10-Q 1 ava-20190331x10q.htm 10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)

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

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 31, 2019 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 1-3701
__________________________________________________________________________________________

AVISTA CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington |  | 91-0462470
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |  | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1411 East Mission Avenue, Spokane, Washington |  | 99202-2600
(Address of principal executive offices) |  | (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 509-489-0500
Web site: http://www.myavista.com

None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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

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
As of April 29, 2019, 65,750,156 shares of Registrant’s Common Stock, no par value (the only class of common stock), were outstanding.

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AVISTA CORPORATION

AVISTA CORPORATION
INDEX

Item No. |  |  | Page No.
| Acronyms and Terms |  | iii
| Forward-Looking Statements |  | 1
| Available Information |  | 4
Part I. Financial Information |  |
Item 1. | Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements |  | 5
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 |  | 5
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 |  | 6
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 |  | 7
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 |  | 8
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity - Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 |  | 10
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements |  | 11
| Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |  | 11
| Note 2. New Accounting Standards |  | 12
| Note 3. Balance Sheet Components |  | 13
| Note 4. Revenue |  | 15
| Note 5. Leases |  | 18
| Note 6. Derivatives and Risk Management |  | 21
| Note 7. Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans |  | 25
| Note 8. Income Taxes |  | 26
| Note 9. Committed Lines of Credit |  | 26
| Note 10. Long-Term Debt to Affiliated Trusts |  | 26
| Note 11. Fair Value |  | 27
| Note 12. Common Stock |  | 31
| Note 13. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |  | 31
| Note 14. Earnings per Common Share Attributable to Avista Corporation Shareholders |  | 32
| Note 15. Commitments and Contingencies |  | 32
| Note 16. Information by Business Segments |  | 33
| Note 17. Termination of Proposed Acquisition by Hydro One |  | 34
| Note 18. Assets Held for Sale |  | 36
| Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |  | 37
Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |  | 38
| Business Segments |  | 38
| Executive Level Summary |  | 38
| Regulatory Matters |  | 39
| Results of Operations - Overall |  | 43
| Non-GAAP Financial Measures |  | 44
| Results of Operations - Avista Utilities |  | 44
| Results of Operations - Alaska Electric Light and Power Company |  | 50
| Results of Operations - Other Businesses |  | 51
| Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates |  | 51
| Liquidity and Capital Resources |  | 51
| Overall Liquidity |  | 51

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| Review of Cash Flow Statement |  | 51
| Capital Resources |  | 52
| Capital Expenditures |  | 53
| Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements |  | 53
| Pension Plan |  | 53
| Contractual Obligations |  | 54
| Environmental Issues and Other Contingencies |  | 54
| Enterprise Risk Management |  | 54
| Regional Energy Markets |  | 56
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |  | 56
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |  | 56
Part II. Other Information |  |
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings |  | 56
Item 1A. | Risk Factors |  | 56
Item 6. | Exhibits |  | 57
| Signature |  | 58

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ACRONYMS AND TERMS
(The following acronyms and terms are found in multiple locations within the document)

Acronym/Term | Meaning
aMW | - | Average Megawatt - a measure of the average rate at which a particular generating source produces energy over a period of time
AEL&P | - | Alaska Electric Light and Power Company, the primary operating subsidiary of AERC, which provides electric services in Juneau, Alaska
AERC | - | Alaska Energy and Resources Company, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary based in Juneau, Alaska
AFUDC | - | Allowance for Funds Used During Construction; represents the cost of both the debt and equity funds used to finance utility plant additions during the construction period
ASC | - | Accounting Standards Codification
ASU | - | Accounting Standards Update
Avista Capital | - | Parent company to the Company’s non-utility businesses
Avista Corp. | - | Avista Corporation, the Company
Avista Utilities | - | Operating division of Avista Corp. (not a subsidiary) comprising the regulated utility operations in the Pacific Northwest
Capacity | - | The rate at which a particular generating source is capable of producing energy, measured in KW or MW
Cabinet Gorge | - | The Cabinet Gorge Hydroelectric Generating Project, located on the Clark Fork River in Idaho
Colstrip | - | The coal-fired Colstrip Generating Plant in southeastern Montana
Deadband or ERM deadband | - | The first $4.0 million in annual power supply costs above or below the amount included in base retail rates in Washington under the ERM in the state of Washington
EIM | - | Energy Imbalance Market
Energy | - | The amount of electricity produced or consumed over a period of time, measured in KWh or MWh. Also, refers to natural gas consumed and is measured in dekatherms
EPA | - | Environmental Protection Agency
ERM | - | The Energy Recovery Mechanism, a mechanism for accounting and rate recovery of certain power supply costs accepted by the utility commission in the state of Washington
FASB | - | Financial Accounting Standards Board
FCA | - | Fixed Cost Adjustment, the electric and natural gas decoupling mechanism in Idaho
FERC | - | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
GAAP | - | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Hydro One | - | Hydro One Limited, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
IPUC | - | Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Juneau | - | The City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska
KW, KWh | - | Kilowatt (1000 watts): a measure of generating output or capability. Kilowatt-hour (1000 watt hours): a measure of energy produced
MPSC | - | Public Service Commission of the State of Montana
MW, MWh | - | Megawatt: 1000 KW. Megawatt-hour: 1000 KWh
Noxon Rapids | - | The Noxon Rapids Hydroelectric Generating Project, located on the Clark Fork River in Montana
OPUC | - | The Public Utility Commission of Oregon
PCA | - | The Power Cost Adjustment mechanism, a procedure for accounting and rate recovery of certain power supply costs accepted by the utility commission in the state of Idaho
PGA | - | Purchased Gas Adjustment
PPA | - | Power Purchase Agreement
RCA | - | The Regulatory Commission of Alaska
REC | - | Renewable energy credit
ROE | - | Return on equity

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ROR | - | Rate of return on rate base
SEC | - | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
TCJA | - | The "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," signed into law on December 22, 2017
Therm | - | Unit of measurement for natural gas; a therm is equal to approximately one hundred cubic feet (volume) or 100,000 BTUs (energy)
Watt | - | Unit of measurement for electricity; a watt is equal to the rate of work represented by a current of one ampere under a pressure of one volt
WUTC | - | Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

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Forward-Looking Statements
From time to time, we make forward-looking statements such as statements regarding projected or future:

• | financial performance;

• | cash flows;

• | capital expenditures;

• | dividends;

• | capital structure;

• | other financial items;

• | strategic goals and objectives;

• | business environment; and

• | plans for operations.

These statements are based upon underlying assumptions (many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions). Such statements are made both in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q), and elsewhere. Forward-looking statements are all statements except those of historical fact including, without limitation, those that are identified by the use of words that include “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “predicts,” and similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements (including those made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Most of these factors are beyond our control and may have a significant effect on our operations, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others:
Financial Risk

• | weather conditions, which affect both energy demand and electric generating capability, including the impact of precipitation and temperature on hydroelectric resources, the impact of wind patterns on wind-generated power, weather-sensitive customer demand, and similar impacts on supply and demand in the wholesale energy markets;

• | our ability to obtain financing through the issuance of debt and/or equity securities, which can be affected by various factors including our credit ratings, interest rates, other capital market conditions and global economic conditions;

• | changes in interest rates that affect borrowing costs, our ability to effectively hedge interest rates for anticipated debt issuances, variable interest rate borrowing and the extent to which we recover interest costs through retail rates collected from customers;

• | changes in actuarial assumptions, interest rates and the actual return on plan assets for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans, which can affect future funding obligations, pension and other postretirement benefit expense and the related liabilities;

• | deterioration in the creditworthiness of our customers;

• | the outcome of legal proceedings and other contingencies;

• | economic conditions in our service areas, including the economy's effects on customer demand for utility services;

• | declining energy demand related to customer energy efficiency, conservation measures and/or increased distributed generation;

• | changes in the long-term global climate and the long-term climate within our utilities' service areas, which can affect, among other things, customer demand patterns, the volume and timing of streamflows to our hydroelectric resources, as well as increased risk of severe weather or natural disasters, including wildfires;

• | industry and geographic concentrations which may increase our exposure to credit risks due to counterparties, suppliers and customers being similarly affected by changing conditions;

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Utility Regulatory Risk

• | state and federal regulatory decisions or related judicial decisions that affect our ability to recover costs and earn a reasonable return including, but not limited to, disallowance or delay in the recovery of capital investments, operating costs, commodity costs, interest rate swap derivatives and discretion over allowed return on investment;

• | the loss of regulatory accounting treatment, which could require the write-off of regulatory assets and the loss of regulatory deferral and recovery mechanisms;

Energy Commodity Risk

• | volatility and illiquidity in wholesale energy markets, including exchanges, the availability of willing buyers and sellers, changes in wholesale energy prices that can affect operating income, cash requirements to purchase electricity and natural gas, value received for wholesale sales, collateral required of us by individual counterparties and/or exchanges in wholesale energy transactions and credit risk to us from such transactions, and the market value of derivative assets and liabilities;

• | default or nonperformance on the part of any parties from whom we purchase and/or sell capacity or energy;

• | potential environmental regulations or lawsuits affecting our ability to utilize or resulting in the obsolescence of our power supply resources;

• | explosions, fires, accidents, pipeline ruptures or other incidents that may limit energy supply to our facilities or our surrounding territory, which could result in a shortage of commodities in the market that could increase the cost of replacement commodities from other sources;

Operational Risk

• | severe weather or natural disasters, including, but not limited to, avalanches, wind storms, wildfires, earthquakes, snow and ice storms, that can disrupt energy generation, transmission and distribution, as well as the availability and costs of fuel, materials, equipment, supplies and support services;

• | explosions, fires, accidents, mechanical breakdowns or other incidents that may impair assets and may disrupt operations of any of our generation facilities, transmission, and electric and natural gas distribution systems or other operations and may require us to purchase replacement power;

• | explosions, fires, accidents or other incidents arising from or allegedly arising from our operations that may cause wildfires, injuries to the public or property damage;

• | blackouts or disruptions of interconnected transmission systems (the regional power grid);

• | terrorist attacks, cyberattacks or other malicious acts that may disrupt or cause damage to our utility assets or to the national or regional economy in general, including any effects of terrorism, cyberattacks or vandalism that damage or disrupt information technology systems;

• | work force issues, including changes in collective bargaining unit agreements, strikes, work stoppages, the loss of key executives, availability of workers in a variety of skill areas, and our ability to recruit and retain employees;

• | increasing costs of insurance, more restrictive coverage terms and our ability to obtain insurance;

• | delays or changes in construction costs, and/or our ability to obtain required permits and materials for present or prospective facilities;

• | increasing health care costs and cost of health insurance provided to our employees and retirees;

• | third party construction of buildings, billboard signs, towers or other structures within our rights of way, or placement of fuel containers within close proximity to our transformers or other equipment, including overbuild atop natural gas distribution lines;

• | the loss of key suppliers for materials or services or other disruptions to the supply chain;

• | adverse impacts to our Alaska electric utility that could result from an extended outage of its hydroelectric generating resources or their inability to deliver energy, due to their lack of interconnectivity to any other electrical grids and the cost of replacement power (diesel);

• | changing river regulation or operations at hydroelectric facilities not owned by us, which could impact our hydroelectric facilities downstream;

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• | change in the use, availability or abundancy of water resources and/or rights needed for operation of our hydroelectric facilities;

Compliance Risk

• | compliance with extensive federal, state and local legislation and regulation applicable to us, including numerous environmental, health, safety, infrastructure protection, reliability and other laws and regulations that affect our operations and costs;

• | the ability to comply with the terms of the licenses and permits for our hydroelectric or thermal generating facilities at cost-effective levels;

Cyber and Technology Risk

• | cyberattacks on the operating systems that are used in the operation of our electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities and our natural gas distribution facilities, and cyberattacks on such systems of other energy companies with which we are interconnected, which could damage or destroy facilities or systems or disrupt operations for extended periods of time and result in the incurrence of liabilities and costs;

• | cyberattacks on the administrative systems that are used in the administration of our business, including customer billing and customer service, accounting, communications, compliance and other administrative functions, and cyberattacks on such systems of our vendors and other companies with which we do business, which could result in the disruption of business operations, the release of private information and the incurrence of liabilities and costs;

• | changes in costs that impede our ability to effectively implement new information technology systems or to operate and maintain current production technology;

• | changes in technologies, possibly making some of the current technology we utilize obsolete or introducing new cyber security risks;

• | insufficient technology skills, which could lead to the inability to develop, modify or maintain our information systems;

Strategic Risk

• | growth or decline of our customer base and the extent to which new uses for our services may materialize or existing uses may decline, including, but not limited to, the effect of the trend toward distributed generation at customer sites;

• | the potential effects of negative publicity regarding our business practices, whether true or not, which could hurt our reputation and result in litigation or a decline in our common stock price;

• | changes in our strategic business plans, which may be affected by any or all of the foregoing, including the entry into new businesses and/or the exit from existing businesses and the extent of our business development efforts where potential future business is uncertain;

• | entering into or growth of non-regulated activities may increase earnings volatility;

• | potential legal proceedings arising from the termination of the proposed acquisition of the Company by Hydro One;

External Mandates Risk

• | changes in environmental laws, regulations, decisions and policies, including present and potential environmental remediation costs and our compliance with these matters;

• | the potential effects of initiatives, legislation or administrative rulemaking at the federal, state or local levels, including possible effects on our generating resources or restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate concerns over global climate changes;

• | political pressures or regulatory practices that could constrain or place additional cost burdens on our distribution systems through accelerated adoption of distributed generation or electric-powered transportation or on our energy supply sources, such as campaigns to halt coal-fired power generation and opposition to other thermal generation, wind turbines or hydroelectric facilities;

• | wholesale and retail competition including alternative energy sources, growth in customer-owned power resource technologies that displace utility-supplied energy or that may be sold back to the utility, and alternative energy suppliers and delivery arrangements;

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• | failure to identify changes in legislation, taxation and regulatory issues that are detrimental or beneficial to our overall business;

• | policy and/or legislative changes in various regulated areas, including, but not limited to, environmental regulation, healthcare regulations and import/export regulations; and

• | the risk of municipalization in any of our service territories.

Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith. We believe they are reasonable based on, without limitation, an examination of historical operating trends, our records and other information available from third parties. There can be no assurance that our expectations, beliefs or projections will be achieved or accomplished. Furthermore, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New risks, uncertainties and other factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors, nor can we assess the effect of each such factor on our business or the extent that any such factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Available Information
Our website address is www.myavista.com. We make annual, quarterly and current reports available on our website as soon as practicable after electronically filing these reports with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov. Except for SEC filings or portions thereof that are specifically referred to in this report, information contained on these websites is not part of this report.
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PART I. Financial Information
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Avista Corporation

For the Three Months Ended March 31
Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts
(Unaudited)

| 2019 |  | 2018
Operating Revenues: |  |  |
Utility revenues: |  |  |
Utility revenues, exclusive of alternative revenue programs | $ | 393,241 |  |  | $ | 408,356 |
Alternative revenue programs | (4,658 | ) |  | (5,939 | )
Total utility revenues | 388,583 |  |  | 402,417 |
Non-utility revenues | 7,898 |  |  | 6,944 |
Total operating revenues | 396,481 |  |  | 409,361 |
Operating Expenses: |  |  |
Utility operating expenses: |  |  |
Resource costs | 137,347 |  |  | 154,618 |
Other operating expenses | 83,978 |  |  | 77,298 |
Merger transaction costs | 19,664 |  |  | 672 |
Depreciation and amortization | 48,914 |  |  | 44,733 |
Taxes other than income taxes | 31,943 |  |  | 30,829 |
Non-utility operating expenses: |  |  |
Other operating expenses | 7,355 |  |  | 6,824 |
Depreciation and amortization | 209 |  |  | 181 |
Total operating expenses | 329,410 |  |  | 315,155 |
Income from operations | 67,071 |  |  | 94,206 |
Interest expense | 25,651 |  |  | 24,776 |
Interest expense to affiliated trusts | 357 |  |  | 253 |
Capitalized interest | (928 | ) |  | (968 | )
Merger termination fee | (103,000 | ) |  | — |
Other expense (income)-net | (907 | ) |  | 4,479 |
Income before income taxes | 145,898 |  |  | 65,666 |
Income tax expense | 30,017 |  |  | 10,710 |
Net income | 115,881 |  |  | 54,956 |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (87 | ) |  | (66 | )
Net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders | $ | 115,794 |  |  | $ | 54,890 |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (thousands), basic | 65,733 |  |  | 65,639 |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (thousands), diluted | 65,941 |  |  | 65,931 |
Earnings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders: |  |  |
Basic | $ | 1.76 |  |  | $ | 0.84 |
Diluted | $ | 1.76 |  |  | $ | 0.83 |

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Avista Corporation

For the Three Months Ended March 31
Dollars in thousands
(Unaudited)

| 2019 |  | 2018
Net income | $ | 115,881 |  |  | $ | 54,956 |
Other Comprehensive Income: |  |  |
Change in unfunded benefit obligation for pension and other postretirement benefit plans - net of taxes of $43 and $55 respectively | 160 |  |  | 204 |
Total other comprehensive income | 160 |  |  | 204 |
Comprehensive income | 116,041 |  |  | 55,160 |
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (87 | ) |  | (66 | )
Comprehensive income attributable to Avista Corporation shareholders | $ | 115,954 |  |  | $ | 55,094 |

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Avista Corporation

Dollars in thousands
(Unaudited)

| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Assets: |  |  |
Current Assets: |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 14,861 |  |  | $ | 14,656 |
Accounts and notes receivable-less allowances of $6,395 and $5,233, respectively | 170,200 |  |  | 165,824 |
Materials and supplies, fuel stock and stored natural gas | 61,354 |  |  | 63,881 |
Regulatory assets | 41,566 |  |  | 48,552 |
Other current assets | 60,948 |  |  | 54,010 |
Assets held for sale | 15,874 |  |  | — |
Total current assets | 364,803 |  |  | 346,923 |
Net utility property | 4,626,054 |  |  | 4,648,930 |
Goodwill | 52,426 |  |  | 57,672 |
Non-current regulatory assets | 605,497 |  |  | 614,354 |
Other property and investments-net and other non-current assets | 241,203 |  |  | 114,697 |
Total assets | $ | 5,889,983 |  |  | $ | 5,782,576 |
Liabilities and Equity: |  |  |
Current Liabilities: |  |  |
Accounts payable | $ | 109,922 |  |  | $ | 108,372 |
Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases | 104,989 |  |  | 107,645 |
Short-term borrowings | 119,000 |  |  | 190,000 |
Regulatory liabilities | 55,464 |  |  | 113,209 |
Other current liabilities | 175,454 |  |  | 120,358 |
Liabilities held for sale | 1,813 |  |  | — |
Total current liabilities | 566,642 |  |  | 639,584 |
Long-term debt and capital leases | 1,701,207 |  |  | 1,755,529 |
Long-term debt to affiliated trusts | 51,547 |  |  | 51,547 |
Pensions and other postretirement benefits | 218,456 |  |  | 222,537 |
Deferred income taxes | 501,928 |  |  | 487,602 |
Non-current regulatory liabilities | 786,233 |  |  | 780,701 |
Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits | 195,748 |  |  | 71,031 |
Total liabilities | 4,021,761 |  |  | 4,008,531 |
Commitments and Contingencies (See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements) |  |  |
Equity: |  |  |
Avista Corporation Shareholders’ Equity: |  |  |
Common stock, no par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 65,749,932 and 65,688,356 shares issued and outstanding, respectively | 1,140,242 |  |  | 1,136,491 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (7,706 | ) |  | (7,866 | )
Retained earnings | 734,774 |  |  | 644,595 |
Total Avista Corporation shareholders’ equity | 1,867,310 |  |  | 1,773,220 |
Noncontrolling Interests | 912 |  |  | 825 |
Total equity | 1,868,222 |  |  | 1,774,045 |
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 5,889,983 |  |  | $ | 5,782,576 |

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Avista Corporation

For the Three Months Ended March 31
Dollars in thousands
(Unaudited)

| 2019 |  | 2018
Operating Activities: |  |  |
Net income | $ | 115,881 |  |  | $ | 54,956 |
Non-cash items included in net income: |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 49,123 |  |  | 45,823 |
Deferred income tax provision and investment tax credits | 8,883 |  |  | (5,049 | )
Power and natural gas cost amortizations (deferrals), net | (48,084 | ) |  | 72 |
Amortization of debt expense | 669 |  |  | 815 |
Amortization of investment in exchange power | 613 |  |  | 613 |
Stock-based compensation expense | 4,845 |  |  | 1,963 |
Equity-related AFUDC | (1,485 | ) |  | (1,392 | )
Pension and other postretirement benefit expense | 9,084 |  |  | 8,170 |
Other regulatory assets and liabilities and deferred debits and credits | 1,016 |  |  | 2,127 |
Change in decoupling regulatory deferral | 4,471 |  |  | 5,703 |
Other | (1,943 | ) |  | 3,778 |
Contributions to defined benefit pension plan | (7,300 | ) |  | (7,300 | )
Changes in certain current assets and liabilities: |  |  |
Accounts and notes receivable | (9,787 | ) |  | 15,963 |
Materials and supplies, fuel stock and stored natural gas | (394 | ) |  | 8,815 |
Collateral posted for derivative instruments | 3,432 |  |  | 18,382 |
Other current assets | 1,705 |  |  | (473 | )
Accounts payable | 16,697 |  |  | (21,997 | )
Income taxes payable | 19,360 |  |  | 15,432 |
Other current liabilities | 30,095 |  |  | 38,374 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 196,881 |  |  | 184,775 |
Investing Activities: |  |  |
Utility property capital expenditures (excluding equity-related AFUDC) | (93,615 | ) |  | (81,817 | )
Issuance of notes receivable at subsidiaries | (200 | ) |  | (1,000 | )
Repayments of notes receivable at subsidiaries | 261 |  |  | — |
Equity and property investments made by subsidiaries | (3,504 | ) |  | (3,671 | )
Distributions received from investments | 149 |  |  | — |
Other | (755 | ) |  | (866 | )
Net cash used in investing activities | (97,664 | ) |  | (87,354 | )

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

Avista Corporation

For the Three Months Ended March 31
Dollars in thousands
(Unaudited)

| 2019 |  | 2018
Financing Activities: |  |  |
Net decrease in short-term borrowings | $ | (71,000 | ) |  | $ | (55,398 | )
Maturity of long-term debt and capital leases | (665 | ) |  | (3,037 | )
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs | 190 |  |  | 232 |
Cash dividends paid | (25,615 | ) |  | (24,634 | )
Other | (896 | ) |  | (4,483 | )
Net cash used in financing activities | (97,986 | ) |  | (87,320 | )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents, including cash classified within current assets held for sale | 1,231 |  |  | 10,101 |
Less: Net increase in cash and cash equivalents classified within current assets held for sale (see Note 18 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements) | 1,026 |  |  | — |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 205 |  |  | 10,101 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 14,656 |  |  | 16,172 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 14,861 |  |  | $ | 26,273 |

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

Avista Corporation

For the Three Months Ended March 31
Dollars in thousands
(Unaudited)

| 2019 |  | 2018
Common Stock, Shares: |  |  |
Shares outstanding at beginning of period | 65,688,356 |  |  | 65,494,333 |
Shares issued | 61,576 |  |  | 174,144 |
Shares outstanding at end of period | 65,749,932 |  |  | 65,668,477 |
Common Stock, Amount: |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | $ | 1,136,491 |  |  | $ | 1,133,448 |
Equity compensation expense | 4,452 |  |  | 1,798 |
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs | 190 |  |  | 232 |
Payment of minimum tax withholdings for share-based payment awards | (891 | ) |  | (3,929 | )
Balance at end of period | 1,140,242 |  |  | 1,131,549 |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss: |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | (7,866 | ) |  | (8,090 | )
Other comprehensive income | 160 |  |  | 204 |
Reclassification of excess income tax benefits | — |  |  | (1,742 | )
Balance at end of period | (7,706 | ) |  | (9,628 | )
Retained Earnings: |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | 644,595 |  |  | 604,470 |
Net income attributable to Avista Corporation shareholders | 115,794 |  |  | 54,890 |
Cash dividends paid on common stock | (25,615 | ) |  | (24,634 | )
Reclassification of excess income tax benefits | — |  |  | 1,742 |
Balance at end of period | 734,774 |  |  | 636,468 |
Total Avista Corporation shareholders’ equity | 1,867,310 |  |  | 1,758,389 |
Noncontrolling Interests: |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | 825 |  |  | 656 |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 87 |  |  | 66 |
Cash dividends paid to subsidiary noncontrolling interests | — |  |  | (540 | )
Balance at end of period | 912 |  |  | 182 |
Total equity | $ | 1,868,222 |  |  | $ | 1,758,571 |
Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.3875 |  |  | $ | 0.3725 |

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements.
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Avista Corp. as of and for the interim periods ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, the statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not contain the detail or footnote disclosure concerning accounting policies and other matters which would be included in full fiscal year consolidated financial statements; therefore, they should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (2018 Form 10-K).
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Business
Avista Corp. is primarily an electric and natural gas utility with certain other business ventures. Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp., comprising its regulated utility operations in the Pacific Northwest. Avista Utilities provides electric distribution and transmission, and natural gas distribution services in parts of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Avista Utilities also provides natural gas distribution service in parts of northeastern and southwestern Oregon. Avista Utilities has electric generating facilities in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. Avista Utilities also supplies electricity to a small number of customers in Montana, most of whom are employees who operate the Company's Noxon Rapids generating facility.
AERC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avista Corp. The primary subsidiary of AERC is AEL&P, which comprises Avista Corp.'s regulated utility operations in Alaska.
Avista Capital, a wholly owned non-regulated subsidiary of Avista Corp., is the parent company of all of the subsidiary companies in the non-utility businesses, with the exception of AJT Mining Properties, Inc., which is a subsidiary of AERC. See Note 16 for business segment information. See Note 18 for discussion of assets held for sale at METALfx, an unregulated subsidiary of the Company.
Basis of Reporting
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the Company and its subsidiaries and other majority owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities for which the Company or its subsidiaries are the primary beneficiaries. Intercompany balances were eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the Company’s proportionate share of utility plant and related operations resulting from its interests in jointly owned plants.
Derivative Assets and Liabilities
Derivatives are recorded as either assets or liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets measured at estimated fair value.
The WUTC and the IPUC issued accounting orders authorizing Avista Corp. to offset energy commodity derivative assets or liabilities with a regulatory asset or liability. This accounting treatment is intended to defer the recognition of mark-to-market gains and losses on energy commodity transactions until the period of delivery. Realized benefits and costs result in adjustments to retail rates through PGAs, the ERM in Washington, the PCA mechanism in Idaho, and periodic general rate cases. The resulting regulatory assets associated with energy commodity derivative instruments have been concluded to be probable of recovery through future rates.
Substantially all forward contracts to purchase or sell power and natural gas are recorded as derivative assets or liabilities at estimated fair value with an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. Contracts that are not considered derivatives are accounted for on the accrual basis until they are settled or realized unless there is a decline in the fair value of the contract that is determined to be other-than-temporary.
For interest rate swap derivatives, Avista Corp. records all mark-to-market gains and losses in each accounting period as assets and liabilities, as well as offsetting regulatory assets and liabilities, such that there is no income statement impact. The interest rate swap derivatives are risk management tools similar to energy commodity derivatives. Upon settlement of interest rate swap derivatives, the regulatory asset or liability is amortized as a component of interest expense over the term of the associated debt. The Company records an offset of interest rate swap derivative assets and liabilities with regulatory assets and liabilities, based on the prior practice of the commissions to provide recovery through the ratemaking process.
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The Company has multiple master netting agreements with a variety of entities that allow for cross-commodity netting of derivative agreements with the same counterparty (i.e. power derivatives can be netted with natural gas derivatives). In addition, some master netting agreements allow for the netting of commodity derivatives and interest rate swap derivatives for the same counterparty. The Company does not have any agreements which allow for cross-affiliate netting among multiple affiliated legal entities. The Company nets all derivative instruments when allowed by the agreement for presentation in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value represents the price that would be received when selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Energy commodity derivative assets and liabilities, deferred compensation assets, as well as derivatives related to interest rate swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts, are reported at estimated fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 11 for the Company’s fair value disclosures.
Contingencies
The Company has unresolved regulatory, legal and tax issues which have inherently uncertain outcomes. The Company accrues a loss contingency if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss or impairment can be reasonably estimated. The Company also discloses loss contingencies that do not meet these conditions for accrual if there is a reasonable possibility that a material loss may be incurred. As of March 31, 2019, the Company has not recorded any significant amounts related to unresolved contingencies. See Note 15 for further discussion of the Company's commitments and contingencies.
NOTE 2. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)"
ASU No. 2018-01, "Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842"
ASU No. 2018-11, "Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements"
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, which outlines a model for entities to use in accounting for leases and supersedes previous lease accounting guidance, as well as several practical expedients in ASU Nos. 2018-01 and 2018-11.
The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 utilizing a modified retrospective adoption method with the "package of three" and hindsight practical expedients offered by the standard. The "package of three" provides for an entity to not reassess at adoption whether any expired or existing contracts are deemed, for accounting purposes, to be or contain leases, the classification of any expired or existing leases, and any initial direct costs for any existing leases. As a result, the Company did not apply the new guidance to existing contracts that are or contain leases, and did not reassess the classification of those leases. The Company used the benefit of hindsight in determining both term and impairments associated with any existing leases. Use of this practical expedient has resulted in lease terms that best represent management's expectations with respect to use of the underlying asset but did not result in recognition of any impairment.
The Company elected to adopt ASU No. 2018-01, which allows an entity to exclude from application of Topic 842 all easements executed prior to January 1, 2019. In addition, the Company elected to adopt the "comparatives under 840" practical expedient offered in ASU No. 2018-11, which allows an entity to apply the new lease standard at the adoption date, recognizing any necessary cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption and presenting comparative periods in the financial statements under ASC 840 (previous lease accounting guidance). Adoption of the standard did not result in a cumulative effect adjustment within the Company's financial statements.
As allowed by ASU No. 2016-02, the Company elected not to apply the requirements of the standard to short-term leases, those leases with an initial term of 12 months or less. These leases are not recorded on the balance sheet and are immaterial to the financial statements.
Adoption of the standard impacted the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet through recognition of right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease liabilities for the Company's operating leases. Accounting for finance leases (formerly capital leases) remained substantially unchanged, except the Company reclassified the amounts as of December 31, 2018 to conform to the presentation of operating leases as of March 31, 2019. See Note 5 for further information on the Company's leases.
ASU No. 2018-02 “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, which amended the guidance for reporting comprehensive income. This ASU allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the enactment of the TCJA in December 2017. This ASU became effective for periods beginning after December
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15, 2018 and early adoption was permitted. Upon adoption, the requirements of this ASU must be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the TCJA is recognized. The Company early adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018 and elected to apply the guidance during the period of adoption rather than apply the standard retrospectively. As a result, the Company reclassified $1.7 million in tax benefits from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2018.
ASU 2018-13 " Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)"
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, which amends the fair value measurement disclosure requirements of ASC 820. The requirements of this ASU include additional disclosure regarding the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value estimates and the elimination of certain other previously required disclosures, such as the narrative description of the valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements. This ASU is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. Entities have the option to early adopt the eliminated or modified disclosure requirements and delay the adoption of all the new disclosure requirements until the effective date of the ASU. The Company is in the process of evaluating this standard; however, it has determined that it will not early adopt any portion of this standard as of March 31, 2019.
ASU No. 2018-14 "Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20)"
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, which amends ASC 715 to add, remove and/or clarify certain disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The additional disclosure requirements are primarily narrative discussion of significant changes in the benefit obligations and plan assets. The removed disclosures are primarily information about accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized over the next year and the effects of changes associated with assumed health care costs. This ASU is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2021 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating this standard; however, it has determined that it will not early adopt this standard as of March 31, 2019.
NOTE 3. BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS
Materials and Supplies, Fuel Stock and Stored Natural Gas
Inventories of materials and supplies, fuel stock and stored natural gas are recorded at average cost for our regulated operations and the lower of cost or market for our non-regulated operations and consisted of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Materials and supplies | $ | 47,705 |  |  | $ | 47,403 |
Fuel stock | 4,930 |  |  | 4,869 |
Stored natural gas | 8,719 |  |  | 11,609 |
Total | $ | 61,354 |  |  | $ | 63,881 |

Other Current Assets
Other current assets consisted of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Collateral posted for derivative instruments after netting with outstanding derivative liabilities | $ | 37,347 |  |  | $ | 26,809 |
Prepayments | 16,647 |  |  | 17,536 |
Other | 6,954 |  |  | 9,665 |
Total | $ | 60,948 |  |  | $ | 54,010 |

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Net Utility Property
Net utility property consisted of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Utility plant in service | $ | 6,202,942 |  |  | $ | 6,209,968 |
Construction work in progress | 165,725 |  |  | 160,598 |
Total | 6,368,667 |  |  | 6,370,566 |
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | 1,742,613 |  |  | 1,721,636 |
Total net utility property | $ | 4,626,054 |  |  | $ | 4,648,930 |

Other Property and Investments-Net and Other Non-Current Assets
Other property and investments-net and other non-current assets consisted of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Operating lease ROU assets | $ | 70,834 |  |  | $ | — |
Finance lease ROU assets | 53,711 |  |  | — |
Non-utility property | 29,557 |  |  | 31,355 |
Equity investments | 32,967 |  |  | 29,257 |
Investment in affiliated trust | 11,547 |  |  | 11,547 |
Notes receivable | 11,161 |  |  | 11,073 |
Deferred compensation assets | 8,675 |  |  | 8,400 |
Other | 22,751 |  |  | 23,065 |
Total | $ | 241,203 |  |  | $ | 114,697 |

Other Current Liabilities
Other current liabilities consisted of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Accrued taxes other than income taxes | $ | 49,206 |  |  | $ | 36,858 |
Income taxes payable | 20,368 |  |  | 141 |
Employee paid time off accruals | 21,813 |  |  | 20,992 |
Accrued interest | 30,315 |  |  | 16,704 |
Current portion of pensions and other postretirement benefits | 9,503 |  |  | 9,151 |
Operating lease liabilities | 4,120 |  |  | — |
Finance lease liabilities | 2,695 |  |  | — |
Utility energy commodity derivative liabilities | 4,035 |  |  | 3,908 |
Other current liabilities | 33,399 |  |  | 32,604 |
Total other current liabilities | $ | 175,454 |  |  | $ | 120,358 |

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Other Non-Current Liabilities and Deferred Credits
Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits consisted of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Operating lease liabilities | $ | 67,635 |  |  | $ | — |
Finance lease liabilities | 53,850 |  |  | — |
Deferred investment tax credits | 31,383 |  |  | 29,725 |
Asset retirement obligations | 18,455 |  |  | 18,266 |
Derivative liabilities | 10,861 |  |  | 10,300 |
Other | 13,564 |  |  | 12,740 |
Total | $ | 195,748 |  |  | $ | 71,031 |

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Regulatory assets and liabilities consisted of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

| March 31, 2019 |  | December 31, 2018
| Current |  | Non-Current |  | Current |  | Non-Current
Regulatory Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Energy commodity derivatives | $ | 28,159 |  |  | $ | 11,862 |  |  | $ | 41,428 |  |  | $ | 16,866 |
Decoupling surcharge | 6,782 |  |  | 8,395 |  |  | 3,408 |  |  | 17,501 |
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans | — |  |  | 224,805 |  |  | — |  |  | 228,062 |
Interest rate swaps | — |  |  | 138,327 |  |  | — |  |  | 133,854 |
Deferred income taxes | — |  |  | 93,646 |  |  | — |  |  | 91,188 |
Settlement with Coeur d'Alene Tribe | — |  |  | 42,316 |  |  | — |  |  | 42,643 |
Demand side management programs | — |  |  | 15,064 |  |  | — |  |  | 19,674 |
Utility plant to be abandoned | — |  |  | 24,477 |  |  | — |  |  | 24,334 |
Other regulatory assets | 6,625 |  |  | 46,605 |  |  | 3,716 |  |  | 40,232 |
Total regulatory assets | $ | 41,566 |  |  | $ | 605,497 |  |  | $ | 48,552 |  |  | $ | 614,354 |
Regulatory Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income tax related liabilities | $ | 29,401 |  |  | $ | 421,216 |  |  | $ | 27,997 |  |  | $ | 425,613 |
Deferred natural gas costs | 1,253 |  |  | — |  |  | 40,713 |  |  | — |
Deferral power costs | 12,555 |  |  | 26,106 |  |  | 25,072 |  |  | 16,933 |
Decoupling rebate | 1,061 |  |  | 4,664 |  |  | 6,782 |  |  | 204 |
Utility plant retirement costs | — |  |  | 300,373 |  |  | — |  |  | 297,379 |
Interest rate swaps | — |  |  | 20,396 |  |  | — |  |  | 28,078 |
Other regulatory liabilities | 11,194 |  |  | 13,478 |  |  | 12,645 |  |  | 12,494 |
Total regulatory liabilities | $ | 55,464 |  |  | $ | 786,233 |  |  | $ | 113,209 |  |  | $ | 780,701 |

NOTE 4. REVENUE
ASC 606 defines the core principle of the revenue recognition model is that an entity should identify the various performance obligations in a contract, allocate the transaction price among the performance obligations and recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies each performance obligation.
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Utility Revenues
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
General
The majority of Avista Corp.’s revenue is from rate-regulated sales of electricity and natural gas to retail customers, which has two performance obligations, (1) having service available for a specified period (typically a month at a time) and (2) the delivery of energy to customers. The total energy price generally has a fixed component (basic charge) related to having service available and a usage-based component, related to the delivery and consumption of energy. The commodity is sold and/or delivered to and consumed by the customer simultaneously, and the provisions of the relevant utility commission authorization determine the charges the Company may bill the customer. Given that all revenue recognition criteria are met upon the delivery of energy to customers, revenue is recognized immediately at that time.
Revenues from contracts with customers are presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income in the line item "Utility revenues, exclusive of alternative revenue programs."
Non-Derivative Wholesale Contracts
The Company has certain wholesale contracts which are not accounted for as derivatives and, accordingly, are within the scope of ASC 606 and considered revenue from contracts with customers. Revenue is recognized as energy is delivered to the customer or the service is available for a specified period of time, consistent with the discussion of rate-regulated sales above.
Alternative Revenue Programs (Decoupling)
ASC 606 retained existing GAAP associated with alternative revenue programs, which specified that alternative revenue programs are contracts between an entity and a regulator of utilities, not a contract between an entity and a customer. GAAP requires that an entity present revenue arising from alternative revenue programs separately from revenues arising from contracts with customers on the face of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company's decoupling mechanisms (also known as a FCA in Idaho) qualify as alternative revenue programs. Decoupling revenue deferrals are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income during the period they occur (i.e. during the period of revenue shortfall or excess due to fluctuations in customer usage), subject to certain limitations, and a regulatory asset or liability is established that will be surcharged or rebated to customers in future periods. GAAP requires that for any alternative revenue program, like decoupling, the revenue must be expected to be collected from customers within 24 months of the deferral to qualify for recognition in the current period Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income. Any amounts included in the Company's decoupling program that are not expected to be collected from customers within 24 months are not recorded in the financial statements until the period in which revenue recognition criteria are met. The amounts expected to be collected from customers within 24 months represents an estimate that must be made by the Company on an ongoing basis due to it being based on the volumes of electric and natural gas sold to customers on a go-forward basis.
Derivative Revenue
Most wholesale electric and natural gas transactions (including both physical and financial transactions), and the sale of fuel are considered derivatives, which are specifically scoped out of ASC 606. As such, these revenues are disclosed separately from revenue from contracts with customers. Revenue is recognized for these items upon the settlement/expiration of the derivative contract. Derivative revenue includes those transactions that are entered into and settled within the same month.
Other Utility Revenue
Other utility revenue includes rent, revenues from the lineman training school, sales of materials, late fees and other charges that do not represent contracts with customers. Other utility revenue also includes the provision for earnings sharing and the deferral and amortization of refunds to customers associated with the TCJA. This revenue is scoped out of ASC 606, as this revenue does not represent items where a customer is a party that has contracted with the Company to obtain goods or services that are an output of the Company’s ordinary activities in exchange for consideration. As such, these revenues are presented separately from revenue from contracts with customers.
Other Considerations for Utility Revenues
Gross Versus Net Presentation
Revenues and resource costs from Avista Utilities’ settled energy contracts that are “booked out” (not physically delivered) are reported on a net basis as part of derivative revenues.
Utility-related taxes collected from customers (primarily state excise taxes and city utility taxes) are taxes that are imposed on Avista Utilities as opposed to being imposed on its customers; therefore, Avista Utilities is the taxpayer and records these
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transactions on a gross basis in revenue from contracts with customers and operating expense (taxes other than income taxes). The utility-related taxes collected from customers at AEL&P are imposed on the customers rather than AEL&P; therefore, the customers are the taxpayers and AEL&P is acting as their agent. As such, these transactions at AEL&P are presented on a net basis within revenue from contracts with customers.
Utility-related taxes that were included in revenue from contracts with customers were as follows for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| 2019 |  | 2018
Utility-related taxes | $ | 19,089 |  |  | $ | 19,167 |

Non-Utility Revenues
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Non-utility revenues from contracts with customers are primarily derived from the operations of METALfx. The contracts associated with METALfx have one performance obligation, the delivery of a product, and revenues are recognized when the risk of loss transfers to the customer, which occurs when products are shipped.
Significant Judgments and Unsatisfied Performance Obligations
The only significant judgments involving revenue recognition are estimates surrounding unbilled revenue and receivables from contracts with customers and estimates surrounding the amount of decoupling revenues that will be collected from customers within 24 months (discussed above).
The Company has certain capacity arrangements, where the Company has a contractual obligation to provide either electric or natural gas capacity to its customers for a fixed fee. Most of these arrangements are paid for in arrears by the customers and do not result in deferred revenue and only result in receivables from the customers. The Company does have one capacity agreement where the customer makes payments throughout the year and depending on the timing of the customer payments, it can result in an immaterial amount of deferred revenue or a receivable from the customer. As of March 31, 2019, the Company estimates it had unsatisfied capacity performance obligations of $9.1 million, which will be recognized as revenue in future periods as the capacity is provided to the customers. These performance obligations are not reflected in the financial statements, as the Company has not received payment for these services.
Disaggregation of Total Operating Revenue
The following table disaggregates total operating revenue by segment and source for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| 2019 |  | 2018
Avista Utilities |  |  |
Revenue from contracts with customers | $ | 354,301 |  |  | $ | 354,162 |
Derivative revenues | 24,127 |  |  | 58,392 |
Alternative revenue programs | (4,658 | ) |  | (5,939 | )
Deferrals and amortizations for rate refunds to customers | 2,135 |  |  | (19,822 | )
Other utility revenues | 1,797 |  |  | 1,961 |
Total Avista Utilities | 377,702 |  |  | 388,754 |
AEL&P |  |  |
Revenue from contracts with customers | 10,736 |  |  | 14,650 |
Deferrals and amortizations for rate refunds to customers | (48 | ) |  | (1,122 | )
Other utility revenues | 193 |  |  | 135 |
Total AEL&P | 10,881 |  |  | 13,663 |
Other |  |  |
Revenue from contracts with customers | 7,647 |  |  | 6,729 |
Other revenues | 251 |  |  | 215 |
Total other | 7,898 |  |  | 6,944 |
Total operating revenues | $ | 396,481 |  |  | $ | 409,361 |

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Utility Revenue from Contracts with Customers by Type and Service
The following table disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers associated with the Company's utility operations for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| 2019 |  | 2018
| Avista Utilities |  | AEL&P |  | Total Utility |  | Avista Utilities |  | AEL&P |  | Total Utility
ELECTRIC OPERATIONS |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Residential | $ | 115,392 |  |  | $ | 5,852 |  |  | $ | 121,244 |  |  | $ | 114,753 |  |  | $ | 6,538 |  |  | $ | 121,291 |
Commercial and governmental | 79,245 |  |  | 4,821 |  |  | 84,066 |  |  | 78,909 |  |  | 8,044 |  |  | 86,953 |
Industrial | 25,248 |  |  | — |  |  | 25,248 |  |  | 25,119 |  |  | — |  |  | 25,119 |
Public street and highway lighting | 1,903 |  |  | 63 |  |  | 1,966 |  |  | 1,859 |  |  | 68 |  |  | 1,927 |
Total retail revenue | 221,788 |  |  | 10,736 |  |  | 232,524 |  |  | 220,640 |  |  | 14,650 |  |  | 235,290 |
Transmission | 5,152 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,152 |  |  | 3,830 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,830 |
Other revenue from contracts with customers | 8,194 |  |  | — |  |  | 8,194 |  |  | 6,291 |  |  | — |  |  | 6,291 |
Total electric revenue from contracts with customers | $ | 235,134 |  |  | $ | 10,736 |  |  | $ | 245,870 |  |  | $ | 230,761 |  |  | $ | 14,650 |  |  | $ | 245,411 |
NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Residential | $ | 77,336 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 77,336 |  |  | $ | 80,653 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 80,653 |
Commercial | 36,595 |  |  | — |  |  | 36,595 |  |  | 37,373 |  |  | — |  |  | 37,373 |
Industrial and interruptible | 1,627 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,627 |  |  | 1,683 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,683 |
Total retail revenue | 115,558 |  |  | — |  |  | 115,558 |  |  | 119,709 |  |  | — |  |  | 119,709 |
Transportation | 2,484 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,484 |  |  | 2,567 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,567 |
Other revenue from contracts with customers | 1,125 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,125 |  |  | 1,125 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,125 |
Total natural gas revenue from contracts with customers | $ | 119,167 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 119,167 |  |  | $ | 123,401 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 123,401 |

NOTE 5. LEASES
ASC 842, which outlines a model for entities to use in accounting for leases and supersedes previous lease accounting guidance, became effective on January 1, 2019. The core principle of the model is that an entity should recognize the ROU assets and liabilities that arise from leases on the balance sheet and depreciate or amortize the asset and liability over the term of the lease, as well as provide disclosure to enable users of the condensed consolidated financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.
Significant Judgments and Assumptions
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease, as well as its classification, at its inception.
ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating and finance lease ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the agreement based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. The implicit rate is used when it is readily determinable. The operating and finance lease ROU assets also include any lease payments made and exclude lease incentives, if any, that accrue to the benefit of the lessee.
Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Any difference between lease expense and cash paid for leased assets is recognized as a regulatory asset or regulatory liability.
Description of Leases
The Company has operating leases for land associated with its utility operations, as well as communication sites which support network and radio communications within its service territory. The Company's leases have remaining terms of 1 to 74 years.
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Most of the Company's leases include options to extend the lease term for periods of 5 to 50 years. Exercise of these options is at the Company's discretion.
The Company has an operating lease with the state of Montana associated with submerged land around the Company's hydroelectric facilities in the Clark Fork River basin, which expires in 2046. The terms of this lease are subject to renegotiation, depending on the outcome of ongoing litigation between Montana and NorthWestern Energy. In addition, the state of Montana and Avista Corp. are engaged in litigation regarding the lease terms. As such, amounts recorded for this lease are uncertain and amounts may change in the future depending on the outcome of the ongoing litigation.
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, AEL&P, the Company has a PPA which is treated as a finance lease for accounting purposes related to the Snettisham Hydroelectric Project, which expires in 2034. For ratemaking purposes, this lease is treated as an operating lease with a constant level of annual rental expense (straight line rent expense). Because of this regulatory treatment, any difference between the operating lease expense for ratemaking purposes and the expenses recognized under finance lease treatment (interest and amortization of the finance lease ROU asset) is recorded as a regulatory asset and amortized during the later years of the lease when the finance lease expense is less than the operating lease expense included in base rates. In 2018 and prior years, the total cost associated with the Snettisham PPA was included in resource costs. Due to the adoption of the new lease standard, the amortization of the ROU asset is now included in depreciation and amortization and the interest associated with the lease liability is now included in interest expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.
Certain of the Company's lease agreements include rental payments which are periodically adjusted over the term of the agreement based on the consumer price index. The Company's lease agreements do not include any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
Avista Corp. does not record leases with a term of 12-months or less in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Total short-term lease cost for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is immaterial.
Leases that Have Not Yet Commenced
In March 2019, the Company signed a PPA with Clearway Energy Group (Clearway) to purchase all of the power generated from the Rattlesnake Flat Wind project in Adams County, Washington. The facility has a nameplate capacity of 144 MW and is expected to generate approximately 50 aMW. During negotiations with Clearway, Avista Corp. was involved in the selection of the preferred generation facility type. The PPA is a 20-year agreement with deliveries expected to begin in 2020. The PPA provides Avista Corp. with additional renewable energy, capacity and environmental attributes. Avista Corp. expects to recover the cost of the power purchased through its retail rates. This PPA is considered a lease under ASC 842; however, all of the payments are variable payments based on whether power is generated from the facility. Since all the payments are variable, the Company will not record a lease liability for the agreement, but the expense will be included in resource costs when it becomes operational in 2020.
The components of lease expense were as follows for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| 2019
Operating lease cost: |
Fixed lease cost (Other operating expenses) | $ | 1,103 |
Variable lease cost (Other operating expenses) | 243 |
Total operating lease cost | $ | 1,346 |
Finance lease cost: |
Amortization of ROU asset (Depreciation and amortization) | $ | 910 |
Interest on lease liabilities (Interest expense) | 699 |
Total finance lease cost | $ | 1,609 |

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Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: |
Operating cash outflows: |
Operating lease payments | $ | 4,092 |
Interest on finance lease | 699 |
Total operating cash outflows | $ | 4,791 |
Finance cash outflows: |
Principal payments on finance lease | $ | 665 |

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows for March 31, 2019 (dollars in thousands):

| March 31,
| 2019
Operating Leases |
Operating lease ROU assets (Other property and investments-net and other non-current assets) | $ | 70,834 |
Other current liabilities | $ | 4,120 |
Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits | 67,635 |
Total operating lease liabilities | $ | 71,755 |
Finance Leases |
Finance lease ROU assets (Other property and investments-net and other non-current assets) (a) | $ | 53,711 |
Other current liabilities (b) | $ | 2,695 |
Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits (b) | 53,850 |
Total finance lease liabilities | $ | 56,545 |
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term |
Operating leases | 27.32 years |
Finance leases | 9.64 years |
Weighted Average Discount Rate |
Operating leases | 3.82 | %
Finance leases | 4.85 | %

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(a) | At December 31, 2018, the finance lease ROU assets were included in "Net utility property" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Due to the adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, the Company has reclassified these amounts to "Other property and investments-net and other non-current assets" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet such that their presentation as of March 31, 2019 is consistent with operating leases.

(b) | At December 31, 2018, the finance lease liabilities were included in "Current portion of long-term debt" and "Long-term debt and capital leases" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Due to the adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, the Company has reclassified these amounts to "Other current liabilities" and "Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet such that their presentation as of March 31, 2019 is consistent with operating leases.

Maturities of lease liabilities (including principal and interest) were as follows as of March 31, 2019 (dollars in thousands):

| Operating Leases |  | Finance Leases
Remainder 2019 | $ | 4,272 |  |  | $ | 4,091 |
2020 | 4,364 |  |  | 5,462 |
2021 | 4,367 |  |  | 5,457 |
2022 | 4,375 |  |  | 5,460 |
2023 | 4,383 |  |  | 5,456 |
Thereafter | 95,923 |  |  | 54,574 |
Total lease payments | $ | 117,684 |  |  | $ | 80,500 |
Less: imputed interest | (45,929 | ) |  | (23,955 | )
Total | $ | 71,755 |  |  | $ | 56,545 |

Future minimum lease payments (including principal and interest) under Topic 840 as of December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

| Operating Leases |  | Finance Leases
2019 | $ | 4,995 |  |  | $ | 5,455 |
2020 | 4,876 |  |  | 5,462 |
2021 | 4,859 |  |  | 5,457 |
2022 | 4,782 |  |  | 5,460 |
2023 | 4,780 |  |  | 5,456 |
Thereafter | 102,389 |  |  | 54,574 |
Total lease payments | $ | 126,681 |  |  | $ | 81,864 |
Less: imputed interest | — |  |  | (24,654 | )
Total | $ | 126,681 |  |  | $ | 57,210 |

NOTE 6. DERIVATIVES AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Energy Commodity Derivatives
Avista Corp. is exposed to market risks relating to changes in electricity and natural gas commodity prices and certain other fuel prices. Market risk is, in general, the risk of fluctuation in the market price of the commodity being traded and is influenced primarily by supply and demand. Market risk includes the fluctuation in the market price of associated derivative commodity instruments. Avista Corp. utilizes derivative instruments, such as forwards, futures, swap derivatives and options, in order to manage the various risks relating to these commodity price exposures. Avista Corp. has an energy resources risk policy and control procedures to manage these risks.
As part of Avista Corp.'s resource procurement and management operations in the electric business, Avista Corp. engages in an ongoing process of resource optimization, which involves the economic selection from available energy resources to serve Avista Corp.'s load obligations and the use of these resources to capture available economic value through wholesale market transactions. These include sales and purchases of electric capacity and energy, fuel for electric generation, and derivative contracts related to capacity, energy and fuel. Such transactions are part of the process of matching resources with load
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obligations and hedging a portion of the related financial risks. These transactions range from terms of intra-hour up to multiple years.
As part of its resource procurement and management of its natural gas business, Avista Corp. makes continuing projections of its natural gas loads and assesses available natural gas resources including natural gas storage availability. Natural gas resource planning typically includes peak requirements, low and average monthly requirements and delivery constraints from natural gas supply locations to Avista Corp.’s distribution system. However, daily variations in natural gas demand can be significantly different than monthly demand projections. On the basis of these projections, Avista Corp. plans and executes a series of transactions to hedge a portion of its projected natural gas requirements through forward market transactions and derivative instruments. These transactions may extend as much as four natural gas operating years (November through October) into the future. Avista Corp. also leaves a significant portion of its natural gas supply requirements unhedged for purchase in short-term and spot markets.
Avista Corp. plans for sufficient natural gas delivery capacity to serve its retail customers for a theoretical peak day event. Avista Corp. generally has more pipeline and storage capacity than what is needed during periods other than a peak-day. Avista Corp. optimizes its natural gas resources by using market opportunities to generate economic value that helps mitigate fixed costs. Avista Corp. also optimizes its natural gas storage capacity by purchasing and storing natural gas when prices are traditionally lower, typically in the summer, and withdrawing during higher priced months, typically during the winter. However, if market conditions and prices indicate that Avista Corp. should buy or sell natural gas at other times during the year, Avista Corp. engages in optimization transactions to capture value in the marketplace. Natural gas optimization activities include, but are not limited to, wholesale market sales of surplus natural gas supplies, purchases and sales of natural gas to optimize use of pipeline and storage capacity, and participation in the transportation capacity release market.
The following table presents the underlying energy commodity derivative volumes as of March 31, 2019 that are expected to be delivered in each respective year (in thousands of MWhs and mmBTUs):

| Purchases |  | Sales
| Electric Derivatives |  | Gas Derivatives |  | Electric Derivatives |  | Gas Derivatives
Year | Physical (1) MWh |  | Financial (1) MWh |  | Physical (1) mmBTUs |  | Financial (1) mmBTUs |  | Physical (1) MWh |  | Financial (1) MWh |  | Physical (1) mmBTUs |  | Financial (1) mmBTUs
Remainder 2019 | 30 |  |  | 596 |  |  | 4,640 |  |  | 81,438 |  |  | 109 |  |  | 2,280 |  |  | 669 |  |  | 35,913 |
2020 | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,138 |  |  | 53,388 |  |  | 123 |  |  | 959 |  |  | 1,430 |  |  | 16,378 |
2021 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 15,290 |  |  | — |  |  | 246 |  |  | 1,049 |  |  | 4,100 |
2022 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
2023 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Thereafter | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |

The following table presents the underlying energy commodity derivative volumes as of December 31, 2018 that are expected to be delivered in each respective year (in thousands of MWhs and mmBTUs):

| Purchases |  | Sales
| Electric Derivatives |  | Gas Derivatives |  | Electric Derivatives |  | Gas Derivatives
Year | Physical (1) MWh |  | Financial (1) MWh |  | Physical (1) mmBTUs |  | Financial (1) mmBTUs |  | Physical (1) MWh |  | Financial (1) MWh |  | Physical (1) mmBTUs |  | Financial (1) mmBTUs
2019 | 206 |  |  | 941 |  |  | 10,732 |  |  | 101,293 |  |  | 197 |  |  | 2,790 |  |  | 2,909 |  |  | 54,418 |
2020 | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,138 |  |  | 47,225 |  |  | 123 |  |  | 959 |  |  | 1,430 |  |  | 14,625 |
2021 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 9,670 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,049 |  |  | 4,100 |
2022 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
2023 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Thereafter | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |

(1) | Physical transactions represent commodity transactions in which Avista Corp. will take or make delivery of either electricity or natural gas; financial transactions represent derivative instruments with delivery of cash in the amount of the benefit or cost but with no physical delivery of the commodity, such as futures, swap derivatives, options, or forward contracts.

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The electric and natural gas derivative contracts above will be included in either power supply costs or natural gas supply costs during the period they are delivered and will be included in the various deferral and recovery mechanisms (ERM, PCA and PGAs), or in the general rate case process, and are expected to be collected through retail rates from customers.
Foreign Currency Exchange Derivatives
A significant portion of Avista Corp.’s natural gas supply (including fuel for power generation) is obtained from Canadian sources. Most of those transactions are executed in U.S. dollars, which avoids foreign currency risk. A portion of Avista Corp.’s short-term natural gas transactions and long-term Canadian transportation contracts are committed based on Canadian currency prices and settled within 60 days with U.S. dollars. Avista Corp. hedges a portion of the foreign currency risk by purchasing Canadian currency exchange derivatives when such commodity transactions are initiated. The foreign currency exchange derivatives and the unhedged foreign currency risk have not had a material effect on Avista Corp.’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows and these differences in cost related to currency fluctuations are included with natural gas supply costs for ratemaking.
The following table summarizes the foreign currency exchange derivatives that Avista Corp. has outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Number of contracts | 22 |  |  | 31 |
Notional amount (in United States dollars) | $ | 6,681 |  |  | $ | 4,018 |
Notional amount (in Canadian dollars) | 8,917 |  |  | 5,386 |

Interest Rate Swap Derivatives
Avista Corp. is affected by fluctuating interest rates related to a portion of its existing debt, and future borrowing requirements. Avista Corp. hedges a portion of its interest rate risk with financial derivative instruments, which may include interest rate swap derivatives and U.S. Treasury lock agreements. These interest rate swap derivatives and U.S. Treasury lock agreements are considered economic hedges against fluctuations in future cash flows associated with anticipated debt issuances.
The following table summarizes the unsettled interest rate swap derivatives that Avista Corp. has outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

Balance Sheet Date |  | Number of Contracts |  | Notional Amount |  | Mandatory Cash Settlement Date
March 31, 2019 |  | 6 |  | $ | 70,000 |  |  | 2019
|  | 6 |  | 60,000 |  |  | 2020
|  | 2 |  | 25,000 |  |  | 2021
|  | 8 |  | 90,000 |  |  | 2022
December 31, 2018 |  | 6 |  | $ | 70,000 |  |  | 2019
|  | 6 |  | 60,000 |  |  | 2020
|  | 2 |  | 25,000 |  |  | 2021
|  | 7 |  | 80,000 |  |  | 2022

Upon settlement of interest rate swap derivatives, the cash payments made or received are recorded as a regulatory asset or liability and are subsequently amortized as a component of interest expense over the life of the associated debt. The settled interest rate swap derivatives are also included as a part of Avista Corp.'s cost of debt calculation for ratemaking purposes.
The fair value of outstanding interest rate swap derivatives can vary significantly from period to period depending on the total notional amount of swap derivatives outstanding and fluctuations in market interest rates compared to the interest rates fixed by the swaps. Avista Corp. is required to make cash payments to settle the interest rate swap derivatives when the fixed rates are higher than prevailing market rates at the date of settlement. Conversely, Avista Corp. receives cash to settle its interest rate swap derivatives when prevailing market rates at the time of settlement exceed the fixed swap rates.
Summary of Outstanding Derivative Instruments
The amounts recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 reflect the offsetting of derivative assets and liabilities where a legal right of offset exists.
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The following table presents the fair values and locations of derivative instruments recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2019 (in thousands):

|  | Fair Value
Derivative and Balance Sheet Location |  | Gross Asset |  | Gross Liability |  | Collateral Netted |  | Net Asset (Liability) on Balance Sheet
Foreign currency exchange derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other current liabilities |  | $ | 15 |  |  | $ | (15 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Interest rate swap derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other current assets |  | 2,587 |  |  | (530 | ) |  | — |  |  | 2,057 |
Other property and investments-net and other non-current assets |  | 2,503 |  |  | (1,754 | ) |  | — |  |  | 749 |
Other current liabilities |  | — |  |  | (524 | ) |  | — |  |  | (524 | )
Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits |  | — |  |  | (12,402 | ) |  | 2,860 |  |  | (9,542 | )
Energy commodity derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other current assets |  | 262 |  |  | (12 | ) |  | — |  |  | 250 |
Other current liabilities |  | 26,875 |  |  | (55,284 | ) |  | 24,374 |  |  | (4,035 | )
Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits |  | 4,349 |  |  | (16,211 | ) |  | 10,543 |  |  | (1,319 | )
Total derivative instruments recorded on the balance sheet |  | $ | 36,591 |  |  | $ | (86,732 | ) |  | $ | 37,777 |  |  | $ | (12,364 | )

The following table presents the fair values and locations of derivative instruments recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands):

|  | Fair Value
Derivative and Balance Sheet Location |  | Gross Asset |  | Gross Liability |  | Collateral Netted |  | Net Asset (Liability) on Balance Sheet
Foreign currency exchange derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other current liabilities |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (45 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (45 | )
Interest rate swap derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other current assets |  | 5,283 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 5,283 |
Other property and investments-net and other non-current assets |  | 5,283 |  |  | (440 | ) |  | — |  |  | 4,843 |
Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits |  | — |  |  | (7,391 | ) |  | 530 |  |  | (6,861 | )
Energy commodity derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other current assets |  | 400 |  |  | (130 | ) |  | — |  |  | 270 |
Other current liabilities |  | 31,457 |  |  | (73,155 | ) |  | 37,790 |  |  | (3,908 | )
Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits |  | 4,426 |  |  | (21,292 | ) |  | 13,427 |  |  | (3,439 | )
Total derivative instruments recorded on the balance sheet |  | $ | 46,849 |  |  | $ | (102,453 | ) |  | $ | 51,747 |  |  | $ | (3,857 | )

Exposure to Demands for Collateral
Avista Corp.'s derivative contracts often require collateral (in the form of cash or letters of credit) or other credit enhancements, or reductions or terminations of a portion of the contract through cash settlement. In the event of a downgrade in Avista Corp.'s credit ratings or changes in market prices, additional collateral may be required. In periods of price volatility, the level of exposure can change significantly. As a result, sudden and significant demands may be made against Avista Corp.'s credit facilities and cash. Avista Corp. actively monitors the exposure to possible collateral calls and takes steps to mitigate capital requirements.
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The following table presents Avista Corp.'s collateral outstanding related to its derivative instruments as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands):

| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Energy commodity derivatives |  |  |
Cash collateral posted | $ | 72,264 |  |  | $ | 78,025 |
Letters of credit outstanding | 56,100 |  |  | 6,500 |
Balance sheet offsetting (cash collateral against net derivative positions) | 34,917 |  |  | 51,217 |
Interest rate swap derivatives |  |  |
Cash collateral posted | 2,860 |  |  | 530 |
Balance sheet offsetting (cash collateral against net derivative positions) | 2,860 |  |  | 530 |

Certain of Avista Corp.’s derivative instruments contain provisions that require Avista Corp. to maintain an "investment grade" credit rating from the major credit rating agencies. If Avista Corp.’s credit ratings were to fall below "investment grade," it would be in violation of these provisions, and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions.
The following table presents the aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a liability position and the amount of additional collateral Avista Corp. could be required to post as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands):

| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Energy commodity derivatives |  |  |
Liabilities with credit-risk-related contingent features | $ | 1,406 |  |  | $ | 2,193 |
Additional collateral to post | 1,415 |  |  | 2,193 |
Interest rate swap derivatives |  |  |
Liabilities with credit-risk-related contingent features | 15,210 |  |  | 7,831 |
Additional collateral to post | 10,064 |  |  | 6,579 |

NOTE 7. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
Avista Utilities
Avista Utilities’ maintained the same pension and other postretirement plans during the three months ended March 31, 2019 as those described as of December 31, 2018. The Company’s funding policy is to contribute at least the minimum amounts that are required to be funded under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, but not more than the maximum amounts that are currently deductible for income tax purposes. The Company contributed $7.3 million in cash to the pension plan for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and it expects to contribute a total of $22.0 million in 2019.
The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| Pension Benefits |  | Other Postretirement Benefits
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Service cost (a) | $ | 4,874 |  |  | $ | 5,450 |  |  | $ | 772 |  |  | $ | 804 |
Interest cost | 7,138 |  |  | 6,466 |  |  | 1,372 |  |  | 1,197 |
Expected return on plan assets | (7,815 | ) |  | (8,250 | ) |  | (718 | ) |  | (500 | )
Amortization of prior service cost | 75 |  |  | 75 |  |  | (275 | ) |  | (815 | )
Net loss recognition | 2,415 |  |  | 2,088 |  |  | 1,246 |  |  | 1,655 |
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | 6,687 |  |  | $ | 5,829 |  |  | $ | 2,397 |  |  | $ | 2,341 |

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(a) | Total service costs in the table above are recorded to the same accounts as labor expense. Labor and benefits expense is recorded to various projects based on whether the work is a capital project or an operating expense. Approximately 40 percent of all labor and benefits is capitalized to utility property and 60 percent is expensed to utility other operating expenses.

NOTE 8. INCOME TAXES
The following table summarizes the significant factors impacting the difference between our effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| 2019 |  | 2018
Federal income taxes at statutory rates | $ | 30,639 |  | 21.0 | % |  | $ | 13,790 |  | 21.0 | %
Increase (decrease) in tax resulting from: |  |  |  |  |
Tax effect of regulatory treatment of utility plant differences | (2,080 | ) | (1.4 | ) |  | (1,018 | ) | (1.6 | )
State income tax expense | 1,659 |  | 1.1 |  |  | 964 |  | 1.5 |
Acquisition costs | (1,824 | ) | (1.2 | ) |  | 46 |  | 0.1 |
Settlement of equity awards | 612 |  | 0.4 |  |  | (990 | ) | (1.5 | )
Other | 1,011 |  | 0.7 |  |  | (2,082 | ) | (3.2 | )
Total income tax expense | $ | 30,017 |  | 20.6 | % |  | $ | 10,710 |  | 16.3 | %

NOTE 9. COMMITTED LINES OF CREDIT
Avista Corp.
Avista Corp. has a committed line of credit with various financial institutions in the total amount of $400.0 million that expires in April 2021. The committed line of credit is secured by non-transferable first mortgage bonds of the Company issued to the agent bank that would only become due and payable in the event, and then only to the extent, that the Company defaults on its obligations under the committed line of credit.
Balances outstanding and interest rates of borrowings (excluding letters of credit) under the Company’s revolving committed line of credit were as follows as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Balance outstanding at end of period (1) | $ | 119,000 |  |  | $ | 190,000 |
Letters of credit outstanding at end of period | $ | 60,103 |  |  | $ | 10,503 |
Average interest rate at end of period | 3.31 | % |  | 3.18 | %

(1) | As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the balance outstanding was classified as short-term borrowings on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

AEL&P
AEL&P has a committed line of credit in the amount of $25.0 million that expires in November 2019. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding under this committed line of credit. The committed line of credit is secured by non-transferable first mortgage bonds of AEL&P issued to the agent bank that would only become due and payable in the event, and then only to the extent, that AEL&P defaults on its obligations under the committed line of credit.
NOTE 10. LONG-TERM DEBT TO AFFILIATED TRUSTS
In 1997, the Company issued Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, Series B, with a principal amount of $51.5 million to Avista Capital II, an affiliated business trust formed by the Company. Avista Capital II issued $50.0 million of Preferred Trust Securities with a floating distribution rate of LIBOR plus 0.875 percent, calculated and reset quarterly.
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The distribution rates paid were as follows during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018:

| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Low distribution rate | 3.50 | % |  | 2.36 | %
High distribution rate | 3.61 | % |  | 3.61 | %
Distribution rate at the end of the period | 3.50 | % |  | 3.61 | %

Concurrent with the issuance of the Preferred Trust Securities, Avista Capital II issued $1.5 million of Common Trust Securities to the Company. The Preferred Trust Securities may be redeemed at the option of Avista Capital II at any time and mature on June 1, 2037. In December 2000, the Company purchased $10.0 million of these Preferred Trust Securities.
The Company owns 100 percent of Avista Capital II and has solely and unconditionally guaranteed the payment of distributions on, and redemption price and liquidation amount for, the Preferred Trust Securities to the extent that Avista Capital II has funds available for such payments from the respective debt securities. Upon maturity or prior redemption of such debt securities, the Preferred Trust Securities will be mandatorily redeemed. The Company does not include these capital trusts in its consolidated financial statements as Avista Corp. is not the primary beneficiary. As such, the sole assets of the capital trusts are $51.5 million of junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures of Avista Corp., which are reflected on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest expense to affiliated trusts in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income represents interest expense on these debentures.
NOTE 11. FAIR VALUE
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, and short-term borrowings are reasonable estimates of their fair values. Long-term debt (including current portion and material capital leases) and long-term debt to affiliated trusts are reported at carrying value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs 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 measurement) and the lowest priority to fair values derived from unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2 – Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, but which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors, and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.
Level 3 – Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally unobservable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.
Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The determination of the fair values incorporates various factors that not only include the credit standing of the counterparties involved and the impact of credit enhancements (such as cash deposits and letters of credit), but also the impact of Avista Corp.’s nonperformance risk on its liabilities.
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The following table sets forth the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments not reported at estimated fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

| March 31, 2019 |  | December 31, 2018
| Carrying Value |  | Estimated Fair Value |  | Carrying Value |  | Estimated Fair Value
Long-term debt (Level 2) | $ | 1,053,500 |  |  | $ | 1,155,199 |  |  | $ | 1,053,500 |  |  | $ | 1,142,292 |
Long-term debt (Level 3) | 767,000 |  |  | 734,742 |  |  | 767,000 |  |  | 734,742 |
Snettisham finance lease obligation (Level 3) | 56,545 |  |  | 56,900 |  |  | 57,210 |  |  | 55,600 |
Long-term debt to affiliated trusts (Level 3) | 51,547 |  |  | 38,145 |  |  | 51,547 |  |  | 38,145 |

These estimates of fair value of long-term debt and long-term debt to affiliated trusts were primarily based on available market information, which generally consists of estimated market prices from third party brokers for debt with similar risk and terms. The price ranges obtained from the third party brokers consisted of par values of 74.00 to 121.59, where a par value of 100.0 represents the carrying value recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Level 2 long-term debt represents publicly issued bonds with quoted market prices; however, due to their limited trading activity, they are classified as Level 2 because brokers must generate quotes and make estimates if there is no trading activity near a period end. Level 3 long-term debt consists of private placement bonds and debt to affiliated trusts, which typically have no secondary trading activity. Fair values in Level 3 are estimated based on market prices from third party brokers using secondary market quotes for debt with similar risk and terms to generate quotes for Avista Corp. bonds. Due to the unique nature of the Snettisham capital lease obligation, the estimated fair value of these items was determined based on a discounted cash flow model using available market information. The Snettisham capital lease obligation was discounted to present value using the Morgan Markets A Ex-Fin discount rate as published on March 31, 2019.
The following table discloses by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s assets and liabilities measured and reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 at fair value on a recurring basis (dollars in thousands):

| Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting (1) |  | Total
March 31, 2019 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Energy commodity derivatives | $ | — |  |  | $ | 31,363 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (31,113 | ) |  | $ | 250 |
Level 3 energy commodity derivatives: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Natural gas exchange agreement | — |  |  | — |  |  | 123 |  |  | (123 | ) |  | — |
Foreign currency exchange derivatives | — |  |  | 15 |  |  | — |  |  | (15 | ) |  | — |
Interest rate swap derivatives | — |  |  | 5,090 |  |  | — |  |  | (2,284 | ) |  | 2,806 |
Deferred compensation assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mutual Funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed income securities (2) | 1,758 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,758 |
Equity securities (2) | 6,456 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 6,456 |
Total | $ | 8,214 |  |  | $ | 36,468 |  |  | $ | 123 |  |  | $ | (33,535 | ) |  | $ | 11,270 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Energy commodity derivatives | $ | — |  |  | $ | 68,668 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (66,030 | ) |  | $ | 2,638 |
Level 3 energy commodity derivatives: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Natural gas exchange agreement | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,227 |  |  | (123 | ) |  | 2,104 |
Power exchange agreement | — |  |  | — |  |  | 612 |  |  | — |  |  | 612 |
Foreign currency exchange derivatives | — |  |  | 15 |  |  | — |  |  | (15 | ) |  | — |
Interest rate swap derivatives | — |  |  | 15,210 |  |  | — |  |  | (5,144 | ) |  | 10,066 |
Total | $ | — |  |  | $ | 83,893 |  |  | $ | 2,839 |  |  | $ | (71,312 | ) |  | $ | 15,420 |

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| Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting (1) |  | Total
December 31, 2018 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Energy commodity derivatives | $ | — |  |  | $ | 36,252 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (35,982 | ) |  | $ | 270 |
Level 3 energy commodity derivatives: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Natural gas exchange agreement | — |  |  | — |  |  | 31 |  |  | (31 | ) |  | — |
Interest rate swap derivatives | — |  |  | 10,566 |  |  | — |  |  | (440 | ) |  | 10,126 |
Deferred compensation assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mutual Funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed income securities (2) | 1,745 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,745 |
Equity securities (2) | 6,157 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 6,157 |
Total | $ | 7,902 |  |  | $ | 46,818 |  |  | $ | 31 |  |  | $ | (36,453 | ) |  | $ | 18,298 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Energy commodity derivatives | $ | — |  |  | $ | 89,283 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (87,199 | ) |  | $ | 2,084 |
Level 3 energy commodity derivatives: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Natural gas exchange agreement | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,805 |  |  | (31 | ) |  | 2,774 |
Power exchange agreement | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,488 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,488 |
Power option agreement | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |
Foreign currency exchange derivatives | — |  |  | 45 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 45 |
Interest rate swap derivatives | — |  |  | 7,831 |  |  | — |  |  | (970 | ) |  | 6,861 |
Total | $ | — |  |  | $ | 97,159 |  |  | $ | 5,294 |  |  | $ | (88,200 | ) |  | $ | 14,253 |

(1) | The Company is permitted to net derivative assets and derivative liabilities with the same counterparty when a legally enforceable master netting agreement exists. In addition, the Company nets derivative assets and derivative liabilities against any payables and receivables for cash collateral held or placed with these same counterparties.

(2) | These assets are included in other property and investments-net and other non-current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The difference between the amount of derivative assets and liabilities disclosed in respective levels in the table above and the amount of derivative assets and liabilities disclosed on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets is due to netting arrangements with certain counterparties. See Note 6 for additional discussion of derivative netting.
To establish fair value for energy commodity derivatives, the Company uses quoted market prices and forward price curves to estimate the fair value of energy commodity derivative instruments included in Level 2. In particular, electric derivative valuations are performed using market quotes, adjusted for periods in between quotable periods. Natural gas derivative valuations are estimated using New York Mercantile Exchange pricing for similar instruments, adjusted for basin differences, using market quotes. Where observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of the contract, the derivative asset or liability is included in Level 2.
To establish fair values for interest rate swap derivatives, the Company uses forward market curves for interest rates for the term of the swaps and discounts the cash flows back to present value using an appropriate discount rate. The discount rate is calculated by third party brokers according to the terms of the swap derivatives and evaluated by the Company for reasonableness, with consideration given to the potential non-performance risk by the Company. Future cash flows of the interest rate swap derivatives are equal to the fixed interest rate in the swap compared to the floating market interest rate multiplied by the notional amount for each period.
To establish fair value for foreign currency derivatives, the Company uses forward market curves for Canadian dollars against the US dollar and multiplies the difference between the locked-in price and the market price by the notional amount of the derivative. Forward foreign currency market curves are provided by third party brokers. The Company's credit spread is factored into the locked-in price of the foreign exchange contracts.
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Deferred compensation assets and liabilities represent funds held by the Company in a Rabbi Trust for an executive deferral plan. These funds consist of actively traded equity and bond funds with quoted prices in active markets. The balance disclosed in the table above excludes cash and cash equivalents of $0.5 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
Level 3 Fair Value
Under the power exchange agreement the Company purchases power at a price that is based on the average operating and maintenance (O&M) charges from three surrogate nuclear power plants around the country. To estimate the fair value of this agreement, the Company estimates the difference between the purchase price based on the future O&M charges and forward prices for energy. The Company compares the Level 2 brokered quotes and forward price curves described above to an internally developed forward price which is based on the average O&M charges from the three surrogate nuclear power plants for the current year. The Company estimates the volumes of the transactions that will take place in the future based on historical average transaction volumes per delivery year (November to April). Significant increases or decreases in any of these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement.
For the natural gas commodity exchange agreement, the Company uses the same Level 2 brokered quotes described above; however, the Company also estimates the purchase and sales volumes (within contractual limits) as well as the timing of those transactions. Changing the timing of volume estimates changes the timing of purchases and sales, impacting which brokered quote is used. Because the brokered quotes can vary significantly from period to period, the unobservable estimates of the timing and volume of transactions can have a significant impact on the calculated fair value. The Company currently estimates volumes and timing of transactions based on a most likely scenario using historical data. Historically, the timing and volume of transactions have not been highly correlated with market prices and market volatility.
The following table presents the quantitative information which was used to estimate the fair values of the Level 3 assets and liabilities above as of March 31, 2019 (dollars in thousands):

|  | Fair Value (Net) at |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | March 31, 2019 |  | Valuation Technique |  | Unobservable Input |  | Range
Power exchange agreement |  | $ | (612 | ) |  | Surrogate facility pricing |  | O&M charges |  | $40.05-$52.59/MWh (1)
|  |  |  | Transaction volumes |  | 28,860 MWhs
Natural gas exchange agreement |  | $ | (2,104 | ) |  | Internally derived weighted average cost of gas |  | Forward purchase prices |  | $1.70 - $2.98/mmBTU
|  |  |  | Forward sales prices |  | $1.63 - $4.11/mmBTU
|  |  |  | Purchase volumes |  | 270,000 - 310,000 mmBTUs
|  |  |  | Sales volumes |  | 60,000 - 310,000 mmBTUs

(1) The average O&M charges for the delivery year beginning in November 2018 are $45.61 per MWh.
The valuation methods, significant inputs and resulting fair values described above were developed by the Company's management and are reviewed on at least a quarterly basis to ensure they provide a reasonable estimate of fair value each reporting period.
The following table presents activity for energy commodity derivative assets (liabilities) measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| Natural Gas Exchange Agreement |  | Power Exchange Agreement |  | Total
Three months ended March 31, 2019: |  |  |  |  |
Balance as of January 1, 2019 | $ | (2,774 | ) |  | $ | (2,488 | ) |  | $ | (5,262 | )
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized): |  |  |  |  |
Included in regulatory assets/liabilities (1) | 8,977 |  |  | (1,018 | ) |  | 7,959 |
Settlements | (8,307 | ) |  | 2,894 |  |  | (5,413 | )
Ending balance as of March 31, 2019 (2) | $ | (2,104 | ) |  | $ | (612 | ) |  | $ | (2,716 | )

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| Natural Gas Exchange Agreement |  | Power Exchange Agreement |  | Total
Three months ended March 31, 2018: |  |  |  |  |
Balance as of January 1, 2018 | $ | (3,164 | ) |  | $ | (13,245 | ) |  | $ | (16,409 | )
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized): |  |  |  |  |
Included in regulatory assets/liabilities (1) | 203 |  |  | (1,877 | ) |  | (1,674 | )
Settlements | 156 |  |  | 4,959 |  |  | 5,115 |
Ending balance as of March 31, 2018 (2) | $ | (2,805 | ) |  | $ | (10,163 | ) |  | $ | (12,968 | )

(1) | All gains and losses are included in other regulatory assets and liabilities. There were no gains and losses included in either net income or other comprehensive income during any of the periods presented in the table above.

(2) | There were no purchases, issuances or transfers from other categories of any derivatives instruments during the periods presented in the table above.

NOTE 12. COMMON STOCK
The Company has entered into four separate sales agency agreements under which the sales agents may offer and sell new shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time. No shares were issued under these agreements during the three months ended March 31, 2019. These agreements provide for the offering of a maximum of approximately 3.8 million shares, of which approximately 1.1 million remain unissued as of March 31, 2019. Subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, the Company has the right to increase the maximum number of shares that may be offered under these agreements.
NOTE 13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, consisted of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

| March 31, |  | December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Unfunded benefit obligation for pensions and other postretirement benefit plans - net of taxes of $2,048 and $2,091, respectively | $ | 7,706 |  |  | $ | 7,866 |

The following table details the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income by component for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands).

|  | Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |  |
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components |  | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | Affected Line Item in Statement of Income
Amortization of defined benefit pension items |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of net prior service cost |  | $ | (200 | ) |  | $ | (228 | ) |  | (a)
Amortization of net loss |  | 3,661 |  |  | 2,995 |  |  | (a)
Adjustment due to effects of regulation |  | (3,258 | ) |  | (2,508 | ) |  | (a)
|  | 203 |  |  | 259 |  |  | Total before tax
|  | (43 | ) |  | (55 | ) |  | Tax expense
|  | $ | 160 |  |  | $ | 204 |  |  | Net of tax

(a) | These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 7 for additional details).

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NOTE 14. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO AVISTA CORP. SHAREHOLDERS
The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders for the three months ended March 31 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

| 2019 |  | 2018
Numerator: |  |  |
Net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders | $ | 115,794 |  |  | $ | 54,890 |
Denominator: |  |  |
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding-basic | 65,733 |  |  | 65,639 |
Effect of dilutive securities: |  |  |
Performance and restricted stock awards | 208 |  |  | 292 |
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding-diluted | 65,941 |  |  | 65,931 |
Earnings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders: |  |  |
Basic | $ | 1.76 |  |  | $ | 0.84 |
Diluted | $ | 1.76 |  |  | $ | 0.83 |

There were no shares excluded from the calculation because they were antidilutive.
NOTE 15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In the course of its business, the Company becomes involved in various claims, controversies, disputes and other contingent matters, including the items described in this Note. Some of these claims, controversies, disputes and other contingent matters involve litigation or other contested proceedings. For all such matters, the Company intends to vigorously protect and defend its interests and pursue its rights. However, no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of any particular matter because litigation and other contested proceedings are inherently subject to numerous uncertainties. For matters that affect Avista Utilities’ or AEL&P's operations, the Company intends to seek, to the extent appropriate, recovery of incurred costs through the ratemaking process.
Cabinet Gorge Total Dissolved Gas Abatement Plan
Dissolved atmospheric gas levels (referred to as "Total Dissolved Gas" or "TDG") in the Clark Fork River exceed state of Idaho and federal water quality numeric standards downstream of Cabinet Gorge particularly during periods when excess river flows must be diverted over the spillway. Under the terms of the Clark Fork Settlement Agreement (CFSA) as incorporated in Avista Corp.’s FERC license for the Clark Fork Project, Avista Corp. has worked in consultation with agencies, tribes and other stakeholders to address this issue. Under the terms of a gas supersaturation mitigation plan, Avista Corp. is reducing TDG by constructing spill crest modifications on spill gates at the dam. These modifications have been shown to be effective in reducing TDG downstream. TDG monitoring and analysis is ongoing. Under the terms of the mitigation plan, Avista Corp. will continue to work with stakeholders to determine the degree to which TDG abatement reduces future mitigation obligations. The Company has sought, and will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, of all operating and capitalized costs related to this issue.
Legal Proceedings Related to the Terminated Acquisition by Hydro One
See Note 17 for information regarding the termination of the proposed acquisition of the Company by Hydro One.
In connection with the now terminated acquisition, three lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington and were subsequently voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs.
One lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court for the State of Washington in and for Spokane County, captioned as follows:

• | Fink v. Morris, et al., No. 17203616-6 (filed September 15, 2017, amended complaint filed October 25, 2017).

The complaint generally alleged that the members of the Board of Directors of Avista Corp. breached their fiduciary duties by, among other things, conducting an allegedly inadequate sale process and agreeing to the acquisition at a price that allegedly undervalued Avista Corporation, and that Hydro One Limited, Olympus Holding Corp., and Olympus Corp. aided and abetted those purported breaches of duty. The complaint sought various remedies, including monetary damages, attorneys’ fees and expenses. Subsequent to the termination of the proposed acquisition in January 2019, the complaint was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs.
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2015 Washington General Rate Cases
In January 2016, the Company received an order (Order 05) that concluded its electric and natural gas general rate cases that were originally filed with the WUTC in February 2015. New electric and natural gas rates were effective on January 11, 2016.
WUTC Order Denying Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities / Public Counsel Joint Motion for Clarification, WUTC Staff Motion to Reconsider and WUTC Staff Motion to Reopen Record
In January 2016, the Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities, the Public Counsel Unit of the Washington State Office of the Attorney General (PC) and the WUTC Staff, which is a separate party in the general rate case proceedings from the WUTC Advisory Staff, filed Motions for Clarification requesting the WUTC to clarify their attrition adjustment and the end result electric revenue amounts. The Motions for Clarification suggested that the electric revenue decrease should have been significantly larger than what was included in Order 05.
In February 2016, the WUTC issued an order (Order 06) denying the Motions summarized above and affirming Order 05, including an $8.1 million decrease in electric base revenue.
PC Petition for Judicial Review
In March 2016, PC filed in Thurston County Superior Court a Petition for Judicial Review of the WUTC's Order 05 and Order 06 described above. In April 2016, this matter was certified for review directly by the Court of Appeals, an intermediate appellate court in the State of Washington.
On August 7, 2018, the Court of Appeals issued a "Published Opinion" (Opinion) which concluded that the WUTC's use of an attrition allowance to calculate Avista Corp.'s rate base violated Washington law. In the Opinion, the Court stated that because the projected additions to rate base in the future were not "used and useful" for service at the time the request for the rate increase was made, they may not lawfully be included in the Company's rate base to justify a rate increase. Accordingly, the Court concluded that the WUTC erred in including an attrition allowance in the calculation of Avista Corp.’s electric and natural gas rate base. The Court noted, however, that the law does not prohibit an attrition allowance in the calculation, for ratemaking purposes, of recoverable operating and maintenance expense. Since the WUTC order provided one lump sum attrition allowance without distinguishing what portion was for rate base and which was for operating and maintenance expenses or other considerations, the Court struck all portions of the attrition allowance attributable to Avista Corp.'s rate base and reversed and remanded the case for the WUTC to recalculate Avista Corp.’s rates without including an attrition allowance in the calculation of rate base. On October 1, 2018, the Court of Appeals terminated its review of this case, remanding it back to the Thurston County Superior Court. On April 17, 2019, the Thurston County Superior Court issued a Remand Order, granting a Joint Motion of Avista Corp., PC and the WUTC to remand the case back to the WUTC. A pre-hearing conference which will set forth the procedural schedule will be held on May 17, 2019.
The total attrition allowance approved by the WUTC in Order 05 and reaffirmed in Order 06 was $35.2 million, with $28.3 million related to electric and $6.9 million related to natural gas. The Company believes the potential amount to return to customers is limited to the 2015 general rate cases because in subsequent Washington general rate cases (specifically those approved in April 2018), the WUTC did not include any attrition allowance on rate base. Even though the Company believes the issue only relates to the 2015 general rate cases, the Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter at this time and cannot estimate how much, if any, of the attrition allowance may be removed from the general rate cases or if other amounts from subsequent general rate cases will be included.
Other Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Company has various other legal claims and contingent matters outstanding. The Company believes that any ultimate liability arising from these actions will not have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. It is possible that a change could occur in the Company’s estimates of the probability or amount of a liability being incurred. Such a change, should it occur, could be significant. See "Note 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" in the 2018 Form 10-K for additional discussion regarding other contingencies.
NOTE 16. INFORMATION BY BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The business segment presentation reflects the basis used by the Company's management to analyze performance and determine the allocation of resources. The Company's management evaluates performance based on income (loss) from operations before income taxes as well as net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Avista Utilities' business is managed based on the total regulated utility operation; therefore, it is considered one segment. AEL&P is a separate reportable business segment,
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as it has separate financial reports that are reviewed in detail by the Chief Operating Decision Maker and its operations and risks are sufficiently different from Avista Utilities and the other businesses at AERC that it cannot be aggregated with any other operating segments. The Other category, which is not a reportable segment, includes other investments and operations of various subsidiaries, as well as certain other operations of Avista Capital.
The following table presents information for each of the Company’s business segments (dollars in thousands):

| Avista Utilities |  | Alaska Electric Light and Power Company |  | Total Utility |  | Other |  | Intersegment Eliminations (1) |  | Total
For the three months ended March 31, 2019: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues | $ | 377,702 |  |  | $ | 10,881 |  |  | $ | 388,583 |  |  | $ | 7,898 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 396,481 |
Resource costs | 138,712 |  |  | (1,365 | ) |  | 137,347 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 137,347 |
Other operating expenses (2) | 100,583 |  |  | 3,059 |  |  | 103,642 |  |  | 7,355 |  |  | — |  |  | 110,997 |
Depreciation and amortization | 46,507 |  |  | 2,407 |  |  | 48,914 |  |  | 209 |  |  | — |  |  | 49,123 |
Income from operations | 60,224 |  |  | 6,513 |  |  | 66,737 |  |  | 334 |  |  | — |  |  | 67,071 |
Interest expense (3) | 24,264 |  |  | 1,596 |  |  | 25,860 |  |  | 588 |  |  | (440 | ) |  | 26,008 |
Income taxes | 28,544 |  |  | 1,363 |  |  | 29,907 |  |  | 110 |  |  | — |  |  | 30,017 |
Net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders | 111,901 |  |  | 3,552 |  |  | 115,453 |  |  | 341 |  |  | — |  |  | 115,794 |
Capital expenditures (4) | 92,309 |  |  | 1,306 |  |  | 93,615 |  |  | 162 |  |  | — |  |  | 93,777 |
For the three months ended March 31, 2018: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues | $ | 388,754 |  |  | $ | 13,663 |  |  | $ | 402,417 |  |  | $ | 6,944 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 409,361 |
Resource costs | 151,665 |  |  | 2,953 |  |  | 154,618 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 154,618 |
Other operating expenses (2) | 75,139 |  |  | 2,831 |  |  | 77,970 |  |  | 6,824 |  |  | — |  |  | 84,794 |
Depreciation and amortization | 43,267 |  |  | 1,466 |  |  | 44,733 |  |  | 181 |  |  | — |  |  | 44,914 |
Income (loss) from operations | 88,145 |  |  | 6,122 |  |  | 94,267 |  |  | (61 | ) |  | — |  |  | 94,206 |
Interest expense (3) | 23,965 |  |  | 894 |  |  | 24,859 |  |  | 335 |  |  | (165 | ) |  | 25,029 |
Income taxes | 10,417 |  |  | 1,464 |  |  | 11,881 |  |  | (1,171 | ) |  | — |  |  | 10,710 |
Net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders | 55,540 |  |  | 3,772 |  |  | 59,312 |  |  | (4,422 | ) |  | — |  |  | 54,890 |
Capital expenditures (4) | 81,176 |  |  | 641 |  |  | 81,817 |  |  | 214 |  |  | — |  |  | 82,031 |
Total Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
As of March 31, 2019: (5) | $ | 5,524,962 |  |  | $ | 275,488 |  |  | $ | 5,800,450 |  |  | $ | 107,398 |  |  | $ | (17,865 | ) |  | $ | 5,889,983 |
As of December 31, 2018: | $ | 5,458,104 |  |  | $ | 272,950 |  |  | $ | 5,731,054 |  |  | $ | 87,050 |  |  | $ | (35,528 | ) |  | $ | 5,782,576 |

(1) | Intersegment eliminations reported as interest expense represent intercompany interest.

(2) | Other operating expenses for Avista Utilities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 include merger transaction costs of $19.7 million, which are separately disclosed on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The three months ended March 31, 2018 include merger transaction costs of $0.7 million, which are also separately disclosed.

(3) | Including interest expense to affiliated trusts.

(4) | The capital expenditures for the other businesses are included in other investing activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

(5) | The total assets for Other as of March 31, 2019 includes $15.9 million in assets held for sale related to the sale of METALfx. See Note 18 for further discussion.

NOTE 17. TERMINATION OF PROPOSED ACQUISITION BY HYDRO ONE
On July 19, 2017, Avista Corp. entered into a Merger Agreement that provided for Avista Corp. to become an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydro One, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of specified closing conditions, including approval by regulatory agencies. Hydro One, based in Toronto, is Ontario’s largest electricity transmission and distribution provider.
At the effective time of the acquisition, each share of Avista Corp. common stock issued and outstanding, other than shares of Avista Corp. common stock that are owned by Hydro One and its affiliates, were to be converted automatically into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $53, without interest.
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Denial by Regulatory Commissions
The closing of the acquisition was subject to various conditions, including, among others, receipt of regulatory approval from the WUTC, IPUC, MPSC, OPUC, and the RCA.
Washington - On March 27, 2018, Avista Corp. and Hydro One filed an all-parties (including the WUTC Staff), all-issues settlement agreement with the WUTC recommending approval of the acquisition of the Company by Hydro One. The settlement agreement was subject to WUTC approval.
On December 5, 2018, the Company and Hydro One received a decision from the WUTC, denying the proposed acquisition. On December 17, 2018, the Company and Hydro One filed a petition requesting that the WUTC reconsider its December 5, 2018 order denying approval of the acquisition, together with a petition requesting that the WUTC rehear the matter to accept new evidence. Under Washington State law, the WUTC had 20 days to act on the petition for reconsideration.
On January 8, 2019, the WUTC provided notice of its deemed denial by operation of law of the filed petition to reconsider the denial of approval for the acquisition. The WUTC did not take action on the petition within the required 20 days of its filing so the petition was automatically denied under the state's Administrative Procedure Act. In the same notice, the WUTC also denied the petition for a rehearing on the basis that it does not apply.
Idaho - On April 13, 2018, Avista Corp. and Hydro One filed an all-issues settlement agreement (to which the IPUC Staff was a party) with the IPUC recommending approval of the acquisition of the Company by Hydro One. The settlement agreement was subject to IPUC approval.
On January 3, 2019, the Company and Hydro received a decision from the IPUC, finding that the proposed acquisition was not permitted by Idaho law. Avista Corp. and Hydro One had until January 24, 2019 to file a petition for reconsideration with the IPUC, which they did not file.
Oregon - On May 25, 2018, Avista Corp. and Hydro One filed an all-parties (including the OPUC Staff), all-issues settlement agreement with the OPUC related to the Oregon merger proceeding. The settlement agreement was subject to review and approval by the OPUC.
On January 15, 2019, due to the denial of the acquisition by the WUTC and IPUC, the OPUC issued an order suspending indefinitely the procedural schedule in its merger docket until Hydro One and Avista Corp. informed the OPUC that they had sought a reversal of the denial decisions through appeal or other means that would provide a justiciable issue for the OPUC to address.
Termination of the Merger Agreement
On January 23, 2019, Avista Corp., Hydro One and certain subsidiaries thereof, entered into a Termination Agreement indicating their mutual agreement to terminate the Merger Agreement, effective immediately. Pursuant to the terms of the Termination Agreement, Hydro One paid Avista Corp. a $103 million termination fee on January 24, 2019. The termination fee was used for reimbursing the Company's transaction costs incurred from 2017 to 2019. The balance of the termination fee remaining after payment of 2019 transaction costs and applicable income taxes was used for general corporate purposes and reduced the Company's need for external financing. The 2019 costs totaled $19.7 million pre-tax and included financial advisers' fees, legal fees, consulting fees and employee time.
Other Information Related to the Terminated Acquisition
Due to the termination of the acquisition, all the financial commitments that were included in the various settlement agreements with the commissions for the proposed acquisition will not be required to be performed or observed.
The Company incurred significant transaction costs consisting primarily of consulting, banking fees, legal fees and employee time, and these costs are not being passed through to customers. When the Company was assuming the transaction was going to be completed, a significant portion of these costs were not deductible for income tax purposes. Now that the transaction has been terminated, the Company expects more of the previously incurred transaction costs to be deductible so it expects additional tax benefits from these costs in 2019.
See Note 15 for discussion of shareholder lawsuits filed against the Company, the Company’s directors, Hydro One, Olympus Holding Corp., and Olympus Corp. in relation to the Merger Agreement and the proposed acquisition.
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NOTE 18. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
In April 2019, Bay Area Manufacturing, Inc., a non-regulated subsidiary of Avista Corp., entered into a definitive agreement to sell its interest in METALfx to an independent third party. The transaction is a stock sale for a total cash purchase price of $17.5 million plus cash on-hand, subject to customary closing adjustments. The transaction closed on April 18, 2019, and as of that date the Company has no further involvement with METALfx.
The purchase price of $17.5 million, as adjusted, was divided among the security holders of METALfx, including the minority shareholder, pro rata based on ownership (Avista Corp. owned 89.2 percent of the equity of METALfx). $1.2 million (7 percent of the purchase price) will be held in escrow for 24 months from the closing of the transaction to satisfy certain indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement.
When all escrow amounts are released, based on preliminary estimates, the sales transaction is expected to provide cash proceeds to Avista Corp., net of payments to the minority holder, contractually obligated compensation payments and other transaction expenses, of $16.6 million and result in a net gain after-tax of $2.4 million. The Company expects to receive the full amount of its portion of the escrow accounts; therefore, the full amounts are included in the gain calculation.
Prior to the completion of the sales transaction, METALfx was not a reportable business segment and was included in other in the business segment footnote at Note 16. As of March 31, 2019, the assets of METALfx met the criteria for held for sale presentation; however, this transaction does not meet the criteria for discontinued operations as it does not represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company's ongoing operations. The Company elected to present the required held for sale information below, rather than modifying the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The major classes of assets and liabilities that were held for sale as of March 31, 2019 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

| March 31, 2019
Assets: |
Current Assets: |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,026 |
Accounts and notes receivable-less allowances of $5 | 3,048 |
Materials and supplies | 2,922 |
Other current assets | 159 |
Total current assets | 7,155 |
Goodwill | 5,247 |
Deferred income taxes (1) | 1,598 |
Other property and investments-net and other non-current assets | 1,874 |
Total assets | $ | 15,874 |
Liabilities: |
Current Liabilities: |
Accounts payable | $ | 760 |
Other current liabilities | 901 |
Total current liabilities | 1,661 |
Other non-current liabilities | 152 |
Total liabilities | $ | 1,813 |

(1) | On a standalone basis, METALfx has a deferred tax asset; however, on a consolidated basis, Avista Corp. has a net deferred tax liability which does not include the deferred tax asset above.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Avista Corporation
Spokane, Washington
Results of Review of Interim Financial Information
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Avista Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of March 31, 2019, the related condensed consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity and cash flows, for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "interim financial information"). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial information for it to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2018, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 19, 2019, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
Basis for Review Results
This interim financial information is the responsibility of the Company's management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards of the PCAOB. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Seattle, Washington
May 1, 2019
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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 has been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. The interim Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations does not contain the full detail or analysis which would be included in a full fiscal year Form 10-K; therefore, it should be read in conjunction with the Company's 2018 Form 10-K.
Business Segments
Our business segments have not changed during the three months ended March 31, 2019. See the 2018 Form 10-K as well as “Note 16 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information regarding our business segments.
The following table presents net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders for each of our business segments (and the other businesses) for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| 2019 |  | 2018
Avista Utilities | $ | 111,901 |  |  | $ | 55,540 |
AEL&P | 3,552 |  |  | 3,772 |
Other | 341 |  |  | (4,422 | )
Net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders | $ | 115,794 |  |  | $ | 54,890 |

Executive Level Summary
Overall Results
Net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders was $115.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase from $54.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
The increase in earnings was due to an increase in earnings at Avista Utilities and our other businesses, partially offset by a decrease in earnings at AEL&P.
Avista Utilities' earnings increased due to the receipt of a $103 million termination fee from Hydro One, as well as the positive impact of general rate increases and customer growth. These increases were partially offset by final transaction costs for the Hydro One transaction, taxes associated with the termination fee, increased net power supply costs, transmission and distribution operating and maintenance costs (other operating expenses), depreciation and amortization, and interest expense.
AEL&P earnings decreased primarily due to an increase in other operating expenses.
The increase in earnings at our other businesses was primarily because the first quarter of 2018 included an impairment of one of our investments and expenses associated with a renovation project. Also, there were increased earnings from equity investments in the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the first quarter of 2018.
More detailed explanations of the fluctuations are provided in the results of operations and business segment discussions (Avista Utilities, AEL&P, and the other businesses) that follow this section.
General Rate Cases and Regulatory Lag
We expect to experience regulatory lag during the period 2019 through 2021 due to the delay in general rate case filings related to the terminated Hydro One transaction and our continued investment in utility infrastructure. On April 30, 2019 we filed general rates cases in Washington that are two-year rate plans. We also filed a general rate case in Oregon in March and we expect to file general rate cases in Idaho in the second quarter of 2019. We expect these cases to provide rate relief in early 2020 and begin reducing the regulatory lag that we have been experiencing. Going forward, we will continue to strive to reduce the regulatory timing lag and more closely align our earned returns with those authorized by 2022. This will require adequate and timely rate relief in our jurisdictions. See "Regulatory Matters" for additional discussion of the 2019 general rate cases.
Termination of the Proposed Acquisition by Hydro One
In July 2017, Avista Corp. entered into a Merger Agreement that provided for Avista Corp. to become an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydro One, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of specified closing conditions, including approval by regulatory agencies.
On January 23, 2019, Avista Corp., Hydro One and certain subsidiaries thereof, entered into a termination agreement (Termination Agreement) indicating their mutual agreement to terminate the Merger Agreement, effective immediately. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and the Termination Agreement, Hydro One paid Avista Corp. a $103 million
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termination fee on January 24, 2019. The termination fee was used for reimbursing our transaction costs incurred from 2017 to 2019. These costs, including income taxes, total approximately $51 million. The balance of the termination fee was used for general corporate purposes and reduced our need for external financing. For further information, see "Note 17 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.”
Regulatory Matters
General Rate Cases
We regularly review the need for electric and natural gas rate changes in each state in which we provide service. We expect to continue to file for rate adjustments to:

• | seek recovery of operating costs and capital investments, and

• | seek the opportunity to earn reasonable returns as allowed by regulators.

With regards to the timing and plans for future filings, the assessment of our need for rate relief and the development of rate case plans takes into consideration short-term and long-term needs, as well as specific factors that can affect the timing of rate filings. Such factors include, but are not limited to, in-service dates of major capital investments and the timing of changes in major revenue and expense items.
Avista Utilities
Washington General Rate Cases
2015 General Rate Cases
In January 2016 we received an order which was reaffirmed by the WUTC in February 2016 that concluded our electric and natural gas general rate cases originally filed with the WUTC in February 2015. New electric and natural gas rates were effective on January 11, 2016.
The WUTC-approved rates were designed to provide a 1.6 percent, or $8.1 million, decrease in electric base revenue and a 7.4 percent, or $10.8 million, increase in natural gas base revenue. The WUTC also approved an ROR of 7.29 percent, with a common equity ratio of 48.5 percent and a 9.5 percent ROE.
In March 2016, the Public Counsel Unit of the Washington State Office of the Attorney General filed in Thurston County Superior Court a Petition for Judicial Review of the WUTC's orders (described above) that concluded our 2015 electric and natural gas general rate cases. In April 2016, this matter was certified for review directly by the Court of Appeals, an intermediate appellate court in the State of Washington.
On August 7, 2018, the Court of Appeals issued an Opinion which concluded that the WUTC's use of an attrition allowance to calculate Avista Corp.'s rate base violated Washington law. The Court struck all portions of the attrition allowance attributable to Avista Corp.’s rate base and reversed and remanded the case for the WUTC to recalculate Avista Corp.’s rates without including an attrition allowance in the calculation of rate base. On April 17, 2019, the Thurston County Superior Court issued a Remand Order, granting a Joint Motion of Avista Corp., PC and the WUTC to remand the case back to the WUTC. A pre-hearing conference which will set forth the procedural schedule will be held on May 17, 2019.
The total attrition allowance approved by the WUTC was $35.2 million, with $28.3 million related to electric and $6.9 million related to natural gas. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter at this time and cannot estimate how much, if any, of the attrition allowance may be removed from the general rate cases. See "Note 15 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" for further discussion of this matter.
2017 General Rate Cases
On April 26, 2018, the WUTC issued a final order in our electric and natural gas general rate cases that were originally filed on May 26, 2017. In the order, the WUTC approved new electric rates, effective on May 1, 2018, that increased base rates by 2.2 percent (designed to increase electric revenues by $10.8 million). The net increase in electric base rates was made up of an increase in our base revenue requirement of $23.2 million, an increase of $14.5 million in power supply costs and a decrease of $26.9 million for the impacts of the TCJA, which reflects the federal income tax rate change from 35 percent to 21 percent and the amortization of the regulatory liability for plant excess deferred income taxes that was recorded as of December 31, 2017.
While the WUTC authorized an increase in the ERM baseline to reflect increased power supply costs, it directed the parties to examine the functionality and rationale of the Company's power cost modeling and adjust the baseline only in extraordinary circumstances if necessary to more closely match the baseline to actual conditions.
For natural gas, the WUTC approved new natural gas base rates, effective on May 1, 2018, that decreased base rates by 2.4 percent (designed to decrease natural gas revenues by $2.1 million). The net decrease in natural gas base rates was made up of
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an increase in base revenues of $3.4 million that was offset by a decrease of $5.5 million for the impacts from the TCJA, which reflects the federal income tax rate change and the amortization of the regulatory liability for plant-related excess deferred income taxes that was recorded as of December 31, 2017.
In addition to the above, the WUTC also ordered, effective June 1, 2018, a one-year temporary reduction of $7.9 million in our revenue requirements for electric and $3.2 million for natural gas, reflecting reductions for the return of tax benefits associated with the non-plant excess deferred income taxes and the customer refund liability that was established in 2018 related to the change in federal income tax expense for the period January 1, 2018 to April 30, 2018.
The new rates are based on a ROR of 7.50 percent with a common equity ratio of 48.5 percent and a 9.5 percent ROE.
In our original filings, we requested three-year rate plans for electric and natural gas; however, in the final order the WUTC only provided for new rates effective on May 1, 2018.
TCJA Proceedings
In February 2019, we filed an all-party settlement agreement with the WUTC related to the electric tax benefits associated with the TCJA that were set aside for Colstrip in the 2017 general rate case order (effective May 1, 2018). In the settlement agreement, the parties agreed to utilize $10.9 million of the electric tax benefits to offset costs associated with accelerating the depreciation of Colstrip Units 3 & 4, to reflect a remaining useful life of those units through December 31, 2027. That portion of the settlement agreement was denied. The WUTC has indicated that it will review the TCJA and Colstrip in our next general rate case (which was filed on April 30, 2019). The settlement agreement is subject to WUTC approval.
2019 General Rate Cases
On April 30, 2019, we filed electric and natural gas general rate cases with the WUTC that are two-year rate plans. We have requested the following electric and natural gas base rate changes each year, which are designed to result in the following increases in annual revenues (dollars in millions):

|  | Electric |  | Natural Gas
Effective Date |  | Revenue Increase |  | Base Rate Increase |  | Revenue Increase |  | Base Rate Increase
April 1, 2020 |  | $ | 45.8 |  |  | 9.1 | % |  | $ | 12.9 |  |  | 13.8 | %
April 1, 2021 |  | $ | 18.9 |  |  | 3.5 | % |  | $ | 6.5 |  |  | 6.1 | %

Our requests are based on a proposed ROR of 7.52 percent with a common equity ratio of 50 percent and a 9.9 percent ROE. The WUTC has up to 11 months to review our request and issue a decision.
Under these rate plans, we would not file new general rate cases for new rates to be effective prior to April 1, 2022.
The purpose of our general rate case requests is to recover costs associated with the need to replace infrastructure that has reached the end of its useful life and make technology investments required to build the integrated energy services grid.
Among the projects included in the filing are:

• | The upgrade of generating units and other equipment at our Little Falls Dam, which will provide more generating capacity.

• | Our distribution grid modernization program that rebuilds and upgrades electric feeders in the system, replacing old equipment like poles, conductor, and transformers to improve service reliability, capture energy efficiency savings and improve operational ability.

• | Ongoing management and replacement of electric distribution wood poles through our wood pole management program.

• | The ongoing project to systematically replace portions of natural gas distribution pipe in our service area that were installed prior to 1987, as well as replacement of other natural gas service equipment.

• | The rebuild of a high voltage transmission line, including the installation of steel poles and crossarms.

• | Technology upgrades that support necessary business processes and operational efficiencies.

As a part of these general rate cases, we are also seeking to extend our electric and natural gas decoupling mechanisms for an additional five years (through March 31, 2025).
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Idaho General Rate Cases
2017 General Rate Cases
On December 28, 2017, the IPUC approved a settlement agreement between us and other parties to our electric and natural gas general rate cases. New rates were effective on January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019.
The settlement agreement is a two-year rate plan and has the following electric and natural gas base rate changes each year, which are designed to result in the following increases in annual revenues (dollars in millions):

|  | Electric |  | Natural Gas
Effective Date |  | Revenue Increase |  | Base Rate Increase |  | Revenue Increase |  | Base Rate Increase
January 1, 2018 |  | $ | 12.9 |  |  | 5.2 | % |  | $ | 1.2 |  |  | 2.9 | %
January 1, 2019 |  | $ | 4.5 |  |  | 1.8 | % |  | $ | 1.1 |  |  | 2.7 | %

The settlement agreement is based on a ROR of 7.61 percent with a common equity ratio of 50 percent and a 9.5 percent ROE.
As part of the two-year rate plan the Company will not file a new general rate case for a new rate plan to be effective prior to January 1, 2020.
TCJA Proceedings
On May 31, 2018, the IPUC approved an all-party settlement agreement related to the income tax benefits associated with the TCJA. Effective June 1, 2018, through separate tariff schedules, until such time as these changes can be reflected in base rates within the next general rate case, current customer rates were reduced to reflect the reduction of the federal income tax rate to 21 percent, and the amortization of the regulatory liability for plant-related excess deferred income taxes. This reduction reduces annual electric rates by $13.7 million (or 5.3 percent reduction to base rates) and natural gas rates by $2.6 million (or 6.1 percent reduction to base rates).
In March 2019, the IPUC approved an all-party settlement agreement related to the electric tax benefits that were set aside for Colstrip in the 2017 general rate case order. In the approved settlement agreement, the parties agreed to utilize approximately $6.4 million of the electric tax benefits to offset costs associated with accelerating the depreciation of Colstrip Units 3 & 4, to reflect a remaining useful life of those units through December 31, 2027. The remaining tax benefits of approximately $5.8 million will be returned to customers through a temporary rate reduction over a period of one year beginning on April 1, 2019. The tax benefits being utilized are related to non-plant excess deferred income taxes, and the customer refund liability that was established in 2018 related to the change in federal income tax expense for the period January 1, 2018 to May 31, 2018.
2019 General Rate Cases
We expect to file electric and natural gas general rate cases with the IPUC in the second quarter of 2019.
Oregon General Rate Cases
2019 General Rate Case
On March 15, 2019 we filed a natural gas general rate case with the OPUC. We have requested an overall increase in base natural gas rates of 7.8 percent (designed to increase annual natural gas revenues by $6.7 million). Our request is based on a proposed ROR of 7.55 percent with a common equity ratio of 50 percent and a 9.9 percent ROE. The OPUC has up to 10 months to review our request and issue a decision.
TCJA Proceedings
In February 2019, the OPUC approved the deferral amount of $3.8 million related to 2018 income tax benefits associated with the TCJA. The 2018 deferred benefits will be returned to customers through a temporary rate reduction over a period of one year beginning March 1, 2019. We will continue the deferral of the TCJA benefits during 2019 for later return to customers, until such time as these changes can be reflected in base rates.
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Petition for Judicial Review of the Deferral of Capital Projects
In February 2019 and October 2018, the OPUC issued orders which concluded that, contrary to the OPUC's past practice, Oregon statutes that authorize the deferral of expense for later recovery from customers do not authorize the OPUC to allow deferrals of any costs related to capital investments (utility plant). In April 2019, Avista Corp. and other petitioners filed a Petition for Judicial Review with the Oregon Court of Appeals seeking review of the above OPUC orders. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter at this time, including whether or not any decision of the court would have retroactive effect.
AMI Project
In March 2016, the WUTC granted our Petition for an Accounting Order to defer and include in a regulatory asset the undepreciated value of our existing Washington electric meters for the opportunity for later recovery. This accounting treatment is related to our plans to replace approximately 253,000 of our existing electric meters with new two-way digital meters and the related software and support services through our AMI project in Washington State. As of March 31, 2019, the estimated future undepreciated value for the existing electric meters is $20.7 million. In September 2017, the WUTC also approved our request to defer the undepreciated net book value of existing natural gas encoder receiver transmitters (ERT) (consistent with the accounting treatment we obtained on our existing electric meters) that will be retired as part of the AMI project. As of March 31, 2019, the estimated future undepreciated value for the existing natural gas ERTs is $3.8 million. Replacement of the electric meters and natural gas ERTs began during the second half of 2018 and is ongoing.
In September 2017, the WUTC approved a Petition to defer the depreciation expense associated with the AMI project, along with a carrying charge, and to seek recovery of the deferral and carrying charge in a future general rate case. Cost savings, such as reduced meter reading costs, will occur during the implementation period, and will offset a portion of the AMI costs not being deferred.
In May 2017, we filed Petitions with the IPUC and the OPUC requesting a depreciable life of 12.5 years for the meter data management system (MDM) related to the AMI project. Both the IPUC and the OPUC approved our request. In addition, in connection with the 2017 Idaho electric general rate case (discussed above), the settling parties agreed to cost recovery of Idaho's share of the MDM system, effective January 1, 2019. In connection with the approval of the Oregon general rate case settlement (discussed above), the OPUC approved cost recovery of Oregon's share of the MDM system, effective November 1, 2017.
Avista Utilities
Purchased Gas Adjustments
PGAs are designed to pass through changes in natural gas costs to Avista Utilities' customers with no change in utility margin (operating revenues less resource costs) or net income. In Oregon, we absorb (cost or benefit) 10 percent of the difference between actual and projected natural gas costs included in retail rates for supply that is not hedged. Total net deferred natural gas costs among all jurisdictions were a liability of $1.3 million as of March 31, 2019 and a liability of $40.7 million as of December 31, 2018. These deferred natural gas costs balances represent amounts due to customers.
Power Cost Deferrals and Recovery Mechanisms
The ERM is an accounting method used to track certain differences between Avista Utilities' actual power supply costs, net of wholesale sales and sales of fuel, and the amount included in base retail rates for our Washington customers. See the 2018 Form 10-K for a full discussion of the mechanics of the ERM and the various sharing bands. Total net deferred power costs under the ERM were a liability of $34.8 million as of March 31, 2019, compared to a liability of $34.4 million as of December 31, 2018. These deferred power cost balances represent amounts due to customers. Pursuant to WUTC requirements, should the cumulative deferral balance exceed $30 million in the rebate or surcharge direction, we must make a filing with the WUTC to adjust customer rates to either return the balance to customers or recover the balance from customers.
Under the ERM, Avista Utilities makes an annual filing on or before April 1 of each year to provide the opportunity for the WUTC staff and other interested parties to review the prudence of and audit the ERM deferred power cost transactions for the prior calendar year. The cumulative rebate balance exceeds $30 million, as a result, our 2019 filing contained a proposed rate refund, effective July 1, 2019 over a three-year period. We anticipate filing a motion during the second quarter of 2019 to consolidate this ERM filing with our 2019 Washington general rate case (which was filed on April 30, 2019). In our motion, we will request that the WUTC withhold the refund associated with the ERM for use in the 2019 general rate case rather than passing it back to customers over the three-year period that was proposed in the ERM filing.
Avista Utilities has a PCA mechanism in Idaho that allows us to modify electric rates on October 1 of each year with IPUC approval. Under the PCA mechanism, we defer 90 percent of the difference between certain actual net power supply expenses and the amount included in base retail rates for our Idaho customers. The October 1 rate adjustments recover or rebate power supply costs deferred during the preceding July-June twelve-month period. Total net power supply costs deferred under the
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PCA mechanism were a liability of $3.0 million as of March 31, 2019, compared to a liability of $7.6 million as of December 31, 2018. These deferred power cost balances represent amounts due to customers.
Decoupling and Earnings Sharing Mechanisms
Decoupling (also known as a FCA in Idaho) is a mechanism designed to sever the link between a utility's revenues and consumers' energy usage. In each of our jurisdictions, Avista Utilities' electric and natural gas revenues are adjusted so as to be based on the number of customers in certain customer rate classes and assumed "normal" kilowatt hour and therm sales, rather than being based on actual kilowatt hour and therm sales. The difference between revenues based on the number of customers and "normal" sales and revenues based on actual usage is deferred and either surcharged or rebated to customers beginning in the following year. Only residential and certain commercial customer classes are included in our decoupling mechanisms. See the 2018 Form 10-K for a discussion of the mechanisms in each jurisdiction.
Total net cumulative decoupling deferrals among all jurisdictions were regulatory assets of $9.5 million as of March 31, 2019 and $13.9 million as of December 31, 2018. These decoupling assets represent amounts due from customers. Total net earnings sharing balances among all jurisdictions were regulatory liabilities of $0.9 million as of March 31, 2019 and $1.5 million as of December 31, 2018. These earnings sharing liabilities represent amounts due to customers.
See "Results of Operations - Avista Utilities" for further discussion of the amounts recorded to operating revenues in 2019 and 2018 related to the decoupling and earnings sharing mechanisms.
Results of Operations - Overall
The following provides an overview of changes in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. More detailed explanations are provided, particularly for operating revenues and operating expenses, in the business segment discussions (Avista Utilities, AEL&P, and the other businesses) that follow this section.
The balances included below for utility operations reconcile to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018
The following graph shows the total change in net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders for the first quarter of 2018 to the first quarter of 2019, as well as the various factors that caused such change (dollars in millions):
Utility revenues decreased at both Avista Utilities and AEL&P. Avista Utilities' revenues decreased primarily due to a decrease in wholesale electric revenues (primarily from a decrease in volumes). This was partially offset by an increase in revenue from wholesale natural gas revenues (primarily from an increase in sales prices), general rate increases and customer growth. AEL&P's revenues decreased due to a decrease in retail rates associated with the federal income tax law change, as well as a decrease in sales volumes due to weather that was warmer than the prior year.
Utility resource costs decreased at both Avista Utilities and AEL&P. While resource costs in isolation decreased at Avista Utilities, when considered with our wholesale electric sales, our net power supply costs (resource costs less wholesale revenues) increased as compared to 2018. This was due to lower hydroelectric generation as well as higher purchased power prices and natural gas fuel prices. The decrease at AEL&P was due to a decrease in deferred power supply expenses, as well as the
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adoption of the new lease standard on January 1, 2019, which resulted in the reclassification of Snettisham power purchase costs from resource costs to depreciation and amortization and interest expense in 2019. See "Notes 2 and 5 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" for further information regarding the adoption of the new lease standard.
The increase in utility other operating expenses was due to an increase at Avista Utilities and a slight increase at AEL&P. The increase at Avista Utilities was the result of an increase in generation and distribution operating and maintenance costs and employee incentive and benefit costs.
The merger transaction costs are related to the now terminated Hydro One acquisition. These costs increased for the first quarter of 2019 because 2019 includes financial advisers' fees, legal fees, consulting fees and employee time, whereas the first quarter of 2018 consisted primarily of employee time incurred directly related to the transaction. None of the acquisition costs are being passed through to customers.
Utility depreciation and amortization increased due to additions to utility plant.
The merger termination fee was received from Hydro One due to the mutual agreement to terminate the proposed acquisition. See "Note 17 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" for additional discussion.
Income taxes increased due to income taxes associated with the merger termination fee. Our effective tax rate was 20.6 percent for the first quarter of 2019 compared to 16.3 percent for the first quarter of 2018. We expect our full year 2019 effective tax rate to be approximately 16 percent to 17 percent. See "Note 8 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" for further details and a reconciliation of our effective tax rate.
The increase in other was primarily because 2018 included an impairment of an investment and additional charges associated with a renovation, whereas the first quarter of 2019 included earnings from our investments.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following discussion for Avista Utilities includes two financial measures that are considered “non-GAAP financial measures”: electric utility margin and natural gas utility margin. In the AEL&P section, we include a discussion of utility margin, which is also a non-GAAP financial measure.
Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included (excluded) in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Electric utility margin is electric operating revenues less electric resource costs, while natural gas utility margin is natural gas operating revenues less natural gas resource costs. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to electric and natural gas utility margin is utility operating revenues as presented in "Note 16 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements."
The presentation of electric utility margin and natural gas utility margin is intended to enhance the understanding of operating performance. We use these measures internally and believe they provide useful information to investors in their analysis of how changes in loads (due to weather, economic or other conditions), rates, supply costs and other factors impact our results of operations. Changes in loads, as well as power and natural gas supply costs, are generally deferred and recovered from customers through regulatory accounting mechanisms. Accordingly, the analysis of utility margin generally excludes most of the change in revenue resulting from these regulatory mechanisms. We present electric and natural gas utility margin separately below for Avista Utilities since each business has different cost sources, cost recovery mechanisms and jurisdictions, so we believe that separate analysis is beneficial. These measures are not intended to replace utility operating revenues as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance. Reconciliations of operating revenues to utility margin are set forth below.
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Results of Operations - Avista Utilities
Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018
Utility Operating Revenues
The following graphs present Avista Utilities' electric operating revenues and megawatt-hour (MWh) sales for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in millions and MWhs in thousands):

(1) | This balance includes public street and highway lighting, which is considered part of retail electric revenues, and deferrals/amortizations to customers related to federal income tax law changes.

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The following table presents the current year deferrals and the amortization of prior year decoupling balances that are reflected in utility electric operating revenues for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| Electric Operating Revenues
| 2019 |  | 2018
Current year decoupling deferrals (a) | $ | (2,681 | ) |  | $ | 4,012 |
Amortization of prior year decoupling deferrals (b) | 1,076 |  |  | (4,880 | )
Total electric decoupling revenue | $ | (1,605 | ) |  | $ | (868 | )

(a) | Positive amounts are increases in decoupling revenue in the current year and will be surcharged to customers in future years. Negative numbers are decreases in decoupling revenue in the current year and will be rebated to customers in future years.

(b) | Positive amounts are increases in decoupling revenue in the current year and are related to the amortization of rebate balances that resulted in prior years and are being refunded to customers (causing a corresponding decrease in retail revenue from customers) in the current year. Negative numbers are decreases in decoupling revenue in the current year and are related to the amortization of surcharge balances that resulted in prior years and are being surcharged to customers (causing a corresponding increase in retail revenue from customers) in the current year.

Total electric revenues decreased $6.0 million for the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the first quarter of 2018 primarily due to the following:

• | a $1.1 million increase in retail electric revenue due to an increase in total MWhs sold (increased revenues $8.1 million), partially offset by a decrease in revenue per MWh (decreased revenues $7.0 million).

◦ | The increase in total retail MWhs sold was the result of weather that was cooler than the prior year (which increased electric heating loads) and customer growth. Compared to the first quarter of 2018, residential electric use per customer increased 5 percent and commercial use per customer increased 1 percent. Heating degree days in Spokane were 14 percent above normal and 17 percent above the first quarter of 2018.

◦ | The decrease in revenue per MWh was primarily due to a decrease in decoupling rates (as our decoupling surcharges were larger in prior years, which resulted in higher surcharge rates in 2018 as compared to 2019) and decreases associated with the lower corporate tax rate. This was partially offset by general rate increases in Washington (effective May 1, 2018) and Idaho (effective January 1, 2019).

• | a $19.2 million decrease in wholesale electric revenues due to a decrease in sales volumes (decreased revenues $15.1 million) and a decrease in sales prices (decreased revenues $4.1 million). The fluctuation in volumes and prices was primarily the result of our optimization activities.

• | a $1.2 million decrease in sales of fuel due to a decrease in sales of natural gas fuel as part of thermal generation resource optimization activities.

• | a $0.7 million decrease in electric decoupling revenue. Weather was cooler than normal in the first quarter of 2019, which resulted in decoupling deferral rebates related to the current year. This was partially offset by the amortization of decoupling rebates from prior years.

• | the $14.1 million increase in other electric revenues was primarily related to federal income tax law changes that lowered the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. As our customers' rates had the 35 percent corporate tax rate built in from prior general rate cases, we deferred the impact of the change in the first quarter of 2018. Effective May 1, 2018 in Washington and June 1, 2018 in Idaho, base rates reflect the lower 21 percent corporate tax.

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The following graphs present Avista Utilities' natural gas operating revenues and therms delivered for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in millions and therms in thousands):

(1) | This balance includes interruptible and industrial revenues, which are considered part of retail natural gas revenues, and deferrals/amortizations to customers related to federal income tax law changes.

The following table presents the current year deferrals and the amortization of prior year decoupling balances that are reflected in utility natural gas operating revenues for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| Natural Gas Operating Revenues
| 2019 |  | 2018
Current year decoupling deferrals (a) | $ | (6,106 | ) |  | $ | 149 |
Amortization of prior year decoupling deferrals (b) | 3,053 |  |  | (5,220 | )
Total natural gas decoupling revenue | $ | (3,053 | ) |  | $ | (5,071 | )

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(a) | Positive amounts are increases in decoupling revenue in the current year and will be surcharged to customers in future years. Negative numbers are decreases in decoupling revenue in the current year and will be rebated to customers in future years.

(b) | Positive amounts are increases in decoupling revenue in the current year and are related to the amortization of rebate balances that resulted in prior years and are being refunded to customers (causing a corresponding decrease in retail revenue from customers) in the current year. Negative numbers are decreases in decoupling revenue in the current year and are related to the amortization of surcharge balances that resulted in prior years and are being surcharged to customers (causing a corresponding increase in retail revenue from customers) in the current year.

Total natural gas revenues increased $21.2 million for the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the first quarter of 2018 primarily due to the following:

• | a $4.2 million decrease in natural gas retail revenues due to lower retail rates (decreased revenues $20.0 million), partially offset by an increase in volumes (increased revenues $15.8 million).

◦ | We sold more retail natural gas in the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the first quarter of 2018 primarily due to colder weather and partially due to customer growth. Compared to first quarter of 2018, residential use per customer increased 13 percent and commercial use per customer increased 16 percent. Heating degree days in Spokane were 14 percent above normal, and 17 percent above the first quarter of 2018. Heating degree days in Medford were 10 percent above normal, and 7 percent above the first quarter of 2018.

◦ | Lower retail rates were due to PGAs and rate decreases associated with the lower corporate tax rate and decoupling rate decreases (as our decoupling surcharges were larger in prior years, which resulted in higher surcharge rates in 2018 as compared to 2019), partially offset by general rate increases in Washington (effective May 1, 2018) and Idaho (effective January 1, 2019).

• | a $16.1 million increase in wholesale natural gas revenues due to an increase in prices (increased revenues $13.1 million) and an increase in volumes (increased revenues $3.0 million). Differences between revenues and costs from sales of resources in excess of retail load requirements and from resource optimization are accounted for through the PGA mechanisms.

• | a $2.0 million increase in natural gas decoupling revenue. Weather was cooler than normal in the first quarter of 2019, which resulted in decoupling deferral rebates related to the current year. This was partially offset by the amortization of decoupling rebates from prior years.

• | the $7.4 million increase in other natural gas revenues was primarily related to federal income tax law changes that lowered the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. As our customers' rates had the 35 percent corporate tax rate built in from prior general rate cases, we deferred the impact of the change in the first quarter of 2018. Effective May 1, 2018 in Washington, June 1, 2018 in Idaho and March 1, 2019 in Oregon, base rates reflect the lower 21 percent corporate tax.

The following table presents Avista Utilities' average number of electric and natural gas retail customers for the three months ended March 31:

| Electric Customers |  | Natural Gas Customers
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Residential | 343,938 |  |  | 339,218 |  |  | 319,483 |  |  | 313,247 |
Commercial | 42,874 |  |  | 42,624 |  |  | 35,707 |  |  | 35,506 |
Interruptible | — |  |  | — |  |  | 42 |  |  | 38 |
Industrial | 1,314 |  |  | 1,321 |  |  | 239 |  |  | 248 |
Public street and highway lighting | 601 |  |  | 588 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total retail customers | 388,727 |  |  | 383,751 |  |  | 355,471 |  |  | 349,039 |

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Utility Resource Costs
The following graphs present Avista Utilities' resource costs for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in millions):
Total electric resource costs in the graph above include intracompany resource costs of $23.7 million and $10.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, respectively.
Total natural gas resource costs in the graph above include intracompany resource costs of $19.7 million and $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, respectively.
Total electric resource costs decreased $5.0 million for the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the first quarter of 2018 primarily due to the following:

• | a $6.1 million decrease in purchased power costs due to a decrease in the volume of power purchases (decreased costs $10.5 million), partially offset by an increase in wholesale prices (increased costs $4.4 million). The fluctuation in volumes and prices was primarily the result of our optimization activities during the quarter.

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• | a $7.9 million increase in fuel for generation primarily due to an increase in thermal generation, as well as an increase in natural gas fuel prices.

• | a $0.8 million increase in other fuel costs. This represents fuel and the related derivative instruments that were purchased for generation but were later sold when conditions indicated that it was more economical to sell the fuel as part of the resource optimization process. When the fuel or related derivative instruments are sold, that revenue is included in sales of fuel.

• | an $11.0 million decrease from net amortizations and deferrals of power costs.

• | a $3.4 million net increase from other regulatory amortizations and other electric resource costs.

Total natural gas resource costs increased $18.3 million for the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the first quarter of 2018 primarily due to the following:

• | a $52.2 million increase in natural gas purchased due to an increase in the price of natural gas (increased costs $39.3 million) and an increase in total therms purchased (increased costs $12.9 million).

• | a $35.7 million decrease from net amortizations and deferrals of natural gas costs, primarily reflecting higher natural gas prices.

• | a $1.8 million increase from other regulatory amortizations.

Utility Margin
The following table reconciles Avista Utilities' operating revenues, as presented in "Note 16 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" to the Non-GAAP financial measure utility margin for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| Electric |  | Natural Gas |  | Intracompany |  | Total
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Operating revenues | $ | 256,467 |  |  | $ | 262,477 |  |  | $ | 164,677 |  |  | $ | 143,448 |  |  | $ | (43,442 | ) |  | $ | (17,171 | ) |  | $ | 377,702 |  |  | $ | 388,754 |
Resource costs | 93,881 |  |  | 98,890 |  |  | 88,273 |  |  | 69,946 |  |  | (43,442 | ) |  | (17,171 | ) |  | 138,712 |  |  | 151,665 |
Utility margin | $ | 162,586 |  |  | $ | 163,587 |  |  | $ | 76,404 |  |  | $ | 73,502 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 238,990 |  |  | $ | 237,089 |

Electric utility margin decreased $1.0 million and natural gas utility margin increased $2.9 million.
Electric utility margin decreased primarily due to an increase in net power supply costs. The increase in net power supply costs was due to lower hydroelectric generation, as well as higher purchased power prices and natural gas fuel prices. For the first quarter of 2019, we had a $2.5 million pre-tax expense under the ERM in Washington, compared to a $4.9 million pre-tax benefit for the first quarter of 2018. For the full year of 2019, we expect to be in a benefit position under the ERM within the 75 percent customer/25 percent Company sharing band.
Partially offsetting the impact of higher net power supply costs, electric utility margin was positively impacted by general rate increases in Washington (effective May 1, 2018) and Idaho (effective January 1, 2019), and customer growth.
Natural gas utility margin increased primarily due to general rate increases in Washington (effective May 1, 2018) and Idaho (effective January 1, 2019), and customer growth.
Intracompany revenues and resource costs represent purchases and sales of natural gas between our natural gas distribution operations and our electric generation operations (as fuel for our generation plants). These transactions are eliminated in the presentation of total results for Avista Utilities and in the condensed consolidated financial statements but are included in the separate results for electric and natural gas presented above.
Results of Operations - Alaska Electric Light and Power Company
Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018
Net income for AEL&P was $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
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The following table presents AEL&P's operating revenues, resource costs and resulting utility margin for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| Three months ended March 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
Operating revenues | $ | 10,881 |  |  | $ | 13,663 |
Resource costs | (1,365 | ) |  | 2,953 |
Utility margin | $ | 12,246 |  |  | $ | 10,710 |

Electric revenues decreased for the first quarter of 2019 primarily due to lower sales volumes to residential and commercial customers for 2019 as compared to 2018. This resulted from weather that was warmer than the prior year.
Resource costs decreased from the prior year due to the adoption of the new lease standard on January 1, 2019, which resulted in the reclassification of Snettisham power purchase costs from resource costs to depreciation and amortization and interest expense in 2019. See "Notes 2 and 5 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" for further information regarding the adoption of the new lease standard. In addition, AEL&P had low hydroelectric generation during the first quarter of 2019, which prevented AEL&P from providing energy to their interruptible customers. A portion of the sales to interruptible customers is used to reduce the overall cost of power to AEL&P's firm customers. When interruptible sales are below a certain threshold, AEL&P recognizes a regulatory asset and records a reduction to deferred power supply costs (resource costs) to reflect a future billable amount to its firm customers when the cost of power rates are reset.
For operating expenses, there was a slight increase in other operating expenses for the first quarter of 2019 primarily due to an increase in distribution maintenance costs.
Results of Operations - Other Businesses
Net income for our other businesses was $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to a net loss of $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
During the first quarter of 2019, we had net investment gains associated with our equity investments. This is compared to investments losses in the first quarter of 2018 primarily from an impairment of one of our investments. In addition, during the first quarter of 2018 we had expenses associated with a renovation project.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Changes in these estimates and assumptions are considered reasonably possible and may have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements and thus actual results could differ from the amounts reported and disclosed herein. Our critical accounting policies that require the use of estimates and assumptions were discussed in detail in the 2018 Form 10-K and have not changed materially from that discussion.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overall Liquidity
Our sources of overall liquidity and the requirements for liquidity have not materially changed in the three months ended March 31, 2019. See the 2018 Form 10-K for further discussion.
As of March 31, 2019, we had $220.9 million of available liquidity under the Avista Corp. committed line of credit and $25.0 million under the AEL&P committed line of credit. With our $400.0 million credit facility that expires in April 2021 and AEL&P's $25.0 million credit facility that expires in November 2019, we believe that we have adequate liquidity to meet our needs for the next 12 months. We anticipate pursuing an extension to the AEL&P credit facility or entering into a new agreement during 2019.
Review of Cash Flow Statement
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $196.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $184.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to the receipt of the $103.0 million merger termination fee from Hydro One that is reflected in net income for 2019. The termination fee was used for reimbursing our transaction costs incurred from 2017 to 2019 which totaled approximately $51.0 million, including income taxes. The balance of the termination fee was used for general corporate purposes and reduced our
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need for external financing. Our total transaction costs were $19.7 million (pre-tax) for 2019 and we also incurred approximately $15.7 million in taxes in 2019 (net of $1.8 million in tax benefits recaptured from 2017 and 2018).
The above increase was partially offset by power and natural gas deferrals which increased during 2019 due to higher natural gas prices during the quarter (which decreased cash flows by $48.1 million) as compared to an increase to operating cash flows of $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2018.
Also, changes in our cash collateral decreased operating cash flows when compared to 2018 because during 2018, our cash collateral posted decreased by $18.4 million, whereas in 2019 it only decreased by $3.4 million. The collateral decreased in both periods primarily due to fluctuations in the fair value of energy commodity derivatives which required less collateral. In addition, outstanding interest rate swaps in 2018 required less collateral.
Finally, changes in accounts receivable decreased operating cash flows by $9.8 million during 2019, but increased operating cash flows by $16.0 million in 2018.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $97.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $87.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we paid $93.6 million for utility capital expenditures compared to $81.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Also, during the first quarter of 2019, our subsidiaries invested $3.5 million in equity and property, compared to $3.7 million invested during the first quarter of 2018.
Financing Activities
Net cash used by financing activities was $98.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $87.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Due to the receipt of the termination fee described above, we were able to reduce our short-term borrowings during the first quarter of 2019, as evidenced by the $71.0 million decrease in short-term borrowings during the quarter.
Capital Resources
Our consolidated capital structure, including the current portion of long-term debt and short-term borrowings, and excluding noncontrolling interests, consisted of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

| March 31, 2019 |  | December 31, 2018
| Amount |  | Percent of total |  | Amount |  | Percent of total
Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases | $ | 104,989 |  |  | 2.7 | % |  | $ | 107,645 |  |  | 2.8 | %
Short-term borrowings | 119,000 |  |  | 3.1 | % |  | 190,000 |  |  | 4.9 | %
Long-term debt to affiliated trusts | 51,547 |  |  | 1.3 | % |  | 51,547 |  |  | 1.3 | %
Long-term debt and capital leases | 1,701,207 |  |  | 44.3 | % |  | 1,755,529 |  |  | 45.3 | %
Total debt | 1,976,743 |  |  | 51.4 | % |  | 2,104,721 |  |  | 54.3 | %
Total Avista Corporation shareholders’ equity | 1,867,310 |  |  | 48.6 | % |  | 1,773,220 |  |  | 45.7 | %
Total | $ | 3,844,053 |  |  | 100.0 | % |  | $ | 3,877,941 |  |  | 100.0 | %

Our shareholders’ equity increased $94.1 million during the first three months of 2019 primarily due to net income, partially offset by dividends.
We need to finance capital expenditures and acquire additional funds for operations from time to time. The cash requirements needed to service our indebtedness, both short-term and long-term, reduce the amount of cash flow available to fund capital expenditures, purchased power, fuel and natural gas costs, dividends and other requirements.
Committed Lines of Credit
Avista Corp. has a committed line of credit with various financial institutions in the total amount of $400.0 million that expires in April 2021. As of March 31, 2019, there was $220.9 million of available liquidity under this line of credit.
The Avista Corp. credit facility contains customary covenants and default provisions, including a covenant which does not permit our ratio of “consolidated total debt” to “consolidated total capitalization” to be greater than 65 percent at any time. As of March 31, 2019, we were in compliance with this covenant with a ratio of 51.4 percent.
AEL&P has a $25.0 million committed line of credit that expires in November 2019. As of March 31, 2019, there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding under this committed line of credit.
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The AEL&P credit facility contains customary covenants and default provisions including a covenant which does not permit the ratio of “consolidated total debt at AEL&P” to “consolidated total capitalization at AEL&P,” (including the impact of the Snettisham obligation) to be greater than 67.5 percent at any time. As of March 31, 2019, AEL&P was in compliance with this covenant with a ratio of 52.8 percent.
Balances outstanding and interest rates of borrowings under Avista Corp.'s committed line of credit were as follows as of and for the three months ended March 31 (dollars in thousands):

| 2019 |  | 2018
Borrowings outstanding at end of period | $ | 119,000 |  |  | $ | 50,000 |
Letters of credit outstanding at end of period | $ | 60,103 |  |  | $ | 35,420 |
Maximum borrowings outstanding during the period | $ | 190,000 |  |  | $ | 111,000 |
Average borrowings outstanding during the period | $ | 113,404 |  |  | $ | 76,211 |
Average interest rate on borrowings during the period | 3.30 | % |  | 2.30 | %
Average interest rate on borrowings at end of period | 3.31 | % |  | 2.56 | %

The increase in the average interest rates as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily the result of a downgrade in our credit rating by Moody's during December 2018. See the 2018 10-K for further discussion of the downgrade by Moody's.
As of March 31, 2019, Avista Corp. and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all of the covenants of their financing agreements, and none of Avista Corp.'s subsidiaries constituted a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Avista Corp.'s committed line of credit.
Liquidity Expectations
In January 2019, we received a $103 million termination fee from Hydro One in connection with the termination of the proposed acquisition. The termination fee was used for reimbursing our transaction costs incurred from 2017 to 2019. These costs, including income taxes, total approximately $51 million. The balance of the termination fee was used for general corporate purposes and reduced our need for external financing.
During 2019, we expect to issue approximately $165.0 million of long-term debt and up to $50.0 million of equity in order to refinance maturing long-term debt, fund planned capital expenditures and maintain an appropriate capital structure.
After considering the expected issuances of long-term debt and equity during 2019, we expect net cash flows from operating activities, together with cash available under our committed line of credit agreements, to provide adequate resources to fund capital expenditures, dividends, and other contractual commitments.
Capital Expenditures
We are making capital investments to enhance service and system reliability for our customers and replace aging infrastructure. Our estimates for 2019 through 2021 have not materially changed during the three months ended March 31, 2019. See the 2018 Form 10-K for further information.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 31, 2019, we had $60.1 million in letters of credit outstanding under our $400.0 million committed line of credit, compared to $10.5 million as of December 31, 2018. The increase in letters of credit outstanding was due to additional letters of credit being issued as collateral for energy commodity derivative instruments.
Pension Plan
Avista Utilities
In the three months ended March 31, 2019 we contributed $7.3 million to the pension plan and we expect to contribute a total of $22.0 million in 2019. We expect to contribute a total of $110.0 million to the pension plan in the period 2019 through 2023, with annual contributions of $22.0 million over that period.
The final determination of pension plan contributions for future periods is subject to multiple variables, most of which are beyond our control, including changes to the fair value of pension plan assets, changes in actuarial assumptions (in particular the discount rate used in determining the benefit obligation), or changes in federal legislation. We may change our pension plan contributions in the future depending on changes to any variables, including those listed above.
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See "Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" for additional information regarding the pension plan.
Contractual Obligations
Our future contractual obligations have not materially changed during the three months ended March 31, 2019. See the 2018 Form 10-K for our contractual obligations.
Environmental Issues and Contingencies
Our environmental issues and contingencies disclosures have not materially changed during the three months ended March 31, 2019 except for the following:
Colstrip Coal Contract
Colstrip, which is operated by Talen Montana, is supplied with fuel from adjacent coal reserves under coal supply and transportation agreements. The current contract for coal supply extends through 2019; however, the coal mine operator is in bankruptcy and had indicated that it would reject the current contract in its bankruptcy. The co-owners of Colstrip filed objections to the proposed rejection of the coal supply contract and in February 2019, an amended plan of reorganization was filed in which the proposal to reject the coal supply contract was withdrawn. The court approved the amended plan of reorganization on March 2, 2019, which allows the coal supply contract to remain in effect through 2019. The co-owners of Colstrip are in negotiations for an extension to the coal contract beyond 2019 and at the same time exploring alternative sources for coal supply. Any new arrangements for coal beyond 2019 may have higher costs than the existing coal supply agreement.
Clean Energy Commitment
On April 18, 2019, we announced a goal to serve our customers with 100 percent clean electricity by 2045 and to have a carbon-neutral supply of electricity by the end of 2027. To help achieve these goals and add to our clean electricity portfolio, in the last three years, we have implemented three renewable energy projects on behalf of our customers, the Community Solar project in Spokane Valley, Washington (owned by Avista Corp.), the Solar Select project in Lind, Washington (PPA) and the Rattlesnake Flat Wind project in Adams County, Washington (PPA).
Climate Change - State Legislation and State Regulatory Activities
The states of Washington and Oregon have adopted non-binding targets to reduce GHG emissions. Both states enacted their targets with an expectation of reaching the targets through a combination of renewable energy standards, and assorted “complementary policies,” but no specific reductions are mandated. The Governors and Legislatures of both states began drafting climate-related proposals in late 2018, ahead of the 2019 legislative sessions. In Washington State, after a range of proposals were made, Senate Bill 5116 (SB 5116) became the vehicle for promoting the Governor’s requested action toward a “clean energy economy” in general and renewable or non-emitting electricity system specifically. SB 5116 would require Washington utilities to eliminate the allocation of coal-fired resources to Washington retail customers by the end of 2025 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 while meeting a minimum 80 percent of load through delivery of renewable or non-emitting resources. The bill would require utilities to meet 100 percent of load with renewable and non-emitting resources by 2045. Under SB 5116, hydroelectric generation is considered a renewable resource. The bill was passed by both the Senate and House in April 2019 and is awaiting final approval from the Governor. While we are unable to predict any outcome of these efforts, we are engaged with key parties in these policy deliberations. We do believe it likely that the proposed clean energy legislation will become law in 2019. We intend to seek recovery of any costs associated with the clean energy legislation through the regulatory process.
See the 2018 Form 10-K for further discussion of environmental issues and contingencies.
Enterprise Risk Management
The material risks to our businesses were discussed in our 2018 Form 10-K and have not materially changed during the three months ended March 31, 2019. Refer to the 2018 Form 10-K for further discussion of our risks and the mitigation of those risks.
Financial Risk
Our financial risks have not materially changed during the three months ended March 31, 2019. Refer to the 2018 Form 10-K. The financial risks included below are required interim disclosures, even if they have not materially changed from December 31, 2018.
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Interest Rate Risk
We use a variety of techniques to manage our interest rate risks. We have an interest rate risk policy and have established a policy to limit our variable rate exposures to a percentage of total capitalization. Additionally, interest rate risk is managed by monitoring market conditions when timing the issuance of long-term debt and optional debt redemptions and establishing fixed rate long-term debt with varying maturities. See "Note 6 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" for a summary of our interest rate swap derivatives outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and the amount of additional collateral we would have to post in certain circumstances.
Credit Risk
Avista Utilities' contracts for the purchase and sale of energy commodities can require collateral in the form of cash or letters of credit. As of March 31, 2019, we had cash deposited as collateral in the amount of $72.3 million and letters of credit of $56.1 million outstanding related to our energy derivative contracts. Price movements and/or a downgrade in our credit ratings could impact further the amount of collateral required. See “Credit Ratings” in the 2018 Form 10-K for further information. For example, in addition to limiting our ability to conduct transactions, if our credit ratings were lowered to below “investment grade” based on our positions outstanding at March 31, 2019 (including contracts that are considered derivatives and those that are considered non-derivatives), we would potentially be required to post the following additional collateral (in thousands):

| March 31, 2019
Additional collateral taking into account contractual thresholds | $ | 6,900 |
Additional collateral without contractual thresholds | 8,500 |

Under the terms of interest rate swap derivatives that we enter into periodically, we may be required to post cash or letters of credit as collateral depending on fluctuations in the fair value of the instrument. As of March 31, 2019, we had interest rate swap derivatives outstanding with a notional amount totaling $245.0 million and we had deposited cash in the amount of $2.9 million as collateral for these interest rate swap derivatives. If our credit ratings were lowered to below “investment grade” based on our interest rate swap derivatives outstanding at March 31, 2019, we would be required to post up to $2.3 million of additional collateral (with or without contractual thresholds).
Energy Commodity Risk
Our energy commodity risks have not materially changed during the three months ended March 31, 2019, except as discussed below. Refer to the 2018 Form 10-K. The following table presents energy commodity derivative fair values as a net asset or (liability) as of March 31, 2019 that are expected to settle in each respective year (dollars in thousands):

| Purchases |  | Sales
| Electric Derivatives |  | Gas Derivatives |  | Electric Derivatives |  | Gas Derivatives
Year | Physical (1) |  | Financial (1) |  | Physical (1) |  | Financial (1) |  | Physical (1) |  | Financial (1) |  | Physical (1) |  | Financial (1)
Remainder 2019 | $ | (607 | ) |  | $ | 7,354 |  |  | $ | (1,124 | ) |  | $ | (7,539 | ) |  | $ | 144 |  |  | $ | (20,818 | ) |  | $ | (494 | ) |  | $ | 254 |
2020 | — |  |  | — |  |  | (740 | ) |  | (577 | ) |  | (680 | ) |  | (8,893 | ) |  | (1,119 | ) |  | (2,769 | )
2021 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (549 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1,065 | ) |  | (483 | ) |  | (315 | )
2022 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
2023 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Thereafter | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |

The following table presents energy commodity derivative fair values as a net asset or (liability) as of December 31, 2018 that are expected to be delivered in each respective year (dollars in thousands):

| Purchases |  | Sales
| Electric Derivatives |  | Gas Derivatives |  | Electric Derivatives |  | Gas Derivatives
Year | Physical (1) |  | Financial (1) |  | Physical (1) |  | Financial (1) |  | Physical (1) |  | Financial (1) |  | Physical (1) |  | Financial (1)
2019 | $ | (2,238 | ) |  | $ | 7,289 |  |  | $ | (991 | ) |  | $ | (32,285 | ) |  | $ | 34 |  |  | $ | (19,047 | ) |  | $ | (443 | ) |  | $ | 6,252 |
2020 | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,266 | ) |  | (7,797 | ) |  | (28 | ) |  | (4,044 | ) |  | (1,517 | ) |  | (240 | )
2021 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,393 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (629 | ) |  | 47 |
2022 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  |  |  | — |
2023 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Thereafter | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |

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(1) | Physical transactions represent commodity transactions where we will take or make delivery of either electricity or natural gas; financial transactions represent derivative instruments with delivery of cash in the amount of the benefit or cost but with no physical delivery of the commodity, such as futures, swap derivatives, options, or forward contracts.

The above electric and natural gas derivative contracts will be included in either power supply costs or natural gas supply costs during the period they are delivered and will be included in the various deferral and recovery mechanisms (ERM, PCA, and PGAs), or in the general rate case process, and are expected to eventually be collected through retail rates from customers.
Regional Energy Markets
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) operates an Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) in the western United States. Most investor-owned utilities in the Pacific Northwest are either participants in the CAISO EIM or plan to integrate into the market in the near future. Factors to be considered in deciding whether to join the CAISO EIM include the amount of variable generating resources in the utilities’ systems, the ability to manage the variable generating resources within the utilities’ systems, the costs associated with joining the CAISO EIM, and the economic benefits associated with joining the CAISO EIM. As additional utilities join the CAISO EIM, there is a reduction in bilateral market liquidity and opportunities for wholesale transactions close to the operating hour. Based on these considerations, we signed an agreement in April 2019 to join the CAISO EIM. We expect to begin implementing new processes to enable participation in the EIM in the second half of 2019 and we expect to be full participants by April 2022. We estimate the total cost of joining the EIM to be approximately $25 million for both capital and operating expense spending over the three-year implementation period and we estimate annual benefits of approximately $6 million from market participation. We expect to seek recovery of the net costs through the regulatory process.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The information required by this item is set forth in the Enterprise Risk Management section of "Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company has disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports it files or submits under the Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. With the participation of the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company's management evaluated its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective at a reasonable assurance level as of March 31, 2019.
There have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the first quarter of 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See “Note 15 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Financial Information Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.”
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Refer to the 2018 Form 10-K for disclosure of risk factors that could have a significant impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows and could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in our reports filed with the SEC (including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q), and elsewhere. These risk factors have not materially changed from the disclosures provided in the 2018 Form 10-K.
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In addition to these risk facto rs, see a lso “Forward-Looking Statements” for additional factors which could have a significant impact on our operations, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows and could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Item 6. Exhibits

15 |  | Letter Re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information (1)
31.1 |  | Certification of Chief Executive Officer (Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) (1)
31.2 |  | Certification of Chief Financial Officer (Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) (1)
32 |  | Certification of Corporate Officers (Furnished Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) (2)
101 |  | The following financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10−Q for the period ended March 31, 2019, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and filed electronically herewith: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity; and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. (1)
(1 | ) | Filed herewith.
(2 | ) | Furnished herewith.

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SIGNATURE
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.

|  |  | AVISTA CORPORATION
|  |  | (Registrant)
Date: | May 1, 2019 |  | /s/ Mark T. Thies
|  |  | Mark T. Thies
|  |  | Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

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