UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31,June 30, 2016

Commission File Number 1-7850

 

 

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

California 88-0085720
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
5241 Spring Mountain Road 
Post Office Box 98510 
Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-8510
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (702) 876-7237

 

 

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  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “non-accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

 

x

  

Accelerated filer

 

¨

Non-accelerated filer

 

¨

  

Smaller reporting company

 

¨

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

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

Common Stock, $1 Par Value, 47,471,58247,481,930 shares as of April 28,July 29, 2016.

 

 

 


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Thousands of dollars, except par value)

(Unaudited)

 

  MARCH 31,
2016
  DECEMBER 31,
2015
   JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31, 
   2016 2015 
ASSETS      

Utility plant:

      

Gas plant

  $5,961,648   $5,854,917    $6,019,299   $5,854,917  

Less: accumulated depreciation

   (2,110,238 (2,084,007   (2,134,661 (2,084,007

Acquisition adjustments, net

   325   370     280   370  

Construction work in progress

   77,218   119,805     115,218   119,805  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net utility plant

   3,928,953   3,891,085     4,000,136   3,891,085  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Other property and investments

   328,115   313,531     346,057   313,531  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   60,809   35,997     12,126   35,997  

Accounts receivable, net of allowances

   271,314   314,512     263,855   314,512  

Accrued utility revenue

   45,100   74,700     32,500   74,700  

Income taxes receivable, net

   11,926   34,175     37,455   34,175  

Deferred purchased gas costs

   —     3,591     —     3,591  

Prepaids and other current assets

   81,079   95,199     85,826   95,199  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total current assets

   470,228   558,174     431,762   558,174  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Noncurrent assets:

      

Goodwill

   132,774   126,145     144,086   126,145  

Deferred income taxes

   598   428     752   428  

Deferred charges and other assets

   455,340   469,322     444,047   469,322  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total noncurrent assets

   588,712   595,895     588,885   595,895  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total assets

  $5,316,008   $5,358,685    $5,366,840   $5,358,685  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES      

Capitalization:

      

Common stock, $1 par (authorized - 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding - 47,470,282 and 47,377,575 shares)

  $49,100   $49,007  

Common stock, $1 par (authorized - 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding - 47,476,604 and 47,377,575 shares)

  $49,106   $49,007  

Additional paid-in capital

   898,463   896,448     900,886   896,448  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net

   (48,386 (50,268   (47,195 (50,268

Retained earnings

   753,105   699,221     741,148   699,221  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total Southwest Gas Corporation equity

   1,652,282   1,594,408     1,643,945   1,594,408  

Noncontrolling interest

   (2,099 (2,083   (2,175 (2,083
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total equity

   1,650,183   1,592,325     1,641,770   1,592,325  

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

   15,960   16,108     15,542   16,108  

Long-term debt, less current maturities

   1,388,968   1,551,204     1,427,805   1,551,204  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total capitalization

   3,055,111   3,159,637     3,085,117   3,159,637  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Current liabilities:

      

Current maturities of long-term debt

   48,596   19,475     49,567   19,475  

Short-term debt

   —     18,000     —     18,000  

Accounts payable

   133,884   164,857     132,200   164,857  

Customer deposits

   72,903   72,631     72,814   72,631  

Income taxes payable

   8   940     7   940  

Accrued general taxes

   62,233   47,337     39,337   47,337  

Accrued interest

   21,814   16,173     15,849   16,173  

Deferred purchased gas costs

   100,987   45,601     126,299   45,601  

Other current liabilities

   137,642   150,031     146,648   150,031  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total current liabilities

   578,067   535,045     582,721   535,045  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Deferred income taxes and other credits:

      

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

   789,961   769,445     817,855   769,445  

Accumulated removal costs

   304,000   303,000     306,000   303,000  

Other deferred credits and other long-term liabilities

   588,869   591,558     575,147   591,558  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total deferred income taxes and other credits

   1,682,830   1,664,003     1,699,002   1,664,003  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total capitalization and liabilities

  $5,316,008   $5,358,685    $5,366,840   $5,358,685  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

2


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 
  THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
 TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
  JUNE 30, JUNE 30, JUNE 30, 
  2016 2015 2016 2015  2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 

Operating revenues:

           

Gas operating revenues

  $525,100   $553,115   $1,426,624   $1,448,709   $255,648   $286,643   $780,748   $839,758   $1,395,629   $1,463,873  

Construction revenues

   206,148   181,105   1,034,029   798,822   292,100   251,961   498,248   433,066   1,074,168   869,109  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total operating revenues

   731,248   734,220   2,460,653   2,247,531   547,748   538,604   1,278,996   1,272,824   2,469,797   2,332,982  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Operating expenses:

           

Net cost of gas sold

   213,600   253,762   523,647   567,741   71,416   109,015   285,016   362,777   486,048   578,771  

Operations and maintenance

   100,797   95,510   398,486   376,834   98,744   99,344   199,541   194,854   397,886   378,558  

Depreciation and amortization

   75,360   67,467   278,004   257,603   72,559   66,955   147,919   134,422   283,608   262,372  

Taxes other than income taxes

   14,013   12,997   50,409   48,793   12,987   12,414   27,000   25,411   50,982   50,242  

Construction expenses

   193,382   174,928   917,235   709,586   263,926   225,829   457,308   400,757   955,332   777,773  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total operating expenses

   597,152   604,664   2,167,781   1,960,557   519,632   513,557   1,116,784   1,118,221   2,173,856   2,047,716  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Operating income

   134,096   129,556   292,872   286,974   28,116   25,047   162,212   154,603   295,941   285,266  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Other income and (expenses):

           

Net interest deductions

   (17,721 (17,977 (71,623 (72,527 (18,221 (17,717 (35,942 (35,694 (72,127 (72,939

Other income (deductions)

   1,721   2,272   2,328   7,767   2,470   162   4,191   2,434   4,636   5,066  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total other income and (expenses)

   (16,000 (15,705 (69,295 (64,760 (15,751 (17,555 (31,751 (33,260 (67,491 (67,873
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Income before income taxes

   118,096   113,851   223,577   222,214   12,365   7,492   130,461   121,343   228,450   217,393  

Income tax expense

   42,741   41,972   80,671   79,884   3,266   2,429   46,007   44,401   81,508   79,627  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net income

   75,355   71,879   142,906   142,330   9,099   5,063   84,454   76,942   146,942   137,766  

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (91 (104 1,126   4   156   114   65   10   1,168   118  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net income attributable to Southwest Gas Corporation

  $75,446   $71,983   $141,780   $142,326   $8,943   $4,949   $84,389   $76,932   $145,774   $137,648  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Basic earnings per share

  $1.59   $1.54   $3.00   $3.06   $0.19   $0.11   $1.78   $1.65   $3.08   $2.95  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

  $1.58   $1.53   $2.98   $3.03   $0.19   $0.10   $1.77   $1.63   $3.06   $2.92  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Dividends declared per share

  $0.450   $0.405   $1.665   $1.500   $0.450   $0.405   $0.900   $0.810   $1.710   $1.540  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Average number of common shares outstanding

   47,437   46,612   47,196   46,537   47,473   46,869   47,455   46,741   47,347   46,628  

Average shares outstanding (assuming dilution)

   47,763   47,036   47,562   46,986   47,811   47,290   47,787   47,164   47,693   47,070  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

3


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

 THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 
  THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
 TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
  JUNE 30, JUNE 30, JUNE 30, 
  2016 2015 2016 2015  2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 

Net income

  $75,355   $71,879   $142,906   $142,330   $9,099   $5,063   $84,454   $76,942   $146,942   $137,766  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

           

Defined benefit pension plans:

           

Net actuarial gain (loss)

   —      —     (18,922 (107,661  —      —      —      —     (18,922 (107,661

Amortization of prior service cost

   207   206   829   371   207   208   414   414   828   524  

Amortization of net actuarial loss

   4,196   5,330   20,182   16,330   4,194   5,328   8,390   10,658   19,048   17,992  

Prior service cost

   —      —      —     (4,130  —      —      —      —      —     (4,130

Regulatory adjustment

   (3,796 (4,828 (2,468 85,373   (3,796 (4,828 (7,592 (9,656 (1,436 83,755  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net defined benefit pension plans

   607   708   (379 (9,717 605   708   1,212   1,416   (482 (9,520
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Forward-starting interest rate swaps:

           

Amounts reclassified into net income

   519   519   2,073   2,074   519   518   1,038   1,037   2,074   2,073  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net forward-starting interest rate swaps

   519   519   2,073   2,074   519   518   1,038   1,037   2,074   2,073  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   782   (1,272 100   (1,931 70   209   852   (1,063 (39 (1,722
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

   1,908   (45 1,794   (9,574 1,194   1,435   3,102   1,390   1,553   (9,169
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Comprehensive income

   77,263   71,834   144,700   132,756   10,293   6,498   87,556   78,332   148,495   128,597  

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (65 (147 1,129   (61 159   122   94   (25 1,166   61  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Southwest Gas Corporation

  $77,328   $71,981   $143,571   $132,817   $10,134   $6,376   $87,462   $78,357   $147,329   $128,536  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

4


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

  SIX MONTHS ENDED TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 
  THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31
 TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31
   JUNE 30 JUNE 30 
  2016 2015 2016 2015   2016 2015 2016 2015 

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

          

Net income

  $75,355   $71,879   $142,906   $142,330    $84,454   $76,942   $146,942   $137,766  

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

          

Depreciation and amortization

   75,360   67,467   278,004   257,603     147,919   134,422   283,608   262,372  

Deferred income taxes

   18,931   7,584   60,132   58,201     45,916   3,896   90,805   43,712  

Changes in current assets and liabilities:

          

Accounts receivable, net of allowances

   45,525   (31,850 37,525   (49,491   52,907   6,018   7,039   (33,662

Accrued utility revenue

   29,600   29,500   (700 (300   42,200   42,100   (700 (200

Deferred purchased gas costs

   58,977   59,423   129,120   47,063     84,289   111,021   102,834   103,906  

Accounts payable

   (35,126 (49,173 10,556   (24,031   (33,358 (38,471 1,622   11,704  

Accrued taxes

   36,298   49,782   (21,889 2,809     (12,121 7,614   (28,140 (1,158

Other current assets and liabilities

   6,776   31,548   (6,472 18,405     5,793   5,163   18,930   (17,696

Gains on sale

   (1,333 (1,526 (2,909 (5,268   (2,742 (2,563 (3,281 (4,597

Changes in undistributed stock compensation

   1,394   462   3,846   5,674     3,514   1,512   4,916   5,719  

AFUDC

   (532 (396 (3,144 (1,893   (1,282 (1,133 (3,157 (2,104

Changes in other assets and deferred charges

   (291 (13,336 (1,121 (23,934   223   (15,239 1,296   (21,821

Changes in other liabilities and deferred credits

   1,719   876   11,706   (500   (2,502 2,954   5,407   (729
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   312,653   222,240   637,560   426,668     415,210   334,236   628,121   483,212  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

          

Construction expenditures and property additions

   (112,561 (90,391 (510,170 (410,397   (264,872 (203,640 (549,232 (425,094

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

   —     (9,261  —     (199,758   (17,000 (9,261 (17,000 (199,758

Restricted cash

   —      —     785   1,233     —     785    —     18,667  

Changes in customer advances

   3,661   5,446   16,515   21,704     2,152   9,689   10,763   21,105  

Miscellaneous inflows

   1,126   2,835   6,645   10,853     4,126   4,892   7,588   9,443  

Miscellaneous outflows

   —      —      —     (1,400   —      —      —     (1,400
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   (107,774 (91,371 (486,225 (577,765   (275,594 (197,535 (547,881 (577,037
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

          

Issuance of common stock, net

   401   8,791   27,006   9,089     487   20,713   15,170   20,881  

Dividends paid

   (19,220 (17,023 (76,445 (67,955   (40,583 (36,001 (78,830 (69,960

Centuri distribution to redeemable noncontrolling interest

   (99  —     (198  —       (99  —     (198  —    

Issuance of long-term debt, net

   49,375   50,295   134,896   318,498     96,128   93,165   138,779   344,674  

Retirement of long-term debt

   (42,312 (18,082 (212,203 (153,456   (52,966 (78,409 (162,530 (206,848

Change in credit facility and commercial paper

   (150,000 (150,000  —      —       (147,500 (120,000 (27,500 30,000  

Change in short-term debt

   (18,000 (5,000  —      —       (18,000 (5,000  —      —    

Principal payments on capital lease obligations

   (313 (386 (1,347 (820   (835 (722 (1,533 (1,156

Other

   142   (329 512   (1,066   (124 (534 451   (1,319
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   (180,026 (131,734 (127,779 104,290     (163,492 (126,788 (116,191 116,272  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Effects of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents

   (41 (688 (760 (546   5   (570 (832 (428
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Change in cash and cash equivalents

   24,812   (1,553 22,796   (47,353   (23,871 9,343   (36,783 22,019  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   35,997   39,566   38,013   85,366     35,997   39,566   48,909   26,890  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $60,809   $38,013   $60,809   $38,013    $12,126   $48,909   $12,126   $48,909  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Supplemental information:

          

Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized

  $10,593   $10,497   $66,719   $65,575    $33,224   $34,213   $65,634   $67,978  

Income taxes paid

   2,136   2,101   43,260   26,110     4,737   28,479   19,483   40,480  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

5


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

Note 1 – Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Operations. Southwest Gas Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) consist of two segments: natural gas operations (“Southwest” or the “natural gas operations” segment) and construction services. Southwest is engaged in the business of purchasing, distributing, and transporting natural gas for customers in portions of Arizona, Nevada, and California. Public utility rates, practices, facilities, and service territories of Southwest are subject to regulatory oversight. The timing and amount of rate relief can materially impact results of operations. Natural gas purchases and the timing of related recoveries can materially impact liquidity. Results for the natural gas operations segment are higher during winter periods due to the seasonality incorporated in its regulatory rate structures. Centuri Construction Group, Inc. (“Centuri” or the “construction services” segment), a 96.6% owned subsidiary, is a full-service underground piping contractor that primarily provides utility companies with trenching and installation, replacement, and maintenance services for energy distribution systems, and industrial construction solutions. Centuri operations are generally conducted under the business names of NPL Construction Co. (“NPL”), NPL Canada Ltd. (“NPL Canada”, formerly Link-Line Contractors Ltd. (“Link-Line”), W.S. Nicholls Construction, Inc. and related companies (“W.S. Nicholls”), and Brigadier Pipelines Inc. (“Brigadier”). The Company acquired Link-Line,the businesses associated with NPL Canada, W.S. Nicholls, and Brigadier in October 2014. In May 2016, the Link-Line name was changed to NPL Canada Ltd.Centuri acquired two privately held, affiliated construction businesses: Enterprise Trenchless Technologies, Inc. and ETTI Holdings (collectively, “ETTI”). SeeAcquisition of Construction Services Businessesbelow for more information. Typically, Centuri revenues are lowest during the first quarter of the year due to unfavorable winter weather conditions. Operating revenues typically improve as more favorable weather conditions occur during the summer and fall months.

Basis of Presentation. The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items and estimates necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods, have been made. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference into the 2015 Form 10-K.10-K, and the first quarter 2016 Form 10-Q.

Prepaids and other current assets. Prepaids and other current assets includes gas pipe materials and operating supplies of $27$29 million at March 31,June 30, 2016 and $24 million at December 31, 2015 (carried at weighted average cost), and also includes natural gas stored underground and liquefied natural gas, in addition to prepaid assets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. For purposes of reporting consolidated cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and financial instruments with a purchase-date maturity of three months or less. In general, cash and cash equivalents fall within Level 1 (quoted prices for identical financial instruments) of the three-level fair value hierarchy that ranks the inputs, used to measure fair value, by their reliability. However, cash and cash equivalents at March 31,June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 also include two money market fund investments totaling approximately $11.3 million$270,000 and $250,000, respectively, which fall within Level 2 (significant other observable inputs) of the fair value hierarchy, due to the asset valuation methods used by money market funds.

Significant non-cash investing and financing activities for the natural gas operations segment included the following: Upon contract expiration, customer advances of approximately $900,000$2.5 million and $700,000,$2 million, during the first threesix months of 2016 and 2015, respectively, were applied as contributions toward utility construction activity and represent non-cash investing activity. In addition, approximately $2.3 million in proceeds from common stock sales during March 2015 associated with the Equity Shelf Program (seeNote 5 – Common Stock)were received after March 31, 2015 and represented a non-cash financing activity in the prior year.

 

6


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

Goodwill. Goodwill is assessed each October for impairment (required annually by U.S. GAAP), or otherwise, if circumstances indicate impairment to the carrying value of goodwill may have occurred. No such circumstances indicating impairment waswere deemed to have occurred in the first threesix months of 2016. The business acquisition of ETTI was deemed an asset purchase for tax purposes. As a result, approximately $11 million in goodwill associated with ETTI is expected to be tax deductible.

 

(In thousands of dollars)  Natural Gas
Operations
   Construction
Services
   Consolidated   Natural Gas
Operations
   Construction
Services
   Consolidated 

December 31, 2015

  $10,095    $116,050    $126,145    $10,095    $116,050    $126,145  

Additional goodwill from ETTI acquisition

   —       10,726     10,726  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   —       6,629     6,629     —       7,215     7,215  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

March 31, 2016

  $10,095    $122,679    $132,774  

June 30, 2016

  $10,095    $133,991    $144,086  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Acquisition of Construction Services Businesses.In May 2016, Centuri completed the acquisition of ETTI, which is based in Lisbon Falls, Maine, and has a primary focus on underground utility installation using horizontal directional drilling technology. The acquisition of ETTI will provide complimentary operational support to Brigadier and expand operations into Maine. Neither the acquisition itself nor the impacts to assets and operations are material to the construction services segment or the Company.

Assets acquired in the transaction were recorded at their acquisition date fair values. The final purchase accounting has not yet been completed. Further refinement could occur; however, no material changes are expected. The preliminary estimated fair values of assets acquired as of May 6, 2016, the acquisition date, are as follows (in millions of dollars):

   Acquisition
Date
 

Property, plant and equipment

  $4.3  

Intangible assets

   2.9  

Goodwill

   10.7  
  

 

 

 

Total assets acquired

  $17.9  
  

 

 

 

The purchase price consisted of $17 million in cash on the acquisition date with the remaining amount being deferred over four years.

Intercompany Transactions. Centuri recognizes revenues generated from contracts with Southwest (seeNote 3 -Segment Information below). Centuri’s accounts receivable for these services are presented in the table below (thousands of dollars):

 

   March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015 

Centuri accounts receivable for services provided to Southwest

  $11,089    $10,006  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 

Centuri accounts receivable for services provided to Southwest

  $12,819    $10,006  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accounts receivable balance, revenues, and associated profits are included in the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company and were not eliminated during consolidation in accordance with accounting treatment for rate-regulated entities.

7


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

Other Property and Investments.Other property and investments includes (millions(thousands of dollars):

 

  March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 

Centuri property and equipment

  $433    $423    $458,031    $423,369  

Centuri accumulated provision for depreciation and amortization

   (216   (221   (225,539   (221,028

Net cash surrender value of COLI policies

   100     99     102,233     99,276  

Other property

   11     13     11,332     11,914  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $328    $314    $346,057    $313,531  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Other Income (Deductions).The following table provides the composition of significant items included in Other income (deductions) in the condensed consolidated statements of income (thousands of dollars):

 

  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended   Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
  March 31   March 31   June 30 June 30 June 30 
  2016   2015   2016   2015   2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 

Change in COLI policies

  $900    $1,300    $(900  $5,700    $2,200   $—     $3,100   $1,300   $1,300   $3,400  

Interest income

   367     590     1,950     2,695     391   161   758   751   2,180   2,244  

Equity AFUDC

   532     396     3,144     1,894     750   737   1,282   1,133   3,157   2,104  

Foreign transaction gain (loss)

   (10   (327   (507   (505   (9 (245 (19 (572 (271 (750

Miscellaneous income and (expense)

   (68   313     (1,359   (2,017   (862 (491 (930 (178 (1,730 (1,932
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total other income (deductions)

  $1,721    $2,272    $2,328    $7,767    $2,470   $162   $4,191   $2,434   $4,636   $5,066  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Included in the table above is the change in cash surrender values of company-owned life insurance (“COLI”) policies (including net death benefits recognized). These life insurance policies on members of management and other key employees are used by Southwest to indemnify itself against the loss of talent, expertise, and knowledge, as well as to provide indirect funding for certain nonqualified benefit plans. Current tax regulations provide for tax-free treatment of life insurance (death benefit) proceeds. Therefore, changes in the cash surrender values of COLI policies, as they progress towards the ultimate death benefits, are also recorded without tax consequences.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Updates. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued the update “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The update replaces much of the current guidance regarding revenue recognition including most industry-specific guidance. In accordance with the update, an entity will be required to identify the contract with athe customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. In addition to the new revenue

7


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
March 31, 2016

recognition requirements, entities will be required to disclose sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Entities may choose between two retrospective transition methods when applying the update. In July 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date (annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017) and permitted entities to adopt one year earlier (i.e., the original effective date) if they choose. In March, April, and May of 2016, the FASB issued the updates “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)”, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”, and “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients”. The amendments in the first two updates, respectively, provide guidance when another party, along with the entity, is involved in providing a good or service to a customer, and clarification of identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance in Topic 606. The third update includes narrow-scope improvements to the guidance on collectability, noncash consideration, and completed contracts at transition. In addition, a practical expedient is provided for contract modifications at transition and an accounting policy election related to the presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers. The collective amendments do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606. The Company plans to adopt the updateall of these updates at the required adoption date, which is for interim and annual reporting periods commencing January 1, 2018. The Company is evaluating what impact this updatethese updates might have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

8


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

In August 2014, the FASB issued the update “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” which requires management to assess a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. Under the update, disclosures are required when conditions give rise to substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the financial statement issuance date. The update is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and all annual and interim periods thereafter. This update and changes thereto are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s disclosures.

In January 2016, the FASB issued the update “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” in order to improve the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. The update makes targeted improvements to existing U.S. GAAP by: 1) requiring equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; 2) requiring the use of the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; 3) requiring separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; 4) eliminating the requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; and 5) requiring a reporting entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the organization has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. All entities can early adopt the provision to record fair value changes for financial liabilities under the fair value option resulting from instrument-specific credit risk in other comprehensive income. The Company is evaluating what impact, if any, this update might have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued the update “Leases (Topic 842)”. Under the update, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date:

 

A lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and

 

A right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.

Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Certain targeted improvements were made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Though companies have historically been required to make disclosures regarding leases and of contractual obligations, leases (with terms longer than a year) will no longer exist off-balance sheet. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. Early application is permitted. The Company plans to adopt the update at the required adoption date, which is for interim and annual reporting periods commencing January 1, 2019. The Company is evaluating what impact this update might have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued the update “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)”. The amendments relate to when another party, along with the entity, is involved in providing a good or service to a customer. Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers requires an entity to determine whether the nature of its promise is to provide that good or service to the

8


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
March 31, 2016

customer (i.e., the entity is a principal) or to arrange for the good or service to be provided to the customer by the other party (i.e., the entity is an agent). The amendments are intended to improve the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. The effective date and transition of these amendments is the same as the effective date and transition of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The Company plans to adopt the update at the required adoption date, which is for interim and annual reporting periods commencing January 1, 2018. The Company is evaluating what impact this update might have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued the update “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. The amendments are intended to improve the accounting for employee share-based payments and affect all organizations that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. The update requires the recording of all of the tax effects related to share-based payments at settlement (or expiration) through the income statement. Currently, tax benefits in excess of compensation cost (“windfalls”) are recorded in equity, and tax deficiencies (“shortfalls”) are recorded in equity to the extent of previous windfalls, and then recorded in the income statement. While the simplification will reduce some of the administrative complexities by eliminating the need to track a “windfall pool,” it will increase the volatility of income tax expense. The update also allows entities to withhold shares for the employee tax burden up to the employees’ maximum individual tax rate in the relevant jurisdiction without resulting in a liability classification of the award (currently such withholding is limited to the employer’s minimum statutory withholding). The update clarifies that all cash payments made to taxing authorities on the employees’ behalf for withheld shares should be presented as financing activities on the statement of cash

9


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

flows. Also, the update requires all tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments be reported as operating activities on the statement of cash flows, a change from the current requirement to present windfall tax benefits as an inflow from financing activities and an outflow from operating activities. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company issues share-based payment awards to its employees and is evaluating the impacts this update might have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In AprilJune 2016, the FASB issued the update “Revenue from Contracts with Customers“Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 606)326): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. The update clarifiesamends guidance on reporting credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost basis, the following aspectsupdate eliminates the “probable” threshold for initial recognition of Topic 606: (a) identifying performance obligations;credit losses in current U.S. GAAP and, (b)instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the licensing implementation guidance. The amendments do not change the core principleamortized cost basis of the guidancefinancial asset to present the net amount expected to be collected. For available for sale debt securities, credit losses should be measured in Topic 606. Entitiesa manner similar to current U.S. GAAP, however the update will require that credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down. This update affects entities holding financial assets and net investment in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The update affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. All entities may choose between two retrospective transition methods when applying the update. The Company plans to adopt the amendments in this update atearlier as of the required adoption date, which is forfiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim and annual reporting periods commencing January 1, 2018. The transition methods and the adoption date are the same aswithin those disclosed for the May 2014 Topic 606 update noted above.fiscal years. The Company is evaluating what impact, if any, this update might have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

910


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

Note 2 – Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

Southwest has a noncontributory qualified retirement plan with defined benefits covering substantially all employees and a separate unfunded supplemental retirement plan (“SERP”) which is limited to officers. Southwest also provides postretirement benefits other than pensions (“PBOP”) to its qualified retirees for health care, dental, and life insurance.

Net periodic benefit costs included in the table below are components of an overhead loading process associated with the cost of labor. The overhead process ultimately results in allocation of net periodic benefit costs to the same accounts to which productive labor is charged. As a result, net periodic benefit costs become components of various accounts, primarily operations and maintenance expense, net utility plant, and deferred charges and other assets.

 

  Qualified Retirement Plan   Qualified Retirement Plan 
  Period Ended March 31,   Period Ended June 30, 
  Three Months   Twelve Months   Three Months Six Months Twelve Months 
  2016   2015   2016   2015   2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 

(Thousands of dollars)

                      

Service cost

  $5,709    $6,280    $24,552    $22,300    $5,708   $6,281   $11,417   $12,561   $23,979   $23,241  

Interest cost

   11,506     11,058     44,677     43,637     11,507   11,057   23,013   22,115   45,127   43,834  

Expected return on plan assets

   (14,140   (14,452   (57,496   (54,458   (14,139 (14,452 (28,279 (28,904 (57,183 (55,575

Amortization of net actuarial loss

   6,317     8,185     30,875     25,340     6,316   8,186   12,633   16,371   29,005   27,808  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

  $9,392    $11,071    $42,608    $36,819    $9,392   $11,072   $18,784   $22,143   $40,928   $39,308  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
  SERP   SERP 
  Period Ended March 31,   Period Ended June 30, 
  Three Months   Twelve Months   Three Months Six Months Twelve Months 
  2016   2015   2016   2015   2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 

(Thousands of dollars)

                      

Service cost

  $82    $80    $322    $299    $83   $80   $165   $160   $325   $306  

Interest cost

   465     423     1,737     1,732     465   424   930   847   1,778   1,720  

Amortization of net actuarial loss

   346     324     1,315     911     346   323   692   647   1,338   1,038  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

  $893    $827    $3,374    $2,942    $894   $827   $1,787   $1,654   $3,441   $3,064  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
  PBOP   PBOP 
  Period Ended March 31,   Period Ended June 30, 
  Three Months   Twelve Months   Three Months Six Months Twelve Months 
  2016   2015   2016   2015   2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 

(Thousands of dollars)

                      

Service cost

  $374    $411    $1,604    $1,236    $375   $410   $749   $821   $1,569   $1,371  

Interest cost

   796     749     3,046     2,871     795   750   1,591   1,499   3,091   2,913  

Expected return on plan assets

   (788   (866   (3,386   (3,314   (787 (866 (1,575 (1,732 (3,307 (3,364

Amortization of prior service costs

   334     333     1,336     599     334   334   668   667   1,336   845  

Amortization of net actuarial loss

   104     87     362     87     104   86   208   173   380   173  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

  $820    $714    $2,962    $1,479    $821   $714   $1,641   $1,428   $3,069   $1,938  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

1011


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

Note 3 – Segment Information

The following tables present revenues from external customers, intersegment revenues, and segment net income (thousands of dollars):

 

  Natural Gas   Construction       Natural Gas   Construction     
  Operations   Services   Total   Operations   Services   Total 

Three months ended March 31, 2016

      

Three months ended June 30, 2016

      

Revenues from external customers

  $525,100    $183,961    $709,061    $255,648    $266,343    $521,991  

Intersegment revenues

   —       22,187     22,187     —       25,757     25,757  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $525,100    $206,148    $731,248    $255,648    $292,100    $547,748  
�� 

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Segment net income (loss)

  $77,583    $(2,137  $75,446  

Segment net income

  $2,358    $6,585    $8,943  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2015

      

Three months ended June 30, 2015

      

Revenues from external customers

  $553,115    $161,089    $714,204    $286,643    $229,112    $515,755  

Intersegment revenues

   —       20,016     20,016     —       22,849     22,849  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $553,115    $181,105    $734,220    $286,643    $251,961    $538,604  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Segment net income (loss)

  $78,921    $(6,938  $71,983    $(657  $5,606    $4,949  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  Natural Gas   Construction       Natural Gas   Construction     
  Operations   Services   Total   Operations   Services   Total 

Twelve months ended March 31, 2016

      

Six months ended June 30, 2016

      

Revenues from external customers

  $1,426,624    $927,742    $2,354,366    $780,748    $450,304    $1,231,052  

Intersegment revenues

   —       106,287     106,287     —       47,944     47,944  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $1,426,624    $1,034,029    $2,460,653    $780,748    $498,248    $1,278,996  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Segment net income

  $110,287    $31,493    $141,780    $79,941    $4,448    $84,389  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Twelve months ended March 31, 2015

      

Six months ended June 30, 2015

      

Revenues from external customers

  $839,758    $390,201    $1,229,959  

Intersegment revenues

   —       42,865     42,865  
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $839,758    $433,066    $1,272,824  
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Segment net income (loss)

  $78,264    $(1,332  $76,932  
  

 

   

 

   

 

 
  Natural Gas   Construction     
  Operations   Services   Total 

Twelve months ended June 30, 2016

      

Revenues from external customers

  $1,448,709    $710,368    $2,159,077    $1,395,629    $964,973    $2,360,602  

Intersegment revenues

   —       88,454     88,454     —       109,195     109,195  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $1,448,709    $798,822    $2,247,531    $1,395,629    $1,074,168    $2,469,797  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Segment net income

  $123,194    $19,132    $142,326    $113,302    $32,472    $145,774  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Twelve months ended June 30, 2015

      

Revenues from external customers

  $1,463,873    $782,514    $2,246,387  

Intersegment revenues

   —       86,595     86,595  
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $1,463,873    $869,109    $2,332,982  
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Segment net income

  $120,739    $16,909    $137,648  
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

1112


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

Note 4 – Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements

Derivatives. In managing its natural gas supply portfolios, Southwest has historically entered into fixed- and variable-price contracts, which qualify as derivatives. Additionally, Southwest utilizes fixed-for-floating swap contracts (“Swaps”) to supplement its fixed-price contracts. The fixed-price contracts, firm commitments to purchase a fixed amount of gas in the future at a fixed price, qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales exception that is allowed for contracts that are probable of delivery in the normal course of business, and are exempt from fair value reporting. The variable-price contracts have no significant market value. The Swaps are recorded at fair value.

The fixed-price contracts and Swaps are utilized by Southwest under its volatility mitigation programs to effectively fix the price on a portion (up to 25% in the Arizona and California jurisdictions) of its natural gas supply portfolios. The maturities of the Swaps highly correlate to forecasted purchases of natural gas, during time frames ranging from AprilJuly 2016 through March 2018. Under such contracts, Southwest pays the counterparty a fixed rate and receives from the counterparty a floating rate per MMBtu (“dekatherm”) of natural gas. Only the net differential is actually paid or received. The differential is calculated based on the notional amounts under the contracts, which are detailed in the table below (thousands of dekatherms):

 

   March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015 

Contract notional amounts

   8,076     7,407  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 

Contract notional amounts

   11,220     7,407  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Southwest does not utilize derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes, nor does it have trading operations.

The following table sets forth the gains and (losses) recognized on the Company’s Swaps (derivatives) for the three-, six-, and twelve-month periods ended March 31,June 30, 2016 and 2015 and their location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:

Gains (losses) recognized in income for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

(Thousands of dollars)

 

Instrument

  

Location of Gain or (Loss)

Recognized in Income on Derivative

  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
  March 31 March 31 
     Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
  Location of Gain or (Loss)  June 30 June 30 June 30 

Instrument

Location of Gain or (Loss)

Recognized in Income on Derivative

  2016 2015 2016 2015   

Recognized in Income on Derivative

  2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 
  $(1,212 $(2,114 $(6,696 $(10,467  Net cost of gas sold  $5,537   $707   $4,325   $(1,407 $(1,866 $(9,677
   1,212 2,114 6,696 10,467  Net cost of gas sold   (5,537)*  (707)*  (4,325)*  1,407 1,866 9,677
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total

    $—     $—     $—     $—        $—     $—     $—     $—     $—     $—    
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

     

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

*

Represents the impact of regulatory deferral accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP for rate-regulated entities.

No gains (losses) were recognized in net income or other comprehensive income during the periods presented for derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Previously, Southwest entered into two forward-starting interest rate swaps (“FSIRS”), both of which were designated cash flow hedges, to partially hedge the risk of interest rate variability during the period leading up to the planned issuance of debt. The first FSIRS terminated in December 2010. The2010, and the second, FSIRS terminated in March 2012. Losses on both FSIRS are being amortized over ten-year periods from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into interest expense.

 

1213


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

The following table sets forth, the fair values of the Company’s Swaps and their location in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (thousands of dollars):

Fair values of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

March 31, 2016
Instrument

  

Balance Sheet Location

  Asset
Derivatives
   Liability
Derivatives
   Net Total 

June 30, 2016
Instrument

  

Balance Sheet Location

  Asset
Derivatives
   Liability
Derivatives
   Net Total 

Swaps

  

Prepaids and other current assets

  $116    $—      $116    Deferred charges and other assets  $481    $—      $481  

Swaps

  

Other current liabilities

   120     (2,523   (2,403  Prepaids and other current assets   3,100     (13   3,087  

Swaps

  

Other deferred credits

   —       (88   (88  Other current liabilities   133     (380   (247
    

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

    $236    $(2,611  $(2,375    $3,714    $(393  $3,321  
    

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

 

December 31, 2015
Instrument

  

Balance Sheet Location

  Asset
Derivatives
   Liability
Derivatives
   Net Total   

Balance Sheet Location

  Asset
Derivatives
   Liability
Derivatives
   Net Total 

Swaps

  

Other current liabilities

  $—      $(4,267  $(4,267  Other current liabilities  $—      $(4,267  $(4,267

Swaps

  

Other deferred credits

   4     (1,223   (1,219  Other deferred credits   4     (1,223   (1,219
    

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

    $4    $(5,490  $(5,486    $4    $(5,490  $(5,486
    

 

   

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

   

 

 

The estimated fair values of the natural gas derivatives were determined using future natural gas index prices (as more fully described below). The Company has master netting arrangements with each counterparty that provide for the net settlement (in the settlement month) of all contracts through a single payment. As applicable, the Company has elected to reflect the net amounts in its balance sheets. The Company had no outstanding collateral associated with the Swaps during either period shown in the above table.

Pursuant to regulatory deferral accounting treatment for rate-regulated entities, Southwest records the unrealized gains and losses in fair value of the Swaps as a regulatory asset and/or liability. When the Swaps mature, Southwest reverses any prior positions held and records the settled position as an increase or decrease of purchased gas under the related purchased gas adjustment (“PGA”) mechanism in determining its deferred PGA balances. Neither changes in fair value, nor settled amounts, of Swaps have a direct effect on earnings or other comprehensive income.

The following table shows the amounts Southwest paid to counterparties for settlements of matured Swaps.

 

  Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
(Thousands of dollars)  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2016
   Twelve Months Ended
March 31, 2016
   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2016 

Paid to counterparties

  $4,324    $7,891    $159    $4,483    $7,360  
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

No amounts were received from counterparties during either periodany of the periods indicated above.

The following table details the regulatory assets/(liabilities) offsetting the derivatives at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (thousands of dollars).

 

March 31, 2016

Instrument

  

Balance Sheet Location

  Net Total 

June 30, 2016
Instrument

  

Balance Sheet Location

  Net Total 

Swaps

  

Other current liabilities

  $(116  Other deferred credits  $(481

Swaps

  

Prepaids and other current assets

   2,403    Other current liabilities   (3,087

Swaps

  

Deferred charges and other assets

   88    Prepaids and other current assets   247  

December 31, 2015
Instrument

  

Balance Sheet Location

  Net Total 

Swaps

  Prepaids and other current assets  $4,267  

Swaps

  Deferred charges and other assets   1,219  

 

December 31, 2015

Instrument

  

Balance Sheet Location

  Net Total 

Swaps

  

Prepaids and other current assets

  $4,267  

Swaps

  

Deferred charges and other assets

   1,219  

14


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

Fair Value Measurements. The estimated fair values of Southwest’s Swaps were determined at March 31,June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 using New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) futures settlement prices for delivery of natural gas at Henry Hub adjusted by the price of NYMEX ClearPort basis Swaps, which reflect the difference between the price of natural gas at a given delivery basin and the Henry Hub pricing points. These Level 2 inputs (inputs, other than quoted prices, for similar assets or liabilities) are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the Swaps, but have been credit-risk adjusted with no significant impact to the overall fair value measurement.

13


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
March 31, 2016

The following table sets forth, by level within the three-level fair value hierarchy that ranks the inputs used to measure fair value by their reliability, the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value:

Level 2 - Significant other observable inputs

 

(Thousands of dollars)  March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 

Assets at fair value:

        

Prepaids and other current assets - Swaps

  $116    $—      $3,087    $—    

Deferred charges and other assets - Swaps

   481     —    

Liabilities at fair value:

        

Other current liabilities - Swaps

   (2,403   (4,267   (247   (4,267

Other deferred credits - Swaps

   (88   (1,219   —       (1,219
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net Assets (Liabilities)

  $(2,375  $(5,486  $3,321    $(5,486
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

No financial assets or liabilities associated with the Swaps, which were accounted for at fair value, fell within Level 1 (quoted prices in active markets for identical financial assets) or Level 3 (significant unobservable inputs) of the fair value hierarchy.

With regard to the fair values of assets associated with the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans, asset values were last updated as required as of December 2015. Refer to Note 10 – Pension and Other Post Retirement Benefits in the 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K.

Note 5 – Common Stock

On March 10, 2015, the Company filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-202633), which became effective upon filing, for the offer and sale of up to $100,000,000 of the Company’s common stock from time to time in at-the-market offerings under the prospectus included therein and in accordance with the Sales Agency Agreement, dated March 10, 2015, between the Company and BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC (the “Equity Shelf Program”). During the three and six months ending March 31,ended June 30, 2016, the Company sold no shares through the continuous equity offering program. Since the start of the program in March 2015, the Company has sold an aggregate of 645,225 shares of common stock under this program resulting in proceeds to the Company of $35,167,584, net of $355,228 in agent commissions. As of March 31,June 30, 2016, the Company had up to $64,477,188 of common stock available for sale under the program. Net proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock under the Equity Shelf Program are intended for general corporate purposes, including the acquisition of property for the construction, completion, extension or improvement of pipeline systems and facilities located in and around the communities Southwest serves.

In addition, during the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2016, the Company issued approximately 93,00099,000 shares of common stock through the Stock Incentive Plan, Restricted Stock/Unit Plan, and Management Incentive Plan.

15


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

Note 6 – Long-Term Debt

Carrying amounts of the Company’s long-term debt and their related estimated fair values as of March 31,June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are disclosed in the following table. The fair values of the revolving credit facility (including commercial paper) and the variable-rate Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (“IDRBs”) approximate their carrying values, as they are repaid quickly (in the case of credit facility borrowings) and have interest rates that reset frequently. They are categorized as Level 1 (quoted prices for identical financial instruments) within thethree-level fair value hierarchy that ranks the inputs used to measure fair value by their reliability, due to the Company’s ability to access similar debt arrangements at measurement dates with comparable terms, including variable rates. The fair values of debentures, senior notes, and fixed-rate IDRBs were determined utilizing a market-based valuation approach, where fair market values are determined based on evaluated pricing data, such as broker quotes and yields

14


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
March 31, 2016

for similar securities adjusted for observable differences. Significant inputs used in the valuation generally include benchmark yield curves, credit ratings and issuer spreads. The external credit rating, coupon rate, and maturity of each security are considered in the valuation, as applicable. The market values of debentures and fixed-rate IDRBs are categorized as Level 2 (observable market inputs based on market prices of similar securities). The Centuri secured revolving credit and term loan facility and Centuri other debt obligations (not actively traded) are categorized as Level 3, based on significant unobservable inputs to their fair values. Since Centuri’s debt is not publicly traded, fair values for the secured revolving credit and term loan facility and other debt obligations were based on a conventional discounted cash flow methodology and utilized current market pricing yield curves, across Centuri’s debt maturity spectrum, of other industrial bonds with an assumed credit rating comparable to the Company’s.

 

  June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
  March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015   Carrying   Market   Carrying   Market 
  Carrying
Amount
   Market
Value
   Carrying
Amount
   Market
Value
   Amount   Value   Amount   Value 

(Thousands of dollars)

                        

Debentures:

                

Notes, 4.45%, due 2020

  $125,000    $132,708    $125,000    $130,273    $125,000    $132,663    $125,000    $130,273  

Notes, 6.1%, due 2041

   125,000     143,638     125,000     141,581     125,000     164,395     125,000     141,581  

Notes, 3.875%, due 2022

   250,000     265,240     250,000     253,600     250,000     260,813     250,000     253,600  

Notes, 4.875%, due 2043

   250,000     255,485     250,000     251,483     250,000     285,000     250,000     251,483  

8% Series, due 2026

   75,000     97,286     75,000     97,035     75,000     103,201     75,000     97,035  

Medium-term notes, 7.59% series, due 2017

   25,000     26,016     25,000     26,253     25,000     25,649     25,000     26,253  

Medium-term notes, 7.78% series, due 2022

   25,000     30,439     25,000     29,855     25,000��    30,577     25,000     29,855  

Medium-term notes, 7.92% series, due 2027

   25,000     32,188     25,000     31,890     25,000     34,262     25,000     31,890  

Medium-term notes, 6.76% series, due 2027

   7,500     8,762     7,500     8,684     7,500     9,416     7,500     8,684  

Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs

   (6,017     (6,137     (5,894     (6,137  
  

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

   
   901,483       901,363       901,606       901,363    
  

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

   

Revolving credit facility and commercial paper

   —       —       150,000     150,000     2,500     2,500     150,000     150,000  
  

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

   

Industrial development revenue bonds:

                

Variable-rate bonds:

                

Tax-exempt Series A, due 2028

   50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000  

2003 Series A, due 2038

   50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000  

2008 Series A, due 2038

   50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000  

2009 Series A, due 2039

   50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000  

Fixed-rate bonds:

                

4.85% 2005 Series A, due 2035

   100,000     101,410     100,000     100,452     100,000     99,610     100,000     100,452  

4.75% 2006 Series A, due 2036

   24,855     25,084     24,855     25,130     24,855     25,025     24,855     25,130  

Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs

   (3,765     (3,946     (3,584     (3,946  
  

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

   
   321,090       320,909       321,271       320,909    
  

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

   

Centuri term loan facility

   117,556     117,658     112,571     112,665     115,769     115,932     112,571     112,665  

Unamortized debt issuance costs

   (601     (692     (604     (692  
  

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

   
   116,955       111,879       115,165       111,879    
  

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

   

Centuri secured revolving credit facility

   38,885     38,912     60,627     60,724     76,645     76,798     60,627     60,724  

Centuri other debt obligations

   59,151     58,963     25,901     26,059     60,185     62,310     25,901     26,059  
  

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

   
   1,437,564       1,570,679       1,477,372       1,570,679    

Less: current maturities

   (48,596     (19,475     (49,567     (19,475  
  

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

   

Long-term debt, less current maturities

  $1,388,968      $1,551,204      $1,427,805      $1,551,204    
  

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

   

16


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

In March 2016, the Company amended its $300 million credit facility. The facility was previously scheduled to expire in March 2020 and was extended to March 2021. The Company will continue to useuses $150 million of the facility as long-term debt and the remaining $150 million for working capital purposes. Interest rates for the credit facility are calculated at either the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or an “alternate base rate,” plus in each case an applicable margin that is determined based on the Company’s senior unsecured debt rating. At March 31,June 30, 2016, the applicable margin is 1% for loans bearing interest with reference to LIBOR and 0% for loans bearing interest with reference to the alternative base rate. At March 31,June 30, 2016, no borrowings were$2.5 million was outstanding on either the short-term or long-term portionsportion of the credit facility.facility; there were no borrowings outstanding on the short-term portion.

15


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
March 31, 2016

In June 2016, notices were sent to holders of Southwest’s $100 million 2005 4.85% Series A fixed-rate IDRBs (originally due in 2035) that such IDRBs would be redeemed at par plus accrued interest in July 2016. Sufficient borrowing capacity existed on the long-term portion of Southwest’s credit facility, which was used to fund the redemption. Therefore, the IDRBs redeemed in July 2016 continue to be presented as long-term obligations as of June 30, 2016.

Centuri has a $300 million secured revolving credit and term loan facility that is scheduled to expire in October 2019. At March 31,June 30, 2016, $156$192 million in borrowings were outstanding on the Centuri facility. Centuri assets securing the facility at March 31,June 30, 2016 totaled $450$479 million.

In January 2016, Centuri entered into a $40 million equipment loan due in February 2021 under an existing master loan and security agreement.

Note 7 – Equity, Other Comprehensive Income, and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The table below provides details of activity in equity and the redeemable noncontrolling interest during the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2016.

 

 Southwest Gas Corporation Equity        Southwest Gas Corporation Equity       
     Accumulated   Redeemable        Accumulated       Redeemable 
   Additional Other   Non-   Noncontrolling      Additional Other   Non-   Noncontrolling 
 Common Stock Paid-in Comprehensive Retained controlling   Interest  Common Stock Paid-in Comprehensive Retained controlling   Interest 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 Shares Amount Capital Income (Loss) Earnings Interest Total (Temporary Equity)  Shares Amount Capital Income (Loss) Earnings Interest Total (Temporary Equity) 

DECEMBER 31, 2015

 47,377   $49,007   $896,448   $(50,268 $699,221   $(2,083 $1,592,325   $16,108   47,377   $49,007   $896,448   $(50,268 $699,221   $(2,083 $1,592,325   $16,108  

Common stock issuances

 93   93   2,015      2,108    99   99   4,438      4,537   

Net income (loss)

     75,446   (16 75,430   (75     84,389   (92 84,297   157  

Redemption value adjustments

     653    653   (653

Foreign currency exchange translation adj.

    756     756   26      823     823   29  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                

Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during period, less amortization of unamortized benefit plan cost, net of tax

    607     607       1,212     1,212   

Amounts reclassified to net income, net of tax (FSIRS)

    519     519       1,038     1,038   

Centuri distribution to redeemable noncontrolling interest

        (99        (99

Dividends declared

                

Common: $0.45 per share

     (21,562  (21,562 

Common: $0.90 per share

     (43,115  (43,115 
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

MARCH 31, 2016

 47,470   $49,100   $898,463   $(48,386 $753,105   $(2,099 $1,650,183   $15,960  

JUNE 30, 2016

 47,476   $49,106   $900,886   $(47,195 $741,148   $(2,175 $1,641,770   $15,542  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

The following information provides insight into amounts impacting Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), on both beforebefore- and after-tax bases, within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, which also impact Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the associated column in the equity table above, as well as the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest. See Note 4 – Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements for additional information on the FSIRS.

17


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

Related Tax Effects Allocated to Each Component of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Thousands of dollars)

 

  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended 
  June 30, 2016 June 30, 2015 
  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2016
 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015
   Before- Tax Net-of- Before- Tax Net-of- 
  Before-
Tax
Amount
  Tax
(Expense)
or Benefit (1)
  Net-of-
Tax
Amount
  Before-
Tax
Amount
  Tax
(Expense)
or Benefit (1)
  Net-of-
Tax
Amount
   Tax (Expense) Tax Tax (Expense) Tax 
     Amount or Benefit (1) Amount Amount or Benefit (1) Amount 

Defined benefit pension plans:

              

Amortization of prior service cost

  $334   $(127 $207   $333   $(127 $206    $334   $(127 $207   $334   $(126 $208  

Amortization of net actuarial (gain)/loss

   6,767   (2,571 4,196   8,596   (3,266 5,330     6,766   (2,572 4,194   8,595   (3,267 5,328  

Regulatory adjustment

   (6,123 2,327   (3,796 (7,787 2,959   (4,828   (6,123 2,327   (3,796 (7,787 2,959   (4,828
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Pension plans other comprehensive income (loss)

   978   (371 607   1,142   (434 708     977   (372 605   1,142   (434 708  

FSIRS (designated hedging activities):

              

Amounts reclassifed into net income

   836   (317 519   836   (317 519     837   (318 519   836   (318 518  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

FSIRS other comprehensive income

   836   (317 519   836   (317 519     837   (318 519   836   (318 518  

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

              

Translation adjustments

   782    —     782   (1,272  —     (1,272   70    —     70   209    —     209  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Foreign currency other comprehensive income (loss)

   782    —     782   (1,272  —     (1,272   70    —     70   209    —     209  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

  $2,596   $(688 $1,908   $706   $(751 $(45  $1,884   $(690 $1,194   $2,187   $(752 $1,435  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 
  Six Months Ended Six Months Ended 
  June 30, 2016 June 30, 2015 
  Before- Tax Net-of- Before- Tax Net-of- 
  Tax (Expense) Tax Tax (Expense) Tax 
  Amount or Benefit (1) Amount Amount or Benefit (1) Amount 

Defined benefit pension plans:

       

Amortization of prior service cost

  $668   $(254 $414   $667   $(253 $414  

Amortization of net actuarial (gain)/loss

   13,533   (5,143 8,390   17,191   (6,533 10,658  

Regulatory adjustment

   (12,246 4,654   (7,592 (15,574 5,918   (9,656
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Pension plans other comprehensive income (loss)

   1,955   (743 1,212   2,284   (868 1,416  

FSIRS (designated hedging activities):

       

Amounts reclassifed into net income

   1,673   (635 1,038   1,672   (635 1,037  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

FSIRS other comprehensive income

   1,673   (635 1,038   1,672   (635 1,037  

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

       

Translation adjustments

   852    —     852   (1,063  —     (1,063
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Foreign currency other comprehensive income (loss)

   852    —     852   (1,063  —     (1,063
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

  $4,480   $(1,378 $3,102   $2,893   $(1,503 $1,390  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

1618


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

  Twelve Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
 Twelve Months Ended
March 31, 2016
 Twelve Months Ended
March 31, 2015
   June 30, 2016 June 30, 2015 
 Before- Tax Net-of- Before- Tax Net-of-   Before- Tax Net-of- Before- Tax Net-of- 
 Tax (Expense) Tax Tax (Expense) Tax   Tax (Expense) Tax Tax (Expense) Tax 
 Amount or Benefit (1) Amount Amount or Benefit (1) Amount   Amount or Benefit (1) Amount Amount or Benefit (1) Amount 

Defined benefit pension plans:

             

Net actuarial gain/(loss)

 $(30,519 $11,597   $(18,922 $(173,646 $65,985   $(107,661  $(30,519 $11,597   $(18,922 $(173,646 $65,985   $(107,661

Amortization of prior service cost

 1,336   (507 829   599   (228 371     1,336   (508 828   845   (321 524  

Amortization of net actuarial (gain)/loss

 32,552   (12,370 20,182   26,338   (10,008 16,330     30,723   (11,675 19,048   29,019   (11,027 17,992  

Prior service cost

  —      —      —     (6,661 2,531   (4,130   —      —      —     (6,661 2,531   (4,130

Regulatory adjustment

 (3,982 1,514   (2,468 137,699   (52,326 85,373     (2,318 882   (1,436 135,089   (51,334 83,755  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Pension plans other comprehensive income (loss)

 (613 234   (379 (15,671 5,954   (9,717   (778 296   (482 (15,354 5,834   (9,520

FSIRS (designated hedging activities):

             

Amounts reclassifed into net income

 3,344   (1,271 2,073   3,345   (1,271 2,074     3,345   (1,271 2,074   3,344   (1,271 2,073  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

FSIRS other comprehensive income (loss)

 3,344   (1,271 2,073   3,345   (1,271 2,074     3,345   (1,271 2,074   3,344   (1,271 2,073  

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

             

Translation adjustments

 100    —     100   (1,931  —     (1,931   (39  —     (39 (1,722  —     (1,722
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Foreign currency other comprehensive income (loss)

 100    —     100   (1,931  —     (1,931   (39  —     (39 (1,722  —     (1,722
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

 $2,831   $(1,037 $1,794   $(14,257 $4,683   $(9,574  $2,528   $(975 $1,553   $(13,732 $4,563   $(9,169
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

(1)

Tax amounts are calculated using a 38% rate. The Company has elected to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of Centuri’s Canadian subsidiaries in Canada, thus preventing deferred taxes on such earnings. As a result of this assertion, the Company is not recognizing any tax effect or presenting a tax expense or benefit for the currency translation adjustment amount reported in Other Comprehensive Income, as repatriation of earnings is not anticipated.

Approximately $2.1 million of realized losses (net of tax) related to the FSIRS, reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) at March 31,June 30, 2016, will be reclassified into interest expense within the next 12 months as the related interest payments on long-term debt occur.

The following table represents a rollforward of AOCI, presented on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

AOCI - Rollforward

(Thousands of dollars)

 

 Defined Benefit Plans FSIRS Foreign Currency Items    Defined Benefit Plans FSIRS Foreign Currency Items   
 Before-Tax Tax
(Expense)
Benefit (4)
 After-
Tax
 Before-
Tax
 Tax
(Expense)
Benefit
 After-Tax Before-
Tax
 Tax
(Expense)
Benefit (4)
 After-Tax AOCI  Before-Tax Tax
(Expense)
Benefit (4)
 After-Tax Before-Tax Tax
(Expense)
Benefit (4)
 After-Tax Before-Tax Tax
(Expense)
Benefit
 After-Tax AOCI 

Beginning Balance AOCI December 31, 2015

 $(57,660 $21,911   $(35,749 $(19,344 $7,350   $(11,994 $(2,525 $—     $(2,525 $(50,268 $(57,660 $21,911   $(35,749 $(19,344 $7,350   $(11,994 $(2,525 $—     $(2,525 $(50,268
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Translation adjustments

  —      —      —      —      —      —     782    —     782   782    —      —      —      —      —      —     852    —     852   852  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

  —      —      —      —      —      —     782    —     782   782    —      —      —      —      —      —     852    —     852   852  

FSIRS amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)

  —      —      —     836   (317 519    —      —      —     519    —      —      —     1,673   (635 1,038    —      —      —     1,038  

Amortization of prior service cost (2)

 334   (127 207    —      —      —      —      —      —     207   668   (254 414    —      —      —      —      —      —     414  

Amortization of net actuarial loss (2)

 6,767   (2,571 4,196    —      —      —      —      —      —     4,196   13,533   (5,143 8,390    —      —      —      —      —      —     8,390  

Regulatory adjustment (3)

 (6,123 2,327   (3,796  —      —      —      —      —      —     (3,796 (12,246 4,654   (7,592  —      —      —      —      —      —     (7,592
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

 978   (371 607   836   (317 519   782    —     782   1,908   1,955   (743 1,212   1,673   (635 1,038   852    —     852   3,102  

Less: Translation adjustment attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

  —      —      —      —      —      —     26    —     26   26    —      —      —      —      —      —     29    —     29   29  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Southwest Gas Corporation

 978   (371 607   836   (317 519   756    —��    756   1,882   1,955   (743 1,212   1,673   (635 1,038   823    —     823   3,073  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Ending Balance AOCI March 31, 2016

 $(56,682 $21,540   $(35,142 $(18,508 $7,033   $(11,475 $(1,769 $—     $(1,769 $(48,386

Ending Balance AOCI June 30, 2016

 $(55,705 $21,168   $(34,537 $(17,671 $6,715   $(10,956 $(1,702 $—     $(1,702 $(47,195
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

(1)

The FSIRS reclassification amounts are included in the Net interest deductions line item on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

(2)

These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (seeNote 2 – Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costfor additional details).

(3)

The regulatory adjustment represents the portion of the activity above that is expected to be recovered through rates in the future (the related regulatory asset is included in the Deferred charges and other assets line item on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets).

(4)

Tax amounts are calculated using a 38% rate.

 

1719


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

The following table represents amounts (before income tax impacts) included in AOCI (in the table above), that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost:

Amounts Recognized in AOCI (Before Tax)

(Thousands of dollars)

 

  March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 

Net actuarial (loss) gain

  $(428,502  $(435,269  $(421,736  $(435,269

Prior service cost

   (6,704   (7,038   (6,370   (7,038

Less: amount recognized in regulatory assets

   378,524     384,647     372,401     384,647  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Recognized in AOCI

  $(56,682  $(57,660  $(55,705  $(57,660
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Note 8 – Construction Services Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

In conjunction with the acquisition of the Canadian construction businesses in October 2014, the previous owners of the acquired companies currently hold a 3.4% equity interest in Centuri. The previous owners are able to exit their investment retained by requiring the purchase of a portion of their interest commencing July 2017 and in incremental amounts each anniversary date thereafter. The shares subject to the election cumulate (if earlier elections are not made) such that 100% of their interest retained is subject to the election beginning in July 2022. Due to the ability of the noncontrolling parties to redeem their interest for cash, their interest is presented on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31,June 30, 2016 as a Redeemable noncontrolling interest, a category of mezzanine equity (temporary equity). The following depicts changes to the balance of the redeemable noncontrolling interest between the indicated periods.

 

  Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interest
   Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interest
 

(Thousands of dollars):

      

Balance, December 31, 2015

  $16,108    $16,108  

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

   (75   157  

Foreign currency exchange translation adjustment

   26     29  

Centuri distribution to redeemable noncontrolling interest

   (99   (99

Adjustment to redemption value

   (653
  

 

   

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2016

  $15,960  

Balance, June 30, 2016

  $15,542  
  

 

   

 

 

 

1820


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

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

Southwest Gas Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) consist of two business segments: natural gas operations (“Southwest” or the “natural gas operations” segment) and construction services.

Southwest is engaged in the business of purchasing, distributing, and transporting natural gas for customers in portions of Arizona, Nevada, and California. Southwest is the largest distributor of natural gas in Arizona, selling and transporting natural gas in most of central and southern Arizona, including the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. Southwest is also the largest distributor of natural gas in Nevada, serving the Las Vegas metropolitan area and northern Nevada. In addition, Southwest distributes and transports natural gas for customers in portions of California, including the Lake Tahoe area and the high desert and mountain areas in San Bernardino County.

As of March 31,June 30, 2016, Southwest had 1,964,0001,962,000 residential, commercial, industrial, and other natural gas customers, of which 1,049,0001,047,000 customers were located in Arizona, 723,000724,000 in Nevada, and 192,000191,000 in California. Residential and commercial customers represented over 99% of the total customer base. During the twelve months ended March 31,June 30, 2016, 54% of operating margin was earned in Arizona, 35% in Nevada, and 11% in California. During this same period, Southwest earned 85% of its operating margin from residential and small commercial customers, 3% from other sales customers, and 12% from transportation customers. These general composition patterns are expected to remain materially consistent for the foreseeable future.

Southwest recognizes operating revenues from the distribution and transportation of natural gas (and related services) to customers. Operating margin is the measure of gas operating revenues less the net cost of gas sold. Management uses operating margin as a main benchmark in comparing operating results from period to period. The principal factors affecting changes in operating margin are general rate relief (including impacts of infrastructure trackers) and customer growth. The demand for natural gas is seasonal, with greater demand in the colder winter months and decreased demand in the warmer summer months. All of Southwest’s service territories have decoupled rate structures, which are designed to eliminate the direct link between volumetric sales and revenue, thereby mitigating the impacts of weather variability and conservation on margin, allowing the Company to aggressively pursue energy efficiency initiatives.

Centuri Construction Group, Inc. (“Centuri” or the “construction services” segment) is a full-service underground piping contractor that primarily provides utility companies with trenching and installation, replacement, and maintenance services for energy distribution systems, and develops industrial construction solutions. In October 2014, the Company acquired three privately held construction businesses, primarily based in Canada. The financial information contained herein only includes the results of the acquired entities since October 2014. Centuri operates in 20 major markets in the United States (primarily under the NPL name)as NPL) and in 2 major markets in Canada (under the(as NPL Canada, formerly Link-Line Contractors Ltd., and W.S. Nicholls names)Nicholls). In May 2016, Centuri completed the Link-Line name was changed to NPL Canada Ltd.acquisition of two privately held, affiliated construction businesses by means of asset purchase. Enterprise Trenchless Technologies, Inc. and ETTI Holdings (collectively, “ETTI”) are based in Lisbon Falls, Maine, with a primary focus on underground utility installation using horizontal directional drilling technology. See theAcquisition of Construction Services Businessessection ofNote 1 – Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation for more information. Construction activity is cyclical and can be significantly impacted by changes in weather, general and local economic conditions (including the housing market), interest rates, employment levels, job growth, the equipment resale market, pipe replacement programs of utilities, and local and federal regulation (including tax rates and incentives). During the past few years, utilities have implemented or modified pipeline integrity management programs to enhance safety pursuant to federal and state mandates. These programs, coupled with recent bonus depreciation tax deduction incentives, have resulted in a significant increase in multi-year pipeline replacement projects throughout the U.S. Generally, revenues are lowest during the first quarter of the year due to less favorable winter weather conditions. Revenues typically improve as more favorable weather conditions occur during the summer and fall months. This is expected in both the U.S. and Canadian markets. In certain circumstances, such as with large bid contracts (especially those of a longer duration), or unit-price contracts with revenue caps, results may be impacted by differences between costs incurred and those anticipated when the work was originally bid.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, as well as MD&A included in the 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference into the 2015 Form 10-K.10-K, and the first quarter 2016 Form 10-Q.

 

1921


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

Executive Summary

The items discussed in this Executive Summary are intended to provide an overview of the results of the Company’s operations. As needed, certain items are covered in greater detail in later sections of management’s discussion and analysis. As reflected in the table below, the natural gas operations segment accounted for an average of 82%83% of twelve-month-to-date consolidated net income over the past two years. As such, management’s discussion and analysis is primarily focused on that segment. Natural gas sales are seasonal, peaking during the winter months; therefore, results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

Summary Operating Results

 

 Period Ended March 31,   Period Ended June 30, 
 Three Months Twelve Months   Three Months Six Months Twelve Months 
 2016 2015 2016 2015   2016   2015 2016   2015 2016   2015 
 (In thousands, except per share amounts)   (In thousands, except per share amounts) 

Contribution to net income

    

Contribution to net income (loss)

          

Natural gas operations

 $77,583   $78,921   $110,287   $123,194    $2,358    $(657 $79,941    $78,264   $113,302    $120,739  

Construction services

 (2,137 (6,938 31,493   19,132     6,585     5,606   4,448     (1,332 32,472     16,909  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Net income

 $75,446   $71,983   $141,780   $142,326    $8,943    $4,949   $84,389    $76,932   $145,774    $137,648  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Average number of common shares outstanding

 47,437   46,612   47,196   46,537     47,473     46,869   47,455     46,741   47,347     46,628  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Basic earnings per share

              

Consolidated

 $1.59   $1.54   $3.00   $3.06    $0.19    $0.11   $1.78    $1.65   $3.08    $2.95  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Natural Gas Operations

              

Operating margin

 $311,500   $299,353   $902,977   $880,968    $184,232    $177,628   $495,732    $476,981   $909,581    $885,102  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

1st2nd Quarter 2016 Overview

Natural gas operations highlights include the following:

 

Operating margin increased $12$7 million compared to the prior-year quarter

 

Operating expenses increased $13 millionOperations and maintenance expense decreased $600,000 compared to the prior-year quarter

 

Other income decreased $847,000increased $2 million between quarters

 

Filed Arizona general rate case application in May, requesting a $74 million increase toin annualized operating income

Construction services highlights include the following:

 

Revenues increased $25$40 million compared to the prior-year quarter

 

Construction expenses increased $18$38 million compared to the prior-year quarter

 

Net interest deductions increased $390,000

Acquisition of ETTI construction businesses in May

 

Paul M. Daily named Chief Executive Officer of Centuri in April

Customer Growth.Southwest completed 24,000 first-time meter sets, but realized 26,000 net new customers over the last twelve months, an increase of 1.3%. The incremental additions reflect a return to service of customer meters on previously vacant homes. Southwest projects customer growth of about 1.5% for the full year 2016.

2022


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

Results of Natural Gas Operations

Quarterly Analysis

 

  Three Months Ended 
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
   June 30, 
  2016   2015   2016   2015 
  (Thousands of dollars)   (Thousands of dollars) 

Gas operating revenues

  $525,100    $553,115    $255,648    $286,643  

Net cost of gas sold

   213,600     253,762     71,416     109,015  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating margin

   311,500     299,353     184,232     177,628  

Operations and maintenance expense

   100,797     95,510     98,744     99,344  

Depreciation and amortization

   60,745     53,675     57,232     52,912  

Taxes other than income taxes

   14,013     12,997     12,987     12,414  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating income

   135,945     137,171     15,269     12,958  

Other income (deductions)

   1,755     2,602     2,436     312  

Net interest deductions

   16,230     16,096     16,561     15,749  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income before income taxes

   121,470     123,677  

Income tax expense

   43,887     44,756  

Income (loss) before income taxes

   1,144     (2,479

Income tax expense (benefit)

   (1,214   (1,822
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Contribution to consolidated net income

  $77,583    $78,921  

Contribution to consolidated net income (loss)

  $2,358    $(657
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

The contribution to consolidated net income from natural gas operations decreased $1.3increased $3 million between the firstsecond quarters of 2016 and 2015. The declineimprovement was primarily due to higher operating expenses,margin and other income, partially offset by an increase inhigher operating margin.expenses, predominantly related to increased depreciation and amortization.

Operating margin increased $12approximately $7 million between quarters. New customers contributed $3 million in operating margin during the first quarter of 2016. Combined rate relief in the California jurisdiction and Paiute Pipeline Company (seeRates and Regulatory Proceedings) provided $3$2 million in operating margin. Operating margin attributable to the Nevada conservation and energy efficiency (“CEE”) surcharge, which was implemented in January 2016, was $4$2 million. Amounts collected through the surcharge do not impact net income as they also result in an increase in associated amortization expense (discussed below and inRates and Regulatory Proceedings). New customers contributed $2 million in operating margin during the second quarter of 2016, as approximately 24,000 net new customers were added during the last twelve months. Operating margin associated with infrastructure replacement mechanisms and customers outside the decoupling mechanisms, andas well as other miscellaneous revenues, collectively increased $2$1 million.

Operations and maintenance expense increased $5.3 million,decreased $600,000, or 6%1%, between quarters due primarily toas lower pension costs and a reduction in legal claims and expenses offset general cost increases and the timing and scope of pipeline facility maintenance services. In addition, expenses for pipeline integrity management and damage prevention programs increased $1.6 million.increases.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $7.1$4.3 million, or 13%8%, between quarters. Of the increase, approximately $4.3 million is attributable to amortization related to the recovery of regulatory assets (primarily due to amortization accompanying the recovery of Nevada conservation and energy efficiency programs noted above, and associated with Arizona integrity management and California energy efficiency programs). Additionally, averageAverage gas plant in service for the current quarter increased $308$338 million, or 6%, compared to the corresponding quarter a year ago. This was attributable to pipeline capacity reinforcement work, franchise requirements, scheduled and accelerated pipe replacement activities, and new business, which collectively resulted in increased depreciation expense. In addition, approximately $1.1 million of the increase is attributable to the collective impacts of amortization related to the recovery of regulatory assets.

Taxes other than income taxes increased $1 million,$573,000, or 8%5%, between quarters primarily due to higher property taxes associated with net plant additions.

Other income, which principally includes returns on company-owned life insurance (“COLI”) policies and non-utility expenses, decreased $847,000increased $2.1 million between quarters. The current quarter reflects $900,000$2.2 million of COLI-related income associated with COLI policy cash surrender value increases and recognized net death benefits, while the prior-year quarter reflected $1.3 million ofno COLI-related income. Interest income decreased $223,000

Net interest deductions increased $812,000 between quarters, primarily due to changeshigher interest expense associated with PGA balances, partially offset by reductions associated with the redemption of debt ($31.2 million 5% 2004 Series B IDRBs in over-May 2015 and under-collected PGA balances.$20 million 5.25% 2003 Series D IDRBs in September 2015).

 

2123


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016

Six-Month Analysis

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 
   2016   2015 
   (Thousands of dollars) 

Gas operating revenues

  $780,748    $839,758  

Net cost of gas sold

   285,016     362,777  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating margin

   495,732     476,981  

Operations and maintenance expense

   199,541     194,854  

Depreciation and amortization

   117,977     106,587  

Taxes other than income taxes

   27,000     25,411  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

   151,214     150,129  

Other income (deductions)

   4,191     2,914  

Net interest deductions

   32,791     31,845  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

   122,614     121,198  

Income tax expense

   42,673     42,934  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Contribution to consolidated net income

  $79,941    $78,264  
  

 

 

   

 

��

 

The contribution to consolidated net income from natural gas operations increased $1.7 million between the first six months of 2016 and 2015. The improvement was primarily due to higher operating margin and other income, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses, notably depreciation and amortization.

Operating margin increased $19 million between the six-month periods. Operating margin attributable to the Nevada CEE surcharge, which was implemented in January 2016, provided $6 million of the increase. Amounts collected through the surcharge do not impact net income as they also result in an increase in associated amortization expense. New customers contributed $5 million in operating margin during the first six months of 2016. Combined rate relief in the California jurisdiction and Paiute Pipeline Company provided $5 million in operating margin. Operating margin associated with infrastructure replacement mechanisms and customers outside the decoupling mechanisms, as well as other miscellaneous revenues, collectively increased $3 million.

Operations and maintenance expense increased $4.7 million, or 2%, between periods primarily due to increased expenses for pipeline integrity management and damage prevention programs (collectively, $2.3 million) and general cost increases, partially offset by a decline in pension expense.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $11.4 million, or 11%, between periods. Average gas plant in service for the current period increased $320 million, or 6%, compared to the corresponding period a year ago. This was attributable to pipeline capacity reinforcement work, franchise requirements, scheduled and accelerated pipe replacement activities, and new business, which collectively resulted in increased depreciation expense. In addition, approximately $5.4 million of the increase is attributable to amortization related to the recovery of regulatory assets, notably the amortization accompanying the recovery of Nevada CEE costs indicated above.

Taxes other than income taxes increased $1.6 million, or 6%, between periods primarily due to higher property taxes associated with net plant additions.

Other income increased $1.3 million between periods. The current period reflects $3.1 million of COLI-related income associated with cash surrender value increases and recognized net death benefits, while the prior-year period reflected $1.3 million of COLI-related income. Interest income decreased $372,000 between periods primarily due to changes in over- and under-collected PGA balances.

Net interest deductions increased $946,000 between periods primarily due to higher interest expense associated with PGA balances, offset by reductions associated with the redemption of debt ($31.2 million 5% 2004 Series B IDRBs in May 2015 and $20 million 5.25% 2003 Series D IDRBs in September 2015).

24


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016  

 

Twelve-Month Analysis

 

  Twelve Months Ended 
  Twelve Months Ended
March 31,
   June 30, 
  2016   2015   2016   2015 
  (Thousands of dollars)   (Thousands of dollars) 

Gas operating revenues

  $1,426,624    $1,448,709    $1,395,629    $1,463,873  

Net cost of gas sold

   523,647     567,741     486,048     578,771  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating margin

   902,977     880,968     909,581     885,102  

Operations and maintenance expense

   398,486     376,834     397,886     378,558  

Depreciation and amortization

   220,525     206,336     224,845     208,724  

Taxes other than income taxes

   50,409     48,793     50,982     50,242  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating income

   233,557     249,005     235,868     247,578  

Other income (deductions)

   1,445     8,155     3,569     5,619  

Net interest deductions

   64,229     67,168     65,041     65,858  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income before income taxes

   170,773     189,992     174,396     187,339  

Income tax expense

   60,486     66,798     61,094     66,600  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Contribution to consolidated net income

  $110,287    $123,194    $113,302    $120,739  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Contribution to consolidated net income from natural gas operations decreased by $12.9$7.4 million between the twelve-month periods of 2016 and 2015. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in operating expenses and a decreasedecline in other income, partially offset by improved operating margin and lower net interest deductions.margin.

Operating margin increased $22$24 million between periods including $8 million attributable to customer growth and a combined $6$7 million of rate relief in the California jurisdiction and Paiute Pipeline Company. Operating margin attributable to the Nevada conservation and energy efficiencyCEE surcharge implemented in January 2016 was $4$6 million (a corresponding increase is reflected in amortization expense). Operating margin associated with infrastructure replacement mechanisms and customers outside the decoupling mechanisms, andas well as other miscellaneous revenues, collectively improved $4$3 million.

Operations and maintenance expense increased $21.7$19.3 million, or 6%5%, between periods primarily due to general cost increases and higher employee-related expenses includingmedical and pension costs (approximately $5 million of which resulted in increased expense), and higher legal claims and expenses.costs. In addition, expenses for pipeline integrity management and damage prevention programs collectively increased (collectively, $4.7 million).$4.4 million.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $14.2$16.1 million, or 7%8%, between periods. Of the increase, approximately $6 million is attributable to amortization related to the recovery of regulatory assets (primarily due to amortization accompanying the recovery of Nevada conservation and energy efficiency programs noted above, and associated with Arizona integrity management and California energy efficiency programs). Additionally, averageAverage gas plant in service for the current period increased $281$295 million, or 5%, as compared to the prior period. This was attributable to pipeline capacity reinforcement work, franchise requirements, scheduled and accelerated pipe replacement activities, and new business, which collectively resulted in increased depreciation expense. In addition, approximately $6.4 million of the increase is attributable to amortization related to the recovery of regulatory assets, notably, amortization accompanying the recovery of Nevada CEE costs indicated above.

Taxes other than income taxes increased $1.6 million$740,000 between periods primarily due to higher property taxes principally related toassociated with net plant additions.

Other income decreased $6.7$2.1 million between the twelve-month periods of 2016 and 2015. The current period reflects a $900,000 decrease$1.3 million increase in income associated with COLI policy cash surrender values and recognized net of recognized death benefits, while the prior-year period included $5.7$3.4 million of COLI-related income.

Net interest deductions decreased $2.9 million$817,000 between periods. The decrease primarily resulted from the redemptions of $65 million 5.25% 2004 Series A IDRBs in November 2014, $31.2 million 5.00% 2004 Series B IDRBs in May 2015, and $20 million 5.25% 2003 Series D IDRBs in September 2015.2015, partially offset by higher interest expense associated with PGA balances.

 

2225


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

Results of Construction Services

Results of Construction Services

 

  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Twelve Months Ended
March 31,
   June 30, June 30, June 30, 
  2016   2015   2016   2015   2016   2015 2016   2015 2016   2015 

(Thousands of dollars)

                        

Construction revenues

  $206,148    $181,105    $1,034,029    $798,822    $292,100    $251,961   $498,248    $433,066   $1,074,168    $869,109  

Operating expenses:

                  

Construction expenses

   193,382     174,928     917,235     709,586     263,926     225,829   457,308     400,757   955,332     777,773  

Depreciation and amortization

   14,615     13,792     57,479     51,267     15,327     14,043   29,942     27,835   58,763     53,648  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   (1,849   (7,615   59,315     37,969  

Operating income

   12,847     12,089   10,998     4,474   60,073     37,688  

Other income (deductions)

   (34   (330   883     (388   34     (150  —       (480 1,067     (553

Net interest deductions

   1,491     1,881     7,394     5,359     1,660     1,968   3,151     3,849   7,086     7,081  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

   (3,374   (9,826   52,804     32,222  

Income tax expense (benefit)

   (1,146   (2,784   20,185     13,086  

Income before income taxes

   11,221     9,971   7,847     145   54,054     30,054  

Income tax expense

   4,480     4,251   3,334     1,467   20,414     13,027  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Net income (loss)

   (2,228   (7,042   32,619     19,136     6,741     5,720   4,513     (1,322 33,640     17,027  

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (91   (104   1,126     4  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

   156     114   65     10   1,168     118  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Contribution to consolidated net income (loss) attributable to Centuri

  $(2,137  $(6,938  $31,493    $19,132    $6,585    $5,606   $4,448    $(1,332 $32,472    $16,909  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

In October 2014, construction services operations were expanded by the acquisition of the Link-LineCanadian group of companies. In May 2016, Centuri acquired ETTI. Line items in the tables above reflect the results of the acquired companies only since the acquisition date.dates.

Quarterly Analysis.Net income contribution for the current quarter improved $4.8 million$979,000 compared to the firstsecond quarter of 2015. Additional pipe replacement work and lower interest expense positively impacted net income, partially offset by increases in depreciation and amortization. The prior-year quarter included a $5.6 million pretax loss reserve on an industrial project in Canada.

Revenues increased $25$40.1 million, or 14%16%, in the firstsecond quarter of 2016 when compared to the prior-year quarter, primarily due to additional pipe replacement work. In addition, incremental work that was able to be completed as a result of favorable weather conditions in several operating areas. The majority of the revenue increase was from the existing base of utility customers and their expanded pipe replacement programs. The newly acquired ETTI provided $1.1 million in revenue.

Construction expenses increased $18.5$38.1 million, or 11%17%, between quarters, due to the incremental work and additional pipe replacement work and incremental work noted above. However, the increase overall was mitigated by construction expenses of the prior-year quarter that were impacted by the $5.6 million loss reserve on the Canadian project. Gains on sale of equipment (reflected as an offset to construction expenses) were approximately $1.3$1.4 million and $1.5$1 million for the firstsecond quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $823,000$1.3 million between quarters due to depreciation on additional equipment purchased to support the growing volume of work being performed ($1.9 million), partially offset by a decline in the amortization of certain finite-lived intangible assets recognized from the October 2014 acquisition.acquisition ($600,000).

Net interest deductions decreased $390,000$308,000 between quarters. The decrease was due primarily to a decline in outstanding borrowings for the comparative periods associated with the $300 million secured revolving credit and term loan facility.

Six-Month Analysis.Net income contribution for the first six months of 2016 improved $5.8 million compared to the same period of 2015. Additional pipe replacement work and lower interest expense positively impacted net income, partially offset by increases in depreciation and amortization. The prior-year period included a $7.6 million pretax loss reserve on an industrial project in Canada.

Revenues increased $65.2 million, or 15%, in the first six months of 2016 when compared to the prior-year period, primarily due to additional pipe replacement work and incremental work that was able to be completed as a result of favorable weather conditions in several operating areas during the first six months of 2016.

26


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

Construction expenses increased $56.6 million, or 14%, between periods, due to the additional pipe replacement work and incremental work noted above. Gains on sale of equipment (reflected as an offset to construction expenses) were approximately $2.7 million and $2.6 million for the first six months of 2016 and 2015, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $2.1 million between periods due to depreciation on additional equipment purchased to support the growing volume of work being performed ($3.3 million), partially offset by a decline in the amortization of certain finite-lived intangible assets recognized from the October 2014 acquisition ($1.2 million).

Net interest deductions decreased $698,000 between periods. The decrease was due primarily to a decline in outstanding borrowings between comparative periods associated with the $300 million secured revolving credit and term loan facility.

Twelve-Month Analysis. Contribution to consolidated net income from construction services for the twelve-month period ended March 31,June 30, 2016 increased $12.4$15.6 million compared to the same period of 2015. The improvement was primarily due toincludes increased pipe replacement work, partially offset by increases in depreciation and amortization and higher interest expense.amortization. The prior-year period reflects the $7.6 million pretax loss reserve on an industrial project in Canada, while the current period includes an approximate $4 million pretax favorable settlement related to the project.

Revenues increased $235.2$205.1 million, or 29%24%, in the current twelve-month period compared to the same period of 2015 primarily due to additional pipe replacement work in the current period and to higher revenues from the acquired companies ($72.5 million).in Canada. Favorable weather conditions in several operating areas during the first quarterhalf of 2016 and the fourth quarter of 2015 provided an extended construction season. During the past several years, the

23


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
March 31, 2016

construction services segment has focused its efforts on obtaining pipe replacement work under both blanket contracts and incremental bid projects. For both the twelve months ended March 31,June 30, 2016 and 2015, revenues from replacement work provided over 60% of total revenues.

Construction expenses increased $207.6$177.6 million, or 29%23% between periods, due to additional pipe replacement work during the twelve months ended March 31,June 30, 2016 and higher construction costs associated with the acquired Canadian companies. General and administrative expense (included in construction expenses) increased $11.7 million. Gains on sale of equipment (reflected as an offset to construction expenses) were $2.9$3.3 million and $5.3$4.6 million for the twelve-month periods of 2016 and 2015, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $6.2$5.1 million between the current and prior-year periods due to the amortization on finite-lived intangible assets recognized from the acquisition, incremental depreciation from the acquired companies, and increased depreciation for additional equipment purchased to support growth in the volume of work being performed.

Net interest deductions increased $2 million between periods. The increase was primarily due to outstanding borrowingsperformed and incremental depreciation from the acquired Canadian companies, partially offset by lower amortization of debt issuance costs associated with the $300 million secured revolving credit and term loan facility entered into coincident withon finite-lived intangible assets recognized from the acquisition.

Rates and Regulatory Proceedings

Arizona Jurisdiction

Arizona General Rate Case.Southwest filed a general rate application with the Arizona Corporation Commission (“ACC”) in May 2016 requesting an increase in authorized annual operating revenues of approximately $32 million, or 4.2%, to reflect current levels of expense and requested returns, in addition to reflecting capital investments made by Southwest since June 2010. The application requests an overall rate of return of 7.82% on an original cost rate base of $1.336 billion, a 10.25% return on common equity, and a capital structure utilizing 52% common equity. The filing includes a depreciation study whichthat supports a proposal to reduce currently effective depreciation expense by approximately $42 million, which is considered in the overall requested amount. This expense reduction coupled with the requested revenue increase, results in a net annual operating income increase request of $74 million. The Company is also seeking to continue the current Customer-Owned Yard Line (“COYL”) program approved in its last general rate case and to expand this mechanism to include other non-revenue producing projects such as the replacement of vintage steel pipe, while utilizing the same cost recovery methodology. Southwest is also requesting a property tax tracker and to maintain the current decoupled rate design. A procedural order has been issued; with hearings, if necessary, scheduled for February 2017. New rates are expected to be in place by May 2017.

COYL Program. The Company received approval, in connection with its previous Arizona general rate case, to implement a program to conduct leak surveys, and if leaks were present, to replace and relocate service lines and meters for approximately 100,000 Arizona customers whose meters were set off from the customer’s home, which is not a traditional configuration. Customers with this configuration were previously responsible for the cost of maintaining these lines and were subject to the immediate cessation of natural gas service if low-pressure leaks

27


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

occurred. Effective June 2013, the ACC authorized a surcharge to recover the costs of depreciation and pre-tax return on the costs incurred to replace and relocate service lines and meters. The surcharge is revised annually as the program progresses. In 2014, the Company received approval to add a “Phase II” component to the COYL program to include the replacement of non-leaking COYLs. In the most recent annual COYL filing made in February 2016, the Company requested to increase the annual surcharge revenue from $2.5 million to $3.7 million to reflect additional costs incurred for both Phase I and Phase II. This request was based on total capital expenditures of $23.1 million, $13.4 million of which was incurred during 2014 and 2015. In May 2016, the ACC issued a decision approving the surcharge application, effective in June 2016.

LNG (“Liquefied Natural Gas”) Facility.In January 2014, Southwest filed an application with the ACC seeking preapproval to construct, operate and maintain a 233,000 dekatherm LNG facility in southern Arizona and to recover the actual costs, including the establishment of a regulatory asset. This facility is intended to enhance service reliability and flexibility in natural gas deliveries in the southern Arizona area by providing a local storage option, to be operated by Southwest and connected directly to its distribution system. Southwest requested approval of the actual cost of the project (including those facilities necessary to connect the proposed storage tank to Southwest’s existing distribution system). In December 2014, Southwest received an order from the ACC granting pre-approval of Southwest’s application to construct the LNG facility and the deferral of costs, limited to $50 million. Absent further consideration in the current general rate case, the authorization to defer costs expires on November 1, 2017 (from which point, expenditures incurred would not otherwise be eligible for deferral) and also

24


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
March 31, 2016

requires any unquantified cost savings to be deferred. Any gas costs incurred that are not related to the initial construction and placement of the facility are to be recovered through the PGA mechanism. The Company purchased the site for the facility in October 2015 and is preparingin the construction requirements bid packageRequest for Proposal (“RFP”) process, with the proposals due from potential contractors.contractors in September 2016. The contract to construct the facility is currently expected to be in place in the second half of 2016 and construction is expected to take approximately two to three years to complete. The Company included a proposal for the ratemaking treatment of facility costs as part of its current Arizona rate case filing.

California Jurisdiction

California Attrition Filing. In November 2015, Southwest made its annual post-test year (“PTY”) attrition filing with the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”), requesting annual revenue increases of $1.8 million in southern California, $499,000 in northern California, and $249,000 for South Lake Tahoe. This filing was approved in December 2015 and rates were made effective in January 2016. The CPUC also approved an adjustment to recover costs associated with replacing 7.1 miles of transmission pipeline and installing a remote control shut-off valve. This adjustment is expected to result in an annualized margin increase of $1.7 million during 2016.

Nevada Jurisdiction

Infrastructure Replacement Mechanisms.In January 2014, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (“PUCN”) approved final rules for a mechanism to defer and recover certain costs associated with accelerated replacement of non-revenue producing infrastructure. In June 2015, Southwest filed its Gas Infrastructure Replacement (“GIR”) Advance Application with the PUCN proposing $43.5 million of accelerated pipe replacements for 2016 (subject to the GIR mechanism). Once completed, the annualized revenue requirement associated with the accelerated replacement is estimated at $4.2 million.This mechanism has been in place since that time. In October 2015, the PUCN approved thea GIR Advance Application, granting Southwest the authority to replace the $43.5 million of infrastructure under the GIR mechanism. Also in October 2015,mechanism and management filed a separate rate application to reset the GIR surcharge, based upon project costs deferred through August 2015. In December 2015, the PUCN approved new rates, effective in January 2016, which are expected to result in approximately $4 million in annualized revenues. For 2016, the annualized revenue requirement associated with the accelerated pipe replacement approved in 2015 to be completed during 2016 is estimated at $4.2 million. In June 2016, Southwest filed a GIR Advance Application with the PUCN for projects expected to be completed during 2017. This filing proposed approximately $60 million of accelerated pipe replacement to include early vintage plastic, early vintage steel, and a COYL program with an annualized revenue requirement estimated at approximately $5 million. The COYL program, while not large in magnitude, represents the first of its kind in Nevada, modeled after the program in place in Southwest’s Arizona jurisdiction for several years. Management currently expects a decision, associated with these endeavors, during the fourth quarter of 2016.

Conservation and Energy Efficiency. In June 2015, Southwest requested recovery of energy efficiency and conservation development and implementation costs, including promotions and incentives for various programs, as originally approved for deferral by the PUCN effective November 2009. While recovery of these costs was approved as part of the most recent general rate case made effective May 2012, amounts incurred subsequent to the effective date continued to be deferred. Approved rates became effective January 2016 and are currently expected to result in

28


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

annualized margin increases of $2 million in northern Nevada and $8.7 million in southern Nevada, and also include amounts representing expected program expenditures for 2016. There is, however, no anticipated impact to net income overall from these recoveries as the amounts collected through customer rates willare also be reflected as higher amortization expense.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) Jurisdiction

General Rate Case.Paiute Pipeline Company (“Paiute”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest, filed a general rate case with the FERC in February 2014. In September 2014, Paiute reached an agreement in principle with the FERC Staff and intervenors to settle the case. In February 2015, the FERC issued a letter order approving the settlement as filed. Tariff chargeschanges in compliance with the settlement were filed in March 2015. In addition to agreeing to rate design changes to encourage longer-term contracts with its shippers, the settlement resulted in an annual revenue increase of $2.4 million, plus a $1.3 million depreciation reduction. The settlement implies an 11.5% pre-tax rate of return. Also, as part of this agreement, Paiute agreed to file a rate case no earlier than May 2016 and no later than May 2019.

Elko County Expansion Project.Paiute previously requested to expand its existing transmission system to provide additional firm transportation-service capacity in the Elko County, Nevada area, in order to meet growing natural gas demands caused by increased residential and business load and the greater energy needs of mining operations in the area. In May 2015, the FERC issued an order authorizing a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to Paiute to construct and operate the Elko County Expansion Project, and subsequently provided a formal Notice to Proceed. Construction began in the second quarter of 2015 and the project was placed in service in January 2016 as authorized by the FERC. Rates to begin recovering the cost of the project were implemented in January 2016 and are expected to result in $6 million in revenue annually. The total cost of this project iswas estimated at approximately $35 million, and total costs, including remaining costs associated with site restoration along the construction corridor.

25


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
March 31, 2016

corridor, have not exceeded original estimates.

PGA Filings

The rate schedules in all of Southwest’s service territories contain provisions that permit adjustments to rates as the cost of purchased gas changes. These deferred energy provisions and purchased gas adjustment clauses are collectively referred to as “PGA” clauses. Differences between gas costs recovered from customers and amounts paid for gas by Southwest result in over- or under-collections. At March 31,June 30, 2016, over-collections in all jurisdictions resulted in a liability of $101$126.3 million on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. Gas cost rates paid to suppliers have been lower than amounts recovered from customers during the first threesix months of 2016, resulting in additional overrecoveries since December 31, 2015. Tariff rates have been adjusted in all jurisdictions during this period. Filings to change rates in accordance with PGA clauses are subject to audit by state regulatory commission staffs. PGA changes impact cash flows but have no direct impact on profit margin. However, gas cost deferrals and recoveries can impact comparisons between periods of individual consolidated income statement components. These include Gas operating revenues, Net cost of gas sold, Net interest deductions, and Other income (deductions).

The following table presents Southwest’s outstanding PGA balances receivable/(payable) (millions(thousands of dollars):

 

  March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015   March 31, 2015   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015   June 30, 2015 

Arizona

  $(24.7  $(3.5  $25.1    $(33,941  $(3,537  $3,487  

Northern Nevada

   (12.6   (2.3   0.2     (14,380   (2,311   (5,521

Southern Nevada

   (63.4   (39.8   (0.4   (75,440   (39,753   (21,695

California

   (0.3   3.6     3.2     (2,538   3,591     264  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  $(101.0  $(42.0  $28.1    $(126,299  $(42,010  $(23,465
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

29


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

Holding Company Reorganization

In 2015, the Board of Directors (“Board”) of the Company authorized management to evaluate and pursue a holding company reorganization to provide further separation between regulated and unregulated businesses, and to provide additional financing flexibility. Following the holding company reorganization, Centuri and Southwest Gas would each be subsidiaries of the new publicly traded parent holding company but Centuri would no longer be a subsidiary of Southwest Gas. All of Southwest Gas Corporation’s outstanding debt securities (not associated with Centuri) at the time of the reorganization will remain at the Southwest Gas utility entity. Regulatory applications for preapproval of the reorganization were filed with the ACC, the CPUC, and the PUCN in October 2015. Approvals were received from the CPUC, the PUCN, and the ACC in January, March, and May of 2016, respectively. The reorganization is also subject to consents from various third parties and final Board approval. Subject to such conditions, the reorganization could become effective inas early as the second halffourth quarter of 2016. In this event, each outstanding share of Southwest Gas common stock would automatically convert into a share of stock in the holding company, on a one-for-one basis.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Cash on hand and cash flows from operations in the past twelve months have generally provided the majority of cash used in investing activities (primarily for construction expenditures and property additions). During the past three years, the Company was able to achieve cost savings from debt refinancing and strategic debt redemptions. Certain pipe replacement work was accelerated during these years to take advantage of bonus depreciation tax incentives and to fortify system integrity and reliability.reliability, largely supported by favorable regulatory mechanisms. In addition, in March 2015, the Company filed an automatic shelf registration statement for the offer and sale of up to $100 million of its common stock for general corporate purposes and for the noted investment activities, refer toNote 5 – Common Stock and the discussion below. The Company’s capitalization strategy is to maintain an appropriate balance of equity and debt to maintain strong investment-grade credit ratings, which should minimize interest costs.

Cash Flows

Operating Cash Flows.Cash flows provided by consolidated operating activities increased $90.4$81 million in the first threesix months of 2016 as compared to the same period of 2015. The improvement in operating cash flows was primarily attributable toincluded temporary increases attributable toin working capital components overall.overall and an increase in net income. For instance, the timing of both billing and collecting accounts receivable balances favorably impacted the current quarter, but had the opposite impact inperiod and, to a much smaller degree, the prior-year quarter.period. Additionally, new and updated surcharges for decoupling mechanisms, conservation and energy efficiency and gas infrastructure programs improved cash flows during the first quartersix months of 2016. Refer toResults of Natural Gas Operations andRates and Regulatory Proceedings.

26


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
March 31, 2016

Investing Cash Flows.Cash used in consolidated investing activities increased $16.4$78.1 million in the first threesix months of 2016 as compared to the same period of 2015. The increase was primarily due to additional construction expenditures, including scheduled and accelerated pipe replacement, and equipment purchases by Centuri due to the increased replacement construction work of its customers. In addition, the current period included outflows of $17 million to facilitate the acquisition of ETTI in the construction services segment (see theAcquired Construction Services Businesses section ofNote 1 – Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation for more information). In association with the earlier acquisition of construction services businesses in Canada, a $9 million working capital adjustment related to a contractual true-up period was paid in the first quarter of 2015.

Financing Cash Flows.Net cash used in consolidated financing activities increased $48.3$36.7 million in the first threesix months of 2016 as compared to the same period of 2015. The long-term debt issuance amounts and retirements of long-term debt during this period are attributable to Centuri’s borrowing and repayment activity. Southwest also issued stock under its Equity Shelf Program in the prior-year quarter.first six months of 2015. SeeNote 5 – Common Stock, and discussion below. Dividends paid increased in the first quartersix months of 2016 as compared to the first quartersame period of 2015 as a result of an increase in the quarterly dividend rate and an increase in the number of shares outstanding. The majority of Centuri’s borrowings during the twelve months ended March 31, 2015 were associated with the acquisition of construction services businesses noted previously.

The capital requirements and resources of the Company generally are determined independently for the natural gas operations and construction services segments. Each business activity is generally responsible for securing its own financing sources.

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SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

Gas Segment Construction Expenditures, Debt Maturities, and Financing

During the twelve-month period ended March 31,June 30, 2016, construction expenditures for the natural gas operations segment were $444$475 million. The majority of these expenditures represented costs associated with scheduled and accelerated replacement of existing transmission, distribution, and general plant. Cash flows from operating activities of Southwest were $533$540 million during this time, which provided sufficientthe majority of the funding for construction expenditures and dividend requirements of the natural gas operations segment.

Southwest estimates natural gas segment construction expenditures during the three-year period ending December 31, 2018 will be between $1.4 billion and $1.6 billion. Of this amount, approximately $460 million is expected to be incurred in the full year 2016. Southwest plans to continue, as appropriate, to request regulatory support to accelerate projects that improve system flexibility and reliability (including replacement of early vintage plastic and steel pipe). This includes the recent request in Nevada to complete $60 million in accelerated replacement projects in 2017 and a future request in California to initiate new programs, andas well as a request included in the current Arizona general rate case to expand existing or initiate new programs. If successful, significant replacement activities are expected to continue well beyond the next few years. See alsoRates and Regulatory Proceedings for discussion of Nevada infrastructure, Arizona COYL, and an LNG facility. During the three-year period, cash flows from operating activities of Southwest are expected to provide approximately 65% to 75% of the funding necessary for the gas operationsoperations’ total construction expenditures and dividend requirements. Any additional cash requirements are expected to be provided by existing credit facilities and/or other external financing sources. The timing, types, and amounts of any additional external financings will be dependent on a number of factors, including the cost of gas purchases, conditions in the capital markets, timing and amounts of rate relief, growth levels in Southwest’s service areas, and earnings. External financings could include the issuance of both debt and equity securities, bank and other short-term borrowings, and other forms of financing.

During the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2016, the Company issued approximately 93,00099,000 additional shares of common stock collectively through the Restricted Stock/Unit Plan, the Management Incentive Plan, and the Stock Incentive Plan. The Company raised approximately $549,000$671,000 from the issuance of shares of common stock through the Stock Incentive Plan.

Bonus Depreciation

In December 2015, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (“PATH Act”) was enacted, extending the 50% bonus depreciation tax deduction for qualified property acquired or constructed and placed in-service during 2015 (and additional years as noted below) as well as other tax deductions, credits, and incentives. The bonus depreciation tax deduction will be phased out over five years. The PATH Act provides for a 50% bonus depreciation tax deduction in 2015 through 2017, 40% in 2018, 30% in 2019, and no bonus deduction after 2019. Based on forecasted qualifying construction expenditures, Southwest estimates the bonus depreciation provision of the PATH Act will defer the payment of approximatelymore than $55 million of federal income taxes for 2016.

27


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
March 31, 2016

The actual amount will be dependent upon the ultimate level of qualifying expenditures.

Dividend Policy

In reviewing dividend policy, the Board of Directors (“Board”) considers the adequacy and sustainability of earnings and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries; the strength of the Company’s capital structure; the sustainability of the dividend through all business cycles; and whether the dividend is within a normal payout range for its respective businesses. As a result of its ongoing review of dividend policy, in February 2016, the Board increased the quarterly dividend from 40.5 cents to 45 cents per share, effective with the June 2016 payment. The Board’s policy is to target a dividend payout ratio that allows the Company to maintain its strong credit ratings and effectively fund its rate base growth and is consistent with the local distribution company peer group average. The timing and amount of any increases will be based on the Board’s continual review of the Company’s dividend rate in the context of the performance of the Company’s two operating segments and their future growth prospects.

Liquidity

Liquidity refers to the ability of an enterprise to generate sufficient amounts of cash through its operating activities and external financing to meet its cash requirements. Several general factors (some of which are out of the control of the Company) that could significantly affect liquidity in future years include: variability of natural gas prices, changes in the ratemaking policies of regulatory commissions, regulatory lag, customer growth in the natural gas segment’s

31


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

service territories, Southwest’s ability to access and obtain capital from external sources, interest rates, changes in income tax laws, pension funding requirements, inflation, and the level of Company earnings. Natural gas prices and related gas cost recoveryrecovery/refunding rates have historically had the most significant impact on Company liquidity.

On an interim basis, Southwest defers over- or under-collections of gas costs to PGA balancing accounts. In addition, Southwest uses this mechanism to either refund amounts over-collected or recoup amounts under-collected as compared to the price paid for natural gas during the period since the last PGA rate change went into effect. At March 31,June 30, 2016, the combined balance in the PGA accounts totaled an over-collection of $101$126.3 million. SeePGA Filingsfor more information.

In March 2016, the Company amended its $300 million credit and commercial paper facility. The facility was previously scheduled to expire in March 2020 and was extended to March 2021. Southwest has designated $150 million of the $300 million facility for long-term borrowing needs and the remaining $150 million for working capital purposes. The maximum amount outstanding on the credit facility (including a commercial paper program) during the first quartersix months of 2016 was $68 million. At March 31,June 30, 2016, no borrowings were$2.5 million was outstanding on either the short-term or long-term portionsportion of the credit facility.facility; there were no borrowings outstanding on the short-term portion. The credit facility can be used as necessary to meet liquidity requirements, including temporarily financing under-collected PGA balances, if any, or meeting the refund needs of over-collected balances. This credit facility has been adequate for Southwest’s working capital needs outside of funds raised through operations and other types of external financing.

The Company has a $50 million commercial paper program. Any issuance under the commercial paper program is supported by the Company’s current revolving credit facility and, therefore, does not represent additional borrowing capacity. Any borrowing under the commercial paper program will be designated as long-term debt. Interest rates for the commercial paper program are calculated at the current commercial paper rate during the borrowing term. At March 31,June 30, 2016, no borrowings were outstanding under this program.

In June 2016, notices were sent to holders of Southwest’s $100 million 2005 4.85% Series A fixed-rate IDRBs (originally due in 2035) that such IDRBs would be redeemed at par plus accrued interest in July 2016. Sufficient capacity existed on the long-term portion of Southwest’s credit facility, which was used to fund the redemption. Therefore, the IDRBs redeemed in July 2016 continue to be presented as long-term obligations as of June 30, 2016.

Centuri has a $300 million secured revolving credit and term loan facility that is scheduled to expire in October 2019. The term loan facility portion had an initial limit of approximately $150 million, which was reached in 2014 and is in the process of being repaid. No further borrowing is permitted under this portion of the facility. The secured revolving credit facility portion also has a limit of $150 million; amounts borrowed and repaid under this portion of the facility are available to be re-borrowed. The maximum amount outstanding on the credit facility during the first quartersix months of 2016 was $173$192 million, including $113at which point $116 million was outstanding on the term loan facility. At March 31,June 30, 2016, $38.9$76.6 million was outstanding on the Centuri secured revolving credit facility. At March 31,June 30, 2016, there was approximately $99$60 million, net of letters of credit, available under the line of credit.

28


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
March 31, 2016

The following table sets forth the ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the Company. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, these ratios are computed on a twelve-month basis:

 

   For the Twelve Months Ended 
   March 31,
2016
   December 31,
2015
 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

   3.46     3.43  
   For the Twelve Months Ended 
   June 30,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

   3.49     3.43  

Earnings are defined as the sum of pretax income plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of all interest expense including capitalized interest, one-third of rent expense (which approximates the interest component of such expense), and net amortized debt costs.

32


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report contains statements which constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“Reform Act”). All statements other than statements of historical fact included or incorporated by reference in this quarterly report are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s plans, objectives, goals, intentions, projections, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions. The words “may,” “if,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “continue,” “forecast,” “intend,” “promote,” “seek,” and similar words and expressions are generally used and intended to identify forward-looking statements. For example, statements regarding operating margin patterns, customer growth, the composition of our customer base, price volatility, seasonal patterns, payment of debt, interest savings, the Company’s COLI strategy, annual COLI returns, replacement market and new construction market, bonus depreciation tax deductions, amount and timing for completion of estimated future construction expenditures, including the LNG facility in southern Arizona, and the cost of the Paiute expansion in Elko County, Nevada, forecasted operating cash flows and results of operations, net earnings impacts from gas infrastructure replacement surcharges, funding sources of cash requirements, amounts generally expected to be reflected in 2016 or future period revenues from regulatory rate proceedings including the Arizona general rate case, rates and surcharges, PGA, and other rate adjustments, sufficiency of working capital and current credit facilities, bank lending practices, the Company’s views regarding its liquidity position, ability to raise funds and receive external financing capacity and the intent and ability to issue the remaining capacity under the Equity Shelf Program, future dividend increases, pension and post-retirement benefits, certain benefits of tax acts, the effect of any rate changes or regulatory proceedings, infrastructure replacement mechanisms and the COYL program or ability to receive approval for an expansion of the program, statements regarding future gas prices, gas purchase contracts and derivative financial instruments, recoverability of regulatory assets, the impact of certain legal proceedings, the success in securing remaining approvals of the proposed holding company structure or timing of the related reorganization, and the timing and results of future rate hearings and approvals are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the Reform Act.

A number of important factors affecting the business and financial results of the Company could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, customer growth rates, conditions in the housing market, the ability to recover costs through the PGA mechanisms or other regulatory assets, the effects of regulation/deregulation, the timing and amount of rate relief, changes in rate design, variability in volume of gas or transportation service sold to customers, changes in gas procurement practices, changes in capital requirements and funding, the impact of conditions in the capital markets on financing costs, changes in construction expenditures and financing, changes in operations and maintenance expenses, effects of pension expense forecasts, accounting changes, future liability claims, changes in pipeline capacity for the transportation of gas and related costs, results of Centuri bid work, impacts of structural and management changes at Centuri, Centuri construction expenses, differences between actual and originally expected outcomes of Centuri bid or other fixed-price construction agreements, and ability to successfully procure new work, acquisitions and management’s plans related thereto, competition, our ability to raise capital in external financings, our ability to continue to remain within the ratios and other limits subject to our debt covenants, and ongoing evaluations in regard to goodwill and other intangible assets. In addition, the Company can provide no assurance that its discussions regarding certain trends relating to its financing and operating expenses will continue in future periods. For additional information on the risks associated with the Company’s business, seeItem1A. Risk Factors andItem 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

29


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
March 31, 2016

All forward-looking statements in this quarterly report are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any of its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes show that the indicated results or events will not be realized.We caution you to not to unduly rely on any forward-looking statement(s).

ITEM 3.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

SeeItem 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in the Company’s 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. No material changes have occurred related to the Company’s disclosures about market risk.

 

33


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
June 30, 2016

ITEM 4.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company has established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to provide reasonable assurance 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 disclosures. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or management override of the control. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and may not be detected.

Based on the most recent evaluation, as of March 31,June 30, 2016, management of the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believe the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective at attaining the level of reasonable assurance noted above.

In January 2016, the Company implemented a financial systems modernization project which resulted in a material change in internal controls over financial reporting. This project involved replacing or changing several financial systems previously used by the natural gas operations segment, including the replacement of the general ledger system, updating the payroll/human resources module, and adding substantial functionality in the area of supply chain processes. The new/updated systems were used in administering to and preparing first quarter 2016 financial information. Management monitored developments related to the financial systems modernization project, including working with the project team and management of affected departments to ensure control impacts were identified and documented, in order to assist in evaluating impacts to internal control. Pre-implementation testing and post-implementation reviews were conducted by management to ensure that internal controls surrounding the implementation process, application controls, and closing process were properly designed to prevent material financial statement errors. Such procedures included the review of required documents, user acceptance testing, change management procedures, assessment of access controls, data migration processes and month-end reconciliations.

There have been no other changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the firstsecond quarter of 2016 that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

30


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATIONForm 10-Q
March 31, 2016

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is named as a defendant in various legal proceedings. The ultimate dispositions of these proceedings are not presently determinable; however, it is the opinion of management that none of this litigation individually or in the aggregate will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

ITEMS 1A through 3.None.

ITEMS 1A

through 3.        

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURESNot applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATIONNone.

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES        Not applicable.

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION        None.

ITEM 6.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following documents are filed, or furnished, as applicable, as part of this report on Form 10-Q:

 

Exhibit 3(ii)-

Amended Bylaws of Southwest Gas Corporation.

Exhibit 10.01  -  

Southwest Gas Corporation – Amendment No. 3 to Revolving Credit Agreement.Restricted Stock/Unit Plan, as amended and restated. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1Appendix A to Form 8-Kthe Proxy Statement dated March 28,31, 2016, File No. 1-07850.

Exhibit 12.01  -  

Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

Exhibit 31.01  -  

Section 302 Certifications.

Exhibit 32.01  -  

Section 906 Certifications.

Exhibit 101  -  

The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,June 30, 2016, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3134


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION  Form 10-Q
March 31,June 30, 2016  

 

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.

 

Southwest Gas Corporation

(Registrant)

Date: August 8, 2016

Date: May 9, 2016

/s/ GREGORY J. PETERSON

Gregory J. Peterson
Vice President/Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

 

3235