<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001437749-18-020224
<TYPE>10-Q
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<CONFORMED-NAME>Otter Tail Corp
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<STREET1>215 S CASCADE ST
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<CITY>FERGUS FALLS
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<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>Otter Tail Holding Co
<DATE-CHANGED>20090618
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</FILER>

 

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended

September 30, 2018

 

OR

 

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

For the transition period from

to

 

Commission file number

0-53713

 

OTTER TAIL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Minnesota	27-0383995
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

 

215 South Cascade Street, Box 496, Fergus Falls, Minnesota	56538-0496
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

 

866-410-8780

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

 

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

Yes  ☑     No  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes ☑       No ☐

 

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

 

October 31, 2018 – 39,664,884 Common Shares ($5 par value)

 

 

 

OTTER TAIL CORPORATION

 

INDEX

 

Part I. Financial Information		Page No.
Item 1.	Financial Statements (not audited)
	Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017	2 & 3
	Consolidated Statements of Income - Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017	4
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017	5
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017	6
	Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	7-34
Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	35-53
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	54
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	54
Part II. Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	54
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	54
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	55
Item 6.	Exhibits	55
Signatures		55

 

 

 

(in thousands)		September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents		$	649			$	16,216
Accounts Receivable:
Trade—Net			96,095				68,466
Other			8,036				7,761
Inventories			94,615				88,034
Unbilled Receivables			16,855				22,427
Income Taxes Receivable			--				1,181
Regulatory Assets			16,552				22,551
Other			8,611				12,491
Total Current Assets			241,413				239,127
Investments			9,123				8,629
Other Assets			36,721				36,006
Goodwill			37,572				37,572
Other Intangibles—Net			12,746				13,765
Regulatory Assets			124,553				129,576
Plant
Electric Plant in Service			2,000,313				1,981,018
Nonelectric Operations			225,620				216,937
Construction Work in Progress			183,397				141,067
Total Gross Plant			2,409,330				2,339,022
Less Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization			844,042				799,419
Net Plant			1,565,288				1,539,603
Total Assets		$	2,027,416			$	2,004,278

---

(in thousands, except share data)		September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities
Short-Term Debt		$	15,489			$	112,371
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt			169				186
Accounts Payable			91,033				84,185
Accrued Salaries and Wages			21,486				21,534
Accrued Federal and State Income Taxes			2,708				--
Other Accrued Taxes			15,269				16,808
Regulatory Liabilities			7,926				9,688
Other Accrued Liabilities			9,373				11,389
Liabilities of Discontinued Operations			--				492
Total Current Liabilities			163,453				256,653
Pensions Benefit Liability			89,139				109,708
Other Postretirement Benefits Liability			70,703				69,774
Other Noncurrent Liabilities			25,889				22,769
Commitments and Contingencies (note 8)
Deferred Credits
Deferred Income Taxes			108,699				100,501
Deferred Tax Credits			20,325				21,379
Regulatory Liabilities			231,594				232,893
Other			2,328				3,329
Total Deferred Credits			362,946				358,102
Capitalization
Long-Term Debt—Net			589,984				490,380
Cumulative Preferred Shares – Authorized 1,500,000 Shares Without Par Value; Outstanding – None			--				--
Cumulative Preference Shares – Authorized 1,000,000 Shares Without Par Value; Outstanding – None			--				--
Common Shares, Par Value $5 Per Share—Authorized, 50,000,000 Shares; Outstanding, 2018—39,664,884 Shares; 2017—39,557,491 Shares			198,324				197,787
Premium on Common Shares			343,210				343,450
Retained Earnings			189,575				161,286
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			(5,807	)			(5,631	)
Total Common Equity			725,302				696,892
Total Capitalization			1,315,286				1,187,272
Total Liabilities and Equity		$	2,027,416			$	2,004,278

---

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except share and per-share amounts)		2018				2017				2018				2017
Operating Revenues
Electric:
Revenues from Contracts with Customers		$	105,749			$	102,923			$	334,858			$	325,360
Changes in Accrued Revenues under Alternative Revenue Programs			(317	)			471				(2,757	)			(1,192	)
Total Electric Revenues			105,432				103,394				332,101				324,168
Product Sales under Contracts with Customers			122,230				113,063				363,175				318,492
Total Operating Revenues			227,662				216,457				695,276				642,660
Operating Expenses
Production Fuel – Electric			17,129				16,096				51,723				44,955
Purchased Power – Electric			9,664				13,371				45,659				48,935
Electric Operation and Maintenance Expenses			33,897				35,469				111,113				109,494
Cost of Products Sold (depreciation included below)			93,361				86,230				275,691				245,520
Other Nonelectric Expenses			12,547				10,631				37,690				30,625
Depreciation and Amortization			18,708				17,927				56,216				53,689
Property Taxes – Electric			4,094				3,721				11,202				11,228
Total Operating Expenses			189,400				183,445				589,294				544,446
Operating Income			38,262				33,012				105,982				98,214
Interest Charges			7,549				7,393				22,597				22,382
Nonservice Cost Components of Postretirement Benefits			1,326				1,403				4,129				4,215
Other Income			1,245				592				3,135				1,697
Income Before Income Taxes – Continuing Operations			30,632				24,808				82,391				73,314
Income Tax Expense – Continuing Operations			7,359				7,035				14,207				19,295
Net Income from Continuing Operations			23,273				17,773				68,184				54,019
Discontinued Operations
(Loss) Income – net of Income Tax (Savings) Expense of $0, ($25), $0 and $53 for the respective periods			--				(39	)			--				78
Net Income			23,273				17,734				68,184				54,097
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding – Basic			39,621,524				39,507,581				39,592,705				39,440,416
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding – Diluted			39,903,565				39,795,366				39,882,105				39,712,862
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
Continuing Operations		$	0.59			$	0.45			$	1.72			$	1.37
Discontinued Operations			--				--				--				--
		$	0.59			$	0.45			$	1.72			$	1.37
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
Continuing Operations		$	0.58			$	0.45			$	1.71			$	1.36
Discontinued Operations			--				--				--				--
		$	0.58			$	0.45			$	1.71			$	1.36
Dividends Declared Per Common Share		$	0.335			$	0.320			$	1.005			$	0.960

---

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)		2018				2017				2018				2017
Net Income		$	23,273			$	17,734			$	68,184			$	54,097
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Available-for-Sale Securities:
Reversal of Previously Recognized Losses (Gains) Realized on Sale of Investments and Included in Other Income During Period			4				(1	)			(106	)			(2	)
Unrealized (Losses) Gains Arising During Period			(14	)			52				(93	)			90
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)			2				(18	)			42				(31	)
Change in Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Available-for-Sale Securities – net-of-tax			(8	)			33				(157	)			57
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans:
Amortization of Unrecognized Postretirement Benefit Losses and Costs (note 10)			232				157				692				473
Income Tax Expense			(60	)			(63	)			(180	)			(189	)
Adjustment to Income Tax Expense Related to 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act			--				--				(531	)			--
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans – net-of-tax			172				94				(19	)			284
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			164				127				(176	)			341
Total Comprehensive Income		$	23,437			$	17,861			$	68,008			$	54,438

---

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)		2018				2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Income		$	68,184			$	54,097
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Net Income from Discontinued Operations			--				(78	)
Depreciation and Amortization			56,216				53,689
Deferred Tax Credits			(1,054	)			(1,102	)
Deferred Income Taxes			7,529				15,680
Change in Deferred Debits and Other Assets			10,641				7,875
Discretionary Contribution to Pension Plan			(20,000	)			--
Change in Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred Credits			(191	)			1,788
Allowance for Equity/Other Funds Used During Construction			(1,586	)			(636	)
Stock Compensation Expense—Equity Awards			3,402				2,765
Other—Net			(201	)			99
Cash (Used for) Provided by Current Assets and Current Liabilities:
Change in Receivables			(27,804	)			(21,122	)
Change in Inventories			(6,581	)			4,825
Change in Other Current Assets			3,827				3,079
Change in Payables and Other Current Liabilities			5,746				(5,153	)
Change in Interest and Income Taxes Receivable/Payable			2,932				(1,595	)
Net Cash Provided by Continuing Operations			101,060				114,211
Net Cash Used in Discontinued Operations			(200	)			(134	)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities			100,860				114,077
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital Expenditures			(74,489	)			(94,549	)
Net Proceeds from Disposal of Noncurrent Assets			1,879				2,456
Cash Used for Investments and Other Assets			(3,324	)			(3,158	)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities			(75,934	)			(95,251	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Change in Checks Written in Excess of Cash			(7	)			4,826
Net Short-Term (Repayments) Borrowings			(96,882	)			60,754
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock			--				4,349
Common Stock Issuance Expenses			(108	)			--
Payments for Retirement of Capital Stock			(3,012	)			(1,799	)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt			100,000				--
Short-Term and Long-Term Debt Issuance Expenses			(441	)			--
Payments for Retirement of Long-Term Debt			(148	)			(48,172	)
Dividends Paid			(39,895	)			(37,958	)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities			(40,493	)			(18,000	)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents			(15,567	)			826
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period			16,216				--
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period		$	649			$	826

---

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a major update to the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASC 606). The Company adopted the updates in ASC 606 effective January 1, 2018 on a modified retrospective basis but did not record a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings on application of the updates because the adoption of the updates in ASC 606 had no material impact on the timing of revenue recognition for the Company or its subsidiaries. ASC 606 is a comprehensive, principles-based accounting standard which amended previous revenue recognition guidance with the objective of improving revenue recognition requirements by providing a single comprehensive model to determine the measurement of revenue and the timing of revenue recognition. ASC 606 requires expanded disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

 

Due to the diverse business operations of the Company, recognition of revenue from contracts with customers depends on the product produced and sold or service performed. The Company recognizes revenue from contracts with customers, at prices that are fixed or determinable as evidenced by an agreement with the customer, when the Company has met its performance obligation under the contract and it is probable that the Company will collect the amount to which it is entitled in exchange for the goods or services transferred or to be transferred to the customer. Depending on the product produced and sold or service performed and the terms of the agreement with the customer, the Company recognizes revenue either over time, in the case of delivery or transmission of electricity or related services or the production and storage of certain custom-made products, or at a point in time for the delivery of standardized products and other products made to the customers specifications where the terms of the contract require transfer of the completed product. Based on review of the Company’s revenue streams, the Company has not identified any contracts where the timing of revenue recognition will change as a result of the adoption of the updates in ASC 606. Provisions for sales returns, early payment terms discounts, volume-based variable pricing incentives and warranty costs are recorded as reductions to revenue at the time revenue is recognized based on customer history, historical information and current trends.

 

In addition to recognizing revenue from contracts with customers under ASC 606, the Company also records adjustments to Electric segment revenues for amounts subject to future collection under alternative revenue programs (ARPs) as defined in ASC Topic 980, Regulated Operations (ASC 980). The ARP revenue adjustments are recorded on the basis of recoverable costs incurred and returns earned under rate riders on a separate line on the face of the Company’s consolidated statements of income as they do not meet the criteria to be classified as revenue from contracts with customers.

 

Electric Segment Revenues—In the Electric segment, the Company recognizes revenue in two categories: (1) revenues from contracts with customers and (2) adjustments to revenues for amounts collectible under ARPs.

 

Most Electric segment revenues are earned from the generation, transmission and sale of electricity to retail customers at rates approved by regulatory commissions in the states where Otter Tail Power Company (OTP) provides service. OTP also earns revenue from the transmission of electricity for others over the transmission assets it owns separately, or jointly with other transmission service providers, under rate tariffs established by the independent transmission system operator and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). A third source of revenue for OTP comes from the generation and sale of electricity to wholesale customers at contract or market rates. Revenues from all these sources meet the criteria to be classified as revenue from contracts with customers and are recognized over time as energy is delivered or transmitted. Revenue is recognized based on the metered quantity of electricity delivered or transmitted at the applicable rates. For electricity delivered and consumed after a meter is read but prior to the end of the reporting period, OTP records revenue and an unbilled receivable based on estimates of the kilowatt-hours (kwh) of energy delivered to the customer.

 

 

ARPs provide for adjustments to rates outside of a general rate case proceeding, usually as a surcharge applied to future billings typically through the use of rate riders subject to periodic adjustments, to encourage or incentivize investments in certain areas such as conservation, renewable energy, pollution reduction or control, improved infrastructure of the transmission grid or other programs that provide benefits to the general public under public policy, laws or regulations. ARP riders generally provide for the recovery of specified costs and investments and include an incentive component to provide the regulated utility with a return on amounts invested. OTP has recovered costs and earned incentives or returns on investments subject to recovery under several ARP rate riders, including:

 

●

In Minnesota: Transmission Cost Recovery (TCR), Environmental Cost Recovery (ECR), Renewable Resource Adjustment (RRA) and Conservation Improvement Program riders.

●

In North Dakota: TCR, ECR and RRA riders

●

In South Dakota: TCR, ECR and Energy Efficiency Plan (conservation) riders.

 

OTP accrues ARP revenue on the basis of costs incurred, investments made and returns on those investments that qualify for recovery through established riders. Amounts billed under riders in effect at the time of the billing are included in revenues from contracts with customers net of amounts billed that are subject to refund through future rider adjustments. Amounts accrued and subject to recovery through future rider rate updates and adjustments are reported as ARP revenue adjustments on a separate line in the revenue section of the Company’s consolidated statement of income. See table in note 3 for total revenues billed and accrued under ARP riders for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

 

Manufacturing Segment Revenues—Companies in the Manufacturing segment, BTD Manufacturing, Inc. (BTD) and T.O. Plastics, Inc. (T.O. Plastics), earn revenue predominantly from the production and delivery of custom-made or standardized parts to customers across several industries. BTD also earns revenue from the production and sale of tools and dies to other manufacturers. For the production and delivery of standardized products and other products made to customer specifications where the terms of the contract require transfer of the completed product, the operating company has met its performance obligation and recognizes revenue at the point in time when the product is shipped and adjusts the revenue for volume rebate variable pricing considerations the company expects the customer will earn and for applicable early payment discounts the company expects the customer will take. For revenue recognized on products when shipped, the operating companies have no further obligation to provide services related to such products. The shipping terms used in these instances are FOB shipping point.

 

Plastics Segment Revenues—Companies in our Plastics segment earn revenue predominantly from the sale and delivery of standardized polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) pipe products produced at their manufacturing facilities. Revenue from the sale of these products is recognized at the point in time when the product is shipped based on prices agreed to in a purchase order. Billed amounts of revenue recognized are adjusted for volume rebate variable pricing considerations the operating company expects the customer will earn and applicable early payment discounts the company expects the customer will take. For revenue recognized on shipped products, there is no further obligation to provide services related to such product. The shipping terms used in these instances are FOB shipping point. The Plastics segment has one customer for which it produces and stores a product made to the customer’s specifications and design under a build and hold agreement. For sales to this customer, the operating company recognizes revenue as the custom-made product is produced, adjusting the amount of revenue for volume rebate variable pricing considerations the operating company expects the customer will earn and applicable early payment discounts the company expects the customer will take. Ownership of the pipe transfers to the customer prior to delivery and the operating company is paid a negotiated fee for storage of the pipe. Revenue for storage of the pipe is also recognized over time as the pipe is stored.

 

See operating revenue table in note 2 for a disaggregation of the Company’s revenues by business segment for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

 

Agreements Subject to Legally Enforceable Netting Arrangements

OTP has certain derivative contracts that are designated as normal purchases. Individual counterparty exposures for these contracts can be offset according to legally enforceable netting arrangements. The Company does not offset assets and liabilities under legally enforceable netting arrangements on the face of its consolidated balance sheet. 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

The Company follows ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820), for recurring fair value measurements. ASC 820 provides a single definition of fair value, requires enhanced disclosures about assets and liabilities measured at fair value and establishes a hierarchical framework for disclosing the observability of the inputs utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. The three levels defined by the hierarchy and examples of each level are as follows:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 1 are highly liquid and actively traded instruments with quoted prices, such as equities listed by the New York Stock Exchange and commodity derivative contracts listed on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

 

Level 2 – Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets but are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 2 are typically either comparable to actively traded securities or contracts, such as treasury securities with pricing interpolated from recent trades of similar securities, or priced with models using highly observable inputs, such as commodity options priced using observable forward prices and volatilities.

 

Level 3 – Significant inputs to pricing have little or no observability as of the reporting date. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 3 are those with inputs requiring significant management judgment or estimation and may include complex and subjective models and forecasts.

 

The following tables present, for each of the hierarchy levels, the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

 

 

The valuation techniques and inputs used for the Level 2 fair value measurements in the table above are as follows:

 

Government-Backed and Government-Sponsored Enterprises’ and Corporate Debt Securities Held by the Company’s Captive Insurance Company – Fair values are determined on the basis of valuations provided by a third-party pricing service which utilizes industry accepted valuation models and observable market inputs to determine valuation. Some valuations or model inputs used by the pricing service may be based on broker quotes.

 

 

Coyote Station Lignite Supply Agreement – Variable Interest Entity

In October 2012 the Coyote Station owners, including OTP, entered into a lignite sales agreement (LSA) with Coyote Creek Mining Company, L.L.C. (CCMC), a subsidiary of The North American Coal Corporation, for the purchase of lignite coal to meet the coal supply requirements of Coyote Station for the period beginning in May 2016 and ending in December 2040. The price per ton paid by the Coyote Station owners under the LSA reflects the cost of production, along with an agreed profit and capital charge. CCMC was formed for the purpose of mining coal to meet the coal fuel supply requirements of Coyote Station from May 2016 through December 2040 and, based on the terms of the LSA, is considered a variable interest entity (VIE) due to the transfer of all operating and economic risk to the Coyote Station owners, as the agreement is structured so that the price of the coal would cover all costs of operations as well as future reclamation costs. The Coyote Station owners are also providing a guarantee of the value of the assets of CCMC as they would be required to buy certain assets at book value should they terminate the contract prior to the end of the contract term and are providing a guarantee of the value of the equity of CCMC in that they are required to buy the entity at the end of the contract term at equity value. Under current accounting standards, the primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to include the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the VIE in its consolidated financial statements. No single owner of Coyote Station owns a majority interest in Coyote Station and none, individually, has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact CCMC. Therefore, none of the owners individually, including OTP, is considered a primary beneficiary of the VIE and the Company is not required to include CCMC in its consolidated financial statements.

 

If the LSA terminates prior to the expiration of its term or the production period terminates prior to December 31, 2040 and the Coyote Station owners purchase all of the outstanding membership interests of CCMC as required by the LSA, the owners will satisfy, or (if permitted by CCMC’s applicable lender) assume, all of CCMC’s obligations owed to CCMC’s lenders under its loans and leases. The Coyote Station owners have limited rights to assign their rights and obligations under the LSA without the consent of CCMC’s lenders during any period in which CCMC’s obligations to its lenders remain outstanding. In the event the contract is terminated because regulations or legislation render the burning of coal cost prohibitive and the assets worthless, OTP’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with CCMC as of September 30, 2018 could be as high as $54.8 million, OTP’s 35% share of unrecovered costs.

 

Inventories

Inventories, valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, consist of the following:

 

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

An assessment of the carrying amounts of goodwill of the Company’s operating units as of December 31, 2017 indicated the fair values are substantially in excess of their respective book values and not impaired.

 

The following table indicates there were no changes to goodwill by business segment during the first nine months of 2018:

 

 

 

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment in accordance with requirements under ASC Topic 360-10-35, Property, Plant, and Equipment—Overall—Subsequent Measurement.

 

The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s intangible assets at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

 

 

The amortization expense for these intangible assets was:

 

 

The estimated annual amortization expense for these intangible assets for the next five years is:

 

 

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

 

 

New Accounting Standards Adopted

 

ASU 2014-09—In May 2014 the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The Company adopted the updates in ASC 606 effective January 1, 2018 on a modified retrospective basis. See disclosures above under Revenue Recognition.

 

ASU 2016-01—In January 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10) (ASU 2016-01). The amendments in ASU 2016-01 address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments and require equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. For the Company, the amendments in ASU 2016-01 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the updates in ASU 2016-01 in the first quarter of 2018, which results in changes in the fair value of equity instruments held as investments by the Company’s captive insurance company being classified in net income.

 

 

ASU 2017-07—In March 2017 the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (ASU 2017-07), with the intent of improving the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. ASC Topic 715, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (ASC 715), does not prescribe where the amount of net benefit cost should be presented in an employer’s income statement and does not require entities to disclose by line item the amount of net benefit cost that is included in the income statement or capitalized in assets. The amendments in ASU 2017-07 require that an employer report the service cost component of periodic benefit costs in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period, which the Company has provided in the electric operation and maintenance and other nonelectric expense lines on its income statement. The other components of net benefit cost as defined in ASC 715 are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. The Company has provided the amount of the non-service cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit costs in a separate line below interest expense on the face of its consolidated income statement. The amendments in ASU 2017-07 also allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable (for example, as a cost of internally manufactured inventory or a self-constructed asset). The amendments in ASU 2017-07 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. The amendments have been applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the Company’s consolidated income statements and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in assets.

 

The majority of the Company’s benefit costs to which the amendments in ASU 2017-07 apply are related to benefit plans in place at OTP, the Company’s regulated provider of electric utility services. The amendments in ASU 2017-07 deviate significantly from current prescribed ratemaking and regulatory accounting treatment of postretirement benefit costs applicable to OTP, which require the capitalization of a portion of all the components of net periodic benefit costs be included in rate base additions and provide for rate recovery of the non-capitalized portion of all the components of net periodic pension costs as recoverable operating expenses. OTP has established regulatory assets to reflect the effect of the required regulatory accounting treatment of the non-service cost components that cannot be capitalized to plant in service under ASU 2017-07.

 

The Company’s non-service cost components of net periodic post-retirement benefit costs that were capitalized to plant in service in 2017 that would have been recorded as regulatory assets if the amendments in ASU 2017-07 were applicable in 2017 were $0.8 million. The Company’s non-service costs components of net periodic postretirement benefit costs included in operating expense in 2017 and 2016 that will be reported in other income and deductions in the Company’s 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K after adoption of ASU 2017-07 were $5.6 million for 2017 and $5.1 million for 2016. Additional information on the allocation of postretirement benefit costs for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 is provided in note 10 for the Company’s major benefit programs presented.

 

New Accounting Standards Pending Adoption

 

ASU 2016-02—In February 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 is a comprehensive amendment of the ASC, creating Topic 842, which will supersede the current requirements under ASC Topic 840 on leases and require the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and the disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. Topic 842 affects any entity that enters into a lease, with some specified scope exemptions. The main difference between previous Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (GAAP) and Topic 842 is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. Topic 842 retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases. The classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the previous guidance. Topic 842 also requires qualitative and specific quantitative disclosures by lessees and lessors to meet the objective of enabling users of financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application of the amendments in ASU 2016-02 is permitted. The Company has developed a list of all current leases outstanding and continues to review ASU 2016-02, identifying key impacts to its businesses. The Company has determined areas where the amendments in ASU 2016-02 are applicable to its businesses and has evaluated transition options and determined the practical expedients it will elect on implementation. The Company will not apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 to its consolidated financial statements prior to 2019. Other than first-time recognition of these types of operating leases on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, the implementation is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 

ASU 2017-04—In January 2017 the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (ASU 2017-04), which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity must perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Under the amendments in ASU 2017-04, an entity will perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized will not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity will consider income tax effects from any tax-deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable.

 

The amendments in ASU 2017-04 modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value to the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Because these amendments eliminate Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test, they should reduce the cost and complexity of evaluating goodwill for impairment. The amendments in ASU 2017-04 are effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.

 

ASU 2018-02—In February 2018 the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2018-02). The amendments in ASU 2018-02, which are narrow in scope, allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Consequently, the amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 also require certain disclosures about stranded tax effects and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments in ASU 2018-02 is permitted. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 can be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the TCJA is recognized. The Company does not plan to adopt the amendments in ASU 2018-02 until the first quarter of 2019. On adoption, the Company will reclassify $0.8 million of income tax effects of the TCJA on the gross deferred tax amounts at the date of enactment of the TCJA related to items remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income from other comprehensive income to retained earnings so that the remaining gross deferred tax amounts related to items in other comprehensive income will reflect current effective tax rates.

 

 

2. Segment Information

 

Segment Information

The accounting policies of the segments are described under note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The Company's businesses have been classified into three segments to be consistent with its business strategy and the reporting and review process used by the Company’s chief operating decision makers. These businesses sell products and provide services to customers primarily in the United States. The Company’s business structure currently includes the following three segments: Electric, Manufacturing and Plastics. The chart below indicates the companies included in each segment.

 

 

 

Electric includes the production, transmission, distribution and sale of electric energy in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota by OTP. In addition, OTP is a participant in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) markets. OTP’s operations have been the Company’s primary business since 1907.

 

Manufacturing consists of businesses in the following manufacturing activities: contract machining, metal parts stamping, fabrication and painting, and production of plastic thermoformed horticultural containers, life science and industrial packaging, and material handling components. These businesses have manufacturing facilities in Georgia, Illinois and Minnesota and sell products primarily in the United States.

 

Plastics consists of businesses producing PVC pipe at plants in North Dakota and Arizona. The PVC pipe is sold primarily in the upper Midwest and Southwest regions of the United States.

 

OTP is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. All of the Company’s other businesses are owned by its wholly owned subsidiary, Varistar Corporation. The Company’s Corporate operating costs include items such as corporate staff and overhead costs, the results of the Company’s captive insurance company and other items excluded from the measurement of operating segment performance. Corporate assets consist primarily of cash, prepaid expenses, investments and fixed assets. Corporate is not an operating segment. Rather, it is added to operating segment totals to reconcile to totals on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

No single customer accounted for over 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in 2017. The Electric segment has one customer that provided 11.7% of 2017 Electric segment revenues. The Manufacturing segment has one customer that manufactures and sells recreational vehicles that provided 24.3% of 2017 Manufacturing segment revenues and one customer that manufactures and sells lawn and garden equipment that provided 12.0% of 2017 Manufacturing segment revenues. The Plastics segment has two customers that individually provided 20.6% and 17.8% of 2017 Plastics segment revenues. The loss of any one of these customers would have a significant negative impact on the financial position and results of operations of the respective business segment and the Company.

 

All of the Company’s long-lived assets are within the United States and sales within the United States accounted for 98.1% and 97.9% of its operating revenues for the respective three-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 98.2% and 98.2% of its operating revenues for the respective nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

 

The Company evaluates the performance of its business segments and allocates resources to them based on earnings contribution and return on total invested capital. Information for the business segments for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and total assets by business segment as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are presented in the following tables:

 

Operating Revenue

 

 

 

Interest Charges

 

 

Income Taxes

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

 

Identifiable Assets

 

 

 

3. Rate and Regulatory Matters

 

Below are descriptions of OTP’s major capital expenditure projects that have had, or will have, a significant impact on OTP’s revenue requirements, rates and alternative revenue recovery mechanisms, followed by summaries of specific electric rate or rider proceedings with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC), the North Dakota Public Service Commission (NDPSC), the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (SDPUC) and the FERC, impacting OTP’s revenues in 2018 and 2017.

 

 

Major Capital Expenditure Projects

 

Big Stone South–Ellendale Multi-Value Transmission Project (MVP)—This is a 345-kiloVolt (kV) transmission line that will extend 163 miles between a substation near Big Stone City, South Dakota and a substation near Ellendale, North Dakota. OTP jointly developed this project with Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a division of MDU Resources Group, Inc., and the parties will have equal ownership interest in the transmission line portion of the project. MISO approved this project as an MVP under the MISO Open Access Transmission, Energy and Operating Reserve Markets Tariff (MISO Tariff) in December 2011. MVPs are designed to enable the region to comply with energy policy mandates and to address reliability and economic issues affecting multiple areas within the MISO region. The cost allocation is designed to ensure the costs of transmission projects with regional benefits are properly assigned to those who benefit. Construction began on this line in the second quarter of 2016 and is expected to be completed in 2019. OTP’s capitalized costs on this project as of September 30, 2018 were approximately $103.6 million, which includes assets that are 100% owned by OTP.

 

Big Stone South–Brookings MVP—This 345-kV transmission line extends approximately 70 miles between a substation near Big Stone City, South Dakota and the Brookings County Substation near Brookings, South Dakota. OTP and Northern States Power–Minnesota, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc., jointly developed this project and the parties have equal ownership interest in the transmission line portion of the project. MISO approved this project as an MVP under the MISO Tariff in December 2011. Construction began on this line in the third quarter of 2015 and the line was energized on September 8, 2017. OTP’s capitalized costs on this project as of September 30, 2018 were approximately $72.4 million, which includes assets that are 100% owned by OTP.

 

Recovery of OTP’s major transmission investments is through the MISO Tariff (several as MVPs) and, currently, in base rates and through the TCR Rider in Minnesota, and through TCR Riders in North Dakota and South Dakota.

 

Minnesota

 

General Rates—The MPUC rendered its final decision in OTP’s 2016 general rate case in March 2017 and issued its written order on May 1, 2017. Pursuant to the order, OTP’s allowed rate of return on rate base decreased from 8.61% to 7.5056% and its allowed rate of return on equity decreased from 10.74% to 9.41%.

 

The MPUC’s order also included: (1) the determination that all costs (including FERC allocated costs and revenues) of the Big Stone South–Brookings and Big Stone South–Ellendale MVPs will be included in the Minnesota TCR rider and jurisdictionally allocated to OTP’s Minnesota customers (see discussion under Minnesota Transmission Cost Recovery Rider below), and (2) approval of OTP’s proposal to transition rate base, expenses and revenues from ECR and TCR riders to base rate recovery, with the transition occurring when final rates are implemented. The rate base balances, expense levels and revenue levels existing in the riders at the time of implementation of final rates were used to establish the amounts transitioned to base rates. Certain MISO expenses and revenues will remain in the TCR rider to allow for the ongoing refund or recovery of these variable revenues and costs.

 

OTP accrued interim and rider rate refunds until final rates became effective. The final interim rate refund, including interest, of $9.0 million was applied as a credit to Minnesota customers’ electric bills beginning November 17, 2017. In addition to the interim rate refund, OTP is currently refunding the difference between (1) amounts collected under its Minnesota ECR and TCR riders based on the return on equity (ROE) approved in its most recent rider update and (2) amounts that would have been collected based on the lower 9.41% ROE approved in its 2016 general rate case going back to April 16, 2016, the date interim rates were implemented. As of October 31, 2017, the revenues collected under the Minnesota ECR and TCR riders subject to refund due to the lower ROE rate and other adjustments were $0.9 million and $1.4 million, respectively. These amounts are being refunded to Minnesota customers over a 12-month period through reductions in the Minnesota ECR and TCR rider rates, effective November 1, 2017, as approved by the MPUC. The TCR rate is provisional and subject to revision under a separate docket.

 

Minnesota Conservation Improvement Programs (MNCIP)—OTP recovers conservation-related costs not included in base rates under the MNCIP through the use of an annual recovery mechanism approved by the MPUC. On May 25, 2016 the MPUC adopted the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s (MNDOC’s) proposed changes to the MNCIP financial incentive. The model provides utilities an incentive of 13.5% of 2017 net benefits, 12% of 2018 net benefits and 10% of 2019 net benefits, assuming the utility achieves 1.7% savings compared to retail sales. The financial incentive is also limited to 40% of 2017 MNCIP spending, 35% of 2018 spending and 30% of 2019 spending.

 

 

Based on results from the 2017 MNCIP program year, OTP recognized a financial incentive of $2.6 million in 2017. The 2017 program resulted in a decrease in energy savings compared to 2016 program results of approximately 10%. OTP requested approval for recovery of its 2017 MNCIP program costs not included in base rates on March 30, 2018. The request included a $2.6 million financial incentive and an update to the MNCIP surcharge from the MPUC. On June 13, 2018, in reply comments to a MNDOC recommendation for approval filed on May 30, 2018, OTP increased its request for a financial incentive to $2.9 million. OTP’s MNCIP rate of Conservation Cost Recovery Adjustment (CCRA) for bills rendered on and after October 1, 2018 (or the first month following the order) was approved on October 4, 2018 with a variance and a compliance filing required. The final order in this docket was issued in October 2018, making November 1, 2018 the effective date for the new CCRA rate. The MPUC approved a financial incentive of $2.9 million subject to further review by the MPUC to ensure no previous decisions conflict with the decision, with $0.3 million at risk of subsequent refund.

 

Transmission Cost Recovery Rider—The Minnesota Public Utilities Act provides a mechanism for automatic adjustment outside of a general rate proceeding to recover the costs of new transmission facilities that meet certain criteria, plus a return on investment at the level approved in a utility’s last general rate case. Additionally, following approval of the rate schedule, the MPUC may approve annual rate adjustments filed pursuant to the rate schedule.

 

In OTP’s 2016 general rate case order issued on May 1, 2017, the MPUC ordered OTP to include, in the TCR rider retail rate base, Minnesota’s jurisdictional share of OTP’s investment in the Big Stone South–Brookings and Big Stone South–Ellendale MVPs and all revenues received from other utilities under MISO’s tariffed rates as a credit in its TCR revenue requirement calculations. In doing so, the MPUC’s order diverts interstate wholesale revenues that have been approved by the FERC to offset FERC-approved expenses, effectively reducing OTP’s recovery of those FERC-approved expense levels. The MPUC-ordered treatment resulted in the projects being treated as retail investments for Minnesota retail ratemaking purposes. Because the FERC’s revenue requirements and authorized returns vary from the MPUC revenue requirements and authorized returns for the project investments over the lives of the projects, the impact of this decision would vary over time and be dependent on the differences between the revenue requirements and returns in the two jurisdictions at any given time. On August 18, 2017 OTP filed an appeal of the MPUC order with the Minnesota Court of Appeals to contest the portion of the order requiring OTP to jurisdictionally allocate costs of the FERC MVP transmission projects in the TCR rider.

 

On June 11, 2018 the Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed the MPUC’s order related to the inclusion of Minnesota’s jurisdictional share of OTP’s investment in the Big Stone South–Brookings and Big Stone South–Ellendale MVPs and all revenues received from other utilities under MISO’s tariffed rates as a credit in OTP Minnesota TCR revenue requirement calculations. On July 11, 2018 the MPUC filed a petition for review of the MVP decision to the Minnesota Supreme Court, which has determined to review the decision of the Minnesota Court of Appeals. A decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court is expected in second quarter 2019. OTP plans to file for an updated TCR rider rate, prior to the Minnesota Supreme Court decision, to include the portion of revenue subject to recovery arising from the MISO MVP investments and associated revenues. The amount credited to Minnesota customers through the TCR through September 30, 2018 and subject to recovery if the Minnesota Court of Appeals decision is upheld, is approximately $2.5 million.

 

Environmental Cost Recovery Rider—OTP had an ECR rider for recovery of OTP’s Minnesota jurisdictional share of the revenue requirements of its investment in the Big Stone Plant Air Quality Control System (AQCS). The ECR rider provided for a return on the project’s construction work in progress (CWIP) balance at the level approved in OTP’s 2010 general rate case. In its 2016 general rate case order, the MPUC approved OTP’s proposal to transition eligible rate base and expense recovery from the ECR rider to base rate recovery, effective with implementation of final rates in November 2017.

 

Renewable Resource Adjustment—Effective November 1, 2017, with the implementation of final rates in Minnesota, new rates were put into effect for the Minnesota RRA rider to address recovery of revenue reductions for federal Production Tax Credits (PTCs) included in base rates that expired for one of OTP’s wind farms in 2017 and 2018. On August 29, 2018 the MPUC issued an order approving OTP’s request for an increase in the recoverable amount in its 2018 annual update to the RRA rider.

 

North Dakota

 

General Rates—On November 2, 2017 OTP filed a request with the NDPSC for a rate review and an effective increase in annual revenues from non-fuel base rates of $13.1 million or 8.72%. The $13.1 million increase is net of reductions in North Dakota RRA, TCR and ECR rider revenues that will result from a lower allowed rate of return on equity and changes in allocation factors in the general rate case. In the request, OTP proposed an allowed return on rate base of 7.97% and an allowed rate of return on equity of 10.30%. On December 20, 2017 the NDPSC approved OTP’s request for interim rates to increase annual revenue collections by $12.8 million, effective January 1, 2018. In response to the reduction in the federal corporate tax rate under the TCJA, the NDPSC issued an order on February 27, 2018 reducing OTP’s annual revenue requirement for interim rates by $4.5 million to $8.3 million, effective March 1, 2018. OTP used the same rate of return on equity in the calculation of interim rates as the rate of return on equity used in its 2018 test-year rate request.

 

 

On March 23, 2018 OTP made a supplemental filing to its initial request for a rate review, reducing its request for an annual revenue increase from $13.1 million to $7.1 million, a 4.8% annual increase. The $6.0 million decrease included $4.8 million related to tax reform and $1.2 million related to other updates.

 

In a September 26, 2018 hearing the NDPSC approved an overall annual revenue increase of $4.6 million (3.1%) and a ROE of 9.77% on a 52.5% equity capital structure. This compares with OTP’s March 2018 adjusted annual revenue increase request of $7.1 million (4.8%) and a requested ROE of 10.3%. The NDPSC’s approval does not require any rate base adjustments from OTP’s original request and establishes a Generation Cost Recovery rider for future recovery of funds to be invested in the planned Astoria natural gas-fired generating facility. On September 28, 2018 the NDPSC issued its Order on Settlement. The net revenue increase reflects a reduction in income tax recovery requirements related to the TCJA and decreases in rider revenue recovery requirements. Final rates will be effective January 1, 2019, with refunds of excess revenues collected under interim rates applied to customers’ March 2019 bills. OTP has accrued an interim rate refund of $2.3 million as of September 30, 2018 for amounts billed under interim rates in excess of amounts OTP is entitled to under the approved revenue increase.

 

OTP’s previously approved general rate increase in North Dakota of $3.6 million, or approximately 3.0%, was granted by the NDPSC in an order issued on November 25, 2009 and effective December 2009. Pursuant to the order, OTP’s allowed rate of return on rate base was set at 8.62%, and its allowed rate of return on equity was set at 10.75%.

 

Renewable Resource Adjustment—OTP has a North Dakota RRA which enables OTP to recover its North Dakota jurisdictional share of investments in renewable energy facilities. This rider allows OTP to recover costs associated with new renewable energy projects as they are completed, along with a return on investment. Based on the Order on Settlement in the general rate case, this rider will be zeroed out at the implementation of final rates, except for any under or over collections existing at the time of roll-in. Future revenue requirement increases resulting from the expiration of production tax credits will be subject to recovery through North Dakota RRA rider updates.

 

Transmission Cost Recovery Rider—North Dakota law provides a mechanism for automatic adjustment outside of a general rate proceeding to recover jurisdictional capital and operating costs incurred by a public utility for new or modified electric transmission facilities. For qualifying projects, the law authorizes a current return on CWIP and a return on investment at the level approved in the utility's most recent general rate case. Based on the Order on Settlement in the general rate case, only certain costs will remain subject to refund or recovery through this rider: Southwest Power Pool costs and MISO Schedule 26 and 26A revenues and expenses and costs related to rider projects still under construction in the test year used in the rate case. This rider will continue to be updated annually for new projects and updated costs for existing projects and associated recoverable expenses.

 

Environmental Cost Recovery Rider—OTP has an ECR rider in North Dakota to recover its North Dakota jurisdictional share of the revenue requirements associated with its investment in the Big Stone Plant AQCS and Hoot Lake Plant Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS) projects. The ECR rider provided for a return on investment at the level approved in OTP’s most recent general rate case and for recovery of OTP’s North Dakota share of reagent and emission allowance costs. Based on the Order on Settlement in the general rate case, this rider will be zeroed out at the implementation of final rates, except for any under or over collections existing at the time of roll-in.

 

South Dakota

 

General Rates—On April 20, 2018 OTP filed a request with the SDPUC to increase non-fuel rates in South Dakota by approximately $3.3 million annually, or 10.1%, as the first step in a two-step request. Interim rates went into effect October 18, 2018. The full effects of the TCJA on South Dakota revenue requirements will be addressed in the rate case and incorporated into final rates at the conclusion of that case. The second step in the request is an additional 1.7% increase to recover costs for the proposed Merricourt wind generation facility when the facility goes into service.

 

OTP’s previously approved general rate increase in South Dakota of approximately $643,000 or approximately 2.32% was granted by the SDPUC in an order issued on April 21, 2011 and effective with bills rendered on and after June 1, 2011. Pursuant to the order, OTP’s allowed rate of return on rate base was set at 8.50%.

 

Transmission Cost Recovery Rider—South Dakota law provides a mechanism for automatic adjustment outside of a general rate proceeding to recover jurisdictional capital and operating costs incurred by a public utility for new or modified electric transmission facilities and will continue to be used for the recovery or refund of amounts not included in interim or base rates.

 

 

Environmental Cost Recovery Rider—OTP has an ECR rider in South Dakota to recover its South Dakota jurisdictional share of revenue requirements associated with its investment in the Big Stone Plant AQCS and Hoot Lake Plant MATS projects and will continue to be used for the recovery or refund of amounts not included in interim or base rates.

 

Reagent Costs and Emission Allowances—The SDPUC has approved the recovery of reagent and emission allowance costs in OTP’s South Dakota Fuel Clause Adjustment rider.

 

Rate Rider Updates

 

The following table provides summary information on the status of updates since January 1, 2016 for the rate riders described above:

 

¹Approved on a provisional basis in the Minnesota general rate case docket and subject to revision in a separate docket.

 

 

Revenues Recorded under Rate Riders

 

The following table presents revenue recorded by OTP under rate riders in place in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota:

 

 

 

TCJA

 

The TCJA reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. Until recently, OTP’s rates have been developed using a 35% tax rate. The MPUC, the NDPSC, the SDPUC and the FERC all initiated dockets or proceedings to assess the impact to electric rates from the lower income tax rates under the TCJA and to develop regulatory strategies to incorporate the tax change into future rates, if warranted.

 

The MPUC required regulated utilities providing service in Minnesota to make filings by February 15, 2018. On August 9, 2018 the MPUC determined the impacts of the TCJA as calculated, including amortization of excess accumulated deferred income taxes, should be refunded and rates should be adjusted going forward to account for the impacts of the TCJA. No order has been issued and the details and timing of implementation currently are not known.

 

The SDPUC required initial comments by February 1, 2018 and indicated that revenues collected after December 31, 2017 would be subject to refund, pending determination of the impacts of the TCJA.

 

As described above, OTP’s current general rate cases in North Dakota and South Dakota reflect the impact of the TCJA. OTP has accrued refund liabilities for revenues collected under rates set to recover higher levels of federal income taxes than OTP is currently incurring under the lower federal tax rates in the TCJA. As of September 30, 2018, accrued refund liabilities related to the tax rate reduction were $6.0 million in Minnesota, $0.8 million in North Dakota for amounts collected under interim rates in effect in January and February 2018, and $1.1 million in South Dakota.

 

FERC

 

Wholesale power sales and transmission rates are subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC under the Federal Power Act of 1935 (Federal Power Act). The FERC is an independent agency with jurisdiction over rates for wholesale electricity sales, transmission and sale of electric energy in interstate commerce, interconnection of facilities, and accounting policies and practices. Filed rates are effective after a one-day suspension period, subject to ultimate approval by the FERC.

 

MVPs—MVPs are designed to enable the region to comply with energy policy mandates and to address reliability and economic issues affecting multiple transmission zones within the MISO region. The cost allocation is designed to ensure that the costs of transmission projects with regional benefits are properly assigned to those who benefit.

 

 

On November 12, 2013 a group of industrial customers and other stakeholders filed a complaint with the FERC seeking to reduce the ROE component of the transmission rates that MISO transmission owners, including OTP, may collect under the MISO Tariff. The complainants sought to reduce the 12.38% ROE used in MISO’s transmission rates to a proposed 9.15%. The complaint established a 15-month refund period from November 12, 2013 to February 11, 2015. A non-binding decision by the presiding Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) was issued on December 22, 2015 finding that the MISO transmission owners’ ROE should be 10.32%, and the FERC issued an order on September 28, 2016 setting the base ROE at 10.32%. A number of parties requested rehearing of the September 2016 order and the requests are pending FERC action.

 

On November 6, 2014 a group of MISO transmission owners, including OTP, filed for a FERC incentive of an additional 50-basis points for Regional Transmission Organization participation (RTO Adder). On January 5, 2015 the FERC granted the request, deferring collection of the RTO Adder until the FERC issued its order in the ROE complaint proceeding. Based on the FERC adjustment to the MISO Tariff ROE resulting from the November 12, 2013 complaint and OTP’s incentive rate filing, OTP’s ROE will be 10.82% (a 10.32% base ROE plus the 0.5% RTO Adder) effective September 28, 2016.

 

On February 12, 2015 another group of stakeholders filed a complaint with the FERC seeking to reduce the ROE component of the transmission rates that MISO transmission owners, including OTP, may collect under the MISO Tariff from 12.38% to a proposed 8.67%. This second complaint established a second 15-month refund period from February 12, 2015 to May 11, 2016. The FERC issued an order on June 18, 2015 setting the complaint for hearings before an ALJ, which were held the week of February 16, 2016. A non-binding decision by the presiding ALJ was issued on June 30, 2016 finding that the MISO transmission owners’ ROE should be 9.7%. OTP is currently waiting for the issuance of a FERC order on the second complaint.

 

Based on the probable reduction by the FERC in the ROE component of the MISO Tariff, OTP had a $2.7 million liability on its balance sheet as of December 31, 2016, representing OTP’s best estimate of the refund obligations that would arise, net of amounts that would be subject to recovery under state jurisdictional TCR riders, based on a reduced ROE. MISO processed the refund for the FERC-ordered reduction in the MISO Tariff allowed ROE for the first 15-month refund period in its February and June 2017 billings. The refund, in combination with a decision in the 2016 Minnesota general rate case that affected the Minnesota TCR rider, has resulted in a reduction in OTP’s accrued MISO Tariff ROE refund liability from $2.7 million on December 31, 2016 to $1.6 million as of September 30, 2018.

 

In June 2014, the FERC adopted a two-step ROE methodology for electric utilities in an order issued in a complaint proceeding involving New England Transmission Owners (NETOs). The issue of how to apply the FERC ROE methodology has been contested in various complaint proceedings, including the two ROE complaints involving MISO transmission owners discussed above. In April 2017 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) vacated and remanded the FERC’s June 2014 ROE order in the NETOs’ complaint. The D.C. Circuit found that the FERC had not properly determined that the ROE authorized for NETOs prior to June 2014 was unjust and unreasonable. The D.C. Circuit also found that the FERC failed to justify the new ROE methodology. OTP will await the FERC response to the April 2017 action of the D.C. Circuit before determining if an adjustment to its accrued refund liability is required. On September 29, 2017 the MISO transmission owners filed a motion to dismiss the second complaint based on the D.C. Circuit decision in the NETOs complaint. If FERC were to act on a motion to dismiss, it would eliminate the refund obligation from the second complaint and the ROE from the first complaint would remain in effect.

 

On October 16, 2018 the FERC issued an order proposing a methodology for addressing the issues that were remanded to the FERC by the D.C. Circuit in April 2017. The FERC order established a paper hearing on how the methodology should apply to the proceedings pending before the FERC involving NETOs’ ROE. In the order, the FERC selected a preliminary just and reasonable ROE for NETOs of 10.41%, exclusive of incentives, with a proposed cap on any pre-existing incentive-based total ROE at 13.08% and directed participants to submit supplemental briefs and additional written evidence regarding the proposed approaches to the Federal Power Act Section 206 inquiry and how to apply them to the NETO ROE complaints. Initial briefs are due 60 days from the date of the order with responses to those initial briefs due 30 days later.

 

OTP believes its estimated accrued MISO Tariff ROE refund liability of $1.6 million as of September 30, 2018 related to the second MISO tariff ROE complaint is appropriate, based on the information discussed above.

 

 

 

4. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

 

As a regulated entity, OTP accounts for the financial effects of regulation in accordance with ASC Topic 980, Regulated Operations (ASC 980). This accounting standard allows for the recording of a regulatory asset or liability for costs that will be collected or refunded in the future as required under regulation. Additionally, ASC 980-605-25 provides for the recognition of revenues authorized for recovery outside of a general rate case under alternative revenue programs which provide for recovery of costs and incentives or returns on investment in such items as transmission infrastructure, renewable energy resources, environmental upgrades and conservation initiatives. The following tables indicate the amount of regulatory assets and liabilities recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets:

 

1Costs subject to recovery excluding a rate of return. 2Amount eligible for recovery under an alternative revenue program which includes an incentive or rate of return.