Management’s Discussion & Analysis
Peoples Gas System
With $2.5 billion USD of assets and approximately 468,000 customers, the PGS system includes 24,300 kilometres of natural gas mains and 13,500 kilometres of service lines. Natural gas throughput (the amount of gas delivered to its customers, including transportation-only service) was 2 billion therms in 2022.
The approved ROE range for PGS is 8.9 per cent to 11.0 per cent, based on an allowed equity capital structure of 54.7 per cent. An ROE of 9.9 per cent is used for the calculation of return on investments for clauses.
New Mexico Gas Company, Inc.
With $2.0 billion USD of assets and approximately 545,000 customers, NMGC’s system includes approximately 2,426 kilometres of transmission pipelines and 17,781 kilometres of distribution pipelines. Annual natural gas throughput was approximately 926 million therms in 2022.
The approved ROE for NMGC is 9.375 per cent, on an allowed equity capital structure of 52 per cent.
Gas Utilities and Infrastructure Outlook
Gas Utilities and Infrastructure USD earnings are anticipated to be higher in 2023 than 2022, primarily due to a base rate increase at NMGC, effective January 2023.
PGS expects 2023 rate base growth and USD earnings to be consistent with 2022 as higher revenues from customer growth offset increased interest expenses and the effect of inflation. Increased residential and commercial sales volumes and customer growth are anticipated in 2023. PGS anticipates earning below its allowed ROE range in 2023 primarily due to rate base growth. As a result, on February 3, 2023, PGS notified the FPSC that it is planning to file a base rate proceeding in April 2023 for new rates effective January 2024.
The PGS rate case settlement, which was approved in November 2020, provides the ability to reverse a total of $34 million USD of accumulated depreciation through 2023. Through December 31, 2022, PGS reversed $14 million USD accumulated depreciation. The reversal of the remaining accumulated depreciation is expected to occur over 2023.
NMGC expects 2023 rate base and USD earnings to be higher in 2023 than 2022 due to base rate increases effective January 2023, as discussed below, and rate base growth to expand the distribution system and to continue to reliably serve customers. NMGC anticipates earning near its authorized ROE in 2023 and expects customer growth rates to be consistent with historical trends. NMGC’s asset optimization revenues for 2022 were well above the historical average, and may not recur in 2023.
On December 13, 2021, NMGC filed a rate case with the NMPRC for new rates to become effective January 2023. On May 20, 2022, NMGC filed an unopposed settlement agreement with the NMPRC for an increase of $19 million USD in annual base revenues. The rates reflect the recovery of increased operating costs and capital investments in pipelines and related infrastructure. The NMPRC approved the settlement agreement on November 30, 2022.
In 2018, SeaCoast executed a 34-year agreement to provide long-term firm gas transportation service via a 21-mile, 30-inch pipeline lateral. The lease of the pipeline lateral commenced January 1, 2022.
In 2023, capital investment in the Gas Utilities and Infrastructure segment is expected to be approximately $475 million USD (2022 – $436 million USD), including AFUDC. PGS will make investments to expand its system and support customer growth. NMGC will continue to make investments to maintain the reliability of its system and support customer growth.
OTHER ELECTRIC UTILITIES
Other Electric Utilities includes Emera (Caribbean) Incorporated (“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, 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 31, 2022, Emera completed the sale of its 51.9 per cent interest in Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. (“Domlec”) for proceeds which approximated carrying value. Domlec was included in the Other Electric Utilities segment in Q1 2022. The sale did not have a material impact on earnings.
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