 %
Other, net
 
579

 
379

 
200

 
52.8
 %
 
 
(4,833
)
 
(4,927
)
 
94

 
(1.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE
 
20,735

 
37,099

 
(16,364
)
 
(44.1
)%
Income tax expense
 
4,387

 
14,307

 
(9,920
)
 
(69.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
$
16,348

 
$
22,792

 
$
(6,444
)
 
(28.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per Common Share
 
$
0.44

 
$
0.62

 
$
(0.18
)
 
(29.0
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fully diluted earnings per Common Share
 
$
0.44

 
$
0.62

 
$
(0.18
)
 
(29.0
)%



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Table of Contents

Operating Revenues:
 
General
GSWC relies upon approvals by the CPUC of rate increases to recover operating expenses and to provide for a return on invested and borrowed capital used to fund utility plant for GSWC. Registrant relies on economic price and equitable adjustments by the U.S. government in order to recover operating expenses and provide a profit margin for ASUS.  Current operating revenues and earnings can be negatively impacted if the Military Privatization Subsidiaries do not receive adequate rate relief or adjustments in a timely manner.  ASUS’s earnings are also impacted by the level of additional construction projects at the Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries, which may or may not continue at current levels in future periods.
 
Water
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, revenues from water operations decreased $4.0 million to $76.7 million as compared to the same period in 2017. This decrease was primarily due to: (i) downward adjustments to revenue to offset lower income tax expense, thus no impact to earnings, as a result of the Tax Act which reduced the federal corporate income tax rate, (ii) the cessation of Ojai operations as a result of the sale of that water system in June 2017 under an eminent domain action, (iii) a lower authorized rate of return approved by the CPUC in the March 2018 final decision on the water cost of capital application, and (iv) decreases related to the expiration of various surcharges. Surcharge revenues are offset by a corresponding increase in operating expenses (primarily administrative and general), resulting in no impact to earnings. These decreases were partially offset by CPUC-approved third-year rate increases effective January 1, 2018.
 Billed water consumption for the second quarter of 2018 decreased by approximately 2% as compared to the same period in 2017. In general, changes in consumption do not have a significant impact on recorded revenues due to the CPUC-approved Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism ("WRAM") accounts in place at all but one small rate-making area. However, under the accounting guidance for alternative revenue programs such as the WRAM, significant decreases in consumption may impact the timing of when revenues are recorded. GSWC records the difference between what it bills its water customers and that which is authorized by the CPUC in the WRAM accounts as regulatory assets or liabilities.
 
Electric
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, revenues from electric operations increased slightly to $7.8 million as compared to $7.6 million for the same period in 2017. In 2016, the CPUC granted BVES's request to defer the filing of its next electric general rate case to 2017, setting new rates in years 2018 through 2021. Pending a decision on this general rate case, which will be effective retroactive to January 1, 2018, year-to-date 2018 billed revenues have been based on 2017 adopted rates.
Billed electric usage increased 2% during the three months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017.  Due to the CPUC approved Base Revenue Requirement Adjustment Mechanism, which adjusts certain revenues to adopted levels authorized by the CPUC, changes in usage do not have a significant impact on earnings.
 
Contracted Services
Revenues from contracted services are composed of construction revenues (including renewal and replacements) and management fees for operating and maintaining the water and/or wastewater systems and treatment plants at various military bases.  For the three months ended June 30, 2018, revenues from contracted services decreased $2.5 million to $22.3 million as compared to $24.8 million for the same period in 2017. In June 2017, the U.S. government approved the third price redetermination for Fort Bragg, resulting in the recording of $1.3 million in management fees related to periods prior to the second quarter of 2017. There were no similar retroactive revenues recorded during 2018. In addition, there was a decrease in overall construction revenue during the second quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017. ASUS expects construction revenue to increase during the remainder of 2018 as compared to the first half of 2018. Excluding the impact of the retroactive management fee revenues recorded in 2017, the decrease in construction revenue was partially offset by an increase in management fee revenue mostly due to the commencement of the water and wastewater operations at Eglin in June 2017.

ASUS subsidiaries continue to enter into U.S. government-awarded contract modifications and agreements with third-party prime contractors for new construction projects at the Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries. During 2018, ASUS has been awarded $14.3 million in new construction projects, the majority of which are expected to be completed during 2018. Earnings and cash flows from modifications to the original 50-year contracts with the U.S. government and agreements with third-party prime contractors for additional construction projects may or may not continue in future periods.  

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Operating Expenses:
Supply Costs
Supply costs for the water segment consist of purchased water, purchased power for pumping, groundwater production assessments and changes in the water supply cost balancing accounts. Supply costs for the electric segment consist of purchased power for resale, the cost of natural gas used by BVES’s generating unit, the cost of renewable energy credits and changes in the electric supply cost balancing account. Water and electric gross margins are computed by subtracting total supply costs from total revenues. Registrant uses these gross margins and related percentages as an important measure in evaluating its operating results. Registrant believes these measures are useful internal benchmarks in evaluating the utility business performance within its water and electric segments. Registrant reviews these measurements regularly and compares them to historical periods and to its operating budget. However, these measures, which are not presented in accordance with GAAP, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income, which is determined in accordance with GAAP. 
Total supply costs comprise the largest segment of total operating expenses. Supply costs accounted for approximately 29.2% and 31.0% of total operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
 
The table below provides the amount of increases (decreases) and percent changes in water and electric revenues, supply costs and gross margin during the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands). As previously discussed, water and electric revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2018 were adjusted downward by $3.7 million and $356,000, respectively, to reflect the effects of the Tax Act, but had no significant impact to earnings due to a corresponding decrease in water and electric income tax expense. Furthermore, there was a decrease in surcharges of $1.4 million recorded in water revenues, which also did not impact water earnings. Surcharges are recorded to revenues when billed to customer and are offset by a corresponding increase in operating expenses (primarily administrative and general), resulting in no impact to earnings.
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
WATER OPERATING REVENUES (1)
 
$
76,733

 
$
80,734

 
$
(4,001
)
 
(5.0
)%
WATER SUPPLY COSTS:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Water purchased (1)
 
$
16,608

 
$
17,937

 
$
(1,329
)
 
(7.4
)%
Power purchased for pumping (1)
 
2,231

 
2,157

 
74

 
3.4
 %
Groundwater production assessment (1)
 
4,534

 
4,931

 
(397
)
 
(8.1
)%
Water supply cost balancing accounts (1)
 
(2,471
)
 
(5,727
)
 
3,256

 
(56.9
)%
TOTAL WATER SUPPLY COSTS
 
$
20,902

 
$
19,298

 
$
1,604

 
8.3
 %
WATER GROSS MARGIN (2)
 
$
55,831

 
$
61,436

 
$
(5,605
)
 
(9.1
)%

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ELECTRIC OPERATING REVENUES (1)
 
$
7,841

 
$
7,612

 
$
229

 
3.0
 %
ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Power purchased for resale (1)
 
$
2,384

 
$
2,308

 
$
76

 
3.3
 %
Electric supply cost balancing accounts (1)
 
442

 
434

 
8

 
1.8
 %
TOTAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS
 
$
2,826

 
$
2,742

 
$
84

 
3.1
 %
ELECTRIC GROSS MARGIN (2)
 
$
5,015

 
$
4,870

 
$
145

 
3.0
 %

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
(1)       As reported on AWR’s Consolidated Statements of Income, except for supply cost balancing accounts. The sum of water and electric supply cost balancing accounts in the table above are shown on AWR’s Consolidated Statements of Income and totaled $(2,029,000) and $(5,293,000) for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Revenues include surcharges, which increase both revenues and operating expenses by corresponding amounts, thus having no net earnings impact.
(2)     Water and electric gross margins do not include any depreciation and amortization, maintenance, administrative and general, property or other taxes or other operation expenses.
 

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Two of the principal factors affecting water supply costs are the amount of water produced and the source of the water. Generally, the variable cost of producing water from wells is less than the cost of water purchased from wholesale suppliers. Under the CPUC-approved Modified Cost Balancing Account ("MCBA"), GSWC tracks adopted and actual expense levels for purchased water, power purchased for pumping and pump taxes. GSWC records the variances (which include the effects of changes in both rate and volume) between adopted and actual purchased water, purchased power and pump tax expenses. GSWC recovers from or refunds to customers the amount of such variances.  GSWC tracks these variances individually for each water ratemaking area.
The overall actual percentages of purchased water for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 were 40% and 43% respectively, as compared to the adopted percentage of approximately 29% for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. The higher actual percentages of purchased water as compared to the adopted percentages resulted from an increase in purchase water costs due to several wells being out of service.
Purchased water costs for the three months ended June 30, 2018 decreased to $16.6 million as compared to $17.9 million for the same period in 2017 primarily due to a decrease in water usage, as well as a lower supply mix percentage of purchased water versus pumped water. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in wholesale water costs as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017.
Groundwater production assessments decreased $397,000 due to a decrease in customer usage, partially offset by an increase in pump tax rates as compared to the same period in 2017.
The under-collection in the water supply cost balancing account decreased $3.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017 due to the lower supply mix percentage of purchased water versus pumped water.
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, the cost of power purchased for resale to BVES' customers increased slightly to $2.4 million, as compared to $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, due to an increase in the average price per megawatt-hour (“MWh”). The average price per MWh, including fixed costs, increased from $74.22 for the three months ended June 30, 2017 to $85.17 for the same period in 2018
Other Operation
The primary components of other operation expenses for GSWC include payroll, materials and supplies, chemicals and water treatment costs and outside service costs of operating the regulated water systems, including the costs associated with water transmission and distribution, pumping, water quality, meter reading, billing and operations of district offices.  Registrant’s contracted services operations incur many of the same types of expenses as well.  For the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, other operation expenses by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
5,765

 
$
6,439

 
$
(674
)
 
(10.5
)%
Electric Services
 
654

 
657

 
(3
)
 
(0.5
)%
Contracted Services
 
1,363

 
1,076

 
287

 
26.7
 %
Total other operation
 
$
7,782

 
$
8,172

 
$
(390
)
 
(4.8
)%
     For the three months ended June 30, 2018, other operation expenses for the water segment decreased by $674,000 primarily as a result of differences in timing of (i) annual public water system fees paid to the state of California, and (ii) water filter and treatment costs as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017.
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, other operation expenses for the contracted services segment increased due primarily to higher labor costs, as well as transition costs for Fort Riley incurred prior to the commencement of operations on July 1, 2018. ASUS was awarded the 50-year contract to serve Fort Riley in September 2017. This new 50-year contract provided for some transition revenue to cover such costs.

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Table of Contents

Administrative and General
Administrative and general expenses include payroll related to administrative and general functions, employee-related benefits, insurance expenses, outside legal and consulting fees, regulatory utility commission expenses, expenses associated with being a public company and general corporate expenses charged to expense accounts. For the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, administrative and general expenses by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands): 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
13,329

 
$
14,134

 
$
(805
)
 
(5.7
)%
Electric Services
 
1,849

 
1,723

 
126

 
7.3
 %
Contracted Services
 
5,033

 
4,389

 
644

 
14.7
 %
AWR (parent)
 
2

 
2

 

 
 %
Total administrative and general
 
$
20,213

 
$
20,248

 
$
(35
)
 
(0.2
)%
 
During the three months ended June 30, 2018, administrative and general expenses for the water segment decreased $805,000 due to a $1.2 million decrease in surcharges, which expired during the second quarter of 2018. The decrease in revenues and water gross margin from these surcharges is offset by a corresponding decrease in operating expenses (primarily administrative and general) resulting in no impact to earnings. Excluding the decrease in billed surcharges, during the three months ended June 30, 2018 administrative and general expenses for the water segment increased by $395,000 due primarily to higher legal fees and other outside services costs, which can fluctuate period-over-period.
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, administrative and general expenses for the electric segment increased by $126,000 due to higher regulatory costs in connection with the pending electric general rate case.

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, administrative and general expenses for contracted services increased by $644,000 due primarily to an increase in labor and other employee-related benefits, including costs for Eglin Air Force Base and Fort Riley, which ASUS began operating on June 15, 2017 and July 1, 2018, respectively. ASUS had incurred transition costs at Fort Riley since being awarded the contract in September 2017. This 50-year contract provided for some transition revenue to cover such costs.

Depreciation and Amortization
For the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, depreciation and amortization by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
8,866

 
$
8,858

 
$
8

 
0.1
%
Electric Services
 
564

 
536

 
28

 
5.2
%
Contracted Services
 
580

 
253

 
327

 
129.2
%
Total depreciation and amortization
 
$
10,010

 
$
9,647

 
$
363

 
3.8
%
 
Depreciation expense increased by $363,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2018, due to an increase in fixed assets in the contracted services segment.

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Table of Contents

Maintenance
For the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, maintenance expense by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
2,878

 
$
2,883

 
$
(5
)
 
(0.2
)%
Electric Services
 
292

 
166

 
126

 
75.9
 %
Contracted Services
 
500

 
557

 
(57
)
 
(10.2
)%
Total maintenance
 
$
3,670

 
$
3,606

 
$
64

 
1.8
 %
     Maintenance expense for the electric segment increased by $126,000 due to tree trimming and other fire prevention maintenance costs incurred largely as a result of new fire regulations recently adopted by the CPUC. The new regulations are intended to enhance the fire safety of overhead electric power lines and communication lines located in high fire-threat areas. BVES will continue incurring additional costs as a result of these new regulations. The CPUC has authorized BVES to maintain a memorandum account to track these additional costs incurred for possible future recovery.
Property and Other Taxes
For the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, property and other taxes by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
3,749

 
$
3,729

 
$
20

 
0.5
%
Electric Services
 
255

 
253

 
2

 
0.8
%
Contracted Services
 
368

 
363

 
5

 
1.4
%
Total property and other taxes
 
$
4,372

 
$
4,345

 
$
27

 
0.6
%
  
ASUS Construction
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, construction expenses for contracted services were $11.6 million, increasing slightly compared to the same period in 2017. Construction costs for the second half of 2018 are expected to be higher than the first half of 2018 due to an anticipated increase in construction activity.
Gain on Sale of Assets
In June 2017, GSWC completed the sale of its Ojai water system for $34.3 million resulting in a pretax gain of $8.3 million recorded in the second quarter of 2017.

Interest Expense
For the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, interest expense by business segment, including AWR (parent) consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
5,491

 
$
5,422

 
$
69

 
1.3
%
Electric Services
 
366

 
353

 
13

 
3.7
%
Contracted Services
 
107

 
82

 
25

 
30.5
%
AWR (parent)
 
84

 
69

 
15

 
21.7
%
Total interest expense
 
$
6,048

 
$
5,926

 
$
122

 
2.1
%
     The increase in interest expense is due to higher borrowings on the revolving credit facility as compared to the second quarter of 2017. Registrant expects to continue borrowing on its revolving credit facility to fund operations and a portion of its capital expenditures.

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Table of Contents

Interest Income
For the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, interest income by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
444

 
$
617

 
$
(173
)
 
(28.0
)%
Electric Services
 
13

 
3

 
10

 
333.3
 %
Contracted Services
 
178

 

 
178

 
 %
AWR (parent)
 
1

 

 
1

 
 %
Total interest income
 
$
636

 
$
620

 
$
16

 
2.6
 %

The decrease in interest income for the water segment is due to the collection during the second quarter of 2017 of certain amounts from developers previously owed to GSWC. The increase in interest income for contracted services during the three months ended June 30, 2018, was due to Registrant's adoption of ASC Topic 606 (Revenues from Contracts with Customers) on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. As a result of this adoption, certain funds received by the contracted services segment from the U.S. government during the three months ended June 30, 2018 have been recorded to interest income. Prior to the adoption of ASC Topic 606, these funds were recorded as revenues.
Other, net
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, other income increased by $200,000 due primarily to a decrease in the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit costs related to Registrant's defined benefit pension plans and other retirement benefits, as compared to the same period in 2017. In accordance with new accounting guidance, effective January 1, 2018, Registrant changed the financial statement presentation for net periodic benefits cost, whereby all components of net periodic benefits cost, other than the service cost component, have been included in the line item “Other, net.”

Income Tax Expense
For the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, income tax expense by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
3,909

 
$
11,710

 
$
(7,801
)
 
(66.6
)%
Electric Services
 
305

 
439

 
(134
)
 
(30.5
)%
Contracted Services
 
705

 
2,347

 
(1,642
)
 
(70.0
)%
AWR (parent)
 
(532
)
 
(189
)
 
(343
)
 
181.5
 %
Total income tax expense
 
$
4,387

 
$
14,307

 
$
(9,920
)
 
(69.3
)%
 
Consolidated income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2018 decreased by $9.9 million due primarily to a decrease in the federal corporate income tax rate as a result of the Tax Act, as well as a decrease in pretax income, which included the pretax gain recognized on the sale of GSWC's Ojai water system in June 2017. AWR's consolidated effective income tax rate ("ETR") was 21.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to 38.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2017. GSWC's ETR decreased to 23.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to 39.8% applicable to the three months ended June 30, 2017. Both decreases were due primarily to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%.

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Table of Contents

Consolidated Results of Operations — Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
OPERATING REVENUES
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Water
 
$
141,145

 
$
147,138

 
$
(5,993
)
 
(4.1
)%
Electric
 
17,673

 
18,114

 
(441
)
 
(2.4
)%
Contracted services
 
42,811

 
46,753

 
(3,942
)
 
(8.4
)%
Total operating revenues
 
201,629

 
212,005

 
(10,376
)
 
(4.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING EXPENSES
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Water purchased
 
30,215

 
30,043

 
172

 
0.6
 %
Power purchased for pumping
 
3,924

 
3,754

 
170

 
4.5
 %
Groundwater production assessment
 
9,185

 
8,306

 
879

 
10.6
 %
Power purchased for resale
 
5,792

 
5,408

 
384

 
7.1
 %
Supply cost balancing accounts
 
(5,898
)
 
(7,042
)
 
1,144

 
(16.2
)%
Other operation
 
15,770

 
14,332

 
1,438

 
10.0
 %
Administrative and general
 
40,506

 
40,696

 
(190
)
 
(0.5
)%
Depreciation and amortization
 
19,676

 
19,330

 
346

 
1.8
 %
Maintenance
 
7,499

 
7,070

 
429

 
6.1
 %
Property and other taxes
 
9,171

 
8,911

 
260

 
2.9
 %
ASUS construction
 
21,548

 
22,896

 
(1,348
)
 
(5.9
)%
Gain on sale of assets
 
(18
)
 
(8,301
)
 
8,283

 
(99.8
)%
Total operating expenses
 
157,370

 
145,403

 
11,967

 
8.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME
 
44,259

 
66,602

 
(22,343
)
 
(33.5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest expense
 
(11,971
)
 
(11,831
)
 
(140
)
 
1.2
 %
Interest income
 
1,172

 
879

 
293

 
33.3
 %
Other, net
 
621

 
1,005

 
(384
)
 
(38.2
)%
 
 
(10,178
)
 
(9,947
)
 
(231
)
 
2.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE
 
34,081

 
56,655

 
(22,574
)
 
(39.8
)%
Income tax expense
 
6,951

 
21,162

 
(14,211
)
 
(67.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
$
27,130

 
$
35,493

 
$
(8,363
)
 
(23.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per Common Share
 
$
0.74

 
$
0.96

 
$
(0.22
)
 
(22.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fully diluted earnings per Common Share
 
$
0.73

 
$
0.96

 
$
(0.23
)
 
(24.0
)%





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Table of Contents

Operating Revenues:
 
Water
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, revenues from water operations decreased $6.0 million to $141.1 million as compared to the same period in 2017. This decrease was primarily due to: (i) downward adjustments to water revenue to offset lower income tax expense, thus no impact to earnings, as a result of the Tax Act which reduced the federal corporate income tax rate, (ii) the cessation of Ojai operations as a result of the sale of that water system in June 2017 under an eminent domain action, (iii) a lower authorized rate of return approved by the CPUC in March 2018, and (iv) the expiration of certain surcharges implemented in 2017. These decreases were partially offset by CPUC-approved third-year rate increases effective January 1, 2018.
Billed water consumption for the first six months of 2018 increased approximately 8% as compared to the same period in 2017. Changes in consumption generally do not have a significant impact on revenues due to the WRAM.
 
Electric
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, revenues from electric operations were $17.7 million as compared to $18.1 million for the same period in 2017. Pending a decision on the electric general rate case, which will be effective retroactive to January 1, 2018 once a final CPUC decision is received, year-to-date 2018 billed revenues have been based on 2017 adopted rates.
 Billed electric usage decreased by approximately 2% during the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.  Due to the CPUC-approved Base Revenue Requirement Adjustment Mechanism, which adjusts certain revenues to adopted levels authorized by the CPUC, changes in usage do not have a significant impact on earnings.
 
Contracted Services
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, revenues from contracted services decreased $3.9 million to $42.8 million as compared to $46.8 million for the same period in 2017 due primarily to an overall decrease in construction revenue. ASUS expects construction revenue for the second half of 2018 to increase as compared to the first half of 2018. In addition and as previously discussed, in June of 2017 the U.S. government approved the third price redetermination for Fort Bragg resulting in management fees retroactive to March 2016. Of the approved increase in management fee revenue, approximately $1.0 million related to periods prior to 2017. There were no similar retroactive revenues recorded in 2018.

The decreases in contracted services revenues discussed above, were partially offset by an increase in management fee revenue due to (i) the successful resolution of various price adjustments during 2017 and 2018, and (ii) revenue generated from Eglin upon the commencement of the operation of its water and wastewater systems by ASUS in June 2017.


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Table of Contents

Operating Expenses:
 
Supply Costs
Total supply costs comprise the largest segment of total operating expenses. Supply costs accounted for approximately 27.5% and 27.8% of total operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The table below provides the amount of increases (decreases) and percent changes in water and electric revenues, supply costs and gross margin during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands). As previously discussed, water and electric revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were adjusted downward by $6.4 million and $723,000, respectively, to reflect the effects of the Tax Act, but had no significant impact to earnings due to a corresponding decrease in water and electric income tax expense. Furthermore, there was a decrease in surcharges of $1.1 million recorded in water revenues, which also did not impact water earnings. Surcharges are recorded to revenues when billed to customers and are offset by a corresponding increase in operating expenses (primarily administrative and general), resulting in no impact to earnings.
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
WATER OPERATING REVENUES (1)
 
$
141,145

 
$
147,138

 
$
(5,993
)
 
(4.1
)%
WATER SUPPLY COSTS:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Water purchased (1)
 
$
30,215

 
$
30,043

 
$
172

 
0.6
 %
Power purchased for pumping (1)
 
3,924

 
3,754

 
170

 
4.5
 %
Groundwater production assessment (1)
 
9,185

 
8,306

 
879

 
10.6
 %
Water supply cost balancing accounts (1)
 
(6,839
)
 
(8,540
)
 
1,701

 
(19.9
)%
TOTAL WATER SUPPLY COSTS
 
$
36,485

 
$
33,563

 
$
2,922

 
8.7
 %
WATER GROSS MARGIN (2)
 
$
104,660

 
$
113,575

 
$
(8,915
)
 
(7.8
)%

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ELECTRIC OPERATING REVENUES (1)
 
$
17,673

 
$
18,114

 
$
(441
)
 
(2.4
)%
ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Power purchased for resale (1)
 
$
5,792

 
$
5,408

 
$
384

 
7.1
 %
Electric supply cost balancing accounts (1)
 
941

 
1,498

 
(557
)
 
(37.2
)%
TOTAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS
 
$
6,733

 
$
6,906

 
$
(173
)
 
(2.5
)%
ELECTRIC GROSS MARGIN (2)
 
$
10,940

 
$
11,208

 
$
(268
)
 
(2.4
)%

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
(1) As reported on AWR’s Consolidated Statements of Income, except for supply cost balancing accounts. The sum of water and electric supply cost balancing accounts in the table above are shown on AWR’s Consolidated Statements of Income and totaled $(5,898,000) and $(7,042,000) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Revenues include surcharges, which increase both revenues and operating expenses by corresponding amounts, thus having no net earnings impact.
 
(2) Water and electric gross margins do not include any depreciation and amortization, maintenance, administrative and general, property or other taxes or other operation expenses.
 
 The overall actual percentages of purchased water for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 were 40% and 42%, respectively, as compared to the adopted percentage of approximately 27% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. The higher actual percentages of purchased water as compared to adopted percentages resulted primarily from several wells being out of service.
 Purchased water costs for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased slightly to $30.2 million as compared to $30.0 million for the same period in 2017 primarily due to an increase in wholesale water costs as well as an increase in customer usage. These increases were largely offset by a lower supply mix of purchased water as compared to pump water.
For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, groundwater production assessments increased $0.9 million due to an increase in the amount of water pumped, as well as an increase in pump tax rates for the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017.

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Table of Contents

The under-collection in the water supply cost balancing account decreased $1.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017 mainly due to the higher amount of pumped water in the water supply mix, resulting in a lower under-collection in the water supply cost balancing account.
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the cost of power purchased for resale to BVES' customers increased by $384,000 to $5.8 million as compared to $5.4 million for the same period in 2017 due primarily to an increase in the average price per megawatt-hour (“MWh”). The average price per MWh, including fixed costs, increased from $72.93 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 to $81.24 for the same period in 2018. The over-collection in the electric supply cost balancing account decreased by $557,000 due primarily to this increase in the weighted average price per MWh. The increase in the weighted average price per MWh was partially offset by lower customer usage.
Other Operation
For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, other operation expenses by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
11,487

 
$
10,283

 
$
1,204

 
11.7
%
Electric Services
 
1,366

 
1,366

 

 
%
Contracted Services
 
2,917

 
2,683

 
234

 
8.7
%
Total other operation
 
$
15,770

 
$
14,332

 
$
1,438

 
10.0
%
     For the six months ended June 30, 2018, total other operation expenses for the water segment increased overall by $1.2 million as compared to the same period in 2017, due to the CPUC's approval for recovery of $1.2 million in incremental drought-related costs, which was recorded as a regulatory asset with a corresponding decrease in other operation expenses during the first quarter of 2017. There was no similar reduction recorded in 2018.
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, other operation expenses for the contracted services segment increased by $234,000 due primarily to transition costs at Fort Riley, which began operations on July 1, 2018. The new 50-year contract for the operations at Fort Riley provided for some transition revenue to cover such costs.
Administrative and General
For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, administrative and general expenses by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
26,565

 
$
27,814

 
$
(1,249
)
 
(4.5
)%
Electric Services
 
3,761

 
3,542

 
219

 
6.2
 %
Contracted Services
 
10,175

 
9,335

 
840

 
9.0
 %
AWR (parent)
 
5

 
5

 

 
 %
Total administrative and general
 
$
40,506

 
$
40,696

 
$
(190
)
 
(0.5
)%
     For the six months ended June 30, 2018, administrative and general expenses at the water segment decreased due to lower surcharges billed for recovery of various administrative and general costs previously incurred, as compared to the first six months of 2017. As previously discussed, surcharges are recorded in revenue with a corresponding and offsetting amount recorded to administrative and general expenses, having no impact on earnings.

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, administrative and general expenses for contracted services increased by $840,000 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 due primarily to higher expenses for Eglin Air Force Base and Fort Riley, which ASUS began operating on June 15, 2017 and July 1, 2018, respectively. As previously discussed, ASUS had also incurred transition costs at Fort Riley since being awarded the contract in September 2017.

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Table of Contents


Depreciation and Amortization
For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, depreciation and amortization by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
17,635

 
$
17,759

 
$
(124
)
 
(0.7
)%
Electric Services
 
1,129

 
1,073

 
56

 
5.2
 %
Contracted Services
 
912

 
498

 
414

 
83.1
 %
Total depreciation and amortization
 
$
19,676

 
$
19,330

 
$
346

 
1.8
 %
     For the six months ended June 30, 2018, depreciation and amortization expense for water services overall decreased due to plant retirements that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2016 and in 2017, which further reduced depreciation expense for the first six months of 2018 as compared to the same period last year. These decreases were partially offset by plant additions.

The increase in depreciation for the contracted services segment was due to vehicle and other equipment additions to fixed assets during the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Maintenance
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, maintenance expense by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
5,815

 
$
5,598

 
$
217

 
3.9
%
Electric Services
 
510

 
372

 
138

 
37.1
%
Contracted Services
 
1,174

 
1,100

 
74

 
6.7
%
Total maintenance
 
$
7,499

 
$
7,070

 
$
429

 
6.1
%
 
Maintenance expense for water services increased by $217,000 due to a higher level of unplanned maintenance as compared to the same period in 2017.

Maintenance expense for the electric segment increased by $138,000 due to tree trimming and other fire prevention maintenance costs incurred largely as a result of new fire regulations recently adopted by the CPUC. As previously discussed, the CPUC has authorized BVES to maintain a memorandum account to track these additional costs incurred for possible future recovery.

Property and Other Taxes
 For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, property and other taxes by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
7,856

 
$
7,630

 
$
226

 
3.0
 %
Electric Services
 
534

 
542

 
(8
)
 
(1.5
)%
Contracted Services
 
781

 
739

 
42

 
5.7
 %
Total property and other taxes
 
$
9,171

 
$
8,911

 
$
260

 
2.9
 %
  
Property and other taxes increased overall by $260,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2018 due primarily to capital additions and associated higher assessed property values.


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Table of Contents

ASUS Construction
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, construction expenses for contracted services were $21.5 million, decreasing $1.3 million compared to the same period in 2017 due to a decrease in overall construction activity as compared to the same period in 2017.
 
Gain on Sale of Assets
In June 2017, GSWC completed the sale of its Ojai water system for $34.3 million resulting in a pretax gain of $8.3 million recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2017.
Interest Expense
For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, interest expense by business segment, including AWR (parent) consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
10,880

 
$
10,802

 
$
78

 
0.7
%
Electric Services
 
736

 
730

 
6

 
0.8
%
Contracted Services
 
198

 
166

 
32

 
19.3
%
AWR (parent)
 
157

 
133

 
24

 
18.0
%
Total interest expense
 
$
11,971

 
$
11,831

 
$
140

 
1.2
%
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, interest expense increased $140,000 due largely to higher borrowings on the revolving credit facility as compared to the first six months of 2017. Registrant expects to continue borrowing on its revolving credit facility to fund operations and a portion of its capital expenditures.

Interest Income
For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, interest income by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
824

 
$
852

 
$
(28
)
 
(3.3
)%
Electric Services
 
13

 
5

 
8

 
160.0
 %
Contracted Services
 
335

 
10

 
325

 
*

AWR (parent)
 

 
12

 
(12
)
 
(100.0
)%
Total interest income
 
$
1,172

 
$
879

 
$
293

 
33.3
 %
* not meaningful

The increase in interest income for contracted services during the six months ended June 30, 2018, was due to Registrant's adoption of ASC Topic 606 (Revenues from Contracts with Customers) on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. As a result of this adoption, certain funds received by the contracted services segment from the U.S. government during the six months ended June 30, 2018 have been recorded to interest income. Prior to the adoption of ASC Topic 606, these funds were recorded as revenues.
Other, net
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, other income decreased by $384,000 due primarily to losses on investments due to recent market conditions, as compared to the same period in 2017, partially offset by a decrease in the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit costs related to Registrant's defined benefit pension plans and other retirement benefits as compared to the same period in 2017.

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Income Tax Expense
For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, income tax expense by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2017
 
$
CHANGE
 
%
CHANGE
Water Services
 
$
5,558

 
$
17,195

 
$
(11,637
)
 
(67.7
)%
Electric Services
 
771

 
1,227

 
(456
)
 
(37.2
)%
Contracted Services
 
1,259

 
3,208

 
(1,949
)
 
(60.8
)%
AWR (parent)
 
(637
)
 
(468
)
 
(169
)
 
36.1
 %
Total income tax expense
 
$
6,951

 
$
21,162

 
$
(14,211
)
 
(67.2
)%
 
Consolidated income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2018 decreased by approximately $14.2 million due primarily to a lower federal corporate income tax rate as a result of the Tax Act, as well as a decrease in pretax income, which included the pretax gain recognized on the sale of GSWC's Ojai water system in June 2017. AWR's consolidated ETR decreased to 20.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to 37.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2017. GSWC's ETR decreased to 21.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to 38.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Both decreases were due primarily to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that are important to the portrayal of AWR’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments of AWR’s management. The need to make estimates about the effect of items that are uncertain is what makes these judgments difficult, subjective and/or complex. Management makes subjective judgments about the accounting and regulatory treatment of many items. These judgments are based on AWR’s historical experience, terms of existing contracts, AWR’s observance of trends in the industry, and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
 
The critical accounting policies used in the preparation of the Registrant’s financial statements that it believes affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements presented in this report are described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. There have been no material changes to Registrant’s critical accounting policies.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
AWR
Registrant’s regulated business is capital intensive and requires considerable capital resources. A portion of these capital resources is provided by internally generated cash flows from operations. AWR anticipates that interest expense will increase due to the need for additional external capital to fund its construction program and increases in market interest rates. AWR believes that costs associated with capital used to fund construction at GSWC will continue to be recovered through water and electric rates charged to customers. AWR funds its operating expenses and pays dividends on its outstanding Common Shares primarily through dividends from its wholly owned subsidiaries. The ability of GSWC to pay dividends to AWR is restricted by California law. Under these restrictions, approximately $235.9 million was available on June 30, 2018 to pay dividends to AWR.

When necessary, Registrant obtains funds from external sources in the capital markets and through bank borrowings. Access to external financing on reasonable terms depends on the credit ratings of AWR and GSWC and current business conditions, including that of the water utility industry in general as well as conditions in the debt or equity capital markets. AWR also has access to a $150.0 million revolving credit facility, which was renewed in May 2018.  As of June 30, 2018, there were $77.0 million in borrowings outstanding under this facility and $940,000 of letters of credit outstanding.  These amounts are contractually due in May 2023 under the terms of the renewed credit facility and are generally priced off a spread to LIBOR. As of June 30, 2018, AWR had $72.1 million available to borrow under the credit facility. AWR also has the option to increase the borrowing capacity of the credit facility by an additional $50 million, if needed.

AWR borrows under this facility and provides funds to its subsidiaries, GSWC and ASUS, in support of their operations.  The interest rate charged to GSWC and ASUS is sufficient to cover AWR’s interest expense under the credit facility.  Amounts

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owed to AWR by GSWC, including for allocated expenses, are included in GSWC's intercompany payable under "Current Liabilities". Furthermore, in March of 2019, $40 million of GSWC's 6.70% senior note will mature. GSWC intends to borrow under its intercompany borrowing arrangement with AWR and/or issue additional long-term debt to fund the repayment of this note.

In April 2018, Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings (“S&P”) affirmed an A+ credit rating with a stable outlook on both AWR and GSWC. S&P’s debt ratings range from AAA (highest possible) to D (obligation is in default). In December 2017, Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") affirmed its A2 rating with a revised rating outlook from stable to positive for GSWC. Securities ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold a security and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time by the rating agencies.  Registrant believes that AWR’s sound capital structure and strong credit ratings, combined with its financial discipline, will enable AWR to access the debt and equity markets.  However, unpredictable financial market conditions in the future may limit its access or impact the timing of when to access the market, in which case, Registrant may choose to temporarily reduce its capital spending. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, GSWC incurred $48.5 million in company-funded capital expenditures.

AWR intends to continue paying quarterly cash dividends on or about March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1, subject to earnings and financial conditions, regulatory requirements and such other factors as the Board of Directors may deem relevant. Registrant has paid common dividends for over 80 consecutive years.  On July 31, 2018, AWR's Board of Directors approved a 7.8% increase in the third quarter dividend from $0.255 per share to $0.275 per share on AWR's Common Shares. Dividends on the Common Shares will be payable on August 31, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 15, 2018. AWR's current policy is to achieve a five-year compound annual growth rate in the dividend of more than 6% over the long-term.

Registrant's current liabilities may at times exceed its current assets.  Management believes that internally generated funds along with AWR's ability to access the debt and equity markets as well as borrowings from its credit facility, are adequate to provide sufficient capital to maintain normal operations and to meet its capital and financing requirements, including repayment of the $40 million in notes, which mature in March 2019.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Cash flows from operating activities have generally provided sufficient cash to fund operating requirements, including a portion of construction expenditures at GSWC, construction expenses at ASUS, and pay dividends. Registrant’s future cash flows from operating activities are expected to be affected by a number of factors, including utility regulation; changes in tax law and deferred taxes; maintenance expenses; inflation; compliance with environmental, health and safety standards; production costs; customer growth; per customer usage of water and electricity; weather and seasonality; conservation efforts; compliance with local governmental requirements, including mandatory restrictions on water use; and required cash contributions to pension and post-retirement plans.  Future cash flows from contracted services subsidiaries will depend on new business activities, existing operations, the construction of new and/or replacement infrastructure at military bases, timely economic price and equitable adjustment of prices and timely collection of payments from the U.S. government and other prime contractors operating at the military bases.
The lower federal tax rate and the elimination of bonus depreciation brought about by the Tax Act are expected to reduce Registrant's cash flows from operating activities, and result in higher financing costs arising from an increased need to raise debt and/or equity.

ASUS funds its operating expenses primarily through internal operating sources, which include U.S. government funding under 50-year contracts for operations and maintenance costs and construction activities, as well as investments by, or loans from, AWR. ASUS, in turn, provides funding to its subsidiaries. ASUS's subsidiaries may also from time to time provide funding to ASUS or its subsidiaries.
Cash flows from operating activities are primarily generated by net income, adjusted for non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization and deferred income taxes.  During the six months ended June 30, 2017, it was also adjusted for the gain on the sale of GSWC's Ojai water system. Cash generated by operations varies during the year. Net cash provided by operating activities of Registrant was $65.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to $75.4 million for the same period in 2017.  The decrease in cash from operating activities was due to income tax refunds received in the six months ended June 30, 2017, with no similar refunds received during the same period in 2018. There were also new CPUC-approved surcharges implemented during 2017 to recover previously incurred costs, many of which expired during the six months ended June 30, 2018. In addition, there was also a decrease due to the timing of billing of and cash receipts for construction work at military bases during the six months ended June 30, 2018. The billings (and cash receipts) for this construction work generally occur at completion of the work or in accordance with a billing schedule contractually agreed to with the U.S. government and/or

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other prime contractors. Thus, cash flow from construction-related activities may fluctuate from period to period with such fluctuations representing timing differences of when the work is being performed and when the cash is received for payment of the work. The timing of cash receipts and disbursements related to other working capital items also affected the changes in net cash provided by operating activities.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Net cash used in investing activities was $58.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to $11.3 million for the same period in 2017.  In addition to an increase in cash used for capital expenditures in 2018, during the six months ended June 30, 2017, there was the proceeds received for the sale of GSWC's Ojai water system, which generated $34.3 million in cash.

Registrant invests capital to provide essential services to its regulated customer base, while working with its regulators to have the opportunity to earn a fair rate of return on investment. Registrant’s infrastructure investment plan consists of both infrastructure renewal programs, where infrastructure is replaced, as needed, and major capital investment projects, where new water treatment, supply and delivery facilities are constructed.  GSWC may also be required from time to time to relocate existing infrastructure in order to accommodate local infrastructure improvement projects.  Projected capital expenditures and other investments are subject to periodic review and revision.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Registrant’s financing activities include primarily: (i) the sale proceeds from the issuance of Common Shares and stock option exercises and the repurchase of Common Shares; (ii) the issuance and repayment of long-term debt and notes payable to banks, and (iii) the payment of dividends on Common Shares.  In order to finance new infrastructure, Registrant also receives customer advances (net of refunds) for, and contributions in aid of construction. Short-term borrowings are used to fund capital expenditures until long-term financing is arranged.
Net cash used in financing activities was $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to $62.4 million used for the same period in 2017. This decrease in cash used for financing activities was due to an increase in short-term borrowings from Registrant's revolving credit facility during the six months ended June 30, 2018. In addition, during the six months ended June 30, 2017, the cash proceeds from the Ojai sale, as well as cash generated from operating activities, were used to pay down short-term borrowings.

GSWC
GSWC funds its operating expenses, payments on its debt, and dividends on its outstanding common shares and a portion of its construction expenditures through internal sources. Internal sources of cash flow are provided primarily by retention of a portion of earnings from operating activities. Internal cash generation is influenced by factors such as weather patterns, conservation efforts, environmental regulation, litigation, changes in tax law and deferred taxes, changes in supply costs and regulatory decisions affecting GSWC’s ability to recover these supply costs, timing of rate relief, increases in maintenance expenses and capital expenditures, surcharges authorized by the CPUC to enable GSWC to recover expenses previously incurred from customers and CPUC requirements to refund amounts previously charged to customers.
GSWC may, at times, utilize external sources, including equity investments and short-term borrowings from AWR, and long-term debt to help fund a portion of its construction expenditures.  In addition, GSWC receives advances and contributions from customers, homebuilders and real estate developers to fund construction necessary to extend service to new areas. Advances for construction are generally refundable at a rate of 2.5% in equal annual installments over 40 years.  Amounts which are no longer subject to refund are reclassified to contributions in aid of construction. Utility plant funded by advances and contributions is excluded from rate base. Generally, GSWC amortizes contributions in aid of construction at the same composite rate of depreciation for the related property.
As is often the case with public utilities, GSWC’s current liabilities may at times exceed its current assets.  Management believes that internally generated funds along with the proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, GSWC's borrowings from its intercompany arrangement with AWR, and the ability to issue common shares to AWR, will be adequate to provide sufficient capital to enable GSWC to maintain normal operations and to meet its capital and financing requirements.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities was $60.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to $62.6 million for the same period in 2017.  This decrease was primarily due to tax refunds received in 2017, as well as the expiration of certain CPUC-approved surcharges during the six months ended June 30, 2018, which were implemented during 2017. The timing of cash receipts and disbursements related to other working capital items also affected the change in net cash provided by operating activities.

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Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Net cash used in investing activities was $53.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to $10.7 million for the same period in 2017. Included in the activity for the six months ended June 30, 2017 were $34.3 million in cash proceeds received from the sale of GSWC's Ojai water system. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, cash used for capital expenditures was $53.5 million. During 2018, GSWC's company-funded capital expenditures are estimated to be approximately $110 - $120 million.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net cash used in financing activities was $4.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to $50.5 million used for the same period in 2017.  This change was due to an increase in intercompany borrowings from AWR during the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the cash proceeds received from the sale of the Ojai system, as well as cash generated from operating activities, were used to pay down intercompany borrowings. These were partially offset by the timing of dividend payments made to AWR. During the first six months of 2017, GSWC did not pay any dividends to AWR, but made dividend payments during the second half of 2017. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, GSWC paid $18.8 million in dividends to AWR.

Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments
 
Registrant has various contractual obligations, which are recorded as liabilities in the consolidated financial statements. Other items, such as certain purchase commitments and operating leases are not recognized as liabilities in the consolidated financial statements, but are required to be disclosed.

In addition to contractual maturities, Registrant has certain debt instruments that contain an annual sinking fund or other principal payments. Registrant believes that it will be able to refinance debt instruments at their maturity through public issuance, or private placement, of debt or equity. Annual payments to service debt are generally made from cash flows from operations.
 
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements” section of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 for a detailed discussion of contractual obligations and other commitments. In March of 2019, $40 million of GSWC's 6.70% senior note will mature, which has been included in "Current Liabilities" as of June 30, 2018. GSWC intends to borrow under its intercompany borrowing arrangement with AWR and/or issue additional long-term debt to fund the repayment of this note.
 
Contracted Services
     Under the terms of the current and future utility privatization contracts with the U.S. government, each contract's price is subject to an economic price adjustment (“EPA”) on an annual basis. In the event that ASUS (i) is managing more assets at specific military bases than were included in the U.S. government’s request for proposal, (ii) is managing assets that are in substandard condition as compared to what was disclosed in the request for proposal, (iii) prudently incurs costs not contemplated under the terms of the utility privatization contract, and/or (iv) becomes subject to new regulatory requirements, such as more stringent water-quality standards, ASUS is permitted to file, and has filed, requests for equitable adjustment (“REA”). The timely filing for and receipt of EPAs and/or REAs continues to be critical in order for the Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries to recover increasing costs of operating and maintaining, and renewing and replacing the water and/or wastewater systems at the military bases it serves.
Under the Budget Control Act of 2011 (the “2011 Act”), substantial automatic spending cuts, known as "sequestration," have impacted the expected levels of Department of Defense budgeting. The Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries have not experienced any earnings impact to their existing operations and maintenance and renewal and replacement services, as utility privatization contracts are an "excepted service" within the 2011 Act. While the ongoing effects of sequestration have been mitigated through the passage of a continuing resolution for the fiscal year 2018 Department of Defense budget, similar issues may arise as part of fiscal uncertainty and/or future debt-ceiling limits imposed by Congress. However, any future impact on ASUS and its operations through the Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries will likely be limited to (a) the timing of funding to pay for services rendered, (b) delays in the processing of EPAs and/or REAs, (c) the timing of the issuance of contract modifications for new construction work not already funded by the U.S. government, and/or (d) delays in the solicitation for and/or awarding of new contracts under the Department of Defense utility privatization program.
At times, the DCAA and/or the DCMA may, at the request of a contracting officer, perform audits/reviews of contractors for compliance with certain government guidance and regulations, such as the Federal Acquisition Regulations and Defense

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Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplements. Certain audit/review findings, such as system deficiencies for government-contract-business-system requirements, may result in delays in the timing of resolution of filings submitted to and/or the ability to file new proposals with the U.S. government.     
On July 1, 2018, ASUS assumed the operation, maintenance and construction management of the water distribution, wastewater collection and treatment facilities at Fort Riley, a United States Army installation located in Kansas, after completing a transition period. The contract was awarded by the U.S. government on September 29, 2017 with an initial value of $601 million over the 50-year period, subject to adjustments for the actual inventory level to be managed and the lower federal corporate income tax rate effective January 1, 2018 resulting from the Tax Act. The 50-year contract will also be subject to annual economic price adjustments.
Regulatory Matters
Cost of Capital Proceeding for Water Regions:
In April 2017, GSWC filed its water cost of capital application with the CPUC. In March 2018, the CPUC issued a final decision in the cost of capital proceeding for GSWC and three other investor-owned water utilities that serve California. Among other things, the final decision adopts for GSWC (i) an ROE of 8.90%, (ii) a capital structure with 57% equity and 43% debt, (iii) a return on rate base of 7.91%, and (iv) the continuation of the water cost of capital adjustment mechanism. GSWC’s prior authorized ROE for its water segment was 9.43% with a return on rate base of 8.34%. The newly authorized return on rate base of 7.91% also reflects a true-up of GSWC’s embedded debt cost from 6.99% to 6.6%.  The reduced debt costs contributed approximately 18 basis points to the 43-basis-point drop in the authorized return on rate base. Including the effects of the Tax Act, the lower return on rate base beginning in 2018 is expected to decrease GSWC’s 2018 adopted annual revenue requirement by approximately $3.6 million.
Pending General Rate Case Filings:
In July 2017, GSWC filed a general rate case application for all its water regions and the general office.  This general rate case will determine new water rates for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021.  Among other things, GSWC's requested capital budgets in this application average approximately $125 million per year for the three-year rate cycle. GSWC and the CPUC’s Office of Ratepayer Advocates have reached a tentative settlement, which resolves all issues in this general rate case.  A settlement conference with all parties in the rate case has been scheduled for August 14, 2018. A decision in the water general rate case is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2018 with new rates to become effective January 1, 2019.
On May 1, 2017, GSWC filed its electric general rate case application with the CPUC. This general rate case will determine new electric rates for the years 2018 through 2021, and will reflect changes due to the Tax Act. A final decision in the electric general rate case is scheduled to be issued in 2018, with rates retroactive to January 1, 2018.
Other Regulatory Matters:
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Regulatory Matters” section of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2017 for a detailed discussion of other regulatory matters.

Environmental Matters
 
GSWC is required to comply with the safe drinking water standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“US EPA”) and the Division of Drinking Water ("DDW"), under the State Water Resources Control Board (“SWRCB”).  The US EPA regulates contaminants that may have adverse health effects that are known or likely to occur at levels of public health concern, and the regulation of which will provide a meaningful opportunity for health risk reduction. The DDW, acting on behalf of the US EPA, administers the US EPA’s program in California. Similar state agencies administer these rules in the other states in which Registrant operates.
GSWC currently tests its water supplies and water systems according to, among other things, requirements listed in the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”). In compliance with the SDWA and to assure a safe drinking water supply to its customers, GSWC has incurred operating costs for testing to determine the levels, if any, of the constituents in its sources of supply and additional expense to treat contaminants in order to meet federal and state maximum contaminant level standards and consumer demands. GSWC expects to incur additional capital costs as well as increased operating costs to maintain or improve the quality of water delivered to its customers in light of anticipated stress on water resources associated with watershed and aquifer pollution, as well as to meet future water quality standards. The CPUC ratemaking process provides GSWC with the opportunity to recover prudently incurred capital and operating costs in future filings associated with achieving water quality standards. Management believes that such incurred and expected future costs should be authorized for recovery by the CPUC.


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Drinking Water Notifications Levels:
In July 2018, the DDW issued drinking water notification levels for certain fluorinated organic chemicals used to make certain fabrics and other materials, and used in various industrial processes. These chemicals are referred to as perfluoroalkyl substances (e.g., PFOA and PFOS). Notification levels are non-regulatory, health-based advisory levels established for contaminants in drinking water for which maximum contaminant levels have not been established. The US EPA has also established health advisory levels for these compounds. Notification to consumers is required when the advisory levels or notification levels are exceeded. GSWC currently does not have water sources exceeding the advisory or notification levels.
Lead Testing in Schools:
In January 2017, the DDW required all water utilities to test the schools in their service area for lead in their on-site drinking water if requested by the school’s officials. Legislation was passed in October 2017 making such testing mandatory for any school site with a building constructed before January 1, 2010. Monitoring by the utility must be completed before July 1, 2019. GSWC has completed lead sampling at approximately 38 percent of the schools in its service areas as of July 2018, and will continue to work with the remaining schools in its service areas in an effort to meet the July 1, 2019 deadline.
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Environmental Matters” section of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2017 for a discussion of environmental matters applicable to GSWC and ASUS and its subsidiaries.
Water Supply
 
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—California Drought” section of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2017 for a discussion of water supply issues. The discussion below focuses on significant matters and changes since December 31, 2017.
 
California Water Use Standards:
In April 2017, the Governor of California ended the drought state of emergency in most of California in response to significantly improved water supply conditions resulting from substantial rainfall and snowpack in late 2016 and early 2017. In April 2017, the SWRCB and related state agencies released a plan to establish a framework for long-term water use efficiency standards. The plan includes continued bans on wasteful practices and outlines the SWRCB’s vision for continued implementation of the Governor’s executive order on water conservation. In May 2018, the Governor signed into law two pieces of legislation to implement the plan, establishing new permanent water use targets, beginning in 2022. The legislation also includes reporting requirements and enforcement provisions, requiring compliance at the utility level. The overall framework includes water use limits based on the following: (i) a standard for indoor water use that reduces over time, dropping to 50 gallons per capita per day, or lower, by 2030; (ii) a standard for outdoor residential water use based on local climate conditions and amount of landscape, and (iii) a standard for water loss due to system leaks. Included in the provisions are penalties for non-compliance with the stated water use targets, with increased penalties during drought years. More specific details on these regulations will be developed by the SWRCB and the California Department of Water Resources ("DWR") prior to compliance in 2022. Management cannot predict at this time its ability to comply with the new laws, or the CPUC’s treatment of any incremental costs incurred in compliance. The legislation also adds provisions to the existing Urban Water Management Plan regulations, and requires urban water suppliers to conduct annual drought risk assessments and submit reports to the DWR.
California's recent period of drought resulted in reduced recharge to the state's groundwater basins. GSWC utilizes groundwater from numerous groundwater basins throughout the state. Several of these basins, especially smaller basins, experienced lower groundwater levels because of the drought. Several of GSWC's service areas rely on groundwater as their only source of supply. Given the critical nature of the groundwater levels in California’s Central Coast area, GSWC implemented mandatory water restrictions in certain service areas, in accordance with CPUC procedures. In the event of water supply shortages beyond the locally available supply, GSWC would need to transport additional water from other areas, increasing the cost of water supply.
Precipitation during December 2017 and 2018 has been below average for much of California and may indicate less than normal rainfall for 2018. If dry conditions persist through the remainder of 2018, areas served by these smaller basins may experience further mandatory conservation measures in the future.
As of July 31, 2018, the U.S. Drought Monitor estimated 21 percent of California in the rank of “Severe Drought” and approximately 45 percent in the rank of “Moderate Drought.” If dry conditions persist, the SWRCB or other regulatory agencies may impose emergency drought actions.

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Metropolitan Water District/ State Water Project:
GSWC purchases a portion of its water supply from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California ("MWD") member agencies. Water supplies available to the MWD through the State Water Project ("SWP") vary from year to year based on several factors.  Every year, the DWR establishes the SWP allocation for water deliveries to state water contractors.  DWR generally establishes a percentage allocation of delivery requests based on several factors, including weather patterns, snow-pack levels, reservoir levels and biological diversion restrictions.  The SWP is a major source of water for the MWD. On May 23, 2018, the SWP allocation was set at 35 percent of requested orders.
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
Registrant is subject to newly issued requirements as well as changes in existing requirements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Differences in financial reporting between periods for GSWC could occur unless and until the CPUC approves such changes for conformity through regulatory proceedings. See Note 1 of Unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Registrant is exposed to certain market risks, including fluctuations in interest rates, commodity price risk primarily relating to changes in the market price of electricity at BVES and other economic conditions. Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in prevailing market rates and prices.
 
The quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are discussed in Item 7A-Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, contained in Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), we have carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness, as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this report, of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO concluded that disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, were adequate and effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
(b) Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
 
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2018, that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
Registrant is subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business, some of which may include claims for compensatory and punitive damages. Other than those disclosed in this Form 10-Q and in Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, no other legal proceedings that are believed to be material are pending. Management believes that rate recovery, proper insurance coverage and reserves are in place to insure against, among other things, property, general liability, employment, and workers’ compensation claims incurred in the ordinary course of business. Insurance coverage may not cover certain claims involving punitive damages.  

Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
There have been no significant changes in the risk factors disclosed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
The shareholders of AWR have approved the material features of all equity compensation plans under which AWR directly issues equity securities. The following table provides information about repurchases of Common Shares by AWR during the second quarter of 2018:
Period
 
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased
 
Average Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs (1)
 
Maximum Number
of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
under the Plans or
Programs (3)
April 1 – 30, 2018
 
609

 
$
54.08

 

 

May 1 – 31, 2018
 
55,065

 
$
54.89

 

 

June 1 – 30, 2018
 
3,620

 
$
56.34

 

 

Total
 
59,294

(2)
$
54.97

 

 
 

(1)      None of the common shares were purchased pursuant to any publicly announced stock repurchase program.
(2)         Of this amount, 54,532 Common Shares were acquired on the open market for employees pursuant to the Company's 401(k) plan and the remainder were acquired on the open market for participants in the Common Share Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan. 
(3)        Neither the 401(k) plan nor the Common Share Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan contain a maximum number of common shares that may be purchased in the open market.
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
None
 
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure
 
Not applicable

Item 5. Other Information
 
(a) On July 31, 2018, AWR's Board of Directors approved a 7.8% increase in the third quarter dividend from $0.255 per share to $0.275 per share on AWR's Common Shares. Dividends on the Common Shares will be payable on August 31, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 15, 2018.

(b)  There have been no material changes during the second quarter of 2018 to the procedures by which shareholders may nominate persons to the Board of Directors of AWR.
 


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Table of Contents

Item 6. Exhibits
 
(a) The following documents are filed as Exhibits to this report: 
3.1
 
 
 
 
3.2
 
 
 
 
3.3
 
 
 
 
3.4
 
 
 
 
4.1
 
 
 
 
4.2
 
 
 
 
4.3
 
 
 
 
4.4
 
 
 
 
10.1
 
Second Sublease dated October 5, 1984 between Golden State Water Company and Three Valleys Municipal Water District incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-2, Registration No. 33-5151
 
 
 
10.2
 
Note Agreement dated as of May 15, 1991 between Golden State Water Company and Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q with respect to the quarter ended June 30, 1991 (File No. 1-14431)
 
 
 
10.3
 
Schedule of omitted Note Agreements, dated May 15, 1991, between Golden State Water Company and Transamerica Annuity Life Insurance Company, and Golden State Water Company and First Colony Life Insurance Company incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q with respect to the quarter ended June 30, 1991 (File No. 1-14431)
 
 
 
10.4
 
 
 
 
10.5
 
Agreement for Financing Capital Improvement dated as of June 2, 1992 between Golden State Water Company and Three Valleys Municipal Water District incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form 10-K with respect to the year ended December 31, 1992 (File No. 1-14431)
 
 
 
10.6
 
 
 
 
10.7
 
 
 
 
10.8
 
 
 
 
10.9
 
 
 
 
10.10
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Table of Contents

10.11
 
 
 
 
10.12
 
 
 
 
10.13
 
 
 
 
10.14
 
 
 
 
10.15
 
 
 
 
10.16
 
 
 
 
10.17
 
 
 
 
10.18
 
 
 
 
10.19
 
 
 
 
10.20
 
 
 
 
10.21
 
 
 
 
10.22
 
 
 
 
10.23
 
 
 
 
10.24
 
 
 
 
10.25
 
 
 
 
10.26
 
 
 
 
10.27
 
 
 
 
10.28
 
 
 
 
10.29
 
 
 
 
10.30
 
 
 
 
10.31
 
 
 
 
10.32
 
 
 
 

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Table of Contents

10.33
 
 
 
 
10.34
 
 
 
 
10.35
 
 
 
 
10.36
 
 
 
 
10.37
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
 
 
 
31.1.1
 
 
 
 
31.2
 
 
 
 
31.2.1
 
 
 
 
32.1
 
 
 
 
32.2
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document (3)
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema (3)
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase (3)
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase (3)
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase (3)
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase (3)
 
 
 

 
(1)         Filed concurrently herewith 
(2)         Management contract or compensatory arrangement 
(3)         Furnished concurrently herewith





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SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized and as its principal financial officer.
 
 
 
 
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY (“AWR”):
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ EVA G. TANG
 
 
 
Eva G. Tang
 
 
 
Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial
 
 
 
Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY (“GSWC”):
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ EVA G. TANG
 
 
 
Eva G. Tang
 
 
 
Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial
 
 
 
Officer and Secretary
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 6, 2018

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