| Background, Organization, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Note 1 – Background, Organization, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations. Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is a holding company, owning all of the shares of common stock of Southwest Gas Corporation (“Southwest” or the “natural gas distribution” segment), all of the shares of common stock of Centuri Group, Inc. (“Centuri,” or the “utility infrastructure services” segment), and all of the shares of common stock of MountainWest Pipelines Holding Company (“MountainWest,” or the “pipeline and storage” segment). Southwest is engaged in the business of purchasing, distributing, and transporting natural gas for customers in portions of Arizona, Nevada, and California. Public utility rates, practices, facilities, and service territories of Southwest are subject to regulatory oversight. The timing and amount of rate relief can materially impact results of operations. Natural gas purchases and the timing of related recoveries can materially impact liquidity. Results for the natural gas distribution segment are higher during winter periods due to the seasonality incorporated in its regulatory rate structures. The Company completed the acquisition of Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline, LLC and related entities (“Questar Pipelines”) in December 2021 and formed MountainWest, which owns all of the membership interests in Questar Pipelines. In April 2022, the Company completed a general rebranding of the Questar Pipelines entities under the MountainWest name. The acquired operations further diversify the Company’s business in the midstream sector, with an expansion of interstate natural gas pipelines and underground storage services, primarily composed of regulated operations under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “FERC”), thereby expanding natural gas transportation services into Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. See Note 8 - Business Acquisitions for more information. Centuri is a strategic utility infrastructure services company dedicated to partnering with North America’s gas and electric providers to build and maintain the energy network that powers millions of homes across the United States (“U.S.”) and Canada. Centuri derives revenue primarily from installation, replacement, repair, and maintenance of energy networks. Centuri operates in the U.S., primarily as NPL, Neuco, Linetec, and Riggs Distler, and in Canada, primarily as NPL Canada. Utility infrastructure services activity is seasonal in many of Centuri’s operating areas. Peak periods are the summer and fall months in colder climate areas, such as the northeastern and midwestern U.S. and in Canada. In warmer climate areas, such as the southwestern and southeastern U.S., utility infrastructure services activity continues year round. Centuri completed the acquisition of Drum Parent LLC (“Drum”), including Drum’s most significant operating subsidiary, Riggs Distler, in August 2021, thereby expanding Centuri’s electric infrastructure services footprint in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. See Note 8 - Business Acquisitions for more information. In March 2022, the Company announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) had determined to separate Centuri from the Company and authorized management to complete the separation within nine On May 6, 2022, the Company entered into a Cooperation Agreement (the “Cooperation Agreement”) with Carl C. Icahn and the persons and entities referenced therein (collectively, the “Icahn Group”). In accordance with the Cooperation Agreement, among other things, John P. Hester, then President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Southwest, retired from his positions with the Company and Southwest and resigned from the Board. Karen S. Haller, the Company’s former Executive Vice President/Chief Legal and Administrative Officer, was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of Southwest, and was appointed as a member of the Board effective immediately following the completion of the Company’s 2022 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2022 Annual Meeting”). Justin L. Brown, formerly Southwest’s Senior Vice President/General Counsel, was appointed as President of Southwest. In addition, pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, the Company agreed to appoint three new directors, Andrew W. Evans, H. Russell Frisby, Jr., and Henry P. Linginfelter (collectively, the “Initial Icahn Designees”), to the Board, which became effective immediately following the 2022 Annual Meeting. Also pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, on May 27, 2022, the Icahn group informed the Company that it would cause Mr. Frisby to resign from the Board and requested that Andrew J. Teno be appointed to the Board to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Frisby’s resignation. As a result, on May 27, Mr. Frisby resigned from the Board, effective immediately, and the Board appointed Mr. Teno to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Frisby’s resignation, effective immediately. The Icahn Group’s ability to designate directors to the Board is subject to certain ownership thresholds. Consistent with the terms of the Cooperation Agreement and pursuant to the terms of that certain Letter Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2022 (the “Letter Agreement” and together with the Cooperation Agreement, the “Initial Cooperation Agreement”), by and between the Company and the Icahn Group, the Company agreed to extend the date by which the Icahn Group was permitted to appoint a director other than Mr. Frisby to replace Mr. Cárdenas on the Board. On August 9, 2022, in accordance with the terms of the Initial Cooperation Agreement, Ruby Sharma was appointed to the Board to replace Mr. Cárdenas. The Initial Cooperation Agreement required the Board to expand the Strategic Transactions Committee from three directors to six directors, comprised of the existing members of the Strategic Transactions Committee in addition to the three Initial Icahn Designees. Also, as the Icahn Group has the ability to designate at least three members of the Board, such individuals are to be included on the Strategic Transactions Committee. If the Icahn Group may only designate two members of the Board, then both would serve on the Strategic Transactions Committee. On May 9, 2022, the Company also entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Agreement dated October 10, 2021 (the “Original Rights Agreement” and as amended, the “Amended Rights Agreement”), to increase the triggering percentage from 10% to 24.9% pursuant to the terms of the Initial Cooperation Agreement and permit the subsequent consummation of the Offer. The Amended Rights Agreement expired on October 9, 2022. See details in the Company’s and Southwest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (the “2021 Form 10-K”) regarding the Original Rights Agreement, as well as Note 4 – Common Stock in this current report on Form 10-Q. An earlier civil suit (initiated in November 2021) by Icahn entities against the Company and certain directors and officers of the Company was subject to a stipulation of dismissal as part of the Initial Cooperation Agreement. The Initial Cooperation Agreement also provided for the reimbursement by the Company of certain out-of-pocket third-party expenses, including certain legal fees, incurred by the Icahn Group. On October 24, 2022, the Company and the Icahn Group entered into an Amended and Restated Cooperation Agreement (the “Amended Cooperation Agreement”), which amended, restated, superseded, and replaced in its entirety the Initial Cooperation Agreement. Please see Note 9 - Subsequent Events for additional information about the Amended Cooperation Agreement. Basis of Presentation. The condensed consolidated financial statements of Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries and Southwest (with its subsidiaries) included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The year-end 2021 condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. No substantive change has occurred with regard to the Company’s business segments on the whole during the recently completed quarter. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items and estimates necessary for a fair depiction of results for the interim periods, have been made. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2021 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is incorporated by reference into the 2021 Form 10-K. Other Property and Investments. Other property and investments on Southwest’s and the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets includes: (Thousands of dollars) September 30, 2022 December 31, 2021 Net cash surrender value of COLI policies $ 141,705 $ 149,947 Other property 3,856 3,146 Total Southwest Gas Corporation 145,561 153,093 Non-regulated property, equipment, and intangibles 1,704,354 1,616,392 Non-regulated accumulated provision for depreciation and amortization (595,393) (512,343) Other property and investments 56,812 59,337 Total Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. $ 1,311,334 $ 1,316,479 Included in the table above are the net cash surrender values of company-owned life insurance (“COLI”) policies. These life insurance policies on members of management and other key employees are used by Southwest to indemnify itself against the loss of talent, expertise, and knowledge, as well as to provide indirect funding for certain nonqualified benefit plans. The term non-regulated in regard to assets and related balances in the table above is in reference to the non-rate regulated operations of Centuri, and to a more limited extent, certain assets of MountainWest. Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents of the Company include $56 million and $20 million of money market fund investments at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The money market fund investments for Southwest were insignificant at both balance sheet dates. These investments fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, due to the asset valuation methods used by money market funds. Noncash investing activities for the Company and Southwest include capital expenditures that were not yet paid, thereby remaining in accounts payable, the amounts related to which declined by approximately $4.8 million and $11.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, and increased $16.1 million and $9.4 million during the twelve months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. Accounts Receivable, net of allowances. Following an earlier moratorium on account disconnections amidst the COVID-19 environment, account collection efforts resumed in 2021 in all jurisdictions in which Southwest operates. Ultimately, some accounts may not be collected, and if collection is unsuccessful, such accounts are written off. Estimates as to collectibility are made on an ongoing basis. However, Southwest continues to actively work with customers experiencing financial hardship by means of flexible payment options and partnering with assistance agencies. The cost of gas included in customer rates also influences account balances at each reporting date. Deferred Purchased Gas Costs. The various regulatory commissions have established procedures to enable the rate-regulated companies to adjust billing rates for changes in the cost of natural gas purchased. The difference between the current cost of gas purchased and the cost of gas recovered in billed rates is deferred. Generally, these deferred amounts are recovered or refunded within one year. Prepaid and other current assets. Prepaid and other current assets for Southwest include, among other things, materials and operating supplies of $76.5 million at September 30, 2022 and $62.9 million at December 31, 2021 (carried at weighted average cost). For the Company, there were materials and operating supplies of $80.8 million and $67.4 million at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, which included amounts for MountainWest. Also included in the balance for both Southwest and the Company was $15.5 million and $51.6 million as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, in accrued purchased gas cost. Goodwill. Goodwill is assessed as of October 1 st each year for impairment, or more frequently, if circumstances indicate it may be more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. The Company’s reporting units for goodwill are its operating segments, which are also its reportable segments. The acquisition of MountainWest resulted in a new reportable segment, which was assessed for impairment for the first time in 2022. Management considered whether the results of strategic initiatives in 2022 indicated it was more likely than not that the fair value of the Company’s reporting units were less than their carrying amounts. Through management’s assessments, no impairment was deemed to have occurred. However, there can be no assurances that future assessments of goodwill will not result in an impairment, and various factors, including changes in the business, strategic initiatives, economic conditions, governmental monetary policies, interest rates, or others, on their own or in combination with each other, could result in the fair value of reporting units being lower than their carrying values. Goodwill in the Natural Gas Distribution operations of Southwest, and across all operations of the Company, is included in their respective Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows: (Thousands of dollars) Natural Gas Utility Infrastructure Pipeline and Storage Total Company December 31, 2021 $ 10,095 $ 785,058 $ 986,179 $ 1,781,332 Measurement-period adjustments from Riggs Distler acquisition (a) — (1,924) — (1,924) Measurement-period adjustments from MountainWest acquisition (a) — — (28,177) (28,177) Foreign currency translation adjustment — (8,264) — (8,264) September 30, 2022 $ 10,095 $ 774,870 $ 958,002 $ 1,742,967 (a) See Note 8 - Business Acquisitions for details regarding measurement-period adjustments. Other Current Liabilities . Management recognizes in its balance sheets various liabilities that are expected to be settled through future cash payment within the next twelve months, including amounts payable under regulatory mechanisms, customary accrued expenses for employee compensation and benefits, declared but unpaid dividends, and miscellaneous other accrued liabilities. Other current liabilities for the Company include $41.6 million and $36 million of dividends declared as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Other Income (Deductions). The following table provides the composition of significant items included in Other income (deductions) in Southwest’s and the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended Twelve Months Ended (Thousands of dollars) 2022 2021 2022 2021 2022 2021 Southwest Gas Corporation: Change in COLI policies $ (1,500) $ — $ (8,700) $ 5,800 $ (5,700) $ 14,000 Interest income 4,356 1,365 10,355 3,312 12,156 4,113 Equity AFUDC 91 — 248 — 248 1,311 Other components of net periodic benefit cost (188) (3,506) (563) (10,516) (4,068) (15,522) Miscellaneous income and (expense) (1,081) (2,146) (1,780) (3,498) (2,733) (4,447) Southwest Gas Corporation - total other income (deductions) 1,678 (4,287) (440) (4,902) (97) (545) Centuri, MountainWest, and Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.: Foreign transaction gain (loss) (182) (7) 35 (19) 32 (19) Equity AFUDC 246 — 664 — 664 — Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments 624 67 1,867 168 1,925 159 Miscellaneous income and (expense) (773) 1,115 (2,124) 778 (2,046) 687 Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. - total other income (deductions) $ 1,593 $ (3,112) $ 2 $ (3,975) $ 478 $ 282 Included in the table above is the change in cash surrender values of COLI policies (including net death benefits recognized). Current tax regulations provide for tax-free treatment of life insurance (death benefit) proceeds. Therefore, changes in the cash surrender values of COLI policies, as they progress towards the ultimate death benefits, are also recorded without tax consequences. Interest income primarily relates to Southwest’s regulatory asset balances, including its deferred purchased gas cost mechanisms. Refer also to the discussion of Other Property and Investments above and to Note 2 – Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost . Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests. In connection with the acquisition of Linetec in November 2018, the previous owner retained a 20% equity interest in that entity, the reduction of which is subject to certain rights based on the passage of time or upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. Effective January 2022, the Company, through Centuri, had the right, but not the obligation, to purchase at fair value (subject to a floor) a portion of the interest held by the previous owner, and in incremental amounts each year thereafter. In March 2022, the parties agreed to a partial redemption based on these provisions, and as a result, Centuri paid $39.6 million to the previous owner of Linetec for a 5% equity interest in Linetec, thereby reducing the balance continuing to be redeemable to 15% under the terms of the original agreement. In order to fund the redemption, Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. contributed capital to Centuri. Certain members of Riggs Distler management have a 1.42% interest in Drum, which is redeemable, subject to certain rights based on the passage of time or upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. Significant changes in the value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests, above a floor determined at the establishment date, are recognized as they occur, and the carrying value is adjusted as necessary at each reporting date. The fair value is estimated using a market approach that utilizes certain financial metrics from guideline public companies of similar industry and operating characteristics. Based on the fair value model employed, the estimated redemption value of the Linetec redeemable noncontrolling interest decreased by approximately $45 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Adjustment to the redemption value also impacts retained earnings, as reflected in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity, but does not impact net income. The following depicts changes to the balances of the redeemable noncontrolling interests: (Thousands of dollars): Linetec Drum Total Balance, December 31, 2021 $ 184,148 $ 12,569 $ 196,717 Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests 2,582 (25) 2,557 Redemption value adjustments (44,933) — (44,933) Redemption of equity interest from noncontrolling party (39,649) — (39,649) Balance, September 30, 2022 $ 102,148 $ 12,544 $ 114,692 Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) in each period of this report were calculated by dividing net income attributable to Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. by the weighted-average number of shares during those periods. Diluted EPS includes additional weighted-average common stock equivalents (performance shares and restricted stock units). Unless otherwise noted, the term “Earnings Per Share” refers to Basic EPS. A reconciliation of the denominator used in Basic and Diluted EPS calculations is shown in the following table: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Twelve Months Ended (In thousands) 2022 2021 2022 2021 2022 2021 Weighted average basic shares 67,157 59,688 65,004 58,639 63,905 58,209 Effect of dilutive securities: Restricted stock units (1) 168 128 144 103 146 103 Weighted average diluted shares 67,325 59,816 65,148 58,742 64,051 58,312 (1) The number of securities included 156,000 and 115,000 performance shares during the three months ending September 30, 2022 and 2021, 135,000 and 95,000 performance shares during the nine months ending September 30, 2022 and 2021, and 135,000 and 93,000 performance shares during the twelve months ending September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, the total of which was derived by assuming that target performance will be achi eved during the relevant performance period. Contingencies. Southwest maintains liability insurance for various risks associated with the operation of its natural gas pipelines and facilities. In connection with these liability insurance policies, Southwest is responsible for an initial deductible or self-insured retention amount per incident, after which the insurance carriers would be responsible for amounts up to the policy limits. For the policy year August 2022 to July 2023, these liability insurance policies require Southwest to be responsible for the first $1 million (self-insured retention) of each incident plus the first $4 million in aggregate claims above its self-insured retention in the policy year. In August 2021, a natural gas pipe operated by Southwest was involved in an explosion that injured four individuals and damaged property. The explosion was caused by a leak in the pipe, and is under investigation. Individuals that were injured have each brought legal claims against Southwest and other parties. If Southwest is deemed fully or partially responsible, Southwest estimates its net exposure could be equal to the self-insured retention of $5 million (the maximum noted above). In 2021, pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification 450, Contingencies , Southwest recorded a $5 million liability related to this incident reflecting the maximum noted above; an estimate of actual loss greater than this exposure (to be covered by insurance) cannot be estimated as of the date these financial statements are issued. Other contingencies are also recognized where appropriate, if claims are brought, or expected to be brought, against the Company or Southwest, where management expects it may settle (or be required to settle) claims in cash, or in some cases, by means of insurance indemnification. For instance, the balance of such reserves was updated in the second quarter of 2022 for $6.2 million related to a contract dispute. The amount was paid in the third quarter of 2022 and the matter is now closed. As described above, the November 2021 civil suit filed by the Icahn Group against the Company and certain officers and directors was subject to a stipulation of dismissal with prejudice in May 2022, pursuant to the terms of the Initial Cooperation Agreement. On November 18, 2021, the City Pension Fund for Firefighters and Police Officers in the City of Miami Beach (“City Pension Fund”) commenced a putative class action lawsuit in the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware on behalf of a putative class of persons who purchased the Company’s stock. The complaint was later amended on November 30, 2021. The amended complaint named the Company and the individual members of the Board as defendants. The complaint sought to assert breach of fiduciary duty claims, alleging that the Board’s recommendation that stockholders reject Icahn’s Offer to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock omitted material information about the Company’s financial analysis; and sought to have the Board approve Icahn’s slate of nominees as “continuing directors” under certain of the Company’s debt instruments. In March 2022, the City Pension Fund filed a motion for summary judgment on its claim; however, in April 2022, the City Pension Fund filed a notice of withdrawal of its motion for summary judgment. The Company believes that the claims lack merit and intends to vigorously defend against them. Recent Accounting Standards Updates. Accounting pronouncements effective or adopted in 2022: In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2020-04 “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The update provides optional guidance for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for, or recognizing the effects of, reference rate reform on financial reporting, including when modifying a contract (during the eligibility period covered by the update to Topic 848) to replace a reference rate affected by such reform. The update applies only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. The guidance was eligible to be applied upon issuance on March 12, 2020, and can generally be applied through December 31, 2022, and while a proposal by the FASB has occurred to extend the optional guidance to the full tenor of LIBOR expiration dates occurring after 2022, to date, no such update has been made effective. Management will monitor the impacts this update might have on the Company’s and Southwest’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures, and will reflect such appropriately, in the event that the optional guidance is elected. Management will also monitor further FASB action, if any, in regard to the full tenor of LIBOR expiration dates. See also LIBOR discussion in Note 5 – Debt . In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06 “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging— Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity.” The update, amongst other amendments, improves the guidance related to the disclosures and earnings-per-share for convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The Company and Southwest adopted the update in the first quarter of 2022, the impact of which was not material to the consolidated financial statements of the Company or Southwest. |
