Item 2. Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read
in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Middlesex Water Company (Middlesex or the Company) included
elsewhere herein and with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this periodic report
and in the documents incorporated by reference constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. The Company intends that these statements be covered
by the safe harbors created under those laws. They include, but are not limited to statements as to:
|
- |
expected financial condition, performance, prospects and earnings of the
Company; |
|
- |
strategic plans for growth; |
|
- |
the amount and timing of rate increases and other regulatory matters, including
the recovery of certain costs recorded as regulatory assets; |
|
- |
the Company’s expected liquidity needs during the upcoming fiscal
year and beyond and the sources and availability of funds to meet its liquidity needs; |
|
- |
expected customer rates, consumption volumes, service fees, revenues, margins,
expenses and operating results; |
|
- |
the expected amount of cash contributions to fund the Company’s retirement
benefit plans, anticipated discount rates and rates of return on plan assets; |
|
- |
the ability of the Company to pay dividends; |
|
- |
the Company’s compliance with environmental laws and regulations and
estimations of the materiality of any related costs; |
|
- |
the safety and reliability of the Company’s equipment, facilities
and operations; |
|
- |
the Company’s plans to renew municipal franchises and consents in
the territories it serves; |
|
- |
the availability and quality of our water supply. |
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results and outcomes include, but
are not limited to:
|
- |
effects of general economic conditions; |
|
- |
increases in competition for growth in non-franchised markets to be potentially
served by the Company; |
|
- |
ability of the Company to adequately control selected operating expenses
which are necessary to maintain safe and proper utility services, and which may be beyond the Company’s control; |
|
- |
availability of adequate supplies of quality water; |
|
- |
actions taken by government regulators, including decisions on rate increase
requests; |
|
- |
new or modified water quality standards and compliance with related legal
and regulatory requirements; |
|
- |
weather variations and other natural phenomena impacting utility operations; |
|
- |
financial and operating risks associated with acquisitions and/or privatizations; |
|
- |
acts of war or terrorism; |
|
- |
changes in the pace of new housing development; |
|
- |
availability and cost of capital resources; |
|
- |
timely availability of materials and supplies for operations and critical
infrastructure projects; |
|
- |
impact of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; and |
|
- |
other factors discussed elsewhere in this report. |
Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s
ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements,
which only speak to the Company’s understanding as of the date of this report. The Company does not undertake any obligation to
release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or
to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
For an additional discussion of factors that may affect
the Company’s business and results of operations, see Item 1A. - Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Overview
Middlesex Water Company (Middlesex or the Company)
has operated as a water utility in New Jersey since 1897 and in Delaware through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Tidewater Utilities, Inc.
(Tidewater), since 1992. We are in the business of collecting, treating and distributing water for domestic, commercial, municipal, industrial
and fire protection purposes. We operate water and wastewater systems under contract for governmental entities and private entities primarily
in New Jersey and Delaware and provide regulated wastewater services in New Jersey. We are regulated by state public utility commissions
as to rates charged to customers for water and wastewater services, as to the quality of water and wastewater service we provide and as
to certain other matters in the states in which our regulated subsidiaries operate. Only our Utility Service Affiliates, Inc. (USA), Utility
Service Affiliates (Perth Amboy), Inc. (USA-PA) and White Marsh Environmental Services, Inc. (White Marsh) subsidiaries are not regulated
public utilities as related to rates and services quality. All municipal or commercial entities whose utility
operations are managed by these entities however, are subject to environmental regulation at the federal and state levels.
Our principal New Jersey water utility system (the
Middlesex System) provides water services to approximately 61,000 retail customers, primarily in central New Jersey. The Middlesex System
also provides water sales under contract to municipalities in central New Jersey with a total population of over 0.2 million. Our Bayview
subsidiary provides water services in Downe Township, New Jersey. Our other New Jersey subsidiaries, Pinelands Water Company (Pinelands
Water) and Pinelands Wastewater Company (Pinelands Wastewater) (collectively, Pinelands) provide water and wastewater services to approximately
2,500 customers in Southampton Township, New Jersey.
Our Delaware subsidiaries, Tidewater and Southern
Shores Water Company, LLC, provide water services to approximately 57,000 retail customers in New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware.
Tidewater’s subsidiary, White Marsh, services approximately 6,200 customers in Kent and Sussex Counties through various operations
and maintenance contracts.
USA-PA operates the water
and wastewater systems for the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey (Perth Amboy) under a 10-year operations and maintenance contract expiring
in 2028. In addition to performing day-to day operations, USA-PA is also responsible for emergency response and management of capital
projects funded by Perth Amboy.
USA operates the Borough of Avalon, New Jersey’s
(Avalon) water utility, sewer utility and storm water system under a ten-year operations and maintenance contract expiring in August 2032
(for further discussion of USA’s recent renewal of its operations and maintenance contract with Avalon, see “Recent Developments-Avalon
Contract Renewal” below). USA also operates the Borough of Highland Park, New Jersey’s (Highland Park) water and
wastewater systems under a 10-year operations and maintenance contract expiring in June 2030. These contracts also require USA to manage
capital projects funded by Avalon and Highland Park.
Under a marketing agreement
with HomeServe USA (HomeServe) expiring in 2031, USA offers residential customers in New Jersey and Delaware water and wastewater related
services and home maintenance programs. HomeServe is a leading national provider of such home maintenance service programs. USA receives
a service fee for the billing, cash collection and other administrative functions associated with HomeServe’s service contracts.
Recent Developments
Capital Construction Program -
The Company’s multi-year capital construction program encompasses numerous projects designed to upgrade and replace utility
infrastructure as well as enhance the integrity and reliability of assets to maintain and improve service for the current and future generations
of water and wastewater customers. The Company plans to invest approximately $85 million in 2022 in connection with projects that include,
but are not limited to:
|
· |
New facility to provide an enhanced treatment process at the Company’s largest New Jersey wellfield
in South Plainfield to comply with new state water quality regulations relative to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, collectively referred
to as PFAS, and integrate surge protection to mitigate spikes in water pressures along with enhancements to corrosion control and disinfection
processes; |
|
· |
Replacement of approximately six miles of water mains including full main and service line replacements, meter
pit installations and fire hydrant replacements in the Township of Woodbridge, New Jersey; |
|
· |
Two new elevated water storage tanks in our Tidewater service territory; and |
|
· |
Various other water main replacements and improvements. |
The actual amount and timing
of capital expenditures is dependent on project scheduling and refinement of engineering estimates for certain capital projects.
Regulatory Notice
of Non-Compliance – In September 2021, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) issued a Notice
of Non-Compliance (Notice) to Middlesex based on self-reporting by Middlesex that the level of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in water
treated at its Park Avenue Wellfield Treatment Plant in South Plainfield, New Jersey exceeded a recently promulgated NJDEP standard effective
in 2021. The NJDEP standard for PFOA was developed based on a Health-based Maximum Contaminant Level of 14 parts per trillion. Neither
the NJDEP nor Middlesex has characterized this exceedance as an acute health threat. However, Middlesex was required to notify its affected
customers and complied in November 2021 as required by the regulation.
The Notice further required the Company to take any
action necessary to comply with the new standard by September 7, 2022. The Company began construction of an enhanced treatment process
at the Park Avenue Wellfield Treatment Plant to comply with the new standard prior to the regulation being enacted. Since completion is
not expected until mid-2023, in December 2021, the Company implemented an interim solution to meet the Notice requirements. The Park Avenue
Wellfield Treatment Plant was taken off-line and alternate sources of supply have been obtained. Simultaneously, the Company accelerated
a portion of the enhanced treatment project to allow a restart of the Park Avenue Wellfield treatment Plant ahead of historical higher
water demand periods during the summer months.
In June 2022, construction of the accelerated portion
was completed and the Park Avenue Wellfield Treatment Plant is effectively treating ground water to ensure compliance with all state and
federal drinking water standards. Working in coordination with the NJDEP, the Company successfully restarted the Park Avenue Wellfield
Treatement Plant and introduced wellfield water into the distribution system. Water being delivered to customers is in compliance with
all United States Environmental Protection Agency and NJDEP drinking water standards, including
the newly established water quality standard for PFOA.
On September 13, 2022, the Company entered into an
Administrative Consent Order (ACO) with the NJDEP, which requires the Company to take whatever actions are necessary to achieve and maintain
compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, N.J.S.A, 58:12A-1 et seq., and the Safe Drinking Water Act regulations N.J.A.C. 7:10-1 et
seq., including applicable public notifications. The Company’s agreement to enter into an ACO avoided any further Notice regarding
the fact that the permanent treatment solution was not in service by September 7, 2022.
The Company must issue the public notifications by
February 22, 2023 and continue to complete and distribute public information as prescribed in the ACO. In addition, in accordance with
the ACO:
|
· |
On or before June 30, 2023, the Company shall complete the permanent construction of the Park Avenue Wellfield
treatment upgrades, place the treatment upgrades into operation, and all water at the Park Avenue Wellfield Treatment Plant shall be treated
to comply with the PFOA NJDEP standards. |
|
· |
The Company must perform required sample testing and reporting for PFOA subsequent to completion of the Park
Avenue Wellfield treatment upgrades. |
|
· |
The Company shall submit to the NJDEP quarterly progress reports detailing the Company’s compliance
with the ACO. |
The Company’s failure to comply with the compliance
schedule and/or progress reporting requirements of the ACO could lead to penalties up to $500 per day. In addition, the NJDEP could penalize
the Company for other violations, if any, of the ACO.
In November 2021, the Company was served with two
PFOA-related class action lawsuits seeking restitution for medical, water replacement and other claimed related costs. These lawsuits
are in the early stages of the legal process and their ultimate resolution cannot be predicted at this time. The Company’s insurance
provider has acknowledged coverage of potential liability which may result from these lawsuits. In May 2022, the Company impleaded 3M
Company (3M) as a third-party defendant in one of these class action lawsuits. The Company has taken this action in addition
to a separate lawsuit the Company initiated against 3M seeking to hold 3M accountable for introduction of perfluoroalkyl substances,
which include PFOA, into the Company’s water supply at its Park Avenue Wellfield facility.
In January 2022, the Company filed a petition with
the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) seeking to establish a regulatory asset and deferred accounting treatment until its next
base rate setting proceeding for all costs associated with the interim solution to comply with the Notice. The Company is currently awaiting
a decision on this matter from the NJBPU.
Sale of Subsidiary
– In January 2022, Middlesex closed on the Delaware Public Service Commission (DEPSC) approved sale of 100% of the common stock
of its subsidiary Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc. to Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc. for $6.4 million in cash and
other consideration, resulting in a $5.2 million pre-tax gain. The Company will continue to own and operate its non-regulated water and
wastewater contract operations business in Delaware.
Avalon Contract Renewal – In August 2022,
USA, Middlesex’s non-regulated subsidiary, was awarded a competitively-bid 10-year operations and maintenance contract with Avalon
under which USA will continue to operate Avalon’s water utility, sewer utility and storm water system. USA is also required to manage
capital projects funded by Avalon. USA previously operated Avalon’s systems under a 10-year contract that expired in August 2022.
The new contract commenced September 1, 2022.
Rate and Regulatory Matters
Middlesex – In
December 2021, Middlesex’s petition to the NJBPU seeking permission to increase its base water rates was concluded, based on a negotiated
settlement, resulting in an expected increase in annual operating revenues of $27.7 million. The approved tariff rates were designed to
recover increased operating costs as well as a return on invested capital of $513.5 million, based on an authorized return on common equity
of 9.6%. The increase is being implemented in two phases with $20.7 million of the increase effective January 1, 2022 and the remaining
$7.0 million effective January 1, 2023. As part of the negotiated settlement, the Purchased Water Adjustment Clause (PWAC), which is a
rate mechanism that allows for recovery of increased purchased water costs between base rate case filings, was reset to zero.
In September 2022, the NJBPU approved Middlesex's
Emergency Relief Motion to reset its PWAC tariff rate to recover additional costs of $2.7 million for the purchase of treated water from
a non-affiliated regulated water utility. The increase, effective October 1, 2022, is on an interim basis and subject to refund with interest
pending final resolution of this matter.
Tidewater – On August 31, 2022, the DEPSC
issued an Order requiring Tidewater to reduce its base rates charged to general metered and private fire customers by 6%, effective for
service rendered on and after September 1, 2022. In June 2022, the Delaware Division of the Public Advocate filed a petition with the
DEPSC requesting that Tidewater’s rates be reduced based on the claim that Tidewater had been earning above its authorized rate
of return. The rate reduction is expected to reduce annual revenues by approximately $2.2 million.
In June 2022, Tidewater notified the DEPSC of its
intention to file for a base water rate increase in the first quarter of 2023 based on projected increases in operational expenses and
capital construction expenditures.
Pinelands - In September 2022, Pinelands Water
and Pinelands Wastewater filed separate petitions with the NJBPU seeking permission to increase base rates by approximately $0.6 million
and $0.4 million per year, respectively. These requests were necessitated by capital infrastructure investments both companies have made,
or have committed to make, and increased operations and maintenance costs. We cannot predict whether the NJBPU will ultimately approve,
deny, or reduce the amount of the requests. A decision by the NJBPU in either matter is not expected before the first quarter of 2023.
COVID-19
– On October 13, 2022, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services renewed the determination that a nationwide
health emergency exists as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. While the Company’s operations and capital construction program have
not been materially disrupted to-date from the pandemic, the COVID-19 impact on economic conditions nationally continues to be uncertain
and could affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity in the future. In New Jersey, the declared
COVID-19 State of Emergency ended in March 2022. In Delaware, the declared COVID-19 State of Emergency Order ended in July 2021.
The
NJBPU and the DEPSC have approved the tracking of COVID-19 related incremental costs for
potential recovery in customer rates in future rate proceedings. Neither jurisdiction has established a timetable or definitive
formal procedures for seeking cost recovery. Since March 2020, the Company has increased
its allowance for doubtful accounts for expected increases in accounts receivable write-offs due to the financial impact of COVID-19 on
customers. We will continue to monitor the effects of COVID-19 and evaluate its impact on the Company’s business, results of operations,
financial condition and liquidity.
Outlook
Our ability to increase operating income and net income
is based significantly on four factors: weather, adequate and timely rate relief, effective cost management and customer growth. These
factors are discussed in the Results of Operations section below. Unfavorable weather patterns may
occur at any time, which can result in lower customer demand for water. Due to an extended period of dry and high temperature weather
conditions in New Jersey, on July 21, 2022, the Company issued a request to its customers located in our Middlesex system located in central
New Jersey to voluntarily limit non-essential water use until further notice.
The DEPSC issued an Order requiring Tidewater to reduce
its base rates charged to general metered and private fire customers by 6% (for further discussion of the impact of this on the Company,
see Rate and Regulatory Matters, Tidewater above). Our investments in system infrastructure continue to grow significantly and
our operating costs are anticipated to increase in 2022 and 2023 in a variety of categories. These factors, among others, resulted in
Pinelands filing for base rate increases in September 2022, will require Tidewater to file for a base rate increase in the first quarter
of 2023 and may require the need to file for an additional base rate increase for Middlesex in 2023.
An additional factor that we continue to actively
monitor is the impact of new variants of COVID-19 on the general economy, our suppliers and our workforce (for further discussion of the
impact of COVID-19 on the Company, see “Recent Developments-COVID-19” above).
Overall, organic residential customer growth continues
in our Tidewater system but is expected to be impacted by the current and evolving economic market conditions. Builders and developers
are already experiencing longer home sales closing cycles due to supply chain issues, which may be further affected by inflationary trends
and the government’s plan to address it through interest rates.
The Company has projected to spend approximately $230
million for the 2022-2024 capital investment program, including approximately $47 million for PFAS-related treatment upgrades in the Middlesex
System, $32 million on the RENEW Program, which is our ongoing initiative to replace water mains in the Middlesex System, $15 million
for construction of elevated storage tanks in our Tidewater and Middlesex Systems and $4 million for the rehabilitation and other improvements
associated with Middlesex’s primary field operations and inventory facilities.
Our strategy for profitable growth is focused on the
following key areas:
|
· |
Invest in projects, products and services that complement our core water and wastewater competencies; |
|
· |
Timely and adequate recovery of infrastructure investments and other costs to maintain service quality; |
|
· |
Prudent acquisitions of investor and municipally-owned water and wastewater utilities; and |
|
· |
Operation of municipal and industrial water and wastewater systems on a contract basis which meet our risk profile. |
Operating Results by Segment
The discussion of the Company’s operating results
is on a consolidated basis and includes significant factors by subsidiary. The Company has two operating segments, Regulated and Non-Regulated.
The operations of the Regulated segment are subject to regulations promulgated by state public utility commissions as to rates and level
of service. Rates and level of service in the Non-Regulated segment are subject to the terms of individually-negotiated and executed contracts
with municipal, industrial and other clients. Both segments are subject to federal and state environmental, water and wastewater quality
and other associated legal and regulatory requirements.
The segments in the tables included below consist
of the following companies: Regulated-Middlesex, Tidewater, Pinelands and Southern Shores; Non-Regulated-USA, USA-PA, and White Marsh.
Results of Operations – Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
|
|
(In Thousands) |
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
Regulated |
|
|
Non-
Regulated |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Regulated |
|
|
Non-
Regulated |
|
|
Total |
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
44,411 |
|
|
$ |
3,321 |
|
|
$ |
47,732 |
|
|
$ |
36,986 |
|
|
$ |
2,888 |
|
|
$ |
39,874 |
|
Operations and maintenance expenses |
|
|
17,935 |
|
|
|
2,377 |
|
|
|
20,312 |
|
|
|
16,952 |
|
|
|
1,998 |
|
|
|
18,950 |
|
Depreciation expense |
|
|
5,754 |
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
5,814 |
|
|
|
5,445 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
5,504 |
|
Other taxes |
|
|
4,972 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
5,031 |
|
|
|
3,935 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
3,996 |
|
Operating income |
|
|
15,750 |
|
|
|
825 |
|
|
|
16,575 |
|
|
|
10,654 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
11,424 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income, net |
|
|
1,967 |
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
2,039 |
|
|
|
1,043 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
1,088 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
2,355 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,355 |
|
|
|
2,101 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,101 |
|
Income taxes |
|
|
1,679 |
|
|
|
289 |
|
|
|
1,968 |
|
|
|
(1,328 |
) |
|
|
263 |
|
|
|
(1,065 |
) |
Net income |
|
$ |
13,683 |
|
|
$ |
608 |
|
|
$ |
14,291 |
|
|
$ |
10,924 |
|
|
$ |
552 |
|
|
$ |
11,476 |
|
Operating Revenues
Operating revenues for the three months ended September
30, 2022 increased $7.9 million from the same period in 2021 due to the following factors:
|
· |
Middlesex System revenues increased $7.6 million due to its approved base rate increase effective January
1, 2022 and higher weather-driven customer demand (for further discussion of Middlesex’s base rate increase, see “Rate
and Regulatory Matters-Middlesex” above); |
|
· |
Tidewater System revenues increased $0.6 million due to additional customers and higher weather-driven customer
demand partially offset by a 6% rate reduction effective September 1, 2022 (for further discussion of Tidewater’s rate reduction,
see “Rate and Regulatory Matters-Tidewater” above); |
|
· |
The sale of our regulated Delaware wastewater subsidiary in January 2022 reduced revenues by $0.7 million
(for further discussion of the sale of our regulated Delaware wastewater subsidiary, see “Recent Developments-Sale of Subsidiary”
above); and |
|
· |
Non-regulated revenues increased $0.4 million primarily due to higher supplemental contract services. |
Operation and Maintenance Expense
Operation and maintenance expenses for the three months
ended September 30, 2022 increased $1.4 million from the same period in 2021 due to the following factors:
|
· |
Higher main break activity in our Middlesex system resulted in $0.2 million of additional non-labor costs; |
|
· |
Labor costs increased $0.5 million due to wage increases; |
|
· |
Costs for employee benefits increased $0.2 million due to higher health insurance premiums; |
|
· |
Billable supplemental contract service expenses in our non-regulated subsidiaries increased $0.3 million (see corresponding increase in
operating revenues above); |
|
· |
Transportation costs increased $0.1 million due to higher fuel prices; and |
|
· |
All other operation and maintenance expense categories increased $0.1 million. |
Depreciation
Depreciation expense for the three months ended September
30, 2022 increased $0.3 million from the same period in 2021 due to a higher level of utility plant in service.
Other Taxes
Other taxes for the three months ended September 30,
2022 increased $1.0 million from the same period in 2021 primarily due to higher revenue related taxes on increased revenues in our Middlesex
system.
Other Income, net
Other Income, net for the three months ended September
30, 2022 increased $1.0 million from the same period in 2021 due primarily to higher actuarially-determined retirement benefit plans non-service
benefit and higher Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) resulting from a higher level of capital projects in progress.
Interest Charges
Interest charges for the three months ended September
30, 2022 increased $0.3 million from the same period in 2021 due to higher average long-term debt outstanding and higher average interest
rates in 2022 as compared to 2021.
Income Taxes
Income taxes for the three months ended September
30, 2022 increased by $3.0 million from the same period in 2021, primarily due to higher pre-tax income and the expiration of income tax
benefits associated with the adoption of Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) tangible property regulations as Middlesex was required
by the NJBPU to account for the benefit of adopting these regulations over 48 months beginning in 2018.
Net Income and Earnings Per Share
Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2022 increase $2.8
million as compared with the same period in 2021. Basic earnings per share were $0.81 and $0.65 for the three months ended September 30,
2022 and 2021, respectively. Diluted earnings per share were $0.80 and $0.65 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Results of Operations – Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2022
|
|
(In Thousands) |
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
Regulated |
|
|
Non-
Regulated |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Regulated |
|
|
Non-
Regulated |
|
|
Total |
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
114,625 |
|
|
$ |
8,986 |
|
|
$ |
123,611 |
|
|
$ |
99,781 |
|
|
$ |
9,336 |
|
|
$ |
109,117 |
|
Operations and maintenance expenses |
|
|
52,780 |
|
|
|
6,227 |
|
|
|
59,007 |
|
|
|
49,077 |
|
|
|
6,188 |
|
|
|
55,265 |
|
Depreciation expense |
|
|
16,925 |
|
|
|
182 |
|
|
|
17,107 |
|
|
|
15,354 |
|
|
|
169 |
|
|
|
15,523 |
|
Other taxes |
|
|
13,359 |
|
|
|
184 |
|
|
|
13,543 |
|
|
|
11,268 |
|
|
|
188 |
|
|
|
11,456 |
|
Gain on Sale of Subsidiary |
|
|
5,232 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,232 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Operating income |
|
|
36,793 |
|
|
|
2,393 |
|
|
|
39,186 |
|
|
|
24,082 |
|
|
|
2,791 |
|
|
|
26,873 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income, net |
|
|
5,531 |
|
|
|
207 |
|
|
|
5,738 |
|
|
|
4,512 |
|
|
|
172 |
|
|
|
4,684 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
6,575 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
6,574 |
|
|
|
5,910 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,910 |
|
Income taxes |
|
|
2,253 |
|
|
|
839 |
|
|
|
3,092 |
|
|
|
(4,587 |
) |
|
|
929 |
|
|
|
(3,658 |
) |
Net income |
|
$ |
33,496 |
|
|
$ |
1,762 |
|
|
$ |
35,258 |
|
|
$ |
27,271 |
|
|
$ |
2,034 |
|
|
$ |
29,305 |
|
Operating Revenues
Operating revenues for the nine months ended September
30, 2022 increased $14.5 million from the same period in 2021 due to the following factors:
|
· |
Middlesex System revenues increased $15.7 million due to its approved base rate increase effective January
1, 2022 and higher weather driven demand from customers (for further discussion of Middlesex’s base rate increase, see “Rate
and Regulatory Matters-Middlesex” above); |
|
· |
Tidewater System revenues increased $1.2 million due to additional customers and a one-time customer credit
issued in the first quarter of 2021 partially offset by a 6% rate reduction effective September 1, 2022 (for further discussion of Tidewater’s
rate reduction, see “Rate and Regulatory Matters-Tidewater” above); |
|
· |
The sale of our regulated Delaware wastewater subsidiary in January 2022 reduced revenues by $2.0 million
(for further discussion of the sale of our regulated Delaware wastewater subsidiary, see “Recent Developments-Sale of Subsidiary”
above); and |
|
· |
Non-regulated revenues decreased $0.4 million due to lower supplemental contract
services. |
Operation and Maintenance Expense
Operation and maintenance expenses for the nine months
ended September 30, 2022 increased $3.7 million from the same period in 2021 due to the following factors:
|
· |
Higher weather-related main break activity in our Middlesex system during the winter months resulted in $0.5 million of additional non-labor
costs; |
|
· |
Labor costs also increased by $1.2 million due to wage increases; |
|
· |
Costs for employee benefits increased $0.9 million due to market fluctuations in the cash surrender value of life insurance policies and
higher health insurance premiums; |
|
· |
Variable production costs increased $0.2 million primarily due to weather-driven changes in water quality and higher chemical prices; |
|
· |
Costs associated with the NJDEP PFOA customer notification process resulted in $0.2 million of additional
expense (for further discussion of the NJDEP PFOA Notice, see “Recent Developments-Regulatory
Notice of Non-Compliance” above); |
|
· |
Transportation costs increased $0.2 million due to higher fuel prices; and |
|
· |
All other operation and maintenance expense categories increased $0.5 million. |
Depreciation
Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September
30, 2022 increased $1.6 million from the same period in 2021 due to a higher level of utility plant in service.
Other Taxes
Other taxes for the nine months ended September 30,
2022 increased $2.1 million from the same period in 2021 primarily due to higher revenue related taxes on increased revenues in our Middlesex
system.
Gain on Sale of Subsidiary
Middlesex recognized a $5.2 million gain on the sale
of its regulated Delaware wastewater subsidiary in January 2022.
Other Income, net
Other Income, net for the nine months ended September
30, 2022 increased $1.1 million from the same period in 2021 primarily due to higher actuarially-determined retirement benefit plans non-service
benefit partially offset by lower AFUDC resulting from a reduced level of capital projects in progress.
Interest Charges
Interest charges for the nine months ended September
30, 2022 increased $0.7 million from the same period in 2021 due to higher average long-term outstanding and higher average interest rates
in 2022 as compared to 2021.
Income Taxes
Income taxes for the nine months ended September 30,
2022 increased by $6.8 million from the same period in 2021, primarily due to income taxes on the gain on the sale of a subsidiary, higher
pre-tax operating income and the expiration of income tax benefits associated with the adoption of IRS tangible property regulations as
Middlesex was required by the NJBPU to account for the benefit of adopting these regulations over 48 months beginning in 2018. Partially
offsetting these increases were greater income tax benefits associated with increased repair expenditures on tangible property in the
Middlesex system.
Net Income and Earnings Per Share
Net income for the nine months ended September 30,
2022 increased $6.0 million as compared with the same period in 2021. Basic earnings per share were $2.00 and $1.67 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Diluted earnings per share were $1.99 and $1.66 for the nine months ended September 30,
2022 and 2021, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Operating Cash Flows
Cash flows from operations are largely based on four
factors: weather, adequate and timely rate increases, effective cost management and customer growth. The effect of those factors on net
income is discussed in “Results of Operations.”
Operating Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, cash
flows from operating activities increased $25.6 million to $44.2 million. The increase in cash flows from operating activities primarily
resulted from higher operating revenues from Middlesex’s January 1, 2022 rate increase and the timing of payments to vendors.
Investing Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, cash
flows used in investing activities increased $1.6 million to $62.8 million. The increase in cash flows used in investing activities resulted
from increased utility plant expenditures partially offset by cash received from the sale of Middlesex’s regulated wastewater subsidiary
in January 2022.
For further discussion on the Company’s future
capital expenditures and expected funding sources, see “Capital Expenditures and Commitments” below.
Financing Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, cash
flows from financing activities decreased $19.5 million to $18.0 million. The decrease in cash flows provided by financing activities
is due to a reduction in net short-term bank borrowings and lower net customer advances and contributions partially offset by increased
proceeds from the issuance of common stock under the Middlesex Water Company Investment Plan (the Investment Plan).
Capital Expenditures and Commitments
To fund our capital program, we use internally generated
funds, short-term and long-term debt borrowings, proceeds from sales of common stock under the Investment Plan and proceeds from sales
offerings to the public of our common stock. See below for a more detailed discussion regarding the funding of our capital program.
The capital investment program for 2022 is currently
estimated to be approximately $85 million. Through September 30, 2022 we have expended $65.9 million and expect to incur approximately
$19 million for capital projects for the remainder of 2022.
We currently project that we may expend approximately
$145 million for capital projects in 2023 and 2024. The actual amount and timing of capital expenditures is dependent on the need for
replacement of existing infrastructure, customer growth, residential new home construction and sales, project scheduling and continued
refinement of project scope and costs and, could be impacted if new variants of the COVID-19 pandemic arise and continue for an extended
period of time.
To pay for our capital program for the remainder of 2022, we plan on utilizing
some or all of the following:
|
· |
Internally generated funds; |
|
· |
Short-term borrowings, as needed, through $140 million of lines of credit established with three financial
institutions. As of September 30, 2022, there was $99.5 million of available credit under these lines (for further discussion on Company
lines of credit, see Note 6 – Short Term Borrowings); |
|
· |
Proceeds from the Delaware State Revolving Fund (SRF). SRF programs provide low cost financing for projects
that meet certain water quality-related and system improvement criteria; and |
|
· |
Proceeds from long-term borrowing arrangements; and |
|
· |
Proceeds from the Investment Plan. |
In order to fully fund the ongoing large investment
program in our utility plant infrastructure and maintain a balanced capital structure for a regulated water utility, Middlesex may offer
for sale additional shares of its common stock. The amount, the timing and the sales method of the common stock is dependent on the timing
of the construction expenditures, the level of additional debt financing and financial market conditions.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements – See
Note 1 of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and
guidance.