On June 18, 2024, EUSHI Finance, Inc., completed an issuance of $500 million USD fixed-to-fixed reset rate junior subordinated notes. The notes initially bear interest at a rate of 7.625 per cent, and will reset on December 15, 2029, and every five years thereafter, to a rate per annum equal to the five-year U.S. treasury rate plus 3.136 per cent. The notes mature on December 15, 2054. EUSHI Finance, Inc., at its option, may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, 90 days prior to the first interest reset date, and any semi-annual interest payment date thereafter, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount.
22. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
A. Commitments
As at September 30, 2024, contractual commitments (excluding pensions and other post-retirement obligations, long-term debt and asset retirement obligations) for each of the next five years and in aggregate thereafter consisted of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
millions of dollars | | | 2024 | | | | 2025 | | | | 2026 | | | | 2027 | | | | 2028 | | | | Thereafter | | | | Total | |
Transportation (1)(2) | | $ | 216 | | | $ | 654 | | | $ | 483 | | | $ | 488 | | | $ | 420 | | | $ | 3,401 | | | $ | 5,662 | |
Purchased power (3) | | | 82 | | | | 289 | | | | 275 | | | | 324 | | | | 325 | | | | 3,562 | | | | 4,857 | |
Capital projects | | | 712 | | | | 245 | | | | 62 | | | | 10 | | | | 1 | | | | 1 | | | | 1,031 | |
Fuel, gas supply and storage (4) | | | 217 | | | | 445 | | | | 86 | | | | 11 | | | | 4 | | | | - | | | | 763 | |
Other | | | 34 | | | | 148 | | | | 62 | | | | 50 | | | | 37 | | | | 233 | | | | 564 | |
| | $ | 1,261 | | | $ | 1,781 | | | $ | 968 | | | $ | 883 | | | $ | 787 | | | $ | 7,197 | | | $ | 12,877 | |
As detailed below, commitments at September 30, 2024 include those related to NMGC. On completion of the sale of NMGC, all the remaining future commitments will be transferred to the buyer. For further details on the pending transaction, refer to note 3.
(1) Purchasing commitments for transportation of fuel and transportation capacity on various pipelines. Includes a commitment of $128 million related to a gas transportation contract between PGS and SeaCoast through 2040.
(2) Includes $77 million related to NMGC (2024: $10 million, 2025: $27 million, 2026: $19 million, 2027: $12 million, 2028: $9 million).
(3) Annual requirement to purchase electricity from Independent Power Producers or other utilities over varying contract lengths.
(4) Includes $203 million related to NMGC (2024: $52 million, 2025: $107 million, 2026: $36 million, 2027: $5 million, 2028: $3 million).
NSPI has a contractual obligation to pay NSPML for use of the Maritime Link over approximately 38 years from its January 15, 2018 in-service date. In December 2023, the UARB approved the collection of up to $164 million from NSPI for the recovery of Maritime Link costs in 2024. The timing and amounts payable to NSPML for the remainder of the 38-year commitment period are subject to UARB approval.
Emera has committed to obtain certain transmission rights in New Brunswick during summer periods (April through October, inclusive) for Nalcor Energy’s use, if requested, effective August 15, 2021 and continuing for 50 years. As transmission rights are contracted, the obligations are included within “Other” in the above table.
B. Legal Proceedings
Superfund and Former Manufactured Gas Plant Sites
Previously, TEC had been a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) for certain superfund sites through its Tampa Electric and former PGS divisions, as well as for certain former manufactured gas plant sites through its PGS division. As a result of the separation of the PGS division into a separate legal entity, Peoples Gas System, Inc. is also now a PRP for those sites (in addition to third party PRPs for certain sites). While the aggregate joint and several liability associated with these sites has not changed as a result of the PGS legal separation, the sites continue to present the potential for significant response costs. As at September 30, 2024, the aggregate financial liability of the Florida utilities is estimated to be $15 million ($11 million USD), primarily at PGS. This estimate assumes that other involved PRPs are credit-worthy entities. This amount has been accrued and is primarily reflected in the long-term liability section under “Other long-term liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The environmental remediation costs associated with these sites are expected to be paid over many years.
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