SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the Quarter Ended December 31, 1995 Commission File No. 0-1857-3 THE BERKSHIRE GAS COMPANY Massachusetts 04-1731220 115 Cheshire Road, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201-1388 Registrant's telephone number, including Area Code 413:442-1511 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 filling requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ------------- ------------- At December 31, 1995, the Registrant had issued and outstanding 2,125,048 shares of Common Stock, par value $2.50. THE BERKSHIRE GAS COMPANY STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS - Unaudited ------------------------------------------------------ (In Thousands Except Share Amounts) Three Months Three Months Ended 12/31/95 Ended 12/31/94 -------------- -------------- Operating Revenues $ 11,952 $ 12,086 Cost of Gas Sold 5,298 6,375 --------- --------- Operating Margin 6,654 5,711 --------- --------- Other Operating Expenses 2,975 2,924 Depreciation Expense 982 912 --------- --------- Total 3,957 3,836 --------- --------- Utility Operating Income 2,697 1,875 Other Income - Net 466 503 --------- --------- Operating and Other Income 3,163 2,378 Interest Expense 912 938 Other Taxes 402 404 --------- --------- Pre-Tax Income 1,849 1,036 Income Taxes 711 380 --------- --------- NET INCOME 1,138 656 Retained Earnings at Beginning of Period 5,389 5,670 --------- --------- Total 6,527 6,326 --------- --------- Dividends Declared: Preferred Stock 173 173 Common Stock 584 573 --------- --------- Total Dividends 757 746 --------- --------- Retained Earnings at End of Period $ 5,770 $ 5,580 ========= ========= Earnings Available for Common Stock $ 965 $ 483 --------- --------- Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding 2,125,048 2,081,515 --------- --------- Earnings Per Share of Common Stock $ 0.45 $ 0.23 ========= ========= See Independent Accountants' Review Report and Notes to Financial Statements. THE BERKSHIRE GAS COMPANY STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS - Unaudited ------------------------------------------------------ (In Thousands Except Share Amounts) Six Months Six Months Ended 12/31/95 Ended 12/31/94 -------------- -------------- Operating Revenues $ 16,105 $ 16,918 Cost of Gas Sold 7,017 8,757 --------- --------- Operating Margin 9,088 8,161 --------- --------- Other Operating Expenses 5,257 5,536 Depreciation Expense 1,317 1,222 --------- --------- Total 6,574 6,758 --------- --------- Utility Operating Income 2,514 1,403 Other Income - Net 782 851 --------- --------- Operating and Other Income 3,296 2,254 Interest Expense 1,779 1,860 Other Taxes 593 616 --------- --------- Pre-Tax Income/(Loss) 924 (222) Income Taxes/(Benefit) 360 (112) --------- --------- NET INCOME/(LOSS) 564 (110) Retained Earnings at Beginning of Period 6,718 7,098 --------- --------- Total 7,282 6,988 --------- --------- Dividends Declared: Preferred Stock 346 347 Common Stock 1,166 1,061 --------- --------- Total Dividends 1,512 1,408 --------- --------- Retained Earnings at End of Period $ 5,770 $ 5,580 ========= ========= Earnings Available for/(Loss) Attributable to Common Stock $ 218 $ (457) --------- --------- Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding 2,119,008 1,922,339 --------- --------- Earnings/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock $ 0.10 $ (0.24) ========= ========= See Independent Accountants' Review Report and Notes to Financial Statements. THE BERKSHIRE GAS COMPANY STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS - Unaudited ------------------------------------------------------ (In Thousands Except Share Amounts) Twelve Months Twelve Months Ended 12/31/95 Ended 12/31/94 -------------- -------------- Operating Revenues $ 47,121 $ 52,455 Cost of Gas Sold 23,079 27,506 --------- --------- Operating Margin 24,042 24,949 --------- --------- Other Operating Expenses 11,310 12,964 Depreciation Expense 3,719 3,468 --------- --------- Total 15,029 16,432 --------- --------- Utility Operating Income 9,013 8,517 Other Income - Net 1,447 2,296 --------- --------- Operating and Other Income 10,460 10,813 Interest Expense 3,355 3,641 Other Taxes 1,905 1,670 --------- --------- Pre-Tax Income 5,200 5,502 Income Taxes 1,997 2,200 --------- --------- NET INCOME 3,203 3,302 Retained Earnings at Beginning of Period 5,580 4,606 --------- Surplus Invested in Plant 390 --------- Total 8,783 8,298 --------- --------- Dividends Declared: Preferred Stock 693 697 Common Stock 2,320 2,021 --------- --------- Total Dividends 3,013 2,718 --------- --------- Retained Earnings at End of Period $ 5,770 $ 5,580 ========= ========= Earnings Available for Common Stock $ 2,510 $ 2,605 --------- --------- Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding 2,105,488 1,835,027 --------- --------- Earnings Per Share of Common Stock $ 1.19 $ 1.42 ========= ========= See Independent Accountants' Review Report and Notes to Financial Statements. THE BERKSHIRE GAS COMPANY BALANCE SHEETS ---------------------------------------- (In Thousands) December 31, June 30, 1995 1995 ------------ -------- (Unaudited) (Audited) ASSETS: Utility Plant: Utility Plant - at original cost $94,952 $91,863 Less: Accumulated Depreciation 23,364 22,537 ------- ------- Utility Plant - Net 71,588 69,326 ------- ------- Other Property: Other Property - at original cost 11,016 10,766 Less: Accumulated Depreciation 5,064 4,804 ------- ------- Other Property - Net 5,952 5,962 ------- ------- Current Assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents 364 492 Accounts Receivable Utility Service (less allowance: 7,458 6,103 Dec. 1995-$861; June 1995-$832) Merchandise & Other (less allowance: 941 509 Dec. 1995-$116; June 1995-$119) Other Receivables 104 234 Inventories (at the lower of average cost or market): Natural Gas 1,679 1,702 Liquefied Petroleum 237 250 Materials and Supplies 1,242 1,284 Prepayments 364 178 ------- ------- Total Current Assets 12,389 10,752 ------- ------- Deferred Debits: Unamortized Debt Expense 555 578 Capital Stock Expense 561 638 Environmental Cleanup Costs 1,151 1,046 Other 760 787 ------- ------- Total Deferred Debits 3,027 3,049 ------- ------- Recoverable Environmental Cleanup Costs 2,894 2,894 ------- ------- TOTAL ASSETS $95,850 $91,983 ======= ======= See Independent Accountants' Review Report and Notes to Financial Statements. THE BERKSHIRE GAS COMPANY BALANCE SHEETS ---------------------------------------- (In Thousands) December 31, June 30, 1995 1995 ------------ -------- (Unaudited) (Audited) LIABILITIES AND OTHER CREDITS Common Shareholders' Equity: Common Stock $ 5,312 $ 5,259 Premium on Common Stock 15,978 15,711 Retained Earnings 5,770 6,718 ------- ------- Total Common Shareholders' Equity 27,060 27,688 ------- ------- Redeemable Cumulative Preferred Stock 8,406 8,448 ------- ------- Long-Term Debt(less current maturities) 30,903 30,983 ------- ------- Current Liabilities: Notes Payable to Banks 7,095 0 Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt 900 900 Accounts Payable 3,954 3,091 Taxes Accrued (846) 125 Other Current Liabilities 4,762 5,518 Refundable Gas Costs 1,524 4,117 ------- ------- Total Current Liabilities 17,389 13,751 ------- ------- Unamortized Investment Tax Credit 1,318 1,355 ------- ------- Deferred Income Taxes 7,880 6,864 ------- ------- Reserve for Recoverable Environmental Cleanup Costs 2,894 2,894 ------- ------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND OTHER CREDITS $95,850 $91,983 ======= ======= See Independent Accountants' Review Report and Notes to Financial Statements. THE BERKSHIRE GAS COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - Unaudited --------------------------------------- (In Thousands) Six Months Six Months Ended 12/31/95 Ended 12/31/94 -------------- -------------- Cash flows from Operating Activities: Net Income/(Loss) $ 564 $ (110) Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income/(Loss) to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities: Depreciation and Amortization 1,780 1,642 Provision for Losses on Accounts Receivable 448 255 Refundable Gas Costs (2,593) (1,615) Deferred Income Taxes 1,016 764 Changes in Assets and Liabilities Which Provided (Used) Cash: Accounts Receivable (2,235) 155 Other Receivables 130 (76) Inventories 78 (544) Capital Stock Expense 0 (440) Accounts Payable 863 970 Taxes Accrued (971) (979) Other (1,019) (376) ------- ------- Net Cash Used in Operating Activities (1,939) (354) ------- ------- Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Construction Expenditures (3,970) (4,554) ------- ------- Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (3,970) (4,554) ------- ------- Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Dividends Paid (1,512) (1,408) Principal Payments on Long-Term Debt (80) (80) Proceeds from Note Payable Borrowings 7,095 1,690 Proceeds from Sale of Common Stock 0 4,499 Proceeds from Other Stock Transactions - Net 278 262 ------- ------- Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 5,781 4,963 ------- ------- Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash (128) 55 Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period 492 65 ------- ------- Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $ 364 $ 120 ======= ======= See Independent Accountants' Review Report and Notes to Financial Statements. The Berkshire Gas Company Notes to Financial Statements December 31,1995 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dollars in Thousands Except Share Amounts) NOTES: OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION: The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. All adjustments, which in the opinion of management are necessary to a fair presentation of the operations for the interim periods presented, have been made. These adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for a full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the summary of accounting policies and notes to financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1995. CONTINGENCIES: ENVIRONMENTAL: Federal, State and local laws and regulations establishing standards and requirements for protection of the environment have increased in number and scope in recent years. The Berkshire Gas Company (the "Company") cannot predict the future impact of such standards and requirements, which are subject to change and can have retroactive effect. During fiscal 1990, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities ("MDPU") issued a generic ruling on cost recovery for environmental cleanup with respect to former gas manufacturing sites. Under the ruling, the Company may recover annual cleanup costs, excluding carrying costs, over a seven year period through the Cost of Gas Adjustment Clause ("CGAC"). This ruling also provides for the sharing of any proceeds received from insurance carriers equally between the Company and its ratepayers, and establishes maximum amounts that can be recovered from customers in any one year. During the period ended December 31, 1995, the Company continued the analysis and field review of two parcels of real estate formerly used for gas manufacturing operations, which had been found to contain coal tar deposits and other substances associated with by-products of the gas manufacturing process. The review and assessment process began in 1985 with respect to the first site which is owned by the Company, and in 1989 with respect to the second site, which was formerly owned by the Company. With the review and approval of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection ("MDEP"), at the first site, the investigative work is near completion and remedial alternatives are being examined. At the second site, investigative activities are continuing. It is difficult to predict the potential financial impact of the sites until first, the nature and risk is fully characterized and second, the remedial strategies and related technologies are determined. The general philosophy of the Company is one of source removal and/or reduction coupled with risk minimization. Assuming successful implementation, it is anticipated that through 2010 the level of expenditures for the site will range from $2,894 to $8,777. The anticipated level of expenditures has remained the same from prior year estimates resulting from the Company's analysis and review of the sites and the commencement of clean-up activities at the first site. The Company has recorded the most likely cost of $2,894 in accordance with SFAS No. 5. Ultimate expenditures cannot be determined until a remedial action plan can be developed and approved by the MDEP. The Company's unamortized costs at December 31, 1995 were $1,151 and should be recovered using the formula discussed above. TRANSPORTATION PIPELINE: Claims against the Company have been asserted by a general contractor and certain subcontractors involved in the construction of a transportation pipeline for which the Company served as developer. An agreement to resolve all issues has been reached, and has been submitted to the Bankruptcy Court. The Company fully expects the Court to approve the settlement, and believes that the outcome will not have a material adverse impact on the overall financial condition or results of operations of the Company. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Results of Operations - Second Quarter Ended December 31, 1995 versus Second Quarter Ended December 31, 1994 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Since income is not significantly affected by changes in revenue due to changes in gas costs, the discussion below pertains to Operating Margin (Operating Margin or Gross Profit = Operating Revenues Net of Cost of Gas Sold). Berkshire Gas Company considers Operating Margin to be a more pertinent measure of operating results than Operating Revenues. Operating Margin increased $943,000 or 16.5% from the three months ended December 31, 1994. Operating Margin is primarily affected by the change in the level of firm gas sold and transported. The Company is required to recover or return to the customer through the Cost of Gas Adjustment Clause ("CGAC") any changes in the cost of natural gas. Interruptible gas sold and transported has no affect on Operating Margin since those margins are flowed back to the firm customer. The increase from 1994 is primarily due to higher volumes of firm gas sold due to colder than normal weather, and to a lesser extent, an increase in the number of customers. 1995 1994 ---- ---- 3 Month Firm MCF Sold & Transported 1,662,276 1,436,772 3 Month Operating Margin $6,654,000 $5,711,000 3 Month Average Operating Margin Per Firm MCF $ 4.00 $ 3.97 Other Operating Expenses increased $51,000 or 1.7% from the three months ended December 31, 1994. The increase is due primarily to an increase in customer accounts expense of $156,000 due to bad debt expense, higher marketing expenses of $65,000 for customer incentives and conservation programs, partially offset by reduction in Administrative and General costs of $144,000 due to cost containment measures, lower legal expenses, lower regulatory commission expenses and lower employee benefits costs due to higher amounts charged to capital, and lower Transmissions and Distribution costs of $17,000 due to reduction in personnel. Depreciation Expense increased $70,000 due to an increase in the amount of depreciable assets. Other Income decreased $37,000 from the quarter ended December 31, 1994. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest income from the over/under collection of gas costs from customers through its "CGAC" of $93,000, decreased jobbing revenues of $37,000 due to lower levels of service activity and a decrease in rental revenues of $20,000. Partially offsetting these was an increase in propane revenues of $116,000 due to colder than normal weather, and to a lesser extent, an increased customer base. Income Taxes increased $331,000 due to changes in net earnings as discussed above. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Results of Operations - Six Months Ended December 31, 1995 versus Six Months Ended December 31, 1994 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Margin increased $927,000 or 11.4% as compared with the six months ended December 31, 1994. During the period November 1 - April 30, the Company bills its' customers at a winter rate structure that provides greater operating margins than the summer rate structure. The increase over 1994 resulted from colder weather during November and December causing higher volumes of firm gas sold at winter rates. 1995 1994 ---- ---- 6 Month Firm MCF Sold & Transported 2,363,045 2,188,640 6 Month Operating Margin $9,088,000 $8,161,000 6 Month Average Operating Margin Per Firm MCF $ 3.85 $ 3.73 Other Operating Expenses decreased $279,000 or 5.0% from the six months ended December 31, 1994. The decrease is primarily due to lower Transmission and Distribution expense of $178,000 due to personnel reduction and cost containment measures, reduced Administrative and General costs of $225,000 due to a reduction in regulatory costs, and reduced legal and consulting expenses, partially offset by an increase in bad debt expense of $203,000. Depreciation expense increased $95,000 or 7.8% due to an increase in the level of depreciable assets. Other Income decreased $69,000 or 8.1% from 1994 due to the same explanations discussed in the three month analysis above. Income Taxes increased $472,000 due to changes in net earnings as discussed above. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Results of Operations - Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1995 versus Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1994 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings available for Common Stock were $2,510,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 1995 as compared to $2,605,000 for 1994. The decrease is due primarily to warmer weather during the third quarter of fiscal 1995, furthermore, 1994 results included proceeds from an insurance settlement which increased earnings $403,000. Operating Margin decreased $907,000 or 3.6% from the twelve months ended December 31, 1994. Operating Margin is primarily affected by the change in the level of firm gas sold and transported. The Company's sales are affected by weather as the majority of its firm customers use natural gas for heating. The decrease from 1994 is primarily due to lower volumes of firm gas sold due to 3.7% warmer than normal temperatures for the twelve month period. 1995 1994 ---- ---- 12 Month Firm MCF Sold & Transported 6,122,496 6,338,020 12 Month Operating Margin $24,042,000 $24,949,000 12 Month Average Operating Margin Per Firm MCF $ 3.93 $ 3.94 Other Operating Expenses decreased $1,654,000 or 12.8% from the twelve months ended December 31, 1994 due to the Company's cost containment programs. The decrease reflects lower Administrative and General costs of $887,000 due to lower insurance, regulatory costs, legal and association dues;decreased Customer Accounts expense of $395,000 due to lower levels of uncollectible accounts', reduced Transmission and Distribution of $340,000 due to reduced payroll and lower system maintenance costs and lower professional fees associated with restructuring supply contracts. Depreciation expense increased $251,000 due to an increase in the amount of depreciable assets. Other Income decrease $849,000 from 1994. The decrease was due to an insurance settlement that was included in 1994 income in the amount of $403,000 (net of taxes and amounts previously recorded). Interest Income was $279,000 less resulting from the overcollection of prior period gas costs through the CGAC. Jobbing revenues were $87,000 less due to lower levels of service activity, partially offset by an increase in propane revenue of $72,000 due to colder weather during the second quarter of fiscal 1996, and a larger customer base. Income Taxes decreased $203,000 from 1994 due to lower earnings. Dividends declared on Common Stock increased $299,000 due to additional shares outstanding. The Company sold 295,000 shares of Common Stock during the second quarter of fiscal 1995. Liquidity and Capital Resources - December 31, 1995 The Company added approximately $3,970,000 to Plant assets during the six months ended December 31, 1995. These construction expenditures primarily represent investments in new and replacement mains and services. The capital structure of the Company at December 31, 1995 was 40.8% Common Equity, 12.7% Preferred Stock and 46.5% Long-Term Debt. The Company initially finances construction expenditures and other funding needs primarily with short-term bank borrowings, and to a lesser extent with the reinvestment of dividends. The Company continually evaluates its short-term borrowing position and based on prevailing interest rates, market conditions, etc., makes determinations regarding conversion of short- term borrowings to long-term debt or equity. As part of this process and in keeping with its cost containment incentives, the Company called for redemption of those series of debt that presently do not have high premium calls, First Mortgage Bonds, Series K, 7.875% at $520,000 and First Mortgage Bonds, Series M, 9.375% at $640,000 and the 9 1/8% Debentures at $5,743,000 during the third quarter of fiscal 1996. Funds for environmental clean-up costs are initially financed through short-term borrowings and all such costs will be recovered over a seven year period under a ruling issued by the MDPU. PART II - OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings - -------- ----------------- In relation to the "Transportation Pipeline" footnote to this financial statement, the Company and the general contractor, along with the general contractor's bonding company, has reached an agreement to resolve all issues. That settlement has been submitted to the Bankruptcy Court, where the general contractor's affairs are being resolved. The Company fully expects the Court to approve the settlement, which will not have a financial impact on the Company. During the reporting period the Company, along with some current and former employees, were named in an harassment suit. Although the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the claim, which the Company believes is without merit, it intends to contest the claim vigorously and believes that the outcome will not have a material adverse impact on the overall financial position or results of operations. Item 2. Changes in Securities - -------- --------------------- Not Applicable Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities - -------- ------------------------------- Not Applicable Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders - -------- --------------------------------------------------- On November 14, 1995, the Annual Meeting of the shareholders of the Berkshire Gas Company was held at the Berkshire Hilton Inn, Pittsfield, Massachusetts at 10:00 a.m. Proxies for said annual meeting were solicited pursuant to Regulation 14A. There was no solicitation in opposition to Management's nominees, as listed in the Proxy statement, for the election of Directors. All nominees were duly elected. Item 5. Other Information - -------- ----------------- Not Applicable Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8 - K - -------- ---------------------------------- (a) List of Exhibits 27 - Financial Data Schedule The balance sheet as of December 31, 1995, the related statements of income and retained earnings for the six month periods ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the statements of cash flows for the six month periods ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 have been reviewed, prior to filing, by the Registrants independent public accountants, Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose report covering their review of the financial statements is presented below. Deloitte & Touche LLP - ---------------- ------------------------------------------ City Place Telephone:(860) 280-3000 185 Asylum Street Facsimile:(860) 280-3051 Hartford, Connecticut 06103-3402 INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' REPORT The Berkshire Gas Company: We have reviewed the accompanying balance sheet of The Berkshire Gas Company as of December 31, 1995, the related statements of income and retained earnings for the three month, six month and twelve month periods ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the statements of cash flows for the six month periods ended December 31, 1995 and 1994. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such financial statements for them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the balance sheet of The Berkshire Gas Company as of June 30, 1995, and the related statements of income and retained earnings and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated August 25, 1995, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying balance sheet as of June 30, 1995 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the balance sheet from which it has been derived. Deloitte & Touche LLP February 9, 1996 SIGNATURES ---------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. THE BERKSHIRE GAS COMPANY ------------------------- Registrant 				 /s/ Michael J. Marrone ------------------------------ Michael J. Marrone Vice President, Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer Dated: February 13, 1996