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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PRESENTATION - These notes are an integral part of the accompanying audited financial statements of The Laclede Group, Inc. (Laclede Group or the Company) and Laclede Gas Company (Laclede Gas), a 100% owned subsidiary of the Company. The accompanying audited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of Laclede Group are primarily derived from the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of Laclede Gas. All intercompany balances have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements of Laclede Group. In compliance with GAAP, transactions between Laclede Gas and its affiliates as well as intercompany balances on Laclede Gas' Balance Sheets have not been eliminated from Laclede Gas' financial statements. Laclede Gas' September 1, 2013 acquisition of MGE and Laclede Group's September 2, 2014 acquisition of Alagasco are included in the results of operations for the year ended September 30, 2014, and impact the comparability of the current year financial statements to prior years. For a further discussion of the acquisitions, see Note 2, Acquisitions. Due to the seasonal nature of the Utilities, Laclede Group's earnings are typically concentrated during the heating season of November through April each fiscal year, although earnings for MGE are less seasonal than Laclede Gas and Alagasco due to MGE's rate design, which recovers fixed costs more evenly throughout the year. NATURE OF OPERATIONS - The Laclede Group, Inc. (NYSE: LG), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a public utility holding company. The Company has three operating segments: Gas Utility, Gas Marketing and Other. The Gas Utility segment serves St. Louis and eastern Missouri through its legacy Laclede Gas assets, serves Kansas City and western Missouri through its MGE (collectively, the Missouri Utility) assets and serves central and northern Alabama through its Alagasco (the Alabama Utility) assets, which provide residential, commercial and industrial customers with safe and reliable natural gas service. (Collectively, the Missouri Utility and Alabama Utility are referred to as the Utilities.) Laclede Group’s primary non-utility business, Laclede Energy Resources, Inc. (LER), included in the Gas Marketing segment, provides non-regulated natural gas services. The activities of other subsidiaries and the non-regulated activities of Laclede Gas are described in Note 14, Information by Operating Segment, and are included in the Other column. The Laclede Group's earnings are primarily derived from its Gas Utility Segment. USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS - The accounts of the Missouri Utility are maintained in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounts prescribed by the MoPSC, which system substantially conforms to that prescribed by the FERC. The accounts of Alagasco are maintained in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounts prescribed by the APSC, which system substantially conforms to that prescribed by the FERC. UTILITY PLANT, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION - Utility plant is stated at original cost. The cost of additions to utility plant includes contracted work, direct labor and materials, allocable overheads, and an allowance for funds used during construction. The costs of units of property retired, replaced, or renewed are removed from utility plant and are charged to accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs of property and replacement and renewal of items determined to be less than units of property are charged to maintenance expenses. For Laclede Gas, utility plant is depreciated on a straight-line basis at rates based on estimated service lives of the various classes of property. In fiscal year 2014, annual depreciation and amortization expense averaged 3.0% of the original cost of depreciable and amortizable property, compared to 3.2% and 3.1% in both fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. Laclede Gas' capital expenditures were $163.0, $128.5 and $106.7 for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Additionally, Laclede Gas had recorded accruals for capital expenditures totaling $3.0 at September 30, 2014, $4.7 at September 30, 2013, and $9.7 at September 30, 2012. For Alagasco, depreciation is provided using the composite method of depreciation on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of utility property at rates approved by the APSC. On June 28, 2010, the APSC approved a reduction in depreciation rates, effective June 1, 2010, for Alagasco with the revised prospective composite depreciation rate approximating 3.1%. Alagasco anticipates refunding approximately $13.4 of refundable negative salvage costs through lower tariff rates over the next twelve months. Related to the lower depreciation rates, an estimated $26.8 of refundable negative salvage costs will be refunded to eligible customers on a declining basis through lower tariff rates over a five year period beginning January 1, 2015. Alagasco's capital expenditures were $7.7 for the month of September 2014. Additionally, Alagasco recorded accruals for capital expenditures totaling $5.0 at September 30, 2014. Accrued capital expenditures are excluded from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of the Company and the Statements of Cash Flows of Laclede Gas. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS - Laclede Group, Laclede Gas, and Alagasco record legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets in the period in which the obligations are incurred, if sufficient information exists to reasonably estimate the fair value of the obligations. Obligations are recorded as both a cost of the related long-lived asset and as a corresponding liability. Subsequently, the asset retirement costs are depreciated over the life of the asset and the asset retirement obligations are accreted to the expected settlement amounts. The Company, Laclede Gas and Alagasco record asset retirement obligations associated with certain safety requirements to purge and seal gas distribution mains upon retirement, the plugging and abandonment of storage wells and other storage facilities, specific service line obligations, and certain removal and disposal obligations related to components of Alagasco and Laclede Gas’ distribution system and general plant. Asset retirement obligations recorded by Laclede Group’s other subsidiaries are not material. As authorized by the MoPSC and APSC, Laclede Gas and Alagasco accrue future asset removal costs associated with its property, plant and equipment even if a legal obligation does not exist. Such accruals are provided for through depreciation expense and are recorded with corresponding credits to regulatory liabilities. When Laclede Gas retires depreciable utility plant and equipment, it charges the associated original costs to accumulated depreciation and amortization, and any related removal costs incurred are charged to regulatory liabilities. The difference between removal costs recognized in depreciation rates and the accretion expense and depreciation expense recognized for financial reporting purposes is a timing difference between recovery of these costs in rates and their recognition for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, these differences are deferred as regulatory liabilities. In the rate setting process, the regulatory liability is deducted from the rate base upon which Laclede Gas has the opportunity to earn its allowed rate of return. The costs associated with asset retirement obligations are either currently being recovered in rates or are probable of recovery in future rates. As part of the MGE and Alagasco acquisitions, Laclede Gas and Laclede Group have estimated the asset retirement obligation of their long-lived assets as of their respective acquisition dates. The valuation has been finalized for the MGE acquisition and the valuation of Alagasco asset retirement obligations is preliminary and will be finalized upon completion of a detailed fair value analysis that is being performed by the Company. The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of asset retirement obligations at September 30 as reported in the Balance Sheets:
| Laclede Group |  | Laclede Gas
($ millions) | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Asset retirement obligations, beginning of year | $ | 74.6 |  |  | $ | 40.4 |  |  | $ | 74.3 |  |  | $ | 40.1 |
Liabilities incurred during the period | 0.5 |  |  | 0.8 |  |  | 0.5 |  |  | 0.8 |
Liabilities settled during the period | (1.5 | ) |  | (1.1 | ) |  | (1.5 | ) |  | (1.1 | )
Accretion | 3.7 |  |  | 2.3 |  |  | 3.7 |  |  | 2.3 |
Revisions in estimated cash flows | (5.8 | ) |  | — |  |  | (5.8 | ) |  | — |
Addition of MGE asset retirement obligation | — |  |  | 32.2 |  |  | — |  |  | 32.2 |
Addition of Alagasco asset retirement obligation | 27.7 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Asset retirement obligations, end of year | $ | 99.2 |  |  | $ | 74.6 |  |  | $ | 71.2 |  |  | $ | 74.3 |
REGULATED OPERATIONS - The Utilities account for their regulated operations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 980, “Regulated Operations.” This Topic sets forth the application of GAAP for those companies whose rates are established by or are subject to approval by an independent third-party regulator. The provisions of this accounting guidance require, among other things, that financial statements of a regulated enterprise reflect the actions of regulators, where appropriate. These actions may result in the recognition of revenues and expenses in time periods that are different than non-regulated enterprises. When this occurs, costs are deferred as assets in the balance sheet (regulatory assets) and recorded as expenses when those amounts are reflected in rates. Also, regulators can impose liabilities upon a regulated company for amounts previously collected from customers and for recovery of costs that are expected to be incurred in the future (regulatory liabilities). Management believes that the current regulatory environment supports the continued use of these regulatory accounting principles and that all regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities are recoverable or refundable through the regulatory process. See additional discussion on regulated operations in Note 15 - Regulatory Matters. NATURAL GAS AND PROPANE GAS – For Laclede Gas, inventory of natural gas in storage is priced on a LIFO basis and inventory of propane gas in storage is priced on a FIFO basis. For MGE and Alagasco, inventory of natural gas in storage is priced on the weighted average cost basis. The replacement cost of Laclede Gas' natural gas for current use at September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 was less than the LIFO cost by $11.4 and $13.3, respectively. The carrying value of Laclede Gas' inventory is not adjusted to the lower of cost or market prices because, pursuant to both Laclede Gas' and MGE's Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) clauses, actual gas costs are recovered in customer rates. Natural gas and propane gas storage inventory in Laclede Group’s other operating segments is recorded at the lower of average cost or market. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS - The Company's acquisitions of MGE and Alagasco were accounted for by the Company using business combination accounting. Under this method, the purchase price paid by the acquirer is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date based on their fair value. For additional information on the Company's acquisitions of MGE and Alagasco, refer to Note 2, Acquisitions. GOODWILL - Goodwill is measured as the excess of the acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred over the amount of acquisition-date identifiable assets acquired net of assumed liabilities. As part of the MGE acquisition, Laclede Group initially recorded $247.1 of goodwill on the September 1, 2013 acquisition date. During fiscal 2014, final reconciliations of purchase price were completed (refer to Note 2, Acquisitions), which effectively reduced Laclede Gas' purchase price of MGE to $940.2 and reduced goodwill related to the transaction from $247.1 to $210.2. In accordance with ASC 805 (“Topic 805”), “Business Combinations,” Laclede Gas has recorded adjustments during the measurement period to finalize the allocation of purchase price as of September 30, 2014. As part of the Alagasco acquisition, the Company recorded $727.6 of goodwill. The following table represents total goodwill of Laclede Group and Laclede Gas:
($ Millions) | Laclede Group |  | Laclede Gas
Acquisition | 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
MGE | $ | 210.2 |  |  | $ | 247.1 |  |  | $ | 210.2 |  |  | $ | 247.1 |
Alagasco | 727.6 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total | $ | 937.8 |  |  | $ | 247.1 |  |  | $ | 210.2 |  |  | $ | 247.1 |
We evaluate goodwill for impairment as of July 1st of each year, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of the determined reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. Based on the authoritative literature, the Utility segment was used as the reporting unit for the goodwill testing. Prior to the Closing Date of the Alagasco acquisition, Laclede identified one reporting unit in our Utility segment. However, subsequent to the acquisition, Laclede identified multiple reporting units under the Utility segment. These reporting units were aggregated into one reporting unit based on their similar economic characteristics. For fiscal 2014, we applied a quantitative goodwill evaluation model for the annual goodwill impairment test conducted for the Utility segment. Based on the results of our quantitative assessment, we believe it was more likely than not that the fair value of the Utility segment reporting unit exceeded its carrying value as of July 1, 2014, indicating no impairment of goodwill recorded for MGE. During fiscal 2015 we will commence annual impairment testing on the goodwill that arose from the Alagasco acquisition. IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS - We evaluate long-lived assets classified as held and used for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. Whether impairment has occurred is determined by comparing the estimated undiscounted cash flows attributable to the assets with the carrying value of the assets. If the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, we recognize an impairment charge equal to the amount of the carrying value that exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets. In the period in which we determine an asset meets held for sale criteria, we record an impairment charge to the extent the book value exceeds its fair value less cost to sell. REVENUE RECOGNITION - Laclede Gas reads meters and bills its customers on monthly cycles. Laclede Gas records its gas utility revenues from gas sales and transportation services on an accrual basis that includes estimated amounts for gas delivered, but not yet billed. The accruals for unbilled revenues are reversed in the subsequent accounting period when meters are actually read and customers are billed. The amounts of accrued unbilled revenues at September 30, 2014 and 2013, for the Utilities, were $29.4 and $26.7, respectively. Alagasco records natural gas distribution revenues in accordance with tariff established by the APSC. The margin and gas costs on service delivered to cycle customers but not yet billed are recorded in current assets as accounts receivable with a corresponding regulatory liability. Gas imbalances are settled on a monthly basis. Alagasco had no material imbalances at September 30, 2014. Laclede Group's other subsidiaries, including LER, record revenues when earned, either when the product is delivered or when services are performed. In the course of its business, LER enters into commitments associated with the purchase or sale of natural gas. Certain of LER’s derivative natural gas contracts are designated as normal purchases or normal sales and, as such, are excluded from the scope of ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” Those contracts are accounted for as executory contracts and recorded on an accrual basis. Revenues and expenses from such contracts are recorded using a gross presentation. Contracts not designated as normal purchases or normal sales are recorded as derivatives with changes in fair value recognized in earnings in the periods prior to physical delivery. For additional information on derivative instruments, refer to Note 10, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. Certain of LER’s wholesale purchase and sale transactions entered on or after January 1, 2012 are classified as trading activities for financial reporting purposes. Under GAAP, revenues and expenses associated with trading activities are presented on a net basis in Gas Marketing Operating Revenues in the Statements of Consolidated Income. This net presentation has no effect on operating income or net income. PURCHASED GAS ADJUSTMENTS AND DEFERRED ACCOUNT Laclede Gas As authorized by the MoPSC, the PGA clause allows Laclede Gas to flow through to customers, subject to prudence review by the MoPSC, the cost of purchased gas supplies. To better match customer billings with market natural gas prices, Laclede Gas is allowed to file to modify, on a periodic basis, the level of gas costs in its PGA. Certain provisions of the PGA clause are included below:
• | Laclede Gas has a risk management policy that allows for the purchase of natural gas derivative instruments with the goal of managing price risk associated with purchasing natural gas on behalf of its customers. The MoPSC clarified that costs, cost reductions, and carrying costs associated with the Utility’s use of natural gas derivative instruments are gas costs recoverable through the PGA mechanism.
• | The tariffs allow Laclede Gas flexibility to make up to three discretionary PGA changes during each year, in addition to its mandatory November PGA change, so long as such changes are separated by at least two months.
• | Laclede Gas is authorized to recover gas inventory carrying costs through its PGA rates to recover costs it incurs to finance its investment in gas supplies that are purchased during the storage injection season for sale during the heating season. Laclede Gas is also authorized to apply carrying costs to all over- or under-recoveries of gas costs, including costs and cost reductions associated with the use of derivative instruments, including cash payments for margin deposits.
• | The MoPSC approved a plan applicable to Laclede Gas' gas supply commodity costs under which it retains a portion of cost savings associated with the acquisition of natural gas below an established benchmark level. This gas supply cost management program allows Laclede Gas to retain 10% of cost savings, up to a maximum of $3.0 annually. Laclede Gas did not record any income under the plan during the three fiscal years reported. Income recorded under the plan, if any, is included in Gas Utility Operating Revenues on the Statements of Consolidated Income and under Operating Revenues under Laclede Gas' Statements of Income.
Pursuant to the provisions of the PGA clause, the difference between actual costs incurred and costs recovered through the application of the PGA are reflected as a deferred charge or credit at the end of the fiscal year. These costs include costs and cost reductions associated with the use of derivative instruments and gas inventory carrying costs, amounts due to or from customers related to operation of the gas supply cost management program, refunds received from the Company’s suppliers in connection with gas supply, transportation, and storage services, and carrying costs on such over- or under-recoveries. At that time, the balance is classified as a current asset or current liability and recovered from, or credited to, customers over an annual period commencing in November. The balance in the current account is amortized as amounts are reflected in customer billings. The PGA clause also provides for the treatment of income from off-system sales and capacity release revenues. Pre-tax income from off-system sales and capacity release revenues is shared with customers, with an estimated amount assumed in PGA rates. The difference between the actual amount allocated to customers for each fiscal year and the estimated amount assumed in PGA rates is recovered from, or credited to, customers over an annual period commencing in the subsequent November. The customer share of such income is determined in accordance with the tables below, which is shown for each legacy company (Laclede Gas and MGE) under which the PGA clauses were approved by the MoPSC.
Laclede Gas |  |
Pre-tax Income | Customer Share | Company Share
First $2 million | 100% | —%
Next $2 million | 80% | 20%
Next $2 million | 75% | 25%
Amounts exceeding $6 million | 70% | 30%
MGE |  |
Pre-tax Income | Customer Share | Company Share
First $1.2 million | 85% | 15%
Next $1.2 million | 80% | 20%
Next $1.2 million | 75% | 25%
Amounts exceeding $3.6 million | 70% | 30%
See the Regulatory and Other Matters section on page 42 of this report for additional information on Laclede Gas' off-system sales. Alagasco Alagasco’s rate schedules for natural gas distribution charges contain a GSA rider, established in 1993, which permits the pass-through to customers of changes in the cost of gas supply. Alagasco’s tariff provides a temperature adjustment mechanism, also included in the GSA, that is designed to moderate the impact of departures from normal temperatures on Alagasco’s earnings. The temperature adjustment applies primarily to residential, small commercial and small industrial customers. Other non-temperature weather-related conditions that may affect customer usage are not included in the temperature adjustment. INCOME TAXES - Laclede Group and its subsidiaries have elected, for tax purposes only, various accelerated depreciation provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, certain other costs are expensed currently for tax purposes while being deferred for book purposes. GAAP permits the benefit from a tax position to be recognized only if, and to the extent that, it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authority, based on the technical merits of the position. Unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties, if any, are recorded as liabilities or as a reduction to deferred tax assets. Laclede Group companies record deferred tax liabilities and assets measured by enacted tax rates for the net tax effect of all temporary differences between the tax basis and the related carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements. Changes in enacted tax rates, if any, and certain property basis differences are reflected by entries to regulatory asset or regulatory liability accounts for regulated companies, and are reflected as income or loss for non-regulated companies. Laclede Gas' investment tax credits utilized prior to 1986 have been deferred and are being amortized in accordance with regulatory treatment over the useful life of the related property. For income tax purposes, Laclede Group has elected to treat the acquisition of Alagasco as an asset purchase under Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - All highly liquid debt instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Such instruments are carried at cost, which approximates market value. Outstanding checks on the Company’s and Utilities' controlled disbursement bank accounts in excess of funds on deposit create book overdrafts (which are funded at the time checks are presented for payment) and are classified as Other or Accounts Payable in the Current Liabilities section of the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and on the Utilities' Balance Sheets. Changes in book overdrafts between periods are reflected as Financing Activities in the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for the Company and are reflected as Financing Activities in the Statements of Cash Flows for the Utilities. NATURAL GAS RECEIVABLE – LER enters into natural gas transactions with natural gas pipeline companies known as park and loan arrangements. Under the terms of the arrangements, LER purchases natural gas from a third party and delivers that natural gas to the pipeline company for the right to receive the same quantity of natural gas from the pipeline company at the same location in a future period. These arrangements are accounted for as non-monetary transactions under GAAP and are recorded at the carrying amount. As such, natural gas receivables are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at cost, which includes related pipeline fees associated with the transactions. In the period that the natural gas is returned to LER, concurrent with the sale of the natural gas to a third party, the related natural gas receivable is expensed in the Statements of Consolidated Income. In conjunction with these transactions, LER usually enters into New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) and ICE Clear Europe (ICE) natural gas futures, options, and swap contracts or fixed price sales agreements to protect against market changes in future sales prices. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - GAAP requires dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS). EPS is computed using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation method for computing EPS that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that would otherwise have been available to common shareholders. Certain of the Company’s stock-based compensation awards pay non-forfeitable dividends to the participants during the vesting period and, as such, are deemed participating securities. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding that are increased for additional shares that would be outstanding if potentially dilutive non-participating securities were converted to common shares, pursuant to the treasury stock method. Shares attributable to equity units, non-participating stock options and time-vested restricted stock/units are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share if the effect would be antidilutive. Shares attributable to non-participating performance-contingent restricted stock awards are only included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share to the extent the underlying performance and/or market conditions are satisfied (a) prior to the end of the reporting period or (b) would be satisfied if the end of the reporting period were the end of the related contingency period and the result would be dilutive. The Company’s EPS computations are presented in Note 4, Earnings Per Common Share. GROSS RECEIPTS AND SALES TAXES - Gross receipts taxes associated with the Company’s natural gas utility services are imposed on the Company, Laclede Gas, and Alagasco and billed to its customers. These amounts are recorded gross in the Company's Statements of Consolidated Income and the Utilities' Statements of Income. Amounts recorded in Laclede Group Operating Revenues were $96.9, $40.8, and $35.9 for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Amounts recorded in Laclede Gas' Operating Revenues were $76.3, $40.8, and $35.9 for fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012. Amounts recorded in Alagasco's Operating Revenues were $20.6 for fiscal year 2014. Gross receipts taxes are expensed by Laclede Gas and Alagasco and included in the Taxes, other than income taxes line. Sales taxes imposed on applicable Alagasco and Laclede Gas sales are billed to customers. These amounts are not recorded in the Statements of Income, but are recorded as tax collections payable and included in the Other line of the Current Liabilities section of the Balance Sheets. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS – Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the amounts due from customers, including unbilled amounts. Estimates of the collectability of trade accounts receivable are based on historical trends, age of receivables, economic conditions, credit risk of specific customers, and other factors. Accounts receivable are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when they are deemed to be uncollectible. Laclede Group's provision for uncollectible accounts includes the amortization of previously deferred uncollectible expenses, as approved by the MoPSC and the APSC. FINANCE RECEIVABLES: Alagasco finances third party contractor sales of merchandise including gas furnaces and appliances. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s finance receivable totaled approximately $10.9 and $10.8, respectively. Financing is available only to qualified customers who meet creditworthiness thresholds for customer payment history and external agency credit reports. Alagasco relies upon ongoing payments as the primary indicator of credit quality during the term of each contract. The allowance for credit losses is recognized using an estimate of write-off percentages based on historical experience applied to an aging of the finance receivable balance. Delinquent accounts are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and, absent evidence of debt repayment after 90 days, are due in full and assigned to a third party collection agency. The remaining finance receivable is written off approximately 12 months after being assigned to the third party collection agency. Alagasco had finance receivables past due 90 days or more of $0.3 and $0.4 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Alagasco recorded an allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 of $0.3 and $0.4, respectively. GROUP MEDICAL AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION RESERVES - The Company self-insures its group medical and workers’ compensation costs and carries stop-loss coverage in relation to medical claims and workers’ compensation claims. Reserves for amounts incurred but not reported are established based on historical cost levels and lags between occurrences and reporting. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS – Certain assets and liabilities are recognized or disclosed at fair value, which is defined as 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). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The levels of the hierarchy are described below:
• | Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
• | Level 2 – Pricing inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability as of the reporting date. These inputs are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
• | Level 3 – Pricing that is based upon inputs that are generally unobservable that are based on the best information available and reflect management’s assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability.
Assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements may require judgment and may affect the valuation of the asset or liability and its placement within the fair value hierarchy. Additional information about fair value measurements is provided in Note 8, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Note 9, Fair Value Measurements, and Note 13, Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION – The Company measures stock-based compensation awards at fair value at the date of grant and recognizes the compensation cost of the awards over the requisite service period. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if the actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Refer to Note 3, Stock-Based Compensation, for further discussion of the accounting for the Company’s stock-based compensation plans. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS – In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This standard is intended to improve the financial reporting requirements for revenue from contracts with customers by providing a principles-based approach to the recognition of revenue. The core principle of the standard is when an entity transfers goods or services to customers it will recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to for those goods or services. The standard outlines a five-step model and related application guidance, which replaces most existing revenue recognition guidance. ASU 2014-09 also requires disclosures that will enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption not permitted. The Company and the Utilities have not yet selected a transition method nor have they determined the impact, if any, of the standard on their ongoing financial conditions and results of operations.

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