CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Overview
Otter Tail Corporation (OTC) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company", "us", "our" or "we") form a diverse, multi-platform business consisting of a vertically integrated, regulated utility with generation, transmission and distribution facilities complemented by manufacturing businesses providing metal fabrication for custom machine parts and metal components, manufacturing of extruded and thermoformed plastic products, and manufacturing of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe products. We classify our business into three segments: Electric, Manufacturing and Plastics.
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion of management, we have included all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements for the periods presented. The consolidated financial statements and condensed notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Because of the seasonality of our businesses and other factors, the earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2023 should not be taken as an indication of earnings for all or any part of the balance of the current year or as an indication of earnings for future years.
Use of Estimates
We use estimates based on the best information available in recording transactions and balances resulting from business operations. As better information becomes available or actual amounts are known, the recorded estimates are revised. Consequently, operating results can be affected by revisions to prior accounting estimates.
Concentration of Deposits and Investments
The Company has financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration risk, including cash and cash equivalents held in deposit and money market accounts with various financial institutions. These deposits are guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to an insurance limit of $250,000. Currently, our cash and cash equivalents significantly exceed federally insured levels.
2. Segment Information
We classify our business into three segments, Electric, Manufacturing and Plastics, consistent with our business strategy, organizational structure and our internal reporting and review processes used by our chief operating decision maker to make decisions regarding allocation of resources, to assess operating performance and to make strategic decisions.
Certain assets and costs are not allocated to our operating segments. Corporate operating costs include items such as corporate staff and overhead costs, the results of our captive insurance company and other items excluded from the measurement of operating segment performance. Corporate assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses, investments and fixed assets. Corporate is not an operating segment, rather it is added to operating segment totals to reconcile to consolidated amounts.
Information for each segment and our unallocated corporate costs for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
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| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
(in thousands) | | 2023 | | 2022 | | | | |
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Operating Revenue | | | | | | | | |
Electric | | $ | 151,909 | | | $ | 130,416 | | | | | |
Manufacturing | | 106,782 | | | 104,957 | | | | | |
Plastics | | 80,390 | | | 139,531 | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 339,081 | | | $ | 374,904 | | | | | |
Net Income (Loss) | | | | | | | | |
Electric | | $ | 23,221 | | | $ | 19,233 | | | | | |
Manufacturing | | 6,862 | | | 4,084 | | | | | |
Plastics | | 33,686 | | | 50,846 | | | | | |
Corporate | | (1,288) | | | (2,160) | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 62,481 | | | $ | 72,003 | | | | | |
The following provides the identifiable assets by segment and corporate assets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
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(in thousands) | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
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Identifiable Assets | | | |
Electric | $ | 2,418,544 | | | $ | 2,351,961 | |
Manufacturing | 256,451 | | | 245,869 | |
Plastics | 149,256 | | | 126,318 | |
Corporate | 163,159 | | | 177,513 | |
Total | $ | 2,987,410 | | | $ | 2,901,661 | |
3. Revenue
Presented below are our operating revenues to external customers, in total and by amounts arising from contracts with customers and alternative revenue program (ARP) arrangements, disaggregated by revenue source and segment for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
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| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
(in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 | | | | |
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Operating Revenues | | | | | | | |
Electric Segment | | | | | | | |
Retail: Residential | $ | 43,972 | | | $ | 40,561 | | | | | |
Retail: Commercial and Industrial | 90,489 | | | 71,171 | | | | | |
Retail: Other | 1,992 | | | 1,907 | | | | | |
Total Retail | 136,453 | | | 113,639 | | | | | |
Transmission | 12,107 | | | 12,556 | | | | | |
Wholesale | 1,838 | | | 2,463 | | | | | |
Other | 1,511 | | | 1,758 | | | | | |
Total Electric Segment | 151,909 | | | 130,416 | | | | | |
Manufacturing Segment | | | | | | | |
Metal Parts and Tooling | 90,068 | | | 89,573 | | | | | |
Plastic Products and Tooling | 14,142 | | | 12,445 | | | | | |
Scrap Metal Sales | 2,572 | | | 2,939 | | | | | |
Total Manufacturing Segment | 106,782 | | | 104,957 | | | | | |
Plastics Segment | | | | | | | |
PVC Pipe | 80,390 | | | 139,531 | | | | | |
Total Operating Revenue | 339,081 | | | 374,904 | | | | | |
Less: Non-contract Revenues Included Above | | | | | | | |
Electric Segment - ARP Revenues | (1,210) | | | (2,460) | | | | | |
Total Operating Revenues from Contracts with Customers | $ | 340,291 | | | $ | 377,364 | | | | | |
4. Select Balance Sheet Information
Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses
Receivables as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are as follows:
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(in thousands) | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
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Receivables | | | |
Trade | $ | 145,337 | | | $ | 112,126 | |
Other | 8,918 | | | 9,983 | |
Unbilled Receivables | 23,378 | | | 23,932 | |
Total Receivables | 177,633 | | | 146,041 | |
Less: Allowance for Credit Losses | 2,191 | | | 1,648 | |
Receivables, net of allowance for credit losses | $ | 175,442 | | | $ | 144,393 | |
The following is a summary of activity in the allowance for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
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(in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 |
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Beginning Balance, January 1 | $ | 1,648 | | | $ | 1,836 | |
Additions Charged to Expense | 737 | | | 210 | |
Reductions for Amounts Written Off, Net of Recoveries | (194) | | | (259) | |
Ending Balance, March 31 | $ | 2,191 | | | $ | 1,787 | |
Inventories
Inventories consist of the following as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
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(in thousands) | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
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Raw Material, Fuel and Supplies | $ | 73,860 | | | $ | 70,374 | |
Work in Process | 30,602 | | | 31,766 | |
Finished Goods | 40,305 | | | 43,812 | |
Total Inventories | $ | 144,767 | | | $ | 145,952 | |
Investments
The following is a summary of our investments as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
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(in thousands) | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
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Corporate-Owned Life Insurance Policies | $ | 39,781 | | | $ | 38,991 | |
Corporate and Government Debt Securities | 8,971 | | | 8,761 | |
Money Market Funds | 2,148 | | | 1,560 | |
Mutual Funds | 7,128 | | | 5,503 | |
Other Investments | 30 | | | 30 | |
Total Investments | $ | 58,058 | | | $ | 54,845 | |
The amount of unrealized gains and losses on debt securities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was not material and no unrealized losses were deemed to be other-than-temporary. In addition, the amount of unrealized gains and losses on marketable equity securities still held as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was not material.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Major classes of property, plant and equipment as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 include:
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(in thousands) | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
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Electric Plant | | | |
Electric Plant in Service | $ | 2,917,699 | | | $ | 2,844,379 | |
Construction Work in Progress | 128,328 | | | 113,932 | |
Total Gross Electric Plant | 3,046,027 | | | 2,958,311 | |
Less Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization | 876,330 | | | 859,988 | |
Net Electric Plant | 2,169,697 | | | 2,098,323 | |
Nonelectric Property, Plant and Equipment | | | |
Nonelectric Property, Plant and Equipment in Service | 295,548 | | | 293,928 | |
Construction Work in Progress | 22,840 | | | 15,170 | |
Total Gross Nonelectric Property, Plant and Equipment | 318,388 | | | 309,098 | |
Less Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization | 198,594 | | | 194,704 | |
Net Nonelectric Property, Plant and Equipment | 119,794 | | | 114,394 | |
Net Property, Plant and Equipment | $ | 2,289,491 | | | $ | 2,212,717 | |
On January 3, 2023, we purchased the Ashtabula III wind farm, located in eastern North Dakota, which consists of 39 wind turbines and the related infrastructure, adding 62.4 megawatts of nameplate capacity to our owned generation assets. The total purchase price of the acquisition was $50.6 million. In addition to the acquired assets, we also recognized a $3.3 million asset retirement obligation liability associated with the wind farm and became party to the land easement agreements with the landowners of the wind farm.
5. Regulatory Matters
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
The following presents our current and long-term regulatory assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and the period we expect to recover or refund such amounts:
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| Period of | | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
(in thousands) | Recovery/Refund | | Current | | Long-Term | | Current | | Long Term |
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Regulatory Assets | | | | | | | | | |
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans1 | See Below | | $ | — | | | $ | 89,474 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 88,354 | |
Alternative Revenue Program Riders2 | Up to 2 years | | 3,705 | | | 3,272 | | | 5,679 | | | 2,508 | |
Asset Retirement Obligations1 | Asset lives | | — | | | 1,670 | | | — | | | 1,467 | |
Deferred Income Taxes | Asset lives | | — | | | 729 | | | — | | | — | |
ISO Cost Recovery Trackers1 | Up to 2 years | | 432 | | | 201 | | | 575 | | | 314 | |
Unrecovered Project Costs1 | Up to 5 years | | 319 | | | 916 | | | 320 | | | 990 | |
Deferred Rate Case Expenses1 | Up to 3 years | | 377 | | | 660 | | | 377 | | | 754 | |
Fuel Clause Adjustments1 | Up to 1 year | | 11,361 | | | — | | | 10,893 | | | — | |
Derivative Instruments1 | Up to 1 year | | 347 | | | — | | | 7,130 | | | — | |
Other1 | Various | | 25 | | | 257 | | | 25 | | | 268 | |
Total Regulatory Assets | | | $ | 16,566 | | | $ | 97,179 | | | $ | 24,999 | | | $ | 94,655 | |
Regulatory Liabilities | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred Income Taxes | Asset lives | | $ | — | | | $ | 130,429 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 131,480 | |
Plant Removal Obligations | Asset lives | | 8,492 | | | 106,181 | | | 8,509 | | | 105,733 | |
Fuel Clause Adjustments | Up to 1 year | | 3,654 | | | — | | | 365 | | | — | |
Alternative Revenue Program Riders | Up to 1 year | | 2,326 | | | — | | | 2,504 | | | — | |
North Dakota PTC Refunds | Asset lives | | — | | | 8,254 | | | — | | | 7,136 | |
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans | Up to 1 year | | 5,589 | | | — | | | 5,589 | | | — | |
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Other | Various | | 465 | | | 207 | | | 333 | | | 148 | |
Total Regulatory Liabilities | | | $ | 20,526 | | | $ | 245,071 | | | $ | 17,300 | | | $ | 244,497 | |
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1Costs subject to recovery without a rate of return. | | | | | | | | | |
2Amount eligible for recovery includes an incentive or rate of return. | | | | | | | | | |
6. Short-Term and Long-Term Borrowings
The following is a summary of our outstanding short- and long-term borrowings by borrower, OTC or Otter Tail Power Company (OTP), as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Short-Term Debt
The following is a summary of our lines of credit as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
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| | | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
(in thousands) | Borrowing Limit | | Amount Outstanding | | Letters of Credit | | Amount Available | | Amount Available |
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OTC Credit Agreement | $ | 170,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 170,000 | | | $ | 170,000 | |
OTP Credit Agreement | 170,000 | | | 60,854 | | | 9,573 | | | 99,573 | | | 152,223 | |
Total | $ | 340,000 | | | $ | 60,854 | | | $ | 9,573 | | | $ | 269,573 | | | $ | 322,223 | |
Long-Term Debt
The following is a summary of outstanding long-term debt by borrower as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
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| | | | | | | | (in thousands) |
Borrower | | Debt Instrument | | Rate | | Maturity | | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
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OTC | | Guaranteed Senior Notes | | 3.55% | | 12/15/26 | | $ | 80,000 | | | $ | 80,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2007C Senior Unsecured Notes | | 6.37% | | 08/02/27 | | 42,000 | | | 42,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2013A Senior Unsecured Notes | | 4.68% | | 02/27/29 | | 60,000 | | | 60,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2019A Senior Unsecured Notes | | 3.07% | | 10/10/29 | | 10,000 | | | 10,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2020A Senior Unsecured Notes | | 3.22% | | 02/25/30 | | 10,000 | | | 10,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2020B Senior Unsecured Notes | | 3.22% | | 08/20/30 | | 40,000 | | | 40,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2021A Senior Unsecured Notes | | 2.74% | | 11/29/31 | | 40,000 | | | 40,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2007D Senior Unsecured Notes | | 6.47% | | 08/20/37 | | 50,000 | | | 50,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2019B Senior Unsecured Notes | | 3.52% | | 10/10/39 | | 26,000 | | | 26,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2020C Senior Unsecured Notes | | 3.62% | | 02/25/40 | | 10,000 | | | 10,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2013B Senior Unsecured Notes | | 5.47% | | 02/27/44 | | 90,000 | | | 90,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2018A Senior Unsecured Notes | | 4.07% | | 02/07/48 | | 100,000 | | | 100,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2019C Senior Unsecured Notes | | 3.82% | | 10/10/49 | | 64,000 | | | 64,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2020D Senior Unsecured Notes | | 3.92% | | 02/25/50 | | 15,000 | | | 15,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2021B Senior Unsecured Notes | | 3.69% | | 11/29/51 | | 100,000 | | | 100,000 | |
OTP | | Series 2022A Senior Unsecured Notes | | 3.77% | | 05/20/52 | | 90,000 | | | 90,000 | |
Total | | | | | | | | $ | 827,000 | | | $ | 827,000 | |
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Less: | Unamortized Long-Term Debt Issuance Costs | | | | | | 3,118 | | | 3,179 | |
Total Long-Term Debt, Net of Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs | | | | $ | 823,882 | | | $ | 823,821 | |
Financial Covenants
Certain of OTC's and OTP's short- and long-term debt agreements require the borrower, whether OTC or OTP, to maintain certain financial covenants, including a maximum debt to total capitalization ratio of 0.60 to 1.00, a minimum interest and dividend coverage ratio of 1.50 to 1.00, and a maximum level of priority indebtedness. As of March 31, 2023, OTC and OTP were in compliance with these financial covenants.
7. Employee Postretirement Benefits
Pension Plan and Other Postretirement Benefits
The Company sponsors a noncontributory funded pension plan (the "Pension Plan"), an unfunded, nonqualified Executive Survivor and Supplemental Retirement Plan (the "ESSRP"), both accounted for as defined benefit pension plans, and a postretirement healthcare plan accounted for as an other postretirement benefit plan.
The following table includes the components of net periodic benefit cost (income) related to our defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
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| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| Pension Benefits (Pension Plan) | | Pension Benefits (ESSRP) | | Postretirement Benefits |
(in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
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Service Cost | $ | 925 | | | $ | 1,644 | | | $ | 18 | | | $ | 49 | | | $ | 153 | | | $ | 335 | |
Interest Cost | 4,109 | | | 3,086 | | | 314 | | | 335 | | | 669 | | | 510 | |
Expected Return on Assets | (6,479) | | | (5,921) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Amortization of Prior Service Cost | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1,433) | | | (1,433) | |
Amortization of Net Actuarial Loss | — | | | 1,966 | | | — | | | 142 | | | — | | | 766 | |
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income) | $ | (1,445) | | | $ | 775 | | | $ | 332 | | | $ | 526 | | | $ | (611) | | | $ | 178 | |
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The following table includes the impact of regulation on the recognition of periodic benefit cost (income) arising from pension and other postretirement benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
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| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
(in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 | | | | |
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Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income) | $ | (1,724) | | | $ | 1,479 | | | | | |
Net Amount Amortized (Deferred) Due to the Effect of Regulation | 408 | | | 527 | | | | | |
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income) Recognized | $ | (1,316) | | | $ | 2,006 | | | | | |
We had no minimum funding requirements for our Pension Plan or any other postretirement benefit plans as of December 31, 2022. We did not make any contributions to our Pension Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2023. We made discretionary contributions to our Pension Plan of $20.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
8. Income Taxes
The reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to our effective tax rate for each of the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income Taxes at Federal Statutory Rate | $ | 15,915 | | 21.0 | % | | $ | 18,823 | | 21.0 | % | | | | |
Increases (Decreases) in Tax from: | | | | | | | | | |
State Taxes on Income, Net of Federal Tax | 3,789 | | 5.0 | | | 4,482 | | 5.0 | | | | | |
Production Tax Credits (PTCs) | (4,655) | | (6.1) | | | (3,967) | | (4.4) | | | | | |
Amortization of Excess Deferred Income Taxes | (798) | | (1.1) | | | (1,177) | | (1.3) | | | | | |
North Dakota Wind Tax Credit Amortization, Net of Federal Tax | (164) | | (0.2) | | | (200) | | (0.2) | | | | | |
Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction | (51) | | (0.1) | | | (93) | | (0.1) | | | | | |
Other, Net | (732) | | (0.9) | | | (238) | | (0.3) | | | | | |
Income Tax Expense / Effective Tax Rate | $ | 13,304 | | 17.6 | % | | $ | 17,630 | | 19.7 | % | | | | |
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
Land Easements. Since 2013, we had purchased the wind-generated electricity from the Ashtabula III wind farm pursuant to a power purchase agreement. That agreement granted us the option to purchase the wind farm and on January 3, 2023, we completed the purchase for $50.6 million. In connection with the purchase, we assumed 51 land easements, not classified as leases, which require annual payments. The remaining payments to be made under the easements total $4.2 million and the remaining terms of the agreements extend into 2034.
Contingencies
FERC Return on Equity (ROE). In November 2013 and February 2015, customers filed complaints with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeking to reduce the return on equity component of the transmission rates that Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) transmission owners, including OTP, may collect under the MISO tariff rate. FERC's most recent order, issued on November 19, 2020, adopted a revised ROE methodology and set the base ROE at 10.02% (10.52% with an adder) effective for the fifteen-month period from November 2013 to February 2015 and on a prospective basis beginning in September 2016. The order also dismissed any complaints covering the period from February 2015 to May 2016. On August 9, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated the FERC order citing a lack of reasoned explanation by FERC in its adoption of its revised ROE methodology as outlined in its November 2020 order. The U.S. Court of Appeals remanded the matter to FERC to reopen the proceedings.
Significant uncertainty exists as to how FERC will proceed upon remand and there is no prescribed timeline under which FERC must act. We have deferred recognition and recorded a refund liability of $2.6 million as of March 31, 2023. This refund liability reflects our best estimate of amounts previously collected from customers under the MISO tariff rate that may be required to be refunded to customers once all regulatory and judicial proceedings are complete and a final ROE is established for the periods outlined above.
Regional Haze Rule (RHR). The RHR was adopted in an effort to improve visibility in national parks and wilderness areas. The RHR requires states, in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other governmental agencies, to develop and implement plans to achieve natural visibility conditions. The second RHR implementation period covers the years 2018-2028. States are required to submit a state implementation plan to assess reasonable progress with the RHR and determine what additional emission reductions are appropriate, if any.
Coyote Station, OTP's jointly owned coal-fired power plant in North Dakota, is subject to assessment in the second implementation period under the North Dakota state implementation plan. The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) submitted its state implementation plan to the EPA for approval in August, 2022. In its plan, the NDDEQ concluded it is not reasonable to require additional emission controls during
this planning period. The EPA has previously expressed disagreement with the NDDEQ's recommendation to forgo additional emission controls and has indicated that such a plan is not likely to be accepted.
We cannot predict with certainty the impact the state implementation plan may have on our business until the plan has been approved or otherwise acted on by the EPA. However, significant emission control investments could be required and the recovery of such costs from customers would require regulatory approval. Alternatively, investments in emission control equipment may prove to be uneconomic and result in the early retirement of or the sale of our interest in Coyote Station, subject to regulatory approval. We cannot estimate the ultimate financial effects such a retirement or sale may have on our consolidated operating results, financial position or cash flows, but such amounts could be material and the recovery of such costs in rates would be subject to regulatory approval.
Self-Funding of Transmission Upgrades. The FERC has granted transmission owners within MISO the unilateral authority to determine the funding mechanism for interconnection transmission upgrades that are necessary to accommodate new generation facilities connecting to the electrical grid. Under existing FERC orders, transmission owners can unilaterally determine whether the generator pays the transmission owner in advance for the transmission upgrade or, alternatively, the transmission owner can elect to fund the upgrade and recover over time from the generator the cost of and a return on the upgrade investment (a self-funding). FERC’s orders granting transmission owners this unilateral funding authority has been judicially contested on the basis that transmission owners may be motivated to discriminate among generators in making funding determinations. In the most recent judicial proceedings, the petitioners argued to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia that FERC did not comply with a previous judicial order to fully develop a record regarding the risk of discrimination and the financial risk absorbed by transmission owners for generator-funded upgrades. On December 2, 2022, the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the petitioners remanding the matter to FERC, instructing the agency to adequately explain the basis of its orders. The Court of Appeals decision did not vacate transmission owners’ unilateral funding authority.
OTP, as a transmission owner in MISO, has exercised its authority and elected to self-fund previous transmission upgrades necessary to accommodate new system generation. Under such an election, OTP is recovering the cost of the transmission upgrade and a return on that investment from the generator over a contractual period of time. Should FERC, on remand from the Court of Appeals, eliminate transmission owners’ unilateral funding authority, on either a prospective or retrospective basis, our financial results would be impacted. We cannot at this time reasonably predict the outcome of this matter given the uncertainty as to how and when FERC may respond to the judicial remand.
Other Contingencies. We are party to litigation and regulatory matters arising in the normal course of business. We regularly analyze relevant information and, as necessary, estimate and record accrued liabilities for legal, regulatory enforcement and other matters in which a loss is probable of occurring and can be reasonably estimated. We believe the effect on our consolidated operating results, financial position and cash flows, if any, for the disposition of all matters pending as of March 31, 2023, other than those discussed above, will not be material.
10. Stockholders' Equity
Registration Statements
On May 3, 2021, we filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC under which we may offer for sale, from time to time, either separately or together in any combination, equity, debt or other securities described in the shelf registration statement. No new debt or equity has been issued pursuant to the registration statement. The registration statement expires in May 2024.
On May 3, 2021, we filed a second registration statement with the SEC for the issuance of up to 1,500,000 common shares under an Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and a Share Purchase Plan, which provides shareholders, retail customers of OTP and other interested investors methods of purchasing our common shares, by reinvesting their dividends or making optional cash investments. Shares purchased under the plan may be newly issued common shares or common shares purchased on the open market. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we issued 30,893 shares under this plan. We repurchased a sufficient number of shares on the open market to satisfy issuance under the plan; accordingly, no proceeds from the issuance were received. As of March 31, 2023, there were 1,220,100 shares available for purchase or issuance under the plan. The registration statement expires in May 2024.
Dividend Restrictions
OTC is a holding company with no significant operations of its own. The primary source of funds for payments of dividends to OTC's shareholders is from dividends paid or distributions made by OTC's subsidiaries. As a result of certain statutory limitations or regulatory or financing agreements, the amount of distributions allowed to be made by OTC's subsidiaries or the amount of dividends paid by OTC could be restricted. Both the OTC Credit Agreement and OTP Credit Agreement contain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends upon a default or event of default, including failure to maintain certain financial covenants. As of March 31, 2023, we were in compliance with these financial covenants.
Under the Federal Power Act, a public utility may not pay dividends from any funds properly included in a capital account. What constitutes “funds properly included in a capital account” is undefined in the Federal Power Act or the related regulations; however, the FERC has consistently interpreted the provision to allow dividends to be paid as long as i) the source of the dividends is clearly disclosed, ii) the dividend is not excessive and iii) there is no self-dealing on the part of corporate officials.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) indirectly limits the amount of dividends OTP can pay to OTC by requiring an equity-to-total-capitalization ratio between 47.5% and 58.0% based on OTP’s capital structure petition effective by order of the MPUC on November 8, 2022. As of March 31, 2023, OTP’s equity-to-total-capitalization ratio, including short-term debt, was 53.3% and its net assets restricted from distribution totaled approximately $758.1 million. Under the MPUC order, total capitalization for OTP cannot exceed $1.8 billion.
11. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
(in thousands) | Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits | | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities | | Total | | Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits | | Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities | | Total |
Balance, Beginning of Period | $ | 1,334 | | | $ | (419) | | | $ | 915 | | | $ | (6,537) | | | $ | 13 | | | $ | (6,524) | |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications, net of tax | — | | | 80 | | | 80 | | | — | | | (231) | | | (231) | |
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | (26) | | (1) | — | | | (26) | | | (190) | | (1) | — | | | (190) | |
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | (26) | | | 80 | | | 54 | | | (190) | | | (231) | | | (421) | |
Balance, End of Period | $ | 1,308 | | | $ | (339) | | | $ | 969 | | | $ | (6,727) | | | $ | (218) | | | $ | (6,945) | |
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(1) Included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs. See Note 7. | | | | | | |
12. Share-Based Payments
Stock Compensation Expense
Stock-based compensation expense arising from our employee stock purchase plan and share-based compensation plans recognized within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income amounted to $5.3 million and $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Restricted Stock Awards. We grant restricted stock awards to members of our Board of Directors and restricted stock units to certain key employees. The awards vest, depending on award type and recipient, either ratably over periods of three or four years or cliff vest after four years. Vesting is accelerated in certain circumstances, including on retirement.
The following is a summary of stock award activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shares | | Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value |
| | | |
Nonvested, January 1, 2023 | 141,551 | | | $ | 49.83 | |
Granted | 17,900 | | | 64.65 | |
Vested | (18,600) | | | 50.94 | |
Forfeited | — | | | — | |
Nonvested, March 31, 2023 | 140,851 | | | $ | 51.57 | |
The fair value of vested awards was $1.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
Stock Performance Awards. Stock performance awards are granted to executive officers and certain other key employees. The awards vest at the end of a three-year performance period. The number of common shares awarded, if any, at the end of the performance period ranges from zero to 150% of the target amount based on two performance measures: i) total shareholder return relative to a peer group and ii) return on equity. Vesting of the awards is accelerated in certain circumstances, including on retirement. The amount of common shares awarded on an accelerated vesting is based either on actual performance at the end of the performance period or the amount of common shares earned at target.
The grant date fair value of stock performance awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was determined using a Monte Carlo fair value simulation model incorporating the following assumptions:
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| 2023 | | 2022 |
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Risk-free interest rate | 4.15 | % | | 1.52 | % |
Expected term (in years) | 3.00 | | 3.00 |
Expected volatility | 34.00 | % | | 32.00 | % |
Dividend yield | 2.50 | % | | 2.90 | % |
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The risk-free interest rate was derived from yields on U.S. government bonds of a similar term. The expected term of the award is equal to the three-year performance period. Expected volatility was estimated based on actual historical volatility of our common stock. Dividend yield was estimated based on historic and future yield estimates.
The following is a summary of stock performance award activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 (share amounts reflect awards at target): | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shares | | Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value |
| | | |
Nonvested, January 1, 2023 | 189,800 | | | $ | 45.95 | |
Granted | 59,400 | | | 61.97 | |
Vested | (55,000) | | | 47.79 | |
Forfeited | — | | | — | |
Nonvested, March 31, 2023 | 194,200 | | | $ | 50.33 | |
The fair value of vested awards was $5.3 million and $5.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
13. Earnings Per Share
The numerator used in the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per common share is net income. The denominator used in the calculation of basic earnings per common share is the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The denominator used in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share is derived by adjusting basic shares outstanding for the dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding, which consist of time and performance based stock awards and employee stock purchase plan shares.
The following includes the computation of the denominator for basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
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| Three Months Ended March 31, | | | | |
(in thousands) | 2023 | | 2022 | | | | | | | | |
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Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic | 41,632 | | | 41,548 | | | | | | | | | |
Effect of Dilutive Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock Performance Awards | 241 | | | 219 | | | | | | | | | |
Restricted Stock Awards | 102 | | | 102 | | | | | | | | | |
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares and Other | 2 | | | 2 | | | | | | | | | |
Dilutive Effect of Potential Common Shares | 345 | | | 323 | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding – Diluted | 41,977 | | | 41,871 | | | | | | | | | |
The number of shares excluded from diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding because such shares were anti-dilutive was not material for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
14. Derivative Instruments
OTP enters into derivative instruments to manage its exposure to future market energy price variability and reduce volatility in prices for our retail customers. These derivative instruments are not designated as qualifying hedging transactions but provide for an economic hedge against future market energy price variability. The instruments are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. In accordance with ratemaking and cost recovery processes, we recognize a regulatory asset or liability to defer losses or gains from derivative activity until settlement of the associated derivative instrument.
As of March 31, 2023, OTP had one outstanding pay-fixed, receive-variable swap agreement with an aggregate notional amount of 8,000 megawatt-hours of electricity, with a settlement date of December 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, the fair value of this derivative instrument was $0.3 million, which is included in other current liabilities, on the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2022, the fair value of these types of derivative contracts was $7.1 million, which is included in other current liabilities. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, contracts matured and were settled in an aggregate amount of a $16.0 million loss and a $2.8 million gain, respectively. Gains and losses recognized on the settlement of derivative instruments are recorded in electric purchased power in the consolidated statements of income. Such settlement gains and losses are returned to or recovered from our electric customers through fuel recovery mechanisms in each state.
15. Fair Value Measurements
The following tables present our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 classified by the input method used to measure fair value: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
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March 31, 2023 | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | |
Investments: | | | | | |
Money Market Funds | $ | 2,148 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Mutual Funds | 7,128 | | | — | | | — | |
Corporate Debt Securities | — | | | 1,450 | | | — | |
Government-Backed and Government-Sponsored Enterprises’ Debt Securities | — | | | 7,521 | | | — | |
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Total Assets | $ | 9,276 | | | $ | 8,971 | | | $ | — | |
Liabilities: | | | | | |
Derivative Instruments | $ | — | | | $ | 347 | | | $ | — | |
Total Liabilities | $ | — | | | $ | 347 | | | $ | — | |
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December 31, 2022 | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | |
Investments: | | | | | |
Money Market Funds | $ | 1,560 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Mutual Funds | 5,503 | | | — | | | — | |
Corporate Debt Securities | — | | | 1,434 | | | — | |
Government-Backed and Government-Sponsored Enterprises’ Debt Securities | — | | | 7,327 | | | — | |
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Total Assets | $ | 7,063 | | | $ | 8,761 | | | $ | — | |
Liabilities: | | | | | |
Derivative Instruments | — | | | 7,130 | | | — | |
Total Liabilities | $ | — | | | $ | 7,130 | | | $ | — | |
Level 1 fair value measurements are based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date.
The level 2 fair value measurements for government-backed and government-sponsored enterprises and corporate debt securities are determined based on valuations provided by a third-party pricing service which utilizes industry accepted valuation models and observable market inputs to determine valuation. Some valuations or model inputs used by the pricing service may be based on broker quotes.
The level 2 fair value measurements for derivative instruments are determined by using inputs such as forward electric commodity prices, adjusted for location differences. These inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument, can be derived from observable data, or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.
In addition to assets recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, we also hold financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets but for which disclosure of the fair value of these financial instruments is provided.
The following reflects the carrying value and estimated fair value of these assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
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| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
(in thousands) | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value |
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Assets: | | | | | | | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | $ | 104,080 | | | $ | 104,080 | | | $ | 118,996 | | | $ | 118,996 | |
Total | 104,080 | | | 104,080 | | | 118,996 | | | 118,996 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Short-Term Debt | 60,854 | | | 60,854 | | | 8,204 | | | 8,204 | |
Long-Term Debt | 823,882 | | | 702,129 | | | 823,821 | | | 681,615 | |
Total | $ | 884,736 | | | $ | 762,983 | | | $ | 832,025 | | | $ | 689,819 | |
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The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:
Cash Equivalents: The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of those instruments.
Short-Term Debt: The carrying amount approximates fair value because the debt obligations are short-term and the balances outstanding are subject to variable rates of interest which reset frequently, a Level 2 fair value input.
Long-Term Debt: The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on current market indications for borrowings of similar maturities, a Level 2 fair value input.