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RGC RESOURCES INC - Quarter Report: 2022 March (Form 10-Q)

rgco20220331b_10q.htm
 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form

10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

☒ 

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

 

 

For Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2022

 

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For Transition Period From

to

 

 

Commission File Number 000-26591

 

RGC Resources, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Virginia

54-1909697

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

519 Kimball Ave., N.E., Roanoke, VA

24016

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

 

(540) 777-4427

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

None

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Trading Symbol

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $5 Par Value

RGCO

NASDAQ Global Market

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

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

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

Outstanding at April 30 2022

Common Stock, $5 Par Value

9,791,422

 

 

 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

 

AFUDC

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction

   

AOCI/AOCL

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

   

ARO

Asset Retirement Obligation

   

ARP

Alternative Revenue Program, regulatory or rate recovery mechanisms approved by the SCC that allow for the adjustment of revenues for certain broad, external factors, or for additional billings if the entity achieves certain performance targets

   
ARPA American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
   

ASC

Accounting Standards Codification

   

ASU

Accounting Standards Update as issued by the FASB

   
ATM At-the-market program whereby a Company can incrementally offer common stock through a broker at prevailing market prices and on an as-needed basis
   

CARES/CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act

   

Company

RGC Resources, Inc. or Roanoke Gas Company

   

COVID-19 or Coronavirus

A pandemic disease that causes respiratory illness similar to the flu with symptoms such as coughing, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty in breathing
   

CPCN

Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity

   

Diversified Energy

Diversified Energy Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resources

   

DRIP

Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan of RGC Resources, Inc.

   

DTH

Decatherm (a measure of energy used primarily to measure natural gas)

   

EPS

Earnings Per Share

   

ERISA

Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974

   

ESAC

Eligible Safety Activity Costs, a Virginia natural gas utility’s operation and maintenance expenditures that are related to the development, implementation, or execution of the utility’s integrity management plan or programs and measures implemented to comply with regulations issued by the SCC or a federal regulatory body with jurisdiction over pipeline safety

   

FASB

Financial Accounting Standards Board

   

FDIC

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

 

 

 

FERC

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

   

Fourth Circuit

U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

   

GAAP

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States

   

HDD

Heating degree day, a measurement designed to quantify the demand for energy. It is the number of degrees that a day’s average temperature falls below 65 degrees Fahrenheit

 

ICC

Inventory carrying cost revenue, an SCC approved rate structure that mitigates the impact of financing costs on natural gas inventory

   

IRS

Internal Revenue Service

   

KEYSOP

RGC Resources, Inc. Key Employee Stock Option Plan

   
LDI Liability Driven Investment approach, a strategy which reduces the volatility in the pension plan's funded status and expense by matching the duration of the fixed income investments with the duration of the corresponding pension liabilities
   

LIBOR

London Inter-Bank Offered Rate

   

LLC

Mountain Valley Pipeline, L.L.C., a joint venture established to design, construct and operate MVP and Southgate

   

LNG

Liquefied natural gas, the cryogenic liquid form of natural gas. Roanoke Gas operates and maintains a plant capable of producing and storing up to 200,000 dth of liquefied natural gas

 

MGP

Manufactured gas plant

   

Midstream

RGC Midstream, L.L.C., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resources created to invest in pipeline projects including MVP and Southgate

   

MVP

Mountain Valley Pipeline, a FERC-regulated natural gas pipeline project intended to connect the Equitran's gathering and transmission system in northern West Virginia to the Transco interstate pipeline in south central Virginia with a planned interconnect to Roanoke Gas’ natural gas distribution system

   

NQDC Plan

RGC Resources, Inc. Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan

   

Normal Weather

The average number of heating degree days over the most recent 30-year period

   

PBGC

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

   

Pension Plan

Defined benefit plan that provides pension benefits to employees hired prior to January 1, 2017 who meet certain years of service criteria

 

 

 

PGA

Purchased Gas Adjustment, a regulatory mechanism, which adjusts natural gas customer rates to reflect changes in the forecasted cost of gas and actual gas costs

   

Postretirement Plan

Defined benefit plan that provides postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to eligible employees hired prior to January 1, 2000 who meet years of service and other criteria

   
R&D credit Research and development federal tax credit defined under Internal Revenue Code section 41 and the related regulations
   

Resources

RGC Resources, Inc., parent company of Roanoke Gas, Midstream and Diversified Energy

   

RGCO

Trading symbol for RGC Resources, Inc. on the NASDAQ Global Stock Market

   

Roanoke Gas

Roanoke Gas Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resources

   

RSPD

RGC Resources, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan for Outside Directors

   

RSPO

RGC Resources, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan for Officers

   

SAVE

Steps to Advance Virginia's Energy, a regulatory mechanism per Chapter 26 of Title 56 of the Code of Virginia that allows natural gas utilities to recover the investment, including related depreciation and expenses and provide return on rate base, in eligible infrastructure replacement projects without the filing of a formal base rate application

   

SAVE Plan

Steps to Advance Virginia's Energy Plan, the Company's proposed and approved operational replacement plan and related spending under the SAVE regulatory mechanism

   

SAVE Rider

Steps to Advance Virginia's Energy Plan Rider, the rate component of the SAVE Plan as approved by the SCC that is billed monthly to the Company’s customers to recover the costs associated with eligible infrastructure projects including the related depreciation and expenses and return on rate base of the investment

   

SCC

Virginia State Corporation Commission, the regulatory body with oversight responsibilities of the utility operations of Roanoke Gas

   

SEC

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

   
SOFR Secured Overnight Financing Rate
   

Southgate

Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s Southgate project, which extends from the MVP in south central Virginia to central North Carolina, of which Midstream holds less than a 1% investment

   

S&P 500 Index

Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index

   

TCJA

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

   

WNA

Weather Normalization Adjustment, an ARP mechanism which adjusts revenues for the effects of weather temperature variations as compared to the 30-year average

   

Some of the terms above may not be included in this filing

 

 

 

 

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

  

March 31, 2022

  

September 30,

 
  

Unaudited

  

2021

 

ASSETS

        

CURRENT ASSETS:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $9,431,990  $1,518,317 

Accounts receivable (less allowance for credit losses of $712,100, and $242,010, respectively)

  10,997,174   4,949,900 

Materials and supplies

  1,043,133   1,031,666 

Gas in storage

  2,063,974   7,867,470 

Prepaid income taxes

  2,118,634   3,104,950 

Regulatory assets

  1,997,076   5,656,453 

Interest rate swap

  312,511    

Other

  4,556,142   1,015,099 

Total current assets

  32,520,634   25,143,855 

UTILITY PROPERTY:

        

In service

  280,362,362   272,382,539 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

  (78,862,695)  (76,038,433)

In service, net

  201,499,667   196,344,106 

Construction work in progress

  17,209,963   15,305,578 

Utility plant, net

  218,709,630   211,649,684 

OTHER ASSETS:

        

Regulatory assets

  6,706,015   6,769,759 

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

  27,321,251   64,867,319 

Benefit plan assets

  1,344,713   1,259,639 

Deferred income taxes

  337,757    

Interest rate swap

  1,046,987    

Other

  371,498   418,937 

Total other assets

  37,128,221   73,315,654 

TOTAL ASSETS

 $288,358,485  $310,109,193 

 

1

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

  

March 31, 2022

  

September 30,

 
  

Unaudited

  

2021

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

        

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

        

Current maturities of long-term debt

 $19,705,200  $7,000,000 

Dividends payable

  1,908,139   1,549,841 

Accounts payable

  5,809,165   7,729,707 

Capital contributions payable

  773,090   2,140,637 

Customer credit balances

  682,959   1,539,680 

Income taxes payable

  88,080    

Customer deposits

  1,583,542   1,571,342 

Accrued expenses

  2,831,418   3,819,977 

Interest rate swaps

     332,389 

Regulatory liabilities

  3,195,059   329,959 

Total current liabilities

  36,576,652   26,013,532 

LONG-TERM DEBT:

        

Notes payable

  105,125,000   116,110,200 

Line-of-credit

     17,628,897 

Less unamortized debt issuance costs

  (283,922)  (267,670)

Long-term debt, net

  104,841,078   133,471,427 

DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES:

        

Interest rate swaps

     863,694 

Asset retirement obligations

  7,876,084   7,628,958 

Regulatory cost of retirement obligations

  14,126,243   13,640,567 

Benefit plan liabilities

  885,806   949,851 

Deferred income taxes

  5,883,375   14,948,213 

Regulatory liabilities

  12,706,518   12,891,242 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

  41,478,026   50,922,525 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

        

Common stock, $5 par; authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 9,789,895 and 8,375,092 shares, respectively

  48,949,475   41,875,460 

Preferred stock, no par, authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding

      

Capital in excess of par value

  40,978,942   19,705,387 

Retained earnings

  15,194,355   39,656,296 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

  339,957   (1,535,434)

Total stockholders’ equity

  105,462,729   99,701,709 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 $288,358,485  $310,109,193 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2

 

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

UNAUDITED

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

   

Six Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

   

2022

   

2021

 

OPERATING REVENUES:

                               

Gas utility

  $ 29,499,219     $ 28,221,274     $ 52,730,874     $ 47,704,774  

Non utility

    30,464       32,388       61,889       65,905  

Total operating revenues

    29,529,683       28,253,662       52,792,763       47,770,679  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                               

Cost of gas - utility

    14,923,575       14,447,057       26,239,980       22,147,756  

Cost of sales - non utility

    4,756       4,580       8,791       9,967  

Operations and maintenance

    4,242,007       3,931,470       7,932,321       7,433,592  

General taxes

    647,253       642,825       1,250,462       1,216,849  

Depreciation and amortization

    2,268,704       2,128,304       4,539,398       4,281,702  

Total operating expenses

    22,086,295       21,154,236       39,970,952       35,089,866  

OPERATING INCOME

    7,443,388       7,099,426       12,821,811       12,680,813  

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliate

    (445 )     (3,797 )     71,682       1,352,886  

Impairment of unconsolidated affiliates

    (39,822,213 )           (39,822,213 )      

Other income, net

    344,510       287,548       666,949       617,574  

Interest expense

    1,103,844       1,007,764       2,208,700       2,027,593  

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    (33,138,604 )     6,375,413       (28,470,471 )     12,623,680  

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)

    (8,644,175 )     1,607,935       (7,560,571 )     3,132,939  

NET INCOME (LOSS)

  $ (24,494,429 )   $ 4,767,478     $ (20,909,900 )   $ 9,490,741  

BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

  $ (2.89 )   $ 0.58     $ (2.48 )   $ 1.16  

DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

  $ (2.89 )   $ 0.58     $ (2.48 )   $ 1.16  

DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE

  $ 0.195     $ 0.185     $ 0.390     $ 0.370  

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3

 

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

UNAUDITED

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

   

Six Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

   

2022

   

2021

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

  $ (24,494,429 )   $ 4,767,478     $ (20,909,900 )   $ 9,490,741  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

                               

Interest rate swaps

    1,535,499       494,294       1,897,773       663,019  

Defined benefit plans

    (11,191 )     14,864       (22,382 )     29,728  

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX

    1,524,308       509,158       1,875,391       692,747  

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

  $ (22,970,121 )   $ 5,276,636     $ (19,034,509 )   $ 10,183,488  

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

UNAUDITED

 

  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2022

 
  

Common Stock

  

Capital in Excess of Par Value

  

Retained Earnings

  

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

  

Total Stockholders' Equity

 

Balance - September 30, 2021

 $41,875,460  $19,705,387  $39,656,296  $(1,535,434) $99,701,709 

Net Income

        3,584,529      3,584,529 

Other comprehensive income

           351,083   351,083 

Cash dividends declared ($0.195 per share)

        (1,642,324)     (1,642,324)

Issuance of common stock (13,914 shares)

  69,570   230,278         299,848 

Balance - December 31, 2021

 $41,945,030  $19,935,665  $41,598,501  $(1,184,351) $102,294,845 

Net Loss

        (24,494,429)     (24,494,429)

Other comprehensive income

           1,524,308   1,524,308 

Cash dividends declared ($0.195 per share)

        (1,909,717)     (1,909,717)

Issuance of common stock (1,400,889 shares)

  7,004,445   21,043,277         28,047,722 

Balance - March 31, 2022

 $48,949,475  $40,978,942  $15,194,355  $339,957  $105,462,729 

 

  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2021

 
  

Common Stock

  

Capital in Excess of Par Value

  

Retained Earnings

  

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

  

Total Stockholders' Equity

 

Balance - September 30, 2020

 $40,800,290  $15,847,121  $35,688,510  $(3,447,944) $88,887,977 

Net Income

        4,723,263      4,723,263 

Other comprehensive income

           183,589   183,589 

Cash dividends declared ($0.185 per share)

        (1,519,670)     (1,519,670)

Issuance of common stock (11,979 shares)

  59,895   214,487         274,382 

Balance - December 31, 2020

 $40,860,185  $16,061,608  $38,892,103  $(3,264,355) $92,549,541 

Net Income

        4,767,478      4,767,478 

Other comprehensive income

           509,158   509,158 

Cash dividends declared ($0.185 per share)

        (1,521,635)     (1,521,635)

Issuance of common stock (54,613 shares)

  273,065   997,001         1,270,066 

Balance - March 31, 2021

 $41,133,250  $17,058,609  $42,137,946  $(2,755,197) $97,574,608 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5

 

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

UNAUDITED

 

  

Six Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

        

Net income (loss)

 $(20,909,900) $9,490,741 

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

        

Depreciation and amortization

  4,656,829   4,405,956 

Cost of retirement of utility plant, net

  (298,580)  (265,021)

Stock option grants

  5,550    

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

  (71,682)  (1,352,886)

Impairment of unconsolidated affiliates

  39,822,213    

Allowance for funds used during construction

     (55,981)

Changes in assets and liabilities which used cash, exclusive of changes and noncash transactions shown separately

  (10,211,524)  (2,611,407)

Net cash provided by operating activities

  12,992,906   9,611,402 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

        

Expenditures for utility property

  (10,758,703)  (8,978,822)

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

  (3,572,011)  (2,720,008)

Proceeds from disposal of utility property

  51,834   7,390 

Net cash used in investing activities

  (14,278,880)  (11,691,440)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

        

Proceeds from issuance of unsecured notes

  26,720,000   3,780,000 

Retirement of notes payable

  (25,000,000)   

Borrowings under line-of-credit

  34,423,129   22,535,162 

Repayments under line-of-credit

  (52,052,026)  (22,396,839)

Debt issuance expenses

  (39,732)   

Proceeds from issuance of stock

  28,342,019   1,544,448 

Cash dividends paid

  (3,193,743)  (2,947,250)

Net cash provided by financing activities

  9,199,647   2,515,521 

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

  7,913,673   435,483 

BEGINNING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

  1,518,317   291,066 

ENDING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 $9,431,990  $726,549 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED

 

 

1.

Basis of Presentation

 

Resources is an energy services company primarily engaged in the sale and distribution of natural gas. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Resources and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Roanoke Gas, Diversified Energy and Midstream.

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to fairly present Resources' financial position as of March 31, 2022, cash flows for the six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations, comprehensive income, and changes in stockholders' equity for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. The results of operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 are not indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022 as quarterly earnings are affected by the highly seasonal nature of the business and weather conditions generally result in greater earnings during the winter months.

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and condensed notes are presented under the rules and regulations of the SEC. Pursuant to those rules, certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted.  Although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and condensed notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021. The September 30, 2021 consolidated balance sheet was included in the Company’s audited financial statements included in Form 10-K.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021.

 

Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In combination with ASU 2021-01, the ASU provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for and recognizing the effects of reference rate change on financial reporting. The new guidance applies specifically to contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR, or any other referenced rate that is expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. The new guidance is effective for the Company through December 31, 2022. The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Benchmark Administration, the administrator for LIBOR and other inter-bank offered rates, announced that the LIBOR rates for one-day, one-month, six-month and one-year will cease publication in June 2023 and that no new financial contracts may use LIBOR after December 31, 2021. Currently, all of the Company's LIBOR based financial contracts are based on the one-month LIBOR rate. None of the holders of these financial contracts have indicated when a transition from LIBOR will occur. Accordingly, the Company does not anticipate adopting this guidance until later in fiscal 2022. The new guidance could result in a significant impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows when the reference rate is changed for related contracts.

 

Other accounting standards that have been issued by the FASB or other standard-setting bodies are not currently applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

7

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

2.

Stock Issue 

 

In March 2022, the Company issued 1,350,000 shares of common stock in an equity offering resulting in net proceeds of nearly $27,000,000.  The Company issued the common stock to strengthen its balance sheet by increasing its cash position and lowering its outstanding debt.  The net proceeds were invested in Roanoke Gas to supplement the funding of its infrastructure improvement and replacement program and in Midstream to reduce its outstanding debt.  An additional 64,803 shares of common stock have been issued during fiscal 2022 related to the DRIP, Restricted Stock, stock option exercises and ATM activity.

 

 

3.

Revenue

 

The Company assesses new contracts and identifies related performance obligations for promises to transfer distinct goods or services to the customer. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations have been satisfied. In the case of Roanoke Gas, the Company contracts with its customers for the sale and/or delivery of natural gas.

 

The following tables summarize revenue by customer, product and income statement classification:

 

  

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

  

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

 
  

Gas utility

  

Non utility

  

Total operating revenues

  

Gas utility

  

Non utility

  

Total operating revenues

 

Natural Gas (Billed and Unbilled):

                        

Residential

 $18,104,512  $  $18,104,512  $17,402,552  $  $17,402,552 

Commercial

  9,487,312      9,487,312   9,264,611      9,264,611 

Industrial and Transportation

  1,352,161      1,352,161   1,252,343      1,252,343 

Other

  138,035   30,464   168,499   95,092   32,388   127,480 

Total contracts with customers

  29,082,020   30,464   29,112,484   28,014,598   32,388   28,046,986 

Alternative Revenue Programs

  417,199      417,199   206,676      206,676 

Total operating revenues

 $29,499,219  $30,464  $29,529,683  $28,221,274  $32,388  $28,253,662 

 

  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2022

  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2021

 
  

Gas utility

  

Non utility

  

Total operating revenues

  

Gas utility

  

Non utility

  

Total operating revenues

 

Natural Gas (Billed and Unbilled):

                        

Residential

 $31,317,001  $  $31,317,001  $28,648,746  $  $28,648,746 

Commercial

  16,873,030      16,873,030   15,254,631      15,254,631 

Industrial and Transportation

  2,665,252      2,665,252   2,476,144      2,476,144 

Other

  361,863   61,889   423,752   256,169   65,905   322,074 

Total contracts with customers

  51,217,146   61,889   51,279,035   46,635,690   65,905   46,701,595 

Alternative Revenue Programs

  1,513,728      1,513,728   1,069,084      1,069,084 

Total operating revenues

 $52,730,874  $61,889  $52,792,763  $47,704,774  $65,905  $47,770,679 

 

Gas utility revenues

 

Substantially all of Roanoke Gas' revenues are derived from rates authorized by the SCC through its tariffs. Based on its evaluation, the Company has concluded that these tariff-based revenues fall within the scope of ASC 606. Tariff rates represent the transaction price. Performance obligations created under these tariff-based sales include commodity (the cost of natural gas sold to customers) and delivery (transporting natural gas through the Company’s distribution system to customers). The delivery of natural gas to customers results in the satisfaction of the Company’s respective performance obligations over time.

 

All customers are billed monthly based on consumption as measured by metered usage. Revenue is recognized as bills are issued for natural gas that has been delivered or transported. In addition, the Company utilizes the practical expedient that allows an entity to recognize the invoiced amount as revenue, if that amount corresponds to the value received by the customer. Since customers are billed tariff rates, there is no variable consideration in the transaction price.

 

8

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Unbilled revenue is included in residential and commercial revenues in the preceding table. Natural gas consumption is estimated for the period subsequent to the last billed date and up through the last day of the month. Estimated volumes and approved tariff rates are utilized to calculate unbilled revenue. The following month, the unbilled estimate is reversed, the actual usage is billed and a new unbilled estimate is calculated. The Company obtains metered usage for industrial customers at the end of each month, thereby eliminating any unbilled consideration for these rate classes.

 

Other revenues

 

Other revenues primarily consist of miscellaneous fees and charges, utility-related revenues not directly billed to utility customers and billings for non-utility activities. Regarding these activities, the customer is invoiced monthly based on services provided. The Company utilizes the practical expedient allowing revenue to be recognized based on invoiced amounts. The transaction price is based on a contractually predetermined rate schedule; therefore, the transaction price represents total value to the customer and no variable price consideration exists.

 

Alternative Revenue Program revenues

 

ARPs, which fall outside the scope of ASC 606, are SCC approved mechanisms that allow for the adjustment of revenues for certain broad, external factors, or for additional billings if the entity achieves certain performance targets. The Company's ARPs include its WNA, which adjusts revenues for the effects of weather temperature variations as compared to the 30-year average, and the SAVE Plan over/under collection mechanism, which adjusts revenues for the differences between SAVE Plan revenues billed to customers and the revenue earned, as calculated based on the timing and extent of infrastructure replacement completed during the period. These amounts are ultimately collected from, or returned to, customers through future rate changes as approved by the SCC.

 

Customer AccountsReceivable and Liabilities 

 

Accounts receivable, as reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, includes both billed and unbilled customer revenues, as well as amounts that are not related to customers. The balances of customer receivables are provided below:

 

  

Current Assets

  

Current Liabilities

 
  

Trade accounts receivable(1)

  

Unbilled revenue(1)

  

Customer credit balances

  

Customer deposits

 

Balance at September 30, 2021

 $3,722,916  $1,191,227  $1,539,680  $1,571,342 

Balance at March 31, 2022

  7,872,022   3,057,298   682,959   1,583,542 

Increase (decrease)

 $4,149,106  $1,866,071  $(856,721) $12,200 

(1) Included in accounts receivable in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Amounts shown net of reserve for credit losses. 

 

The Company had no significant contract assets or liabilities during the period. Furthermore, the Company did not incur any significant costs to obtain contracts.

 

 

4.

Income Taxes

 

The effective tax rate for the three month and six month periods ended March 31, 2022 reflected in the table below are higher than the corresponding periods in fiscal 2021 and the combined federal and state statutory rate of 25.74%.  The increase in the effective tax rate corresponds to the recognition of a deferred tax asset associated with the impairment of the Company's investment in the LLC.

 

9

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Excluding the effect of the impairment, the effective tax rate for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2022 would have been 24.0% and 23.7%, respectively, reflecting the impact of additional tax deductions from the amortization of R&D tax credits deferred as a regulatory liability and the exercise of stock options.  The recognition of the impairment resulted in a net loss position for both periods thereby generating a higher effective tax rate as compared to the effective tax rate on the income positions from the corresponding periods in fiscal 2021.

 

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

  

Six Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Effective tax rate

  26.1%  25.2%  26.6%  24.8%

Effective tax rate - LLC impairment

  25.7%  -   25.7%  - 

Effective tax rate excluding LLC impairment

  24.0%  25.2%  23.7%  24.8%
                 

 

 

5.

Rates and Regulatory Matters

 

In April 2020, the SCC issued an order allowing regulated utilities in Virginia to defer certain incremental, prudently incurred costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and to apply for recovery at a future date. Roanoke Gas deferred certain COVID-19 related costs during the first two quarters of fiscal 2022.

 

In October 2021, Roanoke Gas received notification that its application for ARPA funds had been approved. This notification allowed the pending receipt of these funds to be considered in the valuation of the estimated allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2021. In November 2021, Roanoke Gas received over $850,000 in ARPA funds to assist customers with growing past due balances based on arrearage balances as of August 31, 2021. The Company applied the full amount to eligible customer accounts in December 2021.

 

6.

Other Investments

 

Midstream is an approximately 1% equity investment owner of the LLC constructing the MVP, a 303 mile natural gas interstate pipeline from northern West Virginia to southern Virginia.  Since inception, the MVP has encountered various legal and regulatory issues that continue to delay the completion of the project.  While under construction, AFUDC has provided the majority of the income recognized by Midstream.  AFUDC accruals were suspended in November 2021 until such time when growth construction activities are allowed to resume.

 

Midstream is also a less than 1% investor in Southgate, which is being accounted for under the cost method. 

 

On January 25, 2022, the Fourth Circuit vacated and remanded on specific issues certain permits issued by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service to the LLC in respect of the Jefferson National Forest.  On February 3, 2022, the Fourth Circuit vacated and remanded on specific issues the Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for MVP.  Primarily due to these unfavorable decisions by the Fourth Circuit, Midstream identified as an indicator of an other-than-temporary decline in value the increased uncertainty of the completion and commercial operation of MVP and Southgate.  As a result, Midstream assessed the value of its investment in the LLC as of February 22, 2022 and March 31, 2022, to determine if its investment's carrying value exceeded the fair value. 

 

Midstream estimated the fair value of its investment in the LLC, with the assistance of a valuation specialist, using an income based approach that primarily considered probability-weighted scenarios of discounted future cash flows based on the estimated project costs at completion and projected revenues.  These scenarios reflected assumptions and judgments regarding the ultimate outcome of further matters relating to, or resulting from, the January and February 2022 Fourth Circuit rulings, as well as various other ongoing legal and regulatory matters affecting MVP and Southgate.  Such assumptions and judgments also included certain additional potential delays and related cost increases that could result from unfavorable decisions on these proceedings and matters.  Midstream’s analysis also took into account, among other things, probability weighted growth expectations from additional compression expansion opportunities.  This analysis also considered scenarios under which ongoing or new legal and regulatory matters further delay the completion and increase the total costs of the project; all required legal and regulatory approvals and authorizations and certain compression expansion opportunities are realized; and MVP and Southgate are canceled.  As a result of the assessment, Midstream recognized a pre-tax impairment loss of approximately $39.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2022.  The fair value of the investment in the LLC was determined under a Level 3 measurement considering the significant assumptions and judgments required in estimating the fair value of the Company's investment in the LLC.  Investment balances of MVP and Southgate, as of March 31, 2022, are reflected in the table below.

 

10

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

There is risk that Midstream’s equity investment in the LLC may be further impaired in the future.  There are ongoing, and potential future legal and regulatory matters related to MVP, any of which could affect the ability to complete or operate the project, as well as legal and regulatory matters related to Southgate that must be resolved.  Assumptions and estimates utilized in assessing the fair value of Midstream’s investment in the LLC may change depending on the nature or timing of resolutions to the legal and regulatory matters or based on other relevant developments.  Adverse changes in circumstances relevant to the likelihood of project or expansion completion could prompt Midstream, in future assessments, to apply lower probability of project or expansion completion and such changes in assumptions or estimates, including discount rates, could have a material adverse effect on the fair value of Midstream’s investment in the LLC and potentially result in an additional impairment, which could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations and financial position of Midstream and the Company as a whole.

 

Funding for Midstream's investments in the LLC for both MVP and Southgate is being provided through two variable rate unsecured promissory notes, under a non-revolving credit agreement, maturing in December 2022, and three additional notes as detailed in Note 9.

 

The investments in the LLC are included in the accompanying financial statements as follows:

 

Balance Sheet location:

 

March 31, 2022

  

September 30, 2021

 

Other Assets:

        

MVP

 $27,237,888  $64,462,194 

Southgate

  83,363   405,125 

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates

 $27,321,251  $64,867,319 
         

Current Liabilities:

        

MVP

 $772,601  $2,139,696 

Southgate

  489   941 

Capital contributions payable

 $773,090  $2,140,637 

 

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 

Income Statement location:

 

March 31, 2022

  

March 31, 2021

  

March 31, 2022

  

March 31, 2021

 

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliate

 $(445) $(3,797) $71,682  $1,352,886 

 

  

March 31, 2022

  

September 30, 2021

 

Undistributed earnings, net of income taxes, of MVP in retained earnings

 $8,134,259  $8,081,027 

 

The undistributed earnings does not include the impairment of the investment in the LLC.

 

11

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

The change in the investment in unconsolidated affiliates is provided below:

 

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

March 31, 2022

  

March 31, 2021

 

Cash investment

 $3,572,011  $2,720,008 

Change in accrued capital calls

  (1,367,548)  (1,071,205)

Pre-tax impairment

  (39,822,213)   

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

  71,682   1,352,886 

Change in investment in unconsolidated affiliates

 $(37,546,068) $3,001,689 

 

Summary unaudited financial statements of MVP are presented below. Southgate financial statements, which are accounted for under the cost method, are not included:

 

  

Income Statements

 
  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

March 31, 2022

  

March 31, 2021

  

March 31, 2022

  

March 31, 2021

 

AFUDC

 $  $  $6,883,069  $133,757,314 

Other income (expense), net

  9,245   5,514   (35,818)  (47,094)

Net income

 $9,245  $5,514  $6,847,251  $133,710,220 

 

  

Balance Sheets

 
  

March 31, 2022

  

September 30, 2021

 

Assets:

        

Current assets

 $118,201,286  $208,961,113 

Construction work in progress

  6,514,077,686   6,281,991,035 

Other assets

  1,190,042   980,410 

Total assets

 $6,633,469,014  $6,491,932,558 
         

Liabilities and Equity:

        

Current liabilities

 $146,102,517  $200,441,027 

Noncurrent liabilities

  45,000   13,000 

Capital

  6,487,321,497   6,291,478,531 

Total liabilities and equity

 $6,633,469,014  $6,491,932,558 

 

 

7.

Derivatives and Hedging

 

The Company’s hedging and derivative policy allows management to enter into derivatives for the purpose of managing the commodity and financial market risks of its business operations, including the price of natural gas and the cost of borrowed funds. This policy specifically prohibits the use of derivatives for speculative purposes.

 

The Company has five interest rate swaps associated with its variable rate debt as of March 31, 2022. During fiscal 2021, Roanoke Gas entered into two delayed draw variable-rate term notes in the amounts of $15 million and $10 million, with corresponding swap agreements to convert the variable interest rates into fixed rates of 2.00% and 2.49%, respectively. Proceeds of $5 million associated with the $10 million delayed draw note were received on April 1, 2022; therefore, the swap associated with that note has no financial impact during the current period. Midstream has two swap agreements corresponding to the $14 million and $10 million variable rate term notes. The swap agreements convert these two notes into fixed rate instruments with effective interest rates of 3.24% and 3.14%, respectively.  In addition, on November 1, 2021, Midstream entered into a promissory note in the amount of $8 million, with a corresponding swap agreement to convert the variable interest rate into a fixed rate of 2.443%.  The swaps qualify as cash flow hedges with changes in fair value reported in other comprehensive income. No portion of the swaps were deemed ineffective during the periods presented.

 

12

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

The Company had no outstanding derivative instruments for the purchase of natural gas.

 

The fair value of the current and non-current portions of the interest rate swaps are reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets under the caption interest rate swaps. The table in Note 10 reflects the effect on income and other comprehensive income of the Company's cash flow hedges.

 

 

8.

Short-Term Debt

 

On March 31, 2022, Roanoke Gas entered into an unsecured line-of-credit agreement replacing the line-of-credit agreement dated March 25, 2021. The agreement provides for a variable interest rate based upon Daily Simple SOFR plus 1.10% and multiple tier borrowing limits to accommodate seasonal borrowing demands. The Company's total available borrowing limits during the term of the line-of-credit agreement range from $21,000,000 to $33,000,000.  The line-of-credit agreement will expire on March 31, 2023, unless extended. The Company anticipates being able to extend or replace the credit line upon expiration. As of  March 31, 2022, the Company had no outstanding balance under its line-of-credit agreement.

 

In connection with the line-of-credit, the Company also entered into the Seventh Amendment to Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2022, which amends the original Credit Agreement dated March 31, 2016 and all subsequent amendments.  The Amendment aligns the termination date, maximum principal amount available under the line-of-credit, amends certain financial conditions required of Resources, and retains all other terms and requirements of prior credit agreements.  

 

 

9.

Long-Term Debt

 

On November 1, 2021 Midstream entered into an unsecured promissory note in the principal amount of $8 million with an interest rate based on 30-day LIBOR plus 115 basis points maturing January 1, 2028. Related to this note, Midstream also entered into an interest rate swap agreement that effectively converts the variable rate note into a fixed rate instrument with an effective annual interest rate of 2.443%. The loan will convert into an installment loan with principal pay-down beginning in fiscal 2023. In addition, this note reduces the borrowing capacity defined by the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement and related Promissory Notes. The total borrowing capacity declined from $41 million to $33 million effective with the new promissory note.  All other terms of the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement remain unchanged.  On March 31, 2022, Midstream applied $10 million from a cash infusion received from Resources to pay down a corresponding amount on the non-revolving credit facility which in turn reduced the total borrowing capacity from $33 million to $23 million.

 

On  September 24, 2021, Roanoke Gas entered into a Loan Agreement ("Agreement") and an unsecured Delayed Draw Promissory Note in the principal amount of $10 million ("Promissory Note"). Under the provisions of the Agreement, Roanoke Gas received the first advance of $5 million on  April 1, 2022 with the remaining $5 million to be received on or about  October 1, 2022. The Promissory Note has an interest rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 100 basis points and a maturity date of  October 1, 2028. The proceeds from this Promissory Note will be used to finance Roanoke Gas' infrastructure enhancement and replacement projects.  Also, on  September 24, 2021, Roanoke Gas entered into an interest rate swap agreement for $10 million corresponding to the term and draw provisions of the Agreement, which effectively converts the variable rate Promissory Note to a fixed instrument with an effective annual interest rate of 2.49%.

 

On  August 20, 2021, Roanoke Gas entered into an unsecured Delayed Draw Term Note in the principal amount of $15 million ("Term Note") with an interest rate of 1.20% above 30-day SOFR Average per annum maturing on  August 20, 2026. In connection with the Term Note, Roanoke Gas also entered into the Sixth Amendment to its Credit Agreement ("Amendment"), which amends the original Credit Agreement with the corresponding bank dated  March 31, 2016 and all subsequent amendments. The Amendment aligns the termination date and the maximum principal amount available under the Term Note and retains all other terms and requirements of prior credit agreements. The proceeds from this Term Note will be used to finance Roanoke Gas' infrastructure enhancement and replacement projects, as well as to refinance a portion of its existing debt. Also, on  August 20, 2021, Roanoke Gas entered into an interest rate swap agreement for $15 million corresponding to the duration of the Term Note, which effectively converts the variable rate note to a fixed rate instrument with an effective annual interest rate of 2.00%. The Term Note funded in full on  October 1, 2021.  

 

13

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

  

March 31, 2022

  

September 30, 2021

 
  

Principal

  

Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs

  

Principal

  

Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs

 

Roanoke Gas:

                

Unsecured senior notes payable, at 4.26%, due September 18, 2034

 $30,500,000  $120,676  $30,500,000  $125,502 

Unsecured term note payable, at 30-day LIBOR plus 0.90%, due November 1, 2021

        7,000,000   278 

Unsecured term notes payable, at 3.58%, due October 2, 2027

  8,000,000   26,488   8,000,000   28,896 

Unsecured term notes payable, at 4.41%, due March 28, 2031

  10,000,000   28,193   10,000,000   29,760 

Unsecured term notes payable, at 3.60%, due December 6, 2029

  10,000,000   27,301   10,000,000   29,062 

Unsecured term note payable, at 30-day SOFR plus 1.20%, due August 20, 2026

  15,000,000          

Unsecured delayed draw note payable

     31,064      21,545 

Midstream:

                

Unsecured term notes payable, at 30-day LIBOR plus 1.35%, due December 29, 2022

  19,330,200   8,942   33,610,200   14,904 

Unsecured term note payable, at 30-day LIBOR plus 1.15%, due June 12, 2026

  14,000,000   10,233   14,000,000   11,437 

Unsecured term note payable, at 30-day LIBOR plus 1.20%, due June 1, 2024

  10,000,000   5,107   10,000,000   6,286 

Unsecured term note payable, at 30-day LIBOR plus 1.15%, due January 1, 2028

  8,000,000   25,918       

Total notes payable, current and non-current

  124,830,200   283,922   123,110,200   267,670 

Line-of-credit, at 30-day LIBOR plus 1.00%, due March 31, 2023

        17,628,897    

Total long-term debt

  124,830,200   283,922   140,739,097   267,670 

Less: current maturities of long-term debt

  (19,705,200)     (7,000,000)   

Total long-term debt, net current maturities

 $105,125,000  $283,922  $133,739,097  $267,670 

 

 

All debt agreements set forth certain representations, warranties and covenants to which the Company is subject, including financial covenants that limit consolidated long-term indebtedness to not more than 65% of total capitalization.  All of the debt agreements, except for the line-of-credit, provide for priority indebtedness to not exceed 15% of consolidated total assets.  The $15 million note and the line-of-credit have an interest coverage ratio requirement of 1.5 which excludes the effect of a non cash impairment on the LLC investments up to the total investment as of December 31, 2021 as revised by the Seventh Amendment to the Credit Agreement. The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of  March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021

 

14

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

10.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

A summary of other comprehensive income and loss is provided below:

 

      Tax    
  

Before-Tax

  

(Expense)

  

Net-of-Tax

 
  

Amount

  

or Benefit

  

Amount

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

            

Interest rate swaps:

            

Unrealized gains

 $1,903,875  $(490,057) $1,413,818 

Transfer of realized losses to interest expense

  163,860   (42,179)  121,681 

Net interest rate swaps

  2,067,735   (532,236)  1,535,499 

Defined benefit plans:

            

Amortization of actuarial gains

  (15,070)  3,879   (11,191)

Other comprehensive income

 $2,052,665  $(528,357) $1,524,308 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

            

Interest rate swaps:

            

Unrealized gains

 $529,356  $(136,257) $393,099 

Transfer of realized losses to interest expense

  136,270   (35,075)  101,195 

Net interest rate swaps

  665,626   (171,332)  494,294 

Defined benefit plans:

            

Amortization of actuarial losses

  20,017   (5,153)  14,864 

Other comprehensive income

 $685,643  $(176,485) $509,158 

 

      

Tax

     
  

Before-Tax

  

(Expense)

  

Net-of-Tax

 
  

Amount

  

or Benefit

  

Amount

 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2022

            

Interest rate swaps:

            

Unrealized gains

 $2,219,858  $(571,390) $1,648,468 

Transfer of realized losses to interest expense

  335,723   (86,418)  249,305 

Net interest rate swaps

  2,555,581   (657,808)  1,897,773 

Defined benefit plans:

            

Amortization of actuarial gains

  (30,140)  7,758   (22,382)

Other comprehensive income

 $2,525,441  $(650,050) $1,875,391 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2021

            

Interest rate swaps:

            

Unrealized gains

 $619,126  $(159,364) $459,762 

Transfer of realized losses to interest expense

  273,708   (70,451)  203,257 

Net interest rate swaps

  892,834   (229,815)  663,019 

Defined benefit plans:

            

Amortization of actuarial losses

  40,034   (10,306)  29,728 

Other comprehensive income

 $932,868  $(240,121) $692,747 

 

The amortization of actuarial gains and losses, reflected in the preceding table, relate to the unregulated operations of the Company. Actuarial gains and losses attributable to the regulated operations are included as a regulatory asset. See Note 16 for a schedule of regulatory assets. The amortization of actual gains and losses is recognized as a component of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs under other income, net.

 

15

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Reconciliation of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

          

Accumulated

 
          

Other

 
  

Interest Rate

  

Defined Benefit

  

Comprehensive

 
  

Swaps

  

Plans

  

Income (Loss)

 

Balance at September 30, 2021

 $(888,210) $(647,224) $(1,535,434)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  1,897,773   (22,382)  1,875,391 

Balance at March 31, 2022

 $1,009,563  $(669,606) $339,957 

 

 

11.

Commitments and Contingencies

 

COVID-19 and the related pandemic continues to impact local, state, national and global economies. Supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and inflation have supplanted quarantines and government restrictions as the primary examples of matters impacting economic conditions. Significant progress was made in distributing and administering vaccines to the public, which has allowed a return to mostly normal operating conditions. Restrictions implemented as a result of the pandemic have eased, allowing for increased business, recreational and travel activities. Natural gas consumption by the Company’s commercial customers has returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, future surges in COVID-19 infections could result in the reinstatement of some or all of the restrictions previously in place. Management continues to monitor current conditions to ensure the continuation of safe and reliable service to customers and to maintain the safety of the Company's employees. 

 

 

12.

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per common share for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share were calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period plus potential dilutive common shares.

 

A reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share is presented below:

 

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

  

Six Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Net income (loss)

 $(24,494,429) $4,767,478  $(20,909,900) $9,490,741 

Weighted average common shares

  8,486,518   8,217,822   8,434,689   8,192,533 

Effect of dilutive securities:

                

Options to purchase common stock

     12,828      13,621 

Diluted average common shares

  8,486,518   8,230,650   8,434,689   8,206,154 

Earnings (loss) per share of common stock:

                

Basic

 $(2.89) $0.58  $(2.48) $1.16 

Diluted

 $(2.89) $0.58  $(2.48) $1.16 

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

13.

Employee Benefit Plans

 

The Company has both a pension plan and a postretirement plan. The pension plan covers the Company’s employees hired before January 1, 2017 and provides retirement income based on years of service and employee compensation. The postretirement plan provides certain health care and supplemental life insurance benefits to retired employees who meet specific age and service requirements. Net pension plan and postretirement plan expense is detailed as follows:

 

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Components of net periodic pension cost:

                

Service cost

 $162,072  $183,570  $324,144  $367,140 

Interest cost

  253,279   243,785   506,558   487,570 

Expected return on plan assets

  (457,888)  (503,936)  (915,776)  (1,007,872)

Recognized loss

  36,600   125,535   73,200   251,070 

Net periodic pension cost (benefit)

 $(5,937) $48,954  $(11,874) $97,908 

 

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Components of postretirement benefit cost:

                

Service cost

 $24,450  $35,172  $48,900  $70,344 

Interest cost

  110,930   107,623   221,860   215,246 

Expected return on plan assets

  (166,541)  (149,122)  (333,082)  (298,244)

Recognized loss

     38,664      77,328 

Net postretirement benefit cost (benefit)

 $(31,161) $32,337  $(62,322) $64,674 

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost, other than the service cost component, are included in other income, net in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Service cost is included in operations and maintenance expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

 

The table below reflects the Company's actual contributions made fiscal year-to-date and the expected remaining contributions to be made during the balance of the current fiscal year.

 

  

Fiscal Year-to-Date Contributions

  

Remaining Fiscal Year Contributions

 

Pension plan

 $  $500,000 

Postretirement plan

     400,000 

Total

 $  $900,000 

 

 

14.

Fair Value Measurements

 

FASB ASC No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes each input to the valuation method used to measure fair value of financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured and reported on a fair value basis into one of the following three levels:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 

17

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices in Level 1 that are either for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as required by existing guidance and the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy:

 

  

Fair Value Measurements - March 31, 2022

 
      

Quoted

  

Significant

     
      

Prices

  

Other

  

Significant

 
      

in Active

  

Observable

  

Unobservable

 
  

Fair

  

Markets

  

Inputs

  

Inputs

 
  

Value

  

(Level 1)

  

(Level 2)

  

(Level 3)

 

Assets:

                

Interest rate swaps

 $1,359,498  $  $1,359,498  $ 

Total

 $1,359,498  $  $1,359,498  $ 
                 

Liabilities:

                

Natural gas purchases

 $1,355,281  $  $1,355,281  $ 

Total

 $1,355,281  $  $1,355,281  $ 

 

 

  

Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2021

 
      

Quoted

  

Significant

     
      

Prices

  

Other

  

Significant

 
      

in Active

  

Observable

  

Unobservable

 
  

Fair

  

Markets

  

Inputs

  

Inputs

 
  

Value

  

(Level 1)

  

(Level 2)

  

(Level 3)

 

Liabilities:

                

Natural gas purchases

 $2,728,935  $  $2,728,935  $ 

Interest rate swaps

  1,196,083      1,196,083    

Total

 $3,925,018  $  $3,925,018  $ 

 

The fair value of the interest rate swaps are determined by using the counterparty's proprietary models and certain assumptions regarding past, present and future market conditions.

 

Under the asset management contract, a timing difference can exist between the payment for natural gas purchases and the actual receipt of such purchases. Payments are made based on a predetermined monthly volume with the price based on weighted average first of the month index prices corresponding to the month of the scheduled payment. At March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021, the Company had recorded in accounts payable the estimated fair value of the liability valued at the corresponding first of month index prices for which the liability is expected to be settled.

 

18

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

The Company’s nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis consist of its AROs. The AROs are measured at fair value at initial recognition based on expected future cash flows required to settle the obligation. 

 

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, borrowings under line-of-credit, accounts payable (with the exception of the timing difference under the asset management contract), customer credit balances and customer deposits is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. In addition, the carrying amount of the variable rate line-of-credit is a reasonable approximation of its fair value.

 

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are not adjusted to fair value in the financial statements:

 

 

Fair Value Measurements - March 31, 2022

    

Quoted

 

Significant

   
    

Prices

 

Other

 

Significant

    

in Active

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

 

Carrying

 

Markets

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

 

Value

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

Liabilities:

           

Current maturities of long-term debt

$19,705,200 $ $ $19,765,421

Notes payable

 105,125,000      107,952,588

Total

$124,830,200 $ $ $127,718,009

 

  

Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2021

 
      

Quoted

  

Significant

     
      

Prices

  

Other

  

Significant

 
      

in Active

  

Observable

  

Unobservable

 
  

Carrying

  

Markets

  

Inputs

  

Inputs

 
  

Value

  

(Level 1)

  

(Level 2)

  

(Level 3)

 

Liabilities:

                

Current maturities of long-term debt

 $7,000,000  $  $  $7,000,000 

Notes payable

  116,110,200         124,691,896 

Total

 $123,110,200  $  $  $131,691,896 

 

The fair value of long-term debt is estimated by discounting the future cash flows of the fixed rate debt based on the underlying Treasury rate or other Treasury instruments with a corresponding maturity period and estimated credit spread extrapolated based on market conditions since the issuance of the debt.

 

FASB ASC 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosures regarding concentrations of credit risk from financial instruments. Cash equivalents are investments in high-grade, short-term securities (original maturity less than three months), placed with financially sound institutions. Accounts receivable are from a diverse group of customers including individuals and small and large companies in various industries. As of March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021, no single customer accounted for more than 5% of the total accounts receivable balance. The Company maintains certain credit standards with its customers and requires a customer deposit if such evaluation warrants.

 

 

15.

Segment Information

 

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and is evaluated regularly by the Company's chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company uses operating income and equity in earnings to assess segment performance.

 

Intersegment transactions are recorded at cost.

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

The reportable segments disclosed herein are defined as follows:

 

Gas Utility - The natural gas segment of the Company generates revenue from its tariff rates and other regulatory mechanisms through which it provides the sale and distribution of natural gas to its residential, commercial and industrial customers.

 

Investment in Affiliates - The investment in affiliates segment reflects the income generated through the activities of the Company's investment in the LLC.

 

Parent and Other - The category parent and other includes the unregulated activities of the Company as well as certain corporate eliminations.

 

Information related to the segments of the Company are provided below:

 

  

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

 
  

Gas Utility

  

Investment in Affiliates

  

Parent and Other

  

Consolidated Total

 

Operating revenues

 $29,499,219  $  $30,464  $29,529,683 

Depreciation

  2,268,704         2,268,704 

Operating income (loss)

  7,528,839   (108,987)  23,536   7,443,388 

Equity in earnings (loss)

     (445)     (445)

Impairment of investments in affiliates

     (39,822,213)     (39,822,213)

Interest expense

  751,038   352,806      1,103,844 

Income (loss) before income taxes

  7,117,202   (40,279,495)  23,689   (33,138,604)

 

  

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

 
  

Gas Utility

  

Investment in Affiliates

  

Parent and Other

  

Consolidated Total

 

Operating revenues

 $28,221,274  $  $32,388  $28,253,662 

Depreciation

  2,128,304         2,128,304 

Operating income (loss)

  7,175,532   (102,295)  26,189   7,099,426 

Equity in earnings (loss)

     (3,797)     (3,797)

Interest expense

  707,532   300,232      1,007,764 

Income (loss) before income taxes

  6,750,004   (400,880)  26,289   6,375,413 

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2022

 
  

Gas Utility

  

Investment in Affiliates

  

Parent and Other

  

Consolidated Total

 

Operating revenues

 $52,730,874  $  $61,889  $52,792,763 

Depreciation

  4,539,398         4,539,398 

Operating income (loss)

  12,933,155   (160,547)  49,203   12,821,811 

Equity in earnings

     71,682      71,682 

Impairment of investments in affiliates

     (39,822,213)     (39,822,213)

Interest expense

  1,515,901   692,799      2,208,700 

Income (loss) before income taxes

  12,076,384   (40,596,376)  49,521   (28,470,471)

 

  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2021

 
  

Gas Utility

  

Investment in Affiliates

  

Parent and Other

  

Consolidated Total

 

Operating revenues

 $47,704,774  $  $65,905  $47,770,679 

Depreciation

  4,281,702         4,281,702 

Operating income (loss)

  12,788,574   (153,142)  45,381   12,680,813 

Equity in earnings

     1,352,886      1,352,886 

Interest expense

  1,411,862   615,731      2,027,593 

Income before income taxes

  11,986,004   592,045   45,631   12,623,680 

 

  

March 31, 2022

 
  

Gas Utility

  

Investment in Affiliates(1)

  

Parent and Other

  

Consolidated Total

 

Total assets

 $240,934,602  $27,465,020  $19,958,863  $288,358,485 

(1) Decrease in total assets resulted from the MVP and Southgate impairment.  See Note 6 for additional information. 

 

  

September 30, 2021

 
  

Gas Utility

  

Investment in Affiliates

  

Parent and Other

  

Consolidated Total

 

Total assets

 $231,737,427  $65,686,376  $12,685,390  $310,109,193 

 

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

16.

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

 

The Company’s regulated operations follow the accounting and reporting requirements of FASB ASC No. 980, Regulated Operations. The economic effects of regulation can result in a regulated company deferring costs that have been or are expected to be recovered from customers in a period different from the period in which the costs would ordinarily be charged to expense by an unregulated enterprise. When this situation occurs, costs are deferred as assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet (regulatory assets) and amortized into expense over periods when such amounts are reflected in rates. Additionally, regulators can impose liabilities upon a regulated company for amounts previously collected from customers and for current collection in rates of costs that are expected to be incurred in the future (regulatory liabilities). In the event the provisions of FASB ASC No. 980 no longer apply to any or all regulatory assets or liabilities, the Company would write off such amounts and include the effects in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income in the period which FASB ASC No. 980 no longer applied.

 

Regulatory assets included in the Company’s accompanying balance sheets are as follows: 

 

  

March 31, 2022

  

September 30, 2021

 

Assets:

        

Current Assets:

        

Regulatory assets:

        

WNA revenues

 $1,808,525  $8,104 

Under-recovery of gas costs

     5,048,164 

Under-recovery of SAVE Plan revenues

     305,502 

Accrued pension and postretirement medical

  103,340   206,679 

Other deferred expenses

  85,211   88,004 

Total current

  1,997,076   5,656,453 

Utility Property:

        

In service:

        

Other

  11,945   11,945 

Construction work in progress:

        

AFUDC

  386,189   386,189 

Other Assets:

        

Regulatory assets:

        

Premium on early retirement of debt

  1,427,340   1,484,433 

Accrued pension and postretirement medical

  5,154,713   5,154,713 

Other deferred expenses

  123,962   130,613 

Total non-current

  6,706,015   6,769,759 
         

Total regulatory assets

 $9,101,225  $12,824,346 

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Regulatory liabilities included in the Company’s accompanying balance sheets are as follows: 

 

  

March 31, 2022

  

September 30, 2021

 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:

        

Current Liabilities:

        

Regulatory liabilities:

        

Over-recovery of gas costs

 $98,776  $ 

Over-recovery of SAVE Plan revenues

  102,879    

Deferred income taxes

  332,361   329,959 

Supplier refunds

  2,661,043    

Total current

  3,195,059   329,959 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

        

Asset retirement obligations

  7,876,084   7,628,958 

Regulatory cost of retirement obligations

  14,126,243   13,640,567 

Regulatory Liabilities:

        

Deferred income taxes

  12,706,518   12,891,242 

Total non-current

  34,708,845   34,160,767 
         

Total regulatory liabilities

 $37,903,904  $34,490,726 

 

As of March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021, the Company had regulatory assets in the amount of $9,089,280 and $12,812,401, respectively, on which the Company did not earn a return during the recovery period.

 

 

17.

Subsequent Events

 

On April 1, 2022, Roanoke Gas received a $5 million advance associated with its $10 million unsecured delayed draw note payable. The remaining $5 million is expected to be drawn on or about October 1, 2022.  See Note 9 for additional information.   

 

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.  There were no items not otherwise disclosed which would have materially impacted the Company’s condensed financial statements.

 

23

 
 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

ITEM 2 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains forward-looking statements that relate to future transactions, events or expectations. In addition, Resources may publish forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, research and development activities, operational impacts and similar matters. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and information available at the time of such statements and are believed to be reasonable and are made in good faith. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development and results of the Company’s business include, but are not limited to those set forth in the following discussion and within Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K and this Form 10-Q. All of these factors are difficult to predict and many are beyond the Company’s control. Accordingly, while the Company believes its forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will approximate actual experience or that the expectations derived from them will be realized. When used in the Company’s documents or news releases, the words, “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “budget,” “assume,” “indicate” or similar words or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “can,” “could” or “may” are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations only as of the date they are made. The Company assumes no duty to update these statements should expectations change or actual results differ from current expectations except as required by applicable laws and regulations.

 

The three-month and six-month earnings presented herein should not be considered as reflective of the Company’s consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022. The total revenues and margins realized during the first six months reflect higher billings due to the weather sensitive nature of the natural gas business.

 

COVID-19

 

As discussed under Item 1A "Risk Factors" in the Company’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, COVID-19 and the resulting pandemic continues to have a lingering impact on local, state, national and global economies. Supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and inflation, compounded by other world events, have continued as the primary examples of matters impacting economic conditions. Significant portions of the population have been vaccinated, which has contributed to a return to mostly normal operating conditions. Most restrictions implemented as a result of the pandemic have been eased, including Virginia’s state of emergency, allowing for increased business, recreational and travel activities. Natural gas consumption by the Company’s commercial customers has returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, the easing of restrictions and the evolution of variant strains of COVID-19 may lead to a rise in infections nationally and throughout the Company’s service territory. Management continues to monitor current conditions to ensure the continuation of safe and reliable service to customers and to maintain the safety of the Company's employees. 

 

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact the Company depends on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be reasonably predicted, including the increase or reduction in governmental restrictions to businesses and individuals, the potential resurgence of the virus, including variants, as well as efficacy of the vaccines.

 

24

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Overview

 

Resources is an energy services company primarily engaged in the regulated sale and distribution of natural gas to approximately 63,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Roanoke, Virginia and surrounding localities through its Roanoke Gas subsidiary.  As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resources, Midstream is a more than 1% investor in MVP and a less than 1% investor in Southgate.

 

Due primarily to decisions in January and February 2022 by the Fourth Circuit vacating and remanding certain permits necessary for the completion of MVP construction and commercial operation, and the greater uncertainty that now exists given the Court’s actions, as well as the consequent actions by project partners to impair their respective investments and revocation of the previously noted summer 2022 in-service target date, Midstream determined that its investment in the LLC experienced an other-than-temporary decline in value.  Accordingly, management recorded a $39.8 million write-down of the value of its investments in the second quarter of fiscal 2022.  As of March 31, 2022, the total investment in the LLC was $27 million.  More information regarding the investment in the LLC is provided under the Equity Investment in Mountain Valley Pipeline section below.

 

The utility operations of Roanoke Gas are regulated by the SCC, which oversees the terms, conditions, and rates charged to customers for natural gas service, safety standards, extension of service and depreciation. Nearly all of the Company’s revenues, excluding equity in earnings of MVP, are derived from the sale and delivery of natural gas to Roanoke Gas customers based on rates authorized by the SCC. These rates are designed to provide the Company with the opportunity to recover its gas and non-gas expenses and to earn a reasonable rate of return for shareholders based on normal weather.

 

The Company is also subject to federal regulation from the Department of Transportation in regard to the construction, operation, maintenance, safety and integrity of its transmission and distribution pipelines. FERC regulates the prices for the transportation and delivery of natural gas to the Company’s distribution system and underground storage services. In addition, Roanoke Gas is subject to other regulations which are not necessarily industry specific.

 

As the Company’s business is seasonal in nature, volatility in winter weather and the commodity price of natural gas can impact the effectiveness of the Company’s rates in recovering its costs and providing a reasonable return for its shareholders. In order to mitigate the effect of weather variations and other factors not provided for in the Company's base rates, Roanoke Gas has certain approved rate mechanisms in place that help provide stability in earnings, adjust for volatility in the price of natural gas and provide a return on qualified infrastructure investment. These mechanisms include the SAVE Rider, WNA, ICC and PGA.

 

The Company’s non-gas base rates provide for the recovery of non-gas related expenses and a reasonable return to shareholders. These rates are determined based on the filing of a formal non-gas rate application with the SCC. Generally, investments related to extending service to new customers are recovered through the additional revenues generated by the non-gas base rates currently in place. The investment in replacing and upgrading existing infrastructure is generally not recoverable until a formal rate application is filed to include the additional investment, and new non-gas base rates are approved. The SAVE Rider provides the Company with a mechanism through which it recovers costs related to SAVE qualified infrastructure investments on a prospective basis, until a formal rate application is filed to incorporate these investments in non-gas base rates. The SAVE Plan and Rider were last reset effective January 2019, when the recovery of all prior SAVE Plan investment was incorporated into the current non-gas rates. Accordingly, SAVE Plan revenues increased by approximately $193,000 and $416,000 for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2022 compared to the same periods last year, reflecting the Company's cumulative investment in qualified SAVE Plan infrastructure. 

 

The WNA model reduces the volatility in earnings due to the variability in temperatures during the heating season. The WNA is based on the most recent 30-year temperature average and provides the Company with a level of earnings protection when weather is warmer than normal and provides its customers with price protection when weather is colder than normal. The WNA allows the Company to recover from its customers the lost margin (excluding gas costs) from the impact of weather that is warmer than normal and correspondingly requires the Company to refund the excess margin earned for weather that is colder than normal. The WNA mechanism used by the Company is based on a linear regression model that determines the value of a single heating degree day and thereby estimates the revenue adjustment based on weather variance from normal. Any billings or refunds related to the WNA are completed following each WNA year, which extends for the 12-month period from April to March.  For the three and six months ended March 31, 2022, the Company accrued approximately $556,000 and $1,800,000 in additional revenues under the WNA model for weather that was 7% and 13% warmer than normal, respectively, compared to approximately $249,000 and $1,196,000 in additional revenue for weather that was 3% and 9% warmer than normal during the corresponding periods last year.  The current WNA year ended on March 31, 2022 and the 12 month cumulative WNA balance will be collected from customers beginning in May 2022.

 

25

 

RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

The Company also has an approved rate structure in place that mitigates the impact of financing costs of its natural gas inventory. Under this rate structure, Roanoke Gas recognizes revenue by applying the ICC factor, based on the Company’s weighted-average cost of capital, including interest rates on short-term and long-term debt, and the Company’s authorized return on equity, to the average cost of natural gas inventory during the period. Total ICC revenues increased by approximately $33,000 and $84,000, respectively, for the three month and six month periods ended March 31, 2022, compared to the corresponding periods last year, as rising natural gas commodity prices in 2021 resulted in a higher average cost of natural gas in storage.  As natural gas commodity prices have experienced a significant increase during March and April 2022, the cost of natural gas in storage is expected to be higher at September 30, 2022.

 

The cost of natural gas is a pass-through cost and is independent of the non-gas rates of the Company. Accordingly, the Company's approved billing rates include a component designed to allow for the recovery of the cost of natural gas used by its customers. This rate component, referred to as the PGA, allows the Company to pass along to its customers increases and decreases in natural gas costs based on a quarterly filing, or more frequent if necessary, with the SCC. Once administrative approval is received, the Company adjusts the gas cost component of its rates to reflect the approved amount. As actual costs will differ from the projections used in establishing the PGA rate, the Company will either over-recover or under-recover its actual gas costs during the period. The difference between actual costs incurred and costs recovered through the application of the PGA is recorded as a regulatory asset or liability. At the end of the annual deferral period, the balance is amortized over an ensuing 12-month period as amounts are reflected in customer billings.

 

Prior to January 2021, the Company has recognized significant non-cash income from equity in earnings of MVP through recording of AFUDC. Due to various legal and regulatory challenges, construction on the pipeline has been halted as has the recognition of AFUDC.  If or when the permits are reinstated, construction on MVP could resume and AFUDC would again be recognized until such time as MVP is placed in service.  Once in service, cash earnings will be derived from fees charged by the LLC to transport natural gas on the pipeline.

 

Results of Operations

 

The analysis on the results of operations is based on the consolidated operations of the Company, which is primarily associated with the utility segment. Additional segment analysis is provided when Midstream's investment in affiliates represents a significant component of the comparison.

 

The Company's operating revenues are affected by the cost of natural gas, as reflected in the consolidated income statement under the line item cost of gas - utility. The cost of natural gas, which includes commodity price, transportation, storage, injection and withdrawal fees with any increase or decrease offset by a correlating change in revenue through the PGA, is passed through to customers at cost. Accordingly, management believes that gross utility margin, a non-GAAP financial measure defined as utility revenues less cost of gas, is a more useful and relevant measure to analyze financial performance. The term gross utility margin is not intended to represent or replace operating income, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, as an indicator of operating performance and is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The following results of operations analyses will reference gross utility margin.

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022:

 

Net income decreased by $29,261,907 for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to the impairment of the Company's investment in the LLC.

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

The tables below reflect operating revenues, volume activity and heating degree-days.

 

    Three Months Ended March 31,     Increase/          
   

2022

   

2021

   

(Decrease)

   

Percentage

 

Operating Revenues

                               

Gas Utility

  $ 29,499,219     $ 28,221,274     $ 1,277,945       5 %

Non Utility

    30,464       32,388       (1,924 )     (6 )%

Total Operating Revenues

  $ 29,529,683     $ 28,253,662     $ 1,276,021       5 %

Delivered Volumes

                               

Regulated Natural Gas (DTH)

                               

Residential and Commercial

    3,221,562       3,212,413       9,149       0 %

Transportation and Interruptible

    1,020,460       806,981       213,479       26 %

Total Delivered Volumes

    4,242,022       4,019,394       222,628       6 %

HDD

    1,918       1,997       (79 )     (4 )%

 

Total operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period last year, increased by 5% due to a combination of an increase in SAVE revenues, WNA revenues and higher transportation volume deliveries.  SAVE Plan revenues increased by approximately $193,000 due to the continuing investment in qualified SAVE infrastructure projects.  Although the three months ended March 31, 2022 had 4% fewer heating degree days than the same period last year, the weather sensitive residential and commercial volumes were nearly unchanged.  The improvement in natural gas deliveries is reflective of increased economic activity in the post-pandemic environment.  As described above, the WNA model provided $307,000 in additional revenues as the current period was 7% warmer than normal compared to weather that was 3% warmer than normal for the same period last year.  Transportation and interruptible volumes, primarily driven by business activity rather than weather, increased by 26% due to a single multi-fuel customer that increased its utilization of natural gas from an alternate energy source during the quarter.  Excluding the multi-fuel customer's usage from both periods, total transportation and interruptible volumes would have been nearly unchanged.  

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

                 
   

2022

   

2021

   

Increase

   

Percentage

 

Gross Utility Margin

                               

Gas Utility Revenues

  $ 29,499,219     $ 28,221,274     $ 1,277,945       5 %

Cost of Gas - Utility

    14,923,575       14,447,057       476,518       3 %

Gross Utility Margin

  $ 14,575,644     $ 13,774,217     $ 801,427       6 %

 

Gross utility margin increased from the same period last year as a result of the aforementioned higher SAVE revenues, WNA and transportation volumes as well as ICC revenues.  ICC revenues increased by approximately $33,000 due to higher natural gas inventory balances attributable to rising natural gas commodity prices.  

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

The components of and the change in gas utility margin are summarized below:

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

         
   

2022

   

2021

   

Increase

 

Customer Base Charge

  $ 3,666,318     $ 3,652,055     $ 14,263  

Carrying Cost

    98,511       65,446       33,065  

SAVE Plan

    743,992       550,847       193,145  

Volumetric

    9,470,897       9,226,891       244,006  

WNA

    556,404       249,330       307,074  

Other Revenues

    39,522       29,648       9,874  

Total

  $ 14,575,644     $ 13,774,217     $ 801,427  

 

Operations and maintenance expenses increased by $310,537, or 8%, over the same period last year primarily due to higher bad debt expense, corporate insurance premiums, professional services and compensation costs. Bad debt expense increased by $194,000 for the quarter due to higher billings related to rising natural gas prices and delinquent balances.  Corporate insurance premiums related to property and liability insurance increased by nearly $43,000, or 17%, due to insurance market conditions. Professional services increased by $44,000 primarily due to costs related to determining the fair value and impairment of the LLC investment.

 

General taxes increased by $4,428, or 1%, primarily due to higher property taxes related to ongoing investments in infrastructure replacement, system reinforcements and customer growth, net of greater capitalization of payroll and property taxes.

 

Depreciation expense increased by $140,400, or nearly 7%, on a comparable increase in utility plant balances. 

 

Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate was nearly unchanged as no growth construction activities occurred and no AFUDC was recorded.  All earnings or losses during the respective quarters relate to income earned on available cash balances, net of expenses. See Equity Investment in Mountain Valley Pipeline section below for additional information.

 

Impairment of unconsolidated affiliates includes $39,822,213 for an other-than-temporary write down of the Company's investment in the LLC.  See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Equity Investment in Mountain Valley Pipeline sections below for further details of the impairment.

 

Other income, net increased by $56,962, or 20%, primarily due to an approximately $86,000 decrease in the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit costs partially offset by a reduction in the utilization fee.  The reduction in the non-service cost component is attributable to the reduction in the amortization of the actuarial losses due to the improved funding position of the defined benefit plans.  The utilization fee under the revenue sharing agreement declined per the terms of the asset management agreement with Sequent Energy. 

 

Interest expense increased by $96,080, or 10%, as the total daily average debt outstanding increased by 20% between quarters. The higher borrowing levels, derived from the ongoing investment in the LLC and financing expenditures in support of Roanoke Gas' capital budget, were offset by a 9% reduction in the weighted-average interest rate on the Company's debt.

 

Roanoke Gas' interest expense increased by $43,506 primarily due to a $17.2 million increase in total daily average debt outstanding for the period, net of a reduction in the average interest rate from 3.73% to 3.23% primarily driven by the issuance of the $15 million note on October 1, 2021 with a 2.00% swap adjusted rate.

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Midstream's interest expense increased by $52,574 primarily due to a $8.2 million increase in total average debt outstanding for the period and slight increase in the average interest rate from 2.28% to 2.32% associated with the an increase in the average variable interest rate of Midstream's credit facility.

 

Income tax moved from an expense of $1,607,935 to a benefit of $8,644,175 corresponding to the recognition of the impairment of the Company's investment in the LLC.  The effective tax rate was 26.1% and 25.2% for the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.  Excluding the effect of the impairment, the effective tax rate would have been 24.0% compared to 25.2% for the same period last year. The reduction in the adjusted effective tax rate is attributable to the amortization of the deferred R&D tax credit associated with the tax credit study. 

 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2022:

 

Net income decreased by $30,400,641 from $9,490,741 to a net loss of $20,909,900 for the six months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period last year, due to the impairment of the Company's investment in the LLC.

 

The tables below reflect operating revenues, volume activity and heating degree-days.

 

    Six Months Ended March 31,     Increase/          
   

2022

   

2021

   

(Decrease)

   

Percentage

 

Operating Revenues

                               

Gas Utility

  $ 52,730,874     $ 47,704,774     $ 5,026,100       11 %

Non Utility

    61,889       65,905       (4,016 )     (6 )%

Total Operating Revenues

  $ 52,792,763     $ 47,770,679     $ 5,022,084       11 %

Delivered Volumes

                               

Regulated Natural Gas (DTH)

                               

Residential and Commercial

    5,132,292       5,262,636       (130,344 )     (2 )%

Transportation and Interruptible

    1,797,901       1,623,637       174,264       11 %

Total Delivered Volumes

    6,930,193       6,886,273       43,920       1 %

HDD

    3,079       3,245       (166 )     (5 )%

 

Total operating revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period last year, increased by 11% due to a combination of higher natural gas commodity prices and pipeline and storage fees and an increase in SAVE and WNA revenues. During the first quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company experienced both rising natural gas prices over the comparable period last year, with the average commodity price declining slightly during the second fiscal quarter and rate increases implemented in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 from the interstate pipelines and underground natural gas storage operators who deliver and store natural gas.  These higher costs are passed on to customers through the PGA. SAVE Plan revenues increased by approximately $416,000 due to the continuing investment in qualified SAVE infrastructure projects.  The six months ended March 31, 2022 had 5% fewer heating degree days than the same period last year, which resulted in a corresponding 2% reduction in the weather sensitive residential and commercial volumes. If adjusted for the WNA effect of the shortfall in heating degree days, the residential and commercial volumes would have been nearly 2% higher than the WNA adjusted volumes in the prior year, reflecting improved economic activity in a post-pandemic environment. 

 

   

Six Months Ended March 31,

                 
   

2022

   

2021

   

Increase

   

Percentage

 

Gross Utility Margin

                               

Gas Utility Revenues

  $ 52,730,874     $ 47,704,774     $ 5,026,100       11 %

Cost of Gas - Utility

    26,239,980       22,147,756       4,092,224       18 %

Gross Utility Margin

  $ 26,490,894     $ 25,557,018     $ 933,876       4 %

 

Gross utility margin increased from the same period last year as a result of the higher SAVE revenues and WNA in addition to the increase in ICC revenues as reflected in the table below.  ICC revenues increased by approximately $84,000 due to higher natural gas inventory balances attributable to rising natural gas commodity prices. 

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

The components of and the change in gas utility margin are summarized below:

 

    Six Months Ended March 31,     Increase/  
   

2022

   

2021

   

(Decrease)

 

Customer Base Charge

  $ 7,302,995     $ 7,274,520     $ 28,475  

Carrying Cost

    275,842       192,202       83,640  

SAVE Plan

    1,471,365       1,055,545       415,820  

Volumetric

    15,554,251       15,774,483       (220,232 )

WNA

    1,800,421       1,196,301       604,120  

Other Revenues

    86,020       63,967       22,053  

Total

  $ 26,490,894     $ 25,557,018     $ 933,876  

 

Operations and maintenance expenses increased by $498,729, or 7%, over the same period last year primarily due to higher bad debt expense, corporate insurance premiums and professional services. Bad debt expense increased by $267,000 due to higher billings related to rising natural gas prices and delinquencies. Corporate insurance premiums increased by $91,000 due to insurance market conditions. Professional services increased by $60,000 primarily related to costs related to evaluating the Company's investment in the LLC and assessing the level of impairment.  Natural gas distribution system maintenance and cyber security enhancements accounted for much of the remaining increase.

 

General taxes increased by $33,613, or 3%, primarily due to higher property taxes related to ongoing investments in infrastructure replacement, system reinforcements and customer growth.

 

Depreciation expense increased by $257,696, or 6%, on a comparable increase in utility plant balances. 

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate decreased by $1,281,204, as no growth construction activities occurred.  See Equity Investment in Mountain Valley Pipeline section below for additional information.

 

Impairment of unconsolidated affiliates includes the $39,822,213 other-than-temporary write down of the Company's investment in the LLC as discussed further in the Equity Investment in Mountain Valley Pipeline section below.

 

Other income, net increased by $49,375, or 8%, primarily due to an approximately $173,000 decrease in the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit costs partially offset by the absence of the equity portion of AFUDC on the two gate stations that will interconnect MVP with Roanoke Gas' distribution system and reduction in the utilization fee.  Roanoke Gas ceased the recognition of AFUDC on these stations effective January 2021 until such time construction activities resume.  The utilization fee under the revenue sharing agreement declined per the terms of the asset management agreement with Sequent Energy.

 

Interest expense increased by $181,107, or 9%, as the total daily average debt outstanding increased by 18% between periods. The higher borrowing levels, derived from the ongoing investment in the LLC and financing expenditures in support of Roanoke Gas' capital budget, were offset by an 8% reduction in the weighted-average interest rate on the Company's debt.  

 

Roanoke Gas' interest expense increased by $104,039 primarily due to a $16 million increase in total average debt outstanding for the period, net of a reduction in the average interest rate from 3.63% to 3.23% associated with the issuance of the $15 million note on October 1, 2021 with a 2.00% swap adjusted rate.

 

Midstream's interest expense increased by $77,068 primarily due to a $7.7 million increase in total average debt outstanding for the period net of a slight decrease in the average interest rate from 2.34% to 2.30%.

 

Income tax expense decreased by $10,693,510 to a net tax benefit of $7,560,571, corresponding to the recognition of the impairment of the Company's investment in the LLC.  The effective tax rate was 26.6% and 24.8% for the six month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.  Excluding the effect of the impairment, the effective tax rate would have been 23.7% compared to 24.8% for the same period last year.  The reduction in the adjusted effective tax rate is attributable to the amortization of the deferred R&D tax credit associated with the tax credit study conducted in fiscal 2021. 

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The consolidated financial statements of Resources are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements are affected by accounting policies, estimates and assumptions that are necessary to comply with generally accepted accounting principles. Estimates used in the financial statements are derived from prior experience, statistical analysis and management judgments. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions.

 

Under the provisions of ASC 323 - Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures, the Company is required to evaluate its investment in the LLC to determine if the fair value of the investments are below the carrying amount and if this decline in fair value is considered other-than-temporary.  If the results of the evaluation indicate that the decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, then the recognition of an impairment is required. The following events or circumstances would indicate the potential of an other-than-temporary decline in the fair value of the investment in the LLC:

 

•  a prolonged period of time that the fair value is below the investor’s carrying value;

 

•  the current expected financial performance is significantly worse than anticipated when the investor originally invested in the investee;

 

•  adverse regulatory action is expected to substantially reduce the investee’s product demand or profitability;

 

•  the investee has lost significant customers or suppliers with no immediate prospects for replacement;

 

•  the investee’s discounted or undiscounted cash flows are below the investor’s carrying amount; and

 

•  the investee’s industry is declining and significantly lags the performance of the economy as a whole.

 

The determination of fair value of the Company's investment in the LLC is a significant estimate.  Management has conducted quarterly evaluations of its investment in the LLC, with the assistance of a valuation specialist, to determine the fair value utilizing an income approach and probability scenarios of discounted cash flows.  In conducting these evaluations, management made a variety of assumptions that it believes to be reasonable.  Variations in many of these assumptions could have a significant impact on the calculation of the fair value and the resulting level of impairment recorded.  Furthermore, these assumptions are based on the facts and circumstances at the date of the evaluations and are subject to change.  See the Equity Investment in Mountain Valley Pipeline section for additional information regarding the LLC valuation and impairment. 

 

There have been no other significant changes to the critical accounting policies as reflected in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021.

 

Asset Management

 

Roanoke Gas uses a third-party asset manager to oversee its pipeline transportation, storage rights and gas supply inventories and deliveries. In return for being able to utilize the excess capacities of the transportation and storage rights, the asset manager pays Roanoke Gas a monthly utilization fee. In accordance with an SCC order issued in 2018, a portion of the utilization fee is retained by the Company with the balance passed through to customers through reduced gas costs. The current asset manager ends on March 31, 2023.

 

Equity Investment in Mountain Valley Pipeline

 

Recent construction activity has been limited based on legal and regulatory challenges. Although certain permits and authorizations were received in the first quarter of fiscal 2022, there remain pending challenges and authorization requests impacting current progress including actions by the Fourth Circuit in January and February 2022.

 

Following a comprehensive review of all outstanding stream and wetland crossings across the approximately 300-mile MVP route, on February 19, 2021, the LLC submitted (i) a joint application package to each of the Huntington, Pittsburgh and Norfolk Districts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) that requests an individual permit from the Army Corps to cross certain streams and wetlands utilizing open cut techniques (the Army Corps Individual Permit) and (ii) an application to amend the MVP's CPCN that sought FERC authority to cross certain streams and wetlands utilizing alternative trenchless construction methods.  On April 8, 2022, the FERC authorized the amended CPCN.

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Related to seeking the Army Corps Individual Permit, on March 4, 2021, the LLC submitted applications to each of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) seeking Section 401 water quality certification approvals or waivers (such approvals or waivers, the State 401 Approvals).  The State 401 Approvals were both issued in December 2021.  On January 25, 2022, the LLC’s authorizations related to the Jefferson National Forest (JNF) received from the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service were vacated and remanded on specific issues by the Fourth Circuit. On February 3, 2022, the Fourth Circuit vacated and remanded on specific issues the Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement issued by the United States Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service for MVP.  On May 3, 2022, the operator for MVP announced that after evaluating legal options and consulting with the relevant federal agencies, the LLC plans to pursue new authorizations relating to the JNF and new Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement; and as a result, the operator is targeting a full in-service date for MVP during the second half of 2023 at a target total project cost of approximately $6.6 billion (excluding AFUDC).

 

In addition to timely receiving, and subsequently maintaining, new authorizations in respect of the JNF and the Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement, the LLC must, in order to complete MVP, among other things, timely receive the Army Corps Individual Permit (as well as timely receive, as necessary, certain other state-level approvals), as well as any necessary extensions from FERC to complete MVP. The LLC also must (i) continue to have available the orders previously issued by the FERC, which are subject to ongoing litigation, modifying its prior stop work orders and extending the LLC’s prescribed time to complete MVP; and (ii) timely receive authorization from the FERC to complete construction work in the portion of the project route currently remaining subject to the FERC's previous stop work order and in the JNF. In each case, any such foregoing or other authorizations must remain in effect notwithstanding any pending or future challenge thereto. Failure to achieve any one of the above items could lead to additional delays and higher project costs.

 

Resources' earnings from MVP are primarily attributable to AFUDC income generated by the LLC. The LLC temporarily suspended the accrual of AFUDC on the project from January 1, 2021 (due to a temporary reduction in growth construction activities) through March 31, 2021.  Limited growth construction activities resumed in April 2021, and the LLC began accruing AFUDC associated with those activities.  In November 2021, the LLC suspended the accrual of AFUDC for the winter curtailment period until such time as growth construction activities may resume. Additionally, Roanoke Gas continues the suspension of AFUDC accruals on its two gate stations that will interconnect with MVP until such time as construction activities resume on the respective gate stations.

 

In April 2018, the LLC announced the Southgate project and submitted Southgate's certificate application to the FERC in November 2018. The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the project was issued on February 14, 2020. In June 2020, the FERC issued the CPCN for Southgate; however, the FERC, while authorizing the project, directed the Office of Energy Projects not to issue a notice to proceed with construction until necessary federal permits are received for MVP and the Director of the Office of Energy Projects lifts the stop work order and authorizes the LLC to continue constructing MVP. On August 11, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) denied Southgate's application for a Clean Water Act Section 401 Individual Water Quality Certification and Jordan Lake Riparian Buffer Authorization due to uncertainty surrounding MVP's completion. On March 11, 2021, the Fourth Circuit, pursuant to an appeal filed by the LLC, vacated the NCDEQ's denial and remanded the matter to the NCDEQ for additional review. On April 29, 2021, the NCDEQ reissued its denial of Southgate's application. On December 3, 2021, the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board denied the permit for Southgate's Lambert compressor station, which decision the LLC initially appealed before withdrawing its request to review the denial.    

 

Given the continually evolving regulatory and legal environment, for greenfield pipeline construction projects, as well as factors specific to MVP and Southgate, including the December 2021 compressor station state air permit denial, the LLC continues to evaluate Southgate including engaging in discussions with Dominion Energy North Carolina regarding options with respect to Southgate, including potentially refining the project's design and timing in lieu of pursuing the project as originally contemplated.  Dominion Energy North Carolina's obligations under the precedent agreement in support of the original project are subject to certain conditions, including that the LLC complete construction of the project facilities by June 1, 2022, which deadline is subject to extension by virtue of previously declared events of force majeure.  The project operator has announced that it is unable to predict the results of the discussions between the LLC and Dominion Energy North Carolina, including any potential modifications to the project, or ultimate undertaking or completion of the project.

 

Management conducted an assessment of its investment in the LLC in accordance with the provisions of ASC 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures. This assessment included a third-party valuation.  As a result of its evaluation, management has concluded that the investment in the LLC sustained an other-than-temporary decline in fair value as of February 22, 2022 and recorded a pre-tax impairment loss of approximately $39.8 million in its second quarter operating results as discussed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements. Management re-evaluated its investment as of March 31, 2022 and concluded that its investment was fairly stated.  Management will continue monitoring the status of MVP and Southgate for circumstances that may lead to future impairments, including any significant delays or denials of necessary permits and approvals. If necessary, the amount and timing of any further impairment would be dependent on the specific circumstances, including changes to probabilities of completion, and changes in the assumed future cash flows, at the time of evaluation. 

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Regulatory

 

In November 2021, Roanoke Gas received $858,556 in ARPA funds to assist customers with growing past due balances based on arrearage balances as of August 31, 2021.  The Company was able to apply the full amount of these funds to customer accounts in December 2021.

 

In April 2020, the SCC issued an order allowing regulated utilities in Virginia to defer certain incremental, prudently incurred costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and to apply for recovery at a future date. Roanoke Gas deferred certain COVID-19 related costs during the first two quarters of fiscal 2022. 

 

Roanoke Gas continues to recover the costs of its infrastructure replacement program through its SAVE Rider. In May 2021, the Company filed its most recent SAVE application with the SCC to update the SAVE Plan and Rider for the period October 2021 through September 2022. The updated SAVE Rider is designed to collect approximately $3.45 million in annual revenues, an increase of approximately $1.1 million from the SAVE Rider in effect during fiscal 2021. The Company received a final order on August 25, 2021, in which the SCC approved the Company’s requested revenue requirement.  The Company anticipates filing an application during the third quarter with the SCC to update the SAVE Plan and Rider for the period October 2022 through September 2023 to implement new SAVE Plan rates.

 

Capital Resources and Liquidity

 

Due to the capital intensive nature of the utility business, as well as the impact of weather variability, the Company’s primary capital needs are the funding of its capital projects, investment in the LLC, the seasonal funding of its natural gas inventories and accounts receivable and the payment of dividends. To meet these needs, the Company relies on its operating cash flows, credit availability under short-term and long-term debt agreements and proceeds from the sale of its common stock.

 

Cash and cash equivalents increased by $7,913,673 and $435,483 for the six-month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The following table summarizes the sources and uses of cash:

 

   

Six Months Ended March 31,

 

Cash Flow Summary

 

2022

   

2021

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 12,992,906     $ 9,611,402  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (14,278,880 )     (11,691,440 )

Net cash provided by financing activities

    9,199,647       2,515,521  

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

  $ 7,913,673     $ 435,483  

 

Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities:

 

The seasonal nature of the natural gas business causes operating cash flows to fluctuate significantly during the year as well as from year to year. Several factors, including weather, energy prices, natural gas storage levels and customer collections, contribute to working capital levels and related cash flows. Generally, operating cash flows are positive during the second and third fiscal quarters as a combination of earnings, declining storage gas levels and collections on customer accounts all contribute to higher cash levels. During the first and fourth fiscal quarters, operating cash flows generally decrease due to increases in natural gas storage levels and rising customer receivable balances.

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities for the six months ended March 31, 2022 increased by $3,381,504 compared to the same period last year. The increase was primarily driven by storage gas withdrawals and receipt of supplier refunds from the pipelines.

 

The table below summarizes the significant operating cash flow components:

 

    Six Months Ended March 31,     Increase/  

Cash Flow From Operating Activities:

 

2022

   

2021

   

(Decrease)

 

Net income

  $ (20,909,900 )   $ 9,490,741     $ (30,400,641 )

Non-cash adjustments:

                       

Depreciation

    4,656,829       4,405,956       250,873  

Equity in earnings

    (71,682 )     (1,352,886 )     1,281,204  

AFUDC

          (55,981 )     55,981  

Impairment of unconsolidated affiliates

    39,822,213             39,822,213  

Changes in working capital and regulatory assets and liabilities:

                       

Accounts receivable

    (6,517,364 )     (6,571,491 )     54,127  

Gas in storage

    5,803,496       4,424,994       1,378,502  

WNA

    (1,800,421 )     (1,185,323 )     (615,098 )

Supplier refunds

    2,660,147       (66,156 )     2,726,303  

Deferred taxes

    (10,052,645 )     757,623       (10,810,268 )

Other

    (597,767 )     (236,075 )     (361,692 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 12,992,906     $ 9,611,402     $ 3,381,504  

 

Due to rising natural gas commodity prices during the fiscal 2021 summer storage fill period, the average price of natural gas when storage withdrawals began was 42% higher than during the prior fiscal year.  As a result, the value of the natural gas draw downs was more than $1.3 million greater resulting in an increase in operating cash.  Furthermore, significant supplier refunds, resulting from rate case settlements, were received from the interstate pipelines that supply the Company with natural gas as a result of settlement of rate cases.  These refunds will be passed through to Roanoke Gas' customers over the next twelve months, starting in July 2022.  The Company experienced a significant decrease in net deferred tax liabilities related to the $10.2 million deferred tax asset recognized as a result of the impairment of the investment in the LLC.  When netted against the non-cash impairment charge, the combined amounts offset the decline in net income year-over-year.  

 

Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities:

 

Investing activities primarily consist of expenditures related to investment in Roanoke Gas' utility plant, which includes replacing aging natural gas pipe with new plastic or coated steel pipe, improvements to the LNG plant and gas distribution system facilities and expansion of its natural gas system to meet the demands of customer growth, as well as Midstream's continued investment in the LLC. The Company is continuing its focus on SAVE infrastructure replacement projects, including the replacement of pre-1973 first generation plastic pipe and extending the natural gas distribution system to unserved developments within its existing service territory. Roanoke Gas' total capital expenditures for the six-months ended March 31, 2022 were approximately $10.8 million compared to $9.0 million during the same period last year. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2022 are expected to increase approximately $5 million over the prior year due to a one-time gas supply infrastructure project.  Midstream will continue its investments in the LLC for the purposes of maintaining the system currently in place until such time as construction activities resume and the pipeline is placed in service.  The investment for the balance of the current fiscal year is expected to be below the corresponding investment during the same period last year.

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities:

 

Financing activities generally consist of borrowings and repayments under credit agreements, issuance of stock and the payment of dividends. Net cash flows provided by financing activities were $9.2 million, for the six months ended March 31, 2022, compared to $2.5 million for the same period last year. The increase in financing cash flows is primarily attributable to Resources' $27 million equity offering in March 2022 of which $12 million was invested in Roanoke Gas and $10 million in Midstream.  In part due to these cash injections and due to Roanoke Gas' issuance of a $15 million note and Midstream's $8 million note, Roanoke Gas was able to pay down its line-of-credit balance and maturing $7 million note and Midstream applied $18 million against its credit facility during the current fiscal year.  

 

On September 24, 2021, Roanoke Gas entered into an unsecured Delayed Draw Term Note in the principal amount of $10 million with an interest rate based on 30-day LIBOR plus 100 basis points maturing on October 1, 2028. Related to this note, the Company also entered into an interest rate swap agreement that effectively converts the variable rate note into a fixed rate instrument with an effective annual interest rate of 2.49%. Roanoke Gas received the first installment of $5 million on April 1, 2022 with the remaining $5 million to be received on or about October 1, 2022.

 

On August 20, 2021, Roanoke Gas entered into an unsecured Delayed Draw Term Note in the principal amount of $15 million with an interest rate of 1.20% above the 30-day SOFR Average per annum maturing on August 20, 2026. Related to this note, the Company also entered into an interest rate swap agreement that effectively converts the variable rate note into a fixed rate instrument with an effective annual interest rate of 2.00%. The term note funded on October 1, 2021.

 

On November 1, 2021 Midstream entered into an unsecured promissory note in the principal amount of $8 million with an interest rate based on 30-day LIBOR plus 115 basis points maturing January 1, 2028. Related to this note, Midstream also entered into an interest rate swap agreement that effectively converts the variable rate note into a fixed rate instrument with an effective annual interest rate of 2.443%. The loan will convert into an installment loan with principal pay-down beginning in fiscal 2023. In addition, this note reduces the borrowing capacity defined by the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement and related Promissory Notes. The total borrowing capacity declined from $41 million to $33 million effective with the new promissory note.  All other terms of the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement remain unchanged.

 

On March 31, 2022, Roanoke Gas entered into an unsecured line-of-credit agreement replacing the line-of-credit agreement dated March 25, 2021. The agreement provides for a variable interest rate based upon Daily Simple SOFR plus 1.10% and multiple tier borrowing limits to accommodate seasonal borrowing demands. The Company's total available borrowing limits during the term of the line-of-credit agreement range from $21 million to $33 million.  Unlike the prior two year line-of-credit agreement, the current line-of-credit agreement is for one year and will expire on March 31, 2023, unless extended. The Company anticipates being able to extend or replace the credit line upon expiration. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had no outstanding balance under its line-of-credit agreement.

 

In connection with the line-of-credit, the Company also entered into the Seventh Amendment to Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2022, which amends the original Credit Agreement dated March 31, 2016 and all subsequent amendments.  The Amendment aligns the termination date, maximum principal amount available under the line-of-credit, amends certain financial conditions required of Resources, and retains all other terms and requirements of prior credit agreements.  This Amendment modifies the interest coverage ratio calculation to exclude the effect of non-cash impairments on the investment in the LLC up to the total investment balance as of December 31, 2021.    

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

In March 2022, the Company issued 1,350,000 shares of common stock in an equity offering resulting in net proceeds of nearly $27 million.  The Company issued the common stock to strengthen its balance sheet by increasing the equity component of its total capitalization ratio.  The net proceeds were invested in Roanoke Gas to supplement the funding of its infrastructure improvement and replacement program and in Midstream to reduce its outstanding debt.  An additional 64,803 shares of common stock have been issued during fiscal 2022 related to the DRIP, Restricted Stock, stock option exercises and ATM activity.

 

On March 31, 2022, Midstream applied $10 million from a cash infusion received from Resources related to the $27 million equity issue to pay down a corresponding amount on the non-revolving credit facility, which in turn further reduced the total borrowing capacity to $23 million with an outstanding balance of $19.3 million as of March 31, 2022.  Currently, Midstream's credit facility matures on December 29, 2022.  Management is in discussions with the lenders regarding the extension of the due date related to these notes.  As of the date of this filing, no extension has been finalized.

 

Management regularly evaluates the Company’s liquidity through a review of its available financing resources on its cash flows. Management believes it has positioned the Company with access to sufficient financing resources to meet its cash requirements over the next year. The line-of-credit agreement will continue to provide the needed working capital and the ATM program will allow for potential supplemental equity funding as market conditions allow. Furthermore, the Company can draw funds under one of Roanoke Gas' two private shelf facility credit agreements or adjust capital spending to reduce funding requirements if necessary.

 

As of March 31, 2022, Resources' long-term capitalization ratio was 46% equity and 54% debt.

 

ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) that are designed to be effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports under the Exchange Act are identified, recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Through March 31, 2022, the Company has evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of March 31, 2022.

 

Management routinely reviews the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and makes changes, as necessary, to enhance the effectiveness of the internal controls. There were no control changes during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2022, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Part II – Other Information

 

ITEM 1 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

No material proceedings.

 

ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS

 

The Company has updated the following risk factor as previously disclosed in Resources' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021 and subsequent revision on the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2021.

 

Investment in Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC.

 

On January 25, 2022, the Fourth Circuit vacated and remanded on specific issues certain permits issued by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service to the LLC in respect to the Jefferson National Forest.  On February 3, 2022, the Fourth Circuit vacated and remanded on specific issues the Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for MVP.   Due to the greater uncertainty of the ultimate completion and commercial operation of MVP, the in-service target of summer 2022 was withdrawn.  Additionally, the Company, after assessing the fair value of its investment in the project, using probability-weighted scenarios of ultimate completion and commercial operation, including discounted future cash flows, concluded that an other-than-temporary decline in fair value existed as of February 22, 2022.  The resulting impairment loss was recorded in the Company’s second quarter 2022 financial statements. Future circumstances, including but not limited to significant construction delays, further denials of necessary permits and approvals, changes in the probability of ultimate completion, changes in future cash flow assumptions or changes in the discount rate could lead to further and possibly full impairment of the Company's investment in the LLC.

 

The success of the Company's investment in the LLC is predicated on several key factors including but not limited to the ability of all investors to meet their capital calls when due, timely state and federal approvals and resolving legal challenges to same and completing the construction of the pipeline. Any significant delay, cost over-run or the failure to receive the requisite approvals on a timely basis, or at all, could have a significant effect on the Company's earnings and financial position.

 

Although the LLC initially received the necessary federal and state permits to construct the pipeline, progress on MVP has been hindered by several legal and regulatory obstacles as the Fourth Circuit, FERC and other governmental agencies have vacated certain agency actions and issued stays, stop orders or delayed authorizations affecting portions or all of the project pending resolution of issues or concerns raised as the project has progressed.  In addition to needing to address the matters referenced above regarding the Jefferson National Forest and Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement, other regulatory and legal matters continue to affect the project.

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Ongoing obstacles as discussed above have in the past caused, and may (or possible future obstacles) in the future cause, delays in construction and have resulted, and may further result, in significantly higher projected costs and an extended targeted in-service date for the pipeline. These cost overruns may not be approved for recovery or be recovered through other regulatory mechanisms, and the LLC could be obligated to make delay or termination payments or be responsible for other contractual damages. The LLC could also experience the loss of tax incentives, or delayed or diminished returns, and could be required to write-off all or a portion of its investment in the project. New or extended regulatory, legislative or judicial actions or challenges could lead to additional delays and even higher costs, which could affect future returns for the LLC and materially impact Resources consolidated financial position and results of operations, including Resources ability to pay shareholder dividends at the current level or remain in compliance with credit agreement covenants.  There is no guarantee that the LLC will ultimately (or timely) receive all necessary authorizations or that such authorizations will be maintained in effect following challenge, or even after MVP is placed in service.

 

In addition, there are numerous risks facing the LLC, which can adversely affect the Company's earnings and financial performance through its investment. The LLC's ability to retain contract crews to complete construction of the pipeline, the inability to obtain or renew ancillary licenses, rights-of-way, permits or other approvals and opposition from pipeline opponents and environmental groups could all influence the successful completion of the pipeline. Should the LLC be unable to adequately address these issues, the LLC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be adversely affected, which could materially impact the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Any failure to negotiate successful project development agreements for new facilities with third parties could have similar results.

 

Once in operation, the LLC’s gas infrastructure facilities are subject to many operational risks. Operational risks could result in, among other things, lost revenues due to prolonged outages, increased expenses due to monetary penalties or fines for compliance failures, liability to third parties for property and personal injury damage, a failure to perform under applicable sales agreements and associated loss of revenues from terminated agreements or liability for liquidated damages under continuing agreements. The consequences of these risks could have a material adverse effect on the LLC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Uncertainties and risks inherent in operating and maintaining the LLC's facilities include, but are not limited to, risks associated with facility start-up operations, such as whether the facility will achieve projected operating performance on schedule and otherwise as planned. The LLC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects can be materially adversely affected by weather conditions, including, but not limited to, the impact of severe weather. Threats of terrorism and catastrophic events resulting from terrorism, cyber-attacks, or individuals and/or groups attempting to disrupt the LLC’s business, or the businesses of third parties, may materially adversely affect the LLC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

ITEM 2 – UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

ITEM 3 – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4 – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5 – OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

ITEM 6 – EXHIBITS

 

Number

  

Description

3(b)   Amended and Restated Bylaws of RGC Resources, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to the Registrant's current Report of Form 8-K filed on April 8, 2022)
10.1   FTS-1 Service Agreement by and between Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC and Roanoke Gas Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2022)
10.2  

Negotiated Rate Letter Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2022)

10.3   Revolving Line of Credit Note in the original principal amount of $33,000,000 by Roanoke Gas Company with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. dated March 31, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 1, 2022)
10.4   Seventh Amendment to Credit Agreement by and between Roanoke Gas Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. dated March 31, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 1, 2022)
10.5   Form of Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2022).
10.6   Form of Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2022).

31.1

 

Rule 13a–14(a)/15d–14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

31.2

 

Rule 13a–14(a)/15d–14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

32.1*

 

Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer

32.2*

 

Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer

101.INS

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

101.SCH   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

 

*

These certifications are being furnished solely to accompany this quarterly report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, and are not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Registrant, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

 

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RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

   

RGC Resources, Inc.

     

Date: May 6, 2022

By:

/s/ Jason A. Field

   

Jason A. Field

   

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

   

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

40