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
June 30, 20182019
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
7001 Mount Rushmore Road
Rapid CitySouth Dakota57702
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 July 31, 2018,2019, 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 Comprehensive Income - unaudited
 Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 
 
 June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017
 Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements - unaudited
  
Item 2.
Item 4.
 
PART II.OTHER INFORMATION
   
Item 1.Legal Proceedings
   
Item 1A.Risk Factors1.
Item 6.
   
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)
CDDCooling degree 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.
ECACPCNEnergy 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
Happy JackHappy Jack Wind Farms, LLC, a subsidiary of Duke Energy Generation Services
HDDHeating 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.
Horizon PointBHC Corporate headquarters building in Rapid City, South Dakota, which was completed in 2017.
kVKilovolt
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
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.
TCATransmission 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.
TCJATax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted December 22, 2017
WPSCWyoming 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 Black Hills Energy South Dakota. 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 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
(unaudited)2018 2017 2018 20172019201820192018
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Revenue$70,676
 $66,053
 $144,491
 $139,847
$69,246
$70,676
$148,287
$144,491
        
Operating expenses:        
Fuel and purchased power20,753
 18,612
 43,193
 41,761
18,381
20,753
41,114
43,193
Operations and maintenance18,428
 18,888
 37,579
 35,842
21,128
18,428
40,685
37,579
Depreciation and amortization9,866
 8,831
 19,750
 17,525
10,357
9,866
20,434
19,750
Taxes - property2,134
 2,010
 4,110
 3,631
2,070
2,134
4,102
4,110
Total operating expenses51,181
 48,341
 104,632
 98,759
51,936
51,181
106,335
104,632
        
Operating income19,495
 17,712
 39,859
 41,088
17,310
19,495
41,952
39,859
        
Other income (expense):        
Interest expense(5,654) (5,635) (11,241) (11,390)
AFUDC - borrowed152
 392
 200
 584
Interest charges - 
Interest expense incurred (including amortization of debt issuance costs, premiums, and discounts)(5,876)(5,654)(11,706)(11,241)
Allowance for funds used during construction - borrowed427
152
710
200
Interest income123
 243
 238
 369
172
123
287
238
AFUDC - equity137
 717
 171
 1,188
Other income (expense), net(379) (69) (530) (122)291
(242)(84)(359)
Total other income (expense)(5,621) (4,352) (11,162) (9,371)
Total other income (expense), net(4,986)(5,621)(10,793)(11,162)
        
Income before income taxes13,874
 13,360
 28,697
 31,717
12,324
13,874
31,159
28,697
Income tax expense(2,749) (4,073) (5,812) (9,860)(2,176)(2,749)(5,514)(5,812)
Net income11,125
 9,287
 22,885
 21,857
10,148
11,125
25,645
22,885
        
Other comprehensive income (loss):       
Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses on settled/amortized interest rate swaps (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(5) and $(5) for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, and $(11) and $(11) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively)11
 11
 21
 21
Reclassification adjustment of benefit plan liability - net gain (loss) (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(9) and $(8) for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, and $(18) and $(15) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively)17
 14
 34
 28
Other comprehensive income28
 25
 55
 49
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: 
Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses on settled/amortized interest rate swaps (net of tax of $(7), $(5), $(7) and $(11), respectively)25
11
25
21
Reclassification adjustment of benefit plan liability - net gain (loss) (net of tax of $(2), $(9), $(6) and $(18), respectively)14
17
26
34
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax39
28
51
55
        
Comprehensive income$11,153
 $9,312
 $22,940
 $21,906
$10,187
$11,153
$25,696
$22,940

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



BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 As of
(unaudited)June 30, 2018December 31, 2017
 (in thousands)
ASSETS  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$5
$16
Receivables - customers, net29,556
29,050
Receivables - affiliates5,426
5,664
Other receivables, net1,536
196
Materials, supplies and fuel24,165
23,443
Regulatory assets, current18,290
18,993
Other current assets3,462
4,528
Total current assets82,440
81,890
   
Investments4,991
4,926
   
Property, plant and equipment1,331,257
1,311,819
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(365,103)(358,946)
Total property, plant and equipment, net966,154
952,873
   
Other assets:  
Regulatory assets, non-current55,791
59,710
Other non-current assets8,972
3,747
Total other assets64,763
63,457
TOTAL ASSETS$1,118,348
$1,103,146


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



BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS


 As of
(unaudited)June 30, 2018December 31, 2017
 (in thousands, except common stock par value and share amounts)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY  
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable$14,239
$14,766
Accounts payable - affiliates25,185
25,653
Accrued liabilities44,791
38,205
Money pool notes payable14,949
13,397
Regulatory liabilities, current5,756
842
Total current liabilities104,920
92,863
   
Long-term debt339,965
339,895
   
Deferred credits and other liabilities:  
Deferred income tax liabilities, net109,783
110,618
Regulatory liabilities, non-current154,175
148,013
Benefit plan liabilities16,785
16,285
Other, non-current liabilities1,547
1,240
Total deferred credits and other liabilities282,290
276,156
   
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 earnings329,385
332,499
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(1,203)(1,258)
Total stockholder’s equity391,173
394,232
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY$1,118,348
$1,103,146
 As of
(unaudited)June 30, 2019December 31, 2018
 (in thousands)
ASSETS  
Current assets:  
Cash$5
$112
Accounts receivable, net25,882
28,431
Accounts receivable from affiliates5,102
8,119
Materials, supplies and fuel25,313
24,853
Regulatory assets, current22,339
19,052
Other current assets4,460
4,538
Total current assets83,101
85,105
   
Investments4,846
4,889
   
Property, plant and equipment1,428,721
1,381,045
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization(390,570)(376,160)
Total property, plant and equipment, net1,038,151
1,004,885
   
Other assets:  
Regulatory assets, non-current53,364
56,680
Other assets, non-current26,284
9,729
Total other assets, non-current79,648
66,409
   
TOTAL ASSETS$1,205,746
$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)Six Months Ended June 30,
 20182017
 (in thousands)
Operating activities:  
Net income$22,885
$21,857
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities-  
Depreciation and amortization19,750
17,525
Deferred income tax(1,407)1,605
Employee benefits760
408
AFUDC(171)(1,188)
Other adjustments, net1,262
408
Change in operating assets and liabilities -  
Accounts receivable and other current assets(1,494)7,188
Accounts payable and other current liabilities2,170
(3,486)
Regulatory assets - current2,797
(315)
Regulatory liabilities - current5,709
741
Other operating activities, net(458)380
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities51,803
45,123
   
Investing activities:  
Property, plant and equipment additions(27,399)(44,142)
Proceeds from sale of assets4,994

Change in money pool notes receivable, net
(62)
Other investing activities(4,961)3
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(27,366)(44,201)
   
Financing activities:  
Change in money pool notes payable, net(24,448)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(24,448)
   
Net change in cash and cash equivalents(11)922
   
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period16
234
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$5
$1,156
 As of
(unaudited)June 30, 2019December 31, 2018
 (in thousands, except share amounts)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY  
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable$22,730
$25,122
Accounts payable to affiliates24,737
25,804
Accrued liabilities38,159
34,193
Money pool notes payable13,071
38,690
Notes payable to Parent25,000

Regulatory liabilities, current2,392
2,574
Total current liabilities126,089
126,383
   
Long-term debt340,105
340,035
   
Deferred credits and other liabilities:  
Deferred income tax liabilities, net117,272
114,009
Regulatory liabilities, non-current162,104
160,642
Benefit plan liabilities14,568
14,606
Other deferred credits and other liabilities15,672
1,368
Total deferred credits and other liabilities309,616
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 earnings367,785
342,145
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(840)(891)
Total stockholder’s equity429,936
404,245
   
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY$1,205,746
$1,161,288

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 CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)Six Months Ended
June 30,
 20192018
 (in thousands)
Operating activities:  
Net income$25,645
$22,885
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
Depreciation and amortization20,434
19,750
Deferred income tax2,004
(1,407)
Employee benefits389
760
Other adjustments, net1,767
1,091
Change in operating assets and liabilities:  
Accounts receivable and other current assets4,841
(1,494)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities47
2,170
Regulatory assets - current(2,037)2,797
Regulatory liabilities - current(131)5,709
Other operating activities, net(2,372)(458)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities50,587
51,803
   
Investing activities:  
Property, plant and equipment additions(49,387)(27,399)
Proceeds from sale of assets
4,994
Other investing activities(688)(4,961)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(50,075)(27,366)
   
Financing activities:  
Change in money pool notes payable, net(619)(24,448)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(619)(24,448)
   
Net change in cash(107)(11)
   
Cash, beginning of period112
16
Cash, end of period$5
$5

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

 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
       


 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

BLACK HILLS POWER, INC.

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Reference is made to Notes to Financial Statements
included in our 20172018 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,” 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 20172018 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 June 30, 2019, December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018, December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017 financial information and are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2017, and our financial condition as of June 30, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations and financial condition to be expected as of or for any other period.


Recently Issued Accounting Standards


Financial Instruments -- Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, ASU 2018-19

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 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 introduces new accounting guidance for credit losses on financial instruments within its scope, including trade receivables. This new guidance adds an impairment model that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. It is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently assessing the impacts of adopting this standard.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Leases, ASU 2016-02


In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 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 most leases, whereas todaypreviously only financing-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 leases.

We adopted the previous accounting standard. Lessors’ accounting understandard effective January 1, 2019. We elected the ASU is largely unchanged from the previous accounting standard. The ASU expands the disclosure requirements of lease arrangements. Under the current guidance, lessees and lessors will use a modified retrospective transition approach, which requires application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliestoption to not recast comparative periodperiods 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. In January 2018, the FASB issued amendmentstransitioning to the new lease standard ASU No. 2018-01, allowing an entity to elect not to assess whether certain land easements are, or contain, leases when transitioning toand will report these comparative periods as presented under previous lease guidance. In addition, we elected the new lease standard. The FASB also issued additional amendments topackage of practical expedients permitted under the new lease standard in July 2018, ASU No. 2018-11, allowing companies to adopttransition guidance with the new standard, with a cumulative effect adjustmentwhich 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 the beginning of the year of adoption with prior year comparative financial information and disclosures remaining as previously reported.

We expect to adopt this standard on January 1, 2019. For existing or expired land easements that wereThe lease standard did not previously accounted for as a lease, we anticipate electing the practical expedient which provides formaterially impact our net earnings and had no assessment of these easements. Further, we anticipate adopting the new standard with a cumulative effect adjustment with prior year comparative financial information remaining as previously reported when transitioning to the new standard. The standard also provides a transition practical expedient, commonly referred to as the “package of three”, that must be taken together and allows entities to (1) not reassess whether existing contracts contain leases, (2) carryforward the existing lease classification, and (3) not reassess initial direct costs associated with existing leases. We expect to elect the “package of three” practical expedient. We continue to evaluate the additional transition practical expedients available under the guidance and the impact of this new standard on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. We are finalizing the process of identifying and categorizing our lease contracts and evaluating our current business processes relating to leases. We have selected and configured a new lease software solution that we are currently testing. We also continue to monitor utility industry lease implementation guidance that may change existing and future lease classification.






(2)    REVENUE

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards


Revenue from Contracts with Customers, ASU 2014-09Recognition


EffectiveAs 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). Under this standard, revenueRevenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We applied the five-step method outlined in the ASU to all in-scope revenue streams and elected the modified retrospective implementation method. Implementation of the standard did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Implementation of the standard did not have a significant impact on the measurement or recognition of revenue; therefore, no cumulative adoption adjustment to the opening balance of Retained earnings at the date of initial application was necessary. The additional disclosures required by the ASU are included in Note 2.

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

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-Retirement Benefit Cost. The standard requires 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. The capitalization of only the service cost component of net periodic pension and post-retirement benefit costs in assets was applied on a prospective basis for the six months ended June 30, 2018. Retrospective impact was not material and therefore not adjusted. For our rate-regulated entities, we capitalize the other components of net periodic benefit costs into regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities and maintain a FERC-to-GAAP reporting difference for these capitalized costs. The presentation changes required for net periodic pension and post-retirement costs resulted in offsetting changes to Operating income and Other income. Implementation of the standard did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted 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. We implemented this standard effective January 1, 2018 using the retrospective transition method. This standard had no impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.








(2)    REVENUE

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are 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 customers. Our primary types of revenue contracts are:

Regulated electric utility services tariffs - Our regulated operations, as defined by ASC 980, provide services to regulated customers under rates, charges, terms and conditions of service, and prices determined by the jurisdictional regulators designated for our service territories. Collectively, these rates, charges, terms and conditions are included in a tariff, which governs all aspects of the provision of our regulated services. Our regulated services primarily encompass single performance obligations material to the context of the contract for delivery of commodity electricity and electric transmission services. These service revenues are variable based on quantities delivered, influenced by seasonal business and weather patterns. Tariffs are only permitted to be changed through a rate-setting process involving the regulator-empowered statute to establish contractual rates between the utility and its customers. All of our regulated utility sales are subject to regulatory-approved tariffs.

Power sales agreements - We have long-term wholesale power sales agreements with other load serving entities, including affiliates, for the sale of excess power from owned generating units. These agreements include a combination of “take or pay” arrangements, where the customer is obligated to pay for the energy regardless of whether it actually takes delivery, as well as “requirements only” arrangements, where the customer is only obligated to pay for the energy the customer needs. In addition to these long-term contracts, we also sell excess energy to other load-serving entities on a short-term basis as a member of the Western States Power Pool. The pricing for all of these arrangements is included in the executed contracts or confirmations, reflecting the standalone selling price, and is variable based on energy delivered.

The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue, including intercompany revenue, from contracts with customers by customer type and timing of revenue recognition for each of the reporting segments.three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018. Sales tax and other similar taxes are excluded from revenues.
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019Three Months Ended June 30, 2018Six Months Ended June 30, 2019Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 (in thousands)
Customer types:    
Retail$46,809
$46,525
$99,885
$97,166
Wholesale6,780
8,191
15,123
17,241
Market - off-system sales2,393
3,449
7,063
5,724
Transmission/Other13,083
12,372
25,914
24,090
Revenue from contracts with customers69,065
70,537
147,985
144,221
Other revenues181
139
302
270
Total revenues$69,246
$70,676
$148,287
$144,491
     
Timing of revenue recognition:    
Services transferred over time$69,065
$70,537
$147,985
$144,221
Revenue from contracts with customers$69,065
$70,537
$147,985
$144,221

 Three Months Ended June 30, 2018Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 (in thousands)
Customer types:  
Retail$46,525
$97,166
Wholesale8,191
17,241
Market - off-system sales3,449
5,724
Transmission/Other12,372
24,090
Revenue from contracts with customers70,537
144,221
Other revenues139
270
Total revenues$70,676
$144,491
   
Timing of revenue recognition:  
Services transferred over time70,537
144,221
Revenue from contracts with customers$70,537
$144,221

The majority of the our revenue contracts are based on variable quantities delivered; any fixed consideration contracts with an expected duration of one year or more are immaterial to our revenues. Variable consideration constraints in the form of discounts, rebates, credits, price concessions, incentives, performance bonuses, penalties or other similar items are not material for our revenue contracts. We are the principal in our revenue contracts, as we have control over the services prior to those services being transferred to the customer.



Revenue Not in Scope of ASC 606

Other revenues included in the table above include revenue accounted for under separate accounting guidance, including lease revenue under ASC 840 and alternative revenue programs revenue under ASC 980.

Significant Judgments and Estimates
TCJA revenue reserve

The TCJA or “tax reform”, signed into law on December 22, 2017, reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. We have been collaborating with our regulators in the states in which we provide utility service to deliver to customers the benefits of a lower corporate federal income tax rate beginning in 2018 with the passage of the TCJA. We estimated and recorded a revenue reserve of approximately $2.6 million and $5.7 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.

On June 29, 2018, we filed our proposed TCJA agreement with the SDPUC with expected final approval by the end of 2018.

Unbilled Revenue

Revenues attributable to energy delivered to customers but not yet billed are estimated and accrued, and the related costs are charged to expense. Factors influencing the determination of unbilled revenues may include estimates of delivered sales volumes based on weather information and customer consumption trends.


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 Receivablereceivable and is further discussed in Note 1 of our Notes to the Financial Statements of our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K Business Description.3. We do not typically incur costs that would be capitalized, to obtain or fulfill a revenue contract.


Practical Expedients

Our revenue contracts generally provide for performance obligations that are fulfilled and transfer control to customers over time, represent a series of distinct services that are substantially the same, involve the same pattern of transfer to the customer, and provide a right to consideration from our customers in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer for the performance completed to date. Therefore, we recognize revenue in the amount to which we have a right to invoice.

We have revenue contract performance obligations with similar characteristics, and we reasonably expect that the financial statement impact of applying the new revenue recognition guidance to a portfolio of contracts would not differ materially from applying this guidance to the individual contracts or performance obligations within the portfolio. Therefore, we have elected the portfolio approach in applying the new revenue guidance.


(3)
(3)
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE


Following is a summary of Receivables - customers,Accounts receivable, net included in the accompanying Condensed Balance Sheets (in thousands) as of:
 June 30, 2019December 31, 2018
Accounts receivable trade$15,972
$16,236
Unbilled revenues10,110
12,333
Allowance for doubtful accounts(200)(138)
Accounts receivable, net$25,882
$28,431

 June 30, 2018December 31, 2017
Accounts receivable trade$17,471
$15,994
Unbilled revenues12,270
13,280
Allowance for doubtful accounts(185)(224)
Receivables - customers, net$29,556
$29,050




(4)
(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:
 June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
Regulatory assets:   
Loss on reacquired debt (a)
$1,124
 $1,259
Deferred taxes on AFUDC (b)
4,955
 5,020
Employee benefit plans and related deferred taxes (c)

20,022
 19,868
Deferred energy and fuel cost adjustments (b)
22,195
 20,334
Deferred taxes on flow through accounting (c)
9,201
 8,749
Decommissioning costs (a)
7,168
 8,196
Vegetation management (a)
9,214
 10,366
Other regulatory assets (a)
1,824
 1,940
Total regulatory assets$75,703
 $75,732
Less current regulatory assets(22,339) (19,052)
Regulatory assets, non-current$53,364
 $56,680

 
Maximum Amortization
(in years)
June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Regulatory assets:    
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt (a)
7$1,393
 $1,534
Deferred taxes on AFUDC (b)
455,038
 5,095
Employee benefit plans(c)

1219,665
 19,465
Deferred energy and fuel cost adjustments (a)
116,923
 19,602
Deferred taxes on flow through accounting548,137
 7,579
Decommissioning costs, net of amortization59,224
 10,252
Vegetation management, net of amortization511,518
 12,669
Other regulatory assets (a)
52,183
 2,507
Total regulatory assets $74,081
 $78,703


Regulatory liabilities:   
Cost of removal for utility plant (a)
$54,947
 $52,366
Employee benefit plan costs and related deferred taxes (c)
7,518
 7,518
Excess deferred income taxes (c)
99,417
 100,276
TCJA revenue reserve2,392
 2,523
Other regulatory liabilities (c)
222
 533
Total regulatory liabilities$164,496
 $163,216
Less current regulatory liabilities(2,392) (2,574)
Regulatory liabilities, non-current$162,104
 $160,642
Regulatory liabilities:    
Cost of removal for utility plant (a)
61$50,040
 $44,056
Employee benefit plan costs and related deferred taxes (c)
126,808
 6,808
Excess deferred income taxes4097,061
 97,101
TCJA revenue reserve (d)
subject to approval5,709
 
Other regulatory liabilities13313
 890
Total regulatory liabilities $159,931
 $148,855

____________________
(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)As of June 30, 2018, the amortization period is yet to be determined and subject to approval by our regulators.


Regulatory Matters
Except as discussed below, there
There have been no other significant changes to our Regulatory Matters from those previously disclosed in Note 1 of the Notes to the Financial Statements in our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.10-K except as reported below.


On April 30, 2018 Black HillsRenewable Ready Service Tariffs and Corriedale Wind Energy Project

South Dakota Electric and Wyoming Electric received approvals for the SDPUC staff signed an amendmentRenewable Ready Service Tariffs and related jointly-filed CPCN to construct the stipulation executed in June 2017.$57 million, 40 MW Corriedale Wind Energy Project. The amendment provides clarifying language to certain provisions from the stipulation specific to the TCJA and performance based rates. The amendment was approvedwind project will be jointly owned by the SDPUC on May 15, 2018.

TCJA revenue reserve - The TCJA signed into law on December 22, 2017, reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. Effective January 1, 2018, the key impact of tax reform on existing utility revenues/tariffs established prior to tax reform results primarily from the change in the federal tax rate from 35% to 21% (including the effects of tax gross-ups not yet approved) affecting current income tax expense embedded in those tariffs. We have been collaborating with our regulators in the states in which we provide utility servicetwo electric utilities to deliver renewable energy for large commercial and industrial customers and governmental agencies. The project is expected to customers the benefits of a lower corporate federal income tax rate beginningbe in 2018 with the passage of the TCJA. We estimated and recorded a reserve to revenue of approximately $2.6 million and $5.7 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.service in 2020.


On June 29, 2018, we filed our proposed TCJA agreement with the SDPUC with expected final approval by the end of 2018.





(5)RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS


Non-Cash Dividend to Parent


We did not record any dividends for the six months ended June 30, 2019. We recorded non-cash dividends to our Parent of $26 million and $16 million for six months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017, respectively, and changeddecreased the utility Money pool note receivable by $26 million and $16 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017, respectively.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:
 June 30, 2019December 31, 2018
Accounts receivable from affiliates$5,102
$8,119
Accounts payable to affiliates$24,737
$25,804

 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Receivables - affiliates$5,426
 $5,664
Accounts payable - affiliates$25,185
 $25,653


Money Pool Notes Receivable and Notes Payable


We 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 June 30, 2018,2019, the average cost of borrowing under the Utility Money Pool was 2.49%2.78%.


We had the following balances with the Utility Money Pool (in thousands) as of:
 June 30, 2019December 31, 2018
Money pool notes payable$13,071
$38,690

 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Money pool notes payable$14,949
 $13,397


Our net interest income (expense) relating to balances with the Utility Money Pool was as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
 2019201820192018
Net interest income (expense)$(198)$(96)$(471)$(132)



Notes payable to Parent
 Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
 2018201720182017
Net interest income (expense)$(96)$90
$(132)$216
 June 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 June 30, 2019.


Other related party activity was as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 2019201820192018
Revenue:    
Energy sold to Cheyenne Light$340
$501
$914
$1,204
Rent from electric properties$895
$908
$1,791
$1,817
Horizon Point shared facility revenues$3,006
$2,783
$6,013
$5,552
     
Fuel and purchased power:
    
Purchases of coal from WRDC$3,216
$4,249
$7,873
$8,316
Purchase of excess energy from Cheyenne Light$41
$82
$173
$168
Purchase of renewable wind energy from Cheyenne Light - Happy Jack$342
$381
$877
$1,022
Purchase of renewable wind energy from Cheyenne Light - Silver Sage$611
$696
$1,594
$1,789
Gas transportation service agreement with Cheyenne Light for firm and interruptible gas transportation$75
$96
$151
$192
     
Operations and maintenance:    
Corporate support services and fees from Black Hills Service Company (a)
$9,451
$7,604
$19,642
$15,210
Wygen III ground lease with WRDC$247
$241
$493
$481

 Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
 2018201720182017
Revenue:    
Energy sold to Cheyenne Light$501
$625
$1,204
$1,505
Rent from electric properties (a)
$3,691
$935
$7,369
$1,870
     
Fuel and purchased power:
    
Purchases of coal from WRDC$4,249
$3,052
$8,316
$7,332
Purchase of excess energy from Cheyenne Light$82
$76
$168
$116
Purchase of renewable wind energy from Cheyenne Light - Happy Jack$381
$369
$1,022
$975
Purchase of renewable wind energy from Cheyenne Light - Silver Sage$696
$637
$1,789
$1,656
     
Gas transportation service agreement:    
Gas transportation service agreement with Cheyenne Light for firm and interruptible gas transportation$96
$99
$192
$198
     
Corporate support:    
Corporate support services and fees from Parent, Black Hills Service Company and Black Hills Utility Holdings$7,604
$7,109
$15,210
$13,720

____________________
(a)The increase for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 is driven by Horizon Point shared facility revenues. See Horizon Point agreement information below.

Horizon Point Agreement

We have a shared facility agreement among South Dakota Electric, Black Hills Service Company, and Black Hills Utility Holdings where there is a cost allocation for the use of the Horizon Point facility that is owned by South Dakota Electric.  This cost allocation includes the recovery of and return on allocable property and recovery of incurred administrative(a) Increase in 2019 was primarily due to higher outside service expenses for the operation and maintenance of the Horizon Point facility.higher employee costs driven by labor and benefits.


(6)
(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 June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
 2019201820192018
Service cost$92
$129
$183
$258
Interest cost602
549
1,205
1,097
Expected return on plan assets(852)(887)(1,703)(1,773)
Prior service cost3
11
5
22
Net loss (gain)305
516
610
1,032
Net periodic benefit cost$150
$318
$300
$636

 Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
 2018
20172018
2017
Service cost$129
 $136
$258
 $272
Interest cost549
 585
1,097
 1,170
Expected return on plan assets(887) (897)(1,773) (1,794)
Prior service cost11
 11
22
 22
Net loss (gain)516
 307
1,032
 614
Net periodic benefit cost$318
 $142
$636
 $284




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 June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
 2019201820192018
Service cost$37
$49
$74
$97
Interest cost46
44
93
89
Prior service cost (benefit)(84)(84)(168)(168)
Net periodic benefit cost$(1)$9
$(1)$18

 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Service cost$49
 $51
 $97
 $103
Interest cost44
 44
 89
 88
Prior service cost (benefit)(84) (84) (168) (168)
Net periodic benefit cost$9
 $11
 $18
 $23


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 June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
 2019201820192018
Interest cost$28
$27
$57
$54
Net loss (gain)17
26
33
52
Net periodic benefit cost$45
$53
$90
$106

 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Interest cost$27
 $29
 $54
 $58
Net loss (gain)26
 21
 52
 43
Net periodic benefit cost$53
 $50
 $106
 $101

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, service costs were recorded in Operations and maintenance expense while non-service costs were recorded in Other income (expense), net on the Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, service costs and non-service costs were recorded in Operations and maintenance expense. Because prior years’ costs were not considered material, they were not reclassified on the Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income. See Note 1 for additional information.


Contributions


Contributions to the Defined Benefit Pension Plan are cash contributions made directly to the Pension Plan Trust account. On July 25, 2018, we made a contribution of approximately $1.8 million (included in the table below) to the Defined Benefit Pension Plan. Contributions to the Postretirement Healthcare and Supplemental Plans are made in the form of benefit payments. Contributions made for 20182019 and anticipated contributions for 20182019 and 20192020 are as follows (in thousands):
 
Contributions
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
Remaining Anticipated Contributions for 2019Anticipated Contributions for 2020
Defined Benefit Pension Plan$
$1,753
$1,841
Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plan$233
$233
$466
Supplemental Non-qualified Defined Benefit Plans$115
$115
$240
 
Contributions
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2018
Remaining Anticipated Contributions for 2018Anticipated Contributions for 2019
Defined Benefit Pension Plan$
$1,795
$1,789
Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plan$267
$267
$554
Supplemental Non-qualified Defined Benefit Plans$123
$123
$241





(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 2017 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:
 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 Carrying AmountFair Value Carrying AmountFair Value
Cash and cash equivalents (a)
$5
$5
 $16
$16
Long-term debt, including current maturities (b) (c)
$339,965
$418,410
 $339,895
$446,978
 June 30, 2019December 31, 2018
 Carrying AmountFair ValueCarrying AmountFair Value
Long-term debt, including current maturities (a) (b)
$340,105
$447,036
$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.



(8)SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION


 Six Months Ended June 30,
 20192018
 (in thousands)
Non-cash investing and financing activities -  
Property, plant and equipment acquired with accrued liabilities$15,316
$7,477
Non-cash (decrease) to money pool notes receivable, net$
$(26,000)
Non-cash dividend to Parent$
$26,000
   
Cash (paid) refunded during the period for -  
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)$(11,342)$(10,930)

 Six Months Ended June 30,
 2018 2017
 (in thousands)
Non-cash investing and financing activities -   
Property, plant and equipment acquired with accrued liabilities$7,477
 $10,495
Non-cash (decrease) to money pool notes receivable, net$(26,000) $(16,000)
Non-cash dividend to Parent$26,000
 $16,000
    
Cash (paid) refunded during the period for -   
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)$(10,930) $(10,786)


(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 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.



(10)INCOME TAXESLEASES


On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the TCJA. The TCJA reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. The Company remeasured deferred income taxes at the 21% federal tax rate as of December 31, 2017. We have made our best estimate regardinga ground lease for the probabilityWygen 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 30 years.
The components of settlements of net regulatory liabilities established pursuant to the TCJA. The amount of the settlements may change based on decisions and actions by the rate regulators, which could have a material impact on the Company’s future results of operations, cash flows or financial position. We revalued our deferred tax assets and liabilitieslease expense were as of December 31, 2017, which reflected our estimate of the impact of the TCJA. We will continue to evaluate subsequent regulations, clarifications and interpretations with the assumptions made, which could materially change our estimate.follows (in thousands):
 Income Statement LocationThree Months Ended June 30, 2019Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
Operating lease costOperations and maintenance$228
$456
Variable lease costOperations and maintenance39
82
Total lease cost $267
$538




Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):
 Balance Sheet LocationAs of June 30, 2019
Assets:  
Operating lease assetsOther assets, non-current$14,244
Total lease assets $14,244
   
Liabilities:  
Current:  
Operating leasesAccrued liabilities$268
   
Noncurrent:  
Operating leasesOther deferred credits and other liabilities13,993
Total lease liabilities $14,261


Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):
 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: 
Operating cash flows from operating leases$451
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: 
Operating leases$


As of June 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)
$463
2020856
2021856
2022856
2023853
Thereafter21,947
Total lease payments$25,831
Less imputed interest11,570
Present value of lease liabilities$14,261

(a)Includes lease obligations for the remaining six 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


On July 25, 2018, we placed in service the first 48-mile segment of a $70 million, 175-mile, 230-kilovolt transmission line from Rapid City, South Dakota, to Stegall, Nebraska. The remaining segment is expected to be in service by the end of 2019.

On July 19. 2018,23, 2019, Fitch affirmed South Dakota Electric’s credit rating at A.


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-megawatt Corriedale Wind Energy Project. The wind project will be jointly owned by the two electric utilities to deliver renewable energy for large commercial and industrial customers and governmental agencies. The project is expected to be in service in 2020.

South Dakota Electric continued construction on a 175-mile electric transmission line from Stegall, Nebraska to Rapid City, South Dakota. The 94-mile final segment of the transmission line is expected to be in service in the fall of 2019.

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 June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
20182017Variance20182017Variance20192018Variance20192018Variance
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Revenue$70,676
$66,053
$4,623
$144,491
$139,847
$4,644
$69,246
$70,676
$(1,430)$148,287
$144,491
$3,796
Fuel and purchased power20,753
18,612
2,141
43,193
41,761
1,432
18,381
20,753
(2,372)41,114
43,193
(2,079)
Gross margin (a)
49,923
47,441
2,482
101,298
98,086
3,212
Gross margin (non-GAAP)50,865
49,923
942
107,173
101,298
5,875
  
Operating expenses30,428
29,729
699
61,439
56,998
4,441
33,555
30,428
3,127
65,221
61,439
3,782
Operating income19,495
17,712
1,783
39,859
41,088
(1,229)17,310
19,495
(2,185)41,952
39,859
2,093
  
Interest income (expense), net(5,379)(5,000)(379)(10,803)(10,437)(366)(5,277)(5,379)102
(10,709)(10,803)94
Other income (expense), net(242)648
(890)(359)1,066
(1,425)291
(242)533
(84)(359)275
Income tax expense(2,749)(4,073)1,324
(5,812)(9,860)4,048
(2,176)(2,749)573
(5,514)(5,812)298
Net income$11,125
$9,287
$1,838
$22,885
$21,857
$1,028
$10,148
$11,125
$(977)$25,645
$22,885
$2,760
________________
(a)Non-GAAP measure





Three
Six Months Ended June 30, 20182019 Compared to ThreeSix Months Ended June 30, 2017.2018. Net income was $11$26 million compared to $9.3$23 million for the same period in the prior year primarily due to the following:


Gross margin increased primarily due to a $3.2 million reduction in the purchased power capacity charges and higher rider revenues of $1.4 million related to transmission investment recovery. Higher power marketing revenue, customer growth, and favorable weather, comprised the remainder of the increase.

Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher non-energy revenue of $2.4 million primarily related to Horizon Point shared facility revenue, higher commercial and industrial demand of $0.9 million, a $0.8 million increase in residential margins primarily from warmer weather in the current year,outside services expenses and higher rider revenues of $1.0 million primarily related to transmission investment recovery. These increases wereemployee costs driven by increased headcount partially offset by a $2.6 million reserve to revenue to reflect the reduction of the lower federal income tax rate from the TCJA on our existing rate tariffs.

Operatingdecrease in expenses increased primarily due to increased depreciation from higher asset base driven by the prior year additions of Horizon Point and the Teckla-Lange transmission line.generation outages.


Interest expense, net was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Other income (expense), net decreased due to the presentation change of non-service pension costs to Other income (expense) in the current year, previously reported in Operations and maintenance, and higher prior year AFUDC associated with higher prior year capital spend.

Income tax expense: The effective tax rate decreased from the prior year due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent from the TCJA, effective January 1, 2018.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2017. Net income was $23 million compared to $22 million for the same period in the prior year primarily due to the following:

Gross margin increased primarily due to higher non-energy revenue of $4.6 million primarily related to Horizon Point shared facility revenue, higher commercial and industrial demand of $0.5 million, a $1.9 million increase in residential margins primarily from warmer weather in the current year, and higher rider revenues of $1.8 million primarily related to transmission investment recovery. These increases were partially offset by a $5.7 million reserve to revenue to reflect the reduction of the lower federal income tax rate from the TCJA on our existing rate tariffs.

Operating expenses increased due to increased depreciation and property taxes of $2.7 million from higher asset base driven by the prior year additions of Horizon Point and the Teckla-Lange transmission line. $1.8 million of higher vegetation management expenses, employee costs, and facility costs comprise the remainder of the increase compared to the same period in the prior year.

Interest expense, net was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Other income (expense), net decreased due to the presentation change of non-service pension costs to Other income (expense) in the current year, previously reported in Operations and maintenance, and higher prior year AFUDC associated with higher prior year capital spend.

Income tax expense: The effective tax rate decreased from the prior year due to the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent from the TCJA, effective January 1, 2018.


Electric Revenue by Customer TypeElectric Revenue by Customer Type
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)(in thousands)
2018 Percentage Change 2017 2018 Percentage Change 20172019 Percentage Change 2018 2019 Percentage Change 2018
Residential$16,426
 5% $15,633
 $37,487
 5% $35,704
$15,570
 (5)% $16,426
 $36,760
 (2)% $37,487
Commercial23,538
 3% 22,858
 47,082
 —% 47,149
22,131
 (6)% 23,538
 45,275
 (4)% 47,082
Industrial8,170
 —% 8,171
 16,446
 (1)% 16,625
8,576
 5% 8,170
 16,933
 3% 16,446
Municipal876
 (7)% 942
 1,687
 (5)% 1,778
776
 (11)% 876
 1,557
 (8)% 1,687
Total retail revenue49,010
 3% 47,604
 102,702
 1% 101,256
47,053
 (4)% 49,010
 100,525
 (2)% 102,702
Wholesale (a)
8,191
 22% 6,702
 17,241
 19% 14,545
6,780
 (17)% 8,191
 15,123
 (12)% 17,241
Market - off-system sales (b)
3,449
 42% 2,424
 5,724
 (9)% 6,257
2,393
 (31)% 3,449
 7,063
 23% 5,724
Other revenue(c)10,026
 8% 9,323
 18,824
 6% 17,789
13,020
 30% 10,026
 25,576
 36% 18,824
Total revenue$70,676
 7% $66,053
 $144,491
 3% $139,847
$69,246
 (2)% $70,676
 $148,287
 3% $144,491
____________________
(a)IncreaseDecrease for the three and six months ended June 30, 20182019 was primarily driven by increased volumes on long term wholesale contracts.
(b)Increase for three months ended June 30, 2018 was due to higher trading volume opportunities.


 Megawatt Hours Sold by Customer Type
 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 2018 Percentage Change 2017 2018 Percentage Change 2017
Residential115,905
 8% 107,521
 279,018
 9% 257,093
Commercial186,784
 8% 173,720
 381,715
 3% 370,126
Industrial106,100
 3% 103,497
 210,402
 (1)% 213,293
Municipal7,479
 (8)% 8,104
 14,982
 (5)% 15,709
Total retail quantity sold416,268
 6% 392,842
 886,117
 3% 856,221
Wholesale (a)
218,132
 31% 165,881
 455,836
 29% 351,997
Market - off-system sales (b)
141,866
 38% 102,966
 233,968
 (9)% 257,462
Total quantity sold776,266
 17% 661,689
 1,575,921
 8% 1,465,680
Losses and company use (c)
61,677
 8% 57,189
 90,199
 (9)% 99,030
Total energy837,943
 17% 718,878
 1,666,120
 6% 1,564,710
____________________
(a)Increase for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily driven byprior year increased volumes on long-term wholesale contracts.
(b)Increase for threethe six months ended June 30, 20182019 was due to improved pricing in markets compared to same period in prior year.driven by weather and energy prices.
(c)Increase for the six months ended June 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.

 Megawatt Hours Sold by Customer Type
 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 2019 Percentage Change 2018 2019 Percentage Change 2018
Residential114,399
 (1)% 115,905
 284,335
 2% 279,018
Commercial180,966
 (3)% 186,784
 375,760
 (2)% 381,715
Industrial112,623
 6% 106,100
 220,819
 5% 210,402
Municipal6,756
 (10)% 7,479
 14,329
 (4)% 14,982
Total retail quantity sold414,744
 —% 416,268
 895,243
 1% 886,117
Wholesale194,222
 (11)% 218,132
 417,242
 (8)% 455,836
Market - off-system sales113,014
 (20)% 141,866
 212,586
 (9)% 233,968
Total quantity sold721,980
 (7)% 776,266
 1,525,071
 (3)% 1,575,921
Losses and Company use (a)
35,660
 (42)% 61,677
 77,570
 (14)% 90,199
Total energy757,640
 (10)% 837,943
 1,602,641
 (4)% 1,666,120
____________________
(a)Includes company uses, line losses, and excess exchange production.




Megawatt Hours Generated and PurchasedMegawatt Hours Generated and Purchased
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
Generated -2018 Percentage Change 2017 2018 Percentage Change 20172019 Percentage Change 2018 2019 Percentage Change 2018
Coal-fired (a)
388,081
 34% 289,540
 787,168
 16% 677,525
287,201
 (26)% 388,081
 696,867
 (11)% 787,168
Natural Gas and Oil (b)
23,758
 116% 11,024
 36,865
 72% 21,374
28,724
 21% 23,758
 76,427
 107% 36,865
Total generated411,839
 37% 300,564
 824,033
 18% 698,899
315,925
 (23)% 411,839
 773,294
 (6)% 824,033

 
    
      
Total purchased426,104
 2% 418,314
 842,087
 (3)% 865,811
441,715
 4% 426,104
 829,347
 (2)% 842,087
Total generated and purchased837,943
 17% 718,878
 1,666,120
 6% 1,564,710
757,640
 (10)% 837,943
 1,602,641
 (4)% 1,666,120
____________________
(a) IncreaseDecrease for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 compared2019 is due to same periods in prior year is driven primarily by planned outages at Neil Simpson II Wyodak, and Wygen II in 2017.III and unplanned outages at Wyodak Plant.
(b) Increase is primarily due to low natural gas prices and the ability to generate at a lower cost than to purchase excess generation on the open market for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.2019.



Power Plant AvailabilityPower Plant Availability
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
201820172018 20172019201820192018
Coal-fired plants (a)
91.3% 67.6% 92.1% 78.4%71.9%91.3%85.0%92.1%
Other plants(b)97.5% 98.0% 98.4% 98.7%79.7%97.5%83.5%98.4%
Total availability94.6% 83.7% 95.5% 89.2%76.0%94.6%84.2%95.5%
____________________
(a)20172019 included planned outages at Neil Simpson II Wyodak and Wygen II.III unplanned outages at Wyodak Plant, and 2018 included planned outages at Neil Simpson II and Wyodak Plant.
(b)2019 included planned outages at Neil Simpson CT and Lange CT.



Degree Days Degree DaysDegree Days Degree Days
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2018 2017 2018 20172019 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 days1,037
1% 910
(11)% 4,736
12% 4,040
(5)%1,279
25 % 1,037
1% 5,195
23 % 4,736
12%
Cooling degree days132
33% 114
15 % 132
33% 114
15 %38
(62)% 132
33% 38
(62)% 132
33%


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 June 30, 2018:2019:


Rating AgencySenior Secured Rating
S&P(a)
A-A
Moody’s(b)
A1
Fitch (a)(c)
A
__________
(a)On April 30, 2019, S&P affirmed A rating.
(b)On December 12, 2018, Moody’s affirmed A1 rating.
(c)On July 19, 2018,23, 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 20172018 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, 2017.2018.


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 June 30, 2018.2019. Based on their evaluation, they have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2018.2019.


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 June 30, 2018,2019, 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 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 9 of our Notes to Condensed Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which information from Note 9 is incorporated by reference into this item.




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, 2017.


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


Exhibit 101101.INSFinancial Statements for XBRL FormatInstance 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
_________________________
*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: August 7, 20186, 2019




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