UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended: December 31, 2008
Commission File Number: 001-11590


Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
State of Delaware
Washington, D.C. 20549
51-0064146
 
 
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended: December 31, 2005              Commission File Number: 001-11590
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

State of Delaware
51-0064146
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
909 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, Delaware 19904
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
302-734-6799
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
909 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, Delaware 19904
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
302-734-6799
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock - par value per share $.4867
New York Stock Exchange, Inc.


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

8.25% Convertible Debentures Due 2014
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:(Title of class)
8.25% Convertible Debentures Due 2014
(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [  ].o No [X].þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [  ].o No [X].
þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d)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 [X].þ No [  ].

o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendments to this Form 10-K. [X]þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.smaller reporting company. See definitionthe definitions of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filerfiler” and large accelerated filer“smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer [  ]                 Accelerated filer [X]                 Non-accelerated filer [  ]
Large accelerated fileroAccelerated filerþNon-accelerated fileroSmaller Reporting Companyo
Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [  ].o No [X].

þ
The aggregate market value of the common shares held by non-affiliates of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation as of June 30, 2005,2008, the last business day of its most recently completed second fiscal quarter, based on the last trade price on that date, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, was approximately $170$168.8 million.
As of March 2, 2006, 5,925,945February 28, 2009, 6,833,066 shares of common stock were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 20062009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III.

 



CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION

Chesapeake Utilities CorporationFORM 10-K
Form 10-K

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20052008

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Page
 Part I
 1
 Page
4
 14
 
 812
 
 1119
 
 1119
 
 1120
 
 1120
 Part II
20
 
22
 1222
 
 1425
 
 1829
 
 3656
 
 3656
 
 6799
 
 6799
 
 67101
 
 68
101
 
 68101
 
 68101
 
 68101
 
 69102
 
 69102
 Part IV
 70
103
 70103
 Signatures
108
Exhibit 3.2
Exhibit 10.5
Exhibit 10.7
Exhibit 10.9
Exhibit 10.11
Exhibit 10.13
Exhibit 10.15
Exhibit 10.26
Exhibit 10.27
Exhibit 10.28
Exhibit 12
Exhibit 14.2
Exhibit 21
Exhibit 23.1
Exhibit 23.2
Exhibit 31.1
Exhibit 31.2
Exhibit 32.1
Exhibit 32.2


GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS
Frequently used abbreviations, acronyms, or terms used in this report:
Subsidiaries of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
BravePoint
BravePoint, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Services Company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
Chesapeake
The Registrant, the Registrant and its subsidiaries, or the Registrant’s subsidiaries, as appropriate in the context of the disclosure
Company
The Registrant, the Registrant and its subsidiaries or the Registrant’s subsidiaries, as appropriate in the context of the disclosure
ESNG
Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake
OnSight
Chesapeake OnSight Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake
PESCO
Peninsula Energy Services Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake
PIPECO
Peninsula Pipeline Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake
Sharp Energy
Sharp Energy, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
Sharpgas
Sharpgas, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sharp Energy, Inc.
Skipjack
Skipjack, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Service Company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
Tri-County
Tri-County Gas Co., Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sharp Energy
Xeron
Xeron, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake
Regulatory Agencies
APB
Accounting Principles Board
Delaware PSC
Delaware Public Service Commission
DOT
United States Department of Transportation
EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FDEP
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Florida PSC
Florida Public Service Commission
IRS
Internal Revenue Service
Maryland PSC
Maryland Public Service Commission
MDE
Maryland Department of Environment
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
Other
AOCI
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
AS/SVE
Air Sparging and Soil/Vapor Extraction
CGS
Community Gas Systems
Columbia
Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation
DSCP
Directors Stock Compensation Plan
Dts
Dekatherms
E3 Project
ESNG Energylink Expansion Project
ER
Environmental rider
EITF
Financial Accounting Standards Board Emerging Issues Task Force
FIN
Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation Number
FSP
Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position
GAAP
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
GSR
Gas sales service rates
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 1


Gulf
Columbia Gulf Transmission Company
Gulfstream
Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC
HDD
Heating degree-days
MMBtus
One million (1,000,000) British Thermal Units
NYSE
New York Stock Exchange
PIP
Performance Incentive Plan
S&P 500 Index
Standard & Poor’s 500
SFAS
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
Accounting Standards

EITF 03-6-1
EITF 03-6-1, Determining Whether instruments Granted in Share-based Payment Transactions are Participating Securities
EITF 07-05
EITF 07-05, Determining Whether an Instrument (of an Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock
EITF 08-03
EITF 08-03, Accounting for Maintenance Deposits Under Lease Arrangements
EITF 08-05
EITF 08-05, Issuer’s Accounting for Liabilities Measured at Fair Value with a Third-Party Credit Enhancement
FIN 39-1
FIN 39-1, a modification to FIN 39, Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts
FIN 47
FIN 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143
FIN 48
FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of SFAS Statement No. 109
FSP APB 14-1
FSP APB 14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash Upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlements)
FSP 142-3
FSP 142-3, Determining the Useful Life of Intangible Assets
FSP 157-3
FSP 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for that Asset is Not Active
SFAS No. 71
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation
SFAS No. 87
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions
SFAS No. 88
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 88, Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits
SFAS No. 106
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
SFAS No. 109
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes
SFAS No. 112
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 112, Employers’ Accounting for Postemployment Benefits
SFAS No. 115
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities
SFAS No. 123
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
SFAS No. 123R
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, Share-Based Payment
SFAS No. 128
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share
SFAS No. 132R
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132R, Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
SFAS No. 133
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Page 2     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


SFAS No. 141R
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141R, Business Combinations
SFAS No. 142
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
SFAS No. 143
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations
SFAS No. 157
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements
SFAS No. 158
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an Amendment of SFAS Nos. 87, 88, 106, and 132R
SFAS No. 159
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment of SFAS No. 115
SFAS No. 160
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin 51
SFAS No. 161
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of SFAS No. 133
SFAS No. 162
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 3


Part I
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
References in this document to “Chesapeake,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” mean Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and/or its wholly ownedwholly-owned subsidiaries, as appropriate.
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation has made statements in this Form 10-K that are considered to be forward-looking statements.“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not matters of historical fact. Sometimes they containfact and are typically identified by words such as, but not limited to, “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will”and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” and other similar words of a predictive nature.“could.” These statements relate to matters such as customer growth, changes in revenues or gross margins, capital expenditures, environmental remediation costs, regulatory approvals,trends and decisions, market risks, associated with our propane operations, the competitive position of the Company and other matters. It is important to understand that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees but are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”

Item 1. Business.
(a) General
(a)  
General Development of Business
Chesapeake is a diversified utility company engaged directly, or through subsidiaries, in natural gas distribution, transmission and marketing, propane distribution and wholesale marketing, advanced information services and other related businesses. Chesapeake is a Delaware corporation that was formed in 1947.

Chesapeake is composed of four operating segments:
Natural Gas.The natural gas segment includes regulated natural gas distribution and transmission operations and also a non-regulated natural gas marketing operation.
Propane.The propane segment includes non-regulated propane distribution and wholesale marketing operations.
Advanced Information Services.The advanced information services segment provides domestic and international clients with information-technology-related business services and solutions for both enterprise and e-business applications.
Other.The other segment consists primarily of non-regulated operations that own real estate leased to other Company subsidiaries.
(b) Financial Information About Business Segments
Our natural gas segment accounts for approximately 91 percent of Chesapeake’s consolidated operating income and approximately 87 percent of the consolidated net property plant and equipment. The following table shows the size of each of our operating segments based on operating income and net property, plant and equipment.
                 
          Net Property, Plant 
(Thousands) Operating Income  & Equipment 
Natural Gas $25,846   91% $242,882   87%
Propane  1,586   6%  30,180   11%
Advanced information services  695   2%  915   <1%
Other & eliminations  352   1%  6,694   2%
             
Total $28,479   100% $280,671   100%
             
Page 4     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Additional financial information by business segment is included in Item 8 under the heading “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note C.”
(c) Narrative Description of the Business
(i)(a) Natural Gas
Chesapeake’s threenatural gas segment provides natural gas distribution, transmission and marketing services for its customers. Chesapeake conducts its natural gas distribution operations under three divisions: Delaware, Maryland, and Florida, which are based in their respective service territories. These three divisions serve approximately 54,80065,190 residential, commercial and industrial customers in central and southern Delaware, Maryland’s Eastern Shore and parts of Florida. The Company’s natural gas transmission subsidiary, Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company (“Eastern Shore” or “ESNG”),ESNG, operates a 331-mile379-mile interstate pipeline system that transports gas from various points in Pennsylvania to the Company’s Delaware and Maryland distribution divisions, as well as to other utilities and industrial customers in southern Pennsylvania, Delaware and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Our propane distribution operation serves approximately 32,900 customers in central and southern Delaware, the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, southeastern Pennsylvania, and parts of Florida. The advanced information services segmentCompany, through its subsidiary, PESCO, also provides domestic and international clients with information technology related business services and solutions for both enterprise and e-business applications.

(b)  
Financial Information about Industry Segments
Financial information by business segment is included in Item 8 under the heading “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note C.”

(c)  
Narrative Description of Business
Chesapeake is engaged in three primary business activities: natural gas distributionsupply and transmission, propane distributionsupply management services in the States of Delaware, Florida and wholesale marketing and advanced information services. In addition to the primary groups, Chesapeake has subsidiaries in other related businesses.Maryland.

(i) (a) Natural Gas Distribution and Transmission
General
Chesapeake distributes natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers in central and southern Delaware, the Salisbury and Cambridge Maryland areas on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and parts of Florida. These activities are conducted through three utility divisions, one division in Delaware, another in Maryland and a third division in Florida. The Company also offers natural gas supply and supply management services in the state of Florida through its subsidiary, Peninsula Energy Services Company, Inc. (“PESCO”).

Delaware and Maryland. Chesapeake’s Delaware and Maryland utilitydistribution divisions serve approximately 42,00050,670 customers, of which approximately 41,80050,490 are residential and commercial customers purchasing gas primarily for heating purposes.and cooking use. The remainderremaining 180 customers are industrial customers.industrial. For the year 2005, residential2008, operating revenues and commercial customers accounted for approximately 75% of the volume delivereddeliveries by the divisions and 68% of the divisions’ revenue.customer class were as follow:
                 
  Operating Revenues  Deliveries 
  (Thousands)  (MMcf’s) 
Residential $47,994   53%  2,590,425   39%
Commercial  29,480   33%  2,312,644   34%
Industrial  2,130   2%  812,224   12%
             
Subtotal  79,604   88%  5,715,293   85%
Interruptible  9,041   10%  1,035,540   15%
Other (1)
  1,934   2%      
             
Total $90,579   100%  6,750,833   100%
             
(1)Operating revenues from “Other” sources include unbilled revenue, rental of gas properties, and other miscellaneous charges.
- Page 1 -

Florida.The Florida division distributes natural gas to approximately 13,10013,370 residential and 1,150 commercial and 100 industrial customers in the 14 Counties of Polk, Osceola, Hillsborough, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Union, Holmes, Jackson, Desoto, Pasco, Suwannee, Liberty, Washington and Citrus Counties. CurrentlyCitrus. For the industrial customers, which purchaseyear 2008, operating revenues and transport gas on a firm basis, account for approximately 90% of the volume delivereddeliveries by the Florida division and 45% of the revenues. These customers are primarily engaged in the citrus and phosphate industries and in electric cogeneration. PESCO provides natural gas supply management services to 285 customers on the Company’s Florida division, which operatescustomer class were as Central Floridafollow:
                 
  Operating Revenues  Deliveries 
  (Thousands)  (MMcf’s) 
Residential $3,725   28%  321,077   2%
Commercial  3,108   24%  1,180,507   7%
Industrial  4,684   36%  14,527,786   91%
Other(1)
  1,637   12%     0%
             
Total $13,154   100%  16,029,370   100%
             
(1)Operating revenues from “Other” sources include unbilled revenue, conservation revenue, fees for billing services provided to third-parties, and other miscellaneous charges.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 5


Natural Gas and an additional 424 customers on the Peoples Gas system, a subsidiary of TECO Energy, headquartered in Tampa, Florida. During 2005, Chesapeake formed a new wholly owned subsidiary, Peninsula Pipeline Company, Inc. to deliver natural gas to industrial customers by an intra-state pipeline.Transmission

Eastern Shore. The Company’s wholly owned transmission subsidiary, Eastern Shore,ESNG owns and operates an interstate natural gas pipeline and provides open accessopen-access transportation services for affiliated and non-affiliated local distribution companies and other customers through an integrated gas pipeline system extending from southeastern Pennsylvania through Delaware to its terminus on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Eastern ShoreESNG also provides swing transportation service and contract storage services. Eastern Shore’s ratesFor the year 2008, operating revenues and services are subjectdeliveries by customer class were as follow:
                 
  Operating Revenues  Deliveries 
  (Thousands)  (MMcf’s) 
Local distribution companies $19,280   81%  9,720,864   44%
Industrial  3,523   15%  11,191,555   50%
Commercial  968   4%  1,299,878   6%
Other(1)
  5   <1%      
             
Subtotal  23,776   100%  22,212,297   100%
Less: affiliated local distribution companies  11,521   48%  5,978,996   27%
             
Total non-affiliated $12,255   52%  16,233,301   73%
             
(1)Operating revenues from “Other” sources is from rental of gas properties.
During 2005, Chesapeake formed PIPECO to regulation byprovide industrial customers in the Federal Energy RegulatoryState of Florida natural gas transportation service as an intrastate pipeline. PIPECO did not have any activity in 2006. On December 4, 2007, the Florida Public Service Commission (“FERC”Florida PSC”). approved PIPECO’s natural gas transmission pipeline tariff, which established its operating rules and regulations. PIPECO began marketing its services to potential industrial customers in 2008.

Natural Gas Marketing
AdequacyPESCO competes with regulated utilities and other unregulated third-party marketers to sell natural gas supplies directly to commercial and industrial customers in the States of ResourcesDelaware, Maryland, and Florida through competitively-priced contracts. PESCO does not own or operate any natural gas transmission or distribution assets. The gas that PESCO sells is delivered to retail customers through affiliated and non-affiliated local distribution company systems and transmission pipelines. PESCO bills its customers through the billing services of the regulated utilities that deliver the gas, or directly, through its own billing capabilities.
For the year 2008, PESCO’s customers, operating revenues and deliveries were as follow:
                         
          Operating Revenues  Deliveries 
State Customers  (Thousands)  (Dts) 
Florida  1,922   99% $76,862   81%  6,275,717   79%
Delmarva  12   1%  18,552   19%  1,683,695   21%
                   
Total  1,934   100% $95,414   100%  7,959,412   100%
                   
GeneralGas Supplies, Firm Transportation and Storage Capacity.
The Company believes that the availability of gas supply and transportation to its Delaware, Maryland and Florida natural gas distribution operations and to ESNG and PESCO is adequate under existing arrangements to meet the anticipated needs of their customers. The following discussion provides a summary of the gas supplies and pipeline transportation and storage capacities, stated in dekatherms (“Dts”), available to each of the Company’s natural gas operations.
Page 6     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


The Company’s Delaware and Maryland natural gas distribution divisions have both firm and interruptible transportation service contracts with four interstate “open access” pipelines, including Eastern Shore. TheESNG. These divisions are directly interconnected with Eastern ShoreESNG, and serviceshave contracts with interstate pipelines upstream of Eastern Shore are contracted withESNG. These interstate pipelines include Transcontinental Gas PipelinePipe Line Corporation (“Transco”), Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation (“Columbia”) and Columbia Gulf Transmission Company (“Gulf”), none. Transco and Columbia are directly interconnected with ESNG; Gulf is directly interconnected with Columbia and indirectly interconnected with ESNG. None of which are affiliatesthe upstream pipelines is an affiliate of the Company. The divisions use their firm transportation supply resources to meet a significant percentage of their projected demand requirements. In order to meet the difference between firm supply and firm demand, the divisions purchase natural gas supplysupplies on the spot market from various suppliers. This gas is transported by the upstream pipelines and delivered to the divisions’ interconnectstheir interconnections with Eastern Shore.ESNG. The divisions also have the capability to use propane-air peak-shaving to supplement or displace the spot market purchases.
Delaware.
The Company believesfollowing table shows the firm transportation and storage capacity that the availability of gas supply and transportation to the Delaware and Maryland divisions is adequatedivision currently has under existing arrangements to meet the anticipated needs of their customers.

Delaware. The Delaware division’s contracts with Transco include: (a) firm transportation capacity of 9,029 dekatherms (“Dt”) per day, with provisions to continue from year to year, subject to six (6) months notice for termination; (b) firm transportation capacity of 311 Dt per day for December through February, expiring in 2006; (c) firm transportation capacity of 174 Dt per day, which expires in 2008; (d) firm transportation capacity of 1,842 Dt, currently released from Eastern Shore, which expires in 2006; (e) firm storage service, providing a total capacity of 142,830 Dt, with provisions to continue from year to year, subject to six (6) months notice for termination; and (f) firm storage service, providing a total capacity of 17,967 Dt, currently released from Eastern Shore, which expires in 2006.

The Delaware division’s contracts with Columbia include: (a) firm transportation capacity of 880 Dt per day, which expires in 2014; (b) firm transportation capacity of 1,132 Dt per day, which expires in 2017; (c) firm transportation capacity of 549 Dt per day, which expires in 2018; (d) firm transportation capacity of 899 per day, which expires in 2019; (e) firm storage service providing a peak day entitlement of 6,193 Dt and a total capacity of 298,195 Dt, which expires in 2015; (f) firm storage service, providing a peak day entitlement of 635 Dt and a total capacity of 57,139 Dt, which expires in 2018; (g) firm storage service providing a peak day entitlement of 583 Dt and a total capacity of 52,460 Dt, which expires in 2019; (h) firm storage service providing a peak day entitlement of 583 Dt and a total capacity of 52,460 Dt, which expires in 2020; (i) firm storage service providing a peak day entitlement of 15 Dt and a total capacity of 1,350 Dt, which expires in 2018; and (j) firm storage service providing a peak day entitlement of 215 Dt and a total capacity of 10,646 Dt, which expires in 2010. Delaware’s contracts with Columbia for storage-related transportation provide quantities that are equivalent to the peak day entitlement for the period of October through March and are equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the peak day entitlement for the period of April through September. The terms of the storage-related transportation contracts mirror the storage services that they support.
- Page 2 -

The Delaware division’s contract with Gulf, which expires in 2009, provides firm transportation capacityESNG and pipelines upstream of 880 Dt per day forESNG, including the period November through March and 809 Dt per day for the period April through October.respective contract expiration dates.
The Delaware division’s contracts with Eastern Shore include: (a) firm transportation capacity of 43,787 Dt per day for the period December through February, 42,565 Dt per day for the months of November, March and April, and 33,489 Dt per day for the period May through October, with various expiration dates ranging from 2005 to 2017; (b) firm storage capacity providing a peak day entitlement of 2,655 Dt and a total capacity of 131,370 Dt, which expires in 2013; (c) firm storage capacity providing a peak day entitlement of 580 Dt and a total capacity of 29,000 Dt, which expires in 2013; (d) firm storage capacity providing a peak day entitlement of 911 Dt and a total capacity of 5,708 Dt, which expires in 2006.

           
  Firm transportation      
  capacity maximum  Firm storage capacity   
  peak-day daily  maximum peak-day   
Pipeline deliverability (Dts)  daily withdrawal (Dts)  Expiration
Transco  21,356   6,407  Various dates between 2012 and 2028
Columbia  3,460   8,224  Various dates between 2009 and 2020
Gulf  880     Expires in 2009
Eastern Shore  61,637   4,146  Various dates between 2009 and 2023
The Delaware division currently has contracts with several suppliers for the purchase of firm natural gas supply with several suppliers.in the amount of its capacity on the Transco and Columbia pipelines. The Delaware division also has contracts for firm peaking gas supplies to be delivered to its system in order to meet the differential between the Delaware division’s capacity on ESNG and capacity on pipelines upstream of ESNG. These supply contracts provide the availability of a maximum firm daily entitlement of 29,700 Dt and51,066 Dts, delivered on the Transco, Columbia, and/or Gulf systems to Eastern ShoreESNG for redelivery to the division under firm transportation contracts. TheThese gas purchasesupply contracts have various expiration dates, and daily quantities may vary from day to dayday-to-day and month to month.month-to-month.

Maryland.
Maryland.The Maryland division’s contracts with Transco include: (a)following table shows the firm transportation and storage capacity of 4,738 Dt per day, with provisions to continue from year to year, subject to six (6) months notice for termination; (b) firm transportation capacity of 155 Dt per day for December through February, expiring in 2006; (c) firm transportation capacity of 973 Dt,that the Maryland division currently released from Eastern Shore, which expires in 2006; (d) firm storage service providing a total capacity of 33,120 Dt, with provisions to continue from year to year, subject to six months notice for termination ; and (e) firm storage service, providing a total capacity of 5,489 Dt, currently released from Eastern Shore, which expires in 2006.

The Maryland division’s contracts with Columbia include: (a) firm transportation capacity of 442 Dt per day, which expires in 2014; (b) firm transportation capacity of 908 Dt per day, which expires in 2017; (c) firm transportation capacity of 350 Dt per day, which expires in 2018; (d) firm storage service providing a peak day entitlement of 3,142 Dt and a total capacity of 154,756 Dt, which expires in 2015; and (e) firm storage service providing a peak day entitlement of 521 Dt and a total capacity of 46,881 Dt, which expires in 2018. The Maryland division’s contracts with Columbia for storage-related transportation provide quantities that are equivalent to the peak day entitlement for the period October through March and are equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the peak day entitlement for the period April through September. The terms of the storage-related transportation contracts mirror the storage services that they support.

The Maryland division’shas under contract with Gulf, which expires in 2009, provides firm transportation capacityESNG and pipelines upstream of 590 Dt per day forESNG, including the period November through March and 543 Dt per day for the period April through October.respective contract expiration dates.

           
  Firm transportation      
  capacity maximum  Firm storage capacity   
  peak-day daily  maximum peak-day   
Pipeline deliverability (Dts)  daily withdrawal (Dts)  Expiration
Trancso  5,866   2,456  Various dates between 2012 and 2013
Columbia  1,700   3,663  Various dates between 2014 and 2018
Gulf  590     Expires in 2009
Eastern Shore  20,528   2,306  Various dates between 2009 and 2023
The Maryland division’s contracts with Eastern Shore include: (a) firm transportation capacity of 16,278 Dt per day for the period December through February, 15,554 Dt per day for the months of November, March and April and 10,993 Dt per day for the period May through October, with various expiration dates ranging from 2006 to 2015; (b) firm storage capacity providing a peak day entitlement of 1,428 Dt and a total capacity of 70,665 Dt, which expires in 2013; (c) firm storage capacity providing a peak day entitlement of 309 Dt and a total capacity of 15,500 Dt, which expires in 2013; and (d) firm storage capacity providing a peak day entitlement of 569 Dt and a total capacity of 3,560 Dt, which expires in 2006.
-Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 3 -7



The Maryland division currently has contracts with several suppliers for the purchase of firm natural gas supply with several suppliers.in the amount of its capacity on the Transco and Columbia pipelines. The Maryland division also has contracts for firm peaking gas supplies to be delivered to its system in order to meet the differential between the Maryland division’s capacity on ESNG and capacity on pipelines upstream of ESNG. These supply contracts provide the availability of a maximum firm daily entitlement of 7,500 Dt16,316 Dts, delivered on the Transco, Columbia, and/or Gulf systems to Eastern ShoreESNG for redelivery to the division under the Maryland division’sfirm transportation contracts. TheThese gas purchasesupply contracts have various expiration dates, and daily quantities may vary from day to dayday-to-day and month to month.month-to-month.

Florida.
Florida. The Florida natural gas distribution division receiveshas firm transportation service fromcontracts with Florida Gas Transmission Company (“FGT”),and Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC. Pursuant to a major interstate pipeline.program approved by the Florida PSC, all of the capacity under these agreements has been released to various third parties, including PESCO. Under the terms of these capacity release agreements, Chesapeake hasis contingently liable to Florida Gas Transmission Company and Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC. should any party that acquired the capacity through release fail to pay for the service.
Chesapeake’s contracts with FGT for:Florida Gas Transmission Company include: (a) a contract, which expires in 2010, for daily firm transportation capacity of 27,579 Dt in23,519 Dts for the months of November through April; 21,123 Dt inApril, capacity of 20,123 Dts for the months of May through September, and 27,105 Dt in October, which expires in 2010;capacity of 22,105 Dts for October; and (b) a contract for daily firm transportation capacity of 1,000 DtDts daily, which expires in 2015.

The Florida division also began receiving transportation service from Chesapeake’s contract with Gulfstream Natural Gas System, (“Gulfstream”), beginning in June 2002. Chesapeake has a contract with GulfstreamLLC. is for daily firm transportation capacity of 10,000 Dt daily. The contract with Gulfstream expires May 31, 2022.

PESCO currently has a contract with Eagle Energy Partners for the purchase of firm natural gas supply. This contract provides the availability of a maximum firm daily entitlement of 7,500 MMBtus. The gas purchase contractDts and expires in April 2006.2022.

ESNG.
Eastern Shore. Eastern ShoreESNG has 2,720 thousand cubic feet (“Mcf”) of firm transportation capacity under contract with Transco, which expires in 2008. Eastern Shore also hasthree contracts with Transco for: (a) 5,406 Mcffor a total of 7,292 Dts of firm peak day storage entitlements and total storage capacity of 267,981 Mcf,288,003 Dts, which expiresexpire in 2013; and (b) 1,640 Mcf of firm peak day entitlements and total storage capacity of 10,283 Mcf, which expires in 2006.

Eastern Shore2013. ESNG has retained the firm transportation capacity andthese firm storage services described above in order to provide swing transportation service and firm storage service to those customers that have requested such service.

PESCO.
PESCO currently has contracts with ConocoPhillips, British Petroleum Company, and Eagle Energy Partners, LLP for the purchase of firm natural gas supplies. The ConocoPhillips contract, which provides a maximum firm daily entitlement of 15,000 MMBtus, the British Petroleum Company contract, which provides a maximum firm daily entitlement of 10,000 MMBtus, and the Eagles Energy Partners, LLP contract, which provides for a maximum firm daily entitlement of 10,000 MMBtus expire in May 2009. PESCO is currently in the process of obtaining and reviewing supply proposals from suppliers and anticipates executing agreements prior to the expiration of the existing contracts.
Competition
See discussion onof competition in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Competition.”

Rates and Regulation
General. Chesapeake’s natural gas distribution divisions are subject to regulation by the Delaware, Maryland and Florida Public Service CommissionsPSCs with respect to various aspects of thetheir business, including the rates for sales and transportation to all customers in each respective jurisdiction. All of Chesapeake’s firm distribution sales rates are subject to gas cost recovery mechanisms, which match revenues with gas supply and transportation costs and normally allow eventual full recovery of gassuch costs. Adjustments under these mechanisms, which are limited to gassuch costs, require periodic filings and hearings with the relevantstate regulatory authority.authority having jurisdiction.

Page 8     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Eastern Shore
ESNG is subject to regulation by the FERC as an interstate pipeline. The FERCpipeline by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”), which regulates the provision of service, terms and conditions of service and the rates Eastern ShoreESNG can charge for its transportation and storage services.

Management monitors the achieved raterates of return in each jurisdictionof its distribution divisions and ESNG in order to ensure the timely filing of rate cases.

Regulatory Proceedings
See discussion of regulatory activities in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Regulatory Activities.”
Seasonality of Natural Gas Revenues
Revenues from the Company’s residential and commercial natural gas distribution activities are affected by seasonal variations in weather conditions, which directly influence the volume of natural gas sold and delivered. Specifically, customer demand substantially increases during the winter months, when natural gas is used for heating. Accordingly, the volumes sold for this purpose are directly affected by the severity of winter weather and can vary substantially from year to year. Sustained warmer-than-normal temperatures will tend to result in reduced use of natural gas, while sustained colder-than-normal temperatures will tend to result in greater use. The Company measures the relative impact of weather by using an accepted degree-day methodology. Degree-day data is used to estimate amounts of energy required to maintain comfortable indoor temperature levels based on each day’s average temperature. A degree-day is the measure of the variation in the weather based on the extent to which the average daily temperature (from 10:00 am to 10:00 am) falls below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Each degree of temperature below 65 degrees Fahrenheit is counted as one heating degree-day. Normal heating degree-days are based on the most recent 10-year average.
- Page 4 -In efforts to stabilize the level of net revenues collected from customers, the Company received approval from the Maryland Public Service Commission (“Maryland PSC”) on September 26, 2006 to implement a weather normalization adjustment for its residential heating and smaller commercial heating customers. A weather normalization adjustment is a billing adjustment mechanism that is designed to eliminate the effect of deviations from average seasonal temperatures on utility net revenues.

(i)(b) Propane Distribution and Wholesale Marketing
General
Chesapeake’s propane distribution group consists of (1) Sharp Energy, Inc. (“Sharp Energy”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Chesapeake, (2) Sharpgas, Inc. (“Sharpgas”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sharp Energy, and (3) Tri-County Gas Co., Incorporated (“Tri-County”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sharp Energy. The propane wholesale marketing group consists of Xeron, Inc. (“Xeron”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Chesapeake.

Propane is a form of liquefied petroleum gas, which is typically extracted from natural gas or separated during the crude oil refining process. Although propane is a gas at normal pressure, it is easily compressed into liquid form for storage and transportation. Propane is a clean-burning fuel, gaining increased recognition for its environmental superiority, safety, efficiency, transportability and ease of use relative to alternative forms of energy.fossil fuels. Propane is sold primarily in suburban and rural areas, which are not served by natural gas distributors. Demand is typically much higher in the winter months
Chesapeake’s retail propane distribution group consists of: (1) Sharp Energy, Inc., (2) Sharpgas, Inc., and is significantly affected by seasonal variations, particularly the relative severity(3) Tri-County Gas Co., Inc. The propane wholesale marketing operation consists of winter temperatures, because of its use in residential and commercial heating.Xeron, Inc.

Propane Distribution.
During 2005,2008, our propane distribution operations served approximately 32,900 propane35,170 customers onthroughout Delaware, the Delmarva Peninsula,Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, southeastern Pennsylvania and inparts of Florida and delivered approximately 2627.9 million retail and wholesale gallons of propane.

In May 1998, Chesapeake acquired Xeron, a natural gas liquids trading company located in Houston, Texas. Xeron markets propane to large independent and petrochemical companies, resellers and southeastern retail propane companies in the United States. Additional information on Xeron’s trading and wholesale marketing activities, market risks and the controls that limit and monitor the risks are included in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Market Risk.”

The propane distribution business is affected by many factors, such as seasonality, the absence of price regulation, and competition among local providers. The
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 9


For the year 2008, operating revenues, total gallons sold and number of customers for our Delmarva and Florida propane wholesale marketing business is affected by wholesale price volatility and the supply and demand for propane at a wholesale level.distribution operations were as follow:

Adequacy of Resources
                         
  Operating Revenues  Total Gallons Sold  Average No. of 
  (Thousands)  (Thousands)  Customers 
Delmarva $59,173   95%  26,765   96%  32,889   94%
Florida  3,412   5%  1,182   4%  2,280   6%
                   
Total $62,585   100%  27,947   100%  35,169   100%
                   
The Company’s propane distribution operations purchase propane primarily from suppliers, including major domestic oil companies, and independent producers of natural gas liquids and oil.from Xeron. Supplies of propane from these and other sources are readily available for purchase by the Company. Supply contracts generally include minimum (not subject to take-or-pay premiums) and maximum purchase provisions.

The Company’s propane distribution operations use trucks and railroad cars to transport propane from refineries, natural gas processing plants or pipeline terminals to its bulk storage facilities. The Company’s Delmarva-based propane distribution operation owns bulk propane storage facilities with an aggregate capacity of approximately 2.4 million gallons at 42 plant facilities in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, located on real estate that is either owned or leased. The Company’s Florida-based propane distribution operation owns three bulk propane storage facilities with a total capacity of 66,000 gallons. From these storage facilities, propane is delivered in portable cylinders orprimarily by “bobtail” trucks, owned and operated by the Company, to tanks located at the customer’scustomers’ premises.

Propane Wholesale Marketing.
In May 1998, Chesapeake acquired Xeron, a natural gas liquids trading company located in Houston, Texas. Xeron markets propane to large, independent petrochemical companies, resellers and retail propane companies in the southeastern United States. For 2008, Xeron had operating revenues totaling approximately $3.3 million. The propane wholesale marketing business is affected by wholesale price volatility and supply levels. Additional information on Xeron’s trading and wholesale marketing activities, market risks and the controls that limit and monitor Xeron’s risks is included in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Market Risk.”
Xeron does not own physical storage facilities or equipment to transport propane; however, it contracts for storage and pipeline capacity to facilitate the sale of propane on a wholesale basis.

Competition
See discussion onof competition in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Competition.”
- Page 5 -


Rates and Regulation
The propane distribution and wholesale marketing activities are not subject to any federal or state pricing regulation. Transport operations are subject to regulations concerning the transportation of hazardous materials promulgated underby the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act, which is administered byAdministration within the United States Department of Transportation (“DOT”) and enforced by the various states in which such operations take place. Propane distribution operations are also subject to state safety regulations relating to “hook-up” and placement of propane tanks.

The Company’s propane operations are subject to all operating hazards normally associated with the handling, storage and transportation of combustible liquids, such as the risk of personal injury and property damage caused by fire. The Company carries general liability insurance in the amount of $35 million, but there is no assurance that such insurance will be adequate.adequate to cover all potential liabilities.

Seasonality of Propane Revenues
Revenues from the Company’s propane distribution sales activities are affected by seasonal variations in weather conditions. Weather conditions directly influence the volume of propane sold and delivered to customers; specifically, customers’ demand substantially increases during the winter months when propane is used for heating. Accordingly, the propane volumes sold for this purpose are directly affected by the severity of winter weather and can vary substantially from year to year. Sustained warmer-than-normal temperatures will tend to result in reduced propane use, while sustained colder-than-normal temperatures will tend to result in greater use.
Page 10     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


(i)(c) Advanced Information Services
General
Chesapeake’s advanced information services segment consists of BravePoint, Inc. (“BravePoint”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. BravePoint, headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, which provides domestic and international clients with information technology relatedinformation-technology-related business services and solutions for both enterprise and e-business applications.

Competition
See discussion onof competition in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Competition.”

(i)(d) Other Subsidiaries
Skipjack, Inc. (“Skipjack”), Eastern Shore Real Estate, Inc. and Chesapeake Investment Company are wholly owned subsidiaries of Chesapeake Service Company. Skipjack and Eastern Shore Real Estate, Inc. own and lease office buildings in Delaware and Maryland to affiliates of Chesapeake. Chesapeake Investment Company is a Delawarean affiliated investment company.company registered in Delaware. During 2004,the quarter ended September 30, 2007, Chesapeake formed a new wholly owned subsidiary, OnSight Energy, LLC (“OnSight”),decided to provideclose its distributed energy solutions to customers requiring reliable, uninterrupted energy sources and/or those wishing to reduce energy costs.services subsidiary, OnSight.

(ii) Seasonal Nature of Business
Revenues from the Company’s residential and commercial natural gas sales and from its propane distribution activities are affected by seasonal variations, since the majority of these sales are to customers using the fuels for heating purposes. Revenues from these customers are accordingly affected by the mildness or severity of the heating season.

(iii) Capital Budget
A discussion of capital expenditures by business segment and capital expenditures for environmental controlremediation facilities areis included in Item 7 under the heading “Management“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

(iv)(iii) Employees
As of December 31, 2005,2008, Chesapeake had 423448 employees, including 185180 in natural gas, 140132 in propane and 6093 in advanced information services. The remaining 3843 employees are considered general and administrative and include officers of the Company, treasury, accounting, internal audit, information technology, human resources and other administrative personnel.
- Page 6 -

(v) Executive Officers of the Registrant
Information pertaining to the executive officers of the Company is as follows:

John R. Schimkaitis (age 58) Mr. Schimkaitis is President and Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake and its subsidiaries. Mr. Schimkaitis assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 1999. He has served as President since 1997. Prior to this, Mr. Schimkaitis served as President and Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of Chesapeake.

Paul M. Barbas (age 49) Mr. Barbas is Chief Operating Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. He was appointed to his current position effective January 1, 2006. He previously served as Executive Vice President and President of Chesapeake Service Company. He was appointed Executive Vice President in 2004 and served as Vice President and President of Chesapeake Service Company since joining the company in 2003. Prior to joining Chesapeake, Mr. Barbas was Executive Vice President of Allegheny Power. Mr. Barbas joined Allegheny Energy as President of Allegheny Ventures in 1999 and was appointed Executive Vice President of Allegheny Power in 2001. Prior to 1999 Mr. Barbas held a variety of executive positions within G.E. Capital.

Michael P. McMasters (age 47) Mr. McMasters is Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. He was appointed Senior Vice President in 2004 and has served as Chief Financial Officer since December 1996. He has previously held the positions of Vice President, Treasurer, Director of Accounting and Rates, and Controller. From 1992 to May 1994, Mr. McMasters was employed as Director of Operations Planning for Equitable Gas Company.

Stephen C. Thompson (age 45) Mr. Thompson is President of Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company and Senior Vice President of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. Prior to becoming Senior Vice President in 2004, he served as Vice President of Chesapeake since May 1997. He has also served as Vice President, Director of Gas Supply and Marketing, Superintendent of Eastern Shore and Regional Manager for the Florida distribution operations.
Beth W. Cooper (age 39) Ms. Cooper is Vice President, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. Ms. Cooper has served as Corporate Secretary since July 2005. She previously served as Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary, Director of Internal Audit, Director of Strategic Planning, Planning Consultant, Accounting Manager for Non-regulated Operations and Treasury Analyst. Prior to joining Chesapeake, she was employed as an auditor with Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneurial Services Group.

S. Robert Zola (age 53) Mr. Zola joined Sharp Energy in August of 2002 as President. Prior to joining Sharp Energy, Mr. Zola most recently served as Northeast Regional Manager of Synergy Gas, now Cornerstone MLP, in Philadelphia, PA. During his 25-year career in the propane industry, Mr. Zola also started Bluestreak Propane in Phoenix, AZ, which after successfully developing the business, was sold to Ferrell Gas.

(vi)(iv) Financial Information about Geographic Areas
All of the Company’s material operations, customers, and assets occur and are located in the United States.

(d) Available Information
(d)  
Available Information
As a public company, Chesapeake files annual, quarterly and other reports, as well as its annual proxy statement and other information, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“the SEC”). The public may read and copy any materials that the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E.
, Washington, DC 20549-5546; and the public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding the Company. The address of the SEC’s Internet website is www.sec.gov. Chesapeake makes available, free of charge, on itsthe Company’s Internet website, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The address of Chesapeake’s Internet website is www.chpk.com. The content of this website is not part of this report.
- Page 7 -


Chesapeake has a Business Code of Ethics and Conduct applicable to all employees, officers and directors and a Code of Ethics for Financial Officers. Copies of the Business Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Financial Officer Code of Ethics are available on itsour internet website. Chesapeake also adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines and Charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, each of which satisfies the regulatory requirements established by the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The Board of Directors has also adopted “CorporateCorporate Governance Guidelines on Director Independence, which conform to the NYSE listing standards on director independence. Each of these documents also is available on Chesapeake’s Internet website or may be obtained by writing to: Corporate Secretary; c/o Chesapeake Utilities Corporation; 909 Silver Lake Blvd.; Dover, DE 19904.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 11


If Chesapeake makes any amendment to, or grants a waiver of, any provision of the Business Code of Ethics and Conduct or the Financial Officer Code of Ethics for Financial Officers applicable to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, the amendment or waiver will be disclosed within five business days on the Company’s Internet website.

Our Chief Executive Officer certified to the NYSE on May 20, 2008 that, as of that date, he was unaware of any violation by Chesapeake Utilities Corporation of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
The following is a discussion of the primary financial, operational, regulatory and legal, and environmental risk factors that may affect the operations and/or financial performance of the regulated and unregulated businesses of Chesapeake. Refer to the section entitled“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”under Item 7 of this report for an additional discussion of these and other related factors that affect the Company’s operations and/or financial performance.
Financial Risks
Instability and volatility in the financial markets could have a negative impact on our growth strategy.
Our business strategy includes the continued pursuit of growth, both organically and through acquisitions. To the extent that we do not generate sufficient cash from operations, we may incur additional indebtedness to finance our growth. The principalturmoil experienced in the credit markets during 2008 and its potential impact on the liquidity of major financial institutions may have an adverse effect on our ability to fund our business economicstrategy through borrowings, under either existing or newly created arrangements in the public or private markets on terms we believe to be reasonable. Specifically, we rely on access to both short-term and longer-term capital markets as a significant source of liquidity for capital requirements not satisfied by the cash flow from our operations. Currently, $45 million of the total $100 million of short-term lines of credit utilized to satisfy our short-term financing requirements are discretionary, uncommitted lines of credit. We utilize discretionary lines of credit to reduce the cost associated with these short-term financing requirements. We are committed to maintaining a sound capital structure and strong credit ratings to provide the financial flexibility needed to access the capital markets when required. However, if we are not able to access capital at competitive rates, our ability to implement our strategic plan, undertake improvements and make other investments required for our future growth may be limited.
Current levels of market volatility are unprecedented.
The capital and credit markets have been experiencing extreme volatility and disruption for more than twelve months. In recent weeks, the volatility and disruption have reached unprecedented levels. In some cases, the markets have exerted downward pressure on stock prices and credit capacity for certain issuers. There is no assurance that recent government intervention to help stabilize credit markets and financial institutions and restore liquidity will have beneficial effects in the credit markets, will address credit or liquidity issues of companies that participate in the programs or will reduce volatility or uncertainty in the financial markets. If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, we would seek to meet our liquidity needs by drawing upon contractually committed lending agreements primarily provided by banks and/or by seeking other funding sources. Under such extreme market conditions, however, there can be no assurance that such agreements and other factors that affectfunding sources would be available or sufficient.
Page 12     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Difficult conditions in the financial services markets have materially and adversely affected the business and results of operations and/orof many financial performanceinstitutions, and we do not know when and if these conditions may improve in the near future.
Dramatic declines in the housing market during the past year, with falling home prices and increasing foreclosures and unemployment, have resulted in significant write-downs of the Company include:asset values by financial institutions, including government-sponsored entities and major commercial and investment banks. These write-downs, initially representing mortgage-backed securities but more recently including credit default swaps and other derivative securities, have caused many financial institutions to seek additional capital, to merge with larger and stronger institutions and, in some cases, to fail. Many lenders and institutional investors have reduced and, in some cases, ceased to provide funding to borrowers, including other financial institutions. This market turmoil and tightening of credit have led to an increased level of commercial and consumer delinquencies, lack of consumer confidence, increased market volatility and widespread reduction of business activity generally.

Fluctuations in weather have the potential toThe unsoundness of financial institutions could adversely affect the company’sCompany.
The Company has exposure to different industries and counterparties, and may periodically execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks and other institutional clients. These transactions may expose the Company to credit risk in the event of default of a counterparty or client. There can be no assurance that any such losses or impairments would not materially and adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations.
A downgrade in our credit rating could adversely affect our access to capital markets.
Our ability to obtain adequate and cost-effective capital depends on our credit ratings, which are greatly affected by our financial performance and the liquidity of financial markets. A downgrade in our current credit ratings could adversely affect our access to capital markets, as well as our cost of capital.
Debt covenant obligations, if triggered, may affect our financial condition.
Our long-term debt obligations and committed short-term lines of credit contain financial covenants related to debt-to-capital ratios and interest-coverage ratios. Failure to comply with any of these covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of outstanding debt obligations or the inability to borrow under certain credit agreements. Any such acceleration would cause a material adverse change in Chesapeake’s financial condition.
The continuation of recent economic conditions could adversely affect our customers and negatively impact our financial results.
The slowdown in the U.S. economy, together with increased unemployment, mortgage and other credit defaults and significant decreases in the values of homes and investment assets, have adversely affected the financial resources of many domestic households. It is unclear whether governmental responses to these conditions will be successful in lessening the severity or duration of the current recession. As a result, our customers may use less gas or propane and/or it may become more difficult for them to pay their gas or propane bills. This may slow collections and lead to higher than normal levels of accounts receivable, which in turn, could increase our financing requirements and result in higher bad debt expense.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 13


Further changes in economic conditions and interest rates may adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.
A continued downturn in the economies of the regions in which we operate might adversely affect our ability to increase our customer base and cash flows at historical rates. Further, an increase in interest rates, without the recovery of the higher cost of debt in the sales and/or transportation rates we charge our utility customers, could adversely affect future earnings. An increase in short-term interest rates would negatively affect our results of operations, which depend on short-term lines of credit to finance accounts receivable and storage gas inventories, and to temporarily finance capital expenditures.
Inflation may impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.position.
Inflation affects the cost of supply, labor, products and services required for operations, maintenance and capital improvements. To help cope with the effects of inflation on our capital investments and returns, we seek rate relief from regulatory commissions for regulated operations and closely monitor the returns of our unregulated business operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain adequate and timely rate relief to offset the effects of inflation. To compensate for fluctuations in propane gas prices, we adjust our propane selling prices to the extent allowed by the market. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to increase propane sales prices sufficiently to compensate fully for such fluctuations in the cost of propane gas to us.
Current market conditions have had a negative impact on the return on plan assets for our pension plan, which may require additional funding and negatively affect our cash flows.
We have a pension plan that has been closed to new employees since January 1, 1999. The Company’s regulated utilitycosts of providing benefits and related funding requirements of this plan are subject to changes in the market value of the assets that fund the plan. As a result of the extreme volatility and disruption in the domestic and international equity and bond markets, our pension plan experienced a decline of $4.3 million in its asset values during the year. The funded status of the plan and the related costs reflected in our financial statements are affected by various factors that are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty, particularly in the current economic environment. Under the Pension Protection Act of 2006, continued losses of asset values may necessitate accelerated funding of the plan in the future to meet minimum federal government requirements. Continued downward pressure on the asset values of the plan may require us to fund obligations earlier than it had originally planned, which would have a negative impact on our cash flows from operations, decrease borrowing capacity and increase interest expense.
Our operations are exposed to market risks, beyond our control, which could adversely affect our financial results and capital requirements.
Our PESCO and Xeron operations are subject to market risks beyond our control, including market liquidity and commodity price volatility. Although we maintain a risk management policy, we may not be able to offset completely the price risk associated with volatile commodity prices, which could lead to volatility in our earnings. Physical trading also has price risk on any net open positions at the end of each trading day, as well as volatility resulting from: (i) intra-day fluctuations of gas and/or propane prices, and (ii) daily price movements between the time natural gas and/or propane is purchased or sold for future delivery and the time the related purchase or sale is hedged. The determination of our net open position at the end of any trading day requires us to make assumptions as to future circumstances, including the use of gas and/or propane by our customers in relation to our anticipated market positions. Because the price risk associated with any net open position at the end of such day may increase if the assumptions are not realized, we review these assumptions daily. Net open positions may increase volatility in our financial condition or results of operations if market prices move in a significantly favorable or unfavorable manner, because the timing of the recognition of profits or losses on the hedges for financial accounting purposes usually does not match up with the timing of the economic profits or losses on the item being hedged. This volatility may occur, with a resulting increase or decrease in earnings or losses, even though the expected profit margin is essentially unchanged from the date the transactions were consummated.
Page 14     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Operational Risks
Fluctuations in weather may adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Our natural gas and propane distribution operations are sensitive to fluctuations in weather sensitive, with aconditions, which directly influence the volume of natural gas and propane sold and delivered. A significant portion of itsour natural gas and propane distribution revenues is derived from the deliverysales and deliveries of natural gas and propane to residential and commercial heating customers during the winter season. Generally,five-month peak heating season (November through March). If the weather is warmer than normal, we sell and deliver less natural gas and propane to customers, and earn less revenue. In addition, hurricanes or other extreme weather conditions directly influence the volumecould damage production or transportation facilities, which could result in decreased supplies of natural gas and propane, delivered by the regulated utilityincreased supply costs and propane distribution operations.

Regulation of Chesapeake, including changes in the regulatory environment in general, may adversely affect the company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
The state Public Service Commissions of Delaware, Maryland and Florida regulate the natural gas distribution operations. The Company’s natural gas transmission operation is regulated by the FERC. These regulatory commissions set the rates in their respective jurisdictions that the Company can charge customers for its rate-regulated services. Changes in these rates, as ordered by regulatory commissions, affect the Company’s financial performance.

The Company expects that regulatory commissions will continue to set thehigher prices for delivery service that give it an opportunity to earn a just and reasonable rate of return on the capital invested in its distribution system and to recover reasonable operating expenses.customers.

The amount and availability of natural gas and propane supplies are difficult to predict, which maypredict; a substantial reduction in available supplies could reduce our earnings.earnings in those segments.
Natural gas and propane production can be impactedaffected by factors outside of the Company’sbeyond our control, such as weather and refinery closings. The Company believes it has adequate resourcesIf we are unable to obtain sufficient natural gas and propane supplies to meet its customer’s needs. See discussiondemand, results in those segments may be adversely affected.
We rely on adequacy of resources in Item 1 under the heading “Business — Narrative Description of Business.”
- Page 8 -

Chesapeake relies on direct connectionshaving access to interstate pipelinesnatural gas pipelines’ transportation and storage capacity. Ifcapacity; a substantial disruption or lack of growth in these pipelines or storage facilities were unable to deliver for any reason it couldservices may impair Chesapeake’sour ability to meet its customers’ fullexisting and future requirements.
Chesapeake is responsibleIn order to meet existing and future customer demands for acquiringnatural gas, we must acquire both sufficient natural gas supplies and interstate pipeline and storage capacity to meet customerserve such requirements. As such, ChesapeakeWe must contract for reliable and adequate delivery capacity to itsfor our distribution system,systems while considering the dynamics of the interstate pipeline and storage capacity market, itsour own on-system peak-shaving facilities,resources, as well as the characteristics of its customer base.

Local distribution companies, includingour markets. Chesapeake, along with other local natural gas distribution companies and other participants in the energy industry, have raised concernshas voiced concern regarding the gradual depletion in thefuture availability of additional upstream interstate pipeline and storage capacity. Diminishing pipeline and storage capacityThis is a business issue thatwhich we must be managed by the Company, whosecontinue to manage as our customer base has grown at an annual rate between seven and nine percent. This rate of growth is expected to continue. To help maintain the adequacy of pipeline and storage capacity for its growing customer base, the Company has contracted with various interstate pipeline and storage companies for the acquisition of additional existing capacity, as well as, the construction of new capacity by ESNG. The Company will continue to monitor other opportunities to acquire or participate in obtaining additional pipeline and storage capacity that will improve or maintain the high level of service expected by its customer base.grows.

Natural gas and propane commodity price changes may affect the operating costs and competitive positions of the company’sour natural gas and propane distribution operations, which couldmay adversely affect itsour results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Natural GasGas.
Increased prices of natural gas are being driven by increased demand that is exceeding the growth in available supply. As discussed above, the fall 2005 hurricane season significantly reduced the current and anticipated availability of natural gas supply from the Gulf Coast region, causing a dramatic rise in Higher natural gas prices during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2005. The higher natural gas prices resulted in significant increases incan significantly increase the cost of gas billed to customers during the upcoming 2005-2006 winter heating season. Under its regulated gasour customers. Such cost recovery mechanisms, Chesapeake records cost of gas expense equal to the cost of gas recovered in revenues from customers. Accordingly, an increase in the cost of gas due to an increase in the purchase price of the natural gas commodityincreases generally hashave no directimmediate effect on the regulated utility’s netour revenues and net income. However,income because of our regulated gas recovery mechanisms. Our net income, however, may be reduced due toby higher expenses that we may be incurredincur for uncollectible customer accounts as well asand by lower volumes of natural gas deliveries to firmwhen customers that may result due to lower natural gas consumption caused by customer conservation. Increasesreduce their consumption. Therefore, increases in the price of natural gas also can affect the Company’sour operating cash flows as well asand the competitiveness of natural gas as an energy source.

Propane
The level of profitability in the retail propane business is largely dependent on the difference between retail sales price and product cost. The unit cost of propane is. Propane costs are subject to volatile changes as a result of product supply or other market conditions, including but not limited to, economic and political factors impactingaffecting crude oil and natural gas supply or pricing. ProductSuch cost changes can occur rapidly over a short period of time and can impactaffect profitability. There is no assurance that the Companywe will be able to pass on productpropane cost increases fully or immediately, particularly when productpropane costs increase or decrease rapidly. Therefore, average retail sales prices can vary significantly from year to yearyear-to-year as product costs fluctuate within response to propane, fuel oil, crude oil and natural gas commodity market conditions. In addition, in periods of sustained higher commodity prices, as was experienceddeclines in fiscal 2005, retail sales volumes may be negatively impacted by customer conservation effortsdue to reduced consumption and increased amounts of uncollected accounts.

The replacement of less efficient gas appliances with more energy efficient appliances will result in a decline of consumption per customer, which will lead to reduced revenues.
Natural gas and propane supply requirementsuncollectible accounts may be affected by changes in natural gas and propane consumption by end-use customers. Natural gas and propane usage per customer will decline as customers replace older, less efficient gas appliances with more efficient appliances. In addition, homebuilders in each of the growth areas are installing the newer, more efficient appliances in the homes they build.
- Page 9 -

Each of Chesapeake’s segments competes in a competitive environment and may be faced with losing customers to a competitor.
See discussion on competition in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Competition.”

A change in Chesapeake’s approved rate mechanisms for recovery of environmental remediation costs at former manufacturer gas sites could adversely affect the company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.net income.
The Company and its subsidiaries areOur propane inventory is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations related to environmental matters. These evolving laws and regulationsinventory risk, which may require expenditures over a long time frame to control environmental effects. Refer to Note M of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of these matters.

A change in the economic conditions and interest rates could adversely affect the company’sour results of operations and cash flows.financial condition.
The CompanyCompany’s propane distribution operations own bulk propane storage facilities, with an aggregate capacity of approximately 2.5 million gallons. We purchase and store propane based on several factors, including inventory levels and the price outlook. We may purchase large volumes of propane at current market prices during periods of low demand and low prices, which generally occur during the summer months. Propane is a commodity, and, as such, its subsidiaries operateunit price is subject to volatile fluctuations in oneresponse to changes in supply or other market conditions. We have no control over these market conditions. Consequently, the unit price of the fastest growing regions inpropane that we purchase can change rapidly over a short period of time. The market price for propane could fall below the nation. The continued prosperity of this region, supported by a relatively low interest-rate environment, has allowed our regulated utility to expand its delivery services to its customer baseprice at a rate of growth approximately twice the national industry average during the past five years. A downturn in the economy of the region in which we operate, or a significant increase in interest rates,made the purchases, which cannot be predicted with accuracy, mightwould adversely affect our profits or cause sales from that inventory to be unprofitable. In addition, falling propane prices may result in inventory write-downs as required by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) if the Company’s ability to grow its regulated utility customer base and other businesses at the same rate they have grown in the recent past.

The Company has been operating in a relatively low interest-rate environment in the recent past as it relates to long-term debt financings. Short-term interest rates had been relatively low in relation to historical levels; however, actions and communications by the Federal Reserve in the past year have resulted in increases in short-term interest rates. A rise in interest rates without the recoverymarket price of the higherpropane falls below our weighted average cost of debt in the sales and/or transportation rates the Company charges its utility customersinventory, and therefore, could adversely affect future earnings. A rise in short-term interest rates would negativelynet income.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 15


Operating events affecting public safety and the reliability of Chesapeake’s natural gas distribution system could adversely affect the results of operations, which depend on short-term debtfinancial condition and cash flows.
Chesapeake’s business is exposed to finance accounts receivableoperational events, such as major leaks, mechanical problems and storageaccidents, that could affect the public safety and reliability of its natural gas inventories.

Inflation / Deflation conditions may impact Chesapeake’s resultsdistribution systems, significantly increase costs and cause loss of operations, cash flows, and financial position.
See discussion on competition in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Inflation.”

Changes in technologycustomer confidence. The occurrence of any such operational events could adversely affect the Company’sresults of operations, financial condition and cash flows. If Chesapeake is unable to recover from customers, through the regulatory process, all or some of these costs and its authorized rate of return on these costs, this also could adversely affect the results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Because we operate in a competitive environment, we may lose customers to competitors.
PESCO competes with third-party suppliers to sell gas to commercial and industrial customers. In our gas transportation and distribution operations, our competitors include interstate pipelines, when our transmission and/or distribution customers are located close enough to a competing pipeline to make direct connections economically feasible.
Our propane distribution operations compete with several other propane distributors, primarily on the basis of service and price, emphasizing reliability of service and responsiveness. Some of our competitors have significantly greater resources. The retail propane industry is mature, and we foresee modest growth in total demand. Given this limited growth, we expect that year-to-year industry volumes will be principally affected by weather patterns. Therefore, our ability to grow the propane distribution business is contingent upon continued execution of our community gas systems strategy to capture additional market share, successful penetration of new service territories, and successful utilization of pricing programs that retain and grow our customer base. Failure to retain and grow our customer base would have an adverse effect on our results.
Xeron competes against various marketers, many of which have significantly greater resources and are able to obtain price or volumetric advantages.
BravePoint faces significant competition from a number of larger competitors having substantially greater resources available to them to compete on the basis of technological expertise, reputation and price.
Changes in technology may adversely affect our advanced information services segment’s results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
The advanced information services segmentBravePoint participates in a market that is characterized by rapidly changing technology and accelerating product introduction cycles. The success of our advanced information services segment depends upon our ability to address the rapidly changing needs of our customers by developing and supplying high-quality, cost-effective products, product enhancements and services, on a timely basis, and by keeping pace with technological developments and emerging industry standards. There is no assurance that we will be able to keep up with technological advancements necessary to keep our products and services competitive.

The Company’s propane wholesale andOur energy marketing operation hassubsidiaries have credit risk and credit requirements that couldmay adversely affect the Company’sour results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
The propane wholesaleXeron and marketing operation extendsPESCO extend credit to its counter-parties. DespiteWhile we believe Xeron and PESCO utilize prudent credit policies, the Companyeach of these subsidiaries is exposed to the risk that it may not be able to collect amounts owed to it. If the counter-party to such a transaction fails to perform, and any underlying collateral the Company has secured is inadequate, the Companywe could experience financial losses.

Page 16     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Xeron and PESCO are also dependent upon the availability of credit to buy propane and natural gas for resale or to trade. If financial market conditions decline generally, or the financial condition of these subsidiaries or of the Company, declines, then the cost of credit available to these subsidiaries could increase. If credit is not available, or if credit is more costly, our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition may be adversely affected.
Chesapeake’sOur use of derivative instruments couldmay adversely affect the company’sour results of operations.
The Company’sFluctuating commodity prices may affect our earnings and financing costs because our propane distribution operation usesand wholesale marketing segments use derivative instruments, including forwards, swaps and puts, to hedge propane price risk. Fluctuating propane prices cause earningsIn addition, we have utilized in the past, and financing costs of Chesapeakemay decide, after further evaluation, to be impacted. The use ofcontinue to utilize derivative instruments to hedge price risk for our Delaware and Maryland natural gas distribution divisions, as well as PESCO. While we have a risk management policy and operating procedures in place to control our exposure to risk, if we purchase derivative instruments that are not perfectlyproperly matched to theour exposure, could adversely affect the Company’sour results of operations, cash flows, and financial conditions.conditions may be adversely affected.

Changes in customer growth may affect earnings and cash flows.
Chesapeake’s ability to increase gross margins in its regulated and propane businesses is dependent upon the residential construction market, adding new commercial and industrial customers and conversion of customers to natural gas or propane from other fuel sources. Slowdowns in these markets could adversely affect the Company’s gross margin in its regulated or propane businesses, its earnings and cash flows.
Chesapeake’s businesses are capital intensive, and the costs of capital projects may be significant.
Chesapeake’s businesses are capital intensive and require significant investments in internal infrastructure projects. Our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected if we are unable to manage such capital projects effectively or if we do not receive full recovery of such capital costs in future regulatory proceedings.
Chesapeake’s facilities and operations could be targets of acts of terrorism.
Chesapeake’s natural gas distribution, natural gas transmission and propane storage facilities may be targets of terrorist activities that could result in a disruption of our ability to meet customer requirements. Terrorist attacks may also disrupt capital markets and Chesapeake’s ability to raise capital. A terrorist attack on Chesapeake’s facilities, or those of its suppliers or customers, could result in a significant decrease in revenues or a significant increase in repair costs, which could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
The risk of terrorism and political unrest and the current hostilities in the Middle East may adversely affect the economy and the price and availability of propane, refined fuels and natural gas.
Terrorist attacks, political unrest and the current hostilities in the Middle East may adversely affect the price and availability of propane, refined fuels and natural gas, as well as our results of operations, our ability to raise capital and our future growth. The impact that the foregoing may have on our industry in general, and on us in particular, is not known at this time. An act of terror could result in disruptions of crude oil or natural gas supplies and markets (the sources of propane), and our infrastructure facilities could be direct or indirect targets. Terrorist activity may also hinder our ability to transport propane and natural gas if our means of supply transportation, such as rail or pipeline, become damaged as a result of an attack. A lower level of economic activity could result in a decline in energy consumption, which could adversely affect our revenues or restrict our future growth. Instability in the financial markets as a result of terrorism could also affect our ability to raise capital. Terrorist activity and hostilities in the Middle East could likely lead to increased volatility in prices for propane, refined fuels and natural gas. We maintain insurance policies with insurers in such amounts and with such coverage and deductibles as we believe are reasonable and prudent. There can be no assurance, however, that such insurance will be adequate to protect us from all material expenses related to potential future claims for personal injury and property damage or that such levels of insurance will be available in the future at economical prices.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 17


Operational interruptions to our gas transmission and distribution activities, caused by accidents, malfunctions, severe weather (such as a major hurricane), a pandemic or acts of terrorism, could adversely impact earnings.
Inherent in our gas transmission and distribution activities are a variety of hazards and operational risks, such as leaks, ruptures and mechanical problems. If they are severe enough or if they lead to operational interruptions, they could cause substantial financial losses. In addition, these risks could result in loss of human life, significant damage to property, environmental damage, impairment of our operations and substantial loss to us. The location of pipeline and storage facilities near populated areas, including residential areas, commercial business centers, industrial sites and other public gathering places, could increase the level of damages resulting from these risks. The occurrence of any of these events could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Unionization campaigns could adversely affect our results of operations.
The Company may become a target of unionization campaigns. Unions may attempt to pressure Chesapeake’s employees to choose union representation. Such campaigns could be materially disruptive to our business and could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Regulatory and Legal Risks
Regulation of the Company, including changes in the regulatory environment, may adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
The Delaware, Maryland and Florida PSCs regulate our natural gas distribution operations in those States; ESNG is regulated by the FERC. These commissions set the rates that we can charge customers for services subject to their regulatory jurisdiction. Our ability to obtain timely future rate increases and rate supplements to maintain current rates of return depends on regulatory approvals, and there can be no assurance that our regulated operations will be able to obtain such approvals or maintain currently authorized rates of return.
We are dependent upon construction of new facilities to support future growth in earnings in our natural gas distribution and interstate pipeline operations.
Construction of new facilities required to support future growth is subject to various regulatory and developmental risks, including but not limited to: (a) our ability to obtain necessary approvals and permits by regulatory agencies on a timely basis and on terms that are acceptable to us; (b) potential changes in federal, state and local statutes and regulations, including environmental requirements, that prevent a project from proceeding or increase the anticipated cost of the project; (c) inability to acquire rights-of-way or land rights on a timely basis on terms that are acceptable to us; (d) lack of anticipated future growth in available natural gas supply; and (e) insufficient customer throughput commitments.
We are subject to operating and litigation risks that may not be fully covered by insurance.
Our operations are subject to the operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing, transporting and delivering natural gas and propane to end users. As a result, we are sometimes a defendant in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We maintain insurance policies with insurers in such amounts and with such coverages and deductibles as we believe are reasonable and prudent. There can be no assurance, however, that such insurance will be adequate to protect us from all material expenses related to potential future claims for personal injury and property damage or that such levels of insurance will be available in the future at economical prices.
Environmental Risks
Costs of compliance with environmental laws may be significant.
We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental quality and pollution control. These evolving laws and regulations may require expenditures over a long period of time to control environmental effects at current and former operating sites, including former manufactured gas plant sites that we have acquired from third parties. Compliance with these legal obligations requires us to commit capital. If we fail to comply with environmental laws and regulations, even if such failure is caused by factors beyond our control, we may be assessed civil or criminal penalties and fines.
Page 18     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


To date, we have been able to recover, through regulatory rate mechanisms, the costs associated with the remediation of former manufactured gas plant sites. However, there is no guarantee that we will be able to recover future remediation costs in the same manner or at all. A change in our approved rate mechanisms for recovery of environmental remediation costs at former manufactured gas plant sites could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Further, existing environmental laws and regulations may be revised, or new laws and regulations seeking to protect the environment may be adopted and be applicable to us. Revised or additional laws and regulations could result in additional operating restrictions on our facilities or increased compliance costs, which may not be fully recoverable.
We may be exposed to certain regulatory and financial risks related to climate change.
Climate change is receiving ever increasing attention from scientists and legislators alike. The debate is ongoing as to the extent to which our climate is changing, the potential causes of this change and its potential impacts. Some attribute global warming to increased levels of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, which has led to significant legislative and regulatory efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
There are a number of legislative and regulatory proposals to address greenhouse gas emissions, which are in various phases of discussion or implementation. The outcome of federal and state actions to address global climate change could result in a variety of regulatory programs, including potential new regulations, additional charges to fund energy efficiency activities, or other regulatory actions. These actions could:
result in increased costs associated with our operations;
- Page 10 -

increase other costs to our business;
affect the demand for natural gas and propane; and

impact the prices we charge our customers.
Any adoption by federal or state governments mandating a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions could have far-reaching and significant impacts on the energy industry. We cannot predict the potential impact of such laws or regulations on our future consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.

Item 2. PropertiesProperties.
(a) General
(a)  
General
The Company owns offices and operates facilities in the following locations: Pocomoke, Salisbury, Cambridge and Princess Anne, Maryland; Dover, Seaford, Laurel and Georgetown, Delaware; Lecato, Virginia; and Winter Haven, Florida. ChesapeakeThe Company rents office space in Dover, and Ocean View, and South Bethany, Delaware; Jupiter and Lecanto, Florida; Chincoteague and Belle Haven, Virginia; Easton, and Salisbury, Maryland; Honey Brook and Allentown, Pennsylvania; Houston, Texas; and Atlanta,Norcross, Georgia. In general, the Company believes that its propertiesoffices and facilities are adequate for the uses for which they are employed. Capacity and utilization of the Company’s facilities can vary significantly due to the seasonal nature of the natural gas and propane distribution businesses.

(b) Natural Gas Distribution
(b)  
Natural Gas Distribution
ChesapeakeThe Company owns over 8801,076 miles of natural gas distribution mains (together with related service lines, meters and regulators) located in its Delaware and Maryland service areas and 695754 miles of natural gas distribution mains (and related equipment) in its central Florida service areas. ChesapeakeThe Company also owns facilities in Delaware and Maryland, which it uses for propane-air injection during periods of peak demand.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 19
(c)  
Natural Gas Transmission


Eastern Shore
(c) Natural Gas Transmission
ESNG owns and operates approximately 331379 miles of transmission pipelines, extending from supply interconnects at Parkesburg, Pennsylvania; Daleville, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania; and Hockessin, Delaware, to approximately 7581 delivery points in southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and the eastern shoreEastern Shore of Maryland.

(d) Propane Distribution and Wholesale Marketing
(d)  
Propane Distribution and Wholesale Marketing
The company’sCompany’s Delmarva-based propane distribution operation owns bulk propane storage facilities, with an aggregate capacity of approximately 2.02.4 million gallons, at 42 plant facilities in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, located on real estate that is either owned or leased. The Company’s Florida-based propane distribution operation owns three bulk propane storage facilities with a total capacity of 66,000 gallons. Xeron does not own physical storage facilities or equipment to transport propane; however, it leases propane storage capacity and pipeline capacity.

Item 3. Legal ProceedingsProceedings.
(a) General
(a)  
General
The Company and its subsidiaries are currently involved in various legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business. The Company is also involved in certain legal and administrative proceedings before various governmental agencies concerning rates. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these current proceedings will not have a material effect on ourthe Company’s consolidated financial position.
(b) Environmental
(b)  
Environmental
See discussion of environmental commitments and contingencies in Item 8 under the heading “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note M.N.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None
- Page 11 -

Part IIItem 4A. Executive Officers of the Registrant.
Set forth below are the names, ages, and positions of executive officers of the registrant at December 31, 2008, with their recent business experience. The age of each officer is as of the filing date of this report.

NameAgePosition
John R. Schimkaitis61President and Chief Executive Officer
Michael P. McMasters50Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Beth W. Cooper42Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Stephen C. Thompson48Senior Vice President and President, ESNG
S. Robert Zola56President, Sharp Energy
Item 5. MarketJohn R. Schimkaitis is President and Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake and its subsidiaries. Mr. Schimkaitis assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 1999. He has served as President since 1997. Mr. Schimkaitis previously served as Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of Chesapeake.
Michael P. McMasters was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in September of 2008. Prior to this appointment, Mr. McMasters served as Senior Vice President since 2004 and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 1996. He has previously held the positions of Vice President, Treasurer, Director of Accounting and Rates, and Controller. From 1992 to May 1994, Mr. McMasters was employed as Director of Operations Planning for Equitable Gas Company.
Page 20     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Beth W. Cooper was appointed as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in September of 2008 in addition to her duties as Treasurer and Corporate Secretary. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Cooper served as Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation since July 2005. She has served as Treasurer of the Company since 2003. She previously served as Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary, Director of Internal Audit, Director of Strategic Planning, Planning Consultant, Accounting Manager for Non-regulated Operations and Treasury Analyst. Prior to joining Chesapeake, she was employed as an auditor with Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneurial Services Group.
Stephen C. Thompson is Senior Vice President of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and President of ESNG. Prior to becoming Senior Vice President in 2004, he served as Vice President of Chesapeake. He has also served as Vice President, Director of Gas Supply and Marketing, Superintendent of ESNG and Regional Manager for the Florida distribution operations.
S. Robert Zola joined Sharp Energy in August 2002 as President. Prior to joining Sharp Energy, Mr. Zola most recently served as Northeast Regional Manager of Synergy Gas, now Cornerstone MLP, in Philadelphia, PA. During his 27-year career in the propane industry, Mr. Zola also started and successfully developed Bluestreak Propane, in Phoenix, AZ, which was ultimately sold to Ferrellgas.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 21


Part II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
(a) Common Equity, Related Stockholder MattersStock Price Ranges, Common Stock Dividends and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.Shareholder Information:
(a)  
Common Stock Price Ranges, Common Stock Dividends and Shareholder Information:
The Company’s Common Stockcommon stock is listed on the New York Stock ExchangeNYSE under the symbol “CPK.” The high, low and closing prices of Chesapeake’s Common Stockthe Company’s common stock and dividends declared per share for each calendar quarter during the years 20052008 and 20042007 were as follows:
                   
                Dividends 
                Declared 
Quarter Ended High  Low  Close  Per Share 
2008
                  
  March 31 $33.60  $27.21  $29.64  $0.295 
  June 30  31.88   25.02   25.72   0.305 
  September 30  34.84   24.65   33.21   0.305 
  December 31  34.66   21.93   31.48   0.305 
                   
2007
                  
  March 31 $31.10  $28.85  $30.94  $0.290 
  June 30  35.58   29.92   34.24   0.295 
  September 30  37.25   28.00   33.94   0.295 
  December 31  36.38   29.59   31.85   0.295 

Holders
 
Quarter Ended
High
 
Low
 
Close
 
Dividends Declared Per Share
 
2005
        
March 31
$
27.5900
 
$
25.8300
 
$
26.6000
 
$
0.2800
 
June 30
 
30.9500
  
23.6000
  
30.5800
  
0.2850
 
September 30
 
35.6000
  
59.5000
  
35.1620
  
0.2850
 
December 31
 
35.7799
  
30.3227
  
30.8000
  
0.2850
 
             
2004
            
March 31$26.5100 $24.3000 $25.6200 $0.2750 
June 30 26.2000  20.4200  22.7000  0.2800 
September 30 25.4000  22.1000  25.1000  0.2800 
December 31 27.5500  24.5000  26.7000  0.2800 
             
At December 31, 2008, there were 1,914 holders of record of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation common stock.
Dividends

Dividend paymentsChesapeake has paid a cash dividend to common stock shareholders for forty-eight consecutive years. Dividends are payable at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Future payment of dividends, and the amount of these dividends, will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, and other factors. We sold no securities during the year 20052008 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Indentures to the long-term debt of the Company contain various restrictions. In terms of restrictions which limit the payment of dividends by the Company, each of the Company’s Unsecured Senior Notes contains a “Restricted Payments” covenant. The most stringent restrictions staterestrictive covenants of this type are included within the 7.83% Senior Notes, due January 1, 2015. The covenant provides that the Company must maintain equitycannot pay or declare any dividends or make any other Restricted Payments (such as dividends) in excess of at least 40 percentthe sum of total capitalization$10.0 million plus consolidated net income of the Company accrued on and the pro-forma fixed charge coverage ratio must be at least 1.5 times.

Atafter January 1, 2001. As of December 31, 2005, there were approximately 2,026 shareholders2008, the Company’s cumulative consolidated net income base was $86.9 million, offset by Restricted Payments of record$54.4 million, leaving $32.5 million of cumulative net income free of restrictions.
Page 22     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


(b) Purchases of Equity Securities by the Common Stock.Issuer
- Page 12 -


(b)  
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
The following table sets forth information on purchases by or on behalf of Chesapeake of shares of its Common Stockcommon stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2005.
2008.
                 
  Total      Total Number of Shares  Maximum Number of 
  Number of  Average  Purchased as Part of  Shares That May Yet Be 
  Shares  Price Paid  Publicly Announced Plans  Purchased Under the 
Period Purchased  Per Share  or Programs(2)  Plans or Programs(2) 
October 1, 2008 through October 31, 2008(1)
  594  $31.62   0   0 
November 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008  0  $0.00   0   0 
December 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008  0  $0.00   0   0 
             
Total  594  $31.62   0   0 
             
(1)Chesapeake purchased shares of stock on the open market for the purpose of reinvesting the dividend on deferred stock units held in the Rabbi Trust accounts for certain Senior Executives and Directors under the Deferred Compensation Plan. The Deferred Compensation Plan is discussed in detail in Note K to the Consolidated Financial Statements. During the quarter, 594 shares were purchased through the reinvestment of dividends on deferred stock units.
(2)Except for the purposes described in Footnote (1), Chesapeake has no publicly announced plans or programs to repurchase its shares.

Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (2)
 
Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2)
 
October 1, 2005 through October 31, 2005 (1)
  295 $36.00  0  0 
November 1, 2005 through November 30, 2005  0 $0.00  0  0 
December 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005  0 $0.00  0  0 
Total  295 $36.00  0  0 
              
(1) Chesapeake purchased shares of stock on the open market to add to shares held in a Rabbi Trust to adjust the balance to the contractual value. 295 shares were purchased through executive dividend deferrals.
 
(2) Chesapeake has no publicly announced plans or programs to repurchase its shares.
 

See discussion onDiscussion of compensation plans of Chesapeake and its subsidiaries, underfor which shares of Chesapeake common stock are authorized for issuance, included in Item 12 under the heading “Security Ownershipportion of Certain Beneficial Ownersthe Proxy Statement captioned “Equity Compensation Plan Information” to be filed not later than March 31, 2009, in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting to be held on May 6, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Common Stock Performance Graph
The following stock Performance Graph compares cumulative total shareholder return on a hypothetical investment in the Company’s common stock during the five fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, with the cumulative total shareholder return on a hypothetical investment in both (i) the Standard & Poor’s 500 (“S&P 500 Index”), and Management(ii) an industry index consisting of 13 companies in the Edward Jones Natural Gas Distribution Group, a published listing of selected gas distribution utilities’ results. The Company’s Performance Graph for the previous year included all but one of these same companies. The Company’s Compensation Committee utilizes the Edward Jones Natural Gas Distribution Group as its peer group to which the Company’s performance is compared for purposes of determining the level of long-term performance awards earned by the Company’s named executives.
The thirteen companies in the Edward Jones Natural Gas Distribution Group industry index include: AGL Resources, Inc., Atmos Energy Corporation, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, Corning Natural Gas Corporation, Delta Natural Gas Company, Inc., Energy West, Inc., The Laclede Group, Inc., New Jersey Resources Corporation, Northwest Natural Gas Company, Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc., RGC Resources, Inc., South Jersey Industries, Inc., and Related Stockholder Matters.
WGL Holdings, Inc. The Company excluded EnergySouth, Inc. from its comparison due to its recent acquisition by Sempra Energy.
The comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2003 in the Company’s common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvested dividends. The comparisons in the graph below are based on historical data and are not intended to forecast the possible future performance of the Company’s common stock.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 23


                         
  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
Chesapeake
 $100  $107  $128  $133  $143  $147 
Industry Index
 $100  $117  $123  $147  $152  $163 
S&P 500 Index
 $100  $111  $116  $135  $142  $90 
- Page 13 -24     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K




Item 6. Selected Financial Data
             
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006(3) 
Operating(in thousands of dollars)(1)
            
Revenues            
Natural gas $211,402  $181,202  $170,374 
Propane  65,877   62,838   48,576 
Advanced informations systems  14,720   15,099   12,568 
Other and eliminations  (556)  (853)  (318)
          
Total revenues $291,443  $258,286  $231,200 
             
Operating income            
Natural gas $25,846  $22,485  $19,733 
Propane  1,586   4,498   2,534 
Advanced informations systems  695   836   767 
Other and eliminations  352   295   298 
          
Total operating income $28,479  $28,114  $23,332 
             
Net income from continuing operations $13,607  $13,218  $10,748 
          
             
Assets(in thousands of dollars)
            
Gross property, plant and equipment $381,688  $352,838  $325,836 
Net property, plant and equipment(2)
 $280,671  $260,423  $240,825 
Total assets(2)
 $385,795  $381,557  $325,585 
Capital expenditures(1)
 $30,844  $30,142  $49,154 
          
             
Capitalization(in thousands of dollars)
            
Stockholders’ equity $123,073  $119,576  $111,152 
Long-term debt, net of current maturities  86,422   63,256   71,050 
          
Total capitalization $209,495  $182,832  $182,202 
             
Current portion of long-term debt  6,657   7,656   7,656 
Short-term debt  33,000   45,664   27,554 
          
Total capitalization and short-term financing $249,152  $236,152  $217,412 
          
(1)These amounts exclude the results of distributed energy and water services due to their reclassification to discontinued operations. The Company closed its distributed energy operation in 2007. All assets of all of the water businesses were sold in 2004 and 2003.
(2)SFAS No. 143 was adopted in the year 2001; therefore, SFAS No. 143 was not applicable for the years prior to 2001.
(3)SFAS No. 123R and SFAS No. 158 were adopted in the year 2006; therefore, they were not applicable for the years prior to 2006.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 25


                             
  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  1999 
                             
  $166,582  $124,246  $110,247  $93,588  $107,418  $101,138  $75,637 
   48,976   41,500   41,029   29,238   35,742   31,780   25,199 
   14,140   12,427   12,578   12,764   14,104   12,390   13,531 
   (213)  (218)  (286)  (334)  (113)  (131)  (14)
                      
  $229,485  $177,955  $163,568  $135,256  $157,151  $145,177  $114,353 
                             
  $17,236  $17,091  $16,653  $14,973  $14,405  $12,798  $10,388 
   3,209   2,364   3,875   1,052   913   2,135   2,622 
   1,197   387   692   343   517   336   1,470 
   279   335   359   237   386   816   495 
                      
  $21,921  $20,177  $21,579  $16,605  $16,221  $16,085  $14,975 
                             
  $10,699  $9,686  $10,079  $7,535  $7,341  $7,665  $8,372 
                      
 
  $280,345  $250,267  $234,919  $229,128  $216,903  $192,925  $172,068 
  $201,504  $177,053  $167,872  $166,846  $161,014  $131,466  $117,663 
  $295,980  $241,938  $222,058  $223,721  $222,229  $211,764  $166,958 
  $33,423  $17,830  $11,822  $13,836  $26,293  $22,057  $21,365 
                      
                             
  $84,757  $77,962  $72,939  $67,350  $67,517  $64,669  $60,714 
   58,991   66,190   69,416   73,408   48,409   50,921   33,777 
                      
  $143,748  $144,152  $142,355  $140,758  $115,926  $115,590  $94,491 
                             
   4,929   2,909   3,665   3,938   2,686   2,665   2,665 
   35,482   5,002   3,515   10,900   42,100   25,400   23,000 
                      
  $184,159  $152,063  $149,535  $155,596  $160,712  $143,655  $120,156 
                      
Page 26     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K

For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
2002 (1)
 
2001 (1)
 
Operating (in thousands of dollars) (3)
           
Revenues           
Natural gas distribution and transmission 
$
166,582
 $124,246 $110,247 $93,588 $107,418 
Propane  
48,976
  41,500  41,029  29,238  35,742 
Advanced informations systems  
14,140
  12,427  12,578  12,764  14,104 
Other and eliminations  
(68
)
 (218) (286) (334) (113)
Total revenues 
$
229,630
 $177,955 $163,568 $135,256 $157,151 
                 
Operating income                
Natural gas distribution and transmission 
$
17,236
 $17,091 $16,653 $14,973 $14,405 
Propane  
3,209
  2,364  3,875  1,052  913 
Advanced informations systems  
1,197
  387  692  343  517 
Other and eliminations  
(112
)
 128  359  237  386 
Total operating income 
$
21,530
 $19,970 $21,579 $16,605 $16,221 
                 
Net income from continuing operations 
$
10,468
 $9,550 $10,079 $7,535 $7,341 
                 
                 
Assets (in thousands of dollars)
                
Gross property, plant and equipment 
$
280,345
 $250,267 $234,919 $229,128 $216,903 
Net property, plant and equipment (4)
 
$
201,504
 $177,053 $167,872 $166,846 $161,014 
Total assets (4)
 
$
295,980
 $241,938 $222,058 $223,721 $222,229 
Capital expenditures (3)
 
$
33,423
 $17,830 $11,822 $13,836 $26,293 
                 
                 
Capitalization (in thousands of dollars)
                
Stockholders' equity 
$
84,757
 $77,962 $72,939 $67,350 $67,517 
Long-term debt, net of current maturities  
58,991
  66,190  69,416  73,408  48,409 
Total capitalization 
$
143,748
 $144,152 $142,355 $140,758 $115,926 
                 
Current portion of long-term debt 
$
4,929
 $2,909 $3,665 $3,938 $2,686 
Short-term debt  
35,482
  5,002  3,515  10,900  42,100 
Total capitalization and short-term financing 
$
184,159
 $152,063 $149,535 $155,596 $160,712 
                 
                 
                 
(1) The years 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999 have been restated in order to reflect the Company’s Delaware and Maryland natural gas divisions on the accrual” rather than the “as billed” revenue recognition method.
 
(2) The years 1998, 1997, and 1996 have not been restated to reflect the “accrual” revenue recognition method due to the immateriality of the impact on the Company’s financial results.
 
(3) These amounts exclude the results of water services due to their reclassification to discontinued operations. The assets of all of the water businesses were sold in 2004 and 2003.
 
(4) The years 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 reflect the results of adopting SFAS 143.
 


- Page 14 -


Item 6. Selected Financial Data
             
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006(3) 
Common Stock Data and Ratios
            
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations(1)
 $2.00  $1.96  $1.78 
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations(1)
 $1.98  $1.94  $1.76 
             
Return on average equity from continuing operations(1)
  11.2%  11.5%  11.0%
             
Common equity / total capitalization  58.7%  65.4%  61.0%
Common equity / total capitalization and short-term financing  49.4%  50.6%  51.1%
             
Book value per share $18.03  $17.64  $16.62 
          
             
Market price:            
High $34.840  $37.250  $35.650 
Low $21.930  $28.000  $27.900 
Close $31.480  $31.850  $30.650 
          
             
Average number of shares outstanding  6,811,848   6,743,041   6,032,462 
Shares outstanding at year-end  6,827,121   6,777,410   6,688,084 
Registered common shareholders  1,914   1,920   1,978 
             
Cash dividends declared per share $1.21  $1.18  $1.16 
Dividend yield (annualized)(2)
  3.9%  3.7%  3.8%
Payout ratio from continuing operations(1) (4)
  60.5%  60.2%  65.2%
          
             
Additional Data
            
Customers            
Natural gas distribution and transmission  65,201   62,884   59,132 
Propane distribution  34,981   34,143   33,282 
          
             
Volumes            
Natural gas deliveries (in MMCF)  39,778   34,820   34,321 
Propane distribution (in thousands of gallons)  27,956   29,785   24,243 
          
             
Heating degree-days (Delmarva Peninsula)            
Actual HDD  4,431   4,504   3,931 
10 -year average HDD (normal)  4,401   4,376   4,372 
             
Propane bulk storage capacity (in thousands of gallons)  2,471   2,441   2,315 
             
Total employees(1)
  448   445   437 
          
(1)These amounts exclude the results of distributed energy and water services due to their reclassification to discontinued operations. The Company closed its distributed energy operation in 2007. All assets of all of the water businesses were sold in 2004 and 2003.
(2)Dividend yield (annualized) is calculated by multiplying the fourth quarter dividend by four (4), then dividing that amount by the closing common stock price at December 31.
(3)SFAS No. 123R and SFAS No. 158 were adopted in the year 2006; therefore, they were not applicable for the years prior to 2006.
(4)The payout ratio from continuing operations is calculated by dividing cash dividends declared per share (for the year) by basic earnings per share from continuing operations.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 27


                             
  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  1999 
  $1.83  $1.68  $1.80  $1.37  $1.37  $1.46  $1.63 
  $1.81  $1.64  $1.76  $1.37  $1.35  $1.43  $1.59 
                             
   13.2%  12.8%  14.4%  11.2%  11.1%  12.2%  14.3%
                             
   59.0%  54.1%  51.2%  47.8%  58.2%  55.9%  64.3%
   46.0%  51.3%  48.8%  43.3%  42.0%  45.0%  50.5%
                             
  $14.41  $13.49  $12.89  $12.16  $12.45  $12.21  $11.71 
                      
                             
  $35.780  $27.550  $26.700  $21.990  $19.900  $18.875  $19.813 
  $23.600  $20.420  $18.400  $16.500  $17.375  $16.250  $14.875 
  $30.800  $26.700  $26.050  $18.300  $19.800  $18.625  $18.375 
                      
                             
   5,836,463   5,735,405   5,610,592   5,489,424   5,367,433   5,249,439   5,144,449 
   5,883,099   5,778,976   5,660,594   5,537,710   5,424,962   5,297,443   5,186,546 
   2,026   2,026   2,069   2,130   2,171   2,166   2,212 
                             
  $1.14  $1.12  $1.10  $1.10  $1.10  $1.07  $1.03 
   3.7%  4.2%  4.2%  6.0%  5.6%  5.8%  5.7%
   62.3%  66.7%  61.1%  80.3%  80.3%  73.3%  63.2%
                      
                             
   54,786   50,878   47,649   45,133   42,741   40,854   39,029 
   32,117   34,888   34,894   34,566   35,530   35,563   35,267 
                      
                             
   34,981   31,430   29,375   27,935   27,264   30,830   27,383 
   26,178   24,979   25,147   21,185   23,080   28,469   27,788 
                      
                             
   4,792   4,553   4,715   4,161   4,368   4,730   4,082 
   4,436   4,389   4,409   4,393   4,446   4,356   4,409 
 
   2,315   2,045   2,195   2,151   1,958   1,928   1,926 
                             
   423   426   439   455   458   471   466 
                      
Page 28     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2000 (1)
 
1999 (1)
 
1998 (2)
 
1997 (2)
 
1996 (2)
 
Operating (in thousands of dollars) (3)
           
Revenues           
Natural gas distribution and transmission $101,138 $75,637 $68,770 $88,108 $90,044 
Propane  31,780  25,199  23,377  28,614  36,727 
Advanced informations systems  12,390  13,531  10,331  7,786  7,230 
Other and eliminations  (131) (14) (15) (182) (243)
Total revenues $145,177 $114,353 $102,463 $124,326 $133,758 
                 
Operating income                
Natural gas distribution and transmission $12,798 $10,388 $8,820 $9,240 $9,627 
Propane  2,135  2,622  965  1,137  2,668 
Advanced informations systems  336  1,470  1,316  1,046  1,056 
Other and eliminations  816  495  485  558  560 
Total operating income $16,085 $14,975 $11,586 $11,981 $13,911 
                 
Net income from continuing operations $7,665 $8,372 $5,329 $5,812 $7,764 
                 
                 
Assets (in thousands of dollars)
                
Gross property, plant and equipment $192,925 $172,068 $152,991 $144,251 $134,001 
Net property, plant and equipment (4)
 $131,466 $117,663 $104,266 $99,879 $94,014 
Total assets (4)
 $211,764 $166,958 $145,029 $145,719 $155,786 
Capital expenditures (3)
 $22,057 $21,365 $12,516 $13,471 $15,399 
                 
                 
Capitalization (in thousands of dollars)
                
Stockholders' equity $64,669 $60,714 $56,356 $53,656 $50,700 
Long-term debt, net of current maturities  50,921  33,777  37,597  38,226  28,984 
Total capitalization $115,590 $94,491 $93,953 $91,882 $79,684 
                 
Current portion of long-term debt $2,665 $2,665 $520 $1,051 $3,526 
Short-term debt  25,400  23,000  11,600  7,600  12,735 
Total capitalization and short-term financing $143,655 $120,156 $106,073 $100,533 $95,945 
                 
                 
                 
(1) The years 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999 have been restated in order to reflect the Company’s Delaware and Maryland natural gas divisions on the “accrual” rather than the “as billed” revenue recognition method.
 
(2) The years 1998, 1997, and 1996 have not been restated to reflect the “accrual” revenue recognition method due to the immateriality of the impact on the Company’s financial results.
 
(3) These amounts exclude the results of water services due to their reclassification to discontinued operations. The assets of all of the water businesses were sold in 2004 and 2003.
 
(4) The years 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 reflect the results of adopting SFAS 143.
 
- Page 15 -


Item 6. Selected Financial Data
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
2002 (1)
 
2001 (1)
 
Common Stock Data and Ratios
           
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (3)
 
$
1.79
 $1.66 $1.80 $1.37 $1.37 
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (3)
 
$
1.77
 $1.64 $1.76 $1.37 $1.35 
                 
Return on average equity from continuing operations (3)
  
12.9
%
 12.7% 14.4% 11.2% 11.1%
                 
Common equity / total capitalization  
59.0
%
 54.1% 51.2% 47.8% 58.2%
Common equity / total capitalization and short-term financing  
46.0
%
 51.3% 48.8% 43.3% 42.0%
                 
Book value per share 
$
14.41
 $13.49 $12.89 $12.16 $12.45 
                 
                 
Market price:                
High  
$
35.780
 $27.550 $26.700 $21.990 $19.900 
Low  
$
23.600
 $20.420 $18.400 $16.500 $17.375 
Close  
$
30.800
 $26.700 $26.050 $18.300 $19.800 
                 
                 
Average number of shares outstanding  
5,836,463
  5,735,405  5,610,592  5,489,424  5,367,433 
Shares outstanding at year-end  
5,845,571
  5,730,801  5,612,935  5,500,357  5,394,516 
Registered common shareholders  
2,026
  2,026  2,069  2,130  2,171 
                 
Cash dividends declared per share 
$
1.14
 $1.12 $1.10 $1.10 $1.10 
Dividend yield (annualized) (4)
  
3.7
%
 4.2% 4.2% 6.0% 5.6%
Payout ratio from continuing operations (3) (5)
  
63.7
%
 67.5% 61.1% 80.3% 80.3%
                 
                 
Additional Data
                
Customers                
Natural gas distribution and transmission   
54,786
  50,878  47,649  45,133  42,741 
Propane distribution   
35,367
  34,888  34,894  34,566  35,530 
                 
                 
Volumes                
Natural gas deliveries (in MMCF)   
34,981
  31,430  29,375  27,935  27,264 
Propane distribution (in thousands of gallons)   
26,178
  24,979  25,147  21,185  23,080 
                 
                 
Heating degree-days (Delmarva Peninsula)  
4,792
  4,553  4,715  4,161  4,368 
                 
Propane bulk storage capacity (in thousands of gallons)  
2,315
  2,045  2,195  2,151  1,958 
                 
Total employees (3)
  
423
  426  439  455  458 
                 
                 
                 
(1) The years 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999 have been restated in order to reflect the Company’s Delaware and Maryland natural gas divisions on the “accrual” rather than the “as billed” revenue recognition method.
 
(2) The years 1998, 1997, and 1996 have not been restated to reflect the “accrual” revenue recognition method due to the immateriality of the impact on the Company’s financial results.
 
(3) These amounts exclude the results of water services due to their reclassification to discontinued operations. The assets of all of the water businesses were sold in 2004 and 2003. 
 
(4) Dividend yield (annualized) is calculated by multiplying the fourth quarter dividend declared by four (4), then dividing that amount by the closing common stock price at December 31. 
 
(5) The payout ratio from continuing operations is calculated by dividing cash dividends declared per share (for the year) by basic earnings per share from continuing operations.
 
- Page 16 -


Item 6. Selected Financial Data
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2000 (1)
 
1999 (1)
 
1998 (2)
 
1997 (2)
 
1996 (2)
 
Common Stock Data and Ratios
           
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (3)
 $1.46 $1.63 $1.05 $1.17 $1.58 
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (3)
 $1.43 $1.59 $1.04 $1.15 $1.54 
                 
Return on average equity from continuing operations (3)
  12.2% 14.3% 9.7% 11.1% 16.1%
                 
Common equity / total capitalization  55.9% 64.3% 60.0% 58.4% 63.6%
Common equity / total capitalization and short-term financing  45.0% 50.5% 53.1% 53.4% 52.8%
                 
Book value per share $12.21 $11.71 $11.06 $10.72 $10.26 
                 
                 
Market price:                
High  $18.875 $19.813 $20.500 $21.750 $18.000 
Low  $16.250 $14.875 $16.500 $16.250 $15.125 
Close  $18.625 $18.375 $18.313 $20.500 $16.875 
                 
                 
Average number of shares outstanding  5,249,439  5,144,449  5,060,328  4,972,086  4,912,136 
Shares outstanding at year-end  5,290,001  5,186,546  5,093,788  5,004,078  4,939,515 
Registered common shareholders  2,166  2,212  2,271  2,178  2,213 
                 
Cash dividends declared per share $1.07 $1.03 $1.00 $0.97 $0.93 
Dividend yield (annualized) (4)
  5.8% 5.7% 5.5% 4.7% 5.5%
Payout ratio from continuing operations (3) (5)
  73.3% 63.2% 95.2% 82.9% 58.9%
                 
                 
Additional Data
                
Customers                
Natural gas distribution and transmission   40,854  39,029  37,128  35,797  34,713 
Propane distribution   35,563  35,267  34,113  33,123  31,961 
                 
                 
Volumes                
Natural gas deliveries (in MMCF)   30,830  27,383  21,400  23,297  24,835 
Propane distribution (in thousands of gallons)   28,469  27,788  25,979  26,682  29,975 
                 
                 
Heating degree-days (Delmarva Peninsula)  4,730  4,082  3,704  4,430  4,717 
                 
Propane bulk storage capacity (in thousands of gallons)  1,928  1,926  1,890  1,866  1,860 
                 
Total employees (3)
  471  466  431  397  338 
                 
                 
                 
(1) The years 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999 have been restated in order to reflect the Company’s Delaware and Maryland natural gas divisions on the “accrual” rather than the “as billed” revenue recognition method.
 
(2) The years 1998, 1997, and 1996 have not been restated to reflect the “accrual” revenue recognition method due to the immateriality of the impact on the Companys financial results.
 
(3) These amounts exclude the results of water services due to their reclassification to discontinued operations. The assets of all of the water businesses were sold in 2004 and 2003. 
 
(4) Dividend yield (annualized) is calculated by multiplying the fourth quarter dividend declared by four (4), then dividing that amount by the closing common stock price at December 31. 
 
(5) The payout ratio from continuing operations is calculated by dividing cash dividends declared per share (for the year) by basic earnings per share from continuing operations. 
 
- Page 17 -


Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INTRODUCTION

This section provides management’s discussion of Chesapeake and its consolidated subsidiaries, with specific information on results of operations and liquidity and capital resources. It includes management’s interpretation of our financial results, the factors affecting these results, the major factors expected to affect future operating results and future investment and financing plans. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
Business DescriptionSeveral factors exist that could influence our future financial performance, some of which are described in Item 1A above, “Risk Factors.” They should be considered in connection with evaluating forward-looking statements contained in this report, or otherwise made by or on behalf of us, since these factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those set out in such forward-looking statements.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (“Chesapeake” or “the Company”) is a diversified utility company engaged, directly or through subsidiaries in natural gas distribution, transmission and marketing, propane distribution and wholesale marketing, advanced information services and other related businesses.

Critical Accounting Policies
Chesapeake’s reported financial conditionThe Company’s strategy is focused on growing earnings from a stable utility foundation and resultsinvesting in related businesses and services that provide opportunities for returns greater than traditional utility returns. The key elements of operations are affected by the accounting methods, assumptions and estimates that are used in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements. Because most of Chesapeake’s businesses are regulated, the accounting methods used by Chesapeake must comply with the requirements of the regulatory bodies; therefore, the choices available are limited by these regulatory requirements. Management believes that the following policies require significant estimates or other judgments of matters that are inherently uncertain. These policies and their application have been discussed with Chesapeake’s Audit Committee.

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Chesapeake records certain assets and liabilities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 71 “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.” Costs are deferred when there is a probable expectation that they will be recovered in future revenues as a result of the regulatory process. At December 31, 2005, Chesapeake had recorded regulatory assets of $5.6 million, including $4.0 million for under-recovered purchased gas costs, $712,000 for tax-related regulatory assets, and $304,000 for conservation cost recovery. The Company has recorded regulatory liabilities totaling $19.3 million, including $16.7 million for accrued asset removal cost, $1.4 million for self-insurance, $483,000 for cash in/cash out, and $328,000 for tax-related regulatory assets at December 31, 2005. If the Company were required to terminate application of SFAS No. 71, it would be required to recognize all such deferred amounts as a charge to earnings, net of applicable income taxes. Such a charge could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

Valuation of Environmental Assets and Liabilities
As more fully described in Note M to the Financial Statements, Chesapeake has completed its responsibilities related to one environmental site and is currently participating in the investigation, assessment or remediation of three other former gas manufacturing plant sites. Amounts have been recorded as environmental liabilities and associated environmental regulatory assets based on estimates of future costs provided by independent consultants. There is uncertainty in these amounts because the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) or state authority may not have selected the final remediation methods. Additionally, there is uncertainty due to the outcome of legal remedies sought from other potentially responsible parties. At December 31, 2005, Chesapeake had recorded environmental regulatory assets of $195,000 and a regulatory liability of $298,000 for over-collections and an additional liability of $353,000 for environmental costs.

Propane Wholesale Marketing Contracts
Chesapeake’s propane wholesale marketing operation enters into forward and futures contracts that are considered derivatives under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” In accordance with the pronouncement, open positions are marked to market prices at the end of each reporting period and unrealized gains or losses are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income as revenue. The contracts all mature within one year, and are almost exclusively for propane commodities with delivery points of Mt. Belvieu, Texas, Conway, Kansas and Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Management estimates the market valuation based on references to exchange-traded futures prices, historical differentials and actual trading activity at the end of the reporting period. At December 31, 2005, these contracts had net unrealized gains of $46,000 that was recorded in the financial statements. At December 31, 2004, these contracts had net unrealized losses of $182,000 that were recorded in the financial statements.

this strategy include:
executing a capital investment program in pursuit of organic growth opportunities that generate returns equal to or greater than our cost of capital;
- Page 18 -

Operating Revenues
Revenues forexpanding the natural gas distribution operations ofand transmission business through expansion into new geographic areas in our current service territories;
expanding the propane distribution business in existing and new markets through leveraging our community gas system services and our bulk delivery capabilities;
utilizing the Company’s expertise across our various businesses to improve overall performance;
enhancing marketing channels to attract new customers;
providing reliable and responsive customer service to retain existing customers;
maintaining a capital structure that enables the Company are based on rates approved by the public service commissions of the jurisdictions in which we operate. The natural gas transmission operation’s revenues are based on rates approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Customers’ base rates may not be changed without formal approval by these commissions. However, the regulatory authorities have granted the Company’s regulated natural gas distribution operations the ability to negotiate rates with customers that have competitive alternatives using approved methodologies. In addition, the natural gas transmission operation can negotiate rates above or below the FERC approved tariff rates.

Chesapeake’s natural gas distribution operations in Delawareaccess capital as needed; and Maryland each have a gas cost recovery mechanism that provides for the adjustment of rates charged to customers as gas costs fluctuate. These amounts are collected or refunded through adjustments to rates in subsequent periods.

The Company charges flexible rates to the natural gas distribution’s industrial interruptible customers to make them competitive with alternative types of fuel. Based on pricing, these customers can choose natural gas or alternative types of supply. Neither the Company nor the interruptible customer is contractually obligated to deliver or receive natural gas.

The propane wholesale marketing operation records trading activity, on a net mark-to-market basis in the Company’s income statement, for open contracts. The natural gas segment recognizes revenue on an accrual basis. The propane distribution, advanced information services and other segments record revenue in the period the products are delivered and/or services are rendered.

Goodwill Impairment
In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” Chesapeake no longer amortizes goodwill. Instead, goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually. In addition, goodwill of a reporting unit is tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.

The initial test was performed upon adoption of SFAS No. 142 on January 1, 2002, and again at the end of each subsequent year. These tests were based on subjective measurements, including discounted cash flows of expected future operating results and market valuations of similar businesses. The propane unit had $674,000 in goodwill at both December 31, 2005 and 2004. Testing for 2005 and 2004 has indicated that no impairment has occurred.

Results of Operations
Net Income & Diluted Earnings Per Share Summary
 
              
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Increase (decrease)
 
2004
 
2003
 
Increase (decrease)
 
Net Income *
             
Continuing operations 
$
10,468
 $9,550 $918 $9,550 $10,080  ($530)
Discontinued operations  
-
  (121) 121  (121) (788) 667 
Total Net Income 
$
10,468
 $9,429 $1,039 $9,429 $9,292 $137 
                    
Diluted Earnings Per Share
                   
Continuing operations 
$
1.77
 $1.64 $0.13 $1.64 $1.76  ($0.12)
Discontinued operations  
-
  (0.02) 0.02  (0.02) (0.13) 0.11 
Total Earnings Per Share 
$
1.77
 $1.62 $0.15 $1.62 $1.63  ($0.01)
                    
* Dollars in thousands.
                   
maintaining a consistent and competitive dividend for shareholders.
- Page 19 -


The Company’s net income from continuing operations increased $918,000, or 10 percent, in 2005 compared to 2004. Net income from continuing operations was $10.5 million, or $1.77 per share (diluted), compared to a net income from continuing operations of $9.6 million, or $1.64 per share (diluted) for 2004.
Net income from continuing operations for 2004 was $9.6 million, or $1.64 per share (diluted), a decline of $530,000 compared to net income from continuing operations of $10.1 million, or $1.76 per share (diluted), for 2003.

During 2003, Chesapeake decided to exit the water services business and had sold the assets of six of seven dealerships by December 31, 2003. The remaining operation was sold in 2004. The results of water services were classified as discontinued operations for years 2004 and 2003. Discontinued operations experienced losses of $0.02 and $0.13 per share (diluted) for 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Operating Income Summary (in thousands)
 
              
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Increase (decrease)
 
2004
 
2003
 
Increase (decrease)
 
Business Segment:
             
Natural gas distribution & transmission 
$
17,236
 $17,091 $145 $17,091 $16,653 $438 
Propane  
3,209
  2,364  845  2,364  3,875  (1,511)
Advanced information services  
1,197
  387  810  387  692  (305)
Other & eliminations  
(112
)
 128  (240) 128  359  (231)
Total Operating Income
 
$
21,530
 $19,970 $1,560 $19,970 $21,579  ($1,609)
The improvement in results for 2005 was primarily driven by:

·  The Lightweight Association Management Processing Systems (“LAMPS™”) product, including the sale of its property rights, contributed $622,000 to operating income in 2005 for the Company’s advanced information services segment. The LAMPS product was an internally developed software that was developed and marketed specifically for REALTOR® Associations.
·  The Delmarva and Florida natural gas distribution operations experienced strong residential customer growth of 8.7 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively, in 2005.
·  Temperatures on the Delmarva Peninsula were 5 percent colder than 2004, which led to increased contributions from the Company’s natural gas and propane distribution operations. This increase was offset by conservation efforts by customers.
·  The natural gas transmission operation achieved gross margin growth of 9 percent due to additional transportation capacity contracts that went into effect in November 2004.
·  A 100 percent increase of the number of customers for the Company’s natural gas marketing operation.
·  An increase of 1.1 million gallons sold by the Delmarva propane distribution operation.

Improvement in Chesapeake’s 2005 overall results compared to 2004 was primarily related to a $924,000 pre-tax gain on the sale of its LAMPS™ by the Company’s advanced information service operation, continued strong customer growth, and colder weather, which led to increased contributions from the Company’s natural gas and propane operations. The Company’s natural gas operations experienced an increase of 7.9 percent in residential customers. Weather, measured in heating degree-days, was 5 percent colder than 2004. The gross margin increases from growth and weather was partially offset by energy conservation efforts by customers in light of increased natural gas and propane costs and also, an increase in operating expenses.

Chesapeake’s 2004 results reflected strong customer growth, warmer weather as compared to 2003, customers’ energy conservation and costs incurred to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley. Weather, measured in heating degree-days, was 4 percent warmer than 2003. Management estimates that warmer weather negatively impacted gross margin by $566,000. The natural gas segment was able to offset the impact of warmer weather through customer growth of 7 percent. Additionally, the Company incurred approximately $600,000 of expenses through December 31, 2004 related to compliance with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley. These costs include incremental audit fees, expansion of the Internal Audit Department and the temporary hiring of an outside consultant. The increase in operating income from the Company’s natural gas operations was more than offset by decreases in the propane and advanced information services businesses.

- Page 20 -

The following discussions ofand those later in the document on operating income and segment results include use of the term “gross margin.” Gross margin is determined by deducting the cost of sales from operating revenue. Cost of sales includes the purchased gas cost forof natural gas and propane and the cost of labor spent on direct revenue-producing activities. Gross margin should not be considered an alternative to operating income or net income, which are determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).GAAP. Chesapeake believes that gross margin, although a non-GAAP measure, is useful and meaningful to investors as a basis for making investment decisions. It provides investors with information that demonstrates the profitability achieved by the Company under its allowed rates for regulated operations and under its competitive pricing structure for non-regulated segments. Chesapeake’s management uses gross margin in measuring its business units’ performance and has historically analyzed and reported gross margin information publicly. Other companies may calculate gross margin in a different manner.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 29


Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Natural Gas DistributionChesapeake had a successful 2008, in spite of the state of the global economic and Transmissionfinancial markets. For the year, net income increased by three percent as the Company earned $13.6 million in net income, or $1.98 per share (diluted), compared to net income of $13.2 million, or $1.94 per share (diluted), earned in 2007. We were able to achieve this growth despite taking a charge of $1.2 million in other operating expenses for costs related to an unconsummated acquisition. Absent this charge, the Company estimates that, compared to 2007, net income would have increased to $14.3 million, or $2.08 per share (diluted).
The higher period-over-period net income was attributable primarily to our natural gas segment. Our natural gas transmission and distribution operations continued to invest capital in current growth initiatives that favorably positioned us for future growth as well. These operations invested $25.6 million in property, plant, and equipment during 2008, primarily to expand our transmission and distribution systems. These expansions were undertaken pursuant to additional long-term firm transportation service contracts for our transmission operation and continued customer growth for the distribution operations. Collectively, these growth initiatives contributed $2.8 million to gross margin in 2008.
As a result of market conditions in the housing industry, the Company continued to see a slowdown in the number of new houses being constructed. Despite this slowdown, the average number of residential customers served by our natural gas distribution operations increased by four percent. While this growth percentage is lower than that experienced in recent years, it is still significantly above the national average.
PESCO experienced a record year as gross margin increased by 91 percent over 2007. This increase was achieved through enhanced sales contract terms, margins on spot sales of approximately $600,000 and a 26-percent growth in its customer base. A 26-percent increase in its customer base contributed to a 41-percent increase in volumes sold in 2008.
The successful completion of rate proceedings for the Company’s natural gas transmission and Delmarva distribution operations added $387,000 to gross margin in 2008. In addition, these rate proceedings provided for lower depreciation allowances and lower asset removal cost allowances, which contributed to the period-over-period decrease in depreciation expense and asset removal costs of $2.3 million in 2008.
Propane price volatility during 2008 affected our wholesale marketing operation positively and our propane distribution operation negatively. Xeron capitalized on the price volatility, seizing opportunities to sell at prices above cost and to manage effectively the larger spreads between the market (spot) prices and forward propane prices experienced in 2008, which contributed to the operation’s 38-percent year-over-year growth in gross margin.
In contrast, the volatility of wholesale propane prices had a negative impact on our propane distribution operations. Wholesale propane prices rose dramatically during the spring months of 2008, when they are traditionally falling. In efforts to protect the Company from the impact that additional price increases would have on our Pro-Cap (propane price-cap) Plan that we offer to customers, the propane distribution operation entered into a swap agreement. By December 31, 2008, the market price of propane had plummeted well below the unit price in the swap agreement. As a result, the Company marked the agreement relating to the January 2009 and February 2009 gallons to market, which increased cost of sales by $939,000 for 2008 and resulted in the Company adjusting the valuation of its propane inventory to current market prices in accordance with Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43. Both of these adjustments reduced gross margin during 2008 by a total of $2.3 million compared to 2007. The Company subsequently terminated the swap agreement in January 2009.
Adverse economic conditions severely affected the advanced information services segment. BravePoint experienced lower consulting revenues as customers began to conserve their information technology spending, resulting in a nine percent decline in billable hours in 2008 compared to 2007.
In response to the instability and volatility of the financial markets, we increased the amounts of our committed short-term borrowing capacity from $15.0 million to $55.0 million, while maintaining total short-term line-of-credit capacity of $100.0 million. In addition, on October 31, 2008, the Company executed a $30.0 million long-term debt placement of 5.93 percent Unsecured Senior Notes, maturing on October 31, 2023.
Page 30     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Operating Income
The year-over-year increase in operating income for 2008, driven by the strong performance of our natural gas business segment, was partially offset by lower operating income from the propane and advanced information services business segments.
                 
              Percentage 
(In thousands) 2008  2007  Change  Change 
Natural gas $25,846  $22,485  $3,361   15%
Propane  1,586   4,498   (2,912)  -65%
Advanced information services  695   836   (141)  -17%
Other & eliminations  352   295   57   19%
             
Total operating income $28,479  $28,114  $365   1%
             
The Company’s financial performance is discussed in greater detail below in “Results of Operations.”
Critical Accounting Policies
Chesapeake prepares its financial statements in accordance with GAAP. Application of these accounting principles requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingencies during the reporting period. Chesapeake bases its estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Since most of Chesapeake’s businesses are regulated and the accounting methods used by these businesses must comply with the requirements of the regulatory bodies, the choices available are limited by these regulatory requirements. In the normal course of business, estimated amounts are subsequently adjusted to actual results that may differ from estimates. Management believes that the following policies require significant estimates or other judgments of matters that are inherently uncertain. These policies and their application have been discussed with Chesapeake’s Audit Committee.
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
As a result of the ratemaking process, Chesapeake records certain assets and liabilities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 71, “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation;” consequently, the accounting principles applied by our regulated utilities differ in certain respects from those applied by the unregulated businesses. Costs are deferred when there is a probable expectation that they will be recovered in future revenues as a result of the regulatory process. As more fully described in Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Chesapeake had recorded regulatory assets of $3.6 million and regulatory liabilities of $24.7 million, at December 31, 2008. If the Company were required to terminate application of SFAS No. 71, it would be required to recognize all such deferred amounts as a charge or a credit to earnings, net of applicable income taxes. Such an adjustment could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations.
Valuation of Environmental Assets and Liabilities
As more fully described in Note N, “Environmental Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Chesapeake has completed its responsibilities related to one environmental site and is currently participating in the investigation, assessment or remediation of three other former manufactured gas plant sites. Amounts have been recorded as environmental liabilities and associated environmental regulatory assets based on estimates of future costs provided by independent consultants. There is uncertainty in these amounts, because the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) or other applicable state environmental authority may not have selected the final remediation methods. In addition, there is uncertainty with regard to amounts that may be recovered from other potentially responsible parties.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 31


Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Since the Company’s management believes that recovery of these expenditures, including any litigation costs, is probable through the regulatory process, the Company has recorded, in accordance with SFAS No. 71, a regulatory asset and corresponding regulatory liability. At December 31, 2008, Chesapeake had recorded an environmental regulatory asset of $779,000 and a liability of $511,000 for environmental costs.
Derivatives
Chesapeake may use derivative instruments to manage the price risk of its natural gas and propane purchasing activities. The Company continually monitors the use of these instruments to ensure compliance with its risk management policies and accounts for them in accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” by recording their fair value as assets and liabilities. If the derivative contracts meet the “normal purchase and normal sale” scope exception of SFAS No. 133, the related activities and services are accounted for on an accrual basis of accounting.
The following is a review of Chesapeake’s use of derivative instruments at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
The natural gas distribution and transmission segment earned operating incomemarketing operations, during 2008 and 2007, entered into physical contracts for the purchase and sale of $17.2 millionnatural gas, which qualified for 2005, $17.1 millionthe “normal purchases and normal sales” scope exception under SFAS No. 133 in that they provided for 2004, and $16.7 million for 2003, resultingthe purchase or sale of natural gas to be delivered in increasesquantities expected to be used or sold by the Company over a reasonable period of $145,000 for 2005 and $438,000 for 2004.
time in the normal course of business. Accordingly, they were not subject to the accounting requirements of SFAS No. 133.
Natural Gas Distribution and Transmission (in thousands)
 
              
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Increase (decrease)
 
2004
 
2003
 
Increase (decrease)
 
Revenue 
$
166,582
 $124,246 $42,336 $124,246 $110,247 $13,999 
Cost of gas  
116,178
  77,456  38,722  77,456  65,495  11,961 
Gross margin  
50,404
  46,790  3,614  46,790  44,752  2,038 
                    
Operations & maintenance  
23,874
  21,129  2,745  21,129  19,893  1,236 
Depreciation & amortization  
5,682
  5,418  264  5,418  5,188  230 
Other taxes  
3,612
  3,152  460  3,152  3,018  134 
Other operating expenses  
33,168
  29,699  3,469  29,699  28,099  1,600 
                    
Total Operating Income
 
$
17,236
 $17,091 $145 $17,091 $16,653 $438 
During 2008 and 2007, Chesapeake’s propane distribution operations entered into physical contracts to buy propane supplies, which qualified for the “normal purchases and normal sales” scope exception under SFAS No. 133 in that they provided for the purchase or sale of propane to be delivered in quantities expected to be used or sold by the Company over a reasonable period of time in the normal course of business. Accordingly, the related liabilities incurred and assets acquired under these contracts were recorded when title to the underlying commodity passed.
During 2008, but not during 2007, the propane distribution operation entered into a swap agreement to protect the Company from the impact of price increases on the Pro-Cap (propane price-cap) Plan that we offer to customers. The Company considered this agreement to be an economic hedge that did not qualify for hedge accounting as described in SFAS No. 133. At the end of the period, the market price of propane dropped below the unit price in the swap agreement. As a result of the price drop, the Company marked the agreement relating to the January 2009 and February 2009 gallons to market, which increased cost of sales in 2008 by approximately $939,000. In January 2009, the Company terminated this swap agreement.
Chesapeake’s propane wholesale marketing operation enters into forward and futures contracts that are considered derivatives under SFAS No. 133. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, open positions are marked to market using prices at the end of each reporting period and unrealized gains or losses are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income as revenue or expense. The contracts mature within one year and are almost exclusively for propane commodities, with delivery points at Mt. Belvieu, Texas; Conway, Kansas; and Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Management estimates the market valuation based on references to exchange-traded futures prices, historical differentials and actual trading activity at the end of the reporting period. Commodity price volatility may have a significant impact on the gain or loss in any given period. At December 31, 2008, these contracts had net unrealized gains of $1.4 million that were recorded in the financial statements. At December 31, 2007, these contracts had net unrealized gains of $179,000 that were recorded in the financial statements.
Natural Gas Heating Degree-Day (HDD) and Customer Analysis
 
              
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Increase (decrease)
 
2004
 
2003
 
Increase (decrease)
 
Heating degree-day data — Delmarva             
Actual HDD  
4,792
  4,553  239  4,553  4,715  (162)
10-year average HDD  
4,436
  4,383  53  4,383  4,409  (26)
                    
Estimated gross margin per HDD 
$
2,234
 $1,800 $434 $1,800 $1,680 $120 
                    
Estimated dollars per residential customer added:                   
Gross margin 
$
372
 $372 $0 $372 $360 $12 
Other operating expenses 
$
106
 $104 $2 $104 $100 $4 
                    
Average number of residential customers                   
Delmarva  
37,346
  34,352  2,994  34,352  31,996  2,356 
Florida  
11,717
  10,910  807  10,910  10,189  721 
Total  
49,063
  45,262  3,801  45,262  42,185  3,077 
Operating Revenues
Revenues for the natural gas distribution operations of the Company are based on rates approved by the PSCs of the jurisdictions in which we operate. The natural gas transmission operation’s revenues are based on rates approved by the FERC. Customers’ base rates may not be changed without formal approval by these commissions. The PSCs, however, have granted the Company’s regulated natural gas distribution operations the ability to negotiate rates, based on approved methodologies, with customers that have competitive alternatives. In addition, the natural gas transmission operation can negotiate rates above or below the FERC-approved tariff rates.
2005 ComparedPage 32     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


For regulated deliveries of natural gas, Chesapeake reads meters and bills customers on monthly cycles that do not coincide with the accounting periods used for financial reporting purposes. Chesapeake accrues unbilled revenues for gas that has been delivered, but not yet billed, at the end of an accounting period to 2004the extent that they do not coincide. In connection with this accrual, Chesapeake must estimate the amount of gas that has not been accounted for on its delivery system and must estimate the amount of the unbilled revenue by jurisdiction and customer class. A similar computation is made to accrue unbilled revenues for propane customers with meters, such as community gas system customers.
The propane wholesale marketing operation records trading activity for open contracts on a net mark-to-market basis in the Company’s income statement. The propane distribution, advanced information services and other segments record revenue in the period the products are delivered and/or services are rendered.
RevenueChesapeake’s natural gas distribution operations in Delaware and Maryland each have a purchased gas cost recovery mechanism. This mechanism provides the Company with a method of adjusting the billing rates with its customers for changes in the cost of purchased gas included in base rates. The difference between the current cost of gas increasedpurchased and the cost of gas recovered in 2005 comparedbilled rates is deferred and accounted for as either unrecovered purchased gas costs or amounts payable to 2004, primarilycustomers. Generally, these deferred amounts are recovered or refunded within one year.
The Company charges flexible rates to its natural gas distribution industrial interruptible customers to compete with alternative types of fuel. Based on pricing, these customers can choose natural gas or alternative fuels. Neither the Company nor the interruptible customer is contractually obligated to deliver or receive natural gas.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded against amounts due to changes in natural gas commodity prices. Increased pricesreduce the net receivable balance to the amount we reasonably expect to collect based upon our collections experiences, the condition of the overall economy and our assessment of our customers’ inability or reluctance to pay. If circumstances change, however, our estimate of the recoverability of accounts receivable may also change. Circumstances which could affect our estimates include, but are not limited to, customer credit issues, the level of natural gas prices and general economic conditions. Accounts are written off once they are deemed to be uncollectible.
Pension and other Postretirement Benefits
Pension and other postretirement plan costs and liabilities are being drivendetermined on an actuarial basis and are affected by increased demand that is exceedingnumerous assumptions and estimates including the growthmarket value of available supply. The fall 2005 hurricane season significantly reducedplan assets, estimates of the current and anticipated availabilityexpected return on plan assets, assumed discount rates, the level of natural gas supply from the Gulf Coast region, causing a dramatic rise in natural gas prices during the fourth quarter of 2005. Commodity cost changes are passed oncontributions made to the ratepayers through a gas cost recovery or purchased gas cost adjustment in all jurisdictions; therefore, theyplans, current demographic and actuarial mortality data. The assumed discount rate and the expected return on plan assets are the assumptions that generally have limitedthe most significant impact on the Company’s profitability. However,pension costs and liabilities. The assumed discount rate, the assumed health care cost trend rate and the assumed rates of retirement generally have the most significant impact on our postretirement plan costs and liabilities. Additional information is presented in Note L, “Employee Benefit Plans,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, including plan asset investment allocation, estimated future benefit payments, general descriptions of the plans, significant assumptions, the impact of certain changes in assumptions, and significant changes in estimates.
The total pension and other postretirement benefit costs included in operating income were $537,000, $370,000 and $387,000 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The company expects to record higher commodity prices may cause customerspension and postretirement benefit costs in the range of $400,000 to reduce their energy consumption through conservation efforts$600,000 for 2009. The increased costs for 2009 represents the significant market decline in the values of the defined pension plan assets when compared to prior years. Actuarial assumptions affecting 2009 include an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of 6.0 percent, consistent with the prior year, and may causediscount rates of 5.25 percent for each of the plans, compared with 5.5 percent for the plans a year earlier. The discount rates for each plan were determined by the Company considering high quality corporate bond rates based on Moody’s Aa bond index, changes in those rates from the prior year, and other pertinent factors, such as the expected life of the plan and the lump-sum-payment option.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 33


Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Results of Operations
Net Income & Diluted Earnings Per Share Summary
                         
          Increase          Increase 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  (decrease)  2007  2006  (decrease) 
Net Income (Loss)*
                        
Continuing operations $13,607  $13,218  $389  $13,218  $10,748  $2,470 
Discontinued operations     (20)  20   (20)  (241)  221 
                   
Total Net Income $13,607  $13,198  $410  $13,198  $10,507  $2,691 
                   
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
                        
Continuing operations $1.98  $1.94  $0.04  $1.94  $1.76  $0.18 
Discontinued operations              (0.04)  0.04 
                   
Total Earnings Per Share $1.98  $1.94  $0.04  $1.94  $1.72  $0.22 
                   
*
Dollars in thousands.
The Company’s net income from continuing operations increased by $389,000 in 2008 compared to 2007. Net income from continuing operations was $13.6 million, or $1.98 per share (diluted), for 2008, compared to net income from continuing operations of $13.2 million, or $1.94 per share (diluted) in 2007. Our 2008 results include a charge of $1.2 million to other operating expenses for costs relating to an unconsummated acquisition. The Company initiated discussions in the third quarter of 2007 with a potential acquisition target. These discussions continued through the first part of the second quarter of 2008, at which time, we determined that we would not be able to complete the acquisition. In the course of these negotiations, the Company incurred certain accounting, legal and other professional fees and expenses, which were expensed in the second quarter of 2008 in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.” Absent the charge for the unconsummated acquisition, the Company estimates that period-over-period net income would have higher uncollectible accounts. increased by $1.1 million in 2008 to $14.3 million, or $2.08 per share (diluted).
The Company’s net income from continuing operations increased by $2.5 million in 2007 compared to 2006. Net income from continuing operations was $13.2 million, or $1.94 per share (diluted), for 2007, compared to net income from continuing operations of $10.8 million, or $1.76 per share (diluted) in 2006.
During 2007, Chesapeake decided to close its distributed energy services company, OnSight, which consistently experienced operating losses since 2004. The results of operations for OnSight have been reclassified to discontinued operations and shown net of tax for all periods presented. The discontinued operations experienced a net loss of $20,000 for 2007, compared to a net loss of $241,000, or $0.04 per share (diluted) for 2006. The Company did not have any discontinued operations in 2008.
Page 34     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Operating Income Summary (in thousands)
                         
          Increase          Increase 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  (decrease)  2007  2006  (decrease) 
Business Segment:
                        
Natural gas $25,846  $22,485  $3,361  $22,485  $19,733  $2,752 
Propane  1,586   4,498   (2,912)  4,498   2,534   1,964 
Advanced information services  695   836   (141)  836   767   69 
Other & eliminations  352   295   57   295   298   (3)
                   
Operating Income
 $28,479  $28,114  $365  $28,114  $23,332  $4,782 
                         
Other Income  103   291   (188)  291   189   102 
Interest Charges  6,158   6,590   (432)  6,590   5,774   816 
Income Taxes  8,817   8,597   220   8,597   6,999   1,598 
                   
Net Income from Continuing Operations
 $13,607  $13,218  $389  $13,218  $10,748  $2,470 
                   
2008 Compared to 2007
Operating income in 2008 increased by approximately $365,000, or one percent, compared to 2007. The financial, operational and other highlights or factors affecting the period-over-period change in operating income included the following:
For the Company’s natural gas marketing operation, enhanced sales contract terms, margins on spot sales of approximately $600,000 and a 26 percent growth in its customer base produced a period-over-period increase of $1.5 million, or 91 percent, in gross margin.
New long-term, transportation capacity contracts implemented by ESNG in November 2007 provided for 8,300 Dts of additional firm transportation service per day, generating $200,000 of gross margin in 2007 and $1.0 million in 2008 for an annualized gross margin of $1.2 million.
On January 7, 2008, ESNG received authorization from the FERC to commence construction of a portion of the Phase III facilities (approximately 9.2 miles) of the 2006-2008 System Expansion Project. These additional facilities, which were completed and placed in service on November 1, 2008, provided for 5,650 Dts of additional firm transportation service per day, generating $165,000 of gross margin in 2008 and annualized gross margin of $988,000.
The results of rate proceedings for the Company’s natural gas transmission and Delmarva distribution operations added $387,000 to gross margin in 2008. These rate proceedings also provided for lower depreciation allowances and lower asset removal cost allowances, which contributed to the period-over-period decrease in depreciation expense and asset removal costs of $2.3 million in 2008.
Volatile wholesale propane prices in 2008 provided a gross margin increase of $901,000 for the Company’s propane wholesale and marketing subsidiary.
Despite the continued slowdown in new residential housing construction as a result of unfavorable economic conditions, the Company’s natural gas distribution operations continued to experience strong customer growth with a four percent increase in 2008.
Declining propane prices during the second half of 2008 had a negative impact on operating income for the propane distribution operations as the Company adjusted the valuation of its propane inventory to current market prices in accordance with Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43. These adjustments reduced gross margin by $800,000 during 2008. In addition, the Company recognized a charge of $939,000 to cost of sales as January 2009 and February 2009 gallons in its price swap agreement were marked–to–market as of the end 2008.
As previously discussed, a charge of $1.2 million for costs relating to an unconsummated acquisition increased other operating expenses.
Corporate overhead increased $519,000 in 2008 due to increased payroll and benefit costs of $132,000 and $83,000, respectively, as several key corporate positions that were vacant in 2007 were filled in 2008. In addition, outside services increased $263,000 due primarily to consulting costs relating to an independent third-party compensation survey, strategic planning and growth initiatives. As a result of the compensation survey, the Company implemented salary adjustments, effective January 1, 2009, that will increase payroll related costs by approximately $754,000 in 2009.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 35


Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The Company continued to invest in property, plant and equipment to support current and future growth opportunities, expending $30.8 million in 2008 for such purposes.
Even though banks were tightening their lending in response to the current financial crisis, Chesapeake was able to firm up its credit lines during this volatile period by increasing its total committed short-term borrowing capacity from $15.0 million to $55.0 million. In addition, on October 31, 2008, the Company executed a $30.0 million long-term debt placement of 5.93 percent Unsecured Senior Notes.
2007 Compared to 2006
Compared to 2006, operating income in 2007 increased by $4.8 million, or 20 percent. Factors affecting this improvement included the following:
New transportation capacity contracts implemented for the natural gas transmission operation in November 2006 and November 2007 provided for $3.3 million of additional gross margin in 2007.
Weather on the Delmarva Peninsula was 15 percent colder in 2007 than in 2006, which, the Company estimates contributed approximately $2.0 million in additional gross margin for its Delmarva natural gas and propane distribution operations. This amount differs from the $2.2 million of additional gross margin that the Company had expected the colder weather to contribute, as a result of the season or month that the heating degree-day variance occurred.
Rate increases to customers of the natural gas transmission and distribution operations in Delaware and Maryland added $1.4 million to gross margin in 2007.
Strong period-over-period residential customer growth of seven percent and five percent, respectively, was achieved for the Delmarva and Florida natural gas distribution operations in 2007.
The average gross margin per retail gallon sold to customers increased by $0.05 in 2007 for the Delmarva propane distribution operations, which contributed $1.1 million to gross margin.
The Delmarva Community Gas Systems continued to experience strong customer growth as the number of customers increased by 22 percent in 2007.
Natural Gas
The natural gas segment recognized operating income of $25.8 million for 2008, $22.5 million for 2007, and $19.7 million for 2006, representing increases of $3.4 million, or 15 percent for 2008, and $2.8 million, or 14 percent for 2007.
Page 36     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


                         
          Increase          Increase 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  (decrease)  2007  2006  (decrease) 
(in thousands)                        
Revenue $211,402  $181,202  $30,200  $181,202  $170,374  $10,828 
Cost of gas  146,546   121,550   24,996   121,550   117,948   3,602 
                   
Gross margin  64,856   59,652   5,204   59,652   52,426   7,226 
 
Operations & maintenance  26,579   26,024   555   26,024   22,673   3,351 
Unconsummated acquisition costs  828      828          
Depreciation & amortization  6,694   6,918   (224)  6,918   6,312   606 
Other taxes  4,909   4,225   684   4,225   3,708   517 
                   
Other operating expenses  39,010   37,167   1,843   37,167   32,693   4,474 
                   
Total Operating Income
 $25,846  $22,485  $3,361  $22,485  $19,733  $2,752 
                   
 
Heating Degree-Day (HDD) and Customer Analysis
                         
          Increase          Increase 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  (decrease)  2007  2006  (decrease) 
Heating degree-day data — Delmarva                        
Actual HDD  4,431   4,504   (73)  4,504   3,931   573 
10-year average HDD  4,401   4,376   25   4,376   4,372   4 
                         
Estimated gross margin per HDD $1,937  $1,937  $0  $1,937  $2,013  $(76)
                   
                         
Estimated dollars per residential customer added:                        
Gross margin $375  $372  $3  $372  $372  $0 
Other operating expenses $103  $106  $(3) $106  $111  $(5)
                   
                         
Average number of residential customers                        
Delmarva  45,570   43,485   2,085   43,485   40,535   2,950 
Florida  13,373   13,250   123   13,250   12,663   587 
                   
Total  58,943   56,735   2,208   56,735   53,198   3,537 
                   
- Page 21 -2008 Compared to 2007


NaturalGross margin for the Company’s natural gas segment increased by $5.2 million, or nine percent, and other operating expenses increased by $1.8 million, or five percent, for 2008. Of the total $5.2 million increase in gross margin, increased $3.6$1.7 million or 7.7 percent, for 2005 compared to 2004. was generated from the natural gas transmission operation, $2.0 million from the natural gas distribution operations and $1.5 million from the natural gas marketing operation, as further explained below.
Natural Gas Transmission
The natural gas transmission operation achieved gross margin growth of $1.4$1.7 million, or 9eight percent, primarily duein 2008. Of the $1.7 million increase, $1.2 million was attributable to additionalnew transportation capacity contracts signedimplemented in November 2004 for2007 and 2008. In 2009, the new transportation capacity providedcontracts implemented in November 2008 are expected to its firm customers.generate additional gross margin of $823,000. In addition, the Company’s capital investments enabledimplementation of rate case settlement rates, effective September 1, 2007, contributed an additional $439,000 to gross margin in 2008. A further discussion of the FERC rate proceeding is provided in detail within “Rates and Other Regulatory Activities” section of Note O, “Other Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The remaining $61,000 increase to gross margin was primarily attributable to higher interruptible sales revenue, net of required margin-sharing.
The 2009 gross margin for the natural gas transmission operationsoperation will be impacted by the following construction projects:
The remaining facilities to execute additional transportation capacity contractsbe constructed under the operation’s multi-year system expansion will be placed into service in November 2005.2009. These additional contractsservices will provide for 7,200 dts of firm service capacity per day and will generate $1.0 million of annualized gross margin. For the years 2009 and 2010, these facilities will contribute approximately $53,000 monthly$169,300 and $846,700, respectively, to gross margins. margin.
On February 5, 2009, ESNG entered into a firm transportation service agreement with an industrial customer in Northern Delaware for the period of February 6, 2009 through October 31, 2009. Pursuant to this agreement, ESNG will provide firm transportation service for a maximum of 7,200 Dts and will recognize gross margin of approximately $573,000 for this service. Subsequent to execution of this agreement, the two parties entered into a second Precedent Agreement for an additional 10,000 Dts of daily firm transportation service beginning November 1, 2009 and ending October 31, 2012. In conjunction with providing this service, ESNG expects to earn additional gross margin of approximately $1.1 million. For the years 2009 and 2010, these two agreements will contribute $753,900 and $1.1 million, respectively, to gross margin.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 37


Management’s Discussion and Analysis
An increase of $980,000$669,000 in other operating expenses partially offset the increased gross margin. The factors contributing to the increase in other operating expenses areincluded the following:
Corporate overhead increased approximately $420,000 due to the allocation of the unconsummated acquisition costs and the higher costs previously discussed.
The higher level of capital investment and adjusted property assessments by various jurisdictions caused increased property taxes of $311,000.
Rent and utility expenses increased by $176,000 and $52,000, respectively, as a result of ESNG occupying new office facilities in January of 2008.
Incentive compensation costs increased by $98,000 as a result of the improved operating results in 2008.
Costs for corporate services increased approximately $97,000 as a result of increased information technology spending to improve the infrastructure, including system performance and disaster recovery. In addition, the Company increased its information technology support.
Other operating expenses relating to various items increased by approximately $77,000.
The Company experienced a decrease of $316,000 in pipeline integrity costs, compared to those which the Company incurred in 2007 to comply with federal pipeline integrity regulations, issued in May 2004.
Depreciation expense and regulatory expense decreased by $110,000 and $136,000, respectively, in 2008 as a result of the 2007 rate case. As part of the rate case settlement that became effective September 1, 2007, the FERC approved a reduction in depreciation rates for ESNG. The impact of the lower depreciation rates was partially offset by the additional depreciation expense from higher plant balances produced by capital investments in 2007 and 2008. Also, the Company incurred regulatory expenses in the first nine months of 2007 associated with the FERC rate proceeding.
Natural Gas Distribution
Gross margin for the Company’s natural gas distribution operations increased by $2.0 million, or five percent, for 2008 compared to 2007. Of the $2.0 million increase, $1.8 million was produced by the Delmarva natural gas distribution operations and $200,000 by the Florida natural gas distribution operations.
Contributing to the Delmarva distribution operations’ increase of $1.8 million, or seven percent, in gross margin, were the following factors:
The average number of residential customers on the Delmarva Peninsula increased by 2,085, or five percent, for 2008, and the Company estimates that these additional residential customers contributed approximately $850,000 to gross margin in 2008. The Company continues to see a slowdown in the new housing market as a result of unfavorable market conditions.
Growth in commercial and industrial customers contributed $473,000 and $89,000, respectively, to gross margin in 2008.
Interruptible services revenue, net of required margin-sharing, increased by $307,000 as customers took advantage of lower natural gas prices compared to prices for alternative fuels.
The Company estimates that weather contributed $122,000 to gross margin, despite temperatures on the Delmarva Peninsula being two percent warmer in 2008. This amount differs from the $141,000 reduction of gross margin that the Company had expected from the warmer weather as a result of the month in which the heating degree day variance occurred.
Page 38     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Partially offsetting these increases to gross margin was the negative impact of lower consumption per customer in 2008 compared to 2007. The Company estimates that lower consumption per customer reduced gross margin by $118,000. The lower consumption reflects customer conservation efforts in light of higher customer counts causedenergy costs, more energy-efficient housing, and current economic conditions.
The remaining $77,000 net increase to gross margin was attributable to various other items.
Gross margin for the Florida distribution operation increased by continued economic$200,000, or two percent, in 2008 compared to 2007. The higher gross margin for the period was attributable primarily to a one-percent growth as well as higher depreciation and property taxes due toin residential customers, an increase in non-residential customer volumes, and higher revenues from third-party natural gas marketers.
Other operating expenses for the levelnatural gas distribution operations increased by $909,000 in 2008 compared to 2007. Among the key components producing this net increase were the following:
Corporate overhead increased approximately $777,000 due to the allocation of the unconsummated acquisition costs and the higher costs previously discussed.
Costs for corporate services increased approximately $420,000 as a result of increased information technology spending to improve the infrastructure, including system performance and disaster recovery. In addition, the Company increased its information technology support.
Property taxes increased by $298,000 as a result of the Company’s continued capital investments.

Incentive compensation increased by $225,000 as the Delmarva and Florida operations experienced improved earnings compared to the prior year.
Costs relating to outside services, such as legal fees and consulting costs, increased by $208,000 to support several new projects.
Payroll and benefits costs for the Delmarva operations increased by $187,000 and $97,000, respectively, from annual salary increases, as compared to the previous year.
Regulatory expenses increased by $126,000 as the natural gas distribution operations incurred costs associated with regulatory filings with their respective PSCs.
Vehicle fuel and depreciation expense increased by $68,000 and $57,000, respectively, compared to the prior year as a result of rising costs of gasoline and diesel fuel, and higher depreciation rates for vehicles.
Depreciation expense and asset removal costs decreased by $114,000 and $1.3 million, respectively, primarily as a result of the Delmarva operations’ rate proceedings, which provided for lower depreciation allowances and lower asset removal cost allowances.
Maintenance costs for the Florida operation decreased by $66,000, compared to 2007, when larger expenditures were required to comply with federal pipeline integrity regulations.
Merchant payment fees decreased by $79,000, which resulted primarily from the Delmarva operations outsourcing the processing of credit card payments in April 2007.
In addition, other operating expenses relating to various other items increased by approximately $5,000.
Natural Gas Marketing
Gross margin for the natural gas marketing operation increased $506,000,by $1.5 million, or 3991 percent, for 20052008 compared to 20042007. The increase in gross margin was due to enhanced sales contract terms, margins on spot sales of approximately $600,000 and a 26-percent growth in its customer base. The increased customer base contributed to a 41-percent increase in volumes sold in 2008. Other operating expenses increased by $264,000, which was attributable to higher incentive compensation incurred as a result of the improved operating results and increases in the allowance for uncollectible accounts that normally accompany customer growth; these expenses were offset slightly by lower payroll-related and benefit costs.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 39


Management’s Discussion and Analysis
2007 Compared to 2006
Gross margin for the Company’s natural gas segment increased by $7.2 million, or 14 percent, and other operating expenses increased by $4.5 million, or 14 percent, for 2007 compared to 2006. Of the total gross margin increase of $7.2 million, $3.9 million was generated by the natural gas transmission operation and $3.5 million was generated by the natural gas distribution operations. These increases were partially offset by a lower gross margin of $207,000 for the natural gas marketing operation, as further explained below.
Natural Gas Transmission
The natural gas transmission operation achieved gross margin growth of $3.9 million, or 22 percent, in 2007 compared to 2006. Of the $3.9 million increase, $3.3 million was attributable to transportation capacity contracts implemented in November 2006 and 2007. In addition, the implementation of rate case settlement rates, effective September 1, 2007, contributed an additional $563,000 to gross margin in 2007. The remaining $43,000 increase to gross margin in 2007 is attributable to other factors, such as higher interruptible sales. An increase of $2.3 million in other operating expenses partially offset the increased gross margin. The factors contributing to the increase in other operating expenses were as follows:
Payroll and benefit costs increased by $282,000 and $90,000, respectively, as the operation increased staff to support compliance with new federal pipeline integrity regulations and to serve the additional growth. The new pipeline integrity regulations require the Company to assess at least 50 percent of the covered segments by December 17, 2007.
ESNG also incurred an additional $385,000 of third-party costs to comply with the new federal pipeline integrity regulations previously discussed.
The increased level of capital investment caused higher depreciation and asset removal costs of $371,000 and increased property taxes of $188,000.
Corporate costs increased by $568,000 as the Company updated its annual corporate cost allocations based on a methodology accepted by the FERC.
The increase in operating expenses for 2007 was magnified by the FERC’s authorization, in July 2006, to defer certain pre-service costs of ESNG’s Energylink Expansion Project (“E3 Project”), allowing the Company to treat such costs as a regulatory asset. The deferral of these costs resulted in the reduction of $190,000 in other operating expenses in 2006 for expenses incurred in 2005. Please refer to the “Rates and Other Regulatory Activities” section of Note O, “Other Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements further information on the E3 Project.
Other operating expenses relating to various items increased collectively by approximately $226,000.
Natural Gas Distribution
Gross margin for the Company’s natural gas distribution operations increased by $3.5 million, or eleven percent, for 2007 compared to 2006. The gross margin increases for the Delmarva and Florida natural gas distribution operations are further explained below.
The Delmarva distribution operations experienced an increase in gross margin of $3.4 million, or 16 percent. The significant items contributing to the increase in gross margin included the following:
Continued residential customer growth contributed to the increase in gross margin. The average number of residential customers on the Delmarva Peninsula increased by 2,950, or seven percent, for 2007 compared to 2006, and the Company estimates that these additional residential customers contributed approximately $1.2 million to gross margin.
Rate increases for both the Delaware and Maryland divisions generated an additional $848,000 in gross margin in 2007 compared to 2006. In October 2006, the Maryland PSC granted the Company a base rate increase, which it providesresulted in a $693,000 period-over-period increase to gross margin in 2007. The Delaware division received approval from the Delaware Public Service Commission (“Delaware PSC”) to implement temporary rates, subject to refund, which contributed an additional $155,000 to gross margin in 2007.
The Company estimates that weather contributed $819,000 to gross margin in 2007 compared to 2006, as temperatures on the Delmarva Peninsula were 15 percent colder in 2007. This amount differs from the $1.1 million of additional gross margin that the Company had expected the colder weather to contribute as a result of the month in which the heating degree day variance occurred.
Page 40     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


The colder temperatures did not have a significant impact on the Maryland distribution operation’s gross margin in 2007, because the operation’s approved rate structure included a weather normalization adjustment mechanism. The weather normalization adjustment, implemented in October 2006, was designed to reduce excessive revenue swings caused by weather that is warmer or colder than normal.
Growth in commercial and industrial customers contributed $224,000 and $102,000, respectively, to gross margin in 2007.
Increased sales volumes to interruptible customers contributed $224,000 to gross margin in 2007.
The remaining $31,000 increase in gross margin can be attributed to various other factors.
Gross margin for the Florida distribution operation increased by $88,000, or one percent, in 2007 compared to 2006. The higher gross margin, which resulted from an increase in residential customers, was partially offset by lower volumes sold to industrial customers. The operation experienced a five-percent growth in residential customers in 2007 compared to 2006, which provided for an additional $142,000 in gross margin. The Florida distribution operation also experienced a slowdown in the housing market in 2007.
Other operating expenses for the natural gas distribution operations increased by $2.0 million in 2007 compared to 2006. Among the key components of the increase were the following:
Payroll costs increased by $110,000 as vacant positions in 2006 were filled in 2007 and new positions were added to serve the growth experienced by the operations.
Health care costs increased by $177,000 as a result of additional personnel and a higher cost of claims.
Incentive compensation increased by $229,000 in 2007 as the Delmarva operations experienced improved earnings and increased staffing levels.
Depreciation and amortization expense, asset removal cost and property taxes increased by $316,000, $121,000 and $156,000, respectively, as a result of continued capital investments.
The Florida distribution operation experienced increased expense of $227,000 in 2007 to maintain compliance with the new federal pipeline integrity regulations.
Sales and advertising costs increased by $129,000 in 2007, primarily to promote energy conservation and customer awareness of the availability of natural gas service.
Regulatory expenses increased by $113,000 as the Delaware and Maryland operations began expensing costs associated with their respective rate cases.
The allowance for uncollectible accounts increased by $183,000 in 2007 due to increased revenues resulting from customer growth and colder temperatures.
Merchant payment fees decreased by $116,000 as the Company’s Delmarva operation outsourced the processing of credit card payments in April 2007.
Other operating expenses relating to various other items increased by approximately $355,000.
Natural Gas Marketing
Gross margin for the natural gas marketing operation decreased by $207,000, or 11 percent, for 2007 compared to 2006. The decline in gross margin was primarily the result of increases in natural gas supply managementcosts that PESCO was contractually unable to pass through to its customers. In addition, a shift in the market prevented PESCO from selling as much of its available capacity in 2007 as was sold during 2006. Other operating expenses for the marketing operation increased by $258,000 due primarily to increases in payroll and benefit costs, allowance for uncollectible accounts and corporate overhead costs, which were partially offset by lower expenses for consulting services.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 41


Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Propane
The propane segment earned operating income of $1.6 million for 2008, $4.5 million for 2007, and $2.5 million for 2006, resulting in a decrease of $2.9 million, or 65 percent for 2008, and an increase of $2.0 million, or 78 percent for 2007.
                         
          Increase          Increase 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  (decrease)  2007  2006  (decrease) 
(in thousands)                        
Revenue $65,877  $62,838  $3,039  $62,838  $48,576  $14,262 
Cost of sales  46,066   41,038   5,028   41,038   30,780   10,258 
                   
Gross margin  19,811   21,800   (1,989)  21,800   17,796   4,004 
                         
Operations & maintenance  15,111   14,594   517   14,594   12,823   1,771 
Unconsummated acquisition costs  254      254          
Depreciation & amortization  2,024   1,842   182   1,842   1,659   183 
Other taxes  836   866   (30)  866   780   86 
                   
Other operating expenses  18,225   17,302   923   17,302   15,262   2,040 
                   
                         
Total Operating Income
 $1,586  $4,498  $(2,912) $4,498  $2,534  $1,964 
                   
Propane Heating Degree-Day (HDD) Analysis — Delmarva
                         
          Increase          Increase 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  (decrease)  2007  2006  (decrease) 
Heating degree-days                        
Actual  4,431   4,504   (73)  4,504   3,931   573 
10-year average  4,401   4,376   25   4,376   4,372   4 
 
Estimated gross margin per HDD $2,465  $1,974  $491  $1,974  $1,743  $231 
2008 Compared to 2007
The period-over-period decrease in operating income was due primarily to the Delmarva propane distribution operation, which experienced a lower gross margin from inventory write-downs and marking-to-market its swap agreement, warmer weather on the Delmarva Peninsula, and lower sales volumes.
The gross margin decrease of $3.1 million for the Delmarva propane distribution operations was partially offset by higher gross margin of $181,000 for the Florida propane distribution operations and $901,000 for the propane wholesale and marketing operation, as further explained below:
Delmarva Propane Distribution
The Delmarva propane distribution operation’s decrease in gross margin of $3.1 million resulted from the following:
Gross margin decreased by $1.1 million in 2008, compared to 2007, primarily because of a $0.04 decrease in the average gross margin per retail gallon attributable to inventory write-downs of approximately $800,000 during 2008 in response to market prices below the Company’s inventory price per gallon. This trend reverses when market prices of propane exceed the Company’s average inventory price per gallon.
Wholesale propane prices rose dramatically during the spring months of 2008, when they are traditionally falling. In efforts to protect the Company from the impact that additional price increases would have on our Pro-Cap (propane price cap) Plan that we offer to customers, the propane distribution operation entered into a swap agreement. By the end of the period, the market price of propane had plummeted well below the unit price in the swap agreement. As a result, the Company marked the agreement relating to the January 2009 and February 2009 gallons to market, which increased cost of sales by $939,000 in 2008. In January 2009, the Company terminated this swap agreement.
Non-weather-related volumes sold in 2008 decreased by 1.2 million gallons, or five percent. This decrease in gallons sold reduced gross margin by approximately $867,000 for the Delmarva propane distribution operation. Factors contributing to this decrease in gallons sold included customer conservation and the timing of propane deliveries.
Page 42     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Margins per gallon on the Pro-Cap plan for the last four months of 2008 recovered to prior year’s levels with the exception of $113,000, despite the Company realizing a charge to cost of sales of $494,000 as the December gallons related to this plan were valued at current market prices.
Temperatures on the Delmarva Peninsula were two percent warmer in 2008 compared to 2007, which contributed to a decrease of 248,000 gallons sold, or one percent. The Company estimates that the warmer weather and decreased volumes sold had a negative impact of approximately $180,000 on gross margin for the Delmarva propane distribution operation.
Gross margin from miscellaneous fees, including items such as tank and meter rentals and marketing pricing programs, increased by $271,000.
The remaining $172,000 net decrease in gross margin can be attributed to various other items.
Total other operating expenses increased by $503,000 for the Delmarva propane operations in 2008, compared to 2007. The significant items contributing to this increase are explained below:
Corporate overhead increased by approximately $380,000 due to the allocation of the unconsummated acquisition costs and the higher costs previously discussed.
Vehicle fuel and maintenance costs increased by $235,000 as a result of higher gasoline and diesel fuel costs and continued maintenance of our delivery vehicles.
Costs for corporate services increased 100 percent. by approximately $120,000 as a result of increased information technology spending to improve the infrastructure, including system performance and disaster recovery. In addition, the Company increased its information technology support.
Mains fees increased by $81,000 in 2008, compared to 2007, as a result of added Community Gas Systems (“CGS”) customers. This expenditure will continue to increase as more CGS customers are added.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $81,000 as a result of an increase in the Company’s capital investments compared to the prior year.
The allowance for uncollectible accounts increased by $65,000 due to increased revenues.
Incentive compensation decreased by $387,000 as a result of the lower operating results in 2008.
Lower expenses of $199,000 were incurred in 2008 for propane tank recertifications and maintenance as the Company incurred these costs in 2007 to maintain compliance with DOT standards, which require propane tanks or cylinders to be recertified twelve years from their date of manufacture and every five years thereafter.
Other operating expenses relating to various items increased by approximately $127,000.
Florida Propane Distribution
The Florida propane distribution operation experienced an increase in gross margin of $181,000, or 15 percent, in 2008 compared to 2007. The higher gross margin resulted from increases of four percent and ten percent in the number of gallons sold to residential and commercial customers, is attributedrespectively, combined with a higher average gross margin per retail gallon. Other operating expenses increased by $163,000 in 2008, compared to 2007, due primarily to increases in depreciation expense and the additional customersallowance for uncollectible accounts.
Propane Wholesale and Marketing
Gross margin for the Company’s propane wholesale marketing operation increased by $901,000, or 38 percent, in 2008 compared to 2007. This increase reflects the operation capitalizing on a larger number of market opportunities that are onarose in 2008 due to price volatility in the Peoples Gas systempropane wholesale market. This volatility created an opportunity for which the Company provides services.operation to capture larger price-spreads between sales contracts and purchase contracts in addition to larger spreads between the market (spot) prices and forward propane prices. The increase in gross margin was partially offset by an increase of $352,000 inhigher other operating expenses of $257,000, due primarily to higher levels of staffincentive compensation associated with increased earnings and other operatingincreased corporate costs necessaryassociated with updating our annual corporate cost allocations.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 43


Management’s Discussion and Analysis
2007 Compared to support2006
Operating income for the increase in business.

propane segment increased by $2.0 million to $4.5 million for 2007 compared to 2006. Gross margin forin the DelawareDelmarva propane distribution operations increased by $3.2 million, compared to 2006, due primarily to increases in the average retail margin per gallon and Marylandcolder weather on the Delmarva Peninsula. Gross margin also increased in the Florida propane distribution divisions increased $1.2 million, as temperatures in 2005 were 5 percent colderoperation and the number of residential customers increased 8.7 percent. AnCompany’s wholesale propane marketing operation by $100,000 and $677,000, respectively.
Delmarva Propane Distribution
The Delmarva propane distribution operation’s increase in gross margin of $3.2 million, or 22 percent, resulted from the colder weather of $534,000 was offset by a decrease of $651,000 in gas deliveries to customers as a result of conservation efforts in response to the higher gas prices. following:
Gross margin for the Florida distribution operations increased $579,000, primarily dueby $1.1 million in 2007, compared to changes in the customer rate design and2006, because of a 7.4 percent$0.05 increase in the number of residential customers served. The Company estimates the rate design changes contributed $322,000 in additional gross margin and resulted in the Florida division collecting a greater percentage of revenues from fixed charges, rather than variable charges based upon consumption. Other operating expense for the natural gas distribution operations increased $2.1 million in 2005. Some of the key components of the increase in other operating expenses in 2005, compared to 2004, include the following:
·  The incremental operating and maintenance cost of supporting the residential customers added by the Delmarva and Florida distribution operations was approximately $403,000.
·  In response to higher natural gas prices, the Company increased its allowance for uncollectible accounts by $98,000.
·  The cost of providing health care for our employees increased $180,000.
·  Costs of line location activities increased $177,000.
·  With the additional capital investments, depreciation expense, asset removal cost, and property taxes increased $225,000, $130,000, and $319,000, respectively.

2004 Compared to 2003
Gross margin grew by $2.0 million in 2004 compared to 2003. The Company estimates that warmer weather reduced gross margin by $292,000. After adjusting for the effect of weather, gross margin would have increased 5.3 percent. The Company estimates that residential and commercial growth for the distribution operations generated $1.1 million of gross margin increase. The Company added 3,077 residential customers, an increase of 7 percent, in 2004. This growth was net of lower consumption per customer, which reflects customer conservation efforts in light of higher energy costs and a higher mix of apartments rather than single family homes in the customer additions for some divisions. Additionally, the natural gas supply and management services operation increased gross margin by $565,000, primarily through industrial customer growth and resale of seasonal excess capacity on upstream pipelines. The natural gas transmission operation also achieved gross margin growth of $716,000, due to additional transportation services provided to its firm customers.
- Page 22 -

Higher other operating expenses partially offset the gross margin increase. Operating expenses increased $1.6 million, or 5.7 percent, which includes $382,000 of expenses related to Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance implementation. The higher other operating expenses reflect the costs to support customer growth.
Propane
During 2005, the propane segment increased operating income by $845,000, or 36 percent, over 2004. In addition, gross margin increased $2.6 million, which more than offset the increase of $1.7 million of operating expenses. During 2004, the propane segment experienced a decrease of $1.5 million in operating income compared to 2003, reflecting a gross margin decrease of $1.9 million, partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses of $411,000.

Propane (in thousands)
 
              
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Increase (decrease)
 
2004
 
2003
 
Increase (decrease)
 
Revenue 
$
48,976
 $41,500 $7,476 $41,500 $41,029 $471 
Cost of sales  
30,041
  25,155  4,886  25,155  22,762  2,393 
Gross margin  
18,935
  16,345  2,590  16,345  18,267  (1,922)
                    
Operations & maintenance  
13,355
  11,718  1,637  11,718  12,053  (335)
Depreciation & amortization  
1,574
  1,524  50  1,524  1,506  18 
Other taxes  
797
  739  58  739  833  (94)
Other operating expenses  
15,726
  13,981  1,745  13,981  14,392  (411)
                    
Total Operating Income
 
$
3,209
 $2,364 $845 $2,364 $3,875  ($1,511)
Propane Heating Degree-Day (HDD) Analysis — Delmarva
 
              
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Increase (decrease)
 
2004
 
2003
 
Increase (decrease)
 
Heating degree-days             
Actual  
4,792
  4,553  239  4,553  4,715  (162)
10-year average  
4,436
  4,383  53  4,383  4,409  (26)
                    
Estimated gross margin per HDD 
$
1,743
 $1,691 $52 $1,691 $1,670 $21 
2005 Compared to 2004
The increases in revenues and cost of sales in 2005 compared to 2004 were caused both by increases in volumes and by increases in the commodity prices of propane. Commodity price changes are passed on to the customer, subject to competitive market conditions.

The gross margin increase for the propane segment was due primarily to an increase of $1.8 million for the Delmarva distribution operations. Volumes sold in 2005 increased 1.1 million gallons or 5 percent. Temperatures in 2005 were 5 percent colder than 2004, causing an estimated gross margin increase of $417,000. Additionally, theaverage gross margin per retail gallon improved by $0.0342 in 2005 compared to 2004. Gross margin per gallon increased as a result ofgallon. This increase occurs when market prices rising greater thanof propane exceed the Company’s average inventory price per gallon. This trend will reversegallon and reverses when market prices decrease and move closer to the Company’s average inventory price per gallon. ThePropane gross margin increase was partially offsetis also affected by increased other operating expenseschanges in the Company’s pricing of $1.5 million. The higher other operating costs are attributablesales to its customers.
Temperatures on the Delmarva Peninsula were 15 percent colder in 2007 compared to 2006, which contributed to the Pennsylvania start-up costsincrease of 1.7 million retail gallons, or nine percent, sold during 2007. The Company estimates that the colder weather and expenses relatedincreased volumes sold contributed $1.1 million to higher earnings, such as incentive compensation and other taxes, employee benefits, insurance, vehicle fuel and maintenance expenses, and a non-recurring credit of $100,000 for vehicle insurance audits in 2004. The start-up costs accounted for $722,000, or approximately 49 percent, of the increase in operating expenses.
- Page 23 -

Grossgross margin for the FloridaDelmarva propane distribution operations increased $385,000, or 45 percent,operation in 20052007 compared to 2004. The2006.
Non-weather related retail volumes sold in 2007 increased by 1.0 million gallons, or six percent. This increase in gallons sold contributed approximately $665,000 to gross margin was attained from anfor the Delmarva propane distribution operation compared to 2006. Contributing to the increase of 27%gallons sold was the continued growth in the average number of CGS customers, which increased by 972 to a total count of 5,330, or a 22-percent increase, compared to 2006.
Wholesale volumes sold in 2007 increased by 2.9 million gallons, or 70 percent, which contributed approximately $119,000 to gross margin for the Delmarva propane distribution operation.
The remaining $216,000 increase in gross margin can be attributed to various other factors, including higher service sales and service fees.
Total other operating expenses increased by $1.5 million for the Delmarva propane operations in 2007, compared to the $267,000same period in 2006. The significant items contributing to this increase were:
Increased operating expenses for 2007 were magnified by the Company’s one-time recovery in 2006 of previously incurred costs of $387,000 from one of its propane sales gross margin,suppliers in 2006. This recovery reimbursed the Company for fixed costs incurred in the removal of above-normal levels of petroleum by-products contained in approximately 75,000 gallons of propane that it purchased from the supplier. The recovery of these costs reduced other operating expenses in the first nine months of 2006.
Incentive compensation increased by $361,000 as a result of the improved operating results in 2007.
Health care costs increased by $119,000 as the Company experienced a higher cost of claims during the year.
The operation incurred an additional $233,000 expense for propane tank recertifications and an increasemaintenance to maintain compliance with DOT standards, which require propane tanks or cylinders to be recertified twelve years from their date of $118,000 in house-piping sales.manufacture and every five years thereafter.
Mains fees increased by $100,000 as a result of new CGS customers.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $107,000 as a result of increased capital investments.
In addition, other operating expenses relating to various items increased by approximately $193,000.
Florida Propane Distribution
The Florida propane also experienced an increase in other operating expenses. The higher expenses of $147,000 were attributed to business growth, such as payroll, vehicle fuel and maintenance, insurance, and depreciation expense.

The Company’s propane wholesale marketingdistribution operation experienced an increase in gross margin of $445,000 and an increase$100,000, or nine percent, in 2007 compared to 2006, primarily because of $121,000 in other operating expenses, leading to an improvement of $323,000 in operating income over 2004. Wholesale price volatility created trading opportunities during the third and fourth quarters of the year; however, these were partially offset by reduced trading activities particularly in the first half of the year when the wholesale marketing operation followed a conservative marketing strategy, which lowered risk and earnings, in light of continued high wholesale price levels.
2004 Compared to 2003
Increases in revenues and cost of sales in 2004 were caused by an increase in the commodity prices of propane, partially offset by lower sales volumes due to warmer weather. Commodity price changes are generally passed on to the customer, subject to competitive market conditions. High commodity prices may cause customers to reduce their energy consumption through conservation efforts and may cause higher bad debt expense.

Propane distribution gross margin declined $1.2 million and propane wholesale marketing gross margin fell by $710,000. The Company estimates that warmer weather negatively impacted gross margin by $274,000. After adjusting for the impact of weather, gross margin decreased 9 percent. Lower retailaverage gross margin per retail gallon and higher service margins. Other operating expenses in the distribution business reduced gross margin2007, compared to 2006, increased by approximately $493,000. In addition, lower sales volumes, not attributable to the weather, reduced gross margin by approximately $197,000, including $172,000 related to customers in the poultry industry. The closing of a poultry processing plant in the fourth quarter of 2003 is estimated to have reduced gross margin by $129,000. The plant is not expected to reopen. An outbreak of avian influenza on the Delmarva Peninsula in the first quarter of 2004 also contributed to the lower sales volumes. The influenza outbreak was contained. Volumes were also down partially$223,000, primarily due to customers conserving energyincreases in light of higher energy costs. Finally, grosspayroll costs, insurance and depreciation expense.
Page 44     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Propane Wholesale and Marketing
Gross margin earned from a non-recurring service project in 2003 contributed $192,000 tofor the decline in gross margin.

The Company’s propane wholesale marketing operation contributed $373,000 to operating income; however, this was a decrease of $533,000increased by $677,000, or 40 percent, in 2007 compared to 2003.2006. This increase reflects a conservative strategy takenthe larger number of market opportunities that arose in 2007, due to price volatility in the propane wholesale marketing operation, due tomarket, which exceeded the high level of energy prices.

Otherprice fluctuations experienced in 2006. The increase in gross margin was partially offset by higher other operating expenses decreased $411,000 despite additional costs of $142,000 associated with the implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance procedures. The decrease included reductions in$318,000, due primarily to higher incentive compensation revenue-related taxes and lower delivery costs.based on the increased earnings in 2007.

Advanced Information Services
The advanced information services segment provides domestic and international clients with information technology relatedinformation-technology-related business services and solutions for both enterprise and e-business applications. The advanced information services business contributed operating income of $1.2 million$695,000 for 2005, $387,0002008, $836,000 for 2004,2007, and $692,000$767,000 for 2003.2006 resulting in a decrease of $141,000, or 17 percent for 2008, and an increase of $69,000, or nine percent for 2007.
                         
          Increase          Increase 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  (decrease)  2007  2006  (decrease) 
(in thousands)                        
Revenue $14,720  $15,099  $(379) $15,099  $12,568  $2,531 
Cost of sales  8,033   8,260   (227)  8,260   7,082   1,178 
                   
Gross margin  6,687   6,839   (152)  6,839   5,486   1,353 
                         
Operations & maintenance  5,091   5,225   (134)  5,225   4,119   1,106 
Unconsummated acquisition costs  60      60          
Depreciation & amortization  175   144   31   144   113   31 
Other taxes  666   634   32   634   487   147 
                   
Other operating expenses  5,992   6,003   (11)  6,003   4,719   1,284 
                   
                         
Total Operating Income
 $695  $836  $(141) $836  $767  $69 
                   
- Page 24 -

Advanced Information Services (in thousands)
 
              
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Increase (decrease)
 
2004
 
2003
 
Increase (decrease)
 
Revenue 
$
14,140
 $12,427 $1,713 $12,427 $12,578  ($151)
Cost of sales  
7,181
  7,015  166  7,015  7,018  (3)
Gross margin  
6,959
  5,412  1,547  5,412  5,560  (148)
                    
Operations & maintenance  
5,129
  4,405  724  4,405  4,196  209 
Depreciation & amortization  
123
  138  (15) 138  191  (53)
Other taxes  
510
  482  28  482  481  1 
Other operating expenses  
5,762
  5,025  737  5,025  4,868  157 
                    
Total Operating Income
 
$
1,197
 $387 $810 $387 $692  ($305)
20052008 Compared to 20042007
Gross margin for the advanced information services business declined by approximately $152,000, or two percent, and contributed operating income of $695,000 for 2008, a decrease of $141,000, or 17 percent, compared to 2007.
The period-over-period decrease in gross margin was attributable to a decrease of $610,000 in consulting revenues as higher average billing rates were not able to overcome a nine-percent decrease in the number of billable hours. The reduction in the number of billable hours is a result of current economic conditions in which information technology spending has broadly declined. The decrease in consulting revenues was partially offset with increased product sales and training revenues of $403,000 and $47,000, respectively. Given the current economic climate, BravePoint does not expect customers’ information technology spending to return to historical levels in the foreseeable future.
Other operating expenses remained relatively unchanged in 2008 compared to the prior year. Absent the unconsummated acquisition costs of $60,000 allocated to the advanced information services segment, other operating expenses in 2008 would have been $71,000, a difference of one percent.
2007 Compared to 2006
The advanced information services segment hadbusiness experienced gross margin growth of approximately $1.4 million, or 25 percent, and contributed operating income of $1.2 million and $387,000$836,000 for years 2005 and 2004, respectively. The results for 2005 and 2004 include revenues and costs related to the LAMPSTM product that was sold in October 2005. The sale resulted in a $924,000 pre-tax gain.

Revenues for 2005 increased $1.7 million to $14.1 million2007, an increase of $69,000, or nine percent, compared to revenues2006.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 45


Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The period-over-period increase of $12.4gross margin resulted primarily from the following:
A strong demand for the segment’s consulting services in 2007 generated an increase of $1.9 million for 2004. The 2005 and 2004 revenue figures include $2.4 million and $149,000 of revenue relating to the LAMPSTM product for those respective years. Decreases in consulting revenues foras the eBusiness groupnumber of $793,000billable hours increased by 15 percent; and lower sales
An increase of Progress software licenses of $285,000 account for$276,000 from Managed Database Administration services, which provide clients with professional database monitoring and support solutions during business hours or around the decreaseclock.
Other operating expenses increased by $1.3 million to $6.0 million in revenue when2007, compared to 2004.$4.7 million for 2006. This decrease is partially offset byincrease in operating expenses in 2007 was attributable to the performance revenuefollowing:
Payroll, incentive compensation and commissions, payroll taxes, benefit claims, and consulting expense accounted for $937,000 of $238,000 receivedthe increase. These costs increased as a result of improved earnings and increased staffing levels to support the growth and customer demand experienced in 2007.
An increase in the allowance for uncollectible accounts of $223,000 associated with a customer in the mortgage-lending business that filed for bankruptcy in the third quarter 2005 and an increase of $317,000 in consulting revenues for the Enterprise Solutions group. The performance revenue is related to the sale of the webproEX software to QAD that took place in 2003. As part of the sale agreement, Chesapeake receives a percentage of revenues after certain annual revenue and performance targets have been reached by QAD.2007.

Cost of sales for 2005 increased $165,000 to $7.2 million, compared to $7.0 million for 2004. The increase in cost of sales is attributed to the LAMPSTM product. The 2005 and 2004 cost of sales figures includes $511,000 and $345,000 of cost for the LAMPSTM product. OtherIn addition, other operating expenses increased $738,000 in 2005 to $5.8 million, compared to $5.0 million in 2004. The increase in other operating cost is attributed to the increase of costs relating to the LAMPSTM product. The costs associated with the LAMPSTM product for 2005 and 2004 are $1.2 million and $575,000 respectively. The remaining increase is primarily due to health care claims and office rent, which were offset by cost containment measures implemented in the second quarter of 2005 to reduce operating expenses.

2004 compared to 2003
The decrease in gross margin and operating income in 2004 was due to the non-recurring revenue recorded in 2003 on the sale of some rights to one of the Company’s internally-developed software products to a third party software provider. Absent the sale, gross margin would havevarious minor items increased by $351,000; however, the increase was partially offset by higher costs associated with continued investment in the Company’s LAMPS™ product and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance costs of $60,000.approximately $140,000.

Other Operations and Eliminations
Other operations and eliminating entries generated an operating loss of $112,000 for 2005 compared to income of $128,000 for 2004. Other operations consist primarily of subsidiaries that own real estate leased to other Company subsidiaries. In addition, in August 2004 the Company formed OnSight Energy, LLC (“OnSight”) to provide distributed energy services. The increase in revenues in 2005 is primarily attributed to OnSight completing its first contract in the second quarter of 2005. Other operating expenses increased in 2005 as a result of a full year of operation by OnSight, compared to a partial year in 2004. Eliminations are entries required to eliminate activities between business segments from the consolidated results.
Other operations and eliminating entries contributed operating income of $352,000 for 2008, $295,000 for 2007, and $298,000 for 2006.
                         
          Increase          Increase 
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  (decrease)  2007  2006  (decrease) 
(in thousands)                        
Revenue $652  $622  $30  $622  $618  $4 
Cost of sales                  
                   
Gross margin  652   622   30   622   618   4 
                         
Operations & maintenance  116   109   7   109   96   13 
Unconsummated acquisition costs  12      12          
Depreciation & amortization  114   160   (46)  160   163   (3)
Other taxes  62   62      62   65   (3)
                   
Other operating expenses  304   331   (27)  331   324   7 
                         
Operating Income — Other  348   291   57   291   294   (3)
Operating Income — Eliminations  4   4      4   4    
                   
                         
Total Operating Income
 $352   295  $57  $295   298  $(3)
                   
Other Income
Other income for the years 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, was $103,000, $291,000, and $189,000, which include interest income, late fees charged to customers and gains or losses from the sale of assets.
Interest Expense
Total interest expense for 2008 decreased by approximately $432,000, or seven percent, compared to 2007. The lower interest expense is primarily the result of the following:
Interest on long-term debt decreased by $263,000 in 2008 compared to 2007 as the Company reduced its average long-term debt balance and its weighted average interest rate. The Company’s average long-term debt balance during 2008 was $76.2 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 6.40 percent, compared to $76.5 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 6.71 percent, for the same period in 2007.
- Other interest charges decreased by $127,000 as higher amounts of interest capitalized were partially offset by interest accrued on pending customer refunds.
Page 25 -46     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K



Interest on short-term borrowings decreased by $42,000 in 2008 compared to 2007, as the weighted average interest rate was nearly 2.7 percentage points lower in 2008 offsetting a $17.7 million increase in the Company’s average short-term borrowing balance. The Company’s average short-term borrowing during 2008 was $38.3 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 2.79 percent, compared to $20.6 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 5.46 percent, for 2007.
Total interest expense for 2007 increased approximately $816,000, or 14 percent, compared to 2006. The higher interest expense was a result of the following developments:
As a result of fewer capital projects in 2007 compared to 2006, the Company capitalized $469,000 less interest on debt in 2007 associated with ongoing capital projects.
The Company’s average long-term debt balance during 2007 was $76.5 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 6.71 percent, compared to $67.2 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 6.98 percent, for 2006. The large year-over-year increase in the average long-term debt balance was the result of a debt placement of $20 million in Senior Notes at 5.5 percent in October 2006 with three institutional investors (The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and United Omaha Life Insurance Company).
The average short-term borrowing balance in 2007 decreased by $6.3 million to $20.6 million compared to an average balance of $26.9 million in 2006. The weighted average interest rates for short-term borrowing of 5.46 percent for 2007 and 5.47 percent for 2006 had minimum impact on the change in short-term borrowing expense.
Other Operations & Eliminations (in thousands)
 
              
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Increase (decrease)
 
2004
 
2003
 
Increase (decrease)
 
Revenue 
$
763
 $647 $116 $647 $702  ($55)
Cost of sales  
116
  -  116  -  -  - 
Gross margin  
647
  647  -  647  702  (55)
                    
Operations & maintenance  
472
  279  193  279  79  200 
Depreciation & amortization  
220
  210  10  210  238  (28)
Other taxes  
97
  63  34  63  55  8 
Other operating expenses  
789
  552  237  552  372  180 
                    
Operating Income — Other  
($142
)
$95  ($237)$95 $330  ($235)
Operating Income — Eliminations 
$
30
 $33  ($3)$33 $29 $4 
                    
Total Operating Income (Loss)
  
($112
)
$128  ($240)$128 $359  ($231)
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $8.8 million for 2008, $8.6 million for 2007, and $7.0 million for 2006. The increases in income tax expense reflect the increased taxable income in each period. The effective federal income tax rate for each of the three years 2008, 2007, and 2006 was 35 percent, and the Company realized a benefit of $235,000, $226,000, and $220,000 in those years, respectively, relating to tax deductions for dividends paid on Company stock held in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

Discontinued Operations
In 2003,During 2007, Chesapeake decided to exitclose its distributed energy services subsidiary, OnSight, which had experienced operating losses since its inception in 2004. OnSight was previously reported as part of the water services business. Six of seven water dealerships were sold during 2003 and the remaining operation was sold in October 2004.Company’s Other Business segment. The results of the water companies’ operations for all periods presented in the consolidated income statements,OnSight have been reclassified to discontinued operations and shown net of tax. For 2004, thetax for all periods presented. The discontinued operations experienced a net loss of $121,000,$20,000 for 2007, compared to a net loss of $788,000$241,000 for 2003.2006. The Company did not have any discontinued operations in 2005.2008.

Income Taxes
Operating income taxes increased in 2005 compared to 2004, due to increased taxable income. Operating income taxes decreased in 2004 compared to 2003, due to decreased income. The effective current federal income tax rate for 2005 was 35%, whereas the rate for both 2004 and 2003 was 34%. During 2005, 2004 and 2003, the Company benefited of $223,000, $205,000, and 197,000, respectively, from a change in the tax law that allows tax deductions for dividends paid on Company stock held in Employee Stock Ownership Plans (“ESOP”).
Other Income
Other income was $383,000, $549,000 and $238,000 for the years 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The other income amounts for the years 2005 and 2003 consist of interest income, compared to interest income and gains from the sale of assets for the year 2004.
Interest Expense
Total interest expense for 2005 decreased approximately $135,000, or 2.6 percent, compared to 2004. The decrease reflects the decrease in the average long-term debt balance. The average long-term debt balance during 2005 was $67.4 million with a weighted average interest rate of 7.2 percent, compared to $71.3 million with a weighted average interest rate of 7.2 percent in 2004. The average short-term borrowing balance in 2005 was $5.7 million, an increase from $870,000 in 2004. The weighted average interest rate for short-term borrowing increased from 3.7 percent for 2004 to 4.6 percent for 2005.

Total interest expense for 2004 decreased approximately $438,000, or 8 percent, compared to 2003. The decrease reflects the decrease in the average long-term debt balance. The average long-term debt balance during 2004 was $71.3 million with a weighted average interest rate of 7.2 percent, compared to $75.4 million with a weighted average interest rate of 7.2 percent in 2003. The average short-term borrowing balance in 2004 was $870,000, a decrease from $3.5 million in 2003. The weighted average interest rate for short-term borrowing increased from 2.4 percent for 2003 to 3.7 percent for 2004.
- Page 26 -

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Chesapeake’s capital requirements reflect the capital-intensive nature of its business and are principally attributable to its investment in new plant and equipment and the retirement of outstanding debt. The Company relies on cash generated from operations, and short-term borrowing, and other sources to meet normal working capital requirements and to temporarily finance capital expenditures. During 2005,2008, net cash provided by operating activities was $13.3$28.5 million, cash used by investing activities was $32.8$31.2 million, and cash provided by financing activities was $20.4$1.7 million.

During 2004,2007, net cash provided by operating activities was $23.4$25.7 million, cash used by investing activities was $16.9$31.3 million, and cash usedprovided by financing activities was $8.0$3.7 million.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 47


Management’s Discussion and Analysis
As ofOn December 31, 2005,11, 2008, the Board of Directors has authorized the Company to borrow up to $50.0$65.0 million of short-term debt, as required, from various banks and trust companies. Oncompanies under short-term lines of credit. As of December 31, 2005,2008, Chesapeake had five unsecured bank lines of credit with three financial institutions, totaling $65.0 million.for a total of $100.0 million, none of which requires compensating balances. These bank lines are available to provide funds for the Company’s short-term cash needs to meet seasonal working capital requirements and to fund temporarily fund portions of its capital expenditures. TwoIn response to the instability and volatility of the financial markets during 2008, the Company solidified its lines of credit by converting $40.0 million of available credit under uncommitted lines to committed lines of credit. At December 31, 2008, two of the bank lines, totaling $15.0$55.0 million, are committed. The other threeAdvances offered under the uncommitted lines of credit are subject to the banks’ availabilitydiscretion of funds.the banks. The outstanding balancesbalance of short-term borrowing at December 31, 20052008 and 2004 were $35.52007 was $33.0 million and $5.0$45.7 million, respectively. In 2005 and 2004, Chesapeake usedThe level of short-term debt was reduced in 2008 with funds provided by operations and financing to fund net investing.
from the placement of $30 million of 5.93 percent Unsecured Senior Notes in October 2008.
Chesapeake has budgeted $54.4$34.8 million for capital expenditures during 2006.2009. This amount includes $20.8$21.6 million for natural gas distribution, $26.7$8.8 million for natural gas transmission, $5.7$3.6 million for propane distribution and wholesale marketing, $178,000$250,000 for advanced information services and $1.0 million$507,000 for other operations. The natural gas distribution and transmission expenditures are for expansion and improvement of facilities. The propane expenditures are to support customer growth and for the replacement ofto replace equipment. The advanced information services expenditures are for computer hardware, software and related equipment. The other category includes general plant, computer software and hardware. Financing forThe Company expects to fund the 20062009 capital expenditureexpenditures program is expected from short-term borrowing, cash provided by operating activities, and other sources. The capital expenditure program is subject to continuous review and modification. Actual capital requirements may vary from the above estimates due to a number of factors, including acquisition opportunities, changing economic conditions, customer growth in existing areas, regulation, new growth or acquisition opportunities and availability of capital.

Chesapeake expects to incur approximately $300,000 in 2006 and $25,000 in 2007 for environmental-related expenditures. Additional expenditures may be required in future years (see Note M to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Management does not expect financing of future environmental-related expenditures to have a material adverse effect on the financial position or capital resources of the Company.

Capital Structure
The following presents our capitalization as of December 31, 2008 and 2007:
                 
December 31, 2008  2007 
  (In thousands, except percentages) 
Long-term debt, net of current maturities $86,422   41% $63,256   35%
Stockholders’ equity $123,073   59% $119,576   65%
             
Total capitalization, excluding short-term debt $209,495   100% $182,832   100%
             
As of December 31, 2005,2008, common equity represented 59.059 percent of total capitalization, compared to 54.165 percent at December 31, 2007.
The following presents our capitalization as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, if short-term borrowing and the current portion of long-term debt were included in 2004. capitalization:
                 
December 31, 2008  2007 
  (In thousands, except percentages) 
Short-term debt $33,000   13% $45,664   19%
Long-term debt, including current maturities $93,079   38% $70,912   30%
Stockholders’ equity $123,073   49% $119,576   51%
             
Total capitalization, including short-term debt $249,152   100% $236,152   100%
             
If short-term borrowing and the current portion of long-term debt were included in capitalization, total capitalization increased by $13.0 million in 2008. The increased capitalization was primarily used to fund a portion of the $30.8 million of property, plant, and equipment added in 2008 and for other general working capital. In addition, if short-term borrowing and the current portion of long-term debt were included in total capitalization, the equity component of the Company’s capitalization would have been 46.049 percent and 51.3at December 31, 2008, compared to 51 percent respectively. at December 31, 2007.
Page 48     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Chesapeake remains committed to maintaining a sound capital structure and strong credit ratings to provide the financial flexibility needed to access the capital markets when required. This commitment, along with adequate and timely rate relief for the Company’s regulated operations, is intended to ensure that Chesapeake will be able to attract capital from outside sources at a reasonable cost. The Company believes that the achievement of these objectives will provide benefits to customers and creditors, as well as its investors.
Shelf Registration
In July 2006, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC to issue up to $40.0 million in new common stock and/or debt securities. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC in November 2006. In November 2006, we sold 690,345 shares of common stock, which included the underwriter’s exercise of an over-allotment option of 90,045 shares, under this registration statement, generating net proceeds of $19.7 million. The net proceeds from the sale were used for general corporate purposes, including financing of capital expenditures, repayment of short-term debt, and funding working capital requirements. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had approximately $20.0 million remaining under this registration statement.
In December 2008, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC relating to the Company’s investors.registration of 631,756 shares of our common stock under our Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”). The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC in January 2009 and replaces the prior registration in place for the Plan that had previously expired.
- Page 27 -

Cash Flows fromProvided by Operating Activities
Our cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities were as follows:
             
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
Net income $13,607,259  $13,197,710  $10,506,525 
Non-cash adjustments to net income  23,024,317   15,723,829   11,386,670 
Changes in assets and liabilities  (8,089,187)  (3,239,655)  8,255,699 
          
Net cash from operating activities
 $28,542,389  $25,681,884  $30,148,894 
          
Period-over-period changes in our cash flows from operating activities are attributable primarily to changes in net income, depreciation, deferred taxes and working capital. Changes in working capital are determined by a variety of factors, including weather, the prices of natural gas and propane, the timing of customer collections, payments of natural gas and propane purchases, and deferred gas cost recoveries.
The primary drivers forCompany generates a large portion of its annual net income and subsequent increases in our accounts receivable in the Company’s operatingfirst and fourth quarters of each year due to significant volumes of natural gas and propane delivered by our natural gas and propane distribution operations to customers during the peak heating season. In addition, our natural gas and propane inventories, which usually peak in the fall months, are largely drawn down in the heating season and provide a source of cash flows areas the inventory is used to satisfy winter sales demand.
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
In 2008, our net cash payments received from gas customers, offset by payments made by the Company for gas costs, operation and maintenance expenses, taxes and interest costs.
Net cashflow provided by operating activities totaled $13.3was $28.5 million, $23.4an increase of $2.9 million and $23.0 million for fiscal years 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. A description of certain materialcompared to 2007. The increase was due primarily to the following:
Net cash flows from changes in working capital from December 31, 2004accounts receivable and accounts payable were primarily due to December 31, 2005 is listed below:the timing of collections and payments of trading contracts entered into by the Company’s propane wholesale and marketing operation;

·  Accounts receivable and accrued revenue increased $16.8 million. The increase in receivables is attributed to higher gas and propane sale invoices in response to the higher natural gas and propane prices.
·  Propane inventory, storage gas and other inventory increased $5.7 million, primarily due to higher propane and natural gas prices.
·  The Company used $1.2 million
Timing of payments for the purchase of cash to purchase investments for the Rabbi Trust associated with the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Savings Plan. See Note E on Investments in Item 8 under the heading “Financial Statements and Supplemental Data”.
·  Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities increased $15.3 million largely to fund the higher natural gas and propane purchases due mostly to higher prices.
During 2004, propane inventory, storage gas, and other inventory rose $1.7 million due to higher natural gas costspurchases injected into storage, and increased storage capacity. During 2004the relative decline in the unit price of these commodities;
Reduction in regulatory liabilities, which resulted primarily from lower deferred gas cost recoveries in our natural gas distribution operations as the price of natural gas declined in the second half of 2008;
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 49


Management’s Discussion and 2003, Accounts receivableAnalysis
Reduced payments for income taxes payable as a result of higher tax deductions provided by the 2008 Economic Stimulus Act; and
Cash flows provided by non-cash adjustments for deferred income taxes. The increase in deferred income taxes is the result of higher book-to-tax timing differences during the period that were generated by the Economic Stimulus Act, which authorized bonus depreciation for certain assets.
In 2007, net cash flow provided by operating activities was $25.7 million, a decrease of $4.4 million from 2006. The 2007 operating cash flows reflect the favorable timing of payments for accounts payable and accrued revenueliabilities, which increased $11.7 millionoperating cash flow by $22.1 million. In addition, increased net income and $3.6 million, respectively,favorable non-cash adjustments, primarily in response to higher gas and propane sale invoices in responsedepreciation expense, contributed to the higher natural gasincrease in operating cash flow. Partially offsetting these increases in operating cash flow was an increase in accounts receivable of $28.2 million associated with increased revenues and the timing of invoicing by our propane prices. Accounts payablewholesale and other accrued liabilities increased $11.1 million and $564,000, respectively, in 2004 and 2003 due to higher natural gas and propane purchases.marketing operation.
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities
Cash flows received from financing totaled $20.4 million for 2005 and the cash used in financing activities totaled $8.0 million and $16.4 million for fiscal years 2004 and 2003, respectively. During fiscal year 2005, the Company increased the net amount of cash borrowed under its short-term lines of credits by $29.6 million. Additionally, the Company paid common stock dividends totaling $5.8 million and reduced its outstanding long-term notes payable balance by $4.8 million.

Cash flows used in financing activities during year 2004 reflected a $3.7 million repayment of long-term notes payable, coupled with common stock dividend payments totaling $5.6 million. Additionally during year 2004, the Company increased the net amount of cash borrowed from its short-term lines of credits by $1.2 million. During year 2003, cash flows used in financing activities reflected a $3.9 million repayment of long-term notes payable, a $7.4 million net repayment of short-term lines of credit, and payment of common stock dividends totaling $5.4 million.

On June 29, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement in principle with Prudential Investment Management Inc. Subsequently, the Company executed a Note Agreement, dated October 18, 2005, with three institutional investors (The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and United Omaha Life Insurance Company), pursuant to which the investors agreed, subject to certain conditions, to purchase from the Company $20 million in principal of 5.5 percent Senior Notes (the “Notes”) issued by the Company; provided, that the Company elects to effect the sale of the Notes at any time prior to January 15, 2007. The terms of the Notes will require annual principal repayments of $2 million beginning on the fifth anniversary of the issuance of the Notes.
- Page 28 -

Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $32.8$31.2 million, $16.9$31.3 million, and $5.9$48.9 million during fiscal years 2005, 20042008, 2007, and 2003,2006, respectively. In fiscal years 2005, 2004 and 2003, $33.0 million, $17.8 million and $11.8 million, respectively, of cash was
Cash utilized for capital expenditures.expenditures was $30.8 million, $31.3 million, and $48.9 million for 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Additions to property, plant and equipment in 20052008 were primarily for natural gas transmission ($15.010.5 million), natural gas distribution ($13.315.1 million) and, propane distribution ($3.83.1 million), advanced information services ($672,000) and other operations ($1.4 million). In both 20052008 and 2004,2007, the natural gas distribution expenditures were used primarily to fund expansion and facilities improvements. Naturalimprovements; in both periods, the natural gas transmission capital expenditures related primarily to expanding the Company’s transmission system. Additionally, cash of $240,000, $370,000 and $2.2 million was received in years 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively, for the recovery of
The Company’s environmental costsexpenditures exceeded amounts recovered through rates charged to customers. customers in 2008, 2007 and 2006 by $480,000, $228,000 and $16,000, respectively.
Sales of property, plant, and equipment generated $205,000 of cash in 2007.
Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities
Cash flows provided by financing activities totaled $1.7 million during 2008, $3.7 million during 2007, and $20.7 million during 2006. Significant financing activities included the following:
In October 2008, the Company completed the placement of $30.0 million of 5.93 percent Unsecured Senior Notes; in October 2006, the Company also completed the placement of $20.0 million of 5.5 percent Unsecured Senior Notes.
During 2008 and 2006, the Company reduced its short-term debt by $12.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively. During 2007, net borrowing of short-term debt increased by $18.7 million, primarily to support our capital investments.
The year 2003Company repaid $7.7 million of long-term debt during 2008 and 2007, compared with $4.9 million during 2006.
During 2008, the Company paid $8.0 million in cash dividends, compared with dividend payments of $7.0 million in 2007, and $6.0 million for 2006. The increase in dividends paid in 2008 compared to 2007 reflects the growth in the annualized dividend rate from $1.18 per share in 2007 to $1.22 per share in 2008. The dividends paid in 2007, compared to 2006 reflects both growth in the annualized dividend rate, from $1.16 per share during 2006 to $1.18 per share during 2007, and the increase in shares outstanding following the issuance of additional shares of common stock in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Page 50     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


In November 2006, the Company sold 690,345 shares of common stock, which included cashthe underwriter’s exercise of an over-allotment option of 90,045 shares, pursuant to a shelf registration statement declared effective in November 2006, generating net proceeds of $3.7 million received from$19.7 million.
In August 2006, the saleCompany paid cash of discontinued operations.$435,000, in lieu of issuing shares of the Company’s common stock, for the 30,000 stock warrants outstanding at December 31, 2005.

Contractual Obligations
We have the following contractual obligations and other commercial commitments as of December 31, 2005:
2008:
                     
  Payments Due by Period 
  Less than 1          More than 5    
Contractual Obligations year  1 – 3 years  3 – 5 years  years  Total 
Long-term debt(1)
 $6,656,364  $14,403,636  $13,454,545  $58,564,091  $93,078,636 
Operating leases(2)
  770,329   1,217,087   929,756   2,446,248   5,363,420 
Purchase obligations(3)
                    
Transmission capacity  8,881,750   22,168,145   10,162,156   48,665,180   89,877,231 
Storage — Natural Gas  1,507,998   4,145,743   2,719,878   1,707,063   10,080,682 
Commodities  31,597,588   57,545         31,655,133 
Forward purchase contracts — Propane(4)
  10,181,630            10,181,630 
Unfunded benefits(5)
  336,637   1,392,409   659,454   1,810,947   4,199,447 
Funded benefits(6)
  519,319   120,615   60,308   1,396,143   2,096,385 
                
Total Contractual Obligations
 $60,451,615  $43,505,180  $27,986,097  $114,589,672  $246,532,564 
                
(1)Principal payments on long-term debt, see Note H, “Long-Term Debt,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of this item. The expected interest payments on long-term debt are $5.7 million, $10.0 million, $8.0 million and $13.1 million, respectively, for the periods indicated above. Expected interest payments for all periods total $36.8 million.
(2)See Note J, “Lease Obligations,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of this item.
(3)See Note N, “Other Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
(4)The Company has also entered into forward sale contracts. See “Market Risk” of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for further information.
(5)The Company has recorded long-term liabilities of $4.6 million at December 31, 2008 for unfunded post-retirement benefit plans. The amounts specified in the table are based on expected payments to current retirees and assumes a retirement age of 62 for currently active employees. There are many factors that would cause actual payments to differ from these amounts, including early retirement, future health care costs that differ from past experience and discount rates implicit in calculations.
(6)The Company has recorded long-term liabilities of $6.5 million at December 31, 2008 for funded benefits. These liabilities have been funded using a Rabbi Trust and an asset in the same amount is recorded under Investments on the Balance Sheet. The defined benefit pension plan was closed to new participants on January 1, 1999 and participants in the plan on that date were given the option to leave the plan. See Note K, “Employee Benefit Plans,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the plan. The Company expects to contribute $450,000 to the plan in 2009. Additional contributions may be required based on the actual return earned by the plan assets and other actuarial assumptions, such as the discount rate and long-term expected rate of return on plan assets.
  
Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations
 
Less than 1 year
 
1 - 3 years
 
3 - 5 years
 
More than 5 years
 
Total
 
Long-term debt (1)
 $4,929,091 $15,312,727 $13,312,727 $30,364,909 $63,919,454 
Operating leases (2)
  645,576  1,062,394  692,741  2,376,302  4,777,013 
Purchase obligations (3)
                
Transmission capacity  7,585,816  12,497,472  11,890,259  25,015,062  56,988,609 
Storage — Natural Gas  1,422,987  2,709,353  2,696,217  6,518,563  13,347,120 
Commodities  20,012,976  -  -  -  20,012,976 
Forward purchase contracts — Propane (4)
  21,622,201  -  -  -  21,622,201 
Unfunded benefits (5)
  259,399  528,995  551,782  2,678,755  4,018,931 
Funded benefits (6)
  68,680  129,697  111,081  1,376,178  1,685,636 
Total Contractual Obligations
 
$
56,546,726
 
$
32,240,638
 
$
29,254,807
 
$
68,329,769
 
$
186,371,940
 
                 
(1) Principal payments on long-term debt, see Note H, Long-Term Debt,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of this item. The expected interest payments on long-term debt are $4.5 million, $7.7 million, $5.7 million and $7.2 million, respectively, for the periods indicated above. Expected interest payments for all periods total $25.1 million.
 
(2) See Note J, “Lease Obligations,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of this item.
 
(3) See Note N, “Other Commitments and Contingencies,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
 
(4) The Company has also entered into forward sale contracts. See “Market Risk” of the Management's Discussion and Analysis for further information.
 
(5) The Company has recorded long-term liabilities of $4.0 million at December 31, 2005 for unfunded post-retirement benefit plans. The amounts specified in the table are based on expected payments to current retirees and assumes a retirement age of 65 for currently active employees. There are many factors that would cause actual payments to differ from these amounts, including early retirement, future health care costs that differ from past experience and discount rates implicit in calculations.
 
(6) The Company has recorded long-term liabilities of $1.7 million at December 31, 2005 for funded benefits. These liabilities have been funded using a Rabbi Trust and an asset in the same amount is recorded under Investments on the Balance Sheet. The defined benefit pension plan was closed to new participants on January 1, 1999 and participants in the plan on that date were given the option to leave the plan. See Note K, “Employee Benefit Plans, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the plan. Since the plan modification, no additional funding has been required from the Company and none is expected for the next five years, based on factors in effect at December 31, 2005. However, this is subject to change based on the actual return earned by the plan assets and other actuarial assumptions, such as the discount rate and long-term expected rate of return on plan assets.
 
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company has issued corporate guarantees to certain vendors of its subsidiaries, primarily its propane wholesale marketing subsidiary advanced information services, and the Floridaits natural gas supply and management services subsidiary. These corporate guarantees provide for the payment of propane and natural gas purchases and office rent in the event of the subsidiaries’respective subsidiary’s default. None of these subsidiaries has ever defaulted on its obligations to pay its suppliers. The liabilities for these purchases are includedrecorded in ourthe Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements when incurred. The guaranteesaggregate amount guaranteed at December 31, 2005, totaled $11.22008 was $22.2 million, and expirewith the guarantees expiring on various dates in 2006.2009.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 51


Management’s Discussion and Analysis
TheIn addition to the corporate guarantees, the Company has issued a letter of credit to its mainprimary insurance company for $694,000,$775,000, which expires on May 31, 2006.2009. The letter of credit wasis provided as security for claims amounts belowto satisfy the deductibles onunder the Company’s various insurance policies. There have been no draws on this letter of credit as of December 31, 2008.

Rate Filings and Other Regulatory Activities
The Company’s natural gas distribution operations in Delaware, Maryland and Florida are subject to regulation by the Delaware, Maryland and Florida Public Service Commissions. The natural gas transmission operationtheir respective PSC; ESNG is subject to regulation by the FERC.
Delaware. On October 3, 2005, the Delaware division filed its annual Gas Sales Service Rates (“GSR”) application that At December 31, 2008, Chesapeake was effective for service rendered on and after November 1, 2005 with the Delaware Public Service Commission (“Delaware PSC”). On October 11, 2005, the Delaware PSC approved the GSR charges, subject to full evidentiary hearings and a final decision. An evidentiary hearing is currently scheduled for April 6, 2006, with a final decision by the Delaware PSC expected during the second involved in rate filings and/or third quarter of 2006.

On November 1, 2005, the Delaware division filed with the Delaware PSC its annual Environmental Rider (“ER”) Rate application that was effective for service rendered on and after December 1, 2005. The Delaware PSC granted approvalregulatory matters in each of the ERjurisdictions in which it operates. Each of these rate at its regularly scheduled meeting on November 8, 2005, subject to full evidentiary hearingsfilings or regulatory matters is fully described in Note O, “Other Commitments and a final decision. An evidentiary hearing is currently scheduled for April 5, 2006, with a final decision by the Delaware PSC expected during the second or third quarter of 2006.

On September 2, 2005, the Delaware division filed an application with the Delaware PSC requesting approval of an alternative rate design and rate structure in order to provide natural gas service to prospective customers in eastern Sussex County. While Chesapeake does provide natural gas service to residents and businesses in portions of Sussex County, under the Company’s current tariff and traditional ratemaking processes, natural gas has not been extendedContingencies,” to the State of Delaware’s recently targeted growth areas in eastern Sussex County. In April 2002, Governor Ruth Ann Minner established the Delaware Energy Task Force (“Task Force”), whose mission was to address the State of Delaware’s long-term and short-term energy challenges. In September 2003, the Task Force issued its final report to the Governor that included a strategy related to enhancing the availability of natural gas within the State by evaluating possible incentives for expanding residential and commercial natural gas service. Chesapeake believes its current proposal to implement a rate design that will enable the Company to provide natural gas as a viable energy choice to a broad number of prospective customers within eastern Sussex County is consistent with the Task Force recommendation. While the Company cannot predict the outcome of its application at this time, the Company anticipates a final decision from the Delaware PSC regarding its application during the first half of 2006.Consolidated Financial Statements.

Maryland. On December 8, 2005, the Maryland Public Service Commission (“Maryland PSC”) held an evidentiary hearing to determine the reasonableness of the Maryland division’s four quarterly gas cost recovery filings during the twelve months ended September 30, 2005. On January 12, 2006, the Hearing Examiner issued proposed findings approving the quarterly gas cost recovery rates as filed by the Maryland division, permitting complete recovery of its purchased gas costs for the period under review. The Maryland PSC did not receive any appeals or written exceptions to the proposed findings and as a result a final order was issued on February 14, 2006.

Florida. On August 25, 2004, the Florida division filed a petition with the Florida Public Service Commission (“Florida PSC”) for authorization to restructure rates and establish new customer classifications. The filing was revenue-neutral, but would allow the Florida division to collect a greater percentage of revenues from fixed charges, rather than variable charges based upon consumption. On February 1, 2005, the Florida PSC voted to approve the petition, as modified by the PSC staff. The Florida PSC issued a final order on February 22, 2005.
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On May 16, 2005, the Florida division filed for approval of a Special Contract with the Department of Management Services, an agency of the State of Florida, for service to the Washington Correction Institution (“WCI”). The Florida Public Service Commission approved the Company’s request on July 19, 2005, and service to the existing WCI facility is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2006. WCI is located in Washington County in the Florida panhandle and would become the thirteenth county served by the Company’s Florida division.

On September 2, 2005, the Florida division filed a petition for a Declaratory Statement with the FPSC for a determination that Peninsula Pipeline Company, Inc. (“PPC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, qualifies as a natural gas transmission company under the Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Intrastate Regulatory Act. The Florida PSC approved this Petition at its December 20, 2005 agenda conference, and a final order was issued on January 9, 2006. A determination that PPC does qualify as a natural gas transmission company would provide opportunities for investment to deliver gas service to industrial customers in Florida by an intra-state pipeline, instead of through Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, to certain niche markets.
Eastern Shore. During October 2002, Eastern Shore filed for recovery of gas supply realignment costs, which totaled $196,000 (including interest), associated with the implementation of FERC Order No. 636. At that time, the FERC deferred review of the filing pending settlement of a related matter concerning another transmission company. Chesapeake understands that the other matter has now been resolved and Eastern Shore intends to resubmit its gas supply realignment filing during first quarter of 2006.

On April 1, 2003, Eastern Shore filed an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (“Application”) before the FERC requesting authorization to construct the necessary facilities to enable Eastern Shore to provide additional daily firm transportation capacity of 15,100 dekatherms over a three-year period commencing November 1, 2003. On October 8, 2003, the FERC issued an order granting Eastern Shore the authority to construct and operate certain pipeline and measurement facilities in its service territories as requested. Phases I and II of the Application began providing services November 1, 2003 and 2004, respectively. On December 22, 2004, Eastern Shore filed to amend the above-referenced Application to seek FERC authorization to construct and operate new pipeline facilities to provide an additional 7,450 dekatherms of daily firm transportation service, as requested by its customers, to be available November 1, 2005. On June 27, 2005, the FERC issued an Order Amending Certificate, granting approval to Eastern Shore to construct and operate the additional pipeline facilities requested. Phase III began November 1, 2005. 

On December 9, 2005, Eastern Shore filed revised tariff sheets to replace its existing fixed price penalties with penalties that are the higher of a fixed price or a multiple of a daily index price. The revised penalties are applicable to customers who violate operational Flow Orders and customers who take unauthorized overrun quantities that could threaten the operational integrity of the pipeline, or to Eastern Shore’s ability to render reliable service. By letter order dated January 6, 2006, the FERC accepted Eastern Shore’s proposed changes, effective December 21, 2005.

Eastern Shore is also following the FERC’s recent rulemaking pertaining to creditworthiness standards for customers of interstate natural gas pipelines. FERC has not yet issued its final rules in this proceeding. Upon such issuance, Eastern Shore will evaluate its currently effective tariff creditworthiness provisions to determine whether any actions will need to be taken to conform to the FERC’s final rules.

Environmental Matters
The Company continues to work with federal and state environmental agencies to assess the environmental impact and explore corrective action at three other environmental sites (see Note MN to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company believes that future costs associated with these sites will be recoverable in rates or through sharing arrangements with, or contributions by, other responsible parties.

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Market Risk
Market risk represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. Long-term debt is subject to potential losses based on the changechanges in interest rates. The Company’s long-term debt consists of first mortgage bonds,fixed-rate senior notes and convertible debentures (see Note HI to the Consolidated Financial Statements for annual maturities of consolidated long-term debt). All of Chesapeake’sthe Company’s long-term debt is fixed-rate debt and was not entered into for trading purposes. The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, was $63.9$93.1 million at December 31, 2005,2008, as compared to a fair value of $68.5$92.3 million, based mainly on current market prices ora discounted cash flows using currentflow methodology that incorporates a market interest rate that is based on published corporate borrowing rates for similar issuesdebt instruments with similar terms and remaining maturities.average maturities with adjustments for duration, optionality, and risk profile. The Company evaluates whether to refinance existing debt or permanently financerefinance existing short-term borrowing, based in part on the fluctuation in interest rates.

The Company’s propane distribution business is exposed to market risk as a result of propane storage activities and entering into fixed price contracts for supply. The Company can store up to approximately four million gallons of propane (including leased storage and rail cars) of propane during the winter season to meet its customers’ peak requirements and to serve metered customers. Decreases in the wholesale price of propane may cause the value of stored propane to decline. To mitigate the impact of price fluctuations, the Company has adopted a Risk Management Policy that allows the propane distribution operation to enter into fair value hedges of its inventory. At December 31, 2005,2008, the propane distribution operation had entered into a put contractswap agreement to protect the valueCompany from the impact of 2.1 million gallonsprice increases on the Pro-Cap Plan that we offer to customers. The Company considered this agreement to be an economic hedge that did not qualify for hedge accounting as described in SFAS No. 133. At the end of 2008, the market price of propane, inventory fromvalued using broker or dealer quotations, or market transactions in either the listed or OTC markets, dropped below the unit price in the swap agreement. As a result of the price drop, the Company marked the January and February gallons in fair value. The Company settled the put in January 2006,agreement to market, which resulted in an increase to cost of sales of $939,000. The Company subsequently terminated the swap agreement in January 2009. The Company did not enter into a benefit of $28,000.

similar agreement in 2007.
The Company’s propane wholesale marketing operation is a party to natural gas liquids (“NGL”) forward contracts, primarily propane contracts, with various third parties. These contracts require that the propane wholesale marketing operation purchase or sell NGLnatural gas liquids at a fixed price at fixed future dates. At expiration, the contracts are settled by the delivery of NGLnatural gas liquids to the Company or the counter partycounter-party or booking out“booking out” the transaction (bookingtransaction. Booking out is a procedure for financially settling a contract in lieu of the physical delivery of energy).energy. The propane wholesale marketing operation also enters into futures contracts that are traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In certain cases, the futures contracts are settled by the payment or receipt of a net amount equal to the difference between the current market price of the futures contract and the original contract price.price; however, they may also be settled by physical receipt or delivery of propane.

Page 52     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


The forward and futures contracts are entered into for trading and wholesale marketing purposes. The propane wholesale marketing operationbusiness is subject to commodity price risk on its open positions to the extent that market prices for NGLnatural gas liquids deviate from fixed contract settlement amounts.prices. Market risk associated with the trading of futures and forward contracts areis monitored daily for compliance with Chesapeake’sthe Company’s Risk Management Policy, which includes volumetric limits for open positions. To manage exposures to changing market prices, open positions are marked up or down to market prices and reviewed by the Company’s oversight officials on a daily basis. Additionally,daily. In addition, the Risk Management Committee reviews periodic reports on marketmarkets and the credit risk of counter-parties, approves any exceptions to the Risk Management Policy (within the limits established by the Board of Directors) and authorizes the use of any new types of contracts. Quantitative information on the forward and futures contracts at December 31, 20052008 and 20042007 is shownpresented in the following charts.
tables.
           
  Quantity in  Estimated Market Weighted Average 
At December 31, 2008 gallons  Prices Contract Prices 
Forward Contracts
          
Sale  10,626,000  $0.5450 – $1.9100 $0.9984 
Purchase  9,949,800  $0.7000 – $1.9600 $1.0233 
Estimated market prices and weighted average contract prices are in dollars per gallon. All contracts expire the first quarter of 2009.
- Page 32 -
           
  Quantity in  Estimated Market Weighted Average 
At December 31, 2007 gallons  Prices Contract Prices 
Forward Contracts
          
Sale  30,941,400  $0.8925 – $1.6025 $1.3555 
Purchase  30,954,000  $0.8700 – $1.6000 $1.3498 

Estimated market prices and weighted average contract prices are in dollars per gallon. All contracts expire in 2008.
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company marked these forward contracts to market, using broker or dealer quotations, or market transactions in either the listed or OTC markets, which resulted in the following assets and liabilities:
         
December 31, 2008  2007 
(in thousands)
        
Marked-to-market energy assets $4,482  $7,812 
Marked-to-market energy liabilities $3,052  $7,739 
At December 31, 2005
 
Quantity in gallons
 
Estimated Market Prices
 
Weighted Average Contract Prices
 
Forward Contracts
       
Sale  20,794,200  $1.0350 — $1.1013  $1.0718 
Purchase  20,202,000  $1.0100 — $1.0450  $1.0703 
           
Estimated market prices and weighted average contract prices are in dollars per gallon.
 
All contracts expire in 2006.
 
At December 31, 2004
 
Quantity in gallons
 
Estimated Market Prices
 
Weighted Average Contract Prices
 
Forward Contracts
       
Sale  10,044,510  $0.7725 — $0.7750  $0.7828 
Purchase  9,975,000  $0.7300 — $0.7500  $0.8007 
           
Futures Contracts
          
Sale  378,000  $0.7450 — $0.7500  $0.7868 
Purchase  420,000  $0.7200 — $0.7300  $0.7500 
           
Estimated market prices and weighted average contract prices are in dollars per gallon.
 
All contracts expired in 2005.
 
The Company’s natural gas distribution and marketing operations have entered into agreements with natural gas suppliers to purchase natural gas for resale to their customers. Purchases under these contracts either do not meet the definition of derivatives in SFAS No. 133 or are considered “normal purchases and sales” under SFAS No. 138 and are not marked to market.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 53


Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Competition
The Company’s natural gas operations compete with other forms of energy including electricity, oil and propane. The principal competitive factors are price and, to a lesser extent, accessibility. The Company’s natural gas distribution operations have several large volumelarge-volume industrial customers that have the capacity tocan use fuel oil as an alternative to natural gas. When oil prices decline, these interruptible customers may convert to oil to satisfy their fuel requirements. Lower levels inrequirements, and our interruptible sales occur whenvolumes may decline because oil prices are lower relative tothan the price of natural gas. Oil prices, as well as the prices of electricity and other fuels, are subject to fluctuationfluctuate for a variety of reasons; therefore, future competitive conditions are not predictable. To address this uncertainty, the Company uses flexible pricing arrangements on both the supply and sales sidesides of this business to maximize sales volumes.compete with alternative fuel price fluctuations. As a result of the transmission business’operation’s conversion to open access and the Florida gas distribution division’s restructuring of its services, theirthese businesses have shifted from providing competitivebundled transportation and sales service to providing only transportation and contract storage services.

The Company’s natural gas distribution operations located in Delaware, Maryland and Florida offer unbundled transportation services to certain commercial and industrial customers. In 2002, the Florida operation extended transportationsuch service to residential customers. With such transportation service available on the Company’s distribution systems, the Company is competing with third partythird-party suppliers to sell gas to industrial customers. As it relatesWith respect to unbundled transportation services, the Company’s competitors include the interstate transmission companycompanies, if the distribution customer iscustomers are located close enough to thea transmission company’s pipeline to make a connectionconnections economically feasible. The customers at risk are usually large volume commercial and industrial customers with the financial resources and capability to bypass the Company’s distribution operations in this manner. In certain situations, the Company’s distribution operations may adjust services and rates for these customers to retain their business. The Company expects to continue to expand the availability of unbundled transportation service to additional classes of distribution customers in the future. The Company has also established a natural gas sales and supply management operation in Florida, Delaware and Maryland to compete forprovide such service to customers eligible for unbundled transportation services. The Company also provides sales service in Delaware.

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The Company’s propane distribution operations compete with several other propane distributors in their service territories,respective geographic markets, primarily on the basis of service and price, emphasizing reliability of serviceresponsive and responsiveness. Competition isreliable service. Our competitors generally frominclude local outlets of national distribution companiesdistributors and local businesses, becauseindependent distributors, located in closewhose proximity to customers incurentails lower costs of providingto provide service. Propane competes with electricity as an energy source, because it is typically less expensive than electricity, based on equivalent BTU value. Propane also competes with home heating oil as an energy source. Since natural gas has historically been less expensive than propane, propane is generally not distributed in geographic areas servicedserved by natural gas pipeline or distribution systems.

The propane wholesale marketing operation competes against various regional and national marketers, many of which have significantly greater resources and are able to obtain price or volumetric advantages.

The advanced information services business faces significant competition from a number of larger competitors having substantially greater resources available to them than does the Company. In addition, changes in the advanced information services business are occurring rapidly, whichand could adversely impactaffect the markets for the products and services offered by these businesses. This segment competes on the basis of technological expertise, reputation and price.

Inflation
Inflation affects the cost of supply, labor, products and services required for operation,operations, maintenance and capital improvements. While the impact of inflation has remained low in recent years, natural gas and propane prices are subject to rapid fluctuations. FluctuationsIn the Company’s regulated natural gas distribution operations, fluctuations in natural gas prices are passed on to customers through the gas cost recovery mechanism in the Company’s tariffs. To help cope with the effects of inflation on its capital investments and returns, the Company seeks rate relief from regulatory commissions for its regulated operations while monitoringand closely monitors the returns of its unregulated business operations. To compensate for fluctuations in propane gas prices, Chesapeakethe Company adjusts its propane selling prices to the extent allowed by the market.

Page 54     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K
Recent Pronouncements

In December 2004, the FASB released a revision (“Share-Based Payment”) to SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” referred to as SFAS No. 123R. In April 2005, the SEC approved a new rule that delayed the effective date for SFAS No. 123R until the first annual period beginning after June 15, 2005. This Statement establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for stock-based employee compensation plans. Those plans include all arrangements by which employees receive shares of stock or other equity instruments of the employer or the employer incurs liabilities to employees in amounts based on the price of the employer’s stock. Examples are stock purchase plans, stock options, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights. The adoption of this pronouncement will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In March 2005, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 47 (“FIN No. 47”), “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations,” an interpretation of SFAS No. 143. FIN No. 47 clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional even though uncertainty exists about the timing and (or) method of settlement. Thus, the timing and (or) method of settlement may be conditional on a future event. FIN No. 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. The Company adopted FIN No. 47 during the fourth quarter of 2005 and it did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections — a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3”. SFAS No. 154 primarily requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements for the direct effects of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. This statement applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle and also applies to changes required by an accounting pronouncement in the unusual instance that the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions. The statement is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company is required to adopt the provision of SFAS No. 154, as applicable, beginning in fiscal year 2006.


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Cautionary Statement
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation has made statements in this reportForm 10-K that are considered to be forward-looking statements.“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not matters of historical fact. Sometimes they containfact and are typically identified by words such as, but not limited to, “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will”and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” and other similar words of a predictive nature.“could.” These statements relate to matters such as customer growth, changes in revenues or gross margin,margins, capital expenditures, environmental remediation costs, regulatory approvals,trends and decisions, market risks associated with our propane operations, the Company’s propane wholesale marketing operation, competition,competitive position of the Company, inflation, and other matters. It is important to understand that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees butguarantees; rather, they are subject to certain risks, and uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. TheseSuch factors include, among other things:but are not limited to:

o  
the temperature sensitivity of the natural gas and propane businesses;
o  the effect of spot, forward and futures market prices on the Company’s distribution, wholesale marketing and energy trading businesses;
o  the effects of competition on the Company’s unregulated and regulated businesses;
o  the effect of changes in federal, state or local regulatory and tax requirements, including deregulation;
o  the effect of accounting changes;
o  the effect of changes in benefit plan assumptions;
o  the effect of compliance with environmental regulations or the remediation of environmental damage;
o  the effects of general economic conditions on the Company and its customers;
o  the ability of the Company’s new and planned facilities and acquisitions to generate expected revenues; and
o  the Company’s ability to obtain the rate relief and cost recovery requested from utility regulators and the timing of the requested regulatory actions.



- Page 35 -

the effects of spot, forward, futures market prices, and the Company’s use of derivative instruments on the Company’s distribution, wholesale marketing and energy trading businesses;
the amount and availability of natural gas and propane supplies;
the access to interstate pipelines’ transportation and storage capacity and the construction of new facilities to support future growth;

the effects of natural gas and propane commodity price changes on the operating costs and competitive positions of our natural gas and propane distribution operations;
the impact that declining propane prices may have on the valuation of our propane inventory;
third-party competition for the Company’s unregulated and regulated businesses;
changes in federal, state or local regulation and tax requirements, including deregulation;
changes in technology affecting the Company’s advanced information services segment;
changes in credit risk and credit requirements affecting the Company’s energy marketing subsidiaries;
the effects of accounting changes;
changes in benefit plan assumptions, return on plan assets, and funding requirements;
cost of compliance with environmental regulations or the remediation of environmental damage;
the effects of general economic conditions, including interest rates, on the Company and its customers;
the impact of the volatility in the financial and credit markets on the Company’s ability to access credit;
the ability of the Company’s new and planned facilities and acquisitions to generate expected revenues;
the ability of the Company to construct facilities at or below estimated costs;
the Company’s ability to obtain the rate relief and cost recovery requested from utility regulators and the timing of the requested regulatory actions;
the Company’s ability to obtain necessary approvals and permits from regulatory agencies on a timely basis;
the impact of inflation on the results of operations, cash flows, financial position and on the Company’s planned capital expenditures;
inability to access the financial markets to a degree that may impair future growth; and
operating and litigation risks that may not be covered by insurance.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 55


Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Information concerning quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk is included in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Market Risk.”
Item 8. Financial Statements and SupplementalSupplementary Data.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, Chesapeake’s management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in a report entitled “Internal Control — Integrated Framework”Framework,” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Chesapeake’s management has evaluated and concluded that Chesapeake’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2005.2008.

Page 56     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K
Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of Chesapeake’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.




- Page 36 -


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
________

To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders
of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation

We have completed integrated auditsaudited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation’s 2005 and 2004 consolidated financial statements and of its internal control over financial reportingCorporation as of December 31, 2005,2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, cash flows and income taxes for the years then ended. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an audit of its 2003opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Our opinions, basedThose standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits are presented below.

Consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule

provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1)referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and its subsidiaries atas of December 31, 20052008 and 2004,2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the periodthen ended December 31, 2005, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited the adjustments to the 2006 consolidated financial statements to retrospectively reflect the discontinued operations described in Note B. In our opinion, such adjustments were appropriate and have been properly applied. We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 2006 consolidated financial statements of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation other than with respect to the adjustments and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 2006 consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Chesapeake Utilities Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established inInternal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 9, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion.
/s/ Beard Miller Company LLP     
Beard Miller Company LLP
Reading, Pennsylvania
March 9, 2009
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 57


Consolidated Statements of Income
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
In our opinion, the consolidated statements of income, cash flows, stockholders’ equity and income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2006, before the effects of the adjustments to retrospectively reflect the discontinued operations described in Note B, present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and its subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (the 2006 financial statements before the effects of the adjustments discussed in Note B are not presented herein). In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed infor the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2)year ended December 31, 2006, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.statements before the effects of the adjustments described above. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.audit. We conducted our auditsaudit, before the effects of the adjustments described above, of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit of financial statements includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provideaudit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Internal control overAs discussed in Note L to the consolidated financial reporting

Also, in our opinion, management’s assessment, included in Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8, thatstatements, the Company maintainedchanged the manner in which it accounts for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established2006.
We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the adjustments to retrospectively reflect the discontinued operations described in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the CommitteeNote B and accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on those criteria. Furthermore, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the COSO. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on management’s assessment and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. An audit of internal control over financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testingsuch adjustments are appropriate and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing suchhave been properly applied. Those adjustments were audited by other procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.auditors.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, MA
March 13, 2007
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.




/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, MA
March 6, 2006


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Consolidated Statements of Income  
        
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
Operating Revenues
 
$
229,629,736
 $177,955,441 $163,567,592 
           
Operating Expenses
          
Cost of sales, excluding costs below  
153,514,739
  109,626,377  95,246,819 
Operations  
40,181,649
  35,146,595  33,526,804 
Maintenance  
1,818,981
  1,518,774  1,737,855 
Depreciation and amortization  
7,568,209
  7,257,538  7,089,836 
Other taxes  
5,015,659
  4,436,411  4,386,878 
Total operating expenses  
208,099,237
  157,985,695  141,988,192 
           
Operating Income
  
21,530,499
  19,969,746  21,579,400 
           
Other income net of other expenses  
382,626
  549,156  238,439 
           
Interest charges  
5,133,495
  5,268,145  5,705,911 
           
Income Before Income Taxes
  
16,779,630
  15,250,757  16,111,928 
           
Income taxes  
6,312,016
  5,701,090  6,032,445 
           
Net Income from Continuing Operations
  
10,467,614
  9,549,667  10,079,483 
           
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit of $0, $59,751 and $74,997  
-
  (120,900) (787,607)
           
Net Income
 
$
10,467,614
 $9,428,767 $9,291,876 
           
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:
          
Basic
          
From continuing operations 
$
1.79
 $1.66 $1.80 
From discontinued operations  
-
  (0.02) (0.14)
Net Income
 
$
1.79
 $1.64 $1.66 
           
Diluted
          
From continuing operations 
$
1.77
 $1.64 $1.76 
From discontinued operations  
-
  (0.02) (0.13)
Net Income
 
$
1.77
 $1.62 $1.63 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Page 58     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


             
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
             
Operating Revenues
 $291,443,477  $258,286,495  $231,199,565 
             
Operating Expenses
            
Cost of sales, excluding costs below  200,643,518   170,848,211   155,809,747 
Operations  43,475,794   42,242,218   36,612,683 
Unconsummated acquisition costs  1,152,844       
Maintenance  2,215,123   2,235,605   2,161,177 
Depreciation and amortization  9,004,911   9,060,185   8,243,715 
Other taxes  6,472,353   5,786,694   5,040,306 
          
Total operating expenses  262,964,543   230,172,913   207,867,628 
          
Operating Income
  28,478,934   28,113,582   23,331,937 
             
Other income, net of other expenses  103,039   291,305   189,093 
             
Interest charges  6,157,552   6,589,639   5,773,993 
          
             
Income Before Income Taxes
  22,424,421   21,815,248   17,747,037 
Income taxes  8,817,162   8,597,461   6,999,072 
          
Income from Continuing Operations
  13,607,259   13,217,787   10,747,965 
             
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit of $0,$10,898 and $162,510     (20,077)  (241,440)
          
Net Income
 $13,607,259  $13,197,710  $10,506,525 
          
             
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
            
Basic  6,811,848   6,743,041   6,032,462 
Diluted  6,927,483   6,854,716   6,155,131 
             
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:
            
Basic
            
From continuing operations $2.00  $1.96  $1.78 
From discontinued operations        (0.04)
          
Net Income
 $2.00  $1.96  $1.74 
          
Diluted
            
From continuing operations $1.98  $1.94  $1.76 
From discontinued operations        (0.04)
          
Net Income
 $1.98  $1.94  $1.72 
          
             
Cash Dividends Declared Per Share of Common Stock:
 $1.21  $1.18  $1.16 
- Page 40 -


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  
        
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
Operating Activities
       
Net Income 
$
10,467,614
 $9,428,767 $9,291,876 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net operating cash:          
Depreciation and amortization   
7,568,209
  7,257,538  8,030,399 
Depreciation and accretion included in other costs   
2,705,619
  2,611,779  2,468,647 
Deferred income taxes, net   
1,510,776
  4,559,207  2,397,594 
Unrealized (loss) gain on commodity contracts   
(227,193
)
 353,183  457,901 
Employee benefits and compensation   
1,621,607
  1,536,586  2,042,093 
Other, net   
(62,692
)
 67,079  15,874 
Changes in assets and liabilities:          
Sale (purchase) of investments   
(1,242,563
)
 43,354  - 
Accounts receivable and accrued revenue   
(16,831,750
)
 (11,723,505) (3,565,363)
Propane inventory, storage gas and other inventory   
(5,704,040
)
 (1,741,941) (466,412)
Regulatory assets   
(1,719,184
)
 428,516  116,153 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   
36,703
  (221,137) (316,425)
Other deferred charges   
(102,562
)
 (168,898) 43,844 
Long-term receivables   
247,600
  428,964  (101,373)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities   
15,258,551
  11,079,661  564,270 
Income taxes receivable (payable)   
(2,006,763
)
 (229,237) 25,090 
Accrued interest   
(42,374
)
 (51,272) (47,464)
Customer deposits and refunds   
462,781
  665,549  128,704 
Accrued compensation   
875,342
  (794,194) 910,587 
Regulatory liabilities   
144,499
  (191,266) 466,923 
Environmental and other liabilities   
328,383
  12,721  550,977 
Net cash provided by operating activities  
13,288,563
  23,351,454  23,013,895 
           
Investing Activities
          
Property, plant and equipment expenditures  
(33,008,235
)
 (17,784,240) (11,790,364)
Sale of investments  
-
  135,170  - 
Sale of discontinued operations  
-
  415,707  3,732,649 
Environmental recoveries and other  
240,336
  369,719  2,127,248 
Net cash used by investing activities  
(32,767,899
)
 (16,863,644) (5,930,467)
           
Financing Activities
          
Common stock dividends  
(5,789,179
)
 (5,560,535) (5,403,536)
Issuance of stock for Dividend Reinvestment Plan  
458,756
  200,551  347,546 
Change in cash overdrafts due to outstanding checks  
874,083
  (143,720) (46,853)
Net borrowing (repayment) under line of credit agreements  
29,606,400
  1,184,743  (7,384,743)
Repayment of long-term debt  
(4,794,827
)
 (3,665,589) (3,945,617)
Net cash used by financing activities  
20,355,233
  (7,984,550) (16,433,203)
           
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
  
875,897
  (1,496,740) 650,225 
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Beginning of Period
  
1,611,761
  3,108,501  2,458,276 
Cash and Cash Equivalents — End of Period
 
$
2,487,658
 $1,611,761 $3,108,501 
           
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow information
          
Cash paid for interest 
$
5,052,013
 $5,280,299 $5,648,332 
Cash paid for income taxes 
$
6,342,476
 $1,977,223 $3,767,816 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 59


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
- Page 41 -
             
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
             
Operating Activities
            
Net Income $13,607,259  $13,197,710  $10,506,525 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net operating cash:            
Depreciation and amortization  9,004,911   9,060,185   8,243,715 
Depreciation and accretion included in other costs  2,239,018   3,336,506   3,102,066 
Deferred income taxes, net  11,441,660   1,831,030   (408,533)
Gain on sale of assets     (204,882)   
Unrealized (gain) loss on commodity contracts  (1,146,486)  (170,465)  37,110 
Unrealized (gain) loss on investments  509,084   (122,819)  (151,952)
Employee benefits and compensation  151,910   1,004,273   (158,825)
Share based compensation  820,175   989,945   709,789 
Other, net  4,045   56   13,300 
Changes in assets and liabilities:            
Sale (purchase) of investments  (200,603)  229,125   (177,990)
Accounts receivable and accrued revenue  19,410,552   (28,189,132)  9,705,860 
Propane inventory, storage gas and other inventory  (1,729,641)  1,193,336   354,764 
Regulatory assets  410,989   (344,680)  2,498,954 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (1,182,142)  (1,185,829)  (261,017)
Other deferred charges  (153,005)  (2,477,879)  (231,822)
Long-term receivables  207,324   83,653   137,101 
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities  (15,139,134)  22,130,049   (11,434,370)
Income taxes receivable  (6,155,239)  (158,556)  1,800,913 
Accrued interest  158,154   33,112   273,672 
Customer deposits and refunds  (502,479)  2,534,655   2,361,265 
Accrued compensation  (174,946)  946,099   (721,289)
Regulatory liabilities  (3,107,401)  2,124,091   2,824,068 
Other liabilities  68,384   (157,699)  1,125,590 
          
Net cash provided by operating activities  28,542,389   25,681,884   30,148,894 
          
             
Investing Activities
            
Property, plant and equipment expenditures  (30,755,845)  (31,277,390)  (48,845,828)
Proceeds from sale of assets     204,882    
Environmental expenditures  (479,799)  (227,979)  (15,549)
          
Net cash used by investing activities  (31,235,644)  (31,300,487)  (48,861,377)
          
             
Financing Activities
            
Common stock dividends  (7,956,843)  (7,029,821)  (5,982,531)
Issuance of stock for Dividend Reinvestment Plan  28,541   299,436   321,865 
Stock issuance        19,698,509 
Cash settlement of warrants        (434,782)
Change in cash overdrafts due to outstanding checks  (683,836)  (541,052)  49,047 
Net borrowing (repayment) under line of credit agreements  (11,980,108)  18,651,055   (7,977,347)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt  29,960,518      19,968,104 
Repayment of long-term debt  (7,656,623)  (7,656,580)  (4,929,674)
          
Net cash provided by financing activities  1,711,649   3,723,038   20,713,191 
          
             
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
  (981,606)  (1,895,565)  2,000,708 
             
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Beginning of Period
  2,592,801   4,488,366   2,487,658 
          
             
Cash and Cash Equivalents — End of Period
 $1,611,195  $2,592,801  $4,488,366 
          

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (see Note D)

Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
      
Assets      
At December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
     
Natural gas distribution and transmission 
$
220,685,461
 $198,306,668 
Propane  
41,563,810
  38,344,983 
Advanced information services  
1,221,177
  1,480,779 
Other plant  
9,275,729
  9,368,153 
Total property, plant and equipment  
272,746,177
  247,500,583 
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization  
(78,840,413
)
 (73,213,605)
Plus: Construction work in progress  
7,598,531
  2,766,209 
Net property, plant and equipment  
201,504,295
  177,053,187 
        
Investments
  
1,685,635
  386,422 
        
Current Assets
       
Cash and cash equivalents  
2,487,658
  1,611,761 
Accounts receivable (less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $861,378 and $610,819, respectively)  
54,284,011
  36,938,688 
Accrued revenue  
4,716,383
  5,229,955 
Propane inventory, at average cost  
6,332,956
  4,654,119 
Other inventory, at average cost  
1,538,936
  1,056,530 
Regulatory assets  
4,434,828
  2,435,284 
Storage gas prepayments  
8,628,179
  5,085,382 
Income taxes receivable  
2,725,840
  719,078 
Prepaid expenses  
2,021,164
  1,759,643 
Other current assets  
1,596,797
  459,908 
Total current assets  
88,766,752
  59,950,348 
        
Deferred Charges and Other Assets
       
Goodwill  
674,451
  674,451 
Other intangible assets, net  
205,683
  219,964 
Long-term receivables  
961,434
  1,209,034 
Other regulatory assets  
1,178,232
  1,542,741 
Other deferred charges  
1,003,393
  902,281 
Total deferred charges and other assets  
4,023,193
  4,548,471 
        
        
Total Assets
 
$
295,979,875
 $241,938,428 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Page 60     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Consolidated Balance Sheets
- Page 42 -
         
  December 31,  December 31, 
Assets 2008  2007 
         
Property, Plant and Equipment
        
Natural gas $316,124,761  $289,706,066 
Propane  51,827,293   48,506,231 
Advanced information services  1,439,390   1,157,808 
Other plant  10,815,345   8,567,833 
       
Total property, plant and equipment  380,206,789   347,937,938 
 
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization  (101,017,551)  (92,414,289)
Plus: Construction work in progress  1,481,448   4,899,608 
       
Net property, plant and equipment  280,670,686   260,423,257 
       
         
Investments
  1,600,790   1,909,271 
       
         
Current Assets
        
Cash and cash equivalents  1,611,195   2,592,801 
Accounts receivable (less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $1,159,014 and $952,074, respectively)  52,905,447   72,218,191 
Accrued revenue  5,167,666   5,265,474 
Propane inventory, at average cost  5,710,673   7,629,295 
Other inventory, at average cost  1,479,249   1,280,506 
Regulatory assets  826,009   1,575,072 
Storage gas prepayments  9,491,690   6,042,169 
Income taxes receivable  7,442,921   1,237,438 
Deferred income taxes  1,577,805   2,155,393 
Prepaid expenses  4,679,368   3,496,517 
Mark-to-market energy assets  4,482,473   7,812,456 
Other current assets  146,820   146,253 
       
 
Total current assets  95,521,316   111,451,565 
       
         
Deferred Charges and Other Assets
        
Goodwill  674,451   674,451 
Other intangible assets, net  164,268   178,073 
Long-term receivables  533,356   740,680 
Regulatory assets  2,806,195   2,539,235 
Other deferred charges  3,823,448   3,640,480 
       
 
Total deferred charges and other assets  8,001,718   7,772,919 
       
         
Total Assets
 $385,794,510  $381,557,012 
       


Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
      
Capitalization and Liabilities      
At December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Capitalization
     
Stockholders' equity     
Common Stock, par value $.4867 per share; (authorized 12,000,000 shares) (1)
 
$
2,863,212
 $2,812,538 
Additional paid-in capital  
39,619,849
  36,854,717 
Retained earnings  
42,854,894
  39,015,087 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  
(578,151
)
 (527,246)
Deferred compensation obligation  
794,535
  816,044 
Treasury stock  
(797,156
)
 (1,008,696)
Total stockholders' equity  
84,757,183
  77,962,444 
        
Long-term debt, net of current maturities  
58,990,363
  66,189,454 
Total capitalization  
143,747,546
  144,151,898 
        
Current Liabilities
       
Current portion of long-term debt  
4,929,091
  2,909,091 
Short-term borrowing  
35,482,241
  5,001,758 
Accounts payable  
45,645,228
  30,938,272 
Customer deposits and refunds  
5,140,999
  4,678,218 
Accrued interest  
558,719
  601,095 
Dividends payable  
1,676,398
  1,617,245 
Deferred income taxes payable  
1,150,828
  571,876 
Accrued compensation  
3,793,244
  2,680,370 
Regulatory liabilities  
550,546
  571,111 
Other accrued liabilities  
3,560,055
  1,800,540 
Total current liabilities  
102,487,349
  51,369,576 
        
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
       
Deferred income taxes payable  
24,248,624
  23,350,414 
Deferred investment tax credits  
367,085
  437,909 
Other regulatory liabilities  
2,008,779
  1,578,374 
Environmental liabilities  
352,504
  461,656 
Accrued pension costs  
3,099,882
  3,007,949 
Accrued asset removal cost  
16,727,268
  15,024,849 
Other liabilities  
2,940,838
  2,555,803 
Total deferred credits and other liabilities  
49,744,980
  46,416,954 
        
Other Commitments and Contingencies (Note N)
       
        
        
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
 
$
295,979,875
 $241,938,428 
        
(1) Shares issued were 5,883,099 and 5,778,976 for 2005 and 2004, respectively.
       
Shares outstanding were 5,883,002 and 5,769,558 for 2005 and 2004, respectively.       
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 61


Consolidated Balance Sheets
- Page 43 -
         
  December 31,  December 31, 
Capitalization and Liabilities 2008  2007 
         
Capitalization
        
Stockholders’ equity        
Common Stock, par value $0.4867 per share (authorized 12,000,000 shares) $3,322,668  $3,298,473 
Additional paid-in capital  66,680,696   65,591,552 
Retained earnings  56,817,921   51,538,194 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (3,748,093)  (851,674)
Deferred compensation obligation  1,548,507   1,403,922 
Treasury stock  (1,548,507)  (1,403,922)
       
Total stockholders’ equity  123,073,192   119,576,545 
         
Long-term debt, net of current maturities  86,422,273   63,255,636 
       
 
Total capitalization  209,495,465   182,832,181 
       
         
Current Liabilities
        
Current portion of long-term debt  6,656,364   7,656,364 
Short-term borrowing  33,000,000   45,663,944 
Accounts payable  40,202,280   54,893,071 
Customer deposits and refunds  9,534,441   10,036,920 
Accrued interest  1,023,658   865,504 
Dividends payable  2,082,267   1,999,343 
Accrued compensation  3,304,736   3,400,112 
Regulatory liabilities  3,227,337   6,300,766 
Mark-to-market energy liabilities  3,052,440   7,739,261 
Other accrued liabilities  2,967,905   2,500,542 
       
 
Total current liabilities  105,051,428   141,055,827 
       
         
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
        
Deferred income taxes  37,719,859   28,795,885 
Deferred investment tax credits  235,422   277,698 
Regulatory liabilities  875,106   1,136,071 
Environmental liabilities  511,223   835,143 
Other pension and benefit costs  7,335,116   2,513,030 
Accrued asset removal cost  20,641,279   20,249,948 
Other liabilities  3,929,612   3,861,229 
       
 
Total deferred credits and other liabilities  71,247,617   57,669,004 
       
         
Other Commitments and Contingencies (Note N)
        
         
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
 $385,794,510  $381,557,012 
       


Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity  
        
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
Common Stock
       
Balance — beginning of year 
$
2,812,538
 $2,754,748 $2,694,935 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan  
20,038
  20,125  24,888 
Retirement Savings Plan  
10,255
  19,058  21,047 
Conversion of debentures  
11,004
  9,060  9,144 
Performance shares and options exercised (1)
  
9,377
  9,547  4,734 
Balance — end of year  
2,863,212
  2,812,538  2,754,748 
           
Additional Paid-in Capital
          
Balance — beginning of year  
36,854,717
  34,176,361  31,756,983 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan  
1,224,874
  996,715  1,066,386 
Retirement Savings Plan  
682,829
  946,319  899,475 
Conversion of debentures  
373,259
  307,940  310,293 
Performance shares and options exercised (1)
  
484,170
  427,382  143,224 
Balance — end of year  
39,619,849
  36,854,717  34,176,361 
           
Retained Earnings
          
Balance — beginning of year  
39,015,087
  36,008,246  32,898,283 
Net income  
10,467,614
  9,428,767  9,291,876 
Cash dividends (2)
  
(6,627,807
)
 (6,403,450) (6,181,913)
Loss on issuance of treasury stock  
-
  (18,476) - 
Balance — end of year  
42,854,894
  39,015,087  36,008,246 
           
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
          
Balance — beginning of year  
(527,246
)
 -  - 
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax  
(50,905
)
 (527,246) - 
Balance — end of year  
(578,151
)
 (527,246) 0 
           
Deferred Compensation Obligation
          
Balance — beginning of year  
816,044
  913,689  711,109 
New deferrals  
130,426
  296,790  202,580 
Payout of deferred compensation  
(151,935
)
 (394,435) - 
Balance — end of year  
794,535
  816,044  913,689 
           
Treasury Stock
          
Balance — beginning of year  
(1,008,696
)
 (913,689) (711,109)
New deferrals related to compensation obligation  
(130,426
)
 (296,790) (202,580)
Purchase of treasury stock  
(182,292
)
 (344,753) - 
Sale and distribution of treasury stock  
524,258
  546,536  - 
Balance — end of year  
(797,156
)
 (1,008,696) (913,689)
           
           
Total Stockholders’ Equity
 
$
84,757,183
 $77,962,444 $72,939,355 
           
(1) Includes amounts for shares issued for Directors compensation. 
 
(2) Cash dividends declared per share for 2005, 2004 and 2003 were $1.14, $1.12 and $1.10, respectively.
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income  
       
        
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
Net income 
$
10,467,614
 $9,428,767 $9,291,876 
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $33,615 and $347,726, respectively  
(50,905
)
 (527,246) - 
Comprehensive Income
 
$
10,416,709
 $8,901,521 $9,291,876 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Page 62     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
                                 
  Common Stock  Additional      Accumulated
Other
          
  Number of      Paid-In  Retained  Comprehensive  Deferred  Treasury    
  Shares  Par Value  Capital  Earnings  Income  Compensation  Stock  Total 
Balances at December 31, 2005
  5,883,099  $2,863,212  $39,619,849  $42,854,894  $(578,151) $794,535  $(797,156) $84,757,183 
Net earnings              10,506,525               10,506,525 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:                                
Minimum pension liability, net of tax(1)
                  74,036           74,036 
                                
Total comprehensive income                              10,580,561 
                                
Adjustment to initially apply SFAS No. 158, net of tax (5) (6)
                  169,565           169,565 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan  38,392   18,685   1,148,100                   1,166,785 
Retirement Savings Plan  29,705   14,457   900,354                   914,811 
Conversion of debentures  16,677   8,117   275,300                   283,417 
Share based compensation(2) (4)
  29,866   14,536   887,426                   901,962 
Stock warrants, net of tax          (233,327)                  (233,327)
Deferred Compensation Plan                      323,974   (323,974)   
Purchase of treasury stock  (97)                      (51,572)  (51,572)
Sale and distribution of treasury stock  97                       54,193   54,193 
Stock issuance  690,345   335,991   19,362,518                   19,698,509 
Cash dividends (3)
              (7,090,535)              (7,090,535)
                         
Balances at December 31, 2006
  6,688,084   3,254,998   61,960,220   46,270,884   (334,550)  1,118,509   (1,118,509)  111,151,552 
Net earnings              13,197,710               13,197,710 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:                                
Employee Benefit Plans, net of tax:                                
Amortization of prior service costs(5)
                  (2,828)          (2,828)
Net loss(6)
                  (514,296)          (514,296)
                                
Total comprehensive income                              12,680,586 
                                
Dividend Reinvestment Plan  35,333   17,197   1,121,190                   1,138,387 
Retirement Savings Plan  29,563   14,388   934,295                   948,683 
Conversion of debentures  8,106   3,945   133,839                   137,784 
Share based compensation(2) (4)
  16,324   7,945   1,442,008                   1,449,953 
Deferred Compensation Plan                      285,413   (285,413)   
Purchase of treasury stock  (971)                      (29,771)  (29,771)
Sale and distribution of treasury stock  971                       29,771   29,771 
Cash dividends(3)
              (7,930,400)              (7,930,400)
                         
Balances at December 31, 2007
  6,777,410   3,298,473   65,591,552   51,538,194   (851,674)  1,403,922   (1,403,922)  119,576,545 
Net earnings              13,607,259               13,607,259 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:                                
Employee Benefit Plans, net of tax:                                
Amortization of prior service costs(5)
                  (71,438)          (71,438)
Net loss(6)
                  (2,824,981)          (2,824,981)
                                
Total comprehensive income                              10,710,840 
                                
Dividend Reinvestment Plan  9,060   4,410   269,127                   273,537 
Retirement Savings Plan  5,260   2,560   156,195                   158,755 
Conversion of debentures  10,397   5,060   171,680                   176,740 
Share based compensation(2) (4)
  24,994   12,165   441,898                   454,063 
Tax benefit on stock warrants          50,244                   50,244 
Deferred Compensation Plan                      144,585   (144,585)   
Purchase of treasury stock  (2,425)                      (71,573)  (71,573)
Sale and distribution of treasury stock  2,425                       71,573   71,573 
Dividends on stock-based compensation              (79,570)              (79,570)
Cash dividends(3)
              (8,247,962)              (8,247,962)
                         
Balances at December 31, 2008
  6,827,121  $   3,322,668  $   66,680,696  $   56,817,921  $(3,748,093) $1,548,507  $   (1,548,507) $   123,073,192 
                         
(1)Tax expense recognized on the minimum pension liability adjustment for 2006 was $48,889.
(2)Includes amounts for shares issued for Directors’ compensation.
(3)Cash dividends per share for 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $1.22, $1.18 and $1.16, respectively.
(4)The shares issued under the PIP are net of shares withheld for employee taxes. For 2008, the Company withheld 12,511 shares for taxes, 2,420 shares for 2007 and 9,054 shares for 2006.
(5)Tax expense (benefit) recognized on the prior service cost component of employees benefit plans for 2008, 2007 and 2006 were ($51,841), ($1,871) and $11,756, respectively.
(6)Tax expense (benefit) recognized on the net gain (loss) component of employees benefit plans for 2008, 2007 and 2006 were ($1.9 million), ($340,449) and $100,217, respectively.
- Page 44 -

Consolidated Statements of Income Taxes  
        
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
Current Income Tax Expense
       
Federal 
$
3,687,800
 $1,221,155 $4,168,433 
State  
789,233
  618,916  948,023 
Investment tax credit adjustments, net  
(54,816
)
 (54,816) (54,816)
Total current income tax expense  
4,422,217
  1,785,255  5,061,640 
           
Deferred Income Tax Expense (1)
          
Property, plant and equipment  
1,380,628
  4,230,650  1,980,070 
Deferred gas costs  
1,064,310
  283,547  105,846 
Pensions and other employee benefits  
(340,987
)
 (49,620) (203,229)
Environmental expenditures  
(98,229
)
 (150,864) (866,206)
Other  
(115,923
)
 (397,878) (45,676)
Total deferred income tax expense  
1,889,799
  3,915,835  970,805 
Total Income Tax Expense
 
$
6,312,016
 $5,701,090 $6,032,445 
           
Reconciliation of Effective Income Tax Rates
          
Federal income tax expense (2)
 
$
5,872,871
 $5,185,257 $5,478,056 
State income taxes, net of federal benefit  
708,192
  736,176  737,370 
Other  
(269,047
)
 (220,343) (182,981)
Total Income Tax Expense
 
$
6,312,016
 $5,701,090 $6,032,445 
Effective income tax rate
  
37.6
%
 37.4% 37.4%
           
At December 31,
  
2005
  
2004
    
Deferred Income Taxes
          
Deferred income tax liabilities:
          
Property, plant and equipment  
$
26,795,452
 $25,736,718    
Deferred gas costs   
1,664,252
  599,945    
Other   
612,943
  749,259    
Total deferred income tax liabilities  
29,072,647
  27,085,922    
           
Deferred income tax assets:
          
Pension and other employee benefits   
2,289,370
  1,914,402    
Self insurance   
575,303
  535,755    
Environmental costs   
181,734
  83,510    
Other   
626,788
  629,965    
Total deferred income tax assets  
3,673,195
  3,163,632    
Deferred Income Taxes Per Consolidated Balance Sheet 
$
25,399,452
 $23,922,290    
           
(1) Includes $146,000, $386,000 and $113,000 of deferred state income taxes for the years 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
 
(2) Federal income taxes were recorded at 35% for the year 2005. They were recorded at 34% in both 2004 and 2003.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 63


Consolidated Statements of Income Taxes
             
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
             
Current Income Tax Expense
            
Federal $(2,551,138) $5,512,071  $5,994,296 
State     1,223,145   1,424,485 
Investment tax credit adjustments, net  (42,276)  (50,579)  (54,816)
          
Total current income tax expense (benefit)  (2,593,414)  6,684,637   7,363,965 
          
             
Deferred Income Tax Expense(1)
            
Property, plant and equipment  10,347,035   2,958,758   1,697,024 
Deferred gas costs  781,635   (629,228)  (2,085,066)
Pensions and other employee benefits  (174,365)  (9,154)  (97,436)
Environmental expenditures  144,848   45,872   (5,580)
Other  311,423   (464,322)  (36,345)
          
Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)  11,410,576   1,901,926   (527,403)
          
Total Income Tax Expense
 $8,817,162  $8,586,563  $6,836,562 
          
             
Reconciliation of Effective Income Tax Rates
            
Continuing Operations            
Federal income tax expense(2)
 $7,862,760  $7,635,336  $6,212,237 
State income taxes, net of federal benefit  1,162,081   1,086,680   829,630 
Other  (207,679)  (124,555)  (42,795)
          
Total continuing operations  8,817,162   8,597,461   6,999,072 
Discontinued operations     (10,898)  (162,510)
          
Total income tax expense
 $8,817,162  $8,586,563  $6,836,562 
          
             
Effective income tax rate
  39.3%  39.4%  39.4%
-
         
At December 31, 2008  2007 
         
Deferred Income Taxes
        
Deferred income tax liabilities:
        
Property, plant and equipment $41,248,245  $31,058,050 
Environmental costs  394,869   250,021 
Other  2,414,121   860,993 
       
Total deferred income tax liabilities  44,057,235   32,169,064 
       
         
Deferred income tax assets:
        
Pension and other employee benefits  4,679,075   2,581,853 
Self insurance  370,398   384,009 
Deferred gas costs  364,498   1,146,133 
Other  2,501,210   1,416,577 
       
Total deferred income tax assets  7,915,181   5,528,572 
       
Deferred Income Taxes Per Consolidated Balance Sheet $36,142,054  $26,640,492 
       
(1)Includes $1,588,000, $260,000 and ($60,000) of deferred state income taxes for the years 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
(2)Federal income taxes were recorded at 35% for each year represented.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Page 45 -64     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


A. Summary of Accounting Policies
Nature of Business
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (“Chesapeake” or “the Company”) is engaged in natural gas distribution to approximately 54,80065,200 customers located in central and southern Delaware, Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Florida. The Company’s natural gas transmission subsidiary operates an intrastateinterstate pipeline from various points in Pennsylvania and northern Delaware to the Company’s Delaware and Maryland distribution divisions as well as to other utility and industrial customers in Pennsylvania, Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The Company’s natural gas marketing subsidiary sells natural gas supplies directly to commercial and industrial customers in the States of Florida, Delaware and Maryland. The Company’s propane distribution and wholesale marketing segment provides distribution service to approximately 32,90035,200 customers in central and southern Delaware, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, southeastern Pennsylvania, central Florida and the Eastern Shore of Virginia and markets propane to wholesale customers including large independent oil and petrochemical companies, resellers and propane distribution companies in the southeastern United States. The advanced information services segment provides domestic and international clients with information technology relatedinformation-technology-related business services and solutions for both enterprise and e-business applications.

Principles of Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly ownedwholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company does not have any ownership interests in investments accounted for using the equity method or any variable interests in a variable interest entity. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

System of Accounts
The natural gas distribution divisions of the Company located in Delaware, Maryland and Florida are subject to regulation by their respective public service commissionsPSCs with respect to their rates for service, maintenance of their accounting records and various other matters. Eastern Shore Natural Gas CompanyESNG is an open access pipeline and is subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”).FERC. Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,GAAP, which give appropriate recognition to the ratemaking and accounting practices and policies of the various commissions. The propane, advanced information services and other business segments are not subject to regulation with respect to rates or maintenance of accounting records.

Property, Plant, Equipment and Depreciation
Utility and non-utility property is stated at original cost while the assets of the non-utility segments are recorded at cost. Costs include direct labor, materials and third-party construction contractor costs, allowance for capitalized interest and certain indirect costs related to equipment and employees engaged in construction. The costs of repairs and minor replacements are charged against income as incurred, and the costs of major renewals and betterments are capitalized. Upon retirement or disposition of non-utility property, the gain or loss, net of salvage value, is charged to income. Upon retirement or disposition of utility property, the gain or loss, net of salvage value, is charged to accumulated depreciation. The provision for depreciation is computed using the straight-line method at rates that amortize the unrecovered cost of depreciable property over the estimated remaining useful life of the asset. Depreciation and amortization expenses are provided at an annual rate for each segment. The three-year average rates were 3 percent for natural gas distribution and transmission, 5 percent for propane, 11 percent for advanced information services and 7 percent for general plant.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 65


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
           
At December 31, 2008  2007  Useful Life(1)
Plant in service          
Mains $184,124,950  $166,202,413  27-65 years
Services — utility  37,946,690   35,127,633  14-55 years
Compressor station equipment  24,980,668   24,959,330  44 years
Liquefied petroleum gas equipment  26,303,832   25,575,213  5-33 years
Meters and meter installations  19,479,360   18,111,466  Propane 10-33 years, Natural gas 25-49 years
Measuring and regulating station equipment  15,092,354   14,067,262  24-54 years
Office furniture and equipment  12,536,281   9,947,881  Non-regulated 3-10 years, Regulated 14-25 years
Transportation equipment  11,266,723   11,194,916  3-11 years
Structures and improvements  10,601,819   10,024,105  10-79 years(2)
Land and land rights  7,901,058   7,404,679  Not depreciable, except certain regulated assets
Propane bulk plants and tanks  6,296,155   5,313,061  15-40 years
Various  23,676,899   20,009,979  Various
         
Total plant in service  380,206,789   347,937,938   
Plus construction work in progress  1,481,448   4,899,608   
Less accumulated depreciation  (101,017,551)  (92,414,289)  
         
Net property, plant and equipment $280,670,686  $260,423,257   
         
(1)Certain immaterial account balances may fall outside this range.
The regulated operations compute depreciation in accordance with rates approved by either the state Public Service Commission or the FERC. These rates are based on depreciation studies and may change periodically upon receiving approval from the appropriate regulatory body. The depreciation rates shown above are based on the remaining useful lives of the assets at the time of the depreciation study, rather than their original lives. The depreciation rates are composite, straight-line rates applied to the average investment for each class of depreciable property and are adjusted for anticipated cost of removal less salvage value.
The non-regulated operations compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset.
(2)Includes buildings, structures used in connection with natural gas and propane operations, improvements to those facilities and leasehold improvements.
- Page 46 -

At December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Useful Life (1)
 
Plant in service       
Mains 
$
113,111,408
 $99,154,938  24-37 years 
Services — utility  
29,010,008
  25,733,797  14-28 years 
Compressor station equipment  
23,853,871
  23,766,105  28 years 
Liquefied petroleum gas equipment  
22,162,867
  21,483,969  30-39 years 
Meters and meter installations  
15,165,212
  13,656,918  Propane 15-33 years, Natural gas 17-49 years 
Measuring and regulating station equipment  
12,219,964
  10,142,531  17-37 years 
Office furniture and equipment  
9,572,926
  10,171,180  Non-regulated 3-10 years, Regulated 3-20 years 
Transportation equipment  
9,822,272
  9,425,605  2-11 years 
Structures and improvements  
9,161,696
  9,177,011  5-44 years(2) 
Land and land rights  
5,646,852
  4,703,683  Not depreciable, except certain regulated assets 
Propane bulk plants and tanks  
6,097,036
  5,024,462  15 - 40 years 
Various  
16,922,065
  15,060,384  Various 
Total plant in service  
272,746,177
  247,500,583    
Plus construction work in progress  
7,598,531
  2,766,209    
Less accumulated depreciation  
(78,840,413
)
 (73,213,605)   
Net property, plant and equipment 
$
201,504,295
 $177,053,187    
           
(1) Certain immaterial account balances may fall outside this range.
 
 
The regulated operations compute depreciation in accordance with rates approved by either the state Public Service Commission or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. These rates are based on depreciation studies and may change periodically upon receiving approval from the appropriate regulatory body. The depreciation rates shown above are based on the remaining useful lives of the assets at the time of the depreciation study, rather than their original lives. The depreciation rates are composite, straight-line rates applied to the average investment for each class of depreciable property and are adjusted for anticipated cost of removal less salvage value.
 
 
The non-regulated operations compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset.
 
 
(2) Includes buildings, structures used in connection with natural gas and propane operations, improvements to those facilities and leasehold improvements.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company’s policy is to invest cash in excess of operating requirements in overnight income producingincome-producing accounts. Such amounts are stated at cost, which approximates market value. Investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered cash equivalents.

Inventories
The Company uses the average cost method to value propane and materials and supplies inventory. The appliance inventory is valued at first-in first-out (“FIFO”). If the market prices drop below cost, inventory balances that are subject to price risk are adjusted to market values.

Regulatory Assets, Liabilities and Expenditures
The Company accounts for its regulated operations in accordance with SFAS No. 71, “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.” This standard includes accounting principles for companies whose rates are determined by independent third-party regulators. When setting rates, regulators often make decisions, the economics of which require companies to defer costs or revenues in different periods than may be appropriate for unregulated enterprises. When this situation occurs, the regulated utility defers the associated costs as assets (regulatory assets) on the balance sheet and records them as expense on the income statement as it collects revenues. Further, regulators can also impose liabilities upon a company for amounts previously collected from customers, and for recovery of costs that are expected to be incurred in the future (regulatory liabilities).

Page 66     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


At December 31, 20052008 and 2004,2007, the regulated utility operations had recorded the following regulatory assets and liabilities on the Balance Sheets. These assets and liabilities will be recognized as revenues and expenses in future periods as they are reflected in customers’ rates.
         
At December 31, 2008  2007 
Regulatory Assets
        
Current
        
Underrecovered purchased gas costs $650,820  $1,389,454 
Swing transportation imbalances  2,059    
PSC Assessment  18,575   22,290 
Flex rate asset  107,943   107,394 
Other  46,612   55,934 
       
Total current  826,009   1,575,072 
         
Non-Current
        
Income tax related amounts due from customers  1,284,552   1,115,638 
Deferred regulatory and other expenses  646,126   446,642 
Deferred gas supply  12,667   15,201 
Deferred post retirement benefits  83,370   111,159 
Environmental regulatory assets and expenditures  779,480   850,594 
       
Total non-current  2,806,195   2,539,234 
       
 
Total Regulatory Assets $3,632,204  $4,114,306 
       
         
Regulatory Liabilities
        
Current
        
Self insurance — current $162,616  $191,004 
Overrecovered purchased gas costs  1,542,174   4,225,845 
Shared interruptible margins  231,919   11,202 
Conservation cost recovery  743,874   395,379 
Swing transportation imbalances  546,754   1,477,336 
       
Total current  3,227,337   6,300,766 
         
Non-Current
        
Self insurance — long-term  749,827   757,557 
Income tax related amounts due to customers  125,279   151,521 
Environmental overcollections     226,993 
       
Total non-current  875,106   1,136,071 
         
Accrued asset removal cost  20,641,279   20,249,948 
       
 
Total Regulatory Liabilities $24,743,722  $27,686,785 
       
- Page 47 -


At December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Regulatory Assets
     
Current
     
Underrecovered purchased gas costs 
$
4,016,522
 $1,479,358 
Conservation cost recovery  
303,930
  186,234 
Swing transportation imbalances  
454
  32,707 
Flex rate asset  
113,922
  736,985 
Total current  
4,434,828
  2,435,284 
        
Non-Current
       
Income tax related amounts due from customers  
711,961
  711,961 
Deferred regulatory and other expenses  
89,258
  200,746 
Deferred gas supply  
15,201
  15,201 
Deferred gas required for operations  
-
  141,082 
Deferred post retirement benefits  
166,739
  194,529 
Environmental regulatory assets and expenditures  
195,073
  279,222 
Total non-current  
1,178,232
  1,542,741 
        
Total Regulatory Assets 
$
5,613,060
 $3,978,025 
        
Regulatory Liabilities
       
Current
       
Self insurance — current 
$
44,221
 $127,000 
Shared interruptible margins  
3,039
  135,098 
Operational flow order penalties  
7,831
  130,338 
Swing transportation imbalances  
495,455
  178,675 
Total current  
550,546
  571,111 
        
Non-Current
       
Self insurance — long-term  
1,383,247
  1,221,101 
Income tax related amounts due to customers  
327,893
  324,974 
Environmental overcollections  
297,639
  32,299 
Total non-current  
2,008,779
  1,578,374 
        
Accrued asset removal cost  
16,727,268
  15,024,849 
        
Total Regulatory Liabilities 
$
19,286,593
 $17,174,334 
Included in the current regulatory assets listed above are $1.8 millionis a flex rate asset of approximately $108,000, which areis accruing interest. Of the remaining regulatory assets, $2.7$1.7 million will be collected in approximately one to two years, $360,000$623,000 will be collected within approximately 3three to 10ten years, $83,000 will be collected within approximately 11 to 15 years, and $729,000 are$481,000 will be collected within approximately 16-25 years. In addition, there is approximately $711,000 for which the Company is awaiting regulatory approval for recovery, butrecovery; once approved, arethis amount is expected to be collected withinover a period greater than 12 months.

As required by SFAS No. 71, the Company monitors its regulatory and competitive environment to determine whether the recovery of its regulatory assets continues to be probable. If the Company were to determine that recovery of these assets is no longer probable, it would write off the assets against earnings. The Company believes that SFAS No. 71 continues to apply to its regulated operations, and that the recovery of its regulatory assets is probable.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 67


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
GoodwillThe Company accounts for its goodwill and other intangible assets are associated with the acquisition of non-utility companies. In accordance withintangibles under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS No. 142). Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment onat least annually. In addition, goodwill of a reporting unit is tested for impairment between annual tests if an annual basis and when events change.event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic useful lives. Please refer to Note G, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” for additional discussion of this subject.
- Page 48 -


Other Deferred Charges
Other deferred charges include discount, premium and issuance costs associated with long-term debt. Debt costs are deferred and then are amortized to interest expense over the original lives of the respective debt issuances. Deferred post-employment benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans
Pension and other postretirement plan costs and liabilities are adjusted baseddetermined on an actuarial basis and are affected by numerous assumptions and estimates including the market value of plan assets, estimates of the expected return on plan assets, assumed discount rates, the level of contributions made to the plans, current age,demographic and actuarial mortality data. The Company annually reviews the estimates and assumptions underlying our pension and other postretirement plan costs and liabilities with the assistance of a third-party actuarial firm. The assumed discount rate and the expected return on plan assets are the assumptions that generally have the most significant impact on the Company’s pension costs and liabilities. The assumed discount rate, the assumed health care cost trend rate and the assumed rates of retirement generally have the most significant impact on our postretirement plan costs and liabilities.
The discount rate is utilized principally in calculating the actuarial present value of our pension and postretirement obligations and net pension and postretirement costs. When establishing its discount rate, the projectedCompany considers high quality corporate bond rates based on Moody’s Aa bond index, changes in those rates from the prior year, and other pertinent factors, such as the expected life of the plan and the lump-sum-payment option.
The expected long-term rate of return on assets is utilized in calculating the expected return on plan assets component of our annual benefit receivedpension and postretirement plan costs. The Company estimates the expected return on plan assets by evaluating expected bond returns, asset allocations, the effects of active plan management, the impact of periodic plan asset rebalancing and historical performance. The Company also considers the guidance from its investment advisors in making a final determination of its expected rate of return on assets.
The Company estimates the assumed health care cost trend rate used in determining our postretirement net expense based upon its actual health care cost experience, the effects of recently enacted legislation and general economic conditions. The Company’s assumed rate of retirement is estimated life expectancy.based upon its annual review of its participant census information as of the measurement date.

Actual changes in the fair market value of plan assets and differences between the actual return on plan assets and the expected return on plan assets could have a material effect on the amount of pension costs ultimately recognized. A 0.25 percent change in the Company’s discount rate would impact our defined pension cost by approximately $10,000, impact the Pension SERP costs by approximately $2,000 and postretirement costs by approximately $7,000. A 0.25 percent change in the Company’s expected rate of return would impact our defined pension costs by approximately $16,000 and will not have an impact on either the Pension SERP or the other postretirement costs because these plans are unfunded.
Page 68     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Income Taxes and Investment Tax Credit Adjustments
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return. Income tax expense allocated to the Company’s subsidiaries is based upon their respective taxable incomes and tax credits.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the tax effect of temporary differences between the financial statements bases and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using current effective incomethe enacted tax rates.rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The portions of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities applicable to utility operations, which have not been reflected in current service rates, represent income taxes recoverable through future rates. Deferred tax assets are recorded net of any valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that such tax benefits will be realized. Investment tax credits on utility property have been deferred and are allocated to income ratably over the lives of the subject property.

The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48, “Uncertain Tax Positions,” (“FIN 48”) effective January 1, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a Company’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109. FIN 48 requires that an uncertain tax position should be recognized only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable based on technical merits. Recognizable tax positions should then be measured to determine the amount of benefit recognized in the financial statements. The Company’s adoption of FIN 48 did not have an impact on its financial condition or results of operations.
Financial Instruments
Xeron, Inc. (“Xeron”), the Company’s propane wholesale marketing operation, engages in trading activities using forward and futures contracts, which have been accounted for using the mark-to-market method of accounting. Under mark-to-market accounting, the Company’s trading contracts are recorded at fair value, net of future servicing costs. The changes in market price are recognized as gains or losses in revenues on the income statement in the period of change. The resulting unrealized gains and losses are recorded as assets or liabilities, respectively. There were unrealized gains of $46,000$1.4 million and unrealized losses of $182,000$179,000 at December 31, 20052008 and 2004,2007, respectively. Trading liabilities are recorded in other accruedmark-to-market energy liabilities. Trading assets are recorded in prepaid expenses and other currentmark-to-market energy assets.

The Company’s natural gas and propane distribution operations have entered into agreements with suppliers to purchase natural gas and propane suppliers to purchase gas for resale to their customers. Purchases under these contracts either do not meet the definition of derivatives inunder SFAS No. 133 or are considered “normal purchases and sales” under SFAS No. 138 and are accounted for on an accrual basis.

The propane distribution operation has enteredmay enter into a fair value hedgeshedge of its inventory in order to mitigate the impact of wholesale price fluctuations. At December 31, 2005,Wholesale propane prices rose dramatically during the spring months of 2008, when they are traditionally at their lowest. In efforts to protect the Company from the impact that additional price increases would have on the Pro-Cap (propane price cap) Plan that we offer to customers, the propane distribution operation had entered into a put contract to protect 2.1 million gallonsswap agreement. By December 31, 2008, the market price of propane inventory from a drop in valuedeclined well below the strikeunit price in the swap agreement. As a result, the Company marked the January 2009 and February 2009 gallons in the agreement to market, which increased 2008 cost of the put.sales by $939,000. The Company settled the putterminated this swap agreement in January 2006, which resulted in a benefit2009. At December 31, 2007, the Company had not hedged any of $28,000.its propane inventories.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 69


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
- Page 49 -


Earnings Per Share
Chesapeake calculates earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128. The calculations of both basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations are presented in the following chart.
             
For the Periods Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
             
Calculation of Basic Earnings Per Share:
            
Net Income $13,607,259  $13,197,710  $10,506,525 
Weighted average shares outstanding  6,811,848   6,743,041   6,032,462 
          
Basic Earnings Per Share
 $2.00  $1.96  $1.74 
          
             
Calculation of Diluted Earnings Per Share:
            
Reconciliation of Numerator:
            
Net Income $13,607,259  $13,197,710  $10,506,525 
Effect of 8.25% Convertible debentures  88,657   95,611   105,024 
          
Adjusted numerator — Diluted $13,695,916  $13,293,321  $10,611,549 
          
             
Reconciliation of Denominator:
            
Weighted shares outstanding — Basic  6,811,848   6,743,041   6,032,462 
Effect of dilutive securities:            
Share-based Compensation  12,083       
8.25% Convertible debentures  103,552   111,675   122,669 
          
Adjusted denominator — Diluted  6,927,483   6,854,716   6,155,131 
          
             
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 $1.98  $1.94  $1.72 
          

For the Period Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
Calculation of Basic Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations:
       
Income from continuing operations 
$
10,467,614
 $9,549,667 $10,079,483 
Weighted average shares outstanding  
5,836,463
  5,735,405  5,610,592 
Basic Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations
 
$
1.79
 $1.66 $1.80 
           
Calculation of Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations:
          
Reconciliation of Numerator:
          
Income from continuing operations — Basic 
$
10,467,614
 $9,549,667 $10,079,483 
Effect of 8.25% Convertible debentures  
123,559
  139,097  157,557 
Adjusted numerator — Diluted 
$
10,591,173
 $9,688,764 $10,237,040 
           
Reconciliation of Denominator:
          
Weighted shares outstanding — Basic  
5,836,463
  5,735,405  5,610,592 
Effect of dilutive securities          
Stock options  
-
  1,784  1,361 
Warrants  
11,711
  7,900  5,481 
8.25% Convertible debentures  
144,378
  162,466  184,532 
Adjusted denominator — Diluted  
5,992,552
  5,907,555  5,801,966 
           
Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations
 
$
1.77
 $1.64 $1.76 
Operating Revenues
Revenues for the natural gas distribution operations of the Company are based on rates approved by the various public service commissions.PSCs in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The natural gas transmission operation’s revenues are based on rates approved by the FERC. Customers’ base rates may not be changed without formal approval by these commissions;commissions. The PSCs, however, the regulatory authorities have granted our regulatedallowed the natural gas distribution operations the ability to negotiate rates, based on approved methodologies, with customers that have competitive alternatives using approved methodologies. In addition, thealternatives. The natural gas transmission operation can also negotiate rates above or below the FERC-approved tariffmaximum rates, which customers can elect as recourse to negotiated rates.

For regulated deliveries of natural gas, Chesapeake reads meters and bills customers on monthly cycles that do not coincide with the accounting periods used for financial reporting purposes. Chesapeake accrues unbilled revenues for gas that has been delivered but not yet billed at the end of an accounting period to the extent that they do not coincide. In connection with this accrual, Chesapeake must estimate the amount of gas that has not been accounted for on its delivery system and must estimate the amount of the unbilled revenue by jurisdiction and customer class. A similar computation is made to accrue unbilled revenues for propane customers with meters, such as community gas system customers.
The propane wholesale marketing operation records trading activity for open contracts, on a net mark-to-market basis in the Company’s income statement. The propane distribution, advanced information services and other segments record revenue in the period in which the products are delivered and/or services are rendered.
Chesapeake’s Maryland and Delaware natural gas distribution operations eachin Delaware and Maryland have a PSC-approved purchased gas cost recovery mechanism. This mechanism that provides the Company with a method of adjusting the billing rates with its customers for changes in the adjustmentcost of purchased gas included in base rates. The difference between the current cost of gas purchased and the cost of gas recovered in billed rates charged to customersis deferred and accounted for as either unrecovered purchased gas costs fluctuate. Theseor amounts payable to customers. Generally, these deferred amounts are collectedrecovered or refunded through adjustments to rates in subsequent periods.within one year.

Page 70     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


The Company charges flexible rates to theits natural gas distribution’s industrial interruptible customers to compete with alternative types of fuel. Based on pricing, these customers can choose natural gas or alternative types of supply.fuels. Neither the Company nor the interruptible customer is contractually obligated to deliver or receive natural gas.

Cost of Sales
TheCost of sales includes the direct costs attributable to the products sold or services provided by the Company for its utility and non-utility operations. These costs primarily include the variable cost of natural gas and propane wholesale marketing operation records trading activity net oncommodities, pipeline capacity costs needed to transport and store natural gas, transportation costs to transport propane purchases to our storage facilities, and the Company’s income statement, on a mark-to-market basis,direct cost of labor for open contracts. The propane distribution,our advanced information services segment.
Operations and Maintenance Expenses
Operations and maintenance expenses are costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the Company’s utility and non-utility operations. Major cost components include operation and maintenance salaries and benefits, materials and supplies, usage of vehicles, tools and equipment, payments to contractors, utility plant maintenance, customer service, professional fees and other segments record revenueoutside services, insurance expense, minor amounts of depreciation, accretion of cost of removal for future retirements of utility assets, and other administrative expenses.
Depreciation and Accretion Included in Operations Expenses
Depreciation and accretion included in operations expenses consist of the periodaccretion of the productscosts of removal for future retirement of utility assets, vehicle depreciation, computer software and hardware depreciation, and other minor amounts of depreciation expense.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded against amounts due to reduce the net receivables balance to the amount we reasonably expect to collect based upon the Company’s collections experiences and the Company’s assessment of its customers’ inability or reluctance to pay. If circumstances change, our estimates of recoverable accounts receivable may also change. Circumstances which could affect such estimates include, but are delivered and/or servicesnot limited to, customer credit issues, the level of natural gas prices and general economic conditions. Accounts are rendered.written off when they are deemed to be uncollectible.

Certain Risks and Uncertainties
The Company’s financial statements are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principlesGAAP that require management to make estimates in measuring assets and liabilities and related revenues and expenses (see Notes MN and NO to the Consolidated Financial Statements for significant estimates). These estimates involve judgments with respect to, among other things, various future economic factors that are difficult to predict and are beyond the control of the Company; therefore, actual results could differ from those estimates.

- Page 50 -

The Company records certain assets and liabilities in accordance with SFAS No. 71. If the Company were required to terminate application of SFAS No. 71 for its regulated operations, all suchamounts deferred amountsin accordance with SFAS No. 71 would be recognized in the income statement at that time. This could result in a charge to earnings, net of applicable income taxes, which could be material.

FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statements and Other Authoritative Pronouncements
Recent accounting pronouncements:
In December 2004,2007, the FASB released a revision (“Share-Based Payment”) toissued SFAS No. 123 “Accounting141(R), which retains the fundamental requirements of the original pronouncement requiring that the acquisition method be used for Stock-Based Compensation,” referredall business combinations. SFAS No.141(R): (a) defines the acquirer as the entity that obtains control of one or more businesses in a business combination, (b) establishes the acquisition date as the date that the acquirer achieves control and (c) requires the acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interests at their fair values as of the acquisition date. SFAS No. 123R. In April 2005, the SEC approved a new rule141(R) also requires that delayed the effective date foracquisition-related costs be expensed as incurred. SFAS No. 123R until the first annual period141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning after JuneDecember 15, 2005. This Statement establishes2008. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No.141(R) to have a material impact on its current consolidated financial position and results of operations. However, depending upon the size, nature and complexity of future acquisition transactions, the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) could materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 71


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, which changes the accounting and reporting standards for stock-based employee compensation plans. Those plans include all arrangementsminority interests by which employees receive sharesrecharacterizing them as noncontrolling interests and classifying them as a component of stock orequity. This new consolidation method significantly changes the accounting for transactions with minority interest holders. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. No other equity instrumentsentity has a minority interest in any of the employer orCompany’s subsidiaries; therefore, the employer incurs liabilitiesCompany does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 160 to employeeshave a material impact on its current consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In November 2008, the SEC released a proposed roadmap regarding the potential use by U.S. issuers of financial statements prepared in amounts basedaccordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). IFRS is a comprehensive series of accounting standards published by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). Under the proposed roadmap, the Company may be required to prepare financial statements in accordance with IFRS as early as 2014. The SEC will make a determination in 2011 regarding the mandatory adoption of IFRS. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this potential change would have on its consolidated financial statements, and it will continue to monitor the pricedevelopment of the employer’s stock. Examples are stock purchase plans, stock options, restricted stockpotential implementation of IFRS.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133, which requires enhanced disclosures for derivative instruments, including those used in hedging activities. It is effective for fiscal years and stock appreciation rights.interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, and will be applicable to the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 161 to have a material impact on its current consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP 142-3. This FSP amends the factors which should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS No. 142”). The intent of this pronouncement willFSP is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141R and other GAAP. This FSP is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company does not expect the adoption of FSP SFAS No. 142-3 to have a material impact on its current consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162 with the intent to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in conformity with GAAP in the United States for non-governmental entities. SFAS No. 162 is effective 60 days following approval by the SEC of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 162 to have a material impact on the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2005,May 2008, the FASB issued FSP Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) APB 14-1, which clarifies that convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon either mandatory or optional conversion (including partial cash settlement) are not addressed by paragraph 12 of APB Opinion No. 14, “Accounting for Convertible Debt and Debt issued with Stock Purchase Warrants.” In addition, FSP APB 14-1 specifies that issuers of such instruments should separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of FSP APB 14-1 to have a material impact on its current consolidated financial position and results of operations.
Page 72     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


In June 2008, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task force (“EITF”) 03-6-1 to clarify that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders. Awards of this nature are considered participating securities, and the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share must be applied. This FSP is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect the adoption of EITF 03-6-1 to have a material impact on its current consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In June 2008, the FASB ratified EITF 07-5. EITF 07-5 provides that an entity should use a two-step approach to evaluate whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock, including evaluating the instrument’s contingent exercise and settlement provisions. It also clarifies the impact of foreign-currency-denominated strike prices and market-based employee stock option valuation instruments on the evaluation. EITF 07-5 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect the adoption of EITF 07-5 to have a material impact on its current consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In June 2008, the FASB ratified EITF 08-3 to provide guidance for accounting for nonrefundable maintenance deposits. It also provides revenue recognition accounting guidance for the lessor. EITF 08-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect the adoption of EITF 08-3 to have a material impact on its current consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In September 2008, the FASB ratified EITF 08-5 to provide guidance for measuring liabilities issued with an attached third-party credit enhancement (such as a guarantee). It clarifies that the issuer of a liability with a third-party credit enhancement should not include the effect of the credit enhancement in the fair value measurement of the liability. EITF 08-5 is effective for the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect the adoption of EITF 08-5 to have a material impact on its current consolidated financial position and results of operations.
During 2008, the Company adopted the following accounting standards:
In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP 133-1 and FIN 45-4, “Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 4745; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 161” (“FSP 133-1/FIN No. 47”45-4”), “Accounting. FSP 133-1/FIN 45-4 amends and enhances disclosure requirements for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations” an interpretationsellers of credit derivatives and financial guarantees. It also clarifies that the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 143. 161 are effective for quarterly periods beginning after November 15, 2008, and fiscal years that include those periods. FSP 133-1/FIN No. 47 clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may45-4 is effective for reporting periods (annual or may not be within the control of the entity.interim) ending after November 15, 2008. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional even though uncertainty exists about the timing and (or) method of settlement. Thus, the timing and (or) method of settlement may be conditional on a future event. FIN No. 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. The Company adopted FIN No. 47 in the fourth quarter of 2005. The adoptionimplementation of this interpretationstandard did not have a material impact on the company’sCompany’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP 157-3 to clarify the application of the provisions of SFAS No. 157 in an inactive market and how an entity would determine fair value in an inactive market. FSP 157-3 is effective immediately and applied to the Company’s September 30, 2008 financial statements. The application of the provisions of FSP 157-3 did not materially affect the company’s results of operations or financial condition as of and for the period ended December 31, 2008.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 73


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Effective January 1, 2008, Chesapeake adopted FIN 39-1, which permits companies to offset cash collateral receivables or payables with net derivative positions under certain circumstances. Based on the derivative contracts entered into to date, adoption of this FSP has not materially affected the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2008.
In May 2005,September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes157, which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and Error Corrections — a replacementliabilities. It also responds to investors’ requests for expanded information about the extent to which companies’ measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of APB Opinionfair value measurements on earnings. SFAS No. 20157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value and does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP 157-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 3”157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement under Statement No. 13” (“FSP 157-1”), and FSP 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP 157-2”). FSP 157-1 amends SFAS 154 primarily requires retrospective applicationNo. 157 to prior periods’ financial statements forremove certain leasing transactions from its scope. FSP 157-2 delays the direct effectseffective date of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. This statement applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle and also applies to changes required by an accounting pronouncement in the unusual instance that the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions. The statement is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made inSFAS No. 157 until fiscal years beginning after DecemberNovember 15, 2005.2009 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. These non-financial items include assets and liabilities, such as reporting units measured at fair value in a goodwill impairment test and non-financial assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. SFAS No. 157 was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and was adopted by the Company, as it applies to its financial instruments, effective January 1, 2008. Adoption of SFAS No. 157 had no financial impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The disclosures required by SFAS No. 157 are discussed in Note E — “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, which permits entities to elect to measure at fair value many financial instruments and certain other items that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. This election is irrevocable. SFAS No. 159 became effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. The Company is requiredhas not elected to adoptapply the provisionfair value option to any of SFAS 154, as applicable, beginning in fiscal year 2006.its financial instruments.

Reclassification of Prior Years’ Amounts
Certain prior years’The Company reclassified some previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.period classifications.


During 2003,2007, Chesapeake decided to exitclose its distributed energy services subsidiary, OnSight, which had experienced operating losses since its inception in 2004. OnSight was previously reported as part of the water services business and sold six of its seven operations. The remaining operation was disposed of in October 2004. At December 31, 2005, Chesapeake owned one piece of property that was formerly used by a water subsidiary. That property was listed for sale at December 31, 2005 and subsequently sold in January 2006.Company’s Other Business segment. The results of operations for all water service businessesOnSight have been reclassified to discontinued operations and shown net of tax for all periods presented. AThe discontinued operations experienced a net loss of $52,000 and$20,000 for 2007, compared to a gainnet loss of $12,000, net of tax, were recorded$241,000 for 2004 and 2003, respectively, on the sale of the water operations.2006. The Company did not have any discontinued operations in 2005.2008.
Page 74     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


- Page 51 -

Operating revenues for discontinued operations were $1.1 million and $9.8 million for 2004 and 2003, respectively. Operating losses for discontinued operations were $94,000 and $917,000 for 2004 and 2003, respectively. The balance sheet included the following discontinued operations for December 31, 2004:
·  Net property, plant, and equipment of $184,000;
·  Cash and other current assets were $5,000 and $63,000, respectively;
·  Common stock, additional paid-in capital, and retained deficits were $51,000, $3.9 million, and $6.5 million, respectively; and
·  Due to affiliates and other current liabilities were $2.7 million and $45,000, respectively.
- Page 52 -


C. Segment Information
The following table presents information about the Company’s reportable segments. The table excludes financial data related to its distributed energy company, which was reclassified to discontinued operations.
operations for each year presented.

             
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
Operating Revenues, Unaffiliated Customers
            
Natural gas $210,957,687  $180,842,699  $170,114,512 
Propane  65,873,930   62,837,696   48,575,976 
Advanced information services  14,611,860   14,606,100   12,509,077 
          
Total operating revenues, unaffiliated customers $291,443,477  $258,286,495  $231,199,565 
          
Intersegment Revenues(1)
            
Natural gas $444,083  $359,235  $259,970 
Propane  2,861   406    
Advanced information services  108,596   492,840   58,532 
Other  652,296   622,272   618,492 
          
Total intersegment revenues $1,207,836  $1,474,753  $936,994 
          
Operating Income
            
Natural gas $25,846,346  $22,485,266  $19,733,487 
Propane  1,586,414   4,497,843   2,534,035 
Advanced information services  694,636   835,981   767,160 
Other and eliminations  351,538   294,492   297,255 
          
Operating Income  28,478,934   28,113,582   23,331,937 
             
Other income  103,039   291,305   189,093 
Interest charges  6,157,552   6,589,639   5,773,993 
Income taxes  8,817,162   8,597,461   6,999,072 
          
Net income from continuing operations $13,607,259  $13,217,787  $10,747,965 
          
 
Depreciation and Amortization
            
Natural gas $6,694,037  $6,917,609  $6,312,277 
Propane  2,024,172   1,842,047   1,658,554 
Advanced information services  175,295   143,706   112,729 
Other and eliminations  111,407   156,823   160,155 
          
Total depreciation and amortization $9,004,911  $9,060,185  $8,243,715 
          
 
Capital Expenditures
            
Natural gas $25,386,046  $23,086,713  $43,894,614 
Propane  3,416,514   5,290,215   4,778,891 
Advanced information services  678,705   174,184   159,402 
Other  1,362,246   1,591,272   321,204 
          
Total capital expenditures $30,843,511  $30,142,384  $49,154,111 
          
(1)All significant intersegment revenues are billed at market rates and have been eliminated from consolidated revenues.
             
At December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
             
Identifiable Assets
            
Natural gas $297,407,548  $273,500,890  $252,292,600 
Propane  72,954,861   94,966,212   60,170,200 
Advanced information services  3,544,847   2,507,910   2,573,810 
Other  11,849,010   10,533,511   10,503,804 
          
Total identifiable assets $385,756,266  $381,508,523  $325,540,414 
          
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
Operating Revenues, Unaffiliated Customers
       
Natural gas distribution and transmission 
$
166,388,562
 $124,073,939 $110,071,054 
Propane  
48,975,349
  41,499,687  41,029,121 
Advanced information services  
14,121,441
  12,381,815  12,476,746 
Other  
144,384
  -  ($9,329)
Total operating revenues, unaffiliated customers 
$
229,629,736
 $177,955,441 $163,567,592 
           
Intersegment Revenues (1)
          
Natural gas distribution and transmission 
$
193,404
 $172,427 $175,757 
Propane  
668
  -  - 
Advanced information services  
18,123
  45,266  100,804 
Other  
618,492
  647,378  711,159 
Total intersegment revenues 
$
830,687
 $865,071 $987,720 
           
Operating Income
          
Natural gas distribution and transmission 
$
17,235,810
 $17,091,360 $16,653,111 
Propane  
3,209,388
  2,363,884  3,875,351 
Advanced information services  
1,196,544
  387,193  691,909 
Other and eliminations  
(111,243
)
 127,309  359,029 
Total operating income 
$
21,530,499
 $19,969,746 $21,579,400 
           
Depreciation and Amortization
          
Natural gas distribution and transmission 
$
5,682,137
 $5,418,007 $5,188,273 
Propane  
1,574,357
  1,524,016  1,506,201 
Advanced information services  
122,569
  138,007  190,548 
Other and eliminations  
189,146
  177,508  204,814 
Total depreciation and amortization 
$
7,568,209
 $7,257,538 $7,089,836 
           
Capital Expenditures
          
Natural gas distribution and transmission 
$
28,433,671
 $13,945,214 $9,078,043 
Propane  
3,955,799
  3,395,190  2,244,583 
Advanced information services  
294,792
  84,185  76,924 
Other  
739,079
  404,941  422,789 
Total capital expenditures 
$
33,423,341
 $17,829,530 $11,822,339 
  
(1) All significant intersegment revenues are billed at market rates and have been eliminated from consolidated revenues.
 
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K      Page 75


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
At December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
Identifiable Assets
       
Natural gas distribution and transmission 
$
225,667,049
 $184,412,301 $170,758,784 
Propane  
57,344,859
  47,531,106  38,359,251 
Advanced information services  
2,062,902
  2,387,440  2,912,733 
Other  
10,905,065
  7,379,794  7,791,796 
Total identifiable assets 
$
295,979,875
 $241,710,641 $219,822,564 
- Page 53 -


Chesapeake uses the management approach to identify operating segments. Chesapeake organizes its business around differences in products or services, and the operating results of each segment are regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker in order to make decisions about resources and to assess performance. The segments are evaluated based on their pre-tax operating income.

The Company’s operations are allprimarily domestic. The advanced information services segment has infrequent transactions with foreign companies, located primarily in Canada, which are denominated and paid in U.S. dollars. These transactions are immaterial to the consolidated revenues.

D. Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Cash paid for interest and income taxes during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 was as follow:
             
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
Cash paid for interest $5,835,321  $5,592,279  $5,334,477 
Cash paid for income taxes $3,884,921  $7,009,206  $6,285,272 
Non-cash investing and financing activities during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 were as follow:
             
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
Capital property and equipment acquired on account, but not paid as of December 31 $696,268  $365,890  $1,490,890 
Retirement Savings Plan $158,756  $948,683  $914,811 
Dividends Reinvestment Plan $208,194  $840,718  $844,920 
Conversion of Debentures $176,740  $137,784  $283,417 
Performance Incentive Plan $568,361  $435,309  $715,494 
Director Stock Compensation Plan $181,312  $183,573  $175,617 
Tax benefit on stock warrants $50,244     $201,455 
D.E. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 for financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis. SFAS No. 157 applies to all financial assets and liabilities that are measured and reported on a fair value basis. Adoption of SFAS No. 157 had no impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Income. The primary effect of SFAS No. 157 on the Company was to expand the required disclosures pertaining to the methods used to determine fair values.



The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 157 applies only to its financial instruments and does not apply to those non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities delayed under FSP No. 157-2, which will be implemented for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 77


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
E.F. Investments
The investment balances at December 31, 20052008 and 2004,2007 represent a Rabbi Trust (“the trust”) associated with the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Savings Plan.Plan and a Rabbi Trust related to a stay bonus agreement with a former executive. In accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” the Company classifies these investments as trading securities. As a result of classifying them as trading securities, we arethe Company is required to report the securities at their fair value, with any unrealized gains and losses included in other income. WeThe Company also havehas an associated liability that is recorded and adjusted each month along with other expense, for the gains and losses incurred by the trust.

Trust. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, total investments had a fair value of $1.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
F.G. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
In accordance with SFAS No. 142, goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually. In addition, goodwill of a reporting unit is tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The propane unit hadsegment reported $674,000 in goodwill for the two years ended December 31, 20052008 and 2004.2007. Testing for 20052008 and 2004 has2007 indicated that no impairment of the goodwill has occurred.
- Page 54 -


The carrying value and accumulated amortization of intangible assets subject to amortization for the two years ended December 31, 20052008 and 2007 are as follows:
follow:

                 
  December 31, 2008  December 31, 2007 
  Gross      Gross    
  Carrying  Accumulated  Carrying  Accumulated 
  Amount  Amortization  Amount  Amortization 
 
Customer lists $115,333  $89,481  $115,333  $82,269 
Acquisition costs  263,659   125,243   263,659   118,650 
             
Total $378,992  $214,724  $378,992  $200,919 
             
  
December 31, 2005
 
December 31, 2004
 
  
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Customer lists 
$
115,333
 
$
67,845
 $115,333 $60,155 
Acquisition costs  
263,659
  
105,465
  263,659  98,873 
Total 
$
378,992
 
$
173,310
 $378,992 $159,028 
Amortization of intangible assets was $14,000 and $15,000 for the years ended December 31, 20052008 and 2004, respectively.2007. The estimated annual amortization of intangibles is $14,000 per year for each of the years 20062009 through 2010, respectively.2013.

Page 78      Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


The changesChanges in the common stock shares issued and outstanding are shown in the table below:
             
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
             
Common Stock shares issued and outstanding(1)
            
Shares issued — beginning of period balance  6,777,410   6,688,084   5,883,099 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan(2)
  9,060   35,333   38,392 
Retirement Savings Plan  5,260   29,563   29,705 
Conversion of debentures  10,397   8,106   16,677 
Employee award plan  250   350   350 
Share-based compensation(3)
  24,744   15,974   29,516 
Public offering        690,345 
          
Shares issued — end of period balance(4)
  6,827,121   6,777,410   6,688,084 
Treasury shares — beginning of period balance        (97)
Purchases  (2,425)  (971)   
Deferred Compensation Plan  2,425   971    
Other issuances        97 
          
Treasury Shares — end of period balance         
          
 
Total Shares Outstanding  6,827,121   6,777,410   6,688,084 
          
(1)12,000,000 shares are authorized at a par value of $0.4867 per share.
(2)Includes shares purchased with reinvested dividends and optional cash payments.
(3)Includes shares issued for Directors’ compensation.
(4)Includes 62,221, 57,309, and 48,187 shares at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, held in a Rabbi Trust established by the Company relating to the Deferred Compensation Plan.
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
Common Stock shares issued and outstanding (1)
       
Shares issued — beginning of period balance  
5,778,976
  5,660,594  5,537,710 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan (2)
  
41,175
  40,993  51,125 
Retirement Savings Plan  
21,071
  39,157  43,245 
Conversion of debentures  
22,609
  18,616  18,788 
Performance shares and options exercised (3)
  
19,268
  19,616  9,726 
Shares issued — end of period balance (4)
  
5,883,099
  5,778,976  5,660,594 
           
Treasury shares — beginning of period balance  
(9,418
)
 -  - 
Purchases  
(4,852
)
 (15,316) - 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan  
2,142
  -  - 
Retirement Savings Plan  
12,031
  -  - 
Other issuances  
-
  5,898  - 
Treasury Shares — end of period balance  
(97
)
 (9,418) - 
           
Total Shares Outstanding  
5,883,002
  
5,769,558
  
5,660,594
 
           
(1) 12,000,000 shares are authorized at a par value of $0.4867 per share.
 
(2) Includes shares purchased with reinvested dividends and optional cash payments.
 
(3) Includes shares issued for Directors compensation. 
 
(4) Includes 37,528, 48,175, and 47,659 shares at December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, held in a Rabbi Trust established by the Company relating to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Savings Plan.
 
In 2000 and 2001,On November 21, 2006, the Company entered into agreements with an investment banker to assist in identifying acquisition candidates. Under the agreements,completed a public offering of 600,300 shares of its common stock at a price per share of $30.10. On November 30, 2006, the Company issued warrantscompleted the sale of 90,045 additional shares of its common stock, pursuant to the investment bankerover-allotment option granted to purchase 15,000 sharethe underwriters by the Company. The net proceeds from the sale of common stock, after deducting underwriting commissions and expenses, were approximately $19.7 million, which were added to the Company’s general funds and used primarily to repay a portion of the Company’s short-term debt under unsecured lines of credit.
Chesapeake stock in 2000 at an exercise price of $18.00 per share and 15,000 in 2001 at an exercise price of $18.25 per share. The warrants are exercisable during a seven-year period afterUtilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 79


Notes to the grant date. At December 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding warrants of 30,000 at an average exercise price of $18.125 per share — 15,000 warrants expire in 2007 and the remaining 15,000 expire in 2008.


- Page 55 -


Consolidated Financial Statements
H.I. Long-term Debt
The Company’s outstanding long-term debt net of current maturities, is as shown below.
         
At December 31, 2008  2007 
Uncollateralized senior notes:        
7.97% note, due February 1, 2008 $  $1,000,000 
6.91% note, due October 1, 2010  1,818,182   2,727,273 
6.85% note, due January 1, 2012  3,000,000   4,000,000 
7.83% note, due January 1, 2015  12,000,000   14,000,000 
6.64% note, due October 31, 2017  24,545,455   27,272,727 
5.50% note, due October 12, 2020  20,000,000   20,000,000 
5.93% note, due October 31, 2023  30,000,000    
Convertible debentures:        
8.25% due March 1, 2014  1,655,000   1,832,000 
Promissory note  60,000   80,000 
       
Total long-term debt  93,078,637   70,912,000 
Less: current maturities  (6,656,364)  (7,656,364)
       
Total long-term debt, net of current maturities $86,422,273  $63,255,636 
       
Annual maturities of consolidated long-term debt are as follows: $6,656,364 for 2009, $6,656,364 for 2010, $7,747,273 for 2011, $6,727,273 for 2012, $6,727,273 for 2013, and $58,564,091 thereafter.
At December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Uncollateralized senior notes:     
7.97% note, due February 1, 2008 
$
2,000,000
 $3,000,000 
6.91% note, due October 1, 2010  
3,636,363
  4,545,454 
6.85% note, due January 1, 2012  
5,000,000
  6,000,000 
7.83% note, due January 1, 2015  
16,000,000
  20,000,000 
6.64% note, due October 31, 2017  
30,000,000
  30,000,000 
Convertible debentures:       
8.25% due March 1, 2014  
2,254,000
  2,644,000 
Promissory note  
100,000
  - 
Total Long-Term Debt 
$
58,990,363
 $66,189,454 
        
Annual maturities of consolidated long-term debt for the next five years are as follows: $4,929,091 for 2006; $7,656,364 for 2007; $7,656,364 for 2008; $6,656,364 for 2009 and $6,656,364 for 2010.
 
The convertible debentures may be converted, at the option of the holder, into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $17.01 per share. During 20052008 and 2004,2007, debentures totaling $385,000$177,000 and $317,000,$138,000, respectively, were converted to stock. The debentures are also redeemable for cash at the option of the holder, subject to an annual non-cumulative maximum limitation of $200,000. During 2005, debentures totaling $5,000 were redeemed for cash. In 2004,2008 and 2007, no debentures were redeemed for cash. At the Company’s option, the debentures may be redeemed at stated amounts.

On June 29, 2005,October 31, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement in principal with Prudential Investment Management Inc. Subsequently, the Company executed a Note Agreement, dated October 18, 2005, with threeissued $30 million of 5.93 percent Unsecured Senior Notes to two institutional investors (The Prudential(General American Life Insurance Company of America, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and United OmahaNew England Life Insurance Company), pursuant to which. The terms of the investors agreed, subject to certain conditions, to purchase from the Company $20 million in principal of 5.5 percent Senior Notes (the “Notes”) issued byrequire principal repayments of $1.5 million on the Company provided that the Company elects to effect30th day of April and 31st day of October in each year, commencing on April 30, 2014. The Senior Notes will mature on October 31, 2023. The proceeds of the sale of the Senior Notes at any time priorwere used to January 15, 2007. The terms of the Notes will require annual principal repayments of $2 million beginning on the fifth anniversary of the issuance of the Notes.refinance capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.

Debt Covenants
Indentures to the long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries contain various restrictions. The most stringent restrictions state that the Company must maintain equity of at least 40 percent of total capitalization, and the pro-forma fixed charge coverage ratio must be 1.5 times. TheFailure to comply with those covenants could result in accelerated due dates and/or termination of the agreements. As of December 31, 2008, the Company is in compliance with all of its debt covenants.

In terms of restrictions which limit the payment of dividends by the Company, each of the Company’s Unsecured Senior Notes contains a “Restricted Payments” covenant. The most restrictive covenants of this type are included within the 7.83% Senior Notes, due January 1, 2015. The covenant provides that the Company cannot pay or declare any dividends or make any other Restricted Payments (such as dividends) in excess of the sum of $10.0 million, plus consolidated net income of the Company accrued on and after January 1, 2001. As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s cumulative consolidated net income base was $86.9 million, offset by Restricted Payments of $54.4 million, leaving $32.5 million of cumulative net income free of restrictions.
In addition, the Company’s subsidiaries are not restricted from transferring funds to the Company in the form of loans, advances or cash dividends under the terms of the covenants of the Company’s various Unsecured Senior Notes.
Page 80     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


I.J. Short-term Borrowing
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had $33.0 million and $45.7 million, respectively, of short-term borrowing outstanding under our bank credit facilities. The annual weighted average interest rates on our short-term borrowing were 2.79 percent and 5.46 percent for 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The Company also had a letter of credit outstanding with its primary insurance company in the amount of $775,000 as security to satisfy the deductibles under the Company’s various insurance policies. This letter of credit reduced the amounts available under the Company’s lines of credit and is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2009. The Company does not anticipate that this letter of credit will be drawn upon by the counterparty, and the Company expects that it will be renewed as necessary.
Credit facilities
As of December 31, 2005,22, 2008, the Board of Directors (“Board”) hadhas authorized the Company to borrow up to $50.0$65.0 million of short-term debt, as required, from various banks and trust companies under short-term lines of credit. As of December 31, 2005, the Company2008, Chesapeake had three uncommitted and two committed, short-termfive unsecured bank lines of credit with three financial institutions, totaling $65.0$100.0 million, none of which requiredrequires compensating balances. Under theseThese bank lines are available to provide funds for the Company’s short-term cash needs to meet seasonal working capital requirements and to fund temporarily portions of its capital expenditures. We maintain both committed and uncommitted credit facilities. Advances offered under the uncommitted lines of credit are subject to the discretion of the banks.
Committed credit facilities
As of December 31, 2008, we had two committed revolving credit facilities totaling $55.0 million. The first facility is an unsecured $30.0 million revolving line of credit that bears interest at the respective LIBOR rate, plus 0.75 percent per annum. At December 31, 2008, there was $17.0 million available under this credit facility.
The second facility is a $25.0 million committed revolving line of credit that bears interest at a base rate plus 125 basis points, if requested and advanced on the same day, or LIBOR for the applicable period plus 125 basis points if requested three days prior to the advance date. At December 31, 2008, the entire borrowing capacity of $25.0 million was available under this credit facility.
The availability of funds under our credit facilities is subject to conditions specified in the respective credit agreements, all of which we currently satisfy. These conditions include our compliance with financial covenants and the continued accuracy of representations and warranties contained in these agreements. We are required by the financial covenants in our revolving credit facilities to maintain, at the end of each fiscal year:
a funded indebtedness ratio of no greater than 65 percent; and
A fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.20 to 1.0.
The Company is in compliance with all of its debt covenants.
Uncommitted credit facilities
As of December 31, 2008, we had three uncommitted lines of credit facilities totaling $45.0 million. Advances offered under the uncommitted lines of credit are subject to the discretion of the banks.
The first facility is an uncommitted $20.0 million line of credit that bears interest at a rate per annum as offered by the bank for the applicable period. At December 31, 2008, the Company had short-term debt outstandinghas reached the $20.0 million borrowing capacity under this credit facility.
The second facility is a $10.0 million uncommitted revolving line of approximately $35.5 million and $5.0 millioncredit that bears interest at either the Prime Rate or the daily LIBOR Rate for the applicable period. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. 2008, the entire borrowing capacity of $10.0 million was available under this credit facility.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 81


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The annual weighted averagefinal facility is a $15.0 million uncommitted line of credit that bears interest rates were 4.6at the bank’s base rate or the respective LIBOR rate, plus 1.25 percent per annum. At December 31, 2008, there was $14.2 million available under this credit facility, which was reduced by $775,000 for 2005 and 3.7 percent for 2004. The Company also had a letter of credit outstanding inissued to our primary insurance company. The letter of credit is provided as security to satisfy the amount of $694,000 that reduced the amounts availabledeductibles under the linesCompany’s various insurance policies and expires on May 31, 2009. The Company does not anticipate that this letter of credit.

- Page 56 -

credit will be drawn upon by the counter-party and it expects that it will be renewed as necessary.
J.K. Lease Obligations
The Company has entered into several operating lease arrangements for office space, at various locations, equipment and pipeline facilities. Rent expense related to these leases was $837,000, $934,000$880,000, $736,000, and $1.1 million$680,000 for 2005, 20042008, 2007, and 2003,2006, respectively. Future minimum payments under the Company’s current lease agreements are $646,000, $597,000, $466,000, $395,000$770,000, $612,000, $605,000, $560,000 and $298,000$369,000 for the years of 20062009 through 2010,2013, respectively; and $2.4 million thereafter, totaling $4.8with an aggregate total of $5.4 million.
K.L. Employee Benefit Plans
Retirement Plans
Plans
Before 1999, Company employees generally participated in both a defined benefit pension plan (“Defined Pension PlanPlan”) and a Retirement Savings Plan. Effective January 1, 1999, the Company restructured its retirement program to compete more effectively with similar businesses. As part of this restructuring, the Company closed the defined benefitDefined Pension Plan to new participants. Employees who participated in the defined benefitDefined Pension Plan at that time were given the option of remaining in (and continuing to accrue benefits under) the Defined Pension Plan or receiving an enhanced matching contribution in the Retirement Savings Plan.

Because the defined benefitDefined Pension Plan was not open to new participants, the number of active participants in that plan decreased and iswas approaching the minimum number needed for the Defined Pension Plan to maintain its tax-qualified status. To avoid jeopardizing the tax-qualified status of the Defined Pension Plan, the Company’s Board of Directors amended the defined benefitDefined Pension Plan on September 24, 2004. To ensure that the Company continueswould continue to provide appropriate levels of benefits to the Company’s employees, the Board amended the defined benefitDefined Pension Plan and the Retirement Savings Plan, effective January 1, 2005, so that Defined Pension Plan participants who arewere actively employed by the Company on that date would: (1) receive two additional years of benefit service credit to be used in calculating their Defined Pension Plan benefit (subject to the Defined Pension Plan’s limit of 35 years of benefit service credit), (2) have the option to receive their Defined Pension Plan benefit in the form of a lump sum at the time they retire, and (3) arebe eligible to receive the enhanced matching contribution in the Retirement Savings Plan. In addition, effective January 1, 2005, the Board amended the defined benefitDefined Pension Plan so that participants willwould not accrue any additional benefits under that plan. These changes were communicated to the Company’s employees during the first week of November 2004. As
The Company also provides an unfunded pension supplemental executive retirement plan (“Pension SERP”), formerly called the Executive Excess Retirement Plan. This plan was frozen with respect to additional years of service and additional compensation as of December 31, 2004. Benefits under the plan were based on each participant’s years of service and highest average compensation, prior to the freeze. In December 2008, the Pension SERP was amended to allow participants to elect a resultlump sum payment and to add the other optional forms of benefit payments currently available under the Defined Pension Plan.
In addition to the Defined Pension Plan and the Pension SERP, the Company provides an unfunded postretirement health care and life insurance plan that covers employees who have met certain age and service requirements. The measurement date for each of the amendmentsthree plans was December 31, 2008 and 2007.
Page 82     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, which the Company adopted, prospectively, for the Defined Pension, Pension SERP and Other Postretirement Benefits on December 31, 2006. SFAS No. 158 requires that we recognize all obligations related to defined benefit pensions and other postretirement benefits and that we quantify the plans’ funded status as an asset or a liability on our consolidated balance sheets.
SFAS No. 158 further requires that we measure the plans’ assets and obligations that determine our funded status as of the end of the fiscal year. The Company is also required to recognize as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) the changes in funded status that occurred during the year that are not recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost, as explained in SFAS No. 87 or SFAS No. 106.
At December 31, 2008, the funded status of the Company’s Defined Pension Plan was a gainliability of approximately $172,000 (after tax)$4.9 million; at December 31, 2007, it was a liability of $275,000. In order to account for the decrease in the funded status in accordance with SFAS No. 158, the Company recorded during 2004.a charge of $2.8 million, net of tax, to Comprehensive Income. In addition, the funded status of the postretirement health and life insurance plan was a liability of $2.2 million at December 31, 2008 compared to $1.8 million at December 31, 2007. To adjust for the increased liability for the postretirement health and life insurance plan, as required by SFAS No. 158, the Company took a charge of $30,400, net of tax, to Comprehensive Income.

The amounts in AOCI for the respective retirement plans that are expected to be recognized as a component of net benefit cost in 2009 are set forth in the following table.
             
  Defined      Other 
  Benefit  Pension  Postretirement 
  Pension  SERP  Benefit 
Prior service cost (credit) $(4,699) $13,176    
Net loss $268,276  $59,089  $158,378 
The following table presents the amounts not yet reflected in net periodic benefit cost and included in AOCI as of December 31, 2008.
             
  Defined      Other 
  Benefit  Pension  Postretirement 
  Pension  SERP  Benefit 
Prior service cost (credit) $(20,162) $118,580    
Net loss (gain)  4,319,514   (175,725)  1,049,291 
          
Subtotal  4,299,352   (57,145)  1,049,291 
Tax expense (benefit)  (1,721,460)  20,041   (420,136)
          
AOCI $2,577,892  $(37,104) $629,155 
          
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
As previously described, above, effective January 1, 2005, the defined benefitDefined Pension Plan was frozen with respect to additional years of service or additional compensation. Benefits under the plan were based on each participant’s years of service and highest average compensation, prior to the freeze. The Company’s funding policy provides that payments to the trustee shall be equal to the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The Company doeswas not expect to be required to make any funding payments in 2006. The measurement dates forto the Defined Pension Plan were December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.in 2008.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 83


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The following schedule summarizes the assets of the Defined Pension Plan, by investment type, at December 31, 20052008, 2007 and 2004:
2006:
             
At December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
Asset Category
            
Equity securities  48.70%  49.03%  77.34%
Debt securities  51.24%  50.26%  18.59%
Other  0.06%  0.71%  4.07%
          
Total  100.00%  100.00%  100.00%
          

The asset listed as “Other” in the above table represents monies temporarily held in money market funds. The money market fund invests at least 80 percent of its total assets in:
At December 31,
 
2005
United States Government obligations; and
2004
 
Asset Category
 
Equity securities
76.12
%
72.64%
Debt securities
23.28
%
12.91%
Other
0.60
%
14.45%
Total
100.00
%
100.00%Repurchase agreements that are fully collateralized by such obligations.
- Page 57 -


The investment policy of the Plan calls for an allocation of assets between equity and debt instruments, with equity being 6030 percent and debt at 4070 percent, but allowing for a variance of 20 percent in either direction. Additionally,In addition, as changes are made to holdings, cash, money market funds or United States Treasury Bills may be held temporarily by the fund. Investments in the following are prohibited: options, guaranteed investment contracts, real estate, venture capital, private placements, futures, commodities, limited partnerships and Chesapeake stock. Additionally,stock; short selling and margin transactions are prohibited.prohibited as well. During 2004,2007, Chesapeake modified its investment policy to allow the Employee Benefits Committee to reallocate investments to better match the expected life of the plan.

The following schedule sets forth the funded status of the Defined Pension Plan at December 31, 20052008 and 2004:
2007:

        
At December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
  2008 2007 
Change in benefit obligation:
      
Benefit obligation — beginning of year 
$
12,053,063
 $11,948,755  $11,073,520 $11,449,725 
Service cost  
-
  338,352 
Interest cost  
645,740
  690,620  593,723 622,057 
Change in assumptions  
388,979
  573,639  267,953  
Actuarial loss  
28,895
  220,842  83,704 282,684 
Amendments  
-
  883,753 
Effect of curtailment/settlement  
-
  (2,171,289)
Benefits paid  
(717,056
)
 (431,609)  (426,652)  (1,280,946)
     
Benefit obligation — end of year  
12,399,621
  12,053,063  11,592,248 11,073,520 
     
        
Change in plan assets:
        
Fair value of plan assets — beginning of year  
12,097,248
  11,301,548  10,798,781 12,040,287 
Actual return on plan assets  
400,674
  1,227,309   (3,683,183) 39,440 
Benefits paid  
(717,056
)
 (431,609)  (426,652)  (1,280,946)
     
Fair value of plan assets — end of year  
11,780,866
  12,097,248  6,688,946 10,798,781 
            
 
Reconciliation:
 
Funded status  
(618,755
)
 44,185   (4,903,302)  (274,739)
Unrecognized prior service cost  
(34,259
)
 (38,958)
Unrecognized net actuarial gain  
(129,739
)
 (850,224)
Net amount accrued
  
($782,753
)
 ($844,997)
     
Accrued pension cost
 $(4,903,302) $(274,739)
     
        
Assumptions:
        
Discount rate  
5.25
%
 5.50%  5.25%  5.50%
Rate of compensation increase  
4.00
%
 4.00%
Expected return on plan assets  
6.00
%
 7.88%  6.00%  6.00%
The Company reviewed the assumptions used for the discount rate to calculate the benefit obligation of the plan were reviewed by the Company and lowered from 5.5 percent tohas elected a rate of 5.25 percent in 2008, reflecting a reduction of 25 basis points in the interest rates of high qualityhigh-quality bonds in 2008, and reflecting the expected life of the plan, due toin light of the lump sum paymentlump-sum-payment option. Additionally,In addition, the average expected return on plan assets for the qualified plan was lowered from 7.88 percent to 6Defined Pension Plan remained constant at six percent due to the adoption of a change in the investment policy that allows for a higher level of investment in bonds and a lower level of equity investments. There was no change inSince the Plan is frozen with respect to additional years of service and compensation, the rate of assumed compensation rate increases.increases is not applicable. The accumulated benefit obligation was $12.4$11.6 million and $12.1$11.1 million at December 31, 20052008 and 2004,2007, respectively.

- Page 58 -84     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K




Net periodic pension costsbenefit for the defined benefitDefined Pension Plan for 2005, 20042008, 2007, and 20032006 include the components as shown below:
             
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
Components of net periodic pension cost:
            
Interest cost $593,723  $622,057  $635,877 
Expected return on assets  (629,432)  (696,398)  (690,533)
Amortization of prior service cost  (4,699)  (4,699)  (4,699)
          
Net periodic pension benefit
 $(40,408) $(79,040) $(59,355)
          
             
Assumptions:
            
Discount rate  5.50%  5.50%  5.25%
Expected return on plan assets  6.00%  6.00%  6.00%

For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
Components of net periodic pension cost:
       
Service cost 
$
0
 $338,352 $325,366 
Interest cost  
645,740
  690,620  684,239 
Expected return on assets  
(703,285
)
 (869,336) (784,476)
Amortization of:          
Transition assets  
-
  (11,328) (15,104)
Prior service cost  
(4,699
)
 (4,699) (4,699)
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)
  
($62,244
)
$143,609 $205,326 
Pension Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
The following actuarial assumptions were used in calculating net periodic pension cost or benefit.

For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
Assumptions:
       
Discount rate  
5.50
%
 5.88% 6.50%
Rate of compensation increase  
4.00
%
 4.00% 4.50%
Expected return on plan assets  
6.00
%
 7.88% 8.50%
Executive Excess Defined Benefit Pension Plan
The Company also sponsors an unfunded executive excess defined benefit pension plan. As noted above,previously described, this plan was frozen with respect to additional years of service and additional compensation as of December 31, 2004. Benefits under the plan were based on each participant’s years of service and highest average compensation, prior to the freeze. The accumulated benefit obligation for the Pension SERP, which is unfunded, was $2.3$2.5 million and $2.2$2.3 million at December 31, 20052008 and 2004,2007, respectively. Accrued pension costs at December 31, 2005 include $959,000 related to a minimum pension liability. The minimum pension liability is a component of other comprehensive income.

Net periodic pension costs for the executive excess benefit pension plan for 2005, 2004 and 2003 include the components as shown below:

For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
Components of net periodic pension cost:
       
Service cost 
$
0
 $105,913 $107,877 
Interest cost  
119,658
  87,568  80,039 
Amortization of:          
Prior service cost  
-
  2,090  2,787 
Actuarial loss  
49,319
  21,699  18,677 
Net periodic pension cost
 
$
168,977
 $217,270 $209,380 
- Page 59 -


The following schedule sets forth the status of the executive excess benefit plan:
Pension SERP:

        
At December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
  2008 2007 
Change in benefit obligation:
      
Benefit obligation — beginning of year 
$
2,162,952
 $1,406,190  $2,326,250 $2,286,970 
Service cost  
-
  105,913 
Interest cost  
119,658
  87,568  124,771 123,361 
Actuarial loss  
133,839
  713,225 
Actuarial (gain) loss 39,227 5,123 
Amendments  
-
  60,000  118,580  
Effect of curtailment/settlement  
-
  (184,844)
Benefits paid  
(93,978
)
 (25,100)  (89,204)  (89,204)
     
Benefit obligation — end of year  
2,322,471
  2,162,952  2,519,624 2,326,250 
     
        
Change in plan assets:
        
Fair value of plan assets — beginning of year  
-
  -    
Employer contributions  
93,978
  25,100  89,204 89,204 
Benefits paid  
(93,978
)
 (25,100)  (89,204)  (89,204)
     
Fair value of plan assets — end of year  
-
  -    
            
 
Reconciliation:
 
Funded status  
(2,322,471
)
 (2,162,952)  (2,519,624)  (2,326,250)
Unrecognized net actuarial loss  
959,492
  874,972 
Net amount accrued
  
($1,362,979
)
 ($1,287,980)
     
Accrued pension costs
 $(2,519,624) $(2,326,250)
     
        
Assumptions:
        
Discount rate  
5.25
%
 5.50%  5.25%  5.50%
Rate of compensation increase  
4.00
%
 4.00%
The Company reviewed the assumptions used for the discount rate of the plan were reviewed byto calculate the Companybenefit obligation and lowered from 5.5 percent tohas elected a rate of 5.25 percent, reflecting a reduction of 25 basis points in the interest rates of high qualityhigh-quality bonds in 2008 and a reduction in the expected life of the plan. There was no changeSince the Plan is frozen in regard to additional years of service and compensation, the rate of assumed pay rate increases.pay-rate increases is not applicable. The measurement dates for the executive excess benefit planPension SERP were December 31, 20052008 and 2004, respectively.2007.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 85


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Net periodic pension costs for the Pension SERP for 2008, 2007, and 2006 include the components shown below:
             
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
Components of net periodic pension cost:
            
Interest cost $124,771  $123,361  $119,588 
Amortization of actuarial loss  45,416   51,734   57,039 
          
Net periodic pension cost
 $170,187  $175,095  $176,627 
          
Assumptions:
            
Discount rate  5.50%  5.50%  5.25%
Other Post-RetirementPostretirement Benefits
The Company sponsors a defined benefit post-retirementan unfunded postretirement health care and life insurance plan that covers substantially all employees.

Net periodic post-retirement costs for 2005, 2004 and 2003 include the following components:

For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
Components of net periodic post-retirement cost:
       
Service cost 
$
6,257
 $5,354 $5,138 
Interest cost  
77,872
  86,883  85,319 
Amortization of:          
Transition obligation  
27,859
  27,859  27,859 
Actuarial loss  
88,291
  78,900  66,271 
Net periodic post-retirement cost
 
$
200,279
 $198,996 $184,587 
- Page 60 -


The following schedule sets forth the status of the post-retirementpostretirement health care and life insurance plan:
         
At December 31, 2008  2007 
Change in benefit obligation:
        
Benefit obligation — beginning of year $1,755,564  $1,763,108 
Retirees  551,684   56,123 
Fully-eligible active employees  (19,329)  21,012 
Other active  (109,852)  (84,679)
       
Benefit obligation — end of year $2,178,067  $1,755,564 
       
         
Change in plan assets:
        
Fair value of plan assets — beginnning of year      
Employer contributions  39,598   243,660 
Plan participant’s contributions  103,572   100,863 
Benefits paid  (143,170)  (344,523)
       
Fair value of plan assets — end of year      
       
         
Reconciliation:
        
Funded status $(2,178,067) $(1,755,564)
       
Accrued OPRB costs
 $(2,178,067) $(1,755,564)
       
         
Assumptions:
        
Discount rate  5.25%  5.50%

Net periodic postretirement costs for 2008, 2007, and 2006 include the following components:
At December 31,
 
2005
 
2004
 
Change in benefit obligation:
     
Benefit obligation — beginning of year 
$
1,599,280
 $1,471,664 
Retirees  
(59,152
)
 91,747 
Fully-eligible active employees  
(31,761
)
 22,071 
Other active  
26,317
  13,798 
Benefit obligation — end of year 
$
1,534,684
 $1,599,280 
        
Funded status  
($1,534,684
)
 ($1,599,280)
Unrecognized transition obligation  
22,282
  50,141 
Unrecognized net actuarial loss  
751,450
  899,228 
Net amount accrued
  
($760,952
)
 ($649,911)
        
Assumptions:
       
Discount rate  
5.25
%
 5.50%
             
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
Components of net periodic postretirement cost:
            
Service cost $2,826  $6,203  $9,194 
Interest cost  114,282   101,776   93,924 
Amortization of:            
Transition obligation        22,282 
Actuarial loss  289,838   166,423   144,694 
          
Net periodic postretirement cost
 $406,946  $274,402  $270,094 
          
The health care inflation rate for 20052008 used to calculate the benefit obligation is assumed to be 8five percent for medical and 10six percent for prescription drugs. These rates are projected to gradually decrease to ultimate rates of 5 and 6 percent, respectively, by the year 2009. A one percentage pointone-percentage-point increase in the health care inflation rate from the assumed rate would increase the accumulated post-retirementpostretirement benefit obligation by approximately $204,000$347,300 as of January 1, 2006,2009, and would increase the aggregate of the service cost and interest cost components of the net periodic post-retirementpostretirement benefit cost for 20062009 by approximately $13,000.$20,000. A one percentage pointone-percentage-point decrease in the health care inflation rate from the assumed rate would decrease the accumulated post-retirementpostretirement benefit obligation by approximately $169,000$282,500 as of January 1, 2006,2009, and would decrease the aggregate of the service cost and interest cost components of the net periodic post-retirementpostretirement benefit cost for 20062009 by approximately $11,000.$16,000. The measurement dates were December 31, 20052008 and 2004, respectively.2007.

Page 86     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The schedule below shows the estimated future benefit payments for each of the years 20062009 through 20102013 and the aggregate of the next five years for each of the plans previously described.
             
  Defined  Pension  Other Post- 
  Benefit  Supplemental  Retirement 
  Pension Plan(1)  Executive Retirement(2)  Benefits(2) 
2009 $1,116,199  $87,810  $224,683 
2010  936,064   805,978   237,850 
2011  441,760   84,623   215,670 
2012  1,351,260   82,833   226,548 
2013  491,266   80,911   220,874 
Years 2014 through 2018  3,643,521   585,796   1,201,769 
(1)The pension plan is funded; therefore, benefit payments are expected to be paid out of the plan assets.
(2)Benefit payments are expected to be paid out of the general funds of the Company.
In 2009, the Company expects to contribute $450,000 to the Defined Pension Plan and $87,810 to the Pension SERP and $224,683 to the Other Postretirement Benefit Plan for these two plans are unfunded.

  
Defined Benefit Pension Plan (1)
 
Executive Excess Defined Benefit Pension Plan (2)
 
Other Post-Retirement Benefits (2)
 
2006 $440,904 $89,204 $146,051 
2007  713,051  88,490  152,321 
2008  851,435  87,782  152,114 
2009  1,431,421  87,080  155,098 
2010  895,710  86,384  174,932 
Years 2011 through 2015  4,089,216  692,464  987,030 
           
(1) The pension plan is funded; therefore, benefit payments are expected to be paid out of the plan assets.
 
(2) Benefit payments are expected to be paid out of the general funds of the Company.
 

Retirement Savings Plan
The Company sponsors a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, which provides participants a mechanism for making contributions for retirement savings. Each participant may make pre-tax contributions of up to 1580 percent of eligible base compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations. These participants were eligible for the enhanced matching described below, effective January 1, 2005.
- Page 61 -


Effective January 1, 1999, the Company began offering an enhanced 401(k) planPlan to all new employees, as well as existing employees thatwho elected to no longer participate in the defined benefit plan.Defined Pension Plan. The Company makes matching contributions on a basis of up to six percent of each employee'semployee’s eligible pre-tax compensation for the year.year, except for the employees of our Advanced Information Services segment. The match is between 100 percent and 200 percent of the employee’s contribution, based on a combination of the employee’s age and years of service. The first 100 percent of the funds areis matched with Chesapeake common stock. Thestock; the remaining match is invested in the Company’s 401(k) planPlan according to each employee’s election options.

Effective July 1, 2006, the Company’s contribution made on behalf of the Advanced Information Services segment employees, is a 50 percent matching contribution, on up to six percent of the employee’s annual compensation. The matching contribution is funded in Chesapeake common stock. The Plan was also amended at the same time to enable it to receive discretionary profit-sharing contributions in the form of employee pre-tax deferrals. The extent to which the Advanced Information Services segment has any dollars available for profit-sharing is dependent upon the extent to which the segment’s actual earnings exceed budgeted earnings. Any profit-sharing dollars made available to employees can be deferred into the Plan and/or paid out in the form of a bonus.
On December 1, 2001, the Company converted the 401(k) fund holding Chesapeake stock to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”).Plan.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 87


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Effective January 1, 1999, the Company began offering a non-qualified supplemental employee retirement savings plan (“401(k) SERP”) open to Company executives over a specific income threshold. Participants receive a cash onlycash-only matching contribution percentage equivalent to their 401(k) match level. All contributions and matched funds earn interest income monthly.

can be invested among the mutual funds available for investment. These same funds are available for investment of employee contributions within the Retirement Savings Plan. All obligations arising under the 401(k) SERP are payable from the general assets of Chesapeake, although Chesapeake has established a Rabbi Trust for the 401(k) SERP. As discussed further in Note F — “Investments,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the assets held in the Rabbi Trust had a fair value of $1.6 million and $1.9 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The assets of the Rabbi Trust are at all times subject to the claims of Chesapeake’s general creditors.
The Company’s contributions to the 401(k) plans totaled $1,681,000, $1,497,000$1.55 million, $1.48 million, and $1,444,000$1.61 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 20042008, 2007, and 2003,2006, respectively. As of December 31, 2005,2008, there are 111,73842,656 shares reserved to fund future contributions to the Retirement Savings Plan.

Deferred Compensation Plan
On December 7, 2006, the Board of Directors approved the Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan (“Deferred Compensation Plan”), as amended, effective January 1, 2007. The Deferred Compensation Plan is a non-qualified, deferred compensation arrangement under which certain executives and members of the Board of Directors are able to defer payment of part or all of certain specified types of compensation, including executive cash bonuses, executive performance shares, and directors’ retainer and fees. At December 31, 2008, the Deferred Compensation Plan consists solely of shares of common stock related to the deferral of executive performance shares and directors’ stock retainers.
Participants in the Deferred Compensation Plan are able to elect the payment of benefits to begin on a specified future date after the election is made in the form of a lump sum or annual installments. Deferrals of executive cash bonuses and directors’ cash retainers and fees are paid in cash. All deferrals of executive performance shares and directors’ stock retainers are paid in shares of the Company’s common stock, except that cash shall be paid in lieu of fractional shares.
The Company established a Rabbi Trust in connection with the Deferred Compensation Plan. The value of the Company’s stock held in the Rabbi Trust is classified within the stockholders’ equity section of the Balance Sheet and has been accounted for in a manner similar to treasury stock. The amounts recorded under the Deferred Compensation Plan totaled $1.5 million and $1.4 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
L. Executive IncentiveM. Share-Based Compensation Plans
AThe Company accounts for its share-based compensation arrangements under SFAS No. 123R, which requires companies to record compensation costs for all share-based awards over the respective service period for employee services received in exchange for an award of equity or equity-based compensation. The compensation cost is based on the fair value of the grant on the date it was awarded. The Company currently has two share-based compensation plans, the Directors Stock Compensation Plan (“DSCP”) and the Performance Incentive Plan (“PIP”), that require accounting under SFAS 123R.
The table below presents the Plan”) adoptedamounts included in 1992 and amended in April 1998 allowsnet income related to share-based compensation expense, for the granting of performance shares,restricted stock awards issued under the DSCP and the PIP.
             
For the year ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
Directors Stock Compensation Plan $180,037  $180,920  $165,340 
Performance Incentive Plan  640,138   809,030   544,450 
          
Total compensation expense  820,175   989,950   709,790 
Less: tax benefit  326,585   386,080   276,820 
          
Amounts included in net income $493,590  $603,870  $432,970 
          
Page 88     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Stock Options
The Company did not have any stock options outstanding at December 31, 2008 or December 31, 2007, nor were any stock options issued during 2008 and stock appreciation rights to certain officers2007.
Directors Stock Compensation Plan
Under the DSCP, each non-employee director of the Company.Company received in 2008 an annual retainer of 650 shares of common stock and additional shares of common stock to serve as a committee chairperson. For 2008, the Corporate Governance and Compensation Committee Chairperson each received 150 additional shares of common stock and the Audit Committee Chairperson received 250 additional shares of common stock. Shares granted under the DSCP are issued in advance of the directors’ service period; therefore, these shares are fully vested as of the date of the grant. The Company now uses performance shares exclusively. All stock options granted in prior years were exercisedrecords a prepaid expense as of the date of the grant equal to the fair value of the shares issued and amortizes the expense equally over a service period of one year.
A summary of stock activity under the DSCP is presented below:
         
      Weighted 
  Number of  Average Grant 
  Shares  Date Fair Value 
Outstanding — December 31, 2006      
       
Granted  5,850  $31.38 
Vested  5,850  $31.38 
Forfeited      
       
Outstanding — December 31, 2007      
       
Granted(a)
  6,161  $29.43 
Vested  6,161  $29.43 
Forfeited      
       
Outstanding — December 31, 2008      
       
(a)On September 15, 2008, the Company added a new member to its Board of Directors. The number of shares issued to this Director for her annual retainer was prorated.
Compensation expense related to DSCP awards recorded by the Company for the years 2008, 2007, and 2006 is presented in the following table:
             
For the year ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
 
Compensation expense for DSCP $180,037  $180,920  $165,340 
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of DSCP awards granted during fiscal 2008 and 2007 was $29.43 and $31.38, respectively, per share. The intrinsic values of the DSCP awards are equal to the fair market value of these awards on the date of grant. At December 31, 2005 and all stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) were exercised prior to December 31, 2003.

The Plan enables participants the right to earn performance shares upon the Company’s achievement2008, there was $62,470 of certain performance goals, as set forth in the specific agreements, and the individual’s achievement of goals set annually for each executive. The Company recordedunrecognized compensation expense related to DSCP awards that is expected to be recognized over the first four months of $701,000, $490,000 and $726,000 associated with these performance shares in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

In 1997, the Company executed Stock Option Agreements for a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2000, with certain executive officers. One-half of these options became exercisable over time and the other half became exercisable if certain performance targets were achieved. SFAS No. 123 requires the disclosure of pro forma net income and earnings per share as if fair value based accounting had been used to account for the stock-based compensation costs. The assumptions used in calculating the pro forma information were: dividend yield, 4.73 percent; expected volatility, 15.53 percent; risk-free interest rate, 5.89 percent; and an expected life of four years. No options have been granted since 1997; therefore, there is no pro forma impact for 2005, 2004 or 2003. The weighted average exercise price of outstanding options was $20.50 for all years presented. All outstanding options were exercised as of December 31, 2005.

Changes in outstanding options are shown on the chart below:

  
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
  
Number of shares
 
Option Price
 
Number of shares
 
Option Price
 
Number of shares
 
Option Price
 
Balance — beginning of year  
17,537
 
$
20.50
  29,490 $20.50  41,948 $20.50 
Options exercised  
(17,537
)
$
20.50
  (11,834)$20.50  (12,458)$20.50 
Options forteited  
-
     (119)$20.50  -    
Balance — end of year  
-
     17,537 $20.50  29,490 $20.50 
Exercisable  
-
     17,537 $20.50  29,490 $20.50 
- Page 62 -


In 2000, the Company replaced the third year of this Stock Option Agreement with Stock Appreciation Rights. The SARs were awarded based on performance with a minimum number of SARs established for each participant. During 2001 and 2000, the Company granted 10,650 and 13,150 SARs, respectively, in conjunction with the agreement. During 2003, all SARs were exercised.

2009.
As of December 31, 2005,2008, there were 293,48151,289 shares reserved for issuance under the terms of the Company’s DSCP.
Performance Incentive Plan.Plan (“PIP”)

The Company’s Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is authorized to grant key employees of the Company the right to receive awards of shares of the Company’s common stock, contingent upon the achievement of established performance goals. These awards granted under the PIP are subject to certain post-vesting transfer restrictions.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 89


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In 2006 and 2007, the Board of Directors granted each executive officer equity incentive awards, which entitled each to earn shares of common stock to the extent that pre-established performance goals were achieved by the Company at the end of a one-year performance period. For 2008, the Company adopted multi-year performance plans to be used in lieu of the one-year awards. Similar to the one-year plans, the multi-year plans will provide incentives based upon the achievement of long-term goals, development and success of the Company. The long-term goals have both market-based and performance-based conditions or targets.
The shares granted under the PIP in 2006 and 2007 are fully vested, and the fair value of each share is equal to the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. The shares granted under the 2008 long-term plans are unvested at December 31, 2008, and the fair value of each performance-based condition or target is equal to the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. For the market-based conditions, we used the Black-Scholes pricing model to estimate the fair value of each market-based award granted.
A summary of stock activity under the PIP is presented below:
         
      Weighted 
  Number of  Average Fair 
  Shares  Value 
Outstanding — December 31, 2006  31,140  $31.00 
       
Granted  33,760  $29.90 
Vested  12,544  $31.00 
Fortfeited  6,820  $31.00 
Expired  11,776  $31.00 
       
Outstanding — December 31, 2007  33,760  $29.90 
       
Granted  94,200  $27.71 
Vested  31,094  $29.90 
Fortfeited      
Expired  2,666  $29.90 
       
Outstanding — December 31, 2008  94,200  $27.71 
       
For the years 2008 and 2007, the Company withheld shares with value equivalent to the employees’ minimum statutory obligation for the applicable income and other employment taxes, and remitted the cash to the appropriate taxing authorities with the executives receiving the net shares. The total number of shares withheld (12,511) for 2008 was based on the value of the PIP shares on their vesting date as determined by the average of the high and low of the Company’s stock price. The total number of shares withheld (2,420) for 2007 was based on the value of the PIP shares on their vesting date as determined by the closing price of the Company’s stock. Total payments for the employees’ tax obligations to the taxing authorities were approximately $382,650 and $69,200 in 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Compensation expense related to the PIP recorded by the Company during 2008, 2007, and 2006 is presented in the following table:
             
For the year ended December 31, 2008  2007  2006 
 
Compensation expense for PIP $640,138  $809,030  $544,450 
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of PIP awards granted during fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $27.71, $29.90 and $31.00, respectively, per share. The intrinsic value of the PIP awards was $1,080,161 for 2008. The intrinsic values of the 2007 and 2006 PIP awards are equal to the fair market value of these awards on the date of grant.
As of December 31, 2008, there were 371,293 shares reserved for issuance under the terms of the Company’s PIP.
Page 90     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


M.N. Environmental Commitments and Contingencies
Chesapeake is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental quality and pollution control. These laws and regulations require the Company to remove or remedy the effect on the environment of the disposal or release of specified substances at current and former operating sites.

In 2004, Chesapeake received a Certificate of Completion for remedial work at one former gas manufacturing plant site and is currently participatinghas participated in the investigation, assessment or remediation, of two other former gas manufacturing plant sites. These sites are located in three different jurisdictions. The Companyand has accrued liabilities, forat three former manufactured gas plant sites located in Delaware, Maryland and Florida, referred to, respectively, as the Dover Gas Light Site, the Salisbury Town Gas Light Site and the Winter Haven Coal Gas sites.Site. The Company is currentlyhas also been in discussions with the Maryland Department of the EnvironmentEnvironmental (“MDE”) regarding the possible responsibilities of the Company with respect to a fourth former manufactured gas manufacturing plant site located in Cambridge, Maryland. The following discussion provides details on each site.

Dover Gas Light Site
The Dover Gas Light site is a former manufactured gas plant site located in Dover, Delaware. On January 15, 2004, the Company received a Certificate of Completion of Work from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”)EPA regarding this site. This concluded Chesapeake’s remedial action obligation related to this site and relieves Chesapeake from liability for future remediation at the site, unless previously unknown conditions are discovered at the site,there, or information previously unknown to the EPA is received which indicates that indicates the remedial action that has been taken is not sufficiently protective. These contingencies are standard and are required by the United StatesEPA in all liability settlements.

The Company has reviewed its remediation costs incurred to date for the Dover Gas Light site and has concluded that all costs incurred have been paid.paid and recovered through rates or other parties. The Company does not expect any future environmental expendituresexpenditure for this site. Through December 31, 2005,On February 5, 2008, the Company has incurred approximately $9.7 millionDelaware PSC granted final approval to cease the recovery of environmental costs through the Company’s Environmental Rider recovery mechanism, effective November 30, 2008. Any residual balance shall be included in costs related to environmental testing and remedial action studies at the site. Approximately $9.9 million has been recovered through December 2005 from other parties or through rates. As of December 31, 2005, a regulatory liability of approximately $298,000, representing the over-recovery portion of the clean-up costs, has been recorded. The over-recovery is temporary and will be refunded by the Company to customers in future rates.Company’s Gas Sales Service Rate application.

Salisbury Town Gas Light Site
In cooperation with the MDE, the Company has completed remediation of the Salisbury Town Gas Light site, located in Salisbury, Maryland, where it was determined that a former manufactured gas plant had caused localized ground-water contamination. During 1996, the Company completed construction and beganof an Air Sparging and Soil-Vapor Extraction (“AS/SVE”) system and began remediation procedures. Chesapeake has been reportingreported the remediation and monitoring results to the MDE on an ongoing basis since 1996. In February 2002, the MDE granted permission to decommission permanently decommission the AS/SVE system and to discontinue all on-site and off-site well monitoring, except for one well thatwhich is being maintained for continued product monitoring and recovery. In November 2002, Chesapeake submittedhas requested and is awaiting a letter to the MDE requesting No Further Action (“NFA”) determination. The Company has been in discussions with the MDE regarding such request and is waiting on a determination from the MDE.
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The Company has adjusted the liability with respect to the Salisbury Town Gas Light site to $2,300 at December 31, 2005. This amount is based on the estimated costs to perform limited product monitoring and recovery efforts and fulfill ongoing reporting requirements. A corresponding regulatory asset has been recorded, reflecting the Company’s belief that costs incurred will be recoverable in base rates.

Through December 31, 2005,2008, the Company has incurred and paid approximately $2.9 million for remedial actions and environmental studies at the Salisbury Town Gas Light site. Of this amount, approximately $1.8$2.03 million has been recovered through insurance proceeds or in rates. TheOn September 26, 2006, the Company expectsreceived approval from the Maryland PSC to recover, through its rates charged to customers, $1.16 million of environmental remediation costs incurred as of that date. As of December 31, 2008, a regulatory asset of approximately $899,000 has been recorded to represent the remainingportion of the clean-up costs through rates.not yet recovered.

Winter Haven Coal Gas Site
The Winter Haven Coal Gas site is located in Winter Haven, Florida. Chesapeake has been working with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“FDEP”) in assessing this coal gas site. In May 1996, the Company filed with the FDEP an Air Sparging and Soil Vapor ExtractionAS/SVE Pilot Study Work Plan (the “Work Plan”) for the Winter Haven site with the FDEP. The Work Plan described the Company’s proposal to undertake an AS/SVE pilot study to evaluate theCoal Gas site. After discussions with the FDEP, the Company filed a modified AS/SVE Pilot Study Work Plan, thewhich contained a description of the scope of work to complete the site assessment activities and a report describing a limited sediment investigation performed in 1997. In December 1998, the FDEP approved the AS/SVE Pilot Studymodified Work Plan, which the Company completed during the third quarter of 1999. In February 2001, the Company filed a Remedial Action Plan (“RAP”) with the FDEP to address the contamination of the subsurface soil and ground-water in a portion of the site. The FDEP approved the RAP on May 4, 2001. Construction of the AS/SVE system was completed in the fourth quarter of 2002, and the system is nowremains fully operational.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 91


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Through December 31, 2008, the Company has incurred approximately $1.8 million of environmental costs associated with this site. At December 31, 2008, the Company had recorded a liability associated with this site of $511,000, which partially offsetting (a) approximately $268,000 collected through rates in excess of costs incurred and (b) a regulatory asset of $779,000, representing the uncollected portion of the estimated clean-up costs related to this site.
The FDEP has indicated that the Company may be required to remediate sediments along the shoreline of Lake Shipp, immediately west of the Winter Haven Coal Gas site. Based on studies performed to date, the Company objects to the FDEP’s suggestion that the sediments have been contaminated and will require remediation. EarlyThe Company’s early estimates by the Company’s environmental consultant indicate that some of the corrective measures discussed by the FDEP may cost as much as $1 million. Given the Company’s view as to the absence of ecological effects, the Company believes that cost expenditures of this magnitude are unwarranted and plansintends to vigorously oppose any requirementsrequirement that it undertake corrective measures in the offshore sediments. Chesapeake anticipates that it will be several years before this issue is resolved. At this time, the Company has not recorded a liability for sediment remediation. The outcome of this matter cannot be predicted at this time.

The Company has accrued a liability of $350,000 as of December 31, 2005 for the Winter Haven site. Through December 31, 2005, the Company has incurred approximately $1.5 million of environmental costs associated with the Winter Haven site. At December 31, 2005 the Company had collected through rates $158,000 in excess of costs incurred. A regulatory asset of approximately $193,000, representing the uncollected portion of the estimated clean-up costs, has also been recorded. The Company expects to recover the remaining costs through rates.

Other
The Company is in discussions with the MDE regarding the possible responsibilities of the Company for remediation of a manufactured gas manufacturing plant site located in Cambridge, Maryland. The outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time.time; therefore, the Company has not recorded an environmental liability for this location.

Application of Florida Gross Receipts Tax
Rates and Other Regulatory Activities
The Company providesCompany’s natural gas supplydistribution operations in Delaware, Maryland and management services through its affiliate, Peninsula Energy ServicesFlorida are subject to regulation by their respective PSCs; ESNG, the Company’s natural gas transmission operation, is subject to regulation by the FERC.
Delaware. On July 6, 2007, the Company Inc. (“PESCO”), tofiled with the Delaware PSC an application seeking approval of the following: (i) participation by the Company’s Delaware commercial and industrial customers located in Florida. Substantiallygas supply buying pools served by third-party natural gas marketers; (ii) an annual base rate adjustment of $1,896,000 that represented approximately a 3.25 percent rate increase on average for the division’s firm customers; (iii) an alternative rate design for residential customers in a defined expansion area in eastern Sussex County, Delaware; and (iv) a revenue normalization mechanism that would have mitigated the price and revenue impacts of seasonal natural gas consumption patterns on both customers and the Company. As part of that filing, the Company also proposed that the Delaware division be permitted to earn a return on equity of up to fifteen percent (15%) as an incentive to make significant capital investments to serve the growing areas of eastern Sussex County, in support of Delaware’s Energy Policy, and to ensure that the Company’s investors are adequately compensated for the increased risk associated with the higher levels of capital investment necessary to provide natural gas in those areas. On August 21, 2007, the Delaware PSC authorized the Company to implement charges reflecting the proposed $1,896,000 increase, effective September 4, 2007, on a temporary basis and subject to refund, pending the completion of full evidentiary hearings and a final decision by the Delaware PSC. The PSC Staff filed testimony recommending a rate decrease of $693,245. The Delaware Public Advocate recommended a rate decrease of $588,670. Neither party recommended approval of the Delaware division’s other proposals mentioned above. The Delaware division disagreed with these positions in its rebuttal, which was filed on February 7, 2008. At an evidentiary hearing on July 9, 2008, the parties presented a joint proposed settlement agreement to resolve all issues in this docket, and the Delaware PSC approved this settlement agreement on September 2, 2008. The major components of the settlement include the following: (i) a rate increase for the division of $325,000, including miscellaneous fees; (ii) an overall rate of return of 8.91% and a return on equity of 10.25%; (iii) a change in depreciation rates that will reduce depreciation expense by approximately $897,000; (iv) the division will retain one hundred percent (100%) of margins on interruptible service over 10,000 Mcf per year; interruptible customers will receive transportation service only; (v) the division will continue to share with firm service customers, through its Gas Sales Service Rates (“GSR”) mechanism, eighty percent (80%) of any margins received from its Asset Manager and any off-system sales; and (vi) the residential service rate schedule will be divided into two separate schedules based on annual volumetric levels.
Page 92     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


On September 10, 2007, the Company filed with the Delaware PSC its annual GSR Application, seeking approval to change its GSR rates, effective November 1, 2007. On October 2, 2007, the Delaware PSC authorized the Company to implement the GSR charges on a temporary basis, subject to refund, pending the completion of full evidentiary hearings and a final decision. The Company was required by its natural gas tariff to file a revised application if its projected under-collection of gas costs for the determination period of November through October exceeded six percent (6%) of total firm gas costs. As a result of continued increases in the cost of natural gas, the Company filed with the Delaware PSC, on July 1, 2008, a supplemental GSR Application, seeking approval to change its GSR rates, effective August 1, 2008. On July 8, 2008, the Delaware PSC authorized the Company to implement the supplemental GSR charges on a temporary basis, subject to refund, pending the completion of full evidentiary hearings and a final decision. The Delaware PSC granted final approval of both of the Delaware Division’s GSR rate filings on October 7, 2008.
On November 1, 2007, the Delaware division filed with the Delaware PSC its annual Environmental Rider (“ER”) rate application, to become effective December 1, 2007. The Delaware PSC granted approval of the ER rate at its regularly scheduled meeting on November 20, 2007, subject to full evidentiary hearings and a final decision. On February 5, 2008, the Delaware PSC granted final approval of the ER rates, as filed. Since all of the division’s environmental expenses subject to recovery pursuant to the ER recovery mechanism will have been collected by the end of the determination period, no additional ER rate applications will be filed, and ER charges ceased to appear on customers’ bills as of November 30, 2008.
On September 1, 2008, the Delaware division filed with the Delaware PSC its annual GSR Application, seeking approval to change its GSR rates, effective November 1, 2008. On September 16, 2008, the Delaware PSC authorized the Company to implement the GSR charges on a temporary basis, subject to refund, pending the completion of full evidentiary hearings and a final decision. The Company anticipates a final decision by the Delaware PSC during the first half of 2009.
On September 29, 2008, the Delaware division filed an application with the Delaware PSC, requesting approval for the issuance of $10,000,000 of debt securities. The PSC granted approval of the issuance at its regularly scheduled meeting on October 23, 2008.
On December 2, 2008, the Delaware division filed two applications with the Delaware PSC requesting approval for a Town of Milton Franchise Fee Rider and a City of Seaford Franchise Fee Rider. These Riders will allow the division to charge all natural gas purchasedcustomers within the respective town and city limits the franchise fee paid by PESCO’s customers is soldthe division to the customers atTown of Milton and City of Seaford as a condition to providing natural gas service. The PSC granted approval of both Franchise Fee Riders on January 29, 2009.
Maryland. On September 26, 2006, the Maryland PSC approved a base rate increase for the Maryland division based on an annual cost of service increase of approximately $780,000. As part of a settlement agreement in that proceeding, however, the division was required to file a depreciation study, and it did so on April 9, 2007. The division then filed formal testimony on July 10, 2007, initiating a Phase II of this proceeding and proposing a rate decrease of approximately $80,000 annually, based on lower depreciation expense. On November 29, 2007, the PSC approved a settlement agreement for a rate decrease of $132,155 based on the Company’s revised approved depreciation rates, effective December 1, 2007. Under the settlement, the division reduced its depreciation expense by approximately $119,000 and its asset removal costs by approximately $167,000. The difference between the decrease in depreciation expense and the decrease in delivery points located outsideservice rates is due to an increase in rate case expense amortization and an increase in rates to offset the Stateloss of Florida and because titlemargin from a large customer in Maryland.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 93


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
On December 17, 2007, the Maryland PSC held an evidentiary hearing to determine the reasonableness of the Maryland division’s four quarterly gas typically passes outsidecost recovery filings during the twelve months ended September 30, 2007. No issues were raised at the hearing, and on February 7, 2008, the Maryland PSC approved, without exception, the division’s four quarterly gas cost recovery filings.
On December 16, 2008, the Maryland PSC held an evidentiary hearing to determine the reasonableness of the Maryland division’s four quarterly gas cost recovery filings during the twelve months ended September 30, 2008. No issues were raised at the hearing, and on December 19, 2008, the Hearing Examiner in this proceeding issued a proposed Order approving the division’s four quarterly gas cost recovery filings, which became a final Order of the Maryland PSC on January 21, 2009.
Florida. In compliance with state law, the Florida PESCO does not collect gross receipts taxesdivision filed its 2007 Depreciation Study (“Study”) with the Florida PSC on May 17, 2007. This Study, which superseded the last study performed in 2002, provided the PSC the opportunity to review and address changes in plant and equipment lives, salvage values, reserves and resulting life depreciation rates. The division responded to interrogatories regarding the Study on October 15, 2007, December 24, 2007, and February 7, 2008. Based on the recommendation issued by the PSC Staff, the Commission, at its May 20, 2008 agenda conference, approved certain revisions to the division’s utility plant remaining lives, net salvage values, depreciation reserves, and depreciation rates, effective January 1, 2008. The Florida PSC issued an order on June 27, 2008, which closed this docket.
On August 15, 2008, the Company filed with the Florida PSC a petition seeking a permanent waiver of certain aspects of meter-reading rules that could prevent the Company and its customers from realizing fully the accuracy and efficiency benefits of automatic meter-reading equipment, which enables the Company to take daily meter readings remotely for every customer. Existing Commission rules, established well before automatic meter-reading technology existed, can be read to require a monthly visit to each customer to take a reading from a meter located on the customer’s premises. The Commission, at its customers.October 14, 2008 Agenda Conference, approved the Company’s petition, with a minor modification requiring the Company to read all meters physically once each year. The Florida PSC issued an order on November 3, 2008 confirming its approval and a consummating order on December 2, 2008, which closed this docket.
On August 18, 2008, the Company filed with the Florida PSC a petition seeking recovery of costs incurred to implement Phase 2 of its experimental Transitional Transportation Service program. The Company understandsincurred certain incremental, non-recurring costs from May 2007 through June 2008 ($77,980) and is projecting that it will incur additional non-recurring expenses through May 2009 ($100,000) for a total of approximately $177,980. The Company is seeking recovery of these expenses, plus applicable Regulatory Assessment Fees and interest, through a fixed monthly surcharge from the two approved Transitional Transportation Service Shippers on the Company’s system. The Florida DepartmentPSC approved the Company’s petition at its October 14, 2008 Agenda Conference. The PSC issued an order on November 3, 2008, and a consummating order on November 26, 2008, which closed this docket.
ESNG. ESNG had the following regulatory activity with the FERC regarding the expansion of Revenue has alleged that other companiesits transmission system:
System Expansion 2006 — 2008. On November 15, 2007, ESNG requested FERC authorization to commence construction of facilities (approximately nine miles) included in the third phase of the 2006-08 System Expansion. The FERC granted this authorization on January 7, 2008. Construction began in January 2008, and the facilities were completed and have been placed in service. The 2008 facilities provide 5,650 Dts of additional firm service capacity per day and an annualized gross margin contribution of approximately $988,000. ESNG has until June 2009 to construct the remaining facilities that were included in the 2006-08 System Expansion filing with the FERC, that will provide for the remaining 7,200 Dts of additional firm service capacity approved by the FERC, and which will permit ESNG to earn additional annualized gross margin of approximately $1. million.
Page 94     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


E3 Project.In 2006, ESNG proposed to develop, construct and operate approximately 75 miles of new pipeline facilities to transport natural gas marketing industry should have collected the gross receipts tax from the purchasersexisting Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas terminal located in Calvert County, Maryland, crossing under the Chesapeake Bay into Dorchester and Caroline Counties, Maryland, to points on the Delmarva Peninsula, where such facilities would interconnect with ESNG’s existing facilities in Sussex County, Delaware.
On May 31, 2006, ESNG entered into Precedent Agreements (the “Precedent Agreements”) with Delmarva Power & Light Co. and Chesapeake, through its Delaware and Maryland divisions, to provide additional firm transportation services upon completion of the gas under similar circumstances. On June 8, 2005, new legislation was enacted that establishes the responsibilities of regulated utilities, includingE3 Project. Both Chesapeake (d/b/a/ Central Florida Gas), as well as unregulatedand Delmarva Power & Light Co. are parties to existing firm natural gas marketers, suchtransportation service agreements with ESNG, and each desired additional firm transportation service under the E3 Project, as PESCO,evidenced by the Precedent Agreements. Pursuant to the Precedent Agreements, the parties agreed to proceed with the required initiatives to obtain the governmental and regulatory authorizations necessary for ESNG to provide, and for Chesapeake and Delmarva Power & Light Co. to utilize, additional firm transportation service under the E3 Project.
As part of the Precedent Agreements, ESNG, Chesapeake and Delmarva Power & Light Co. also entered into Letter Agreements, which provide that, if the E3 Project is not certificated and placed in service, Chesapeake and Delmarva Power & Light Co. will each pay its proportionate share of certain pre-certification costs by means of a negotiated surcharge over a period of not less than 20 years.
In furtherance of the E3 Project, ESNG submitted a petition to the FERC on June 27, 2006, seeking approval of the pre-construction cost agreements as part of a rate-related Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”), which would provide benefits to ESNG and its customers, including but not limited to: (1) advancement of a necessary infrastructure project to meet the growing demand for natural gas on the Delmarva Peninsula; (2) sharing of project development costs by the participating customers in the E3 Project; and (3) no development cost risk for non-participating customers. On August 1, 2006, the FERC approved the Settlement Agreement. On September 6, 2006, ESNG submitted to the FERC proposed tariff sheets to implement the provisions of the Settlement Agreement. By Letter Order dated October 6, 2006, the FERC accepted the tariff sheets, effective September 7, 2006.
On April 23, 2007, ESNG submitted to the FERC its request to commence a pre-filing process, and on May 15, 2007, the FERC notified ESNG that its request had been approved. The pre-filing process was intended to engage all interested and affected stakeholders early in the process with the intention of resolving all environmental issues prior to the formal certificate application being filed. As part of this process, ESNG performed environmental, engineering and cultural surveys and studies in the interest of protecting the environment, minimizing any potential impacts to landowners, and cultural resources. ESNG also held meetings with federal, state and local permitting/regulatory agencies, non-governmental organizations, landowners, and other interested stakeholders.
As part of an updated engineering study, ESNG received additional construction cost estimates for the collectionE3 Project, which indicated substantially higher costs than previously estimated. In an effort to optimize the feasibility of the gross receipts tax. The lawoverall project development plan, ESNG explored all potential construction methods, construction cost mitigation strategies, potential design changes and project schedule changes. ESNG also contains amnesty provisionsheld discussions and meetings with several potential new customers, who expressed interest in the E3 Project, but elected not to participate.
On December 20, 2007, ESNG withdrew from the pre-filing process as a result of insufficient customer commitments for capacity to make the project economical. ESNG will continue to explore potential construction methods, construction cost mitigation strategies, additional market requests, and potential design changes in its efforts to improve the overall economics of the E3 project.
If ESNG decides to abandon the E3 Project, it will initiate billing of a pre-certification costs surcharge in accordance with the terms of the above described Precedent Agreements and Letter Agreements executed with two of its customers, which provide for these customers to reimburse ESNG for pre-certification costs incurred in connection with the E3 Project, up to a maximum amount of $2.0 million each, with interest, over a period of 20 years. As of December 31, 2008, ESNG had incurred $3.17 million of pre-certification costs relating to the failureE3 Project.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 95


Notes to collect gross receipts taxesthe Consolidated Financial Statements
ESNG also had developments in the following FERC rate and certificate matters:
Natural Gas Act Section 4 General Rate Proceeding. On June 6, 2007, ESNG and interested parties reached a settlement agreement in principle on sales made priorits base rate proceeding filed with the FERC on October 31, 2006. The negotiated settlement provided for an annual cost of service of $21,536,000, which reflected a pretax rate of return of 13.6 percent and a rate increase of approximately $1.07 million on an annual basis. On September 10, 2007, ESNG submitted its Settlement Offer to the Presiding Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) for review and certification to the full Commission.
ESNG filed concurrently with its Settlement Agreement a Motion to place the settlement rates into effect on September 1, 2007, in order to expedite the implementation of the reduced settlement rates pending final approval of the settlement. The FERC issued an order on September 25, 2007, authorizing ESNG to commence billing its settlement rates, effective September 1, 2007.
On October 1, 2007, the Presiding ALJ forwarded to the full Commission an order certifying the uncontested Settlement Agreement as fair, reasonable, and in the public interest. A final FERC Order approving the settlement was issued on January 31, 2008. In compliance with the Settlement Agreement, refunds, inclusive of interest, totaling $1.26 million, based on the higher interim rates that were effective for the period from May 15, 2007 through August 31, 2007, were distributed to ESNG’s customers on February 1, 2006. While2008.
Interruptible Revenue Sharing. On May 15, 2008, ESNG submitted its annual Interruptible Revenue Sharing Report to the Company does not believeFERC. In this filing, ESNG reported that, since its interruptible service revenue exceeded its annual threshold amount, it has any liability, it has preparedrefunded a total of $63,675 in the required amnesty documentssecond quarter of 2008 to beits eligible firm service customers in accordance with the terms of its tariff and the rate case Settlement Agreement described above.
Fuel Retention Percentage and Cash Out. On June 24, 2008, ESNG submitted its annual Fuel Retention Percentage and Cash-Out Surcharge filings to the FERC. In these filings, ESNG proposed to retain its current Fuel Retention Percentage rate of zero percent and also a zero rate for its Cash-Out Surcharge. ESNG also proposed to refund a total of $412,013, including interest, to its eligible customers in the third quarter of 2008 as a result of netting its over-recovered Gas Required for Operations against its under-recovered Cash-Out Cost. The FERC approved these proposals on July 11, 2008, and customer refunds were distributed that same month.
Prior Notice Activity — Blanket Certificate Authority. On July 2, 2008, ESNG submitted to the DepartmentFERC a Prior Notice filing under its Blanket Certificate Authority to add a new delivery point to serve an industrial customer located in Seaford, Delaware. In accordance with FERC regulations, a Prior Notice filing requires a 60-day window for protests. No protests were received, and ESNG was authorized to construct and operate the new delivery point. In mid-October and prior to the commencement of Revenueany construction, the customer notified ESNG that, based on adverse developments affecting the market for both Chesapeake and PESCO duringits products, it did not require the fourth quarternew delivery point. Pursuant to a pre-construction contract between the parties, the customer reimbursed ESNG a total of 2005. The Company received a conditional approval of its amnesty documents from the Florida Department of Revenue in a letter dated October 18, 2005. This conditional approval is stated in the Company’s amnesty application and is expressly conditioned on those facts being accurate.$500,000 for pre-construction costs incurred by ESNG as it pursued this project.
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Natural Gas and Propane Supply
The Company’s natural gas and propane distribution operations have entered into contractual commitments forto purchase gas from various suppliers. The contracts have various expiration dates. In November 2004,March 2008, the Company renewed its contract with an energy marketing and risk management company to manage a portion of the Company’s natural gas transportation and storage capacity. TheThis contract expires on March 31, 2007.2009. PESCO is currently in the process of obtaining and reviewing proposals from suppliers and anticipates executing agreements before the existing agreements expire in May 2009.

Page 96     Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Corporate Guarantees
The Company has issued corporate guarantees to certain vendors of its subsidiaries, the largest portion of which are for the Company’s propane wholesale marketing subsidiary advanced information services subsidiary, and its Florida natural gas supply and management services subsidiary. TheThese corporate guarantees provide for the payment of propane and natural gas purchases and office rent in the event of the respective subsidiary’s default. None of these subsidiaries has ever defaulted on its obligations to pay its suppliers. The liabilities for these purchases are recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements when incurred. The aggregate amount of the obligations guaranteed at December 31, 2005 totaled $11.22008 was $22.2 million, with the guarantees expiring on various dates in 2006. All payables of2009.
In addition to the subsidiaries are recorded incorporate guarantees, the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company has issued a letter of credit to its primary insurance company for $694,000,$775,000, which expires June 1, 2006.on May 31, 2009. The letter of credit wasis provided as security for claims amounts belowto satisfy the deductibles under the Company’s various insurance policies. There have been no draws on this letter of credit as of December 31, 2008.
Internal Revenue Service Examination
In November 2007, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) initiated an examination of our consolidated federal tax return for the year ended December 31, 2005. During the review, the IRS expanded its examination to include our 2006 consolidated federal tax return as well.
In September 2008, the IRS completed its examination of our 2005 and 2006 consolidated federal tax returns and issued its Examination Report. As a result of the examination, the Company reduced its income tax receivable by $27,000 for the tax liability associated with disallowed expense deductions included on the Company’s policies.tax returns. The Company has amended its 2005 and 2006 federal and state corporate income tax returns to reflect the disallowed expense deductions.

Other
The Company is involved in certain legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business. The Company is also involved in certain legal proceedings and administrative proceedings before various governmental agencies concerning rates. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these proceedings will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K     Page 97



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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
O.P. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
In the opinion of the Company, the quarterly financial information shown below includes all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the operations for such periods.periods and to disclose OnSight as a discontinued operation. The quarterly information shown has been adjusted to reflect the reclassification of OnSight’s operations for all periods presented. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, there are substantial variations in operations reported on a quarterly basis.
                 
For the Quarters Ended March 31  June 30  September 30  December 31 
2008
                
Operating Revenue $100,273,502  $69,056,959  $49,698,013  $72,415,004 
Operating Income $14,040,715  $4,329,439  $1,170,393  $8,938,386 
Net Income (Loss) $7,574,343  $1,818,924  $(198,298) $4,412,291 
Earnings per share:                
Basic $1.11  $0.27  $(0.03) $0.65 
Diluted $1.10  $0.27  $(0.03) $0.64 
                 
2007
                
Operating Revenue $93,526,891  $52,501,920  $41,418,718  $70,838,968 
Operating Income $14,613,572  $3,698,066  $985,634  $8,816,310 
Net Income (Loss) $7,991,088  $1,481,791  $(355,898) $4,080,730 
Earnings per share:                
Basic $1.19  $0.22  $(0.05) $0.60 
Diluted $1.18  $0.22  $(0.05) $0.60 

Page 98      Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


For the Quarters Ended
 
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
 
          
2005
         
Operating Revenue 
$
77,845,248
 
$
42,220,377
 
$
35,155,121
 
$
74,408,990
 
Operating Income  
11,504,343
  
2,324,945
  
(99,149
)
 
7,800,360
 
              
Net Income (Loss)             
From continuing operations 
$
6,232,796
 
$
795,924
  
($693,774
)
$
4,132,668
 
Net Income (Loss) 
$
6,232,796
 
$
795,924
  
($693,774
)
$
4,132,668
 
              
Earnings per share:             
Basic             
From continuing operations 
$
1.08
 
$
0.14
  
($0.12
)
$
0.70
 
Net Income (Loss) 
$
1.08
 
$
0.14
  
($0.12
)
$
0.70
 
              
Diluted             
From continuing operations 
$
1.05
 
$
0.14
  
($0.12
)
$
0.69
 
Net Income (Loss) 
$
1.05
 
$
0.14
  
($0.12
)
$
0.69
 
              
              
2004
             
Operating Revenue $63,762,360 $34,292,972 $26,614,699 $53,285,410 
Operating Income  10,699,307  2,162,794  282,738  6,824,907 
              
Net Income (Loss)             
From continuing operations $5,773,534 $611,518  ($584,171)$3,748,786 
From discontinued operations  (34,335) 19,148  (72,041) (33,672)
Net Income (Loss) $5,739,199 $630,666  ($656,212)$3,715,114 
              
Earnings per share:             
Basic             
From continuing operations $1.01 $0.11  ($0.10)$0.65 
From discontinued operations  -  -  (0.01) (0.01)
Net Income (Loss) $1.01 $0.11  ($0.11)$0.64 
              
Diluted             
From continuing operations $0.99 $0.11  ($0.10)$0.64 
From discontinued operations  (0.01) -  (0.01) (0.01)
Net Income (Loss) $0.98 $0.11  ($0.11)$0.63 
- Page 66 -


Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
None
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, with the participation of other Company officials, have evaluated the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d - 15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of December 31, 2005.2008. Based upon their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2005.2008.

Changes in Internal Controls
During the fiscal quarter of the Company ended December 31, 2005, there wasThere has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) that hasoccurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2008, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

CEO and CFO Certifications
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have filed with the SEC the certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. In addition, on May 20, 2008, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer certified to the NYSE that he was not aware of any violation by the Company of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The report of management required under this Item 9A is contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K under the caption “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.”
Our independent auditors, Beard Miller Company LLP, have audited and issued their report on effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. That report appears below.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K      Page 99


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
SeeTo the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
We have audited Chesapeake Utilities Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established inInternal Control—Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Chesapeake Utilities Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in Item 8, “Financial Statementsaccordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and Supplemental Data.”perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established inInternal Control—Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, cash flows and income taxes for the years then ended, and our report dated March 9, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion.
/s/ Beard Miller Company LLP     
Beard Miller Company LLP
Reading, Pennsylvania
March 9, 2009
Page 100      Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K


Item 9B. Other Information.
None
The Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 5, 2005, discussing the Compensation Committee's (the “Committee”) actions on November 30, 2005, including their approval of the compensation arrangements relating to the executive officers of the Company for 2006.
On November 30, 2005, the Committee approved awards under the Company’s Performance Incentive Plan to John R. Schimkaitis, President and Chief Executive Officer; Paul M. Barbas, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; and Michael P. McMasters, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. According to the terms of the awards, each executive officer is entitled to earn up to a specified number of shares of the Company’s common stock (“Contingent Performance Shares”) depending on the extent to which pre-established performance goals (the “Performance Goals”) are achieved during the year ended December 31, 2006 (the “2006 Award Year”). In addition, any Contingent Performance Shares that are not earned by the applicable executive officer during the 2006 Award Year may be earned in 2007 or 2008, if in either of those two succeeding years cumulative pre-established Performance Goals are achieved over, respectively, the three-year period ending in that year.
On November 30, 2005, the Compensation Committee also approved awards under the Company’s Performance Incentive Plan to (i) Stephen C. Thompson, Senior Vice President, and (ii) S. Robert Zola, President of Sharp Energy, Inc., a Company subsidiary, for the three-year period ending December 31, 2008. For a performance period beginning January 1, 2006 and ending December 31, 2006, each executive officer is entitled to earn, in the form of shares of restricted stock, up to 30 percent of the annual award of Contingent Performance Shares if the Company achieves certain Performance Goals. The second component consists of performance awards pursuant to which the remaining 70 percent of the annual award of Contingent Performance Shares will be earned, if certain Performance Goals for the three-year period ending December 31, 2008 for each of the respective business units for which they are individually responsible, are achieved.


- Page 67 -


Part III

Item 10. Directors, and Executive Officers of the Registrant.Registrant and Corporate Governanace.
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the portions of the Proxy Statement, captioned “Proposal I – Election of Directors,” “Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Nominees,” “Corporate Governance Practices and Stockholder Communications - Nomination of Directors,” “Committees of the Board - Audit Committee” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”Compliance,” to be filed not later than March 31, 20062009, in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting to be held on May 2, 2006.

6, 2009.
The information required by this Item with respect to executive officers is, pursuant to instruction 3 of paragraph (b) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K, set forth in Part I of this Form 10-Kreport following Item 4, as Item 4A, under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant.Company.

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Financial Officers, which applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The information set forth under Item 1 hereof concerning the Code of Ethics for Financial Officers is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the portion of the Proxy Statement, captioned “Director Compensation,” “Executive Compensation” and “Management Compensation”“Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in the Proxy Statement to be filed not later than March 31, 2006,2009, in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting to be held on May 2, 2006.6, 2009.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the portion of the Proxy Statement, captioned “Beneficial Ownership of Chesapeake’s Securities” to be filed not later than March 31, 20062009, in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting to be held on May 2, 2006.6, 2009.
-Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K      Page 68 -101




The following table sets forth information, as of December 31, 2005,2008, with respect to compensation plans of Chesapeake and its subsidiaries, under which shares of Chesapeake common stock are authorized for issuance:
             
        (c) 
        Number of securities 
  (a)  (b)  remaining available for future 
  Number of securities to  Weighted-average  issuance under equity 
  be issued upon exercise  exercise price  compensation plans 
  of outstanding options,  of outstanding options,  (excluding securities 
  warrants and rights  warrants and rights  reflected in column (a)) 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders        446,632(1)
          
             
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders  (2)      
          
             
Total        446,632 
          
(1)Includes 371,293 shares under the 2005 Performance Incentive Plan, 51,289 shares available under the 2005 Directors Stock Compensation Plan, and 24,050 shares available under the 2005 Employee Stock Awards Plan.
(2)All warrants were exercised in 2006.

  (a) (b) (c)
  Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights  Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders  
 (1)
    293,481  (2) 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders  30,000  (3)  $18.125   
Total  30,000    $18.125 293,481   
             
(1) All options to purchase shares under the 1992 Performance Incentive Plan, as amended, were exercised as of 12/31/05. 
(2) Includes 293,481 shares under the 1992 Performance Incentive Plan. 
(3) In 2000 and 2001, the Company entered into agreements with an investment banker to assist in identifying acquisition candiates. Under the agreements, the Company issued warrants to the investment banker to purchase 15,000 shares of Chesapeake stock in 2001 at a price of $18.25 per share and 15,000 shares in 2000 at a price of $18.00. The warrants are exercisable during a seven-year period after the date granted. 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.Transactions, and Director Independence.
None

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the portion of the Proxy Statement, captioned “Fees and Services of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP”the Independent Public Accounting Firm,” to be filed not later than March 31, 2006,2009, in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting to be held on May 2, 2006.6, 2009.

Page 102      Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K




- Page 69 -


Part IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1.Financial Statements:
o(a)
The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1.
Financial Statements:
 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmFirm;
o
 Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years ended December 31, 2005, 20042008, 2007, and 20032006;
o
 Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 20052008 and December 31, 20042007;
o
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2005, 20042008, 2007, and 20032006;
o
 Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholders’ Equity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2005, 20042008, 2007, and 20032006;
o
 Consolidated Statements of Income Taxes for each of the three years ended December 31, 2005, 200431,2008, 2007, and 20032006;
o
 Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsStatements.
2.
Financial Statement Schedule:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm; and
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.
All other schedules are omitted, because they are not required, are inapplicable, or the information is otherwise shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
3.
Exhibits
2.Financial Statement Schedules — Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

All other schedules are omitted because they are not required, are inapplicable or the information is otherwise shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

(b)Reports on Form 8-K:
· Sale
Exhibit 1.1Underwriting Agreement entered into by Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., on November 15, 2007, relating to the sale and issuance of LAMPS (Item 8.01)600,300 shares of the Company’s common stock, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 16, 2007, File No. 001-11590.
· Earnings press release dated November 4, 2004 (Items 2.02
Exhibit 3.1Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1998, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 3.2Amended and 9.01)
·  Compensation Committee approval of Compensation Arrangements (Item 1.01)
·  Approval of Paul M. Barbas to Chief Operating Officer (Item 5.02)

(c)Exhibits:

Exhibit 3(a)    AmendedRestated Bylaws of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, effective December 11, 2008, are filed herewith.
Exhibit 4.1Form of Indenture between the Company and Boatmen’s Trust Company, Trustee, with respect to the 8 1/4% Convertible Debentures is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-2, Reg. No. 33-26582, filed on January 13, 1989.
Exhibit 4.2Note Purchase Agreement, entered into by the Company on October 2, 1995, pursuant to which the Company privately placed $10 million of its 6.91% Senior Notes, due in 2010, is not being filed herewith, in accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish a copy of that agreement to the SEC upon request.
Exhibit 4.3Note Purchase Agreement, entered into by the Company on December 15, 1997, pursuant to which the Company privately placed $10 million of its 6.85% Senior Notes due in 2012, is not being filed herewith, in accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish a copy of that agreement to the SEC upon request.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation effective February 24, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 of the Company’s Annual Report on2008 Form 10-K      for the year ended December 31, 2004, File No. 001-11590.Page 103


Exhibit 4.4Note Purchase Agreement entered into by the Company on December 27, 2000, pursuant to which the Company privately placed $20 million of its 7.83% Senior Notes, due in 2015, is not being filed herewith, in accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish a copy of that agreement to the SEC upon request.
Exhibit 4.5Note Agreement entered into by the Company on October 31, 2002, pursuant to which the Company privately placed $30 million of its 6.64% Senior Notes, due in 2017, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 6, 2002, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 4.6Note Agreement entered into by the Company on October 18, 2005, pursuant to which the Company, on October 12, 2006, privately placed $20 million of its 5.5% Senior Notes, due in 2020, with Prudential Investment Management, Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 4.7Note Agreement entered into by the Company on October 31, 2008, pursuant to which the Company, on October 31, 2008, privately placed $30 million of its 5.93% Senior Notes, due in 2023, with General American Life Insurance Company and New England Life Insurance Company, is not being filed herewith, in accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish a copy of that agreement to the SEC upon request.
Exhibit 4.8Form of Senior Debt Trust Indenture between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and the trustee for the debt securities is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3A, Reg. No. 333-135602, dated November 6, 2006.
Exhibit 4.9Form of Subordinated Debt Trust Indenture between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and the trustee for the debt securities is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3A, Reg. No. 333-135602, dated November 6, 2006.
Exhibit 4.10Form of debt securities is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3A, Reg. No. 333-135602, dated November 6, 2006.
Exhibit 10.1*Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Cash Bonus Incentive Plan, dated January 1, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.2*Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Directors Stock Compensation Plan, adopted in 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 28, 2005, in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting held on May 5, 2005, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.3*Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Employee Stock Award Plan, adopted in 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 28, 2005, in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting held on May 5, 2005, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.4*Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan, adopted in 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 28, 2005, in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting held on May 5, 2005, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.5*Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2009, is filed herewith.
Exhibit 4(a)    Form of Indenture between the Company and Boatmen’s Trust Company, Trustee, with respect to the 8 1/4% Convertible Debentures is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-2, Reg. No. 33-26582, filed on January 13, 1989.
Exhibit 4(b)    Note Agreement dated February 9, 1993, by and between the Company and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and MML Pension Insurance Company, with respect to $10 million of 7.97% Unsecured Senior Notes due February 1, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992, File No. 0-593.
Exhibit 4(c)    Note Purchase Agreement entered into by the Company on October 2, 1995, pursuant to which the Company privately placed $10 million of its 6.91% Senior Notes due in 2010, is not being filed herewith, in accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish a copy of that agreement to the SEC upon request.
Exhibit 4(d)    Note Purchase Agreement entered into by the Company on December 15, 1997, pursuant to which the Company privately placed $10 million of its 6.85% Senior Notes due 2012, is not being filed herewith, in accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish a copy of that agreement to the SEC upon request.
- Page 70 -

Exhibit 4(e)    Note Purchase Agreement entered into by the Company on December 27, 2000, pursuant to which the Company privately placed $20 million of its 7.83% Senior Notes due 2015, is not being filed herewith, in accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish a copy of that agreement to the SEC upon request.
Exhibit 4(f)    Note Agreement entered into by the Company on October 31, 2002, pursuant to which the Company privately placed $30 million of its 6.64% Senior Notes due 2017, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 6, 2002, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 4(g)    Agreement in principle between Prudential Investment Management, Inc. and104      Chesapeake Utilities Corporation related to the prospective purchase by Prudential of $20 million of 5.5% Senior Notes dated June 29, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on2008 Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2005, File No. 001-11590.10-K


Exhibit 4(h)    Note Agreement entered into by the Company on October 18, 2005, pursuant to which the Company, on or before December 28, 2006, will privately place $20 million of its 5.5% Senior Notes due 2020, is filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1.
*Exhibit 10(a)    Executive Employment Agreement dated January 1, 2006, by and between Sharp Energy, Inc. and S. Robert Zola, is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1.
*Exhibit 10(b)    Form of Performance Share Agreement dated November 9, 2004,
Exhibit 10.6*Executive Employment Agreement dated December 29, 2006, by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and S. Robert Zola, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.7*Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2009, by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and S. Robert Zola, is filed herewith.
Exhibit 10.8*Executive Employment Agreement dated December 29, 2006, by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Stephen C. Thompson, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.9*Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2009, by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Stephen C. Thompson, is filed herewith.
Exhibit 10.10*Executive Employment Agreement dated December 29, 2006, by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Beth W. Cooper, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.11*Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2009, by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Beth W. Cooper, is filed herewith.
Exhibit 10.12*Executive Employment Agreement dated December 29, 2006, by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Michael P. McMasters, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.13*Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2009, by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Michael P. McMasters, is filed herewith.
Exhibit 10.14*Executive Employment Agreement dated December 29, 2006, by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and John R. Schimkaitis, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.15*Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2009, by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and John R. Schimkaitis, is filed herewith.
Exhibit 10.16*Performance Share Agreement dated January 23, 2008 for the period 2008 to 2009, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and John R. Schimkaitis, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.17*Performance Share Agreement dated January 23, 2008 for the period 2008 to 2010, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and John R. Schimkaitis, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.18*Performance Share Agreement dated January 23, 2008 for the period 2008 to 2009, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Michael P. McMasters, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.19*Performance Share Agreement dated January 23, 2008 for the period 2008 to 2010, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Michael P. McMasters, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-11590.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K      Page 105


Exhibit 10.20*Performance Share Agreement dated January 23, 2008 for the period 2008 to 2009, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Stephen C. Thompson, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.21*Performance Share Agreement dated January 23, 2008 for the period 2008 to 2010, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Stephen C. Thompson, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.22*Performance Share Agreement dated January 23, 2008 for the period 2008 to 2009, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Beth W. Cooper, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.23*Performance Share Agreement dated January 23, 2008 for the period 2008 to 2010, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Beth W. Cooper, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.24*Performance Share Agreement dated January 23, 2008 for the period 2008 to 2009, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and S. Robert Zola, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.25*Performance Share Agreement dated January 23, 2008 for the period 2008 to 2010, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and S. Robert Zola, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 10.26*Form of Performance Share Agreement effective January 7, 2009, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and each of John R. Schimkaitis, Michael P. McMasters, Beth W. Cooper, and Stephen C. Thompson, is filed herewith.
Exhibit 10.27*Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2009, is filed herewith.
Exhibit 10.28*Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Savings Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2009, is filed herewith.
Exhibit 12Computation of Ratio of Earning to Fixed Charges is filed herewith.
Page 106      Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and each of John R. Schimkaitis, Michael P. McMasters and Paul Barbas, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on2008 Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, File No. 001-11590.


*Exhibit 10(c)    Performance Share Agreement dated December 30, 2005,
Exhibit 14.1Code of Ethics for Financial Officers is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 14 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, File No. 001-11590.
Exhibit 14.2Business Code of Ethics and Conduct is filed herewith.
Exhibit 21Subsidiaries of the Registrant is filed herewith.
Exhibit 23.1Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is filed herewith.
Exhibit 23.2Consent of Preceding Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the year 2006 is filed herewith.
Exhibit 31.1Certificate of Chief Executive Office of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), dated March 9, 2009, is filed herewith.
Exhibit 31.2Certificate of Chief Financial Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), dated March 9, 2009, is filed herewith.
Exhibit 32.1Certificate of Chief Executive Office of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, dated March 9, 2009, is filed herewith.
Exhibit 32.2Certificate of Chief Financial Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, dated March 9, 2009, is filed herewith.
*Management contract or compensatory plan or agreement.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and each of John R. Schimkaitis, Paul M. Barbas and Michael P. McMasters, is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2.
*Exhibit 10(d)    Performance Share Agreement dated December 23, 2005, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Stephen C. Thompson, is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.3.
*Exhibit 10(e)    Performance Share Agreement dated December 26, 2005, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and S. Robert Zola, is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.4.
*Exhibit 10(f)    Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Cash Bonus Incentive Plan dated January 1, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Annual Report on2008 Form 10-K      for the year ended December 31, 2004, File No. 001-11590.Page 107


*Exhibit 10(g)    SignaturesExecutive Officer Compensation Arrangements, filed herewith as Exhibit 10.5.
*Exhibit 10(h)    Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Directors Stock Compensation Plan, adopted in 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 28, 2005 in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting held on May 5, 2005, File No. 001-11590.
*Exhibit 10(i)    Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Employee Stock Award Plan, adopted in 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 28, 2005 in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting held on May 5, 2005, File No. 001-11590.
*Exhibit 10(j)    Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan, adopted in 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 28, 2005 in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting held on May 5, 2005, File No. 001-11590.
*Exhibit 10(k)    Non-Employee Director Compensation Arrangements, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, File No. 001-11590.
- Page 71 -

Exhibit 12    Computation of Ratio of Earning to Fixed Charges, filed herewith.
Exhibit 21    Subsidiaries of the Registrant, filed herewith.
Exhibit 23    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, filed herewith.
Exhibit 31.1    Certificate of Chief Executive Office of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), dated March 6, 2006, filed herewith.
Exhibit 31.2    Certificate of Chief Financial Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), dated March 6, 2006, filed herewith.
Exhibit 32.1    Certificate of Chief Executive Office of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, dated March 6, 2006, filed herewith.
Exhibit 32.2    Certificate of Chief Financial Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, dated March 6, 2006, filed herewith.

* Management contract or compensatory plan or agreement.



- Page 72 -


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation

By:/s/ John R. Schimkaitis
John R. Schimkaitis
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:March 6, 2006

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
By:/s/ John R. Schimkaitis
John R. Schimkaitis
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:March 9, 2009
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


/s/ Ralph J. Adkins
/s/ John R. Schimkaitis
Ralph J. Adkins, Chairman of the Board/s/ John R. Schimkaitis
John R. Schimkaitis, President,
and DirectorChief Executive Officer and Director
Date: February 23, 2006March 9, 2009Date: March 6, 20069, 2009
  
/s/ Michael P. McMasters
/s/ Richard Bernstein
Michael P. McMasters,/s/ Beth W. Cooper/s/ Eugene H. Bayard
Beth W. Cooper, Senior Vice PresidentRichard Bernstein,Eugene H. Bayard, Director
and Chief Financial OfficerDate: February 23, 200624, 2009
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 
Date: March 6, 20069, 2009 
  
/s/ Richard Bernstein
/s/ Thomas J. Bresnan
/s/ Walter J. Coleman
Richard Bernstein, DirectorThomas J. Bresnan, DirectorWalter J. Coleman, Director
Date: March 6, 2006February 24, 2009Date: February 23, 2006March 9, 2009
  
/s/ Thomas P. Hill, Jr.
/s/ J. Peter Martin
Thomas P. Hill, Jr., DirectorJ. Peter Martin, Director
Date: February 24, 2009Date: February 24, 2009
/s/ Joseph E. Moore, Esq.Esq/s/ Calvert A. Morgan, Jr.
J. Peter Martin, Director
Joseph E. Moore, Esq., Director
Date: February 23, 2006Date: February 23, 2006
  
/s/ Calvert A. Morgan, Jr.
/s/ Rudolph M. Peins, Jr.
Calvert A. Morgan, Jr., DirectorRudolph M. Peins, Jr., Director
Date: February 23, 200624, 2009Date: February 23, 200624, 2009
  
/s/ RobertDianna F. RiderMorgan
Dianna F. Morgan, Director
 
Robert F. Rider, Director 
Date: February 23, 200624, 2009 
Page 108      Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2008 Form 10-K



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
The audit referred to in our report dated March 9, 2009 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and for the years then ended, which is contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K also included the audits of the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Chesapeake Utilities Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audits.
In our opinion such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
/s/ Beard Miller Company LLP     
Beard Miller Company LLP
Reading, Pennsylvania
March 9, 2009


Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
Schedule II
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
- Page 73 -
                     
  Balance at  Additions        
  Beginning of  Charged to  Other      Balance at End 
For the Year Ended December 31, Year  Income  Accounts(1)  Deductions(2)  of Year 
Reserve Deducted From Related Assets Reserve for Uncollectible Accounts
                    
                     
2008
 $952,075  $1,185,906  $241,153  $(1,220,120) $1,159,014 
                
                     
2007 $661,597  $818,561  $26,190  $(554,273) $952,075 
                
                     
2006 $861,378  $381,424  $65,519  $(646,724) $661,597 
                
(1)Recoveries.
(2)Uncollectible accounts charged off.


Upon written request,
Chesapeake will provide, free of
charge, a copy of any exhibit to
the 2008 Annual Report on
Form 10-K not included
in this document.



Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
           
Schedule II
           
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
           
            
    
Additions
     
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
Balance at Beginning of Year
 
Charged to Income
 
Other Accounts (1)
 
Deductions (2)
 
Balance at End of Year
 
Reserve Deducted From Related Assets
           
Reserve for Uncollectible Accounts
           
2005
 
$
610,819
 
$
632,645
 
$
158,408
 
$
(540,494
)
$
861,378
 
2004 $682,002 $505,595 $103,020 $(679,798)$610,819 
2003 $659,628 $660,390 $10,093 $(648,109)$682,002 
                 
(1) Recoveries.
                
(2) Uncollectible accounts charged off.