SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
| | | | | |
| ☒ | Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021
or
| | | | | |
| ☐ | Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
| | |
| for the transition period from to |
Commission file number 001-14431
American States Water Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| California | | 95-4676679 |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| 630 E. Foothill Blvd | San Dimas | CA | | 91773-1212 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(909) 394-3600
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
Commission file number 001-12008
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Title of each class | | Trading symbol | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common shares | | AWR | | New York Stock Exchange |
Golden State Water Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| California | | 95-1243678 |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| 630 E. Foothill Blvd | San Dimas | CA | | 91773-1212 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(909) 394-3600
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
Indicate by check mark whether Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| American States Water Company | Yes | x | | No | ¨ |
| Golden State Water Company | Yes | x | | No | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| American States Water Company | Yes | x | | No | ¨ |
| Golden State Water Company | Yes | x | | No | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
American States Water Company
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Large accelerated filer | x | | Accelerated filer | ¨ | | Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
Golden State Water Company
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Large accelerated filer | ¨ | | Accelerated filer | ¨ | | Non-accelerated filer | x | | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| American States Water Company | | Yes | ☐ | | No | x |
| Golden State Water Company | | Yes | ☐ | | No | x |
As of OctoberApril 30, 2020,2021, the number of Common Shares outstanding of American States Water Company was 36,889,06136,913,017 shares. As of OctoberApril 30, 2020,2021, all of the 165170 outstanding Common Shares of Golden State Water Company were owned by American States Water Company.
Golden State Water Company meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction (H)(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form, in part, with the reduced disclosure format for Golden State Water Company.
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
and
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
FORM 10-Q
INDEX
PART I
Item 1. Financial Statements
General
The basic financial statements included herein have been prepared by Registrant, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal recurring items and estimates necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim period have been made.
It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto in the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K of American States Water Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Golden State Water Company.
Filing Format
American States Water Company (“AWR”) is the parent company of Golden State Water Company (“GSWC”), Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc. ("BVESI"), and American States Utility Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("ASUS"). On July 1, 2020, GSWC completed the transfer of the electric utility assets and liabilities from its electric division to BVESI, in exchange for common shares of BVESI. GSWC then immediately distributed all of BVESI's common shares to AWR, whereupon BVESI became wholly owned directly by AWR. This reorganization did not result in any substantive changes to AWR's operations and business segments.
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q is a combined report being filed by two separate Registrants: AWR and GSWC. For more information, please see Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the heading entitled "General" in "Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." References in this report to “Registrant” are to AWR and GSWC collectively, unless otherwise specified. GSWC makes no representations as to the information contained in this report other than with respect to itself.
Forward-Looking Information
This Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated herein contain forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the “safe harbor” from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on current estimates, expectations and projections about future events and assumptions regarding these events and include statements regarding management’s goals, beliefs, plans or current expectations, taking into account the information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts. For example, when we use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may” and other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes, we are making forward-looking statements. We are not able to predict all the factors that may affect future results. We caution you that any forward-looking statements made by us are not guarantees of future performance and the actual results may differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. Some of
Factors affecting our financial performance are summarized under Forward-Looking Information and under “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements or from historical results, include, but are not limited to:
•the outcome of pending and future regulatory, legislative, or other proceedings; investigations or audits, including decisions in GSWC's and BVESI's general rate cases; and the results of independent audits of GSWC's construction contracting procurement practices or other independent audits of our costs;
•changes in the policies and procedures of the California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC");
•timeliness of CPUC action on GSWC and BVESI rates;
•availability of GSWC's water supplies, which may be adversely affected by increases in the frequency and duration of droughts, changes in weather patterns, contamination, and court decisions or other governmental actions restricting the use of water from the Colorado River, the California State Water Project, or pumping of groundwater;
•BVESI liabilities associatedperiod ended December 31, 2020 filed with the inherent risks to persons or property should either come into contact with electrical current or equipment;
•the potential of strict liability for damages caused by GSWC's or BVESI's property or equipment, even if neither was negligent in the operation and maintenance of that property or equipment, under a doctrine known as inverse condemnation;
•the impact of storms, high winds, earthquakes, floods, mudslides, drought, wildfires and similar natural disasters, contamination, or acts of terrorism or vandalism, that (i) affect water quality, supply, or customer demand; (ii) damage or
disrupt facilities, operations, or information technology systems on which we rely; or (iii) cause bodily injury or property damage resulting in liabilities that we may be unable to recover from insurance, third parties, the U.S. government, or that the CPUC or the courts do not permit us to recover from ratepayers;
•the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on GSWC’s or BVESI's liquidity from (i) future credit losses on utility customer bills or (ii) the value of its pension and other retirement plan assets due to possible declines in securities prices;
•the economic impact on the ability of GSWC, BVESI, and the subsidiaries of ASUS to continue to operate, maintain, repair and improve their infrastructure and to provide services to their customers in the ordinary course of business;
•the impact on water utility operations during high fire threat conditions as a result of the Public Safety Power Shut-Off program authorized by the CPUC and implemented by the electric utilities that serve GSWC facilities throughout the state, and our ability to get full cost recovery in rates for costs incurred in preparation of and during a Public Safety Power Shut-Off event;
•inability to recover costs resulting from wildfires caused by BVESI’s electrical equipment from insurance or ratepayers on a timely basis, if at all;
•penalties which may be assessed by the CPUC if BVESI shuts down power to its customers during high threat conditions under the Public Safety Power Shut-Off program authorized by the CPUC if the CPUC determines that the shutdown was not reasonably necessary or excessive in the circumstances;
•BVESI's ability to implement its wildfire mitigation program and effectively implement Public Safety Power Shut-Offs when appropriate;
•costs incurred, and the ability to recover such costs from customers, associated with service disruptions as the result of a Public Safety Power Shut-Off program;
•risks associated with the effectiveness of California Assembly Bill No. 1054 in mitigating the risk faced by California investor-owned utilities related to liability for damages arising from catastrophic wildfires where utility facilities are a substantial cause, including BVESI's ability to obtain or maintain a valid safety certification and the CPUC's interpretation of and actions under California Assembly Bill No. 1054;
•the impact of rolling blackouts and other electric grid disruptions in California on our ability to provide water and electric service to our customers;
•the liquidity impact of California Senate Bill No. 998, which went into effect on February 1, 2020 and prohibits a water company from discontinuing residential water service for nonpayment until a payment by a customer has been delinquent for at least 60 days, and prohibits residential service from being discontinued under specified circumstances;
•increases in the cost of obtaining insurance or in uninsured losses that may not be recovered in rates, or under our contracts with the U.S. government, including increases due to difficulties in obtaining insurance for certain risks, such as wildfires and earthquakes in California;
•increases in costs to reduce the risks associated with the increasing frequency of severe weather, including to improve the resiliency and reliability of our water production and delivery facilities and systems, and our electric transmission and distribution lines;
•increases in service disruptions if severe weather and wildfires, or threats of wildfire become more frequent as they have recently;
•the future impact to GSWC, including increased earnings volatility, from the CPUC's transitioning of the current water revenue adjustment mechanism ("WRAM") and the modified cost balancing account ("MCBA"), to a limited price adjustment mechanism and an incremental supply cost balancing account;
•our ability to forecast the costs of maintaining GSWC's and BVESI's aging infrastructure, to efficiently manage capital expenditures, and operating and maintenance expenses within CPUC-authorized levels, and to timely recover our costs through rates;
•the impact of opposition to GSWC and BVESI rate increases on our ability to recover our costs through rates, including costs associated with construction, and costs associated with bodily injury and property damage arising out of more extreme weather events;
•the impact of opposition by GSWC customers to conservation rate design, including more stringent water-use restrictions from persistent drought conditions in California, as well as future mandated water-use restrictions, which may decrease adopted usage and increase customer rates;
•the impact of condemnation actions on future GSWC revenues and other aspects of our business if we do not receive adequate compensation for the assets taken, or recover all of the associated charges, as well as the impact on future revenues if we are no longer entitled to any portion of the revenues generated from such assets;
•GSWC's and BVESI's ability to recover increases in permitting and other costs associated with negotiating and complying with the terms of its city and county franchise agreements, including costs to meet other local-government demands;
•changes in accounting valuations and estimates, including changes resulting from our assessment of anticipated recovery of GSWC's or BVESI's regulatory assets, settlement of liabilities and revenues subject to refund or regulatory disallowances and the timing of such recovery, and the amounts set aside for uncollectible accounts receivable, inventory obsolescence, pension and post-retirement liabilities, taxes, and uninsured losses and claims, including general liability and workers' compensation claims;
•changes in environmental laws, health and safety laws, water and recycled water quality requirements, and increases in costs associated with complying with these laws and requirements, including costs associated with GSWC's upgrading and building new water treatment plants, GSWC's disposing of residuals from its water treatment plants, more stringent rules regarding pipeline repairs and installation, handling and storing hazardous chemicals, upgrading equipment to make it more resistant to extreme weather events, removal of vegetation near power lines, compliance-monitoring activities and, GSWC's securing alternative water supplies when necessary;
•changes in laboratory detection capabilities and drinking water notification and response levels for certain substances, such as perfluoroalkyl substances ("PFAS") used to make certain fabrics and other materials, used in certain fire suppression agents and also used in various industrial processes;
•our ability to obtain adequate, reliable and cost-effective services, chemical supplies, electricity, fuel, water, and other raw materials that are needed for our water and wastewater operations;
•our ability to attract, retain, train, motivate, develop, and transition key employees;
•our ability to recover the costs associated with any contamination of GSWC’s groundwater supplies from parties responsible for the contamination or through the ratemaking process, and the time and expense incurred by us in obtaining recovery of such costs;
•adequacy of BVESI's power supplies and the extent to which we can manage and respond to the volatility of electricity and natural gas prices;
•BVESI's ability to comply with the CPUC’s renewable energy procurement requirements;
•changes in GSWC's long-term customer demand due to changes in customer usage patterns as a result of conservation, regulatory changes affecting demand such as mandatory restrictions on water use, new landscaping or irrigation requirements, recycling of water by customers or purchase of recycled water supplied by other parties, unanticipated population growth or decline, changes in climate conditions, general economic and financial market conditions and cost increases, which may impact our long-term operating revenues if we are unable to secure rate increases in an amount sufficient to offset reduced demand;
•changes in accounting treatment for regulated utilities;
•effects of changes in, or interpretations of, tax laws, rates or policies;
•changes in estimates used in ASUS’s cost-to-cost method for revenue recognition of certain construction activities;
•termination, in whole or in part, of one or more of ASUS's military utility privatization contracts to provide water and/or wastewater services at military bases for the convenience of the U.S. government or for default;
•suspension or debarment of ASUS for a period of time from contracting with the government due to violations of laws or regulations in connection with military utility privatization activities;
•delays by the U.S. government in making timely payments to ASUS for water and/or wastewater services or construction activities at military bases because of fiscal uncertainties over the funding of the U.S. government or otherwise;
•delays in ASUS obtaining economic price or equitable adjustments to its prices on one or more of our contracts to provide water and/or wastewater services at military bases;
•disallowance of costs on any of ASUS's contracts to provide water and/or wastewater services at military bases because of audits, cost reviews or investigations by contracting agencies;
•inaccurate assumptions used by ASUS in preparing bids;
•failure of wastewater systems that ASUS operates on military bases resulting in untreated wastewater or contaminants spilling into nearby properties, streams or rivers, a risk which may increase if flooding and rainfall become more frequent or severe as a result of climate change;
•failure to comply with the terms of our military privatization contracts;
•failure of any of our subcontractors to perform services for ASUS in accordance with the terms of our military privatization contracts;
•the impact on our growth from competition for new military or other privatization contracts;
•issues with the implementation, maintenance, or upgrading of our information technology systems;
•general economic conditions, which may impact our ability to recover infrastructure investments and operating costs from customers;
•explosions, fires, accidents, mechanical breakdowns, the disruption of information technology and telecommunication systems, human error, and similar events that may occur while operating and maintaining water and electric systems in California or operating and maintaining water and wastewater systems on military bases under varying geographic conditions;
•potential costs, lost revenues, or other consequences resulting from misappropriation of assets or sensitive information, corruption of data, or operational disruption due to a cyber-attack or other cyber incident;
•restrictive covenants in our debt instruments or changes to our credit ratings on current or future debt that may increase our financing costs or affect our ability to borrow or make payments on our debt; and
•our ability to access capital markets and other sources of credit in a timely manner on acceptable terms.
SEC. Please consider our forward-looking statements in light of these risks as you read this Form 10-Q. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
(Unaudited)
| | (in thousands) | (in thousands) | | September 30,
2020 | | December 31, 2019 | (in thousands) | | March 31,
2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
| Property, Plant and Equipment | Property, Plant and Equipment | | | | | Property, Plant and Equipment | | | | |
| Regulated utility plant, at cost | Regulated utility plant, at cost | | $ | 2,004,446 | | | $ | 1,926,543 | | Regulated utility plant, at cost | | $ | 2,080,048 | | | $ | 2,043,791 | |
| Non-utility property, at cost | Non-utility property, at cost | | 36,187 | | | 32,425 | | Non-utility property, at cost | | 37,053 | | | 36,578 | |
| Total | Total | | 2,040,633 | | | 1,958,968 | | Total | | 2,117,101 | | | 2,080,369 | |
| Less - Accumulated depreciation | Less - Accumulated depreciation | | (561,523) | | | (543,263) | | Less - Accumulated depreciation | | (574,678) | | | (568,326) | |
| Net property, plant and equipment | Net property, plant and equipment | | 1,479,110 | | | 1,415,705 | | Net property, plant and equipment | | 1,542,423 | | | 1,512,043 | |
| | Other Property and Investments | Other Property and Investments | | | | | Other Property and Investments | | | | |
| Goodwill | Goodwill | | 1,116 | | | 1,116 | | Goodwill | | 1,116 | | | 1,116 | |
| Other property and investments | Other property and investments | | 31,326 | | | 30,293 | | Other property and investments | | 35,811 | | | 35,318 | |
| Total other property and investments | Total other property and investments | | 32,442 | | | 31,409 | | Total other property and investments | | 36,927 | | | 36,434 | |
| | Current Assets | Current Assets | | | | | Current Assets | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | Cash and cash equivalents | | 8,127 | | | 1,334 | | Cash and cash equivalents | | 6,951 | | | 36,737 | |
| Accounts receivable — customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,400 in 2020 and $857 in 2019) | | 33,729 | | | 20,907 | | |
| Accounts receivable — customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,478 in 2021 and $5,263 in 2020) | | Accounts receivable — customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,478 in 2021 and $5,263 in 2020) | | 22,016 | | | 29,162 | |
| Unbilled receivable | Unbilled receivable | | 25,086 | | | 20,482 | | Unbilled receivable | | 23,315 | | | 25,836 | |
| Receivable from the U.S. government | | 27,144 | | | 22,613 | | |
| Other accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $53 in 2020 and $59 in 2019) | | 3,433 | | | 3,096 | | |
| Receivable from the U.S. government (Note 2) | | Receivable from the U.S. government (Note 2) | | 23,606 | | | 25,182 | |
| Other accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $53 in 2021 and $53 in 2020) | | Other accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $53 in 2021 and $53 in 2020) | | 2,574 | | | 3,960 | |
| Income taxes receivable | Income taxes receivable | | 163 | | | 5,685 | | Income taxes receivable | | 68 | | | 103 | |
| Materials and supplies, at weighted average cost | Materials and supplies, at weighted average cost | | 8,699 | | | 6,429 | | Materials and supplies, at weighted average cost | | 8,751 | | | 8,619 | |
| Regulatory assets — current | Regulatory assets — current | | 16,766 | | | 20,930 | | Regulatory assets — current | | 10,628 | | | 13,088 | |
| Prepayments and other current assets | Prepayments and other current assets | | 6,541 | | | 5,413 | | Prepayments and other current assets | | 10,028 | | | 5,555 | |
| Unrealized gains on purchased power contracts | | Unrealized gains on purchased power contracts | | 1,224 | | | 0 | |
| Contract assets | Contract assets | | 9,719 | | | 15,567 | | Contract assets | | 9,751 | | | 8,873 | |
| Total current assets | Total current assets | | 139,407 | | | 122,456 | | Total current assets | | 118,912 | | | 157,115 | |
| | Other Assets | Other Assets | | | | | Other Assets | | | | |
| Unbilled revenue- receivable from U.S. government | Unbilled revenue- receivable from U.S. government | | 10,423 | | | 8,621 | | Unbilled revenue- receivable from U.S. government | | 9,305 | | | 9,945 | |
| Receivable from the U.S. government | | 42,962 | | | 42,206 | | |
| Contract assets | | 367 | | | 64 | | |
| Receivable from the U.S. government ( Note 2) | | Receivable from the U.S. government ( Note 2) | | 52,373 | | | 49,488 | |
| Contract assets (Note 2) | | Contract assets (Note 2) | | 3,975 | | | 1,384 | |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | Operating lease right-of-use assets | | 11,516 | | | 13,168 | | Operating lease right-of-use assets | | 10,718 | | | 11,146 | |
| Regulatory assets | | Regulatory assets | | 7,635 | | | 3,451 | |
| Other | Other | | 10,191 | | | 7,702 | | Other | | 10,553 | | | 10,597 | |
| Total other assets | Total other assets | | 75,459 | | | 71,761 | | Total other assets | | 94,559 | | | 86,011 | |
| | Total Assets | Total Assets | | $ | 1,726,418 | | | $ | 1,641,331 | | Total Assets | | $ | 1,792,821 | | | $ | 1,791,603 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
(Unaudited)
| | (in thousands, except number of shares) | (in thousands, except number of shares) | | September 30,
2020 | | December 31,
2019 | (in thousands, except number of shares) | | March 31,
2021 | | December 31,
2020 |
| Capitalization | Capitalization | | | | | Capitalization | | | | |
| Common shares, no par value | | |
| Common shares, 0 par value | | Common shares, 0 par value | |
| Authorized: 60,000,000 shares | Authorized: 60,000,000 shares | | Authorized: 60,000,000 shares | |
| Outstanding: 36,889,061 shares in 2020 and 36,846,614 shares in 2019 | | $ | 256,622 | | | $ | 255,566 | | |
| Outstanding: 36,913,017 shares in 2021 and 36,889,103 shares in 2020 | | Outstanding: 36,913,017 shares in 2021 and 36,889,103 shares in 2020 | | $ | 257,528 | | | $ | 256,666 | |
| Earnings reinvested in the business | Earnings reinvested in the business | | 377,198 | | | 345,964 | | Earnings reinvested in the business | | 391,865 | | | 385,007 | |
| Total common shareholders’ equity | Total common shareholders’ equity | | 633,820 | | | 601,530 | | Total common shareholders’ equity | | 649,393 | | | 641,673 | |
| Long-term debt | Long-term debt | | 440,343 | | | 280,996 | | Long-term debt | | 440,326 | | | 440,348 | |
| Total capitalization | Total capitalization | | 1,074,163 | | | 882,526 | | Total capitalization | | 1,089,719 | | | 1,082,021 | |
| | Current Liabilities | Current Liabilities | | | | | Current Liabilities | | | | |
| Notes payable to banks | | 0 | | | 5,000 | | |
| Long-term debt — current | Long-term debt — current | | 358 | | | 344 | | Long-term debt — current | | 364 | | | 358 | |
| Accounts payable | Accounts payable | | 53,644 | | | 55,616 | | Accounts payable | | 57,360 | | | 63,788 | |
| Income taxes payable | Income taxes payable | | 3,053 | | | 95 | | Income taxes payable | | 6,474 | | | 6,783 | |
| Accrued other taxes | Accrued other taxes | | 11,560 | | | 11,110 | | Accrued other taxes | | 9,888 | | | 11,902 | |
| Accrued employee expenses | Accrued employee expenses | | 13,827 | | | 14,255 | | Accrued employee expenses | | 18,138 | | | 15,122 | |
| Accrued interest | Accrued interest | | 7,245 | | | 3,050 | | Accrued interest | | 7,277 | | | 4,832 | |
| Unrealized loss on purchased power contracts | Unrealized loss on purchased power contracts | | 2,518 | | | 3,171 | | Unrealized loss on purchased power contracts | | 0 | | | 1,537 | |
| Contract liabilities | Contract liabilities | | 8,670 | | | 11,167 | | Contract liabilities | | 1,049 | | | 1,800 | |
| Operating lease liabilities | Operating lease liabilities | | 1,812 | | | 1,849 | | Operating lease liabilities | | 2,010 | | | 2,013 | |
| Other | Other | | 10,769 | | | 10,341 | | Other | | 10,450 | | | 10,437 | |
| Total current liabilities | Total current liabilities | | 113,456 | | | 115,998 | | Total current liabilities | | 113,010 | | | 118,572 | |
| | Other Credits | Other Credits | | | | | Other Credits | | | | |
| Notes payable to bank | Notes payable to bank | | 92,000 | | | 200,000 | | Notes payable to bank | | 129,000 | | | 134,200 | |
| Advances for construction | Advances for construction | | 63,276 | | | 63,989 | | Advances for construction | | 65,622 | | | 63,374 | |
| Contributions in aid of construction - net | Contributions in aid of construction - net | | 139,754 | | | 134,706 | | Contributions in aid of construction - net | | 141,366 | | | 140,332 | |
| Deferred income taxes | Deferred income taxes | | 129,137 | | | 125,304 | | Deferred income taxes | | 131,894 | | | 131,172 | |
| Regulatory liabilities | | 20,064 | | | 23,380 | | |
| | Unamortized investment tax credits | Unamortized investment tax credits | | 1,242 | | | 1,295 | | Unamortized investment tax credits | | 1,206 | | | 1,224 | |
| Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits | Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits | | 66,924 | | | 68,469 | | Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits | | 96,201 | | | 95,639 | |
| Operating lease liabilities | Operating lease liabilities | | 10,161 | | | 11,739 | | Operating lease liabilities | | 9,159 | | | 9,636 | |
| Other | Other | | 16,241 | | | 13,925 | | Other | | 15,644 | | | 15,433 | |
| Total other credits | Total other credits | | 538,799 | | | 642,807 | | Total other credits | | 590,092 | | | 591,010 | |
| | Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9) | Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9) | | Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9) | | 0 | | 0 |
| | Total Capitalization and Liabilities | Total Capitalization and Liabilities | | $ | 1,726,418 | | | $ | 1,641,331 | | Total Capitalization and Liabilities | | $ | 1,792,821 | | | $ | 1,791,603 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 2021 AND 2020
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three months ended March 31, |
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| Operating Revenues | | | | |
| Water | | $ | 75,029 | | | $ | 71,424 | |
| Electric | | 11,539 | | | 10,968 | |
| Contracted services | | 30,492 | | | 26,685 | |
| Total operating revenues | | 117,060 | | | 109,077 | |
| | | | |
| Operating Expenses | | | | |
| Water purchased | | 15,239 | | | 14,092 | |
| Power purchased for pumping | | 2,145 | | | 1,859 | |
| Groundwater production assessment | | 4,440 | | | 4,148 | |
| Power purchased for resale | | 3,198 | | | 3,043 | |
| Supply cost balancing accounts | | (2,427) | | | (2,165) | |
| Other operation | | 8,217 | | | 8,486 | |
| Administrative and general | | 22,053 | | | 22,950 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 9,560 | | | 8,811 | |
| Maintenance | | 2,662 | | | 3,884 | |
| Property and other taxes | | 5,940 | | | 5,159 | |
| ASUS construction | | 15,704 | | | 13,111 | |
| Total operating expenses | | 86,731 | | | 83,378 | |
| | | | |
| Operating Income | | 30,329 | | | 25,699 | |
| | | | |
| Other Income and Expenses | | | | |
| Interest expense | | (6,258) | | | (6,050) | |
| Interest income | | 455 | | | 558 | |
| Other, net | | 656 | | | (2,234) | |
| Total other income and expenses, net | | (5,147) | | | (7,726) | |
| | | | |
| Income before income tax expense | | 25,182 | | | 17,973 | |
| | | | |
| Income tax expense | | 5,914 | | | 3,901 | |
| | | | |
| Net Income | | $ | 19,268 | | | $ | 14,072 | |
| | | | |
| Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding | | 36,898 | | | 36,860 | |
| Basic Earnings Per Common Share | | $ | 0.52 | | | $ | 0.38 | |
| | | | |
| Weighted Average Number of Diluted Shares | | 36,993 | | | 36,969 | |
| Fully Diluted Earnings Per Common Share | | $ | 0.52 | | | $ | 0.38 | |
| | | | |
| Dividends Declared Per Common Share | | $ | 0.335 | | | $ | 0.305 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES
IN COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 |
| | | Common Shares | | Reinvested | | |
| | | Number | | | | Earnings | | |
| | | of | | | | in the | | |
| (in thousands) | | Shares | | Amount | | Business | | Total |
| Balances at December 31, 2020 | | 36,889 | | | 256,666 | | | 385,007 | | | $ | 641,673 | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | 19,268 | | | 19,268 | |
| Exercise of stock options and other issuances of Common Shares | | 24 | | 0 | | | | | 0 | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | | | 813 | | | | | 813 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | 49 | | | | | 49 | |
| Deduct: | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends on Common Shares | | | | | | 12,361 | | | 12,361 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | | | 49 | | | 49 | |
| Balances at March 31, 2021 | | 36,913 | | $ | 257,528 | | | $ | 391,865 | | | $ | 649,393 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
| | | Common Shares | | Reinvested | | |
| | | Number | | | | Earnings | | |
| | | of | | | | in the | | |
| (in thousands) | | Shares | | Amount | | Business | | Total |
| Balances at December 31, 2019 | | 36,847 | | $ | 255,566 | | | $ | 345,964 | | | $ | 601,530 | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | 14,072 | | | 14,072 | |
| Exercise of stock options and other issuances of Common Shares | | 37 | | 30 | | | | | 30 | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | | | 193 | | | | | 193 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | 52 | | | | | 52 | |
| Deduct: | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends on Common Shares | | | | | | 11,242 | | | 11,242 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | | | 52 | | | 52 | |
| Balances at March 31, 2020 | | 36,884 | | | $ | 255,841 | | | $ | 348,742 | | | $ | 604,583 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021 AND 2020
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended
March 31, |
| (in thousands) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | | | | |
| Net income | | $ | 19,268 | | | $ | 14,072 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 9,656 | | | 8,892 | |
| Provision for doubtful accounts | | 255 | | | 273 | |
| Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits | | (343) | | | 574 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | 1,930 | | | 1,844 | |
| (Gain) loss on investments held in a trust | | (628) | | | 2,413 | |
| Other — net | | 104 | | | 110 | |
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | |
| Accounts receivable — customers | | 5,711 | | | (4,085) | |
| Unbilled receivable | | 3,161 | | | 1,417 | |
| Other accounts receivable | | 1,386 | | | 64 | |
| Receivables from the U.S. government | | (1,015) | | | 704 | |
| Materials and supplies | | (132) | | | (914) | |
| Prepayments and other assets | | (4,026) | | | (3,400) | |
| Contract assets | | (3,763) | | | (3,716) | |
| Regulatory assets | | (3,493) | | | (2,976) | |
| Accounts payable | | (7,267) | | | (4,112) | |
| Income taxes receivable/payable | | (274) | | | 3,326 | |
| Contract liabilities | | (751) | | | (492) | |
| Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits | | 1,796 | | | 1,306 | |
| Other liabilities | | 3,101 | | | 354 | |
| Net cash provided | | 24,676 | | | 15,654 | |
| | | | |
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities: | | | | |
| Capital expenditures | | (37,093) | | | (33,544) | |
| Other investing activities | | 113 | | | 167 | |
| Net cash used | | (36,980) | | | (33,377) | |
| | | | |
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | | | | |
| Proceeds from stock option exercises | | 0 | | | 30 | |
| Receipt of advances for and contributions in aid of construction | | 2,016 | | | 3,522 | |
| Refunds on advances for construction | | (569) | | | (591) | |
| Retirement or repayments of long-term debt | | (99) | | | (92) | |
| | | | |
| Net change in notes payable to banks | | (5,200) | | | 27,000 | |
| Dividends paid | | (12,361) | | | (11,242) | |
| Other financing activities | | (1,269) | | | (1,809) | |
| Net cash (used) provided | | (17,482) | | | 16,818 | |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | | (29,786) | | | (905) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | 36,737 | | | 1,334 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 6,951 | | | $ | 429 | |
| | | | |
| Non-cash transactions: | | | | |
| Accrued payables for investment in utility plant | | $ | 28,700 | | | $ | 15,748 | |
| Property installed by developers and conveyed | | $ | 2,761 | | | $ | 856 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three months ended September 30, | | Nine months ended September 30, |
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Operating Revenues | | | | | | | | |
| Water | | $ | 98,701 | | | $ | 95,249 | | | $ | 257,199 | | | $ | 248,112 | |
| Electric | | 8,288 | | | 11,996 | | | 26,935 | | | 30,033 | |
| Contracted services | | 26,699 | | | 27,251 | | | 79,909 | | | 82,731 | |
| Total operating revenues | | 133,688 | | | 134,496 | | | 364,043 | | | 360,876 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Operating Expenses | | | | | | | | |
| Water purchased | | 23,445 | | | 23,361 | | | 56,291 | | | 55,263 | |
| Power purchased for pumping | | 3,369 | | | 3,042 | | | 7,626 | | | 6,562 | |
| Groundwater production assessment | | 5,962 | | | 5,634 | | | 15,140 | | | 14,020 | |
| Power purchased for resale | | 2,117 | | | 2,403 | | | 7,127 | | | 8,498 | |
| Supply cost balancing accounts | | (2,639) | | | (2,680) | | | (6,606) | | | (2,845) | |
| Other operation | | 8,128 | | | 8,267 | | | 24,573 | | | 24,546 | |
| Administrative and general | | 20,644 | | | 20,626 | | | 63,992 | | | 61,827 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 9,348 | | | 9,006 | | | 27,190 | | | 26,493 | |
| Maintenance | | 4,246 | | | 4,109 | | | 12,224 | | | 9,728 | |
| Property and other taxes | | 5,693 | | | 5,234 | | | 16,098 | | | 15,000 | |
| ASUS construction | | 13,573 | | | 12,894 | | | 39,175 | | | 39,671 | |
| Gain on sale of assets | | (5) | | | (124) | | | (9) | | | (236) | |
| Total operating expenses | | 93,881 | | | 91,772 | | | 262,821 | | | 258,527 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Operating Income | | 39,807 | | | 42,724 | | | 101,222 | | | 102,349 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Other Income and Expenses | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense | | (6,161) | | | (6,279) | | | (17,533) | | | (18,878) | |
| Interest income | | 316 | | | 826 | | | 1,364 | | | 2,644 | |
| Other, net | | 1,613 | | | 140 | | | 2,388 | | | 2,073 | |
| Total other income and expenses, net | | (4,232) | | | (5,313) | | | (13,781) | | | (14,161) | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Income before income tax expense | | 35,575 | | | 37,411 | | | 87,441 | | | 88,188 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Income tax expense | | 9,045 | | | 9,405 | | | 21,227 | | | $ | 20,546 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Net Income | | $ | 26,530 | | | $ | 28,006 | | | $ | 66,214 | | | $ | 67,642 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding | | 36,886 | | | 36,835 | | | 36,877 | | | 36,804 | |
| Basic Earnings Per Common Share | | $ | 0.72 | | | $ | 0.76 | | | $ | 1.79 | | | $ | 1.83 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Weighted Average Number of Diluted Shares | | 37,002 | | | 36,996 | | | 36,990 | | | 36,960 | |
| Fully Diluted Earnings Per Common Share | | $ | 0.72 | | | $ | 0.76 | | | $ | 1.79 | | | $ | 1.83 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Dividends Declared Per Common Share | | $ | 0.335 | | | $ | 0.305 | | | $ | 0.945 | | | $ | 0.855 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES
IN COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 |
| | | Common Shares | | Reinvested | | |
| | | Number | | | | Earnings | | |
| | | of | | | | in the | | |
| (in thousands) | | Shares | | Amount | | Business | | Total |
| Balances at December 31, 2019 | | 36,847 | | | $ | 255,566 | | | $ | 345,964 | | | $ | 601,530 | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | 14,072 | | | 14,072 | |
| Exercise of stock options and other issuances of Common Shares | | 37 | | 30 | | | | | 30 | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | | | 193 | | | | | 193 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | 52 | | | | | 52 | |
| Deduct: | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends on Common Shares | | | | | | 11,242 | | | 11,242 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | | | 52 | | | 52 | |
| Balances at March 31, 2020 | | 36,884 | | | $ | 255,841 | | | $ | 348,742 | | | $ | 604,583 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | 25,612 | | | 25,612 | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | | | 343 | | | | | 343 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | 39 | | | | | 39 | |
| Deduct: | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends on Common Shares | | | | | | 11,250 | | | 11,250 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | | | 39 | | | 39 | |
| Balances at June 30, 2020 | | 36,884 | | | $ | 256,223 | | | $ | 363,065 | | | $ | 619,288 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | 26,530 | | | 26,530 | |
| Exercise of stock options and other issuances of Common Shares | | 5 | | 0 | | | | | 0 | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | | | 358 | | | | 358 |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | 41 | | | | 41 |
| Deduct: | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends on Common Shares | | | | | | 12,356 | | | 12,356 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | | | 41 | | | 41 | |
| Balances at September 30, 2020 | | 36,889 | | | $ | 256,622 | | | $ | 377,198 | | | $ | 633,820 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES
IN COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 |
| | | Common Shares | | Reinvested | | |
| | | Number | | | | Earnings | | |
| | | of | | | | in the | | |
| (in thousands) | | Shares | | Amount | | Business | | Total |
| Balances at December 31, 2018 | | 36,758 | | | $ | 253,689 | | | $ | 304,534 | | | $ | 558,223 | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | 12,852 | | | 12,852 | |
| Exercise of stock options and other issuances of Common Shares | | 37 | | 75 | | | | | 75 | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | | | 463 | | | | | 463 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | 70 | | | | | 70 | |
| Deduct: | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends on Common Shares | | | | | | 10,113 | | | 10,113 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | | | 70 | | | 70 | |
| Balances at March 31, 2019 | | 36,795 | | | $ | 254,297 | | | $ | 307,203 | | | $ | 561,500 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | 26,784 | | | 26,784 | |
| Exercise of stock options and other issuances of Common Shares | | 37 | | | 291 | | | | | 291 | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | | | 331 | | | | | 331 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | 50 | | | | | 50 | |
| Deduct: | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends on Common Shares | | | | | | 10,119 | | | 10,119 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | | | 50 | | | 50 | |
| Balances at June 30, 2019 | | 36,832 | | | $ | 254,969 | | | $ | 323,818 | | | $ | 578,787 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | 28,006 | | | 28,006 | |
| Exercise of stock options and other issuances of Common Shares | | 7 | | | 50 | | | | | 50 | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | | | 338 | | | | | 338 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | 51 | | | | | 51 | |
| Deduct: | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends on Common Shares | | | | | | 11,234 | | | 11,234 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | | | 51 | | | 51 | |
| Balances at September 30, 2019 | | 36,839 | | | $ | 255,408 | | | $ | 340,539 | | | $ | 595,947 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, |
| (in thousands) | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | | | | |
| Net income | | $ | 66,214 | | | $ | 67,642 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 27,441 | | | 26,727 | |
| Provision for doubtful accounts | | 873 | | | 471 | |
| Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits | | 1,767 | | | 2,242 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | 2,474 | | | 2,468 | |
| Gain on sale of assets | | (9) | | | (236) | |
| Gain on investments held in a trust | | (1,266) | | | (2,512) | |
| Other — net | | 25 | | | 144 | |
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | |
| Accounts receivable — customers | | (14,759) | | | (5,162) | |
| Unbilled receivable | | (6,406) | | | 2,393 | |
| Other accounts receivable | | (337) | | | 473 | |
| Receivables from the U.S. government | | (4,834) | | | (4,160) | |
| Materials and supplies | | (2,270) | | | (315) | |
| Prepayments and other assets | | 347 | | | 3,029 | |
| Contract assets | | 5,092 | | | 755 | |
| Regulatory assets | | (367) | | | (19,112) | |
| Accounts payable | | 2,657 | | | 2,043 | |
| Income taxes receivable/payable | | 8,480 | | | 3,585 | |
| Contract liabilities | | (2,497) | | | 5,159 | |
| Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits | | 132 | | | 564 | |
| Other liabilities | | 5,086 | | | (1,894) | |
| Net cash provided | | 87,843 | | | 84,304 | |
| | | | |
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities: | | | | |
| Capital expenditures | | (94,824) | | | (111,088) | |
| Proceeds from sale of assets | | 51 | | | 137 | |
| Other investing activities | | 136 | | | 279 | |
| Net cash used | | (94,637) | | | (110,672) | |
| | | | |
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | | | | |
| Proceeds from stock option exercises | | 30 | | | 416 | |
| Receipt of advances for and contributions in aid of construction | | 7,576 | | | 8,260 | |
| Refunds on advances for construction | | (3,401) | | | (4,679) | |
| Retirement or repayments of long-term debt | | (335) | | | (40,325) | |
| Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs | | 159,422 | | | 0 | |
| Net change in notes payable to banks | | (113,000) | | | 99,000 | |
| Dividends paid | | (34,848) | | | (31,466) | |
| Other financing activities | | (1,857) | | | (1,581) | |
| Net cash provided | | 13,587 | | | 29,625 | |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | | 6,793 | | | 3,257 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | 1,334 | | | 7,141 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 8,127 | | | $ | 10,398 | |
| | | | |
| Non-cash transactions: | | | | |
| Accrued payables for investment in utility plant | | $ | 20,407 | | | $ | 25,599 | |
| Property installed by developers and conveyed | | $ | 2,861 | | | $ | 1,376 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
(Unaudited)
| | (in thousands) | (in thousands) | | September 30,
2020 | | December 31,
2019 | (in thousands) | | March 31,
2021 | | December 31,
2020 |
| Utility Plant | Utility Plant | | | | | Utility Plant | | | | |
| Utility plant, at cost | Utility plant, at cost | | $ | 1,870,208 | | | $ | 1,926,543 | | Utility plant, at cost | | $ | 1,933,425 | | | $ | 1,902,772 | |
| Less - Accumulated depreciation | Less - Accumulated depreciation | | (496,885) | | | (531,801) | | Less - Accumulated depreciation | | (507,250) | | | (502,283) | |
| Net utility plant | Net utility plant | | 1,373,323 | | | 1,394,742 | | Net utility plant | | 1,426,175 | | | 1,400,489 | |
| | Other Property and Investments | Other Property and Investments | | 29,253 | | | 28,212 | | Other Property and Investments | | 33,736 | | | 33,240 | |
| | Current Assets | Current Assets | | | | | Current Assets | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | Cash and cash equivalents | | 4,073 | | | 401 | | Cash and cash equivalents | | 2,452 | | | 35,578 | |
| Accounts receivable-customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,264 in 2020 and $857 in 2019) | | 31,959 | | | 20,907 | | |
| Accounts receivable-customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,887 in 2021 and $4,907 in 2020) | | Accounts receivable-customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,887 in 2021 and $4,907 in 2020) | | 19,707 | | | 26,920 | |
| Unbilled receivable | Unbilled receivable | | 21,465 | | | 18,636 | | Unbilled receivable | | 17,805 | | | 19,330 | |
| Other accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $53 in 2020 and $59 in 2019) | | 2,096 | | | 1,857 | | |
| Income taxes receivable from Parent | | 445 | | | 7,727 | | |
| Other accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $53 in 2021 and $53 in 2020) | | Other accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $53 in 2021 and $53 in 2020) | | 1,792 | | | 3,255 | |
| Intercompany receivable | | Intercompany receivable | | 1,113 | | | 1,107 | |
| | Materials and supplies, at average cost | Materials and supplies, at average cost | | 3,661 | | | 4,920 | | Materials and supplies, at average cost | | 3,926 | | | 3,659 | |
| Regulatory assets — current | Regulatory assets — current | | 16,162 | | | 20,930 | | Regulatory assets — current | | 10,291 | | | 11,325 | |
| Prepayments and other current assets | Prepayments and other current assets | | 4,874 | | | 4,497 | | Prepayments and other current assets | | 6,632 | | | 4,114 | |
| Total current assets | Total current assets | | 84,735 | | | 79,875 | | Total current assets | | 63,718 | | | 105,288 | |
| | Other Assets | Other Assets | | | | | Other Assets | | | | |
| Note receivable from AWR parent | | Note receivable from AWR parent | | 12,000 | | | 0 | |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | Operating lease right-of-use assets | | 11,336 | | | 12,745 | | Operating lease right-of-use assets | | 10,573 | | | 11,103 | |
| Regulatory assets | | Regulatory assets | | 5,939 | | | 1,048 | |
| Other | Other | | 7,104 | | | 6,880 | | Other | | 9,582 | | | 9,614 | |
| Total other assets | Total other assets | | 18,440 | | | 19,625 | | Total other assets | | 38,094 | | | 21,765 | |
| | Total Assets | Total Assets | | $ | 1,505,751 | | | $ | 1,522,454 | | Total Assets | | $ | 1,561,723 | | | $ | 1,560,782 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
(Unaudited)
| | (in thousands, except number of shares) | (in thousands, except number of shares) | | September 30,
2020 | | December 31, 2019 | (in thousands, except number of shares) | | March 31,
2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
| Capitalization | Capitalization | | | | | Capitalization | | | | |
| Common Shares, no par value: | | |
| Common Shares, 0 par value: | | Common Shares, 0 par value: | |
| Authorized: 1,000 shares | Authorized: 1,000 shares | | Authorized: 1,000 shares | |
| Outstanding: 165 shares in 2020 and 2019 | | $ | 294,873 | | | $ | 293,754 | | |
| Outstanding: 170 shares in 2021 and 2020 | | Outstanding: 170 shares in 2021 and 2020 | | $ | 355,733 | | | $ | 354,906 | |
| Earnings reinvested in the business | Earnings reinvested in the business | | 216,732 | | | 257,434 | | Earnings reinvested in the business | | 228,178 | | | 228,392 | |
Total common shareholder’s equity (Note 12) | | 511,605 | | | 551,188 | | |
| Total common shareholder’s equity | | Total common shareholder’s equity | | 583,911 | | | 583,298 | |
| Long-term debt | Long-term debt | | 440,343 | | | 280,996 | | Long-term debt | | 440,326 | | | 440,348 | |
| Total capitalization | Total capitalization | | 951,948 | | | 832,184 | | Total capitalization | | 1,024,237 | | | 1,023,646 | |
| | Current Liabilities | Current Liabilities | | | | | Current Liabilities | | | | |
| Intercompany payable to Parent | | 34,095 | | | 158,845 | | |
| | Long-term debt — current | Long-term debt — current | | 358 | | | 344 | | Long-term debt — current | | 364 | | | 358 | |
| Accounts payable | Accounts payable | | 40,517 | | | 45,756 | | Accounts payable | | 39,835 | | | 45,613 | |
| Accrued other taxes | Accrued other taxes | | 10,726 | | | 10,640 | | Accrued other taxes | | 8,333 | | | 10,382 | |
| Accrued employee expenses | Accrued employee expenses | | 11,492 | | | 12,386 | | Accrued employee expenses | | 14,639 | | | 12,351 | |
| Accrued interest | Accrued interest | | 6,968 | | | 2,736 | | Accrued interest | | 6,972 | | | 4,545 | |
| Unrealized loss on purchased power contracts (Note 12) | | 0 | | | 3,171 | | |
| Income taxes payable to Parent | | Income taxes payable to Parent | | 4,221 | | | 4,612 | |
| Operating lease liabilities | Operating lease liabilities | | 1,664 | | | 1,612 | | Operating lease liabilities | | 1,969 | | | 1,956 | |
| Other | Other | | 9,588 | | | 9,745 | | Other | | 9,408 | | | 9,403 | |
| Total current liabilities | Total current liabilities | | 115,408 | | | 245,235 | | Total current liabilities | | 85,741 | | | 89,220 | |
| | Other Credits | Other Credits | | | | | Other Credits | | | | |
| | Advances for construction | Advances for construction | | 63,256 | | | 63,989 | | Advances for construction | | 65,602 | | | 63,354 | |
| Contributions in aid of construction — net | Contributions in aid of construction — net | | 138,102 | | | 134,706 | | Contributions in aid of construction — net | | 139,732 | | | 138,691 | |
| Deferred income taxes | Deferred income taxes | | 123,240 | | | 127,806 | | Deferred income taxes | | 125,062 | | | 124,581 | |
| Regulatory liabilities | | 20,064 | | | 23,380 | | |
| | Unamortized investment tax credits | Unamortized investment tax credits | | 1,242 | | | 1,295 | | Unamortized investment tax credits | | 1,206 | | | 1,224 | |
| Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits | Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits | | 66,924 | | | 68,469 | | Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits | | 96,096 | | | 95,570 | |
| Operating lease liabilities | Operating lease liabilities | | 10,161 | | | 11,588 | | Operating lease liabilities | | 9,095 | | | 9,636 | |
| Other | Other | | 15,406 | | | 13,802 | | Other | | 14,952 | | | 14,860 | |
| Total other credits | Total other credits | | 438,395 | | | 445,035 | | Total other credits | | 451,745 | | | 447,916 | |
| | Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9) | Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9) | | Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9) | | 0 | | 0 |
| | Total Capitalization and Liabilities | Total Capitalization and Liabilities | | $ | 1,505,751 | | | $ | 1,522,454 | | Total Capitalization and Liabilities | | $ | 1,561,723 | | | $ | 1,560,782 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,MARCH 31, 2021 AND 2020 AND 2019
(Unaudited)
| | | | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| (in thousands) | (in thousands) | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | (in thousands) | | 2021 | | 2020 | |
| Operating Revenues | Operating Revenues | | | | | | | | | Operating Revenues | | | | | |
| Water | Water | | $ | 98,701 | | | $ | 95,249 | | | $ | 257,199 | | | $ | 248,112 | | Water | | $ | 75,029 | | | $ | 71,424 | | |
Electric (Note 12) | | 0 | | | 11,996 | | | 18,647 | | | 30,033 | | |
| Electric (Note 11) | | Electric (Note 11) | | 0 | | | 10,968 | | |
| Total operating revenues | Total operating revenues | | 98,701 | | | 107,245 | | | 275,846 | | | 278,145 | | Total operating revenues | | 75,029 | | | 82,392 | | |
| | Operating Expenses (Note 12) | | | | | | |
| Operating Expenses (Note 11) | | Operating Expenses (Note 11) | | | | | |
| Water purchased | Water purchased | | 23,445 | | | 23,361 | | | 56,291 | | | 55,263 | | Water purchased | | 15,239 | | | 14,092 | | |
| Power purchased for pumping | Power purchased for pumping | | 3,369 | | | 3,042 | | | 7,626 | | | 6,562 | | Power purchased for pumping | | 2,145 | | | 1,859 | | |
| Groundwater production assessment | Groundwater production assessment | | 5,962 | | | 5,634 | | | 15,140 | | | 14,020 | | Groundwater production assessment | | 4,440 | | | 4,148 | | |
| Power purchased for resale | Power purchased for resale | | 0 | | | 2,403 | | | 5,010 | | | 8,498 | | Power purchased for resale | | 0 | | | 3,043 | | |
| Supply cost balancing accounts | Supply cost balancing accounts | | (3,019) | | | (2,680) | | | (6,986) | | | (2,845) | | Supply cost balancing accounts | | (2,920) | | | (2,165) | | |
| Other operation | Other operation | | 6,185 | | | 6,729 | | | 19,185 | | | 19,643 | | Other operation | | 5,813 | | | 6,630 | | |
| Administrative and general | Administrative and general | | 13,610 | | | 15,205 | | | 46,181 | | | 44,977 | | Administrative and general | | 14,435 | | | 16,838 | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | Depreciation and amortization | | 7,835 | | | 8,359 | | | 24,073 | | | 24,354 | | Depreciation and amortization | | 8,062 | | | 8,029 | | |
| Maintenance | Maintenance | | 3,219 | | | 3,423 | | | 9,613 | | | 7,788 | | Maintenance | | 1,740 | | | 3,193 | | |
| Property and other taxes | Property and other taxes | | 4,946 | | | 4,787 | | | 14,297 | | | 13,622 | | Property and other taxes | | 5,016 | | | 4,633 | | |
| Gain on sale of assets | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | (83) | | |
| | Total operating expenses | Total operating expenses | | 65,552 | | | 70,263 | | | 190,430 | | | 191,799 | | Total operating expenses | | 53,970 | | | 60,300 | | |
| | Operating Income (Note 12) | | 33,149 | | | 36,982 | | | 85,416 | | | 86,346 | | |
| Operating Income (Note 11) | | Operating Income (Note 11) | | 21,059 | | | 22,092 | | |
| | Other Income and Expenses | Other Income and Expenses | | | | | | Other Income and Expenses | | | | | |
| Interest expense | Interest expense | | (5,911) | | | (5,986) | | | (16,865) | | | (17,985) | | Interest expense | | (5,798) | | | (5,777) | | |
| Interest income | Interest income | | 105 | | | 546 | | | 604 | | | 1,497 | | Interest income | | 87 | | | 318 | | |
| Other, net | Other, net | | 1,483 | | | 203 | | | 2,329 | | | 2,153 | | Other, net | | 651 | | | (2,203) | | |
| Total other income and expenses, net | Total other income and expenses, net | | (4,323) | | | (5,237) | | | (13,932) | | | (14,335) | | Total other income and expenses, net | | (5,060) | | | (7,662) | | |
| | Income before income tax expense | Income before income tax expense | | 28,826 | | | 31,745 | | | 71,484 | | | 72,011 | | Income before income tax expense | | 15,999 | | | 14,430 | | |
| | Income tax expense | Income tax expense | | 7,683 | | | 8,383 | | | 18,220 | | | 17,329 | | Income tax expense | | 3,768 | | | 3,228 | | |
| | Net Income (Note 12) | | $ | 21,143 | | | $ | 23,362 | | | $ | 53,264 | | | $ | 54,682 | | |
| Net Income (Note 11) | | Net Income (Note 11) | | $ | 12,231 | | | $ | 11,202 | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES
IN COMMON SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
| | | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 |
| | | | Common Shares | | Reinvested | | | | | Common Shares | | Reinvested | | |
| | | | Number | | | | Earnings | | | | | Number | | | | Earnings | | |
| | | | of | | | | in the | | | | | of | | | | in the | | |
| (in thousands, except number of shares) | (in thousands, except number of shares) | | Shares | | Amount | | Business | | Total | (in thousands, except number of shares) | | Shares | | Amount | | Business | | Total |
| Balances at December 31, 2019 | | 165 | | $ | 293,754 | | | $ | 257,434 | | | $ | 551,188 | | |
| Balances at December 31, 2020 | | Balances at December 31, 2020 | | 170 | | $ | 354,906 | | | $ | 228,392 | | | $ | 583,298 | |
| Add: | Add: | | | | | | | | | Add: | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | Net income | | 11,202 | | | 11,202 | | Net income | | 12,231 | | | 12,231 | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | 254 | | | 254 | | Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | 782 | | | 782 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | 46 | | | 46 | | Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | 45 | | | 45 | |
| Deduct: | Deduct: | | | Deduct: | | |
| Dividends on Common Shares | Dividends on Common Shares | | 11,250 | | | 11,250 | | Dividends on Common Shares | | 12,400 | | | 12,400 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | 46 | | | 46 | | Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | 45 | | | 45 | |
| Balances at March 31, 2020 | | 165 | | | $ | 294,054 | | | $ | 257,340 | | | $ | 551,394 | | |
| | Add: | | |
| Net income | | 20,919 | | | 20,919 | | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | 296 | | | 296 | | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | 36 | | | 36 | | |
| Deduct: | | |
| Dividends on Common Shares | | 11,250 | | | 11,250 | | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | 36 | | | 36 | | |
| Balances at June 30, 2020 | | 165 | | | $ | 294,386 | | | $ | 266,973 | | | $ | 561,359 | | |
| | Add: | | |
| Net income | | 21,143 | | | 21,143 | | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | 447 | | | 447 | | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | 40 | | | 40 | | |
| Deduct: | | |
| Distribution of BVESI common shares to AWR parent (Note 12) | | 71,344 | | | 71,344 | | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | 40 | | | 40 | | |
| Balances at September 30, 2020 | | 165 | | $ | 294,873 | | | $ | 216,732 | | | $ | 511,605 | | |
| Balances at March 31, 2021 | | Balances at March 31, 2021 | | 170 | | | $ | 355,733 | | | $ | 228,178 | | | $ | 583,911 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
| | | Common Shares | | Reinvested | | |
| | | Number | | | | Earnings | | |
| | | of | | | | in the | | |
| (in thousands, except number of shares) | | Shares | | Amount | | Business | | Total |
| Balances at December 31, 2019 | | 165 | | $ | 293,754 | | | $ | 257,434 | | | $ | 551,188 | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | 11,202 | | | 11,202 | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | | | 254 | | | | | 254 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | 46 | | | | | 46 | |
| Deduct: | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends on Common Shares | | | | | | 11,250 | | | 11,250 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | | | 46 | | | 46 | |
| Balances at March 31, 2020 | | 165 | | | $ | 294,054 | | | $ | 257,340 | | | $ | 551,394 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES
IN COMMON SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 |
| | | Common Shares | | Reinvested | | |
| | | Number | | | | Earnings | | |
| | | of | | | | in the | | |
| (in thousands, except number of shares) | | Shares | | Amount | | Business | | Total |
| Balances at December 31, 2018 | | 165 | | $ | 292,412 | | | $ | 211,163 | | | $ | 503,575 | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | 9,022 | | | 9,022 | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | | | 572 | | | | | 572 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | 60 | | | | | 60 | |
| Deduct: | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends on Common Shares | | | | | | 10,100 | | | 10,100 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | | | 60 | | | 60 | |
| Balances at March 31, 2019 | | 165 | | | $ | 293,044 | | | $ | 210,025 | | | $ | 503,069 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | 22,298 | | | 22,298 | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | | | 257 | | | | | 257 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | 44 | | | | | 44 | |
| Deduct: | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends on Common Shares | | | | | | 10,100 | | | 10,100 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | | | 44 | | | 44 | |
| Balances at June 30, 2019 | | 165 | | | $ | 293,345 | | | $ | 222,179 | | | $ | 515,524 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Add: | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | 23,362 | | | 23,362 | |
| Stock-based compensation, net of taxes paid from shares withheld from employees related to net share settlements (Note 4) | | | | 268 | | | | | 268 | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | 45 | | | | | 45 | |
| Deduct: | | | | | | | | |
| Dividend equivalent rights on stock-based awards not paid in cash | | | | | | 45 | | | 45 | |
| Balances at September 30, 2019 | | 165 | | $ | 293,658 | | | $ | 245,496 | | | $ | 539,154 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINETHREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,MARCH 31, 2021 AND 2020 AND 2019
(Unaudited)
| | | | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, | | | Three Months Ended
March 31, |
| (in thousands) | (in thousands) | | 2020 | | 2019 | (in thousands) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | | | | | Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | | | | |
| Net income | Net income | | $ | 53,264 | | | $ | 54,682 | | Net income | | $ | 12,231 | | | $ | 11,202 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | Depreciation and amortization | | 24,293 | | | 24,588 | | Depreciation and amortization | | 8,126 | | | 8,111 | |
| Provision for doubtful accounts | Provision for doubtful accounts | | 855 | | | 469 | | Provision for doubtful accounts | | 221 | | | 273 | |
| Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits | Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits | | 1,357 | | | 1,245 | | Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits | | (505) | | | 542 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | Stock-based compensation expense | | 2,375 | | | 2,169 | | Stock-based compensation expense | | 1,790 | | | 1,706 | |
| Gain on sale of property | | 0 | | | (83) | | |
| Gain on investments held in a trust | | (1,266) | | | (2,512) | | |
| | (Gain) loss on investments held in a trust | | (Gain) loss on investments held in a trust | | (628) | | | 2,413 | |
| Other — net | Other — net | | 296 | | | 219 | | Other — net | | 83 | | | 70 | |
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | | Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | |
| Accounts receivable — customers | Accounts receivable — customers | | (14,330) | | | (5,162) | | Accounts receivable — customers | | 6,033 | | | (4,085) | |
| Unbilled receivable | Unbilled receivable | | (3,828) | | | (2,407) | | Unbilled receivable | | 1,525 | | | 1,209 | |
| Other accounts receivable | Other accounts receivable | | (239) | | | 505 | | Other accounts receivable | | 1,463 | | | (31) | |
| Materials and supplies | Materials and supplies | | (2,168) | | | (256) | | Materials and supplies | | (267) | | | (788) | |
| Prepayments and other assets | Prepayments and other assets | | 144 | | | 2,584 | | Prepayments and other assets | | (1,956) | | | (2,246) | |
| Regulatory assets | Regulatory assets | | 582 | | | (19,112) | | Regulatory assets | | (3,165) | | | (2,976) | |
| Accounts payable | Accounts payable | | 3,690 | | | 5,043 | | Accounts payable | | (5,674) | | | (1,427) | |
| Intercompany receivable/payable | Intercompany receivable/payable | | (1,730) | | | (49) | | Intercompany receivable/payable | | 8 | | | (398) | |
| Income taxes receivable/payable from/to Parent | Income taxes receivable/payable from/to Parent | | 7,282 | | | 7,037 | | Income taxes receivable/payable from/to Parent | | (391) | | | 2,686 | |
| Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits | Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits | | 132 | | | 564 | | Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits | | 1,760 | | | 1,306 | |
| Other liabilities | Other liabilities | | 4,384 | | | (568) | | Other liabilities | | 2,145 | | | 376 | |
| Net cash provided | Net cash provided | | 75,093 | | | 68,956 | | Net cash provided | | 22,799 | | | 17,943 | |
| | Cash Flows From Investing Activities: | Cash Flows From Investing Activities: | | | | | Cash Flows From Investing Activities: | | | | |
| Capital expenditures | Capital expenditures | | (87,665) | | | (104,791) | | Capital expenditures | | (31,824) | | | (32,013) | |
| Proceeds from sale of assets | | 0 | | | 83 | | |
| Note receivable from AWR parent | | Note receivable from AWR parent | | (23,000) | | | 0 | |
| Receipt of payment of note receivable from AWR parent | | Receipt of payment of note receivable from AWR parent | | 11,000 | | | 0 | |
| | Other investing activities | Other investing activities | | 136 | | | 279 | | Other investing activities | | 109 | | | 121 | |
| Net cash used | Net cash used | | (87,529) | | | (104,429) | | Net cash used | | (43,715) | | | (31,892) | |
| | Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | | | | | Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | | | | |
| Receipt of advances for and contributions in aid of construction | Receipt of advances for and contributions in aid of construction | | 7,576 | | | 8,260 | | Receipt of advances for and contributions in aid of construction | | 2,013 | | | 3,522 | |
| Refunds on advances for construction | Refunds on advances for construction | | (3,401) | | | (4,679) | | Refunds on advances for construction | | (569) | | | (591) | |
| Retirement or repayments of long-term debt | Retirement or repayments of long-term debt | | (335) | | | (40,325) | | Retirement or repayments of long-term debt | | (99) | | | (92) | |
| Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs | | 159,422 | | | 0 | | |
| | Net change in intercompany borrowings | Net change in intercompany borrowings | | (123,000) | | | 94,000 | | Net change in intercompany borrowings | | 0 | | | 24,000 | |
| Dividends paid | Dividends paid | | (22,500) | | | (20,200) | | Dividends paid | | (12,400) | | | (11,250) | |
| Other financing activities | Other financing activities | | (1,654) | | | (1,317) | | Other financing activities | | (1,155) | | | (1,610) | |
| Net cash provided | | 16,108 | | | 35,739 | | |
| Net cash (used) provided | | Net cash (used) provided | | (12,210) | | | 13,979 | |
| | Net change in cash and cash equivalents | Net change in cash and cash equivalents | | 3,672 | | | 266 | | Net change in cash and cash equivalents | | (33,126) | | | 30 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | 401 | | | 4,187 | | Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | 35,578 | | | 401 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 4,073 | | | $ | 4,453 | | Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 2,452 | | | $ | 431 | |
| | Non-cash transactions: | Non-cash transactions: | | Non-cash transactions: | |
| Accrued payables for investment in utility plant | Accrued payables for investment in utility plant | | $ | 18,656 | | | $ | 25,599 | | Accrued payables for investment in utility plant | | $ | 25,529 | | | $ | 15,748 | |
| Property installed by developers and conveyed | Property installed by developers and conveyed | | $ | 2,861 | | | $ | 1,376 | | Property installed by developers and conveyed | | $ | 2,761 | | | $ | 856 | |
| Transfer of electric segment net assets (net of cash) for BVESI common shares (Note 12) | | $ | 71,324 | | | $ | 0 | | |
| Distribution of BVESI common shares to AWR parent (Note 12) | | $ | 71,344 | | | $ | 0 | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
AND
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations: American States Water Company (“AWR”) is the parent company of Golden State Water Company (“GSWC”), Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc. ("BVESI"), and American States Utility Services, Inc. (“ASUS”) (and its subsidiaries,wholly owned subsidiaries: Fort Bliss Water Services Company (“FBWS”), Terrapin Utility Services, Inc. (“TUS”), Old Dominion Utility Services, Inc. (“ODUS”), Palmetto State Utility Services, Inc. (“PSUS”), Old North Utility Services, Inc. (“ONUS”), Emerald Coast Utility Services, Inc. ("ECUS"), and Fort Riley Utility Services, Inc. ("FRUS")). The subsidiaries of ASUS are collectively referred to as the “Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries.”Subsidiaries”. On July 1, 2020, GSWC completed the transfer of the electric utility assets and liabilities from its electric division to BVESI, a separate legal entity and wholly owned subsidiary of AWR (Note 12)11). This reorganization isdid not expected to result in any substantive changes to AWR's operations and business segments. AWR, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, serves over 1000000 people in 9 states.
GSWC and BVESI are both California public utilities, withutilities. GSWC is engaged in the purchase, production, distribution and sale of water throughout California serving approximately 261,500262,000 customer connections, whileconnections. BVESI distributes electricity in several San Bernardino County mountain communities in California serving approximately 24,500 customer connections. The California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) regulates GSWC’s and BVESI's businesses in matters including properties, rates, services, facilities, and transactions between GSWC, BVESI, and their affiliates.
ASUS, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, operates, maintains and performs construction activities (including renewal and replacement capital work) on water and/or wastewater systems at various U.S. military bases pursuant to initial 50-year firm fixed-price contracts. These contracts are subject to annual economic price adjustments and modifications for changes in circumstances, changes in laws and regulations, and additions to the contract value for new construction of facilities at the military bases.
There is no direct regulatory oversight by the CPUC over AWR or the operations, rates or services provided by ASUS or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries.
Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto are presented in a combined report filed by 2 separate Registrants: AWR and GSWC. References in this report to “Registrant” are to AWR and GSWC, collectively, unless otherwise specified. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified on the statements of cash flows to conform to current year presentation. AWR owns all of the outstanding common shares of GSWC, BVESI and ASUS. ASUS owns all of the outstanding common stock of the Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements of AWR include the accounts of AWR and its subsidiaries. These financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the AWR consolidated financial statements.
The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Registrant, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The December 31, 20192020 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal, recurring items, and estimates necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been made. It is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20192020 filed with the SEC.
Related Party Transactions and Financing Activities: GSWC, BVESI and ASUS provide and/or receive various support services to and from their parent, AWR, and among themselves. GSWC has also allocated certain corporate office administrative and general costs to its affiliates, BVESI and ASUS, using allocation factors approved by the CPUC. GSWC allocated corporate office administrative and general costs to BVESI of approximately $643,000$799,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. GSWC allocated corporate office administrative and general costs to ASUS of approximately $1.2$1.5 million and $1.4 million during each of the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, and approximately $3.8 million and $3.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 respectively.
AWR borrows under a $200.0 million credit facility, which expires in May 2023, and provides funds to GSWC and ASUS in support of their operations. The interest rate charged to GSWC and ASUS is sufficient to cover AWR’s interest expense under the credit facility. In March 2020, AWR amended the credit facility to temporarily increase the borrowing capacity by $35.0 million to $260.0 million until December 31, 2020, at which point the commitment will be reduced to $200.0 million. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, there was $89.0$107.0 million outstanding under this facility. Effective July 1, 2020, BVESI put in place and has access to a 3-year,separate $35 million revolving credit facility.facility, which expires in July 2023. Under the terms of the credit agreement, BVESI has the option to request an increase in the facility by an additional $15 million. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, there was $3.0$22.0 million outstanding under this facility.
On July 8, 2020, GSWC completed the issuance of unsecured private placement notes totaling $160.0 million. In connection with this financing, GSWC issued (i) $85.0 million aggregate principal amount of Series A Senior Notes at a coupon rate of 2.17% due July 8, 2030, and (ii) $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of Series B Senior Notes at a coupon rate of 2.90% due July 8, 2040. Interest on the Notes is payable semiannually. The Notes are unsecured and rank equally with GSWC’s unsecured and unsubordinated debt. GSWC may, at its option, redeem all or portions of the Notes at any time upon written notice, subject to payment of a make-whole premium based on 50 basis points above the applicable treasury yield. Under the terms of the Notes, GSWC may not incur any additional indebtedness or pay any distributions to its parent, AWR, if after giving effect thereto, GSWC would have a total indebtedness to capitalization ratio of more than 0.6667:1.00. In addition, GSWC may not incur any additional indebtedness if, after giving effect thereto, it would have a total indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ratio greater than 8.00:1.00.
GSWC used the proceeds from the new notes to pay down a majority of the intercompany borrowings from AWR parent. AWR used the proceeds received from GSWC to pay down borrowings on its revolving credit facility. Following the issuance of the notes and effective July 15, 2020, AWR reduced the aggregate borrowing capacity of its credit facility to $200.0 million pursuant to the terms of that credit facility agreement.
The CPUC requires GSWC to completely pay down all intercompany borrowings from AWR within a 24-month period. The next 24-month period in which GSWC is required to completely pay down its intercompany borrowings ends in November 2020. As a result, GSWC’s intercompanyis at the end of March 2023 since GSWC had 0 borrowings of $34.1 millionfrom AWR as of September 30,March 31, 2021.
In October 2020, have been classifiedAWR issued an interest bearing promissory note to GSWC, which expires in May 2023. Under the terms of the note, AWR may borrow from GSWC amounts up to $30 million for working capital purposes. AWR agrees to pay any unpaid principal amounts outstanding under this note, plus accrued interest. As of March 31, 2021, there was $12.0 million outstanding under this note reflected as a current liabilitynon-current asset on GSWC’sGSWC's balance sheet.
COVID-19 Impact:
GSWC, BVESI and ASUS have continued their operations given that their water, wastewater, and electric utility services are deemed essential. The Company'sAWR's responses take into account orders issued by the CPUC, and the guidance provided by federal, state, and local health authorities and other government officials to the COVID-19 pandemic.Some of the actions taken by GSWC and BVESI continue to include: (i) suspending at least through April 2021, service disconnections for nonpayment pursuant to CPUC orders;and state orders, and (ii) increasingtelecommuting by employees.In February 2021, the numberCPUC adopted a resolution that extended the existing emergency customer protections previously established by the CPUC through June 30, 2021, including the suspension of employees telecommuting; and (iii) delaying some capital improvement projects atservice disconnections for non-payment by electric utility customers in response to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. For water utilities, the moratorium on service disconnections was implemented in response to an order by the governor of California, which we believe would require another action by the governor to cease the moratorium on service disconnections for our water customers. It is expected that the CPUC will work with the governor’s office to coordinate the lifting of the moratorium for water utility services business. Thus far,customers consistent with the COVID-19electric customers. The CPUC's February resolution did extend the COVID-19-related memorandum accounts established by GSWC and by BVESI to track incremental costs associated with complying with the resolution. In addition, the resolution required utilities in California to file transition plans to address the eventual discontinuance of the emergency customer protections.The goal of the transition plan is to effectively ease customers through a transition off the emergency customer protections by proactively communicating with customers to enroll in programs to manage their utility bills and informing them of the changes to programs in which they are already enrolled. GSWC and BVESI filed their respective transition plans with the CPUC on April 1, 2021.
Initially and throughout 2020, the pandemic has not had a material impact on ASUS's operations.
The pandemic has caused significant volatility on financial markets resulting in significant fluctuations in the fair value of plan assets in GSWC's pension and other retirement plans. Management believes this volatility may continue throughout the pandemic.
DueIn addition, due to expected future credit losses on utility customer bills, Registrant hasGSWC and BVESI have increased itstheir allowance for doubtful accounts as of September 30, 2020. accounts.However, the CPUC has authorized GSWC and BVESI to track incremental costs, including bad debt expense in excess of what is included in their respective revenue requirements, incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in COVID-19-related memorandum accounts, such as a Catastrophic Event Memorandum Account ("CEMA"), to be filed with the CPUC for future recovery.GSWC and BVESI have recorded a total of approximately $1.4$5.7 million in the CEMAthese accounts as regulatory assets, as the Company believesit is believed such amounts are probable of recovery.CEMA and other emergency-type memorandum accounts are established as a result of a state/federal declared emergency, and are therefore recognized as regulatory assets for future recovery. As a result, the amounts recorded in the COVID-19-related memorandum accounts have not impacted GSWC's and BVESI's earnings.GSWC's COVID-19 memorandum account is being addressed in its pending water general rate case, while BVESI intends to include the memorandum account for recovery in its next general rate case application expected to be filed in 2022. Thus far, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had a material impact on ASUS's operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 20202021:
In June 2016,December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and issued further guidance in November 2018 and May 2019 related to the impairment of financial instruments, effective January 1, 2020. The new guidance provides an impairment model, known as the current expected credit loss model, which is based on expected credit losses rather than incurred losses over the remaining life of most financial assets measured at amortized cost, including trade and other receivables. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, Registrant has increased its allowance for
doubtful accounts for utility customer accounts receivable by $871,000 and $1.9 million, respectively, due to Registrant's current estimate of the expected associated economic impact of the COVID pandemic (see Note 10).
Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted in Future Periods
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation-Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. This ASU removes disclosures to pension plans and other retirement plans that no longer are considered cost beneficial, clarifies the specific disclosure requirements and adds disclosure requirements deemed relevant. This ASU is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020 and will be applied by Registrant on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. Registrant does not believe the ASU will have a material impact on the Company's financial statements and disclosures.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740)—Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in this update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions and clarifying certain requirements regarding franchise taxes, goodwill, consolidated tax expenses, and annual effective tax rate calculations. The ASU isadoption of this guidance effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. Registrant doesJanuary 1, 2021 did not believe this ASU will have a material impact on itsRegistrant's financial statements.
Note 2 — Revenues
Most of Registrant's revenues are derived from contracts with customers, including tariff-based revenues from its regulated utilities.utilities at GSWC and BVESI. ASUS's initial 50-year firm fixed-price contracts with the U.S. government are considered service concession arrangements under ASC 853, Service Concession Arrangements. Accordingly, the services under these contracts are accounted for under Topic 606—Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and the water and/or wastewater systems are not recorded as Property, Plant and Equipment on Registrant’s balance sheets.
Although GSWC and BVESI have a diversified base of residential, commercial, industrial, and other customers, revenues derived from residential and commercial customers generally account for approximately 90% of total water and electric revenues. The vast majority of ASUS's revenues are from the U.S. government. For the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, disaggregated revenues from contracts with customers by segment were as follows:
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| (dollar in thousands) | (dollar in thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | (dollar in thousands) | 2021 | | 2020 | |
| Water: | Water: | | | | | | | | Water: | | | | |
| Tariff-based revenues | Tariff-based revenues | $ | 97,036 | | | $ | 89,050 | | | $ | 243,553 | | | $ | 225,501 | | Tariff-based revenues | $ | 74,288 | | | $ | 69,254 | | |
| Surcharges (cost-recovery activities) | Surcharges (cost-recovery activities) | 1,217 | | | 1,900 | | | 2,913 | | | 2,954 | | Surcharges (cost-recovery activities) | 534 | | | 734 | | |
| Other | Other | 569 | | | 555 | | | 1,556 | | | 1,475 | | Other | 517 | | | 495 | | |
| Water revenues from contracts with customers | Water revenues from contracts with customers | 98,822 | | | 91,505 | | | 248,022 | | | 229,930 | | Water revenues from contracts with customers | 75,339 | | | 70,483 | | |
| WRAM (over) under-collection (alternative revenue program) | WRAM (over) under-collection (alternative revenue program) | (121) | | | 3,744 | | | 9,177 | | | 18,182 | | WRAM (over) under-collection (alternative revenue program) | (310) | | | 941 | | |
| Total water revenues | Total water revenues | 98,701 | | | 95,249 | | | 257,199 | | | 248,112 | | Total water revenues | 75,029 | | | 71,424 | | |
| | Electric: | Electric: | | Electric: | | |
| Tariff-based revenues | Tariff-based revenues | 8,531 | | | 9,729 | | | 25,948 | | | 28,693 | | Tariff-based revenues | 11,677 | | | 10,032 | | |
| Surcharges (cost-recovery activities) | Surcharges (cost-recovery activities) | 188 | | | 51 | | | 624 | | | 148 | | Surcharges (cost-recovery activities) | 202 | | | 258 | | |
| Electric revenues from contracts with customers | Electric revenues from contracts with customers | 8,719 | | | 9,780 | | | 26,572 | | | 28,841 | | Electric revenues from contracts with customers | 11,879 | | | 10,290 | | |
| BRRAM (over) under-collection (alternative revenue program) | BRRAM (over) under-collection (alternative revenue program) | (431) | | | 2,216 | | | 363 | | | 1,192 | | BRRAM (over) under-collection (alternative revenue program) | (340) | | | 678 | | |
| Total electric revenues | Total electric revenues | 8,288 | | | 11,996 | | | 26,935 | | | 30,033 | | Total electric revenues | 11,539 | | | 10,968 | | |
| | Contracted services: | Contracted services: | | Contracted services: | | |
| Water | Water | 17,143 | | | 13,797 | | | 45,316 | | | 41,772 | | Water | 18,883 | | | 14,701 | | |
| Wastewater | Wastewater | 9,556 | | | 13,454 | | | 34,593 | | | 40,959 | | Wastewater | 11,609 | | | 11,984 | | |
| Contracted services revenues from contracts with customers | Contracted services revenues from contracts with customers | 26,699 | | | 27,251 | | | 79,909 | | | 82,731 | | Contracted services revenues from contracts with customers | 30,492 | | | 26,685 | | |
| | Total AWR revenues | Total AWR revenues | $ | 133,688 | | | $ | 134,496 | | | $ | 364,043 | | | $ | 360,876 | | Total AWR revenues | $ | 117,060 | | | $ | 109,077 | | |
The opening and closing balances of the receivable from the U.S. government, contract assets, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers, which are related entirely to ASUS, were as follows:
| | (dollar in thousands) | (dollar in thousands) | | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 | (dollar in thousands) | | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
| Unbilled receivables | Unbilled receivables | | $ | 12,955 | | | $ | 10,467 | | Unbilled receivables | | $ | 13,302 | | | $ | 14,924 | |
| Receivable from the U.S. government | Receivable from the U.S. government | | $ | 70,106 | | | $ | 64,819 | | Receivable from the U.S. government | | $ | 75,979 | | | $ | 74,670 | |
| Contract assets | Contract assets | | $ | 10,086 | | | $ | 15,631 | | Contract assets | | $ | 13,726 | | | $ | 10,257 | |
| Contract liabilities | Contract liabilities | | $ | 8,670 | | | $ | 11,167 | | Contract liabilities | | $ | 1,049 | | | $ | 1,800 | |
Contract Assets - Contract assets are those of ASUS and consist of unbilled revenues recognized from work-in-progress construction projects, where the right to payment is conditional on something other than the passage of time. The classification of this asset as current or noncurrent is based on the timing of when ASUS expects to bill these amounts.
Contract Liabilities - Contract liabilities are those of ASUS and consist of billings in excess of revenue recognized. The classification of this liability as current or noncurrent is based on the timing of when ASUS expects to recognize revenue.
Revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, which were included in contract liabilities at the beginning of the period were $7.1 million and $10.9 million, respectively.$838,000. Contracted services revenues recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods were not material.
As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, Registrant's aggregate remaining performance obligations, which are entirely for the contracted services segment, were $3.2 billion. Registrant expects to recognize revenue on these remaining performance obligations over the remaining term of each of the 50-year contracts, which range from 34 to 4847 years. Each of the contracts with the U.S. government is subject to termination, in whole or in part, prior to the end of its 50-year term for convenience of the U.S. government.
Note 3 — Regulatory Matters
In accordance with accounting principles for rate-regulated enterprises, GSWC and BVESI record regulatory assets, which represent probable future recovery of costs from customers through the ratemaking process, and regulatory liabilities, which represent probable future refunds that are to be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. At September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, GSWC and BVESI had approximately $44.9$22.9 million of regulatory liabilities, net of regulatory assets, not accruing carrying costs. Of this amount, (i) $78.8$78.0 million of regulatory liabilities are excess deferred income taxes arising from the lower federal income tax rate due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act") enacted in December 2017 that are expected to be refunded to customers, (ii) $11.5$9.7 million of regulatory liabilities are from flowed-through deferred income taxes, (iii) $41.7$65.4 million of net regulatory assets relates to the underfunded position in GSWC's pension and other retirement obligations (not including the two-way pension balancing accounts), and (iv) a $2.5$1.2 million regulatory asset relatesliability related to a memorandum account authorized by the CPUC to track unrealized gains and losses on BVESI's purchase power contracts over the term of the contracts. The remainder of regulatory assets relates to other items that do not provide for or incur carrying costs.
Regulatory assets represent costs incurred by GSWC andand/or BVESI for which either hasthey have received or expectsexpect to receive rate recovery in the future. In determining the probability of costs being recognized in other periods, GSWC and BVESI consider regulatory rules and decisions, past practices, and other facts or circumstances that would indicate if recovery is probable. If the CPUC determines that a portion of either GSWC’s or BVESI's assets are not recoverable in customer rates, the applicable entityutility must determine if it has suffered an asset impairment that requires it to write down the asset's value. Regulatory assets are offset against regulatory liabilities within each ratemaking area. Amounts expected to be collected or refunded in the next twelve months have been classified as current assets and current liabilities by ratemaking area. Regulatory assets, less regulatory liabilities, included in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
| | (dollars in thousands) | (dollars in thousands) | | September 30,
2020 | | December 31,
2019 | (dollars in thousands) | | March 31,
2021 | | December 31,
2020 |
| GSWC | GSWC | | | | | GSWC | | | | |
| Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism and Modified Cost Balancing Account | Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism and Modified Cost Balancing Account | | $ | 24,904 | | | $ | 22,535 | | Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism and Modified Cost Balancing Account | | $ | 16,580 | | | $ | 13,741 | |
| Costs deferred for future recovery on Aerojet case | Costs deferred for future recovery on Aerojet case | | 7,169 | | | 8,292 | | Costs deferred for future recovery on Aerojet case | | 6,544 | | | 6,751 | |
| Pensions and other post-retirement obligations (Note 8) | Pensions and other post-retirement obligations (Note 8) | | 40,606 | | | 40,693 | | Pensions and other post-retirement obligations (Note 8) | | 64,693 | | | 65,576 | |
| Derivative unrealized loss (Note 5) | | 0 | | | 3,171 | | |
| General rate case memorandum accounts | | 218 | | | 4,820 | | |
| COVID-19 memorandum accounts | | COVID-19 memorandum accounts | | 5,140 | | | 4,119 | |
| Excess deferred income taxes | Excess deferred income taxes | | (74,597) | | | (79,886) | | Excess deferred income taxes | | (73,926) | | | (74,185) | |
| Flow-through taxes, net | Flow-through taxes, net | | (10,809) | | | (12,439) | | Flow-through taxes, net | | (9,013) | | | (9,722) | |
| Other regulatory assets | Other regulatory assets | | 12,227 | | | 18,842 | | Other regulatory assets | | 10,739 | | | 10,670 | |
| Various refunds to customers | Various refunds to customers | | (3,620) | | | (8,478) | | Various refunds to customers | | (4,527) | | | (4,577) | |
| Total GSWC | Total GSWC | | $ | (3,902) | | | $ | (2,450) | | Total GSWC | | $ | 16,230 | | | $ | 12,373 | |
| BVESI | BVESI | | | | | BVESI | | | | |
| Derivative unrealized loss (Note 5) | | 2,518 | | 0 | | |
| Derivative unrealized (gain) loss (Note 5) | | Derivative unrealized (gain) loss (Note 5) | | (1,224) | | 1,537 |
| Other regulatory assets | Other regulatory assets | | 171 | | 0 | | Other regulatory assets | | 3,257 | | 2,629 |
| Total AWR | Total AWR | | $ | (1,213) | | | $ | (2,450) | | Total AWR | | $ | 18,263 | | | $ | 16,539 | |
Regulatory matters are discussed in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20192020 filed with the SEC. The discussion below focuses on significant matters and developments since December 31, 2019.2020.
Alternative-Revenue Programs:
GSWC records the difference between what it bills its water customers and that which is authorized by the CPUC using the Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism ("WRAM") and the Modified Cost Balancing Account (“MCBA”) accounts approved by the CPUC. The over- or under-collection of the WRAM is aggregated with the MCBA over- or under-collection for the
corresponding ratemaking area and bears interest at the current 90-day commercial paper rate. On August 27, 2020, the CPUC issued a final decision in the first phase
Table of the CPUC’s Order Instituting Rulemaking evaluating the low income ratepayer assistance and affordability objectives contained in the CPUC’s 2010 Water Action Plan, which also addressed other issues including matters associated with the continued use of the WRAM by California water utilities. The final decision also addressed the continued use of the MCBA, which is a full-cost balancing account used to track the difference between adopted and actual water supply costs (including the effects of changes in both rates and volume). Based on the final decision, any general rate case application filed by GSWC and the other California water utilities after the August 27, 2020 effective date of this decision, may not include a proposal to continue the use of the WRAM or MCBA, but may instead include a proposal to use a limited price adjustment mechanism (the Monterey-Style WRAM) and an incremental supply cost balancing account. On or prior to October 5, 2020, GSWC, other California water utilities, and the California Water Association filed separate applications for rehearing on this matter. At this time, management cannot predict the outcome of this matter.Contents As required by the accounting guidance for alternative revenue programs, GSWC is required to collect its WRAM balances, net of its MCBA, within 24 months following the year in which an under-collection is recorded in order to recognize such amounts as revenue. The recovery periods for the majority of GSWC's WRAM/MCBA balances are primarily within 12 to 24 months. In February 2020, GSWC has filed with the CPUC for recovery of the 2019its 2020 WRAM/MCBA balances. Accordingly, GSWC implemented surcharges to recover all of its WRAM/MCBA balances as of December 31, 2019. For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, surcharges (net of surcredits) of approximately $4.4$1.9 million and $5.5$2.2 million, respectively, were billed to customers to recover previously incurred under-collections in the WRAM/MCBA accounts. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, surcharges (net of surcredits) of approximately $10.5 million and $9.1 million, respectively, were billed to customers to recover previously incurrednet under-collections in the WRAM/MCBA accounts. During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, GSWC recorded additional net under-collections in the WRAM/MCBA accounts of approximately $12.8$4.7 million due primarily to lower-than-adopted water usage, as well as higher-than-adopted supply costs currently in billed customer rates. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, GSWC had an aggregated regulatory asset of $24.9$16.6 million, which is comprised of a $10.3$1.4 million under-collection in the WRAM accounts and a $14.6$15.1 million under-collection in the MCBA accounts.
Catastrophic EventCOVID-19 Memorandum Account:Accounts:
The CPUC has approved GSWC's and BVESI's requests to activate COVID-19-related memorandum accounts, such as a Catastrophic Event Memorandum Account ("CEMA"), for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company's response to the pandemic has included suspending service disconnections for nonpayment.nonpayment, which has significantly increased the amount of delinquent customer accounts receivable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Costs incurred by GSWC and BVESI in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including bad debt expense in excess of what is included in their respective revenue requirements, are being included in the CEMACOVID-19-related memorandum accounts for future recovery. As of September 30, 2020, $1.4March 31, 2021, a total of $5.7 million in COVID-19 related incremental costs have been recorded as regulatory assets as GSWC and BVESI believe their respective costs are probable of recovery. GSWC's COVID-19 memorandum account is being addressed in its pending water general rate case, while BVESI intends to include the memorandum account for recovery in its next general rate case application expected to be filed in 2022.
Cost of Capital Proceeding:Other Regulatory Assets:
In March 2018,Other regulatory assets represent costs incurred by GSWC or BVESI for which it has received or expects to receive rate recovery in the future. These regulatory assets are supported by regulatory rules and decisions, past practices, and other facts or circumstances that indicate recovery is probable. If the CPUC determines that a portion of either GSWC’s or BVESI's assets are not recoverable in customer rates, the applicable entity must determine if it has suffered an asset impairment that requires it to write down the asset's value.
BVESI Other CEMA Regulatory Asset: BVESI activated a CEMA account to track the incremental costs incurred in response to a severe winter storm that occurred in February 2019 and which resulted in the declaration of an emergency by the governor of California. Incremental costs of $455,000 were included in the CEMA account and recorded as a regulatory asset. BVESI subsequently filed for recovery of these costs. In April 2021, the administrative law judge issued a finalproposed decision denying BVESI’s request for recovery, claiming that BVESI did not adequately demonstrate that the costs incurred were incremental and beyond costs already included in BVESI’s revenue requirement. The proposed decision does permit BVESI to file a new application on the issue of incrementality should it wish to continue pursuing recovery. BVESI did file a response to the proposed decision supporting BVESI's position. BVESI believes the storm costs were incremental and beyond what was included in its revenue requirement, and therefore, will plan on filing a new application to continue pursuing recovery. As a result, the costs in this CEMA account remain as a regulatory asset at March 31, 2021 as the Company continues to believe the incremental costs were properly tracked and included in the cost of capital proceedingCEMA account consistent with the CPUC's well-established past practices. The CPUC allows CEMA accounts to be established following a state/federal declared emergency, and are therefore recognized as regulatory assets for GSWC and 3 other water utilities serving Californiafuture recovery. However, if BVESI does not ultimately prevail in obtaining recovery, it will result in a charge to earnings for the years 2018 – 2020. Among other things,write-off of this CEMA regulatory asset totaling $455,000. Although BVESI believes it has provided the necessary evidence to support recovery of its requested incremental CEMA costs, at this time, management cannot predict the final decision adopted for GSWC's water segment a return on equityoutcome of 8.90%, with a return on rate base of 7.91%.this matter.
Investor-owned water utilities serving California are required to file their cost of capital applications on a triennial basis, with the next scheduled filing required to have taken place on May 1, 2020 and to be effective for the years 2021 – 2023. In January 2020, GSWC, along with the 3 other water utilities, requested an extension of the date by which each of them must file its 2020 cost of capital application. In March 2020, the CPUC approved the request, postponing the filing date by one year until May 1, 2021, with a corresponding effective date of January 1, 2022. GSWC’s current authorized rate of return on rate base of 7.91%, based on its weighted cost of capital, will continue in effect through December 31, 2021.
Note 4 — Earnings per Share/Capital Stock
In accordance with the accounting guidance for participating securities and earnings per share (“EPS”), Registrant uses the “two-class” method of computing EPS. The “two-class” method is an earnings allocation formula that determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating security. AWR has participating securities related to restricted stock units that earn dividend equivalents on an equal basis with AWR’s Common Shares, and that have been issued under AWR's stock incentive plans for employees and the non-employee directors stock plans. In applying the “two-class” method, undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and participating securities.
The following is a reconciliation of Registrant’s net income and weighted average Common Shares outstanding used for calculating basic net income per share:
| | Basic: | Basic: | | For The Three Months Ended September 30, | | For The Nine Months Ended September 30, | Basic: | | For The Three Months Ended March 31, |
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) | (in thousands, except per share amounts) | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | (in thousands, except per share amounts) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| Net income | Net income | | $ | 26,530 | | | $ | 28,006 | | | $ | 66,214 | | | $ | 67,642 | | Net income | | $ | 19,268 | | | $ | 14,072 | |
| Less: (a) Distributed earnings to common shareholders | Less: (a) Distributed earnings to common shareholders | | 12,356 | | | 11,234 | | | 34,848 | | | 31,466 | | Less: (a) Distributed earnings to common shareholders | | 12,361 | | | 11,242 | |
| Distributed earnings to participating securities | Distributed earnings to participating securities | | 43 | | | 50 | | | 116 | | | 137 | | Distributed earnings to participating securities | | 37 | | | 37 | |
| Undistributed earnings | Undistributed earnings | | 14,131 | | | 16,722 | | | 31,250 | | | 36,039 | | Undistributed earnings | | 6,870 | | | 2,793 | |
| | (b) Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders | (b) Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders | | 14,083 | | | 16,647 | | | 31,146 | | | 35,882 | | (b) Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders | | 6,850 | | | 2,784 | |
| Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities | Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities | | 48 | | | 75 | | | 104 | | | 157 | | Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities | | 20 | | | 9 | |
| | Total income available to common shareholders, basic (a)+(b) | Total income available to common shareholders, basic (a)+(b) | | $ | 26,439 | | | $ | 27,881 | | | $ | 65,994 | | | $ | 67,348 | | Total income available to common shareholders, basic (a)+(b) | | $ | 19,211 | | | $ | 14,026 | |
| | Weighted average Common Shares outstanding, basic | Weighted average Common Shares outstanding, basic | | 36,886 | | | 36,835 | | | 36,877 | | | 36,804 | | Weighted average Common Shares outstanding, basic | | 36,898 | | | 36,860 | |
| | Basic earnings per Common Share | Basic earnings per Common Share | | $ | 0.72 | | | $ | 0.76 | | | $ | 1.79 | | | $ | 1.83 | | Basic earnings per Common Share | | $ | 0.52 | | | $ | 0.38 | |
Diluted EPS is based upon the weighted average number of Common Shares, including both outstanding shares and shares potentially issuable in connection with stock options and restricted stock units granted under AWR’s stock incentive plans for employees and the non-employee directors stock plans, and net income. There were 0 options outstanding as of September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020 and there were 8,556 options outstanding as of September 30, 2019 under these plans. At September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, there were also 127,234120,973 and 165,783129,637 restricted stock units outstanding, respectively, including performance shares awarded to officers of the Registrant.
The following is a reconciliation of Registrant’s net income and weighted average Common Shares outstanding for calculating diluted net income per share:
| | Diluted: | Diluted: | | For The Three Months Ended September 30, | | For The Nine Months Ended September 30, | Diluted: | | For The Three Months Ended March 31, |
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) | (in thousands, except per share amounts) | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | (in thousands, except per share amounts) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| Common shareholders earnings, basic | Common shareholders earnings, basic | | $ | 26,439 | | | $ | 27,881 | | | $ | 65,994 | | | $ | 67,348 | | Common shareholders earnings, basic | | $ | 19,211 | | | $ | 14,026 | |
| Undistributed earnings for dilutive stock-based awards | Undistributed earnings for dilutive stock-based awards | | 48 | | | 75 | | | 104 | | | 157 | | Undistributed earnings for dilutive stock-based awards | | 20 | | | 9 | |
| Total common shareholders earnings, diluted | Total common shareholders earnings, diluted | | $ | 26,487 | | | $ | 27,956 | | | $ | 66,098 | | | $ | 67,505 | | Total common shareholders earnings, diluted | | $ | 19,231 | | | $ | 14,035 | |
| | Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic | Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic | | 36,886 | | | 36,835 | | | 36,877 | | | 36,804 | | Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic | | 36,898 | | | 36,860 | |
| Stock-based compensation (1) | Stock-based compensation (1) | | 116 | | | 161 | | | 113 | | | 156 | | Stock-based compensation (1) | | 95 | | | 109 | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted | Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted | | 37,002 | | | 36,996 | | | 36,990 | | | 36,960 | | Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted | | 36,993 | | | 36,969 | |
| | Diluted earnings per Common Share | Diluted earnings per Common Share | | $ | 0.72 | | | $ | 0.76 | | | $ | 1.79 | | | $ | 1.83 | | Diluted earnings per Common Share | | $ | 0.52 | | | $ | 0.38 | |
(1) In applying the treasury stock method of reflecting the dilutive effect of outstanding stock-based compensation in the calculation of diluted EPS, 8,556 stock options at September 30, 2019, respectively, were deemed to be outstanding in accordance with accounting guidance on earnings per share. All of the 127,234120,973 and 165,783129,637 restricted stock units at September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, respectively, were included in the calculation of diluted EPS for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and 2019.2020.
There were 0 stock options outstanding at either September 30, 2020 or September 30, 2019 that were anti-dilutive.
During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019,March 31, 2021, AWR issued 42,447 and 81,45923,914 related to restricted stock units. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, AWR issued 37,157 common shares related to stock options and restricted stock units and stock options for approximately $30,000 and $416,000, respectively,$30,000, under Registrant’s stock incentive plans for employees.
During the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, AWR paid $1.9$1.3 million and $1.6$1.8 million, respectively, to taxing authorities on employees' behalf for shares withheld related to net share settlements. During the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, GSWC paid $1.7$1.2 million and $1.3$1.6 million, respectively, to taxing authorities on employees' behalf for
shares withheld related to net share settlements. These payments are included in the stock-based compensation caption of the statements of equity.
During the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, AWR paid quarterly dividends of approximately $12.4 million, or $0.335 per share, and $11.2 million, or $0.305 per share, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, AWR paid quarterly dividends of approximately $34.8 million, or $0.945 per share, and $31.5 million, or $0.855 per share, respectively.
During the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, GSWC did not pay a dividend to AWR. Instead, ASUS paid dividends of $12.4 million and $12.3$11.3 million, respectively, to AWR during these periods. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, GSWC paid dividends of $22.5 million and $20.2 million, respectively, to AWR.
Note 5 — Derivative Instruments
BVESI purchases power under long-term contracts at a fixed cost depending on the amount of power and the period during which the power is purchased under such contracts. These contracts provide power at a fixed cost over approximately three- and five-year terms depending on the amount of power and period during which the power is purchased under the contracts.
These purchase power contracts are subject to the accounting guidance for derivatives and require mark-to-market derivative accounting. Among other things, the CPUC authorized the use of a regulatory asset and liability memorandum account to offset the mark-to-market entries required by the accounting guidance. Accordingly, all unrealized gains and losses generated from the purchased power contracts are deferred on a monthly basis into a non-interest bearing regulatory memorandum account that tracks the changes in fair value of the derivative throughout the terms of the contracts. As a result, these unrealized gains and losses did not impact Registrant’sAWR’s earnings. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, there was a $2.5$1.2 million unrealized lossgain recorded as a regulatory assetliability in the memorandum account for the purchased power contracts. The notional volume of derivatives remaining under these long-term contracts as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 was 528,442445,573 megawatt hours.
The accounting guidance for fair value measurements applies to all financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured and reported on a fair value basis. Under the accounting guidance, BVESI has made fair value measurements that are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; or
Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).
To value the contracts, Registrant utilizes various inputs that include quoted market prices for energy over the duration of the contracts. The market prices used to determine the fair value for this derivative instrument were estimated based on independent sources such as broker quotes and publications that are not observable in or corroborated by the market. When such inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value, the instruments are categorized as Level 3. Accordingly, the valuation of the derivatives on Registrant’s purchased power contract has been classified as Level 3 for all periods presented.
The following table presents changes in the fair value of the Level 3 derivatives for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and 2019:2020. The change in fair value was due to an increase in energy prices during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
| | | For The Three Months Ended September 30, | | For The Nine Months Ended September 30, | | For The Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| (dollars in thousands) | (dollars in thousands) | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | (dollars in thousands) | | 2021 | | 2020 | |
| Fair value at beginning of the period | Fair value at beginning of the period | | $ | (3,827) | | | $ | (267) | | | $ | (3,171) | | | $ | (311) | | Fair value at beginning of the period | | $ | (1,537) | | | $ | (3,171) | | |
| Unrealized gains (losses) on purchased power contracts | Unrealized gains (losses) on purchased power contracts | | 1,309 | | | (2,755) | | | 653 | | | (2,711) | | Unrealized gains (losses) on purchased power contracts | | 2,761 | | | (1,109) | | |
| Fair value at end of the period | Fair value at end of the period | | $ | (2,518) | | | $ | (3,022) | | | $ | (2,518) | | | $ | (3,022) | | Fair value at end of the period | | $ | 1,224 | | | $ | (4,280) | | |
Note 6 — Fair Value of Financial Instruments
For cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt, the carrying amount is assumed to approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these items.
Investments held in a Rabbi Trust for the supplemental executive retirement plan ("SERP") are measured at fair value and totaled $22.8$26.5 million as of September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. All equity investments in the Rabbi Trust are Level 1 investments in mutual funds. The investments held in the Rabbi Trust are included in "Other Property and Investments" on Registrant's balance sheets.
The table below estimates the fair value of long-term debt held by GSWC. The fair values as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 20192020 were determined using rates for similar financial instruments of the same duration utilizing Level 2 methods and assumptions. Changes in the assumptions will produce different results.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
| (dollars in thousands) | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value |
| Financial liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt—GSWC (1) | | $ | 444,349 | | | $ | 546,363 | | | $ | 284,699 | | | $ | 376,467 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
| (dollars in thousands) | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value |
| Financial liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt—GSWC (1) | | $ | 444,172 | | | $ | 519,888 | | | $ | 444,271 | | | $ | 559,752 | |
___________________
(1) Excludes debt issuance costs and redemption premiums.
Note 7 — Income Taxes
AWR's effective income tax rate (“ETR”) was 25.4%23.5% and 25.1%21.7% for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, respectively, and was 24.3% and 23.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. GSWC's ETR was 26.7%23.6% and 26.4%22.4% for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, respectively, and was 25.5% and 24.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The AWR and GSWC effective tax rates differdiffered from the federal corporate statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to (i) state taxes; (ii) permanent differences, including the excess tax benefits from share-based payments, which were reflected in the income statements and resulted in a reduction to income tax expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and 2019;2020; (iii) the continuingongoing amortization of the excess deferred income tax liability that commenced upon the lowering of the federal tax rate;liability; and (iv) differences between book and taxable income that are treated as flow-through adjustments in accordance with regulatory requirements (principally from plant, rate-case, and compensation expenses)related items). As a regulated utility, GSWC treats certain temporary differences as flow-through in computing its income tax expense consistent with the income tax method used in its CPUC-jurisdiction ratemaking. Flow-through items either increase or decrease tax expense and thus impact the ETR.
Note 8 — Employee Benefit Plans
The components of net periodic benefit costs for Registrant’s pension plan, postretirement medical benefit plan, and SERP for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
| | | For The Three Months Ended September 30, | | For The Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | Pension Benefits | | Other
Postretirement
Benefits | | SERP | | | Pension Benefits | | Other
Postretirement
Benefits | | SERP |
| (dollars in thousands) | (dollars in thousands) | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | (dollars in thousands) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost: | Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost: | | | | | | | | | | | | | Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Service cost | Service cost | | $ | 1,390 | | | $ | 1,110 | | | $ | 35 | | | $ | 53 | | | $ | 244 | | | $ | 298 | | Service cost | | $ | 1,625 | | | $ | 1,408 | | | $ | 40 | | | $ | 47 | | | $ | 348 | | | $ | 244 | |
| Interest cost | Interest cost | | 1,970 | | | 2,132 | | | 44 | | | 80 | | | 247 | | | 267 | | Interest cost | | 1,712 | | | 1,954 | | | 31 | | | 56 | | | 229 | | | 247 | |
| Expected return on plan assets | Expected return on plan assets | | (2,950) | | | (2,594) | | | (130) | | | (112) | | | 0 | | | 0 | | Expected return on plan assets | | (3,134) | | | (2,950) | | | (134) | | | (127) | | | 0 | | | 0 | |
| Amortization of prior service cost | Amortization of prior service cost | | 109 | | | 109 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | Amortization of prior service cost | | 109 | | | 109 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | |
| Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss | Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss | | 484 | | | 355 | | | (334) | | | (150) | | | 211 | | | 118 | | Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss | | 993 | | | 442 | | | (287) | | | (199) | | | 419 | | | 211 | |
| Net periodic benefits costs under accounting standards | Net periodic benefits costs under accounting standards | | 1,003 | | | 1,112 | | | (385) | | | (129) | | | 702 | | | 683 | | Net periodic benefits costs under accounting standards | | 1,305 | | | 963 | | | (350) | | | (223) | | | 996 | | | 702 | |
| Regulatory adjustment - deferred | Regulatory adjustment - deferred | | (121) | | | (160) | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | Regulatory adjustment - deferred | | (351) | | | (93) | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | |
| Total expense (benefit) recognized, before surcharges and allocation to overhead pool | Total expense (benefit) recognized, before surcharges and allocation to overhead pool | | $ | 882 | | | $ | 952 | | | $ | (385) | | | $ | (129) | | | $ | 702 | | | $ | 683 | | Total expense (benefit) recognized, before surcharges and allocation to overhead pool | | $ | 954 | | | $ | 870 | | | $ | (350) | | | $ | (223) | | | $ | 996 | | | $ | 702 | |
| | | For The Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | | | Pension Benefits | | Other
Postretirement
Benefits | | SERP | |
| (dollars in thousands) | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | |
| Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Service cost | | $ | 4,170 | | | $ | 3,330 | | | $ | 129 | | | $ | 159 | | | $ | 732 | | | $ | 894 | | |
| Interest cost | | 5,910 | | | 6,396 | | | 156 | | | 240 | | | 741 | | | 801 | | |
| Expected return on plan assets | | (8,850) | | | (7,782) | | | (384) | | | (336) | | | 0 | | | 0 | | |
| Amortization of prior service cost | | 327 | | | 327 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | |
| Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss | | 1,452 | | | 1,065 | | | (732) | | | (450) | | | 633 | | | 354 | | |
| Net periodic benefits costs under accounting standards | | 3,009 | | | 3,336 | | | (831) | | | (387) | | | 2,106 | | | 2,049 | | |
| Regulatory adjustment - deferred | | (362) | | | (502) | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | |
| Total expense (benefit) recognized, before surcharges and allocation to overhead pool | | $ | 2,647 | | | $ | 2,834 | | | $ | (831) | | | $ | (387) | | | $ | 2,106 | | | $ | 2,049 | | |
|
DuringFor the nine months ended September 30,pension plan obligation, Registrant used a discount rate of 2.55% as of December 31, 2020 to determine the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) of $272.8 million. Discount rates as of March 31, 2021 are approximately 65-basis points higher than those used as of December 31, 2020 based on recent changes in market interest-rate conditions. A 65-basis point increase in the assumed discount rate would have decreased the PBO as of December 31, 2020 by approximately 10% or $27.3 million. In 2021, Registrant contributedexpects to contribute approximately $3.7$3.6 million to its pension plan.
As authorized by the CPUC in the water and electric general rate case decisions, GSWC and BVESI each utilize two-way balancing accounts for each of their ratemaking areas, as applicable, to track differences between the forecasted annual pension expenses in rates, or expected to be in rates, and the actual annual expense recorded in accordance with the accounting guidance for pension costs. During the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, GSWC's actual pension expense was higher than the amounts included in water customer rates by $121,000$351,000 and $362,000, respectively. During the three and nine ended September 30, 2019, GSWC's actual pension expense was higher than the amounts included in water customer rates by $160,000 and $502,000,$93,000, respectively. BVESI's actual expense was lower than the amounts included in electric customer rates for all periods presented. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, GSWC and BVESI had net over-collections in thetheir two-way pension balancing accounts of $1.1 million$665,000 and $166,000,$256,000, respectively, included as part of the regulatory assets and liabilities (Note 3).
Note 9 — Contingencies
Environmental Clean-Up and Remediation:
GSWC has been involved in environmental remediation and cleanup at aone of its plant site ("Chadron Plant")sites that contained an underground storage tank which was used to store gasoline for its vehicles. This tank was removed from the ground in July 1990 along with the dispenser and ancillary piping. Since then, GSWC has been involved in various remediation activities at this site. Analysis indicates that off-site monitoring wells may be necessary to document effectiveness of remediation.
As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the total amount spent to clean up and remediate GSWC’s plant facility was approximately $6.3$6.4 million, of which $1.5 million has been paid by the State of California Underground Storage Tank Fund. Amounts paid by GSWC have been included in rate base and approved by the CPUC for recovery. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, GSWC has a regulatory asset and an accrued liability for the estimated additional cost of $1.3 million to complete the cleanup at the site. The estimate includes costs for two years of continued activities of groundwater cleanup and monitoring, future soil treatment and site-closure-related activities. The ultimate cost may vary as there are many unknowns in remediation of underground gasoline spills and this is an estimate based on currently available information. Management also believes it is probable that the estimated additional costs will be approved in rate base by the CPUC.
Other Litigation:
Registrant is also subject to other ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business, some of which may include claims for compensatory and punitive damages. Management believes that rate recovery, proper insurance coverage and reserves are in place to insure against, among other things, property, general liability, employment, and workers’ compensation claims incurred in the ordinary course of business. Insurance coverage may not cover certain claims involving punitive damages; however,damages. Registrant does not believe the outcome from any pending suits or administrative proceedings will have a material effect on Registrant's consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
Note 10 — Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Registrant adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, effective January 1, 2020. The guidance requires estimated credit losses on financial instruments, such as Registrant's trade and other receivables, be based on expected credit losses rather than incurred losses.
Registrant's allowance for doubtful accounts as of September 30, 2020 was developed based on the observed effects of the economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic on GSWC's and BVESI's aging of utility customer accounts receivable, as well as economic data such as unemployment rates and other considerations that may impact customers' ability to pay their bills. Management also took into consideration the impact of the CPUC's order to suspend, through April 2021, service disconnections for nonpayment, which is expected to have the effect of increasing delinquent customer accounts receivable during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the CPUC has authorized GSWC and BVESI to track incremental costs, including bad debt expense in excess of what is included in their respective revenue requirements, incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in CEMA accounts to be filed with the CPUC for future recovery. Other accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts due from third parties (non-utility customers) for various reasons, including amounts due from contractors, amounts due under settlement agreements, and amounts due from other third-party prime government contractors pursuant to agreements for construction of water and/or wastewater facilities for such third-party prime contractors. Thus far, the COVID-19 pandemic has not materially impacted the collectability of these other accounts receivable.
The table below presents Registrant’s provision for doubtful accounts charged to expense and accounts written off, net of recoveries.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 |
| (dollars in thousands) | | AWR | | GSWC | | AWR | | GSWC |
| Balances at beginning of the period | | $ | 1,662 | | | $ | 1,662 | | | $ | 916 | | | $ | 916 | |
| Increase to provision | | 871 | | | 801 | | | 1,937 | | | 1,867 | |
| Balance transfer to BVESI (Note 12) | | 0 | | | (79) | | | 0 | | | (79) | |
| Accounts written off, net of recoveries | | (80) | | | (67) | | | (400) | | | (387) | |
| Balances at end of the period | | $ | 2,453 | | | $ | 2,317 | | | $ | 2,453 | | | $ | 2,317 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for doubtful accounts related to accounts receivable-customer | | $ | 2,400 | | | $ | 2,264 | | | $ | 2,400 | | | $ | 2,264 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for doubtful accounts related to other accounts receivable | | 53 | | | 53 | | | 53 | | | 53 | |
| Total allowance for doubtful accounts | | $ | 2,453 | | | $ | 2,317 | | | $ | 2,453 | | | $ | 2,317 | |
Note 1110 — Business Segments
AWR has 3 reportable segments: water, electric and contracted services. Prior to July 1, 2020, GSWC had 2 segments, water and electric. On July 1, 2020, GSWC completed the transfer of the electric utility assets and liabilities from its electric division to BVESI, a separate legal entity and now a wholly owned subsidiary of AWR.AWR (Note 11). On a stand-alone basis, AWR has no material assets other than its equity investments in its subsidiaries, and note receivables therefrom,payables to its subsidiaries and deferred taxes.
All activities of GSWC and BVESI are geographically located within California. Activities of ASUS and its subsidiaries are conducted in California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Each of ASUS’s wholly owned subsidiaries is regulated, if applicable, by the state in which the subsidiary primarily conducts water and/or wastewater operations. Fees charged for operations and maintenance and renewal and replacement services are based upon the terms of the contracts with the U.S. government, which have been filed, as appropriate, with the commissions in the states in which ASUS’s subsidiaries are incorporated.
The tables below set forth information relating to AWR’s operating segments and AWR Parent. Total assets by segment are not presented below, as certain of Registrant’s assets are not tracked by segment. The utility plant amounts are net of respective accumulated provisions for depreciation. Capital additions reflect capital expenditures paid in cash, excluding U.S. government- and third-party contractor-funded capital expenditures for ASUS and property installed by developers and conveyed to GSWC or BVESI.
| | | | | As Of And For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | | | As Of And For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 |
| | | | | | Contracted | | AWR | | Consolidated | | | | | Contracted | | AWR | | Consolidated |
| (dollars in thousands) | (dollars in thousands) | | Water | | Electric | | Services | | Parent | | AWR | (dollars in thousands) | | Water | | Electric | | Services | | Parent | | AWR |
| Operating revenues | Operating revenues | | $ | 98,701 | | | $ | 8,288 | | | $ | 26,699 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 133,688 | | Operating revenues | | $ | 75,029 | | | $ | 11,539 | | | $ | 30,492 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 117,060 | |
| Operating income (loss) | Operating income (loss) | | 33,149 | | | 1,865 | | | 4,794 | | | (1) | | | 39,807 | | Operating income (loss) | | 21,059 | | | 3,448 | | | 5,824 | | | (2) | | | 30,329 | |
| Interest expense, net | Interest expense, net | | 5,806 | | | 54 | | | (74) | | | 59 | | | 5,845 | | Interest expense, net | | 5,711 | | | 86 | | | (229) | | | 235 | | | 5,803 | |
| Net property, plant and equipment | Net property, plant and equipment | | 1,373,323 | | | 83,188 | | | 22,599 | | | 0 | | | 1,479,110 | | Net property, plant and equipment | | 1,426,175 | | | 94,346 | | | 21,902 | | | 0 | | | 1,542,423 | |
| Depreciation and amortization expense (1) | Depreciation and amortization expense (1) | | 7,835 | | | 626 | | | 887 | | | 0 | | | 9,348 | | Depreciation and amortization expense (1) | | 8,062 | | | 639 | | | 859 | | | 0 | | | 9,560 | |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | Income tax expense (benefit) | | 7,683 | | | 533 | | | 1,150 | | | (321) | | | 9,045 | | Income tax expense (benefit) | | 3,768 | | | 884 | | | 1,391 | | | (129) | | | 5,914 | |
| Capital additions | Capital additions | | 28,076 | | | 3,039 | | | 1,122 | | | 0 | | | 32,237 | | Capital additions | | 31,824 | | | 4,782 | | | 487 | | | 0 | | | 37,093 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | As Of And For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 |
| | | | | Contracted | | AWR | | Consolidated |
| (dollars in thousands) | | Water | | Electric | | Services | | Parent | | AWR |
| Operating revenues | | $ | 95,249 | | | $ | 11,996 | | | $ | 27,251 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 134,496 | |
| Operating income (loss) | | 31,310 | | | 5,672 | | | 5,745 | | | (3) | | | 42,724 | |
| Interest expense, net | | 5,206 | | | 234 | | | (144) | | | 157 | | | 5,453 | |
| Net property, plant and equipment | | 1,291,928 | | | 66,902 | | | 19,536 | | | 0 | | | 1,378,366 | |
| Depreciation and amortization expense (1) | | 7,690 | | | 669 | | | 647 | | | 0 | | | 9,006 | |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | | 6,720 | | | 1,663 | | | 1,391 | | | (369) | | | 9,405 | |
| Capital additions | | 25,267 | | | 2,864 | | | 1,802 | | | 0 | | | 29,933 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | As Of And For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 |
| | | | | Contracted | | AWR | | Consolidated |
| (dollars in thousands) | | Water | | Electric | | Services | | Parent | | AWR |
| Operating revenues | | $ | 257,199 | | | $ | 26,935 | | | $ | 79,909 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 364,043 | |
| Operating income (loss) | | 80,416 | | | 6,865 | | | 13,946 | | | (5) | | | 101,222 | |
| Interest expense, net | | 15,796 | | | 519 | | | (371) | | | 225 | | | 16,169 | |
| Net property, plant and equipment | | 1,373,323 | | | 83,188 | | | 22,599 | | | 0 | | | 1,479,110 | |
| Depreciation and amortization expense (1) | | 22,858 | | | 1,841 | | | 2,491 | | | 0 | | | 27,190 | |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | | 17,031 | | | 1,722 | | | 3,199 | | | (725) | | | 21,227 | |
| Capital additions | | 78,611 | | | 12,093 | | | 4,120 | | | 0 | | | 94,824 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | As Of And For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 |
| | | | | Contracted | | AWR | | Consolidated |
| (dollars in thousands) | | Water | | Electric | | Services | | Parent | | AWR |
| Operating revenues | | $ | 248,112 | | | $ | 30,033 | | | $ | 82,731 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 360,876 | |
| Operating income (loss) | | 77,835 | | | 8,511 | | | 16,010 | | | (7) | | | 102,349 | |
| Interest expense, net | | 15,555 | | | 933 | | | (724) | | | 470 | | | 16,234 | |
| Net property, plant and equipment | | 1,291,928 | | | 66,902 | | | 19,536 | | | 0 | | | 1,378,366 | |
| Depreciation and amortization expense (1) | | 22,484 | | | 1,870 | | | 2,139 | | | 0 | | | 26,493 | |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | | 15,205 | | | 2,124 | | | 3,816 | | | (599) | | | 20,546 | |
| Capital additions | | 99,939 | | | 4,852 | | | 6,297 | | | 0 | | | 111,088 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | As Of And For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
| | | | | Contracted | | AWR | | Consolidated |
| (dollars in thousands) | | Water | | Electric | | Services | | Parent | | AWR |
| Operating revenues | | $ | 71,424 | | | $ | 10,968 | | | $ | 26,685 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 109,077 | |
| Operating income (loss) | | 18,605 | | | 3,487 | | | 3,609 | | | (2) | | | 25,699 | |
| Interest expense, net | | 5,133 | | | 326 | | | (77) | | | 110 | | | 5,492 | |
| Net property, plant and equipment | | 1,336,012 | | | 74,745 | | | 21,640 | | | 0 | | | 1,432,397 | |
| Depreciation and amortization expense (1) | | 7,422 | | | 607 | | | 782 | | | 0 | | | 8,811 | |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | | 2,378 | | | 850 | | | 748 | | | (75) | | | 3,901 | |
| Capital additions | | 28,459 | | | 3,554 | | | 1,531 | | | 0 | | | 33,544 | |
(1) Depreciation computed on GSWC’s and BVESI's transportation equipment is recorded in other operating expenses and totaled $84,000$95,000 and $80,000$82,000 for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, respectively, and $249,000 and $234,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The following table reconciles total net property, plant and equipment (a key figure for ratemaking) to total consolidated assets (in thousands):
| | | | | September 30, | | | March 31, |
| | | | 2020 | | 2019 | | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| Total net property, plant and equipment | Total net property, plant and equipment | | 1,479,110 | | | $ | 1,378,366 | | Total net property, plant and equipment | | 1,542,423 | | | $ | 1,432,397 | |
| Other assets | Other assets | | 247,308 | | | 226,015 | | Other assets | | 250,398 | | | 228,492 | |
| Total consolidated assets | Total consolidated assets | | $ | 1,726,418 | | | $ | 1,604,381 | | Total consolidated assets | | $ | 1,792,821 | | | $ | 1,660,889 | |
Note 1211 - Completion of Electric Utility Reorganization Plan
On July 1, 2020, GSWC completed the transfer of approximately $71.3 million in net assets and equity (based on their recorded amounts) from its electric utility division to BVESI in exchange for common shares of BVESI of equal value. This was a non-cash transaction, and 0 gain or loss was recognized. GSWC then immediately distributed all of BVESI's common shares to AWR, whereupon BVESI became wholly owned directly by AWR. The reorganization isdid not expected to result in any substantive changes to AWR's operations or business segments. In addition, pursuant to federal and state tax law, the exchange and distribution qualify as a tax-free reorganization; consequently, 0 income tax liability was triggered for the AWR consolidated group or any of its members.
The transfer between GSWC and BVESI, both wholly owned subsidiaries of AWR, iswas considered a common control transaction. Although the electric utility division was considered a separate business segment and component of GSWC, the transfer did not qualify as a discontinued operation based on management's assessment of the applicable accounting guidance. As a result of this transfer, from July 1, 2020 onward, operating results and cash flows of the electric segment, as well as its assets and liabilities, are no longer included in GSWC's financial statements, but continue to be included in AWR's consolidated financial statements. GSWC's statementstatements of income and cash flows for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2020 includesinclude the electric segment's results through June 30, 2020.results.
The table below sets forth selected information relating to the electric segment's results of operations for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, and its cash flows for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 (in thousands):
| | | Three months ended September 30, | | Three months ended March 31, |
| | 2020 | | 2019 (1) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| | (Subsidiary of AWR) | | (Division of GSWC) | | (Subsidiary of AWR) | | (Division of GSWC) |
| Electric revenues | Electric revenues | $ | 8,288 | | | $ | 11,996 | | Electric revenues | $ | 11,539 | | | $ | 10,968 | |
| Operating expenses | Operating expenses | 6,423 | | | 6,324 | | Operating expenses | 8,091 | | | 7,482 | |
| Operating income | Operating income | $ | 1,865 | | | $ | 5,672 | | Operating income | $ | 3,448 | | | $ | 3,486 | |
| | Net income | Net income | $ | 1,308 | | | $ | 3,779 | | Net income | $ | 2,523 | | | $ | 2,346 | |
| | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 |
| (Subsidiary of AWR) |
| Net cash provided from operating activities | $ | 6032,803 | |
| |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (3,039)(4,782) | |
| |
Net cash provided from financing activities (2)(1) | 2,9991,795 | |
| |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 563 (184) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 20367 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 583183 | |
(1) Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2019 included the retroactive impact of the CPUC's August 2019 final decision on the electric general rate case, which totaled approximately $3.7 million for periods prior to the third quarter of 2019.
(2) Effective July 1, 2020, BVESI entered intohas a 3-year, $35 million revolving credit facility agreement with a bank and began borrowing under this facility.agreement. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, there was $3.0$22.0 million outstanding under the newthis facility. Under the terms of the credit agreement, BVESI has the option to request an increase in the facility by an additional $15$15.0 million.
Note 12 - Subsequent Event
GSWC's 9.56% private placement notes issued in the amount of $28.0 million and due in 2031 can be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of GSWC subject to redemption schedules embedded in the agreement. The 9.56% notes are subject to a make-whole premium based on 55 basis points above the applicable Treasury Yield if redeemed prior to May 15, 2021. After May 15, 2021, the maximum redemption premium is 3.0% of par value. On April 23, 2021, GSWC notified the note holders of its intent to redeem the notes on May 24, 2021. Pursuant to the agreement, the prepayment of the notes will include the redemption premium of 3.0% on par value, or $840,000. GSWC recovers redemption premiums in its embedded cost of debt as filed in cost of capital proceedings where the cost savings from redeeming high interest rate debt are passed on to customers.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
The following discussion and analysis provides information on AWR’s consolidated operations and assets, and includes specific references to AWR’s individual segments and its subsidiaries (GSWC, BVESI, and ASUS and its subsidiaries), and AWR (parent) where applicable. On July 1, 2020, GSWC completed the transfer of the electric utility assets and liabilities from its electric division to BVESI in exchange for common shares of BVESI. GSWC then immediately distributed all of BVESI's common shares to AWR, whereupon BVESI became wholly owned directly by AWR. The reorganization is not expected to result in any substantive changes to AWR's operations or business segments.
Included in the following analysis is a discussion of water and electric gross margins. Water and electric gross margins are computed by subtracting total supply costs from total revenues. Registrant uses these gross margins as important measures in evaluating its operating results. Registrant believes these measures are useful internal benchmarks in evaluating the performance of GSWC and BVESI. The discussions and tables included in the following analysis also present Registrant’s operations in terms of earnings per share by business segment, which equals each business segment’s earnings divided by Registrant’s weighted average number of diluted common shares. Furthermore, the retroactive impact related tolosses incurred during the first six monthsquarter of 2019 and for fiscal 20182020 on the investments held to fund one of the Company's retirement plans resulting from the CPUC's final decisionnegative effects on the electric general rate case issued in August 2019 hasfinancial markets at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic have been excluded when communicating the electric segment's third quarter and year-to-date 2019 results to help facilitate comparisons of Registrant’sthe Company’s performance from period to period. All of these items are derived from consolidated financial information but are not presented in our financial statements that are prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States. These items constitute "non-GAAP financial measures" under the Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
Registrant believes that the disclosures of the water and electric gross margins, and earnings per share by business segment provide investors with clarity surrounding the performance of its segments. Registrant reviews these measurements regularly and compares them to historical periods and to its operating budget. However, these measures, which are not presented in accordance with GAAP, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or earnings per share, which are determined in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of water and electric gross margins to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is included in the table under the section titled “Operating Expenses: Supply Costs.” A reconciliation to AWR’s diluted earnings per share is included in the discussion under the sections titled “Summary of ThirdFirst Quarter Results by Segment” and “Summary of Year-to-Date Results by Segment.”
Overview
Factors affecting our financial performance are summarized under Forward-Looking Information and under “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 20192020 filed with the SEC.
Water and Electric Segments:
GSWC's and BVESI's revenues, operating income, and cash flows have been earned primarily through delivering potable water to homes and businesses in California and electricity in the City of Big Bear area ofLake and surrounding areas in San Bernardino County, California, respectively. Rates charged to GSWC and BVESI customers are determined by the CPUC. These rates are intended to allow recovery of operating costs and a reasonable rate of return on capital. GSWC and BVESI plan to continue seeking additional rate increases in future years from the CPUC to recover operating and supply costs and receive reasonable returns on invested capital. Capital expenditures in future years at GSWC and BVESI are expected to remain at higher levels than depreciation expense. When necessary, GSWC and BVESI are able to obtain funds from external sources in the capital markets and through bank borrowings.
General Rate Case Filings and Other Matters:
Water GRC for years 2022 – 2024:
On July 15, 2020, GSWC filed a general rate case application for all of its water regions and its general office. This general rate case will determine new water rates for the years 2022 – 2024. Among other things, GSWC'sGSWC requested capital budgets in this application of approximately $450.6 million for the three-year rate cycle, and another $11.4 million of capital projects to be filed for revenue recovery only through advice letters when those projects are completed. A decision in the water general rate case is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2021, with new rates to become effective January 1, 2022.
Water General Rate Case for years 2019 – 2021:
In May 2019, the CPUC issued a final decision on GSWC's water general rate case, which determined new rates for the years 2019 – 2021 with rates retroactive to January 1, 2019. Among other things, the final decision authorized GSWC to invest approximately $334.5 million over the rate cycle. The $334.5 million of infrastructure investment includesincluded $20.4 million of capital projects to be filed for revenue recovery through advice letters when those projects are completed. Due to changes in circumstances, not all the anticipated advice letter projects have been completed during this rate cycle.
The final decision also allowed for water gross margin increases in 2020 and 2021, subject to an earnings test. The full step increase generated an additional $10.4 million in water gross margin for 2020. Effective January 1, 2020,2021,the CPUC approved all third-year rate increases, which GSWC received its full second-year step increase, which it achieved because of passing an earnings test at all of its ratemaking areas. The full step increase isareas, and are expected to generate an additional $10.4 million in water gross margin for 2020. The final decision also allows for a potential additional increase in the water gross margin of approximately $11.4$11.1 million in 2021 subjectas compared to the results of an earnings test and changes to the forecasted inflationary index values.2020.
Issuance of Senior Unsecured Notes at GSWC:
On July 8, 2020, GSWC completed the issuance of unsecured private placement notes totaling $160 million. In connection with this financing, GSWC issued $85 million in 2.17% senior notes which mature in 2030, and $75 million in 2.90% senior notes which mature in 2040. GSWC used the proceeds from the notes to pay down a majority of its intercompany borrowings from AWR. AWR used the proceeds from GSWC to pay down amounts outstanding under its credit facility. In March 2020, AWR amended its credit facility to temporarily increase the borrowing capacity to $260 million. Following the issuance of GSWC’s notes and effective July 15, 2020, AWR reduced the aggregate borrowing capacity back down to $200 million pursuant to the terms of the revolving credit facility agreement.
Final Decision on the First Phase of the Low-Income Affordability Rulemaking:
On August 27, 2020, the CPUC issued a final decision in the first phase of the CPUC’s Order Instituting Rulemaking evaluating the low income ratepayer assistance and affordability objectives contained in the CPUC’s 2010 Water Action Plan, whichPlan. This decision also addressed other issues, including matters associated with the continued use of the Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism ("WRAM") by California water utilities. The final decision also addressed the continued use ofand the Modified Cost Balancing Account ("MCBA"), which. The MCBA is a full-cost balancing account used to track the difference between adopted and actual water supply costs (including the effects of changes in both rates and volume). Based on the final decision, any general rate case application filed by GSWC and the other California water utilities after the August 27, 2020 effective date of this decision, may not include a proposal to continue the use of the WRAM or MCBA, but may instead include a proposal to use a limited price adjustment mechanism (the Monterey-Style WRAM) and an incremental supply cost balancing account.
The final decision will not have any impact on GSWC's WRAM or MCBA balances during the current rate cycle (2019 – 2021). In addition,Furthermore, in February 2021, a procedural hearing in the decision supports GSWC’s position that it does not apply to itspending general rate case application filed in July 2020, whichthat will set new rates for the years 2022 – 2024 was held, and the assigned administrative law judge in the proceeding clarified that GSWC is allowed to continue using the WRAM and MCBA through the year 2024. However, at this time, management cannot predict the potential impact of this decision, if any, on the pending waterGSWC’s next general rate case. case application will be filed in 2023 to establish new rates for the years 2025 – 2027 and may not include the WRAM or MCBA for those years.
Since its implementation in 2008, the WRAM and MCBA have helped mitigate fluctuations in GSWC’s earnings due to changes in water consumption by its customers or changes in water supply mix. Replacing them with mechanisms recommended in the final decision wouldwill likely result in more volatility in GSWC’s future earnings and could preventresult in less than or more than full recovery of its authorized water gross margin. On or prior toIn October 5, 2020, GSWC, the other California water utilities, and the California Water Association filed separate applications for rehearing on this matter. At this time, management cannot predict the outcome of this matter. request for rehearing.
Cost of Capital Proceeding:
Investor-owned water utilities serving California are required to file their cost of capital applications on a triennial basis, with the next scheduled filing required to have taken place on May 1, 2020 and to be effective for the years 2021 – 2023. In January 2020,basis. GSWC, along with the three other investor-owned water utilities requested an extension ofin California, filed a joint request with the date by which each of them must file its 2020CPUC in January 2021 to postpone the cost of capital application. In March 2020, the CPUC approved the request, postponing the filing date by one year untilapplications from May 1, 2021 to May 1, 2022, and to keep the current authorized cost of capital parameters in effect through 2022. In February 2021, the CPUC denied the request. GSWC intends to file its cost of capital application with a correspondingthe CPUC on May 3, 2021 (end of business day). A final decision on this proceeding is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2021, with an effective date of January 1, 2022. The CPUC also approved the joint parties’ request to leave the current Water Cost of Capital Mechanism in place, but there will be no changes to the companies’ rate of return on rate base during the one-year extension, regardless of what the mechanism might otherwise indicate.
GSWC’s current authorized rate of return on rate base is 7.91%, based on its weighted cost of capital, which will continue in effect through December 31, 2021. The 7.91% return on rate base includes a return on equity of 8.9%, an embedded cost of debt of 6.6%, and a capital structure with 57% equity and 43% debt.
Electric Segment General Rate Case:
InOn August 15, 2019, the CPUC issued a final decision on the electric general rate case. Among other things, the decision (i) extended the rate cycle by one year (new rates were effective for 2018 – 2022);to include 2022; (ii) increased the electric gross margin for 2018 by approximately $2.3 million compared to the 2017 adopted electric gross margin, adjusted for tax reform changes; (iii) authorizedallows the electric segment to construct all the capital projects requested in its application, which are dedicated to improving system safety and reliability and total approximately $44 million over the 5-year rate cycle; and (iv) increased the adopted electric gross margin by $1.2 million for each of the years 2019 and 2020, by $1.1 million infor 2021, and by $1.0 million infor 2022. The rate increases for 2019 –- 2022 are not subject to an earnings test. The decision authorized a return on equity for the electric segment of 9.60%9.6% and included a capital structure and debt cost that is consistent with those approved by the CPUC in March 2018 in connection with GSWC's water segment cost of capital proceeding. The rate case decision continues to apply to BVESI.
Due to the delay in finalizing the electric general rate case, electric revenues recognized during the first six months of 2019 were based on 2017 adopted rates. Because the August 2019 CPUC final decision was retroactive to January 1, 2018, the cumulative retroactive earnings impact of the decision was included in the third quarter results of 2019, including approximately $0.03 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2019, and $0.04 per share for the full year ended December 31, 2018 had the new 2018 and 2019 rates been in place at those times.
Contracted Services Segment:
ASUS's revenues, operating income and cash flows are earned by providing water and/or wastewater services, including operation and maintenance services and construction of facilities at the water and/or wastewater systems at various military installations, pursuant to 50-year firm fixed-price contracts. The contract price for each of these 50-year contracts is subject to annual economic price adjustments. Additional revenues generated by contract operations are primarily dependent on new construction activities under contract modifications with the U.S. government or agreements with other third-party prime contractors.
COVID-19:
GSWC, BVESI and ASUS have continued their operations given that their water, wastewater, and electric utility services are deemed essential. The Company'sOur responses to the COVID-19 pandemic take into account orders issued by the CPUC, and the guidance provided by federal, state, and local health authorities and other government officials. The response of GSWC and BVESI has included:continues to include: (i) suspending through April 2021, service disconnections for nonpayment pursuant to CPUC orders; and state orders, and
(ii) increasingtelecommuting by employees. In February 2021, the numberCPUC adopted a resolution that extended the existing emergency customer protections previously established by the CPUC through June 30, 2021, including the suspension of employees telecommuting; and (iii) delaying some capital improvement projects atservice disconnections for non-payment by electric utility customers in response to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. For water utilities, the moratorium on service disconnections was implemented in response to an order by the governor of California, which we believe would require another action by the governor to cease the moratorium on service disconnections for our water customers. It is expected that the CPUC will work with the governor’s office to coordinate the lifting of the moratorium for water utility services business. At this time, neithercustomers consistent with the electric customers. The CPUC's February resolution did extend the COVID-19-related memorandum accounts established by GSWC norand by BVESI to track incremental costs associated with complying with the resolution. In addition, the resolution required utilities in California to file transition plans to address the eventual discontinuance of the emergency customer protections.The goal of the transition plan is able to predicteffectively ease customers through a transition off the financial impact this situation may haveemergency customer protections by proactively communicating with customers to enroll in programs to manage their utility bills and informing them of the changes to programs in which they are already enrolled. GSWC and BVESI filed their respective transition plans with the CPUC on April 1, 2021.
Initially and throughout 2020, the remainder of 2020. Thus far, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had a material impact on ASUS's operations.
The pandemic has caused significant volatility in financial markets resulting in significant fluctuations in the fair value of plan assets in GSWC's pension and other retirement plans, which are likely to continue.plans. Furthermore, due to expected future credit losses on utility customer bills, GSWC and BVESI have increased their allowance for doubtful accounts as of September 30, 2020. However, theMarch 31, 2021. The CPUC has authorized GSWC and BVESI to track incremental costs, including bad debt expense in excess of what is included in their respective revenue requirements, incurredin COVID-19-related memorandum accounts, such as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in a Catastrophic Event Memorandum Account ("CEMA") to be filed with the CPUC for future recovery. Through September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, AWR has recorded approximately $1.4$5.7 million in the CEMA regulatory assetthese COVID-19-related memorandum accounts related to bad debt expense in excess of GSWC’s and BVESI's revenue requirement, personal protective equipment, printing costs and other incremental miscellaneous costs. By tracking these costs in a CEMA,memorandum accounts, utilities can later askrequest authorization from the CPUC for recovery of these costs fromcosts. GSWC's COVID-19 memorandum account is being addressed in its pending water general rate case, while BVESI intends to include the CPUC.memorandum account for recovery in its next general rate case application expected to be filed in 2022.
Summary of ThirdFirst Quarter Results by Segment
The table below sets forth the thirdfirst quarter diluted earnings per share by business segment:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Diluted Earnings per Share |
| | | Three Months Ended | | |
| | | 9/30/2020 | | 9/30/2019 | | CHANGE |
| Water | | $ | 0.57 | | | $ | 0.53 | | | $ | 0.04 | |
| Electric (excluding retroactive impact of CPUC decision on general rate case) | | 0.04 | | | 0.03 | | | 0.01 | |
| Contracted services | | 0.10 | | | 0.12 | | | (0.02) | |
| AWR (parent) | | 0.01 | | | 0.01 | | | — | |
| Consolidated diluted earnings per share, adjusted | | 0.72 | | | 0.69 | | | 0.03 | |
| Retroactive impact of CPUC decision in the electric general rate case for the first six months of 2019 and full year of 2018 | | — | | | 0.07 | | | (0.07) | |
| Consolidated diluted earnings per share, as reported | | $ | 0.72 | | | $ | 0.76 | | | $ | (0.04) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Diluted Earnings per Share |
| | | Three Months Ended | | |
| | | 3/31/2021 | | 3/31/2020 | | CHANGE |
| Water | | $ | 0.33 | | | $ | 0.24 | | | $ | 0.09 | |
| Electric | | 0.07 | | | 0.06 | | | 0.01 | |
| Contracted services | | 0.12 | | | 0.08 | | | 0.04 | |
| Consolidated diluted earnings per share | | $ | 0.52 | | | $ | 0.38 | | | $ | 0.14 | |
Water Segment:
The COVID-19 pandemic has, among other things, resultedDiluted earnings per share from the water utility segment for the three months ended March 31, 2021 increased by $0.09 per share as compared to the same period in increased volatility2020. Included in the financial markets, which has resulted in significant fluctuations throughoutresults for the first quarter of 2020 in the fair value ofwere losses totaling $2.4 million, or approximately $0.05 per share, incurred on investments held to fund one of the Company's retirement plans. Affectingplans that resulted from the negative effects at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic early last year on the financial markets. Excluding this item from the results and comparability betweenfor the two periods were gains of $1.2 million earned on these investments during the thirdfirst quarter of 2020, compared to gainsdiluted earnings for the first quarter of $325,000 recorded during the same period in 2019, increasing the water segment’s earnings2021 increased by approximately $0.02$0.04 per share as compareddue to the third quarter of 2019. Excluding the effect of these gains, diluted earnings per share from the water segment for the three months ended September 30, 2020 increased by $0.02 per share as compared to the same period in 2019. The following items affected the comparability between the two periods (excluding the impact of billed surcharges, which have no effect on net earnings):
•An increase in the water gross margin of $3.1$2.5 million, or approximately $0.06$0.05 per share, as a result of new rates authorized by the CPUC. Effective January 1, 2020,2021, GSWC received its full second-yearthird-year step increase, which it achieved as a result of passing an earnings test. The full step increase is expected to generate an additional $10.4$11.1 million in water gross margin for 2020.2021.
•An overall increase in operating expenses (excluding supply costs), which negatively impacted earnings by $0.02$0.01 per share mainly due to increases in overall labordepreciation expense and property and other employee benefits, chemical and water treatment costs, regulatory costs, propertynon-income taxes, and depreciationpartially offset by a decrease in maintenance expense.
•An overall increase in interest expense (net of interest income), which negatively impacted earnings was mostly offset by approximately $0.01 per sharean overall increase in other income primarily from gains earned during the three months ended September 30, 2020 as comparedfirst quarter of 2021 on investments held to fund one of the same period in 2019 due primarily to $160 million of new long-term debt issued in July 2020 as well as lower interest income earned on regulatory assets bearing interest at the current 90-day commercial paper rate, which has declined compared to the same period in 2019.
•An increase in the effective income tax rate resulting from certain flow-through taxes and permanent items for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019, which negatively impacted earnings at the water segment by approximately $0.01 per share.Company's retirement plans.
Electric Segment:
Diluted earnings per share from the electric utility segment for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $0.04 per share as compared to $0.10 per share recorded for the same period in 2019. The CPUC issued a final decision on the electric general rate case in August 2019 that was retroactive to January 1, 2018. As a result, the cumulative retroactive earnings impact of the decision was included in the third quarter results of 2019, including approximately $0.07 per share for periods prior to the third quarter of 2019. This retroactive impact is shown in a separate line in the table above.
Excluding the retroactive impact discussed above, earnings at the electric segmentMarch 31, 2021 increased by $0.01 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019. An increase in the electric gross margin resulting from new rates authorized in the final August 2019 decision was partially offset by increases in labor and outside service costs. The final August 2019 decision also approved the recovery of previously incurred incremental tree-trimming costs totaling $302,000, which resulted in a reduction to maintenance expense that was recorded in August 2019. There was no equivalent item in 2020.
Contracted Services Segment:
For the three months ended September 30, 2020, diluted earnings from the contracted services segment were $0.10 per share as compared to $0.12 per share for the same period in 2019. This decrease was largely due to an overall decrease in construction activity resulting from weather delays and a slowdown in permitting for construction projects and government funding for new capital upgrades caused, in part, by the impact of COVID-19. The Company expects construction activity to pick up during the fourth quarter relative to the first three quarters barring any further delays due to weather conditions. The decrease in construction activity was partially offset by an increase in management fee revenues and lower travel-related costs.
Summary of Year-to-Date Results by Segment
The table below sets forth the year-to-date diluted earnings per share by business segment.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Diluted Earnings per Share |
| | | Nine Months Ended | | |
| | | 9/30/2020 | | 9/30/2019 | | Change |
| Water | | $ | 1.35 | | | $ | 1.33 | | | $ | 0.02 | |
| Electric (excluding retroactive impact of CPUC decision on general rate case) | | 0.13 | | | 0.11 | | | 0.02 | |
| Contracted services | | 0.30 | | | 0.34 | | | (0.04) | |
| AWR (parent) | | 0.01 | | | 0.01 | | | — | |
| Consolidated diluted earnings per share, adjusted | | 1.79 | | | 1.79 | | | — | |
| Retroactive impact of CPUC decision in the electric general rate case for the full year of 2018 | | — | | | 0.04 | | | (0.04) | |
| Consolidated diluted earnings per share, as reported | | $ | 1.79 | | | $ | 1.83 | | | $ | (0.04) | |
Water Segment:
Diluted earnings from the water segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased to $1.35 per share as compared to $1.33 per share for the same period in 2019. As previously discussed, the COVID-19 pandemic has, among other things, resulted in increased volatility in the financial markets, which has resulted in significant fluctuations in the fair value of investments held to fund one of the Company's retirement plans. Affecting the results and comparability between the two periods was a decrease in gains on investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, which decreased the water segment’s earnings by approximately $0.02 per share. There were $1.2 million in investment gains earned during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to gains of $2.5 million during the same period in 2019. In addition, the May 2019 CPUC final decision on the water general rate case approved the recovery of previously incurred costs that were being tracked in CPUC-authorized memorandum accounts, which resulted in a reduction to administrative and general expense of approximately $1.1 million, or $0.02 per share, and was recorded during the second quarter of 2019. There was no equivalent item in 2020.
Excluding the two items discussed above, earnings at the water segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased by $0.06 per share as compared to the same period in 2019. The following items affected the comparability between the two periods (excluding the impact of billed surcharges, which have no effect on net earnings):
•An increase in the water gross margin of $8.4 million, or approximately $0.16 per share, as a result of new rates authorized by the CPUC. As discussed in the quarterly results, GSWC received its full second-year step increase effective January 1, 2020, which is expected to generate an additional $10.4 million in water gross margin for 2020.
•An overall increase in operating expenses (excluding supply costs), which negatively impacted earnings by approximately $0.07 per share due primarily to increases in overall labor costs and other employee benefits, chemical and water treatment costs, maintenance expense, regulatory costs, and property taxes.
•An increase in the effective income tax rate resulting from certain flow-through taxes and permanent items for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019, which negatively impacted earnings at the water segment by approximately $0.03 per share.
Electric Segment:
Diluted earnings from the electric segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 decreased by $0.02 per share compared to the recorded earnings during the same period in 2019. As previously discussed, the CPUC issued a final decision on the electric general rate case in August 2019 that was retroactive to January 1, 2018. As a result, the cumulative retroactive earnings impact of the decision was included in the third quarter results of 2019, including approximately $0.04 per share related to the full year 2018. This retroactive impact is shown in a separate line in the table above.
Among other things, the final decision authorized increases in the adopted electric gross margin of $1.2 million for each of the years 2019 and 2020. Excluding the retroactive impact discussed above, electric earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased by $0.02 per share due to an increase in the electric gross margin resulting from rate increaseshigher customer rates for 2021 approved inby the finalCPUC in August 2019, decision, as well as lowerand a decrease in interest expense. These increases to earnings were partially offset by increases in labor and outside service costsexpense as compared to the same period in 2019. As discussed in the quarterly results, the final decision also approved the recovery of previously incurred incremental tree-trimming costs totaling $302,000, which resulted in a reduction to maintenance expense that was recorded in August 2019. There was no equivalent item in 2020.
Contracted Services Segment:
For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020, diluted earnings from the contracted services segment decreased $0.04 per share as compared to the same period in 2019. Included in the results for the first quarter of 2019 were retroactive revenues resulting from the successful resolution of an economic price adjustment at one of the military bases served, which totaled approximately $0.01 per share and related to periods prior to 2019. Excluding this retroactive amount,March 31, 2021, diluted earnings from the contracted services segment were lower by $0.03$0.12 per share as compared to $0.08 per share for the same period in 2019 largely2020, a $0.04 per share increase primarily due to an overall decreaseincrease in overall construction activity, resulting from weather delaysas well as lower legal and a slowdown in permitting for construction projects and government funding for new capital upgrades caused, in part, by the impact of COVID-19.other outside services costs. The Company expects construction activity to pick up during the fourth quarter relative to the first three quarters barring any further delays due to weather conditions. The decreaseincrease in construction activity was partially offset by an increase in management fee revenues and lower overall operating expenses. largely due to timing differences of when work was performed as compared to the first quarter of 2020. We expect the contracted services segment to contribute $0.45 to $0.49 per share for the year 2021.
The following discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020 and 2019 provides information on AWR’s consolidated operations and assets and, where necessary, includes specific references to AWR’s individual segments and subsidiaries: GSWC, BVESI and ASUS and its subsidiaries.
Consolidated Results of Operations — Three Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020 and 2019 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| OPERATING REVENUES | | | | | | | | |
| Water | | $ | 98,701 | | | $ | 95,249 | | | $ | 3,452 | | | 3.6 | % |
| Electric | | 8,288 | | | 11,996 | | | (3,708) | | | (30.9) | % |
| Contracted services | | 26,699 | | | 27,251 | | | (552) | | | (2.0) | % |
| Total operating revenues | | 133,688 | | | 134,496 | | | (808) | | | (0.6) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | |
| Water purchased | | 23,445 | | | 23,361 | | | 84 | | | 0.4 | % |
| Power purchased for pumping | | 3,369 | | | 3,042 | | | 327 | | | 10.7 | % |
| Groundwater production assessment | | 5,962 | | | 5,634 | | | 328 | | | 5.8 | % |
| Power purchased for resale | | 2,117 | | | 2,403 | | | (286) | | | (11.9) | % |
| Supply cost balancing accounts | | (2,639) | | | (2,680) | | | 41 | | | (1.5) | % |
| Other operation | | 8,128 | | | 8,267 | | | (139) | | | (1.7) | % |
| Administrative and general | | 20,644 | | | 20,626 | | | 18 | | | 0.1 | % |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 9,348 | | | 9,006 | | | 342 | | | 3.8 | % |
| Maintenance | | 4,246 | | | 4,109 | | | 137 | | | 3.3 | % |
| Property and other taxes | | 5,693 | | | 5,234 | | | 459 | | | 8.8 | % |
| ASUS construction | | 13,573 | | | 12,894 | | | 679 | | | 5.3 | % |
| Gain on sale of assets | | (5) | | | (124) | | | 119 | | | * |
| Total operating expenses | | 93,881 | | | 91,772 | | | 2,109 | | | 2.3 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| OPERATING INCOME | | 39,807 | | | 42,724 | | | (2,917) | | | (6.8) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense | | (6,161) | | | (6,279) | | | 118 | | | (1.9) | % |
| Interest income | | 316 | | | 826 | | | (510) | | | (61.7) | % |
| Other, net | | 1,613 | | | 140 | | | 1,473 | | | * |
| | | (4,232) | | | (5,313) | | | 1,081 | | | (20.3) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE | | 35,575 | | | 37,411 | | | (1,836) | | | (4.9) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| Income tax expense | | 9,045 | | | 9,405 | | | (360) | | | (3.8) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| NET INCOME | | $ | 26,530 | | | $ | 28,006 | | | $ | (1,476) | | | (5.3) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| Basic earnings per Common Share | | $ | 0.72 | | | $ | 0.76 | | | $ | (0.04) | | | (5.3) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| Fully diluted earnings per Common Share | | $ | 0.72 | | | $ | 0.76 | | | $ | (0.04) | | | (5.3) | % |
* not meaningful | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021 | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| OPERATING REVENUES | | | | | | | | |
| Water | | $ | 75,029 | | | $ | 71,424 | | | $ | 3,605 | | | 5.0 | % |
| Electric | | 11,539 | | | 10,968 | | | 571 | | | 5.2 | % |
| Contracted services | | 30,492 | | | 26,685 | | | 3,807 | | | 14.3 | % |
| Total operating revenues | | 117,060 | | | 109,077 | | | 7,983 | | | 7.3 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | |
| Water purchased | | 15,239 | | | 14,092 | | | 1,147 | | | 8.1 | % |
| Power purchased for pumping | | 2,145 | | | 1,859 | | | 286 | | | 15.4 | % |
| Groundwater production assessment | | 4,440 | | | 4,148 | | | 292 | | | 7.0 | % |
| Power purchased for resale | | 3,198 | | | 3,043 | | | 155 | | | 5.1 | % |
| Supply cost balancing accounts | | (2,427) | | | (2,165) | | | (262) | | | 12.1 | % |
| Other operation | | 8,217 | | | 8,486 | | | (269) | | | (3.2) | % |
| Administrative and general | | 22,053 | | | 22,950 | | | (897) | | | (3.9) | % |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 9,560 | | | 8,811 | | | 749 | | | 8.5 | % |
| Maintenance | | 2,662 | | | 3,884 | | | (1,222) | | | (31.5) | % |
| Property and other taxes | | 5,940 | | | 5,159 | | | 781 | | | 15.1 | % |
| ASUS construction | | 15,704 | | | 13,111 | | | 2,593 | | | 19.8 | % |
| Total operating expenses | | 86,731 | | | 83,378 | | | 3,353 | | | 4.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| OPERATING INCOME | | 30,329 | | | 25,699 | | | 4,630 | | | 18.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense | | (6,258) | | | (6,050) | | | (208) | | | 3.4 | % |
| Interest income | | 455 | | | 558 | | | (103) | | | (18.5) | % |
| Other, net | | 656 | | | (2,234) | | | 2,890 | | | (129.4) | % |
| | | (5,147) | | | (7,726) | | | 2,579 | | | (33.4) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE | | 25,182 | | | 17,973 | | | 7,209 | | | 40.1 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| Income tax expense | | 5,914 | | | 3,901 | | | 2,013 | | | 51.6 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| NET INCOME | | $ | 19,268 | | | $ | 14,072 | | | $ | 5,196 | | | 36.9 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| Basic earnings per Common Share | | $ | 0.52 | | | $ | 0.38 | | | $ | 0.14 | | | 36.8 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| Fully diluted earnings per Common Share | | $ | 0.52 | | | $ | 0.38 | | | $ | 0.14 | | | 36.8 | % |
Operating Revenues:
General
GSWC and BVESI rely upon approvals by the CPUC of rate increases to recover operating expenses and to provide for a return on invested and borrowed capital used to fund utility plant. ASUS relies on economic price and equitable adjustments by the U.S. government in order to recover operating expenses and provide a profit margin for ASUS. Current operating revenues and earnings can be negatively impacted if the Military Privatization Subsidiaries do not receive adequate rate relief or adjustments in a timely manner. ASUS’s earnings are also impacted by the level of additional construction projects at the Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries, which may or may not continue at current levels in future periods.
Water
For the three months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, revenues from water operations increased $3.5by $3.6 million to $98.7$75.0 million as compared to the same period in 2019 as a result of2020 due to full second-yearthird-year step increases for 2020 as a result of GSWC passing the earnings test.2021. These increases were partially offset by lower surcharges billed during the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 related to CPUC-approved surcharges to recover previously incurred costs. These surcharges are largely offset by corresponding decreases in operating expenses, resulting in no impact to earnings.
Billed water consumption for the thirdfirst quarter of 20202021 increased 5%3% as compared to the same period in 2019.2020. Currently, changes in consumption generally do not have a significant impact on recorded revenues due to the CPUC-approved WRAM in place in all but one small rate-making area. GSWC records the difference between what it bills its water customers and that which is authorized by the CPUC in the WRAM accounts as regulatory assets or liabilities. As previously discussed, in August 2020 the CPUC issued a final decision, which among other things, eliminates the continued use of the WRAM by California water utilities. GSWC has filed an application for rehearing on the decision. At this time, management cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Electric
Electric revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2020 decreased $3.7March 31, 2021 increased by $571,000 to $11.5 million to $8.3 million. The cumulative impactas a result of the August 2019 CPUC final decision on thenew CPUC-approved electric general rate case, which was retroactive torates effective January 1, 2018, was reflected2021, as well as a 10% increase in the results of the third quarter of 2019. Included in the $12.0 million of electric revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $3.7 million relating to periods prior to the third quarter of 2019.
Billed electric usage during the three months ended September 30, 2020 increased by approximately 11% as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019, largelysame period in 2020. The higher usage was due to a spikean increase in tourism duringtourist activity experienced in the summer months in BVESI's service areas.Big Bear Lake area as the economy continues to reopen. Due to the CPUC-approved Base Revenue Requirement Adjustment Mechanism, which adjusts certain revenues to adopted levels authorized by the CPUC, changes in usage do not have a significant impact on earnings.
Contracted Services
Revenues from contracted services are composed of construction revenues (including renewal and replacements) and management fees for operating and maintaining the water and/or wastewater systems at various military bases. For the three months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, revenues from contracted services decreased $552,000increased $3.8 million to $26.7$30.5 million as compared to $27.3$26.7 million for the same period in 20192020. This was due primarily to a decreasean increase in construction activity resulting from weather delays and a slowdown in permitting for construction projects and government funding for new capital upgrades caused, in part, by the impacttiming differences of COVID-19. The Company expectswhen construction activity to pick up during the fourth quarter relativewas performed as compared to the first three quarters barring any further delays duequarter of 2020. These timing differences are expected to weather conditions. The decrease in construction activity was partially offset byreverse over the remainder of 2021. In addition, there were increases in management fees due to the successful resolution of various economic price adjustments.
ASUS subsidiaries continue to enter into U.S. government-awarded contract modifications and agreements with third-party prime contractors for new construction projects at the Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, ASUS has been awarded approximately $13.7 million in new construction projects, some of which have been or are expected to be completed during 2020, and the remainder in 2021. Earnings and cash flows from modifications to the original 50-year contracts with the U.S. government and agreements with third-party prime contractors for additional construction projects may or may not continue in future periods.
Operating Expenses:
Supply Costs
Supply costs for the water segment consist of purchased water, purchased power for pumping, groundwater production assessments and changes in the water supply cost balancing accounts. Supply costs for the electric segment consist primarily of purchased power for resale, the cost of natural gas used by BVESI’s generating unit, the cost of renewable energy credits and
changes in the electric supply cost balancing account. Total supply costs comprise the largest segment of total operating expenses. Supply costs accounted for approximately 34.4%26.1% and 34.6%25.2% of total operating expenses for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, respectively.
Water and electric gross margins are computed by subtracting total supply costs from total revenues. Registrant uses these gross margins and related percentages as an important measure in evaluating its operating results. Registrant believes these measures are useful internal benchmarks in evaluating the utility business performance within its water and electric segments. Registrant reviews these measurements regularly and compares them to historical periods and to its operating budget. However, these measures, which are not presented in accordance with GAAP, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities, and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income, which is determined in accordance with GAAP.
The table below provides the amounts (in thousands) of increases (decreases) and percent changes in water and electric revenues, supply costs and gross margin during the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and 2019.2020. There was a decrease of $682,000$200,000 in water surcharges, and an increasea decrease of $137,000$56,000 in electric surcharges to recover previously incurred costs. Surcharges to recover previously incurred costs are recorded to revenues when billed to customers and are offset by a corresponding amount in operating expenses, resulting in no impact to earnings. In addition, because of the delay in receiving the final CPUC decision in the electric general rate case, the electric gross margin for the third quarter of 2019 included the recording of approximately $3.7 million in electric gross margin impact for the first six months of 2019 and all of fiscal 2018.
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021 | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
WATER OPERATING REVENUES (1) | WATER OPERATING REVENUES (1) | | $ | 98,701 | | | $ | 95,249 | | | $ | 3,452 | | | 3.6 | % | WATER OPERATING REVENUES (1) | | $ | 75,029 | | | $ | 71,424 | | | $ | 3,605 | | | 5.0 | % |
| WATER SUPPLY COSTS: | WATER SUPPLY COSTS: | | | | | | | | | WATER SUPPLY COSTS: | | | | | | | | |
| Water purchased (1) | Water purchased (1) | | $ | 23,445 | | | $ | 23,361 | | | $ | 84 | | | 0.4 | % | Water purchased (1) | | $ | 15,239 | | | $ | 14,092 | | | $ | 1,147 | | | 8.1 | % |
| Power purchased for pumping (1) | Power purchased for pumping (1) | | 3,369 | | | 3,042 | | | 327 | | | 10.7 | % | Power purchased for pumping (1) | | 2,145 | | | 1,859 | | | 286 | | | 15.4 | % |
| Groundwater production assessment (1) | Groundwater production assessment (1) | | 5,962 | | | 5,634 | | | 328 | | | 5.8 | % | Groundwater production assessment (1) | | 4,440 | | | 4,148 | | | 292 | | | 7.0 | % |
| Water supply cost balancing accounts (1) | Water supply cost balancing accounts (1) | | (3,019) | | | (3,330) | | | 311 | | | (9.3) | % | Water supply cost balancing accounts (1) | | (2,920) | | | (2,274) | | | (646) | | | 28.4 | % |
| TOTAL WATER SUPPLY COSTS | TOTAL WATER SUPPLY COSTS | | $ | 29,757 | | | $ | 28,707 | | | $ | 1,050 | | | 3.7 | % | TOTAL WATER SUPPLY COSTS | | $ | 18,904 | | | $ | 17,825 | | | $ | 1,079 | | | 6.1 | % |
| WATER GROSS MARGIN (2) | WATER GROSS MARGIN (2) | | $ | 68,944 | | | $ | 66,542 | | | $ | 2,402 | | | 3.6 | % | WATER GROSS MARGIN (2) | | $ | 56,125 | | | $ | 53,599 | | | $ | 2,526 | | | 4.7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ELECTRIC OPERATING REVENUES (1) | ELECTRIC OPERATING REVENUES (1) | | $ | 8,288 | | | $ | 11,996 | | | $ | (3,708) | | | (30.9) | % | ELECTRIC OPERATING REVENUES (1) | | $ | 11,539 | | | $ | 10,968 | | | $ | 571 | | | 5.2 | % |
| ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS: | ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS: | | | | | | | | | ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS: | | | | | | | | |
| Power purchased for resale (1) | Power purchased for resale (1) | | $ | 2,117 | | | $ | 2,403 | | | $ | (286) | | | (11.9) | % | Power purchased for resale (1) | | $ | 3,198 | | | $ | 3,043 | | | $ | 155 | | | 5.1 | % |
| Electric supply cost balancing accounts (1) | Electric supply cost balancing accounts (1) | | 380 | | | 650 | | | (270) | | | (41.5) | % | Electric supply cost balancing accounts (1) | | 493 | | | 109 | | | 384 | | | 352.3 | % |
| TOTAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS | TOTAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS | | $ | 2,497 | | | $ | 3,053 | | | $ | (556) | | | (18.2) | % | TOTAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS | | $ | 3,691 | | | $ | 3,152 | | | $ | 539 | | | 17.1 | % |
| ELECTRIC GROSS MARGIN (2) | ELECTRIC GROSS MARGIN (2) | | $ | 5,791 | | | $ | 8,943 | | | $ | (3,152) | | | (35.2) | % | ELECTRIC GROSS MARGIN (2) | | $ | 7,848 | | | $ | 7,816 | | | $ | 32 | | | 0.4 | % |
(1) As reported on AWR’s Consolidated Statements of Income, except for supply cost balancing accounts. The sum of water and electric supply cost balancing accounts in the table above are shown in AWR’s Consolidated Statements of Income and totaled $(2,639,000)$(2,427,000) and $(2,680,000)$(2,165,000) for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, respectively. Revenues include surcharges, which increase both revenues and operating expenses by corresponding amounts, thus having no net earnings impact.
(2) Water and electric gross margins do not include any depreciation and amortization, maintenance, administrative and general, property or other taxes or other operation expenses.
Two of the principal factors affecting water supply costs are the amount of water produced and the source of the water. Generally, the variable cost of producing water from wells is less than the cost of water purchased from wholesale suppliers. Under the CPUC-approved MCBA, GSWC tracks adopted and actual expense levels for purchased water, power purchased for pumping and pump taxes. GSWC records the variances (which include the effects of changes in both rate and volume) between adopted and actual purchased water, purchased power, and pump tax expenses. GSWC recovers from, or refunds to, customers the amount of such variances. GSWC tracks these variances individually for each water ratemaking area. The August 2020 CPUC decision previously discussed, which eliminates the continued use of the WRAM also eliminates the MCBA.
The overall actual percentages of purchased water for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020 and 2019 were approximately 45%43% and 47%45%, respectively, as compared to the authorized adopted percentages of 39%30% for the three months
ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and 2019.2020. The higher actual percentage of purchased water as compared to the adopted percentage resulted from a higher volume of purchased water costs due to several wells being out of service. The increases in power purchased for pumping, as well as groundwater production assessments, were due to increases in electricity usage for pumping as well as increased rates and pump taxes as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019.March 31, 2020.
For the three months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the water supply cost balancing account had a $3.0$2.9 million under-collection as compared a $3.3$2.3 million under-collection during the same period in 2019.2020. This variance was due to rate increases for certain rate-making areas to specifically cover increases in supply costs experienced in these areas, partially offset bythe higher costs for purchased water, pumping and groundwater assessments.
For the three months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the cost of power purchased for resale to BVESI's electric customers decreasedincreased to $2.1$3.2 million as compared to $2.4$3.0 million during the same period in 20192020 due primarily to a lowerhigher average price per megawatt-hour. The average price per megawatt-hour, including fixed costs, decreasedincreased from $77.48$70.65 for the three months ended September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 to $58.21$76.14 for the same period in 2020.2021. The over-collection in the electric supply cost balancing account decreasedincreased as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 due to an updated adopted supply cost approved in the CPUC's final decision in the electric general rate case received in August 2019.effective January 1, 2021.
Other Operation
The primary components of other operation expenses include payroll, materials and supplies, chemicals and water treatment costs and outside service costs of operating the regulated water systems, including the costs associated with water transmission and distribution, pumping, water quality, meter reading, billing, and operations of district offices as well as the electric system. Registrant’s contracted services operations incur many of the same types of expenses as well. For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, other operation expenses by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021 | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | Water Services | | $ | 6,185 | | | $ | 6,203 | | | $ | (18) | | | (0.3) | % | Water Services | | $ | 5,813 | | | $ | 5,819 | | | $ | (6) | | | (0.1) | % |
| Electric Services | Electric Services | | 432 | | | 526 | | | (94) | | | (17.9) | % | Electric Services | | 771 | | | 811 | | | (40) | | | (4.9) | % |
| Contracted Services | Contracted Services | | 1,511 | | | 1,538 | | | (27) | | | (1.8) | % | Contracted Services | | 1,633 | | | 1,856 | | | (223) | | | (12.0) | % |
| Total other operation | Total other operation | | $ | 8,128 | | | $ | 8,267 | | | $ | (139) | | | (1.7) | % | Total other operation | | $ | 8,217 | | | $ | 8,486 | | | $ | (269) | | | (3.2) | % |
For the three months ended September 30, 2020, thereMarch 31, 2021, the $223,000 decrease at the contracted services segment was a $543,000 decreasedue to timing differences of certain work performed in surcharges relatedoperations as compared to the recoverysame period in 2020. The level of previously incurred costs at the water segment, with a corresponding decrease in other operation expenses, resulting in no impactexpense for contracted services during the first quarter of 2021 is not expected to earnings. Excludingbe indicative of the impactremainder of surcharges, there was a $525,000 increase in other operation-related expenses at the water segment primarily due to higher chemical and water treatment costs.2021.
Administrative and General
Administrative and general expenses include payroll related to administrative and general functions, all employee-related benefits, insurance expenses, outside legal and consulting fees, regulatory-utility-commission expenses, expenses associated with being a public company and general corporate expenses charged to expense accounts. For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, administrative and general expenses by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021 | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | Water Services | | $ | 13,610 | | | $ | 13,473 | | | $ | 137 | | | 1.0 | % | Water Services | | $ | 14,435 | | | $ | 14,552 | | | $ | (117) | | | (0.8) | % |
| Electric Services | Electric Services | | 2,359 | | | 1,732 | | | 627 | | | 36.2 | % | Electric Services | | 2,429 | | | 2,286 | | | 143 | | | 6.3 | % |
| Contracted Services | Contracted Services | | 4,674 | | | 5,418 | | | (744) | | | (13.7) | % | Contracted Services | | 5,187 | | | 6,110 | | | (923) | | | (15.1) | % |
| AWR (parent) | AWR (parent) | | 1 | | | 3 | | | (2) | | | (66.7) | % | AWR (parent) | | 2 | | | 2 | | | — | | | — | % |
| Total administrative and general | Total administrative and general | | $ | 20,644 | | | $ | 20,626 | | | $ | 18 | | | 0.1 | % | Total administrative and general | | $ | 22,053 | | | $ | 22,950 | | | $ | (897) | | | (3.9) | % |
ForExcluding the three months ended September 30, 2020, there was a $165,000 decrease inimpact of billed surcharges related to the recovery of previously incurred costs at the water segment, with a corresponding decrease in administrative and general expenses, resulting in no impact to earnings. Excluding this impact, administrative and general expenses at the water segment increased $302,000 largely due to increases in labor and other employee-related benefits, as well as increases in regulatory costs incurred in connection with the processing of the water segment's general rate case application filed in July 2020.
For the three months ended September 30, 2020, the increase at the electric segment included an $80,000 increase in surcharges surcharges related to the recovery of previously incurred administrative and general costs, with a corresponding increase in administrative and general costs, resulting in no impact to earnings. Excluding surcharges, administrative and general expenses at the regulated water and electric segment increased $547,000 due primarily to increases in outside service costs related to regulatory matters as well as the electric segment reorganization, and increases in labor and other employee-related benefits.utilities remained relatively flat.
For the three months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the decrease in administrative and general expenses at the contracted services segment was due primarily related to decreases in labor and employee-related benefit costs, legal and other outside services costs, and travel and related costs, and employee-related benefit costs as compared to the same period in 2019.2020. Legal and outside services tend to fluctuate from period to period, and are expected to continue to fluctuate.period.
Depreciation and Amortization
For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, depreciation and amortization by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021 | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | Water Services | | $ | 7,835 | | | $ | 7,690 | | | $ | 145 | | | 1.9 | % | Water Services | | $ | 8,062 | | | $ | 7,422 | | | $ | 640 | | | 8.6 | % |
| Electric Services | Electric Services | | 626 | | | 669 | | | (43) | | | (6.4) | % | Electric Services | | 639 | | | 607 | | | 32 | | | 5.3 | % |
| Contracted Services | Contracted Services | | 887 | | | 647 | | | 240 | | | 37.1 | % | Contracted Services | | 859 | | | 782 | | | 77 | | | 9.8 | % |
| Total depreciation and amortization | Total depreciation and amortization | | $ | 9,348 | | | $ | 9,006 | | | $ | 342 | | | 3.8 | % | Total depreciation and amortization | | $ | 9,560 | | | $ | 8,811 | | | $ | 749 | | | 8.5 | % |
The overall increase in depreciation expense resulted from additions to utility plant and other fixed assets. As a result ofassets since the August 2019 CPUC final decision on the electric general rate case, the cumulative retroactive impact of the CPUC decision was recorded during the thirdfirst quarter of 2019, including depreciation expense at the electric segment related to the first six months2020.
Maintenance
For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, maintenance expense by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021 | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | Water Services | | $ | 3,219 | | | $ | 3,383 | | | $ | (164) | | | (4.8) | % | Water Services | | $ | 1,740 | | | $ | 2,887 | | | $ | (1,147) | | | (39.7) | % |
| Electric Services | Electric Services | | 193 | | | 40 | | | 153 | | | 382.5 | % | Electric Services | | 208 | | | 306 | | | (98) | | | (32.0) | % |
| Contracted Services | Contracted Services | | 834 | | | 686 | | | 148 | | | 21.6 | % | Contracted Services | | 714 | | | 691 | | | 23 | | | 3.3 | % |
| Total maintenance | Total maintenance | | $ | 4,246 | | | $ | 4,109 | | | $ | 137 | | | 3.3 | % | Total maintenance | | $ | 2,662 | | | $ | 3,884 | | | $ | (1,222) | | | (31.5) | % |
Maintenance expense at the water segment decreased primarily due to lower unplanned maintenance as compared to the same period in 2019.
2020. Maintenance expense at the electric segment for the thirdremainder of 2021 is expected to be incurred at a higher rate than that experienced during the first quarter of 2019 included a $302,000 reduction due to the CPUC's approval in the August 2019 final decision on the electric general rate case for the recovery of previously incurred incremental tree-trimming costs. There was no equivalent item in 2020.
The increase in maintenance at the contracted services segment is due to higher planned maintenance as compared to the same period in 2019.
Property and Other Taxes
For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, property and other taxes by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021 | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | Water Services | | $ | 4,946 | | | $ | 4,483 | | | $ | 463 | | | 10.3 | % | Water Services | | $ | 5,016 | | | $ | 4,313 | | | $ | 703 | | | 16.3 | % |
| Electric Services | Electric Services | | 314 | | | 304 | | | 10 | | | 3.3 | % | Electric Services | | 353 | | | 320 | | | 33 | | | 10.3 | % |
| Contracted Services | Contracted Services | | 433 | | | 447 | | | (14) | | | (3.1) | % | Contracted Services | | 571 | | | 526 | | | 45 | | | 8.6 | % |
| Total property and other taxes | Total property and other taxes | | $ | 5,693 | | | $ | 5,234 | | | $ | 459 | | | 8.8 | % | Total property and other taxes | | $ | 5,940 | | | $ | 5,159 | | | $ | 781 | | | 15.1 | % |
Property and other taxes increased overall due mostly to capital additions at the water segment and the associated higher assessed property values.
ASUS Construction
For the three months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, construction expenses for contracted services were $13.6$15.7 million, increasing $679,000$2.6 million compared to the same period in 20192020 due primarilylargely to additional costs incurred on certainan increase in construction projects.activity resulting from timing differences of when construction activity was performed as compared to the same period last year.
Interest Expense
For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, interest expense by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021 | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | Water Services | | $ | 5,911 | | | $ | 5,652 | | | $ | 259 | | | 4.6 | % | Water Services | | $ | 5,798 | | | $ | 5,398 | | | $ | 400 | | | 7.4 | % |
| Electric Services | Electric Services | | 86 | | | 334 | | | (248) | | | (74.3) | % | Electric Services | | 116 | | | 379 | | | (263) | | | (69.4) | % |
| Contracted Services | Contracted Services | | 105 | | | 137 | | | (32) | | | (23.4) | % | Contracted Services | | 109 | | | 161 | | | (52) | | | (32.3) | % |
| AWR (parent) | AWR (parent) | | 59 | | | 156 | | | (97) | | | (62.2) | % | AWR (parent) | | 235 | | | 112 | | | 123 | | | 109.8 | % |
| Total interest expense | Total interest expense | | $ | 6,161 | | | $ | 6,279 | | | $ | (118) | | | (1.9) | % | Total interest expense | | $ | 6,258 | | | $ | 6,050 | | | $ | 208 | | | 3.4 | % |
The overall decrease inConsolidated interest expense was primarily due to lower interest expense at the electric segment primarily resulting from the recording of allowance for funds used during construction on certain construction projects. In addition, there was a decrease in short-term lower interest rates on the revolving credit facilityincreased as compared to 2019. These decreases were partially offset by an increasethe same period in interest expense as a result2020 resulting from higher overall borrowing levels to support operations and the capital expenditures program at the regulated utilities. On April 23, 2021, GSWC notified holders of GSWC's issuance of unsecuredits 9.56% private placement notes totaling $160.0$28 million and due in July 2020. As2031, of its intent to redeem the notes on May 24, 2021. Pursuant to the note agreement, the prepayment of the notes will include a result, interest expense is expected to increase.redemption premium of 3% on par value. GSWC will fund the redemption through intercompany borrowings from AWR parent. AWR will fund the intercompany borrowings using its revolving credit facility.
Interest Income
For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, interest income by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021 | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | Water Services | | $ | 105 | | | $ | 446 | | | $ | (341) | | | (76.5) | % | Water Services | | $ | 87 | | | $ | 265 | | | $ | (178) | | | (67.2) | % |
| Electric Services | Electric Services | | 32 | | | 100 | | | (68) | | | (68.0) | % | Electric Services | | 30 | | | 53 | | | (23) | | | (43.4) | % |
| Contracted Services | Contracted Services | | 179 | | | 281 | | | (102) | | | (36.3) | % | Contracted Services | | 338 | | | 238 | | | 100 | | | 42.0 | % |
| AWR (parent) | AWR (parent) | | — | | | (1) | | | 1 | | | (100.0) | % | AWR (parent) | | — | | | 2 | | | (2) | | | (100.0) | % |
| Total interest income | Total interest income | | $ | 316 | | | $ | 826 | | | $ | (510) | | | (61.7) | % | Total interest income | | $ | 455 | | | $ | 558 | | | $ | (103) | | | (18.5) | % |
The decrease in interest income during the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 was largely due to lower interest earned on regulatory assets at the water and electric segments bearing interest at the current 90-day commercial paper rate, which has declineddecreased compared to the same period in 2019. There2020. This was also a decreasepartially offset by an increase in interest income recognized on certain construction projects at the contracted services segment.
Other Income and (Expense), net
For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, other income and (expense), net by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | | $ | 1,483 | | | $ | 200 | | | $ | 1,283 | | | 641.5 | % |
| Electric Services | | 30 | | | 3 | | | 27 | | | 900.0 | % |
| Contracted Services | | (34) | | | (63) | | | 29 | | | (46.0) | % |
| AWR (parent) | | 134 | | | — | | | 134 | | | N/A |
| Total other income and (expense), net | | $ | 1,613 | | | $ | 140 | | | $ | 1,473 | | | * |
* not meaningful | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021 | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | | $ | 651 | | | $ | (2,237) | | | $ | 2,888 | | | (129.1) | % |
| Electric Services | | 46 | | | 34 | | | 12 | | | 35.3 | % |
| Contracted Services | | (41) | | | (31) | | | (10) | | | 32.3 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total other income and (expense), net | | $ | 656 | | | $ | (2,234) | | | $ | 2,890 | | | (129.4) | % |
For the three months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, other income (net of other expense) increased mostly as a result of higher gains recorded on Registrant's investments held for a retirement benefit plan, because of recent market conditions as compared to losses incurred during the same period in 2019. There was also decreases in2020 that resulted from market conditions and the non-service cost componentseffects of net periodic benefit costs related to Registrant's defined benefit pension plan and other retirement benefits. However, as a result of GSWC's and BVESI's pension balancing accounts authorized by the CPUC, changes in net periodic benefit costs are mostly offset by corresponding changes in revenues, thus having no material impact to earnings.COVID-19 at that time.
Income Tax Expense
For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, income tax expense by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021 | | Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | Water Services | | $ | 7,683 | | | $ | 6,720 | | | $ | 963 | | | 14.3 | % | Water Services | | $ | 3,768 | | | $ | 2,378 | | | $ | 1,390 | | | 58.5 | % |
| Electric Services | Electric Services | | 533 | | | 1,663 | | | (1,130) | | | (67.9) | % | Electric Services | | 884 | | | 850 | | | 34 | | | 4.0 | % |
| Contracted Services | Contracted Services | | 1,150 | | | 1,391 | | | (241) | | | (17.3) | % | Contracted Services | | 1,391 | | | 748 | | | 643 | | | 86.0 | % |
| AWR (parent) | AWR (parent) | | (321) | | | (369) | | | 48 | | | (13.0) | % | AWR (parent) | | (129) | | | (75) | | | (54) | | | 72.0 | % |
| Total income tax expense | Total income tax expense | | $ | 9,045 | | | $ | 9,405 | | | $ | (360) | | | (3.8) | % | Total income tax expense | | $ | 5,914 | | | $ | 3,901 | | | $ | 2,013 | | | 51.6 | % |
Consolidated income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2020 decreasedMarch 31, 2021 increased by $360,000$2.0 million due to a decreasean increase in pretax income, resulting primarily from the recordingas well as an increase in the third quarter of 2019 of all of the retroactive impact from the August 2019 CPUC final decision on the electric general rate case. There was no equivalent retroactive item recorded in 2020. AWR'soverall effective income tax rate ("ETR"). AWR's ETR was 25.4%23.5% and 25.1%21.7% for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, respectively. The increase was due primarily to the increase in GSWC's ETR which was 26.7%23.6% and 26.4%22.4% for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, respectively, resultingrespectively. The increase at GSWC resulted primarily from net changes in certain flow-through and permanent items.
Consolidated Results of Operations — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| OPERATING REVENUES | | | | | | | | |
| Water | | $ | 257,199 | | | $ | 248,112 | | | $ | 9,087 | | | 3.7 | % |
| Electric | | 26,935 | | | 30,033 | | | (3,098) | | | (10.3) | % |
| Contracted services | | 79,909 | | | 82,731 | | | (2,822) | | | (3.4) | % |
| Total operating revenues | | 364,043 | | | 360,876 | | | 3,167 | | | 0.9 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | |
| Water purchased | | 56,291 | | | 55,263 | | | 1,028 | | | 1.9 | % |
| Power purchased for pumping | | 7,626 | | | 6,562 | | | 1,064 | | | 16.2 | % |
| Groundwater production assessment | | 15,140 | | | 14,020 | | | 1,120 | | | 8.0 | % |
| Power purchased for resale | | 7,127 | | | 8,498 | | | (1,371) | | | (16.1) | % |
| Supply cost balancing accounts | | (6,606) | | | (2,845) | | | (3,761) | | | 132.2 | % |
| Other operation | | 24,573 | | | 24,546 | | | 27 | | | 0.1 | % |
| Administrative and general | | 63,992 | | | 61,827 | | | 2,165 | | | 3.5 | % |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 27,190 | | | 26,493 | | | 697 | | | 2.6 | % |
| Maintenance | | 12,224 | | | 9,728 | | | 2,496 | | | 25.7 | % |
| Property and other taxes | | 16,098 | | | 15,000 | | | 1,098 | | | 7.3 | % |
| ASUS construction | | 39,175 | | | 39,671 | | | (496) | | | (1.3) | % |
| Gain on sale of assets | | (9) | | | (236) | | | 227 | | | (96.2) | % |
| Total operating expenses | | 262,821 | | | 258,527 | | | 4,294 | | | 1.7 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| OPERATING INCOME | | 101,222 | | | 102,349 | | | (1,127) | | | (1.1) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense | | (17,533) | | | (18,878) | | | 1,345 | | | (7.1) | % |
| Interest income | | 1,364 | | | 2,644 | | | (1,280) | | | (48.4) | % |
| Other, net | | 2,388 | | | 2,073 | | | 315 | | | 15.2 | % |
| | | (13,781) | | | (14,161) | | | 380 | | | (2.7) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE | | 87,441 | | | 88,188 | | | (747) | | | (0.8) | % |
| Income tax expense | | 21,227 | | | 20,546 | | | 681 | | | 3.3 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| NET INCOME | | $ | 66,214 | | | $ | 67,642 | | | $ | (1,428) | | | (2.1) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| Basic earnings per Common Share | | $ | 1.79 | | | $ | 1.83 | | | $ | (0.04) | | | (2.2) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| Fully diluted earnings per Common Share | | $ | 1.79 | | | $ | 1.83 | | | $ | (0.04) | | | (2.2) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Operating Revenues:
Water
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, revenues from water operations increased $9.1 million to $257.2 million as compared to the same period in 2019 as a result of new rates authorized by the CPUC. Effective January 1, 2020, GSWC received its full second-year step increase, which it achieved because of passing an earnings test.
Billed water consumption for the first nine months of 2020 increased approximately 5% as compared to the same period in 2019. Currently, changes in consumption generally do not have a significant impact on revenues due to the WRAM. As previously discussed, in August 2020 the CPUC issued a final decision, which among other things, addresses the continued usecomparison of the WRAM by California water utilities. GSWC has filed an application for rehearing on the decision. At this time, management cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Electric
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, revenues from electric operations were $26.9 million as compared to $30.0 million for the same period in 2019, due to the retroactive earnings impact resulting from the final CPUC decision issued in August 2019 in the electric general rate case. The cumulative 2018 impact of the August 2019 CPUC final decision on the electric general rate case, was reflected in the results of the third quarter of 2019.
Billed electric usage was flat during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Due to the CPUC-approved Base Revenue Requirement Adjustment Mechanism, which adjusts certain revenues to adopted levels authorized by the CPUC, changes in usage do not have a significant impact on earnings.
Contracted Services
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, revenues from contracted services decreased $2.8 million to $79.9 million as compared to $82.7 million for the same period in 2019 due primarily to an overall decrease in construction activity resulting from weather delays and a slowdown in permitting for construction projects and government funding for new capital upgrades caused, in part, by the impact of COVID-19. The Company expects construction activity to pick up during the fourth quarter relative to the first three quarters barring any further delays due to weather conditions. In addition, included in thefinancial results for the first quarter of 2020 to 2019, were retroactive revenues resulting fromsee “Consolidated Results of Operations-Three Months ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019” in Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the successful resolution of an economic price adjustment at one ofperiod ended March 31, 2020 filed with the military bases served, which totaled approximately $500,000 and related to periods prior to 2019. There was no equivalent item during 2020. These decreases were partially offset by increases in ongoing management fees due to the successful resolution of various economic price adjustments.
Operating Expenses:
Supply Costs
Total supply costs comprise the largest segment of total operating expenses. Supply costs accounted for approximately 30.3% and 31.5% of total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The table below provides the amount of increases (decreases) and percent changes in water and electric revenues, supply costs and gross margin during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (dollar amounts in thousands). There was a slight decrease in surcharges recorded in water revenues, and a $477,000 increase in electric surcharges recorded in electric revenues. Surcharges are recorded to revenues when billed to customers and are offset by a corresponding increase in operating expenses, resulting in no impact to earnings.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| WATER OPERATING REVENUES (1) | | $ | 257,199 | | | $ | 248,112 | | | $ | 9,087 | | | 3.7 | % |
| WATER SUPPLY COSTS: | | | | | | | | |
| Water purchased (1) | | $ | 56,291 | | | $ | 55,263 | | | $ | 1,028 | | | 1.9 | % |
| Power purchased for pumping (1) | | 7,626 | | | 6,562 | | | 1,064 | | | 16.2 | % |
| Groundwater production assessment (1) | | 15,140 | | | 14,020 | | | 1,120 | | | 8.0 | % |
| Water supply cost balancing accounts (1) | | (7,297) | | | (4,758) | | | (2,539) | | | 53.4 | % |
| TOTAL WATER SUPPLY COSTS | | $ | 71,760 | | | $ | 71,087 | | | $ | 673 | | | 0.9 | % |
| WATER GROSS MARGIN (2) | | $ | 185,439 | | | $ | 177,025 | | | $ | 8,414 | | | 4.8 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| ELECTRIC OPERATING REVENUES (1) | | $ | 26,935 | | | $ | 30,033 | | | $ | (3,098) | | | (10.3) | % |
| ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS: | | | | | | | | |
| Power purchased for resale (1) | | $ | 7,127 | | | $ | 8,498 | | | $ | (1,371) | | | (16.1) | % |
| Electric supply cost balancing accounts (1) | | 691 | | | 1,913 | | | (1,222) | | | (63.9) | % |
| TOTAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS | | $ | 7,818 | | | $ | 10,411 | | | $ | (2,593) | | | (24.9) | % |
| ELECTRIC GROSS MARGIN (2) | | $ | 19,117 | | | $ | 19,622 | | | $ | (505) | | | (2.6) | % |
(1) As reported on AWR’s Consolidated Statements of Income, except for supply cost balancing accounts. The sum of water and electric supply cost balancing accounts in the table above are shown on AWR’s Consolidated Statements of Income and totaled $(6,606,000) and $(2,845,000) for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Revenues include surcharges, which increase both revenues and operating expenses by corresponding amounts, thus having no net earnings impact.
(2) Water and electric gross margins do not include any depreciation and amortization, maintenance, administrative and general, property or other taxes or other operation expenses.
The overall actual percentage of purchased water for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were 44% and 45%, respectively, as compared to the adopted percentage of approximately 35% and 36% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The higher actual percentages of purchased water as compared to adopted percentages resulted primarily from several wells being out of service. Purchased water costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased to $56.3 million as compared to $55.3 million for the same period in 2019 primarily due to an increase in wholesale water costs as well as an increase in customer usage.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, power purchased for pumping increased by $1.1 million due to an increase in electric rates. Groundwater production assessments increased $1.1 million due to an increase in the amount of water pumped as well as higher pump tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019. The under-collection in the water supply cost balancing account increased $2.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 mainly due to a higher than adopted supply mix.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the cost of power purchased for resale to electric customers decreased by $1.4 million to $7.1 million as compared to $8.5 million for the same period in 2019 primarily due to a decrease in the average price per MWh, as well as a decrease in customer usage. The average price per MWh, including fixed costs, decreased from $77.90 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to $64.81 for the same period in 2020. The over-collection in the electric supply cost balancing account decreased by $1.2 million due to an updated adopted supply cost approved in the CPUC's final decision in the electric general rate case received in August 2019.
Other Operation
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, other operation expenses by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | | $ | 17,682 | | | $ | 17,681 | | | $ | 1 | | | — | % |
| Electric Services | | 1,935 | | | 1,962 | | | (27) | | | (1.4) | % |
| Contracted Services | | 4,956 | | | 4,903 | | | 53 | | | 1.1 | % |
| Total other operation | | $ | 24,573 | | | $ | 24,546 | | | $ | 27 | | | 0.1 | % |
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there was a $557,000 decrease in surcharges related to the recovery of previously incurred costs at the water segment, with a corresponding decrease in other operation expenses, resulting in no impact to earnings. Excluding the impact of surcharges, there was a $558,000 increase in other operation-related expenses at the water segment primarily due to higher chemical and water treatment costs, as well as an increase in bad debt expense due to expected increases in delinquent customer payments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, bad debt expense in excess of what is included in GSWC's water revenue requirement has been included in the CPUC-approved catastrophic event memorandum account to be filed for future recovery.
Administrative and General
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, administrative and general expenses by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | | $ | 41,862 | | | $ | 39,090 | | | $ | 2,772 | | | 7.1 | % |
| Electric Services | | 6,678 | | | 5,887 | | | 791 | | | 13.4 | % |
| Contracted Services | | 15,447 | | | 16,843 | | | (1,396) | | | (8.3) | % |
| AWR (parent) | | 5 | | | 7 | | | (2) | | | (28.6) | % |
| Total administrative and general | | $ | 63,992 | | | $ | 61,827 | | | $ | 2,165 | | | 3.5 | % |
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, administrative and general expenses at the water segment increased, due in part, to a $1.1 million reduction recorded during the second quarter of 2019 to reflect the CPUC's approval in May 2019 for recovery of previously incurred costs that were being tracked in CPUC-authorized memorandum accounts. There was also an increase of $197,000 in surcharges billed for the recovery of previously incurred expenses as compared to the same period in 2019, which are offset by corresponding increases in administrative and general expenses, resulting in no impact to earnings. Excluding these two items, administrative and general expenses at the water segment increased by $1.5 million as a result of increases in labor costs and other employee-related benefits, and regulatory costs incurred in connection with the pending water general rate case.
The increase in administrative and general expenses at the electric segment included a $281,000 increase in billed surcharges, which have no impact to earnings. Excluding this increase in surcharges, the increase at the electric segment was $533,000 due to higher labor and employee-related benefits, and legal and other outside service costs.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, administrative and general expenses at the contracted services segment decreased due, in large part, to lower travel and related costs resulting from the impact of COVID-19, as well as lower employee-related benefit costs as compared to the same period in 2019.
Depreciation and Amortization
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, depreciation and amortization by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | | $ | 22,858 | | | $ | 22,484 | | | $ | 374 | | | 1.7 | % |
| Electric Services | | 1,841 | | | 1,870 | | | (29) | | | (1.6) | % |
| Contracted Services | | 2,491 | | | 2,139 | | | 352 | | | 16.5 | % |
| Total depreciation and amortization | | $ | 27,190 | | | $ | 26,493 | | | $ | 697 | | | 2.6 | % |
Increases in depreciation expense resulted mostly from additions to utility plant and other fixed assets.
Maintenance
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, maintenance expense by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | | $ | 8,925 | | | $ | 7,237 | | | $ | 1,688 | | | 23.3 | % |
| Electric Services | | 881 | | | 551 | | | 330 | | | 59.9 | % |
| Contracted Services | | 2,418 | | | 1,940 | | | 478 | | | 24.6 | % |
| Total maintenance | | $ | 12,224 | | | $ | 9,728 | | | $ | 2,496 | | | 25.7 | % |
Maintenance expense for water services increased due to a higher level of planned and unplanned maintenance as compared to the same period in 2019.
Maintenance expense at the electric segment for the first nine months of 2019 included a $302,000 reduction due to the CPUC's approval in the August 2019 final decision for the recovery of previously incurred incremental tree-trimming costs, which resulted in a reduction to maintenance expense that was recorded in August 2019. There was no equivalent item in 2020.
The increase in maintenance at the contracted services segment is due to higher planned maintenance as compared to the same period in 2019.
Property and Other Taxes
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, property and other taxes by business segment consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | | $ | 13,697 | | | $ | 12,781 | | | $ | 916 | | | 7.2 | % |
| Electric Services | | 914 | | | 841 | | | 73 | | | 8.7 | % |
| Contracted Services | | 1,487 | | | 1,378 | | | 109 | | | 7.9 | % |
| Total property and other taxes | | $ | 16,098 | | | $ | 15,000 | | | $ | 1,098 | | | 7.3 | % |
Property and other taxes increased overall during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 due primarily to capital additions and the associated higher assessed property values.
ASUS Construction
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, construction expenses for contracted services were $39.2 million, decreasing $496,000 compared to the same period in 2019 due to a decrease in overall construction activity as compared to the same period in 2019.
Interest Expense
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, interest expense by business segment, including AWR (parent) consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | | $ | 16,315 | | | $ | 16,897 | | | $ | (582) | | | (3.4) | % |
| Electric Services | | 636 | | | 1,088 | | | (452) | | | (41.5) | % |
| Contracted Services | | 352 | | | 426 | | | (74) | | | (17.4) | % |
| AWR (parent) | | 230 | | | 467 | | | (237) | | | (50.7) | % |
| Total interest expense | | $ | 17,533 | | | $ | 18,878 | | | $ | (1,345) | | | (7.1) | % |
The overall decrease in interest expense is due, in large part, to a decrease in short-term interest rates on the revolving credit facility as compared to 2019. In addition, the decrease in interest expense at the electric segment is due, in part, to the recording of allowance for funds used during construction on certain construction projects. These decreases were partially offset by the net increase in interest on long-term debt resulting from the issuance in July 2020 of new unsecured long-term private placement notes totaling $160.0 million. As a result, interest expense is expected to increase.
Interest Income
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, interest income by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | | $ | 519 | | | $ | 1,342 | | | $ | (823) | | | (61.3) | % |
| Electric Services | | 117 | | | 155 | | | (38) | | | (24.5) | % |
| Contracted Services | | 723 | | | 1,150 | | | (427) | | | (37.1) | % |
| AWR (parent) | | 5 | | | (3) | | | 8 | | | (266.7) | % |
| Total interest income | | $ | 1,364 | | | $ | 2,644 | | | $ | (1,280) | | | (48.4) | % |
The decrease in interest income during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was largely due to lower interest income earned on regulatory assets at the water segment bearing interest at the current 90-day commercial paper rate, which has declined compared to the same period in 2019. There was also a decrease in interest income recognized on certain initial construction projects performed at the contracted services segment.
Other Income and (Expense), net
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, other income and (expense), net by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | | 2,266 | | | 2,143 | | | 123 | | | 5.7 | % |
| Electric Services | | 93 | | | 10 | | | 83 | | | 830.0 | % |
| Contracted Services | | (105) | | | (189) | | | 84 | | | (44.4) | % |
| AWR (parent) | | 134 | | | 109 | | | 25 | | | 22.9 | % |
| Total other income and (expense), net | | 2,388 | | | 2,073 | | | 315 | | | 15.2 | % |
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, other income (net of other expense) increased by $315,000 due primarily to a decrease in the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit costs related to Registrant's defined benefit pension plans and other retirement benefits as compared to the same period in 2019. As a result of GSWC's and BVESI's pension balancing accounts authorized by the CPUC, changes in net periodic benefit costs are mostly offset by corresponding changes in revenues, having no material impact to earnings. The decrease in the non-service cost components was partially offset by lower gains recognized on investments held for a retirement benefit plan because of recent market conditions, as compared to the same period in 2019.
Income Tax Expense
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, income tax expense by business segment, including AWR (parent), consisted of the following (dollar amounts in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020 | | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019 | | $
CHANGE | | %
CHANGE |
| Water Services | | $ | 17,031 | | | $ | 15,205 | | | $ | 1,826 | | | 12.0 | % |
| Electric Services | | 1,722 | | | 2,124 | | | (402) | | | (18.9) | % |
| Contracted Services | | 3,199 | | | 3,816 | | | (617) | | | (16.2) | % |
| AWR (parent) | | (725) | | | (599) | | | (126) | | | 21.0 | % |
| Total income tax expense | | $ | 21,227 | | | $ | 20,546 | | | $ | 681 | | | 3.3 | % |
Consolidated income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased due to a higher overall effective income tax rate ("ETR"). AWR's consolidated ETR increased to 24.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to 23.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase was due primarily to the increase in GSWC's ETR, which was 25.5% and 24.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, resulting primarily from changes in certain flow-through and permanent items.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that are important to the portrayal of AWR’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments of AWR’s management. The need to make estimates about the effect of items that are uncertain is what makes these judgments difficult, subjective and/or complex. Management makes subjective judgments about the accounting and regulatory treatment of many items. These judgments are based on AWR’s historical experience, terms of existing contracts, AWR’s observance of trends in the industry, and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The critical accounting policies used in the preparation of the Registrant’s financial statements that it believes affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements presented in this report are described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20192020 filed with the SEC. There have been no material changes to Registrant’s critical accounting policies.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
AWR
Registrant’s regulated business is capital intensive and requires considerable capital resources. A portion of these capital resources is provided by internally generated cash flows from operations. AWR anticipates that interest expense will increase in future periods due to the need for additional external capital to fund construction programs at its construction program.regulated utilities and as market interest rates increase. In July 2020, GSWC issued $160 million in new long-term debt. Asaddition, as the capital investment program continues to increase, coupled with the elimination of bonus depreciation for regulated utilities due to tax reform enacted in 2017, AWR and its subsidiaries anticipate they will need to access external financing more often. AWR believes that costs associated with capital used to fund construction at GSWC and BVESI will continue to be recovered through water and electric rates charged to customers.
AWR funds its operating expenses and pays dividends on its outstanding Common Shares primarily through dividends from its wholly owned subsidiaries. The ability of GSWC and BVESI to pay dividends to AWR is restricted by California law. Under these restrictions, approximately $218.0$583.9 million was available on September 30, 2020for GSWC to pay dividends to AWR. TheAWR on March 31, 2021. Approximately $65.4 million was available for BVESI to pay dividends to AWR as of March 31, 2021. ASUS's ability of ASUS to pay dividends to AWR is also restricted by California law and by thedependent upon state laws in which each Military Utility Privatization Subsidiary operates, as well as ASUS's ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends to it.under California law.
When necessary, Registrant obtains funds from external sources through the capital markets, as well as from bank borrowings. Access to external financing on reasonable terms depends on the credit ratings of AWR and GSWC and current business conditions, including that of the water utility industry in general as well as conditions in the debt or equity capital markets. In addition, AWR currently has access to a $200.0 million credit facility and borrows under a revolving creditthis facility, which expires in May 2023, and providesto provide funds to its subsidiaries, GSWC and ASUS in support of their operations. The interest rate charged to GSWC and ASUS is sufficient to cover AWR’s interest expense under the credit facility. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, there was $89.0$107.0 million outstanding under this facility. BVESI has a 3-year,separate $35 million revolving credit facility, with a bank.which expires in July 2023. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, there was $3.0$22.0 million outstanding under this facility. Borrowings made under this facility support the electric businessBVESI's operations and capital expenditures. Under the terms of the credit agreement, BVESI mayhas the option to request an increase in the facility by an additional $15 million. Furthermore, the CPUC issued a decision in December 2019 approving, among other things, BVESI's authority to issue long-term financing not to exceed $75$15.0 million.
On May 7, 2020, the CPUC approved GSWC’s finance application filed in November 2019 requesting authority to issue additional long-term debt and equity securities not to exceed $465 million to supportApril 23, 2021, GSWC notified holders of its water operations. Following the CPUC's approval, on July 8, 2020, GSWC completed the issuance of unsecured9.56% private placement notes totaling $160.0 million. This financing consisted$28 million and due in 2031, of GSWC issuing $85.0 million in 2.17% senior notes which mature in 2030, and $75.0 million in 2.90% senior notes which mature in 2040. GSWC used the proceeds fromits intent to redeem the notes on May 24, 2021. Pursuant to pay downthe note agreement, the prepayment of the notes will include a majorityredemption premium of its3% on par value. GSWC will fund the redemption through intercompany borrowings from AWR. AWR usedparent, and plans to issue new debt in 2022. AWR will fund the proceeds from GSWC to pay down amounts outstanding underintercompany borrowings using its revolving credit facility. In March 2020, AWR amended the credit facility to temporarily increase the borrowing capacity to $260 million. Following the issuance of GSWC’s notes and effective July 15, 2020, AWR reduced the aggregate borrowing capacity back down to $200 million pursuant to the terms of the revolving credit facility agreement.
As part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, GSWC and BVESI have suspended through April 2021, service disconnections for non-paymentsnon-payment pursuant to CPUC orders. This is expected to reducehas affected Registrant's cash flows from operating activities and increase borrowingsincreased the need to borrow under AWR's and BVESI's credit facilities. The magnitudeIn February 2021, the CPUC adopted a resolution requiring utilities in California to file transition plans to address the eventual discontinuance of the reductionemergency customer protections by proactively communicating with customers to cash flows is difficultenroll in programs to predict at this time,manage their utility bills and is dependent on variables suchinforming them of the duration of any stay-at-home orders issued by statechanges to programs in which they are already enrolled. On April 1, 2021, GSWC and local governments, how successful such measures would be in containingBVESI filed their respective transition plans with the outbreak, and the nature and effectiveness of government assistance.CPUC.
In June 2020,March 2021, Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings (“S&P”) affirmed an A+ credit rating with a stable outlook onfor both AWR and GSWC. S&P also revised its rating outlook to negative from stable for both companies. S&P’s debt ratings range from AAA (highest possible) to D (obligation is in default). In June 2020, Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") also reaffirmed its A2 rating with a stable outlook for GSWC. Securities ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold a security, and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time by the rating agencies. Registrant believes that AWR’s sound capital structure and A+ credit rating, combined with its financial discipline, will enable Registrant to access the debt and equity markets.
AWR’s ability to pay cash dividends on its Common Shares outstanding depends primarily upon cash flows from its subsidiaries. AWR intends to continue paying quarterly cash dividends on or about March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1, subject to earnings and financial conditions, regulatory requirements and such other factors as the Board of Directors may deem relevant. Registrant has paid common dividends for over 80 consecutive years. On October 27, 2020,April 30, 2021, AWR's Board of Directors approved a fourthsecond quarter dividend of $0.335 per share on AWR's Common Shares. Dividends on the Common Shares will be paid on December 1, 2020June 2, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 16, 2020.May 17, 2021. AWR has paid common dividends every year since 1931, and has increased the dividends received by shareholders each calendar year for 66 consecutive years, which places it in an exclusive group of companies on the New York Stock Exchange that have achieved that result. Registrant'sAWR's current policy is to achieve a compound annual growth rate in the dividend of more than 7% over the long-term. AWR's Board of Directors approved a 9.8% increase in the third quarter dividend, from $0.305 per share to $0.335 per share on AWR's Common Shares.
Registrant's current liabilities may at times exceed its current assets. Management believes that internally generated cash flows from operations, borrowings from AWR's and BVESI's credit facilities, and access to long-term financing from capital markets will be adequate to provide sufficient capital to maintain normal operations and to meet its capital and financing requirements.requirements of AWR and its subsidiaries.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Cash flows from operating activities have generally provided sufficient cash to fund operating requirements, including a portion of construction expenditures at GSWC and BVESI, and construction expenses at ASUS, and to pay dividends. Registrant’s future cash flows from operating activities are expected to be affected by a number of factors, including utility regulation; changes in tax law; maintenance expenses; inflation; compliance with environmental, health and safety standards; production costs; customer growth; per-customer usage of water and electricity; weather and seasonality; conservation efforts; compliance with local governmental requirements, including mandatory restrictions on water use; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its customers' ability to pay utility bills and required cash contributions to pension and post-retirement plans. Future cash flows from contracted services subsidiaries will depend on new business activities, existing operations, the construction of new and/or replacement infrastructure at military bases, timely economic price and equitable adjustment of prices, and timely collection of payments from the U.S. government and other prime contractors operating at the military bases and any adjustments arising out of an audit or investigation by federal governmental agencies.
ASUS funds its operating expenses primarily through internal operating sources, which include U.S. government funding under 50-year contracts for operations and maintenance costs and construction activities, as well as investments by, or loans from, AWR. ASUS, in turn, provides funding to its subsidiaries. ASUS's subsidiaries may also from time to time provide funding to ASUS or its subsidiaries.
Cash flows from operating activities are primarily generated by net income, adjusted for non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization, and deferred income taxes. Cash generated by operations varies during the year. Net cash provided by operating activities of Registrant was $87.8$24.7 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 as compared to $84.3$15.7 million for the same period in 2019. The increase in cash2020. This was largely due in part, to the refunding of $7.2 million to water customers during the third quarter of 2019 related to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. There were no equivalent refunds made during the same period in 2020. There was also an increase in water customer usage during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, reducing the WRAM under-collection as compared the same period in 2019. These increases were partially offset by a decreaserecent improvements in cash flows from accounts receivable from utility customers, due to the economic impact ofwhich were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the CPUC-mandated suspension of service disconnections to customers for non-payment. There were also decreases in cash flows resulting from the timing in billing of and cash receipts for construction work at military bases during the nine months ended September 30,throughout 2020. The billings (and cash receipts) for construction work at our contracted services segment generally occur at completion of the work or in accordance with a billing schedule contractually agreed to with the U.S. government and/or other prime contractors. Thus, cash flow from construction-related activities may fluctuate from period to period with such fluctuations representing timing differences of when the work is being performed and when the cash is received for payment of the work. The timing of cash receipts and disbursements related to other working capital items also affected the change in net cash provided by operating activities.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Net cash used in investing activities was $94.6$37.0 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 as compared to $110.7$33.4 million for the same period in 20192020 largely due to a decreasean increase in capital expenditures at GSWC. Capital expenditures activity has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including among other things, local mandated restrictions on shutting off service as part of the response to the pandemic. These restrictions have impacted pipeline replacement projects, which require temporary service shut-offs in order to complete. During 2020, the water and electric segments' company-funded capital expenditures are estimated to be approximately $105 - $120 million, barring any further delays resulting from changes in capital improvement schedules due to the COVID-19 pandemic.regulated utilities. Registrant invests capital to provide essential services to its regulated customer base, while working with its regulatorsthe CPUC to have the opportunity to earn a fair rate of return on investment. Registrant’s infrastructure investment plan consists of both infrastructure renewal programs (where infrastructure is replaced, as needed) and major capital investment projects (where new water treatment, supply and delivery facilities are constructed). GSWCThe regulated utilities may also be required from time to time to relocate existing infrastructure in order to accommodate local infrastructure improvement projects. Projected capital expenditures and other investments are subject to periodic review and revision. For fiscal 2021, the regulated utilities' company-funded capital expenditures are expected to be between $120 and $135 million.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Registrant’s financing activities include primarily: (i) the sale proceeds from the issuance of Common Shares and the repurchase of Common Shares, (ii) the issuance and repayment of long-term debt and notes payable to banks, and (iii) the payment of dividends on Common Shares. In order to finance new infrastructure, GSWC also receives customer advances (net of refunds) for, and contributions in aid of, construction. Borrowings on AWR's and BVESI's credit facilities are used to fund GSWC and BVESI capital expenditures, respectively, until long-term financing is arranged.
the costs of the capital expenditures that will be made by the regulated utilities. Net cash providedused by financing activities was $13.6$17.5 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 as compared to $29.6cash provided of $16.8 million during the same period in 2019.2020. This decrease in cash provided from financing activities was primarily due to thea pay down of AWR's revolving credit facility during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, as compared to an increase in net borrowings on the credit facility during the same period in 2019. The pay down was made from the proceeds of the issuance of GSWC unsecured private placement notes totaling $160.0 million. GSWC used the proceeds from these notes to pay down a majority of the intercompany borrowings from AWR parent. AWR used the proceeds received from GSWC to pay down borrowings on its revolving credit facility. A portion of the net borrowings from AWR's credit facility during the nine months ended September 2019, was used to fund the repayment of $40.0 million senior notes, which matured in March 2019.2020.
GSWC
GSWC funds its operating expenses, payments on its debt, dividends on its outstanding common shares, and a portion of its construction expenditures through internal sources. Internal sources of cash flow are provided primarily by retention of a portion of earnings from operating activities. Internal cash generation is influenced by factors such as weather patterns, conservation efforts, environmental regulation, litigation, changes in tax law and deferred taxes, changes in supply costs and regulatory decisions affecting GSWC’s ability to recover these supply costs, timing of rate relief, increases in maintenance expenses and capital expenditures, surcharges authorized by the CPUC to enable GSWC to recover expenses previously incurred from customers, and CPUC requirements to refund amounts previously charged to customers. Internal cash flows may also be impacted fromby delays in receiving payments from GSWC customers due to the associated economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and new state legislation issued regardingsuspending customer disconnection requirements.disconnections for non-payment.
GSWC may, at times, utilize external sources for long-term financing, as well as obtain funds from equity investments and intercompany borrowings from AWR to help fund a portion of its operations and construction expenditures. OnIn July 8, 2020, GSWC completed the issuance of unsecured private placement notes totaling $160.0 million. Furthermore, AWR borrows under a revolving credit facility, which expires in May 2023, and provides funds to GSWC in support of its operations.
As previously mentioned, GSWC used the proceeds from the issuance of notes in July 2020 to pay down a majority of itsoperations under intercompany borrowings from AWR, which in turn used the amounts received by GSWC to pay down outstanding balances under its credit facility. Following the issuance of GSWC's notes and effective July 15, 2020, AWR reduced the aggregate borrowing capacity back down to $200 million pursuant to the terms of the revolving credit facility agreement. Accordingly, the borrowing capacity under GSWC's intercompany note agreement was amended, and currently GSWC's water operations may borrow up to $150 million from AWR. The CPUC requires GSWC to completely pay down all intercompany borrowings from AWR within a 24-month period. As of September 30, 2020, the end of the next 24-month period in which GSWC is required to completely pay down its intercompany borrowings is in November 2020. As a result, GSWC’s intercompany borrowings of $34.1 million as of September 30, 2020 have been classified as a current liability on GSWC’s balance sheet.arrangements.
In addition, GSWC receives advances and contributions from customers, home builders and real estate developers to fund construction necessary to extend service to new areas. Advances for construction are generally refundable at a rate of 2.5% in equal annual installments over 40 years. Amounts that are no longer subject to refund are reclassified to contributions in aid of construction. Utility plant funded by advances and contributions is excluded from rate base. Generally, GSWC amortizes contributions in aid of construction at the same composite rate of depreciation applicable tofor the related property.
As is often the case with public utilities, GSWC’s current liabilities may at times exceed its current assets. Management believes that internally generated cash flows from operations,funds, along with the proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, intercompany borrowings from AWR and common share issuances to AWR, will be adequate to provide sufficient capital to enable GSWC to maintain normal operations and to meet its capital and financing requirements.requirements pending recovery of costs in rates.
The CPUC requires GSWC to completely pay down all intercompany borrowings from AWR within a 24-month period. During the fourth quarter of 2020, GSWC paid down intercompany borrowings owed to AWR. The end of the next 24-month period in which GSWC is required to completely pay down its intercompany borrowings is at the end of March 2023 since GSWC had no borrowings from AWR as of March 31, 2021.
On July 1, 2020, GSWC completed the transfer of the net assets from its electric utility division to BVESI. As a result of this transfer, from July 1, 2020 onward, the cash flows of the electric segment are no longer included in GSWC's statement of cash flows, but continue to be included in AWR's consolidated statement of cash flows.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities was $75.1$22.8 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 as compared to $69.0$17.9 million for the same period in 2019. The increase in cash2020. This was largely due in part, to the refunding of $7.2 million to water customers during the third quarter of 2019 related to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. There were no equivalent refunds made during the same period in 2020. There was also an increase in water customer usage during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, reducing the WRAM under-collection as compared the same period in 2019. This increase was partially offset by a decreaserecent improvements in cash flows from accounts receivable from utility customers, due to the economic impact ofwhich were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the CPUC-mandated suspension of customer service disconnections for nonpayment.throughout 2020. The timing of cash receipts and disbursements related to other working capital items also affected the change in net cash provided by operating activities.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Net cash used in investing activities was $87.5$43.7 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 as compared to $104.4$31.9 million for the same period in 2019. Cash used2020. In October 2020, AWR issued an interest bearing promissory note to GSWC, which expires in May 2023. Under the terms of this note, AWR may borrow from GSWC amounts up to $30 million for working capital purposes. AWR agrees to pay any unpaid principal amounts outstanding under this note, plus accrued interest. During the first quarter of 2021, AWR had net borrowings of $12 million from GSWC under the terms of the note.
Furthermore, due to the electric utility reorganization effective July 1, 2020, GSWC's cash flows from investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2021 do not include the electric segment's capital expenditures, was $87.7 millionwhereas the cash flows for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2020 as compared to $104.8 million duringinclude the same period in 2019. Capital expenditures activity has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including among other things, local mandated restrictions on shutting off
service as part of the response to the pandemic. These restrictions have impacted pipeline replacement projects, which require temporary service shut-offs in order to complete.electric segment's capital expenditures.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net cash provided byused in financing activities was $16.1$12.2 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 as compared to $35.7$14.0 million net cash provided for the same period in 2019.2020. This decrease in cash provided from financing activities was due to net borrowings from AWR during the pay downfirst quarter of 2020, while there were no intercompany borrowings from AWR parent during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to net borrowings from AWR during the same period in 2019. The pay down in intercompany borrowings was made using proceeds from the issuancefirst quarter of GSWC unsecured private placement notes totaling $160.0 million.2021.
Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments
Registrant has various contractual obligations, which are recorded as liabilities in the consolidated financial statements. Other items, such as certain purchase commitments, are not recognized as liabilities in the consolidated financial statements but are required to be disclosed. In addition to contractual maturities, Registrant has certain debt instruments that contain an annual sinking fund or other principal payments. Registrant believes that it will be able to refinance debt instruments at their maturity through public issuance, or private placement, of debt or equity. Annual payments to service debt are generally made from cash flows from operations.
Effective July 15, 2020, AWR reduced the aggregate borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility from $260 million to $200 million pursuant to the terms of its revolving credit facility agreement.
On July 8, 2020, GSWC completed the issuance of unsecured private placement notes (the "Notes") totaling $160.0 million. In connection with this financing, GSWC issued (i) $85.0 million aggregate principal amount of Series A Senior Notes at a coupon rate of 2.17% due July 8, 2030, and (ii) $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of Series B Senior Notes at a coupon rate of 2.90% due July 8, 2040. Interest on the Notes is payable semiannually. The Notes are unsecured and will rank equally with GSWC’s unsecured and unsubordinated debt. GSWC may, at its option, redeem all or portions of the Notes at any time upon written notice, subject to payment of a make-whole premium based on 50 basis points above the applicable treasury yield. Under the terms of the Notes, GSWC may not incur any additional indebtedness or pay any distributions to its parent, AWR, if after giving effect thereto, GSWC would have a total indebtedness to capitalization ratio of more than 0.6667:1.00. In addition, GSWC may not incur any additional indebtedness if, after giving effect thereto, it would have a total indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ratio greater than 8.00:1.00.
On July 1, 2020, GSWC completed the transfer of the electric utility assets and liabilities from its electric division to a separate and now wholly owned subsidiary of AWR, BVESI. Effective July 1, 2020, BVESI has access to a 3-year, $35 million revolving credit facilitywith an option to increase the amount of the facility to $50 million.
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” section of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20192020 filed with the SEC for a detailed discussion of contractual obligations and other commitments.
Contracted Services
Under the terms of the current and future utility privatization contracts with the U.S. government, each contract's price is subject to an economic price adjustment (“EPA”) on an annual basis. In the event that ASUS (i) is managing more assets at specific military bases than were included in the U.S. government’s request for proposal, (ii) is managing assets that are in substandard condition as compared to what was disclosed in the request for proposal, (iii) prudently incurs costs not contemplated under the terms of the utility privatization contract, and/or (iv) becomes subject to new regulatory requirements, such as more stringent water-quality standards, ASUS is permitted to file, and has filed, requests for equitable adjustment (“REAs”). The timely filing for and receipt of EPAs and/or REAs continues to be critical in order for the Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries to recover increasing costs of operating, maintaining, renewing, and replacing the water and/or wastewater systems at the military bases it serves.
Under the Budget Control Act of 2011 (the “2011 Act”), substantial automatic spending cuts, known as "sequestration," have impacted the expected levels of Department of Defense budgeting. The Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries have not experienced any earnings impact to their existing operations and maintenance and renewal and replacement services, as utility privatization contracts are an "excepted service" within the 2011 Act. While the ongoing effects of sequestration have been mitigated through the passage of various legislation, most recently the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 for fiscal years 2020 and 2021, similar issues may arise as part of fiscal uncertainty and/or future debt-ceiling limits imposed by Congress. However, any future impact on ASUS and its operations through the Military Utility Privatization Subsidiaries will likely be limited to (a) the timing of funding to pay for services rendered, (b) delays in the processing of EPAs and/or REAs, (c) the timing of the issuance
of contract modifications for new construction work not already funded by the U.S. government, and/or (d) delays in the solicitation for and/or awarding of new contracts under the Department of Defense utility privatization program.
At times, the Defense Contract Auditing Agency and/or the Defense Contract Management Agency may, at the request of a contracting officer, perform audits/reviews of contractors for compliance with certain government guidance and regulations, such as the Federal Acquisition Regulations and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplements. Certain audit/review findings, such as system deficiencies for government-contract-business-system requirements, may result in delays in the resolution of filings submitted to and/or the ability to file new proposals with the U.S. government.
Regulatory Matters
Water Segment:
Recent Changes in Rates
The CPUC approved water rate increases effective January 1, 2020.2021. These increases are expected to generate an additional $10.4$11.1 million in the adopted water gross margin for 20202021 as compared to the adopted water gross margin in 2019. The CPUC final decision on the general rate case issued in May 2019 also allows for an additional increase of approximately $11.4 million in 2021, subject to the results of an earnings test and changes to the forecasted inflationary index values.2020.
General Rate Case
On July 15, 2020, GSWC filed a general rate case application for all of its water regions and the general office. This general rate case will determine new water rates for the years 2022 – 2024. Among other things, GSWC'sGSWC requested capital budgets in this application of approximately $450.6 million for the three-year rate cycle, and another $11.4 million of capital projects to be filed for revenue recovery through advice letters when those projects are completed. A decision in the water general rate case is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2021, with new rates to become effective January 1, 2022.
Final Decision on the First Phase of the Low-Income Affordability Rulemaking
On August 27, 2020, the CPUC issued a final decision in the first phase of the CPUC’s Order Instituting Rulemaking evaluating the low income ratepayer assistance and affordability objectives contained in the CPUC’s 2010 Water Action Plan, which also addressed other issues including matters associated with the continued use of the WRAM by California water utilities. The final decision also addressed the continued use of the MCBA, which is a full-cost balancing account used to track the difference between adopted and actual water supply costs (including the effects of changes in both rates and volume).Plan. Based on the final decision, any general rate case application filed by GSWC and the other California water utilities after the August 27, 2020 effective date of this decision, may not include a proposal to continue the use of the WRAM or MCBA, butMCBA. Instead the utility may instead include a proposal to use a limited price adjustment mechanism (the Monterey-Style WRAM) and an incremental supply cost balancing account.
The final decision will not have any impact on GSWC's WRAM or MCBA balances during the current rate cycle (2019 – 2021). In addition,February 2021, a procedural hearing in this pending general rate case was held, and the decision supportsassigned administrative law judge in the proceeding clarified that GSWC may continue the use of the WRAM and MCBA through the year 2024. GSWC’s position that it does not apply to itsnext general rate case application will be filed in July 2020, which will set2023 to establish new rates for the years 20222025 – 2024. However, at this time, management cannot predict the potential impact of this decision, if any,2027 and, based on the pending water general rate case.August 27, 2020 decision, may not include the WRAM or MCBA for those years. Since its implementation in 2008, the WRAM and MCBA have helped mitigate fluctuations in GSWC’s earnings due to changes in water consumption by its customers or changes in water supply mix. Replacing them with other more limited mechanisms recommended in the final decision would likely result in more volatility in GSWC’s future earnings and could preventresult in less than or more than full recovery of its authorized water gross margin. On or prior toIn October 5, 2020, GSWC, the other California water utilities, and the California Water Association filed separate applications for rehearing on this matter. At this time, management cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Cost of Capital Proceeding
Investor-owned water utilities serving California are required to file their cost of capital applications on a triennial basis, with the next scheduled filing required to have taken place on May 1, 2020 and to be effective for the years 2021 - 2023. In January 2020,basis. GSWC, along with the three other investor-owned water utilities requested an extension ofin California, filed a joint request with the date by which each of them must file its 2020CPUC in January 2021 to postpone the cost of capital applications. In March 2020, the CPUC approved the request, postponing the filing date by one year untilapplications from May 1, 2021 to May 1, 2022, and to keep the current authorized cost of capital parameters in effect through 2022. In February 2021, the CPUC denied the request. GSWC intends to file its cost of capital application with a correspondingthe CPUC on May 3, 2021 (end of business day). A final decision on this proceeding is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2021, with an effective date of January 1, 2022. The CPUC also approved the joint parties’ request to leave the current Water Cost of Capital Mechanism in place, but there will be no changes to the companies’ rate of return on rate base during the one-year extension, regardless of what the mechanism might otherwise indicate.
GSWC’s current authorized rate of return on rate base is 7.91%, based on its weighted cost of capital, which will continue in effect through December 31, 2021. The 7.91% return on rate base includes a return on equity of 8.9%, an embedded cost of debt of 6.6%, and a capital structure with 57% equity and 43% debt.
Finance Application
In November 2019, GSWC filed a finance application with the CPUC requesting, among other things, authorization to issue additional long-term debt and equity securities not to exceed $465 million to support its water operations. On May 7, 2020, the CPUC approved the finance application. Following the CPUC’s approval, on July 8, 2020, GSWC completed the issuance of unsecured private placement notes totaling $160.0 million.
Electric Segment:
Completion of Electric Utility Reorganization Plan
On July 1, 2020, GSWC completed the transfer of the electric utility assets and liabilities from its electric division to BVESI in exchange for common shares of BVESI.GSWC then immediately distributed all of BVESI's common shares to AWR, whereupon BVESI became wholly owned directly by AWR. The reorganization is not expected to result in any substantive changes to AWR's operations or business segments.
Recent Changes in Rates
On August 15, 2019, the CPUC issued a final decision on the electric segment's general rate case which, among other things, increases the adopted electric gross margin by $1.2 million for 2020, by $1.1 million for 2021, and by $1.0 million for 2022 (the electric rate increases are not subject to an earnings test).2022. The rate case decision continues to apply for BVESI.
Wildfire Mitigation Plans and Safety Certification
California requires all investor-owned electric utilities to submit an annual wildfire mitigation plan (WMP) to the CPUC for approval. The WMP is to include a utility's plans on constructing, maintaining, and operating its electrical lines and equipment to minimize the risk of catastrophic wildfire. In February 2019, the electric segment filed its first WMP, which was subsequently approved by the CPUC in June 2019. Among other things, the WMP approves capital projects and programs dedicated to improving system safety and reliability and, specifically, aimed at reducing the possibility of wildfires. Upon approval in June 2019, the electric segment commenced executing its WMP immediately. BVESI's second WMP filed with the CPUC in 2020 was approved in January 2021. The CPUC is currently reviewing BVESI's latest WMP submission. Capital expenditures and other costs incurred as a result of the WMP are subject to CPUC audit.
Additionally, the California legislature enacted Assembly Bill (AB) 1054 in July 2019, which among other things, changed the burden of proof applicable in CPUC proceedings in which an electric utility with a valid safety certification seeks to recover wildfire costs. Traditionally, an electric utility seeking to recover costs had the burden to prove that it acted reasonably. Under AB 1054, if an electric utility has a valid safety certification, it will be presumed to have acted reasonably unless a party to the relevant proceeding creates a “serious doubt” as to the reasonableness of the utility’s conduct. GSWC received an initial safety certification for its electric division from the CPUC in February 2020. Following the reorganization, the CPUC approved the transfer of the safety certification to BVESI in August 2020. In February 2021, BVESI filed its 2021 safety certification to the CPUC. BVESI's current safety certification remains in effect while the CPUC reviews BVESI's 2021 safety certification filing.
BVESI CEMA Regulatory Asset
BVESI activated a CEMA account to track the incremental costs incurred in response to a severe winter storm that occurred in February 2019 and which resulted in the declaration of an emergency by the governor of California. Incremental costs of $455,000 were included in the CEMA account and recorded as a regulatory asset. BVESI subsequently filed for recovery of these costs. In April 2021, the administrative law judge issued a proposed decision denying BVESI’s request for recovery, claiming that BVESI did not adequately demonstrate that the costs incurred were incremental and beyond costs already included in BVESI’s revenue requirement. The proposed decision does permit BVESI to file a new application on the issue of incrementality should it wish to continue pursuing recovery. BVESI did file a response to the proposed decision supporting BVESI's position. BVESI believes the storm costs were incremental and beyond what was included in its revenue requirement, and therefore, will plan on filing a new application to continue pursuing recovery. As a result, the costs in this CEMA account remain as a regulatory asset at March 31, 2021 as the Company continues to believe the incremental costs were properly tracked and included in the CEMA account consistent with the CPUC's well-established past practices. The CPUC allows CEMA accounts to be established following a state/federal declared emergency, and are therefore recognized as regulatory assets for future recovery. However, if BVESI does not ultimately prevail in obtaining recovery, it will result in a charge to earnings for the write-off of this CEMA regulatory asset totaling $455,000. Although BVESI believes it has provided the necessary evidence to support recovery of its requested incremental CEMA costs, at this time, management cannot predict the final outcome of this matter.
COVID-19:
In February 2021, the CPUC adopted a resolution that extended the existing emergency customer protections previously established by the CPUC through June 30, 2021, including the suspension of service disconnections for non-payment by electric utility customers in response to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. For water utilities, the moratorium on service disconnections was implemented in response to an order by the governor of California, which we believe would require another action by the governor to cease the moratorium on service disconnections for our water customers. It is expected that the CPUC will work with the governor’s office to coordinate the lifting of the moratorium for water utility customers consistent with the electric customers. The CPUC's February resolution did extend the COVID-19-related memorandum accounts established by GSWC and by BVESI to track incremental costs associated with complying with the resolution. In addition, the resolution required utilities in California to file transition plans to address the eventual discontinuance of the emergency customer protections.The goal of the transition plan is to effectively ease customers through a transition off the emergency customer protections by proactively communicating with customers to enroll in programs to manage their utility bills and informing them of the changes to programs in which they are already enrolled. GSWC and BVESI filed their respective transition plans with the CPUC on April 1, 2021.
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Regulatory Matters” section of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 20192020 filed with the SEC for a discussion of other regulatory matters.
Environmental Matters
GSWC is required to comply with the safe drinking water standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“US EPA”) and the Division of Drinking Water ("DDW"), under the State Water Resources Control Board (“SWRCB”). The US EPA regulates contaminants that may have adverse health effects that are known or likely to occur at levels of public health concern, and the regulation of which will provide a meaningful opportunity for health risk reduction. The DDW, acting on behalf of the US EPA, administers the US EPA’s program in California. Similar state agencies administer these rules in the other states in which Registrant operates.
GSWC currently tests its water supplies and water systems according to, among other things, requirements listed in the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”). In compliance with the SDWA and to assure a safe drinking water supply to its customers, GSWC has incurred operating costs for testing to determine the levels, if any, of the constituents in its sources of supply and additional expense to treat contaminants in order to meet federal and state maximum contaminant level standards and consumer demands. GSWC expects to incur additional capital costs as well as increased operating costs to maintain or improve the quality of water delivered to its customers in light of anticipated stress on water resources associated with watershed and aquifer pollution, as well as to meet future water quality standards. The CPUC ratemaking process provides GSWC with the opportunity to recover prudently incurred capital and operating costs in future filings associated with achieving water quality standards. Management believes that such incurred and expected future costs will be authorized for recovery by the CPUC.
Drinking Water Notifications Levels:
In July 2018, DDW issued drinking water notification levels for certain fluorinated organic chemicals used to make certain fabrics and other materials, and used in various other industrial processes. These chemicals were also present in certain fire suppression agents. These chemicals are referred to as perfluoroalkyl substances ("PFAS"). Notification levels are health-based advisory levels established for contaminants in drinking water for which maximum contaminant levels have not been established. The US EPA has also established health advisory levels for these compounds. Notification to consumers is required when the advisory levels or notification levels are exceeded.
California Assembly Bill No. 756, signed into law in July 2019 and effective in January 2020 requires, among other things, additional notification requirements for water systems detecting levels of PFAS above certain levels. GSWC is in the process of collecting and analyzing samples for PFAS under the direction of DDW. GSWC has removed some wells from service and expects to incur additional costs to treat impacted wells. GSWC has provided customers with information regarding PFAS detection and provided updated information via its website. In February 2020, DDW established new response levels for two of the PFAS compounds - 10 parts per trillion for perfluorooctanoic acid ("PFOA") and 40 parts per trillion for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid ("PFOS"). In March 2021, DDW issued a notification level and response level of 0.5 parts per billion (ppb) and 5 ppb, respectively, for perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). The CPUC has authorized GSWC to track incremental costs, including laboratory testing and monitoring costs, customer and public notification costs, and chemical and operating treatment costs, incurred as a result of PFAS contamination in a Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Memorandum Account ("PFASMA") to be filed with the CPUC for future recoveryrecovery.
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Environmental Matters” section of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 20192020 filed with the SEC for a discussion of environmental matters applicable to GSWC and ASUS and its subsidiaries.
Water Supply
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—California Drought” section of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 20192020 filed with the SEC for a discussion of water supply issues. The discussion below focuses on significant matters and changes since December 31, 2019.2020.
Drought Impact:
In May 2018, the California Legislature passed two bills that provide a framework for long-term water-use efficiency standards and drought planning and resiliency. The initial steps for implementing this legislation have been laid out in a summary document by the California Department of Water Resources ("DWR") and the SWRCB.State Water Resources Control Board (“SWRCB”). Over the next several years, State agencies, water suppliers and other entities will be working to meet the requirements and implement plans. A notable milestone is the establishment of an indoor water use standard of 55 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) until 2025, at which time the standard may be reduced to 52.5 gpcd or a new standard as recommended by DWR.
California's recent period of multi-year drought resulted in reduced recharge to the state's groundwater basins. GSWC utilizes groundwater from numerous groundwater basins throughout the state. Several of these basins, especially smaller basins, experienced lower groundwater levels because of the drought. Several of GSWC's service areas rely on groundwater as their only source of supply. Given the critical nature of the groundwater levels in California’s Central Coast area, GSWC implemented mandatory water restrictions in certain service areas, in accordance with CPUC procedures. In the event of water supply shortages beyond the locally available supply, GSWC would need to transport additional water from other areas, increasing the cost of water supply. Registrant's liquidity may be adversely impacted by changes in water supply costs.
PrecipitationFor the current 2020-2021 water year, precipitation and snow levels to date in 2020 have been below normal, withaverage. The April 1st snow survey showed levels around 59% of average for the Sierra snowpack and precipitation statewide snowpack at about 64%is approximately 50% of average.average for the water year. As a result, California is entering yet another concerning dry spell. As of OctoberApril 27, 2020,2021, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported that approximately 68%53% of California was considered in a "Moderate"Extreme Drought" and approximately 36%88% of California was considered to be in a "Severe Drought",“Severe Drought” as compared to 2%approximately 5% and zero percent20% for those categories, respectively, one year ago, respectively. Dryago. These dry conditions are currently more pronounced in northern and eastern portions of California, while the northern half of the California.Coastal and Southern California areas continue to experience abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions. If these dry conditions continue or get worse,worsen, the SWRCB or other regulatory agencies may impose emergency drought actions. On March 3, 2021 the United States Department of Agriculture declared a natural disaster for 50 counties in California, including those served by GSWC, due to drought impacts on agriculture. However, the State has not declared a similar proclamation and the DWR recently stated that implementation of State emergency powers is not necessary at this time. Due to local conditions, water-use restrictions and allocations remain in place for customers in some of GSWC’s service areas. GSWC continues to assesshas water supply conditionscontingency plans in place which address different actions to be taken based upon available water supply, and has increased customer communication regarding water conservation. GSWC must file with the CPUC before implementing any mandatory cut backs. Registrant's liquidity may be adversely impacted by water-use restrictions in these service areas and will make appropriate adjustments as needed.imposed on customers.
Metropolitan Water District/ State Water Project:Project:
GSWC supplements groundwater production with wholesale purchases from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California ("MWD") member agencies. Water supplies available to the MWD through the State Water Project ("SWP") vary from year to year based on several factors. Every year, the California Department of Water Resources ("DWR") establishes the SWP allocation for water deliveries to state water contractors. DWR generally establishes a percentage allocation of delivery requests based on several factors, including weather patterns, snow-pack levels, reservoir levels and biological diversion restrictions. The SWP is a major source of water for the MWD. In JanuaryDecember 2020, DWR set the initial SWP delivery allocation at 1510 percent of requests for the 2020 calendar year. TheDue to ongoing dry conditions, the delivery allocation was increaseddecreased to 205 percent in May 2020 due to improved hydrology.March 2021. However, MWD has stated that it currently has robust reserves in storage and is not currently projecting shortages in the current water year.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Registrant is subject to newly issued requirements as well as changes in existing requirements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. See Note 1 of the Unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Registrant is exposed to certain market risks, including fluctuations in interest rates, commodity price risk primarily relating to changes in the market price of electricity at BVESI, and other economic conditions. Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in prevailing market rates and prices.
The quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are discussed in Item 7A-Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, contained in Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.2020 filed with the SEC.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), we have carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness, as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this report, of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO concluded that disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, were adequate and effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Registrant is subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business, some of which may include claims for compensatory and punitive damages. No legal proceedings are pending, which are believed to be material. Management believes that rate recovery, proper insurance coverage and reserves are in place to insure against, among other things, property, general liability, employment, and workers’ compensation claims incurred in the ordinary course of business. Insurance coverage may not cover certain claims involving punitive damages.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Except for risks associated with uncertainties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, thereThere have been no significant changes in the risk factors disclosed in our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Some of10-K filed with the risks due to the COVID-19 pandemic that have been identified by management to date include uncertainties arising out of:
•the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of GSWC, BVESI and the Military Privatization Subsidiaries to continue to operate, repair, maintain and improve their infrastructure and to provide utility services to their customers in the ordinary course while keeping their employees and customers and the communities and military bases on which they operate safe; the extent of this impact will depend, in part, on the degree to which federal, state and local governments restrict business and personal activities, the associated level of compliance by businesses and citizens and the degree to which “flattening the curve” is successful;
•the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of the supply chains of GSWC, BVESI, and the Military Privatization Subsidiaries to continue to provide necessary supplies and equipment to them and the ability of the subcontractors of GSWC, BVESI, and the Military Privatization Subsidiaries and other service providers to continue to provide services to them in the ordinary course; the extent of this impact will depend, in part, on the nature and effectiveness of government assistance to businesses and the length of time on which government restrictions on business activities remain in place and the extent of adverse health impacts on any affected businesses due to COVID-19;
•the impact of COVID-19 on financial markets, which could negatively impact the ability of Registrant and its subsidiaries to obtain capital on reasonable terms and at reasonable rates;
•the reduction in the fair value of plan assets in the pension and other retirement plans due to the negative impact of COVID-19 on financial markets;
•possible increases in customer dissatisfaction due to the temporary closure of payment offices, increase in customer wait times due to increases in customer calls and general anxiety due to personal circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic; and
•uncertainties regarding actions that may be taken by the CPUC relating to such matters as recovery of amounts in the CEMA account, the recovery of costs of funding the pension and other retirement plans, delays in making capital improvements or changes in cost of capital.SEC.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The shareholders of AWR have approved the material features of all equity compensation plans under which AWR issues equity securities. The following table provides information about repurchases of Common Shares by AWR during the thirdfirst quarter of 2020:2021:
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| Period | | Total Number of
Shares
Purchased | | Average Price Paid
per Share | | Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs (1) | | Maximum Number
of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
under the Plans or
Programs (1)(3) |
| July 1 – 31, 2020 | | 212 | | | $ | 79.54 | | | — | | | — | |
| August 1 – 31, 2020 | | 418 | | | $ | 79.41 | | | — | | | — | |
| September 1 – 30, 2020 | | 12,073 | | | $ | 76.57 | | | — | | | — | |
| Total | | 12,703 | | (2) | $ | 76.72 | | | — | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Period | | Total Number of
Shares
Purchased | | Average Price Paid
per Share | | Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs (1) | | Maximum Number
of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
under the Plans or
Programs (1)(3) |
| January 1 – 31, 2021 | | 294 | | | $ | 81.10 | | | — | | | — | |
| February 1 – 28, 2021 | | 546 | | | $ | 78.15 | | | — | | | — | |
| March 1 – 31, 2021 | | 3,074 | | | $ | 72.52 | | | — | | | — | |
| Total | | 3,914 | | (2) | $ | 73.95 | | | — | | | |
(1) None of the common shares were purchased pursuant to any publicly announced stock repurchase program.
(2) Of this amount, 9,282All of these Common Shares were acquired on the open market for employees pursuant to the Company's 401(k) plan and the remainder was acquired on the open market for participants in the Common Share Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
(3) Neither the 401(k) plan nor the Common Share Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan contain a maximum number of Common Shares that may be purchased in the open market.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure
Not applicable
Item 5. Other Information
(a) On October 27, 2020,April 30, 2021, AWR's Board of Directors approved a fourthsecond quarter dividend of $0.335 per share on AWR's Common Shares. Dividends on the Common Shares will be paid on December 1, 2020June 2, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 16, 2020.May 17, 2021.
(b) There have been no material changes during the thirdfirst quarter of 20202021 to the procedures by which shareholders may nominate persons to the Board of Directors of AWR.
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) The following documents are filed as Exhibits to this report:
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| 3.1 | | |
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| 3.2 | | |
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| 3.3 | | |
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| 3.4 | | |
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| 4.1 | | |
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| 4.2 | | |
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| 4.3 | | |
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| 4.4 | | |
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| 10.1 | | Second Sublease dated October 5, 1984 between Golden State Water Company and Three Valleys Municipal Water District incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-2, Registration No. 33-5151 |
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| 10.2 | | Note Agreement dated as of May 15, 1991 between Golden State Water Company and Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q with respect to the quarter ended June 30, 1991 (File No. 1-14431) |
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| 10.3 | | Schedule of omitted Note Agreements, dated May 15, 1991, between Golden State Water Company and Transamerica Annuity Life Insurance Company, and Golden State Water Company and First Colony Life Insurance Company incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form 10-Q with respect to the quarter ended June 30, 1991 (File No. 1-14431) |
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| 10.4 | | |
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| 10.5 | | |
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| 10.6 | | |
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| 10.7 | | |
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| 10.8 | | |
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| 10.9 | | |
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| 10.10 | | |
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| 10.11 | | |
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| 10.12 | | |
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| 10.13 | | |
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| 10.14 | | |
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| 10.15 | | |
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| 10.16 | | |
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| 10.17 | | |
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10.18 | | |
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10.19 | | |
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10.2010.18 | | |
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10.2110.19 | | |
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10.2210.20 | | |
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10.23 | | |
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10.2410.21 | | |
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10.25 | | |
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10.2610.22 | | |
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10.2710.23 | | |
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10.2810.24 | | |
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10.2910.25 | | |
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| 31.1 | | |
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| 31.1.1 | | |
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| 31.2 | | |
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| 31.2.1 | | |
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| 32.1 | | |
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| 32.2 | | |
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| 101.INS | | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
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| 101.SCH | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema (3) |
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| 101.CAL | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase (3) |
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| 101.DEF | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase (3) |
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| 101.LAB | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase (3) |
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| 101.PRE | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase (3) |
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| 104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
(1) Filed concurrently herewith
(2) Management contract or compensatory arrangement
(3) Furnished concurrently herewith
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized and as its principal financial officer.
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| | | | AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY (“AWR”): |
| | | |
| | | By: | /s/ EVA G. TANG |
| | | Eva G. Tang |
| | | | Senior Vice President - Finance, Chief Financial |
| | | | Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer |
| | | |
| | | | GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY (“GSWC”): |
| | | |
| | | By: | /s/ EVA G. TANG |
| | | Eva G. Tang |
| | | | Senior Vice President - Finance, Chief Financial |
| | | | Officer and Secretary |
| | | |
| | | Date: | November 2, 2020May 3, 2021 |