UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008
Commission File Number 000-00643
CORNING NATURAL GAS CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
New York | 16-0397420 |
(State of incorporation) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
330 West William Street, Corning New York 14830
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(607) 936-3755
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer [ ] Accelerated Filer [ ] Non-accelerated Filer [ ] Smaller Reporting Company [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ]No [ X]
Indicate the number of Shares outstanding of each of the issuer's common stock as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock, $5.00 par value | 809,550 |
Class | Shares outstanding as of May 14, 2008 |
As used in this Form 10-Q, the terms "Company," "Corning," "Registrant," "we," "us," and "our" mean Corning Natural Gas Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole, unless the context indicates otherwise. Except as otherwise stated, the information contained in this Form 10-Q is as of March 31, 2008.
PART I. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |
Item 1. | Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |
Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial | |
Condition and Results of Operations | ||
Item 4T. | Controls and Procedures | |
PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION | |
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | |
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | |
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | |
Item 3. | Defaults upon Senior Securities | |
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | |
Item 5. | Other Information | |
Item 6. | Exhibits | |
SIGNATURES |
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
CORNING NATURAL GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY | ||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||
For Six Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 | ||
2008 | 2007 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
Net income | $993,067 | $609,202 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash | ||
used in operating activities: | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 348,861 | 330,861 |
Unamortized debt issuance cost | 12,003 | 12,004 |
Loss (Gain) on sale of marketable securities | 33,672 | 61,706 |
Deferred income taxes | (311,830) | 147,277 |
Bad debt expense | 97,129 | 16,188 |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||
(Increase) decrease in: | ||
Accounts receivable | (2,911,506) | (2,282,035) |
Gas stored underground | 3,401,249 | (724,158) |
Materials and supplies inventories | 10,601 | (20,348) |
Prepaid expenses | (131,605) | (93,692) |
Unrecovered gas costs | (199,085) | (496,788) |
Deferred regulatory costs | 207,884 | (171,640) |
Deferred pension and other | 0 | 3,469 |
Other | 14,949 | 70,044 |
Increase (decrease) in: | ||
Accounts payable | (438,950) | 2,459,560 |
Accrued expenses | (17,838) | (85,058) |
Customer deposit liability and accrued interest | (566,266) | (493,566) |
Accrued income taxes | 904,573 | 213,250 |
Deferred Compensation | (80,692) | (166,601) |
Deferred pension costs & post-retirement benefits | 596,712 | 367,074 |
Other liabilities and deferred credits | 61,690 | 133,529 |
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | 2,024,618 | (109,722) |
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||
Purchase of securities available-for-sale | (2,112,199) | (505,130) |
Sale of securities available-for-sale | 1,287,509 | 505,130 |
Capital expenditures | (1,530,181) | (360,143) |
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | (2,354,871) | (360,143) |
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
Proceeds under lines-of-credit | 7,083,614 | 4,308,908 |
Repayment of lines-of-credit | (6,389,497) | (4,708,908) |
Repayment of long-term debt | (207,521) | (168,363) |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | 486,596 | (568,363) |
Net (decrease) increase in cash | 156,343 | (1,038,228) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 14,614 | 1,170,070 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $170,957 | $131,842 |
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | ||
Cash paid during the period for: | ||
Interest | $698,126 | $758,013 |
Income taxes | $6,182 | $6,000 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note A - Basis of Presentation
The information furnished herewith reflects all adjustments, which are in the opinion of management necessary to a fair statement of the results for the period. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principals generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations, although the Company believes the disclosures which are made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.
The condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have not been audited by a firm of certified public accountants.
It is the Company's policy to reclassify amounts in the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.
Note B - New Accounting Standards
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159. SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not otherwise required to be measured at fair value under GAAP. A company that elects the fair value option for an eligible item will be required to recognize in current earnings any changes in that item's fair value in reporting periods subsequent to the date of adoption. SFAS 159 is effective as of the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that the adoption of SFAS 159 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R),"Business Combinations". SFAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer, recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase, and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141(R) is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. As such, the Company is required to adopt these provisions at the beginning of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 141(R) on its consolidated financial statements but does not expect it to have a material effect.
In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 160,"Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51." SFAS 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. As such, the Company is required to adopt these provisions at the beginning of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 160 on its consolidated financial statements but does not expect it to have a material effect.
Note C - Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost: | Six months ended March 31 | |||||||
Pension | Other | |||||||
Benefits | Benefits | |||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||
Service cost | $ | 119,020 | $ | 135,411 | $ | 8,898 | $ | 9,053 |
Interest cost | 387,333 | 373,617 | 30,038 | 29,852 | ||||
Expected return on plan assets | (431,051) | (396,077) | 0 | 0 | ||||
Amortization of prior service cost | 10,802 | 14,076 | 21,660 | 24,374 | ||||
Amortization of net (gain) loss | 198,609 | 147,734 | (20,633) | (21,720) | ||||
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | 284,713 | $ | 274,761 | $ | 39,963 | $ | 41,559 |
Pension Plan Assets
The Company's pension plan weighted-average asset allocations at March 31, 2008 and 2007 by asset category are as follows:
Plan Assets | ||
At March 31 | ||
Asset Category | 2008 | 2007 |
Equity Securities | 56% | 58% |
Debt Securities | 42% | 40% |
Other | 2% | 2% |
100% | 100% |
There is no Company common stock included in the plan assets.
Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:
September 30 | ||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||
Projected Benefit Obligation | $ | 13,040,683 | $ | 12,639,060 | ||
Accumulated Benefit Obligation | 11,943,103 | 11,487,883 | ||||
Fair Value of Plan Assets | 11,509,220 | 10,827,330 |
The plan objective is to provide real (inflation adjusted) growth in assets vs. benchmark over a complete market cycle. The plan's objective assumes asset growth will meet or exceed 8% of (risk adjusted) growth over a complete market cycle.
Investment guidelines are based upon an investment horizon of greater than five years. There is a requirement to maintain sufficient liquid reserves to provide for payment of retirement benefits.
The asset allocation guidelines for the plan are as follows:
Minimum | Maximum | |
Domestic Common Stock | ||
Large/Mid Cap | 15% | 50% |
Small Cap | 5% | 15% |
Reits | 0% | 20% |
International Common Stock | 10% | 20% |
Total Equities | 30% | 75% |
Total Fixed Income | 20% | 60% |
Cash | 0% | 10% |
These asset allocation guidelines reflect the plan's desire for investment return. They also reflect the full discretion of the Investment Manager to shift the asset mix within the specified ranges.
The desired investment objective is a long-term rate of return on assets that is approximately 8%. The target rate of return for the plan has been based upon the assumption that future real returns will approximate the long-term rates of return experienced for each asset class of the Investment Policy Statement over a complete business cycle. The plan's overall annualized total return after deducting advisory, money management and custodial fees, as well as total transaction costs should perform above an index comprised of market indices weighted by the strategic asset allocation of the plan.
In order to accomplish the investment goals, the Investment Committee believes that the investments of the plan must be diversified to provide the Investment Manager with the flexibility to invest in various types of assets. The Investment Committee recognizes that a moderate amount of risk must be assumed to achieve the Plan's long-term objectives. The Investment Committee believes that our prospects for the future, current financial conditions and several other factors suggest collectively that the plan can tolerate some interim fluctuations in market value and rates of return in order to achieve long-term objectives.
Contributions
The Company expects to contribute $475,000 to its Pension Plan and $57,254 to its Post Retirement Benefit Plan in 2008. A total of $30,575 has been paid for the first six months of this fiscal year with $126,009 due to be paid in April.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:
Pension | Other | |
Benefits | Benefits | |
2008 | $699,059 | $58,027 |
2009 | 724,161 | 59,502 |
2010 | 773,758 | 62,331 |
2011 | 814,042 | 68,889 |
2012 | 818,414 | 68,847 |
Years 2013-2017 | $4,793,572 | $367,315 |
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effect:
1 - Percentage- | 1 - Percentage- | ||||
Point Increase | Point Decrease | ||||
Effect on total of service and interest cost | $2,120 | ($1,861) | |||
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation | $33,926 | ($29,778) |
Note D - Segment Overview
The following table reflects the results of the segments consistent with the Company's internal financial reporting process. The following results are used in part, by management, both in evaluating the performance of, and in allocating resources to, each of these segments.
Discontinued | |||
Utility | Operation | ||
Gas Company | (2) Appliance | Total Consolidated | |
Revenue:(1) | |||
2008 | $16,425,923 | $0 | $16,425,923 |
2007 | 16,707,974 | 28,278 | 16,736,252 |
Transportation Revenue: | |||
2008 | 2,628,184 | 0 | 2,628,184 |
2007 | 2,493,529 | 0 | 2,493,529 |
Net income (loss):(1) | |||
2008 | 993,067 | 0 | 993,067 |
2007 | 601,440 | 7,762 | 609,202 |
Interest income:(1) | |||
2008 | 328,148 | 0 | 328,148 |
2007 | 101,411 | 63,986 | 165,397 |
Interest expense:(1) | |||
2008 | 652,446 | 0 | 652,446 |
2007 | 774,706 | 365 | 775,071 |
Total assets: | |||
2008 | 31,624,287 | 188,819 | 31,813,106 |
2007 | 29,726,699 | 242,375 | 29,969,074 |
Capital Expenditures: | |||
2008 | 1,530,181 | 0 | 1,530,181 |
2007 | 360,143 | 0 | 360,143 |
Federal income tax expense: | |||
2008 | 655,399 | 0 | 655,399 |
2007 | 351,029 | 3,999 | 355,028 |
- Before elimination of intercompany interest. Interest income and expense have been displayed in the segment in which it has been earned or incurred. Segment interest expense other than the Gas Company is included within Discontinued Operations in the consolidated statements of income.
- The Appliance Co. discontinued operations in September 2003. The Company presents revenue, net income and interest income for the Appliance Corporation in 2006 due to deferred revenue on the installment sale of these assets.
Note E - Rate Case
On June 28, 2007 the Company filed a rate case with the New York Public Service Commission (the "NYPSC") requesting an increase of $581,038 for rates to become effective June 2008. In November 2007, we amended our June 28, 2007 filing to make the rate case a mini filing so that under the NYPSC regulations the Company would be permitted to increase the amount requested to $681,000 and accelerate the effective date of the increase. On December 12, 2007, the NYPSC granted us a 2.5% ($681,000) rate increase effective December 17, 2007. In addition, the NYPSC allowed Corning to retain $250,000 in revenue from gas producers relevant to producer interconnects with the Corning system. Because the NYPSC imputed $250,000 in revenue from gas producers interconnected with the Corning system in its determination of the $681,000 rate relief, the NYPSC allowed Corning to retain the first $250,000 of such revenues and 10 percent of any amount above that level.
Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
Our primary business is natural gas distribution. We serve approximately 14,500 customers through 325 miles of pipeline. Residential growth in our service territory is dependent on overall economic activity. Several significant employers have recently announced expansions, including Corning Inc. and Dresser Rand. The Company's major growth opportunities exist in the industrial market, as well as connecting to local gas production. We continue to focus on improving the efficiency of our operations. We are also in the process of making capital investments to improve our infrastructure including upgrading our distribution system through replacement of distribution mains and customer service lines.
Our key performance indicators are net income, stockholders' equity and the safety of our system.
| Three Months Ended March 31 | |
| 2008 | 2007 |
Net Income | $838,520 | $561,746 |
| Six Months Ended March 31 | |
| 2008 | 2007 |
Net Income | $993,067 | $609,202 |
Stockholders' equity per share | $ 9.97 | $ 6.45 |
Results of Operations
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 results improved over the same periods in 2007. Higher earnings in 2008 was primarily the result of a rate increase that went in to effect December 17th, 2007. The other taxes and depreciation expenses were higher due to significant investment in infrastructure.
As a regulated utility company, stockholders equity is an important performance indicator. The NYPSC allows us to earn a just and reasonable return on stockholders' equity. Stockholders' equity is therefore a precursor of future earnings potential. In 2007, stockholders' equity increased by $4.5 million due, in part, to a rights offering to holders of our common stock in which we raised $4.6 million net of expenses. The increase in stockholders' equity was also due, in part, to improved net income. We currently plan to continue our focus on building stockholders' equity.
Other indicators that are tracked are the safety and efficiency of our operations. These include leak repair, main and service replacements and customer service metrics. During 2007 we made a significant effort to improve our infrastructure and we are continuing this program in 2008. We repaired 218 leaks and replaced 240 services and 2.55 miles of gas main during the first six months of fiscal 2008.
For the fiscal year 2008 the plans for the Operations Department are to replace 12" main at a road crossing on a pipeline that supplies several major customers on the Corning System. For the summer of 2008 Operations will be in process of replacing 7 miles of bare steel distribution main and 400 bare steel services. This work will be done by Company and Contract labor on 15 different distribution projects chosen based on system condition. In addition to this replacement program we will be performing minor upgrades to 6 of our System Gate stations, replacing approximately 800 meters, upgrading a segment of our main pipeline feed to the Bath Gas System and upgrade several outdated vehicles and equipment.
Gas supply is our largest expense. We signed an asset agreement with Merrill Lynch Commodities in 2007 to be our agent in managing our upstream storage and pipeline contracts, and that contract expired in March 2008 but has been extended until June 30, 2008. During the second quarter of 2008 we issued a request for proposals for a new asset manager and we are currently evaluating the responses.
Earnings
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 earnings increased by $276,274 compared to the same period last year. We had net income of $993,067 or $1.23 per share in the first six months of 2008 compared to $609,202 or $1.20 per share in the same period of 2007, an increase of 63%. We believe both increases are attributable to our rate increase, approved by the NYSPSC, that went into effect in December 2007.
Earnings (Loss) by Segment | Three Months Ended March 31 | Three Months Ended March 31 | Six Months Ended March 31 | Six Months Ended March 31 |
For the period ended December 31: | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 |
Utility (continued operation) | $838,520 | $545,096 | $993,067 | $601,440 |
Discontinued Operations | - | 16,650 | - | 7,762 |
Total Consolidated | $838,520 | $561,746 | $993,067 | $609,202 |
Revenue
Three Months Ended March 31 | Three Months Ended March 31 | Six Months Ended March 31 | Six Months Ended March 31 | ||
Utility Operating Revenue | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |
Retail Revenue: | |||||
Residential | $ 6,385,083 | $ 6,422,452 | $ 9,426,272 | $ 9,651,417 | |
Commercial | 1,276,962 | 1,291,325 | 1,785,131 | 1,934,216 | |
Industrial | 15,326 | 18,788 | 33,368 | 80,830 | |
7,677,371 | 7,732,565 | 11,244,771 | 11,666,463 | ||
Transportation | 1,586,291 | 1,455,515 | 2,628,184 | 2,493,529 | |
Wholesale | 1,423,487 | 1,393,640 | 2,425,634 | 2,355,795 | |
Local Production | 66,871 | - | 66,871 | - | |
Other | 42,563 | 152,464 | 60,463 | 220,465 | |
10,796,583 | 10,734,184 | 16,425,923 | 16,736,252 |
Utility operating revenue increased $62,399 in the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same period last year, again due to our rate increase approved by the NYPSC, that went into effect in December 2007. We believe utility operating revenue decreased over the six month ending March 31, 2008 compared to the same period last year due mainly to lower cost of gas and slightly warmer weather.
Seasonality
As a natural gas distribution company, our revenue depends upon weather patterns. Our decrease in revenue, particularly with respect to retail residential and commercial customers, may be due partially to warmer weather during the three months and six months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same period of 2007.
Margin
Margin increased by $170,095 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same period last year. Our margin also increased for the six months ended March 31, 2008 as compared to the same period of 2007. We believe these increases are due to our recent rate case, which permits us to recover a higher rate of return on stockholders' equity than we were permitted in 2007.
Utility Margin | Three Months Ended March 31 | ||
2008 | 2007 | ||
Utility Operating Revenues | $ 10,796,583 | $10,734,184 | |
Natural Gas Purchased | 6,824,870 | 6,932,566 | |
Margin | 3,971,713 | 3,801,618 | |
Margin % | 36.8% | 35.5% |
Utility Margin | Six Months Ended March 31 | ||
2008 | 2007 | ||
Utility Operating Revenues | $ 16,425,923 | $16,736,252 | |
Natural Gas Purchased | 10,082,452 | 10,334,603 | |
Margin | 6,343,471 | 6,401,649 | |
Margin % | 38.7% | 38.3% |
Looking forward to the remainder of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, we anticipate our margin will continue to be higher for the third and fourth quarter as compared to the same period in 2007.
Operating Expenses
Purchased gas expense decreased $107,696 to $6,824,870 in the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $6,932,566 in the same period last year due primarily to the lower gas cost. The decrease for the six months ended March 31, 2008 is $252,151 for the same reason. Other operating and maintenance expense decreased in this quarter of 2008 to $2,268,878 compared to $2,653,284 in the same quarter of 2007 due primarily to more efficient operation. This was also the primary factor in the decrease of $466,632 in the six months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same period last year. Depreciation expense increased to $175,869 in the first quarter of 2008 from $155,667 in 2007 due to increased investment in plant property and equipment. The increase for the six months ended March 31, 2008 of $38,553 over the comparable period last year was also due to increased investment in capital items.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Internally generated cash from operating activities consists of net income, adjusted for non-cash expenses and changes in operating assets and liabilities. Non-cash items include depreciation and amortization, gain on sale of securities, deferred income taxes and losses on sale of discontinued operations. Over or under recovered gas costs significantly impact cash flow. In addition, there are significant year-to-year changes in regulatory assets that impact cash flow. Cash flows from investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures.
During the third quarter of 2007 we concluded a rights offering to our existing shareholders raising approximately $4.6 million (net of expenses). We have already begun using these funds for capital investments. Capital expenditures have historically exceeded $1.0 million annually and will increase significantly due to a mandate in our recently approved rate order to improve our infrastructure. In the past six months we have invested $1.5 in capital investments to improve our infrastructure including upgrading our distribution system through replacing mains and customer service lines.
Cash flows from financing activities consist of repayment of long-term debt and borrowings and repayments under our lines-of-credit. For our consolidated operations, we had a $6.6 million line of credit during 2007 that increased to $7.0 million in March of 2008. We also negotiated an interest rate reduction of 50 basis points for the line of credit. The amount outstanding under this line on March 31, 2008 was $5.2 million. As security for the line of credit, collateral assignments have been executed which assign to the lender various rights in the investment trust account. In addition, our lender has a purchase money interest in and to all natural gas purchases by us utilizing funds advanced by the bank under the line-of-credit agreement and all proceeds of sale thereof and accounts receivable pertaining to such sale. We rely heavily on our credit lines to finance gas purchases that we place in storage.
We have $9.6 million in long term debt outstanding. We repaid $207,521 in the first six months of 2008 consistent with the requirements of our debt instruments.
In 2007 we entered in to an asset management agreement with Merrill Lynch Commodities and purchased $3.8 million of gas by the end of September 2007 that was placed into storage. During the first quarter of 2008 we withdrew gas from storage and by March 31, 2008 had $422,000 left in storage.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off balance sheet arrangements.
Contractual Obligations
In March 2008, we refinanced a line of credit and a term loan with local banks in order to increase our credit limit and decrease interest expense. The limit on the line of credit was increased from $6.6 million to $7.0 million. The interest rate on each loan was reduced by 50 basis points from 30 days LIBOR plus 1.85 basis points to 30 days LIBOR plus 1.35 basis points. The initial interest rate on each loan (after refinancing) was 4.46% and will be adjusted monthly. The interest rate (30 day Libor plus 1.35 BP) on this loan and these lines was 4.05 percent at March 31, 2008. This interest rate reduction of 50 basis points for each loan follows reductions we obtained in October 2007 from Prime Rate minus .50% to 30 days LIBOR plus 1.85 basis points for the same loans. We believe we are in compliance with the financial covenants in these debt instruments as of March 31, 2008.
Regulatory Matters
As a regulated public utility, our earnings are primarily determined by a rate of return set by NYPSC on the investments in our facilities and equipment (i.e., our rate base). On June 28, 2007 the Company filed a rate case with the NYPSC requesting an increase of $581,038 for rates to become effective June 2008. In November 2007, we amended our June 28, 2007 filing to make the rate case a mini filing so that under the NYPSC regulations the Company would be permitted to increase the amount requested to $681,000 and accelerate the effective date of the increase. On December 12, 2007, the NYPSC granted us a 2.5% ($681,000) rate increase effective December 17, 2007. In addition, the NYPSC allowed us to retain $250,000 in revenue from gas producers relevant to producer interconnects with the Corning system. Because the NYPSC imputed $250,000 in revenue from gas producers interconnected with the Corning system in its determination of the $681,000 rate relief, the NYPSC allowed us to retain the first $25 0,000 of such revenues and 10 percent of any amount above that level.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. It is increasingly important to understand that the application of generally accepted accounting principles involve certain assumptions, judgments and estimates that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Thus, the application of these principles can result in varying results from company to company. The most significant principles that impact us are discussed below.
Accounting for Utility Revenue and Cost of Gas Recognition.
We record revenues from residential and commercial customers based on meters read on a cycle basis throughout each month, while certain large industrial and utility customers' meters are read at the end of each month. We do not accrue revenue for gas delivered but not yet billed. We do not currently anticipate adopting unbilled revenue recognition and we do not believe it would have a material impact on our financial results. Our tariffs contain mechanisms that provide for the recovery of the cost of gas applicable to firm customers, which includes estimates. Under these mechanisms, we periodically adjust our rates to reflect increases and decreases in the cost of gas. Annually, we reconcile the difference between the total gas costs collected from customers and the cost of gas. We defer any excess or deficiency and subsequently either recover it from, or refund it to, customers over the following twelve-month period. To the extent estimates are inaccurate, a regulatory asset on the balanc e sheet is increased or decreased.
Accounting for Regulated Operations - Regulatory Assets and Liabilities.
All of our business is subject to regulation. Our regulated utility records the results of its regulated activities in accordance with SFAS No.71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation", which results in differences in the application of generally accepted accounting principles between regulated and non-regulated businesses. SFAS No. 71 requires the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities for certain transactions that would have been treated as revenue and expense in non-regulated businesses. In certain circumstances, SFAS No. 71 allows entities whose rates are determined by third-party regulators to defer costs as "regulatory" assets in the balance sheet to the extent that the entity expects to recover these costs in future rates. Management believes that currently available facts support the continued application of SFAS No. 71 and that all regulatory assets and liabilities are recoverable or refundable through the regulatory environment.
Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits.
The amounts reported in our financial statements related to pension and other post-retirement benefits are determined on an actuarial basis, therefore certain assumptions are required to calculate those amounts. These assumptions include the discount rate, the expected return on plan assets, the rate of compensation increase and, for other post-retirement benefits, the expected annual rate of increase in per capita cost of covered medical and prescription benefits. Changes in actuarial assumptions and actuarial experience could have a material impact on the amount of pension and post-retirement benefit costs and funding requirements. However, we expect to recover our entire net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs attributed to employees in our utility segment in accordance with the applicable NYPSC authorization. For financial reporting purposes, the difference between the amounts of such costs as determined under applicable accounting principles is recorded as either a regulatory asset or liability.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains statements which, to the extent they are not recitations of historical facts, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Reform Act). In this respect, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the Reform Act. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be achieved. As forward looking statements, these statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking statements. Factors that coul d cause results to differ materially from our management's expectations include, but are not limited to, those listed under Item 1A - "Risk Factors" of our Form 10-K in addition to:
* | the effect of any interruption in our supply of natural gas or a substantial increase in the price of natural gas, |
* | our ability to successfully negotiate new supply agreements for natural gas as they expire, on terms favorable to us, or at all, |
* | the effect on our operations of weather conditions and conservation efforts by our customers, |
* | the effect on our operations of any action by the New York Public Service Commission, |
* | the effect on our operations of unexpected changes in any other applicable legal or regulatory requirements, |
* | our ability to obtain additional equity or debt financing, |
* | our ability to retain the services of our senior executives and other key employees, and |
* | our vulnerability to adverse general economic and industry conditions and competition. |
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events.
Item 4T - Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our "disclosure controls and procedures" (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the evaluation date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely manner.
Changes in Internal Controls. There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
We did not become a party to or settle any legal proceedings in the quarter ended March 31, 2008.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Please refer to the Company's form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2007 for disclosure relating to certain risk factors applicable to the Company.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
We have nothing to report under this item.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
We have nothing to report under this item.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
We have nothing to report under this item.
Item 5. Other Information.
We have nothing to report under this item.
Item 6. Exhibits.
31.1* Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2* Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1* Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2* Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
____________
* Filed or furnished herewith
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CORNING NATURAL GAS CORPORATION
Date: May 14, 2008 ________________________________________
By Michael I. German, Chief Executive Officer and President
Date: May 14, 2008 ________________________________________
By Firouzeh Sarhangi, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer