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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Other financial investments or contractual interests that lack the characteristics of a voting interest entity, which are commonly referred to as variable interest entities, are evaluated by NJR to determine if it has the power to direct business activities and, therefore, would be considered a controlling interest that NJR would have to consolidate. Based on those evaluations, NJR has determined that it does not have any investments in variable interest entities as of September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Investments in entities over which the Company does not have a controlling financial interest are either accounted for under the equity method or cost method of accounting. Regulatory Assets & Liabilities Under cost-based regulation, regulated utility enterprises generally are permitted to recover their operating expenses and earn a reasonable rate of return on their utility investment. NJNG maintains its accounts in accordance with the FERC Uniform System of Accounts as prescribed by the BPU and in accordance with the Regulated Operations Topic of the FASB ASC. As a result of the impact of the ratemaking process and regulatory actions of the BPU, NJNG is required to recognize the economic effects of rate regulation. Accordingly, NJNG capitalizes or defers certain costs that are expected to be recovered from its customers as regulatory assets and recognizes certain obligations representing probable future expenditures as regulatory liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 3. Regulation, for a more detailed description of NJNG's regulatory assets and liabilities. Gas in Storage Gas in storage is reflected at average cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and represents natural gas and LNG that will be utilized in the ordinary course of business. The following table summarizes gas in storage, at average cost by company, as of September 30:
| 2015 | 2014
($ in thousands) | Gas in Storage |  | Bcf | Gas in Storage |  | Bcf
NJRES |  | $ | 93,696 |  | 44.6 |  |  | $ | 191,250 |  | 56.5 |
NJNG |  | 70,209 |  | 21.4 |  |  | 86,266 |  | 21.3 |
Total |  | $ | 163,905 |  | 66.0 |  |  | $ | 277,516 |  | 77.8 |
Demand Fees For the purpose of securing adequate storage and pipeline capacity, NJRES and NJNG enter into storage and pipeline capacity contracts, which require the payment of certain demand charges to maintain the ability to access such natural gas storage or pipeline capacity, during a fixed time period, which generally ranges from one to 10 years. Demand charges are based on established rates as regulated by FERC. These demand charges represent commitments to pay storage providers or pipeline companies for the right to store and transport natural gas utilizing their respective assets. The following table summarizes the demand charges, which are net of capacity releases, and are included as a component of gas purchases on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended September 30:
(Millions) | 2015 | 2014 | 2013
NJRES | $ | 130.6 |  | $ | 122.0 |  | $ | 123.0 |
NJNG | 80.5 |  | 92.0 |  | 92.1 |
Total | $ | 211.1 |  | $ | 214.0 |  | $ | 215.1 |
NJRES expenses demand charges ratably over the term of the contract. NJNG's costs associated with demand charges are included in its weighted average cost of gas. The demand charges are expensed based on NJNG's BGSS sales and recovered as part of its gas commodity component of its BGSS tariff. Derivative Instruments NJR accounts for its financial instruments, such as futures, options, foreign exchange contracts, interest rate contracts, as well as its physical commodity contracts related to the purchase and sale of natural gas at NJRES, as derivatives, and therefore recognizes them at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. NJR's unregulated subsidiaries record changes in the fair value of their financial commodity derivatives in gas purchases and changes in the fair value of their physical forward contracts in gas purchases or operating revenues, as appropriate, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. NJRES designates its foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges of Canadian dollar denominated gas purchases. Changes in the fair value of the effective portion of these hedges are recorded to OCI, a component of stockholders' equity, and reclassified to gas purchases on the Consolidated Statements of Operations when they settle. Ineffective portions of the cash flow hedges are recognized immediately in earnings. NJR did not have derivatives designated as fair value hedges during fiscal 2014 and 2015. The Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the ASC also provides for a NPNS scope exception for qualifying physical commodity contracts that are intended for purchases and sales during the normal course of business and for which physical delivery is probable. NJR applies this normal scope exception to physical commodity contracts at NJNG and forward SREC contracts at NJRCEV, and therefore does not record changes in the fair value of these contracts until the contract settles and the related underlying natural gas or SREC is delivered. Gains and/or losses on NJNG's derivatives used to economically hedge its regulated natural gas supply obligations, as well as its exposure to interest rate variability, are recoverable through its BGSS, a component of its tariff. Accordingly, the offset to the change in fair value of these derivatives is recorded as a regulatory asset or liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 4. Derivative Instruments for additional details regarding natural gas trading and hedging activities. Fair values of exchange-traded instruments, including futures, swaps, and certain options, are based on unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets. NJR’s non-exchange-traded financial instruments, foreign currency derivatives, over-the-counter physical commodity contracts at NJRES, and NJNG’s Treasury Lock agreement are valued using observable, quoted prices for similar or identical assets when available. In establishing the fair value of contracts for which a quoted basis price is not available at the measurement date, management utilizes available market data and pricing models to estimate fair values. Fair values are subject to change in the near term and reflect management's best estimate based on a variety of factors. Estimating fair values of instruments that do not have quoted market prices requires management's judgment in determining amounts that could reasonably be expected to be received from, or paid to, a third party in settlement of the instruments. These amounts could be materially different from amounts that might be realized in an actual sale transaction. Revenues Revenues from the sale of natural gas to NJNG customers are recognized in the period that gas is delivered and consumed by customers, including an estimate for unbilled revenue. NJNG records unbilled revenue for natural gas services. Natural gas sales to individual customers are based on meter readings, which are performed on a systematic basis throughout the month. At the end of each month, the amount of natural gas delivered to each customer after the last meter reading through the end of the respective accounting period is estimated, and NJNG recognizes unbilled revenues related to these amounts. The unbilled revenue estimates are based on estimated customer usage by customer type, weather effects, unaccounted-for gas and the most current tariff rates. Revenues for NJRES are recognized when the natural gas is physically delivered to the customer. In addition, changes in the fair value of derivatives that economically hedge the forecasted sales of the natural gas are recognized in operating revenues as they occur, as noted above. Revenues from all other activities are recorded in the period during which products or services are delivered and accepted by customers, or over the related contractual term. Gas Purchases NJNG's tariff includes a component for BGSS, which is designed to allow NJNG to recover the cost of natural gas through rates charged to its customers and is typically revised on an annual basis. As part of computing its BGSS rate, NJNG projects its cost of natural gas, net of supplier refunds, the impact of hedging activities and credits from non-firm sales and transportation activities. NJNG subsequently recovers or credits the difference, if any, of actual costs compared with those included in current rates. Any underrecoveries or overrecoveries are either credited to customers or deferred and, subject to BPU approval, reflected in the BGSS rates in subsequent years. NJRES' gas purchases represent the total commodity contract cost, recognized upon completion of the transaction, as well as realized gains and losses of settled derivative instruments, both for physical purchase contracts and all financial contracts and unrealized gains and losses on the change in fair value of financial derivative instruments that have not yet settled. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that economically hedge the forecasted purchases of natural gas are recognized in gas purchases as they occur. Income Taxes The Company computes income taxes using the asset and liability method, whereby deferred income taxes are generally determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. See Note 12. Income Taxes. In addition, NJR evaluates its tax positions to determine the appropriate accounting and recognition of future obligations associated with unrecognized tax benefits. The Company invests in property that qualifies for federal ITCs and utilizes the ITCs, as allowed, based on the cost and life of the assets. ITCs at NJNG are deferred and amortized as a reduction to the tax provision over the average lives of the related equipment in accordance with regulatory treatment. ITCs at NJR's unregulated subsidiaries are recognized as a reduction to income tax expense when the property is placed in service. The Company invests in property that qualifies for PTCs. PTCs are recognized as reductions to current federal income tax expense as PTCs are generated through the production activities of the assets. Changes to the federal statutes related to PTCs could have a negative impact on earnings and cash flows. Capitalized and Deferred Interest NJNG's base rates include the ability to recover AFUDC on its CWIP. For most of NJNG's construction projects, an incremental cost of equity is also recoverable during periods when NJNG's short-term debt balances are lower than its CWIP. For more information on AFUDC treatment with respect to certain accelerated infrastructure projects, see Note 3 Regulation - Infrastructure programs. Capitalized amounts associated with the debt and equity components of NJNG's AFUDC, are recorded in utility plant on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Corresponding amounts for the debt component is recognized in interest expense and in other income for the equity component on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and include the following for the fiscal years ended September 30:
($ in thousands) | 2015 | 2014 | 2013
AFUDC: |  |  |
Debt | $ | 2,472 |  | $ | 1,057 |  | $ | 921 |
Equity | 3,825 |  | 1,562 |  | 2,037 |
Total | $ | 6,297 |  | $ | 2,619 |  | $ | 2,958 |
Weighted average interest rate | 4.63 | % | 3.30 | % | 1.05 | %
Pursuant to a BPU order, NJNG is permitted to recover carrying costs on uncollected balances related to SBC program costs, which include NJCEP, RA and USF expenditures. See Note 3. Regulation. The SBC interest rate changes each September based on the August 31 seven-year constant maturity Treasury rate plus 60 basis points. The rate was 2.54 percent, 2.65 percent and 2.84 percent for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Accordingly, other income included $61,000, $586,000 and $653,000 in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Sales Tax Accounting Sales tax and TEFA are collected from customers and presented in both operating revenues and operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, as follows:
(Millions) | 2015 | 2014 | 2013
Sales tax | $ | 44.1 |  | $ | 47.4 |  | $ | 44.4 |
TEFA (1) | — |  | 1.4 |  | 5.0 |
Total | $ | 44.1 |  | $ | 48.8 |  | $ | 49.4 |
(1) | TEFA was phased out in January 2014.
Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consists of cash on deposit and temporary investments with maturities of three months or less, and excludes restricted cash of $2.5 million and $1 million as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to escrow balances for utility plant projects, which is recorded in other current and noncurrent assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. Property Plant and Equipment Regulated property, plant and equipment and solar and wind equipment are stated at original cost. Regulated property, plant and equipment costs include direct labor, materials and third-party construction contractor costs, AFUDC and certain indirect costs related to equipment and employees engaged in construction. Upon retirement, the cost of depreciable regulated property, plus removal costs less salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation with no gain or loss recorded. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the assets for unregulated assets and using rates based on the estimated average lives of the various classes of depreciable property for NJNG. The composite rate of depreciation used for NJNG was 2.31 percent of average depreciable property in fiscal 2015, 2.44 percent in fiscal 2014 and 2.43 percent in fiscal 2013. The Company has recorded $61.4 million, $52.7 million and $47.3 million in depreciation expense during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Property, plant and equipment was comprised of the following as of September 30:
(Thousands) |  |  |  |
Property Classifications | Estimated Useful Lives |  | 2015 | 2014
Distribution facilities | 38 to 74 years |  | $ | 1,695,898 |  | $ | 1,567,648 |
Transmission facilities | 35 to 56 years |  | 289,599 |  | 281,488 |
Storage facilities | 34 to 47 years |  | 41,669 |  | 41,669 |
Solar property | 20 to 25 years |  | 395,704 |  | 333,506 |
Wind property | 25 years |  | 137,292 |  | 42,559 |
All other property | 5 to 35 years |  | 62,123 |  | 66,673 |
Total property, plant and equipment |  |  | 2,622,285 |  | 2,333,543 |
Accumulated depreciation and amortization |  |  | (494,024 | ) | (449,433 | )
Property, plant and equipment, net |  |  | $ | 2,128,261 |  | $ | 1,884,110 |
Sale of Asset During fiscal 2014, CR&R sold approximately 25.4 acres of undeveloped land located in Monmouth County for $6 million, generating a pre-tax gain after closing costs of $313,000, which was recognized in other income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Disposal of Equipment In October 2012, certain NJRCEV's solar assets sustained damage as a result of Superstorm Sandy. To the extent that assets were deemed irreparable, the Company disposed of the damaged assets. As a result, the Company recognized a pre-tax loss of $766,000 during fiscal 2013, which is included in other income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In fiscal 2014, the Company also received $997,000 from an insurance claim, representing the replacement value of the disposed assets and recorded a gain in the same amount in other income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company reviews the carrying amount of an asset for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such amount may not be recoverable. NJR invested $8.8 million in OwnEnergy, a developer of onshore wind projects, for an 18.7 percent ownership interest and the option, but not the obligation, to purchase certain qualified projects. During fiscal 2014, due to its concerns surrounding the ability of OwnEnergy to fulfill its future obligation to present qualified projects to NJRCEV for investment, the Company reassessed the value of its cost method investment, as well as remaining value of its wind purchase option and determined that it was other-than-temporarily impaired. As a result, NJRCEV recognized an impairment loss of $6.4 million, $3.8 million after tax, which is included in other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. No other impairments were identified for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Investments in Equity Investees The Company accounts for its investments in Steckman Ridge, PennEast and Iroquois (through September 29, 2015), using the equity method of accounting, where its respective ownership interests are 50 percent or less and/or it has significant influence over operating and management decisions, but is not the primary beneficiary, as defined under ASC 810, Consolidation. The Company's share of earnings is recognized as equity in earnings of affiliates on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 6. Investment in Equity Investees for more information. Available for Sale Securities The Company has certain investments in equity securities of a publicly traded energy company that have a fair value of $10.1 million and $10.7 million as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which are included in available for sale securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Total unrealized gains associated with these equity securities, which are included as a part of accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of common stock equity, were $7.5 million, $4.4 million after tax, and $8.1 million, $4.8 million after tax, as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. On September 29, 2015, NJR Midstream Holdings Corporation exchanged its 5.53 percent equity method investment in Iroquois to DM for approximately 1.84 million DM Common Units. Since the exchange was, in substance, a contribution of real estate into another real estate venture, the Company recorded a deferred gain of $24.6 million based on the difference between the carrying amount of its investment of Iroquois, $21.5 million, and the fair value of the DM Common Units on the closing date of the transaction, $46.1 million. The deferred gain will be recognized in other income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations if and when the units are sold in the future. NJR classified the DM Common Units as available for sale securities and, therefore, any changes in fair value are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of common stock equity. As of September 30, 2015, the units have a fair value of $49.4 million and the Company recognized an unrealized gain of $3.3 million, $1.9 million after tax. Reclassifications of realized gains out of other comprehensive income into income are determined based on average cost. There were no sales of securities during fiscal 2015 and 2014. Customer Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivables consist of natural gas sales and transportation services billed to residential, commercial, industrial and other customers, as well as equipment sales, installations, solar leases and power purchase agreements to commercial and residential customers. NJR evaluates it accounts receivables and, to the extent customer account balances are outstanding for more than 60 days, establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance is based on a combination of factors including historical collection experience and trends, aging of receivables, general economic conditions in the company's distribution or sales territories, and customer specific information. NJR writes-off customers' accounts once it is determined they are uncollectible. The following table summarizes customer accounts receivable by company as of September 30:
(Thousands) | 2015 |  | 2014
NJRES | $ | 107,461 |  | 69 | % |  | $ | 142,566 |  | 75 | %
NJNG (1) | 41,130 |  | 26 |  |  | 41,281 |  | 22 |
NJRCEV | 1,084 |  | 1 |  |  | 594 |  | — |
NJRHS and other | 5,598 |  | 4 |  |  | 5,529 |  | 3 |
Total | $ | 155,273 |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 189,970 |  | 100 | %
(1) | Does not include unbilled revenues of $6.4 million and $7.2 million as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Loan Receivable NJNG provides interest-free loans, with terms ranging from two to 10 years, to customers that elect to purchase and install certain energy efficient equipment in accordance with its BPU approved SAVEGREEN program. The loans are recognized at net present value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 5. Fair Value for a discussion of the Company's fair value measurement policies and level disclosures. The Company has recorded $6.2 million and $3.9 million in other current assets and $36.2 million and $27.3 million in other noncurrent assets as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, related to the loans. NJR's policy is to establish an allowance for doubtful accounts when loan balances are in arrears for more than 60 days. There was no allowance for doubtful accounts established during fiscal 2015 and 2014. Asset Retirement Obligations NJR recognizes a liability for its AROs based on the fair value of the liability when incurred, which is generally upon acquisition, construction, development and/or through the normal operation of the asset. Concurrently, NJR also capitalizes an asset retirement cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related asset by the same amount as the liability. In periods subsequent to the initial measurement, NJR is required to recognize changes in the liability resulting from the passage of time (accretion) or due to revisions to either timing or the amount of the originally estimated cash flows to settle the conditional ARO. Common Stock Split On January 20, 2015, NJR’s Board of Directors approved a 2 for 1 stock split of the Company’s common stock for the Company’s common stock holders of record on February 6, 2015. The additional shares were issued on March 3, 2015, resulting in an increase in average shares outstanding from approximately 42.7 million to approximately 85.4 million. All share-related information for prior periods has been adjusted throughout this report on a retroactive basis to reflect the effects of the stock split. As well, common stock and premium on common stock amounts have been adjusted as of the earliest period presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income The following table presents the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related tax effects as of September 30:
(Thousands) | Unrealized gain on available for sale securities | Net unrealized gain on derivatives | Adjustment to postemployment benefit obligation | Total
Balance at September 30, 2013 | $ | 5,400 |  |  | $ | 12 |  |  | $ | (7,033 | ) |  | $ | (1,621 | )
Other comprehensive income, net of tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other comprehensive (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax of $426, $159, $3,334, $3,919 | (618 | ) |  | (273 | ) |  | (5,006 | ) |  | (5,897 | )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax of $0, $(98), $(1,172), $(1,270) | — |  |  | 168 |  | (1) | 1,756 |  | (2) | 1,924 |
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss), net of tax of $426, $61, $2,162, $2,649 | (618 | ) |  | (105 | ) |  | (3,250 | ) |  | (3,973 | )
Balance at September 30, 2014 | $ | 4,782 |  |  | $ | (93 | ) |  | $ | (10,283 | ) |  | $ | (5,594 | )
Other comprehensive income, net of tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax of ($1,135), $146, $4,362, $3,373 | 1,603 |  |  | (256 | ) |  | (6,483 | ) |  | (5,136 | )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax of $0, ($202), ($674), ($876) | — |  |  | 349 |  | (1) | 987 |  | (2) | 1,336 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income, net of tax of ($1,135), ($56), $3,688, $2,497 | 1,603 |  |  | 93 |  |  | (5,496 | ) |  | (3,800 | )
Balance at September 30, 2015 | $ | 6,385 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (15,779 | ) |  | $ | (9,394 | )
(1) | Consists of realized losses related to foreign currency derivatives, which are reclassified to gas purchases on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) | Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost, a component of O&M expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For more details, see Note 10. Employee Benefit Plans.
Pension and Postemployment Plans NJR has two noncontributory defined pension plans covering eligible employees, including officers. Benefits are based on each employee's years of service and compensation. NJR's funding policy is to contribute annually to these plans at least the minimum amount required under Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, and not more than can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Plan assets consist of equity securities, fixed-income securities and short-term investments. NJR made no discretionary contributions to the pension plans in fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2014. NJR also provides two primarily noncontributory medical and life insurance plans for eligible retirees and dependents. Medical benefits, which make up the largest component of the plans, are based upon an age and years-of-service vesting schedule and other plan provisions. Funding of these benefits is made primarily into Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association trust funds. NJR contributed $6 million, $5 million and $6 million in aggregate to these plans in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. See Note 10. Employee Benefit Plans, for a more detailed description of the Company's pension and postemployment plans. Foreign Currency Transactions NJRES' market area includes Canadian delivery points and. as a result. incurs certain natural gas commodity costs and demand fees that are denominated in Canadian dollars. Gains or losses that occur as a result of these foreign currency transactions are reported as a component of gas purchases on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and were not material during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Recent Updates to the Accounting Standards Codification Balance Sheet Offsetting In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, an amendment to ASC 210, Balance Sheet, requiring additional disclosures about the nature of an entity's rights of setoff and related master netting arrangements. ASU 2013-01, issued in January 2013, further clarified that the amended guidance was applicable to certain financial and derivative instruments. The Company applied the provisions of the amended guidance retrospectively effective October 1, 2013. The guidance did not impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows, however, it required additional disclosures that are included in Note 4. Derivative Instruments. Income Taxes In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, an amendment to ASC 740, Income Taxes, which clarifies financial statement presentation for unrecognized tax benefits. The ASU requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion thereof, shall be presented in the balance sheet as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent such a deferred tax asset is not available or the Company does not intend to use it to settle any additional taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, the related unrecognized tax benefit will be presented as a liability in the financial statements. The amended guidance became effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company currently does not have unrecognized tax benefits recorded on its balance sheet and there was no impact to its financial position upon adoption. Discontinued Operations In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. The new guidance changed the definition and reporting of discontinued operations to include only those disposals that represent a strategic shift and that have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. The new guidance, which also requires additional disclosures, became effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years. The Company does not expect this standard to have any impact to its financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption. Revenue In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, and added Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, to the ASC. ASC 606 supersedes ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, as well as most industry-specific guidance, and prescribes a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model designed to improve financial reporting comparability across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, which defers the implementation of the new guidance for one year. The new guidance will become effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Upon adoption, the guidance will be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASC 606 to understand the impact, if any, to its financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption. Stock Compensation In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, an amendment to ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, which clarifies the accounting for performance awards when the terms of the award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The new guidance will become effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect this standard to have any impact to its financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption. Extraordinary and Unusual Items In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, an amendment to ASC 225, Income Statement, which eliminates the concept of extraordinary items and, therefore, removes the requirement for separate presentation, net of tax, after income from continuing operations. The new guidance will become effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect this standard to have any impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption. Consolidation In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, an amendment to ASC 810, Consolidation, which changes the consolidation analysis required under GAAP and reevaluates whether limited partnerships and similar entities must be consolidated. The new guidance will become effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Upon adoption, the amendment will be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU No. 2015-02 to understand the impact, if any, on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption. Interest In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, an amendment to ASC 835, Interest - Imputation of Interest, which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring them to be presented in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the liability. The amendments do not affect the recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, which clarified that the amendments contained within ASU No. 2015-03 do not require companies to modify their accounting for costs incurred in obtaining revolving credit facilities. The amended guidance becomes effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Upon adoption, the amendment will be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the amendments to understand the impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption. Intangibles In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, an amendment to ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software, which clarifies the accounting for fees in a cloud computing arrangement. The amendments provide guidance on how an entity should evaluate the accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement to determine whether an arrangement includes the sale or license of software. The amended guidance becomes effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Upon adoption, the amendments can be applied on a prospective or retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the amendment to understand the impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption. Inventory In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, which requires entities to measure most inventory “at the lower of cost and net realizable value,” thereby simplifying the current guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the amendments to understand the impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption. Derivatives and Hedging In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-13, which clarifies that electricity sales occurring within nodal markets do not constitute net settlement and qualify for the Normal Purchases and Normal Sales scope exception contained within the derivative accounting guidance. The guidance was effective upon issuance and did not impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Business Combinations In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, which simplifies the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recorded during a business combination by requiring companies to recognize such adjustments in the period in which they are determined. Companies will also be required to present separately on the face of the income statement, or disclose, the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recorded as of the acquisition date. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect the standard to have any impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires NJR to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosure of contingencies during the reporting period. On a monthly basis, NJR evaluates its estimates, including those related to the calculation of the fair value of derivative instruments, debt, unbilled revenues, allowance for doubtful accounts, provisions for depreciation and amortization, regulatory assets and liabilities, income taxes, pensions and other postemployment benefits, contingencies related to environmental matters and litigation. AROs are evaluated as often as needed. NJR's estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. NJR has legal, regulatory and environmental proceedings during the normal course of business that can result in loss contingencies. When evaluating the potential for a loss, NJR will establish a reserve if a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated, in which case it is NJR's policy to accrue the full amount of such estimates. Where the information is sufficient only to establish a range of probable liability, and no point within the range is more likely than any other, it is NJR's policy to accrue the lower end of the range. In the normal course of business, estimated amounts are subsequently adjusted to actual results that may differ from estimates.

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