10-Q 1 cpk0331201810-q.htm 10-Q
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
W ASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

| FORM 10-Q |

x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2018
OR

¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-11590

C HESAPEAKE U TILITIES C ORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware |  | 51-0064146
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |  | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

909 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, Delaware 19904
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)
(302) 734-6799
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer |  | x |  | Accelerated filer |  | ¨
Non-accelerated filer |  | ¨ |  | Smaller reporting company |  | ¨
|  |  |  | Emerging growth company |  | ¨

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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
Common Stock, par value $0.4867 — 16,363,792 shares outstanding as of April 30, 2018.

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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 1
I TEM 1. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 1
I TEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | 31
I TEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | 48
I TEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | 49
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION | 50
I TEM 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS | 50
I TEM 1 A. | RISK FACTORS | 50
I TEM 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS | 50
I TEM 3. | DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES | 50
I TEM 5. | OTHER INFORMATION | 50
I TEM 6. | EXHIBITS | 51
SIGNATURES | 52

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G LOSSARY OF D EFINITIONS
ARM: ARM Energy Management, LLC, a natural gas supply and supply management company servicing commercial and industrial customers in Western Pennsylvania, which sold certain natural gas marketing assets to PESCO in August 2017
ASC: Accounting Standards Codification issued by the FASB
Aspire Energy: Aspire Energy of Ohio, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities
ASU: Accounting Standards Update issued by the FASB
AutoGas: Alliance AutoGas, a national consortium of companies providing an industry-leading complete program for fleets interested in shifting from gasoline to clean-burning propane, of which Sharp is a member
CDD: Cooling degree-day, which is a measure of the variation in weather based on the extent to which the daily average temperature (from 10:00 am to 10:00 am) is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit
Central Gas: Central Gas Company of Okeechobee, Incorporated, a propane distribution provider in Southeast Florida, which sold certain assets to Flo-gas in December 2017
CGC: Consumer Gas Cooperative, an Ohio natural gas cooperative
Chesapeake or Chesapeake Utilities: Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, as appropriate in the context of the disclosure
Chesapeake Pension Plan: A defined benefit pension plan sponsored by Chesapeake Utilities
Chesapeake Postretirement Plan: An unfunded postretirement health care and life insurance plan sponsored by Chesapeake Utilities
Chesapeake SERP: An unfunded supplemental executive retirement pension plan sponsored by Chesapeake Utilities
Chipola: Chipola Propane Gas Company, Inc., a propane distribution service provider in Northwest Florida, which sold certain assets to Flo-gas in August 2017
CHP: Combined heat and power plant
CIAC: Contributions from customers that are used to construct facilities
Columbia Gas: Columbia Gas of Ohio, an unaffiliated local distribution company based in Ohio
Company: Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, as appropriate in the context of the disclosure
CP: Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
Credit Agreement: The Credit Agreement dated October 8, 2015, among Chesapeake Utilities and the Lenders related to the Revolver
Deferred Compensation Plan: A non-qualified, deferred compensation arrangement under which certain of our executives and members of the Board of Directors are able to defer payment of all or a part of certain specified types of compensation, including executive salaries and cash bonuses, executive performance shares, and directors’ retainers
Degree-Day: A degree-day is the measure of the variation in the weather based on the extent to which the average daily temperature (from 10:00 am to 10:00 am) falls above or below 65 degrees Fahrenheit
Delaware Division: Chesapeake Utilities' natural gas distribution operation serving customers in Delaware
Delmarva Peninsula: A peninsula on the east coast of the United States of America occupied by Delaware and portions of Maryland and Virginia
DNREC: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
DSR: Delivery Service Rate
Dt(s): Dekatherm(s), which is a natural gas unit of measurement that includes a standard measure for heating value

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Dts/d: Dekatherms per day
Eastern Shore: Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company, a wholly-owned natural gas transmission subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities
EGWIC: Eastern Gas & Water Investment Company, LLC, an affiliate of ESG
Eight Flags: Eight Flags Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of Chesapeake OnSight Services, LLC, which owns and operates a CHP plant on Amelia Island, Florida, that supplies electricity to FPU and industrial steam to Rayonier
EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency
ESG: Eastern Shore Gas Company and its affiliates
FASB: Financial Accounting Standards Board
FDEP: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
FERC: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, an independent agency of the United States government that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil
FGT: Florida Gas Transmission Company
Flo-gas: Flo-gas Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FPU
FPL: Florida Power & Light Company, an unaffiliated electric company that supplies electricity to FPU
FPU: Florida Public Utilities Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities
FPU Medical Plan: A separate unfunded postretirement medical plan for FPU sponsored by Chesapeake Utilities
FPU Pension Plan: A separate defined benefit pension plan for FPU sponsored by Chesapeake Utilities
GAAP: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
GRIP: The Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program, a natural gas pipeline replacement program in Florida pursuant to which we collect a surcharge from certain of our customers to recover capital and other program-related costs associated with the replacement of qualifying distribution mains and services
Gulf Power: Gulf Power Company, an unaffiliated electric company that supplies electricity to FPU
Gulfstream: Gulfstream Natural Gas System, LLC, an unaffiliated pipeline network that supplies natural gas to FPU
HDD: Heating degree-day, which is a measure of the variation in weather based on the extent to which the daily average temperature (from 10:00 am to 10:00 am) is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit
JEA: The unaffiliated community-owned utility located in Jacksonville, Florida, formerly known as Jacksonville Electric Authority
Lenders: PNC, Bank of America N.A., Citizens Bank N.A., Royal Bank of Canada, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, which are collectively the lenders that entered into the Credit Agreement with Chesapeake Utilities
MDE: Maryland Department of Environment
MetLife: MetLife Investment Advisors, an institutional debt investment management firm, with which we entered into the MetLife Shelf Agreement
MetLife Shelf Agreement: An agreement entered into by Chesapeake Utilities and MetLife in March 2017 pursuant to which Chesapeake Utilities may request that MetLife purchase, through March 2, 2020, up to $150.0 million of unsecured senior debt at a fixed interest rate and with a maturity date not to exceed 20 years from the date of issuance
MetLife Shelf Notes: Unsecured senior promissory notes issuable under the MetLife Shelf Agreement
MGP: Manufactured gas plant, which is a site where coal was previously used to manufacture gaseous fuel for industrial, commercial and residential use
MTM: Fair value (mark-to-market) accounting required for derivatives in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging

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MW: Megawatts, which is a unit of measurement for electric base load power and capacity
NYL: New York Life Investors LLC, an institutional debt investment management firm, with which we entered into the NYL Shelf Agreement
NYL Shelf Agreement: An agreement entered into by Chesapeake Utilities and NYL pursuant to which Chesapeake Utilities may request that NYL purchase, through March 2, 2020, up to $100.0 million of unsecured senior debt at a fixed interest rate and with a maturity date not to exceed 20 years from the date of issuance
NYL Shelf Notes: Unsecured senior promissory notes issuable under the NYL Shelf Agreement
OPT Service: Off Peak ≤ 30 or ≤ 90 Firm Transportation Service, a tariff associated with Eastern Shore's firm transportation service that allows Eastern Shore to not schedule service for up to 30 or 90 days during the peak months of November through April each year
OTC: Over-the-counter
Peninsula Pipeline: Peninsula Pipeline Company, Inc., Chesapeake Utilities' wholly-owned Florida intrastate pipeline subsidiary
PESCO: Peninsula Energy Services Company, Inc., Chesapeake Utilities' wholly-owned natural gas marketing subsidiary
PNC: PNC Bank, National Association, the administrative agent and primary lender for our Revolver
Prudential: Prudential Investment Management Inc., an institutional investment management firm, with which we have entered into the Prudential Shelf Agreement
Prudential Shelf Agreement: An agreement entered into by Chesapeake Utilities and Prudential pursuant to which Chesapeake Utilities may request that Prudential purchase, through October 7, 2018, up to $150.0 million of Prudential Shelf Notes at a fixed interest rate and with a maturity date not to exceed 20 years from the date of issuance
Prudential Shelf Notes: Unsecured senior promissory notes issuable under the Prudential Shelf Agreement
PSC: Public Service Commission, which is the state agency that regulates the rates and services provided by Chesapeake Utilities’ natural gas and electric distribution operations in Delaware, Maryland and Florida and Peninsula Pipeline in Florida
RAP: Remedial Action Plan, which is a plan that outlines the procedures taken or being considered in removing contaminants from a MGP formerly owned by Chesapeake Utilities or FPU
Rayonier: Rayonier Performance Fibers, LLC, the company that owns the property on which Eight Flags' CHP plant is located, and a customer of the steam generated by the CHP plant
Retirement Savings Plan: Chesapeake Utilities' qualified 401(k) retirement savings plan
Revolver: Our unsecured revolving credit facility with the Lenders
Sandpiper: Sandpiper Energy, Inc., Chesapeake Utilities' wholly-owned subsidiary, which provides a tariff-based distribution service to customers in Worcester County, Maryland
Sanford Group: FPU and other responsible parties involved with the Sanford MGP site
SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission
Senior Notes: Our unsecured long-term debt issued primarily to insurance companies on various dates
Sharp: Sharp Energy, Inc., Chesapeake Utilities' wholly-owned propane distribution subsidiary
SICP: 2013 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan
SIR: A system improvement rate adder designed to fund system expansion costs within the city limits of Ocean City, Maryland
TCJA: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which is legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by the President on December 22, 2017, and which, among other things, reduced the corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018
TETLP: Texas Eastern Transmission, LP, an interstate pipeline interconnected with Eastern Shore's pipeline

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Xeron: Xeron, Inc., an inactive subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities, which previously engaged in propane and crude oil trading

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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

|  | Three Months Ended
|  | March 31,
|  | 2018 |  | 2017
(in thousands, except shares and per share data) |  |  |  |
Operating Revenues |  |  |  |
Regulated Energy |  | $ | 109,393 |  |  | $ | 97,654 |
Unregulated Energy and other |  | 129,963 |  |  | 87,506 |
Total Operating Revenues |  | 239,356 |  |  | 185,160 |
Operating Expenses |  |  |  |
Regulated Energy cost of sales |  | 48,231 |  |  | 40,244 |
Unregulated Energy and other cost of sales |  | 99,826 |  |  | 60,754 |
Operations |  | 32,702 |  |  | 32,490 |
Maintenance |  | 3,593 |  |  | 3,231 |
Depreciation and amortization |  | 9,704 |  |  | 8,812 |
Other taxes |  | 4,894 |  |  | 4,530 |
Total Operating Expenses |  | 198,950 |  |  | 150,061 |
Operating Income |  | 40,406 |  |  | 35,099 |
Other income (expense), net |  | 68 |  |  | (700 | )
Interest charges |  | 3,664 |  |  | 2,739 |
Income Before Income Taxes |  | 36,810 |  |  | 31,660 |
Income taxes |  | 9,955 |  |  | 12,516 |
Net Income |  | $ | 26,855 |  |  | $ | 19,144 |
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding: |  |  |  |
Basic |  | 16,351,338 |  |  | 16,317,224 |
Diluted |  | 16,402,985 |  |  | 16,363,796 |
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock: |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 1.64 |  |  | $ | 1.17 |
Diluted |  | $ | 1.64 |  |  | $ | 1.17 |
Cash Dividends Declared Per Share of Common Stock |  | $ | 0.3250 |  |  | $ | 0.3050 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

|  | Three Months Ended
|  | March 31,
|  | 2018 |  | 2017
(in thousands) |  |  |  |
Net Income |  | $ | 26,855 |  |  | $ | 19,144 |
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, net of tax: |  |  |  |
Employee Benefits, net of tax: |  |  |  |
Amortization of prior service cost, net of tax of $(5) and $(8), respectively |  | (14 | ) |  | (11 | )
Net gain, net of tax of $41 and $77, respectively |  | 108 |  |  | 93 |
Cash Flow Hedges, net of tax: |  |  |  |
Unrealized (loss)/gain on commodity contract cash flow hedges, net of tax of ($756) and $192, respectively |  | (1,788 | ) |  | 338 |
Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, net of tax |  | (1,694 | ) |  | 420 |
Comprehensive Income |  | $ | 25,161 |  |  | $ | 19,564 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

Assets |  | March 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
(in thousands, except shares and per share data) |  |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |  |
Regulated Energy |  | $ | 1,083,004 |  |  | $ | 1,073,736 |
Unregulated Energy |  | 213,803 |  |  | 210,682 |
Other businesses and eliminations |  | 27,892 |  |  | 27,699 |
Total property, plant and equipment |  | 1,324,699 |  |  | 1,312,117 |
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization |  | (279,802 | ) |  | (270,599 | )
Plus: Construction work in progress |  | 131,640 |  |  | 84,509 |
Net property, plant and equipment |  | 1,176,537 |  |  | 1,126,027 |
Current Assets |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | 5,996 |  |  | 5,614 |
Trade and other receivables (less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $901 and $936, respectively) |  | 69,447 |  |  | 77,223 |
Accrued revenue |  | 18,907 |  |  | 22,279 |
Propane inventory, at average cost |  | 7,345 |  |  | 8,324 |
Other inventory, at average cost |  | 4,607 |  |  | 12,022 |
Regulatory assets |  | 10,833 |  |  | 10,930 |
Storage gas prepayments |  | 1,197 |  |  | 5,250 |
Income taxes receivable |  | 4,378 |  |  | 14,778 |
Prepaid expenses |  | 8,199 |  |  | 13,621 |
Derivative assets, at fair value |  | 208 |  |  | 1,286 |
Other current assets |  | 6,717 |  |  | 7,260 |
Total current assets |  | 137,834 |  |  | 178,587 |
Deferred Charges and Other Assets |  |  |  |
Goodwill |  | 22,104 |  |  | 22,104 |
Other intangible assets, net |  | 4,482 |  |  | 4,686 |
Investments, at fair value |  | 6,641 |  |  | 6,756 |
Regulatory assets |  | 75,536 |  |  | 75,575 |
Other assets |  | 4,316 |  |  | 3,699 |
Total deferred charges and other assets |  | 113,079 |  |  | 112,820 |
Total Assets |  | $ | 1,427,450 |  |  | $ | 1,417,434 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

Capitalization and Liabilities |  | March 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
(in thousands, except shares and per share data) |  |  |  |
Capitalization |  |  |  |
Stockholders’ equity |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (authorized 2,000,000 shares), no shares issued and outstanding |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Common stock, par value $0.4867 per share (authorized 50,000,000 shares) |  | 7,964 |  |  | 7,955 |
Additional paid-in capital |  | 254,126 |  |  | 253,470 |
Retained earnings |  | 250,024 |  |  | 229,141 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |  | (6,873 | ) |  | (4,272 | )
Deferred compensation obligation |  | 3,573 |  |  | 3,395 |
Treasury stock |  | (3,573 | ) |  | (3,395 | )
Total stockholders’ equity |  | 505,241 |  |  | 486,294 |
Long-term debt, net of current maturities |  | 222,014 |  |  | 197,395 |
Total capitalization |  | 727,255 |  |  | 683,689 |
Current Liabilities |  |  |  |
Current portion of long-term debt |  | 9,389 |  |  | 9,421 |
Short-term borrowing |  | 229,108 |  |  | 250,969 |
Accounts payable |  | 57,457 |  |  | 74,688 |
Customer deposits and refunds |  | 34,795 |  |  | 34,751 |
Accrued interest |  | 3,256 |  |  | 1,742 |
Dividends payable |  | 5,318 |  |  | 5,312 |
Accrued compensation |  | 5,444 |  |  | 13,112 |
Regulatory liabilities |  | 18,503 |  |  | 6,485 |
Derivative liabilities, at fair value |  | 2,359 |  |  | 6,247 |
Other accrued liabilities |  | 8,694 |  |  | 10,273 |
Total current liabilities |  | 374,323 |  |  | 413,000 |
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities |  |  |  |
Deferred income taxes |  | 141,484 |  |  | 135,850 |
Regulatory liabilities |  | 141,346 |  |  | 140,978 |
Environmental liabilities |  | 8,215 |  |  | 8,263 |
Other pension and benefit costs |  | 28,981 |  |  | 29,699 |
Deferred investment tax credits and other liabilities |  | 5,846 |  |  | 5,955 |
Total deferred credits and other liabilities |  | 325,872 |  |  | 320,745 |
Environmental and other commitments and contingencies (Note 5 and 6) |  |  |  |
Total Capitalization and Liabilities |  | $ | 1,427,450 |  |  | $ | 1,417,434 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

|  | Three Months Ended
|  | March 31,
|  | 2018 |  | 2017
(in thousands) |  |  |  |
Operating Activities |  |  |  |
Net income |  | $ | 26,855 |  |  | $ | 19,144 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |  |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization |  | 9,704 |  |  | 8,812 |
Depreciation and accretion included in other costs |  | 2,276 |  |  | 1,939 |
Deferred income taxes |  | 6,469 |  |  | 7,849 |
Realized gain on commodity contracts/sale of assets/investments |  | 3,416 |  |  | 1,330 |
Unrealized loss on investments/commodity contracts |  | 44 |  |  | 132 |
Employee benefits and compensation |  | 228 |  |  | 423 |
Share-based compensation |  | 1,520 |  |  | 639 |
Other, net |  | (12 | ) |  | (4 | )
Changes in assets and liabilities: |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable and accrued revenue |  | 9,649 |  |  | 5,095 |
Propane inventory, storage gas and other inventory |  | 12,448 |  |  | 6,688 |
Regulatory assets/liabilities, net |  | 11,511 |  |  | 6,103 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | 8,095 |  |  | 1,136 |
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities |  | (26,932 | ) |  | (5,897 | )
Income taxes receivable |  | 8,741 |  |  | 9,500 |
Customer deposits and refunds |  | 44 |  |  | 400 |
Accrued compensation |  | (7,731 | ) |  | (4,966 | )
Other assets and liabilities, net |  | 347 |  |  | 1,631 |
Net cash provided by operating activities |  | 66,672 |  |  | 59,954 |
Investing Activities |  |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment expenditures |  | (63,116 | ) |  | (42,172 | )
Proceeds from sales of assets |  | 193 |  |  | 36 |
Environmental expenditures |  | (48 | ) |  | (57 | )
Net cash used in investing activities |  | (62,971 | ) |  | (42,193 | )
Financing Activities |  |  |  |
Common stock dividends |  | (5,147 | ) |  | (4,815 | )
(Purchase) issuance of stock under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan |  | (164 | ) |  | 222 |
Tax withholding payments related to net settled stock compensation |  | (719 | ) |  | (692 | )
Change in cash overdrafts due to outstanding checks |  | 2,352 |  |  | 587 |
Net repayment under line of credit agreements and short-term borrowing under the Revolver |  | (24,213 | ) |  | (11,125 | )
Proceeds from long-term debt under the Revolver |  | 25,000 |  |  | — |
Repayment of long term debt and capital lease obligation |  | (428 | ) |  | (416 | )
Net cash used in financing activities |  | (3,319 | ) |  | (16,239 | )
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents |  | 382 |  |  | 1,522 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents—Beginning of Period |  | 5,614 |  |  | 4,178 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents—End of Period |  | $ | 5,996 |  |  | $ | 5,700 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

| Common Stock (1) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(in thousands, except shares and per share data) | Number of Shares(2) |  | Par Value |  | Additional Paid-In Capital |  | Retained Earnings |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |  | Deferred Compensation |  | Treasury Stock |  | Total
Balance at December 31, 2016 | 16,303,499 |  |  | $ | 7,935 |  |  | $ | 250,967 |  |  | $ | 192,062 |  |  | $ | (4,878 | ) |  | $ | 2,416 |  |  | $ | (2,416 | ) |  | $ | 446,086 |
Net income | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 58,124 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 58,124 |
Other comprehensive income | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 606 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 606 |
Dividend declared ($1.28 per share) | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (21,045 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (21,045 | )
Dividend reinvestment plan | 10,771 |  |  | 5 |  |  | 730 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 735 |
Stock issuance | — |  |  | — |  |  | (10 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (10 | )
Share-based compensation and tax benefit (3)(4) | 30,172 |  |  | 15 |  |  | 1,783 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,798 |
Treasury stock activities | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 979 |  |  | (979 | ) |  | — |
Balance at December 31, 2017 | 16,344,442 |  |  | 7,955 |  |  | 253,470 |  |  | 229,141 |  |  | (4,272 | ) |  | 3,395 |  |  | (3,395 | ) |  | 486,294 |
Net income | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 26,855 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 26,855 |
Cumulative effect of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,498 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,498 | )
Reclassification upon the adoption of ASU 2018-02 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 907 |  |  | (907 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Other comprehensive loss | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,694 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,694 | )
Dividend declared ($0.3250 per share) | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (5,381 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (5,381 | )
Dividend reinvestment plan | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1 | )
Share-based compensation and tax benefit (3) (4) | 19,350 |  |  | 9 |  |  | 657 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 666 |
Treasury stock activities | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 178 |  |  | (178 | ) |  | — |
Balance at March 31, 2018 | 16,363,792 |  |  | $ | 7,964 |  |  | $ | 254,126 |  |  | $ | 250,024 |  |  | $ | (6,873 | ) |  | $ | 3,573 |  |  | $ | (3,573 | ) |  | $ | 505,241 |

(1) | 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock at $0.01 par value have been authorized. None has been issued or is outstanding; accordingly, no information has been included in the statements of stockholders’ equity.

(2) | Includes 93,422 and 90,961 shares at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, held in a Rabbi Trust related to our Deferred Compensation Plan.

(3) | Includes amounts for shares issued for directors’ compensation.

(4) | The shares issued under the SICP are net of shares withheld for employee taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, and for the year ended December 31, 2017, we withheld 10,436 and 10,269 shares, respectively, for taxes.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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N OTES TO C ONDENSED C ONSOLIDATED F INANCIAL S TATEMENTS (U NAUDITED)
1. Summary of Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
References in this document to the “Company,” “Chesapeake Utilities,” “we,” “us” and “our” are intended to mean Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, its divisions and/or its subsidiaries, as appropriate in the context of the disclosure.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and GAAP. In accordance with these rules and regulations, certain information and disclosures normally required for audited financial statements have been condensed or omitted. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect normal recurring adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of our results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented.
Due to the seasonality of our business, results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire fiscal year. Revenue and earnings are typically greater during the first and fourth quarters, when consumption of energy is highest due to colder temperatures.
ARM, Chipola and Central Gas Asset Acquisitions
In August 2017, PESCO acquired certain natural gas marketing assets of ARM. We have accounted for the purchase of these assets as a business combination and recorded goodwill of $6.8 million, which is included in the Unregulated Energy segment. The acquired assets complement PESCO’s current asset portfolio and expanded our regional footprint and retail demand in a market where we had existing pipeline capacity and wholesale liquidity. In connection with the acquisition, we recorded a contingent liability of $2.5 million, which represents the expected future payment of additional consideration to ARM based on the achievement of certain performance targets. The payment, which is expected to be paid in 2019, is contingent upon the achievement of certain gross margin targets during the 2018 calendar year. The recorded liability is based upon our most recent gross margin projections for the acquired assets and is subject to change based on actual performance or changes in our gross margin projections.
In August 2017, Flo-gas acquired certain operating assets of Chipola, which provides propane distribution service to approximately 800 residential and commercial customers in Bay, Calhoun, Gadsden, Jackson, Liberty, and Washington Counties, Florida.
In December 2017, Flo-gas acquired certain operating assets of Central Gas, which provides propane distribution service to approximately 325 residential and commercial customers in Glades, Highlands, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Counties, Florida.
The revenue and net income from these acquisitions that were included in our condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2018, were not material. The amounts recorded in conjunction with our acquisitions are preliminary and subject to adjustment based on additional valuations performed during the measurement period.
FASB Statements and Other Authoritative Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) - On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and all the related amendments using the modified retrospective method. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard to all of our contracts as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. We expect the impact of the adoption of the new revenue standard to be immaterial to our net income on an ongoing basis.
This standard requires entities to recognize revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires a number of disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and the related cash flows. See Note 3, Revenue Recognition, for additional information.
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The following highlights the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on our condensed consolidated income statement and condensed consolidated balance sheet for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

|  | Three months ended March 31, 2018
Income statement |  | As Reported |  | Without Adoption of ASC 606 |  | Effect of Change Higher (Lower)
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |
Regulated Energy operating revenues |  | $ | 109,393 |  |  | $ | 110,357 |  |  | $ | (964 | )
Regulated Energy cost of sales |  | $ | 48,231 |  |  | $ | 48,803 |  |  | $ | (572 | )
Depreciation and amortization |  | $ | 9,704 |  |  | $ | 9,689 |  |  | $ | 15 |
Income before income taxes |  | $ | 36,810 |  |  | $ | 37,217 |  |  | $ | (407 | )
Income taxes |  | $ | 9,955 |  |  | $ | 10,077 |  |  | $ | (122 | )
Net income |  | $ | 26,855 |  |  | $ | 27,140 |  |  | $ | (285 | )

|  | As of March 31, 2018
Balance sheet |  | As Reported |  | Without Adoption of ASC 606 |  | Effect of Change Higher (Lower)
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued revenues |  | $ | 18,907 |  |  | $ | 20,213 |  |  | $ | (1,306 | )
Other assets |  | $ | 4,316 |  |  | $ | 4,508 |  |  | $ | (192 | )
Capitalization |  |  |  |  |  |
Retained earnings |  | $ | 250,024 |  |  | $ | 251,522 |  |  | $ | (1,498 | )

The primary impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on our income statement was the delayed recognition of approximately $407,000 in annual revenue from 2018 to future years and a cumulative adjustment that decreased retained earnings and other assets by $1.5 million, associated with a long-term firm transmission contract with an industrial customer.
Compensation-Retirement Benefits (ASC 715) - In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post Retirement Benefit Cost. Under this guidance, employers are required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit costs are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. The update allows for capitalization of the service cost component when applicable. We adopted ASU 2017-07 on January 1, 2018 and applied the changes in the presentation of the service cost and other components of net benefit costs, retrospectively. Aside from changes in presentation, the implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Statement of Cash Flows (ASC 230) - In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which clarifies how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. We adopted ASU 2016-15 on January 1, 2018. The implementation of this new standard did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
Compensation - Stock Compensation (ASC 718) - In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Scope of Modification Accounting, to clarify when to account for a change in the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under this guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions or the award classification (equity or liability) changes because of a change in the terms or conditions of the award. We adopted ASU 2017-09, prospectively, on January 1, 2018. The implementation of this new standard did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (ASC 220) - In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA. We elected to early adopt ASU 2018-02 on January 1, 2018 and reclassified stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our employee benefit plans and commodity contracts cash flows hedges. The implementation
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of this new standard did not have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations. See Note 8, Stockholders' Equity, for additional information.
Recent Accounting Standards Yet to be Adopted
Leases (ASC 842) - In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which provides updated guidance regarding accounting for leases. This update requires a lessee to recognize a lease liability and a lease asset for all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than 12 months on its balance sheet. The update also expands the required quantitative and qualitative disclosures surrounding leases. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for our annual and interim financial statements beginning January 1, 2019, although early adoption is permitted.
The FASB allows companies to elect several practical expedients, in order to simplify the transition to the new standard. The following three expedients must all be elected together:

• | An entity need not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases.

• | An entity need not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases (that is, all existing leases that were classified as operating leases in accordance with Topic 840 will continue to be classified as operating leases, and all existing leases that were classified as capital leases in accordance with Topic 840 will continue to be classified as capital leases).

•An entity need not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases.
Other practical expedients that can be elected individually are:

• | An entity may elect to use hindsight in determining the lease term and in assessing impairment of the entity’s right-of-use assets.

• | An entity may elect to apply the provisions of the new lease guidance at the effective date, without adjusting the comparative periods presented.

We expect to use the practical expedients to assist in implementation of this standard. We have assessed all of our leases and have concluded that we may have some operating leases that qualify for the short-term lease exception. Upon adoption, we will record the right-of-use assets and the lease liabilities related to our operating leases with a lease term in excess of one year. We do not believe that this will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842, which provides a practical expedient under Topic 842 to not evaluate existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases. We plan to utilize the provided practical expedient for existing and expired land easements and will assess all new or modified land easements and right-of-way agreements, under the guidance of ASU 2016-02, following its adoption.
Intangibles-Goodwill (ASC 350) - In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. ASU 2017-04 will be effective for our annual and interim financial statements beginning January 1, 2020, although early adoption is permitted. The amendments included in this ASU are to be applied prospectively. We believe that the implementation of this new standard will not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815) - In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, to better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. Among other changes to hedge designation, ASU 2017-12 expands the risks that can be designated as hedged risks in cash flow hedges to include cash flow variability from contractually specified components of forecasted purchases or sales of non-financial assets. ASU 2017-12 requires the entire change in fair value of a hedging instrument included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness to be presented in the same income statement line that is used to present the earnings effects of the hedged item for fair value hedges and in other comprehensive income for cash flow hedges. For disclosures, ASU 2017-12 requires a tabular presentation of the income statement effect of fair value and cash flow hedges, and it eliminates the requirement to disclose the ineffective portion of the change in fair value of hedging instruments. ASU 2017-12 will be effective for our annual and interim financial statements beginning January 1, 2019, although early adoption is permitted. We intend to adopt the updated hedge accounting standard in 2018, which we expect will reduce the MTM volatility in PESCO’s results due to better alignment of risk management activities and financial reporting, risk component hedging and certain other simplifications of hedge accounting guidance.
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2. | Calculation of Earnings Per Share

|  | Three Months Ended
|  | March 31,
|  | 2018 |  | 2017
(in thousands, except shares and per share data) |  |  |  |
Calculation of Basic Earnings Per Share: |  |  |  |
Net Income |  | $ | 26,855 |  |  | $ | 19,144 |
Weighted average shares outstanding |  | 16,351,338 |  |  | 16,317,224 |
Basic Earnings Per Share |  | $ | 1.64 |  |  | $ | 1.17 |
Calculation of Diluted Earnings Per Share: |  |  |  |
Reconciliation of Numerator: |  |  |  |
Net Income |  | $ | 26,855 |  |  | $ | 19,144 |
Reconciliation of Denominator: |  |  |  |
Weighted shares outstanding—Basic |  | 16,351,338 |  |  | 16,317,224 |
Effect of dilutive securities—Share-based compensation |  | 51,647 |  |  | 46,572 |
Adjusted denominator—Diluted |  | 16,402,985 |  |  | 16,363,796 |
Diluted Earnings Per Share |  | $ | 1.64 |  |  | $ | 1.17 |

3. Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue when our performance obligations under contracts with customers have been satisfied, which generally occurs when our businesses have delivered or transported natural gas, electricity or propane to customers. We exclude sales taxes and other similar taxes from the transaction price. Typically, our customers pay for the goods and/or services we provide in the subsequent month following the satisfaction of our performance obligation.
The following table is a breakdown of our revenue by major source based on product and service type for the three months ended March 31, 2018:
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|  | Regulated Energy |  | Unregulated Energy |  | Other and Eliminations |  | Total
Energy distribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Florida natural gas division |  | $ | 5,864 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 5,864 |
Delaware natural gas division |  | 32,072 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 32,072 |
FPU electric distribution |  | 18,741 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 18,741 |
FPU natural gas distribution |  | 23,213 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 23,213 |
Maryland natural gas division |  | 10,672 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 10,672 |
Sandpiper |  | 8,964 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 8,964 |
Total energy distribution |  | 99,526 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 99,526 |
Energy transmission |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aspire Energy |  | — |  |  | 12,077 |  |  | — |  |  | 12,077 |
Eastern Shore |  | 15,597 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 15,597 |
Peninsula Pipeline |  | 2,098 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,098 |
Total energy transmission |  | 17,695 |  |  | 12,077 |  |  | — |  |  | 29,772 |
Energy generation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Eight Flags |  | — |  |  | 4,378 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,378 |
Propane delivery |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Delmarva Peninsula propane delivery |  | — |  |  | 45,470 |  |  | — |  |  | 45,470 |
Florida propane delivery |  | — |  |  | 6,634 |  |  | — |  |  | 6,634 |
Total propane delivery |  | — |  |  | 52,104 |  |  | — |  |  | 52,104 |
Energy services |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
PESCO |  | — |  |  | 81,559 |  |  | — |  |  | 81,559 |
Other and eliminations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Eliminations |  | (7,828 | ) |  | (5,245 | ) |  | (15,598 | ) |  | (28,671 | )
Other |  | — |  |  | 494 |  |  | 194 |  |  | 688 |
Total other and eliminations |  | (7,828 | ) |  | (4,751 | ) |  | (15,404 | ) |  | (27,983 | )
Total operating revenues (1) |  | $ | 109,393 |  |  | $ | 145,367 |  |  | $ | (15,404 | ) |  | $ | 239,356 |

(1) Includes other revenue (revenues from sources other than contracts with customers) of $(589,000) and $73,000 for our Regulated and Unregulated Energy segments, respectively. The sources of other revenues include revenue from alternative revenue programs related to weather normalization for Maryland division and Sandpiper and late fees.
Regulated Energy segment
Our businesses within the Regulated Energy segment are regulated utilities whose operations and customer contracts are subject to tariff rates approved by the state regulators or the FERC.
Our energy distribution operations deliver natural gas or electricity to customers and we bill the customers for both the delivery of natural gas or electricity and the related commodity, where applicable. In most jurisdictions, our customers are also required to purchase the commodity from us, although certain customers in some jurisdictions may purchase the commodity from a third party retailer (in which case we only provide delivery service). We consider the delivery of natural gas or electricity and/or the related commodity sale as one performance obligation because the commodity and its delivery are highly interrelated with two-way dependency on one another. Our performance obligation is satisfied over time as natural gas or electricity is delivered and consumed by the customer. We recognize revenues based on monthly meter readings, which are based on quantity of natural gas or electricity used and the approved rates. We accrue unbilled revenues for natural gas and electricity that have been delivered, but not yet billed, at the end of an accounting period to the extent that billing and delivery do not coincide.
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Revenues for Eastern Shore are based on rates approved by the FERC. The FERC has also authorized Eastern Shore to negotiate rates above or below the FERC-approved maximum rates, which customers can elect as an alternative to negotiated rates. Eastern Shore's services can be firm or interruptible. Firm services are offered on a guaranteed basis and are available at all times unless prevented by force majeure or other permitted curtailments. Interruptible customers only receive service when there is available capacity or supply. Our performance obligation is satisfied over time as we deliver natural gas to the customers' locations. We recognize revenues based on meter readings at the end of the month, which are based on capacity used or reserved and the fixed monthly charge.
Peninsula Pipeline is engaged in natural gas intra-state transmission to third-party customers and certain affiliates in the state of Florida. Our performance obligation is satisfied over time as the natural gas is transported to customers. We recognize revenue based on rates approved by the Florida PSC and the capacity used or reserved. Since we bill customers at the end of each month, we do not have any unbilled revenue.
Unregulated Energy segment
Revenues generated from the Unregulated Energy segment are not subject to any federal, state, or local pricing regulations. Aspire Energy primarily sources gas from hundreds of conventional producers and performs gathering and processing functions to maintain the quality and reliability of its gas for its wholesale customers. Aspire Energy's performance obligation is satisfied over time as natural gas is delivered to its customers. Aspire Energy recognizes revenue based on the deliveries of natural gas at contractually agreed upon rates (which are based upon an index price that is established monthly and a monthly operating fee, as applicable). For natural gas customers, we accrue unbilled revenues for natural gas that has been delivered, but not yet billed, at the end of an accounting period to the extent that billing and delivery do not coincide with the end of the accounting period.
Eight Flags' CHP plant, which is located on land leased from Rayonier, produces three sources of energy: electricity, steam and heated water. Rayonier purchases the steam (unfired and fired) and heated water, which is used in Rayonier’s production facility. Our electric distribution operation purchases the electricity generated by the CHP plant for distribution to its customers. Eight Flags' performance obligation is satisfied over time as deliveries of heated water, steam and electricity occur. Eight Flags recognizes revenues over time based on the amount of heated water, steam and electricity generated and delivered to its customers.
For our propane delivery operations, we recognize revenue based upon customer type and service offered. Generally, for propane bulk delivery customers (customers without meters) and wholesale sales, our performance obligation is satisfied when we deliver propane to the customers' locations (point-in-time basis). We recognize revenue from these customers based on the number of gallons delivered and the price per gallon at the point-in-time of delivery. For our propane delivery customers with meters, we satisfy our performance obligation over time when we deliver propane to customers. We recognize revenue over time based on the amount of propane consumed and the applicable price per unit. For propane delivery metered customers, we accrue unbilled revenues for propane that has been delivered, but not yet billed, at the end of an accounting period to the extent that billing and delivery do not coincide with the end of the accounting period.
PESCO provides natural gas supply and asset management services to customers (including Chesapeake Utilities affiliates) located primarily in Florida, the Delmarva Peninsula, and the Appalachian Basin. PESCO's performance obligation is satisfied over time as natural gas is delivered to its customers. PESCO recognizes revenue over time based on customer meter readings, on a monthly basis. We accrue unbilled revenues for natural gas that has been delivered, but not yet billed, at the end of an accounting period to the extent that billing and delivery do not coincide with the end of the accounting period.
Contract balances
The timing of revenue recognition, customer billings and cash collections results in trade receivables, unbilled receivables (contract assets), and customer advances (contract liabilities) in our consolidated balance sheets. The opening and closing balances of our trade receivables, contract assets, and contract liability are as follows:

|  | Trade Receivables |  | Contract Assets (Non-current) |  | Contract Liability (Current)
in thousands |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at 12/31/2017 |  | $ | 74,962 |  |  | $ | 1,270 |  |  | $ | 407 |
Balance at 3/31/2018 |  | 67,828 |  |  | 1,305 |  |  | 244 |
Increase (decrease) |  | $ | (7,134 | ) |  | $ | 35 |  |  | $ | (163 | )

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Our trade receivables are included in trade and other receivables in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Our non-current contract assets are included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet and relate to operations and maintenance costs that have not yet been recovered through rates for the sale of electricity to our electric distribution operation pursuant to a long-term service agreement.
At times, we receive advances or deposits from our customers before we satisfy our performance obligation, resulting in contract liabilities. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had a contract liability, which was included in other accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, of $244,000 and $407,000, respectively, and which relates to non-refundable prepaid fixed fees for our Delmarva Peninsula propane delivery operation's retail offerings. Our performance obligation is satisfied over the term of the respective retail offering plan on a ratable basis. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recognized revenue of $251,000.
Practical expedients
For our businesses with agreements that contain variable consideration, we use the invoice practical expedient method. We determined that the amounts invoiced to customers correspond directly with the value to our customers and our performance to date.
For our long-term contracts, the revenue we recognize corresponds directly to the amount we have the right to invoice, which corresponds directly to our performance obligation. Our performance obligations under our long-term contracts are satisfied over time. As a practical expedient, we do not disclose information about remaining, or unsatisfied, performance obligations for these long-term contracts since the revenue recognized corresponds to the amount we have the right to invoice.

4. | Rates and Other Regulatory Activities

Our natural gas and electric distribution operations in Delaware, Maryland and Florida are subject to regulation by their respective PSC; Eastern Shore, our natural gas transmission subsidiary, is subject to regulation by the FERC; and Peninsula Pipeline, our intrastate pipeline subsidiary, is subject to regulation by the Florida PSC. Chesapeake Utilities' Florida natural gas distribution division and FPU’s natural gas and electric distribution operations continue to be subject to regulation, as separate entities, by the Florida PSC.
Delaware
Effect of the TCJA on ratepayers: As result of the enactment of the TCJA, the Delaware PSC issued an order requiring all rate-regulated utilities to file estimates of the impact of the TCJA on their cost of service for the most recent test year available (including new rate schedules). The order also required utilities to propose procedures for changing rates to reflect those impacts on or before March 31, 2018. Our Delaware Division filed the requisite reports with the Delaware PSC on March 30, 2018. If, after reviewing our report, the Delaware PSC determines to reduce our rates, it will open a new docket and establish a procedural schedule for conducting an evidentiary hearing regarding the impacts of the TCJA on our operations and existing rates. We believe that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
In addition, on February 1, 2018, the Delaware PSC issued an order requiring Delaware rate-regulated public utilities to accrue regulatory liabilities to reflect the impacts of the Delaware jurisdictional revenue requirement in light of the changes to the federal corporate income tax laws. In compliance with this order, we have established a regulatory liability to reflect the estimated impacts of the changes in the federal corporate income tax rate.
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Maryland Division and Sandpiper
Effect of the TCJA on ratepayers: The Maryland PSC issued an order requiring all Maryland public utilities whose rates are explicitly grossed-up for income taxes to track the impacts of the TCJA beginning January 1, 2018. The order required utilities to: (a) apply regulatory accounting treatment, which includes the use of regulatory assets and liabilities for all impacts of the TCJA; (b) file, on or before February 15, 2018, an explanation of the expected effects of the TCJA on their expenses and revenues; and (c) explain when and how they expect to pass on to their customers the net results of those effects. We established a regulatory liability to reflect the estimated impacts of the changes in the federal corporate income tax rate in compliance with the Maryland PSC’s order. In addition, on February 15, 2018, our Maryland natural gas division and Sandpiper filed preliminary estimates of the annual impact of the change in the statutory federal income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent and requested that the Maryland PSC grant us additional time to finalize our calculations. In March 2018, our Maryland natural gas division and Sandpiper supplemented their initial filings to include, among other items, an explanation of when and how they propose to pass the tax impacts on to their customers. In April 2018, the Maryland PSC issued orders directing our Maryland natural gas division and Sandpiper to: (1) file tariff pages reflective of the Maryland PSC's recommended rates with an effective date of May 1, 2018; (2) implement a one-time bill credit for the regulatory liability established for refunds; and, (3) make an informational filing within 60 days after the distribution of the one-time refunds. The orders further directed that, if any additional tax savings are later identified by either our natural gas divisions, we make a filing with the Maryland PSC to return those savings to customers as soon as possible.
Florida
Florida Electric Reliability/Modernization Pilot Program: In July 2017, FPU’s electric division filed a petition with the Florida PSC, requesting approval to include $15.2 million of certain capital project expenditures in its rate base and to adjust its base rates accordingly. These expenditures are designed to improve the stability and safety of the electric system, while enhancing the capability of FPU’s electrical grid. An interconnection project with FPL, which enables FPU to mitigate fuel costs for its electric customers, was included in the $15.2 million capital project expenditures. In December 2017, the Florida PSC approved this petition, effective January 1, 2018. The settlement agreement prescribed the methodology for adjusting the new rates based on the lower federal income tax rate and the process and methodology regarding the refund of deferred income taxes, reclassified as a regulatory liability, as a result of the TCJA. We have established a regulatory liability to reflect the impacts of the changes in the federal corporate income tax rate in compliance with the settlement agreement.
Electric Limited Proceeding-Storm Recovery: In February 2018, FPU’s electric division filed a petition with the Florida PSC, requesting recovery of incremental storm restoration costs related to several hurricanes and tropical storms, along with the replenishment of FPU’s storm reserve to its pre-storm level of $1.5 million. As a result of these hurricanes and tropical storms, FPU’s storm reserve was depleted and is currently at a deficit of $779,000. FPU is requesting approval of a surcharge of $1.82 per kilowatt per hour for two years to recover and replenish storm-related costs. At this time, no date for approval of this petition has been scheduled by the Florida PSC.
Effect of the TCJA on ratepayers: The Office of Public Counsel filed a petition requesting that the Florida PSC establish a general docket to investigate and adjust rates for all investor-owned utilities related to the passage of the TCJA. The Florida PSC issued a Memorandum with a recommendation that, if utilities do not agree to a January 1, 2018 effective date, then the effective date should be February 6, 2018. On January 30, 2018, the Florida PSC scheduled informal meetings between its staff and interested persons to discuss the impact of the TCJA. Meetings to discuss the impact for natural gas utilities, electric utilities and water and wastewater utilities were held in mid-February 2018. In December 2017, the Florida PSC issued an order regarding the limited proceeding for FPU's electric division, which prescribes the applicability, timing and treatment of the implications of the TCJA. We established a regulatory liability to reflect the impacts of the changes in the federal corporate income tax rate in compliance with the settlement agreement. We believe that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Eastern Shore
2017 Expansion Project: In May 2016, the FERC approved Eastern Shore's request to initiate the pre-filing review process for its 2017 Expansion Project. The 2017 Expansion Project's facilities include approximately 23 miles of pipeline looping in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware; upgrades to existing metering facilities in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; installation of an additional compressor unit at Eastern Shore’s existing Daleville compressor station in Chester County, Pennsylvania; and approximately 17 miles of new mainline extension and two pressure control stations in Sussex County, Delaware. Eastern Shore entered into precedent agreements with seven existing customers, including three affiliates of Chesapeake Utilities, for a total of 61,162 Dts/d of additional firm natural gas transportation service on Eastern Shore’s pipeline system with an additional 52,500 Dts/d of firm transportation service at certain Eastern Shore receipt facilities.
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In December 2016, Eastern Shore submitted an application for a CP authorizing construction of the expansion facilities, which the FERC issued in October 2017. The estimated cost of the 2017 Expansion Project is approximately $117.0 million. Eastern Shore submitted its Implementation Plan in October 2017 addressing the actions Eastern Shore will undertake to meet the environmental conditions set forth in the FERC's order.
In December 2017, the TETLP interconnect upgrade was placed into service, as Eastern Shore requested. The remaining segments of the 2017 Expansion Project are expected to be placed into service in various phases during the remainder of 2018.
2017 Rate Case Filing: In January 2017, Eastern Shore filed a base rate proceeding with the FERC, as required by the terms of its 2012 rate case settlement agreement. Eastern Shore's proposed rates were based on the mainline cost of service of approximately $60.0 million resulting in an overall requested revenue increase of approximately $18.9 million and a requested rate of return on common equity of 13.75 percent. In March 2017, the FERC issued an order suspending the tariff rates for the usual five-month period.
In August 2017, Eastern Shore implemented new rates, subject to refund, based upon the outcome of the rate proceeding. Eastern Shore recorded incremental revenue of approximately $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, and established a regulatory liability to reserve a portion of the total incremental revenues generated by the new rates until the rate case settlement is approved by the FERC and customers receive refunds according to the terms of the settlement agreement. Eastern Shore filed an uncontested settlement agreement and a motion to place interim settlement rates into effect beginning on January 1, 2018, which interim settlement rates were approved by the FERC in December 2017. The settlement agreement was approved by the FERC in February 2018, and became final in March 2018. Eastern Shore will recover the costs of its 2016 System Reliability Project, along with the cost of investments and expenses associated with various expansion, reliability and safety initiatives. Not considering the effects of the TCJA, base rates will increase, on an annual basis, by approximately $9.8 million.
Effect of the TCJA on ratepayers: In March 2018, Eastern Shore filed with the FERC its revised base rates, reflecting the change in its federal corporate income tax rate. These adjusted base rates became effective April 1, 2018 and will generate approximately $6.6 million, on an annual basis. Any excess accumulated deferred income tax balances will flow back to customers over the period determined in the next rate case, absent any transition rule included in the TCJA or other statutes or rules that would govern the flow-back period. In April 2018, Eastern Shore refunded its customers, with interest, the difference between the proposed rates and the settlement rates. The refund to customers also reflected the difference in rates due to the impact of TCJA.
In March 2018, the FERC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing a process that will allow it to determine which jurisdictional natural gas pipelines may be collecting unjust and unreasonable rates in light of the recent reduction in the corporate income tax rate in the TCJA and changes to the FERC’s income tax allowance policies following the United Airlines, Inc. v. FERC decision. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposed requiring interstate natural gas pipelines to provide an informational filing to allow the FERC to evaluate the impact of the TCJA on the pipelines’ revenue requirement. In April 2018, Eastern Shore filed comments in this proceeding requesting confirmation that Eastern Shore is not required to provide an informational filing because it has already implemented lower rates based on the 21 percent tax rate in accordance with the settlement agreement in its 2017 rate case approved by the FERC. We believe that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
5. Environmental Commitments and Contingencies
We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental quality and pollution control. These laws and regulations require us to remove or remediate, at current and former operating sites, the effect on the environment of the disposal or release of specified substances.
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MGP Sites
We have participated in the investigation, assessment or remediation of, and have exposures at, seven former MGP sites. Those sites are located in Salisbury, Maryland; Seaford, Delaware; and Winter Haven, Key West, Pensacola, Sanford and West Palm Beach, Florida. We have also been in discussions with the MDE regarding another former MGP site located in Cambridge, Maryland.
As of March 31, 2018, we had approximately $9.6 million in environmental liabilities related to FPU’s MGP sites in Florida, which include the Key West, Pensacola, Sanford and West Palm Beach sites. FPU has approval to recover, from insurance and from customers through rates, up to $14.0 million of its environmental costs related to its MGP sites. Approximately $11.1 million has been recovered as of March 31, 2018, leaving approximately $2.9 million in regulatory assets for future recovery of environmental costs from FPU’s customers.
Environmental liabilities for our MGP sites are recorded on an undiscounted basis based on the estimate of future costs provided by independent consultants. We continue to expect that all costs related to environmental remediation and related activities, including any potential future remediation costs for which we do not currently have approval for regulatory recovery, will be recoverable from customers through rates.
The following is a summary of our remediation status and estimated costs to implement clean-up of our key MGP sites:

Jurisdiction | MGP Site | Status | Cost to Clean up | Recovery through Rates
Florida | West Palm Beach | Remedial actions approved by the FDEP have been implemented on the east parcel of the site. Similar remedial actions expected to be implemented on other remaining portions. | Between $4.5 million to $15.4 million, including costs associated with the relocation of FPU’s operations at this site, which is necessary to implement the remedial plan, and any potential costs associated with future redevelopment of the properties. | Yes
Florida | Sanford | In March 2018, the EPA approved a "site-wide ready for anticipated use" status, which is the final step before delisting a site. Construction has been completed and restrictive covenants are in place to ensure protection of human health. The only remaining activity is long-term groundwater monitoring. It is unlikely that FPU will incur any significant future costs associated with the site. | FPU's remaining remediation expenses, including attorneys' fees and costs, are anticipated to be less than $10,000. | Yes
Florida | Winter Haven | Remediation is ongoing. | Not expected to exceed $425,000, which includes costs of implementing institutional controls at the site. | Yes
Delaware | Seaford | Proposed plan for implementation approved by the DNREC in July 2017. | Between $273,000 and $465,000. | Yes
Maryland | Cambridge | Currently in discussions with the MDE. | Unable to estimate. | N/A

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6. | Other Commitments and Contingencies

Natural Gas, Electric and Propane Supply
We have entered into contractual commitments to purchase natural gas, electricity and propane from various suppliers. The contracts have various expiration dates. In 2017, our Delmarva Peninsula natural gas distribution operations entered into asset management agreements with PESCO to manage their natural gas transportation and storage capacity. The agreements were effective as of April 1, 2017, and each has a three-year term, expiring on March 31, 2020. Previously, the Delaware PSC approved PESCO to serve as an asset manager with respect to our Delaware Division.
In May 2013, Sandpiper entered into a capacity, supply and operating agreement with EGWIC to purchase propane over a six-year term ending in May 2019. Sandpiper's current annual commitment is approximately 2.5 million gallons. Sandpiper has the option to enter into either a fixed per-gallon price for some or all of the propane purchases or a market-based price utilizing one of two local propane pricing indices.
Also in May 2013, Sharp entered into a separate supply and operating agreement with EGWIC. Under this agreement, Sharp has a commitment to supply propane to EGWIC over a six-year term ending in May 2019. Sharp's current annual commitment is approximately 2.5 million gallons. The agreement between Sharp and EGWIC is separate from the agreement between Sandpiper and EGWIC, and neither agreement permits the parties to set off the rights and obligations specified in one agreement against those specified in the other agreement.
Chesapeake Utilities' Florida Division has firm transportation service contracts with FGT and Gulfstream. Pursuant to a capacity release program approved by the Florida PSC, all of the capacity under these agreements has been released to various third parties, including PESCO. Under the terms of these capacity release agreements, Chesapeake Utilities is contingently liable to FGT and Gulfstream should any party that acquired the capacity through release fail to pay the capacity charge.
FPU’s electric fuel supply contracts require FPU to maintain an acceptable standard of creditworthiness based on specific financial ratios. FPU’s agreement with FPL requires FPU to meet or exceed a debt service coverage ratio of 1.25 times based on the results of the prior 12 months. If this ratio is not met by FPU, it must provide an irrevocable letter of credit or pay all amounts outstanding under the agreement within five business days. FPU’s electric fuel supply agreement with Gulf Power requires FPU to meet the following ratios based on the average of the prior six quarters: (a) funds from operations interest coverage ratio (minimum of 2 times) and (b) total debt to total capital (maximum of 65 percent). If FPU fails to meet the requirements, it has to provide the supplier a written explanation of actions taken, or proposed to be taken, to become compliant. Failure to comply with the ratios specified in the Gulf Power agreement could also result in FPU having to provide an irrevocable letter of credit. As of March 31, 2018, FPU was in compliance with all of the requirements of its fuel supply contracts.
Eight Flags provides electricity and steam generation services through its CHP plant located on Amelia Island, Florida. In June 2016, Eight Flags began selling power generated from the CHP plant to FPU pursuant to a 20-year power purchase agreement for distribution to its retail electric customers. In July 2016, Eight Flags also started selling steam, pursuant to a separate 20-year contract, to Rayonier, the landowner on which the CHP plant is located. The CHP plant is powered by natural gas transported by FPU through its distribution system and Peninsula Pipeline through its intrastate pipeline.
Corporate Guarantees
We have issued corporate guarantees to certain vendors of our subsidiaries, primarily PESCO. These corporate guarantees provide for the payment of natural gas purchases in the event that PESCO defaults. PESCO has never defaulted on its obligations to pay its suppliers. The liabilities for these purchases are recorded when incurred. The aggregate amount guaranteed at March 31, 2018 was approximately $72.7 million, with the guarantees expiring on various dates through March 2019.
Chesapeake Utilities also guarantees the payment of FPU’s first mortgage bonds. The maximum exposure under this guarantee is the outstanding principal plus accrued interest balances. The outstanding principal balances of FPU’s first mortgage bonds approximate their carrying values (see Note 14, Long-Term Debt, for further details).
Letters of Credit
As of March 31, 2018, we have issued letters of credit totaling approximately $5.0 million related to the electric transmission services for FPU's electric division, the firm transportation service agreement between TETLP and our Delaware and Maryland divisions, the payment of natural gas purchases for PESCO, and to our current and previous primary insurance carriers. These letters of credit have various expiration dates through December 2019. There have been
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no draws on these letters of credit as of March 31, 2018. We do not anticipate that the counterparties will draw upon these letters of credit, and we expect that the letters of credit will be renewed to the extent necessary in the future.
Other
We are involved in certain other legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business. We are also involved in certain legal and administrative proceedings before various governmental agencies concerning rates. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these proceedings will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

7. | Segment Information

We use the management approach to identify operating segments. We organize our business around differences in regulatory environment and/or products or services, and the operating results of each segment are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (our Chief Executive Officer) in order to make decisions about resources and to assess performance.
Our operations are comprised of two reportable segments:

• | Regulated Energy. Includes energy distribution and transmission services (natural gas distribution, natural gas transmission and electric distribution operations). All operations in this segment are regulated, as to their rates and services, by the PSC having jurisdiction in each operating territory or by the FERC in the case of Eastern Shore.

• | Unregulated Energy. Includes energy transmission, energy generation, propane delivery, and other energy services (propane distribution, the operations of our Eight Flags' CHP plant, as well as natural gas marketing, gathering, processing, transportation and supply). These operations are unregulated as to their rates and services. Through March 2017, this segment also included the operations of Xeron, our propane and crude oil trading subsidiary that wound down its operations shortly after the first quarter of 2017. Also included in this segment are other unregulated energy services, such as energy-related merchandise sales and heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing and electrical services.

The remainder of our operations is presented as “Other businesses and eliminations”, which consists of unregulated subsidiaries that own real estate leased to Chesapeake Utilities, as well as certain corporate costs not allocated to other operations.
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The following table presents financial information about our reportable segments:

|  | Three Months Ended
|  | March 31,
|  | 2018 |  | 2017
(in thousands) |  |  |  |
Operating Revenues, Unaffiliated Customers |  |  |  |
Regulated Energy segment |  | $ | 105,954 |  |  | $ | 96,446 |
Unregulated Energy segment and other businesses |  | 133,402 |  |  | 88,714 |
Total operating revenues, unaffiliated customers |  | $ | 239,356 |  |  | $ | 185,160 |
Intersegment Revenues (1) |  |  |  |
Regulated Energy segment |  | $ | 3,439 |  |  | $ | 1,208 |
Unregulated Energy segment |  | 11,965 |  |  | 4,011 |
Other businesses |  | 194 |  |  | 228 |
Total intersegment revenues |  | $ | 15,598 |  |  | $ | 5,447 |
Operating Income |  |  |  |
Regulated Energy segment |  | $ | 26,711 |  |  | $ | 23,395 |
Unregulated Energy segment |  | 13,684 |  |  | 11,575 |
Other businesses and eliminations |  | 11 |  |  | 129 |
Total operating income |  | 40,406 |  |  | 35,099 |
Other income (expense), net |  | 68 |  |  | (700 | )
Interest charges |  | 3,664 |  |  | 2,739 |
Income before Income Taxes |  | 36,810 |  |  | 31,660 |
Income taxes |  | 9,955 |  |  | 12,516 |
Net Income |  | $ | 26,855 |  |  | $ | 19,144 |

(1) | All significant intersegment revenues are billed at market rates and have been eliminated from consolidated operating revenues.

(in thousands) |  | March 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
Identifiable Assets |  |  |  |
Regulated Energy segment |  | $ | 1,148,635 |  |  | $ | 1,121,673 |
Unregulated Energy segment |  | 246,230 |  |  | 261,541 |
Other businesses and eliminations |  | 32,585 |  |  | 34,220 |
Total identifiable assets |  | $ | 1,427,450 |  |  | $ | 1,417,434 |

Our operations are entirely domestic.

8. | Stockholder's Equity

Preferred Stock
We had 2,000,000 authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time, by authorization of our Board of Directors and without the necessity of further action or authorization by stockholders, in one or more series and with such voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications as the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plan items, unrealized gains (losses) of our propane swap agreements, call options and natural gas futures contracts, designated as commodity contracts cash flow hedges, are the components of our accumulated other comprehensive loss. During the first quarter of 2018, we elected to early adopt ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. Accordingly, we reclassified
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stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings, related to our employee benefit plans and commodity contracts cash flows hedges.
The following tables present the changes in the balance of accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. All amounts except the stranded tax reclassification are presented net of tax.

|  | Defined Benefit |  | Commodity |  |
|  | Pension and |  | Contracts |  |
|  | Postretirement |  | Cash Flows |  |
|  | Plan Items |  | Hedges |  | Total
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |
As of December 31, 2017 |  | $ | (4,743 | ) |  | $ | 471 |  |  | $ | (4,272 | )
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications |  | — |  |  | (2,232 | ) |  | (2,232 | )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income |  | 94 |  |  | 444 |  |  | 538 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss) |  | 94 |  |  | (1,788 | ) |  | (1,694 | )
Stranded tax reclassification to retained earnings |  | (1,022 | ) |  | 115 |  |  | (907 | )
As of March 31, 2018 |  | $ | (5,671 | ) |  | $ | (1,202 | ) |  | $ | (6,873 | )

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|  | Defined Benefit |  | Commodity |  |
|  | Pension and |  | Contracts |  |
|  | Postretirement |  | Cash Flows |  |
|  | Plan Items |  | Hedges |  | Total
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |
As of December 31, 2016 |  | $ | (5,360 | ) |  | $ | 482 |  |  | $ | (4,878 | )
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications |  | (9 | ) |  | 1,278 |  |  | 1,269 |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) |  | 91 |  |  | (940 | ) |  | (849 | )
Net prior-period other comprehensive income |  | 82 |  |  | 338 |  |  | 420 |
As of March 31, 2017 |  | $ | (5,278 | ) |  | $ | 820 |  |  | $ | (4,458 | )

The following table presents amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. Deferred gains or losses for our commodity contracts cash flows hedges are recognized in earnings upon settlement.

|  | Three Months Ended
|  | March 31,
|  | 2018 |  | 2017
(in thousands) |  |  |  |
Amortization of defined benefit pension and postretirement plan items: |  |  |  |
Prior service credit (1) |  | $ | 19 |  |  | $ | 19 |
Net loss(1) |  | (149 | ) |  | (170 | )
Total before income taxes |  | (130 | ) |  | (151 | )
Income tax benefit |  | 36 |  |  | 60 |
Net of tax |  | $ | (94 | ) |  | $ | (91 | )
Gains and losses on commodity contracts cash flow hedges: |  |  |  |
Propane swap agreements (2) |  | $ | (464 | ) |  | $ | 388 |
Natural gas swaps (2) |  | (450 | ) |  | — |
Natural gas futures (2) |  | 298 |  |  | 1,150 |
Total before income taxes |  | (616 | ) |  | 1,538 |
Income tax benefit (expense) |  | 172 |  |  | (598 | )
Net of tax |  | (444 | ) |  | 940 |
Total reclassifications for the period |  | $ | (538 | ) |  | $ | 849 |

(1) These amounts are included in the computation of net periodic costs (benefits). See Note 9, Employee Benefit Plans, for additional details.
(2) These amounts are included in the effects of gains and losses from derivative instruments. See Note 12, Derivative Instruments, for additional details.
Amortization of defined benefit pension and postretirement plan items is included in operations expense, and gains and losses on propane swap agreements, call options and natural gas futures contracts are included in cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The income tax benefit is included in income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
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9. | Employee Benefit Plans

Net periodic benefit costs for our pension and post-retirement benefits plans for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are set forth in the following tables:

|  | Chesapeake Pension Plan |  | FPU Pension Plan |  | Chesapeake SERP |  | Chesapeake Postretirement Plan |  | FPU Medical Plan
For the Three Months Ended March 31, |  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2018 |  | 2017
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest cost |  | $ | 97 |  |  | $ | 103 |  |  | $ | 592 |  |  | $ | 623 |  |  | $ | 21 |  |  | $ | 22 |  |  | $ | 10 |  |  | $ | 10 |  |  | $ | 12 |  |  | $ | 13 |
Expected return on plan assets |  | (138 | ) |  | (127 | ) |  | (774 | ) |  | (699 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Amortization of prior service credit |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (19 | ) |  | (19 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Amortization of net loss |  | 88 |  |  | 107 |  |  | 109 |  |  | 131 |  |  | 25 |  |  | 22 |  |  | 15 |  |  | 16 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Net periodic cost (benefit) (1) |  | 47 |  |  | 83 |  |  | (73 | ) |  | 55 |  |  | 46 |  |  | 44 |  |  | 6 |  |  | 7 |  |  | 12 |  |  | 13 |
Amortization of pre-merger regulatory asset |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 191 |  |  | 191 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |
Total periodic cost |  | $ | 47 |  |  | $ | 83 |  |  | $ | 118 |  |  | $ | 246 |  |  | $ | 46 |  |  | $ | 44 |  |  | $ | 6 |  |  | $ | 7 |  |  | $ | 14 |  |  | $ | 15 |

(1)As a result of our adoption of ASU 2017-07 on January 1, 2018, the "other than service" cost components of net periodic costs have been recorded or reclassified to other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
We expect to record pension and postretirement benefit costs of approximately $913,000 for 2018. Included in these costs is approximately $769,000 related to continued amortization of the FPU pension regulatory asset, which represents the portion attributable to FPU’s regulated energy operations for the changes in funded status that occurred, but were not recognized, as part of net periodic benefit costs prior to the FPU merger in 2009. This was deferred as a regulatory asset by FPU prior to the merger, to be recovered through rates pursuant to a previous order by the Florida PSC. The unamortized balance of this regulatory asset was approximately $1.1 million and approximately $1.3 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
Pursuant to a Florida PSC order, FPU continues to record, as a regulatory asset, a portion of the unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs related to its regulated operations after the FPU merger. The portion of the unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs related to FPU’s unregulated operations and Chesapeake Utilities' operations is recorded to accumulated other comprehensive loss.
The following tables present the amounts included in the regulatory asset and accumulated other comprehensive loss that were recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 |  | Chesapeake Pension Plan |  | FPU Pension Plan |  | Chesapeake SERP |  | Chesapeake Postretirement Plan |  | FPU Medical Plan |  | Total
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Prior service credit |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (19 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (19 | )
Net loss |  | 88 |  |  | 109 |  |  | 25 |  |  | 15 |  |  | — |  |  | 237 |
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost |  | 88 |  |  | 109 |  |  | 25 |  |  | (4 | ) |  | — |  |  | 218 |
Recognized from accumulated other comprehensive loss (1) |  | 88 |  |  | 21 |  |  | 25 |  |  | (4 | ) |  | — |  |  | 130 |
Recognized from regulatory asset |  | — |  |  | 88 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 88 |
Total |  | $ | 88 |  |  | $ | 109 |  |  | $ | 25 |  |  | $ | (4 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 218 |

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For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 |  | Chesapeake Pension Plan |  | FPU Pension Plan |  | Chesapeake SERP |  | Chesapeake Postretirement Plan |  | FPU Medical Plan |  | Total
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Prior service credit |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (19 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (19 | )
Net loss |  | 107 |  |  | 131 |  |  | 22 |  |  | 16 |  |  | — |  |  | 276 |
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost |  | 107 |  |  | 131 |  |  | 22 |  |  | (3 | ) |  | — |  |  | 257 |
Recognized from accumulated other comprehensive loss (1) |  | 107 |  |  | 25 |  |  | 22 |  |  | (3 | ) |  | — |  |  | 151 |
Recognized from regulatory asset |  | — |  |  | 106 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 106 |
Total |  | $ | 107 |  |  | $ | 131 |  |  | $ | 22 |  |  | $ | (3 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 257 |

(1) See Note 8, Stockholder's Equity.
During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we contributed approximately $72,000 to the Chesapeake Pension Plan and approximately $309,000 to the FPU Pension Plan. We expect to contribute a total of approximately $359,000 and approximately $1.5 million to the Chesapeake Pension Plan and FPU Pension Plan, respectively, during 2018, which represents the minimum annual contribution payments required.
The Chesapeake SERP, the Chesapeake Postretirement Plan and the FPU Medical Plan are unfunded and are expected to be paid out of our general funds. Cash benefits paid under the Chesapeake SERP for the three months ended March 31, 2018, were approximately $38,000. We expect to pay total cash benefits of approximately $151,000 under the Chesapeake SERP in 2018. Cash benefits paid under the Chesapeake Postretirement Plan, primarily for medical claims for the three months ended March 31, 2018, were approximately $12,000. We estimate that approximately $97,000 will be paid for such benefits under the Chesapeake Postretirement Plan in 2018. Cash benefits paid under the FPU Medical Plan, primarily for medical claims for the three months ended March 31, 2018, were approximately $11,000. We estimate that approximately $88,000 will be paid for such benefits under the FPU Medical Plan in 2018.

10. | Investments

The investment balances at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, consisted of the following:

(in thousands) | March 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
Rabbi trust (associated with the Deferred Compensation Plan) | $ | 6,621 |  |  | $ | 6,734 |
Investments in equity securities | 20 |  |  | 22 |
Total | $ | 6,641 |  |  | 6,756 |

We classify these investments as trading securities and report them at their fair value. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we recorded a net unrealized loss of approximately $44,000 and a net unrealized gain of approximately $252,000, respectively, in other expense, net in the condensed consolidated statements of income related to these investments. For the investment in the Rabbi Trust, we also have recorded an associated liability, which is included in other pension and benefit costs in the consolidated balance sheets and is adjusted each period for the gains and losses incurred by the investments in the Rabbi Trust.

11. | Share-Based Compensation

Our non-employee directors and key employees are granted share-based awards through our SICP. We record these share-based awards as compensation costs over the respective service period for which services are received in exchange for an award of equity or equity-based compensation. The compensation cost is based primarily on the fair value of the shares awarded, using the estimated fair value of each share on the date it was granted and the number of shares to be issued at the end of the service period.
The table below presents the amounts included in net income related to share-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:
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|  | Three Months Ended
|  | March 31,
|  | 2018 |  | 2017
(in thousands) |  |  |  |
Awards to non-employee directors |  | $ | 135 |  |  | $ | 135 |
Awards to key employees |  | 1,385 |  |  | 504 |
Total compensation expense |  | 1,520 |  |  | 639 |
Less: tax benefit |  | (416 | ) |  | (257 | )
Share-based compensation amounts included in net income |  | $ | 1,104 |  |  | $ | 382 |

Non-employee Directors
Shares granted to non-employee directors are issued in advance of the directors’ service periods and are fully vested as of the grant date. We record a prepaid expense equal to the fair value of the shares issued and amortize the expense equally over a one-year service period. In May 2017, each of our non-employee directors received an annual retainer of 835 shares of common stock under the SICP for service as a director through the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. At March 31, 2018, there was approximately $45,000 of unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards. This expense will be recognized over the directors' remaining service periods ending April 30, 2018.
Key Employees
The table below presents the summary of the stock activity for awards to key employees for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

|  | Number of Shares |  | Weighted Average Fair Value
Outstanding—December 31, 2017 |  | 132,642 |  |  | $ | 59.31 |
Granted |  | 49,494 |  |  | $ | 67.76 |
Vested |  | (29,786 | ) |  | $ | 47.39 |
Expired |  | (3,933 | ) |  | $ | 49.66 |
Outstanding—March 31, 2018 |  | 148,417 |  |  | $ | 66.53 |

In February 2018, our Board of Directors granted awards of 49,494 shares of common stock to key employees under the SICP. The shares granted are multi-year awards that will vest at the end of the three-year service period ending December 31, 2020. All of these stock awards are earned based upon the successful achievement of long-term goals, growth and financial results, which comprise both market-based and performance-based conditions or targets. The fair value of each performance-based condition or target is equal to the market price of our common stock on the grant date of each award. For the market-based conditions, we used the Black-Scholes pricing model to estimate the fair value of each market-based award granted.
In March 2018, upon the election of certain of our executive officers, we withheld shares with a value at least equivalent to each such executive officer’s minimum statutory obligation for applicable income and other employment taxes related to shares that we awarded for the performance period ended December 31, 2017, remitted the cash to the appropriate taxing authorities, and paid the balance of such awarded shares to each such executive officer. We withheld 10,436 shares, based on the value of the shares on their award date, determined by the average of the high and low prices of our common stock. Total combined payments for the employees’ tax obligations to the taxing authorities were approximately $719,000.
At March 31, 2018, the aggregate intrinsic value of the SICP awards granted to key employees was approximately $10.4 million. At March 31, 2018, there was approximately $4.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to these awards, which is expected to be recognized from 2018 through 2020.
Stock Options
We did not have any stock options outstanding at March 31, 2018 or 2017, nor were any stock options issued during these periods.
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12. | Derivative Instruments

We use derivative and non-derivative contracts to engage in trading activities and manage risks related to obtaining adequate supplies and the price fluctuations of natural gas, electricity and propane. Our natural gas, electric and propane distribution operations have entered into agreements with suppliers to purchase natural gas, electricity and propane for resale to our customers. Aspire Energy has entered into contracts with producers to secure natural gas to meet its obligations. Purchases under these contracts typically either do not meet the definition of derivatives or are considered “normal purchases and normal sales” and are accounted for on an accrual basis. Our propane distribution and natural gas marketing operations may also enter into fair value hedges of their inventory or cash flow hedges of their future purchase commitments in order to mitigate the impact of wholesale price fluctuations. As of March 31, 2018, our natural gas and electric distribution operations did not have any outstanding derivative contracts.
Hedging Activities in 2018
PESCO enters into natural gas futures contracts associated with the purchase and sale of natural gas to specific customers. These contracts are effective through March 2022, and we designate and account for them as cash flow hedges. There is no ineffective portion of these hedges. At March 31, 2018, PESCO had a total of 22.9 million Dts hedged under natural gas futures contracts, with a liability fair value of approximately $1.6 million. The change in fair value of the natural gas futures contracts is recorded as unrealized gain (loss) in other comprehensive income (loss).
Hedging Activities in 2017
In 2017, Sharp entered into futures and swap agreements to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in wholesale propane index prices associated with 7.7 million gallons of propane expected to be purchased from October 2017 through March 2019, of which positions covering 2.1 million gallons of forecasted future purchases were outstanding as of March 31, 2018. Under the futures and swap agreements, Sharp will receive the difference between the index prices (Mont Belvieu prices in October 2017 through March 2019) and the swap prices of $0.59 per gallon, to the extent the index price exceeds the contracted price. If the index prices are lower than the swap prices, Sharp will pay the difference. Sharp received a total of approximately $464,000, which represented the difference between the index prices and the contracted prices during the first quarter of 2018 related to hedging activities originated in 2017 and received $3,000, which represented the mark-to-market activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018. At March 31, 2018, the futures and swap agreements had a fair value asset of approximately $204,000 and a fair value liability of $16,000. The change in the fair value of the swap agreements is recorded as unrealized gain (loss) in other comprehensive income (loss).
The impact on Sharp's financial instruments that were not designated as hedges in our consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2018 was $4,000, which was recorded as a decrease in propane costs during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and is associated with 18,000 gallons of propane.
In August 2017, PESCO entered into natural gas swap agreements associated with financial contracts acquired in the ARM acquisition to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in wholesale natural gas prices associated with 702,000 Dts of natural gas PESCO expects to purchase through January 2020. We accounted for these swap agreements as cash flow hedges, which have a fair value liability of approximately $404,000 at March 31, 2018. The change in fair value of the natural gas swap agreements is recorded as unrealized gain (loss) in other comprehensive income (loss).
The impact on PESCO's financial instruments that were not designated as hedges in our consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2018 was $300,000, which was recorded as an increase in gas costs during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and is associated with 87,500 Dts of natural gas.
Balance sheet offsetting
PESCO has entered into master netting agreements with counterparties that enable it to net the counterparties' outstanding accounts receivable and payable, which are presented on a net basis in the consolidated balance sheets. The following table summarizes the accounts receivable and payables on a gross and net basis at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
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|  | At March 31, 2018
(in thousands) |  | Gross amounts |  | Amounts offset |  | Net amounts
Accounts receivable |  | $ | 6,555 |  |  | $ | 2,092 |  |  | $ | 4,463 |
Accounts payable |  | $ | 13,912 |  |  | $ | 2,092 |  |  | $ | 11,820 |

|  | At December 31, 2017
(in thousands) |  | Gross amounts |  | Amounts offset |  | Net amounts
Accounts receivable |  | $ | 8,283 |  |  | $ | 2,391 |  |  | $ | 5,892 |
Accounts payable |  | $ | 16,643 |  |  | $ | 2,391 |  |  | $ | 14,252 |

The following tables present information about the fair value and related gains and losses of our derivative contracts. We did not have any derivative contracts with a credit risk-related contingency.
The fair values of the derivative contracts recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, are as follows:

|  | Asset Derivatives
|  |  |  | Fair Value As Of
(in thousands) |  | Balance Sheet Location |  | March 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |  |
Propane swap agreements |  | Derivative assets, at fair value |  | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | 13 |
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges |  |  |  |  |  |
Natural gas futures contracts |  | Derivative assets, at fair value |  | — |  |  | 92 |
Propane swap agreements |  | Derivative assets, at fair value |  | 204 |  |  | 1,181 |
Total asset derivatives |  |  |  | $ | 208 |  |  | $ | 1,286 |

|  | Liability Derivatives
|  |  |  | Fair Value As Of
(in thousands) |  | Balance Sheet Location |  | March 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |  |
Natural gas futures contracts |  | Derivative liabilities, at fair value |  | $ | 300 |  |  | $5,776
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges |  |  |  |  |  |
Natural gas futures contracts |  | Derivative liabilities, at fair value |  | 1,639 |  |  | 469 |
Natural gas swap contracts |  | Derivative liabilities, at fair value |  | 404 |  |  | 2 |
Propane swap agreements |  | Derivative liabilities, at fair value |  | 16 |  |  | — |
Total liability derivatives |  |  |  | $ | 2,359 |  |  | $ | 6,247 |

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The effects of gains and losses from derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated financial statements are as follows:

|  |  |  | Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives:
|  | Location of Gain |  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands) |  | (Loss) on Derivatives |  | 2018 |  | 2017
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |  |
Realized gain on forward contracts and options (1) |  | Revenue |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 112 |
Natural gas futures contracts |  | Cost of sales |  | (2,835 | ) |  | 124 |
Propane swap agreements |  | Cost of sales |  | (9 | ) |  | (4 | )
Derivatives designated as fair value hedges |  |  |  |  |  |
Put /Call option (2) |  | Cost of sales |  | — |  |  | (9 | )
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges |  |  |  |  |  |
Propane swap agreements |  | Cost of sales |  | (464 | ) |  | 388 |
Propane swap agreements |  | Other comprehensive loss |  | (992 | ) |  | (557 | )
Natural gas futures contracts |  | Cost of sales |  | 298 |  |  | 1,150 |
Natural gas swap contracts |  | Cost of sales |  | (450 | ) |  | 1,087 |
Natural gas futures agreements |  | Other comprehensive income |  | 65 |  |  | — |
Natural gas swap agreements |  | Other comprehensive loss |  | (1,732 | ) |  | — |
Total |  |  |  | $ | (6,119 | ) |  | $ | 2,291 |

(1) | All of the realized and unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts represents the effect of trading activities on our condensed consolidated statements of income.

(2) | As a fair value hedge with no ineffective portion, the unrealized gains and losses associated with this call option are recorded in cost of sales, offset by the corresponding change in the value of propane inventory (hedged item), which is also recorded in cost of sales. The amounts in cost of sales offset to zero, and the unrealized gains and losses of this put option effectively changed the value of propane inventory on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

13. | Fair Value of Financial Instruments

GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are the following:
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques requiring inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e. supported by little or no market activity).
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the fair value measurements, by level, within the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
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|  |  |  | Fair Value Measurements Using:
As of March 31, 2018 |  | Fair Value |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments—equity securities |  | $ | 20 |  |  | $ | 20 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Investments—guaranteed income fund |  | 602 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 602 |
Investments—mutual funds and other |  | 6,019 |  |  | 6,019 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total investments |  | 6,641 |  |  | 6,039 |  |  | — |  |  | 602 |
Derivative assets |  | 208 |  |  | — |  |  | 208 |  |  | — |
Total assets |  | $ | 6,849 |  |  | $ | 6,039 |  |  | $ | 208 |  |  | $ | 602 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities |  | $ | 2,359 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,359 |  |  | $ | — |

|  |  |  | Fair Value Measurements Using:
As of December 31, 2017 |  | Fair Value |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments—equity securities |  | $ | 22 |  |  | $ | 22 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Investments—guaranteed income fund |  | 648 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 648 |
Investments—mutual funds and other |  | 6,086 |  |  | 6,086 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total investments |  | 6,756 |  |  | 6,108 |  |  | — |  |  | 648 |
Derivative assets |  | 1,286 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,286 |  |  | — |
Total assets |  | $ | 8,042 |  |  | $ | 6,108 |  |  | $ | 1,286 |  |  | $ | 648 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities |  | $ | 6,247 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 6,247 |  |  | $ | — |

The following valuation techniques were used to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities in the tables above:
Level 1 Fair Value Measurements:
Investments - equity securities — The fair values of these trading securities are recorded at fair value based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Investments - mutual funds and other — The fair values of these investments, comprised of money market and mutual funds, are recorded at fair value based on quoted net asset values of the shares.
Level 2 Fair Value Measurements:
Derivative assets and liabilities — The fair values of forward contracts are measured using market transactions in either the listed or OTC markets. The fair value of the propane put/call options, swap agreements and natural gas futures contracts are measured using market transactions for similar assets and liabilities in either the listed or OTC markets.
Level 3 Fair Value Measurements:
Investments - guaranteed income fund — The fair values of these investments are recorded at the contract value, which approximates their fair value.
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The following table sets forth the summary of the changes in the fair value of Level 3 investments for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2018 |  | 2017
(in thousands) |  |  |
Beginning Balance | $ | 648 |  |  | $ | 561 |
Purchases and adjustments | (48 | ) |  | 2 |
Transfers | — |  |  | — |
Distribution | — |  |  | — |
Investment income | 2 |  |  | 2 |
Ending Balance | $ | 602 |  |  | $ | 565 |

Investment income from the Level 3 investments is reflected in other expense, (net) in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.
At March 31, 2018, there were no non-financial assets or liabilities required to be reported at fair value. We review our non-financial assets for impairment at least on an annual basis, as required.
Other Financial Assets and Liabilities
Financial assets with carrying values approximating fair value include cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Financial liabilities with carrying values approximating fair value include accounts payable and other accrued liabilities and short-term debt. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is measured using the comparable value in the active market and approximates its carrying value (Level 1 measurement). The fair value of short-term debt approximates the carrying value due to its short maturities and because interest rates approximate current market rates (Level 3 measurement). At March 31, 2018, long-term debt, including current maturities but excluding a capital lease obligation, had a carrying value of approximately $230.1 million. This compares to a fair value of approximately $237.9 million, using a discounted cash flow methodology that incorporates a market interest rate based on published corporate borrowing rates for debt instruments with similar terms and average maturities, and with adjustments for duration, optionality, and risk profile. At December 31, 2017, long-term debt, including the current maturities but excluding a capital lease obligation, had a carrying value of approximately $205.2 million, compared to the estimated fair value of approximately $215.4 million. The valuation technique used to estimate the fair value of long-term debt would be considered a Level 3 measurement.
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14. | Long-Term Debt

Our outstanding long-term debt is shown below:

|  | March 31, |  | December 31,
(in thousands) |  | 2018 |  | 2017
FPU secured first mortgage bonds (1) : |  |  |  |
9.08% bond, due June 1, 2022 |  | $ | 7,983 |  |  | $ | 7,982 |
Uncollateralized senior notes: |  |  |  |
5.50% note, due October 12, 2020 |  | 6,000 |  |  | 6,000 |
5.93% note, due October 31, 2023 |  | 18,000 |  |  | 18,000 |
5.68% note, due June 30, 2026 |  | 26,100 |  |  | 26,100 |
6.43% note, due May 2, 2028 |  | 7,000 |  |  | 7,000 |
3.73% note, due December 16, 2028 |  | 20,000 |  |  | 20,000 |
3.88% note, due May 15, 2029 |  | 50,000 |  |  | 50,000 |
3.25% note, due April 30, 2032 |  | 70,000 |  |  | 70,000 |
Long-term portion of the Revolver(2) |  | 25,000 |  |  | — |
Promissory notes |  | 26 |  |  | 97 |
Capital lease obligation |  | 1,712 |  |  | 2,070 |
Less: debt issuance costs |  | (418 | ) |  | (433 | )
Total long-term debt |  | 231,403 |  |  | 206,816 |
Less: current maturities |  | (9,389 | ) |  | (9,421 | )
Total long-term debt, net of current maturities |  | $ | 222,014 |  |  | $ | 197,395 |

(1) FPU secured first mortgage bonds are guaranteed by Chesapeake Utilities.
(2) In January 2018, we borrowed an additional $25.0 million under the Revolver, which we classified as long-term debt. The maturity date of the Revolver is October 8, 2020. The interest rate on the Revolver is a variable interest rate that is dependent on various factors and resets every thirty days. As of March 31, 2018, the interest rate on the Revolver was LIBOR + 1.00% or 2.88%.
Shelf Agreements
In October 2015, we entered into the $150.0 million Prudential Shelf Agreement, under which we may request that Prudential purchase up to $150.0 million of our unsecured senior debt. As of March 31, 2018, we have issued $70.0 million of 3.25% Prudential Shelf Notes.
In March 2017, we entered into the MetLife Shelf Agreement and the NYL Shelf Agreement, under which we may request that MetLife and NYL, through March 2, 2020, purchase up to $150.0 million and $100.0 million, respectively, of our unsecured senior debt. The unsecured senior debt would have a fixed interest rate and a maturity date not to exceed 20 years from the date of issuance. MetLife and NYL are under no obligation to purchase any unsecured senior debt. The interest rate and terms of payment of any series of unsecured senior debt will be determined at the time of purchase.
In November 2017, NYL agreed to purchase $50.0 million of 3.48% Series A notes and $50.0 million of 3.58% Series B notes. The Series A notes and Series B notes will be issued on or before May 21, 2018 and November 20, 2018, respectively. The proceeds received from the issuances of these NYL Shelf Notes will be used to reduce long and short-term borrowings under the Revolver and/or lines of credit and/or to fund capital expenditures. The NYL Shelf Agreement has been fully utilized.
As of March 31, 2018, we have $230.0 million of additional potential borrowing capacity under the Prudential and MetLife Shelf Agreements. The Prudential Shelf Agreement and the NYL Shelf Agreement set forth certain business covenants to which we are subject when any note is outstanding, including covenants that limit or restrict our ability, and the ability of our subsidiaries, to incur indebtedness, or place or permit liens and encumbrances on any of our property or the property of our subsidiaries.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is designed to provide a reader of the financial statements with a narrative report on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the attached unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, including the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
We make statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. One can typically identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words, such as “project,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “continue,” “potential,” “forecast” or other similar words, or future or conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would” or “could.” These statements represent our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future financial performance, business strategy, projected plans and objectives of the Company. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made or as of the date indicated and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These statements are subject to many risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. In addition to the risk factors described under Item 1A, Risk Factors in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, such factors include, but are not limited to:

• | state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives (including deregulation) that affect cost and investment recovery, have an impact on rate structures, and affect the speed and the degree to which competition enters the electric and natural gas industries;

• | the outcomes of regulatory, tax, environmental and legal matters, including whether pending matters are resolved within current estimates and whether the costs associated with such matters are adequately covered by insurance or recoverable in rates;

• | the impact of significant changes to current tax regulations and rates;

• | the timing of certification authorizations associated with new capital projects;

• | the ability to construct facilities at or below estimated costs;

• | changes in environmental and other laws and regulations to which we are subject and environmental conditions of property that we now, or may in the future, own or operate;

• | possible increased federal, state and local regulation of the safety of our operations;

• | general economic conditions, including any potential effects arising from terrorist attacks and any hostilities or other external factors over which we have no control;

• | long-term global climate change, which could adversely affect customer demand or cause extreme weather conditions that disrupt the Company's operations;

• | the weather and other natural phenomena, including the economic, operational and other effects of hurricanes, ice storms and other damaging weather events;

• | customers' preferred energy sources;

• | industrial, commercial and residential growth or contraction in our markets or service territories;

• | the effect of competition on our businesses;

• | the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices and interest rates;

• | the ability to establish new, and maintain key, supply sources;

• | the effect of spot, forward and future market prices on our various energy businesses;

• | the extent of our success in connecting natural gas and electric supplies to transmission systems and in expanding natural gas and electric markets;

• | the creditworthiness of counterparties with which we are engaged in transactions;

• | the capital-intensive nature of our regulated energy businesses;

• | the results of financing efforts, including our ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, which can be affected by various factors, including credit ratings and general economic conditions;

• | the ability to successfully execute, manage and integrate merger, acquisition or divestiture plans; regulatory or other limitations imposed as a result of a merger; acquisition or divestiture, and the success of the business following a merger, acquisition or divestiture;

• | the impact on our costs and funding obligations, under our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, of potential downturns in the financial markets, lower discount rates, and costs associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act;

• | the ability to continue to hire, train and retain appropriately qualified personnel;

• | the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by accounting standard-setting bodies;

• | the timing and success of technological improvements; and

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• | risks related to cyber-attacks or cyber-terrorism that could disrupt our business operations or result in failure of information technology systems.

Introduction
We are a diversified energy company engaged, directly or through our operating divisions and subsidiaries, in regulated and unregulated energy businesses. These businesses center around energy distribution, energy transmission, energy generation, propane delivery and other energy services.
Our strategy is focused on growing earnings from a stable utility foundation and investing in related businesses and services that provide opportunities for returns greater than traditional utility returns. We are focused on identifying and developing opportunities across the energy value chain, with emphasis on midstream and downstream investments that are accretive to earnings per share and consistent with our long-term growth strategy.
The key elements of this strategy include:

• | executing a capital investment program in pursuit of growth opportunities that generate returns equal to or greater than our cost of capital;

• | expanding our energy distribution and transmission businesses organically as well as into new geographic areas;

• | providing new services in our current service territories;

• | expanding our footprint in potential growth markets through strategic acquisitions;

• | entering new unregulated energy markets and business lines that will complement our existing operating units and growth strategy while capitalizing on opportunities across the energy value chain; and

• | differentiating the Company as a full-service energy supplier/partner/provider through a customer-centric model.

Due to the seasonality of our business, results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire fiscal year. Revenue and earnings are typically greater during the first and fourth quarters, when consumption of energy is normally highest due to colder temperatures.
The following discussions and those later in the document on operating income and segment results include the use of the term “gross margin," which is determined by deducting the cost of sales from operating revenue. Cost of sales includes the purchased cost of natural gas, electricity and propane and the cost of labor spent on direct revenue-producing activities, and excludes depreciation, amortization and accretion. Gross margin should not be considered an alternative to operating income or net income, which are determined in accordance with GAAP. We believe that gross margin, although a non-GAAP measure, is useful and meaningful to investors as a basis for making investment decisions. It provides investors with information that demonstrates the profitability achieved by us under our allowed rates for regulated energy operations and under our competitive pricing structures for unregulated energy operations. Our management uses gross margin in measuring our business units’ performance and has historically analyzed and reported gross margin information publicly. Other companies may calculate gross margin in a different manner.
Unless otherwise noted, earnings per share information is presented on a diluted basis.
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Results of Operations for the Three Months ended March 31, 2018
Overview
Chesapeake Utilities is a Delaware corporation formed in 1947. We are a diversified energy company engaged, through our operating divisions and subsidiaries, in regulated energy, unregulated energy and other businesses. We operate primarily on the Delmarva Peninsula and in Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio and provide services centered on energy distribution, energy transmission, energy generation, propane delivery and other energy services. These services include: natural gas distribution, transmission, supply, gathering, processing and marketing; electric distribution and generation; propane distribution; steam generation; and other energy-related services.
Operational Highlights
Our net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 was $26.9 million, or $1.64 per share. This represents an increase of $7.7 million, or $0.47 per share, compared to net income of $19.1 million, or $1.17 per share, reported for the same quarter in 2017. Operating income increased by $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was driven by a $7.1 million, or 8.5 percent, increase in gross margin, which was partially offset by a $1.2 million increase in depreciation, amortization and property taxes and a $616,000 increase in other operating expenses. Excluding the estimated customer refunds reserved during the first quarter of 2018 associated with the TCJA, gross margin and operating income increased by $10.3 million, or 12.2 percent, and $8.5 million, or 24.1 percent, respectively, compared to the same period in the prior year. A decrease in income taxes, due mainly to the lower effective tax rate, also positively impacted our earnings.

|  | Three Months Ended |  |
|  | March 31, |  | Increase
|  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | (decrease)
(in thousands except per share) |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Segment: |  |  |  |  |  |
Regulated Energy segment |  | $ | 26,711 |  |  | $ | 23,395 |  |  | $ | 3,316 |
Unregulated Energy segment |  | 13,684 |  |  | 11,575 |  |  | 2,109 |
Other businesses and eliminations |  | 11 |  |  | 129 |  |  | (118 | )
Operating Income |  | $ | 40,406 |  |  | $ | 35,099 |  |  | $ | 5,307 |
Other income (expense), net |  | 68 |  |  | (700 | ) |  | 768 |
Interest charges |  | 3,664 |  |  | 2,739 |  |  | 925 |
Pre-tax Income |  | 36,810 |  |  | 31,660 |  |  | 5,150 |
Income taxes |  | 9,955 |  |  | 12,516 |  |  | (2,561 | )
Net Income |  | $ | 26,855 |  |  | $ | 19,144 |  |  | $ | 7,711 |
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 1.64 |  |  | $ | 1.17 |  |  | $ | 0.47 |
Diluted |  | $ | 1.64 |  |  | $ | 1.17 |  |  | $ | 0.47 |

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Key variances, between the first quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2017, included:

(in thousands, except per share data) |  | Pre-tax Income |  | Net Income |  | Earnings Per Share
First Quarter of 2017 Reported Results |  | $ | 31,660 |  |  | $ | 19,144 |  |  | $ | 1.17 |
Increased Gross Margins: |  |  |  |  |  |
Return to more normal weather |  | 3,914 |  |  | 2,855 |  |  | 0.17 |
TCJA impact - estimated refunds to ratepayers (1) |  | (3,155 | ) |  | (2,302 | ) |  | (0.14 | )
Implementation of Eastern Shore settled rates* (2) |  | 2,843 |  |  | 2,074 |  |  | 0.13 |
PESCO |  | (2,292 | ) |  | (1,672 | ) |  | (0.10 | )
Unregulated Energy customer consumption (non-weather) |  | 1,682 |  |  | 1,227 |  |  | 0.07 |
Regulated Energy customer consumption (non-weather) |  | 949 |  |  | 692 |  |  | 0.04 |
Natural gas growth (excluding service expansions) |  | 802 |  |  | 585 |  |  | 0.04 |
Service expansions* |  | 565 |  |  | 412 |  |  | 0.03 |
Florida electric reliability/modernization program* |  | 372 |  |  | 272 |  |  | 0.02 |
GRIP* |  | 298 |  |  | 217 |  |  | 0.01 |
Sandpiper's margin from an industrial customer and natural gas conversions |  | 257 |  |  | 188 |  |  | 0.01 |
|  | 6,235 |  |  | 4,548 |  |  | 0.28 |
Decreased (Increased) Other Operating Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |
Higher payroll expense |  | (1,559 | ) |  | (1,137 | ) |  | (0.07 | )
Higher depreciation, asset removal and property tax costs due to new capital investments |  | (1,216 | ) |  | (887 | ) |  | (0.05 | )
Absence of Xeron expenses, including wind-down expenses |  | 697 |  |  | 508 |  |  | 0.03 |
Lower outside services and facilities maintenance costs |  | 665 |  |  | 485 |  |  | 0.03 |
Lower regulatory expenses |  | 242 |  |  | 177 |  |  | 0.01 |
Lower benefit and other employee-related expenses |  | 240 |  |  | 175 |  |  | 0.01 |
|  | (931 | ) |  | (679 | ) |  | (0.04 | )
Interest charges |  | (926 | ) |  | (675 | ) |  | (0.04 | )
Income taxes - TCJA impact - decreased effective tax rate |  | — |  |  | 4,594 |  |  | 0.28 |
Net other changes |  | 772 |  |  | (77 | ) |  | (0.01 | )
|  | (154 | ) |  | 3,842 |  |  | 0.23 |
First Quarter of 2018 Reported Results |  | $ | 36,810 |  |  | $ | 26,855 |  |  | $ | 1.64 |

(1) Offset for the reserve to ratepayers is shown within this table under "Income taxes."
(2) We reserved an estimated $900,000 to refund to customers, which is included in the line above "TCJA impact - estimated refunds to ratepayers." The refunds were made to customers through April 30, 2018, are offset by the corresponding decrease in federal income taxes and are expected to have no net impact on net income.
*See the Major Projects and Initiatives tabl e.
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Summary of Key Factors
Recently Completed and Ongoing Major Projects and Initiatives
We constantly seek and develop additional projects and initiatives in order to increase shareholder value and serve our customers. The following table represents the major projects currently underway. In the future, we will add new projects to this table as projects are initiated.

| Gross Margin for the Period (1)
in thousands | Quarter Ended March 31, 2018 |  | Quarter Ended March 31, 2017 |  | Fiscal 2017 |  | Fiscal 2018 Estimate |  | Fiscal 2019 Estimate
Florida GRIP | $ | 3,565 |  |  | $ | 3,267 |  |  | $ | 13,454 |  |  | $ | 14,287 |  |  | $ | 14,370 |
Eastern Shore Rate Case | 2,843 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,693 |  |  | 9,800 |  |  | 9,800 |
Florida Electric Reliability/Modernization Pilot Program | 372 |  |  | — |  |  | 94 |  |  | 1,558 |  |  | 1,558 |
New Smyrna Beach, Florida Project | 352 |  |  | — |  |  | 235 |  |  | 1,409 |  |  | 1,409 |
2017 Eastern Shore System Expansion Project - including interim services | 1,040 |  |  | — |  |  | 433 |  |  | 7,446 |  |  | 15,799 |
Northwest Florida Expansion Project | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 3,484 |  |  | 6,032 |
(Palm Beach County) Belvedere, Florida Project | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 635 |  |  | 1,131 |
Total | $ | 8,172 |  |  | $ | 3,267 |  |  | $ | 17,909 |  |  | $ | 38,619 |  |  | $ | 50,099 |

(1 ) Gross margin amount included in this table has not been adjusted to reflect the impact of TCJA. Any reductions implemented would be offset by lower federal income taxes due to the TCJA.
Ongoing Growth Initiatives
GRIP
GRIP is a natural gas pipe replacement program approved by the Florida PSC that allows automatic recovery, through regulated rates, of capital and other program-related costs, inclusive of a return on investment, associated with the replacement of the mains and services. Since the program's inception in August 2012, we have invested $117.0 million to replace 250 miles of qualifying distribution mains, including $3.2 million during the first three months of 2018. The increased investments in GRIP generated additional gross margin of $298,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.
R e gulatory Proceedings
Eastern Shore Rate Case
In February 2018, the FERC approved Eastern Shore's rate case settlement agreement. The settlement became final on April 1, 2018, upon the expiration of the right to a rehearing. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Eastern Shore will recover costs of its 2016 System Reliability Project, along with the cost of investments and expenses associated with various expansion, reliability and safety initiatives. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, Eastern Shore's annual base rates will increase by approximately $9.8 million, prior to any impact from the TCJA, and will recognize approximately $6.6 million, on an annual basis, after reflecting the impact of the change in its federal corporate income tax rate. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, Eastern Shore recognized incremental gross margin of approximately $2.8 million, a portion of which was reserved as a regulatory liability to be refunded to customers. Eastern Shore refunded to its customers, with interest, the difference between the proposed rates and the settlement rates on April 30, 2018. The settlement rates were effective January 1, 2018.
Florida Electric Reliability/Modernization Pilot Program
In December 2017, the Florida PSC approved a settlement agreement related to FPU’s electric limited proceeding filing, which included a $1.6 million annualized rate increase, effective January 2018, for the recovery of a limited number of investments and costs related to reliability, safety and modernization for FPU's electric distribution system. This increase will continue through at least the last billing cycle of December 2019. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, additional margin of $372,000 was generated. The settlement agreement prescribes the methodology for adjusting the new rates as a result of the TCJA.
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Major Projects and Initiatives Currently Underway
New Smyrna Beach, Florida Project
In the fourth quarter of 2017, we commenced construction of a 14-mile transmission pipeline that interconnects with FGT's pipeline to provide additional capacity to serve current and planned growth in Florida natural gas customers in our current New Smyrna Beach service area. The project was partially placed into service at the end of 2017 and is expected to be fully in service in September 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recognized incremental gross margin of approximately $352,000 from this project.
2017 Eastern Shore Pipeline Expansion Project
We expect to invest approximately $117.0 million in 2018 to increase Eastern Shore's capacity by 26 percent. The new transportation services contracted for this capacity will generate approximately $15.8 million of gross margin in the first full year of service. In December 2017, the first phase of the project was placed into service, with the remaining segments expected to be placed into service over the remainder of 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recognized incremental gross margin of $1.0 million.
Northwest Florida Expansion Project
Peninsula Pipeline and our Florida natural gas division are constructing a pipeline that will interconnect with the FGT interstate pipeline. The project consists of transmission lines that will be operated by Peninsula Pipeline, and lateral distribution lines that will be operated by the Florida natural gas division. We have signed agreements to serve two large customers and continue to market to other customers close to the facilities. The estimated annual gross margin from this project is $6.0 million, and the project is currently expected to be in service by the end of the second quarter of 2018.
(Palm Beach County) Belvedere, Florida Project
Peninsula Pipeline is constructing a pipeline that will interconnect with FGT's pipeline and bring gas directly to FPU’s distribution system in West Palm Beach, Florida. We expect this project to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2018. Estimated annual gross margin associated with the project is approximately $1.1 million.
Other major factors influencing gross margin
Weather and Consumption
Gross margin increased by $3.9 million in the first quarter of 2018, primarily as a result of colder temperatures, as compared to the extremely warm temperatures experienced during the first quarter of 2017. Despite colder temperatures in the first quarter of 2018, as compared to the prior year period, the temperatures experienced in the first quarter of 2018 were still warmer than normal. We estimate that an additional $1.7 million of gross margin would have been generated if the temperatures in the first quarter of 2018 were consistent with temperatures in a normal first quarter.
The following table summarizes HDD and CDD variances from the 10-year average HDD/CDD ("Normal") for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.
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HDD and CDD Information

| Three Months Ended |  |
| March 31, |  |
| 2018 |  | 2017 |  | Variance
Delmarva |  |  |  |  |
Actual HDD | 2,295 |  |  | 1,958 |  |  | 337 |
10-Year Average HDD ("Delmarva Normal") | 2,354 |  |  | 2,403 |  |  | (49 | )
Variance from Delmarva Normal | (59 | ) |  | (445 | ) |  |
Florida |  |  |  |  |
Actual HDD | 490 |  |  | 285 |  |  | 205 |
10-Year Average HDD ("Florida Normal") | 517 |  |  | 536 |  |  | (19 | )
Variance from Florida Normal | (27 | ) |  | (251 | ) |  |
Ohio |  |  |  |  |
Actual HDD | 2,991 |  |  | 2,484 |  |  | 507 |
10-Year Average HDD ("Ohio Normal") | 3,069 |  |  | 3,137 |  |  | (68 | )
Variance from Ohio Normal | (78 | ) |  | (653 | ) |  |
Florida |  |  |  |  |
Actual CDD | 139 |  |  | 145 |  |  | (6 | )
10-Year Average CDD ("Florida CDD Normal") | 89 |  |  | 82 |  |  | 7 |
Variance from Florida CDD Normal | 50 |  |  | 63 |  |  |

Natural Gas Distribution Customer Growth
Customer growth for our Delmarva Peninsula natural gas distribution operations generated $500,000 in additional gross margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017. The additional margin was generated from a 3.7 percent increase in average number of residential customers as well as growth in commercial and industrial customers on the Delmarva Peninsula in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of 2017.
Our Florida natural gas distribution operations generated $302,000 in additional gross margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, with approximately half of the margin growth generated from residential customers and the other half from commercial and industrial customers.
Propane Operations
Our Florida and Delmarva Peninsula propane distribution operations continue to pursue a multi-pronged growth plan, which includes: targeting retail and wholesale customer growth in existing markets, both organically as well as through acquisitions; incremental growth from recent and planned start-ups in new markets, targeting new community gas systems in high growth areas; further build-out of our propane vehicular platform through AutoGas fueling stations; and optimization of our supply portfolio to generate incremental margin opportunities. Over the years, we have focused on meeting customer energy demand, and we have created a portfolio of offerings regardless of whether the customer is served via a pipeline or through an individual tank. AutoGas is our most recent offering that meets customers’ varying demands. As a member of AutoGas, our Delmarva Peninsula propane distribution operations and AutoGas install and support propane vehicle conversion systems for vehicle fleets. Our Delmarva Peninsula propane distribution operations continues to convert fleets to bi-fuel propane-powered engines and provides onsite fueling infrastructure.
These operations generated $4.0 million in incremental margin for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period 2017. In addition, successful marketing initiatives led to increased volumes sold and revenues from service contracts. Supply management initiatives, including favorable hedging of propane purchases, have increased retail propane margins as well as opportunities to generate incremental margin from wholesale sales.
PESCO
PESCO markets and sells natural gas to wholesale, industrial and commercial customers and manages natural gas storage and transportation assets in several market areas. PESCO also provides management of storage and transportation assets for natural gas producers and regulated utilities. These management transactions typically involve the release of storage and/or transportation capacity in combination with an obligation to purchase and/or deliver natural gas. In April 2017, PESCO entered into 3-year asset
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management agreements with our Delmarva Peninsula natural gas distribution operations whereby PESCO manages a portion of their natural gas transportation and storage capacity.
In conjunction with the active management of these contracts, PESCO generates financial margin by identifying market opportunities and simultaneously entering into natural gas purchase/sale, storage or transportation contracts and/or financial derivatives contracts. The financial derivatives contracts consist primarily of exchange-traded futures that are used to manage volatility in natural gas market prices. Volatility in PESCO’s recorded gross margin and operating income can occur over periods of time due to changes in the value of financial derivatives contracts prior to the time of the settlement of the financial derivatives and the purchase or sale of the underlying physical commodity. Derivatives accounting has no impact on economic gains or losses of the purchase or sale contracts. PESCO’s results may also fluctuate based on the actual demand of its customers relative to its initial estimates of their demand, and PESCO's ability to manage its supply portfolio, considering weather and other factors, including pipeline constraints.
For the three months ended March 31, 2018, PESCO's gross margin decreased by $2.3 million compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to higher gas supply costs of $2.0 million with retail customers in the Mid-Atlantic region and the absence of $2.1 million revenues from a supplier agreement with a customer in Ohio, which expired on March 31, 2017, offset by a favorable $2.2 million increase in margin from PESCO's asset management supply services. Unrealized fair value MTM losses of $300,000 related to financial derivative contracts also contributed to the decrease.
Xeron
Xeron's operations were wound down during the second quarter of 2017. Operating income for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, improved by $697,000 due to the absence of pre-tax losses generated by Xeron in the first quarter of 2017.
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Regulated Energy Segment
For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2017

|  | Three Months Ended |  |
|  | March 31, |  | Increase
|  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | (decrease)
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue |  | $ | 109,393 |  |  | $ | 97,654 |  |  | $ | 11,739 |
Cost of sales |  | 48,231 |  |  | 40,244 |  |  | 7,987 |
Gross margin |  | 61,162 |  |  | 57,410 |  |  | 3,752 |
Operations & maintenance |  | 23,147 |  |  | 23,580 |  |  | (433 | )
Depreciation & amortization |  | 7,516 |  |  | 6,885 |  |  | 631 |
Other taxes |  | 3,788 |  |  | 3,550 |  |  | 238 |
Other operating expenses |  | 34,451 |  |  | 34,015 |  |  | 436 |
Operating income |  | $ | 26,711 |  |  | $ | 23,395 |  |  | $ | 3,316 |

Operating income for the Regulated Energy segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $26.7 million, an increase of $3.3 million compared to the same period in 2017. The increased operating income resulted from increased gross margin of $3.8 million and an increase in operating expenses of $436,000.
Excluding the impact of the estimated reserve for lower income taxes due to the TCJA of approximately $3.2 million, gross margin and operating income increased by $6.9 million and $6.5 million, respectively.
Gross Margin
Items contributing to the quarter-over-quarter increase in gross margin are listed in the following table:

(in thousands) | Margin Impact
Implementation of Eastern Shore settled rates | $ | 2,843 |
Return to more normal weather | 1,017 |
Customer consumption (non-weather) | 949 |
Natural gas growth (excluding service expansions) | 802 |
Service expansions | 565 |
Florida electric reliability/modernization program | 372 |
Florida GRIP | 298 |
Sandpiper's margin from an industrial customer and natural gas conversions | 257 |
Other | (196 | )
Total | 6,907 |
TCJA impact - estimated refunds to ratepayers* | (3,155 | )
Quarter over quarter increase in gross margin | $ | 3,752 |

*As a result of the TCJA, a preliminary reserve of $3.2 million was established during the first quarter of 2018 to reflect the impact of lower tax rates on the Company's regulated businesses, based on internal guidance, until final agreements are approved and permanent changes are made to customer rates. The reserves and lower customer rates are equal to the anticipated reduction in federal income taxes due to the TCJA and have no material impact on after-tax earnings from the Regulated Energy segment.
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The following is a narrative discussion of the significant items in the foregoing table, which we believe is necessary to understand the information disclosed in the table.
Implementation of Eastern Shore Settled Rates
Eastern Shore generated additional gross margin of $2.8 million from the implementation of new rates as a result of its rate case filing. See Note 4, Rates and Other Regulatory Activities, to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details.
Return to More Normal Weather
Closer to normal temperatures during the first quarter of 2018, as compared to significantly warmer than normal weather during the first quarter of 2017, generated $1.0 million in additional margin for the current period.
Increased Customer Consumption (non-weather)
Gross margin increased by $949,000 from higher non-weather consumption of natural gas on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Natural Gas Growth (excluding service expansions)
Increased gross margin of $802,000 from other growth in natural gas (excluding service expansions) was generated primarily from the following:

• | $500,000 from a 3.7 percent increase in the average number of residential customers in the Delmarva natural gas distribution operations, as well as growth in the number of commercial and industrial customers; and

• | $302,000 from Florida natural gas customer growth, due primarily to an increase in residential and commercial customers.

Service Expansions
We generated additional gross margin of $565,000 primarily from natural gas service expansions from the following:

• | $1.0 million from Eastern Shore's services including those provided, on an interim basis, to industrial customers in Delaware in conjunction with Eastern Shore's 2017 Expansion Project being placed in service in December 2017; partially offset by the absence of short-term contracts totaling $874,000 that were replaced by long-term service agreements; and

• | $352,000 generated by Peninsula Pipeline from the New Smyrna Beach Expansion Project.

Florida Electric Reliability/Modernization Program
Gross margin increased by $372,000, due primarily to the limited proceedings rates that went into effect in January 2018. See Note 4, Rates and Other Regulatory Activities, to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details.
GRIP
Increased investment in GRIP generated additional gross margin of $298,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017.
Sandpiper DSR and SIR
Gross margin increased by $257,000, due primarily to a higher system improvement rate resulting from the continuing conversion of the Sandpiper system from propane service to natural gas service and an increase in a negotiated rate charged to a large industrial customer in the Maryland natural gas division. This increase was slightly offset by a decrease in delivery service rates for Sandpiper as a result of a settlement in its last rate case.
Impact of the TCJA on customer rates
The adjustment to customer rates, because of the implementation of the TCJA, decreased gross margin by $3.2 million due to the establishment of a reserve for the estimated refund to customers.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses decreased by $436,000. The significant factors contributing to the increase in other operating expenses included:

• | $966,000 in higher depreciation, asset removal and property tax costs associated with recent capital investments;

• | $589,000 in higher staffing costs for additional personnel to support growth; offset by

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• | $667,000 in lower costs related to outside services and facilities and maintenance costs, due primarily to lower consulting and service contractor costs, as temporary resources were replaced with permanent resources and certain consulting services were finalized/concluded in first quarter of 2017; and

• | $413,000 in lower benefits and employee-related costs (since we are self-insured for healthcare, benefits costs fluctuate depending upon filed claims).

Unregulated Energy Segment
For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2017

|  | Three Months Ended |  |
|  | March 31, |  | Increase
|  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | (decrease)
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue |  | $ | 145,367 |  |  | $ | 92,725 |  |  | $ | 52,642 |
Cost of sales |  | 115,066 |  |  | 65,906 |  |  | 49,160 |
Gross margin |  | 30,301 |  |  | 26,819 |  |  | 3,482 |
Operations & maintenance |  | 13,359 |  |  | 12,380 |  |  | 979 |
Depreciation & amortization |  | 2,167 |  |  | 1,903 |  |  | 264 |
Other taxes |  | 1,091 |  |  | 961 |  |  | 130 |
Total operating expenses |  | 16,617 |  |  | 15,244 |  |  | 1,373 |
Operating income |  | $ | 13,684 |  |  | $ | 11,575 |  |  | $ | 2,109 |

Operating income for the Unregulated Energy segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $13.7 million, compared to operating income of $11.6 million for same period in 2017. The increase in operating income of $2.1 million was due to an increase in gross margin of $3.5 million, which was offset by a $1.4 million increase in operating expenses.
Gross Margin
Items contributing to the quarter-over-quarter increase in gross margin are listed in the following table:

(in thousands) |  | Margin Impact
PESCO |  | $ | (2,292 | )
Propane delivery operations - additional customer consumption - weather |  | 1,956 |
Propane delivery operations - increased margin driven by growth and other factors |  | 1,392 |
Aspire Energy - customer consumption - weather |  | 941 |
Growth in wholesale propane margins and sales |  | 379 |
Aspire Energy - increased margin driven by growth and other factors |  | 319 |
Other |  | 787 |
Quarter over quarter increase in gross margin |  | $ | 3,482 |

The following is a narrative discussion of the significant items in the foregoing table, which we believe is necessary to understand the information disclosed in the table.
PESCO
For the three months ended March 31, 2018, PESCO's gross margin decreased by $2.3 million compared to the same period in 2017. Lower first quarter 2018 margin from PESCO resulted from the following:
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(in thousands) | Margin Impact |
PESCO First Quarter 2017 Margin | $ | 3,467 |
Reversal of fourth quarter 2017 unrealized MTM loss | 5,713 |
Margin from 2017 customer Supply Agreement that was not renewed | (2,124 | )
Net impact for the Mid-Atlantic wholesale portfolio from extraordinary costs associated with 2018 Bomb Cyclone | (3,284 | )
Loss for the Mid-Atlantic retail portfolio caused by capacity constraints in January and warm weather in February | (2,261 | )
Other | (336 | )
PESCO First Quarter 2018 Margin | $ | 1,175 |

• | Reversal of MTM loss recorded during the fourth quarter of 2017 as contracts settled, as well as $300,000 of unrealized gains at the end of March 31, 2018;

• | Absence of revenues from a supplier agreement in the first quarter of 2017, which was not renewed; and

• | Extraordinary costs of meeting demand requirements in the Mid-Atlantic region due to pipeline capacity constraints experienced due to the 2018 Bomb Cyclone, followed by unseasonably warm weather in February.

The 2018 Bomb Cyclone refers to the early January high intensity winter storms that impacted our Mid-Atlantic service territory and which had a residual impact on our businesses through the month. The early days of January experienced higher levels of wintry precipitation (snow and wind) and an extended period of anomalously cold weather. The extraordinary weather conditions created by the 2018 Bomb Cyclone generated incremental margin for our natural gas transmission and natural gas and propane distribution businesses. However, the exceedingly high demand and associated pipeline capacity and gas supply in the Delmarva Peninsula region created significant, unusual costs for PESCO. While these circumstances will recur infrequently, our management has taken various steps to mitigate PESCO’s exposure going forward. These mitigation steps resulted in improved results in February and March of 2018.
Propane delivery operations - additional customer consumption - weather
Gross margin increased by $2.0 million, due primarily to increased deliveries of propane as a result of colder temperatures in the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017.
Propane delivery operations - increased margin driven by growth and other factors
Gross margin increased by $1.4 million, due primarily to increased sales of propane as a result of growth in customers and other factors.
Aspire Energy - customer consumption - weather
Gross margin increased by $941,000, as a result of increased deliveries of natural gas, due primarily to colder temperatures during the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017.
Wholesale Propane Margins
Gross margin increased by $379,000, due to a higher margin per gallon and an increase in volume delivered for the Delmarva Peninsula propane distribution operations.
Aspire Energy - increased margin driven by growth and other factors
Gross margin increased by $319,000, due to customer growth and upgrade of pipeline pressure, which resulted in an increase in deliveries of natural gas.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses increased by $1.4 million, due primarily to $969,000 in higher staffing and associated costs for additional personnel to support growth and increased deliveries driven by the significantly colder weather in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the same period in 2017.
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OTHER EXPENSE, NET
For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2017
Other expense, net, which includes non-operating investment income (expense), interest income, late fees charged to customers, gains or losses from the sale of assets and pension and other benefits expense, increased by $768,000 in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the same period in 2017.
INTEREST CHARGES
For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2017
Interest charges for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased by $925,000, compared to the same period in 2017, attributable primarily to an increase of $531,000 in interest on long-term debt, largely as a result of the issuance of the Prudential Shelf Notes in April 2017, and an increase of $556,000 in interest on higher short-term borrowings.
INCOME TAXES
For the quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2017
Income tax expense was $10.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $12.5 million in the same period in 2017. The decrease in income tax expense was due primarily to the impact of the TCJA in the first quarter of 2018. Our effective income tax rate was 27.0 percent and 39.5 percent, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
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F INANCIAL P OSITION, L IQUIDITY AND C APITAL R ESOURCES
Our capital requirements reflect the capital-intensive and seasonal nature of our business and are principally attributable to investment in new plant and equipment, retirement of outstanding debt and seasonal variability in working capital. We rely on cash generated from operations, short-term borrowings, and other sources to meet normal working capital requirements and to temporarily finance capital expenditures. We may also issue long-term debt and equity to fund capital expenditures and to more closely align our capital structure to our target capital structure.
Our energy businesses are weather-sensitive and seasonal. We normally generate a large portion of our annual net income and subsequent increases in our accounts receivable in the first and fourth quarters of each year due to significant volumes of natural gas, electricity, and propane delivered by our distribution operations and our natural gas gathering and processing operation to customers during the peak heating season. In addition, our natural gas and propane inventories, which usually peak in the fall months, are largely drawn down in the heating season and provide a source of cash as the inventory is used to satisfy winter sales demand.
Capital expenditures for investments in new or acquired plant and equipment are our largest capital requirements. Our capital expenditures were $61.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
We budgeted $181.6 million for capital expenditures in 2018. The following table shows the 2018 capital expenditure budget by segment and by business line:

| 2018
(dollars in thousands) |
Regulated Energy: |
Natural gas distribution | $ | 53,899 |
Natural gas transmission | 92,562 |
Electric distribution | 7,972 |
Total Regulated Energy | 154,433 |
Unregulated Energy: |
Propane distribution | 11,235 |
Other unregulated energy | 5,827 |
Total Unregulated Energy | 17,062 |
Other: |
Corporate and other businesses | 10,097 |
Total Other | 10,097 |
Total 2018 Budgeted Capital Expenditures | $ | 181,592 |

The capital expenditure projection is subject to continuous review and modification. Actual capital requirements may vary from the above estimates due to a number of factors, including changing economic conditions, customer growth in existing areas, regulation, new growth or acquisition opportunities and availability of capital. Historically, actual capital expenditures have typically lagged behind the budgeted amounts.
The timing of capital expenditures can vary based on delays in regulatory approvals, securing environmental approvals and other permits. The regulatory application and approval process has lengthened in the past few years, and we expect this trend to continue.
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Capital Structure
We are committed to maintaining a sound capital structure and strong credit ratings to provide the financial flexibility needed to access capital markets when required. This commitment, along with adequate and timely rate relief for our regulated energy operations, is intended to ensure our ability to attract capital from outside sources at a reasonable cost. We believe that the achievement of these objectives will provide benefits to our customers, creditors and investors.
The following table presents our capitalization, excluding and including short-term borrowings, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

|  | March 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term debt, net of current maturities |  | $ | 222,014 |  |  | 31 | % |  | $ | 197,395 |  |  | 29 | %
Stockholders’ equity |  | 505,241 |  |  | 69 | % |  | 486,294 |  |  | 71 | %
Total capitalization, excluding short-term debt |  | $ | 727,255 |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 683,689 |  |  | 100 | %
|  | March 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Short-term debt |  | $ | 229,108 |  |  | 24 | % |  | $ | 250,969 |  |  | 26 | %
Long-term debt, including current maturities |  | 231,403 |  |  | 24 | % |  | 206,816 |  |  | 22 | %
Stockholders’ equity |  | 505,241 |  |  | 52 | % |  | 486,294 |  |  | 52 | %
Total capitalization, including short-term debt |  | $ | 965,752 |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 944,079 |  |  | 100 | %

Included in the long-term debt balances at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, was a capital lease obligation associated with Sandpiper's capacity, supply and operating agreement (at March 31, 2018, $249,000 excluding current maturities and $1.7 million including current maturities and, at December 31, 2017, $620,000 excluding current maturities and $2.1 million including current maturities). At the closing of the ESG acquisition in May 2013, Sandpiper entered into this agreement, which has a six-year term. The capacity portion of this agreement is accounted for as a capital lease.
Our target ratio of equity to total capitalization, including short-term borrowings, is between 50 and 60 percent. We have maintained a ratio of equity to total capitalization, including short-term borrowings, between 50 percent and 59 percent during the past three years.
We will seek to align, as much as feasible, any long-term debt or equity issuance(s) with the commencement of service, and associated earnings, for larger revenue generating capital projects. In addition, the exact timing of any long-term debt or equity issuance(s) will be based on market conditions.
Shelf Agreements
In October 2015, we entered into the $150.0 million Prudential Shelf Agreement, under which we may request that Prudential purchase up to $150.0 million of our unsecured senior debt. As of March 31, 2018, we have issued $70.0 million of 3.25% Prudential Shelf Notes.
In March 2017, we entered into the MetLife Shelf Agreement and the NYL Shelf Agreement, under which we may request that MetLife and NYL, through March 2, 2020, purchase up to $150.0 million and $100.0 million, respectively, of our unsecured senior debt. The unsecured senior debt would have a fixed interest rate and a maturity date not to exceed 20 years from the date of issuance. MetLife and NYL are under no obligation to purchase any unsecured senior debt. The interest rate and terms of payment of any series of unsecured senior debt will be determined at the time of purchase.
In November 2017, NYL agreed to purchase $50.0 million of 3.48% Series A notes and $50.0 million of 3.58% Series B notes. The Series A notes and Series B notes will be issued on or before May 21, 2018 and November 20, 2018, respectively. The proceeds received from the issuances of these NYL Shelf Notes will be used to reduce long and short-term borrowings under the Revolver and/or lines of credit and/or to fund capital expenditures. The NYL Shelf Agreement has been fully utilized.
As of March 31, 2018, we have $230.0 million of additional potential borrowing capacity under the Prudential and MetLife Shelf Agreements. The Prudential Shelf Agreement and the NYL Shelf Agreement set forth certain business covenants to which we are subject when any note is outstanding, including covenants that limit or restrict our ability, and the ability of our subsidiaries, to incur indebtedness, or place or permit liens and encumbrances on any of our property or the property of our subsidiaries.
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Short-term Borrowings
Our outstanding short-term borrowings at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were $229.1 million and $251.0 million at weighted average interest rates of 2.71 percent and 2.42 percent, respectively. Our current short-term borrowing limit, authorized by our Board of Directors, is $350.0 million.
We utilize bank lines of credit to provide funds for our short-term cash needs to meet seasonal working capital requirements and to temporarily fund portions of the capital expenditure program. As of March 31, 2018, we had five unsecured bank credit facilities with four financial institutions totaling $220.0 million in available credit. In addition, since October 2015, we have $150.0 million of additional short-term debt capacity available under the Revolver. The terms of the Revolver are described in further detail below. None of the unsecured bank lines of credit requires compensating balances.
The $150.0 million Revolver is available through October 8, 2020 and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Revolver will be used for general corporate purposes, including repayments of short-term borrowings, working capital requirements and capital expenditures. Borrowings under the Revolver will bear interest at: (i) the LIBOR Rate plus an applicable margin of 1.25 percent or less, with such margin based on total indebtedness as a percentage of total capitalization, both as defined by the Credit Agreement, or (ii) the base rate plus 0.25% or less. Interest is payable quarterly, and the Revolver is subject to a commitment fee on the unused portion of the facility. We have the right, under certain circumstances, to extend the expiration date for up to two years on any anniversary date of the Revolver, with such extension subject to the Lenders' approval. We may also request the Lenders to increase the Revolver to $200.0 million, with any increase at the sole discretion of each Lender.
Cash Flows
The following table provides a summary of our operating, investing and financing cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

|  | Three Months Ended
|  | March 31,
|  | 2018 |  | 2017
(in thousands) |  |  |  |
Net cash provided by (used in): |  |  |  |
Operating activities |  | $ | 66,672 |  |  | $ | 59,954 |
Investing activities |  | (62,971 | ) |  | (42,193 | )
Financing activities |  | (3,319 | ) |  | (16,239 | )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |  | 382 |  |  | 1,522 |
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period |  | 5,614 |  |  | 4,178 |
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period |  | $ | 5,996 |  |  | $ | 5,700 |

Cash Flows Provided By Operating Activities
Changes in our cash flows from operating activities are attributable primarily to changes in net income, adjusted for non-cash items such as depreciation and changes in deferred income taxes, and working capital. Changes in working capital are determined by a variety of factors, including weather, the prices of natural gas, electricity and propane, the timing of customer collections, payments for purchases of natural gas, electricity and propane, and deferred fuel cost recoveries.
During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, net cash provided by operating activities was $66.7 million and $60.0 million, respectively, resulting in an increase in cash flows of $6.7 million. Significant operating activities generating the cash flows change were as follows:

• | Changes in net accounts receivable and accrued revenue and accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased cash flows by $16.5 million, due primarily to the timing of the receipt of customer payments as well as the timing of payments to vendors.

• | Net income, adjusted for reconciling activities, increased cash flows by $10.2 million, due primarily to the higher performance during the quarter, non-cash adjustments related to realized losses on sale of assets/investments, higher depreciation and amortization expenses related to increased investing activities, offset by a decrease in deferred income taxes of $1.4 million due to tax reform.

• | Net cash flows from changes in propane inventories increased by approximately $5.8 million, as a result of higher use of propane, which decreased the levels of our inventory.

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• | Changes in net regulatory assets and liabilities increased cash flows by $5.4 million, due primarily to the change in fuel costs collected through the various cost recovery mechanisms.

• | Changes in net prepaid expenses and other current assets, customer deposits and refunds increased cash flows by $6.6 million.

• | Changes in accrued compensation, other assets and liabilities and income tax receivables decreased cash flow by $4.8 million.

Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities totaled $63.0 million and $42.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, resulting in a decrease in cash flows of $20.8 million. Cash paid for capital expenditures increased by $20.9 million to $63.1 million for the first three months of 2018, compared to $42.2 million for the same period in 2017, which was slightly offset by an increase in proceeds from the sales of assets.
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities totaled $3.3 million and $16.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 resulted primarily from the following:

• | We received $25.0 million in net cash proceeds from the Revolver, which was advanced on a long-term basis, partially offset by an increased repayment of short-term borrowing of $13.1 million under our line of credit arrangements. Our additional financing needs are a result of the additional capital expenditures during the quarter.

• | We paid $5.1 million in cash dividends for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $4.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have issued corporate guarantees to certain vendors of our subsidiaries, primarily PESCO. These corporate guarantees provide for the payment of propane and natural gas purchases in the event of the respective subsidiary’s default. These subsidiaries have never defaulted on their obligations to pay their suppliers. The liabilities for these purchases are recorded in our financial statements when incurred. The aggregate amount guaranteed at March 31, 2018 was $72.7 million, with the guarantees expiring on various dates through March 2019.
We have issued letters of credit totaling $5.0 million related to the electric transmission services for FPU's northwest electric division, the firm transportation service agreement between TETLP and our Delaware and Maryland divisions, and to our current and previous primary insurance carrier. These letters of credit have varying expiration dates through December 2019. There have been no draws on these letters of credit as of March 31, 2018. We do not anticipate that the letters of credit will be drawn upon by the counterparties, and we expect that they will be renewed to the extent necessary in the future. Additional information is presented in Note 6, Other Commitments and Contingencies in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Contractual Obligations
There has been no material change in the contractual obligations presented in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except for commodity purchase obligations and forward contracts entered into in the ordinary course of our business. The following table summarizes the commodity purchase and forward contract obligations at March 31, 2018:

|  | Payments Due by Period
|  | Less than 1 year |  | 1 - 3 years |  | 3 - 5 years |  | More than 5 years |  | Total
(in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase obligations - Commodity (1) |  | $ | 70,476 |  |  | $ | 55,912 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 126,388 |
Total |  | $ | 70,476 |  |  | $ | 55,912 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 126,388 |

(1) | In addition to the obligations noted above, we have agreements with commodity suppliers that have provisions with no minimum purchase requirements. There are no monetary penalties for reducing the amounts purchased; however, the propane contracts allow the suppliers to reduce the amounts available in the winter season if we do not purchase specified amounts during the summer season. Under these contracts, the commodity prices will fluctuate as market prices fluctuate.

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Rates and Regulatory Matters
Our natural gas distribution operations in Delaware, Maryland and Florida and electric distribution operation in Florida are subject to regulation by the respective state PSC; Eastern Shore is subject to regulation by the FERC; and Peninsula Pipeline is subject to regulation by the Florida PSC. At March 31, 2018, we were involved in regulatory matters in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our significant regulatory matters are fully described in Note 4, Rates and Other Regulatory Activities, to the condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Recent Authoritative Pronouncements on Financial Reporting and Accounting
Recent accounting developments applicable to us and their impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows are described in Note 1, Summary of Accounting Policies, to the condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
I NTEREST R ATE R ISK
Long-term debt is subject to potential losses based on changes in interest rates. Our long-term debt at March 31, 2018, consists of fixed-rate Senior Notes and $8.0 million of fixed-rate secured debt. We evaluate whether to refinance existing debt or permanently refinance existing short-term borrowings based in part on the fluctuation in interest rates. Additional information about our long-term debt is disclosed in Note 14, Long-term Debt, in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
C OMMODITY P RICE R ISK
Regulated Energy Segment
We have entered into agreements with various wholesale suppliers to purchase natural gas and electricity for resale to our customers. Our regulated energy distribution businesses that sell natural gas or electricity to end-use customers have fuel cost recovery mechanisms authorized by the PSCs that allow us to periodically adjust fuel rates to reflect changes in the wholesale cost of natural gas and electricity and to ensure that we recover all of the costs prudently incurred in purchasing natural gas and electricity for our customers. Therefore, our regulated energy distribution operations have limited commodity price risk exposure.
Unregulated Energy Segment
Sharp and Flo-gas are exposed to commodity price risk as a result of the competitive nature of retail pricing offered to our customers. In order to mitigate this risk, we utilize propane storage activities and forward contracts for supply.
We can store up to approximately 6.8 million gallons of propane (including leased storage and rail cars) during the winter season to meet our customers’ peak requirements and to serve metered customers. Decreases in the wholesale price of propane may cause the value of stored propane to decline, particularly if we utilize fixed price forward contracts for supply. To mitigate the risk of propane commodity price fluctuations on the inventory valuation, we have adopted a Risk Management Policy that allows our propane distribution operation to enter into fair value hedges, cash flows hedges or other economic hedges of our inventory.
Aspire Energy is exposed to commodity price risk, primarily during the winter season, to the extent we are not successful in balancing our natural gas purchases and sales and have to secure natural gas from alternative sources at higher spot prices. In order to mitigate this risk, we procure firm capacity that meets our estimated volume requirements and we continue to seek out new producers with which to contract in order to fulfill our natural gas purchase requirements.
PESCO is a party to natural gas swap and futures contracts. These contracts provide PESCO with the right to purchase natural gas at a fixed price at future dates. Upon expiration, the contracts can be settled financially without taking delivery of natural gas, or PESCO can procure natural gas for its customers.
PESCO is subject to commodity price risk on its open positions to the extent that market prices for natural gas liquids and natural gas deviate from fixed contract settlement prices. Market risk associated with the trading of futures and forward contracts is monitored daily for compliance with our Risk Management Policy, which includes volumetric limits for open positions. To manage exposures to changing market prices, open positions are marked up or down to market prices and reviewed daily by our oversight officials. In addition, the Risk Management Committee reviews periodic reports on markets, approves any exceptions to the Risk Management Policy (within limits established by the Board of Directors) and authorizes the use of any new types of contracts.
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The following table reflects the changes in the fair market value of financial derivatives contracts related to natural gas and propane purchases and sales from December 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018:

(in thousands) | Balance at December 31, 2017 |  | Increase (Decrease) in Fair Market Value |  | Less Amounts Settled |  | Balance at March 31, 2018
PESCO | $ | (6,153 | ) |  | $ | 12,274 |  |  | $ | (8,464 | ) |  | $ | (2,343 | )
Sharp | 1,192 |  |  | (1,469 | ) |  | 469 |  |  | 192 |
Total | $ | (4,961 | ) |  | $ | 10,805 |  |  | $ | (7,995 | ) |  | $ | (2,151 | )

There were no changes in methods of valuations during the three months ended March 31, 2018.
The following is a summary of fair market value of financial derivatives as of March 31, 2018, by method of valuation and by maturity for each fiscal year period.

(in thousands) | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2020 |  | 2021 |  | 2022 |  | Total Fair Value
Price based on ICE - PESCO | $ | (2,315 | ) |  | $ | (295 | ) |  | $ | 335 |  |  | $ | (69 | ) |  | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | (2,343 | )
Price based on Mont Belvieu - Sharp | 208 |  |  | (16 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 192 |
Total | $ | (2,107 | ) |  | $ | (311 | ) |  | $ | 335 |  |  | $ | (69 | ) |  | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | (2,151 | )

W HOLESALE C REDIT R ISK
The Risk Management Committee reviews credit risks associated with counterparties to commodity derivative contracts prior to such contracts being approved.
Additional information about our derivative instruments is disclosed in Note 12, Derivative Instruments, in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Chesapeake Utilities, with the participation of other Company officials, have evaluated our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of March 31, 2018. Based upon their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2018.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Beginning January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The impacts of the adoption are discussed in detail in Note 1, Summary of Accounting Policies, and Note 3, Revenue Recognition, in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements within this Form 10-Q. In conjunction with this adoption, we implemented changes to our controls related to revenue which were not material to our internal controls over financial reporting. These included the development of new policies based on the five-step model provided in the new revenue standard, enhanced contract review requirements, and other ongoing monitoring activities. These controls were designed to provide assurance, at a reasonable level, of the fair presentation of our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
As disclosed in Note 6, Other Commitments and Contingencies, of the condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we are involved in certain legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business. We are also involved in certain legal and administrative proceedings before various governmental or regulatory agencies concerning rates and other regulatory actions. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these proceedings and claims will not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our business, operations, and financial condition are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The risk factors described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2017, should be carefully considered, together with the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC in connection with evaluating Chesapeake Utilities, our business and the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Additional risks and uncertainties not known to us at present, or that we currently deem immaterial, also may affect Chesapeake Utilities. The occurrence of any of these known or unknown risks could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

|  | Total Number of Shares |  | Average Price Paid |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans |  | Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans
Period |  | Purchased |  | per Share |  | or Programs (2) |  | or Programs (2)
January 1, 2018 through January 31, 2018 (1) |  | 388 |  |  | $ | 76.00 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
February 1, 2018 through February 28, 2018 |  | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
March 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018 |  | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total |  | 388 |  |  | $ | 76.00 |  |  | — |  |  | — |

(1) | Chesapeake Utilities purchased shares of stock on the open market for the purpose of reinvesting the dividend on deferred stock units held in the Rabbi Trust accounts for certain directors and senior executives under the Deferred Compensation Plan. The Deferred Compensation Plan is discussed in detail in Item 8 under the heading “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 16, Employee Benefit Plans” in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, 388 shares were purchased through the reinvestment of dividends on deferred stock units.

(2) | Except for the purposes described in Footnote (1), Chesapeake Utilities has no publicly announced plans or programs to repurchase its shares.

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 5. Other Information
Departure of named executive officer
On May 2, 2018, Elaine B. Bittner ceased serving as the Senior Vice President of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and her employment terminated.
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Item 6. | Exhibits

10.1 |  | Form of Performance Share Agreement, effective February 26, 2018 for the period 2018 to 2020, pursuant to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 2013 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan by and between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and each of Michael P. McMasters, Beth W. Cooper, Stephen C. Thompson, Jeffry M. Householder and James F. Moriarty is filed herewith.
31.1 |  | Certificate of Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2 |  | Certificate of Chief Financial Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1 |  | Certificate of Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
32.2 |  | Certificate of Chief Financial Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101.INS* |  | XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH* |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL* |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF* |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB* |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE* |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

C HESAPEAKE U TILITIES C ORPORATION
/S/ B ETH W. C OOPER
Beth W. Cooper Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 8, 2018
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