Table of Contents


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


Form 10-Q
xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the quarterly period ended
September 30, 20182019
OR 
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
 EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the transition period from __________ to __________.
  
 Commission File Number001-31303
Black Hills Corporation
Incorporated inSouth DakotaIRS Identification Number46-0458824
7001 Mount Rushmore Road

Rapid CitySouth Dakota57702

Registrant’s telephone number(605)721-1700
Former name, former address, and former fiscal year if changed since last report
NONE

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


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


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer Accelerated Filer
x 
Accelerated filer o
Filer
 
     
 
Non-accelerated filer o
Filer
 
Smaller reporting company o
Reporting Company
 
     
   
Emerging growth company oGrowth 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. o


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yeso
 
No x
 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock of $1.00 par valueBKHNew York Stock Exchange

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.
ClassOutstanding at November 1, 2018October 31, 2019
Common stock, $1.00 par value59,974,62061,454,071

shares




TABLE OF CONTENTS
   Page
 
    
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    
Item 1. 
 
   Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 
 
   Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 
 
   September 30, 2018, December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017 
 
   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 
 
Notes to  
  
Item 2. 
Item 3.
Item 4.
    
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 4.Controls and Procedures
PART II.OTHER INFORMATION
    
Item 1. 
Item 4.
Item 6.
    
Item 1A.Risk Factors
  
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.Other Information
Item 6.Exhibits
Signatures



2





GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS


The following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report and have the definitions described below:
AFUDCAllowance for Funds Used During Construction
AOCIAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
APSCArkansas Public Service Commission
Arkansas GasBlack Hills Energy Arkansas, Inc., a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Gas Inc.
ASCAccounting Standards Codification
ASUAccounting Standards Update issued by the FASB
ATMAt-the-market equity offering program
AvailabilityThe availability factor of a power plant is the percentage of the time that it is available to provide energy.
BblBarrel
BHCBlack Hills Corporation; the Company
Black Hills Electric GenerationBlack Hills Electric Generation, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings
Black Hills EnergyThe name used to conduct the business of our utility companies
Black Hills PowerBlack Hills Power, Inc., a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation (doing business as Black Hills Energy)
Black Hills Utility HoldingsBlack Hills Utility Holdings, Inc., a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation (doing business as Black Hills Energy)
Black Hills WyomingBlack Hills Wyoming, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Electric Generation
Busch Ranch I
Busch Ranch Wind Farm is a 29 MW wind farm near Pueblo, Colorado, jointly owned
by Colorado Electric and AltaGas.Black Hills Electric Generation. Colorado Electric hasand Black
Hills Electric Generation each have a 50% ownership interest in the wind farm.

Busch Ranch IIBusch Ranch II wind project will be a 60 MW wind farm near Pueblo, Colorado, built by Black Hills Electric Generation to provide wind energy to Colorado Electric through a 25-year power purchase agreement.
CAPPCustomer Appliance Protection Plan
Cheyenne LightCheyenne Light, Fuel and Power Company, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation (doing business as Black Hills Energy)Energy and providing electric service)
Choice Gas ProgramThe unbundling of the natural gas service from the distribution component, which opens up the gas supply for competition allowing customers to choose from different natural gas suppliers. Black Hills Gas Distribution distributesand Wyoming Gas distribute the gas and Black Hills Energy Services, is one of theWyoming Gas and Black Hills Gas Distribution are Choice Gas suppliers.
CIACContribution In Aid of Construction
City of GilletteGillette, Wyoming
City of CheyenneCheyenne, Wyoming
Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM)Chief Executive Officer
Colorado Electric
Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills
Utility Holdings (doing business as Black Hills Energy)
Colorado GasBlack Hills Colorado Electric,Gas, Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings (doing business as Black Hills Energy)
Colorado IPPBlack Hills Colorado IPP, LLC a 50.1% owned subsidiary of Black Hills Electric Generation
Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization RatioAny Indebtednessindebtedness outstanding at such time, divided by Capitalcapital at such time. Capital being Consolidated Net-Worthconsolidated net-worth (excluding noncontrolling interest and including the aggregate outstanding amount of RSNs)interest) plus Consolidated Indebtednessconsolidated indebtedness (including letters of credit and certain guarantees issued and excluding RSNs)issued) as defined within the current Revolving Credit Agreement.Facility.
CDDCooling Degree Day (CDD)A cooling degree day is equivalent to each degree that the average of the high and low temperaturetemperatures for a day is above 65 degrees. The warmer the climate, the greater the number of cooling degree days. Cooling degree days are used in the utility industry to measure the relative warmth of weather and to compare relative temperatures between one geographic area and another. Normal degree days are based on the National Weather Service data for selected locations over a 30-year average.locations.
CPCNCertificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
CP ProgramCommercial Paper Program
CPUCColorado Public Utilities Commission
CTCombustion turbine
CVACredit Valuation Adjustment
Dodd-FrankDodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

3



DthDekatherm. A unit of energy equal to 10 therms or one million British thermal units (MMBtu)


Equity UnitEach Equity Unit hashad a stated amount of $50, consisting of a purchase contract issued by BHC to purchase shares of BHC common stock and a 1/20, or 5% undivided beneficial ownership interest in $1,000 principal amount of BHC RSNs that were formerly due 2028 prior to2028. On November 1, 2018, we completed settlement of the successful remarketing on August 17, 2018.stock purchase contracts that are components of the Equity Units issued in November 2015.
FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board
FERCUnited States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FitchFitch Ratings
GAAPAccounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
HDDHeating Degree Day (HDD)A heating degree day is equivalent to each degree that the average of the high and the low temperatures for a day is below 65 degrees. The colder the climate, the greater the number of heating degree days. Heating degree days are used in the utility industry to measure the relative coldness of weather and to compare relative temperatures between one geographic area and another. Normal degree days are based on the National Weather Service data for selected locations over a 30-year average.
Horizon PointCorporate headquarters building in Rapid City, South Dakota, which was completed in 2017.locations.
IPPIndependent power producer
IRSUnited States Internal Revenue Service
Kansas GasBlack Hills Kansas Gas Utility Company, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings (doing business as Black Hills Energy)
LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate
MMBtuMillion British thermal units
Moody’sMoody’s Investors Service, Inc.
MWMegawatts
MWhMegawatt-hours
Nebraska GasBlack Hills Nebraska Gas Utility Company, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings (doing business as Black Hills Energy)
OCANPSCOffice of Consumer Advocate
Peak View Wind Project$109 million 60 MW wind generating project for Colorado Electric, adjacent to Busch Ranch wind farm
PCAPower Cost AdjustmentNebraska Public Service Commission
PPAPower Purchase Agreement
Pueblo Airport Generation Station
Two 100 MW combined cycle gas-fired power generation plants owned by Colorado IPP and located at a site shared with Colorado Electric. The plants commenced operation on January 1, 2012.

Revolving Credit FacilityOur $750 million credit facility used to fund working capital needs, letters of credit and other corporate purposes, which was amended and restated on July 30, 2018 and now terminates on July 30, 2023.
RMNGRocky Mountain Natural Gas, a regulated gas utility acquired in the SourceGas Acquisition that provides regulated transmission and wholesale natural gas service to Black Hills Gas in western Colorado (doing business as Black Hills Energy)
RSNsRemarketable junior subordinated notes, issued on November 23, 2015 and retired on August 17, 2018.
SDPUCSouth Dakota Public Utilities Commission
SECU. S. Securities and Exchange Commission
SourceGasSourceGas Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries, a gas utility owned by funds managed by Alinda Capital Partners and GE Energy Financial Services, a unit of General Electric Co. (NYSE:GE) that was acquired on February 12, 2016, and is now named Black Hills Gas Holdings, LLC (doing business as Black Hills Energy)
SourceGas AcquisitionThe acquisition of SourceGas Holdings, LLC by Black Hills Utility Holdings
S&PStandard and Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
South Dakota ElectricIncludes Black Hills Power, which includes operations in South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana
SSIRSystem Safety and Integrity Rider
TCJATax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017
Tech ServicesNon-regulated product lines within Black Hills Corporation that 1) provide electrical system construction services to large industrial customers of our electric utilities, and 2) serve gas transportation customers throughout its service territory by constructing and maintaining customer-owner gas infrastructure facilities, typically through one-time contracts.
Wind Capacity FactorMeasures the amount of electricity a wind turbine produces in a given time period relative to its maximum potential
WPSCWyoming Public Service Commission
WRDCWyodak Resources Development Corporation, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings
Wyodak PlantWyodak, a 362 MW mine-mouth coal-fired plant in Gillette, Wyoming, owned 80% by PacificorpPacifiCorp and 20% by Black Hills Energy South Dakota. Our WRDC mine supplies all of the fuel for the plant.
Wyoming Electric
Includes Cheyenne Light’s electric utility operations


Wyoming GasBlack Hills Wyoming Gas, LLC, an indirect and wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings (doing business as Black Hills Energy)

4





 


BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
20182017201820172019201820192018
(in thousands, except per share amounts)(in thousands, except per share amounts)
  
Revenue$321,979
$335,611
$1,253,072
$1,224,968
$325,548
$321,979
$1,257,246
$1,253,072
  
Operating expenses:  
Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold80,244
86,281
432,544
404,222
73,090
80,244
411,695
432,544
Operations and maintenance115,477
109,258
350,099
335,707
117,037
115,699
366,907
352,092
Depreciation, depletion and amortization49,046
47,109
146,345
140,636
51,884
49,046
154,507
146,345
Taxes - property, production and severance11,905
12,408
39,181
38,866
Other operating expenses222
996
1,993
5,996
Taxes - property and production12,986
11,905
39,454
39,181
Total operating expenses256,894
256,052
970,162
925,427
254,997
256,894
972,563
970,162
  
Operating income65,085
79,559
282,910
299,541
70,551
65,085
284,683
282,910
  
Other income (expense):  
Interest charges -  
Interest expense incurred (including amortization of debt issuance costs, premiums and discounts)(36,480)(35,287)(107,360)(105,417)
Interest expense incurred net of amounts capitalized (including amortization of debt issuance costs, premiums and discounts)(36,200)(36,380)(108,232)(107,183)
Allowance for funds used during construction - borrowed701
753
1,345
2,061
2,200
701
4,555
1,345
Capitalized interest100
64
177
197
Interest income382
402
1,012
700
513
382
1,208
1,012
Allowance for funds used during construction - equity193
696
503
1,982
311
193
486
503
Impairment of investment(19,741)
(19,741)
Other income (expense), net(703)189
(2,426)(6)269
(703)(431)(2,426)
Total other income (expense), net(35,807)(33,183)(106,749)(100,483)
Total other income (expense)(52,648)(35,807)(122,155)(106,749)
 
Income before income taxes29,278
46,376
176,161
199,058
17,903
29,278
162,528
176,161
Income tax benefit (expense)(7,477)(13,478)11,784
(58,518)(2,508)(7,477)(22,078)11,784
Income from continuing operations21,801
32,898
187,945
140,540
15,395
21,801
140,450
187,945
(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax(857)(1,300)(5,627)(3,485)
Net (loss) from discontinued operations
(857)
(5,627)
Net income20,944
31,598
182,318
137,055
15,395
20,944
140,450
182,318
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest(3,994)(3,935)(10,447)(10,674)(3,655)(3,994)(10,319)(10,447)
Net income available for common stock$16,950
$27,663
$171,871
$126,381
$11,740
$16,950
$130,131
$171,871
  
Amounts attributable to common shareholders:  
Net income from continuing operations$17,807
$28,963
$177,498
$129,866
$11,740
$17,807
$130,131
$177,498
Net (loss) from discontinued operations(857)(1,300)(5,627)(3,485)
(857)
(5,627)
Net income available for common stock$16,950
$27,663
$171,871
$126,381
$11,740
$16,950
$130,131
$171,871
  
Earnings per share of common stock: 
Earnings (loss) per share, Basic - 
Income from continuing operations, per share$0.33
$0.54
$3.33
$2.44
(Loss) from discontinued operations, per share(0.02)(0.02)(0.10)(0.06)
Earnings per share, Basic (a)
$0.32
$0.52
$3.22
$2.38
Earnings (loss) per share of common stock, Basic - 
Earnings from continuing operations$0.19
$0.33
$2.15
$3.33
(Loss) from discontinued operations
(0.02)
(0.10)
Total earnings per share of common stock, Basic$0.19
$0.32
$2.15
$3.22
  
Earnings (loss) per share, Diluted - 
Income from continuing operations, per share$0.32
$0.52
$3.26
$2.35
(Loss) from discontinued operations, per share(0.02)(0.02)(0.10)(0.06)
Earnings per share, Diluted (a)
$0.31
$0.50
$3.15
$2.29
Earnings (loss) per share of common stock, Diluted - 
Earnings from continuing operations$0.19
$0.32
$2.15
$3.26
(Loss) from discontinued operations
(0.02)
(0.10)
Total earnings per share of common stock, Diluted$0.19
$0.31
$2.15
$3.15
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:  
Basic53,364
53,243
53,346
53,208
60,976
53,364
60,458
53,346
Diluted54,819
55,432
54,508
55,254
61,104
54,819
60,578
54,508
 
Dividends declared per share of common stock$0.475
$0.445
$1.425
$1.335


(a) EPS may not sum due to rounding.

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(unaudited)Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2018201720182017
 (in thousands)
     
Net income$20,944
$31,598
$182,318
$137,055
     
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:    
Reclassification adjustments of benefit plan liability - prior service cost (net of tax (expense) benefit of $10 and $17 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and $29 and $52 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively)(34)(32)(104)(94)
Reclassification adjustments of benefit plan liability - net gain (loss) (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(138) and $(145) for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and $(409) and $(445) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively)483
269
1,456
797
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:    
Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses on settled/amortized interest rate swaps (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(152) and $(249) for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and $(456) and $(779) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively)560
464
1,682
1,449
Net unrealized gains (losses) on commodity derivatives (net of tax (expense) benefit of $0 and $94 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and $51 and $(442) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively)30
(160)(168)755
Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses on settled commodity derivatives (net of tax (expense) benefit of $3 and $95 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and $(187) and $344 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively)21
(166)615
(590)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax1,060
375
3,481
2,317
     
Comprehensive income22,004
31,973
185,799
139,372
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest(3,994)(3,935)(10,447)(10,674)
Comprehensive income available for common stock$18,010
$28,038
$175,352
$128,698

See Note 14 for additional disclosures.

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)As of
 September 30,
2018
 December 31, 2017 September 30,
2017
 (in thousands)
ASSETS     
Current assets:     
Cash and cash equivalents$10,001
 $15,420
 $13,449
Restricted cash3,241
 2,820
 2,683
Accounts receivable, net152,796
 248,330
 150,325
Materials, supplies and fuel122,618
 113,283
 122,866
Derivative assets, current1,392
 304
 433
Income tax receivable, net11,025
 
 
Regulatory assets, current48,302
 81,016
 61,023
Other current assets32,691
 25,367
 25,586
Current assets held for sale2,854
 84,242
 8,653
Total current assets384,920
 570,782
 385,018
      
Investments41,202
 13,090
 12,947
      
Property, plant and equipment5,819,000
 5,567,518
 5,499,557
Less: accumulated depreciation and depletion(1,118,783) (1,026,088) (1,000,875)
Total property, plant and equipment, net4,700,217
 4,541,430
 4,498,682
      
Other assets:     
Goodwill1,299,454
 1,299,454
 1,299,454
Intangible assets, net6,954
 7,559
 7,765
Regulatory assets, non-current212,048
 216,438
 239,571
Other assets, non-current17,143
 10,149
 11,626
Noncurrent assets held for sale
 
 108,685
Total other assets, non-current1,535,599
 1,533,600
 1,667,101
      
TOTAL ASSETS$6,661,938
 $6,658,902
 $6,563,748


The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



5




BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSSTATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Continued)
(unaudited)As of
 September 30,
2018
 December 31, 2017 September 30,
2017
 (in thousands, except share amounts)
LIABILITIES AND TOTAL EQUITY     
Current liabilities:     
Accounts payable$115,900
 $160,887
 $94,790
Accrued liabilities201,353
 219,462
 206,779
Derivative liabilities, current1,154
 2,081
 1,458
Accrued income taxes, net
 1,022
 5,587
Regulatory liabilities, current41,442
 6,832
 7,042
Notes payable112,100
 211,300
 225,170
Current maturities of long-term debt255,743
 5,743
 5,743
Current liabilities held for sale2,538
 41,774
 7,701
Total current liabilities730,230
 649,101
 554,270
      
Long-term debt2,951,389
 3,109,400
 3,109,864
      
Deferred credits and other liabilities:     
Deferred income tax liabilities, net292,753
 336,520
 618,315
Regulatory liabilities, non-current508,846
 478,294
 198,189
Benefit plan liabilities151,613
 159,646
 149,803
Other deferred credits and other liabilities105,928
 105,735
 113,996
Non-current liabilities held for sale
 
 23,329
Total deferred credits and other liabilities1,059,140
 1,080,195
 1,103,632
      
Commitments and contingencies (See Notes 9, 11, 16, 17)

 
 
      
Equity:     
Stockholders’ equity —     
Common stock $1 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; issued 53,661,863; 53,579,986; and 53,524,529 shares, respectively53,662
 53,580
 53,525
Additional paid-in capital1,157,214
 1,150,285
 1,147,922
Retained earnings644,154
 548,617
 516,371
Treasury stock, at cost – 72,915; 39,064; and 41,457 shares, respectively(4,072) (2,306) (2,448)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(37,703) (41,202) (32,566)
Total stockholders’ equity1,813,255
 1,708,974
 1,682,804
Noncontrolling interest107,924
 111,232
 113,178
Total equity1,921,179
 1,820,206
 1,795,982
      
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TOTAL EQUITY$6,661,938
 $6,658,902
 $6,563,748
(unaudited)Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2019201820192018
 (in thousands)
     
Net income$15,395
$20,944
$140,450
$182,318
     
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:    
Reclassification adjustments of benefit plan liability - prior service cost (net of tax of $3, $10, $13 and $29, respectively)(16)(34)(45)(104)
Reclassification adjustments of benefit plan liability - net gain (loss) (net of tax of $(92), $(138), $(197), and $(409), respectively)(9)483
327
1,456
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:    
Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses on settled/amortized interest rate swaps (net of tax of $(165), $(152), $(500), and $(456), respectively)548
560
1,639
1,682
Net unrealized gains (losses) on commodity derivatives (net of tax of $35, $0, $100 and $51, respectively)(115)30
(334)(168)
Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses on settled commodity derivatives (net of tax of $(5), $3, $142 and $(187), respectively)124
21
(366)615
Other comprehensive income, net of tax532
1,060
1,221
3,481
     
Comprehensive income15,927
22,004
141,671
185,799
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest(3,655)(3,994)(10,319)(10,447)
Comprehensive income available for common stock$12,272
$18,010
$131,352
$175,352


See Note 13 for additional disclosures.

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6





BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSBALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20182017
Operating activities:(in thousands)
Net income$182,318
$137,055
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax5,627
3,485
Income from continuing operations187,945
140,540
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization146,345
140,636
Deferred financing cost amortization5,682
6,212
Stock compensation7,544
7,594
Deferred income taxes(14,396)65,536
Employee benefit plans10,641
8,470
Other adjustments, net7,668
(3,549)
Changes in certain operating assets and liabilities:  
Materials, supplies and fuel(8,380)(19,511)
Accounts receivable, unbilled revenues and other operating assets72,061
103,963
Accounts payable and other operating liabilities(86,604)(112,288)
Regulatory assets - current41,655
1,287
Regulatory liabilities - current21,416
(4,328)
Contributions to defined benefit pension plans(12,700)(27,700)
Other operating activities, net2,007
(1,410)
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations380,884
305,452
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations(2,162)13,978
Net cash provided by operating activities378,722
319,430
   
Investing activities:  
Property, plant and equipment additions(278,132)(238,840)
Purchase of investment(24,429)
Other investing activities2,766
160
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of continuing operations(299,795)(238,680)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations18,024
(17,298)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(281,771)(255,978)
   
Financing activities:  
Dividends paid on common stock(76,309)(71,334)
Common stock issued1,079
3,562
Net (payments) borrowings of short-term debt(99,200)128,570
Long-term debt - issuances700,000

Long-term debt - repayments(603,307)(104,307)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest(13,755)(12,884)
Other financing activities(10,457)(6,719)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(101,949)(63,112)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(4,998)340
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period18,240
15,792
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$13,242
$16,132
(unaudited)As of
 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
 (in thousands)
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$13,087
 $20,776
Restricted cash3,688
 3,369
Accounts receivable, net148,989
 269,153
Materials, supplies and fuel123,002
 117,299
Derivative assets, current412
 1,500
Income tax receivable, net12,931
 12,978
Regulatory assets, current46,206
 48,776
Other current assets29,106
 29,982
Total current assets377,421
 503,833
    
Investments21,583
 41,013
    
Property, plant and equipment6,567,229
 6,000,015
Less: accumulated depreciation and depletion(1,243,794) (1,145,136)
Total property, plant and equipment, net5,323,435
 4,854,879
    
Other assets:   
Goodwill1,299,454
 1,299,454
Intangible assets, net13,566
 14,337
Regulatory assets, non-current214,152
 235,459
Other assets, non-current25,339
 14,352
Total other assets, non-current1,552,511
 1,563,602
    
TOTAL ASSETS$7,274,950
 $6,963,327

See Note 15 for supplemental disclosure of cash flow information.


The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



7



BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Continued)
(unaudited)As of
 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
 (in thousands, except share amounts)
LIABILITIES AND TOTAL EQUITY   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$145,085
 $210,609
Accrued liabilities217,832
 215,501
Derivative liabilities, current2,396
 947
Regulatory liabilities, current25,168
 29,810
Notes payable294,900
 185,620
Current maturities of long-term debt5,743
 5,743
Total current liabilities691,124
 648,230
    
Long-term debt3,049,235
 2,950,835
    
Deferred credits and other liabilities:   
Deferred income tax liabilities, net347,952
 311,331
Regulatory liabilities, non-current498,773
 510,984
Benefit plan liabilities134,150
 145,147
Other deferred credits and other liabilities120,820
 109,377
Total deferred credits and other liabilities1,101,695
 1,076,839
    
Commitments and contingencies (See Notes 8, 10, 15, 16)


 

    
Equity:   
Stockholders’ equity —   
Common stock $1 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; issued 61,480,640 and 60,048,567 shares, respectively61,481
 60,049
Additional paid-in capital1,553,190
 1,450,569
Retained earnings742,138
 700,396
Treasury stock, at cost – 26,572 and 44,253 shares, respectively(1,636) (2,510)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(25,695) (26,916)
Total stockholders’ equity2,329,478
 2,181,588
Noncontrolling interest103,418
 105,835
Total equity2,432,896
 2,287,423
    
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TOTAL EQUITY$7,274,950
 $6,963,327

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

8



BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20192018
Operating activities:(in thousands)
Net income$140,450
$182,318
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
5,627
Income from continuing operations140,450
187,945
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization154,507
146,345
Deferred financing cost amortization6,326
5,682
Impairment of investment19,741

Stock compensation8,332
7,544
Deferred income taxes24,381
(14,396)
Employee benefit plans7,965
10,641
Other adjustments, net9,192
7,668
Changes in certain operating assets and liabilities:  
Materials, supplies and fuel(4,126)(8,380)
Accounts receivable, unbilled revenues and other operating assets115,325
72,061
Accounts payable and other operating liabilities(83,436)(86,604)
Regulatory assets - current12,455
41,655
Regulatory liabilities - current(15,644)21,416
Contributions to defined benefit pension plans(12,700)(12,700)
Other operating activities, net3,307
2,007
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations386,075
380,884
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations
(2,162)
Net cash provided by operating activities386,075
378,722
   
Investing activities:  
Property, plant and equipment additions(592,537)(278,132)
Purchase of investment
(24,429)
Other investing activities(735)2,766
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of continuing operations(593,272)(299,795)
Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations
18,024
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(593,272)(281,771)
   
Financing activities:  
Dividends paid on common stock(91,779)(76,309)
Common stock issued101,361
1,079
Net (payments) borrowings of short-term debt109,280
(99,200)
Long-term debt - issuances400,000
700,000
Long-term debt - repayments(304,307)(603,307)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest(12,736)(13,755)
Other financing activities(1,992)(10,457)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities199,827
(101,949)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(7,370)(4,998)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period24,145
18,240
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$16,775
$13,242


See Note 14 for supplemental disclosure of cash flow information.

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

9



BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(unaudited)Common StockTreasury Stock     
(in thousands except share amounts)SharesValueSharesValueAdditional Paid in CapitalRetained EarningsAOCINon controlling InterestTotal
December 31, 201860,048,567
$60,049
44,253
$(2,510)$1,450,569
$700,396
$(26,916)$105,835
$2,287,423
Net income available for common stock




103,808

3,554
107,362
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax





457

457
Dividends on common stock ($0.505 per share)




(30,332)

(30,332)
Share-based compensation48,956
49
(20,497)1,078
(589)


538
Issuance of common stock280,497
280


19,719



19,999
Issuance costs



(289)


(289)
Implementation of ASU 2016-02 Leases




3,390


3,390
Distributions to noncontrolling interest






(4,846)(4,846)
March 31, 201960,378,020
$60,378
23,756
$(1,432)$1,469,410
$777,262
$(26,459)$104,543
$2,383,702
Net income available for common stock




14,583

3,110
17,693
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax





232

232
Dividends on common stock ($0.505 per share)




(30,620)

(30,620)
Share-based compensation54,767
54
1,603
(112)3,948



3,890
Issuance of common stock658,598
659


49,342



50,001
Issuance costs



(492)


(492)
Implementation of ASU 2016-02 Leases




(3)

(3)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest






(4,405)(4,405)
June 30, 201961,091,385
$61,091
25,359
$(1,544)$1,522,208
$761,222
$(26,227)$103,248
$2,419,998
Net income (loss) available for common stock




11,740

3,655
15,395
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax





532

532
Dividends on common stock ($0.505 per share)




(30,827)

(30,827)
Share-based compensation18

1,213
(92)1,769



1,677
Issuance of common stock389,237
390


29,611



30,001
Issuance costs



(398)


(398)
Implementation of ASU 2016-02 Leases




3


3
Distributions to noncontrolling interest






(3,485)(3,485)
September 30, 201961,480,640
$61,481
26,572
$(1,636)$1,553,190
$742,138
$(25,695)$103,418
$2,432,896
          


10



 Common StockTreasury Stock     
(in thousands except share amounts)SharesValueSharesValueAdditional Paid in CapitalRetained EarningsAOCINon controlling InterestTotal
December 31, 201753,579,986
$53,580
39,064
$(2,306)$1,150,285
$548,617
$(41,202)$111,232
$1,820,206
Net income available for common stock




133,004

3,630
136,634
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax





1,260

1,260
Dividends on common stock ($0.475 per share)




(25,444)

(25,444)
Share-based compensation64,770
65
14,895
(743)1,433



755
Dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan4,061
4


215



219
Other stock transactions




(16)18

2
Distributions to noncontrolling interest






(5,648)(5,648)
March 31, 201853,648,817
$53,649
53,959
$(3,049)$1,151,933
$656,161
$(39,924)$109,214
$1,927,984
Net income available for common stock




21,917

2,823
24,740
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax





1,161

1,161
Dividends on common stock ($0.475 per share)




(25,435)

(25,435)
Share-based compensation13,033
13
11,022
(593)3,019



2,439
Other stock transactions



(5)(1)

(6)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest






(4,350)(4,350)
June 30, 201853,661,850
$53,662
64,981
$(3,642)$1,154,947
$652,642
$(38,763)$107,687
$1,926,533
Net income (loss) available for common stock




16,950

3,994
20,944
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax





1,060

1,060
Dividends on common stock ($0.475 per share)




(25,430)

(25,430)
Share-based compensation13

7,934
(430)2,107



1,677
Dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan



1



1
Other stock transactions



159
(8)

151
Distributions to noncontrolling interest






(3,757)(3,757)
September 30, 201853,661,863
$53,662
72,915
$(4,072)$1,157,214
$644,154
$(37,703)$107,924
$1,921,179
          


11




BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Reference is made to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
included in the Company’s 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K)


(1)    MANAGEMENT’S STATEMENT


The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have been prepared by Black Hills Corporation (together with our subsidiaries the “Company,” “us,” “we,”“Company”, “us”, “we” or “our”), pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. 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; however, we believe that the footnotes adequately disclose the information presented. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.


Segment Reporting


We conduct our operations through the following reportable segments: Electric Utilities, Gas Utilities, Power Generation and Mining. Our reportable segments are based on our method of internal reporting, which is generally segregated by differences in products, services and regulation. All of our operations and assets are located within the United States.


Effective January 1, 2019, we changed our measure of segment performance to adjusted operating income, which impacted our segment disclosures for all periods presented. See Note 3 for more information.

On November 1, 2017, the BHC board of directors approved a complete divestiture of our Oil and Gas segment. We completed the divestiture in 2018. The Oil and Gas segment assets and liabilities arewere classified as held for sale and the results of operations arewere shown in income (loss) from discontinued operations, excludingexcept for certain general and administrative costs and interest expense which do not meet the criteria for income (loss) from discontinued operations. As of September 30, 2018, we have sold nearly all of our oilAt the time the assets were classified as held for sale, depreciation, depletion and gas assets and we closed our oil and gas officeamortization expenses were no longer recorded. Unless otherwise noted, the amounts presented in August. Transaction closing for the last few assets and final accounting are expected withinaccompanying notes to the fourth quarter.Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements relate to the Company’s continuing operations. See Note 1817 and Note 21 for more information on discontinued operations.


Use of Estimates and Basis of Presentation


The information furnished in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflects certain estimates required and all adjustments, including accruals, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the September 30, 2018,2019 and December 31, 2017, and September 30, 20172018 financial information and are of a normal recurring nature.information. Certain industries in which we operate are highly seasonal, and revenue from, and certain expenses for, such operations may fluctuate significantly among quarterly periods. Demand for electricity and natural gas is sensitive to seasonal cooling, heating and industrial load requirements, as well as changes in market prices.requirements. In particular, the normal peak usage season for electric utilities is June through August while the normal peak usage season for gas utilities is November through March. Significant earnings variances can be expected between the Gas Utilities segment’s peak and off-peak seasons. Due to this seasonal nature, our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, and our financial condition as of September 30, 2018,2019 and December 31, 2017, and September 30, 2017,2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations and financial condition to be expected as of or for any other period. All earnings per share amounts discussed refer to diluted earnings per share unless otherwise noted.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

For purposes of the cash flow statements, we consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Investments

We account for investments that we do not control under the cost method of accounting as we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. The cost method investments are recorded at cost and we record dividend income when applicable dividends are declared.




Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Leases, ASU 2016-02

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes ASC 840, Leases. This ASU requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for most leases, whereas today only financing-type lease liabilities (capital leases) are recognized on the balance sheet. In addition, the definition of a lease has been revised in regards to when an arrangement conveys the right to control the use of the identified asset under the arrangement, which may result in changes to the classification of an arrangement as a lease. The ASU does not significantly change the lessees’ recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows from the previous accounting standard. Lessors’ accounting under the ASU is largely unchanged from the previous accounting standard. The ASU expands the disclosure requirements of lease arrangements. Under the current guidance, lessees and lessors will use a modified retrospective transition approach, which requires application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the year of adoption. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. In January 2018, the FASB issued amendments to the new lease standard, ASU No. 2018-01, allowing an entity to elect not to assess whether certain land easements are, or contain, leases when transitioning to the new lease standard. The FASB also issued additional amendments to the new lease standard in July 2018, ASU No. 2018-11, allowing companies to adopt the new standard with a cumulative effect adjustment as of the beginning of the year of adoption with prior year comparative financial information and disclosures remaining as previously reported.

We expect to adopt this standard on January 1, 2019. For existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as a lease, we anticipate electing the practical expedient which provides for no assessment of these easements. Further, we anticipate adopting the new standard with a cumulative effect adjustment with prior year comparative financial information remaining as previously reported when transitioning to the new standard. The standard also provides a transition practical expedient, commonly referred to as the “package of three”, that must be taken together and allows entities to (1) not reassess whether existing contracts contain leases, (2) carryforward the existing lease classification, and (3) not reassess initial direct costs associated with existing leases. We expect to elect the “package of three” practical expedient. We continue to evaluate the additional transition practical expedients available under the guidance. At this time, we do not believe the implementation of this standard will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We continue to develop our process of identifying and categorizing our lease contracts and evaluating our current business processes relating to leases. We have selected, configured, and tested a new lease software solution and will be entering lease data into the new system in preparation for the January 1, 2019 standard adoption. We also continue to monitor utility industry lease implementation guidance that may change existing and future lease classification.

Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, ASU 2017-12

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This standard better aligns risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships, simplifies hedge accounting requirements and improves disclosures of hedging arrangements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We do not anticipate the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, ASU 2017-04


In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 350) by eliminating step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The new standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15,1, 2019, applied on a prospective basis with early adoption permitted. We do not anticipate the adoption of this standardguidance to have any impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.



12





Financial Instruments -- Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, ASU 2018-19

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments -- Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which was subsequently amended by ASU 2018-19 in November 2018. The standard introduces new accounting guidance for credit losses on financial instruments within its scope, including trade receivables. This new guidance adds an impairment model that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. It is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and will be applied on a modified-retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2020. We do not anticipate the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards


Revenue from Contracts with Customers,Leases, ASU 2014-092016-02


Effective January 1, 2018, we adoptedIn February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers2016-02, Leases (Topic 606),842) to increase transparency and its related amendments (collectively known as ASC 606).comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for most leases, whereas previously only financing-type lease liabilities (capital leases) were recognized on the balance sheet. Under thisthe new standard, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains controldisclosures are required to meet the objective of promised goods or services in an amount that reflectsenabling users of financial statements to assess the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contractsleases.

We adopted the standard effective January 1, 2019. We elected not to recast comparative periods coinciding with customers.the new lease standard transition and will report these comparative periods as presented under previous lease guidance. In addition, we elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance with the new standard, which among other things, allowed us to carry forward the historical lease classification. We appliedalso elected the five-step method outlinedpractical expedient related to land easements, allowing us to carry forward our accounting treatment for existing land easement agreements.

Adoption of the new standard resulted in the ASU to all in-scope revenue streamsrecording of an operating lease right-of-use asset of $3.1 million, an operating lease obligation liability of $3.2 million, and elected the modified retrospective implementation method. Implementationan accrued rent receivable of $4.5 million, as of January 1, 2019. The cumulative effect of the adoption, net of tax impact, was $3.4 million, which was recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings at January 1, 2019.

Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, ASU 2017-12

Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This standard better aligns risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships, simplifies hedge accounting requirements and improves disclosures of hedging arrangements. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Implementation




13




(2)    REVENUE

Revenue Recognition

As of revenue; therefore, no cumulative adoption adjustment to the opening balance of Retained earnings at the date of initial application was necessary. The additional disclosures required by the ASU are included in Note 2.

Compensation - Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-Retirement Benefit Cost, ASU 2017-07

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost606), and Net Periodic Post-Retirement Benefit Costits related amendments (collectively known as ASC 606). The standard requires employers to report the service cost component in the same line item(s) as other compensation costs, and requires the other components of net periodic pension and post-retirement benefit costs to be separately presented in the income statement outside of income from operations. Additionally, only the service cost component may be eligible for capitalization, when applicable. However, all cost components remain eligible for capitalization under FERC regulations. The capitalization of only the service cost component of net periodic pension and post-retirement benefit costs in assets was applied on a prospective basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Retrospective impact was not material and therefore prior year presentation was not changed. For our rate-regulated entities, we capitalize the other components of net periodic benefit costs into regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities and maintain a FERC-to-GAAP reporting difference for these capitalized costs. The presentation changes required for net periodic pension and post-retirement costs resulted in offsetting changes to Operating income and Other income. Implementation of the standard did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, ASU 2016-15

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASU requires changes in the presentation of certain items, including but not limited to, debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies and distributions received from equity method investees. We implemented this standard effective January 1, 2018 using the retrospective transition method. This standard had no impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash, ASU 2016-18

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. This ASU provides guidance on the presentation of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and reduces the diversity in practice. This ASU requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts on the statement of cash flows. We elected, as permitted by the standard, to early adopt ASU 2016-18 retrospectively as of January 1, 2017 and have applied it to all periods presented herein. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 did not have a material impact to our condensed consolidated financial statements. The effect of the adoption of ASU 2016-18 on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows was to include restricted cash balances in the beginning and end of period balances of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash. The change in restricted cash was previously disclosed in investing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.



(2)    REVENUE

Revenue Recognition
Revenues areis recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for goods or services, when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers. Our primary types of revenue contracts are:

Regulated natural gas and electric utility services tariffs - Our utilities have regulated operations, as defined by ASC 980, that provide services to regulated customers under rates, charges, terms and conditions of service, and prices determined by the jurisdictional regulators designated for our service territories. Collectively, these rates, charges, terms and conditions are included in a tariff, which governs all aspects of the provision of our regulated services. Our regulated services primarily encompass single performance obligations material to the context of the contract for delivery of either commodity natural gas, commodity electricity, natural gas transportation or electric transmission services. These service revenues are variable based on quantities delivered, influenced by seasonal business and weather patterns. Tariffs are only permitted to be changed through a rate-setting process involving the regulator-empowered statute to establish contractual rates between the utility and its customers. All of our utilities’ regulated sales are subject to regulatory-approved tariffs.

Power sales agreements - Our electric utilities and power generation segments have long-term wholesale power sales agreements with other load-serving entities, including affiliates, for the sale of excess power from owned generating units. These agreements include a combination of “take or pay” arrangements, where the customer is obligated to pay for the energy regardless of whether it actually takes delivery, as well as “requirements only” arrangements, where the customer is only obligated to pay for the energy the customer needs. In addition to these long-term contracts, Black Hills also sells excess energy to other load-serving entities on a short-term basis as a member of the Western States Power Pool. The pricing for all of these arrangements is included in the executed contracts or confirmations, reflecting the standalone selling price and is variable based on energy delivered.

Coal supply agreements - Our mining segment sells coal primarily under long-term contracts to utilities for use at their power generating plants, including affiliate electric utilities, and an affiliate non-regulated power generation entity. The contracts include a single promise to supply coal necessary to fuel the customers’ facilities during the contract term. The transaction price is established in the coal supply agreements, including cost-based agreements with the affiliated regulated utilities, and is variable based on tons of coal delivered.

Other non-regulated services - Our natural gas and electric utility segments also provide non-regulated services primarily comprised of appliance repair service and protection plans, electric and natural gas technical infrastructure construction and maintenance services, and in Nebraska and Wyoming, an unbundled natural gas commodity offering under the regulatory-approved Choice Gas Program. Revenue contracts for these services generally represent a single performance obligation with the price reflecting the standalone selling price stated in the agreement, and the revenue is variable based on the units delivered or services provided.



The following tables depict the disaggregation of revenue, including intercompany revenue, from contracts with customers by customer type and timing of revenue recognition for each of the reporting segments, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. Sales tax and other similar taxes are excluded from revenues.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Electric Utilities Gas Utilities Power Generation MiningInter-company RevenuesTotal
Customer types:(in thousands)
Retail$162,214
$89,810
$
$14,992
$(8,146)$258,870
Transportation
29,019


(195)28,824
Wholesale8,210

16,119

(14,414)9,915
Market - off-system sales6,452
139


(1,488)5,103
Transmission/Other14,274
10,965


(4,206)21,033
Revenue from contracts with customers$191,150
$129,933
$16,119
$14,992
$(28,449)$323,745
Other revenues234
811
9,692
560
(9,494)1,803
Total revenues$191,384
$130,744
$25,811
$15,552
$(37,943)$325,548
       
Timing of revenue recognition:      
Services transferred at a point in time$
$
$
$14,992
$(8,146)$6,846
Services transferred over time191,150
129,933
16,119

(20,303)316,899
Revenue from contracts with customers$191,150
$129,933
$16,119
$14,992
$(28,449)$323,745
       

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Electric Utilities Gas Utilities Power Generation MiningInter-company RevenuesTotal Electric Utilities Gas Utilities
 Power Generation (a)
 Mining
Inter-company Revenues (a)
Total
Customer types:(in thousands)
Customer Types: 
Retail$157,049
$88,559
$
$16,751
$(7,941)$254,418
$157,049
$88,559
$
$16,751
$(7,941)$254,418
Transportation
30,079


(267)29,812

30,079


(267)29,812
Wholesale8,255

14,485

(13,047)9,693
8,255

15,373

(13,935)9,693
Market - off-system sales9,059
140


(1,349)7,850
9,059
140


(1,349)7,850
Transmission/Other10,196
11,887


(3,693)18,390
10,196
11,887


(3,693)18,390
Revenue from contracts with customers184,559
130,665
14,485
16,751
(26,297)320,163
$184,559
$130,665
$15,373
$16,751
$(27,185)$320,163
Other revenues231
1,011
9,118
550
(9,094)1,816
231
1,011
9,118
550
(9,094)1,816
Total revenues$184,790
$131,676
$23,603
$17,301
$(35,391)$321,979
Total Revenues$184,790
$131,676
$24,491
$17,301
$(36,279)$321,979
  
Timing of revenue recognition: 
Timing of Revenue Recognition: 
Services transferred at a point in time$
$
$
$16,751
$(7,941)$8,810
$
$
$
$16,751
$(7,942)$8,809
Services transferred over time184,559
130,665
14,485

(18,356)311,353
184,559
130,665
15,373

(19,243)311,354
Revenue from contracts with customers$184,559
$130,665
$14,485
$16,751
$(26,297)$320,163
$184,559
$130,665
$15,373
$16,751
$(27,185)$320,163
 

14



Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Electric Utilities Gas Utilities Power Generation MiningInter-company RevenuesTotal
Customer types:(in thousands)
Retail$455,409
$567,715
$
$43,249
$(23,315)$1,043,058
Transportation
102,159


(903)101,256
Wholesale23,334

46,650

(40,923)29,061
Market - off-system sales16,592
517


(5,047)12,062
Transmission/Other42,865
35,767


(12,608)66,024
Revenue from contracts with customers$538,200
$706,158
$46,650
$43,249
$(82,796)$1,251,461
Other revenues2,465
1,135
29,114
1,777
(28,706)5,785
Total revenues$540,665
$707,293
$75,764
$45,026
$(111,502)$1,257,246
       
Timing of revenue recognition:      
Services transferred at a point in time$
$
$
$43,249
$(23,315)$19,934
Services transferred over time538,200
706,158
46,650

(59,481)1,231,527
Revenue from contracts with customers$538,200
$706,158
$46,650
$43,249
$(82,796)$1,251,461
       


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Electric Utilities Gas Utilities
 Power Generation (a)
 Mining
Inter-company Revenues (a)
Total
Customer Types:      
Retail$449,482
$565,816
$
$49,653
$(23,761)$1,041,190
Transportation
100,760


(977)99,783
Wholesale25,497

43,744

(39,457)29,784
Market - off-system sales18,142
728


(5,531)13,339
Transmission/Other36,622
36,230


(10,967)61,885
Revenue from contracts with customers$529,743
$703,534
$43,744
$49,653
$(80,693)$1,245,981
Other revenues2,218
3,106
27,429
1,675
(27,337)7,091
Total Revenues$531,961
$706,640
$71,173
$51,328
$(108,030)$1,253,072
       
Timing of Revenue Recognition:      
Services transferred at a point in time$
$
$
$49,653
$(23,761)$25,892
Services transferred over time529,743
703,534
43,744

(56,932)1,220,089
Revenue from contracts with customers$529,743
$703,534
$43,744
$49,653
$(80,693)$1,245,981
       

(a)Due to the changes in our segment disclosures discussed in Note 3, Power Generation Wholesale revenue was revised for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, which resulted in an increase of $0.9 million and $2.6 million, respectively. The changes to Power Generation Wholesale revenue were offset by changes to eliminations in Inter-company Revenues within Corporate and Other and there was no impact to our consolidated Total Revenues.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Electric Utilities Gas Utilities Power Generation MiningInter-company RevenuesTotal
Customer types:(in thousands)
Retail$449,482
$565,816
$
$49,653
$(23,761)$1,041,190
Transportation
100,760


(977)99,783
Wholesale25,497

41,161

(36,874)29,784
Market - off-system sales18,142
728


(5,531)13,339
Transmission/Other36,622
36,230


(10,967)61,885
Revenue from contracts with customers529,743
703,534
41,161
49,653
(78,110)1,245,981
Other revenues2,218
3,106
27,429
1,675
(27,337)7,091
Total revenues$531,961
$706,640
$68,590
$51,328
$(105,447)$1,253,072
       
Timing of revenue recognition:      
Services transferred at a point in time$
$
$
$49,653
$(23,761)$25,892
Services transferred over time529,743
703,534
41,161

(54,349)1,220,089
Revenue from contracts with customers$529,743
$703,534
$41,161
$49,653
$(78,110)$1,245,981
The majority of our revenue contracts are based on variable quantities delivered; any fixed consideration contracts with an expected duration of one year or more are immaterial to our consolidated revenues. Variable consideration constraints in the form of discounts, rebates, credits, price concessions, incentives, performance bonuses, penalties or other similar items are not material for our revenue contracts. We are the principal in our revenue contracts, as we have control over the services prior to those services being transferred to the customer.



Revenue Not in Scope of ASC 606
Other revenues included in the tables above include our revenue accounted for under separate accounting guidance, including lease revenue under ASC 840, derivative revenue under ASC 815 and alternative revenue programs revenue under ASC 980. The majority of our lease revenue is related to a 20-year power sale agreement between Colorado IPP and affiliate Colorado Electric. This agreement is accounted for as a direct financing lease whereby Colorado IPP receives revenue for energy delivered and related capacity payments. This lease revenue is eliminated in our consolidated revenues.

Significant Judgments and Estimates
TCJA Revenue Reserve

The TCJA or “tax reform” signed into law on December 22, 2017, reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. Black Hills has been collaborating with utility commissions in the states in which it provides utility service to deliver to customers the benefits of a lower corporate federal income tax rate beginning in 2018 with the passage of the TCJA. We have received state utility commission approvals to provide the benefits of federal tax reform to utility customers in six states. We estimated and recorded a reserve to revenue of approximately $6.0 million and $29 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. As of September 30, 2018, $7.9 million has been returned to customers and approximately $21 million remains in reserve.

Unbilled Revenue

Revenues attributable to natural gas and electricity delivered to customers but not yet billed are estimated and accrued, and the related costs are charged to expense. Factors influencing the determination of unbilled revenues include estimates of delivered sales volumes based on weather information and customer consumption trends.


Contract Balances


The nature of our primary revenue contracts provides an unconditional right to consideration upon service delivery; therefore, no customer contract assets or liabilities exist. The unconditional right to consideration is represented by the balance in our Accounts Receivable further discussed in Note 4. We do not typically incur costs that would be capitalized to obtain or fulfill a revenue contract.


Practical Expedients
Our revenue contracts generally provide for performance obligations that are fulfilled and transfer control to customers over time, represent a series
15


Table of distinct services that are substantially the same, involve the same pattern of transfer to the customer, and provide a right to consideration from our customers in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer for the performance completed to date. Therefore, we recognize revenue in the amount to which we have a right to invoice.Contents


We have revenue contract performance obligations with similar characteristics, and we reasonably expect that the financial statement impact of applying the new revenue recognition guidance to a portfolio of contracts would not differ materially from applying this guidance to the individual contracts or performance obligations within the portfolio. Therefore, we have elected the portfolio approach in applying the new revenue guidance.



(3)    BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION


Our reportable segments are based on our method of internal reporting, which is generally segregated by differences in products, services and regulation.

Accounting standards for presentation of segments require an approach based on the way we organize the segments for making operating decisions and how the chief operating decision maker (CODM) assesses performance.  Effective January 1, 2019, we concluded that adjusted operating income, instead of net income available for common stock which was used previously, is the most relevant metric for measuring segment performance. The change to our segment performance measure resulted in a revision of the Company’s segment disclosures for all periods to report adjusted operating income as the measure of segment performance.

Prior to January 1, 2019, operating income for the Electric Utilities and Power Generation segments and Corporate and Other included the impacts of finance lease accounting relating to Colorado Electric’s PPA with Colorado IPP. This PPA provides 200 MW of energy and capacity to Colorado Electric from Colorado IPP’s combined-cycle turbines and expires on December 31, 2031. Finance lease accounting required us to de-recognize the asset from Colorado IPP (Power Generation segment), which legally owns the asset, and recognize it at Colorado Electric (Electric Utilities segment).

The CODM assesses the performance of our segments using adjusted operating income, which recognizes intersegment revenues, costs, and assets for Colorado Electric’s PPA with Colorado IPP on an accrual basis rather than as a finance lease. Effective January 1, 2019, we changed how we account for this PPA at the segment level, which impacts disclosures for all periods for revenues, fuel and purchased power cost, operating income and total assets for the Electric Utilities and Power Generation segments as well as Corporate and Other. There were no revisions to Gas Utilities and Mining segments and this change had no effect on our consolidated revenues, fuel and purchased power cost, operating income or total assets.

Segment information and Corporate and Other included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income wereis as follows (in thousands):
        
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019External Operating Revenue Inter-company Operating Revenue  Total Revenues
 Contract Customers Other Revenues Contract Customers Other Revenues
Segment:       
Electric Utilities$185,811
$234

$5,339
$

$191,384
Gas Utilities129,385
810

549


130,744
Power Generation1,703
531

14,415
9,162

25,811
Mining6,846
228

8,146
332

15,552
Inter-company eliminations

 (28,449)(9,494) (37,943)
Total$323,745
$1,803
 $
$
 $325,548
        
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018External Operating Revenue Inter-company Operating Revenue  Total Revenues
 Contract Customers Other Revenues Contract Customers Other Revenues
Segment:       
Electric Utilities$179,527
$231
 $5,032
$
 $184,790
Gas Utilities130,390
1,011
 275

 131,676
Power Generation (a)
1,437
348
 13,936
8,770
 24,491
Mining8,809
226
 7,942
324
 17,301
Inter-company eliminations (a)


 (27,185)(9,094) (36,279)
Total$320,163
$1,816
 $
$
 $321,979

16


Table of Contents

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018External Operating Revenue Inter-company Operating Revenue  Total Revenues Net income (loss) from continuing operations
Contract Customers Other Revenues Contract Customers Other Revenues
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
External Operating
Revenue
 Inter-company Operating Revenue Total Revenues
Contract Customers Other Revenues Contract Customers Other Revenues
Segment:            
Electric Utilities$179,527
$231

$5,032
$

$184,790

$21,578
$521,614
$2,465
 $16,586
$
 $540,665
Gas Utilities130,390
1,011

275


131,676

(13,277)704,188
1,134
 1,971

 707,293
Power Generation (b)
1,437
348

13,048
8,770

23,603

6,691
5,725
1,401
 40,924
27,714
 75,764
Mining8,809
226

7,942
324

17,301

3,572
19,934
785
 23,315
992
 45,026
Corporate and Other







(757)
Inter-company eliminations

 (26,297)(9,094) (35,391) 


 (82,796)(28,706) (111,502)
Total$320,163
$1,816
 $
$
 $321,979
 $17,807
$1,251,461
$5,785
 $
$
 $1,257,246

        
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018External Operating Revenue Inter-company Operating Revenue  Total Revenues
 Contract Customers Other Revenues Contract Customers Other Revenues
Segment:       
Electric Utilities$513,270
$2,218
 $16,473
$
 $531,961
Gas Utilities702,532
3,106
 1,002

 706,640
Power Generation (a)
4,287
1,066
 39,457
26,363
 71,173
Mining25,892
701
 23,761
974
 51,328
Inter-company eliminations (a)


 (80,693)(27,337) (108,030)
Total$1,245,981
$7,091
 $
$
 $1,253,072

Under our modified retrospective adoption
(a)Due to the changes in our segment disclosures, Power Generation Inter-company Operating Revenue for Contract Customers was revised for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 which resulted in an increase of $0.9 million and $2.6 million, respectively. The changes to Power Generation were offset by changes to Inter-company eliminations within Corporate and Other and there was no impact on our consolidated Total revenues.

17


Table of ASU 2014-09, revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not presented by contract type.Contents

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017External Operating Revenue Inter-company Operating Revenue Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
 Segment:     
 Electric Utilities$181,238
 $2,333
 $27,324
 Gas Utilities142,821
 73
 (4,329)
 
Power Generation (b)
1,810
 21,117
 6,155
 Mining9,742
 7,751
 3,477
 Corporate and Other
 
 (3,664)
 Inter-company eliminations
 (31,274) 
 Total$335,611
 $
 $28,963

          
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
External Operating
Revenue
 Inter-company Operating Revenue Total Revenues Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 Contract Customers Other Revenues Contract Customers Other Revenues
Segment:         
Electric Utilities$513,270
$2,218
 $16,473
$
 $531,961
 $63,313
Gas Utilities (a)
702,532
3,106
 1,002

 706,640
 93,182
Power Generation (b)
4,287
1,066
 36,874
26,363
 68,590
 17,319
Mining25,892
701
 23,761
974
 51,328
 9,561
Corporate and Other

 

 
 (5,877)
Inter-company eliminations

 (78,110)(27,337) (105,447) 
Total$1,245,981
$7,091
 $
$
 $1,253,072
 $177,498


       
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017External Operating Revenue 
Inter-company
Operating
Revenue
 Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
 Segment:     
 Electric Utilities$518,925
 $9,123
 $68,386
 Gas Utilities674,161
 90
 41,409
 
Power Generation (b)
5,382
 62,907
 18,017
 Mining26,500
 22,485
 9,048
 
Corporate and Other (c)

 
 (6,994)
 Inter-company eliminations
 (94,605) 
 Total$1,224,968
 $
 $129,866
     
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2019201820192018
Adjusted operating income:    
Electric Utilities (a)
$50,653
$43,393
$125,219
$123,073
Gas Utilities4,736
4,240
116,607
116,168
Power Generation (a)
11,822
13,079
33,945
33,731
Mining3,374
4,551
9,351
12,647
Corporate and Other (a)
(34)(178)(439)(2,709)
Operating income70,551
65,085
284,683
282,910
     
Interest expense, net(33,487)(35,297)(102,469)(104,826)
Impairment of investment(19,741)
(19,741)
Other income (expense), net580
(510)55
(1,923)
Income tax benefit (expense) (b)
(2,508)(7,477)(22,078)11,784
Income from continuing operations15,395
21,801
140,450
187,945
Net (loss) from discontinued operations
(857)
(5,627)
Net income15,395
20,944
140,450
182,318
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest(3,655)(3,994)(10,319)(10,447)
Net income available for common stock$11,740
$16,950
$130,131
$171,871
___________
(a)
NetDue to the changes in our segment disclosures, Adjusted operating income from continuing operations availablewas revised for common stockthe three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, which resulted in an increase (decrease) as follows (in millions):
SegmentThree Months Ended September 30, 2018Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Electric Utilities$1.6
$4.8
Power Generation(1.4)(4.4)
Corporate and Other(0.2)(0.4)
 $
$


(b)
Income tax benefit (expense) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 included a $49 million tax benefit resulting fromlegal entity restructuring. See Note 19 Income Taxes of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements18 for more information.
(b)Net income from continuing operations available for common stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 reflects net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of $4.0 million and $10.4 million, and $3.9 million and $10.6 million, respectively.
(c)Net income (loss) from continuing operations available for common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 included a $1.4 million tax benefit recognized from carryback claims for specified liability losses involving prior tax years.



Segment information and Corporate and Other balances included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in thousands):
Total assets (net of inter-company eliminations) as of:September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
Segment:   
Electric Utilities (a)
$2,810,108
 $2,707,695
Gas Utilities3,797,941
 3,623,475
Power Generation (a)
414,526
 342,085
Mining78,073
 80,594
Corporate and Other174,302
 209,478
Total assets$7,274,950
 $6,963,327

Total Assets (net of inter-company eliminations) as of:September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
Segment:     
Electric Utilities (a)
$2,853,414
 $2,906,275
 $2,911,919
Gas Utilities3,433,316
 3,426,466
 3,288,104
Power Generation (a)
122,428
 60,852
 64,357
Mining72,602
 65,455
 66,700
Corporate and Other177,324
 115,612
 115,330
Discontinued operations2,854
 84,242
 117,338
Total assets$6,661,938
 $6,658,902
 $6,563,748
_____________________
(a)The PPA under which Black Hills Colorado IPP provides generationDue to support Coloradothe changes in our segment disclosures, Electric customers from the Pueblo Airport Generation Station is accounted for as a capital lease. As such, assets owned by ourUtilities and Power Generation segment are recorded at Colorado ElectricTotal assets were revised as a capital lease.of December 31, 2018 which resulted in an increase (decrease) of ($188) million and $188 million, respectively. There was no impact on our consolidated Total assets.



18





(4)    ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE


Following is a summary of Accounts receivable, net included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) as of:
AccountsUnbilledLess Allowance forAccountsAccountsUnbilledLess Allowance forAccounts
September 30, 2018Receivable, TradeRevenue Doubtful AccountsReceivable, net
September 30, 2019Receivable, TradeRevenue Doubtful AccountsReceivable, net
Electric Utilities$43,108
$31,381
$(386)$74,103
$39,151
$31,843
$(500)$70,494
Gas Utilities48,638
24,768
(2,188)71,218
46,265
24,091
(2,490)67,866
Power Generation1,696


1,696
2,733


2,733
Mining3,749


3,749
1,804


1,804
Corporate2,030


2,030
6,261

(169)6,092
Total$99,221
$56,149
$(2,574)$152,796
$96,214
$55,934
$(3,159)$148,989


AccountsUnbilledLess Allowance forAccountsAccountsUnbilledLess Allowance forAccounts
December 31, 2017Receivable, TradeRevenue Doubtful AccountsReceivable, net
December 31, 2018Receivable, TradeRevenue Doubtful AccountsReceivable, net
Electric Utilities$39,347
$36,384
$(586)$75,145
$39,721
$35,125
$(448)$74,398
Gas Utilities81,256
88,967
(2,495)167,728
96,123
90,521
(2,592)184,052
Power Generation1,196


1,196
1,876


1,876
Mining2,804


2,804
3,988


3,988
Corporate1,457


1,457
5,008

(169)4,839
Total$126,060
$125,351
$(3,081)$248,330
$146,716
$125,646
$(3,209)$269,153





19


Table of Contents
 AccountsUnbilledLess Allowance forAccounts
September 30, 2017Receivable, TradeRevenue Doubtful AccountsReceivable, net
Electric Utilities$42,716
$29,762
$(494)$71,984
Gas Utilities49,842
24,516
(1,190)73,168
Power Generation1,010


1,010
Mining3,534


3,534
Corporate629


629
Total$97,731
$54,278
$(1,684)$150,325




(5)    REGULATORY ACCOUNTING


We had the following regulatory assets and liabilities (in thousands) as of:
September 30, 2018December 31, 2017September 30, 2017September 30, 2019December 31, 2018
Regulatory assets  
Deferred energy and fuel cost adjustments (a)
$29,976
$20,187
$20,559
$31,832
$29,661
Deferred gas cost adjustments (a)
720
31,844
12,833
3,899
3,362
Gas price derivatives (a)
6,192
11,935
11,297
4,296
6,201
Deferred taxes on AFUDC (b)
7,804
7,847
15,645
7,691
7,841
Employee benefit plans (c)
106,734
109,235
105,671
107,921
110,524
Environmental (a)
972
1,031
1,051
917
959
Asset retirement obligations (a)
526
517
514
Loss on reacquired debt (a)
21,431
20,667
21,067
19,710
21,001
Renewable energy standard adjustment (a)
1,131
1,088
1,956
2,871
1,722
Deferred taxes on flow through accounting (c) (e)
29,342
26,978
41,900
Deferred taxes on flow through accounting (c)
37,609
31,044
Decommissioning costs (b)
11,052
13,287
13,989
11,206
11,700
Gas supply contract termination (a)
15,745
20,001
21,402
9,953
14,310
Other regulatory assets (a)
28,725
32,837
32,710
22,453
45,910
Total regulatory assets260,350
297,454
300,594
260,358
284,235
Less current regulatory assets(48,302)(81,016)(61,023)(46,206)(48,776)
Regulatory assets, non-current$212,048
$216,438
$239,571
$214,152
$235,459
  
Regulatory liabilities  
Deferred energy and gas costs (a)
$15,980
$3,427
$3,780
$9,919
$6,991
Employee benefit plan costs and related deferred taxes (c) (e)
39,332
40,629
66,620
Employee benefit plan costs and related deferred taxes (c)
42,737
42,533
Cost of removal (a)
146,177
130,932
125,360
162,169
150,123
Excess deferred income taxes (c) (d)
316,625
301,553
52
Excess deferred income taxes (c)
286,587
310,562
TCJA revenue reserve20,592


2,770
18,032
Other regulatory liabilities (c)
11,582
8,585
9,419
19,759
12,553
Total regulatory liabilities550,288
485,126
205,231
523,941
540,794
Less current regulatory liabilities(41,442)(6,832)(7,042)(25,168)(29,810)
Regulatory liabilities, non-current$508,846
$478,294
$198,189
$498,773
$510,984
__________
(a)RecoveryWe are allowed recovery of costs, but we are not allowed a rate of return.
(b)In addition to recovery of costs, we are allowed a rate of return.
(c)In addition to recovery or repayment of costs, we are allowed a return on a portion of this amount or a reduction in rate base.
(d)The increase in the regulatory tax liability is primarily related to the revaluation of deferred income tax balances at the lower income tax rate. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, all of the liability was classified as non-current due to uncertainties around the timing and other regulatory decisions that will affect the amount of regulatory tax liability amortized and returned to customers through rate reductions or other revenue offsets.
(e)The variance to the prior periods is primarily due to the decrease in federal income tax from 35% to 21% as a result of the TCJA.


Regulatory Matters


Except as discussed below, there have been no other significant changes to our Regulatory Matters from those previously disclosed in Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.





20
TCJA revenue reserve - The TCJA signed into law on December 22, 2017, reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. Effective January 1, 2018, the key impact

Table of tax reform on existing utility revenues/tariffs established prior to tax reform results primarilyContents

Regulatory Activity

Wyoming Gas

On June 13, 2019, we received approval from the change in the federal tax rate from 35%WPSC to 21% (including the effectsconsolidate our Wyoming gas utility operations into a new utility entity.  The Wyoming portion of tax gross-ups not yet approved) affecting current income tax expense embedded in those tariffs. Black Hills has been collaborating withGas Distribution, LLC, Cheyenne Light’s natural gas utility commissions in the states in which it provides utility service to deliver to customers the benefits of a lower corporate federal income tax rate beginning in 2018 with the passage of the TCJA. We have received state utility commission approvals to provide the benefits of federal tax reform to utility customers in six states. We estimatedoperations (Cheyenne Gas and recorded a reserve to revenue of approximately $6.0 millionNortheast Wyoming), and $29 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. As of September 30, 2018, $7.9 million has been returned to customers.

A list of states where benefits to customers of federal tax reform have been approved is summarized below.

StateApproximate 2018 Benefit for CustomersStart Date for Customer Benefits
Arkansas$9.7 millionOctober 2018
Colorado$10.8 millionJuly 2018
Iowa$2.4 millionJune 2018
Kansas$1.9 millionApril 2018
Nebraska$3.8 millionJuly 2018
South Dakota$7.7 millionOctober 2018

In support of returning benefits to customers, the three rate review requests filed in 2017 for Arkansas Gas, Wyoming Gas (Northwest Wyoming) were combined into a new company called Black Hills Wyoming Gas, LLC.  On June 3, 2019, Wyoming Gas filed a rate review application with the WPSC to consolidate the rates, tariffs and Rocky Mountain Natural Gas (a pipeline systemservices of its 4 existing gas distribution territories in Colorado) were adjusted to include the benefits to customers of federal tax reform as discussed below.

Rate Reviews

RMNG
In Colorado, new rates for RMNG went into effect June 1, 2018 after an administrative law judge recommended approval of a settlement agreement and the CPUC took no further action.Wyoming. The settlement included $1.1rate review requests $16 million in annualnew revenue increases and an extension of the SSIR to recover costs from 2018 through December 31, 2021. The annual increaseinvestments in safety, reliability and system integrity. Wyoming Gas is based onalso requesting a return on equity of 9.9%new rider mechanism to recover future safety and a capital structure of 46.63% equityintegrity investments in its system. A settlement was recently reached with the intervening parties in the rate review filing and 53.37% debt. New rates are inclusive of customer benefits related to the TCJA.

Wyoming Gas
On July 16, 2018,filed with the WPSC reachedon November 1, 2019. The stipulation and agreement are subject to review and approval by the WPSC, with a bench decision approving ourexpected by the end of 2019.

South Dakota Electric and Wyoming Gas (Northwest Wyoming) settlementElectric

South Dakota Electric and stipulationWyoming Electric received approvals for the Renewable Ready Service Tariffs and related jointly-filed CPCN to construct the $57 million, 40 MW Corriedale Wind Energy Project. The wind project will be jointly owned by the 2 electric utilities to deliver renewable energy for large commercial, industrial and governmental agency customers. The project is expected to be in service by the end of 2020. In September 2019, the customer subscription period was completed with customer interest fulfilling the 40 MW of available energy. On November 1, 2019, South Dakota Electric filed with the OCA. We receivedSDPUC an amendment seeking approval to increase the final order ingenerating capacity under the third quartertariff for the South Dakota portion by 12.5 MW to a total of 2018. The settlement provides for $1.0 million of new revenue, a return on equity of 9.6%, and a capital structure of 54.0% equity and 46.0% debt. New rates, inclusive of customer benefits related to the TCJA, were effective September 1, 2018.32.5 MW.


Arkansas GasNebraska

On October 5, 2018, Arkansas29, 2019, Nebraska Gas received approval from the APSC for a generalNPSC to merge its 2 gas distribution companies in Nebraska. A rate increase. The new rates will generate approximately $12 million of new annual revenue. The APSC’s approval also allows Arkansas Gasreview is expected to include $11 million of revenue that is currently being collected through certain rider mechanisms in the new base rates. The new revenue increase is based on a return on equity of 9.61% and a capital structure of 49.1% equity and 50.9% debt. New rates, inclusive of customer benefits related to the TCJA, were effective October 15, 2018.

Wyoming Electric
On October 31, Wyoming Electric received approval from the WPSC for a comprehensive, multi-year settlement regarding its PCA Applicationbe filed earlier in 2018. Wyoming Electric’s PCA permits the recovery of costs associated with fuel, purchased electricity and other specified costs, including the portion of the company’s energy that is delivered from the Wygen I PPA with Black Hills Wyoming. Wyoming Electric will provide an aggregate $7.0 million in customer credits through the PCA mechanism in 2018, 2019 andby mid-year 2020 to resolve all outstanding issues relating toconsolidate the rates, tariffs and services of its current and prior PCA filings. The settlement also stipulates the adjustment for the variable cost segment of the Wygen I PPA with Wyoming Electric will escalate by 3.0% annually through 2022, providing price certainty for Wyoming Electric and its customers. As of September 30, 2018, we have recorded a liability of $4.5 million related to the PCA.2 existing gas distribution companies.



Kansas

Nebraska Gas
On June 1, 2018, Nebraska Gas Distribution filed an application with the NPSC requesting a continuation of the SSIR beyond the expiration date of October 31, 2019. On September 5, 2018, the NSPC approved continuation of the SSIR tariff to December 31, 2020. The SSIR provides approximately $6.0 million of revenue annually on investments made prior to January 1, 2018, with investments after that date to be recovered through other methods. If a base rate review is filed prior to expiration of the rider, that rate request will include the remaining investment to be recovered.

Kansas Gas
On June 19, 2018,25, 2019, Kansas Gas received approval from the Kansas Corporation Commission to doublefor an annual eligible investments upincrease in revenue of $1.4 million, effective July 1, 2019, based on updates to $8.0 million for safety related integrity investments under the Gas System Reliability rider.Surcharge Rider.


Wyoming Electric

On April 30, 2019, the WPSC approved Wyoming Electric’s application for a new Blockchain Interruptible Service Tariff. The utility has partnered with the economic development organization for City of Cheyenne and Laramie County to actively recruit blockchain customers to the state. This tariff is complementary to recently enacted Wyoming legislation supporting the development of blockchain within the state.

Colorado

On February 1, 2019, Colorado Gas filed a rate review with the CPUC requesting approval to consolidate rates, tariffs, and services of its 2 existing gas distribution territories in Colorado. The rate review requests $2.5 million in new revenue to recover investments in safety, reliability and system integrity. Colorado Gas is also requesting a new rider mechanism to recover future safety and integrity investments in its system. A decision from the CPUC is expected by March 2020.




21


Table of Contents

(6)    MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND FUEL


The following amounts by major classification are included in Materials, supplies and fuel in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) as of:
 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
Materials and supplies$81,382
 $75,081
Fuel - Electric Utilities2,535
 2,850
Natural gas in storage held for distribution39,085
 39,368
Total materials, supplies and fuel$123,002
 $117,299

 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
Materials and supplies$73,777
 $69,732
 $70,284
Fuel - Electric Utilities2,750
 2,962
 2,993
Natural gas in storage held for distribution46,091
 40,589
 49,589
Total materials, supplies and fuel$122,618
 $113,283
 $122,866






(7)    INVESTMENTS

In February 2018, we contributed $28 million of assets in exchange for equity securities in a privately held company. The carrying value of our investment in the equity securities was determined using the cost method. We review this investment on a periodic basis to determine whether a significant event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have an adverse effect on the value of the investment. We estimate that the fair value of this cost method investment approximated or exceeded its carrying value as of September 30, 2018.

The following table presents the carrying value of our investments (in thousands) as of:
 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
Cost method investment$28,134
 $
 $
Cash surrender value of life insurance contracts13,068
 13,090
 12,947
Total investments$41,202
 $13,090
 $12,947


(87)    EARNINGS PER SHARE


A reconciliation of share amounts used to compute Earnings (loss) per share in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income was as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20192018 20192018
      
Net income available for common stock$11,740
$16,950
 $130,131
$171,871
      
Weighted average shares - basic60,976
53,364
 60,458
53,346
Dilutive effect of:     
Equity Units (a)

1,344
 
1,060
Equity compensation128
111
 120
102
Weighted average shares - diluted61,104
54,819
 60,578
54,508
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20182017 20182017
      
Net income available for common stock$16,950
$27,663
 $171,871
$126,381
      
Weighted average shares - basic53,364
53,243
 53,346
53,208
Dilutive effect of:     
Equity Units (a)
1,344
2,015
 1,060
1,872
Equity compensation111
174
 102
174
Weighted average shares - diluted54,819
55,432
 54,508
55,254

__________
(a)Calculated using the treasury stock method. On November 1, 2018, we completed settlement of the stock purchase contracts that were components of the Equity Units issued in November 2015.


The following outstanding securities were excluded in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20192018 20192018
      
Equity compensation2
12
 4
15
Restricted Stock

 1

Anti-dilutive shares2
12
 5
15

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20182017 20182017
      
Equity compensation12

 15

Anti-dilutive shares12

 15





(98)    NOTES PAYABLE, CURRENT MATURITIES AND DEBT


We had the following notes payable outstanding in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) as of:
 September 30, 2019December 31, 2018
 Balance OutstandingLetters of CreditBalance OutstandingLetters of Credit
Revolving Credit Facility$50,000
$18,313
$
$22,311
CP Program244,900

185,620

Total$294,900
$18,313
$185,620
$22,311


22


Table of Contents
 September 30, 2018December 31, 2017September 30, 2017
 Balance OutstandingLetters of CreditBalance OutstandingLetters of CreditBalance OutstandingLetters of Credit
Revolving Credit Facility$
$15,203
$
$26,848
$
$25,391
CP Program112,100

211,300

225,170

Total$112,100
$15,203
$211,300
$26,848
$225,170
$25,391



Revolving Credit Facility and CP Program

On July 30, 2018, we amended and restated ourOur $750 million corporate Revolving Credit Facility maintaining total commitments of $750 million and extending the termextends through July 30, 2023 with two one-year2, one year extension options (subject to consent from lenders). This facility is similar to the former revolving credit facility, which includes an accordion feature that allows us, with the consent of the administrative agent, the issuing agents and each bank increasing or providing a new commitment, to increase total commitments up to $1.0 billion.$1.0 billion. Borrowings continue to be available under a base rate or various Eurodollar rate options. The interest costs associated with the letters of credit or borrowings and the commitment fee under the Revolving Credit Facility are determined based upon our Corporate credit rating from S&P, Fitch, and Moody's for our senior unsecured long-term debt. Based on our credit ratings, the margins for base rate borrowings, Eurodollar borrowings, and letters of credit were 0.125%, 1.125%, and 1.125%, respectively, at September 30, 2018.2019. Based on our credit ratings, a 0.175% commitment fee was charged on the unused amount at September 30, 2018. Margins and the commitment fee rate decreased in August 2018 due to our upgraded credit rating from S&P.2019.


We have a $750 million, unsecured CP Program that is backstopped by the Revolving Credit Facility. Amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and the CP Program, either individually or in the aggregate, cannot exceed $750 million. The notes issued under the CP Program may have maturities not to exceed 397 days from the date of issuance and bear interest (or are sold at par less a discount representing an interest factor) based on, among other things, the size and maturity date of the note, the frequency of the issuance and our credit ratings. Under the CP Program, any borrowings rank equally with our unsecured debt. Notes under the CP Program are not registered and are offered and issued pursuant to a registration exemption.



Our net payments under the CP Programshort-term borrowings (payments) during the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 were $99 million and our notes outstanding as of$109 million. At September 30, 2018 were $112 million. As of September 30, 2018,2019, the weighted average interest rate on CP Programshort-term borrowings was 2.42%2.43%.


Debt Covenants


Under our Revolving Credit Facility and term loan agreement (before each was amended and restated),agreements, we wereare required to maintain a Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio not to exceed 0.65 to 1.00. At September 30, 2018, ourOur Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio was calculated by dividing (i) Consolidated Indebtedness, (which includedwhich includes letters of credit and certain guarantees issued, but excluded the RSNs), by (ii) Capital, which isincludes Consolidated Indebtedness plus Consolidated Net Worth, (which excludedwhich excludes noncontrolling interestsinterest in subsidiaries and included the aggregate outstanding amount of the RSNs). Under our amended and restated revolving Credit Facility and amended and restated term loan agreement, we are also required to maintain a Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio not to exceed 0.65 to 1.00, but as of September 30, 2018 only, Consolidated Net Worth will include the amount receivable by the Company in connection with the common stock settlement under the purchase contracts which are part of the Equity Units, rather than the outstanding amount of the RSNs.

Our Revolving Credit Facility and term loans require compliance with the following financial covenant at the end of each quarter:
 As of September 30, 2018 Covenant Requirement
Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio61.4% Less than65%

subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2018,2019, we were in compliance with this covenant.these covenants.


Current MaturitiesDebt Transaction


As of September 30, 2018, our $250 million senior unsecured notes due January 11,On June 17, 2019, and $5.7 million of principal due in the next twelve months onwe amended our Corporate term loan due June 7, 2021 are classified as Current maturities of long-term debt on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Long-Term Debt

On August 17, 2018, we issuedJuly 30, 2020. This amendment increased total commitments to $400 million principal amount, 4.350% senior unsecured notes due 2033. A portion of these notes were issued in a private exchange that resulted in the retirement of all $299 million principal amount of our RSNs due 2028. The remainder of the notes were sold for cash in a public offering, with the net proceeds being used to pay down short-term debt.

The issuance of these new senior notes was the culmination of a series of transactions that also included the contractually required remarketing of such RSNs on behalf of the holders of our Equity Units, with the proceeds being deposited as collateral to secure the obligations of those holders under the purchase contracts included in the Equity Units (see subsequent event in Note 10). As a result of the remarketing, the annual interest rate on such RSNs was automatically reset to 4.579% (however, because the RSNs were then immediately retired, no interest accrued at this reset rate).

On July 30, 2018, we amended and restated our unsecured term loan due August 2019. This amended and restated term loan, withfrom $300 million, outstanding at September 30, 2018, will now mature on July 30, 2020extended the term through June 17, 2021, and hashad substantially similar terms and covenants as the amended and restated Revolving Credit Facility. The interest cost associated withnet proceeds from the increase in total commitments were used to pay down short-term debt. Proceeds from the October 3, 2019 public debt offering were used to repay this term loan is determined based upon our corporate credit rating from S&P, Fitch, and Moody’s for ourloan.

Subsequent Event - Debt Offering

On October 3, 2019, we completed a public debt offering of $700 million principal amount in senior unsecured long-termnotes. The debt offering consisted of $400 million of 3.05% 10-year senior notes due October 15, 2029 and $300 million of 3.875% 30-year senior notes due October 15, 2049 (together the “Notes”). The proceeds of the Notes were used for the following:

Repay the $400 million Corporate term loan under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement due June 17, 2021;

Retire the $200 million 5.875% senior notes due July 15, 2020; and

Repay a portion of short-term debt. Based on our credit ratings, the margins for base rate borrowings and Eurodollar borrowings were 0.000% and 0.700%, respectively, at September 30, 2018.




23




(10)
(9)    EQUITY

A summary of the changes in equity is as follows:

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018Total Stockholders’ EquityNoncontrolling InterestTotal Equity
  (in thousands) 
Balance at December 31, 2017$1,708,974
$111,232
$1,820,206
Net income (loss)171,871
10,447
182,318
Other comprehensive income3,481

3,481
Dividends on common stock(76,309)
(76,309)
Share-based compensation4,871

4,871
Dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan220

220
Other stock transactions147

147
Distribution to noncontrolling interest
(13,755)(13,755)
Balance at September 30, 2018$1,813,255
$107,924
$1,921,179

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017Total Stockholders’ EquityNoncontrolling InterestTotal Equity
  (in thousands) 
Balance at December 31, 2016$1,614,639
$115,495
$1,730,134
Net income (loss)126,381
10,567
136,948
Other comprehensive income2,317

2,317
Dividends on common stock(71,334)
(71,334)
Share-based compensation5,853

5,853
Dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan2,300

2,300
Redeemable noncontrolling interest(886)
(886)
Cumulative effect of ASU 2016-09 implementation3,714

3,714
Other stock transactions(180)
(180)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest
(12,884)(12,884)
Balance at September 30, 2017$1,682,804
$113,178
$1,795,982


At-the-Market Equity Offering Program


On August 4, 2017, we renewed ourOur ATM equity offering program which reset the size of the program to an aggregate value of up to $300 million. The renewed program, which allows us to sell shares of our common stock is the same as the prior program other than thewith an aggregate value increased from $200 millionof up to $300 million. The shares may be offered from time to time pursuant to a sales agreement dated August 4, 2017. Shares of common stock are offered pursuant to our shelf registration statement filed with the SEC. We did not issue anyDuring the three months ended September 30, 2019, we issued a total of 389,237 shares of common shares duringstock under the ATM equity offering program for proceeds of $30 million, net of $0.3 million in commissions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 or September 30, 20172019, we issued a total of 1,328,332 shares of common stock under the ATM equity offering program.



Subsequent Event - Equity Units Settlement

On October 29, 2018, we announced the settlement rateprogram for the stock purchase contracts that are components of the Equity Units issued November 23, 2015. The settlement rate was based upon the minimum settlement rate, as adjusted to account for past dividends, because the average of the closing price per share of Black Hills Corporation common stock on the New York Stock Exchange for the 20 consecutive trading days ending on October 29, 2018 exceeded the threshold appreciation price. Each holder of the Equity Units on that date, following payment of $50.00 for each unit which it holds, received 1.0655 shares of Black Hills Corporation common stock for each such unit. The holders' obligations to make such payments were satisfied with proceeds generated by the successful remarketing on August 17, 2018, of the RSNs that formerly constituted a component of the Equity Units.

Upon settlement of all outstanding stock purchase obligations, the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $299$99 million, net of $1.0 million in exchange for approximately 6.372 million shares of common stock. Proceeds will be used to pay down the $250 million senior unsecured notes due January 11, 2019, with the balance used to pay down short-term debt.

commissions. As of November 1, 2018, after the Equity Units settlement, we hadSeptember 30, 2019, there were no shares outstanding of approximately 59.97 million.that were sold, but not settled.




(1110)    RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES


Our activities in the regulated and non-regulated energy sectors expose us to a number of risks in the normal operation of our businesses. Depending on the activity, we are exposed to varying degrees of market risk and credit risk. To manage and mitigate these identified risks, we have adopted the Black Hills Corporation Risk and Credit Policies and Procedures as discussed in our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Market Risk


Market risk is the potential loss that might occur as a result of an adverse change in market price or rate. We are exposed to, the following market risks including, but not limited to:

Commodityto, commodity price risk associated with our retail natural gas marketing activities and our fuel procurement for certain gas-fired generation assets; andassets.

Interest rate risk associated with our variable rate debt.


Credit Risk


Credit risk is the risk of financial loss resulting from non-performance of contractual obligations by a counterparty.


For production and generationother than retail utility activities, we attempt to mitigate our credit exposure by conducting business primarily with high credit quality entities, setting tenor and credit limits commensurate with counterparty financial strength, obtaining master netting agreements, and mitigating credit exposure with less creditworthy counterparties through parental guarantees,guaranties, prepayments, letters of credit, and other security agreements.


We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and adjust credit limits based on payment history and the customer’s current creditworthiness, as determined by review of their current credit information. We maintain a provision for estimated credit losses based upon historical experience and any specific customer collection issue that is identified.


Our derivative and hedging activities recorded in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income are detailed below and in Note 1211.




Utilities


The operations of our utilities, including natural gas sold by our Gas Utilities and natural gas used by our Electric Utilities’ generation plants or those plants under PPAs where our Electric Utilities must provide the generation fuel (tolling agreements), expose our utility customers to volatility in natural gas prices. Therefore, as allowed or required by state utility commissions, we have entered into commission-approved hedging programs utilizing natural gas futures, options, over-the-counter swaps and basis swaps to reduce our customers’ underlying exposure to these fluctuations. These transactions are considered derivatives, and in accordance with accounting standards for derivatives and hedging, mark-to-market adjustments are recorded as Derivative assets or Derivative liabilities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of balance sheet offsetting as permitted by GAAP.


For our regulated utilities’ hedging plans, unrealized and realized gains and losses, as well as option premiums and commissions on these transactions are recorded as Regulatory assets or Regulatory liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with state commission guidelines. When the related costs are recovered through our rates, the hedging activity is recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.



We buy, sell and deliver natural gas at competitive prices by managing commodity price risk. As a result of these activities, this area of our business is exposed to risks associated with changes in the market price of natural gas. We manage our exposure to such risks using over-the-counter and exchange traded options and swaps with counterparties in anticipation of forecasted purchases and/or sales during time frames ranging from October 20182019 through May 2020;October 2021; a portion of these swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with forward contracts to deliver gas to our Choice Gas Program customers. The effective portion of the gain or loss on these designated derivatives is reported in AOCI in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the ineffective portion, if any, is reported in Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.Sheets. Effectiveness of our hedginghedged position is evaluated at inception of the hedge, upon occurrence of a triggering event and as of the end of each quarter.



24



The contract or notional amounts and terms of the natural gas derivative commodity instruments held at our utilities are composed of both long and short positions. We were in a net long position as of:
 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
 
Notional
(MMBtus)
 
Maximum
Term
(months) (a)
 
Notional
(MMBtus)
 
Maximum
Term
(months) (a)
Natural gas futures purchased2,350,000
 15 4,000,000
 24
Natural gas options purchased, net8,580,000
 6 4,320,000
 13
Natural gas basis swaps purchased2,090,000
 15 3,960,000
 24
Natural gas over-the-counter swaps, net (b)
5,460,000
 25 3,660,000
 24
Natural gas physical contracts, net (c)
23,459,639
 6 18,325,852
 30
 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
 
Notional
(MMBtus)
 
Maximum
Term
(months) (a)
 
Notional
(MMBtus)
 
Maximum
Term
(months) (a)
 
Notional
(MMBtus)
 
Maximum
Term
(months) (a)
Natural gas futures purchased5,300,000
 27 8,330,000
 36 10,250,000
 39
Natural gas options purchased, net9,670,000
 16 3,540,000
 14 7,360,000
 17
Natural gas basis swaps purchased5,140,000
 27 8,060,000
 36 9,170,000
 39
Natural gas over-the-counter swaps, net (b)
4,370,000
 20 3,820,000
 29 4,600,000
 20
Natural gas physical contracts, net (c)
19,539,851
 33 12,826,605
 35 21,071,714
 38

__________
(a)Term reflects the maximum forward period hedged.
(b)
As of September 30, 2018, 2,236,0002019, 1,812,500 MMBtus were designated as cash flow hedges for the natural gas over-the-counter swaps purchased.
hedges.
(c)Volumes exclude contracts that qualify for the normal purchase, normal sales exception.


Based on September 30, 20182019 prices, a $0.1$0.4 million gain would be realized, reported in pre-tax earnings and reclassified from AOCI during the next 12 months. As market prices fluctuate, estimated and actual realized gains or losses will change during future periods.


We have certain derivative contracts which contain credit provisions. These credit provisions may require the Company to post collateral when credit exposure to the Company is in excess of a negotiated line of unsecured credit. At September 30, 2018,2019, the Company posted $0.7$0.5 million related to such provisions, which is included in Other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.



Financing Activities

At September 30, 2018, we had no outstanding interest rate swap agreements. Our last interest rate swap agreement with a $50 million notional value, which was designated to borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility, expired in January 2017.

Discontinued Operations

Our Oil and Gas segment was exposed to risks associated with changes in the market prices of oil and gas. Through December 2017, we used exchange traded futures, swaps and options to hedge portions of our crude oil and natural gas production to mitigate commodity price risk and preserve cash flows. Hedge accounting was elected on the swaps and futures contracts. These transactions were designated upon inception as cash flow hedges, documented under accounting standards for derivatives and hedging and initially met prospective effectiveness testing. As a result of divesting our Oil and Gas assets, these activities were discontinued and there were no outstanding derivative agreements as of September 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017. At September 30, 2017, we had outstanding crude oil futures and swap contracts with notional volumes of 54,000 Bbls, crude oil option contracts with notional volumes of 9,000 Bbls and natural gas futures and swap contracts with notional volumes of 540,000 MMBtus.


Cash Flow Hedges


The impacts of cash flow hedges on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income is presented below for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20172018. Note that this presentation does not reflect gains or losses arising from the underlying physical transactions; therefore, it is not indicative of the economic profit or loss we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
(in thousands)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships 
Location of
Reclassifications from AOCI into Income
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
Interest rate swaps Interest expense $(713)
Commodity derivatives Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold (129)
Total   $(842)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
(in thousands)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships 
Location of
Reclassifications from AOCI into Income
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
Interest rate swaps Interest expense $(712)
Commodity derivatives Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold (18)
Total   $(730)


25



Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
(in thousands)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships 
Location of
Reclassifications from AOCI into Income
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
Interest rate swaps Interest expense $(2,139)
Commodity derivatives Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold 508
Total   $(1,631)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
(in thousands)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships 
Location of
Reclassifications from AOCI into Income
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
Interest rate swaps Interest expense $(2,138)
Commodity derivatives Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold (802)
Total   $(2,940)

The following tables summarize the gains and losses arising from hedging transactions that were recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.
    
 Three Months Ended September 30,
 2019 2018
 (in thousands)
Increase (decrease) in fair value:   
Forward commodity contracts$(150) $30
Recognition of (gains) losses in earnings due to settlements:   
Interest rate swaps713
 712
Forward commodity contracts129
 18
Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging$692
 $760
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2019 2018
 (in thousands)
Increase (decrease) in fair value:   
Forward commodity contracts$(434) $(219)
Recognition of (gains) losses in earnings due to settlements:   
Interest rate swaps2,139
 2,138
Forward commodity contracts(508) 802
Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging$1,197
 $2,721


26



Derivatives Not Designated as Hedge Instruments

The following table summarizes the impacts of derivative instruments not designated as hedge instruments on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands). Note that this presentation does not reflect gains or losses arising from the underlying physical transactions; therefore, it is not indicative of the economic profit or loss we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships 
Location of
Reclassifications from AOCI into Income
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
(Settlements)
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
Interest rate swaps Interest expense $(712) Interest expense $
Commodity derivatives Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold (18) Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold 
Total   $(730)   $
     
  Three Months Ended September 30,
  2019 2018
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging InstrumentsLocation of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in IncomeAmount of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income Amount of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
     
Commodity derivativesFuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold$(20) $(96)
Commodity derivativesOther income (expense), net142
 
  $122
 $(96)


Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships 
Location of
Reclassifications from AOCI into Income
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
(Settlements)
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
Interest rate swaps Interest expense $(713) Interest expense $
Commodity derivatives Net (loss) from discontinued operations 295
 Net (loss) from discontinued operations 
Commodity derivatives Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold (34) Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold 
Total   $(452)   $
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2019 2018
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging InstrumentsLocation of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in IncomeAmount of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income Amount of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
     
Commodity derivativesFuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold$(1,180) $929
Commodity derivativesOther income (expense), net$142
 $
  $(1,038) $929




         
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships 
Location of
Reclassifications from AOCI into Income
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
(Settlements)
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
Interest rate swaps Interest expense $(2,138) Interest expense $
Commodity derivatives Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold (802) Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold 
Total   $(2,940)   $

         
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships 
Location of
Reclassifications from AOCI into Income
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
(Settlements)
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
Interest rate swaps Interest expense $(2,228) Interest expense $
Commodity derivatives Net (loss) from discontinued operations 954
 Net (loss) from discontinued operations 
Commodity derivatives Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold (20) Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold 
Total   $(1,294)   $

The following tables summarize the gains and losses arising from hedging transactions that were recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. The amounts included in the tables below exclude gains and losses arising from ineffectiveness because these amounts, if any, are immediately recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income as incurred.
 Three Months Ended September 30,
 2018 2017
 (in thousands)
Increase (decrease) in fair value:   
Forward commodity contracts$30
 $(254)
Recognition of (gains) losses in earnings due to settlements:   
Interest rate swaps712
 713
Forward commodity contracts18
 (261)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging$760
 $198
    
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2018 2017
 (in thousands)
Increase (decrease) in fair value:   
Forward commodity contracts$(219) $1,197
Recognition of (gains) losses in earnings due to settlements:   
Interest rate swaps2,138
 2,228
Forward commodity contracts802
 (934)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging$2,721
 $2,491



Derivatives Not Designated as Hedge Instruments

The following table summarizes the impacts of derivative instruments not designated as hedge instruments on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands). Note that this presentation does not reflect gains or losses arising from the underlying physical transactions; therefore, it is not indicative of the economic profit or loss we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.
  Three Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging InstrumentsLocation of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in IncomeAmount of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income Amount of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
     
Commodity derivativesNet (loss) from discontinued operations$
 $(53)
Commodity derivativesFuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold(96) (322)
  $(96) $(375)

  Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging InstrumentsLocation of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in IncomeAmount of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income Amount of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
     
Commodity derivativesNet (loss) from discontinued operations$
 $90
Commodity derivativesFuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold929
 (1,822)
  $929
 $(1,732)


As discussed above, financial instruments used in our regulated utilities are not designated as cash flow hedges. However, there is no earnings impact because the unrealized gains and losses arising from the use of these financial instruments are recorded as Regulatory assets or Regulatory liabilities. The net unrealized losses included in our Regulatory assetsasset or Regulatory liability accounts related to the hedges in our utilities were $4.3 million and $6.2 million $12 million and $11 million atas of September 30, 2018,2019 and December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017,2018, respectively.






(1211)    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS


Derivative Financial Instruments


The accounting guidance for fair value measurements requires certain disclosures about assets and liabilities measured at fair value. This guidance establishes a hierarchical framework for disclosing the observability of the inputs utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. We record transfers, if necessary, between levels at the end of the reporting period for all of our financial instruments. For additional information, see Notes 1, 9, 10 and 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.


Transfers into Level 3, if any, occur when significant inputs used to value the derivative instruments become less observable, such as a significant decrease in the frequency and volume in which the instrument is traded, negatively impacting the availability of observable pricing inputs. Transfers out of Level 3, if any, occur when the significant inputs become more observable, such as when the time between the valuation date and the delivery date of a transaction becomes shorter, positively impacting the availability of observable pricing inputs.


Valuation Methodologies for Derivatives

Discontinued Operations:

Oil and gas derivative instruments are included in assets and liabilities held for sale discussed in Note 18.

Utilities Segments:


The commodity contracts for our Utilities Segments, are valued using the market approach and include exchange-traded futures, options, basis swaps and over-the-counter swaps and options (Level 2) for natural gas contracts. For exchange-traded futures, options and basis swap assets and liabilities, fair value was derived using broker quotes validated by the exchange settlement pricing for the applicable contract. For over-the-counter instruments, the fair value is obtained by utilizing a nationally recognized service that obtains observable inputs to compute the fair value, which we validate by comparing our valuation with the counterparty. The fair value of these swaps includes a CVA component based on the credit spreads of the counterparties when we are in an unrealized gain position or on our own credit spread when we are in an unrealized loss position.


Corporate Activities:Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurement


AsA discussion of September 30, 2018, we no longer have derivatives withinthe fair value of our corporate activities as our last interest rate swaps maturedinvestment in January 2017.equity securities of a privately held oil and gas company, a Level 3 asset, is included in Note 21.


Recurring Fair Value Measurements

There have been no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 derivative balances. Amounts included in cash collateral and counterparty netting in the following tables represent the impact of legally enforceable master netting agreements that allow us to settle positive and negative positions, netting of asset and liability positions permitted in accordance with accounting standards for offsetting as well as cash collateral posted with the same counterparties.

Oil and gas derivative instruments are included in assets and liabilities held for sale discussed in Note 18. The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy present gross assets and gross liabilities and related offsetting cash collateral and counterparty netting as permitted by GAAP that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis for derivative instruments.




 As of September 30, 2019
 Level 1Level 2Level 3 
Cash Collateral and Counterparty
Netting
Total
 (in thousands)
Assets:      
Commodity derivatives — Utilities$
$2,750
$
 $(2,335)$415
Total$
$2,750
$
 $(2,335)$415
       
Liabilities:      
Commodity derivatives — Utilities$
$6,080
$
 $(3,471)$2,609
Total$
$6,080
$
 $(3,471)$2,609



27


 As of September 30, 2018
 Level 1Level 2Level 3 
Cash Collateral and Counterparty
Netting
Total
 (in thousands)
Assets:      
Commodity derivatives — Utilities$
$5,882
$
 $(4,469)$1,413
Total$
$5,882
$
 $(4,469)$1,413
       
Liabilities:      
Commodity derivatives — Utilities$
$10,033
$
 $(8,777)$1,256
Total$
$10,033
$
 $(8,777)$1,256


 As of December 31, 2018
 Level 1Level 2Level 3 
Cash Collateral and Counterparty
Netting
Total
 (in thousands)
Assets:      
Commodity derivatives — Utilities$
$2,927
$
 $(1,408)$1,519
Total$
$2,927
$
 $(1,408)$1,519
       
Liabilities:      
Commodity derivatives — Utilities$
$6,801
$
 $(5,794)$1,007
Total$
$6,801
$
 $(5,794)$1,007

 As of December 31, 2017
 Level 1Level 2Level 3 
Cash Collateral and Counterparty
Netting
Total
 (in thousands)
Assets:      
Commodity derivatives — Utilities$
$1,586
$
 $(1,282)$304
Total$
$1,586
$
 $(1,282)$304
       
Liabilities:      
Commodity derivatives — Utilities$
$13,756
$
 $(11,497)$2,259
Total$
$13,756
$
 $(11,497)$2,259



 As of September 30, 2017
 Level 1Level 2Level 3 
Cash Collateral and Counterparty
Netting
Total
 (in thousands)
Assets:      
Commodity derivatives — Utilities$
$2,880
$
 $(2,448)$432
Total$
$2,880
$
 $(2,448)$432
       
Liabilities:      
Commodity derivatives — Utilities$
$12,647
$
 $(11,125)$1,522
Total$
$12,647
$
 $(11,125)$1,522


Fair Value Measures by Balance Sheet Classification


As required by accounting standards for derivatives and hedges, fair values within the following tables are presented on a gross basis aside from the netting of asset and liability positions permitted in accordance with accounting standards for offsetting and under terms of our master netting agreements and the impact of legally enforceable master netting agreements that allow us to settle positive and negative positions.




The following tables presenttable presents the fair value and balance sheet classification of our derivative instruments (in thousands): as of:
As of September 30, 2018
 Balance Sheet Location 
Fair Value
of Asset
Derivatives
Fair Value
of Liability
Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedges:    
Commodity derivativesDerivative assets — current $142
$
Commodity derivativesOther assets, non-current 21

Commodity derivativesDerivative liabilities — current 
273
Commodity derivativesOther deferred credits and other liabilities 
10
Total derivatives designated as hedges  $163
$283
     
Derivatives not designated as hedges:    
Commodity derivativesDerivative assets — current $1,250
$
Commodity derivativesDerivative liabilities — current 
881
Commodity derivativesOther deferred credits and other liabilities 
92
Total derivatives not designated as hedges  $1,250
$973
 Balance Sheet Location September 30, 2019December 31, 2018
Derivatives designated as hedges:    
Asset derivative instruments:    
Current commodity derivativesDerivative assets — current $
$415
Noncurrent commodity derivativesOther assets, non-current 2
18
Liability derivative instruments:    
Current commodity derivativesDerivative liabilities — current (427)(114)
Noncurrent commodity derivativesOther deferred credits and other liabilities (70)(4)
Total derivatives designated as hedges  $(495)$315
     
Derivatives not designated as hedges:    
Asset derivative instruments:    
Current commodity derivativesDerivative assets — current $412
$1,085
Noncurrent commodity derivativesOther assets, non-current 1
1
Liability derivative instruments:    
Current commodity derivativesDerivative liabilities — current (1,969)(833)
Noncurrent commodity derivativesOther deferred credits and other liabilities (143)(56)
Total derivatives not designated as hedges  $(1,699)$197

As of December 31, 2017
 Balance Sheet Location 
Fair Value
of Asset
Derivatives
Fair Value
of Liability
Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedges:    
Commodity derivativesDerivative liabilities — current $
$817
Commodity derivativesOther deferred credits and other liabilities 
67
Total derivatives designated as hedges  $
$884
     
Derivatives not designated as hedges:    
Commodity derivativesDerivative assets — current $304
$
Commodity derivativesDerivative liabilities — current 
1,264
Commodity derivativesOther deferred credits and other liabilities 
111
Total derivatives not designated as hedges  $304
$1,375



As of September 30, 2017
 Balance Sheet Location 
Fair Value
of Asset
Derivatives
Fair Value
of Liability
Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedges:    
Commodity derivativesDerivative assets — current $2
$
Commodity derivativesCurrent assets held for sale 225

Commodity derivativesDerivative liabilities — current 
422
Commodity derivativesCurrent liabilities held for sale 
89
Commodity derivativesOther deferred credits and other liabilities 
49
Commodity derivativesNoncurrent liabilities held for sale 
10
Total derivatives designated as hedges  $227
$570
     
Derivatives not designated as hedges:    
Commodity derivativesDerivative assets — current $430
$
Commodity derivativesDerivative liabilities — current 
1,036
Commodity derivativesOther deferred credits and other liabilities 
15
Commodity derivativesNoncurrent liabilities held for sale 
15
Total derivatives not designated as hedges  $430
$1,066


Fair value measurements also apply to the valuation of our pension and postretirement plan assets. Current accounting guidance requires employers to annually disclose information about the fair value measurements of their assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The fair value of these assets is presented in Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.



28



(1312)    FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS


The estimated fair values of ourOther financial instruments excluding derivativesfor which are presented in Note 12,the carrying value did not equal fair value were as follows (in thousands) as of:
 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
 
Carrying
Amount
Fair Value 
Carrying
Amount
Fair Value 
Carrying
Amount
Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents (a)
$10,001
$10,001
 $15,420
$15,420
 $13,449
$13,449
Restricted cash (a)
$3,241
$3,241
 $2,820
$2,820
 $2,683
$2,683
Notes payable (b)
$112,100
$112,100
 $211,300
$211,300
 $225,170
$225,170
Long-term debt, including current maturities (c) (d)
$3,207,132
$3,289,770
 $3,115,143
$3,350,544
 $3,115,607
$3,362,971
 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
 
Carrying
Amount
Fair Value 
Carrying
Amount
Fair Value
Long-term debt, including current maturities (a) (b)
$3,054,978
$3,424,747
 $2,956,578
$3,039,108
__________
(a)Carrying value approximates fair value due to either the short-term length of maturity or variable interest rates that approximate prevailing market rates, and therefore is classified in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
(b)Notes payable consist of commercial paper borrowings and borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility. Carrying value approximates fair value due to the short-term length of maturity; since these borrowings are not traded on an exchange, they are classified in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
(c)Long-term debt is valued based on observable inputs available either directly or indirectly for similar liabilities in active markets and therefore is classified in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
(d)(b)Carrying amount of long-term debt is net of deferred financing costs.





(1413)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)


We record deferred gains (losses) in AOCI related to interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges, commodity contracts designated as cash flow hedges and the amortization of components of our defined benefit plans. Deferred gains (losses) for our commodity contracts designated as cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings upon settlement, while deferred gains (losses) related to our interest rate swaps are recognized in earnings as they are amortized.


The following table details reclassifications out of AOCI and into net income. The amounts in parentheses below indicate decreases to net income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the period net of tax (in thousands):
Location on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of IncomeAmount Reclassified from AOCILocation on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of IncomeAmount Reclassified from AOCI
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018September 30, 2017 September 30, 2018September 30, 2017September 30, 2019September 30, 2018 September 30, 2019September 30, 2018
Gains and (losses) on cash flow hedges:        
Interest rate swapsInterest expense$(712)$(713) $(2,138)$(2,228)Interest expense$(713)$(712) $(2,139)$(2,138)
Commodity contractsNet (loss) from discontinued operations
295
 
954
Commodity contracts
Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold

(18)(34) (802)(20)
Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold

(129)(18) 508
(802)
 (730)(452) (2,940)(1,294) (842)(730) (1,631)(2,940)
Income taxIncome tax benefit (expense)149
154
 643
435
Income tax benefit (expense)170
149
 358
643
Total reclassification adjustments related to cash flow hedges, net of tax $(581)$(298) $(2,297)$(859) $(672)$(581) $(1,273)$(2,297)
        
Amortization of components of defined benefit plans:        
Prior service costOperations and maintenance$44
$49
 $133
$146
Operations and maintenance$20
$44
 $59
$133
        
Actuarial gain (loss)Operations and maintenance(621)(414) (1,865)(1,242)Operations and maintenance(84)(621) (525)(1,865)
 (577)(365) (1,732)(1,096) (64)(577) (466)(1,732)
Income taxIncome tax benefit (expense)128
128
 380
393
Income tax benefit (expense)89
128
 184
380
Total reclassification adjustments related to defined benefit plans, net of tax $(449)$(237) $(1,352)$(703) $25
$(449) $(282)$(1,352)
Total reclassifications $(1,030)$(535) $(3,649)$(1,562) $(647)$(1,030) $(1,555)$(3,649)





29



Balances by classification included within AOCI, net of tax on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in thousands):
 Interest Rate SwapsCommodity DerivativesEmployee Benefit PlansTotal
As of December 31, 2018$(17,307)$328
$(9,937)$(26,916)
Other comprehensive income (loss)    
before reclassifications
(334)
(334)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI1,639
(366)282
1,555
As of September 30, 2019$(15,668)$(372)$(9,655)$(25,695)
     
     
 Interest Rate SwapsCommodity DerivativesEmployee Benefit PlansTotal
As of December 31, 2017$(19,581)$(518)$(21,103)$(41,202)
Other comprehensive income (loss)    
before reclassifications
(168)
(168)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI1,682
615
1,352
3,649
Reclassifications of certain tax effects from AOCI15

3
18
As of September 30, 2018$(17,884)$(71)$(19,748)$(37,703)

 Interest Rate SwapsCommodity DerivativesEmployee Benefit PlansTotal
As of December 31, 2017$(19,581)$(518)$(21,103)$(41,202)
Other comprehensive income (loss)    
before reclassifications
(168)
(168)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI1,682
615
1,352
3,649
Reclassifications of certain tax effects from AOCI15

3
18
Ending Balance September 30, 2018$(17,884)$(71)$(19,748)$(37,703)
     
     
 Interest Rate SwapsCommodity DerivativesEmployee Benefit PlansTotal
Balance as of December 31, 2016$(18,109)$(233)$(16,541)$(34,883)
Other comprehensive income (loss)    
before reclassifications
755

755
Amounts reclassified from AOCI1,449
(590)703
1,562
Ending Balance September 30, 2017$(16,660)$(68)$(15,838)$(32,566)



(1514)    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION


Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
 (in thousands)
Non-cash investing and financing activities —   
Property, plant and equipment acquired with accrued liabilities$86,661
 $49,631
    
Cash (paid) refunded during the period —   
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)$(99,375) $(104,035)
Income taxes$2,255
 $(14,842)




30


Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2018 September 30, 2017
 (in thousands)
Non-cash investing and financing activities —   
Property, plant and equipment acquired with accrued liabilities$49,631
 $33,409
Increase (decrease) in capitalized assets associated with asset retirement obligations$155
 $1,362
    
Cash (paid) refunded during the period —   
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)$(104,035) $(102,008)
Income taxes (paid) refunded$(14,842) $1





(1615)    EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS


Defined Benefit Pension Plan


The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Defined Benefit Pension Plan were as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20192018 20192018
Service cost$1,346
$1,708
 $4,037
$5,125
Interest cost4,344
3,867
 13,031
11,602
Expected return on plan assets(6,100)(6,185) (18,300)(18,555)
Prior service cost6
15
 19
44
Net loss (gain)941
2,158
 2,822
6,473
Net periodic benefit cost$537
$1,563
 $1,609
$4,689

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20182017 20182017
Service cost$1,708
$1,759
 $5,125
$5,276
Interest cost3,867
3,880
 11,602
11,640
Expected return on plan assets(6,185)(6,130) (18,555)(18,388)
Prior service cost15
15
 44
44
Net loss (gain)2,158
1,002
 6,473
3,005
Net periodic benefit cost$1,563
$526
 $4,689
$1,577


Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plans


The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plans were as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20192018 20192018
Service cost$454
$573
 $1,362
$1,718
Interest cost560
521
 1,683
1,563
Expected return on plan assets(57)(57) (172)(170)
Prior service cost (benefit)(99)(99) (298)(297)
Net loss (gain)
54
 
162
Net periodic benefit cost$858
$992
 $2,575
$2,976

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20182017 20182017
Service cost$573
$575
 $1,718
$1,725
Interest cost521
533
 1,563
1,600
Expected return on plan assets(57)(79) (170)(237)
Prior service cost (benefit)(99)(109) (297)(327)
Net loss (gain)54
125
 162
375
Net periodic benefit cost$992
$1,045
 $2,976
$3,136


Supplemental Non-qualified Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plans


The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Supplemental Non-qualified Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plans were as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20192018 20192018
Service cost$429
$632
 $2,406
$1,347
Interest cost324
293
 972
878
Prior service cost

 1
1
Net loss (gain)134
250
 402
750
Net periodic benefit cost$887
$1,175
 $3,781
$2,976



31


 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20182017 20182017
Service cost$632
$612
 $1,347
$2,048
Interest cost293
319
 878
957
Prior service cost

 1
1
Net loss (gain)250
251
 750
751
Net periodic benefit cost$1,175
$1,182
 $2,976
$3,757

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, service costs were recorded in Operations and maintenance expense while non-service costs were recorded in Other income (expense), net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, service costs and non-service costs were recorded in Operations and maintenance expense. Because prior years’ costs were not considered material, they were not reclassified on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 1 for additional information.



Contributions


Contributions to the Defined Benefit Pension Plan are cash contributions made directly to the Pension Plan Trust account. On July 25, 2018, we made a contribution of approximately $13 million (included in the table below) to the Defined Benefit Pension Plan. Contributions to the Postretirement Healthcare and Supplemental Plans are made in the form of benefit payments. Contributions made in 20182019 and anticipated contributions for 20182019 and 20192020 are as follows (in thousands):
 Contributions MadeContributions MadeAdditional ContributionsContributions
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2019Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019Anticipated for 2019Anticipated for 2020
Defined Benefit Pension Plan$12,700
$12,700
$
$12,700
Non-pension Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plans$1,109
$3,326
$1,109
$4,815
Supplemental Non-qualified Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plans$366
$1,098
$366
$1,406

 Contributions MadeContributions MadeAdditional ContributionsContributions
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2018Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018Anticipated for 2018Anticipated for 2019
Defined Benefit Pension Plan$12,700
$12,700
$
$12,700
Non-pension Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plans$1,234
$3,702
$1,234
$3,821
Supplemental Non-qualified Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plans$343
$1,029
$343
$1,623



(1716)    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES


There have been no significant changes to commitments and contingencies from those previously disclosed in Note 19 of our Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K except for those described below.


Busch RanchFuture Purchase Agreement - Related Party

On August 2, 2019, Black Hills Wyoming and Wyoming Electric filed a request with FERC for approval of a new 60 MW PPA. If approved, Black Hills Wyoming will continue to deliver 60 MW of energy to Wyoming Electric from its Wygen I power plant starting January 1, 2023, and continuing for 20 additional years. A decision from FERC is pending.


Busch Ranch Wind FarmPlatte River Power Authority PPAs

On June 26, 2019, Colorado Electric entered into a PPA with Platte River Power Authority to purchase up to 60 MW of wind energy upon construction completion of a new wind project, which is expected in mid-2020. This agreement will expire May 31, 2030.

On June 26, 2019, Colorado Electric entered into a PPA with Platte River Power Authority to purchase 25 MW of unit contingent energy. This agreement was effective September 1, 2019 and will expire June 30, 2024.

The following is a 29 MW wind farm near Pueblo, Colorado, jointly owned by Colorado Electric and AltaGas. Colorado Electric has a 50% ownership interest in the wind farm. On September 20, 2018, Black Hills Electric Generation agreed toschedule of unconditional purchase AltaGas’s 50% interest in Busch Ranch for $16 million. The purchase, which is subject to FERC approval, is expected to be finalized by the end of 2018.

Dividend Restrictions

Our Revolving Credit Facility and other debt obligations contain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends upon a default or event of default. As of September 30, 2018, we were in compliance with the debt covenants.

Due to our holding company structure, substantially all of our operating cash flows are provided by dividends paid or distributions made by our subsidiaries. The cash to pay dividends to our stockholders is derived from these cash flows. As a result, certain statutory limitations or regulatory or financing agreements could affect the levels of distributions allowed to be made by our subsidiaries.

Our utilities are generally limited to the amount of dividends allowed to be paid to us as a utility holding companyrequired under the Federal25 MW Platte River Power Act and settlement agreements with state regulatory jurisdictions and financing agreements. AsAuthority PPA as of September 30, 2018, the restricted net assets at our Electric Utilities and Gas Utilities were approximately $257 million.2019 (in thousands):

2019$1,369
2020$5,475
2021$5,475
2022$5,475
2023$5,475
Thereafter$2,738





32



(18)

(17)    DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS


Results of operations for discontinued operations have beenwere classified as Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Current assets, noncurrent assets, current liabilities and non-current liabilities of the discontinued operations have been reclassified and reflected on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as “Current assets held for sale,” “Noncurrent assets held for sale,” “Current liabilities held for sale,” and “Noncurrent liabilities held for sale”, respectively. Prior periods relating to our discontinued operations havewere also been reclassified to reflect consistency within our condensed consolidated financial statements.


Oil and Gas Segment


On November 1, 2017, the BHC Board of Directors approved a complete divestiture of our Oil and Gas segment. As ofWe completed the divestiture in 2018. See Note 21 for more information.


(18)    INCOME TAXES

Income tax benefit (expense) for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018, we have sold nearly all of our oil and gas assets and we closed our oil and gas office in August. Transaction closing for the last few assets and final accounting are expected within the fourth quarter. We expect to transfer any associated liabilities, and settle substantially all remaining liabilities by December 31, 2018.



In the process of divesting our Oil and Gas segment, we performed a fair value assessment of the assets and liabilities classified as held for sale. We evaluated our disposal groups classified as held for sale based on the lower of carrying value or fair value less cost to sell. The market approach was based on our recent sales of assets and pending sale transactions of our other properties.

There is risk involved when determining the fair value of assets, as there may be unforeseen events and changes in circumstances and market conditions that have a material impact on the estimated amount and timing of future cash flows. In addition, the fair value of the assets and liabilities could be different using different estimates and assumptions in the valuation techniques used. We believe that the estimates used in calculating the fair value of our assets and liabilities held for sale are reasonable based on the information that was known when the estimates were made and how they compared with the additional property sales occurring after December 31, 2017.

At December 31, 2017, the fair value of our held for sale assets was less than our carrying value, which required an after-tax write down of $13 million. There were no further adjustments made2019 Compared to the fair value of our held for sale assets atThree Months Ended September 30, 2018.


DuringIncome tax benefit (expense) for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded $2.92019 was $(2.5) million compared to $(7.5) million reported for the same period in 2018. The decrease in tax expense was primarily due to a prior year $(5.3) million income tax expense associated with changes in the previously estimated impact of expenses comprised of royalty payments and reclamation costs related to final closingtax reform on deferred income taxes.

For the sale of BHEP assets.

Total assets and liabilities of the Oil and Gas segment atthree months ended September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 have been classified as Current assets held for sale and Current liabilities held for sale on2019 the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets due to the expected final disposals occurring by the end of 2018. Held for sale assets and liabilities at September 30, 2017 are classified as current and non-current (in thousands):
 September 30, 2018December 31, 2017September 30, 2017
Other current assets$75
$10,360
$8,457
Derivative assets, current and noncurrent

225
Deferred income tax assets, noncurrent, net


16,966
12,571
Property, plant and equipment, net2,779
56,916
96,085
Other current liabilities(2,138)(18,966)(7,597)
Derivative liabilities, current and noncurrent

(114)
Deferred income tax liabilities, noncurrent, net

(400)

Other noncurrent liabilities
(22,808)(23,319)
Net assets (liabilities)$316
$42,468
$86,308

At September 30, 2018, December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, the Oil and Gas segment’s net deferred tax assets and liabilities were primarily comprised of basis differences on oil and gas properties.

The Oil and Gas segment’s other current liabilities at September 30, 2018 consisted primarily of accrued royalties, payroll and property taxes. Current liabilities at December 31, 2017 consisted primarily of a liability contingent on final approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs on the Jicarilla property sale, accrued royalties, payroll and property taxes. Current liabilities at September 30, 2017 consisted primarily of accrued royalties, payroll and property taxes. Other noncurrent liabilities at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017 consisted primarily of asset retirement obligations relating to plugging and abandonment of oil and gas wells.



(19)    INCOME TAXES

The effective tax rate differs fromwas 14.0% compared to 7.6% excluding the federal statutorytax reform adjustments, for the same period in 2018. The higher effective tax rate as follows:is primarily due to a prior year state tax benefit.

 Three Months Ended September 30,
Tax (benefit) expense20182017
Federal statutory rate21.0 %35.0 %
State income tax (net of federal tax effect) (a)
(6.3)(3.4)
Percentage depletion in excess of cost(0.5)(0.9)
Accounting for uncertain tax positions adjustment
(0.6)
Noncontrolling interest (b)
(1.3)(3.0)
Tax credits (c)
(5.3)(1.6)
Effective tax rate adjustment (d)

3.9
Flow-through adjustments(1.5)(1.6)
TCJA change in estimate (e)
17.6

AFUDC equity(0.1)
Other tax differences1.9
1.3
 25.5 %29.1 %
__________
(a)Adjustment to the deferred state rate and reduced state tax expense for the quarter.
(b)The adjustment reflects the noncontrolling interest attributable to the sale in April 2016 of 49.9% of the membership interests of COIPP LLC.
(c)The tax credits are due to the production tax credits for the Peak View wind farm.
(d)Adjustment to reflect our projected annual effective tax rate, pursuant to ASC 740-270.
(e)The TCJA was signed into law on December 22, 2017. In accordance with ASC 740, net deferred tax assets and liabilities were revalued as of December 31, 2017 due to the reduction in the federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded an additional $5.3 million of tax expense associated with changes in the prior estimated impacts of tax reform on deferred income taxes.



   
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
Tax (benefit) expense20182017
Federal statutory rate21.0 %35.0 %
State income tax (net of federal tax effect)0.4
0.3
Percentage depletion in excess of cost(0.4)(0.6)
Accounting for uncertain tax positions adjustment
(0.2)
Noncontrolling interest(1.1)(1.9)
IRC 172(f) carryback claim (a)

(1.0)
Tax credits (b)
(2.6)(1.6)
Effective tax rate adjustment
0.3
Flow-through adjustments(0.8)(1.2)
TCJA change in estimate (c)
4.3

AFUDC equity(0.1)
Jurisdictional simplification project (d)
(28.1)
Other tax differences0.7
0.3
 (6.7)%29.4 %
__________
(a)During the first quarter of 2017, the Company filed amended income tax returns for the years 2006 through 2008 to carryback specified liability losses in accordance with IRC172(f). As a result of filing the amended returns, the Company’s accrued tax liability interest decreased, certain valuation allowances increased and the previously recorded domestic production activities deduction decreased.
(b)The tax credits are due to the production tax credits for the Peak View wind farm.
(c)The TCJA was signed into law on December 22, 2017. In accordance with ASC 740, net deferred tax assets and liabilities were revalued as of December 31, 2017 due to the reduction in the federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded an additional $7.5 million of tax expense associated with changes in the prior estimated impacts of tax reform on deferred income taxes.
(d)Tax benefit from legal restructuring associated with amortizable goodwill as part of jurisdictional simplification.

Tax benefit related to legal restructuring

As part of the Company’s ongoing efforts to continue to integrate thelegal entities that the Company has acquired in recent years, certain legal entity restructuring transactions occurred on March 31, 2018.  As a result of these transactions, $49 million of deferred income tax assets, related to goodwill that is amortizable for tax purposes, were recorded and deferred tax benefits of $49 million were recorded to incomeIncome tax benefit (expense) onfor the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Due to this being a common control transaction, it had no effect on the other assets and liabilities of these entities.

TCJA - Deferred Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the TCJA. The TCJA reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. The Company remeasured deferred income taxes at the 21% federal tax rate as of December 31, 2017, which reflected our provisional estimate of the impact of the TCJA, under SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. The entities subject to regulatory construct have made their best estimate regarding the probability of settlements of net regulatory liabilities established pursuantNine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared to the TCJA. The amount of the settlements may change based on decisions and actions by the state regulatory commissions. In addition to current year utility revenue reserves as disclosed in Note 5, we recorded additional changes in estimates of the provisional amounts recorded at December 31, 2017, primarily related to bonus depreciation and other plant and property items, after filing our 2017 tax returns which increased tax expense by $5.3 million for the three months, and decreasedNine Months Ended September 30, 2018.

Income tax benefit by $7.5 million(expense) for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $(22) million compared to $12 million reported for the same period in 2018. We will continueThe increase in tax expense was primarily due to evaluate subsequent regulations, clarificationsa prior year $49 million tax benefit resulting from legal entity restructuring partially offset by a prior year $(7.5) million income tax expense associated with changes in the previously estimated impact of tax reform on deferred income taxes.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 the effective tax rate was 13.6% compared to 17.1% excluding the legal entity restructuring and interpretationstax reform adjustments, for the same period in 2018. The lower effective tax rate is primarily due to $5.0 million of the assumptions made, which could change our estimatesfederal production tax credits and related state investment tax credits associated with new wind assets and a $1.0 million tax benefit for deferred tax amortization related to the TCJA, which we expect to finalize in the fourth quarter.tax reform.




(20)(19)    ACCRUED LIABILITIES


The following amounts by major classification are included in Accrued liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) as of:
 September 30, 2019December 31, 2018
Accrued employee compensation, benefits and withholdings$57,313
$63,742
Accrued property taxes38,937
42,510
Customer deposits and prepayments56,220
43,574
Accrued interest and contract adjustment payments35,100
31,759
Other (none of which is individually significant)30,262
33,916
Total accrued liabilities$217,832
$215,501




33


 September 30, 2018December 31, 2017September 30, 2017
Accrued employee compensation, benefits and withholdings$57,600
$52,467
$52,841
Accrued property taxes37,660
42,029
36,993
Customer deposits and prepayments42,002
44,420
41,012
Accrued interest and contract adjustment payments31,139
33,822
30,977
CIAC current portion1,552
1,552
1,575
Other (none of which is individually significant)31,400
45,172
43,381
Total accrued liabilities$201,353
$219,462
$206,779


(20)     LEASES


Lessee
We lease from third parties certain office and operation center facilities, communication tower sites, equipment, and materials storage. Our leases have remaining terms ranging from less than one year to 37 years, including options to extend that are reasonably certain to be exercised.
The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands):
 Income Statement LocationThree Months Ended September 30, 2019Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Operating lease costOperations and maintenance$380
$1,076
Finance lease cost:   
Amortization of right-of-use assetDepreciation, depletion and amortization28
72
Interest on lease liabilitiesInterest expense incurred net of amounts capitalized (including amortization of debt issuance costs, premiums and discounts)5
14
Total lease cost $413
$1,162




Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):
 Balance Sheet LocationAs of September 30, 2019
Assets:  
Operating lease assetsOther assets, non-current$4,864
Finance lease assetsOther assets, non-current493
Total lease assets $5,357
   
Liabilities:  
Current:  
Operating leasesAccrued liabilities$970
Finance leaseAccrued liabilities80
   
Noncurrent:  
Operating leasesOther deferred credits and other liabilities4,252
Finance leaseOther deferred credits and other liabilities419
Total lease liabilities $5,721



34



Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Cash paid included in the measurement of lease liabilities: 
Operating cash flows from operating leases$895
Operating cash flows from finance lease$14
Financing cash flows from finance lease$66
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: 
Operating leases$2,775
Finance lease$67


As of September 30, 2019
Weighted average remaining lease term (years):
Operating leases8 years
Finance lease4 years
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases4.27%
Finance lease4.19%


As of September 30, 2019, scheduled maturities of lease liabilities for future years were as follows (in thousands):
 Operating LeasesFinance LeaseTotal
2019 (a)
$368
$32
$400
2020992
126
1,118
2021855
126
981
2022736
126
862
2023714
126
840
Thereafter2,682
10
2,692
Total lease payments (b)
$6,347
$546
$6,893
Less imputed interest1,125
47
1,172
Present value of lease liabilities$5,222
$499
$5,721

(a)Includes lease liabilities for the remaining three months of 2019.
(b)Lease payments exclude payments to landlords for common area maintenance, real estate taxes, and insurance.

As previously disclosed in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), the future minimum payments required under operating lease agreements as of December 31, 2018 were as follows (in thousands):
 Operating Leases
2019$1,052
2020464
2021344
2022224
2023216
Thereafter1,776
Total lease payments 
$4,076


35




Lessor

We lease to third parties certain generating station ground leases, communication tower sites, and a natural gas pipeline. These leases have remaining terms ranging from less than one year to 35 years.

The components of lease revenue were as follows (in thousands):
 Income Statement LocationThree Months Ended September 30, 2019Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Operating lease incomeRevenue$544
$1,749



As of September 30, 2019, scheduled maturities of lease receivables for future years were as follows (in thousands):
 Operating Leases
2019 (a)
$551
20202,035
20211,857
20221,793
20231,799
Thereafter55,481
Total lease receivables$63,516

(a)Includes lease receivables for the remaining three months of 2019.


(21)     INVESTMENTS

In February 2018, we made a contribution of $28 million of assets in exchange for equity securities in a privately held oil and gas company as we divested from our Oil and Gas segment. The carrying value of our investment in the equity securities was recorded at cost. We review this investment on a periodic basis to determine whether a significant event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have an adverse effect on the value of the investment.

During the third quarter of 2019, we assessed our investment for impairment as a result of a deterioration in earnings performance of the privately held oil and gas company and an adverse change in future natural gas prices. We engaged a third-party valuation consultant to estimate the fair value of our investment. The valuation was primarily based on an income approach but also considered a market valuation approach. The significant inputs used to estimate the fair value were the oil and gas reserve quantities and values utilizing forward market price curves, industry standard reserve adjustment factors and a discount rate of 10%. Based on the results of the valuation, we concluded that the carrying value of the investment exceeded fair value. As a result, we recorded a pre-tax impairment loss of $20 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, which was the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the investment.

The following table presents the carrying value of our investments (in thousands) as of:
 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
Investment in privately held oil and gas company$8,359
 $28,100
Cash surrender value of life insurance contracts12,907
 12,812
Other investments317
 101
Total investments$21,583
 $41,013




36



(22)    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS


There are no subsequent events, other than those disclosed in Note 5 and Note 10.8.




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


We are a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company operating in the United States. We report our operations and results in the following financial segments:


Electric Utilities: Our Electric Utilities segment generates, transmits and distributes electricity to approximately 210,000212,000 customers in Colorado, Montana, South Dakota Wyoming, Colorado and Montana.Wyoming. Our electric generating facilities and power purchase agreements provide for the supply of electricity principally to our own distribution systems. Additionally, we sell excess power to other utilities and marketing companies, including our affiliates.


Gas Utilities: Our Gas Utilities conduct natural gas utility operations through our Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming subsidiaries. Our Gas Utilities distribute and transport natural gas through our pipeline network to approximately 1,042,0001,054,000 natural gas customers. Additionally, we sell contractual pipeline capacity and gas commodities to other utilities and marketing companies, including our affiliates, on an as availableas-available basis.


Our Gas Utilities also provide non-regulated services through Black Hills Energy Services. Black Hills Energy Services provides approximately 52,00047,000 retail distribution customers in Nebraska and Wyoming with unbundled natural gas commodity offerings under the regulatory-approvedregulator-approved Choice Gas Program. We also sell, install and service air conditioning, heating and water-heating equipment, and provide associated repair service and protection plans under various trade names. Service Guard and CAPP provide appliance repair services to approximately 63,00062,000 and 31,00028,000 residential customers, respectively, through Company technicians and third-party service providers, typically through on-going monthly service agreements. Tech Services serves gas transportation customers throughout our service territory by constructing and maintaining customer-owned gas infrastructure facilities, typically through one-time contracts.


Power Generation: Our Power Generation segment produces electric power from its generating plants and sells the electric capacity and energy principally to our utilities under long-term contracts.


Mining: Our Mining segment producesextracts coal at our coal mine near Gillette, Wyoming and sells the coal primarily to on-site, mine-mouth power generation facilities.


Our reportable segments are based on our method of internal reporting, which is generally segregated by differences in products, services and regulation. All of our operations and assets are located within the United States. All of our non-utility business segments support our utilities. Certain unallocated corporate expenses that support our operating segments are presented as Corporate and Other.


Effective January 1, 2019, we changed our measure of segment performance to adjusted operating income, which impacted our segment disclosures for all periods presented. See Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Certain industries in which we operate are highly seasonal, and revenue from, and certain expenses for, such operations may fluctuate significantly among quarterly periods. Demand for electricity and natural gas is sensitive to seasonal cooling, heating and industrial load requirements, as well as changes in market prices.requirements. In particular, the normal peak usage season for our electric utilities is June through August while the normal peak usage season for our gas utilities is November through March. Significant earnings variances can be expected between the Gas Utilities segment’s peak and off-peak seasons. Due to this seasonal nature, our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20172018, and our financial condition as of September 30, 2018,2019 and December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017,2018, are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations and financial condition to be expected as of or for any other period or for the entire year.


See Forward-Looking Information in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 2, beginning on Page 6658.


The segment information does not include inter-company eliminations. Minor differences in amounts may result due to rounding. All amounts are presented on a pre-tax basis unless otherwise indicated.


37






Results of Operations


Executive Summary, Significant Events and Overview


 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2019 2018 2019 2018
(in millions, except per share amounts)IncomeEPS IncomeEPS IncomeEPS IncomeEPS
            
Net income from continuing operations available for common stock$11.7
$0.19
 $17.8
$0.32
 $130.1
$2.15
 $177.5
$3.26
Net (loss) from discontinued operations

 (0.9)(0.02) 

 (5.6)(0.10)
Net income available for common stock$11.7
$0.19
 $17.0
$0.31
 $130.1
$2.15
 $171.9
$3.15


Three Months Ended September 30, 20182019 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017. Net income from continuing operations available for common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $18 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to $29 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, reported for the same period in 2017. 2018.

The variance to the prior year included the following:


Electric Utilities’ earnings decreased $5.7adjusted operating income increased $7.3 million primarily due ato the prior year Wyoming Electric PCA settlement, agreement with the WPSC which decreased gross margins by $3.4 million, unfavorablewarmer summer weather compared to prior year,in Colorado and Wyoming, increased industrial demand, and increased rider revenues partially offset by higher operating expenses driven by outside services and employee costs and $2.8 million of tax expense associated with changes in the prior estimated impact of tax reform on deferred income taxes;costs;
Gas Utilities’ earnings decreased $8.9adjusted operating income increased $0.5 million primarily due to unfavorable weather compared to prior year, higher operating expenses driven by employee costsnew rates, increased transport and outside servicestransmission, and $2.6 million of tax expense associated with changes in the prior estimated impact of tax reform on deferred income taxes;
Power Generation’s earnings increased $0.5 million primarily due to the reduction in the federal tax rate from 35% to 21% from the TCJA; and
Corporate and Other expenses decreased $2.9 million due to lower interest expense and higher prior year operating costs previously allocated to our Oil and Gas segment which were not reclassified to discontinued operations, largely allocated to operating segments in 2018.

Net income available for common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $17 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to $28 million, or $0.50 per diluted share reported for the same period in 2017. (Loss) from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $(0.9) million, or $(0.02) per diluted share compared to $(1.3) million or $(0.02) per diluted share reported for the same period in 2017.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017. Net income from continuing operations available for common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $177 million, or $3.26 per diluted share, compared to $130 million, or $2.35 per diluted share, reported for the same period in 2017. The variance to the prior year included the following:

Gas Utilities’ earnings increased $52 million primarily due to the recognition of a deferred tax benefit of $49 million resulting fromlegal entity restructuring associated with amortizable goodwill for tax purposes; earnings also benefited from colder winter weather and increased sales of natural gas,customer growth partially offset by an increase in operating expenses;
Electric Utilities’ earnings decreased $5.1 millionlower heating demand from warmer weather, reduced irrigation demand due primarily to a settlement agreement with the WPSC which decreased gross margins by $3.7 million; other variances to the prior year were due toheavy precipitation and higher operating expenses driven by outside services and employee costscosts;
Power Generation’s adjusted operating income decreased $1.3 million primarily due to higher depreciation and $3.2property taxes from new wind assets partially offset by higher revenue from increased wind MWh sold and higher PPA prices;
Mining’s adjusted operating income decreased $1.2 million primarily due to lower tons sold driven by unplanned generating facility outages partially offset by lower operating expenses;
A $20 million non-cash impairment of our investment in equity securities of a privately held oil and gas company; and
A prior year $5.3 million income tax expense associated with changes in the priorpreviously estimated impact of tax reform on deferred income taxes, partially offset by higher rider revenues from recent transmission investments, higher power marketing and wholesale margins, and favorable weather;taxes.
Power Generation’s earnings decreased $0.7
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018.

The variance to the prior year included the following:

Electric Utilities’ adjusted operating income increased $2.1 million primarily due to higher operating expenses;
Mining earningsreduced power capacity charges, the prior year Wyoming Electric PCA settlement and increased $0.5 million primarily due to higher coal sales from increased price per ton sold,rider revenues partially offset by higher operating expenses driven by outside services and tax expense.employee costs;
CorporateGas Utilities’ adjusted operating income increased $0.4 million primarily due to new rates offset by higher operating expenses driven by outside services and other expenses decreased $1.1employee costs;
Power Generation’s adjusted operating income increased $0.2 million primarily due to higher tax benefits recognized in therevenue from increased wind MWh sold partially offset by higher depreciation and property taxes from new wind assets;
Mining’s adjusted operating income decreased $3.3 million primarily due to lower tons sold driven by planned and unplanned generating facility outages partially offset by lower operating expenses;
Corporate and Other expenses decreased $2.3 million primarily due to prior year expenses related to the oil and higher prior year operating costs previously allocated to our Oil and Gasgas segment whichthat were not reclassified to discontinued operations, largely allocatedoperations;
A $20 million non-cash impairment of our investment in equity securities of a privately held oil and gas company;
A prior year $49 million tax benefit resulting fromlegal entity restructuring partially offset by a prior year $7.5 million income tax expense associated with changes in the previously estimated impact of tax reform on deferred income taxes; and
A lower current year effective tax rate primarily due to operating segments in 2018.$5.0 million of federal production tax credits and related state investment tax credits associated with new wind assets and a $1.0 million tax benefit for deferred tax amortization related to tax reform.


Net income available for common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $172 million, or $3.15 per diluted share, compared to $126 million, or $2.29 per diluted share reported for the same period in 2017. (Loss) from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $(5.6) million, or $(0.10) per diluted share compared to $(3.5) million or $(0.06) per diluted share reported for the same period in 2017.



38




The following table summarizes select financial results by operating segment and details significant items (in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
20182017Variance20182017Variance20192018Variance20192018Variance
Revenue  
Revenue$357,370
$366,885
$(9,515)$1,358,519
$1,319,573
$38,946
$363,491
$358,258
$5,233
$1,368,748
$1,361,102
$7,646
Inter-company eliminations(35,391)(31,274)(4,117)(105,447)(94,605)(10,842)(37,943)(36,279)(1,664)(111,502)(108,030)(3,472)
$321,979
$335,611
$(13,632)$1,253,072
$1,224,968
$28,104
$325,548
$321,979
$3,569
$1,257,246
$1,253,072
$4,174
Net income (loss) from continuing operations available for common stock 
Adjusted operating income (a)
 
Electric Utilities (b)
$21,578
$27,324
$(5,746)$63,313
$68,386
$(5,073)$50,653
$43,393
$7,260
$125,219
$123,073
$2,146
Gas Utilities (a) (b)
(13,277)(4,329)(8,948)93,182
41,409
51,773
Gas Utilities4,736
4,240
496
116,607
116,168
439
Power Generation (b)
6,691
6,155
536
17,319
18,017
(698)11,822
13,079
(1,257)33,945
33,731
214
Mining (b)
3,572
3,477
95
9,561
9,048
513
3,374
4,551
(1,177)9,351
12,647
(3,296)
Corporate and Other(34)(178)144
(439)(2,709)2,270
Operating income70,551
65,085
5,466
284,683
282,910
1,773
18,564
32,627
(14,063)183,375
136,860
46,515
 
 
Corporate and Other (b)
(757)(3,664)2,907
(5,877)(6,994)1,117
Net income from continuing operations17,807
28,963
(11,156)177,498
129,866
47,632
(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax(857)(1,300)443
(5,627)(3,485)(2,142)
Interest expense, net(33,487)(35,297)1,810
(102,469)(104,826)2,357
Impairment of investment(19,741)
(19,741)(19,741)
(19,741)
Other income (expense), net580
(510)1,090
55
(1,923)1,978
Income tax benefit (expense)(2,508)(7,477)4,969
(22,078)11,784
(33,862)
Income from continuing operations15,395
21,801
(6,406)140,450
187,945
(47,495)
Net (loss) from discontinued operations
(857)857

(5,627)5,627
Net income15,395
20,944
(5,549)140,450
182,318
(41,868)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest(3,655)(3,994)339
(10,319)(10,447)128
Net income available for common stock$16,950
$27,663
$(10,713)$171,871
$126,381
$45,490
$11,740
$16,950
$(5,210)$130,131
$171,871
$(41,740)
__________
(a)
NetIn 2019, we changed our measure of segment performance to adjusted operating income, (loss) from continuing operationswhich impacted our segment disclosures for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 included a $49 million tax benefit resulting fromlegal entity restructuring.all periods presented. See Note 193 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for moreadditional information.
(b)Net income (loss) from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 included approximately $5.3 million and $7.5 million of income tax expense associated with changes in the prior estimated impact of tax reform on deferred income taxes. The impact to our operating segments and Corporate and Other for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was: Electric Utilities $2.8 million and $3.2 million; Gas Utilities $2.6 million and $2.6 million, Mining ($0.0) million and $0.5 million; Power Generation ($0.0) million and $0.7 million; and Corporate and Other ($0.1) million and $0.6 million, respectively.


Overview of Business Segments and Corporate Activity


Electric Utilities Segment

On October 31, Wyoming Electric received approval from the WPSC for a comprehensive, multi-year settlement regarding its PCA Application filed earlier in 2018. Wyoming Electric will provide a total of $7.0 million in customer credits through the PCA mechanism in 2018, 2019 and 2020 to resolve several years of disputed issues related to PCA dockets before the commission. The settlement also stipulates that the adjustment for the variable cost segment of the Wygen I Power Purchase Agreement with Wyoming Electric (an affiliate company) will escalate by 3% annually through 2022.

On October 3, 2018, Colorado Electric set a new winter peak load of 313 MW, exceeding the previous summer peak of 310 MW set in February 2011.


Cooling degree days for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 were 9% higher27% and 29%14% higher than the 30-year average (normal)normal compared to 15%9% and 29% higher than normal for the same periods in 2017.2018.


Heating degree days for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 were 20%36% lower and 5%6% higher than normal, compared to 8%20% and 11%3% lower than normal for the same periods in 2017.2018.

Wyoming Electric and Colorado Electric set new summer peak loads:


On July 10, 2018, Wyoming Electric set a new all-time peak load of 254 MW, exceeding the previous summer peak of 249 MW set in July 2017.

On June 27, 2018, Colorado Electric set a new all-time peak load of 413 MW, exceeding the previous summer peak of 412 MW set in July 2016.



On July 25, 2018,September 17, 2019, South Dakota Electric placed in servicecompleted construction on the first 48-milefinal 94-mile segment of a $70 million, 175-mile 230-kilovoltelectric transmission line from Rapid City, South Dakota, to Stegall, Nebraska. The remainingfirst 48-mile segment was placed in service on July 25, 2018, and the second 33-mile segment was placed in service on November 20, 2018.

Colorado Electric and Wyoming Electric set new all-time and summer peak loads:

On July 19, 2019, Colorado Electric set a new peak load of 422 MW, exceeding the previous peak of 413 MW set in June 2018.

On July 19, 2019, Wyoming Electric set a new peak load of 265 MW, exceeding the previous peak of 254 MW set in July 2018.

39




South Dakota Electric and Wyoming Electric received approvals for the Renewable Ready Service Tariffs and related jointly-filed CPCN to construct the $57 million, 40 MW Corriedale Wind Energy Project. The wind project will be jointly owned by the two electric utilities to deliver renewable energy for large commercial, industrial and governmental agency customers. The project is expected to be in service by the end of 2019.2020. In September 2019, the customer subscription period was completed with customer interest fulfilling the 40 MW of available energy. On November 1, 2019, South Dakota Electric filed with the SDPUC an amendment seeking approval to increase the generating capacity under the tariff for the South Dakota portion by 12.5 MW to a total of 32.5 MW.


Gas Utilities Segment

Heating degree days for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 were 62% lower and 7% higher than normal, compared to 27% lower and 0% higher than normal for the same periods in 2018.

Regulatory activity:

On October 29, 2019, Nebraska Gas received approval from the NPSC to merge its two gas distribution companies in Nebraska. A rate review is expected to be filed by mid-year 2020 to consolidate the rates, tariffs and services of its two existing gas distribution companies.

On June 3, 2019, Wyoming Gas filed a rate review application with the WSPC to consolidate the rates, tariffs and services of its four existing gas distribution territories in Wyoming. The rate review requests $16 million in new revenue to recover investments in safety, reliability and system integrity. Wyoming Gas is also requesting a new rider mechanism to recover future safety and integrity investments in its system. A settlement was recently reached with the intervening parties in the rate review filing and filed with the WPSC on November 1, 2019. The stipulation and agreement are subject to review and approval by the WPSC, with a decision expected by the end of 2019. See Note 5 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.

On February 1, 2019, Colorado Gas filed a rate review with the CPUC requesting approval to consolidate rates, tariffs and services of its two existing gas distribution territories in Colorado. The rate review requests $2.5 million in new revenue to recover investments in safety, reliability and system integrity. Colorado Gas is also requesting a new rider mechanism to recover future safety and integrity investments in its system. A decision from the CPUC is expected by March 2020.

On April 25, 2018, Colorado Electric received approvalMay 10, 2019, Wyoming Gas commenced construction on the $54 million, 35-mile Natural Bridge pipeline project to enhance supply reliability and delivery capacity for customers in central Wyoming. The new 12-inch steel pipeline will interconnect from a supply point near Douglas, Wyoming, to existing facilities near Casper, Wyoming. Construction of the CPUC to contract with Black Hills Electric Generation forpipeline is nearly complete and the 60 megawatt Busch Ranch II wind project. The project is currently under construction and is expected to be in service by the end of 2019. This renewable energy will enable Colorado Electric to comply2019, with Colorado's Renewable Energy Standard.the associated investment included in the Wyoming Gas rate review filed on June 3, 2019.


Gas UtilitiesPower Generation Segment

Rate Review updates:


On October 5, 2018, Arkansas Gas received approval from the APSCAugust 2, 2019 Black Hills Wyoming and Wyoming Electric jointly filed a request with FERC for a general rate increase. The new rates will generate approximately $12 million of new revenue. The APSC’s approval also allows Arkansas Gas to include $11 million of revenue that is currently being collected through certain rider mechanisms in the new base rates. The new revenue increase is based on a return on equity of 9.61% and a capital structure of 49.1% equity and 50.9% debt. New rates, inclusive of customer benefits related to the TCJA, were effective October 15, 2018.

On July 16, 2018, the WPSC reached a bench decision approving our Wyoming Gas (Northwest Wyoming) settlement and stipulation with the OCA. We received the final order in the third quarter of 2018. The settlement provides for $1.0 million of new revenue, a return on equity of 9.6%, and a capital structure of 54.0% equity and 46.0% debt. New rates, inclusive of customer benefits related to the TCJA, were effective September 1, 2018.

In Colorado, new rates for RMNG went into effect June 1, 2018 after an administrative law judge recommended approval of a settlement agreement and the CPUC took no further action. The settlement included $1.1 million in annual revenue increases and an extension of SSIR to recover costs from 2018 through 2021. The annual increase is based on a return on equity of 9.9% and a capital structure of 46.63% equity and 53.37% debt. New rates are inclusive of customer benefits related to the TCJA.

new 60 MW PPA. If approved, Black Hills Wyoming Gas filed for a CPCN on May 18, 2018 with the WPSC to construct a new $54 million, 35-mile natural gas pipeline (Natural Bridge Pipeline) to enhance reliability of supply for approximately 57,000 customers in its Casper division in central Wyoming.

Certain legal entity restructuring transactions occurred on March 31, 2018 as part of the Company’s ongoing efforts towill continue to integrate thelegal entities that the Company has acquired in recentdeliver 60 MW of energy to Wyoming Electric from its Wygen I power plant starting January 1, 2023, and for 20 additional years. As a result of these transactions, additional deferred income tax assets of $49 million, related to goodwill thatA decision from FERC is amortizable for tax purposes, were recorded with a corresponding deferred tax benefit recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
pending.

Heating degree days at the Gas Utilities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 were 27% lower and comparable to the 30-year average (normal), respectively, compared to 22% and 12% lower than normal for the same periods in 2017.

Power Generation


On April 25, 2018,March 11, 2019, Black Hills Electric Generation was selected to providecommenced construction on the $71 million, 60 megawatts of renewable energy to Colorado Electric from theMW Busch Ranch II windWind Farm. The project which is expected to be fully in service by the end ofmid-November 2019.



Mining

In October, negotiations were completed for the price reopener in the contract with Wyodak Plant. The new price was reset at $17.94 per ton effective July 1, 2019, compared to the prior contract price of $18.25 per ton.

40





Corporate and Other

On November 1, 2018, we completed settlement of the stock purchase contracts that are components of the Equity Units issued in November 2015. Upon settlement of all outstanding stock purchase obligations, the Company received gross proceeds of $299 million in exchange for approximately 6.372 million shares of common stock.


On October 11, 2018, Fitch15, 2019, Moody’s affirmed Black Hills’South Dakota Electric’s credit rating at BBB+ and maintained a Stable outlook.A1.




On August 17, 2018,October 3, 2019, we completed a public debt offering of $400$700 million principal amount of 4.350%in senior unsecured notes. The proceedsProceeds were used to repay the $299$400 million principal amountCorporate term loan due June 17, 2021, retire the $200 million 5.875% senior notes due July 15, 2020 and repay a portion of short-term debt.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we issued a total of 1,328,332 shares of common stock under the ATM equity offering program for net proceeds of $99 million.

On August 29, 2019, Fitch affirmed our RSNsBBB+ rating and maintained a Stable outlook.

On June 17, 2019, we amended our Corporate term loan due 2028July 30, 2020. This amendment increased total commitments to $400 million from $300 million and extended the term through June 17, 2021 on substantially similar terms and covenants. The net proceeds were used to pay down short-term debt. Proceeds from the October 3, 2019 debt transaction were used to repay this term loan.


On August 9, 2018,April 30, 2019, S&P upgraded Black Hills’ credit rating to BBB+ with a Stable outlook and South Dakota Electric’s credit rating to A.

On July 30, 2018, we amended and restated our corporate Revolving Credit Facility, maintaining total commitments of $750 million and extending the term through July 30, 2023 with two one-year extension options (subject to consent from lenders). This facility is similar to the former Revolving Credit Facility, which includes an accordion feature that allows us, with the consent of the administrative agent, the issuing agents and the banks increasing or providing new commitments, to increase total commitments of the facility up to $1.0 billion.

On July 30, 2018, we amended and restated our unsecured term loan due August 2019. This amended and restated term loan, with $300 million outstanding at September 30, 2018, matures on July 30, 2020.

On July 19, 2018, Fitch affirmed South Dakota Electric’s credit rating at A.


Discontinued Operations


On November 1, 2017, the BHC Board of Directors approvedFebruary 28, 2019, S&P affirmed our BBB+ rating and maintained a complete divestiture of our Oil and Gas segment. As of September 30, 2018, we have sold nearly all of our oil and gas assets and we closed our oil and gas office in August. Transaction closing for the last few assets and final accounting are expected within the fourth quarter. See Note 18 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.Stable outlook.



Operating Results


A discussion of operating results from our segments and Corporate activities follows.follows in the sections below. Revenues for operating segments in the following sections are presented in total and by retail class. For disaggregation of revenue by contract type and operating segment, see Note 2 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.


Non-GAAP Financial Measure
The following discussion includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as another financial measure, gross margin, that is considered a “non-GAAP financial measure.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Gross margin (revenue less cost of sales) is a non-GAAP financial measure due to the exclusion of depreciation and amortization from the measure. The presentation of gross margin is intended to supplement investors’ understanding of our operating performance.


Gross margin for our Electric Utilities is calculated as operating revenue less cost of fuel and purchased power. Gross margin for our Gas Utilities is calculated as operating revenue less cost of natural gas sold. Our gross margin is impacted by the fluctuations in power purchases and natural gas purchases and other fuel supply costs. However, while these fluctuating costs impact gross margin as a percentage of revenue, they only impact total gross margin if the costs cannot be passed through to our customers.


Our gross margin measure may not be comparable to other companies’ gross margin measure. Furthermore, this measure is not intended to replace operating income, as determined in accordance with GAAP, as an indicator of operating performance.



41





Electric Utilities

 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20182017Variance20182017Variance
 (in thousands)
Revenue (a)
$184,790
$183,571
$1,219
$531,961
$528,048
$3,913
       
Total fuel and purchased power72,928
68,733
4,195
204,334
199,398
4,936
       
Gross margin (b)
111,862
114,838
(2,976)327,627
328,650
(1,023)
       
Operations and maintenance45,307
40,204
5,103
135,501
125,302
10,199
Depreciation and amortization24,720
23,446
1,274
73,873
69,427
4,446
Total operating expenses70,027
63,650
6,377
209,374
194,729
14,645
       
Operating income41,835
51,188
(9,353)118,253
133,921
(15,668)
       
Interest expense, net(12,923)(12,744)(179)(39,423)(39,049)(374)
Other income (expense), net(450)649
(1,099)(1,121)1,579
(2,700)
Income tax benefit (expense)(6,884)(11,769)4,885
(14,396)(28,065)13,669
Net income$21,578
$27,324
$(5,746)$63,313
$68,386
$(5,073)
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20192018Variance20192018Variance
 (in thousands)
Revenue$191,384
$184,790
$6,594
$540,665
$531,961
$8,704
       
Total fuel and purchased power71,593
74,638
(3,045)207,004
209,317
(2,313)
       
Gross margin (non-GAAP)119,791
110,152
9,639
333,661
322,644
11,017
       
Operations and maintenance47,172
45,307
1,865
143,049
135,501
7,548
Depreciation and amortization21,966
21,453
513
65,393
64,070
1,323
Total operating expenses69,138
66,760
2,378
208,442
199,571
8,871
       
Adjusted operating income (a)
$50,653
$43,392
$7,261
$125,219
$123,073
$2,146
________________
(a)TheDue to the changes in our segment disclosures discussed in Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Electric Utilities’ Adjusted operating income was revised for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, include Horizon Point shared facility revenueswhich resulted in an increase of approximately $2.8$1.6 million and $8.1$4.8 million, respectively, which are allocated to all of our operating segments as facility expenses. This shared facility agreement is new in 2018 and has no impact on BHC’s consolidated operating results.
(b)Non-GAAP measurerespectively.



Results of Operations for the Electric Utilities for the Three Months Ended September 30, 20182019 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017: Net income from continuing operations available for common stock for the Electric Utilities was $22 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to Net income from continuing operations available for common stock of $27 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as a result of:2018:


Gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2018 decreased $3.0 million compared to the same period in the prior year2019 increased as a result of:of the following:
 (in millions)
TCJA revenue reserve$(5.7)
Wyoming Electric PCA Stipulation(3.4)
Weather(0.8)
Commercial and industrial demand(0.4)
Horizon Point shared facility revenue (b)
2.8
Power Marketing, ancillary wheeling and Tech Services2.6
Residential customer growth1.0
Rider recovery0.9
Total (decrease) in Gross margin (a)
$(3.0)
 (in millions)
Prior year Wyoming Electric PCA Stipulation settlement$3.4
Weather1.8
Increased industrial demand1.7
Reduction in power capacity charges1.7
Rider recovery1.3
Other(0.3)
Total increase in Gross margin (non-GAAP)$9.6
________________
(a)Non-GAAP measure
(b)Horizon Point shared facility revenue is offset by facility expenses at our operating segments and has no impact on consolidated results.


Operations and maintenance expense increased primarily due to $1.2$1.0 million of higher facilityemployee costs $1.3and $0.6 million of higher outside services primarily from distribution and transmission line surveying expenses and $1.5 million higher employee related expenses driven primarily by labor and benefits.expenses.






Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to a higher asset base driven by the prior year additions
42




Interest expense, net was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Other income (expense), net decreased due to the presentation change of non-service pension costs to Other income (expense) in the current year, previously reported in Operations and maintenance, and higher prior year AFUDC associated with higher prior year capital spend.

Income tax benefit (expense): The effective tax rate decreased from the prior year due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% from the TCJA, effective January 1, 2018, partially offset by $2.8 million of tax expense associated with changes in the prior estimated impact of tax reform on deferred income taxes.


Results of Operations for the Electric Utilities for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20182019 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017: Net income from continuing operations available for common stock for the Electric Utilities was $63 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to Net income from continuing operations available for common stock of $68 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as a result of:2018:


Gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 decreased $1.0 million compared to the same period in the prior year2019 increased as a result of:of the following:
 (in millions)
TCJA revenue reserve$(17.2)
Wyoming Electric PCA Stipulation(3.7)
Horizon Point shared facility revenue (b)
8.1
Rider recovery5.0
Weather2.6
Power Marketing, ancillary wheeling and Tech Services2.3
Residential customer growth1.5
Commercial and industrial demand0.4
Total (decrease) in Gross margin (a)
$(1.0)
 (in millions)
Reduction in power capacity charges$4.9
Prior year Wyoming Electric PCA Stipulation settlement3.7
Rider recovery2.0
Decreased residential customer usage(0.9)
Decreased commercial and industrial demand(0.2)
Weather(0.1)
Other1.6
Total increase in Gross margin (non-GAAP)$11.0
________________
(a)Non-GAAP measure
(b)Horizon Point shared facility revenue is offset by facility expenses at our operating segments and has no impact on consolidated results.


Operations and maintenance expense increased primarily due to $2.8$3.6 million of higher vegetation management expenses, $3.6 million of shared facility costs and $1.5 million of outside service costs primarily from distribution and transmission line surveying expenses. Higher employee costs and property taxes comprise the remainder$3.4 million of the increase compared to the same period in the prior year.higher outside services expenses.


Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to a higher asset base driven by the prior year additions of Horizon Point and the Teckla-Lange transmission line.

Interest expense, net was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Other income (expense), net decreased due to the presentation change of non-service pension costs to Other income (expense) in the current year previously reported in Operations and maintenance, and higher prior year AFUDC associated with higher prior year capital spend.expenditures.


Income tax benefit (expense): The effective tax rate decreased from the prior year due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% from the TCJA, effective January 1, 2018, partially offset by $3.2 million of tax expense associated with changes in the prior estimated impact of tax reform on deferred income taxes.





Operating Statistics
 Electric Revenue (in thousands) Quantities sold (MWh) Electric Revenue (in thousands) Quantities sold (MWh)
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2018201720182017 2018201720182017 2019201820192018 2019201820192018
Residential $58,122
$55,866
$163,979
$158,017
 372,623
369,466
1,084,531
1,038,437
 $58,919
$58,122
$162,257
$163,979
 384,735
372,623
1,075,394
1,084,531
Commercial 65,794
68,044
192,680
195,495
 550,791
557,975
1,560,911
1,547,254
 65,732
65,794
186,434
192,680
 560,547
550,791
1,556,449
1,560,911
Industrial 31,939
30,564
93,959
91,583
 429,133
406,946
1,248,438
1,192,316
 33,937
31,939
98,074
93,959
 462,809
429,133
1,335,260
1,248,438
Municipal 4,582
4,958
13,389
13,934
 43,972
47,389
122,953
125,065
 4,792
4,582
13,184
13,389
 46,106
43,972
121,025
122,953
Subtotal Retail Revenue - Electric 160,437
159,432
464,007
459,029
 1,396,519
1,381,776
4,016,833
3,903,072
 163,380
160,437
459,949
464,007
 1,454,197
1,396,519
4,088,128
4,016,833
Contract Wholesale 8,256
8,048
25,497
22,593
 221,327
185,723
677,163
537,720
 8,211
8,256
23,335
25,497
 229,369
221,327
646,611
677,163
Off-system/Power Marketing Wholesale 9,059
5,932
18,142
15,110
 206,791
159,425
514,686
477,283
 6,452
9,059
16,592
18,142
 160,357
206,791
436,298
514,686
Other 7,038
10,159
24,315
31,316
 



 13,341
7,038
40,789
24,315
 



Total Revenue and Energy Sold 184,790
183,571
531,961
528,048
 1,824,637
1,726,924
5,208,682
4,918,075
 191,384
184,790
540,665
531,961
 1,843,923
1,824,637
5,171,037
5,208,682
Other Uses, Losses or Generation, net 



 121,478
134,595
337,939
354,572
 



 112,172
121,478
299,038
337,939
Total Revenue and Energy 184,790
183,571
531,961
528,048
 1,946,115
1,861,519
5,546,621
5,272,647
 191,384
184,790
540,665
531,961
 1,956,095
1,946,115
5,470,075
5,546,621
Less cost of fuel and purchased power(a) 72,928
68,733
204,334
199,398
   71,593
74,638
207,004
209,317
  
Gross Margin (a)
 $111,862
$114,838
$327,627
$328,650
  
Gross Margin (non-GAAP) (a)
 $119,791
$110,152
$333,661
$322,644
  
________________
(a)Non-GAAP measureDue to the changes in our segment disclosures discussed in Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, cost of fuel and purchased power was revised for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, which resulted in an increase of $1.6 million and $4.8 million, respectively. There were corresponding decreases to Gross margin for each period.



43



      
Three Months Ended September 30, Electric Revenue (in thousands) 
Gross Margin (a)       (in thousands)
 
Quantities Sold (MWh) (b)
 
Electric Revenue
(in thousands)
 Gross Margin (non-GAAP) (in thousands) 
Quantities Sold (MWh) (a)
 20182017 20182017 20182017 20192018 20192018 20192018
Colorado Electric (b)
 $70,771
$68,052
 $41,916
$38,449
 634,098
610,079
South Dakota Electric $78,067
$73,939
 $52,860
$51,096
 874,962
835,285
 77,022
78,067
 55,217
52,860
 835,725
874,962
Wyoming Electric 38,671
40,670
 18,843
22,990
 461,074
434,945
 43,591
38,671
 22,658
18,843
 486,272
461,074
Colorado Electric 68,052
68,962
 40,159
40,752
 610,079
591,289
Total Electric Revenue, Gross Margin, and Quantities Sold $184,790
$183,571
 $111,862
$114,838
 1,946,115
1,861,519
Total Electric Revenue, Gross Margin (non-GAAP), and Quantities Sold $191,384
$184,790
 $119,791
$110,152
 1,956,095
1,946,115
          
Nine Months Ended September 30, 
Electric Revenue
(in thousands)
 Gross Margin (non-GAAP) (in thousands) 
Quantities Sold (MWh) (a)
  20192018 20192018 20192018
Colorado Electric (b)
 $186,030
$188,937
 $104,411
$105,997
 1,611,126
1,639,607
South Dakota Electric 225,309
222,558
 162,390
154,158
 2,438,366
2,541,082
Wyoming Electric 129,326
120,466
 66,860
62,489
 1,420,583
1,365,932
Total Electric Revenue, Gross Margin (non-GAAP), and Quantities Sold $540,665
$531,961
 $333,661
$322,644
 5,470,075
5,546,621
________________
(a)Non-GAAP measure
(b)Total MWh for 2019 includes Other Uses, Losses or Generation, net, which are approximately 5%6%, 7%5%, and 7%6% for Colorado Electric, South Dakota Electric, and Wyoming Electric, and Colorado Electric, respectively.
          
Nine Months Ended September 30, Electric Revenue (in thousands) 
Gross Margin (a) (in thousands)
 
Quantities Sold (MWh) (b)
  20182017 20182017 20182017
South Dakota Electric $222,558
$213,785
 $154,158
$149,182
 2,541,082
2,399,995
Wyoming Electric 120,466
123,299
 62,489
68,215
 1,365,932
1,298,009
Colorado Electric 188,937
190,964
 110,980
111,253
 1,639,607
1,574,643
Total Electric Revenue, Gross Margin, and Quantities Sold $531,961
$528,048
 $327,627
$328,650
 5,546,621
5,272,647
________________
(a)Non-GAAP measure
(b)Total MWh includes Other Uses, Losses or Generation, net,Due to the changes in our segment disclosures discussed in Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Gross margin was revised for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, which are approximately 5%, 6%,resulted in a decrease of $(1.6) million and 7% for South Dakota Electric, Wyoming Electric, and Colorado Electric,$(4.8) million, respectively.




Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Quantities Generated and Purchased (MWh)20182017201820172019201820192018
  
Coal-fired608,417
625,590
1,772,750
1,663,935
564,220
608,417
1,621,355
1,772,750
Natural Gas and Oil199,351
156,465
345,978
249,065
234,366
199,351
445,498
345,978
Wind54,450
38,773
196,932
167,429
55,407
54,450
167,331
196,932
Total Generated862,218
820,828
2,315,660
2,080,429
853,993
862,218
2,234,184
2,315,660
Purchased1,083,897
1,040,691
3,230,961
3,192,218
1,102,102
1,083,897
3,235,891
3,230,961
Total Generated and Purchased1,946,115
1,861,519
5,546,621
5,272,647
1,956,095
1,946,115
5,470,075
5,546,621


Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Quantities Generated and Purchased (MWh)20182017201820172019201820192018
Generated:  
Colorado Electric149,509
163,276
341,925
388,251
South Dakota Electric469,680
478,232
1,293,713
1,177,131
489,042
469,680
1,262,336
1,293,713
Wyoming Electric229,262
227,391
633,696
601,780
215,442
229,262
629,923
633,696
Colorado Electric163,276
115,205
388,251
301,518
Total Generated862,218
820,828
2,315,660
2,080,429
853,993
862,218
2,234,184
2,315,660
Purchased:  
Colorado Electric484,589
446,803
1,269,201
1,251,356
South Dakota Electric405,282
357,053
1,247,369
1,222,864
346,683
405,282
1,176,030
1,247,369
Wyoming Electric231,812
207,554
732,236
696,229
270,830
231,812
790,660
732,236
Colorado Electric446,803
476,084
1,251,356
1,273,125
Total Purchased1,083,897
1,040,691
3,230,961
3,192,218
1,102,102
1,083,897
3,235,891
3,230,961
  
Total Generated and Purchased1,946,115
1,861,519
5,546,621
5,272,647
1,956,095
1,946,115
5,470,075
5,546,621



44


Table of Contents

       
Three Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended September 30,
Degree Days  2018 2017  2019 2018
Actual 
Variance from
30-Year Average
 Actual Variance to Prior Year Actual 
Variance from
30-Year Average
Actual 
Variance from
Normal
 Actual Variance to Prior Year Actual 
Variance from
Normal
Heating Degree Days:              
Colorado Electric4
 (96)% (89)% 35
 (64)%
South Dakota Electric236
 5 % 17% 202
 (10)%175
 (22)% (26)% 236
 5 %
Wyoming Electric248
 (19)% (15)% 292
 (4)%120
 (77)% (52)% 248
 (19)%
Colorado Electric35
 (64)% (60)% 87
 (11)%
Combined (a)
147
 (20)% (13)% 168
 (8)%86
 (36)% (41)% 147
 (20)%
              
Cooling Degree Days:              
Colorado Electric1,079
 58 % 19% 910
 33 %
South Dakota Electric356
 (33)% (40)% 595
 11 %366
 (31)% 3% 356
 (33)%
Wyoming Electric328
 10 % (15)% 388
 30 %433
 45 % 32% 328
 10 %
Colorado Electric910
 33 % 16% 784
 14 %
Combined (a)
603
 9 % (6)% 640
 15 %705
 27 % 17% 603
 9 %

 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2019   2018
Heating Degree DaysActual 
Variance from
Normal
 Actual Variance to Prior Year Actual 
Variance from
Normal
          
Colorado Electric3,156
 (6)% 9% 2,901
 (14)%
South Dakota Electric5,370
 20 % 8% 4,972
 11 %
Wyoming Electric4,677
 5 % 9% 4,285
 (9)%
Combined (a)
4,198
 6 % 8% 3,888
 (3)%
          
Cooling Degree Days:         
Colorado Electric1,226
 37 % (13)% 1,404
 57 %
South Dakota Electric404
 (36)% (17)% 488
 (23)%
Wyoming Electric462
 33 % 7% 430
 24 %
Combined (a)
791
 14 % (12)% 895
 29 %
__________
(a)Combined actuals are calculated based on the weighted average number of total customers by state.



          
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
Degree Days2018   2017
 Actual 
Variance from
30-Year Average
 Actual Variance to Prior Year Actual 
Variance from
30-Year Average
Heating Degree Days:         
South Dakota Electric4,972
 11 % 17% 4,242
 (5)%
Wyoming Electric4,285
 (9)% 2% 4,186
 (11)%
Colorado Electric2,901
 9 % 5% 2,773
 (17)%
Combined (a)
3,888
 5 % 9% 3,559
 (11)%
          
Cooling Degree Days:         
South Dakota Electric488
 (23)% (31)% 709
 12 %
Wyoming Electric430
 24 % —% 429
 23 %
Colorado Electric1,404
 57 % 37% 1,027
 15 %
Combined (a)
895
 29 % 12% 798
 15 %
Electric Utilities Power Plant AvailabilityThree Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2019201820192018
Coal-fired plants (a)
94.6%95.7%90.0%94.0%
Natural gas-fired plants and Other plants (b)
89.6%97.0%89.8%97.2%
Wind93.7%96.9%95.0%96.9%
Total availability91.5%96.6%90.3%96.1%
     
Wind capacity factor33.8%33.1%37.1%41.8%
__________
(a)Combined actuals are calculated based on the weighted average number of total customers by state.

Electric Utilities Power Plant AvailabilityThree Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 201820172018 2017 
Coal-fired plants (a)
95.7% 98.3% 94.0% 88.1% 
Natural gas-fired plants and Other plants97.0% 94.6% 97.2% 95.8% 
Wind96.9% 91.0% 96.9% 92.0% 
Total availability96.6% 95.5% 96.1% 93.0% 
         
Wind capacity factor33.1% 23.6% 41.8% 34.3% 
__________
(a)20172019 included planned outages at Neil Simpson II and Wygen IIIII and unplanned outages at Wyodak Plant and Wygen III.

Regulatory Matters

For more information on recent regulatory activity and enacted regulatory provisions with respect to the states in which our Utilities operate, see Note 5 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Part I, Items 1 and 2 and Part II, Item 8 of our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.





Gas Utilities
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20182017Variance20182017Variance
 (in thousands)
Revenue:      
Natural gas — regulated$117,070
$123,210
$(6,140)$648,550
$602,745
$45,805
Other — non-regulated services (a)
14,606
19,684
(5,078)58,090
71,506
(13,416)
Total revenue131,676
142,894
(11,218)706,640
674,251
32,389
       
Cost of sales:      
Natural gas — regulated30,612
33,376
(2,764)298,149
255,410
42,739
Other — non-regulated services (a)
5,514
11,917
(6,403)15,716
33,615
(17,899)
Total cost of sales36,126
45,293
(9,167)313,865
289,025
24,840
       
Gross margin (b)
95,550
97,601
(2,051)392,775
385,226
7,549
       
Operations and maintenance69,746
65,390
4,356
212,319
201,105
11,214
Depreciation and amortization21,564
20,937
627
64,288
62,658
1,630
Total operating expenses91,310
86,327
4,983
276,607
263,763
12,844
       
Operating income4,240
11,274
(7,034)116,168
121,463
(5,295)
       
Interest expense, net(20,433)(19,527)(906)(59,456)(58,919)(537)
Other income (expense), net(478)(294)(184)(1,239)(342)(897)
Income tax benefit (expense)3,394
4,218
(824)37,709
(20,686)58,395
Net income (loss)(13,277)(4,329)(8,948)93,182
41,516
51,666
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest



(107)107
Net income (loss) available for common stock$(13,277)$(4,329)$(8,948)$93,182
$41,409
$51,773
__________
(a)The three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 include certain non-utility trading activities which are reported on a net basis. These trading activities are presented on a gross basis in the prior year. This change in presentation had no impact on gross margin.
(b)Non-GAAP measure2019 included planned outages at Neil Simpson CT and Lange CT.






45


Table of Contents


Gas Utilities
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20192018Variance20192018Variance
 (in thousands)
Revenue:      
Natural gas - regulated$117,549
$117,070
$479
$651,366
$648,550
$2,816
Other - non-regulated services13,195
14,606
(1,411)55,927
58,090
(2,163)
Total revenue130,744
131,676
(932)707,293
706,640
653
       
Cost of sales:      
Natural gas - regulated28,154
30,612
(2,458)280,312
298,149
(17,837)
Other - non-regulated services4,870
5,514
(644)16,975
15,716
1,259
Total cost of sales33,024
36,126
(3,102)297,287
313,865
(16,578)
       
Gross margin (non-GAAP)97,720
95,550
2,170
410,006
392,775
17,231
       
Operations and maintenance70,170
69,746
424
225,239
212,319
12,920
Depreciation and amortization22,814
21,564
1,250
68,160
64,288
3,872
Total operating expenses92,984
91,310
1,674
293,399
276,607
16,792
       
Adjusted operating income$4,736
$4,240
$496
$116,607
$116,168
$439


Results of Operations for the Gas Utilities for the Three Months Ended September 30, 20182019 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017: Net (loss) from continuing operations available for common stock for the Gas Utilities was $(13.3) million2018:

Gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to Net loss from continuing operations available for common stock of $(4.3) million2019 increased as a result of:
 (in millions)
New rates$3.0
Customer growth - distribution0.8
Increased transport and transmission0.7
Weather (a)
(3.4)
Other1.1
Total increase in Gross margin (non-GAAP)$2.2

(a) Weather impacts for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as a result of:

Gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2018 decreased $2.1 million2019 compared to the same period in the prior year as a result of:include reduced heating demand due to warmer temperatures and reduced irrigation loads to agriculture customers in our Nebraska Gas service territory due to higher precipitation.

 (in millions)
Weather$(2.3)
TCJA revenue reserve(2.2)
Rate review and rider recovery(0.3)
Non-utility - Tech Services and appliance repair1.2
Customer growth - distribution0.8
Mark-to-market gains on non-utility natural gas commodity contracts0.4
Other0.3
Total increase (decrease) in Gross margin (a)
$(2.1)
________________
(a)Non-GAAP measure

Operations and maintenance expense increased primarily due to $1.4 million higher facilityemployee costs higher bad debt expense of approximately $0.5 million related to increased year-to-date revenues, $1.3 million ofand higher outside services primarily from line locating services and $0.3 million higher employee costs driven primarily by increased headcount.expenses.


Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to a higher asset base driven by previousprior and current year capital expenditures.


Interest expense, netincreased due to higher corporate allocations from financing activities compared to the same period in the prior year.

46
Other income (expense), net decreased from the prior year due primarily to the presentation change

Table of non-service pension costs to Other income (expense) in the current year, previously reported in Operations and maintenance.Contents


Income tax benefit (expense) decreased from the prior year due to the lower tax rate as a result of the reduction of the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% from the TCJA, effective January 1, 2018 partially offset by $2.6 million of tax expense associated with changes in the prior estimated impact of tax reform on deferred income taxes.




Results of Operations for the Gas Utilities for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20182019 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017: Net income from continuing operations available for common stock for the Gas Utilities was $93 million2018:

Gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to Net income from continuing operations available for common stock of $42 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2019 increased as a result of:

Gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 increased $7.5 million compared to the same period in the prior year as a result of:
 (in millions)
Weather$7.6
Customer growth - distribution3.6
Mark-to-market gains on non-utility natural gas commodity contracts2.9
Rate review and rider recovery2.8
Natural gas volumes sold1.9
Transportation and Transmission0.9
Non-utility - Tech Services and appliance repair0.8
Other0.5
TCJA revenue reserve(13.5)
Total increase (decrease) in Gross margin (a)
$7.5
 (in millions)
New rates$15.5
Customer growth - distribution3.7
Increased transport and transmission1.8
Decreased mark-to-market on non-utility natural gas commodity contracts(2.7)
Excess deferred taxes returned to customers(2.5)
Weather(0.6)
Other2.0
Total increase in Gross margin (non-GAAP)$17.2
________________
(a)Non-GAAP measure


Operations and maintenance expense increased primarily due to higher employee costs of approximately $2.6 million driven by labor, benefits and increased corporate allocations, higher bad debt expense of approximately $2.6 million driven by the current year increase in revenues, $1.6$7.2 million of higher outside services primarily from line locating servicesexpenses, $4.1 million of higher employee costs and an increase in facility costs$1.3 million of $4.2 million.

Depreciation and amortization increasedhigher property taxes due to a higher asset base driven by previousprior and current year capital expenditures.


Interest expense, net was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Other income (expense), net decreased from the prior yearDepreciation and amortization increased primarily due to the presentation change of non-service pension costs to Other income (expense) in thea higher asset base driven by prior and current year previously reported in Operations and maintenance.capital expenditures.


Income tax benefit (expense): The 2018 tax benefit is due to legal restructuring to enable jurisdictional simplification that resulted in the recognition of a deferred tax benefit of approximately $49 million associated with amortizable goodwill for tax purposes. The current year effective tax rate also reflects the reduction of the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% from the TCJA, effective January 1, 2018.





Operating Statistics

  Gas Revenue (in thousands) 
Gross Margin (non-GAAP)                                                                      (in thousands)
 Gas Utilities Quantities Sold & Transported (Dth)
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
  20192018 20192018 20192018
          
Residential $57,244
$58,221
 $43,441
$42,598
 3,599,549
3,708,196
Commercial 19,629
19,639
 11,589
10,880
 2,298,919
2,278,304
Industrial 8,770
8,258
 2,493
2,028
 2,960,930
2,304,098
Other (a)
 2,499
487
 2,499
487
 

Total Distribution 88,142
86,605
 60,022
55,993
 8,859,398
8,290,598
          
Transportation and Transmission 29,407
30,465
 29,373
30,465
 31,538,815
29,808,567
          
Total Regulated 117,549
117,070
 89,395
86,458
 40,398,213
38,099,165
          
Non-regulated Services 13,195
14,606
 8,325
9,092
   
          
Total Gas Revenue & Gross Margin (non-GAAP) $130,744
$131,676
 $97,720
$95,550
   


47


Table of Contents

      
 Gas Revenue (in thousands) 
Gross Margin (a) (in thousands)
 Gas Revenue (in thousands) 
Gross Margin (non-GAAP)                                                                      (in thousands)
 Gas Utilities Quantities Sold & Transported (Dth)
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2018201720182017 2018201720182017 20192018 20192018 20192018
          
Residential $58,221
$57,804
$383,972
$344,407
 $42,598
$42,012
$192,072
$182,256
 $383,466
$383,972
 $201,168
$192,072
 44,356,725
42,642,021
Commercial 19,639
21,366
148,675
134,156
 10,880
11,097
57,890
54,931
 146,752
148,675
 61,673
57,890
 21,484,646
20,842,996
Industrial 8,258
9,472
20,805
18,699
 2,028
2,157
5,341
4,665
 18,764
20,805
 5,830
5,341
 5,141,399
5,235,417
Other (b)
 487
2,099
(6,789)6,363
 487
2,099
(6,789)6,363
Other (a)
 (968)(6,789) (968)(6,789) 

Total Distribution 86,605
90,741
546,663
503,625
 55,993
57,365
248,514
248,215
 548,014
546,663
 267,703
248,514
 70,982,770
68,720,434
          
Transportation and Transmission 30,465
32,469
101,887
99,120
 30,465
32,470
101,887
99,121
 103,352
101,887
 103,351
101,887
 110,622,285
107,388,321
          
Total Regulated 117,070
123,210
648,550
602,745
 86,458
89,835
350,401
347,336
 651,366
648,550
 371,054
350,401
 181,605,055
176,108,755
          
Non-regulated Services 14,606
19,684
58,090
71,506
 9,092
7,766
42,374
37,890
 55,927
58,090
 38,952
42,374
  
          
Total Gas Revenue & Gross Margin $131,676
$142,894
$706,640
$674,251
 $95,550
$97,601
$392,775
$385,226
 $707,293
$706,640
 $410,006
$392,775
  
__________
(a)Non-GAAP measure
(b)
Includes current year reserve toOther revenue to reflectreflects the reductionimpact of the lower federal income tax rate fromrevenue reserved in accordance with the TCJA on our existing rate tariffs..



 Revenue (in thousands) 
Gross Margin (a) (in thousands)
 Revenue (in thousands) 
Gross Margin (non-GAAP)                                                                        (in thousands)
 
Gas Utilities Quantities Sold & Transported (Dth)

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 2018201720182017 2018201720182017 20192018 20192018 20192018
          
Arkansas $18,743
$19,276
$116,226
$104,519
 $13,415
$13,485
$65,803
$66,362
 $21,387
$18,743
 $16,249
$13,415
 4,094,454
4,022,089
Colorado 22,362
21,823
125,898
120,667
 15,210
16,068
66,917
69,241
 22,632
22,362
 15,667
15,210
 3,806,360
2,893,029
Nebraska 40,553
47,577
196,307
191,288
 31,264
33,290
117,925
112,418
Iowa 16,982
17,709
111,968
98,619
 12,556
12,564
49,630
48,278
 16,381
16,982
 13,135
12,556
 5,686,772
5,595,205
Kansas 18,497
20,114
81,880
77,389
 11,129
11,207
40,896
39,810
 19,013
18,497
 12,309
11,129
 7,602,758
6,164,821
Nebraska 35,715
40,553
 28,046
31,264
 13,999,302
13,831,306
Wyoming 14,539
16,395
74,361
81,769
 11,976
10,987
51,604
49,117
 15,616
14,539
 12,314
11,976
 5,208,567
5,592,715
Total Gas Revenue & Gross Margin $131,676
$142,894
$706,640
$674,251
 $95,550
$97,601
$392,775
$385,226
Total Gas Revenue & Gross Margin (non-GAAP) $130,744
$131,676
 $97,720
$95,550
 40,398,213
38,099,165
__________
(a)Non-GAAP measure


 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Gas Utilities Quantities Sold & Transported (Dth)2018201720182017
     
Residential3,708,196
3,682,944
42,642,021
36,052,414
Commercial2,278,304
2,445,847
20,842,996
18,111,118
Industrial2,304,098
2,722,173
5,235,417
4,690,092
Total Distribution Quantities Sold8,290,598
8,850,964
68,720,434
58,853,624
     
Transportation and Transmission29,808,567
30,577,487
107,388,321
102,314,665
     
Total Quantities Sold & Transported38,099,165
39,428,451
176,108,755
161,168,289
          
  Revenue (in thousands) 
Gross Margin (non-GAAP)                                                                        (in thousands)
 
Gas Utilities Quantities Sold & Transported (Dth)

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  20192018 20192018 20192018
          
Arkansas $127,014
$116,226
 $79,148
$65,803
 21,061,567
21,183,322
Colorado 135,816
125,898
 73,022
66,917
 23,050,638
19,301,834
Iowa 105,736
111,968
 50,773
49,630
 28,834,731
28,527,522
Kansas 77,609
81,880
 42,385
40,896
 24,336,744
23,391,905
Nebraska 183,827
196,307
 111,828
117,925
 57,815,316
58,223,856
Wyoming 77,291
74,361
 52,850
51,604
 26,506,059
25,480,316
Total Gas Revenue & Gross Margin (non-GAAP) $707,293
$706,640
 $410,006
$392,775
 181,605,055
176,108,755


 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Gas Utilities Quantities Sold & Transported (Dth)2018201720182017
     
Arkansas4,022,089
3,950,107
21,183,322
18,232,131
Colorado2,893,029
3,111,653
19,301,834
19,156,708
Nebraska13,831,306
14,620,729
58,223,856
52,802,084
Iowa5,595,205
5,345,911
28,527,522
25,472,681
Kansas6,164,821
7,270,229
23,391,905
20,975,597
Wyoming5,592,715
5,129,822
25,480,316
24,529,088
Total Quantities Sold & Transported38,099,165
39,428,451
176,108,755
161,168,289


Our Gas Utilities are highly seasonal, and sales volumes vary considerably with weather and seasonal heating and industrial loads. Approximately 70% of our Gas Utilities’ revenue and margins are expected in the first and fourth quarters of each year. Therefore, revenue for, and certain expenses of, these operations fluctuate significantly among quarters. Depending upon the geographic location in which our Gas Utilities operate, the winter heating season begins around November 1 and ends around March 31.



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Table of Contents
 Three Months Ended September 30,
Degree Days2018   2017
Heating Degree Days:Actual 
Variance
from 30-Year
Average
 Actual Variance to Prior Year Actual 
Variance
from 30-Year
Average
Arkansas (a)
12 (72)% (20)% 15 (66)%
Colorado109 (49)% (42)% 187 (13)%
Nebraska101 (7)% 53% 66 (40)%
Iowa128 (7)% 42% 90 (35)%
Kansas (a)
54 (2)% 46% 37 (32)%
Wyoming236 (23)% (23)% 307 1%
Combined (b)
109 (27)% (7)% 117 (22)%

 Three Months Ended September 30,
 2019   2018
Heating Degree DaysActual 
Variance
from Normal
 Actual Variance to Prior Year Actual 
Variance
from Normal
Arkansas (a)
 (100)% (100)% 12 (72)%
Colorado68 (68)% (38)% 109 (49)%
Iowa43 (69)% (66)% 128 (7)%
Kansas (a)
 (101)% (100)% 54 (2)%
Nebraska22 (80)% (78)% 101 (7)%
Wyoming183 (37)% (22)% 236 (23)%
Combined (b)
53 (62)% (51)% 109 (27)%
          
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
Degree Days2018   2017
Heating Degree Days:Actual 
Variance
from 30-Year
Average
 Actual Variance to Prior Year Actual 
Variance
from 30-Year
Average
Arkansas (a)
2,460
 (1)% 35% 1,826
 (26)%
Colorado3,548
 (14)% —% 3,541
 (14)%
Nebraska4,016
 6 % 22% 3,280
 (13)%
Iowa4,460
 6 % 22% 3,641
 (13)%
Kansas (a)
3,032
 2 % 17% 2,584
 (13)%
Wyoming4,552
 (4)% 2% 4,468
 (5)%
Combined (b)
4,008
  % 14% 3,521
 (12)%


          
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2019   2018
Heating Degree Days:Actual 
Variance
from Normal
 Actual Variance to Prior Year Actual 
Variance
from Normal
Arkansas (a)
2,347 (5)% (5)% 2,460 (1)%
Colorado4,115 —% 16% 3,548 (14)%
Iowa4,611 10% 3% 4,460 6%
Kansas (a)
3,204 8% 6% 3,032 2%
Nebraska4,169 10% 4% 4,016 6%
Wyoming5,093 9% 12% 4,552 (4)%
Combined (b)
4,297 7% 7% 4,008 —%
__________
(a)Arkansas has a weather normalization mechanism in effect during the months of November through April for customers with residential and certain business rate schedules. Kansas Gas has a weather normalization mechanism within its residential and business rate structure. The weather normalization mechanism in Arkansas differs from that in Kansas in that it only uses one location to calculate the weather, compared to Kansas, which uses multiple locations. Thehave weather normalization mechanisms in both Arkansas and Kansas minimizethat mitigate the weather impact on gross margins.
(b)The combined heating degree days are calculated based on a weighted average of total customers by state excluding Kansas Gas due to its weather normalization mechanism. Arkansas Gas is partially excluded based on the weather normalization mechanism in effect from November through April.







Regulatory Matters


For more information on recent regulatory activity and enacted regulatory provisions with respect to the states in which our Utilities operate, see Note 5 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Part I, Items 1 and 2 and Part II, Item 8 of our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.



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Table of Contents

Power Generation
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20182017Variance20182017Variance
 (in thousands)
Revenue (a)
$23,603
$22,927
$676
$68,590
$68,289
$301
       
Operations and maintenance7,434
7,646
(212)25,520
24,228
1,292
Depreciation and amortization (a)
1,692
1,036
656
4,927
3,312
1,615
Total operating expense9,126
8,682
444
30,447
27,540
2,907
       
Operating income14,477
14,245
232
38,143
40,749
(2,606)
       
Interest expense, net(1,264)(724)(540)(3,753)(2,015)(1,738)
Other income (expense), net(34)(5)(29)(75)(36)(39)
Income tax (expense) benefit(2,494)(3,426)932
(6,549)(10,114)3,565
       
Net income10,685
10,090
595
27,766
28,584
(818)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest(3,994)(3,935)(59)(10,447)(10,567)120
Net income available for common stock$6,691
$6,155
$536
$17,319
$18,017
$(698)
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20192018Variance20192018Variance
 (in thousands)
Revenue$25,811
$24,491
$1,320
$75,764
$71,173
$4,591
       
Operations and maintenance9,229
7,434
1,795
27,750
25,520
2,230
Depreciation and amortization4,760
3,978
782
14,069
11,922
2,147
Total operating expense13,989
11,412
2,577
41,819
37,442
4,377
       
Adjusted operating income (a)
$11,822
$13,079
$(1,257)$33,945
$33,731
$214
____________________________
(a)The generating facility locatedDue to the changes in Pueblo, Colorado is accounted for as a capital lease under GAAP; as such, revenue and depreciation expense are impacted by the accounting for this lease. Under the lease, the original costour segment disclosures discussed in Note 3 of the facility is recorded at Colorado ElectricNotes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Power Generation Adjusted operating income was revised for the three and is being depreciated by Colorado Electric for segment reporting purposes.nine months ended September 30, 2018, which resulted in a decrease of $(1.4) million and $(4.4) million, respectively.


In 2016, Black Hills Electric Generation sold a 49.9%, noncontrolling interest in Colorado IPP. Black Hills Electric Generation continues to be the majority owner and operator of the facility, which is contracted to provide capacity and energy through 2031 to Colorado Electric. Net income available for common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was reduced by $4.0 million and $3.9 million, respectively, attributable to this noncontrolling interest.

Results of Operations for Power Generation for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20182019 Compared to the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017: Net income from continuing operations available for common stock for the Power Generation segment was $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to Net income from continuing operations available for common stock of $6.2 million for the same period in 2017. 2018:

Revenue increased in the current year due to increased wind MWh sold and higher PPA prices and an increase in MWh sold.prices. Operating expenses were comparable to the same period in the prior year reflecting lower maintenance expenses, offset by higher depreciation. Interest expense increased from the same period in the prior year due to higher interest rates. The variance in tax expense reflects the reduction in the federal tax rate from 35% to 21% from the TCJA, effective January 1, 2018.

Results of Operations for Power Generation for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017: Net income from continuing operations available for common stock for the Power Generation segment was $17 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to Net income from continuing operations available for common stock of $18 million for the same period in 2017. Revenue increased in the current year as a result of higher PPA prices and an increase in MWh sold. Operating expenses increased from the same period in the prior yearprimarily due to higher maintenance expenses primarily related to outage costs at Wygen Idepreciation and higher depreciation. Interest expense increasedproperty taxes from the same period in the prior year due to higher interest rates. The variance in tax expense reflects the reduction in the federal tax rate from 35% to 21% from the TCJA, effective January 1, 2018, partially offset by $0.7 million of additional tax expense associated with changes in the prior estimated impact of tax reform on deferred income taxes.new wind assets.





The following table summarizes MWh for our Power Generation segment:
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
20182017 2018201720192018 20192018
Quantities Sold, Generated and Purchased
(MWh) (a)
      
Sold      
Black Hills Colorado IPP (b)
304,102
256,895
 745,365
725,919
275,867
304,102
 692,156
745,365
Black Hills Wyoming (c)
160,011
163,690
 470,072
476,659
162,668
160,011
 476,430
470,072
Black Hills Electric Generation (d)
30,912

 112,461

Total Sold464,113
420,585
 1,215,437
1,202,578
469,447
464,113
 1,281,047
1,215,437
      
Generated      
Black Hills Colorado IPP (b)
304,102
256,895
 745,365
725,919
275,867
304,102
 692,156
745,365
Black Hills Wyoming (c)
144,476
140,081
 407,324
407,775
142,219
144,476
 407,001
407,324
Black Hills Electric Generation (d)
30,912

 112,461

Total Generated448,578
396,976
 1,152,689
1,133,694
448,998
448,578
 1,211,618
1,152,689
      
Purchased      
Black Hills Colorado IPP

 

Black Hills Wyoming (c)
16,685
20,246
 65,724
52,463
16,865
16,685
 56,205
65,724
Total Purchased16,685
20,246
 65,724
52,463
16,865
16,685
 56,205
65,724
____________
(a)Company uses and losses are not included in the quantities sold, generated, and purchased.
(b)Decrease from the prior year is a result of the impact of Colorado Electric’s wind generation replacing natural-gas generation.
(c)Under the 20-year economy energy PPA with the City of Gillette effective September 2014, Black Hills Wyoming purchases energy on behalf of the City of Gillette and sells that energy to the City of Gillette. MWh sold may not equal MWh generated and purchased due to a dispatch agreement Black Hills Wyoming has with South Dakota Electric to cover energy imbalances.
(d)Increase from prior year is driven by Black Hills Electric Generation’s acquisition of new wind assets.



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Table of Contents

The following table provides certain operating statistics for our plants within the Power Generation segment:
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20192018 20192018
Contracted power plant fleet availability:     
Coal-fired plant98.0%97.9% 95.2%93.9%
Natural gas-fired plants (a)
97.6%99.3% 98.4%99.4%
Wind (b)
81.9%N/A
 93.4%N/A
Total availability93.6%98.9% 96.5%98.0%
      
Wind capacity factor (b)
15.0%N/A
 22.1%N/A
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20182017 20182017
Contracted power plant fleet availability:     
Coal-fired plant97.9%97.1% 93.9%95.8%
Natural gas-fired plants99.3%99.2% 99.4%99.1%
Total availability98.9%98.7% 98.0%98.3%
____________
(a)2019 included a planned outage at Pueblo Airport Generating Station.
(b)Change from the prior year is driven by Black Hills Electric Generation’s acquisition of new wind assets.




Mining

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,

20182017Variance20182017Variance

(in thousands)
Revenue$17,301
$17,493
$(192)$51,328
$48,985
$2,343
       
Operations and maintenance10,761
11,235
(474)32,807
32,162
645
Depreciation, depletion and amortization1,989
2,004
(15)5,874
6,231
(357)
Total operating expenses12,750
13,239
(489)38,681
38,393
288
       
Operating income4,551
4,254
297
12,647
10,592
2,055
       
Interest expense, net(51)(47)(4)(384)(146)(238)
Other income (expense), net(70)567
(637)(190)1,644
(1,834)
Income tax benefit (expense)(858)(1,297)439
(2,512)(3,042)530
       
Net income$3,572
$3,477
$95
$9,561
$9,048
$513

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,

20192018Variance20192018Variance

(in thousands)
Revenue$15,552
$17,301
$(1,749)$45,026
$51,328
$(6,302)
       
Operations and maintenance9,900
10,761
(861)28,988
32,807
(3,819)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization2,278
1,989
289
6,687
5,874
813
Total operating expenses12,178
12,750
(572)35,675
38,681
(3,006)
       
Adjusted operating income$3,374
$4,551
$(1,177)$9,351
$12,647
$(3,296)


The following table provides certain operating statistics for our Mining segment (in thousands, except for Revenue per ton):

Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
20182017 2018201720192018 20192018
Tons of coal sold1,078
1,151
 3,119
3,127
969
1,078
 2,720
3,119
Cubic yards of overburden moved2,361
2,316
 6,763
6,381
2,341
2,361
 6,380
6,763
      
Revenue per ton$15.54
$15.20
 $15.92
$15.67
$15.47
$15.54
 $15.90
$15.92


Results of Operations for Mining for the Three Months Ended September 30, 20182019 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017: Net income from continuing operations available for common stock for the Mining segment was $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to Net income from continuing operations available for common stock of $3.5 million for the same period in 2017. Revenue was comparable to the prior year reflecting a 6% decrease in tons sold and a 2% increase in price per ton sold driven by contract price adjustments based on actual mining costs. 2018:

Current year revenue is also reflectivedecreased due to 10% fewer tons sold driven primarily by unplanned generation facility outages. Operating expenses decreased primarily due to lower royalties and production taxes on decreased revenues.


Results of leaseOperations for Mining for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018:

Current year revenue decreased due to 13% fewer tons sold driven primarily by planned and rental revenue, previously reported in Other income (expense), net. During the current period, approximately 49% of the mine’s production was sold under contracts that include price adjustments based on actual mining costs, including income taxes.

unplanned generation facility outages. Operating expenses decreased primarily due to lower royalties and production taxes on decreased revenues and lower fuel, labor and major maintenance expenses. Other income (expense), net decreased from the prior year due to the presentation change

51


Table of lease and rental revenue to Revenue in the current year, previously reported in Other income (expense), net. The variance in tax expense to the prior year reflects the TCJA reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% , effective January 1, 2018.Contents

Results of Operations for Mining for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017: Net income from continuing operations available for common stock for the Mining segment was $9.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to Net income from continuing operations available for common stock of $9.0 million for the same period in 2017. Revenue increased primarily due to a 2% increase in price per ton sold. Current year revenue is also reflective of lease and rental revenue, previously reported in Other income (expense), net. During the current period, approximately 49% of the mine’s production was sold under contracts that include price adjustments based on actual mining costs, including income taxes.



Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher overburden removal and higher fuel expenses. Other income (expense), net decreased from the prior year due to the presentation change of lease and rental revenue to Revenue in the current year, previously reported in Other income (expense), net. The variance in tax expense to the prior year reflects the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% from the TCJA, effective January 1, 2018, partially offset by $0.5 million of additional tax expense associated with changes in the prior estimated impact of tax reform on deferred income taxes.


Corporate and Other

 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20182017Variance20182017Variance
 (in thousands)
Operating (loss) (a)
$(16)$(1,401)$1,385
$(2,301)$(7,183)$4,882
       
Other income (expense):      
Interest (expense) income, net (a)
(626)(1,028)402
(1,810)(2,331)521
Other income (expense), net520
(31)551
702
(869)1,571
Income tax benefit (expense)(635)(1,204)569
(2,468)3,389
(5,857)
       
Net income (loss)$(757)$(3,664)$2,907
$(5,877)$(6,994)$1,117
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20192018Variance20192018Variance
 (in thousands)
Adjusted operating income (loss) (a)
$(34)$(178)$144
$(439)$(2,709)$2,270
____________________________
(a)Includes certain generalDue to the changes in our segment disclosures as discussed in Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Corporate and administrative expensesOther Adjusted operating income (loss) was revised for the three and interest expenses that are not reported as discontinued operationsnine months ended September 30, 2018, which resulted in 2017.a decrease of $(0.2) million and $(0.4) million, respectively.


Results of Operations for Corporate and Other for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017: Net loss from continuing operations available for common stock for Corporate and Other was $(0.8) million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to Net income from continuing operations available for common stock of $(3.7) million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The variance was driven by higher prior year operating costs previously allocated to our Oil and Gas segment in 2017, which were not reclassified to discontinued operations in 2017, and are allocated to our operating segments in 2018. Income tax benefit (expense) increased in the current year due to higher state income tax expense.

Results of Operations for Corporate and Other for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20182019 Compared to the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018:

The variance in Adjusted operating income (loss) was primarily due to prior year expenses related to the oil and gas segment that were not reclassified to discontinued operations.


Consolidated Interest expense, Impairment of investment, Other income (expense) and Income tax benefit (expense) for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018.

Impairment of Investment

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, we recorded a non-cash write-down of $20 million in our investment in equity securities of a privately held oil and gas company. The impairment was triggered by a deterioration in earnings performance of the privately held oil and gas company and an adverse change in future natural gas prices. See Note 21 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.

Income Tax Benefit (Expense)

Income tax benefit (expense) for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was $(2.5) million compared to $(7.5) million for the same period in 2018. The decrease in tax expense was primarily due to a prior year $(5.3) million income tax expense associated with changes in the previously estimated impact of tax reform on deferred income taxes.

For the three months ended September 30, 2019 the effective tax rate was 14.0% compared to 7.6% excluding the tax reform adjustments, for the same period in 2018. The higher effective tax rate is primarily due to a prior year state tax benefit.
Consolidated Interest expense, Impairment of investment, Other income (expense) and Income tax benefit (expense) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017: Net loss from continuing operations available2018.

Impairment of Investment

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recorded a non-cash write-down of $20 million in our investment in equity securities of a privately held oil and gas company. The impairment was triggered by a deterioration in earnings performance of the privately held oil and gas company and an adverse change in future natural gas prices. See Note 21 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for common stock for Corporate and Other was $(5.9) millionadditional details.


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Table of Contents

Income Tax Benefit (Expense)

Income tax benefit (expense) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019 was $(22) million compared to Net loss from continuing operations available for common stock of $(7.0)$12 million reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.same period in 2018. The variance to the prior year was driven by higher prior year operating costs previously allocated to our Oil and Gas segment which were not reclassified to discontinued operationsincrease in 2017, which are allocated to our operating segments in 2018 and transition and acquisition expenses which occurred in the prior year. The variance in Income tax benefit (expense)expense was primarily due to a prior year $49 million tax benefit of $1.4 million comprised primarily of benefitsresulting from a carryback claim for specified liability losses involving prior tax years and current year tax expense.



Discontinued Operations

Results of Discontinued Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017: Net loss from discontinued operations was $(0.9) million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to Net loss from discontinued operations of $(1.3) million for the same period in 2017. The variance to the prior year is driven by lower revenues due to property sales and higher losses on sales of operating assets,legal entity restructuring partially offset by lower oil and gas operating expenses and lower employee costs. Depreciation and depletiona prior year $(7.5) million income tax expense was recordedassociated with changes in the prior year under full cost accounting, which ceased November 1, 2017 due to reclassification to assets held for sale.previously estimated impact of tax reform on deferred income taxes.


Results of Discontinued Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017: Net loss from discontinued operations was $(5.6) million forFor the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019 the effective tax rate was 13.6% compared to Net loss from discontinued operations of $(3.5) million17.1% excluding the legal entity restructuring and tax reform adjustments, for the same period in 2017.2018. The variance to the prior yearlower effective tax rate is driven by lower revenuesprimarily due to property sales$5.0 million of federal production tax credits and higher losses on sales of operatingrelated state investment tax credits associated with new wind assets, partially offset by lower oil and gas operating expenses and lower employee costs. Current year depreciation expense is representative of thea $1.0 million tax benefit for deferred tax amortization of the remaining book value of accounting software. Depreciation and depletion expense was recorded in the prior year under full cost accounting, which ceased November 1, 2017 duerelated to reclassification to assets held for sale.tax reform.


Critical Accounting Estimates


There have been no material changes in our critical accounting estimates from those reported in our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. For more information on our critical accounting estimates, see Part II, Item 7 of our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.




Liquidity and Capital Resources


OVERVIEW

Our Company requires significant cash to supportThere have been no material changes in Liquidity and growCapital Resources from those reported in Item 7 of our business. Our predominant source of cash is supplied by our operations and supplemented with corporate financings. This cash is used for, among other things, working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, pension funding, investments in or acquisitions of assets and businesses, payment of debt obligations, and redemption of outstanding debt and equity securities when required or financially appropriate. As discussed in more detail below under income taxes, we expect an increase in working capital requirements as a result of complying2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the TCJA and the impact of providing TCJA benefits to customers.SEC except as described below.


The most significant uses of cash are our capital expenditures, the purchase of natural gas for our Gas Utilities and our Power Generation segment, as well as the payment of dividends to our shareholders. We experience significant cash requirements during peak months of the winter heating season due to higher natural gas consumption and during periods of high natural gas prices, as well as during the summer construction season.Collateral Requirements

We believe that our cash on hand, operating cash flows, existing borrowing capacity and ability to complete new debt and equity financings, taken in their entirety, provide sufficient capital resources to fund our ongoing operating requirements, debt maturities, anticipated dividends, and anticipated capital expenditures discussed in this section.

Significant Factors Affecting Liquidity

Although we believe we have sufficient resources to fund our cash requirements, there are many factors with the potential to influence our cash flow position, including seasonality, commodity prices, significant capital projects and acquisitions, requirements imposed by state and federal agencies, and economic market conditions. We have implemented risk mitigation programs, where possible, to stabilize cash flow; however, the potential for unforeseen events affecting cash needs will continue to exist.


Our utilities maintain wholesale commodity contracts for the purchases and sales of electricity and natural gas which have performance assurance provisions that allow the counterparty to require collateral postings under certain conditions, including when requested on a reasonable basis due to a deterioration in our financial condition or nonperformance. A significant downgrade in our credit ratings, such as a downgrade to a level below investment grade, could result in counterparties requiring collateral postings under such adequate assurance provisions. The amount of credit support that we may be required to provide at any point in the future is dependent on the amount of the initial transaction, changes in the market price, open positions and the amounts owed by or to the counterparty. At September 30, 2018,2019, we had sufficient liquidity to cover collateral that could be required to be posted under these contracts.


Income Tax


The TCJA legislation was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The new tax law required revaluation at December 31, 2017 of federal deferred tax assets and liabilities using the new lower corporate tax rate of 21%. As a result of the revaluation, deferred tax assetsWe have reached agreements with regulators in seven states and liabilities were reduced by approximately $309 million. Of the $309 million, approximately $301 million is relatedare working with FERC regarding returning benefits to our regulated utilities and is reclassified to a regulatory liability. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded approximately $16 million of additional regulatory liability associated with TJCA related items. This regulatory liability will generally be amortized over the remaining life of the related assets as specifically prescribed in the TCJA.

We expect an increase incustomers. Our working capital requirements increased as a result of complying with the TCJA and providing the impactbenefits of providingthe TCJA benefits to customers. We estimate the lower tax rateThese agreements will negatively impact the Company’sour cash flows by approximately $40 million to $45 million annuallyper year for each of the next several years. Each of our utilities is working with their respective regulators to address the impact of tax reform and the appropriate benefit to customers. See Note 5 for more information on regulatory matters.




Cash Flow Activities


The following table summarizes our cash flows for the threenine months ended September 30, 2019 (in thousands):

Cash provided by (used in):20182017Increase (Decrease)20192018Variance
Operating activities$378,722
$319,430
$59,292
$386,075
$378,722
$7,353
Investing activities$(281,771)$(255,978)$(25,793)$(593,272)$(281,771)$(311,501)
Financing activities$(101,949)$(63,112)$(38,837)$199,827
$(101,949)$301,776



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Year-to-Date 20182019 Compared to Year-to-Date 20172018


Operating Activities


Net cash provided by operating activities was $379$386 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $319$379 million for the same period in 20172018 for an increase of $59$7 million. The variance was primarily attributable to:


Cash earnings (income from continuing operations plus non-cash adjustments) were $14$19 million lowerhigher for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 compared to the same period in the prior year;


Net cash inflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities were $29$28 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, compared to net cash outflowsinflows of $60$42 million in the same period in the prior year. This $90$14 million increasedecrease was primarily due to:


Cash inflows increased by approximately $48 million primarily as a result of higher collections of accounts receivable for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in the prior year;

Cash outflows increased by approximately $3 million as a result of decreases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities driven by higher employee costs and other working capital requirements; and

Cash inflows decreased by approximately $21 million primarily as a result of increases in pre-paid tax assets and lower collections of accounts receivable, partially offset by lower natural gas in storage for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in the prior year;

Cash outflows decreased by approximately $26 million as a result of increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities driven by changes in prior year accrued interest and contract payments and other working capital requirements;

Cash inflows increased by approximately $66 million as a result of changes in our current regulatory assets and liabilities driven by differences inthe timing of recovery from fuel cost adjustments and cash collected from customers that will be refundedas well as revenue reserved in the prior year due to the TCJA tax rate change; andchange that has subsequently been returned to customers.

Net cash outflows decreased by $15 million due to additional pension contributions made in the prior year.


Investing Activities


Net cash used in investing activities was $282$593 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $256$282 million for the same period in 20172018 for a variance of $26$311 million. The variance was primarily attributable to:


Capital expenditures of approximately $278$593 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 compared to $239$278 million for the same period in the prior year. Higher current year expenditures are driven by higher programmatic safety, reliability and integrity spending at our gas utilities, miningGas Utilities and power generationElectric Utilities segments, arethe 35-mile Natural Bridge pipeline project at our Gas Utilities segment, the Busch Ranch II wind project at our Power Generation segment and construction of the final segment of the 175-mile transmission line from Rapid City, South Dakota, to Stegall, Nebraska at our Electric Utilities segment.

A $24 million investment made in the prior year partially offset by higher prior year expenditures at our electric utilities which included completion of the second segment of the 144-mile long Teckla-Lange transmission line and construction of our Horizon Point facility.

A $35an $18 million change in net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued operations primarily due to the prior year sale of assets held for sale partially offset by a $24 million investment.sale.





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Financing Activities


Net cash used inprovided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 was $102$200 million, compared to $63$102 million of net cash used in financing activities for the same period in 20172018 for a variance of $39$302 million. This variance is primarily due to:


Long–We amended our Corporate term borrowingsloan due July 30, 2020, which increased dueour debt to the$400 million from $300 million;

Current year issuance of $400common stock for net proceeds of $99 million principal amount senior secured notes in 2018, a portionthrough our ATM equity offering program;

Current year net short-term borrowings of which were issued in exchange for $299$109 million principal amount of our RSNs due 2028 (which were immediately retired) and a portion of which were sold todriven by increased capital expenditures;

In the public withprior year, $99 million of net proceeds from the August 17, 2018 debt transaction was used to pay downrepay short-term debt;

We amended and restated our $300 million unsecured term loan due August 2019;

Prior year net short-term borrowings of $129 million offset by prior year long-term debt repayments of $104 million;


$5.015 million of higher current year dividend payments; and


Increased paymentsPayments for other financing activities of approximately $3.7decreased by $8.4 million, which was primarily driven primarily by prior year financing costs associated with the July 30, 2018 and August 17, 2018 debt transactions.


Dividends


Dividends paid on our common stock totaled $76$92 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, or $0.475$0.505 per share per quarter. On October 30, 2018,31, 2019, our board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.505$0.535 per share payable December 1, 2018,2019, equivalent to an annual dividend of $2.02$2.14 per share. The amount of any future cash dividends to be declared and paid, if any, will depend upon, among other things, our financial condition, funds from operations, the level of our capital expenditures, restrictions under our Revolving Credit Facility and our future business prospects.


Debt


Financing Transactions and Short-Term Liquidity

Our principal sources to meet day-to-day operating cash requirements are cash from operations, our CP Program and our corporate Revolving Credit Facility.


Revolving Credit Facility and CP Program

On July 30, 2018, we amended and restated our corporate Revolving Credit Facility, maintaining total commitments of $750 million and extending the term through July 30, 2023 with two one-year extension options (subject to consent from lenders). This facility is similar to the former revolving credit facility, which includes an accordion feature that allows us, with the consent of the administrative agent, the issuing agents and each bank increasing or providing a new commitment, to increase total commitments up to $1.0 billion. Borrowings continue to be available under a base rate or various Eurodollar rate options. See Note 9 for more information.

We have a $750 million, unsecured CP Program that is backstopped by the Revolving Credit Facility. Amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and the CP Program, either individually or in the aggregate, cannot exceed $750 million. See Note 9 for more information.


Our Revolving Credit Facility had the following borrowings, outstanding letters of credit, and available capacity (in millions):
 CurrentRevolver Borrowings atCP Program Borrowings atLetters of Credit atAvailable Capacity at CurrentShort-term borrowings atLetters of Credit atAvailable Capacity at
Credit FacilityExpirationCapacitySeptember 30, 2018September 30, 2018ExpirationCapacitySeptember 30, 2019September 30, 2019
Revolving Credit FacilityJuly 30, 2023$750
$
$112
$15
$623
Revolving Credit Facility and CP ProgramJuly 30, 2023$750
$295
$18
$437




The weighted average interest rate on CP Programshort-term borrowings at September 30, 20182019 was 2.42%2.43%. Revolving Credit Facility and CP Program financingShort-term borrowing activity for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 was (dollars in millions):
 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Maximum amount outstanding - commercial paper (based on daily outstanding balances)$231
Maximum amount outstanding - revolving credit facility (based on daily outstanding balances)$
Average amount outstanding - commercial paper (based on daily outstanding balances)$135
Average amount outstanding - revolving credit facility (based on daily outstanding balances)$
Weighted average interest rates - commercial paper2.16%
Weighted average interest rates - revolving credit facility%
 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Maximum amount outstanding - short-term borrowing (based on daily outstanding balances)$295
Average amount outstanding - short-term borrowing (based on daily outstanding balances)$171
Weighted average interest rates - short-term borrowing2.59%



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Table of Contents

Covenant Requirements

The Revolving Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, such as limitations on certain liens, restrictions on certain transactions, and maintenance of a certain Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio. Under the Revolving Credit Facility, our Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio is calculated by dividing (i) Consolidated Indebtedness (which includes letters of credit and certain guarantees issued but excludes the RSNs), by (ii) Capital, which is Consolidated Indebtedness plus Consolidated Net Worth (which excludes noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries and includes the aggregate outstanding amount of the RSNs or, with respect to the calculation as of September 30, 2018 only, the amount receivable by the Company in connection with the common stock settlement under the purchase contracts which are part of the Equity Units). Subject to applicable cure periods, a violation of any of these covenants would constitute an event of default that entitles the lenders to terminate their remaining commitments and accelerate all principal and interest outstanding. We were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2018.

The Revolving Credit Facility prohibits us from paying cash dividends if a default or an event of default exists prior to, or would result after, paying a dividend. Although these contractual restrictions exist, we do not anticipate triggering any default measures or restrictions.

Financing Activities

Financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 consisted2019. See Note 8 of the following:

Short-term borrowings from our CP Program.

On August 17, 2018, we completed a public debt offering of $400 million principal amount, 4.350% senior unsecured notes due 2033. The proceeds were usedNotes to repay the $299 million principal amount of our RSNs due 2028 and pay down short-term debt. Through this offering, we successfully remarketed the $299 million principal amount of the existing subordinated notes, which were originally issued as a part of the Company's Equity Units on November 23, 2015. See Note 9Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.


On July 30, 2018, we amended and restated our unsecured term loan due August 2019. This amended and restated term loan, with $300 million outstanding at September 30, 2018, will now mature July 30, 2020 and has substantially similar terms and covenants as the amended and restated Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 9 for more information.

On November 1, 2018, we completed settlement of the stock purchase contracts that are components of the Equity Units issued
November 23, 2015. Upon settlement of all outstanding stock purchase obligations, the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $299 million in exchange for approximately 6.372 million shares of common stock. See Note 10 for more information.

On August 4, 2017, we renewed the ATM equity offering program which reset the size of the ATM equity offering program to an aggregate value of up to $300 million. We did not issue any shares of common stock under our ATM equity offering program for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Future Financing Plans

Evaluating refinancing options for our $200 million senior notes due July 15, 2020 and the $300 million senior notes due July 30, 2020.



Dividend Restrictions

As a utility holding company which owns several regulated utilities, we are subject to various regulations that could influence our liquidity. Our utilities in Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska andCovenants within Wyoming have regulatory agreements in which they cannot pay dividends if they have issued debt to third parties and the payment of a dividend would reduce their equity ratio to below 40% of their total capitalization; and neither Black Hills Utility Holdings nor its subsidiaries can extend credit to the Company except in the ordinary course of business and upon reasonable terms consistent with market terms. The use of our utility assets as collateral generally requires the prior approval of the state regulators in the state in which the utility assets are located. Additionally, our utility subsidiaries may generally be limited to the amount of dividends allowed by state regulatory authorities to be paid to us as a utility holding company and also may have further restrictions under the Federal Power Act. As a result of our holding company structure, our right as a common shareholder to receive assets of any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is junior to the claims against the assets of such subsidiaries by their creditors. Therefore, our holding company debt obligations are effectively subordinated to all existing and future claims of the creditors of our subsidiaries, including trade creditors, debt holders, secured creditors, taxing authorities, and guarantee holders. As of September 30, 2018, the restricted net assets at our Electric Utilities and Gas Utilities were approximately $257 million.
Our credit facilities and other debt obligations contain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends upon a default or event of default. An event of default would be deemed to have occurred if we did not meet certain financial covenants. The only financial covenant under our Revolving Credit Facility and existing term loan is a Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio, which requires us to maintain a Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio not to exceed 0.65 to 1.00 at the end of any fiscal quarter. Our Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio is calculated by dividing (i) Consolidated Indebtedness (which includes letters of credit and certain guarantees issued but excludes the RSNs), by (ii) Capital, which is Consolidated Indebtedness plus Consolidated Net Worth (which excludes noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries and includes the aggregate outstanding amount of the RSNs or, with respect to the calculation as of September 30, 2018 only, the amount receivable by the Company in connection with the common stock settlement under the purchase contracts which are part of the Equity Units). Additionally, covenants within Cheyenne Light’sElectric’s financing agreements require Cheyenne LightWyoming Electric to maintain a debt to capitalization ratio of no more than 0.60 to 1.00. As of September 30, 2018,2019, we were in compliance with these covenants.
ThereFinancing Activities

Financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 consisted of the following:

We issued a total of 1,328,332 shares of common stock under the ATM equity offering program for proceeds of $99 million, net of $1.0 million in commissions. As of September 30, 2019, there were no shares that were sold, but not settled.

On June 17, 2019, we amended our Corporate term loan due July 30, 2020. This amendment increased total commitments to $400 million from $300 million, extended the term through June 17, 2021 and continues to have been no other material changessubstantially similar terms and covenants as the amended and restated Revolving Credit Facility. The net proceeds were used to pay down short-term debt. Proceeds from the October 3, 2019 debt transaction were used to repay this term loan.

Short-term borrowings from our CP Program and Revolver.

On October 3, 2019, we completed a public debt offering of $700 million principal amount in senior unsecured notes. The debt offering consisted of $400 million of 3.05% 10-year senior notes due October 15, 2029 and $300 million of 3.875% 30-year senior notes due October 15, 2049. Proceeds were used to repay the $400 million Corporate term loan due June 17, 2021, retire the $200 million 5.875% senior notes due July 15, 2020, repay a portion of short-term debt.

Future Financing Plans

We will continue to assess debt and equity needs to support our financing transactions and short-term liquidity from those reported in Item 7 of our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.capital expenditure plan.


Credit Ratings


Financing for operational needs and capital expenditure requirements not satisfied by operating cash flows depends upon the cost and availability of external funds through both short and long-term financing. The inability to raise capital on favorable terms could negatively affect our ability to maintain or expand our businesses. Access to funds is dependent upon factors such as general economic and capital market conditions, regulatory authorizations and policies, the Company’s credit ratings, cash flows from routine operations and the credit ratings of counterparties. After assessing the current operating performance, liquidity and the credit ratings of the Company, management believes that the Company will have access to the capital markets at prevailing market rates for companies with comparable credit ratings. BHC notes that credit ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.


The following table represents the credit ratings and outlook and risk profile of BHC at September 30, 2018:2019:
Rating AgencySenior Unsecured RatingOutlook
S&P (a)
BBB+Stable
Moody’s (b)
Baa2Stable
Fitch (c)
  BBB+Stable
__________
(a)On August 9, 2018,February 28, 2019, S&P upgraded toaffirmed our BBB+ rating and revised the outlook to Stable.maintained a Stable outlook.
(b)On December 12, 2017,2018, Moody’s affirmed our Baa2 rating and maintained a Stable outlook.
(c)On October 11, 2018,August 29, 2019, Fitch affirmed our BBB+ rating and maintained a Stable outlook.





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Table of Contents

The following table represents the credit ratings of South Dakota Electric at September 30, 2018:

2019:
Rating AgencySenior Secured Rating
S&P (a)
A
Moody’s(b)
A1
Fitch (b)(c)
A
__________
(a)On August 9, 2018,April 30, 2019, S&P upgraded toaffirmed A rating.
(b)On July 19, 2018,October 15, 2019, Moody’s affirmed A1 rating.
(c)On August 29, 2019, Fitch affirmed A rating.


Capital Requirements


Capital Expenditures

Actual and forecasted capital requirements are as follows (in thousands):
Expenditures for the Total Total TotalActualPlanned
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (a)
 
2018 Planned
Expenditures (b)
 
2019 Planned
Expenditures
 
2020 Planned
Expenditures
Electric Utilities$105,295
 $141,000
 $192,000
 $165,000
Capital Expenditures by Segment
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 (a)
2019 (b)
2020202120222023
(in millions) 
Electric Utilities (c)
$147
$215
$229
$203
$170
$137
Gas Utilities (c)
172,599
 270,000
 374,000
 273,000
367
490
361
297
274
303
Power Generation (d)
4,350
 46,000
 60,000
 9,000
Power Generation79
84
7
9
11
6
Mining11,982
 19,000
 8,000
 7,000
6
8
8
12
9
9
Corporate and Other8,426
 12,000
 17,000
 21,000
15
23
18
22
11
12
$302,652
 $488,000
 $651,000
 $475,000
$614
$820
$623
$543
$475
$467
__________
(a)    Expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 include the impact of accruals for property, plant and equipment.
(b)    Includes actual capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.2019.
(c)    Planned capital expenditures increased for 2018, 2019 and 2020 increasedthrough 2023 primarily due to higherincreased programmatic safety, reliability and integrity spending.
(d)    Planned capital expenditures for 2018 increased due to purchase of AltaGas’s interest in Busch Ranch I.


We continue to evaluate potential future acquisitions and other growth opportunities when they arise. As a result, capital expenditures may vary significantly from the estimates identified above.


Contractual Obligations


There have been no significant changes in contractual obligations from those previously disclosed in Note 19 of our Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.10-K except for the items described in Notes 8, 16, and 20 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


Guarantees

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

There have been no significant changes to guaranteesoff-balance sheet commitments from those previously disclosed in Item 7 of our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC except for the items described in Note 208 of the Notes to theCondensed Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2017 Annualthis Quarterly Report on Form 10-K.10-Q.


New Accounting Pronouncements


Other than the pronouncements reported in our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and those discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there have been no new accounting pronouncements that are expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.



57





FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION


This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements as defined by the SEC. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation those statements that are identified by the words “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts” and similar expressions, and include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. From time to time, the Company may publish or otherwise make available forward-looking statements of this nature, including statements contained within Item 2 - Management’s Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.


Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. The Company’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Company’s records and other data available from third parties. Nonetheless, the Company’s expectations, beliefs or projections may not be achieved or accomplished.


Any forward-looking statement contained in this document speaks only as of the date the statement was made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which the statement was made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of the factors, nor can it assess the effect of each factor on the Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. All forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are expressly qualified by the risk factors and cautionary statements described in our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K including statements contained within Item 1A - Risk Factors of our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other reports that we file with the SEC from time to time.


ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


Information regarding our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk is disclosed in Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, there were no material changes to our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk.

Utilities

Our utility customers are exposed to natural gas price volatility. Therefore, as allowed or required by state utility commissions, we have entered into commission-approved hedging programs utilizing natural gas futures, options and basis swaps to reduce our customers’ underlying exposure to these fluctuations. We also reduce the commodity price risk in the unregulated area of our business by using over-the-counter and exchange traded options and swaps with counterparties in anticipation of forecasted purchases and/or sales. The fair value of our utilities’ derivative contracts is summarized below (in thousands) as of:
 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
Net derivative (liabilities) assets$(1,869) $(6,644) $(6,541)
Cash collateral offset in Derivatives4,308
 7,694
 5,452
Cash collateral included in Other current assets4,677
 562
 2,841
Net asset (liability) position$7,116
 $1,612
 $1,752

Financing Activities

Historically, we have entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to reduce our exposure to interest rate fluctuations associated with our floating rate debt obligations and anticipated debt refinancings. At September 30, 2018, December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, we had no outstanding interest rate swap agreements.



ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of September 30, 2018.2019. Based on their evaluation, they have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at September 30, 2018.2019.


Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Security Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting


During the quarter ended September 30, 2018,2019, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.





58



BLACK HILLS CORPORATION


Part II — Other Information




ITEM 1.Legal Proceedings


For information regarding legal proceedings, see Note 19 in Item 8 of our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 1716 in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which information from Note 1716 is incorporated by reference into this item.


ITEM 1A.Risk Factors

There are no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of Part I in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

ITEM 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

There were no unregistered securities sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

ITEM 4.Mine Safety Disclosures


Information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Sections 1503(a) of Dodd-Frank is included in Exhibit 95 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


ITEM 5.Other Information

None.


ITEM 6.Exhibits


Exhibit NumberDescription
  
Exhibit 3.1*
  
Exhibit 3.2*
  
Exhibit 4.1*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Exhibit 4.2*
 
 
 

59



  
Exhibit 4.3*
 
 
  
Exhibit 4.4*

Exhibit 4.5*
Exhibit 4.6*
  
Exhibit 10.1*10.1
Exhibit 10.2*
  
Exhibit 31.1
  
Exhibit 31.2
  
Exhibit 32.1
  
Exhibit 32.2
  
Exhibit 95
  
101.INSXBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101Financial Statements for XBRL Format.101)
__________
*Previously filed as part of the filing indicated and incorporated by reference herein.



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SIGNATURES




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


BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
  /s/ DavidLinden R. EmeryEvans
  DavidLinden R. Emery, ChairmanEvans, President and
    Chief Executive Officer
   
  /s/ Richard W. Kinzley
  Richard W. Kinzley, Senior Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer
   
Dated:November 6, 20185, 2019 




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