QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to ________
Commission file number 1-11071
UGI CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania
23-2668356
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
460 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA
19406
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(610) 337-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class:
Common Stock, without par value
Trading Symbol(s):
UGI
Name of each exchange on which registered:
New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
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 ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
ý
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Smaller reporting company
¨
Emerging growth company
¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No ý
At April 30, 2019, there were 174,183,724 shares of UGI Corporation Common Stock, without par value, outstanding.
Terms and abbreviations used in this Form 10-Q are defined below:
UGI Corporation and Related Entities
AmeriGas OLP - AmeriGas Propane, L.P., the principal operating subsidiary of AmeriGas Partners
AmeriGas Partners - AmeriGas Partners, L.P., a publicly traded limited partnership. AmeriGas Partners, L.P. is also referred to as the “Partnership”
AmeriGas Propane - Reportable segment comprising AmeriGas Propane, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP
AmeriGas Propane Holdings, Inc. - A Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of UGI
AmeriGas Propane Holdings, LLC - A Delaware limited liability company and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of UGI. Also referred to as the Merger Sub
AmeriGas Propane, Inc. - A wholly owned second-tier subsidiary of UGI and the general partner of AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP. Also referred to as the General Partner
AvantiGas - AvantiGas Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of UGI International, LLC
Company - UGI and its consolidated subsidiaries collectively
CPG - UGI Central Penn Gas, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of UGI Utilities prior to October 1, 2018
DVEP - DVEP Investeringen B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of UGI International, LLC
Electric Utility - UGI Utilities’ regulated electric distribution utility
Energy Services - UGI Energy Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Enterprises
Enterprises - UGI Enterprises, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of UGI
ESFC - Energy Services Funding Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Services
Finagaz - The retail LPG distribution business of Totalgaz SAS acquired on May 29, 2015
Flaga - Flaga GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of UGI International, LLC
Gas Utility - UGI Utilities’ regulated natural gas distribution businesses, comprising the natural gas utility businesses owned and operated by UGI Utilities and, prior to the Utility Merger, PNG and CPG
General Partner - AmeriGas Propane, Inc., the general partner of AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP
GP Audit Committee - The audit committee of the GP Board
GP Board - The board of directors of the General Partner
HVAC - UGI HVAC Enterprises, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Enterprises
Merger Sub - AmeriGas Propane Holdings, LLC
Midstream & Marketing - Reportable segment comprising Energy Services, UGID and HVAC
Partnership - AmeriGas Partners and its consolidated subsidiaries, including AmeriGas OLP
PennEast - PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC
PNG - UGI Penn Natural Gas, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of UGI Utilities prior to October 1, 2018
UGI Central - The natural gas rate district of CPG subsequent to the Utility Merger
UGI France - UGI France SAS (a Société par actions simplifiée), a wholly owned subsidiary of UGI International, LLC
UGI Gas - UGI Utilities’ natural gas utility prior to the Utility Merger
UGI International - Reportable segment comprising UGI’s foreign operations
UGI International, LLC - UGI International, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Enterprises
UGI North - The natural gas rate district of PNG subsequent to the Utility Merger
UGI PennEast, LLC - A wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Services that holds a 20% membership interest in PennEast
UGI South - The natural gas rate district of UGI Gas subsequent to the Utility Merger
UGI Utilities - UGI Utilities, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of UGI. Also a reportable segment of UGI
UGID - UGI Development Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Services
UniverGas - UniverGas Italia S.r.l, a wholly owned subsidiary of UGI International
Other Terms and Abbreviations
2018 Annual Report - UGI Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, including annual financial statements and footnotes amended in the Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 6, 2019.
2018 six-month period - Six-month period ended March 31, 2018
2018 three-month period - Three-month period ended March 31, 2018
2018 UGI International Credit Facilities Agreement - A five-year unsecured Senior Facilities Agreement entered into by UGI International, LLC comprising a €300 million term loan facility and a €300 million revolving credit facility maturing October 2023
2019 six-month period - Six-month period ended March 31, 2019
2019 three-month period - Three-month period ended March 31, 2019
AFUDC - Allowance for funds used during construction
AOCI - Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
ASC - Accounting Standards Codification
ASC 605 - ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition”
ASC 606 - ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”
ASC 740 - ASC 740, “Income Taxes”
ASU - Accounting Standards Update
Bcf - Billions of cubic feet
BIE - Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement
BRP - Balance Responsible Party providing electricity imbalance services in the European electricity markets
COA - Consent order and agreement
CODM - Chief Operating Decision Maker as defined in ASC 280, “Segment Reporting”
Common Units - Limited partnership ownership interests in AmeriGas Partners
Core market - Comprises (1) firm residential, commercial and industrial customers for whom UGI Utilities has a statutory obligation to serve who purchase their natural gas or electricity from UGI Utilities; and (2) residential, commercial and industrial customers for whom UGI Utilities has a statutory obligation to serve who purchase their natural gas or electricity from others
December 2017 French Finance Bills - The French Finance Bill for 2018 and the second amendment to the French Finance Bill for 2017 (also referred to as French Finance Bill)
DS - Default service
Exchange Act - Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FASB - Financial Accounting Standards Board
FDIC - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FERC - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FTR - Financial transmission rights
GAAP - U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
Gwh - Millions of kilowatt hours
ICE - Intercontinental Exchange
IRPA - Interest rate protection agreement
IT - Information technology
LIBOR - London Inter-bank Offered Rate
LNG - Liquefied natural gas
LPG - Liquefied petroleum gases
MDPSC - Maryland Public Service Commission
Merger Agreement - Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 1, 2019, among UGI, AmeriGas Propane Holdings, Inc., AmeriGas Propane Holdings, LLC, AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas Propane
MGP - Manufactured gas plant
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NPNS - Normal purchase and normal sale
NYDEC - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
NYISO - New York Independent System Operator
NYMEX - New York Mercantile Exchange
PADEP - Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
PAPUC - Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Partnership Adjusted EBITDA - A non-GAAP financial measure used by UGI to evaluate the Partnership’s performance consisting of Partnership earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization as adjusted for the effects of gains and losses on commodity derivative instruments not associated with current-period transactions and other gains and losses that competitors do not necessarily have
Partnership Agreement - Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. dated as of July 27, 2009, as amended
PGC - Purchased gas costs
PJM - PJM Interconnection, LLC
Proposed Merger - The transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement pursuant to which AmeriGas Propane Holdings, LLC will merge with and into the Partnership, with the Partnership surviving as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of UGI
PRP - Potentially responsible party
Receivables Facility - A receivables purchase facility of Energy Services with an issuer of receivables-backed commercial paper
Retail core-market - Comprises firm residential, commercial and industrial customers for whom UGI Utilities has a statutory obligation to serve that purchase their natural gas from Gas Utility
ROD - Records of Decision
SCAA - Storage contract administrative agreements
SEC - U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Special Meeting - Special meeting of holders of Common Units to be held at a future date to approve (i) the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Proposed Merger, (ii) the adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Proposed Merger, at the time of the Special Meeting and (iii) a non-binding advisory vote regarding certain compensation arrangements that may be payable to AmeriGas Partners’ named executive officers in connection with the completion of the Proposed Merger
Support Agreement - Agreement between the Partnership and the General Partner, dated as of April 1, 2019, pursuant to which the General Partner has agreed to vote all Common Units that it or its affiliates beneficially own as of the record date of the Special Meeting in favor of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Proposed Merger, at the Special Meeting
TCJA - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
UGI International 3.25% Senior Notes - An underwritten private placement of €350 million principal amount of senior unsecured notes due November 1, 2025, issued by UGI International, LLC
UGI Utilities 4.55% Senior Notes - A private placement of $150 million principal amount of senior notes issued by UGI Utilities due February 2049
USD - U.S. dollar
U.S. Pension Plan - Defined benefit pension plan for employees hired prior to January 1, 2009 of UGI, UGI Utilities, CPG, PNG and certain of UGI’s other domestic wholly owned subsidiaries
Utility Merger - The merger, effective October 1, 2018, of CPG and PNG with and into UGI Utilities
VEBA - Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association
Western Missouri District Court - The United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
Note 1 — Nature of Operations
UGI is a holding company that, through subsidiaries and affiliates, distributes, stores, transports and markets energy products and related services. In the United States, we (1) are the general partner and own limited partner interests in a retail propane marketing and distribution business; (2) own and operate natural gas and electric distribution utilities; and (3) own and operate an energy marketing, midstream infrastructure, storage, natural gas gathering, natural gas production, electricity generation and energy services business. In Europe, we market and distribute propane and other LPG and market energy products and services.
We conduct a domestic propane marketing and distribution business through AmeriGas Partners. AmeriGas Partners is a publicly traded limited partnership that conducts a national propane distribution business through its principal operating subsidiary, AmeriGas OLP. AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP are Delaware limited partnerships. UGI’s wholly owned second-tier subsidiary, AmeriGas Propane, Inc., serves as the General Partner of AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP. At March 31, 2019, the General Partner held a 1% general partner interest and a 25.3% limited partner interest in AmeriGas Partners and held an effective 27.0% ownership interest in AmeriGas OLP. Our limited partnership interest in AmeriGas Partners comprises Common Units. The remaining 73.7% interest in AmeriGas Partners comprises Common Units held by the public. The General Partner also holds incentive distribution rights that entitle it to receive distributions from AmeriGas Partners in excess of its 1% general partner interest under certain circumstances as further described in Note 14 of the Company’s 2018 Annual Report. Incentive distributions received by the General Partner during the six months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were $22.9 and $22.7, respectively.
Our wholly owned subsidiary, Enterprises, through subsidiaries, conducts (1) an LPG distribution business throughout much of Europe and (2) an energy marketing business in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. These businesses are conducted principally through our subsidiaries, UGI France, Flaga, AvantiGas, DVEP and UniverGas.
Energy Services conducts directly and through subsidiaries energy marketing, midstream transmission, LNG, storage, natural gas gathering, natural gas production, electricity generation and energy services businesses primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. UGID owns all or a portion of electricity generation facilities principally located in Pennsylvania. HVAC, a first-tier subsidiary of Enterprises, also conducts heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration and electrical contracting businesses in portions of eastern and central Pennsylvania. Energy Services and its subsidiaries’ storage, LNG and portions of its midstream transmission operations are subject to regulation by the FERC.
UGI Utilities owns and operates Gas Utility, a natural gas distribution utility business in eastern and central Pennsylvania and in a portion of one Maryland county directly and, prior to the Utility Merger on October 1, 2018, through PNG and CPG. Gas Utility is subject to regulation by the PAPUC and the FERC and, with respect to a small service territory in one Maryland county, the MDPSC. UGI Utilities also owns and operates Electric Utility, an electric distribution utility located in northeastern Pennsylvania. Electric Utility is subject to regulation by the PAPUC and the FERC.
Proposed Merger
On April 1, 2019, we entered into the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Partnership, with the Partnership surviving as an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of UGI. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Proposed Merger, each outstanding Common Unit other than Common Units owned by UGI and its subsidiaries, including the General Partner, will be converted into the right to receive, at the election of each holder of such Common Units, one of the following forms of merger consideration:
(i)0.6378 shares of UGI common stock (such election, a "Share Election," such ratio of shares of UGI common stock received per Common Unit, the "Share Election Exchange Ratio");
(ii)$7.63 in cash, without interest, and 0.500 shares of UGI common stock (such election, a "Mixed Election," such ratio of shares of UGI common stock received per Common Unit, the "Mixed Election Exchange Ratio"); or
(iii)$35.325 in cash, without interest (such election, a "Cash Election").
The merger consideration is subject to proration designed to ensure that the total number of shares of UGI common stock issuable as merger consideration will equal approximately 34.6 million shares, and the amount of cash consideration paid will equal approximately $530. Also, at the effective time of the Proposed Merger, the General Partner’s 1% economic general partner interest in AmeriGas Partners, which includes its incentive distribution rights, will convert into (i) 10,615,711 Common Units, which will
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
remain outstanding as partnership interests in AmeriGas Partners, and (ii) a non-economic general partner interest in AmeriGas Partners.
Upon completion of the Proposed Merger, Common Units will no longer be publicly traded. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including the approval of the Merger Agreement by the Partnership’s unitholders, the Proposed Merger is expected to close in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2019.
The Proposed Merger will be accounted for in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation - Overall-Changes in a Parent’s Ownership Interest in a Subsidiary. Because UGI controls the Partnership before and after the Proposed Merger, the changes in UGI’s ownership interest in the Partnership resulting from the merger will be accounted for as an equity transaction and no gain or loss will be recognized in UGI’s consolidated income statement resulting from the merger. In addition, the carrying amounts of AmeriGas’ assets and liabilities will not be adjusted. Finally, the tax effects of the merger will be reported as adjustments to deferred income taxes and UGI stockholders’ equity.
See Note 17 for further information on the Proposed Merger.
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. They include all adjustments that we consider necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Such adjustments consisted only of normal recurring items unless otherwise disclosed. The September 30, 2018, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s 2018 Annual Report. Due to the seasonal nature of our businesses, the results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.
Revenue Recognition. Effective October 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which, as amended, is included in ASC 606. This new accounting guidance supersedes previous revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605. ASC 606 requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We adopted this new accounting guidance using the modified retrospective transition method to those contracts which were not completed as of October 1, 2018. Periods prior to October 1, 2018, have not been restated and continue to be reported in accordance with ASC 605. The Company recorded a $7.1 reduction to opening retained earnings as of October 1, 2018, to reflect the cumulative effect of ASC 606 on certain contracts not complete as of the date of adoption. The adoption of ASC 606 did not, and is not expected to, have a material impact on the amount or timing of our revenue recognition and on our consolidated net income, cash flows or financial position.
Certain revenues such as revenue from leases, financial instruments and other revenues are not within the scope of ASC 606 because they are not from contracts with customers. Such revenues are accounted for in accordance with other GAAP. Revenue-related taxes collected on behalf of customers and remitted to taxing authorities, principally sales and use taxes, are not included in revenues. Gross receipts taxes at Midstream & Marketing and Electric Utility are presented on a gross basis. The Company has elected to use the practical expedient to expense the costs to obtain contracts when incurred for contracts that have a term less than one year. The costs incurred to obtain contracts that have durations of longer than one year are not material.
See Note 4 for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers.
Restricted Cash. Restricted cash principally represents those cash balances in our commodity futures brokerage accounts that are restricted from withdrawal. Upon adoption of revised accounting guidance in October 2018 (see Note 3), changes in restricted cash is no longer reflected as a separate investing activity but included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash when reconciling the beginning and end of period total amounts in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The guidance required retrospective application, which resulted in adjustments to the previously reported cash flows from investing activities for the six months ended March 31, 2018, decreasing net cash used by investing activities by $0.3.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
The following table provides a reconciliation of the total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to the corresponding amounts reported on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
March 31, 2019
March 31, 2018
September 30, 2018
September 30, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents
$
492.1
$
474.8
$
452.6
$
558.4
Restricted cash
26.3
10.6
9.6
10.3
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
518.4
$
485.4
$
462.2
$
568.7
Earnings Per Common Share. Basic earnings per share attributable to UGI shareholders reflect the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share attributable to UGI include the effects of dilutive stock options and common stock awards.
Shares used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
Six Months Ended March 31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
Denominator (thousands of shares):
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — basic
174,501
173,570
174,461
173,617
Incremental shares issuable for stock options and awards (a)
2,817
2,780
2,985
3,029
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — diluted
177,318
176,350
177,446
176,646
(a)
For the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, there were 208 shares associated with outstanding stock option awards that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share above because their effect was antidilutive. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2018, there were 2,486 shares associated with outstanding stock option awards that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share above because their effect was antidilutive.
Derivative Instruments. Derivative instruments are reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair values, unless the NPNS exception is elected. The accounting for changes in fair value depends upon the purpose of the derivative instrument and whether it is subject to regulatory ratemaking mechanisms or if it qualifies and is designated as a hedge for accounting purposes.
Certain of our derivative instruments qualify and are designated as cash flow hedges. For cash flow hedges, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments are recorded in AOCI, to the extent effective at offsetting changes in the hedged item, until earnings are affected by the hedged item. We discontinue cash flow hedge accounting if occurrence of the forecasted transaction is determined to be no longer probable. Hedge accounting is also discontinued for derivatives that cease to be highly effective. We do not designate our commodity and certain foreign currency derivative instruments as hedges under GAAP. Changes in the fair values of these derivative instruments are reflected in net income. Gains and losses on substantially all of the commodity derivative instruments used by UGI Utilities are included in regulatory assets or liabilities because it is probable such gains or losses will be recoverable from, or refundable to, customers. From time to time, we also enter into net investment hedges. Gains and losses on net investment hedges that relate to our foreign operations are included in the cumulative translation adjustment component of AOCI until such foreign net investment is sold or liquidated.
In order to reduce the volatility in net income associated with our foreign operations, principally as a result of changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate between the euro and British pound sterling, we enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Because these contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are recorded in “Other non-operating income (expense), net” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Cash flows from derivative instruments, other than certain cross-currency swaps and net investment hedges, if any, are included in cash flows from operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash flows from the interest portion of our cross-currency hedges, if any, are included in cash flows from operating activities while cash flows from the currency
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
portion of such hedges, if any, are included in cash flows from financing activities. Cash flows from net investment hedges, if any, are included in cash flows from investing activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
For a more detailed description of the derivative instruments we use, our accounting for derivatives, our objectives for using them and other information, see Note 14.
Income Taxes. UGI’s consolidated effective income tax rate, defined as total income taxes as a percentage of income (loss) before income taxes, includes amounts associated with noncontrolling interests in the Partnership, which principally comprises AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP. AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP are not directly subject to federal income taxes. As a result, UGI’s consolidated effective income tax rate is affected by the amount of income (loss) before income taxes attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Partnership not subject to income taxes.
Our results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018 were significantly affected by the enactment of the TCJA in the U.S. and the enactment of the December 2017 French Finance Bills in France. See Note 6 for additional information regarding the effects of the TCJA and the December 2017 French Finance Bills.
Other non-operating income (expense), net. Included in “Other non-operating income (expense), net,” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are net gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts used to reduce volatility in net income associated with our foreign operations, and non-service income (expense) associated with our pension and other postretirement plans.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and costs. These estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events, historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may be different from these estimates and assumptions.
Reclassifications. Certain amounts for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018, have been reclassified as a result of the adoption of revised accounting guidance pertaining to certain net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs and restricted cash (see Note 3). In addition, certain other prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-period presentation.
Note 3 — Accounting Changes
New Accounting Standards Adopted Effective October 1, 2018
Revenue Recognition. Effective October 1, 2018, the Company adopted new accounting guidance regarding revenue recognition. See Notes 2 and 4 for a detailed description of the impact of the new guidance and related disclosures.
Cloud Computing Implementation Costs. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, “Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract.” The new guidance requires a customer in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to capitalize certain implementation costs as if the arrangement was an internal-use software project. These deferred implementation costs are expensed over the fixed, noncancelable term of the service arrangement plus any reasonably certain renewal periods. The new guidance also requires the entity to present the expense related to the capitalized implementation costs in the same income statement line as the hosting service fees; to classify payments for capitalized implementation costs in the statement of cash flows in the same manner as payments for hosting service fees; and to present the capitalized implementation costs in the balance sheet in the same line item in which prepaid hosting service fees are presented. The new guidance can be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. We adopted this ASU effective October 1, 2018, and applied the guidance prospectively to all implementation costs associated with cloud computing arrangements that are service contracts incurred beginning October 1, 2018. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on our results of operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2019.
Stranded Tax Effects in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” This ASU provides that the stranded
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
tax effects in AOCI resulting from the remeasurement of deferred income taxes associated with items included in AOCI due to the enactment of the TCJA may be reclassified to retained earnings, at the election of the entity, in the period the ASU is adopted. We adopted this ASU effective October 1, 2018. In connection with the adoption of this guidance, we reclassified a benefit of $6.6 from AOCI to opening retained earnings as of October 1, 2018, to reflect the reduction in the federal income tax rate, and the federal benefit of state income taxes, on the components of AOCI.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” This ASU requires entities to disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net periodic benefit cost and present it with compensation costs for related employees in the income statement. The other components are required to be presented elsewhere in the income statement and outside of income from operations. The amendments in this ASU permit only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization, when applicable. For entities subject to rate regulation, including UGI Utilities, the ASU recognized that in the event a regulator continues to require capitalization of all net periodic benefit costs prospectively, the difference would result in the recognition of a regulatory asset or liability.
The guidance became effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2018, with retrospective adoption for the presentation of pension and postretirement expense on the income statement and a prospective adoption for capitalization. The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018, has been recast to reflect the retrospective adoption for the presentation of the non-service cost component of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost, net of estimated amounts capitalized, within “Other non-operating income (expense), net,” on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income. Previously, the non-service cost components were reflected in “Operating and administrative expenses.”
The amount of income (expense) comprising the non-service cost components of our pension and postretirement benefit plans, net of amounts capitalized, presented in "Other non-operating income (expense), net,” totaled $0.2 and $0.3, respectively, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, and $(1.5) and $(4.7), respectively, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018.
Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash.” The guidance in this ASU requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, as well as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in the ASU are required to be adopted on a retrospective basis. We adopted this ASU effective October 1, 2018. Adoption of this new guidance resulted in a change in presentation of restricted cash on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; otherwise, this guidance did not have a significant impact on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and disclosures (see Note 2, “Restricted Cash”).
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs Disclosures. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, “Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans by removing and adding certain disclosures for these plans. The amendments in this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning October 1, 2020 (Fiscal 2021). The guidance shall be adopted retrospectively for all periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact on its financial statement disclosures from the adoption of the new guidance and determining the period in which the new guidance will be adopted.
Fair Value Measurements Disclosures. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying, or adding certain disclosures. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning October 1, 2020 (Fiscal 2021). The guidance regarding removing and modifying disclosures will be adopted on a retrospective basis and the guidance regarding new disclosures will be adopted on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact on its financial statement disclosures from the adoption of the new guidance and determining the period in which the new guidance will be adopted.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
Derivatives and Hedging. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” This ASU amends and simplifies existing guidance to allow companies to more accurately present the economic effects of risk management activities in the financial statements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning October 1, 2019 (Fiscal 2020). Early adoption is permitted. For cash flow and net investment hedges as of the adoption date, the guidance requires a modified retrospective approach. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required prospectively. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact on its financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance and determining the period in which the new guidance will be adopted.
Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases." This ASU, as subsequently updated, amends existing guidance to require entities that lease assets to recognize the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases on the balance sheet. The new guidance also requires additional disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows from leases. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning October 1, 2019 (Fiscal 2020). Early adoption is permitted. Lessees must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements unless an entity chooses the transition option in ASU 2018-11, “Leases: Targeted Improvements” which, among other things, provides entities with a transition option to recognize the cumulative-effect adjustment from the modified retrospective application to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. We will adopt ASU No. 2016-02, as updated, effective October 1, 2019, and expect to elect the transition option which would allow the Company to maintain historical presentation for periods before October 1, 2019. The Company has completed a preliminary assessment for evaluating the impact of the guidance and anticipates that its adoption will result in a significant amount of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases in effect at the adoption date. The Company has begun implementation activities including accumulating contracts and lease data in formats compatible with a new lease management system that will assist with the initial adoption and future reporting required by the standard.
Note 4 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The Company recognizes revenue when control of promised goods or services is transferred to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company generally has the right to consideration from a customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer for our performance completed to date. As such, we have elected to recognize revenue in the amount to which we have a right to invoice except in the case of certain UGI Utilities’ large delivery service customers and Midstream & Marketing’s peaking contracts for which we recognize revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract, consistent with when the performance obligations are satisfied by the Company.
We do not have a significant financing component in our contracts because we receive payment shortly before, at, or shortly after the transfer of control of the good or service. Because the period between the time the performance obligation is satisfied and payment is received is one year or less, the Company has elected to apply the significant financing component practical expedient and no amount of consideration has been allocated as a financing component.
The Company’s revenues from contracts with customers are discussed below.
Utility Revenues
UGI Utilities supplies natural gas and electricity and provides distribution services of natural gas and electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers who are generally billed at standard regulated tariff rates approved by the PAPUC through the ratemaking process. Tariff rates include a component that provides for a reasonable opportunity to recover operating costs and expenses and to earn a return on net investment, and a component that provides for the recovery, subject to reasonableness reviews, of PGC and DS costs.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
Customers may choose to purchase their natural gas and electricity from Gas Utility or Electric Utility, or, alternatively, may contract separately with alternate suppliers. Accordingly, our contracts with customers comprise two promised goods or services: (1) delivery service of natural gas and electricity through the Company’s utility distribution systems and (2) the natural gas or electricity commodity itself for those customers who choose to purchase the natural gas or electricity directly from the Company. Revenue is not recorded for the sale of natural gas or electricity to customers who have contracted separately with alternate suppliers. For those customers who choose to purchase their natural gas or electricity from the Company, the performance obligation includes both the supply of the commodity and the delivery service.
The terms of our core market customer contracts are generally considered day-to-day as customers can discontinue service at any time without penalty. Performance obligations are generally satisfied over time as the natural gas or electricity is delivered to customers, at which point the customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits provided by the delivery service and, when applicable, the commodity. Amounts are billed to customers based upon the reading of a customer’s meter which occurs on a cycle basis throughout each reporting period. An unbilled amount is recorded at the end of each reporting period based upon estimated amounts of natural gas or electricity delivered to customers since the date of the last meter reading. These unbilled estimates consider various factors such as historical customer usage patterns, customer rates and weather.
UGI Utilities has certain fixed-term contracts with large commercial and industrial customers to provide natural gas delivery services at contracted rates and at volumes generally based on the customer’s needs. The performance obligation to provide the contracted delivery service for these large commercial and industrial customers is satisfied over time and revenue is generally recognized on a straight-line basis.
UGI Utilities makes off-system sales whereby natural gas delivered to our system in excess of amounts needed to fulfill our distribution system needs is sold to other customers, primarily other distributors of natural gas, based on an agreed-upon price and volume between the Company and the counterparty. Gas Utility also sells excess capacity whereby interstate pipeline capacity in excess of amounts needed to meet our customer obligations is sold to other distributors of natural gas based upon an agreed-upon rate. Off-system sales and capacity releases are generally entered into one month at a time and comprise the sale of a specific volume of gas or pipeline capacity at a specific delivery point or points over a specific time. As such, performance obligations associated with off-system sales and capacity release customers are satisfied, and associated revenue is recorded, when the agreed upon volume of natural gas is delivered or capacity is provided, and title is transferred, in accordance with the contract terms.
Electric Utility provides transmission services to PJM by allowing PJM to access Electric Utility’s electricity transmission facilities. In exchange for providing access, PJM pays Electric Utility consideration determined by a formula-based rate approved by FERC. The formula-based rate, which is updated annually, allows recovery of costs incurred to provide transmission services and return on transmission-related net investment. We recognize revenue over time as we provide transmission service.
Other Utility revenues represent revenues from other ancillary services provided to customers and are generally recorded as the service is provided to customers.
Non-Utility Revenues
LPG. AmeriGas Propane and UGI International record revenue principally from the sale of LPG to retail and wholesale customers. The primary performance obligation associated with the sale of LPG is the delivery of propane to (1) the customer’s point of delivery for retail customers and (2) the customer’s specified location where LPG is picked up by wholesale customers, at which point control of the propane is transferred to the customer, the performance obligation is satisfied, and the associated revenue is recognized. For contracts with retail customers that consume LPG from a metered tank, we recognize revenue as LPG is consumed, at which point we have the right to invoice, and generally invoice monthly based on consumption.
Contracts with customers comprise different types of contracts with varying length terms, fixed or variable prices, and fixed or variable quantities. Contracts with our residential customers, which comprise a substantial number of our customer contracts, are generally one year or less. Customer contracts for the sale of LPG include fixed-price, fixed-quantity contracts under which LPG is provided to a customer at a fixed price and a fixed volume, and contracts that provide for the sale of propane at market prices at date of delivery with no fixed volumes. AmeriGas Propane offers contracts that permit the customer to lock in a fixed price for their volumes for a fee and also provide the customer with the option to pre-buy a fixed amount of propane at a fixed price. Amounts received under pre-buy arrangements are recorded as a contract liability when received and recorded as revenue when LPG is
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
delivered and control is transferred to the customer. Fees associated with fixed-price contracts are recorded as contract liabilities and recorded ratably over the contract period.
AmeriGas Propane and UGI International also distribute LPG to customers in portable cylinders. Under certain contracts, filled cylinders are delivered, and control is transferred, to a reseller. In such instances, the reseller is our customer and we record revenue upon delivery to the reseller. Under other contracts, filled cylinders are delivered to a reseller, but the Company retains control of the cylinders. In such instances, we record revenue at the time the reseller transfers control of the cylinder to the end user.
Certain retail LPG customers receive credits which we account for as variable consideration. We estimate these credits based upon past practices and historical customer experience and we reduce our revenues recognized for these credits.
Energy Marketing. Midstream & Marketing and UGI International operate energy marketing businesses that sell energy commodities, principally natural gas and electricity, to residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale customers. In addition, UGI International provides system balancing and procurement services to other energy marketers in the Netherlands.
Midstream & Marketing and UGI International market natural gas and electricity on full-requirements or agreed-upon volume bases under contracts with varying length terms and at fixed or floating prices that are based on market indices adjusted for differences in price between the market location and delivery locations. Performance obligations associated with these contracts primarily comprise the delivery of the natural gas and electricity over a contractual period of time. Performance obligations also include other energy-related ancillary services provided to customers such as capacity. For performance obligations that are satisfied at a point in time such as the delivery of natural gas, revenue is recorded when customers take control of the natural gas. Revenue is recorded for performance obligations that qualify as a series, when customers consume the natural gas or electricity delivered, which corresponds to the amount invoiced to the customer. For transactions where the price or volume is not fixed, the transaction price is not determined until delivery occurs. The billed amount, and the revenue recorded, is based upon consumption by the customer.
In addition to providing natural gas and electricity to end-user customers, our energy marketing business in the Netherlands has contracts with third-party natural gas and electricity marketers to provide BRP services in the electricity and natural gas markets in the Netherlands. These contracts are typically multi-year agreements and include full BRP services which include, among other things, estimating, procuring and scheduling all energy requirements to meet third-party marketers’ needs, or provide more limited system procurement and balancing services. The amount of revenue recognized from our BRP customers is based upon the amount of energy delivered with respect to these agreements, and the level of BRP services provided. We typically receive payments from our BRP customers one month in advance of our performing the related services. Amounts received in advance are deferred on the balance sheet as contract liabilities. Based upon an evaluation of the terms and conditions of the BRP contracts and our ability to control the goods or services provided to the third-party marketers, in addition to other factors, we are considered a principal in these contracts and are required to record the revenue associated with the sale of energy to the third-party energy marketers on a gross basis. We record the associated revenue ratably over time, typically monthly, as the performance obligations are satisfied.
Midstream. Midstream & Marketing provides natural gas pipeline transportation, natural gas gathering and natural gas underground storage services, which generally contain a performance obligation for the Company to have availability to transport or store a product. Additionally, the Company provides stand-ready services to sell supplemental energy products and related services, primarily LNG and propane-air mixtures during periods of high demand that typically result from cold weather. The Company also sells LNG to end-user customers for use by trucks, drilling rigs and other motored vehicles and equipment, and facilities that are located off the natural gas grid.
Contracts for natural gas transportation and gathering services are typically long-term contracts with terms of up to 30 years, while contracts for storage are typically for one-year or multiple storage season periods. Contracts to provide natural gas during periods of high demand have terms of up to 15 years. Contracts to sell LNG for trucks, drilling rigs and other motor vehicles and facilities are typically short-term (less than one year). Depending on the type of services provided or goods sold, midstream revenues may consist of demand rates, commodity rates, and transportation rates and may include other fees for ancillary services. Pipeline transportation, natural gas gathering and storage services provided and services to stand ready to sell supplemental energy products and services each are considered to have a single performance obligation satisfied through the passage of time ratably based upon providing a stand-ready service on a monthly basis. Contracts to sell LNG to end-user customers contain performance obligations to deliver LNG over the term of the contract and revenue is recognized at a point in time when the control of the energy products is transferred to the customer. The price in the contract corresponds to our efforts to satisfy the performance obligation and reflects the consideration we expect to receive for the satisfied performance obligation, and, therefore, the revenue is recognized based on
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
the volume delivered and the price within the contract. In cases where shipping & handling occurs prior to the LNG being delivered to the customer’s storage vessel, we have elected to treat this as a cost of fulfillment and not a separate performance obligation. Revenues are typically billed and payment received monthly. Advance fees received from customers for stand-ready services are deferred as contract liabilities and revenue is recognized ratably over time as the performance obligation is satisfied over a period less than one year.
Electricity Generation. Midstream & Marketing also sells power generated from our electricity generation assets in the wholesale electricity markets administered by PJM regional transmission organization. Power contracts with PJM consist of the sale of power, capacity and ancillary services, all of which are considered a bundle of various services. Performance obligations are satisfied over time, generally on a daily basis, as electricity is delivered to and simultaneously consumed by the customer. As such, the Company has elected to recognize revenue in the amount to which we have a right to invoice which is based on market prices at the time of the delivery of the electricity to the customers.
Other. Other revenues from contracts with customers are generated primarily from services and products provided by Midstream & Marketing’s HVAC business and AmeriGas Propane’s parts and services business. The performance obligations of these businesses include installation, repair and warranty agreements associated with HVAC equipment and installation services provided for combined heat and power and solar panel installations. For installation and repair goods and services, the performance obligations under these contracts are satisfied, and revenue is recognized, as control of the product is transferred or the services are rendered. For warranty services, revenue is recorded ratably over the warranty period. Other LPG revenues from contracts with customers are generated primarily from certain fees AmeriGas Partners and UGI International charge associated with the delivery of LPG, including hazmat safety compliance, inspection, metering, installation, fuel recovery and certain other services. Revenues from fees are typically recorded when the LPG is delivered to the customer or the associated service is completed.
Contract Balances
The timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers or cash receipts. Contract assets represent our right to consideration after the performance obligations have been satisfied when such right is conditioned on something other than the passage of time. Contract assets were not material at March 31, 2019. Substantially all of our receivables are unconditional rights to consideration and are included in “Accounts receivable” and, in the case of UGI Utilities, “Accrued utility revenues” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts billed are generally due within the following month.
Contract liabilities arise when payment from a customer is received before the performance obligations have been satisfied and represent the Company’s obligations to transfer goods or services to a customer for which we have received consideration. The balances of contract liabilities were $60.4 and $115.6 at March 31, 2019 and October 1, 2018, respectively, and are included in “Other current liabilities” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Revenue recognized for the six months ended March 31, 2019, from the amount included in contract liabilities at October 1, 2018 was $82.8.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
Six Months Ended March 31, 2019
Total
Eliminations
AmeriGas Propane
UGI International
Midstream & Marketing (a)
UGI Utilities (a)
Corporate & Other
Revenues from contracts with customers:
Utility:
Core Market:
Residential
$
416.0
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
416.0
$
—
Commercial & Industrial
168.3
—
—
—
—
168.3
—
Large delivery service
83.6
—
—
—
—
83.6
—
Off-system sales and capacity releases
37.1
(47.4
)
—
—
—
84.5
—
Other (b)
(2.8
)
(1.5
)
—
—
—
(1.3
)
—
Total Utility
702.2
(48.9
)
—
—
—
751.1
—
Non-Utility:
LPG:
Retail
2,635.3
—
1,596.5
1,038.8
—
—
—
Wholesale
153.8
—
46.2
107.6
—
—
—
Energy Marketing
1,021.0
(93.9
)
—
305.8
809.1
—
—
Midstream:
Pipeline
41.8
—
—
—
41.8
—
—
Peaking
10.1
(90.4
)
—
—
100.5
—
—
Other
1.7
—
—
—
1.7
—
—
Electricity Generation
23.3
—
—
—
23.3
—
—
Other
163.5
(1.4
)
117.7
25.1
22.1
—
—
Total Non-Utility
4,050.5
(185.7
)
1,760.4
1,477.3
998.5
—
—
Total revenues from contracts with customers
4,752.7
(234.6
)
1,760.4
1,477.3
998.5
751.1
—
Other revenues (c)
53.6
(1.8
)
31.4
16.6
3.3
1.2
2.9
Total revenues
$
4,806.3
$
(236.4
)
$
1,791.8
$
1,493.9
$
1,001.8
$
752.3
$
2.9
(a)
Includes intersegment revenues principally among Midstream & Marketing, UGI Utilities and AmeriGas Propane.
(b)
UGI Utilities includes unallocated negative surcharge revenue of $(10.5) and $(14.6) for the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, respectively, as a result of a PAPUC Order issued May 17, 2018, related to the TCJA (see Note 8).
(c)
Primarily represents revenues from tank rentals at AmeriGas Propane and UGI International, revenues from certain gathering assets at Midstream & Marketing, and gains and losses on commodity derivative instruments not associated with current-period transactions reflected in Corporate & Other, none of which are within the scope of ASC 606 and are accounted for in accordance with other GAAP.
Remaining Performance Obligations
The Company has elected to use practical expedients as allowed in ASC 606 to exclude disclosures related to the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to certain performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period because these contracts have an initial expected term of one year or less, or we have a right to bill the customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value of services provided to the customer to date. Certain contracts with customers at Midstream & Marketing and UGI Utilities contain minimum future performance obligations through 2047 and 2053, respectively. At March 31, 2019, Midstream & Marketing and UGI Utilities expect to record approximately $1.5 billion and $0.2 billion of revenues, respectively, related to the minimum future performance obligations over the remaining terms of the related contracts.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
Note 5 — Inventories
Inventories comprise the following:
March 31, 2019
September 30, 2018
March 31, 2018
Non-utility LPG and natural gas
$
159.7
$
231.7
$
163.0
Gas Utility natural gas
3.4
37.3
3.5
Materials, supplies and other
58.9
49.2
61.8
Total inventories
$
222.0
$
318.2
$
228.3
At March 31, 2019, UGI Utilities was party to five principal SCAAs with terms of up to three years. Pursuant to the SCAAs, UGI Utilities has, among other things, released certain storage and transportation contracts for the terms of the SCAAs. UGI Utilities also transferred certain associated storage inventories upon commencement of the SCAAs, will receive a transfer of storage inventories at the end of the SCAAs, and makes payments associated with refilling storage inventories during the terms of the SCAAs. The historical cost of natural gas storage inventories released under the SCAAs, which represents a portion of Gas Utility’s total natural gas storage inventories, and any exchange receivable (representing amounts of natural gas inventories used by the other parties to the agreement but not yet replenished for which UGI Utilities has the rights), are included in the caption “Gas Utility natural gas” in the table above.
As of March 31, 2019, UGI Utilities had SCAAs with Energy Services, the effects of which are eliminated in consolidation, and with a non-affiliate. The carrying value of gas storage inventories released under the SCAAs with the non-affiliate at September 30, 2018, comprising 2.3 bcf of natural gas, was $5.4. There were no gas storage inventories released under SCAAs with the non-affiliate at March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018.
Note 6 — Income Taxes
Results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018, reflect the impacts of two significant tax law changes in the U.S. and in France including remeasurement adjustments to deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the U.S. and France. The following sections describe these tax law changes.
TCJA
On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was enacted into law. Among the significant changes resulting from the law, the TCJA reduced the U.S. federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018, created a territorial tax system with a one-time mandatory “toll tax” on previously un-repatriated foreign earnings, and allowed for immediate capital expensing of certain qualified property. It also applied restrictions on the deductibility of interest expense, eliminated bonus depreciation for regulated utilities and certain FERC-regulated property beginning in Fiscal 2019, and applied a broader application of compensation limitations.
In accordance with GAAP as determined by ASC 740 we are required to record the effects of tax law changes in the period enacted. As further discussed below, our results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018, contained provisional estimates of the impact of the TCJA. These amounts were considered provisional because they used estimates for which tax returns had not yet been filed and because estimated amounts could have been impacted by future regulatory and accounting guidance if and when issued. We adjusted provisional amounts as further information became available and as we refined our calculations. As permitted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, these adjustments occurred during the reasonable “measurement period” defined as twelve months from the date of enactment. During the three months ended December 31, 2018, adjustments to provisional amounts recorded in prior periods were not material.
As a result of the enactment of the TCJA on December 22, 2017, during the three and six months ended March 31, 2018, we reduced our net deferred income tax liabilities by $5.0 and $388.8, respectively, due to the remeasuring of our existing federal deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of the date of the enactment of the TCJA, and as a result of adjusting our original provisional amounts during the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Because current law requires that excess deferred income taxes associated with UGI Utilities’ regulated utility plant assets are to be amortized no more rapidly than over the remaining lives of
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
the assets that gave rise to the excess deferred taxes, UGI Utilities recorded a regulatory liability related to such excess deferred income taxes (see Note 8).
For the six months ended March 31, 2018, discrete deferred income tax adjustments reduced income tax expense by $171.3, which amount is net of $5.3 of adjustments recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2018 in accordance with the previously mentioned SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. The $171.3 discrete deferred income tax adjustment for the six months ended March 31, 2018, was comprised of the following:
(1)a $180.3 reduction in net deferred tax liabilities in the U.S from the reduction of the U.S. tax rate;
(2)the establishment of $7.6 of valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets impacted by U.S. tax law changes; and
(3)a $1.4 “toll tax” on un-repatriated foreign earnings.
For the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we included the estimated impacts of the TCJA in determining our estimated annual effective income tax rates. We are subject to a 21.0% U.S. federal tax rate in Fiscal 2019. We were subject to a blended U.S. federal tax rate of 24.5% for Fiscal 2018 because our fiscal year contained the effective date of the rate change from 35% to 21% on January 1, 2018. As a result, our annual effective income tax rates used for the six months ended March 31, 2019 was based upon a federal income tax rate of 21.0% and our annual effective tax rate used for the six months ended March 31, 2018 was based upon a federal income tax rate of 24.5%. Our estimated annual effective tax rate was not impacted by any regulatory action taken by the PAPUC.
December 2017 French Finance Bills
In December 2017, the December 2017 French Finance Bills were approved. One impact of the December 2017 French Finance Bills was an increase in the Fiscal 2018 corporate income tax rate in France from 34.4% to 39.4%. The December 2017 French Finance Bills also include measures to reduce the corporate income tax rate to 25.8%, effective for fiscal years starting after January 1, 2022 (Fiscal 2023). As a result of the future corporate income tax rate reduction effective in Fiscal 2023, during the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company reduced its net French deferred income tax liabilities and recognized an estimated deferred tax benefit of $17.3. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, this estimated deferred tax benefit was adjusted downward by $3.7 to $13.6. The estimated annual effective income tax rate used in determining income taxes for the six months ended March 31, 2018, reflected the impact of the single year Fiscal 2018 income tax rate as a result of the December 2017 French Finance Bills.
Note 7 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets comprise the following:
March 31, 2019
September 30, 2018
March 31, 2018
Goodwill (not subject to amortization)
$
3,147.8
$
3,160.4
$
3,218.1
Intangible assets:
Customer relationships, noncompete agreements and other
$
837.3
$
848.6
$
867.0
Trademarks and tradenames
16.5
7.9
—
Accumulated amortization
(416.3
)
(393.2
)
(376.2
)
Intangible assets, net (definite-lived)
437.5
463.3
490.8
Trademarks and tradenames (indefinite-lived)
50.8
50.3
136.3
Total intangible assets, net
$
488.3
$
513.6
$
627.1
The changes in goodwill and intangible assets are primarily due to acquisitions, the effects of foreign currency translation, and a $75.0 impairment of Partnership tradenames and trademarks recorded in April 2018. Amortization expense of intangible assets was $14.5 and $13.7 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $29.1 and $28.5 for the six months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Amortization expense included in “Cost of sales” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income was not material. The estimated aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets for the remainder of Fiscal 2019 and for the next four fiscal years is as follows: remainder of Fiscal 2019 — $28.9; Fiscal 2020 — $56.5; Fiscal 2021 — $53.2; Fiscal 2022 — $50.2; Fiscal 2023 — $48.7.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
Note 8 — Utility Regulatory Assets and Liabilities and Regulatory Matters
For a description of the Company’s regulatory assets and liabilities other than those described below, see Note 8 in the Company’s 2018 Annual Report. Other than removal costs, UGI Utilities does not recover a rate of return on its regulatory assets listed below. The following regulatory assets and liabilities associated with UGI Utilities are included on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
March 31, 2019
September 30, 2018
March 31, 2018
Regulatory assets:
Income taxes recoverable
$
120.3
$
110.1
$
128.3
Underfunded pension and postretirement plans
83.6
87.1
135.3
Environmental costs
58.8
58.8
59.8
Removal costs, net
30.1
32.0
30.5
Other
6.5
13.0
7.7
Total regulatory assets
$
299.3
$
301.0
$
361.6
Regulatory liabilities (a):
Postretirement benefits
$
16.9
$
17.8
$
17.1
Deferred fuel and power refunds
17.7
36.7
35.3
State tax benefits — distribution system repairs
24.3
22.6
19.9
PAPUC temporary rates order
25.1
24.4
—
Excess federal deferred income taxes
276.7
285.2
301.2
Other
18.8
3.5
7.2
Total regulatory liabilities
$
379.5
$
390.2
$
380.7
(a)
Regulatory liabilities are included in “Other current liabilities” and “Other noncurrent liabilities” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Deferred fuel and power refunds. Gas Utility’s and Electric Utility’s tariffs contain clauses that permit recovery of all prudently incurred purchased gas and power costs through the application of PGC rates in the case of Gas Utility and DS tariffs in the case of Electric Utility. These clauses provide for periodic adjustments to PGC and DS rates for differences between the total amount of purchased gas and electric generation supply costs collected from customers and recoverable costs incurred. Net undercollected costs are classified as a regulatory asset and net overcollections are classified as a regulatory liability.
Gas Utility uses derivative instruments to reduce volatility in the cost of gas it purchases for retail core-market customers. Realized and unrealized gains or losses on natural gas derivative instruments are included in deferred fuel and power costs or refunds. Net unrealized gains on such contracts at March 31, 2019, September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018 were $1.0, $2.9 and $0.3, respectively.
PAPUC temporary rates order. On May 17, 2018, the PAPUC ordered each regulated utility currently not in a general base rate case proceeding, including UGI Gas, PNG and CPG, to reduce their rates through the establishment of a negative surcharge applied to bills rendered on or after July 1, 2018. In accordance with the terms of the temporary rates order, the initial temporary negative surcharge was reconciled at the end of Fiscal 2018 to reflect the difference in the amount of bill credit received by customers and the amount of benefits received by the Company through the fiscal year end period and updated negative surcharges were placed in effect on January 1, 2019 at rates of 4.71%, 2.87% and 6.34%, respectively, for the UGI South, UGI North and UGI Central rate districts (as described below). These negative surcharges will remain in place until the effective date of new rates established in UGI Gas’s current general base rate proceeding filed January 28, 2019.
In its May 17, 2018 Order, the PAPUC also required Pennsylvania utilities to establish a regulatory liability for tax benefits that accrued during the period January 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018, resulting from the reduced federal tax rate. The rate treatment of this regulatory liability is addressed in UGI Gas’s base rate proceeding filed January 28, 2019 (see “Base Rate Filings” below). In its initial filing, UGI Gas has proposed a 4.5% negative surcharge applicable to all customer distribution service bills to return $24.0 of tax benefits experienced by UGI Utilities over the period January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018, plus applicable interest,
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
thereby satisfying a requirement to make a proposal for distributing those benefits within three years of the May 17, 2018 Order. As proposed, the negative surcharge would become effective for a twelve-month period beginning on the effective date of the new base rates.
For Pennsylvania utilities that were in a general base rate proceeding, including Electric Utility, no negative surcharge applies. The tax benefits that accrued during the period January 1, 2018 through October 26, 2018, the date before Electric Utility’s base rate case became effective (see below), were refunded to Electric Utility ratepayers through a one-time bill credit.
Excess federal deferred income taxes. This regulatory liability is the result of remeasuring UGI Utilities’ federal deferred income tax liabilities on utility plant due to the enactment of the TCJA on December 22, 2017 (see Note 6). In order for our utility assets to continue to be eligible for accelerated tax depreciation, current law requires that excess federal deferred income taxes resulting from the remeasurement be amortized no more rapidly than over the remaining lives of the assets that gave rise to the excess federal deferred income taxes, ranging from 1 year to approximately 65 years. This regulatory liability has been increased to reflect the tax benefit generated by the amortization of the excess deferred federal income taxes and is being amortized and credited to tax expense.
Other Regulatory Matters
Utility Merger. On March 8, 2018 and March 13, 2018, UGI Utilities filed merger authorization requests with the PAPUC and MDPSC, respectively, to merge PNG and CPG into UGI Utilities. After receiving all necessary FERC, MDPSC, and PAPUC approvals, CPG and PNG were merged with and into UGI Utilities, effective October 1, 2018. Consistent with the MDPSC order issued July 25, 2018, and the PAPUC order issued September, 26, 2018, the former CPG, PNG and UGI Utilities, Inc. Gas Division service territories became the UGI Central, UGI North and UGI South rate districts of the UGI Utilities, Inc. Gas Division, respectively, without any ratemaking change. UGI Utilities’ obligations under the settlement approved by the PAPUC include various non-monetary conditions requiring UGI Utilities to maintain separate accounting-type schedules for limited future ratemaking purposes.
Base Rate Filings. On January 28, 2019, UGI Gas filed a request with the PAPUC to increase its operating revenues for residential, commercial and industrial customers by $71.1 annually. The requested rate increase applies to the consolidated UGI Central, UGI North and UGI South rate districts. The increased revenues would be used to fund ongoing system improvements and operations necessary to maintain safe and reliable natural gas service and fund new programs designed to promote and reward customers’ efforts to increase efficient use of natural gas. Additionally, UGI Gas has proposed a 4.5% negative surcharge applicable to all customer distribution service bills to return $24.0 of tax benefits experienced by UGI Utilities over the period January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018, plus applicable interest. As proposed, the negative surcharge would become effective for a twelve-month period beginning on the effective date of the new base rates. UGI Gas requested that the new gas rates become effective March 29, 2019. The PAPUC entered an Order dated February 28, 2019, suspending the effective date for the rate increase to allow for investigation and public hearings. Unless a settlement is reached sooner, this review process is expected to last up to nine months from the date of filing. The Company cannot predict the timing or the ultimate outcome of the rate case review process.
On January 26, 2018, Electric Utility filed a rate request with the PAPUC to increase its annual base distribution revenues by $9.2, which was later reduced by Electric Utility to $7.7 to reflect the impact of the TCJA and other adjustments. The increased revenues would be used to fund ongoing system improvements and operations necessary to maintain safe and reliable electric service. On October 25, 2018, the PAPUC approved a final order providing for a $3.2 annual base distribution rate increase for Electric Utility, effective October 27, 2018. As part of the final order, Electric Utility provided customers with a one-time $0.2 billing credit associated with 2018 TCJA tax benefits. On November 26, 2018, the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate filed an appeal to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court challenging the PAPUC’s acceptance of the UGI Utilities’ use of a fully projected future test year and handling of consolidated federal income tax benefits. UGI Utilities cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this appeal.
On January 19, 2017, PNG (now the UGI North rate district of Gas Utility) filed a rate request with the PAPUC to increase PNG’s annual base operating revenues for residential, commercial and industrial customers by $21.7 annually. The increased revenues would fund ongoing system improvements and operations necessary to maintain safe and reliable natural gas service. On June 30, 2017, all active parties supported the filing of a Joint Petition for Approval of Settlement of all issues with the PAPUC providing for an $11.3 PNG annual base distribution rate increase. On August 31, 2017, the PAPUC approved the Joint Petition and the increase became effective October 20, 2017.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
Manor Township, Pennsylvania Natural Gas Incident Complaint. In connection with a July 2, 2017, explosion in Manor Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, that resulted in the death of one UGI Utilities employee and injuries to two UGI Utilities employees and one sewer authority employee, and destroyed two residences and damaged several other homes, the BIE filed a formal complaint at the PAPUC in which BIE alleged that UGI Utilities committed multiple violations of federal and state gas pipeline regulations in connection with its emergency response leading up to the explosion, and it requested that the PAPUC order UGI Utilities to pay approximately $2.1 in civil penalties, which is the maximum allowable fine. On November 16, 2018, UGI Utilities filed its formal written answer contesting the BIE complaint. The matter remains pending before the PAPUC.
Note 9 — Energy Services Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility
Energy Services has a Receivables Facility currently scheduled to expire in October 2019. The Receivables Facility, as amended, provides Energy Services with the ability to borrow up to $150 of eligible receivables during the period November to April and up to $75 of eligible receivables during the period May to October. Energy Services uses the Receivables Facility to fund working capital, margin calls under commodity futures contracts, capital expenditures, dividends and for general corporate purposes.
Under the Receivables Facility, Energy Services transfers, on an ongoing basis and without recourse, its trade accounts receivable to its wholly owned, special purpose subsidiary, ESFC, which is consolidated for financial statement purposes. ESFC, in turn, has sold and, subject to certain conditions, may from time to time sell an undivided interest in some or all of the receivables to a major bank. Amounts sold to the bank are reflected as “Short-term borrowings” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. ESFC was created and has been structured to isolate its assets from creditors of Energy Services and its affiliates, including UGI. Trade receivables sold to the bank remain on the Company’s balance sheet and the Company reflects a liability equal to the amount advanced by the bank. The Company records interest expense on amounts owed to the bank. Energy Services continues to service, administer and collect trade receivables on behalf of the bank, as applicable. Losses on sales of receivables to the bank during the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, which are included in “Interest expense” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, were not material.
Information regarding the trade receivables transferred to ESFC and the amounts sold to the bank for the six months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, as well as the balance of ESFC trade receivables at March 31, 2019, September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, is as follows:
Six Months Ended March 31,
2019
2018
Trade receivables transferred to ESFC during the period
$
884.8
$
806.9
ESFC trade receivables sold to the bank during the period
$
41.0
$
128.0
March 31, 2019
September 30, 2018
March 31, 2018
ESFC trade receivables - end of period (a)
$
117.0
$
65.0
$
99.6
(a)
At March 31, 2019, there were no ESFC trade receivables sold to the bank. At September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, the amounts of ESFC trade receivables sold to the bank were $2.0 and $10.0, respectively. Amounts sold to the bank are reflected as “Short-term borrowings” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Note 10 — Debt
UGI International. On October 18, 2018, UGI International, LLC, a wholly owned second-tier subsidiary of UGI, entered into the 2018 UGI International Credit Facilities Agreement, a five-year unsecured Senior Facilities Agreement with a consortium of banks consisting of (1) a €300 variable-rate term loan which was drawn on October 25, 2018, and (2) a €300 senior unsecured multicurrency revolving facility agreement. The 2018 UGI International Credit Facilities Agreement matures on October 18, 2023. Term loan borrowings bear interest at rates per annum comprising the aggregate of the applicable margin and the associated euribor rate, which euribor rate has a floor of zero. The margin on term loan borrowings, which ranges from 1.55% to 3.20%, is dependent upon a ratio of net consolidated indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA, as defined. The initial margin on term loan borrowings is 1.70%. UGI International, LLC has entered into pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swaps through October 18, 2022, to fix the underlying euribor rate on term loan borrowings at 0.34%. Under the multicurrency revolving credit facility agreement, UGI
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
International, LLC may borrow in euros or U.S. dollars. Loans made in euros will bear interest at the associated euribor rate plus a margin ranging from 1.20% to 2.85%. Loans made in U.S. dollars will bear interest at the associated LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging from 1.45% to 3.10%. The margin on revolving facility borrowings is dependent upon a ratio of net consolidated indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA, as defined.
Restrictive covenants under the 2018 UGI International Credit Facilities Agreement include restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness and also restrict liens, guarantees, investments, loans and advances, payments, mergers, consolidations, asset transfers, transactions with affiliates, sales of assets, acquisitions and other transactions. In addition, the 2018 UGI International Credit Facilities Agreement requires a ratio of net consolidated indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA, as defined, not to exceed 3.85 to 1.00.
On October 25, 2018, UGI International, LLC issued, in an underwritten private placement, €350 principal amount of the UGI International 3.25% Senior Notes due November 1, 2025. The UGI International 3.25% Senior Notes rank equal in right of payment with indebtedness issued under the 2018 UGI International Credit Facilities Agreement.
The net proceeds from the UGI International 3.25% Senior Notes and the 2018 UGI International Credit Facilities Agreement variable-rate term loan plus cash on hand were used on October 25, 2018 (1) to repay €540 outstanding principal of UGI France’s variable-rate term loan under its 2015 senior facilities agreement; €45.8 outstanding principal of Flaga’s variable-rate term loan; and $49.9 outstanding principal of Flaga’s U.S. dollar variable-rate term loan, plus accrued and unpaid interest, and (2) for general corporate purposes. Because these outstanding term loans were refinanced on a long-term basis in October 2018, we have classified €60 of such debt due in April 2019 as long-term debt on the September 30, 2018 Consolidated Balance Sheet. Upon entering into the 2018 UGI International Credit Facilities Agreement, we also terminated (1) UGI International LLC’s existing revolving credit facility agreement dated December 19, 2017, (2) UGI France’s revolving credit facility under its 2015 senior facilities agreement and (3) Flaga’s credit facility agreement. We have designated term loan borrowings under the 2018 UGI International Credit Facilities Agreement and the UGI International 3.25% Senior Notes as net investment hedges.
UGI Utilities. On February 1, 2019, UGI Utilities issued in a private placement $150 of UGI Utilities 4.55% Senior Notes due February 1, 2049. The UGI Utilities 4.55% Senior Notes were issued pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement dated December 21, 2018, between UGI Utilities and certain note purchasers. The UGI Utilities 4.55% Senior Notes are unsecured and rank equally with UGI Utilities’ existing outstanding senior debt. The net proceeds from the sale of the UGI Utilities 4.55% Senior Notes were used to reduce short-term borrowings and for general corporate purposes. The UGI Utilities 4.55% Senior Notes include the usual and customary covenants for similar type notes including, among others, maintenance of existence, payment of taxes when due, compliance with laws and maintenance of insurance. The UGI Utilities 4.55% Senior Notes require UGI Utilities not to exceed a ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Total Capital, as defined, of 0.65 to 1.00.
Note 11 — Commitments and Contingencies
UGI Standby Commitment to Purchase AmeriGas Partners Class B Common Units
On November 7, 2017, UGI entered into a Standby Equity Commitment Agreement with AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas Propane, Inc. Under the terms of the Commitment Agreement, UGI has committed to make up to $225 of capital contributions to the Partnership through July 1, 2019. UGI’s capital contributions may be made from time to time through July 1, 2019 upon request of the Partnership. There have been no capital contributions made to the Partnership under the Commitment Agreement, and the last date on which AmeriGas Partners may request a capital contribution, without the consent of UGI, is May 17, 2019.
In consideration for any capital contributions made pursuant to the Standby Equity Commitment Agreement, AmeriGas Partners will issue to UGI or a wholly owned subsidiary new Class B Common Units representing limited partner interests in AmeriGas Partners. The Class B Common Units will be issued at a price per unit equal to the 20-day volume-weighted average price of AmeriGas Partners Common Units prior to the date of the Partnership’s related capital call. The Class B Common Units will be entitled to cumulative quarterly distributions at a rate equal to the annualized Common Unit yield at the time of the applicable capital call, plus 130 basis points. The Partnership may choose to make the distributions in cash or in the form of additional Class B Common Units. While outstanding, the Class B Common Units will not be subject to any incentive distributions from the Partnership.
At any time after five years from the initial issuance of the Class B Common Units, holders may elect to convert all or any portion of the Class B Common Units they own into Common Units on a one-for-one basis, and at any time after six years from the initial
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
issuance of the Class B Common Units, the Partnership may elect to convert all or any portion of the Class B Common Units into Common Units if (i) the closing trading price of the Common Units is greater than 110% of the applicable purchase price for the Class B Common Units and (ii) the Common Units are listed or admitted for trading on a National Securities Exchange. Upon certain events involving a change of control and immediately prior to a liquidation or winding up of the Partnership, the Class B Common Units will automatically convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis.
Environmental Matters
UGI Utilities
From the late 1800s through the mid-1900s, UGI Utilities and its current and former subsidiaries owned and operated a number of MGPs prior to the general availability of natural gas. Some constituents of coal tars and other residues of the manufactured gas process are today considered hazardous substances under the Superfund Law and may be present on the sites of former MGPs. Between 1882 and 1953, UGI Utilities owned the stock of subsidiary gas companies in Pennsylvania and elsewhere and also operated the businesses of some gas companies under agreement. By the early 1950s, UGI Utilities divested all of its utility operations other than certain Pennsylvania operations, including those which now constitute UGI South and Electric Utility. Beginning in 2006 and 2008, UGI Utilities also owned and operated two acquired subsidiaries (CPG and PNG), which now constitute UGI North and UGI Central, with similar histories of owning, and in some cases operating, MGPs in Pennsylvania. CPG and PNG merged into UGI Utilities effective October 1, 2018.
Prior to the Utility Merger, each of UGI Utilities and its subsidiaries, CPG and PNG, were subject to COAs with the PADEP to address the remediation of specified former MGP sites in Pennsylvania. In accordance with the COAs, as amended to recognize the Utility Merger, UGI Utilities, as the successor to CPG and PNG, is required to either obtain a certain number of points per calendar year based on defined eligible environmental investigatory and/or remedial activities at the MGPs and in the case of one COA, an additional obligation to plug specific natural gas wells, or make expenditures for such activities in an amount equal to an annual environmental cost cap (i.e. minimum expenditure threshold). The cost cap of the three COAs, in the aggregate, is $5.4. The three COAs are currently scheduled to terminate at the end of 2031, 2020 and 2020. At March 31, 2019, September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, our aggregate estimated accrued liabilities for environmental investigation and remediation costs related to the COAs totaled $50.8, $51.0 and $51.9, respectively. UGI Utilities has recorded associated regulatory assets for these costs because recovery of these costs from customers is probable (see Note 8).
We do not expect the costs for investigation and remediation of hazardous substances at Pennsylvania MGP sites to be material to UGI Utilities’ results of operations because UGI Utilities receives ratemaking recovery of actual environmental investigation and remediation costs associated with the sites covered by the COAs. This ratemaking recognition reconciles the accumulated difference between historical costs and rate recoveries with an estimate of future costs associated with the sites.
From time to time, UGI Utilities is notified of sites outside Pennsylvania on which private parties allege MGPs were formerly owned or operated by UGI Utilities or owned or operated by a former subsidiary. Such parties generally investigate the extent of environmental contamination or perform environmental remediation. Management believes that, under applicable law, UGI Utilities should not be liable in those instances in which a former subsidiary owned or operated an MGP. There could be, however, significant future costs of an uncertain amount associated with environmental damage caused by MGPs outside Pennsylvania that UGI Utilities directly operated, or that were owned or operated by a former subsidiary of UGI Utilities if a court were to conclude that (1) the subsidiary’s separate corporate form should be disregarded, or (2) UGI Utilities should be considered to have been an operator because of its conduct with respect to its subsidiary’s MGP. At March 31, 2019, September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, neither the undiscounted nor the accrued liability for environmental investigation and cleanup costs for UGI Utilities’ MGP sites outside Pennsylvania was material.
AmeriGas Propane
AmeriGas OLP Saranac Lake. In 2008, the NYDEC notified AmeriGas OLP that the NYDEC had placed property purportedly owned by AmeriGas OLP in Saranac Lake, New York on the New York State Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites. A site characterization study performed by the NYDEC disclosed contamination related to a former MGP. AmeriGas OLP responded to the NYDEC in 2009 to dispute the contention it was a PRP as it did not operate the MGP and appeared to only own a portion of the site. In 2017, the NYDEC communicated to AmeriGas OLP that the NYDEC had previously issued three RODs related to remediation of the site totaling approximately $27.7 and requested additional information regarding AmeriGas OLP’s
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Currency in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated otherwise)
purported ownership. AmeriGas renewed its challenge to designation as a PRP and identified potential defenses. The NYDEC subsequently identified a third party PRP with respect to the site.
The NYDEC commenced implementation of the remediation plan in the spring of 2018. Based on our evaluation of the available information, the Partnership accrued an undiscounted environmental remediation liability of $7.5 related to the site during the third quarter of Fiscal 2017. Our share of the actual remediation costs could be significantly more or less than the accrued amount.
Other Matters
Purported Class Action Lawsuits. Between May and October of 2014, purported class action lawsuits were filed in multiple jurisdictions against the Partnership/UGI and a competitor by certain of their direct and indirect customers. The class action lawsuits allege, among other things, that the Partnership and its competitor colluded, beginning in 2008, to reduce the fill level of portable propane cylinders from 17 pounds to 15 pounds and combined to persuade their common customer, Walmart