rates approved by the PSC under regulatory accounting. In accordance with SFAS 71, Central Hudson continues to accrue for the future cost of removal for its rate-regulated natural gas and electric utility assets. In accordance with SFAS 143, Central Hudson has classified $47.2 million, $44.6 million, and $44.1 million of net cost of removal as regulatory liabilities as of September 30, 2007, December 31, 2006, and September 30, 2006, respectively. For further information, see Note 1 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” under the caption “Depreciation and Amortization” to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Corporations’ 10-K Annual Report. For financial statement purposes, both Griffith and Lyonsdale have depreciation provisions that are computed on the straight-line method using depreciation rates based on the estimated useful lives of depreciable property and equipment. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments, which extend the useful lives of property and equipment, are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense when incurred. Retirements, sales, and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the asset and accumulated depreciation accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in earnings. Accumulated depreciation for Griffith was $19.7 million, $17.3 million, and $16.7 million as of September 30, 2007, December 31, 2006, and September 30, 2006, respectively. Accumulated depreciation for Lyonsdale was $1.1 million, $0.6 million and $0.4 million as of September 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006, and September 30, 2006, respectively. Amortization of intangibles (other than goodwill) is computed on the straight-line method over an asset’s expected useful life. See Note 5 – “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” for further discussion. Earnings Per Share Reference is made to Note 1 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Corporations’ 10-K Annual Report under the caption “Earnings Per Share.” In the calculation of earnings per share (basic and diluted) of CH Energy Group’s common stock (“Common Stock”), earnings for CH Energy Group are reduced by the preferred stock dividends of Central Hudson. The average dilutive effect of CH Energy Group’s stock options and performance shares was 23,097 shares and 15,473 shares for the quarters ended September 30, 2007, and 2006, and 23,473 shares and 14,455 shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Certain stock options are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices of those options were greater than the average market price per share of Common Stock for some of the periods presented. Excluded from the calculation were options for 18,420 shares for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007, and 35,700 shares for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006. For additional information regarding stock options and performance shares, see Note 10 – “Equity-Based Compensation Incentive Plans.” |