Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

The following tables present our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 classified by the input method used to measure fair value:


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

September 30, 2021
Investments:
Money Market Funds	$	953	$	—	$	—
Mutual Funds	5,170		—		—
Corporate Debt Securities	—		2,377		—
Government-Backed and Government-Sponsored Enterprises’ Debt Securities	—		6,831		—
Derivative Instruments	—		6,923		—
Total Assets	$	6,123	$	16,131	$	—
December 31, 2020
Investments:
Money Market Funds	$	4,075	$	—	$	—
Mutual Funds	1,662		—		—
Corporate Debt Securities	—		2,627		—
Government-Backed and Government-Sponsored Enterprises’ Debt Securities	—		6,633		—
Total Assets	$	5,737	$	9,260	$	—

The level 2 fair value measurements for government-backed and government-sponsored enterprises and corporate debt securities are determined on the basis of valuations provided by a third-party pricing service which utilizes industry accepted valuation models and observable market inputs to determine valuation. Some valuations or model inputs used by the pricing service may be based on broker quotes.

The level 2 fair value measurements for derivative instruments are determined by using inputs such as forward electric commodity prices, adjusted for location differences. These inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument, can be derived from observable data, or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.

In addition to assets recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, we also hold financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets but for which disclosure of the fair value of these financial instruments is provided. The following reflects the carrying value and estimated fair value of these assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:


	September 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
(in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value

Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	1,272	$	1,272	$	1,163	$	1,163
Total	1,272		1,272		1,163		1,163
Liabilities:
Short-Term Debt	97,857		97,857		80,997		80,997
Long-Term Debt	764,581		873,632		764,519		858,455
Total	$	862,438	$	971,489	$	845,516	$	939,452

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash Equivalents: The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of those instruments.

Short-Term Debt: The carrying amount approximates fair value because the debt obligations are short-term and the balances outstanding are subject to variable rates of interest which reset frequently, a Level 2 fair value input.

Long-Term Debt: The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on current market indications for borrowings of similar maturities, a Level 2 fair value input.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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