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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 CEO AND CFO CERTIFICATION - NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COex321q12016.htm
EX-12 - EXHIBIT 12 FIXED CHARGES - NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COex12q12016.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 CFO CERTIFICATION - NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COex312q12016.htm
EX-10.A - EXHIBIT 10.A DIRECTOR RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT - NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COex10adirectorrestrictedstock.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 CEO CERTIFICATION - NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COex311q12016.htm
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

[X]       QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016


OR



[  ]       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___________ to____________
Commission file number 1-15973

NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Oregon
93-0256722
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

220 N.W. Second Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97209
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (503) 226-4211
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  
Yes [ X ]     No  [   ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   
Yes [ X ]     No  [   ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer [ X ]                                                                Accelerated Filer [    ]
Non-accelerated Filer [    ]                                                                   Smaller Reporting Company [    ]
(Do not check if a Smaller Reporting Company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 
Yes [   ]     No  [ X ]

At April 22, 2016, 27,493,381 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock (the only class of Common Stock) were outstanding.

 




NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page
 
 
 
PART 1.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as anticipates, assumes, intends, plans, seeks, believes, estimates, expects, and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following:

plans, projections and predictions;
objectives, goals and strategies;
assumptions and estimates;
future events or performance;
trends, and timing and cyclicality;
risks;
earnings and dividends;
capital expenditures and allocation;
capital structure;
growth and profitability;
customer rates;
commodity costs and volumes;
gas reserves, volumes, investment and recovery;
operational and maintenance performance and costs;
energy policy and preferences;
efficacy of and exposure under derivatives and hedges;
liquidity and financial positions;
project and program development, expansion, or investment;
competition;
estimated expenditures;
costs of compliance;
credit exposures;
regulatory outcomes, prudency or recovery;
impacts of laws, rules and regulations;
tax positions, liabilities or refunds;
levels and pricing of gas storage contracts and gas storage markets;
outcomes and effects of potential claims, litigation, regulatory actions, and other administrative matters;
projected obligations under retirement plans;
availability, adequacy, and shift in mix, of gas supplies;
effects of new or anticipated changes in accounting standards or pronouncements;
approval and adequacy of regulatory deferrals;
effects and efficacy of regulatory mechanisms; and
environmental, regulatory, litigation and insurance costs, allocations and recoveries, and timing thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We therefore caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future operational or financial performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7 and Item 7A, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” and in Part I, Items 2 and 3, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” and Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” herein.
 
Any forward-looking statement made by us in this report speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.



3





ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 

Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
In thousands, except per share data
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues
 
$
255,529

 
$
261,665

 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
Cost of gas
 
108,411

 
125,705

Operations and maintenance
 
38,939

 
54,116

Environmental remediation
 
5,029

 

General taxes
 
8,684

 
8,732

Depreciation and amortization
 
20,394

 
20,111

Total operating expenses
 
181,457

 
208,664

Income from operations
 
74,072

 
53,001

Other income (expense), net
 
(2,309
)
 
5,049

Interest expense, net
 
9,736

 
10,481

Income before income taxes
 
62,027

 
47,569

Income tax expense
 
25,386

 
19,083

Net income
 
36,641

 
28,486

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
Amortization of non-qualified employee benefit plan liability, net of taxes of $127 and $216 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively
 
194

 
332

Comprehensive income
 
$
36,835

 
$
28,818

Average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
27,448

 
27,301

Diluted
 
27,560

 
27,369

Earnings per share of common stock:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
1.33

 
$
1.04

Diluted
 
1.33

 
1.04

Dividends declared per share of common stock
 
0.4675

 
0.4650


See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


4





NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
March 31,
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
In thousands
 
2016
 
2015
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
4,321

 
$
5,218

 
$
4,211

Accounts receivable
 
69,066

 
68,531

 
68,228

Accrued unbilled revenue
 
36,393

 
30,076

 
57,987

Allowance for uncollectible accounts
 
(1,376
)
 
(1,363
)
 
(870
)
Regulatory assets
 
61,524

 
67,702

 
69,178

Derivative instruments
 
1,960

 
658

 
2,719

Inventories
 
60,581

 
69,289

 
70,868

Gas reserves
 
16,420

 
19,112

 
17,094

Income taxes receivable
 

 
2,000

 
7,900

Deferred tax assets
 

 
13,491

 

Other current assets
 
23,311

 
15,921

 
33,460

Total current assets
 
272,200

 
290,635

 
330,775

Non-current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant, and equipment
 
3,115,854

 
3,017,754

 
3,089,380

Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
919,187

 
883,254

 
906,717

Total property, plant, and equipment, net
 
2,196,667

 
2,134,500

 
2,182,663

Gas reserves
 
111,145

 
125,187

 
114,552

Regulatory assets
 
351,390

 
348,421

 
370,711

Derivative instruments
 
452

 
117

 
27

Other investments
 
67,490

 
68,614

 
68,066

Restricted cash
 

 
3,000

 

Other non-current assets
 
2,689

 
3,638

 
2,616

Total non-current assets
 
2,729,833

 
2,683,477

 
2,738,635

Total assets
 
$
3,002,033

 
$
2,974,112

 
$
3,069,410


See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


5





NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
March 31,
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
In thousands
 
2016
 
2015
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term debt
 
$
164,900

 
$
156,200

 
$
270,035

Current maturities of long-term debt
 
24,980

 
39,994

 
24,973

Accounts payable
 
57,407

 
62,904

 
73,219

Taxes accrued
 
10,256

 
17,755

 
10,420

Interest accrued
 
9,671

 
10,427

 
5,873

Regulatory liabilities
 
35,596

 
24,263

 
29,927

Derivative instruments
 
17,313

 
23,242

 
22,092

Other current liabilities
 
42,100

 
35,950

 
41,148

Total current liabilities
 
362,223

 
370,735

 
477,687

Long-term debt
 
569,745

 
613,417

 
569,445

Deferred credits and other non-current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities
 
550,731

 
523,929

 
530,021

Regulatory liabilities
 
346,761

 
326,424

 
339,287

Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities
 
221,291

 
235,516

 
223,105

Derivative instruments
 
1,237

 
1,117

 
3,447

Other non-current liabilities
 
143,090

 
118,059

 
145,446

Total deferred credits and other non-current liabilities
 
1,263,110

 
1,205,045

 
1,241,306

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 13)
 

 

 

Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock - no par value; authorized 100,000 shares; issued and outstanding 27,493, 27,332, and 27,427 at March 31, 2016 and 2015 and December 31, 2015, respectively
 
385,232

 
376,656

 
383,144

Retained earnings
 
428,691

 
418,003

 
404,990

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(6,968
)
 
(9,744
)
 
(7,162
)
Total equity
 
806,955

 
784,915

 
780,972

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
3,002,033

 
$
2,974,112

 
$
3,069,410


See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements



6





NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
In thousands
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
36,641

 
$
28,486

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operations:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
20,394

 
20,111

Regulatory amortization of gas reserves
 
4,075

 
5,255

Deferred tax liabilities, net
 
23,353

 
5,918

Qualified defined benefit pension plan expense
 
1,311

 
1,509

Contributions to qualified defined benefit pension plans
 
(2,900
)
 
(2,630
)
Deferred environmental expenditures
 
(2,665
)
 
(3,315
)
Regulatory disallowance of prior environmental cost deferrals
 
3,273

 
15,000

Interest income on deferred environmental expenses
 

 
(5,322
)
Amortization of environmental remediation
 
5,029

 

Other
 
1,169

 
900

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Receivables, net
 
22,242

 
29,193

Inventories
 
10,115

 
8,543

Taxes accrued
 
7,729

 
6,724

Accounts payable
 
(14,537
)
 
(26,550
)
Interest accrued
 
3,798

 
4,348

Deferred gas costs
 
8,519

 
13,074

Other, net
 
18,592

 
17,005

Cash provided by operating activities
 
146,138

 
118,249

Investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(30,054
)
 
(27,135
)
Other
 
24

 
(1,811
)
Cash used in investing activities
 
(30,030
)
 
(28,946
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Common stock issued, net
 
1,999

 
700

Change in short-term debt
 
(105,135
)
 
(78,500
)
Cash dividend payments on common stock
 
(12,823
)
 
(12,688
)
Other
 
(39
)
 
(3,131
)
Cash used in financing activities
 
(115,998
)
 
(93,619
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
110

 
(4,316
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
4,211

 
9,534

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
4,321

 
$
5,218

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
 
Interest paid, net of capitalization
 
$
5,232

 
$
5,399

Income taxes paid, net of refunds
 
(7,900
)
 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements



7





NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements represent the consolidated results of Northwest Natural Gas Company (NW Natural or the Company) and all companies we directly or indirectly control, either through majority ownership or otherwise. We have two core businesses: our regulated local gas distribution business, referred to as the utility segment, which serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Oregon and southwest Washington; and our gas storage businesses, referred to as the gas storage segment, which provides storage services for utilities, gas marketers, electric generators, and large industrial users from facilities located in Oregon and California. In addition, we have investments and other non-utility activities we aggregate and report as other.

Our core utility business assets and operating activities are largely included in the parent company, NW Natural. Our direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries include NW Natural Energy, LLC (NWN Energy), NW Natural Gas Storage, LLC (NWN Gas Storage), Gill Ranch Storage, LLC (Gill Ranch), NNG Financial Corporation (NNG Financial), Northwest Energy Corporation (Energy Corp), and NW Natural Gas Reserves, LLC (NWN Gas Reserves). Investments in corporate joint ventures and partnerships we do not directly or indirectly control, and for which we are not the primary beneficiary, are accounted for under the equity method, which includes NWN Energy’s investment in Trail West Holdings, LLC (TWH) and NNG Financial's investment in Kelso-Beaver (KB) Pipeline. NW Natural and its affiliated companies are collectively referred to herein as NW Natural. The consolidated financial statements are presented after elimination of all intercompany balances and transactions, except for amounts required to be included under regulatory accounting standards to reflect the effect of such regulation. In this report, the term “utility” is used to describe our regulated gas distribution business, and the term “non-utility” is used to describe our gas storage businesses and other non-utility investments and business activities.

Information presented in these interim consolidated financial statements is unaudited, but includes all material adjustments management considers necessary for fair presentation of the results for each period reported including normal recurring accruals. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K (2015 Form 10-K). A significant part of our business is of a seasonal nature; therefore, results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of full year results.

Certain prior year balances in our consolidated financial statements and notes have been reclassified to conform with the current presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on our prior year’s consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

 


8






2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 of the 2015 Form 10-K. There were no material changes to those accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2016. The following are current updates to certain critical accounting policy estimates and new accounting standards.

Industry Regulation  
In applying regulatory accounting principles, we capitalize or defer certain costs and revenues as regulatory assets and liabilities pursuant to orders of the OPUC Public Utility Commission of Oregon (OPUC) or Washington Utilities and Transportation Committee (WUTC), which provide for the recovery of revenues or expenses from, or refunds to, utility customers in future periods, including a rate of return or a carrying charge in certain cases.

Amounts deferred as regulatory assets and liabilities were as follows:


Regulatory Assets
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
In thousands

2016

2015
 
2015
Current:




 
 
Unrealized loss on derivatives(1)

$
17,313


$
23,242

 
$
22,092

Gas costs
 
7,978

 
19,653

 
8,717

Environmental costs(2)
 
9,096

 

 
9,270

Decoupling(3)
 
13,235

 
11,696

 
18,775

Other(4)

13,902


13,111

 
10,324

Total current

$
61,524


$
67,702

 
$
69,178

Non-current:




 
 
Unrealized loss on derivatives(1)

$
1,237


$
1,117

 
$
3,447

Pension balancing(5)

46,247


35,374

 
43,748

Income taxes

40,106


44,767

 
43,049

Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities

180,909


197,601

 
184,223

Environmental costs(2)

67,999


50,175

 
76,584

Gas costs
 
2,462

 
4,334

 
1,949

Decoupling(3)
 
2,641

 
4,370

 
6,349

Other(4)

9,789


10,683

 
11,362

Total non-current

$
351,390


$
348,421

 
$
370,711

 
 
Regulatory Liabilities
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
In thousands
 
2016
 
2015
 
2015
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas costs
 
$
22,098

 
$
12,774

 
$
14,157

Unrealized gain on derivatives(1)
 
1,960

 
436

 
2,659

Other(4)
 
11,538

 
11,053

 
13,111

Total current
 
$
35,596

 
$
24,263

 
$
29,927

Non-current:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas costs
 
$
9,221

 
$
4,729

 
$
8,869

Unrealized gain on derivatives(1)
 
452

 
117

 
27

Accrued asset removal costs(6)
 
331,000

 
315,946

 
327,047

Other(4)
 
6,088

 
5,632

 
3,344

Total non-current
 
$
346,761

 
$
326,424

 
$
339,287

(1) 
Unrealized gains or losses on derivatives are non-cash items and, therefore, do not earn a rate of return or a carrying charge. These amounts are recoverable through utility rates as part of the annual Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) mechanism when realized at settlement.


9





(2) 
Environmental costs relate to specific sites approved for regulatory deferral by the OPUC and WUTC. In Oregon, we earn a carrying charge on cash amounts paid, whereas amounts accrued but not yet paid do not earn a carrying charge until expended. We also accrue a carrying charge on insurance proceeds for amounts owed to customers. In Washington, recovery of deferred amounts will be determined in a future proceeding. Current environmental costs represent remediation costs management expects to collect from Oregon customers in the next 12 months. Amounts included in this estimate are still subject to a prudence and earnings test review by the OPUC and do not include the $5 million tariff rider. The amounts allocable to Oregon are subject to an earnings test. See Note 13.     
(3) 
This deferral represents the margin adjustment resulting from differences between actual and expected volumes. 
(4) 
These balances primarily consist of deferrals and amortizations under approved regulatory mechanisms. The accounts being amortized typically earn a rate of return or carrying charge.
(5) 
The deferral of certain pension expenses above or below the amount set in rates was approved by the OPUC, with recovery of these deferred amounts through the implementation of a balancing account, which includes the expectation of lower net periodic benefit costs in future years. Deferred pension expense balances include accrued interest at the utility’s authorized rate of return, with the equity portion of interest income recognized when amounts are collected in rates.
(6) 
Estimated costs of removal on certain regulated properties are collected through rates.

We believe all costs incurred and deferred at March 31, 2016 are prudent. We annually review all regulatory assets and liabilities for recoverability and more often if circumstances warrant. If we should determine that all or a portion of these regulatory assets or liabilities no longer meet the criteria for continued application of regulatory accounting, then we would be required to write-off the net unrecoverable balances in the period such determination is made.

New Accounting Standards
We consider the applicability and impact of all accounting standards updates (ASUs) issued by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Accounting standards updates not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
BENEFIT PLAN ACCOUNTING. On July 31, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-12, "Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans, Defined Contribution Pension Plans, and Health and Welfare Benefit Plans." The ASU outlines a three part update. Only part two of the update is applicable for us, which simplifies the investment disclosure requirements for employee benefit plans by allowing certain disclosures at an aggregated level, reducing the number of ways assets must be grouped and analyzed, and no longer requiring investment strategy disclosures for certain investments. The new requirements were effective for us beginning January 1, 2016 and will be applied retrospectively in the 2016 Form 10-K, for all periods presented. This ASU will not materially affect our financial statements and disclosures, but will change certain presentation and disclosure within our pension and other postretirement benefit plan disclosures in our 2016 Form 10-K, for all periods presented.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT. On May 1, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07, "Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or its Equivalent)." The ASU removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient and also removes certain disclosure requirements. The new requirements were effective for us beginning January 1, 2016 and will be applied retrospectively to all periods presented, in our 2016 Form 10-K. This ASU will not materially affect our financial statements and disclosures, but will change certain presentation and disclosure of the fair value of certain plan assets in our pension and other postretirement benefit plan disclosures in our 2016 Form 10-K, for all periods presented.

INTANGIBLES - GOODWILL AND OTHER INTERNAL-USE SOFTWARE. On April 15, 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, "Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement." The ASU provides customers guidance on how to determine whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. The new requirements were effective for us beginning January 1, 2016. We will apply the guidance prospectively as contracts arise and do not expect the ASU to materially affect our financial statements and disclosures.

DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS. On April 7, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs," which requires the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. The new requirements were effective for us beginning January 1, 2016. The new guidance has been applied on a retrospective basis and is reflected in our consolidated balance sheets and Note 6.


10






Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION. On March 30, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." The ASU changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this standard are effective for us beginning January 1, 2017. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. We are currently assessing the effect of this standard and do not expect this standard to materially affect our financial statements and disclosures.

LEASES. On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases," which revises the existing lease accounting guidance. This ASU prescribes new disclosure rules for leasing arrangements. The standard is effective for public companies beginning January 1, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition and provides for certain practical expedients. Transition will require application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. We are currently assessing the effect of this standard on our financial statements and disclosures.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. On January 5, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." The ASU enhances the reporting model for financial instruments, which includes amendments to address aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The new standard is effective for us beginning January 1, 2018. Upon adoption, we will be required to make a cumulative-effect adjustment to the statement of financial position in the first quarter of 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the effect of this standard on our financial statements and disclosures.

REVENUE RECOGNITION. On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 "Revenue From Contracts with Customers." The underlying principle of the guidance requires entities to recognize revenue depicting the transfer of goods or services to customers at amounts the entity is expected to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also prescribes a five-step approach to revenue recognition: (1) identify the contract(s) with the customer; (2) identify the separate performance obligations in the contract(s); (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to separate performance obligations; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, each performance obligation is satisfied. The new requirements prescribe either a full retrospective or simplified transition adoption method. On August 12, 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date by one year to January 1, 2018 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The FASB also permitted early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of January 1, 2017. We are currently assessing the effect of this standard on our financial statements and disclosures.


11





3. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share are computed using net income and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each period presented. Diluted earnings per share are computed in the same manner, except it uses the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effects of the assumed exercise of stock options and the payment of estimated stock awards from other stock-based compensation plans that are outstanding at the end of each period presented. Antidilutive stock awards are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share. Diluted earnings per share are calculated as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
In thousands, except per share data
 
2016
 
2015
Net income
 
$
36,641

 
$
28,486

Average common shares outstanding - basic
 
27,448

 
27,301

Additional shares for stock-based compensation plans (See Note 5)
 
112

 
68

Average common shares outstanding - diluted
 
27,560

 
27,369

Earnings per share of common stock - basic
 
$
1.33

 
$
1.04

Earnings per share of common stock - diluted
 
$
1.33

 
$
1.04

Additional information:
 
 
 
 
Antidilutive shares
 
22

 
28


4. SEGMENT INFORMATION

We primarily operate in two reportable business segments: local gas distribution and gas storage. We also have other investments and business activities not specifically related to one of these two reporting segments, which are aggregated and reported as other. We refer to our local gas distribution business as the utility, and our gas storage segment and other as non-utility. Our utility segment also includes the utility portion of our Mist underground storage facility in Oregon and NWN Gas Reserves, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Corp. Our gas storage segment includes NWN Gas Storage, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NWN Energy, Gill Ranch, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NWN Gas Storage, the non-utility portion of Mist, and all third-party asset management services. Other includes NNG Financial and NWN Energy's equity investment in TWH, which is pursuing development of a cross-Cascades transmission pipeline project. See Note 4 in the 2015 Form 10-K for further discussion of our segments.

Inter-segment transactions were insignificant for the periods presented. The following table presents summary financial information concerning the reportable segments:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
In thousands
 
Utility
 
Gas Storage
 
Other
 
Total
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues
 
$
250,104

 
$
5,369

 
$
56

 
$
255,529

Depreciation and amortization
 
18,760

 
1,634

 

 
20,394

Income from operations
 
72,295

 
1,726

 
51

 
74,072

Net income
 
35,852

 
736

 
53

 
36,641

Capital expenditures

29,177


877




30,054

Total assets at March 31, 2016
 
2,726,696

 
260,535

 
14,802

 
3,002,033

2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues
 
$
256,306

 
$
5,303

 
$
56

 
$
261,665

Depreciation and amortization
 
18,475

 
1,636

 

 
20,111

Income from operations
 
51,880

 
1,055

 
66

 
53,001

Net income
 
28,335

 
114

 
37

 
28,486

Capital expenditures
 
25,809

 
1,326

 

 
27,135

Total assets at March 31, 2015
 
2,688,304

 
270,905

 
14,903

 
2,974,112

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets at December 31, 2015
 
2,792,736

 
261,750

 
14,924

 
3,069,410




12





Utility Margin
Utility margin is a financial measure consisting of utility operating revenues, which are reduced by revenue taxes, the associated cost of gas, and environmental recovery revenues. The cost of gas purchased for utility customers is generally a pass-through cost in the amount of revenues billed to regulated utility customers. Environmental recovery revenues represent collections received from customers through our environmental recovery mechanism in Oregon. These collections are offset by the amortization of environmental liabilities, which is presented as environmental remediation expense in our operating expenses. By subtracting cost of gas and environmental remediation expense from utility operating revenues, utility margin provides a key metric used by our chief operating decision maker in assessing the performance of the utility segment. The gas storage and other segments emphasize growth in operating revenues as opposed to margin because they do not incur a product cost (i.e. cost of gas sold) like the utility and, therefore, use operating revenues and net income to assess performance.

The following table presents additional segment information concerning utility margin:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
In thousands
2016
 
2015
Utility margin calculation:
 
 
 
Utility operating revenues(1)
$
250,104

 
$
256,306

Less: Utility cost of gas
108,411

 
125,705

          Environmental remediation expense
5,029

 

Utility margin
$
136,664

 
$
130,601

(1)  
Utility operating revenues include environmental recovery revenues, which are collections received from customers through our environmental recovery mechanism in Oregon, offset by environmental remediation expense.

5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Our stock-based compensation plans are designed to promote stock ownership in NW Natural by employees and officers. These compensation plans include a Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and a Restated Stock Option Plan. For additional information on our stock-based compensation plans, see Note 6 in the 2015 Form 10-K and the updates provided below.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

Performance Shares  
LTIP performance shares incorporate a combination of market, performance, and service-based factors. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, 36,259 performance-based shares were granted under the LTIP based on target-level awards with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $50.13 per share. As of March 31, 2016, there was $3.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost from LTIP grants, which is expected to be recognized through 2018. Fair value for the market based portion of the LTIP was estimated as of the date of grant using a Monte-Carlo option pricing model based on the following assumptions:

Stock price on valuation date
$
50.15

Performance term (in years)
3.0

Quarterly dividends paid per share
$
0.4675

Expected dividend yield
3.7
%
Dividend discount factor
0.9010


Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, 29,486 RSUs were granted under the LTIP with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $52.45 per share. The fair value of a RSU is equal to the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date. As of March 31, 2016, there was $3.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost from grants of RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a period extending through 2020. Generally, the RSUs awarded are forfeitable and include a performance-based threshold as well as a vesting period of four years from the grant date. A RSU obligates the Company, upon vesting, to issue the RSU holder one share of common stock plus a cash payment equal to the total amount of dividends paid per share between the grant date and vesting date of that portion of the RSU. 


13






6. DEBT

Short-Term Debt
At March 31, 2016, our short-term debt consisted of commercial paper notes payable with a maximum maturity of 43 days and an average maturity of 21 days and an outstanding balance of $164.9 million. The carrying cost of our commercial paper approximates fair value using Level 2 inputs, due to the short-term nature of the notes. See Note 2 in the 2015 Form 10-K for a description of the fair value hierarchy.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, we entered into a short-term credit facility loan totaling $50 million, as a short-term bridge through our peak heating season, which was repaid on February 4, 2016.

Long-Term Debt
At March 31, 2016, we had long-term debt of $594.7 million, which included $7.0 million of unamortized debt issuance costs. Utility long-term debt consists of first mortgage bonds (FMBs) with maturity dates ranging from 2016 through 2042, interest rates ranging from 3.176% to 9.05%, and a weighted-average coupon rate of 5.70%.

Fair Value of Long-Term Debt
Our outstanding debt does not trade in active markets. We estimate the fair value of our debt using utility companies with similar credit ratings, terms, and remaining maturities to our debt that actively trade in public markets. These valuations are based on Level 2 inputs as defined in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 2 in the 2015 Form 10-K for a description of the fair value hierarchy.

The following table provides an estimate of the fair value of our long-term debt, including current maturities of long-term debt, using market prices in effect on the valuation date:
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
In thousands
 
2016
 
2015
 
2015
Gross long-term debt
 
$
601,700

 
$
661,700

 
$
601,700

Unamortized debt issuance costs
 
(6,975
)
 
(8,289
)
 
(7,282
)
Carrying amount
 
$
594,725

 
$
653,411

 
$
594,418

Estimated fair value(1)
 
686,159

 
762,554

 
667,168

(1) 
Estimated fair value does not include unamortized debt issuance costs.



14





7. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT COSTS

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company's pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
Pension Benefits
Other Postretirement Benefits
In thousands
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Service cost
 
$
1,944

 
$
2,308

 
$
121

 
$
145

Interest cost
 
4,574

 
4,596

 
300

 
291

Expected return on plan assets
 
(5,017
)
 
(5,174
)
 

 

Amortization of net actuarial loss
 
3,502

 
4,561

 
192

 
126

Amortization of prior service costs
 
58

 
58

 
(117
)
 
49

Net periodic benefit cost
 
5,061

 
6,349

 
496

 
611

Amount allocated to construction
 
(1,548
)
 
(1,825
)
 
(164
)
 
(191
)
Amount deferred to regulatory balancing account(1)
 
(1,627
)
 
(2,175
)
 

 

Net amount charged to expense
 
$
1,886

 
$
2,349

 
$
332

 
$
420

(1)
The deferral of defined benefit pension expenses above or below the amount set in rates was approved by the OPUC, with recovery of these deferred amounts through the implementation of a balancing account. The balancing account includes the expectation of higher net periodic benefit costs than costs recovered in rates in the near-term with lower net periodic benefit costs than costs recovered in rates expected in future years. Deferred pension expense balances include accrued interest at the utility’s authorized rate of return, with the equity portion of the interest recognized when amounts are collected in rates. See Note 2 in the 2015 Form 10-K.

The following table presents amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) and the changes in AOCL related to our non-qualified employee benefit plans:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
In thousands
2016
 
2015
Beginning balance
$
(7,162
)
 
$
(10,076
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL:
 
 
 
Amortization of actuarial losses
321

 
548

Total reclassifications before tax
321

 
548

Tax (benefit) expense
(127
)
 
(216
)
Total reclassifications for the period
194

 
332

Ending balance
$
(6,968
)
 
$
(9,744
)

Employer Contributions to Company-Sponsored Defined Benefit Pension Plans
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, we made cash contributions totaling $2.9 million to our qualified defined benefit pension plan. We expect further plan contributions of $11.6 million during the remainder of 2016.
 
Defined Contribution Plan
The Retirement K Savings Plan is a qualified defined contribution plan under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k). Employer contributions totaled $1.4 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

See Note 8 in the 2015 Form 10-K for more information concerning these retirement and other postretirement benefit plans.



15





8. INCOME TAX

An estimate of annual income tax expense is made each interim period using estimates for annual pre-tax income, regulatory flow-through adjustments, tax credits, and other items. The estimated annual effective tax rate is applied to year-to-date, pre-tax income to determine income tax expense for the interim period consistent with the annual estimate.

The effective income tax rate varied from the combined federal and state statutory tax rates due to the following:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Dollars in thousands

2016

2015
Income taxes at statutory rates (federal and state)
 
$
24,608

 
$
18,892

Increase (decrease):
 
 
 
 

Differences required to be flowed-through by regulatory commissions
 
1,518

 
1,329

Other, net
 
(740
)
 
(1,138
)
Total provision for income taxes
 
$
25,386

 
$
19,083

Effective tax rate
 
40.9
%
 
40.1
%

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, increased primarily as a result of lower estimated depletion deductions from gas reserves activity in 2016. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 benefited from the realization of deferred depletion benefits from 2013 and 2014. See Note 9 in the 2015 Form 10-K for more detail on income taxes and effective tax rates.

The 2015 tax year is subject to examination under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Compliance Assurance Process (CAP). The Company’s 2016 tax year CAP application has been accepted by the IRS.

        
9. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

The following table sets forth the major classifications of our property, plant, and equipment and accumulated depreciation:
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
In thousands
 
2016
 
2015
 
2015
Utility plant in service
 
$
2,760,188

 
$
2,676,280

 
$
2,745,485

Utility construction work in progress
 
51,014

 
34,048

 
39,288

Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
878,364

 
847,278

 
867,377

Utility plant, net
 
1,932,838

 
1,863,050

 
1,917,396

Non-utility plant in service
 
296,826

 
299,969

 
296,839

Non-utility construction work in progress
 
7,826

 
7,457

 
7,768

Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
40,823

 
35,976

 
39,340

Non-utility plant, net
 
263,829

 
271,450

 
265,267

Total property, plant, and equipment
 
$
2,196,667

 
$
2,134,500

 
$
2,182,663

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures in accrued liabilities
 
$
8,424

 
$
8,451

 
$
8,985





16





10. GAS RESERVES

We have invested $188 million through our gas reserves program in the Jonah Field located in Wyoming as of March 31, 2016. Gas reserves are stated at cost, net of regulatory amortization, with the associated deferred tax benefits recorded as liabilities on the balance sheet. Our investment in gas reserves provides long-term price protection for utility customers and currently incorporates two agreements: the original agreement with Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. under which we invested $178 million and the amended agreement with Jonah Energy LLC under which an additional $10 million was invested.

The cost of gas, including a carrying cost for the rate base investment made under the original agreement, is included in our annual Oregon PGA filing, which allows us to recover these costs through customer rates. Our net investment under the original agreement earns a rate of return.

Under the amended agreement we have the option to invest in additional wells on a well-by-well basis with drilling costs and resulting gas volumes shared at our amended proportionate working interest for each well in which we invest. We elected to participate in some of the additional wells drilled in 2014, and may have the opportunity to participate in more wells in the future. Volumes produced from these wells are included in our Oregon PGA at a fixed rate of $0.4725 per therm, which approximates the 10-year hedge rate plus financing costs at the inception of the investment.

The following table outlines our net gas reserves investment:
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
In thousands
 
2016
 
2015
 
2015
Gas reserves, current
 
$
16,420

 
$
19,112

 
$
17,094

Gas reserves, non-current
 
171,121

 
168,352

 
170,453

Less: Accumulated amortization
 
59,976

 
43,165

 
55,901

Total gas reserves(1)
 
127,565

 
144,299

 
131,646

Less: Deferred taxes on gas reserves
 
28,547

 
28,383

 
27,203

Net investment in gas reserves(1)
 
$
99,018

 
$
115,916

 
$
104,443

(1)
Our investment in additional wells included in total gas reserves was $7.6 million ($3.4 million net of deferred taxes), $9.2 million ($8.3 million net of deferred taxes) and $8.0 million ($4.3 million net of deferred taxes) at March 31, 2016 and 2015 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Our investment is included on our balance sheet under gas reserves with our maximum loss exposure limited to our current investment balance.

11. INVESTMENTS

Investments in Gas Pipeline
Trail West Pipeline, LLC (TWP), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TWH, is pursuing the development of a new gas transmission pipeline that would provide an interconnection with our utility distribution system. NWN Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NW Natural owns 50% of TWH, and 50% is owned by TransCanada American Investments Ltd., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of TransCanada Corporation.

Variable Interest Entity (VIE) Analysis
TWH is a VIE, with our investment in TWP reported under equity method accounting. We have determined we are not the primary beneficiary of TWH’s activities as we only have a 50% share of the entity and there are no stipulations that allow us a disproportionate influence over it. Our investments in TWH and TWP are included in other investments on our balance sheet. If we do not develop this investment, then our maximum loss exposure related to TWH is limited to our equity investment balance, less our share of any cash or other assets available to us as a 50% owner. Our investment balance in TWH was $13.4 million at March 31, 2016 and 2015 and December 31, 2015. See Note 12 in the 2015 Form 10-K.

Other Investments
Other investments include financial investments in life insurance policies, which are accounted for at cash surrender value, net of policy loans. See Note 12 in the 2015 Form 10-K.


17






12. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

We enter into financial derivative contracts to hedge a portion of our utility’s natural gas sales requirements. These contracts include swaps, options and combinations of option contracts. We primarily use these derivative financial instruments to manage commodity price variability. A small portion of our derivative hedging strategy involves foreign currency exchange contracts.

We enter into these financial derivatives, up to prescribed limits, primarily to hedge price variability related to our physical gas supply contracts as well as to hedge spot purchases of natural gas. The foreign currency forward contracts are used to hedge the fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates for pipeline demand charges paid in Canadian dollars.

In the normal course of business, we also enter into indexed-price physical forward natural gas commodity purchase contracts and options to meet the requirements of utility customers. These contracts qualify for regulatory deferral accounting treatment.
                                                                                    
We also enter into exchange contracts related to the third-party asset management of our gas portfolio, some of which are derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting or regulatory deferral, but are subject to our regulatory sharing agreement. These derivatives are recognized in operating revenues in our gas storage segment, net of amounts shared with utility customers.

Notional Amounts
The following table presents the absolute notional amounts related to open positions on our derivative instruments:
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
In thousands
 
2016
 
2015
 
2015
Natural gas (in therms):
 


 


 
 
Financial
 
317,100

 
229,925

 
346,875

Physical
 
169,978

 
250,250

 
404,645

Foreign exchange
 
$
6,852

 
$
8,690

 
$
9,025


Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)
Derivatives entered into by the utility for the procurement or hedging of natural gas for future gas years generally receive regulatory deferral accounting treatment. Derivative contracts entered into after the start of the PGA period are subject to our PGA incentive sharing mechanism in Oregon. In general, our commodity hedging for the current gas year is completed prior to the start of the upcoming gas year, and hedge prices are reflected in our weighted-average cost of gas in the PGA filing. As of November 1, 2015, we reached our target hedge percentage of approximately 75% for the 2015-16 gas year. These hedge prices were included in the PGA filings and qualified for regulatory deferral.

Unrealized and Realized Gain/Loss
The following table reflects the income statement presentation for the unrealized gains and losses from our derivative instruments:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
In thousands
 
Natural gas commodity
 
Foreign exchange
 
Natural gas commodity
 
Foreign exchange
(Expense) benefit to cost of gas
 
$
(16,379
)
 
$
241

 
$
(23,481
)
 
$
(741
)
Operating revenues
 

 

 
638

 

 Less:
 


 


 


 


 Amounts deferred to regulatory accounts on balance sheet
 
16,379

 
(241
)
 
23,065

 
741

Total gain in pre-tax earnings
 
$

 
$

 
$
222

 
$




18





UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS. Outstanding derivative instruments related to regulated utility operations are deferred in accordance with regulatory accounting standards. The cost of foreign currency forward and natural gas derivative contracts are recognized immediately in the cost of gas; however, costs above or below the amount embedded in the current year PGA are subject to a regulatory deferral tariff and therefore, are recorded as a regulatory asset or liability.

REALIZED GAIN/LOSS. We realized net losses of $15.5 million and $14.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, from the settlement of natural gas financial derivative contracts. Realized gains and losses are recorded in cost of gas, deferred through our regulatory accounts, and amortized through customer rates in the following year.

Credit Risk Management of Financial Derivatives Instruments
No collateral was posted with or by our counterparties as of March 31, 2016 or 2015. We attempt to minimize the potential exposure to collateral calls by counterparties to manage our liquidity risk. Counterparties generally allow a certain credit limit threshold before requiring us to post collateral against loss positions. Given our counterparty credit limits and portfolio diversification, we were not subject to collateral calls in 2016 or 2015. Our collateral call exposure is set forth under credit support agreements, which generally contain credit limits. We could also be subject to collateral call exposure where we have agreed to provide adequate assurance, which is not specific as to the amount of credit limit allowed, but could potentially require additional collateral in the event of a material adverse change.

Based upon current commodity financial swap and option contracts outstanding, which reflect unrealized losses of $17.2 million at March 31, 2016, we have estimated the level of collateral demands, with and without potential adequate assurance calls, using current gas prices and various credit downgrade rating scenarios for NW Natural as follows:
 
 
 
 
Credit Rating Downgrade Scenarios
In thousands
 
(Current Ratings) A+/A3
 
BBB+/Baa1
 
BBB/Baa2
 
BBB-/Baa3
 
Speculative
With Adequate Assurance Calls
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,341

 
$
15,600

Without Adequate Assurance Calls
 

 

 

 
2,341

 
13,381


Our financial derivative instruments are subject to master netting arrangements; however, they are presented on a gross basis in our statement of financial position. The Company and its counterparties have the ability to set-off their obligations to each other under specified circumstances. Such circumstances may include a defaulting party, a credit change due to a merger affecting either party, or any other termination event.

If netted by counterparty, our derivative position would result in an asset of $1.8 million and a liability of $17.9 million as of March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2015, our derivative position would have resulted in an asset of $0.6 million and a liability of $24.2 million. As of December 31, 2015, our derivative position would have resulted in an asset of $2.7 million and a liability of $25.5 million.

We are exposed to derivative credit and liquidity risk primarily through securing fixed price natural gas commodity swaps to hedge the risk of price increases for our natural gas purchases made on behalf of customers. See Note 13 in our 2015 Form 10-K for additional information.

Fair Value
In accordance with fair value accounting, we include non-performance risk in calculating fair value adjustments. This includes a credit risk adjustment based on the credit spreads of our counterparties when we are in an unrealized gain position, or on our own credit spread when we are in an unrealized loss position. The inputs in our valuation models include natural gas futures, volatility, credit default swap spreads and interest rates. Additionally, our assessment of non-performance risk is generally derived from the credit default swap market and from bond market credit spreads. The impact of the credit risk adjustments for all outstanding derivatives was immaterial to the fair value calculation at March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2016 and 2015, and December 31, 2015, the net fair value was a liability of $16.1 million, $23.6 million, and $22.8 million, respectively, using significant other observable, or level 2, inputs. No level 3 inputs were used in our derivative valuations, and there were no transfers between level 1 or level 2 during the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. See Note 2 in the 2015 Form 10-K.


19






13. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

We own, or previously owned, properties that may require environmental remediation or action. We estimate the range of loss for environmental liabilities based on current remediation technology, enacted laws and regulations, industry experience gained at similar sites and an assessment of the probable level of involvement and financial condition of other potentially responsible parties (PRPs). When amounts are prudently expended related to site remediation, we have a recovery mechanism in place to collect 96.68% of remediation costs from Oregon customers, and we are allowed to defer environmental remediation costs allocated to customers in Washington annually until they are reviewed for prudence at a subsequent proceeding.

Our sites are subject to the remediation process prescribed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). The process begins with a remedial investigation (RI) to determine the nature and extent of contamination and then a risk assessment (RA) to establish whether the contamination at the site poses unacceptable risks to humans and the environment. Next, a feasibility study (FS) or an engineering evaluation/cost analysis (EE/CA) evaluates various remedial alternatives. It is at this point in the process when we are able to estimate a range of remediation costs and record a reasonable potential remediation liability, or make an adjustment to our existing liability. From this study, the regulatory agency selects a remedy and issues a Record of Decision (ROD). After the ROD is issued, we seek to negotiate a consent decree or consent judgment for designing and implementing the remedy. We have the ability to further refine estimates of remediation liabilities at that time.
Remediation may include treatment of contaminated media such as sediment, soil and groundwater, removal and disposal of media, or institutional controls such as legal restrictions on future property use. Following construction of the remedy, the EPA and ODEQ also have requirements for ongoing maintenance, monitoring and other post-remediation care that may continue for many years. Where appropriate and reasonably known, we will provide for these costs in our remediation liabilities described above.
Due to the numerous uncertainties surrounding the course of environmental remediation and the preliminary nature of several site investigations, in some cases, we may not be able to reasonably estimate the high end of the range of possible loss. In those cases, we have disclosed the nature of the possible loss and the fact that the high end of the range cannot be reasonably estimated where a range of potential loss is available. Unless there is an estimate within the range of possible losses that is more likely than other cost estimates within that range, we record the liability at the low end of this range. It is likely changes in these estimates and ranges will occur throughout the remediation process for each of these sites due to our continued evaluation and clarification concerning our responsibility, the complexity of environmental laws and regulations and the determination by regulators of remediation alternatives. In addition to remediation costs, we could also be subject to Natural Resource Damages (NRD) claims. We will assess the likelihood and probability of each claim and recognize a liability if deemed appropriate. As of March 31, 2016, we have not received any material NRD claims.


20





Environmental Sites
The following table summarizes information regarding liabilities related to environmental sites, which are recorded in other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities on the balance sheet:
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
Non-Current Liabilities
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
In thousands
 
2016
 
2015
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
2015
Portland Harbor site:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gasco/Siltronic Sediments
 
$
2,747

 
$
1,572

 
$
2,229

 
$
42,079

 
$
38,379

 
$
42,641

Other Portland Harbor
 
1,655

 
1,308

 
1,972

 
4,775

 
5,186

 
5,073

Gasco Upland site
 
10,405

 
8,205

 
10,599

 
51,070

 
36,833

 
52,117

Siltronic Upland site
 
221

 
750

 
951

 
333

 
405

 
337

Central Service Center site
 
25

 
170

 
25

 

 

 

Front Street site
 
1,071

 
755

 
1,155

 
7,746

 
115

 
7,748

Oregon Steel Mills
 

 

 

 
179

 
179

 
179

Total
 
$
16,124

 
$
12,760

 
$
16,931

 
$
106,182

 
$
81,097

 
$
108,095


PORTLAND HARBOR SITE. The Portland Harbor is an EPA listed Superfund site that is approximately 10 miles long on the Willamette River and is adjacent to NW Natural's Gasco uplands and the Siltronic uplands sites. We are a PRP to the Superfund site and have joined with some of the other PRPs (the Lower Willamette Group or LWG) to develop a Portland Harbor Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS), which we submitted to the EPA in 2012. In August 2015, the EPA issued its own Draft Feasibility Study (Draft FS) for comment. The EPA Draft FS provides a new range of remedial costs for the entire Portland Harbor Superfund Site, which includes the Gasco/Siltronic Sediment site, discussed below. The range of present value costs estimated by the EPA for various remedial alternatives for the entire Portland Harbor, as provided by the EPA's Draft FS, is $791 million to $2.45 billion. The range provided in the EPA's Draft FS is based on cost alternatives the EPA estimates to have an accuracy between -30% and +50% of actual costs, depending on the scope of work. While the EPA's Draft FS provides a higher range of costs than the LWG's submission in 2012, our potential liability is still a portion of the costs of the remedy the EPA will select for the entire Portland Harbor Superfund site. The cost of that remedy is expected to be allocated among more than 100 PRPs. We are participating in a non-binding allocation process in an effort to settle this potential liability. The new EPA Draft FS does not provide any additional clarification around allocation of costs.

We manage our liability related to the Superfund site as two distinct remediation projects, the Gasco/Siltronic Sediments and Other Portland Harbor projects.

Gasco/Siltronic Sediments. In 2009, NW Natural and Siltronic Corporation entered into a separate Administrative Order on Consent with the EPA to evaluate and design specific remedies for sediments adjacent to the Gasco uplands and Siltronic uplands sites. We submitted a draft EE/CA to the EPA in May 2012 to provide the estimated cost of potential remedial alternatives for this site. At this time, the estimated costs for the various sediment remedy alternatives in the draft EE/CA as well as costs for the additional studies and design work needed before the clean-up can occur, and for regulatory oversight throughout the clean-up range from $44.8 million to $350 million. We have recorded a liability of $44.8 million for the sediment clean-up, which reflects the low end of the range. At this time, we believe sediments at this site represent the largest portion of our liability related to the Portland Harbor site, discussed above. 

Other Portland Harbor. NW Natural incurs costs related to its membership in the LWG. NW Natural also incurs costs related to natural resource damages from these sites. The Company and other parties have signed a cooperative agreement with the Portland Harbor Natural Resource Trustee council to participate in a phased natural resource damage assessment to estimate liabilities to support an early restoration-based settlement of natural resource damage claims. Natural resource damage claims may arise only after a remedy for clean-up has been settled. We have recorded a liability for these claims which is at the low end of the range of the potential liability; the high end of the range cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. This liability is not included in the range of costs provided in the draft FS for the Portland Harbor or noted above.



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GASCO UPLANDS SITE. A predecessor of NW Natural owned a former gas manufacturing plant that was closed in 1958 (Gasco site) and is adjacent to the Portland Harbor site described above. The Gasco site has been under investigation by us for environmental contamination under the ODEQ Voluntary Clean-Up Program. It is not included in the range of remedial costs for the Portland Harbor site noted above. We manage the Gasco site in two parts, the uplands portion and the groundwater source control action.

We submitted a revised Remedial Investigation Report for the uplands to ODEQ in May 2007. In March 2015, ODEQ approved the RA NW Natural submitted in 2010, enabling us to begin work on the FS in 2016. We have recognized a liability for the remediation of the uplands portion of the site which is at the low end of the range of potential liability; the high end of the range cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

In September 2013, we completed construction of a groundwater source control system, including a water treatment station, at the Gasco site. We are working with ODEQ on monitoring the effectiveness of the system and at this time it is unclear what, if any, additional actions ODEQ may require subsequent to the initial testing of the system or as part of the final remedy for the uplands portion of the Gasco site. We have estimated the cost associated with the ongoing operation of the system and have recognized a liability which is at the low end of the range of potential cost. We cannot estimate the high end of the range at this time due to the uncertainty associated with the duration of running the water treatment station, which is highly dependent on the remedy determined for both the upland portion as well as the final remedy for our Gasco sediment exposure.

Beginning November 1, 2013, capital asset costs of $19.0 million for the Gasco water treatment station were placed into rates with OPUC approval. The OPUC deemed these costs prudent. Beginning November 1, 2014, the OPUC approved the application of $2.5 million from insurance proceeds plus interest to reduce the total amount of Gasco capital costs to be recovered through rate base. A portion of these proceeds was non-cash in 2014.

OTHER SITES. In addition to those sites above, we have environmental exposures at four other sites: Siltronic, Central Service Center, Front Street and Oregon Steel Mills. Due to the uncertainty of the design of remediation, regulation, timing of the remediation and in the case of the Oregon Steel Mills site, pending litigation, liabilities for each of these sites have been recognized at their respective low end of the range of potential liability; the high end of the range could not be reasonably estimated at this time.

Siltronic Upland. A portion of the Siltronic property adjacent to the Gasco site was formerly owned by Portland Gas and Coke, NW Natural's predecessor. We are currently conducting an investigation of manufactured gas plant wastes on the uplands at this site for ODEQ. 
 
Central Service Center site. We are currently performing an environmental investigation of the property under ODEQ's Independent Cleanup Pathway. This site is on ODEQ's list of sites with confirmed releases of hazardous substances, and cleanup is necessary. 
 
Front Street site. The Front Street site was the former location of a gas manufacturing plant we operated (the former Portland Gas Manufacturing site, or PGM).  At ODEQ’s request, we conducted a sediment and source control investigation and provided findings to ODEQ.  In December 2015, we completed a FS on the former Portland Gas Manufacturing site. The FS provided a range of $7.6 million to $12.9 million for remedial costs. We have recorded a liability at the low end of the range of possible loss as no alternative in the range is considered more likely than another. Further, we have recognized an additional liability of $1.2 million for additional studies and design costs as well as regulatory oversight throughout the clean-up that will be required to assist in ODEQ making a remedy selection and completing a design.

Oregon Steel Mills site. Refer to the “Legal Proceedings,” below.
 
Site Remediation and Recovery Mechanism (SRRM)
We have a SRRM through which we track and have the ability to recover past deferred and future prudently incurred environmental remediation costs allocable to Oregon, subject to an earnings test.

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES. In February 2015, the OPUC issued an Order addressing outstanding issues related to the SRRM (2015 Order), which required us to forego collection of $15 million out of approximately $95 million in total environmental remediation expenses and associated carrying costs the Company had deferred through 2012 based on the OPUC’s determination of how an earnings test should apply to amounts deferred from 2003 to 2012,


22





with adjustments for other factors the OPUC deemed relevant. As a result, we recognized a $15.0 million non-cash charge in operations and maintenance expense in the first quarter of 2015. Also, as a result of the 2015 Order, we recognized $5.3 million pre-tax of interest income related to the equity earnings on our deferred environmental expenses.

In addition, the OPUC issued a subsequent Order regarding SRRM implementation (2016 Order) in January 2016 in which the OPUC: (1) disallowed the recovery of $2.8 million of interest earned on the previously disallowed environmental expenditure amounts; (2) clarified the state allocation of 96.68% of environmental remediation costs for all environmental sites to Oregon; and (3) confirmed our treatment of $13.8 million of expenses put into the SRRM amortization account was correct and in compliance with prior OPUC orders. As a result of the 2016 Order, we recognized a $3.3 million non-cash charge in the first quarter, of which $2.8 million is reflected in other income and expense, net and $0.5 million is included in operations and maintenance expense.
COLLECTIONS FROM OREGON CUSTOMERS. The SRRM provides us with the ability to recover past deferred and future prudently incurred environmental remediation costs allocable to Oregon, subject to an earnings test. The SRRM created three classes of deferred environmental remediation expense:
Pre-review - This class of costs represents remediation spend that has not yet been deemed prudent by the OPUC. Carrying costs on these remediation expenses are recorded at our authorized cost of capital. The Company anticipates the prudence review for annual costs and approval of the earnings test prescribed by the OPUC to occur by the end of the third quarter of the following year.
Post-review - This class of costs represents remediation spend that has been deemed prudent and allowed after applying the earnings test, but is not yet included in amortization. We earn a carrying cost on these amounts at a rate equal to the five-year treasury rate plus 100 basis points.
Amortization - This class of costs represents amounts included in current customer rates for collection and is generally calculated as one-fifth of the post-review deferred balance. We earn a carrying cost equal to the amortization rate determined annually by the OPUC, which approximates a short-term borrowing rate. We included $8.4 million of deferred remediation expense approved by the OPUC for collection during the 2015-2016 PGA year.

In addition to the collection amount noted above, the Order also provides for the annual collection of $5 million from Oregon customers through a tariff rider. As we collect amounts from customers, we recognize these collections as revenue and separately amortize our deferred regulatory asset balance through operating expense.

We received total environmental insurance proceeds of approximately $150 million as a result of settlements from our litigation that was dismissed in July 2014. Under the OPUC Order, one-third of the Oregon allocated proceeds were applied to costs deferred through 2012, and the remaining two-thirds will be applied to costs over the next 20 years. Annually, the Order provided for the application of $5 million of insurance proceeds plus interest against deferred remediation expense deemed prudent in the same annual period; annual amounts not utilized are carried forward to apply against future prudently incurred costs. We accrue interest on the insurance proceeds in the customer’s favor at a rate equal to the five-year treasury rate plus 100 basis points. As of March 31, 2016, we have applied $58.2 million of insurance proceeds to prudently incurred remediation costs.

The following table presents information regarding the total regulatory asset deferred:
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
In thousands
 
2016
 
2015
 
2015
Deferred costs and interest(1)
 
$
57,359

 
$
76,790

 
$
79,505

Accrued site liabilities
 
122,306

 
93,858

 
125,026

Insurance proceeds and interest
 
(102,570
)
 
(120,473
)
 
(118,677
)
Total regulatory asset deferral(1)
 
77,095

 
50,175

 
85,854

Current regulatory assets(2)
 
9,096

 

 
9,270

Long-term regulatory assets
 
67,999

 
50,175

 
76,584

(1)
Includes pre-review and post-review deferred costs, amounts currently in amortization and interest, net of amounts collected from customers.
(2) 
Environmental costs relate to specific sites approved for regulatory deferral by the OPUC and WUTC. In Oregon, we earn a carrying charge on cash amounts paid, whereas amounts accrued but not yet paid do not earn a carrying charge until


23





expended. We also accrue a carrying charge on insurance proceeds for amounts owed to customers. In Washington, a carrying charge related to deferred amounts will be determined in a future proceeding. Current environmental costs represent remediation costs management expects to collect from customers in the next 12 months. Amounts included in this estimate are still subject to a prudence and earnings test review by the OPUC and do not include the $5 million tariff rider. The amounts allocable to Oregon are recoverable through utility rates, subject to an earnings test.

ENVIRONMENTAL EARNINGS TEST. The 2015 Order directed us to implement an annual environmental earnings test for our prudently incurred remediation expense. Prudently incurred Oregon allocated annual remediation expense and interest in excess of the $5 million tariff rider and $5 million insurance proceeds application plus interest on the insurance proceeds are recoverable through the SRRM, to the extent the utility earns at or below our authorized Return On Equity (ROE). To the extent the utility earns more than its authorized ROE in a year, the utility is required to cover environmental expenses and interest on expenses greater than the $10 million (plus interest from insurance proceeds) with those earnings that exceed its authorized ROE.

Under the 2015 Order, the OPUC will revisit the deferral and amortization of future remediation expenses, as well as the treatment of remaining insurance proceeds three years from the original Order, or earlier if the Company gains greater certainty about its future remediation costs, to consider whether adjustments to the mechanism may be appropriate.

WASHINGTON DEFERRAL. In Washington, cost recovery and carrying charges on amounts deferred for costs associated with services provided to Washington customers will be determined in a future proceeding. Annually, we review all regulatory assets for recoverability or more often if circumstances warrant. If we should determine all or a portion of these regulatory assets no longer meet the criteria for continued application of regulatory accounting, then we would be required to write-off the net unrecoverable balances against earnings in the period such a determination is made.

Legal Proceedings
NW Natural is subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the final outcome of any of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, including the matter described below, we do not expect that the ultimate disposition of any of these matters will have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. See also Part II, Item 1, “Legal Proceedings.”

OREGON STEEL MILLS SITE. In 2004, NW Natural was served with a third-party complaint by the Port of Portland (the Port) in a Multnomah County Circuit Court case, Oregon Steel Mills, Inc. v. The Port of Portland. The Port alleges that in the 1940s and 1950s petroleum wastes generated by our predecessor, Portland Gas & Coke Company, and 10 other third-party defendants, were disposed of in a waste oil disposal facility operated by the United States or Shaver Transportation Company on property then owned by the Port and now owned by Evraz Oregon Steel Mills. The complaint seeks contribution for unspecified past remedial action costs incurred by the Port regarding the former waste oil disposal facility as well as a declaratory judgment allocating liability for future remedial action costs. No date has been set for trial. Although the final outcome of this proceeding cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect the ultimate disposition of this matter will have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

For additional information regarding other commitments and contingencies. See Note 14 in the 2015 Form 10-K.



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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is management’s assessment of Northwest Natural Gas Company’s (NW Natural or the Company) financial condition, including the principal factors that affect results of operations. The discussion refers to our consolidated results for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. References in this discussion to "Notes" are to the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.  A significant portion of our business results are seasonal in nature, and, as such, the results of operations for the three month periods are not necessarily indicative of expected fiscal year results. Therefore, this discussion should be read in conjunction with our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K (2015 Form 10-K).
 
The consolidated financial statements include NW Natural and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries including:

NW Natural Energy, LLC (NWN Energy);
NW Natural Gas Storage, LLC (NWN Gas Storage);
Gill Ranch Storage, LLC (Gill Ranch);
NNG Financial Corporation (NNG Financial);
Northwest Energy Corporation (Energy Corp); and
NW Natural Gas Reserves, LLC (NWN Gas Reserves).

We operate in two primary reportable business segments: local gas distribution and gas storage. We also have other investments and business activities not specifically related to one of these two reporting segments, which we aggregate and report as other. We refer to our local gas distribution business as the utility, and our gas storage segment and other as non-utility. Our utility segment includes our NW Natural local gas distribution business, NWN Gas Reserves, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Corp, and the utility portion of our Mist underground storage facility in Oregon (Mist). Our gas storage segment includes NWN Gas Storage, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NWN Energy, Gill Ranch, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NWN Gas Storage, the non-utility portion of Mist, and asset management services. Other includes NWN Energy's equity investment in Trail West Holding, LLC (TWH), which is pursuing the development of a proposed natural gas pipeline through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Trail West Pipeline, LLC (TWP), and NNG Financial's equity investment in Kelso-Beaver Pipeline (KB Pipeline). For a further discussion of our business segments and other, see Note 4.
  
In addition to presenting the results of operations and earnings amounts in total, certain financial measures are expressed in cents per share or exclude the after-tax regulatory disallowance related to the OPUC's 2015 and 2016 environmental orders, which are non-GAAP financial measures. We present net income and earnings per share (EPS) excluding the regulatory disallowances along with the U.S. GAAP measures to illustrate the magnitude of this disallowance on ongoing business and operational results. Although the excluded amounts are properly included in the determination of net income and earnings per share under U.S. GAAP, we believe the amount and nature of such disallowances make period to period comparisons of operations difficult or potentially confusing. Financial measures are expressed in cents per share as these amounts reflect factors that directly impact earnings, including income taxes. All references in this section to EPS are on the basis of diluted shares (see Note 3). We use such non-GAAP financial measures to analyze our financial performance because we believe they provide useful information to our investors and creditors in evaluating our financial condition and results of operations.



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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We manage our business and strategic initiatives with a long-term view of providing natural gas service safely and reliably to customers, working with regulators on key policy initiatives, and remaining focused on growing our business. See "2016 Outlook" in our 2015 Form 10-K for more information. Highlights for the quarter include:
increased customer growth rate at the core utility to 1.5% at March 31, 2016, adding over 10,000 customers over the past twelve months;
collected $5.0 million through our SRRM and submitted our final compliance filing to the OPUC; and
received final amendment and permit from the Energy Facility Siting Council for our North Mist gas storage expansion project.

Key financial highlights include:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
In millions, except per share data
 
Amount
Per Share
 
Amount
Per Share
 
$ Change
Consolidated net income
 
$
36,641

$
1.33

 
$
28,486

$
1.04

 
$
8,155

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory environmental disallowance, net of taxes ($1,304 and $5,925)(1)
 
1,996

0.07

 
9,075

0.33

 
(7,079
)
Adjusted consolidated net income(1)
 
$
38,637

$
1.40

 
$
37,561

$
1.37

 
$
1,076

Utility margin
 
$
136,664

 
 
$
130,601

 
 
$
6,063

Gas storage operating revenues
 
5,369

 
 
5,303

 
 
66

(1) Regulatory environmental disallowance of $3.3 million in 2016 is recorded in utility other income and expense, net ($2.8 million) and utility operations and maintenance expense ($0.5 million). Regulatory environmental disallowance of $15.0 million in 2015 is recorded in utility operations and maintenance expense. Adjusted EPS and net income are non-GAAP financial measures based on the after-tax disallowance. EPS is calculated using the combined federal and state statutory tax rate of 39.5% and 27.6 million and 27.4 million diluted shares for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
                    
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2016 COMPARED TO MARCH 31, 2015. Excluding the impact of the regulatory environmental orders in 2015 and 2016 noted in the table above, net income increased $1.1 million primarily due to the following factors:
a $6.1 million increase in utility margin primarily due to customer growth and gas cost sharing; offset by
a $4.6 million decrease in other income and expense, net related to the recognition of $5.3 million of equity earnings on deferred regulatory asset balances as a result of the OPUC SRRM Order in the first quarter of 2015.

Dividends
Dividend highlights include:  
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
Per common share
 
2016
 
2015
 
QTR Change
Dividends paid
 
$
0.4675

 
$
0.4650

 
$
0.0025


The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on our common stock of $0.4675 cents per share, payable on May 13, 2016, to shareholders of record on April 29, 2016, reflecting an indicated annual dividend rate of $1.87 per share.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Regulatory Matters

Regulation and Rates 
UTILITY. Our utility business is subject to regulation by the OPUC, WUTC, and FERC with respect to, among other matters, rates and terms of service. The OPUC and WUTC also regulate the system of accounts and issuance of securities by our utility. Approximately 89% of our utility gas volumes and revenues were derived from Oregon customers, with the remaining 11% from Washington customers. Earnings and cash flows from utility operations are


26





largely determined by rates set in general rate cases and other proceedings in Oregon and Washington. They are also affected by the local economies in Oregon and Washington, the pace of customer growth in the residential, commercial, and industrial markets, and our ability to remain price competitive, control expenses, and obtain reasonable and timely regulatory recovery of our utility-related costs, including operating expenses and investment costs in utility plant and other regulatory assets. See "Regulatory Proceeding Updates" below.

GAS STORAGE. Our gas storage business is subject to regulation by the OPUC, WUTC, CPUC, and FERC with respect to, among other matters, rates and terms of service. The OPUC and CPUC also regulate the issuance of securities and system of accounts, and regulate intrastate storage services. The FERC regulates interstate storage services. The FERC uses a maximum cost of service model which allows for gas storage prices to be set at or below the cost of service as approved by each agency in the last regulatory filing. The OPUC Schedule 80 rates are tied to the FERC rates, and are updated whenever we modify our FERC maximum rates. The CPUC regulates Gill Ranch under a market-based rate model which allows for the price of storage services to be set by the marketplace. In 2015, approximately 72% of our storage revenues were derived from FERC, Oregon, and Washington regulated operations and approximately 28% from California operations.

Most Recent General Rate Cases  
OREGON. Effective November 1, 2012, the OPUC authorized rates to customers based on an ROE of 9.5%, an overall rate of return of 7.78%, and a capital structure of 50% common equity and 50% long-term debt.

WASHINGTON. Effective January 1, 2009, the WUTC authorized rates to customers based on an ROE of 10.1% and an overall rate of return of 8.4% with a capital structure of 51% common equity, 5% short-term debt, and 44% long-term debt.

FERC. We are required under our Mist interstate storage certificate authority and rate approval orders to file every five years either a petition for rate approval or a cost and revenue study to change or justify maintaining the existing rates for our interstate storage services. In December 2013 we filed a rate petition, which was approved in 2014 and allows for the maximum cost-based rates for our interstate gas storage services. These rates were effective January 1, 2014, with the rate changes having no significant impact on our revenues.

Regulatory Proceeding Updates
During the first quarter of 2016, we were involved in the regulatory activity discussed below.

ENVIRONMENTAL COST DEFERRAL AND SITE REMEDIATION AND RECOVERY MECHANISM (SRRM). In February 2015, as part of the implementation of the SRRM, the OPUC issued an Order (2015 Order) requiring us to forego collection of $15 million out of approximately $95 million in total environmental remediation expenses and associated carrying costs the Company had deferred through 2012 based on the OPUC’s determination of how an earnings test should apply to amounts deferred from 2003 to 2012, with adjustments for other factors the OPUC deemed relevant. As a result, we recognized a $15.0 million non-cash charge in operations and maintenance expense in the first quarter of 2015. Also, as a result of the 2015 Order, we recognized $5.3 million pre-tax of interest income related to the equity earnings on our deferred environmental expenses in the first quarter of 2015.

In addition, the OPUC issued a subsequent Order regarding our SRRM (2016 Order) in January 2016 in which the OPUC: (1) disallowed the recovery of $2.8 million of interest earned on the previously disallowed environmental expenditure amounts; (2) clarified the state allocation of 96.68% of environmental remediation costs for all environmental sites to Oregon; and (3) confirmed our treatment of $13.8 million of expenses put into the SRRM amortization account was correct and in compliance with prior OPUC orders. As a result of the 2016 Order, we recognized a $3.3 million non-cash charge, of which $2.8 million is reflected in other income and expense, net and $0.5 million is included in operations and maintenance expense. See Note 13 regarding our SRRM.
SYSTEM INTEGRITY PROGRAM (SIP). We filed a request to extend the SIP program in the fourth quarter of 2014. The OPUC considered our renewal request at a public meeting in March 2015 and suspended our filing and ordered additional process, including involvement of other gas utilities in the state, before making a final decision. In 2016, we withdrew our request to extend the SIP program, which is pending OPUC approval, and remain focused on establishing guidelines for future safety cost trackers with the OPUC. See "Rate Mechanisms—System Integrity Program" below.
  



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HEDGING. In our most recent Integrated Resource Plan, we proposed to the OPUC that we engage in continued long-term gas hedging. The OPUC is considering long-term hedging along with a general review of overall hedging practices among all gas utilities in the state. The OPUC therefore opened a new docket to discuss broader gas hedging practices across gas utilities in Oregon. Our request for the OPUC to consider long-term hedging practices will be considered as part of this docket. The OPUC established that this docket will follow two phases. The first phase will be focused on an analytical review of hedging and hedging practices, followed by a second phase regarding potential hedging guidelines. After these phases, a status report will be submitted to the OPUC, and the remainder of the process will be determined at that time.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) also is conducting an investigation into the hedging practices of gas utilities operating in Washington, and considering whether it should require gas utilities to implement certain practices related to hedging. The WUTC has asked for comments from all parties by May of 2016, and will determine next steps in the docket after reviewing those comments. 

INTERSTATE STORAGE AND OPTIMIZATION SHARING. We received an Order from the OPUC in March 2015 on their review of the current revenue sharing arrangement that allocates a portion of the net revenues generated from non-utility Mist storage services and third-party asset management services to utility customers. The Order requires a third-party cost study to be performed and the results of the cost study may initiate a new docket or the re-opening of the original docket.

CARBON SOLUTIONS PROGRAM. Oregon Senate Bill 844 (SB 844) required the OPUC to develop rules and programs to reduce carbon emissions in Oregon. In June 2015, we submitted our first project related to Combined Heat and Power (CHP) for OPUC approval. The submitted CHP program would pay owners of new commercial- and industrial-scale CHP systems for verified carbon emission reductions. In April 2016, the OPUC issued an order declining our program as submitted and provided guidance on program structure for potential future submissions.

WEATHER NORMALIZATION MECHANISM (WARM). In Oregon, WARM is applied to residential and commercial customers' bills to adjust for temperature variances from average weather. In 2015, the OPUC initiated a review of the WARM mechanism as a result of customer complaints received this year related to surcharges applied under the WARM mechanism due to the record warm weather in our service territory during the 2014-15 winter. The OPUC review is focused on ensuring the calculations were done correctly, and to assess whether any modifications to the mechanism are necessary. Based on the scope of this proceeding established by the Commission, we do not expect this proceeding to significantly reduce the value WARM provides to us or our customers in mitigating the impact from variations in weather.

Rate Mechanisms
PURCHASED GAS ADJUSTMENT. Rate changes are established for the utility each year under PGA mechanisms in Oregon and Washington to reflect changes in the expected cost of natural gas commodity purchases. This includes gas prices under spot purchases as well as contract supplies, gas prices hedged with financial derivatives, gas prices from the withdrawal of storage inventories, the production of gas reserves, interstate pipeline demand costs, temporary rate adjustments, which amortize balances of deferred regulatory accounts, and the removal of temporary rate adjustments effective for the previous year.

Each year, we typically hedge gas prices on approximately 75% of our utility's annual sales requirement based on normal weather, including both physical and financial hedges. We entered the 2015-16 gas year (November 1, 2015 - October 31, 2016) hedged at 75% of our forecasted sales volumes, including 44% in financial swap and option contracts and 31% in physical gas supplies.

In addition to the amount hedged for the current gas contract year, we are also hedged in future years at approximately 43% for the 2016-17 gas year and between 5% and 16% for annual requirements over the following five gas years as of March 31, 2016. Our hedge levels are subject to change based on actual load volumes, which depend to a certain extent on weather, economic conditions, and estimated gas reserve production. Also, our storage inventory levels may increase or decrease with storage expansion, changes in storage contracts with third parties, and/or storage recall by the utility.

Under the current PGA mechanism in Oregon, there is an incentive sharing provision whereby we are required to select each year either an 80% deferral or a 90% deferral of higher or lower actual gas costs compared to estimated PGA prices, such that the impact on current earnings from the incentive sharing is either 20% or 10% of the difference between actual and estimated gas costs, respectively. For the 2014-15 and 2015-16 gas years, we


28





selected the 90% and 80% deferral option, respectively. Under the Washington PGA mechanism, we defer 100% of the higher or lower actual gas costs, and those gas cost differences are passed on to customers through the annual PGA rate adjustment.

EARNINGS TEST REVIEW. We are subject to an annual earnings review in Oregon to determine if the utility is earning above its authorized ROE threshold. If utility earnings exceed a specific ROE level, then 33% of the amount above that level is required to be deferred or refunded to customers. Under this provision, if we select the 80% deferral gas cost option, then we retain all of our earnings up to 150 basis points above the currently authorized ROE. If we select the 90% deferral option, then we retain all of our earnings up to 100 basis points above the currently authorized ROE. We selected the 90% deferral option for the 2014-15 PGA year, and we selected the 80% deferral option for the 2015-16 PGA year. The ROE threshold is subject to adjustment annually based on movements in long-term interest rates. For calendar years 2014 and 2015, the ROE threshold was 10.66% and 10.60%, respectively. There were no refunds required for 2013 and 2014. We do not expect a refund for 2015 based on our results and anticipate filing the 2015 earnings test in May 2016.

GAS RESERVES. The cost of gas, including a carrying cost for the rate base investment made under the original agreement, is included in our annual Oregon PGA filing, which allows us to recover these costs through customer rates. Our net investment under the original agreement earns a rate of return.

In March 2014, we amended the original gas reserves agreement in order to facilitate Encana's proposed sale of its interest in the Jonah field to Jonah Energy. Under the amendment, we ended the drilling program with Encana, but increased our working interests in our assigned sections of the Jonah field. We also retained the right to invest in new wells with Jonah Energy. Under the amended agreement we have the option to invest in additional wells on a well-by-well basis with drilling costs and resulting gas volumes shared at our amended proportionate working interest for each well in which we invest. We elected to participate in some of the additional wells drilled in 2014, and may have the opportunity to participate in more wells in the future. Volumes produced from these wells are included in our Oregon PGA at a fixed rate of $0.4725 per therm, which approximates the 10-year hedge rate plus financing costs at the inception of the investment. See Note 10.

DECOUPLING. In Oregon, we have a decoupling mechanism. Decoupling is intended to break the link between utility earnings and the quantity of gas consumed by customers, removing any financial incentive by the utility to discourage customers’ efforts to conserve energy. The Oregon decoupling mechanism was reauthorized and the baseline expected usage per customer was set in the 2012 Oregon general rate case. This mechanism employs a use-per-customer decoupling calculation, which adjusts margin revenues to account for the difference between actual and expected customer volumes. The margin adjustment resulting from differences between actual and expected volumes under the decoupling component is recorded to a deferral account, which is included in the annual PGA filing. In Washington, customer use is not covered by such a tariff. See "Business Segments—Local Gas Distribution Utility Operations" below.

WEATHER NORMALIZATION TARIFF. In Oregon, we have an approved weather normalization mechanism, which is applied to residential and commercial customer bills. This mechanism is designed to help stabilize the collection of fixed costs by adjusting residential and commercial customer billings based on temperature variances from average weather, with rate decreases when the weather is colder than average and rate increases when the weather is warmer than average. The mechanism is applied to bills from December through May of each heating season. The mechanism adjusts the margin component of customers’ rates to reflect average weather, which uses the 25-year average temperature for each day of the billing period. Daily average temperatures and 25-year average temperatures are based on a set point temperature of 59 degrees Fahrenheit for residential customers and 58 degrees Fahrenheit for commercial customers. This weather normalization mechanism was reauthorized in the 2012 Oregon general rate case without an expiration date. Residential and commercial customers in Oregon are allowed to opt out of the weather normalization mechanism, and as of March 31, 2016, 9% of total customers had opted out. We do not have a weather normalization mechanism approved for residential and commercial Washington customers, which account for about 11% of total customers. See "Business Segments—Local Gas Distribution Utility Operations" below.
 
INDUSTRIAL TARIFFS. The OPUC and WUTC have approved tariffs covering utility service to our major industrial customers, including terms, which are intended to give us certainty in the level of gas supplies we need to acquire to serve this customer group. The terms include, among other things, an annual election period, special pricing provisions for out-of-cycle changes, and a requirement that industrial customers complete the term of their service election under our annual PGA tariff.


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SYSTEM INTEGRITY PROGRAM (SIP). During 2013, the OPUC approved a temporary two-year extension, beginning in November 2012, of our capital expenditure tracking mechanism to recover capital costs related to SIP and authorized a total increase of $13.7 million above the cap during the extension period. Regulatory authority for SIP expired October 31, 2014, although the bare steel replacement portion of the mechanism remained in place until the end of 2015. We filed a request to extend the SIP program in the fourth quarter of 2014 and subsequently submitted a request to withdraw our request in the first quarter of 2016. We will recover our remaining bare steel replacement costs through the 2015-16 PGA, and we expect system integrity capital costs not tracked through our SIP mechanism would be included in rate base in our next rate case.

ENVIRONMENTAL COST DEFERRAL AND SRRM. In Oregon, we have a SRRM through which we track and have the ability to recover prudently incurred past deferred and future environmental remediation costs allocable to Oregon, subject to an earnings test.

The SRRM defines three classes of deferred environmental remediation expense:
Pre-review - This class of costs represents remediation spend that has not yet been deemed prudent by the OPUC. Carrying costs on these remediation expenses are recorded at our authorized cost of capital. We anticipate the prudence review for annual costs and approval of the earnings test prescribed by the OPUC to occur by the third quarter of the following year.
Post-review - This class of costs represents remediation spend that has been deemed prudent and allowed after applying the earnings test, but is not yet included in amortization. We earn a carrying cost on these amounts at a rate equal to the five-year treasury rate plus 100 basis points.
Amortization - This class of costs represents amounts included in current customer rates for collection and is generally calculated as one-fifth of the post-review deferred balance. We earn a carrying cost equal to the amortization rate determined annually by the OPUC, which approximates a short-term borrowing rate. We included $8.4 million of deferred remediation expense approved by the OPUC for collection during the 2015-2016 PGA year.

The SRRM earnings test is an annual review of our adjusted Utility ROE compared to our authorized Utility ROE, which is currently 9.5%. To apply the earnings test first we must determine what, if any, costs are subject to the test through the following calculation:
Annual spend
Less: $5 million tariff rider(1)
          Prior year carry-over(2)
          $5 million insurance + interest on insurance
Total deferred annual spend subject to earnings test
Less: over-earnings adjustment, if any
Add: deferred interest on annual spend(3)
Total amount transferred to post-review
(1)  
Tariff rider went into Oregon customer rates beginning November 1, 2015.
(2)
Prior year carry-over results when the prior year amount transferred to post-review is negative. The negative amount is carried over to offset annual spend in the following year.
(3)
Deferred interest is added to annual spend to the extent the spend is recoverable.

If the adjusted Utility ROE is greater than the authorized Utility ROE, then we could be required to expense up to the amount that results in the Utility earning its authorized ROE. For 2015, we have performed this test, which will be submitted to the OPUC in May 2016, and have concluded there is no earnings test adjustment for 2015.

The WUTC has also previously authorized the deferral of environmental costs, if any, that are appropriately allocated to Washington customers. This Order was effective in January 2011 with cost recovery and a carrying charge to be determined in a future proceeding.
 
PENSION COST DEFERRAL AND PENSION BALANCING ACCOUNT. Effective January 1, 2011, the OPUC approved our request to defer annual pension expenses above the amount set in rates, with recovery of these deferred amounts through the implementation of a balancing account, which includes the expectation of higher and lower pension expenses in future years. Our recovery of these deferred balances includes accrued interest on the account balance at the utility’s authorized rate of return, which is currently 7.78%. Future years’ deferrals will


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depend on changes in plan assets and projected benefit liabilities based on a number of key assumptions, and our pension contributions. Pension expense deferrals, including interest, were $1.6 million and $2.2 million as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

CUSTOMER CREDITS FOR GAS STORAGE SHARING. In 2016, we filed for regulatory approval to refund an interstate storage credit of $9.7 million to Oregon utility customers. These credits are part of our regulatory incentive sharing mechanism related to non-utility Mist storage and asset management service. The OPUC approved a $9.6 million interstate storage credit to Oregon customers in June 2015. The Washington portion of these credits is included in the Washington PGA.

For a discussion of other rate mechanisms, see Part II, Item 7, "Results of Operations—Regulatory Matters—
"Rate Mechanisms" in our 2015 Form 10-K.

Business Segments - Local Gas Distribution Utility Operations
Utility margin results are primarily affected by customer growth, revenues from rate-base additions, and, to a certain extent, by changes in delivered volumes due to weather and customers’ gas usage patterns because a significant portion of our utility margin is derived from natural gas sales to residential and commercial customers. In Oregon, we have a conservation tariff (also called the decoupling mechanism), which adjusts utility margin up or down each month through a deferred regulatory accounting adjustment designed to offset changes resulting from increases or decreases in average use by residential and commercial customers. We also have a weather normalization tariff in Oregon, which adjusts customer bills up or down to offset changes in utility margin resulting from above- or below-average temperatures during the winter heating season. Both mechanisms are designed to reduce the volatility of customer bills and our utility’s earnings. See "Regulatory Matters—Rate Mechanisms" above.

Utility segment highlights include:  
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
Dollars and therms in thousands, except EPS data
 
2016
 
2015
 
QTR
Change
Utility net income
 
$
35,852

 
$
28,335

 
$
7,517

EPS - utility segment
 
1.30

 
1.04

 
0.26

Gas sold and delivered (in therms)
 
372,549

 
329,977

 
42,572

Utility margin(1)
 
$
136,664


$
130,601


$
6,063

(1) See Utility Margin Table below for a reconciliation and additional detail.

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2016 COMPARED TO MARCH 31, 2015. The primary factors contributing to the $7.5 million or $0.26 per share increase in utility net income were as follows:
a $6.1 million increase in utility margin primarily due to:
a $3.4 million increase from customer growth, added loads under higher commercial rate schedules, and added rate-base returns on certain investments; and
a $2.4 million increase from gas cost incentive sharing resulting from lower gas prices than those estimated in the PGA.
a $7.8 million decrease in other income and expense, net primarily due to a $2.8 million interest write-off as a result of the 2016 Order from the OPUC in the first quarter of 2016 and the recognition of $5.3 million of equity earnings on deferred regulatory asset balances in February 2015; and
a $14.7 million decrease in operations and maintenance expense, primarily due to the $15.0 million regulatory disallowance charge taken in the prior year.

Total utility volumes sold and delivered in the first quarter of 2016 increased 13% over the same period in 2015 primarily due to the impact of relatively colder weather quarter over quarter. Weather in the first quarter of 2016 was 15% warmer than average, compared to the record warm weather in 2015, which was 20% warmer than average. 


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UTILITY MARGIN TABLE. The following table summarizes the composition of utility gas volumes, revenues, and cost of sales:
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Favorable/(Unfavorable)
In thousands, except degree day and customer data
 
2016
 
2015
 
QTR Change
Utility volumes (therms):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential and commercial sales
 
242,874

 
206,817

 
36,057

Industrial sales and transportation
 
129,675

 
123,160

 
6,515

Total utility volumes sold and delivered
 
372,549

 
329,977

 
42,572

Utility operating revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential and commercial sales
 
$
237,672

 
$
240,912

 
$
(3,240
)
Industrial sales and transportation
 
17,664

 
20,526

 
(2,862
)
Other revenues
 
1,411

 
1,406

 
5

Less: Revenue taxes
 
6,643

 
6,538

 
105

Total utility operating revenues
 
250,104

 
256,306

 
(6,202
)
Less: Cost of gas
 
108,411

 
125,705

 
17,294

Less: Environmental remediation expense
 
5,029

 

 
(5,029
)
Utility margin
 
$
136,664

 
$
130,601

 
$
6,063

Utility margin:(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential and commercial sales
 
$
123,484

 
$
120,372

 
$
3,112

Industrial sales and transportation
 
8,201

 
7,574

 
627

Miscellaneous revenues
 
1,406

 
1,406

 

Gain from gas cost incentive sharing
 
3,654

 
1,221

 
2,433

Other margin adjustments
 
(81
)
 
28

 
(109
)
Utility margin
 
$
136,664

 
$
130,601

 
$
6,063

Degree days
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average(2)
 
1,871

 
1,855

 
16

Actual
 
1,585

 
1,481

 
7
%
Percent warmer than average weather(2)
 
(15
)%
 
(20
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of March 31,
 
 
Customers - end of period:
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Residential customers
 
650,268

 
640,235

 
10,033

Commercial customers
 
66,748

 
66,314

 
434

Industrial customers
 
993

 
923

 
70

Total number of customers
 
718,009

 
707,472