Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. (In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) |
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this report on Form 10-Q constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. Words such as "may," "should," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include certain information relating to the Company’s business strategy; statements including, but not limited to:
• | the amount and timing of rate changes and other regulatory matters including the recovery of costs recorded as regulatory assets; |
• | expected profitability and results of operations; |
• | trends; |
• | goals, priorities and plans for, and cost of, growth and expansion; |
• | strategic initiatives; |
• | availability of water supply; |
• | water usage by customers; and |
• | the ability to pay dividends on common stock and the rate of those dividends. |
The forward-looking statements in this report reflect what the Company currently anticipates will happen. What actually happens could differ materially from what it currently anticipates will happen. The Company does not intend to make a public announcement when forward-looking statements in this report are no longer accurate, whether as a result of new information, what actually happens in the future or for any other reason. Important matters that may affect what will actually happen include, but are not limited to:
• | changes in weather, including drought conditions or extended periods of heavy rainfall; |
• | natural disasters, including pandemics such as the current outbreak of the novel strain of coronavirus known as “COVID-19” and the effectiveness of the Company’s pandemic plans; |
• | levels of rate relief granted; |
• | the level of commercial and industrial business activity within the Company's service territory; |
• | construction of new housing within the Company's service territory and increases in population; |
• | changes in government policies or regulations, including the tax code; |
• | the ability to obtain permits for expansion projects; |
• | material changes in demand from customers, including the impact of conservation efforts which may reduce the demand of customers for water; |
• | changes in economic and business conditions, including interest rates; |
• | loss of customers; |
• | changes in, or unanticipated, capital requirements; |
• | the impact of acquisitions; |
• | changes in accounting pronouncements; |
• | changes in the Company’s credit rating or the market price of its common stock; and |
• | the ability to obtain financing. |
General Information
The primary business of the Company is to impound, purify to meet or exceed safe drinking water standards and distribute water. The Company also owns and operates three wastewater collection systems and seven wastewater collection and treatment systems. The Company operates within its franchised water and wastewater territory, which covers portions of 54 municipalities within three counties in south-central Pennsylvania. The Company is regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or PPUC, for both water and wastewater in the areas of billing, payment procedures, dispute processing, terminations, service territory, debt and equity financing and rate setting. The Company must obtain PPUC approval before changing any practices associated with the aforementioned areas.
Water service is supplied through the Company's own distribution system. The Company obtains the bulk of its water supply for its primary system for York and Adams Counties from both the South Branch and East Branch of the Codorus Creek, which together have an average daily flow of approximately 73.0 million gallons from a combined watershed area of approximately 117 square miles. The Company has two reservoirs on this primary system, Lake Williams and Lake Redman, which together hold up to approximately 2.2 billion gallons of water. The Company supplements these reservoirs with a 15-mile pipeline from the Susquehanna River to Lake Redman which provides access to an additional supply of 12.0 million gallons of untreated water per day. The Company obtains its water supply for its system for Franklin County from the Roxbury Dam on the Conodoquinet Creek, which has an average daily flow of approximately 26.0 million gallons from a watershed area of approximately 33 square miles. The Company has a reservoir on this system which holds up to approximately 330 million gallons of water. The Company also owns 11 wells which are capable of providing a safe yield of approximately 637,000 gallons per day to supply water to the customers of its satellite systems in York and Adams Counties. As of September 30, 2022, the Company's average daily availability was 37.5 million gallons, and average daily consumption was approximately 21.1 million gallons. The Company's service territory had an estimated population of 204,000 as of December 31, 2021. Industry within the Company's service territory is diversified, manufacturing such items as fixtures and furniture, electrical machinery, food products, paper, ordnance units, textile products, air conditioning systems, laundry detergent, barbells, and motorcycles.
The Company's water business is somewhat dependent on weather conditions, particularly the amount and timing of rainfall. Revenues are particularly vulnerable to weather conditions in the summer months. Prolonged periods of hot and dry weather generally cause increased water usage for watering lawns, washing cars, and keeping golf courses and sports fields irrigated. Conversely, prolonged periods of dry weather could lead to drought restrictions from governmental authorities. Despite the Company’s adequate water supply, customers may be required to cut back water usage under such drought restrictions which would negatively impact revenues. The Company has addressed some of this vulnerability by instituting minimum customer charges which are intended to cover fixed costs of operations under all likely weather conditions.
The Company’s business does not require large amounts of working capital and is not dependent on any single customer or a very few customers for a material portion of its business. Increases in revenues are generally dependent on the Company’s ability to obtain rate increases from the PPUC in a timely manner and in adequate amounts and to increase volumes of water sold through increased consumption and increases in the number of customers served. The Company continuously looks for water and wastewater acquisition and expansion opportunities both within and outside its current service territory as well as additional opportunities to enter into bulk water contracts with municipalities and other entities to supply water.
The Company has agreements with several municipalities to provide billing and collection services. The Company also has a service line protection program on a targeted basis in order to further diversify its business. Under this optional program, customers pay a fixed monthly fee, and the Company will repair or replace damaged customer service lines, as needed, subject to an annual maximum dollar amount. The Company continues to review and consider opportunities to expand both initiatives.
Impact of COVID-19
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization characterized an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) as a pandemic. The Company has taken steps, consistent with directions from federal, state, and local authorities, to mitigate known risks with the health and safety of its employees and customers as its first priority.
The Company is an essential, life-sustaining business and has continued normal operations. Although most restrictions have been lifted, the Company continues to monitor guidance from federal, state, and local authorities. Any new restrictions are not expected to materially impede the Company’s ability to complete its planned capital expenditures or acquisitions. The Company has not experienced any material supply chain disruptions. The Company has been informed of longer lead times for some items, although this does not impact daily operating supplies. The Company maintains an adequate inventory of critical repair parts which are available as needed. The Company continues to maintain relationships with its vendors to identify issues in a timely manner while also seeking out additional vendor relationships to diversify its supply chain. The Company has addressed the longer lead times by placing orders proactively with its vendors to align with current lead times. If the delays increase materially or if certain materials and supplies become unavailable, the Company may re-prioritize some of its capital projects or experience higher operating expenses or capital costs. The Company believes it has sufficient liquidity and access to the capital markets if needed.
To date, there has been no material impact on the Company’s workforce, operations, financial performance, liquidity, or supply chain as a result of COVID-19. However, the ultimate duration and severity of the pandemic or its effects on the economy, the capital and credit markets, or the Company’s workforce, customers, and suppliers, as well as governmental and regulatory responses, are uncertain.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 Compared
With Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
Net income for the third quarter of 2022 was $5,681, an increase of $887, or 18.5%, from net income of $4,794 for the same period of 2021. The primary contributing factors to the increase were higher operating revenues and lower income taxes which were partially offset by higher expenses.
Operating revenues for the third quarter of 2022 increased $1,308, or 9.0%, from $14,503 for the three months ended September 30, 2021 to $15,811 for the corresponding 2022 period. The increase was primarily due to growth in the customer base and revenues from the distribution system improvement charge, or DSIC, allowed by the PPUC of $661. The average number of wastewater customers served in 2022 increased as compared to 2021 by 2,308 customers, from 3,333 to 5,641 customers, primarily due to acquisitions. The average number of water customers served in 2022 increased as compared to 2021 by 805 customers, from 69,756 to 70,561 customers. Total per capita consumption for 2022 was approximately 2.1% higher than the same period of last year.
Operating expenses for the third quarter of 2022 increased $1,136, or 14.5%, from $7,819 for the third quarter of 2021 to $8,955 for the corresponding 2022 period. The increase was primarily due to higher expenses of approximately $372 for wastewater treatment, $349 for depreciation, $172 for water treatment, $131 for billing and revenue collection services, $84 for distribution system maintenance, and $58 for wages. Other expenses increased by a net of $56. The increased expenses were partially offset by reduced expenses of $86 for outside services.
Interest on debt for the third quarter of 2022 decreased $33, or 2.7%, from $1,237 for the third quarter of 2021 to $1,204 for the corresponding 2022 period. The decrease was primarily due a decrease in long-term debt outstanding. Upon the completion of the underwritten common stock offering in April 2022, the Company repaid its line of credit. The average debt outstanding under the line of credit was $2,587 for the third quarter of 2022 and $12,911 for the third quarter of 2021. The weighted average interest rate on the line of credit was 2.29% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 and 1.30% for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.
Allowance for funds used during construction increased $72, from $310 in the third quarter of 2021 to $382 in the corresponding 2022 period due to a higher volume of eligible construction.
Other income (expenses), net for the third quarter of 2022 reflects increased expenses of $83 as compared to the same period of 2021. Lower earnings on life insurance policies of approximately $57 were the primary reason for the decrease. Other expenses increased by a net of $26.
Income taxes for the third quarter of 2022 decreased $707, or 113.1%, compared to the same period of 2021 primarily due to higher deductions from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, tangible property regulations, or TPR. The Company’s effective tax rate was (1.5)% for the third quarter of 2022 and 11.5% for the third quarter of 2021.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 Compared
With Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Net income for the first nine months of 2022 was $14,569, an increase of $1,586, or 12.2%, from net income of $12,983 for the same period of 2021. The primary contributing factors to the increase were higher operating revenues and lower income taxes which were partially offset by higher expenses.
Operating revenues for the first nine months of 2022 increased $3,565, or 8.6%, from $41,385 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 to $44,950 for the corresponding 2022 period. The increase was primarily due to growth in the customer base and revenues from the DSIC of $1,623. The average number of wastewater customers served in 2022 increased as compared to 2021 by 2,231 customers, from 3,316 to 5,547 customers, primarily due to the West Manheim Township acquisition. The average number of water customers served in 2022 increased as compared to 2021 by 723 customers, from 69,565 to 70,288 customers. Total per capita consumption for 2022 was approximately 1.1% higher than the same period of last year. For the remainder of the year, the Company expects revenues to increase due to an increase in the number of water and wastewater customers from acquisitions and growth within the Company’s service territory and the DSIC. The duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic including any resulting economic slowdown or changes in consumption patterns could impact results. Other regulatory actions and weather patterns could also impact results.
Operating expenses for the first nine months of 2022 increased $2,777, or 11.8%, from $23,445 for the first nine months of 2021 to $26,222 for the corresponding 2022 period. The increase was primarily due to higher expenses of approximately $950 for depreciation, $452 for wastewater treatment, $335 for water treatment, $240 for distribution system maintenance, $239 for wages, $178 for billing and revenue collection services, and $169 for outside services. Other expenses increased by a net of $214. For the remainder of the year, the Company expects depreciation expense to continue to rise due to additional investment in utility plant, and other expenses to increase at a moderate rate as costs to treat water and wastewater, and to maintain and extend the distribution system, continue to rise.
Interest on debt for the first nine months of 2022 increased $33, or 0.9%, from $3,673 for the first nine months of 2021 to $3,706 for the corresponding 2022 period. The increase was primarily due to an increase in long-term debt outstanding. The average debt outstanding under the lines of credit was $12,102 for the first nine months of 2022 and $9,405 for the first nine months of 2021. The weighted average interest rate on the lines of credit was 1.22% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 1.30% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Interest expense for the remainder of the year is expected to increase due to continued borrowings under the line of credit and higher interest rates.
Allowance for funds used during construction increased $19, from $883 in the first nine months of 2021 to $902 in the corresponding 2022 period due to a higher volume of eligible construction. Allowance for funds used during construction for the remainder of the year is expected to increase based on a projected increase in the amount of eligible construction.
Other income (expenses), net for the first nine months of 2022 reflects increased expenses of $367 as compared to the same period of 2021. Higher charitable contributions of approximately $259, lower earnings on life insurance policies of $87, and higher retirement expenses of $20 were the primary reasons for the increase. Other expenses increased by a net of $1. For the remainder of the year, other income (expenses) will be largely determined by the change in market returns and discount rates for retirement programs and related assets.
Income taxes for the first nine months of 2022 decreased $1,224, or (113.6)%, compared to the same period of 2021 primarily due to higher deductions from the IRS TPR. The Company’s effective tax rate was (1.0)% for the first nine months of 2022 and 7.7% for the first nine months of 2021. The Company's effective tax rate for the remainder of 2022 will be largely determined by the level of eligible asset improvements expensed for tax purposes under TPR each period.
Rate Matters
See Note 10 to the financial statements included herein for a discussion of rate matters.
Effective October 1, 2022, the Company's tariff included a DSIC on revenues of 4.91%.
Acquisitions and Growth
On June 9, 2022, the Company signed an agreement to purchase the wastewater collection and treatment assets of MESCO, Inc. in Monaghan Township, York County, Pennsylvania. Completion of the acquisition is contingent upon receiving approval from all required regulatory authorities. Closing is expected in the first half of 2023 at which time the Company will add approximately 180 wastewater customers.
On April 28, 2022, the Company signed an agreement to purchase the water assets and wastewater collection and treatment assets of Conewago Industrial Park Water & Sewer Company in Donegal Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Completion of the acquisition is contingent upon receiving approval from all required regulatory authorities. Closing is expected in the first half of 2023 at which time the Company will add approximately 30 commercial and industrial water and wastewater customers.
On July 30, 2021, the Company signed an agreement to purchase the water assets of Scott Water Company in Greene Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Completion of the acquisition is contingent upon receiving approval from all required regulatory authorities. Closing is expected in 2022 at which time the Company will add approximately 25 water customers.
On October 8, 2013, the Company signed an agreement to purchase the wastewater collection and treatment assets of SYC WWTP, L.P. in Shrewsbury and Springfield Townships, York County, Pennsylvania. On July 1, 2020, the Company signed an agreement to purchase the Albright Trailer Park water assets and wastewater collection assets of R.T. Barclay, Inc. in Springfield Township, York County, Pennsylvania. Completion of the acquisitions is contingent upon receiving approval from all required regulatory authorities. Closing is expected in 2022, at which time the Company will add approximately 90 combined wastewater customers and approximately 60 water customers through an interconnection with its current water distribution system. The wastewater customers of the Albright Trailer Park are currently served by SYC WWTP, L.P. and the water customers are currently served by the Company, each through a single customer connection to the park.
In total, these acquisitions are expected to be immaterial to Company results. The Company is also pursuing other bulk water contracts and acquisitions in and around its service territory to help offset any potential declines in per capita water consumption and to grow its business.
On May 10, 2017, the Company signed an emergency interconnect agreement with Dallastown-Yoe Water Authority. The effectiveness of this agreement is contingent upon receiving approval from all required regulatory authorities. Approval is expected to be granted in 2023 at which time the Company will begin construction of a water main extension to a single point of interconnection and either supply a minimum agreed upon amount of water to the authority, receive a payment in lieu of water, or provide water during an emergency, at current tariff rates.
Capital Expenditures
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company invested $34,050 in construction expenditures for routine items, armoring and replacing the spillway of the Lake Williams dam, and wastewater treatment plant construction as well as various replacements and improvements to infrastructure. The Company was able to fund construction expenditures using internally-generated funds, line of credit borrowings, cash generated from the underwritten common stock offering, proceeds from its stock purchase plans and customer advances and contributions from developers, municipalities, customers, or builders.
The Company anticipates construction expenditures for the remainder of 2022 of approximately $11,000 exclusive of any potential acquisitions not yet approved. In addition to routine transmission and distribution projects, a portion of the anticipated expenditures will be for armoring and replacing the spillway of the Lake Williams dam, additional main extensions, and various replacements and improvements to infrastructure. The Company intends to use primarily internally-generated funds for its anticipated construction and fund the remainder through line of credit borrowings, proceeds from its stock purchase plans and customer advances and contributions. Customer advances and contributions are expected to account for between 5% and 10% of funding requirements during the remainder of 2022. The Company believes it will have adequate credit facilities and access to the capital markets, if necessary, to fund anticipated capital and acquisition expenditures in 2022 and 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash
The Company manages its cash through a cash management account that is directly connected to its line of credit. Excess cash generated automatically pays down outstanding borrowings under the line of credit arrangement. If there are no outstanding borrowings, the cash is used as an earnings credit to reduce banking fees. Likewise, if additional funds are needed beyond what is generated internally for payroll, to pay suppliers, to fund capital expenditures, or to pay debt service, funds are automatically borrowed under the line of credit. As of September 30, 2022, the Company borrowed $7,107 on its line of credit and incurred a cash overdraft on its cash management account of $3,608. The cash and cash management facility connected to the line of credit are expected to provide the necessary liquidity and funding for the Company's operations, capital expenditures, and acquisitions for the foreseeable future.
Accounts Receivable
The accounts receivable balance tends to follow the change in revenues but is also affected by the timeliness of payments by customers and the level of the reserve for doubtful accounts. In the three months ended September 30, 2022, higher revenue levels as compared to the end of 2021 resulted in an increase in accounts receivable – customers. A reserve is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated based on inactive accounts with outstanding balances. Management periodically evaluates the adequacy of the reserve based on past experience, agings of the receivables, adverse situations that may affect a customer’s ability to pay, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. During 2022, management’s assessment included consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic along with past trends during times of economic instability and regulations from the PPUC regarding customer collections, including the aging of balances in payment agreements, and determined its allowance for doubtful accounts should remain elevated compared to historical norms. If the status of these factors deteriorates, the Company may incur additional expenses for uncollectible accounts and experience a reduction in its internally-generated funds.
Internally-generated Funds
The amount of internally-generated funds available for operations and construction depends on the Company’s ability to obtain timely and adequate rate relief, changes in regulations including taxes, customers’ water usage, weather conditions, customer growth and controlled expenses. During the first nine months of 2022, the Company generated $17,311 internally from operations as compared to the $18,476 it generated during the first nine months of 2021. The decrease was primarily due to the increase in accounts receivable – customers.
Common Stock
On April 5, 2022, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 975,600 shares of its common stock, with an offering price of $41 per share. On April 7, 2022, the Company closed on the full exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase an additional 146,340 shares of its common stock at the same price. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC was the underwriter in the offering. The Company received net proceeds in the offering, after deducting offering expenses and underwriters’ discounts and commissions, of $43,970. The net proceeds were used to repay the Company’s borrowings under its line of credit agreement incurred to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions, and for general corporate purposes.
Common stockholders’ equity as a percent of the total capitalization was 61.7% as of September 30, 2022, compared with 50.6% as of December 31, 2021. Based on the equity percentage falling to fifty percent, the Company completed the underwritten common stock offering, increasing equity as a percentage of total capitalization. The Company expects to use long-term debt for its future financing needs and allow the debt percentage to trend upward until it approaches fifty percent before considering additional equity. It is the Company’s general intent to target equity between fifty and fifty-four percent of total capitalization.
The Company has the ability to issue approximately $4,000 of additional shares of its common stock or debt securities remaining under an effective “shelf” Registration Statement on Form S-3 on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission subject to market conditions at the time of any such offering.
Credit Line
Historically, the Company has borrowed under its line of credit before refinancing with long-term debt or equity capital. As of September 30, 2022, the Company maintained an unsecured line of credit in the amount of $50,000 at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.05% with an unused commitment fee and an interest rate floor. The Company had $7,107 in outstanding borrowings under its line of credit as of September 30, 2022. The interest rate on the line of credit borrowings as of September 30, 2022 was 3.61%. In the third quarter of 2022, the Company renewed its committed line of credit and extended the maturity date to September 2024. As part of the renewal, the interest rate will change from LIBOR plus 1.05% to a successor rate of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or SOFR, plus 1.17% on January 1, 2023, in advance of the likely discontinuation of LIBOR in 2023. No other terms or conditions of the line of credit agreement were modified.
The Company has taken steps to manage the risk of reduced credit availability. It has established a committed line of credit with a 2-year revolving maturity that cannot be called on demand. There is no guarantee that the Company will be able to obtain sufficient lines of credit with favorable terms in the future. If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient lines of credit or to refinance its line of credit borrowings with long-term debt or equity when necessary, it may have to eliminate or postpone capital expenditures. Management believes the Company will have adequate capacity under its current line of credit to meet anticipated financing needs throughout 2022 and 2023.
Long-term Debt
The Company’s loan agreements contain various covenants and restrictions. Management believes it is currently in compliance with all of these restrictions. See Note 6 to the financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 for additional information regarding these restrictions.
The Company’s total long-term debt as a percentage of the total capitalization, defined as total common stockholders’ equity plus total long-term debt, was 38.3% as of September 30, 2022, compared with 49.4% as of December 31, 2021. Based on the debt percentage reaching fifty percent, the Company completed an underwritten common stock offering in April 2022 and repaid its line of credit, decreasing long-term debt as a percentage of total capitalization. The Company expects to use long-term debt for its future financing needs and allow the debt percentage to trend upward. A debt to total capitalization ratio between forty-six and fifty percent has historically been acceptable to the PPUC in rate filings.
The variable rate line of credit and the interest rate swap of the Company use the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) as a benchmark for establishing the rates. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (UK FCA), which regulates LIBOR, has previously announced that it intends to stop encouraging or compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR rates after 2021. On January 4, 2022, the UK FCA announced that certain dollar denominated LIBOR settings, including the 1-month setting used by the Company’s variable line of credit and interest rate swap, would be calculated through June 30, 2023. This indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis is not guaranteed after that date and based on the foregoing, it appears likely that LIBOR will be discontinued or modified. As part of the renewal of its line of credit in the third quarter of 2022, the agreement has been amended to change the reference rate from LIBOR to SOFR on January 1, 2023. The margin was established at the historical spread between LIBOR and SOFR to minimize the impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon this change. The Company believes that it is implicit in its other agreements that a successor rate to LIBOR may be used. The Company is not yet aware what successor rate will be used in those agreements and therefore cannot estimate the impact to the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows, but it could include an increase in the cost of the variable rate indebtedness.
Income Taxes, Deferred Income Taxes and Uncertain Tax Positions
Under the Internal Revenue Service TPR, the Company is permitted to deduct the costs of certain asset improvements that were previously being capitalized and depreciated for tax purposes as an expense on its income tax return. This ongoing deduction results in a reduction in the effective income tax rate, a net reduction in income tax expense, and a reduction in the amount of income taxes currently payable. It also results in increases to deferred tax liabilities and regulatory assets representing the appropriate book and tax basis difference on capital additions. The Company expects to continue to expense these asset improvements in the future.
The Company’s effective tax rate will largely be determined by the level of eligible asset improvements expensed for tax purposes that would have been capitalized for tax purposes prior to the implementation of TPR.
On July 8, 2022, the Pennsylvania budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 was signed into law. A provision within the tax code bill included with the budget provides for an annual phase-down of the Pennsylvania corporate net income tax rate of one percentage point in the first year beginning January 1, 2023 from 9.99% to 8.99%, and a one-half percentage point each year thereafter until it reaches 4.99% beginning January 1, 2031. The Company has remeasured the state portion of the Company’s deferred income taxes as of September 30, 2022. The effect, net of the federal benefit, of $18 was recognized in income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. Deferred income taxes for differences that are recognized for ratemaking purposes on a cash or flow-through basis were remeasured with offsetting changes to regulatory assets and liabilities on the balance sheet as of September 30, 2022. The Company expects any savings in its Pennsylvania current income taxes to be returned to its customers through the rate making process or as a future negative surcharge on their bills.
The Company has a substantial deferred income tax asset primarily due to the excess accumulated deferred income taxes on accelerated depreciation from the 2017 Tax Act and the differences between the book and tax balances of the customers’ advances for construction and contributions in aid of construction and deferred compensation plans. The Company does not believe a valuation allowance is required due to the expected generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.
The Company has seen an increase in its deferred income tax liability amounts primarily as a result of the accelerated depreciation deduction available for federal tax purposes which creates differences between book and tax depreciation expense. The Company expects this trend to continue as it makes significant investments in capital expenditures subject to accelerated depreciation or TPR.
The Company has determined there are no uncertain tax positions that require recognition as of September 30, 2022.
Credit Rating
On August 9, 2022, Standard & Poor’s affirmed the Company’s credit rating at A-, with a stable outlook and adequate liquidity. The Company’s ability to maintain its credit rating depends, among other things, on adequate and timely rate relief, which it has been successful in obtaining, its ability to fund capital expenditures in a balanced manner using both debt and equity and its ability to generate cash flow. The Company’s objectives are to continue to maximize its funds provided by operations and maintain a strong capital structure in order to be able to attract capital.
Physical and Cyber Security
The Company maintains security measures at its facilities, and collaborates with federal, state, and local authorities and industry trade associations regarding information on possible threats and security measures for water and wastewater utility operations. The costs incurred are expected to be recoverable in water and wastewater rates and are not expected to have a material impact on its business, financial condition, or results of operations.
The Company relies on information technology systems in connection with the operation of the business, especially with respect to customer service, billing, accounting, and in some cases, the monitoring and operation of treatment, storage, and pumping facilities. In addition, the Company relies on these systems to track utility assets and to manage maintenance and construction projects, materials and supplies, and human resource functions. The information technology systems may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from cyber security attacks or other cyber-related events, including, but not limited to, power loss, computer systems failures, internet, telecommunications or data network failures, physical and electronic loss of data, computer viruses, intentional security breaches, hacking, denial of service actions, misappropriation of data, and similar events. In some cases, administration of certain functions may be outsourced to third-party service providers that could also be targets of cyber security attacks. A loss of these systems, or major problems with the operation of these systems, could harm the business, financial condition, and results of operations of the Company through the loss or compromise of customer, financial, employee, or operational data, disruption of billing, collections or normal field service activities, disruption of electronic monitoring and control of operational systems, and delays in financial reporting and other normal management functions.
Possible impacts associated with a cyber security attack or other events may include remediation costs related to lost, stolen, or compromised data, repairs to data processing systems, increased cyber security protection costs, adverse effects on our compliance with regulatory and environmental laws and regulation, including standards for drinking water, litigation, and reputational damage.
The Company has implemented processes, procedures, and controls to prevent or limit the effect of these possible events and maintains insurance to help defray costs associated with cyber security attacks. The Company has not experienced a material impact on business or operations from these attacks. Although the Company does not believe its systems are at a materially greater risk of cyber security attacks than other similar organizations and despite the implementation of robust security measures, the Company cannot provide assurance that the insurance will fully cover the costs of a cyber security event, and its robust security measures do not guarantee that reputation and financial results will not be adversely affected by such an incident.
The Company entered into a consent order agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, or DEP, in December 2016 after the Company determined it exceeded the action level for lead as established by the Lead and Copper Rule, or LCR, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Company did not have an exceedance in any subsequent compliance test and successfully completed its commitment to exceed the LCR replacement schedule by replacing all the known company-owned lead service lines within four years from the agreement. In June 2022, DEP determined the Company had completed all requirements and terminated the consent order agreement.
The Company was granted approval by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or PPUC, to modify its tariff to include the cost of the annual replacement of up to 400 lead customer-owned service lines over nine years from the agreement. The tariff modification allows the Company to replace customer-owned service lines at its own initial cost. The Company will record the costs as a regulatory asset to be recovered in future base rates to customers, over a four-year period. The cost for the customer-owned lead service line replacements was approximately $1,501 and $1,351 through September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, and is included as a regulatory asset. Based on its experience, the Company estimates that lead customer-owned service lines replacements will cost $1,700. This estimate is subject to adjustment as more facts become available.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The methods, estimates, and judgments the Company used in applying its accounting policies have a significant impact on the results reported in its financial statements. The Company’s accounting policies require management to make subjective judgments because of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company’s most critical accounting estimates include regulatory assets and liabilities, revenue recognition, accounting for its pension plans, and income taxes. There has been no significant change in accounting estimates or the method of estimation during the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not use off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements or obligations that may have a material current or future effect on financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources or significant components of revenues or expenses. The Company does not use securitization of receivables or unconsolidated entities. For risk management purposes, the Company uses a derivative financial instrument, an interest rate swap agreement discussed in Note 6 to the financial statements included herein. The Company does not engage in trading or other risk management activities, does not use other derivative financial instruments for any purpose, has no guarantees and does not have material transactions involving related parties.
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. |
Not applicable.
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures. |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon this evaluation, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer along with the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report are effective such that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. A controls system cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.
No change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.