MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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This Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) dated February 25, 2021 is provided to enable readers to assess the results of operations, liquidity, and capital resources of AltaGas Ltd. ("AltaGas", the "Company" or the "Corporation") as at and for the year ended December 31, 2020. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto of AltaGas as at and for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The Consolidated Financial Statements and comparative information have been prepared in accordance with United States (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Throughout this MD&A, references to GAAP refer to U.S. GAAP and dollars refer to Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Abbreviations, acronyms and capitalized terms used in this MD&A without express definition shall have the same meanings given to those terms in the MD&A as at and for the year ended December 31, 2020 or the Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2020.
This MD&A contains forward-looking information (forward-looking statements). Words such as "may", "can", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "aim", "seek", "propose", "contemplate", "estimate", "focus", "strive", "forecast", "expect", "project", "target", "potential", "objective", "continue", "outlook", "vision", "opportunity" and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance, as they relate to the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this MD&A contains forward-looking statements with respect to, among other things, business objectives, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business projects and opportunities and financial results. Specifically, such forward-looking statements included in this document include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the following: potential post-acquisition contingent payments with regard to the Petrogas acquisition; upcoming director retirement; AltaGas' core strategy, including with regard to plans for dividend payments; 2021 strategic priorities; expectation of 2021 annual consolidated normalized EBITDA of approximately $1.4 to $1.5 billion; anticipated 2021 normalized earnings per share of approximately $1.45 to $1.55 per share; assumed effective tax rate of approximately 23 percent in 2021; expectation that the Utilities segment will contribute approximately 60 percent of normalized EBITDA for 2021; expected growth drivers of normalized EBITDA in the Utilities segment; drivers of expected growth in the Midstream segment; expected lower normalized EBITDA from the Corporate/Other segment in 2021; estimated NGLs exposed to frac spreads prior to hedging activities; plans to manage frac exposed NGL volumes; expected net capital expenditures of approximately $910 million in 2021; anticipated segment allocation of capital expenditures; expectation for 2021 committed capital program to be funded through internally-generated cash flow and normal course borrowings on existing committed credit facilities; the estimated cost, status and expected in-service dates for growth capital projects in the Midstream and Utilities businesses; expected filing, procedure and decision dates for rate cases in the Utilities business; expected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AltaGas’ business, operations and results in 2021; future changes in accounting policies and adoption of new accounting standards; and AltaGas’ long term strategy. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements reflect AltaGas’ current expectations, estimates, and projections based on certain material factors and assumptions at the time the statement was made. Material assumptions include: assumptions regarding asset sales anticipated to close in 2021, effective tax rate of approximately 23 percent, U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rates; expected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; propane price differentials; degree day variance from normal; pension discount rate; financing initiatives; the performance of the businesses underlying each sector; impacts of the hedging program; commodity prices; weather; frac spread; access to capital; timing and receipt of regulatory approvals; timing of regulatory approvals related to Utilities projects; seasonality; planned and unplanned plant outages; timing of in-service dates of new projects and acquisition and divestiture activities; taxes; operational expenses; returns on investments; dividend levels; and transaction costs.
AltaGas’ forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations, including, without limitation: risk related to COVID -19; health and safety risks; risks related to the integration of Petrogas; operating risks; regulatory risks; cyber security, information, and control systems; litigation risk;
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climate-related risks, including carbon pricing; changes in law; political uncertainty and civil unrest; infrastructure risks; service interruptions; decommissioning, abandonment and reclamation costs; reputation risk; weather data; Indigenous land and rights claims; crown duty to consult with Indigenous peoples; capital market and liquidity risks; general economic conditions; internal credit risk; foreign exchange risk; debt financing, refinancing, and debt service risk; interest rates; technical systems and processes incidents; dependence on certain partners; growth strategy risk; construction and development; transportation of petroleum products; impact of competition in AltaGas' businesses; counterparty credit risk; market risk; composition risk; collateral; rep agreements; delays in U.S. Federal Government budget appropriations; market value of common shares and other securities; variability of dividends; potential sales of additional shares; volume throughput; natural gas supply risk; risk management costs and limitations; underinsured and uninsured losses; commitments associated with regulatory approvals for the acquisition of WGL; securities class action suits and derivative suits; electricity and resource adequacy prices; cost of providing retirement plan benefits; labor relations; key personnel; failure of service providers; compliance with Section 404(a) of Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and the other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Corporation’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2020 (AIF) and set out in AltaGas’ other continuous disclosure documents.
Many factors could cause AltaGas' or any particular business segment's actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those described in this MD&A, including, without limitation, those listed above and the assumptions upon which they are based proving incorrect. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this MD&A as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, sought, proposed, estimated, forecasted, expected, projected or targeted and such forward-looking statements included in this MD&A, should not be unduly relied upon. The impact of any one assumption, risk, uncertainty, or other factor on a particular forward-looking statement cannot be determined with certainty because they are interdependent and AltaGas’ future decisions and actions will depend on management’s assessment of all information at the relevant time. Such statements speak only as of the date of this MD&A. AltaGas does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law. The forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.
Financial outlook information contained in this MD&A about prospective financial performance, financial position, or cash flows is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on AltaGas Management's assessment of the relevant information currently available. Readers are cautioned that such financial outlook information contained in this MD&A should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.
Additional information relating to AltaGas, including its quarterly and annual MD&A and Consolidated Financial Statements, Annual Information Form, and press releases are available through AltaGas' website at www.altagas.ca or through SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
AltaGas Business Overview and Organization
AltaGas is a leading North American energy infrastructure company that connects natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) to domestic and global markets. The Company operates a diversified, low-risk, high-growth Utilities and Midstream business that is focused on delivering resilient and durable value for its stakeholders.
Within the Company’s Utilities segment, AltaGas owns and operates rate regulated Utilities assets that provide natural gas to 1.7 million end-users across five U.S. jurisdictions (Virginia, Maryland, Michigan, the District of Columbia, and Alaska). The principal focus of the segment is to provide its customers with safe, reliable and affordable energy to heat and power their homes and places of work in order to carry out everyday life. The segment provides AltaGas with stable earnings and cash flow with approximately 70 percent of the Company’s Utilities customers being residential and the balance being commercial and industrial users.
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Within AltaGas’ Midstream segment, the Company owns and operates a number of large energy infrastructure assets that are principally focused on: 1) gathering, processing, and fractionating raw natural gas production into pipeline quality natural gas and NGLs; and 2) connecting natural gas and NGLs to domestic and global downstream markets. This includes AltaGas operating two large LPG export terminals on the North American west coast that ship propane and butane to key Asian markets.
The businesses of AltaGas are operated by the Company and a number of its subsidiaries including, without limitation, AltaGas Services (U.S.) Inc., AltaGas Utility Holdings (U.S.) Inc., WGL Holdings, Inc. (WGL), Wrangler 1 LLC, Wrangler SPE LLC, Washington Gas Resources Corporation, WGL Energy Services, Inc. (WGL Energy Services), and SEMCO Holding Corporation; in regard to the Utilities business, Washington Gas Light Company (Washington Gas), Hampshire Gas Company, and SEMCO Energy, Inc. (SEMCO); in regard to the Midstream business, AltaGas Extraction and Transmission Limited Partnership, AltaGas Pipeline Partnership, AltaGas Processing Partnership, AltaGas Northwest Processing Limited Partnership, Harmattan Gas Processing Limited Partnership, Ridley Island LPG Export Limited Partnership, and WGL Midstream Inc. (WGL Midstream); and, in regard to remaining assets in the Corporate/Other segment, AltaGas Power Holdings (U.S.) Inc., WGL Energy Systems, Inc. (WGL Energy Systems), and Blythe Energy Inc. (Blythe). SEMCO conducts its Michigan natural gas distribution business under the name SEMCO Energy Gas Company (SEMCO Gas), its Alaska natural gas distribution business under the name ENSTAR Natural Gas Company (ENSTAR) and its 65 percent interest in an Alaska regulated gas storage utility under the name Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska LLC (CINGSA). Petrogas Energy Corporation (Petrogas) was also added as a subsidiary of AltaGas upon the close of the acquisition on December 15, 2020.
Acquisition of Petrogas
On December 15, 2020, following the receipt of all required approvals, AltaGas acquired an additional 37 percent of Petrogas Energy Corp. (the Petrogas Acquisition) for total cash consideration upon close of approximately $715 million. Additional post-acquisition contingent payments of up to $16 million may be paid no later than 2022 based on certain criteria, including earnings targets being met. AltaGas funded the transaction through draws on its existing credit facilities. As a result of the transaction, AltaGas' ownership in Petrogas has increased to approximately 74 percent with Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. (Idemitsu) owning the remaining approximately 26 percent. Subsequent to the transaction, AltaGas controls Petrogas and as such, Petrogas results have been consolidated for the period subsequent to close.
Petrogas Energy Corp. is a midstream and logistics company in North America with operations dating back to 1986. Petrogas operates a large scale fully integrated natural gas liquids (NGLs) and crude oil platform that provides sourcing, storage, marketing, and transportation services for NGLs and LPGs to customers throughout Canada, the U.S. and Asia, and crude oil throughout Canada and the U.S.
Petrogas' business was principally underpinned by four primary business lines:
▪LPG Exports and Distribution: Comprised of the Ferndale LPG export facility and engages in the purchase, sale, and distribution of NGLs and LPGs throughout North America and Asia.
▪Domestic Terminals: Operates various North American storage terminals that support the LPG exports and distribution activities. This business line also enters into long-term take-or-pay contracts for management, logistics, and optimization services.
▪Trucking and Liquids Handling: Provides internal and third-party trucking services in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Includes hauling LPGs, crude, drilling fluids, and produced water.
▪Wellsite Fluids and Fuels: Operates two production facilities focused on the development and production of proprietary drilling fluids, jet fuel, furnace fuel and heating oil.
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The LPG Exports and Distribution and Domestic Terminals business lines are Petrogas' most significant assets and historically, have represented the vast majority of Petrogas' trailing normalized EBITDA.
The Ferndale terminal is an LPG export facility located on the U.S. west coast near Ferndale, Washington, which is approximately 100 miles north of Seattle. Shipping times to Asia average approximately 11 days using Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) from the facility and, as such, this origin has a similar structural shipping advantage as AltaGas' Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (RIPET) facility compared to various LPG export terminals located on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Ferndale has refrigerated storage capacity, and is pipeline connected to local refineries. Similar to AltaGas' RIPET export facility, LPG export volumes being shipped from Ferndale are delivered into various Asian markets and provide a cleaner, lower-carbon feedstock option for these key importing regions.
Petrogas' Fort Saskatchewan rail loading and truck facility, together with other storage facilities in Canada and the U.S., expands AltaGas' NGL supply sourcing area and enhances the Company's NGL storage and logistics capabilities. With the close of the acquisition, AltaGas now has access to a fleet of approximately 3,000 additional rail cars, five incremental rail and pipeline connected terminals, and approximately 6.3 million barrels of additional above ground and cavern storage. Fort Saskatchewan is pipeline connected to fractionation facilities and to multi-product storage facilities in Canada. Petrogas' Canadian storage facilities, which are located in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Sarnia, Ontario, and Strathcona, Alberta, have a combined capacity of approximately 4.8 million barrels of on-site storage handling for oil, propane, butane, and ethylene and are pipeline connected to refiners. Petrogas' largest U.S. storage and terminal facility, located in Indiana, has two underground storage caverns for propane and butane. This facility is situated near several refineries, tank farms, pipeline connections to area refiners and chemical facilities, and has inbound and outbound truck and rail capabilities.
2020 Highlights
(Normalized EBITDA, normalized funds from operations, normalized net income, net debt, and net debt to total capitalization ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see Non‑GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A.)
Growth and Operational Highlights
▪On December 15, 2020, AltaGas closed the Petrogas Acquisition for total cash consideration of approximately $715 million and additional post-acquisition contingent payments of up to $16 million. AltaGas' ownership in Petrogas is now approximately 74 percent with Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. indirectly owning the remaining approximately 26 percent;
▪On August 21, 2020, the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) granted AltaGas an additional 25 year license to export up to 46,000 Bbls/d of propane to North American and global markets from RIPET, bringing the aggregate propane export capacity under 25 year export licenses to 92,000 Bbls/d. In December 2020, the Minister of Natural Resources approved the additional license;
▪On February 14, 2020, WGL Midstream executed an Asset Management Agreement (AMA) with Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (ConEd) that gives ConEd the rights to use WGL Midstream’s 50,000 Dth per day of transportation capacity on the MarketLink Expansion Project for the period from April 1, 2020 through April 1, 2035; and
▪On January 16, 2020, AltaGas received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission for the recontracting of the Blythe facility to Southern California Edison (SCE). Under the tolling agreement, SCE has exclusive rights to all capacity, energy, ancillary services, and resource adequacy benefits from August 1, 2020 to December 31, 2023.
Asset Sales Completed
▪On March 31, 2020, the Public Sector Pension Investment Board and the Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund Board acquired all the issued and outstanding common shares of AltaGas Canada Inc. (ACI) for $33.50 per share. AltaGas owned 11,025,000 (approximately 37 percent) of ACI's common shares and received cash proceeds of approximately
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$369 million upon close. A pre-tax gain on disposition of approximately $206 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2020; and
▪In the third quarter of 2020, AltaGas closed the dispositions of AltaGas Pomona Energy Storage Inc. (Pomona) and land related to a battery storage facility, as well as AltaGas Ripon Energy Inc. (Ripon), a small natural gas power facility, both located in California. Aggregate gross proceeds for these dispositions, before working capital and other adjustments, were approximately $67 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $8 million.
Regulatory Developments
▪On December 11, 2020, the PSC of DC approved a three-year US$150 million PROJECTpipes 2 plan for Washington Gas for the period from 2021 to 2023, and the associated surcharge recovery;
▪On August 28, 2020, Washington Gas filed a rate case in Maryland requesting US$28 million increase in base rates, including US$6 million currently collected through the Strategic Infrastructure Development Enhancement Plan (STRIDE) surcharges for system upgrades. Evidentiary hearings took place between January 7 and January 11, 2021. The Commission is expected to issue a final decision around the end of March 2021;
▪In April 2020, the Alaskan legislature passed legislation and the regulatory commissions of the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and Michigan issued orders allowing utilities to establish regulatory assets to record incremental COVID-19 related costs that will be evaluated for recovery in future proceedings; and
▪On January 13, 2020, Washington Gas filed a rate case in the District of Columbia requesting a US$35 million increase in base rates, including US$9 million of annual PROJECTpipes surcharges currently paid by customers for accelerated pipeline replacement. Washington Gas has also requested approval for a Revenue Normalization Adjustment mechanism to reduce customer bill fluctuations due to weather-related usage variations, similar to existing mechanisms in both Maryland and Virginia. On December 8, 2020, Washington Gas filed, for PSC of DC approval, a settlement agreement to resolve all issues in the case. Evidentiary hearings were suspended, and the PSC of DC held a public interest hearing on January 27, 2021 to address the settlement agreement. On February 24, 2021, the PSC of DC approved the US$20 million base rate case recommended in the settlement agreement. The new rates will become effective on April 1, 2021.
Other Highlights
▪AltaGas continues to closely monitor developments related to COVID-19, including the existing and potential impact on global and local economies in the jurisdictions where it operates. The executive team and cross-functional response teams that were established in late January continue to meet regularly to align response strategy and efforts within all areas of the Corporation. AltaGas' approach has been, and will continue to be, risk-based and guided by its core values. The health and safety of AltaGas' employees, customers, contractors, and the communities in which it operates is the top priority and is integrated into each aspect of AltaGas' response efforts;
▪On April 1, 2020, AltaGas announced it would donate $1 million to help community partners in its operating regions respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The assistance funds, provided by AltaGas, were distributed to partner organizations on the front lines supporting local communities and providing critical support to our health care workers addressing the health crisis;
▪In the first quarter of 2020, AltaGas revised its reportable segments to align with the structure of its business following asset sales completed as part of its 2019 asset monetization program. As a result of these changes, AltaGas has refocused on its core Utilities and Midstream segments. Consistent with Management’s strategic view of the business and the basis on which it assesses performance and allocates resources, beginning in 2020, AltaGas has two operating segments: Utilities, which now includes the WGL retail marketing business, and Midstream. These operating segments have not been aggregated in the determination of AltaGas' reportable segments. All other assets are included in the Corporate/Other segment. Prior period segment information has been restated to conform to the current reporting segment presentation;
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▪On January 9, 2020, AltaGas announced the appointment of two new independent Directors, Linda Sullivan and Nancy Tower, to its Board of Directors. In addition, AltaGas announced the retirement of Daryl Gilbert from the Board of Directors, which was effective following the conclusion of AltaGas' annual meeting of shareholders in May 2020;
▪In the third quarter of 2020, Painted Pony Energy Ltd. (Painted Pony), one of AltaGas' significant counterparties in the Northeast British Columbia (NEBC) region, announced that it had entered into an agreement to be acquired by Canadian Natural Resources Limited. The shareholders of Painted Pony approved the plan of arrangement on October 1, 2020, and the transaction was completed on October 6, 2020. In addition, in the third quarter of 2020, ConocoPhillips acquired oil and gas assets in the Inga/Fireweed/Stoddard division in the Montney area from another of AltaGas' counterparties, Kelt Exploration Ltd. All operating agreements of AltaGas remain in effect. These transactions resulted in a significant increase in the credit worthiness of AltaGas' counterparties in the NEBC region;
▪On April 21, 2020, SEMCO completed the private placement of US$450 million of first mortgage bonds, in two tranches of US$225 million each. One of the tranches has a term of ten years with a coupon rate of 2.45 percent, and the other has a term of 30 years with a coupon rate of 3.15 percent. The proceeds were used to repay debt drawn on credit facilities and the US$300 million notes that matured in April 2020;
▪On June 10, 2020, AltaGas completed the issuance of $500 million of senior unsecured medium term notes with a coupon rate of 2.157 percent, maturing on June 10, 2025. The proceeds were used to pay down existing indebtedness under AltaGas' credit facilities and for general corporate purposes. Because the coupon rate is lower than the borrowing rate of the repaid debt, AltaGas expects cost savings of approximately $6 million per annum;
▪On September 30, 2020, 35,180 of the outstanding 5,511,220 Cumulative Redeemable Five-Year Fixed Rate Reset Preferred Shares, Series A (Series A Preferred Shares) were converted into Cumulative Floating Rate Preferred Shares, Series B (Series B Preferred Shares), and 1,270,639 of the outstanding 2,488,780 Series B Preferred Shares were converted into Series A Preferred Shares. As a result of the conversions, AltaGas has 6,746,679 Series A Preferred Shares and 1,253,321 Series B Preferred Shares;
▪On November 30, 2020, AltaGas completed the issuance of $500 million of senior unsecured medium term notes with a coupon rate of 2.075 percent, maturing on May 30, 2028, and $200 million of senior unsecured medium term notes with a coupon rate of 2.477 percent, maturing on November 30, 2030. The net proceeds were used to pay down existing indebtedness under AltaGas' credit facility, to fund the redemption of all of the issued and outstanding Cumulative Redeemable 5-Year Minimum Rate Reset Preferred Shares, Series I of AltaGas, and for general corporate purposes. As a result of the issuance, AltaGas expects annual average cash savings of approximately $12 million per year;
▪On December 10, 2020, Washington Gas completed the issuance of US$100 million of medium term notes with a coupon rate of 3.65 percent due September 15, 2049; and
▪On December 31, 2020, AltaGas redeemed all of it's 8,000,000 issued and outstanding Cumulative Redeemable 5-Year Minimum Rate Reset Preferred Shares, Series I for a redemption price equal to $25 per share.
Financial Highlights
▪Normalized EBITDA was $1,310 million compared to $1,302 million in 2019;
▪Cash from operations was $773 million ($2.77 per share) compared to $616 million (2.22 per share) in 2019;
▪Normalized funds from operations were $1,003 million ($3.59 per share) compared to $895 million ($3.23 per share) in 2019;
▪Net income applicable to common shares was $486 million ($1.74 per share) compared to $769 million ($2.78 per share) in 2019;
▪Normalized net income was $396 million ($1.42 per share) compared to $347 million ($1.25 per share) in 2019;
▪Net debt was $8.2 billion as at December 31, 2020, compared to $7.2 billion at December 31, 2019; and
▪Net debt‑to‑total capitalization ratio was 52 percent as at December 31, 2020, compared to 49 percent as at December 31, 2019.
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Highlights Subsequent to Year End
▪On February 2, 2021, AltaGas announced the appointment of a new Independent Director, Jon-Al Duplantier, to AltaGas' Board of Directors, effective immediately. AltaGas also announced the planned retirement of Allan Edgeworth from AltaGas' Board of Directors effective upon the conclusion of AltaGas' next Annual General Meeting, to be held in late April 2021.
AltaGas' Vision, Mission, and Focus
AltaGas’ Vision is to be a leading North American infrastructure company that connects natural gas and natural gas liquids to domestic and global markets. The Company’s Mission is to improve quality of life by safely and reliably connecting customers to affordable sources of energy for today and tomorrow. To advance these pursuits, AltaGas’ team of approximately 3,000 people is guided by the Company's core values. These values form the foundations for how the Company treats each other, its customers, its Indigenous partners and other stakeholders, and serve as a blueprint for a sustainable future. AltaGas views access to reliable and affordable energy as fundamental in the pursuit of improved quality of life, reduced physical barriers, improved access to education, and to fuel economic expansion. As such, the Company is committed to its foundational principals of maintaining safe and reliable operations, delivering the critical energy its customers need, and honoring the social and moral contract that AltaGas has with the communities it serves.
Core Strategy
AltaGas' long-term strategy is to build a diversified low-risk, high-growth Utilities and Midstream business that is focused on delivering resilient and durable value for our stakeholders. This includes a focus on providing the Company’s shareholders with regular returns of capital through dividend payments and the prospect for capital appreciation through steady and sustainable growth.
AltaGas' forward plan to regularly return capital is to deliver regular, sustainable, and annual dividend increases that compound in the years ahead and are supported by durable growth in earnings per share, declining leverage ratios, and reduced payout ratios. The Company’s growth is expected to be generated by optimizing AltaGas’ existing assets for appropriate returns and deploying new capital that is principally focused on organic expansion initiatives that are underpinned by meeting base return thresholds.
AltaGas believes that its current asset base is well-positioned to achieve this feat. This includes operating a large rate regulated Utilities platform that provides stable earnings and cash flow and that operates across a diversified geographic footing, heavily weighted to residential usage. The Utilities platform also provides steady growth opportunities focused on Accelerated Pipeline Replacement Programs (ARPs) that replace aging infrastructure, reduce methane emissions through leak remediation, and improve the safety and reliability of the delivery of affordable energy. This also includes operating a concentrated and modern Midstream platform that AltaGas views as being well-positioned for where the market is heading over the next three to five years. This includes a significant footprint in the Montney in NEBC and LPG exports with the only two west coast terminals in North America.
In 2021, AltaGas plans to focus on progressing its long-term strategy of building a diversified Utilities and Midstream business designed to provide resilient and durable value for its stakeholders that compounds over the long-term. Specific 2021 strategic priorities include to:
▪Continue to deliver affordable natural gas and LPGs to domestic and global markets in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner;
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▪Advance AltaGas' operational excellence model to improve business processes and aggressively manage costs to improve the customer experience and returns;
▪Build a world class Midstream and energy export business by maximizing the utilization of existing assets and integrating and optimizing the Petrogas business to advance AltaGas' distinctive energy export strategy; and
▪Maintain a disciplined approach to capital allocation within a self-funding model that continues to de-lever the balance sheet and increase financial flexibility over time, with incremental de-leveraging opportunities being possible from potential non-core asset sales.
AltaGas’ Board of Directors is actively engaged in AltaGas’ strategy. The Corporation continually assesses the macro- and micro-economic trends impacting the businesses and seeks opportunities to generate and protect value for its stakeholders. The opportunities AltaGas pursues must meet strategic, operating, and financial criteria to ensure they align with the long-term strategy and provide ongoing organic growth potential, favorable risk profiles, and strong risk-adjusted returns.
2021 Outlook
In 2021, AltaGas expects to achieve annual consolidated normalized EBITDA of approximately $1.4 to $1.5 billion, and normalized earnings per share of approximately $1.45 to $1.55 per share assuming an effective tax rate of approximately 23 percent.
The Utilities segment is expected to contribute approximately 60 percent of normalized EBITDA, with growth driven primarily by revenue growth from previously settled rate cases, increased spend on accelerated capital programs, the impact of Washington Gas' District of Columbia rate case which has settled, the expected impact of Maryland's rate case which is expected to be completed in the near-term, ongoing operational cost optimization activities, and modest customer growth, partially offset by the one-time favorable impact from the pension accounting change in 2020. Expected growth in the Midstream segment, primarily driven by the integration and optimization of Petrogas operations, higher export volumes from RIPET, and increased volumes at NEBC facilities, is expected to be partially offset by lower commodity prices and the impacts of a blend and extend contract that was entered into in 2018 and takes effect in 2021. Midstream segment earnings are approximately 60 percent underpinned through take-or-pay, cost-of-service, and fee-for-service contracts at the Midstream facilities and tolling agreements at the export facilities. Normalized EBITDA from the Corporate/Other segment, which includes AltaGas' remaining power assets, is expected to be lower in 2021 mainly due to asset sales completed in 2020 and recoveries related to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) in 2020. Overall growth is expected to offset lost normalized EBITDA from a full year impact of asset sales completed in 2020 and the impact of expected 2021 asset sales.
The overall forecasted normalized EBITDA and earnings per share include assumptions around the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AltaGas business segments is expected to be less pronounced than in 2020. Within each segment, the performance of the underlying businesses has the potential to vary. Any variance from AltaGas’ current assumptions could impact the forecasted normalized EBITDA and normalized earnings per share. Please refer to the Risk Management section of this MD&A for further discussions of the risks to AltaGas arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
AltaGas estimates an average of approximately 9,000 Bbls/d of NGLs will be exposed to frac spreads prior to hedging activities. AltaGas plans to manage the 2021 frac exposed NGL volumes with an active hedging program and is currently approximately 97 percent hedged for 2021.
At RIPET and Ferndale, NGL price margins are protected through AltaGas' comprehensive hedging programs. For volumes not contracted under tolling arrangements at RIPET, approximately 67 percent are currently financially hedged at an FEI to Mont Belvieu spread of approximately US$10/Bbl. At Ferndale, approximately 12 percent of exposed propane and butane volumes are currently hedged, at an FEI to Conway spread of approximately US$14/Bbl for propane and an approximately US$28/Bbl FEI spread to butane purchase price. Collectively, approximately 60 percent of AltaGas' propane export volumes
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are hedged for 2021. AltaGas plans to manage the export facilities such that a growing portion of annual capacity will be underpinned by tolling arrangements, and expects to reach this objective over the next several years.
Sensitivity Analysis
AltaGas’ financial performance is affected by factors such as changes in commodity prices, exchange rates, and weather. The following table illustrates the approximate effect of these key variables on AltaGas’ expected normalized EBITDA for 2021:
Factor | Increase or decrease | Approximate impact on normalized annual EBITDA ($ millions) | |||||||||
Degree day variance from normal - Utilities (1) | 5 percent | 10 | |||||||||
Change in Canadian dollar per U.S. dollar exchange rate | 0.05 | 35 | |||||||||
Propane Far East Index to Mont Belvieu spread (2) | US$1/Bbl | 19 | |||||||||
Pension discount rate | 1 percent | 20 |
(1)Degree days – Utilities relate to SEMCO Gas, ENSTAR, and District of Columbia service areas. Degree days are a measure of coldness determined daily as the numbers of degrees the average temperature during the day in question is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Degree days for a particular period are the average of degree days during the prior 15 years for SEMCO Gas, during the prior 10 years for ENSTAR, and during the prior 30 years for Washington Gas.
(2)The sensitivity is net of hedges currently in place. The impact on EBITDA due to changes in the spread will vary and is being managed through an active hedging program.
Growth Capital
Based on projects currently under review, development, or construction, AltaGas expects net capital expenditures of approximately $910 million in 2021. The majority of capital expenditures are expected to focus on projects within the Utilities platform that are anticipated to deliver stable and transparent rate base growth and strong risk-adjusted returns. The Utilities segment is expected to account for approximately 80 to 85 percent of total capital expenditures, while the Midstream segment is expected to account for approximately 15 to 20 percent and the Corporate/Other segment is expected to account for any remainder. In 2021, AltaGas’ capital expenditures for the Utilities segment will focus primarily on accelerated pipe replacement programs, customer growth, and system betterment. In the Midstream segment, capital expenditures are anticipated to primarily relate to the construction of the Nig Creek expansion, maintenance and administrative capital, optimization of existing assets, and new business development. Maintenance capital related to Midstream assets and remaining power assets in the Corporate/Other segment is expected to be approximately $45 to $55 million of the total capital expenditures in 2021. The Corporation continues to focus on capital efficient organic growth and disciplined capital allocation while improving balance sheet strength and flexibility.
AltaGas' 2021 committed capital program is expected to be funded through internally-generated cash flow and normal course borrowings on existing committed credit facilities.
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Growth Capital Project Updates
The following table summarizes the status of AltaGas’ significant growth projects:
Project | AltaGas' Ownership Interest | Estimated Cost (1) | Expenditures to Date (2) | Status | Expected In-Service Date | |||||||||||||||||||||
Midstream Projects | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nig Creek Expansion | 50% | $58 million | $16 million | The Nig Creek facility is being expanded in two phases. Phase one will expand designed capacity by 55 Mmcf/d gross (27.5 Mmcf/d net) by adding inlet compression, sales compression, and other plant equipment. The second phase will increase capacity by an additional 25 Mmcf/d gross (12.5 Mmcf/d net) and will include a deep cut plant for additional liquids recoveries. | Phase I expected to be in-service early Q3 2021 and phase II in Q2 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Mountain Valley Pipeline (Mountain Valley) | 10% | US$352 million | US$352 million | As of December 31, 2020, approximately 92 percent of the project is complete, which includes construction of all original interconnects and compressor stations. On November 9, 2020, the 4th US Circuit of Appeals granted a request from certain environmental groups and issued a stay pending litigation over the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' verification of water crossings for the project, under a general permit know as Nationwide Permit 12. As a result, the targeted in-service date is now expected in the second half of 2021. Despite the delays, AltaGas' exposure is contractually capped to the original estimated contributions of approximately US$352 million. | Q4 2021 due to ongoing legal and regulatory challenges | |||||||||||||||||||||
MVP Southgate Project | 5% | US$20 million | US$4 million | Construction is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2021, despite the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's decision to deny MVP Southgate's request for state certification under the Clean Water Act Section 401. The decision is expected to be appealed. Expenditures to date relate to land surveys, land acquisition, and obtaining permits and regulatory approvals. | Q3 2022 due to ongoing legal and regulatory challenges |
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Project | AltaGas' Ownership Interest | Estimated Cost (1) | Expenditures to Date (2) | Status | Expected In-Service Date | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Utilities Projects | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Utility Pipe Replacement Programs – District of Columbia | 100% | Estimated US$150 million over the three year period from January 2021 to December 2023, plus additional expenditures in subsequent periods. | $nil (3) | Washington Gas has submitted an application for the second phase of PROJECTpipes to the PSC of DC. In the interim, in March 2020, the PSC of DC approved an additional extension of the first phase of the plan for the six month period from April 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020 for an amount not to exceed approximately US$13 million. On August 11, 2020, the PSC of DC suspended the procedural schedule and on September 10, 2020, the first phase of PROJECTpipes was extended for an additional three month period to December 30, 2020, or until a decision is rendered in this case, for an amount not to exceed approximately US$6 million. After determining that there were no material issues of fact in dispute, the PSC of DC decided that there will be no evidentiary hearings and extended the PROJECTpipes surcharge to the end of December 2020. On December 11, 2020, the PSC of DC approved a 3-year, US$150 million plan covering the period from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023. The PSC of DC also approved the continuation of the PROJECTpipes surcharge which is currently in place. | Individual assets are placed into service throughout the program. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Utility Pipe Replacement Programs – Maryland | 100% | Estimated US$350 million over the five year period from January 2019 to December 2023, plus additional expenditures in subsequent periods. | US$125 million (3) | The second phase of the accelerated utility pipe replacement programs in Maryland (STRIDE 2.0) began in January 2019. | Individual assets are placed into service throughout the program. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Utility Pipe Replacement Programs – Virginia | 100% | Estimated US$500 million over the five year period from January 2018 to December 2022, plus additional expenditures in subsequent periods. | US$275 million (3) | The second phase of the accelerated pipe replacement programs in Virginia (SAVE 2.0) began in January 2018. | Individual assets are placed into service throughout the program. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Replacement Programs – Michigan | 100% | Estimated US$115 million over five year period from 2021 to 2026. | $nil (3) | A new Main Replacement Program (MRP) program was agreed to in SEMCO’s recently settled rate case. The new five-year MRP program begins in 2021 with a total spend of approximately US$60 million. In addition to the new MRP program, SEMCO was also granted a new Infrastructure Reliability Improvement Program (IRIP) which is also a five-year program with a total spend of approximately US$55 million beginning in 2021. | Individual assets are placed into service throughout the program. |
(1) These amounts are estimates and are subject to change based on various factors. Where appropriate, the amounts reflect AltaGas’ share of the various projects.
(2) Expenditures to date reflect total cumulative expenditures incurred from inception of the projects to December 31, 2020. For WGL projects, this also includes any expenditures prior to the close of the WGL Acquisition on July 6, 2018.
(3) The utility accelerated replacement programs are long-term projects with multiple phases for which expenditures are approved by the regulators and managed in multi-year increments. Expenditures to date only include amounts for the current programs described above, and exclude any expenditures made under prior increments of the programs. Actual regulatory filings may differ from reported amounts.
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Utilities
Description of Assets
AltaGas owns and operates utility assets that store and deliver natural gas to end-users in Virginia, Maryland, Michigan, the District of Columbia, and Alaska, serving approximately 1.7 million customers and with a combined rate base of approximately US$4.3 billion.
The utilities are underpinned by regulated returns and regulatory regimes that generally provide stable earnings and cash flows. The Utilities segment enhances the diversification of AltaGas' portfolio of energy infrastructure assets and strengthens the Corporation’s business profile, thus allowing the Corporation to meet its objective of operating a diversified low-risk, high-growth energy infrastructure business that is focused on delivering resilient and durable value for its stakeholders with long-life assets.
The Utilities segment includes:
▪Washington Gas in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia;
▪Hampshire, providing regulated interstate natural gas storage to Washington Gas;
▪SEMCO Gas in Michigan;
▪ENSTAR in Alaska;
▪A 65 percent interest in Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska LLC (CINGSA) in Alaska; and
▪WGL's Retail Marketing business, which sells power and natural gas directly to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the District of Columbia.
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All of AltaGas' regulated Utilities are allowed the opportunity to earn regulated returns. This return on rate base is composed of regulator-allowed financing costs and return on equity (ROE). If actual costs are different from those recoverable through approved rates, the utility bears the risk of this difference other than for certain costs that are subject to deferral treatment.
Earnings in the Utilities segment are seasonal, as revenues are primarily based on the demand for space heating in the winter months, mainly from November to March. Costs, on the other hand, are generally incurred more uniformly over the year. This typically results in stronger first and fourth quarters and weaker second and third quarters. In Michigan, Alaska, and the District of Columbia, earnings can be impacted by variations from normal weather resulting in delivered gas volumes being different than anticipated. Increases in the number of customers or changes in customer usage are other factors that might typically affect delivered volumes, and hence actual earned returns for the Utilities segment. In Virginia and Maryland, Washington Gas has billing mechanisms in place which are designed to eliminate or mitigate the effects of variance in customer usage caused by weather and other factors such as conservation.
Washington Gas
Washington Gas is a regulated public utility that has been engaged in the natural gas distribution business since 1848, and provides regulated gas distribution services to end users in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. At the end of 2020, Washington Gas had approximately 1.2 million customers, of which approximately 81 percent were residential. The number of customers at Washington Gas increased approximately 1 percent in 2020. The rate base at December 31, 2020 was approximately US$3.3 billion. At the end of 2020, the approved regulated ROE for Washington Gas in its various jurisdictions ranged from 9.2 - 9.7 percent based on an equity ratio ranging from 53.5 - 55.7 percent.
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Washington Gas is regulated by the PSC of DC, the PSC of MD, and the SCC of VA, which approve its terms of service and the billing rates that it charges to customers. The rates charged to Utilities customers are designed to recover Washington Gas’ operating expenses and natural gas commodity costs and to provide a return on its investment in the net assets used in its firm gas sales and delivery service.
Washington Gas has accelerated pipe replacement programs in place in each of its three jurisdictions. Washington Gas accelerates pipe replacement in order to reduce risk and further enhance the safety and reliability of the pipeline system. Each regulatory commission having jurisdiction over Washington Gas’ retail rates has approved accelerated replacement programs with an associated surcharge mechanism to recover the cost, including a return, on those capital investments. In contrast to the traditional rate-making approach to capital investments, for the accelerated pipe replacement programs, Washington Gas is receiving recovery for these investments through the approved surcharges for each program and is authorized to invest in each of these programs over a three- to five-year period.
Washington Gas’ customers are eligible to purchase their natural gas from unregulated third-party marketers through natural gas unbundling. As at December 31, 2020, approximately 15 percent of its customers have chosen to purchase gas from marketers. This does not negatively impact Washington Gas’ net income as the Corporation does not earn a margin on the sale of natural gas to firm customers, but only from the delivery and distribution of the gas.
Washington Gas obtains natural gas supplies that originate from multiple regions throughout the United States. At December 31, 2020, it had service agreements with five pipeline companies that provided firm transportation and storage services with contract expiration dates ranging from 2021 to 2039. Washington Gas has also contracted with various interstate pipeline and storage companies to add to its storage and transportation capacity. Washington Gas, under its asset optimization program, makes use of storage and transportation capacity resources when those assets are not required to serve utility customers. The objective of this program is to derive a profit to be shared with its utility customers. These profits are earned by entering into commodity-related physical and financial contracts with third parties.
Hampshire
Hampshire owns underground natural gas storage facilities, including pipeline delivery facilities located in and around Hampshire County, West Virginia, and operates these facilities to serve Washington Gas. Hampshire is regulated by the FERC. Washington Gas purchases all of the storage services of Hampshire, and includes the cost of the services in the commodity cost of its regulated energy bills to customers. Hampshire operates under a “pass-through” cost-of-service based tariff approved by FERC.
SEMCO Gas
SEMCO owns and operates a regulated natural gas distribution utility in Michigan operating under the name SEMCO Gas and has an interest in a regulated natural gas storage facility in Michigan. At the end of 2020, SEMCO Gas had approximately 313,000 customers. Of these customers, approximately 92 percent are residential. In 2020, SEMCO Gas experienced customer growth of approximately 1 percent reflecting growth in the franchise areas and customer conversions with the favorable price of natural gas compared to other heating sources. The rate base at year end was approximately US$719 million. In 2020, the approved regulated ROE for SEMCO Gas was 9.87 percent with an approved capital structure based on 45.86 percent equity.
SEMCO Gas is regulated by the MPSC. It operates under cost-of-service regulation and utilizes actual results from the most recently completed fiscal year along with known and measurable changes in its application for new rates.
SEMCO Gas has an Accelerated MRP surcharge to recover a stated amount of accelerated main replacement capital expenditures in excess of what is authorized in its current base rates. The MRP began in 2011, was expanded in 2013 and
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renewed for an additional five years in 2015. A new MRP was approved as part of the 2019 rate case. For the years 2021 to 2025 the anticipated annual average capital spending is approximately US$12 million. Any MRP revenue associated with unspent capital will be placed into a regulatory liability account to be addressed in the next general rate base case. Additionally, a new IRIP was approved in the 2019 rate case, pursuant to which SEMCO Gas will complete certain projects totaling US$55 million to improve the reliability of infrastructure. Customers will be billed a surcharge beginning in 2021 for the IRIP.
ENSTAR and CINGSA
SEMCO owns and operates a regulated natural gas distribution utility in Alaska under the name ENSTAR. SEMCO, through a subsidiary, holds a 65 percent interest in CINGSA, a regulated natural gas storage utility in Alaska. At the end of 2020, ENSTAR had approximately 149,000 customers including residential, commercial, and transportation, and of these customers, approximately 91 percent are residential. In 2020, ENSTAR experienced customer growth of approximately 1 percent reflecting growth in the franchise areas and customer conversions with the favorable price of natural gas compared to other heating sources. The rate base at year end was approximately US$256 million for ENSTAR and US$66 million for CINGSA (SEMCO's 65 percent share).
ENSTAR and CINGSA are regulated by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) and operate under cost-of-service regulation utilizing actual results from the most recently completed fiscal year along with known and measurable changes in their application for new rates.
Retail Energy Marketing
The U.S. retail gas marketing business sells natural gas directly to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia.
The U.S. retail power marketing business sells power to end users in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the District of Columbia. This area is served by the PJM Interconnection (PJM), a regional transmission organization that regulates and coordinates generation supply and the wholesale delivery of electricity in these states and jurisdictions.
Natural gas and electricity are purchased with the objective of earning a profit through competitively priced sales contracts with end users. Requirements to serve retail customers is closely matched with commitments for deliveries, and thus, a secured supply arrangement expiring in 2022 has been entered into with Shell Energy North America (US), L.P, which reduces credit requirements.
Capitalize on Opportunities
While providing safe and reliable service, AltaGas pursues opportunities in the Utilities segment to deliver value to its customers while enhancing long-term shareholder returns. The Corporation’s objectives are to:
▪Ensure safe, reliable operations and infrastructure, providing effective and cost-efficient service for customers;
▪Enhance returns and capital efficiency and more timely recovery of expenditures through rate cases and increased utilization of accelerated rate recovery programs;
▪Enhance and grow the business through asset optimization, cost reduction initiatives, and operational efficiencies to reduce costs and deliver an improved customer experience;
▪Improve business processes and drive down leak remediation costs, reinvesting savings into improving the customer experience;
▪Attract and retain customers through exceptional customer service;
▪Continue to grow the consolidated Utilities rate base;
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▪Maintain strong relationships with local communities, Indigenous peoples, governments, and regulatory bodies; and
▪Maintain strong community and regulatory relationships while ensuring appropriate returns to shareholders.
AltaGas expects to grow its existing utility infrastructure through continued investment and capital improvements in franchise areas, which will result in rate base growth and continued customer growth including the conversion of users of alternative energy sources to natural gas. AltaGas' utilities have had annual rate base growth averaging approximately 74 percent over the past three years including the addition of WGL’s rate base and after adjusting for the impact of foreign exchange translation. The growth in rate base is a direct result of the WGL Acquisition in 2018, prudent investments in current areas of operations, and the addition of new customers. Customer growth rates for AltaGas’ utilities are moderate, as is typical with mature utilities, with growth rates generally tied closely to the economic growth of the respective franchise regions.
Midstream
Description of Assets
AltaGas' Midstream segment is comprised of: 1) the Company's global export assets, which connect North American production into key downstream markets in Asia; 2) strategically-located processing, fractionation, extraction and liquids handling infrastructure assets that convert raw production into usable products and link output from wellheads to downstream markets; 3) a natural gas transportation and storage platform, which includes AltaGas' 10 percent stake in the Mountain Valley Pipeline; and 4) various above and underground natural gas and liquids storage assets that are leveraged across the North American energy value chain. The Midstream segment also includes AltaGas' increased ownership stake in the Petrogas assets and operations.
In Canada, AltaGas serves customers primarily in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB), with a strong weighting in the Montney play in NEBC. This includes gas gathering, processing, fractionating and delivery of natural gas and NGLs into downstream pipeline systems. It also includes connecting producers LPG output to key consuming regions in Asia. In total, AltaGas transacts on more than 1.4 Bcf/d of natural gas and NGLs, including gas gathering and processing, NGL extraction and fractionation, logistics, liquids handling, and global exports. Gas gathering systems move natural gas from producing wells to processing facilities, where certain hydrocarbon components are separated, and impurities are removed. The gas is then compressed to meet downstream pipelines' operating specifications for transportation. Extraction and fractionation facilities reprocess natural gas to extract and recover ethane and additional NGLs. AltaGas has a total net licensed processing capacity of approximately 2.4 Bcf/d.
Through the RIPET and Ferndale LPG export terminals, AltaGas connects North American producers and aggregators with global markets and provides incremental opportunities for improved pricing for propane and butane. On December 15, 2020, AltaGas completed the acquisition of Petrogas, increasing its indirectly held ownership in Petrogas to approximately 74 percent with Idemitsu owning the remaining 26 percent (please refer to the Acquisition of Petrogas section of this MD&A for additional information). Subsequent to the transaction, AltaGas controls Petrogas and as such, AltaGas has the capability to export LPGs to Asia through the Ferndale facility. See the Global Exports section below for further details.
AltaGas' logistics services include NGL pipelines, treating, storage, truck, and rail terminal infrastructure as well as natural gas and NGL marketing initiatives. AltaGas identifies opportunities to buy and resell NGLs for producers, and exchange, reallocate, or resell pipeline and storage capacity to earn a profit. With the emergence of the global exports business, the logistics platform provides integral support for managing AltaGas' waterborne and rail capacity as well as marketing the supply and offtake of LPG volumes at RIPET and Ferndale. In support of the liquids handling operations, AltaGas manages a rail car fleet of approximately 4,600 rail cars. With the acquisition of Petrogas, the Midstream logistics infrastructure also includes Petrogas' core businesses including LPG exports and distribution, domestic terminals, wellsite fluids and fuels, and trucking and liquids handling. See the Fractionation and Logistics section below for more details.
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The Midstream segment includes expansion projects under development or construction, as discussed under the Growth Capital section of this MD&A.
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Global Exports
AltaGas’ global export assets include the Company's RIPET and Ferndale export terminals, which are located in Northern B.C. and Washington State, respectively. These terminals facilitate North American producers and aggregators to access global markets and provides incremental opportunities for improved price realization for propane and butane production. Between the two facilities, AltaGas has the ability to ship in excess of 130,000 Bbl/d.
RIPET commenced commercial operations on May 23, 2019, with the first propane shipment departing from the terminal to Asia. RIPET has storage of 600,000 Bbls and throughput capacity of up to 80,000 Bbls/d at the terminal. As AltaGas builds on the Company's operational capabilities and continues to align with leading North American producers and global customers in Asia through long-term tolling agreements, it expects to continue to increase throughput from RIPET. On August 21, 2020, AltaGas was granted an additional 25-year license to export an additional 46,000 bbl/d of propane to North American and global markets, bringing its aggregate propane export capacity under 25-year export licenses to 92,000 Bbls/d. For 2021, AltaGas has in place multi-year agreements for the purchase of approximately 33 percent of the propane expected to be shipped from RIPET. The RIPET dock offers deep draft, sufficient to accommodate loading VLGCs.
With the acquisition of Petrogas, AltaGas also operates the Ferndale LPG terminal, which is capable of loading VLGCs, has 800,000 Bbls of on-site storage, and currently can flow approximately 50,000 Bbls/d. Located approximately 100 miles north of Seattle, the terminal is also pipeline connected to two regional refineries, providing additional supply, sales, and fee-for-service opportunities for the facility.
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The RIPET and Ferndale export terminals represent strategic outlet points for North American LPG volumes as they are competitively situated to serve the high-demand Far East market with shorter average shipping times and competitive arbs as compared to the U.S. Gulf Coast or Arabian Gulf.
Terminal demand is supported through various long-term purchase agreements with Canadian and U.S. suppliers, primarily from key Northern British Columbia and Alberta gathering facilities and select U.S. producing regions, including the Bakken in North Dakota. Petrogas also maintains service agreements with numerous Tier 1 rail providers in order to leverage existing rail networks and secure competitively priced LPGs across North America.
Gas Processing
Gas processing activities are comprised of gathering systems that move raw natural gas and NGLs from producing wells to processing facilities, where impurities and certain hydrocarbon components are removed, and the product moves down the energy value chain. The gas is then compressed to meet downstream pipelines' operating specifications for transportation to North American natural gas markets. All of AltaGas' processing facilities are capable of extracting NGLs and converting the throughput into usable products. The facilities provide revenues based on take-or-pay contracts and fee-for-service arrangements with its customers, with the latter based on volumes processed. A significant portion of AltaGas' Midstream contracts flow the Company's operating costs through to the producers. AltaGas' processing infrastructure includes:
▪The Townsend facility, a 550 Mmcf/d gas processing facility, along with the related egress pipelines, truck terminal, and NGL treatment infrastructure (the Townsend complex), which is wholly owned and operated by AltaGas. The majority of the processing capacity is contracted with Montney producers in the area under long-term take-or-pay agreements. In 2018, AltaGas entered into definitive agreements with Kelt Exploration Ltd. to provide an energy infrastructure solution for the liquids-rich Inga Montney development located in NEBC. In the second quarter of 2020, Townsend 2B and a gas gathering pipeline that connects upstream fields to AltaGas facilities were commissioned, which added 198 Mmcf/d C3+ deep cut gas processing capacity at the Townsend Complex. In the third quarter of 2020, ConocoPhillips acquired oil and gas assets in the Inga/Fireweed/Stoddard division in the Montney area from Kelt. All operating agreements of AltaGas remain in effect;
▪The Gordondale facility, which has licensed capacity of 150 Mmcf/d of natural gas and is wholly owned and operated by AltaGas. The Gordondale facility processes gas gathered from Birchcliff Energy Ltd.’s Gordondale Montney development under a long-term take-or-pay contract. The plant is equipped with liquids extraction facilities to capture the NGL value for the producer;
▪The Blair Creek facility, which has licensed capacity of 120 Mmcf/d of natural gas and is wholly owned and operated by AltaGas. The facility processes gas gathered from producers in the area. The plant is equipped with liquids extraction facilities to capture the NGL value for the producer;
▪The Aitken Creek processing facilities, in which AltaGas has a 50 percent ownership interest. Black Swan Energy Ltd. (Black Swan) owns the remaining 50 percent interest. These facilities include Aitken Creek North, an operating shallow gas plant with a current capacity of 110 Mmcf/d (55 Mmcf/d net), and Nig Creek, currently a shallow gas plant with capacity of 100 Mmcf/d (50 Mmcf/d net) that came on-stream in the third quarter of 2019. Phase 1 of Nig Creek GP2B will increase inlet capacity by 55 Mmcf/d (28 Mmcf/d net). Phase 1 of Nig Creek GP2B is expected to be commissioned in the third quarter of 2021. The Aitken processing facilities are located in the liquids rich Montney resource play in NEBC and are operated by Black Swan. AltaGas and Black Swan have also entered into long-term processing, transportation, and marketing agreements that will include new AltaGas liquids handling infrastructure in NEBC;
▪The Harmattan facility, which has a natural gas processing capacity of 490 Mmcf/d and is wholly owned and operated by AltaGas. Harmattan's natural gas processing consists of sour gas treating, co-stream straddle processing, and
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NGL extraction. In addition, Harmattan has fractionation and terminalling facilities (see Fractionation and Logistics section below); and
▪Interests in four NGL extraction plants with net licensed inlet capacity of 1.0 Bcf/d. The extraction plants consist of Edmonton Ethane Extraction Plant (EEEP), Joffre Ethane Extraction Plant (JEEP), Pembina Empress Extraction Plant (PEEP), and the Younger extraction plant (Younger). The extraction assets provide stable fixed-fee or cost-of-service type revenues and margin based revenues. The natural gas supply to EEEP, JEEP, and PEEP depends on natural gas demand pull from residential, commercial and industrial usage inside and outside of Western Canada, and gas liquids demand pull from the Alberta petrochemical market and propane heating. Natural gas supply to Younger is dependent on the amount of raw natural gas processed at the McMahon gas plant, which is based on the robust natural gas producing region of NEBC.
Fractionation and Logistics
Fractionation production is a function of NGL mix volumes processed, liquids composition, recovery efficiency of the plants, and plant on-line time. Due to the integration and inter-connectivity of AltaGas' Midstream assets, the fractionation and logistics activities provide integral services to the other Midstream businesses and customers by providing access to high value NGL products with access to North American and global markets through rail networks, pipelines, RIPET, and Ferndale.
AltaGas' logistics infrastructure consists of NGL pipelines, treating, storage, truck, and rail terminal infrastructure centered around AltaGas’ key Midstream operating assets at RIPET, Harmattan and, in NEBC, Townsend and North Pine. With the close of the Petrogas acquisition, AltaGas' fractionation and logistics business also includes Petrogas' terminals, wellsite fluids and fuels, and trucking and liquids handling.
AltaGas’ fractionation and logistics infrastructure includes:
▪The North Pine facility, which is the only custom fractionation plant in British Columbia, providing area producers with a lower cost, higher netback alternative for their NGLs than transporting and fractionating in Edmonton, Alberta. The first train of the North Pine facility is capable of processing up to 10,000 Bbls/d of NGL mix. The second train, commissioned in the first quarter of 2020, provides an additional 10,000 Bbls/d of NGL mix following execution of agreements with Black Swan and Kelt in the second half of 2018. The North Pine facility is connected to the Townsend truck terminal via the North Pine pipelines, to the Tourmaline Gundy facility, and also has access to the Canadian National (CN) rail network, allowing the transportation of propane, butane, and condensate to North American markets and propane to global markets via RIPET and butane via Ferndale;
▪The Harmattan gas processing complex, which has NGL fractionation capacity of 35,000 Bbls/d, a 450 Bbls/d capacity frac oil processing facility, and a 200 tonnes/d capacity industrial grade carbon dioxide (CO2) facility. Harmattan is the only deep‑cut and full fractionation plant in its operating area;
▪Younger, which has fractionation capacity of 19,500 Bbls/d (9,750 Bbls/d net) and is operated by Pembina. AltaGas has a 50 percent interest in Younger's fractionation, storage, loading, treating, and terminalling of NGL and the remaining interest is held by Pembina;
▪A network of NGL pipelines in the NEBC area that connects upstream gas plant producers to the AltaGas North Pine facility. The NEBC NGL pipelines consist of three liquids egress lines. The third line, which connects the Townsend facility to the Townsend truck terminal on the Alaska Highway (30 km) and AltaGas' North Pine facility (70 km), was commissioned in the third quarter of 2020;
▪NGL and spec propane lines that connect the Townsend complex in the North, to the Aitken Creek facilities through a 60 km NGL pipeline (Aitken Connector), Storm Resources Nig plant through a lateral, and to the Tourmaline Gundy facility in the West, through a 15 km spec propane line were all commissioned in the first half of 2020;
▪A rail logistics network consisting of approximately 4,600 rail cars that AltaGas manages to support LPG and NGL handling, including approximately 3,000 rail cars from Petrogas;
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▪Petrogas' terminals and storage business, which provides support to the LPG exports and distribution business by providing the ability to source, transport, process, store, and deliver products through strategically located fixed assets throughout North America. In addition, the terminals business provides various storage and handling services to third-party customers through take-or-pay and fee-for-service agreements, which provide earnings stability through volatile commodity price environments. The terminals business consists of strategically located crude and NGL assets which provide storage, blending, rail, and truck logistical support and waterborne LPG export capabilities. Petrogas' terminal business includes Griffith LPG Terminal, which is capable of handling approximately 12,000 Bbls/d of NGLs, 700,000 barrels of underground cavern storage and up to 220 railcars rail siding capacity; the Strathcona Storage JV, which has four underground storage salt caverns in service and a fifth cavern under development with each cavern providing approximately 629,000 Bbls of storage capacity; and Sarnia Storage and Crude Oil Terminal JV, which provides up to 2.1 million barrels of crude oil and refined product storage capacity with outbound throughput supported by 10,000 Bbls/d of rail loading capacity. The right to access the terminal assets under the joint venture arrangement have been recorded as a lease by Petrogas;
▪50 percent ownership of the 5.3 Bcf Sarnia natural gas storage facility, which is connected to the Dawn Hub in Eastern Canada;
▪Three primary trucking entities which Petrogas operates, providing transportation related services within the WCSB and the Pacific Northwest in the U.S. by hauling frac fluid, produced water, crude oil, and NGLs between producers, terminals, customers and end users; and
▪Enerchem International Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Petrogas, is a Canadian corporation which focuses on the production of drilling and wellsite fluids and consumer fuels. Through the fractionation of crude oil feedstock, Enerchem produces and distributes proprietary hydrocarbon fluids for fracturing and drilling of oil and gas wells to improve productivity and to resolve oilfield production challenges for downstream producers. Enerchem operates two primary facilities located in Sundre and Slave Lake, Alberta, which are capable of processing over 1.5 million barrels of finished products per year. These plants are supported by various ancillary storage and distribution facilities located across the WCSB, providing over 150,000 barrels of storage capacity, strategically placed within the vicinity of active drilling regions.
Energy Services
In addition to supporting the other Midstream activities within AltaGas, the logistics business identifies opportunities to buy and resell NGLs for producers, and exchange, reallocate or resell pipeline and storage capacity to earn a profit. Net revenues from these activities are derived from low risk opportunities based on transportation cost differentials between pipeline systems and differences in commodity prices from one period to another. Margins are earned by locking in buy and sell transactions in compliance with AltaGas’ credit and commodity risk policies. AltaGas also provides energy procurement services for utilities gas users and manages the third-party pipeline transportation requirements for many of its gas marketing customers.
Petrogas' marketing business is focused on the purchase, sale, exchange, and distribution of NGLs and crude oil, primarily in proximity to its strategically owned and leased asset base. By leveraging Petrogas' fully integrated infrastructure base and extensive logistical capabilities, the marketing team is able to source competitively priced supply at the key hubs and across various hydrocarbon basins in order to capture arbitrage opportunities derived through regional pricing differentials. Marketing efforts are driven by two primary focuses: 1) domestic NGL and crude oil wholesale, and 2) LPG waterborne exports. Additionally, this business provides operational support to the Ferndale export terminal by providing product supply and export sales agreement negotiation services. Petrogas supports its distribution efforts by maintaining an extensive leased rail fleet. Leases are established on a staggered maturity schedule with multiple lessors, to ensure railcar integrity and up-to-date DOT classification and all leases are on a full-service basis.
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Pipeline Investments
AltaGas has a 10 percent equity interest in the Mountain Valley Pipeline. MVP will transport approximately 2.0 Bcf/d of natural gas and is expected to be placed into service in the second half of 2021. In April 2018, AltaGas entered into a separate agreement to acquire a 5 percent equity interest in a lateral project to build an interstate natural gas pipeline (MVP Southgate) which will receive natural gas from MVP. The MVP Southgate pipeline is expected to be placed into service in the second half of 2022 due to ongoing legal and regulatory challenges.
AltaGas also held a 10 percent interest in the Constitution pipeline through a 10 percent equity investment in Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC. The natural gas pipeline venture was proposed to transport natural gas from the Marcellus region in northern Pennsylvania to major northeastern markets. In February 2020, following evaluations of the diminished underlying economics for the proposed Constitution pipeline project, the partners of Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC elected not to proceed with the project.
Capitalize on Opportunities
To take advantage of opportunities, including the continued Montney LPG growth and the increasing Asian demand for LPG, AltaGas plans to grow its Midstream business by expanding and optimizing strategically-located assets as well as its global export platform. New infrastructure consists of larger scale facilities supporting the vast reserves in North America and growing the footprint and integration of AltaGas' existing assets. While providing safe and reliable service, AltaGas pursues opportunities in the Midstream segment to deliver value to its customers while enhancing long-term shareholder value. The Corporation's objectives are to:
▪Maximize and grow the unique structural advantage within AltaGas' integrated platform in the Montney region, leveraging RIPET/Ferndale and the integrated value chain to attract volumes;
▪Increase utilization and export volumes, optimize commercial and operational capability at RIPET and Ferndale, and continue to build on export competency;
▪Develop and maintain high quality assets that enhance the integrated Midstream offering and connect producers to the global markets;
▪Consolidate its position in key markets to deliver optimal growth over the long-term;
▪Provide a fully-integrated Midstream service offering including gas processing and NGL extraction, fractionation, liquids handling facilities, and transportation and marketing services to customers across the energy value chain, with higher producer netbacks resulting from global export access to higher value global markets, including Asia;
▪Maintain strong relationships with Indigenous peoples, regulators, customers, partners, and service providers;
▪Optimize existing rail infrastructure to gain scale and efficiencies;
▪Increase utilization and throughput at existing facilities while maintaining top tier operating costs, high reliability and NGL recovery, highly efficient business administration, and effective safety and environmental programs;
▪Mitigate commodity risk through effective hedging programs and risk management systems;
▪Mitigate volume risk through contractual structures, redeployment of equipment, and expansion of geographic reach; and
▪Mitigate counterparty risk through customer base growth and diversification.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 21
Corporate/Other
Description of Assets
In addition to Corporate activities and assets, AltaGas' Corporate/Other segment includes 582 MW of operational gross capacity from remaining natural gas-fired and distributed generation power assets located in the U.S., primarily California and Colorado.
Specifically, the core remaining power assets in the Corporate/Other segment include:
▪Two natural gas-fired plants with 577 MW of generating capacity in the United States: the 507 MW Blythe Energy Center (Blythe) in California and the 70 MW Brush II Facility (Brush) in Colorado. Blythe and Brush are both under Power Purchase Arrangements (PPA) with a creditworthy utilities; and
▪Certain remaining distributed generation assets.
In Southern California, the 507 MW Blythe Energy Center utilizes gas-fired generation to produce power and serves the transmission grid operated by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to cover periods of high demand primarily driven by the Los Angeles area. Due to the structure of the long-term PPA with Southern California Edison (SCE), the majority of the revenue from the facility is derived from being available to produce and not from actual production, which reduces risk and provides stable cash flow. The facility is directly connected to an El Paso Gas Company natural gas pipeline for its primary supply and a Southern California Gas Company pipeline as a secondary supply source, and interconnects to SCE and CAISO via a 67‑mile transmission line also owned by Blythe and is part of the Blythe Energy Center. In 2019, AltaGas announced the successful recontracting of the Blythe facility to SCE. With the approval of the new PPA with SCE received by the California Public Utilities Commission in January 2020, Blythe is contracted under a PPA until December 31, 2023. Under the tolling agreement, SCE has exclusive rights to all capacity, energy, ancillary services, and resource adequacy benefits during the PPA term. In addition, AltaGas is in the initial stages of permitting a new 40 MW stand-alone energy storage project in Goleta, California.
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Consolidated Financial Review
Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||
($ millions, except where noted) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Revenue | 1,689 | 1,534 | 5,587 | 5,495 | ||||||||||
Normalized EBITDA (1) (2) | 392 | 436 | 1,310 | 1,302 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares | 48 | (103) | 486 | 769 | ||||||||||
Normalized net income (1) | 147 | 194 | 396 | 347 | ||||||||||
Total assets | 21,532 | 19,795 | 21,532 | 19,795 | ||||||||||
Total long-term liabilities | 11,264 | 9,301 | 11,264 | 9,301 | ||||||||||
Net additions (dispositions) of property, plant and equipment | 295 | 239 | 825 | (1,089) | ||||||||||
Dividends declared (3) | 67 | 67 | 268 | 266 | ||||||||||
Cash from operations | 7 | 16 | 773 | 616 | ||||||||||
Normalized funds from operations (1) | 327 | 332 | 1,003 | 895 | ||||||||||
Normalized adjusted funds from operations (1) | 289 | 307 | 880 | 836 | ||||||||||
Normalized utility adjusted funds from operations (1) | 216 | 236 | 585 | 560 | ||||||||||
Normalized effective income tax rate (%) (1) | 21.5 | 12.9 | 22.3 | 16.0 |
Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||
($ per share, except shares outstanding) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) per common share - basic | 0.17 | (0.37) | 1.74 | 2.78 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted | 0.17 | (0.37) | 1.74 | 2.77 | ||||||||||
Normalized net income - basic (1) | 0.53 | 0.70 | 1.42 | 1.25 | ||||||||||
Normalized net income - diluted (1) | 0.53 | 0.69 | 1.42 | 1.25 | ||||||||||
Dividends declared (3) | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.96 | 0.96 | ||||||||||
Cash from operations | 0.03 | 0.06 | 2.77 | 2.22 | ||||||||||
Normalized funds from operations (1) | 1.17 | 1.19 | 3.59 | 3.23 | ||||||||||
Normalized adjusted funds from operations (1) | 1.04 | 1.10 | 3.15 | 3.02 | ||||||||||
Normalized utility adjusted funds from operations (1) | 0.77 | 0.85 | 2.10 | 2.02 | ||||||||||
Shares outstanding - basic (millions) | ||||||||||||||
During the period (4) | 279 | 278 | 279 | 277 | ||||||||||
End of period | 279 | 279 | 279 | 279 |
(1)Non‑GAAP financial measure; see discussion in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A.
(2)Beginning in 2020, Management no longer adjusts normalized EBITDA or normalized net income for changes in the fair value of natural gas optimization inventory. Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A for additional detail. As such, comparative periods have been adjusted to reflect the before and after-tax impacts of this change to normalized EBITDA and normalized net income, respectively.
(3)Dividends declared per common share per month: $0.08 beginning December 2018, increased to $0.0833 per share beginning December 2020.
(4)Weighted average.
Three Months Ended December 31
Normalized EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $392 million, compared to $436 million for the same quarter in 2019. Factors negatively impacting AltaGas' normalized EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2020 included lower realized storage spreads at WGL Midstream, lower realized merchant margins at RIPET, lower equity earnings from Petrogas for the period prior to the acquisition of Petrogas on December 15, 2020, lower NGL marketing margins, warmer weather at certain of AltaGas' Utilities, higher expenses related to employee benefits and incentive plans, and lower frac exposed NGL volumes. Other factors negatively impacting normalized EBITDA included the impact of asset sales, including WGL Midstream's indirect non-operating interest in the Central Penn Pipeline (Central Penn) in November 2019, and ACI in March 2020. Factors positively impacting normalized EBITDA included higher contributions from NEBC assets primarily due to growth capital projects placed in service in 2020, higher rates and gas margins at SEMCO, higher gas margins from WGL's Retail Energy
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Marketing business due to favorable pricing, higher revenue from ARP program spend, and contributions from the consolidation of Petrogas after closing the acquisition on December 15, 2020. Petrogas equity income for the period prior to acquisition was lower primarily due to lower commodity prices in 2020 as well as the absence of a one-time payment related to the termination of a customer contract in the fourth quarter of 2019. On December 15, 2020, AltaGas acquired an additional 37 percent of Petrogas, resulting in AltaGas' ownership of Petrogas being increased to approximately 74 percent. As such, Petrogas' results have been consolidated for the period subsequent to close (please refer to the Acquisition of Petrogas section of this MD&A for additional information). For the three months ended December 31, 2020, the average Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate decreased to 1.30 from an average of 1.32 in the same quarter of 2019, resulting in a decrease in normalized EBITDA of approximately $5 million.
Net income applicable to common shares for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $48 million ($0.17 per share), compared to a net loss of $103 million ($0.37 per share) for the same quarter in 2019. The increase was mainly due to lower provisions on assets, the gain recorded on the re-measurement of AltaGas' previously held equity investment in AltaGas Idemitsu Joint Venture LP (AIJVLP) upon acquisition of Petrogas, lower unrealized losses on risk management contracts, and lower interest expense, partially offset by the same previously referenced factors impacting normalized EBITDA, the absence of the gain on the sale of the U.S. distributed generation assets in the third quarter of 2019, the dilution loss and other adjustments to equity income related to the acquisition of Petrogas, and higher income tax expense.
Normalized funds from operations for the fourth quarter of 2020 were $327 million ($1.17 per share), compared to $332 million ($1.19 per share) for the same quarter in 2019. The decrease was mainly due to the same factors impacting normalized EBITDA, partially offset by lower interest expense. In the fourth quarter of 2020, prior to the acquisition of Petrogas, AltaGas received $3 million of dividend income from the Petrogas Preferred Shares (2019 - $3 million).
In the fourth quarter of 2020, upon the acquisition of Petrogas, AltaGas recorded a gain on the re-measurement of the Company's previously held equity investment in AIJVLP of approximately $22 million. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2020, AltaGas recorded pre-tax provisions on assets of approximately $104 million ($79 million after-tax) primarily related to the Alton Natural Gas Storage Project, which was impaired as AltaGas does not believe that the future expected cash generation from the project aligns with the current carrying value. In the fourth quarter of 2019, AltaGas recorded pre-tax gains on dispositions of assets of approximately $56 million. This was comprised of a pre-tax gain of $68 million on certain U.S. distributed generation projects which were sold in the third quarter of 2019 but transferred to the purchaser in the fourth quarter of 2019, and a pre-tax loss of approximately $12 million on the disposition of equity investments, primarily related to WGL Midstream's indirect non-operating interest in Central Penn. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2019, AltaGas recorded pre-tax provisions on assets of approximately $415 million ($319 million after-tax), primarily related to various assets in the Corporate/Other segment and a sour gas treatment facility in Alberta.
Operating and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2020 were $342 million, compared to $340 million for the same quarter in 2019. The slight increase was mainly due to increased costs related to operations at the NEBC pipeline projects which were placed in service in the second and third quarters of 2020 and increased professional and consulting fees. Depreciation and amortization expense for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $108 million, compared to $109 million for the same quarter in 2019. The slight decrease was mainly due to the impact of provisions recorded against property, plant, and equipment in the fourth quarter of 2019, partially offset by new assets placed in-service in 2020. Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $68 million, compared to $77 million for the same quarter in 2019. The decrease was predominantly due to lower average interest rates compared to 2019.
AltaGas recorded an income tax expense of $5 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to an income tax recovery of $87 million in the same quarter in 2019. The increase in income tax expense was mainly due to higher tax recoveries on asset provisions in the fourth quarter of 2019. Current tax expense of $14 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2020, of which approximately $2 million related to a tax recovery on asset sales.
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Normalized net income was $147 million ($0.53 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $194 million ($0.70 per share) reported for the same quarter in 2019. The decrease was mainly due to the same factors impacting normalized EBITDA and higher income tax expense, partially offset by lower interest expense and lower depreciation and amortization expense. Normalizing items in the fourth quarter of 2020 increased normalized net income by $99 million and included after‑tax amounts related to transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions, restructuring costs, provisions on assets, unrealized losses on risk management contracts, dilution loss and other adjustments to equity income related to the acquisition of Petrogas, and the gain recorded on the re-measurement of AltaGas' previously held equity investment in AIJVLP upon acquisition of Petrogas. Normalizing items in the fourth quarter of 2019 increased normalized net income by $297 million and included after‑tax amounts related to gains on sale of assets, merger commitment cost recovery due to a change in timing related to certain WGL merger commitments, transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions, unrealized losses on risk management contracts, provisions on assets, provisions on investments accounted for by the equity method, gain on redemption of Washington Gas preferred shares, unitary tax adjustment related to the acquisition of WGL and U.S. asset sales, and the impact of a statutory tax rate change in Alberta. Please refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A for further details on normalization adjustments.
Year Ended December 31
Normalized EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $1,310 million, compared to $1,302 million in 2019. Factors positively impacting normalized EBITDA included the impact of Washington Gas' 2019 Maryland and Virginia rate cases, higher contributions from NEBC assets primarily due to growth capital projects placed in service in 2020, the impact of a change in accounting principle relating to Washington Gas' net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit plan costs (please refer to the Critical Accounting Estimates section of this MD&A for additional information), higher rates effective January 2020 at SEMCO due to the 2019 rate case application, higher revenue from ARP spend, higher Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) related to MVP, additional contracted ethane volumes at the extraction facilities, contributions from Petrogas for the period after acquisition, contributions from RIPET, which was placed into service in May 2019, and a shorter planned spring outage at Blythe compared to 2019. These were partially offset by the impact of asset sales, including the U.S. distributed generation assets in September 2019, WGL Midstream's indirect non-operating interest in Central Penn in November 2019, WGL Midstream's interest in the Stonewall Gas Gathering System (Stonewall) in May 2019, ACI in March 2020, Pomona in July 2020, as well as lower equity earnings from Petrogas prior to the acquisition of the additional interest in Petrogas on December 15, 2020, lower U.S. Midstream financial hedge gains and storage withdrawals, lower frac exposed volumes and lower realized frac spreads, lower usage at certain of the utilities, and the cancellation of late fees and related charges by AltaGas' Utilities due to COVID-19. Petrogas equity income for the period prior to acquisition was lower primarily due to lower commodity prices during 2020. Export deliveries up until the month of April were lower than planned due to industry conditions and subsequently have resumed to planned levels. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2019, Petrogas earnings included a large one-time payment related to the termination of a customer contract. On December 15, 2020, AltaGas acquired an additional 37 percent of Petrogas, resulting in AltaGas' ownership of Petrogas being increased to approximately 74 percent. As such, Petrogas' results have been consolidated for the period subsequent to close (please refer to the Acquisition of Petrogas section of this MD&A for additional information). For the year ended December 31, 2020, the average Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate increased to 1.34 from an average of 1.33 in 2019, resulting in an increase in normalized EBITDA of approximately $4 million.
Net income applicable to common shares for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $486 million ($1.74 per share), compared to $769 million ($2.78 per share) in 2019. The decrease was mainly due to the absence of gains on asset sales recorded in 2019 (including Northwest Hydro, Stonewall, and distributed generation assets), dilution loss and other adjustments to equity income related to the acquisition of Petrogas, and higher income tax expense, partially offset by lower provisions on assets, the gain on the disposition of AltaGas Canada Inc. (ACI, now named TriSummit Utilities Inc.), the gain recorded on the re-measurement of AltaGas' previously held equity investment in AIJVLP upon the acquisition of Petrogas,
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 25
gains on the sales of Pomona and Ripon, higher unrealized gains on risk management contracts, the same previously referenced factors impacting normalized EBITDA, lower interest expense, and lower depreciation and amortization expense.
Normalized funds from operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $1,003 million ($3.59 per share), compared to $895 million ($3.23 per share) in 2019. The increase was mainly due to the same drivers as normalized EBITDA and lower interest expense. In 2020, prior to the acquisition of Petrogas, AltaGas received $13 million of dividend income from the Petrogas Preferred Shares (2019 - $13 million) and $5 million of common share dividends from Petrogas (2019 - $6 million).
In 2020, AltaGas recorded pre-tax gains on dispositions of assets of approximately $223 million. This was comprised of a pre-tax gain of $206 million on the disposition of AltaGas' equity investment in ACI, a pre-tax gain of $9 million related to certain distributed generation projects which were transferred to the purchaser in 2020, a pre-tax gain of $5 million on the disposition of Pomona, and a pre-tax gain of $3 million on the disposition of Ripon. In 2020, upon the acquisition of Petrogas, AltaGas also recorded the previously mentioned gain on the re-measurement of it's previously held equity investment in AIJVLP of approximately $22 million. In 2020, AltaGas recorded pre-tax provisions on assets of approximately $109 million ($81 million after-tax) primarily related to the Alton Natural Gas Storage Project, certain U.S. distributed generation projects which had not yet transferred to the purchaser, and land parcels located near the Harmattan gas processing plant. In addition, in 2020, AltaGas recorded a pre-tax provision on equity investments of approximately $7 million ($6 million after-tax) for costs associated with the Constitution pipeline project (Constitution) which was canceled in February 2020. In 2019, AltaGas recorded pre-tax gains on dispositions of assets of approximately $875 million. This was mainly comprised of a pre-tax gain of $688 million on the sale of the remaining interest in the Northwest Hydro facilities, a pre-tax gain of $100 million on the disposition of the U.S. distributed generation assets, a pre-tax gain of $34 million on the disposition of WGL Midstream's interest in Stonewall, a pre-tax loss of $6 million on the sale of Canadian non-core power assets, a pre-tax loss of $1 million on the sale of a WGL Energy Systems financing receivable, a pre-tax gain of $5 million on the sale of certain non-core Midstream processing facilities, and the previously mentioned losses recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019. In 2019, AltaGas recorded pre-tax provisions on assets of approximately $416 million ($320 million after-tax) primarily related to the previously mentioned provisions recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019 and $1 million related to a capital spare turbine in storage which was sold in the third quarter of 2019. In addition, in 2019, AltaGas recorded pre-tax provisions on equity investments of approximately $46 million ($29 million after-tax), including $44 million related to WGL Midstream's indirect, non-operating interest in Central Penn which was sold in November 2019, and $2 million related to biomass investments which were sold in the third quarter of 2019.
Operating and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $1,267 million, compared to $1,299 million in 2019. The decrease was mainly due to the impact of asset sales in the second half of 2019, recoveries related to CEWS, and lower employee salary expenses, partially offset by the impact of RIPET coming online in May 2019 and increased costs related to operations at the NEBC pipeline projects, which were placed in service in the second and third quarters of 2020. Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $414 million, compared to $438 million in 2019. The decrease was mainly due to an amortization adjustment related to the derecognition of an intangible liability, the impact of the sale of U.S. distributed generation assets in September 2019 and the impact of provisions recorded against property, plant, and equipment in the fourth quarter of 2019, partially offset by RIPET coming online in May 2019 and new assets placed in-service. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $274 million, compared to $346 million in 2019. The decrease was predominantly due to lower average interest rates compared to 2019.
AltaGas recorded an income tax expense of $127 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to an income tax recovery of $28 million in 2019. The increase in tax expense was mainly due the absence of tax recoveries on the disposition of the U.S. distributed generation assets in the third quarter of 2019, unitary tax rate adjustments, and a one-time tax recovery related to the Alberta Job Creation Tax Cut in the second quarter of 2019, partially offset by lower tax expense on dispositions in Canada in 2020. Current tax expense of approximately $1 million was recorded in 2020, of which approximately $2 million related to a tax recovery on asset sales.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 26
Normalized net income was $396 million ($1.42 per share) for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $347 million ($1.25 per share) in 2019. The increase was mainly due to the same previously referenced factors impacting normalized EBITDA, lower interest expense, and lower depreciation and amortization expense, partially offset by higher income tax expense. Normalizing items in the year ended December 31, 2020 reduced normalized net income by $90 million and included after‑tax amounts related to gains on sale of assets, transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions, restructuring costs, provisions on assets, provisions on investments accounted for by the equity method, dilution loss and other adjustments to equity income related to the acquisition of Petrogas, COVID-19 related costs, gain recorded on the re-measurement of AltaGas' previously held equity investment in AIJVLP upon acquisition of Petrogas, and unrealized gains on risk management contracts. Normalizing items in the year ended December 31, 2019 reduced normalized net income by $422 million and included after‑tax amounts related to gains on sale of assets, merger commitment cost recovery due to a change in timing related to certain WGL merger commitments, transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions, unrealized losses on risk management contracts, losses on investments, provisions on assets, provisions on investments accounted for by the equity method, a gain on the redemption of Washington Gas preferred shares, the impact of a statutory tax rate change in Alberta, and a unitary tax adjustment related to the acquisition of WGL and U.S. asset sales. Please refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A for further details on normalization adjustments.
Non‑GAAP Financial Measures
This MD&A contains references to certain financial measures used by AltaGas that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. Readers are cautioned that these non-GAAP measures should not be construed as alternatives to other measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. The non‑GAAP measures and their reconciliation to GAAP financial measures are shown below. These non-GAAP measures provide additional information that Management believes is meaningful in describing AltaGas' operational performance, liquidity and capacity to fund dividends, capital expenditures, and other investing activities. The specific rationale for, and incremental information associated with, each non‑GAAP measure is discussed below.
References to normalized EBITDA, normalized net income, normalized funds from operations, normalized adjusted funds from operations (AFFO), normalized utility adjusted funds from operations (UAFFO), normalized income tax expense, normalized effective income tax rate, net debt, and net debt to total capitalization throughout this MD&A have the meanings as set out in this section.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 27
Normalized EBITDA
Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2020 | 2019 (1) | 2020 | 2019 (1) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) after taxes (GAAP financial measure) | $ | 69 | $ | (85) | $ | 572 | $ | 840 | ||||||
Add (deduct): | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 108 | 109 | 414 | 438 | ||||||||||
Interest expense | 68 | 77 | 274 | 346 | ||||||||||
Income tax expense (recovery) | 5 | (87) | 127 | (28) | ||||||||||
EBITDA | $ | 250 | $ | 14 | $ | 1,387 | $ | 1,596 | ||||||
Add (deduct): | ||||||||||||||
Transaction costs (recoveries) related to acquisitions and dispositions | 5 | (4) | 22 | 12 | ||||||||||
Merger commitment costs (recoveries) | — | 1 | — | (4) | ||||||||||
Unrealized losses (gains) on risk management contracts | 24 | 64 | (21) | 85 | ||||||||||
Non-controlling interest related to HLBV investments | — | — | — | 8 | ||||||||||
Losses on investments | — | — | — | 5 | ||||||||||
Gains on sale of assets | — | (56) | (223) | (875) | ||||||||||
Gain on re-measurement of previously held equity investment in AIJVLP | (22) | — | (22) | — | ||||||||||
Dilution loss and other adjustments to equity investments | 26 | — | 42 | — | ||||||||||
Restructuring costs | 4 | — | 6 | — | ||||||||||
COVID-19 related costs | — | — | 2 | — | ||||||||||
Provisions on assets | 104 | 415 | 109 | 416 | ||||||||||
Provisions on investments accounted for by the equity method | — | — | 7 | 46 | ||||||||||
Investment tax credits related to distributed generation assets | — | — | — | 7 | ||||||||||
Accretion expenses | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||
Foreign exchange losses (gains) | (1) | 1 | (4) | 1 | ||||||||||
Normalized EBITDA | $ | 392 | $ | 436 | $ | 1,310 | $ | 1,302 |
(1)In prior years, normalized EBITDA also included adjustments for changes in fair value of natural gas optimization inventory; however, beginning in 2020, this is no longer adjusted for as Management believes this more accurately represents AltaGas' operating profitability. Instead, normalized EBITDA is now adjusted for unrealized gains or losses on hedges related to this optimization inventory which is included in unrealized losses (gains) on risk management contracts. Comparative periods have been restated to reflect this change. As a result of this change, 2019 normalized EBITDA is now $1,302 million, compared to $1,271 million disclosed in the MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2019.
EBITDA is a measure of AltaGas' operating profitability prior to how business activities are financed, assets are amortized, or earnings are taxed. EBITDA is calculated from the Consolidated Statements of Income using net income (loss) after taxes adjusted for pre‑tax depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and income taxes.
Normalized EBITDA includes additional adjustments for transaction costs (recoveries) related to acquisitions and dispositions, merger commitment costs (recoveries) due to a change in timing related to certain WGL merger commitments, unrealized losses (gains) on risk management contracts, non-controlling interest of certain investments to which HLBV accounting is applied, losses on investments, gains on sale of assets, restructuring costs, dilution loss and other adjustments to equity income related to the acquisition of Petrogas, gain on re-measurement of previously held equity investment in AIJVLP, COVID-19 related costs, provisions on assets, provisions on investments accounted for by the equity method, distributed generation asset related investment tax credits, foreign exchange losses (gains), and accretion expenses related to asset retirement obligations. In addition to the dilution loss, the other adjustments to equity income primarily included amounts related to severance, transaction costs, and impairment losses related to the acquisition of Petrogas. COVID-19 related costs normalized in 2020 were primarily comprised of credit losses that were incremental and directly attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic and charges incurred to support remote work arrangements. AltaGas presents normalized EBITDA as a supplemental measure. Normalized EBITDA is used by Management to enhance the understanding of AltaGas' earnings over periods. The metric is frequently used by analysts and investors in the evaluation of entities within the industry as it excludes
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 28
items that can vary substantially between entities depending on the accounting policies chosen, the book value of assets, and the capital structure.
Normalized Net Income
Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2020 | 2019 (1) | 2020 | 2019 (1) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares (GAAP financial measure) | $ | 48 | $ | (103) | $ | 486 | $ | 769 | ||||||
Add (deduct) after-tax: | ||||||||||||||
Transaction costs (recoveries) related to acquisitions and dispositions | 3 | (3) | 18 | 10 | ||||||||||
Merger commitment costs (recoveries) | — | 1 | — | (5) | ||||||||||
Unrealized losses (gains) on risk management contracts | 17 | 49 | (18) | 65 | ||||||||||
Losses on investments | — | — | — | 5 | ||||||||||
Gains on sale of assets | (7) | (42) | (204) | (814) | ||||||||||
Gain on re-measurement of previously held equity investment in AIJVLP | (22) | — | (22) | — | ||||||||||
Dilution loss and other adjustments to equity investments | 26 | — | 42 | — | ||||||||||
Restructuring costs | 3 | — | 5 | — | ||||||||||
COVID-19 related costs | — | — | 2 | — | ||||||||||
Provisions on assets | 79 | 319 | 81 | 320 | ||||||||||
Provisions on investments accounted for by the equity method | — | (6) | 6 | 29 | ||||||||||
Unitary tax adjustment on acquisition of WGL and U.S. asset sales | — | (19) | — | (19) | ||||||||||
Gain on redemption of preferred shares | — | (3) | — | (3) | ||||||||||
Statutory tax rate change | — | 1 | — | (10) | ||||||||||
Normalized net income | $ | 147 | $ | 194 | $ | 396 | $ | 347 |
(1)In prior years, normalized EBITDA also included adjustments for changes in fair value of natural gas optimization inventory; however, beginning in 2020, this is no longer adjusted for as Management believes this more accurately represents AltaGas' operating profitability. Instead, normalized EBITDA is now adjusted for unrealized gains or losses on hedges related to this optimization inventory which is included in unrealized gains on risk management contracts. Comparative periods have been restated to reflect this change. As a result of this change, 2019 normalized net income is now $347 million, compared to $324 million disclosed in the MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Normalized net income represents net income (loss) applicable to common shares adjusted for the after-tax impact of transaction costs (recoveries) related to acquisitions and dispositions, merger commitment costs (recoveries) due to a change in timing related to certain WGL merger commitments, unrealized losses (gains) on risk management contracts, losses on investments, gains on sale of assets, provisions on assets, provisions on investments accounted for by the equity method, restructuring costs, dilution loss and other adjustments to equity income related to the acquisition of Petrogas, gain on re-measurement of previously held equity investment in AIJVLP, COVID-19 related costs, gain on redemption of preferred shares, unitary tax adjustment related to the acquisition of WGL and U.S. asset sales, and statutory tax rate change. Normalized net income is used by Management to enhance the comparability of AltaGas’ earnings, as it reflects the underlying performance of AltaGas’ business activities.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 29
Normalized Funds From Operations, AFFO, and UAFFO
Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Cash from operations (GAAP financial measure) | $ | 7 | $ | 16 | $ | 773 | $ | 616 | ||||||
Add (deduct): | ||||||||||||||
Net change in operating assets and liabilities | 311 | 281 | 203 | 232 | ||||||||||
Asset retirement obligations settled | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | ||||||||||
Funds from operations | $ | 320 | $ | 298 | $ | 980 | $ | 850 | ||||||
Add (deduct): | ||||||||||||||
Transaction costs (recoveries) related to acquisitions and dispositions (1) | 5 | (4) | 17 | 12 | ||||||||||
Merger commitment costs (recoveries) | — | 1 | — | (4) | ||||||||||
Current tax expense (recovery) on asset sales | (2) | 37 | (2) | 37 | ||||||||||
Restructuring costs | 4 | — | 6 | — | ||||||||||
COVID-19 related costs | — | — | 2 | — | ||||||||||
Normalized funds from operations | $ | 327 | $ | 332 | $ | 1,003 | $ | 895 | ||||||
Add (deduct): | ||||||||||||||
Net cash received from (paid to) non-controlling interests | (4) | (4) | (21) | 35 | ||||||||||
Non-utility maintenance capital | (18) | (4) | (36) | (26) | ||||||||||
Preferred dividends paid | (16) | (17) | (66) | (68) | ||||||||||
Normalized adjusted funds from operations | $ | 289 | $ | 307 | $ | 880 | $ | 836 | ||||||
Deduct: | ||||||||||||||
Utilities depreciation and amortization | (73) | (71) | (295) | (276) | ||||||||||
Normalized utility adjusted funds from operations | $ | 216 | $ | 236 | $ | 585 | $ | 560 |
(1)Excluding non-cash amounts.
Normalized funds from operations, normalized adjusted funds from operations, and normalized utility adjusted funds from operations are used to assist Management and investors in analyzing the liquidity of the Corporation. Management uses these measures to understand the ability to generate funds for capital investments, debt repayment, dividend payments, and other investing activities.
Funds from operations are calculated from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and are defined as cash from operations, adjusted for net changes in operating assets and liabilities and expenditures incurred to settle asset retirement obligations. Normalized funds from operations is based on funds from operations, further adjusted for non‑operating related expenses (net of current taxes) such as transaction costs (recoveries) related to acquisitions and dispositions, merger commitment costs (recoveries), current tax expense (recovery) on asset sales, COVID-19 related costs, and restructuring costs. Normalized adjusted funds from operations is based on normalized funds from operations, further adjusted to remove the impact of cash transactions with non-controlling interests, non-utility maintenance capital, and preferred share dividends paid. Normalized utility adjusted funds from operations is based on normalized adjusted funds from operations, further adjusted for Utilities segment depreciation and amortization.
Funds from operations, normalized funds from operations, normalized adjusted funds from operations, and normalized adjusted funds from operations as presented should not be viewed as an alternative to cash from operations or other cash flow measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 30
Normalized Income Tax Expense
Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Income tax expense (recovery) (GAAP financial measure) | $ | 5 | $ | (87) | $ | 127 | $ | (28) | ||||||
Add (deduct) tax impact of: | ||||||||||||||
Transaction costs (recoveries) related to acquisitions and dispositions | 2 | (1) | 4 | 2 | ||||||||||
Unrealized losses (gains) on risk management contracts | 6 | 13 | (4) | 19 | ||||||||||
Gains on sale of assets | 7 | (14) | (19) | (61) | ||||||||||
Restructuring costs | 1 | — | 1 | — | ||||||||||
Provisions on assets | 25 | 96 | 28 | 96 | ||||||||||
Provisions on investments accounted for by the equity method | — | 6 | 1 | 18 | ||||||||||
Statutory tax rate change | — | (1) | — | 10 | ||||||||||
Unitary tax adjustment on acquisition of WGL and U.S. asset sales | — | 19 | — | 19 | ||||||||||
Investment tax credits related to distributed generation assets | — | 1 | — | 7 | ||||||||||
Normalized income tax expense | $ | 46 | $ | 32 | $ | 138 | $ | 82 |
Normalized income tax expense represents income tax recovery (expense) adjusted for the tax impact of transaction costs (recoveries) related to acquisitions and dispositions, unrealized losses (gains) on risk management contracts, gains on sale of assets, restructuring costs, provisions on assets, provisions on investments accounted for by the equity method, unitary tax adjustment related to the acquisition of WGL and U.S. asset sales, statutory tax rate change, and distributed generation asset related investment tax credits. This measure is used by Management to enhance the comparability of the impact of income tax on AltaGas’ earnings, as it reflects the underlying performance of AltaGas’ business activities, and is presented to provide this perspective to analysts and investors.
Net Debt and Net Debt to Total Capitalization
Net debt and net debt to total capitalization are used by the Corporation to monitor its capital structure and financing requirements. It is also used as a measure of the Corporation’s overall financial strength and is presented to provide this perspective to analysts and investors. Net debt is defined as short-term debt (excluding third-party project financing obtained for the construction of certain energy management services projects), plus current and long-term portions of long-term debt, less cash and cash equivalents. Total capitalization is defined as net debt plus shareholders’ equity and non-controlling interests. Additional information regarding these non-GAAP measures can be found under the Capital Resources section of this MD&A.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 31
Supplemental Calculations
Reconciliation of Normalized EBITDA to Normalized Net Income
The below table provides a supplemental reconciliation of normalized EBITDA to normalized net income. Both of these non-GAAP measures have been previously reconciled to the relevant GAAP financial measures in the section above. This supplemental information is provided as additional information to assist analysts and investors in comparing normalized EBITDA to normalized net income and is not intended as a substitute for the reconciliations to the nearest comparable GAAP measures. Readers should not place undue reliance on this supplemental reconciliation.
Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Normalized EBITDA | $ | 392 | $ | 436 | $ | 1,310 | $ | 1,302 | ||||||
Add (deduct): | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (108) | (109) | (414) | (438) | ||||||||||
Interest expense | (68) | (77) | (274) | (346) | ||||||||||
Income tax recovery (expense) | (5) | 87 | (127) | 28 | ||||||||||
Normalizing items impacting tax recovery | (42) | (119) | (12) | (110) | ||||||||||
Accretion expenses | (2) | (1) | (5) | (5) | ||||||||||
Foreign exchange gains (losses) | 1 | (1) | 4 | (1) | ||||||||||
Non-controlling interest related to HLBV investments | — | — | — | (8) | ||||||||||
Net income applicable to non-controlling interests | (5) | (5) | (20) | (7) | ||||||||||
Preferred share dividends | (16) | (17) | (66) | (68) | ||||||||||
Normalized net income | $ | 147 | $ | 194 | $ | 396 | $ | 347 |
Calculation of Normalized Effective Income Tax Rate
The below table provides a calculation of normalized effective income tax rate from normalized net income and normalized income tax expense. Both of these non-GAAP measures have been previously reconciled to the relevant GAAP measures in the section above. This supplemental calculation is provided as additional information to assist analysts and investors in comparing normalized income tax expense to normalized net income and is not intended as a substitute for the reconciliations to the nearest comparable GAAP measures. Readers should not place undue reliance on this supplemental calculation.
Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||
($ millions, except where noted) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Normalized net income | $ | 147 | $ | 194 | $ | 396 | $ | 347 | ||||||
Add (deduct): | ||||||||||||||
Normalized income tax expense | 46 | 32 | 138 | 82 | ||||||||||
Net income applicable to non-controlling interests | 5 | 5 | 20 | 7 | ||||||||||
Non-controlling interest related to HLBV investments | — | — | — | 8 | ||||||||||
Preferred share dividends | 16 | 17 | 66 | 68 | ||||||||||
Normalized net income before taxes | $ | 214 | $ | 248 | $ | 620 | $ | 512 | ||||||
Normalized effective income tax rate (%) (1) | 21.5 | 12.9 | 22.3 | 16.0 |
(1)Calculated as normalized income tax expense divided by normalized net income before taxes.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 32
Results of Operations by Reporting Segment
In 2020, AltaGas revised its reportable segments to align with the structure of its business following asset sales completed as part of its 2019 asset monetization program. As a result of these changes, AltaGas has refocused on its core Utilities and Midstream segments. Consistent with Management’s strategic view of the business and the basis on which it assesses performance and allocates resources, beginning in 2020, AltaGas has two operating segments: Utilities (which now includes the WGL Retail Marketing business) and Midstream. These operating segments have not been aggregated in the determination of AltaGas' reportable segments.
Normalized EBITDA (1) (2) | Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Utilities | $ | 259 | $ | 260 | $ | 788 | $ | 698 | ||||||
Midstream | 128 | 179 | 473 | 531 | ||||||||||
Sub-total: Operating Segments | $ | 387 | $ | 439 | $ | 1,261 | $ | 1,229 | ||||||
Corporate/Other | 5 | (3) | 49 | 73 | ||||||||||
$ | 392 | $ | 436 | $ | 1,310 | $ | 1,302 |
(1)Non‑GAAP financial measure; See discussion in the Non‑GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A.
(2)Beginning in 2020, Management no longer adjusts normalized EBITDA or normalized net income for changes in the fair value of natural gas optimization inventory. Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A for additional detail. As such, comparative periods have been adjusted to reflect the before and after-tax impacts of this change to normalized EBITDA and normalized net income, respectively.
Revenue | Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Utilities | $ | 1,092 | $ | 1,179 | $ | 3,817 | $ | 4,044 | ||||||
Midstream | 572 | 326 | 1,636 | 1,260 | ||||||||||
Sub-total: Operating Segments | $ | 1,664 | $ | 1,505 | $ | 5,453 | $ | 5,304 | ||||||
Corporate/Other | 34 | 34 | 135 | 223 | ||||||||||
Intersegment eliminations | (9) | (5) | (1) | (32) | ||||||||||
$ | 1,689 | $ | 1,534 | $ | 5,587 | $ | 5,495 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 33
Utilities
Operating Statistics
Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||
Natural gas deliveries - end-use (Bcf) (1) | 50.0 | 52.2 | 151.7 | 159.4 | ||||||||||
Natural gas deliveries - transportation (Bcf) (1) | 35.6 | 38.3 | 124.1 | 134.4 | ||||||||||
Service sites (thousands) (2) | 1,672 | 1,653 | 1,672 | 1,653 | ||||||||||
Degree day variance from normal - SEMCO Gas (%) (3) | (4.4) | 4.3 | (4.6) | 5.0 | ||||||||||
Degree day variance from normal - ENSTAR (%) (3) | 0.2 | (20.6) | 5.6 | (17.7) | ||||||||||
Degree day variance from normal - Washington Gas (%) (3) (4) | (10.6) | (3.2) | (11.2) | (7.9) | ||||||||||
Retail energy marketing - gas sales volumes (Mmcf) | 18,053 | 20,131 | 59,782 | 64,460 | ||||||||||
Retail energy marketing - electricity sales volumes (GWh) | 3,257 | 3,291 | 13,607 | 13,218 |
(1)Bcf is one billion cubic feet.
(2)Service sites reflect all of the service sites of the utilities, including transportation and non‑regulated business lines.
(3)A degree day is a measure of coldness determined daily as the number of degrees the average temperature during the day in question is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Degree days for a particular period are determined by adding the degree days incurred during each day of the period. Normal degree days for a particular period are the average of degree days during the prior 15 years for SEMCO Gas, during the prior 10 years for ENSTAR, and during the prior 30 years for Washington Gas.
(4)In certain of Washington Gas’ jurisdictions (Virginia and Maryland) there are billing mechanisms in place that are designed to eliminate the effects of variance in customer usage caused by weather and other factors such as conservation. In the District of Columbia, there is no weather normalization billing mechanism nor does Washington Gas hedge to offset the effects of weather. As a result, colder or warmer weather will result in variances to financial results.
Regulatory Metrics
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
Approved ROE (%) (1) | 10.0 | 10.1 | ||||||
Approved return on debt (%) (1) | 5.4 | 5.4 | ||||||
Rate base ($ millions) (2) (3) (4) | 4,291 | 3,865 |
(1)Average of all the regulated utilities.
(2)Rate base is indicative of the earning potential of each utility over time. Approved revenue requirement for each utility is typically based on the rate base as approved by the regulator for the respective rate application, but may differ from the rate base indicated above.
(3)Reflects AltaGas’ 65 percent interest in Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska LLC.
(4)In U.S. dollars
During the fourth quarter of 2020, AltaGas’ Utilities segment experienced warmer weather at SEMCO, colder weather at ENSTAR, and warmer at Washington Gas compared to the same quarter of 2019.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, AltaGas' Utilities segment experienced warmer weather at SEMCO, colder weather at ENSTAR, and warmer weather at Washington Gas compared to 2019.
Service sites at December 31, 2020 increased by approximately 20 thousand sites compared to December 31, 2019 due to growth in customer base.
In the fourth quarter of 2020, U.S. Retail Energy Marketing gas sales volumes were 18,053 Mmcf, compared to 20,131 Mmcf in the same quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily due to COVID-19 impacts. In the fourth quarter of 2020, U.S. Retail
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 34
Energy Marketing electricity sales volumes were 3,257 GWh compared to 3,291 GWh in the same quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily due to COVID-19 impacts, partially offset by an increase in customers served by the business.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, U.S. Retail Energy Marketing gas sales volumes were 59,782 Mmcf, compared to 64,460 Mmcf in the same period in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to COVID-19 impacts. For the year ended December 31, 2020, U.S. Retail Energy Marketing electricity sales volumes were 13,607 GWh compared to 13,218 GWh in the same period in 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase in customers served by the business, partially offset by COVID-19 impacts.
Three Months Ended December 31
The Utilities segment reported normalized EBITDA of $259 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $260 million in the same quarter in 2019. Factors positively impacting normalized EBITDA included higher rates and gas margins at SEMCO, higher revenue from accelerated pipe replacement program spend, higher gas margins from WGL's Retail Energy Marketing business due to favorable pricing which was partially offset by COVID-19 impacts, and colder weather in Alaska. These were partially offset by the cancellation of late fees and related charges by the utilities due to COVID-19, the impact of the sale of ACI, and lower power margins from WGL's Retail Energy Marketing business as a result of COVID-19 impacts which were partially offset by lower capacity charges in 2020, higher expenses related to employee benefits and incentive plans, a residential energy credit adjustment received in 2019, final Virginia rate case adjustments in 2019, and warmer weather in Michigan.
Year Ended December 31
The Utilities segment reported normalized EBITDA of $788 million in the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $698 million in 2019. The increase in normalized EBITDA was mainly due to the impact of Washington Gas' Maryland and Virginia rate cases, the impact of a change in accounting principle relating to Washington Gas' net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit plan costs (please refer to the Critical Accounting Estimates section of this MD&A for additional information), higher rates effective January 2020 at SEMCO due to the 2019 rate case application, higher revenue from accelerated pipe replacement program spend, colder weather in Alaska, lower operating expenses at WGL's Retail Energy Marketing business, and the favorable impact of the stronger U.S. dollar. This increase was partially offset by warmer weather in Michigan and in the District of Columbia, lower customer usage primarily as a result of COVID-19, the cancellation of late fees and related charges by the utilities due to COVID-19, lower margins from WGL's Retail power marketing operations as a result of COVID-19 impacts which were partially offset by lower capacity charges in 2020, lower margins and volumes from WGL's Retail gas marketing operations as a result of warmer weather and COVID-19 impacts which were partially offset by favorable pricing, and the impact of the sale of ACI.
In 2020, the Utilities segment recognized a pre-tax gain of $206 million on the disposition of ACI. There were no dispositions in the Utilities segment in the year ended December 31, 2019.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 35
Rate Case Updates
Utility/Jurisdiction | Date Filed | Request | Status | Expected Timing of Decision | ||||||||||
Washington Gas - District of Columbia | January 2020 | US$35 million increase in base rates, including US$9 million of annual PROJECTpipes surcharges currently paid by customers for accelerated pipeline replacement. Therefore, the incremental amount of the base rate increase requested is approximately US$26 million. | Washington Gas filed this rate case on January 13, 2020. Washington Gas has also requested approval for a Revenue Normalization Adjustment mechanism to reduce customer bill fluctuations due to weather-related usage variations, similar to existing mechanisms in both Maryland and Virginia. On April 29, 2020, the PSC of DC issued an Order which established a procedural schedule and identified issues to be addressed in the Washington Gas' supplemental direct testimony to be filed May 15, 2020. On September 14, 2020, Washington Gas filed rebuttal testimony. On December 8, 2020, Washington Gas filed, for PSC of DC approval, a settlement agreement to resolve all issues in the case. The settling parties agreed to a US$20 million increase in base rates including PROJECTpipes surcharges previously collected as a rider and return on equity of 9.25 percent. The settling parties agree that this settlement is limited to resolving PROJECTpipes costs that are completed and in service, as of the date of Washington Gas' filed rebuttal testimony (i.e., September 14, 2020). Washington Gas' rebuttal testimony included an amount of up to approximately US$100 million of PROJECTpipes plant in service being transferred to base rates. This settlement does not set any precedent with respect to any future requests for PROJECTpipes cost recovery. Washington Gas agrees it will not file for a distribution rate increase or request any new rate or tariff mechanisms that have a related customer rate increase in the District of Columbia before August 31, 2021. On February 24, 2021, the PSC of DC approved the US$20 million base rate case recommended in the settlement agreement. The new rates will become effective on April 1, 2021. | Settlement agreement approved February 2021 | ||||||||||
Washington Gas - Maryland | August 2020 | US$27 million increase in base rates, including US$6 million currently collected through the Strategic Infrastructure Development Enhancement Plan (STRIDE) surcharges for system upgrades. Therefore, the incremental amount of the base rate increase requested is approximately US$21 million. | Washington Gas filed this rate case on August 28, 2020. On August 31, 2020, the PSC of MD docketed the application and assigned the case to the Public Utility Law Judge (PULJ) division. On September 28, 2020, the PULJ division held a prehearing conference and established a procedural schedule which anticipates a final decision on or about March 26, 2021. On December 8, 2020, Washington Gas filed rebuttal testimony. On February 12, 2021, the PULJ issued a Proposed Order in the Case and an ERRATA filing correcting of the Proposed Order on February 19, 2021. The Proposed Order, as corrected, authorizes Washington Gas increase its Maryland natural gas distribution rates by approximately US$13 million (including US$5 million for the STRIDE surcharge), reflecting a return of equity of 9.70 percent. Appeals are due February 26, 2021 with an order following. Washington Gas expects new rates to be implemented in late March of 2021. | Expected late Q1 2021 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 36
COVID-19 Related Orders
On March 16, 2020, the Council of the District of Columbia (DC Council) passed legislation prohibiting the disconnection of electric and gas services for non-payment of fees during a public health emergency. The Mayor of the District of Columbia's public health emergency declaration and all related orders have been further extended to March 31, 2021, and the prohibition on disconnection is effective for 15 days following the end of the public health emergency. On April 15, 2020, the PSC of DC issued an order authorizing Washington Gas to establish a regulatory asset to capture and track the incremental costs related to COVID-19 that were prudently incurred beginning March 11, 2020.
On March 16, 2020, the Governor of Maryland issued an Executive Order which ordered regulated utilities to cease disconnections and billing of late fees for residential customers through May 1, 2020, which was subsequently amended to extend the order through August 31, 2020. On September 22, 2020, the PSC of MD took action that had the effect of extending the moratorium on service disconnections through November 15, 2020. Due to the winter moratorium on disconnections (November 1 to March 31), this has the effect of delaying residential terminations until April 1, 2021. On April 9, 2020, the PSC of MD issued an order and authorized each utility company to establish a regulatory asset to record the effects of incremental collection and other costs related to COVID-19 prudently incurred beginning on March 16, 2020. On August 27 and 28, 2020, the PSC of MD held Public Conference (PC) 53 to review the impacts of the Executive Order on utilities and the services they provide. On August 31, 2020, the PSC of MD issued an order directing that: (1) Utilities may not engage in service terminations and/or charge late fees until October 1, 2020 and any notices of termination for residential accounts sent before October 1, 2020 are invalid; (2) a Public Service Company must give notice of at least 45 days before terminating service on a residential account; (3) structured payment plans offered by Public Service Companies to residential customers in arrears or unable to pay must allow a minimum of 12 months to repay, with that period extending to 24 months for customers certified as low income; (4) Public Service Companies are prohibited from collecting or requiring down payments or deposits as a condition of beginning a payment plan by any residential customer; and (5) Public Service Companies are prohibited from refusing to negotiate or denying a payment plan to a residential customer receiving service because the customer failed to meet the terms and conditions of an alternate payment plan during the past 18 months. As requested by the PSC of MD, investor-owned utilities in Maryland filed a joint proposed Arrearage Management Program (AMP) plan on October 7, 2020, which was followed by a legislative style hearing in November 2020. On December 21, 2020, the PSC of MD rejected the proposed AMP plan. It will continue to monitor the customer arrearage data provided by utilities, and may revisit this issue in the future.
On March 16, 2020, the State Corporation Commission of Virginia (SCC of VA) issued an order which prohibited disconnections of electricity, gas, water, and sewer utility services during the coronavirus public health emergency, and established certain consumer protection measures. While the SCC of VA order was extended, the disconnection order, but not the consumer protections expired on October 5, 2020. However, following the expiration of the disconnection order, on October 16, 2020, the Virginia General assembly approved legislation that would extend the disconnection prohibition for residential customers for nonpayment of bills or fees until the Governor determines the prohibition does not need to remain in place or until at least 60 days after the state of emergency declared on March 12, 2020 ends, whichever is sooner. The legislation also codified the consumer protection plans, requiring utilities to offer customers in arrears fee-free repayment plans without deposit or eligibility requirements. The legislation became effective in November 2020. On April 29, 2020, the SCC of VA issued an order approving a request from Washington Gas and other Virginia utilities to create a regulatory asset to record incremental prudently incurred costs and suspended late payment fees attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. The October 16, 2020 legislation approved by the general assembly established certain reporting requirements for utilities to report bad debt information and provides utilities with certain exemptions from such requirements based on a utilities' particular facts and circumstances. On December 8, 2020, Washington Gas was awarded $US7.7 million under the Virginia CARES Relief Funding Award, to use for customer arrearages. Virginia customers need to meet the criteria established by the program to get the funds. Any unused funds will be returned to the SCC of VA by December 10, 2021.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 37
On April 10, 2020, the Governor of Alaska signed Senate Bill 241, which allows certificated utilities to record a regulatory asset for extraordinary costs and uncollectible residential utility bills that result from the COVID-19 public health disaster emergency declared by the governor on March 11, 2020. The determination as to whether an extraordinary expense resulted from the COVID-19 emergency is subject to approval by the RCA before recovery occurs through future rates. In response to Senate Bill 241, on April 15, 2020, the RCA opened an information docket to gather information including how utilities are dealing with COVID-19 and its effects. It will also discuss specific sections of Senate Bill 241 regarding deadlines for Commission actions and regulatory assets in a later public meeting.
On April 15, 2020, the MPSC issued an order for all utilities which allows for regulatory asset accounting to capture bad debts in excess of what is in approved rates. Incremental cost recovery was not addressed in the order; however, utilities filed comments and reply on April 30, 2020 and May 13, 2020, respectively, on what extraordinary costs, costs savings, and incremental revenues related to COVID-19 should be considered by the MPSC and how those costs should be tracked. In addition, the order included a list of additional customer protection requirements. On July 23, 2020, the MPSC issued an order asking that any rate-regulated utility seeking recovery of COVID-19 related expenses beyond uncollectible expenses make an informational filing with the MPSC no later than November 2, 2020. SEMCO Gas did not establish a regulatory asset for bad debts since the bad debt expense is not expected to exceed the level approved in the last rate case proceeding. Furthermore, SEMCO Gas determined that the benefit would be de minimis to proceed with filing for the recovery for the incremental COVID-19 costs considering the legal fees associated with completing such a regulatory filing.
Midstream
Operating Statistics
Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||
RIPET export volumes (Bbls/d) (1) (3) | 37,782 | 36,394 | 39,285 | 35,446 | ||||||||||
Ferndale export volumes (Bbls/d) (2) (3) | 33,979 | — | 33,979 | — | ||||||||||
Total inlet gas processed (Mmcf/d) (3) | 1,409 | 1,413 | 1,357 | 1,407 | ||||||||||
Extraction ethane volumes (Bbls/d) (3) | 30,766 | 25,951 | 28,018 | 23,826 | ||||||||||
Extraction NGL volumes (Bbls/d) (3) (4) | 34,199 | 32,313 | 32,206 | 34,054 | ||||||||||
Fractionated volumes (Bbls/d) (3) | 27,026 | 20,310 | 23,559 | 20,159 | ||||||||||
Frac spread - realized ($/Bbl) (3) (5) | 13.95 | 16.54 | 14.37 | 17.47 | ||||||||||
Frac spread - average spot price ($/Bbl) (3) (6) | 9.33 | 8.29 | 5.42 | 11.05 | ||||||||||
Propane Far East Index (FEI) to Mont Belvieu spread (US$/Bbl) (7) | 15.01 | 17.95 | 11.72 | 14.88 | ||||||||||
Natural gas optimization inventory (Bcf) | 39.3 | 41.4 | 39.3 | 41.4 |
(1)Represents propane volumes exported at RIPET since facility was placed into service in May 2019.
(2)Represents propane and butane volumes exported at Ferndale for the period after close of the Petrogas Acquisition on December 15, 2020.
(3)Average for the period.
(4)NGL volumes refer to propane, butane, and condensate.
(5)Realized frac spread or NGL margin, expressed in dollars per barrel of NGL, is derived from sales recorded by the segment during the period for frac exposed volumes plus the settlement value of frac hedges settled in the period less extraction premiums, divided by the total frac exposed volumes produced during the period.
(6)Average spot frac spread or NGL margin, expressed in dollars per barrel of NGL, is indicative of the average sales price that AltaGas receives for propane, butane and condensate less extraction premiums, before accounting for hedges, divided by the respective frac exposed volumes for the period.
(7)Average propane price spread between FEI and Mont Belvieu TET commercial index for the period beginning May 2019.
Propane volumes exported to Asia at RIPET for the three months ended December 31, 2020 averaged 37,782 Bbls/d compared to 36,394 Bbls/d for the same period in 2019. There were 6 full shipments and one partially loaded shipment in the
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 38
fourth quarter of 2020, compared to six shipments in the same period in 2019. Propane and butane export volumes at Ferndale averaged 33,979 Bbls/d, with two shipments to Asia for the period subsequent to close of the Petrogas Acquisition.
Propane volumes exported to Asia at RIPET for the year ended December 31, 2020 averaged 39,285 Bbls/d compared to 35,446 Bbls/d for the same period in 2019. There were 27 shipments during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 15 shipments in the same period of 2019. Higher global export volumes and shipments were a result of RIPET operating for the full year in 2020, an increase in the amount of cargoes sold on the spot market, and a new term contract effective September 2019. Propane and butane export volumes at Ferndale averaged 33,979 Bbls/d, with 2 shipments to Asia for the period subsequent to close of the Petrogas Acquisition.
Inlet gas processing volumes for the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased by 4 Mmcf/d compared to the same quarter in 2019. Lower inlet gas processing volumes in the fourth quarter of 2020 were a result of lower inlet volumes at Younger due to a scheduled turnaround in September 2020 which was extended until late October, and lower inlet volumes at EEEP. The decrease was partially offset by additional volumes from the newly constructed Townsend Deep Cut facility, which was placed in-service in May 2020, and higher inlet volumes at JEEP, Gordondale, and the Blair Creek facilities.
Inlet gas processing volumes for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by 50 Mmcf/d compared to the same period in 2019. Factors negatively impacting inlet gas processing volumes in the year ended December 31, 2020 included lower inlet volumes at the extraction facilities, lower take-or-pay processed volumes at the Townsend Shallow Cut facilities, and the disposal of certain non-core facilities in February 2019. The decrease was partially offset by volumes from the Townsend Deep Cut facility, which was placed in-service in May 2020, volumes from the Nig Creek facility, which was placed in-service in September 2019, and higher inlet volumes at the Gordondale facility.
Average ethane production volumes for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 4,815 Bbls/d, while average NGL production volumes increased by 1,886 Bbls/d compared to the same quarter in 2019. Higher ethane volumes were a result of additional contracted ethane volumes at the extraction facilities. Higher extracted NGL volumes were a result of additional extracted NGL volumes from the Townsend Deep Cut facility, which was placed in-service in May 2020, partially offset by lower inlet volumes at certain extraction facilities, primarily related to the Younger facility due to a planned turnaround, and lower inlet volumes at the Townsend Shallow Cut facilities.
Average ethane production volumes for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by 4,192 Bbls/d, while average NGL production volumes decreased by 1,848 Bbls/d compared to 2019. Higher ethane volumes were a result of additional contracted ethane volumes at the extraction facilities. Lower extracted NGL volumes were a result of lower inlet volumes at the Townsend Shallow Cut facilities and at the extraction facilities, mainly related to the Younger facility, partially offset by additional extracted NGL volumes from the Townsend Deep Cut facility which was placed in-service in May 2020.
Fractionation volumes for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 6,716 Bbls/d compared to the same quarter in 2019. Higher fractionation volumes were a result of the North Pine expansion and additional liquids volumes from the NEBC facilities including the Townsend Deep Cut facility. The increase was partially offset by lower trucked-in volumes at Harmattan, and lower extracted NGLs at Younger due to lower inlet and a turnaround in September that was extended until October.
Fractionation volumes for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by 3,400 Bbls/d compared to the same period in 2019. Higher fractionation volumes were a result of the North Pine expansion and additional liquids volumes from the NEBC facilities. The increase was partially offset by lower trucked-in volumes at Harmattan, and lower extracted NGLs at the Harmattan and Younger facilities due to lower inlet.
Natural gas optimization inventory as at December 31, 2020 was 39.3 Bcf (December 31, 2019 - 41.4 Bcf). The decrease in natural gas optimization inventory was primarily due to higher withdrawals of inventory in the fourth quarter of 2020 as a result of favorable natural gas prices.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 39
Three Months Ended December 31
The Midstream segment reported normalized EBITDA of $128 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $179 million in the same quarter in 2019. The decrease in normalized EBITDA was mainly due to unfavorable realized storage margins at WGL Midstream, lower merchant volumes and realized margins at RIPET (inclusive of hedges), lower NGL marketing margins, lower realized frac spreads and exposed NGL volumes, and the impact of the sale of WGL Midstream's indirect non-operating interest in Central Penn in November 2019. These were partially offset by contributions from Petrogas for the period after acquisition, higher tolling volumes at RIPET, higher processed volumes at the NEBC facilities, higher fractionation and liquids handling revenues due to NEBC growth projects placed into service, and additional contracted ethane volumes at the extraction facilities. During the fourth quarter of 2020, for the period prior to close of the Petrogas Acquisition, AltaGas recorded equity earnings of $8 million from Petrogas compared to $31 million in the same quarter in 2019. Petrogas' export deliveries from Ferndale and volumes transacted through the terminals were at similar levels as in the fourth quarter of 2019. Industry conditions continued to impact the commodity margins and activity levels in Petrogas' other business segments. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2019, Petrogas earnings included a large one-time payment related to the termination of a customer contract. On December 15, 2020, AltaGas acquired an additional 37 percent of Petrogas, resulting in AltaGas' ownership of Petrogas being increased to approximately 74 percent. As such, Petrogas' results have been consolidated for the period subsequent to close (please refer to the Acquisition of Petrogas section of this MD&A for additional information).
In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Midstream segment recognized a gain on it's previously held equity investment in AIJVLP of approximately $22 million, as well as a dilution loss and other adjustments to equity investments related to the acquisition of Petrogas of $26 million. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2020, the Midstream segment recognized pre-tax provisions on assets of approximately $104 million ($79 million after-tax) primarily related to the Alton Natural Gas Storage Project. In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Midstream segment recognized a pre-tax loss of approximately $12 million on the disposition of equity investments, primarily related to WGL Midstream's indirect non-operating interest in Central Penn. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2019, the Midstream segment recognized a pre-tax provision of $34 million related to the Pouce Coupe sour gas treatment facility in Alberta.
Midstream Hedges
Three Months Ended December 31 | ||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
Frac exposed volumes (Bbls/d) | 9,277 | 11,525 | ||||||
NGL volumes hedged (Bbls/d) | 10,068 | 6,228 | ||||||
Average price of NGL volumes hedged ($/Bbl) (1) | 26 | 40 | ||||||
Average RIPET volumes hedged (Bbls/d) | 25,913 | 23,070 | ||||||
Average FEI to Mt Belvieu spread for volumes hedged (US$/Bbl) | 9.05 | 10.28 | ||||||
Average Ferndale volumes hedged (Bbls/d) (2) | 33,717 | — | ||||||
Average FEI to Conway spread for Ferndale volumes hedged (US$/Bbl) (2) | 13.05 | — |
(1)Excludes basis differential
(2)For the period subsequent to close of the Petrogas Acquisition on December 15, 2020.
In the fourth quarter of 2020, AltaGas’ total frac exposed volumes were 9,277 Bbls/d (2019 - 11,525 Bbls/d) and realized frac spread (inclusive of hedges) was $13.95/bbl (2019 - $16.54/bbl).
Year Ended December 31
The Midstream segment reported normalized EBITDA of $473 million in the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $531 million in 2019. Factors negatively impacting normalized EBITDA in the year ended December 31, 2020 included the impact of the sale of WGL Midstream's indirect non-operating interest in Central Penn in November 2019, the impact of the
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 40
sale of WGL Midstream's interest in Stonewall in May 2019, lower storage spreads and withdrawals at WGL Midstream due to lower commodity prices, lower NGL extracted and trucked in volumes, lower realized frac spreads (inclusive of hedges), and lower NGL marketing margins. These were partially offset by higher AFUDC related to Mountain Valley, higher fractionation and liquids handling revenues due to NEBC growth projects placed into service, higher processed volumes at certain NEBC facilities, additional contracted ethane volumes at the extraction facilities, contributions from Petrogas for the period after acquisition, contributions from RIPET which was placed in-service in May 2019, and favorable transportation margins at WGL Midstream. During the year ended December 31, 2020, for the period prior to close of the Petrogas Acquisition, AltaGas recorded equity earnings of $29 million from Petrogas, compared to $75 million in 2019. The decrease in earnings from Petrogas was primarily due to lower commodity prices in 2020, as well as the absence of a one-time payment related to the termination of a customer contract in the fourth quarter of 2019. On December 15, 2020, AltaGas acquired an additional 37 percent of Petrogas, resulting in AltaGas' ownership of Petrogas being increased to approximately 74 percent. As such, Petrogas' results have been consolidated for the period subsequent to close (please refer to the Acquisition of Petrogas section of this MD&A for additional information).
In 2020, the Midstream segment recognized the previously mentioned gain on the re-measurement of it's previously held equity investment in AIJVLP of approximately $22 million and a dilution loss and other adjustments to equity investments related to the acquisition of Petrogas of $42 million. In 2020, the Midstream segment recognized pre-tax provisions on assets of approximately $106 million related to the previously mentioned provisions recognized in the fourth quarter of 2020 and land parcels located near the Harmattan gas processing plant. In addition, in 2020 the Midstream segment recognized a pre-tax provision on equity investments of approximately $7 million related to the Constitution pipeline project which was cancelled in February 2020. In 2019, the Midstream segment recognized a pre-tax gain of $34 million on the disposition of WGL Midstream's interest in Stonewall, a pre-tax gain of $5 million on the sale of certain non-core Midstream processing facilities, and the previously mentioned loss on equity investments recognized in the fourth quarter of 2019. In 2019, the Midstream segment recognized a pre-tax provision on equity investments of approximately $44 million related to WGL Midstream's indirect, non-operating interest in Central Penn which was sold in November 2019 and the previously mentioned provision on assets recognized in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Midstream Hedges
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
Frac exposed volumes (Bbls/d) | 8,952 | 10,534 | ||||||
NGL volumes hedged (Bbls/d) | 9,412 | 6,228 | ||||||
Average price of NGL volumes hedged ($/Bbl) (1) | 29 | 40 | ||||||
Average RIPET volumes hedged (Bbls/d) | 26,801 | 21,106 | ||||||
Average FEI to Mt Belvieu spread for volumes hedged (US$/Bbl) | 9.97 | 10.56 | ||||||
Average Ferndale volumes hedged (Bbls/d) (2) | 33,717 | — | ||||||
Average FEI to Conway spread for Ferndale volumes hedged (US$/Bbl) (2) | 13.05 | — |
(1)Excludes basis differential
(2)For the period after close of the Petrogas Acquisition on December 15, 2020.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, AltaGas’ total frac exposed volumes were 8,952 Bbl/d (2019 - 10,534 Bbl/d) and realized frac spread (inclusive of hedges) was $14.37/bbl (2019 - $17.47/bbl).
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 41
Corporate/Other
Three Months Ended December 31
In the Corporate/Other segment, normalized EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $5 million, compared to a loss of $3 million in the same quarter in 2019. The increase was mainly due to earnings from WGL's remaining projects in its design build and distributed generation business, which was partially offset by the impact of asset sales, including Pomona in July 2020 and Ripon in August 2020.
In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Corporate/Other segment recognized a pre-tax gain of $68 million on certain U.S. distributed generation projects which were sold in the third quarter of 2019 but transferred to the purchaser in the fourth quarter of 2019. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2019, the Corporate/Other segment recognized pre-tax provisions of $380 million related to various long-lived assets.
Year Ended December 31
In the Corporate/Other segment, normalized EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $49 million, compared to $73 million in 2019. The decrease was mainly due to the impact of asset sales, including the U.S. distributed generation assets in September 2019, certain non-core power assets in February 2019, the Northwest Hydro facilities in January 2019, Pomona in July 2020, Ripon in August 2020, and biomass investments in the third quarter of 2019, partially offset by recoveries related to CEWS, earnings from WGL's remaining projects in its design build and distributed generation business, a shorter planned spring outage at the Blythe facility compared to 2019, lower employee salary expenses, and lower expenses related to employee incentive plans as a result of the decreasing share price in 2020.
In 2020, the Corporate/Other segment recognized a pre-tax gain of $9 million on certain U.S. distributed generation projects which were sold in 2019 but transferred to the purchaser in 2020, a pre-tax gain of $5 million on the disposition of Pomona, and a pre-tax gain of $3 million on the disposition of Ripon. In addition, in 2020, the Corporate/Other segment recognized a pre-tax provision of approximately $3 million related to certain U.S. distributed generation projects which had not yet transferred to the purchaser. In 2019, the Corporate/Other segment recognized a pre-tax gain of $100 million on the disposition of the U.S. distributed generation assets, a pre-tax gain of $688 million on the sale of the remaining interest in the Northwest Hydro facilities, a pre-tax loss of $6 million on the sale of Canadian non-core power assets, a pre-tax loss of $1 million on the sale of a WGL Energy Systems financing receivable, and the previously mentioned gains on dispositions recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019. In addition, in 2019, the Corporate/Other segment recognized a pre-tax provision on equity investments of $2 million related to biomass investments which were sold in the third quarter of 2019, a pre-tax provision of $1 million related to a capital spare turbine in storage which was also sold in the third quarter of 2019, and the previously mentioned provisions on assets recognized in the fourth quarter of 2019.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 42
Invested Capital
Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | Utilities | Midstream | Corporate/Other | Total | |||||||||||||
Invested capital: | |||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | $ | 243 | $ | 50 | $ | 2 | $ | 295 | |||||||||
Intangible assets | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||||||
Long-term investments | — | 76 | — | 76 | |||||||||||||
Business acquisition | — | 715 | — | 715 | |||||||||||||
Contributions from non-controlling interest | — | (2) | — | (2) | |||||||||||||
Net invested capital | $ | 244 | $ | 840 | $ | 3 | $ | 1,087 |
Three Months Ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | Utilities | Midstream | Corporate/ Other | Total | |||||||||||||
Invested capital: | |||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | $ | 145 | $ | 93 | $ | 2 | $ | 240 | |||||||||
Intangible assets | 21 | 1 | 2 | 24 | |||||||||||||
Long-term investments | — | 3 | — | 3 | |||||||||||||
Contributions from non-controlling interest | — | (7) | — | (7) | |||||||||||||
Invested capital | 166 | 90 | 4 | 260 | |||||||||||||
Disposals: | |||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | (1) | — | — | (1) | |||||||||||||
Equity method investments | — | (812) | — | (812) | |||||||||||||
Net invested capital | $ | 165 | $ | (722) | $ | 4 | $ | (553) |
During the fourth quarter of 2020, AltaGas’ invested capital was $1,087 million, compared to $260 million in the same quarter in 2019. The increase in invested capital was primarily due to cash paid for the Petrogas Acquisition, contributions to long-term investments, and higher additions to property, plant and equipment, partially offset by lower additions to intangible assets.
The increase in additions to property, plant and equipment in the fourth quarter of 2020 was mainly due to capital expenditures related to system betterment and accelerated pipeline replacement programs at Washington Gas, construction costs related to the Nig Creek facility expansion project, and a turnaround at the Younger facility, partially offset by the absence of construction costs related to the Marquette Connector Pipeline which was placed in-service in December 2019, and the absence of construction costs relating to the NEBC pipeline projects, most of which were completed in the first half of 2020. The disposal of equity method investments in the fourth quarter of 2019 related to the disposition of Central Penn in November 2019.
The invested capital in the fourth quarter of 2020 included maintenance capital of $18 million (2019 ‑ $3 million) in the Midstream segment and $nil (2019 ‑ $1 million) related to remaining power assets in the Corporate/Other segment. Maintenance capital incurred in the fourth quarter of 2020 primarily related to the turnaround at the Younger facility.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 43
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
($ millions) | Utilities | Midstream | Corporate/Other | Total | ||||||||||
Invested capital: | ||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | $ | 740 | $ | 139 | $ | 20 | $ | 899 | ||||||
Intangible assets | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 | ||||||||||
Long-term investments | — | 140 | — | 140 | ||||||||||
Business acquisition | — | 715 | — | 715 | ||||||||||
Contributions from non-controlling interest | — | (7) | — | (7) | ||||||||||
Invested capital | 743 | 990 | 24 | 1,757 | ||||||||||
Disposals: | ||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | — | (3) | (71) | (74) | ||||||||||
Equity method investments | (369) | (7) | — | (376) | ||||||||||
Net invested capital | $ | 374 | $ | 980 | $ | (47) | $ | 1,307 |
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||
($ millions) | Utilities | Midstream | Corporate/ Other | Total | ||||||||||
Invested capital: | ||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | $ | 841 | $ | 438 | $ | 39 | $ | 1,318 | ||||||
Intangible assets | 23 | 5 | 9 | 37 | ||||||||||
Long-term investments | — | 179 | — | 179 | ||||||||||
Contributions from non-controlling interest | — | (41) | — | (41) | ||||||||||
Invested capital | 864 | 581 | 48 | 1,493 | ||||||||||
Disposals: | ||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | (1) | (87) | (2,319) | (2,407) | ||||||||||
Equity method investments | — | (1,191) | (25) | (1,216) | ||||||||||
Net invested capital | $ | 863 | $ | (697) | $ | (2,296) | $ | (2,130) |
During the year ended December 31, 2020, AltaGas’ invested capital was $1.8 billion, compared to $1.5 billion in 2019. The increase in invested capital was primarily due to cash paid for the Petrogas Acquisition, lower contributions from non-controlling interests, and a capital contribution made to AIJVLP related to a cash call in the first quarter of 2020, partially offset by lower additions to property, plant and equipment, and lower contributions to WGL's equity investments in the Mountain Valley pipeline, and Central Penn which was sold in November 2019.
The decrease in additions to property, plant and equipment in the year ended December 31, 2020 was mainly due to the absence of construction costs related to RIPET which was placed in-service in May 2019, the absence of construction costs related to Nig Creek which was placed in-service September 2019, the absence of capital expenditures related to the U.S. distributed generation assets which were sold in September 2019, lower capital expenditures related to the Townsend 2B expansion, North Pine expansion, and NEBC pipeline projects which were placed in-service in the first half of 2020, and the absence of construction costs related to the Marquette Connector Pipeline which was placed in-service in December 2019. These were partially offset by increased expenditures related to the accelerated pipeline replacement programs at Washington Gas and SEMCO, and construction of the Nig Creek expansion project. The disposals of property, plant and equipment in the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily related to the remaining proceeds received from the disposition of the U.S. distributed generation assets and the disposition of Pomona and Ripon in the third quarter of 2020. In the year ended December 31, 2019, disposals of property, plant and equipment primarily related to the disposition of the U.S. distributed generation assets, the Northwest Hydro facilities, and non-core Canadian Midstream and Power assets. The disposal of equity method investments in the year ended December 31, 2020 related to the disposition of ACI, while in the year ended December
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 44
31, 2019 the disposals of equity method investments related to the disposition of Stonewall, biomass investments, and the previously mentioned disposal of Central Penn in the fourth quarter of 2019.
The invested capital for the year ended December 31, 2020 included maintenance capital of $22 million (2019 ‑ $6 million) in the Midstream segment and $14 million (2019 ‑ $20 million) related to remaining power assets in the Corporate/Other segment. The increase in maintenance capital for the Midstream segment was primarily due to increased turnaround expenditures. The decrease in maintenance capital for the Corporate/Other segment was primarily due to lower maintenance expenditures at the Blythe facility.
Risk Management
Risks Related to COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, governments in the jurisdictions where AltaGas operates have maintained measures designed to contain the outbreak, including business closures and restrictions, travel limitations and border closings, quarantines, and restrictions on gatherings and events. The magnitude, outcome, and duration of the pandemic remains uncertain. As a result, it is not currently possible to accurately quantify the total potential impact of the pandemic on AltaGas’ operations or financial results.
AltaGas, with its subsidiaries, activated its pandemic response team to monitor developments related to COVID-19 and to ensure the Corporation was responding swiftly and appropriately. Continuity plans and preparedness measures have been implemented at each of AltaGas’ businesses, with safeguarding the well-being of its personnel as the primary concern. To date, AltaGas has been able to respond to the COVID-19 related challenges with minimal disruption to its operations and business.
AltaGas has identified the following as potential direct or indirect impacts to its business and operations from the pandemic:
▪Key employees and personnel: Widespread inability of AltaGas' workforce or that of the Corporation's contractors to perform their duties would have an adverse impact on AltaGas' ability to continue normal operations in the Utilities, Midstream and Corporate/Other segments. To date, AltaGas has not experienced unavailability of a significant portion of its personnel as a result of COVID-19 related concerns;
▪Return to work: As AltaGas reintegrates its personnel to its workplace, it may incur additional costs to adapt the workplace to meet applicable health and safety requirements. Shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE), the occurrence of additional waves of the virus, or delays in the availability or rollout of vaccines may require AltaGas to revise or delay such reintegration plans. To the extent that it is unable to effectively protect its workforce against the transmission of the virus, AltaGas may be forced to slow or reverse its reintegration efforts and could face allegations of liability;
▪IT infrastructure, privacy and cyber security: Increased volume and sophistication of targeted cyber-attacks have been seen since the declaration of the global pandemic. Pandemic-adjusted operations, such as work from home arrangements and remote access to the Corporation's systems, may pose heightened risk of cyber security and privacy breaches and may put additional stress on the Corporation's IT infrastructure. A failure of such infrastructure could severely limit AltaGas' ability to conduct ordinary operations. To date, AltaGas’ systems have functioned capably, and it has not experienced a material impact to its operations as a result of an IT infrastructure issue;
▪Adverse impacts on market fundamentals and access to capital: AltaGas has seen an impact from COVID-19 related factors in relation to lower margins in the Retail Energy Marketing business, cancellation of late fees and related charges along with the inability to disconnect customers, impacts to income from Petrogas due to lower commodity prices, and increased cost with regard to COVID-19 related costs to the business. The impact of these factors was not material to AltaGas' 2020 financial performance and is currently not expected to be material to the 2021 financial
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 45
performance of AltaGas. While access to capital could be negatively impacted by the global impact of the virus, at this point, AltaGas anticipates that it has adequate access to capital to execute its 2021 business plans; and
▪Counterparty and supplier risk: increased exposure that contract counterparties and suppliers could fail to meet their obligations to AltaGas. Such non-performance by a significant counterparty or supplier could adversely affect AltaGas' operations and financial results. To date, any cases of force majeure invoked by counterparties related to the AltaGas’ assets as a result of COVID-19 have not been material.
To the extent these risks materialize, the Corporation’s ability to carry out its business plans for 2021 may be adversely impacted.
Political Uncertainty and Civil Unrest
Uncertainty exists with regard to the political climate in the jurisdictions where AltaGas operates. Changes in social, political, regulatory, or economic conditions, or in laws and policies governing environment, development, tax, foreign trade, investment or energy could materially adversely affect AltaGas' business and operations.
Recently there have been significant incidents of civil unrest in areas where AltaGas operates. To the extent that civil unrest is accompanied by disruption to transportation routes, damage to infrastructure, violence or destruction, AltaGas' personnel, physical facilities, and operations may be placed at risk and financial and operational results may be adversely impacted.
Other
AltaGas is exposed to various market risks in the normal course of operations that could impact earnings and cash flows. AltaGas enters into physical and financial derivative contracts to manage exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices and foreign exchange rates, as well as to optimize certain owned and managed natural gas assets. The Board of Directors of AltaGas has established a risk management policy for the Corporation establishing AltaGas’ risk management control framework. Derivative instruments are governed under, and subject to, this policy. As at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair values of the Corporation’s derivatives were as follows:
($ millions) | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Natural gas | $ | (69) | $ | (77) | ||||
Energy exports | (31) | (75) | ||||||
NGL frac spread | (6) | (2) | ||||||
Power | (29) | (12) | ||||||
Crude oil and NGLs | 1 | — | ||||||
Foreign exchange | 23 | — | ||||||
Net derivative liability | $ | (111) | $ | (166) |
Summary of Risk Management Contracts
Commodity Price Contracts
The Corporation executes gas, power, LPG, crude oil, ocean freight, and other physical and financial commodity contracts to serve its customers as well as manage and optimize its asset portfolio. A portion of these physical contracts are not recorded at fair value because they are either: 1) designated as “normal purchases and normal sales”; 2) do not qualify as derivative instruments due to the significance of their notional amount relative to the applicable liquid markets; or 3) are weather derivatives, which are not exchanged or traded and the underlying variables relate to a climactic, geological, or other physical variable. The fair value of commodity contracts that qualify as derivatives was calculated using estimated forward prices based
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 46
on published sources for the relevant period. AltaGas has not elected hedge accounting for any of its derivative contracts currently in place. For AltaGas’ Midstream segment, changes in the fair value of these derivative contracts are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period in which the change occurs. For the Utilities segment, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments recoverable or refundable to customers are recorded to regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, while changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not affected by rate regulation are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period in which the change occurs. The Midstream segment also executes fixed-for-floating NGL frac spread swaps to manage exposure to frac spreads as the financial results of several extraction plants are affected by fluctuations in NGL frac spreads.
▪The average indicative spot NGL frac spread for the year ended December 31, 2020 was approximately $5/Bbl (2019 – $11/Bbl), inclusive of basis differentials. The average NGL frac spread realized by AltaGas (based on average spot price and realized hedge price inclusive of basis differentials) for the year ended December 31, 2020 was approximately $14/Bbl inclusive of basis differentials (2019 - $17/Bbl).
▪For 2021, AltaGas estimates an average of approximately 9,000 Bbls/d of NGL will be exposed to frac spreads prior to hedging activities. Hedges are in place for approximately 97 percent of frac exposed NGL volumes including internal hedges.
▪At RIPET, propane price margins are protected through AltaGas' comprehensive hedging program. Approximately one third of 2021 expected volumes are contracted under tolling arrangements. For the remaining volumes, approximately 67 percent are financially hedged at an FEI to Mont Belvieu spread of approximately US$10/Bbl. Approximately 80 percent of RIPET’s propane export volumes are hedged for 2021.
▪At Ferndale, AltaGas is exposed to the propane and butane price differentials between North American Indices and the Far East Index for contracts not under tolling arrangements or naturally hedged supply agreements. AltaGas estimates an average of approximately 32,000 Bbls/d will be exposed to these price differentials in 2021. To date for 2021, AltaGas has hedges in place for approximately 12 percent of these exposed propane and butane volumes at an average FEI to Conway spread of US$14/Bbl for propane and at an average FEI to purchase price spread of US$28/Bbl for butane. AltaGas estimates that an average of approximately 9,000 Bbls/d or 21 percent of 2021 forecast exports from Ferndale are under tolling arrangements or naturally hedged supply agreements.
Additionally, AltaGas uses physical and financial derivatives for the purchase and sale of natural gas in order to optimize owned storage and transportation capacity as well as manage transportation and storage assets on behalf of third parties.
The Utilities segment enters into hedging contracts and other contracts that may qualify as derivative instruments related to the purchase of natural gas to manage price risk for its ratepayers. Additionally, Washington Gas executes commodity-related physical and financial contracts in the form of forward, futures, and option contracts as part of an asset optimization program. Under this program, Washington Gas realizes value from its long-term natural gas transportation and storage capacity resources when they are not being fully used to serve utility customers. Additionally, to serve retail customers, AltaGas enters into both physical and financial contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity and natural gas.
The Corporate/Other segment has various fixed-for-floating power purchase and sale contracts in the Alberta market, which are expected to be settled over the next three years.
Foreign Exchange Contracts
AltaGas is exposed to foreign exchange risk as changes in foreign exchange rates may affect the fair value or future cash flows of the Corporation’s financial instruments. AltaGas has foreign operations whereby the functional currency is the U.S. dollar. As a result, the Corporation’s earnings, cash flows, and other comprehensive income are exposed to fluctuations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates. This risk is partially mitigated to the extent that AltaGas has U.S. dollar-denominated debt and/or preferred shares outstanding. AltaGas may also enter into foreign exchange forward derivatives to manage the risk of fluctuating cash flows due to variations in foreign exchange rates.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 47
▪As at December 31, 2020, Management has not designated any outstanding U.S. dollar denominated long-term debt to hedge against the currency translation effect of its foreign investments (December 31, 2019 - US$300 million).
▪For the year ended December 31, 2020, AltaGas incurred an after-tax unrealized loss of $9 million arising from the translation of debt in other comprehensive income (2019 - after-tax unrealized gain of $60 million).
In connection with the Petrogas Acquisition (please refer to the Acquisition of Petrogas section of this MD&A for additional information), AltaGas acquired various commodity and financial derivative instruments, including the following foreign exchange contracts which are outstanding as at December 31, 2020:
Foreign exchange forward contract | Notional Amount (US$ millions) | Duration | Weighted average foreign exchange rate | Fair Value | ||||||||||
Forward USD sales | US$29 | Less than one year | 1.3591 | $ | 3 | |||||||||
Forward USD purchases | US$356 | Less than one year | 1.2824 | $ | (3) | |||||||||
Foreign exchange swaps (sales) | US$410 | Less than one year | 1.3322 | $ | 23 |
For the year ended December 31, 2020, AltaGas recorded an after-tax realized gain of $1 million on all foreign exchange forward contracts.
Interest Rate Contracts
AltaGas is exposed to interest rate risk as changes in interest rates may impact future cash flows and the fair value of its financial instruments. The Corporation manages its interest rate risk by holding a mix of both fixed and floating interest rate debt.
From time to time, AltaGas may concurrently draw on its credit facility in U.S. dollars and enter into cross currency basis swaps whereby, on final settlement, AltaGas receives U.S. dollars from the counterparty and pays Canadian dollars to the counterparty. As a result, AltaGas reduces its interest expense by taking advantage of the interest rate spread between the Banker's Acceptance (BA) rate and the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) without any additional foreign exchange risk.
Weather Instruments
WGL Energy Services utilizes heating degree day (HDD) instruments from time to time to manage weather and price risks related to its natural gas and electricity sales during the winter heating season. WGL Energy Services also utilizes cooling degree day (CDD) instruments and other instruments to manage weather and price risks related to its electricity sales during the summer cooling season. These instruments cover a portion of estimated revenue or energy-related cost exposure to variations in HDDs or CDDs. For the year ended December 31, 2020, a pre-tax loss of $3 million (2019 - pre-tax loss of $2 million) was recorded related to heating degree day (HDD) and cooling degree day (CDD) instruments.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 48
The Effects of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
The following table presents the unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments as recorded in the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Income:
Three Months Ended December 31 | Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Natural gas | $ | 30 | $ | 14 | $ | 32 | $ | 23 | ||||||
Energy exports | (29) | (65) | 10 | (87) | ||||||||||
Crude oil and NGLs | 4 | — | 4 | — | ||||||||||
NGL frac spread | (13) | (11) | (5) | (17) | ||||||||||
Power | (11) | (2) | (15) | (5) | ||||||||||
Foreign exchange | (5) | — | (5) | 1 | ||||||||||
$ | (24) | $ | (64) | $ | 21 | $ | (85) |
Please refer to Note 23 of the 2019 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding AltaGas' risk management activities.
Corporation Risks
AltaGas manages its exposure to risks using the strategies outlined in the following table:
Risks | Strategies and Organizational Capability to Mitigate Risks | ||||
COVID-19 | • Activation of pandemic response team to monitor developments related to COVID-19 | ||||
• Implement continuity plans and preparedness measures to ensure safe and reliable operations | |||||
• Monitor and implement compliance with regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions | |||||
• Recovery mechanisms in place to track COVID related incremental costs | |||||
• A phased approach to return to work is being managed in keeping with requirements in all jurisdictions with oversight by EHS and senior leadership | |||||
• Designed and delivered tools and information to support workforce resilience through pandemic | |||||
Integration of Petrogas | • Established cross-functional Petrogas integration team focused on effectively integrating operations and realizing efficiencies | ||||
Operations | • Ensure appropriate policies, procedures, and systems are in place and internal controls are operating efficiently | ||||
• Programs to manage pipeline system integrity including accelerated replacement of aging pipeline and infrastructure based on risk mitigation | |||||
• Contractual provisions often provide for recovery of operating costs | |||||
• Centralized procurement strategy to reduce costs | |||||
• Maintain control over operational decisions, operating costs, and capital expenditures by operating certain jointly-owned facilities | |||||
• Maintain standard operating practices, assess and document employee competency, and maintain formal inspection, maintenance, environmental, health, and safety programs | |||||
• Carry property and business interruption insurance | |||||
• Fixed price operating and maintenance contracts with equipment manufacturers | |||||
• Hedging strategy used to balance price and operating risk |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 49
Risks | Strategies and Organizational Capability to Mitigate Risks | ||||
Health and Safety | • Strong process safety management systems | ||||
• Pipeline and asset integrity programs in place | |||||
• Accelerated replacement of mature pipeline infrastructure | |||||
• Preventative and remedial measures to address leak rates within Washington Gas’ distribution system | |||||
• Continuous process improvement strategy employed | |||||
• Comprehensive Environmental, Health and Safety management system | |||||
• Purchase and maintain general liability and business interruption insurance | |||||
Environment and Climate-related | • Measure and monitor emissions, and seek new technologies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from operations | ||||
• Programs in place to reduce fugitive methane emissions | |||||
• Projects designed to limit impacts and throughout operations, monitor land, air, and water quality, where appropriate | |||||
Regulatory and Stakeholder | • Strong working relationships with regulatory authorities | ||||
• Regulatory and commercial personnel monitor and manage regulatory issues | |||||
• Development of consistent framework for stakeholder communication and community consultation | |||||
• Safe Digging campaign, emergency preparedness and 24/7 Gas Control and dispatch to protect utility customers and public | |||||
• Public ESG disclosure and key ESG performance data updates | |||||
• Utilities seek rate recovery through rate cases with regulatory commissions and agencies | |||||
Legislative | • Ongoing identification of public policy issues to determine risks to the Corporation | ||||
• Development of advocacy strategies to address risks | |||||
• Where appropriate, engagement in advocacy at the state/provincial and federal level including joint participation with trade associations | |||||
Liquidity | • Forecast cash flow on a continuous basis to maintain adequate cash balances to fund financial obligations as they come due and to support business operations | ||||
• Maintain financial flexibility and access to multiple credit facilities and continually monitor covenant compliance | |||||
• Execute financing plans and strategies to maintain and improve credit ratings to minimize financing costs and support ready access to capital markets | |||||
Foreign exchange | • Issue long-term debt and preferred shares in U.S. dollars which hedge the Corporation’s net investment in U.S. subsidiaries | ||||
• Employ hedging practices when appropriate, such as entering foreign exchange forward contracts | |||||
Interest rates | • Optimize financing plans to maintain and improve credit ratings to minimize interest costs | ||||
• Monitor and proactively manage the Corporation’s debt maturity profile | |||||
• Employ hedging practices such as entering into interest rate swaps | |||||
• Monitor and manage the mix of fixed versus floating rate debt exposures | |||||
Credit ratings | • Maintain open dialogue with credit rating agencies and request feedback to understand any potential implications to the Corporation’s credit rating | ||||
Information security | • Strong identity and access management controls | ||||
• Improved information management and control of electronic and physical information, in accordance with data classification, data handling, privacy regulations, and data retention requirements | |||||
• Ongoing cybersecurity communication and phishing tests, including targeted training to higher risk teams and individuals | |||||
• Implementation of new information security standards and policies | |||||
• Procedures to ensure regulatory compliance | |||||
• Enhanced penetration and vulnerability testing | |||||
• Incident response protocols |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 50
Risks | Strategies and Organizational Capability to Mitigate Risks | ||||
Construction | • Major projects group manages and monitors significant construction projects | ||||
• Strong in-house project control and management framework | |||||
• Appropriate internal management structure and processes | |||||
• Engage specialists in designing and building major projects | |||||
• Contractual arrangements to mitigate cost and schedule risks | |||||
Long-term natural gas volume declines | • Long-term contracts such as take-or-pay, area of mutual interest, geographic franchise with economic out | ||||
• Increase market share by expanding existing facilities or acquiring or constructing new facilities in productive resource play regions | |||||
• Increase geographic and customer diversity to reduce exposure to any one individual customer or area of the WCSB | |||||
• Strategically locate facilities to provide secure access to gas supply | |||||
• Capitalize on integrated aspects of AltaGas' business to increase volumes through its processing facilities | |||||
Commodity price | • Contracting terms and processing, storage, and transportation fees independent of commodity prices through fee-for-service, take-or-pay, fixed-fee, or cost-of-service provisions | ||||
• Hedging strategy to reduce exposure to commodity prices and earnings volatility with hedge targets approved by the Board of Directors and monitor hedge transactions through Risk Management Committee | |||||
• Regulatory recovery mechanisms for gas purchases to serve utility customers | |||||
• Matching natural gas and electricity purchase obligations with sales commitments in terms of volume and pricing | |||||
• AltaGas' Commodity Risk Policy prohibits transactions for speculative purposes | |||||
• Employ strong systems and processes for monitoring and reporting compliance with the Commodity Risk Policy | |||||
• In-depth knowledge and experience of transportation systems, natural gas, NGL, LPG, and power markets where AltaGas operates | |||||
• Hedge power costs | |||||
• Direct marketing to end-use commercial and industrial customers | |||||
• Execute long-term inflation adjusted electricity purchase arrangements with power buyers | |||||
Counterparty | • Strong credit policies and procedures | ||||
• Continuous review of counterparty creditworthiness | |||||
• Establish credit thresholds using appropriate credit metrics | |||||
• Closely monitor exposures and impact of price shocks on liquidity | |||||
• Build a diverse customer and supplier base | |||||
• Active accounts receivable monitoring and collections processes in place | |||||
• Credit terms, netting arrangements, and margining provisions included in contractual agreements | |||||
Weather | • Anticipated volumes for SEMCO Gas and ENSTAR are determined based on the 15-year and 10- year rolling average for weather, respectively | ||||
• In Maryland and Virginia, Washington Gas has in place regulatory mechanisms and rate designs that eliminate deviations in customer usage caused by variations in weather from normal levels | |||||
• Use of weather derivative instruments by WGL Energy Services | |||||
Labor relations | • Initiatives focused on talent development, employee engagement, and diversity and inclusion among workforce | ||||
• Positive employee relations to retain existing talent and maintain strong relations with labor unions |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 51
Risks | Strategies and Organizational Capability to Mitigate Risks | ||||
Litigation | • Proactive management of lawsuits and other claims | ||||
• Continuous monitoring of defense and settlement costs of lawsuits and claims | |||||
• Experienced in-house legal department | |||||
• Use of expert third parties when needed | |||||
Compliance with regulations and Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | • Experienced in-house legal department | ||||
• Use of expert third parties when needed | |||||
• Ensure appropriate policies, procedures, and systems are in place and internal controls are operating effectively | |||||
• Continuous monitoring of laws and regulations in applicable jurisdictions | |||||
• Continuous monitoring of the related rules of the Securities Exchange Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board | |||||
Adequate natural gas supply and storage capacity to meet customer demand | • Maintain diverse capacity portfolio of firm transportation, storage, and peaking services across different transmission lines for supply flexibility | ||||
• Capacity reserve portfolio maintained for maximum forecasted load under extreme conditions plus a reserve margin approved by regulators | |||||
Natural disasters and catastrophic events, including terrorist acts | • Maintain a comprehensive insurance program that covers losses from natural disasters and catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, tornados, terrorist acts, and other similar occurrences. This program provides a risk transfer mechanism that facilitates timely recovery from losses and mitigates financial impact | ||||
Government trade policy | • Supply chain personnel monitor potential impacts of government trade policy and tariffs on costs for goods used in the normal course of business | ||||
Non-controlling interest in pipeline investments | • Invest in pipeline projects where the developer/builder/operator of the projects are experienced companies with a history of successful project completion | ||||
• Engage specialists in reviewing project assumptions | |||||
• Structure investment agreements to provide mitigation for cost overruns | |||||
• Ensure the structure of the project governance requires timely information flow regarding project status | |||||
• In-house regulatory affairs and public policy resources to validate the information from the developer/builder/operator | |||||
• Appropriate internal management structure and processes | |||||
Volume of power generated | • PPA for the Blythe facility includes specified target availability levels and pay fixed capacity payments upon achieving target availability, and as a result, volumes of power sold have a minimal impact on the Corporation | ||||
Political uncertainty and civil unrest | • Monitor changes in law | ||||
• Operational procedures in place including physical security, emergency response | |||||
• Ongoing communication by management with employees in all operational areas |
Liquidity
As a result of certain commitments made to the PSC of DC, the PSC of MD, and the SCC of VA in respect of the WGL Acquisition, Washington Gas is subject to certain restrictions when paying dividends to AltaGas. However, AltaGas does not expect that this will have an impact on AltaGas’ ability to meet its obligations.
In addition, Wrangler SPE LLC and Washington Gas made certain ring fencing commitments to the PSC of DC, the PSC of MD, and the SCC of VA with the intention of removing Washington Gas from the bankruptcy estate of AltaGas and its affiliates, other than Washington Gas and Wrangler SPE LLC (together, the “Ring Fenced Entities”). Because of these ring fencing measures, none of the assets of the Ring Fenced Entities would be available to satisfy the debt or contractual obligations of AltaGas or any non-Ring Fenced Entity Affiliate, including any indebtedness or other contractual obligations of AltaGas, and
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 52
the Ring Fenced Entities do not bear any liability for indebtedness or other contractual obligations of any non-Ring Fenced Entity, and vice versa.
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||
($ millions) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
Cash from operations | $ | 773 | $ | 616 | ||||||||||
Investing activities | (1,211) | 2,184 | ||||||||||||
Financing activities | 392 | (2,874) | ||||||||||||
Decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | (46) | $ | (74) |
Cash From Operations
Cash from operations increased by $156 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019, primarily due to higher net income after taxes (after adjusting for non-cash items) and favorable variances in the net change in operating assets and liabilities, partly offset by lower distributions from equity investments. The majority of the variance in net change in operating assets and liabilities was due to increased cash flows from accounts payable and accrued liabilities driven by asset sales and fluctuations in volumes and prices, and increased cash flows related to other current assets due to lower cash collateral posted with counterparties and lower prepaid expenses. These increases were partially offset by decreased cash flows from accounts receivable due to fluctuations in commodity prices and sales volumes, regulatory assets and liabilities primarily due to overall warmer weather experienced by the Utilities segment, refunds of certain regulatory liabilities to customers, and increases in non-weather related regulatory liabilities.
Working Capital
($ millions, except working capital ratio) | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Current assets | $ | 2,497 | $ | 2,196 | ||||
Current liabilities | 2,607 | 3,125 | ||||||
Working deficiency | $ | (110) | $ | (929) | ||||
Working capital ratio (1) | 0.96 | 0.70 |
(1)Calculated as current assets divided by current liabilities.
The increase in the working capital ratio was primarily due to increases in in accounts receivable, and decreases in short-term debt and the current portion of long-term debt, partially offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and decreases in prepaid expenses and other assets. AltaGas’ working capital will fluctuate in the normal course of business. The working capital deficiency is expected to be funded using cash flow from operations and available credit facilities as required.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $1.2 billion, compared to cash from investing activities of $2.2 billion in 2019. Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily included the cash payment, net of cash acquired, of $675 million for the Petrogas Acquisition, expenditures of approximately $843 million for property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets, $75 million related to the change in loan to an affiliate, and approximately $72 million of contributions to equity investments, which were partially offset by proceeds of $4 million from the sale of investments in publicly-traded entities, $376 million from the disposition of equity investments (primarily for the disposition of ACI), and proceeds of $74 million from the disposition of assets (net of transaction costs). Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 included proceeds of $3.6 billion from asset sales completed in 2019 (including the Northwest Hydro facilities, distributed generation assets, Central Penn, Stonewall, biomass assets, and non-core Canadian Midstream and Power assets) and proceeds of $73 million from the sale of a WGL Energy Systems financing receivable, partially offset by
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 53
expenditures of approximately $1.3 billion for property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets, and approximately $179 million of contributions to equity investments.
Financing Activities
Cash from financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $392 million, compared to cash used in financing activities of $2.9 billion in 2019. Financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 were primarily comprised of net repayments of short-term debt and repayments of long-term debt of $1.2 billion, dividends of $334 million, $200 million for the redemption of Series I Preferred Shares, and distributions to non-controlling interests of $28 million, partially offset by debt issuances of $2.0 billion, net issuances under credit facilities of $191 million, and contributions from non-controlling interests of $7 million. Financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 were primarily comprised of net repayments of short-term debt and repayments of long-term debt of $1.6 billion, net repayments under credit facilities of $1.9 billion, dividends of $334 million, distributions to non-controlling interests of $13 million, and the redemption of preferred shares of $38 million, partially offset by debt issuances of $889 million, net proceeds from the issuance of common shares of $68 million and contributions from non-controlling interests of $48 million. Total dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders of AltaGas for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $334 million (2019 - $334 million), of which $6 million was reinvested through the DRIP (2019 - $68 million). Beginning with the January dividend paid on February 17, 2020, dividend payments are no longer eligible for reinvestment by participating shareholders under the DRIP.
Capital Resources
AltaGas' objective for managing capital is to maintain its investment grade credit ratings, ensure adequate liquidity, optimize the profitability of its existing assets, and grow its energy infrastructure to create long‑term value and enhance returns for its investors. AltaGas' capital structure is comprised of shareholders' equity (including non‑controlling interests), short‑term and long‑term debt (including the current portion) less cash and cash equivalents.
The use of debt or equity funding is based on AltaGas’ capital structure, which is determined by considering the norms and risks associated with operations and cash flow stability and sustainability.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 54
($ millions) | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Short-term debt (1) | $ | 236 | $ | 389 | ||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 360 | 923 | ||||||
Long-term debt (2) | 7,626 | 5,928 | ||||||
Total debt | 8,222 | 7,240 | ||||||
Less: cash and cash equivalents | (32) | (57) | ||||||
Net debt | $ | 8,190 | $ | 7,183 | ||||
Shareholders' equity | 7,041 | 7,215 | ||||||
Non-controlling interests | 620 | 154 | ||||||
Total capitalization | $ | 15,851 | $ | 14,552 | ||||
Net debt-to-total capitalization (%) | 52 | 49 |
(1)For the purposes of the net debt calculation, short-term debt excludes third-party project financing obtained on behalf of the United States federal government to provide funds for the construction of certain energy management services projects. As this debt was obtained on behalf of the U.S. government, AltaGas would only need to repay in the event that the project is not completed or accepted by the government. See Note 15 of the 2020 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details. At December 31, 2020, the project financing balance excluded from short-term debt in above table was $20 million (December 31, 2019 - $71 million).
(2)Net of debt issuance costs of $43 million as at December 31, 2020 (December 31, 2019 - $36 million).
As at December 31, 2020, AltaGas’ total debt primarily consisted of outstanding medium-term notes (MTNs) of $4.0 billion (December 31, 2019 - $3.0 billion), WGL and Washington Gas long-term debt of $2.1 billion (December 31, 2019 - $2.4 billion), reflecting fair value adjustments on acquisition, SEMCO long‑term debt of $641 million (December 31, 2019 - $466 million), $934 million drawn under the bank credit facilities (December 31, 2019 - $643 million) and short-term debt of $256 million (December 31, 2019 - $460 million). In addition, AltaGas had $230 million of letters of credit outstanding (December 31, 2019 - $307 million).
As at December 31, 2020, AltaGas’ total market capitalization was approximately $5.2 billion based on approximately 279 million common shares outstanding and a closing trading price on December 31, 2020 of $18.72 per common share.
AltaGas' earnings interest coverage for the rolling twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was 2.8 times (twelve months ended December 31, 2019 – 3.2 times).
Credit Facilities ($ millions) | Borrowing capacity | Drawn at December 31, 2020 | Drawn at December 31, 2019 | ||||||||
AltaGas demand credit facilities (1) (2) | $ | 70 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||
AltaGas revolving credit facilities (1) (2) | 3,460 | 802 | 90 | ||||||||
AltaGas term credit facility (1) | — | — | 390 | ||||||||
SEMCO Energy US$150 million credit facilities (1) (2) | 191 | 80 | 163 | ||||||||
WGL US$250 million revolving credit facility (1) (2) (3) | 318 | 132 | 239 | ||||||||
Washington Gas US$450 million revolving credit facility (1) (2) (3) | 573 | 363 | 518 | ||||||||
Petrogas revolving credit facilities | 258 | 57 | — | ||||||||
$ | 4,870 | $ | 1,434 | $ | 1,400 |
(1)Amount drawn at December 31, 2020 converted at the month‑end rate of 1 U.S. dollar = 1.2732 Canadian dollar (December 31, 2019 - 1 U.S. dollar = 1.2988 Canadian dollar).
(2)All US$ borrowing capacity was converted at the December 31, 2020 U.S./Canadian dollar month-end exchange rate.
(3)Amounts drawn include commercial paper that is supported by the long term facilities. WGL and Washington Gas have the right to request additional borrowings of up to US$100 million with the bank’s approval, for a total of US$350 million and US$550 million on their respective facilities.
In addition to the facilities listed above, AltaGas has demand Letter of Credit facilities of $330 million. At December 31, 2020, there were letters of credit for $229 million (December 31, 2019 - $281 million) issued on these facilities and an additional $1 million (December 31, 2019 - $25 million) issued on the company's revolving credit facilities.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 55
WGL and Washington Gas use short-term debt in the form of commercial paper or unsecured short-term bank loans to fund seasonal cash requirements. Revolving committed credit facilities are maintained in an amount equal to or greater than the expected maximum commercial paper position. As at December 31, 2020, commercial paper outstanding totaled $495 million for WGL and Washington Gas (December 31, 2019 – $757 million).
All of the borrowing facilities have covenants customary for these types of facilities, which must be met at each quarter end. AltaGas and its subsidiaries have been in compliance with all financial covenants each quarter since the establishment of the facilities. AltaGas and its subsidiaries are also in compliance with trust indenture requirements for its MTNs as at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
The following table summarizes the Corporation's primary financial covenants as defined by the credit facility agreements:
Ratios | Debt covenant requirements | As at December 31, 2020 | ||||||
Bank debt-to-capitalization (1) | not greater than 65 percent | less than 52% | ||||||
Bank EBITDA-to-interest expense (1) (2) | not less than 2.5x | greater than | 4.5x | |||||
Bank debt-to-capitalization (SEMCO) (2) (3) | not greater than 60 percent | less than 45% | ||||||
Bank EBITDA-to-interest expense (SEMCO) (2) (3) | not less than 2.25x | greater than | 9.0x | |||||
Bank debt-to-capitalization (WGL) (4) | not greater than 65 percent | less than 46% | ||||||
Bank debt-to-capitalization (Washington Gas) (4) | not greater than 65 percent | less than 49% |
(1)Calculated in accordance with the Corporation’s US$1.2 billion credit facility agreement, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The covenants are equivalent and applicable to all the Corporation’s committed credit facilities.
(2)Estimated, subject to final adjustments.
(3)Bank EBITDA-to-interest expense (SEMCO) and Bank debt-to-capitalization (SEMCO) are calculated based on SEMCO’s consolidated financial statements and are calculated similar to Bank debt-to-capitalization and Bank EBITDA-to-interest expense.
(4)WGL’s bank debt-to-capitalization ratio is calculated based on WGL’s consolidated financial statements.
On September 25, 2019, a $2.0 billion base shelf prospectus for the issuance of certain types of future public debt and/or equity issuances was filed. This enables AltaGas to access the Canadian capital markets on a timely basis during the 25-month period that the base shelf prospectus remains effective. As at December 31, 2020, approximately $0.3 billion was available under the base shelf prospectus.
On February 22, 2021, a $2.5 billion base shelf prospectus for the issuance of certain types of future public debt and/or equity issuances was filed to replace the base shelf prospectus dated September 25, 2019. This enables AltaGas to access the Canadian capital markets on a timely basis during the 25-month period that the base shelf prospectus remains effective.
On January 21, 2020, AltaGas filed a US$2.0 billion short form base shelf prospectus in both Alberta and the U.S. This will enable AltaGas to access the U.S. capital markets during the 25-month period that the base shelf prospectus remains effective. As at December 31, 2020, US$2.0 billion was available under the base shelf prospectus. On February 22, 2021, AltaGas filed a US$2.0 billion short form base shelf prospectus in both Alberta and the U.S. to replace the US$2.0 billion short form base shelf prospectus filed on January 21, 2020.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 56
Contractual Obligations
December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | Total | Less than 1 year | 1 - 3 years | 4 - 5 years | After 5 years | ||||||||||||
Short-term debt (1) | $ | 256 | $ | 256 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
Long-term debt (1) | 7,937 | 356 | 1,771 | 1,324 | 4,486 | ||||||||||||
Operating leases (2) | 450 | 96 | 139 | 90 | 125 | ||||||||||||
Purchase obligations | 36,158 | 3,737 | 6,002 | 5,133 | 21,286 | ||||||||||||
Capital project commitments | 25 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Pension plan and retiree benefits (3) | 16 | 16 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Merger commitments (4) | 15 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||
Land purchase commitment (5) | 20 | 20 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Environmental commitments | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | — | ||||||||||||
Post-acquisition contingent payments (6) | 16 | — | 16 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Other liabilities (7) | 37 | 37 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Total contractual obligations (8) | $ | 44,943 | $ | 4,550 | $ | 7,938 | $ | 6,554 | $ | 25,901 |
(1)Excludes deferred financing costs, discounts, finance lease liabilities, and the fair value adjustment on the WGL Acquisition.
(2)Payments are presented on an undiscounted cash basis.
(3)Assumes only required payments will be made into the pension plans in 2021. Contributions are made in accordance with independent actuarial valuations.
(4)Relates to merger commitments arising from the WGL Acquisition. Represents the estimated future payments of merger commitments that have been accrued but not paid. In addition, there are certain additional merger commitments that were and will be expensed as the costs are incurred, including the investment of up to US$70 million over a ten year period to further extend natural gas service, investment of US$8 million for leak mitigation within three years, which has been paid as of December 31, 2020, hiring damage prevention trainers in each jurisdiction for a total of US$2 million over five years, and developing 15 megawatts of either electric grid energy storage or Tier 1 renewable resources within five years after the merger closed. As at December 31, 2020, the cumulative amount of merger commitments that have been expensed but not yet paid is approximately US$12 million.
(5)As part of the Petrogas Acquisition, AltaGas acquired a commitment to purchase land as part of an agreement for it's continued use of the Ferndale terminal.
(6)Contingent payments of up to $16 million are expected to be paid related to the Petrogas Acquisition.
(7)Excludes non-financial liabilities.
(8)U.S. dollar commitments have been converted to Canadian dollars using the December 31, 2020 exchange rate.
AltaGas expects to fund its obligations through internally-generated cash flow, asset sales, and normal course borrowings on existing committed credit facilities.
Related Party Transactions
In the normal course of business, AltaGas transacts with its subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures. Refer to Note 30 of the 2020 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for the amounts due to or from related parties on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the classification of revenue, income, and expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 57
Credit Ratings
The below table summarizes the most recent credit ratings for AltaGas and subsidiaries:
Entity | Rating Agency | Debt Rated | Most Recent Rating | Comments | ||||||||||
AltaGas | Standard & Poor's (S&P) | Issuer rating | BBB- | Affirmed on December 2, 2020. | ||||||||||
Senior unsecured | BBB- | Affirmed on December 2, 2020. | ||||||||||||
Preferred shares | P-3 | Affirmed on December 2, 2020. | ||||||||||||
DBRS Limited (DBRS) | Issuer | BBB(low) | Affirmed on December 8, 2020. | |||||||||||
Preferred shares | Pfd-3(low) | Affirmed on December 8, 2020. | ||||||||||||
Fitch Ratings (Fitch) | Issuer | BBB | Affirmed on April 3, 2020. | |||||||||||
Preferred shares | BB+ | Affirmed on April 3, 2020. | ||||||||||||
Washington Gas | Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) | Senior unsecured | A3 | Downgraded to A3 from A2 on January 30, 2020. Stable outlook rating on February 4, 2020. | ||||||||||
Commercial paper | P-2 | Downgraded to P-2 from P-1 on January 30, 2020. Stable outlook rating on February 4, 2020. | ||||||||||||
S&P | Issuer and unsecured debt | A- | Raised from BBB+ to A- on December 11, 2019. | |||||||||||
Commercial paper | A-2 | Affirmed on December 11, 2019. | ||||||||||||
Fitch | Issuer | A- | Affirmed on April 3, 2020. | |||||||||||
WGL | Moody's | Senior unsecured | Baa1 | Affirmed on January 30, 2020 and changed outlook from stable to negative. Stable outlook rating on February 4, 2020. | ||||||||||
Commercial paper | P-2 | Affirmed on January 30, 2020 and changed outlook from stable to negative. Stable outlook rating on February 4, 2020. | ||||||||||||
S&P | Issuer | BBB- | Affirmed on December 11, 2019 and outlook was revised from negative to stable. | |||||||||||
Senior unsecured | BB+ | Affirmed on December 11, 2019. | ||||||||||||
Commercial paper | A-3 | Affirmed on December 11, 2019. | ||||||||||||
Fitch | Issuer | BBB | Affirmed on April 3, 2020. | |||||||||||
SEMCO | Moody's | Long-term issuer | A3 | Raised from Baa1 to A3 on January 22, 2021 with stable outlook. | ||||||||||
Senior secured notes | A1 | Raised from A2 to A1 on January 22, 2021 with stable outlook. | ||||||||||||
S&P | Long-term issuer | BBB | Raised from BBB- to BBB on December 12, 2019. | |||||||||||
Senior secured notes | A- | Raised from BBB+ to A- on December 12, 2019. |
According to the S&P rating system, an obligor rated BBB has adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments. The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories. A P-3 rating by S&P is the third highest of eight categories granted by S&P under its Canadian preferred share rating scale and a P-3 rating directly corresponds with a BB rating under its global preferred rating scale. The Canadian preferred share rating scale is fully determined by the global preferred rating scale and there are no additional analytical criteria associated with the determination of ratings on the Canadian preferred share rating scale. According to the S&P rating system, while securities rated P-3 are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, they are less vulnerable to non-payment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. The ratings from P-1 to P-5 may be modified by "high" and "low" grades which indicate relative standing within the major rating categories.
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According to the DBRS rating system, debt securities rated BBB are of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered acceptable, but may be vulnerable to future events. "High" or "Low" grades are used to indicate the relative standing within a particular rating category. A Pfd-3 rating by DBRS is the third highest of six categories granted by DBRS. According to the DBRS rating system, preferred shares rated Pfd-3 are of adequate credit quality. While protection of dividends and principal is still considered acceptable, the issuing entity is more susceptible to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions, and there may be other adversities present which detract from debt protection. Pfd-3 ratings normally correspond with companies whose bonds are rated in the higher end of the BBB category. "High" or "Low" grades are used to indicate the relative standing within a rating category. The absence of either a "High" or "Low" designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the category.
According to the Fitch rating system, ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. A ‘BB’ rating by Fitch indicates an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists that support the servicing of financial commitments.
According to the Moody’s rating system, Baa ratings indicate moderate credit risk. Obligations rated Baa are considered medium-grade and as such may possess speculative characteristics.
The credit ratings accorded to the securities by the rating agencies are not recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell the securities in as much as such ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. There is no assurance that any rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that any rating will not be revised or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency in the future if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant.
Share Information
As at February 19, 2021 | |||||
Issued and outstanding | |||||
Common shares | 279,533,433 | ||||
Preferred Shares | |||||
Series A | 6,746,679 | ||||
Series B | 1,253,321 | ||||
Series C | 8,000,000 | ||||
Series E | 8,000,000 | ||||
Series G | 6,885,823 | ||||
Series H | 1,114,177 | ||||
Series K | 12,000,000 | ||||
Issued | |||||
Share options | 10,174,183 | ||||
Share options exercisable | 4,343,553 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 59
Dividends
AltaGas declares and pays a monthly dividend to its common shareholders. Dividends on preferred shares are paid quarterly. Dividends are at the discretion of the Board of Directors and dividend levels are reviewed periodically, giving consideration to the ongoing sustainable cash flow from operating activities, maintenance and growth capital expenditures, and debt repayment requirements of AltaGas.
On December 10, 2020, AltaGas announced that its Board of Directors approved a 4 percent increase to its annual common share dividends. Monthly dividends to common shareholders will be increased to $0.0833 per common share ($1.00 per common share annually), effective for the December 2020 dividend.
The following table summarizes AltaGas’ dividend declaration history:
Common Share Dividends | ||||||||
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
($ per common share) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.240000 | $ | 0.240000 | ||||
Second quarter | 0.240000 | 0.240000 | ||||||
Third quarter | 0.240000 | 0.240000 | ||||||
Fourth quarter | 0.243300 | 0.240000 | ||||||
Total | $ | 0.963300 | $ | 0.960000 |
Series A Preferred Share Dividends | ||||||||
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
($ per preferred share) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.211250 | $ | 0.211250 | ||||
Second quarter | 0.211250 | 0.211250 | ||||||
Third quarter | 0.211250 | 0.211250 | ||||||
Fourth quarter | 0.191250 | 0.211250 | ||||||
Total | $ | 0.825000 | $ | 0.845000 |
Series B Preferred Share Dividends | ||||||||
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
($ per preferred share) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.268030 | $ | 0.269380 | ||||
Second quarter | 0.267160 | 0.270510 | ||||||
Third quarter | 0.183180 | 0.273921 | ||||||
Fourth quarter | 0.176520 | 0.270830 | ||||||
Total | $ | 0.894890 | $ | 1.084641 |
Series C Preferred Share Dividends | ||||||||
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
(US$ per preferred share) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.330625 | $ | 0.330625 | ||||
Second quarter | 0.330625 | 0.330625 | ||||||
Third quarter | 0.330625 | 0.330625 | ||||||
Fourth quarter | 0.330625 | 0.330625 | ||||||
Total | $ | 1.322500 | $ | 1.322500 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 60
Series E Preferred Share Dividends | ||||||||
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
($ per preferred share) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.337063 | $ | 0.337063 | ||||
Second quarter | 0.337063 | 0.337063 | ||||||
Third quarter | 0.337063 | 0.337063 | ||||||
Fourth quarter | 0.337063 | 0.337063 | ||||||
Total | $ | 1.348252 | $ | 1.348252 |
Series G Preferred Share Dividends | ||||||||
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
($ per preferred share) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.265125 | $ | 0.296875 | ||||
Second quarter | 0.265125 | 0.296875 | ||||||
Third quarter | 0.265125 | 0.296875 | ||||||
Fourth quarter | 0.265125 | 0.265125 | ||||||
Total | $ | 1.060500 | $ | 1.155750 |
Series H Preferred Share Dividends | ||||||||
Year ended December 31 | ||||||||
($ per preferred share) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.292890 | $ | — | ||||
Second quarter | 0.292020 | — | ||||||
Third quarter | 0.208320 | — | ||||||
Fourth quarter | 0.201660 | 0.296040 | ||||||
Total | $ | 0.994890 | $ | 0.296040 |
Series I Preferred Share Dividends (1) | ||||||||
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
($ per preferred share) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.328125 | $ | 0.328125 | ||||
Second quarter | 0.328125 | 0.328125 | ||||||
Third quarter | 0.328125 | 0.328125 | ||||||
Fourth quarter | 0.328125 | 0.328125 | ||||||
Total | $ | 1.312500 | $ | 1.312500 |
(1)On December 31, 2020, AltaGas redeemed all of it's outstanding Series I preferred shares.
Series K Preferred Share Dividends | ||||||||
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
($ per preferred share) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.312500 | $ | 0.312500 | ||||
Second quarter | 0.312500 | 0.312500 | ||||||
Third quarter | 0.312500 | 0.312500 | ||||||
Fourth quarter | 0.312500 | 0.312500 | ||||||
Total | $ | 1.250000 | $ | 1.250000 |
Critical Accounting Estimates
Since a determination of the value of many assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses is dependent upon future events, the preparation of AltaGas' Consolidated Financial Statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions that have been
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made using careful judgment. AltaGas’ significant accounting policies are contained in the notes to the 2020 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain of these policies involve critical accounting estimates as a result of the requirement to make particularly subjective or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain, and because of the likelihood that materially different amounts could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions.
Significant estimates and judgments made by Management in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements are outlined below:
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
SEMCO Gas, ENSTAR and Washington Gas engage in the delivery and sale of natural gas. SEMCO Gas and ENSTAR are regulated by the MPSC and RCA, respectively. Washington Gas is regulated by the PSC of DC in the District of Columbia, the PSC of MD in Maryland, and the SCC of VA in Virginia.
The regulatory agencies exercise statutory authority over matters such as tariffs, rates, construction, operations, financing, returns and certain contracts with customers. In order to recognize the economic effects of the actions and decisions of the regulators, the timing of recognition of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as a result of regulation may differ from that otherwise expected using U.S. GAAP for entities not subject to rate regulation.
Regulatory assets represent future revenues associated with certain costs incurred in the current period or in prior periods that are expected to be recovered from customers in future periods through the rate-setting process. Regulatory liabilities represent future reductions or limitations of increases in revenue associated with amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers through the rate-setting process.
Asset Impairment
AltaGas reviews long-lived assets, regulatory assets, and intangible assets with indefinite and finite lives whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is determined based on an estimate of undiscounted cash flows or other indicators of fair value, and measurement of an impairment loss is determined based on the fair value of the assets. The determination of fair value requires Management to make assumptions about future cash inflows and outflows over the life of an asset. Any changes to the assumptions used for the future cash flow could result in revisions to the evaluation of the recoverability of the long-lived assets or intangible assets and the recognition of an impairment loss in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
AltaGas also tests goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. The Corporation has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If the quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed, the fair value of the Corporation’s reporting units is compared to the carrying values. If the carrying value of a reporting unit, including allocated goodwill exceeds its fair value, goodwill impairment is measured as the excess of the carrying value amount of the reporting unit’s allocated goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill. The fair value used in the quantitative impairment test of goodwill requires estimating future cash flows as well as appropriate discount rates. AltaGas has assessed goodwill for impairment as at December 31, 2020 and determined that no write-down was required.
Asset Retirement Obligations
AltaGas records liabilities relating to asset retirement obligations when there is a legal obligation. In estimating the obligations, Management is required to make assumptions regarding inflation and discount rates, ultimate amounts and timing of
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settlements, and expected changes in environmental laws and regulation. A change in any of these estimates could have a material impact on AltaGas' Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Taxes
The Corporation is subject to the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada) for purposes of determining the amount of income that will be subject to tax in Canada and the Internal Revenue Code (U.S.) for the purposes of determining the amount of income that will be subject to tax in the United States. The determination of AltaGas’ and its subsidiaries’ provision for income taxes requires the application of these complex rules.
Substantial deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The recognition of deferred tax assets depends on the assumption that future earnings will be sufficient to realize the deferred benefit. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets where all or a portion of that asset is not expected to be realized. The amount of the deferred tax asset or liability recorded is based on Management’s best estimate of the timing of the realization of the assets or liabilities.
If Management’s interpretation of tax legislation differs from that of tax authorities, or if timing of reversals is not as anticipated, the provision for income taxes could increase or decrease in future periods. See Note 20 of the 2020 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.
Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits
The determination of pension plan obligations and expense is based on a number of actuarial assumptions. Critical assumptions include the expected long-term rate-of-return on plan assets, the discount rate applied to pension plan obligations, the expected rate of compensation increase, and mortality rates. For post-retirement benefit plans, which provide for certain health care premiums and life insurance benefits for qualifying retired employees and which are not funded, critical assumptions in determining post-retirement obligations and expense are the discount rate and the assumed health care cost trend rates.
In the third quarter of 2020, AltaGas made a voluntary change in accounting principle for calculating the market-related value of assets (MRVA) used in the determination of Washington Gas' net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit plan costs This change in accounting principle impacts the calculation of net periodic benefit cost recorded within the line item “other income” on the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The change uses the fair value approach for the fixed income investment asset class of the plan assets, compared to the prior method that utilized a calculated value where gains and losses arising from changes in fair value were deferred and amortized into the calculation of the MRVA over a period of five years. The MRVA is used in the calculation of the expected return on assets and the recognized actuarial gain or loss components of net periodic benefit cost. The approach applied for all other classes of assets remains unchanged. Management believes that using the fair value approach for the fixed income investments in plan assets is preferable as it more closely aligns the recognition of related components within the net periodic benefit cost. The quantitative effect of this change in accounting principle was not considered material to prior periods or the current year; therefore, an increase to net income (loss) applicable to common shares of approximately $19 million was recognized in 2020.
Notes 2 and 28 of the 2020 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements include information on the assumptions used for the purposes of recording the funding status of the plans and the associated expenses.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets are based on Management’s judgment of the estimated useful life of the assets. When it is determined that assigned asset lives do not reflect the estimated remaining
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period of benefit, prospective changes are made to the depreciable lives of those assets. For regulated entities, amortization rates are generally prescribed by the applicable regulatory authority. There are a number of uncertainties inherent in estimating the remaining useful life of certain assets and changes in assumptions could result in material adjustments to the amount of amortization that AltaGas recognizes from period to period.
Loss Contingencies
AltaGas and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal claims and actions arising in the normal course of business. Liabilities for loss contingencies are determined on a case-by-case basis and are accrued for when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required to determine the probability of having incurred the liability and the estimated amount. Estimates are reviewed regularly and updated as new information is received. As at December 31, 2020, no material provisions on loss contingencies have been recorded by the Corporation. However, due to the inherent uncertainty of the litigation process, the resolution of any particular contingencies could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s results of operations or financial position.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the amount of consideration that would be agreed upon in an arms-length transaction, other than a forced sale or liquidation, between knowledgeable, willing parties who are under no compulsion to act. The best evidence of fair value is a quoted bid or ask price, as appropriate, in an active market. Fair value based on unadjusted quoted prices in an active market requires minimal judgment by Management. Where bid or ask prices in an active market are not available, Management’s judgment on valuation inputs is necessary to determine fair value. AltaGas enters into physical and financial derivative contracts to manage exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices and foreign exchange rates, as well as to optimize certain owned and managed natural gas assets. AltaGas estimates forward prices based on published sources adjusted for factors specific to the asset or liability, including basis and location differentials, discount rates, and currency exchange. The forward curves used to mark these derivative instruments to market are vetted against public sources. Where observable market data is not available, AltaGas uses valuation techniques which require significant judgment by Management. Changes in estimates and assumptions about these inputs could affect the reported fair value.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Effective January 1, 2020, AltaGas adopted the following Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Updates (ASU):
§ In June 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses and all related amendments (collectively "ASC 326"): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. The ASU replaces the current “incurred loss” impairment methodology with an “expected loss” model for financial assets measured at amortized cost. AltaGas has applied ASC 326 using the modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date of the new standard. Prior periods presented for comparative purposes were not adjusted. Upon adoption of ASC 326, "accounts receivable, net of allowances" decreased by $2 million and "long-term investments and other assets" decreased by $5 million, with an offsetting increase to "accumulated deficit". AltaGas has elected to account for its cash equivalents at fair value. Please also refer to Note 23 of the Consolidated Financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2020 for further details;
§ ASU No. 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement – Disclosure Framework: Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”. The amendments in this ASU modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas’ consolidated financial
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statements, but resulted in certain minor adjustments to the fair value disclosures. Please also refer to Note 23 of the Consolidated Financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2020 for further details;
§ ASU No. 2018-14 “Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans – General: Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for the Defined Benefit Plans”. The amendments in this ASU modify the disclosure requirements on defined benefit pension and other post-retirement plans. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements, but resulted in certain modifications to the disclosures in the pension footnote. Please also refer to Note 28 of the Consolidated Financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2020 for further details.
§ ASU No. 2018-17 “Consolidation: Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities”. The amendments in this ASU provide a private-company scope exception to the VIE guidance for certain entities and clarify that indirect interests held through related parties under common control are considered on a proportional basis when determining whether fees paid to decision makers and service providers are variable interests. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas’ consolidated financial statements;
§ ASU No. 2018-18 "Collaborative Arrangements: Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606". The amendments in this ASU clarifies that certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue under ASC 606, adds unit-of-account guidance in ASC 808 to align with the guidance in ASC 606, and requires that a transaction with a collaborative arrangement participant that is not directly related to sales to third parties, is precluded from presenting the transaction together with revenue recognized under ASC 606 if the collaborative arrangement participant is not a customer. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas’ consolidated financial statements;
§ ASU No. 2019-01 "Leases: Codification Improvements". The amendments in this ASU provide a fair value exception for lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers, clarifies the presentation of principal payments received under sales-type and direct finance leases for depository and lending institutions, and clarifies that interim transition disclosure requirements related to the change on income statement, net income and related per share amounts for the adoption of ASC 842 are not required. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas’ consolidated financial statements;
§ ASU No. 2019-04 “Financial Instruments: Codification Improvements". The amendments in this ASU provide clarification and improve the codification in recently issued accounting standards relating to credit losses, hedge accounting, and financial instruments. The amendments related to credit losses were evaluated in conjunction with ASU 2016-13 above. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas’ consolidated financial statements; and
§ ASU No. 2020-03 "Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments". The amendments in this ASU provide clarification and improve the codification to certain aspects of accounting standards related to financial instruments. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas’ consolidated financial statements.
Effective December 31, 2020, AltaGas adopted the following FASB issued ASU:
§ ASU No. 2018-14 “Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans – General: Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for the Defined Benefit Plans”. The amendments in this ASU modify the disclosure requirements on defined benefit pension and other post-retirement plans. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements, but resulted in certain modifications to the disclosures in the pension footnote. Please also refer to Note 28 of the Consolidated Financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2020 for further details.
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Future Changes in Accounting Principles
In December 2019, FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12 "Income Taxes: Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes". The amendments in this ASU simplify the accounting for income taxes by clarifying certain aspects of current guidance and removing some exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on AltaGas’ financial statements.
In January 2020, FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01 "Derivatives and Hedging: Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815". The amendments in this ASU clarify the application of the measurement alternative for equity instruments and the measurement of non-derivative forward contracts or purchased call options used to acquire equity securities. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on AltaGas’ financial statements.
In March 2020, FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04 "Reference Rate Reform: Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting." The amendments in this ASU provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. These apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The amendments in this ASU are effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. AltaGas may elect to apply the amendments as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 on a prospective basis. AltaGas has not elected to adopt this ASU as of December 31, 2020, and is assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2020, FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06 "Debt with Conversion and Other Options and Topic 815-40 - Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity: Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contract in an Entity's Own Equity." The amendments in this Update simplify the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities that meet the definition of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filer, excluding entities eligible to be smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on AltaGas' financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
AltaGas is not party to any contractual arrangements with unconsolidated entities that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on the Corporation’s financial performance or financial condition including liquidity and capital resources.
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Disclosure Controls and Procedures (DCP) and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (ICFR)
Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, are responsible for establishing and maintaining DCP and ICFR, as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52‑109 "Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings". The objective of this instrument is to improve the quality, reliability, and transparency of information that is filed or submitted under securities legislation.
Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, have designed, or caused to be designed under their supervision, DCP and ICFR to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by AltaGas in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports to be filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is made known to them, is reported on a timely basis, financial reporting is reliable, and financial statements prepared for external purposes are in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The ICFR has been designed based on the framework established in the 2013 Internal Control ‑ Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Management has designed the existing framework to result in both a complete and accurate consolidation of related information. During the year ended December 31, 2020, other than changes in ICFR related to the Petrogas Acquisition, there were no changes made to AltaGas' ICFR that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its ICFR or DCP. AltaGas does not believe that process changes adopted in connection with the COVID‐19 pandemic have materially affected ICFR.
The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial officer have evaluated, with the assistance of AltaGas' employees, the effectiveness of AltaGas' DCP and ICFR as at December 31, 2020 and concluded that as at December 31, 2020 AltaGas' DCP and ICFR were effective.
Limitation on Scope
In accordance with the provisions under National Instrument 52-109, and consistent with SEC-related guidance, the scope of the evaluation does not include ICFR related to Petrogas, which was acquired on December 15, 2020. These provisions allow an issuer to exclude a business which was acquired not more than 365 days before the issuer's financial year-end from the scope of its certifications. As such, the controls, policies, and procedures related to the Petrogas Acquisition were excluded from management's evaluation of the effectiveness of AltaGas' ICFR as at December 31, 2020. Summary financial information of Petrogas included in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2020, includes total assets of approximately $2.6 billion and revenues of approximately $143 million.
It should be noted that a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, including instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. The design of any system of controls is also based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurances that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential conditions.
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Summary of Consolidated Results for the Eight Most Recent Quarters (1)
($ millions) | Q4-20 | Q3-20 | Q2-20 | Q1-20 | Q4-19 | Q3-19 | Q2-19 | Q1-19 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | 1,689 | 969 | 1,059 | 1,869 | 1,534 | 888 | 1,174 | 1,898 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Normalized EBITDA (2) (3) | 392 | 213 | 206 | 499 | 436 | 173 | 211 | 482 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares | 48 | (47) | 21 | 464 | (103) | 22 | 41 | 809 | |||||||||||||||||||||
($ per share) | Q4-20 | Q3-20 | Q2-20 | Q1-20 | Q4-19 | Q3-19 | Q2-19 | Q1-19 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) per common share | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 0.17 | (0.17) | 0.08 | 1.66 | (0.37) | 0.08 | 0.15 | 2.93 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | 0.17 | (0.17) | 0.08 | 1.66 | (0.37) | 0.08 | 0.15 | 2.93 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.24 |
(1)Amounts may not add due to rounding.
(2)Non‑GAAP financial measure. See discussion in the Non‑GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A.
(3)Beginning in 2020, Management no longer adjusts normalized EBITDA for changes in the fair value of natural gas optimization inventory. Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A for additional detail. Prior periods have been adjusted to reflect the impact of this change.
AltaGas’ quarter-over-quarter financial results are impacted by seasonality, fluctuations in commodity prices, weather, the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate, planned and unplanned plant outages, timing of in-service dates of new projects, and acquisition and divestiture activities.
Revenue for the Utilities is generally the highest in the first and fourth quarters of any given year as the majority of natural gas demand occurs during the winter heating season, which typically extends from November to March.
Other significant items that impacted quarter-over-quarter revenue during the periods noted include:
§ The seasonally colder weather experienced at several of the utilities in the second and third quarters of 2020;
§ The impact of the sale of the Northwest Hydro facilities and non-core Canadian Midstream and Power assets in the first quarter of 2019;
§ RIPET entering commercial service in the second quarter of 2019;
§ The impact of the sale of the U.S. distributed generation assets in the third quarter of 2019;
§ The impact of the sale of AltaGas Pomona Energy Storage Inc. and AltaGas Ripon Energy Inc. in the third quarter of 2020; and
§ The impact of the acquisition of additional equity interest in Petrogas in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares is also affected by non-cash items such as deferred income tax, depreciation and amortization expense, accretion expense, provisions on assets, gains or losses on long-term investments, and gains or losses on the sale of assets. In addition, net income (loss) applicable to common shares is also impacted by preferred share dividends and gains or losses on the redemption of preferred shares. For these reasons, net income (loss) may not necessarily reflect the same trends as revenue. Net income (loss) applicable to common shares during the periods noted was impacted by:
§ Lower depreciation and amortization expense due to the impact of asset sales, partially offset by new assets placed into service;
§ After-tax transaction costs of approximately $18 million and $10 million incurred throughout 2020 and 2019, respectively, due to asset sales;
§ The impact of the sale of the Northwest Hydro facilities and non-core Canadian Midstream and Power assets in the first quarter of 2019;
§ The impact of the sale of the U.S. distributed generation assets in the third quarter of 2019;
§ The impact of the sale of WGL Midstream's indirect non-operating interest in Central Penn in the fourth quarter of 2019;
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 68
§ After-tax provisions of approximately $319 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2019, primarily related to Power assets;
§ The impact of the sale of ACI in the first quarter of 2020;
§ The impact of the sale of AltaGas Pomona Energy Storage Inc. and AltaGas Ripon Energy Inc. in the third quarter of 2020;
§ The impact of the acquisition of additional equity interest in Petrogas in the fourth quarter of 2020;
§ The after-tax provision of approximately $79 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2020 related to the Alton Natural Gas Storage Project; and
§ The impact of the change in accounting principle relating to Washington Gas' net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit plan costs in the third quarter of 2020.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 69
SELECTED ANNUAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
($ millions, except where noted) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Revenue | 5,587 | 5,495 | 4,257 | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares | 486 | 769 | (502) | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) per common share - basic | 1.74 | 2.78 | (2.25) | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted | 1.74 | 2.77 | (2.25) | |||||||||||
Total assets | 21,532 | 19,795 | 23,488 | |||||||||||
Total long-term liabilities | 11,264 | 9,301 | 11,746 | |||||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (millions) | 279 | 277 | 223 | |||||||||||
Dividends declared per common share ($ per share) | 0.963300 | 0.960000 | 2.087500 | |||||||||||
Preferred share dividends declared ($ per share) | ||||||||||||||
Series A | 0.825000 | 0.845000 | 0.845000 | |||||||||||
Series B | 0.894890 | 1.084641 | 0.968620 | |||||||||||
Series C (US$) | 1.322500 | 1.322500 | 1.322500 | |||||||||||
Series E | 1.348252 | 1.348252 | 1.250000 | |||||||||||
Series G | 1.060500 | 1.155750 | 1.187500 | |||||||||||
Series H | 0.994890 | 0.296040 | — | |||||||||||
Series I (1) | 1.312500 | 1.312500 | 1.312500 | |||||||||||
Series K | 1.250000 | 1.250000 | 1.250000 | |||||||||||
Washington Gas $4.80 series (US$) (2) | — | 2.400000 | 2.400000 | |||||||||||
Washington Gas $4.25 series (US$) (2) | — | 2.125000 | 2.125000 | |||||||||||
Washington Gas $5.00 series (US$) (2) | — | 2.500000 | 2.500000 |
(1) Series I preferred shares were redeemed on December 31, 2020.
(2) Washington Gas preferred shares were redeemed on December 20, 2019.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 70
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT
The Consolidated Financial Statements of AltaGas Ltd. (AltaGas or the Corporation) and other financial information included in this report are the responsibility of Management. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by Management in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) and include amounts that are based on Management’s best estimates and judgments. It is Management's responsibility to ensure that judgments, estimates and accounting principles and methods used in the preparation of financial information are reasonable, appropriate, and applied consistently.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting for the Corporation (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act and under National Instrument 52-109).
Management has used the framework established in the 2013 Internal Control ‑ Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, Management, including the CEO and CFO, has concluded that the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting is effective as at December 31, 2020.
In accordance with the provisions under National Instrument 52-109, and consistent with SEC-related guidance, the scope of the evaluation does not include Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICFR) related to Petrogas Energy Corp. (Petrogas), which was acquired on December 15, 2020. As such, the controls, policies, and procedures related to the Petrogas Acquisition were excluded from management's evaluation of the effectiveness of AltaGas' ICFR as at December 31, 2020. Summary financial information of Petrogas included in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2020, includes total assets of approximately $2.6 billion and revenues of approximately $143 million.
Internal control over financial reporting may not prevent all misstatements due to its inherent limitations. In addition, the evaluation of internal control was made as of a specific date and continued effectiveness in future periods is subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate.
The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that Management fulfills its responsibilities for financial reporting and internal controls. The Board is assisted in carrying out its responsibilities principally through its Audit Committee which is composed of independent non-management directors. The Audit Committee meets with Management regularly and meets independently with internal and external auditors and as a group to review any significant accounting, internal controls, and auditing matters in accordance with the terms of the Charter of the Audit Committee, which is set out in the Annual Information Form.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 71
The shareholders have appointed Ernst & Young LLP as independent external auditors to express an opinion as to whether the Consolidated Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the Corporation’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Ernst & Young LLP is not required under securities law to express an opinion as to the effectiveness of the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting. The report of Ernst & Young LLP outlines the scope of its examination and its opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(signed) "Randall Crawford" | (signed) "James Harbilas" | ||||
RANDALL CRAWFORD | JAMES HARBILAS | ||||
President and | Executive Vice President and | ||||
Chief Executive Officer of | Chief Financial Officer of | ||||
AltaGas Ltd. | AltaGas Ltd. |
February 25, 2021
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 72
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders of AltaGas Ltd.
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of AltaGas Ltd. (the “Company”), which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), equity and cash flows for each of the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of AltaGas Ltd as at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years then ended, in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company‘s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company‘s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective or complex judgements. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 73
Fair Value Measurement of Level 3 Derivatives | |||||
Description of the Matter | As described in Note 23 to the financial statements, AltaGas Ltd. enters into commodity contracts that qualify as derivative instruments and are accounted for under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The fair value measurements of certain of these contracts are considered Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy as they are determined using significant unobservable inputs. As of December 31, 2020, derivative assets of $69 million and derivative liabilities of $162 million were recorded based on Level 3 fair value measurements. Auditing the fair value measurement of Level 3 derivative instruments was complex given the judgmental nature of the assumptions used as inputs into the valuation models. In particular, the valuation of Level 3 derivative instruments is sensitive to significant unobservable inputs used by the Company such as the assumed natural gas basis prices and implied volatilities of natural gas prices. These unobservable assumptions could be affected by future economic and market conditions. | ||||
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit | To test the valuation of Level 3 derivative instruments, our audit procedures included, among others, evaluating the valuation methodologies used by the Company and testing significant inputs, assumptions and the mathematical accuracy of the calculations. In certain instances, with involvement of our valuation specialists, we independently determined the significant unobservable assumptions described above, calculated the resulting fair values and compared them to the Company’s estimates. For a sample of instruments, we obtained forward prices from independent sources, including broker quotes, evaluated the Company’s assumptions related to their forward curves and obtained external confirmation of key contract terms from counterparties. We also performed sensitivity analyses using independent sources of market data to evaluate the change in fair value of Level 3 derivative instruments that would result from changes in underlying assumptions. | ||||
Acquisition of Additional Interest in Petrogas Energy Corp. (“Petrogas”) | |||||
Description of the Matter | On December 15, 2020, the Group acquired an additional 37% equity interest in Petrogas for a total consideration of approximately $715 million as noted in Note 3 of the consolidated financial statements. The Group now owns a controlling interest in Petrogas of approximately 74%. Business combinations that are achieved in stages are accounted for using the acquisition method as per ASC 805 - Business Combinations. The purchase price allocation is preliminary and reflects management’s best estimate of the fair value of Petrogas’ assets and liabilities based on the analysis of information obtained to date. Auditing the business combination was complex given the significant degree of estimation uncertainty that is inherent in the preliminary nature of the purchase price allocation. Additionally, management was required to exercise significant judgment when determining their best estimate of the fair value of the previously held equity interest, the identified assets and labilities of Petrogas, and the non-controlling interest attributed to the minority shareholder. These valuations are sensitive to future estimated cash flows and discount rates. |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 74
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit | To test the Group’s preliminary purchase price allocation, we performed the following procedures, among others: Read the applicable agreements to obtain an understanding of the key terms and conditions of the acquired additional interest to identify the necessary accounting considerations; Assessed the competency, objectivity, and independence of management’s external valuation specialists; Involved our valuation specialists to assess the valuation methodology applied with respect to intangibles, non-controlling interest, previously held interest, and goodwill. They also assessed management’s approach to quantifying the preliminary discount rates utilised by referencing current industry, economic, and comparable company information, as well as company and cash-flow specific risk premiums; Assessed the appropriateness of the preliminary future estimated cash flows by comparing management’s underlying assumptions to historical Petrogas data and the respective contractual terms and conditions; Involved our capital equipment specialists to review selected third-party appraisals to assess the appropriateness of management’s best estimate of the fair value of property, plant, and equipment; and evaluated the adequacy of the related disclosure included in Note 3 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements | ||||
Regulatory Accounting | |||||
Description of the Matter | As discussed in Note 21 to the financial statements, AltaGas Ltd. accounts for its regulated operations in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 980, Regulated Operations. As such, the Company defers certain costs as regulatory assets and records them as expenses on its statements of operations as it collects the revenue designed to recover these costs through customers’ rates. The Company also records regulatory liabilities for gains previously realized or for amounts previously collected from customers for expenses expected to be incurred in the future. As of December 31, 2020, the Company recorded $490 million of regulatory assets and $1,471 million of regulatory liabilities. Auditing the Company’s regulatory assets and liabilities was complex due to significant judgments made by management to support its assertions about the probability of both the recovery of regulatory assets and the refund of regulatory liabilities. In particular, there was subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of current and future regulatory orders on events that have occurred as of December 31, 2020 and judgment required to evaluate the relevance and reliability of audit evidence to support the probability of recovery in future rates of incurred costs or refunds to customers. These assumptions have a significant effect on the recorded amounts of regulatory assets and liabilities, operating revenues and expenses, and related disclosures. | ||||
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit | We performed audit procedures that included, among others, evaluating the reasonableness of the Company’s assessment of the probability of the recovery of the regulatory assets and the refund of regulatory liabilities. For example, we evaluated the Company’s correspondence with the regulatory commissions, status of regulatory proceedings, past practices, and recent rate orders issued to other regulated entities in the same jurisdictions. In addition, we evaluated the Company’s related disclosures. |
We have served as AltaGas Ltd. auditor since 1997.
![atgff-20201231_g3.jpg](https://capedge.com/proxy/40-F/0001695519-21-000019/atgff-20201231_g3.jpg)
Calgary, Canada
February 25, 2021
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 75
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As at December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents (note 31) | $ | 32 | $ | 57 | ||||
Accounts receivable (net of credit losses of $41 million) (notes 10 and 23) | 1,444 | 1,222 | ||||||
Inventory (note 7) | 636 | 506 | ||||||
Restricted cash holdings from customers (note 31) | 3 | 4 | ||||||
Regulatory assets (note 21) | 46 | 13 | ||||||
Risk management assets (note 23) | 98 | 87 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (notes 28 and 31) | 234 | 280 | ||||||
Assets held for sale (note 5) | 4 | 27 | ||||||
2,497 | 2,196 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment (note 8) | 10,888 | 10,125 | ||||||
Intangible assets (note 9) | 539 | 586 | ||||||
Operating right-of-use assets (note 10) | 372 | 170 | ||||||
Goodwill (note 11) | 5,039 | 3,942 | ||||||
Regulatory assets (note 21) | 444 | 487 | ||||||
Risk management assets (note 23) | 47 | 39 | ||||||
Restricted cash holdings from customers (note 31) | 2 | 4 | ||||||
Prepaid post-retirement benefits (note 28) | 572 | 487 | ||||||
Long-term investments and other assets (net of credit losses of $3 million) (notes 12, 28, and 31) | 245 | 297 | ||||||
Investments accounted for by the equity method (note 14) | 887 | 1,462 | ||||||
$ | 21,532 | $ | 19,795 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (notes 17, 18, 23, and 28) | $ | 1,561 | $ | 1,325 | ||||
Dividends payable (note 23) | 22 | 22 | ||||||
Short-term debt (notes 15 and 23) | 256 | 460 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt (notes 16 and 23) | 360 | 923 | ||||||
Customer deposits | 73 | 76 | ||||||
Regulatory liabilities (note 21) | 90 | 146 | ||||||
Risk management liabilities (note 23) | 111 | 125 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities (note 10) | 95 | 27 | ||||||
Other current liabilities (note 23) | 38 | 17 | ||||||
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale (note 5) | 1 | 4 | ||||||
2,607 | 3,125 | |||||||
Long-term debt (notes 16 and 23) | 7,626 | 5,928 | ||||||
Asset retirement obligations (note 17) | 379 | 362 | ||||||
Unamortized investment tax credits (note 20) | 3 | 4 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes (note 20) | 1,118 | 959 | ||||||
Regulatory liabilities (note 21) | 1,381 | 1,383 | ||||||
Risk management liabilities (note 23) | 145 | 167 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities (note 10) | 304 | 153 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities (notes 19 and 23) | 153 | 102 | ||||||
Future employee obligations (note 28) | 155 | 243 | ||||||
$ | 13,871 | $ | 12,426 | |||||
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 76
As at December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Shareholders' equity | ||||||||
Common shares, no par values, unlimited shares authorized; 2020 - 279.5 million and 2019 - 279.1 million issued and outstanding (note 25) | $ | 6,723 | $ | 6,719 | ||||
Preferred shares (note 25) | 1,077 | 1,277 | ||||||
Contributed surplus | 383 | 377 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (1,192) | (1,403) | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) (note 22) | 50 | 245 | ||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 7,041 | 7,215 | ||||||
Non-controlling interests | 620 | 154 | ||||||
Total equity | $ | 7,661 | $ | 7,369 | ||||
$ | 21,532 | $ | 19,795 |
Business acquisition (note 3)
Variable interest entities (note 13)
Commitments, guarantees and contingencies (note 29)
Related party transactions (note 30)
Segmented information (note 32)
Subsequent events (note 33)
See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Approved by the Board of Directors of AltaGas Ltd.
(signed) "Randall Crawford" | (signed) "Robert B. Hodgins" | ||||
RANDALL CRAWFORD | ROBERT B. HODGINS | ||||
Director | Director |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 77
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Year Ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
REVENUE (note 24) | $ | 5,587 | $ | 5,495 | ||||||||||
EXPENSES | ||||||||||||||
Cost of sales, exclusive of items shown separately | 3,178 | 3,227 | ||||||||||||
Operating and administrative | 1,267 | 1,299 | ||||||||||||
Accretion expenses (note 17) | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization (notes 8 and 9) | 414 | 438 | ||||||||||||
Provisions on assets (note 6) | 109 | 416 | ||||||||||||
4,973 | 5,385 | |||||||||||||
Income from equity investments (note 14) | 49 | 141 | ||||||||||||
Other income (note 27) | 306 | 908 | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange gains (losses) | 4 | (1) | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (274) | (346) | ||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 699 | 812 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense (recovery) (note 20) | ||||||||||||||
Current | 1 | 63 | ||||||||||||
Deferred | 126 | (91) | ||||||||||||
Net income after taxes | 572 | 840 | ||||||||||||
Net income applicable to non-controlling interests | 20 | 7 | ||||||||||||
Net income applicable to controlling interests | 552 | 833 | ||||||||||||
Preferred share dividends | (66) | (68) | ||||||||||||
Gain on redemption of preferred shares (note 25) | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Net income applicable to common shares | $ | 486 | $ | 769 | ||||||||||
Net income per common share (note 26) | ||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.74 | $ | 2.78 | ||||||||||
Diluted | $ | 1.74 | $ | 2.77 | ||||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (millions) (note 26) | ||||||||||||||
Basic | 279.4 | 276.9 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 279.7 | 277.4 |
See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 78
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Year Ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
Net income after taxes | $ | 572 | $ | 840 | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes | ||||||||||||||
Loss on foreign currency translation | (175) | (406) | ||||||||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on net investment hedge (note 23) | (9) | 60 | ||||||||||||
Actuarial gain (loss) on pension plans and post-retirement benefit (PRB) plans (note 28) | (8) | 12 | ||||||||||||
Reclassification of actuarial gains and prior service credits on defined benefit (DB) and post-retirement benefit plans (PRB) to net income (note 28) | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss from equity investees | (5) | (1) | ||||||||||||
Total other comprehensive loss (OCI), net of taxes (note 22) | (195) | (334) | ||||||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interests and non-controlling interests, net of taxes | $ | 377 | $ | 506 | ||||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to: | ||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interests | $ | 20 | $ | 7 | ||||||||||
Controlling interests | 357 | 499 | ||||||||||||
$ | 377 | $ | 506 |
See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 79
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
Year Ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Common shares (note 25) | ||||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 6,719 | $ | 6,654 | ||||
Shares issued for cash on exercise of options | 1 | 1 | ||||||
Shares issued under DRIP (1) | 6 | 68 | ||||||
Deferred taxes on share issuance costs | (3) | (4) | ||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 6,723 | $ | 6,719 | ||||
Preferred shares (note 25) | ||||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 1,277 | $ | 1,319 | ||||
Redemption of preferred shares | (200) | (41) | ||||||
Deferred taxes on share issuance costs | — | (1) | ||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 1,077 | $ | 1,277 | ||||
Contributed surplus | ||||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 377 | $ | 373 | ||||
Share options expense | 6 | 4 | ||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 383 | $ | 377 | ||||
Accumulated deficit | ||||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | (1,403) | $ | (1,905) | ||||
Net income applicable to controlling interests | 552 | 833 | ||||||
Common share dividends | (268) | (267) | ||||||
Preferred share dividends | (66) | (68) | ||||||
Gain on redemption of preferred shares | — | 4 | ||||||
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 (notes 2 and 23) | (7) | — | ||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | (1,192) | $ | (1,403) | ||||
AOCI (note 22) | ||||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 245 | $ | 579 | ||||
Other comprehensive loss | (195) | (334) | ||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 50 | $ | 245 | ||||
Total shareholders' equity | $ | 7,041 | $ | 7,215 | ||||
Non-controlling interests | ||||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 154 | $ | 620 | ||||
Net income applicable to non-controlling interests | 20 | 7 | ||||||
Adjustment on disposition of assets | — | (508) | ||||||
Contributions from non-controlling interests to subsidiaries | 7 | 48 | ||||||
Distributions by subsidiaries to non-controlling interests | (28) | (13) | ||||||
Acquisition of non-controlling interests through Petrogas Acquisition (note 3) | 467 | — | ||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 620 | $ | 154 | ||||
Total equity | $ | 7,661 | $ | 7,369 |
(1)Premium Dividend™, Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Cash Purchase Plan (DRIP). The plan was suspended in December 2019, with the December dividend (paid January 2020) being the last dividend payment eligible for reinvestment by participating shareholders under the DRIP.
See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 80
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
Cash from (used by) operations | ||||||||||||||
Net income after taxes | $ | 572 | $ | 840 | ||||||||||
Items not involving cash: | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization (notes 8 and 9) | 414 | 438 | ||||||||||||
Provisions on assets (note 6) | 109 | 416 | ||||||||||||
Accretion expenses (note 17) | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Share-based compensation (note 25) | 6 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Deferred income tax expense (recovery) (note 20) | 126 | (91) | ||||||||||||
Gains on sale of assets (notes 4 and 27) | (223) | (876) | ||||||||||||
Gain on remeasurement of previously held interest in AIJVLP (note 3) | (22) | 0 | ||||||||||||
Income from equity investments (note 14) | (49) | (141) | ||||||||||||
Unrealized losses (gains) on risk management contracts (note 23) | (21) | 85 | ||||||||||||
Losses on investments (note 27) | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs | 8 | 12 | ||||||||||||
Provision for doubtful accounts | 25 | 27 | ||||||||||||
Change in pension and other post-retirement benefits (note 28) | (11) | 8 | ||||||||||||
Other | 15 | 9 | ||||||||||||
Asset retirement obligations settled (note 17) | (4) | (2) | ||||||||||||
Distributions from equity investments | 26 | 110 | ||||||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (note 31) | (203) | (232) | ||||||||||||
$ | 773 | $ | 616 | |||||||||||
Investing activities | ||||||||||||||
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (note 3) | (675) | 0 | ||||||||||||
Capital expenditures - property, plant and equipment | (825) | (1,296) | ||||||||||||
Capital expenditures - intangible assets | (18) | (38) | ||||||||||||
Contributions to equity investments | (72) | (179) | ||||||||||||
Change in loan to affiliate | (75) | 0 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from disposition of equity investments (note 14) | 376 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from sale of investments in publicly-traded entities | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from disposition of assets, net of transaction costs (note 4) | 74 | 3,624 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from disposition of financing receivable | 0 | 73 | ||||||||||||
$ | (1,211) | $ | 2,184 | |||||||||||
Financing activities | ||||||||||||||
Net repayment of short-term debt | (157) | (701) | ||||||||||||
Issuance of long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs | 1,962 | 889 | ||||||||||||
Repayment of long-term debt | (1,056) | (873) | ||||||||||||
Net borrowing (repayment) under credit facilities | 191 | (1,921) | ||||||||||||
Dividends - common shares | (268) | (266) | ||||||||||||
Dividends - preferred shares | (66) | (68) | ||||||||||||
Distributions to non-controlling interest | (28) | (13) | ||||||||||||
Contributions from non-controlling interests | 7 | 48 | ||||||||||||
Net proceeds from shares issued on exercise of options | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares | 6 | 68 | ||||||||||||
Redemption of preferred shares (note 25) | (200) | (38) | ||||||||||||
$ | 392 | $ | (2,874) | |||||||||||
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (46) | (74) | ||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (2) | (9) | ||||||||||||
Net change in cash classified within assets held for sale | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash beginning of year | 122 | 201 | ||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash end of year (note 31) | $ | 74 | $ | 122 |
See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts and amounts in footnotes to tables are in millions of Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.)
1. Organization and Overview of the Business
The businesses of AltaGas are operated by the Company and a number of its subsidiaries including, without limitation, AltaGas Services (U.S.) Inc., AltaGas Utility Holdings (U.S.) Inc., WGL Holdings, Inc. (WGL), Wrangler 1 LLC, Wrangler SPE LLC, Washington Gas Resources Corporation, WGL Energy Services, Inc. (WGL Energy Services), and SEMCO Holding Corporation; in regard to the Utilities business, Washington Gas Light Company (Washington Gas), Hampshire Gas Company, and SEMCO Energy, Inc. (SEMCO); in regard to the Midstream business, AltaGas Extraction and Transmission Limited Partnership, AltaGas Pipeline Partnership, AltaGas Processing Partnership, AltaGas Northwest Processing Limited Partnership, Harmattan Gas Processing Limited Partnership, Ridley Island LPG Export Limited Partnership, and WGL Midstream Inc. (WGL Midstream); and, in regard to remaining assets in the Corporate/Other segment, AltaGas Power Holdings (U.S.) Inc., WGL Energy Systems, Inc. (WGL Energy Systems), and Blythe Energy Inc. (Blythe). SEMCO conducts its Michigan natural gas distribution business under the name SEMCO Energy Gas Company (SEMCO Gas), its Alaska natural gas distribution business under the name ENSTAR Natural Gas Company (ENSTAR) and its 65 percent interest in an Alaska regulated gas storage utility under the name Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska LLC (CINGSA). Petrogas Energy Corporation (Petrogas) was also added as a subsidiary of AltaGas upon the close of the acquisition on December 15, 2020.
AltaGas, a Canadian corporation, is a leading North American energy infrastructure company that connects natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas to domestic and global markets. The Corporation’s long-term strategy is to grow in attractive areas across its Utilities and Midstream business segments seeking optimal capital deployment. In the Midstream business, the Corporation is focused on optimizing the full value chain of energy exports by providing producers with solutions, including global market access off the West Coast of North America via the Corporation’s footprint in the Montney region. In the Utilities business, the Corporation seeks to grow through rate base investment and the use of accelerated rate recovery programs, while providing effective and cost-efficient service for customers.
In 2020, AltaGas revised its reportable segments to align with the structure of its business following asset sales completed as part of its 2019 asset monetization program. As a result of these changes, AltaGas has refocused on its core Utilities and Midstream segments. Consistent with Management’s strategic view of the business and the basis on which it assesses performance and allocates resources, beginning in 2020, AltaGas has two operating segments: Utilities (which now includes the WGL retail marketing business) and Midstream. These operating segments have not been aggregated in the determination of AltaGas' reportable segments. All other assets are included in the Corporate/Other segment. AltaGas' operating segments include the following:
§ Utilities, which serves approximately 1.7 million customers with a rate base of approximately US$4.3 billion through ownership of regulated natural gas distribution utilities across five jurisdictions in the United States and two regulated natural gas storage utilities in the United States, delivering affordable natural gas to homes and businesses. The Utilities business also includes storage facilities and contracts for interstate natural gas transportation and storage services, as well as the affiliated retail energy marketing business, which serves approximately 0.5 million customers; and
§ Midstream, which includes a 70 percent interest in the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (RIPET) and an approximate 74 percent interest in the Ferndale terminal, allowing AltaGas to leverage its assets along the energy value chain in Western Canada and the Western United States including natural gas gathering and processing, NGL extraction and fractionation, and natural gas and NGL marketing. The Midstream segment also includes transmission, storage, and an interest in a regulated pipeline in the Marcellus/Utica gas formation in the northeastern United States. Upon close of the acquisition of Petrogas, the Midstream business also includes a 74 percent interest in Petrogas' other operations, which include LPG exports and distribution, domestic terminals, wellsite fluids and fuels, and trucking and liquids handling.
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The Corporate/Other segment consists of AltaGas' corporate activities and a small portfolio of remaining power assets, certain of which are pending sale.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by Management in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP).
Pursuant to National Instrument 52‑107, "Acceptable Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards" (NI 52‑107), financial statements of an “SEC issuer” may be prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. On January 21, 2020, AltaGas filed a final short form base shelf prospectus in Alberta and a corresponding registration statement on Form F-10 in the United States, by virtue of which AltaGas is now required to file reports under section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, AltaGas became an SEC issuer at such time and is now entitled to prepare its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
These Consolidated Financial Statements of AltaGas include the accounts of the Corporation, its subsidiaries, variable interest entities (VIEs) for which the Corporation is the primary beneficiary, and its interest in various partnerships and joint ventures where AltaGas has an undivided interest in the assets and liabilities. Investments in unconsolidated companies that AltaGas has significant influence, but not control, over are accounted for using the equity method.
Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value (HLBV) methodology is used for certain equity method investments as well as consolidating equity investments with non-controlling interests when the governing structuring agreement over the equity investment results in different liquidation rights and priorities than what is reflected by the underlying ownership interest percentage. The majority of AltaGas' HLBV investments were sold during 2019.
All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated on consolidation. Where there is a party with a non‑controlling interest in a subsidiary that AltaGas controls, that non‑controlling interest is reflected as “non‑controlling interests” in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The non‑controlling interests in net income of consolidated subsidiaries are shown as an allocation of the consolidated net income and are presented separately in "net income applicable to non-controlling interests".
USE OF ESTIMATES AND MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY
The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Key areas where Management has made complex or subjective judgments, when matters are inherently uncertain, include but are not limited to: determining the nature and timing of satisfaction of performance obligations and determining the transaction price and amounts allocated to performance obligations for revenue recognition; depreciation and amortization rates; determination as to whether a contract is or contains a lease; determination of the classification, term, and discount rate for leases; fair value of asset retirement obligations; fair value of property, plant and equipment and goodwill for impairment assessments; fair value of financial instruments; measurement of credit losses; provisions for income taxes; assumptions used to measure employee future benefits; provisions for contingencies; purchase price allocations; and carrying value of regulatory assets and liabilities. Certain estimates are necessary for the regulatory environment in which AltaGas' subsidiaries or affiliates operate, which often require amounts to be recorded at estimated values until these amounts are
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finalized pursuant to regulatory decisions or other regulatory proceedings. By their nature, these estimates are subject to measurement uncertainty and may impact the Consolidated Financial Statements of future periods.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Rate-Regulated Operations
SEMCO Gas, ENSTAR, Washington Gas, and Hampshire Gas (collectively the Utilities) engage in the delivery, sale, and storage of natural gas. SEMCO Gas and ENSTAR are regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) and Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA), respectively. Washington Gas operates in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, and is regulated in those jurisdictions by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (PSC of DC), the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC of MD), and the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC of VA), respectively. Hampshire is regulated under a cost-of-service tariff by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
The MPSC, RCA, PSC of DC, PSC of MD, and SCC of VA exercise statutory authority over matters such as tariffs, rates, construction, operations, financing, returns, accounting, and certain contracts with customers. In order to recognize the economic effects of the actions and decisions of the MPSC, RCA, PSC of DC, PSC of MD, and SCC of VA, the timing of recognition of certain assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses as a result of regulation may differ from that otherwise expected using U.S. GAAP for entities not subject to rate regulation.
Regulatory assets represent future revenues associated with certain costs incurred in the current period or in prior periods that are expected to be recovered from customers in future periods through the rate setting process. Regulatory liabilities represent future reductions or limitations of increases in revenue associated with amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers through the rate setting process.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, balances with banks, and investments in money market instruments with original maturities of less than three months.
Restricted Cash Holdings from Customers
Cash deposited, which is restricted and is not available for general use by AltaGas, is separately presented as restricted cash holdings in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Pursuant to the acquisition of WGL Holdings, Inc. (the WGL Acquisition), rabbi trust funds were funded to satisfy certain Washington Gas executive and outside director retirement benefit plan obligations. The rabbi trust funds are invested in money market funds which are considered cash equivalents. These balances are included in "prepaid expenses and other current assets" and "long-term investments and other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, cash deposited in an escrow fund related to a cost sharing agreement with a third party has been recorded as restricted cash in “accounts receivable" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Please refer to Note 29 for more information.
Accounts Receivable
Receivables are recorded net of the allowance for doubtful accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. AltaGas regularly analyzes and evaluates the collectability of the accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. If circumstances related to the collectability change, the allowance for doubtful accounts is further adjusted. Accounts are written off when collection efforts are complete and future recovery is unlikely.
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Inventory
Inventory consists of materials, supplies, natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil and condensates, processed finished products, renewable energy credits, and emission compliance instruments which are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost of inventory is assigned using a weighted average cost formula. In general, commodity costs and variable transportation costs are capitalized as gas in underground storage. Fixed costs, primarily pipeline demand charges and storage charges, are expensed as incurred through the cost of gas.
Property, Plant, and Equipment (PP&E), Depreciation and Amortization
Property, plant, and equipment are carried at cost. The Corporation depreciates the cost of capital assets, net of salvage value, on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets, with the exception of rate-regulated utilities assets, for which depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis or over the contract term of a specific agreement at rates as approved by the regulatory authorities, and a small number of assets acquired as part of the acquisition of Petrogas for which depreciation is calculated using the declining balance method.
The Utilities charge maintenance and repairs directly to operating expense and capitalize betterments and renewal costs. In accordance with regulatory requirements, depreciation expense includes an amount allowed for regulatory purposes to be collected in current rates for future removal and site restoration costs.
Interest costs are capitalized on major additions to property, plant, and equipment until the asset is ready for its intended use. The interest rate used for calculating the interest costs to be capitalized is based on AltaGas' prior quarter actual borrowing long-term interest rate.
The Utilities capitalize an imputed carrying cost on assets during construction as authorized by regulatory authorities and the amount so capitalized is an allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC). AFUDC is the amount that a rate-regulated enterprise is allowed to recover for its cost of financing assets under construction. Capitalized overhead, administrative expenses, and AFUDC are included in the cost of the related assets and are recovered in rates charged to customers through depreciation expense, as allowed by the regulators.
The range of useful lives for AltaGas’ PP&E is as follows:
Utilities assets | 4 to 69 years | ||||
Midstream assets | 3 to 55 years | ||||
Corporate/Other assets | 3 to 46 years |
As required by the regulatory authority, net additions to SEMCO's utility assets are amortized for one half-year in the year in which they are brought into active service. Net additions to WGL’s assets are amortized in the month after they are brought into active service.
Generally, when a regulated asset is retired or disposed of, there is no gain or loss recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Any difference between the cost and accumulated depreciation of the asset, net of salvage proceeds, is charged to accumulated depreciation or another regulatory asset or liability account. It is expected that any gain or loss that is charged to accumulated depreciation or another regulatory account will be reflected in future depreciation expense when it is refunded or collected in rates. When a non-regulated asset is retired or disposed of from PP&E, the original cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are derecognized and any gain or loss is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
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Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are recorded at cost. Intangible assets which have a finite useful life are amortized on a straight-line basis over their term or estimated useful life. The range of useful lives for intangible assets with a finite life is as follows:
Energy services relationships | 5 years | ||||
Software | 3 to 20 years | ||||
Land rights | 5 to 43 years | ||||
Extraction and Transmission (E&T) Contracts | 25 years | ||||
Commodity contracts | 5 to 20 years | ||||
Assets Held for Sale
The Corporation classifies assets as held for sale when the carrying amount will be principally recovered through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is met when Management approves and commits to a formal plan to sell the assets, the assets are available for immediate sale in their present condition, and Management expects the sale to close within the next 12 months. Upon classifying an asset as held for sale, an asset is recorded at the lower of its carrying value or the estimated fair value less cost to sell. Assets held for sale are not depreciated or amortized.
Business Acquisitions
Business acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method. Under the acquisition method, assets and liabilities of the acquired entity are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Management applies its best estimates and assumptions to determine the fair value of net assets acquired; however, the estimates are subject to further refinement of assumptions over a measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date. During the measurement period, adjustments to assets acquired and liabilities assumed may be recorded, with a corresponding impact to goodwill.
Provisions on Assets
If facts and circumstances suggest that a long-lived asset or an intangible asset may be impaired, the carrying value is reviewed. If this review indicates that the value of the asset is not recoverable, as determined by the projected undiscounted cash flows related to the asset over its remaining life, then the carrying value of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value and an impairment loss is recognized.
Goodwill is not subject to amortization, but assessed at least annually for impairment, or more often when events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. The annual assessment of goodwill is performed at the reporting unit level, which is an operating segment or one level below. The Corporation has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that the goodwill may be impaired. If a quantitative impairment test is performed, the fair value of the reporting unit will be compared to its carrying value (including goodwill). If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, goodwill is reduced to its fair value and an impairment loss would be recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
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Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method
The equity method of accounting is used for investments in which AltaGas has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not have a controlling interest. Equity investments are initially measured at cost and are adjusted for the Corporation’s proportionate share of earnings or losses. Equity investments are increased for contributions made and decreased for distributions received. To the extent an investee undertakes activities necessary to commence its planned principal operations, the Corporation will capitalize interest costs associated with its investment during such period.
The HLBV methodology is used to allocate earnings or losses for certain WGL equity method investments when WGL’s ownership interest percentage is different than distribution percentages. When applying HLBV accounting, the Corporation determines the amount that it would receive if an equity investment entity were to liquidate all of its assets at book value (as valued in accordance with U.S. GAAP) and distribute that cash to the investors based on the contractually defined liquidation priorities. The change in the Corporation’s claim on the equity investment entity's book value at the beginning and end of the reporting period (adjusted for contributions and distributions) is the Corporation’s share of the earnings or losses from the equity investment for the period.
An equity method investment is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable. When such condition is deemed other than temporary, the carrying value of the investment is written down to its fair value, and an impairment charge is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Financial Instruments
Non-Utility Operations
All financial instruments are initially recorded at fair value unless they qualify for, and are designated under, a normal purchase and normal sale (NPNS) exemption. Subsequent measurement of the financial instruments is based on their classification. The financial assets are classified as "held-for-trading", "held-to-maturity", or "loans and receivables". Financial liabilities are classified as "held-for-trading" or other financial liabilities. Subsequent measurement is determined by classification.
A physical contract generally qualifies for the NPNS exemption if the transaction is reasonable in relation to AltaGas’ business needs and AltaGas has the ability, and intent, to deliver or take delivery of the underlying item. AltaGas continually assesses the contracts designated under the NPNS exemption and will discontinue the treatment of these contracts under this exemption where the criteria are no longer met.
Held-for-trading instruments include non-derivative financial assets and financial assets and liabilities that may consist of swaps, options, forwards, and equity securities. These financial instruments are initially recorded at their fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in net income. Held-to-maturity, loans and receivables, and other financial liabilities are recognized at amortized cost using the effective interest method unless they are held-for-sale and recognized at the lower of cost or fair value less transaction fees.
Investments in equity instruments not accounted for under the equity method that do not have a quoted market price in an active market are measured at cost. Income earned from these investments is included in the Consolidated Statements of Income under "other income".
Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or contracts (the host instrument) are recorded separately and are measured at fair value if the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are not closely related to the host instrument, the terms of the embedded derivative are the same as those of a standalone derivative, and the entire contract is not held-for-trading or accounted for at fair value. Changes in fair value are included in earnings.
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The fair values recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect netting of the asset and liability positions where counterparty master netting arrangements contain provisions for net settlement.
Transaction costs related to the acquisition of held-for-trading financial assets and liabilities are expensed as incurred.
Transaction costs for obtaining debt financing other than line-of-credit arrangements are recognized as a direct deduction from the related debt liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Transaction costs related to line-of-credit arrangements are capitalized and included under "long-term investments and other assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Premiums and discounts are netted against long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The deferred charges are amortized over the life of the related debt on an effective interest basis and included in “interest expense” on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Regulated Utility Operations
All physical and financial derivative contracts are initially recorded at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are recoverable or refunded to customers when they settle are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not affected by rate regulation are reflected in net income.
Transaction costs for obtaining debt financing and reacquired debt costs are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities, or as a reduction of the debt liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Weather-Related Instruments
WGL purchases certain weather-related instruments, such as heating degree day (HDD) derivatives and cooling degree day (CDD) derivatives to manage weather and price risks related to its natural gas and electricity sales. These derivatives are accounted for in accordance with ASC 815-45, Derivatives and Hedging – Weather Derivatives. For HDD derivatives, gains or losses are recognized when the actual HDD’s falls above or below the contractual HDD’s for each instrument. For CDD derivatives, gains or losses are recognized when the average temperature exceeds or is below a contractually stated level during the contract period. Refer to Note 23 for further discussion on weather-related instruments.
Hedges
As part of its risk management strategy, AltaGas may use derivatives to reduce its exposure to commodity price, interest rate, and foreign exchange risk. AltaGas may designate certain U.S. dollar-denominated debt as a net investment hedge of its U.S. subsidiaries. No other derivatives have been designated as hedges under ASC Topic 815.
Non-Utility Operations
The change in fair value of cash flow hedges is recognized in OCI. Gains or losses from cash flow hedges are reclassified to net income when the hedged transaction affects earnings, such as when the hedged forecasted transaction occurs.
Regulated Utility Operations
During planned issuances of debt securities, Washington Gas may utilize derivative instruments to manage the risk of interest-rate volatility. Gains and losses associated with these types of derivatives are recorded as regulatory liabilities or assets, and amortized in accordance with regulatory requirements, typically over the life of the related debt.
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Credit Losses
The following are the Corporation's significant accounting policies upon adoption of ASC 326:
Accounts receivable, contract assets, a loan to an affiliate, and other long-term receivables within the scope of ASC 326 are recorded net of the allowance for credit losses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. AltaGas regularly analyzes and evaluates the collectability of the accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. If circumstances related to the collectability change, the allowance for credit losses is adjusted. Accounts are written off when collection efforts are complete and future recovery is unlikely. See below for a description of how expected credit loss estimates are developed.
Utilities Customer Receivables and Contract Assets
AltaGas is exposed to risk through the non-payment of utility bills by customers. To manage this customer credit risk, AltaGas' regulated utilities customers are offered budget billing options or high risk customers may be required to provide a cash deposit until the requirement for deposit refunds are met. AltaGas can recover a portion of non-payments from customers in future periods through the rate-setting process. For accounts receivable generated by the Utilities business, an allowance for credit losses is recorded against revenue and is recognized using a historical loss-rate based on historical payment and collection experience. This rate may be adjusted based on Management’s expectations of unusual macroeconomic conditions and other factors. AltaGas regularly evaluates the reasonableness of the allowance based on a combination of factors, such as: the length of time receivables are past due, historical expected payment, collection experience, financial condition of customers, and other circumstances that could impact customers' ability or desire to make payments. For retail energy marketing customer receivables where AltaGas has enrolled in a regulatory utility purchase of receivable program, the associated utility discount rate is used to determine credit losses.
Midstream Customer Receivables and Contract Assets
AltaGas operates under an existing credit policy that is designed to mitigate credit risk. Credit limits are established for each counterparty and credit enhancements such as letters of credit, parent guarantees, and cash collateral may be required. The creditworthiness of all counterparties is continuously monitored. A credit loss reserve is recorded for receivables with customers and trading counterparties AltaGas considers to be below investment grade by applying an estimated loss rate. The estimated loss rate is based on the historical default rates published by external rating agencies. For accounts receivable, a one-year rate is used. For contract assets, historical loss rates associated with the estimated time frame that the contract asset will be billed to the customer is used. In the event a customer or trading counterparty no longer exhibits similar risk characteristics, the associated receivable is evaluated individually.
Other
For other long-term receivables, associated counterparties are evaluated and assigned internal credit ratings based on AltaGas' credit policy. An allowance for credit losses is recorded based on historical default rates published by external credit rating agencies and a rate commensurate with the period in which the receivables are expected to be collected.
Debt
AltaGas uses short-term debt in the form of commercial paper and advances under its syndicated bank credit facilities to fund seasonal cash requirements. Short-term obligations are excluded from current liabilities if AltaGas has the ability and the intent to refinance these obligations on a long-term basis. The ability to refinance is primarily demonstrated through the availability of
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long-term revolving committed credit facilities in an amount equal to or greater than the expected maximum short-term obligation.
Asset Retirement Obligations
AltaGas recognizes asset retirement obligations in the period in which the legal obligation is incurred and a reasonable estimate of fair value can be determined. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the asset and are depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. The liability is increased due to the passage of time over the estimated period until the settlement of the obligation, with a corresponding charge to accretion expense for asset retirement obligations.
There are timing differences between accretion and depreciation amounts being recorded pursuant to GAAP and the recognition of depreciation expense for legal asset removal costs that are recovered in rates, as allowed by the regulators. These timing differences are recorded as a reduction to “regulatory liabilities” in accordance with ASC 980.
Certain midstream and utility assets will have future legal obligations on retirement, but an asset retirement obligation has not been recorded due to its indeterminate life and corresponding indeterminable timing and scope of these asset retirement obligations. The Utilities recognize asset retirement obligations for some interim retirements, as expected by their regulators.
Revenue Recognition
AltaGas has revenue from various sources, including rate-regulated revenue, commodity sales, midstream service contracts, gas sales and transportation services, and storage services. For a detailed description of the Corporation’s revenue recognition policy by major source of revenue, please refer to Note 24.
Foreign Currency Translation
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are converted to the functional currency using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Adjustments resulting from the conversion are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are converted at the historical exchange rate in effect at the transaction date. Revenues and expenses are converted at the exchange rate applicable at the transaction date.
For foreign entities with a functional currency other than Canadian dollars, AltaGas’ reporting currency, assets and liabilities are translated into Canadian dollars at the rate in effect at the reporting date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the reporting period. All adjustments resulting from the translation of the foreign operations are recorded in OCI.
AltaGas may designate some of its U.S. dollar denominated long-term debt as a foreign currency hedge of its investment in foreign operations. Accordingly, foreign exchange gains and losses, from the dates of designation, on the translation of the U.S. dollar denominated long-term debt are included in OCI.
Share Options and Other Compensation Plans
Share options granted are recorded using fair value. Compensation expense is measured at the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton model and is recognized over the vesting period of the options. Consideration received by AltaGas on exercise of the share options is credited to shareholders’ equity.
AltaGas has a phantom unit plan (Phantom Plan, formerly the medium-term incentive plan) for employees and executive officers which includes two types of awards: restricted units (RUs) and performance units (PUs). A portion of AltaGas’ RUs and
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PUs are valued based on the dividends declared during the vesting period and the weighted average share price of AltaGas' common shares multiplied by the units outstanding at the end of the vesting period. Upon vesting, the RUs and PUs are paid in cash. The other portion of RUs and PUs are valued at US$1 per unit. Upon vesting, the RUs and PUs are paid in cash. All PUs are also subject to a performance multiplier ranging from 0 to 2.4 dependent on the Corporation's performance relative to performance targets as approved by the Board of Directors. Compensation expense is recognized using the liability method and is recorded as operating and administrative expense over the vesting period. A change in value of the RUs or PUs is recognized in the period the change occurs.
In addition, AltaGas has a deferred share unit plan (DSUP) for directors, officers, and employees as an additional form of long-term variable compensation incentive. Although the DSUP is available to directors, officers, and employees, AltaGas currently only grants deferred share units (DSUs) under the DSUP as a form of director compensation. The DSUs granted are fully vested upon being credited to a participant’s account, the participant is entitled to payment upon retirement, and payment is not subject to satisfaction of any requirements as to any minimum period of membership or employment or other conditions. DSUs are accounted for at fair value. Compensation expense is determined based on the fair value of the DSUs on the date of the grant and fluctuations in fair value are recognized in the period the change occurs.
Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits
AltaGas maintains defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plans, and other post-retirement benefit plans for eligible employees. Contributions made by the Corporation to the defined contribution plans are expensed in the period in which the contribution occurs.
The cost of defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement benefits is actuarially determined using the projected benefit method prorated based on service and Management’s best estimate of expected plan investment performance, salary escalation, retirement ages of employees, expected health care costs, and other actuarial factors including discount rates and mortality. Pension plan assets are measured at fair value. The expected return on plan assets is based on historical and projected rates of return for each asset class in the plan portfolio. The projected benefit obligation is discounted using the market interest rate on high-quality debt instruments with cash flows matching the timing and amount of benefit payments.
Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10 percent of the greater of the benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets or the market-related value of assets along with any unamortized past service costs and credits are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected average remaining service life of active employees. The expected average remaining service period of the active members covered by the defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement benefit plans is 10.2 years and 13.0 years, respectively.
AltaGas recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of its pension and post-retirement benefit plans as either assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and past service costs and credits that arise during the period are recognized in OCI or a regulatory asset or liability.
For certain regulated utilities, the Corporation expects to recover pension expense in future rates and therefore records unrecognized balances as either regulatory assets or liabilities. The regulatory assets or liabilities are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected average remaining service life of active employees.
In 2020, AltaGas made a voluntary change in accounting principle for calculating the market-related value of assets (MRVA) used in the determination of Washington Gas' net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit plan costs. The change uses the fair value approach for the fixed income investment asset class of the plan assets, compared to the prior method that utilized a calculated value where gains and losses arising from changes in fair value were deferred and amortized into the calculation of the MRVA over a period of five years. The MRVA is used in the calculation of the expected return on assets and
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the recognized actuarial gain or loss components of net periodic benefit cost. The approach applied for all other classes of assets remains unchanged.
Management believes that using the fair value approach for the fixed income investments in plan assets is preferable as it more closely aligns the recognition of related components within the net periodic benefit cost.
This change in accounting principle was not considered material to prior periods or the current year; therefore, the impact of the change was recognized in the current period. On the Consolidated Statements of Income, for the year ended December 31, 2020, the change resulted in an increase to income before income taxes of approximately $25 million (recorded within the line item “other income”) and an increase to net income applicable to common shares of approximately $19 million ($0.07 per basic and diluted common share), net of the tax impact of approximately $6 million recorded within the line item "deferred income tax expense (recovery)". Amounts related to regulated utility operations that are expected to be recoverable from or refunded to customers through the rate-setting process have been reflected as adjustments to regulatory assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For further discussion of pension plans and retiree benefits, see Note 28.
Income Taxes
Income taxes for the Corporation and its subsidiaries are calculated using the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the carrying value and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are in effect in the periods in which the differences are expected to be settled or realized. Deferred income tax assets are routinely reviewed, and a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized.
The financial statement effects of an uncertain tax position are recognized when it is more likely than not, based on technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. The current and deferred tax impact is equal to the largest amount, considering possible settlement outcomes, that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities.
Investment tax credits are recognized as reductions to income tax expense over the estimated service lives of the related properties.
The rate-regulated natural gas distribution subsidiaries recognize a separate regulatory asset or liability for the amount of deferred income taxes expected to be recovered from, or paid to, customers in the future.
Net Income per Share
Basic net income per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive net income per common share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted for dilutive common shares related to the Corporation’s share-based compensation awards.
The potentially dilutive impact of the share-based compensation awards is determined using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, awards are treated as if they had been exercised with any proceeds used to repurchase common stock at the average market price during the period. Any incremental difference between the assumed number of shares issued and purchased is included in the diluted share computation.
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Contingencies
Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Any such accruals are adjusted thereafter as additional information becomes available or circumstances change.
Leases
The following are the Corporation’s significant accounting policies:
Leases – Lessee
AltaGas determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in right-of-use (ROU) assets, current operating lease liabilities, and long-term operating lease liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment and current and long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. AltaGas uses the rate implicit in the lease when readily determinable. When the implicit lease rate is not readily determinable, AltaGas uses its incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of lease payments. AltaGas includes lessee options to renew or terminate the lease term in the determination of the ROU asset and lease liability when exercise is reasonably certain. The operating lease ROU asset is adjusted for lease payments made in advance of the commencement date, initial direct costs, and any lease incentives.
Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term in "operating and administrative expense". Depreciation and interest expense are recorded on finance leases.
Leases – Lessor
AltaGas determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Lease payments under an operating lease are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Variable lease payments are recognized as revenue as the facts and circumstances on which the variable lease payment is based occur.
AltaGas does not include taxes assessed by governmental authorities, such as sales and related taxes, in the lease payments or variable lease payments.
Collaborative Arrangements
WGL has collaborative arrangements with a third party to facilitate the asset optimization program. The collaborative arrangements allocate a tiered or fixed percentage of profits or losses to the third party as compensation for its participation. The expense recorded related to the collaborative arrangements totaled $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 (2019 - income of $1 million).
ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Effective January 1, 2020, AltaGas adopted the following Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Updates (ASU):
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§ In June 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses and all related amendments (collectively "ASC 326"): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. The ASU replaces the current “incurred loss” impairment methodology with an “expected loss” model for financial assets measured at amortized cost. AltaGas has applied ASC 326 using the modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date of the new standard. Prior periods presented for comparative purposes were not adjusted. Upon adoption of ASC 326, "accounts receivable, net of allowances" decreased by $2 million and "long-term investments and other assets" decreased by $5 million, with an offsetting increase to "accumulated deficit". AltaGas has elected to account for its cash equivalents at fair value. Please also refer to Note 23 of the Consolidated Financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2020 for further details;
§ ASU No. 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement – Disclosure Framework: Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”. The amendments in this ASU modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas’ consolidated financial statements, but resulted in certain minor adjustments to the fair value disclosures. Please also refer to Note 23 of the Consolidated Financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2020 for further details;
§ ASU No. 2018-17 “Consolidation: Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities”. The amendments in this ASU provide a private-company scope exception to the VIE guidance for certain entities and clarify that indirect interests held through related parties under common control are considered on a proportional basis when determining whether fees paid to decision makers and service providers are variable interests. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas’ consolidated financial statements;
§ ASU No. 2018-18 "Collaborative Arrangements: Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606". The amendments in this ASU clarifies that certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue under ASC 606, adds unit-of-account guidance in ASC 808 to align with the guidance in ASC 606, and requires that a transaction with a collaborative arrangement participant that is not directly related to sales to third parties, is precluded from presenting the transaction together with revenue recognized under ASC 606 if the collaborative arrangement participant is not a customer. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas’ consolidated financial statements;
§ ASU No. 2019-01 "Leases: Codification Improvements". The amendments in this ASU provide a fair value exception for lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers, clarifies the presentation of principal payments received under sales-type and direct finance leases for depository and lending institutions, and clarifies that interim transition disclosure requirements related to the change on income statement, net income and related per share amounts for the adoption of ASC 842 are not required. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas’ consolidated financial statements;
§ ASU No. 2019-04 “Financial Instruments: Codification Improvements". The amendments in this ASU provide clarification and improve the codification in recently issued accounting standards relating to credit losses, hedge accounting, and financial instruments. The amendments related to credit losses were evaluated in conjunction with ASU 2016-13 above. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas’ consolidated financial statements; and
§ ASU No. 2020-03 "Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments". The amendments in this ASU provide clarification and improve the codification to certain aspects of accounting standards related to financial instruments. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas’ consolidated financial statements.
Effective December 31, 2020, AltaGas adopted the following FASB issued ASU:
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§ ASU No. 2018-14 “Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans – General: Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for the Defined Benefit Plans”. The amendments in this ASU modify the disclosure requirements on defined benefit pension and other post-retirement plans. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements, but resulted in certain modifications to the disclosures in the pension footnote. Please also refer to Note 28 of the Consolidated Financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2020 for further details.
FUTURE CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
In December 2019, FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12 "Income Taxes: Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes". The amendments in this ASU simplify the accounting for income taxes by clarifying certain aspects of current guidance and removing some exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on AltaGas’ financial statements.
In January 2020, FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01 "Derivatives and Hedging: Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815". The amendments in this ASU clarify the application of the measurement alternative for equity instruments and the measurement of non-derivative forward contracts or purchased call options used to acquire equity securities. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on AltaGas’ financial statements.
In March 2020, FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04 "Reference Rate Reform: Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting." The amendments in this ASU provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. These apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The amendments in this ASU are effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. AltaGas may elect to apply the amendments as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 on a prospective basis. AltaGas has not elected to adopt this ASU as of December 31, 2020, and is assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2020, FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06 "Debt with Conversion and Other Options and Topic 815-40 - Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity: Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contract in an Entity's Own Equity." The amendments in this Update simplify the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities that meet the definition of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filer, excluding entities eligible to be smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on AltaGas' financial statements.
3. Acquisition of Petrogas Energy Corporation
On December 15, 2020, following the receipt of all required approvals, AltaGas acquired an additional 37 percent of Petrogas Energy Corp. (the Petrogas Acquisition) for total cash consideration upon close of approximately $715 million. Additional post-acquisition contingent payments of up to $16 million may be paid no later than 2022 based on certain criteria, including earnings targets being met (Note 29). AltaGas funded the transaction through draws on its existing credit facilities. As a result
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of the transaction, AltaGas' ownership in Petrogas has increased to approximately 74 percent with Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. (Idemitsu) owning the remaining approximately 26 percent. Subsequent to the transaction, AltaGas controls Petrogas and as such, Petrogas results have been consolidated for the period subsequent to close.
This acquisition is consistent with AltaGas' global export strategy, growing Midstream operations, and corporate focus on building a diversified, low-risk, high-growth Utilities and Midstream business. The transaction provides AltaGas with operational responsibility of strategic assets that, along with the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal and existing Midstream assets, position the Company to capture efficiencies that are expected to accrue to shareholders and customers.
AltaGas accounted for the acquisition as a business combination achieved in stages and re-measured it's previously held 37 percent equity investment in Petrogas at an acquisition date fair value of $631 million, resulting in a gain of $22 million. The fair value of assets and liabilities acquired were determined using a combination of income and cost approach. The fair value of the previously held interest and non-controlling interests were derived from the valuation of the assets and liabilities including considerations for expected synergies. Prior to the acquisition, AltaGas' indirect non-controlling interest in Petrogas was accounted for as an investment accounted for by the equity method (Note 14).
The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation representing the consideration paid and the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired as at December 15, 2020. The purchase price allocation is preliminary and reflects Management’s current best estimate of the fair value of Petrogas' assets and liabilities based on the analysis of information obtained to date. Management is continuing to obtain specific information to support the valuation of property, plant and equipment, intangibles, investments accounted for by the equity method, non-controlling interest, contingencies, income taxes, environmental matters and asset retirement obligations. As additional information becomes available, the purchase price allocation may differ materially from the preliminary purchase price allocation below. The offset to any adjustments made to the aforementioned financial statement captions during the measurement period are expected to be recorded in goodwill. Any adjustments to the purchase price allocation will be made as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the date of acquisition.
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Fair value of previously held interest in AltaGas Idemitsu Joint Venture LP (AIJVLP) on the acquisition date | $ | 631 | |||
Less: Carrying value of previously held interest in AIJVLP | (609) | ||||
Gain on re-measurement of previously held interest | $ | 22 | |||
Purchase consideration for an additional 37 percent of Petrogas | $ | 715 | |||
Deemed settlement of intercompany debt | 120 | ||||
Fair value of previously held interest on the acquisition date | 631 | ||||
Less: Fair value assigned to net assets | |||||
Current assets | 536 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment | 523 | ||||
Intangible assets | 10 | ||||
Operating right-of-use assets | 192 | ||||
Long-term investments and other assets | 4 | ||||
Investments accounted for by the equity method | 125 | ||||
Current liabilities | (363) | ||||
Long-term debt | (53) | ||||
Asset retirement obligations | (13) | ||||
Deferred income taxes | (21) | ||||
Operating lease liabilities | (152) | ||||
Other long-term liabilities | (26) | ||||
Fair value of net assets acquired | $ | 762 | |||
Fair value of AIJVLP's non-controlling interest in Petrogas on the acquisition date | 467 | ||||
Goodwill | $ | 1,171 |
The fair value of AIJVLP's non-controlling interest in Petrogas at the acquisition date was $467 million, which was determined in the same manner described for the previously held investments. Included in the fair value calculation are synergies that AltaGas expects to achieve as part of the acquisition. The synergies are broken down into items that will accrue to Petrogas versus other AltaGas businesses. AltaGas operates businesses that are similar in nature to Petrogas and expects some of the synergies to impact assets such as RIPET and other processing facilities. The allocation of synergies to the various businesses is currently based on the expectations that existed as of the acquisition date. Further refinement of the synergies will occur as the businesses are integrated and assessed by AltaGas’ management. New allocations of synergies will be carefully assessed to determine their impact on the purchase price allocation.
The fair value of property, plant and equipment was estimated using the valuation methodologies described in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to value the property, plant and equipment purchased. The preliminary fair value of Petrogas' property, plant and equipment was determined using both the income and cost approaches.
The acquired intangible assets consist primarily of the fair value of contractual arrangements for the purchase and sale of commodities. These intangibles have been valued using the income approach.
Investments accounted for by the equity method include Petrogas' 50 percent equity interest in Petrogas Terminals Penn LLC, and 40 percent equity interest in Strathcona Storage LP. The preliminary fair value of these investments was determined using an income approach.
The fair value of current assets and current liabilities approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature, with the exception of inventory. Inventory of $164 million has been recorded at it's fair value using the expected selling prices and reasonable adjustments for the current location of the products. A contingent liability related to a property tax dispute has been recorded as part of the purchase price allocation. This preliminary amount represents management’s best estimate of the fair
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value of the contingent liability and has been included in current liabilities. This item is included in the preliminary purchase price allocation as the hearings on the matter will occur over the next 12 months and the outcome will be settled.
Right of use assets and lease liabilities have been recorded for operating leases. The right of use assets have been adjusted to reflect the market lease rates at the acquisition date and resulted in a reduction of the acquired right of use assets.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities have been applied on the cumulative amount of tax applicable to temporary differences between the accounting and tax values of assets and liabilities and are considered preliminary.
The preliminary purchase price allocation includes goodwill of approximately $1.2 billion. The goodwill is primarily related to the
opportunities to grow the LPG export business, expanded access to capital and greater financial flexibility as a result of increased scale, and earnings diversification. The goodwill recognized as part of this transaction is not deductible for income tax purposes, and as such, no deferred taxes have been recorded related to this goodwill.
Pre-tax acquisition expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 of approximately $6 million were incurred and included in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Upon completion of the Petrogas Acquisition, AltaGas began consolidating Petrogas. For the period from close of the transaction through December 31, 2020, Petrogas has generated approximately $143 million in revenues and $3 million in net income after taxes.
The following supplemental unaudited, pro forma consolidated financial information for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 gives effect to the Petrogas Acquisition as if it had closed on January 1, 2019. This pro forma information is presented for information purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the results that would have occurred had the Petrogas Acquisition taken place at the beginning of 2019, nor is it indicative of the results that may be expected in future periods.
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
Pro forma revenue | $ | 7,917 | $ | 9,217 | ||||
Pro forma net income after tax | $ | 537 | $ | 1,004 |
Pro forma net income after taxes excludes all non-recurring acquisition-related expenses incurred by AltaGas and Petrogas. Pro forma net income after taxes was also adjusted to exclude AltaGas' equity earnings from Petrogas prior to the acquisition, finance costs associated with credit facilities used to fund the Petrogas Acquisition, as well as the associated tax impacts. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the total after-tax pro forma adjustments decreased net income after taxes by $31 million (2019 – $75 million).
4. Dispositions
AltaGas Canada Inc. (ACI)
On March 31, 2020, the Public Sector Pension Investment Board and the Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund Board acquired all the issued and outstanding common shares of ACI for $33.50 per share. AltaGas owned 11,025,000 (approximately 37 percent) of ACI's common shares and received cash proceeds of approximately $369 million upon close. For the year ended December 31, 2020, AltaGas recognized a pre-tax gain on disposition of approximately $206 million in the Consolidated Statements of Income under the line item "other income". Following a name change in connection with the arrangement, ACI changed its name to TriSummit Utilities Inc.
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Distributed Generation Assets
In 2019, AltaGas closed the disposition of its portfolio of U.S. distributed generation assets. The majority of assets were transferred in 2019, except for one project for which ownership will not legally transfer to the purchaser until various consents and approvals are obtained. As such, the carrying value of the assets and liabilities relating to this project remain classified as held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as at December 31, 2020 (Note 5). For the year ended December 31, 2020, AltaGas recognized a pre-tax gain on disposition of approximately $9 million in the Consolidated Statements of Income under the line item "other income" related to projects transferred in 2020. In addition, AltaGas recorded a pre-tax provision of $3 million related to the remaining U.S. distributed generation project which has not yet transferred to the purchaser (Note 6). The purchaser was entitled to after-tax earnings from the distributed generation projects, including the project awaiting consent, beginning September 1, 2019.
Harmattan Land Parcels
In the second quarter of 2020, AltaGas completed the sale of land parcels located near the Harmattan gas processing plant for gross cash proceeds of approximately $3 million. There was no gain or loss resulting from this disposition.
Pomona Energy Storage Facility and Ripon Gas-fired Facility
In the third quarter of 2020, AltaGas completed the sales of AltaGas Pomona Energy Storage Inc. and land related to a gas-fired power generation facility in the U.S., as well as a gas fired facility in Ripon, California, for aggregate gross cash proceeds, before working capital and other adjustments, of approximately $67 million. AltaGas recognized a pre-tax gain on these dispositions of approximately $8 million in the Consolidated Statements of Income under the line item "other income".
5. Assets Held For Sale
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Assets held for sale | ||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | $ | 4 | $ | 22 | ||||
Operating right-of-use assets | 0 | 1 | ||||||
Goodwill | 0 | 1 | ||||||
Other long-term assets | 0 | 3 | ||||||
$ | 4 | $ | 27 | |||||
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale | ||||||||
Unamortized investment tax credits | $ | 1 | $ | 3 | ||||
Operating lease liabilities - long-term | 0 | 1 | ||||||
$ | 1 | $ | 4 |
Distributed Generation Assets
In 2019, AltaGas announced that it entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its portfolio of U.S. distributed generation assets (Note 4). The transaction closed in September 2019; however, there is one project for which ownership will not legally transfer to the purchaser until various consents and approvals are obtained. As such, the carrying value of the assets and liabilities related to this project remains classified as held for sale at December 31, 2020, which resulted in the reclassification of $4 million of assets to assets held for sale and $1 million of liabilities to liabilities associated with assets held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The portion of the purchase price relating to this project is approximately $4 million (US$3
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million) and is recorded within "accounts payable and accrued liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets until this project is legally transferred to the purchaser. These assets and liabilities are recorded in the Corporate/Other segment.
6. Provisions on Assets
Year Ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Midstream | $ | 106 | $ | 34 | ||||
Corporate/Other | 3 | 382 | ||||||
$ | 109 | $ | 416 |
Midstream
In 2020, AltaGas recorded pre-tax provisions of $106 million. Of this, approximately $104 million related to the Alton Natural Gas Storage Project, which was impaired as AltaGas does not believe that the future expected cash generation from the project aligns with the current carrying value. The remaining $2 million pre-tax provision related to land parcels located near the Harmattan gas processing plant which were sold in the second quarter of 2020 (Note 4). The pre-tax provisions were recorded against property, plant and equipment. In 2019, AltaGas recorded pre-tax provisions of $34 million related to a sour gas treatment facility in Alberta.
Corporate/Other
In 2020, AltaGas recorded pre-tax provisions totaling $3 million related to the remaining U.S. distributed generation projects which have not yet transferred to the purchaser and are classified as held for sale as at December 31, 2020. The pre-tax provisions were recorded against property, plant and equipment. In 2019, AltaGas recorded pre-tax provisions of $382 million related to various assets in the Corporate/Other segment.
7. Inventory
As at December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Natural gas held in storage (a) | $ | 309 | $ | 359 | ||||
Natural gas liquids | 116 | 26 | ||||||
Materials and supplies | 84 | 57 | ||||||
Renewable energy credits and emission compliance instruments | 80 | 64 | ||||||
Crude oil and condensate | 43 | 0 | ||||||
Processed finished products | 4 | 0 | ||||||
$ | 636 | $ | 506 |
(a)As at December 31, 2020, $193 million of the natural gas held in storage was held by rate-regulated utilities (2019 - $214 million).
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8. Property, Plant and Equipment
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cost | Accumulated amortization | Net book value | Cost | Accumulated amortization | Net book value | |||||||||||||||
Utilities | $ | 7,791 | $ | (286) | $ | 7,505 | $ | 7,316 | $ | (155) | $ | 7,161 | ||||||||
Midstream | 4,094 | (951) | 3,143 | 3,182 | (585) | 2,597 | ||||||||||||||
Corporate/Other | 842 | (598) | 244 | 1,025 | (636) | 389 | ||||||||||||||
Reclassified to assets held for sale | (4) | 0 | (4) | (24) | 2 | (22) | ||||||||||||||
$ | 12,723 | $ | (1,835) | $ | 10,888 | $ | 11,499 | $ | (1,374) | $ | 10,125 |
Interest capitalized on long-term capital construction projects for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $6 million (2019 - $15 million).
As at December 31, 2020, the Corporation had approximately $457 million (December 31, 2019 - $725 million) of capital projects under construction that were not yet subject to amortization.
Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment (including assets under capital leases) for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $346 million (2019 - $358 million).
9. Intangible Assets
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cost | Accumulated amortization | Net book value | Cost | Accumulated amortization | Net book value | |||||||||||||||
E&T contracts | $ | 26 | $ | (16) | $ | 10 | $ | 27 | $ | (15) | $ | 12 | ||||||||
Electricity service agreements | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | (8) | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Energy services relationships | 90 | (45) | 45 | 91 | (27) | 64 | ||||||||||||||
Software | 304 | (133) | 171 | 304 | (102) | 202 | ||||||||||||||
Land rights | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Commodity contracts | 332 | (20) | 312 | 327 | (21) | 306 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 753 | $ | (214) | $ | 539 | $ | 759 | $ | (173) | $ | 586 |
Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $68 million (2019 - $80 million).
As at December 31, 2020, the Corporation excluded $176 million (December 31, 2019 - $185 million) from the asset base subject to amortization. Items excluded relate to gas transportation capacity contracts, software assets under development, and assets with an indefinite life.
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The following table sets forth the estimated amortization expense of intangible assets, excluding any amortization of assets not yet subject to amortization as well as assets with an indefinite life, for the years ended December 31:
2021 | $ | 75 | |||
2022 | $ | 72 | |||
2023 | $ | 60 | |||
2024 | $ | 39 | |||
2025 | $ | 15 | |||
Thereafter | $ | 102 |
10. Leases
Lessee
AltaGas has operating and finance leases for office space, office equipment, field equipment, rail cars, aquatic use, vehicles, power and gas facilities, transmission and distribution assets, and land.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | Year Ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Operating lease cost (includes variable lease payments) | $ | 43 | $ | 29 | ||||
Finance lease cost | ||||||||
Amortization of right-of-use assets | $ | 4 | $ | 4 | ||||
Total finance lease cost | $ | 4 | $ | 4 | ||||
Total lease cost | $ | 47 | $ | 33 |
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
Year Ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||||||||
Operating cash flows from operating leases | $ | (36) | $ | (21) | ||||
Financing cash flows from finance leases (a) | $ | (4) | $ | (4) | ||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities | ||||||||
Operating leases | $ | 227 | $ | 50 | ||||
Finance leases | $ | 6 | $ | 5 |
(a)Included within repayment of long-term debt on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
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Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
As at December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Operating Leases | ||||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | ||||||||
Long-term | $ | 372 | $ | 170 | ||||
Total operating lease right-of-use assets | $ | 372 | $ | 170 | ||||
Operating lease liabilities | ||||||||
Current | $ | (95) | $ | (27) | ||||
Long-term | (304) | (153) | ||||||
Total operating lease liabilities | $ | (399) | $ | (180) | ||||
Finance Leases | ||||||||
Property and equipment, gross | $ | 19 | $ | 13 | ||||
Accumulated depreciation | (7) | (3) | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | $ | 12 | $ | 10 | ||||
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | (4) | $ | (4) | ||||
Long-term debt | (8) | (6) | ||||||
Total finance lease liabilities | $ | (12) | $ | (10) |
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Weighted average remaining lease term (years) | ||||||||
Operating leases | 7.4 | 10.9 | ||||||
Finance leases | 4.8 | 5.2 | ||||||
Weighted average discount rate (%) | ||||||||
Operating leases | 2.42 | 3.51 | ||||||
Finance leases | 2.89 | 3.68 |
Maturity analysis of lease liabilities was as follows:
Operating Leases | Finance Leases | |||||||
2021 | $ | 96 | $ | 4 | ||||
2022 | 81 | 4 | ||||||
2023 | 58 | 2 | ||||||
2024 | 50 | 1 | ||||||
2025 | 40 | 1 | ||||||
Thereafter | 125 | 2 | ||||||
Total lease payments | 450 | 14 | ||||||
Less: imputed interest | (51) | (2) | ||||||
Total | $ | 399 | $ | 12 |
Lessor
Certain of AltaGas’ revenues are obtained through power purchase agreements or take-or-pay contracts whereby AltaGas is the lessor in these operating lease arrangements. Minimum lease payments received are amortized over the term of the lease. Contingent rentals are recorded when the condition that created the present obligation to make such payments occurs such as when actual electricity is generated and delivered.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 103
Maturity analysis of lease receivables was as follows:
Operating Leases | |||||
2021 | $ | 127 | |||
2022 | 117 | ||||
2023 | 108 | ||||
2024 | 41 | ||||
2025 | 41 | ||||
Thereafter | 404 | ||||
Total | $ | 838 |
The carrying value of property, plant, and equipment associated with these leases was approximately $0.5 billion as at December 31, 2020.
AltaGas manages its risk associated with the residual value of its leased assets through strategically constructing leased facilities in key commercial regions and retaining the ability to sell commodities and ancillary services via the merchant market or through commodity sales agreements.
11. Goodwill
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 3,942 | $ | 4,068 | ||||
Business acquisition (note 3) | 1,171 | 0 | ||||||
Adjustment to goodwill on business acquisition | 0 | 92 | ||||||
Goodwill included in dispositions | 0 | (29) | ||||||
Reclassified to assets held for sale | 0 | (1) | ||||||
Foreign exchange translation | (74) | (188) | ||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 5,039 | $ | 3,942 |
12. Long-Term Investments and Other Assets
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Investments in publicly-traded entities | $ | 0 | $ | 4 | ||||
Loan to affiliate (notes 23 and 30) | 0 | 45 | ||||||
Deferred lease receivable | 12 | 17 | ||||||
Debt issuance costs associated with credit facilities | 3 | 6 | ||||||
Refundable deposits | 9 | 9 | ||||||
Prepayment on long-term service agreements | 70 | 81 | ||||||
Deferred information technology costs | 4 | 0 | ||||||
Cash calls from joint venture partners | 26 | 10 | ||||||
Contract asset (net of credit losses of $1 million) (notes 23 and 24) | 50 | 30 | ||||||
Rabbi trust and other restricted cash (notes 28, 29 and 31) | 19 | 32 | ||||||
Other long-term receivables (net of credit losses of $2 million) (notes 23 and 29) | 18 | 33 | ||||||
Capitalized contract costs | 5 | 0 | ||||||
Financial transmission rights | 12 | 12 | ||||||
Other | 17 | 18 | ||||||
$ | 245 | $ | 297 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 104
13. Variable Interest Entities
Consolidated VIEs
AltaGas consolidates VIEs where the Corporation is deemed the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE has the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance such as being the provider of construction, operating and marketing services to the entity. In addition, the primary beneficiary of a VIE also has the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. AltaGas determined that it is the primary beneficiary of the following VIEs:
Ridley Island LPG Export Limited Partnership
On May 5, 2017, AltaGas LPG Limited Partnership (AltaGas LPG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AltaGas, and Vopak Development Canada Inc. (Vopak), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koninklijke Vopak N.V. (Royal Vopak), a public company incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, formed the Ridley Island LPG Export Limited Partnership (RILE LP) to develop, own and operate the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (RIPET). AltaGas’ subsidiaries hold a 70 percent interest while Vopak holds a 30 percent interest in RILE LP. The construction cost of RIPET was funded by AltaGas LPG and Vopak in proportion to their respective interests in RILE LP. As part of the arrangements, AltaGas entered into a long-term agreement for the capacity of RIPET with RILE LP, and AltaGas and certain of its subsidiaries provide operating services to RILE LP.
AltaGas has determined that RILE LP is a VIE in which it holds variable interests and is the primary beneficiary. In the determination that AltaGas is the primary beneficiary of the VIE, AltaGas noted that it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance through the operating and marketing services provided to RILE LP. In addition, AltaGas has the obligation to absorb the losses and the right to receive the benefits that could potentially be significant to RILE LP through the long-term agreement for the capacity of RIPET. As such, AltaGas has consolidated RILE LP.
The assets of RILE LP are the property of RILE LP and are not available to AltaGas for any other purpose. RILE LP’s asset balances can only be used to settle its own obligations. The liabilities of RILE LP do not represent additional claims against AltaGas’ general assets. AltaGas’ exposure to loss as a result of its interest as a limited partner is its net investment. AltaGas and Royal Vopak have provided limited guarantees for the obligations of their respective subsidiaries for the construction cost of RIPET. With the commencement of commercial operations at RIPET, the terms of the long-term capacity agreement between AltaGas LPG and RILE LP provide for a return on and of capital and reimbursement of RIPET's operating costs by AltaGas LPG in accordance with the terms set out in the agreement.
The following table represents amounts included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets attributable to AltaGas’ consolidated VIE:
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Current assets | $ | 7 | $ | 6 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment | 358 | 371 | ||||||
Long-term investments and other assets | 50 | 53 | ||||||
Current liabilities | (2) | (3) | ||||||
Asset retirement obligations | (2) | (3) | ||||||
Net assets | $ | 411 | $ | 424 |
Unconsolidated VIE
Strathcona Storage Limited Partnership (SSLP)
Upon the acquisition of Petrogas on December 15, 2020, AltaGas acquired an indirect interest in SSLP, a partnership formed with ATCO Energy Solutions Ltd. to construct, operate, and maintain underground NGL storage caverns at Fort Saskatchewan,
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 105
Alberta. The facility currently has four underground NGL storage salt caverns in service, with a fifth cavern under development. As at December 31, 2020, AltaGas held an indirect 30 percent equity investment in SSLP with a carrying value of $124 million, inclusive of fair value adjustments on acquisition date (Note 3). SSLP is not consolidated by Petrogas and instead is accounted for by the equity method of accounting. Petrogas is not the primary beneficiary of SSLP and it does not have the power to direct the activities most significant to the economic performance of SSLP.
14. Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method
Carrying value as at December 31 | Equity income (loss) for the year ended December 31 | |||||||||||||||||||
Description | Location | Ownership Percentage | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
AltaGas Canada Inc. (ACI) (a) | Canada | — | $ | 0 | $ | 164 | $ | 3 | $ | 17 | ||||||||||
AltaGas Idemitsu Joint Venture LP (b) | Canada | — | 0 | 431 | (25) | 63 | ||||||||||||||
Constitution Pipeline, LLC (Constitution) (c) | United States | — | 0 | 0 | (7) | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Eaton Rapids Gas Storage System | United States | 50 | 26 | 27 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Meade Pipeline Co. LLC (d) | United States | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | (4) | ||||||||||||||
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC (Mountain Valley) (e) | United States | 10 | 718 | 672 | 62 | 43 | ||||||||||||||
Sarnia Airport Storage Pool LP | Canada | 50 | 18 | 18 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Petrogas Preferred Shares (f) | Canada | n/a | 0 | 150 | 13 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
Petrogas Terminals Penn LLC (g) | United States | 37 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Stonewall Gas Gathering Systems LLC (d) | United States | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
Strathcona Storage LP (g) | Canada | 30 | 124 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
$ | 887 | $ | 1,462 | $ | 49 | $ | 141 |
(a) ACI was acquired by the Public Sector Pension Investment Board and the Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund Board on March 31, 2020 (Note 4).
(b) Upon acquisition of Petrogas on December 15, 2020 (Note 3), AltaGas no longer has an equity investment in AIJVLP.
(c) The equity method is considered appropriate because Constitution is a Limited Liability Company (LLC) with specific ownership accounts and ownership between five and fifty percent, resulting in WGL Midstream exercising a more than minor influence over the investee's operating and financing policies. In February 2020, the partners of Constitution elected not to proceed with the pipeline project and Constitution was dissolved. The loss recorded in 2020 relates to a provision recorded against the equity investment (see below for further discussion).
(d) Disposed of in 2019.
(e) The equity method is considered appropriate because Mountain Valley is an LLC with specific ownership accounts and ownership between five and fifty percent, resulting in WGL Midstream exercising a more than minor influence over the investee's operating and financing policies.
(f) Petrogas' preferred shares ceased to be an investment accounted for by the equity method after AltaGas acquired a controlling interest in Petrogas on December 15, 2020 (Note 3).
(g) Acquired on December 15, 2020 as part of the Petrogas Acquisition (Note 3).
The carrying amount of certain equity investments differs from the amount of the underlying equity in net assets. These basis differences include amounts related to purchase accounting adjustments, capitalized interest, and a contractual cap on contributions to Mountain Valley.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 106
Summarized combined financial information, assuming a 100 percent ownership interest in AltaGas’ equity investments listed above, is as follows:
Year Ended December 31 (a) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Revenues | $ | 828 | $ | 1,109 | ||||
Expenses | (181) | (355) | ||||||
$ | 647 | $ | 754 | |||||
As at December 31 (a) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Current assets | $ | 351 | $ | 411 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment | $ | 7,598 | $ | 8,034 | ||||
Intangible assets | $ | 0 | $ | 22 | ||||
Long-term investments and other assets | $ | 5 | $ | 1,459 | ||||
Current liabilities | $ | (281) | $ | (394) | ||||
Other long-term liabilities | $ | (2) | $ | (992) |
(a) For equity investments that were disposed of in the periods presented, revenues and expenses reflect the period prior to disposition and balance sheet amounts are $nil. For equity investments that were acquired in the year (Note 3), revenues and expenses reflect the period subsequent to acquisition and balance sheet amounts are included as at December 31, 2020.
Equity Method Investments Acquired
In connection with the acquisition of Petrogas (Note 3), AltaGas acquired the following investments accounted for by the equity method:
Petrogas Terminals Penn LLC
Petrogas owns a 50 percent equity interest in Petrogas Terminals Penn LLC, a partnership with a regional propane retailer engaged in rail offloading of propane for distribution by truck to customers in Pennsylvania and other nearby states.
Strathcona Storage LP
Petrogas owns a 40 percent equity interest in Strathcona Storage Limited Partnership, a partnership with ATCO Energy Solutions Ltd., which is engaged in the development of underground NGL storage caverns at Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. SSLP is considered a VIE (Note 13) and is accounted for using the equity method.
AltaGas Canada Inc.
On March 31, 2020, the Public Sector Pension Investment Board and the Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund Board acquired all the issued and outstanding common shares of ACI for $33.50 per share (Note 4). AltaGas owned 11,025,000 (approximately 37 percent) of ACI's common shares and received cash proceeds of approximately $369 million upon close. AltaGas recognized a pre-tax gain on disposition of approximately $206 million in the Consolidated Statements of Income under the line item "other income" (Note 27). Following a name change in connection with the arrangement, ACI changed its name to TriSummit Utilities Inc.
Petrogas/AIJVLP
At the beginning of 2020, AltaGas held an indirect approximate one-third interest in Petrogas through its equity investment in AIJVLP. In the first quarter of 2020, one of Petrogas' shareholders has converted their preferred shares of Petrogas to common shares resulting in the dilution of AltaGas' indirect ownership in Petrogas common shares from approximately 33.3 percent to approximately 29.2 percent. In addition, prior to the close of the Petrogas Acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2020,
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 107
AltaGas converted their preferred shares of Petrogas to common shares. As a result of these transactions, in 2020, AltaGas recognized pre-tax dilution losses totaling approximately $30 million in the Consolidated Statements of Income under the line item "income from equity investments". There were additional expenses of $12 million recorded to "income from equity investments" related to various adjustments to pre-acquisition balances of Petrogas. This primarily included amounts relating to severance, transaction costs and impairment losses related to the acquisition of Petrogas. Upon close of the Petrogas Acquisition on December 15, 2020, AltaGas recognized a pre-tax gain of $22 million in the Consolidated Statements of Income under the line item "other income" on the re-measurement of it's previously held equity investment in AIJVLP. Subsequent to the acquisition, AltaGas no longer has an equity investment in AIJVLP.
Provisions on investments accounted for by the equity method
In the year ended December 31, 2020, AltaGas recorded a pre-tax provision on equity investments of approximately $7 million in the Consolidated Statements of Income under the line item "income from equity investments" for costs associated with AltaGas' equity investment in the Constitution pipeline project which was canceled in February 2020.
In the year ended December 31, 2019, AltaGas recorded a pre-tax provision of $44 million against its investment in Meade as a result of the sale of WGL Midstream's interest in the Central Penn Pipeline. The disposition of the investment in this entity was completed in the fourth quarter of 2019. In addition, AltaGas recorded a pre-tax provision of $2 million against its investment in Craven County Wood Energy LP as a result of a pending sale. The disposition of the investment in this entity was completed in the third quarter of 2019.
15. Short-term Debt
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Commercial paper (a) | $ | 236 | $ | 389 | ||||
Project financing | 20 | 71 | ||||||
$ | 256 | $ | 460 |
(a)Washington Gas use short-term debt in the form of commercial paper or unsecured short-term bank loans to fund seasonal cash requirements. Revolving committed credit facilities are maintained in an amount equal to or greater than the expected maximum commercial paper position.
Project Financing
WGL and certain of its subsidiaries previously obtained third-party project financing on behalf of the United States federal government to provide funds for the construction of certain energy management services projects entered into under Washington Gas' area-wide contract. When these projects are formally accepted by the government and deemed complete, the ownership of the receivable is assigned to the third-party lender in satisfaction of the obligation, removing both the receivable and the obligation related to the financing from the Consolidated Financial Statements. As at December 31, 2020, draws related to project financing were $20 million (December 31, 2019 - $71 million).
Other Credit Facilities
As at December 31, 2020, the AltaGas held a $70 million (December 31, 2019 - $70 million) unsecured demand revolving operating credit facility with a Canadian chartered bank. Draws on the facility bear interest at the lender's prime rate or at the bankers' acceptance rate plus a stamping fee. Letters of credit outstanding under this facility as at December 31, 2020 were $NaN (December 31, 2019 - $NaN).
As at December 31, 2020, AltaGas held a $150 million (December 31, 2019 - $150 million) unsecured four-year extendible revolving letter of credit facility. Draws on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, LIBOR loans,
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 108
bankers’ acceptances, or letters of credit. Letters of credit outstanding under this facility as at December 31, 2020 were $NaN (December 31, 2019 - $26 million).
As at December 31, 2020, AltaGas held a US$200 million (December 31, 2019 - US$200 million) unsecured bilateral letter of credit demand facility with a Canadian chartered bank. Borrowings on the facility incur fees and interest at rates relevant to the nature of the draws made. Letters of credit outstanding under this facility as at December 31, 2020 were $190 million (December 31, 2019 - $156 million).
As at December 31, 2020, AltaGas held a US$1.2 billion (December 31, 2019 - US$1.2 billion) unsecured revolving credit facility. Draws on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, LIBOR loans, bankers’ acceptances, or letters of credit. There were no outstanding bank loans under this facility as at December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, AltaGas cancelled a US$300 million unsecured extendible revolving letter of credit facility.
WGL and Washington Gas use short-term debt in the form of commercial paper and advances under its syndicated bank credit facilities to fund seasonal cash requirements. Revolving committed credit facilities are maintained in an amount equal to or greater than the expected maximum commercial paper position. As at December 31, 2020, commercial paper outstanding classified as short-term debt totaled $236 million (December 31, 2019 - $389 million).
Credit Facilities Acquired in Petrogas Acquisition
As at December 31, 2020, Petrogas held a $30 million revolving letter of credit facility. Letters of credit outstanding under this facility as at December 31, 2020 were $22 million.
As at December 31, 2020, Petrogas held an operating facility of US$15 million. There were 0 letters of credit outstanding under this facility as at December 31, 2020.
As at December 31, 2020, Petrogas held a US$40 million seasonal bulge facility. Draws on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, LIBOR loans, bankers’ acceptances, or letters of credit. There were 0 outstanding bank loans under this facility as at December 31, 2020.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 109
16. Long-Term Debt
As at | Maturity date | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||
Credit facilities | |||||||||||
$1,400 million unsecured extendible revolving facility (a) | 15-May-2023 | $ | 802 | $ | 90 | ||||||
US$300 million unsecured extendible revolving facility | 27-Feb-2021 | 0 | 390 | ||||||||
US$150 million unsecured extendible revolving facility | 20-Dec-2023 | 81 | 163 | ||||||||
Commercial paper (b) | Various | 260 | 367 | ||||||||
$175 million secured extendible revolving facility | 18-Jun-2022 | 51 | 0 | ||||||||
AltaGas Ltd. medium-term notes (MTNs) | |||||||||||
$200 million Senior unsecured - 4.07 percent | 1-Jun-2020 | 0 | 200 | ||||||||
$350 million Senior unsecured - 3.72 percent | 28-Sep-2021 | 350 | 350 | ||||||||
$500 million Senior unsecured - 2.61 percent | 16-Dec-2022 | 500 | 500 | ||||||||
$300 million Senior unsecured - 3.57 percent | 12-Jun-2023 | 300 | 300 | ||||||||
$200 million Senior unsecured - 4.40 percent | 15-Mar-2024 | 200 | 200 | ||||||||
$300 million Senior unsecured - 3.84 percent | 15-Jan-2025 | 300 | 300 | ||||||||
$500 million Senior unsecured - 2.16 percent | 10-Jun-2025 | 500 | 0 | ||||||||
$350 million Senior unsecured - 4.12 percent | 7-Apr-2026 | 350 | 350 | ||||||||
$200 million Senior unsecured - 3.98 percent | 4-Oct-2027 | 200 | 200 | ||||||||
$500 million Senior unsecured - 2.08 percent | 30-May-2028 | 500 | 0 | ||||||||
$200 million Senior unsecured - 2.48 percent | 30-Nov-2030 | 200 | 0 | ||||||||
$100 million Senior unsecured - 5.16 percent | 13-Jan-2044 | 100 | 100 | ||||||||
$300 million Senior unsecured - 4.50 percent | 15-Aug-2044 | 300 | 300 | ||||||||
$250 million Senior unsecured - 4.99 percent | 4-Oct-2047 | 250 | 250 | ||||||||
WGL and Washington Gas MTNs | |||||||||||
US$250 million Senior unsecured - 2.44 percent (c) | 12-Mar-2020 | 0 | 325 | ||||||||
US$20 million Senior unsecured - 6.65 percent | 20-Mar-2023 | 25 | 26 | ||||||||
US$41 million Senior unsecured - 5.44 percent | 11-Aug-2025 | 52 | 53 | ||||||||
US$53 million Senior unsecured - 6.62 to 6.82 percent | Oct 2026 | 67 | 69 | ||||||||
US$72 million Senior unsecured - 6.40 to 6.57 percent | Feb - Sep 2027 | 92 | 93 | ||||||||
US$52 million Senior unsecured - 6.57 to 6.85 percent | Jan - Mar 2028 | 66 | 67 | ||||||||
US$9 million Senior unsecured - 7.50 percent | 1-Apr-2030 | 11 | 11 | ||||||||
US$50 million Senior unsecured - 5.70 to 5.78 percent | Jan - Mar 2036 | 64 | 65 | ||||||||
US$75 million Senior unsecured - 5.21 percent | 3-Dec-2040 | 95 | 97 | ||||||||
US$75 million Senior unsecured - 5.00 percent | 15-Dec-2043 | 95 | 97 | ||||||||
US$300 million Senior unsecured - 4.22 to 4.60 percent | Sep - Nov 2044 | 382 | 390 | ||||||||
US$450 million Senior unsecured - 3.80 percent | 15-Sep-2046 | 573 | 584 | ||||||||
US$400 million Senior unsecured - 3.65 percent (d) | 15-Sep-2049 | 530 | 390 | ||||||||
SEMCO long-term debt | |||||||||||
US$300 million SEMCO Senior Secured - 5.15 percent (e) | 21-Apr-2020 | 0 | 390 | ||||||||
US$82 million SEMCO Senior Secured - 4.48 percent (f) | 2-Mar-2032 | 69 | 76 | ||||||||
US$225 million First Mortgage Bonds - 3.15 percent | 21-Apr-2030 | 286 | 0 | ||||||||
US$225 million First Mortgage Bonds - 2.45 percent | 21-Apr-2050 | 286 | 0 | ||||||||
Fair value adjustment on WGL Acquisition | 80 | 84 | |||||||||
Finance lease liabilities (note 10) | 12 | 10 | |||||||||
$ | 8,029 | $ | 6,887 | ||||||||
Less debt issuance costs | (43) | (36) | |||||||||
$ | 7,986 | $ | 6,851 | ||||||||
Less current portion | (360) | (923) | |||||||||
$ | 7,626 | $ | 5,928 |
(a) Borrowings on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, LIBOR loans, bankers' acceptances, or letters of credit. Borrowings on the facility have fees and interest at rates relevant to the nature of the draw made.
(b) Commercial paper is supported by the availability of long-term committed credit facilities with maturity dates ranging from 2022 to 2024. Commercial paper intended to be repaid within the next year is recorded as short-term debt (Note 15).
(c) Floating rate per annum reset quarterly based on terms set forth in the prospectus filed by WGL pursuant to Securities Act Rule 424 on March 13, 2018.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 110
(d) On December 10, 2020, Washington Gas issued MTNs with an aggregate principal amount of $100 million. This offering constituted the reopening of it's $300 million MTNs originally issued in 2019. The total includes a US$17 million premium which will be amortized as a reduction to interest expense over the term of the note.
(e) Collateral for the U.S. dollar MTNs is certain SEMCO assets.
(f) Collateral for the CINGSA Senior secured loan is certain CINGSA assets. Alaska Storage Holding Company, LLC, a subsidiary in which AltaGas has a controlling interest, is the non-recourse guarantor of this loan.
Other Credit Facilities
As at December 31, 2020, AltaGas held a US$300 million (December 31, 2019 - US$300 million) unsecured revolving credit facility. Draws on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, LIBOR loans, or letters of credit. There were 0 outstanding bank loans under this facility as at December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.
As at December 31, 2020, WGL held a US$250 million (December 31, 2019 - US$250 million) unsecured revolving credit facility. Draws on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, LIBOR loans, bankers’ acceptances, or letters of credit. There were 0 outstanding bank loans under this facility as at December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.
As at December 31, 2020, Washington Gas held a US$450 million (December 31, 2019 - US$450 million) unsecured revolving credit facility. Draws on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, LIBOR loans, bankers’ acceptances, or letters of credit. There were 0 outstanding bank loans under this facility as at December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.
WGL and Washington Gas use short-term debt in the form of commercial paper and advances under its syndicated bank credit facilities to fund seasonal cash requirements. Revolving committed credit facilities are maintained in an amount equal to or greater than the expected maximum commercial paper position. As at December 31, 2020, outstanding commercial paper classified as long-term debt totaled $260 million (December 31, 2019 - $367 million).
Credit Facilities Acquired in Petrogas Acquisition
As at December 31, 2020, Petrogas held a $175 million secured extendible revolving letter of credit facility. Draws on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, LIBOR loans, bankers’ acceptances, or letters of credit. Loans and letters of credit outstanding under this facility as at December 31, 2020 were $57 million.
As at December 31, 2020, Petrogas held a US$10 million operating revolving letter of credit facility. Letters of credit outstanding under this facility as at December 31, 2020 were $NaN.
As at December 31, 2020, Petrogas held a $25 million revolving letter of credit facility. Draws on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, LIBOR loans, bankers’ acceptances, or letters of credit. There were 0 outstanding bank loans under this facility as at December 31, 2020.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 111
17. Asset Retirement Obligations
As at December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 362 | $ | 500 | ||||
Obligations acquired (note 3) | 13 | 0 | ||||||
New obligations | 14 | 7 | ||||||
Obligations settled | (4) | (2) | ||||||
Disposals | (1) | (6) | ||||||
Revision in estimated cash flow | (10) | (129) | ||||||
Accretion expense (a) | 17 | 19 | ||||||
Foreign exchange translation | (6) | (21) | ||||||
Total | $ | 385 | $ | 368 | ||||
Less: current portion (included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities) | (6) | (6) | ||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 379 | $ | 362 |
(a) Certain amounts relating to Utility asset retirement obligations are recorded through regulatory assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets due to regulatory treatment. The remaining portion is recorded through the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The majority of the asset retirement obligations are associated with distribution and transmission systems in the Utilities segment.
AltaGas estimates the undiscounted cash required to settle the asset retirement obligations, excluding growth for inflation, at December 31, 2020 was $816 million (December 31, 2019 - $727 million).
The asset retirement obligations have been recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements at estimated values discounted at rates between 2.0 and 8.5 percent (December 31, 2019 - between 2.0 to 8.5 percent) and are expected to be incurred between 2021 and 2138 (December 31, 2019 - between 2020 and 2137). No assets have been legally restricted for settlement of the estimated liability.
18. Environmental Matters
AltaGas is subject to federal, provincial, state and local laws and regulations related to environmental matters. These laws and regulations may require expenditures over a long time frame to control environmental effects. Almost all of the environmental liabilities AltaGas has recorded are for costs expected to be incurred to remediate sites where AltaGas or a predecessor affiliate operated manufactured gas plants (MGPs). Estimates of liabilities for environmental response costs are difficult to determine with precision because of the various factors that can affect their ultimate level. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
▪the complexity of the site;
▪changes in environmental laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels;
▪the number of regulatory agencies or other parties involved;
▪new technology that renders previous technology obsolete or experience with existing technology that proves ineffective;
▪the level of remediation required; and
▪variations between the estimated and actual period of time that must be dedicated to respond to an environmentally-contaminated site.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 112
AltaGas has identified up to 12 sites where it or its predecessors may have operated MGPs. In connection with these operations, AltaGas is aware that coal tar and certain other by-products of the gas manufacturing process are present at or near some former sites and may be present at others.
As at December 31, 2020, a liability of $13 million has been recorded on an undiscounted basis related to future environmental response costs (December 31, 2019 - $14 million) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the line items “accounts payable and accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities”. These estimates principally include the minimum liabilities associated with a range of environmental response costs expected to be incurred. As at December 31, 2020, AltaGas estimated the maximum liability associated with all of its sites to be approximately $39 million (December 31, 2019 - $40 million). The estimates were determined by AltaGas’ environmental experts, based on experience in remediating MGP sites and advice from legal counsel and environmental consultants. The variation between the recorded and estimated maximum liability primarily results from differences in the number of years that will be required to perform environmental response processes and the extent of remediation that may be required.
As at December 31, 2020, AltaGas reported a regulatory asset of $15 million (December 31, 2019 - $18 million) for the portion of environmental response costs that are expected to be recoverable in future rates (Note 21).
19. Other Long-term Liabilities
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Deferred revenue | $ | 8 | $ | 4 | ||||
Customer advances for construction | 60 | 64 | ||||||
Merger commitments | 10 | 14 | ||||||
Other employee benefits | 6 | 6 | ||||||
Deferred payroll taxes (a) | 6 | 0 | ||||||
Petrogas equalization reserve (b) | 5 | 0 | ||||||
Uncertain tax positions (note 20) | 21 | 2 | ||||||
Non-pension retirement benefits | 16 | 0 | ||||||
Other | 21 | 12 | ||||||
$ | 153 | $ | 102 |
(a) Represents U.S. federal payroll tax deferrals from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
(b) Reserve is held by a wholly owned subsidiary of Petrogas.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 113
20. Income Taxes
Year Ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Income before income taxes - consolidated | $ | 699 | $ | 812 | ||||
Statutory income tax rate (%) | 24.0 | 26.5 | ||||||
Expected taxes at statutory rates | $ | 168 | $ | 215 | ||||
Add (deduct) the tax effect of: | ||||||||
Permanent differences | $ | 2 | $ | 11 | ||||
Statutory and other rate differences | 9 | (52) | ||||||
Rate adjustment for change in tax rates | 0 | (11) | ||||||
Deferred income tax recovery on regulated assets | (15) | (25) | ||||||
Tax differences on divestitures and transactions | (33) | (159) | ||||||
Change in valuation allowance | (2) | (11) | ||||||
Other | (2) | 4 | ||||||
$ | 127 | $ | (28) | |||||
Income tax provision | ||||||||
Current | $ | 1 | $ | 63 | ||||
Deferred | 126 | (91) | ||||||
$ | 127 | $ | (28) | |||||
Effective income tax rate (%) | 18.2 | (3.4) |
Net deferred income tax liabilities were composed of the following:
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
PP&E and intangible assets | $ | 1,645 | $ | 1,450 | ||||
Regulatory assets | (229) | (204) | ||||||
Tax pools, deferred financing, and compensation | (208) | (138) | ||||||
Other | (94) | (161) | ||||||
Valuation allowance | 4 | 12 | ||||||
$ | 1,118 | $ | 959 |
The amount shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as deferred income tax liabilities represents the net differences between the tax basis and book carrying values on the Corporation's balance sheets at enacted tax rates.
The Alberta government passed the Job Creation Tax Cut in 2019 which reduced Alberta's corporate tax rate from 12 percent to 11 percent on July 1, 2019. The tax rate was further reduced from 11 percent to 8 percent on July 1, 2020.
As at December 31, 2020, the Corporation had tax-effected non-capital losses of approximately $293 million, which will be available to offset future taxable income. If not used, these losses will expire between 2023 and 2040.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The Corporation recognizes the benefit of an uncertain tax position only when it is more likely than not that such a position will be sustained by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The current and deferred tax impact is equal to the largest amount, considering possible settlement outcomes, that has greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 114
On an annual basis, the Corporation and its subsidiaries file tax returns in Canada and various foreign jurisdictions. In Canada, AltaGas' federal and provincial tax returns for the years 2013 to 2019 remain subject to examination by taxation authorities. In the United States, both the federal and state tax returns for the years 2016 to 2019 remain subject to examination by the taxation authorities.
Management determined that the following provision was required for uncertainty on income taxes during the year:
Year ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | ||||
Gross increases for tax positions of prior year | 21 | 0 | ||||||
Lapses of statute of limitations | (2) | 0 | ||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 21 | $ | 2 |
21. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
AltaGas accounts for certain transactions in accordance with ASC 980, Regulated Operations. AltaGas refers to this accounting guidance for regulated entities as “regulatory accounting”. Under regulatory accounting, utilities are permitted to defer expenses and income as regulatory assets and liabilities, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets when it is probable that those expenses and income will be allowed in the rate-setting process in a period different from the period in which they would have been reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income by a non-rate-regulated entity. These deferred regulatory assets and liabilities are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income in future periods when the amounts are reflected in customer rates. If an application is filed to modify customer rates with certain regulatory commissions, AltaGas is permitted to charge customers new rates, subject to refund, until the regulatory commission renders a final decision. During this interim period, a provision is recorded for a rate refund regulatory liability based on the difference between the amount collected in rates and the amount expected to be recovered from a final regulatory decision.
Management’s assessment of the probability of recovery or pass-through of regulatory assets and liabilities requires judgment and interpretation of laws and regulatory agency orders, rules, and rate-making conventions. The relevant regulatory bodies are the MPSC, RCA, PSC of DC, PSC of MD, and SCC of VA.
If, for any reason, the Corporation ceases to meet the criteria for application of regulatory accounting for all or part of its operations, the regulatory assets and liabilities related to those portions ceasing to meet such criteria would be de-recognized from the Consolidated Balance Sheets and included in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the period in which the discontinuance of regulatory accounting occurs. Criteria that give rise to the discontinuance of regulatory accounting include: (i) increasing competition that restricts the ability of the Corporation to charge prices sufficient to recover specific costs, and (ii) a significant change in the manner in which rates are set by regulatory agencies from cost-based regulation to another form of regulation. The Corporation’s review of these criteria currently supports the continued application of regulatory accounting for all its utilities.
The following table summarizes the regulatory assets and liabilities recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as the remaining period, as at December 31, 2020 and 2019, over which the Corporation expects to realize or settle the assets or liabilities:
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 115
As at December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | Recovery Period | ||||||||
Regulatory assets - current | |||||||||||
Deferred cost of gas (a) | $ | 18 | $ | 8 | Less than one year | ||||||
Accelerated replacement recovery mechanisms (b) | 6 | 2 | Less than one year | ||||||||
Interruptible sharing (a) | 2 | 3 | Less than one year | ||||||||
Energy optimization costs | 1 | 0 | Less than one year | ||||||||
Virginia and Maryland revenue normalization (a) | 19 | 0 | Less than one year | ||||||||
$ | 46 | $ | 13 | ||||||||
Regulatory assets - non-current | |||||||||||
Deferred regulatory costs (a) (c) | $ | 158 | $ | 150 | 2 - 55 years | ||||||
Future recovery of pension and other retirement benefits (a) | 68 | 128 | Various | ||||||||
Future recovery of non-retirement employee benefits (a) (d) | 22 | 19 | Various | ||||||||
Deferred environmental costs (a) (e) | 15 | 18 | Various | ||||||||
Deferred loss on debt transactions and derivative instruments (a) (f) | 93 | 99 | Various | ||||||||
Deferred future income taxes (a) (g) | 46 | 43 | Various | ||||||||
Energy efficiency program - Maryland (h) | 18 | 12 | Various | ||||||||
COVID-19 costs (i) | 10 | 0 | Various | ||||||||
Other | 14 | 18 | Various | ||||||||
$ | 444 | $ | 487 | ||||||||
Regulatory liabilities - current | |||||||||||
Deferred cost of gas (a) | $ | 56 | $ | 61 | Less than one year | ||||||
Refundable tax credit (j) | 2 | 2 | Less than one year | ||||||||
Federal income tax rate change (k) | 20 | 33 | Less than one year | ||||||||
Virginia rate refund (l) | 0 | 41 | Less than one year | ||||||||
Interruptible sharing (a) | 1 | 0 | Less than one year | ||||||||
Virginia Coronavirus Relief Fund (m) | 10 | 0 | Less than one year | ||||||||
Other | 1 | 9 | Less than one year | ||||||||
$ | 90 | $ | 146 | ||||||||
Regulatory liabilities - non-current | |||||||||||
Refundable tax credit (j) | 2 | 4 | 2 years | ||||||||
Future expense of pension and other retirement benefits (a) | 335 | 261 | Various | ||||||||
Future removal and site restoration costs (n) | 462 | 484 | Various | ||||||||
Deferred gain on debt transactions and derivative instruments (a) (f) | 1 | 2 | Various | ||||||||
Federal income tax rate change (k) | 578 | 628 | Various | ||||||||
Other | 3 | 4 | Various | ||||||||
$ | 1,381 | $ | 1,383 |
(a) Washington Gas is not entitled to a rate of return on these assets. Washington Gas is allowed to recover and required to pay, using short-term interest rates, the carrying costs related to billed gas costs due from and to its customers in the District of Columbia and Virginia jurisdictions.
(b) Represents amounts for deferred over or under collections of surcharges associated with Washington Gas' accelerated pipeline recovery programs in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.
(c) Includes deferred gas costs and fair value of derivatives, which are not included in customer bills until settled.
(d) Represents the timing difference between the recognition of workers compensation and short-term disability costs in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the way these costs are recovered through rates. Certain utilities have recovered pension costs related to regulated operations in rates, and as such, the Corporation has recorded a regulatory asset for the unamortized costs associated with the defined benefit and post-retirement benefit plans. Depending on the method utilized by the utility, the recovery period can be either the expected service life of the employees, the benefit period for employees, or a specific recovery period as approved by the respective regulator.
(e) This balance represents allowed environmental remediation expenditures at SEMCO and Washington Gas sites to be recovered through rates.
(f) The losses or gains on the issuance and extinguishment of debt and interest-rate derivative instruments include unamortized balances from transactions executed in prior years. These transactions create gains and losses that are amortized over the remaining life of the debt as prescribed by regulatory accounting requirements. As at December 31, 2020, this also includes a fair value adjustment of $76 million (December 31, 2019 - $80 million) recorded on the WGL Acquisition in 2018.
(g) This balance represents amounts due from customers for deferred tax assets and liabilities related to tax benefits/expenses on deductions flowed directly to customers prior to the adoption of income tax normalizations for ratemaking purposes and to tax rate changes.
(h) Represents amounts for deferred credits associated with Washington Gas' participation in the energy conservation and efficiency program EmPower in Maryland.
(i) Regulatory assets established to capture and track incremental COVID-19 related costs.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 116
(j) On September 18, 2013, CINGSA received a US$15 million gas storage facility tax credit from the State of Alaska for the benefit of its firm storage service customers. CINGSA will derive no direct or indirect benefit from the tax credit. Following receipt of the tax credit, CINGSA deposited it in a separate interest-bearing account. CINGSA will act as a custodian of the tax credit and any interest earned for the benefit of CINGSA's customers. On an annual basis, covering the years 2012 through 2021, CINGSA will disburse to the customers 1/10th of the amount of the tax credit not subject to refund to the State and interest earned. The RCA has approved the disbursement methodology.
(k) The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was enacted on December 22, 2017, and required the Corporation to revalue its U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities in 2018 to the lower federal corporate tax rate of 21 percent, resulting in excess accumulated deferred income taxes. The tax rate reduction created a reduction in deferred tax liability, which SEMCO Gas and Washington Gas are required to refund to ratepayers.
(l) Represents estimated refunds related to customers billed at a higher rate during the interim period as part of the 2019 Virginia rate case.
(m) The Virginia Coronavirus Relief Fund was received by WGL to provide direct assistance to Virginia customers with balances over 30 days in arrears.
(n) This amount and timing of draw down is dependent upon the cost of removal of underlying utility property, plant and equipment and the life of property, plant and equipment.
22. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
($ millions) | Defined benefit pension and PRB plans | Hedge net investments | Translation foreign operations | Equity investee | Total | |||||||||||||||
Opening balance, January 1, 2020 | $ | (6) | $ | (149) | $ | 395 | $ | 5 | $ | 245 | ||||||||||
OCI before reclassification | (11) | (10) | (175) | (5) | (201) | |||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from OCI | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||||||||||||||
Current period OCI (pre-tax) | (8) | (10) | (175) | (5) | (198) | |||||||||||||||
Income tax on amounts retained in AOCI | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax on amounts reclassified to earnings | (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | (1) | |||||||||||||||
Net current period OCI | (6) | (9) | (175) | (5) | (195) | |||||||||||||||
Ending balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | (12) | $ | (158) | $ | 220 | $ | 0 | $ | 50 | ||||||||||
Opening balance, January 1, 2019 | $ | (19) | $ | (209) | $ | 801 | $ | 6 | $ | 579 | ||||||||||
OCI before reclassification | 15 | 68 | (406) | (1) | (324) | |||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from OCI | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
Current period OCI (pre-tax) | 16 | 68 | (406) | (1) | (323) | |||||||||||||||
Income tax on amounts retained in AOCI | (3) | (8) | 0 | 0 | (11) | |||||||||||||||
Net current period OCI | 13 | 60 | (406) | (1) | (334) | |||||||||||||||
Ending balance, December 31, 2019 | $ | (6) | $ | (149) | $ | 395 | $ | 5 | $ | 245 |
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
AOCI components reclassified | Income statement line item | Year Ended December 31, 2020 | Year Ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||
Defined benefit pension and PRB plans | Other income | $ | 3 | $ | 1 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | Income tax expense – deferred | (1) | 0 | ||||||||
$ | 2 | $ | 1 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 117
23. Financial Instruments and Financial Risk Management
The Corporation’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, risk management contracts, certain long-term investments and other assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, dividends payable, short-term and long-term debt and certain other current and long-term liabilities.
Fair Value Hierarchy
AltaGas categorizes its financial assets and financial liabilities into one of three levels based on fair value measurements and inputs used to determine the fair value.
Level 1 - fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values are based on direct observations of transactions involving the same assets or liabilities and no assumptions are used. Included in this category are publicly traded shares valued at the closing price as at the balance sheet date.
Level 2 - fair values are determined based on valuation models and techniques where inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly. AltaGas enters into derivative instruments in the futures, over-the-counter and retail markets to manage fluctuations in commodity prices and foreign exchange rates. The fair values of power, natural gas, NGL, LPG, ocean freight, and oil derivative contracts were calculated using forward prices based on published sources for the relevant period, adjusted for factors specific to the asset or liability, including basis and location differentials, discount rates, and currency exchange. The fair value of foreign exchange derivative contracts was calculated using quoted market rates. The fair value of foreign exchange option contracts were calculated using a variation of the Black-Scholes pricing model.
Level 3 - fair values are based on inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data. AltaGas uses valuation techniques when observable market data is not available. Level 3 derivatives include physical contracts at illiquid market locations with no observable market data, long-dated positions where observable pricing is not available over the life of the contract, contracts valued using historical spot price volatility assumptions, and valuations using indicative broker quotes for inactive market locations. A significant change to any one of these inputs in isolation could result in a significant upward or downward fluctuation in the fair value measurement.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each significant class of financial instruments:
Other current liabilities - the carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
Current portion of long-term debt, Long-term debt and Other long-term liabilities - the fair value of these liabilities was estimated based on discounted future interest and principal payments using the current market interest rates of instruments with similar terms.
Risk management assets and liabilities - the fair values of power, natural gas and NGL, LPG, ocean freight, and oil derivative contracts were calculated using forward prices from published sources for the relevant period. The fair value of foreign exchange derivative contracts was calculated using quoted market rates. The fair value of Level 3 derivative contracts was calculated using internally developed valuation inputs and pricing models.
Equity securities – the fair value of equity securities was calculated using quoted market prices.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 118
Loans and receivables – the fair value of these assets was estimated based on discounted future interest and principal payments using the current market interest rates of instruments with similar terms.
As at | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
Carrying Amount | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Financial assets | |||||||||||||||||
Fair value through net income (a) | |||||||||||||||||
Risk management assets - current | $ | 94 | $ | 0 | $ | 73 | $ | 21 | $ | 94 | |||||||
Risk management assets - non-current | 38 | 0 | 2 | 36 | 38 | ||||||||||||
Fair value through regulatory assets (a) | |||||||||||||||||
Risk management assets - current | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Risk management assets - non-current | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | ||||||||||||
$ | 145 | $ | 0 | $ | 76 | $ | 69 | $ | 145 | ||||||||
Financial liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
Fair value through net income (a) | |||||||||||||||||
Risk management liabilities - current | $ | 102 | $ | 0 | $ | 78 | $ | 24 | $ | 102 | |||||||
Risk management liabilities - non-current | 66 | 0 | 15 | 51 | 66 | ||||||||||||
Fair value through regulatory liabilities (a) | |||||||||||||||||
Risk management liabilities - current | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | ||||||||||||
Risk management liabilities - non-current | 79 | 0 | 1 | 78 | 79 | ||||||||||||
Amortized cost | |||||||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 360 | 0 | 360 | 0 | 360 | ||||||||||||
Long-term debt | 7,626 | 0 | 8,451 | 0 | 8,451 | ||||||||||||
Other current liabilities (b) | 37 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 37 | ||||||||||||
$ | 8,279 | $ | 0 | $ | 8,942 | $ | 162 | $ | 9,104 |
(a) To manage price risk associated with acquiring natural gas supply for Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia utility customers, Washington Gas, a subsidiary of the Corporation, enters into physical and financial derivative transactions. Any gains and losses associated with these derivatives are recorded as regulatory liabilities or assets, respectively, to reflect the rate treatment for these economic hedging activities. Additionally, as part of its asset optimization program, Washington Gas enters into derivatives with the primary objective of securing operating margins that Washington Gas will ultimately realize. Regulatory sharing mechanisms provide for the annual realized profit from these transactions to be shared between Washington Gas' shareholder and customers; therefore, changes in fair value are recorded through earnings, or as regulatory assets or liabilities to the extent that it is probable that realized gains and losses associated with these derivative transactions will be included in the rates charged to customers when they are realized.
(b) Excludes non-financial liabilities.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 119
As at | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
Carrying Amount | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Financial assets | |||||||||||||||||
Fair value through net income(a) | |||||||||||||||||
Risk management assets - current | $ | 82 | $ | 0 | $ | 31 | $ | 51 | $ | 82 | |||||||
Risk management assets - non-current | 31 | 0 | 7 | 24 | 31 | ||||||||||||
Equity securities(b) | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Fair value through regulatory assets (a) | |||||||||||||||||
Risk management assets - current | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Risk management assets - non-current | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Amortized cost | |||||||||||||||||
Loans and receivables (b) | 45 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 46 | ||||||||||||
$ | 175 | $ | 4 | $ | 84 | $ | 88 | $ | 176 | ||||||||
Financial liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
Fair value through net income(a) | |||||||||||||||||
Risk management liabilities - current | $ | 121 | $ | 0 | $ | 99 | $ | 22 | $ | 121 | |||||||
Risk management liabilities - non-current | 77 | 0 | 19 | 58 | 77 | ||||||||||||
Fair value through regulatory liabilities (a) | |||||||||||||||||
Risk management liabilities - current | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Risk management liabilities - non-current | 90 | 0 | 0 | 90 | 90 | ||||||||||||
Amortized cost | |||||||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 923 | 0 | 923 | 0 | 923 | ||||||||||||
Long-term debt | 5,928 | 0 | 6,264 | 0 | 6,264 | ||||||||||||
Other current liabilities (c) | 15 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||
$ | 7,158 | $ | 0 | $ | 7,321 | $ | 173 | $ | 7,494 |
(a)To manage price risk associated with acquiring natural gas supply for Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia utility customers, Washington Gas, a subsidiary of the Corporation, enters into physical and financial derivative transactions. Any gains and losses associated with these derivatives are recorded as regulatory liabilities or assets, respectively, to reflect the rate treatment for these economic hedging activities. Additionally, as part of its asset optimization program, Washington Gas enters into derivatives with the primary objective of securing operating margins that Washington Gas will ultimately realize. Regulatory sharing mechanisms provide for the annual realized profit from these transactions to be shared between Washington Gas' shareholder and customers; therefore, changes in fair value are recorded through earnings, or as regulatory assets or liabilities to the extent that it is probable that realized gains and losses associated with these derivative transactions will be included in the rates charged to customers when they are realized.
(b)Included under the line item "long-term investments and other assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(c)Excludes non‑financial liabilities.
Financial assets and liabilities not included in the fair value hierarchy table include money market funds, short term debt, commercial paper, and a long-term receivable (Note 12). The carrying value of these financial instruments approximate their fair value, which reflects the short-term maturity and/or normal credit terms of these financial instruments.
The following table includes quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 financial instruments as at December 31, 2020:
Net Fair Value | Valuation Technique | Unobservable Inputs | Range | Weighted Average (a) | |||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas | $ | (73) | Discounted Cash Flow | Natural Gas Basis Price (per Dth) | $ | (1.27) | - | $ | 2.64 | $ | (0.37) | ||||||||||||
Natural gas | $ | (1) | Option Model | Natural Gas Basis Price (per Dth) | $ | (1.27) | - | $ | 2.58 | $ | (0.01) | ||||||||||||
Annualized Volatility of Spot Market Natural Gas | 13 | % | - | 917 | % | 73 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Electricity | $ | (19) | Discounted Cash Flow | Electricity Congestion Price (per MWh) | $ | (6.26) | - | $ | 61.88 | $ | 13.57 |
(a) Unobservable inputs were weighted by transaction volume.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 120
The following tables provide a reconciliation of changes in net fair value of derivative assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:
For the year ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
Natural Gas | Electricity | Total | Natural Gas | Electricity | Total | |||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | (85) | $ | 0 | $ | (85) | $ | (149) | $ | (14) | $ | (163) | ||||||||
Realized and unrealized gains (losses): | ||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded in income | 8 | (55) | (47) | 48 | 1 | 49 | ||||||||||||||
Recorded in regulatory assets | (1) | 0 | (1) | 24 | 0 | 24 | ||||||||||||||
Transfers into Level 3 | (1) | 0 | (1) | (9) | 0 | (9) | ||||||||||||||
Transfers out of Level 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
Purchases | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | (11) | (11) | ||||||||||||||
Settlements | 4 | 32 | 36 | (17) | 24 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange translation | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | (74) | $ | (19) | $ | (93) | $ | (85) | $ | 0 | $ | (85) |
Transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy may occur based on fluctuations in the valuation and on the level of observable inputs used to value the instruments from period to period. Transfers into and out of the different levels of the fair value hierarchy are presented at the fair value as of the beginning of the period. Transfers out of Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2020 were due to an increase in valuations using observable market inputs. Transfers into Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2020 were due to an increase in unobservable market inputs used in valuations.
Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) Recorded to Income for Level 3 Measurements
Year Ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Recorded to revenue | $ | (79) | $ | 75 | ||||
Recorded to cost of sales | 32 | (26) | ||||||
$ | (47) | $ | 49 |
Summary of Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Risk Management Contracts Recognized in Net Income
Year Ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
Natural gas | $ | 32 | $ | 23 | ||||||||||
Energy exports | 10 | (87) | ||||||||||||
Crude oil and NGLs | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||
NGL frac spread | (5) | (17) | ||||||||||||
Power | (15) | (5) | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange | (5) | 1 | ||||||||||||
$ | 21 | $ | (85) |
Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities
Certain of AltaGas’ risk management contracts are subject to master netting arrangements that create a legally enforceable right for a counterparty to offset the related financial assets and financial liabilities. As part of these master netting agreements, cash, letters of credit and parental guarantees may be required to be posted or obtained from counterparties in order to mitigate credit risk related to both derivative and non-derivative positions. Collateral balances are also offset against the related counterparties’ derivative positions to the extent the application would not result in the over-collateralization of those derivative positions on the balance sheet.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 121
As at | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||
Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities | Gross amounts offset in balance sheet | Netting of collateral | Net amounts presented in balance sheet | |||||||||||
Risk management assets (a) | ||||||||||||||
Natural gas | $ | 104 | $ | (38) | $ | (3) | $ | 63 | ||||||
Energy exports | 86 | (86) | 36 | 36 | ||||||||||
Crude oil and NGLs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||
Power | 30 | (8) | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||
Foreign exchange | 27 | (3) | (1) | 23 | ||||||||||
$ | 248 | $ | (135) | $ | 32 | $ | 145 | |||||||
Risk management liabilities (b) | ||||||||||||||
Natural gas | $ | 173 | $ | (38) | $ | (3) | $ | 132 | ||||||
Energy exports | 153 | (86) | 0 | 67 | ||||||||||
NGL frac spread | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||
Power | 58 | (8) | 1 | 51 | ||||||||||
Foreign exchange | 3 | (3) | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
$ | 393 | $ | (135) | $ | (2) | $ | 256 |
(a)Net amount of risk management assets on the Balance Sheet is comprised of risk management assets (current) balance of $98 million and risk management assets (non‑current) balance of $47 million.
(b)Net amount of risk management liabilities on the Balance Sheet is comprised of risk management liabilities (current) balance of $111 million and risk management liabilities (non‑current) balance of $145 million.
As at | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
Gross amounts of recognized assets/liabilities | Gross amounts offset in balance sheet | Netting of collateral | Net amounts presented in balance sheet | |||||||||||
Risk management assets (a) | ||||||||||||||
Natural gas | $ | 121 | $ | (54) | $ | 0 | $ | 67 | ||||||
Energy exports | 10 | (3) | 5 | 12 | ||||||||||
Power | 54 | (7) | 0 | 47 | ||||||||||
$ | 185 | $ | (64) | $ | 5 | $ | 126 | |||||||
Risk management liabilities (b) | ||||||||||||||
Natural gas | $ | 226 | $ | (54) | $ | (28) | $ | 144 | ||||||
Energy exports | 90 | (3) | 0 | 87 | ||||||||||
NGL frac spread | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||
Power | 69 | (7) | (3) | 59 | ||||||||||
$ | 387 | $ | (64) | $ | (31) | $ | 292 |
(a)Net amount of risk management assets on the Balance Sheet is comprised of risk management assets (current) balance of $87 million and risk management assets (non‑current) balance of $39 million.
(b)Net amount of risk management liabilities on the Balance Sheet is comprised of risk management liabilities (current) balance of $125 million and risk management liabilities (non‑current) balance of $167 million.
Cash Collateral
The following table presents collateral not offset against risk management assets and liabilities:
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Collateral posted with counterparties | $ | 4 | $ | 29 | ||||
Cash collateral held representing an obligation | $ | 0 | $ | 0 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 122
Any collateral posted that is not offset against risk management assets and liabilities is included in line item “prepaid expenses and other current assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Collateral received and not offset against risk management assets and liabilities is included in line item “customer deposits” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Certain derivative instruments contain contract provisions that require collateral to be posted if the credit rating of AltaGas or certain of its subsidiaries falls below certain levels. At December 31, 2020, AltaGas has posted $NaN (December 31, 2019 - $6 million) of collateral related to its derivative liabilities that contained credit-related contingent features. The following table shows the aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-related contingent features that are in a liability position, as well as the maximum amount of collateral that would be required if specific credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements were triggered:
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Risk management liabilities with credit-risk-contingent features | $ | 32 | $ | 42 | ||||
Maximum potential collateral requirements | $ | 26 | $ | 29 |
Risks associated with financial instruments
AltaGas is exposed to various financial risks in the normal course of operations such as market risks resulting from fluctuations in commodity prices, currency exchange rates and interest rates as well as credit risk and liquidity risk.
Commodity Price Risk
AltaGas enters into financial derivative contracts to manage exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices. The use of derivative instruments is governed under formal risk management policies and is subject to parameters set out by AltaGas’ Risk Management Committee and Board of Directors. AltaGas does not make use of derivative instruments for speculative purposes.
Natural Gas
In the normal course of business, AltaGas purchases and sells natural gas to support its infrastructure business. The fixed price and market price contracts for both the purchase and sale of natural gas extend to 2040. In addition, AltaGas may enter into financial derivative contracts as part of WGL’s asset optimization program. WGL optimized the value of its long-term natural gas transportation and storage capacity resources during periods when these resources are not being used to physically serve utility customers.
AltaGas had the following forward contracts and commodity swaps outstanding related to the activities in the energy services business as at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
December 31, 2020 | Fixed price (per GJ) | Period (months) | Notional volume (GJ) | Fair Value | ||||||||||
Sales | 1.58 to 7.86 | 1-157 | 590,054,996 | $ | 32 | |||||||||
Purchases | 1.58 to 6.47 | 1-240 | 1,522,958,497 | $ | (106) | |||||||||
Swaps | 2.29 to 7.86 | 1-60 | 288,613,586 | $ | 5 | |||||||||
December 31, 2019 | Fixed price (per GJ) | Period (months) | Notional volume (GJ) | Fair Value | ||||||||||
Sales | 1.32 to 6.81 | 1-166 | 698,126,985 | $ | 29 | |||||||||
Purchases | 0.22 to 6.81 | 1-167 | 1,406,991,689 | $ | (104) | |||||||||
Swaps | 0.22 to 10.24 | 1-51 | 541,652,374 | $ | (2) |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 123
Crude Oil and NGLs
In the normal course of business, AltaGas purchases and sells crude oil, condensates, and LPGs. The fixed price and market price contracts for both the purchase and sale of crude oil, condensates, and LPGs extend to 2021.
December 31, 2020 | Fixed price (per Bbl) | Period (months) | Notional volume (Bbl) | Fair Value | ||||||||||
Sales | 37.43 to 62.59 | 1 | 680,000 | $ | (1) | |||||||||
Purchases | 19.92 to 59.01 | 1-9 | 221,000 | $ | 2 | |||||||||
Energy Exports
AltaGas entered into a series of swaps to lock in a portion of the volumes exposed to the propane and butane price differentials between North American Indices and the Far East Index for contracts not under tolling arrangements at RIPET and Ferndale. AltaGas had the following contracts outstanding as at December 31, 2020:
December 31, 2020 | Fixed price (per Bbl) | Period (months) | Notional volume (Bbl) | Fair Value | ||||||||||
Propane and butane swaps | 3.57 to 61.46 | 1-36 | 37,425,488 | $ | (31) | |||||||||
December 31, 2019 | Fixed price (per Bbl) | Period (months) | Notional volume (Bbl) | Fair Value | ||||||||||
Propane | 21.49 to 29.71 | 1-27 | 9,374,826 | $ | (75) |
NGL Frac Spread
AltaGas entered into a series of swaps to lock in a portion of the volumes exposed to NGL frac spread. AltaGas had the following contracts outstanding as at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
December 31, 2020 | Fixed price | Period (months) | Notional volume | Fair Value | ||||||||||
Propane swaps | 28.83 to 35.36/Bbl | 1-12 | 1,270,350 | Bbl | $ | (5) | ||||||||
Butane swaps | 32.45 to 34.02/Bbl | 1-12 | 307,784 | Bbl | $ | (1) | ||||||||
Crude oil swaps | 60.08 to 61.95/Bbl | 1-12 | 123,120 | Bbl | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Natural gas swaps | 1.58 to 1.86/GJ | 1-12 | 7,281,570 | GJ | $ | 0 | ||||||||
December 31, 2019 | Fixed price | Period (months) | Notional volume | Fair Value | ||||||||||
Butane swaps | 73.02 to 75.15/Bbl | 1-12 | 346,852 | Bbl | $ | (1) | ||||||||
Crude oil swaps | 73.02 to 75.15/Bbl | 1-12 | 212,587 | Bbl | $ | (1) | ||||||||
Natural gas swaps | 1.58 to 1.86/GJ | 1-12 | 3,883,992 | GJ | $ | 0 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 124
Power
AltaGas sells power to the Alberta Electric System Operator at market prices. AltaGas also sells power through its WGL Energy Services affiliate, to commercial, industrial and mass market users within the PJM Regional Transmission Organization at fixed and market prices. AltaGas' strategy is to mitigate the cash flow risk to power prices to provide predictable earnings. Therefore, AltaGas uses third-party swaps and purchase contracts to fix the prices over time on a portion of the volumes to mitigate financial exposure associated with the sale contracts. These power purchase and sale contracts extend to 2025. As at December 31, 2020, AltaGas had no intention to terminate any contracts prior to maturity. AltaGas had the following power commodity forward contracts and commodity swaps outstanding as at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
December 31, 2020 | Fixed price (per MWh) | Period (months) | Notional volume (MWh) | Fair Value | ||||||||||
Power sales | 24.56 to 61.75 | 1-33 | 5,482,242 | $ | 13 | |||||||||
Power purchases | 24.56 to 61.88 | 1-63 | 8,848,007 | $ | (18) | |||||||||
Swap purchases | (6.26) to 74.26 | 1-44 | 24,081,519 | $ | (24) | |||||||||
December 31, 2019 | Fixed price (per MWh) | Period (months) | Notional volume (MWh) | Fair Value | ||||||||||
Power sales | 31.63 to 66.76 | 1-42 | 8,034,024 | $ | 39 | |||||||||
Power purchases | 31.63 to 66.76 | 1-60 | 8,552,467 | $ | (27) | |||||||||
Swap purchases | (7.88) to 74.26 | 1-48 | 25,058,577 | $ | (24) |
The table below provides the potential impact on pre-tax income due to changes in the fair value of risk management contracts in place as at December 31, 2020:
Factor | Increase or decrease to forward prices | Increase or decrease to income before tax ($ millions) | ||||||
PJM power price | US$1/MWh | 2 | ||||||
AECO natural gas price | $0.50/GJ | 1 | ||||||
NYMEX natural gas price | US$0.50/GJ | 36 | ||||||
Energy Exports: | ||||||||
Propane Far East Index to domestic supply | $1/Bbl | 10 | ||||||
Baltic LPG Freight | $1/Bbl | 11 | ||||||
NGL frac spread: | ||||||||
Propane | $1/Bbl | 1 | ||||||
Natural gas | $0.50/GJ | 4 | ||||||
Foreign exchange swaps | $0.01 CAD to USD | 1 |
Foreign Exchange Risk
AltaGas is exposed to foreign exchange risk as changes in foreign exchange rates may affect the fair value or future cash flows of the Corporation’s financial instruments. AltaGas has foreign operations whereby the functional currency is the U.S. dollar. As a result, the Corporation’s earnings, cash flows, and OCI are exposed to fluctuations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates. This risk is partially mitigated to the extent that AltaGas has U.S. dollar-denominated debt and/or preferred shares outstanding. AltaGas may also enter into foreign exchange forward derivatives to manage the risk of fluctuating cash flows due to variations in foreign exchange rates.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 125
AltaGas may designate its U.S. dollar-denominated debt as a net investment hedge of its U.S. subsidiaries. As at December 31, 2020, AltaGas has not designated any outstanding debt as a net investment hedge (December 31, 2019 - US$300 million). For the year ended December 31, 2020, AltaGas incurred an after-tax unrealized loss of $9 million arising from the translation of debt in OCI (2019 ‑ after-tax unrealized gains of $60 million).
In connection with the Petrogas Acquisition, AltaGas acquired various commodity and financial derivative instruments, including the following foreign exchange forward contracts which are outstanding as at December 31, 2020:
Foreign exchange forward contract | Notional Amount | Duration | Weighted average foreign exchange rate | Fair Value | ||||||||||
Forward USD sales | US$29 | Less than one year | 1.3591 | $ | 3 | |||||||||
Forward USD purchases | US$356 | Less than one year | 1.2824 | $ | (3) | |||||||||
Foreign exchange swaps (purchases) | US$410 | Less than one year | 1.3322 | $ | 23 |
For the year ended December 31, 2020, AltaGas recorded an after-tax realized gain of $1 million on all foreign exchange forward contracts.
Interest Rate Risk
AltaGas is exposed to interest rate risk as changes in interest rates may impact future cash flows and the fair value of its financial instruments. The Corporation manages its interest rate risk by holding a mix of both fixed and floating interest rate debt. As at December 31, 2020, approximately 83 percent of AltaGas’ total outstanding short-term and long-term debt was at fixed rates (December 31, 2019 - 76 percent). In addition, from time to time, AltaGas may enter into interest rate swap agreements to fix the interest rate on a portion of its banker’s acceptances issued under its credit facilities. There were no outstanding interest rate swaps as at December 31, 2020.
Credit Risk
Credit risk results from the possibility that a counterparty to a financial instrument fails to fulfill its obligations in accordance with the terms of the contract.
AltaGas' credit policy details the parameters used to grant, measure, monitor and report on credit provided to counterparties. AltaGas minimizes counterparty risk by conducting credit reviews on counterparties in order to establish specific credit limits, both prior to providing products or services and on a recurring basis. In addition, most contracts include credit mitigation clauses that allow AltaGas to obtain financial or performance assurances from counterparties under certain circumstances. AltaGas maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts in the normal course of its business.
AltaGas' maximum credit exposure consists primarily of the carrying value of the non-derivative financial assets and the fair value of derivative financial assets. As at December 31, 2020, AltaGas had no concentration of credit risk with a single counterparty.
Weather Related Instruments
WGL Energy Services utilizes heating degree day (HDD) instruments from time to time to manage weather and price risks related to its natural gas and electricity sales during the winter heating season. WGL Energy Services also utilizes cooling degree day (CDD) instruments and other instruments to manage weather and price risks related to its electricity sales during the summer cooling season. These instruments cover a portion of estimated revenue or energy-related cost exposure to variations in HDDs or CDDs. For the year ended December 31, 2020, a pre-tax loss of $3 million was recorded related to these instruments (2019 - pre-tax loss of $2 million).
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 126
Accounts Receivable Past Due or Impaired
With the exception of accounts receivable which are due in one year or less as summarized in the following table, AltaGas does not have any past due or impaired accounts receivables (AR) as at December 31, 2020:
As at December 31, 2020 | Total | AR accruals | Receivables impaired | Less than 30 days | 31 to 60 days | 61 to 90 days | Over 90 days | ||||||||||||||||
Trade receivable | $ | 1,465 | $ | 396 | $ | 41 | $ | 906 | $ | 52 | $ | 17 | $ | 53 | |||||||||
Other | 20 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
Allowance for credit losses | (41) | 0 | (41) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
$ | 1,444 | $ | 396 | $ | 0 | $ | 926 | $ | 52 | $ | 17 | $ | 53 |
As at December 31, 2019 | Total | AR accruals | Receivables impaired | Less than 30 days | 31 to 60 days | 61 to 90 days | Over 90 days | ||||||||||||||||
Trade receivable | $ | 1,238 | $ | 343 | $ | 33 | $ | 758 | $ | 61 | $ | 12 | $ | 31 | |||||||||
Other | 17 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
Allowance for credit losses | (33) | 0 | (33) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
$ | 1,222 | $ | 343 | $ | 0 | $ | 775 | $ | 61 | $ | 12 | $ | 31 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 127
The following table provides a summary of changes to the allowance for credit losses by segment and major type:
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
Accounts Receivable | Contract Assets (a) | Other long-term investments and other assets (b) | Total | |||||||||||
Utilities | ||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 31 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 31 | ||||||
Adjustment upon adoption of ASC 326 (c) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||
Foreign exchange translation | (1) | 0 | 0 | (1) | ||||||||||
New allowance (d) | 32 | 0 | 0 | 32 | ||||||||||
Written off | (28) | 0 | 0 | (28) | ||||||||||
Recoveries collected | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 40 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 40 | ||||||
Midstream | ||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 1 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | 1 | |||||||
Adjustment upon adoption of ASC 326 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||
Recoveries collected | 0 | 0 | (1) | (1) | ||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | $ | 4 | ||||||
Corporate/Other | ||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 2 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 2 | ||||||
Adjustment upon adoption of ASC 326 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Written off | (2) | 0 | 0 | (2) | ||||||||||
Recoveries collected | 0 | 0 | (1) | (1) | ||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||
Total | $ | 41 | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | $ | 44 |
(a)An allowance for credit loss is assessed quarterly and is recorded based on historical default rates published by external credit rating agencies and a rate associated with the estimated time frame that the contract asset will be billed to the customer.
(b)Includes loan to affiliate, which is no longer outstanding at December 31, 2020, and other long-term receivables (Notes 12 and 29). An allowance for credit loss is assessed quarterly and is recorded based on historical default rates published by external credit rating agencies and a rate commensurate with the period in which the receivable is expected to be collected.
(c)Based on previous collection experience, AltaGas did not record an allowance for credit losses for its contract assets associated with its energy management services projects with the U.S. federal government.
(d)Includes $8 million recorded to a regulatory asset relating to the impact of COVID-19 on uncollectible accounts.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that AltaGas will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they come due. AltaGas manages this risk through its extensive budgeting and monitoring process to ensure it has sufficient cash and credit facilities to meet its obligations. AltaGas' objective is to maintain its investment-grade ratings to ensure it has access to debt and equity funding as required.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 128
AltaGas had the following contractual maturities with respect to financial liabilities:
Contractual maturities by period | |||||||||||||||||
As at December 31, 2020 | Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 4-5 years | After 5 years | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 1,561 | $ | 1,561 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
Dividends payable | 22 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Short-term debt | 256 | 256 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Other current liabilities (a) | 37 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Risk management contract liabilities | 256 | 111 | 51 | 22 | 72 | ||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt (b) | 356 | 356 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Long-term debt (b) | 7,581 | 0 | 1,771 | 1,324 | 4,486 | ||||||||||||
$ | 10,069 | $ | 2,343 | $ | 1,822 | $ | 1,346 | $ | 4,558 |
(a)Excludes non-financial liabilities.
(b)Excludes deferred financing costs, discounts, finance lease liabilities, and the fair value adjustment on the WGL Acquisition.
Contractual maturities by period | |||||||||||||||||
As at December 31, 2019 | Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 4-5 years | After 5 years | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 1,325 | $ | 1,325 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
Dividends payable | 22 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Short-term debt | 460 | 460 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Other current liabilities (a) | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Risk management contract liabilities | 292 | 125 | 34 | 13 | 120 | ||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt (b) | 920 | 920 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Long-term debt (b) | 5,873 | 0 | 1,489 | 922 | 3,462 | ||||||||||||
$ | 8,907 | $ | 2,867 | $ | 1,523 | $ | 935 | $ | 3,582 |
(a)Excludes non-financial liabilities.
(b)Excludes deferred financing costs, discounts, finance lease liabilities, and the fair value adjustment on the WGL Acquisition.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 129
24. Revenue
The following tables disaggregate revenue by major sources for the year:
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
Utilities | Midstream | Corporate/Other | Total (a) | |||||||||||
Revenue from contracts with customers | ||||||||||||||
Commodity sales contracts | $ | 1,338 | $ | 1,097 | $ | 1 | $ | 2,436 | ||||||
Midstream service contracts | 0 | 277 | 0 | 277 | ||||||||||
Gas sales and transportation services | 2,394 | 0 | 0 | 2,394 | ||||||||||
Storage services | 25 | 0 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||
Other | 9 | 0 | 20 | 29 | ||||||||||
Total revenue from contracts with customers | $ | 3,766 | $ | 1,374 | $ | 21 | $ | 5,161 | ||||||
Other sources of revenue | ||||||||||||||
Revenue from alternative revenue programs (b) | $ | 96 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 96 | ||||||
Leasing revenue (c) | 1 | 139 | 100 | 240 | ||||||||||
Risk management and trading activities (d) (e) | (31) | 112 | 0 | 81 | ||||||||||
Other | (15) | 10 | 14 | 9 | ||||||||||
Total revenue from other sources | $ | 51 | $ | 261 | $ | 114 | $ | 426 | ||||||
Total revenue | $ | 3,817 | $ | 1,635 | $ | 135 | $ | 5,587 |
(a) In the first quarter of 2020, AltaGas revised its reportable segments. Comparative period numbers have been adjusted to reflect this change. Refer to Note 32 for additional information.
(b) A large portion of revenue generated from the Utilities segment is subject to rate regulation and accordingly there are circumstances where the revenue recognized is mandated by the applicable regulators in accordance with ASC 980.
(c) Revenue generated from certain of AltaGas’ gas facilities is accounted for as operating leases. For the Corporate/Other segment, a significant amount of revenue earned is through power purchase agreements which are accounted for as operating leases.
(d) Risk management activities involve the use of derivative instruments such as physical and financial swaps, forward contracts, and options. These derivatives are accounted for under ASC 815 and ASC 825. A portion of revenue generated by the Utilities segment is from the physical sale and delivery of natural gas and power to end users.
(e) Trading margins in the Midstream segment are reported in risk management and trading activities. AltaGas enters into derivative contracts for the purpose of optimizing its storage and transportation capacity as well as managing the transportation and storage assets on behalf of third parties. The trading margins, including unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments, are netted within revenues. Gross revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020 of $437 million associated with the GAIL Global (USA) LNG LLC (GAIL) contract and an Asset Management Agreement (AMA), which are in scope of ASC 606, are reported within risk management and trading activities. Revenue from the GAIL contract is recognized at a point in time based on the actual volumes of the commodity sold at the delivery point, which corresponds to the customer’s monthly invoice amount. The GAIL contract has a term of 20 years and began on March 31, 2018. Revenue from the AMA is recognized based on the amount WGL Midstream has the right to invoice the customer in accordance with ASC 606. WGL executed the AMA in April 2020.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 130
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||
Utilities | Midstream | Corporate/Other | Total (a) | |||||||||||
Revenue from contracts with customers | ||||||||||||||
Commodity sales contracts | $ | 1,428 | $ | 746 | $ | 51 | $ | 2,225 | ||||||
Midstream service contracts | 0 | 145 | 0 | 145 | ||||||||||
Gas sales and transportation services | 2,501 | 0 | 0 | 2,501 | ||||||||||
Storage services | 28 | 0 | 0 | 28 | ||||||||||
Other | 9 | 3 | 29 | 41 | ||||||||||
Total revenue from contracts with customers | $ | 3,966 | $ | 894 | $ | 80 | $ | 4,940 | ||||||
Other sources of revenue | ||||||||||||||
Revenue from alternative revenue programs (b) | $ | 30 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 30 | ||||||
Leasing revenue (c) | 1 | 137 | 105 | 243 | ||||||||||
Risk management and trading activities (d) (e) | 52 | 188 | 22 | 262 | ||||||||||
Other | (5) | 9 | 16 | 20 | ||||||||||
Total revenue from other sources | $ | 78 | $ | 334 | $ | 143 | $ | 555 | ||||||
Total revenue | $ | 4,044 | $ | 1,228 | $ | 223 | $ | 5,495 |
(a)In the first quarter of 2020, AltaGas revised its reportable segments. Comparative period numbers have been adjusted to reflect this change. Refer to Note 32 for additional information.
(b)A large portion of revenue generated from the Utilities segment is subject to rate regulation and accordingly there are circumstances where the revenue recognized is mandated by the applicable regulators in accordance with ASC 980.
(c)Revenue generated from certain of AltaGas’ gas facilities is accounted for as operating leases. For the Corporate/Other segment, a significant amount of revenue earned is through power purchase agreements which are accounted for as operating leases.
(d)Risk management activities involve the use of derivative instruments such as physical and financial swaps, and forward contracts. These derivatives are accounted for under ASC 815 and ASC 825. A portion of revenue generated by the Utilities segment is from the physical sale and delivery of natural gas and power to end users.
(e)Trading margins in the Midstream segment are reported in risk management and trading activities. AltaGas enters into derivative contracts for the purpose of optimizing its storage and transportation capacity as well as managing the transportation and storage assets on behalf of third parties. The trading margins, including unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments, are netted within revenues. Gross revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019 of $505 million associated with the GAIL Global (USA) LNG LLC (GAIL) contract and an Asset Management Agreement (AMA), which are in scope of ASC 606, are reported within risk management and trading activities. Revenue from the GAIL contract is recognized at a point in time based on the actual volumes of the commodity sold at the delivery point, which corresponds to the customer’s monthly invoice amount. The GAIL contract has a term of 20 years and began on March 31, 2018. Revenue from the AMA is recognized based on the amount WGL Midstream has the right to invoice the customer in accordance with ASC 606. WGL executed the AMA in April 2020.
Revenue Recognition
The following is a description of the Corporation’s revenue recognition policy by segment and by major source of revenue from contracts with customers.
Utilities Segment
Gas Sales and Transportation Services
Customers are billed monthly based on regular meter readings. Customer billings are based on two main components: (i) a fixed service fee and (ii) a variable fee based on usage. Revenue is recognized over time when the gas has been delivered or as the service has been performed. As meter readings are performed on a cycle basis, AltaGas recognizes accrued revenue for any services rendered to its customers but not billed at month-end. The vast majority of these contracts are “at-will” as customers may cancel their service at any time, however, there are certain contracts that have terms of one year or longer. For these long-term contracts, there is generally a contract demand specified in the contract whereby the customer has to pay regardless of whether or not gas has been delivered. These contracts generally do not contain any make up rights and revenue is recognized on a monthly basis as service has been performed.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 131
Gas Storage Services
Gas storage customers are billed monthly for services provided. Customer billings are based on four components: (i) reservation charges; (ii) capacity charges; (iii) injection/withdrawal charges; and (iv) excess charges. Reservation charges are based on the customer’s contract withdrawal quantity, capacity charges are based on the customer’s total contract quantity, and injection/withdrawal charges are based on the volume of gas delivered to or from the customer. Excess charges are applied to each day that the storage quantity exceeds 100 percent of the customer’s maximum storage quantity. Revenue is recognized as the service has been performed over time on a monthly basis, which corresponds to the invoice amount. The majority of these contracts have terms extending beyond one year.
Commodity Sales
Commodity sales also include gas sales to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in certain jurisdictions where WGL Energy Services is authorized as a competitive service provider. These commodity sales contracts have varying terms that generally range from one to five years. Customers are billed monthly based on the amount of gas delivered to the customer. Revenue is recognized based on the amount the Corporation is entitled to invoice the customer.
Midstream Segment
Commodity Sales
A portion of the NGL production from AltaGas’ extraction facilities is subject to frac spread between NGLs extracted and the natural gas purchased to make up the heating value of the NGLs extracted. For commodity sales contracts that do not meet the definition of a derivative or for contracts whereby AltaGas has elected to apply the normal purchase normal sales scope exception, the sales contract is accounted for under ASC 606. These commodity sales contracts have varying terms but the majority of the contracts have a one-year term which coincides with the NGL year. AltaGas recognizes revenue for commodity sales contracts at a point in time based on the actual volumes of the commodity sold at the delivery point, which corresponds to the customer’s monthly invoice amount.
Commodity sales contracts at RIPET and Ferndale generate revenue from the sale and delivery of LPGs to customers in Asia shipped from offshore export terminals. Revenue is recognized when LPGs are loaded onto transport vessels, which is the delivery point. AltaGas has the right to consideration in an amount that directly corresponds to the volumes of LPGs loaded on a vessel. Petrogas' commodity sales also include the sale of upgraded crude oil, processed finished products, and various fuels. Delivery takes place when there is a sales contract in place, specifying delivery volumes and sales prices. The consideration received under these contracts is variable based on commodity prices.
Midstream Service Contracts
AltaGas earns revenue from its field gathering and processing facilities, extraction facilities, storage facilities, truck hauling services, rail and truck loading and unloading terminalling, and transmission systems through a variety of contractual arrangements. For arrangements that do not contain a lease, the revenue is accounted for under ASC 606 as follows:
Fee-for-service – The customer is charged a fee for the service provided on a per unit volume basis. Contract terms generally range from one month to up to the life of the reserves. Revenue under this type of arrangement is recognized over time as the service is provided, which corresponds to the customer’s monthly invoice amount.
Take-or-pay – The customer has agreed to a minimum volume commitment whereby the customer must have AltaGas process or deliver a specified volume at a rate per unit that is specified in the contract. Quantities that the customer is unable to deliver are considered deficiency quantities. Certain of AltaGas’ take-or-pay contracts contain provisions whereby the customer can
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 132
make up deficiency quantities in subsequent periods. Under this type of arrangement, any consideration received relating to the deficiency quantities that will be made up in a future period will be deferred until either: (i) the customer makes up the volumes or (ii) the likelihood that the customer will make up the volumes before the make up period expires becomes remote. If AltaGas does not expect the customer to make up the deficiency quantities (also referred to as breakage amount), AltaGas may recognize the expected breakage amount as revenue before the make up period expires. Significant judgment is required in estimating the breakage amount. For contracts where the customer has no make up rights, revenue is recognized on a monthly basis based on the higher of (i) the actual quantity delivered times the per unit rate or (ii) the contracted minimum amount.
Petrogas' storage fees are typically recognized in revenue ratably over the term of the contract and rail and truck loading and unloading fees are recognized when the volumes are delivered or received.
Corporate/Other Segment
For the Corporate/Other segment, the majority of revenue relates to remaining power assets, from which revenue is primarily earned through power purchase agreements which are accounted for as operating leases. In instances where power generation is not sold under a power purchase agreement, the commodity is sold via a merchant market, or via commodity sales agreements which are accounted for as financial instruments. For commodity sales contracts that do not meet the definition of a lease, derivative or for contracts whereby AltaGas has elected to apply the normal purchase normal sales scope exception, the sales contract is accounted for under ASC 606. This includes energy generated from combined heating and power assets that are sold under long term power purchase agreements with a general duration of approximately 20 years. These long term purchase agreements provide stable cash flow by way of contracted prices for the underlying commodities.
Contract Balances
As at December 31, 2020, a contract asset of $51 million ($50 million net of credit losses) has been recorded within long-term investments and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (December 31, 2019 – $30 million). This contract asset represents the difference in revenue recognized under a new rate in a blend-and-extend contract modification with a customer. Revenue from this contract modification will be recognized at the pre-modification rate for the remainder of the original term with the excess revenue recorded as a contract asset. The contract asset will be drawn down over the remaining term of the modified contract.
In addition, at December 31, 2020 there is a contract asset of $21 million (December 31, 2019 - $59 million) recorded within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for WGL Energy Systems’ unbilled revenue relating to design-build construction contracts. The contract asset represents unbilled amounts typically resulting from sales under contracts when the cost-to-cost method of revenue recognition is utilized, and revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer. Right to payment is achieved when the projects are formally “accepted” by the federal government. At December 31, 2020, contract liabilities of $NaN (December 31, 2019 - $2 million) have been recorded within accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The contract liabilities consisted of advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized and deferred revenue. Contract assets and liabilities are reported in a net position on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 133
Contract Assets
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 89 | $ | 59 | ||||
Additions | 30 | 32 | ||||||
Transfers to accounts receivable | (49) | 0 | ||||||
Foreign exchange translation | 1 | (2) | ||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 71 | $ | 89 |
Contract Liabilities
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | ||||
Additions | 2 | 2 | ||||||
Revenue recognized from contract liabilities (a) | (4) | (2) | ||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 0 | $ | 2 |
(a)Recognition of revenue related to performance obligations satisfied in the current period for amounts that were previously included in contract liabilities.
Transaction price allocated to the remaining obligations
The following table includes estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of December 31, 2020:
2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 & beyond | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Midstream service contracts | $ | 125 | $ | 131 | $ | 128 | $ | 128 | $ | 125 | $ | 1,037 | $ | 1,674 | |||||||||
Storage services | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 142 | 258 | ||||||||||||||||
Other | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||
$ | 156 | $ | 156 | $ | 153 | $ | 153 | $ | 150 | $ | 1,188 | $ | 1,956 |
AltaGas applies the practical expedient available under ASC 606 and does not disclose information about the remaining performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less, (ii) contracts for which revenue is recognized at the amount to which AltaGas has the right to invoice for performance completed, and (iii) contracts with variable consideration that is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation or to a wholly unsatisfied promise to transfer a distinct good or service that forms part of a single performance obligation. In addition, the table above does not include any estimated amounts of variable consideration that are constrained. The majority of midstream service contracts, gas sales and transportation service contracts, and storage service contracts contain variable consideration whereby uncertainty related to the associated variable consideration will be resolved (usually on a daily basis) as volumes are processed, gas is delivered or as service is provided.
25. Shareholders’ Equity
Authorization
AltaGas is authorized to issue an unlimited number of voting common shares. AltaGas is also authorized to issue such number of Preferred Shares in series at any time as have aggregate voting rights either directly or on conversion or exchange that in the aggregate represent less than 50 percent of the voting rights attaching to the then issued and outstanding Common Shares.
AltaGas Ltd. ��� 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 134
Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Cash Purchase Plan (DRIP or the Plan)
The Plan consisted of 2 components: a Dividend Reinvestment component and an Optional Cash Purchase component. The Premium Dividend™ component of the plan was suspended in December 2018. The Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Cash Purchase component was suspended in December 2019, with the December dividend (paid January 2020) being the last dividend payment eligible for reinvestment by participating shareholders under the DRIP. The Plan in its entirety will remain suspended until further notice.
Common Shares Issued and Outstanding | Number of shares | Amount | ||||||
January 1, 2019 | 275,224,066 | $ | 6,654 | |||||
Shares issued for cash on exercise of options | 76,177 | 1 | ||||||
Deferred taxes on share issuance cost | — | (4) | ||||||
Shares issued under DRIP | 3,774,442 | 68 | ||||||
December 31, 2019 | 279,074,685 | $ | 6,719 | |||||
Shares issued for cash on exercise of options | 88,082 | 1 | ||||||
Deferred taxes on share issuance cost | — | (3) | ||||||
Shares issued under DRIP | 331,532 | 6 | ||||||
Issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 | 279,494,299 | $ | 6,723 |
Preferred Shares
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Issued and Outstanding | Number of shares | Amount | Number of shares | Amount | ||||||||||
Series A | 6,746,679 | $ | 169 | 5,511,220 | $ | 138 | ||||||||
Series B | 1,253,321 | 31 | 2,488,780 | 62 | ||||||||||
Series C | 8,000,000 | 206 | 8,000,000 | 206 | ||||||||||
Series E | 8,000,000 | 200 | 8,000,000 | 200 | ||||||||||
Series G | 6,885,823 | 172 | 6,885,823 | 172 | ||||||||||
Series H | 1,114,177 | 28 | 1,114,177 | 28 | ||||||||||
Series I | 0 | 0 | 8,000,000 | 200 | ||||||||||
Series K | 12,000,000 | 300 | 12,000,000 | 300 | ||||||||||
Share issuance costs, net of taxes | (29) | (29) | ||||||||||||
44,000,000 | $ | 1,077 | 52,000,000 | $ | 1,277 |
On December 31, 2020, all outstanding Series I shares were redeemed. No gain or loss was recognized upon redemption. In 2019, all outstanding Washington Gas preferred shares were redeemed. A gain of $4 million was recognized upon redemption.
.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 135
The following table outlines the characteristics of the cumulative redeemable preferred shares (a):
Current yield | Annual dividend per share(b) | Redemption price per share | Redemption and conversion option date(c)(d) | Right to convert into(d) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A (e) | 3.060 | % | $0.76500 | $25 | September 30, 2025 | Series B | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Series B (f) (g) | Floating | Floating | $25 | September 30, 2025 | Series A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series C (h) | 5.290 | % | US$1.32250 | US$25 | September 30, 2022 | Series D | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Series E (e) | 5.393 | % | $1.34825 | $25 | December 31, 2023 | Series F | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Series G (e) | 4.240 | % | $1.06050 | $25 | September 30, 2024 | Series H | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Series H (f) (g) | Floating | Floating | $25 | September 30, 2024 | Series G | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series K (i) | 5.000 | % | $1.25000 | $25 | March 31, 2022 | Series L |
(a)This table only includes those series of preferred shares that are currently issued and outstanding. The Corporation is authorized to issue up to 8,000,000 of each of Series D Shares, Series F Shares, and up to 12,000,000 of Series L Shares, subject to certain conditions, upon conversion by the holders of the applicable currently issued and outstanding series of preferred shares noted opposite such series in the table on the applicable conversion option date. If issued upon the conversion of the applicable series of preferred shares, Series F Shares, and Series L Shares are also redeemable for $25.50, and Series D Shares are redeemable for US$25.50 on any date after the applicable conversion option date, plus all accrued but unpaid dividends to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption.
(b)The holders of Series A Shares, Series C Shares, Series E Shares, Series G Shares, Series H Shares, and Series K Shares are entitled to receive a cumulative quarterly fixed dividend as and when declared by the Board of Directors. The holders of Series B Shares and Series H Shares are entitled to receive a quarterly floating dividend as and when declared by the Board of Directors. If issued upon the conversion of the applicable series of Preferred Shares, the holders of Series D Shares, Series F Shares, and Series L Shares will be entitled to receive a quarterly floating dividend as and when declared by the Board of Directors.
(c)AltaGas may, at its option, redeem all or a portion of the outstanding shares for the redemption price per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends on the applicable redemption option date and on every fifth anniversary thereafter.
(d)The holder will have the right, subject to certain conditions, to convert their preferred shares of a specified series into Preferred Shares of that other specified series as noted in this column of the table on the applicable conversion option date and every fifth anniversary thereafter.
(e)Holders of Series A Shares, Series E Shares, and Series G Shares will be entitled to receive cumulative quarterly fixed dividends, which will reset on the redemption and conversion option date and every fifth year thereafter, at a rate equal to the sum of the then five-year Government of Canada bond yield plus 2.66 percent (Series A Shares), 3.17 percent (Series E Shares), and 3.06 percent (Series G Shares).
(f)Holders of Series B Shares and Series H Shares will be entitled to receive cumulative quarterly floating dividends, which will reset each quarter thereafter at a rate equal to the sum of the then 90-day government of Canada Treasury Bill rate plus 2.66 percent (Series B Shares) and 3.06 percent (Series H Shares). Each quarterly dividend is calculated as the annualized amount multiplied by the number of days in the quarter, divided by the number of days in the year. Commencing December 31, 2020, the floating quarterly dividend rate is $0.17069 per share for Series B Shares and $0.195349 per share for Series H Shares for the period starting December 31, 2020 to, but excluding, March 31, 2021.
(g)Series B Shares can be redeemed for $25.50 per share on any date after September 30, 2015 that is not a Series B conversion date, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption. Series H Shares can be redeemed for $25.50 per share on any date after September 30, 2019 that is not a Series H conversion date, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption.
(h)Holders of Series C Shares will be entitled to receive cumulative quarterly fixed dividends, which will reset on the redeemable and conversion option date and every fifth year thereafter, at a rate equal to the sum of the five-year U.S. Government bond yield plus 3.58 percent.
(i)Holders of Series K Shares will be entitled to receive cumulative quarterly fixed dividends, which will reset on the redeemable and conversion option date and every fifth year thereafter, at a rate equal to the then five-year Government of Canada bond yield plus 3.80 percent, provided that, in any event, such rate shall not be less than 5.00 percent per annum.
Share Option Plan
AltaGas has an employee share option plan under which officers, employees, and service providers (as defined by the TSX) are eligible to receive grants. As at December 31, 2020, 13,915,160 shares were reserved for issuance under the plan.
As at December 31, 2020, share options granted under the plan have a term between six and ten years until expiry and vest no longer than over a four‑year period.
As at December 31, 2020, the unexpensed fair value of share option compensation cost associated with future periods was $4 million (December 31, 2019 ‑ $5 million).
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 136
The following table summarizes information about the Corporation’s share options:
December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
As at | Options outstanding | Options outstanding | ||||||||||||
Number of options | Exercise price (a) | Number of options | Exercise price (a) | |||||||||||
Share options outstanding, beginning of year | 7,043,956 | $ | 22.49 | 6,309,183 | $ | 25.18 | ||||||||
Granted | 2,501,755 | 19.46 | 2,287,385 | 19.12 | ||||||||||
Exercised | (88,082) | 14.89 | (76,177) | 14.52 | ||||||||||
Forfeited | (631,549) | 26.00 | (1,165,435) | 27.31 | ||||||||||
Expired | (463,869) | 27.69 | (311,000) | 36.16 | ||||||||||
Share options outstanding, end of year | 8,362,211 | $ | 21.06 | 7,043,956 | $ | 22.49 | ||||||||
Share options exercisable, end of year | 3,607,391 | $ | 23.59 | 2,921,642 | $ | 27.70 |
(a)Weighted average.
As at December 31, 2020, the aggregate intrinsic value of the total share options exercisable was $5 million (December 31, 2019 - $3 million), the total intrinsic value of share options outstanding was $9 million (December 31, 2019 - $12 million) and the total intrinsic value of share options exercised was less than $1 million (December 31, 2019 - less than $1 million).
The following table summarizes the employee share option plan as at December 31, 2020:
Options outstanding | Options exercisable | |||||||||||||||||||
Number outstanding | Weighted average exercise price | Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) | Number exercisable | Weighted average exercise price | Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) | |||||||||||||||
$14.52 to $18.00 | 2,446,392 | $ | 15.24 | 4.07 | 1,359,457 | $ | 14.92 | 4.00 | ||||||||||||
$18.01 to $25.08 | 3,930,345 | 19.56 | 4.80 | 528,252 | 19.54 | 4.47 | ||||||||||||||
$25.09 to $41.00 | 1,985,474 | 31.21 | 1.82 | 1,719,682 | 31.68 | 1.64 | ||||||||||||||
8,362,211 | $ | 21.06 | 3.88 | 3,607,391 | $ | 23.59 | 2.95 |
The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. The weighted average grant date fair value and assumptions are as follows:
Year ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Fair value per options ($) | 2.61 | 2.30 | ||||||
Risk-free interest rate (%) | 1.54 | 1.48 | ||||||
Expected life (years) | 6 | 6 | ||||||
Expected volatility (%) | 25.40 | 24.84 | ||||||
Annual dividend per share ($) (a) | 0.96 | 0.96 | ||||||
Forfeiture rate (%) | 0 | 0 |
(a)Annual dividend per share is calculated based on a weighted average share price and forward dividend yields as the grant dates.
Phantom Unit Plan (Phantom Plan) and Deferred Share Unit Plan (DSUP)
AltaGas has a Phantom Plan for employees and executive officers, which includes restricted units (RUs) and performance units (PUs) with vesting periods of 36 to 44 months from the grant date. In addition, AltaGas has a DSUP, which allows granting of deferred share units (DSUs) to directors. DSUs granted under the DSUP vest immediately but settlement of the DSUs occur when the individual ceases to be a director.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 137
PUs, RUs, and DSUs (number of units) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Balance, beginning of year | 6,484,831 | 9,908,154 | ||||||
Granted | 1,158,547 | 674,971 | ||||||
Vested and paid out | (681,841) | (791,335) | ||||||
Forfeited | (1,342,832) | (3,377,962) | ||||||
Units in lieu of dividends | 113,429 | 71,003 | ||||||
Outstanding, end of year | 5,732,134 | 6,484,831 |
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the compensation expense recorded for the Phantom Plan and DSUP was $16 million (2019 – $22 million). As at December 31, 2020, the unrecognized compensation expense relating to the remaining vesting period for the Phantom Plan was $23 million (December 31, 2019 ‑ $22 million) and is expected to be recognized over the vesting period.
26. Net Income Per Common Share
The following table summarizes the computation of net income per common share:
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Numerator: | ||||||||||||||
Net income applicable to controlling interests | $ | 552 | $ | 833 | ||||||||||
Less: Preferred share dividends | (66) | (68) | ||||||||||||
Gain on redemption of preferred shares (note 25) | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Net income applicable to common shares | $ | 486 | $ | 769 | ||||||||||
Denominator: | ||||||||||||||
(millions of shares) | ||||||||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 279.4 | 276.9 | ||||||||||||
Dilutive equity instruments (a) | 0.3 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted | 279.7 | 277.4 | ||||||||||||
Basic net income per common share | $ | 1.74 | $ | 2.78 | ||||||||||
Diluted net income per common share | $ | 1.74 | $ | 2.77 |
(a)Determined using the treasury stock method.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, 7.0 million share options (2019 – 4.3 million) were excluded from the diluted net income per share calculation as their effects were anti‑dilutive.
27. Other Income
Year Ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Gains on asset sales (note 4) | $ | 223 | $ | 876 | ||||
Gain on remeasurement of previously held interest in AIJVLP (note 3) | 22 | 0 | ||||||
Other components of net benefit cost (note 28) | 52 | 27 | ||||||
Interest income and other revenue | 9 | 9 | ||||||
Losses on investments | 0 | (4) | ||||||
Total | $ | 306 | $ | 908 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 138
28. Pension Plans and Retiree Benefits
The costs of the defined benefit and post-retirement benefit plans are based on Management's estimate of the future rate of return on the fair value of pension plan assets, salary escalations, mortality rates and other factors affecting the payment of future benefits.
In 2020, AltaGas made a voluntary change in accounting principle for calculating the market-related value of assets used in the determination of Washington Gas' net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit plan costs. This change in accounting principle impacts the calculation of net periodic benefit cost recorded within the line item “other income” on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Refer to Note 2 for additional information.
Defined Contribution Plan
AltaGas has a defined contribution (DC) pension plan for substantially all employees. The pension cost recorded for the DC plan was $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 (2019 - $20 million).
Defined Benefit Plans
AltaGas has several defined benefit pension plans for unionized and non-unionized employees, including 1 in Canada (which is comprised of 5 divisions) and 6 in the United States. The plans in the United States include a qualified, trusteed, non-contributory defined benefit pension plan, and a non-funded defined benefit restoration plan maintained by Washington Gas.
The defined benefit plans are partially funded except for 3 of the divisions in Canada which are fully funded and 1 of the plans in the United States which is not funded.
AltaGas’ most recent actuarial valuation of the Canadian defined benefit plans for funding purposes was completed for the year ended December 31, 2019. AltaGas is required to file an actuarial valuation of its Canadian defined benefit plans with the pension regulators at least every three years. The next actuarial valuation for funding purposes is required to be completed as of a date no later than December 31, 2022, and will be filed with the pension regulators in 2023. Actuarial valuations for funding purposes are required annually for AltaGas’ U.S. defined benefit plans.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERP)
AltaGas has non-registered, defined benefit plans that provide defined benefit pension benefits to eligible executives based on average earnings, years of service and age at retirement. The SERP benefits will be paid from the general revenue of the Corporation as payments come due or from the Rabbi Trusts funded as part of the WGL acquisition. Security will be provided for the SERP benefits through a letter of credit within a retirement compensation arrangement trust account.
Several executive officers of Washington Gas participate in a separate non-funded defined benefit SERP (a non-qualified pension plan). This defined benefit SERP was closed to new entrants beginning January 1, 2010.
Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
AltaGas has several post-retirement benefit plans for unionized and non-unionized employees, including 1 in Canada and 4 in the United States. The post-retirement benefit plan in Canada is limited to the payment of life insurance and an annual allocation to a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA). This benefit plan is not funded.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 139
Post-retirement benefit plans in the United States provide certain medical, prescription drug, dental, and life insurance benefits to eligible retired employees, their spouses and covered dependents. Benefits are based on a combination of the retiree's age and years of service at retirement. For eligible Washington Gas retirees and dependents not yet receiving Medicare benefits, Washington Gas provides medical, prescription drug, and dental benefits through Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, through the Washington Gas Light Company Retiree Medical Plan. For Medicare-eligible retirees age 65 and older and their dependents, eligible retirees and dependents participate in a tax-free Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) Plan. The HRA plan provides an annual subsidy to help purchase supplemental medical, prescription drug and dental coverage in the marketplace. One of these benefit plans is partially funded and three are fully funded.
Rabbi Trusts
Rabbi trusts of $28 million as at December 31, 2020 have been funded to satisfy the employee benefit obligations associated with WGL’s various pension plans (December 31, 2019 - $57 million). These balances are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and long-term investments and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table summarizes the details of the defined benefit plans, including the SERP and post-retirement plans in Canada and the United States:
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | Canada | United States | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||
Projected benefit obligation (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 36 | $ | 2 | $ | 1,725 | $ | 428 | $ | 1,761 | $ | 430 | ||||||||
Actuarial loss | 1 | 0 | 137 | 32 | 138 | 32 | ||||||||||||||
Current service cost | 3 | 0 | 27 | 9 | 30 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
Member contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
Interest cost | 1 | 0 | 60 | 15 | 61 | 15 | ||||||||||||||
Benefits paid | (4) | 0 | (82) | (24) | (86) | (24) | ||||||||||||||
Expenses paid | 0 | 0 | (1) | 0 | (1) | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Settlements | 0 | 0 | (25) | 0 | (25) | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange translation | 0 | 0 | (41) | (10) | (41) | (10) | ||||||||||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 37 | $ | 2 | $ | 1,800 | $ | 452 | $ | 1,837 | $ | 454 | ||||||||
Plan assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value, beginning of year | $ | 15 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,504 | $ | 906 | $ | 1,519 | $ | 906 | ||||||||
Actual return on plan assets | 1 | 0 | 275 | 157 | 276 | 157 | ||||||||||||||
Employer contributions | 4 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 41 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Member contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
Benefits paid | (4) | 0 | (82) | (24) | (86) | (24) | ||||||||||||||
Expenses paid | 0 | 0 | (1) | 0 | (1) | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Settlements | 0 | 0 | (25) | 0 | (25) | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange translation | 0 | 0 | (41) | (25) | (41) | (25) | ||||||||||||||
Fair value, end of year | $ | 16 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,667 | $ | 1,016 | $ | 1,683 | $ | 1,016 | ||||||||
Funded status | $ | (21) | $ | (2) | $ | (133) | $ | 564 | $ | (154) | $ | 562 |
(a) For post-retirement benefit plans, the projected benefit obligation represents the accumulated benefit obligation.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 140
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | Canada | United States | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||
Projected benefit obligation (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 34 | $ | 2 | $ | 1,635 | $ | 458 | $ | 1,669 | $ | 460 | ||||||||
Actuarial loss (gain) | 2 | 0 | 182 | (15) | 184 | (15) | ||||||||||||||
Current service cost | 3 | 0 | 24 | 9 | 27 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
Member contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
Interest cost | 1 | 0 | 68 | 19 | 69 | 19 | ||||||||||||||
Benefits paid | (4) | 0 | (77) | (24) | (81) | (24) | ||||||||||||||
Expenses paid | 0 | 0 | (1) | 0 | (1) | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Settlements | 0 | 0 | (24) | 0 | (24) | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange translation | 0 | 0 | (82) | (22) | (82) | (22) | ||||||||||||||
Balance, end of year | $ | 36 | $ | 2 | $ | 1,725 | $ | 428 | $ | 1,761 | $ | 430 | ||||||||
Plan assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value, beginning of year | $ | 14 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,354 | $ | 791 | $ | 1,368 | $ | 791 | ||||||||
Actual return on plan assets | 1 | 0 | 284 | 177 | 285 | 177 | ||||||||||||||
Employer contributions | 4 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 43 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Member contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
Benefits paid | (4) | 0 | (77) | (23) | (81) | (23) | ||||||||||||||
Expenses paid | 0 | 0 | (1) | 0 | (1) | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Settlements | 0 | 0 | (25) | 0 | (25) | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange translation | 0 | 0 | (70) | (41) | (70) | (41) | ||||||||||||||
Fair value, end of year | $ | 15 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,504 | $ | 906 | $ | 1,519 | $ | 906 | ||||||||
Funded status | $ | (21) | $ | (2) | $ | (221) | $ | 478 | $ | (242) | $ | 476 |
(a) For post-retirement benefit plans, the projected benefit obligation represents the accumulated benefit obligation.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, AltaGas' pension plans incurred actuarial losses primarily due to the decrease in discount rates, which were the result of a decline in high-quality corporate bond yield curves in the Canadian and U.S. markets. For the year ended December, 31, 2019, AltaGas' defined benefit plans incurred actuarial losses for the same reason as mentioned above. AltaGas' post-retirement benefits plans incurred actuarial gains primarily due to updated census data and assumptions related to the HRA, partially offset by the decrease in discount rates.
The following amounts were included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||
Defined Benefit | Post- Retirement Benefits | Total | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Total (a) | |||||||||||||||
Prepaid post-retirement benefits | $ | 0 | $ | 572 | $ | 572 | $ | 0 | $ | 487 | $ | 487 | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (a) | (9) | 0 | (9) | (26) | 0 | (26) | ||||||||||||||
Future employee obligations | (145) | (10) | (155) | (216) | (11) | (227) | ||||||||||||||
$ | (154) | $ | 562 | $ | 408 | $ | (242) | $ | 476 | $ | 234 |
(a) Account balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets also include certain non-pension related amounts.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 141
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit plans were:
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Canada | United States | Canada | United States | |||||||||||
Accumulated benefit obligation (a) | $ | 36 | $ | 1,704 | $ | 35 | $ | 1,616 | ||||||
(a)Accumulated benefit obligation differs from projected benefit obligation in that it does not include an assumption with respect to future compensation levels.
For those pension plans where the projected benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of plan assets as at December 31, 2020, the cumulative obligation and asset balances were:
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||
Projected benefit obligation | $ | 1,824 | $ | 14 | $ | 1,757 | $ | 13 | ||||||
Plan assets | $ | 1,670 | $ | 3 | $ | 1,515 | $ | 3 |
For those pension plans where the accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of plan assets as at December 31, 2020, the cumulative obligation and asset balances were:
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||
Accumulated benefit obligation | $ | 427 | $ | 14 | $ | 1,648 | $ | 13 | ||||||
Plan assets | $ | 329 | $ | 3 | $ | 1,515 | $ | 3 |
The following amounts were recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost:
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | Canada | United States | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Defined Benefit | Post- Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||
Past service cost | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | (3) | $ | 0 | $ | (3) | ||||||||
Net actuarial gain (loss) | (9) | (1) | 6 | (8) | (3) | (9) | ||||||||||||||
Recognized in AOCI pre-tax | $ | (9) | $ | (1) | $ | 6 | $ | (11) | $ | (3) | $ | (12) | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) by the amount included in deferred tax liabilities | 2 | 0 | (2) | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
Net amount in AOCI after-tax | $ | (7) | $ | (1) | $ | 4 | $ | (8) | $ | (3) | $ | (9) |
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | Canada | United States | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Defined Benefit | Post- Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post- Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post- Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||
Net actuarial gain (loss) | $ | (9) | $ | 0 | $ | (15) | $ | 18 | $ | (24) | $ | 18 | ||||||||
Recognized in AOCI pre-tax | $ | (9) | $ | 0 | $ | (15) | $ | 18 | $ | (24) | $ | 18 | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) by the amount included in deferred tax liabilities | 2 | 0 | 7 | (9) | 9 | (9) | ||||||||||||||
Net amount in AOCI after-tax | $ | (7) | $ | 0 | $ | (8) | $ | 9 | $ | (15) | $ | 9 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 142
The following amounts were recorded in a regulatory asset (liability) and have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost:
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | Canada | United States | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Defined Benefit | Post- Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post- Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post- Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||
Past service credit | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | (94) | $ | 0 | $ | (94) | ||||||||
Net actuarial loss (gain) | 0 | 0 | 68 | (241) | 68 | (241) | ||||||||||||||
Recognized in regulatory asset (liability) | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 68 | $ | (335) | $ | 68 | $ | (335) |
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | Canada | United States | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Defined Benefit | Post- Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post- Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post- Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||
Past service cost (credit) | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 1 | $ | (105) | $ | 1 | $ | (105) | ||||||||
Net actuarial loss (gain) | 0 | 0 | 127 | (156) | 127 | (156) | ||||||||||||||
Recognized in regulatory asset (liability) | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 128 | $ | (261) | $ | 128 | $ | (261) |
The costs of the defined benefit and post-retirement benefit plans are based on Management's estimate of the future rate of return on the fair value of pension plan assets, salary escalations, mortality rates and other factors affecting the payment of future benefits.
The net pension expense by plan was as follows:
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Canada | United States | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||
Current service cost (a) | $ | 3 | $ | 0 | $ | 27 | $ | 9 | $ | 30 | $ | 9 | ||||||||
Interest cost (b) | 1 | 0 | 60 | 15 | 61 | 15 | ||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets (b) (c) | (1) | 0 | (81) | (40) | (82) | (40) | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of past service credit (b) | 0 | 0 | 0 | (19) | 0 | (19) | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain) (b) (c) | 1 | 0 | 10 | (5) | 11 | (5) | ||||||||||||||
Plan settlements (b) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Net benefit cost (income) recognized | $ | 4 | $ | 0 | $ | 23 | $ | (40) | $ | 27 | $ | (40) |
(a)Recorded under the line item “operating and administrative” expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(b)Recorded under the line item “other income” on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(c)Includes the impact of the voluntary change in accounting principle implemented in 2020. Refer to Note 2 for additional information.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 143
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Canada | United States | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||
Current service cost (a) | $ | 3 | $ | 0 | $ | 24 | $ | 9 | $ | 27 | $ | 9 | ||||||||
Interest cost (b) | 1 | 0 | 68 | 19 | 69 | 19 | ||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets (b) | (1) | 0 | (75) | (37) | (76) | (37) | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of past service credit (b) | 0 | 0 | 0 | (22) | 0 | (22) | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial loss (b) | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 13 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Plan settlements (b) | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Other (b) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Net benefit cost (income) recognized | $ | 4 | $ | 0 | $ | 33 | $ | (30) | $ | 37 | $ | (30) |
(a)Recorded under the line item “operating and administrative” expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(b)Recorded under the line item “other income” on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The objective for fund returns, over three to five-year periods, is the sum of two components - a passive component, which is the benchmark index market returns for the asset mix in effect, plus the added value expected from active management. It is the Corporation’s belief that the potential additional returns justify the additional risk associated with active management. The risk inherent in the investment strategy over a market cycle (a three-to five-year period) is two-fold. There is a risk that the market returns, as measured by the benchmark returns, will not be in line with expectations. The other risk is that the expected added value of active management over passive management will not be realized over the time period prescribed in each fund manager's mandate. There is also the risk of annual volatility in returns, which means that in any one year the actual return may be very different from the expected return.
Cash and money market investments may be held from time to time as short-term investment decisions at the discretion of the fund manager(s) within the constraints prescribed by their mandate(s).
The Corporation's target asset mix for the Canadian plans is 45 percent to 55 percent fixed income assets. The target asset mix for SEMCO plans is 33 percent fixed income assets and for WGL plans is 50 percent to 70 percent fixed income assets. These objectives have taken into account the nature of the liabilities and the risk-reward tolerance of the Corporation.
The collective investment mixes for the plans are as follows as at December 31, 2020:
Canada | Fair value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Percentage of Plan Assets (%) | ||||||||||
Cash and short-term equivalents | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | $ | 0 | 13 | |||||||
Canadian equities | 3 | 3 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||
Foreign equities | 4 | 4 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||
Fixed income | 6 | 6 | 0 | 38 | ||||||||||
Real estate | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||||
$ | 16 | $ | 15 | $ | 1 | 100 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 144
United States | Fair value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Percentage of Plan Assets (%) | ||||||||||
Cash and short-term equivalents | $ | 14 | $ | 14 | $ | 0 | 1 | |||||||
Canadian equities | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
Foreign equities (a) | 357 | 357 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||
Fixed income | 1,002 | 129 | 873 | 37 | ||||||||||
Other (b) | 23 | 0 | 23 | 1 | ||||||||||
Total investments in the fair value hierarchy | $ | 1,397 | $ | 501 | $ | 896 | 52 | |||||||
Investments measured at net asset value using the NAV practical expedient (c) | ||||||||||||||
Commingled funds (d) | $ | 728 | 27 | |||||||||||
Private equity/limited partnership (e) | 56 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Pooled separate accounts (f) | 32 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Collective trust fund (g) | 476 | 18 | ||||||||||||
Total fair value of plan investments | $ | 2,689 | 100 | |||||||||||
Net payable (h) | (6) | 0 | ||||||||||||
$ | 2,683 | 100 |
(a)Investments in foreign equities include U.S. and international securities.
(b)As at December 31, 2020, these investments consisted primarily of non-U.S. government bonds.
(c)In accordance with ASC Topic 820, these investments are measured at fair value using net asset value (NAV) per share as a practical expedient and, therefore, have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliations of the fair value hierarchy to the statements of net assets available for plan benefits.
(d)As at December 31, 2020, investments in commingled funds consisted of approximately 50 percent common stock of large-cap U.S. companies, 20 percent U.S. Government fixed income securities, and 30 percent corporate bonds for WGL’s post-retirement benefit plans.
(e)As at December 31, 2020, investments in a private equity/limited partnership consisted of common stock of international companies.
(f)As at December 31, 2020, investments in pooled separate accounts consisted of income producing properties located in the United States.
(g)As at December 31, 2020, investments in collective trust funds consisted primarily of 90 percent common stock of U.S, companies, 7 percent income producing properties located in the United States, and 3 percent short-term money market investments.
(h)As at December 31, 2020, this net payable primarily represents pending trades for investments purchased net of pending trades for investments sold and interest receivable.
Total | Fair value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Percentage of Plan Assets (%) | ||||||||||
Cash and short-term equivalents | $ | 16 | $ | 16 | $ | 0 | 1 | |||||||
Canadian equities | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
Foreign equities (a) | 361 | 361 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||
Fixed income | 1,008 | 135 | 873 | 37 | ||||||||||
Real estate | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||
Other (b) | 23 | 0 | 23 | 1 | ||||||||||
Total investments in the fair value hierarchy | $ | 1,413 | $ | 516 | $ | 897 | 52 | |||||||
Investments measured at net asset value using the NAV practical expedient (c) | ||||||||||||||
Commingled funds(d) | $ | 728 | 27 | |||||||||||
Private equity/limited partnership (e) | 56 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Pooled separate accounts (f) | 32 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Collective trust fund (g) | 476 | 18 | ||||||||||||
Total fair value of plan investments | $ | 2,705 | 100 | |||||||||||
Net payable (h) | (6) | 0 | ||||||||||||
$ | 2,699 | 100 |
(a)Investments in foreign equities include U.S. and international securities.
(b)As at December 31, 2020, these investments consisted primarily of non-U.S. government bonds.
(c)In accordance with ASC Topic 820, these investments are measured at fair value using net asset value (NAV) per share as a practical expedient and, therefore, have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliations of the fair value hierarchy to the statements of net assets available for plan benefits.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 145
(d)As at December 31, 2020, investments in commingled funds consisted of approximately 50 percent common stock of large-cap U.S. companies, 20 percent U.S. Government fixed income securities, and 30 percent corporate bonds for WGL’s post-retirement benefit plans.
(e)As at December 31, 2020, investments in a private equity/limited partnership consisted of common stock of international companies.
(f)As at December 31, 2020, investments in pooled separate accounts consisted of income producing properties located in the United States.
(g)As at December 31, 2020, investments in collective trust funds consisted primarily of 90 percent common stock of U.S, companies, 7 percent income producing properties located in the United States, and 3 percent short-term money market investments.
(h)As at December 31, 2020, this net payable primarily represents pending trades for investments purchased net of pending trades for investments sold and interest receivable.
Year Ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
Significant actuarial assumptions used in measuring net benefit plan costs | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | ||||||||||
Discount rate (%) | 2.30 - 3.50 | 3.10 - 3.60 | 2.90 - 4.40 | 3.90 - 4.50 | ||||||||||
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (%) (a) | 5.25 - 7.05 | 4.03 - 7.05 | 5.75 - 7.15 | 4.66 - 7.15 | ||||||||||
Rate of compensation increase (%) | 2.75 - 4.00 | 3.50 | 2.75 - 4.10 | 4.10 | ||||||||||
Average remaining service life of active employees (years) | 10.2 | 13.0 | 9.0 | 13.2 |
(a)Only applicable for funded plans
As at December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
Significant actuarial assumptions used in measuring benefit obligations | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | ||||||||||
Discount rate (%) | 1.90 - 2.80 | 2.50 - 2.90 | 2.90 - 3.50 | 3.10 - 3.60 | ||||||||||
Rate of compensation increase (%) | 1.73 - 3.93 | 2.50 - 3.00 | 2.75 - 4.00 | 3.50 |
The expected rate of return on assets is based on the current level of expected returns on risk free investments, the historical level of risk premium associated with other asset classes in which the portfolio is invested, and the expectations for future returns of each asset class. The expected return for each asset class was then weighted based on the target asset allocation to develop the expected rate of return on assets assumption for the portfolio.
The discount rate is based on yields available on high-quality long-term corporate bonds, with maturities matching the estimated timing and amount of expected benefit payments.
The estimates for health care benefits take into consideration increased health care benefits due to aging and cost increases in the future. The assumed health care cost trend rate used to measure the expected cost of benefits for the next year was between 2.2 and 6.0 percent. The health care cost trend rates were assumed to decline to between 2.2 and 4.5 percent by 2027.
The following table shows the expected cash flows for defined benefit pension and other post-retirement plans:
Defined Benefit | Post-Retirement Benefits | |||||||
Expected employer contributions: | ||||||||
2021 | $ | 16 | $ | 0 | ||||
Expected benefit payments: | ||||||||
2021 | $ | 90 | $ | 25 | ||||
2022 | $ | 91 | $ | 22 | ||||
2023 | $ | 88 | $ | 22 | ||||
2024 | $ | 89 | $ | 21 | ||||
2025 | $ | 90 | $ | 21 | ||||
2026 - 2030 | $ | 466 | $ | 110 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 146
29. Commitments, Guarantees, and Contingencies
Commitments
AltaGas has long-term natural gas purchase and transportation arrangements, LPG purchase agreements, crude oil and condensate purchase agreements, electricity purchase arrangements, service agreements, pipeline and storage service contracts, capital commitments, environmental commitments, merger commitments, and operating leases for office space, office equipment, vehicles, rail cars, land, storage, aquatic surface use, and other equipment, all of which are transacted at market prices and in the normal course of business.
Future payments of these commitments as at December 31, 2020 are estimated as follows:
2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 & beyond | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Gas purchase (a) | $ | 1,974 | $ | 2,075 | $ | 1,858 | $ | 1,863 | $ | 1,901 | $ | 17,612 | $ | 27,283 | |||||||||
LPG purchase (b) | 407 | 199 | 161 | 108 | 83 | 258 | 1,216 | ||||||||||||||||
Crude oil and condensate purchase (c) | 184 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 184 | ||||||||||||||||
Electricity purchase (d) | 463 | 287 | 106 | 29 | 3 | 0 | 888 | ||||||||||||||||
Service agreements (e) (f) (g) | 48 | 32 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 282 | 442 | ||||||||||||||||
Pipeline and storage services (h) | 661 | 637 | 621 | 564 | 528 | 3,134 | 6,145 | ||||||||||||||||
Capital projects (i) | 20 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||
Operating leases (j) | 96 | 81 | 58 | 50 | 40 | 125 | 450 | ||||||||||||||||
Environmental (k) | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||
Merger commitments (l) | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||
Land purchase commitment (m) | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||
Post-acquisition contingent payments (n) | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||
$ | 3,885 | $ | 3,333 | $ | 2,834 | $ | 2,645 | $ | 2,585 | $ | 21,415 | $ | 36,697 |
(a)AltaGas enters into contracts to purchase natural gas from various suppliers for its utilities. These contracts are used to ensure that there is an adequate supply of natural gas to meet the needs of customers and to minimize exposure to market price fluctuations. Gas purchase commitments are valued based on fixed prices and forward prices, which may fluctuate significantly from period to period.
(b)AltaGas enters into contracts to purchase LPGs for its operations at RIPET and Ferndale. These contracts are used to ensure that there is an adequate supply of LPGs to meet shipment commitments and to minimize exposure to market price fluctuations. LPG purchase commitments are valued based on forward prices, which may fluctuate significantly from period to period.
(c)As part of the Petrogas Acquisition (Note 3), AltaGas acquired contracts to purchase crude oil and condensates for marketing, sale, and distribution. These contracts are used to ensure that there is an adequate supply of crude oil and condensates to meet the needs of customers and to minimize exposure to market price fluctuations. Crude oil and condensate commitments are valued based on forward prices, which may fluctuate significantly from period to period.
(d)AltaGas enters into contracts to purchase electricity from various suppliers for its non-utility business. Electricity purchase commitments are based on existing fixed price and fixed volume contracts, and include US$21 million of commitments related to renewable energy credits.
(e)In 2014, AltaGas' Blythe facility entered into a Long-Term Service Agreement (LTSA) with a service pro to complete various upgrade and maintenance services on the Combustion Turbines (CT) at the Blythe facility over 124,000 equivalent operating hours per CT, or 25 years, whichever comes first. The LTSA has variable fees on a per equivalent operating hour basis. As at December 31, 2020, the total commitment was $153 million payable over the next 15 years, of which $44 million is expected to be paid over the next 5 years.
(f)In 2017, AltaGas entered into a 12-year service agreement commencing in 2019 for tug services to support the marine operations of RIPET.
(g)In 2015, AltaGas entered into a Project Agreement that contemplated the sublease of lands from Ridley Terminals Inc. (RTI), provision of certain terminal services, and access to RTI's terminal facilities to support RIPET's operations for an initial term of 20 years ending in 2039. In 2019, RILE LP and RTI executed a Terminal Services Agreement that formalized the concepts outlined in the Project Agreement.
(h)Pipeline and storage commitments include minimum payments for natural gas transportation, storage and peaking contracts that have expiration dates through 2044.
(i)Commitments for capital projects. Estimated amounts are subject to variability depending on the actual construction costs.
(j)Operating leases include lease arrangements for office space, office equipment, field equipment, rail cars, aquatic use, vehicles, power and gas facilities, transmission and distribution assets, and land.
(k)Environmental commitments include committed payments related to certain environmental response costs.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 147
(l)Represents the estimated future payments of WGL merger commitments that have been accrued but not paid. In addition, there are certain additional merger commitments that were and will be expensed as the costs are incurred, including the investment of up to US$70 million over a ten year period to further extend natural gas service, investment of US$8 million for leak mitigation within three years, which has been paid as of December 31, 2020, hiring damage prevention trainers in each jurisdiction for a total of US$2 million over five years, and developing 15 megawatts of either electric grid energy storage or Tier 1 renewable resources within five years after the merger closed. As at December 31, 2020, the cumulative amount of merger commitments that have been expensed but not yet paid is approximately US$12 million.
(m)As part of the Petrogas Acquisition (Note 3), AltaGas acquired a commitment to purchase land as part of an agreement for it's continued use of the Ferndale terminal.
(n)Contingent payments of up to $16 million are expected to be paid related to the Petrogas Acquisition (Note 3).
Guarantees
AltaGas has guaranteed payments primarily for certain commitments on behalf of some of its subsidiaries. AltaGas has also guaranteed payments for certain of its external partners. As at December 31, 2020, AltaGas has 0 guarantees to external parties.
Contingencies
AltaGas and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal claims and actions arising in the normal course of business. While the final outcome of such legal claims and actions cannot be predicted with certainty, the Corporation does not believe that the resolution of such claims and actions will have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Antero Contract
In June 2019, a jury trial was held in the County Court for Denver, Colorado to consider a contractual dispute relating to gas pricing between Washington Gas and WGL Midstream (together, the Companies) and Antero Resources Corporation (Antero). Following the trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Antero for approximately US$96 million, of which approximately US$11 million was against Washington Gas with the remainder against WGL Midstream. Following the official entry of the judgment, the Companies filed an appeal on August 16, 2019. On December 10, 2020, the Colorado Court of Appeals issued an unpublished opinion affirming the judgement of the trial court. No further appeal has been taken. The judgment was paid in full in February 2021, and a satisfaction has been filed with the court.
AltaGas recorded a net reduction to the acquired working capital of WGL of approximately US$45 million to account for the verdict in favor of Antero net of tax and other expected recoveries. Expected recoveries include a $18 million receivable recorded in "long-term investments and other assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for amounts expected to be recovered under a commercial arrangement with a third party and $7 million recorded in "regulatory assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for amounts expected to be recovered from customers in future periods through the rate-setting process.
During 2020, AltaGas entered into an Escrow Agreement and a Letter Agreement with the third party to share the cost related to the judgment. Following the execution of the agreements, $9 million funded by the third party was deposited into an escrow fund and recorded as restricted cash in “accounts receivable". The previously recorded receivable was reduced accordingly.
Maryland Show-Cause Order
Following the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) hearing that examined the August 10, 2016, explosion and fire at an apartment complex in Silver Spring, Maryland, on September 5, 2019, the PSC of MD ordered Washington Gas to (i) provide a detailed response to the NTSB’s probable cause findings and (ii) provide evidence regarding the status of a 2003 mercury regulator replacement program and, if the program was not completed, to show cause why the PSC of MD should not impose a civil penalty on Washington Gas (Show-Cause Order). Following several hearings throughout the course of 2019 and
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 148
2020, on December 18, 2020, the PSC of MD found that Washington Gas failed to file annual reports informing the PSC of MD of the status of Washington Gas' program and imposed a US$750,000 penalty on Washington Gas for reporting violations. The PSC of MD ruled that the NTSB probable cause finding constituted hearsay and could not be admitted into the record of the case and did not undertake its own inquiry into the source of the explosion. The PSC of MD did not make any safety-related findings in the case but did find that Washington Gas made an enforceable regulatory commitment to replace all mercury regulators. The US$750,000 penalty was paid in January 2021 and Washington Gas believes that there is no additional liability as a result of the ruling from the PSC of MD. In its December 18, 2020 order, the PSC of MD also found that Washington Gas’s proposed implementation plan to replace all remaining mercury regulators within five years of completing an mercury regulator survey adequately addresses the need to replace all remaining mercury regulators in Maryland, and is in the public interest. The costs of the proposed implementation program are not yet known, and the recovery of these costs must be deferred until a future rate case.
30. Related Party Transactions
In the normal course of business, AltaGas transacts with its subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures. Amounts due to or from related parties on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were measured at the exchange amount and were as follows:
As at | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Due from related parties | ||||||||
Accounts receivable (a) | $ | 5 | $ | 18 | ||||
Long-term investments and other assets (b) | 0 | 45 | ||||||
$ | 5 | $ | 63 | |||||
Due to related parties | ||||||||
Accounts payable (c) | $ | 3 | $ | 3 | ||||
(a)Receivables from joint ventures and from a former affiliate of Petrogas.
(b)For the period prior to December 15, 2020, AltaGas provided a $100 million interest bearing secured loan facility to Petrogas of which $50 million was committed. The facility was available for Petrogas to draw upon from time to time for general corporate purposes until the close of the Petrogas Acquisition on December 15, 2020.
(c)Payables to a joint venture and a former affiliate of Petrogas.
The following transactions with related parties have been recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Year Ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Revenue (a) | $ | 92 | $ | 115 | ||||
Cost of sales (b) | $ | 12 | $ | 13 | ||||
Operating and administrative expenses (recoveries) (c) | $ | 1 | $ | (2) | ||||
Other income (d) | $ | 3 | $ | 3 |
(a)In the ordinary course of business, AltaGas sold commodities to TriSummit Utilities Inc. and Petrogas.
(b)In the ordinary course of business, AltaGas obtained natural gas storage services from a joint venture as well as incurred costs related to the sale of natural gas liquids to affiliates.
(c)Subsequent to the close of the Petrogas Acquisition, certain operating and administrative expenses were paid on behalf of Petrogas by a former affiliate. In 2019, administrative cost recoveries included those from joint ventures and from TriSummit Utilities Inc. under a Transition Services Agreement.
(d)Interest income from loans to Petrogas (secured loan facility) prior to the acquisition of Petrogas.
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31. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table details the changes in operating assets and liabilities from operating activities:
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Source (use) of cash: | ||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable | $ | 21 | $ | 168 | ||||||||||
Inventory | 32 | (2) | ||||||||||||
Other current assets | 1 | (85) | ||||||||||||
Regulatory assets - current | (33) | 7 | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (41) | (280) | ||||||||||||
Customer deposits | (2) | (17) | ||||||||||||
Regulatory liabilities - current | (55) | 34 | ||||||||||||
Risk management liabilities - current | (1) | 1 | ||||||||||||
Other current liabilities | 4 | (6) | ||||||||||||
Other operating assets and liabilities | (129) | (52) | ||||||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | $ | (203) | $ | (232) |
The following table details the changes in non-cash investing and financing activities:
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
(Increase) of balance: | ||||||||
Common shares issued under DRIP | $ | (6) | $ | (68) | ||||
Net right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | $ | 227 | $ | 50 | ||||
Net right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities | $ | 6 | $ | 5 | ||||
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | (33) | $ | (7) |
The following cash payments have been included in the determination of earnings:
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest) | $ | 276 | $ | 352 | ||||||||||
Income taxes paid | $ | 23 | $ | 67 |
The following table is a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash balances:
As at December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 32 | $ | 57 | ||||
Restricted cash holdings from customers - current | 3 | 4 | ||||||
Restricted cash holdings from customers - non-current | 2 | 4 | ||||||
Restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets (a) | 9 | 25 | ||||||
Restricted cash included in long-term investments and other assets (note 12) (a) | 19 | 32 | ||||||
Restricted cash included in accounts receivable (note 29) | 9 | 0 | ||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash per Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | $ | 74 | $ | 122 |
(a)The restricted cash balances included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and long-term investments and other assets relate to Rabbi trusts associated with WGL’s pension plans (see Note 28).
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32. Segmented Information
AltaGas owns and operates a portfolio of assets and services used to move energy from the source to the end‑user. In 2020, AltaGas revised its reportable segments to align with the structure of its business following asset sales completed as part of its 2019 asset monetization program. As a result of these changes, AltaGas has refocused on its core Utilities and Midstream segments. Consistent with Management’s strategic view of the business and the basis on which it assesses performance and allocates resources, beginning in 2020, AltaGas has 2 operating segments: Utilities (which now includes the WGL retail marketing business) and Midstream. These operating segments have not been aggregated in the determination of AltaGas' reportable segments. All other assets are included in the Corporate/Other segment. Prior period segment information has been restated to conform to the current reporting segment presentation.
The following describes the Corporation’s reporting segments:
Utilities | n rate-regulated natural gas distribution assets in Michigan, Alaska, the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia; n rate-regulated natural gas storage in the United States; and n sale of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Ohio. | ||||
Midstream | n NGL processing and extraction plants; n natural gas storage facilities; n liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) terminals; n transmission pipelines to transport natural gas and NGL; n natural gas gathering lines and field processing facilities; n purchase and sale of natural gas; n natural gas and NGL marketing; n marketing, storage and distribution of wellsite fluids and fuels, crude oil and condensate diluents; and n interest in a regulated pipeline in the Marcellus/Utica gas formation; | ||||
Corporate/Other | n the cost of providing corporate services, financing and general corporate overhead, investments in certain public and private entities, corporate assets, financing other segments and the effects of changes in the fair value of certain risk management contracts; and n a small portfolio of remaining power assets, certain of which are pending sale. |
The following table provides a reconciliation of segment revenue to the disaggregated revenue table disclosed in Note 24:
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
Utilities | Midstream | Corporate/Other | Total | |||||||||||
External revenue (note 24) | $ | 3,817 | $ | 1,635 | $ | 135 | $ | 5,587 | ||||||
Intersegment revenue | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||
Segment revenue | $ | 3,817 | $ | 1,636 | $ | 135 | $ | 5,588 |
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||
Utilities | Midstream | Corporate/Other | Total | |||||||||||
External revenue (note 24) | $ | 4,044 | $ | 1,228 | $ | 223 | $ | 5,495 | ||||||
Intersegment revenue | 0 | 32 | 0 | 32 | ||||||||||
Segment revenue | $ | 4,044 | $ | 1,260 | $ | 223 | $ | 5,527 |
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 151
Geographic Information
Year Ended December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Revenue (a) | ||||||||
Canada | $ | 1,512 | $ | 1,245 | ||||
United States | 4,053 | 4,325 | ||||||
TOTAL | $ | 5,565 | $ | 5,570 |
(a)Operating revenue from external customers, excluding unrealized gains or losses on risk management contracts.
As at December 31 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment | ||||||||
Canada | $ | 3,149 | $ | 2,682 | ||||
United States | 7,739 | 7,443 | ||||||
TOTAL | $ | 10,888 | $ | 10,125 | ||||
Operating right-of-use assets | ||||||||
Canada | $ | 293 | $ | 85 | ||||
United States | 79 | 85 | ||||||
TOTAL | $ | 372 | $ | 170 |
The following tables show the composition by segment:
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
Utilities | Midstream | Corporate/Other | Intersegment Elimination (a) | Total | |||||||||||||
Segment revenue (note 24) | $ | 3,817 | $ | 1,636 | $ | 135 | $ | (1) | $ | 5,587 | |||||||
Cost of sales | (2,156) | (994) | (29) | 1 | (3,178) | ||||||||||||
Operating and administrative | (942) | (254) | (71) | 0 | (1,267) | ||||||||||||
Accretion expenses | 0 | (4) | (1) | 0 | (5) | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (295) | (86) | (33) | 0 | (414) | ||||||||||||
Provisions on assets (note 6) | (1) | (105) | (3) | 0 | (109) | ||||||||||||
Income from equity investments | 5 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 49 | ||||||||||||
Other income | 259 | 24 | 23 | 0 | 306 | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange gains (losses) | 0 | (26) | 30 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 0 | 0 | (274) | 0 | (274) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 687 | $ | 235 | $ | (223) | $ | 0 | $ | 699 | |||||||
Net additions (reductions) to: | |||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment(b) | $ | 740 | $ | 136 | $ | (51) | $ | 0 | $ | 825 | |||||||
Intangible assets | $ | 3 | $ | 3 | $ | 4 | $ | 0 | $ | 10 |
(a)Intersegment transactions are recorded at market value.
(b)Net additions to property, plant, and equipment, and intangible assets may not agree to changes reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows due to classification of business acquisition and foreign exchange changes on U.S. assets.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 152
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
Utilities | Midstream | Corporate/Other | Intersegment Elimination (a) | Total | |||||||||||||
Segment revenue (note 24) | $ | 4,044 | $ | 1,260 | $ | 223 | $ | (32) | $ | 5,495 | |||||||
Cost of sales | (2,448) | (760) | (51) | 32 | (3,227) | ||||||||||||
Operating and administrative | (960) | (213) | (126) | 0 | (1,299) | ||||||||||||
Accretion expenses | 0 | (4) | (1) | 0 | (5) | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (276) | (89) | (73) | 0 | (438) | ||||||||||||
Provision on assets (note 6) | 0 | (34) | (382) | 0 | (416) | ||||||||||||
Income from equity investments | 19 | 122 | 0 | 0 | 141 | ||||||||||||
Other income | 29 | 28 | 851 | 0 | 908 | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange gains (losses) | 0 | (5) | 4 | 0 | (1) | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 0 | 0 | (346) | 0 | (346) | ||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | $ | 408 | $ | 305 | $ | 99 | $ | 0 | $ | 812 | |||||||
Net additions (reductions) to: | |||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment (b) | $ | 840 | $ | 351 | $ | (2,280) | $ | 0 | $ | (1,089) | |||||||
Intangible assets | $ | 23 | $ | 5 | $ | 9 | $ | 0 | $ | 37 |
(a)Intersegment transactions are recorded at market value.
(b)Net additions to property, plant, and equipment, and intangible assets may not agree to changes reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows due to classification of business acquisition and foreign exchange changes on U.S. assets.
The following table shows goodwill and total assets by segment:
Utilities | Midstream | Corporate/Other | Total | |||||||||||
As at December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
Goodwill | $ | 3,706 | $ | 1,333 | $ | 0 | $ | 5,039 | ||||||
Segmented assets | $ | 13,675 | $ | 7,320 | $ | 537 | $ | 21,532 | ||||||
As at December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||
Goodwill | $ | 3,781 | $ | 161 | $ | 0 | $ | 3,942 | ||||||
Segmented assets | $ | 13,719 | $ | 5,265 | $ | 811 | $ | 19,795 |
33. Subsequent Events
Subsequent events have been reviewed through February 25, 2021, the date on which these audited Consolidated Financial Statements were issued.
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SUPPLEMENTAL QUARTERLY OPERATING INFORMATION
Q4-20 | Q3-20 | Q2-20 | Q1-20 | Q4-19 | |||||||||||||
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS | |||||||||||||||||
UTILITIES | |||||||||||||||||
Natural gas deliveries - end use (Bcf) (1) | 50.0 | 14.2 | 23.1 | 66.6 | 52.2 | ||||||||||||
Natural gas deliveries - transportation (Bcf) (1) | 35.6 | 28.3 | 24.1 | 40.5 | 38.3 | ||||||||||||
Service sites (thousands) (2) | 1,672 | 1,667 | 1,664 | 1,661 | 1,653 | ||||||||||||
Degree day variance from normal - SEMCO Gas (%) (3) | (4.4) | 1.8 | 20.2 | (11.4) | 4.3 | ||||||||||||
Degree day variance from normal - ENSTAR (%) (3) | 0.2 | (13.3) | 0.5 | 16.1 | (20.6) | ||||||||||||
Degree day variance from normal - Washington Gas (%) (3) (4) | (10.6) | 233.0 | 45.6 | (17.1) | (3.2) | ||||||||||||
WGL retail energy marketing - gas sales volumes (Mmcf) | 18,053 | 8,393 | 11,419 | 21,916 | 20,131 | ||||||||||||
WGL retail energy marketing - electricity sales volumes (GWh) | 3,257 | 3,688 | 3,151 | 3,511 | 3,291 | ||||||||||||
MIDSTREAM | |||||||||||||||||
RIPET export volumes (Bbls/d) (5) (6) | 37,782 | 42,736 | 41,460 | 35,141 | 36,394 | ||||||||||||
Ferndale export volumes (Bbls/d) (5) (7) | 33,979 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Total inlet gas processed (Mmcf/d) (5) | 1,409 | 1,328 | 1,300 | 1,393 | 1,413 | ||||||||||||
Extraction ethane volumes (Bbls/d) (5) | 30,766 | 24,681 | 26,699 | 29,932 | 25,951 | ||||||||||||
Extraction NGL volumes (Bbls/d) (5) (8) | 34,199 | 32,165 | 29,946 | 32,495 | 32,313 | ||||||||||||
Fractionated volumes (Bbls/d) (5) | 27,026 | 25,430 | 20,641 | 21,079 | 20,310 | ||||||||||||
Frac spread - realized ($/Bbl) (5) (9) | 13.95 | 15.90 | 16.61 | 11.76 | 16.54 | ||||||||||||
Frac spread - average spot price ($/Bbl) (5) (10) | 9.33 | 7.11 | 3.73 | 2.04 | 8.29 | ||||||||||||
Propane Far East Index to Mont Belvieu spread (US$/Bbl) (11) | 15.01 | 8.00 | 8.08 | 16.23 | 17.95 | ||||||||||||
Natural gas optimization inventory (Bcf) | 39.3 | 51.1 | 49.1 | 34.3 | 41.4 |
(1)Bcf is one billion cubic feet.
(2)Service sites reflect all of the service sites of the utilities, including transportation and non‑regulated business lines.
(3)A degree day is a measure of coldness determined daily as the number of degrees the average temperature during the day in question is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Degree days for a particular period are determined by adding the degree days incurred during each day of the period. Normal degree days for a particular period are the average of degree days during the prior 15 years for SEMCO Gas, during the prior 10 years for ENSTAR, and during the prior 30 years for Washington Gas.
(4)In certain of Washington Gas’ jurisdictions (Virginia and Maryland) there are billing mechanisms in place that are designed to eliminate the effects of variance in customer usage caused by weather and other factors such as conservation. In the District of Columbia, there is no weather normalization billing mechanism nor does Washington Gas hedge to offset the effects of weather. As a result, colder or warmer weather will result in variances to financial results.
(5)Average for the period.
(6)Represents propane volumes exported at RIPET since facility was placed into service in May 2019.
(7)Represents propane and butane volumes exported at Ferndale for the period after close of the Petrogas Acquisition on December 15, 2020.
(8)NGL volumes refer to propane, butane, and condensate.
(9)Realized frac spread or NGL margin, expressed in dollars per barrel of NGL, is derived from sales recorded by the segment during the period for frac exposed volumes plus the settlement value of frac hedges settled in the period less extraction premiums, divided by the total frac exposed volumes produced during the period.
(10)Average spot frac spread or NGL margin, expressed in dollars per barrel of NGL, is indicative of the average sales price that AltaGas receives for propane, butane and condensate less extraction premiums, before accounting for hedges, divided by the respective frac exposed volumes for the period.
(11)Average propane price spread between FEI and Mont Belvieu TET commercial index for the period beginning May 2019.
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OTHER INFORMATION
DEFINITIONS
Bbls/d barrels per day
Bcf billion cubic feet
Dth dekatherm
GJ gigajoule
GWh gigawatt‑hour
Mcf thousand cubic feet
Mmcf/d million cubic feet per day
MW megawatt
MWh megawatt‑hour
US$ United States dollar
ABOUT ALTAGAS
AltaGas is an energy infrastructure company with a focus on regulated Utilities and Midstream. The Corporation creates value by acquiring, growing, and optimizing its energy infrastructure, including a focus on clean energy sources. For more information visit: www.altagas.ca.
For further information contact:
Investment Community
1‑877‑691‑7199
AltaGas Ltd. – 2020 MD&A and Financial Statements - 155