Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) (Note references are to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.)
OVERVIEW
Unitil is a public utility holding company headquartered in Hampton, New Hampshire. Unitil is subject to regulation as a holding company system by the FERC under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Unitil’s principal business is the local distribution of electricity and natural gas to approximately 196,900 customers throughout its service territory in the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine. Unitil is the parent company of three wholly-owned distribution utilities:
i) Unitil Energy, which provides electric service in the southeastern seacoast and state capital regions of New Hampshire;
ii) Fitchburg, which provides both electric and natural gas service in the greater Fitchburg area of north central Massachusetts; and
iii) Northern Utilities, which provides natural gas service in southeastern New Hampshire and portions of southern and central Maine, including the city of Portland and the Lewiston-Auburn area.
Unitil Energy, Fitchburg and Northern Utilities are collectively referred to as the “distribution utilities.” Together, the distribution utilities serve approximately 108,500 electric customers and 88,400 natural gas customers in their service territories. The distribution utilities are local “wires and pipes” operating companies.
In addition, Unitil is the parent company of Granite State, a natural gas transmission pipeline, regulated by the FERC, operating 85 miles of underground gas transmission pipeline primarily located in Maine and New Hampshire. Granite State provides Northern Utilities with interconnection to three major natural gas pipelines and access to North American pipeline supplies.
Unitil had an investment in Net Utility Plant of $1,420.9 million at December 31, 2023. Unitil’s total revenue was $557.1 million in 2023, which includes revenue to recover the approved cost of purchased electricity and natural gas in rates on a fully reconciling basis. As a result of this reconciling rate structure, the Company’s earnings are not affected by changes in the cost of purchased electricity and natural gas. Earnings from Unitil’s utility operations are derived from the return on investment in the three distribution utilities and Granite State.
The Company’s other subsidiaries include Unitil Service, which provides, at cost, a variety of administrative and professional services to Unitil’s affiliated companies, Unitil Resources, the Company’s non-regulated subsidiary, which currently does not have any activity, and Unitil Realty, which owns and manages Unitil’s corporate office building and property located in Hampton, New Hampshire. Unitil’s consolidated net income includes the earnings of the holding company and these subsidiaries.
Regulation
Unitil is subject to comprehensive regulation by federal and state regulatory authorities. Unitil and its subsidiaries are subject to regulation as a holding company system by the FERC under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 with regard to certain bookkeeping, accounting and reporting requirements. Unitil’s utility operations related to wholesale and interstate energy business activities are also regulated by the FERC. Unitil’s distribution utilities are subject to regulation by the applicable state public utility commissions, with regard to their rates, issuance of securities and other accounting and operational matters: Unitil Energy is subject to regulation by the NHPUC; Fitchburg is subject to regulation by the MDPU; and Northern Utilities is regulated by the NHPUC and MPUC. Granite State, Unitil’s interstate natural gas transmission pipeline, is subject to regulation by the FERC with regard to its rates and operations. Because Unitil’s primary operations are subject to rate regulation, the regulatory treatment of various matters could significantly affect the Company’s operations, financial position, and cash flows.
Unitil’s distribution utilities deliver electricity and/or natural gas to all customers in their service territories, at rates established under traditional cost of service regulation. Under this regulatory structure, Unitil’s distribution utilities are provided the opportunity to recover the cost of providing distribution service to their customers based on a historical test year, and earn a return on their capital investment in utility assets. In addition, the Company’s distribution utilities and its natural gas
21
transmission pipeline company also may recover certain base rate costs, including capital project spending and enhanced reliability and vegetation management programs, through annual step adjustments and cost tracker rate mechanisms.
Most of Unitil’s customers have the opportunity to purchase their electricity or natural gas supplies from third-party energy suppliers. Many of Unitil’s distribution utilities’ largest C&I customers purchase their electricity or gas supply from third-party suppliers, while most small C&I customers, as well as residential customers, purchase their electricity or gas supply from the distribution utilities under regulated rates and tariffs. Unitil’s distribution utilities purchase electricity or natural gas from unaffiliated wholesale energy suppliers and recover the actual approved costs of these supplies on a pass-through basis, through reconciling rate mechanisms that are periodically adjusted.
Revenue decoupling is the term given to the elimination of the dependency of a utility’s distribution revenue on the volume of electricity or gas sales. The difference between distribution revenue amounts billed to customers and the targeted revenue decoupling amounts is recognized as an increase or a decrease in Accrued Revenue, which forms the basis for resetting rates for future cash recoveries from, or credits to, customers. These revenue decoupling targets may be adjusted as a result of rate cases and other authorized adjustments that the Company files with the MDPU and NHPUC. Fitchburg has been subject to revenue decoupling since 2011. Unitil Energy has been subject to revenue decoupling since June 1, 2022. As a result of Unitil Energy now being subject to revenue decoupling, as of June 1, 2022, revenue decoupling now applies to substantially all of Unitil’s total annual electric sales volumes. Substantially all of Northern Utilities’ gas sales volumes in New Hampshire have been subject to decoupling since August 1, 2022. The Company's electric and gas sales in New Hampshire and Massachusetts are now largely decoupled. The following table shows the estimated percentages of electric and gas sales, as of December 31, 2023, that are subject to revenue decoupling for the periods presented.
Revenue Decoupling
Estimated Percentage of Decoupled Sales
For Periods Presented
Electric
Before June 1, 2022
27%
After June 1, 2022
Substantially All
Gas
Before August 1, 2022
11%
After August 1, 2022
42%
Also see Regulatory Matters in this section and Note 7 (Commitments and Contingencies) to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on rates and regulation.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report.
The Company’s results of operations are expected to reflect the seasonal nature of the natural gas business. Annual gas revenues are substantially realized during the colder weather seasons of the year as a result of higher sales of natural gas used for heating-related purposes. Accordingly, the results of operations are historically most favorable in the first and fourth quarters. Fluctuations in seasonal weather conditions may have a significant effect on the result of operations. Sales of electricity are generally less sensitive to weather than natural gas sales, but may also be affected by weather conditions and the temperature in the winter and summer seasons.
On August 6, 2021, the Company issued and sold 800,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $50.80 per share in a registered public offering (Offering). The Company’s net increase to Common Equity and Cash proceeds from the Offering was approximately $38.6 million. The proceeds were used to make equity capital contributions to the Company’s regulated utility subsidiaries, to repay debt and for other general corporate purposes.
As part of the Offering, the Company granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters exercised the option and purchased an additional 120,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on September 8, 2021. The Company’s net increase to Common Equity and Cash proceeds from the exercise of the option was approximately
22
$5.9 million. The proceeds were used to make equity capital contributions to the Company’s regulated utility subsidiaries, to repay debt and for other general corporate purposes. Overall, the results of operations and earnings for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 reflect the higher number of average shares outstanding.
The Company analyzes operating results using Electric and Gas Adjusted Gross Margins, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Electric Adjusted Gross Margin is calculated as Total Electric Operating Revenue less Cost of Electric Sales. Gas Adjusted Gross Margin is calculated as Total Gas Operating Revenues less Cost of Gas Sales. The Company’s management believes Electric and Gas Adjusted Gross Margins provide useful information to investors regarding profitability. Also, the Company’s management believes Electric and Gas Adjusted Gross Margins are important financial measures to analyze revenue from the Company’s ongoing operations because the approved cost of electric and gas sales are tracked, reconciled and passed through directly to customers in electric and gas tariff rates, resulting in an equal and offsetting amount reflected in Total Electric and Gas Operating Revenue.
In the following tables the Company has reconciled Electric and Gas Adjusted Gross Margin to GAAP Gross Margin, which we believe to be the most comparable GAAP financial measure. GAAP Gross Margin is calculated as Revenue less Cost of Sales, and Depreciation and Amortization. The Company calculates Electric and Gas Adjusted Gross Margin as Revenue less Cost of Sales. The Company believes excluding Depreciation and Amortization, which are period costs and not related to volumetric sales, is a meaningful financial measure to inform investors of the Company’s profitability from electric and gas sales in the period.
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 ($ millions)
Electric
Gas
Other
Total
Total Operating Revenue
$
306.5
$
250.6
$
—
$
557.1
Less: Cost of Sales
(202.4
)
(96.1
)
—
(298.5
)
Less: Depreciation and Amortization
(26.0
)
(40.4
)
(1.0
)
(67.4
)
GAAP Gross Margin
78.1
114.1
(1.0
)
191.2
Depreciation and Amortization
26.0
40.4
1.0
67.4
Adjusted Gross Margin
$
104.1
$
154.5
$
—
$
258.6
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022 ($ millions)
Electric
Gas
Other
Total
Total Operating Revenue
$
297.9
$
265.3
$
—
$
563.2
Less: Cost of Sales
(199.1
)
(121.4
)
—
(320.5
)
Less: Depreciation and Amortization
(25.4
)
(36.3
)
(0.9
)
(62.6
)
GAAP Gross Margin
73.4
107.6
(0.9
)
180.1
Depreciation and Amortization
25.4
36.3
0.9
62.6
Adjusted Gross Margin
$
98.8
$
143.9
$
—
$
242.7
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021 ($ millions)
Electric
Gas
Other
Total
Total Operating Revenue
$
248.5
$
224.8
$
—
$
473.3
Less: Cost of Sales
(151.1
)
(91.7
)
—
(242.8
)
Less: Depreciation and Amortization
(25.9
)
(32.6
)
(1.0
)
(59.5
)
GAAP Gross Margin
71.5
100.5
(1.0
)
171.0
Depreciation and Amortization
25.9
32.6
1.0
59.5
Adjusted Gross Margin
$
97.4
$
133.1
$
—
$
230.5
Electric GAAP Gross Margin was $78.1 million in 2023, an increase of $4.7 million compared to 2022. The increase was driven by higher rates and customer growth of $5.3 million, partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization expense of $0.6 million.
Electric GAAP Gross Margin was $73.4 million in 2022, an increase of $1.9 million compared to 2021. The increase was driven by higher rates and customer growth of $1.7 million and lower depreciation and amortization expense of $0.5 million, partially offset by the unfavorable effect on sales from cooler spring weather of $0.3 million when rates were not yet decoupled.
Gas GAAP Gross Margin was $114.1 million in 2023, an increase of $6.5 million compared to 2022. The increase was driven by higher rates and customer growth of $14.1 million, partially offset by the unfavorable effects of warmer winter
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weather in 2023 of $1.1 million, higher depreciation and amortization of $4.1 million, and the recognition, in the second quarter of 2022, of $2.4 million in higher rates resulting from the Company’s base rate case in New Hampshire.
Gas GAAP Gross Margin was $107.6 million in 2022, an increase of $7.1 million compared to 2021. The increase was driven by higher rates of $9.0 million and $1.8 million from customer growth and the favorable effect of colder winter weather in 2022, partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization of $3.7 million.
Net Income and EPS Overview
2023 Compared to 2022— The Company’s Net Income was $45.2 million, or $2.82 in Earnings Per Share (EPS), for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $3.8 million in Net Income, or $0.23 in EPS, compared to 2022. The Company’s earnings in 2023 reflect higher Electric and Gas Adjusted Gross Margins (a non-GAAP financial measure), partially offset by higher operating expenses.
Electric Adjusted Gross Margin (a non-GAAP financial measure) was $104.1 million in 2023, an increase of $5.3 million compared with 2022. The increase was driven by higher rates from base rate cases and capital tracker mechanisms.
Gas Adjusted Gross Margin (a non-GAAP financial measure) was $154.5 million in 2023, an increase of $10.6 million compared to 2022. The increase was driven by higher rates and customer growth of $14.1 million, partially offset by the unfavorable effects of warmer winter weather in 2023 of $1.1 million and the recognition, in the second quarter of 2022, of $2.4 million in higher rates resulting from the Company’s base rate case in New Hampshire.
Operation and Maintenance (O&M) expenses increased $1.9 million, or 2.6%, in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting higher utility operating costs of $1.2 million, higher professional fees of $0.4 million and higher labor costs of $0.3 million.
Depreciation and Amortization expense increased $4.8 million in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting additional depreciation associated with higher levels of utility plant in service and higher amortization of rate case and other deferred costs.
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes increased $2.6 million in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting higher local property taxes on higher utility plant in service and higher payroll, excise and other taxes.
Interest Expense, Net increased $3.2 million in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily reflecting higher interest on short-term borrowings, partially offset by higher interest income on regulatory assets and other.
Other Expense (Income), Net decreased $2.4 million in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting lower retirement benefit costs.
Federal and State Income Taxes increased $2.0 million in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting higher pre-tax earnings in 2023 and higher flow back, in 2022, of excess Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes per regulatory orders in New Hampshire.
In 2023, Unitil’s annual common dividend was $1.62 per share, representing an unbroken record of quarterly dividend payments since trading began in Unitil’s common stock. At its January 2024 meeting, the Unitil Corporation Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.425 per share, an increase of $0.02 per share on a quarterly basis, resulting in an increase in the effective annualized dividend rate to $1.70 per share from $1.62 per share.
2022 Compared to 2021— The Company’s Net Income was $41.4 million, or $2.59 in Earnings Per Share (EPS), for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $5.3 million in Net Income, or $0.24 in EPS, compared to 2021. The Company’s earnings in 2022 reflect higher Electric and Gas Adjusted Gross Margins (a non-GAAP financial measure), partially offset by higher operating expenses.
24
Electric Revenues, Adjusted Gross Margin and Sales
Electric Operating Revenues and Electric Adjusted Gross Margin —The following table details Total Electric Operating Revenue and Electric Adjusted Gross Margin for the last three years by major customer class:
Change
Electric Operating Revenues and Electric Adjusted Gross Margin
2023 vs. 2022
2022 vs. 2021
(millions)
2023
2022
2021
$
%
$
%
Electric Operating Revenue:
Residential
$
184.5
$
174.8
$
140.8
$
9.7
5.5
%
$
34.0
24.1
%
Commercial & Industrial
122.0
123.1
107.7
(1.1
)
(0.9
)%
15.4
14.3
%
Total Electric Operating Revenue
$
306.5
$
297.9
$
248.5
$
8.6
2.9
%
$
49.4
19.9
%
Cost of Electric Sales
$
202.4
$
199.1
$
151.1
$
3.3
1.7
%
$
48.0
31.8
%
Electric Adjusted Gross Margin
$
104.1
$
98.8
$
97.4
$
5.3
5.4
%
$
1.4
1.4
%
Electric Adjusted Gross Margin (a non-GAAP financial measure) was $104.1 million in 2023, an increase of $5.3 million compared with 2022. The increase was driven by higher rates and customer growth.
The increase in Total Electric Operating Revenue of $8.6 million, or 2.9%, in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects higher costs of electric sales, which are tracked and reconciled costs as a pass-through to customers, and higher electric distribution rates.
Electric Adjusted Gross Margin (a non-GAAP financial measure) was $98.8 million in 2022, an increase of $1.4 million compared with 2021. The increase was driven by higher rates and customer growth of $1.7 million, partially offset by the unfavorable effect on sales from cooler spring weather of $0.3 million when rates were not yet decoupled.
The increase in Total Electric Operating Revenue of $49.4 million, or 19.9%, in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily reflects higher cost of electric sales, which are tracked and reconciled costs as a pass-through to customers.
Kilowatt-hour Sales— Unitil’s total electric kWh sales decreased 3.2% in 2023 compared to 2022. Sales to Residential customers decreased 4.6% and sales to C&I customers decreased 2.1% in 2023 compared to 2022. The decreases in electric kWh sales reflect lower average usage, partially offset by customer growth. As of December 31, 2023, the number of electric customers served increased by approximately 350 over the previous year. Sales margins derived from decoupled unit sales are not sensitive to changes in electric kWh sales, although those sales margins are sensitive to changes in the number of customers served. As of June 1, 2022, substantially all of the Company's electric kWh sales volumes are decoupled.
Unitil’s total electric kWh sales decreased 1.0% in 2022 compared to 2021. Sales to Residential customers decreased 2.0% and sales to C&I customers decreased 0.3% in 2022 compared to 2021. The decreases in electric kWh sales reflect lower average usage, partially offset by customer growth. As of December 31, 2022, the number of electric customers served increased by approximately 400 over the previous year. Sales margins derived from decoupled unit sales are not sensitive to changes in electric kWh sales, although those sales margins are sensitive to changes in the number of customers served.
The following table details total kWh sales for the last three years by major customer class:
Change
2023 vs. 2022
2022 vs. 2021
kWh Sales (millions)
2023
2022
2021
kWh
%
kWh
%
Residential
649.3
680.5
694.2
(31.2
)
(4.6
)%
(13.7
)
(2.0
)%
Commercial & Industrial
914.2
933.9
936.8
(19.7
)
(2.1
)%
(2.9
)
(0.3
)%
Total kWh Sales
1,563.5
1,614.4
1,631.0
(50.9
)
(3.2
)%
(16.6
)
(1.0
)%
25
Gas Revenues, Adjusted Gross Margin and Sales
Gas Operating Revenues and Adjusted Gross Margin — The following table details total Gas Operating Revenue and Gas Adjusted Gross Margin for the last three years by major customer class:
Change
Gas Operating Revenues and Gas Adjusted Gross Margin
2023 vs. 2022
2022 vs. 2021
(millions)
2023
2022
2021
$
%
$
%
Gas Operating Revenue:
Residential
$
100.7
$
103.4
$
90.6
$
(2.7
)
(2.6
)%
$
12.8
14.1
%
Commercial & Industrial
149.9
161.9
134.2
(12.0
)
(7.4
)%
27.7
20.6
%
Total Gas Operating Revenue
$
250.6
$
265.3
$
224.8
$
(14.7
)
(5.5
)%
$
40.5
18.0
%
Cost of Gas Sales
$
96.1
$
121.4
$
91.7
$
(25.3
)
(20.8
)%
$
29.7
32.4
%
Gas Adjusted Gross Margin
$
154.5
$
143.9
$
133.1
$
10.6
7.4
%
$
10.8
8.1
%
Gas Adjusted Gross Margin (a non-GAAP financial measure) was $154.5 million in 2023, an increase of $10.6 million compared to 2022. The increase reflects higher rates and customer growth of $14.1 million, partially offset by the unfavorable effects of warmer winter weather in 2023 of $1.1 million and the recognition, in the second quarter of 2022, of $2.4 million in higher rates resulting from the Company’s base rate case in New Hampshire.
The decrease in Total Gas Operating Revenues of $14.7 million, or 5.50%, in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects lower costs of gas sales, which are tracked and reconciled as a pass-through to customers, partially offset by higher gas distribution rates.
Gas Adjusted Gross Margin (a non-GAAP financial measure) was $143.9 million in 2022, an increase of $10.8 million compared to 2021. The increase was driven by higher rates of $9.0 million, and $1.8 million from customer growth and the favorable effect of colder winter weather in 2022.
The increase in Total Gas Operating Revenues of $40.5 million, or 18.0%, in 2022 compared to 2021 reflects higher cost of gas sales, which are tracked and reconciled costs as a pass-through to customers, and higher gas sales volumes.
Therm Sales —Unitil’s total gas therm sales decreased 1.5% in 2023 compared to 2022. Sales to Residential customers decreased 3.8% and sales to C&I customers decreased 0.9% in 2023 compared to 2022. The decreases in gas therm sales reflect warmer winter weather in 2023 compared to 2022, partially offset by customer growth. Based on weather data collected in the Company’s gas service areas, on average there were 6.5% fewer EDD in 2023 compared to 2022. The Company estimates that weather-normalized gas therm sales for Northern Utilities’ Maine division, the Company’s only non-decoupled gas service area, increased 3.0% in 2023 compared to 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the number of gas customers served increased by approximately 950 over the previous year. Sales margins derived from decoupled unit sales (currently representing approximately 42% of total annual therm sales volume) are not sensitive to changes in gas therm sales, although those sales margins are sensitive to changes in the number of customers served.
Unitil’s total gas therm sales increased 1.3% in 2022 compared to 2021. Sales to Residential customers increased 0.5% and sales to C&I customers increased 1.5% in 2022 compared to 2021. The overall increase in gas therm sales reflects customer growth and colder winter weather in 2022. As of December 31, 2022, the number of gas customers served increased by approximately 850 over the previous year. Based on weather data collected in the Company’s gas service areas, on average there were 2.6% more EDD in 2022 compared to 2021, although 5.1% fewer EDD compared to normal. The Company estimates that weather-normalized gas therm sales, excluding decoupled sales, were essentially unchanged in 2022 compared to 2021. Sales margins derived from decoupled unit sales (currently representing approximately 42% of total annual therm sales volume) are not sensitive to changes in gas therm sales, although those sales margins are sensitive to changes in the number of customers served.
26
The following table details total therm sales for the last three years, by major customer class:
Change
2023 vs. 2022
2022 vs. 2021
Therm Sales (millions)
2023
2022
2021
Therms
%
Therms
%
Residential
42.9
44.6
44.4
(1.7
)
(3.8
)%
0.2
0.5
%
Commercial & Industrial
178.6
180.2
177.5
(1.6
)
(0.9
)%
2.7
1.5
%
Total Therm Sales
221.5
224.8
221.9
(3.3
)
(1.5
)%
2.9
1.3
%
Operating Expenses
Cost of Electric Sales —Cost of Electric Sales includes the cost of electric supply as well as other energy supply related restructuring costs, including power supply buyout costs, and spending on energy efficiency programs. Cost of Electric Sales increased $3.3 million, or 1.7%, in 2023 compared to 2022. This increase reflects higher wholesale electricity prices, partially offset by lower electric sales and an increase in the amount of electricity purchased by customers directly from third-party suppliers. The Company reconciles and recovers the approved Cost of Electric Sales in its rates at cost on a pass through basis and therefore changes in approved expenses do not affect earnings.
In 2022, Cost of Electric Sales increased $48.0 million, or 31.8%, compared to 2021. This increase reflects higher wholesale electricity prices, partially offset by lower electric sales and an increase in the amount of electricity purchased by customers directly from third-party suppliers.
Cost of Gas Sales— Cost of Gas Sales includes the cost of natural gas purchased to supply the Company’s total gas supply requirements and spending on energy efficiency programs. Cost of Gas Sales decreased $25.3 million, or 20.8%, in 2023 compared to 2022. This decrease reflects lower gas sales, lower wholesale gas commodity prices, partially offset by a decrease in the amount of gas purchased by customers directly from third-party suppliers. The Company reconciles and recovers the approved Cost of Gas Sales in its rates at cost on a pass through basis and therefore changes in approved expenses do not affect earnings.
In 2022, Cost of Gas increased $29.7 million, or 32.4%, compared to 2021. This increase reflects higher gas sales and higher wholesale gas commodity prices, partially offset by an increase in the amount of gas purchased by customers directly from third-party suppliers.
Operation and Maintenance— O&M expense includes electric and gas utility operating costs, and the operating costs of the Company’s other subsidiaries. Total O&M expenses increased $1.9 million, or 2.6%, in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting higher utility operating costs of $1.2 million, higher professional fees of $0.4 million and higher labor costs of $0.3 million.
In 2022, total O&M expenses increased $5.0 million, or 7.3%, compared to 2021, reflecting higher labor costs of $1.9 million, higher utility operating costs of $1.6 million, and higher professional fees of $1.5 million.
Depreciation and Amortization— Depreciation and Amortization expense increased $4.8 million, or 7.7%, in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting additional depreciation associated with higher levels of utility plant in service and higher amortization of rate case and other deferred costs.
In 2022, Depreciation and Amortization expense increased $3.1 million, or 5.2%, compared to 2021, reflecting additional depreciation associated with higher levels of utility plant in service and higher amortization of rate case costs.
Taxes Other Than Income Taxes— Taxes Other Than Income Taxes increased $2.6 million, or 10.0%, in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting higher local property taxes on higher utility plant in service and higher payroll, excise and other taxes.
In 2022, Taxes Other Than Income Taxes increased $1.4 million, or 5.7%, compared to 2021, reflecting higher payroll taxes and higher local property taxes on higher utility plant in service.
27
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense is presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements net of interest income. Interest expense is mainly comprised of interest on long-term debt and short-term borrowings (See Note 4 (Debt and Financing Arrangements) to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements). Certain reconciling rate mechanisms used by the Company’s distribution utilities give rise to regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities on which interest is calculated.
Interest Expense, Net increased $3.2 million, or 12.6%, in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily reflecting higher interest on short-term borrowings, partially offset by higher interest income on regulatory assets and other.
Interest Expense, Net decreased $0.1 million, or 0.4%, in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily reflecting lower interest on long-term debt and higher interest income, on regulatory assets, partially offset by higher interest on short-term borrowings.
Other (Income) Expense, Net
Other Expense (Income), Net decreased $2.4 million in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting lower retirement benefit costs.
Other Expense (Income), Net decreased $2.2 million, or 47.8% in 2022 compared to 2021, reflecting lower retirement benefit costs.
Provision for Income Taxes
Federal and State Income Taxes increased $2.0 million in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting higher pre-tax earnings in 2023 and higher flow back, in 2022, of excess Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes per regulatory orders in New Hampshire.
Federal and State Income Taxes decreased $0.3 million in 2022 compared to 2021, reflecting lower taxes associated with the flowback of excess Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes.
LIQUIDITY, COMMITMENTS AND CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
Sources of Capital
Unitil requires capital to fund utility plant additions, working capital and other utility expenditures recovered in subsequent periods through regulated rates. The capital necessary to meet these requirements is derived primarily from internally generated funds, which consist of cash flows from operating activities. The Company initially supplements internally generated funds through short-term bank borrowings, as needed, under its unsecured revolving Credit Facility. Periodically, the Company replaces portions of its short-term debt with long-term financings more closely matched to the long-term nature of its utility assets. Additionally, from time to time the Company has accessed the public capital markets through public offerings of equity securities. The Company’s utility operations are seasonal in nature and are therefore subject to seasonal fluctuations in cash flows. The amount, type and timing of any future financing will vary from year to year based on capital needs and maturity or redemptions of securities.
On August 6, 2021, the Company issued and sold 800,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $50.80 per share in a registered public offering (Offering). The Company’s net increase to Common Equity and Cash proceeds from the Offering was approximately $38.6 million and was used to make equity capital contributions to the Company’s regulated utility subsidiaries, to repay debt and for other general corporate purposes.
As part of the Offering, the Company granted the underwriters a 30-day over-allotment option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters exercised the over-allotment option and purchased an additional 120,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on September 8, 2021. The Company’s net increase to Common Equity and Cash proceeds from the over-allotment sales was approximately $5.9 million and was used to make equity capital contributions to the Company’s regulated utility subsidiaries, to repay debt and for other general corporate purposes.
The Company and its subsidiaries are individually and collectively members of the Unitil Cash Pool (Cash Pool). The Cash Pool is the financing vehicle for day-to-day cash borrowing and investing. The Cash Pool allows for an efficient exchange
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of cash among the Company and its subsidiaries. The interest rates charged to the subsidiaries for borrowing from the Cash Pool are based on actual interest costs from lenders under the Company’s revolving Credit Facility. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company and all of its subsidiaries were in compliance with the regulatory requirements governing participation in the Cash Pool.
On September 29, 2022, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with a syndicate of lenders (collectively, the "Credit Facility”), which amended and restated in its entirety the prior credit facility. Unitil may borrow under the Credit Facility until September 29, 2027, subject to two one-year extensions under certain circumstances. The Credit Facility terminates and all amounts outstanding thereunder are due and payable on September 29, 2027, subject to the potential extension discussed in the prior sentence.
The Credit Facility has a borrowing limit of $200 million, which includes a $25 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit. Unitil may increase the borrowing limit under the Credit Facility by up to $75 million under certain circumstances. The Credit Facility generally provides Unitil with the ability to elect that borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest under several options, including a daily fluctuating rate equal to (a) the forward-looking secured overnight financing rate (as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York) term rate with a term equivalent to one month beginning on that date, plus (b) 0.1000%, plus (c) a margin of 1.125% to 1.375% (based on Unitil’s credit rating).
The Company utilizes the Credit Facility for cash management purposes related to its short-term operating activities. Total gross borrowings were $327.2 million and $295.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Total gross repayments were $281.2 million and $244.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The following table details the borrowing limits, amounts outstanding and amounts available under the revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
December 31,
Revolving Credit Facility (millions)
2023
2022
Limit
$
200.0
$
200.0
Short-Term Borrowings Outstanding
$
162.0
$
116.0
Available
$
38.0
$
84.0
The Credit Facility contains customary terms and conditions for credit facilities of this type, including affirmative and negative covenants. There are restrictions on, among other things, Unitil’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to permit liens or incur indebtedness, and restrictions on Unitil’s ability to merge or consolidate with another entity or change its line of business. The affirmative and negative covenants under the Credit Facility shall apply to Unitil until the Credit Facility terminates and all amounts borrowed under the Credit Facility are paid in full (or with respect to letters of credit, they are cash collateralized).
The only financial covenant in the Credit Facility provides that Unitil’s Funded Debt to Capitalization (as each term is defined in the Credit Facility) cannot exceed 65%, tested on a quarterly basis. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with the covenants contained in the Credit Facility in effect on that date. (See also “Credit Arrangements” in Note 4 Debt and Financing Arrangements.)
Issuance of Long-Term Debt- On July 6, 2023, Fitchburg issued $12.0 million of Notes due July 2, 2033 at 5.70% and $13.0 million of Notes due July 2, 2053 at 5.96%. Fitchburg used the net proceeds from these offerings to refinance existing debt and for general corporate purposes. Approximately $0.2 million of costs associated with this issuance were recorded as a reduction of Long-Term Debt for presentation purposes on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in the third quarter of 2023.
Unitil Corporation and its utility subsidiaries, Fitchburg, Unitil Energy, Northern Utilities, and Granite State are currently rated “BBB+” by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. Unitil Corporation and Granite State are currently rated “Baa2”, and Fitchburg, Unitil Energy and Northern Utilities are currently rated “Baa1” by Moody’s Investors Services.
The continued availability of various methods of financing, as well as the choice of a specific form of security for such financing, will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to: security market conditions; general economic climate; regulatory approvals; the ability to meet covenant issuance restrictions; the level of earnings, cash flows and financial position; and the competitive pricing offered by financing sources. The Company believes it has sufficient sources of working capital to fund its operations.
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Contractual Obligations
The Company and its subsidiaries have material obligations for payment of principal and interest on its long-term debt as well as for operating and capital leases that are discussed in Note 4 (Debt and Financing Arrangements).
The Company and its subsidiaries have material energy supply commitments that are discussed in Note 6 (Energy Supply) and Note 7 (Commitments and Contingencies) to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Cash outlays for the purchase of electricity and natural gas to serve customers are subject to reconciling recovery through periodic changes in rates, with carrying charges on deferred balances. From year to year, there are likely to be timing differences associated with the cash recovery of such costs, creating under- or over-recovery situations at any point in time. Rate recovery mechanisms are typically designed to collect the under-recovered cash or refund the over-collected cash over subsequent periods of less than one year.
The Company provides limited guarantees on certain energy and natural gas storage management contracts entered into by the distribution utilities. The Company’s policy is to limit the duration of these guarantees. As of December 31, 2023 there were no guarantees outstanding.
Northern Utilities enters into asset management agreements under which Northern Utilities releases certain natural gas pipeline and storage assets, resells the natural gas storage inventory to an asset manager and subsequently repurchases the inventory over the course of the natural gas heating season at the same price at which it sold the natural gas inventory to the asset manager. There was $10.9 million of natural gas storage inventory and corresponding obligations at December 31, 2023 related to these asset management agreements. The amount of natural gas inventory released in December 2023, which was payable in January 2024, was $2.2 million and was recorded in Accounts Payable at December 31, 2023.
Benefit Plan Funding
The Company, along with its subsidiaries, made cash contributions to its Pension Plan in the amounts of $3.9 million and $3.8 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company, along with its subsidiaries, contributed $2.8 million and $12.2 million to Voluntary Employee Benefit Trusts (VEBTs) in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company, along with its subsidiaries, expects to continue to make contributions to its Pension Plan and the VEBTs in 2024 and future years at least at minimum required amounts. See Note 9 (Retirement Benefit Plans) to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company and its subsidiaries do not currently use, and are not dependent on the use of, off-balance sheet financing arrangements such as securitization of receivables or obtaining access to assets or cash through special purpose entities or variable interest entities. As of December 31, 2023 there were no guarantees outstanding. See Note 4 (Debt and Financing Arrangements) to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cash Flows
Unitil’s utility operations, taken as a whole, are seasonal in nature and subject to seasonal fluctuations in cash flows. The tables below summarize the major sources and uses of cash (in millions) for 2023 and 2022.
2023
2022
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
$
107.0
$
97.7
Cash Provided by Operating Activities - Cash Provided by Operating Activities was $107.0 million in 2023, an increase of $9.3 million compared to 2022.
Cash flow from Net Income, adjusted for the total of non-cash charges was $120.0 million in 2023 compared to $115.0 million in 2022, an increase of $5.0 million. The change to Net Income is primarily attributable to increases in electric and gas sales margin. The increase in depreciation and amortization of $4.8 million in 2023 compared to 2022 reflects higher
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depreciation on higher utility plant in service. The decrease in the deferred tax provision of $3.6 million in 2023 compared to 2022 is primarily driven by the use of net operating loss carryforwards in 2023.
Changes in working capital items resulted in a ($4.6) million use of cash in 2023 compared to a ($6.0) million use of cash in 2022, representing an increase in sources of cash of $1.4 million. The change in working capital in 2023 compared to 2022 is primarily related to the net change in accrued revenue, accounts payable and exchange gas receivable and is reflective of the effect of the current macroeconomic environment including lower commodity costs on business and operating conditions.
Deferred Regulatory and Other Charges decreased by $2.0 million in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily driven by changes in Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, and the change in Other, net in 2023 compared to 2022 was $4.9 million.
2023
2022
Cash Used in Investing Activities
$
(141.0
)
$
(122.1
)
Cash Used in Investing Activities - Cash Used in Investing Activities was ($141.0) million in 2023 compared to ($122.1) million in 2022, an increase of $18.9 million. The higher spending in 2023 is primarily related to normal utility capital expenditures for electric and gas utility system additions. The Company’s projected capital spending range for 2024 is $165 million to $170 million.
2023
2022
Cash Provided by Financing Activities
$
31.5
$
26.9
Cash Provided by Financing Activities - Cash Provided by Financing Activities was $31.5 million in 2023 compared to cash provided of $26.9 million in 2022. The higher cash provided from financing activities in 2023 compared to 2022 of $4.6 million is primarily attributable to, proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt of $25.0 million, lower repayment of long-term debt of $3.5 million, a decrease in exchange gas financing of $17.2 million, and lower proceeds from short-term borrowings of 5.9 million. Other changes in financing activities in 2023 total a use of 0.8 million.
FINANCIAL COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS
The agreements under which the Company and its subsidiaries issue long-term debt contain various covenants and restrictions. These agreements do not contain any covenants or restrictions pertaining to the maintenance of financial ratios or the issuance of short-term debt. These agreements do contain covenants relating to, among other things, the issuance of additional long-term debt, cross-default provisions, business combinations and covenants restricting the ability to (i) pay dividends, (ii) incur indebtedness and liens, (iii) merge or consolidate with another entity or (iv) sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all assets. See Note 4 (Debt and Financing Arrangements) to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
Unitil’s Credit Facility contains customary terms and conditions for credit facilities of this type, including affirmative and negative covenants. There are restrictions on, among other things, Unitil’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to permit liens or incur indebtedness, and restrictions on Unitil’s ability to merge or consolidate with another entity or change its line of business. The affirmative and negative covenants under the Credit Facility apply to Unitil until the Credit Facility terminates and all amounts borrowed under the Credit Facility are paid in full (or with respect to letters of credit, they are cash collateralized). The only financial covenant in the Credit Facility provides that Unitil’s Funded Debt to Capitalization (as each term is defined in the Credit Facility) cannot exceed 65%, tested on a quarterly basis. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with the covenants contained in the Credit Facility in effect on that date.
The Company and its subsidiaries are currently in compliance with all such covenants in these debt instruments.
DIVIDENDS
Unitil’s annual common dividend was $1.62 per common share in 2023, $1.56 per common share in 2022, and $1.52 per share in 2021. Unitil’s dividend policy is reviewed periodically by the Board of Directors. Unitil has maintained an unbroken record of quarterly dividend payments since trading began in Unitil’s common stock. At its January 2024 meeting, the Unitil Corporation Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.425 per share, an
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increase of $0.02 per share on a quarterly basis, resulting in an increase in the effective annualized dividend rate to $1.70 from $1.62. The amount and timing of all dividend payments are subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon business conditions, results of operations, financial conditions and other factors. In addition, the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions to Unitil, and, therefore, Unitil’s ability to pay dividends, depends on, among other things:
• the actual and projected earnings and cash flow, capital requirements and general financial condition of the Company’s subsidiaries;
• the prior rights of holders of existing and future preferred stock, mortgage bonds, long-term notes and other debt issued by the Company’s subsidiaries;
• the restrictions on the payment of dividends contained in the existing loan agreements of the Company’s subsidiaries and that may be contained in future debt agreements of the Company’s subsidiaries, if any; and
• limitations that may be imposed by New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine state regulatory agencies.
In addition, before the Company can pay dividends on its common stock, it must satisfy its debt obligations and comply with any statutory or contractual limitations. See Financial Covenants and Restrictions in this report, as well as Note 4 (Debt and Financing Arrangements) to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is involved in legal and administrative proceedings and claims of various types, including those which arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes, based upon information furnished by counsel and others, that the ultimate resolution of these claims will not have a material effect on its financial position, operating results or cash flows. Refer to “Legal Proceedings” in Note 7 (Commitments and Contingencies) of the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of legal proceedings.
REGULATORY MATTERS
See Note 7 (Commitments and Contingencies) to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. In making those estimates and assumptions, the Company is sometimes required to make subjective and/or complex judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and for which different estimates that could reasonably have been used could have resulted in material differences in its financial statements. If actual results were to differ significantly from those estimates, assumptions and judgment, the financial position of the Company could be materially affected and the results of operations of the Company could be materially different than reported. The following is a summary of the Company’s most critical accounting policies, which are defined as those policies where judgments or uncertainties could materially affect the application of those policies. For a complete discussion of the Company’s significant accounting policies, refer to the financial statements and Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies).
Regulatory Accounting— The Company’s principal business is the distribution of electricity and natural gas by the three distribution utilities: Unitil Energy, Fitchburg and Northern Utilities. Unitil Energy and Fitchburg are subject to regulation by the FERC. Fitchburg is also regulated by the MDPU, Unitil Energy is regulated by the NHPUC, and Northern Utilities is regulated by the MPUC and NHPUC. Granite State, the Company’s natural gas transmission pipeline, is regulated by the FERC. Accordingly, the Company uses the Regulated Operations guidance as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (FASB Codification). In accordance with the FASB Codification, the Company has recorded Regulatory Assets and Regulatory Liabilities which will be recovered from customers, or applied for customer benefit, in accordance with rate provisions approved by the applicable public utility regulatory commission.
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The FASB Codification specifies the economic effects that result from the cause and effect relationship of costs and revenues in the rate-regulated environment and the related accounting for a regulated enterprise. Revenues intended to cover certain costs may be recorded either before or after the costs are incurred. If regulation provides assurance that incurred costs will be recovered in the future, these costs would be recorded as deferred charges or “regulatory assets.” If revenues are recorded for costs that are expected to be incurred in the future, these revenues would be recorded as deferred credits or “regulatory liabilities.”
The Company’s principal regulatory assets and liabilities are included on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet and a summary of the Company’s Regulatory Assets is provided in Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to the consolidated financial statements. Generally, the Company receives a return on investment on its regulated assets for which a cash outflow has been made. Regulatory commissions can reach different conclusions about the recovery of costs, which can have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company believes it is probable that its regulated distribution and transmission utilities will recover their investments in long-lived assets, including regulatory assets. If the Company, or a portion of its assets or operations, were to cease meeting the criteria for application of these accounting rules, accounting standards for businesses in general would become applicable and immediate recognition of any previously deferred costs, or a portion of deferred costs, would be required in the year in which the criteria are no longer met, if such deferred costs were not recoverable in the portion of the business that continues to meet the criteria for application of the FASB Codification topic on Regulated Operations. If unable to continue to apply the FASB Codification provisions for Regulated Operations, the Company would be required to apply the provisions for the Discontinuation of Rate-Regulated Accounting included in the FASB Codification. In the Company’s opinion, its regulated operations will be subject to the FASB Codification provisions for Regulated Operations for the foreseeable future.
Retirement Benefit Obligations— The Company sponsors the Unitil Corporation Retirement Plan (Pension Plan), which is a defined benefit pension plan. Effective January 1, 2010, the Pension Plan was closed to new non-union employees. For union employees, the Pension Plan was closed on various dates between December 31, 2010 and June 1, 2013, depending on the various Collective Bargaining Agreements of each union. The Company also sponsors two non-qualified retirement plans, the Unitil Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP), and the Unitil Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan, covering certain executives of the Company, and an employee 401(k) savings plan. Additionally, the Company sponsors the Unitil Employee Health and Welfare Benefits Plan (PBOP Plan), primarily to provide health care and life insurance benefits to retired employees.
The FASB Codification requires companies to record on their balance sheets as an asset or liability the overfunded or underfunded status of their retirement benefit obligations (RBO) based on the projected benefit obligation. The Company has recognized a corresponding Regulatory Asset, to recognize the future collection of these obligations in electric and gas rates. The Company’s RBO and reported costs of providing retirement benefits are dependent upon numerous factors resulting from actual plan experience and assumptions of future experience. The Company has made critical estimates related to actuarial assumptions, including assumptions of expected returns on plan assets, future compensation, health care cost trends, and appropriate discount rates. The Company’s RBO is affected by actual employee demographics, the level of contributions made to the plans, earnings on plan assets, and health care cost trends. Changes made to the provisions of these plans may also affect current and future costs. If these assumptions were changed, the resulting change in benefit obligations, fair values of plan assets, funded status and net periodic benefit costs could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. The discount rate assumptions used in determining retirement plan costs and retirement plan obligations are based on an assessment of current market conditions using high quality corporate bond interest rate indices and pension yield curves. For the year ended December 31, 2023, a change in the discount rate of 0.25% would have resulted in an increase or decrease of approximately $113,000 in the Net Periodic Benefit Cost for the Pension Plan. Similarly, a change of 0.50% in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets would have resulted in an increase or decrease of approximately $713,000 in the Net Periodic Benefit Cost for the Pension Plan. (See Note 9 (Retirement Benefit Plans) to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Refer to “Recently Issued Pronouncements” in Note 1 of the Notes of Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding recently issued accounting standards.
For additional information regarding the foregoing matters, see Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies), Note 6 (Energy Supply), and Note 9 (Retirement Benefit Plans) to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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