Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: June 30, 2010
OR
     
o   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: 001-11590
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   51-0064146
     
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
909 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, Delaware 19904
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)
(302) 734-6799
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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 þ No o
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 o No o
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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
Common Stock, par value $0.4867 — 9,490,546 shares outstanding as of July 31, 2010.
 
 

 

 


 

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 Exhibit 3.1
 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32.1
 Exhibit 32.2

 

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Table of Contents

GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS
Frequently used abbreviations, acronyms, or terms used in this report:
Subsidiaries of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
     
BravePoint
  BravePoint, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Services Company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake
Chesapeake
  The Registrant, the Registrant and its subsidiaries, or the Registrant’s subsidiaries, as appropriate in the context of the disclosure
Company
  The Registrant, the Registrant and its subsidiaries, or the Registrant’s subsidiaries, as appropriate in the context of the disclosure
ESNG
  Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake
FPU
  Florida Public Utilities Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake, effective October 28, 2009
PESCO
  Peninsula Energy Services Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake
PIPECO
  Peninsula Pipeline Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake
Sharp
  Sharp Energy, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake’s and Sharp’s subsidiary, Sharpgas, Inc.
Xeron
  Xeron, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake
Regulatory Agencies
     
Delaware PSC
  Delaware Public Service Commission
EPA
  United States Environmental Protection Agency
FASB
  Financial Accounting Standards Board
FERC
  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FDEP
  Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Florida PSC
  Florida Public Service Commission
IASB
  International Accounting Standards Board
Maryland PSC
  Maryland Public Service Commission
MDE
  Maryland Department of the Environment
PSC
  Public Service Commission
SEC
  Securities and Exchange Commission
Accounting Standards Related
     
ASC
  FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM (Codification)
ASU
  FASB Accounting Standards Update
GAAP
  Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
IFRS
  International Financial Reporting Standards
Other
     
AS/SVE
  Air Sparging and Soil/Vapor Extraction
BS/SVE
  Bio-Sparging and Soil/Vapor Extraction
CGS
  Community Gas Systems
DSCP
  Directors Stock Compensation Plan
Dts
  Dekatherms
Dts/d
  Dekatherms per day
FRP
  Fuel Retention Percentage
GSR
  Gas Sales Service Rates
HDD
  Heating Degree-Days
Mcf
  Thousand Cubic Feet
MWH
  Megawatt Hour
MGP
  Manufactured Gas Plant
NYSE
  New York Stock Exchange
PIP
  Performance Incentive Plan
RAP
  Remedial Action Plan
TETLP
  Texas Eastern Transmission, LP

 

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Table of Contents

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
                 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009  
(in thousands, except shares and per share data)            
 
               
Operating Revenues
               
Regulated Energy
  $ 52,740     $ 18,869  
Unregulated Energy
    24,615       19,830  
Other
    2,706       2,135  
 
           
 
               
Total operating revenues
    80,061       40,834  
 
           
 
               
Operating Expenses
               
Regulated energy cost of sales
    24,406       4,285  
Unregulated energy and other cost of sales
    20,384       16,182  
Operations
    18,160       11,575  
Transaction-related costs
    92       1,090  
Maintenance
    1,789       716  
Depreciation and amortization
    5,038       2,413  
Other taxes
    2,431       1,717  
 
           
 
               
Total operating expenses
    72,300       37,978  
 
           
 
               
Operating Income
    7,761       2,856  
 
               
Other income (loss), net of expenses
    (11 )     12  
 
               
Interest charges
    2,305       1,573  
 
           
 
               
Income Before Income Taxes
    5,445       1,295  
 
               
Income tax expense
    2,105       489  
 
           
 
               
Net Income
  $ 3,340     $ 806  
 
           
 
               
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding:
               
Basic
    9,467,222       6,862,248  
Diluted
    9,557,352       6,868,717  
 
               
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:
               
Basic
  $ 0.35     $ 0.12  
Diluted
  $ 0.35     $ 0.12  
 
 
Cash Dividends Declared Per Share of Common Stock
  $ 0.330     $ 0.315  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
                 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009  
(in thousands, except shares and per share data)            
 
               
Operating Revenues
               
Regulated Energy
  $ 144,367     $ 71,050  
Unregulated Energy
    83,885       69,225  
Other
    5,069       5,038  
 
           
 
               
Total operating revenues
    233,321       145,313  
 
           
 
               
Operating Expenses
               
Regulated energy cost of sales
    78,174       36,798  
Unregulated energy and other cost of sales
    65,475       54,891  
Operations
    36,855       23,820  
Transaction-related costs
    111       1,204  
Maintenance
    3,489       1,332  
Depreciation and amortization
    10,661       4,797  
Other taxes
    5,397       3,649  
 
           
 
               
Total operating expenses
    200,162       126,491  
 
           
 
               
Operating Income
    33,159       18,822  
 
               
Other income, net of expenses
    103       45  
 
               
Interest charges
    4,667       3,215  
 
           
 
               
Income Before Income Taxes
    28,595       15,652  
 
               
Income tax expense
    11,281       6,253  
 
           
 
               
Net Income
  $ 17,314     $ 9,399  
 
           
 
               
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding:
               
Basic
    9,443,708       6,847,543  
Diluted
    9,550,670       6,963,132  
 
               
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:
               
Basic
  $ 1.83     $ 1.37  
Diluted
  $ 1.82     $ 1.36  
 
               
Cash Dividends Declared Per Share of Common Stock
  $ 0.645     $ 0.620  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
                 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009  
(in thousands)            
 
               
Operating Activities
               
Net Income
  $ 17,314     $ 9,399  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    10,661       4,797  
Depreciation and accretion included in other costs
    1,641       1,318  
Deferred income taxes, net
    3,683       2,673  
Unrealized loss (gain) on commodity contracts
    (374 )     1,135  
Unrealized loss (gain) on investments
    60       (19 )
Employee benefits
    (383 )     977  
Share-based compensation
    612       585  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Purchase of investments
    (131 )     (28 )
Accounts receivable and accrued revenue
    26,485       25,406  
Propane inventory, storage gas and other inventory
    3,382       5,006  
Regulatory assets
    1,226       309  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    3,549       2,957  
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
    (14,756 )     (15,071 )
Income taxes receivable
    2,201       6,111  
Accrued interest
    (259 )     632  
Customer deposits and refunds
    1,041       (1,902 )
Accrued compensation
    83       (1,151 )
Regulatory liabilities
    1,194       3,454  
Other liabilities
    479       232  
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    57,708       46,820  
 
           
 
               
Investing Activities
               
Property, plant and equipment expenditures
    (14,250 )     (11,969 )
Purchase of investments
    (310 )      
Environmental expenditures
    (410 )     (7 )
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (14,970 )     (11,976 )
 
           
 
               
Financing Activities
               
Common stock dividends
    (5,369 )     (3,752 )
Issuance (purchase) of stock for Dividend Reinvestment Plan
    268       (69 )
Change in cash overdrafts due to outstanding checks
    (834 )      
Net repayment under line of credit agreements
    (88 )     (31,000 )
Repayment of long-term debt
    (30,277 )     (20 )
 
           
Net cash used in financing activities
    (36,300 )     (34,841 )
 
           
 
               
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    6,438       3  
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Beginning of Period
    2,828       1,611  
 
           
Cash and Cash Equivalents — End of Period
  $ 9,266     $ 1,614  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
Assets   2010     2009  
(in thousands, except shares and per share data)            
 
               
Property, Plant and Equipment
               
Regulated energy
  $ 471,803     $ 463,856  
Unregulated energy
    59,548       61,360  
Other
    16,162       16,054  
 
           
 
               
Total property, plant and equipment
    547,513       541,270  
 
               
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (114,018 )     (107,318 )
Plus: Construction work in progress
    5,362       2,476  
 
           
 
               
Net property, plant and equipment
    438,857       436,428  
 
           
 
               
Investments
    2,030       1,959  
 
           
 
               
Current Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
    9,266       2,828  
Accounts receivable (less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $1,313 and $1,609, respectively)
    47,448       70,029  
Accrued revenue
    8,976       12,838  
Propane inventory, at average cost
    6,538       7,901  
Other inventory, at average cost
    3,443       3,149  
Regulatory assets
    50       1,205  
Storage gas prepayments
    3,831       6,144  
Income taxes receivable
    479       2,614  
Deferred income taxes
    1,601       1,498  
Prepaid expenses
    2,457       5,843  
Mark-to-market energy assets
    814       2,379  
Other current assets
    148       147  
 
           
 
               
Total current assets
    85,051       116,575  
 
           
 
               
Deferred Charges and Other Assets
               
Goodwill
    34,782       34,095  
Other intangible assets, net
    3,690       3,951  
Long-term receivables
    181       343  
Regulatory assets
    21,052       19,860  
Other deferred charges
    3,693       3,891  
 
           
 
               
Total deferred charges and other assets
    63,398       62,140  
 
           
 
               
Total Assets
  $ 589,336     $ 617,102  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
Capitalization and Liabilities   2010     2009  
(in thousands, except shares and per share data)            
 
               
Capitalization
               
Stockholders’ equity
               
Common stock, par value $0.4867 per share (authorized 25,000,000 and 12,000,000 shares, respectively)
  $ 4,612     $ 4,572  
Additional paid-in capital
    146,123       144,502  
Retained earnings
    74,395       63,231  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (2,444 )     (2,524 )
Deferred compensation obligation
    757       739  
Treasury stock
    (757 )     (739 )
 
           
 
               
Total stockholders’ equity
    222,686       209,781  
 
               
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
    97,558       98,814  
 
           
Total capitalization
    320,244       308,595  
 
           
 
               
Current Liabilities
               
Current portion of long-term debt
    8,125       35,299  
Short-term borrowing
    29,100       30,023  
Accounts payable
    36,153       51,948  
Customer deposits and refunds
    26,105       24,960  
Accrued interest
    1,628       1,887  
Dividends payable
    3,127       2,959  
Accrued compensation
    3,580       3,445  
Regulatory liabilities
    10,340       8,882  
Mark-to-market energy liabilities
    574       2,514  
Other accrued liabilities
    11,250       8,683  
 
           
 
               
Total current liabilities
    129,982       170,600  
 
           
 
               
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
               
Deferred income taxes
    70,284       66,923  
Deferred investment tax credits
    148       193  
Regulatory liabilities
    3,449       4,154  
Environmental liabilities
    9,463       11,104  
Other pension and benefit costs
    16,544       17,505  
Accrued asset removal cost — Regulatory liability
    34,233       33,214  
Other liabilities
    4,989       4,814  
 
           
 
               
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
    139,110       137,907  
 
           
 
               
Total Capitalization and Liabilities
  $ 589,336     $ 617,102  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
                                                                 
    Common Stock     Additional             Accumulated Other                    
    Number of             Paid-In     Retained     Comprehensive     Deferred     Treasury        
(in thousands, except per share and share data)   Shares(7)     Par Value     Capital     Earnings     Loss     Compensation     Stock     Total  
Balances at December 31, 2008
    6,827,121     $ 3,323     $ 66,681     $ 56,817     $ (3,748 )   $ 1,549     $ (1,549 )     123,073  
Net Income
                            15,897                               15,897  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                                                               
Employee Benefit Plans, net of tax:
                                                               
Amortization of prior service costs (4)
                                    7                       7  
Net Gain (5)
                                    1,217                       1,217  
 
                                                             
Total comprehensive income
                                                          $ 17,121  
 
                                                             
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
    31,607       15       921                                       936  
Retirement Savings Plan
    32,375       16       966                                       982  
Conversion of debentures
    7,927       4       131                                       135  
Share based compensation (1) (3)
    7,374       3       1,332                                       1,335  
Deferred Compensation Plan (6)
                                            (810 )     810        
Purchase of treasury stock
    (2,411 )                                             (73 )     (73 )
Sale and distribution of treasury stock
    2,411                                               73       73  
Common stock issued in the merger
    2,487,910       1,211       74,471                                       75,682  
Dividends on stock-based compensation
                            (104 )                             (104 )
Cash dividends (2)
                            (9,379 )                             (9,379 )
 
                                               
Balances at December 31, 2009
    9,394,314       4,572       144,502       63,231       (2,524 )     739       (739 )     209,781  
Net Income
                            17,314                               17,314  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                                                               
Employee Benefit Plans, net of tax:
                                                               
Amortization of prior service costs (4)
                                    4                       4  
Net Gain (5)
                                    76                       76  
 
                                                             
Total comprehensive income
                                                          $ 17,394  
 
                                                             
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
    27,182       13       807                                       820  
Retirement Savings Plan
    15,632       8       466                                       474  
Conversion of debentures
    2,876       1       47                                       48  
Tax benefit on share based compensation
                    75                                       75  
Share based compensation (1) (3)
    36,415       18       226                                       244  
Deferred Compensation Plan (6)
                                            18       (18 )      
Purchase of treasury stock
    (580 )                                             (18 )     (18 )
Sale and distribution of treasury stock
    580                                               18       18  
Dividends on stock-based compensation
                            (50 )                             (50 )
Cash dividends (2)
                            (6,100 )                             (6,100 )
 
                                               
Balances at June 30, 2010
    9,476,419     $ 4,612     $ 146,123     $ 74,395     $ (2,444 )   $ 757     $ (757 )   $ 222,686  
 
                                               
     
(1)  
Includes amounts for shares issued for Directors’ compensation.
 
(2)  
Cash dividends declared per share for the periods ended June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were $0.645 and $1.250, respectively.
 
(3)  
The shares issued under the Performance Incentive Plan (“PIP”) are net of shares withheld for employee taxes. For the period ended June 30, 2010, the Company withheld 17,695 shares for taxes. We did not issue any shares under the PIP in 2009.
 
(4)  
Tax expense recognized on the prior service cost component of employees benefit plans for the periods ended June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were approximately $3 and $5, respectively.
 
(5)  
Tax expense recognized on the net gain component of employees benefit plans for the periods ended June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were $51 and $794, respectively.
 
(6)  
In May and November 2009, certain participants of the Deferred Compensation Plan received distributions totaling $883. There were no distributions in the first six months of 2010.
 
(7)  
Includes 29,032 and 28,452 shares at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, held in a Rabbi Trust established by the Company relating to the Deferred Compensation Plan.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1.  
Summary of Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
References in this document to “the Company,” “Chesapeake,” “we,” “us” and “our” are intended to mean the Registrant and its subsidiaries, or the Registrant’s subsidiaries, as appropriate in the context of the disclosure.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and United States of America Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). In accordance with these rules and regulations, certain information and disclosures normally required for audited financial statements have been condensed or omitted. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2010. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect normal recurring adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of our results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented.
As a result of the merger with Florida Public Utilities Company (“FPU”) in October 2009, we changed our operating segments (see Note 5, “Segment Information,” for further discussion). We revised the segment information as of and for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2009, to reflect the new segments. We also revised certain presentations and reclassified certain amounts reported in the condensed consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2009 to conform to current period presentations and classifications. These reclassifications are considered immaterial to the overall presentation of our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Due to the seasonality of our business, results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire fiscal year. Revenue and earnings are typically greater during the first and fourth quarters, when consumption of energy is highest due to colder temperatures.
We have assessed and reported on subsequent events through the date of issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Amendments Yet to be Adopted by the Company
In November 2008, the SEC released a proposed roadmap regarding the potential use by U.S. issuers of financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), a comprehensive series of accounting standards published by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). Under the proposed roadmap, we may be required to prepare our financial statements in accordance with IFRS as early as 2014. The SEC will make a determination in 2011 regarding the mandatory adoption of IFRS. In July 2009, the IASB issued an exposure draft of “Rate-regulated Activities,” which sets out the scope, recognition and measurement criteria, and accounting disclosures for assets and liabilities that arise in the context of cost-of-service regulation, to which our rate-regulated businesses are subject. We will continue to monitor the development of the potential implementation of IFRS.
Other Accounting Amendments Adopted by the Company during the first six months of 2010
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements.” This ASU requires certain new disclosures and clarifies certain existing disclosure requirements about fair value measurement, as set forth in FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 820-10. The FASB’s objective is to improve these disclosures and, thus, increase the transparency in financial reporting. Specifically, ASU 2010-06 amends ASC Subtopic 820-10 to now require a reporting entity to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers; and, in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs, a reporting entity should present separate information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements. In addition, ASU 2010-06 clarifies certain requirements of the existing disclosures. We adopted the disclosures required by this ASU in the first quarter of 2010, except for disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll-forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. We currently do not have any assets or liabilities that would require Level 3 fair value measurements. Adoption of this ASU did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations.

 

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In April 2010, the FASB issued FASB ASU 2010-12 — Income Taxes (Topic 740), “Accounting for Certain Tax effects of the 2010 Health Care Reform Acts.” This ASU codifies the SEC staff announcement relating to the accounting for the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which allows the two Acts to be considered together for accounting purposes. We adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2010 and have determined that these Acts did not have a material impact on our income tax accounting (see Note 6, “Employee Benefits,” to these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion).
2.  
Acquisitions
FPU
On October 28, 2009, we completed a merger with FPU, pursuant to which FPU became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake. The merger was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, with Chesapeake treated as the acquirer for accounting purposes.
The merger increased our overall presence in Florida by adding approximately 51,000 natural gas distribution customers and 12,000 propane distribution customers to our existing Florida operations. It also introduced us to the electric distribution business as we incorporated FPU’s approximately 31,000 electric customers in northwest and northeast Florida.
In consummating the merger, we issued 2,487,910 shares of Chesapeake common stock at a price per share of $30.42 in exchange for all outstanding common stock of FPU. We also paid approximately $16,000 in lieu of issuing fractional shares in the exchange. There is no contingent consideration in the merger. Total value of consideration transferred by Chesapeake in the merger was approximately $75.7 million.
The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the merger were recorded at their respective fair values at the completion of the merger. For certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed, such as pension and post-retirement benefit obligations, income taxes and contingencies without readily determinable fair values, for which GAAP provides specific exception to the fair value recognition and measurement, we applied other specified GAAP or accounting treatment as appropriate.

 

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The following table summarizes an adjusted allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the merger. Estimates of deferred income taxes, recovery of certain regulatory assets, and certain accruals and contingencies are subject to change, pending the finalization of income tax returns and the availability of additional information about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the merger closing. We will complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the merger closing.
         
(in thousands)   October 28, 2009  
Purchase price
  $ 75,699  
 
       
Current assets
    26,761  
Property, plant and equipment
    138,998  
Regulatory assets
    19,899  
Investments and other deferred charges
    3,659  
Intangible assets
    4,019  
 
     
Total assets acquired
    193,336  
 
       
Long term debt
    47,812  
Borrowings from line of credit
    4,249  
Other current liabilities
    17,427  
Other regulatory liabilities
    19,414  
Pension and post retirement obligations
    14,276  
Environmental liabilities
    12,414  
Deferred income taxes
    20,686  
Customer deposits and other liabilities
    15,467  
 
     
Total liabilities assumed
    151,745  
 
     
Net identifiable assets acquired
    41,591  
 
     
Goodwill
  $ 34,108  
 
     
During the first six months of 2010, we adjusted the allocation of the purchase price based on additional information available. The adjustments are related to certain accruals, regulatory assets and deferred tax assets. These adjustments also resulted in a change in the fair value of the propane property, plant and equipment. Goodwill from the merger increased to $34.1 million after incorporating these adjustments, compared to $33.4 million as previously disclosed at December 31, 2009.
None of the $34.1 million in goodwill recorded in connection with the merger is deductible for tax purposes. All of the goodwill recorded in connection with the merger is related to the regulated energy segment. We believe the goodwill recognized is attributable to the synergies and opportunities primarily related to FPU’s regulated energy businesses. The intangible assets acquired in connection with the merger are related to propane customer relationships ($3.5 million) and favorable propane supply contracts ($519,000). The intangible value assigned to FPU’s existing propane customer relationships will be amortized over a 12-year period based on the expected duration of the benefit arising from the relationships. The intangible value assigned to FPU’s favorable propane contracts will be amortized over a period ranging from one to 14 months based on contractual terms.
Current assets of $26.8 million acquired during the merger included notes receivable of approximately $5.8 million, for which we received full payment in March 2010, and accounts receivable of approximately $3.1 million, $6.0 million and $891,000 for FPU’s natural gas, electric and propane distribution businesses, respectively.
The financial position and results of operations and cash flows of FPU from the effective date of the merger are included in our consolidated financial statements. The revenue from FPU for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010, included in our condensed consolidated statements of income, were $39.8 million and $94.0 million, respectively, and the net income from FPU for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010, included in our condensed consolidated statements of income, were $1.8 million and $6.2 million, respectively.

 

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The following table shows the actual results of combined operations for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and pro forma results of combined operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009, as if the merger had been completed at January 1, 2009. Since the effects of the merger for the six months ended June 30, 2010 were already included in the actual results of our consolidated operations, there is no pro forma adjustment for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
                 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009  
(in thousands, except per share data)            
 
               
Operating Revenues
  $ 233,321     $ 221,461  
Operating Income
    33,159       25,214  
Net income
    17,314       12,303  
 
               
Earnings per share — basic
  $ 1.83     $ 1.32  
Earnings per share — diluted
  $ 1.82     $ 1.30  
Pro forma results are presented for informational purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of what the actual results would have been had the acquisition actually occurred on January 1, 2009.
The acquisition method of accounting requires acquisition-related costs to be expensed in the period in which those costs are incurred, rather than including them as a component of consideration transferred. It also prohibits an accrual of certain restructuring costs at the time of the merger. As we intend to seek recovery in future rates in Florida of a certain portion of the purchase premium paid and merger-related costs incurred, we also considered the impact of ASC Topic 980, “Regulated Operations,” in determining the proper accounting treatment for the merger-related costs. As of June 30, 2010, we incurred approximately $3.2 million in costs to consummate the merger, including the cost associated with merger-related litigation, and integrating operations following the merger. This includes $278,000 incurred during the six months ended June 30, 2010. We deferred approximately $1.6 million of the total costs incurred as a regulatory asset at June 30, 2010, which represents our estimate, based on similar proceedings in Florida in the past, of the costs which we expect to be permitted to recover when we complete the appropriate rate proceedings.
Included in the $3.2 million merger-related costs incurred as of June 30, 2010, were approximately $312,000 of severance and other restructuring charges for our efforts to integrate the operations of the two companies.
Virginia LP Gas
On February 4, 2010, Sharp Energy, Inc. (“Sharp”), our propane distribution subsidiary, purchased the operating assets of Virginia LP Gas, Inc., a propane distributor serving approximately 1,000 retail customers in Northampton and Accomack Counties in Virginia. The total consideration for the purchase was $600,000, of which $300,000 was paid at the closing and the remaining $300,000 will be paid over 60 months. Based on our preliminary valuation, we allocated $188,000 of the purchase price to intangible assets, which will be amortized over a seven-year period. There was no goodwill recorded in connection with this acquisition. The revenue and net income from this acquisition that were included in our condensed consolidated statement of income for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 were not material. The allocation of the purchase price is preliminary, and we will complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the purchase of the assets.

 

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3.  
Calculation of Earnings Per Share
                                 
    Three Months     Six Months  
For the Periods Ended June 30,   2010     2009     2010     2009  
(in thousands, except Shares and Per Share Data)                        
Calculation of Basic Earnings Per Share:
                               
Net Income
  $ 3,340     $ 806     $ 17,314     $ 9,399  
Weighted average shares outstanding
    9,467,222       6,862,248       9,443,708       6,847,543  
 
                       
Basic Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.35     $ 0.12     $ 1.83     $ 1.37  
 
                       
 
                               
Calculation of Diluted Earnings Per Share:
                               
Reconciliation of Numerator:
                               
Net Income
  $ 3,340     $ 806     $ 17,314     $ 9,399  
Effect of 8.25% Convertible debentures(1)
    19             37       40  
 
                       
Adjusted numerator — Diluted
  $ 3,359     $ 806     $ 17,351     $ 9,439  
 
                       
 
                               
Reconciliation of Denominator:
                               
Weighted shares outstanding — Basic
    9,467,222       6,862,248       9,443,708       6,847,543  
Effect of dilutive securities: (1)
                               
Share-based Compensation
    3,347       6,469       19,437       20,714  
8.25% Convertible debentures
    86,783             87,525       94,875  
 
                       
Adjusted denominator — Diluted
    9,557,352       6,868,717       9,550,670       6,963,132  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.35     $ 0.12     $ 1.82     $ 1.36  
     
(1)  
Amounts associated with securities resulting in an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share are not included in this calculation.
4.  
Commitments and Contingencies
Rates and Other Regulatory Activities
Our natural gas and electric distribution operations in Delaware, Maryland and Florida are subject to regulation by their respective Public Service Commission (“PSC”); Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company (“ESNG”), our natural gas transmission operation, is subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Chesapeake’s Florida natural gas distribution division and FPU’s natural gas and electric operations continue to be subject to regulation by the Florida Public Service Commission (“Florida PSC”) as separate entities.
Delaware. On September 2, 2008, our Delaware division filed with the Delaware Public Service Commission (“Delaware PSC”) its annual Gas Sales Service Rates (“GSR”) Application, seeking approval to change its GSR, effective November 1, 2008. On July 7, 2009, the Delaware PSC granted approval of a settlement agreement presented by the parties in this docket, which included the Delaware PSC, our Delaware division and the Division of the Public Advocate. As part of the settlement, the parties agreed to develop a record in a later proceeding on the price charged by the Delaware division for the temporary release of transmission pipeline capacity to our natural gas marketing subsidiary, Peninsula Energy Services Company, Inc. (“PESCO”). On January 8, 2010, the Hearing Examiner in this proceeding issued a report of Findings and Recommendations in which he recommended, among other things, that the Delaware PSC require the Delaware division to refund to its firm service customers the difference between what the Delaware division would have received had the capacity released to PESCO been priced at the maximum tariff rates under asymmetrical pricing principles and the amount actually received by the Delaware division for capacity released to PESCO. The Hearing Examiner also recommended that the Delaware PSC require us to adhere to asymmetrical pricing principles in all future capacity releases by the Delaware division to PESCO, if any. Accordingly, if the Hearing Examiner’s refund recommendation for past capacity releases were approved without modification by the Delaware PSC, the Delaware division would have to credit to its firm service customers amounts equal to the maximum tariff rates that the Delaware division pays for long-term capacity, which we estimated to be approximately $700,000, even though the temporary releases were made at lower rates based on competitive bidding procedures required by the FERC’s capacity release rules. We disagreed with the Hearing Examiner’s recommendations and filed exceptions to those recommendations on February 18, 2010. At the hearing on March 30, 2010,

 

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the Delaware PSC agreed with us that the Delaware division had been releasing capacity based on a previous settlement approved by the Delaware PSC and, therefore, did not require the Delaware division to issue any refunds for past capacity releases. The Delaware PSC, however, required the Delaware division to adhere to asymmetrical pricing principles for future capacity releases to PESCO until a more appropriate pricing methodology is developed and approved. The Delaware PSC issued an order on May 18, 2010, elaborating its decisions at the March hearing and directing the parties to reconvene in a separate docket to determine if a pricing methodology other than asymmetrical pricing principles should apply to future capacity releases by the Delaware division to PESCO. On June 17, 2010, the Division of the Public Advocate filed an appeal with the Delaware Superior Court, asking it to overturn the Delaware PSC’s decision with regard to refunds for past capacity releases. On June 28, 2010, the Delaware division filed a Notice of Cross-Appeal with the Delaware Superior Court, asking it to overturn the Delaware PSC’s decision with regard to requiring the Delaware division to adhere to asymmetrical pricing principles for future capacity releases to PESCO. It is not anticipated that the Court will render a decision prior to the end of this year. Due to the ongoing legal proceedings, the parties have not yet opened a separate docket to determine an alternative pricing methodology for future capacity releases. Since the order from the Delaware PSC on May 18, 2010, the Delaware division has not released any capacity to PESCO.
On September 4, 2009, our Delaware division filed with the Delaware PSC its annual GSR Application, seeking approval to change its GSR, effective November 1, 2009. On October 6, 2009, the Delaware PSC authorized the Delaware division to implement the GSR charges on November 1, 2009, on a temporary basis, subject to refund, pending the completion of full evidentiary hearings and a final decision. The evidentiary hearing in this matter was held on May 19, 2010. At the evidentiary hearing, the parties in this docket, which included the Delaware PSC, our Delaware division and the Division of the Public Advocate, presented a proposed settlement agreement to resolve all issues addressed in this docket. The settlement agreement contemplates that the Delaware division will begin to share interruptible margins with its firm ratepayers when those margins reach a certain level in each twelve-month period ending October 31. Based on the current level of interruptible margins generated by the Delaware division, we do not anticipate that sharing of future interruptible margins will have a significant impact on our results. The Delaware division anticipates a final decision by the Delaware PSC on this application and settlement agreement in the third quarter of 2010.
On December 17, 2009, our Delaware division filed an application with the Delaware PSC, requesting approval for an Individual Contract Rate for service to be rendered to a potential large industrial customer. The Delaware PSC granted approval of the Individual Contract Rate on February 18, 2010.
Maryland. On December 1, 2009, the Maryland Public Service Commission (“Maryland PSC”) held an evidentiary hearing to determine the reasonableness of the four quarterly gas cost recovery filings submitted by our Maryland division during the 12 months ended September 30, 2009. No issues were raised at the hearing, and on December 9, 2009, the Hearing Examiner in this proceeding issued a proposed Order approving the division’s four quarterly filings. On January 8, 2010, the Maryland PSC issued an Order substantially affirming the Hearing Examiner’s decision in the matter.
Florida. On July 14, 2009, Chesapeake’s Florida division filed with the Florida PSC its petition for a rate increase and request for interim rate relief. In the application, the Florida division sought approval of: (a) an interim rate increase of $417,555; (b) a permanent rate increase of $2,965,398, which represented an average base rate increase, excluding fuel costs, of approximately 25 percent for the Florida division’s customers; (c) implementation or modification of certain surcharge mechanisms; (d) restructuring of certain rate classifications; and (e) deferral of certain costs and the purchase premium associated with the then pending merger with FPU. On August 18, 2009, the Florida PSC approved the full amount of the Florida division’s interim rate request, subject to refund, applicable to all meters read on or after September 1, 2009. On December 15, 2009, the Florida PSC: (a) approved a $2,536,307 permanent rate increase (86 percent of the requested amount) applicable to all meters read on or after January 14, 2010; (b) determined that there is no refund required of the interim rate increase; and (c) ordered Chesapeake’s Florida division and FPU’s natural gas distribution operations to submit data no later than April 29, 2011 (which is 18 months after the merger) that details all known benefits, synergies, cost savings and cost increases that have resulted from the merger.

 

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Also on December 15, 2009, the Florida PSC approved the settlement agreement for a final natural gas rate increase of $7,969,000 for FPU’s natural gas distribution operation, which represents approximately 80 percent of the requested base rate increase of $9,917,690 filed by FPU in the fourth quarter of 2008. The Florida PSC had approved an annual interim rate increase of $984,054 on February 10, 2009 and approved the permanent rate increase of $8,496,230 in an order issued on May 5, 2009, with the new rates to be effective beginning on June 4, 2009. On June 17, 2009, however, the Office of Public Counsel entered a protest to the Florida PSC’s order and its final natural gas rate increase ruling. Subsequent negotiations led to the settlement agreement between the Office of Public Counsel and FPU, which the Florida PSC approved on December 15, 2009. The rates authorized pursuant to the order approving the settlement agreement became effective on January 14, 2010. In February 2010, FPU refunded to its natural gas customers approximately $290,000, representing revenues in excess of the amount provided by the settlement agreement that had been billed to customers from June 2009 through January 14, 2010.
On September 1, 2009, FPU’s electric distribution operation filed its annual Fuel and Purchased Power Recovery Clause, which seeks final approval of its 2008 fuel-related revenues and expenses and new fuel rates for 2010. On January 4, 2010, the Florida PSC approved the proposed 2010 fuel rates, effective on or after January 1, 2010.
On September 11, 2009, Chesapeake’s Florida division and FPU’s natural gas distribution operation separately filed their respective annual Energy Conservation Cost Recovery Clauses, seeking final approval of their 2008 conservation-related revenues and expenses and new conservation surcharge rates for 2010. On November 2, 2009, the Florida PSC approved the proposed 2010 conservation surcharge rates for both the Florida division and FPU, effective for meters read on or after January 1, 2010.
Also on September 11, 2009, FPU’s natural gas distribution operation filed its annual Purchased Gas Adjustment Clause, seeking final approval of its 2008 purchased gas-related revenues and expenses and new purchased gas adjustment cap rate for 2010. On November 4, 2009, the Florida PSC approved the proposed 2010 purchased gas adjustment cap, effective on or after January 1, 2010.
The City of Marianna Commissioners voted on July 7, 2009 to enter into a new 10-year franchise agreement with FPU, effective February 1, 2010. The agreement provides that new interruptible and time-of-use rates shall become available for certain customers prior to February 2011, or, at the option of the City, the franchise agreement could be voided nine months after that date. The new franchise agreement contains a provision that permits the City to purchase the Marianna portion of FPU’s electric system. Should FPU fail to make available the new interruptible and time-of-use rates, and if the franchise agreement is then voided by the City and the City elects to purchase the Marianna portion of the distribution system, the agreement would require the City to pay FPU severance/reintegration costs, the fair market value for the system, and an initial investment in the infrastructure to operate this limited facility. If the City purchased the electric system, FPU would have a gain in the year of the disposition, but ongoing financial results would be negatively impacted from the loss of the Marianna area from FPU’s electric operations.
ESNG. The following are regulatory activities involving FERC Orders applicable to ESNG and the expansions of ESNG’s transmission system:
Energylink Expansion Project: In 2006, ESNG proposed to develop, construct and operate approximately 75 miles of new pipeline facilities from the existing Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas terminal in Calvert County, Maryland, crossing under the Chesapeake Bay into Dorchester and Caroline Counties, Maryland, to points on the Delmarva Peninsula, where such facilities would interconnect with ESNG’s existing facilities in Sussex County, Delaware. In April 2009, ESNG terminated this project based on the increase in projected construction costs over its original projection and initiated billing to recover approximately $3.2 million of costs incurred in connection with this project and the related cost of capital over a period of 20 years in accordance with the terms of the precedent agreements executed with the two participating customers and approved by the FERC. One of the two participating customers is Chesapeake, through its Delaware and Maryland divisions.

 

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Mainline Extension Project: On November 25, 2009, ESNG filed a notice of its intent under its blanket certificate to construct, own and operate new mainline facilities to deliver additional firm service of 1,594 Mcfs per day of natural gas to Chesapeake’s Delaware division. The FERC published the notice of this filing on December 7, 2009. No protest was filed during the 60-day period following the notice, and ESNG commenced construction on February 6, 2010. The facilities were completed on April 29, 2010, and ESNG commenced billing for the new service on May 1, 2010.
Mainline Extension and Interconnect Project: On March 5, 2010, ESNG submitted an Application for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to the FERC related to a proposed mainline extension and interconnect project that would tie into the interstate pipeline system of Texas Eastern Transmission, LP (“TETLP”). ESNG’s project involves building and operating an eight-mile mainline extension from ESNG’s existing facility in Parkesburg, Pennsylvania to the interconnect with TETLP at Honey Brook, Pennsylvania. The estimated capital cost of this project is approximately $19.4 million. FERC issued a notice of the application on March 15, 2010, and the comment period ended on April 5, 2010. Three protests were filed in connection with ESNG’s application, and ESNG filed an answer to the protests on April 28, 2010. On May 5, 2010, a limited answer from one of the protesting parties was filed in response to ESNG’s April 28, 2010 filing. These protests and responses will be considered by the FERC in rendering its decision to approve ESNG’s application. With respect to environmental issues in ESNG’s application, the FERC issued its Environmental Assessment on July 6, 2010, which assesses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of the project in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. The FERC Staff determined that the project, with appropriate mitigating measures, would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. The comment period on the Environmental Assessment will end on August 5, 2010.
ESNG also had developments in the following FERC matters:
On April 30, 2010, ESNG submitted its annual Interruptible Revenue Sharing Report to the FERC. ESNG reported in this filing that its interruptible revenue was in excess of its annual threshold amount and refunded $90,718, inclusive of interest, in the second quarter of 2010 to its eligible firm customers.
On May 28, 2010, ESNG submitted its annual Fuel Retention Percentage (“FRP”) and Cash-Out Surcharge filings to the FERC. In these filings, ESNG proposed to implement an FRP rate of 0.00 percent and a zero rate for its Cash-Out Surcharge. ESNG also proposed to refund $310,117, including interest, to its eligible customers in the second quarter of 2010 as a result of combining its over-recovered Gas Required for Operations and its over-recovered Cash-Out Cost. The FERC approved these proposals on June 29, 2010, and ESNG issued refunds to eligible customers.
Environmental Commitments and Contingencies
We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental quality and pollution control. These laws and regulations require us to remove or remedy the effect on the environment of the disposal or release of specified substances at current and former operating sites.
We have participated in the investigation, assessment or remediation and have certain exposures at six former Manufactured Gas Plant (“MGP”) sites. Those sites are located in Salisbury, Maryland, and Winter Haven, Key West, Pensacola, Sanford and West Palm Beach, Florida. We have also been in discussions with the Maryland Department of the Environment (“MDE”) regarding a seventh former MGP site located in Cambridge, Maryland. The Key West, Pensacola, Sanford and West Palm Beach sites are related to FPU, for which we assumed in the merger any existing and future contingencies.

 

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As of June 30, 2010, we had $407,000 in environmental liabilities related to Chesapeake’s MGP sites in Maryland and Florida, representing our estimate of the future costs associated with those sites. As of June 30, 2010, we had approximately $1.5 million in regulatory and other assets for future recovery of environmental costs from Chesapeake’s customers through our approved rates. As of June 30, 2010, we had approximately $11.9 million in environmental liabilities related to FPU’s MGP sites in Florida, primarily from the West Palm Beach site, which represents our estimate of the future costs associated with those sites. FPU has approval to recover up to $14.0 million of its environmental costs from insurance and from customers through rates. Approximately $7.6 million of FPU’s expected environmental costs have been recovered from insurance and customers through rates as of June 30, 2010. We also had approximately $6.4 million in regulatory assets for future recovery of environmental costs from FPU’s customers.
The following discussion provides details on each site.
Salisbury, Maryland
We have substantially completed remediation of this site in Salisbury, Maryland, where it was determined that a former MGP caused localized ground-water contamination. During 1996, we completed construction of an Air Sparging and Soil-Vapor Extraction (“AS/SVE”) system and began remediation procedures. We have reported the remediation and monitoring results to the MDE on an ongoing basis since 1996. In February 2002, the MDE granted permission to permanently decommission the AS/SVE system and to discontinue all on-site and off-site well monitoring, except for one well, which is being maintained for periodic product monitoring and recovery. We have requested and are awaiting a No Further Action determination from the MDE.
Through June 30, 2010, we have incurred and paid approximately $2.9 million for remedial actions and environmental studies. We have recovered approximately $2.2 million through insurance proceeds or in rates and have not yet recovered $725,000 of the clean-up costs.
Winter Haven, Florida
The Winter Haven site is located on the eastern shoreline of Lake Shipp, in Winter Haven, Florida. Pursuant to a Consent Order entered into with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“FDEP”), we are obligated to assess and remediate environmental impacts at this former MGP site. In 2001, the FDEP approved a Remedial Action Plan (“RAP”) requiring construction and operation of a bio-sparge/soil vapor extraction (“BS/SVE”) treatment system to address soil and groundwater impacts at a portion of the site. The BS/SVE treatment system has been in operation since October 2002. The Fourteenth Semi-Annual RAP Implementation Status Report was submitted to the FDEP in January 2010. The groundwater sampling results through October 2009 show, in general, a reduction in contaminant concentrations, although the rate of reduction has declined. Modifications and upgrades to the BS/SVE treatment system were completed in October 2009. At present, we predict that remedial action objectives may be met for the area being treated by the BS/SVE treatment system in approximately three years.
The BS/SVE treatment system does not address impacted soils in the southwest corner of the site. We are currently completing additional soil and groundwater sampling at this location for the purpose of designing a remedy for this portion of the site. Following the completion of this field work, we will submit a soil excavation plan to the FDEP for its review and approval.
The FDEP has indicated that we may be required to remediate sediments along the shoreline of Lake Shipp, immediately west of the site. Based on studies performed to date, we object to FDEP’s suggestion that the sediments have been adversely impacted by the former operations of the MGP. Our early estimates indicate that some of the corrective measures discussed by the FDEP could cost as much as $1.0 million. We believe that corrective measures for the sediments are not warranted and intend to oppose any requirement that we undertake corrective measures in the offshore sediments. We have not recorded a liability for sediment remediation, as the final resolution of this matter cannot be predicted at this time.
Through June 30, 2010, we have incurred and paid approximately $1.5 million for this site and estimate an additional cost of $407,000 in the future, which has been accrued. We have recovered through rates $1.1 million of the costs and expect that the remaining $773,000, which is included in regulatory assets, will be recoverable from customers through our approved rates.

 

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Key West, Florida
FPU formerly owned and operated an MGP in Key West, Florida. Field investigations performed in the 1990s identified limited environmental impacts at the site, which is currently owned by an unrelated third party. The FDEP has not required any further work at the site as of this time. Our portion of the consulting/remediation costs which may be incurred at this site is projected to be $93,000.
Pensacola, Florida
FPU formerly owned and operated an MGP in Pensacola, Florida. The MGP was also owned by Gulf Power Corporation (“Gulf Power”). Portions of the site are now owned by the City of Pensacola and the Florida Department of Transportation. In October 2009, the FDEP informed Gulf Power that FDEP would approve a conditional No Further Action determination for the site, which must include a requirement for institutional/engineering controls. The group, consisting of Gulf Power, City of Pensacola, Florida Department of Transportation and FPU, is proceeding with preparation of the necessary documentation to submit the No Further Action justification. Consulting/remediation costs are projected to be $13,000.
Sanford, Florida
FPU is the current owner of property in Sanford, Florida, a former MGP site which was operated by several other entities before FPU acquired the property. FPU was never an owner/operator of the MGP. In late September 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) sent a Special Notice Letter, notifying FPU, and the other responsible parties at the site (Florida Power Corporation, Florida Power & Light Company, Atlanta Gas Light Company, and the City of Sanford, Florida, collectively with FPU, “the Sanford Group”), of EPA’s selection of a final remedy for OU1 (soils), OU2 (groundwater), and OU3 (sediments) for the site. The total estimated remediation costs for this site were projected at the time by EPA to be approximately $12.9 million.
In January 2007, FPU and other members of the Sanford Group signed a Third Participation Agreement, which provides for funding the final remedy approved by EPA for the site. FPU’s share of remediation costs under the Third Participation Agreement is set at five percent of a maximum of $13 million, or $650,000. As of June 30, 2010, FPU has paid $650,000 to the Sanford Group escrow account for its share of funding requirements.
The Sanford Group, EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice agreed to a Consent Decree in March 2008, which was entered by the federal court in Orlando on January 15, 2009. The Consent Decree obligates the Sanford Group to implement the remedy approved by EPA for the site. The total cost of the final remedy is now estimated at approximately $18 million. FPU has advised the other members of the Sanford Group that it is unwilling at this time to agree to pay any sum in excess of the $650,000 committed by FPU in the Third Participation Agreement.
Several members of the Sanford Group have concluded negotiations with two adjacent property owners to resolve damages that the property owners allege they have/will incur as a result of the implementation of the EPA-approved remediation. In settlement of these claims, members of the Sanford Group, which in this instance does not include FPU, have agreed to pay specified sums of money to the parties. FPU has refused to participate in the funding of the third-party settlement agreements based on its contention that it did not contribute to the release of hazardous substances at the site giving rise to the third-party claims.
As of June 30, 2010, FPU’s remaining share of remediation expenses, including attorneys’ fees and costs, is estimated to be $28,000. However, we are unable to determine, to a reasonable degree of certainty, whether the other members of the Sanford Group will accept FPU’s asserted defense to liability for costs exceeding $13 million to implement the final remedy for this site or will pursue a claim against FPU for a sum in excess of the $650,000 that FPU has paid under the Third Participation Agreement.

 

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West Palm Beach, Florida
We are currently evaluating remedial options to respond to environmental impacts to soil and groundwater at and in the immediate vicinity of a parcel of property owned by FPU in West Palm Beach, Florida, where FPU previously operated a MGP. Pursuant to a Consent Order between FPU and the FDEP, effective April 8, 1991, FPU completed the delineation of soil and groundwater impacts at the site. On June 30, 2008, FPU transmitted a revised feasibility study, evaluating appropriate remedies for the site, to the FDEP. On April 30, 2009, the FDEP issued a remedial action order, which it subsequently withdrew. In response to the order and as a condition to its withdrawal, FPU committed to perform additional field work in 2009 and complete an additional engineering evaluation of certain remedial alternatives. The scope of this work has increased in response to FDEP’s demands for additional information. The total projected cost of this work is approximately $750,000. FPU recently authorized additional field work to be performed in July and August 2010, including the installation of additional groundwater monitoring wells and performance of a comprehensive groundwater sampling event. The cost of this work, which is included in the projected remediation costs, is estimated to be approximately $91,000.
The revised feasibility study completed in 2008 evaluated a wide range of remedial alternatives based on criteria provided by applicable laws and regulations. Based on the likely acceptability of proven remedial technologies described in the feasibility study and implemented at similar sites, management believes that consulting and remediation costs to address the impacts now characterized at the West Palm Beach site will range from $7.4 million to $19 million. This range of costs covers such remedies as in situ solidification for deeper soil impacts, excavation of superficial soil impacts, installation of a barrier wall with a permeable biotreatment zone, monitored natural attenuation of dissolved impacts in groundwater, or some combination of these remedies.
Negotiations between FPU and the FDEP on a final remedy for the site continue. Until those negotiations are concluded, we are unable to determine, to a reasonable degree of certainty, the full extent or cost of remedial action that may be required. As of June 30, 2010, and subject to the limitations described above, we estimate the remediation expenses, including attorneys’ fees and costs, will range from approximately $7.8 million to $19.4 million for this site.
We continue to expect that all costs related to these activities will be recoverable from customers through rates.
Other
We are in discussions with the MDE regarding a former MGP site located in Cambridge, Maryland. The outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time; therefore, we have not recorded an environmental liability for this location.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
Natural Gas, Electric and Propane Supply
Our natural gas, electric and propane distribution operations have entered into contractual commitments to purchase gas, electricity and propane from various suppliers. The contracts have various expiration dates. We have a contract with an energy marketing and risk management company to manage a portion of our natural gas transportation and storage capacity. This contract expires on March 31, 2012.
In May 2010, our natural gas marketing subsidiary, PESCO, renewed contracts to purchase natural gas from various suppliers. These contracts expire in May 2011.

 

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FPU’s electric fuel supply contracts require FPU to maintain an acceptable standard of creditworthiness based on specific financial ratios. FPU’s agreement with JEA (formerly known as Jacksonville Electric Authority) requires FPU to comply with the following ratios based on the results of the prior 12 months: (a) total liabilities to tangible net worth less than 3.75; and (b) fixed charge coverage greater than 1.5. If either of the ratios is not met by FPU, we have 30 days to cure the default or provide an irrevocable letter of credit if the default is not cured. FPU’s agreement with Gulf Power Company requires FPU to meet the following ratios based on the average of the prior six quarters: (a) funds from operation interest coverage (minimum of 2 to 1); and (b) total debt to total capital (maximum of 0.65 to 1). If FPU fails to meet the requirements, we have to provide the supplier a written explanation of action taken or proposed to be taken to be compliant. Failure to comply with the ratios specified in the agreement with Gulf Power Company could result in FPU having to provide an irrevocable letter of credit. FPU was in compliance with these requirements as of June 30, 2010.
Corporate Guarantees
We have issued corporate guarantees to certain vendors of our subsidiaries, the largest portion of which are for our propane wholesale marketing subsidiary and our natural gas marketing subsidiary. These corporate guarantees provide for the payment of propane and natural gas purchases in the event of the respective subsidiary’s default. Neither subsidiary has ever defaulted on its obligations to pay its suppliers. The liabilities for these purchases are recorded in our financial statements when incurred. The aggregate amount guaranteed at June 30, 2010 was $22.5 million, with the guarantees expiring on various dates through 2011.
In addition to the corporate guarantees, we have issued a letter of credit to our primary insurance company for $725,000, which expires on August 31, 2010. The letter of credit to our primary insurance company is provided as security to satisfy the deductibles under our various insurance policies. There have been no draws on this letter of credit as of June 30, 2010. We do not anticipate that this letter of credit will be drawn upon by the counterparty, and we expect that it will be renewed to the extent necessary in the future. In addition, we have issued a letter of credit for $526,000 to TETLP related to the Precedent Agreement, which is further described below.
Agreements for Access to New Natural Gas Supplies
On April 8, 2010, our Delaware and Maryland divisions entered into a Precedent Agreement with TETLP to secure firm transportation service from TETLP in conjunction with its new expansion project, which is expected to expand TETLP’s mainline system by up to 190,000 dekatherms per day (“Dts/d”). The Precedent Agreement provides that, upon satisfaction of certain conditions, the parties will execute two firm transportation service contracts, one for our Delaware division and one for our Maryland division, for 30,000 and 10,000 Dts/d, respectively, to be effective on the service commencement date of the project, which is currently projected to occur in November 2012. Each firm transportation service contract shall, among other things, provide for: (a) the maximum daily quantity of Dts/d described above; (b) a term of 15 years; (c) a receipt point at Clarington, Ohio; (d) a delivery point at Honey Brook, Pennsylvania; and (f) certain credit standards and requirements for security. Commencement of service and TETLP’s and our rights and obligations under the two firm transportation service contracts are subject to satisfaction of various conditions specified in the Precedent Agreement.
Our Delmarva natural gas supplies are currently received primarily from the Gulf of Mexico natural gas production region and are transported through three interstate upstream pipelines, two of which interconnect directly with ESNG’s transmission system. The new firm transportation service contracts between our Delaware and Maryland divisions and TETLP will provide us with an additional direct interconnection with ESNG’s transmission system and access to new sources of natural gas supplies from other natural gas production regions, including the Appalachian production region, thereby providing increased reliability and diversity of supply. They will also provide our Delaware and Maryland divisions additional upstream transportation capacity to meet current customer demands and to plan for sustainable growth.
The Precedent Agreement provides that the parties shall promptly meet and work in good faith to negotiate a mutually acceptable reservation rate. Failure to agree upon a mutually acceptable reservation rate would have enabled either party to terminate the Precedent Agreement, and would have subjected us to reimburse TETLP for certain pre-construction costs; however, on July 2, 2010, our Delaware and Maryland divisions executed the required reservation rate agreements with TETLP.

 

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The Precedent Agreement requires us to reimburse TETLP for our proportionate share of TETLP’s pre-service costs incurred to date, if we terminate the Precedent Agreement, are unwilling or unable to perform our material duties and obligations thereunder, or take certain other actions whereby TETLP is unable to obtain the authorizations and exemptions required for this project. If such termination were to occur, we estimate that our proportionate share of TETLP’s pre-service costs could be approximately $4.7 million by December 31, 2010. If we were to terminate the Precedent Agreement after TETLP completed its construction of all facilities, which is expected to be in the fourth quarter of 2011, our proportionate share could be as much as approximately $45 million. The actual amount of our proportionate share of such costs could differ significantly and would ultimately be based on the level of pre-service costs at the time of any potential termination. As our Delaware and Maryland divisions have now executed the required reservation rate agreements with TETLP, we believe that the likelihood of terminating the Precedent Agreement and having to reimburse TETLP for our proportionate share of TETLP’s pre-service costs is remote.
We provided a letter of credit for $526,000 under the Precedent Agreement with TETLP as required. This letter of credit is expected to increase quarterly as TETLP’s pre-service costs increase and will not exceed more than the three-month reservation charge under the firm transportation service contracts, which we currently estimate to be $2.1 million.
On March 17, 2010, our Delaware and Maryland divisions entered into a separate Precedent Agreement with ESNG to extend its mainline by eight miles to interconnect with TETLP at Honey Brook, Pennsylvania. The estimated capital cost associated with construction of this mainline extension and interconnection is approximately $19.4 million, and the proposed rate for transmission service on this extension is ESNG’s current tariff rate for service in that area.
ESNG and TETLP are proceeding with obtaining the necessary approvals, authorizations or exemptions for construction and operation of their respective projects, including, but not limited to, approval by the FERC. ESNG’s regulatory proceedings related to this project are further discussed under “Mainline Extension and Interconnect Project” in this footnote. Our Delaware and Maryland divisions require no regulatory approvals or exemptions to receive transmission service from TETLP or ESNG.
Once the ESNG and TETLP firm transportation services commence, our Delaware and Maryland divisions will incur costs from those services based on the agreed reservation rates, which will become an integral component of the costs associated with providing natural gas supplies to our Delaware and Maryland divisions. The costs from the ESNG and TETLP firm transportation services will be included in the annual GSR filings for each of our respective divisions.
Other
In May 2010, a FPU propane customer filed a class action complaint against FPU in Palm Beach County, Florida, alleging, among other things, that FPU acted in a deceptive and unfair manner related to a particular charge by FPU in its bills to propane customers and the description of such charge. The suit seeks to certify a class comprised of FPU propane customers to whom such charge was made since May 2006 and requests damages and statutory remedies based on the amounts paid by FPU customers for such charge. We believe the particular charge at issue is customary, proper and fair, and we intend to defend vigorously against the claims. We are unable to predict at this time the outcome of this lawsuit or the costs we may incur in defending this claim. Since most of the charge at issue is related to the period prior to the merger between Chesapeake and FPU, the outcome of this lawsuit could affect the purchase price allocation for the FPU merger.
We are involved in certain other legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business. We are also involved in certain legal proceedings and administrative proceedings before various governmental agencies concerning rates. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these proceedings will not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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5.  
Segment Information
We use the management approach to identify operating segments, and we organize our business around differences in regulatory environment and/or products or services. The operating results of each segment are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (our Chief Executive Officer) in order to make decisions about resources and to assess performance. The segments are evaluated based on their pre-tax operating income.
As a result of the merger with FPU in October 2009, we changed our operating segments to better reflect how the chief operating decision maker reviews the various operations of our Company. Our three operating segments are now composed of the following:
   
Regulated Energy. The regulated energy segment includes natural gas distribution, electric distribution and natural gas transmission operations. All operations in this segment are regulated, as to their rates and services, by the PSC having jurisdiction in each operating territory or by the FERC in the case of ESNG.
   
Unregulated Energy. The unregulated energy segment includes natural gas marketing, propane distribution and propane wholesale marketing operations, which are unregulated as to their rates and services.
   
Other. The “Other” segment consists primarily of the advanced information services operation, unregulated subsidiaries that own real estate leased to Chesapeake and certain corporate costs not allocated to other operations.

 

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The following table presents information about our reportable segments.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
For the Periods Ended June 30,   2010     2009     2010     2009  
(in thousands)                        
 
                               
Operating Revenues, Unaffiliated Customers
                               
Regulated Energy
  $ 52,543     $ 18,638     $ 143,845     $ 70,431  
Unregulated Energy
    24,494       19,578       83,521       68,971  
Other
    3,024       2,618       5,955       5,911  
 
                       
Total operating revenues, unaffiliated customers
  $ 80,061     $ 40,834     $ 233,321     $ 145,313  
 
                       
 
                               
Intersegment Revenues (1)
                               
Regulated Energy
  $ 197     $ 231     $ 522     $ 619  
Unregulated Energy
    121       252       364       254  
Other
    259       193       447       377  
 
                       
Total intersegment revenues
  $ 577     $ 676     $ 1,333     $ 1,250  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating Income (Loss)
                               
Regulated Energy
  $ 8,308     $ 4,086     $ 25,824     $ 13,583  
Unregulated Energy
    (791 )     2       6,969       6,594  
Other and eliminations
    244       (1,232 )     366       (1,355 )
 
                       
Total operating income
  $ 7,761     $ 2,856     $ 33,159     $ 18,822  
 
                               
Other income (loss), net of other expenses
    (11 )     12       103       45  
Interest
    2,305       1,573       4,667       3,215  
Income taxes
    2,105       489       11,281       6,253  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 3,340     $ 806     $ 17,314     $ 9,399  
 
                       
     
(1)  
All significant intersegment revenues are billed at market rates and have been eliminated from consolidated operating revenues.
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009  
 
               
Identifiable Assets
               
Regulated energy
  $ 476,123     $ 480,903  
Unregulated energy
    76,193       101,437  
Other
    37,020       34,724  
 
           
Total identifiable assets
  $ 589,336     $ 617,064  
 
           
Our operations are almost entirely domestic. Our advanced information services subsidiary, BravePoint, has infrequent transactions in foreign countries, primarily Canada, which are denominated and paid in U.S. dollars. These transactions are immaterial to the consolidated revenues.

 

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6.  
Employee Benefit Plans
Net periodic benefit costs for our pension and post-retirement benefits plans for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 are set forth in the following table:
                                                                 
                                            Chesapeake        
    Chesapeake     FPU     Chesapeake     Postretirement     FPU  
    Pension Plan     Pension Plan     SERP     Plan     Medical Plan  
For the Three Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009     2010     2010     2009     2010     2009     2010  
(in thousands)                                                
Service Cost
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 1     $ 27  
Interest Cost
    144       140       637       34       32       31       27       34  
Expected return on plan assets
    (106 )     (87 )     (619 )                              
Amortization of prior service cost
    (2 )     (1 )           5       4                    
Amortization of net loss
    39       69             14       15       14       39        
 
                                               
Net periodic cost
  $ 75     $ 121     $ 18     $ 53     $ 51     $ 45     $ 67     $ 61  
 
                                               
                                                                 
                                            Chesapeake        
    Chesapeake     FPU     Chesapeake     Postretirement     FPU  
    Pension Plan     Pension Plan     SERP     Plan     Medical Plan  
For the Six Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009     2010     2010     2009     2010     2009     2010  
(in thousands)                                                
Service Cost
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 1     $ 55  
Interest Cost
    289       280       1,275       68       64       61       54       68  
Expected return on plan assets
    (212 )     (173 )     (1,238 )                              
Amortization of prior service cost
    (3 )     (2 )           10       7                    
Amortization of net loss
    78       137             30       30       29       79        
 
                                               
Net periodic cost
  $ 152     $ 242     $ 37     $ 108     $ 101     $ 90     $ 134     $ 123  
 
                                               
We expect to record pension and postretirement benefit costs of approximately $1.0 million for 2010, $320,000 of which is attributable to FPU’s pension and medical plans. In addition, we expect to record $897,000 in expense for 2010 related to continued amortization of the FPU pension regulatory asset of approximately $7.6 million, which represents the portion attributable to FPU’s regulated energy operations of the changes in funded status that occurred but were not recognized as part of net periodic benefit costs prior to the merger. This was deferred as a regulatory asset prior to the merger by FPU to be recovered through rates pursuant to a previous order by the Florida PSC.
We expect to contribute $450,000 and $1.6 million to the Chesapeake and FPU pension plans, respectively, in 2010. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, we contributed $333,000 to the Chesapeake Pension Plan. We also contributed $382,000 and $759,000 to the FPU Pension Plan for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.
The Chesapeake SERP, the Chesapeake Postretirement Plan and the FPU Medical Plan are unfunded and are expected to be paid out of our general funds. Cash benefits paid under the Chesapeake SERP for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, were $22,000 and $45,000, respectively; for the year 2010, such benefits paid are expected to be approximately $88,000. Cash benefits paid for the Chesapeake Postretirement Plan, primarily for medical claims for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, totaled $19,000 and $35,000, respectively; for the year 2010, we have estimated that approximately $115,000 will be paid for such benefits. Cash benefits paid for the FPU Medical Plan, primarily for medical claims for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, totaled $24,000 and $44,000, respectively; for the year 2010, we have estimated that approximately $144,000 will be paid for such benefits.

 

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On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law. On March 30, 2010, a companion bill, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, was also signed into law. Among other things, these new laws, when taken together, reduce the tax benefits available to an employer that receives the Medicare Part D subsidy. The deferred tax effects of the reduced deductibility of the postretirement prescription drug coverage must be recognized in the period these new laws were enacted. The FPU Medical Plan receives the Medicare Part D subsidy. We assessed the deferred tax effects on the reduced deductibility as a result of these new laws and determined that the deferred tax effects were not material to our financial results.
7.  
Investments
The investment balance at June 30, 2010, represents a Rabbi Trust associated with our Supplemental Executive Retirement Savings Plan and a Rabbi Trust related to a stay bonus agreement with a former executive. We classify these investments as trading securities and report them at their fair value. Any unrealized gains and losses, net of other expenses, are included in other income in the condensed consolidated statements of income. We also have an associated liability that is recorded and adjusted each month for the gains and losses incurred by the Rabbi Trusts. At June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, total investments had a fair value of $2.0 million.
8.  
Share-Based Compensation
Our non-employee directors and key employees are awarded share-based awards through our Directors Stock Compensation Plan (“DSCP”) and the Performance Incentive Plan (“PIP”), respectively. We record these share-based awards as compensation costs over the respective service period for which services are received in exchange for an award of equity or equity-based compensation. The compensation cost is primarily based on the fair value of the grant on the date it was awarded.
The table below presents the amounts included in net income related to share-based compensation expense for the awards granted under the DSCP and the PIP for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
For the periods ended June 30,   2010     2009     2010     2009  
(in thousands)                        
Directors Stock Compensation Plan
  $ 71     $ 48     $ 135     $ 95  
Performance Incentive Plan
    208       295       477       490  
 
                       
Total compensation expense
    279       343       612       585  
Less: tax benefit
    112       137       245       234  
 
                       
Share-Based Compensation amounts included in net income
  $ 167     $ 206     $ 367     $ 351  
 
                       
Directors Stock Compensation Plan
Shares granted under the DSCP are issued in advance of the directors’ service periods and are fully vested as of the date of the grant. We record a prepaid expense of the shares issued and amortize the expense equally over a service period of one year. In May 2010, 9,900 shares were granted to the directors under the DSCP. A summary of stock activity under the DSCP during the six months ended June 30, 2010, is presented below:
                 
    Number of     Weighted Average  
    Shares     Grant Date Fair Value  
Outstanding — December 31, 2009
           
 
           
Granted (1)
    9,900     $ 29.99  
Vested
    9,900     $ 29.99  
Forfeited
           
 
           
Outstanding — June 30, 2010
           
 
           

 

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At June 30, 2010, there was $247,000 of unrecognized compensation expense related to the DSCP awards that is expected to be recognized over the remaining 10 months of the directors’ service period ending April 30, 2011.
Performance Incentive Plan
The table below presents the summary of the stock activity for the PIP for the six months ended June 30, 2010:
                 
    Number of     Weighted Average  
    Shares     Fair Value  
Outstanding — December 31, 2009
    123,075     $ 28.15  
 
           
Granted
    40,875       28.05  
Vested
    43,960       27.94  
Fortfeited
           
Expired
    18,840       27.94  
 
           
Outstanding — June 30, 2010
    101,150     $ 28.24  
 
           
In January 2010, the Board of Directors granted awards under the PIP for 40,875 shares. The shares granted in January 2010 are multi-year awards, 8,000 shares of which will vest at the end of the two-year service period, or December 31, 2011. The remaining 32,875 shares will vest at the end of the three-year service period, or December 31, 2012. These awards are based upon the achievement of long-term goals, development and our success, and they comprise both market-based and performance-based conditions or targets. The fair value of each performance-based condition or target is equal to the market price of our common stock on the date of the grant. For the market-based conditions, we used the Monte-Carlo pricing model to estimate the fair value of each market-based award granted.
At June 30, 2010, the aggregate intrinsic value of the PIP awards was $1.7 million.
9.  
Derivative Instruments
We use derivative and non-derivative contracts to engage in trading activities and manage risks related to obtaining adequate supplies and the price fluctuations of natural gas and propane. Our natural gas and propane distribution operations have entered into agreements with suppliers to purchase natural gas and propane for resale to their customers. Purchases under these contracts either do not meet the definition of derivatives or are considered “normal purchases and sales” and are accounted for on an accrual basis. Our propane distribution operation may also enter into fair value hedges of its inventory in order to mitigate the impact of wholesale price fluctuations. As of June 30, 2010, our natural gas and propane distribution operations did not have any outstanding derivative contracts.
Xeron, our propane wholesale and marketing operation, engages in trading activities using forward and futures contracts. These contracts are considered derivatives and have been accounted for using the mark-to-market method of accounting. Under the mark-to-market method of accounting, the trading contracts are recorded at fair value, net of future servicing costs, and the changes in fair value of those contracts are recognized as unrealized gains or losses in the statement of income in the period of change. As of June 30, 2010, we had the following outstanding trading contracts which we accounted for as derivatives:
                     
    Quantity in   Estimated Market     Weighted Average  
At June 30, 2010   Gallons   Prices     Contract Prices  
Forward Contracts
                   
Sale
  10,962,000   $ 0.9750 — $1.19125     $ 1.0676  
Purchase
  10,710,000   $ 0.9750 — $1.18250     $ 1.0510  
Estimated market prices and weighted average contract prices are in dollars per gallon.
All contracts expire by the end of the first quarter of 2011.

 

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We did not have any derivative contracts with a credit-risk-related contingency.
Fair values of the derivative contracts recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, are the following:
                     
    Asset Derivatives  
        Fair Value  
(in thousands)   Balance Sheet Location   June 30, 2010     December 31, 2009  
 
                   
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments                
 
                   
Forward contracts
  Mark-to-market energy assets   $ 814     $ 2,379  
Put option (1)
  Mark-to-market energy assets            
 
               
Total asset derivatives
      $ 814     $ 2,379  
 
               
                     
    Liability Derivatives  
        Fair Value  
(in thousands)   Balance Sheet Location   June 30, 2010     December 31, 2009  
 
                   
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments                
 
                   
Forward contracts
  Mark-to-market energy liabilities   $ 574     $ 2,514  
 
               
Total liability derivatives
      $ 574     $ 2,514  
 
               
     
(1)  
We purchased a put option for the Pro-Cap (propane price cap) plan in September 2009. The put option expired on March 31, 2010. The put option had a fair value of $0 at December 31, 2009.
The effects of gains and losses from derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, are the following:
                                     
    Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives:  
    Location of Gain   Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
(in thousands)   (Loss) on Derivatives   2010     2009     2010     2009  
Derivatives designated as fair value hedges:                                
Propane swap agreement (1)
  Cost of Sales   $     $     $     $ (42 )
 
                                   
Derivatives not designated as fair value hedges:                                
Unrealized gains on forward contracts
  Revenue   $ 160     $ 159     $ 374     $ (1,135 )
 
                           
Total
      $ 160     $ 159     $ 374     $ (1,177 )
 
                           
     
(1)  
Our propane distribution operation entered into a propane swap agreement to protect it from the impact that wholesale propane price increases would have on the Pro-Cap (propane price cap) plan that was offered to customers. We terminated this swap agreement in January 2009.

 

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The effects of trading activities on the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, are the following:
                                     
    Location in the   Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
(in thousands)   Statement of Income   2010     2009     2010     2009  
Realized gains on forward contracts
  Revenue   $ 60     $ 287     $ 738     $ 2,068  
Changes in mark-to-market energy assets
  Revenue     160       159       374       (1,135 )
 
                           
Total
      $ 220     $ 446     $ 1,112     $ 933  
 
                           
10.  
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are the following:
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques requiring inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e. supported by little or no market activity).
The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the fair value measurements, by level, within the fair value hierarchy used at June 30, 2010:
                                 
            Fair Value Measurements Using:  
                    Significant Other     Significant  
            Quoted Prices in     Observable     Unobservable  
            Active Markets     Inputs     Inputs  
(in thousands)   Fair Value     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
Assets:
                               
Investments
  $ 2,030     $ 2,030     $     $  
Mark-to-market energy assets,
  $ 814     $     $ 814     $  
 
                               
Liabilities:
                               
Mark-to-market energy liabilities
  $ 574     $     $ 574     $  

 

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The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the fair value measurements, by level, within the fair value hierarchy used at December 31, 2009:
                                 
            Fair Value Measurements Using:  
                    Significant Other     Significant  
            Quoted Prices in     Observable     Unobservable  
            Active Markets     Inputs     Inputs  
(in thousands)   Fair Value     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
Assets:
                               
Investments
  $ 1,959     $ 1,959     $     $  
Mark-to-market energy assets, including put option
  $ 2,379     $     $ 2,379     $  
 
                               
Liabilities:
                               
Mark-to-market energy liabilities
  $ 2,514     $     $ 2,514     $  
The following valuation techniques were used to measure fair value assets in the table above on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
Level 1 Fair Value Measurements:
Investments — The fair values of these trading securities are recorded at fair value based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2 Fair Value Measurements:
Mark-to-market energy assets and liabilities — These forward contracts are valued using market transactions in either the listed or OTC markets.
Propane put option — The fair value of the propane put option is valued using market transactions for similar assets and liabilities in either the listed or OTC markets.
At June 30, 2010, there were no non-financial assets or liabilities required to be reported at fair value. We review our non-financial assets for impairment at least on an annual basis, as required.
Other Financial Assets and Liabilities
Financial assets with carrying values approximating fair value include cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Financial liabilities with carrying values approximating fair value include accounts payable and other accrued liabilities and short-term debt. The carrying value of these financial assets and liabilities approximates fair value due to their short maturities and because interest rates approximate current market rates for short-term debt.
At June 30, 2010, long-term debt, which includes the current maturities of long-term debt, had a carrying value of $105.7 million, compared to a fair value of $121.3 million, using a discounted cash flow methodology that incorporates a market interest rate based on published corporate borrowing rates for debt instruments with similar terms and average maturities, with adjustments for duration, optionality, and risk profile. At December 31, 2009, long-term debt, including the current maturities, had a carrying value of $134.1 million, compared to the estimated fair value of $145.5 million.

 

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11.  
Long Term Debt
Our outstanding long-term debt is shown below:
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009  
FPU secured first mortgage bonds:
               
9.57% bond, due May 1, 2018
  $ 7,247     $ 8,156  
10.03% bond, due May 1, 2018
    3,986       4,486  
9.08% bond, due June 1, 2022
    7,950       7,950  
6.85% bond, due October 1, 2031
          14,012  
4.90% bond, due November 1, 2031
          13,222  
Uncollateralized senior notes:
               
6.91% note, due October 1, 2010
    909       909  
6.85% note, due January 1, 2012
    2,000       2,000  
7.83% note, due January 1, 2015
    10,000       10,000  
6.64% note, due October 31, 2017
    21,818       21,818  
5.50% note, due October 12, 2020
    20,000       20,000  
5.93% note, due October 31, 2023
    30,000       30,000  
Convertible debentures:
               
8.25% due March 1, 2014
    1,478       1,520  
Promissory note
    295       40  
 
           
Total long-term debt
    105,683       134,113  
Less: current maturities
    (8,125 )     (35,299 )
 
           
Total long-term debt, net of current maturities
  $ 97,558     $ 98,814  
 
           
In January 2010, we redeemed the 6.85 percent and 4.90 percent series of FPU’s secured first mortgage bonds prior to their respective maturity for $29.1 million, which included the outstanding principal balances, interest accrued, premium and fees. We used short-term borrowing to finance the redemption of these bonds. The difference between the carrying value of those bonds and the amount paid at redemption, totaling $1.5 million, was deferred as a regulatory asset as allowed by the Florida PSC.
We initially used our existing short-term borrowing facilities to finance the redemption of those bonds. On March 16, 2010, we entered into a new $29.1 million term loan credit facility with an existing lender to continue to finance the redemption. We borrowed $29.1 million for a nine-month period under this new facility, which bears interest at 1.88 percent per annum.
On June 29, 2010, we entered into an agreement with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and New England Life Insurance Company to issue up to $36 million in uncollateralized senior notes. We expect to use $29 million of the uncollateralized senior notes to permanently finance the redemption of the 6.85 percent and 4.90 percent series of FPU bonds. The terms of the agreement requires us to issue $29 million of the $36 million in uncollateralized senior notes committed by the lender on or before July 9, 2012 with a 15-year term at a rate ranging from 5.28 percent to 6.13 percent based on the timing of the issuance. The remaining $7 million will be issued prior to May 3, 2013 at a rate ranging from 5.28 percent to 6.43 percent based on the timing of the issuance. These notes, when issued, will have similar covenants and default provisions as the existing senior notes, and will have an annual principal payment beginning in the sixth year after the issuance.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is designed to provide a reader of the financial statements with a narrative report on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the attached unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, including the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
We make statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can typically identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words, such as “project,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “continue,” “potential,” “forecast” or other similar words, or future or conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would” or “could.” These statements represent our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future financial performance, business strategy, projected plans and objectives of the Company. These statements are subject to many risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to:
   
state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment recovery, have an impact on rate structures, and affect the speed at and degree to which competition enters the electric and natural gas industries (including deregulation);
   
the outcomes of regulatory, tax, environmental and legal matters, including whether pending matters are resolved within current estimates;
   
industrial, commercial and residential growth or contraction in our service territories;
   
the weather and other natural phenomena, including the economic, operational and other effects of hurricanes and ice storms;
   
the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices and interest rates;
   
general economic conditions, including any potential effects arising from terrorist attacks and any consequential hostilities or other hostilities or other external factors over which we have no control;
   
changes in environmental and other laws and regulations to which we are subject;
   
the results of financing efforts, including our ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, which can be affected by various factors, including credit ratings and general economic conditions;
   
declines in the market prices of equity securities and resultant cash funding requirements for our defined benefit pension plans;
   
the creditworthiness of counterparties with which we are engaged in transactions;
   
growth in opportunities for our business units;
   
the extent of success in connecting natural gas and electric supplies to transmission systems and in expanding natural gas and electric markets;
   
the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by accounting standard-setting bodies;
   
conditions of the capital markets and equity markets during the periods covered by the forward-looking statements;
   
the ability to successfully execute, manage and integrate merger, acquisition or divestiture plans, regulatory or other limitations imposed as a result of a merger, acquisition or divestiture, and the success of the business following a merger, acquisition or divestiture;
   
the ability to manage and maintain key customer relationships;
   
the ability to maintain key supply sources;

 

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the effect of spot, forward and future market prices on our distribution, wholesale marketing and energy trading businesses;
   
the effect of competition on our businesses;
   
the ability to construct facilities at or below estimated costs;
   
changes in technology affecting our advanced information services business; and
   
operating and litigation risks that may not be covered by insurance.
Introduction
We are a diversified utility company engaged, directly or through subsidiaries, in regulated energy businesses, unregulated energy businesses, and other unregulated businesses, including advanced information services.
Our strategy is focused on growing earnings from a stable utility foundation and investing in related businesses and services that provide opportunities for returns greater than traditional utility returns. The key elements of this strategy include:
   
executing a capital investment program in pursuit of organic growth opportunities that generate returns equal to or greater than our cost of capital;
   
expanding the regulated energy distribution and transmission businesses through expansion into new geographic areas and providing new services in our current service territories;
   
expanding the propane distribution business in existing and new markets through leveraging our community gas system services and our bulk delivery capabilities;
   
utilizing our expertise across our various businesses to improve overall performance;
   
enhancing marketing channels to attract new customers;
   
providing reliable and responsive customer service to retain existing customers;
   
maintaining a capital structure that enables us to access capital as needed;
   
maintaining a consistent and competitive dividend for shareholders; and
   
creating and maintaining a diversified customer base, energy portfolio and utility foundation.
Due to the seasonality of our business, results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire fiscal year. Revenue and earnings are typically greater during the first and fourth quarters, when consumption of energy is highest due to colder temperatures.
As a result of the merger with FPU in October 2009, we changed our operating segments to better reflect how the chief operating decision maker (our Chief Executive Officer) reviews the various operations of the Company. Our three operating segments are now composed of the following:
   
Regulated Energy. The regulated energy segment includes natural gas distribution, electric distribution and natural gas transmission operations. All operations in this segment are regulated, as to their rates and services, by the PSC having jurisdiction in each operating territory or by the FERC in the case of ESNG.
   
Unregulated Energy. The unregulated energy segment includes natural gas marketing, propane distribution and propane wholesale marketing operations, which are unregulated as to their rates and services.
   
Other. The “Other” segment consists primarily of the advanced information services operation, unregulated subsidiaries that own real estate leased to Chesapeake and certain corporate costs not allocated to other operations.
We revised the segment information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 to reflect the new operating segments.

 

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The following discussions and those later in the document on operating income and segment results include use of the term “gross margin.” Gross margin is determined by deducting the cost of sales from operating revenue. Cost of sales includes the purchased cost of natural gas, electricity and propane and the cost of labor spent on direct revenue-producing activities. Gross margin should not be considered an alternative to operating income or net income, which are determined in accordance with GAAP. We believe that gross margin, although a non-GAAP measure, is useful and meaningful to investors as a basis for making investment decisions. It provides investors with information that demonstrates the profitability achieved by the Company under its allowed rates for regulated energy operations and under its competitive pricing structure for unregulated natural gas marketing and propane distribution operations. Our management uses gross margin in measuring our business units’ performance and has historically analyzed and reported gross margin information publicly. Other companies may calculate gross margin in a different manner.
In addition, certain information is presented, which, for comparison purposes, includes only FPU’s results of operations or excludes FPU’s results from the consolidated results of operations for the periods ended June 30, 2010. Certain other information is presented, which, for comparison purposes, excludes all merger-related costs incurred in connection with the FPU merger. Although non-GAAP measures are not intended to replace the GAAP measures for evaluation of our performance, we believe that the portions of the presentation, which include only the FPU results, or which exclude FPU’s financial results for the post-merger period and merger-related costs, provide helpful comparisons for an investor’s evaluation purposes.
Results of Operations for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2010
Overview and Highlights
Our net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 was $3.3 million, or $0.35 per share (diluted). This represents an increase of $2.5 million, or $0.23 per share (diluted), compared to a net income of $806,000, or $0.12 per share (diluted), reported in the same period in 2009.
                         
For the Three Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009     Change  
(in thousands)                  
 
                       
Operating Income (Loss)
                       
Regulated Energy
  $ 8,308     $ 4,086     $ 4,222  
Unregulated Energy
    (791 )     2       (793 )
Other
    244       (1,232 )     1,476  
 
                 
Operating Income
    7,761       2,856       4,905  
 
                       
Other Income (Loss), net of expenses
    (11 )     12       (23 )
Interest Charges
    2,305       1,573       732  
Income Taxes
    2,105       489       1,616  
 
                 
Net Income
  $ 3,340     $ 806     $ 2,534  
 
                 
 
                       
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:
                       
Basic
  $ 0.35     $ 0.12     $ 0.23  
Diluted
  $ 0.35     $ 0.12     $ 0.23  
Our results for the second quarter of 2010 included approximately $3.7 million in operating income and $1.8 million in net income recorded by FPU. Included in the operating income and net income contributed by FPU for the period were the effects of transferring propane distribution customers previously served by Chesapeake in Florida to FPU after the merger in an effort to integrate operations. Pursuant to the acquisition method of accounting, we consolidated FPU’s results into our consolidated results from October 28, 2009, which is the effective date of the merger. Therefore, our consolidated results for the second quarter of 2009 did not include any results from FPU.

 

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During the second quarter of 2010 and 2009, we expensed approximately $92,000 ($55,000 net of tax) and $1.1 million ($654,000 net of tax), respectively, of merger-related transaction costs, which are included in the “Other” segment. Transaction-related costs expensed in the second quarter of 2010 reflected our costs to integrate operations of Chesapeake and FPU, including certain termination benefits offered to employees, net of the portion we expect to recover through future rates when we complete the appropriate rate proceedings. Transaction-related costs expensed in the second quarter of 2009 included our costs to consummate the merger.
                                 
    2010        
    Chesapeake,                      
    excluding             Chesapeake        
For the Three Months Ended June 30,   FPU     FPU     Total     2009  
(in thousands)                        
 
                               
Operating Income (Loss)
                               
Regulated Energy
  $ 5,079     $ 3,229     $ 8,308     $ 4,086  
Unregulated Energy
    (1,240 )     449       (791 )     2  
Other
    244             244       (1,232 )
 
                       
Operating Income
    4,083       3,678       7,761       2,856  
 
                               
Other Income (Loss), net of expenses
    (43 )     32       (11 )     12  
Interest Charges
    1,452       853       2,305       1,573  
Income Taxes
    1,012       1,093       2,105       489  
 
                       
Net Income
  $ 1,576     $ 1,764     $ 3,340     $ 806  
 
                       
 
                               
Excluding effect of transaction-related costs:
                               
Net Income
  $ 1,576     $ 1,764     $ 3,340     $ 806  
Transaction-related costs
    92             92       1,090  
Income tax impact
    (37 )           (37 )     (436 )
 
                       
Net Income, excluding transaction-related costs
  $ 1,631     $ 1,764     $ 3,395     $ 1,460  
 
                       
Key Factors Affecting Our Businesses
The following is a summary of key factors affecting our businesses and their impacts on our results in the second quarter of 2010. More detailed analysis is provided in the following section of our results by segment.

 

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Merger. FPU contributed $3.7 million in operating income to our consolidated results in the second quarter of 2010. FPU’s operating results by business for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 are presented below.
                                         
    Regulated Energy     Unregulated Energy        
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010   Natural Gas     Electric     Propane     Other     Total  
(in thousands)                              
 
                                       
Revenue
  $ 13,465     $ 21,906     $ 3,837     $ 603     $ 39,811  
Cost of sales
    5,121       17,442       1,853       368       24,784  
 
                             
Gross margin
    8,344       4,464       1,984       235       15,027  
 
                                       
Other operating expenses
    6,115       3,464       1,647       123       11,349  
 
                             
Operating Income
  $ 2,229     $ 1,000     $ 337     $ 112     $ 3,678  
 
                             
 
                                       
Average number of residential customers
    47,163       23,584       12,787             83,534  
During the second quarter of 2010, we incurred $284,000 to integrate certain operations of Chesapeake and FPU, principally combining customer service and billing functions in Florida, of which $92,000 was expensed. In June 2010, we appointed Jeff Householder as the president of FPU to bring his extensive knowledge and experience of the Florida energy market to FPU. Also during the second quarter of 2010, we completed the integration of the propane distribution operations in Florida by transferring to FPU all of the customers previously served by Chesapeake in Florida to FPU, a process which began in late 2009 after the merger.
Weather. Temperatures on the Delmarva Peninsula during the second quarter of 2010 were nine-percent warmer than the same period in 2009 and consistent with the normal (10-year average) temperatures for the period. The warmer weather on the Delmarva Peninsula reduced gross margin by approximately $162,000 in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. As our residential natural gas rates in Maryland are normalized for weather, our residential natural gas margin in Maryland is not affected by the weather. There were 90 more cooling degree-days in Florida during the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, which benefited our Florida electric distribution operation. Our Florida natural gas and propane distribution operations are not typically affected by the weather during the second quarter.
Growth. The average number of Delmarva natural gas residential customers increased by one percent in the second quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009. This growth and an increase in commercial and industrial customers contributed approximately $256,000 in period-over-period additional gross margin. Although not affecting the results in the second quarter of 2010, we entered into agreements in 2010 to provide natural gas service to two industrial customers in southern Delaware, which will add annual margin equivalent to 1,575 average residential heating customers once the services begin in the fourth quarter of 2010 and early 2011. New transportation services and new expansion facilities placed in service during 2009 and 2010 by our natural gas transmission subsidiary, ESNG, contributed an additional gross margin of $370,000 in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Chesapeake’s Florida natural gas distribution division experienced a period-over-period net customer loss, primarily from the loss of several large industrial customers as a result of plant closings in 2009, which decreased gross margin by $25,000.
Rates and Regulatory Matters. In December 2009, the Florida PSC approved a rate increase of approximately $2.5 million, applicable to all meters read on or after January 14, 2010, for Chesapeake’s Florida natural gas distribution division. The rate increase contributed an additional gross margin of $574,000 in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The operating results of FPU’s natural gas distribution operation for the second quarter of 2010 also reflect an increase of $1.3 million in gross margin from its rate increase of approximately $8.0 million approved by the Florida PSC in 2009.

 

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Propane Prices. During the first half of 2009, our Delmarva propane distribution operation experienced higher retail margins benefited from the $939,000 loss recorded in late 2008 on a swap agreement for the 2008/2009 winter Pro-Cap (propane price cap) program. This loss lowered the propane inventory costs and, therefore, increased retail margins during the first half of 2009. During the first half of 2010, the retail margins returned to more normal levels, and it resulted in a lower gross margin per gallon in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, which decreased gross margin by $290,000. Lower trading volumes in the wholesale propane market have led to greater uncertainty, reducing Xeron’s trading activity and its gross margin by $225,000.
Advanced Information Services. Our advanced information services subsidiary, BravePoint, generated $230,000 in operating income in the second quarter of 2010, compared to an operating loss of $240,000 reported in the same period of 2009. Increased billable consulting hours in 2010 and cost containment actions implemented throughout 2009 contributed to the increased period-over-period operating results.
Other Operating Expenses. Our other operating expenses, excluding expenses reported by FPU, decreased by $350,000 in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Lower expenses related to collections and allowance for doubtful accounts receivable as well as cost containment actions implemented throughout 2009 by the advanced information services operation more than fully offset higher other operating expenses related to increased compensation and costs associated with increased capital investments.

 

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Regulated Energy
                         
For the Three Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009     Change  
(in thousands)                  
 
                       
Revenue
  $ 52,740     $ 18,869     $ 33,871  
Cost of sales
    24,406       4,285       20,121  
 
                 
Gross margin
    28,334       14,584       13,750  
 
                       
Operations & maintenance
    13,800       7,325       6,475  
Depreciation & amortization
    4,247       1,820       2,427  
Other taxes
    1,979       1,353       626  
 
                 
Other operating expenses
    20,026       10,498       9,528  
 
                 
Operating Income
  $ 8,308     $ 4,086     $ 4,222  
 
                 
 
                       
Statistical Data — Delmarva Peninsula
                       
Heating degree-days (“HDD”):
                       
Actual
    428       470       (42 )
10-year average (normal)
    495       494       1  
 
                       
Estimated gross margin per HDD
  $ 2,429     $ 1,937     $ 492  
 
                       
Per residential customer added:
                       
Estimated gross margin
  $ 375     $ 375     $  
Estimated other operating expenses
  $ 105     $ 103     $ 2  
 
                       
Florida
                       
 
                       
HDD:
                       
Actual
    9       25       (16 )
10-year average (normal)
    23       32       (9 )
 
                       
Cooling degree-days:
                       
Actual
    1,043       953       90  
10-year average (normal)
    880       894       (14 )
 
                       
Residential Customer Information
                       
Average number of customers (1):
                       
Delmarva
    47,431       46,756       675  
Florida — Chesapeake
    13,418       13,342       76  
 
                 
Total
    60,849       60,098       751  
 
                 
     
(1)  
Average number of residential customers for FPU are included in the discussions of FPU’s results on page 35.
Operating income for the regulated energy segment increased by approximately $4.2 million, or 103 percent, in the second quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009, which was generated from a gross margin increase of $13.7 million offset partially by an increase in operating expenses of $9.5 million.

 

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Gross Margin
Gross margin for our regulated energy segment increased by $13.7 million, or 94 percent, in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
The natural gas distribution operations for the Delmarva Peninsula generated an increase in gross margin of $235,000 in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The factors contributing to this increase were as follows:
   
The Delmarva natural gas distribution operations experienced growth in residential, commercial and industrial customers, which contributed $256,000 to the gross margin increase.
   
Non-weather-related customer consumption decreased during the second quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009, resulting in a decrease of $63,000 in gross margin. This decrease in consumption is primarily by residential customers for our Delaware division. Residential heating rates for the Maryland division are normalized, and we typically do not experience an impact on gross margin from the weather and non-weather factors for our residential customers in Maryland.
   
The remaining gross margin change is attributable primarily to an increase in gross margin due to changes in rates and rate classifications, offset partially by a decrease in gross margin from warmer weather on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Our Florida natural gas distribution operation experienced an increase in gross margin of $8.9 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The factors contributing to this increase were as follows:
   
FPU’s natural gas distribution operation contributed $8.3 million in gross margin in the second quarter of 2010. FPU’s results in the second quarter of 2009 were not included in our consolidation. Gross margin from FPU’s natural gas distribution operation in the second quarter of 2010 was positively affected by a rate increase of approximately $8.0 million approved by the Florida PSC on December 15, 2009.
   
Chesapeake’s Florida division also experienced an increase in gross margin of $574,000 from a rate increase of approximately $2.5 million approved by the Florida PSC on December 15, 2009 (applicable to all meters read on or after January 14, 2010).
   
Partially offsetting the gross margin increase was a decrease of $68,000 due primarily to the loss of several large industrial customers served by Chesapeake’s Florida division as a result of plant closings in 2009.
The natural gas transmission operations achieved gross margin growth of $124,000 in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The factors contributing to this increase were as follows:
   
New transportation services implemented by ESNG in November 2009 as a result of the completion of its latest expansion program, provided for an additional 6,957 Mcfs per day and added $254,000 to gross margin during the second quarter. In addition, a new expansion project, which was completed in May 2010, provided an additional 1,120 Mcfs of service per day, adding $40,000 to gross margin during the second quarter. The new expansion project completed in May 2010 is expected to provide an annualized gross margin of $343,000.
   
New firm transportation service for an industrial customer for the period from November 2009 to October 2012 provided for an additional 2,705 Mcfs per day and added $76,000 to gross margin in the second quarter of 2010. During the second quarter of 2009, a temporary increase in service to the same customer added $106,000 to ESNG’s gross margin but this did not recur in 2010.
   
Offsetting the abovementioned increases to gross margin, ESNG received notices from two customers of their intentions not to renew their firm transportation service contracts. These contracts expired in November 2009 and April 2010, decreasing gross margin by $103,000 in the second quarter of 2010.
Our Florida electric distribution operation, which was acquired in the FPU merger, generated gross margin of $4.5 million in the second quarter of 2010.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses for the regulated energy segment increased by $9.5 million, or 91 percent, in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Other operating expenses of FPU’s regulated energy segment during the period were $9.6 million. The remaining difference in other operating expenses is due primarily to the decrease of $174,000 in allowance for doubtful accounts as a result of lower commodity prices and improved collections.

 

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Other Developments
The following developments, which are not discussed above, may affect the future operating results of the regulated energy segment:
   
In the first half of 2010, we announced two agreements to provide natural gas service to industrial customers in southern Delaware. The anticipated annual margin from these services equates to approximately 1,575 average residential heating customers once the services begin in the fourth quarter of 2010 and early 2011. These services further extend our natural gas distribution and transmission infrastructures to serve other potential customers in the same area.
   
On April 8, 2010, we entered into a Precedent Agreement with TETLP to secure firm transportation service from TETLP in conjunction with its new expansion project. The Precedent Agreement provides that, upon satisfaction of certain conditions, the parties will execute two firm transportation service contracts, one for our Delaware division and one for our Maryland division, for 30,000 and 10,000 Dts/d, respectively, to be effective on the service commencement date of the project, currently projected to occur in November 2012. As a result of this new service, our Delaware and Maryland divisions will have access to new supplies of natural gas, providing increased reliability and diversity of supply. This will also provide them additional upstream transportation capacity, which is essential to meet their current customer demands and to plan for sustainable growth. In conjunction with this project, ESNG will build and operate an eight-mile mainline extension from TETLP’s pipeline to ESNG’s existing facility to provide transportation services for the Delaware and Maryland divisions at ESNG’s current tariff rate for service in that area. ESNG’s transmission service is expected to begin in 2011.
Unregulated Energy
                         
For the Three Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009     Change  
(in thousands)                  
Revenue
  $ 24,615     $ 19,830     $ 4,785  
Cost of sales
    19,068       15,143       3,925  
 
                 
Gross margin
    5,547       4,687       860  
 
                       
Operations & maintenance
    5,331       3,963       1,368  
Depreciation & amortization
    718       517       201  
Other taxes
    289       205       84  
 
                 
Other operating expenses
    6,338       4,685       1,653  
 
                 
Operating Income (Loss)
  $ (791 )   $ 2     $ (793 )
 
                 
 
                       
Statistical Data — Delmarva Peninsula
                       
Heating degree-days (“HDD”):
                       
Actual
    428       470       (42 )
10-year average (normal)
    495       494       1  
 
 
Estimated gross margin per HDD
  $ 3,083     $ 2,465     $ 618  
Operating income for the unregulated energy segment decreased by approximately $793,000 in the second quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009, which was attributable to an operating expense increase of $1.7 million, partially offset by a gross margin increase of $860,000.
Gross Margin
Gross margin for our unregulated energy segment increased by $860,000 or 18 percent, in the second quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009.

 

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Our Delmarva propane distribution operations experienced a decrease in gross margin of $712,000, in the second quarter compared to the same period in 2009. The factors contributing to this change are as follows:
   
A lower retail margin per gallon during the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 decreased gross margin by $290,000. Retail margins for the first half of 2009 benefited from the $939,000 loss recorded in late 2008 on a swap agreement for the 2008/2009 winter Pro-Cap (propane price cap) program. This loss lowered the propane inventory costs and, therefore, increased retail margins during the first half of 2009. Retail margins for the first half of 2010 returned to more normal levels.
   
Non-weather-related volumes sold in the second quarter of 2010 decreased by 709,000 gallons, or 15 percent, and provided for a decrease in gross margin of approximately $343,000. The decrease in non-weather-related volumes was primarily related to lower consumption and timing of propane deliveries based on propane prices and weather. Slightly offsetting the impact of conservation and timing of propane deliveries was the addition of 454 community gas system customers and 1,000 customers acquired in February 2010 as part of the purchase of the operating assets of a propane distributor serving Northampton and Accomack counties in Virginia, which contributed $35,000 and $26,000 to gross margin, respectively, in the second quarter.
   
A decrease in gross margin of $140,000 was attributable to warmer weather on the Delmarva Peninsula as the heating degree-days decreased by nine percent over the previous year’s second quarter.
Our Florida propane distribution operations experienced an increase in gross margin of $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 due to inclusion of FPU’s propane distribution operations.
Xeron, our propane wholesale marketing operation, experienced a decrease in gross margin of $225,000 in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 as a result of decreased trading activity. Lower trading volumes in the wholesale propane market have led to greater uncertainty, reducing Xeron’s trading activity. Xeron’s trading volumes decreased by 18 percent for the quarter compared to the prior year.
Our natural gas marketing operation experienced a decrease in gross margin of $89,000 in the second quarter of 2010 due primarily to decreased spot sales to one industrial customer on the Delmarva Peninsula. Spot sales are not predictable and, therefore, are not included in our long-term financial plans or forecasts.
Other Operating Expenses
Total other operating expenses for the unregulated energy segment increased by $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2010. Other operating expenses of FPU during the second quarter of 2010 were $1.8 million. Excluding FPU, total other operating expenses decreased by $117,000, due primarily to a decrease in bad debt expense for the natural gas marketing operations, as a result of expanded credit and collection initiatives, and a decrease in accruals for incentive compensation as a result of lower operating results.
Other
                         
For the Three Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009     Change  
(in thousands)                  
Revenue
  $ 2,706     $ 2,135     $ 571  
Cost of sales
    1,316       1,039       277  
 
                 
Gross margin
    1,390       1,096       294  
 
                       
Operations & maintenance
    818       1,003       (185 )
Transaction-related costs
    92       1,090       (998 )
Depreciation & amortization
    73       76       (3 )
Other taxes
    163       159       4  
 
                 
Other operating expenses
    1,146       2,328       (1,182 )
 
                 
Operating Income (Loss)
  $ 244     $ (1,232 )   $ 1,476  
 
                 
Note:     Eliminations are entries required to eliminate activities between business segments from the consolidated results.

 

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Operating income for the “Other” segment increased by approximately $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Increased operating income from our advanced information services operation of $470,000 and decreased merger-related transaction costs of $1.0 million contributed to this increase.
Gross margin
Period-over-period gross margin increased by $294,000 for our “Other” segment. During the second quarter, our advanced information services operation recognized higher consulting revenues as the result of a 20-percent increase in the number of billable hours. Our advanced information services operation also contributed to the increase in gross margin for the second quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009, with an increase in revenue and gross margin from its professional database monitoring and support solution services.
Operating expenses
Other operating expenses decreased by $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2010 due primarily to the lower merger-related costs expensed in the second quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009 and cost containment actions, including layoffs and compensation adjustments, implemented by our advanced information services operation in March, September and October 2009, that reduced costs to offset the decline in revenues.
Interest Expense
Our total interest expense for the second quarter of 2010 increased by approximately $732,000, or 47 percent, compared to the same period in 2009. The primary drivers of the increased interest expense are related to FPU, including:
   
An increase in long-term interest expense of $467,000 is related to interest on FPU’s first mortgage bonds.
   
Interest expense from a new term loan facility during the second quarter of 2010 was $162,000. Two series of the FPU bonds, 4.9 percent and 6.85 percent series, were redeemed by using this new short-term term loan facility at the end of January 2010.
   
Additional interest expense of $190,000 is related to interest on deposits from FPU’s customers.
Offsetting the increased interest expense from FPU was lower non-FPU-related interest expense from Chesapeake’s unsecured senior notes, as the principal balances decreased from scheduled payments, and absence of any additional short-term borrowings as a result of the timing of our capital expenditures and the increased cash flow generated from ordinary operating activities.
Income Taxes
We recorded an income tax expense of $2.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, compared to $489,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. The increase in income tax expense primarily reflects the higher earnings for the period. The effective income tax rate for the second quarter of 2010 is 38.7 percent compared to an effective tax rate of 37.8 percent for the second quarter of 2009. Higher earnings for the period decreased the effect of tax-exempt items in the effective tax rate for the quarter.

 

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Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
Overview and Highlights
Our net income for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was $17.3 million, or $1.82 per share (diluted). This represents an increase of $7.9 million, or $0.46 per share (diluted), compared to a net income of $9.4 million, or $1.36 per share (diluted), reported in the same period in 2009.
                         
For the Six Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009     Change  
(in thousands)                  
Operating Income (Loss)
                       
Regulated Energy
  $ 25,824     $ 13,583     $ 12,241  
Unregulated Energy
    6,969       6,594       375  
Other
    366       (1,355 )     1,721  
 
                 
Operating Income
    33,159       18,822       14,337  
 
                       
Other Income, net of expenses
    103       45       58  
Interest Charges
    4,667       3,215       1,452  
Income Taxes
    11,281       6,253       5,028  
 
                 
Net Income
    17,314       9,399       7,915  
 
                 
 
                       
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:
                       
Basic
  $ 1.83     $ 1.37     $ 0.46  
Diluted
  $ 1.82     $ 1.36     $ 0.46  
Our results for the six months ended June 30, 2010 included approximately $11.7 million in operating income and $6.2 million in net income recorded by FPU, which included the effects of transferring propane distribution customers previously served by Chesapeake in Florida to FPU after the merger in an effort to integrate operations. Pursuant to the acquisition method of accounting, we consolidated FPU’s results into our consolidated results from October 28, 2009, which is the effective date of the merger. Therefore, our consolidated results for the six months ended June 30, 2009 did not include any results from FPU.

 

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During the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, we expensed approximately $111,000 ($67,000 net of tax) and $1.2 million ($722,000 net of tax), respectively, of merger-related transaction costs, which are included in the “Other” segment. Transaction-related costs expensed in the six months ended June 30, 2010 reflected our costs to integrate operations of Chesapeake and FPU, including certain termination benefits offered to employees, net of the portion we expect to recover through future rates when we complete the appropriate rate proceedings. Transaction-related costs expensed in the six months ended June 30, 2009 included our costs to consummate the merger.
                                 
    2010        
    Chesapeake,                      
  excluding             Chesapeake        
For the Six Months Ended June 30,   FPU     FPU     Total     2009  
(in thousands)                        
 
                               
Operating Income (Loss)
                               
Regulated Energy
  $ 15,905     $ 9,919     $ 25,824     $ 13,583  
Unregulated Energy
    5,158       1,811       6,969       6,594  
Other
    366             366       (1,355 )
 
                       
Operating Income
    21,429       11,730       33,159       18,822  
 
                               
Other Income, net of expenses
    11       92       103       45  
Interest Charges
    2,921       1,746       4,667       3,215  
Income Taxes
    7,432       3,849       11,281       6,253  
 
                       
Net Income
  $ 11,087     $ 6,227     $ 17,314     $ 9,399  
 
                       
 
                               
Excluding effect of transaction-related costs:
                               
Net Income
  $ 11,087     $ 6,227     $ 17,314     $ 9,399  
Transaction-related costs
    111             111       1,204  
Income tax impact
    (44 )           (44 )     (482 )
 
                       
Net Income, excluding transaction-related costs
  $ 11,154     $ 6,227     $ 17,381     $ 10,121  
 
                       
Key Factors Affecting Our Businesses
The following is a summary of key factors affecting our businesses and their impacts on our results in the six months ended June 30, 2010. More detailed analysis is provided in the following section of our results by segment.
Merger. FPU contributed $11.7 million in operating income to our consolidated results in the six months ended June 30, 2010. FPU’s operating results by business for the six months ended June 30, 2010 are presented below.
                                         
    Regulated Energy     Unregulated Energy        
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010   Natural Gas     Electric     Propane     Other     Total  
(in thousands)                              
Revenue
  $ 36,628     $ 46,161     $ 10,065     $ 1,184     $ 94,038  
Cost of fuel
    16,454       37,070       4,845       707       59,076  
 
                             
Gross margin
    20,174       9,091       5,220       477       34,962  
 
                                       
Other operating expenses
    12,503       6,843       3,665       221       23,232  
 
                             
Operating Income
  $ 7,671     $ 2,248     $ 1,555     $ 256     $ 11,730  
 
                             
 
                                       
Average number of residential customers
    47,090       23,558       12,742             83,390  

 

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During the six months ended June 30, 2010, we incurred $278,000 to integrate certain operations of Chesapeake and FPU, principally combining customer service and billing functions in Florida, of which $111,000 was expensed. In June 2010, we appointed Jeff Householder as the president of FPU to bring his extensive knowledge and experience of the Florida energy market to FPU. Also during the first half of 2010, we completed the integration of propane distribution operations in Florida by transferring to FPU all of the customers previously served by Chesapeake in Florida to FPU, a process which began in late 2009 after the merger.
Weather. Temperatures on the Delmarva Peninsula during the six months ended June 30, 2010 were two-percent colder than the same period in 2009 and five-percent colder than normal (10-year average) for the period. The colder weather on the Delmarva Peninsula increased gross margin by approximately $311,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. As our residential rates in Maryland are normalized for weather, our residential margin in Maryland is not affected by the weather. Temperatures in Florida during the six months ended June 30, 2010 were 56-percent colder than the same period in 2009 and 60-percent colder than normal (10-year average) based on the heating-degree-days, which benefited our Florida operations.
Growth. The average number of Delmarva natural gas residential customers increased by two percent in the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared to the same period in 2009. This growth and an increase in commercial and industrial customers contributed approximately $699,000 in period-over-period additional gross margin. Although not affecting the results in the first half of 2010, we entered into agreements in 2010 to provide natural gas service to two industrial customers in southern Delaware, which will add annual margin equivalent to 1,575 average residential heating customers once the services begin in the fourth quarter of 2010 and early 2011. New transportation services and new expansion facilities placed in service during 2009 and 2010 by our natural gas transmission subsidiary, ESNG, contributed an additional gross margin of $776,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Chesapeake’s Florida natural gas distribution division experienced a period-over-period net customer decrease, primarily from the loss of several large industrial customers as a result of plant closings in 2009, which decreased gross margin by $43,000.
Rates and Regulatory Matters. In December 2009, the Florida PSC approved a rate increase of approximately $2.5 million, applicable to all meters read on or after January 14, 2010, for Chesapeake’s Florida natural gas distribution division. The rate increase contributed an additional gross margin of $1.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The operating results of FPU’s natural gas distribution operation for the first half of 2010 also reflect an increase of $3.8 million in gross margin from its rate increase of approximately $8.0 million approved by the Florida PSC in 2009.
Propane Prices. During the first half of 2009, our Delmarva propane distribution operation experienced higher retail margins benefited from the $939,000 loss recorded in late 2008 on a swap agreement for the 2008/2009 winter Pro-Cap (propane price cap) program. This loss lowered the propane inventory costs and, therefore, increased retail margins during the first half of 2009. During the first half of 2010, the retail margins returned to more normal levels, and it resulted in a lower retail margin per gallon, which decreased gross margin of the Delmarva propane distribution operation by $872,000. Our propane wholesale marketing subsidiary, Xeron, increased its gross margin by $179,000, primarily from opportunities generated by increased price fluctuations in early 2010.
Natural Gas Spot Sale Opportunities. During the first six months of 2009, our unregulated natural gas marketing subsidiary, PESCO, benefited from increased spot sales on the Delmarva Peninsula. Although PESCO continued to identify spot sale opportunities on the Delmarva Peninsula during the six months ended June 30, 2010, the decreased spot sales, largely due to reduced sales to one industrial customer, resulted in a decrease in gross margin of $688,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Spot sales are not predictable, and, therefore, are not included in our long-term financial plans or forecasts.
Advanced Information Services. Our advanced information services subsidiary, BravePoint, generated $265,000 in operating income in the first six months of 2010, compared to an operating loss of $345,000 reported in the same period of 2009. Increased billable consulting hours in 2010 and cost containment actions implemented throughout 2009 contributed to the increased period-over-period operating results.

 

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Other Operating Expenses. Our other operating expenses, excluding FPU’s expenses, decreased by $427,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Lower expenses related to collection and allowance for doubtful accounts receivable and cost containment actions implemented throughout 2009 for the advanced information services operation more than fully offset the increases in other operating expenses related to increased compensation and increased costs associated with increased capital investments.
Regulated Energy
                         
For the Six Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009     Change  
(in thousands)                  
Revenue
  $ 144,367     $ 71,050     $ 73,317  
Cost of sales
    78,174       36,798       41,376  
 
                 
Gross margin
    66,193       34,252       31,941  
 
                       
Operations & maintenance
    27,331       14,275       13,056  
Depreciation & amortization
    8,751       3,612       5,139  
Other taxes
    4,287       2,782       1,505  
 
                 
Other operating expenses
    40,369       20,669       19,700  
 
                 
Operating Income
  $ 25,824     $ 13,583     $ 12,241  
 
                 
 
                       
Statistical Data — Delmarva Peninsula
                       
Heating degree-days (“HDD”):
                       
Actual
    2,971       2,923       48  
10-year average (normal)
    2,831       2,800       31  
 
Estimated gross margin per HDD
  $ 2,429     $ 1,937     $ 492  
 
Per residential customer added:
                       
Estimated gross margin
  $ 375     $ 375     $  
Estimated other operating expenses
  $ 105     $ 103     $ 2  
 
Florida
                       
HDD:
                       
Actual
    941       604       337  
10-year average (normal)
    587       546       41  
 
Cooling degree-days:
                       
Actual
    1,045       1,009       36  
10-year average (normal)
    952       961       (9 )
 
Residential Customer Information
                       
Average number of customers (1):
                       
Delmarva
    47,808       47,068       740  
Florida — Chesapeake
    13,441       13,407       34  
 
                 
Total
    61,249       60,475       774  
 
                 
     
(1)  
Average number of residential customers for FPU are included in the discussions of FPU’s results on page 43.
Operating income for the regulated energy segment increased by approximately $12.2 million, or 90 percent, in the first six months of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009, which was generated from a gross margin increase of $31.9 million, offset partially by an operating expense increase of $19.7 million.

 

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Gross Margin
Gross margin for our regulated energy segment increased by $31.9 million, or 93 percent in the first half of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
The natural gas distribution operations for the Delmarva Peninsula generated an increase in gross margin of $636,000 during the period. The factors contributing to this increase are as follows:
   
The Delmarva natural gas distribution operations experienced growth in residential, commercial and industrial customers, which contributed $699,000 to the gross margin increase. Residential, commercial and industrial growth by our Delaware division contributed $360,000, $119,000 and $114,000, respectively, to the gross margin increase, and $106,000 was contributed to our gross margin increase by the customer growth in Maryland. We experienced a two-percent increase in average residential customers by the Delmarva natural gas distribution operation since the first half of 2009.
   
Colder weather on the Delmarva Peninsula generated an additional $311,000 to the gross margin as heating degree-days increased by two percent for the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Residential heating rates for our Maryland division are weather-normalized, and we typically do not experience an impact on gross margin from the weather for our residential customers in Maryland.
   
In addition, a decrease of $298,000 in gross margin was attributable to the decline in non-weather-related customer consumption. The decrease in consumption is primarily by residential customers of our Delaware Division.
   
Changes in negotiated rates for a commercial customer in Delaware and an industrial customer in Maryland contributed an increase in gross margin of $137,000 for the first six months of 2010. These increases were offset by a change in rate classifications for certain residential customers in Delaware, which decreased gross margin by $204,000 during the period.
Our Florida natural gas distribution operation experienced an increase in gross margin of $21.7 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The factors contributing to this increase are as follows:
   
FPU’s natural gas distribution operation contributed $20.2 million in gross margin in the six months ended June 30, 2010. FPU’s results in the six months ended June 30, 2009 were not included in our consolidation. Gross margin from FPU’s natural gas distribution operation in the second quarter of 2010 was positively affected by a rate increase of approximately $8.0 million approved by the Florida PSC on December 15, 2009 and colder temperatures during the first quarter of 2010.
   
Chesapeake’s Florida division also experienced an increase in gross margin of $1.2 million from a rate increase of approximately $2.5 million approved by the Florida PSC on December 15, 2009 (applicable to all meters read on or after January 14, 2010).
   
During the first six months of 2010, Chesapeake’s Florida division experienced an increase in customer consumption, which was heavily affected by the colder temperatures in Florida during the first quarter of 2010. We estimate that the colder temperatures contributed an additional $246,000 to gross margin in the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
Our Florida electric distribution operation, which was acquired in the FPU merger, generated gross margin of $9.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2010.
The natural gas transmission operations achieved gross margin growth of $562,000 during the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The factors contributing to this increase are as follows:
   
New transportation services, implemented by ESNG in November 2009 as a result of the completion of its latest expansion program, provided for an additional 6,957 Mcfs per day and added $508,000 to gross margin during the first six months in 2010. In addition, a new expansion project, which was completed in May 2010, provided for an additional 1,120 Mcfs of service per day, adding $40,000 to gross margin during the six months ended June 30, 2010. The new expansion project completed in May 2010 is expected to provide an annualized gross margin of $343,000.
   
New firm transportation service for an industrial customer for the period from November 2009 to October 2012 provided for an additional 9,662 Mcfs per day for the period January 1, 2010 through February 5, 2010, and an additional 2,705 Mcfs per day for the period February 6, 2010 through June 30, 2010. These new services added $228,000 to gross margin for the first six months of 2010. During the second quarter of 2009, the same customer temporarily increased the service, which increased ESNG’s gross margin by $107,000. This temporary increase in service did not recur in 2010.

 

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Offsetting the abovementioned increases to gross margin, ESNG received notices from two customers of their intentions not to renew their firm transportation service contracts. These contracts expired in November 2009 and April 2010, decreasing gross margin by $186,000 for the first six months of 2010. A change in certain customer rates offset these decreases.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses for the regulated energy segment increased by $19.7 million, or 95 percent, in the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, $19.3 million of which was related to other operating expenses of FPU’s regulated energy segment during the period.
Other Developments
The following developments, which are not discussed above, may affect the future operating results of the regulated energy segment:
   
In the first half of 2010, we announced two agreements to provide natural gas service to industrial customers in southern Delaware. The anticipated annual margin from these services equate to approximately 1,575 average residential heating customers once the services begin in the fourth quarter of 2010 and early 2011. These services further extend our natural gas distribution and transmission infrastructures to serve other potential customers in the same area.
   
On April 8, 2010, we entered into a Precedent Agreement with TETLP to secure firm transportation service from TETLP in conjunction with its new expansion project. The Precedent Agreement provides that, upon satisfaction of certain conditions, the parties will execute two firm transportation service contracts, one for our Delaware division and one for our Maryland division, for 30,000 and 10,000 Dts/d, respectively, to be effective on the service commencement date of the project, currently projected to occur in November 2012. As a result of this new service, our Delaware and Maryland divisions will have access to new supplies of natural gas, providing increased reliability and diversity of supply. This will also provide them additional upstream transportation capacity, which is essential to meet their current customer demands and to plan for sustainable growth. In conjunction with this project, ESNG will build and operate an eight-mile mainline extension from TETLP’s pipeline to ESNG’s existing facility to provide transportation services for the Delaware and Maryland divisions at ESNG’s current tariff rate for service in that area. ESNG’s transmission service is expected to begin in 2011.

 

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Unregulated Energy
                         
For the Six Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009     Change  
(in thousands)                  
Revenue
  $ 83,885     $ 69,225     $ 14,660  
Cost of sales
    63,027       52,232       10,795  
 
                 
Gross margin
    20,858       16,993       3,865  
 
                       
Operations & maintenance
    11,356       8,868       2,488  
Depreciation & amortization
    1,765       1,031       734  
Other taxes
    768       500       268  
 
                 
Other operating expenses
    13,889       10,399       3,490  
 
                 
Operating Income
  $ 6,969     $ 6,594     $ 375  
 
                 
 
                       
Statistical Data — Delmarva Peninsula
                       
Heating degree-days (“HDD”):
                       
Actual
    2,971       2,923       48  
10-year average (normal)
    2,831       2,800       31  
 
                       
Estimated gross margin per HDD
  $ 3,083     $ 2,465     $ 618  
Gross Margin
Gross margin for our unregulated energy segment increased by $3.9 million, or 23 percent, in the first six months of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009. FPU’s unregulated energy operation, which is primarily its propane distribution operation, contributed $5.7 million, which included approximately $800,000 generated from customers previously served by Chesapeake and now served by FPU following the integration of our Florida propane distribution operations.
Our Delmarva propane distribution operation experienced a decrease in gross margin of $564,000, as a result of the following factors:
   
A lower margin per gallon during the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 decreased gross margin by $872,000. Retail margins for the first half of 2009 benefited from the $939,000 loss recorded in late 2008 on a swap agreement for the 2008/2009 winter Pro-Cap (propane price cap) program. This loss lowered the propane inventory costs and, therefore, increased retail margins during the first half of 2009. Retail margins for the first half of 2010 returned to more normal levels.
   
The addition of 422 community gas system customers and 1,000 customers acquired in February 2010 as part of the purchase of the operating assets of a propane distributor serving Northampton and Accomack Counties in Virginia contributed $125,000 and $114,000, respectively, to gross margin during the first half of 2010.
   
The remaining change was primarily related to an increase in other fees of $128,000, as a result of continued growth and successful implementation of various customer loyalty programs, offset partially by the net impact of the colder weather and decline in non-weather-related volumes.
Our Florida propane distribution operations experienced an increase in gross margin of $4.9 million due to inclusion of FPU’s propane distribution operations.
Xeron, our propane wholesale marketing operation, experienced an increase in gross margin of $179,000 during the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Xeron benefited from increased propane price fluctuations in early 2010.
During the first six months of 2009, our unregulated natural gas marketing subsidiary, PESCO, benefited from increased spot sales on the Delmarva Peninsula. Although PESCO continued to identify spot sale opportunities on the Delmarva Peninsula during the first six months of 2010, the decreased spot sales, due primarily to one industrial customer, resulted in a decrease in gross margin of $688,000 in the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Spot sales are not predictable and, therefore, are not included in our long-term financial plans or forecasts.

 

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Other Operating Expenses
Total other operating expenses for the unregulated energy segment increased by $3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Other operating expenses of FPU during the first six months of 2010 were $3.9 million. Excluding FPU, total other operating expenses decreased due to a decrease in bad debt expense for the natural gas marketing operations, as a result of expanded credit and collection initiatives, and in lower accruals for incentive compensation
Other
                         
For the Six Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009     Change  
(in thousands)                  
Revenue
  $ 5,069     $ 5,038     $ 31  
Cost of sales
    2,448       2,659       (211 )
 
                 
Gross margin
    2,621       2,379       242  
 
                       
Operations & maintenance
    1,657       2,009       (352 )
Transaction-related costs
    111       1,204       (1,093 )
Depreciation & amortization
    145       154       (9 )
Other taxes
    342       367       (25 )
 
                 
Other operating expenses
    2,255       3,734       (1,479 )
 
                 
Operating Income (Loss)
  $ 366     $ (1,355 )   $ 1,721  
 
                 
Note: Eliminations are entries required to eliminate activities between business segments from the consolidated results.
Operating income for the “Other” segment increased by approximately $1.7 million in the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Increased operating income from our advanced information services operation of $610,000 and decreased merger-related transaction costs of $1.1 million contributed to this increase.
Gross margin
The period-over-period increase in gross margin of $242,000 for our “Other” segment was contributed by our advanced information services operation’s increase in revenue and gross margin from its professional database monitoring and support solution services and higher consulting revenues as a result of a nine-percent increase in the number of billable consulting hours for the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
Operating expenses
Other operating expenses decreased by $1.5 million in the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease in operating expenses was attributable primarily to the lower merger-related costs expensed in the first half of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 and the cost containment actions, including layoffs and compensation adjustments, implemented by the advanced information services operation in March, September and October 2009.

 

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Interest Expense
Our total interest expense increased by approximately $1.5 million or 45 percent, during the first six months of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009. The primary drivers of the increased interest expense are related to FPU, including:
   
An increase in long-term interest expense of $1.1 million is related to interest on FPU’s first mortgage bonds.
   
Interest expense from a new term loan credit facility during the first six months of 2010 was $216,000. Two series of the FPU bonds, 4.9 percent and 6.85 percent series, were redeemed by using this new short-term term loan facility at the end of January 2010.
   
Additional interest expense of $370,000 is related to interest on deposits from FPU’s customers.
Offsetting the increased interest expense from FPU was lower non-FPU-related interest expense from Chesapeake’s unsecured senior notes, as the principal balances decreased from scheduled payments, the absence of any additional short-term borrowings as a result of the timing of our capital expenditures and the increased cash flow generated from ordinary operating activities.
Income Taxes
We recorded an income tax expense of $11.3 million for the first six months of 2010, compared to $6.3 million for the same period in 2009. The increase in income tax expense primarily reflects the higher earnings for the period. The effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2010 is 39.5 percent compared to an effective tax rate of 40.0 percent for the same period in 2009. The decreased effective income tax rate resulted from a greater portion of our consolidated pre-tax income having been generated from entities in states with lower income tax rates, largely as a result of our expansion in Florida operations through the merger with FPU.
Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our capital requirements reflect the capital-intensive nature of our business and are principally attributable to investment in new plant and equipment and retirement of outstanding debt. We rely on cash generated from operations, short-term borrowing, and other sources to meet normal working capital requirements and to finance capital expenditures.
During the first six months of 2010, net cash provided by operating activities was $57.7 million, cash used in investing activities was $15.0 million, and cash used in financing activities was $36.3 million.
During the first six months of 2009, net cash provided by operating activities was $46.8 million, cash used in investing activities was $12.0 million, and cash used in financing activities was $34.8 million.
As of June 30, 2010, we had four unsecured bank lines of credit with two financial institutions, for a total of $100.0 million, two of which totaling $60.0 million are available under committed lines of credit. None of the unsecured bank lines of credit requires compensating balances. These bank lines are available to provide funds for our short-term cash needs to meet seasonal working capital requirements and to fund temporarily portions of the capital expenditure program. We are currently authorized by our Board of Directors to borrow up to $85.0 million of short-term debt, as required, from these short-term lines of credit. Advances offered under the uncommitted lines of credit are subject to the discretion of the banks. In addition to the four unsecured bank lines of credit, we entered into a new credit facility for $29.1 million with one of the financial institutions in March 2010. We borrowed $29.1 million under this new credit facility for a term of nine months to finance the early redemption of two series of FPU’s secured first mortgage bonds. The outstanding balance of short-term borrowing at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, was $29.1 and $30.0 million, respectively.

 

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On June 29, 2010, we entered into an agreement with one lender to issue up to $36 million in uncollateralized senior notes. We expect to use $29 million of the uncollateralized senior notes to permanently finance the redemption of the FPU bonds. The terms of the agreement require us to issue $29 million of the $36 million in uncollateralized senior notes committed by the lender on or before July 9, 2012, with a 15-year term at a rate ranging from 5.28 percent to 6.13 percent based on the timing of the issuance. The remaining $7 million will be issued prior to May 3, 2013 at a rate ranging from 5.28 percent to 6.43 percent based on the timing of the issuance.
We have originally budgeted $53.9 million for capital expenditures during 2010. As a result of continued growth, expansion opportunities and timing of capital projects, we increased our capital spending projection for 2010 to $60.9 million. This amount includes $55.5 million for the regulated energy segment, $2.7 million for the unregulated energy segment and $2.7 million for the “Other” segment. The amount for the regulated energy segment includes estimated capital expenditures for the following: natural gas distribution operation ($23.7 million), natural gas transmission operation ($28.4 million) and electric distribution operation ($3.4 million) for expansion and improvement of facilities. The amount for the unregulated energy segment includes estimated capital expenditures for the propane distribution operations for customer growth and replacement of equipment. The amount for the “Other” segment includes an estimated capital expenditure of $762,000 for the advanced information services operation, with the remaining balance for other general plant, computer software and hardware. We expect to fund the 2010 capital expenditures program from short-term borrowing, cash provided by operating activities, and other sources. The capital expenditures program is subject to continuous review and modification. Actual capital requirements may vary from the above estimates due to a number of factors, including changing economic conditions, customer growth in existing areas, regulation, new growth or acquisition opportunities and availability of capital.
Capital Structure
The following presents our capitalization, excluding short-term borrowing, as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
                                 
    June 30,             December 31,          
(in thousands)   2010             2009          
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
  $ 97,558       30 %   $ 98,814       32 %
Stockholders’ equity
    222,686       70 %     209,781       68 %
 
                       
Total capitalization, excluding short-term debt
  $ 320,244       100 %   $ 308,595       100 %
 
                       
At June 30, 2010, common equity represented 70 percent of total capitalization, excluding short-term borrowing, compared to 68 percent at December 31, 2009. If short-term borrowing and the current portion of long-term debt were included in total capitalization, the equity component of our capitalization would have been 62 percent at June 30, 2010, compared to 56 percent at December 31, 2009.
We remain committed to maintaining a sound capital structure and strong credit ratings to provide the financial flexibility needed to access capital markets when required. This commitment, along with adequate and timely rate relief for our regulated operations, is intended to ensure our ability to attract capital from outside sources at a reasonable cost. We believe that the achievement of these objectives will provide benefits to our customers, creditors and investors.

 

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Cash Flows Provided By Operating Activities
Cash flows provided by operating activities were as follows:
                 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,   2010     2009  
(in thousands)            
Net Income
  $ 17,314     $ 9,399  
Non-cash adjustments to net income
    15,900       11,466  
Changes in assets and liabilities
    24,494       25,955  
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 57,708     $ 46,820  
 
           
During the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, net cash flow provided by operating activities was $57.7 million and $46.8 million, respectively, a period-over-period increase of $10.9 million. The increase in cash flow provided by operating activities was due primarily to the following:
   
Net income increased by $7.9 million due to consolidation of FPU and lower merger-related costs.
   
Non-cash adjustments increased by $4.4 million, due primarily to higher depreciation and amortization as a result of the FPU merger and changes in unrealized gains/losses on commodity contracts.
   
Net cash flows from income taxes receivable decreased by $3.9 million due to large tax refunds received during the first half of 2009.
   
Net cash flows from the changes in regulatory assets/liabilities decreased by approximately $1.3 million, primarily as a result of lower over-collection of fuel costs from rate-payers.
   
Net cash flows from changes in inventory decreased by approximately $1.6 million due primarily to increased propane commodity costs.
   
Partially offsetting these decreases were increased net cash flows from customer deposits and refunds by approximately $2.9 million primarily from a large deposit, which we required from a new industrial customer for our Delmarva natural gas distribution operations.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $15.0 million and $12.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Cash utilized for capital expenditures was $14.3 million and $12.0 million for the first six months of 2010 and 2009, respectively. Additions to property, plant and equipment in the first six months of 2010 included $3.5 million of FPU’s capital expenditures. We also paid $310,000 of the $600,000 in total consideration for the purchase of certain propane assets from a propane distributor during the first six months of 2010.
Cash Flows Used by Financing Activities
Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $36.3 million and $34.8 million for the first six months of 2010 and 2009, respectively. Significant financing activities reflected in the change in cash flows used by financing activities are as follows:
   
During the first six months of 2010, we repaid approximately $30.0 million of our short-term borrowings related to working capital, compared to net repayments of $31.0 million in the first six months of 2009, as we generated higher amounts of cash from operating activities.
   
In January 2010, we borrowed $29.1 million from our short-term credit facilities to redeem two series of FPU’s secured first mortgage bonds prior to their respective maturities. We paid $28.9 million, including fees and penalties, related to the redemption.
   
We paid $5.4 million and $3.8 million in cash dividends for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Dividends paid in the first six months of 2010 increased as a result of growth in the annualized dividend rate and in the number of shares outstanding.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have issued corporate guarantees to certain vendors of our subsidiaries, primarily the propane wholesale marketing subsidiary and the natural gas marketing subsidiary. These corporate guarantees provide for the payment of propane and natural gas purchases in the event of the respective subsidiary’s default. None of these subsidiaries have ever defaulted on its obligations to pay its suppliers. The liabilities for these purchases are recorded in our financial statements when incurred. The aggregate amount guaranteed at June 30, 2010 was $22.5 million, with the guarantees expiring on various dates in 2011.
In addition to the corporate guarantees, we have issued a letter of credit to our primary insurance company for $725,000, which expires on August 31, 2010. The letter of credit is provided as security to satisfy the deductibles under our various insurance policies. There have been no draws on this letter of credit as of June 30, 2010, and we do not anticipate that this letter of credit will be drawn upon by the counterparty in the future.
We provided a letter of credit for $526,000 under the Precedent Agreement with TETLP. The letter of credit is expected to increase quarterly as TETLP’s pre-service costs increases. The letter of credit will not exceed more than the three-month reservation charge under the firm transportation service contracts, which we currently estimate to be $2.1 million.
Contractual Obligations
There have not been any material changes in the contractual obligations presented in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except for commodity purchase obligations and forward contracts entered into in the ordinary course of our business. The following table summarizes the commodity and forward contract obligations at June 30, 2010.
                                         
                    3 - 5     More than        
Purchase Obligations   Less than 1 year     1 - 3 years     years     5 years     Total  
(in thousands)                              
Commodities (1) (3)
  $ 36,558     $ 134     $     $     $ 36,692  
Propane (2)
    23,236                         23,236  
 
                             
Total Purchase Obligations
  $ 59,794     $ 134     $     $     $ 59,928  
 
                             
     
(1)  
In addition to the obligations noted above, the natural gas distribution, the electric distribution and propane distribution operations have agreements with commodity suppliers that have provisions with no minimum purchase requirements. There are no monetary penalties for reducing the amounts purchased; however, the propane contracts allow the suppliers to reduce the amounts available in the winter season if we do not purchase specified amounts during the summer season. Under these contracts, the commodity prices will fluctuate as market prices fluctuate.
 
(2)  
We have also entered into forward sale contracts in the aggregate amount of $11.7 million. See Part I, Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” below, for further information.
 
(3)  
In March 2009, we renewed our contract with an energy marketing and risk management company to manage a portion of our natural gas transportation and storage capacity. There were no material changes to the contract’s terms, as reported in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Environmental Matters
As more fully described in Note 4, “Commitments and Contingencies,” to these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we continue to work with federal and state environmental agencies to assess the environmental impact and explore corrective action at seven environmental sites. We believe that future costs associated with these sites will be recoverable in rates or through sharing arrangements with, or contributions by, other responsible parties.
Other Matters
Rates and Regulatory Matters
Our natural gas distribution operations in Delaware, Maryland and Florida and electric distribution operation in Florida are subject to regulation by their respective PSC; ESNG is subject to regulation by the FERC; and Peninsula Pipeline Company, Inc. (“PIPECO”) is subject to regulation by the Florida PSC. At June 30, 2010, we were involved in rate filings and/or regulatory matters in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Each of these rates or regulatory matters is fully described in Note 4, “Commitments and Contingencies,” to these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

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Competition
Our natural gas and electric distribution operations and our natural gas transmission operation compete with other forms of energy including natural gas, electricity, oil and propane. The principal competitive factors are price and, to a lesser extent, accessibility. Our natural gas distribution operations have several large-volume industrial customers that are able to use fuel oil as an alternative to natural gas. When oil prices decline, these interruptible customers may convert to oil to satisfy their fuel requirements, and our interruptible sales volumes may decline. Oil prices, as well as the prices of other fuels, fluctuate for a variety of reasons; therefore, future competitive conditions are not predictable. To address this uncertainty, we use flexible pricing arrangements on both the supply and sales sides of this business to compete with alternative fuel price fluctuations. As a result of the natural gas transmission operation’s conversion to open access and Chesapeake’s Florida natural gas distribution division’s restructuring of its services, these businesses have shifted from providing bundled transportation and sales service to providing only transmission and contract storage services. Our electric distribution operation currently does not face substantial competition as the electric utility industry in Florida has not been deregulated. In addition, natural gas is the only viable alternative fuel to electricity in our electric service territories and is available only in a small area.
Our natural gas distribution operations in Delaware, Maryland and Florida offer unbundled transportation services to certain commercial and industrial customers. In 2002, Chesapeake’s Florida natural gas distribution division extended such service to residential customers. With such transportation service available on our distribution systems, we are competing with third-party suppliers to sell gas to industrial customers. With respect to unbundled transportation services, our competitors include interstate transmission companies, if the distribution customers are located close enough to a transmission company’s pipeline to make connections economically feasible. The customers at risk are usually large volume commercial and industrial customers with the financial resources and capability to bypass our existing distribution operations in this manner. In certain situations, our distribution operations may adjust services and rates for these customers to retain their business. We expect to continue to expand the availability of unbundled transportation service to additional classes of distribution customers in the future. We have also established a natural gas marketing operation in Florida, Delaware and Maryland to provide such service to customers eligible for unbundled transportation services.
Our propane distribution operations compete with several other propane distributors in their respective geographic markets, primarily on the basis of service and price, emphasizing responsive and reliable service. Our competitors generally include local outlets of national distributors and local independent distributors, whose proximity to customers entails lower costs to provide service. Propane competes with electricity as an energy source, because it is typically less expensive than electricity, based on equivalent BTU value. Propane also competes with home heating oil as an energy source. Since natural gas has historically been less expensive than propane, propane is generally not distributed in geographic areas served by natural gas pipeline or distribution systems.
The propane wholesale marketing operation competes against various regional and national marketers, many of which have significantly greater resources and are able to obtain price or volumetric advantages.
The advanced information services business faces significant competition from a number of larger competitors having substantially greater resources available to them than does the Company. In addition, changes in the advanced information services business are occurring rapidly, and could adversely affect the markets for the products and services offered by these businesses. This segment competes on the basis of technological expertise, reputation and price.
Inflation
Inflation affects the cost of supply, labor, products and services required for operations, maintenance and capital improvements. While the impact of inflation has remained low in recent years, natural gas and propane prices are subject to rapid fluctuations. In the regulated natural gas and electric distribution operations, fluctuations in natural gas and electricity prices are passed on to customers through the fuel cost recovery mechanism in our tariffs. To help cope with the effects of inflation on our capital investments and returns, we seek rate increases from regulatory commissions for our regulated operations and closely monitor the returns of our unregulated business operations. To compensate for fluctuations in propane gas prices, we adjust propane selling prices to the extent allowed by the market.

 

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Recent Authoritative Pronouncements on Financial Reporting and Accounting
Recent accounting developments and their impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows are described in the Recent Accounting Pronouncements section of Note 1, “Summary of Accounting Policies,” to these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. Long-term debt is subject to potential losses based on changes in interest rates. Our long-term debt consists of fixed-rate senior notes, secured debt and convertible debentures. All of our long-term debt is fixed-rate debt and was not entered into for trading purposes. The carrying value of long-term debt, including current maturities, was $105.7 million at June 30, 2010, as compared to a fair value of $121.3 million, based on a discounted cash flow methodology that incorporates a market interest rate that is based on published corporate borrowing rates for debt instruments with similar terms and average maturities with adjustments for duration, optionality, credit risk, and risk profile. We evaluate whether to refinance existing debt or permanently refinance existing short-term borrowing, based in part on the fluctuation in interest rates.
Our propane distribution business is exposed to market risk as a result of propane storage activities and entering into fixed price contracts for supply. We can store up to approximately four million gallons (including leased storage and rail cars) of propane during the winter season to meet our customers’ peak requirements and to serve metered customers. Decreases in the wholesale price of propane may cause the value of stored propane to decline. To mitigate the impact of price fluctuations, we have adopted a Risk Management Policy that allows the propane distribution operation to enter into fair value hedges or other economic hedges of our inventory.
Our propane wholesale marketing operation is a party to natural gas liquids forward contracts, primarily propane contracts, with various third-parties. These contracts require that the propane wholesale marketing operation purchase or sell natural gas liquids at a fixed price at fixed future dates. At expiration, the contracts are settled by the delivery of natural gas liquids to us or the counter-party or “booking out” the transaction. Booking out is a procedure for financially settling a contract in lieu of the physical delivery of energy. The propane wholesale marketing operation also enters into futures contracts that are traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In certain cases, the futures contracts are settled by the payment or receipt of a net amount equal to the difference between the current market price of the futures contract and the original contract price; however, they may also be settled by physical receipt or delivery of propane.

 

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The forward and futures contracts are entered into for trading and wholesale marketing purposes. The propane wholesale marketing business is subject to commodity price risk on its open positions to the extent that market prices for natural gas liquids deviate from fixed contract settlement prices. Market risk associated with the trading of futures and forward contracts is monitored daily for compliance with our Risk Management Policy, which includes volumetric limits for open positions. To manage exposures to changing market prices, open positions are marked up or down to market prices and reviewed daily by our oversight officials. In addition, the Risk Management Committee reviews periodic reports on markets and the credit risk of counter-parties, approves any exceptions to the Risk Management Policy (within limits established by the Board of Directors) and authorizes the use of any new types of contracts. Quantitative information on forward and futures contracts at June 30, 2010 is presented in the following tables.
                     
    Quantity in   Estimated Market     Weighted Average  
At June 30, 2010   Gallons   Prices     Contract Prices  
Forward Contracts
                   
Sale
  10,962,000   $ 0.9750 — $1.19125     $ 1.0676  
Purchase
  10,710,000   $ 0.9750 — $1.18250     $ 1.0510  
Estimated market prices and weighted average contract prices are in dollars per gallon.
All contracts expire by the end of the first quarter of 2011.
At June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we marked these forward contracts to market, using market transactions in either the listed or OTC markets, which resulted in the following assets and liabilities:
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
(in thousands)   2010     2009  
 
Mark-to-market energy assets
  $ 814     $ 2,379  
 
Mark-to-market energy liabilities
  $ 574     $ 2,514  
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, with the participation of other Company officials, have evaluated our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of June 30, 2010. Based upon their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2010.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the quarter ended June 30, 2010, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
On October 28, 2009, the merger between Chesapeake and FPU was consummated. We are currently in the process of integrating FPU’s operations and have not included FPU’s activity in our evaluation of internal control over financial reporting. FPU’s operations will be included in our assessment and report on internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010.

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
As disclosed in Note 4, “Commitments and Contingencies,” of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we are involved in certain legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business. We are also involved in certain legal and administrative proceedings before various governmental or regulatory agencies concerning rates and other regulatory actions. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these proceedings and claims will not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our business, operations, and financial condition are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The risk factors described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, should be carefully considered, together with the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC in connection with evaluating the Company, our business and the forward-looking statements contained in this Report. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may affect the Company. The occurrence of any of these known or unknown risks could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
                                 
    Total             Total Number of Shares     Maximum Number of  
    Number of     Average     Purchased as Part of     Shares That May Yet Be  
    Shares     Price Paid     Publicly Announced Plans     Purchased Under the Plans  
Period   Purchased     per Share     or Programs (2)     or Programs (2)  
April 1, 2010 through April 30, 2010 (1)
    301     $ 30.06              
May 1, 2010 through May 31, 2010
        $              
June 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010
        $              
 
                       
Total
    301     $ 30.06              
 
                       
     
(1)  
Chesapeake purchased shares of stock on the open market for the purpose of reinvesting the dividend on deferred stock units held in the Rabbi Trust accounts for certain Directors and Senior Executives under the Deferred Compensation Plan. The Deferred Compensation Plan is discussed in detail in Item 8 under the heading “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — Note M, Employee Benefit Plans” of our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 8, 2010. During the quarter, 301 shares were purchased through the reinvestment of dividends on deferred stock units.
 
(2)  
Except for the purposes described in Footnote (1), Chesapeake has no publicly announced plans or programs to repurchase its shares.
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
None.

 

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Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
         
  3.1    
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
 
  31.1    
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, dated August 5, 2010.
 
  31.2    
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, dated August 5, 2010.
 
  32.1    
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, dated August 5, 2010.
 
  32.2    
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, dated August 5, 2010.

 

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
     
/s/ Beth W. Cooper
 
Beth W. Cooper
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   
Date: August 5, 2010

 

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