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Regulatory Matters | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2023
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, 2022 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on february 14, 2023. Rate Case Activity Northern Utilities - Base Rates - Maine - On May 1, 2023, Northern Utilities filed a rate case with the MPUC to increase its base distribution rates by $11.8 million, a 9.4% increase over the Company’s test year operating revenue. The filing is based on information for 12 months ending December 31, 2022 incorp orating a forward-looking analysis of revenues, expenses, and spending through the rate year (February 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025). The last approved base revenue increase was $3.6 million, a 3.6% increase over the Company’s test year operating revenue, effective April 1, 2020. Northern Utilities - Targeted Infrastructure Replacement Adjustment (TIRA) - Maine - The settlement in Northern Utilities’ Maine division’s 2013 rate case authorized the Company to implement a 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, including the Company’s Cast Iron Replacement Program (CIRP). In its Final Order issued on February 28, 2018 for Northern Utilities’ 2017 base rate case, the MPUC approved an extension of the TIRA mechanism for an additional eight-year period, which will allow for annual rate adjustments through the end of the CIRP program. The Company’s most recent request under the TIRA mechanism, to increase annual base rates by $2.1 million for 2022 eligible facilities, was filed with the MPUC on February 28, 202 3. On April 26, 2023, the MPUC issued an order approving the filing, for rates effective May 1, 2023. Northern Utilities - Base Rates - New Hampshire - On July 20, 2022, the NHPUC issued an Order in the distribution base rate case filed with the NHPUC on August 2, 2021 by Northern Utilities. The Order approves a comprehensive Settlement Agreement between the Company, the New Hampshire Department of Energy (DOE), and the Office of the Consumer Advocate (OCA). As provided in the Settlement Agreement, in addition to authorizing an increase to permanent distribution rates of $6.1 million, effective August 1, 2022, the Order (1) approves a revenue decoupling mechanism and (2) allows for a step adjustment effective September 1, 2022 covering the additional revenue requirement resulting from changes in Net Plant in Service associated with non-growth investments for the period January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021. This distribution base rate case reflects the Company’s operating costs and investments in utility plant for a test year ended December 31, 2020 as adjusted for known and measurable changes. The Order provides for a return on equity of 9.3% and a capital structure reflecting 52% equity and 48% long-term debt. In light of the Step Adjustment, the Company shall not file a distribution rate case with the Commission before January 1, 2024 (the Stay-Out Period). However, during the term of the Stay-Out Period, the Company will be allowed to adjust distribution rates upward or downward resulting from a singular (not collective) exogenous event that exceeds $200,000. On June 8, 2022, the Company filed for its step increase of approximately $1.6 million of annual revenue, for rates effective as of September 1, 2022, to recover eligible 2021 capital investments. On August 31, 2022, the NHPUC approved the Company’s filing. The increase in permanent rates was reconciled back to October 1, 2021, the effective date of temporary rates previously approved in this docket. Unitil Energy - Base Rates - On May 3, 2022, the NHPUC issued an Order in the distribution base rate case filed with the NHPUC on April 2, 2021 by Unitil Energy. The Order approves, in part, a comprehensive Settlement Agreement between the Company, the New Hampshire DOE, the OCA, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Clean Energy New Hampshire, and ChargePoint, Inc. In addition to authorizing an increase to permanent distribution rates of $6.3 million, effective June 1, 2022, the Order approves the following components of the Settlement Agreement: (1) a multi-year rate plan, (2) a revenue decoupling mechanism, (3) time-of-use rates, (4) resiliency programs to support the Company’s commitment to reliability, and (5) other rate design and tariff changes. On May 10, 2022, the Company filed a request for clarification with the NHPUC to clarify that the authorized revenue requirement should exclude expenses related to the Company’s proposed Arrearage Management Program (AMP), which was not approved in the Order. On May 12, 2022, the Commission issued an Order, which clarified that because the Company will not incur the expenses associated with the AMP, those costs should be removed from the revenue requirement, and that the adjusted increase of $5.9 million will result in reasonable rates. The increase in permanent rates was reconciled back to June 1, 2021, the effective date of temporary rates previously approved in this docket. This distribution base rate case reflects the Company’s operating costs and investments in utility plant for a test year ended December 31, 2020 as adjusted for known and measurable changes. The Order provides for a return on equity of 9.2% and a capital structure reflecting 52% equity and 48% long-term debt. On July 28, 2022, the NHPUC approved, subject to reconciliation, the Company’s first step increase of approximately $1.3 million of annual revenue to recover eligible 2021 capital investments, effective August 1, 2022. On February 14, 2023, the Company filed its second and final step adjustment seeking a revenue increase of approximately $1.2 million effective June 1, 2023. The proposal remains pending. Fitchburg - Base Rates - Electric- Fitchburg’s base rates are decoupled and subject to an annual revenue decoupling adjustment mechanism, which includes a cap on the amount that rates may be increased in any year. In addition, Fitchburg has an annual capital cost recovery mechanism to recover the revenue requirement associated with certain capital additions. On November 2, 2021, Fitchburg filed its cumulative revenue requirement of $1.6 million associated with its 2019 and 2020 capital expenditures. The MDPU allowed the associated rate increase to become effective on January 1, 2022, subject to further investigation and reconciliation. On June 24, 2022, the MDPU issued an Order approving the Company’s filing. On November 2, 2022, Fitchburg filed its cumulative revenue requirement of $3.1 million associated with its 2019-2021 capital expenditures. The MDPU allowed the associated rate increase to become effective on January 1, 2023, subject to further investigation and reconciliation. On April 17, 2020, the MDPU approved a settlement agreement entered into by the Company and the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General providing for a distribution increase of $1.1 million, effective November 1, 2020. The Company’s subsequent Compliance Filing reflected an adjusted distribution increase of $0.9 million, a decrease of $0.2 million from the original settlement amount due to the finalization of actual rate case expenses. On May 21, 2020, the MDPU approved the Company’s Compliance Filing. The agreement provides for a Return on Equity of 9.7% and a capital structure reflecting 52.45% equity and 47.55% long-term debt. Under the agreement, the Company will not increase or redesign base distribution rates to become effective prior to November 1, 2023, though the Company may seek cost recovery for certain exogenous events that meet a revenue threshold of $0.1 million. The agreement also provides for the implementation of a major storm reserve fund, whereby the Company may recover the costs of restoration for qualifying storm events. In addition, the agreement provides for the extension of the annual capital cost recovery mechanism, modified to allow the recovery of property tax on the cumulative net capital expenditures. On September 22, 2022, Fitchburg filed a petition with the MDPU to adjust its base distribution rates by $0.7 million effective January 1, 2023 to recover costs due to the exogenous event described below. The filing also includes a request to recover the exogenous costs incurred from July 2021 through December 2022 through a reconciling mechanism over a 24 month period, beginning January 1, 2023. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue has determined that the “net book value” or “NBV” of utility plant is no longer the basis of valuation for utility property. Most of the municipalities that levy property taxes on Fitchburg have adopted a hybrid valuation approach that increases property tax expense over and above what it would be if NBV was used as the basis of valuation. The change in valuation is a regulatory change that is outside the Company’s control and it uniquely affects the electric and gas industries, thus it is an exogenous event. On December 30, 2022, the MDPU approved the Company’s request to adjust its base distribution rates effective January 1, 2023 and to recover deferred costs of $1.1 million incurred from July 2021 through December 2022 through a reconciling mechanism over a 24 month period, also beginning January 1, 2023. Fitchburg - Base Rates - Gas - Pursuant to its revenue decoupling adjustment clause tariff, as approved in its last base rate case, the Company is allowed to modify, on a semi-annual basis, its base distribution rates to an established revenue per customer target in order to mitigate economic, weather, and energy efficiency effects to the Company’s revenues. The MDPU consistently has found the Company’s filings are in accord with its approved tariffs, applicable law and precedent, and that they result in just and reasonable rates. On February 28, 2020, the MDPU approved a settlement agreement between the Company and the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General. The agreement provides for an annual distribution revenue increase of $4.6 million to be phased in over two years: (1) an increase of $3.7 million, which became effective on March 1, 2020; and (2) an increase of $0.9 million, which became effective on March 1, 2021. Under the agreement, the Company will not increase or redesign base distribution rates to become effective prior to March 1, 2023, though the Company may seek cost recovery for certain exogenous events that meet a revenue effect threshold of $40,000. The agreement provides for a Return on Equity of 9.7% and a capital structure reflecting 52.45% equity and 47.55% long-term debt. In its September 22, 2022 exogenous cost filing as discussed above, the Company also requested to adjust its gas base distribution rates by $0.7 million effective March 1, 2023 to recover these exogenous costs. The filing also includes a request to recover the exogenous costs incurred from July 2021 through February 2023 through a reconciling mechanism over a 24 month period, beginning March 1, 2023. On December 30, 2022, the MDPU approved the Company’s request to adjust its base distribution rates effective March 1, 2023 and to recover deferred costs of $1.2 million incurred from July 2021 through February 2023 through a reconciling mechanism over a 24 month period, also beginning March 1, 2023. Fitchburg - Gas System Enhancement Program - Pursuant to statute and MDPU order, Fitchburg has an approved Gas System Enhancement Plan tariff through which it may recover certain gas infrastructure replacement and safety related investment costs, subject to an annual cap. Under the plan, the Company is required to make two annual filings with the MDPU: a forward-looking filing for the subsequent construction year, to be filed on or before October 31; and a filing, submitted on or before May 1, of final project documentation for projects completed during the prior year, demonstrating substantial compliance with its plan in effect for that year and showing that project costs were reasonably and prudently incurred. Fitchburg’s forward-looking cumulative revenue requirement filing submitted on October 29, 2021 requested recovery of approximately $3.3 million, and received final approval on April 28, 2022, effective May 1, 2022. The Company’s most recent forward-looking cumulative revenue requirement filing, filed on October 31, 2022, requested recovery of approximately $4.5 million. On April 28, 2023, the MDPU issued an order approving this filing for rates effective May 1, 2023. The Company considers these to be routine regulatory proceedings, and there are no material issues outstanding. Granite State - Base Rates -On November 30, 2020, the FERC approved Granite State’s filing of an uncontested rate settlement which provides for an increase in annual revenues of approximately $1.3 million, effective November 1, 2020. The Settlement Agreement permits the filing of limited Section 4 rate adjustments for capital cost projects eligible for cost recovery in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and sets forth an overall investment cap of approximately $14.6 million on the capital cost recoverable under such filings during the term of the Settlement. Under the Settlement Agreement, Granite may not file a new general rate case earlier than April 30, 2024 with rates to be effective no earlier than November 1, 2024 based on a test year ending no earlier than December 31, 2023. On August 24, 2021, the FERC accepted Granite State’s first limited Section 4 rate adjustment pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, for an annual revenue increase of $0.1 million, effective September 1, 2021. On August 19, 2022, the FERC accepted Granite State’s second limited Section 4 rate adjustment pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, for an annual revenue increase of $0.3 million, effective September 1, 2022. Other Matters Unitil Energy - Proposal to Construct Utility-Scale Solar Facility - On October 31, 2022, Unitil Energy submitted a petition to the NHPUC for review of Unitil Energy’s proposal to construct, own, and operate a 4.99 MW utility-scale photovoltaic generating facility, which was subsequently revised to a 4.88 MW facility. The Company has requested a finding from the NHPUC within six months of the filing date that the project, as proposed, is in the public interest. On May 1, 2023, the NHPUC issued an Order approving the Company's petition. Fitchburg - Grid Modernization - On July 1, 2021, Fitchburg submitted its Grid Modernization Plan (GMP) to the MDPU. The GMP includes a five year strategic plan, including a plan for the full deployment of advanced metering functionality, and a four-year short-term investment plan, which focuses on foundational investments to facilitate the interconnection and integration of distributed energy resources, optimizing system performance through command and control and self-healing measures, and optimizing system demand by facilitating consumer price-responsiveness. On October 7, 2022, the MDPU issued a “Track 1” Order approving a budget cap of $9.3 million through 2025 for previously deployed or preauthorized grid modernization investments. On November 30, 2022, the MDPU issued its “Track 2” Order addressing new technologies and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) proposals. The MDPU preauthorizes a four-year $1.5 million budget for Fitchburg’s additional grid-facing investments. Any spending over the total budget cap is not eligible for targeted cost recovery through its Grid Modernization Factor (GMF), and instead, may be recovered by the Company in a base distribution rate proceeding subsequent to a prudency finding by the MDPU in a GMF filing or term review Order. The MDPU also preauthorized the Company’s AMI meter replacement investments, with a budget of $11.2 million through 2025. Additionally, the MDPU provided preliminary approval for the Company’s customer engagement and experience and data sharing platform investments, with a combined budget of $2.3 million through 2025. The Company may recover eligible costs incurred for preauthorized grid-facing investments and customer-facing investments that will be made during the 2022-2025 GMP term through the GMFs, subject to certain modifications to the Company’s GMF tariff and a final prudence review. On March 31, 2023, the Company submitted an AMI opt-out tariff with full support of proposed opt-out fees in compliance with the Track 2 Order. The MDPU approved the tariff on April 7, 2023. On September 7, 2022, in docket DPU 15-121, the MDPU directed the electric distribution companies (EDCs) to apply a protocol for identifying and tracking incremental grid modernization O&M expense for recovery through the GMFs. The Company made a compliance filing on September 24, 2022 and received approval from the MDPU on September 30, 2022. Fitchburg - Grid Modernization Cost Recovery Factor - On April 15, 2022, Fitchburg filed its GMF rate adjustment and reconciliation filing pursuant to the Company’s GMF Tariff, for recovery of the costs incurred as a result of implementing the Company’s 2018-2021 GMP, previously approved by the MDPU on February 7, 2019. The proposed GMF of $0.4 million was approved on May 27, 2022, effective June 1, 2022, subject to further investigation and reconciliation. On April 15, 2023, Fitchburg filed its GMF rate adjustment and reconciliation filing for recovery of the costs incurred as a result of implementing the Company’s 2022-2025 GMP, approved by the MDPU in Orders dated October 7, 2022 and November 30, 2022. This filing seeks recovery of $1.0 M associated with its 2022 revenue requirement, effective June 1, 2023. This matter remains pending. Fitchburg - Investigation into the role of gas LDCs to achieve Commonwealth 2050 climate goals - The MDPU has opened an investigation to examine the role of Massachusetts gas local distribution companies (LDCs) in helping the Commonwealth achieve its 2050 climate goal of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In its Order opening the inquiry, the MDPU stated it is required to consider new policies and structures as the Commonwealth reduces reliance on fossil fuels, including natural gas, which may require LDCs to make significant changes to their planning processes and business models. The LDCs, including Fitchburg, engaged an independent consultant to conduct a study and prepare a report (Consultant Report), including a detailed study of each LDC, that analyzes the feasibility of all identified pathways to help the Commonwealth achieve its net-zero GHG goal. The study includes an examination of the potential pathways identified in the 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap developed by the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, in consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). Following an active stakeholder process, on March 18, 2022, Consultant Reports on decarbonization pathways, regulatory designs and stakeholder engagement were submitted to the MDPU. Also on March 18, 2022, the LDCs, including Fitchburg, submitted proposals to the MDPU that include the LDCs’ recommendations and plans for helping the Commonwealth achieve its 2050 climate goals, supported by the Consultant Reports. The MDPU held a technical session on the Consultant Report on March 30, 2022 and a technical session on the LDC proposals on April 15, 2022. Discovery by the MDPU is complete, and the LDCs responded to stakeholder comments on July 29, 2022. Final comments from stakeholders replying to the LDCs’ comments and making any other final remarks for the MDPU’s consideration were filed on October 14, 2022. Fitchburg – Electric Vehicle (EV) Proceeding – On December 30, 2022, the MDPU issued an order approving Fitchburg’s five-year EV program with a $1.0 million budget consisting of: (1) public infrastructure offering ($0.5 million); (2) Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) incentives for residential segment ($0.3 million); and (3) marketing and outreach ($0.2 million). The Company may shift spending between program segments and between years over the five-year term of its program, subject to a 15 percent cap. Any spending above the approved EV program budget or above the 15 percent cap for each program segment is not eligible for targeted cost recovery through the GMF and, instead, may be recovered in a base distribution rate proceeding subsequent to a prudency finding by the MDPU. Further, the MDPU will convene an EV stakeholder process to finalize EV program performance metrics. On April 3, 2023, the electric companies filed comments on the MDPU’s proposed metrics. Once performance metrics are finalized, the MDPU will require the electric companies to develop a joint state-wide program evaluation plan for MDPU approval and stakeholder input and will determine next steps at that time. The MDPU directs the Companies to submit annual reports that document their performance and these reports will be due on or before May 15th of each year. The first EV annual report is due May 15, 2024. The Company shall file annual rate adjustment and reconciliation filings on or before April 15, with rates effective June 1. The MDPU accepted the Company’s Demand Charge Alternative proposal and directed implementation within six months. The Demand Charge Alternative is offered for a ten-year period with tiered rates to separately-metered EV general delivery service customers. Finally, the MDPU accepted the Company’s proposed residential EV TOU rate. Northern Utilities / Granite State - Firm Capacity Contract - Northern Utilities relies on the transportation of gas supply over its affiliate Granite State pipeline to serve its customers in the Maine and New Hampshire service territories. Granite State facilitates critical upstream interconnections with interstate pipelines and third party suppliers essential to Northern Utilities’ service to its customers. Northern Utilities reserves firm capacity through a contract with Granite State, which is renewed annually. Pursuant to statutory requirements in Maine and orders of the MPUC, Northern Utilities submits an annual informational report requesting approval of a one-year extension of its 12-month contract for firm pipeline capacity reservation, with an evergreen provision and three-month termination notification requirement. On April 3, 2023, Northern Utilities submitted an annual informational report requesting approval on a one-year extension for the period of November 1, 2023 through October 31, 2024. This matter remains pending. Reconciliation Filings - Fitchburg, Unitil Energy and Northern Utilities each have a number of regulatory reconciling accounts that require annual or semi-annual filings with the MDPU, NHPUC and MPUC, respectively, to reconcile costs and revenues, and to seek approval of any rate changes. These filings include: annual electric reconciliation filings by Fitchburg and Unitil Energy for a number of items, including default service, stranded cost changes and transmission charges; costs associated with energy efficiency programs in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, as directed by the NHPUC and MDPU; recovery of the ongoing costs of storm repairs incurred by Unitil Energy; and the actual wholesale energy costs for electric power and gas incurred by each of the three companies. Fitchburg, Unitil Energy and Northern Utilities have been, and remain in full compliance with all directives and orders regarding these filings. The Company considers these to be routine regulatory proceedings, and there are no material issues outstanding. Fitchburg - Massachusetts Request for Proposals (RFPs) - Pursuant to Section 83C of “An Act to Promote Energy Diversity” (2016) (the Act), the Massachusetts EDCs, including Fitchburg, are required to jointly procure a total of 1,600 MW of offshore wind by June 30, 2027. Under Section 83D of the Act, the EDCs are required to jointly seek proposals for cost-effective clean energy (hydroelectric, solar and land-based wind) long-term contracts via one or more staggered solicitations for a total of 9,450,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) by December 31, 2022. Fitchburg’s pro rata share of these contracts is approximately 1%. The EDCs issued the RFP for Section 83D Long-Term Contracts in March 2017, and power purchase agreements (PPAs) for 9,554,940 MWh of hydroelectric generation and associated environmental attributes from Hydro-Quebec Energy Services (U.S.), Inc. were filed in July 2018 for approval by the MDPU. On June 25, 2019, the MDPU approved the PPAs, including the EDCs’ proposal to sell the energy procured under the contract into the ISO-NE wholesale market and to credit or charge the difference between the contract costs and the ISO-NE market costs to customers. The MDPU also approved the EDCs’ request for remuneration equal to 2.75% of the contract payments, as well as the EDCs’ proposal to recover costs associated with the contracts. On January 13, 2023, NECEC Transmission LLC (“NECEC”), the company with which Fitchburg and the other EDCs entered into transmission service agreements (“TSAs”) for the delivery of the Hydro-Quebec energy, provided a letter to the EDCs purporting to give notice of a “change in applicable law” related to a Maine ballot initiative and requesting a negotiated amendment to the TSAs. The EDCs are evaluating NECEC’s request. The EDCs issued an initial RFP pursuant to Section 83C in June 2017. On July 23, 2018, the EDCs, filed two long-term contracts with Vineyard Wind, each for 400 MW of offshore wind energy generation, for approval by the MDPU. On April 12, 2019, the MDPU approved the offshore wind energy generation PPAs, including the EDCs’ proposal to sell the energy procured under the contract into the ISO-NE wholesale market and to credit or charge the difference between the contract costs and the ISO-NE market costs to customers. The EDCs issued a second RFP pursuant to Section 83C to procure an additional 800 MW of offshore wind energy generation in May 2019. The EDCs filed for approval of two PPAs with Mayflower Wind Energy LLC, each for 400 MW of offshore wind energy generation, in February 10, 2020. On November 5, 2020, the MDPU approved the second RFP PPAs. In both cases, the MDPU approved the EDCs’ request for remuneration equal to 2.75% of the contract payments, as well as the EDCs’ proposal to recover costs associated with the contracts. In accordance with “An Act to Advance Clean Energy” (2018) the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) recommended that the EDCs solicit up to 1,600 MW in additional offshore wind in 2022 and 2024. On May 7, 2021, the EDCs issued a third RFP for up to an additional 1,600 MW of off shore wind generation. On May 25, 2022, the EDCs sought approval of PPAs with Commonwealth Wind for 1,200 MW and with Mayflower Wind for 400 MW. On December 16, 2022, Commonwealth Wind filed a motion requesting that the MDPU dismiss proceedings related to the approval of its contract, arguing that, due to various economic conditions, its contracts with the EDCs would no longer facilitate the financing of offshore wind energy generation. On December 30, 2022, the MDPU denied Commonwealth’s motion and approved the PPAs. The MDPU also approved the EDCs’ request for remuneration equal to 2.25% as reasonable and in the public interest. On January 19, 2023, Commonwealth Wind filed a Petition for Appeal with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court seeking to set aside and vacate the MDPU’s Order approving the PPAs. This appeal is pending. On the same day, Mayflower Wind submitted a motion to the MDPU requesting that it extend the period for filing an appeal (which otherwise expired on January 19, 2023) by five business days from the date that the motion is approved. The MDPU denied Mayflower Wind’s motion. In 2021, the MA legislature increased the total solicitation target (including future solicitations) for offshore wind energy generation to 5,600 MW by June 30, 2027; an additional 2,400 MW of offshore wind capacity remains to be procured in the future given the current PPAs under contract with the MA EDCs. The next RFP for offshore wind is expected to be released in May 2023 for at least 400 MW and up to 3,600 MW of additional offshore wind capacity. Section 82 of the Acts of 2022 authorizes DOER to coordinate with other New England states to consider projects for long-term clean energy generation, transmission or capacity for the benefit of residents of the Commonwealth and the region. If DOER, in consultation with the Attorney General, determines that a project would satisfy all of the benefits listed in Section 82, then pursuant to Section 82 the EDCs shall enter into cost-effective long-term contracts with a maximum term of twenty years upon such a finding. On October 26, 2022, the Maine PUC announced its selection of a Transmission Project and a Generation Project to promote renewable energy development in northern Maine. On December 30, 2022, the DOER made a positive determination that the selected projects would have benefits to Massachusetts and the region and Massachusetts would procure up to 40% of the projects. Fitchburg is in the process of evaluating potential contractual commitments under Section 82. Negotiations for Section 82 have not yet begun. FERC Transmission Formula Rate Proceedings - Pursuant to Section 206 of the Federal Power Act, there are several pending proceedings before the FERC concerning the justness and reasonableness of the Return on Equity (ROE) component of the ISO-New England, Inc. Participating Transmission Owners’ (PTOs) Regional Network Service and Local Network Service formula rates. In August 2013, FERC had found that the Transmission Owners existing ROE was unlawful, and set a new ROE. On April 14, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (the Court) issued an opinion vacating and remanding FERC’s decision, finding that FERC had failed to articulate a satisfactory explanation for its orders. At this time, the ROE set in the vacated order will remain in place until further FERC action is taken. On November 21, 2019 the FERC issued an order in EL14-12, Midcontinent Independent System Operator ROE, in which FERC outlined a new methodology for calculating the ROE. The New England Transmission Owners (NETOs) thereafter filed a motion to reopen the record in their pending ROE dockets, which has been granted. This matter remains pending. The Company does not believe these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations. On December 13, 2022, RENEW Northeast, Inc., a non-profit entity that advocates for the business interests of renewable power generators in New England filed a complaint with FERC against ISO-NE and the PTOs requesting a determination that certain open-access transmission tariff schedules are unjust and unreasonable to the extent they permit PTOs to directly assign to interconnection customers O&M costs associated with network upgrades. Fitchburg and Unitil Energy are PTOs, although Unitil Energy does not own transmission plant. The PTOs answered the complaint on January 23, 2023. This matter remains pending. Legal Proceedings The Company is involved in legal and administrative proceedings and claims of various types, including those 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 effect on its financial position, operating results or cash flows.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for public utilities. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 980 -URI https://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2156578 + Details
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