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REGULATORY MATTERS | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2016
REGULATORY MATTERS | NOTE 6 – REGULATORY MATTERS UNITIL’S REGULATORY MATTERS ARE DESCRIBED IN NOTE 8 TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN ITEM 8 OF PART II OF UNITIL CORPORATION’S FORM 10-K FOR DECEMBER 31, 2015 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 28, 2016. Rate Case Activity Unitil Energy – Base Rates – On April 29, 2016 Unitil Energy filed for an increase in distribution base rates with the NHPUC. The Company is seeking an increase in base rates of approximately $6.3 million or 3.6 percent above present rates. The Company also requested a long-term rate plan for the annual recovery in future years of the costs associated with certain plant additions. On June 28, 2016 the NHPUC approved a settlement agreement between the Company, Commission Staff and the Officer of Consumer Advocate on a $2.4 million temporary rate increase effective July 1, 2016. The temporary rate increase will remain in effect until a permanent rate increase decision is issued. Once a permanent rate is decided, it will be reconciled back to the effective date of the temporary rate increase. The remaining issues in the rate case are pending investigation and decision by the NHPUC. Fitchburg – Base Rates – Electric – On June 16, 2015, Fitchburg filed for a $3.8 million increase in its electric base revenue decoupling target, which represented a 5.6 percent increase over 2014 test year operating electric revenues. The filing included a request for approval of a capital cost recovery mechanism to recover additions to utility plant on an annual basis. An Order was issued on April 29, 2016 approving a $2.1 million increase effective May 1, 2016. The MDPU also approved a capital cost recovery mechanism. On July 1, 2016, Fitchburg made its first capital cost adjustment filing documenting its capital investments for calendar year 2015 and presenting the associated revenue requirements for recovery beginning January 1, 2017. This filing is under MDPU review. Fitchburg – Electric Operations – On November 17, 2015, Fitchburg submitted its 2015 annual reconciliation of costs and revenues for transition and transmission under its restructuring plan, including the reconciliation of costs and revenues for a number of other surcharges and cost factors, for review and approval by the MDPU. All of the rates were given final approval by the MDPU on December 29, 2015, effective January 1, 2016. Fitchburg – Base Rates – Gas – On June 16, 2015, Fitchburg filed for a $3.0 million increase in its gas base revenue decoupling target, which represents an 8.3 percent increase over 2014 test year total gas operating revenues. Hearings were completed and briefs filed. An Order was issued on April 29, 2016 approving a $1.6 million increase effective May 1, 2016. Fitchburg – Gas Operations – On October 31, 2015, Fitchburg submitted its second annual filing to recover the estimated costs to be incurred in calendar year 2016 under its approved 20 year gas system enhancement plan program. The plan was established pursuant to legislation that provided for the establishment of comprehensive replacement programs to address aging natural gas pipeline infrastructure. On April 29, 2016, the MDPU approved the Company’s request to collect in rates $0.9 million for the estimated costs of its cumulative capital investments for 2015 and 2016, effective May 1, 2016. Also on April 29, 2016, Fitchburg submitted its cost filing which documents the Company’s actual capital costs and final revenue requirement under the program for calendar year 2015. Any over or under-recovery of the Company’s 2015 revenue requirement will be reconciled in rates effective November 1, 2016. This matter remains pending. Northern Utilities – Base Rates – Maine – The rate case settlement in Northern Utilities’ Maine division’s last rate case allowed the Company to implement a Targeted Infrastructure Replacement Adjustment (TIRA) rate mechanism to adjust base distribution rates annually to recover the revenue requirements associated with targeted investments in gas distribution system infrastructure replacement and upgrade projects. The TIRA has an initial term of four years and covers targeted capital expenditures in 2013 through 2016. The 2016 TIRA, for 2015 expenditures, was filed on February 29, 2016, provides for an annual increase in base distribution revenue of $1.5 million, effective May 1, 2016, and was approved by the MPUC on April 28, 2016. Northern Utilities – Targeted Area Build-out Program – Maine – On December 22, 2015 the MPUC approved a new Targeted Area Build-out program and associated rate surcharge mechanism. This program is designed to allow the economic extension of natural gas mains to new, targeted service areas in Maine and is being initially piloted in the City of Saco. It allows customers in the targeted area the ability to pay a rate surcharge, instead of a large upfront payment or capital contribution to connect to the natural gas delivery system. This pilot program is planned to be built out over the next three years and has the potential to add 1,000 new customers and approximately $1 million in annual distribution revenue in the Saco pilot area. The Company will continue to evaluate the success of the program and ways to economically reach new targeted service areas. Northern Utilities – Base Rates – New Hampshire – Northern Utilities’ New Hampshire division’s last rate case resulted in a settlement agreement providing for an increase of $4.6 million in distribution base revenue and an additional step increase in revenue of $1.4 million for investments in gas mains extensions and infrastructure replacement projects, effective May 1, 2014, and a step adjustment that provided for an annual increase of $1.8 million in revenue effective May 1, 2015. Northern Utilities – Pipeline Refund – On February 19, 2015, the FERC issued Opinion No. 524-A, the final order in Portland Natural Gas Transmission’s (PNGTS) Section 4 rate case, requiring PNGTS to issue refunds to shippers. Northern Utilities received a pipeline refund of $22.0 million on April 15, 2015. As a gas supply-related refund, the entire amount refunded will be credited to Northern Utilities’ customers and marketers. In New Hampshire, the refund is being credited to all customers over a three year period as directed by the NHPUC. In Maine, the refund has been divided into two parts, as directed by the MPUC. Maine retail customers who purchase their gas directly from Northern Utilities are being credited their portion of the refund over a three year period. The second part of the refund was paid on October 5, 2015 as a one-time lump sum payment directly to marketers who transport gas on Northern Utilities’ distribution system. The Company has recorded current and noncurrent Regulatory Liabilities of $5.0 million and $3.5 million, respectively, on its Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016. Granite State – Base Rates – Granite State has in place a FERC-approved second amended settlement agreement under which it is permitted each June to file for a rate adjustment to recover the revenue requirements associated with specified capital investments in gas transmission projects up to a specific cost cap. On June 24, 2016 Granite State filed for an annual revenue and rate increase under this provision of $0.3 million, effective August 1, 2016. This filing was approved by the FERC on July 13, 2016. Other Matters NHPUC Energy Efficiency Resource Standard Proceeding – In May 2015 the NHPUC opened a proceeding to establish an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (“EERS”), an energy efficiency policy with specific targets or goals for energy savings that New Hampshire electric and gas utilities must meet. On April 27, 2016, a comprehensive settlement agreement was filed by the parties, including Unitil Energy and Northern Utilities, which was approved by the NHPUC on August 2, 2016. The settlement provides for: extending the 2014-2016 Core program an additional year (through 2017); establishing an EERS; establishing a recovery mechanism to compensate the utilities for lost-revenue related to the EERS programs; and approving the performance incentives and processes for stakeholder involvement, evaluation, measurement and verification, and oversight of the EERS programs. Unitil Energy – Other – In July 2015, the NHPUC opened an investigation into Grid Modernization to address a variety of issues related to Distribution System Planning, Customer Engagement with Distributed Energy Resources, and Utility Cost Recovery and Financial Incentives. The NHPUC has engaged a consultant to direct a Working Group to investigate these issues over the next year and to prepare a final report with recommendations for the Commission. Unitil Energy is an active participant in the Working Group. This matter remains pending. Pursuant to legislation that became effective in May 2016, the NHPUC has opened a proceeding to consider alternatives to the net metering tariffs currently in place. The legislation requires that a decision on this matter must be issued by the NHPUC by March 2, 2017. Unitil Energy is an active participant in this proceeding. Fitchburg – Service Quality – On March 1, 2016, Fitchburg submitted its 2015 Service Quality Reports for both its gas and electric divisions. Fitchburg reported that it met or exceeded its benchmarks for service quality performance in all metrics for both its gas and electric divisions. Fitchburg’s annual gas and electric divisions’ Service Quality Reports for the periods up through 2014 have all been approved by the MDPU. On September 30, 2016, the MDPU approved Fitchburg’s 2015 electric division Service Quality Report as filed. Fitchburg’s 2015 gas division Service Quality Report remains pending. MDPU Service Quality Guidelines – In December 2015, the MDPU issued its final order adopting new and revised Service Quality Guidelines. The Company has generally been able to meet or exceed the performance metrics of the previous Service Quality Guidelines and believes that it will continue to meet or exceed the performance metrics under the new and revised Guidelines. Fitchburg – Solar Generation – On August 19, 2016, Fitchburg filed a petition with the MDPU seeking approval to develop a 1.3 MW solar generation facility pursuant to G.L. c. 164, § 1A(f), as amended by Chapter 75 of the Acts of 2016. The facility would be located on Company property in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The proposal includes a cost recovery mechanism that would share the costs and benefits of the project among all Fitchburg customers. The MDPU is expected to issue a decision on the petition by the end of 2016, and construction of facilities is expected to be completed by the end of November 2017. Fitchburg – Energy Diversity – Governor Baker signed into law H4568 “An Act to Promote Energy Diversity” on August 8, 2016. Among many sections in the bill, the primary provision adds new sections 83c and 83d to the 2008 Green Communities Act. Section 83c requires every electric distribution company (EDC) to jointly and competitively solicit proposals for at least 400 MW’s of offshore wind energy generation by June 30, 2017, as part of a total of 1,600 MW of offshore wind the EDCs are directed to procure by June 30, 2027. The procurement requirement is subject to a determination by the MDPU that the proposed long-term contracts are cost-effective. Section 83d further requires the EDCs to jointly seek proposals for cost effective clean energy (hydro and other) long-term contracts via one or more staggered solicitations, the first of which shall be issued not later than April 1, 2017, for a total of 9,450,000 megawatt-hours by December 31, 2022. Fitchburg – Clean Energy RFP – Pursuant to Section 83a of the Green Communities Act in Massachusetts and similar clean energy directives established in Connecticut and Rhode Island, state agencies and the electric distribution companies in the three states, including Fitchburg, issued an RFP for clean energy resources (including Class I renewable generation and large hydroelectric generation) in November 2015. The RFP sought proposals for clean energy and transmission projects that can deliver new renewable energy to the three states. Project proposals were received in January 2016 and joint evaluation activities are ongoing. Selection of contracts is expected during the fourth quarter of 2016. Fitchburg’s final contracts will be subject to review and approval of the MDPU. Fitchburg – Other – On September 23, 2016, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (“DOER”) presented its Solar Incentive Straw Proposal in accordance with Chapter 75 of the Acts of 2016 which directed the DOER to develop a statewide solar incentive program to encourage the continued development of solar renewable energy generating sources by residential, commercial, governmental and industrial electricity customers throughout the commonwealth. The program would replace the state’s expiring solar incentive program, which uses solar renewable energy credits (“SRECs”) and is known as SREC-2, with a tariff program. The tariff would provide for incentive payments which would be net of energy value (i.e., total tariff rate minus value of energy). The program also includes a variety of tariff adders, including incentives for location, such as landfill site, for off-takers, such as a community aggregation program, and for other technologies, such as behind-the-meter storage. Cost recovery of tariff payments and administrative costs may be made through a fixed, non-bypassable monthly charge to all distribution customers. Comments on the straw proposal are due October 28, 2016. The DOER’s implementation schedule includes filing emergency regulations by the end of the year, conducting a rulemaking during winter 2017 to permanently promulgate emergency regulation, MDPU review of model tariffs in spring 2017, and final program implementation in summer 2017. On May 11, 2016, the MDPU issued an Order commencing a rulemaking proceeding to adopt emergency regulations amending 220 C.M.R. § 18.00 et seq. (“Net Metering Regulations”). Specifically, the MDPU amended its Net Metering Regulations to implement the net metering provisions of An Act Relative to Solar Energy, St. 2016, c. 75, §§ 3-9, and to make additional clerical changes to the Net Metering Regulations. On July 15, 2016, the MDPU issued an order approving Final Net Metering Regulations. The distribution companies were required to submit draft net metering tariffs to comply with the new regulations, which they did on September 1, 2016. On August 23, 2016 the MDPU held a technical session to discuss its straw proposal for a monthly minimum reliability contribution (“MMRC”). The purpose of the MMRC is for all distribution company customers to contribute to the fixed costs that ensure the reliability, proper maintenance, and safety of the electric distribution system. Parties in the proceeding are scheduled to file alternative proposals on October 11, 2016. These matters remain pending. In December 2013, the MDPU opened an investigation into Modernization of the Electric Grid. The stated objective of the Grid Modernization proceeding is to ensure that the electric distribution companies “adopt grid modernization policies and practices.” In June 2014, the MDPU issued its first Grid Modernization order, setting forth a requirement that each electric distribution company submit a ten-year strategic Grid Modernization Plan (GMP). As part of the GMP, each company must include a five-year Short-Term Investment Plan (STIP), which must include an approach to achieving advanced metering functionality within five years of the Department’s approval of the GMP. The filing of a GMP is a recurring obligation and must be updated as part of subsequent base distribution rate cases, which by statute must occur no less often than every five years. Capital investments contained in the STIP are eligible for pre-authorization, meaning that the MDPU will not revisit in later filings whether the Company should have proceeded with these investments. Fitchburg and the Commonwealth’s three other electric distribution companies filed their initial GMPs on August 19, 2015. These filings are currently under MDPU review and remain pending. On January 28, 2016 the MDPU approved Fitchburg’s Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plan for 2016-2018, subject to limited modifications and directives in the Order. The Department found that the savings goals included in each Three-Year Plan are reasonable and are consistent with the achievement of all available cost-effective energy efficiency; approved each Program Administrator’s program implementation cost budget for the Three-Year Plans; approved the performance incentive pool, mechanism, and payout rates; found that all proposed energy efficiency programs are cost-effective; found that funding sources are reasonable and that each Program Administrator may recover the funds to implement its energy efficiency plan through its EES; and found that each Program Administrator’s Three-Year Plan is consistent with the Green Communities Act, the Guidelines, and Department precedent. FERC Transmission Formula Rate Proceeding – On December 28, 2015, FERC issued an order, pursuant to Section 206 of the Federal Power Act, instituting a proceeding concerning the justness and reasonableness of ISO-New England, Inc. Participating Transmission Owners’ Regional Network Service and Local Network Service formula rates and to develop formula rate protocols for these rates. Fitchburg and Unitil Energy are Participating Transmission Owners, although Unitil Energy does not own transmission plant. To the extent that this proceeding results in any changes to the rates being charged, a refund period will begin as of January 4, 2016. The Company does not believe this investigation will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Legal Proceedings The Company is involved in legal and administrative proceedings and claims of various types, which arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes, based upon information furnished by counsel and others, that the ultimate resolution of these claims will not have a material impact on its financial position, operating results or cash flows. In early 2009, a putative class action complaint was filed against Unitil’s Massachusetts based utility, Fitchburg, in Massachusetts’ Worcester Superior Court (the “Court”), (captioned Bellermann et al v. Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company). The Complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, including the cost of temporary housing and alternative fuel sources, emotional and physical pain and suffering and property damages allegedly incurred by customers in connection with the loss of electric service during the ice storm in Fitchburg’s service territory in December 2008. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued an order denying class certification status in July 2016, though the plaintiffs’ individual claims remain pending. The Town of Lunenburg has filed a separate action in the Court arising out of the December 2008 ice storm. The Company continues to believe that both of these suits are without merit and will continue to defend itself vigorously. The Company believes, based upon information furnished by counsel and others, that the ultimate resolution of these suits will not have a material impact on its financial position, operating results or cash flows.

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