Table of Contents


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the quarterly period ended
September 30, 20172019
OR 
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the transition period from __________ to __________.
  
 Commission File Number1-7978
Black Hills Power, Inc.
Incorporated inSouth DakotaIRS Identification Number46-0111677
625 Ninth Street7001 Mount Rushmore RoadRapid CitySouth Dakota57702
Rapid City, South Dakota 57701
Registrant’s telephone number(605)721-1700
Former name, former address, and former fiscal year if changed since last report
NONE


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
x
No o


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes
x
No o


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerAccelerated Filero Accelerated filerFilero
     
Non-accelerated filerFilerx(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
     
   Smaller reporting companyReporting Companyo
     
   Emerging growth companyGrowth Companyo


If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yeso
No x

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None


As of October 31, 2017,2019, there were issued and outstanding 23,416,396 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, $1.00 par value, all of which were held beneficially and of record by Black Hills Corporation.


Reduced Disclosure


The Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H (1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


  Page
GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
   
PART 1.FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
   
Item 1. 
Condensed Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income - unaudited
 Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 
 
 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements - unaudited
  
Item 2.
Item 4.
   
Item 4.Controls and Procedures
 
PART II.OTHER INFORMATION
   
Item 1.
Item 6.
   
Item 1A.Risk Factors
  
Item 6.Exhibits
Signatures




GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS


The following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report and have the definitions described below:


AFUDCAllowance for Funds Used During Construction
ASCAccounting Standards Codification
ASUAccounting Standards Update issued by the FASB
BHCBlack Hills Corporation; the Parent Company
Black Hills EnergyThe name used to conduct the business of BHC utility companies
Black Hills Utility HoldingsBlack Hills Utility Holdings, Inc. a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation (doing business as Black Hills Energy)
Black Hills Service CompanyBlack Hills Service Company, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of BHC
Cheyenne LightCheyenne Light, Fuel and Power Company, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation (doing business as Black Hills Energy)Energy and providing electric service)
Cooling Degree Daydegree day (CDD)A cooling degree day is equivalent to each degree that the average of the high and low temperature for a day is above 65 degrees. The warmer the climate, the greater the number of cooling degree days. Cooling degree days are used in the utility industry to measure the relative warmth of weather and to compare relative temperatures between one geographic area and another. Normal degree days are based on the National Weather Service data for selected locations over a 30-year average.locations.
DSMCPCNDemand Side Management
ECAEnergy Cost Adjustment - adjustments that allow us to pass the prudently-incurred costCertificate of fuelPublic Convenience and purchased energy through to customers.Necessity
FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board
FERCUnited States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FitchFitch Ratings
GAAPAccounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Global Settlement
Settlement with a utilities commission where the dollar figure is agreed upon, but the specific adjustments used by each party to arrive at the figure are not specified in public rate orders.

Happy JackHappy Jack Wind Farms, LLC, a subsidiary of Duke Energy Generation Services
Heating degree day (HDD)A heating degree day is equivalent to each degree that the average of the high and the low temperatures for a day is below 65 degrees. The colder the climate, the greater the number of heating degree days. Heating degree days are used in the utility industry to measure the relative coldness of weather and to compare relative temperatures between one geographic area and another. Normal degree days are based on the National Weather Service data for selected locations over a 30-year average.locations.
kVHorizon PointKilovoltBHC Corporate headquarters building in Rapid City, South Dakota, which was completed in 2017.
LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate
Moody’sMoody’s Investors Service, Inc.
MWMegawatts
MWhMegawatt-hours
ParentBlack Hills Corporation
SDPUCSouth Dakota Public Utilities Commission
SECU. S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Silver SageSilver Sage Windpower, LLC, a subsidiary of Duke Energy Generation Services
SourceGasSourceGas Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries, a gas utility owned by funds managed by Alinda Capital Partners and GE Energy Financial Services, a unit of General Electric Co. (NYSE:GE) that was acquired by BHC on February 12, 2016, and is now named Black Hills Gas Holdings, LLC (doing business as Black Hills Energy)
South Dakota ElectricIncludes Black Hills Power, which includes operations in South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana
S&PStandard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
TCATCJATransmission Cost Adjustment - adjustments passed through to the customer based on transmission costs that are higher or lower than the costs approved in the rate case.Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted December 22, 2017
Winter Storm AtlasWPSCAn October 2013 blizzard that impacted South Dakota Electric. It was the second most severe blizzard in Rapid City’s history.Wyoming Public Service Commission
WRDCWyodak Resources Development Corp., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BHC
Wygen III110 MW mine-mouth coal-fired power plant in which BHP owns a 52% interest, MDU owns a 25% interest and the City of Gillette owns the remaining 23% interest. BHP operates the plant.
Wyodak PlantWyodak, a 362 MW mine-mouth coal-fired plant in Gillette, Wyoming, owned 80% by Pacificorp and 20% by South Dakota Electric. Our WRDC mine supplies all of the fuel for the plant.
Wyoming Electric
Includes Cheyenne Light’s electric utility operations











BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(unaudited)2017 2016 2017 20162019201820192018
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Revenue$73,938
 $66,728
 $213,785
 $197,389
$77,022
$78,067
$225,309
$222,558
        
Operating expenses:        
Fuel and purchased power22,843
 18,421
 64,604
 55,375
21,805
25,207
62,919
68,400
Operations and maintenance16,747
 15,601
 52,589
 49,538
20,885
19,851
61,570
57,430
Depreciation and amortization9,053
 8,547
 26,578
 25,363
10,328
9,950
30,762
29,700
Taxes - property1,597
 1,749
 5,228
 4,987
2,000
1,631
6,102
5,741
Total operating expenses50,240
 44,318
 148,999
 135,263
55,018
56,639
161,353
161,271
        
Operating income23,698
 22,410
 64,786
 62,126
22,004
21,428
63,956
61,287
        
Other income (expense):        
Interest expense(5,483) (5,454) (16,873) (16,322)
AFUDC - borrowed369
 319
 953
 840
Interest charges - 
Interest expense incurred (including amortization of debt issuance costs, premiums, and discounts)(6,101)(5,632)(17,807)(16,873)
Allowance for funds used during construction - borrowed456
199
1,166
399
Interest income335
 510
 704
 1,004
316
250
603
488
AFUDC - equity676
 606
 1,864
 1,595
Other income (expense), net3
 48
 (119) 75
112
(247)28
(606)
Total other income (expense)(4,100) (3,971) (13,471) (12,808)
Total other income (expense), net(5,217)(5,430)(16,010)(16,592)
        
Income before income taxes19,598
 18,439
 51,315
 49,318
16,787
15,998
47,946
44,695
Income tax expense(5,772) (6,429) (15,632) (16,316)(3,044)(2,681)(8,558)(8,493)
Net income13,826
 12,010
 35,683
 33,002
13,743
13,317
39,388
36,202
        
Other comprehensive income (loss):       
Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses on settled/amortized interest rate swaps (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(6) and $(6) for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, and $(17) and $(17) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)10
 10
 31
 31
Reclassification adjustment of benefit plan liability - net gain (loss) (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(8) and $(8) for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and $(23) and $(21) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively)14
 14
 42
 41
Other comprehensive income24
 24
 73
 72
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: 
Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses on settled/amortized interest rate swaps (net of tax of $(3), $(6), $(10) and $(17), respectively)13
10
38
31
Reclassification adjustment of benefit plan liability - net gain (loss) (net of tax of $(3), $(9), $(10) and $(27), respectively)12
17
38
51
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax25
27
76
82
        
Comprehensive income$13,850
 $12,034
 $35,756
 $33,074
$13,768
$13,344
$39,464
$36,284

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these Condensed Financial Statements.



BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)September 30, 2017December 31, 2016
 (in thousands)
ASSETS  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$1,171
$234
Receivables - customers, net27,579
30,614
Receivables - affiliates5,498
9,526
Other receivables, net335
351
Money pool notes receivable, net8,881
28,409
Materials, supplies and fuel23,622
22,389
Regulatory assets, current18,819
18,119
Other, current assets3,432
3,876
Total current assets89,337
113,518
   
Investments4,902
4,841
   
Property, plant and equipment1,298,855
1,236,387
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(354,788)(338,828)
Total property, plant and equipment, net944,067
897,559
   
Other assets:  
Regulatory assets, non-current73,178
74,015
Other, non-current assets3,545
3,816
Total other assets76,723
77,831
TOTAL ASSETS$1,115,029
$1,093,749


The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these Condensed Financial Statements.



BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS


(unaudited)September 30, 2017December 31, 2016
 (in thousands, except common stock par value and share amounts)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY  
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable$14,701
$14,158
Accounts payable - affiliates26,828
31,799
Accrued liabilities50,337
37,436
Regulatory liabilities, current825
84
Total current liabilities92,691
83,477
   
Long-term debt339,860
339,756
   
Deferred credits and other liabilities:  
Deferred income tax liability, net, non-current220,857
211,443
Regulatory liabilities, non-current55,822
53,866
Benefit plan liabilities15,721
19,544
Other, non-current liabilities1,393
1,001
Total deferred credits and other liabilities293,793
285,854
   
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 4, 5 and 8)

   
Stockholder’s equity:  
Common stock $1 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 23,416,396 shares issued23,416
23,416
Additional paid-in capital39,575
39,575
Retained earnings326,883
322,933
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(1,189)(1,262)
Total stockholder’s equity388,685
384,662
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY$1,115,029
$1,093,749
 As of
(unaudited)September 30, 2019December 31, 2018
 (in thousands)
ASSETS  
Current assets:  
Cash$5
$112
Accounts receivable, net24,154
28,431
Accounts receivable from affiliates6,721
8,119
Materials, supplies and fuel26,190
24,853
Regulatory assets, current20,555
19,052
Other current assets4,296
4,538
Total current assets81,921
85,105
   
Investments4,860
4,889
   
Property, plant and equipment1,454,337
1,381,045
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization(393,013)(376,160)
Total property, plant and equipment, net1,061,324
1,004,885
   
Other assets:  
Regulatory assets, non-current54,234
56,680
Other assets, non-current24,006
9,729
Total other assets, non-current78,240
66,409
   
TOTAL ASSETS$1,226,345
$1,161,288


The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these Condensed Financial Statements.


BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSBALANCE SHEETS

(Continued)
(unaudited)Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20172016
 (in thousands)
Operating activities:  
Net income$35,683
$33,002
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities-  
Depreciation and amortization26,578
25,363
Deferred income tax6,188
22,267
Employee benefits613
1,327
AFUDC(2,817)(1,595)
Other adjustments, net2,298
118
Change in operating assets and liabilities -  
Accounts receivable and other current assets6,567
5,499
Accounts payable and other current liabilities3,077
(501)
Regulatory assets - current1,543
(4,029)
Contributions to defined benefit pension plan(4,000)(820)
Other operating activities, net(1,097)(3,994)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities74,633
76,637
   
Investing activities:  
Property, plant and equipment additions(61,537)(65,062)
Change in money pool notes receivable, net(12,472)(10,966)
Other investing activities313
(81)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(73,696)(76,109)
   
Financing activities:  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   
Net change in cash and cash equivalents937
528
   
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period234
297
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$1,171
$825
 As of
(unaudited)September 30, 2019December 31, 2018
 (in thousands, except share amounts)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY  
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable$17,492
$25,122
Accounts payable to affiliates26,648
25,804
Accrued liabilities45,223
34,193
Money pool notes payable17,370
38,690
Notes payable to Parent25,000

Regulatory liabilities, current2,821
2,574
Total current liabilities134,554
126,383
   
Long-term debt340,141
340,035
   
Deferred credits and other liabilities:  
Deferred income tax liabilities, net116,965
114,009
Regulatory liabilities, non-current162,821
160,642
Benefit plan liabilities12,823
14,606
Other deferred credits and other liabilities15,337
1,368
Total deferred credits and other liabilities307,946
290,625
   
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 5, 6 and 9)


   
Stockholder’s equity:  
Common stock $1 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 23,416,396 shares issued23,416
23,416
Additional paid-in capital39,575
39,575
Retained earnings381,528
342,145
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(815)(891)
Total stockholder’s equity443,704
404,245
   
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY$1,226,345
$1,161,288

See Note 7 for supplemental cash flow information.


The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these Condensed Financial Statements.



BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 20192018
 (in thousands)
Operating activities:  
Net income$39,388
$36,202
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
Depreciation and amortization30,762
29,700
Deferred income tax951
4,619
Employee benefits584
1,139
Other adjustments, net2,559
2,123
Change in operating assets and liabilities:  
Accounts receivable and other current assets4,290
224
Accounts payable and other current liabilities9,370
2,337
Regulatory assets - current(2,306)2,004
Regulatory liabilities - current298
8,224
Contributions to defined benefit pension plan(1,753)(1,795)
Other operating activities, net(667)(1,400)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities83,476
83,377
   
Investing activities:  
Property, plant and equipment additions(86,395)(47,527)
Proceeds from sale of assets
4,994
Other investing activities(868)(5,338)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(87,263)(47,871)
   
Financing activities:  
Change in money pool notes payable, net(21,320)(35,509)
Notes payable to Parent25,000

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities3,680
(35,509)
   
Net change in cash(107)(3)
   
Cash, beginning of period112
16
Cash, end of period$5
$13

See Note 8 for supplemental cash flow information.

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these Condensed Financial Statements.

BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

(unaudited)Common Stock    
(in thousands, except share amounts)SharesValueAdditional Paid in CapitalRetained EarningsAOCITotal
December 31, 201823,416,396
$23,416
$39,575
$342,145
$(891)$404,245
Net income (loss) available for common stock


15,497

15,497
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax



12
12
Cumulative effect of ASC 842 implementation


(7)
(7)
Other adjustments


1

1
March 31, 201923,416,396
$23,416
$39,575
$357,636
$(879)$419,748
Net income (loss) available for common stock


10,148

10,148
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax



39
39
Other adjustments


1

1
June 30, 201923,416,396
$23,416
$39,575
$367,785
$(840)$429,936
Net income (loss) available for common stock


13,743

13,743
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax



25
25
September 30, 201923,416,396
$23,416
$39,575
$381,528
$(815)$443,704


 Common Stock    
(in thousands except share amounts)SharesValueAdditional Paid in CapitalRetained EarningsAOCITotal
December 31, 201723,416,396
$23,416
$39,575
$332,499
$(1,258)$394,232
Net income (loss) available for common stock


11,760

11,760
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax



27
27
Dividend to Parent company


(16,000)
(16,000)
Other adjustments


1

1
March 31, 201823,416,396
$23,416
$39,575
$328,260
$(1,231)$390,020
Net income (loss) available for common stock


11,125

11,125
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax



28
28
Dividend to Parent company


(10,000)
(10,000)
June 30, 201823,416,396
$23,416
$39,575
$329,385
$(1,203)$391,173
Net income (loss) available for common stock


13,317

13,317
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax



27
27
Dividend to Parent company


(10,000)
(10,000)
Other adjustments


1

1
September 30, 201823,416,396
$23,416
$39,575
$332,703
$(1,176)$394,518

BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Reference is made to Notes to Financial Statements
included in our 20162018 Annual Report on Form 10-K)


(1)(1)    MANAGEMENT’S STATEMENT


The unaudited condensed financial statements included herein have been prepared by Black Hills Power, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,”“Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations; however, we believe that the footnotes adequately disclose the information presented. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto, included in our 20162018 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.


The information furnished in the accompanying condensed financial statements reflects certain estimates required and all adjustments, including accruals, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the September 30, 2017, 2019, December 31, 20162018 and September 30, 20162018 financial information and are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172019 and September 30, 2016,2018, and our financial condition as of September 30, 20172019 and December 31, 20162018 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations and financial condition to be expected as of or for any other period.

Revisions

Certain revisions have been made to prior year’s financial information to conform to the current year presentation.

We revised our presentation of cash and certain cash transactions processed on behalf of affiliates as of December 31, 2016.  We have banking arrangements at certain financial institutions whereby if required, payments of one account are cleared with cash from other accounts at the same financial institution; therefore, book overdrafts are presented on a combined basis by bank as cash and cash equivalents. Cash collected or disbursed on behalf of affiliates is presented as Receivables - affiliates or Accounts payable - affiliates. Prior year amounts were corrected to conform to the current year presentation, which decreased cash and cash equivalents by $9.4 million as of September 30, 2016. It also decreased net cash flows provided by operations by $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. We assessed the materiality of these changes, taking into account quantitative and qualitative factors, and determined them to be immaterial to the balance sheet as of September 30, 2016 and to the Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. There is no impact to the Statements of Income or Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for any period reported.


Recently Issued Accounting Standards


Revenue from Contracts with Customers,Financial Instruments -- Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, ASU 2014-092018-19


In May 2014,June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.2016-13, Financial Instruments -- Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which was subsequently amended by ASU 2018-19 in November 2018. The standard provides companies with a singleintroduces new accounting guidance for credit losses on financial instruments within its scope, including trade receivables. This new guidance adds an impairment model for use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific revenue guidance. The core principle of the modelthat is to recognize revenue when control of the goods or services transfers to the customer. The new disclosure requirements will provide information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from revenue contracts with customers. The guidancebased on expected losses rather than incurred losses. It is effective for annualinterim and interimannual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption on January 1, 2017 permitted. Entities will have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach to adopting this guidance. Under the modified approach, an entity would recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance with an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption.

We currently expect to implement the standard on a modified retrospective basis effective January 1, 2018. We have substantially completed our assessment of all sources of revenue2019, and are currently determining the impact that adoption of the new standard will have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. A majority of our revenues are from regulated tariff offerings that provide electricity with a defined contractual term. For such arrangements, we expect that revenue from contracts with the customer will be equivalent to the electricity delivered during that period. Therefore, we do not expect there will be a significant shift in the timing or pattern of revenue recognition for regulated tariff based sales. We


also continue to monitor outstanding industry implementation issues and assess the impacts to our current accounting policies and/or patterns of revenue recognition.

Compensation - Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-Retirement Benefit Cost, ASU 2017-07

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-Retirement Benefit Cost. The changes to the standard require employers to report the service cost component in the same line item(s) as other compensation costs, and require the other components of net periodic pension and post-retirement benefit costs to be separately presented in the income statement outside of income from operations. Additionally, only the service cost component may be eligible for capitalization, when applicable. However, all cost components remain eligible for capitalization under FERC regulations. This ASU will be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension and post-retirement benefit costs in the income statement. The capitalization of the service cost component of net period pension and post-retirement benefit costs in assets will be applied on a prospective basis. This new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods.modified-retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2020. We continue to assessdo not anticipate the impactadoption of this new standard on our financial statements and disclosures, and we monitor regulated utility industry implementation discussions and guidance. For our rate-regulated entities, we currently expectguidance to capitalize the other components of net periodic benefit costs into regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities. The presentation changes required for net periodic pension and post-retirement costs will result in offsetting changes to Operating income and Other income and are not expected to be material. We will implement this standard effective January 1, 2018.

Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, ASU 2016-15

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASU requires changes in the presentation of certain items including but not limited to debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies and distributions received from equity method investees. The ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017.We will use the retrospective transition method to adopt this standard with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. This standard will not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Leases, ASU 2016-02


In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes ASC 840, Leases. This ASU requires lessees to recognize aincrease transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of right-of-use assetassets and lease liabilityliabilities on the balance sheet for allmost leases, with a term greater than 12 months, whereas todaypreviously only financing typefinancing-type lease liabilities (capital leases) arewere recognized on the balance sheet. In addition,Under the definitionnew standard, disclosures are required to meet the objective of a lease has been revised in regardsenabling users of financial statements to when an arrangement conveysassess the right to control the useamount, timing and uncertainty of the identified asset under the arrangement which may result in changes to the classification of an arrangement as a lease. The ASU does not significantly change the lessees’ recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from the previous accounting standard. Lessors’ accounting under the ASU is largely unchanged from the previous accounting standard. The ASU expands the disclosure requirements of lease arrangements. Lessees and lessors will use a modified retrospective transition approach, which requires application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the year of adoption. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.leases.


We currently expect to adopt thisadopted the standard oneffective January 1, 2019. We continueelected the option to evaluatenot recast comparative periods presented with transitioning to the impactnew lease standard and will report these comparative periods as presented under previous lease guidance. In addition, we elected the package of thispractical expedients permitted under the transition guidance with the new standard, which among other things, allowed us to carry forward the historical lease classification. We also elected the practical expedient related to land easements, allowing us to carry forward our accounting treatment of existing land easement agreements.

Adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of an operating lease right-of-use asset and an off-setting operating lease obligation liability of $14 million as of January 1, 2019. The lease standard did not materially impact our net earnings and had no impact on cash flows.





(2)    REVENUE

Revenue Recognition

As of January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and its related amendments (collectively known as ASC 606). Revenue is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for goods or services, when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our financial position, resultscustomers. The following table depicts the disaggregation of operationsrevenue, from contracts with customers by customer type and cash flows as well as monitor emerging guidance on such topics as easementstiming of revenue recognition for the three and right of ways, pipeline laterals, purchase power agreements,nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. Sales tax and other industry-related areas.similar taxes are excluded from revenues.
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2019Three Months Ended September 30, 2018Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 (in thousands)
Customer types:    
Retail$51,056
$49,874
$150,941
$147,040
Wholesale7,918
8,255
23,041
25,496
Market - off-system sales5,122
7,625
12,185
13,349
Transmission/Other12,798
12,183
38,712
36,273
Revenue from contracts with customers76,894
77,937
224,879
222,158
Other revenues128
130
430
400
Total revenues$77,022
$78,067
$225,309
$222,558
     
Timing of revenue recognition:    
Services transferred over time$76,894
$77,937
$224,879
$222,158
Revenue from contracts with customers$76,894
$77,937
$224,879
$222,158


Contract Balances

The nature of our primary revenue contracts provides an unconditional right to consideration upon service delivery; therefore, no customer contract assets or liabilities exist. The unconditional right to consideration is represented by the balance in our Accounts receivable and is further discussed in Note 3. We have begun the process of identifying and categorizing our lease contracts and evaluating our current business processes.do not typically incur costs that would be capitalized to obtain or fulfill a revenue contract.








(2)
(3)
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS


Following is a summary of Receivables - customers,Accounts receivable, net included in the accompanying Condensed Balance Sheets (in thousands) as of:
 September 30, 2019December 31, 2018
Accounts receivable, trade$14,367
$16,236
Unbilled revenues9,894
12,333
Less allowance for doubtful accounts(107)(138)
Accounts receivable, net$24,154
$28,431

 September 30, 2017December 31, 2016
Accounts receivable trade$17,356
$16,972
Unbilled revenues10,348
13,799
Allowance for doubtful accounts(125)(157)
Receivables - customers, net$27,579
$30,614


(3)
(4)
REGULATORY ACCOUNTING


Our regulated electric operations are subject to regulation by various state and federal agencies. The accounting policies followed are generally subject to the Uniform System of Accounts of the FERC.


Our regulatory assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands) as of:
 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
Regulatory assets:   
Loss on reacquired debt (a)
$1,056
 $1,259
Deferred taxes on AFUDC (b)
4,946
 5,020
Employee benefit plans and related deferred taxes (c)

19,935
 19,868
Deferred energy and fuel cost adjustments (b)
22,270
 20,334
Deferred taxes on flow through accounting (c)
9,392
 8,749
Decommissioning costs (a)
6,654
 8,196
Vegetation management (a)
8,638
 10,366
Other regulatory assets (a)
1,898
 1,940
Total regulatory assets$74,789
 $75,732
Less current regulatory assets(20,555) (19,052)
Regulatory assets, non-current$54,234
 $56,680

 
Maximum Amortization
(in years)
September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Regulatory assets:    
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt (a)
8$1,604
 $1,815
Deferred taxes on AFUDC (b)
4510,192
 9,367
Employee benefit plans(c)

1220,180
 20,100
Deferred energy and fuel cost adjustments - current (a)
113,754
 18,119
Deferred gas cost adjustments (a) (e)
15,324
 4,897
Deferred taxes on flow through accounting (a)
3514,906
 12,545
Decommissioning costs, net of amortization(d)
610,766
 12,456
Other regulatory assets (a) (d)
615,271
 12,835
Total regulatory assets $91,997
 $92,134


Regulatory liabilities:   
Cost of removal for utility plant (a)
$56,113
 $52,366
Employee benefit plan costs and related deferred taxes (c)
7,518
 7,518
Excess deferred income taxes (c)
98,858
 100,276
TCJA revenue reserve2,821
 2,523
Other regulatory liabilities (c)
332
 533
Total regulatory liabilities$165,642
 $163,216
Less current regulatory liabilities(2,821) (2,574)
Regulatory liabilities, non-current$162,821
 $160,642
Regulatory liabilities:    
Cost of removal for utility plant (a)
61$43,518
 $41,541
Employee benefit plan costs and related deferred taxes (c)
1212,304
 12,304
Other regulatory liabilities13825
 105
Total regulatory liabilities $56,647
 $53,950

____________________
(a)We are allowed a recovery of costs, but we are not allowed a rate of return.
(b)In addition to recovery of costs, we are allowed a rate of return.
(c)In addition to recovery or repayment of costs, we are allowed a return on a portion of this amount or a reduction in rate base.
(d)In accordance with a settlement agreement approved by the SDPUC on June 16, 2017, the amortization of South Dakota Electric’s decommissioning costs of approximately $11 million, vegetation management costs of approximately $14 million, and Winter Storm Atlas costs of approximately $2.0 million are being amortized over 6 years, effective July 1, 2017. Decommissioning costs and Winter Storm Atlas costs were previously amortized over a 10 year period ending September 30, 2024. The vegetation management costs were previously unamortized. The change in amortization periods for these costs will increase annual amortization expense by approximately $2.7 million.
(e)Our deferred energy, fuel cost, and gas cost adjustments represent the cost of electricity and gas delivered to our electric utility customers that is either higher or lower than current rates and will be recovered or refunded in future rates. We file periodic quarterly, semi-annual, and/or annual filings to recover these costs based on the respective cost mechanisms approved by their applicable state utility commissions.



Regulatory Matters


There have been no significant changes to our Regulatory Matters from those previously disclosed in Note 1 of the Notes to the Financial Statements in our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K except as reported below.

Renewable Ready Service Tariffs and Corriedale Wind Energy Project

South Dakota Electric and Wyoming Electric received approvals for the Renewable Ready Service Tariffs and related jointly-filed CPCN to construct the $57 million, 40 MW Corriedale Wind Energy Project. The wind project will be jointly owned by the 2 electric utilities to deliver renewable energy for large commercial, industrial and governmental agency customers. The project is expected to be in service by the end of 2020. In September 2019, the customer subscription period was completed with customer interest fulfilling the 40 MW of available energy. On November 1, 2019, South Dakota Electric filed with the SDPUC an amendment seeking approval to increase the generating capacity under the tariff for the South Dakota portion by 12.5 MW to a total of 32.5 MW.



(4)(5)RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS


Dividend to Parent

We did not record any dividends for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. We recorded non-cash dividends to our Parent of $36 million and decreased the utility Money pool note receivable by $36 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Receivables and Payables


We have accounts receivable and accounts payable balances related to transactions with other BHC subsidiaries. The balances were as follows (in thousands) as of:
 September 30, 2019December 31, 2018
Accounts receivable from affiliates$6,721
$8,119
Accounts payable to affiliates$26,648
$25,804

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Receivables - affiliates$5,498
 $9,526
Accounts payable - affiliates$26,828
 $31,799


Money Pool Notes Receivable and Notes Payable


On September 1, 2017, the Utility Money Pool was transferred from Black Hills Power to our affiliate Black Hills Utility Holdings. This transfer reduced our cash by $0.7 million, reduced our Money pool notes receivable, net by $1.0 million and increased our Retained earnings by $0.3 million.

We will continue to participate in the Utility Money Pool Agreement (the Agreement). Under the Agreement, we may borrow from the pool; however the Agreement restricts the pool from loaning funds to BHC or to any of BHC’s non-utility subsidiaries. The Agreement does not restrict us from paying dividends to BHC. Borrowings under the Agreement bear interest at the weighted average daily cost of our parent company’s external borrowings as defined under the Agreement, or if there are no external funds outstanding on that date, then the rate will be the daily one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%. At September 30, 2017,2019, the average cost of borrowing under the Utility Money Pool was 1.66%2.57%.


We had the following balances with the Utility Money Pool (in thousands) as of:
 September 30, 2019December 31, 2018
Money pool notes payable$17,370
$38,690

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Money pool notes receivable, net$8,881
 $28,409


Our net interest income (expense) relating to balances with the Utility Money Pool was as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2019201820192018
Net interest income (expense)$(111)$(75)$(582)$(207)



Notes payable to Parent
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017201620172016
Net interest income (expense)$53
$277
$269
$845
 September 30, 2019December 31, 2018
Notes payable to Parent (a)
$25,000
$



(a) Note bears interest at 4.51%, expires December 31, 2019, and is eligible for annual renewal. Interest payable related to this note was $0.2 million as of September 30, 2019.


Other related party activity was as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2019201820192018
Revenue:    
Energy sold to Cheyenne Light$326
$311
$1,240
$1,515
Rent from electric properties$896
$908
$2,687
$3,025
Horizon Point shared facility revenues$3,007
$2,826
$9,020
$8,078
     
Fuel and purchased power:
    
Purchases of coal from WRDC$4,368
$4,161
$12,241
$12,477
Purchase of excess energy from Cheyenne Light$239
$193
$412
$361
Purchase of renewable wind energy from Cheyenne Light - Happy Jack$316
$262
$1,193
$1,284
Purchase of renewable wind energy from Cheyenne Light - Silver Sage$607
$582
$2,201
$2,371
Gas transportation service agreement with Cheyenne Light for firm and interruptible gas transportation$76
$96
$227
$288
     
Operations and maintenance:    
Corporate support services and fees from Black Hills Service Company$9,291
$9,836
$28,933
$25,046
Wygen III ground lease with WRDC$247
$241
$740
$722

 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017201620172016
Revenue:    
Energy sold to Cheyenne Light$361
$599
$1,866
$1,908
Rent from electric properties$935
$1,229
$2,805
$3,817
     
Fuel and purchased power:
    
Purchases of coal from WRDC$4,054
$4,122
$11,386
$12,275
Purchase of excess energy from Cheyenne Light$208
$64
$324
$172
Purchase of renewable wind energy from Cheyenne Light - Happy Jack$199
$312
$1,174
$1,329
Purchase of renewable wind energy from Cheyenne Light - Silver Sage$351
$547
$2,007
$2,276
     
Gas transportation service agreement:    
Gas transportation service agreement with Cheyenne Light for firm and interruptible gas transportation$99
$100
$297
$300
     
Corporate support:    
Corporate support services and fees from Parent, Black Hills Service Company and Black Hills Utility Holdings$6,626
$6,257
$20,346
$19,155



(5)
(6)
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS


The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Defined Benefit Pension Plan were as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2019201820192018
Service cost$91
$129
$274
$387
Interest cost603
548
1,808
1,645
Expected return on plan assets(851)(887)(2,554)(2,660)
Prior service cost3
11
8
33
Net loss (gain)305
516
915
1,548
Net periodic benefit cost$151
$317
$451
$953

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Service cost$137
 $151
 $409
 $453
Interest cost585
 625
 1,755
 1,875
Expected return on plan assets(898) (908) (2,692) (2,724)
Prior service cost10
 11
 32
 33
Net loss (gain)308
 498
 922
 1,496
Net periodic benefit cost$142
 $377
 $426
 $1,133


Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plan


The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plan were as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2019201820192018
Service cost$38
$48
$112
$145
Interest cost46
45
139
134
Prior service cost (benefit)(84)(84)(252)(252)
Net periodic benefit cost$
$9
$(1)$27

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Service cost$52
 $51
 $155
 $153
Interest cost44
 47
 132
 141
Prior service cost (benefit)(84) (84) (252) (252)
Net periodic benefit cost$12
 $14
 $35
 $42




Supplemental Non-qualified Defined Benefit Plans


The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Supplemental Non-qualified Defined Benefit Plans were as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2019201820192018
Interest cost$29
$27
$86
$81
Net loss (gain)15
26
48
78
Net periodic benefit cost$44
$53
$134
$159

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Interest cost$29
 $30
 $87
 $90
Net loss (gain)22
 20
 65
 62
Net periodic benefit cost$51
 $50
 $152
 $152


Contributions


Contributions to the Defined Benefit Pension Plan are cash contributions made directly to the Pension Plan Trust account. On July 24, 2017, we made contributionsContributions to the Defined Benefit Pension Plan in the amount of approximately $1.8 million. On September 15, 2017, we made an additional contribution of approximately $2.2 million to reduce Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation premiums and offset the forecasted increase in pension expense due to low bond yields which impact the pension discount rate. Contributions to thePostretirement Healthcare and Supplemental Plans are made in the form of benefit payments. Contributions made for 20172019 and anticipated contributions for 20172019 and 20182020 are as follows (in thousands):
 ContributionsRemaining Anticipated Contributions forAnticipated Contributions for
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 201920192020
Defined Benefit Pension Plan$1,753
$
$1,720
Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plan$350
$117
$477
Supplemental Non-qualified Defined Benefit Plans$173
$58
$217
 
Contributions
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
Remaining Anticipated Contributions for 2017Anticipated Contributions for 2018
Defined Benefit Pension Plan$4,000
$
$1,834
Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plan$406
$135
$565
Supplemental Non-qualified Defined Benefit Plans$185
$62
$246



(6)(7)FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS


Fair value is defined asFinancial instruments for which the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants atcarrying amount did not equal the measurement date. Accounting guidance on fair value measurements establishes a hierarchy for grouping assets and liabilities, based on significance of inputs. For additional information see Note 1 included in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

The estimated fair values of our financial instruments were as follows (in thousands) as of:
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 Carrying AmountFair Value Carrying AmountFair Value
Cash and cash equivalents (a)
$1,171
$1,171
 $234
$234
Long-term debt, including current maturities (b) (c)
$339,860
$439,973
 $339,756
$410,466
 September 30, 2019December 31, 2018
 Carrying AmountFair ValueCarrying AmountFair Value
Long-term debt, including current maturities (a) (b)
$340,141
$467,040
$340,035
$412,894
_________________
(a)Carrying value approximates fair value due to either short-term length of maturity or variable interest rates that approximate prevailing market rates and therefore is classified in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
(b)Long-term debt is valued based on observable inputs available either directly or indirectly for similar liabilities in active markets and therefore is classified in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
(c)(b)Carrying amount of long-term debt is net of deferred financing costs.





(7)(8)SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION


 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20192018
 (in thousands)
Non-cash investing and financing activities -  
Property, plant and equipment acquired with accrued liabilities$8,858
$10,540
Non-cash (decrease) to money pool notes receivable, net$
$(36,000)
Non-cash dividend to Parent$
$36,000
   
Cash (paid) refunded during the period for -  
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)$(14,946)$(14,104)

Nine months ended September 30,2017 2016
 (in thousands)
Non-cash investing and financing activities -   
Property, plant and equipment acquired with accrued liabilities$10,242
 $5,565
Non-cash (decrease) to money pool notes receivable, net$(32,000) $(36,500)
Non-cash dividend to Parent$32,000
 $36,500
    
Cash (paid) refunded during the period for -   
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)$(12,838) $(13,486)


(8)(9)COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES


There have been no significant changes to commitments and contingencies from those previously disclosed in Note 11 of our Notes to the Financial Statements in our 20162018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


(10)LEASES

We have a ground lease for the Wygen III generating facility with an affiliate and communication tower site and operation center facility leases with third parties. Our leases have remaining terms ranging from less than one year to 31 years.
The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands):
 Income Statement LocationThree Months Ended September 30, 2019Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Operating lease costOperations and maintenance$227
$683
Variable lease costOperations and maintenance39
121
Total lease cost $266
$804



Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):
 Balance Sheet LocationAs of September 30, 2019
Assets:  
Operating lease assetsOther assets, non-current$14,171
Total lease assets $14,171
   
Liabilities:  
Current:  
Operating leasesAccrued liabilities$198
   
Noncurrent:  
Operating leasesOther deferred credits and other liabilities13,993
Total lease liabilities $14,191


Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: 
Operating cash flows from operating leases$676
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: 
Operating leases$


As of September 30, 2019
Weighted average remaining lease term (years):
Operating leases30 years
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases4.4%


Scheduled maturities of operating lease liabilities for future years were as follows (in thousands):
 Total
2019 (a)
$231
2020856
2021856
2022856
2023853
Thereafter21,947
Total lease payments$25,599
Less imputed interest11,408
Present value of lease liabilities$14,191

(a)Includes lease obligations for the remaining three months of 2019.



ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Amounts are presented on a pre-tax basis unless otherwise indicated.
Minor differences in amounts may result due to rounding.


Significant Events

Regulatory Matters


On June 16, 2017,October 15, 2019, Moody’s affirmed South Dakota Electric’s credit rating at A1.

On September 17, 2019, South Dakota Electric received approval from the SDPUC on a settlement reached with the SDPUC staff agreeing to a six-year moratorium period effective July 1, 2017. As part of this agreement, South Dakota Electric will not increase base rates, absent an extraordinary event. The moratorium period also includes a suspension of both the Transmission Facility Adjustment and the Environmental Improvement Adjustment, and a $1.0 million increase to the annual power marketing margin guarantee during this period. Additionally, existing regulatory asset balances of approximately $13 million related to decommissioning and Winter Storm Atlas will be amortized over the moratorium period. These balances were previously amortized over a 10-year period ending September 30, 2024. The vegetation management regulatory asset of $14 million, previously unamortized, will also be amortized over the moratorium period. The change in amortization periods for these costs will increase annual amortization expense by approximately $2.7 million.

The June 16, 2017 settlement had no impact to base rates. The following table illustrates information about certain enacted regulatory provisions with respect to South Dakota Electric:
JurisdictionAuthorized Rate of Return on EquityAuthorized Return on Rate BaseAuthorized Capital Structure Debt/EquityEffective DateTariffs and Rate MattersPercentage of Power Marketing Profit Shared with Customers
SDGlobal Settlement7.76%Global Settlement10/2014ECA,TCA, Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery/ DSM70%

Transmission

Construction was completed construction on the 144 mile-longfinal 94-mile segment of a 175-mile electric transmission line connecting the Teckla Substation in northeast Wyoming to the Lange Substation nearfrom Rapid City, South Dakota.Dakota, to Stegall, Nebraska. The first 48-mile segment of this project connecting Teckla to Osage, WY was placed in service on August 31, 2016. TheJuly 25, 2018, and the second 33-mile segment connecting Osage to Lange was placed in service on May 30, 2017.November 20, 2018.


Tax Matters - Potential Corporate Tax ReformOn August 29, 2019, Fitch affirmed South Dakota Electric’s credit rating at A.


President TrumpSouth Dakota Electric and Congressional Republicans have stated that oneWyoming Electric received approvals for the Renewable Ready Service Tariffs and related jointly-filed CPCN to construct the $57 million, 40-megawatt Corriedale Wind Energy Project. The wind project will be jointly owned by the two electric utilities to deliver renewable energy for large commercial, industrial and governmental agency customers. The project is expected to be in service by the end of their top priorities is enactment2020. In September 2019, the customer subscription period was completed with customer interest fulfilling the 40 MW of comprehensive tax reform.available energy. On November 2, 2017,1, 2019, South Dakota Electric filed with the House Ways and Means Committee released its tax reform bill. Significant uncertainty exists asSDPUC an amendment seeking approval to increase the ultimate legislation that will be enacted into law.  We are evaluatinggenerating capacity under the proposed legislation; any impact on our future resultstariff for the South Dakota portion by 12.5 MW to a total of operations, financial position and cash flows as a result of the potential changes cannot yet be determined and such changes could be material.32.5 MW.


On April 30, 2019, S&P affirmed South Dakota Electric’s credit rating at A.


Results of Operations


The following discussion includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as another financial measure, gross margin, that is considered a “non-GAAP financial measure.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Gross margin (revenue less cost of sales) is a non-GAAP financial measure due to the exclusion of depreciation and amortization from the measure. The presentation of gross margin is intended to supplement investors’ understanding of our operating performance.


Gross margin is calculated as operating revenue less cost of fuel and purchased power. Our gross margin is impacted by the fluctuations in purchased power, purchases, natural gas and other fuel supply costs. However, while these fluctuating costs impact gross margin as a percentage of revenue, they only impact total gross margin if the costs cannot be passed through to our customers.


Our gross margin measure may not be comparable to other companies’ gross margin measure. Furthermore, this measure is not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance.




The following tables provide certain financial information and operating statistics:


Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
20172016Variance20172016Variance20192018Variance20192018Variance
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Revenue$73,938
$66,728
$7,210
$213,785
$197,389
$16,396
$77,022
$78,067
$(1,045)$225,309
$222,558
$2,751
Fuel and purchased power22,843
18,421
4,422
64,604
55,375
9,229
21,805
25,207
(3,402)62,919
68,400
(5,481)
Gross margin51,095
48,307
2,788
149,181
142,014
7,167
Gross margin (non-GAAP)55,217
52,860
2,357
162,390
154,158
8,232
  
Operating expenses27,397
25,897
1,500
84,395
79,888
4,507
33,213
31,432
1,781
98,434
92,871
5,563
Operating income23,698
22,410
1,288
64,786
62,126
2,660
22,004
21,428
576
63,956
61,287
2,669
  
Interest income (expense), net(4,779)(4,625)(154)(15,216)(14,478)(738)(5,329)(5,183)(146)(16,038)(15,986)(52)
Other income (expense), net679
654
25
1,745
1,670
75
112
(247)359
28
(606)634
Income tax expense(5,772)(6,429)657
(15,632)(16,316)684
(3,044)(2,681)(363)(8,558)(8,493)(65)
Net income$13,826
$12,010
$1,816
$35,683
$33,002
$2,681
$13,743
$13,317
$426
$39,388
$36,202
$3,186



Three

Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172019 Compared to ThreeNine Months Ended September 30, 2016.2018. Net income was $14$39 million compared to $12$36 million for the same period in the prior year primarily due to the following:


Gross margin increased overprimarily due to a $4.9 million reduction in the prior year reflecting a $2.8 million increase inpower capacity charges and increased rider revenues primarilyof $2.5 million related to transmission investment recovery. Higher cooling degree days were offset by lowerIncreased industrial usage per(partially due to a prior year customer outage), customer growth, and lower commercial and industrial demand. Cooling degree days were 11% higher than normal infavorable weather comprised the current year compared to 18% lower than normal forremainder of the same period in the prior year.increase.


Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher employee costs as a result of prior year integration activities and transitionoutside services expenses, charged to our Parent Company related to its prior year acquisition of SourceGas, increased amortization expenses as a result of the SDPUC settlement, and increased maintenance costs from outages.

Interest expense, net and other income, net were comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Income tax expense: The effective tax rate was lower than the prior year, primarilyhigher depreciation due to a higher flow-through benefits in the current year.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016. Net income was $36 million compared to $33 million for the same period in theasset base driven by prior year primarily due to the following:

Gross margin increased over the prior year reflecting a $4.0 million increase in rider revenues primarily related to transmission investment recovery. Higher cooling degree days were slightly offset by lower usage per customer and lower commercial and industrial demand. Cooling degree days were 12% higher than normal in the current year compared to 3% lower than normal for the same period in the prior year.

Operating expenses increased primarily due tocapital expenditures, and higher employee costs aspartially offset by a result of prior year integration activities and transitiondecrease in expenses charged to our Parent Company related to its prior year acquisition of SourceGas, increased amortization expenses as a result of the SDPUC settlement, and increased maintenance costs from higher outages.

Interest expense, net and other income, net were comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Income tax expense: The effective tax rate was lower than the prior year, primarily due to higher flow-through benefits in the current year.generation outages.


 Electric Revenue by Customer Type
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 (in thousands)
 2019 Percentage Change 2018 2019 Percentage Change 2018
Residential$17,215
 (4)% $17,971
 $53,975
 (3)% $55,458
Commercial24,430
 (5)% 25,601
 69,705
 (4)% 72,683
Industrial8,853
 15% 7,685
 25,786
 7% 24,131
Municipal896
 (11)% 1,005
 2,453
 (9)% 2,692
Total retail revenue51,394
 (2)% 52,262
 151,919
 (2)% 154,964
Wholesale (a)
7,917
 (4)% 8,255
 23,040
 (10)% 25,496
Market - off-system sales (b)
5,122
 (33)% 7,625
 12,185
 (9)% 13,349
Other revenue (c)
12,589
 27% 9,925
 38,165
 33% 28,749
Total revenue$77,022
 (1)% $78,067
 $225,309
 1% $222,558
____________________
(a)Decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily driven by prior year increased volumes on long-term wholesale contracts.
(b)Decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was driven by lower wholesale volume opportunities driven by weather and energy prices.
(c)Increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to the prior year reserve to revenue to reflect the reduction of the lower federal income tax rate from the TCJA on our existing rate tariffs.




 Electric Revenue by Customer Type
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 (in thousands)
 2017 Percentage Change 2016 2017 Percentage Change 2016
Residential$18,020
 3% $17,501
 $53,724
 1% $53,057
Commercial25,459
 (1)% 25,714
 72,608
 (1)% 73,026
Industrial8,149
 (2)% 8,275
 24,774
 1% 24,540
Municipal1,071
 2% 1,053
 2,849
 —% 2,844
Total retail revenue52,699
 —% 52,543
 153,955
 —% 153,467
Contract wholesale (a)
8,048
 75% 4,596
 22,593
 78% 12,717
Wholesale off-system (b)
4,787
 20% 3,984
 11,044
 (2)% 11,304
Other revenue (c)
8,404
 50% 5,605
 26,193
 32% 19,901
Total revenue$73,938
 11% $66,728
 $213,785
 8% $197,389
 Megawatt Hours Sold by Customer Type
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2019 Percentage Change 2018 2019 Percentage Change 2018
Residential124,656
 —% 125,159
 408,991
 1% 404,178
Commercial203,761
 —% 204,621
 579,521
 (1)% 586,336
Industrial (a)
118,792
 24% 95,473
 339,611
 11% 305,875
Municipal8,399
 (7)% 9,070
 22,728
 (6)% 24,052
Total retail quantity sold455,608
 5% 434,323
 1,350,851
 2% 1,320,441
Wholesale211,968
 (4)% 221,327
 629,210
 (7)% 677,163
Market - off-system sales (b)
129,433
 (25)% 172,141
 342,019
 (16)% 406,109
Total quantity sold797,009
 (4)% 827,791
 2,322,080
 (3)% 2,403,713
Losses and Company use (c)
38,716
 (18)% 47,171
 116,286
 (15)% 137,369
Total energy835,725
 (4)% 874,962
 2,438,366
 (4)% 2,541,082
____________________
(a)Increase for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172019 was primarily due to a new 50 MW power sales agreement effective January 1, 2017.
(b)Increase for three months ended September 30, 2017 was driven by higher commodity prices on similar MWh quantities sold. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 higher commodity prices primarily offset lower MWh quantities sold.
(c)Increase from the prior year is primarily due to higher transmission revenues.


 Megawatt Hours Sold by Customer Type
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 Percentage Change 2016 2017 Percentage Change 2016
Residential129,616
 5% 124,012
 386,709
 1% 381,616
Commercial212,773
 —% 213,276
 582,899
 (2)% 592,371
Industrial109,745
 —% 110,220
 323,038
 1% 320,861
Municipal10,156
 2% 9,927
 25,865
 —% 25,855
Total retail quantity sold462,290
 1% 457,435
 1,318,511
 —% 1,320,703
Contract wholesale (a)
185,723
 197% 62,547
 537,720
 195% 182,087
Wholesale off-system (b)
130,825
 2% 128,415
 388,287
 (12)% 438,852
Total quantity sold778,838
 20% 648,397
 2,244,518
 16% 1,941,642
Losses and company use (c)
56,447
 36% 41,585
 155,477
 40% 111,437
Total energy835,285
 21% 689,982
 2,399,995
 17% 2,053,079
____________________
(a)Increase for the threecustomer outage and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily due to a new 50 MW power sales agreement effective January 1, 2017.customer usage growth.
(b)Decrease in 2017for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to lower wholesale volume opportunities driven by commodity prices that impacted power marketing sales.weather and energy prices.
(c)Includes company uses, line losses, and excess exchange production.





Megawatt Hours Generated and PurchasedMegawatt Hours Generated and Purchased
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
Generated -2017 Percentage Change 2016 2017 Percentage Change 20162019 Percentage Change 2018 2019 Percentage Change 2018
Coal-fired423,766
 6% 401,231
 1,101,291
 4% 1,054,264
389,565
 (5)% 407,936
 1,086,432
 (9)% 1,195,104
Natural Gas and Oil (a)
54,466
 31% 41,654
 75,840
 (22)% 96,649
99,477
 61% 61,744
 175,904
 78% 98,609
Total generated478,232
 8% 442,885
 1,177,131
 2% 1,150,913
489,042
 4% 469,680
 1,262,336
 (2)% 1,293,713
       
      
Total purchased (b)(a)
357,053
 44% 247,097
 1,222,864
 36% 902,166
346,683
 (14)% 405,282
 1,176,030
 (6)% 1,247,369
Total generated and purchased (b)
835,285
 21% 689,982
 2,399,995
 17% 2,053,079
835,725
 (4)% 874,962
 2,438,366
 (4)% 2,541,082
____________________

(a) Increase is primarily due to low natural gas prices and the ability to generate at a lower cost than to purchase generation on the open market for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.


 Power Plant Availability
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2019201820192018
Coal-fired plants (a)
94.9%93.8%88.3%92.7%
Other plants (b)
81.8%96.0%83.0%97.6%
Total availability88.0%95.0%85.5%95.3%
____________________
(a)Variances for the three2019 included planned outages at Neil Simpson II and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in the prior year are driven primarily by the ability to purchase excess generation in the open marketWygen III, unplanned outages at a lower or higher cost than to generate.Wyodak Plant and Wygen III, and 2018 included planned outages at Neil Simpson II and Wyodak Plant.
(b)Increase in 2017 is primarily driven by resource needs from a new 50 MW power sales agreement effective January 1, 2017.

 Power Plant Availability
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 201720162017 2016
Coal-fired plants (a)
97.5% 92.8% 84.8% 83.2%
Other plants93.7% 97.7% 97.0% 98.4%
Total availability95.5% 95.6% 91.3% 91.8%
____________________
(a)Both years included outages. 20172019 included planned outages at Neil Simpson II, WyodakCT and Wygen II, and 2016 included a planned outage at Wygen III and an extended planned outage at Wyodak.Lange CT.



Degree Days Degree DaysDegree Days Degree Days
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018 2019 2018
ActualVariance from 30-year Average ActualVariance from 30-year Average ActualVariance from 30-year Average ActualVariance from 30-year AverageActualVariance from Normal ActualVariance from Normal ActualVariance from Normal ActualVariance from Normal
              
Heating degree days202
(10)% 161
(23)% 4,242
(5)% 3,844
(13)%175
(22)% 236
5 % 5,370
20 % 4,972
11 %
Cooling degree days595
11 % 460
(18)% 709
12 % 646
(3)%366
(31)% 356
(33)% 404
(36)% 488
(23)%


Credit Ratings


Credit ratings impact our ability to obtain short and long-term financing, the cost of such financing, and vendor payment terms including collateral requirements. The following table represents our secured credit rating from each agency’s review which was in effect at September 30, 2017:2019:


Rating AgencySenior Secured Rating
S&P(a)
A-A
Moody’s(b)
A1
Fitch(c)
A

__________
(a)On April 30, 2019, S&P affirmed A rating.
(b)On October 15, 2019, Moody’s affirmed A1 rating.
(c)On August 29, 2019, Fitch affirmed A rating.




FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION


This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements as defined by the SEC. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation those statements that are identified by the words “anticipates”, “estimates”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “predicts” and similar expressions, and include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. From time to time, the Company may publish or otherwise make available forward-looking statements of this nature, including statements contained within Item 2 - Management’s Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.


Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. The Company’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Company’s records and other data available from third parties. Nonetheless, the Company’s expectations, beliefs or projections may not be achieved or accomplished.


Any forward-looking statement contained in this document speaks only as of the date on which the statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of the factors, nor can it assess the effect of each factor on the Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. All forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are expressly qualified by the risk factors and cautionary statements described in Item 1A of our 20162018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including statements contained within Item 1A - Risk Factors and Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


This section should be read in conjunction with Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2018.


Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of September 30, 2017.2019. Based on their evaluation, they have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2017.2019.


Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Security Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting


During the quarter ended September 30, 2017,2019, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.




BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.


Part II - Other Information


Item 1.Legal Proceedings


For information regarding legal proceedings, see Note 11 of Notes to Financial Statements in Item 8 of our 20162018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 89 of our Notes to Condensed Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which information from Note 8 is incorporated by reference into this item.10-Q.




Item 1A.Risk Factors

There are no material changes to the Risk Factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of Part I in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.


Item 6.Exhibits


Exhibit 3.1*


Exhibit 3.2*


Exhibit 4.1*

First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2002, between Black Hills Power, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor to J.P. Morgan Chase Bank), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.20 to the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-150669-01)).
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 27, 2009, between Black Hills Power, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon (filed as Exhibit 4.21 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-150669-01)).
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2014, between Black Hills Power, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on October 2, 2014).

Exhibit 31.1


Exhibit 31.2


Exhibit 32.1


Exhibit 32.2


101.INSXBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101Financial Statements for XBRL Format101)
_________________________
*Previously filed as part of the filing indicated and incorporated by reference herein.




BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.


Signatures


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.




/S/ DAVIDLINDEN R. EMERYEVANS
DavidLinden R. Emery,Evans, Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer




/S/ RICHARD W. KINZLEY
Richard W. Kinzley, Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer


Dated: November 3, 20175, 2019




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