MIDDLESEX WATER CO - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

OR

For the transition period from _________________ to______________________

Commission File Number     0-422

MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

1500 Ronson Road, Iselin, New Jersey 08830

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(732) 634-1500

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes þ      No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post files).

Yes þ      No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.

Large accelerated filer ¨   Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer ¨    Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes ¨      No þ

The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of April 30, 2016: Common Stock, No Par Value: 16,241,484 shares outstanding.

INDEX

 MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In thousands except per share amounts)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    

MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  

MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITAL STOCK

AND LONG-TERM DEBT

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.    

MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Recent Developments

Middlesex Water Company (Middlesex or the Company) is the parent company and sole shareholder of Tidewater Utilities, Inc. (Tidewater), Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc. (TESI), Pinelands Water Company (Pinelands Water) and Pinelands Wastewater Company (Pinelands Wastewater) (collectively, Pinelands), Utility Service Affiliates, Inc. (USA), Utility Service Affiliates  (Perth Amboy) Inc. (USA-PA), and Twin Lakes Utilities, Inc. (Twin Lakes). Southern Shores Water Company, LLC (Southern Shores) and White Marsh Environmental Systems, Inc. (White Marsh) are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Tidewater. The financial statements for Middlesex and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the Company) are reported on a consolidated basis. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The consolidated notes within the 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the 2015 Form 10-K) are applicable to these financial statements and, in the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary (including normal recurring accruals) to present fairly the financial position as of March 31, 2016 and the results of operations and cash flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. Information included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015, has been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 included in the 2015 Form 10-K.

Recent Accounting Guidance

Consolidation - In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance that amends the consolidation analysis for variable interest entities (“VIEs”) as well as voting interest entities. The amendments under the new guidance modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities and eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. This guidance was effective January 1, 2016. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Debt Issuance Costs - In April 2015, the FASB issued an update to authoritative guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs on the balance sheet, requiring companies to present debt issuance costs as a direct deduction from the carrying value of debt. The guidance was effective January 1, 2016. As a result of adopting this guidance, the December 31, 2015 balance sheet was revised, which resulted in decreases of $3.3 million to deferred charges and other assets and long-term debt, respectively. Unamortized debt expense of $3.3 million was included in long-term debt as of March 31, 2016. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the Company’s statements of income or cash flows.

Deferred Income Taxes – In November 2015, the FASB issued guidance on the classification of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, requiring entities to present them as noncurrent on the balance sheet. This guidance was effective January 1, 2016 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s balance sheet.

Revenue Recognition - In May 2014, the FASB issued an update to authoritative guidance related to revenue from contracts with customers. The update replaces most of the existing guidance with a single set of principles for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The FASB has deferred the effective date of these new revenue recognition standards by one year to January 1, 2018. The Company is currently analyzing the impact this standard will have on our financial statements.

Inventory - In July 2015, the FASB issued guidance on simplifying the measurement of inventory. The new guidance replaces the current lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost or net realizable value test when cost is determined on a first-in, first-out or average cost basis. The guidance is effective January 1, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance which (i) requires all investments in equity securities, including other ownership interests such as partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures and limited liability companies, to be carried at fair value through net income, (ii) requires an incremental recognition and disclosure requirement related to the presentation of fair value changes of financial liabilities for which the fair value option has been elected, (iii) amends several disclosure requirements, including the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value or a description of the changes in the methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value, and (iv) requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured at amortized cost at the amount that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The guidance is required to be applied retrospectively with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings for initial application of the guidance at the date of adoption (modified retrospective method). The Company is currently analyzing the impact this standard will have on our financial statements.

Accounting for Share-Based Payments - In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective January 1, 2017. The Company is currently analyzing the impact this standard will have on our financial statements.

There are no other new adopted or proposed accounting guidance that the Company is aware of that could have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Note 2 – Rate and Regulatory Matters

Middlesex-In April 2016, Middlesex filed a petition with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (the NJBPU) seeking approval to set a tariff rate under a purchased water adjustment clause to recover additional costs of less than $0.1 million for the purchase of treated water from a non-affiliated regulated water utility. We cannot predict whether the NJBPU will ultimately approve, deny or reduce the amount of the request.

Tidewater - Effective January 1, 2016, Tidewater increased its Delaware Public Service Commission-approved Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) rate, which is expected to generate $0.2 million of annual revenues. A DSIC is a rate-mechanism that allows water utilities to recover investments in, and generate a return on, qualifying capital improvements to their water distribution system made between base rate proceedings.

Pinelands - In April 2016, the NJBPU approved $0.2 million and $0.1 million increases, respectively, in Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater’s annual base water and wastewater rates. In October 2015, the companies had filed petitions with the NJBPU seeking permission to increase base rates by approximately $0.5 million per year. The rate filings were necessitated by capital infrastructure investments the companies have made, or have committed to make, increased operations and maintenance costs and lower non-fixed fee revenues. The Pinelands Water base water rate increase will be phased-in over two years.

Twin Lakes - In November 2015, Twin Lakes filed a petition with the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (the PAPUC) seeking permission to increase its base water rates by approximately $0.2 million per year. This request was necessitated by capital infrastructure investments Twin Lakes has made, or committed to make, and increased operations and maintenance costs. In March 2016, Twin Lakes, along with the regulatory agencies intervening in the rate matter, submitted a joint petition of settlement with the administrative law judge (ALJ), which recommends a $0.1 million rate increase to be phased in over two years. We cannot predict whether the ALJ or, ultimately, the PAPUC will approve, deny, or change the amount of the settlement. A final decision is expected during the second quarter of 2016.

Note 3 – Capitalization

Common Stock

During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, there were 15,488 common shares (approximately $0.4 million) and 16,172 common shares (approximately $0.4 million), respectively, issued under the Middlesex Water Company Investment Plan.

Long-term Debt

In February 2016, Tidewater closed on a $1.2 million loan with the Delaware State Revolving Fund (SRF) program which allows, but does not obligate, Tidewater to draw against a General Obligation Note to fund the replacement of the water distribution system in a manufactured home community. The interest rate on all draws is 2.0% with a final repayment maturity date of February 1, 2036. Tidewater expects to draw down the loan proceeds during the second quarter of 2016.

In March 2016, the NJBPU approved Middlesex’s request to borrow up to $16.0 million through the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust (NJEIT) under the New Jersey SRF loan program. Middlesex expects to close on this borrowing in November 2016.  Proceeds will be used for the Middlesex 2016 RENEW Program, which is our ongoing initiative to eliminate all unlined mains in the Middlesex system.

In 2016, the NJEIT de-obligated principal payments of $0.4 million on several series of SRF loans.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosure for financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value. The carrying amounts reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable and notes payable approximate their respective fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt relating to First Mortgage and SRF Bonds (Bonds) is based on quoted market prices for similar issues. Under the fair value hierarchy, the fair value of cash and cash equivalents is classified as a Level 1 measurement and the fair value of the Bonds in the table below are classified as Level 2 measurements. The carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s bonds were as follows:

For other long-term debt for which there was no quoted market price and there is not an active trading market, it was not practicable to estimate their fair value (for details, including carrying value, interest rate and due date on these series of long-term debt, please refer to those series noted as “Amortizing Secured Note” and “State Revolving Trust Note” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Capital Stock and Long-Term Debt). The carrying amount of these instruments was $53.9 million and $54.7 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Customer advances for construction have carrying amounts of $20.2 million and $20.5 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Their relative fair values cannot be accurately estimated since future refund payments depend on several variables, including new customer connections, customer consumption levels and future rate increases.

Note 4 – Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) are computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period presented. Diluted EPS assumes the conversion of both the Convertible Preferred Stock $7.00 Series and the Convertible Preferred Stock $8.00 Series.

Note 5 – Business Segment Data

The Company has identified two reportable segments. One is the regulated business of collecting, treating and distributing water on a retail and wholesale basis to residential, commercial, industrial and fire protection customers in parts of New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. This segment also includes regulated wastewater systems in New Jersey and Delaware. The Company is subject to regulations as to its rates, services and other matters by New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania with respect to utility services within these states. The other segment is primarily comprised of non-regulated contract services for the operation and maintenance of municipal and private water and wastewater systems in New Jersey and Delaware. Inter-segment transactions relating to operational costs are treated as pass-through expenses. Finance charges on inter-segment loan activities are based on interest rates that are below what would normally be charged by a third party lender.

Note 6 – Short-term Borrowings

As of March 31, 2016, the Company has established lines of credit aggregating $60.0 million. At March 31, 2016, the outstanding borrowings under these credit lines were $2.0 million at a weighted average interest rate of 1.41%.

The weighted average daily amounts of borrowings outstanding under the Company’s credit lines and the weighted average interest rates on those amounts were $3.0 million and $17.9 million at 1.41% and 1.17% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The maturity dates for the $2.0 million outstanding as of March 31, 2016 are all in April 2016 and are extendable at the discretion of the Company.

Interest rates for short-term borrowings under the lines of credit are below the prime rate with no requirement for compensating balances.

Note 7 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

Water Supply

Middlesex has an agreement with the New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA) for the purchase of untreated water through November 30, 2023, which provides for an average purchase of 27.0 million gallons a day (mgd). Pricing is set annually by the NJWSA through a public rate making process. The agreement has provisions for additional pricing in the event Middlesex overdrafts or exceeds certain monthly and annual thresholds.

Middlesex also has an agreement with a non-affiliated regulated water utility for the purchase of treated water. This agreement, which expires February 27, 2021, provides for the minimum purchase of 3.0 mgd of treated water with provisions for additional purchases.

Tidewater contracts with the City of Dover, Delaware to purchase 15.0 million gallons of treated water annually.

Purchased water costs are shown below:

Contract Operations - USA-PA operates the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey’s (Perth Amboy) water and wastewater systems under a 20-year agreement, which expires in 2018. In connection with the agreement with Perth Amboy, USA-PA entered into a 20-year subcontract with a wastewater operating company for the operation and maintenance of the Perth Amboy wastewater collection system. The subcontract provides for the sharing of certain fixed and variable fees and operating expenses.

Guarantees - In September 2013, Middlesex entered into an agreement with the County of Monmouth, New Jersey (Monmouth County) to serve as guarantor of the performance of Applied Water Management, Inc. (AWM) to operate a leachate pretreatment facility, owned by Monmouth County, at the Monmouth County Reclamation Center in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Middlesex expects to act as guarantor of AWM’s performance through at least August 2018 and is contractually obligated to act as guarantor of AWM’s performance through 2028 unless another guarantor, acceptable to Monmouth County, is identified. In addition, Middlesex entered into agreements with AWM and Natural Systems Utilities, Inc. (NSU), the parent company of AWM, whereby, Middlesex earns a fee for providing the guaranty of AWM’s performance to Monmouth County, Middlesex provides operational support to the project if necessary, and AWM and NSU, serving as guarantor to Middlesex with respect to the performance of AWM, indemnify Middlesex against any claims that may arise under the Middlesex guaranty to Monmouth County.

Middlesex believes it is unlikely any payments would need to be made under Middlesex’s guaranty of AWM’s performance to Monmouth County. If asked to perform under the guaranty to Monmouth County, and, if AWM and NSU, as guarantor to Middlesex, do not fulfill their obligations to indemnify Middlesex against any claims that may arise under the Middlesex guaranty to Monmouth County, Middlesex would be required to fulfill the remaining operational commitment of AWM. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the liability recognized in Other Non-Current Liabilities on the balance sheet for the guaranty is approximately $0.2 million.

Construction

The Company has budgeted approximately $47.3 million for its construction program in 2016. The actual timing and amount of capital expenditures is dependent on project scheduling and refinement of engineering estimates for certain projects.

Litigation

The Company is a defendant in lawsuits in the normal course of business. We believe the resolution of pending claims and legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Change in Control Agreements

The Company has Change in Control Agreements with certain of its officers that provide compensation and benefits in the event of termination of employment in connection with a change in control of the Company.

Note 8 – Employee Benefit Plans

Pension Benefits

The Company’s Pension Plan covers all active employees hired prior to April 1, 2007. Employees hired after March 31, 2007 are not eligible to participate in this plan, but do participate in a defined contribution plan that provides an annual contribution at the discretion of the Company, based upon a percentage of the participants’ compensation. In order to be eligible for contribution, the eligible employee must be employed by the Company on December 31st of the year to which the contribution relates. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company made Pension Plan cash contributions of $0.5 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company did not make any Pension Plan cash contributions. The Company expects to make Pension Plan cash contributions of approximately $2.8 million over the remainder of the current year. The Company also maintains an unfunded supplemental retirement benefit plan for certain active and retired Company officers and currently pays $0.3 million in annual benefits to the retired participants.

Other Postretirement Benefits

The Company’s retirement plan other than pensions (Other Benefits Plan) covers substantially all of its current retired employees. Employees hired after March 31, 2007 are not eligible to participate in this plan. Coverage includes healthcare and life insurance. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company made Other Benefits Plan cash contributions of $0.2 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company did not make any Other Benefits Plan cash contributions. The Company expects to make Other Benefits Plan cash contributions of approximately $1.3 million over the remainder of the current year.

The following tables set forth information relating to the Company’s periodic costs for its employee retirement benefit plans:

Note 9 – Income Taxes

As part of its 2014 Federal income tax return, the Company adopted the final Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations pertaining to the tax deductibility of costs that qualify as repairs on tangible property. The adoption resulted in a net reduction of $17.6 million in taxes previously remitted to the IRS, for which the Company has already sought and received refunds pertaining to tax years 2012 through 2014 in accordance with IRS regulations. Subsequently, the Company’s 2014 federal income tax return was selected for examination by the IRS. It is unknown at this time whether the results of this examination will result in any changes to the filed Federal income tax return.

Item 2.       Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Middlesex Water Company (Middlesex or the Company) included elsewhere herein and with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this periodic report and in the documents incorporated by reference constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. The Company intends that these statements be covered by the safe harbors created under those laws.  These statements include, but are not limited to:

These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results and outcomes include, but are not limited to:

Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which only speak to the Company’s understanding as of the date of this report. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

For an additional discussion of factors that may affect the Company’s business and results of operations, see Item 1A. - Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

Overview

Middlesex Water Company (Middlesex) has operated as a water utility in New Jersey since 1897, in Delaware through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Tidewater Utilities, Inc. (Tidewater), since 1992 and in Pennsylvania through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Twin Lakes Utilities, Inc. (Twin Lakes), since 2009. We are in the business of collecting, treating and distributing water for domestic, commercial, municipal, industrial and fire protection purposes. We also operate two New Jersey municipal water and wastewater systems under contract and provide regulated wastewater services in New Jersey and Delaware through our subsidiaries. We are regulated as to rates charged to customers for water and wastewater services, as to the quality of water service we provide and as to certain other matters in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Only our Utility Service Affiliates, Inc. (USA), Utility Service Affiliates (Perth Amboy), Inc. (USA-PA) and White Marsh Environmental Services, Inc. (White Marsh) subsidiaries are not regulated utilities.

Our New Jersey water utility system (the Middlesex System) provides water services to approximately 61,000 retail customers, primarily in central New Jersey. The Middlesex System also provides water service under contract to municipalities in central New Jersey with a total population of approximately 219,000. Our Bayview subsidiary provides water services in Downe Township, New Jersey. Our other New Jersey subsidiaries, Pinelands Water Company (Pinelands Water) and Pinelands Wastewater Company (Pinelands Wastewater) (collectively, Pinelands), provide water and wastewater services to residents in Southampton Township, New Jersey.

We have an investment in a joint venture, Ridgewood Green RME, LLC, that owns and operates facilities to optimize the production of electricity at the Village of Ridgewood, New Jersey wastewater treatment plant and other municipal facilities.

In partnership with our subsidiary, USA-PA, we operate the water supply system and wastewater system for the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

USA operates the Borough of Avalon, New Jersey’s (Avalon) water utility, sewer utility and storm water system. In addition to performing day to day operations, USA is responsible for billing, collections, customer service, emergency responses and management of capital projects funded by Avalon. Under a marketing agreement with HomeServe USA (HomeServe), USA offers residential customers in New Jersey and Delaware a menu of water and wastewater related home maintenance programs. HomeServe is a leading provider of such home maintenance service programs. USA receives a service fee for the billing, cash collection and other administrative matters associated with HomeServe’s service contracts. The agreement expires in 2021. USA also provides unregulated water and wastewater services under contract with several New Jersey municipalities.

Our Delaware subsidiaries, Tidewater and Southern Shores Water Company, LLC, provide water services to approximately 42,000 retail customers in New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware. Tidewater’s subsidiary, White Marsh, services approximately 4,000 customers in Kent and Sussex Counties through various operations and maintenance contracts.

Our Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc. subsidiary provides wastewater services to approximately 3,400 residential retail customers.

Our Pennsylvania subsidiary, Twin Lakes, provides water services to approximately 120 retail customers in the Township of Shohola, Pike County, Pennsylvania.

The majority of our revenue is generated from retail and contract water services to customers in our service areas. We record water service revenue as such service is rendered and include estimates for amounts unbilled at the end of the period for services provided after the last billing cycle. Fixed service charges are billed in advance by our subsidiary, Tidewater, and are recognized in revenue as the service is provided.

Our ability to increase operating income and net income is based significantly on four factors: weather, adequate and timely rate relief, effective cost management, and customer growth. These factors are evident in the discussions below which compare our results of operations with the prior period.

Recent Developments

Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater Base Water and Wastewater Rate Increases - In April 2016, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (the NJBPU) approved $0.2 million and $0.1 million increases, respectively, in Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater’s annual base water and wastewater rates. In October 2015, the companies had filed petitions with the NJBPU seeking permission to increase base rates by approximately $0.5 million. The rate filings were necessitated by capital infrastructure investments the companies have made, or have committed to make, increased operations and maintenance costs and lower non-fixed fee revenues. The Pinelands Water base water rate increase will be phased-in over two years.

Twin Lakes Base Water Rate Increase Request - In November 2015, Twin Lakes filed a Petition with the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (the PAPUC) seeking permission to increase its base water rates by approximately $0.2 million per year. This request was necessitated by capital infrastructure investments Twin Lakes has made, or committed to make, and increased operations and maintenance costs. In March 2016, Twin Lakes, along with the regulatory agencies intervening in the rate matter, submitted a joint petition of settlement with the administrative law judge (ALJ), which recommends a $0.1 million rate increase to be phased in over two years. We cannot predict whether the ALJ, or ultimately, the PAPUC will approve, deny, or change the amount of the settlement. A final decision is expected during the second quarter of 2016.

Tidewater Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) - Effective January 1, 2016, Tidewater increased its Delaware Public Service Commission-approved DSIC rate, which is expected to generate $0.2 million of annual revenues. A DSIC is a rate-mechanism that allows water utilities to recover investments in, and generate a return on, qualifying capital improvements to their water distribution system made between base rate proceedings.

Outlook

Revenues in 2016 are expected to be favorably impacted by the following:

Revenues and earnings are influenced by weather. Changes in water usage patterns, as well as increases in capital expenditures and operating costs, are significant factors in determining the timing and extent of rate increase requests. We continue to implement plans to further streamline operations and further reduce operating costs.

A market-driven higher discount rate will result in lower employee benefit plan expense in 2016. 

Our strategy for profitable growth is focused on five key areas:

Operating Results by Segment

The discussion of the Company’s operating results is on a consolidated basis and includes significant factors by subsidiary. The Company has two operating segments, Regulated and Non-Regulated.

The segments in the tables included below consist of the following companies: Regulated-Middlesex, Tidewater, Pinelands, Southern Shores, TESI and Twin Lakes; Non-Regulated-USA, USA-PA, and White Marsh.

Results of Operations – Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

Operating Revenues

Operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2016 increased $1.8 million from the same period in 2015. This increase was primarily related to the following factors:

Operation and Maintenance Expense

Operation and maintenance expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased $0.3 million from the same period in 2015, primarily related to the following factors:

Depreciation

Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 increased $0.2 million from the same period in 2015 due to a higher level of utility plant in service.

Other Taxes

Other taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2016 increased $0.3 million from the same period in 2015, primarily due to higher revenue related taxes on increased revenues in our Middlesex system.

Other Income, net

Other Income, net for the three months ended March 31, 2016 remained consistent with the same period in 2015.

Interest Charges

Interest charges for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased $0.1 million from the same period in 2015, primarily due to lower average long-term and short-term debt outstanding.

Income Taxes

Income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2016 increased $0.6 million from the same period in 2015, primarily due to increased pre-tax income in 2016 as compared to 2015.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 increased $1.2 million as compared with the same period in 2015. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.29 and $0.22 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating Cash Flows

Cash flows from operations are largely based on four factors: weather, adequate and timely rate increases, effective cost management and growth. The effect of those factors on net income is discussed in “Results of Operations.”

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, cash flows from operating activities increased $0.9 million to $12.3 million. The increase in cash flows from operating activities primarily resulted from higher earnings and increased customer payments offset by higher postretirement employee benefit plan funding. The $12.3 million of net cash flow from operations enabled us to fund all utility plant expenditures internally for the period.

Investing Cash Flows

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, cash flows used in investing activities increased $2.8 million to $6.7 million. The increase in cash flows used in investing activities resulted from increased utility plant expenditures and lower restricted cash inflows.

For further discussion on the Company’s future capital expenditures and expected funding sources, see “Capital Expenditures and Commitments” below.

Financing Cash Flows

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, cash flows used in financing activities increased $0.3 million to $5.5 million. The increase in cash flows used in financing activities resulted from lower net cash inflows from long-term debt, as the Company did not exercise any draws on existing long-term debt financing arrangements in the first quarter of 2016, partially offset by decreased short-term debt refunding.

Capital Expenditures and Commitments

To fund our capital program, we use internally generated funds, short-term and long-term debt borrowings, proceeds from sales of common stock under the Middlesex Water Company Investment Plan (the Investment Plan) and proceeds from sales offerings to the public of our common stock. See below for a more detailed discussion regarding the funding of our capital program.

The capital investment program for 2016 is currently estimated to be $47.3 million. Through March 31, 2016, we have expended $6.7 million and expect to incur approximately $40.6 million for capital projects for the remainder of 2016.

We currently project that we may expend approximately $112 million for capital projects in 2017 and 2018. The actual amount and timing of capital expenditures is dependent on project scheduling and refinement of engineering estimates for certain capital projects.

To fund our capital program for the remainder of 2016, we plan on utilizing:

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – See Note 1 of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures of Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk associated with changes in interest rates and commodity prices. The Company is subject to the risk of fluctuating interest rates in the normal course of business. Our policy is to manage interest rates through the use of fixed rate long-term debt and, to a lesser extent, short-term debt. The Company’s interest rate risk related to existing fixed rate, long-term debt is not material due to the term of the majority of our First Mortgage Bonds, which have final maturity dates ranging from 2018 to 2047. Over the next twelve months, approximately $5.7 million of the current portion of existing long-term debt instruments will mature. Applying a hypothetical change in the rate of interest charged by 10% on those borrowings, would not have a material effect on our earnings.

Our risks associated with commodity price increases for chemicals, electricity and other commodities are reduced through contractual arrangements and the ability to recover price increases through rates. Non-performance by these commodity suppliers could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

We are exposed to credit risk for both our Regulated and Non-Regulated business segments. Our Regulated operations serve residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers while our Non-Regulated operations engage in business activities with developers, government entities and other customers. Our primary credit risk is exposure to customer default on contractual obligations and the associated loss that may be incurred due to the non-payment of customer accounts receivable balances. Our credit risk is managed through established credit and collection policies which are in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and involve monitoring of customer exposure and the use of credit risk mitigation measures such as letters of credit or prepayment arrangements. Our credit portfolio is diversified with no significant customer or industry concentrations. In addition, our Regulated businesses are generally able to recover all prudently incurred costs including uncollectible customer accounts receivable expenses and collection costs through rates.

The Company's retirement benefit plan assets are exposed to fluctuating market prices of debt and equity securities. Changes to the Company's retirement benefit plan assets’ value can impact the Company's retirement benefit plan expense, funded status and future minimum funding requirements. Our risk is reduced through our ability to recover retirement benefit plan costs through rates.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures was conducted by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer along with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.

The information about risk factors does not differ materially from those set forth in Part I, Item 1A. of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

None.

None.

Not applicable.

None.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: May 3, 2016