Table of Contents

UNITEDSTATES
SECURITIESANDEXCHANGECOMMISSION
WASHINGTON,D.C.20549

UNITEDSTATES

SECURITIESANDEXCHANGECOMMISSION

WASHINGTON,D.C.20549


FORM10-Q

FORM10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020

2021

OR

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

Forthetransitionperiodfrom to

Commission File No. 333-212006

TRI-STATE GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION ASSOCIATION, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Colorado

84-0464189

Colorado

84-0464189
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification
No.)

employer identification
number)

1100 West 116thAvenue

Westminster, Colorado

Colorado

80234

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(303) 452-6111

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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. YesNo (Note:x (Note: The registrant is not subject to the filing requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), but voluntarily files reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The registrant has filed all Exchange Act reports for the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports)).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). YesNo

o

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YesNo 

x

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

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

None

None

None

Indicatethenumberofsharesoutstandingofeachoftheissuer’sclassesofcommonstock,as ofthelatestpracticabledate.The registrant is a membership corporation and has no0 authorized or outstanding equity securities.



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TRI-STATE GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION ASSOCIATION, INC.

INDEXTO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2020

2021

Page Number

24

37

37

37

39

39


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GLOSSARY

The following abbreviations and acronyms used in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q are defined below:
Abbreviations or AcronymsDefinition
BasinBasin Electric Power Cooperative
BoardBoard of Directors
CFCNational Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation
CoBankCoBank, ACB
Colowyo CoalColowyo Coal Company L.P., a subsidiary of ours
COPUCColorado Public Utilities Commission
COVID-19coronavirus disease 2019 that was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020
D.C. Circuit Court of AppealsUnited States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
DSRDebt Service Ratio (as defined in our Master Indenture)
ECREquity to Capitalization Ratio (as defined in our Master Indenture)
DMEADelta-Montrose Electric Association
FERCFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
FitchFitch Ratings Inc.
FPAFederal Power Act, as amended
GAAPaccounting principles generally accepted in the United States
Jurisdictional PDOour Petition for Declaratory Order on Jurisdiction under Part II of Federal Power Act, filed with FERC on December 23, 2019, EL20-16-000
kWhkilowatt hour
LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate
LPEALa Plata Electric Association, Inc.
Master IndentureMaster First Mortgage Indenture, Deed of Trust and Security Agreement, dated effective as of December 15, 1999, between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
MBPPMissouri Basin Power Project
Membersour Utility Members and Non-Utility Members
Moody’sMoody’s Investors Services, Inc.
MWmegawatt
MWhmegawatt hour
Non-Utility Membersour non-utility members
OATTOpen Access Transmission Tariff
Revolving Credit AgreementCredit Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2018, between us and CFC, as administrative agent
S&PS & P Global Ratings
SECSecurities and Exchange Commission
Springerville PartnershipSpringerville Unit 3 Partnership LP, a subsidiary of ours
Springerville Unit 3Springerville Generating Station Unit 3
Tri-State, We, Our, Us, the AssociationTri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.
United PowerUnited Power, Inc.
Utility Membersour electric distribution member systems, consisting of both Class A members and Class B members
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Table of Contents
FORWARD-LOOKINGSTATEMENTS

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking“forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate to occur in the future, including matters such as the timing of various regulatory and other actions, future capital expenditures, business strategy and development, construction, operation, or closure of facilities (often, but not always, identified through the use of words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimated,” “forecast,” “projection,” “target” and “outlook”) are forward-looking statements.

Although we believe that in making these forward-looking statements our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any forward-looking statement involves uncertainties and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

ii

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Statements

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(dollars in thousands)

    

June 30, 2020

    

December 31, 2019

 

June 30, 2021December 31, 2020

ASSETS

(unaudited)

ASSETS(unaudited)

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment

Electric plant

Electric plant

In service

$

6,150,237

$

6,090,392

In service$6,240,314 $6,254,652 

Construction work in progress

 

136,345

 

164,924

Construction work in progress91,093 89,447 

Total electric plant

 

6,286,582

 

6,255,316

Total electric plant6,331,407 6,344,099 

Less allowances for depreciation and amortization

 

(2,943,957)

 

(2,641,470)

Less allowances for depreciation and amortization(2,985,644)(2,991,393)

Net electric plant

 

3,342,625

 

3,613,846

Net electric plant3,345,763 3,352,706 

Other plant

 

414,874

 

409,051

Other plant408,995 456,924 

Less allowances for depreciation, amortization and depletion

 

(127,716)

 

(113,607)

Less allowances for depreciation, amortization and depletion(153,250)(133,012)

Net other plant

 

287,158

 

295,444

Net other plant255,745 323,912 

Total property, plant and equipment

 

3,629,783

 

3,909,290

Total property, plant and equipment3,601,508 3,676,618 

Other assets and investments

Other assets and investments

Investments in other associations

 

159,157

 

161,945

Investments in other associations164,223 162,975 

Investments in and advances to coal mines

 

19,626

 

19,681

Investments in and advances to coal mines2,437 2,799 

Restricted cash and investments

 

4,948

 

30,516

Restricted cash and investments4,366 4,682 

Other noncurrent assets

 

8,741

 

8,654

Other noncurrent assets15,987 14,889 

Total other assets and investments

 

192,472

 

220,796

Total other assets and investments187,013 185,345 

Current assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

 

340,599

 

83,070

Cash and cash equivalents114,494 127,187 

Restricted cash and investments

 

194

 

182

Restricted cash and investments343 205 

Deposits and advances

 

35,061

 

28,434

Deposits and advances35,932 32,012 

Accounts receivable—Utility Members

 

116,890

 

105,371

Accounts receivable—Utility Members110,126 96,637 

Other accounts receivable

 

20,788

 

28,039

Other accounts receivable25,513 20,570 
Electric plant held for saleElectric plant held for sale4,877 

Coal inventory

 

64,105

 

50,191

Coal inventory64,963 55,762 

Materials and supplies

 

93,376

 

93,632

Materials and supplies82,368 82,119 

Total current assets

 

671,013

 

388,919

Total current assets433,739 419,369 

Deferred charges

Deferred charges

Regulatory assets

 

725,093

 

497,279

Regulatory assets688,747 710,268 

Prepayment—NRECA Retirement Security Plan

 

24,176

 

26,862

Prepayment—NRECA Retirement Security Plan18,803 21,490 

Other

 

52,498

 

42,672

Other41,223 33,646 

Total deferred charges

 

801,767

 

566,813

Total deferred charges748,773 765,404 

Total assets

$

5,295,035

$

5,085,818

Total assets$4,971,033 $5,046,736 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Capitalization

Capitalization

Patronage capital equity

$

984,221

$

1,031,063

Patronage capital equity$972,473 $978,519 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(7,781)

 

(1,518)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss(6,145)(5,714)

Noncontrolling interest

 

113,189

 

111,717

Noncontrolling interest115,569 114,851 

Total equity

 

1,089,629

 

1,141,262

Total equity1,081,897 1,087,656 

Long-term debt

 

3,216,245

 

3,063,351

Long-term debt3,138,826 3,200,181 

Total capitalization

 

4,305,874

 

4,204,613

Total capitalization4,220,723 4,287,837 

Current liabilities

Current liabilities

Utility Member advances

 

15,128

 

18,025

Utility Member advances19,091 16,592 

Accounts payable

 

111,508

 

99,033

Accounts payable117,437 98,654 

Short-term borrowings

139,803

252,323

Short-term borrowings79,968 

Accrued expenses

 

33,240

 

43,761

Accrued expenses29,588 40,736 

Current asset retirement obligations

1,144

2,460

Current asset retirement obligations6,679 11,044 

Accrued interest

 

28,270

 

29,716

Accrued interest25,892 27,520 

Accrued property taxes

 

18,822

 

29,129

Accrued property taxes18,155 32,794 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

210,945

 

81,555

Current maturities of long-term debt75,718 87,587 

Total current liabilities

 

558,860

 

556,002

Total current liabilities372,528 314,927 

Deferred credits and other liabilities

Deferred credits and other liabilities

Regulatory liabilities

 

237,304

 

122,169

Regulatory liabilities183,907 224,953 

Deferred income tax liability

 

33,969

 

58,937

Deferred income tax liability19,811 19,591 

Asset retirement and environmental reclamation obligations

 

81,412

 

76,454

Asset retirement and environmental reclamation obligations78,362 127,045 

Other

 

58,239

 

56,399

Other76,351 54,600 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

 

410,924

 

313,959

Total deferred credits and other liabilities358,431 426,189 

Accumulated postretirement benefit and postemployment obligations

 

19,377

 

11,244

Accumulated postretirement benefit and postemployment obligations19,351 17,783 

Total equity and liabilities

$

5,295,035

$

5,085,818

Total equity and liabilities$4,971,033 $5,046,736 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

Three Months Ended June 30, 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2020

    

2019

    

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2021202020212020

Operating revenues

Operating revenues

Utility Member electric sales

$

286,997

$

284,658

$

579,760

$

583,589

Utility Member electric sales$274,445 $286,997 $547,243 $579,760 

Non-member electric sales

 

16,625

 

16,774

 

32,438

 

43,504

Non-member electric sales36,145 16,625 74,319 32,438 

Other

 

10,034

 

13,156

 

20,924

 

27,412

Other15,712 10,034 30,712 20,924 

 

313,656

 

314,588

 

633,122

 

654,505

326,302 313,656 652,274 633,122 

Operating expenses

Operating expenses

Purchased power

 

86,653

 

78,467

 

157,668

 

149,423

Purchased power86,552 86,653 173,569 157,668 

Fuel

 

39,549

 

51,747

 

100,618

 

136,897

Fuel45,870 39,549 106,417 100,618 

Production

 

39,709

 

52,078

 

82,897

 

99,838

Production52,841 39,709 93,742 82,897 

Transmission

 

41,646

 

40,882

 

83,186

 

80,024

Transmission41,948 41,646 86,619 83,186 

General and administrative

 

16,041

 

12,096

 

32,256

 

22,909

General and administrative11,897 16,041 26,484 32,256 

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

 

44,311

 

38,144

 

91,335

 

76,289

Depreciation, amortization and depletion46,483 44,311 99,238 91,335 

Coal mining

 

1,087

 

2,553

 

3,821

 

6,149

Coal mining966 1,087 2,507 3,821 

Other

 

3,055

 

3,676

 

10,738

 

7,514

Other1,282 3,055 3,833 10,738 

 

272,051

 

279,643

 

562,519

 

579,043

287,839 272,051 592,409 562,519 

Operating margins

 

41,605

 

34,945

 

70,603

 

75,462

Operating margins38,463 41,605 59,865 70,603 

Other income

Other income

Interest

 

984

 

1,377

 

2,289

 

2,792

Interest907 984 1,784 2,289 

Capital credits from cooperatives

 

135

 

337

 

3,488

 

3,334

Capital credits from cooperatives135 4,275 3,488 

Other income (expense)

 

401

 

631

 

151

 

1,912

 

1,520

 

2,345

 

5,928

 

8,038

Other incomeOther income1,032 401 1,889 151 
1,941 1,520 7,948 5,928 

Interest expense

 

 

 

Interest expense

Interest

37,993

40,111

76,860

80,763

Interest36,092 37,993 72,207 76,860 

Interest charged during construction

(1,601)

(2,468)

(3,562)

(4,839)

Interest charged during construction(1,004)(1,601)(1,978)(3,562)

36,392

37,643

73,298

75,924

Income tax benefit

 

(121)

 

(77)

 

(330)

 

(154)

35,088 36,392 70,229 73,298 
Income tax expense (benefit)Income tax expense (benefit)110 (121)219 (330)

Net margins including noncontrolling interest

 

6,854

 

(276)

 

3,563

 

7,730

Net margins including noncontrolling interest5,206 6,854 (2,635)3,563 

Net margin attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(1,421)

 

(1,109)

 

(2,740)

 

(2,126)

Net margin attributable to noncontrolling interest(1,762)(1,421)(3,411)(2,740)

Net margins attributable to the Association

$

5,433

$

(1,385)

$

823

$

5,604

Net margins attributable to the Association$3,444 $5,433 $(6,046)$823 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

Three Months Ended June 30, 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2020

    

2019

    

Net margins including noncontrolling interest

$

6,854

$

(276)

$

3,563

$

7,730

Other comprehensive loss:

Amortization of actuarial loss on postretirement benefit obligation included in net margin

177

 

(10)

1,110

 

23

Unrecognized prior service cost

(7,373)

(214)

Other comprehensive loss

177

 

(10)

(6,263)

 

(191)

Comprehensive income (loss) including noncontrolling interest

7,031

 

(286)

(2,700)

 

7,539

Net comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

(1,421)

 

(1,109)

(2,740)

 

(2,126)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Association

$

5,610

$

(1,395)

$

(5,440)

$

5,413

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2021202020212020
Net margins including noncontrolling interest$5,206 $6,854 $(2,635)$3,563 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized loss on securities available for sale(7)(41)
Amortization of actuarial loss on postretirement benefit obligation included in net margin219 177 731 1,110 
Unrecognized prior service cost(1,121)(7,373)
Other comprehensive income (loss)212 177 (431)(6,263)
Comprehensive income (loss) including noncontrolling interest5,418 7,031 (3,066)(2,700)
Net comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest(1,762)(1,421)(3,411)(2,740)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Association$3,656 $5,610 $(6,477)$(5,440)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

Three Months Ended June 30, 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

    

2020

    

2019

    

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2021202020212020

Patronage capital equity at beginning of period

$

1,026,453

$

1,022,743

$

1,031,063

$

1,015,754

Patronage capital equity at beginning of period$969,029 $1,026,453 $978,519 $1,031,063 

Net margins attributable to the Association

 

5,433

 

(1,385)

 

823

 

5,604

Net margins attributable to the Association3,444 5,433 (6,046)823 

Retirement of patronage capital

(47,665)

(47,665)

Retirement of patronage capital— (47,665)— (47,665)

Patronage capital equity at end of period

 

984,221

 

1,021,358

 

984,221

 

1,021,358

Patronage capital equity at end of period972,473 984,221 972,473 984,221 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at beginning of period

 

(7,958)

 

194

 

(1,518)

 

375

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at beginning of periodAccumulated other comprehensive loss at beginning of period(6,357)(7,958)(5,714)(1,518)
Unrealized loss on securities available for saleUnrealized loss on securities available for sale(7)— (41)— 

Amortization of prior service cost

177

(10)

1,110

23

Amortization of prior service cost219 177 731 1,110 

Unrecognized prior service cost

 

 

 

(7,373)

 

(214)

Unrecognized prior service cost— — (1,121)(7,373)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period

(7,781)

 

184

(7,781)

 

184

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of periodAccumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period(6,145)(7,781)(6,145)(7,781)

Noncontrolling interest at beginning of period

 

111,768

 

109,732

 

111,717

 

110,169

Noncontrolling interest at beginning of period113,807 111,768 114,851 111,717 

Net comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

1,421

 

1,109

 

2,740

 

2,126

Net comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest1,762 1,421 3,411 2,740 

Equity distribution to noncontrolling interest

 

(1,268)

 

(1,454)

Equity distribution to noncontrolling interest— — (2,693)(1,268)

Noncontrolling interest at end of period

 

113,189

 

110,841

 

113,189

 

110,841

Noncontrolling interest at end of period115,569 113,189 115,569 113,189 

Total equity at end of period

$

1,089,629

$

1,132,383

$

1,089,629

$

1,132,383

Total equity at end of period$1,081,897 $1,089,629 $1,081,897 $1,089,629 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

Six Months Ended June 30, 

  

2020

  

2019

    

Six Months Ended June 30,
20212020

Operating activities

Operating activities

Net margins including noncontrolling interest

$

3,563

$

7,730

Net margins including noncontrolling interest$(2,635)$3,563 

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

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

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

91,335

 

76,289

Depreciation, amortization and depletion99,238 91,335 

Amortization of intangible asset

 

 

3,662

Amortization of NRECA Retirement Security Plan prepayment

 

2,686

 

2,686

Amortization of NRECA Retirement Security Plan prepayment2,686 2,686 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

1,204

 

1,171

Amortization of debt issuance costs1,249 1,204 

Impairment loss

259,761

Impairment loss259,761 

Deferred impairment loss and other closure costs

(268,163)

Deferred impairment loss and other closure costs(268,163)
Recognition of deferred revenueRecognition of deferred revenue(40,790)

Deferred membership withdrawal income

110,165

Deferred membership withdrawal income110,165 

Capital credit allocations from cooperatives and income from coal mines over refund distributions

2,775

 

(448)

Deposits associated with generator interconnection requestsDeposits associated with generator interconnection requests17,130 
Capital credit allocations from cooperatives and income from coal mines under (over) refund distributionsCapital credit allocations from cooperatives and income from coal mines under (over) refund distributions(957)2,775 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(3,457)

 

11,889

Accounts receivable(19,250)(3,457)

Coal inventory

(13,914)

 

1,404

Coal inventory(9,202)(13,914)

Materials and supplies

256

 

(4,863)

Materials and supplies(249)256 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

11,753

 

5,155

Accounts payable and accrued expenses23,681 11,753 

Accrued interest

(1,447)

 

(2,290)

Accrued interest(1,628)(1,447)

Accrued property taxes

(10,307)

 

(9,508)

Accrued property taxes(14,640)(10,307)

Other

(12,966)

 

(3,688)

Other(1,935)(12,966)

Net cash provided by operating activities

173,244

 

89,189

Net cash provided by operating activities52,698 173,244 

Investing activities

Investing activities

Purchases of plant

(68,059)

 

(90,913)

Purchases of plant(52,030)(68,059)

Sale of electric plant

26,000

Sale of electric plant26,000 

Changes in deferred charges

(3,007)

 

1,538

Changes in deferred charges(5,325)(3,007)

Proceeds from other investments

68

 

65

Proceeds from other investments72 68 

Net cash used in investing activities

(44,998)

 

(89,310)

Net cash used in investing activities(57,283)(44,998)

Financing activities

Financing activities

Changes in Utility Member advances

(2,896)

 

(9,357)

Changes in Member advancesChanges in Member advances2,499 (2,896)

Payments of long-term debt

(142,792)

 

(88,919)

Payments of long-term debt(73,946)(142,792)

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

425,000

 

34,910

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt425,000 

Debt issuance costs

(527)

(13)

Debt issuance costs(527)

Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net

(112,520)

67,157

Change in short-term borrowings, netChange in short-term borrowings, net79,968 (112,520)

Retirement of patronage capital

 

(60,991)

 

(11,101)

Retirement of patronage capital(13,705)(60,991)

Equity distribution to noncontrolling interest

(1,268)

(1,454)

Equity distribution to noncontrolling interest(2,693)(1,268)

Other

(279)

(257)

Other(409)(279)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

103,727

 

(9,034)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(8,286)103,727 

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and investments

231,973

 

(9,155)

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and investments(12,871)231,973 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and investments – beginning

113,768

 

127,590

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and investments – beginning132,074 113,768 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and investments – ending

$

345,741

$

118,435

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and investments – ending$119,203 $345,741 

Supplemental cash flow information:

Supplemental cash flow information:

Cash paid for interest

$

77,787

$

82,509

Cash paid for interest$72,904 $77,787 

Cash paid for income taxes

$

$

Cash paid for income taxes$$

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:

Change in plant expenditures included in accounts payable

$

594

$

(655)

Change in plant expenditures included in accounts payable$397 $594 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 20202021 and 2019

2020

NOTE 1 – PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20192020 filed with the SEC. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. Our consolidated financial position as of June 30, 2020,2021, results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 20202021 and 2019,2020, and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 20202021 and 20192020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for an entire year or any other period.

Basis of Consolidation

We are a taxable wholesale electric power generation and transmission cooperative operating on a not-for-profit basis serving large portions of Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado in 1952. We have three3 classes of membership: Class A - utility full requirements members, Class B - utility partial requirements members, and non-utility members. We have forty-twoNaN electric distribution member systems who are Class A members (“Class A Member(s)”) to which we provide electric power pursuant to long-term wholesale electric service contracts. We currently have no0 Class B members. We have three3 non-utility members (“Non-Utility Members”). Our Class A Membersmembers and any Class B members are collectively referred to as our “Utility Members.” Our Class A Members,members, any Class B members, and Non-Utility Members are collectively referred to as our “Members.” The addition of Non-Utility Members in 2019 and specifically the addition of MIECO, Inc. on September 3, 2019 removed the exemption from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (“FERC”) regulation for us, thus subjecting us to full rate and transmission jurisdiction by FERC effective September 3, 2019. Our stated rate to our Class A Membersmembers was filed at FERC on December 23, 2019 and was accepted by FERC on March 20, 2020.

On June 30, 2020, Delta Montrose Electric Association (“DMEA”) withdrew from membership in us pursuantAugust 2, 2021, FERC approved our settlement agreement related to the Membership Withdrawal Agreement. As part of the Membership Withdrawal Agreement, we received $88.5 million in cash, which includes $26 million for the conveyance of certain assets and facilities by usour stated rate to DMEA. In addition, we retired DMEA’s patronage capital balance of $47.7 million, which DMEA subsequently forfeited. The portion of the cash payment not associated with the conveyance of assets and the patronage capital forfeiture resulted in $110.2 million in other income and the conveyance of assets resulted in a $5.2 million gain on the sale of assets. These amounts were deferred by our Board of Directors (“Board”) and are recorded in regulatory liabilities on our consolidated statement of financial position, which is subject to FERC approval. For the fiscal year 2019 and the six months ended June 30, 2020, DMEA constituted approximately 3 percent of our revenue from our Utility Member sales.

Class A members. See Note 17 – Legal.

We comply with the Uniform System of Accounts as prescribed by FERC. In conformity with GAAP, the accounting policies and practices applied by us in the determination of rates are also employed for financial reporting purposes.

The accompanying financial statements reflect the consolidated accounts of Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (“Tri-State”, “we”, “our”, “us” or “the Association”), our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, and certain variable interest entities for which we or our subsidiaries are the primary beneficiaries. See Note 1716 – Variable Interest Entities. Our consolidated financial statements also include our undivided interests in jointly owned facilities. We have eliminated all significant intercompany balances and transactions in consolidation.

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Jointly Owned Facilities

We own undivided interests in two2 jointly owned generation facilities that are operated by the operating agent of each facility under joint facility ownership agreements with other utilities as tenants in common. These projects include the Yampa Project (operated by us) and the Missouri Basin Power Project (“MBPP”) (operated by Basin Electric Power Cooperative (“Basin”)). Each participant in these agreements receives a portion of the total output of the generation facilities, which approximates its percentage ownership. Each participant provides its own financing for its share of each facility and accounts for its share of the cost of each facility. The operating agent for each of these projects allocates the fuel and operating expenses to each participant based upon its share of the use of the facility. Therefore, our share of the plant asset cost, interest, depreciation and other operating expenses is included in our consolidated financial statements.


Effective as of August 1, 2021, our ownership share in MBPP increased to 28.5 percent due to our acquisition of Wyoming Municipal Power Agency’s ownership share in MBPP. The purchase represents an additional 1.37 percent undivided ownership interest in MBPP, which includes transmission and water rights and approximately 23 megawatts of generation.
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Our share in each jointly owned facility is as follows as of June 30, 20202021 (dollars in thousands):

  

                  

  

Electric

  

  

Construction

Tri-State

Plant in

 

Accumulated

 

Work In

Share

Service

 

Depreciation

 

Progress

Yampa Project - Craig Generating Station Units 1 and 2

24.00

%  

$

395,099

$

247,959

$

302

MBPP - Laramie River Station

27.13

%

 

488,921

 

300,452

 

4,363

Total

$

884,020

$

548,411

$

4,665

Tri-State
Share
Electric
Plant in
Service
Accumulated
Depreciation
Construction
Work In
Progress
Yampa Project - Craig Generating Station Units 1 and 224.00 %$391,698 $251,323 $653 
MBPP - Laramie River Station27.13 %500,485 318,715 3,096 
Total$892,183 $570,038 $3,749 


NOTE 2 – ACCOUNTING FOR RATE REGULATION

We are subject to

In accordance with the accounting requirements related to regulated operations. In accordance with these accounting requirements,operations, some revenues and expenses have been deferred at the discretion of our Board of Directors (“Board”), subject to FERC approval, if based on regulatory orders or other available evidence, it is probable that these amounts will be refunded or recovered through future rates. Regulatory assets are costs that we expect to recover from our Utility Members based on rates approved by the applicable authority. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in rates associated with amounts that are expected to be refunded to our Utility Members based on rates approved by the applicable authority. Prior to September 3, 2019, our Board had sole budgetary and rate-setting authority. On September 3, 2019, we became a FERC jurisdictional public utility and our Board’s rate setting authority, including the use of regulatory assets and liabilities, is now subject to FERC approval. Expected recovery of deferred costs and returning deferred credits are based on specific ratemaking decisions by FERC or precedent for each item. We recognize regulatory assets as expenses and regulatory liabilities as operating revenue, other income, or a reduction in expense concurrent with their recovery through rates.

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Regulatory assets and liabilities are as follows (dollars in thousands):

June 30, 

December 31,

 

    

2020

    

2019

 

Regulatory assets

Deferred income tax expense (1)

$

33,970

$

58,937

Deferred prepaid lease expense – Springerville Unit 3 Lease (2)

 

82,569

 

83,714

Goodwill – J.M. Shafer (3)

 

47,720

 

49,145

Goodwill – Colowyo Coal (4)

 

36,678

 

37,194

Deferred debt prepayment transaction costs (5)

 

136,616

 

140,931

Deferred Holcomb expansion impairment loss (6)

91,157

93,494

Unrecovered plant (7)

 

296,383

 

33,864

Total regulatory assets

725,093

497,279

 

Regulatory liabilities

Interest rate swap - realized gain (8)

 

3,508

 

3,744

Deferred revenues (9)

 

75,853

 

75,853

Membership withdrawal (10)

157,943

42,572

Total regulatory liabilities

237,304

122,169

Net regulatory asset

$

487,789

$

375,110

(1)A regulatory asset or liability associated with deferred income taxes generally represents the future increase or decrease in income taxes payable that will be received or settled through future rate revenues.
(2)Represents deferral of the loss on acquisition related to the Springerville Generating Station Unit 3 (“Springerville Unit 3”) prepaid lease expense upon acquiring a controlling interest in the Springerville Unit 3 Partnership LP (“Springerville Partnership”) in 2009. The regulatory asset for the deferred prepaid lease expense is being amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense in the amount of $2.3 million annually through the 47-year period ending in 2056 and recovered from our Utility Members through rates.
(3)Represents goodwill related to our acquisition of Thermo Cogeneration Partnership, LP in December 2011. Goodwill is being amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense in the amount of $2.8 million annually through the 25-year period ending in 2036 and recovered from our Utility Members through rates.
(4)Represents goodwill related to our acquisition of Colowyo Coal Company LP (“Colowyo Coal”) in December 2011. Goodwill is being amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense in the amount of $1.0 million annually through the 44-year period ending in 2056 and recovered from our Utility Members through rates.
(5)Represents transaction costs that we incurred related to the prepayment of our long-term debt in 2014. These costs are being amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense in the amount of $8.6 million annually over the 21.4-year period ending in 2036 and recovered from our Utility Members through rates.
(6)Represents deferral of the impairment loss related to development costs, including costs for the option to purchase development rights for the expansion of the Holcomb Generating Station. Beginning January 2020, the deferred impairment loss is being amortized to other operating expenses in the amount of $4.7 million annually over the 20-year period ending in 2039 and recovered from our Utility Members through rates.
(7)Represents deferral of the impairment losses related to the early retirement of the Nucla and Escalante Generating Stations. In July 2019, our Board took action for the early retirement of the Nucla Generating Station and the deferral of any impairment loss in accordance with accounting for rate regulation. In conjunction with the early retirement of the Nucla Generating Station, we recognized an impairment loss of $37.1 million during the third quarter of 2019. On September 19, 2019, the Nucla Generating Station was officially retired from service. The deferred impairment loss for Nucla Generating Station is being amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense over the 3.3-year period ending in December 2022 and recovered from our Utility Members through rates. In January 2020, our Board approved the early retirement of the Escalante Generating Station and the deferral of any impairment loss in accordance with accounting for rate regulation. In conjunction with the early retirement, we recognized an impairment loss of $268.2 million during the first quarter of 2020. The deferred impairment loss for Escalante Generating Station will be amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense beginning in 2021 through the end of 2045, which was the depreciable life of Escalante Generating Station,

8

June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
Regulatory assets
Deferred income tax expense (1)$19,641 $19,641 
Deferred prepaid lease expense – Springerville Unit 3 Lease (2)80,278 81,424 
Goodwill – J.M. Shafer (3)44,872 46,296 
Goodwill – Colowyo Coal (4)35,645 36,161 
Deferred debt prepayment transaction costs (5)127,988 132,302 
Deferred Holcomb expansion impairment loss (6)86,482 88,819 
Unrecovered plant (7)293,841 305,625 
Total regulatory assets688,747 710,268 
Regulatory liabilities
Interest rate swap - realized gain (8) and other3,037 3,293 
Deferred revenues (9)22,927 63,717 
Deferred membership withdrawal income (10)157,943 157,943 
Total regulatory liabilities183,907 224,953 
Net regulatory asset$504,840 $485,315 
(1)A regulatory asset or liability associated with deferred income taxes generally represents the future increase or decrease in income taxes payable that will be received or settled through future rate revenues.
(2)Represents deferral of the loss on acquisition related to the Springerville Generating Station Unit 3 (“Springerville Unit 3”) prepaid lease expense upon acquiring a controlling interest in the Springerville Unit 3 Partnership LP (“Springerville Partnership”) in 2009. The regulatory asset for the deferred prepaid lease expense is being amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense in the amount of $2.3 million annually through the 47-year period ending in 2056 and recovered from our Utility Members through rates.
(3)Represents goodwill related to our acquisition of Thermo Cogeneration Partnership, LP in December 2011. Goodwill is being amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense in the amount of $2.8 million annually through the 25-year period ending in 2036 and recovered from our Utility Members through rates.
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and is expected to be recovered from our Utility Members through rates. The annual amortization is expected to approximate the former annual Escalante Generating Station depreciation for the remaining life of the asset.
(8)Represents deferral of a realized gain of $4.6 million related to the October 2017 settlement of a forward starting interest rate swap. This realized gain was deferred as a regulatory liability and is being amortized to interest expense over the 12-year term of the First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2017A and refunded to Utility Members through reduced rates when recognized in future periods.
(9)Represents deferral of the recognition of non-member electric sales revenues. These deferred non-member electric sales revenues will be refunded to Utility Members through reduced rates when recognized in non-member electric sales revenue in future periods.
(10)Represents the deferral of the recognition of other income related to the June 30, 2016 withdrawal of a former Utility Member from membership in us and the June 30, 2020 withdrawal of DMEA from membership in us. In connection with the DMEA withdrawal, we recognized $110.2 million of other income and $5.2 million of gain on sale of assets which was subsequently deferred. The total deferred membership withdrawal income will be refunded to Utility Members through reduced rates, subject to FERC approval, when recognized in other income in future periods.

(4)Represents goodwill related to our acquisition of Colowyo Coal Company LP (“Colowyo Coal”) in December 2011. Goodwill is being amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense in the amount of $1.0 million annually through the 44-year period ending in 2056 and recovered from our Utility Members through rates.
(5)Represents transaction costs that we incurred related to the prepayment of our long-term debt in 2014. These costs are being amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense in the amount of $8.6 million annually over the 21.4-year period ending in 2036 and recovered from our Utility Members through rates.
(6)Represents deferral of the impairment loss related to development costs, including costs for the option to purchase development rights for the expansion of the Holcomb Generating Station. The regulatory asset for the deferred impairment loss is being amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense in the amount of $4.7 million annually over the 20-year period ending in 2039 and recovered from our Utility Members through rates.
(7)Represents deferral of the impairment losses related to the early retirement of the Nucla and Escalante Generating Stations. The deferred impairment loss for Nucla Generating Station is being amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense in the amount of $11.3 million annually over the 3.3-year period ending in December 2022 and recovered from our Utility Members through rates. The deferred impairment loss for Escalante Generating Station is being amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense in the amount of $11.3 million annually over the 25-year period ending in December 2045, which was the depreciable life of Escalante Generating Station, and recovered from our Utility Members through rates. The annual amortization approximates the former annual Escalante Generating Station depreciation for the remaining life of the asset.
(8)Represents deferral of a realized gain of $4.6 million related to the October 2017 settlement of a forward starting interest rate swap. This realized gain was deferred as a regulatory liability and is being amortized to interest expense over the 12-year term of the First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2017A and refunded to Utility Members through reduced rates when recognized in future periods.
(9)Represents deferral of the recognition of non-member electric sales revenues. These deferred non-member electric sales revenues will be refunded to Utility Members as part of our rate stabilization measures when recognized in non-member electric sales revenue in future periods.
(10)Represents the deferral of the recognition of other income related to the withdrawal of former Utility Members from membership in us. The total deferred membership withdrawal income will be refunded to Utility Members as part of our rate stabilization measures when recognized in other income in future periods.

NOTE 3 – INVESTMENTS IN OTHER ASSOCIATIONS

Investments in other associations include investments in the patronage capital of other cooperatives and other required investments in the organizations. Our investment in a cooperative increases when a cooperative allocates patronage capital credits to us and it decreases when we receive a cash retirement of the allocated capital credits from the cooperative. A cooperative allocates its patronage capital credits to us based upon our patronage (amount of business done) with the cooperative.

Investments in other associations are as follows (dollars in thousands):

June 30, 

December 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

 

June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020

Basin Electric Power Cooperative

$

114,036

$

117,368

Basin Electric Power Cooperative$118,295 $118,295 

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation - patronage capital

 

11,761

 

11,761

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation - patronage capital11,933 11,933 

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation - capital term certificates

15,885

15,953

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation - capital term certificates15,149 15,221 

CoBank, ACB

 

11,141

 

10,201

CoBank, ACB12,707 11,141 

Western Fuels Association, Inc.

 

2,183

 

2,409

Other

 

4,151

 

4,253

Other6,139 6,385 

Investments in other associations

$

159,157

$

161,945

Investments in other associations$164,223 $162,975 

Our investments in other associations are considered equity securities without readily determinable fair values, and as such are measured at cost minus impairment. We have evaluated these investments for indicators of impairment. There were no0 impairments of these investments recognized during the six months ended June 30, 20202021 or during 2019.

NOTE 4 – INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO COAL MINES

We have direct ownership and investments in coal mines to support our coal generating resources. We, and certain participants in the Yampa Project, are members of Trapper Mining, which is organized as a cooperative and is the owner and operator of the Trapper Mine near Craig, Colorado. Our investment in Trapper Mining is recorded using the equity method. In addition, we have ownership in Western Fuels Association, Inc. (“WFA”), which is an owner of Western Fuels-Wyoming, Inc. (“WFW”), the owner and operator of the Dry Fork Mine near Gillette, Wyoming. Dry Fork Mine provides coal to the Laramie River Generating Station (owned by the participants of MBPP). We, through our undivided interest in the jointly owned facility of MBPP, advance funds to the Dry Fork Mine.

2020.

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Investments in and advances to coal mines are as follows (dollars in thousands):

June 30, 

December 31,

    

2020

    

2019

 

Investment in Trapper Mine

$

16,146

$

15,881

Advances to Dry Fork Mine

 

3,480

 

3,800

Investments in and advances to coal mines

$

19,626

$

19,681

NOTE 54 – CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS

We consider highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The fair value of cash equivalents approximates their carrying values due to their short-term maturity.

8

Restricted cash and investments represent funds designated by our Board for specific uses and funds restricted by contract or other legal reasons. A portion of the funds are amounts that have been restricted by contract that are expected to be settled within one year. These funds are therefore classified as current on our consolidated statements of financial position. The other funds are for amounts restricted by contract or other legal reasons that are expected to be settled beyond one year. These funds are classified as noncurrent and are included in other assets and investments on our consolidated statements of financial position.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and investments reported within our consolidated statements of financial position that sum to the total of the same such amount shown in our consolidated statements of cash flows (dollars in thousands):

  

June 30, 

December 31,

 

    

2020

    

2019

 

June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020

Cash and cash equivalents

$

340,599

$

83,070

Cash and cash equivalents$114,494 $127,187 

Restricted cash and investments - current

 

194

 

182

Restricted cash and investments - current343 205 

Restricted cash and investments - noncurrent

4,948

30,516

Restricted cash and investments - noncurrent4,366 4,682 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and investments

$

345,741

$

113,768

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and investments$119,203 $132,074 

Our Board Policy for Financial Goals and Capital Credits was revised in 2018 to provide that our Board will endeavor to fund an internally restricted cash account for the purpose of cash funding deferred revenues and incomes held as regulatory liabilities. In connection with such policy, our Board internally restricted cash in the amount of $25.5 million as of December 31, 2019 which was included in restricted cash and investments - noncurrent. Our Board may, at any time and for any reason, unrestrict any internally restricted cash. On March 10, 2020, our Board took action to unrestrict the $25.5 million balance of the restricted cash in response to volatile market conditions.

NOTE 65 – CONTRACT ASSETS AND CONTRACT LIABILITIES

Accounts Receivable

We record accounts receivable for our unconditional rights to consideration arising from our performance under contracts with our Members and other parties. Uncollectible amounts, if any, are identified on a specific basis and charged to expense in the period determined to be uncollectible. See Note 1312 – Revenue.

Contract liabilities (unearned revenue)

A contract liability represents an entity’s obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the entity has received consideration from the customer. We have received deposits from others and these deposits are reflected in unearned revenue (included in other deferred credits and other liabilities on our consolidated statements of financial position) before revenue is recognized, resulting in contract liabilities. During the six months ended June 30, 2020,2021, we

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recognized $0.5$0.7 million of this unearned revenue in other operating revenues on our consolidated statements of operations.

Our contract assets and liabilities consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

June 30, 

December 31, 

  

2020

    

2019

    

June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020

Accounts receivable - Utility Members

$

116,890

$

105,371

Accounts receivable - Utility Members$110,126 $96,637 

Other accounts receivable - trade:

Other accounts receivable - trade:

Non-member electric sales

4,693

4,727

Non-member electric sales7,423 5,231 

Other

14,862

20,628

Other16,603 9,785 

Total other accounts receivable - trade

19,555

25,355

Total other accounts receivable - trade24,026 15,016 

Other accounts receivable - nontrade

1,233

2,684

Other accounts receivable - nontrade1,487 5,554 

Total other accounts receivable

$

20,788

$

28,039

Total other accounts receivable$25,513 $20,570 

Contract liabilities (unearned revenue)

$

6,608

$

7,041

Contract liabilities (unearned revenue)$5,598 $6,025 


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NOTE 76 – OTHER DEFERRED CHARGES

The following other deferred charges are reflected on our consolidated statements of financial position (dollars in thousands):

June 30, 

December 31, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

 

June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020

Preliminary surveys and investigations

$

22,689

$

21,261

Preliminary surveys and investigations$12,188 $12,886 

Advances to operating agents of jointly owned facilities

 

7,085

 

3,917

Advances to operating agents of jointly owned facilities6,507 2,071 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

7,925

7,622

Operating lease right-of-use assets7,688 7,985 

Other

 

14,799

 

9,872

Other14,840 10,704 

Total other deferred charges

$

52,498

$

42,672

Total other deferred charges$41,223 $33,646 

We make expenditures for preliminary surveys and investigations for the purpose of determining the feasibility of contemplated generation and transmission projects. If construction results, the preliminary survey and investigation expenditures will be reclassified to electric plant - construction work in progress. If the work is abandoned, the related preliminary survey and investigation expenditures will be charged to the appropriate operating expense account or the expense could be deferred as a regulatory asset to be recovered from our Utility Members through rates subject to approval by our Board and FERC.

We make advance payments to the operating agents of jointly owned facilities to fund our share of costs expected to be incurred under each project including MBPP – Laramie River Station, and Yampa Project – Craig Generating Station Units 1 and 2. We also make advance payments to the operating agent of Springerville Unit 3.

A right-of-use asset represents a lessee’s right to control the use of the underlying asset for the lease term. Right-of-use assets are included in other deferred charges and presented net of accumulated amortization. See Note 1514 – Leases.

NOTE 87 – LONG-TERM DEBT

We have $3.2$3.1 billion of long-term debt which consists of mortgage notes payable, pollution control revenue bonds and the Springerville certificates. The mortgage notes payable and pollution control revenue bonds are secured on a parity basis by a Master First Mortgage Indenture, Deed of Trust and Security Agreement (“Master Indenture”) except for one1 unsecured note in the amount of $23.4$15.8 million as of June 30, 2020.2021. Substantially all our assets, rents, revenues and margins are pledged as collateral. The Springerville certificates are secured by the assets of Springerville Unit 3. All long-term debt contains certain restrictive financial covenants, including a debt service ratio requirement on an annual

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basis and an equity to capitalization ratio requirement of at least 18 percent at the end of each fiscal year. Other than the Springerville certificates that has a debt service ratio requirement of at least 1.02 on an annual basis, all other long-term debt contains a debt service ratio requirement of at least 1.10 on an annual basis.

We have a secured revolving credit facility with National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (“CFC”), as lead arranger and administrative agent, in the amount of $650 million (“Revolving Credit Agreement”) that expires on April 25, 2023 and includes a swingline sublimit of $100 million, a letter of credit sublimit of $75 million, and a commercial paper back-up sublimit of $500 million. As of June 30, 2020, we have borrowed $125 million in LIBOR rate loans which are secured under the Revolving Credit Agreement, and issued $140 million in commercial paper against the commercial paper back-up sublimit. As of June 30, 2020,2021, we had $385.0$570.0 million in availability under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

On June 24, 2020, we entered into two term loan agreements. A term loan agreement was entered into with CoBank, ACB (“CoBank”) under which we issued our First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2020A consisting of a variable rate borrowing in the amount of $125 million. A term loan agreement was entered into with CFC under which we issued our First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2020B consisting of fixed rate borrowings in the amount of $50 million and variable rate borrowings in the amount of $50 million. Proceeds from the two borrowings were utilized to pay down commercial paper borrowings, repay draws outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement and for general corporate purposes.

Long-term debt consists of the following (dollars in thousands):

June 30, 

December 31, 

 

    

2020

  

2019

 

June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020

Total debt

$

3,448,680

3,166,472

Total debt$3,234,768 $3,308,715 

Less debt issuance costs

(26,735)

(27,412)

Less debt issuance costs(24,341)(25,590)

Less debt discounts

(9,785)

(9,906)

Less debt discounts(9,530)(9,659)

Plus debt premiums

15,030

15,752

Plus debt premiums13,647 14,302 

Total debt adjusted for debt issuance costs, discounts and premiums

3,427,190

3,144,906

Total debt adjusted for debt issuance costs, discounts and premiums3,214,544 3,287,768 

Less current maturities

 

(210,945)

 

(81,555)

Less current maturities(75,718)(87,587)

Long-term debt

$

3,216,245

$

3,063,351

Long-term debt$3,138,826 $3,200,181 


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NOTE 98 – SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

We have a commercial paper program under which we issue unsecured commercial paper in aggregate amounts not exceeding the commercial paper back-up sublimit under our Revolving Credit Agreement, which is the lesser of $500 million or the amount available under our Revolving Credit Agreement. The commercial paper issuances are used to provide an additional financing source for our short-term liquidity needs. The maturities of the commercial paper issuances vary, but may not exceed 397 days from the date of issue. The commercial paper notes are classified as current and are included in current liabilities as short-term borrowings on our consolidated statements of financial position.

Commercial paper consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
Commercial paper outstanding, net of discounts$79,968 $
Weighted average interest rate0.18 %%

June 30, 

December 31, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

 

Commercial paper outstanding, net of discounts

$

139,803

$

252,323

Weighted average interest rate

 

0.80

%

 

1.88

%

At June 30, 2020, $360.02021, $420.0 million of the commercial paper back-up sublimit remained available under the Revolving Credit Agreement. See Note 87 – Long-Term Debt.

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NOTE 109 – ASSET RETIREMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL RECLAMATION OBLIGATIONS

We account for current obligations associated with the future retirement of tangible long-lived assets and environmental reclamation in accordance with the accounting guidance relating to asset retirement and environmental obligations. This guidance requires that legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets be recognized at fair value at the time the liability is incurred and capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is adjusted to its present value by recognizing accretion expense and the capitalized cost of the long-lived asset is depreciated in a manner consistent with the depreciation of the underlying physical asset. In the absence of quoted market prices, we determine fair value by using present value techniques in which estimates of future cash flows associated with retirement activities are discounted using a credit adjusted risk-free rate and market risk premium. Upon settlement of an asset retirement obligation, we will apply payment against the estimated liability and incur a gain or loss if the actual retirement costs differ from the estimated recorded liability.

Environmental reclamation costs are accrued based on management’s best estimate at the end of each period of the costs expected to be incurred. Such cost estimates may include ongoing care, maintenance and monitoring costs. Changes in reclamation estimates are reflected in earnings in the period an estimate is revised. Estimates of future expenditures for environmental reclamation obligations are not discounted.

Coal mines: We have asset retirement obligations for the final reclamation costs and environmental obligations for post-reclamation monitoring related to the Colowyo Mine and the New Horizon Mine, and the Fort Union Mine. The New Horizon Mine startedis currently in post-reclamation monitoring. NaN pit at the Colowyo Mine began final reclamation in June 2017.

2019 with the other remaining pits still being actively mined.

Generation: We including through our undivided interest in jointly owned facilities, have asset retirement obligations related to equipment, dams, ponds, wells and underground storage tanks at the generating stations.

11

Aggregate carrying amounts of asset retirement obligations and environmental reclamation obligations are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

    

2020

    

Obligations at beginning of period

$

78,914

Liabilities incurred

 

Liabilities settled

 

(794)

Accretion expense

 

1,281

Change in cash flow estimate

 

3,155

Total obligations at end of period

$

82,556

Less current obligations at end of period

(1,144)

Long-term obligations at end of period

$

81,412

Six Months Ended
June 30,
2021
Obligations at beginning of period$138,089 
Liabilities incurred
Liabilities settled(135)
Accretion expense1,411 
Change in cash flow estimate(54,324)
Total obligations at end of period$85,041 
Less current obligations at end of period(6,679)
Long-term obligations at end of period$78,362 

In the second quarter of 2021, we recorded a reduction of the Colowyo Mine reclamation liability of $50.0 million. This reduction was primarily related to a change in the mine plan of South Taylor pit at the Colowyo Mine. After obtaining regulatory approval, the South Taylor pit life was extended through 2027 to mine the highwall, which resulted in a lower estimated obligation at the end of the mining period. The West pit is currently in final reclamation. In 2019, we recorded an additional reclamation obligation liability of $22.4 million due to anticipated revision to the New Horizon Mine reclamation plan to accommodate an alternative post mine land use as necessary for final mine reclamation. We continue to evaluate the Colowyo Mine and New Horizon Mine post reclamation obligations and will make adjustments to these obligations as needed.
We also have asset retirement obligations with indeterminate settlement dates. These are made up primarily of obligations attached to transmission and other easements that are considered by us to be operated in perpetuity and therefore the measurement of the obligation is not possible. A liability will be recognized in the period in which sufficient information exists to estimate a range of potential settlement dates as is needed to employ a present value technique to estimate fair value.

13


NOTE 1110 – OTHER DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES

The following other deferred credits and other liabilities are reflected on our consolidated statements of financial position (dollars in thousands):

June 30, 

December 31, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

 

June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020

Transmission easements

$

20,148

$

20,549

Transmission easements$19,531 $19,983 

Operating lease liabilities - noncurrent

1,813

1,846

Operating lease liabilities - noncurrent1,689 1,590 

Contract liabilities (unearned revenue) - noncurrent

 

4,030

 

4,217

Contract liabilities (unearned revenue) - noncurrent3,520 3,702 

Customer deposits

 

7,558

 

3,015

Customer deposits8,900 7,712 

Financial liabilities - reclamation

 

11,112

 

12,091

Financial liabilities - reclamation11,931 12,081 
Deposits associated with generator interconnection requestsDeposits associated with generator interconnection requests17,130 

Other

13,578

14,681

Other13,650 9,532 

Total other deferred credits and other liabilities

$

58,239

$

56,399

Total other deferred credits and other liabilities$76,351 $54,600 

In 2015, we renewed transmission right of way easements on tribal nation lands where certain of our electric transmission lines are located. $31.2$29.4 million will be paid by us for these easements from 20202021 through the individual easement terms ending between 2036 and 2040. The present values for the remaining easement payments were $20.1$19.5 and $20.5$20.0 million as of June 30, 20202021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively, which are recorded as other deferred credits and other liabilities.

A lease liability represents a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments over the lease term. The long-term portion of our lease liabilities are included in other deferred credits and other liabilities and the current portion of our lease liabilities are included in current liabilities. See Note 1514 – Leases.

A contract liability represents an entity’s obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the entity has received consideration from the customer. We have received deposits from others and these deposits are reflected in contract liabilities (unearned
12

(unearned revenue) until recognized in other operating revenues over the life of the agreement. We have received deposits from various parties and those that may still be required to be returned are a liability and these are reflected in customer deposits.

NOTE 1211 – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

We sponsor three3 medical plans for all non-bargaining unit employees under the age of 65. TwoNaN of the plans provide postretirement medical benefits to full-time non-bargaining unit employees and retirees who receive benefits under those plans, who have attained age 55, and who elect to participate. All three3 of these non-bargaining unit medical plans offer postemployment medical benefits to employees on long-term disability. The plans were unfunded at June 30, 2020,2021, are contributory (with retiree premium contributions equivalent to employee premiums, adjusted annually) and contain other cost-sharing features such as deductibles.

As of June 30, 2021, the plans ceased to provide postretirement medical benefits for employees who retire after June 30, 2021.

14


The postretirement medical benefit and postemployment medical benefit obligations are determined annually (during the fourth quarter) by an independent actuary and are included in accumulated postretirement benefit and postemployment obligations on our consolidated statements of financial position as follows (dollars in thousands):

June 30, 

    

2020

Postretirement medical benefit obligation at beginning of period

$

10,195

Service cost

 

281

Interest cost

 

176

Benefit payments (net of contributions by participants)

 

(310)

Postretirement medical benefit obligation at end of period

$

10,342

Postemployment medical benefit obligation at end of period

 

375

Total postretirement and postemployment medical obligations at end of period

$

10,717

Six Months Ended
June 30,
2021
Postretirement medical benefit obligation at beginning of period$9,985 
Service cost301 
Interest cost129 
Benefit payments (net of contributions by participants)(296)
Postretirement medical benefit obligation at end of period$10,119 
Postemployment medical benefit obligation at end of period419 
Total postretirement and postemployment medical obligations at end of period$10,538 

The service cost component of our net periodic benefit cost is included in operating expenses on our consolidated statements of operations. The components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in other income (expense) on our consolidated statements of operations.

In accordance with the accounting standard related to postretirement benefits other than pensions, actuarial gains and losses are not recognized in income but are instead recorded in accumulated other income on our consolidated statements of financial position. If the unrecognized amount is in excess of 10 percent of the projected benefit obligation, amounts are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and included in net income as the excess is amortized over the average remaining service lives of the active plan participants. Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses have been determined per actuarial studies for the postretirement medical benefit obligation.

The net unrecognized actuarial gains and losses related to the postretirement medical benefit obligations are included in accumulated other comprehensive income as follows (dollars in thousands):

Six Months Ended
June 30,
2021

June 30, 

2020

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at beginning of period

$

$

(841)

(1,387)

Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss into income

11

Amortization of prior service credit into other income

(39)

(39)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period

$

$

(880)

(1,415)

Defined Benefit Plans

We participate in the NRECA Pension Restoration Plan and the NRECA Executive Benefit Restoration Plan, both of which are intended to provide a supplemental benefit to the defined benefit plan for an eligible group of highly compensated employees.
13

Eligible employees include the Chief Executive Officer and any other employees that become eligible. All our executive employees currently participate in one of the following pension restoration plans: the NRECA Pension Restoration Plan or the NRECA Executive Benefit Restoration Plan. Eligibility is determined annually and is based on January 1 base salary that exceeds the limits of the defined benefit plan.

As of April 30, 2021, the plans ceased to add new participants and no new executives will be eligible for the plan.

The NRECA Executive Benefit Restoration Plan obligations are determined annually (during the first quarter of the subsequent year) by an NRECA actuary and are included in accumulated postretirement benefit and postemployment obligations on our consolidated statements of financial position as follows (dollars in thousands):

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Six Months Ended
June 30,
2021
Executive benefit restoration obligation at beginning of period$7,379 
Service cost204 
Interest cost109 
Actuarial loss1,121 
Executive benefit restoration at end of period$8,813 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period$6,955 
Employer contributions806 
Actual return on plan assets$61 
Fair value of plan assets at end of period$7,822 
Net liability recognized$991 

June 30, 

    

2020

Executive benefit restoration obligation at beginning of period

$

674

Service cost

 

259

Interest cost

 

354

Plan amendments - prior service cost

5,218

Actuarial loss

 

2,155

Executive benefit restoration at end of period

$

8,660

The service cost component of our net periodic benefit cost is included in operating expenses on our consolidated statements of operations. The components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in other income (expense) on our consolidated statements of operations.

In December 2020, we established an irrevocable trust with an independent third party to fund the NRECA Executive Benefit Restoration Plan. The trust is funded quarterly to the prior year obligation as determined by the NRECA actuary.

In accordance with the accounting standard related to defined benefit pension plans, actuarial gains and losses are not recognized in income but are instead recorded in accumulated other income on our consolidated statements of financial position. If the unrecognized amount is in excess of 10 percent of the projected benefit obligation, amounts are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and included in net income as the excess is amortized over the average remaining service lives of the active plan participants. Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses have been determined per actuarial studies for the executive benefit restoration obligation.

The net unrecognized actuarial gains and losses related to the executive benefit restoration obligations are included in accumulated other comprehensive income as follows (dollars in thousands):

Six Months Ended
June 30,
2021

June 30, 

2020

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at beginning of period

$

$

(4,873)

(130)

Plan amendments - prior service cost

(5,218)

Amortization of prior service cost into other income

459 

1,139

Amortization of actuarial loss

171 
Curtailment and settlement141 
Unrecognized actuarial loss

(1,121)

(2,155)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period

$

$

(5,223)

(6,364)


14

NOTE 1312 – REVENUE

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Our revenues are derived primarily from the sale of electric power to our Utility Members pursuant to long-term wholesale electric service contracts. Our contracts with our 42 Utility Members extend through 2050. We had a contract with DMEA that extended through 2040. DMEA withdrew from membership in us on June 30, 2020 and DMEA’s contract was assigned by us to DMEA’s new third-party power supplier.

Member electric sales

Revenues from electric power sales to our Utility Members are primarily from our Class A rate schedule filed with FERC. Our Class A rate schedule for electric power sales to our Utility Members consist of three3 billing components: an energy rate and two2 demand rates. Our Class A rate schedule is variable and is approved by our Board and FERC. Energy and demand have the same pattern of transfer to our Utility Members and are both measurements of the electric power provided to our Utility Members. Therefore, the provision of electric power to our Utility Members is one performance obligation. Prior to our Utility Members’ requirement for electric power, we do not have a contractual right to consideration as we are not obligated to provide electric power until the Utility Member requires each incremental unit of electric power. We transfer control of the electric power to our Utility Members over time and our Utility Members simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of the electric power. Progress toward completion of our performance obligation is measured using the output method, meter readings are taken at the end of each month for billing purposes,

16


energy and demand are determined after the meter readings and Utility Members are invoiced based on the meter reading. Payments from our Utility Members are received in accordance with the wholesale electric service contracts’ terms, which is less than 30 days from the invoice date. Utility Member electric sales revenue is recorded as Utility Member electric sales on our consolidated statements of operations and Accounts receivable – Utility Members on our consolidated statements of financial position.

In addition to our Utility Member electric sales, we have non-member electric sales and other operating revenue which consist of several revenue streams. The following revenue is reflected on our consolidated statements of operations as follows (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended June 30, 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

2020

    

2019

2017

2019

Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2021202020212020

Non-member electric sales:

    

Non-member electric sales:

Long-term contracts

$

11,251

$

10,912

$

23,395

$

22,594

Long-term contracts$10,093 $11,251 $18,799 $23,395 

Short-term contracts

5,374

5,862

9,043

20,910

Short-term contracts6,096 5,374 14,730 9,043 
Recognition of deferred revenueRecognition of deferred revenue19,956 40,790 

Other

10,034

13,156

20,924

27,412

Other15,712 10,034 30,712 20,924 

Total non-member electric sales and other operating revenue

$

26,659

$

29,930

$

53,362

$

70,916

Total non-member electric sales and other operating revenue$51,857 $26,659 $105,031 $53,362 

Non-member electric sales

Revenues from electric power sales to non-members are primarily from long-term contracts and short-term market sales.

Prior to our customers’ demand for energy, we do not have a contractual right to consideration as we are not obligated to provide energy until the customer demands each incremental unit of energy. We transfer control of the energy to our customer over time and our customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the electric power. Progress toward completion of our performance obligation is measured using the output method. Payments are received in accordance with the contract terms, which is less than 30 days after the invoice is received by the customer.

Other operating revenue

Other operating revenue consists primarily of wheeling, transmission, water and lease revenues, coal sales and revenue from supplying steam and water.revenue. Other operating revenue also includes revenue we receive from two2 of our Non-Utility Members. Wheeling revenue is earned when we charge other energy companies for transmitting electricity over our transmission lines (payments are received in accordance with the contract terms which is within 20 days of the date the invoice is received). Transmission revenue is from Southwest Power Pool’s scheduling of transmission across our transmission assets in the Eastern Interconnection because of our membership in it (Southwest Power Pool collects the revenue from the customer and pays us for the scheduling, system control, dispatch
15

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transmission service, and the annual transmission revenue requirement). Steam and waterWater revenue is derived from supplying steam and water resources to a paper manufacturer located adjacent to the Escalante Generating Station (payments from the customer are received in accordance with the contract terms which is less than 15 days from the invoice date). Each of these services or goods are provided over time and progress toward completion of our performance obligations are measured using the output method. Lease revenue is primarily from a certain power sales arrangement, which expired on June 30, 2019, that was required to be accounted for as an operating lease since the arrangement conveyed the right to use power generating equipment for a stated period of time. Coal sales revenue results from the sale of coal from the Colowyo Mine to third parties. We have an obligation to deliver coal and progress of completion toward our performance obligation is measured using the output method. Our performance obligation is completed as coal is delivered.

NOTE 1413 – INCOME TAXES

We are a taxable cooperative subject to federal and state taxation. As a taxable electric cooperative, we are allowed a tax exclusion for margins allocated as patronage capital. We utilize the liability method of accounting for income taxes. However,taxes, which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be determined based on the expected future income tax consequences of events that have been recognized in accordance with our regulatory accounting treatment,the consolidated financial statements. Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted the normalization method of recognizing deferred income taxes pursuant to FERC regulation. Under the normalization method, changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities result in

17


Table of Contents

deferred income tax expense (benefit) and any recorded income tax expense (benefit) therefore includes both the current income tax expense (benefit) and the deferred income tax expense (benefit). Our subsidiaries are not subject to FERC regulation and continue to use a flow-through method for recognizing deferred income taxes whereby changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities result in the establishment of a regulatory asset or liability.liability, as approved by our Board. A regulatory asset or liability associated with deferred income taxes generally represents the future increase or decrease in income taxes payable that will be settled or received through future rate revenues. Under this regulatory accounting approach, any income tax expense or benefit on our consolidated statements of operations includes only the current provision. This liability method is included in our rate filling accepted by FERC on March 20, 2020; however, FERC may require a different method for the recovery of income taxes. Our consolidated statements of operations included an income tax benefitexpense of $0.3$0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 20202021 and $0.2an income tax benefit of $0.3 million for the comparable period in 2019. These income tax benefits are due to an alternative minimum tax credit refund.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded a $19 million decrease in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance due to the deferred tax treatment of an abandonment loss. No changes to the valuation allowance were needed for the three-month period ended June 30, 2020.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act includes certain corporate income tax provisions which have been evaluated by us. The CARES Act did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 1514 – LEASES

Leasing Arrangements As Lessee

We determine if an arrangement is a lease upon commencement of the contract. If an arrangement is determined to be a long-term lease (greater than 12 months), we recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. Our lease terms may also include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise those options. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Right-of-use assets are included in other deferred charges, the current portion of lease liabilities is included in current liabilities and the long-term portion of lease liabilities is included in other deferred credits and other liabilities on our consolidated statements of financial position.

We have elected to apply the short-term lease exception for contracts that have a lease term of twelve months or less and do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset. Therefore, we do not recognize a right-of-use asset or lease liability for such contracts. We recognize short-term lease payments as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or rate are recognized as expense.

We have lease agreements as lessee for the right to use various facilities and operational assets and had a lease agreement for the right to use power generating equipment at Brush Generating Station. Under the power purchase arrangement at the Brush Generating Station that expired on December 31, 2019, we were required to account for the arrangement as an operating lease since it conveys to us the right to direct the use of 70 megawatts at the Brush Generating Station whereby we provide our own natural gas for generation of electricity. We did not renew this power purchase arrangement.

assets. Rent expense for all short-term and long-term operating leases was $0.7$0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 20202021 and $1.8$0.7 million for the comparable period in 2019.2020. Rent expense for all short-term and long-term operating leases was $1.6$1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 202020, 2021 and $3.6$1.6 million for the comparable period in 2019.2020. Rent expense is included in operating expenses on our consolidated statements of operations. As of June 30, 2020,2021, there were no0 arrangements accounted for as finance leases.

18

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Our consolidated statements of financial position include the following lease components (dollars in thousands):

June 30,

2020

June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020

Operating leases

Operating leases

Operating lease right-of-use assets

$

9,291

Operating lease right-of-use assets$9,237 $9,223 

Less: Accumulated amortization

(1,366)

Less: Accumulated amortization(1,549)(1,238)

Net operating lease right-of-use assets

$

7,925

Net operating lease right-of-use assets$7,688 $7,985 

Operating lease liabilities - current

$

(6,313)

Operating lease liabilities - current$(464)$(526)

Operating lease liabilities - noncurrent

(1,813)

Operating lease liabilities - noncurrent(1,689)(1,590)

Total operating lease liabilities

$

(8,126)

Total operating lease liabilities$(2,153)$(2,116)

Operating leases

Operating leases

Weighted average remaining lease term (years)

9.1

Weighted average remaining lease term (years)7.77.6

Weighted average discount rate

3.75%

Weighted average discount rate3.75 %3.84 %

Future expected minimum lease commitments under operating leases are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Year 1

    

$

6,395

Year 2

 

481

Year 3

 

351

Year 4

 

323

Year 5

244

Thereafter

 

731

Total lease payments

$

8,525

Less imputed interest

(399)

Total

$

8,126

Year 1$550 
Year 2415 
Year 3374 
Year 4247 
Year 591 
Thereafter650 
Total lease payments$2,327 
Less imputed interest(174)
Total$2,153 

Leasing Arrangements As Lessor

We have lease agreements as lessor for certain operational assets and had a lease agreement as lessor for power generating equipment at the J.M. Shafer Generating Station. Under the power sales arrangement at the J.M. Shafer Generating Station that expired on June 30, 2019, we were required to account for the arrangement as an operating lease since it conveyed to a third party the right to direct the use of 122 megawatts of the 272 megawatt generating capability of the J.M. Shafer Generating Station whereby the third party provided its own natural gas for generation of electricity.assets. The revenue from these lease agreements of $1.6$1.7 million and $4.6$1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively, and $3.2$3.5 million and $8.9$3.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 20202021 and 2019,2020 respectively, are included in other operating revenue on our consolidated statements of operations.

The lease arrangement with the Springerville Partnership is not reflected in our lease right right-of-use asset or liability balances as the associated revenues and expenses are eliminated in consolidation. See Note 17-16- Variable Interest Entities. However, as the noncontrolling interest associated with this lease arrangement generates book-tax differences, a deferred tax asset and liability have been recorded. See Note 14 – Income Taxes.

NOTE 1615 – FAIR VALUE

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability between market participants in the principal or in the most advantageous market when no principal market exists. The fair value measurement accounting guidance emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (market participants are assumed to be independent, knowledgeable, able and willing to transact an exchange and not under duress). In considering market participant

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assumptions in fair value measurements, a three-tier fair value hierarchy for measuring fair value was established which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1 inputs are based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active (exchange-traded) markets. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions (observable market data) involving identical assets or liabilities.

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Level 2 inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques (such as option pricing models, discounted cash flow models) for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level 3 inputs consist of unobservable market data which is typically based on an entity’s own assumptions of what a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability as there is little, if any, related market activity.

In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

Executive Benefit Restoration Plan Trust
In December 2020, we established an irrevocable trust with an independent third party to fund the NRECA Executive Benefit Restoration Plan. The trust is funded quarterly to the prior year obligation as determined by the NRECA actuary. The trust consists of investments in equity and debt securities and are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Changes in the fair value of investments in equity securities are recognized in earnings and changes in fair value of investments in debt securities classified as available-for-sale are recognized in other comprehensive income until realized. The estimated fair value of the investments is based upon their active market value (Level 1 inputs) and is included in other noncurrent assets on our consolidated statements of financial position. The cost and fair values of our marketable securities are as follows (dollars in thousands):
June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
CostEstimated
Fair Value
CostEstimated
Fair Value
EBR Trust investments$7,822 $7,743 $6,955 $6,955 
Marketable Securities

We hold marketable securities in connection with the directors’ and executives’ elective deferred compensation plans which consist of investments in stock funds, bond funds and money market funds. These securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The estimated fair value of the investments is based upon their active market value (Level 1 inputs) and is included in other noncurrent assets on our consolidated statements of financial position. The cost and fair values of our marketable securities are as follows (dollars in thousands):

June 30, 2020

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

Estimated

  

Cost

  

Fair Value

  

Cost

  

Fair Value

 

Marketable securities

  

$

554

  

$

487

  

$

715

  

$

654

June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
CostEstimated
Fair Value
CostEstimated
Fair Value
Marketable securities$513 $556 $491 $478 

Cash Equivalents

We invest portions of our cash and cash equivalents in commercial paper, money market funds, and other highly liquid investments. The fair value of these investments approximates our cost basis in the investments. In aggregate, the fair value was $249.6$105.9 million as of June 30, 20202021 and $79.0$94.6 million as of December 31, 2019.

2020.

Debt

The fair values of long-term debt were estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on our current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. These valuation assumptions utilize observable inputs based on market data obtained from independent sources and are therefore considered Level 2 inputs (quoted prices for similar assets, liabilities (adjusted) and market corroborated inputs). The principal amounts and fair values of our debt are as follows (dollars in thousands):

June 30, 2020

December 31, 2019

 

 

Principal

 

Estimated

 

Principal

 

Estimated

  

Amount

  

Fair Value

  

Amount

  

Fair Value

 

Total debt

$

3,448,680

$

4,089,469

$

3,166,472

$

3,608,341

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June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Principal
Amount
Estimated
Fair Value
Principal
Amount
Estimated
Fair Value
Total long-term debt$3,234,768 $3,825,737 $3,308,715 $3,908,497 

NOTE 1716 – VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

The following is a description of our financial interests in variable interest entities that weconsider significant. This includes an entity for which we are determined to be the primary beneficiary and therefore consolidate and also entities for which we are not the primary beneficiary and therefore do not consolidate.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entity

Springerville Partnership: We own a 51 percent equity interest, including the 1 percent general partner equity interest, in the Springerville Partnership, which is the 100 percent owner of Springerville Unit 3 Holding LLC (“Owner Lessor”). The Owner Lessor is the owner of the Springerville Unit 3. We, as general partner of the Springerville Partnership, have the full, exclusive and complete right, power and discretion to operate, manage and control the affairs of the Springerville Partnership and take certain actions necessary to maintain the Springerville Partnership in good standing without the consent of the limited partners. Additionally, the Owner Lessor has historically not demonstrated an ability to finance its activities without additional financial support. The financial support is provided by our remittance of lease payments in order to permit the Owner Lessor, the holder of the Springerville Unit 3 assets, to pay the debt obligations and equity returns of the Springerville Partnership. We have the primary risk (expense) exposure in operating the Springerville Unit 3 assets and are responsible for 100 percent of the operation, maintenance and capital expenditures of Springerville Unit 3 and the decisions related to those expenditures including budgeting, financing and dispatch of power. Based on all these facts, it was determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the Owner Lessor. Therefore, the Springerville Partnership and Owner Lessor have been consolidated by us.

Assets and liabilities of the Springerville Partnership that are included in our consolidated statements of financial position are as follows (dollars in thousands):

June 30, 

December 31,

2020

    

2019

June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020

Net electric plant

$

767,342

$

776,411

Net electric plant$749,204 $758,273 

Noncontrolling interest

113,189

111,717

Noncontrolling interest115,571 114,852 

Long-term debt

342,999

380,867

Long-term debt300,789 342,355 

Accrued interest

9,942

11,050

Accrued interest8,721 9,942 

Our consolidated statements of operations include the following Springerville Partnership expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 20202021 and 20192020 (dollars in thousands):

June 30, 

June 30, 

    

2020

    

2019

2020

2019

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

$

4,535

$

4,535

$

9,069

$

9,069

Interest

5,651

5,933

$

11,511

12,764

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,June 30,
2021202020212020
Depreciation, amortization and depletion$4,535 $4,535 $9,069 $9,069 
Interest4,956 5,651 10,141 11,511 

The revenue associated with the Springerville Partnership lease has been eliminated in consolidation. Income, losses and cash flows of the Springerville Partnership are allocated to the general and limited partners based on their equity ownership percentages. The net income or loss attributable to the 49 percent noncontrolling equity interest in the Springerville Partnership is reflected on our consolidated statements of operations.

Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities

Western Fuels Association, Inc. (“WFA”): WFA is a non-profit membership corporation organized for the purpose of acquiring and supplying fuel resources to its members, which includes us. WFA, through its ownership in Western Fuels-Wyoming, supplies fuel to MBPP for the use at the Laramie River Station. We also receive coal supplies directly from WFA for the Escalante Generating Station in New Mexico. The pricing structure of the coal supply agreements with WFA is designed to recover the mine operating costs of the mine supplying the coal and therefore the coal sales agreements provide the financial support for the mine operations. There is not sufficient equity at risk for WFA to

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finance its activities without additional financial support. Therefore, WFA is considered a variable interest entity in which we have a variable interest. The power to direct the activities that most significantly impact WFA’s economic performance (acquiring and supplying fuel resources) is held by the members who are represented on the WFA board of directors whose actions require joint approval. Therefore, since there is shared power over the significant activities of WFA, we are not the primary beneficiary of WFA and the entity is not consolidated. Our investment in WFA, accounted for using the cost method, was $2.2 million at June 30, 2020 and $2.4 million at December 31, 2019 and is included in investments in other associations.

Western Fuels – Wyoming (“WFW”): WFW, the owner and operator of the Dry Fork Mine in Gillette, Wyoming, was organized for the purpose of acquiring and supplying coal, through long-term coal supply agreements, to be used in the production of electric energy at the Laramie River Station (owned by the participants of MBPP) and at the Dry Fork Station (owned by Basin). WFA owns 100 percent of the class AA shares and 75 percent of the class BB shares of WFW, while the participants of MBPP (of which we have a 27.13 percent undivided interest) own the remaining 25 percent of class BB shares of WFW. The pricing structure of the coal supply agreements is designed to recover the costs of production of the Dry Fork Mine and therefore the coal supply agreements provide the financial support for the operation of the Dry Fork Mine. There is not sufficient equity at risk at WFW for it to finance its activities without additional financial support. Therefore, WFW is considered a variable interest entity in which we have a variable interest. The power to direct the activities that most significantly impact WFW’s economic performance (which includes operations, maintenance and reclamation activities) is shared with the equity interest holders since each member has representation on the WFW board of directors whose actions require joint approval. Therefore, we are not the primary beneficiary of WFW and the entity is not consolidated. Our investment in WFW, accounted for using the cost method, was $0.1 million at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and is included in investments in other associations.

Trapper Mining, Inc. (“Trapper Mining”): Trapper Mining is a cooperative organized for the purpose of mining, selling and delivering coal from the Trapper Mine to the Craig Generating Station Units 1 and 2 through long-term coal supply agreements. Trapper Mining is jointly owned by some of the participants of the Yampa Project. We have a 26.57 percent cooperative member interest in Trapper Mining. The pricing structure of the coal supply agreements is designed to recover the costs of production of the Trapper Mine and therefore the coal supply agreements provide the financial support for the operation of the Trapper Mine. There is not sufficient equity at risk for Trapper Mining to finance its activities without the additional financial support. Therefore, Trapper Mining is considered a variable interest entity in which we have a variable interest. The power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Trapper Mining’s economic performance (which includes operations, maintenance and reclamation activities) is shared with the members since each member has representation on the Trapper Mining board of directors whose actions require joint approval. Therefore, we are not the primary beneficiary of Trapper Mining and the entity is not consolidated. We record our investment in Trapper Mining using the equity method. Our membership interest in Trapper Mining was $16.1 million at June 30, 2020 and $15.9 million at December 31, 2019.

NOTE 1817 – LEGAL

Other than as disclosed below, we do not expect any litigation or proceeding pending or threatened against us to have a potential material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Pursuant to a long-term transmission agreement with another utility, such utility pays for and has firm rights to transfer power and energy across a transmission path in Colorado. Such right to payment and obligation to provide the transfer is borne equally by us and another entity. Due to the current capacity of the transmission path, such utility’s firm rights have been curtailed. The utility disputes its obligation to pay due to the current capacity of the transmission path and claims we, along with the other entity, are in breach of such transmission agreement. The utility notified us and the other entity of its intent to arbitrate in accordance with the agreement and claimed damages caused by the alleged breach of approximately $6.9 million, plus interest, attorney fees, and any future damages. The other entity filed a cross-claim against us claiming we are responsible for such entity’s share of any damages. The matter was scheduled for arbitration to commence in January 2020. The arbitration was suspended and the parties have reached a resolution of this matter without us incurring any liability. The resolution of this matter is subject to FERC approval. It is not possible to predict if FERC will approve this resolution.

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AtFERC Tariff and Declaratory Order: Because of increased pressure by states to regulate our July 2019 Board meeting, our Board authorized us to take action to place us under wholesale rate regulationrates and charges with impact in other states setting up untenable conflict, we sought consistent federal jurisdiction by FERC. On September 3,This was accomplished with the addition of non-cooperative members in 2019, a membership agreement withspecifically MIECO, Inc. as a Non-Utility Member MIECO, Inc.,on September 3, 2019. On the same date, we became effective. The admission of the new Non-UtilityFERC jurisdictional for our Utility Member that was not an electric cooperative or governmental entity resulted in us no longer being exempt from FERC wholesale rate regulation pursuant to the Federal Power Act (“FPA”). In December 2019, werates, transmission service, and our market based rates. We filed our tariff filings, including our stated rate cost offor wholesale electric service filing, market based rate authorization, and transmission Open Access Transmission Tariff. The request was made toat FERC to make the new tariffs retroactive to September 3,in December 2019. In addition, on December 23, 2019, we filed our Petition for Declaratory Order (“PDO”("Jurisdictional PDO") with FERC, EL20-16-000, asking FERC to confirm our jurisdiction under the FPAFederal Power Act and that FERC’s jurisdiction preempts the jurisdiction of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (“COPUC”("COPUC") to address any rate related issues. Numerous partiesissues, including the complaints filed interventions or protestsby United Power, Inc. ("United Power") and La Plata Electric Association ("LPEA") with FERC. Some of the interveners and protestors, including some of our Utility Members and the COPUC alleged that we are not FERC jurisdictional and are still exempt from FERC wholesale rate regulation pursuant to the FPA. COPUC.

On March 20, 2020, FERC issued orders regarding our Jurisdictional PDO and our tariff filings. FERC’s orders generally accepted our tariff filings and recognized that we became FERC jurisdictional on September 3, 2019, but did not make the tariffs retroactive to September 3, 2019. However, FERC specifically provided that no refunds are due on our Utility Member rates and our transmission service rates prior to March 26, 2020. FERC did not impose any civil penalties on us. FERC also did not determine that our Utility Member rates and transmission service rates were just and reasonable and ordered a 206 proceedingproceedings to determine the justness and reasonableness of our rates and wholesale electric service contracts. FERC also rejected our Board Policy 115 (“BP 115”) and member project contracts related to our Utility Members’ election to provide up to 5 percent of their electric power requirements pursuant to their wholesale electric service contracts on the grounds that the initial filing was incomplete without Board Policy 101 (“BP 101”) related to the self-supply in excess of the 5 percent annual allowance. The tariff rates were referred to an administrative law judgejudges to encourage settlement of material issues and to hold a hearinghearings if settlementsettlements is not reached. The settlement proceedings are continuing. Any refunds to the applicable tariff rates would only apply tofor sales after March 26, 2020. On April 30, 2021, we filed a proposed settlement agreement related to our Utility Member stated rate, including BP 115, BP 101, and Board Policy 119 (“BP 119”), with FERC for approval, as further discussed below. The settlement proceedings for our transmission service rates are continuing. FERC’s March 20, 2020 order regarding our Jurisdictional PDO denied our requested declaration regarding the preemption of the United Power and LPEA proceeding at the COPUC stating the proceeding was not currently preempted.
On April 13, 2020, we filed a request for rehearing limited to the issue of preemption of the United Power and LPEA proceeding at the COPUC related to the contract termination payment numberamount as described in our Jurisdictional PDO. Requests forOn August 28, 2020, FERC issued an order (“August 28 Order”) on rehearing related to bothour Jurisdictional PDO which modified its March 20, 2020 decision by finding exclusive jurisdiction over our contract termination payments and preempting the PDOjurisdiction of the COPUC as of September 3, 2019.
On July 1, 2020, we re-submitted our BP 101, BP 115, and tariff filings have been filedall existing member project contracts with FERC by other parties. Onfor acceptance and on August 28, 2020 FERC accepted the filings effective August 31, 2020. FERC also ordered a 206 proceeding to determine whether our July 13, 2020, we1 filed documents are just and reasonable and set them for settlement and hearing procedures, which were consolidated with the settlement and hearing procedures in effect for our member rates docket. United Power has filed a petition for review with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (“("D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals”Appeals") related to FERC’s acceptance of our July 1 filed documents and such matter is being held in abeyance pending resolution of the Jurisdictional PDO appeal discussed below.
On October 19, 2020, we filed our BP 119 related to our community solar program that provides for our Utility Members to develop community solar projects up to specified annual output limits separate from and in addition to the 5 percent self-supply provision of the wholesale electric service contracts and our first community solar contract with a Utility Member with FERC for acceptance. On December 18, 2020, FERC accepted BP 119 and the community solar contract, to be effective December 19, 2020, subject to refund. FERC referred it to FERC’s hearing and settlement judge procedures, which were consolidated with the settlement and hearing procedures in effect for our member rates docket.
On July 13, 2020, we filed a petition for review with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to protect our interest, and requested review of FERC’s order granting in part and denying in part our Jurisdictional PDO and FERC’s order granting rehearings for further consideration. Petitions for review related to both the Jurisdictional PDO and tariff filings have been filed with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals by other parties. parties, including United Power. On September 18, 2020, FERC filed to hold the appeals in abeyance. On September 29, 2020, an order was issued considering the motion to hold the case in abeyance, directing the parties to file motions to govern future proceedings by January 11, 2021. FERC, United Power, and the other parties reached agreement on the procedures and schedule for the Jurisdictional PDO and abeyance on all non-Jurisdictional PDO matters and such filing was made to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. On June 7, 2021, United Power filed its brief with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the Jurisdictional PDO.
On April 30, 2021, we filed a proposed settlement agreement related to our Utility Member stated rate, including our wholesale electric service contracts, BP 115, BP 101, and BP 119, with FERC for approval. With the exception of four reserved issues
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contingent on United Power being a settling party, the settlement resolves all issues set for hearing and settlement procedures related to our Utility Member rates. The settlement provides for us to implement a two-stage, graduated reduction in the charges making up our Class A rate schedule of 2 percent starting from March 1, 2021 until the first anniversary and 4 percent reduction (additional 2 percent reduction from current rates) thereafter until the date a new Class A wholesale rate schedule is approved by FERC and goes into effect. The settlement rates will remain in effect at least through May 31, 2023 and during such time period, we and the settlement parties have agreed, with limited exceptions, to a moratorium on any filings related to our Class A rate schedule, including any rate increases to our Class A rate schedule. We have also agreed to file a new Class A rate schedule after May 31, 2023 and prior to September 1, 2023. During the moratorium, we will establish a rate design committee to oversee the development of the new rate. Three of the reserved issues are related to the transmission component of our rates and the fourth relates to our community solar program. Additionally, with the exception of one reserved issue regarding transmission demand charges applicable to certain electric storage resources, each of the reserved issues will have prospective effect only, with the intent that any FERC rulings would be implemented in future rate filings. On June 30, 2021, the Chief Judge terminated the settlement judge procedures for our member rates docket. On August 2, 2021, FERC approved this settlement agreement and we will file a motion with FERC to set a procedure schedule for the four reserved issues.
It is not possible to predict if FERC will require us to refund amounts to our customers for sales after March 26, 2020 on outstanding issues, if FERCsettlements will approvebe reached without a hearing on our current practices regarding usetransmission service rates and tariff, or the outcome of regulatory assets are just and reasonable, orthe four reserved issues related to estimate any liability associated with this matter.our member rates docket. In addition, we cannot predict the outcome of the 206 proceedings our April 13 request for rehearing or any other request for rehearing filed with FERC, or our petition for review or any other petitionpetitions for review filed with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

LPEA and United Power COPUC Complaints: Pursuant to our Bylaws, a Utility Member may only withdraw from membership in us upon compliance with such equitable terms and conditions as our Board may prescribe provided, however, that no Utility Member shall be permitted to withdraw until it has met all its contractual obligations to us, including all obligations under its wholesale electric service contract with us. On November 5, 2019, LPEA filed a formal complaint with the COPUC alleging that we hindered LPEA’s ability to seek withdrawal from us. On November 6, 2019, United Power filed a formal complaint with the COPUC, alleging that we hindered United Power’s ability to explore its power supply options by either withdrawing from us or continuing as a Utility Member under a partial requirements contract. On November 20, 2019, the COPUC consolidated the two proceeding into one, 19F-0621E.
A hearing was held on May 18-20, 2020. On July 10, 2020, the administrative law judge issued a recommended decision, but the COPUC on its own motion stayed the recommended decision. On September 18, 2020, LPEA and United Power filed a Joint Motion to Lodge FERC’s August 28 Order, and asserting additional corporate law arguments related to the legality of our addition of Non-Utility Members. On October 22, 2020, the COPUC determined that COPUC’s jurisdiction over United Power and LPEA’s complaints was preempted by FERC, the COPUC does not have jurisdiction over corporate law matters, and dismissed both complaints without prejudice. On November 25, 2020, LPEA and United Power jointly filed an application for rehearing, reargument, and reconsideration with the COPUC of its October 22, 2020 decision. The COPUC denied LPEA's and United Power's November 25 application. On January 27, 2021, United Power filed a Writ for Certiorari or Judicial Review, an appeal, in the Denver County District Court, 2021CV30325, of the COPUC's decision to dismiss United Power's complaint. On February 17, 2021, the Denver County District Court granted our unopposed motion to intervene as a defendant in United Power’s appeal of the COPUC’s dismissal. United Power, the COPUC, and us have all filed respective briefs with the court. It is not possible to predict the outcome in this matter.
United Power's Adams District Court Complaints: On May 4, 2020, United Power Inc. (“United”) filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgement and Damages in the Adams County District Court, 2020CV30649, against us and our three Non-Utility Members alleging, among other things, that the April 2019 Bylaws amendment that allows our Board to establish one or more classes of membership in addition to the then existing all-requirements class of membership is void, the April 2020 Board approvals related to a “Make-Whole” methodology for a contract termination payment and buy-down payment formula are also void, that we have breached the wholesale electric service contract with United Power, and that we and our three Non-Utility Members conspired to deprive the COPUC of jurisdiction over the contract termination payment of our Colorado Utility Members. On June 20, 2020, we filed our answer denying United’sUnited Power’s allegations and request for relief, and asked the court to dismiss United’sUnited Power’s claims. We asserted counterclaims against United Power, and are seeking relief from United’sUnited Power’s breach of our Bylaws and declaratory judgement that the April 2019 Bylaws amendment and the April 2020 Board approvals related to a “Make-Whole” methodology for a contract termination payment and buy-down payment formula are valid. On June 20, 2020, the three Non-Utility Members filed a joint motion to dismiss. On December 10, 2020, the Non-Utility Members motion to dismiss was granted. On December 23, 2020, United filedPower sought to amend its response onMay 2020 compliant to add LPEA as an additional plaintiff and to add the claims from its November 2020 complaint, discussed below, into its amended complaint and to dismiss the November 2020 complaint against us. On July 2, 2021, the court granted United Power's motion to amend its May 2020 complaint, including to add LPEA as an additional plaintiff and to amend its claims as to our three Non-Utility Members. On July 30, 2020.2021, we filed a partial motion to dismiss a majority of United Power's and LPEA's claims, including
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claims related to the April 2019 Bylaws amendment, the April 2020 Board approvals, and that we conspired with our Non-Utility Members. On July 30, 2021, the three Non-Utility Members filed a joint motion to dismiss all claims by United Power and LPEA against the Non-Utility Members. It is not possible to predict the outcome of this matter or whether we will incur any liability in connection with this matter.

In addition, on November 23,

2020, United Power filed a Complaint for Declaratory Relief in the Adams County District Court, 2020CV031496, against us seeking for the court to declare that our addition of the Non-Utility Members violated Colorado law. On December 11, 2020, we moved to dismiss United Power's November 2020 compliant because it repeats the claims pending in the May 2020 complaint proceeding. On July 21, 2021, United Power filed a notice of voluntary dismissal without prejudice of its November 2020 complaint. On July 22, 2021, the court entered in order granting United Power’s request to dismiss the November 2020 case without prejudice.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Operations

Overview

We are a taxable wholesale electric power generation and transmission cooperative operating on a not-for-profit basis. We were formed by our utility member systems, or Utility Members for the purpose of providing wholesale power and transmission services to our Utility Members (which are distribution electric cooperatives and public power districts) for their resale of the power to their retail consumers. Our Utility Members serve large portions of Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. We also sell a portion of our generated electric power to other utilities in our regions pursuant to long-term contracts and short-term sale arrangements. Our Utility Members provide retail electric service to suburban and rural residences, farms and ranches, cities, towns and communities, as well as large and small businesses and industries.

We are owned entirely by our forty-five members.We have three classes of membership: Class A - utility full requirements members, Class B - utility partial requirements members, and non-utility members. For our forty-two Class A members, or Class A Members, we provide electric power pursuant to long-term wholesale electric service contracts. We currently have no Class B members, and therefore all our Utility Members are currently Class A Members.members. We have three non-utility members, or Non-Utility Members. Our Utility Members and Non-Utility Members are collectively referred to as our “Members.” Thirty-eight of our Utility Members are not-for-profit, electric distribution cooperative associations. Four Utility Members are public power districts, which are political subdivisions of the State of Nebraska. We became regulated as a public utility under Part II of the Federal Power Act, or FPA on September 3, 2019 when we admitted a Non-Utility Member, MIECO, Inc. (a non-governmental/non-electric cooperative entity), as a new Member/owner.

We supply and transmit our Utility Members’ electric power requirements through a portfolio of resources, including generation and transmission facilities, long term purchase contracts and short term energy purchases. We own, lease, have undivided percentage interests in, have tolling arrangements or long-term purchase contracts with respect to, various generating facilities. Our diverse generation portfolio provides us with maximum available power of 4,317 megawatts, orof 4,197 MWs, of which approximately 1,0591,166 MWs comes from renewables. In 2019,April 2021, the 104 MW Crossing Trails Wind Farm achieved commercial operation and we began purchasing energy pursuant to a fifteen year power purchase agreement. In 2020, we estimate that nearly a thirdthird of the energy delivered by us and our Utility Members to our Utility Members’ customers came from non-carbon emitting resources.

We sold 8.48.0 million megawatt hours, or MWhs for the six months ended June 30, 2020,2021, of which 92.392.2 percent was to Utility Members. Total revenue from electric sales was $612.2$621.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020,2021 of which 94.788.0 percent was from Utility Member sales. Our results for the six months ended June 30, 20202021 were primarily impacted by seasonal weather changes, as well as reducedincluding record cold winter weather in February, and rate stabilization measures.
Utility Member electric sales decreased $32.5 million, or 5.6 percent, primarily due to disruptions of operationsreduced membership and a rate reduction in our Utility Member stated rate.
Non-member electric sales increased $41.9 million, or 129.1 percent, primarily due to rate stabilization measures. In order to better align with our financial goals, we have begun to recognize deferred revenue on a quarterly basis when it is reasonably estimable that recognition is required to meet our financial goals during 2021.
Purchased power expense increased $15.9 million, or 10.1 percent, primarily due to decreased generation from our Utility Members’ commercial customers associated withgenerating resources because of maintenance activities and favorable market conditions for purchasing power.
Depreciation, amortization and depletion expense increased $7.9 million, or 8.7 percent, primarily due to revisions to asset retirement obligations related to the pandemic.

Non-member electric sales decreased by $11.1 million, or 25.4 percent, primarily due to decreased short-term market sales during the first quarter of 2020 and overall decreased generation from our generating stations.
Fuel expense decreased $36.3 million, or 26.5 percent, primarily due to decreased generation as a result of favorable market conditions for purchasing power.
Production expense decreased $16.9 million, or 17.0 percent, primarily due to the postponement, or selective performance, of scheduled maintenance as a result of impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Taylor pit at the Colowyo Mine during the prior year.

Our Bylaws and Wholesale Electric Service Contracts

Pursuant to our

Our Bylaws require each Utility Member, is requiredunless otherwise specified in a written agreement or the terms of the Bylaws, to purchase from us the electric power and energy as provided in the Utility Member's contract with us. This contract is the wholesale electric service contract with sucheach Utility Member. OurMember, which is an all-requirements contract. Each wholesale electric service contracts with our 42 Utility Members extend through 2050. We had a wholesale electric service contract with Delta-Montrose Electric Association, or DMEA, that extended through 2040 (which constituted approximately 3 percent of our revenue from Utility Member sales for the six months ended June 30, 2020). DMEA withdrew from membership in us on June 30, 2020 pursuant to the Membership Withdrawal Agreement and DMEA’s contract was assigned by us to DMEA’s new third-party power supplier. These 42 contracts are substantially similar and are subject to automatic extension thereafter

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until either party provides at least a two years’ notice of its intent to terminate. Each contract obligates us to sell and deliver to the Utility Member, and obligates the Utility Member to purchase and receive, at least 95 percent of its electric power requirements from us. Our wholesale electric service contracts with our 42 Utility Members extend through 2050. Each Utility Member may elect to provide up to 5 percent of its electric power requirements from distributed or renewable generation owned or controlled by the Utility Member. As of June 30, 2020, after the withdrawal of DMEA from membership in us,2021, 20 Utility Members have enrolled in this program with capacity totaling approximately 128138 MWs of which 120126 MWs are in operation.

Pursuant to our wholesale electric service contracts with our Utility Members, we convened a contract committee in 2019 and 2020, consisting of a representative from each Utility Member, to review the wholesale electric service contracts and to discuss alternative contracts for our Utility Members, including partial requirements contracts. Upon recommendations from the contract committee, in March 2020, our Board of Directors, or Board, established two classes of Utility Members: Class A - Utility Full Requirements and Class B – Utility Partial Requirements. Both classes of membership are full-requirements transmission Utility Members with the term of all contracts remaining unchanged and continuing to extend through 2050. An annual open season for Class A Members and Class B members will be declared with at least three months of notice withapproved a 300 MW system limit. Class A Members that elect to become Class B members shall be subject tocommunity solar program, a partial requirements structure, including a buy-down payment. In April 2020, the Board approved the terms
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payment methodology, and conditions for a buy-down payment“Make-Whole” methodology for a Class A Member to become a Class B member that will make othercontract termination payment. Each of these items recommended by the contract committee representing our Utility Members financially whole. In July 2020, wewere filed with FERC for approval in 2020. FERC accepted each of these items, subject to refund, and referred them to FERC's hearing and settlement judge procedures. During our first "open season" partial requirements nomination period that was completed in May 2021, three Utility Members submitted nominations for an aggregate of 209 MWs of self-supply out of an available pool of 300 MWs. For further information see “Item 1 – BUSINESS – MEMBERS – Contract Committee” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, the Board approved buy-down payment methodology.

year ended December 31, 2020.

Pursuant to our Bylaws, a Utility Member may only withdraw from membership in us upon compliance with such equitable terms and conditions as our Board may prescribe; provided, however, that no Utility Member shall be permitted to withdraw until it has met all its contractual obligations to us, including all obligations under its wholesale electric service contract with us. In April 2020, the Board approved a “Make-Whole” methodology for a contract termination payment designed to leave remaining Utility Members in the same economic position after a Utility Member terminates its wholesale electric service contract as the remaining Utility Members would have been had the Utility Member not terminated. Any termination of a Utility Member wholesale electric service contract shall continue to require Board approval. In April 2010,2020, we filed with FERC the Board approved contract termination payment methodology. In June 2020, FERC accepted our contract termination payment methodology and referred it to FERC’s hearing and settlement judge procedures. TwoIn late 2020, certain Utility Members formally requested a contract termination payment amount for planning purposes. In January 2021, we notified each of these Utility Members that the contract termination payment calculation is time-intensive and complex and that we were working on a contract termination procedure to be filed with FERC. In late February 2021, seven of our Utility MemberMembers filed a complaint with FERC seeking the contract termination payment amount on an expedited basis. In March 2021, we filed a motion to dismiss and answer. In March 2021, our Board approved a contract termination procedures Board policy that was filed with FERC for approval. In May 2021, FERC rejected our proposed contract termination procedures Board policy. In June 2021, FERC issued a show cause order to us regarding our contract termination payment calculation and specifically regarding procedures for our Utility Members to obtain such calculations prior to making their termination decision. A number of our Utility Members and other parties have intervened in such matter. In July 2021, we filed requests for rehearing.

On June 30, 2020, DMEA withdrew from membership in us pursuantour response to the Membership Withdrawal Agreement.show cause order and described a plan to file a simpler and more transparent modified contract termination methodology approved by our Board by September 1, 2021. The Membership Withdrawal Agreement providedmodified methodology eliminates our Board discretion over a Utility Member's withdrawal and provides a clear procedure and direct path to obtain a calculation without any delay or fees. The modified methodology continues to protect the financial interests of our remaining Utility Members if a Utility Member elects to withdraw. Our July 2021 filing also included the contract termination payment amount for each of our Utility Members under the paymentmodified contract termination methodology assuming a January 1, 2024 withdraw date. No Utility Member has requested to us by DMEA of $88.5 million, the assignment by us of theterminate its wholesale electric service contract between us and DMEA to DMEA’s new third-party power supplier, the withdrawal of DMEA from membership in us, the retirement by us and forfeiture by DMEA of $47.7 million of DMEA’s patronage capital allocation, and the conveyance of certain assets and facilities by us to DMEA. The $88.5 million in cash, included the $26 million for the conveyance of certain assets and facilities by us to DMEA. The DMEA withdrawal resulted in $110.2 million in other incomeand a $5.2 million gain on the sale of electric plant, which was deferred by our Board and is recorded in deferred credits and other liabilities on the statement of financial position.

In November 2019, La Plata Electric Association, Inc., or LPEA, filed a formal complaint with the COPUC alleging that we have hindered LPEA’s ability to seek withdrawal from us. LPEA alleges, among other things, that our Board’s temporary suspension of providing Utility Members with contract termination payment numbers is unlawful. LPEA seeks for the COPUC to issue an order related to our temporary suspension and for the COPUC to establish the contract termination payment amount. In November 2019, United Power, Inc., or United, filed a formal complaint with the COPUC alleging that we have hindered United’s ability to explore its power supply options by either withdrawing from us or continuing as a Utility Member under a partial requirements contract. United alleges, among other things, that we have failed to provide a just, reasonable, and non-discriminatory contract termination payment number. United seeks for the COPUC to issue an order establishing a contract termination payment amount. The COPUC has consolidated the proceeding. On July 10, 2020, the administrative law judge issued a recommended decision that followed United’s arguments and adopted United’s contract termination payment methodology to calculate United’s and LPEA’s contract termination payment amount. On July 27, 2020, the COPUC on its own motion stayed the recommended decision. On July 30, 2020, we filed our exceptions (essentially an appeal) to the recommended decision to the full commission of the COPUC. See “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.”

withdraw from membership.

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In May 2020, United Power filed a Complaintcomplaint for Declaratory Judgementdeclaratory judgement and Damages in the Adams County District Courtdamages against us and our three Non-Utility Members alleging, among other things, that the April 2019 Bylaws amendment that allows our Board to establish one or more classes of membership in addition to the then existing all-requirements class of membership is void the April 2020 Board approvals related to a “Make-Whole” methodology for a contract termination payment and buy-down payment formula are also void, that we have breached the wholesale electric service contract with United andPower. In November 2020, United Power filed a complaint for declaratory relief against us seeking for the court to declare that we and our threeaddition of the Non-Utility Members conspiredviolated Colorado law. In December 2020, United Power sought to depriveamend its May 2020 compliant to add LPEA as an additional plaintiff and to add the COPUC of jurisdiction overclaims from its November 2020 complaint into its amended complaint and to dismiss the contract termination payment of our Colorado Utility Members. On June 20,November 2020 complaint against us. In July 2021, the court granted United Power's motion to amend its May 2020 complaint and to add LPEA as an additional plaintiff. In July 2021, we filed our answer denying United’s allegations and request for relief. We asserted counterclaims against United, and requested declaratory judgements on certain matters. On June 20, 2020, the three Non-Utility Members filed a jointpartial motion to dismiss.dismiss the amended May 2020 complaint. In July 2021, United Power's November 2020 complaint was voluntarily dismissed by United Power. See “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.”

Note 17 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 for further information.

Responsible Energy Plan

In July 2019, we announced that we are pursuing a Responsible Energy Plan to transition to a cleaner generation portfolio while ensuring reliability, increasing Utility Member flexibility, all with a goal to lower wholesale rates to our Utility Members.

In January 2020, we announced the actions of our Responsible Energy Plan, which will advance our cleaner generation portfolio and programs to serve our Utility Members.clean energy transition. Some of the actionshighlights of the Responsible Energy Plan include:

Reducing emissions by eliminating 100 percent of
Eliminating all emissions from our New Mexico coal-fired generating facilities by the end of 2020 and from our Colorado coal-fired generating facilities by 2030.
Increasing clean energy by bringing over 1 gigawatt of wind and solar resources online by 2024, meaning 50 percent of the energy consumed by our Utility Members customers is expected to come from renewables by 2024.
Increasing Utility Member flexibility to develop more local, self-supplied renewable energy.
Extending benefits of a clean grid across the economy through expanded electric vehicle infrastructure and beneficial electrification.

For further information regarding our Responsible Energy Plan, see “Item 1 – BUSINESS — MEMBERS”coal-fired generating facilities in Colorado and New Mexico by 2030.

By 2024, 50 percent of the electricity our annual report on Form 10-KUtility Members use is expected to come from clean energy.
More local renewables for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Early Retirements of Generating Facilities

Utility Members through contract flexibility.

Promoting participation in a regional transmission organization.
Expanding electric vehicle infrastructure and beneficial electrification.
As part of our Responsible Energy Plan, in January 2020, our Board approvedwe announced the early retirementretirements of Craig Station by 2030 and Escalante Generating Station by the end of 2020 and Craig Generating Station Units 2 and 3 and the Colowyo Mine by 2030. The early retirement of Craig Generating Station Unit 1 by December 31, 2025 remains unchanged.

In the first quarter of 2020, in accordance with accounting requirements, we recognized an impairment loss of $268.2 million associated with the early retirement of Escalante Generating Station. Our Board approved the deferral of such impairment loss as a regulatory asset. This loss will be amortized to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense beginning in 2021 through the end of 2045, which was the depreciable life of Escalante Generating Station, and is expected to be recovered from our Utility Members through rates. Such deferral and recovery is subject to approval by FERC. Craig Generating Station Units 2 and 3 continue to be depreciated over the last rate study end lives of 2039 and 2044. Once it becomes probable that FERC will approve the impairment and recovery of unrecovered depreciation associated with the closure of Craig Generating Station Units 2 and 3, then the expected unrecovered depreciation at the time of the closure will be impaired and recovered from our Utility Members through rates. The net book value of Craig Generating Station Units 2 and 3 was $433.4 million as of June 30, 2020. The shortened life of Colowyo Mine increases annual depreciation, amortization and depletion expense in the amount of approximately $12.7 million.

In connection with such early retirements, our Board continues to evaluate the creation of additional regulatory assets and use of regulatory liabilities to ensureachieve the goal to lower wholesale rates to our Utility Member rates remain stable, if not lower, during this transition.Members. A creation of regulatory assets to defer expenses associated with these early retirements or the utilization of regulatory liabilities would require FERC approval.

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For further information regarding our Responsible Energy Plan, see “Item 1 – BUSINESS — MEMBERS – Responsible Energy Plan” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

COVID-19 Impacts

The global coronavirus (COVID-19)COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted economic activity and conditions worldwide, including workforces, liquidity, capital markets, consumer behavior, supply chains, and macroeconomic conditions.

We are intensely focused on safely delivering power to our Utility Members and ensuring the reliability of the regional power grid, protecting our employees’ health, and supporting state and national directives to stem the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. We have activated established programs and procedures to mitigate the impacts of pandemics and protect our employees from communicable diseases. Our Crisis Management Team, representing all functions of our operations, is actively assessing potential impacts to our operations and taking actions that mitigate those impacts. These actions include: ensuring our critical generation, transmission and operations teams are staffed and have the resources needed to safely operate our power system; implementing best practices to protect employees from the spread of COVID-19, including achieving social distancing for employees through work from home programs; and postponing in-person meetings with our membership in accordance with public health directives, including delaying our annual membership meeting to August 2020 and holding such meeting virtually. We have also supported COVID-19 pandemic relief and recover funds in each of the four states of our Utility Members, including donations totaling $200,000.

In each of our Utility Members states, the governor of such state or officials of certain countiesand communities have implemented various and different measures related to COVID-19, including stay-at-home orders, safer-at-home orders, mandating the closure of certain businesses, and phased re-opening of certain businesses, including re-opening at limited capacity. The various governmental measures are constantly changing and starting to allow for more businesses to re-open.

The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the various government measures related to COVID-19 have caused a significant slowdown in certain sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, and a corresponding increase in unemployment.

We have experienced changes in the load patterns of our Utility Members.Members and decreased sales to our Utility Members and Utility Member revenue due to disruptions of operations from our Utility Members' commercial customers. We continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19. The full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may ultimatelycontinue to impact our results of operations, including the long-term nature of the impacts, depends on numerous evolving factors, which are highly uncertain and difficult to predict, including new information which may quickly emerge concerning the severityadoption rate of the virus,COVID-19 vaccines, the impact of the delta variant, the scope of the outbreak and the actionstiming to further contain the virus or treat its impact, and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume, among others. We currently believe that we have sufficient liquidity to meet our anticipated capital and operating requirements, and we completed two long-term debt transactions in June 2020 with proceeds totaling $225 million. It is reasonably possible, however, that disruption and volatility in the global capital markets may materially increase the cost of capital in the future. The full impact on our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.requirements. It is possible that actual, perceived or projected negative impacts to our business or Utility Members’ businesses from the impacts of COVID-19 could be the impetus for negative rating action by credit rating agencies.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that our management make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements. We base these estimates and assumptions on information available as of the date of the financial statements and they are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year. As of June 30, 2020,2021, there were no material changes in our critical accounting policies as disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

2020.

Factors Affecting Results

Master Indenture

As of June 30, 2020,2021, we had approximately $3.1$2.9 billion of secured indebtedness outstanding under our indenture dated effective as of December 15, 1999, or Master Indenture, between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.Indenture. Substantially all of our tangible assets and certain of our intangible assets are pledged as collateral under our Master Indenture. Our Master Indenture requires us to establish rates annually that are reasonably expected to achieve a

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Debt Service Ratio (as defined in the Master Indenture), or DSR of at least 1.10 on an annual basis and permits us to incur additional secured obligations as long as after giving effect to the additional secured obligation, we will continue to meet the DSR requirement on both a historical and pro forma basis. Our Master Indenture also requires us to maintain an Equity to Capitalization Ratio, or ECR (as defined in the Master Indenture) of at least 18 percent at the end of each fiscal year.

Pursuant to our Master Indenture, DSR and ECR are calculated based on unconsolidated Tri-State financials and calculated in accordance with the system of accounts proscribed by FERC, not GAAP.

Margins and Patronage Capital

We operate on a cooperative basis and, accordingly, seek only to generate revenues sufficient to recover our cost of service and to generate margins sufficient to meet certain financial requirements and to establish reasonable reserves. Revenues in excess of current period costs in any year are designated as net margins in our consolidated statements of operations. Net margins are treated as advances of capital by our Members and are allocated to our Utility Members on the basis of revenue from electricity purchases from us and to our Non-Utility Members as provided in their respective membership agreement.

Our Board Policy for Financial Goals and Capital Credits, approved and subject to change by our Board, sets guidelines to achieve margins and retain patronage capital sufficient to maintain a sound financial position and to allow for the orderly retirement of capital credits allocated to our Utility Members. On a periodic basis, our Board will determine whether to retire any patronage capital, and in what amounts, to our Members. To date, we have retired approximately $463.2$493.2 million of patronage capital to our Members, including the $47.7 million we retired and DMEA forfeited as part of DMEA’s withdrawal from membership in us.

Members.

Pursuant to our Board Policy for Financial Goals and Capital Credits, we set rates to achieve a DSR and ECR in excess of the requirements under our Master Indenture in order to mitigate the risk of potential negative variances between budgeted margins and actual margins. This policy was revised in 2018 to establishestablishes a goal of our Board on an annual or quarterly basis to either defer revenues and incomes as a regulatory liability or recognize previously deferred revenues and incomes (as available) in an amount that will result in a DSR equal to a DSR goal for the applicable year as set forth in the policy. As allowed by our Bylaws, the deferral or recognition of previously deferred revenues and income is for the purpose of stabilizing margins and limiting rate increases
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from year to year. In association with the aboveThis policy, subject to change by our Board, Policy for Financial Goals and Capital Credits was also revised to provide that our Board will endeavor to fund an internally restricted cash accountsets a DSR goal of 1.190 for the purposetwelve months ended December 31, 2021 and a ECR goal of cash funding deferred revenues and incomes held23.5 percent as regulatory liabilities. The amount of cash our Board may internally restrict each year is not based upon the amount of revenue and income deferred.

December 31, 2021.

Rates and Regulation

At our July 2019 Board meeting, because of increased pressure by states to regulate our rates and charges, our Board authorized us to take action to place us under wholesale rate regulation by FERC. By the addition of non-cooperative members in 2019 and specifically by the addition of MIECO, Inc. as a Non-Utility Member on

On September 3, 2019. On the same date,2019, we became FERC jurisdictional for our Utility Member rates, transmission service, and our market based rates. In December 2019, we filed with FERC our tariff filings, including our stated rate cost of service filing, market based rate authorization, and transmission OATT. OnIn March 20, 2020, FERC issued orders regarding our tariff filings. FERC’s orders generally acceptedaccepting our tariff filings, and recognized that we became FERC jurisdictional on September 3, 2019, but did not make the tariffs retroactivesubject to September 3, 2019. However, FERC specifically provided that no refunds are duerefund for our Utility Member rates and our transmission service rates prior tosales after March 26, 2020. FERC did not determine that our Utility Member rates and transmission service rates were just and reasonable and ordered a 206 proceedingproceedings to determine the justness and reasonableness of our rates, including our Class A wholesale rate schedule (A-40) referenced below, and wholesale electric service contracts. The tariff rates were referred to an administrative law judgejudge to encourage settlement of material issues and to hold a hearing if settlement is not reached. Any refundsOn August 2, 2021, FERC approved our settlement agreement related to our Utility Member stated rate that provides for us to implement a two-stage, graduated reduction in the charges making up our A-40 rate of two percent starting from March 1, 2021 until the first anniversary and four percent reduction (additional two percent reduction from current rates) thereafter until the date a new Class A wholesale rate schedule goes into effect. See Note 17 to the applicable tariff rates would only apply after March 26, 2020. See “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.”

Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 for further information.

Our electric sales revenues are derived from electric power sales to our Utility Members and non-member purchasers. Revenues from electric power sales to our non-member purchasers is pursuant to our market based rate authority.
Revenues from electric power sales to our Utility Members are primarily from our Class A wholesale rate schedule filed with FERC. In 20192020 and 2020,2021, our Class A rate schedule (A-40) for electric power sales to our Utility Members consist

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of three billing components: an energy rate and two demand rates. Utility Member rates for energy and demand are set by our Board, consistent with the provision of reliable cost-based supply of electricity over the long term to our Utility Members. Energy is the physical electricity delivered to our Utility Members. The energy rate was billed based upon a price per kWh of physical energy delivered and the two demand rates (a generation demand and a transmission/delivery demand) were both billed based on the Utility Member’s highest thirty-minute integrated total demand measured in each monthly billing period during our peak period from noon to 10:00 pm daily, Monday through Saturday, with the exception of six holidays.

Our Class A rate schedule (A-40) was filed at FERC as a “stated rate.” While our Board still has authority to determine our rates, those rates, including any change to the rate or rate structure, must be approved by FERC subject to outside comments.

As part of the FERC approved settlement agreement, we and the settlement parties have agreed, with limited exceptions, to a moratorium on any filings related to our Class A rate schedule, including any rate increases to our Class A rate schedule, at least through May 31, 2023.

Our Board may from time to time, subject to FERC approval, create new regulatory assets or liabilities or modify the expected recovery period through rates of existing regulatory assets or liabilities. The amounts involved may be material. We continually evaluate options to achieve the goal to lower wholesale rates to our Utility Members.
Tax Status

We are a taxable cooperative subject to federal and state taxation. As a taxable electric cooperative, we are allowed a tax exclusion for margins allocated as patronage capital. We utilize the liability method of accounting for income taxes. However,taxes which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be determined based on the expected future income tax consequences of events that have been recognized in accordance with our regulatory accounting treatment,the consolidated financial statements. Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted the normalization method for recognizing deferred income taxes pursuant to FERC regulation. Under the normalization method, changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities result in deferred income tax expense (benefit) and any recorded income tax expense (benefit) therefore includes both the current income tax expense (benefit) and the deferred income tax expense (benefit). Our subsidiaries are not subject to FERC regulation and continue to use a flow-through method for recognizing deferred income taxes whereby changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities result in the establishment of a regulatory asset or liability.liability, as approved by our Board. A regulatory asset or liability associated with deferred income taxes generally represents the future increase or decrease in income taxes payable that will be settled or received through future rate revenues. Under this regulatory accounting approach, any income tax expense or benefit on our consolidated statements
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Contents

Results of Operations

General

Our electric sales revenues are derived from electric power sales to our Utility Members and non-member purchasers. See “– Factors“Factors Affecting Results – Rates and Regulation” for a description of our energy and demand rates to our Utility Members. Long-term contract sales to non-members generally include energy and demand components. Short-term sales to non-members are sold at market prices after consideration of incremental production costs. Demand billings to non-members are typically billed per kilowatt of capacity reserved or committed to that customer.

Weather has a significant effect on the usage of electricity by impacting both the electricity used per hour and the total peak demand for electricity. Consequently, weather has a significant impact on our revenues. Relatively higher summer or lower winter temperatures tend to increase the usage of electricity for heating, air conditioning and irrigation. Mild weather generally reduces the usage of electricity because heating, air conditioning and irrigation systems are operated less frequently. The amount of precipitation during the growing season (generally May through September) also impacts irrigation use. Other factors affecting our Utility Members’ usage of electricity include:

the amount, size and usage of machinery and electronic equipment;
the expansion of operations among our Utility Members’ commercial and industrial customers;
the general growth in population;
COVID-19 and governmental orders related to COVID-19; and
economic conditions.

the amount, size and usage of machinery and electronic equipment;
the expansion or contraction of operations among our Utility Members’ commercial and industrial customers;
the general growth in population;
COVID-19 and governmental orders related to COVID-19; and
economic conditions.
Three months ended June 30, 20202021 compared to three months ended June 30, 2019

2020

Operating Revenues

Our operating revenues are primarily derived from electric power sales to our Utility Members and non-member purchasers. Other operating revenue consists primarily of wheeling, transmission, water and lease revenues, coal sales and revenue from supplying steam and water.sales. Other operating revenue also includes revenue we receive from two of our

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Non-Utility Members. The following is a comparison of our operating revenues and energy sales in MWh by type of purchaser for the three months ended June 30, 20202021 and 20192020 (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended June 30, 

Period-to-period Change

2020

    

2019

Amount

    

Percent

Three Months Ended June 30,Period-to-period Change
20212020AmountPercent

Operating revenues

Operating revenues

Utility Member electric sales

$

286,997

$

284,658

$

2,339

0.8%

Utility Member electric sales$274,445 $286,997 $(12,552)(4.4)%

Non-member electric sales

 

16,625

 

16,774

 

(149)

(0.9)%

Non-member electric sales36,145 16,625 19,520 117.4 %

Other

 

10,034

 

13,156

 

(3,122)

(23.7)%

Other15,712 10,034 5,678 56.6 %

Total operating revenues

$

313,656

$

314,588

$

(932)

(0.3)%

Total operating revenues$326,302 $313,656 $12,646 4.0 %

Energy sales (in MWh):

Energy sales (in MWh):

Utility Member electric sales

3,725,077

3,734,677

(9,600)

(0.3)%

Utility Member electric sales3,661,010 3,725,077 (64,067)(1.7)%

Non-member electric sales

 

337,334

 

335,592

 

1,742

0.5%

Non-member electric sales368,944 337,334 31,610 9.4 %

 

4,062,411

 

4,070,269

 

(7,858)

(0.2)%

4,029,954 4,062,411 (32,457)(0.8)%

Utility Member electric sales decreased slightly, in terms of MWhs, sold primarily due to a slowdown in certain sectors of the economy from the impacts of COVID-19 during the quarter, in particular, from our Utility Members’ commercial customers. Revenue from Utility Member electric sales increased primarily due to a 1.1 percent higher average price for the three months ended June 30, 2020 when compared to the same period in 2019. The increase in average price was primarily due to increased demand peak from Utility Members during the three months ended June 30, 2020 when compared to the same period in 2019.
Other operating revenues decreased primarily due to the expiration of leasing arrangement as a lessor on June 30, 2019. Under the agreement, we provided for the use of power generating equipment at the J.M. Shafer Generating Station.

Utility Member electric sales decreased, in terms of MWhs sold, primarily due to the withdrawal of DMEA in June 2020. DMEA represented 2.9 percent of Utility Member revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in Utility Member electric sales revenue caused by lower sales volume was slightly compounded by a 2.7 percent lower average price during the three months ended June 30, 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020. The decrease in average price was primarily due to a two percent settlement rate reduction effective as of March 1, 2021. See Note 17 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 for further information.
Non-member electric sales increased primarily due to rate stabilization measures. In accordance with our Board Policy for Financial Goals and Capital Credits, we recognized $20.0 million of previously deferred revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to none during the same period in 2020. In order to better align with our financial goals, we have begun to recognize deferred revenue on a quarterly basis when it is reasonably estimable that
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recognition is required to meet our financial goals during 2021. We expect to recognize additional previously deferred revenue during the remainder of 2021 in order to meet our financial goals.
Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses are primarily comprised of the costs that we incur to supply and transmit our Utility Members’ electric power requirements through a portfolio of resources, including generation and transmission facilities, long-term purchase contracts and short-term energy purchases and the costs associated with any sales of power to non-members.

The following is a summary of the components of our operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 20202021 and 20192020 (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended June 30, 

Period-to-period Change

2020

    

2019

Amount

    

Percent

Operating expenses

Purchased power

$

86,653

$

78,467

$

8,186

10.4%

Fuel

 

39,549

 

51,747

(12,198)

(23.6)%

Production

 

39,709

 

52,078

(12,369)

(23.8)%

Transmission

 

41,646

 

40,882

764

1.9%

General and administrative

 

16,041

 

12,096

3,945

32.6%

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

 

44,311

 

38,144

6,167

16.2%

Coal mining

 

1,087

 

2,553

(1,466)

(57.4)%

Other

 

3,055

 

3,676

(621)

(16.9)%

Total operating expenses

$

272,051

$

279,643

$

(7,592)

(2.7)%

Three Months Ended June 30,Period-to-period Change
20212020AmountPercent
Operating expenses
Purchased power$86,552 $86,653 $(101)(0.1)%
Fuel45,870 39,549 6,321 16.0 %
Production52,841 39,709 13,132 33.1 %
Transmission41,948 41,646 302 0.7 %
General and administrative11,897 16,041 (4,144)(25.8)%
Depreciation, amortization and depletion46,483 44,311 2,172 4.9 %
Coal mining966 1,087 (121)(11.1)%
Other1,282 3,055 (1,773)(58.0)%
Total operating expenses$287,839 $272,051 $15,788 5.8 %


Fuel expense increased primarily due to increased generation at our combined-cycle and simple-cycle combustion generating stations as well as increased natural gas prices. Generation increased 17.1 percent at our combined-cycle and simple-cycle combustion generating stations during the three months ended June 30,

2021 compared to the same period in 2020. Natural gas costs at these generating stations increased $4.6 million, or 136.3 percent, during the same period.

TableProduction expense increased primarily due to the performance during the three months ended June 30, 2021 of Contents

scheduled maintenance postponed during the prior year as a result of COVID-19. Maintenance expense increased $14.0 million, or 88.2 percent, during the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
Purchased power increased primarily due to favorable market conditions for purchasing power resulting in lower generation from our generating stations. Purchased power increased (in MWhs) 12.7 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The increase was partially offset by a 2.3 percent decrease in average price of purchased power during the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
Fuel expense decreased primarily due to lower generation from our generating stations during the period and fluctuation in fuel costs. Net generation (in MWhs) decreased 27.0 percent during the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
Production expense decreased primarily due to the postponement, or selective performance, of scheduled maintenance as a result of impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Maintenance activities are expected to be performed at later dates.
General and administrative expense increased primarily due to an increase in outside professional services, increased regulatory commission costs, as well as an overall increase in expenses related to general and administration labor and benefits.
Depreciation, amortization and depletion expense increased primarily due to increased depreciation related to the Collom development, accelerated depletion on the coal reserves at the Colowyo Mine and a change in asset depreciable lives from 2044 to 2030 as a result of the planned early retirement of the Colowyo Mine.

Six months ended June 30, 20202021 compared to six months ended June 30, 2019

2020

Operating Revenues

The following is a comparison of our operating revenues and energy sales in MWh by type of purchaser for the six months ended June 30, 20202021 and 20192020 (dollars in thousands):

Six Months Ended June 30, 

Period-to-period Change

2020

    

2019

Amount

    

Percent

Operating revenues

Member electric sales

$

579,760

$

583,589

$

(3,829)

(0.7)%

Non-member electric sales

 

32,438

 

43,504

 

(11,066)

(25.4)%

Other

 

20,924

 

27,412

 

(6,488)

(23.7)%

Total operating revenues

$

633,122

$

654,505

$

(21,383)

(3.3)%

Energy sales (in MWh):

Member electric sales

7,734,868

7,768,198

(33,330)

(0.4)%

Non-member electric sales

 

644,011

 

894,660

 

(250,649)

(28.0)%

 

8,378,879

 

8,662,858

 

(283,979)

(3.3)%

28

Non-member electric sales decreased primarily due to decreased short-term market sales during the first quarter, decreased demand from impacts of COVID-19, and overall decreased generation from our generating stations. Short-term market sales decreased 284,037 MWhs, or 40.7 percent, to 413,929 MWhs for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to 697,966 MWhs for the same period in 2019.
Other operating revenues decreased primarily due to the expiration of leasing arrangement as a lessor on June 30, 2019. Under the agreement, we provided for the use of power generating equipment at the J.M. Shafer Generating Station.


Table of Contents
Six Months Ended June 30,Period-to-period Change
20212020AmountPercent
Operating revenues
Utility Member electric sales$547,243 $579,760 $(32,517)(5.6)%
Non-member electric sales74,319 32,438 41,881 129.1 %
Other30,712 20,924 9,788 46.8 %
Total operating revenues$652,274 $633,122 $19,152 3.0 %
Energy sales (in MWh):
Utility Member electric sales7,369,142 7,734,868 (365,726)(4.7)%
Non-member electric sales619,010 644,011 (25,001)(3.9)%
7,988,152 8,378,879 (390,727)(4.7)%
Utility Member electric sales decreased, in terms of MWhs sold, primarily due to the withdrawal of DMEA in June 2020 and continued economic impacts of COVID-19 during the year, in particular, from our Utility Members’ commercial customers. DMEA represented 3.4 percent of Utility Member revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in Utility Member electric sales revenue caused by lower sales volume was slightly compounded by a 0.9 percent lower average price during the six months ended June 30, 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020. The decrease in average price was primarily due to a two percent settlement rate reduction effective as of March 1, 2021. See Note 17 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 for further information.
Non-member electric sales increased primarily due to rate stabilization measures. In accordance with our Board Policy for Financial Goals and Capital Credits, we recognized $40.8 million of previously deferred revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to none during the same period in 2020.
Operating Expenses

The following is a summary of the components of our operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 20202021 and 20192020 (dollars in thousands):

31

Six Months Ended June 30,Period-to-period Change
20212020AmountPercent
Operating expenses
Purchased power$173,569 $157,668 $15,901 10.1 %
Fuel106,417 100,618 5,799 5.8 %
Production93,742 82,897 10,845 13.1 %
Transmission86,619 83,186 3,433 4.1 %
General and administrative26,484 32,256 (5,772)(17.9)%
Depreciation, amortization and depletion99,238 91,335 7,903 8.7 %
Coal mining2,507 3,821 (1,314)(34.4)%
Other3,833 10,738 (6,905)(64.3)%
Total operating expenses$592,409 $562,519 $29,890 5.3 %
Purchased power expense increased primarily due to decreased generation from our generating resources because of scheduled maintenance as well as favorable market conditions for purchasing power during the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. Generation decreased 14.1 percent during the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. Purchased power increased (in MWhs) 8.4 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. The average price was 1.8 percent higher during the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. As a result of the mid-February extreme weather event, we incurred approximately $4.9 million in energy imbalance charges from other utilities, which is a component of purchased power.
Production expense increased primarily due to the performance of scheduled maintenance postponed during the prior year as a result of COVID-19. Scheduled maintenance was performed at several generating facilities during the
29

Table of Contents

six months ended June 30, 2021, resulting in $16.3 million in increased maintenance costs compared to the same period in 2020. Maintenance expenses were slightly offset by a decrease of $5.4 million in general production expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2021.

Six Months Ended June 30, 

Period-to-period Change

2020

    

2019

Amount

    

Percent

Operating expenses

Purchased power

$

157,668

$

149,423

$

8,245

5.5%

Fuel

 

100,618

 

136,897

(36,279)

(26.5)%

Production

 

82,897

 

99,838

(16,941)

(17.0)%

Transmission

 

83,186

 

80,024

3,162

4.0%

General and administrative

 

32,256

 

22,909

9,347

40.8%

Depreciation, amortization and depletion

 

91,335

 

76,289

15,046

19.7%

Coal mining

 

3,821

 

6,149

(2,328)

(37.9)%

Other

 

10,738

 

7,514

3,224

42.9%

Total operating expenses

$

562,519

$

579,043

$

(16,524)

(2.9)%

Depreciation, amortization and depletion expense increased primarily due to revisions to asset retirement obligations related to the South Taylor pit at the Colowyo Mine during the prior year, which began to depreciate during January 2021.

Purchased power expense increased primarily due to favorable market conditions for purchasing power resulting in lower generation from our generating stations. Purchased power increased (in MWhs) 9.1 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The increase was partially offset by a 3.7 percent decrease in the average price of purchased power during the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
Fuel expense decreased primarily due to lower generation from our generating facilities, fluctuations in fuel prices, and overall decreased demand as a result of seasonal weather changes and impacts from COVID-19. Net generation decreased (in MWhs) 11.5 percent during the six months ended June30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Also included in fuel expense during the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared the same period in 2020 was an additional environmental obligation of $9.9 million due to the anticipated revision to the New Horizon Mine reclamation plan to accommodate an alternative post mine land use, including construction of a pond, necessary for final mine reclamation.
Production expense decreased primarily due to the postponement, or selective performance, of scheduled maintenance activities as a result of impacts from the COVID-19. Maintenance activities are expected to be performed at later dates.
General and administrative expense increased primarily due to an increase in outside professional services, increased regulatory commission costs, fewer recoveries of general and administrative costs from joint project activities, as well as an overall increase in expenses related to general and administration labor and benefits.
Depreciation, amortization, and depletion expense increased primarily due to increased depreciation related to the Collom development, accelerated depletion on the coal reserves at the Colowyo Mine and a change in asset depreciable lives from 2044 to 2030 as a result of the planned early retirement of the Colowyo Mine. Additionally, deferred impairment costs related to the Holcomb Generating Station began to be amortized in January 2020.

Financial condition as of June 30, 20202021 compared to December 31, 2019

2020

The principal changes in our financial condition from December 31, 20192020 to June 30, 20202021 were due to increases and decreases in the following:

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents increased $257.5 million, or 310.0 percent, to $340.6 million as of June 30, 2020 compared to $83.1 million as of December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt of $425 million ($125 million under our First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2020A with CoBank, ACB, or CoBank, $100 million under our First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2020B with National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, or CFC, and $200 million under our secured revolving credit facility with CFC, as lead arranger and administrative agent, or the Revolving Credit Agreement) and proceeds of $88.5 million related to the DMEA withdrawal. These increases in cash and cash

32

Assets


TableOther plant decreased $57.8 million, or 12.4 percent, to $409.0 million as of Contents

June 30, 2021 compared to $466.8 million as of December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in the asset retirement obligation of $49.1 million in 2021 for the Colowyo Coal South Taylor pit and non-utility asset retirements of $9.7 million.
equivalents were partially offset by lower short-term borrowings and higher principal payments of long-term debt.
Restricted cash and investments decreased $25.6 million, or 83.8 percent, to $5.1 million as of June 30, 2020 compared to $30.7 million as of December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the unrestricting by our Board of restricted cash related to deferred revenue in response to volatile market conditions.
Deposits and advances increased $6.7 million, or 23.3 percent, to $35.1 million as of June 30, 2020 compared to $28.4 million as of December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to prepayments of annual insurance,memberships and licenses. These prepayments are being amortized to expense over the tem of the related insurance, membership or license period.
Regulatory assets increased $227.8 million, or 45.8 percent, to $725.1 million as of June 30, 2020 compared to $497.3 million as of December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to the deferral of the $268.2 million impairment loss (including $259.8 million of impaired assets and $8.4 million of deferred severance) related to the early retirement of the Escalante Generating Station, which is expected to be retired by the end of 2020. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of $25.0 million in the deferred income tax valuation allowance related to the Holcomb abandonment tax loss and amortization of $15.4 million to depreciation, amortization and depletion expense and recovered from our Utility Members through rates.

Liabilities

Patronage capital equity decreased $46.8 million, or 4.4 percent, to $984.2 million as of June 30, 2020 compared to $1.031 billion as of December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily due to $47.7 million of patronage capital that we retired in connection with DMEA’s withdrawal from membership in us partially offset by a margin attributable to us of $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020.
Long-term debt increased $152.9 million, or 5.0 percent, to $3.216 billion as of June 30, 2020 compared to $3.063 billion as of December 31, 2019 and current maturities of long-term debt increased $129.3 million, or 5.3 percent, to $210.9 million as of June 30, 2020 compared to $81.6 million as of December 31, 2019. The total increase of $282.2 million was due to proceeds from issuance of long-term debt of $425.0 million ($125 million from CoBank, $100 million from CFC, and $200 million under our Revolving Credit Agreement) partially offset by debt payments of $142.8 million (primarily $75.0 million for our Revolving Credit Agreement, $37.2 million for the Springerville certificates and $22.0 million for the First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2009C).
Short-term borrowings decreased $112.5 million, or 44.6 percent, to $139.8 million as of June 30, 2020 compared to $252.3 million as of December 31, 2019. The decrease was due to a temporary market disruption in the commercial paper market which began around March 16, 2020 and continued through early April. During that period of time which saw elevated Tier 2 borrowing rates and shortened tenors, we borrowed under our Revolving Credit Agreement in the amount of $200 million and paid down the commercial paper by $200 million. On June 24, 2020 we entered into the First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2020A in the amount of $125 million with CoBank as well as the First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2020B in the amount of $100 million with CFC. Proceeds from these two borrowings were used to repay all remaining outstanding commercial paper that came due through July 15, 2020. Additionally, proceeds are expected to pay off the remaining Revolving Credit Agreement borrowing in the amount of $125 million that will come due on September 24, 2020.
Accrued property taxes decreased $10.3 million, or 35.4 percent, to $18.8 million as of June 30, 2020 compared to $29.1 million as of December 31, 2019. The decrease was due to property tax payments of $29.1 million during 2020 (of which $17.7 million were paid during the second quarter of 2020) partially offset by accruals for property taxes due in future periods of $18.8 million.
Regulatory liabilities increased $115.1 million, or 94.2 percent, to $237.3 million as of June 30, 2020 compared to $122.2 million as of December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to the deferral of the recognition of $110.2 million of other income and $5.2 million gain on sale of assets in connection with the June 30, 2020 withdrawal of DMEA from membership in us.

Deposits and advances increased $3.9 million, or 12.3 percent, to $35.9 million as of June 30, 2021 compared to $32.0 million as of December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to prepayments of annual insurance, memberships and licenses. These prepayments are being amortized to expense over the term of the related insurance, membership or license period.

33

Liabilities


TableLong-term debt decreased $61.4 million, or 1.9 percent, to $3.139 billion as of Contents

June 30, 2021 compared to $3.200 billion as of December 31, 2020 and current maturities of long-term debt decreased $11.9 million, or 13.6 percent, to $75.7 million as of June 30, 2021 compared to $87.6 million as of December 31, 2020. The net decrease of $73.3 million was primarily due to debt payments of $73.9 million (principally $41.0 million for the Springerville certificates). In April 2021, we paid off the remaining $22.0 million balance of the First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2009C.

Regulatory liabilities decreased $41.1 million, or 18.3 percent, to $183.9 million as of June 30, 2021 compared to $225.0 million as of December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to the recognition of $40.8 million of previously deferred non-member electric sales revenues. In order to better align with our financial goals, we have begun to recognize deferred revenue on a quarterly basis when it is reasonably estimable that recognition is required to meet our financial goals during 2021.

Asset retirement and environmental reclamation obligations decreased $48.6 million, or 38.3 percent, to $78.4 million as of June 30, 2021 compared to $127.0 million as of December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in the Colowyo Mine reclamation liability of $50.0 million in the second quarter of 2021. This reduction was primarily related to a change in the mine plan of South Taylor pit at the Colowyo Mine. After obtaining regulatory approval, the South Taylor pit life was extended through 2027 to mine the highwall, which resulted in a lower estimated obligation at the end of the mining period.
Liquidity and Capital Resources

We finance our operations, working capital needs and capital expenditures from operating revenues and issuance of short-term and long-term borrowings. As of June 30, 2020,2021, we had $340.6$114.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. Our committed credit arrangement as of June 30, 20202021 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

Available

    

Authorized

 

    

June 30,

 

Amount

2020

Revolving Credit Agreement

$

650,000

(1)

$

385,000

(2)

Authorized
Amount
Available
June 30,
2021
Revolving Credit Agreement$650,000 (1)$570,000 

(1)The amount of this facility that can be used to support commercial paper is limited to $500 million.
(2)The portion of this facility that was unavailable at June 30, 2020 was $265 million which was dedicated to support outstanding commercial paper of $140 million and $125 million in LIBOR rate loans under our Revolving Credit Agreement.

(1)The amount of this facility that can be used to support commercial paper is limited to $500 million.
We have a secured Revolving Credit Agreement with aggregate commitments of $650 million. The Revolving Credit Agreement includes a swingline sublimit of $100 million, a letter of credit sublimit of $75 million, and a commercial paper back-up sublimit of $500 million, of which $100 million of the swingline sublimit, $75 million of the letter of credit sublimit, and $360$420 million of the commercial paper back-up sublimit remained available as of June 30, 2020.

2021.

30

The Revolving Credit Agreement is secured under the Master Indenture and has a maturity date of April 25, 2023, unless extended as provided therein. Funds advanced under the Revolving Credit Agreement are either LIBOR rate loans or base rate loans, at our option. LIBOR rate loans bear interest at the adjusted LIBOR rate for the term of the advance plus a margin (currently 1.125 percent) based on our credit ratings. Base rate loans bear interest at the alternate base rate plus a margin (currently 0.125 percent) based on our credit ratings. The alternate base rate is the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus ½ of 1.00 percent, (b) the prime rate, and (c) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.00 percent. Upon discontinuation of the LIBOR rate, the Revolving Credit Agreement provides for CFC and us to endeavor to establish an alternative rate that gives due consideration to the then prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest for syndicated loans in the United States. Upon discontinuation of the LIBOR rate and if no alternative rate has been established by CFC and us, all funds advances will be at base rate loans. AsWe had no outstanding borrowings as of June 30, 2020, we have borrowed $125 million in LIBOR rate loans under our Revolving Credit Agreement, which is expected to be repaid when it comes due in September 2020.

2021.

The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants, events of default and acceleration, including financial DSR and ECR requirements in line with the covenants contained in our Master Indenture. A violation of these covenants would result in the inability to borrow under the facility.

Under our commercial paper program, our Board authorized us to issue commercial paper in amounts that do not exceed the commercial paper back-up sublimit under our Revolving Credit Agreement, which was $500 million at June 30, 2020,2021, thereby providing 100 percent dedicated support for any commercial paper outstanding. WeAs of June 30, 2021, we had $140$80 million of commercial paper outstanding (prior to netting discounts) at June 30, 2020 and $360$420 million available on the commercial paper back-up sublimit at June 30, 2020.

On June 24, 2020, we entered into two term loan agreements. A term loan agreement was entered into with CoBank, under which we issued our First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2020A consisting of a variable rate borrowing in the amount of $125 million. A term loan agreement was entered into with CFC under which we issued our First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2020B consisting of fixed rate borrowings in the amount of $50 million and variable rate borrowings in the amount of $50 million. Proceeds from the two borrowings were used to repay all remaining outstanding commercial paper that came due through July 15, 2020 and will be used to repay the remaining Revolving Credit Agreement borrowing in the amount of $125 million coming due on September 24, 2020, and for general corporate purposes.

sublimit.

34


We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for other securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. We are mindful of our debt and its maturities and we continually evaluate options to ensure that our balance sheet and capital structure is aligned with our business and the long-term health of our company.

We believe we have sufficient liquidity to fund operations and capital financing needs from projected cash on hand, our commercial paper program, and the Revolving Credit Agreement.

Cash Flow

Cash is provided by operating activities and issuance of debt. Capital expenditures and debt service payments comprise a significant use of cash.

Six months ended June 30, 20202021 compared to six months ended June 30, 2019

2020

Operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $173.2$52.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 20202021 compared to $89.2$173.2 million for the same period in 2019, an increase of $84.0 million. The increase2020, a decrease in net cash provided by operating activities of $120.5 million. Substantially all of the decrease was primarily due to proceeds of $88.5 million related to the DMEA withdrawal and the timing of payment of trade and purchased power payables partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable due2020 compared to lower Utility Member and non-member electric sales.

no proceeds in 2021.

Investing activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $45.0$57.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 20202021 compared to $89.3$45.0 million for the same period in 2019, a decrease2020, an increase in net cash used in investing activities of $44.3$12.3 million. The decreaseincrease was primarily due to proceeds from the sale of electric plant related to the DMEA withdrawal andin 2020 compared to no proceeds from the sale of electric plant in 2021. Partially offsetting this increase was a reduction in generation and transmission improvements and system upgrades for the six months ended June 30, 20202021 compared to the same period in 2019.

2020.

Financing activities. Net cash provided byused in financing activities was $103.7$8.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 20202021 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $9.0 million for the same period in 2019, an increase in net cash provided by financing activities of $112.7$103.7 million for the same period in 2020, a decrease of $112.0 million. The increase in net cash provided by financing activitiesdecrease was primarily due to higherlower proceeds from issuance of long-term debt ($125in 2021 compared to 2020 (during 2020, we borrowed $125 million from the First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2020A, $100 million from the First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2020B, and $200 million from our Revolving Credit Agreement). These decreases were partially offset by higheran increase in short-term borrowings of $80.0 million and lower principal payments of long-term debt (primarily $75.0 million on our Revolving Credit Agreement), a decrease in short-term borrowings of $179.7 million and higher patronage capital retirements to our Members of $49.9 million in 20202021 compared to 2019 (on June 30, 2020, we retired $47.7 million of patronage capital in connection with DMEA’s withdrawal from membership in us).

2020.

Capital Expenditures

We forecast our capital expenditures annually as part of our long-term planning. We regularly review these projections to update our calculations to reflect changes in our future plans, facility closures, facility costs, market factors and other items
31

affecting our forecasts. After taking into account our Responsible Energy Plan, but without taking into account any changes due to COVID-19, in the years 20202021 through 2024,2025, we forecast that we may invest approximately $877$799 million in new facilities and upgrades to our existing facilities.

Our actual capital expenditures depend on a variety of factors, including assumptions related to our Responsible Energy Plan and 2020 Electric Resource Plan, Utility Member load growth, availability of necessary permits, regulatory changes, environmental requirements, construction delays and costs, and ability to access capital in credit markets. Thus, actual capital expenditures may vary significantly from our projections.

Capital projects include several transmission projects to improve reliability and load-serving capability throughout our service area.

35


Contractual Commitments

Indebtedness. As of June 30, 2020,2021, we had $3.6$3.2 billion in outstanding obligations, including approximately $3.1$2.9 billion of debt outstanding secured on a parity basis under our Master Indenture, $140.0$80.0 million in short-term borrowings, one unsecured loan agreement totaling $23.4$15.8 million and the Springerville certificates totaling $334.0$293.0 million (which are secured only by a mortgage and lien on Springerville Unit 3 and the Springerville lease). Our debt secured by the lien of our Master Indenture includes notes payable to CFC and CoBank (with the exception of one unsecured note), the First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2009C, the First Mortgage Bonds, Series 2010A, the First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2014B, the First Mortgage Bonds, Series 2014E-1 and E-2, First Mortgage Bonds, Series 2016A, First Mortgage Obligations, Series 2017A, pollution control revenue bonds, and amounts outstanding, if any, under the Revolving Credit Agreement. Substantially all of our assets are pledged as collateral under the Master Indenture.

Construction Obligations. We have commitments to complete certain construction projects associated with improving the reliability of the generating facilities and the transmission system and the Collom pit at Colowyo Mine.

system.

Coal Purchase Obligations. We have commitments to purchase coal for our generating facilities under long-term contracts that expire between 20202021 and 2041. These contracts require us to purchase a minimum quantity of coal at prices that are subject to escalation clauses that reflect cost increases incurred by the suppliers and market conditions. Our coal purchase obligations exclude any purchases we have with our subsidiaries.

Environmental Regulations and Litigation

We are subject to various federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations with regard to air quality, including greenhouse gases, water quality, and other environmental matters. These environmental laws, rules and regulations are

complex and change frequently. For a discussion regarding potential effects on our business from environmental regulations, see also “Item 1 – BUSINESS – ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION” and “Item 1A – RISK FACTORS” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

2020.

Responsible Energy Plan
On June 8, 2021, the COPUC issued an interim decision deeming our 2020 Electric Resource Plan application complete and referring the case to an administrative law judge. On June 21, 2021, the administrative law judge issued an interim decision setting the procedural schedule for our 2020 Electric Resource Plan proceeding, including a remote hearing scheduled January 31 through February 4, 2022. The procedural schedule accommodates the modeling of five additional Electric Resource Plan scenarios requested by parties to the proceeding. The results of the additional modeling will be filed alongside our supplemental direct testimony on September 28, 2021. For further information regarding our 2020 Electric Resource Plan, see “Item 1 – BUSINESS — POWER SUPPLY RESOURCES – Resource Planning” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Rating Triggers

Our current senior secured ratings are “A3 (stable outlook)” by Moody’s, Investors Services, or Moody’s, “A- (negative“BBB+ (stable outlook)” by Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings, or S&P, and “A- (stable outlook)” by Fitch Rating, Inc., or Fitch. Our current short-term ratings are “P-2” by Moody’s, “A-2” by S&P and “F1” by Fitch.

Our Revolving Credit Agreement includes a pricing grid related to the LIBOR spread, commitment fee and letter of credit fees due under the facility. We also have a term loan agreement that includes a pricing grid related to the LIBOR spread. A downgrade of our senior secured ratings could result in an increase in each of these pricing components. We do not believe that
32

any such increase would be significant or have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or our future results of operations.

We currently have contracts that require adequate assurance of performance. These include natural gas supply contracts, coal purchase contracts, and financial risk management contracts. Some of the contracts are directly tied to our credit rating generally being maintained at or above investment grade by S&P and Moody’s. We may enter into additional contracts which may contain similar adequate assurance requirements. If we are required to provide such adequate assurances, we do not believe the amounts will be significant or that they will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or our future results of operations.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

36


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes to market risks during the most recent fiscal quarter from those reported in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

2020.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Controls

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

As a result of COVID-19, we have activated established programs and procedures to mitigate the impacts of pandemics. While certain of our employees are telecommuting, our business continuity plans have resulted in slight changes to our processes, including how employees access our systems and approve certain work. Management believes it is taking the necessary steps to monitor and maintain appropriate internal controls over financial reporting at this time.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Other than as disclosed below, there have been no material changes from

Information required by this Item is contained in Note 17 to the legal proceedings disclosed in “Item 3 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019and updatedUnaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS” in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

LPEA and United COPUC Complaints. Pursuant to our Bylaws, a Utility Member may only withdraw from membership in us upon compliance with such equitable terms and conditions as our Board may prescribe provided, however, that no Utility Member shall be permitted to withdraw until it has met all its contractual obligations to us, including all obligations under its wholesale electric service contract with us. On November 5, 2019, LPEA filed a formal complaint with the COPUC alleging that we have hindered LPEA’s ability to seek withdrawal from us. LPEA alleges, among other things, that our Board’s temporary suspension of providing Utility Members with a contract termination payment number is unlawful. LPEA seeks the COPUC to issue an order related to our temporary suspension and for the COPUC to establish the contract termination payment amount. On November 6, 2019, United filed a formal complaint with the COPUC, alleging that we have hindered United’s ability to explore its power supply options by either withdrawing from us or continuing as a Utility Member under a partial requirements contract. United alleges, among other things, that we have failed to provide a just, reasonable, and non-discriminatory contract termination payment number. United seeks for the COPUC to issue an order establishing a contract termination payment amount. LPEA and United constitute approximately 6 percent and 18 percent, respectively, of our Utility Member revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2020. On November 20, 2019, the COPUC consolidated the two proceeding into one, 19F-0621E. On April 27, 2020, LPEA and United filed a motion for partial summary judgement regarding whether the COPUC has subject matter jurisdiction over the complaints filed by LPEA and United, or in the alternative, that the addition of the Non-Utility Members is invalid under Colorado law. On May 11, 2020, we filed our reply to LPEA and United’s joint motion for partial summary judgement maintaining that issues raised by LPEA and United are matters of Colorado corporate law subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state courts and that the admission of Non-Utility Members is not a violation of Colorado law nor of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.An interim decision on May 15, 2020 granted LPEA

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and United’s joint motion for partial summary judgment, leaving issues related to the contract termination amount as the only issue to be tried.

A hearing was held on May 18-20, 2020 and statements of position were filed on May 28, 2020. On July 10, 2020, the administrative law judge issued a recommended decision that determined that us not providing LPEA and United a contract termination payment number was unjust, unreasonable, and discriminatory and adopted United’s contract termination payment methodology to calculate United’s and LPEA’s contract termination payment amount. The recommended decision references that United’s contract termination payment methodology applied to United would result in a contract termination payment of approximately $234 million. However, the recommended decision provides that a technical conference will be scheduled to update any financial numbers and provide an exact contract termination payment amount. On July 27, 2020, the COPUC on its own motion stayed the recommended decision. On July 30, 2020, we filed our exceptions (essentially an appeal) to the recommended decision. Other entities have also filed exceptions to the recommended decision.

FERC Tariff and Declaratory Order. Because of increased pressure by states to regulate our rates and chargeswith impact in other states setting up untenable conflict, we sought consistent federal jurisdiction by FERC. This was accomplished with the addition of non-cooperative members in 2019, specifically MIECO, Inc. as a Non-Utility Member on September 3, 2019. On the same date, we became FERC jurisdictional for our Utility Member rates, transmission service, and our market based rates. We filed our tariff for wholesale electric service and transmission at FERC in December 2019. The request was made to FERC to make the new tariffs retroactive to September 3, 2019. In addition, on December 23, 2019, we filed our Petition for Declaratory Order, or PDO, with FERC asking FERC to confirm our jurisdiction under the FPA and that FERC’s jurisdiction preempts the jurisdiction of the COPUC to address any rate related issues, including the complaints filed by United and LPEA, EL20-16-000.

On March 20, 2020, FERC issued orders regarding our PDO and our tariff filings. FERC’s orders generally accepted our tariff filings and recognized that we became FERC jurisdictional on September 3, 2019, but did not make the tariffs retroactive to September 3, 2019. However, FERC specifically provided that no refunds are due on our Utility Member rates and our transmission service rates prior to March 26, 2020. FERC did not impose any civil penalties on us. FERC also did not determine that our Utility Member rates and transmission service rates were just and reasonable and ordered a 206 proceeding to determine the justness and reasonableness of our rates and wholesale electric service contracts. The tariff rates were referred to an administrative law judge to encourage settlement of material issues and to hold a hearing if settlement is not reached. The settlement proceedings are continuing. Any refunds to the applicable tariff rates would only apply after March 26, 2020. FERC’s March 20, 2020 order regarding our PDO denied our requested declaration regarding the preemption of the United and LPEA proceedings at the COPUC stating they are not currently preempted.

On April 13, 2020, we filed a request for rehearing limited to the issue of preemption of the United and LPEA proceedings at the COPUC related to the contract termination payment amount as described in our PDO. Requests for rehearing related to both the PDO and tariff filings have been filed with FERC by other parties. On May 14, 2020, FERC entered an order granting our request for rehearing for further consideration on our PDO.On July 13, 2020, we filed a petition for review with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, or D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, to protect our interest, and requested review of FERC’s order granting in part and denying in part our PDO and FERC’s order granting rehearings for further consideration. Petitions for review related to both the PDO and tariff filings have been filed with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals by other parties. It is not possible to predict if FERC will require us to refund amounts to our customers for sales after March 26, 2020, if FERC will approve our current practices regarding use of regulatory assets are just and reasonable, or to estimate any liability associated with this matter. In addition, we cannot predict the outcome of the 206 proceedings, our April 13 request for rehearing or any other request for rehearing filed with FERC, or our petition for review or any other petition for review filed with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

United Adams District Court Complaint. On May 4, 2020, United filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgement and Damages in the Adams County District Court, 2020CV030649, against us and our three Non-Utility Members alleging, among other things, that the April 2019 Bylaws amendment that allows our Board to establish one or more classes of membership in addition to the then existing all-requirements class of membership is void, the April 2020 Board approvals related to a “Make-Whole” methodology for a contract termination payment and buy-down payment formula

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are also void, that we have breached the wholesale electric service contract with United, and that we and our three Non-Utility Members conspired to deprive the COPUC of jurisdiction over the contract termination payment of our Colorado Utility Members. On June 20, 2020, we filed our answer denying United’s allegations and request for relief, and asked the court to dismiss United’s claims. We asserted counterclaims against United, and are seeking relief from United’s breach of our Bylaws and declaratory judgement that the April 2019 Bylaws amendment and the April 2020 Board approvals related to a “Make-Whole” methodology for a contract termination payment and buy-down payment formula are valid. On June 20, 2020, the three Non-Utility Members filed a joint motion to dismiss. United filed its response on July 30, 2020.It is not possible to predict the outcome of this matter or whether we will incur any liability in connection with this matter.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.104) is included in Exhibit 95 to this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

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Item 6. Exhibits

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SIGNATURES

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

Tri-State Generation and Transmission

Association, Inc.

Date: August 12, 2020

9, 2021

By:

/s/ Duane Highley

Duane Highley

Chief Executive Officer

Date:August 12, 2020

9, 2021

/s/ Patrick L. Bridges

Patrick L. Bridges

Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)


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