Essential Utilities, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2018 March (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 March 31, 2018 

☐ 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  

April 30,  2018:  177,897,654

  

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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 March 31, 2018, the consolidated statements of net income and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 the consolidated statements of cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and the consolidated statement of equity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 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 its 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, 2017.  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, 2017 consolidated balance sheet data presented herein was derived from the Company’s December 31, 2017 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 in the consolidated statements of net income as a result of the adoption, in the first quarter of 2018, of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) accounting guidance on the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost (refer to Note 15 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements).



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 its consolidated balance sheets, the revenues and expenses in its consolidated statements of net income, and the information that is contained in its 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 the Company includes currently in its consolidated financial statements, summary of significant accounting policies, and notes.



There have been no changes to the summary of significant accounting policies, other than as described in Note 2 – Revenue Recognition as a result of the adoption of a new accounting pronouncement adopted on January 1, 2018, previously identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.  

 

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Note 2 – Revenue Recognition



The Company recognizes  revenue as water and wastewater services are provided to our customers, which happens over time as the service is delivered and the performance obligation is satisfied.  The Company’s utility revenues recognized in an accounting period include amounts billed to customers on a cycle basis and unbilled amounts based on estimated usage from the last billing to the end of the accounting period.  Unbilled amounts are calculated by deriving estimates based on average usage of the prior month.  The Company’s actual results could differ from these estimates, which would result in operating revenues being adjusted in the period that the revision to our estimates is determined.  Unbilled amounts are included in accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net on the consolidated balance sheet.   



Generally, payment is due within 30 days once a bill is issued to a customer.  Sales tax and other taxes we collect on behalf of government authorities, concurrent with our revenue-producing activities, are primarily excluded from revenue.  The Company has determined that its revenue recognition is not materially different under the FASB’s new accounting standard for revenue from contracts with customer, and has not made any changes to our accounting policy.  The Company’s revenues are being reported identical to how they were reported under the FASB’s former accounting standard for revenue recognition.  The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by major source and customer class:







Regulated Segment Revenues – These revenues are composed of three main categories:  water, wastewater, and other.  Water revenues represent revenues earned for supplying customers with water service.  Wastewater revenues represent revenues earned for treating wastewater and releasing it into the water supply.  Other revenues are associated fees that relate to the regulated business but are not water and wastewater revenues.  See description below for a discussion on the performance obligation for each of these revenue streams.



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Tariff Revenues – These revenues are categorized by customer class:  residential, commercial, fire protection, industrial, and other water and other wastewater.  The rates that generate these revenues are approved by the respective state utility commission, and revenues are billed cyclically and accrued for when unbilled.  Other water and other wastewater revenues consist primarily of fines, penalties, surcharges, and availability lot fees.  Our performance obligation for tariff revenues is to provide potable water or wastewater treatment service to customers.  This performance obligation is satisfied over time as the services are rendered.



Other Utility Revenues – Other utility revenues represent revenues earned primarily from:  antenna revenues, which represent fees received from telecommunication operators that have put cellular antennas on our water towers, operation and maintenance and billing contracts, which represent fees earned from municipalities for our operation of their water or wastewater treatment services or performing billing services, and fees earned from developers for accessing our water mains.  The performances obligations vary for these revenues, but all are primarily recognized over time as the service is delivered.



Other and Eliminations – Other and eliminations consist of our market-based revenues, which comprises:   Aqua Infrastructure and Aqua Resources (described below), and intercompany eliminations for revenue billed between our subsidiaries. 



Aqua Infrastructure is the holding company for our 49% investment in a joint venture that operates a private pipeline system to supply raw water to natural gas well drilling operations in the Marcellus Shale of north central Pennsylvania.  The joint venture earns revenues through providing non-utility raw water supply services to companies which enter into a water supply contract in the natural gas drilling industry.  The performance obligation is to deliver non-potable water to its customers.  Aqua Infrastructure’s share of the revenues recognized by the joint venture is reflected, net, in equity earnings in joint venture on our consolidated statements of net income.   



Aqua Resources earns revenues by providing non-regulated water and wastewater services through operating and maintenance contracts, and third party water and sewer line repair service.  The performance obligations are performing agreed upon services in the contract, most commonly operation of third party water or wastewater treatment services, or billing services, or allowing the use of our logo to a third party water and sewer line repair service.  Revenues are primarily recognized over time as service is delivered.





Note 3 –  Goodwill 



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

 





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Note 4 –  Acquisitions 



During the first three months of 2018, the Company completed three acquisitions of water and wastewater utility systems in various states adding 448 customers.  The total purchase price of these utility systems consisted of $190 in cash.  The purchase price allocation for these acquisition consisted primarily of acquired property, plant and equipment.  The pro forma effect of the businesses acquired is not material either individually or collectively to the Company’s results of operations.



During 2017, the Company completed four acquisitions of water and wastewater utility systems in various states adding 1,003 customers.  The total purchase price of these utility systems consisted of $5,860 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. 



As part of the Company’s growth-through-acquisition strategy, the Company has entered into purchase agreements to acquire the water or wastewater utility system assets of six municipalities for a total combined purchase price in cash of $150,700, which we plan to finance by the issuance of long-term debt.  The purchase price for these pending acquisitions is subject to certain adjustments at closing, and the pending acquisitions are subject to regulatory approvals, including the final determination of the fair value of the rate base acquired.  Closings for these acquisitions are expected to occur by the end of 2018, subject to the timing of the regulatory approval process.  These acquisitions are expected to add approximately 16,325 customers in two of the states that the Company operates in.     



Note 5 –  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.







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Note 6  –Financial Instruments 

 

The Company follows the FASB’s 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:



 

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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 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 March 31, 2018. 



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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the carrying amount of the Company’s loans payable was $20,342 and $3,650, respectively, which equates to their estimated fair value.  The Company’s assets underlying the deferred compensation and non-qualified pension plans are determined by the fair value of mutual funds, which are based on quoted market prices from active markets utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions.  As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the carrying amount of these securities was $21,576 and $21,776,  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 uninvested cash, is determined based on the net asset value per unit utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions.  As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the carrying amounts of the Company's cash and cash equivalents was $3,202 and $4,204, respectively, which equates to their fair value.



Unrealized gain and losses on equity securities held in conjunction with our non-qualified pension plan is as follows:





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The net loss recognized on equity securities is presented on the consolidated statements of net income on the line item “Other.”  Additionally, the unrealized gain recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2017, was reported on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. 



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 $90,599 as of March 31, 2018, and $93,186 as of December 31, 2017.  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 rates.  Portions of these non-interest bearing instruments are payable annually through 2028 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 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: 





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For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, 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.  No further grants may be made under the 2004 Plan.  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 March 31, 2018,  3,454,922 shares were still available for issuance under the 2009 Plan.   

 

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: 



 

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The following table summarizes the PSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2018:   



 

 

 

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 three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $37.65 and $30.79, 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 the Company’s 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.   



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:

 



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The following table summarizes the RSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2018: 



 



The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $34.91 and $30.37, respectively.   



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

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selected based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option.



The following table summarizes stock option transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

 



Stock Awards –      Stock awards represent the issuance of the Company’s 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 three months ended March 31, 2018:







The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for stock awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $33.90 and $32.15, 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:



The components of net periodic benefit cost other than service cost are presented on the consolidated statements of net income on the line item “Other.”  



The Company made cash contributions of $5,198 to its Pension Plan during the first three months of 2018,  and intends to make additional cash contributions of $7,286 to the Pension Plan during the remainder of 2018. 

 

Note 10 –  Water and Wastewater Rates 

 

During the first three months of 2018, the Company’s operating divisions in Illinois and Ohio were granted base rate increases designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $8,640.  On April 6, 2018, the base rate case in Illinois was petitioned for a rehearing;  however, this petition was

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denied on April 19, 2018.  The other parties to the case have thirty days to file an appeal.  The approved rates, for which we have billed $300 to date in March 2018, are in effect, but could be subject to refund if an appeal is granted.  Further, during the first three months of 2018, the Company’s operating divisions in Pennsylvania and North Carolina received approval to bill infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $9,731.



As of February 10, 2018, the Company has been billing interim rates in Virginia, which has a base rate case filing in progress.  As of March 31, 2018, $821 of billings is subject to refund pending the conclusion of the rate case.  

 

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 its water and wastewater regulated utility companies which are organized by the states where the Company provides 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 Infrastructure and Aqua Resources.  Aqua Infrastructure provides non-utility raw water supply services for firms in the natural gas drilling industry.    Aqua Resources provides water and wastewater service through operating and maintenance contracts with municipal authorities and other parties close to its utility companies’ service territories; and offers, through a third party, water and sewer line repair service and protection solutions to households.  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.   



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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 March 31, 2018, the aggregate amount of $20,231 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 cash flows.  Further, the Company has insurance coverage for certain of these loss contingencies, and as of March 31, 2018, estimates that approximately $8,231 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, net.



Although the results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, there are no pending legal proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of its properties is

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the subject that are material or are expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.



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 $1,451 at March 31, 2018 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 three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company’s Federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward decreased by $6,760.  In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company’s state NOL carryforward increased by $3,866.  As of March 31, 2018, the balance of the Company’s Federal NOL was $56,542.  The Company believes its Federal NOL carryforward is more likely than not to be recovered and requires no valuation allowance.  As of March 31, 2018, the balance of the Company’s gross state NOL was $631,124, 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 $64,814 and $85,380, respectively.  The amounts of the Company’s Federal and state NOL carryforwards prior to being reduced by the unrecognized tax positions were $121,356 and $716,504 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 first quarter of 2018 and 2017 was -4.4% and 5.6%, respectively. 



As of March 31, 2018,  the total gross unrecognized tax benefit was $18,143.   As a result of the regulatory treatment afforded for qualifying infrastructure improvements in Pennsylvania,  $24,834, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate.  At December 31, 2017, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $17,583.    



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.



On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts” (the “TCJA”) into law.  Substantially all of the provisions of the TCJA are effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.  The TCJA includes significant changes to the Code and the taxation of business entities, and includes specific provisions related to regulated public utilities.  Significant changes that

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impact the Company included in the TCJA are a reduction in the corporate federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018, and a limitation of the utilization of NOLs arising after December 31, 2017 to 80% of taxable income with an indefinite carryforward.  The specific TCJA provisions related to our regulated entities generally allow for the continued deductibility of interest expense, the elimination of full expensing for tax purposes of certain property acquired after September 27, 2017 and the continuation of certain rate normalization requirements for accelerated depreciation benefits.  Our market-based companies still qualify for 100% deductibility of qualifying property acquired after September 27, 2017.



In accordance with the FASB’s accounting guidance for income taxes, the tax effects of changes in tax laws must be recognized in the period in which the law is enacted, or December 22, 2017 for the TCJA.  Additionally, deferred tax assets and liabilities are required to be measured at the enacted tax rate expected to apply when temporary differences are to be realized or settled.  Thus, at the date of enactment, the Company’s deferred taxes were re-measured based upon the new tax rate.  For our regulated entities, the change in deferred taxes is recorded as either an offset to a regulatory asset or liability and may be subject to refund to customers.  In instances where the deferred tax balances are not in ratemaking, such as the Company’s market-based operations, the change in deferred taxes is recorded as an adjustment to our deferred tax provision.



The staff of the SEC has recognized the complexity of reflecting the impacts of the TCJA, and on December 22, 2017 issued guidance, which clarifies accounting for income taxes if information is not yet available or complete and provides for up to a one year period in which to complete the required analyses and accounting (the measurement period).  The guidance describes three scenarios (or “buckets”) associated with a company’s status of accounting for income tax reform:  (1) a company is complete with its accounting for certain effects of tax reform, (2) a company is able to determine a reasonable estimate for certain effects of tax reform and records that estimate as a provisional amount, or (3) a company is not able to determine a reasonable estimate and therefore continues to apply the FASB’s accounting guidance, based on the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to the TCJA being enacted.



The Company has completed or has made a reasonable estimate for the measurement and accounting of the effect of the TCJA which were reflected in the December 31, 2017 financial statements, which resulted in a decrease to the accumulated deferred income tax liability of $303,320.  Additionally, due to the reduction in the Company’s corporate income tax rate,  in the first quarter of 2018, the Company reserved $2,532 for amounts expected to be refundable to utility customers.  During the first quarter of 2018, in Illinois and Virginia, the Company’s base rates have been adjusted to reflect the lower corporate income tax rate, and Texas and New Jersey implemented adjusted tariff rates in the second quarter of 2018.            



One of our states, Pennsylvania, has not yet issued an accounting or procedural order addressing how the TCJA changes are to be reflected in our utility customer rates.  As of December 31, 2017, the Company had provisionally estimated that $175,108 of deferred income tax liabilities for our Pennsylvania subsidiary will be a regulatory liability.  Additionally, two operating divisions in Ohio operate under locally-negotiated contractual rates with their respective counties, and it is expected that negotiations will result in a contract that will return to customers the effects of the reduction in the corporate net income tax rate under the TCJA; however, these negotiations have not yet started.  As of December 31, 2017, the Company had provisionally estimated that $9,419 of deferred income tax liabilities for these two

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divisions will be a regulatory liability.  Overall, the Company has applied a reasonable interpretation of the impact of the TCJA and a reasonable estimate of the regulatory resolution.  Further clarification of the TCJA and regulatory resolution may change the amounts estimated of the deferred income tax provision and the accumulated deferred income tax liability.      



The Company’s regulated operations accounting for income taxes are impacted by the FASB’s accounting guidance for regulated operations.  Reductions in accumulated deferred income tax balances due to the reduction in the Federal corporate income tax rates to 21% under the provisions of the TCJA will result in amounts previously collected from utility customers for these deferred taxes to be refundable to such customers, generally through reductions in future rates.  The TCJA includes provisions that stipulate how these excess deferred taxes related to certain accelerated tax depreciation deduction benefits are to be passed back to customers.  Potential refunds of other deferred taxes will be determined by our state regulators.  Our state regulatory commissions have or are in the process of issuing procedural orders directing how the tax law changes are to be reflected in our utility customer rates. 

 

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, and is to be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost, and on a prospective basis for the capitalization of only the service cost component of net benefit cost.  On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the updated guidance, which did not have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position, and resulted in the reclassification, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, of $1,238 for the other components of net benefit cost from operations and maintenance expense to other in the consolidated statements of net income.



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. 



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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.  On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the updated guidance, which did not have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position, and resulted in the recognition of $860 of previous unrealized gains, which was recorded as an adjustment to beginning retained earnings (refer to the presentation of “cumulative effect of change in accounting principle – financial instruments” on the Company’s consolidated statement of equity).  



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.  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 believes that the impact of adoption will not result in a material change in the Company’s measurement of revenue.  In 2017, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) power and utility entities revenue recognition task force determined that contributions in aid of construction are not in the scope of the new standard, and submitted its recommendation to the AICPA’s revenue recognition working group for approval.  The Company implemented the updated guidance using the modified retrospective approach on January 1, 2018, which did not result in a change in the Company’s measurement of revenue, and reached the following conclusions: