UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020
OR
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from ________________ to ___________________
Commission File Number | Registrant; State of Incorporation; Address; and Telephone Number | IRS Employer Identification No. | ||||||||||||
001-03016 | WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION | 39-0715160 |
(A Wisconsin Corporation)
700 North Adams Street
P.O. Box 19001
Green Bay, WI 54307-9001
(800) 450-7260
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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 filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
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. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Common Stock, $4 par value,
23,896,962 shares outstanding at
September 30, 2020
All of the common stock of Wisconsin Public Service Corporation is held by Integrys Holding, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, Inc.
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | i | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
The abbreviations and terms set forth below are used throughout this report and have the meanings assigned to them below:
Affiliates | ||||||||
ATC | American Transmission Company LLC | |||||||
Integrys | Integrys Holding, Inc. | |||||||
UMERC | Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation | |||||||
WE | Wisconsin Electric Power Company | |||||||
WEC Energy Group | WEC Energy Group, Inc. | |||||||
WG | Wisconsin Gas LLC | |||||||
Federal and State Regulatory Agencies | ||||||||
EPA | United States Environmental Protection Agency | |||||||
PSCW | Public Service Commission of Wisconsin | |||||||
SEC | United States Securities and Exchange Commission | |||||||
Accounting Terms | ||||||||
AFUDC | Allowance for Funds Used During Construction | |||||||
ASU | Accounting Standards Update | |||||||
FASB | Financial Accounting Standards Board | |||||||
GAAP | United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles | |||||||
OPEB | Other Postretirement Employee Benefits | |||||||
Environmental Terms | ||||||||
ACE | Affordable Clean Energy | |||||||
BATW | Bottom Ash Transport Water | |||||||
BSER | Best System of Emission Reduction | |||||||
CAA | Clean Air Act | |||||||
CO2 | Carbon Dioxide | |||||||
ELG | Steam Electric Effluent Limitation Guidelines | |||||||
GHG | Greenhouse Gas | |||||||
MATS | Mercury and Air Toxics Standards | |||||||
NOV | Notice of Violation | |||||||
RTR | Risk and Technology Review | |||||||
The Combustion Turbine Rule | National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Stationary Combustion Turbines | |||||||
Measurements | ||||||||
Dth | Dekatherm | |||||||
MW | Megawatt | |||||||
MWh | Megawatt-hour | |||||||
Other Terms and Abbreviations | ||||||||
AMI | Advanced Metering Infrastructure | |||||||
Badger Hollow I | Badger Hollow Solar Park I | |||||||
CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | |||||||
COVID-19 | Coronavirus Disease – 2019 | |||||||
Exchange Act | Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended | |||||||
FTR | Financial Transmission Right | |||||||
LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate | |||||||
MISO | Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. | |||||||
ROE | Return on Equity | |||||||
Tax Legislation | Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 | |||||||
Two Creeks | Two Creeks Solar Park | |||||||
WHO | World Health Organization |
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | ii | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
In this report, we make statements concerning our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and future events or performance. These statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of terms such as "anticipates," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "goals," "guidance," "intends," "may," "objectives," "plans," "possible," "potential," "projects," "seeks," "should," "targets," "will," or variations of these terms.
Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning management's expectations and projections regarding earnings, completion of capital projects, sales and customer growth, rate actions and related filings with regulatory authorities, environmental and other regulations and associated compliance costs, legal proceedings, effective tax rates, pension and OPEB plans, fuel costs, sources of electric energy supply, coal and natural gas deliveries, remediation costs, environmental matters, liquidity and capital resources, and other matters.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include those described in risk factors as set forth in this report and our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and those identified below:
•Factors affecting utility operations such as catastrophic weather-related damage, environmental incidents, unplanned facility outages and repairs and maintenance, and electric transmission or natural gas pipeline system constraints;
•Factors affecting the demand for electricity and natural gas, including political developments, unusual weather, changes in economic conditions, customer growth and declines, commodity prices, energy conservation efforts, and continued adoption of distributed generation by customers;
•The timing, resolution, and impact of rate cases and negotiations, including recovery of deferred and current costs and the ability to earn a reasonable return on investment, and other regulatory decisions impacting our regulated operations;
•The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business functions, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations;
•The impact of recent and future federal, state, and local legislative and/or regulatory changes, including changes in rate-setting policies or procedures, deregulation and restructuring of the electric and/or natural gas utility industries, transmission or distribution system operation, the approval process for new construction, reliability standards, pipeline integrity and safety standards, allocation of energy assistance, energy efficiency mandates, and tax laws, including the Tax Legislation as well as those that affect our ability to use production tax credits and investment tax credits;
•Federal and state legislative and regulatory changes relating to the environment, including climate change and other environmental regulations impacting generation facilities and renewable energy standards, the enforcement of these laws and regulations, changes in the interpretation of regulations or permit conditions by regulatory agencies, and the recovery of associated remediation and compliance costs;
•The ability to obtain and retain customers, including wholesale customers, due to increased competition in our electric and natural gas markets from retail choice and alternative electric suppliers, and continued industry consolidation;
•The timely completion of capital projects within budgets and the ability to recover the related costs through rates;
•Factors affecting the implementation of WEC Energy Group's CO2 emission and/or methane emission reduction goals, and opportunities and actions related to those goals, including related regulatory decisions, the cost of materials, supplies, and labor, technology advances, and the feasibility of competing generation projects;
•The financial and operational feasibility of taking more aggressive action to further reduce GHG emissions in order to limit future global temperature increases;
•The risks associated with changing commodity prices, particularly natural gas and electricity, and the availability of sources of natural gas and other fossil fuels, purchased power, materials needed to operate environmental controls at our electric
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 1 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
generating facilities, or water supply due to high demand, shortages, transportation problems, nonperformance by electric energy or natural gas suppliers under existing power purchase or natural gas supply contracts, or other developments;
•Changes in credit ratings, interest rates, and our ability to access the capital markets, caused by volatility in the global credit markets, our capitalization structure, and market perceptions of the utility industry or us;
•Changes in the method of determining LIBOR or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate;
•Costs and effects of litigation, administrative proceedings, investigations, settlements, claims, and inquiries;
•The direct or indirect effect on our business resulting from terrorist attacks and cyber security intrusions, as well as the threat of such incidents, including the failure to maintain the security of personally identifiable information, the associated costs to protect our utility assets, technology systems, and personal information, and the costs to notify affected persons to mitigate their information security concerns and to comply with state notification laws;
•The risk of financial loss, including increases in bad debt expense, associated with the inability of our customers, counterparties, and affiliates to meet their obligations;
•Changes in the creditworthiness of the counterparties with whom we have contractual arrangements, including participants in the energy trading markets and fuel suppliers and transporters;
•The investment performance of our employee benefit plan assets, as well as unanticipated changes in related actuarial assumptions, which could impact future funding requirements;
•Factors affecting the employee workforce, including loss of key personnel, internal restructuring, work stoppages, and collective bargaining agreements and negotiations with union employees;
•Advances in technology, and related legislation or regulation supporting the use of that technology, that result in competitive disadvantages and create the potential for impairment of existing assets;
•The risk associated with the values of goodwill and other intangible assets and their possible impairment;
•Potential business strategies to acquire and dispose of assets, which cannot be assured to be completed timely or within budgets;
•The timing and outcome of any audits, disputes, and other proceedings related to taxes;
•The ability to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, while both integrating and continuing to consolidate WEC Energy Group's enterprise systems with those of its other utilities;
•The effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by standard-setting bodies; and
•Other considerations disclosed elsewhere herein and in other reports we file with the SEC or in other publicly disseminated written documents.
We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 2 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS (Unaudited) | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30 | September 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 367.7 | $ | 352.3 | $ | 1,049.9 | $ | 1,069.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 105.3 | 114.5 | 330.3 | 408.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 105.2 | 107.4 | 296.3 | 308.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 43.5 | 42.3 | 129.7 | 123.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Property and revenue taxes | 10.9 | 10.1 | 30.5 | 30.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 264.9 | 274.3 | 786.8 | 870.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income | 102.8 | 78.0 | 263.1 | 198.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income, net | 8.7 | 9.8 | 25.4 | 29.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 15.6 | 15.8 | 47.9 | 47.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other expense | (6.9) | (6.0) | (22.5) | (18.2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 95.9 | 72.0 | 240.6 | 180.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 19.6 | 17.0 | 48.4 | 42.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 76.3 | $ | 55.0 | $ | 192.2 | $ | 137.4 |
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 3 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) | September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in millions, except share and per share amounts) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2.0 | $ | 2.3 | ||||||||||
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net of reserves of $14.7 and $4.2, respectively | 180.9 | 210.0 | ||||||||||||
Accounts receivable from related parties | 19.2 | 38.7 | ||||||||||||
Materials, supplies, and inventories | 105.7 | 106.4 | ||||||||||||
Prepaid taxes | 37.3 | 63.4 | ||||||||||||
Other | 8.5 | 11.2 | ||||||||||||
Current assets | 353.6 | 432.0 | ||||||||||||
Long-term assets | ||||||||||||||
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,755.0 and $1,672.1, respectively | 4,794.0 | 4,544.5 | ||||||||||||
Regulatory assets | 424.6 | 437.9 | ||||||||||||
Goodwill | 36.4 | 36.4 | ||||||||||||
Pension and OPEB assets | 165.6 | 148.3 | ||||||||||||
Other | 38.0 | 42.5 | ||||||||||||
Long-term assets | 5,458.6 | 5,209.6 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 5,812.2 | $ | 5,641.6 | ||||||||||
Liabilities and Equity | ||||||||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Short-term debt | $ | 16.0 | $ | 91.5 | ||||||||||
Accounts payable | 171.5 | 176.9 | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable to related parties | 40.8 | 68.5 | ||||||||||||
Accrued payroll and benefits | 23.2 | 26.5 | ||||||||||||
Accrued interest | 21.6 | 10.6 | ||||||||||||
Customer credit balances | 15.5 | 17.3 | ||||||||||||
Other | 22.1 | 27.8 | ||||||||||||
Current liabilities | 310.7 | 419.1 | ||||||||||||
Long-term liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | 1,644.2 | 1,642.8 | ||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes | 693.9 | 654.6 | ||||||||||||
Deferred investment tax credits | 36.7 | 6.1 | ||||||||||||
Regulatory liabilities | 761.5 | 782.5 | ||||||||||||
Environmental remediation liabilities | 83.8 | 83.8 | ||||||||||||
Pension and OPEB obligations | 18.1 | 18.6 | ||||||||||||
Other | 96.1 | 94.3 | ||||||||||||
Long-term liabilities | 3,334.3 | 3,282.7 | ||||||||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15) | ||||||||||||||
Common shareholder's equity | ||||||||||||||
Common stock – $4 par value; 32,000,000 shares authorized; 23,896,962 shares issued and outstanding | 95.6 | 95.6 | ||||||||||||
Additional paid in capital | 1,426.3 | 1,221.1 | ||||||||||||
Retained earnings | 645.3 | 623.1 | ||||||||||||
Common shareholder's equity | 2,167.2 | 1,939.8 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 5,812.2 | $ | 5,641.6 |
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 4 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||
September 30 | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
Operating activities | ||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 192.2 | $ | 137.4 | ||||||||||
Reconciliation to cash provided by operating activities | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 129.7 | 123.4 | ||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net | 51.3 | 49.8 | ||||||||||||
Change in – | ||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net | 44.9 | 40.1 | ||||||||||||
Materials, supplies, and inventories | 0.7 | (12.8) | ||||||||||||
Prepaid taxes | 26.1 | 11.6 | ||||||||||||
Other current assets | 7.0 | (1.0) | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable | (38.3) | (35.9) | ||||||||||||
Accrued taxes | 3.1 | 16.6 | ||||||||||||
Other current liabilities | (0.5) | 3.4 | ||||||||||||
Other, net | (2.1) | (10.0) | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 414.1 | 322.6 | ||||||||||||
Investing activities | ||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | (381.0) | (380.0) | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from cash surrender value of life insurance | 7.1 | 6.6 | ||||||||||||
Other, net | 0 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (373.9) | (372.0) | ||||||||||||
Financing activities | ||||||||||||||
Issuance of long-term debt | 0 | 300.0 | ||||||||||||
Change in short-term debt | (75.5) | (265.9) | ||||||||||||
Payment of dividends to parent | (170.0) | (90.0) | ||||||||||||
Equity contribution from parent | 205.0 | 105.0 | ||||||||||||
Other, net | 0 | (3.6) | ||||||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (40.5) | 45.5 | ||||||||||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | (0.3) | (3.9) | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 2.3 | 8.9 | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 2.0 | $ | 5.0 |
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 5 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Common Stock | Additional Paid In Capital | Retained Earnings | Total Common Shareholder's Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2019 | $ | 95.6 | $ | 1,221.1 | $ | 623.1 | $ | 1,939.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 0 | 0 | 68.2 | 68.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity contribution from parent | 0 | 100.0 | 0 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Payment of dividends to parent | 0 | 0 | (30.0) | (30.0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation and other | 0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2020 | $ | 95.6 | $ | 1,321.2 | $ | 661.3 | $ | 2,078.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 0 | 0 | 47.7 | 47.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity contribution from parent | 0 | 105.0 | 0 | 105.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Payment of dividends to parent | 0 | 0 | (110.0) | (110.0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation and other | 0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2020 | $ | 95.6 | $ | 1,426.3 | $ | 599.0 | $ | 2,120.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 0 | 0 | 76.3 | 76.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Payment of dividends to parent | 0 | 0 | (30.0) | (30.0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2020 | $ | 95.6 | $ | 1,426.3 | $ | 645.3 | $ | 2,167.2 |
(in millions) | Common Stock | Additional Paid In Capital | Retained Earnings | Total Common Shareholder's Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2018 | $ | 95.6 | $ | 1,115.9 | $ | 558.4 | $ | 1,769.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 0 | 0 | 40.9 | 40.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity contribution from parent | 0 | 105.0 | 0 | 105.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Payment of dividends to parent | 0 | 0 | (30.0) | (30.0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2019 | $ | 95.6 | $ | 1,220.9 | $ | 569.3 | $ | 1,885.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 0 | 0 | 41.5 | 41.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Payment of dividends to parent | 0 | 0 | (30.0) | (30.0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation and other | 0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2019 | $ | 95.6 | $ | 1,221.0 | $ | 580.8 | $ | 1,897.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 0 | 0 | 55.0 | 55.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Payment of dividends to parent | 0 | 0 | (30.0) | (30.0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2019 | $ | 95.6 | $ | 1,221.0 | $ | 605.8 | $ | 1,922.4 |
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 6 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
September 30, 2020
NOTE 1—GENERAL INFORMATION
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation serves approximately 451,600 electric customers and 334,000 natural gas customers.
As used in these notes, the term "financial statements" refers to the condensed financial statements. This includes the income statements, balance sheets, statements of cash flows, and statements of equity, unless otherwise noted. In this report, when we refer to "the Company," "us," "we," "our," or "ours," we are referring to Wisconsin Public Service Corporation.
We have prepared the unaudited interim financial statements presented in this Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and GAAP. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Financial results for an interim period may not give a true indication of results for the year. In particular, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of expected results for 2020 due to seasonal variations and other factors, including any continuing financial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In management's opinion, we have included all adjustments, normal and recurring in nature, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial results.
NOTE 2—OPERATING REVENUES
For more information about our operating revenues, see Note 1(d), Operating Revenues, in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Disaggregation of Operating Revenues
The following tables present our operating revenues disaggregated by revenue source for our utility segment. We do not have any revenues associated with our other segment. We disaggregate revenues into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Revenues are further disaggregated by electric and natural gas operations and then by customer class. Each customer class within our electric and natural gas operations have different expectations of service, energy and demand requirements, and can be impacted differently by regulatory activities within their jurisdictions.
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Electric utility | $ | 328.0 | $ | 313.0 | $ | 864.3 | $ | 854.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas utility | 39.5 | 39.2 | 185.7 | 213.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues from contracts with customers | 367.5 | 352.2 | 1,050.0 | 1,067.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other operating revenues | 0.2 | 0.1 | (0.1) | 1.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | $ | 367.7 | $ | 352.3 | $ | 1,049.9 | $ | 1,069.0 |
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 7 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Electric Utility Operating Revenues
The following table disaggregates electric utility operating revenues into customer class:
Electric Utility Operating Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential | $ | 118.5 | $ | 101.1 | $ | 318.0 | $ | 278.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Small commercial and industrial | 104.1 | 103.3 | 268.1 | 272.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Large commercial and industrial | 66.1 | 64.5 | 168.4 | 173.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 2.1 | 2.1 | 6.3 | 6.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total retail revenues | 290.8 | 271.0 | 760.8 | 731.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Wholesale | 27.3 | 28.5 | 72.8 | 82.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Resale | 4.3 | 6.4 | 14.9 | 22.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other utility revenues | 5.6 | 7.1 | 15.8 | 18.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total electric utility operating revenues | $ | 328.0 | $ | 313.0 | $ | 864.3 | $ | 854.6 |
Natural Gas Utility Operating Revenues
The following table disaggregates natural gas utility operating revenues into customer class:
Natural Gas Utility Operating Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential | $ | 19.6 | $ | 18.0 | $ | 107.0 | $ | 122.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Commercial and industrial | 10.5 | 10.3 | 56.6 | 72.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total retail revenues | 30.1 | 28.3 | 163.6 | 195.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Transport | 3.8 | 3.1 | 14.0 | 12.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other utility revenues (1) | 5.6 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 5.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total natural gas utility operating revenues | $ | 39.5 | $ | 39.2 | $ | 185.7 | $ | 213.2 |
(1)Includes amounts collected from customers for purchased gas adjustment costs.
Other Operating Revenues
Other operating revenues consist primarily of the following:
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Alternative revenues (1) | $ | 0.1 | $ | (0.6) | $ | (1.3) | $ | (1.4) | ||||||||||||||||||
Late payment charges (2) | 0.1 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other operating revenues | $ | 0.2 | $ | 0.1 | $ | (0.1) | $ | 1.2 |
(1)Negative amounts can result from alternative revenues being reversed to revenues from contracts with customers as the customer is billed for these alternative revenues. Negative amounts can also result from revenues to be refunded to wholesale customers subject to true-up, as discussed in Note 1(d), Operating Revenues, in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2)The reduction in late payment charges is a result of a regulatory order from the PSCW in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes the suspension of late payment charges during a designated time period. See Note 17, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 8 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
NOTE 3—CREDIT LOSSES
Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted FASB ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, using the modified retrospective transition method. This ASU amends the impairment model to utilize an expected loss methodology in place of the incurred loss methodology for financial instruments, including trade receivables. The amendment requires entities to consider a broader range of information to estimate expected credit losses, which may result in earlier recognition of loss. The cumulative effect of adopting this standard was not significant to our financial statements.
Our exposure to credit losses is related to our accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances, which are generated from the sale of electricity and natural gas by our regulated utility operations. Our regulated utility operations are included in our utility segment. NaN accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances were reported in the other segment at September 30, 2020.
We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances considering a combination of factors. For some of our larger customers and also in circumstances where we become aware of a specific customer's inability to meet its financial obligations to us, we record a specific allowance for credit losses against amounts due in order to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. For all other customers, we use the accounts receivable aging method to calculate an allowance for credit losses. Using this method, we classify accounts receivable into different aging buckets and calculate a reserve percentage for each aging bucket based upon historical loss rates. The calculated reserve percentages are updated on at least an annual basis, in order to ensure recent macroeconomic, political, and regulatory trends are captured in the calculation, to the extent possible. Risks identified that we do not believe are reflected in the calculated reserve percentages, are assessed on a quarterly basis to determine whether further adjustments are required. The incremental reserve included within our allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2020, specific to the economic risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, was not significant. We will continue to monitor the economic impacts of COVID-19 and the resulting effects that these impacts may have on the ability of our customers to pay their energy bills.
We monitor our ongoing credit exposure through active review of counterparty accounts receivable balances against contract terms and due dates. Our activities include timely account reconciliation, dispute resolution and payment confirmation. To the extent possible, we work with customers with past due balances to negotiate payment plans, but will disconnect customers for non-payment as allowed by the PSCW if necessary, and employ collection agencies and legal counsel to pursue recovery of defaulted receivables. For our larger customers, detailed credit review procedures may be performed in advance of any sales being made. We sometimes require letters of credit, parental guarantees, prepayments or other forms of credit assurance from our larger customers to mitigate credit risk. See Note 17, Regulatory Environment, for information on certain regulatory actions that were and/or are being taken for the purpose of ensuring that essential utility services are available to our customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have included a table below that shows our gross third-party receivable balances and related allowance for credit losses.
(in millions) | September 30, 2020 | |||||||
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues | $ | 195.6 | ||||||
Allowance for credit losses | 14.7 | |||||||
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net (1) | $ | 180.9 | ||||||
Total accounts receivable, net – past due greater than 90 days (1) | $ | 11.1 | ||||||
Past due greater than 90 days – collection risk mitigated by regulatory mechanisms (1) | 93.4 | % |
(1)Our exposure to credit losses for certain regulated utility customers is mitigated by a regulatory mechanism we have in place. Specifically, our residential tariffs include a mechanism for cost recovery or refund of uncollectible expense based on the difference between actual uncollectible write-offs and the amounts recovered in rates. As a result, at September 30, 2020, $66.3 million, or 36.7%, of our net accounts receivable and unbilled revenues balance had regulatory protections in place to mitigate the exposure to credit losses. In addition, we have received specific orders related to the deferral of certain costs (including credit losses) incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional protections related to our September 30, 2020 accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances provided by these orders are subject to prudency reviews and are still being assessed. They are not reflected in the percentage in the above table or this note. See Note 17, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 9 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
A rollforward of the allowance for credit losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, is included below:
(in millions) | Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | |||||||
Balance at June 30, 2020 | $ | 10.0 | ||||||
Provision for credit losses | 3.5 | |||||||
Provision for credit losses deferred for future recovery or refund | 1.8 | |||||||
Write-offs charged against the allowance | (1.5) | |||||||
Recoveries of amounts previously written off | 0.9 | |||||||
Balance at September 30, 2020 | $ | 14.7 |
(in millions) | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2019 | $ | 4.2 | ||||||
Provision for credit losses | 8.7 | |||||||
Provision for credit losses deferred for future recovery or refund | 5.1 | |||||||
Write-offs charged against the allowance | (6.1) | |||||||
Recoveries of amounts previously written off | 2.8 | |||||||
Balance at September 30, 2020 | $ | 14.7 |
The increase in our allowance for credit losses in 2020 was driven by an increase in past due accounts receivable balances from December 31, 2019 to September 30, 2020. This is a trend we generally see over the winter moratorium months, when we are not allowed to disconnect customer service as a result of non-payment. In Wisconsin, the winter moratorium begins on November 1 and ends on April 15. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related regulatory orders we have received, we were also unable to disconnect any of our customers during the second and third quarters of 2020. See Note 17, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
NOTE 4—REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
The following regulatory assets and liabilities were reflected on our balance sheets at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. For more information on our regulatory assets and liabilities, see Note 5, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(in millions) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Regulatory assets | ||||||||||||||
Pension and OPEB costs | $ | 137.8 | $ | 151.8 | ||||||||||
Environmental remediation costs | 112.4 | 113.5 | ||||||||||||
Plant retirements | 57.9 | 55.3 | ||||||||||||
Income tax related items | 44.6 | 38.9 | ||||||||||||
ReACT™ | 18.8 | 20.8 | ||||||||||||
Asset retirement obligations | 16.5 | 8.4 | ||||||||||||
Forward Wind Energy Center | 12.2 | 17.9 | ||||||||||||
Termination of a tolling agreement with Fox Energy Company LLC | 5.8 | 9.9 | ||||||||||||
Other, net | 18.6 | 21.4 | ||||||||||||
Total regulatory assets | $ | 424.6 | $ | 437.9 | ||||||||||
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 10 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
(in millions) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Regulatory liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Income tax related items | $ | 402.5 | $ | 416.7 | ||||||||||
Removal costs | 196.5 | 201.8 | ||||||||||||
Pension and OPEB benefits | 98.6 | 100.5 | ||||||||||||
Earnings sharing mechanism | 32.5 | 42.0 | ||||||||||||
Energy costs refundable through rate adjustments | 10.9 | 20.0 | ||||||||||||
Electric transmission costs | 14.2 | 3.7 | ||||||||||||
Other, net | 11.5 | 11.5 | ||||||||||||
Total regulatory liabilities | $ | 766.7 | $ | 796.2 | ||||||||||
Balance sheet presentation | ||||||||||||||
Other current liabilities | $ | 5.2 | $ | 13.7 | ||||||||||
Regulatory liabilities | 761.5 | 782.5 | ||||||||||||
Total regulatory liabilities | $ | 766.7 | $ | 796.2 |
NOTE 5—COMMON EQUITY
Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements impose certain restrictions on our ability to transfer funds to the sole holder of our common stock, Integrys, in the form of cash dividends, loans, or advances. In addition, Wisconsin law prohibits us from making loans to or guaranteeing obligations of WEC Energy Group, Integrys, or their subsidiaries. See Note 10, Common Equity, in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on these and other restrictions.
We do not believe that these restrictions will materially affect our operations or limit any dividend payments in the foreseeable future.
NOTE 6—SHORT-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT
The following table shows our short-term borrowings and their corresponding weighted-average interest rates:
(in millions, except percentages) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Commercial paper | ||||||||||||||
Amount outstanding | $ | 16.0 | $ | 91.5 | ||||||||||
Weighted-average interest rate on amounts outstanding | 0.14 | % | 1.91 | % | ||||||||||
Our average amount of commercial paper borrowings based on daily outstanding balances during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $62.2 million with a weighted-average interest rate during the period of 0.94%.
The information in the table below relates to our revolving credit facility used to support our commercial paper borrowing program, including available capacity under this facility:
(in millions) | Maturity | September 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||
Revolving credit facility | October 2022 | $ | 400.0 | |||||||||||
Less: | ||||||||||||||
Letters of credit issued inside credit facility | $ | 1.3 | ||||||||||||
Commercial paper outstanding | 16.0 | |||||||||||||
Available capacity under existing credit facility | $ | 382.7 |
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 11 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
NOTE 7—MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND INVENTORIES
Our inventory consisted of:
(in millions) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Materials and supplies | $ | 57.9 | $ | 50.1 | ||||||||||
Fossil fuel | 26.4 | 36.1 | ||||||||||||
Natural gas in storage | 21.4 | 20.2 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 105.7 | $ | 106.4 |
Substantially all materials and supplies, fossil fuel inventories, and natural gas in storage are recorded using the weighted-average cost method of accounting.
NOTE 8—INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable United States statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes as a result of the following:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Amount | Effective Tax Rate | Amount | Effective Tax Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Statutory federal income tax | $ | 20.1 | 21.0 | % | $ | 15.1 | 21.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
State income taxes net of federal tax benefit | 5.9 | 6.2 | % | 5.1 | 7.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Federal excess deferred tax amortization – Wisconsin unprotected | (4.3) | (4.5) | % | 0 | 0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Federal excess deferred tax amortization | (1.8) | (1.9) | % | (2.5) | (3.4) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other | (0.3) | (0.4) | % | (0.7) | (1.1) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total income tax expense | $ | 19.6 | 20.4 | % | $ | 17.0 | 23.6 | % |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Amount | Effective Tax Rate | Amount | Effective Tax Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Statutory federal income tax | $ | 50.5 | 21.0 | % | $ | 37.8 | 21.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
State income taxes net of federal tax benefit | 14.7 | 6.1 | % | 11.8 | 6.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Federal excess deferred tax amortization – Wisconsin unprotected | (11.0) | (4.6) | % | 0 | 0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Federal excess deferred tax amortization | (4.5) | (1.9) | % | (5.0) | (2.8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other | (1.3) | (0.5) | % | (1.8) | (0.9) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total income tax expense | $ | 48.4 | 20.1 | % | $ | 42.8 | 23.8 | % |
The effective tax rates of 20.4% and 20.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, differ from the United States statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, primarily due to the recognition of certain unprotected deferred tax benefits created as a result of the Tax Legislation. In accordance with the rate order received from the PSCW in December 2019, we are amortizing the unprotected deferred tax benefits over periods ranging from two years to four years, to reduce near-term rate impacts to our customers. In addition, as discussed in more detail below, the impact of the protected benefits associated with the Tax Legislation drove a decrease in the effective tax rate. These items were partially offset by state income taxes.
The effective tax rates of 23.6% and 23.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, differ from the United States statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, primarily due to state income taxes, partially offset by the impact of the protected benefits associated with the Tax Legislation, which is discussed in more detail below.
The Tax Legislation required us to remeasure the deferred income taxes at our utility segment and we began to amortize the resulting excess protected deferred income taxes beginning in 2018 in accordance with normalization requirements (see federal excess deferred tax amortization line above).
See Note 17, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 12 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
NOTE 9—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price).
Fair value accounting rules provide a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2 – Pricing inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, but are not quoted prices included within Level 1. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using external inputs within models or other valuation methods.
Level 3 – Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methods that result in management's best estimate of fair value. Level 3 instruments include those that may be more structured or otherwise tailored to customers' needs.
Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. We use a mid-market pricing convention (the mid-point price between bid and ask prices) as a practical measure for valuing certain derivative assets and liabilities. We primarily use a market approach for recurring fair value measurements and attempt to use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
When possible, we base the valuations of our derivative assets and liabilities on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. These valuations are classified in Level 1. The valuations of certain contracts not classified as Level 1 may be based on quoted market prices received from counterparties and/or observable inputs for similar instruments. Transactions valued using these inputs are classified in Level 2. Certain derivatives are categorized in Level 3 due to the significance of unobservable or internally-developed inputs.
The following tables summarize our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by level within the fair value hierarchy:
September 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | $ | 4.9 | $ | 0.1 | $ | 0 | $ | 5.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
FTRs | 0 | 0 | 1.9 | 1.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Coal contracts | 0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivative assets | $ | 4.9 | $ | 0.6 | $ | 1.9 | $ | 7.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | $ | 0.2 | $ | 0.2 | $ | 0 | $ | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Coal contracts | 0 | 0.7 | 0 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivative liabilities | $ | 0.2 | $ | 0.9 | $ | 0 | $ | 1.1 |
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 13 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | $ | 0.2 | $ | 0.2 | $ | 0 | $ | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
FTRs | 0 | 0 | 1.3 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Coal contracts | 0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivative assets | $ | 0.2 | $ | 0.6 | $ | 1.3 | $ | 2.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | $ | 3.0 | $ | 0.2 | $ | 0 | $ | 3.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Coal contracts | 0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivative liabilities | $ | 3.0 | $ | 0.3 | $ | 0 | $ | 3.3 |
The derivative assets and liabilities listed in the tables above include options, futures, physical commodity contracts, and other instruments used to manage market risks related to changes in commodity prices. They also include FTRs, which are used to manage electric transmission congestion costs in the MISO Energy and Operating Reserves Markets.
The following table summarizes the changes to derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the period | $ | 3.4 | $ | 4.6 | $ | 1.3 | $ | 3.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Purchases | 0 | 0 | 4.0 | 5.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Settlements | (1.5) | (2.1) | (3.4) | (5.9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at the end of the period | $ | 1.9 | $ | 2.5 | $ | 1.9 | $ | 2.5 |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following table shows the financial instruments included on our balance sheets that were not recorded at fair value:
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt (1) | $ | 1,613.2 | $ | 1,903.6 | $ | 1,612.1 | $ | 1,793.5 |
(1)The carrying amount of long-term debt excludes finance lease obligations of $31.0 million and $30.7 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
The fair value of our long-term debt is categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
NOTE 10—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
We use derivatives as part of our risk management program to manage the risks associated with the price volatility of purchased power, generation, and natural gas costs for the benefit of our customers. Our approach is non-speculative and designed to mitigate risk. Our regulated hedging programs are approved by the PSCW.
We record derivative instruments on our balance sheets as an asset or liability measured at fair value unless they qualify for the normal purchases and sales exception and are so designated. We continually assess our contracts designated as normal and will discontinue the treatment of these contracts as normal if the required criteria are no longer met. Changes in the derivative's fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met or we receive regulatory treatment for the derivative. For most energy-related physical and financial contracts in our regulated operations that qualify as derivatives, the PSCW allows the effects of fair value accounting to be offset to regulatory assets and liabilities.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 14 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
The following table shows our derivative assets and derivative liabilities, along with their classification on our balance sheets. NaN of our derivatives are designated as hedging instruments.
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other current | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | $ | 4.3 | $ | 0.4 | $ | 0.4 | $ | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
FTRs | 1.9 | 0 | 1.3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Coal contracts | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other current (1) | 6.4 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other long-term | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | 0.7 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Coal contracts | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other long-term (1) | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 7.4 | $ | 1.1 | $ | 2.1 | $ | 3.3 |
(1)On our balance sheets, we classify derivative assets and liabilities as other current or other long-term based on the maturities of the underlying contracts.
Realized gains (losses) on derivatives are primarily recorded in cost of sales on the income statements. Our estimated notional sales volumes and realized gains (losses) were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Volumes | Gains (Losses) | Volumes | Gains (Losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | 6.4 Dth | $ | (1.7) | 6.7 Dth | $ | (2.4) | ||||||||||||||||||||
FTRs | 2.3 MWh | 0.4 | 2.2 MWh | 2.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | (1.3) | $ | (0.1) |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Volumes | Gains (Losses) | Volumes | Gains (Losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | 27.6 Dth | $ | (8.8) | 27.5 Dth | $ | (3.6) | ||||||||||||||||||||
FTRs | 6.2 MWh | 0.9 | 7.2 MWh | 5.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | (7.9) | $ | 1.9 |
On our balance sheets, the amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral are not offset against the fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement. At September 30, 2020, we had received cash collateral of $1.7 million in our margin accounts. This amount was recorded on our balance sheet in other current liabilities. At December 31, 2019, we had posted cash collateral of $4.8 million in our margin accounts. This amount was recorded on our balance sheet in other current assets.
The following table shows derivative assets and derivative liabilities if derivative instruments by counterparty were presented net on our balance sheets:
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross amount recognized on the balance sheet | $ | 7.4 | $ | 1.1 | $ | 2.1 | $ | 3.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Gross amount not offset on the balance sheet | (1.9) | (1) | (0.2) | (0.3) | (3.1) | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net amount | $ | 5.5 | $ | 0.9 | $ | 1.8 | $ | 0.2 |
(1)Includes cash collateral received of $1.7 million.
(2)Includes cash collateral posted of $2.8 million.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 15 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
NOTE 11—GUARANTEES
As of September 30, 2020, we had $20.6 million of standby letters of credit issued by financial institutions for the benefit of third parties that extended credit to us which automatically renew each year unless proper termination notice is given. These amounts are not reflected on our balance sheets.
NOTE 12—EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The following tables show the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) for our benefit plans.
Pension Benefits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 2.5 | $ | 2.2 | $ | 7.4 | $ | 6.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest cost | 6.3 | 7.0 | 18.9 | 21.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (12.1) | (11.9) | (36.4) | (35.9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial loss | 5.9 | 4.4 | 17.8 | 13.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | 2.6 | $ | 1.7 | $ | 7.7 | $ | 5.0 |
OPEB Benefits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 1.1 | $ | 1.0 | $ | 3.3 | $ | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest cost | 1.2 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 4.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (4.5) | (4.1) | (13.6) | (12.4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of prior service credit | (2.6) | (2.9) | (7.9) | (8.6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss | (0.3) | 0.4 | (1.0) | 1.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic benefit credit | $ | (5.1) | $ | (4.0) | $ | (15.4) | $ | (11.8) |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we made contributions and payments of $0.5 million related to our pension plans and an insignificant amount related to our OPEB plans. Our expected contributions and payments related to our pension and OPEB plans for the remainder of the year are insignificant.
NOTE 13—GOODWILL
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. We had 0 changes to the carrying amount of goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
In the third quarter of 2020, we completed our annual impairment test, and 0 impairment resulted from this test.
NOTE 14—SEGMENT INFORMATION
We use operating income to measure segment profitability and to allocate resources to our businesses. At September 30, 2020, we reported 2 segments, which are described below.
Our utility segment includes our electric and natural gas utility operations, which serve customers in northeastern and central Wisconsin. Our electric utility operations are engaged in the generation, distribution, and sale of electricity. Our natural gas utility operations are engaged in the purchase, distribution, and sale of natural gas as well as the transportation of customer-owned natural gas.
Our other segment primarily consists of equity earnings from our investment in Wisconsin River Power Company.
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The following tables show summarized financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, related to our reportable segments:
(in millions) | Utility | Other | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation | |||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 367.7 | $ | 0 | $ | 367.7 | ||||||||||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 105.2 | 0 | 105.2 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 43.5 | 0 | 43.5 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income | 102.8 | 0 | 102.8 | |||||||||||||||||
Other income, net | 8.3 | 0.4 | 8.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 15.6 | 0 | 15.6 |
(in millions) | Utility | Other | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation | |||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 352.3 | $ | 0 | $ | 352.3 | ||||||||||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 107.4 | 0 | 107.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 42.3 | 0 | 42.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income | 78.0 | 0 | 78.0 | |||||||||||||||||
Other income, net | 9.5 | 0.3 | 9.8 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 15.8 | 0 | 15.8 |
(in millions) | Utility | Other | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation | |||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 1,049.9 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,049.9 | ||||||||||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 296.3 | 0 | 296.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 129.7 | 0 | 129.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income | 263.1 | 0 | 263.1 | |||||||||||||||||
Other income, net | 24.2 | 1.2 | 25.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest Expense | 47.9 | 0 | 47.9 |
(in millions) | Utility | Other | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation | |||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 1,069.0 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,069.0 | ||||||||||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 308.7 | 0 | 308.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 123.4 | 0 | 123.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income | 198.4 | 0 | 198.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Other income, net | 28.0 | 1.0 | 29.0 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 47.2 | 0 | 47.2 |
NOTE 15—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We have significant commitments and contingencies arising from our operations, including those related to unconditional purchase obligations, environmental matters, and enforcement and litigation matters.
Unconditional Purchase Obligations
We have obligations to distribute and sell electricity and natural gas to our customers and expect to recover costs related to these obligations in future customer rates. In order to meet these obligations, we routinely enter into long-term purchase and sale commitments for various quantities and lengths of time. Our minimum future commitments related to these purchase obligations as of September 30, 2020, were approximately $0.7 billion.
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Environmental Matters
Consistent with other companies in the energy industry, we face significant ongoing environmental compliance and remediation obligations related to current and past operations. Specific environmental issues affecting us include, but are not limited to, current and future regulation of air emissions such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, fine particulates, mercury, and GHGs; water intake and discharges; management of coal combustion products such as fly ash; and remediation of impacted properties, including former manufactured gas plant sites.
Air Quality
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
After completing its review of the 2008 ozone standard, the EPA released a final rule in October 2015, which lowered the limit for ground-level ozone, creating a more stringent standard than the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The EPA issued final nonattainment area designations in April 2018. The following counties within our service territory were designated as partial nonattainment with the 2015 standard: Door and Manitowoc. A decision was issued in July 2020 remanding the rule to the EPA for further evaluation. We expect that any subsequent EPA re-designation, if necessary, would take place in 2021. The State of Wisconsin submitted the "infrastructure" portion of its state implementation plan outlining how it will implement, maintain, and enforce the 2015 Ozone standard. The plan is subject to EPA review and approval. We do not expect the revised plan to have an impact on us.
Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
In May 2020, the EPA finalized revisions to the Supplemental Cost Finding for the MATS rule as well as the CAA required RTR. The EPA was required by the United States Supreme Court to review both costs and benefits of complying with the MATS rule. After its review of costs, the EPA determined that it is not appropriate and necessary to regulate hazardous air pollutant emissions from power plants under Section 112 of the CAA. As a result, under the final rule, the emission standards and other requirements of the MATS rule first enacted in 2012 remain in place. The EPA did not remove coal- and oil-fired power plants from the list of sources that are regulated under Section 112. The EPA also determined that 0 revisions to MATS are warranted based on the results of the RTR. As a result, we do not expect the rule to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Climate Change
The ACE rule became effective in September 2019. This rule provides existing coal-fired generating units with standards for achieving GHG emission reductions. The rule was finalized in conjunction with two other separate and distinct rulemakings, (1) the repeal of the Clean Power Plan, and (2) revised implementing regulations for ACE, ongoing emissions guidelines, and all future emission guidelines for existing sources issued under CAA section 111(d). Every state's plan to implement ACE is required to focus on reducing GHG emissions by improving the efficiency of fossil-fueled power plants. The rule is being litigated in challenges brought in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by 22 states (including Wisconsin), local governments, and certain nongovernmental organizations. In the meantime, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continues to work with state utilities and has begun the process of developing the implementation plan with respect to the ACE rule.
In December 2018, the EPA proposed to revise the New Source Performance Standards for GHG emissions from new, modified, and reconstructed fossil-fueled power plants. The EPA determined that the BSER for new, modified, and reconstructed coal units is highly efficient generation that would be equivalent to supercritical steam conditions for larger units and subcritical steam conditions for smaller units. This proposed BSER would replace the determination from the previous rule, which identified BSER as partial carbon capture and storage. The EPA has reviewed comments and intends to take final action on the proposed rule later in 2020.
WEC Energy Group has a plan (referred to as its ESG progress plan), which includes us, that includes the retirement of older, fossil-fueled generation, to be replaced with the construction of zero-carbon emitting renewable generation and clean natural gas-fired generation. We have already retired approximately 300 MW of coal-fired generation since the beginning of 2018, which included the Pulliam power plant and the jointly-owned Edgewater Unit 4 generating units. WEC Energy Group expects to retire approximately 1,800 MW of additional fossil-fueled generation by 2025. The retirements will contribute to meeting a new, near-term goal of reducing WEC Energy Group's CO2 emissions from its electric generation by 55% below 2005 levels by 2025. In 2019, WEC Energy Group met and surpassed its original goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. In July 2020, WEC Energy Group announced a new goal to reduce CO2 emissions from its electric generation by 70% below 2005 levels by 2030 and to be net
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carbon neutral by 2050. In addition to retiring these older, fossil-fueled plants, WEC Energy Group expects to invest in low-cost renewable energy in Wisconsin. WEC Energy Group's plan is to replace a portion of the retired capacity by building and owning a combination of clean, natural gas-fired generation and zero-carbon-emitting renewable generation facilities.
WEC Energy Group also has a goal to decrease the rate of methane emissions from the natural gas distribution lines in its network by 30% per mile by the year 2030 from a 2011 baseline. WEC Energy Group was over half way toward meeting that goal at the end of 2019.
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Stationary Combustion Turbines
Effective in March 2020, the EPA issued a final regulation, The Combustion Turbine Rule. The Combustion Turbine Rule was issued to complete the RTR required by the CAA every five years, and applies only to combustion turbines constructed or reconstructed after January 14, 2003. The Combustion Turbine Rule clarifies certain performance testing, semi-annual and excess emission reporting requirements, implements electronic reporting requirements, and changes certain requirements applicable during startup, shutdown, and malfunction. We have evaluated the rule and do not expect the rule will have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Water Quality
Steam Electric Effluent Limitation Guidelines
The EPA's final 2015 ELG rule took effect in January 2016. This rule created new requirements for several types of power plant wastewaters. The new requirement that affects us relates to discharge limits for BATW. As a result of past capital investments, we believe our fleet is well positioned to meet the existing ELG regulations. Our Weston power plant facility already has advanced wastewater treatment technologies installed that meet many of the discharge limits established by this rule. There will, however, need to be modifications to the BATW systems at Weston Unit 3. Based on preliminary engineering, we estimate that compliance with the current rule will require $10 million in capital costs.
The ELG requirements for BATW systems were being re-evaluated by the EPA. In September 2017, the EPA issued a final rule (Postponement Rule) to postpone the earliest compliance date to November 1, 2020 for the BATW requirements while it re-evaluated the ELG rule. The Postponement Rule left unchanged the latest ELG rule compliance date of December 31, 2023. In August 2020, the EPA Administrator signed the ELG Reconsideration Rule to revise the treatment technology requirements related to BATW at existing facilities. This rule is effective December 14, 2020 and includes provisions that:
•Exempt facility owners from the new BATW requirements if a generating unit is retired by December 31, 2028.
•Would limit the investment required to meet these new rule requirements if the coal-fueled unit has a low utilization rate where the 2-year average annual capacity utilization rating is less than 10%.
We are currently evaluating what impact, if any, the rule may have on our estimated compliance cost of $10 million noted above.
Land Quality
Manufactured Gas Plant Remediation
We have identified sites at which we or a predecessor company owned or operated a manufactured gas plant or stored manufactured gas. We have also identified other sites that may have been impacted by historical manufactured gas plant activities. We are responsible for the environmental remediation of these sites, some of which are in the EPA Superfund Alternative Approach Program. We are also working with various state jurisdictions in our investigation and remediation planning. These sites are at various stages of investigation, monitoring, remediation, and closure.
In addition, we are coordinating the investigation and cleanup of some of these sites subject to the jurisdiction of the EPA under what is called a "multisite" program. This program involves prioritizing the work to be done at the sites, preparation and approval of documents common to all of the sites, and use of a consistent approach in selecting remedies. At this time, we cannot estimate future remediation costs associated with these sites beyond those described below.
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The future costs for detailed site investigation, future remediation, and monitoring are dependent upon several variables including, among other things, the extent of remediation, changes in technology, and changes in regulation. Historically, our regulators have allowed us to recover incurred costs, net of insurance recoveries and recoveries from potentially responsible parties, associated with the remediation of manufactured gas plant sites. Accordingly, we have established regulatory assets for costs associated with these sites.
We have established the following regulatory assets and reserves for manufactured gas plant sites:
(in millions) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Regulatory assets | $ | 112.4 | $ | 113.5 | ||||||||||
Reserves for future environmental remediation | 83.8 | 83.8 |
Consent Decrees
Weston and Pulliam Power Plants
In November 2009, the EPA issued an NOV to us, which alleged violations of the CAA's New Source Review requirements relating to certain projects completed at the Weston and Pulliam power plants from 1994 to 2009. We entered into a Consent Decree with the EPA resolving this NOV. This Consent Decree was entered by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in March 2013.
With the retirement of Pulliam Units 7 and 8 in October 2018, we completed the mitigation projects required by the Consent Decree and received a completeness letter from the EPA in October 2018. We are working with the EPA on a closeout process for the Consent Decree.
Joint Ownership Power Plants – Columbia and Edgewater
In December 2009, the EPA issued an NOV to Wisconsin Power and Light, the operator of the Columbia and Edgewater plants, and the other joint owners of these plants, including Madison Gas and Electric, WE (former co-owner of an Edgewater unit), and us. The NOV alleged violations of the CAA's New Source Review requirements related to certain projects completed at those plants. We, along with Wisconsin Power and Light, Madison Gas and Electric, and WE, entered into a Consent Decree with the EPA resolving this NOV. This Consent Decree was entered by the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in June 2013. As a result of the continued implementation of the Consent Decree related to the jointly owned Columbia and Edgewater plants, the Edgewater 4 generating unit was retired in September 2018.
Enforcement and Litigation Matters
We are involved in legal and administrative proceedings before various courts and agencies with respect to matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although we are unable to predict the outcome of these matters, management believes that appropriate reserves have been established and that final settlement of these actions will not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
NOTE 16—SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized | $ | 35.7 | $ | 30.9 | ||||||||||
Cash (received) for income taxes, net | (16.4) | (23.2) | ||||||||||||
Significant non-cash investing and financing transactions: | ||||||||||||||
Accounts payable related to construction costs | 48.6 | 34.3 | ||||||||||||
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NOTE 17—REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
Coronavirus Disease – 2019
The global outbreak of COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO and the CDC. COVID-19 has spread globally, including throughout the United States and, in turn, our service territory. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wisconsin declared a public health emergency and issued a shelter-in-place order, which has since been lifted. On March 24, 2020, the PSCW issued 2 orders requiring certain actions to ensure that essential utility services were, and continue to be, available to our customers. The first order required all public utilities in the state of Wisconsin, including us, to temporarily suspend disconnections, the assessment of late fees, and deposit requirements for all customer classes. In addition, it required utilities to reconnect customers that were previously disconnected, offer deferred payment arrangements to all customers, and streamline the application process for customers applying for utility service.
In the second order issued on March 24, 2020, the PSCW authorized Wisconsin utilities to defer expenditures and certain foregone revenues resulting from compliance with the first order, and expenditures as otherwise incurred to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable access to utility services during the declared public health emergency. The PSCW has affirmed that this authorization for deferral includes the incremental increase in uncollectible expense above what is currently being recovered in rates. As we already have a cost recovery mechanism in place to recover uncollectible expense for residential customers, this new deferral only impacts the recovery of uncollectible expense for our commercial and industrial customers. The PSCW will review the recoverability and examine the prudency of any deferred amounts in future rate proceedings. As of September 30, 2020, our deferrals related to the COVID-19 pandemic were not significant.
On June 26, 2020, the PSCW issued a written order providing a timeline for the lifting of the temporary provisions required in the first March 24, 2020 order. Utilities were allowed to disconnect commercial and industrial customers and require deposits for new service as of July 25, 2020 and July 31, 2020, respectively. After August 15, 2020, utilities were no longer required to offer deferred payment arrangements to all customers. Additionally, utilities were authorized to reinstate late fees except for the period between the first order and this supplemental order. We resumed charging late payment fees in late August 2020. Late payment fees were not charged on outstanding balances that were billed between the first order and late August 2020.
The PSCW extended the moratorium on disconnections of residential customers until November 1, 2020. In accordance with Wisconsin regulations, utilities are generally not allowed to disconnect residential customers for non-payment during the winter moratorium, which begins on November 1 and ends on April 15. Utilities are allowed to continue assessing late fees during the winter moratorium.
2020 and 2021 Rates
In March 2019, we filed an application with the PSCW to increase our retail electric and natural gas rates, effective January 1, 2020. In August 2019, we filed an application with the PSCW for approval of a settlement agreement entered into with certain intervenors to resolve several outstanding issues in our rate case. In December 2019, the PSCW issued a written order that approved the settlement agreement without material modification and addressed the remaining outstanding issues that were not included in the settlement agreement. The new rates became effective January 1, 2020. The final order reflects the following:
2020 Effective rate increase | ||||||||||||||
Electric (1) (2) | $ | 15.8 | million | / | 1.6% | |||||||||
Gas (3) | $ | 4.3 | million | / | 1.4% | |||||||||
ROE | 10.0% | |||||||||||||
Common equity component average on a financial basis | 52.5% |
(1)Amount is net of certain deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation that were utilized to reduce near-term rate impacts to our customers. The rate order reflects the majority of the unprotected deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation being amortized over two years. Approximately $11 million of tax benefits are being amortized in 2020 and approximately $39 million will be amortized in 2021. Unprotected deferred tax benefits by their nature are eligible to be returned to customers in a manner and timeline determined to be appropriate by the PSCW.
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(2)The rate order is net of $21 million of refunds related to our 2018 earnings sharing mechanism. These refunds will be made to customers evenly over two years, with half being returned in 2020 and the remainder in 2021.
(3)Amount is net of certain deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation that were utilized to reduce near-term rate impacts to our customers. The rate order reflects all of the unprotected deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation being amortized evenly over four years, which results in approximately $5 million of previously deferred tax benefits being amortized each year. Unprotected deferred tax benefits by their nature are eligible to be returned to customers in a manner and timeline determined to be appropriate by the PSCW.
Our rate order allows us to collect the previously deferred revenue requirement for ReACT™ costs above the authorized $275.0 million level. The total cost of the ReACT™ project was $342 million. This regulatory asset will be collected from customers over eight years.
We will continue having an earnings sharing mechanism through 2021. The earnings sharing mechanism was modified from its previous structure to one that is consistent with other Wisconsin investor-owned utilities. Under the new earnings sharing mechanism, if we earn above our authorized ROE: (i) we retain 100.0% of earnings for the first 25 basis points above the authorized ROE; (ii) 50.0% of the next 50 basis points is refunded to customers; and (iii) 100.0% of any remaining excess earnings is refunded to customers. In addition, the rate order also requires us to maintain residential and small commercial electric and natural gas customer fixed charges at previously authorized rates and to maintain the status quo for our electric market-based rate programs for large industrial customers through 2021.
2018 and 2019 Rates
During April 2017, we, along with WE and WG, filed an application with the PSCW for approval of a settlement agreement we made with several of our commercial and industrial customers regarding 2018 and 2019 base rates. In September 2017, the PSCW issued an order that approved the settlement agreement, which froze base rates through 2019 for our electric and natural gas customers. Based on the PSCW order, our authorized ROE remained at 10.0% and our capital cost structure remained unchanged through 2019.
In addition to freezing base rates, the settlement agreement extended and expanded the electric real-time market pricing program options for large commercial and industrial customers. Additionally, the agreement allowed us to extend, through 2019, the deferral for the revenue requirement of ReACT™ costs above the authorized $275.0 million and other deferrals related to our electric real-time market pricing program and network transmission expenses.
Pursuant to the settlement agreement, we also agreed to adopt, beginning in 2018, the earnings sharing mechanism that had been in place for WE and WG since January 2016, and agreed to keep the mechanism in place through 2019. Under this earnings sharing mechanism, if we earned above our authorized ROE, 50% of the first 50 basis points of additional utility earnings were required to be refunded to customers. All utility earnings above the first 50 basis points were also required to be refunded to customers.
NOTE 18—NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Cloud Computing
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The standard allows entities who are customers in hosting arrangements that are service contracts to apply the existing internal-use software guidance to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset related to the service contract and which costs to expense. The guidance specifies classification for capitalizing implementation costs and related amortization expense within the financial statements and requires additional disclosures. The adoption of ASU 2018-15, effective January 1, 2020, did not have a significant impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.
Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Disclosure Framework: Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. The pronouncement modifies the disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension and OPEB plans. The guidance removes disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifies the specific requirements of disclosures and adds disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The modifications affect annual period disclosures and must be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effects of this pronouncement on the notes to our financial statements.
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Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The new standard removes certain exceptions for performing intraperiod allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods and also adds guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing deferred taxes for tax goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group. The guidance will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. We plan to adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2021, and do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.
Reference Rate Reform
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The amendments are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on our financial statements and related disclosures.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying financial statements and related notes and our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Introduction
We are an electric and natural gas utility and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of WEC Energy Group. We derive revenues primarily from the distribution and sale of electricity and natural gas to retail customers. We also provide wholesale electric service to numerous utilities and cooperatives for resale. We conduct our business primarily through our utility reportable segment. See Note 14, Segment Information, for more information on our reportable business segments.
Corporate Strategy
Our goal is to continue to build and sustain long-term value for our customers and WEC Energy Group's shareholders by focusing on the fundamentals of our business: reliability; operating efficiency; financial discipline; customer care; and safety. WEC Energy Group's plan, referred to as its ESG progress plan, for efficiency, sustainability and growth will provide us a roadmap for achieving this goal. It is an aggressive plan to cut emissions, maintain superior reliability, deliver significant savings for customers, and grow our investment in the future of energy.
Creating a Cleaner Energy Future
WEC Energy Group's ESG progress plan includes the retirement of older, fossil-fueled generation, to be replaced with the construction of zero-carbon-emitting renewable generation and clean natural gas-fired generation. When taken together, the retirements and new investments should better balance our supply with our demand, while maintaining reliable, affordable energy for our customers. The retirements will contribute to meeting a new, near-term goal of reducing WEC Energy Group's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from electric generation by 55% below 2005 levels by 2025.
In 2019, WEC Energy Group met and surpassed its original goal to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. In July 2020, WEC Energy Group announced a new goal, to reduce CO2 emissions from electricity generation by 70% below 2005 levels by 2030 and to be net carbon neutral by 2050.
WEC Energy Group has already retired more than 1,800 megawatts (MW) of coal-fired generation since the beginning of 2018 across its electric utilities, which included the 2018 retirement of the Pulliam power plant as well as the jointly-owned Edgewater Unit 4 generating units. As part of its ESG progress plan, WEC Energy Group expects to retire approximately 1,800 MW of additional fossil-fueled generation by 2025.
In addition to retiring these older, fossil-fueled plants, WEC Energy Group expects to invest approximately $2 billion in low-cost renewable energy in Wisconsin. WEC Energy Group's plan is to replace a portion of the retired capacity by building and owning a combination of clean, natural gas-fired generation and zero-carbon-emitting renewable generation facilities that are anticipated to include:
•800 MW of utility-scale solar;
•600 MW of battery storage;
•100 MW of wind; and
•100 MW of reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) natural gas-fueled generation.
WEC Energy Group also plans to purchase 200 MW of capacity in the West Riverside Energy Center — a new, combined-cycle natural gas plant recently completed by Alliant Energy in Wisconsin. These new investments are in addition to the renewable projects currently underway.
We have partnered with an unaffiliated utility to construct two utility-scale solar projects in Wisconsin. Two Creeks Solar Park (Two Creeks) is located in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, and Badger Hollow Solar Park I (Badger Hollow I) is located in Iowa County, Wisconsin. Upon completion, we will own 100 MW of each project for a total of 200 MW. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved the acquisition of these two projects in April 2019. Commercial operation was achieved in the first week of November 2020 for Two Creeks, and is targeted for April 2021 for Badger Hollow I.
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WEC Energy Group also has a goal to decrease the rate of methane emissions from the natural gas distribution lines in its network by 30% per mile by the year 2030 from a 2011 baseline. WEC Energy Group was over half way toward meeting that goal at the end of 2019. In April 2019, WEC Energy Group issued a climate report, which analyzes its GHG reduction goals with respect to international efforts to limit future global temperature increases to less than two degrees Celsius. WEC Energy Group will evaluate potential GHG reduction pathways as climate change policies and relevant technologies evolve over time.
Reliability
We have made significant reliability-related investments in recent years, and in accordance with WEC Energy Group's ESG progress plan, expect to continue strengthening and modernizing our generation fleet and distribution networks to further improve reliability. Our investments, coupled with our commitment to operating efficiency and customer care, resulted in us being recognized in 2019 by PA Consulting Group, an independent consulting firm, as an Outstanding Midsize Utility.
We continue work on our System Modernization and Reliability Project, which involves modernizing parts of our electric distribution system, including burying or upgrading lines. The project focuses on constructing facilities to improve the reliability of electric service we provide to our customers. We also continue to upgrade our electric and natural gas distribution systems to enhance reliability.
Operating Efficiency
We continually look for ways to optimize the operating efficiency of our company and will continue to do so under WEC Energy Group's ESG progress plan. For example, we are making progress on our Advanced Metering Infrastructure program, replacing aging meter-reading equipment on both our network and customer property. An integrated system of smart meters, communication networks, and data management programs enables two-way communication between us and our customers. This program reduces the manual effort for disconnects and reconnects and enhances outage management capabilities.
WEC Energy Group continues to focus on integrating the resources of its businesses and finding the best and most efficient processes while meeting all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. We also strive to provide the best value to our customers and WEC Energy Group's shareholders by embracing constructive change, leveraging capabilities and expertise, and using creative solutions to meet or exceed our customers' expectations.
Financial Discipline
A strong adherence to financial discipline is essential to earning our authorized ROE and maintaining a strong balance sheet, stable cash flows, and quality credit ratings.
We follow an asset management strategy that focuses on investing in and acquiring assets consistent with our strategic plans, as well as disposing of assets, including property, plants, and equipment, that are no longer performing as intended, or have an unacceptable risk profile.
Exceptional Customer Care
Our approach is driven by an intense focus on delivering exceptional customer care every day. We strive to provide the best value for our customers by demonstrating personal responsibility for results, leveraging our capabilities and expertise, and using creative solutions to meet or exceed our customers’ expectations.
Safety
We have a long-standing commitment to both workplace and public safety, and under our "Target Zero" mission, we have an ultimate goal of zero incidents, accidents, and injuries. We also set goals around injury-prevention activities that raise awareness and facilitate conversations about employee safety. Our corporate safety program provides a forum for addressing employee concerns, training employees and contractors on current safety standards, and recognizing those who demonstrate a safety focus.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
Earnings
Our earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were $76.3 million, compared to $55.0 million for the same quarter in 2019. See below for additional information on the $21.3 million increase in earnings.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The discussion below addresses the operating income contribution of our utility segment and includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as electric margins and natural gas margins, which are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. Electric margin (electric revenues less fuel and purchased power costs) and natural gas margin (natural gas revenues less cost of natural gas sold) are non-GAAP financial measures because they exclude other operation and maintenance expense, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes.
We believe that electric and natural gas margins provide a useful basis for evaluating utility operations since the majority of prudently incurred fuel and purchased power costs, as well as prudently incurred natural gas costs, are passed through to customers in current rates. As a result, management uses electric and natural gas margins internally when assessing the operating performance of our utility segment as these measures exclude the majority of revenue fluctuations caused by changes in these expenses. Similarly, the presentation of electric and natural gas margins herein is intended to provide supplemental information for investors regarding our operating performance.
Our electric margins and natural gas margins may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Furthermore, these measures are not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of our utility segment operating performance. Our utility segment operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $102.8 million and $78.0 million, respectively. The operating income discussion below includes a table that provides the calculation of electric margins and natural gas margins, along with a reconciliation to utility segment operating income.
Utility Segment Contribution to Operating Income
The following table compares our utility segment's contribution to operating income during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019, including favorable or better, "B", and unfavorable or worse, "W", variances.
Three Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
Electric revenues | $ | 328.2 | $ | 312.9 | $ | 15.3 | ||||||||||||||
Fuel and purchased power | 88.9 | 97.3 | 8.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Total electric margins | 239.3 | 215.6 | 23.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Natural gas revenues | 39.5 | 39.4 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||
Cost of natural gas sold | 16.4 | 17.2 | 0.8 | |||||||||||||||||
Total natural gas margins | 23.1 | 22.2 | 0.9 | |||||||||||||||||
Total electric and natural gas margins | 262.4 | 237.8 | 24.6 | |||||||||||||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 105.2 | 107.4 | 2.2 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 43.5 | 42.3 | (1.2) | |||||||||||||||||
Property and revenue taxes | 10.9 | 10.1 | (0.8) | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income | $ | 102.8 | $ | 78.0 | $ | 24.8 |
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 26 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
The following table shows a breakdown of other operation and maintenance:
Three Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
Operation and maintenance not included in line items below | $ | 54.5 | $ | 62.6 | $ | 8.1 | ||||||||||||||
Transmission (1) | 40.0 | 37.4 | (2.6) | |||||||||||||||||
Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses (2) | 10.7 | 7.4 | (3.3) | |||||||||||||||||
Total other operation and maintenance | $ | 105.2 | $ | 107.4 | $ | 2.2 |
(1)Represents transmission expense that we are authorized to collect in rates, in accordance with the PSCW's approval of escrow accounting for ATC and MISO network transmission expenses. As a result, we defer as a regulatory asset or liability, the difference between actual transmission costs and those included in rates until recovery or refund is authorized in a future rate proceeding. During the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, $37.6 million and $36.3 million, respectively, of costs were billed to us by transmission providers.
(2)Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses are substantially offset in margins and therefore do not have a significant impact on operating income.
The following tables provide information on delivered sales volumes by customer class and weather statistics:
Three Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
MWh (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Electric Sales Volumes | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
Customer class | ||||||||||||||||||||
Residential | 875.4 | 805.7 | 69.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Small commercial and industrial | 1,080.9 | 1,071.0 | 9.9 | |||||||||||||||||
Large commercial and industrial | 950.7 | 991.8 | (41.1) | |||||||||||||||||
Other | 5.9 | 5.9 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Total retail | 2,912.9 | 2,874.4 | 38.5 | |||||||||||||||||
Wholesale | 577.3 | 595.7 | (18.4) | |||||||||||||||||
Resale | 168.3 | 165.6 | 2.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Total sales in MWh | 3,658.5 | 3,635.7 | 22.8 |
Three Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Therms (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Natural Gas Sales Volumes | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
Customer class | ||||||||||||||||||||
Residential | 14.4 | 11.8 | 2.6 | |||||||||||||||||
Commercial and industrial | 23.7 | 19.8 | 3.9 | |||||||||||||||||
Total retail | 38.1 | 31.6 | 6.5 | |||||||||||||||||
Transport | 87.4 | 85.6 | 1.8 | |||||||||||||||||
Total sales in therms | 125.5 | 117.2 | 8.3 |
Three Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Degree Days | ||||||||||||||||||||
Weather (1) | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
Heating (189 Normal) | 198 | 98 | 102.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Cooling (376 Normal) | 471 | 424 | 11.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
(1)Normal degree days are based on a 20-year moving average of monthly temperatures from the Green Bay, Wisconsin weather station.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 27 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
Electric Utility Margins
Electric utility margins increased $23.7 million during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019. The significant factors impacting the higher electric utility margins were:
•A $23.3 million net increase in margins related to the impact of our rate order approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. This increase in margins includes the impact related to the Tax Legislation, including unprotected tax benefits, which we agreed to return to customers and is offset in income taxes.
•A $3.5 million increase in margins related to higher residential sales volumes, primarily driven by the impact of favorable weather. As measured by cooling degree days, the third quarter of 2020 was 11.1% warmer than the same quarter in 2019. As measured by heating degree days, the third quarter of 2020 was 102.0% colder than the same quarter in 2019.
These increases in margins were partially offset by a $1.4 million quarter-over-quarter negative impact from collections of fuel and purchased power costs compared with costs approved in rates. Under the Wisconsin fuel rules, our margins are impacted by under- or over-collections of certain fuel and purchased power costs that are less than a 2% price variance from the costs included in rates, and the remaining variance that exceeds the 2% variance is deferred.
Natural Gas Utility Margins
Natural gas utility margins increased $0.9 million during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019. The most significant factor impacting the higher natural gas utility margins was an increase in margins from higher sales volumes, driven by an increase in heating degree days during the third quarter of 2020, compared to the same quarter in 2019.
Operating Income
Operating income at the utility segment increased $24.8 million during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019. This increase was driven by the $24.6 million increase in margins discussed above, in addition to $0.2 million of lower operating expenses (which include other operation and maintenance, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes).
The significant factor impacting the decrease in operating expenses during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019, was an $8.6 million decrease in electric and natural gas distribution expenses, driven by lower maintenance and storm restoration expense, as well as our focus on operating efficiency.
This decrease in operating expenses was partially offset by:
•A $3.3 million increase in regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses, as discussed in the notes under the other operation and maintenance table above.
•A $2.6 million increase in transmission expense as approved in the PSCW's 2019 rate order, which was effective January 1, 2020. See the notes under the other operation and maintenance table above for more information.
•A $1.2 million increase in depreciation and amortization, driven by assets being placed into service as we continue to execute on our capital plan.
Other Income, Net
Three Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
AFUDC – Equity | $ | 3.4 | $ | 1.8 | $ | 1.6 | ||||||||||||||
Non-service components of net periodic benefit costs | 4.9 | 4.6 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Other, net | 0.4 | 3.4 | (3.0) | |||||||||||||||||
Other income, net | $ | 8.7 | $ | 9.8 | $ | (1.1) |
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 28 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
Other income, net decreased $1.1 million during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019. The decrease was primarily driven by the 2019 deferral of costs that were offset in other income statement line items and had no impact on net income. This decrease was partially offset by higher AFUDC – Equity during the third quarter of 2020, driven by continued capital investment.
Interest Expense
Three Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | $ | 15.6 | $ | 15.8 | $ | 0.2 |
Income Tax Expense
Three Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | B (W) | ||||||||||||||||||
Effective tax rate | 20.4 | % | 23.6 | % | 3.2 | % |
Our effective tax rate decreased by 3.2% during the third quarter of 2020, compared with the same quarter in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the 2020 amortization of the unprotected excess deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation in connection with our Wisconsin rate order approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. This decrease in our effective tax rate was partially offset by the impact of the protected benefits associated with the Tax Legislation. These items did not impact earnings as they were offset in operating income. See Note 8, Income Taxes, and Note 17, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
Earnings
Our earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $192.2 million, compared to $137.4 million for the same period in 2019. See below for additional information on the $54.8 million increase in earnings.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The discussion below addresses the operating income contribution of our utility segment and includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as electric margins and natural gas margins, which are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. Electric margin (electric revenues less fuel and purchased power costs) and natural gas margin (natural gas revenues less cost of natural gas sold) are non-GAAP financial measures because they exclude other operation and maintenance expense, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes.
We believe that electric and natural gas margins provide a useful basis for evaluating utility operations since the majority of prudently incurred fuel and purchased power costs, as well as prudently incurred natural gas costs, are passed through to customers in current rates. As a result, management uses electric and natural gas margins internally when assessing the operating performance of our utility segment as these measures exclude the majority of revenue fluctuations caused by changes in these expenses. Similarly, the presentation of electric and natural gas margins herein is intended to provide supplemental information for investors regarding our operating performance.
Our electric margins and natural gas margins may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Furthermore, these measures are not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of our utility segment operating performance. Our utility segment operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $263.1 million and $198.4 million, respectively. The operating income discussion below includes a table that provides the calculation of electric margins and natural gas margins, along with a reconciliation to utility segment operating income.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 29 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
Utility Segment Contribution to Operating Income
Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
Electric revenues | $ | 863.9 | $ | 855.0 | $ | 8.9 | ||||||||||||||
Fuel and purchased power | 238.0 | 281.5 | 43.5 | |||||||||||||||||
Total electric margins | 625.9 | 573.5 | 52.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Natural gas revenues | 186.0 | 214.0 | (28.0) | |||||||||||||||||
Cost of natural gas sold | 92.3 | 126.6 | 34.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Total natural gas margins | 93.7 | 87.4 | 6.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Total electric and natural gas margins | 719.6 | 660.9 | 58.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 296.3 | 308.7 | 12.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 129.7 | 123.4 | (6.3) | |||||||||||||||||
Property and revenue taxes | 30.5 | 30.4 | (0.1) | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income | $ | 263.1 | $ | 198.4 | $ | 64.7 |
The following table shows a breakdown of other operation and maintenance:
Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
Operation and maintenance not included in line items below | $ | 147.9 | $ | 174.6 | $ | 26.7 | ||||||||||||||
Transmission (1) | 119.9 | 110.2 | (9.7) | |||||||||||||||||
Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses (2) | 28.5 | 23.9 | (4.6) | |||||||||||||||||
Total other operation and maintenance | $ | 296.3 | $ | 308.7 | $ | 12.4 |
(1)Represents transmission expense that we are authorized to collect in rates, in accordance with the PSCW's approval of escrow accounting for ATC and MISO network transmission expenses. As a result, we defer as a regulatory asset or liability, the difference between actual transmission costs and those included in rates until recovery or refund is authorized in a future rate proceeding. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, $109.4 million and $105.8 million, respectively, of costs were billed to us by transmission providers.
(2)Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses are substantially offset in margins and therefore do not have a significant impact on operating income.
The following tables provide information on delivered sales volumes by customer class and weather statistics:
Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
MWh (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Electric Sales Volumes | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
Customer class | ||||||||||||||||||||
Residential | 2,306.9 | 2,165.7 | 141.2 | |||||||||||||||||
Small commercial and industrial | 2,933.7 | 3,006.7 | (73.0) | |||||||||||||||||
Large commercial and industrial | 2,757.7 | 2,941.3 | (183.6) | |||||||||||||||||
Other | 18.8 | 19.1 | (0.3) | |||||||||||||||||
Total retail | 8,017.1 | 8,132.8 | (115.7) | |||||||||||||||||
Wholesale | 1,554.3 | 1,691.4 | (137.1) | |||||||||||||||||
Resale | 620.8 | 611.5 | 9.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Total sales in MWh | 10,192.2 | 10,435.7 | (243.5) |
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 30 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Therms (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Natural Gas Sales Volumes | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
Customer Class | ||||||||||||||||||||
Residential | 166.4 | 181.0 | (14.6) | |||||||||||||||||
Commercial and industrial | 127.6 | 140.0 | (12.4) | |||||||||||||||||
Total retail | 294.0 | 321.0 | (27.0) | |||||||||||||||||
Transport | 313.3 | 316.1 | (2.8) | |||||||||||||||||
Total sales in therms | 607.3 | 637.1 | (29.8) |
Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Degree Days | ||||||||||||||||||||
Weather (1) | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
Heating (4,854 Normal) | 4,644 | 4,979 | (6.7) | % | ||||||||||||||||
Cooling (509 Normal) | 656 | 502 | 30.7 | % |
(1)Normal degree days are based on a 20-year moving average of monthly temperatures from the Green Bay, Wisconsin weather station.
Electric Utility Margins
Electric utility margins increased $52.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. The significant factor impacting the higher electric utility margins was a $58.7 million net increase in margins related to the impact of our rate order approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. This increase in margins includes the impact related to the Tax Legislation, including unprotected tax benefits, which we agreed to return to customers and is offset in income taxes.
This increase in margins was partially offset by:
•A $2.9 million decrease in margins related to lower wholesale sales volumes, driven by lower sales to UMERC. UMERC's new natural gas-fired generating units in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan began commercial operation on March 31, 2019, at which time we stopped providing wholesale services to UMERC.
•A $2.5 million decrease in margins related to other revenues, which included late payment charges and revenues from third party use of our assets.
Natural Gas Utility Margins
Natural gas utility margins increased $6.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. The most significant factor impacting the higher natural gas utility margins was a $7.8 million increase related to the impact of our rate order approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. This increase in margins includes the impact related to the Tax Legislation, including unprotected tax benefits, which we agreed to return to customers and is offset in income taxes.
This increase in margins was partially offset by a $2.3 million net reduction in margins related to lower sales volumes, driven by warmer winter weather during 2020. As measured by heating degree days, the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were 6.7% warmer than the same period in 2019. In addition to the weather impact, the decrease in sales volumes for our commercial and industrial customers was also driven by business interruptions and closings related to, in large part, a shelter-in-place order issued by the state of Wisconsin during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Operating Income
Operating income at the utility segment increased $64.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. This increase was driven by the $58.7 million increase in margins discussed above, as well as $6.0 million of lower operating expenses (which include other operation and maintenance, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes).
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 31 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
The significant factors impacting the decrease in operating expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019, were:
•A $15.1 million decrease in electric and natural gas distribution expenses, driven by lower maintenance and storm restoration expense, as well as our focus on operating efficiency.
•A $4.7 million decrease in benefit costs, primarily due to lower deferred compensation costs, stock-based compensation, and medical costs.
•A $3.9 million decrease in maintenance expense at our plants, driven by the timing of planned outages at the Weston and Columbia power plants.
These decreases in operating expenses were partially offset by:
•A $9.7 million increase in transmission expense as approved in the PSCW's 2019 rate order, which was effective January 1, 2020. See the notes under the other operation and maintenance table above for more information.
•A $6.3 million increase in depreciation and amortization, driven by assets being placed into service as we continue to execute on our capital plan.
•A $4.6 million increase in regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses, as discussed in the notes under the other operation and maintenance table above.
Other Income, Net
Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
AFUDC – Equity | $ | 8.3 | $ | 3.6 | $ | 4.7 | ||||||||||||||
Non-service components of net periodic benefit costs | 14.6 | 13.6 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||
Other, net | 2.5 | 11.8 | (9.3) | |||||||||||||||||
Other income, net | $ | 25.4 | $ | 29.0 | $ | (3.6) |
Other income, net decreased $3.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. The decrease was primarily driven by the 2019 deferral of costs that were offset in other income statement line items and had no impact on net income. This decrease was partially offset by higher AFUDC – Equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, driven by continued capital investment.
Interest Expense
Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | B (W) | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 47.9 | $ | 47.2 | $ | (0.7) |
Interest expense increased $0.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019, primarily due to higher long-term debt balances. The increase was partially offset by lower short-term debt balances and lower interest rates on short-term debt. The increase in long-term debt balances was primarily related to continued capital investments.
Income Tax Expense
Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | B (W) | ||||||||||||||||||
Effective tax rate | 20.1 | % | 23.8 | % | 3.7 | % |
Our effective tax rate decreased by 3.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. This decrease was primarily due to the 2020 amortization of the unprotected excess deferred tax benefits from the Tax Legislation in connection with our Wisconsin rate order approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. This decrease in our
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 32 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
effective tax rate was partially offset by the impact of the protected benefits associated with the Tax Legislation. These items did not impact earnings as they were offset in operating income.
We expect our 2020 annual effective tax rate to be between 19% and 20%, which includes an estimated 5% effective tax rate benefit due to the amortization of unprotected excess deferred taxes in connection with our Wisconsin rate order approved by the PSCW, effective January 1, 2020. Excluding this estimated effective tax rate benefit, the expected 2020 range would be between 24% and 25%.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows during the nine months ended September 30:
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | Change in 2020 Over 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
Cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating activities | $ | 414.1 | $ | 322.6 | $ | 91.5 | ||||||||||||||
Investing activities | (373.9) | (372.0) | (1.9) | |||||||||||||||||
Financing activities | (40.5) | 45.5 | (86.0) |
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $91.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019, driven by:
•A $67.3 million increase in cash related to lower payments for fuel and purchased power at our plants during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. Our payments for fuel and purchased power decreased due to lower natural gas costs used to fuel our plants. The average per-unit cost of natural gas sold decreased 20.5% during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. Lower fuel and purchased power costs were also driven by lower sales volumes, related to warmer winter weather during 2020, as well as business interruptions and closings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
•A $24.7 million increase in cash from lower payments for other operation and maintenance expenses. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, our payments were lower for electric and natural gas distribution expenses, benefits, and maintenance at our plants, compared with the same period in 2019. See Results of Operations – Utility Segment Contribution to Operating Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, for more information.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities increased $1.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019, driven by an increase in cash paid for capital expenditures, which is discussed in more detail below.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30 were as follows:
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | Change in 2020 Over 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 381.0 | $ | 380.0 | $ | 1.0 |
The increase in cash paid for capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019, was driven by an increase in payments for capital expenditures related to Badger Hollow I and upgrades to our electric distribution system, offset by a decrease in cash paid for capital expenditures related to Two Creeks and upgrades to our natural gas distribution system during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 33 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
See Capital Resources and Requirements – Capital Requirements – Significant Capital Projects below for more information.
Financing Activities
Net cash related to financing activities decreased $86.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019, driven by:
•A $300.0 million decrease in cash due to the issuance of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. There were no issuances of long-term debt in 2020.
•An $80.0 million decrease in cash related to higher dividends paid to our parent during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019, to balance our capital structure.
These decreases in cash were partially offset by:
•A $190.4 million increase in cash related to lower net repayments of commercial paper during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019.
•A $100.0 million increase in equity contributions received from our parent during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with the same period in 2019, to balance our capital structure.
For more information on our financing activities, see Note 6, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit.
Capital Resources and Requirements
Capital Resources
Liquidity
We anticipate meeting our capital requirements for our existing operations through internally generated funds and short-term borrowings, supplemented by the issuance of intermediate or long-term debt securities, depending on market conditions and other factors, and equity contributions from our parent.
We currently have access to the capital markets and have been able to generate funds internally and externally to meet our capital requirements. Our ability to attract the necessary financial capital at reasonable terms is critical to our overall strategic plan. We currently believe that we have adequate capacity to fund our operations for the foreseeable future through our existing borrowing arrangements, access to capital markets, and internally generated cash. See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Coronavirus Disease – 2019, for additional information on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We maintain a bank back-up credit facility, which provides liquidity support for our obligations with respect to commercial paper and for general corporate purposes. We review our bank back-up credit facility needs on an ongoing basis and expect to be able to maintain adequate credit facilities to support our operations. See Note 6, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, for more information on our credit facility.
Working Capital
Although not the case as of September 30, 2020, our current liabilities sometimes exceed our current assets. If this were to occur, we would not expect this to have any impact on our liquidity since we believe we have adequate back-up lines of credit in place for our ongoing operations. We also believe that we can access the capital markets to finance our construction programs and to refinance current maturities of long-term debt, if necessary.
Credit Rating Risk
We do not have any credit agreements that would require material changes in payment schedules or terminations as a result of a credit rating downgrade. However, we have certain agreements in the form of commodity contracts that, in the event of a credit rating downgrade, could result in a reduction of our unsecured credit granted by counterparties.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 34 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
In addition, access to capital markets at a reasonable cost is determined in large part by credit quality. Any credit ratings downgrade could impact our ability to access capital markets.
Subject to other factors affecting the credit markets as a whole, we believe our current ratings should provide a significant degree of flexibility in obtaining funds on competitive terms. However, these security ratings reflect the views of the rating agency only. An explanation of the significance of these ratings may be obtained from the rating agency. Such ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities. Any rating can be revised upward or downward or withdrawn at any time by a rating agency.
If we are unable to successfully take actions to manage any impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and/or any additional adverse impacts of the Tax Legislation as a result of additional interpretations, regulations, amendments or technical corrections, these potential impacts could result in credit rating agencies placing our credit ratings on negative outlook or downgrading our credit ratings. Any such actions by credit rating agencies may make it more difficult and costly for us to issue future debt securities and certain other types of financing and could increase borrowing costs under our credit facility.
See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Coronavirus Disease – 2019, for additional information.
Capital Requirements
Significant Capital Projects
We have several capital projects that will require significant capital expenditures over the next three years and beyond. All projected capital requirements are subject to periodic review and may vary significantly from estimates, depending on a number of factors. These factors include environmental requirements, regulatory restraints and requirements, impacts from the Tax Legislation, additional changes in tax laws and regulations, acquisition and development opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Our estimated capital expenditures for the next three years are as follows:
(in millions) | ||||||||
2020 | $ | 534.1 | ||||||
2021 | 578.8 | |||||||
2022 | 537.6 | |||||||
Total | $ | 1,650.5 |
We continue to upgrade our electric and natural gas distribution systems to enhance reliability. These upgrades include the AMI program. AMI is an integrated system of smart meters, communication networks, and data management systems that enable two-way communication between utilities and customers. We are continuing work on the System Modernization and Reliability Project. This project involves modernizing parts of our electric distribution system, including burying or upgrading lines. The project focuses on constructing facilities to improve the reliability of the electric service we provide to our customers. We expect to invest approximately $100 million between 2020 and 2022 on this project.
WEC Energy Group is committed to investing in solar, wind, and battery storage. As part of this commitment, we have received approval to invest in 200 MW of utility-scale solar. We have partnered with an unaffiliated utility to construct two solar projects in Wisconsin. Two Creeks is located in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, and Badger Hollow I is located in Iowa County, Wisconsin. Upon completion, we will own 100 MW of each project for a total of 200 MW. Our share of the cost of both projects is estimated to be approximately $260 million. Commercial operation was achieved in the first week of November 2020 for Two Creeks, and is targeted for April 2021 for Badger Hollow I.
See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Coronavirus Disease – 2019, for information on the impacts to our capital projects as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
09/30/2020 Form 10-Q | 35 | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk as a part of our normal course of business, including financial guarantees and letters of credit that support construction projects, commodity contracts, and other payment obligations. We believe that these agreements do not have, and are not reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources. See Note 6, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, and Note 11, Guarantees, for more information.
Contractual Obligations
For information about our commitments, see Contractual Obligations in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital Resources and Requirements in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There were no material changes to our commitments outside the ordinary course of business during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS, LIQUIDITY, AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The following is a discussion of certain factors that may affect our results of operations, liquidity, and capital resources. The following discussion should be read together with the information in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which provides a more complete discussion of factors affecting us, including market risks and other significant risks, competitive markets, environmental matters, critical accounting policies and estimates, and other matters.
Coronavirus Disease – 2019
The global outbreak of COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO and the CDC and has spread globally, including throughout the United States. There is still considerable uncertainty regarding the extent to which COVID-19 will spread and the extent and duration of measures currently in place to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, and limitations on business operations. Although the shelter-in-place order that was in effect for Wisconsin has expired, other orders limiting the capacity of various businesses have been adopted at the state and local levels. In addition, similar or more restrictive orders could be adopted in the future depending on how the virus continues to spread. Such measures have significantly disrupted economic activity in our service territory and have caused disruptions and volatility in the capital markets. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for more information on our risks related to COVID-19.
Liquidity and Financial Markets
Volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets and global economy have impacted us in a number of ways. Upon the initial enactment of certain COVID-19 related shelter-in-place orders in early to mid-March 2020, commercial paper markets became more expensive and related terms became less flexible. In response to these signs of market instability, the Federal Reserve implemented certain measures, including a reduction in its benchmark Federal Funds rate and the establishment of various programs to restore liquidity and stability into the short-term funding markets. These measures have had a mitigating effect on commercial paper rates and availability. In addition, the initial disruption in the long-term debt markets as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.
Our overall liquidity position remains strong. As of September 30, 2020, we had $382.7 million available under our credit facility, providing sufficient backing for our commercial paper program.
Pensions and Other Benefits
Our pension and OPEB plans were well funded at December 31, 2019, with total plan assets exceeding total benefit obligations by $129.7 million. There has been significant volatility in global capital markets during the COVID-19 pandemic, although the market losses recorded during the early stages of the pandemic in the first quarter of 2020 have reversed course in the second and third quarters of 2020 in response to government stimulus and relief efforts and the gradual reopening of businesses. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recognized a $35 million increase in the value of long-term investments held in our pension and OPEB plan trusts as second and third quarter gains more than offset first quarter losses.
We could still see earnings volatility associated with certain other benefit plans maintained by our ultimate parent, WEC Energy Group, primarily related to performance units granted to certain of our employees, and deferred compensation plans. Certain of the
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liabilities associated with the deferred compensation plans are indexed to mutual funds and WEC Energy Group common stock, and the liabilities associated with outstanding performance units are indexed to WEC Energy Group common stock. These liabilities are marked to fair value through earnings each period, with earnings increasing as market prices decrease.
Allowance for Credit Losses
We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances considering a combination of factors. Risks identified that we do not believe are reflected in historical reserve percentages are assessed on a quarterly basis to determine whether further adjustments are required. Economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including higher unemployment rates and the inability of some businesses to recover from the pandemic, could cause a higher percentage of accounts receivable to become uncollectible. An increase in credit losses could negatively impact our results of operations and could result in higher working capital requirements.
Our exposure to credit losses for certain regulated utility customers is mitigated by a regulatory mechanism we have in place. Specifically, our residential tariffs include a mechanism for cost recovery or refund of uncollectible expense based on the difference between actual uncollectible write-offs and the amounts recovered in rates. In addition, we have received specific orders related to the deferral of certain costs (including credit losses) and foregone revenues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional protections provided by these COVID-19 specific regulatory orders are still being assessed and will be subject to prudency reviews. See Note 17, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
Loss of Business
We have seen a decrease in the consumption of electricity and natural gas by some of our commercial and industrial customers as they continue to experience lower demand for their products and services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many businesses in our service territory still are not operating at full capacity. The extent to which this decrease in consumption will impact our results of operations and liquidity is dependent upon the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ability of our customers to resume and continue normal operations.
Supply Chain and Capital Projects
We have not yet experienced a significant disruption in our supply chain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, if the pandemic significantly impacts our key suppliers’ ability to manufacture or deliver critical equipment and supplies or provide services, we could experience delays in our ability to perform certain maintenance and capital project activities.
The timing of Badger Hollow I has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The parties agreed to delay the expected commercial operation date from December 2020 to April 2021 so that initial staffing increases could be minimized in light of state mandated COVID-19 orders. We are not currently aware of any other major delays or changes related to our capital plan as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, although we are continuing to monitor potential impacts on an ongoing basis.
Employee Safety
The health and safety of our employees during the COVID-19 pandemic is paramount and enables us to continue to provide critical services to our customers.
We are following CDC guidelines and have taken enhanced precautions with regard to employee hygiene and facility cleanliness, imposed travel limitations on our employees, provided additional employee benefits, and implemented remote work policies where appropriate. We have activated an incident management team and updated our pandemic continuity plan, which includes identifying critical work groups and ensuring safe harbor plans are in place. We have minimized the unnecessary risk of exposure to COVID-19 by implementing self-quarantine measures and have adopted additional precautionary measures for our critical work groups.
Additional protocols have been implemented for our field employees who travel to customer premises in order to protect them, our customers, and the public. We have modified our work protocols to ensure compliance with social distancing and face covering recommendations.
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All of these safety measures have caused us to incur additional costs, and depending upon the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, could have a material impact on our results of operations and liquidity.
Regulatory Environment
We have taken actions to ensure that essential utility services are available to our customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the PSCW has issued written orders requiring certain actions by all public utilities in the state of Wisconsin. See Note 17, Regulatory Environment, for more information on these orders and the potential recovery of expenditures incurred as a result of the measures being taken.
Market Risks and Other Significant Risks
We are exposed to market and other significant risks as a result of the nature of our business and the environment in which we operate. See Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Market Risks and Other Significant Risks in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of significant risks applicable to us.
Environmental Matters
See Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, for a discussion of certain environmental matters affecting us, including rules and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, land quality, and climate change.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We have reviewed our critical accounting policies and considered whether any new critical accounting estimates or other significant changes to our accounting policies require any additional disclosures. We have found that the disclosures made in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K are still current and that there have been no significant changes, except as follows:
Goodwill Impairment
We completed our annual goodwill impairment test for our utility reporting unit as of July 1, 2020. No impairment was recorded as a result of this test. At July 1, 2020, our reporting unit had $36.4 million of goodwill.
The fair value calculated in step one of the test was greater than its carrying value. The fair value of our reporting unit was calculated using a combination of the income approach and the market approach.
For the income approach, we used internal forecasts to project cash flows. Any forecast contains a degree of uncertainty, and changes in these cash flows could significantly increase or decrease the fair value of a reporting unit. Since our reporting unit is regulated, a fair recovery of and return on costs prudently incurred to serve customers is assumed. An unfavorable outcome in a rate case could cause the fair value of our reporting unit to decrease.
Key assumptions used in the income approach included ROE, the long-term growth rate used to determine the terminal value at the end of the discrete forecast period, and the discount rate. The discount rate is applied to estimated future cash flows and is one of the most significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the income approach. As interest rates rise, the calculated fair value will decrease. The discount rate is based on the weighted-average cost of capital, taking into account both the after-tax cost of debt and cost of equity. The terminal year ROE is driven by our current allowed ROE. The terminal growth rate is based primarily on a combination of historical and forecasted statistics for real gross domestic product and personal income for our service area.
For the market approach, we used an equal weighting of the guideline public company method and the guideline merged and acquired company method. The guideline public company method uses financial metrics from similar companies to determine fair value. The guideline merged and acquired company method calculates fair value by analyzing the actual prices paid for recent mergers and acquisitions in the industry. We applied multiples derived from these two methods to the appropriate operating metrics for our reporting unit to determine fair value.
The underlying assumptions and estimates used in the impairment test were made as of a point in time. Subsequent changes in these assumptions and estimates could change the result of the test.
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The fair value of our reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by over 50%. Based on this result, our reporting unit is not at risk of failing step one of the goodwill impairment test.
See Note 13, Goodwill, for more information.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have been no material changes related to market risk from the disclosures presented in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to the Form 10-K disclosures, see Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Coronavirus Disease – 2019 and Market Risks and Other Significant Risks in Item 2 of Part I of this report, as well as Note 9, Fair Value Measurements, Note 10, Derivative Instruments, and Note 11, Guarantees, in this report for information concerning our market risk exposures.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective: (i) in recording, processing, summarizing, and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act; and (ii) to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the third quarter of 2020 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The following should be read in conjunction with Item 3. Legal Proceedings in Part I of our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. See Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 17, Regulatory Environment, in this report for additional information on material legal proceedings and matters related to us.
In addition to those legal proceedings discussed in Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 17, Regulatory Environment, we are currently, and from time to time, subject to claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the results of these additional legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes, after consultation with legal counsel, that the ultimate resolution of these proceedings will not have a material effect on our financial statements.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The following risk factor updates and supplements those risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in Part I of our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect our business functions, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations.
The global outbreak of COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO and the CDC and has spread globally, including throughout the United States. There is still considerable uncertainty regarding the extent to which COVID-19 will spread and the extent and duration of measures currently in place to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, and limitations on business operations. Although the shelter-in-place order that was in effect in Wisconsin has expired, other orders limiting the capacity of various businesses have been adopted at the state and local levels. In addition, similar or more restrictive orders could be adopted in the future depending on how the virus continues to spread.
Such measures have significantly disrupted economic activity in our service territory and have caused disruptions and volatility in the capital markets. In addition, we are continuing to temporarily suspend disconnections for non-payment by certain customer classes. The effects of the continued outbreak of COVID-19 and related government responses have included, and may continue to include, extended disruptions to supply chains and capital markets, reduced labor availability and productivity, and a prolonged reduction in economic activity. These effects could continue to have a variety of adverse impacts on us, including continued reductions in demand for energy, particularly from commercial and industrial customers; impairment of goodwill or long-lived assets; continued decreases in revenue due to the inability to collect late fees; increased bad debt expense; impairment of our ability to develop, construct, and operate facilities; and impaired ability to successfully access funds from credit and capital markets.
Any additional effects of COVID-19 on the U.S. capital markets may significantly impact us. For example, the costs related to our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans are based in part on the value of the plans’ assets. Adverse investment performance for these assets or the failure to maintain sustained growth in pension investments over time could increase our plan costs and funding requirements. Similarly, we rely on access to the capital markets to fund some of our operations and capital requirements. To the extent that access to the capital markets is adversely affected by COVID-19, we may need to consider alternative sources of funding for our operations and for working capital, which may increase our cost of, as well as adversely impact our access to, capital.
We have taken precautions with regard to employee hygiene and facility cleanliness, imposed travel limitations on our employees, and implemented remote work policies where appropriate. Additional protocols have been implemented for our field employees who travel to customer premises in order to protect them, our customers, and the public.
Despite our efforts to manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the extent to which COVID-19 may continue to affect us depends on factors beyond our knowledge or control. Therefore, we are currently unable to determine what additional impact the COVID-19 pandemic may have on our business plans and operations, liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations, but will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments and modify our plans as conditions change.
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Number | Exhibit | ||||||||||
31 | Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certifications | ||||||||||
32 | Section 1350 Certifications | ||||||||||
101 | Interactive Data Files | ||||||||||
101.INS | Inline XBRL 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.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema | ||||||||||
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase | ||||||||||
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase | ||||||||||
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase | ||||||||||
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase | ||||||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
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SIGNATURE
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.
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION | ||||||||
(Registrant) | ||||||||
/s/ WILLIAM J. GUC | ||||||||
Date: | November 6, 2020 | William J. Guc | ||||||
Vice President, Controller, and Assistant Corporate Secretary | ||||||||
(Duly Authorized Officer and Chief Accounting Officer) |
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