UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 000-00643
CORNING NATURAL GAS HOLDING CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
New York | 46-3235589 |
(State of incorporation) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
330 West William Street, Corning, New York 14830
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(607) 936-3755
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | |
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
None | N/A | N/A |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “non-accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer ☐ Accelerated Filer ☐ Non-accelerated Filer ☐ Smaller Reporting Company ☒ Emerging Growth Filer ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class | Shares outstanding as of August 11, 2021 |
Common Stock, $.01 par value | 3,083,577 |
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.Financial Statements
CORNING NATURAL GAS HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| | Unaudited | | | | |
Assets | | June 30, 2021 | | | September 30, 2020 | |
| | | | | | |
Plant: | | | | | | | | |
Utility property, plant and equipment | | $ | 146,600,015 | | | $ | 139,743,289 | |
Less: accumulated depreciation | | | (33,303,384 | ) | | | (30,853,644 | ) |
Total plant, net | | | 113,296,631 | | | | 108,889,645 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Investments: | | | | | | | | |
Marketable securities at fair value | | | 2,358,116 | | | | 2,193,112 | |
Investment in joint ventures | | | 261,341 | | | | 264,640 | |
| | | 2,619,457 | | | | 2,457,752 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | 291,578 | | | | 411,700 | |
Customer accounts receivable, (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $94,412 and $42,236, respectively) | | | 2,653,707 | | | | 2,330,342 | |
Other accounts receivable | | | 606,200 | | | | 527,280 | |
Related party receivables | | | 0- | | | | 9,032 | |
Gas stored underground, at average cost | | | 789,251 | | | | 995,341 | |
Materials and supplies inventories | | | 3,481,878 | | | | 3,156,345 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 2,145,320 | | | | 1,801,883 | |
Total current assets | | | 9,967,934 | | | | 9,231,923 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Regulatory and other assets: | | | | | | | | |
Regulatory assets: | | | | | | | | |
Unrecovered gas and electric costs | | | 1,614,841 | | | | 1,966,184 | |
Deferred regulatory costs | | | 5,826,309 | | | | 4,894,434 | |
Deferred pension | | | 7,510,129 | | | | 7,352,839 | |
Goodwill | | | 918,121 | | | | 918,121 | |
Other | | | 723,420 | | | | 748,408 | |
Total regulatory and other assets | | | 16,592,820 | | | | 15,879,986 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 142,476,842 | | | $ | 136,459,306 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CORNING NATURAL GAS HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| | Unaudited | | | | |
Liabilities and capitalization | | June 30, 2021 | | | September 30, 2020 | |
| | | | | | |
Long-term debt, less current installments | | $ | 45,094,139 | | | $ | 44,291,626 | |
Less: debt issuance costs | | | (240,729 | ) | | | (241,057 | ) |
Total long-term debt | | | 44,853,410 | | | | 44,050,569 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Redeemable preferred stock - Series A (Authorized 261,500 shares. Issued and outstanding: 260,600 shares at June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, less issuance costs of $22,841 and $30,455, respectively) | | | 6,492,159 | | | | 6,484,545 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Redeemable preferred stock - Series C (Authorized 180,000 shares. Issued and outstanding: 180,000 shares at June 30, 2021 September 30, 2020, less issuance costs of $1,338 and $1,524, respectively) | | | 4,498,662 | | | | 4,498,476 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Current portion of long-term debt | | | 5,911,190 | | | | 6,271,068 | |
Borrowings under lines-of-credit and short-term debt | | | 8,747,610 | | | | 7,698,269 | |
Accounts payable | | | 4,213,469 | | | | 2,293,980 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 275,233 | | | | 339,809 | |
Customer deposits and accrued interest | | | 1,053,436 | | | | 1,617,976 | |
Dividends declared | | | 530,296 | | | | 529,301 | |
Total current liabilities | | | 20,731,234 | | | | 18,750,403 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Deferred credits and other liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 8,332,286 | | | | 7,575,832 | |
Regulatory liabilities | | | 3,012,328 | | | | 3,243,054 | |
Deferred compensation | | | 1,307,916 | | | | 1,366,256 | |
Pension costs and post-retirement benefits | | | 9,578,398 | | | | 9,407,774 | |
Other | | | 1,452,439 | | | | 193,945 | |
Total deferred credits and other liabilities | | | 23,683,367 | | | | 21,786,861 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Commitments and contingencies | | | 0- | | | | 0- | |
| | | | | | | | |
Temporary equity: | | | | | | | | |
Redeemable convertible preferred stock - Series B (Authorized 244,500 shares. Issued and outstanding: 244,263 shares at June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020) | | | 4,974,156 | | | | 4,954,937 | |
Common stockholders' equity: | | | | | | | | |
Common stock ($.01 par value per share. Authorized 4,500,000 shares. Issued and outstanding: 3,083,577 shares at June 30, 2021 and 3,072,547 at September 30, 2020) | | | 30,836 | | | | 30,725 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 28,271,487 | | | | 28,144,702 | |
Retained earnings | | | 8,940,414 | | | | 7,747,197 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | 1,117 | | | | 10,891 | |
Total common stockholders' equity | | | 37,243,854 | | | | 35,933,515 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and capitalization | | $ | 142,476,842 | | | $ | 136,459,306 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CORNING NATURAL GAS HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
| | Three Months Ended | | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | June 30, 2021 | | | June 30, 2020 | | | June 30, 2021 | | | June 30, 2020 | |
Utility operating revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gas operating revenues | | $ | 5,752,686 | | | $ | 5,540,296 | | | $ | 23,631,357 | | | $ | 22,321,855 | |
Electric operating revenues | | | 1,732,254 | | | | 1,448,456 | | | | 5,396,020 | | | | 4,774,273 | |
Total utility operating revenues | | | 7,484,940 | | | | 6,988,752 | | | | 29,027,377 | | | | 27,096,128 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Costs of sales: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gas purchased | | | 1,382,120 | | | | 939,406 | | | | 6,131,547 | | | | 5,226,582 | |
Electricity purchased | | | 478,614 | | | | 264,220 | | | | 1,632,781 | | | | 926,888 | |
Total cost of sales | | | 1,860,734 | | | | 1,203,626 | | | | 7,764,328 | | | | 6,153,470 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross margin | | | 5,624,206 | | | | 5,785,126 | | | | 21,263,049 | | | | 20,942,658 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost and expense: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating and maintenance expense | | | 3,970,405 | | | | 2,913,808 | | | | 10,820,876 | | | | 8,709,529 | |
Taxes other than income taxes | | | 951,837 | | | | 875,621 | | | | 2,795,807 | | | | 2,755,284 | |
Depreciation | | | 821,642 | | | | 648,647 | | | | 2,549,851 | | | | 1,948,180 | |
Other deductions, net | | | 61,284 | | | | 131,895 | | | | 212,351 | | | | 391,443 | |
Total costs and expenses | | | 5,805,168 | | | | 4,569,971 | | | | 16,378,885 | | | | 13,804,436 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Utility operating income (loss) | | | (180,962 | ) | | | 1,215,155 | | | | 4,884,164 | | | | 7,138,222 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other income and (expense): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | | (1,077,830 | ) | | | (625,281 | ) | | | (2,568,477 | ) | | | (1,844,268 | ) |
Other income (expense), net | | | 965,529 | | | | (158,770 | ) | | | 771,094 | | | | (488,023 | ) |
Investment income | | | 92,282 | | | | 165,130 | | | | 361,821 | | | | 96,404 | |
Income (loss) from joint ventures | | | 5,022 | | | | (53,912 | ) | | | (2,491 | ) | | | (50,442 | ) |
Rental income | | | 7,638 | | | | 7,638 | | | | 22,914 | | | | 22,914 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from utility operations, before income taxes | | | (188,321 | ) | | | 549,960 | | | | 3,469,025 | | | | 4,874,807 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax benefit (expense) | | | 461,187 | | | | 7,645 | | | | (682,918 | ) | | | (1,158,045 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | | 272,866 | | | | 557,605 | | | | 2,786,107 | | | | 3,716,762 | |
Less: Series B Preferred Stock Dividends | | | 61,065 | | | | 61,065 | | | | 183,197 | | | | 183,197 | |
Net income attributable to common stockholders | | $ | 211,801 | | | $ | 496,540 | | | $ | 2,602,910 | | | $ | 3,533,565 | |
Weighted average earnings per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 0.07 | | | $ | 0.16 | | | $ | 0.84 | | | $ | 1.16 | |
Diluted | | $ | 0.07 | | | $ | 0.16 | | | $ | 0.83 | | | $ | 1.11 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average shares outstanding - basic | | | 3,083,577 | | | | 3,062,789 | | | | 3,082,408 | | | | 3,056,806 | |
Average shares outstanding - diluted | | | 3,083,577 | | | | 3,062,789 | | | | 3,377,518 | | | | 3,349,921 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
CORNING NATURAL GAS HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
| | Three Months Ended | | | Nine Months Ended |
| | June 30, 2021 | | | June 30, 2020 | | | June 30, 2021 | | | June 30, 2020 |
Net income | | $ | 272,866 | | | $ | 557,605 | | | $ | 2,786,107 | | | $ | 3,716,762 |
Other comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities available for sale net of tax of $(114), $1,430, $3,445 and $1,553, respectively | | | 301 | | | | 3,769 | | | | (9,774 | ) | | | 4,478 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | $ | 273,167 | | | $ | 561,374 | | | $ | 2,776,333 | | | $ | 3,721,240 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
CORNING NATURAL GAS HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Common
Stockholders' Equity
For the Three and Nine Months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Additional | | | | | | Other | | | | |
| | Number of | | | Common | | | Paid In | | | Retained | | | Comprehensive | | | | |
| | Shares | | | Stock | | | Capital | | | Earnings | | | Income (loss) | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balances at March 31, 2021 | | | 3,083,577 | | | $ | 30,836 | | | $ | 28,271,487 | | | $ | 9,198,511 | | | $ | 816 | | | $ | 37,501,650 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends declared on common ($0.1525 per share) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (469,898 | ) | | | - | | | | (469,898 | ) |
Dividends declared on Preferred B shares ($0.25 per share) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (61,065 | ) | | | - | | | | (61,065 | ) |
Comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in unrealized gain on debt securities available for sale, net of income taxes | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 301 | | | | 301 | |
Net income | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 272,866 | | | | - | | | | 272,866 | |
Balances at June 30, 2021 | | | 3,083,577 | | | $ | 30,836 | | | $ | 28,271,487 | | | $ | 8,940,414 | | | $ | 1,117 | | | $ | 37,243,854 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Additional | | | | | | Other | | | | |
| | Number of | | | Common | | | Paid In | | | Retained | | | Comprehensive | | | | |
| | Shares | | | Stock | | | Capital | | | Earnings | | | Income (loss) | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balances at September 30, 2020 | | | 3,072,547 | | | $ | 30,725 | | | $ | 28,144,702 | | | $ | 7,747,197 | | | $ | 10,891 | | | $ | 35,933,515 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock based compensation | | | 4,500 | | | | 45 | | | | 34,939 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 34,984 | |
Issuance of common stock | | | 6,530 | | | | 66 | | | | 91,846 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 91,912 | |
Dividends declared on common ($0.4575 per share) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1,409,693 | ) | | | - | | | | (1,409,693 | ) |
Dividends declared on Preferred B shares ($0.75 per share) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (183,197 | ) | | | - | | | | (183,197 | ) |
Comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in unrealized gain on debt securities available for sale, net of income taxes | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (9,774 | ) | | | (9,774 | ) |
Net income | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 2,786,107 | | | | - | | | | 2,786,107 | |
Balances at June 30, 2021 | | | 3,083,577 | | | $ | 30,836 | | | $ | 28,271,487 | | | $ | 8,940,414 | | | $ | 1,117 | | | $ | 37,243,854 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Additional | | | | | | Other | | | | |
| | Number of | | | Common | | | Paid In | | | Retained | | | Comprehensive | | | | |
| | Shares | | | Stock | | | Capital | | | Earnings | | | Income | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balances at March 31, 2020 | | | 3,059,079 | | | $ | 30,591 | | | $ | 27,943,126 | | | $ | 8,762,553 | | | $ | 8,022 | | | $ | 36,744,292 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of common stock | | | 6,870 | | | | 69 | | | | 89,121 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 89,190 | |
Dividends declared on common ($0.1525 per share) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (467,210 | ) | | | - | | | | (467,210 | ) |
Dividends declared on Preferred B shares ($0.25 per share) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (61,065 | ) | | | - | | | | (61,065 | ) |
Comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in unrealized loss on debt securities available for sale, net of income taxes | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 3,769 | | | | 3,769 | |
Net income | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 557,605 | | | | - | | | | 557,605 | |
Balances at June 30, 2020 | | | 3,065,949 | | | $ | 30,660 | | | $ | 28,032,247 | | | $ | 8,791,883 | | | $ | 11,791 | | | $ | 36,866,581 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Additional | | | | | | Other | | | | |
| | Number of | | | Common | | | Paid In | | | Retained | | | Comprehensive | | | | |
| | Shares | | | Stock | | | Capital | | | Earnings | | | Income | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balances at September 30, 2019 | | | 3,047,060 | | | $ | 30,470 | | | $ | 27,745,837 | | | $ | 6,634,085 | | | $ | 7,313 | | | $ | 34,417,705 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of common stock | | | 18,889 | | | | 190 | | | | 286,410 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 286,600 | |
Dividends declared on common ($0.45 per share) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1,375,767 | ) | | | - | | | | (1,375,767 | ) |
Dividends declared on Preferred B shares ($0.75 per share) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (183,197 | ) | | | - | | | | (183,197 | ) |
Comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in unrealized loss on securities available for sale, net of income taxes | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 4,478 | | | | 4,478 | |
Net income | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 3,716,762 | | | | - | | | | 3,716,762 | |
Balances at June 30, 2020 | | | 3,065,949 | | | $ | 30,660 | | | $ | 28,032,247 | | | $ | 8,791,883 | | | $ | 11,791 | | | $ | 36,866,581 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
CORNING NATURAL GAS HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
| | Nine Months Ended | |
| | June 30, 2021 | | | June 30, 2020 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 2,786,107 | | | $ | 3,716,762 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | | | 2,549,851 | | | | 1,948,180 | |
Amortization of debt issuance cost | | | 80,657 | | | | 80,164 | |
Non-cash pension expenses | | | 706,071 | | | | 706,071 | |
Regulatory asset amortizations | | | 411,708 | | | | 481,084 | |
Stock issued for services | | | 75,147 | | | | 135,589 | |
Gain on sale of marketable securities | | | (198,392 | ) | | | (31,801 | ) |
Unrealized gain on investments | | | (138,826 | ) | | | (73,996 | ) |
Gain on forgiveness of debt | | | (1,173,594 | ) | | | 0- | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 682,918 | | | | 1,158,045 | |
Bad debt expense | | | 40,383 | | | | 83,000 | |
Loss from joint ventures | | | 2,491 | | | | 50,442 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
(Increase) decrease in: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | (442,668 | ) | | | (179,004 | ) |
Gas stored underground | | | 206,090 | | | | 529,775 | |
Materials and supplies inventories | | | (325,533 | ) | | | (484,884 | ) |
Prepaid expenses | | | (343,437 | ) | | | (622,272 | ) |
Unrecovered gas and electric costs | | | 351,343 | | | | (390,346 | ) |
Deferred regulatory costs | | | (1,381,714 | ) | | | (705,225 | ) |
Other | | | 24,668 | | | | 15,550 | |
Increase (decrease) in: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | | 1,919,489 | | | | 667,863 | |
Accrued expenses | | | (64,576 | ) | | | (34,236 | ) |
Customer deposits and accrued interest | | | (564,540 | ) | | | (271,751 | ) |
Deferred compensation | | | (58,340 | ) | | | (44,900 | ) |
Deferred pension costs & post-retirement benefits | | | (692,737 | ) | | | (475,283 | ) |
Other liabilities and deferred credits | | | 1,093,855 | | | | (248,037 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 5,546,421 | | | | 6,010,790 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Sale of securities, net of purchases | | | 162,440 | | | | 183,325 | |
Amount paid to related parties | | | 9,032 | | | | (1,588 | ) |
Capital expenditures | | | (6,956,837 | ) | | | (5,940,562 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (6,785,365 | ) | | | (5,758,825 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Net proceeds (repayments) on lines-of-credit and short-term debt | | | 1,049,341 | | | | (2,454,233 | ) |
Debt issuance costs paid | | | (6,602 | ) | | | 0- | |
Cash received from sale of Series C preferred stock | | | 0- | | | | 4,498,394 | |
Dividends paid | | | (1,540,146 | ) | | | (1,382,237 | ) |
Proceeds under long-term debt | | | 5,217,551 | | | | 3,436,711 | |
Repayment of long-term debt | | | (3,601,322 | ) | | | (3,264,791 | ) |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 1,118,822 | | | | 833,844 | |
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | (120,122 | ) | | | 1,085,809 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 411,700 | | | | 314,341 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 291,578 | | | $ | 1,400,150 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid during the period for: | | | | | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 1,635,383 | | | $ | 1,764,103 | |
Income taxes | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | |
Non-cash financing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Dividends paid with shares | | $ | 51,749 | | | $ | 151,011 | |
Number of shares issued for dividends | | | 3,380 | | | | 8,989 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
CORNING NATURAL GAS HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Basis of Presentation
Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation (“Holding Company”) was incorporated in New York in July 2013 to serve as a holding company for Corning Natural Gas Corporation (“Corning Gas” or the “Gas Company”) and its dormant subsidiary Corning Natural Gas Appliance Corporation (the “Appliance Company”), Pike County Light & Power Company (“Pike”), Leatherstocking Gas Company, LLC (“Leatherstocking Gas”), and Leatherstocking Pipeline Company, LLC (“Leatherstocking Pipeline”). The Holding Company also owns 50% of Leatherstocking Gas of New York, Inc. (“Leatherstocking NY”). As used in this document, the term “the Company” refers to the consolidated operations of the Holding Company, Gas Company, Pike and (from July 1, 2020) Leatherstocking Gas and Leatherstocking Pipeline.
The Holding Company’s primary business, through its subsidiaries, is natural gas and electric distribution. Corning Gas serves approximately 15,000 residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers in the Corning, Hammondsport and Virgil, New York, areas and two other gas utilities which serve the Elmira and Bath, New York, areas. It is franchised to supply gas service in all of the political subdivisions in which it operates. The Gas Company is under the jurisdiction of the New York Public Service Commission (“NYPSC”) which oversees and sets rates for New York gas distribution companies. In addition, the Gas Company has contracts with Woodhull Municipal Gas Company, a small local utility, to provide maintenance service on their gas lines. Pike is an electric and gas utility regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“PAPUC”). Pike provides electric service to approximately 4,800 customers in the Townships of Westfall, Milford and the northern part of Dingman and in the Boroughs of Milford and Matamoras. Pike provides natural gas service to 1,200 customers in Westfall Township and the Borough of Matamoras. All of these communities are located in Pike County, Pennsylvania. Additionally, Leatherstocking Gas is also regulated by the PAPUC and distributes gas in Susquehanna and Bradford Counties, Pennsylvania. Leatherstocking Pipeline, an unregulated company, previously served one customer in Lawton, Pennsylvania and has had no revenues since 2018. Leatherstocking NY has an application pending before the NYPSC for authority to provide gas distribution services in Broome County, New York.
The information furnished herewith reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the period. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations, although the Holding Company believes the disclosures which are made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.
On July 1, 2020, the Holding Company purchased the remaining 50% interest in Leatherstocking Gas and Leatherstocking Pipeline (collectively, the “Leatherstocking Companies”), and items of income or loss and the balance sheets of these subsidiaries are now included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. For the first nine months of fiscal 2020, the Company accounted for its investments in the Leatherstocking Companies using the equity method of accounting. Components of our financial statements reflect these differences. The following unaudited proforma information presents the Company’s results of operations as if the Company owned 100% of the Leatherstocking Companies at the beginning of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. The proforma results do not purport to represent what the Company’s results of operations actually would have been if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the period presented or what the Company’s results of operations will be in future periods.
| | Three months ended | | | Nine months ended | |
| | June 30, 2020 | | | June 30, 2020 | |
Total Revenue | | $ | 7,215,129 | | | $ | 28,226,678 | |
Net Income | | $ | 491,629 | | | $ | 3,676,518 | |
The consolidated financial statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Holding Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 (“Annual Report”), filed on December 21, 2020. These interim consolidated financial statements are unaudited.
Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Holding Company’s Annual Report. It is important to understand that the application of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America involves certain assumptions, judgments and estimates that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Thus, the application of these principles can have varying results from company to company.
Because our business is highly seasonal in nature, sales for each quarter of the year vary and are not comparable. Sales vary depending on seasonal variations in temperature, although the Gas Company’s weather normalization and revenue decoupling clauses approved by the NYPSC serve to stabilize net revenue by insulating the Gas Company, to an extent, from the effects of unusual temperature variations and conservation. Certain larger customer classes are not covered by weather normalization or revenue decoupling and weather will impact revenue from these classes. Neither Pike nor Leatherstocking Gas have weather normalization or revenue decoupling clauses.
It is the Holding Company’s policy to reclassify amounts in the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.
On January 12, 2021, Holding Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among Holding Company, ACP Crotona Corp. (“Parent”), and ACP Crotona Merger Sub Corp. (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into Holding Company, and Holding Company will continue as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the “Merger”). As a result of the Merger, shareholders of Holding Company will receive consideration for their shares in the following amounts: (i) $24.75 in cash, per share of common stock (the “Merger Consideration”); (ii) $25 per share of Series A preferred stock; (iii) $29.70 per share of Series B preferred stock; and (iv) $25 per share of Series C preferred stock. Amounts payable to all shareholders will include cash for any unpaid dividends. Parent and Merger Sub are affiliates of Argo Infrastructure Partners LP (“Argo”) and were formed by Argo in order to complete the Merger.
The Merger is subject to, among other customary closing conditions, the approvals of the NYPSC and the PAPUC. In addition, the Merger requires the approval of the Company’s shareholders and the expiration of any applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act. The Merger Agreement also includes certain termination rights for both the Company and Parent and provides that, in connection with the termination of the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, termination fees may be owed by the Company to Parent, depending on the circumstances surrounding a termination.
The Merger Agreement provided for a 45-day “Go Shop” period which expired on February 26, 2021. During the “Go Shop” period, the Company received no competing offers or alternative acquisition proposals. The Company is now subject to a customary “No Shop” provision that restricts the Company’s ability to solicit acquisition proposals from third parties and to provide non-public information and to negotiate with third parties regarding unsolicited acquisition proposals that is reasonably expected to lead to a superior proposal. On April 30, 2021, the Company and Argo filed with the NYPSC and PAPUC joint petitions requesting approval to conclude the Merger. Decisions from the commissions on the merger petitions are not expected until late 2021 or the first half of 2022. The Merger was voted on and approved by the Company’s shareholders at its annual shareholder meeting on May 27, 2021.
In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company has suspended its dividend reinvestment plan.
Upon consummation of the Merger, the Company’s common stock will be delisted from the OTCQX and deregistered under the Exchange Act as soon as practicable.
New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), which provides a model, known as the current expected credit loss model, to estimate the expected lifetime credit loss on financial assets, including trade and other receivables, rather than incurred losses over the remaining life of most financial assets measured at amortized cost. The guidance also requires use of an allowance to record estimated credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities. The new standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on their consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity, which simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts on an entity’s own equity. The new standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on their consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Note 2 – Revenue From Contracts With Customers
The following tables present, for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, revenue from contracts with customers as defined in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC 606”) (Revenue From Contracts With Customers), as well as additional revenue from sources other than contracts with customers, disaggregated by major source.
| | For the three months ended June 30, 2021 |
| | Revenues from | | | Other | | | Total utility | |
| | contracts with | | | revenues | | | operating | |
| | customers | | | (a) | | | revenues | |
Corning Gas: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential gas | | $ | 3,148,680 | | | $ | 182,727 | | | $ | 3,331,407 | |
Commercial gas | | | 415,934 | | | | 0- | | | | 415,934 | |
Transportation | | | 981,138 | | | | 40,040 | | | | 1,021,178 | |
Street lights gas | | | 126 | | | | 0- | | | | 126 | |
Wholesale | | | 366,319 | | | | 0- | | | | 366,319 | |
Local production | | | 105,206 | | | | 0- | | | | 105,206 | |
Total Corning Gas | | | 5,017,403 | | | | 222,767 | | | | 5,240,170 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pike: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential gas | | | 221,319 | | | | 589 | | | | 221,908 | |
Commercial gas | | | 75,892 | | | | 0- | | | | 75,892 | |
Total Pike retail gas | | | 297,211 | | | | 589 | | | | 297,800 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential electric | | | 846,232 | | | | 6,776 | | | | 853,008 | |
Commercial electric | | | 847,893 | | | | 0- | | | | 847,893 | |
Electric – street lights | | | 31,353 | | | | 0- | | | | 31,353 | |
Total Pike retail electric | | | 1,725,478 | | | | 6,776 | | | | 1,732,254 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Pike | | | 2,022,689 | | | | 7,365 | | | | 2,030,054 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Leatherstocking Gas | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential gas | | | 70,479 | | | | 0- | | | | 70,479 | |
Commercial gas | | | 59,198 | | | | 0- | | | | 59,198 | |
Industrial sales | | | 85,039 | | | | 0- | | | | 85,039 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Leatherstocking Companies | | | 214,716 | | | | 0- | | | | 214,716 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total consolidated utility operating revenue | | $ | 7,254,808 | | | $ | 230,132 | | | $ | 7,484,940 | |
(a) Other revenues include revenue from alternative revenue programs, such as revenue decoupling mechanisms under New York gas rate plans and weather normalization clauses. This also reflects reductions in revenues resulting from the deferral as regulatory liabilities of the net benefits of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. See “Regulatory Matters” in Note 9.
| | For the nine months ended June 30, 2021 |
| | Revenues from | | | Other | | | Total utility | |
| | contracts with | | | revenues | | | operating | |
| | customers | | | (a) | | | revenues | |
Corning Gas: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential gas | | $ | 12,957,652 | | | $ | 473,321 | | | $ | 13,430,973 | |
Commercial gas | | | 1,704,525 | | | | 0- | | | | 1,704,525 | |
Transportation | | | 3,649,932 | | | | (68,420 | ) | | | 3,581,512 | |
Street lights gas | | | 317 | | | | 0- | | | | 317 | |
Wholesale | | | 1,603,141 | | | | 0- | | | | 1,603,141 | |
Local production | | | 459,692 | | | | 0- | | | | 459,692 | |
Total Corning Gas | | | 20,375,259 | | | | 404,901 | | | | 20,780,160 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pike: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential gas | | | 1,330,250 | | | | (2,281 | ) | | | 1,327,969 | |
Commercial gas | | | 371,535 | | | | 0- | | | | 371,535 | |
Total Pike retail gas | | | 1,701,785 | | | | (2,281 | ) | | | 1,699,504 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential electric | | | 2,768,810 | | | | 60,259 | | | | 2,829,069 | |
Commercial electric | | | 2,472,137 | | | | 0- | | | | 2,472,137 | |
Electric – street lights | | | 94,814 | | | | 0- | | | | 94,814 | |
Total Pike retail electric | | | 5,335,761 | | | | 60,259 | | | | 5,396,020 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Pike | | | 7,037,546 | | | | 57,978 | | | | 7,095,524 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Leatherstocking Gas | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential gas | | | 384,813 | | | | 0- | | | | 384,813 | |
Commercial gas | | | 343,868 | | | | 0- | | | | 343,868 | |
Industrial sales | | | 423,012 | | | | 0- | | | | 423,012 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Leatherstocking Companies | | | 1,151,693 | | | | 0- | | | | 1,151,693 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total consolidated utility operating revenue | | $ | 28,564,498 | | | $ | 462,879 | | | $ | 29,027,377 | |
(a) Other revenues include revenue from alternative revenue programs, such as revenue decoupling mechanisms under New York gas rate plans and weather normalization clauses. Other revenues also includes reductions in revenues resulting from the deferral as regulatory liabilities of the net benefits of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. See “Regulatory Matters” in Note 9.
| | For the three months ended June 30, 2020 |
| | Revenues from | | | Other | | | Total utility | |
| | contracts with | | | revenues | | | operating | |
| | customers | | | (a) | | | revenues | |
Corning Gas: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential gas | | $ | 3,533,175 | | | $ | (189,420 | ) | | $ | 3,343,755 | |
Commercial gas | | | 369,957 | | | | 0- | | | | 369,957 | |
Transportation | | | 937,403 | | | | 102,086 | | | | 1,039,489 | |
Street lights gas | | | 94 | | | | 0- | | | | 94 | |
Wholesale | | | 339,688 | | | | 0- | | | | 339,688 | |
Local production | | | 170,495 | | | | 0- | | | | 170,495 | |
Total Corning Gas | | $ | 5,350,812 | | | $ | (87,334 | ) | | $ | 5,263,478 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pike: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential gas | | $ | 219,939 | | | $ | (351 | ) | | $ | 219,588 | |
Commercial gas | | | 57,230 | | | | 0- | | | | 57,230 | |
Total Pike retail gas | | | 277,169 | | | | (351 | ) | | | 276,818 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential electric | | | 746,204 | | | | (8,335 | ) | | | 737,869 | |
Commercial electric | | | 680,267 | | | | 0- | | | | 680,267 | |
Electric – street lights | | | 30,320 | | | | 0- | | | | 30,320 | |
Total Pike retail electric | | | 1,456,791 | | | | (8,335 | ) | | | 1,448,456 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Pike | | $ | 1,733,960 | | | $ | (8,686 | ) | | $ | 1,725,274 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total consolidated utility operating revenue | | $ | 7,084,772 | | | $ | (96,020 | ) | | $ | 6,988,752 | |
(a) Other revenues include revenue from alternative revenue programs, such as revenue decoupling mechanisms and weather normalization provisions under a New York gas rate plan. This also reflects reductions in revenues resulting from the deferral as regulatory liabilities of the net benefits of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. See “Regulatory Matters” in Note 9.
| | For the nine months ended June 30, 2020 |
| | Revenues from | | | Other | | | Total utility | |
| | contracts with | | | revenues | | | operating | |
| | customers | | | (a) | | | revenues | |
Corning Gas: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential gas | | $ | 13,280,227 | | | $ | (5,502 | ) | | $ | 13,274,725 | |
Commercial gas | | | 1,922,877 | | | | 0- | | | | 1,922,877 | |
Transportation | | | 3,679,551 | | | | 92,661 | | | | 3,772,212 | |
Street lights gas | | | 301 | | | | 0- | | | | 301 | |
Wholesale | | | 1,506,837 | | | | 0- | | | | 1,506,837 | |
Local production | | | 533,743 | | | | 0- | | | | 533,743 | |
Total Corning Gas | | $ | 20,923,536 | | | $ | 87,159 | | | $ | 21,010,695 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pike: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential gas | | $ | 1,047,829 | | | $ | 1,290 | | | $ | 1,049,119 | |
Commercial gas | | | 262,041 | | | | 0- | | | | 262,041 | |
Total Pike retail gas | | | 1,309,870 | | | | 1,290 | | | | 1,311,160 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential electric | | | 2,364,886 | | | | 88,940 | | | | 2,453,826 | |
Commercial electric | | | 2,228,534 | | | | 0- | | | | 2,228,534 | |
Electric – street lights | | | 91,913 | | | | 0- | | | | 91,913 | |
Total Pike retail electric | | | 4,685,333 | | | | 88,940 | | | | 4,774,273 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Pike | | $ | 5,995,203 | | | $ | 90,230 | | | $ | 6,085,433 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total consolidated utility operating revenue | | $ | 26,918,739 | | | $ | 177,389 | | | $ | 27,096,128 | |
(a) Other revenues include revenue from alternative revenue programs, such as revenue decoupling mechanisms under New York gas rate plans and weather normalization clauses. This also reflects reductions in revenues resulting from the deferral as regulatory liabilities of the net benefits of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. See “Regulatory Matters” in Note 9.
The Gas Company records revenues from residential and commercial customers based on meters read on a cyclical basis throughout each month, while certain large industrial and utility customers’ meters are read at the end of each month. Several meters are read at the end of each month to calculate local production revenues. The Gas Company does not accrue revenue for gas delivered but not yet billed, as the NYPSC requires that such accounting must be adopted during a rate proceeding, which the Gas Company has not done. The Gas Company, as part of its currently effective rate plan, has a weather normalization clause as protection against severe weather fluctuations. This affects residential and small commercial space heating customers and is activated when degree days are 2.2% greater or less than the 30-year average. As a result, the effect on revenue fluctuations of weather related gas sales is somewhat moderated.
Pike recognizes revenues for electric and gas service on a monthly billing cycle basis. Pike does not accrue for gas and electricity delivered. Pike does not have a weather normalization clause as protection against severe weather.
Leatherstocking Gas recognizes revenues for gas service on a monthly billing cycle basis. Leatherstocking Gas does not record unbilled revenues. Leatherstocking Gas does not have a weather normalization clause as protection against severe weather.
In addition to weather normalization, the Gas Company has implemented a revenue decoupling mechanism (RDM). The RDM reconciles actual delivery service revenues to allowed delivery service revenues (which are based on the annual customer and volume forecasts in the last rate case) for residential customers. The Gas Company will refund or surcharge customers for differences between actual and allowed revenues. The shortfall or excess after the annual reconciliation will be surcharged or refunded to customers over a twelve-month period starting September 1st each year. Pike and Leatherstocking Gas do not have a revenue decoupling mechanism as part of their rate structures.
Revenues are recorded as energy is delivered, generated, or services are provided and billed to customers. Amounts billed are recorded in customer accounts receivable, with payment generally due the following month.
Note 3 – Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Pension Benefits | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | Nine Months Ended June 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Service Cost | | $ | 198,623 | | | $ | 186,111 | | | $ | 595,868 | | | $ | 558,333 | |
Interest Cost | | | 240,959 | | | | 246,324 | | | | 722,876 | | | | 738,972 | |
Expected return on plan assets | | | (361,414 | ) | | | (325,249 | ) | | | (1,084,243 | ) | | | (975,748 | ) |
Amortization of net actuarial gain | | | 244,156 | | | | 224,321 | | | | 732,469 | | | | 672,965 | |
Net periodic benefit cost | | $ | 322,324 | | | $ | 331,507 | | | $ | 966,970 | | | $ | 994,522 | |
Other Benefits
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | Nine Months Ended June 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Service Cost | | $ | 4,739 | | | $ | 4,633 | | | $ | 14,218 | | | $ | 13,900 | |
Interest Cost | | | 6,972 | | | | 9,255 | | | | 20,918 | | | | 27,766 | |
Amortization of prior service cost | | | 3,810 | | | | 3,494 | | | | 11,429 | | | | 10,484 | |
Amortization of net actuarial gain | | | 421 | | | | 654 | | | | 1,262 | | | | 1,963 | |
Net periodic benefit cost | | $ | 15,942 | | | $ | 18,036 | | | $ | 47,827 | | | $ | 54,113 | |
For ratemaking and financial statement purposes, pension expense represents the amount approved by the NYPSC in the Gas Company’s most recently approved rate case. Pension expense for ratemaking and financial statement purposes was $165,071 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and $218,683 for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Pension expense for ratemaking and financial statement purposes was $507,496 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and $656,049 for the nine months ended June 30, 2020. Total pension costs are recorded in accordance with accounting prescribed by the NYPSC in 1993. The cumulative net difference between the pension expense for ratemaking and financial statement purposes, since 1993, has been deferred as a regulatory asset and amounted to $1,540,956 and $1,225,004 at June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The NYPSC has allowed the Gas Company to recover incremental costs associated with other post-retirement benefits through rates on a current basis. Other post-retirement benefit expense for ratemaking and financial statement purposes was $13,154 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and $14,680 for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Other post-retirement benefit expense for ratemaking and financial statement purposes was $39,346 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and $44,040 for the nine months ended June 30, 2020. The difference between the other post-retirement benefit expense for ratemaking and financial statement purposes, and the amount computed above has been deferred as a regulatory liability and amounted to $9,907 and $358,670 at June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The Gas Company will apply the provisions of the recently enacted American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) for purposes of funding its pension plan. ARPA allows a plan sponsor to apply more favorable interest rate assumptions for purposes of determining its required cash contributions, and it allows plan sponsors to fund a shortfall over 15 years, rather than over 7 years under prior law. Additionally, ARPA permits a plan sponsor to elect to redetermine its required contribution for 2020 under the provisions of ARPA, as if the law had been in effect for all of 2020. The Company has elected to apply ARPA to its 2020 plan year, resulting is a deemed credit in the amount of $450,000, that, when applied to its 2021 contribution requirement, reduces the required 2021 cash contribution to $260,000.
The Gas Company expects to contribute $692,554 to its Pension Plan during the year ending September 30, 2021. A total of $511,266 was paid to the Pension Plan during the nine months ending June 30, 2021 and $0 during the three months ended June 30, 2021. A total of $663,750 was paid to the Pension Plan during the nine months ended June 30, 2020 and $288,652 during the three months ended June 30, 2020.
Note 4 – Financing Activities
On August 31, 2020, Corning Gas entered into a $3.718 million multiple disbursement term note with M&T Bank which permitted draws from time to time to pay down $250,000 of existing M&T Bank debt and for capital expenditures in accordance with its terms until October 31, 2020 at which time amounts outstanding under the note totaling $3.718 million converted to a ten year term loan, payable in 119 equal monthly installments with an additional final installment of unpaid principal and interest due on November 30, 2030. Before converting to a term loan, borrowings on the note had a variable interest rate of 3.0% plus the greater of one-month LIBOR or 0.5%. After October 31, 2020, the interest rate was fixed at 3.5%. This term note is subject to the terms of the August 2020 Credit Agreement with M&T Bank.
On October 13, 2020, Pike’s multiple disbursement term note with M&T Bank, dated June 24, 2020, was converted into a ten year term loan, payable in 119 monthly installments with an additional final installment of unpaid principal and interest due on November 30, 2030. The note is in the amount of $1.315 million and the interest rate was fixed at 3.5%. This term note is subject to the terms of a credit agreement and general security agreement with M&T Bank and is guaranteed by the Holding Company.
On January 14, 2021, Corning Gas borrowed $850,000 from M&T Bank for a three-month period ending on April 15, 2021. The loan was used primarily to pay for transaction costs incurred in connection with our planned merger with Argo (see Note 1), and to pay pension and other operating expenses. The note bears an interest rate of 2.6% plus the one-month LIBOR rate with a floor of 3.1%. This note was repaid in full from the proceeds of the Company’s construction loan with M&T Bank that was signed on June 25, 2021.
The Company, in the second quarter of fiscal 2021, applied for, and received forgiveness of its Leatherstocking Payroll Protection Program (“PPP”) loan of $65,491. On April 15, 2021, the Company received forgiveness of its Pike PPP loan of $137,200. On May 21, 2021, Corning Gas Company’s PPP loan in the amount of $970,900 was forgiven by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The forgiven PPP loans constitute non-cash financing activities. On March 18, 2021, the NYPSC issued an order requesting information designed to determine the proper disposition of the PPP loan proceeds. This order was issued prior to the date that the PPP loan was forgiven. On May 13, 2021, the Company responded to the order by supporting its position that it was not obligated to refund the forgiven amount because during the pandemic, the Company also lost commercial revenues caused by the pandemic, incurred COVID related operating costs, and experienced increased customer uncollectible accounts. The NYPSC has not responded to the Company’s submission. In the third quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company recorded debt forgiveness income in the amount of $970,900 in its consolidated statements of income. Also in the third quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company recorded a regulatory liability of approximately $490,000, which is the difference between the forgiven amount and the Company’s estimate of lost revenues, COVID related operating costs and increased customer uncollectible accounts. Income from PPP loan forgiveness for all three loans is included in Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income.
In March of 2021, the Company applied for a $1 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Rural Energy Services Program (RESP). The RESP program is designed to provide low cost loans to rural customers who will use borrowed funds to purchase energy efficient gas furnaces, hot water heaters, and gas services. The loan, if approved by the Department of Agriculture, would be interest free to the Company, and must be repaid over a period not to exceed 20 years. Customers who borrow funds from Corning Gas would pay a nominal rate of interest to the Company, which funds will be used to administer the program. Customer loans must be repaid over a period not to exceed 10 years. The Company’s loan application is pending approval with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
On June 25, 2021, Corning Gas entered into a $4.665 million multiple disbursement term note with M&T Bank to retire $850,000 of existing short term debt and which permits draws from time to time for capital expenditures in accordance with its terms until October 31, 2021 at which time amounts outstanding under the note will convert to a ten year term loan, with the final installment of unpaid principal and interest due on October 31, 2031. Before converting to a term loan, borrowings on the note have a variable interest rate of 2.9% plus one-month LIBOR with a floor of 3.4%. At the loan conversion date, the Company will have the option to elect a fixed or floating interest rate. This term note is subject to the terms of the August 2020 Credit Agreement with M&T Bank. The balance owed on this loan at June 30, 2021 was $2,412,978.
On June 25, 2021, Corning Gas obtained a $1.9 million bridge loan (the “Bridge Loan”) from M&T Bank. Corning Gas will use the Bridge Loan for short-term general operating purposes. To evidence the Bridge Loan, Corning Gas issued a LIBOR demand note to M&T Bank in the principal amount of $1.9 million (the “Bridge Note”). The Bridge Note bears interest at a variable rate equal to 3.0% plus the one-month LIBOR rate, with a floor of 3.5%. Interest on the Bridge Note is payable monthly. The balance owed on this loan at June 30, 2021 was $1.9 million.
The Company is currently negotiating a multiple disbursement term loan with M&T Bank for Pike construction projects. The loan is expected to be in the amount of $2.2 million, and its terms will mirror the Corning Gas loan of June 25, 2021, described above. This loan, however, will be guaranteed by the Holding Company. The Company expects to conclude this loan during the third week of August 2021.
We are in compliance with our financial covenant calculations as of June 30, 2021.
Note 5 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Holding Company has determined the fair value of debt and other financial instruments using a valuation hierarchy. The hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value, consists of three levels. Level 1 uses observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2 uses inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, which is defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, requires the Holding Company to develop its own assumptions. The carrying amount of debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximates fair value as a result of instruments bearing interest rates that approximate current market rates for similar instruments, and the carrying amounts for cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. Investment assets, which fund the Holding Company’s deferred compensation plan, are valued based on Level 1 inputs.
The Holding Company has determined the fair value of certain assets through application of FASB ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”.
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020 are as follows:
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:
| | Fair Value | | | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | |
June 30, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale securities | | $ | 2,358,116 | | | $ | 2,358,116 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | |
September 30, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale securities | | $ | 2,193,112 | | | $ | 2,193,112 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | |
A summary of the marketable securities at June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020 is as follows:
| | Cost Basis | | | Unrealized Gain | | | Unrealized Loss | | | Market Value | |
June 30, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and equivalents | | $ | 125,806 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 125,806 | |
Metlife stock value | | | 53,855 | | | | 0- | | | | 0- | | | | 53,855 | |
Government and agency bonds | | | 15,075 | | | | 1,402 | | | | 0- | | | | 16,477 | |
Holding Company Preferred A Stock | | | 197,875 | | | | 418,309 | | | | 0- | | | | 616,184 | |
Equity/Debt securities | | | 1,110,129 | | | | 402,704 | | | | 0- | | | | 1,512,833 | |
Commodities | | | 33,420 | | | | 0- | | | | 459 | | | | 32,961 | |
Total securities | | $ | 1,536,160 | | | $ | 822,415 | | | $ | 459 | | | $ | 2,358,116 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
September 30, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and equivalents | | $ | 120,559 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 120,559 | |
Metlife stock value | | | 30,701 | | | | 0- | | | | 0- | | | | 30,701 | |
Government and agency bonds | | | 143,960 | | | | 9,312 | | | | 0- | | | | 153,272 | |
Corporate bonds | | | 143,196 | | | | 3,951 | | | | 0- | | | | 147,147 | |
Mutual funds | | | 42,664 | | | | 2,414 | | | | 0- | | | | 45,078 | |
Holding Company Preferred A Stock | | | 572,875 | | | | 45,830 | | | | 0- | | | | 618,705 | |
Equity securities | | | 788,793 | | | | 265,654 | | | | 0- | | | | 1,054,447 | |
Commodities | | | 21,881 | | | | 1,322 | | | | 0- | | | | 23,203 | |
Total securities | | $ | 1,864,629 | | | $ | 328,483 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 2,193,112 | |
Realized gains included in earnings for the periods reported in investment income are as follows:
Investment Income | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | Nine Months Ended June 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Net realized gains and (losses) recognized during the period on investments | | $ | 23,170 | | | $ | 13,208 | | | $ | 198,392 | | | $ | (9,344 | ) |
Unrealized (losses)/gains on equity securities included in investment income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021 were ($58,660) and $138,826, respectively. Unrealized gains on equity securities included in investment income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2020 were $160,051 and $73,996, respectively.
Financial assets and liabilities valued using level 1 inputs are based on unadjusted quoted market prices as of the close of business on the days noted within active markets.
Note 6 – Stockholders’ Equity and Preferred Stock
Shares issued during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were for the following:
| | Three months ended June 30, 2021 | | | Nine months ended June 30, 2021 | |
| | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Dividend reinvestment program (DRIP) | | | 0- | | | | 0- | | | | 3,380 | | | $ | 51,749 | |
Directors | | | 0- | | | | 0- | | | | 3,150 | | | | 40,163 | |
Officers | | | 0- | | | | 0- | | | | 4,500 | | | | 34,984 | |
Total | | | 0- | | | | 0- | | | | 11,030 | | | $ | 126,896 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, 2020 | | | Nine months ended June 30, 2020 | |
| | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Dividend reinvestment program (DRIP) | | | 3,570 | | | $ | 50,244 | | | | 8,989 | | | $ | 151,011 | |
Directors | | | 3,150 | | | | 36,619 | | | | 9,450 | | | | 127,469 | |
Leatherstocking Gas Company | | | 150 | | | | 2,327 | | | | 450 | | | | 8,120 | |
Total | | | 6,870 | | | $ | 89,190 | | | | 18,889 | | | $ | 286,600 | |
Shares issued to Leatherstocking Gas were used to compensate its independent director, Carl Hayden.
For the three months ended September 30, 2020, dividends were paid on October 15, 2020 to stockholders of record on September 30, 2020 in the amount of $468,235, less DRIP shares valued at $51,749. As of June 30, 2021, $469,898 was accrued for dividends paid on July 15, 2021 to stockholders of record on June 30, 2021.
Stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2021 were issued in August 2020. There was no stock option activity during the three or nine months ended June 30, 2021 and there were no outstanding stock options or stock option activity during the three or nine months ended June 30, 2020.
| | | | | | | | Weighted | |
| | | | | Weighted | | | Average | |
| | Number of | | | Average | | | Remaining Life | |
| | Options | | | Exercise Price | | | (years) | |
Outstanding at September 30, 2020 | | | 10,000 | | | $ | 16.50 | | | | 9.92 | |
Granted | | | 0- | | | | 0- | | | | - | |
Exercised | | | 0- | | | | 0- | | | | - | |
Expired or Forfeited | | | 0- | | | | 0- | | | | - | |
Outstanding at June 30, 2021 | | | 10,000 | | | $ | 16.50 | | | | 9.16 | |
Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock accrues cumulative dividends at a rate of 6.0% of the liquidation preference per share ($25.00) and are expected to be paid on or about the 14th day of April, July, October and January of each year. The dividends for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were $97,725 and $78,975, respectively. The dividends for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were $293,175 and $236,925, respectively. These dividends are recorded as interest expense. The amortization of the Series A Preferred Stock debt issuance costs for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $7,614 and $15,548, respectively. The amortization of the Series A Preferred Stock debt issuance costs for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $2,538 and $5,183, respectively.
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock accrues cumulative dividends at a rate of 4.8% of the liquidation preference per share ($20.75) and are expected to be paid on or about the 14th day of April, July, October and January of each year and began October 14, 2016. At September 30, 2020 there was $61,066 accrued for Series B dividends paid on October 15, 2020. As of June 30, 2021, $61,065 was accrued for dividends paid on July 15, 2021.
Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock accrues cumulative dividends at a rate of 6.0% of the liquidation preference per share ($25.00) and are expected to be paid on or about the 14th day of April, July, October and January of each year. The dividends for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were $67,500 and $74,250 respectively. The dividends for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were $202,500 and $74,250, respectively. These dividends are recorded as interest expense. The amortization of the Series C Preferred Stock debt issuance costs for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $186 and $0-, respectively. The amortization of the Series C Preferred Stock debt issuance costs for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $62 and $0, respectively.
Basic earnings (loss) per share are computed by dividing income (loss) available for common stock (net income less dividends declared on Series B Preferred Stock) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
293,116 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
Note 7 – Investment in Joint Ventures
The Holding Company had an interest in Leatherstocking Gas and Leatherstocking Pipeline, each of which was a joint venture with Mirabito Regulated Industries, LLC (“Mirabito”), accounted for by the equity method. On July 1, 2020, Leatherstocking Gas distributed to its members franchises, engineering and gas pipeline assets located in New York having a book value of $532,000. These assets were then contributed to the equity of Leatherstocking Gas Company of New York, Inc. The Company owns 50% of the common shares of the newly formed Leatherstocking NY and accounts for this investment using the equity method of accounting. Mirabito has the option to acquire the Company’s interests in Leatherstocking NY, for a purchase price of $100,000, beginning on the earlier of a change in control of the Company, or July 1, 2021, and ending on June 30, 2023. If this option remains unexercised on June 30, 2023, the Company has the option for sixty days to acquire Mirabito’s shares for a purchase price of $100,000. This option has not been exercised.
The following table represents the Holding Company’s investment activity in the Leatherstocking joint ventures for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:
| | 2021 | | 2020 |
Beginning balance in investment in joint ventures | | $ | 264,640 | | | $ | 2,597,919 | |
Cost adjustment | | | (808 | ) | | | 0- | |
Loss from joint ventures | | | (2,491 | ) | | | (50,442 | ) |
Ending balance in joint ventures | | $ | 261,341 | | | $ | 2,547,477 | |
As of and for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Joint Ventures financial summary is as follows:
| | 2021 | | 2020 |
Total assets | | $ | 528,000 | | | $ | 12,066,000 | |
Total liabilities | | $ | 5,000 | | | $ | 6,971,000 | |
Net (loss) income | | $ | (5,000 | ) | | $ | 101,000 | |
Note 8 – Income Taxes
Income tax (benefit) expense for the periods ended June 30 are as follows:
| | Three Months Ended | | | Three Months Ended | | | Nine Months Ended | | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | June 30, 2021 | | | June 30, 2020 | | | June 30, 2021 | | | June 30, 2020 | |
Current | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | - | |
Deferred | | | (461,187 | ) | | | (7,645 | ) | | | 682,918 | | | | 1,158,045 | |
Total | | $ | ( 461,187 | ) | | $ | (7,645 | ) | | $ | 682,918 | | | $ | 1,158,045 | |
Actual income tax expense for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 is significantly lower than tax calculated at the statutory rate (21%) due to tax free PPP loan forgiveness income at Corning Natural Gas, Pike, and at Leatherstocking (nine months ended June 30, 2021 only) offset by state income taxes and non-tax deductible dividends on Class A and Class C preferred stock that are recorded as interest expense and included in pre-tax income.
In July of 2021, the Company filed its federal and state income tax returns for fiscal 2020. The Company expects to receive a Pennsylvania state tax refund of prior year estimated tax payments of approximately $99,000. The refund has no impact on earnings.
Note 9 – Regulatory Matters
On February 27, 2020, Corning Gas filed with the NYPSC for increases in revenues of $6,255,926, $845,142, and $680,913 for the years ending January 31, 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively (Case 20-G-0101). These standalone rate year increases would impact customer bills by 23.4%, 2.56%, and 2.01%, respectively. The base period (test year) for this filing is the 12-month period ended September 30, 2019. The levelized amount would be $3,523,167 in each of the years ending January 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The levelized increases would impact customer bills by 10.93% per year. We have requested a levelized approach.
The filing with the NYPSC reflects a return on equity of 10.2% and pro-forma equity ratios of 50.67%, 52.95% and 55.26% for the 12-month periods ending January 31, 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively. The primary reasons for the rate increase are NYPSC mandated initiatives, including replacement of distribution pipe, and new safety, training, and cyber security requirements; and shorter depreciation lives for gas pipeline infrastructure to reflect recent state decarbonization legislation. These two items comprise approximately 50% of the rate case increase request. The balance of the request is to recover increases in health insurance, wages and other inflationary costs.
On June 26, 2020, the New York Department of Public Service Staff (“Staff”) filed its direct testimony in Case 20-G-0101. Staff recommended a one year revenue requirement of $517,063, compared to the Gas Company’s request of $6,223,603. The primary differences between Staff and the Gas Company’s revenue requirements is Staff’s equity return recommendation of 8.45% vs. 10.20%, disallowance of the Gas Company’s request for shorter depreciation lives, difference in health insurance cost escalators, extension of the recovery period of regulatory costs from three years to five years, and disallowance of leak repair amortization. The Gas Company disagrees with Staff’s proposals. In November of 2020, the parties requested that the Administrative Law Judges grant a four-month extension of time until May 31, 2021 to rule on the filing, with new rates being retroactively enacted as of February 1, 2021. The NYPSC approved the extension of the suspend period on January 22, 2021. In March of 2021, the parties to this case could not reach a settlement and the case proceeded to a hearing before two administrative law judges.
On May 19, 2021, the NYPSC issued a rate order in this case establishing rates and a rate plan for the Gas Company for a one-year period ending January 31, 2022 (“Rate Year”). The rate order disallowed the Company’s request for an increase in required revenue, and instead ordered a reduction of $766,000 from current rates. In the current rate order, the existing $1.3 million tax sur-credit (an adjustment to rates to refund to customers an amount owing them due to income tax rate reductions in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) expired, along with a $30,000 reduction to the annual Delivery Rate Adjustment. The net impact on the Gas Company’s customers was an increase of $505,000 for the Rate Year, retroactive to February 1, 2021. The NYPSC’s order also denied the Gas Company’s Deferral Petition that sought recovery of costs for a leak survey and a large number of repairs incurred as a safety measure in response to certain extraordinary winter conditions in 2015 of the type that cause damage to gas distribution systems. The Gas Company in the third quarter of 2021 recorded a reserve in the amount of $170,000 against its regulatory asset of approximately $340,000 for these costs. The Gas Company believes that these costs, net of the reserve, will be recoverable in rates as a result of it appeal of the NYPSC’s decision in its 2020 rate case. The NYPSC also refused to permit an increase in depreciation expense to account for the need to shorten its natural gas facilities service lives to reflect the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act(“CLCPA”) mandates that will virtually eliminate fossil fuel use and the need for natural gas facilities in New York State by the year 2050. The Gas Company is appealing the NYPSC’s decisions in this case and has filed a new rate case. (See Note 11 - “Subsequent Events”).
In March of 2021, the NYPSC issued a “Show Cause” order instructing Corning Gas to show cause why its PPP loan in the amount of $970,900 should not be refunded to its customers if and when the loan is forgiven. The Company requested, and the NYPSC granted, an extension of time until May 19, 2021 to file its response to the “Show Cause” order. On May 13, 2021, the Gas Company responded to the “Show Cause” order supporting its position that it will use PPP loan proceeds to fund COVID operating costs, lost commercial revenues, and customer bad debt increases (See Note 4 – Financing Activities). On May 21, 2021, the Corning Gas PPP loan was forgiven.
By petition dated September 3, 2020 in Case 20-G-0442, Corning Gas requested authority under Public Service Law Sec. 69 to issue approximately $29.5 million of long term debt through December 31, 2024. The proceeds are to be used principally to fund NYPSC mandated system safety and reliability measures, including replacement of older pipe and regulator stations; and purchase equipment, computer software and other supplies as necessary to maintain the distribution system. The NYPSC issued a financing order in April of 2021, permitting the Company to issue long term debt in the amount of $19.1 million. The Gas Company has agreed to this financing order.
Total Regulatory Assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as June 30, 2021 amounts to $14,951,279 compared to $14,213,457 at September 30, 2020. The Regulatory Assets include $977,630 at June 30, 2021 and $1,435,762 at September 30, 2020 that is subject to Deferred Accounting Petitions with the NYPSC and PAPUC. The remaining items in regulatory assets are either approved in rates, part of annual reconciliations approved by the NYSPSC and PAPUC, being challenged in court or approved through various commission directives.
On April 30, 2021, the Company and Argo filed with the NYPSC a Verified Joint Petition seeking NYPSC approval, pursuant to Section 70 of the New York Public Service Law for its merger. There is no statutory timeline for the NYPSC to make its decision concerning the petition.
Also on April 30, 2021, the Company and Argo filed with the PAPUC a Joint Application requesting certificates of public convenience from the PAPUC, and seeking all other PAPUC approvals necessary for the merger. There is no statutory deadline for the PAPUC to decide this type of application which seeks the issuance of a certificate of public convenience.
On October 24, 2020, Pike filed separate rate cases with the PAPUC for an increase in revenues for its electric services in the amount of $1,933,600 (Case R-2020-302235) and for an increase in revenues for its gas services in the amount of $262,200 (Case R-2020-3022134). Pike’s current rates have been in effect since 2014. In March of 2021, the parties to the rate cases agreed to settlements in both the electric case and the gas case, resulting in a rate increase of $1.4 million for electric, and $225,000 for gas. On June 25, 2021, the PAPUC issued a rate order approving the gas rate increase of $225,000, and on July 15, 2021, the PAPUC issued a rate order approving the electric rate increase in the amount of $1.4 million. Both rate increases took effect on July 28, 2021.
Note 10 – Segment Reporting
The Company’s reportable segments have been determined based upon the nature of the products and services offered, customer base, availability of discrete internal financial information, homogeneity of products, delivery channel and other factors.
The Gas Company is a gas distribution company providing gas on a commodity and transportation basis to its customers in the Southern Tier of New York State. Pike provides electricity and natural gas services to Pike County, Pennsylvania. Leatherstocking Gas and Leatherstocking Pipeline are presented together as the Leatherstocking Companies in the table below. Leatherstocking Gas provided natural gas service to customers in northeast Pennsylvania. Leatherstocking Pipeline has had no revenues since 2018. The Holding Company is the parent company of all subsidiaries and has a 50% ownership in Leatherstocking NY. The Appliance Company’s information is presented with the Holding Company as it has little activity.
The following table reflects the results of the segments consistent with the Holding Company’s internal financial reporting process. The following results are used in part, by management, both in evaluating the performance of, and in allocating resources to, each of the segments.
As of and for the three months ended June 30, 2021
| | | | | | | | Leatherstocking | | | Holding | | | Total | |
| | Gas Company | | | Pike | | | Companies* | | | Company | | | Consolidated | |
Total electric utility revenue | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 1,732,254 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 1,732,254 | |
Total gas utility revenue | | $ | 5,240,170 | | | $ | 297,800 | | | $ | 214,716 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 5,752,686 | |
Investment income | | $ | 92,272 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 92,282 | |
Income (loss) on joint ventures | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 5,022 | | | $ | 5,022 | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 523,241 | | | $ | 79,953 | | | $ | (132,069 | ) | | $ | (198,259 | ) | | $ | 272,866 | |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | $ | (273,686 | ) | | $ | (28,188 | ) | | $ | (56,868 | ) | | $ | (102,445 | ) | | $ | (461,187 | ) |
Interest expense | | $ | 656,976 | | | $ | 159,652 | | | $ | 83,971 | | | $ | 177,231 | | | $ | 1,077,830 | |
Depreciation expense | | $ | 486,430 | | | $ | 242,506 | | | $ | 91,791 | | | $ | 915 | | | $ | 821,642 | |
Amortization expense | | $ | 53,164 | | | $ | 76,923 | | | $ | 3,042 | | | $ | 12,006 | | | $ | 145,135 | |
Total assets | | $ | 97,913,031 | | | $ | 31,126,740 | | | $ | 12,699,615 | | | $ | 737,456 | | | $ | 142,476,842 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 1,522,861 | | | $ | 721,828 | | | $ | 316,642 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 2,561,331 | |
*Acquired July 1, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of and for the three months ended June 30, 2020
| | | | | | | | Leatherstocking | | | Holding | | | Total | |
| | Gas Company | | | Pike | | | Companies* | | | Company | | | Consolidated | |
Total electric utility revenue | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 1,448,456 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 1,448,456 | |
Total gas utility revenue | | $ | 5,263,478 | | | $ | 276,818 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 5,540,296 | |
Investment income (expense) | | $ | 173,752 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | (8,622 | ) | | $ | 165,130 | |
Loss from joint ventures | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | (53,912 | ) | | $ | (53,912 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 542,944 | | | $ | (50,740 | ) | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 65,401 | | | $ | 557,605 | |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | $ | 293,408 | | | $ | (13,023 | ) | | $ | 0- | | | $ | (288,030 | ) | | $ | (7,645 | ) |
Interest expense | | $ | 326,616 | | | $ | 162,552 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 136,113 | | | $ | 625,281 | |
Depreciation expense | | $ | 466,658 | | | $ | 181,074 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 915 | | | $ | 648,647 | |
Amortization expense | | $ | 68,190 | | | $ | 97,431 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 11,965 | | | $ | 177,586 | |
Total assets | | $ | 92,719,009 | | | $ | 28,938,796 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 3,339,499 | | | $ | 124,997,304 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 1,231,859 | | | $ | 551,212 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 1,783,071 | |
*Acquired July 1, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of and for the nine months ended June 30, 2021
| | | | | | | | Leatherstocking | | | Holding | | | Total | |
| | Gas Company | | | Pike | | | Companies* | | | Company | | | Consolidated | |
Total electric utility revenue | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 5,396,020 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 5,396,020 | |
Total gas utility revenue | | $ | 20,780,160 | | | $ | 1,699,504 | | | $ | 1,151,693 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 23,631,357 | |
Investment income | | $ | 361,767 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 54 | | | $ | 361,821 | |
Loss from joint ventures | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | (2,491 | ) | | $ | (2,491 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 3,607,108 | | | $ | 176,704 | | | $ | (84,056 | ) | | $ | (913,649 | ) | | $ | 2,786,107 | |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | $ | 927,446 | | | $ | 24,649 | | | $ | (69,521 | ) | | $ | (199,656 | ) | | $ | 682,918 | |
Interest expense | | $ | 1,324,312 | | | $ | 472,847 | | | $ | 239,625 | | | $ | 531,693 | | | $ | 2,568,477 | |
Depreciation expense | | $ | 1,476,765 | | | $ | 713,789 | | | $ | 356,552 | | | $ | 2,745 | | | $ | 2,549,851 | |
Amortization expense | | $ | 184,595 | | | $ | 262,627 | | | $ | 9,126 | | | $ | 36,018 | | | $ | 492,366 | |
Total assets | | $ | 97,913,031 | | | $ | 31,126,740 | | | $ | 12,699,615 | | | $ | 737,456 | | | $ | 142,476,842 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 4,031,438 | | | $ | 2,246,512 | | | $ | 678,887 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 6,956,837 | |
*Acquired July 1, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of and for the nine months ended June 30, 2020
| | | | | | | | Leatherstocking | | | Holding | | | Total | |
| | Gas Company | | | Pike | | | Companies* | | | Company | | | Consolidated | |
Total electric utility revenue | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 4,774,273 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 4,774,273 | |
Total gas utility revenue | | $ | 21,010,695 | | | $ | 1,311,160 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 22,321,855 | |
Investment income | | $ | 96,290 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 114 | | | $ | 96,404 | |
Income from joint ventures | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | (50,442 | ) | | $ | (50,442 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 3,725,463 | | | $ | 65,949 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | (74,650 | ) | | $ | 3,716,762 | |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | $ | 1,387,459 | | | $ | 49,220 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | (278,634 | ) | | $ | 1,158,045 | |
Interest expense | | $ | 1,018,235 | | | $ | 508,082 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 317,951 | | | $ | 1,844,268 | |
Depreciation expense | | $ | 1,402,213 | | | $ | 543,222 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 2,745 | | | $ | 1,948,180 | |
Amortization expense | | $ | 221,629 | | | $ | 303,767 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 35,853 | | | $ | 561,249 | |
Total assets | | $ | 92,719,009 | | | $ | 28,938,796 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 3,339,499 | | | $ | 124,997,304 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 4,329,908 | | | $ | 1,610,654 | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 0- | | | $ | 5,940,562 | |
*Acquired July 1, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Note 11 – Subsequent Events
Article 78
The Gas Company, on July 15, 2021, filed a petition with the State of New York Supreme Court in Albany County pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules to review and set aside the NYPSC’s May 19, 2021 Order that was issued in PSC cases 20-G-0101 and 16-G-0204 involving the Gas Company’s rates for gas services (See Note 9 – Regulatory Matters). The Company’s petition claims that the NYPSC’s decision was arbitrary and capricious and an abuse of discretion, affected by errors of law, and in violation of established regulatory procedure.
The Gas Company’s petition requests a judgment: (1) annulling and setting aside the Order as arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of discretion, affected by errors of law, in violation of lawful regulatory procedure, and unsupported by substantial evidence in the record, insofar as the Order implements four areas of “austerity” adjustments and denies recovery of leak survey and repair costs; (2) remanding this matter to the NYPSC for further proceedings consistent with the Court’s judgment; and (3) granting such other and further relief as may be just and proper.
The resolution of this matter is unknown.
Rate Case
On July 16, 2021, the Gas Company filed a three-year rate plan with the NYPSC for rate years ending on June 30, 2023, 2024, and 2025. The rate increases requested for the three year rate plan are $5,758,453, $1,643,355, and $989,061, respectively. In its filing, the Gas Company proposes a rate plan with levelized increases over three years in the amount of $3,591,855 per year. These rates, if implemented, would impact customer bills by 11.14% in each year.
The requested rate increases are caused by the need to fund capital expenditures mandated by the NYPSC, recovery of increased property taxes, insurance and labor costs, and other operating expenses. The return on equity (“ROE”) requested in this case is 10.2%. The current allowed ROE is 8.8%.
A decision on the Gas Company’s filing is expected within eleven months from the filing date. The NYPSC can approve, deny or modify the Company’s request. The NYPSC can also combine this rate case with the merger case (See Note 1 – “Basis For Presentation”).
Taxes
The Gas Company contested property tax assessments on its inactive compressor station facility located in the Town of Caton, New York for tax years 2019 and 2020. The parties to this contest have agreed to a settlement that we expect to conclude in the fourth quarter of 2021, that will result in a refund of property taxes and income of approximately $100,000, and future property tax reductions of approximately $50,000 per year.
On July 1, 2021, the Gas Company filed amended payroll tax returns seeking a refund of federal payroll taxes in the amount of $53,000 related to payroll tax relief provided for COVID related paid leave for its employees.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains statements which, to the extent they are not recitations of historical facts, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Reform Act). The words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "could" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the Reform Act. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be achieved. As forward-looking statements, these statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause results to differ materially from our management's expectations include, but are not limited to, those listed under Item 1A - "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, in addition to:
* | the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, |
* | completion of the pending merger with Argo, |
* | the effect of an interruption in our supply of natural gas or electricity or a substantial increase in the price of natural gas or electricity, |
* | our ability to successfully negotiate new supply agreements for natural gas and electricity as they expire, on terms favorable to us, or at all, |
* | the effect on our operations of actions by the NYPSC or PAPUC, |
* | the effect of litigation, |
* | the effect on our operations of unexpected changes in legal or regulatory requirements, including environmental and energy consumption regulations and laws, |
* | the amount of natural gas produced and directed through our pipeline by producers, |
* | our successful completion of various capital projects and the use of pipelines, compressor stations and storage by customers and counterparties at levels consistent with our expectations, |
* | The effect of weather on our utility infrastructure, |
* | our ability to retain the services of our senior executives and other key employees, |
* | our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions generally and particularly the effect of those conditions on our major customers, |
* | the impact of New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act legislation on the Company’s ability to recover in cost of service through depreciation expense its investment in utility plant, |
* | the effect of any leaks in our transportation and delivery pipelines, |
* | competition to our gas transportation business from other pipelines, and |
* | the possibility of cyber and malware attacks. |
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events.
Overview
Our financial results for the quarter and year to date period ended June 30, 2021, and for the comparable quarter and year to date June 30, 2020, were impacted by several non- recurring, but material events. These events have been described in more detail throughout this report but are summarized in this paragraph. We recognized as non- operating income $1.1 million of PPP loan forgiveness, offset by a regulatory reserve in the amount of $490,000 in 2021. As a result of our rate case that concluded in May of 2021, we wrote down as an operating expense a regulatory asset for leak repairs ($175,000) and as interest expense an accrual of interest income ($231,000), the recovery of which were denied in our rate case. In addition, we incurred additional merger transaction costs in the amount of $126,000. In the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we recognized as a reduction of income tax expense a non- recurring AMT tax credit refund in the account of $272,000. As a result of these non-recurring items, earnings for the quarter were $95,000 (after tax) greater than earnings in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, but operating income for the current fiscal quarter was $218,000 (after tax) lower than operating income for the comparable quarter for fiscal 2020. For our fiscal year to date 2021, earnings were $432,000 (after tax) lower than year to date earnings for fiscal year to date 2020, and operating income for fiscal 2021 was $701,000 (after tax) less than operating income in fiscal 2020.
New York and Pennsylvania government authorities, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, imposed restrictions on social activities, closed schools and placed operating restrictions on commercial operations in our franchise areas beginning in March of 2020. Many pandemic related restrictions have been lifted and businesses have re-opened. The Company is now focused on completing work on inspecting and remediating interior property/customer services that were restricted during the pandemic, most of which require work done on customer premises. Our customer service specialists are working with customers to bring them current on their utility bills. We are assisting pandemic affected customers to access government funding designed to help customers pay current and past due utility bills. The Company has limited service termination options in New York and in Pennsylvania. The Company is still recovering from the impact of lost revenues, mostly from commercial customers, due to the pandemic.
On July 1, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of its partner’s 50% interests in Leatherstocking Gas Company, LLC, and Leatherstocking Pipeline Company, LLC (the “Leatherstocking Companies”). Since July 1, 2020, the financial information of the Leatherstocking Companies is included in the Company’s consolidated financial information.
We believe our key performance indicators are net income, stockholders’ equity and the safety and reliability of our systems. Net income decreased by $284,739 for the three months and decreased $930,655 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the three months and nine months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. Our decline in earnings is attributable to transaction costs related to our merger (See Note 1), increased interest expense, depreciation expense, a rate decrease in Corning offset by higher investment income and forgiveness of PPP loans. In addition, the Company recognized a large non- recurring income tax refund in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, which increased 2020 earnings for both the third quarter and for the fiscal year 2020. Because the Holding Company’s principal operations are conducted through Corning Gas and Pike, both regulated utility companies, stockholders’ equity is an important performance indicator. The NYPSC and PAPUC allow the Company the opportunities to earn a just and reasonable return on stockholders’ equity as determined under applicable regulations. Stockholders’ equity is, therefore, a precursor of future earnings potential. As of June 30, 2021, compared to June 30, 2020, stockholders’ equity increased from $36,866,581 to $37,243,854. We plan to continue our focus on building stockholders’ equity. Safety and efficiency indicators include leak repair, main and service replacements and customer service metrics.
We continue to focus on improving the efficiency of our operations and making capital investments to improve our infrastructure. Corning Gas’s infrastructure improvement program concentrates on the replacement of older distribution mains and customer service lines. In the first nine months of fiscal 2021 the Gas Company repaired 77 leaks, replaced 138 bare steel services and replaced or remediated 7.24 miles of older steel main. In fiscal 2020 the Gas Company repaired 184 leaks, replaced 229 bare steel services and replaced 8.6 miles of older steel main. In the first nine months of fiscal 2021 Pike replaced approximately 74 poles. In fiscal 2020 Pike replaced approximately 150 poles and did extensive tree trimming to maintain our electric infrastructure. On January 18, 2019 Pike filed a gas Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (“LTIIP”) to accelerate replacement of cast iron, wrought iron and bare steel pipe over 11 years. The PAPUC approved the LTIIP plan on June 13, 2019.
Key financial performance indicators:
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | Nine Months Ended June 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Net income | | $ | 272,866 | | | $ | 557,605 | | | $ | 2,786,107 | | | $ | 3,716,762 | |
Stockholders' equity | | $ | 37,243,854 | | | $ | 36,866,581 | | | $ | 37,243,854 | | | $ | 36,866,581 | |
Stockholders' equity per outstanding common share | | $ | 12.08 | | | $ | 12.02 | | | $ | 12.08 | | | $ | 12.02 | |
Gas Revenue and Margin
Retail gas revenue decreased $33,362 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and increased $1,069,382 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods last year. The revenue decrease for the three month period results from an increase in gas costs recovery of $443,890 offset by a decrease in delivery revenues of $477,252. The revenue increase for the nine month period includes higher gas cost recovery of $1,140,018 offset by a decrease in delivery revenues of $70,636.
Other gas revenue increased $245,752 for the three months and $240,120 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods last year. The components of this increase are detailed in the tables below.
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Nine months ended June 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Retail gas revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential | | $ | 3,440,603 | | | $ | 3,753,207 | | | $ | 14,673,030 | | | $ | 14,328,356 | |
Commercial | | | 570,433 | | | | 427,187 | | | | 2,556,525 | | | | 2,184,918 | |
Transportation | | | 1,046,768 | | | | 937,403 | | | | 3,936,348 | | | | 3,679,551 | |
Wholesale | | | 366,319 | | | | 339,688 | | | | 1,603,141 | | | | 1,506,837 | |
Total retail gas revenue | | $ | 5,424,123 | | | $ | 5,457,485 | | | $ | 22,769,044 | | | $ | 21,699,662 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other gas revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Local production | | $ | 105,206 | | | $ | 170,495 | | | $ | 459,692 | | | $ | 533,743 | |
Customer discounts forfeited | | | (26 | ) | | | (246 | ) | | | (34 | ) | | | 39,731 | |
Reconnect fees | | | 195 | | | | 22 | | | | 255 | | | | 1,374 | |
Surcharges | | | 1,072 | | | | 173 | | | | (843 | ) | | | 1,226 | |
Other (see detail below) | | | 222,116 | | | | (87,633 | ) | | | 403,243 | | | | 46,119 | |
Total other gas revenue | | $ | 328,563 | | | $ | 82,811 | | | $ | 862,313 | | | $ | 622,193 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total gas operating revenue | | $ | 5,752,686 | | | $ | 5,540,296 | | | $ | 23,631,357 | | | $ | 22,321,855 | |
The following table details amounts making up the Other line in the schedule of Other gas revenue above:
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Nine months ended June 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Other gas revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Delivery Rate Adjustment (DRA) carrying costs | | $ | 857 | | | $ | 829 | | | $ | 3,904 | | | $ | 4,617 | |
Contract customer reconciliation | | | 565 | | | | 21,275 | | | | (71,909 | ) | | | (113,780 | ) |
Monthly RDM amortizations | | | 124,162 | | | | (250,641 | ) | | | 38,461 | | | | (483,712 | ) |
Local production revenues | | | (2,963 | ) | | | 17,377 | | | | 23,041 | | | | 37,200 | |
2017 Jobs Act federal Income tax reconciliation | | | 464,159 | | | | 89,039 | | | | 920,923 | | | | 540,789 | |
Regulatory liability reserve | | | (340,929 | ) | | | — | | | | (512,839 | ) | | | — | |
Customer performance incentive | | | — | | | | 32,000 | | | | — | | | | 32,000 | |
Capacity release revenues | | | 7,309 | | | | 7,190 | | | | 28,136 | | | | 33,249 | |
All other | | | (31,044 | ) | | | (4,702 | ) | | | (26,474 | ) | | | (4,244 | ) |
Total other gas revenues | | $ | 222,116 | | | ($ | 87,633 | ) | | $ | 403,243 | | | $ | 46,119 | |
Gas purchases are our largest expenses. Purchased gas expense increased $442,714 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and $904,965 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods last year. The increase in costs for the three month period is due primarily to higher gas cost purchases in the amount of $266,310 and an increase in prior period gas cost recoveries in the amount of $176,404. The increase in costs for the nine month period is due primarily to higher gas cost purchases in the amount of $282,804 and an increase in prior period gas cost recoveries in the amount of $622,161.
Gas margin (the excess of utility gas revenue over the cost of natural gas purchased) decreased $230,324 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and increased $404,537 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods last year. The margin for the three month period was negatively impacted by decreased customer sales. The margin for the nine month period was positively impacted by increased customer sales that includes the Leatherstocking Gas purchase on July 1, 2020. The margin for the nine month period was also positively affected by regulatory adjustments associated with a PAPUC fuel audit of $95,158 and prior year gas cost reconciliation of $156,575.
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | Nine Months Ended June 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Gas Margin: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Utility Gas Revenues | | $ | 5,752,686 | | | $ | 5,540,296 | | | $ | 23,631,357 | | | $ | 22,321,855 | |
Natural Gas Purchased | | | 1,382,120 | | | | 939,406 | | | | 6,131,547 | | | | 5,226,582 | |
Margin | | $ | 4,370,566 | | | $ | 4,600,890 | | | $ | 17,499,810 | | | $ | 17,095,273 | |
Margin % | | | 75.97 | % | | | 83.04 | % | | | 74.05 | % | | | 76.59 | % |
Electric Revenue and Margin
Retail electric revenue increased $268,686 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and $650,427 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods last year. The increase for the three month period results from an increase in purchased power recovery of $227,836 and an increase in delivery revenues of $40,850. The increase for the nine month period primarily results from increased delivery revenues of $797,168 net of recovery of lower purchased power costs of $146,741.
Other electric revenues increased $15,112 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and decreased $28,680 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods last year. The components of these decreases are detailed in the tables below.
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Nine months ended June 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Retail electric revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Residential | | $ | 846,231 | | | $ | 746,204 | | | $ | 2,768,809 | | | $ | 2,364,886 | |
Commercial | | | 847,893 | | | | 680,267 | | | | 2,472,137 | | | | 2,228,534 | |
Street lights | | | 31,353 | | | | 30,320 | | | | 94,814 | | | | 91,913 | |
Total retail electric revenue | | $ | 1,725,477 | | | $ | 1,456,791 | | | $ | 5,335,760 | | | $ | 4,685,333 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other electric revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customer discounts forfeited | | $ | 76,701 | | | ($ | 240 | ) | | $ | 76,701 | | | $ | 2,761 | |
Third party billings | | | (59,343 | ) | | | 3,511 | | | | — | | | | 104,710 | |
Other | | | (10,581 | ) | | | (11,606 | ) | | | (16,441 | ) | | | (18,531 | ) |
Total other electric revenue | | $ | 6,777 | | | ($ | 8,335 | ) | | $ | 60,260 | | | $ | 88,940 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total electric operating revenue | | $ | 1,732,254 | | | $ | 1,448,456 | | | $ | 5,396,020 | | | $ | 4,774,273 | |
Electricity costs increased $214,394 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and $705,893 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods last year. The increase for the three month period is due primarily to increases in purchased power costs of $299,429 and a decrease of prior period gas cost recoveries of $85,036. The increase for the nine month period is due primarily to increase in purchased power costs needed to serve our customers of $615,906 and an unfavorable regulatory adjustment resulting from a PAPUC fuel audit net of prior period gas cost recoveries amounting to $89,987.
Electric margin (the excess of utility electric revenue over the cost of purchased power costs) increased $69,404 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and decreased $84,146 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods last year. The margin for the three month period was positively impacted by increased revenues. The margin for the nine month period was negatively impacted by a regulatory adjustment resulting from a PAPUC fuel audit of $198,823.
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | Nine Months Ended June 30, | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Electric Margin: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Utility Electric Revenues | | $ | 1,732,254 | | | $ | 1,448,456 | | | $ | 5,396,020 | | | $ | 4,774,273 | |
Electricity Purchased | | | 478,614 | | | | 264,220 | | | | 1,632,781 | | | | 926,888 | |
Margin | | $ | 1,253,640 | | | $ | 1,184,236 | | | $ | 3,763,239 | | | $ | 3,847,385 | |
Margin % | | | 72.37 | % | | | 81.76 | % | | | 69.74 | % | | | 80.59 | % |
Operating and Interest Expenses
Operating and maintenance expense increased $1,056,597 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and increased $2,111,346 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods last year. The increase for the three month period primarily results from additional expenses associated with 100% ownership of Leatherstocking Gas Company of $183,962, merger costs of $125,913, leak repair write down of $174,773, regulatory liability reserve of $490,052 and all other costs-net of $81,897. The increase for the nine month period primarily results from additional expenses associated with 100% ownership of Leatherstocking Gas Company of $545,556, merger costs of $551,296, leak repair write down of $174,773, liability reserve of $490,052 and all other costs, including pandemic related costs, in the amount of $ 349,669.
Taxes other than income taxes increased $76,216 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and $40,523 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods last year. The increase for the three month period primarily results from a property tax increase of $58,694 and gross receipts tax increase of $10,519 net of decrease in payroll taxes of $2,997. The increase for the nine month period results from a property tax increase of $42,310 and gross receipts increase of $9,888 net of decrease in payroll taxes of $11,675.
Depreciation expense increased by $172,995 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and $601,671 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods last year. The increases resulted from additional depreciation expense from utility plant placed in service and depreciation expense associated with 100% ownership of Leatherstocking assets.
Interest expense increased $452,549 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and $724,209 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the same periods last year. The increases were due to higher levels of debt to support our mandated infrastructure improvement program, interest expense associated with 100% ownership of Leatherstocking assets, write down of deferred interest expense in the amount of $231,000, and additional dividends associated with outstanding Preferred Series A and C shares which are recorded as interest expense.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Holding Company does not have borrowings (excluding Series A and Series C Preferred Stock that is classified as debt) at the corporate level and has no access to liquidity except through dividends and distributions from its subsidiaries as well as equity issuances. Its principal liquidity requirements are for investments in the Leatherstocking Companies to permit those companies to make the capital expenditures required to provide services to their customers, for dividend payments to the Holding Company’s stockholders and to fund costs associated with the pending merger with Argo.
The Gas Company’s internally generated cash from operating activities consists of net income, adjusted for non-cash expenses, and changes in operating assets and liabilities. Non-cash items include depreciation and amortization, investment gains and losses, and deferred income taxes. Over or under-recovered gas costs significantly impact cash flow. In addition, there are significant year-to-year changes in regulatory assets that impact cash flow. The Gas Company’s cash flow is seasonal. Cash expenditures are the highest in the summer and fall months when we refill gas storage and conduct our construction programs. Our cash receipts are highest during the heating season. At Pike cash flow is strongest in the winter and summer when customer demand for natural gas and electricity are highest. Given year-round electric sales, Pike is less seasonal than the Gas Company.
Capital expenditures are funded by both operating cash and new debt. In fiscal 2021 to date, the Company has spent approximately $7.0 million on projects and safety-related infrastructure improvements. This, in conjunction with our growth projects, creates liquidity pressure on the Holding Company. We anticipate that our aggressive capital construction program will continue to require the Holding Company to raise new debt and/or equity.
Cash flows from financing activities of the Company consist of long-term borrowings, repayment of long-term debt, net borrowings and repayments under our lines-of-credit, and quarterly dividend payments. For the Gas Company’s operations, it has an $8.0 million revolving line of credit with M&T Bank. Interest is a variable rate determined by the Gas Company’s funded debt to EBITDA ratio calculated ninety days after the end of each quarter added to the daily LIBOR rate with no additional collateral or covenants beyond those included in the M&T Bank term notes. The amount outstanding under this line as of June 30, 2021 was $5.5 million with an interest rate of 3.10%.
Pike has a $2.0 million revolving line of credit with M&T Bank. Interest is a variable rate determined by Pike’s funded debt to EBITDA ratio calculated ninety days after the end of each quarter added to the daily LIBOR rate with no additional collateral or covenants beyond those included in the M&T Bank term notes. The amount outstanding under this line on June 30, 2021 was approximately $1.8 million with an interest rate of 2.87%.
Leatherstocking has a $1.5 million revolving line of credit with Wayne Bank. Interest on the line of credit is the prime rate (3.25% at June 30, 2021). The line of credit is for an indefinite period, is guaranteed by Leatherstocking Pipeline, and is secured by Leatherstocking Gas and Leatherstocking Pipeline assets. The amount outstanding under this line on June 30, 2021 was approximately $1.4 million.
The Company was in compliance with all of its loan covenants as of June 30, 2021.
During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Gas Company mainly withdrew gas from storage, had a balance of $789,251 worth of gas in storage. The volume in storage at June 30, 2021 was 390,336 thousand cubic feet (“Mcf”) at an average price of $1.98 per Mcf. At June 23, 2020, the Company had a balance of $709,051 worth of gas in storage. The volume in storage at June 30, 2020 was 380,805 Mcf at an average price of $1.88 per Mcf. During the next quarter, the Gas Company expects to be injecting gas into storage to have sufficient gas to supply customers for the winter season.
As of June 30, 2021, we believe that cash flow from operating activities and borrowings under our lines of credit will be sufficient to satisfy our working capital and debt service requirements over the next twelve months. We believe new debt will be required to satisfy our capital expenditures and to finance our internal growth needs for the next twelve months. We are confident we can finance them with our current lender.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Holding Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020, filed on December 21, 2020. There have been no significant changes in our accounting policies during the three or nine months ended June 30, 2021.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of June 30, 2021, the Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon the Company’s evaluation, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of June 30, 2021.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that was conducted during the last fiscal quarter for the Company, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
| Item 1. | Legal Proceedings. |
The Holding Company and its subsidiaries have lawsuits and complaints pending of the type incurred in the normal course of business. The Company expects that any potential losses will be covered by insurance, subject to deductibles, and will not have a material adverse impact on the Company.
Please refer to risk factors listed under Item 1A – “Risk Factors” of the Holding Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, for disclosure relating to certain risk factors applicable to the Company.
| Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. |
None
| Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities. |
None
| Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures. |
Not applicable
| Item 5. | Other Information. |
None
31.1** | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and President pursuant to 17 CFR Section 240.13a-14 |
31.2** | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer pursuant to 17 CFR Section 240.13a-14 |
32.1** | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
101** | The following materials from the Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation Quarterly Report on Form |
| 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2021, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): |
| (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, |
| (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, |
| (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months and nine months |
| ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, |
| (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, and |
| (v) related notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements |
| |
** Filed herewith
*** Furnished herewith
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| CORNING NATURAL GAS HOLDING CORPORATION |
Date: August 11, 2021 | By: /s/ Michael I. German |
| Michael I. German, Chief Executive Officer and President |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
Date: August 11, 2021 | By: /s/ Charles A. Lenns |
| Charles A. Lenns, Chief Financial Officer |
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |