Exhibit 99.1
Emera Incorporated
Annual Information Form
For the year ended December 31, 2020
March 29, 2021
ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM
For the year ended December 31, 2020
Dated: March 29, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION | 4 | |
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION | 4 | |
CORPORATE STRUCTURE | 6 | |
Name and Incorporation | 6 | |
Amended Articles of Association | 6 | |
Intercorporate Relationships | 6 | |
INTRODUCTION | 7 | |
COVID-19 Pandemic | 8 | |
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS | 10 | |
Business Segments | 10 | |
Florida Electric Utility | 10 | |
Canadian Electric Utilities | 13 | |
Other Electric Utilities | 17 | |
Gas Utilities and Infrastructure | 19 | |
Other | 22 | |
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS | 24 | |
Florida Electric Utility | 24 | |
Canadian Electric Utilities | 26 | |
Other Electric Utilities | 27 | |
Gas Utilities and Infrastructure | 28 | |
Other | 28 | |
Removal of Legislative Restriction on Non-Canadian Resident Ownership | 28 | |
USGAAP – Exemptive Relief and Companies Act Relief | 28 | |
Financing Activity | 29 | |
RISK FACTORS | 30 | |
CAPITAL STRUCTURE | 30 | |
Common Shares | 30 | |
Emera First Preferred Shares | 31 | |
Emera Second Preferred Shares | 31 | |
Share Ownership Restrictions | 31 | |
CREDIT RATINGS | 32 | |
DIVIDENDS | 34 | |
MARKET FOR SECURITIES | 35 | |
Trading Price and Volume | 35 | |
At-The-Market Equity Program | 35 | |
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS | 36 | |
Directors | 36 |
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Officers | 38 | |
AUDIT COMMITTEE | 39 | |
Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Process | 40 | |
Auditors’ Fees | 40 | |
CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS | 41 | |
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST | 41 | |
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS | 41 | |
NO INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS | 42 | |
MATERIAL CONTRACTS | 42 | |
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR | 42 | |
EXPERTS | 42 | |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 42 | |
APPENDIX “A” - DEFINITIONS OF CERTAIN TERMS | 43 | |
APPENDIX “B” - TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AUTHORIZED SERIES OF FIRST PREFERRED SHARES | 48 | |
APPENDIX “C” - MONTHLY TRADING VOLUME AND HIGH AND LOW PRICE FOR EMERA’S SECURITIES IN 2020 | 50 | |
APPENDIX “D” - EMERA INCORPORATED AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER | 51 |
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PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION
Unless otherwise noted, the information contained in this Annual Information Form (“AIF”) is given at or for the period ended December 31, 2020. Amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. All financial information presented in millions of Canadian dollars is rounded to the nearest million unless otherwise stated. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial information is presented in accordance with United States’ generally accepted accounting principles (“USGAAP”). Emera Incorporated (“Emera” or “the Company”) uses adjusted net income, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA as financial performance measures, which are not defined financial measures according to USGAAP and do not have standardized meanings prescribed by USGAAP. For further discussion of such terms, see the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis dated February 16, 2021 for the year ended December 31, 2020 (“MD&A”).
Certain capitalized terms used herein, and not otherwise defined herein, are defined under “Definitions of Certain Terms”, attached to this AIF as Appendix “A”. Reference to “including”, “include”, or “includes” means “including (or includes) but is not limited to” and shall not be construed to limit any general statement preceding it to the specific or similar items or matters immediately following it.
This AIF provides material information about the business and operations of Emera. The “Enterprise Risk and Risk Management” section of the Company’s MD&A is incorporated herein by reference and can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This AIF, including the documents incorporated herein by reference, contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking information”). The words “anticipates”, “believes”, “budget”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecast”, “intends”, “may”, “might”, “plans”, “projects”, “schedule”, “should”, “targets”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information contains these identifying words. References to “Emera” in this section include references to the subsidiaries of Emera.
The forward-looking information in this AIF, including the documents incorporated herein by reference, includes statements which reflect the current view of Emera’s management with respect to Emera’s objectives, plans, financial and operating performance, carbon emissions reduction goals, business prospects and opportunities. The forward-looking information reflects management’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Emera’s management and should not be read as guarantees of future events, performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the time(s) at which, such events, performance or results will be achieved. All such forward-looking information in this AIF is provided pursuant to safe harbour provisions contained in applicable securities laws.
The forward-looking information in this AIF, including the documents incorporated herein by reference, includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding: Emera’s revenue, earnings and cash flow; the growth and diversification of Emera’s business and earnings base; future annual net income and dividend growth; expansion of Emera’s business; the expected compliance by Emera with the regulation of its operations; the expected timing of regulatory decisions; forecasted capital investment; the nature, timing and costs associated with certain capital projects; the expected impact on Emera of challenges in the global economy; estimated energy consumption rates; expectations related to annual operating cash flows; the expectation that Emera will continue to have reasonable access to capital in the near to medium term; expected debt maturities, repayments and renewals; expectations about increases in interest expense and/or fees associated with debt securities and credit facilities; no material adverse credit rating actions expected in the near term; the successful development of relationships with various stakeholders, the impact of currency fluctuations; expected changes in electricity rates; and the impacts of planned investment by the industry of gas transportation infrastructure within the United States.
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The forecasts and projections that make up the forward-looking information are based on reasonable assumptions which include, but are not limited to: the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and requested rate decisions; no significant operational disruptions or environmental liability due to a catastrophic event or environmental upset caused by severe weather or global climate change, other acts of nature or other major events; seasonal weather patterns remaining stable; no significant cyber or physical attacks or disruptions to Emera’s systems; the continued ability to maintain transmission and distribution systems to ensure their continued performance; continued investment in solar, wind and hydro generation; continued natural gas activity; no severe and/or prolonged downturn in economic conditions; sufficient liquidity and capital resources; the continued ability to hedge exposures to fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices; no significant variability in interest rates; expectations regarding the nature, timing and costs of capital investment of Emera and its subsidiaries; expectations regarding rate base growth; the continued competitiveness of electricity pricing when compared with other alternative sources of energy; the continued availability of commodity supply; the absence of significant changes in government energy plans and environmental laws and regulations that may materially affect Emera’s operations and cash flows; maintenance of adequate insurance coverage; the ability to obtain and maintain licenses and permits; no material decrease in market energy sales prices; favourable labour relations; and sufficient human resources to deliver service and execute Emera’s capital investment plan.
The forward-looking information is subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or results anticipated by the forward-looking information. Factors that could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, but are not limited to: regulatory risk; operating and maintenance risks; changes in economic conditions; commodity price and availability risk; liquidity and capital market risk; future dividend growth; timing and costs associated with certain capital investments; the expected impacts on Emera of challenges in the global economy; estimated energy consumption rates; maintenance of adequate insurance coverage; changes in customer energy usage patterns; developments in technology that could reduce demand for electricity; global climate change; weather; unanticipated maintenance and other expenditures; system operating and maintenance risk; derivative financial instruments and hedging; interest rate risk; counterparty risk; disruption of fuel supply; country risks; environmental risks; foreign exchange; regulatory and government decisions, including changes to environmental, financial reporting and tax legislation; risks associated with pension plan performance and funding requirements; loss of service area; risk of failure of information technology infrastructure and cybersecurity risks; uncertainties associated with infectious diseases, pandemics and similar public health threats, such as the COVID-19 novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic; market energy sales prices; labour relations; and availability of labour and management resources.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as actual results could differ materially from the plans, expectations, estimates or intentions and statements expressed in the forward-looking information. All forward-looking information in this AIF and in the documents incorporated herein by reference is qualified in its entirety by the above cautionary statements and, except as required by law, Emera undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Name and Incorporation
Emera was incorporated on July 23, 1998 pursuant to the Companies Act (Nova Scotia). The Reorganization Act and the Privatization Act require the Company’s Articles of Association (the “Articles”) to contain provisions specifying that the head office and the principal executive offices of the Company are to be situated in the Province of Nova Scotia. The current address of the Company’s registered office, head office and principal executive offices is Emera Place, 5151 Terminal Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3J 1A1.
Amended Articles of Association
On April 12, 2019, amendments to the Privatization Act and the Reorganization Act were enacted, removing the legislative restriction preventing non-Canadian residents from holding more than 25 per cent of Emera voting shares, in aggregate. The Board approved amendments to the Articles and on July 11, 2019, shareholders passed a special resolution to amend the Articles to remove this restriction. For more information on these amendments to the Articles, please refer to Emera’s Management Information Circular dated May 31, 2019 distributed in connection with a special meeting of shareholders held on July 11, 2019, a copy of which is available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Intercorporate Relationships
The following table sets forth the relationships among the Company and its principal subsidiaries, the percentage of votes attaching to all voting securities of its respective subsidiaries beneficially owned, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, by the Company, as well as their respective jurisdictions of incorporation, continuance, formation or organization. This table excludes certain subsidiaries, the assets and revenues of which did not individually exceed 10 per cent, or in the aggregate exceed 20 per cent, of the total consolidated assets or total consolidated revenues of the Company as at December 31, 2020.
Subsidiaries | Percentage Ownership (%) | Jurisdiction | ||
Tampa Electric Company | 100 | Florida | ||
Nova Scotia Power | 100 | Nova Scotia | ||
Emera Energy LP | 100 | Nova Scotia | ||
New Mexico Gas Company | 100 | Delaware | ||
Emera Brunswick Pipeline Company | 100 | Canada | ||
Emera Newfoundland & Labrador | 100 | Newfoundland and Labrador | ||
Emera (Caribbean) Inc. | 100 | Barbados |
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INTRODUCTION
Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Emera owns and operates cost-of-service rate-regulated electric and gas utilities in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Cost-of-service utilities provide essential gas and electric services in designated territories under franchises and are overseen by regulatory authorities. Emera’s strategic focus continues to be to safely deliver cleaner, affordable and reliable energy to its customers.
Emera’s investment in rate-regulated businesses is concentrated in Florida and Nova Scotia. These service areas have generally experienced stable regulatory policies and economic conditions. Emera’s portfolio of regulated utilities provides reliable earnings, cash flow and dividends. Earnings opportunities in regulated utilities are generally driven by the magnitude of net investment in the utility (known as “rate base”), and the amount of equity in the capital structure and the return on that equity (“ROE”) as approved through regulation. Earnings are also affected by sales volumes and operating expenses.
Emera’s $7.4 billion capital investment plan over the 2021-to-2023 period, and the potential for additional capital opportunities of $1.2 billion over the same period, results in a forecasted rate base growth of 7.5 per cent to 8.5 per cent through to 2023. The capital investment plan continues to include significant investments across the portfolio in renewable and cleaner generation, infrastructure modernization and customer-focused technologies. Emera’s capital investment plan is being funded primarily through internally generated cash flows and debt raised at the operating company level. Equity requirements in support of the Company’s capital investment plan will predominantly be funded in equity capital markets through the dividend reinvestment plan and issuance of common and preferred equity. Maintaining investment-grade credit ratings is a priority of management.
Emera has provided annual dividend growth guidance of four to five per cent through to 2022. The Company targets a long-term dividend payout ratio of 70 to 75 per cent, and while the payout ratio is likely to exceed that target through and beyond the forecast period, it is expected to return to that range over time.
Seasonal patterns and other weather events affect demand and operating costs. Similarly, mark-to-market adjustments and foreign currency exchange can have a material impact on financial results for a specific period. Emera’s consolidated net income and cash flows are impacted by movements in the US dollar relative to the Canadian dollar and benefit from a weaker Canadian dollar. Emera may hedge both transactional and translational exposure. These impacts, as well as the timing of capital investments and other factors, mean that results in any one quarter are not necessarily indicative of results in any other quarter or for the year as a whole.
Energy markets worldwide are facing significant change and Emera is well positioned to respond to shifting customer demands, digitization, decarbonization, complex regulatory environments and decentralized generation.
Customers are looking for more choice, better control, and enhanced reliability in a time where costs of decentralized generation and storage have become more competitive in some regions. Advancing technologies are transforming the way utilities interact with their customers and generate and transmit energy. In addition, climate change and extreme weather are shaping how utilities operate and how they invest in infrastructure. There is also an overall need to replace aging infrastructure and further enhance reliability. Emera sees opportunity in all these trends. Emera’s strategy is to fund investments in renewable energy and technology assets which protect the environment and benefit customers through fuel or operating cost savings.
For example, significant investments to facilitate the use of renewable and low-carbon energy include the Maritime Link in Atlantic Canada, the ongoing construction of solar generation at Tampa Electric, and the modernization of the Big Bend Power Station at Tampa Electric. Emera’s utilities are also investing in reliability projects and replacing aging infrastructure. All of these projects demonstrate Emera’s strategy of safely delivering cleaner, reliable, and affordable energy for its customers.
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Building on its decarbonization progress over the past 15 years, Emera is continuing its efforts by establishing clear carbon reduction goals and a vision to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
This vision is inspired by Emera’s strong track record, the Company’s experienced team, and a clear path to Emera’s interim carbon goals. With existing technologies and resources and the benefit of supportive regulatory decisions, Emera plans and expects to achieve the following goals compared to corresponding 2005 levels:
• | A 55 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2025. |
• | An 80 per cent reduction in coal usage by 2023 and the retirement of Emera’s last existing coal unit no later than 2040. |
• | At least an 80 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2040. |
Emera seeks to achieve these goals and realize its net-zero vision while remaining focused on maintaining affordability, enhancing reliability, adopting emerging technologies and working constructively with policymakers, regulators, partners, investors, and Emera’s communities.
Emera is committed to world-class safety, operational excellence, good governance, excellent customer service, reliability, being an employer of choice, and building constructive relationships.
COVID-19 Pandemic
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has affected all service territories in which Emera operates. Emera’s utilities provide essential services and continue to operate to meet customer demand. The Company’s priorities continue to be the reliable delivery of essential energy services while maintaining the health and safety of its customers and employees and supporting the communities Emera operates in.
The pandemic has generally resulted in lower load and higher operating costs than what otherwise would have been experienced at the Company’s utilities. Some of Emera’s utilities have been impacted more than others. However, on a consolidated basis these unfavourable impacts have not had a material financial impact to net earnings primarily due to a change in the mix of sales across customer classes. Lower commercial and industrial sales have been partially offset by increased sales to residential customers, which have a higher contribution to fixed cost recovery. Favourable weather in 2020, particularly in Florida, has further reduced the consolidated impact. The Company has not deferred any costs for future recovery as a result of the pandemic. Capital project delays and supply chain disruptions have also been minimal to date. Management continues to closely monitor developments related to COVID-19.
Governments world-wide have implemented measures intended to address the pandemic. These measures include travel and transportation restrictions, quarantines, physical distancing, closures of commercial and industrial facilities, shutdowns, shelter-in-place orders and other health measures. These measures are adversely impacting global, national and local economies. Global equity markets have experienced significant volatility and governments and central banks are implementing measures designed to stabilize economic conditions. The pace and strength of economic recovery is uncertain and may vary among jurisdictions.
In March 2020, Emera activated its company-wide pandemic and business continuity plans, including travel restrictions, directing employees to work remotely whenever possible, restricting access to operating facilities, physical distancing and implementing additional protocols (including the expanded use of personal protective equipment) for work within customers’ premises. In jurisdictions where it is safe to do so, some parts of the business have commenced a workplace re-entry strategy. The Company is monitoring recommendations by local and national public health authorities related to COVID-19 and is adjusting operational requirements as needed.
Emera’s utilities are working with customers on relief initiatives in response to the effect of the pandemic on customers’ ability to pay and their need for continued service. These initiatives have included the
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temporary suspension of disconnection for non-payment of bills and the development of payment arrangements where necessary. In the third quarter of 2020, most of Emera’s utilities resumed disconnection processes for non-payment. As a result of the temporary suspension of disconnections, the Company’s utilities experienced an increase in the aging of customer receivables. This trend has begun to reverse as normal disconnection processes resume. There have been no significant customer defaults as a result of bankruptcies with many accounts being secured by deposits. As of December 31, 2020, adjustments to the allowance for credit losses have increased but have not had a material impact on earnings. The full impact of potential credit losses due to customer non-payment is not known at this time. The utilities are continuing to monitor customer accounts and are working with customers on payment arrangements.
The extent of the future impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s financial results and business operations cannot be predicted at this time and will depend on future developments, including the duration and severity of the pandemic, timing and effectiveness of vaccinations, further potential government actions and future economic activity and energy usage. In the first quarter of 2020, the Company updated its principal risks to reflect this uncertainty. For this risk update, refer to the “Risk Management and Financial Instruments” section of the MD&A and note 27 in the Audited Financial Statements, which is hereby incorporated by reference, a copy of which is available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Company has disclosed the impact of this uncertainty on its accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Audited Financial Statements. For further detail, refer to the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of the MD&A, and the “Use of Management Estimates” section of note 1 in the Audited Financial Statements, which are each hereby incorporated by reference, copies of which are available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Potential future impacts of COVID-19 on the business may include the following:
• | Lower earnings as a result of lower sales volumes due to continued economic slowdowns and the pace and strength of economic recovery; |
• | Delays of capital projects as a result of construction shutdowns, government restrictions on non-essential capital work, travel restrictions for contractors or supply chain disruptions; |
• | Deferral of and adjustment to regulatory filings, hearings, decisions and recovery periods; and |
• | Decreased cash flow from operations due to lower earnings and slower collection of accounts receivable or increased credit losses. |
To date, the above have not had a material financial impact on the Company. Future impacts on the business will depend on future developments, including the duration and severity of the pandemic and the pace and strength of the economic recovery.
Refer to the outlook sections of the MD&A, by segment, for affiliate specific impacts, which is hereby incorporated by reference, a copy of which is available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These segment outlooks are based on the information currently available, however, the total impact of COVID-19 is unknown at this time.
Depending on the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the forecasted capital expenditures disclosed in the MD&A may be delayed due to supply chain disruptions, travel restrictions for contractors or the deferral of non-essential capital work. The Company currently expects to continue to have adequate liquidity given its cash position, existing bank facilities, and access to capital, but will continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on future cash flows. For further detail, refer to the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of the MD&A, which is hereby incorporated by reference, a copy of which is available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
Business Segments
Emera’s reportable segments are:
• | Florida Electric Utility, which consists of Tampa Electric; |
• | Canadian Electric Utilities, which includes NSPI and ENL, a holding company with equity investments in NSPML. and Labrador-Island Link Limited Partnership; |
• | Other Electric Utilities, which includes ECI, a holding company with regulated electric utilities which include BLPC, GBPC, a 51.9 per cent interest in Domlec and a 19.5 per cent equity interest in Lucelec. In 2020, the Company completed the sale of Emera Maine, which was previously included in this segment; |
• | Gas Utilities and Infrastructure, which includes PGS, NMGC, SeaCoast, Emera Brunswick Pipeline Company and an equity investment in M&NP; and |
• | Other, which includes Emera Energy and corporate holding and financing companies. |
General
Emera and its subsidiaries had 7,094 employees as at December 31, 2020, approximately 35 per cent of whom are unionized.
Emera has grown its business through its rate-regulated subsidiaries and other equity investments, which include:
• | Tampa Electric (see “Florida Electric Utility” section below); |
• | NSPI (see “Canadian Electric Utilities” section below); |
• | BLPC, GBPC and Domlec (see “Other Electric Utilities” section below); |
• | PGS, NMGC, SeaCoast, Emera Brunswick Pipeline Company (see “Gas Utilities and Infrastructure” section below); |
• | Emera’s 100 per cent investment in Maritime Link (see “Canadian Electric Utilities” section below); |
• | Emera’s 45.6 per cent investment in the partnership capital of LIL (see “Canadian Electric Utilities” section below); and |
• | a 12.9 per cent interest in M&NP (see “Gas Utilities and Infrastructure” section below). |
Operations by Segment
The following sections describe the operations included in each of the Company’s reportable segments.
Florida Electric Utility
Florida Electric Utility consists of Tampa Electric, a vertically integrated regulated electric utility engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, serving customers in West Central Florida. Tampa Electric has $10 billion USD of assets, approximately 792,500 customers and 2,420 employees as at December 31, 2020.
Tampa Electric is regulated by the FPSC and is also subject to regulation by the FERC. The FPSC sets rates at a level that allows utilities such as Tampa Electric to collect total revenues equal to their cost of providing service, which includes an appropriate return on invested capital. Base rates are determined in FPSC rate setting hearings which occur at the initiative of Tampa Electric, the FPSC or other interested parties.
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Market and Sales
Tampa Electric Revenue and Sales by Customer Class | ||||||||
Electric Revenues (%) | GWh Electric Sales Volumes (%) | |||||||
For the year ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
Residential | 55.0 | 53.3 | 50.6 | 48.1 | ||||
Commercial | 27.4 | 28.6 | 30.2 | 31.3 | ||||
Industrial | 7.2 | 7.9 | 9.4 | 10.1 | ||||
Other | 10.4 | 10.2 | 9.8 | 10.5 | ||||
Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
Energy sources and generation
As at December 31, 2020, Tampa Electric owns 5,790 MW of generating capacity, of which 78 per cent is natural gas-fired, 12 per cent is coal and 10 per cent is solar. Tampa Electric owns 2,165 kilometres of transmission facilities and 19,250 kilometres of distribution facilities.
Tampa Electric’s approved regulated ROE range is 9.25 per cent to 11.25 per cent, based on an allowed equity capital structure of 54 per cent. An ROE of 10.25 per cent is used for the calculation of the return on investments recovered through cost recovery clauses.
System Operations
Tampa Electric’s Energy Control Center co-ordinates and controls the electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities. The Energy Control Center is linked to the generating stations and other key facilities through the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, a communication network used by system operators for remote monitoring and control of the power system assets.
Through interconnection agreements with our neighboring electric utilities within the Florida Region, Tampa Electric’s system has access to other regional power systems and the rest of the interconnected North American electric bulk power system. The interconnection of power systems enhances the cost effectiveness, reserve capacity and reliability of participating power systems. As a member of the Florida Reserve Sharing Group, Tampa Electric has immediate access to reserve generating capacity from all other group members.
Fuel Recovery Clause
Tampa Electric has a fuel recovery clause approved by the FPSC, allowing the opportunity to recover fluctuating fuel expenses from customers through annual fuel rate adjustments. Differences between prudently incurred fuel costs and amounts recovered from customers through electricity rates in a year are deferred to a fuel clause regulatory asset or liability and recovered from or returned to customers in a subsequent year.
Storm Protection Plan Cost Recovery Clause
Tampa Electric has a Storm Protection Plan cost recovery clause allowing recovery of prudent transmission and distribution storm hardening costs for incremental activities not already included in base rates as outlined in the programs in its approved Storm Protection Plan. Differences between the prudently incurred clause-recoverable costs and amounts recovered from customers through electricity rates in a year are deferred and recovered from or returned to customers in a subsequent year.
Other Cost Recovery Clauses
The FPSC annually approves cost-recovery rates for purchased power, capacity, environmental and conservation costs, including a return on capital invested. Differences between the prudently incurred
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clause-recoverable costs and amounts recovered from customers through electricity rates in a year are deferred to a corresponding regulatory asset or liability and recovered from or returned to customers in a subsequent year.
Storm Reserve
The storm reserve is for hurricanes and other named storms that cause significant damage to Tampa Electric’s system. As allowed by the FPSC, if the charges to the storm reserve exceed the storm liability, the excess is to be carried as a regulatory asset. Tampa Electric can draw on such reserve to fund restoration costs and can petition the FPSC to seek recovery of unfunded restoration costs over a 12-month period, or longer, as determined by the FPSC, as well as replenish the reserve.
Contribution to Consolidated Net Income
Florida Electric Utility’s contribution to consolidated net income was $372 million USD in 2020 (2019 - $316 million USD).
Seasonal Nature
Electric sales volumes are primarily driven by general economic conditions, population and weather. Residential and commercial electricity sales are seasonal. In Florida, Q3 is the strongest period for electricity sales, reflecting warmer weather and cooling demand.
Capital Investments
In 2020, capital investments in the Florida Electric Utility segment were $1.0 billion USD (2019 – $1.1 billion USD). In 2021, capital investment is expected to be approximately $1.2 billion USD, including AFUDC. Capital projects include solar investments, continuation of the modernization of the Big Bend Power Station, storm hardening investments and AMI.
On February 18, 2020, Tampa Electric announced its intention to invest approximately $800 million USD in an additional 600 MW of new utility-scale solar photovoltaic projects by the end of 2023. For further information on this investment, refer to the “General Developments of the Business” section below.
Tampa Electric expects to invest approximately $850 million USD through 2023 to modernize the Big Bend Power Station. For further information on this investment, refer to the “General Developments of the Business” section below.
Environmental Considerations
Tampa Electric has an ECRC which allows the company to earn a return on investments in infrastructure required to comply with new environmental regulations, including those discussed below, and to recover the costs to operate and maintain these facilities. Through its conservation cost recovery clause, Tampa Electric also offers its customers a comprehensive array of residential and commercial programs that have enabled the company to meet its required demand side management goals, reduce weather-sensitive peak demand and conserve energy.
Tampa Electric operates fossil fuel burning power plants with air emissions regulated by the Clean Air Act. Tampa Electric has achieved the emission-reduction levels called for in Phase I and Phase II of CAIR. CAIR was replaced by the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) which was most recently updated on October 26, 2016. Due to active engagement of Tampa Electric’s regulatory response groups, the EPA updated its modeling to include proper consideration of atmospheric dynamics and Florida is no longer subject to CSAPR.
On December 17, 2019, the EPA proposed to approve Florida’s Infrastructure State Implementation Plan (“SIP”) related to the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (“NAAQS”), except for provisions related to interstate transport. On December 30, 2019, the EPA proposed to approve the remaining interstate transport elements of Florida’s SIP, along with similar submittals from nearby states
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On March 5, 2020, Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced that Florida meets all of the requirements of the NAAQS.
The operation of fossil-fuel burning power plants also has material Clean Water Act implications and impacts by federal and state legislative initiatives. The final 316(b) rule became effective in October 2014 and seeks to reduce impingement and entrainment at cooling water intakes, including those at Big Bend and Bayside Power Stations. Requirements of the new rule will be determined by the federal and state regulatory agency review of the study elements performed to comply with the rule and in conjunction with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit renewals.
The final Effluent Limitations Guidelines were published on November 3, 2015, and establish limits for wastewater discharges from flue gas desulfurization processes, fly ash and bottom ash transport water, leachate from coal combustion residuals (“CCR”) impoundments, gasification processes, and flue gas mercury controls. New limits will require new technology at Big Bend Station before December 31, 2023. Since Polk Power Station disposes of gasification wastewater in onsite deep injection wells rather than discharging to surface water, the limits are not applicable.
The CCR Rule became effective on October 19, 2015 and covers the Big Bend Unit #4 Economizer Ash Ponds and the converted Units 1-3 slag fines pond. The slag pond was cleaned out and lined in 2020 for use as storm water storage. The Economizer Ponds Closure Project will be completed in 2021, by removing and disposing of the CCRs offsite and restoring the site to natural grade. The South Gypsum Storage Area Closure Project was completed as a component of the Big Bend Modernization in January 2020. There are no regulated CCR units at Polk or Bayside Power Stations.
Canadian Electric Utilities
Canadian Electric Utilities includes NSPI and ENL. NSPI is a vertically integrated regulated electric utility engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and the primary electricity supplier to customers in Nova Scotia. ENL is a holding company with equity investments in NSPML and LIL: two transmission investments related to the development of an 824 MW hydroelectric generating facility at Muskrat Falls on the Lower Churchill River in Labrador.
NSPI
NSPI is the primary electricity supplier in Nova Scotia, providing electricity generation, transmission and distribution services to approximately 529,000 customers with $5.5 billion in assets and 2,054 employees as at December 31, 2020.
NSPI is a public utility as defined in the Public Utilities Act and is subject to regulation under the Public Utilities Act by the UARB. The Public Utilities Act gives the UARB supervisory powers over NSPI’s operations and expenditures. Electricity rates for NSPI’s customers are subject to UARB approval. NSPI is not subject to a general annual rate review process, but rather participates in hearings held from time to time at NSPI’s or the UARB’s request. NSPI’s approved regulated ROE range is 8.75 per cent to 9.25 per cent based on an actual five quarter average regulated common equity component of up to 40 per cent.
NSPI has a FAM, approved by the UARB, allowing NSPI to recover fluctuating fuel costs from customers through annual fuel rate adjustments. Differences between prudently incurred fuel costs and amounts recovered from customers through electricity rates in a given year are deferred to a FAM regulatory asset or liability.
NSPI is currently operating under a three-year fuel stability plan which results in an average annual overall rate increase of 1.5 per cent to recover fuel costs for the period of 2020 through 2022. These rates include recovery of Maritime Link costs (discussed in the “ENL – NSPML” section below). Pursuant to the FAM plan of administration, NSPI’s fuel costs are subject to independent audit.
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Market and Sales
NSPI Revenue and Electricity Sales by Customer Class | ||||||||
Electric Revenues (%) | GWh Electric Sales Volumes (%) | |||||||
For the year ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
Residential | 55.0 | 53.2 | 46.5 | 44.6 | ||||
Commercial | 27.6 | 28.6 | 28.4 | 29.3 | ||||
Industrial | 15.3 | 15.0 | 23.3 | 22.8 | ||||
Other | 2.1 | 3.2 | 1.8 | 3.3 | ||||
Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
Energy Sources and Generation
NSPI owns 2,433 MW of generating capacity, of which 43 per cent is coal-fired, 28 per cent is natural gas and/or oil, 20 per cent is hydro and wind, 7 per cent is petroleum coke and 2 per cent is biomass-fueled generation, supplemented by 546 MW contracted with IPPs, including COMFIT participants.
System Operations
NSPI’s Control Center Operations co-ordinates and controls the electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities. The Control Center is linked to the generating stations and other key facilities through the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, a communication network used by system operators for remote monitoring and control of the power system assets.
Through interconnection agreements with NB Power and with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, NSPI’s system has access to other regional power systems and the rest of the interconnected North American electric bulk power system. The interconnection of power systems enhances the cost effectiveness, reserve capacity and reliability of participating power systems. The interconnection agreements also provide participating utilities with a source of reserve power, subject to availability and the requirements of the supplier.
Transmission and Distribution
NSPI transmits and distributes electricity from its generating stations to its customers. NSPI’s transmission system consists of approximately 5,000 km of transmission facilities. The distribution system consists of approximately 27,000 km of distribution facilities, which includes distribution supply substations.
ENL
NSPML
Through its subsidiary, NSPML, ENL has invested $1.9 billion of equity, debt and working capital, including $209 million of AFUDC, in development of the Maritime Link. This investment consists of $546 million in equity, comprised of $443 million in equity contribution and $103 million of accumulated retained earnings, with the remaining being funded with working capital and debt. The project debt has been guaranteed by the Government of Canada.
The Maritime Link assets entered service on January 15, 2018 and provides for the transmission of energy and improved reliability and ancillary benefits, supporting the efficiency and reliability of both Provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. The Maritime Link will transmit at greater capacity when the Lower Churchill project is complete, which is anticipated to take place in 2021.
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Equity earnings contributions from the Maritime Link are dependent on the approved ROE and operational performance of NSPML. NSPML’s approved regulated ROE range is 8.75 per cent to 9.25 per cent, based on an actual five-quarter average regulated common equity component of up to 30 per cent.
On December 16, 2020, the UARB approved NSPML’s 2021 interim cost assessment for recovery from NSPI of Maritime Link costs of approximately $172 million subject to a holdback of $10 million on similar terms as previously approved by the UARB and a potential long-term deferral of up to $23 million in depreciation expense dependent upon the timing of commencement of the NS Block. Recovery of this interim assessment began on January 1, 2021. NSPML expects to file a final cost assessment with the UARB upon commencement of the NS Block of energy from Muskrat Falls which is expected to take place in 2021.
LIL
ENL is a limited partner with Nalcor in LIL, with total project costs currently estimated at $3.7 billion. Equity earnings are recorded based on an annual ROE of 8.5 per cent of the equity invested. The ROE is set by the Newfoundland and Labrador Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities.
Equity earnings from the LIL investment are based upon the book value of the equity investment and the approved ROE. Emera’s current equity investment is $628 million, comprised of $410 million in equity contribution and $218 million of accumulated equity earnings. Emera’s total equity contribution in the LIL, excluding accumulated equity earnings, is estimated to be approximately $650 million after all Lower Churchill projects, including Muskrat Falls, are completed.
Cash earnings and return of equity will begin after commissioning of the LIL by Nalcor, and until that point Emera will continue to record AFUDC earnings.
Contribution to Consolidated Net Income
Canadian Electric Utilities contribution to Emera’s consolidated net income was $221 million in 2020 (2019 - $229 million).
Seasonal Nature
Electric sales volumes are primarily driven by weather, number of customers, general economic conditions, and demand side management activities. Residential and commercial electricity sales are seasonal in Nova Scotia, with the first quarter historically generating the highest sales, reflecting colder weather and fewer daylight hours in the winter season.
Capital Investment
NSPI
NSPI’s capital investments in 2020 were $316 million (2019 - $396 million). In 2021, NSPI expects to invest approximately $370 million, including AFUDC, primarily in capital projects to support system reliability and hydroelectric infrastructure renewal investments.
The UARB prescribes and approves depreciation rates and regulated accounting policies. Depreciation rates are reviewed periodically. A settlement agreement on depreciation rates became effective on January 1, 2012.
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NSPML
NSPML’s capital investments in 2020 were $7 million (2019 – $28 million). In 2021, NSPML expects to invest approximately $15 million in capital.
Environmental Considerations
NSPI is subject to environmental laws and regulations set by both the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia. NSPI continues to work with both levels of government to comply with these laws and regulations, to maximize efficiency of emission control measures and minimize customer cost. NSPI anticipates that costs prudently incurred to achieve legislated reductions will be recoverable under NSPI’s regulatory framework.
The Government of Canada has laws and regulations that would compel the closure of coal plants before the end of their economic life and at the latest by 2030. The Canada-Nova Scotia Equivalency Agreement allows NSPI to achieve compliance with federal greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions regulations. The current Equivalency Agreement, which must be renewed in five-year increments, provides equivalency for the 2020-2024 period and outlines the framework for equivalency for the 2025 to 2040 period. At December 31, 2020, NSPI was in compliance with provincial requirements.
On November 19, 2020, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-12, “Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act”, which requires national targets be set for the reduction of GHG emissions in Canada, with the objective of attaining net-zero emissions by 2050. NSPI continues to work with the federal government on measures to address their carbon reduction goals.
On December 11, 2020, the federal government announced plans to increase the carbon tax in Canada starting in 2023, increasing $15 per tonne annually and reaching $170 per tonne by 2030, under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (“GGPPA”). The GGPPA is a federal back stop for a price on carbon. As Nova Scotia prices carbon through the Nova Scotia Cap-and-Trade Program Regulations, it is NSPI’s expectation that Nova Scotia’s regulations will be considered equivalent to the proposed carbon tax under the GGPPA. NSPI will continue to work with the provincial government to understand their approach to changes to the Cap-and-Trade Program to address the federal government’s plans.
NSPI will receive its 2021 granted emissions allowances under the Nova Scotia Cap-and-Trade Program Regulations in Q1 2021. These allowances will be used in 2021 or allocated within the initial four-year compliance period that ends in 2022. NSPI is on track to meet the requirements of the program. NSPI anticipates that any prudently incurred costs required to comply with the Government of Canada’s laws and regulations, and the Nova Scotia Cap-and-Trade Program Regulations, will be recoverable under NSPI’s regulatory framework.
Renewable Energy from Maritime Link Project
Over the past several years, the requirement to reduce Nova Scotia’s reliance upon higher carbon and GHG emitting sources of energy has resulted in NSPI making significant investments in renewable energy sources, including energy from the Maritime Link, and purchasing renewable energy from IPP’s. Energy from renewable sources will increase upon delivery of the NS Block of electricity transmitted through the Maritime Link from the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project.
On March 17, 2020, Nalcor announced that it had paused construction activities at the Muskrat Falls site in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nalcor resumed work in May 2020 and continues to work toward construction completion and project commissioning in 2021. Due to the delay of the NS Block, NSPI did not achieve the provincially legislated target of 40 per cent of electric sales generated from renewable sources in 2020. This would have given rise to non-compliance except that on May 15, 2020, the provincial government provided NSPI with an alternative compliance plan, as permitted by the legislation, which requires NSPI to supply customers with at least 40 per cent of energy generated from renewable sources over the 2020 to 2022 period. NSPI expects to achieve this alternative compliance standard.
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For further information on environmental regulations affecting NSPI, see NSPI’s Annual Information Form, a copy of which is available electronically under NSPI’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Other Electric Utilities
Other Electric Utilities includes ECI, a holding company with regulated electric utilities. ECI’s regulated utilities include vertically integrated regulated electric utilities of BLPC on the island of Barbados, GBPC on Grand Bahama Island, a 51.9 per cent interest in Domlec on the island of Dominica and a 19.5 per cent interest in Lucelec on the island of St. Lucia which is accounted for on the equity basis.
On March 24, 2020, Emera completed the sale of Emera Maine which is included in the Other Electric Utilities segment for Q1 2020 and all of 2019. For further detail, refer to the “Significant Items Affecting Earnings” and “Developments” sections of Emera’s MD&A, incorporated herein by reference, a copy of which is available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Market and Sales
ECI’s Revenue and Electricity Sales by Customer Class | ||||||||
Electric Revenues (%) | GWh Electric Sales Volumes (%) | |||||||
For the year ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
Residential | 37.4 | 34.8 | 39.7 | 35.6 | ||||
Commercial | 51.9 | 55.2 | 52.4 | 57.2 | ||||
Industrial | 6.8 | 5.8 | 6.5 | 6.0 | ||||
Other | 3.9 | 4.2 | 1.4 | 1.2 | ||||
Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
BLPC
As at December 31, 2020, BLPC serves approximately 131,000 customers with $466 million USD of assets and a workforce of 406 employees. BLPC is regulated by the FTC, Barbados.
BLPC operates pursuant to a franchise to generate, transmit and distribute electricity on the island until 2028. In 2019, the Government of Barbados passed legislation amending the number of licenses required for the supply of electricity from a single integrated license which currently exists to multiple licenses for Generation, Transmission and Distribution, Storage, Dispatch and Sales. BLPC is negotiating the terms of the new licenses under the amended legislation.
BLPC’s approved regulated return on rate base is 10 per cent. BLPC has a fuel pass-through mechanism which provides the opportunity to recover all prudently incurred fuel costs in a timely manner. The FTC approves the calculation of the fuel charge, which is adjusted on a monthly basis.
BLPC owns 266 MW of generating capacity, of which 96 per cent is oil-fired and 4 per cent is solar. The utility has an additional 12 MW of capacity from rental units through March 31, 2021. BLPC’s transmission system consists of 184 km of transmission lines, including major substations connected to the transmission and distribution system. The distribution system consists of 2,800 km of distribution lines which includes distribution supply substations.
GBPC
As at December 31, 2020, GBPC serves approximately 19,000 customers, with $320 million USD of assets and a workforce of 197 employees.
GBPC is regulated by the GBPA. The GBPA has granted GBPC a licensed, regulated and exclusive franchise to produce, transmit and distribute electricity on the island until 2054. There is a fuel pass-through
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mechanism and tariff review policy with new rates submitted every three years. GBPC’s approved regulated return on rate base was 8.34 per cent for 2020 (2019 - 8.5 per cent). In the first quarter of 2021, the GBPA approved GBPC’s regulated return on rate base of 8.37 per cent for 2021.
GBPC maintains insurance for its generation facilities. As with most utilities, its transmission and distribution networks are self-insured. In 2019 Hurricane Dorian restoration costs for GBPC’s self-insured assets were $15 million USD. In January 2020, the GBPA approved the deferral of these costs through a regulated asset with recovery through rates over a five-year period. Recovery of the asset began January 1, 2021.In Q4 2019, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge, primarily related to goodwill, of $26 million USD due to a decrease in expected future cash flows resulting from the impacts of Hurricane Dorian storm recovery and changes in the anticipated long term regulated capital structure of GBPC. No impairment charge related to GBPC was recognized in 2020. In March 2021, an agreement was reached with insurers for a claim with respect to the costs associated with rebuilding the Peel Street Generating plant, which was damaged during Hurricane Dorian, along with the costs associated with temporary generation required to maintain service to the island during the rebuilding of the plant.
In December 2016, the GBPA approved that the all-in rate for electricity (fuel and base rates) would be held at 2016 levels over the five-year period from 2017 through 2021. Any over-recovery of fuel costs during this period will be applied to the Hurricane Matthew regulatory deferral, until such time as the deferral is recovered. Should GBPC recover funds in excess of the Hurricane Matthew regulatory deferral, the excess will be placed in a new storm reserve. If balances remain within the Hurricane Matthew deferral at the end of the five years, GBPC will have the opportunity to request recovery from customers in future rates.
As a component of its regulatory agreement, GBPC has an earnings share mechanism to allow for earnings on rate base to be deferred to a regulatory asset or liability at the rate of 50 per cent of amounts below a 7.37 per cent (2020 - 7.34 per cent) return on rate base and 50 per cent of amounts above 9.37 per cent (2020 - 9.34 per cent) return on rate base respectively.
GBPC owns 98 MW of oil-fired generation, 138 kilometres of transmission facilities and 860 kilometers of distribution facilities. The utility has an additional 18 MW of capacity from rental units which are expected to be returned in the first half of 2021, when the generation units damaged by Hurricane Dorian are returned to service.
Domlec
As at December 31, 2020, Domlec serves approximately 34,000 customers, has a workforce of 226 employees and is regulated by the IRCD. Domlec is listed on the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange. On October 7, 2013, the IRCD issued a Transmission, Distribution & Supply License and a Generation License to Domlec, both of which came into effect on January 1, 2014 for a period of 25 years. Domlec’s approved regulated return on rate base is 15 per cent. Substantially all of Domlec fuel costs flow through a fuel pass-through mechanism which provides opportunity to recover prudently incurred fuel costs from customers in a timely manner.
Domlec owns 27 MW of generating capacity of which 75 per cent is oil-fired and 25 per cent is hydro. Domlec owns 475 kilometres of transmission facilities and 709 kilometres of distribution facilities.
Energy Sources and Generation
BLPC’s and GBPC’s energy sources for their respective electricity generation are primarily heavy fuel oil used for base load generation and light fuel oil used for peak generation. Domlec’s electricity generation is oil-fired and hydro.
With oil being the predominant fuel source for generation of electricity in the Caribbean, and with fuel costs directly passed through electricity rates to customers, any change in global fuel prices and resulting change in fuel costs will result in a similar change in customer rates and reported revenues. GBPC has implemented fuel hedging strategies to provide increased fuel cost certainty to customers. In support of
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reducing carbon emissions and exposure to carbon-based fuel sources, more efficient and renewable energy generation and battery storage investments are being developed in the Caribbean.
System Operation
BLPC, GBPC and Domlec have system control centres that co-ordinate and control their electric generation and transmission facilities with the goal of providing a reliable and secure electricity supply while maintaining economy of operations. The generation and transmission system control centres are linked to their generating stations and other key parts of their systems by the “Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition” systems, with fibre optic, voice and data communications networks.
Transmission and Distribution
BLPC, GBPC and Domlec transmit and distribute electricity from their generating stations to their customers.
Contribution to Consolidated Net Income and Adjusted Net Income
Other Electric Utilities’ contribution to consolidated net income was $26 million USD in 2020 (2019 – $33 million USD). Adjusted for the 2019 non-cash impairment charge and mark-to-market, Other Electric Utilities’ contribution to consolidated net income was $24 million USD in 2020 (2019 – $57 million USD).
Seasonal Nature
Electricity sales and related generation varies significantly over the year in the Caribbean; Q3 is typically the strongest period, reflecting warmer weather. Dominica and Grand Bahama are also particularly prone to Tropical Storm and Hurricane impacts during Q3.
Capital Investment
Other Electric Utilities capital investments for 2020 were $111 million USD including $14 million USD invested in Emera Maine projects (2019 –$150 million USD). In 2021, capital investment is expected to be approximately $165 million USD. Forecasted capital investment is primarily in more efficient and cleaner sources of generation, including renewables and battery storage. BLPC expects to complete installation of a 33 MW power plant in 2021. This power plant will increase efficiency and bridge BLPC’s transition to increased renewable sources of generation.
Environmental Considerations
Emera’s Caribbean utilities have implemented formal Health & Safety and Environmental and Management systems to assist in safeguarding the health and safety of its employees, contractors and customers while ensuring protection of the environment.
Gas Utilities and Infrastructure
Gas Utilities and Infrastructure includes PGS, NMGC, SeaCoast, Brunswick Pipeline and Emera’s non-consolidated investment in M&NP. PGS is a regulated gas distribution utility engaged in the purchase, distribution and sale of natural gas serving customers in Florida. NMGC is a regulated gas distribution utility engaged in the purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of natural gas serving customers in New Mexico. SeaCoast is a regulated intrastate natural gas transmission company offering services in Florida. Brunswick Pipeline is a regulated 145-kilometre pipeline delivering re-gasified liquefied natural gas from Saint John, New Brunswick, to markets in the northeastern United States.
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PGS is regulated by the FPSC. NMGC is regulated by the NMPRC. Rates are set at a level that allow the utilities to collect total revenues equal to their cost to provide service, including an appropriate return on invested capital.
Market and sales
PGS, NMGC and SeaCoast Revenue and Sales by Customer Class | ||||||||
Gas Revenues (%) | Therms Gas Sales Volumes (%) | |||||||
For the year ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
Residential | 50.6 | 48.2 | 13.2 | �� | 13.6 | |||
Commercial | 28.2 | 28.5 | 25.1 | 27.3 | ||||
Industrial | 5.6 | 4.7 | 51.9 | 48.7 | ||||
Other | 15.6 | 18.6 | 9.8 | 10.4 | ||||
Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
PGS
As at December 31, 2020, PGS serves approximately 426,000 customers with $1.9 billion USD in assets and 680 employees. The PGS system includes approximately 22,200 kilometres of natural gas mains and 12,600 kilometres of service lines. Gas mains are distribution lines that serve as a common source of supply for more than one service line. Natural gas throughput (the amount of gas delivered to its customers, including transportation-only service) was 2.1 billion therms in 2020.
For 2020, the approved ROE range for PGS was 9.25 per cent to 11.75 per cent, on an allowed equity capital structure of 54.7 per cent. An ROE of 10.75 per cent was used for the calculation of return on investments recovered through cost recovery clauses. Beginning in 2021, the approved ROE range is 8.9 per cent to 11.0 per cent, based on an allowed equity capital structure of 54.7 per cent and an ROE of 9.9 per cent will be used for the calculation of return on investments recovered through cost recovery clauses.
Fuel Recovery Clause
PGS recovers the costs it pays for gas supply and interstate transportation for system supply through its PGAC. This clause is designed to recover actual costs incurred by PGS for purchased gas, gas storage services, interstate pipeline capacity, and other related items associated with the purchase, distribution, and sale of natural gas to its customers. These charges may be adjusted monthly subject to a cap approved annually by the FPSC.
Other Cost Recovery Clauses
The FPSC annually approves cost-recovery rates for conservation costs, including a return on capital invested, incurred in developing and implementing energy conservation programs. PGS has a Cast Iron/Bare Steel Pipe Replacement clause to recover the cost of accelerating the replacement of cast iron and bare steel distribution lines in the PGS system. In February 2017, the FPSC approved expansion of the Cast Iron/Bare Steel clause to allow recovery of accelerated replacement of certain obsolete plastic pipe. PGS estimates that all cast iron and bare steel pipe will be removed from its system by 2022, with replacement of obsolete plastic pipe continuing until 2028 under the rider.
NMGC
As at December 31, 2020, NMGC serves approximately 540,000 customers with $1.5 billion USD in assets and 698 employees. NMGC’s system includes 2,443 km of transmission lines and 17,243 km of distribution lines. Annual natural gas throughput was 948 million therms in 2020.
For 2020, the approved ROE for NMGC was 9.1 per cent, on an allowed equity capital structure of 52 per cent. New rates became effective August 2019 and were phased in over two years resulting in an annual revenue increase of approximately $3 million USD. In addition, NMGC’s weather mechanism became
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effective October 2019. Beginning in 2021, the approved ROE is 9.375 per cent on an allowed equity capital structure of 52 per cent.
Fuel Recovery Clause
NMGC recovers gas supply costs through a PGAC. This clause recovers NMGC’s actual costs for purchased gas, gas storage services, interstate pipeline capacity, and other related items associated with the purchase, distribution, and sale of natural gas to its customers.
On a monthly basis, NMGC can adjust charges based on the next month’s expected cost of gas and any prior month under-recovery or over-recovery. At the end of each PGAC year (twelve months ending in August) NMGC balances the PGAC for the year and flows the annual over or under balance into the following year. In extraordinary circumstances, NMGC can work with the NMPRC to handle large over or under-recovery balances. In February 2021, the State of New Mexico endured a severe weather event, which resulted in additional gas costs to NMGC and an under-recovery balance that could not reasonably be balanced in 2021. NMGC is filing a Motion for Extraordinary Relief, as permitted by the NMPRC rules, and anticipates recovering these extraordinary costs over a period greater than the 2022 PGAC year.
NMGC must file a PGAC Continuation Filing with the NMPRC every four years to establish that continued use of the PGAC is reasonable and necessary. In December 2020, NMGC received approval of its PGAC Continuation Filing for the four-year period ending December 2024.
Weather Normalization Mechanism
In July 2019, the NMPRC approved changes to the company’s rate design to include a Weather Normalization Mechanism. This clause is designed to lower the variability of weather impacts during the annual October through April heating season. The Weather Normalization Mechanism will allow customer rates and company revenue to be more predictable by partially removing the impact of warmer than usual or colder than usual weather. Weather-related revenue increases or decreases experienced from October to April will be adjusted annually in October of the following heating season.
IMP Regulatory Asset
A portion of NMGC’s annual spend on infrastructure is for integrity management programs (“IMP”), or the replacement and update of legacy systems. These programs are driven both by NMGC integrity management plans and federal and state mandates. In December 2020, NMGC received approval through its rate case to defer costs through an IMP regulatory asset for certain of its IMP capital investments occurring between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023 and will seek recovery for the regulatory asset in its next rate case filing.
SeaCoast
In 2018, SeaCoast executed an agreement with Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“Seminole”) to provide long-term firm gas transportation service to Seminole’s new gas-fired generating facility being constructed in Putnam County, Florida. SeaCoast is constructing and will operate a 21-mile, 30-inch pipeline lateral that will be treated as a sales-type lease for accounting purposes. The lease of the pipeline lateral to Seminole is anticipated to commence in January 2022. The capital investment is projected to be approximately $100 million USD, with the majority of the project investment completed through 2020. SeaCoast also jointly developed the 26.5 mile, 16-inch Callahan Pipeline with Peninsula Pipeline Co., an affiliate of Florida Public Utilities. The SeaCoast pipeline went into service in Q4 2020 providing long-term firm gas transportation service to PGS in the northeast Florida area with 2021 being the first full year of operation. SeaCoast’s portion of the capital investment in the Callahan Pipeline was approximately $30 million USD.
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EBPC
EBPC owns Brunswick Pipeline, a regulated 145-km pipeline delivering re-gasified natural gas from the Canaport LNG import terminal near Saint John, New Brunswick to markets in the Northeastern United States. The pipeline travels through southwest New Brunswick and connects with M&NP at the Canada/U.S. border near Baileyville, Maine. Since its commissioning in July 2009, the pipeline has been used solely to transport natural gas for RECL under a 25-year firm service agreement. Brunswick Pipeline is regulated by the CER, which has classified it as a Group II pipeline.
M&NP
Emera owns a 12.9 per cent interest in M&NP, which is a 1,400 km pipeline that transports natural gas throughout markets in Atlantic Canada and the Northeastern United States.
Contribution to Consolidated Net Income
Gas Utilities and Infrastructure’s contribution to consolidated net income was $122 million USD in 2020 (2019 –$139 million USD).
Seasonal Nature
Gas sales volumes are primarily driven by general economic conditions, population and weather. Residential and commercial gas sales are seasonal. In Florida and New Mexico, Q1 is the strongest period for gas sales due to colder weather and heating demand.
Capital Investment
Capital investments in the Gas Utilities and Infrastructure segment in 2020 were $553 million USD. In 2021, capital investments is expected to be approximately $425 million USD, including AFUDC. PGS will make investments to expand its system and support customer growth. NMGC will complete the Santa Fe Mainline Looping project in January 2021 and will continue to invest in system improvements.
Environmental Considerations
Brunswick Pipeline is regulated by the CER and subject to both federal and provincial environmental regulations. Brunswick Pipeline has comprehensive integrity, safety and environmental programs in place, including an integrated management system to ensure compliance and continuous improvement of its integrity, safety and environmental programs. Brunswick Pipeline also conducts regularly scheduled physical inspections of the pipeline and its right-of-way.
Economic Dependence
Brunswick Pipeline has a 25-year firm service agreement with RECL, which runs to 2034. The risk of non-payment is mitigated as Repsol, the parent company of RECL, has provided EBPC with a guarantee for all RECL’s payment obligations under the firm service agreement.
Other
The Other segment includes those business operations that in a normal year are below the required threshold for reporting as separate segments; and corporate expense and revenue items that are not directly allocated to the operations of Emera’s subsidiaries and investments.
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Business operations in Other include Emera Energy, which consists of:
• | EES, a wholly owned physical energy marketing and trading business; and |
• | an equity investment in a 50.0 per cent joint venture ownership of Bear Swamp, a 600 MW pumped storage hydroelectric facility in northwestern Massachusetts. |
Corporate items included in the Other segment are certain corporate-wide functions including executive management, strategic planning, treasury services, legal, financial reporting, tax planning, corporate business development, corporate governance, investor relations, risk management, insurance, acquisition and disposition related costs, gains or losses on select assets sales, and corporate human resource activities. It includes interest revenue on intercompany financings recorded in “Intercompany revenue” and interest expense on corporate debt in both Canada and the US. It also includes costs associated with corporate activities that are not directly allocated to the operations of Emera’s subsidiaries and investments.
Emera Energy
EES derives revenue and earnings from the wholesale marketing and trading of natural gas, electricity and other energy-related commodities and derivatives within the company’s risk tolerances, including those related to value-at-risk and credit exposure. EES purchases and sells physical natural gas and electricity, the related transportation and transmission capacity rights, and provides related energy asset management services. The primary market area for the natural gas and power marketing and trading business is northeastern North America, including the Marcellus and Utica shale supply areas. EES also participates in the Florida, US Gulf Coast and Midwest/Central Canadian natural gas markets. Its counterparties include electric and gas utilities, natural gas producers, electricity generators and other marketing and trading entities. EES operates in a competitive environment, and the business relies on knowledge of the region’s energy markets, understanding of pipeline and transmission infrastructure, a network of counterparty relationships and a focus on customer service. EES manages its commodity risk by limiting open positions, utilizing financial products to hedge purchases and sales, and investing in transportation capacity rights to enable movement across its portfolio.
Earnings from EES are generally dependent on market conditions. In particular, volatility in electricity and natural gas markets, which can be influenced by weather, local supply constraints and other supply and demand factors, can provide higher levels of margin opportunity. The business is seasonal, with Q1 and Q4 generally providing the greatest opportunity for earnings. EES is generally expected to deliver annual adjusted net earnings of $15 to $30 million USD ($45 to $70 million USD of margin), with the opportunity for upside when market conditions present.
Contribution to Consolidated Net Income and Adjusted Net Income
Other’s contribution to consolidated net income was $19 million in 2020, compared to a loss of $213 million in 2019. Adjusted for after-tax mark-to-market, gain on the sale of Emera Maine, and impairment charges recognized on certain other assets, Other’s contribution to consolidated net income was a loss of $252 million compared to a loss of $286 million during the same period in 2019.
Capital Investment
Capital investments in the Other segment were $3 million in 2020 (2019 – $60 million). In 2021, capital investments in the Other segment is expected to be approximately $2 million.
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GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
Three Year History and Changes Expected in 2021
The following discussion summarizes key developments in Emera’s business and operations over the last three completed financial years and changes that are expected to occur during the current financial year.
COVID-19 Pandemic
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has affected all service territories in which Emera operates. Emera’s utilities provide essential services and continue to operate to meet customer demand. The Company’s priorities continue to be the reliable delivery of essential energy services while maintaining the health and safety of its customers and employees and supporting the communities Emera operates in.
For more information on the COVID-19 Pandemic, refer to the “Introduction – COVID-19 Pandemic” section above.
Florida Electric Utility
Base Rate Adjustments
On February 1, 2021, Tampa Electric notified the FPSC of its intent to seek a base rate increase, reflecting incremental revenue requirements of approximately $280 million USD to $295 million USD, effective January 2022. Tampa Electric’s proposed rates include recovery for the costs of the first phase of the Big Bend modernization project, 225 MW of utility-scale solar projects, the AMI investment, and accelerated recovery of the remaining net book value of retiring assets. Tampa Electric also intends to seek approval for Generation Base Rate Adjustments of $130 million USD to recover the costs of the second phase of the Big Bend modernization project and additional utility-scale solar projects in subsequent years. These filing amounts are estimates until Tampa Electric completes and files its detailed case. Tampa Electric expects to file its detailed case on or after April 2, 2021, and a decision by the FPSC is expected by the end of 2021.
Solar Projects
In September 2017, Tampa Electric announced its intention to invest approximately $850 million USD over four years in new utility-scale solar photovoltaic projects across its service territory. As at December 31, 2020, Tampa Electric has invested approximately $820 million USD in 600 MW of utility-scale solar photovoltaic projects, which are recoverable through FPSC-approved SoBRAs. Tampa Electric expects to invest an additional $30 million USD in these projects through 2021. AFUDC is being earned on these projects during construction. The FPSC has approved SoBRAs representing a total of 600 MW or $104 million USD annually in estimated revenue requirements for in-service projects. The true-up filing for SoBRAs tranche 1 and 2 revenue requirement estimates that were included in base rates as of September 2018 and January 2019, respectively, was submitted on April 30, 2020, and the FPSC approved the amount on August 18, 2020. A $5 million USD true-up was returned to customers in 2020. The true-ups for SoBRA tranches 3 and 4 will be filed in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
In February 2020, Tampa Electric announced its intention to invest approximately $800 million USD in an additional 600 MW of new utility-scale solar photovoltaic projects by the end of 2023. As of December 31, 2020, Tampa Electric has invested approximately $213 million USD in these projects. AFUDC is being earned on these projects during construction. On completion of these projects, 22 per cent, or 1,250 MW, of Tampa Electric’s total generating capacity will be solar.
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AMI Project
In September 2018, Tampa Electric announced its intention to invest approximately $235 million USD during 2018 through 2022 for its AMI project.
Big Bend Power Station Modernization
On May 24, 2018, Tampa Electric announced its intention to invest approximately $850 million USD through 2023 to modernize the Big Bend Power Station, of which $526 million USD has been invested through December 31, 2020. The modernization project will repower Big Bend Unit 1 with natural gas combined-cycle technology and eliminate coal as this unit’s fuel. On June 1, 2020, Tampa Electric retired the Unit 1 components that will not be used in the modernized plant. Tampa Electric plans to retire Big Bend Unit 2 in 2021 and Big Bend Unit 3 in 2023, as it is in the best interest of customers from economic, environmental risk and operational perspectives. For more information on the modernization of the Big Bend Power Station, refer to “Florida Electric Utility” in Emera’s MD&A, which is hereby incorporated by reference, a copy of which is available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Storm Protection Cost Recovery Clause
On October 3, 2019, the FPSC issued a rule to implement a Storm Protection Plan (“SPP”) Cost Recovery Clause. This new clause provides a process for Florida investor-owned utilities, including Tampa Electric, to recover transmission and distribution storm hardening costs for incremental activities not already included in base rates. Tampa Electric submitted its storm protection plan with the FPSC on April 10, 2020. For more information on the SPP, refer to “Florida Electric Utility” in Emera’s MD&A, which is hereby incorporated by reference, a copy of which is available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Impact of Hurricane Irma and Tax Reform
In September 2017, Tampa Electric was impacted by Hurricane Irma and incurred restoration costs of $102 million USD. The amount charged to the storm reserve exceeded the balance in the reserve by $47 million USD. On December 28, 2017, Tampa Electric petitioned the FPSC for recovery of estimated restoration costs in excess of the storm reserve for several named storms and to replenish the reserve to the $56 million USD level that existed as of October 31, 2013. On March 1, 2018, the FPSC approved a settlement agreement filed by Tampa Electric authorizing the utility to net the amount of storm cost recovery against its return of estimated 2018 US tax reform benefits to customers, effective April 1, 2018. In Q1 2018, Tampa Electric recorded OM&G expense and a regulatory liability of $19 million USD to offset tax reform benefits. This deferral was amortized over the balance of the year as a credit against recognition of storm expense. In total, OM&G expense due to the allowed netting of the storm cost recovery with tax reform benefits, net of amortization of first quarter tax reform benefits, was $22 million USD for Q4 2018 and $103 million USD for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Tampa Electric’s final storm costs subject to netting were determined in a separate regulatory proceeding in 2019. On August 20, 2018, the FPSC approved a reduction in base rates of $103 million USD annually beginning in 2019 to reflect the impact of tax reform. On April 9, 2019, Tampa Electric reached a settlement agreement with consumer parties regarding eligible storm costs as a result of Hurricane Irma in 2017, which was approved by the FPSC on May 21, 2019. As a result, Tampa Electric refunded $12 million USD to customers in January 2020, resulting in minimal impact to the Consolidated Statements of Income contained in the Audited Financial Statements.
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Canadian Electric Utilities
NSPI
Regulatory Matters
The Electricity Plan Act was enacted by the Province in December 2015, with a goal of providing rate stability and predictability for customers for the 2017 through 2019 period. NSPI operated under a rate stability plan (“RSP”) for the 2017 through 2019 period, which included an average overall annual rate increase of 1.5 per cent to recover fuel costs for each of the three years.
The Electricity Plan Act further directed that any non-fuel revenues in excess of NSPI’s approved range of return in 2017 through 2019 were to be applied to the FAM. In addition, the financial benefit resulting from a change in the recognition of tax benefits for the South Canoe Project and Sable Wind Project was to be reserved and applied to the FAM over the same period.
NSPI is currently operating under a three-year fuel stability plan which results in an average annual overall rate increase of 1.5 per cent to recover fuel costs for the period of 2020 through 2022. Differences between actual fuel costs and fuel revenues recovered from customers during 2020 to 2022 will be recovered or returned to customers after 2022, as required under NSPI’s fuel stability plan. The UARB’s decision to approve NSPI’s fuel stability plan directed that annual non-fuel revenues above NSPI’s approved range of ROE are to be applied to the FAM.
The Maritime Link entered service on January 15, 2018 and NSPI started paying the UARB approved interim assessment payments to NSPML at that time. The UARB approved 2020 interim cost assessment recovery payment to NSPML was $145 million and as of December 31, 2020, $135 million has been paid. The payments were subject to a holdback of $10 million pending UARB agreement that a minimum of $10 million in benefits from the Maritime Link are realized for NSPI customers. If the $10 million in benefits is realized, the UARB will direct NSPI to pay the $10 million to NSPML for that year. If not realized, then the UARB will direct NSPI to pay to NSPML only that portion that is realized and the balance will be refunded to customers through NSPI’s FAM. On March 4, 2021, the UARB directed NSPI to pay $4 million of the 2020 holdback to NSPML, with the remaining to be refunded to customers through the FAM.
On December 16, 2020, the UARB approved NSPML’s 2021 interim cost assessment recovery from NSPI of Maritime Link costs of approximately $172 million subject to a holdback of $10 million with similar terms as previously approved by the UARB and a potential long-term deferral of up to $23 million in depreciation expense dependent upon the timing of commencement of the NS Block.
In response to the delayed timing of energy delivery from the Muskrat Falls project, which is being developed by Nalcor, the approved Maritime Link interim assessment payments reflected a reduction in NSPML’s assessment in each of 2018 and 2019, related to depreciation and amortization expenses. NSPI refunded the reduced 2018 NSPML assessment to customers in 2018 and 2019, by providing a credit to customers of $17 million and $35 million, respectively. The UARB’s decision to approve NSPI’s 2020-2022 fuel stability plan outlined the treatment of the reduced 2019 NSPML assessment of $52 million plus interest. The majority of the reduced assessment was refunded to most customers through a reduction incorporated into their 2020 rates and the remaining customers received a one-time on bill credit in 2020. As at December 31, 2020, $40 million plus interest has been refunded to customers, with the remaining $12 million plus interest to be returned to customers subsequent to 2022.
Pursuant to the FAM Plan of Administration, NSPI’s Fuel Costs are subject to independent audit. On August 21, 2020, the FAM audit results for fiscal 2018 and 2019 were filed with the UARB. A hearing was held in January 2021 and a decision is expected in Q2 2021.
On March 13, 2020, the UARB’s decision on the FAM audit findings and recommendations relating to fiscal 2016 and 2017 was publicly released. The final recommendations were endorsed by the UARB and did not include any disallowances.
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For more information refer to the “Business Overview and Outlook – Canadian Electric Utilities”, “Regulated Fuel for Generation and Purchased Power” and “Regulatory Recovery Mechanisms” sections of Emera’s MD&A, which are incorporated herein by reference, a copy of which is available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
ENL
Maritime Link Project and Strategic Partnership with Nalcor on Muskrat Falls Projects
The Maritime Link entered service on January 15, 2018 and provides for the transmission of energy as well as improved reliability and ancillary benefits, supporting the efficiency and reliability of both provinces. The Maritime Link will transmit at greater capacity when the Lower Churchill project is complete, which is anticipated to take place in 2021.
For information on the UARB’s approval of NSPI’s payments to NSPML, refer to the “NSPI - Regulatory Matters” section above.
Other Electric Utilities
Sale of Emera Maine
On March 24, 2020, Emera completed the sale of Emera Maine for a total enterprise value of $2.0 billion ($1.4 billion USD). A gain on sale of $585 million ($309 million after tax, or $1.26 per common share), net of transaction costs, was recognized in “Other Income” on the Consolidated Statements of Income. For further detail, refer to the “Developments” section in Emera’s MD&A, which is hereby incorporated by reference, a copy of which is available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
ECI
ICDU Acquisition
On October 13, 2017, Emera and ICDU announced that they had entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Emera would indirectly acquire all of the shares of ICDU that it did not own. Minority ICDU shareholders elected to receive BSD $8.85 in cash per common share or 0.913 Bahamas DRs. Each Bahamas DR represents one quarter of an Emera common share. On January 15, 2018, Emera completed the acquisition of the ICDU minority shareholders common shares for total consideration of $35 million USD and became the sole indirect owner of GBPC. The Bahamas DRs commenced trading on the BISX on January 22, 2018 and 1,814,135 Bahamas DRs were outstanding as at December 31, 2020.
Hurricane Dorian
On September 1, 2019, the Category 5 Hurricane Dorian struck Grand Bahama Island causing devastating wind and flood damage across the island. GBPC sustained damage to its generation, transmission and distribution assets. For more information on restoration costs, GBPC self-insured assets and impairment charges, refer to “Description of the Business – Other Electric Utilities – GBPC” above.
BLPC General Rate Review
On November 6, 2020, BLPC notified the FTC that it plans to file a general rate review application in the first half of 2021.
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Gas Utilities and Infrastructure
PGS
Settlement Agreement
On June 8, 2020, PGS filed a petition for an increase in rates and service charges effective January 2021. On November 19, 2020, the FPSC approved a settlement agreement filed by PGS. The settlement agreement allows for an increase in base rates by $58 million USD annually effective January 2021, which is a $34 million USD increase in revenue and $24 million USD increase of revenues previously recovered through the cast iron and bare steel replacement rider. This settlement agreement includes an allowed regulatory ROE range of 8.9 per cent to 11.0 per cent with a 9.9 per cent midpoint. It provides PGS the ability to reverse a total of $34 million USD of accumulated depreciation through 2023 and sets new depreciation rates going into effect January 1, 2021 that are consistent with PGS’ current overall average depreciation rate. Under the agreement base rates are frozen from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023, unless its earned ROE were to fall below 8.9 per cent before that time with an allowed equity in the capital structure of 54.7 per cent from investor sources of capital. The settlement agreement provides for the deferral of income taxes as a result of changes in tax laws. The changes would be reflected as a regulatory asset or liability and either result in an increase or a decrease in customer rates through a subsequent regulatory process.
NMGC
Settlement Agreement
NMGC filed a rate case in December 2019. NMGC reached an unopposed stipulated settlement of the case which was approved by the NMPRC in December 2020. The new rates reflect the recovery of capital investment in pipelines and related infrastructure and results in an increase in revenue of approximately $5 million USD annually effective January 2021. The stipulated settlement agreement includes an allowed regulatory ROE of 9.375 per cent on an allowed equity capital structure of 52 per cent. Under the agreement base rates are frozen from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022, unless new federal tax rates are enacted, in which case NMGC can file for new rates to be effective earlier than January 1, 2023
Other
Sale of Emera Energy’s New England Gas Generating Facilities and Bayside Facility
On March 29, 2019, Emera completed the sale of its three NEGG Facilities for cash proceeds of $799 million ($598 million USD), including working capital adjustments. On March 5, 2019, the Company sold its Bayside facility for cash proceeds of $46 million. An immaterial loss was recognized on these dispositions. Proceeds from the sales were used to reduce corporate debt and support capital investment opportunities within Emera’s regulated utilities.
Removal of Legislative Restriction on Non-Canadian Resident Ownership
On April 12, 2019, amendments to the Privatization Act and the Reorganization Act were enacted, removing the legislative restriction preventing non-Canadian residents from holding more than 25 per cent of Emera’s voting shares, in aggregate. On July 11, 2019, shareholders passed a special resolution to amend the Company’s articles of association to remove this restriction.
USGAAP – Exemptive Relief and Companies Act Relief
On January 26, 2018, Emera was granted the Exemptive Relief by Canadian securities regulators allowing Emera to continue to report its financial results in accordance with USGAAP. On July 18, 2018, Emera was granted the Companies Act Relief allowing Emera to continue to be exempt from the requirement to prepare its annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS. Both the Exemptive Relief and the
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Companies Act Relief will remain in effect until the earlier of: (i) January 1, 2024; (ii) the first day of the Company’s financial year commencing after the Company ceases to have activities subject to rate regulation; and (iii) the effective date prescribed by the International Accounting Standards Board for the mandatory application of a standard within IFRS specific to entities with rate-regulated activities. The Exemptive Relief and the Companies Act Relief each replace similar exemptive relief that had been previously granted to Emera in 2014 and that would have expired by January 1, 2019.
On January 28, 2021, the IASB published an Exposure Draft: Regulatory Assets and Regulatory Liabilities, which proposes the accounting model under which a company subject to rate regulation that meets the scope criteria would recognize regulatory assets and liabilities. The proposed effective date is annual reporting periods beginning on or after a date 18-24 months from the date of publication of the standard. The Company will continue to monitor the development of the standard and assess the impact on the existing Exemptive Relief and Companies Act Relief.
Financing Activity
At-The-Market Equity Program
During 2019, approximately 1.8 million common shares were issued under the ATM Program at an average price of $56.56 per share for gross proceeds of $100 million ($98.7 million net of issuance costs). As at December 31, 2019, an aggregate gross sales limit of $500 million remained available for issuance under the ATM program.
During 2020, approximately 4.5 million common shares were issued under the ATM program at an average price of $56.04 per share for gross proceeds of $255 million ($251 million net of issuance costs). As at December 31, 2020, an aggregate gross sales limit of $245 million remains available for issuance under the ATM Program.
During 2021, up to March 26, 2021, 810,100 common shares were issued under the ATM Program at an average price of $53.24 per share for gross proceeds of $43.1 million ($42.6 million net of issuance costs). As at March 26, 2021, an aggregate gross sales limit of $202 million remains available for issuance under the ATM program.
Preferred Share Issuance
On May 31, 2018, Emera issued 12 million Series H First Preferred Shares at $25.00 per share at an initial dividend rate of 4.9 per cent. The aggregate gross and net proceeds from the offering were $300 million and $295 million, respectively. The net proceeds of the preferred share offering were used for general corporate purposes.
On July 6, 2018, Emera announced it would not redeem the 10,000,000 Series C First Preferred Shares. The holders of the Series C First Preferred Shares had the right, at their option, to convert all or any of their Series C First Preferred Shares, on a one-for-one basis, into Series D First Preferred Shares on August 15, 2018 or to continue to hold their Series C First Preferred Shares. On August 8, 2018, Emera announced that, after having taken into account all conversion notices received from holders, no Series C First Preferred Shares would be converted into Series D First Preferred Shares.
On January 7, 2020, Emera announced it would not redeem the 8,000,000 Series F First Preferred Shares. The holders of the Series F First Preferred Shares had the right, at their option, to convert all or any of their Series F First Preferred Shares, on a one-for-one basis, into Series G First Preferred Shares on February 15, 2020 or to continue to hold their Series F First Preferred Shares. On February 6, 2020, Emera announced that, after having taken into account all conversion notices received from holders, no Series F First Preferred Shares would be converted into Series G First Preferred Shares.
On July 9, 2020, Emera announced it would not redeem Series A First Preferred Shares or the Series B First Preferred Shares. On August 17, 2020, Emera announced 128,610 of its 3,864,636 issued and
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 29 |
outstanding Series A First Preferred Shares were tendered for conversion into Series B First Preferred Shares and 1,130,788 of its 2,135,364 issued and outstanding Series B First Preferred Shares were tendered for conversion into Series A First Preferred Shares, all on a one-for-one basis. As a result of the conversion, Emera has 4,866,814 Series A First Preferred Shares and 1,133,186 Series B First Preferred Shares issued and outstanding.
On March 24, 2021, Emera announced that it will issue 8 million Cumulative Minimum Rate Reset First Preferred Shares, Series J (the “Series J First Preferred Shares”) at $25.00 per share at an initial dividend rate of 4.25 per cent for aggregate gross proceeds of $200 million on a bought deal basis to a syndicate of underwriters. Emera has granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable at any time up to two business days prior to the closing of the offering, to purchase up to an additional 2,000,000 Series J First Preferred Shares at a price of $25.00 per share (the “Underwriters’ Option”). If the Underwriters’ Option is exercised in full, the aggregate gross proceeds to Emera will be $250 million. The offering is subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory and stock exchange approvals. The aggregate gross proceeds of the offering will used for general corporate purposes. The Series J Preferred Shares are being offered to the public in Canada by way of a prospectus supplement to Emera’s short form base shelf prospectus dated March 12, 2021.
For more information on financing activities for Emera and its subsidiaries, please refer to the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of Emera’s MD&A, which is hereby incorporated by reference, a copy of which is available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
RISK FACTORS
For Emera’s risk factors, refer to the “Enterprise Risk and Risk Management” section of the MD&A and the “Principal Financial Risks and Uncertainties” section of note 27, Commitments and Contingencies, to the Audited Financial Statements, which are each incorporated herein by reference, copies of which are available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
CAPITAL STRUCTURE
The authorized capital of Emera consists of an unlimited number of common shares, an unlimited number of first preferred shares and an unlimited number of second preferred shares. Each class of preferred shares is issuable in series.
As at December 31, 2020, 251,430,226 common shares, 4,866,814 Series A First Preferred Shares, 1,133,186 Series B First Preferred Shares, 10,000,000 Series C First Preferred Shares, 5,000,000 Series E First Preferred Shares, 8,000,000 Series F First Preferred Shares, 12,000,000 Series H First Preferred Shares, 2,200,525 Barbados DRs and 1,814,135 Bahamas DRs were issued and outstanding.
Common Shares
The holders of common shares are entitled to receive notice of and to attend all annual and special meetings of the shareholders of Emera, other than separate meetings of holders of any other class or series of shares, and to one vote in respect of each common share held at such meetings.
The holders of common shares are entitled to dividends on a pro rata basis, as and when declared by the Board. Subject to the rights of the holders of the first preferred shares and second preferred shares, if any, who are entitled to receive dividends in priority to the holders of the common shares, the Board may declare dividends on the common shares to the exclusion of any other class of shares of Emera.
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On the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Emera, holders of common shares are entitled to participate rateably in any distribution of assets of Emera, subject to the rights of holders of first preferred shares and second preferred shares, if any, who are entitled to receive the assets of the Company on such a distribution in priority to the holders of the common shares.
There are no pre-emptive, redemption, purchase or conversion rights attaching to the common shares. The foregoing description is subject to the “Share Ownership Restrictions” section below.
Emera First Preferred Shares
The first preferred shares of each series rank on parity with the first preferred shares of every other series and are entitled to a preference over the second preferred shares, the common shares, and any other shares ranking junior to the first preferred shares with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of the remaining property and assets or return of capital of the Company in the liquidation, dissolution or wind-up, whether voluntary or involuntary.
In the event the Company fails to pay, in aggregate, eight quarterly dividends on any series of the first preferred shares, the holders of the first preferred shares will be entitled, for only as long as the dividends remain in arrears, to attend any meeting of shareholders of the Company at which directors are to be elected and to vote for the election of two directors out of the total number of directors elected at any such meeting.
The first preferred shares of each series are not redeemable at the option of their holders.
For a summary of the terms and conditions of the Company’s authorized First Preferred Shares as of December 31, 2020, refer to Appendix “B” of this AIF.
Emera Second Preferred Shares
The second preferred shares have special rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions substantially similar to the first preferred shares, except that the second preferred shares rank junior to the first preferred shares with respect to the payment of dividends, repayment of capital and the distribution of assets of Emera in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Emera. As at December 31, 2020, Emera had not issued any second preferred shares.
Share Ownership Restrictions
As required by the Reorganization Act and pursuant to the Privatization Act, the Articles of Emera provide that no person, together with associates thereof, may subscribe for, have transferred to that person, hold, beneficially own or control, directly or indirectly, otherwise than by way of security only, or vote, in the aggregate, voting shares of Emera to which are attached more than 15 per cent of the votes attached to all outstanding voting shares of Emera.
The common shares, and in certain circumstances the Series A First Preferred Shares, Series B First Preferred Shares, Series C First Preferred Shares, Series E First Preferred Shares, Series F First Preferred Shares and Series H First Preferred Shares are considered to be voting shares for purposes of the constraints on share ownership.
Emera’s Articles contain provisions for the enforcement of these constraints on share ownership including provisions for suspension of voting rights, forfeiture of dividends, prohibitions of share transfer and issuance, compulsory sale of shares and redemption, and suspension of other shareholder rights. The Board may require shareholders to furnish statutory declarations as to matters relevant to enforcement of the restrictions.
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CREDIT RATINGS
Emera has the following credit ratings(1) by the Rating Agencies:
Moody’s | S&P | Fitch | ||||
Corporate | Baa3 | BBB | BBB | |||
Outlook | Stable | Stable | Stable | |||
Senior unsecured debt program | Baa3 | BBB- | BBB | |||
Hybrid Notes | Ba2 | BB+ | BB+ | |||
First Preferred Shares | N/A | P-3 (high) | N/A |
(1) | Ratings are intended to provide investors with an independent measure of the credit quality of an issue of securities and are indicators of the likelihood of the payment capacity and willingness of an issuer to meet its financial commitment in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The credit ratings assigned by the Rating Agencies are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold securities in as much as such ratings are not a comment upon the market price of the securities or their stability for a particular investor. The credit ratings assigned to the securities may not reflect the potential impact of all risks on the value of the securities. There is no assurance that any rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that any rating will not be revised or withdrawn entirely by a Rating Agency in the future if in its judgment circumstances so warrant. |
On March 24, 2020, S&P changed its corporate rating for Emera to BBB from BBB+ and at the same time changed the outlook on Emera to stable from negative. S&P states the reason for the change is due to Emera’s funds from operation (FFO) to debt not being consistently above the 12 per cent threshold required to maintain the BBB+ rating.
Moody’s
Moody’s credit ratings are on a long-term debt rating scale that ranges from AAA to C, representing the range from highest to lowest quality of such rated securities. The rating of Baa3 obtained from Moody’s in respect of the senior unsecured debt is the fourth highest of nine available rating categories and indicates that the obligations are subject to moderate credit risk. As such, they are considered medium-grade and may possess speculative characteristics. The rating of Ba2 from Moody’s in respect of the Hybrid Notes is characterized as having speculative elements and being subject to substantial credit risk. It is the fifth highest of nine available rating categories. Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
S&P
S&P’s credit ratings are on a long-term debt scale that ranges from AAA to D, representing the range from highest to lowest quality of such rated securities. The issuer rating of BBB obtained from S&P in respect of the corporate rating indicates that the issuer has adequate capacity to meet its financial commitments. The issue rating of BBB- from S&P in respect of the senior unsecured debt indicates that the obligations exhibit adequate protection parameters. The issue rating of BB+ from S&P in respect of the Hybrid Notes indicates that the obligations exhibit adequate projection parameters in the near term however the obligor may not have the capacity to meet its obligations in the long term. The issue and issuer ratings of BBB and BB are the fourth and fifth highest, respectively, of ten available ratings categories and the addition of either a “(+)” or a “(-)” designation after a rating indicates the relative standing within a particular category. In each case, however, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
A P-3 (high) rating with respect to Emera’s Series A First Preferred Shares, Series B First Preferred Shares, Series C First Preferred Shares, Series E First Preferred Shares, Series F First Preferred Shares and Series H First Preferred Shares is the third highest of the eight standard categories of ratings utilized by S&P for preferred shares.
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Fitch
Fitch’s credit ratings are on a long-term debt scale that ranges from AAA to D, representing the range from highest to lowest quality of such rated securities. The rating of BBB obtained from Fitch in respect of the senior unsecured debt is the fourth highest of nine available rating categories and indicates that the issuer has adequate capacity to meet its financial commitments. The rating of BB from Fitch in respect of the Hybrid Notes is characterized as having elevated default risk however business or financial flexibility exists that support servicing the financial commitments. The BB rating from Fitch is the fifth highest of nine available ratings categories and the addition of either a “(+)” or a “(-)” designation after a rating indicates the relative standing within a particular category. In each case, however, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
Emera has made, or will make, payments in the ordinary course to the Rating Agencies in connection with the assignment of ratings on both Emera and its securities. In addition, Emera has made customary payments in respect of certain subscription services provided to Emera by the Rating Agencies during the last two years.
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DIVIDENDS
Any dividend payments will be at the Board’s discretion based upon earnings and capital requirements and any other factors as the Board may consider relevant. Emera has provided annual dividend growth guidance of four to five per cent through to 2022. The Company targets a long-term dividend payout ratio of 70 to 75 per cent, and while the payout ratio is expected to exceed that target through and beyond the forecast period, it is expected to return to that range over time.
Emera maintains the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, which provides an opportunity for shareholders to reinvest dividends and to participate in optional cash contributions for the purpose of purchasing common shares. This plan provides for a discount of up to 5 per cent from the average market price of Emera’s common shares for common shares purchased in connection with the reinvestment of cash dividends. Effective with the dividend payment of August 15, 2019, the discount was changed from 5 per cent to 2 per cent.
The Board approved the payment of the following dividends during the last three completed fiscal years, as summarized in the following table:
Class of Shares | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||
Common Shares(1), (2), (3) | $2.4750 | $2.3750 | $2.2825 | |||||||||
Series A First Preferred Shares(4) | $0.6155 | $0.6388 | $0.6388 | |||||||||
Series B First Preferred Shares | $0.6965 | $0.8727 | $0.7570 | |||||||||
Series C First Preferred Shares(5) | $1.18024 | $1.18024 | $1.06381 | |||||||||
Series E First Preferred Shares | $1.1250 | $1.1250 | $1.1250 | |||||||||
Series F First Preferred Shares(6) | $1.053515 | $1.0625 | $1.0625 | |||||||||
Series H First Preferred Shares(7) | $1.2250 | $1.2250 | $0.56132 |
(1) | On August 9, 2018, Emera approved an increase in the annual common share dividend rate from $2.26 to $2.35. The first payment was effective November 2018. |
(2) | On September 27, 2019, Emera approved an increase in the annual common share dividend rate from $2.35 to $2.45. The first payment was effective November 2019. |
(3) | On September 16, 2020, Emera approved an increase in the annual common share dividend rate from $2.45 to $2.55. The first payment was effective November 2020. |
(4) | The Series A First Preferred Shares annual dividend rate was reset from $0.6388 to $0.5456 for the five year period commencing August 15, 2020 and ending on (and inclusive of) August 14, 2025. |
(5) | The Series C First Preferred Shares annual dividend rate was reset from $1.0250 to $1.18024 for the five year period commencing August 15, 2018 and ending on (and inclusive of) August 14, 2023. |
(6) | The Series F First Preferred Shares annual dividend rate was reset from $1.0625 to $1.0505 for the five year period commencing February 15, 2020 and ending on (and inclusive of) February 14, 2025. |
(7) | The Series H First Preferred Shares with an annual dividend rate of $1.2250 (per share) were issued May 31, 2018 |
Pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada) and corresponding provincial legislation, all dividends paid on Emera’s common shares and first preferred shares qualify as eligible dividends.
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 34 |
MARKET FOR SECURITIES
Trading Price and Volume
Emera’s common shares, Series A First Preferred Shares, Series B First Preferred Shares, Series C First Preferred Shares, Series E First Preferred Shares, Series F First Preferred Shares and Series H First Preferred Shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSX under the symbols “EMA”, “EMA.PR.A”, “EMA.PR.B”, “EMA.PR.C”, “EMA.PR.E”, “EMA.PR.F” and “EMA.PR.H”, respectively. The Barbados DRs are listed on the BSE under the symbol EMABDR. The Bahamas DRs are listed on the BISX under the symbol EMAB. The trading volume and high and low price for Emera’s securities for each month of 2020 are set out In Appendix “C” of this AIF.
At-The-Market Equity Program
On July 11, 2019, Emera established an ATM Program that allows the Company to issue up to $600 million of common shares from treasury to the public from time to time, at the Company’s discretion, at the prevailing market price. The ATM Program was established under a prospectus supplement to the Company’s short-form base shelf prospectus which expires on July 14, 2021.
On November 17, 2020, Emera filed an amendment to its July 11, 2019 prospectus supplement which established its ATM Program. This amendment reflected changes in securities regulations related to ATM programs which were effective August 31, 2020. The amendment includes removal of the daily trading limit, which previously provided that the number of shares sold could not exceed 25 per cent of the daily trading volume of the shares.
For more information on the ATM Program, refer to “General Development of the Business – Financing Activity – At-The-Market Equity Program” above.
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 35 |
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Directors
The following information is provided for each Director of Emera as at December 31, 2020(1):
Name, Residence, Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | Director Since(2) | Committees(3) | ||||
M. Jacqueline Sheppard (Chair), Calgary, Alberta, Canada Chair of the Board since May 2014. Director of Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), an institutional investment manager. Founder and Lead Director of Black Swan Energy Inc., an Alberta upstream energy company that is private equity financed. Director of Seven Generations Energy Ltd., a publicly traded energy company focused on Canadian natural gas development. Former Executive Vice President, Corporate and Legal of Talisman Energy Inc. Former Chair of the Research and Development Corporation of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, a provincial Crown Corporation. Former Director of Cairn Energy PLC, a publicly traded UK-based international upstream company. Past Director of Emera’s subsidiary, Emera Newfoundland & Labrador Holdings Inc. from 2011 to May, 2016.
|
| 2009 | (4) | |||
Scott C. Balfour, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada A Director and President and Chief Executive Officer of Emera since March 29, 2018. Mr. Balfour is a Director of many Emera subsidiaries, including being Chair of Tampa Electric Company and Nova Scotia Power Inc. He is a former director of Martinrea International Inc. He was Chief Operating Officer from 2016 to 2018 and was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Emera from April 2012 to March 2016. From 1994 to 2011 he was Chief Financial Officer and then President of Aecon Group Inc., a Canadian publicly traded construction and infrastructure development company. He is also past Chair of the Ontario Energy Association.
| 2018 | (5) | ||||
James V, Bertram Calgary, Alberta, Canada Chair of the Board, Keyera Corporation. Formerly President, and Chief Executive Officer of Keyera from its inception in 1998 until 2015, when he became Executive Chair. Previously Vice President – Marketing for the worldwide operations of Gulf Canada. Director of Methanex Corporation, the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol to major international markets.
| 2018 | Member of MRCC; Chair of HSEC | ||||
Sylvia D. Chrominska, Stratford, Ontario, Canada Former Group Head of Global Human Resources and Communications for The Bank of Nova Scotia, where she had global responsibility for human resources, corporate communications, government relations, public policy and corporate social responsibility of the Scotiabank Group. Former Chair of the Board of Scotia Group Jamaica Limited and Former Chair of the Board of Scotiabank Trinidad and Tobago Limited. A Director of Wajax Corporation and of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.
| 2010 | Chair of MRCC | ||||
Henry E. Demone, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada Former Chair of High Liner Foods, the leading North American processor and marketer of value-added frozen seafood. Mr. Demone was President of High Liner Foods since 1989 and its President and Chief Executive Officer from 1992 to May 2015. He was interim Chief Executive Officer of High Liner Foods from August 2017 until April 2018. A Director of Saputo Inc.
| 2014 | Member of NCGC and MRCC | ||||
Kent M. Harvey, New York, New York, U.S. Former Chief Financial Officer for PG&E Corporation, an energy-based holding company, and the parent of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, an energy company that serves 16 million Californians across a 70,000 square-mile service area in Northern and Central California.
| 2017 | Chair of AC and Member of HSEC |
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 36 |
Name, Residence, Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years | Director Since(2) | Committees(3) | ||||
B. Lynn Loewen, FCPA, FCA, Westmount, Quebec, Canada Former President of Minogue Medical Inc., a healthcare organization which delivers innovative medical technologies to hospitals and clinics. President of Expertech Network Installation Inc. from 2008 to 2011.
| 2013 | Member of AC and HSEC | ||||
John B. Ramil, Tampa, Florida, U.S. Former President and Chief Executive Officer of TECO Energy. Held a variety of leadership positions in his four decades with Tampa Electric. Former member of the board of the Edison Electric Institute, an industry association. Chair of GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida boards. Member of the Florida Council of 100, the board of the Moffitt Cancer Center Institute and Trustee and past Chair of the University of South Florida. Former member of the board of the Tampa Bay Partnership.
| 2016 | Member of HSEC | ||||
Andrea S. Rosen, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Former Vice-Chair of TD Bank Financial Group and President of TD Canada Trust. Director of Manulife Financial Corporation, a Canadian multinational insurance company and financial services provider; Ceridian HCM Holding Inc., a global human capital management software company and Element Fleet Management Corp., a global fleet management company, providing services and financing for commercial vehicle fleets. Former Director of Alberta Investment Management Corporation. Former Director of Hiscox Ltd., a Bermuda-incorporated specialty insurer listed on the London Stock Exchange.
| 2007 | Chair of NCGC and Member of AC | ||||
Richard P. Sergel, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Former President and Chief Executive Officer of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). Former President and Chief Executive Officer of National Grid USA from 2000 to 2004. Also former President and Chief Executive Officer of the New England Electric System. Presently a Director of State Street Corporation. Has also served on the boards of the Edison Electric Institute and the Consortium for Energy Efficiency.
| 2010 | Member of AC, NCGC | ||||
Jochen E. Tilk, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Former Executive Chair of Nutrien Ltd., a Canadian global supplier of agricultural products and services based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan. Previously President and Chief Executive Officer of Inmet Mining Corporation, a Canadian-based, international metals company. Mr. Tilk is a director of AngloGold Ashanti Limited, a publicly listed international gold mining company, headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is also a director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, a not-for-profit organization. He is the former Chair of the board of directors of Canpotex Limited. Former Director of the Fertilizer Institute and the International Fertilizer Association.
| 2018 | Member of AC and MRCC |
(1) | Effective February 12, 2021, Karen Sheriff joined the Emera Board of Directors. |
(2) | Denotes the year the individual became a Director of Emera. Directors are elected for a one year term which expires at the termination of Emera’s annual general meeting; |
(3) | Audit Committee (AC), Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (NCGC), Management Resources and Compensation Committee (MRCC) and Health, Safety and Environment Committee (HSEC); |
(4) | Ms. Sheppard is not a member of any committee but attends all committee meetings as Chair of the Board; |
(5) | Mr. Balfour is not a member of any committee as he is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company but attends all committee meetings. |
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 37 |
Officers
The Officers of Emera as at December 31, 2020 were as follows:
Name and Residence
|
Principal Occupations During the Past Five Years
| |||
Scott C. Balfour President and Chief Executive Officer Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| A Director and President and Chief Executive Officer of Emera since March 29, 2018.(1) | |||
Gregory W. Blunden, FCPA, FCA Chief Financial Officer Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| Chief Financial Officer since March 2016. Previously Vice-President, Corporate Strategy & Planning of Emera and before that held the position of EVP, Customer, Business & Financial Services at NSPI. | |||
Karen E. Hutt Executive Vice-President, Business Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | Executive Vice-President, Business Development and Strategy since October 21, 2019. Previously, President and Chief Executive Officer of NSPI since August 2016. From May 2015 to July 2016, Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions at Emera. From August 2010 to April 2015, Executive Vice President, Commercial at Emera Energy (including appointment to President, Northeast Wind in November 2012.
| |||
Richard C. Janega Chief Operating Officer, Electric Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | Chief Operating Officer, Electric Utilities, Canada, US Northeast, and Caribbean since March 31, 2018. Director of NSPI since May 2018. Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of NSPI from June to October 2020. Director and President and CEO of NSPML. Former Chair of the Board of Emera Maine from March 2018 until March 2020. President and CEO of ENL. Chair and President of ECI and Chair of both GBPC and BLPC. Former Chief Operating Officer for NSPI.
| |||
Bruce A. Marchand Chief Legal and Compliance Officer
| Chief Compliance Officer since December 1, 2014. Chief Legal Officer since January 2012. Prior to January 2012, Senior Partner at the law firm of McInnes Cooper.
| |||
R. Michael Roberts Chief Human Resources Officer Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | Chief Human Resources Officer of Emera and NSPI since December 1, 2014. Previously, President, Optimum Talent Atlantic of Halifax. Prior to that, Vice President, Corporate Development at Irving Shipbuilding and Vice President, Human Resources at Bell Aliant.
| |||
Daniel P. Muldoon Executive Vice-President Project Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | Executive Vice-President Project Development and Operations Support. Chair of the Boards of ENL, EBPC, Emera Technologies LLC and NMGC. Former Director of Emera Maine from August 2013 until March 2020. Director of TEC and NSPML. Formerly Executive Vice-President, Major Renewables and Alternative Energy since May 2014.
| |||
Stephen D. Aftanas Corporate Secretary Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| Corporate Secretary of Emera since September 2008. Corporate Secretary of NSPI from September 2008 to December 2019. |
(1) Mr. | Balfour’s principal occupations during the past five years are described above in the Directors table. |
As at December 31, 2020, the Directors and Officers, in total, beneficially owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, 149,986 common shares or less than 1 per cent of the issued and outstanding shares of Emera.
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 38 |
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee of Emera is composed of the following five members, all of whom are independent Directors: Kent M. Harvey (Chair), B. Lynn Loewen, Andrea S. Rosen, Richard P. Sergel and Jochen E. Tilk. The responsibilities and duties of the Audit Committee are set out in the Audit Committee’s Charter, a copy of which is attached as Appendix “D” to this AIF.
The Board believes that the composition of the Audit Committee reflects a high level of financial literacy and experience. Each member of the Audit Committee has been determined by the Board to be “financially literate” as such term is defined under Canadian securities laws. The Board has made these determinations based on the education and breadth and depth of experience of each member of the Audit Committee. The following is a description of the education and experience of each member of the Audit Committee that is relevant to the performance of his or her responsibilities as a member of the Audit Committee:
Kent M. Harvey, Committee Chair
Former Chief Financial Officer for PG&E Corporation, an energy-based holding company headquartered in San Francisco. PG&E Corporation is the parent company of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. In over 33 years with PG&E Corporation, Mr. Harvey held progressively senior roles, including Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 2009 to 2015, Senior Vice President, Chief Risk and Audit Officer 2005 to 2009. He was Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation, from 2000 to 2005. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Engineering – Economic Systems, both from Stanford University.
B. Lynn Loewen, FCPA, FCA
Former President of Minogue Medical Inc., a healthcare organization which delivers innovative medical technologies to hospitals and clinics. Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, she has served in a number of senior roles at Bell Canada, Air Canada Jazz and Air Nova, and also was the Vice President, Financial Controls for BCE. She has served as Chair of the Audit Committee on the Public Sector Pension Investment Board and was Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee of Mount Allison University. In January 2018, she was appointed Chancellor of Mount Allison University. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Mount Allison University.
Andrea S. Rosen
Vice-Chair of TD Bank Financial Group and President, TD Canada Trust from 2002 to 2005. From 2001 to 2002, Executive Vice President of TD Commercial Banking and Vice Chair TD Securities. Before joining TD Bank, was Vice President of Varity Corporation from 1991 to 1994 and worked at Wood Gundy Inc. (later CIBC-Wood Gundy) in a variety of roles from 1981 to 1990, eventually becoming Vice President and Director. Holds a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School and a Masters of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University. Ms. Rosen is a Director and member of the Audit Committee of Ceridian HCM Holding Inc., a global human capital management software company, and Director and member of the Audit Committee of Manulife Financial Corporation, an issuer listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, and the Philippine Stock Exchange. She is a Director of Element Fleet Management Corp., a global fleet management company. Former Director and member of the Audit Committee of Hiscox Ltd., a Bermuda-incorporated specialty insurer listed on the London Stock Exchange, and former Director of Alberta Investment Management Corporation. Member of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Richard P. Sergel
Former President and Chief Executive Officer of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), a regulatory authority for the bulk electricity system in North America. Before that he served as
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 39 |
President and Chief Executive Officer of National Grid USA, and its predecessor, New England Electric System, from 1998 to 2004. Mr. Sergel is a corporate director and is a Director of State Street Corporation. He previously served on the Boards of the Edison Electric Institute and the United Way of the Merrimac Valley. He was also Chair of the Consortium for Energy Efficiency. Mr. Sergel holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Florida State University, a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from North Carolina State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami.
Jochen E. Tilk
Former Executive Chair of Nutrien Inc., a Canadian global supplier of agricultural products and services based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan. Previously, Mr. Tilk spent 25 years with Inmet Mining Corporation, a Canadian-based, international metals company, with five of those years as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Tilk is a director of AngloGold Ashanti Limited, a publicly listed international gold mining company, headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is also a director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, a not-for-profit organization. He is the former Chair of the board of directors of Canpotex Limited. He was a director of the Fertilizer Institute and the International Fertilizer Association. He received his Masters in Mining Engineering from Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule, a research university located in Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Process
The Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight of the work of the external auditors. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the external auditors in order to assure that they do not impair the external auditors’ independence from the Company. Accordingly, the Audit Committee has adopted an Audit and Non-Audit Pre-Approval Policy, which sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which services proposed to be performed by the external auditors may be pre-approved.
Unless a type of service has received the pre-approval of the Audit Committee, it will require specific approval by the Audit Committee if it is to be provided by the external auditors. Any proposed services exceeding the pre-approved cost levels will also require specific approval by the Audit Committee.
Auditors’ Fees
The aggregate fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP, the Company’s external auditors, during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively, were as follows:
Service Fee | 2020 ($) | 2019 ($) | ||
Audit Fees | 1,867,620 | 2,431,160 | ||
Audit-Related Fees | 19,600 | 108,000 | ||
Tax Fees | 194,774 | 311,665 | ||
Total | 2,081,994 | 2,850,825 |
Audit-related fees for Emera relate to fees associated with the audit of pension plans. Tax fees for Emera relate to the structuring of cross-border financing of Emera’s subsidiaries and affiliates as well as tax compliance services and general tax consulting advice on various matters.
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 40 |
CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS
To the knowledge of Emera, none of the Directors or Officers of the Company:
(1) | are, as at the date of this AIF, or have been, within ten years before the date of this AIF, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company that: |
(a) | was subject to an Order that was issued while the Director or Officer was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; or |
(b) | was subject to an Order that was issued after the Director or Officer ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer of chief financial officer; |
(2) | are, as at the date of this AIF, or have been within ten years before the date of this AIF, a director or executive officer of any company that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangements or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; |
(3) | have, within the ten years before the date of this AIF, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed nominee; or |
(4) | have been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory body or has entered in a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory body, or is subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor making an investment decision. |
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
There are no existing or potential material conflicts of interest between Emera or any of its subsidiaries and any Director or Officer of Emera or any of its subsidiaries.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS
To the knowledge of Emera, there are no legal proceedings that individually or together could potentially involve claims against Emera or its subsidiaries for damages totaling 10 per cent or more of the current assets of Emera, exclusive of interest and costs.
During Emera’s most recently completed financial year, there have been no (a) penalties or sanctions imposed against Emera by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority, (b) other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body against Emera that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor in making an investment decision, and (c) settlement agreements entered into by Emera before a court relating to securities legislation or with a securities
regulatory authority.
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 41 |
NO INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
None of the following persons or companies, namely (a) a Director or Officer of Emera, (b) a person or company that is the direct or indirect beneficial owner of, or who exercises control or direction over, more than 10 per cent of any class or series of Emera’s outstanding voting securities, or (c) an associate or affiliate of any person or company named in (a) or (b), had a material interest in any transaction involving Emera within Emera’s last three completed financial years or during the current financial year that has materially affected or is reasonably expected to materially affect Emera.
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
Emera did not enter into any material contracts outside the ordinary course of business during the year ended December 31, 2020, nor has it entered into any material contracts outside the ordinary course of business prior to the year ended December 31, 2020 that are still in effect as at the date of this AIF.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
AST Canada acts as Emera’s transfer agent and registrar for Emera’s common shares and first preferred shares. Registers for the registration and transfer of these securities of Emera are kept at AST Canada’s principal offices in Halifax, Montreal and Toronto.
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP are the external auditors of Emera. Ernst & Young LLP report that they are independent in the context of the CPA Code of Professional Conduct of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Nova Scotia and are in compliance with Rule 3520 of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to Emera may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or upon request to the Corporate Secretary, Emera Incorporated, P.O. Box 910, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2W5, telephone (902) 428-6096 or fax (902) 428-6171. Additional information, including Directors’ and Officers’ remuneration and indebtedness, principal holders of Emera’s securities and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, is contained in Emera’s information circular for the most recent annual meeting of Emera’s common shareholders. Additional financial information is provided in Emera’s Audited Financial Statements and MD&A.
At any time, Emera will provide to any person upon request to the Corporate Secretary, a copy of the Emera Code of Conduct.
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 42 |
APPENDIX “A” - Definitions of Certain Terms
For convenience, certain terms used throughout this AIF shall have the following meanings:
“adjusted net income” has the meaning ascribed to it in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of the MD&A, which is incorporated herein by reference, a copy of which is available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com;
“AFUDC” means allowance for funds used during construction and represents the cost of financing regulated construction projects and is capitalized to the cost of property, plant and equipment, where permitted by the regulator;
“AIF” means this 2020 Annual Information Form of Emera;
“AMI” means advanced metering infrastructure;
“AST Canada” means AST Trust Company (Canada);
“Atlantic Provinces” means the region of Canada consisting of the Provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island;
“ATM Program” means an at-the-market distribution program allowing Emera to issue common shares from treasury at the prevailing market price.
“Audited Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated financial statements of Emera as at and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, together with the auditors’ report thereon, a copy of which is available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com;
“Bahamas DRs” means the DRs listed on BISX;
“Barbados DRs” means the DRs listed on the BSE;
“Bayside” means a 290 MW gas-fired electricity generating facility in Saint John, New Brunswick.
“BBD” means Barbadian dollars;
“BISX” means The Bahamas International Securities Exchange;
“Bear Swamp” means Bear Swamp Power Company, LLC, a 600 MW pumped storage hydroelectric company incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in which Emera indirectly holds a 50 per cent interest;
“BLPC” means Barbados Light & Power Company Limited, a vertically integrated electric utility company
incorporated under the laws of Barbados and a wholly-owned, direct subsidiary of ECI;
“Board” means the Board of Directors of Emera;
“Brooklyn Energy” means Brooklyn Power Corporation, a 30 MW biomass co-generation company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Nova Scotia and a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Emera;
“Brunswick Pipeline” means the pipeline delivering re-gasified natural gas from the Canaport LNG gas terminal near Saint John, New Brunswick to markets in the Northeastern United States, which is owned directly by EBPC;
“BSD” means Bahamian dollars;
“BSE” means the Barbados Stock Exchange;
“CAD” means Canadian dollars;
“CAIR” means the Clean Air Interstate Rule;
“CER” or “Canada Energy Regulator”, the independent regulator of EBPC.
“COVID-19” means the COVID-19 novel coronavirus;
“COMFIT” means the Nova Scotia Community Feed-in Tariff program which is offered by the Province of Nova Scotia and enables community organizations to be involved in renewable electricity generation;
“Companies Act Relief” means an order of the Nova Scotia Securities Commission pursuant to the Companies Act (Nova Scotia) exempting Emera from the requirement to prepare its annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS;
“Company” means Emera;
“CSAPR” means Cross-State Air Pollution Rule;
“Directors” mean the directors of Emera and “Director” means any one of them;
“Dividend Reinvestment Plan” means the Company’s Common Shareholders’ Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan;
“Domlec” means Dominica Electricity Services Limited, an integrated electric utility on the island of Dominica, incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Dominica, and an indirect subsidiary of Emera, through ECI;
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 43 |
“DR” means a depositary receipt representing common shares of Emera;
“EBITDA” means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization;
“EBPC” or “Emera Brunswick Pipeline Company” means Emera Brunswick Pipeline Company Ltd., a company incorporated under the federal laws of Canada and a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Emera;
“ECC” means NSPI Energy Control Center;
“ECI” means Emera (Caribbean) Incorporated, a company incorporated under the laws of Barbados and an indirect subsidiary of Emera and the parent company of BLPC, GBPC, Domlec and Lucelec;
“ECRC” means the environmental cost recovery clause;
“Electricity Plan Act” means the Electricity Plan Implementation (2015) Act (Nova Scotia);
“Emera” means Emera Incorporated, a public company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Nova Scotia and traded on the TSX under the symbol “EMA”;
“Emera Energy” means the businesses of Emera Energy Services, Brooklyn Energy and Bear Swamp;
“Emera Energy LP” means a wholly-owned subsidiary of Emera formed under the laws of the Province of Nova Scotia;
“Emera Energy Services” or “EES” means Emera Energy LP and Emera Energy Services, Inc., a natural gas and electricity marketing and trading company and a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Emera incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, which together form a natural gas and electricity marketing and trading business;
“Emera Maine” means the company existing under the laws of the State of Maine and formerly a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Emera;
“ENL” or “Emera Newfoundland and Labrador” means Emera Newfoundland and Labrador Holdings Incorporated, a company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and a wholly-owned, direct subsidiary of Emera, and the parent company of NSP Maritime Link Inc. and ENL Island Link Inc.;
“ENL Island Link Inc.” means ENL Island Link Incorporated, a company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and a wholly-owned, direct subsidiary of ENL;
“EPA” means the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
“Exemptive Relief” means the relief granted to Emera by Canadian securities regulators allowing it to continue to report its financial results in accordance with USGAAP;
“Fair Trading Commission, Barbados” or “FTC” means the independent regulator of BLPC;
“FAM” means the fuel adjustment mechanism established by the UARB;
“FCM” means forward capacity market;
“FERC” means the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;
“Fitch” means the credit rating agency Fitch Ratings Inc;
“FPSC” means the Florida Public Service Commission, the regulator of Tampa Electric and PGS;
“GBPA” means The Grand Bahama Port Authority, the regulator of GBPC;
“GBPC” or “Grand Bahama Power Company” means Grand Bahama Power Company Limited, a vertically integrated electric utility company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and an indirect subsidiary of ECI;
“Government of Canada Bond Yield” on any date means the yield to maturity on such date (assuming semi-annual compounding) of a Canadian dollar denominated non-callable Government of Canada bond with a term to maturity of five years as quoted as of 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on such date and which appears on the Bloomberg Screen GCAN5YR Page on such date; provided that, if such rate does not appear on the Bloomberg Screen GCAN5YR Page on such date, the Government of Canada Bond Yield will mean the average of the yields determined by two registered Canadian investment dealers selected by the Company as being the yield to maturity on such date (assuming semi-annual compounding) which a Canadian dollar denominated non-callable Government of Canada bond would carry if issued in Canadian dollars at 100 per cent of its principal amount on such date with a term to maturity of five years;
“Government of Canada T-Bill Rate” means, for any quarterly floating rate period, the average yield expressed as a percentage per annum on three month Government of Canada treasury bills, as reported by the Bank of Canada, for the most recent treasury bills auction preceding the applicable floating rate calculation date;
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 44 |
“GWh” means the amount of electricity measured in gigawatt hours;
“Hybrid Notes” means the $1.2 billion USD unsecured, fixed-to-floating subordinated notes due 2076;
“ICDU” means ICD Utilities Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and an indirect subsidiary of ECI;
“IFRS” means International Financial Reporting Standards;
“Interest Reset Date” means June 15, 2026, and on every quarter thereafter that the Hybrid Notes are outstanding until their maturity on June 15, 2076;
“IPPs” means independent power producers;
“IRCD” means the Independent Regulatory Commission, Dominica, the independent regulator of Domlec;
“ISO-NE” means ISO-New England, an independent, non-profit regional transmission organization which oversees the operation of New England’s bulk electric power system and transmission lines, generated and transmitted by its member utilities;
“km” means kilometre(s);
“Labrador-Island Transmission Link Project” or “LIL” means an electricity transmission project in Newfoundland and Labrador being developed by Nalcor, which will enable the transmission of the Muskrat Falls energy between Labrador and the island of Newfoundland;
“LNG” means liquefied natural gas;
“Lucelec” means St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of St. Lucia in which Emera holds an indirect 19.1% interest through ECI;
“M&NP” means the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, a pipeline that transports natural gas between the Maritime Provinces and New England, in which Emera holds an indirect 12.9 per cent interest;
“Maritime Link” means the transmission project which includes two 170-km sub-sea cables between the island of Newfoundland and the Province of Nova Scotia, developed by NSP Maritime Link Inc.;
“Maritime Provinces” means the region of Canada consisting of the Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island;
“MD&A” means Emera’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020,
a copy of which is available electronically under Emera’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com;
“Moody’s” means the credit rating agency Moody’s Investor Services, Inc.;
“MW” means the amount of power measured in megawatts;
“Nalcor” means Nalcor Energy, a company that is incorporated under a special act of the Legislature of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador as a Crown corporation;
“NB Power” means New Brunswick Power Corporation, a provincial Crown corporation formed under the laws of the Province of New Brunswick, responsible for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in the Province of New Brunswick;
“NEGG Facilities” means a three-facility, 1,115 MW combined-cycle gas-fired electricity generating investment in the Northeastern United States, comprising Bridgeport Energy (560 MW) in Bridgeport, Connecticut; Tiverton Power (290 MW) in Tiverton, Rhode Island; and Rumford Power (265 MW) in Rumford, Maine;
“New England” means the region of the United States consisting of the States of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont;
“NMGC” means New Mexico Gas Company, Inc., a regulated gas distribution utility incorporated under the laws of Delaware and serving customers across New Mexico;
“NMPRC” means the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, the regulator of NMGC;
“Northeastern United States” means the region of the United States consisting of New England and the States of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania;
“NS Block” means the electricity transmitted through the Maritime Link from the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project
“NSP Maritime Link Inc.” or “NSPML” means NSP Maritime Link Incorporated, a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of ENL, incorporated under the laws of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, that developed the Maritime Link;
“NSPI” or “Nova Scotia Power” means Nova Scotia Power Incorporated, a vertically integrated electric utility incorporated under the laws of the Province of Nova Scotia and a wholly-owned direct and indirect subsidiary of Emera;
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 45 |
“OATT” means the ISO-NE Open Access Transmission Tariff;
“Officers” mean the executive officers of Emera and “Officer” means any one of them;
“OM&G” means operating, maintenance and general;
“Order” means a cease trade order, an order similar to a cease trade order or an order that denies a company access to any exemption under securities legislation that is in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days;
“PGAC” means purchased gas adjustment clause;
“PGS” means the Peoples Gas System Division of TEC, a regulated gas distribution utility, serving customers across Florida;
“Privatization Act” means the Nova Scotia Power Privatization Act, S.N.S., 1992, c.8 - and all amendments thereto;
“Public Utilities Act” means the Public Utilities Act (Nova Scotia);
“Rating Agencies” means collectively Fitch, Moody’s and S&P, and “Rating Agency” means any one of the Rating Agencies;
“RECL” means Repsol Energy Canada Ltd.;
“Reorganization Act” means the Nova Scotia Power Reorganization (1998) Act, S.N.S., 1998, c.19 - and all amendments thereto;
“Repsol” means Repsol S.A, the parent company of RECL;
“ROE” means return on equity;
“S&P” means the credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s Rating Services;
“Sable Wind Project” means a 14 MW wind farm near Canso, Nova Scotia;
“SeaCoast” means SeaCoast Gas Transmission, LLC, a company incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and a wholly-owned subsidiary of TECO Energy;
“Securities Act” United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
“SEDAR” means the System for Electronic Documents Analysis and Retrieval;
“Series 2016-A Conversion, First Preferred Shares” means the cumulative preferential first preferred shares, Series 2016-A of Emera;
“Series A First Preferred Shares” means the cumulative 5-year rate reset first preferred shares, Series A of Emera;
“Series B First Preferred Shares” means the cumulative floating rate first preferred shares, Series B of Emera;
“Series C First Preferred Shares” means the cumulative rate reset first preferred shares, Series C of Emera;
“Series D First Preferred Shares” means the cumulative floating rate first preferred shares, Series D of Emera;
“Series E First Preferred Shares” means the cumulative redeemable first preferred shares, Series E of Emera;
“Series F First Preferred Shares” means the cumulative rate reset first preferred shares, Series F of Emera;
“Series G First Preferred Shares” means the cumulative floating rate first preferred shares, Series G of Emera;
“Series H First Preferred Shares” means the cumulative minimum rate reset first preferred shares, Series H of Emera;
“Series I First Preferred Shares” means the cumulative floating rate first preferred shares, Series I of Emera;
“SO2” means sulphur dioxide;
“SoBRA” means solar base rate adjustment;
“South Canoe Project” means a 102 MW wind farm near New Russell, Nova Scotia;
“Tampa Electric” means the Tampa Electric Division of TEC, an integrated regulated electric utility, serving customers in West Central Florida;
“TEC” means Tampa Electric Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TECO Energy, incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida with regulated electric and gas utilities in Florida, collectively, Tampa Electric and PGS;
“TECO Energy” means TECO Energy, Inc., an energy-related holding company incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida with regulated electric and gas utilities in Florida and New Mexico;
“TSX” means The Toronto Stock Exchange;
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 46 |
“UARB” means the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, the independent regulator of NSPI;
“USD” means U.S. dollars; and
“USGAAP” means the accounting principles which are recognized as being generally accepted and which are in effect from time to time in the U.S. as codified by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or any successor institute
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 47 |
APPENDIX “B” - Terms and Conditions of Authorized Series of First Preferred Shares
As of December 31, 2020, the following series of First Preferred Shares have been authorized:
Series A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I First Preferred Shares
Holders of the First Preferred Shares are not entitled to attend any meetings of the shareholders of Emera or to vote at any such meeting, except: (i) where entitled by law; (ii) for meetings of the holders of first preferred shares as a class and holders of First Preferred Shares as a series; and (iii) in situations when Emera fails to pay, in the aggregate, eight quarterly dividends on the First Preferred Shares.
In any instance where the holders of First Preferred Shares are entitled to vote, each holder shall have one vote for each Preferred Share, subject to the restrictions described under “Share Ownership Restrictions” below.
Holders of Series A, C, F, and H First Preferred Shares are entitled to receive fixed cumulative preferential cash dividends, as and when declared by the Board, to be reset periodically on established dates to an annualized rate equal to the sum of the then five-year Government of Canada Bond Yield, calculated at the start of the applicable five-year period, and a spread as set forth in the table below (subject, in the case of the Series H preferred shares, to a fixed minimum reset of 4.90 per cent). Holders of the Series A, C, F, and H First Preferred Shares have the right to convert their shares into an equal number of Series B, D, G, and I First Preferred Shares, respectively, subject to certain conditions, on such conversion dates as set forth in the table below.
Holders of Series B, D, G, and I First Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive floating rate cumulative preferential cash dividends, as and when declared by the Board. The dividends are payable quarterly, in the amount per share determined by multiplying the applicable quarterly floating dividend rate, which is the sum of the three-month Government of Canada T-Bill Rate , recalculated quarterly, on the applicable reset date plus a spread as set forth in the table below.
The Series A, C, F, and H First Preferred Shares are redeemable by Emera, in whole or in part under certain circumstances by the payment of cash on the dates set forth in the table below at a price of $25.00 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.
The Series B, D, G, and I First Preferred Shares are redeemable by Emera, in whole or in part under certain circumstances after their respective initial redemption dates by payment in cash as set forth in the table below at a price equal to (i) $25.00 per share together with all accrued and unpaid dividends up to but excluding the date fixed for redemption in the case of redemptions as set out in the table below or (ii) $25.50 per share together with all accrued and unpaid dividends up to but excluding the date fixed for redemption in the case of redemptions on any other date.
Subject to certain conditions including the right of Emera to redeem, holders of the Series A, C, F and H First Preferred Shares, have the right to convert any or all of their Series A, C, F, and H First Preferred Shares into an equal number of Series B, D, G and I First Preferred Shares, respectively. In addition, the Series A, C, F, and H First Preferred Shares may be automatically converted by Emera into Series B, D, G and I First Preferred Shares, respectively if Emera determines that, following conversion by the holders, there would be less than 1,000,000 Series A, C, F, and H First Preferred Shares outstanding, respectively.
Subject to automatic conversion conditions including the right of Emera to redeem the Series B, D, G, and I First Preferred Shares, the holders of Series B, D, G, and I First Preferred Shares have the right to convert any or all of their Series B, D, G, and I First Preferred Shares into an equal number of Series A, C, F, and H First Preferred Shares respectively. In addition, Series B, D, G, and I First Preferred Shares may be automatically converted by Emera into Series A, C, F, and H First Preferred Shares, respectively if Emera determines that, following conversion by the holders, there would be less than 1,000,000 Series B, D, G, and I First Preferred Shares outstanding.
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 48 |
Holders of Series E First Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive fixed cumulative preferential cash dividends as and when declared by the Board in the amount of $1.125 per share per annum in perpetuity, subject to certain redemption rights. The Series E First Preferred Shares are redeemable by Emera in whole or in part, at the Company’s option without the consent of the holder, by the payment of: $25.75 per share if redeemed before August 15, 2020; $25.50 per share if redeemed on or after August 15, 2020 but before August 15, 2021; $25.25 per share if redeemed on or after August 15, 2021 but before August 15, 2022; and $25.00 per share if redeemed on or after August 15, 2022; together, in each case, with all accrued and unpaid dividends up to but excluding the date fixed for redemption.
Series of First Preferred Shares
| Initial Redemption Date | Redemption/Conversion/Interest Reset dates | Spreads | |||
Series A
| August 15, 2015 | August 15, 2020 and every fifth year thereafter | 1.84% | |||
Series B
| August 15, 2020 | August 15, 2025 and every fifth year thereafter | 1.84% | |||
Series C
| August 15, 2018 | August 15, 2023 and every fifth year thereafter | 2.65% | |||
Series D
| – | August 15, 2023 and every fifth year thereafter | 2.65% | |||
Series E
| August 15, 2018 | – | – | |||
Series F
| February 15, 2020 | February 15, 2025 and every fifth year thereafter | 2.63% | |||
Series G
| – | February 15, 2025 and every fifth year thereafter | 2.63% | |||
Series H
| August 15, 2023 | August 15, 2028 and every fifth year thereafter | 2.54% | |||
Series I | – | August 15, 2028 and every fifth year thereafter | 2.54% |
Series 2016-A Conversion, First Preferred Shares
The Series 2016-A Conversion, First Preferred Shares were authorized pursuant to the Hybrid Notes offering in June 2016. As at December 31, 2020, there were no Series 2016-A Conversion, First Preferred Shares issued and outstanding.
Holders of Series 2016-A Conversion, First Preferred Shares are not entitled to attend any meetings of the shareholders of Emera or to vote at any such meeting, except: (i) where entitled by law; (ii) for meetings of the holders of first preferred shares as a class and holders of Series 2016-A Conversion, First Preferred Shares as a series; and (iii) in situations when Emera fails to pay, in the aggregate, eight quarterly dividends on the Series 2016-A Conversion, First Preferred Shares.
In any instance where the holders of Series 2016-A Conversion, First Preferred Shares are entitled to vote, each holder shall have one vote for each Series 2016-A Conversion, First Preferred Share, subject to the restrictions described under “Share Ownership Restrictions” below.
Holders of each series of Series 2016-A Conversion, First Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive cumulative preferential cash dividends, if, as and when declared by the Board, at the same rate as would have accrued on the related series of Hybrid Notes (had such Hybrid Notes remained outstanding). The Series 2016-A Conversion, First Preferred Shares do not have a fixed maturity date.
The Series 2016-A Conversion, First Preferred Shares are redeemable by Emera on June 15, 2026. After that date, Emera may redeem at any time all, or from time to time any part, of the outstanding Series 2016-A Conversion, First Preferred Shares, without the consent of the holders, by the payment of an amount in cash for each such share so redeemed of USD$1,000 per share together with an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon.
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 49 |
APPENDIX “C” - MONTHLY TRADING VOLUME AND HIGH AND LOW PRICE FOR EMERA’S SECURITIES IN 2020
Common Shares | Depositary Receipts
|
Series of First Preferred Shares
| ||||||||||||||||
Barbados
| Bahamas BSD (2) | A | B | C | E | F | H | |||||||||||
December 2020 High ($) Low ($) Volume Traded | 55.14 52.92 15,844,164 | 21.13 20.29 0 | 10.81 10.23 0 | 12.45 11.89 131,695 | 12.25 11.50 29,253 | 17.95 17.26 134,543 | 24.95 23.05 57,942 | 17.89 17.25 84,621 | 26.01 25.33 65,641 | |||||||||
November 2020 High ($) Low ($) Volume Traded | 57.17 53.18 25,704,761 | 21.42 19.67 0 | 109.60 9.60 2,000 | 11.89 11.10 73,773 | 11.55 11.25 19,786 | 17.50 15.92 117,290 | 23.75 22.54 70,501 | 17.43 16.22 39,142 | 25.55 25.05 70,328 | |||||||||
October 2020 High ($) Low ($) Volume Traded | 56.62 52.66 23,449,859 | 21.06 20.16 0 | 10.78 9.89 0 | 11.40 11.10 41,568 | 11.48 11.15 10,160 | 16.93 16.14 149,484 | 23.81 21.82 320,967 | 16.93 16.32 389,051 | 25.54 24.95 112,813 | |||||||||
September 2020 High ($) Low ($) Volume Traded | 55.62 52.16 15,425,284 | 20.51 19.98 0 | 10.42 9.99 0 | 11.70 11.00 68,970 | 11.15 10.99 29,200 | 17.39 16.45 108,682 | 21.86 21.20 549,856 | 17.26 16.50 67,909 | 25.42 24.70 216,333 | |||||||||
August 2020 High ($) Low ($) Volume Traded | 56.47 52.89 16,389,062 | 25.00 19.89 52 | 10.56 10.10 0 | 11.49 11.00 22,861 | 11.11 10.53 10,038 | 17.24 16.24 273,511 | 21.80 21.07 93,447 | 17.01 16.30 61,815 | 25.39 24.70 84,986 | |||||||||
July 2020 High ($) Low ($) Volume Traded | 56.69 52.41 16,498,781 | 20.68 19.25 0 | 9.83 9.83 547 | 11.66 10.14 41,394 | 11.85 10.04 12,418 | 17.49 15.62 123,343 | 22.15 21.00 27,630 | 18.84 15.61 61,410 | 25.41 24.61 138,488 | |||||||||
June 2020 High ($) Low ($) Volume Traded | 56.36 51.66 16,200,784 | 20.37 18.71 0 | 10.49 9.44 0 | 11.39 10.06 29,636 | 11.05 9.94 22,862 | 16.68 15.37 119,694 | 21.36 20.38 53,319 | 16.47 15.20 104,603 | 24.97 24.50 206,097 | |||||||||
May 2020 High ($) Low ($) Volume Traded | 55.67 51.50 24,828,682 | 20.00 18.23 0 | 9.85 9.19 0 | 10.82 9.93 42,984 | 10.86 9.83 27,314 | 15.90 14.56 176,402 | 20.50 19.61 40,135 | 16.00 14.46 115,544 | 24.85 23.50 147,714 | |||||||||
April 2020 High ($) Low ($) Volume Traded | 58.15 51.27 32,256,770 | 20.30 18.21 0 | 10.44 9.02 0 | 11.56 9.23 122,550 | 11.81 9.51 35,417 | 16.45 13.66 167,538 | 20.43 18.11 38,551 | 16.18 13.45 231,295 | 24.89 21.98 231,241 | |||||||||
March 2020 High ($) Low ($) Volume Traded | 60.85 42.12 46,090,638 | 22.10 14.56 0 | 11.34 7.27 0 | 12.68 8.66 100,013 | 13.49 8.71 26,870 | 18.78 11.93 202,328 | 21.69 17.01 78,501 | 17.14 11.49 201,462 | 25.19 19.14 274,069 | |||||||||
February 2020 High ($) Low ($) Volume Traded | 60.94 55.36 26,121,711 | 22.55 21.53 1,050 | 10.88 10.50 356 | 14.25 12.84 67,589 | 14.00 13.50 16,082 | 18.51 17.21 89,208 | 22.76 21.43 128,762 | 18.00 17.00 69,870 | 25.50 24.70 179,153 | |||||||||
January 2020 High ($) Low ($) Volume Traded | 60.94 55.02 20,469,345 | 22.74 21.02 0 | 10.57 10.57 4,565 | 14.65 13.75 70,283 | 14.50 13.65 18,450 | 19.10 18.30 146,818 | 21.74 21.31 30,299 | 18.50 17.31 111,494 | 25.25 24.87 195,573 |
(1) | The Barbados DRs traded on the BSE during 2020. During those months when the Volume Traded was zero (0), the table above represents the high and low trading prices of the Barbados DRs relative to the those of the Emera common shares on the TSX. |
(2) | The Bahamas DRs traded on the BISX during 2020. During those months when the Volume Traded was zero (0), the table above represents the high and low trading prices of the Bahamas DRs relative to the those of the Emera common shares on the TSX. |
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 50 |
February 12, 2021 | ![]() |
APPENDIX “D” - EMERA INCORPORATED AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
PART I
MANDATE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Committee Purpose
There shall be a committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Emera Inc. (“Emera”) which shall be known as the Audit Committee (the “Committee”). The Committee shall assist the Board in discharging its oversight responsibilities concerning:
- | the quality and integrity of Emera’s financial statements; |
- | the effectiveness of Emera’s internal control systems over financial reporting; |
- | the internal audit and assurance process; |
- | the qualifications, independence and performance of the external auditors; |
- | major financial risk exposures; |
- | Emera’s compliance with legal requirements and securities regulations in respect of financial statements and financial reporting; and |
- | any other duties set out in this Charter or delegated to the Committee by the Board. |
1. | Financial Reporting |
a) | The Committee shall be responsible for reviewing, assessing the completeness and clarity of the disclosures in, and recommending to the Board for approval: |
(i) | the audited annual financial statements of Emera, all related Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and earnings press releases; |
(ii) | any documents containing Emera’s audited financial statements; and, |
(iii) | the quarterly financial statements, all related Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and earnings press releases. |
b) | The Board may delegate the approval of the quarterly financial statements, all related Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and earnings press releases to the Committee. |
c) | The Committee shall oversee and assess that adequate procedures are in place for the review of public disclosure of financial information. |
2. | External Auditors |
a) | The Committee shall evaluate and recommend to the Board the external auditor to be nominated for the purpose of preparing or issuing the auditor’s report or performing other audit, review, or attest services for Emera, and the compensation of such external auditors. |
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 51 |
EMERA INCORPORATED
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER |
b) | Once appointed, the external auditor shall report directly to the Committee, and the Committee shall oversee the work of the external auditor concerning the preparation or issuance of the auditor’s report or the performance of other audit, review or attest services for Emera. |
c) | The Committee shall be responsible for resolving disagreements between management and the external auditor concerning financial reporting. |
d) | At least annually, the Committee shall obtain and review a report by the external auditors describing: (i) the firm’s internal quality control procedures; (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, with respect to one or more external audits carried out by the firm, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues; and (iii) all relationships between the external auditors and Emera (to assess the auditors’ independence). After reviewing the foregoing report and the external auditors’ work throughout the year, the Committee shall evaluate the auditors’ qualifications, performance, professional skepticism and independence. Such evaluation should include the review and evaluation of the lead audit partner and take into account the opinions of Management and the internal auditor. The Committee shall determine that the external audit firm has a process in place to address the rotation of the lead audit partner and other audit partners serving the account as required under prescribed independence rules. The Committee shall make recommendations to the Board on appropriate actions to be taken which the Committee deems necessary to protect and enhance the independence of the external auditor. |
e) | The Committee shall review the experience and qualifications of the audit team, the performance of the external auditor, including assessing their effectiveness and quality of service, annually and, every five (5) years, perform a comprehensive review of the performance of the external auditors over multiple years to provide further insight on the audit firm, its independence and application of professional standards. |
f) | The Committee shall regularly review with the external auditors any audit problems or difficulties encountered during the course of the audit work, including any restrictions on the scope of the external auditors’ activities or access to requested information, and Management’s response. |
g) | The Committee will review differences that were noted or proposed by the external auditors, but that were considered immaterial or insignificant; and any “management” or “internal control” letter issued, or proposed to be issued. |
3. | Non-Audit Services |
a) | The Committee shall be responsible for reviewing and pre-approving all non-audit services to be provided to Emera, or any of its subsidiaries, by the external auditor. |
b) | The Committee may establish specific policies and procedures concerning the performance of non-audit services by the external auditor so long as the requirements of applicable legislation and regulation are satisfied. |
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 52 |
EMERA INCORPORATED
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER |
c) | In accordance with policies and procedures established by the Committee, and applicable legislation and regulation, the Committee may delegate the pre-approval of non-audit services to a member of the Committee or a sub-committee thereof. |
4. | Oversight and Monitoring of Audits |
a) | The Committee shall review with the external auditor, the internal auditors and Management (i) the audit function generally, (ii) the objectives, staffing, locations, co-ordination, reliance upon Management and internal audit and, (iii) for subsidiaries, reliance on external audit, (iv) general audit approach and scope of proposed audits of the financial statements of Emera and its subsidiaries, (v) the overall audit plans, (vi) the responsibilities of Management, the internal auditors and the external auditor, (vii) the audit procedures to be used and (viii) the timing and estimated budgets of the audits. |
b) | The Committee shall discuss with the external auditor any issues that arise with Management or the internal auditors during the course of the audit and the adequacy of Management’s responses in addressing audit-related deficiencies. |
c) | The Committee shall review with Management the results of internal and external audits. |
d) | The Committee shall take such other reasonable steps as it may deem necessary to oversee that the audit was conducted in a manner consistent with applicable legal requirements and auditing standards of applicable professional or regulatory bodies. |
5. | Oversight and Review of Accounting Principles and Practices |
The Committee shall oversee, review and discuss with Management, the external auditor and the internal auditors:
a) | the quality, appropriateness and acceptability of Emera’s accounting principles and practices used in its financial reporting, changes in Emera’s accounting principles or practices and the application of particular accounting principles and disclosure practices by Management to new transactions or events; |
b) | all significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including the effects of alternative methods within generally accepted accounting principles on the financial statements and any “other opinions” sought by Management from an independent auditor, other than the Company’s external auditors, with respect to the accounting treatment of a particular item, and other material written communications between the external auditors and management; |
c) | disagreements between Management and the external auditor or the internal auditors regarding the application of any accounting principles or practices; |
d) | any material change to Emera’s auditing and accounting principles and practices as recommended by Management, the external auditor or the internal auditors or which may result from proposed changes to applicable generally accepted accounting principles; |
e) | the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives on Emera’s financial statements and other financial disclosures; |
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 53 |
EMERA INCORPORATED
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER |
f) | any reserves, accruals, provisions, estimates or Management programs and policies, including factors that affect asset and liability carrying values and the timing of revenue and expense recognition, that may have a material effect upon the financial statements of Emera; |
g) | the use of special purpose entities and the business purpose and economic effect of off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations, guarantees and other relationships of Emera and their impact on the reported financial results of Emera; |
h) | any legal matter, claim or contingency that could have a significant impact on the financial statements, Emera’s compliance policies and any material reports, inquiries or other correspondence received from regulators or governmental agencies and the manner in which any such legal matter, claim or contingency has been disclosed in Emera’s financial statements; |
i) | the treatment for financial reporting purposes of any significant transactions which are not a normal part of Emera’s operations. |
6. | Hiring Policies |
The Committee shall review and approve Emera’s hiring policy concerning partners or employees, as well as former partners and employees, of the present or former external auditors of Emera.
7. | Pension Plans |
The Committee shall exercise oversight of the pension plans in accordance with the Pension Oversight Framework adopted by Emera.
8. | Oversight of Finance Matters |
a) | The Committee shall review the appointments of key financial executives involved in the financial reporting process of Emera, including the Chief Financial Officer. |
b) | The Committee may request for review, and shall receive when requested, material tax policies and tax planning initiatives, tax payments and reporting and any pending tax audits or assessments. The Committee shall review Emera’s compliance with tax and financial reporting laws and regulations. |
c) | The Committee shall meet at least annually with Management to review and discuss Emera’s major financial risk exposures and the policy steps Management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the use of financial derivatives, hedging activities, and credit and trading risks. |
d) | The Committee may review any investments or transactions that the Committee wishes to review, or which the internal or external auditor, or any officer of Emera, may bring to the attention of the Committee within the context of this charter. |
e) | The Committee shall review financial information of material subsidiaries of Emera and any auditor recommendations concerning such subsidiaries. |
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 54 |
EMERA INCORPORATED
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER |
f) | The Committee may request for review, and shall receive when requested, all related party transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles, and discuss with Management the business rationale for the transactions and whether appropriate disclosures have been made. |
9. | Internal Controls |
The Committee shall oversee:
a) | the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s internal accounting and financial controls and the recommendations of Management, the external auditor and the internal auditors for the improvement of accounting practices and internal controls; and |
b) | management’s compliance with the Company’s processes, procedures and internal controls. |
In exercising such oversight, the Committee shall review and discuss each of the foregoing with Management, the external auditor and the internal auditor.
The Committee will carry out the following specific duties:
c) | Review and discuss with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer the procedures undertaken in connection with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer certifications for the annual and interim filings with applicable securities regulatory authorities. |
d) | Review disclosures made by Emera’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer during their certification process for the annual and interim filing with applicable securities regulatory authorities about any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect Emera’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data or any material weaknesses in the internal controls, and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Emera’s internal controls. |
e) | Discuss with Emera’s Chief Legal Officer at least annually any legal matters that may have a material impact on the financial statements, operations, assets or compliance policies and any material reports or inquiries received by Emera or any of its subsidiaries from regulators or governmental agencies. |
10. | Internal Auditor |
a) | The lead internal auditor shall report directly to the Committee. The Committee shall: |
(i) | approve the appointment of; |
(ii) | review the terms of engagement of; |
(iii) | provide input into the annual performance evaluation of and compensation payable to; |
(iv) | approve the replacement or termination of; |
Emera Incorporated – 2020 Annual Information Form | 55 |
EMERA INCORPORATED
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER |
the lead internal auditor. The Committee shall approve the charter, reporting relationship, activities, staffing, organizational structure, and budget of the internal audit department as changes are needed.
b) | The Committee shall review and approve the annual internal audit plan, and shall review all major changes to the plan. The Committee shall review and discuss with the internal auditors the scope, progress, and results of executing the internal audit plan. The Committee shall receive reports on the status of significant findings, recommendations, and management’s responses. |
c) | The Committee shall meet periodically with the internal auditors to discuss the progress of their activities, any significant findings stemming from internal audits, any issues that arise with Management, and the adequacy of Management’s responses in addressing audit-related deficiencies. |
d) | The Committee shall obtain from the internal auditors and review summaries of the significant reports to Management prepared by the internal auditors, and the actual reports if requested by the Committee, and Management’s responses to such reports. |
e) | The Committee shall annually receive and review a report on the Chief Executive Officers’ expense accounts. |
f) | The Committee may communicate with the internal auditors with respect to their reports and recommendations, the extent to which prior recommendations have been implemented and any other matters that the internal auditor brings to the attention of the Committee. |
g) | The Committee shall, annually or more frequently as it deems necessary, evaluate the internal auditors including their activities, organizational structure and qualifications and effectiveness. The internal auditors shall confirm to the Committee that they adhere to applicable professional standards. |
h) | The Committee shall review the independence of the internal auditors and shall make recommendations to the Board on appropriate actions to be taken which the Committee deems necessary to protect and enhance the independence of the internal auditors. |
11. | Complaints |
The Committee shall oversee procedures relating to the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received concerning accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters. The Committee shall also review procedures concerning the confidential, anonymous submission of concerns by Emera’s employees relating to questionable accounting or auditing matters.
12. | Other Responsibilities |
The Committee shall:
a) | Annually, review insurance programs; |
b) | Periodically review Management’s process for identifying non-compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; |
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AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER |
c) | Annually receive and review a report on executive officers’ compliance with the Company’s Code of Conduct; and |
d) | Perform such other duties and exercise such powers as may be directed or delegated to the Committee by the Board. |
13. | Limitation on Authority |
Nothing articulated herein is intended to assign to the Committee the Board’s responsibility to oversee Emera’s compliance with applicable laws or regulations or to expand applicable standards of liability under statutory or regulatory requirements for the Directors or the members of the Committee.
PART II
COMPOSITION
14. | Composition |
a) | Emera’s Articles of Association require that the Committee shall be comprised of no less than three directors none of whom may be officers or employees of Emera nor may they be an officer or employee of any affiliate of Emera. In addition, all members of the Committee shall be independent as required by applicable legislation. |
b) | The Board shall appoint members to the Committee who are financially literate, as required by applicable legislation, which at a minimum requires that Committee members have the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by Emera’s financial statements. |
c) | Committee members shall be appointed at the Board meeting following the election of Directors at Emera’s annual shareholders’ meeting and membership may be based upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. |
d) | Pursuant to Emera’s Articles of Association, the Board may appoint, remove, or replace any member of the Committee at any time, and a member of the Committee shall cease to be a member of the Committee upon ceasing to be a Director. Subject to the foregoing, each member of the Committee shall hold office as such until the next annual meeting of shareholders after the member’s appointment to the Committee. |
e) | The Secretary of the Committee shall advise Emera’s internal and external auditors of the names of the members of the Committee promptly following their election. |
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AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER |
PART III
COMMITTEE PROCEDURE
15. | Meetings |
a) | Meetings of the Committee may be called by the Chair or at the request of any member. The Committee shall meet at least quarterly. |
b) | The timing and location of meetings of the Committee, and the calling of and procedure at any such meeting, shall be determined from time to time by the Committee. |
c) | Emera’s internal and external auditors shall be notified of all meetings of the Committee and shall have the right to appear before and be heard by the Committee. |
d) | Emera’s internal or external auditors may request the Chair of the Committee to consider any matters which the internal or external auditors believe should be brought to the attention of the Committee or the Board. |
16. | Separate Sessions |
a) | The Committee Chair shall meet periodically with the Chief Financial Officer, the lead internal auditor and the external auditor in separate executive sessions to discuss any matters that the Committee or each of these groups believes should be discussed privately. |
b) | The Chief Financial Officer, the lead internal auditor and the external auditor shall have access to the Committee to bring forward matters requiring its attention. |
c) | The Committee shall meet periodically without Management present. |
17. | Quorum |
Two members of the Committee present in person, by teleconferencing, or by videoconferencing, or by a combination thereof, will constitute a quorum.
18. | Chair |
Pursuant to Emera’s Articles of Association, the Committee shall choose one of its members to act as Chair of the Committee, which person shall not be the Chair of Nova Scotia Power Inc.’s Audit Committee. In selecting a Committee Chair, the Committee may consider any recommendation made by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
19. | Secretary and Minutes |
Pursuant to Emera’s Articles of Association, the Corporate Secretary of Emera shall act as the Secretary of the Committee. Emera’s Articles of Association require that the Minutes of the Committee be in writing and duly entered into Emera’s records, and the Minutes shall be circulated to all members of the Committee. The Secretary shall maintain all Committee records.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER |
20. | Board Relationships and Reporting |
The Committee shall:
a) | Review annually the Committee’s Charter; |
b) | Oversee the appropriate disclosure of the Committee’s Charter as well as other information concerning the Committee which is required to be disclosed by applicable legislation in Emera’s Annual Information Form and any other applicable disclosure documents; |
c) | Report to the Board at the next following board meeting on any meeting held by the Committee, and as required, regularly report to the Board on Committee activities, issues, and related recommendations; and |
d) | Maintain free and open communication between the Committee, the external auditors, internal auditors, and Management, and determine that all parties are aware of their responsibilities. |
21. | Powers |
The Committee shall:
a) | examine and consider such other matters, and meet with such persons, in connection with the internal or external audit of Emera’s accounts, which the Committee in its discretion determines to be advisable; |
b) | have the authority to communicate directly with the internal and external auditors; and |
c) | have the right to inspect all records of Emera or its affiliates and may elect to discuss such records, or any matters relating to the financial affairs of Emera with the officers or auditors of Emera and its affiliates. |
22. | Experts and Advisors |
The Committee may, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board, engage and compensate any outside adviser that it determines necessary in order to carry out its duties.
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