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Commitments and Contingencies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and Contingencies | Note 7: Commitments and Contingencies Regulatory Matters Overview—Unitil’s distribution utilities deliver electricity and/or natural gas to customers in the Company’s service territories at rates established under traditional cost of service regulation. Under this regulatory structure, Unitil Energy, Fitchburg, and Northern Utilities are provided the opportunity to recover the cost of providing distribution service to their customers based on a representative test year, in addition to earning a return on their capital investment in utility assets. Unitil Energy, Northern Utilities' New Hampshire division, and Fitchburg’s electric and gas divisions operate under revenue decoupling mechanisms. Most of Unitil’s customers are entitled to purchase their electric or natural gas supplies from third-party suppliers. For Northern Utilities, only business customers are entitled to purchase their natural gas supplies from third-party suppliers at this time. Most small and medium-sized customers, however, continue to purchase such supplies through Unitil Energy, Fitchburg and Northern Utilities as the providers of basic or default service energy supply. Unitil Energy, Fitchburg and Northern Utilities purchase electricity or natural gas for basic or default service from unaffiliated wholesale suppliers and recover the actual costs of these supplies, without profit or markup, through reconciling, pass-through rate mechanisms that are periodically adjusted. The MDPU, the NHPUC and the MPUC each have continued to approve these reconciling rate mechanisms which allow Fitchburg, Unitil Energy and Northern Utilities to recover their actual wholesale energy costs for electric power and natural gas. Rate Case Activity Northern Utilities - Base Rates - Maine - On September 20, 2023, the MPUC issued an order approving a Stipulation filed on August 31, 2023, between Northern Utilities and the Office of the Public Advocate which resolved all matters in the base rate filing made by Northern Utilities with the MPUC on May 1, 2023. The order approves an increase in distribution revenues of $7.6 million effective October 1, 2023. The order reflects a return on equity of 9.35%, an equity ratio of 52.01%, and a weighted average cost of capital of 7.22%. 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 approved 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) approved a revenue decoupling mechanism and (2) allowed 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 reflected 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 provided 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. The increase in permanent rates was reconciled back to October 1, 2021, the effective date of temporary rates previously approved in this docket. 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. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, parties agreed that the Company shall recover revenues associated with the full rate year (August 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023) over an eleven-month period beginning September 1, 2022 and ending July 31, 2023. On May 5, 2023, the Company made a compliance filing to adjust base distribution rates downward to reflect a 12-month recovery period effective August 1, 2023. On July 13, 2023, the NHPUC approved the Company’s compliance filing. 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 approved, 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 approved 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 reflected 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 provided 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 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 May 31, 2023, the NHPUC approved the Company’s second and final step adjustment increase of approximately $1.2 million to recover eligible 2022 capital investments, effective June 1, 2023. 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, 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 July 26, 2023, the MDPU issued an Order approving the Company's filing. On November 1, 2023, Fitchburg filed its cumulative revenue requirement of $3.6 million associated with its 2019-2022 capital expenditures. On November 27, 2023, Fitchburg revised its cumulative revenue requirement to $3.5 million. On December 22, 2023, the MDPU allowed the associated rate increase to become effective on January 1, 2024, subject to further investigation and reconciliation. On August 17, 2023, Fitchburg filed a petition with the MDPU seeking approval for a $6.8 million increase to base distribution rates, with new rates anticipated to be effective July 1, 2024. Fitchburg proposes to transfer $2.7 million in revenue requirements recovered through certain reconciling mechanisms to base distribution rates. Net of these transfers, the proposed overall increase to distribution revenues is $4.1 million. As part of this filing, Fitchburg is requesting approval for a performance-based ratemaking (PBR) plan for up to a five-year term and continuation of its revenue decoupling mechanism. A decision from the MDPU is expected in June 2024. Fitchburg - Base Rates - Gas - On August 17, 2023, Fitchburg filed a petition with the MDPU seeking approval for a $10.9 million increase to base distribution rates, with new rates anticipated to be effective July 1, 2024. Fitchburg proposes to transfer $4.2 million in revenue requirements recovered through its Gas System Enhancement Program to base distribution rates. Net of these transfers, the proposed overall increase to distribution revenues is $6.7 million. As part of this filing, Fitchburg is requesting approval for a PBR plan for up to a five-year term and continuation of its revenue decoupling mechanism. A decision from the MDPU is expected in June 2024. 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 31, 2022 requested recovery of approximately $4.5 million, and received final approval on April 28, 2023, effective May 1, 2023. The Company’s most recent forward-looking cumulative revenue requirement filing, filed on October 31, 2023, requested recovery of approximately $6.4 million. 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 provided 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. O n July 27, 2023, Granite State filed its third and final limited Section 4 rate adjustment pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, for an annual revenue i ncrease of $1.0 million, effective September 1, 2023. On August 22, 2023, the FERC approved this filing. 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. 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 April 24, 2023, Fitchburg submitted its 2022 Grid Modernization Plan Annual Report to the MDPU. Among other things, the Company explained a modification to its implementation of the AMI plan that the Department preauthorized in D.P.U. 21-82. Due to a discontinuation of the meter technology upon which the Company’s initial AMI plan relied, the Company reported that it will need to replace its meters with a new meter technology and to implement a new communications system. On May 31, 2023, the MDPU issued an Order indicating its intent to explore the impact of the discontinuation and determine the appropriate next steps outside the GMF proceeding. 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. On May 31, 2023, the MDPU approved, subject to further investigation and reconciliation, the cumulative recovery of $1.0 million associated with the Company’s 2022 GMP revenue requirement, effective June 1, 2023. The MDPU conducted a hearing on September 26, 2023 regarding the Company’s pending GMF filings and Grid Modernization Term Report. The 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. On December 6, 2023, the MDPU issued an Order announcing a regulatory framework intended to set forth its role and that of the LDCs in helping the Commonwealth achieve its target of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. In this proceeding, the Department reviewed eight potential decarbonization “pathways” and six regulatory design recommendations intended to facilitate the Commonwealth’s transition. The MDPU made no specific findings as to a preferred pathway or technology, but did make specific findings regarding regulatory design recommendations. The MDPU instructed the LDCs in their next rate case to revise their per-customer revenue decoupling mechanism to a decoupling approach based on total revenues. The MDPU emphasized that the Order is not intended to jeopardize the rate recovery of existing investments in natural gas infrastructure by Fitchburg. As part of future cost recovery proposals, LDCs will bear the burden of demonstrating that non-gas pipeline alternatives were adequately considered and found to be non-viable or cost prohibitive to receive full cost recovery of investments. The MDPU further found that the “clean energy transition” will require coordinated planning between LDCs and electric distribution companies, monitoring progress through LDC reporting, and aligning existing MDPU practices with climate targets. To that end, the MDPU ordered the LDCs to submit individual Climate Compliance Plans every five years beginning in 2025, and to propose climate compliance performance metrics in upcoming performance-based regulation filings, ensuring a proactive approach to achieving climate targets. Fitchburg - Electric Sector Modernization Plan - Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 164 § 92B, Fitchburg submitted a draft Electric Sector Modernization Plan (ESMP) to the statutorily created Massachusetts Grid Modernization Advisory Council (Council) for the Council’s review, input, and recommendations. The ESMP is a plan intended to upgrade the Company’s distribution system to enable and accommodate increased distributed energy resources and electrification technologies, improve grid reliability and resiliency, and assist the Commonwealth in achieving climate goals, among other objectives. The Council provided recommendations on the ESMP in November 2023. The Company submitted its final ESMP to the MDPU on January 29, 2024. The Company concurrently submitted a proposal to recover, among other things, incremental costs associated with ESMP investments through an annual reconciling rate adjustment mechanism. This matter remains pending before the MDPU. 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% cap. Any spending above the approved EV program budget or above the 15% 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 has convened 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 beginning July 1, 2023 with tiered rates to separately-metered EV general delivery service customers. The MDPU accepted the Company’s proposed residential EV TOU rate, effective April 1, 2023. Fitchburg - Storm Cost Deferral Petition -On November 2, 2023, Fitchburg filed a request with the MDPU to increase its Storm Reserve Adjustment Factor effective January 1, 2024. The increase would allow the Company to recover approximately $4.8 million of costs of repairing damage to its electrical system plus $1.4 million of projected carrying costs resulting from the January and March 2023 winter storms over a five-year period. On December 19, 2023, the MDPU allowed the associated rate increase to become effective on January 1, 2024, subject to further investigation and reconciliation. 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 areas. 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. The MPUC issued an Order on June 13, 2023 approving the one-year extension. Northern Utilities / Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) and TransCanada Pipelines Limited (TCPL) transportation from Empress, Alberta to Granite State Gas Transmission, Inc. (GSGT) - On October 5, 2023, Northern Utilities filed with the NHPUC and the MPUC a request to approve agreements for the ability for Northern Utilities to increase supply portfolio capacity by 12,500 Dth per day in New Hampshire and Maine. This incremental capacity to Northern Utilities’ supply portfolio is proposed for effect April 1, 2024 for a thirty-year term. Northern Utilities was able to acquire this incremental supply of TCPL capacity through an open season process. On January 26, 2024 and January 30, 2024, the Company received orders from the NHPUC and MPUC, respectively, approving Northern Utilities’ proposal for Empress Agreements with PNGTS and TransCanada Pipelines. 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 revenues and costs, 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 Fitchburg; 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 electric distribution companies (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 revenue 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 including a price adjustment. On June 27, 2023, NECEC sent a letter to the EDCs seeking schedule relief also in accordance with their “change in law” determination. The EDCs are evaluating NECEC’s requests. 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 revenue 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 (now known as SouthCoast Wind), each for 400 MW of offshore wind energy generation, in February 10, 2020. On November 5, 2020, the MDPU approved the 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 April 2023, SouthCoast Wind engaged with the EDCs to explore options to mitigate impacts of global resource constraints and pricing challenges associated with the PPAs from this procurement. They cited an inability to finance the project within the terms set out in the PPA. The EDCs negotiated a termination agreement with SouthCoast Wind which was filed with the MDPU for approval on August 28, 2023 and which received approval on September 30, 2023. 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 SouthCoast 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. In April 2023, SouthCoast Wind engaged with the EDCs to explore options to mitigate global resource constraints and pricing challenges associated with their PPAs from this procurement. SouthCoast Wind noted challenges around an inability to finance the projects under the current terms. The EDCs have negotiated termination agreements with Commonwealth Wind and SouthCoast Wind and submitted the agreements to the MDPU for approval on July 13, 2023 and August 28, 2023, respectively. The MDPU approved both termination agreements on September 30, 2023. In connection with the termination agreements the Company received $1.1 million from Commonwealth Wind and SouthCoast Wind which is recorded as a regulatory liability on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets to be flowed back to customers. On October 12, 2023, Commonwealth Wind requested that the case with the Supreme Court be entered as dismissed. Concurrently, Commonwealth Wind announced publicly they could not finance the project under the terms of the PPA. 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. On August 30, 2023, the EDCs issued a fourth offshore wind RFP seeking to procure at least 400 MW and up to the maximum amount remaining of the statutory requirement under Section 83C of 5,600 MW of Offshore Wind Energy Generation, and taking into account offshore wind generation under contract at the time when proposals are due. On January 18, 2024, the EDCs notified the MDPU that they are extending the bid submission date and subsequent solicitation schedule dates by an additional 56 days each to allow bidders the opportunity to gain more certainty around their eligibility for the investment tax credit and factor it into their proposals. The new submission date is March 27, 2024. 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 MPUC 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. On December 22, 2023, the MPUC terminated the procurement after the transmission project developer indicated that it could no longer hold to the fixed price contained in its term sheet and required a price adjustment. Fitchburg/Northern Utilities - 2024-2026 Triennial Energy Efficiency Plan - New Hampshire - On November 30, 2023, the NHPUC approved the changes to New Hampshire’s ratepayer-funded energy efficiency program offerings for the 2024–2026 period requested by New Hampshire’s electric and gas utilities. 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. The Company does not believe these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations. Contractual Obligations The following table lists the Company’s known specified gas and electric supply contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023.
|  |  |  |  | Payments Due by Period |
Gas and Electric Supply Contractual Obligations (millions) as of December 31, 2023 |  | Total |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2025 |  |  | 2026 |  |  | 2027 |  |  | 2028 |  |  | 2029 & Beyond |
Gas Supply Contracts |  | $ | 479.2 |  |  | $ | 79.9 |  |  | $ | 45.7 |  |  | $ | 44.3 |  |  | $ | 43.8 |  |  | $ | 39.1 |  |  | $ | 226.4 |
Electric Supply Contracts |  |  | 12.1 |  |  |  | 1.3 |  |  |  | 1.3 |  |  |  | 1.3 |  |  |  | 1.3 |  |  |  | 1.1 |  |  |  | 5.8 |
Total |  | $ | 491.3 |  |  | $ | 81.2 |  |  | $ | 47.0 |  |  | $ | 45.6 |  |  | $ | 45.1 |  |  | $ | 40.2 |  |  | $ | 232.2 |
The Company and its subsidiaries have material energy supply commitments (see Note 6 Energy Supply). Cash outlays for the purchase of electricity and natural gas to serve customers are subject to reconciling recovery through periodic changes in rates, with carrying charges on deferred balances. From year to year, there are likely to be timing differences associated with the cash recovery of such costs, creating under- or over-recovery situations at any point in time. Rate recovery mechanisms are typically designed to collect the under-recovered cash or refund the over-collected cash over subsequent periods of less than a year. 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. Environmental Matters The Company’s past and present operations include activities that are generally subject to extensive and complex federal and state environmental laws and regulations. The Company is in material compliance with applicable environmental and safety laws and regulations and, as of December 31, 2023, has not identified any material losses reasonably likely to be incurred in excess of recorded amounts. However, the Company cannot assure that significant costs and liabilities will not be incurred in the future. It is possible that other developments, such as increasingly stringent federal, state or local environmental laws and regulations could result in increased environmental compliance costs. Based on its current assessment of its environmental responsibilities, existing legal requirements and regulatory policies, the Company does not believe that these environmental costs will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. Northern Utilities Manufactured Gas Plant Sites - Northern Utilities has an extensive program to identify, investigate and remediate former manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites, which were operated from the mid-1800s through the mid-1900s. In New Hampshire, MGP sites were identified in Dover, Exeter, Portsmouth, Rochester and Somersworth. In Maine, Northern Utilities has documented the presence of MGP sites in Lewiston and Portland, and a former MGP disposal site in Scarborough. Northern Utilities has worked with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) to address environmental concerns with these sites. Northern Utilities or others have completed remediation activities at all sites; however, on site monitoring continues at several sites which may result in future remedial actions as directed by the applicable regulatory agency. In July 2019, the NH DES requested that Northern Utilities review modeled expectations for groundwater contaminants against observed data at the Rochester site. In June 2020, the NH DES coupled the submittal of the review to a proposed extension of the gas distribution system by Northern Utilities. Northern Utilities submitted the review in January 2022, and the NH DES directed that soil treatability studies as part of a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) be developed in June 2022. The Company submitted the studies and RAP to the NH DES in December 2022 and continues to await a decision from the agency; the RAP included three remediation alternatives for consideration by NH DES. In anticipation of the probable NH DES approval of one of the remediation alternatives and subsequent request for project design, the Company has accrued $2.5 million for estimated costs to complete the remediation at the Rochester site, which is included in Environmental Obligations on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has determined that the high end of the range of reasonably possible remediation costs for the Rochester site could be $5.6 million based on remediation alternatives. Due to extended regulatory review time periods, Northern Utilities anticipates the commencement of remediation activities in 2025. The NHPUC and MPUC have approved regulatory mechanisms for the recovery of MGP environmental costs. For Northern Utilities’ New Hampshire division, the NHPUC has approved the recovery of MGP environmental costs over succeeding seven-year periods. For Northern Utilities’ Maine division, the MPUC has authorized the recovery of environmental remediation costs over succeeding five-year periods. The Environmental Obligations table includes amounts accrued for Northern Utilities related to estimated future cleanup costs associated with Northern Utilities’ environmental remediation obligations for former MGP sites. Corresponding Regulatory Assets were recorded to reflect that the future recovery of these environmental remediation costs is expected based on regulatory precedent and established practices. Fitchburg’s Manufactured Gas Plant Site - Fitchburg has worked with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) to address environmental concerns with the former MGP site at Sawyer Passway, and has substantially completed remediation activities, though on site monitoring continues. In April 2020, Fitchburg received notification from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Mass DOT) that a portion of the site may be incorporated into the proposed Twin City Rail Trail with an anticipated commencement date in 2025. Depending upon the final agreement between Fitchburg and Mass DOT, additional minor costs are expected prior to completion. In August 2021, the Mass DEP issued a Notice of Non-compliance to Fitchburg following a November 2020 audit of the September 2015 Response Action Outcome on the MGP site. Mass DEP directed Fitchburg to further define the extent of MGP site contaminants in the sediment and riverbank of an abutting watercourse. Fitchburg began the investigation in November 2021 with the Mass DEP expanding the scope in June 2022 to include an observed river seep. Fitchburg submitted the results of its investigation and an Immediate Response Action (IRA) plan associated with the river seep to the Mass DEP in December 2022. The Mass DEP has review and approval authority over the IRA plan’s recommendations. Fitchburg submitted an updated IRA plan to the Mass DEP in October 2023. The Company obtained cost-estimates for several remediation alternatives. In anticipation of the DEP accepting one of the remediation alternatives, Fitchburg has accrued $40,000 for estimated costs to complete the remediation at the Sawyer Passway site, which is included in Environmental Obligations on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has determined that the high end of the range of reasonably possible remediation costs for the Sawyer Passway site could be $3.5 million based on remediation alternatives. Fitchburg anticipates the commencement of remediation activities by the end of 2024. Fitchburg recovers the environmental response costs incurred at this former MGP site in gas rates pursuant to the terms of a cost recovery agreement approved by the MDPU. Pursuant to this agreement, Fitchburg is authorized to amortize and recover environmental response costs from gas customers over succeeding seven-year periods. Unitil Energy - Kensington Distribution Operations Center - Unitil Energy conducted a Phase I and II environmental site assessment (ESA) in the second quarter of 2021. The ESA results identified soil and groundwater contaminants in excess of state regulatory standards. In September 2021, the NH DES directed Unitil Energy to conduct a supplemental site investigation (SSI) and identify whether there is a need to conduct further investigation or remedial actions. Unitil Energy began the SSI in December 2021 with the NH DES extending the SSI scope in June 2022 to further delineate potential impacts. Unitil Energy completed the field portion of the SSI in September 2022 and submitted the report to the NH DES in June 2023 and is awaiting a decision by the agency. Unitil Energy anticipates the commencement of remediation activities in 2025. The Company does not believe this investigation will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The following table sets forth a summary of changes in the Company’s liability for Environmental Obligations for the years-ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
|  | December 31, |
Environmental Obligations (millions) |  | 2023 |  |  | 2022 |
Total Balance at Beginning of Period |  | $ | 4.4 |  |  | $ | 2.7 |
Additions |  |  | 0.7 |  |  |  | 2.0 |
Less: Payments / Reductions |  |  | 0.5 |  |  |  | 0.3 |
Total Balance at End of Period |  |  | 4.6 |  |  |  | 4.4 |
Less: Current Portion |  |  | 0.6 |  |  |  | 0.6 |
Noncurrent Balance at End of Period |  | $ | 4.0 |  |  | $ | 3.8 |

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