MGE ENERGY INC - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended:
March 31, 2019
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from _______________ to _______________.
Commission File No. |
| Name of Registrant, State of Incorporation, Address of Principal Executive Offices, and Telephone No. |
| IRS Employer Identification No. |
000-49965 |
| MGE Energy, Inc. (a Wisconsin Corporation) 133 South Blair Street Madison, Wisconsin 53788 (608) 252-7000 | mgeenergy.com |
| 39-2040501 |
000-1125 |
| Madison Gas and Electric Company (a Wisconsin Corporation) 133 South Blair Street Madison, Wisconsin 53788 (608) 252-7000 | mge.com |
| 39-0444025 |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have 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 registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically 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 registrants were required to submit such files): Yes [X] 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 definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large Accelerated Filer | Accelerated Filer | Non-accelerated Filer | Smaller Reporting Company | Emerging Growth Company |
MGE Energy, Inc. | X |
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Madison Gas and Electric Company |
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| X |
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrants have 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 registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):
MGE Energy, Inc. and Madison Gas and Electric Company: Yes [ ] No [X]
Title of each class |
| Trading symbol(s) |
| Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, $1 Par Value Per Share |
| MGEE |
| The Nasdaq Stock Market |
Number of Shares Outstanding of Each Class of Common Stock as of April 30, 2019 | ||
MGE Energy, Inc. | Common stock, $1.00 par value, 34,668,370 shares outstanding. | |
Madison Gas and Electric Company | Common stock, $1.00 par value, 17,347,894 shares outstanding (all of which are owned beneficially and of record by MGE Energy, Inc.). | |
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Table of Contents
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
Where to Find More Information
Definitions, Abbreviations, and Acronyms Used in the Text and Notes of this Report
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Common Equity (unaudited)
Madison Gas and Electric Company
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited)
MGE Energy, Inc., and Madison Gas and Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Signatures - Madison Gas and Electric Company
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
Filing Format
This combined Form 10-Q is being filed separately by MGE Energy, Inc. (MGE Energy) and Madison Gas and Electric Company (MGE). MGE is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGE Energy and represents a majority of its assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and operations. Thus, all information contained in this report relates to, and is filed by, MGE Energy. Information that is specifically identified in this report as relating solely to MGE Energy, such as its financial statements and information relating to its nonregulated business, does not relate to, and is not filed by, MGE. MGE makes no representation as to that information. The terms "we" and "our," as used in this report, refer to MGE Energy and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report, and other documents filed by MGE Energy and MGE with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from time to time, contain forward-looking statements that reflect management's current assumptions and estimates regarding future performance and economic conditions—especially as they relate to economic conditions, future load growth, revenues, expenses, capital expenditures, financial resources, regulatory matters, and the scope and expense associated with future environmental regulation. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "could," "should," "intend," "will," and other similar words generally identify forward-looking statements. Both MGE Energy and MGE caution investors that these forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, expressed, or implied.
The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made by a registrant include: (a) those factors discussed in the registrants' 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K: Item 1A. Risk Factors, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as updated by Part I, Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this report, and Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 17, as updated by Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements – Note 9 in this report, and (b) other factors discussed herein and in other filings made by that registrant with the SEC.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this report. MGE Energy and MGE assume no obligation to release publicly any revision to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report, except as required by law.
Where to Find More Information
The public may read and copy any reports or other information that MGE Energy and MGE file with the SEC at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. These documents also are available to the public from commercial document retrieval services, the website maintained by the SEC at sec.gov, MGE Energy's website at mgeenergy.com, and MGE's website at mge.com. Copies may be obtained from our websites free of charge. Information contained on MGE Energy's and MGE's websites shall not be deemed incorporated into, or to be a part of, this report.
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Definitions, Abbreviations, and Acronyms Used in the Text and Notes of this Report | ||
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Abbreviations, acronyms, and definitions used in the text and notes of this report are defined below. | ||
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MGE Energy and Subsidiaries: |
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CWDC | Central Wisconsin Development Corporation | |
MAGAEL | MAGAEL, LLC | |
MGE | Madison Gas and Electric Company | |
MGE Energy | MGE Energy, Inc. | |
MGE Power | MGE Power, LLC | |
MGE Power Elm Road | MGE Power Elm Road, LLC | |
MGE Power West Campus | MGE Power West Campus, LLC | |
MGE Services | MGE Services, LLC | |
MGE State Energy Services | MGE State Energy Services, LLC | |
MGE Transco | MGE Transco Investment, LLC | |
MGEE Transco | MGEE Transco, LLC | |
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Other Defined Terms: |
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ACE | Affordable Clean Energy | |
AFUDC | Allowance for Funds Used During Construction | |
ARO | Asset Retirement Obligation | |
ATC | American Transmission Company LLC | |
ATC Holdco | ATC Holdco, LLC | |
BART | Best Available Retrofit Technology | |
Blount | Blount Station | |
BSER | Best System of Emissions Reductions | |
CAVR | Clean Air Visibility Rule | |
CCR | Coal Combustion Residual | |
codification | Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification | |
Columbia | Columbia Energy Center | |
CPP | Clean Power Plan | |
CSAPR | Cross-State Air Pollution Rule | |
Dth | Dekatherms, a quantity measure used in respect of natural gas | |
EGUs | Electric Generating Units | |
electric margin | Electric revenues less fuel for electric generation and purchase power costs, a non-GAAP measure | |
Elm Road Units | Elm Road Generating Station | |
EPA | United States Environmental Protection Agency | |
ERP | Enterprise Resource Planning | |
FASB | Financial Accounting Standards Board | |
FERC | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission | |
Forward Wind | Forward Wind Energy Center | |
FTR | Financial Transmission Rights | |
GAAP | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles | |
gas margin | Gas revenues less cost of gas sold, a non-GAAP measure | |
GHG | Greenhouse Gas | |
HCM | Human Capital Management | |
heating degree days (HDD) | Measure of the extent to which the average daily temperature is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considered an indicator of possible increased demand for energy to provide heating | |
IRS | Internal Revenue Service | |
kWh | Kilowatt-hour, a measure of electric energy produced | |
MISO | Midcontinent Independent System Operator (a regional transmission organization) | |
MW | Megawatt, a measure of electric energy generating capacity | |
MWh | Megawatt-hour, a measure of electric energy produced | |
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Item 1. Financial Statements.
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MGE Energy, Inc., and Madison Gas and Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
March 31, 2019
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
a.
Basis of Presentation - MGE Energy and MGE.
This report is a combined report of MGE Energy and MGE. References in this report to "MGE Energy" are to MGE Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries. References in this report to "MGE" are to Madison Gas and Electric Company.
MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus own electric generating assets and lease those assets to MGE. Both entities are variable interest entities under applicable authoritative accounting guidance. MGE is considered the primary beneficiary of these entities as a result of contractual agreements. As a result, MGE has consolidated MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus. See Footnote 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of MGE Energy's and MGE's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K).
The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2019, and for the three months ended, are unaudited but include all adjustments that MGE Energy and MGE management consider necessary for a fair statement of their respective financial statements. All adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature except as otherwise disclosed. The year-end consolidated balance sheet information was derived from the audited balance sheet appearing in the 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes on pages 62 through 106 of the 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
b.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash - MGE Energy and MGE.
The following table presents the components of total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets.
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| MGE Energy |
| MGE |
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| March 31, |
| December 31, |
| March 31, |
| December 31, |
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| (In thousands) |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
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| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 82,402 | $ | 83,102 | $ | 9,624 | $ | 4,843 |
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| Restricted cash |
| 444 |
| 634 |
| 444 |
| 634 |
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| Receivable - margin account |
| 1,570 |
| 1,193 |
| 1,570 |
| 1,193 |
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| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | 84,416 | $ | 84,929 | $ | 11,638 | $ | 6,670 |
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Cash Equivalents
MGE Energy and MGE consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
MGE has certain cash accounts that are restricted to uses other than current operations and designated for a specific purpose. MGE's restricted cash accounts include cash held by trustees for certain employee benefits and cash deposits held by third parties. These are included in "Other current assets" on the consolidated balance sheets.
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Receivable – Margin Account
Cash balances held by counterparties as margin collateral for certain financial transactions are recorded as receivable – margin account in "Other current assets" on the consolidated balance sheets. The costs being hedged are fuel for electric generation, purchased power, and cost of gas sold.
New Accounting Standards - MGE Energy and MGE.
Recently Adopted
Leases.
In February 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance within the codification's Leases topic that provides guidance on the classification, recognition, measurement, and disclosure of leases. The new leasing standard establishes that a lease conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant, or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Under the new guidance, lessees are required to recognize all leases with terms greater than one year, including operating leases, on the balance sheet by recording a right-of-use asset and lease liability. Prior to the authoritative guidance, only capital leases were recognized on the balance sheet by lessees. The new accounting guidance, as applied by lessors, is materially consistent with current GAAP. In January 2018, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which provided an optional practical expedient to grandfather the accounting for existing and expired land easements not accounted for as a lease under the new authoritative guidance. MGE Energy and MGE adopted this practical expedient.
The lease authoritative guidance became effective January 1, 2019. MGE Energy and MGE adopted the standard upon the effective date. In compliance with authorized transition guidance, MGE Energy and MGE began applying the new standard on January 1, 2019, but will continue to present periods prior to that date according to the previous authoritative standard. There was no material impact on the consolidated net income or cash flows. See Footnote 3 for further lease information.
Leases - MGE Energy and MGE.
As part of its regular operations, MGE enters into various contracts related to IT equipment, substations, cell towers, land, wind easements, and other property in use for operations. A contract is or contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant, or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Determination as to whether an arrangement is or contains a lease is completed at inception. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets; lease expense for these leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leases with initial terms in excess of 12 months are recorded as operating or financing leases on the consolidated balance sheets.
Operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. For leases that do not provide an implicit rate, a collateralized incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date, including lease term, is used in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. MGE has regulatory treatment and recognizes regulatory assets or liabilities for timing differences between when net lease costs are recorded and when costs are recognized. As of March 31, 2019, MGE has no significant leases not yet commenced that would create significant future rights and obligations.
The following table shows lease expense for three months ended March 31, 2019:
| (In thousands) |
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| Income Statement Location |
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| Finance lease expense: |
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| Amortization of leased assets | $ | 432 |
| Depreciation and amortization |
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| Interest on lease liabilities |
| 199 |
| Interest expense, net |
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| Operating lease expense |
| 27 |
| Other operations and maintenance |
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| Total lease expense | $ | 658 |
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The following table shows the lease assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2019:
| (In thousands) |
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| Balance Sheet Location |
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| Lease assets: |
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| Finance lease assets | $ | 16,976 |
| Finance lease assets |
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| Operating lease assets |
| 121 |
| Other deferred assets and other |
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| Total lease assets | $ | 17,097 |
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| Lease liabilities: |
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| Finance lease liabilities - current | $ | 1,049 |
| Other current liabilities |
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| Finance lease liabilities - long-term |
| 17,666 |
| Finance lease liabilities |
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| Operating lease liabilities - current |
| 72 |
| Other current liabilities |
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| Operating lease liabilities - long-term |
| 85 |
| Other deferred liabilities and other |
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| Total lease liabilities | $ | 18,872 |
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The following table shows other financial lease information for the three months ended March 31, 2019:
| (In thousands) |
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| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: |
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| Finance leases - Financing cash flows | $ | 494 |
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| Finance leases - Operating cash flows |
| 199 |
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| Operating leases - Operating cash flows |
| 34 |
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| Lease assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities: |
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| Finance leases |
| 11,919 |
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| Operating leases |
| - |
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The following table shows the weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates as of March 31, 2019:
| Weighted-average remaining lease terms (in years): |
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| Finance leases | 37 |
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| Operating leases | 7 |
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| Weighted-average discount rates: |
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| Finance leases | 4.36 | % |
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| Operating leases | 4.21 | % |
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The following table shows maturities of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2019:
| (In thousands) |
| Finance |
| Operating |
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| 2019 | $ | 1,193 | $ | 58 |
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| 2020 |
| 1,600 |
| 69 |
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| 2021 |
| 1,385 |
| 2 |
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| 2022 |
| 1,266 |
| 2 |
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| 2023 |
| 1,217 |
| 2 |
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| Thereafter |
| 41,316 |
| 52 |
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| Subtotal |
| 47,977 |
| 185 |
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| Less: Present value discount |
| (29,262) |
| (28) |
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| Lease liability | $ | 18,715 | $ | 157 |
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Future minimum rental payments as of December 31, 2018, under agreements classified as operating leases with noncancelable terms in excess of one year are as follows:
| (In thousands) |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2021 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| Thereafter |
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| Minimum lease payments | $ | 1,646 | $ | 1,371 | $ | 1,095 | $ | 989 | $ | 975 | $ | 22,707 |
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Investment in ATC and ATC Holdco - MGE Energy and MGE.
ATC owns and operates electric transmission facilities primarily in Wisconsin. MGE received an interest in ATC when it, like other Wisconsin electric utilities, contributed its electric transmission facilities to ATC as required by Wisconsin law. That interest is presently held by MGE Transco, which, since December 1, 2016, is owned by MGE Energy. ATC Holdco was formed by several members of ATC, including MGE Energy, to pursue electric transmission development and investments outside of Wisconsin. The ownership interest in ATC Holdco is held by MGEE Transco, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MGE Energy.
MGE Transco and MGEE Transco have accounted for their investments in ATC and ATC Holdco, respectively, under the equity method of accounting. Equity earnings from investments are recorded as "Other income" on the consolidated statements of income of MGE Energy. MGE Transco recorded the following:
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| Three Months Ended |
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| March 31, |
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| (In thousands) |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
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| Equity earnings from investment in ATC | $ | 2,218 | $ | 2,451 |
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| Dividends from ATC(a) |
| 2,012 |
| - |
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| Capital contributions to ATC |
| 178 |
| 710 |
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MGE Transco recorded a $2.3 million dividend receivable from ATC as of December 31, 2017. A cash dividend was received in January of the proceeding year.
ATC Holdco was formed in December 2016. In the near term, it is expected that ATC Holdco will be pursuing transmission development opportunities that typically have long development and investment lead times before becoming operational.
In April 2019, MGE Transco made a $1.1 million capital contribution to ATC.
ATC's summarized financial data is as follows:
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| Three Months Ended |
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| March 31, |
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| (In thousands) |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
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| Operating revenues | $ | 177,715 | $ | 165,429 |
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| Operating expenses |
| (90,387) |
| (84,893) |
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| Other income, net |
| 260 |
| 111 |
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| Interest expense, net |
| (29,118) |
| (27,762) |
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| Earnings before members' income taxes | $ | 58,470 | $ | 52,885 |
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MGE receives transmission and other related services from ATC. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, MGE recorded $7.6 million for transmission services received compared to $7.2 million for the comparable period in 2018. MGE also provides a variety of operational, maintenance, and project management services for ATC, which is reimbursed by ATC. As of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, MGE had a receivable due from ATC of $0.1 million.
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Taxes - MGE Energy and MGE.
Effective Tax Rate.
The consolidated income tax provision differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes, as follows:
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| MGE Energy |
| MGE |
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| Three Months Ended March 31, | 2019 |
| 2018 |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
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| Statutory federal income tax rate | 21.0 % |
| 21.0 % |
| 21.0 % |
| 21.0 % |
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| State income taxes, net of federal benefit | 6.3 % |
| 6.4 % |
| 6.2 % |
| 6.0 % |
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| Amortized investment tax credits | (0.1)% |
| (0.1)% |
| (0.1)% |
| (0.1)% |
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| Credit for electricity from wind energy(a) | (5.9)% |
| (0.5)% |
| (6.5)% |
| (0.5)% |
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| AFUDC equity, net | (0.2)% |
| (0.4)% |
| (0.2)% |
| (0.4)% |
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| Amortization of utility excess deferred tax - tax reform(b) | (2.4)% |
| (1.8)% |
| (2.6)% |
| (2.0)% |
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| Other, net, individually insignificant | 0.5 % |
| (0.4)% |
| 0.5 % |
| (0.6)% |
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| Effective income tax rate | 19.2 % |
| 24.2 % |
| 18.3 % |
| 23.4 % |
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Saratoga Wind Farm became operational in February 2019.
Included are impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for the regulated utility for excess deferred taxes recognized using a normalization method of accounting. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, MGE recognized $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The amount and timing of the cash impacts will depend on the period over which certain income tax benefits are provided to customers, determined by the PSCW.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - MGE Energy and MGE.
MGE maintains qualified and nonqualified pension plans, health care, and life insurance benefits. Additionally, MGE has defined contribution 401(k) benefit plans.
The components of net periodic benefit cost, other than the service cost component, are recorded in "Other income, net" on the consolidated statements of income. The service cost component is recorded in "Other operations and maintenance" on the consolidated statements of income. The service cost component of net periodic benefit cost is eligible for capitalization within the consolidated balance sheets. MGE has regulatory treatment and recognizes regulatory assets or liabilities for timing differences between when net periodic benefit costs are recovered and when costs are recognized.
The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit costs recognized.
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| Three Months Ended |
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| March 31, |
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| (In thousands) |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
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| Pension Benefits |
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| Components of net periodic benefit cost: |
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| Service cost | $ | 1,141 | $ | 1,457 |
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| Interest cost |
| 3,452 |
| 3,208 |
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| Expected return on assets |
| (5,547) |
| (6,568) |
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| Amortization of: |
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| Prior service credit |
| (28) |
| (11) |
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| Actuarial loss |
| 1,729 |
| 1,298 |
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| Net periodic benefit cost (credit) | $ | 747 | $ | (616) |
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| Postretirement Benefits |
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| Components of net periodic benefit cost: |
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| Service cost | $ | 219 | $ | 332 |
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| Interest cost |
| 577 |
| 658 |
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| Expected return on assets |
| (681) |
| (802) |
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| Amortization of: |
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| Transition obligation |
| 1 |
| 1 |
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| Prior service credit |
| (667) |
| (667) |
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| Actuarial loss |
| 106 |
| 128 |
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| Net periodic benefit (credit) cost | $ | (445) | $ | (350) |
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Equity and Financing Arrangements - MGE Energy.
a.
Common Stock.
MGE Energy sells shares of its common stock through its Stock Plan. Those shares may be newly issued shares or shares that MGE Energy has purchased in the open market for resale to participants in the Stock Plan. All sales under the Stock Plan are covered by a shelf registration statement that MGE Energy filed with the SEC. For both the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, MGE Energy did not issue any new shares of common stock under the Stock Plan.
b.
Dilutive Shares Calculation.
MGE Energy does not have any stock option or stock award programs or any dilutive securities.
Share-Based Compensation - MGE Energy and MGE.
Under MGE Energy's Director Incentive Plan and its Performance Unit Plan, non-employee directors and eligible employees may receive performance units that entitle the holder to receive a cash payment equal to the value of a designated number of shares of MGE Energy's common stock, plus dividend equivalent payments thereon, at the end of the performance period set in the award.
In 2019, 5,175 units were granted under the Director Incentive Plan and are subject to a three-year graded vesting schedule, and 17,022 units were granted under the Performance Unit Plan and are subject to a five-year graded vesting schedule. On the grant date, the cost of the director or employee services received in exchange for a performance unit award is measured based on the current market value of MGE Energy common stock. The fair value of the awards is remeasured quarterly, including as of March 31, 2019, as required by applicable accounting standards. Changes in fair value as well as the original grant are recognized as compensation cost. Since this amount is remeasured throughout the vesting period, the compensation cost is subject to variability.
For nonretirement eligible employees under the Performance Unit Plan, stock-based compensation costs are accrued and recognized using the graded vesting method. Compensation cost for retirement eligible employees or employees that will become retirement eligible during the vesting schedule are recognized on an abridged horizon as retirement eligibility accelerates vesting.
During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, MGE recorded $1.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in compensation expense as a result of awards under the plans. In January 2019, cash payments of $1.5 million were distributed relating to awards that were granted under the plans. No forfeitures of units occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. As of March 31, 2019, $5.3 million of outstanding awards are vested. Of this amount, no cash settlements have occurred as cash payments are only made at the end of the period covered by the awards.
Commitments and Contingencies.
a.
Environmental - MGE Energy and MGE.
MGE Energy and MGE are subject to frequently changing local, state, and federal regulations concerning air quality, water quality, land use, threatened and endangered species, hazardous materials handling, and solid waste disposal. These regulations affect the manner in which they conduct their operations, the costs of those operations, as well as capital and operating expenditures. Several of these environmental rules are subject to legal challenges, reconsideration and/or other uncertainties. Regulatory initiatives, proposed rules, and court challenges to adopted rules have the potential to have a material effect on capital expenditures and operating costs. Management believes compliance costs will be recovered in future rates based on previous treatment of environmental compliance projects. These initiatives, proposed rules, and court challenges include:
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The EPA's published water effluent limitations guidelines and standards for steam electric power plants, which focus on the reduction of metals and other pollutants in wastewater from new and
19 |
existing power plants, such as the coal-burning plants at Columbia and the Elm Road Units. The operators of the Columbia and the Elm Road Units have indicated that equipment upgrades may be necessary to comply with the new discharge standards. Management believes that any compliance costs will be recovered in future rates based on previous treatment of environmental compliance projects.
•
The EPA's cooling water intake rules, which require cooling water intake structures at electric power plants, such as our Blount and Columbia plants, to meet best available technology standards so that mortality from entrainment (drawing aquatic life into a plant's cooling system) and impingement (trapping aquatic life on screens) are reduced. MGE expects that the Section 316(b) rule will not have a material effect on its existing plants.
•
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction guidelines and approval criteria established under the Clean Air Act for states to use in developing plans to control GHG emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units (EGUs). In 2015, the EPA finalized the Clean Power Plan (CPP) which directed states to submit plans, to reduce GHG emissions from the electric generation sector. In February 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed implementation of the CPP and the stay remains in effect. In October 2017, the EPA issued a proposed rule to repeal the CPP. In August 2018, the EPA proposed the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule which would replace the CPP, if successfully implemented. The ACE proposal directs states to submit plans to the EPA for approval that implement standards of performance (called Best System of Emissions Reductions, or BSER) for individual EGUs over 25 MW. ACE defines BSER as on-site, heat-rate efficiency improvements, whereas the CPP defines BSERs using carbon dioxide emission performance rates. Simple cycle units such as our smaller combustion units, and combined cycle units such as our WCCF are exempt from the proposed ACE rule. Under the proposed ACE rule, if a state fails to prepare a plan, or its plan is not approved by the EPA a federal implementation plan will be issued for that state. The proposed ACE rule as it is currently written has the potential to impact Blount, Columbia, and the Elm Road Units.
Given the pending legal proceedings, and the proposed ACE rule, the nature and timing of any final requirements is subject to uncertainty. MGE is unable to determine with any certainty the impact of the proposed ACE rule on our operations. If an ACE rule is implemented substantially in the form of the CPP rule, it is expected to have a material impact on MGE. MGE will continue to monitor developments with the proposed ACE rule, and the CPP rule, and related litigation.
•
The EPA's rule to regulate ambient levels of ozone through the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). In May 2018, the EPA issued a final rule which designated the northeast portion of Milwaukee County as being in nonattainment with this NAAQS. The Elm Road Units are located in Milwaukee County, outside the designated nonattainment area. In August 2018, several environmental groups, the City of Chicago, and the State of Illinois filed federal lawsuits challenging several of the EPA's attainment designation decisions, including the partial Milwaukee County designation as being too narrow and not sufficiently protective. MGE is monitoring the outcome of this lawsuit and how it may affect our Elm Road Units in Milwaukee County. At this time, MGE expects that the 2015 Ozone NAAQS will not have a material effect on its existing plants based on final designations.
•
Rules regulating nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, including the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) and Clean Air Visibility Rule (CAVR).
MGE has met our CSAPR obligations in 2018 and 2017 through a combination of reduced emissions through pollution control (e.g. SCR installation at Columbia), as well as owned, received, and purchased allowances. There remains uncertainty around CSAPR due to legal challenges, however, MGE expects that we will meet ongoing CSAPR obligations for the foreseeable future. MGE will continue to monitor developments and litigation to this rule.
Columbia is subject to the best available retrofit technology (BART) regulations, a subsection of the EPA's CAVR, which may require pollution control retrofits. Columbia's existing pollution control upgrades, and the EPA's stance that compliance with the CSAPR equals compliance with BART, should
20 |
mean that Columbia will not need to do additional work to meet BART requirements. At this time, however, the BART regulatory obligations, compliance strategies, and costs remain uncertain in Wisconsin due to the continued legal challenges surrounding CSAPR and CAVR. MGE will continue to monitor developments to this rule.
•
The EPA's Coal Combustion Residuals Rule (CCR), which regulates coal ash from burning coal for the purpose of generating electricity as a solid waste, and defines what ash use activities would be considered generally exempt beneficial reuse of coal ash. The CCR rule also regulates landfills, ash ponds, and other surface impoundments used for coal combustion residuals by regulating their design, location, monitoring, and operation.
Review of the Elm Road Units has indicated that the costs to comply with this rule are not expected to be significant. Columbia's operator has completed a review of their system and has determined that an onsite ash pond will need to be closed and replaced with a dry ash handling system. The dry ash handling system installation is planned for 2020-2021.
In July 2018, the EPA published a final rule that included amendments to the CCR (which include the allowance of alternative performance standards for landfills and surface impoundments, revised risk-based groundwater protection standards, and an extension of the deadline by which certain facilities must cease the placement of waste in CCR units). In August 2018, the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated parts of the CCR for not being sufficiently protective of the environment. It is unclear how the EPA will respond to that decision. MGE will continue to monitor potential rule modifications to assess potential impacts on operations.
b.
Legal Matters - MGE Energy and MGE.
MGE is involved in various legal matters that are being defended and handled in the normal course of business. MGE maintains accruals for such costs that are probable of being incurred and subject to reasonable estimation. The accrued amount for these matters is not material to the financial statements. MGE does not expect the resolution of these matters to have a material adverse effect on its consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.
Rate Matters - MGE Energy and MGE.
a.
Rate Proceedings.
In December 2018, the PSCW approved the settlement agreement between MGE and intervening parties in the rate case. The settlement decreases electric rates by 2.24%, or $9.2 million, in 2019. MGE will maintain this rate level for 2020, with the exception that MGE will file a 2020 Fuel Cost Plan in 2019 and MGE's electric rates will be adjusted accordingly. The decrease reflects the ongoing tax impacts of the Tax Act and the addition of lower-cost renewable generation capacity. The settlement agreement increases gas rates by 1.06%, or $1.7 million, in 2019 and 1.46%, or $2.4 million, in 2020. The gas increase covers infrastructure costs. It also reflects the impacts of the Tax Act. The return on common stock equity for 2019 and 2020 is 9.8% based on a capital structure consisting of 56.6% common equity in 2019 and 56.1% common equity in 2020.
MGE did not file a base rate case for 2018.
b.
Fuel Rules.
Fuel rules require the PSCW and Wisconsin utilities to defer electric fuel-related costs that fall outside a symmetrical cost tolerance band around the amount approved for a utility in its annual fuel proceedings. Any over/under recovery of the actual costs is determined in the following year and is then reflected in future billings to electric retail customers. The fuel rules bandwidth is currently set at plus or minus 2%. Under fuel rules, MGE would defer costs, less any excess revenues, if its actual electric fuel costs exceeded 102% of the electric fuel costs allowed in its latest rate order. Excess revenues are defined as revenues in the year in question that provide MGE with a greater return on common equity than authorized by the
21 |
PSCW in MGE's latest rate order. Conversely, MGE is required to defer the benefit of lower costs if actual electric fuel costs were less than 98% of the electric fuel costs allowed in that order. These costs will be subject to the PSCW's annual review of fuel costs completed in the year following the deferral.
In December 2017, the PSCW approved a surcharge for 2018 electric fuel-related costs. The surcharge increased electric retail revenue in 2018 by $0.5 million, or 0.13%.
As of March 31, 2019, MGE had no 2019 fuel savings deferred. As of December 31, 2018, MGE had deferred $9.5 million of 2018 fuel savings. The 2018 fuel savings will be subject to the PSCW's annual review of fuel costs, expected to be completed in 2019.
Derivative and Hedging Instruments - MGE Energy and MGE.
a.
Purpose.
As part of its regular operations, MGE enters into contracts, including options, swaps, futures, forwards, and other contractual commitments, to manage its exposure to commodity prices. To the extent that these contracts are derivatives, MGE assesses whether or not the normal purchases or normal sales exclusion applies. For contracts to which this exclusion cannot be applied, the derivatives are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. MGE's financial commodity derivative activities are conducted in accordance with its electric and gas risk management program, which is approved by the PSCW and limits the volume MGE can hedge with specific risk management strategies. The maximum length of time over which cash flows related to energy commodities can be hedged is four years. If the derivative qualifies for regulatory deferral, the derivatives are marked to fair value and are offset with a corresponding regulatory asset or liability depending on whether the derivative is in a net loss or net gain position, respectively. The deferred gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the delivery month applicable to the instrument. Gains and losses related to hedges qualifying for regulatory treatment are recoverable in gas rates through the PGA or in electric rates as a component of the fuel rules mechanism.
b.
Notional Amounts.
The gross notional volume of open derivatives is as follows:
|
| March 31, 2019 |
| December 31, 2018 |
|
| Commodity derivative contracts | 440,440 MWh |
| 386,440 MWh |
|
| Commodity derivative contracts | 2,871,760 Dth |
| 5,260,000 Dth |
|
| FTRs | 844 MW |
| 2,252 MW |
|
| PPA | 1,900 MW |
| 2,050 MW |
|
c.
Financial Statement Presentation.
MGE purchases and sells exchange-traded and over-the-counter options, swaps, and future contracts. These arrangements are primarily entered into to help stabilize the price risk associated with gas or power purchases. These transactions are employed by both MGE's gas and electric segments. Additionally, as a result of the firm transmission agreements that MGE holds on electricity transmission paths in the MISO market, MGE holds financial transmission rights (FTRs). An FTR is a financial instrument that entitles the holder to a stream of revenues or charges based on the differences in hourly day-ahead energy prices between two points on the transmission grid. The fair values of these instruments are offset with a corresponding regulatory asset/liability depending on whether they are in a net loss/gain position. Depending on the nature of the instrument, the gain or loss associated with these transactions will be reflected as cost of gas sold, fuel for electric generation, or purchased power expense in the delivery month applicable to the instrument. As of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the fair value of exchange traded derivatives and FTRs exceeded their cost basis by $0.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
MGE is a party to a purchased power agreement that provides MGE with firm capacity and energy during a base term from June 1, 2012, through May 31, 2022. The agreement also allows MGE an option to extend the contract after the base term. The agreement is accounted for as a derivative contract and is recognized
22 |
at its fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. However, the derivative qualifies for regulatory deferral and is recognized with a corresponding regulatory asset or liability depending on whether the fair value is in a loss or gain position. The fair value of the contract as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, reflects a loss position of $31.6 million and $32.5 million, respectively. The actual cost will be recognized in purchased power expense in the month of purchase.
The following table summarizes the fair value of the derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets. All derivative instruments in this table are presented on a gross basis and are calculated prior to the netting of instruments with the same counterparty under a master netting agreement as well as the netting of collateral. For financial statement purposes, instruments are netted with the same counterparty under a master netting agreement as well as the netting of collateral. As of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the receivable margin account balance of $1.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively, is shown net of any collateral posted against derivative positions.
|
|
| Derivative |
| Derivative |
|
|
|
| (In thousands) |
| Assets |
| Liabilities |
| Balance Sheet Location |
|
| March 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Commodity derivative contracts | $ | 546 | $ | 114 |
| Other current assets |
|
| Commodity derivative contracts |
| 129 |
| 98 |
| Other deferred charges |
|
| FTRs |
| 124 |
| - |
| Other current assets |
|
| PPA |
| N/A |
| 8,730 |
| Derivative liability (current) |
|
| PPA |
| N/A |
| 22,880 |
| Derivative liability (long-term) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Commodity derivative contracts | $ | 727 | $ | 270 |
| Other current assets |
|
| Commodity derivative contracts |
| 74 |
| 72 |
| Other deferred charges |
|
| FTRs |
| 241 |
| - |
| Other current assets |
|
| PPA |
| N/A |
| 8,550 |
| Derivative liability (current) |
|
| PPA |
| N/A |
| 23,980 |
| Derivative liability (long-term) |
|
The following tables show the effect of netting arrangements for recognized derivative assets and liabilities that are subject to a master netting arrangement or similar arrangement on the consolidated balance sheets.
| Offsetting of Derivative Assets |
| ||||||||
| (In thousands) |
| Gross Amounts |
| Gross Amounts Offset in Balance Sheets |
| Collateral Posted Against Derivative Positions |
| Net Amount Presented in Balance Sheets |
|
| March 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Commodity derivative contracts | $ | 675 | $ | (212) | $ | - | $ | 463 |
|
| FTRs |
| 124 |
| - |
| - |
| 124 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Commodity derivative contracts | $ | 801 | $ | (342) | $ | - | $ | 459 |
|
| FTRs |
| 241 |
| - |
| - |
| 241 |
|
| Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities |
| ||||||||
| (In thousands) |
| Gross Amounts |
| Gross Amounts Offset in Balance Sheets |
| Collateral Posted Against Derivative Positions |
| Net Amount Presented in Balance Sheets |
|
| March 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Commodity derivative contracts | $ | 212 | $ | (212) | $ | - | $ | - |
|
| PPA |
| 31,610 |
| - |
| - |
| 31,610 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Commodity derivative contracts | $ | 342 | $ | (342) | $ | - | $ | - |
|
| PPA |
| 32,530 |
| - |
| - |
| 32,530 |
|
23 |
The following tables summarize the unrealized and realized gains (losses) related to the derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets and the consolidated statements of income.
|
| 2019 |
|
| 2018 | ||||
(In thousands) |
| Current and Long-Term Regulatory Asset |
| Other Current Assets |
|
| Current and Long-Term Regulatory Asset |
| Other Current Assets |
Three Months Ended March 31: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at January 1, | $ | 31,830 | $ | 377 |
| $ | 41,958 | $ | 806 |
Unrealized (gain) loss |
| (922) |
| - |
|
| 128 |
| - |
Realized (loss) gain reclassified to a deferred account |
| (260) |
| 260 |
|
| (158) |
| 158 |
Realized gain (loss) reclassified to income statement |
| 375 |
| (378) |
|
| (687) |
| (645) |
Balance at March 31, | $ | 31,023 | $ | 259 |
| $ | 41,241 | $ | 319 |
|
| Realized losses (gains) | |||||||
|
| 2019 |
|
| 2018 | ||||
(In thousands) |
| Fuel for Electric Generation/ Purchased Power |
| Cost of Gas Sold |
|
| Fuel for Electric Generation/ Purchased Power |
| Cost of Gas Sold |
Three Months Ended March 31: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity derivative contracts | $ | 270 | $ | 277 |
| $ | 374 | $ | 615 |
FTRs |
| (135) |
| - |
|
| (175) |
| - |
PPA |
| (409) |
| - |
|
| 518 |
| - |
MGE's commodity derivative contracts, FTRs, and PPA are subject to regulatory deferral. These derivatives are marked to fair value and are offset with a corresponding regulatory asset or liability. Realized gains and losses are deferred on the consolidated balance sheets and are recognized in earnings in the delivery month applicable to the instrument. As a result of the above described treatment, there are no unrealized gains or losses that flow through earnings.
The PPA has a provision that may require MGE to post collateral if MGE's debt rating falls below investment grade (i.e., below BBB-). The amount of collateral that it may be required to post varies from $20.0 million to $40.0 million, depending on MGE's nominated capacity amount. As of March 31, 2019, no collateral is required to be, or has been, posted. Certain counterparties extend MGE a credit limit. If MGE exceeds these limits, the counterparties may require collateral to be posted. As of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, no counterparties were in a net liability position.
Nonperformance of counterparties to the non-exchange traded derivatives could expose MGE to credit loss. However, MGE enters into transactions only with companies that meet or exceed strict credit guidelines, and it monitors these counterparties on an ongoing basis to mitigate nonperformance risk in its portfolio. As of March 31, 2019, no counterparties have defaulted.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments - MGE Energy and MGE.
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or would be paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The accounting standard clarifies that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability including assumptions about risk. The standard also establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of the assumptions used and requires the use of observable market data when available. The levels are:
Level 1 - Pricing inputs are quoted prices within active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Pricing inputs are quoted prices within active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations that are correlated with or otherwise verifiable by observable market data.
24 |
Level 3 - Pricing inputs are unobservable and reflect management's best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
a.
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Recorded at the Carrying Amount.
The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents, and outstanding commercial paper approximates fair market value due to the short maturity of those investments and obligations. The estimated fair market value of long-term debt is based on quoted market prices for similar financial instruments. Since long-term debt is not traded in an active market, it is classified as Level 2. The estimated fair market value of financial instruments are as follows:
|
|
| March 31, 2019 |
| December 31, 2018 |
| ||||
| (In thousands) |
| Carrying Amount |
| Fair Value |
| Carrying Amount |
| Fair Value |
|
| MGE Energy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 82,402 | $ | 82,402 | $ | 83,102 | $ | 83,102 |
|
| Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Short-term debt - commercial paper |
| 6,000 |
| 6,000 |
| 13,000 |
| 13,000 |
|
| Long-term debt(a) |
| 501,303 |
| 553,598 |
| 502,431 |
| 518,811 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| MGE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 9,624 | $ | 9,624 | $ | 4,843 | $ | 4,843 |
|
| Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Short-term debt - commercial paper |
| 6,000 |
| 6,000 |
| 13,000 |
| 13,000 |
|
| Long-term debt(a) |
| 501,303 |
| 553,598 |
| 502,431 |
| 518,811 |
|
(a)
Includes long-term debt due within one year. Excludes debt issuance costs and unamortized discount of $4.4 million and $4.5 million as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively.
b.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements.
The following table presents the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
|
|
| Fair Value as of March 31, 2019 |
| ||||||
| (In thousands) |
| Total |
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
|
| MGE Energy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Derivatives, net | $ | 799 | $ | 316 | $ | - | $ | 483 |
|
| Exchange-traded investments |
| 963 |
| 963 |
| - |
| - |
|
| Total Assets | $ | 1,762 | $ | 1,279 | $ | - | $ | 483 |
|
| Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Derivatives, net | $ | 31,822 | $ | 56 | $ | - | $ | 31,766 |
|
| Deferred compensation |
| 3,009 |
| - |
| 3,009 |
| - |
|
| Total Liabilities | $ | 34,831 | $ | 56 | $ | 3,009 | $ | 31,766 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| MGE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Derivatives, net | $ | 799 | $ | 316 | $ | - | $ | 483 |
|
| Exchange-traded investments |
| 70 |
| 70 |
| - |
| - |
|
| Total Assets | $ | 869 | $ | 386 | $ | - | $ | 483 |
|
| Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Derivatives, net | $ | 31,822 | $ | 56 | $ | - | $ | 31,766 |
|
| Deferred compensation |
| 3,009 |
| - |
| 3,009 |
| - |
|
| Total Liabilities | $ | 34,831 | $ | 56 | $ | 3,009 | $ | 31,766 |
|
25 |
|
|
| Fair Value as of December 31, 2018 |
| ||||||
| (In thousands) |
| Total |
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
|
| MGE Energy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Derivatives, net | $ | 1,042 | $ | 296 | $ | - | $ | 746 |
|
| Exchange-traded investments |
| 848 |
| 848 |
| - |
| - |
|
| Total Assets | $ | 1,890 | $ | 1,144 | $ | - | $ | 746 |
|
| Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Derivatives, net | $ | 32,872 | $ | 124 | $ | - | $ | 32,748 |
|
| Deferred compensation |
| 3,078 |
| - |
| 3,078 |
| - |
|
| Total Liabilities | $ | 35,950 | $ | 124 | $ | 3,078 | $ | 32,748 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| MGE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Derivatives, net | $ | 1,042 | $ | 296 | $ | - | $ | 746 |
|
| Exchange-traded investments |
| 43 |
| 43 |
| - |
| - |
|
| Total Assets | $ | 1,085 | $ | 339 | $ | - | $ | 746 |
|
| Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Derivatives, net | $ | 32,872 | $ | 124 | $ | - | $ | 32,748 |
|
| Deferred compensation |
| 3,078 |
| - |
| 3,078 |
| - |
|
| Total Liabilities | $ | 35,950 | $ | 124 | $ | 3,078 | $ | 32,748 |
|
No transfers were made in or out of Level 1 or Level 2 for the three months ended March 31, 2019.
Investments include exchange-traded investment securities valued using quoted prices on active exchanges and are therefore classified as Level 1.
Derivatives include exchange-traded derivative contracts, over-the-counter transactions, a purchased power agreement, and FTRs. Most exchange-traded derivative contracts are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are therefore classified as Level 1. A small number of exchange-traded derivative contracts are valued using quoted market pricing in markets with insufficient volumes and are therefore considered unobservable and classified as Level 3. Transactions done with an over-the-counter party are on inactive markets and are therefore classified as Level 3. These transactions are valued based on quoted prices from markets with similar exchange-traded transactions. FTRs are priced based upon monthly auction results for identical or similar instruments in a closed market with limited data available and are therefore classified as Level 3.
The purchased power agreement (see Footnote 11) was valued using an internally-developed pricing model and therefore is classified as Level 3. The model projects future market energy prices and compares those prices to the projected power costs to be incurred under the contract. Inputs to the model require significant management judgment and estimation. Future energy prices are based on a forward power pricing curve using exchange-traded contracts in the electric futures market. A basis adjustment is applied to the market energy price to reflect the price differential between the market price delivery point and the counterparty delivery point. The historical relationship between the delivery points is reviewed and a discount (below 100%) or premium (above 100%) is derived. This comparison is done for both peak times when demand is high and off-peak times when demand is low. If the basis adjustment is lowered, the fair value measurement will decrease, and if the basis adjustment is increased, the fair value measurement will increase.
The projected power costs anticipated to be incurred under the purchased power agreement are determined using many factors, including historical generating costs, future prices, and expected fuel mix of the counterparty. An increase in the projected fuel costs would result in a decrease in the fair value measurement of the purchased power agreement. A significant input that MGE estimates is the counterparty's fuel mix in determining the projected power cost. MGE also considers the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. This consideration includes assumptions about market risk such as liquidity, volatility, and contract duration. The fair value model uses a discount rate that incorporates discounting, credit, and model risks.
26 |
The following table presents the significant unobservable inputs used in the pricing model.
|
|
| Model Input | ||
| Significant Unobservable Inputs |
| March 31, 2019 |
| December 31, 2018 |
| Basis adjustment: |
|
|
|
|
| On peak |
| 92.1% |
| 92.1% |
| Off peak |
| 92.5% |
| 92.8% |
| Counterparty fuel mix: |
|
|
|
|
| Internal generation |
| 40% - 60% |
| 50% - 75% |
| Purchased power |
| 60% - 40% |
| 50% - 25% |
The deferred compensation plan allows participants to defer certain cash compensation into a notional investment account. These amounts are included within other deferred liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The notional investments earn interest based upon the semiannual rate of U.S. Treasury Bills having a 26-week maturity increased by 1% compounded monthly with a minimum annual rate of 7%, compounded monthly. The notional investments are based upon observable market data, however, since the deferred compensation obligations themselves are not exchanged in an active market, they are classified as Level 2.
The following table summarizes the changes in Level 3 commodity derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
|
|
| Three Months Ended |
| ||
|
|
| March 31, |
| ||
| (In thousands) |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
|
| Beginning balance | $ | (32,002) | $ | (42,026) |
|
| Realized and unrealized gains (losses): |
|
|
|
|
|
| Included in regulatory assets |
| 719 |
| 563 |
|
| Included in other comprehensive income |
| - |
| - |
|
| Included in earnings |
| (644) |
| (542) |
|
| Included in current assets |
| 173 |
| (173) |
|
| Purchases |
| 5,765 |
| 5,834 |
|
| Sales |
| - |
| - |
|
| Issuances |
| - |
| - |
|
| Settlements |
| (5,294) |
| (5,119) |
|
| Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 |
| - |
| - |
|
| Balance as of March 31, | $ | (31,283) | $ | (41,463) |
|
| Total gains (losses) included in earnings attributed to the change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets and liabilities held at March 31(b) | $ | - | $ | - |
|
The following table presents total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in income for Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (b).
|
|
| Three Months Ended |
| ||
|
|
| March 31, |
| ||
| (In thousands) |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
|
| Purchased power expense | $ | (556) | $ | (723) |
|
| Cost of gas sold expense |
| (88) |
| 181 |
|
| Total | $ | (644) | $ | (542) |
|
MGE's exchange-traded derivative contracts, over-the-counter party transactions, purchased power agreement, and FTRs are subject to regulatory deferral. These derivatives are therefore marked to fair value and are offset in the financial statements with a corresponding regulatory asset or liability.
Asset Retirement Obligation - MGE Energy and MGE.
A liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation (ARO) is recognized in the period in which it is incurred if it can be reasonably estimated. The offsetting associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as
27 |
a long-lived asset and depreciated over the asset's useful life. As of March 31, 2019, MGE recorded an obligation of $1.5 million for the fair value of its legal liability for an ARO associated with the Saratoga Wind Farm. MGE has regulatory treatment and recognizes regulatory assets or liabilities for the timing differences between when we recover legal AROs in rates and when those costs would actually be recognized.
Revenue - MGE Energy and MGE.
Revenues disaggregated by revenue source were as follows:
|
|
| Three Months Ended |
| ||
| (In thousands) |
| March 31, |
| ||
| Electric revenues |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
|
| Residential | $ | 34,581 | $ | 33,259 |
|
| Commercial |
| 49,253 |
| 47,452 |
|
| Industrial |
| 2,931 |
| 2,895 |
|
| Other-retail/municipal |
| 8,239 |
| 8,287 |
|
| Total retail |
| 95,004 |
| 91,893 |
|
| Sales to the market |
| 1,961 |
| 2,034 |
|
| Other revenues |
| 451 |
| 464 |
|
| Total electric revenues |
| 97,416 |
| 94,391 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gas revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
| Residential |
| 40,317 |
| 36,551 |
|
| Commercial/Industrial |
| 28,125 |
| 24,952 |
|
| Total retail |
| 68,442 |
| 61,503 |
|
| Gas transportation |
| 1,536 |
| 1,135 |
|
| Other revenues |
| 122 |
| 127 |
|
| Total gas revenues |
| 70,100 |
| 62,765 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nonregulated energy revenues |
| 53 |
| 476 |
|
| Total Operating Revenue | $ | 167,569 | $ | 157,632 |
|
Performance Obligations
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account. A contract's transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The majority of MGE Energy's and MGE's contracts have a single performance obligation.
Retail Revenue (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Other Retail/Municipal)
Retail revenue of electric and gas utility service represent MGE's core business activities. Tariffs are approved by the PSCW through a rate order and provide MGE's customers with the standard terms and conditions, including pricing terms. The performance obligation to deliver electricity or gas is satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the commodities provided by MGE. MGE recognizes revenues as the commodity is delivered to customers. Meters are read on a systematic basis throughout the month based on established meter-reading schedules and the customer is subsequently billed for their services. At the end of the month, MGE accrues an estimate for the unbilled amount of commodities delivered to customers. The unbilled revenue estimate is based on daily system demand volumes, weather factors, estimated line losses, estimated customer usage by class, and applicable customer rates.
Utility Cost Recovery Mechanisms
MGE's tariff rates include a provision for fuel cost recovery. The PSCW allows Wisconsin utilities to defer electric fuel-related costs, less excess revenues, that fall outside a symmetrical cost tolerance band. Any over/under recovery of the actual costs in a given year is determined in the following year and is then reflected in future billings to electric retail customers. Over-collection of fuel-related costs that are outside the approved range will be recognized as a reduction of revenue. Under-collection of these costs will be recognized in "Purchased power" expense in the consolidated statements of income. The cumulative effects of these deferred amounts will be recorded in "Regulatory assets" or "Regulatory liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets until they are reflected in future billings to customers. See Footnote 10.b. for further information.
28 |
MGE received a PSCW order in January 2018 to defer the over-collection of income tax expense collected in customer rates during 2018 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act) reduction in the income tax rate to 21 percent.
MGE has other cost recovery mechanisms. For example, any over-collection of the difference between actual costs incurred and the amount of costs collected from customers is recorded as a reduction of revenue in the period incurred.
Sales to the Market
Sales to the market include energy charges, capacity or demand charges, and ancillary charges represented by wholesale sales of electricity made to third parties who are not ultimate users of the electricity. Most of these sales are spot market transactions on the markets operated by MISO. Each transaction is considered a performance obligation and revenue is recognized in the period in which energy charges, capacity or demand charges, and ancillary services are sold into MISO. MGE reports, on a net basis, transactions on the MISO markets in which it buys and sells power within the same hour to meet electric energy delivery requirements.
Transportation of Gas
MGE has contracts under which MGE provides gas transportation services to customers who have elected to purchase gas from a third party and have the gas delivered via pipelines within MGE's service territory. Revenue is recognized as service is rendered or gas is delivered to customers. Tariffs are approved by the PSCW through a rate order and provide gas transportation customers with the standard terms and conditions, including pricing terms.
Segment Information - MGE Energy and MGE.
MGE Energy operates in the following business segments: electric utility, gas utility, nonregulated energy, transmission investment, and all other. See the 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion of each of these segments.
The following tables show segment information for MGE Energy's operations for the indicated periods:
29 |
The following tables show segment information for MGE's operations for the indicated periods:
(In thousands) MGE |
| Electric |
| Gas |
| Nonregulated Energy |
| Consolidation/ Elimination Entries |
| Consolidated Total |
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating revenues | $ | 97,416 | $ | 70,100 | $ | 53 | $ | - | $ | 167,569 |
|
Interdepartmental revenues |
| 199 |
| 4,962 |
| 9,973 |
| (15,134) |
| - |
|
Total operating revenues |
| 97,615 |
| 75,062 |
| 10,026 |
| (15,134) |
| 167,569 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
| (12,509) |
| (2,760) |
| (1,870) |
| - |
| (17,139) |
|
Other operating expenses |
| (73,294) |
| (61,438) |
| (48) |
| 15,134 |
| (119,646) |
|
Operating income |
| 11,812 |
| 10,864 |
| 8,108 |
| - |
| 30,784 |
|
Other income, net |
| 1,653 |
| 554 |
| - |
| - |
| 2,207 |
|
Interest expense, net |
| (3,665) |
| (1,040) |
| (1,290) |
| - |
| (5,995) |
|
Income before taxes |
| 9,800 |
| 10,378 |
| 6,818 |
| - |
| 26,996 |
|
Income tax provision |
| (451) |
| (2,618) |
| (1,857) |
| - |
| (4,926) |
|
Net income |
| 9,349 |
| 7,760 |
| 4,961 |
| - |
| 22,070 |
|
Less: Net income attributable to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
noncontrolling interest, net of tax |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| (5,490) |
| (5,490) |
|
Net income attributable to MGE | $ | 9,349 | $ | 7,760 | $ | 4,961 | $ | (5,490) | $ | 16,580 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating revenues | $ | 94,391 | $ | 62,765 | $ | 476 | $ | - | $ | 157,632 |
|
Interdepartmental revenues |
| 31 |
| 4,347 |
| 9,820 |
| (14,198) |
| - |
|
Total operating revenues |
| 94,422 |
| 67,112 |
| 10,296 |
| (14,198) |
| 157,632 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
| (9,378) |
| (2,395) |
| (1,850) |
| - |
| (13,623) |
|
Other operating expenses |
| (76,575) |
| (55,195) |
| (43) |
| 14,198 |
| (117,615) |
|
Operating income |
| 8,469 |
| 9,522 |
| 8,403 |
| - |
| 26,394 |
|
Other income, net |
| 1,731 |
| 766 |
| - |
| - |
| 2,497 |
|
Interest expense, net |
| (2,867) |
| (839) |
| (1,348) |
| - |
| (5,054) |
|
Income before taxes |
| 7,333 |
| 9,449 |
| 7,055 |
| - |
| 23,837 |
|
Income tax provision |
| (1,201) |
| (2,458) |
| (1,922) |
| - |
| (5,581) |
|
Net income |
| 6,132 |
| 6,991 |
| 5,133 |
| - |
| 18,256 |
|
Less: Net income attributable to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
noncontrolling interest, net of tax |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| (5,806) |
| (5,806) |
|
Net income attributable to MGE | $ | 6,132 | $ | 6,991 | $ | 5,133 | $ | (5,806) | $ | 12,450 |
|
The following table shows segment information for assets and capital expenditures:
|
| Utility |
|
| Consolidated | ||||||||||
(In thousands) MGE Energy |
| Electric |
| Gas |
|
| Nonregulated Energy |
| Transmission Investment |
| All Others |
| Consolidation/ Elimination Entries |
| Total |
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2019 | $ | 1,223,815 | $ | 368,043 |
| $ | 262,979 | $ | 66,720 | $ | 461,159 | $ | (379,150) | $ | 2,003,566 |
December 31, 2018 |
| 1,193,083 |
| 377,005 |
|
| 265,301 |
| 66,366 |
| 465,661 |
| (378,798) |
| 1,988,618 |
Capital Expenditures: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2019 | $ | 24,095 | $ | 7,145 |
| $ | 693 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 31,933 |
Year ended Dec. 31, 2018 |
| 176,399 |
| 30,497 |
|
| 5,301 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 212,197 |
30 |
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
General
MGE Energy is an investor-owned public utility holding company operating through subsidiaries in five business segments:
·
Regulated electric utility operations, conducted through MGE,
·
Regulated gas utility operations, conducted through MGE,
·
Nonregulated energy operations, conducted through MGE Power and its subsidiaries,
·
Transmission investments, representing our equity investment in ATC and ATC Holdco, and
·
All other, which includes corporate operations and services.
Our principal subsidiary is MGE, which generates and distributes electric energy, distributes natural gas, and represents a majority portion of our assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. MGE generates and distributes electricity to approximately 153,000 customers in Dane County, Wisconsin, including the city of Madison, and purchases and distributes natural gas to approximately 161,000 customers in the Wisconsin counties of Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Iowa, Juneau, Monroe, and Vernon.
Our nonregulated energy operations own interests in electric generating capacity that is leased to MGE. The ownership/leasing structure was adopted under applicable state regulatory guidelines for MGE's participation in these generation facilities, consisting principally of a stable return on the equity investment in the new generation facilities over the term of the related leases. The nonregulated energy operations include an ownership interest in two coal-fired generating units in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and a partial ownership of a cogeneration project on the UW-Madison campus. A third party operates the units in Oak Creek, and MGE operates the cogeneration project. Due to the nature of MGE's participation in these facilities, the results of MGE Energy's nonregulated operations are also consolidated into MGE's consolidated financial position and results of operations under applicable accounting standards.
Executive Overview
Our primary focus today and for the foreseeable future is our core utility customers at MGE as well as creating long-term value for our shareholders. MGE continues to face the challenge of providing its customers with reliable power at competitive prices. MGE meets this challenge by investing in more efficient generation projects, including renewable energy sources. MGE continues to examine and pursue opportunities to reduce the proportion that coal generation represents in its generation mix, including the announced reduction in its ownership of Columbia and its growing ownership of renewable generation sources. MGE will continue to focus on growing earnings while controlling operating and fuel costs. MGE maintains safe and efficient operations in addition to providing customer value. We believe it is critical to maintain a strong credit standing consistent with financial strength in MGE as well as the parent company in order to accomplish these goals.
We earn our revenue and generate cash from operations by providing electric and natural gas utility services, including electric power generation and electric power and gas distribution. The earnings and cash flows from the utility business are sensitive to various external factors, including:
·
Weather, and its impact on customer sales,
·
Economic conditions, including current business activity and employment and their impact on customer demand,
·
Regulation and regulatory issues, and their impact on the timing and recovery of costs,
·
Energy commodity prices, including natural gas prices,
·
Equity price risk pertaining to pension related assets,
·
Credit market conditions, including interest rates and our debt credit rating,
·
Environmental laws and regulations, including adopted and pending environmental rule changes, and
·
Other factors listed in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
31 |
For the three months ended March 31, 2019, MGE Energy's earnings were $24.0 million or $0.69 per share compared to $20.0 million or $0.58 per share for the same period in the prior year. MGE's earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2019, were $16.6 million compared to $12.5 million for the same period in the prior year.
MGE Energy's net income was derived from our business segments as follows:
|
|
| Three Months Ended |
| ||
| (In millions) |
| March 31, |
| ||
| Business Segment: |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
|
| Electric Utility | $ | 9.3 | $ | 6.1 |
|
| Gas Utility |
| 7.8 |
| 7.0 |
|
| Nonregulated Energy |
| 5.0 |
| 5.1 |
|
| Transmission Investments |
| 1.6 |
| 1.7 |
|
| All Other |
| 0.3 |
| 0.1 |
|
| Net Income | $ | 24.0 | $ | 20.0 |
|
Our net income during the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in the prior year primarily reflects the effects of the following factors:
Electric Utility
Earnings from investments increased in 2019 as a result of the completion of the Saratoga Wind Farm.
Gas Utility
For the three months ended March 31, 2019, gas operating income increased primarily related to an increase in gas retail sales reflecting higher customer demand resulting from colder weather experienced during the quarter compared to the same period in the prior year and an increase in retail customers. Heating degree days (a measure for determining the impact of weather during the heating season) increased by 7.3% compared to the prior year.
During the first three months of 2019, the following events occurred:
2019/2020 Rate Settlement: In December 2018, the PSCW approved the settlement agreement between MGE and intervening parties in the rate case. The settlement decreases electric rates by 2.24% or $9.2 million in 2019. MGE will maintain this rate level for 2020, with the exception that MGE will file a 2020 Fuel Cost Plan in 2019 and MGE's electric rates will be adjusted accordingly. The decrease reflects the ongoing tax impacts of the Tax Act and the addition of lower-cost renewable generation capacity. The settlement agreement increases gas rates by 1.06% or $1.7 million in 2019 and 1.46% or $2.4 million in 2020. The increase covers infrastructure costs. It also reflects the impacts of the Tax Act.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs: Costs for pension and other postretirement benefits are affected by actual investment returns on the assets held for those benefits and by the discount rate, which is sensitive to interest rates, used to calculate those benefits. Volatility in interest rates and investment returns could affect the value of the pension and postretirement benefit obligations. These changes may affect benefit costs in future years. As a result of lower investment returns in the fourth quarter of 2018, pension and postretirement benefit costs increased in 2019. In December 2018, MGE filed a deferral request with the PSCW to defer the difference between estimated pension and other postretirement costs included in the 2019 and 2020 rate settlement and actual expense incurred. MGE expects actual expense will be approximately $5.9 million higher in 2019 than estimated costs included in the rate settlement. The pension and other postretirement costs for 2020 are currently unknown. MGE has not deferred any cost and will wait until a decision has been reached by the PSCW, which is expected in 2019.
Saratoga Wind Farm: In December 2017, the PSCW authorized construction of a 66 MW wind farm, consisting of 33 turbines, located near Saratoga, Iowa. Construction of the project was completed in February 2019 for approximately $112 million. MGE received specific approval to recover 100% AFUDC on the project. After tax, MGE has recognized $0.8 million in AFUDC equity related to this project for the three months ended March 31, 2019.
32 |
Columbia: MGE and WPL have negotiated an amendment to the existing Columbia joint operating agreement, effective January 1, 2017, under which MGE has reduced its obligation to pay certain capital expenditures (other than SCR-related expenditures) at Columbia in exchange for a proportional reduction in MGE's ownership in Columbia. On January 1 of each year from 2017 through 2019 and then on June 1, 2020, the ownership percentage is adjusted through a partial sale based on the amount of capital expenditures foregone. As of December 31, 2018, MGE classified $3.1 million of Columbia assets as held-for-sale on the consolidated balance sheets. In January 2019, MGE reduced its ownership interest in Columbia from 19.4% to 19.1% as a result of the partial sale of plant assets to WPL.
In the near term, several items may affect us, including:
Tax Reform: Pursuant to the Tax Act, deferred income tax balances as of December 31, 2017, were remeasured to reflect the decrease in corporate tax rate. A $130.5 million regulatory liability was recorded given that changes in income taxes are generally passed through in customer rates for the regulated utility. The amount and timing of the cash impacts will depend on the period over which certain income tax benefits are provided to customers, which will be determined by the PSCW. A portion of the regulatory liability will be returned to customers using a normalization method of accounting.
ATC Return on Equity: Several parties have filed complaints with the FERC seeking to reduce the ROE used by MISO transmission owners, including ATC. Any change to ATC's ROE could result in lower equity earnings and distributions from ATC in the future. We derived approximately 6.4% and 8.9% of our net income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, from our investment in ATC. See "Other Matters" below for additional information concerning ATC.
Environmental Initiatives: There are proposed legislative rules and initiatives involving matters related to air emissions, water effluent, hazardous materials, and greenhouse gases, all of which affect generation plant capital expenditures and operating costs as well as future operational planning. At present, it is unclear how the changes in the Presidential and EPA administrations may affect existing, pending or new legislative or rulemaking proposals or regulatory initiatives. Such legislation and rulemaking could significantly affect the costs of owning and operating fossil-fueled generating plants, such as Columbia and the Elm Road Units, from which we derive approximately 43% of our electric generating capacity as of March 31, 2019. We would expect to seek and receive recovery of any such costs in rates; however, it is difficult to estimate the amount of such costs due to the uncertainty as to the timing and form of the legislation and rules, and the scope and time of the recovery of costs in rates, which may lag the incurrence of those costs.
EPA's Clean Power Plan: In October 2015, the EPA finalized its Clean Power Plan (CPP) rule with an effective date of December 2015, setting guidelines and approval criteria for states to use in developing plans to control GHG emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units and systems. Implementation of the rule is currently stayed by order to the U.S. Supreme Court, however, if implemented, the CPP would have a direct impact on existing coal and natural gas fired generating units, including possible changes in dispatch and additional operating costs. The rule is the subject of pending legal challenges. In August 2018, the EPA proposed the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule which would replace the CPP, if successfully implemented. The proposed ACE rule as it is currently written has the potential to impact Blount, Columbia, and the Elm Road Units. Given the pending CPP legal proceedings and the proposed ACE rule, the nature and timing of any final requirements to control GHG emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired EGUs is subject to uncertainty. MGE is unable to determine with any certainty the impact of the CPP and proposed ACE rule on our operations. If an ACE rule is implemented substantially in the form of the CPP rule, it is expected to have a material impact on MGE. MGE will continue to monitor developments with the proposed ACE rule, the CPP rule, and related litigation.
Columbia: MGE will reduce further its obligation to pay certain capital expenditures (other than SCR-related expenditures) at Columbia in exchange for a proportional reduction in MGE's ownership in Columbia. By June 2020, MGE's ownership in Columbia is forecasted to be approximately 19%, a decrease of 3% from the 22% ownership interest held by MGE on January 1, 2016.
33 |
Future Generation - Riverside: In 2016, MGE entered into an agreement with WPL under which MGE may acquire up to 50 MW of capacity in a gas-fired generating plant to be constructed by WPL at its Riverside Energy Center in Beloit, Wisconsin, during the five-year period following the in-service date of the plant. The plant is expected to be completed by early 2020. MGE has not yet determined whether it will exercise its option in the Riverside plant. A determination will be made based on a variety of factors in future years.
Future Generation - Utility Solar: In April 2019, the PSCW approved the joint application of MGE and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation to acquire 300 MW of solar generating capacity from two large solar projects in Wisconsin. MGE's combined ownership share of the two projects is expected to be 100 MW. Construction of the projects is expected to begin in 2019 and expected to be online by the end of 2020. MGE's share of the total cost is expected to be approximately $130 million.
The following discussion is based on the business segments as discussed in Footnote 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report.
Results of Operations
Results of operations include financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP and electric and gas margins, both which are non-GAAP measures. Electric margin (electric revenues less fuel for electric generation and purchase power costs) and gas margin (gas revenues less cost of gas sold) are non-GAAP measures because they exclude nonregulated operating revenues used in the calculation of the most comparable GAAP measure, operating income; other operations and maintenance expense, depreciation and amortization expense, and other general taxes expense. Thus, electric and gas margin are not measures determined in accordance with GAAP.
Management believes that electric and gas margins provide a meaningful basis for evaluating and managing utility operations since fuel for electric generation, purchase power costs, and cost of gas sold are passed through without mark-up to customers in current rates. As a result, management uses electric and gas margins internally when assessing the operating performance of our segments. The presentation of utility electric and gas margins herein is intended to provide supplemental information for investors regarding operating performance. These electric and gas margins may not be comparable to how other entities calculate utility electric and gas margin or similar measures. Furthermore, these measures are not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018
The following table provides a calculation of electric and gas margins (non-GAAP), along with a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure, operating income:
|
|
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| ||||
| (In millions) |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
| $ Change |
|
| Electric revenues | $ | 97.4 | $ | 94.4 | $ | 3.0 |
|
| Fuel for electric generation |
| (13.9) |
| (11.9) |
| (2.0) |
|
| Purchased power |
| (10.9) |
| (17.0) |
| 6.1 |
|
| Total Electric Margins |
| 72.6 |
| 65.5 |
| 7.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gas revenues |
| 70.1 |
| 62.8 |
| 7.3 |
|
| Cost of gas sold |
| (43.3) |
| (39.7) |
| (3.6) |
|
| Total Gas Margins |
| 26.8 |
| 23.1 |
| 3.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other operating revenues |
| 0.1 |
| 0.5 |
| (0.4) |
|
| Other operations and maintenance |
| (46.9) |
| (44.4) |
| (2.5) |
|
| Depreciation and amortization |
| (17.1) |
| (13.6) |
| (3.5) |
|
| Other general taxes |
| (5.0) |
| (4.9) |
| (0.1) |
|
| Operating Income | $ | 30.5 | $ | 26.2 | $ | 4.3 |
|
34 |
Operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in the prior year primarily reflects the effects of the following factors:
·
A $3.0 million increase in electric revenue driven by an increase in residential and commercial sales.
·
A $6.1 million decrease in purchased power costs driven by the purchase of the Forward Wind Energy Center in April 2018 which replaced an existing purchased power agreement. In addition, increased internal generation replaced the need for purchased power.
·
A $7.3 million increase in gas revenues reflecting higher customer demand resulting from colder weather experienced during the quarter and an increase in retail customers.
·
A $3.6 million increase in cost of gas sold driven by increased gas sales.
·
A $2.5 million increase in other operations and maintenance. See consolidated operations and maintenance expenses section below.
·
A $3.5 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense driven by accelerated depreciation expense for specified electric assets as discussed in the consolidated depreciation expense section below.
Electric sales and revenues
The following table compares MGE's electric revenues and electric kWh sales by customer class for each of the periods indicated:
|
| Revenues |
| Sales (kWh) | ||||||||
(In thousands) |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
| % Change |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
| % Change | |
Residential | $ | 34,581 | $ | 33,259 |
| 4.0 % |
| 212,679 |
| 207,151 |
| 2.7 % |
Commercial |
| 49,253 |
| 47,452 |
| 3.8 % |
| 445,103 |
| 440,891 |
| 1.0 % |
Industrial |
| 2,931 |
| 2,895 |
| 1.2 % |
| 41,109 |
| 42,867 |
| (4.1)% |
Other-retail/municipal |
| 8,239 |
| 8,287 |
| (0.6)% |
| 80,736 |
| 89,245 |
| (9.5)% |
Total retail |
| 95,004 |
| 91,893 |
| 3.4 % |
| 779,627 |
| 780,154 |
| (0.1)% |
Sales to the market |
| 1,961 |
| 2,034 |
| (3.6)% |
| 51,524 |
| 32,559 |
| 58.2 % |
Other revenues |
| 451 |
| 464 |
| (2.8)% |
| - |
| - |
| - % |
Total | $ | 97,416 | $ | 94,391 |
| 3.2 % |
| 831,151 |
| 812,713 |
| 2.3 % |
Electric margin, a non-GAAP measure, increased $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, due to the following:
| (In millions) |
|
|
|
| Revenue subject to refund, net | $ | 4.8 |
|
| Decreased fuel costs |
| 4.1 |
|
| Increase in volume |
| 0.7 |
|
| Other |
| 0.1 |
|
| Rate changes |
| (2.6) |
|
| Total | $ | 7.1 |
|
·
Revenue subject to refund. For cost recovery mechanisms, any over-collection of the difference between actual costs incurred and the amount of costs collected from customers is recorded as a reduction of revenue in the period incurred.
o
Tax Act. MGE received a PSCW order in January 2018 to defer the over-collection of income tax expense collected in customer rates as a result of the Tax Act reduction in federal income tax rate to 21 percent. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, MGE recorded a $2.5 million reduction in retail electric revenues and recorded a corresponding regulatory liability.
o
Fuel-related costs. MGE's fuel-related costs subject to refund in 2018 was $1.5 million. There were no fuel-related costs subject to refund in 2019. Under fuel rules, MGE is required to defer electric fuel-related costs that fall outside a 2% cost tolerance band around the amount used in the most recent rate proceeding.
35 |
o
Transmission. MGE's transmission costs subject to refund decreased revenue $0.8 million in 2019, partially offset by a decrease of $0.4 million in 2018.
o
Operating Costs. MGE recognized revenue for electric plant operating costs subject to refund from previous years of $0.3 million in 2019. In 2018, MGE recorded a $0.9 million reduction in retail electric revenues primarily related to lower leased generation costs due to the reduction in tax rate.
·
Fuel costs. Fuel costs decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily as a result of a reduction in purchased power. The purchase of the Forward Wind Energy Center in April 2018 replaced an existing purchase power agreement that was previously recorded as purchased power expense in fuel costs. The commercial operation of the Saratoga Wind Farm in February 2019 further decreased the need for purchased power contributing to the reduction in fuel costs in the current quarter.
·
Volume. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, there was a 2.7% increase in residential electric sales volumes compared to the same period in the prior year driven by increased customer demand.
·
Rate changes. Rates charged to retail customers during the three months ended March 31, 2019, were 2.8% or $2.6 million lower than those charged during the same period in the prior year.
In December 2018, the PSCW authorized MGE to decrease 2019 rates for electric retail customers by 2.24%.
Gas deliveries and revenues
The following table compares MGE's gas revenues and gas therms delivered by customer class for each of the periods indicated:
|
| Revenues |
| Therms Delivered | ||||||||
(In thousands, except HDD and average rate per therm of retail customer) |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
| % Change |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
| % Change | |
Residential | $ | 40,317 | $ | 36,551 |
| 10.3 % |
| 54,259 |
| 49,712 |
| 9.1 % |
Commercial/Industrial |
| 28,125 |
| 24,952 |
| 12.7 % |
| 46,337 |
| 42,307 |
| 9.5 % |
Total retail |
| 68,442 |
| 61,503 |
| 11.3 % |
| 100,596 |
| 92,019 |
| 9.3 % |
Gas transportation |
| 1,536 |
| 1,135 |
| 35.3 % |
| 22,471 |
| 21,941 |
| 2.4 % |
Other revenues |
| 122 |
| 127 |
| (3.9)% |
| - |
| - |
| - % |
Total | $ | 70,100 | $ | 62,765 |
| 11.7 % |
| 123,067 |
| 113,960 |
| 8.0 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Heating degree days (normal 3,508) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 3,847 |
| 3,586 |
| 7.3 % |
Average rate per therm of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
retail customer | $ | 0.680 | $ | 0.668 |
| 1.8 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gas margin, a non-GAAP measure, increased $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, due to the following:
| (In millions) |
|
|
|
| Increase in volume | $ | 1.6 |
|
| Revenue subject to refund, net |
| 1.4 |
|
| Rate Changes |
| 0.6 |
|
| Other |
| 0.1 |
|
| Total | $ | 3.7 |
|
·
Volume. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, retail gas deliveries increased 9.3% compared to the same period in the prior year primarily related to customer growth and more favorable weather conditions in the quarter.
36 |
·
Revenue subject to refund - Tax Act. MGE received a PSCW order in January 2018 to defer the over-collection of income tax expense collected in customer rates as a result of the Tax Act reduction in federal income tax rate to 21 percent. Any over-collection of the difference between actual costs incurred and the amount of costs collected from customers is recorded as a reduction of revenue in the period incurred. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, MGE recorded a $1.4 million reduction in retail gas revenues and recorded a corresponding regulatory liability.
·
Rate changes. In December 2018, the PSCW authorized MGE to increase 2019 rates for gas retail customers by 1.06%.
Consolidated operations and maintenance expenses
For the three months ended March 31, 2019, operations and maintenance expenses increased $2.5 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The following contributed to the net change:
| (In millions) |
|
|
|
| Increased administrative and general costs | $ | 2.4 |
|
| Increased customer accounts costs |
| 0.6 |
|
| Decreased electric production expenses |
| (0.4) |
|
| Decreased other costs |
| (0.1) |
|
| Total | $ | 2.5 |
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2019, increased administrative and general costs are primarily related to increased payroll costs as well as increased technology related costs associated with the multi-year Enterprise Forward project.
Consolidated depreciation expense
Electric depreciation expense increased $3.1 million and gas depreciation expense increased $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in the prior year. MGE accelerated depreciation for combustion turbines and Columbia Unit 1 in 2019, as approved in the December 2018 rate settlement, increasing electric depreciation expense compared to the prior period. Also approved in the December 2018 rate settlement were new depreciation rates for Columbia, further contributing to the increase in electric depreciation expense.
Nonregulated Energy Operations - MGE Energy and MGE
The nonregulated energy operations are conducted through MGE Energy's subsidiaries: MGE Power Elm Road (the Elm Road Units) and MGE Power West Campus (WCCF), which have been formed to own and lease electric generating capacity to assist MGE. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, net income at the nonregulated energy operations segment was $5.0 million and $5.1 million, respectively.
Transmission Investment Operations - MGE Energy
For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, other income at the transmission investment segment was $2.2 million and $2.4 million, respectively. The transmission investment segment holds our interest in ATC and ATC Holdco, and its income reflects our equity in the earnings of those investments. ATC Holdco was formed in December 2016. In the near term, it is expected that ATC Holdco will be pursuing transmission development opportunities that typically have long development and investment lead times before becoming operational. See Footnote 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report and "Other Matters" below for additional information concerning ATC and summarized financial information regarding ATC.
37 |
Consolidated Income Taxes - MGE Energy and MGE
In 2019, the effective electric tax rate decreased as a result of a tax credit from the commercial operation of the Saratoga Wind Farm. See Footnote 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report for effective tax rate reconciliation.
Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax - MGE
The noncontrolling interest, net of tax, reflects the accounting required for MGE Energy's interest in MGE Power Elm Road (the Elm Road Units) and MGE Power West Campus (WCCF). MGE Energy owns 100% of MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus; however, due to the contractual agreements for these projects with MGE, the entities are considered VIEs with respect to MGE and their results are consolidated with those of MGE, the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. The following table shows MGE Energy's noncontrolling interest, net of tax, reflected on MGE's consolidated statement of income:
|
|
| Three Months Ended |
| ||
|
|
| March 31, |
| ||
| (In millions) |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
|
| MGE Power Elm Road | $ | 3.7 | $ | 4.0 |
|
| MGE Power West Campus |
| 1.8 |
| 1.8 |
|
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments - MGE Energy and MGE
There were no material changes, other than from the normal course of business, to MGE Energy's and MGE's contractual obligations (representing cash obligations that are considered to be firm commitments) and commercial commitments (representing commitments triggered by future events) during the three months ended March 31, 2019. Further discussion of the contractual obligations and commercial commitments is included in Footnote 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and "Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments for MGE Energy and MGE" under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in MGE Energy's and MGE's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
MGE Energy and MGE have adequate liquidity to fund future operations and capital expenditures over the next twelve months. Available resources include cash and cash equivalents, operating cash flows, liquid assets, borrowing capacity under revolving credit facilities, and access to equity and debt capital markets. See "Credit Facilities" under Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources in MGE Energy's and MGE's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding MGE Energy's and MGE's credit facilities.
Cash Flows
The following summarizes cash flows for MGE Energy and MGE during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:
|
|
| MGE Energy |
| MGE |
| |||||
| (In thousands) |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
|
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
|
| Cash provided by (used for): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Operating activities | $ | 53,195 | $ | 46,978 |
| $ | 53,602 | $ | 46,579 |
|
| Investing activities |
| (32,879) |
| (39,543) |
|
| (32,161) |
| (37,829) |
|
| Financing activities |
| (20,829) |
| (13,284) |
|
| (16,473) |
| (9,603) |
|
38 |
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
MGE Energy
MGE Energy's consolidated net cash provided by operating activities is derived mainly from the electric and gas operations of its principal subsidiary, MGE.
Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019, was $53.2 million, an increase of $6.2 million when compared to the same period in the prior year.
MGE Energy's net income increased $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, when compared to the same period in the prior year.
Working capital accounts (excluding prepaid and accrued taxes) resulted in $6.7 million in cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily due to decreased gas inventories and decreased unbilled revenues, partially offset by increased accounts receivable and decreased other current liabilities.
Working capital accounts (excluding prepaid and accrued taxes) resulted in $6.3 million in cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to decreased gas inventories, decreased unbilled revenues, and decreased other current assets, partially offset by decreased accounts payable, decreased other current liabilities, and increased accounts receivable.
An increase in hosted software asset expenditures resulted in additional $2.8 million in cash used for operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019, when compared to the prior year.
MGE
Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019, was $53.6 million, an increase of $7.0 million when compared to the same period in the prior year.
Net income increased $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, when compared to the same period in the prior year.
Working capital accounts (excluding prepaid and accrued taxes) resulted in $9.4 million in cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily due to decreased gas inventories and decreased unbilled revenues, partially offset by increased accounts receivable and decreased other current liabilities.
Working capital accounts (excluding prepaid and accrued taxes) resulted in $8.3 million in cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to decreased gas inventories, decreased unbilled revenues, and decreased other current assets, partially offset by decreased accounts payable, decreased accrued payroll, and increased other accounts receivable.
An increase in hosted software asset expenditures resulted in additional $2.8 million in cash used for operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019, when compared to the prior year.
Cash Used for Investing Activities
MGE Energy
MGE Energy's cash used for investing activities decreased $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, when compared to the same period in the prior year.
Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2019, were $31.9 million. This amount represents a decrease of $5.7 million from the expenditures made in the same period in the prior year. This decrease primarily reflects expenditures on the construction of the Saratoga wind project in the prior year.
Capital contributions to ATC and other investments decreased $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, when compared to the same period in the prior year.
39 |
MGE
MGE's cash used for investing activities decreased $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, when compared to the same period in the prior year.
Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2019, were $31.9 million. This amount represents a decrease of $5.7 million from the expenditures made in the same period in the prior year. This decrease primarily reflects expenditures on the construction of the Saratoga wind project in the prior year.
Cash Used for Financing Activities
MGE Energy
Cash used for MGE Energy's financing activities was $20.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $13.3 million of cash used for MGE Energy's financing activities for the same period in the prior year.
For the three months ended March 31, 2019, dividends paid were $11.7 million compared to $11.2 million in the prior year. This increase was a result of a higher dividend per share ($0.338 vs. $0.323).
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, net short-term debt repayments were $7.0 million compared to $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
MGE
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, cash used for MGE's financing activities was $16.5 million compared to $9.6 million of cash used for MGE's financing activities for the same period in the prior year.
Distributions to parent from noncontrolling interest, which represent distributions from MGE Power Elm Road and MGE Power West Campus to MGE Energy, were $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, net short-term debt repayments were $7.0 million compared to $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
Capitalization Ratios
MGE Energy's capitalization ratios were as follows:
|
| MGE Energy |
| ||
|
| March 31, 2019 |
| December 31, 2018 |
|
| Common shareholders' equity | 62.2 % |
| 61.5 % |
|
| Long-term debt(a) | 37.3 % |
| 37.5 % |
|
| Short-term debt | 0.5 % |
| 1.0 % |
|
(a)
Includes the current portion of long-term debt.
MGE Energy's and MGE's Capital Requirements
MGE Energy's and MGE's liquidity are primarily affected by their capital expenditure requirements. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, capital expenditures for MGE Energy and MGE totaled $31.9 million, which included $31.3 million of utility capital expenditures.
Credit Ratings
MGE Energy's and MGE's access to the capital markets, including, in the case of MGE, the commercial paper market, and their respective financing costs in those markets, may depend on the credit ratings of the entity that is accessing the capital markets.
40 |
None of MGE Energy's or MGE's borrowings are subject to default or prepayment as a result of a downgrading of credit ratings, although a downgrading of MGE's credit ratings could increase fees and interest charges under both MGE Energy's and MGE's credit agreements.
Environmental Matters
There were no material updates or developments in environmental matters that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2019. Further discussion of environmental matters is included in MGE Energy's and MGE's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Footnote 9.a. of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report.
Other Matters
ATC
In 2013, several parties filed a complaint with the FERC seeking to reduce the base return on equity (ROE) used by MISO transmission owners, including ATC, "due to changes in the capital markets." The complaint alleged that the MISO ROE should not exceed 9.15%, the equity components of hypothetical capital structures should be restricted to 50%, and the relevant incentive ROE adders should be discontinued. At the time, MISO's base ROE was 12.38% and ATC's base ROE was 12.2%. On September 28, 2016, FERC issued an order on the 2013 complaint, for the period November 2013 through February 2015, reducing the base ROE to 10.32%. This base ROE also became effective September 28, 2016, and will apply to future periods until FERC rules in the second complaint described below, at which time the base ROE ordered by FERC in the second complaint will prospectively become the authorized base ROE.
In February 2015, a second complaint was filed for the period February 2015 through May 2015 with the FERC requesting a reduction in the base ROE used by MISO transmission owners, including ATC, to 8.67%, with a refund effective date retroactive to the filing date of the complaint. In June 2016, an administrative law judge issued an initial decision for the second complaint that would reduce the transmission owner's base ROE to 9.7%. The initial decision will be reviewed by FERC. It is anticipated FERC will issue an order on this issue in 2019.
In January 2015, FERC accepted the transmission owner's request for a 50 basis-point incentive ROE adder for participating in MISO. The adder became effective January 6, 2015.
We derived approximately 6.4% and 8.9% of our net income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, from our investment in ATC. Any change to ATC's ROE could result in lower equity earnings and distributions from ATC in the future.
Adoption of Accounting Principles and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Footnote 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report for discussion of new accounting pronouncements.
41 |
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
MGE Energy and MGE are potentially exposed to market risk associated with interest rates, commodity prices, and equity returns. MGE currently has no exposure to foreign currency risk. MGE manages some risk exposure through risk management policies and the use of derivative instruments. MGE's risk management policy prohibits speculative trading transactions.
Commodity Price Risk
MGE has commodity price risk exposure with respect to the price of natural gas, electricity, coal, emission credits, and oil. MGE's electric operations burn natural gas in several of its peaking power plants and, in many cases, the cost of purchased power is tied to the cost of natural gas. MGE employs established policies and procedures to reduce the market risks associated with changing commodity prices. MGE's commodity risks are somewhat mitigated by the current ratemaking process in place for recovering electric fuel cost, purchased energy costs, and the cost of natural gas.
MGE's electric fuel costs are subject to fuel rules established by the PSCW. The fuel rules require the PSCW and Wisconsin utilities to defer electric fuel-related costs that fall outside a symmetrical cost tolerance band. Any over/under recovery of the actual costs in a year outside of the symmetrical cost tolerance band is determined in the following year and is then reflected in future billings to electric retail customers. Under the electric fuel rules, MGE is required to defer the benefit of lower costs if the actual electric fuel costs fall outside the lower end of the range and is required to defer costs, less any excess revenues, if the actual electric fuel costs exceed the upper end of the range. Excess revenues are defined as revenues in the year in question that provide MGE with a greater return on common equity than authorized by the PSCW in MGE's latest rate order. The range is defined by the PSCW and has been modified throughout the years based on market conditions and other relevant factors. Currently, MGE is subject to a plus or minus 2% range. MGE assumes the risks and benefits of variances that are within the cost tolerance band. For 2019, fuel and purchased power costs included in MGE's fuel monitoring level rates are $77.3 million. See Footnote 10.b. of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report for additional information.
MGE recovers the cost of natural gas in its gas utility segment through the purchased gas adjustment clause (PGA). Under the PGA, MGE is able to pass through to its gas customers the cost of gas.
MGE also reduces price risk caused by market fluctuations via physical contracts and financial derivative contracts, including futures, swaps, options, forwards, and other contractual commitments. The maximum length of time over which cash flows related to energy commodities can be hedged under applicable PSCW approvals is four years.
MGE has financial gas and electric commodity contracts to hedge commodity price risk in the gas and electric utility segments. These contracts are primarily comprised of exchange-traded option and future contracts. MGE also holds financial transmission rights (FTRs), which are used to hedge the risk of increased transmission congestion charges. As of March 31, 2019, the fair value of these instruments exceeded their cost basis by $0.6 million. Under the PGA clause and electric fuel rules, MGE may include the costs and benefits of the aforementioned fuel price risk management tools in the costs of fuel (natural gas or power). Because these costs/benefits are recoverable, the related unrealized loss/gain has been deferred on the consolidated balance sheets as a regulatory asset/liability.
MGE has also entered into a purchased power agreement that provides MGE with firm capacity and energy that began on June 1, 2012, and ends on May 31, 2022 (the "base term"). The agreement also allows MGE an option to extend the contract after the base term. The agreement is considered a derivative contract and is recognized at its fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. However, the derivative qualifies for regulatory deferral and is recognized with a corresponding regulatory asset or liability depending on whether the fair value is in a loss or gain position. The fair value of the contract as of March 31, 2019, reflects a loss position of $31.6 million.
Interest Rate Risk
Both MGE Energy and MGE may have short term borrowings at varying interest rates. MGE issues commercial paper for its short-term borrowings, while MGE Energy draws from its current credit facility to meet its short-term borrowing needs. Borrowing levels vary from period to period depending upon capital investments and other factors. Future short-term interest expense and payments will reflect both future short-term interest rates and borrowing levels.
42 |
MGE Energy and MGE manage interest rate risk by limiting their variable rate exposure and continually monitoring the effects of market changes on interest rates. MGE is not exposed to changes in interest rates on a substantial portion of its long-term debt until that debt matures and is refinanced at market rates.
Equity Price Risk - Pension-Related Assets
MGE currently funds its liabilities related to employee benefits through trust funds. These funds, which include investments in debt and equity securities, are managed by various investment managers. Changes in market value of these investments can have an impact on the future expenses related to these liabilities.
Credit Risk - Counterparty
Credit risk is the loss that may result from counterparty nonperformance. MGE is exposed to credit risk primarily through its merchant energy business. MGE uses credit policies to manage its credit risk, which include utilizing an established credit approval process, monitoring counterparty limits, employing credit mitigation measures such as collateral or prepayment arrangements, and using netting agreements.
Due to the possibility of extreme volatility in the prices of energy commodities and derivatives, the market value of contractual positions with individual counterparties could exceed established credit limits or collateral provided by those counterparties. If such a counterparty were then to fail to perform its obligations under its contract (for example, fail to deliver the electricity MGE originally contracted for), MGE could sustain a loss that could have a material impact on its financial results.
Additionally, if a counterparty were to default and MGE were to liquidate all contracts with that entity, MGE's credit loss would include the loss in value of mark-to-market contracts; the amount owed for settled transactions; and additional payments, if any, to settle unrealized losses. As of March 31, 2019, no counterparties have defaulted.
MGE is obligated to provide service to all electric and gas customers within its respective franchised territories. MGE's franchised electric territory includes a 264 square-mile area in Dane County, Wisconsin, and MGE's franchised gas territory includes a service area covering 1,684 square miles in Wisconsin. Based on results for the year ended December 31, 2018, no one customer constituted more than 10% of total operating revenues for MGE Energy and MGE. Credit risk for electric and gas is managed by MGE's credit and collection policies, which are consistent with state regulatory requirements.
Cash, cash equivalents, and customer accounts receivable are the financial instruments that potentially subject MGE Energy and MGE to concentrations of credit risk. MGE Energy and MGE place their cash and cash equivalents with high credit-quality financial institutions. MGE has limited concentrations of credit risk from customer accounts receivable because of the large number of customers and relatively strong economy in its service territory.
43 |
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
During the first quarter of 2019, each registrant's management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated its disclosure controls and procedures related to the recording, processing, summarization, and reporting of information in its periodic reports that it files with the SEC. These disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that material information relating to that registrant, including its subsidiaries, is accumulated and made known to that registrant's management, including these officers, by other employees of that registrant and its subsidiaries as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and that this information is recorded, processed, summarized, evaluated, and reported, as applicable, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Due to the inherent limitations of control systems, not all misstatements may be detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty and breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. Also, MGE Energy does not control or manage certain of its unconsolidated entities and thus, its access and ability to apply its procedures to those entities is more limited than is the case for its consolidated subsidiaries.
As of March 31, 2019, each registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Each registrant intends to strive continually to improve its disclosure controls and procedures to enhance the quality of its financial reporting.
During the first quarter of 2019, the registrants implemented new enterprise resource planning (ERP) and human capital management (HCM) systems. The new ERP system replaces existing accounting systems and processes, including procurement, inventory management, and the general ledger. We have made changes to our internal controls over financial reporting during the implementation of the new system and will continue to evaluate the operating effectiveness of related controls during the subsequent periods.
44 |
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION.
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
MGE Energy and MGE
MGE Energy and its subsidiaries, including MGE, from time to time are involved in various legal proceedings that are handled and defended in the ordinary course of business.
See Footnote 9.a. and 9.b. of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report for more information.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period |
| Total Number of Shares Purchased |
| Average Price Paid per Share |
| Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs* |
| Maximum number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs* |
January 1-31, 2019 |
| 12,718 | $ | 60.30 |
| - |
| - |
February 1-28, 2019 |
| 7,342 |
| 64.85 |
| - |
| - |
March 1-31, 2019 |
| 44,053 |
| 66.30 |
| - |
| - |
Total |
| 64,113 | $ | 64.95 |
| - |
| - |
*Under the MGE Energy, Inc. Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Stock Plan), common stock shares deliverable to plan participants may be either newly issued shares or shares purchased on the open market, as determined from time to time by MGE Energy. MGE Energy's transfer agent uses open market purchases to provide shares to meet obligations to participants in the Stock Plan. The shares are purchased on the open market through the transfer agent's securities broker-dealer and then are reissued under the Stock Plan as needed to meet share delivery requirements. The volume and timing of share repurchases in the open market depends upon the level of dividend reinvestment and optional share purchases being made from time to time by plan participants. As a result, there is no specified maximum number of shares to be repurchased and no specified termination date for the repurchases. All shares issued through the Stock Plan, whether newly issued or reissued following open market purchases, are issued and sold pursuant to a registration statement that was filed with the SEC and is currently effective.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable to MGE Energy and MGE.
45 |
Item 6. Exhibits.
|
|
Ex. No. | Exhibit Description |
31.1* | Certifications Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed by Jeffrey M. Keebler for MGE Energy, Inc. |
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31.2* | Certifications Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed by Jeffrey C. Newman for MGE Energy, Inc. |
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31.3* | Certifications Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed by Jeffrey M. Keebler for Madison Gas and Electric Company |
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31.4* | Certifications Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed by Jeffrey C. Newman for Madison Gas and Electric Company |
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32.1** | Certifications Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 United States Code (Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) filed by Jeffrey M. Keebler for MGE Energy, Inc. |
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32.2** | Certifications Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 United States Code (Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) filed by Jeffrey C. Newman for MGE Energy, Inc. |
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32.3** | Certifications Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 United States Code (Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) filed by Jeffrey M. Keebler for Madison Gas and Electric Company |
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32.4** | Certifications Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 United States Code (Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) filed by Jeffrey C. Newman for Madison Gas and Electric Company |
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101.INS* | XBRL Instance |
101.SCH* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema |
101.CAL* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation |
101.DEF* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition |
101.LAB* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels |
101.PRE* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation |
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* | Filed herewith. |
** | Furnished herewith. |
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Signatures - MGE Energy, Inc.
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 hereunto duly authorized.
| MGE ENERGY, INC. |
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Date: May 8, 2019 | /s/ Jeffrey M. Keebler |
| Jeffrey M. Keebler Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Duly Authorized Officer) |
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Date: May 8, 2019 | /s/ Jeffrey C. Newman |
| Jeffrey C. Newman Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer (Chief Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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Signatures - Madison Gas and Electric Company
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 hereunto duly authorized.
| MADISON GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY |
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Date: May 8, 2019 | /s/ Jeffrey M. Keebler |
| Jeffrey M. Keebler Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Duly Authorized Officer) |
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Date: May 8, 2019 | /s/ Jeffrey C. Newman |
| Jeffrey C. Newman Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer (Chief Financial and Accounting Officer) |
48 |