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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] |
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION | 10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Effective January 25, 2017, the shareholders of the Company approved the NJR 2017 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, which replaced the NJR 2007 Stock Award and Incentive Plan. The 2007 plan had 914,169 shares granted but not issued as of September 30, 2016, which were transferred into the 2017 plan. The 2017 plan added an additional 3,135,000 shares available for issuance. Shares have been issued in the form of performance shares, restricted stock, deferred retention stock and unrestricted common stock to non-employee directors. As of September 30, 2017, 3,119,878 shares remain available for future issuance. The following table summarizes all stock-based compensation expense recognized during the following fiscal years:
(Thousands) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015
Stock-based compensation expense: |  |  |
Performance share awards | $ | 2,614 |  | $ | 3,188 |  | $ | 2,473 |
Restricted and non-restricted stock | 1,732 |  | 2,161 |  | 1,899 |
Deferred retention stock | 1,461 |  | 1,885 |  | 5,273 |
Compensation expense included in operation and maintenance expense | 5,807 |  | 7,234 |  | 9,645 |
Income tax benefit (1) | (2,372 | ) | (2,955 | ) | (3,940 | )
Total, net of tax | $ | 3,435 |  | $ | 4,279 |  | $ | 5,705 |
(1) | Excludes additional tax benefit related to delivered shares of $1.3 million, $1.8 million and $881,000 as of September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Performance Shares In fiscal 2017, the Company granted to various officers 44,576 performance shares, which are market condition awards that vest on September 30, 2019, subject to the Company meeting certain performance conditions. In fiscal 2017, the Company also granted to various officers 51,931 performance shares, of which 25,806 vest on September 30, 2019 and 26,125 vest annually over a three year period beginning on September 30, 2017, both of which are subject to the Company meeting certain performance conditions. In fiscal 2016, the Company granted to various officers 46,175 performance shares, which are market condition awards that vest on September 30, 2018, subject to the Company meeting certain performance conditions. In fiscal 2016, the Company also granted to various officers 69,305 performance shares, of which 38,789 vest on September 30, 2018 and 30,516 vest annually over a three year period beginning in September 2016, both of which are subject to the Company meeting certain performance conditions. In fiscal 2015, the Company granted to various officers 41,214 performance shares, which are market condition awards that vested on September 30, 2017, subject to the Company meeting certain performance conditions. In fiscal 2015, the Company also granted to various officers 61,576 performance shares, of which 34,622 vested in September 30, 2017 and 26,954 vest annually over a three year period beginning in September 2015, both of which were subject to the Company meeting certain performance conditions. The vesting of these awards are shown in the table below. There is approximately $2.9 million of deferred compensation related to unvested performance shares that is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of 1.7 years. The following table summarizes the performance share activity under the stock award and incentive plans for the past three fiscal years:
| Shares (1) | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | Total Fair Value of Vested Shares (in Thousands)
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2014 | 247,536 |  |  | $18.30 |  |  | — |  |
Granted | 102,790 |  |  | $28.25 |  |  | — |  |
Vested (2) | (112,446 | ) |  | $17.10 |  |  | $ | 4,318 |  |
Cancelled/forfeited (3) | (23,416 | ) |  | $17.98 |  |  | — |  |
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2015 | 214,464 |  |  | $23.40 |  |  | — |  |
Granted | 115,480 |  |  | $27.37 |  |  | — |  |
Vested (4) | (137,053 | ) |  | $21.40 |  |  | $ | 5,657 |  |
Cancelled/forfeited (5) | (12,975 | ) |  | $23.40 |  |  | — |  |
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2016 | 179,916 |  |  | $27.47 |  |  | — |  |
Granted | 96,507 |  |  | $33.57 |  |  | — |  |
Vested (6) | (95,407 | ) |  | $28.88 |  |  | $ | 4,179 |  |
Cancelled/forfeited | (24,429 | ) |  | $29.14 |  |  | — |  |
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2017 | 156,587 |  |  | $30.12 |  |  | — |  |
(1) | The number of common shares issued related to certain performance shares may range from zero to 150 percent of the number of shares shown in the table above based on the Company’s achievement of performance goals.
(2) | As certified by the Company’s Leadership and Compensation Committee on November 10, 2015, the number of common shares related to performance shares earned was 120 percent, or 112,918 shares, excluding accumulated dividends. The number represented on this line is the target number of 100 percent. See footnote (1) above. Also included in the vested number are 9,364 shares certified by the Leadership and Compensation Committee on November 11, 2014 and 8,984 shares certified by the Leadership and Compensation Committee on November 10, 2015.
(3) | As certified by the Company’s Leadership and Compensation Committee on November 10, 2015, 9,364 shares were canceled due to not achieving a certain performance target. The remainder were forfeitures due to individuals departing the company.
(4) | As certified by the Company’s Leadership and Compensation Committee on November 15, 2016, the number of common shares earned related to TSR performance was 85 percent or 55,702 shares, the number of common shares earned related to NFE performance was 150 percent or 71,808 shares, and the number of common shares earned related to Performance Based Restricted Stock was 100 percent or 23,649 shares. Each award earned excludes accumulated dividends. The number represented on this line is the target number of 100 percent.
(5) | As certified by the Company’s Leadership and Compensation Committee on November 15, 2016, 9,366 shares were canceled due to not achieving a certain performance target. The remainder were forfeitures due to individuals departing the company.
(6) | As certified by the Company’s Leadership and Compensation Committee on November 14, 2017, the number of common shares earned related to TSR performance was 108.44 percent or 39,595 shares, the number of common shares earned related to NFE performance was 119 percent or 36,498 shares and the number of common shares earned related to Performance Based Restricted Stock was 100 percent or 28,223 shares. Each award earned excludes accumulated dividends. The number represented on this line is the target number of 100 percent.
The Company measures compensation expense related to performance shares based on the fair value of these awards at their date of grant. In accordance with ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, compensation expense for market condition grants are recognized for awards granted, and are not adjusted based on actual achievement of the performance goals. The Company estimated the fair value of these grants on the date of grant using a lattice model. Performance condition grants are initially fair valued at the company’s stock price on grant date, and are subsequently adjusted for actual achievement of the performance goals. Restricted Stock In fiscal 2017, the Company granted 22,591 shares of restricted stock that vest annually over a three year period beginning October 15, 2017. In fiscal 2017, the Company also granted 6,143 shares of restricted stock that vest annually over a three year period beginning May 8, 2018. In fiscal 2016, the Company granted 41,909 shares of restricted stock that vest annually over a three year period beginning in October 2016. In fiscal 2015, the Company granted 48,542 shares of restricted stock that vest annually over a three year period beginning in October 2015. In fiscal 2015, the Company also granted 10,236 shares of restricted stock that will vest October 15, 2017 and 3,194 that vested September 30, 2015. There is approximately $511,409 of deferred compensation related to unvested restricted stock shares that is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of two years. The following table summarizes the restricted stock activity under the stock award and incentive plans for the past three fiscal years:
| Shares |  | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | Total Fair Value of Vested Shares (in Thousands)
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2014 | 41,491 |  |  | $22.60 |  |  | — |  |
Granted | 61,972 |  |  | $29.41 |  |  | — |  |
Vested | (18,170 | ) |  | $24.45 |  |  | $ | 510 |  |
Cancelled/forfeited | (3,801 | ) |  | $26.79 |  |  | — |  |
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2015 | 81,492 |  |  | $27.17 |  |  | — |  |
Granted | 41,909 |  |  | $30.03 |  |  | — |  |
Vested | (48,089 | ) |  | $26.66 |  |  | $ | 1,469 |  |
Cancelled/forfeited | (2,241 | ) |  | $29.21 |  |  | — |  |
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2016 | 73,071 |  |  | $29.09 |  |  | — |  |
Granted | 28,734 |  |  | $35.79 |  |  |  |
Vested | (38,752 | ) |  | $28.92 |  |  | $ | 1,344 |  |
Cancelled/forfeited | (11,899 | ) |  | $31.56 |  |  |  |
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2017 | 51,154 |  |  | $32.40 |  |  | — |  |
Deferred Retention Stock Deferred retention stock awards vest immediately when granted, with shares delivered at a future date in accordance with the terms of the underlying agreements. The expense for these awards is recognized in the fiscal year in which services are rendered. The related shares are granted upon approval by the Board of Directors, which generally occurs subsequent to the fiscal year end. The following table summarizes the deferred retention stock award under the stock award and incentive plans for the past three fiscal years:
| Shares | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | Total Fair Value of Vested Shares (in Thousands)
Outstanding at September 30, 2014 | 276,782 |  |  | $21.95 |  |  | — |  |
Granted/Vested | 462,790 |  |  | $29.32 |  |  | — |  |
Delivered | (95,098 | ) |  | $23.62 |  |  | $ | 2,519 |  |
Forfeited | (11,744 | ) |  | $24.69 |  |  | — |  |
Outstanding at September 30, 2015 | 632,730 |  |  | $27.03 |  |  | — |  |
Granted/Vested | 159,831 |  |  | $30.37 |  |  | — |  |
Delivered | (121,764 | ) |  | $20.31 |  |  | $ | 3,751 |  |
Forfeited | (8,318 | ) |  | $28.14 |  |  | — |  |
Outstanding at September 30, 2016 | 662,479 |  |  | $29.06 |  |  | — |  |
Granted/Vested | 63,977 |  |  | $35.64 |  |  | — |  |
Delivered | (53,878 | ) |  | $23.11 |  |  | $ | 1,774 |  |
Outstanding at September 30, 2017 | 672,578 |  |  | $29.54 |  |  | — |  |
Stock Options The following table summarizes the stock option activity:
| Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at September 30, 2014 | 48,250 |  |  | $15.00 |
Exercised | (48,250 | ) |  | $15.00 |
Outstanding at September 30, 2015 | — |  |  | $0.00 |
NJR received proceeds of $724,000 from the stock options exercised during fiscal 2015. There were no remaining stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2015, and therefore NJR received no proceeds from stock options exercised during fiscal 2017 and 2016. There were no stock options granted during fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015. Non-Employee Director Stock Non-employee director compensation includes an annual January retainer that is awarded in stock. The shares vest immediately and are subsequently amortized to expense over a 12-month period. The following summarizes non-employee director share awards for the past three fiscal years:
| 2017 | 2016 | 2015
Shares granted | 27,972 | (1) | 27,481 | 26,122
Weighted average grant date fair value | $35.59 |  | $32.75 | $30.63
(1) | $280,000 of expense remains as of September 30, 2017, to be recognized through December 31, 2017.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2228938 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 50 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2208855 + Details
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