Essential Utilities, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2017 June (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON DC  20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One) 

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017 

☐ 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 1-6659 

AQUA AMERICA, INC. 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 





(Former Name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☒  No ☐



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ☒  No ☐



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12(b)-2 of the Exchange Act.:   



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).  Yes ☐  No ☒

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of  

July 24, 2017:  177,651,543

  

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TABLE OF CONTENTS





 

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Note 1 – Basis of Presentation 



The accompanying consolidated balance sheets and statements of capitalization of Aqua America, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) at June 30, 2017, the consolidated statements of net income and comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 the consolidated statements of cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, and the consolidated statement of equity for the six months ended June 30, 2017 are unaudited, but reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring accruals, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a  fair statement of our consolidated financial position, consolidated changes in equity, consolidated results of operations, and consolidated cash flow for the periods presented.  Because they cover interim periods, the statements and related notes to the financial statements do not include all disclosures and notes normally provided in annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The results of operations for interim periods may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.  The December 31, 2016 consolidated balance sheet data presented herein was derived from the Company’s December 31, 2016 audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures and notes normally provided in annual financial statements.  Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation of postretirement benefit contributions in the consolidated statements of cash flows.



The preparation of financial statements often requires the selection of specific accounting methods and policies.  Further, significant estimates and judgments may be required in selecting and applying those methods and policies in the recognition of the assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets, the revenues and expenses in our consolidated statements of net income, and the information that is contained in our summary of significant accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements.  Making these estimates and judgments requires the analysis of information concerning events that may not yet be complete and of facts and circumstances that may change over time.  Accordingly, actual amounts or future results can differ materially from those estimates that we include currently in our consolidated financial statements, summary of significant accounting policies, and notes.



There have been no changes to the summary of significant accounting policies previously identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.  

 

Note 2 – Goodwill 



The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s goodwill, by business segment:

 





The reclassification of goodwill to utility plant acquisition adjustment results from a mechanism approved by the applicable utility commission.  The mechanism provides for the transfer over time, and

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the recovery through customer rates, of goodwill associated with some acquisitions upon achieving specific objectives.







  

Note 3 – Acquisitions 



During the first half of 2017, the Company completed three acquisitions of water and wastewater utility systems in various states adding 1,002 customers.  The total purchase price of these utility systems consisted of $5,765 in cash, which resulted in $72 of goodwill being recorded.  The pro forma effect of the businesses acquired is not material either individually or collectively to the Company’s results of operations. 



Pursuant to our strategy to grow through acquisitions, in January 2016, the Company acquired Superior Water Company, Inc., which provides public water service to approximately 3,900 customers in portions of Berks, Chester, and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania.  The total purchase price for the utility system was $16,750, which consisted of the issuance of 439,943 shares of the Company’s common stock and $3,905 in cash.  The purchase price allocation for this acquisition consisted primarily of acquired property, plant and equipment of $25,167, contributions in aid of construction of $16,565, and goodwill of $8,622.  Additionally, during 2016, the Company completed eighteen acquisitions of water and wastewater utility systems in various states adding 2,469 customers.  The total purchase price of these utility systems consisted of $5,518 in cash, which resulted in $1,756 of goodwill being recorded.  The pro forma effect of the businesses acquired is not material either individually or collectively to the Company’s results of operations.        

 

Note 4  –  Assets Held for Sale



In the first quarter of 2017, the Company decided to market for sale a water system that serves approximately 265 customers.  This water system is reported as assets held for sale in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.



In the second quarter of 2016, the Company decided to market for sale two business units that are reported within the Company’s market-based subsidiary, Aqua Resources.  One business unit installed and tested devices that prevent the contamination of potable water and repaired water and wastewater systems, for which the sale was completed in January 2017.  The other business unit repairs and performs maintenance on water and wastewater systems, for which the sale was completed in June 2017.







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Note 5  –  Capitalization 



In July 2017, Aqua Illinois issued $100,000 of first mortgage bonds consisting of the following:





The proceeds from these bonds were used to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. 



In July 2017, Aqua Pennsylvania issued $80,000 of first mortgage bonds, of which $40,000 is due in 2055 and $40,000 is due in 2057 with interest rates of 4.04% and 4.06%, respectively.  The proceeds from these bonds were used to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. 



In January 2017, Aqua Pennsylvania issued $50,000 of first mortgage bonds, of which $10,000 is due in 2042 and $40,000 is due in 2044 with interest rates of 3.65% and 3.69%, respectively. The proceeds from these bonds were used to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.

 

Note 6  –  Fair Value of Financial Instruments 

 

The Company follows the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures, which defines fair value and establishes a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities.  That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:



 

 



The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  There have

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been no changes in the valuation techniques used to measure fair value, or asset or liability transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. 



Financial instruments are recorded at carrying value in the financial statements and approximate fair value as of the dates presented.  The fair value of these instruments is disclosed below in accordance with current accounting guidance related to financial instruments. 



The fair value of loans payable is determined based on its carrying amount and utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions.    As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying amount of the Company’s loans payable was $67,456 and $6,535, respectively, which equates to their estimated fair value.  The fair value of mutual funds to fund our deferred compensation plan liability is determined based on quoted market prices from active markets utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions.  As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying amount of these securities was $18,000 and $17,072,  which equates to their fair value, and is reported in the consolidated balance sheet in deferred charges and other assets.  The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, which is comprised of a money market fund, is determined based on the net asset value per unit utilizing Level 2 methods and assumptions.  As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying amounts of the Company's cash and cash equivalents was $7,811 and $3,763, respectively, which equates to their fair value.



The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s long-term debt is as follows:

 



The fair value of long-term debt has been determined by discounting the future cash flows using current market interest rates for similar financial instruments of the same duration utilizing Level 2 methods and assumptions.  The Company’s customers’ advances for construction have a carrying value of $91,131 as of June 30, 2017, and $91,843 as of December 31, 2016.  Their relative fair values cannot be accurately estimated because future refund payments depend on several variables, including new customer connections, customer consumption levels, and future rate increases.  Portions of these non-interest bearing instruments are payable annually through 2027 and amounts not paid by the respective contract expiration dates become non-refundable.  The fair value of these amounts would, however, be less than their carrying value due to the non-interest bearing feature.

 

Note 7  –  Net Income per Common Share 

 

Basic net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive shares.  The dilutive effect of employee stock-based compensation is included in the computation of diluted net income per common share.  The dilutive effect of stock-based compensation is calculated using the treasury stock method and expected proceeds upon exercise or issuance of the stock-based compensation.  The treasury stock method assumes that the proceeds from stock-based compensation are used to purchase the Company’s common stock at the

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average market price during the period.  The following table summarizes the shares, in thousands, used in computing basic and diluted net income per common share: 





For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, all of the Company’s employee stock options were included in the calculations of diluted net income per share as the calculated cost to exercise the stock options was less than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during these periods.

 

Note 8  –  Stock-based Compensation 

 

Under the Company’s 2009 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan, as amended as of February 27, 2014 (the “2009 Plan”), as approved by the Company’s shareholders to replace the 2004 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2004 Plan”), stock options, stock units, stock awards, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based awards may be granted to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants and advisors.  The 2009 Plan authorizes 6,250,000 shares for issuance under the plan.  A maximum of 3,125,000 shares under the 2009 Plan may be issued pursuant to stock awards, stock units and other stock-based awards, subject to adjustment as provided in the 2009 Plan.  During any calendar year, no individual may be granted (i) stock options and stock appreciation rights under the 2009 Plan for more than 500,000 shares of Company stock in the aggregate or (ii) stock awards, stock units or other stock-based awards under the 2009 Plan for more than 500,000 shares of Company stock in the aggregate, subject to adjustment as provided in the 2009 Plan.  Awards to employees and consultants under the 2009 Plan are made by a committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, except that with respect to awards to the Chief Executive Officer, the committee recommends those awards for approval by the non-employee directors of the Board of Directors.  In the case of awards to non-employee directors, the Board of Directors makes such awards.  At June 30, 2017,  3,741,035 shares were still available for issuance under the 2009 Plan.  No further grants may be made under the 2004 Plan.  

 

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Performance Share Units – A performance share unit (“PSU”) represents the right to receive a share of the Company’s common stock if specified performance goals are met over the three-year performance period specified in the grant, subject to exceptions through the respective vesting period, generally three years.  Each grantee is granted a target award of PSUs, and may earn between 0% and 200% of the target amount depending on the Company’s performance against the performance goals.  The following table provides compensation costs for stock-based compensation related to PSUs: 



 

The following table summarizes the PSU transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2017:   



 

 

 

A portion of the fair value of PSUs was estimated at the grant date based on the probability of satisfying the market-based conditions using the Monte Carlo valuation method, which assesses probabilities of various outcomes of market conditions.  The other portion of the fair value of the PSUs is based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock at the grant date, regardless of whether the market-based condition is satisfied.  The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for PSUs granted during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $30.79 and $28.89, respectively.  The fair value of each PSU grant is amortized monthly into compensation expense on a straight-line basis over their respective vesting periods, generally 36 months.  The accrual of compensation costs is based on our estimate of the final expected value of the award, and is adjusted as required for the portion based on the performance-based condition.  The Company assumes that forfeitures will be minimal, and recognizes forfeitures as they occur, which results in a reduction in compensation expense.  As the payout of the PSUs includes dividend equivalents, no separate dividend yield assumption is required in calculating the fair value of the PSUs.  The recording of compensation expense for PSUs has no impact on net cash flows.   



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Restricted Stock Units – A restricted stock unit (“RSU”) represents the right to receive a share of the Company’s common stock.  RSUs are eligible to be earned at the end of a specified restricted period, generally three years, beginning on the date of grant.  The Company assumes that forfeitures will be minimal, and recognizes forfeitures as they occur, which results in a reduction in compensation expense.  As the payout of the RSUs includes dividend equivalents, no separate dividend yield assumption is required in calculating the fair value of the RSUs.  The following table provides the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to RSUs:

 



The following table summarizes the RSU transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2017: 



 



The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for RSUs granted during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $30.37 and $32.09, respectively.   



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Stock Options –  A stock option represents the option to purchase a number of shares of common stock of the Company as specified in the stock option grant agreement at the exercise price per share as determined by the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date.  Stock options are exercisable in installments of 33% annually, starting one year from the grant date and expire 10 years from the grant date.    The fair value of each stock option is amortized into compensation expense using the graded-vesting method, which results in the recognition of compensation costs over the requisite service period for each separately vesting tranche of the stock options as though the stock options were, in substance, multiple stock option grants.  The following table provides the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to stock options:

The fair value of options was estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  The following assumptions were used in the application of this valuation model:





Historical information was the principal basis for the selection of the expected term and dividend yield.  The expected volatility is based on a weighted-average combination of historical and implied volatilities over a time period that approximates the expected term of the option.  The risk-free interest rate was selected based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option.



For the six months ended June 30, 2016, there were no compensation costs for stock-based compensation related to stock options, as the previous stock option grant that occurred in 2010 became fully amortized in 2013.  Additionally, there were no stock options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2016. 



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The following table summarizes stock option transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2017:

 



Stock Awards –      Stock awards represent the issuance of our common stock, without restriction.  The issuance of stock awards results in compensation expense which is equal to the fair market value of the stock on the grant date, and is expensed immediately upon grant.  The following table provides the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to stock awards:









The following table summarizes stock award transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2017:







The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for stock awards granted during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $32.79 and $33.64, respectively.

 

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Note 9  –  Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits   

 

The Company maintains a qualified defined benefit pension plan (the “Pension Plan”), a nonqualified pension plan and other postretirement benefit plans for certain of its employees.  The net periodic benefit cost is based on estimated values and an extensive use of assumptions about the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, the rate of future compensation increases received by the Company’s employees, mortality, turnover, and medical costs.  The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost:



Effective July 1, 2015, the Company added a permanent lump sum option to the form of benefit payments offered to participants of the qualified defined benefit pension plan and non-qualified retirement plans upon retirement or termination.  During the first quarter of 2016, the lump sum payments paid to participants who elected this option for payments from the non-qualified retirement plans resulted in a settlement charge.    



The Company made cash contributions of $15,421 to its Pension Plan during the first six months of 2017,  which completed the Company’s 2017 cash contributions. 

 

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Note 10 –  Water and Wastewater Rates 

 

During the first six months of 2017, the Company’s operating divisions in Indiana and Ohio were granted base rate increases designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $7,403.  Further, during the first six months of 2017, the Company’s operating divisions in Illinois, New Jersey, and North Carolina received approval to bill infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $3,659.

 

Note 11 –  Taxes Other than Income Taxes 

 

The following table provides the components of taxes other than income taxes:

 





Note 12 –  Segment Information 

 

The Company has ten operating segments and one reportable segment.  The Regulated segment, the Company’s single reportable segment, is comprised of eight operating segments representing our water and wastewater regulated utility companies which are organized by the states where we provide water and wastewater services.  These operating segments are aggregated into one reportable segment because each of these operating segments has the following similarities: economic characteristics, nature of services, production processes, customers, water distribution or wastewater collection methods, and the nature of the regulatory environment.



Two operating segments are included within the Other category below.  These segments are not quantitatively significant and are comprised of Aqua Resources and Aqua Infrastructure.  Aqua Resources provides water and wastewater service through operating and maintenance contracts with municipal authorities and other parties close to our utility companies’ service territories; and offers, through a third party, water and sewer line repair service and protection solutions to households.  Aqua Infrastructure provides non-utility raw water supply services for firms in the natural gas drilling industry.  In addition to these segments, Other is comprised of other business activities not included in the reportable segment, including corporate costs that have not been allocated to the Regulated segment and intersegment eliminations. Corporate costs include general and administrative expenses, and interest expense.  Additionally, contained within total assets for the Other category, in the table below, is a regulatory asset for postretirement benefits for the underfunded status of the Company’s  pension and other postretirement benefit plans and an intercompany receivable. 



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The following table presents information about the Company’s reportable segment:





 

 

Note 13 –  Commitments and Contingencies 

 

The Company is routinely involved in various disputes, claims, lawsuits and other regulatory and legal matters, including both asserted and unasserted legal claims, in the ordinary course of business.  The status of each such matter, referred to herein as a loss contingency, is reviewed and assessed in accordance with applicable accounting rules regarding the nature of the matter, the likelihood that a loss will be incurred, and the amounts involved.  As of June 30, 2017, the aggregate amount of $15,259 is accrued for loss contingencies and is reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as other accrued liabilities and other liabilities.  These accruals represent management’s best estimate of probable loss (as defined in the accounting guidance) for loss contingencies or the low end of a range of losses if no single probable loss can be estimated.  For some loss contingencies, the Company is unable to estimate the amount of the probable loss or range of probable losses.  While the final outcome of these loss contingencies cannot be predicted with certainty, and unfavorable outcomes could negatively impact the Company, at this time in the opinion of management, the final resolution of these matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or

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cash flows.  Further, the Company has insurance coverage for certain of these loss contingencies, and as of June 30, 2017, estimates that approximately $3,407 of the amount accrued for these matters are probable of recovery through insurance, which amount is also reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as deferred charges and other assets.



In addition to the aforementioned loss contingencies, the Company self-insures its employee medical benefit program, and maintains stop-loss coverage to limit the exposure arising from these claims.  The Company’s reserve for these claims totaled $1,770 at June 30, 2017 and represents a reserve for unpaid claim costs, including an estimate for the cost of incurred but not reported claims.  

 

Note 14 –  Income Taxes 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company’s Federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward decreased by $15,986.  In addition, during the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company’s state NOL carryforward increased by $11,925.  As of June 30, 2017, the balance of the Company’s Federal NOL was $97,158.  The Company believes its Federal NOL carryforward is more likely than not to be recovered and requires no valuation allowance.  As of June 30, 2017, the balance of the Company’s gross state NOL was $587,066, a portion of which is offset by a valuation allowance because the Company does not believe the state NOLs are more likely than not to be realized.  The Company’s Federal and state NOL carryforwards begin to expire in 2032 and 2023, respectively.  The Company’s Federal and state NOL carryforwards are reduced by an unrecognized tax position, on a gross basis, of $63,631 and $85,232, respectively.  The amounts of the Company’s Federal and state NOL carryforwards prior to being reduced by the unrecognized tax positions were $160,789 and $672,298 respectively.  The Company records its unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction to its deferred income tax liability. 



In accordance with a 2012 settlement agreement with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Aqua Pennsylvania expenses, for tax purposes, qualifying utility asset improvement costs, which results in a substantial reduction in income tax expense and greater net income and cash flows.  The Company’s effective income tax rate for the second quarter of 2017 and 2016 was 8.4% and 8.5%, respectively, and for the first six months of 2017 and 2016 was 7.2% and 7.1%, respectively. 



As of June 30, 2017, the total gross unrecognized tax benefit was $28,464, of which $22,364, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate as a result of the regulatory treatment afforded for qualifying infrastructure improvements in Pennsylvania.  At December 31, 2016, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $28,099. 



Accounting rules for uncertain tax positions specify that tax positions for which the timing of resolution is uncertain should be classified as long-term liabilities.  Judgment is required in evaluating the Company’s uncertain tax positions and determining the provision for income taxes.  Management believes that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations.  Although the timing of income tax audit resolutions and negotiations with taxing authorities is highly uncertain, the Company does not anticipate a significant change to the total amount of unrecognized income tax benefits within the next 12 months.

 

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Note 15 –  Recent Accounting Pronouncements   



In March 2017, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost (net benefit cost).  Historically, net benefit cost is reported as an employee cost within operating income, net of amounts capitalized.  The guidance requires the bifurcation of net benefit cost.  The service cost component will be presented with other employee compensation costs in operating income and the other components of net benefit cost will be reported separately outside of operating income, and will not be eligible for capitalization.  The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within that reporting period.  The Company is evaluating the requirements of the updated guidance to determine the impact of adoption.



In January 2017, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance that eliminates step 2 of the current goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure goodwill impairment.  A goodwill impairment loss will instead be measured at the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.  The guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted for any impairment test performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.  The Company has elected to early adopt the provisions of the updated guidance, for its annual impairment valuation to be performed in the third quarter of 2017, and does not expect the provisions of the updated guidance to have an impact on its results of operations or financial position.  



In August 2016, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows, which is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows.  This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on its consolidated cash flow statement, but does not expect there to be a significant impact. 



In March 2016, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on simplifying the accounting for share-based payments, which includes several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows.   The updated guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption available.  On January 1, 2017, the Company adopted the updated guidance, prospectively, and recognized a previously unrecognized windfall tax benefit for stock-based compensation of $982  associated with the Company’s 2012 Federal net operating loss, which was recorded as an adjustment to deferred income taxes and retained earnings (refer to the presentation of “cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - windfall tax benefit” on our Consolidated Statement of Equity).  Additionally, income tax benefits in excess of compensation costs or tax deficiencies for share-based compensation are now recorded to our income tax provision, instead of historically to stockholder’s equity, which impacts our effective tax rate.  Lastly, all tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments are reported prospectively as operating activities on the statement of cash flows, a change from the historical requirement to present tax benefits as an inflow from financing activities and an outflow from operating activities.

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In February 2016, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on accounting for leases, which requires lessees to establish a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months.  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 updated accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption available.  The Company is evaluating the requirements of the updated guidance to determine the impact of adoption.



In January 2016, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, which amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments, including the requirement to measure certain equity investments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.  The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2017.  The Company does not expect the provisions of the updated guidance to have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.  



In May 2014, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on recognizing revenue from contracts with customers, which outlines a single comprehensive model that an entity will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of recognition.  The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.  The updated guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract.  Additionally, the accounting for contributions in aid of construction may be impacted by the updated accounting guidance if the contributions are determined to be in scope.  In July 2015, the FASB approved a one year deferral to the original effective date of this guidance.  The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the updated guidance in each prior reporting period, or (ii) a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting the updated guidance recognized through retained earnings at the date of adoption.  In 2016, the Company performed an evaluation of the requirements of the updated guidance and based on current interpretations of the updated guidance believes that the impact of adoption may not result in a material change in our measurement of revenue and timing of recognition if contributions in aid of construction are determined to not be in scope.  In 2017, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) power and utility entities revenue recognition task force has determined that contributions in aid of construction are not in the scope of the new standard, and submitted its determination to the AICPA’s revenue recognition working group for approval.  We  plan to implement the updated guidance using the modified retrospective approach on January 1, 2018.