Form 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For Quarterly Period Ended December 31, 2011

Commission File Number 000-26591

 

 

RGC Resources, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

VIRGINIA   54-1909697
(State or Other Jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)   Identification No.)
519 Kimball Ave., N.E., Roanoke, VA   24016
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(540) 777-4427

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

None

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerarted-filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

 

Outstanding at January 31, 2012

Common Stock, $5 Par Value   4,633,477

 

 

 


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

UNAUDITED

 

     December 31,     September 30,  
     2011     2011  

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,775,286      $ 7,951,429   

Accounts receivable (less allowance for uncollectibles of $191,411 and $66,058, respectively)

     10,146,929        3,437,904   

Note receivable

     1,229,770        277,770   

Materials and supplies

     631,611        583,157   

Gas in storage

     11,792,403        12,890,934   

Prepaid income taxes

     1,179,493        1,741,349   

Deferred income taxes

     2,939,338        2,870,843   

Other

     1,644,788        1,250,859   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     33,339,618        31,004,245   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

UTILITY PROPERTY:

    

In service

     131,238,949        128,709,183   

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (45,770,383     (45,191,684
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

In service, net

     85,468,566        83,517,499   

Construction work in progress

     1,290,052        2,204,957   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Utility plant, net

     86,758,618        85,722,456   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS:

    

Note receivable

     143,077        1,142,770   

Regulatory assets

     7,504,682        7,547,729   

Other

     103,051        131,849   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other assets

     7,750,810        8,822,348   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 127,849,046      $ 125,549,049   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

UNAUDITED

 

     December 31,     September 30,  
     2011     2011  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Current maturities of long-term debt

   $ 15,000,000      $ 15,000,000   

Dividends payable

     810,859        786,270   

Accounts payable

     4,994,895        5,299,475   

Customer credit balances

     2,716,727        2,525,071   

Customer deposits

     1,713,157        1,607,844   

Accrued expenses

     1,595,391        2,141,132   

Over-recovery of gas costs

     1,303,322        355,476   

Fair value of marked-to-market transactions

     3,169,417        3,312,176   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     31,303,768        31,027,444   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT

     13,000,000        13,000,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES:

    

Asset retirement obligations

     3,899,984        3,863,933   

Regulatory cost of retirement obligations

     7,737,337        7,596,678   

Benefit plan liabilities

     11,161,033        11,326,909   

Deferred income taxes

     10,637,037        9,927,135   

Deferred investment tax credits

     18,913        21,172   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

     33,454,304        32,735,827   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Common stock, $5 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 4,633,031 and 4,624,682, respectively

     23,165,155        23,123,410   

Preferred stock, no par, authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding

     —          —     

Capital in excess of par value

     6,942,881        6,830,395   

Retained earnings

     23,889,364        22,865,311   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (3,906,426     (4,033,338
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     50,090,974        48,785,778   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 127,849,046      $ 125,549,049   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010

 

UNAUDITED

 

     Three Months Ended  
     December 31,  
     2011      2010  

OPERATING REVENUES:

     

Gas utilities

   $ 18,173,445       $ 22,248,553   

Other

     325,731         299,206   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     18,499,176         22,547,759   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

COST OF SALES:

     

Gas utilities

     10,212,775         14,151,761   

Other

     156,774         166,434   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cost of sales

     10,369,549         14,318,195   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

GROSS MARGIN

     8,129,627         8,229,564   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES:

     

Operations and maintenance

     3,325,162         3,293,192   

General taxes

     340,422         315,653   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,055,098         1,001,979   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other operating expenses

     4,720,682         4,610,824   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

     3,408,945         3,618,740   

OTHER INCOME, Net

     9,899         17,808   

INTEREST EXPENSE

     458,999         462,183   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     2,959,845         3,174,365   

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

     1,124,933         1,205,001   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCOME

     1,834,912         1,969,364   

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX

     126,912         497,041   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

   $ 1,961,824       $ 2,466,405   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

   $ 0.40       $ 0.43   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

   $ 0.40       $ 0.43   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE

   $ 0.175       $ 0.170   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010

 

UNAUDITED

 

     Three Months Ended  
     December 31,  
     2011     2010  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 1,834,912      $ 1,969,364   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     1,095,285        1,041,228   

Cost of removal of utility plant, net

     (89,522     (61,396

Changes in assets and liabilities which used cash, exclusive of changes and noncash transactions shown separately

     (4,347,729     (3,450,167
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (1,507,054     (500,971
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Additions to utility plant and nonutility property

     (2,087,493     (1,489,582

Proceeds from disposal of equipment

     2,750        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,084,743     (1,489,582
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Proceeds on collection of note

     47,693        —     

Proceeds from issuance of stock (8,349 and 19,516 shares, respectively)

     154,231        282,640   

Cash dividends paid

     (786,270     (750,786
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (584,346     (468,146
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (4,176,143     (2,458,699

BEGINNING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     7,951,429        6,745,630   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

ENDING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   $ 3,775,286      $ 4,286,931   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

    

Interest paid

   $ 589,697      $ 606,797   

Income taxes paid (refunded), net

     —          (1,000,000

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS UNAUDITED

 

1. Basis of Presentation

RGC Resources, Inc. is an energy services company primarily engaged in the sale and distribution of natural gas. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of RGC Resources, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Resources” or the “Company”); Roanoke Gas Company; Diversified Energy Company; and RGC Ventures of Virginia, Inc.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly RGC Resources, Inc.’s financial position as of December 31, 2011 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. The results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2011 are not indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012 as quarterly earnings are affected by the highly seasonal nature of the business and weather conditions generally result in greater earnings during the winter months.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements and condensed notes are presented as permitted by Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X and the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not contain certain information included in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. The condensed consolidated financial statements and condensed notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes contained in the Company’s Form 10-K. The September 30, 2011 balance sheet was included in the Company’s Form 10-K.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Prior year share and per share data have been restated to reflect the effect of a two-for-one stock split effected in the form of a 100% share dividend on the Company’s common stock payable to shareholders on September 1, 2011.

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011. Newly adopted and newly issued accounting standards are discussed below.


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2011, the FASB issued guidance under FASB ASC No. 820 – Fair Value Measurement, which serves to converge guidance between the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) for fair value measurements and their related disclosures. This guidance provides for common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements including the consistency of the meaning of the term “fair value”. This guidance provides clarification about the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements as well as changes in particular requirements for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The new requirements are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance but does not anticipate these changes to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, management does anticipate the adoption of this guidance will result in changes to disclosures surrounding fair value.

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance under FASB ASC No. 220 – Comprehensive Income that defines the presentation of Comprehensive Income in the financial statements. According to the guidance, an entity may present a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or two separate statements – a statement of income and a statement of other comprehensive income that immediately follows the statement of income. In either presentation, the entity is required to present on the face of the financial statement the components of other comprehensive income including the reclassification adjustment for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income. The new requirements are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.

In December 2011, the FASB issued additional guidance under FASB ASC No. 220 that deferred the effective date of earlier guidance with regard to the presentation of reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income. All other provisions of the guidance issued in June remain in effect. Management is currently evaluating the specific requirements of this guidance but does not anticipate these changes to have a material impact on its financial position or cash flows. Management does expect changes related to its statement of income and comprehensive income to include additional details currently included in the footnotes.

In December 2011, the FASB issued disclosure guidance under FASB ASC No. 210 – Balance Sheet that requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements that enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. Management is currently evaluating the requirements of this guidance but does not anticipate these changes to have a material impact on its financial position. The new requirements are effective on a retrospective basis for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after January 1, 2013.


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Other accounting standards that have been issued by the FASB or other standard-setting bodies are not currently applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

2. Rates and Regulatory Matters

The State Corporation Commission of Virginia (“SCC”) exercises regulatory authority over the natural gas operations of Roanoke Gas. Such regulation encompasses terms, conditions, and rates to be charged to customers for natural gas service; safety standards; extension of service; accounting and depreciation.

On November 1, 2011, Roanoke Gas Company placed into effect new base rates, subject to refund, that provides for approximately $1,100,000 in additional annual non-gas revenues. The amount of the final rate award may be more or less than the amount reflected in the financial statements and will not be known until the Commission issues its order. The Company has recorded an estimated reserve that management believes may be refundable to customers. The public hearing on the request for this rate increase is scheduled for March 27, 2012, with a final order expected some time after that date.

Roanoke Gas Company has in place a weather normalization adjustment mechanism (“WNA”) based on a weather measurement band around the most recent 30-year temperature average. The WNA provides for a weather band of 3% above or below the 30-year temperature average whereby the Company would recover from its customers the lost margin (excluding gas costs) for the impact of weather that was more than 3% warmer than the 30-year average or refund customers the excess earned for weather that was more than 3% colder than the 30-year average. As of December 31, 2011, total heating degree days for the current WNA period of April 2011 through December 2011 were approximately 16% less than the 30-year average. As the number of heating degree days fell outside the current 3% weather band, the Company recorded approximately $577,000 in additional revenues to reflect the estimated impact of the WNA for the difference in margin realized for weather between 16% and 3% warmer than the 30-year average. The final surcharge or refund to customers will be dependent on the weather during the second quarter. Accordingly, the accrued revenues related to the surcharge may be adjusted up or down from the amount reflected in the December 31, 2011 financial statements. The Company did not accrue any WNA revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 as total heating degree days were within the 3% weather band. The Company applied the provisions of FASB ASC No. 980, Regulated Operations, in recording the estimated asset and revenue for the WNA.

 

3. Financing Receivables

Financing receivables represent a contractual right to receive money either on demand or on fixed or determinable dates and are recognized as assets on the entity’s balance sheet. The Company has two primary types of financing receivables: trade accounts receivable, resulting from the sale of natural gas and other services to its customers, and notes receivable. Trade accounts receivable are short-term in nature and a provision for uncollectible balances is included in the financial statements. The Company’s notes receivable represents the balance on a five-year note with a fifteen year amortization for partial payment on the sale of the


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Bluefield, Virginia natural gas distribution assets to ANGD, LLC in October 2007 and a 24 month note from a customer related to the payment for relocating a portion of a natural gas distribution main. Both notes are performing assets with all payments current. Management evaluates the status of the notes each reporting period to make an assessment on the collectability of the balance. In its most recent evaluation, management concluded that the notes continued to be fully collectible and no loss reserve was required. Either note would be considered past due if either the interest or principal installment were outstanding for more than 30 days after their contractual due date.

 

4. Derivatives and Hedging

The Company’s risk management policy allows management to enter into derivatives for the purpose of managing commodity and financial market risks of its business operations. The Company’s risk management policy specifically prohibits the use of derivatives for speculative purposes. The key market risks that the Company seeks to hedge include the price of natural gas and the cost of borrowed funds.

The Company periodically enters into collars, swaps and caps for the purpose of hedging the price of natural gas in order to provide price stability during the winter months. The fair value of these instruments is recorded in the balance sheet with the offsetting entry to either under-recovery of gas costs or over-recovery of gas costs. Net income and other comprehensive income are not affected by the change in market value as any cost incurred or benefit received from these instruments is recoverable or refunded to customers through the purchased gas adjustment clause (“PGA”) included as part of the Company’s billing rate. During the quarter ended December 31, 2011, the Company had no outstanding derivative collar arrangements for the purchase of natural gas.

The Company has two interest rate swaps associated with its variable rate notes. The first swap relates to the $15,000,000 note issued in November 2005. This swap essentially converts the floating rate note based upon LIBOR into fixed rate debt with a 5.74% effective interest rate. The second swap relates to the $5,000,000 variable rate note issued in October 2008. This swap converts the variable rate note based on LIBOR into a fixed rate debt with a 5.79% effective interest rate. The $15,000,000 swap matures on November 30, 2015 and the $5,000,000 swap matures on December 1, 2015. Both swaps qualify as cash flow hedges with changes in fair value reported in other comprehensive income. No portion of either interest rate swap was deemed ineffective during the periods presented.

The table below reflects the fair values of the derivative instruments and their corresponding classification in the consolidated balance sheets under the current liabilities caption of “Fair value of marked-to-market transactions” as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011:

 

     December 31,
2011
     September 30,
2011
 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

     

Interest rate swaps

   $ 3,169,417       $ 3,312,176   


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

The table in Note 5 reflects the effect on income and other comprehensive income of the Company’s cash flow hedges.

Based on the current interest rate environment, management estimates that approximately $900,000 of the fair value on the interest rate hedges will be reclassified from other comprehensive loss into interest expense on the income statement over the next 12 months. Changes in LIBOR rates during this period could significantly change the amount estimated to be reclassified to income as well as the fair value of the interest rate hedges.

 

5. Comprehensive Income

A summary of other comprehensive income and loss is provided below:

 

    

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 
     2011     2010  

Interest Rate SWAPs

    

Unrealized gains (losses)

   $ (94,258   $ 514,000   

Income tax

     35,780        (195,113
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains (losses)

     (58,478     318,887   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transfer of realized losses to interest expense

     237,017        237,988   

Income tax

     (89,972     (90,341
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net transfer of realized losses to interest expense

     147,045        147,647   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Defined Benefit Plans

    

Transfer of realized actuarial losses to income

     50,034        37,401   

Income tax

     (18,993     (14,198
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net transfer of realized actuarial losses to income

     31,041        23,203   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization of transition obligation

     11,773        11,773   

Income tax

     (4,469     (4,469
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net amortization of transition obligation

     7,304        7,304   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net other comprehensive income

   $ 126,912      $ 497,041   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated comprehensive loss - beginning of period

     (4,033,338     (3,866,823
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated comprehensive loss - end of period

   $ (3,906,426   $ (3,369,782
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

The components of accumulated comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011 include:

 

     December 31,
2011
    September 30,
2011
 

Interest rate swaps

   $ (1,966,307   $ (2,054,874

Pension plan

     (1,331,614     (1,354,418

Postretirement benefit plan

     (608,505     (624,046
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accumulated comprehensive loss

   $ (3,906,426   $ (4,033,338
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

6. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period plus dilutive potential common shares. A reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share is presented below:

 

    

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 
     2011      2010  

Net Income

   $ 1,834,912       $ 1,969,364   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares

     4,630,166         4,560,415   

Effect of dilutive securities:

     

Options to purchase common stock

     5,488         10,225   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted average common shares

     4,635,654         4,570,640   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:

     

Basic

   $ 0.40       $ 0.43   

Diluted

   $ 0.40       $ 0.43   


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

7. Commitments and Contingencies

Roanoke Gas currently holds the only franchises and/or certificates of public convenience and necessity to distribute natural gas in its service area. These franchises are effective through January 1, 2016. Certificates of public convenience and necessity in Virginia are exclusive and are intended for perpetual duration.

Due to the nature of the natural gas distribution business, the Company has entered into agreements with both suppliers and pipelines for natural gas commodity purchases, storage capacity and pipeline delivery capacity. The Company obtains most of its regulated natural gas supply from an asset manager. The Company uses an asset manager to assist in optimizing the use of its transportation, storage rights, and gas supply in order to provide a secure and reliable source of natural gas to its customers. The Company also has storage and pipeline capacity contracts to store and deliver natural gas to the Company’s distribution system. Roanoke Gas is served directly by two primary pipelines. These two pipelines deliver 100% of the natural gas supplied to the Company’s customers. Depending on weather conditions and the level of customer demand, failure of one or both of these transmission pipelines could have a major adverse impact on the Company.

There have been no changes to the status of the lawsuits reported in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011.

Except to the extent, if any, described above, the Company is not a party to any material pending legal proceedings.

 

8. Employee Benefit Plans

The Company has both a defined benefit pension plan (the “pension plan”) and a postretirement benefit plan (the “postretirement plan”). The pension plan covers substantially all of the Company’s employees and provides retirement income based on years of service and employee compensation. The postretirement plan provides certain healthcare and supplemental life insurance benefits to retired employees who meet specific age and service requirements. Net pension plan and postretirement plan expense recorded by the Company is detailed as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Components of net periodic pension cost:

    

Service cost

   $ 130,425      $ 119,809   

Interest cost

     238,299        227,219   

Expected return on plan assets

     (239,795     (232,052

Recognized loss

     118,854        81,793   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic pension cost

   $ 247,783      $ 196,769   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Components of postretirement benefit cost:

    

Service cost

   $ 48,944      $ 48,711   

Interest cost

     148,090        144,994   

Expected return on plan assets

     (91,840     (89,320

Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation

     47,223        47,223   

Recognized loss

     59,847        50,288   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost

   $ 212,264      $ 201,896   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company contributed $400,000 to its pension plan during the three-month period ended December 31, 2011. The Company currently expects to make a total contribution of approximately $1,000,000 to its pension plan and $850,000 to its postretirement benefit plan during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012. The Company will continue to evaluate its benefit plan funding levels throughout the year.

 

9. Environmental Matters

Both Roanoke Gas Company and a previously owned gas subsidiary operated manufactured gas plants (MGPs) as a source of fuel for lighting and heating until the early 1950s. A by-product of operating MGPs was coal tar, and the potential exists for on-site tar waste contaminants at the former plant sites. Should the Company eventually be required to remediate either site, it will pursue all prudent and reasonable means to recover any related costs, including insurance claims and regulatory approval for rate case recognition of expenses associated with any work required.


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

10. Fair Value Measurements

FASB ASC No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes each input to the valuation method used to measure fair value of financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured and reported on a fair value basis into one of the following three broad levels:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices in Level 1 that are either for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011:

 

            Fair Value Measurements - December 31, 2011  
     Fair
Value
     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
 

Liabilities:

           

Natural gas purchases

   $ 1,560,141       $ —         $ 1,560,141       $ —     

Interest rate swaps

     3,169,417         —           3,169,417         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 4,729,558       $ —         $ 4,729,558       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

            Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2011  
     Fair
Value
     Quoted
Prices

in  Active
Markets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
 

Liabilities:

           

Natural gas purchases

   $ 1,000,121       $ —         $ 1,000,121       $ —     

Interest rate swaps

     3,312,176         —           3,312,176         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 4,312,297       $ —         $ 4,312,297       $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Under the asset management contract, a timing difference can exist between the payment for natural gas purchases and the actual receipt of such purchases. Payments are made based on a predetermined monthly volume with the price based on weighted average first of the month index prices corresponding to the month of the scheduled payment. At December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, the Company had a liability in accounts payable reflecting the estimated fair value of the liability valued at the corresponding first of month index prices for which the liability is expected to be settled.

The fair value of the interest rate swaps, included in the line item “Fair value of marked-to-market transactions”, is determined by using the counterparty’s proprietary models and certain assumptions regarding past, present and future market conditions.

The Company’s nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis consist of its asset retirement obligations. The asset retirement obligations are measured at fair value at initial recognition based on expected future cash flows to settle the obligation.

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable (with the exception of the timing difference under the asset management contract), customer credit balances and customer deposits is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are not adjusted to fair value in the financial statements as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011.

 

     December 31, 2011      September 30, 2011  
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 

Assets:

           

Note receivables

   $ 1,372,847       $ 1,363,567       $ 1,420,540       $ 1,403,286   

Liabilities:

           

Long-term debt

   $ 28,000,000       $ 29,444,908       $ 28,000,000       $ 29,539,742   


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes receivable are included in both current assets and other assets on the balance sheet. Long-term debt includes current maturities of long-term debt of $15,000,000.

The fair value of the notes receivable are estimated by discounting future cash flows based on a range of rates for similar investments adjusted for management’s expectation of credit and other risks. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated by discounting the future cash flows of the fixed rate debt at rates extrapolated based on current market conditions. The variable rate long-term debt has interest rate swaps that effectively convert such debt to a fixed rate. The values of the swap agreements are included in the first table above.

FASB ASC 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosures regarding concentrations of credit risk from financial instruments. Cash equivalents are investments in high-grade, short-term securities (original maturity less than three months), placed with financially sound institutions. Accounts receivable are from a diverse group of customers including individuals and small and large companies in various industries. As of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, no single customer accounted for more than 5% of the total accounts receivable balance. The Company maintains certain credit standards with its customers and requires a customer deposit if such evaluation warrants. The Company is also exposed to credit risk of nonperformance by the counterparty on its commodity-based collar agreements. The Company uses financially sound institutions to mitigate the risk of nonperformance on those contracts.

 

11. Subsequent Events

In January 2012, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) notified the Company that it would be conducting an audit of its September 30, 2010 federal income tax return. The IRS last audited the September 30, 2006 federal income tax return.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date the financials statements were issued. There were no items not otherwise disclosed which would have materially impacted the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements that relate to future transactions, events or expectations. In addition, RGC Resources, Inc. (“Resources” or the “Company”) may publish forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, research and development activities and similar matters. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and information available at the time of such statements and are believed to be reasonable and are made in good faith. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development and results of the Company’s business include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) general economic conditions both locally and nationally; (ii) impact of potential climate change legislation regarding limitations on carbon dioxide emissions; (iii) impact of potential increased regulatory oversight and compliance requirements due to financial, environmental, safety and system integrity laws and regulations; (iv) failure to obtain timely rate relief from regulatory authorities for increasing operating or gas costs; (v) the potential loss of large-volume industrial customers to alternate fuels, facility closings or production changes; (vi) ability to attract and retain professional and technical employees to replace an aging work force; (vii) rising interest rates; (viii) effect of weather conditions and natural disasters on production and distribution facilities and the related effect on supply availability and price; (ix) changes in accounting regulations and practices, which could change the accounting treatment for certain transactions and increase the cost of compliance; (x) access to capital markets and the availability of debt and equity financing to support future capital expenditures; (xi) volatility in actuarially determined benefit costs and plan asset performance; (xii) increased customer delinquencies and conservation efforts resulting from difficult economic conditions and/or colder weather; (xiii) volatility in the price and availability of natural gas including restrictions on the exploration and development of natural gas reserves, for environmental or other reasons, and the potential effect of lower natural gas prices on such future exploration and development activity; and (xiv) effect of the federal budget deficit and its impact on corporate taxes. All of these factors are difficult to predict and many are beyond the Company’s control. Accordingly, while the Company believes its forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will approximate actual experience or that the expectations derived from them will be realized. When used in the Company’s documents or news releases, the words, “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “budget,” “assume,” “indicate” or similar words or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “can,” “could” or “may” are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations only as of the date they are made. The Company assumes no duty to update these statements should expectations change or actual results differ from current expectations except as required by applicable laws and regulations.


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

The three-month earnings presented herein should not be considered as reflective of the Company’s consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012. The total revenues and margins realized during the first three months reflect higher billings due to the weather sensitive nature of the gas business. Improvement or decline in earnings for the balance of the fiscal year will depend primarily on weather conditions during the remaining winter months, energy costs, improvement or deterioration in the local economic environment and the level of operating and maintenance costs during the remainder of the year.

Overview

Resources is an energy services company primarily engaged in the regulated sale and distribution of natural gas to approximately 58,700 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Roanoke, Virginia and the surrounding localities through its Roanoke Gas Company (“Roanoke Gas”) subsidiary. Natural gas service is provided at rates and for terms and conditions set by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (“SCC”).

Resources also provides certain unregulated services through Roanoke Gas. Such unregulated operations represent less than 3% of total revenues and margin of Resources on an annual basis.

The Company’s utility operations are regulated by the SCC which oversees the terms, conditions, and rates to be charged to customers for natural gas service, safety standards, extension of service, accounting and depreciation. The Company is also subject to federal regulation from the Department of Transportation in regard to the construction, operation, maintenance, safety and integrity of its transmission and distribution pipelines. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulates the prices for the transportation and delivery of natural gas to the Company’s distribution system and underground storage services. The Company is also subject to other regulations which are not necessarily industry specific.

The SCC authorizes the rates and fees that the Company charges its customers for regulated natural gas service. Over the past several years, the Company has implemented certain approved rate mechanisms that reduce some of the volatility in earnings associated with variations in winter weather and the cost of natural gas.

Since 2003, Roanoke Gas has had in place a weather normalization adjustment mechanism (“WNA”) based on a weather measurement band around the most recent 30-year temperature average. Because the SCC authorizes billing rates for the utility operations of Roanoke Gas based on normal weather, warmer than normal weather may result in the Company failing to earn its authorized rate of return. Therefore, the WNA provides the Company with a level of earnings protection when weather is significantly warmer than normal and provides its customers with price protection when the weather is significantly colder than normal. The WNA mechanism provides for a weather band of 3% above and below the 30-year average, whereby the Company would bill its customers for the lost margin (excluding gas costs) for the impact of weather that was more than 3% warmer than normal or refund customers the excess margin earned for weather that was more than 3% colder than normal. The annual WNA period extends from April to March. For the nine month period ended December 31, 2011, weather was 16% warmer than


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

the 30-year average. As a result, the Company recorded approximately $577,000 in additional revenues to reflect the estimated impact of the WNA for the difference in margin not realized for weather between 3% and 16% of the 30-year average. The final surcharge or refund to customers will be dependent on the weather during the second fiscal quarter as the accrued revenues related to the WNA may be adjusted up or down from the amount included in the December 31, 2011 financial statements. The total number of heating degree days during the prior WNA period fell within the weather band. As a result, the WNA mechanism was not triggered for the prior year.

The Company also has an approved rate structure in place that mitigates the impact of financing costs of its natural gas inventory. Under this rate structure, Roanoke Gas recognizes revenue for the financing costs, or “carrying costs”, of its investment in natural gas inventory. The carrying cost revenue factor applied to inventory is based on the Company’s weighted average cost of capital including interest rates on short-term and long-term debt and the Company’s authorized return on equity. During times of rising gas costs and rising inventory levels, the Company recognizes revenues to offset higher financing costs associated with higher inventory balances. Conversely, during times of decreasing gas costs and lower inventory balances, the Company recognizes less carrying cost revenue as financing costs are lower. As a result of lower commodity price of natural gas, the average price of gas in storage has declined from last year’s levels. The lower average price of gas in storage has resulted in a $3,000 reduction in carrying cost revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2012. With the futures market indicating much lower natural gas prices during the spring and summer fill months compared to the same periods last year, the Company expects to replace much of its current inventory with lower cost gas which will benefit the Company’s customers but will result in less inventory carrying cost revenues for the balance of the year.

Generally, as investment in natural gas inventory increases so does the level of borrowing under the Company’s line-of-credit. However, as the carrying cost factor used in determining carrying cost revenues is based on the Company’s weighted average cost of capital, carrying cost revenues do not directly correspond with incremental short-term financing costs. Therefore, when inventory balances decline due to a reduction in commodity prices, net income will be negatively affected as carrying cost revenues decrease by a greater amount than short-term financing costs decrease. The inverse occurs when inventory costs increase.

RGC Resources is committed to the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to its customers. Since 1991, the Company has placed an increased emphasis on the renewal and replacement of its cast iron and bare steel natural gas distribution pipelines. Management anticipates replacing all remaining cast iron and bare steel pipe over the next several years.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended December 31, 2011:

Net income decreased by approximately $134,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 compared to the same period last year. Significantly less natural gas deliveries due to much warmer weather and increased depreciation more than offset the effects of the WNA accrual and implementation of increased non-gas rates during the quarter.


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

The tables below reflect operating revenues, volume activity and heating degree-days.

 

     Three Months Ended               
     December 31,      Increase/        
     2011      2010      (Decrease)     Percentage  

Operating Revenues

          

Gas Utilities

   $ 18,173,445       $ 22,248,553       $ (4,075,108     -18

Other

     325,731         299,206         26,525        9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Operating Revenues

   $ 18,499,176       $ 22,547,759       $ (4,048,583     -18
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Delivered Volumes

          

Regulated Natural Gas (DTH)

          

Residential and Commercial

     1,804,619         2,379,115         (574,496     -24

Transportation and Interruptible

     739,811         769,794         (29,983     -4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     2,544,430         3,148,909         (604,479     -19
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Heating Degree Days (Unofficial)

     1,328         1,719         (391     -23

Total operating revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2011, compared to the same period last year, decreased primarily due to a 19% decline in total natural gas deliveries associated with a 23% decline in heating degree days and a decrease in natural gas prices. The per unit cost of natural gas reflected in the cost of sales decreased by more than 5% compared to last year.

 

     Three Months Ended               
     December 31,      Increase/        
     2011      2010      (Decrease)     Percentage  

Gross Margin

          

Gas Utilities

   $   7,960,670       $   8,096,792       $   (136,122     -2

Other

     168,957         132,772         36,185         27
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Operating Margin

   $ 8,129,627       $ 8,229,564       $ (99,937     -1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Regulated natural gas margins from utility operations decreased from the same period last year primarily as a result of significantly less total natural gas deliveries for the quarter offset by an accrual of $577,000 for WNA and the implementation of a non-gas base rate increase effective


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

for service rendered on and after November 1, 2011. Residential and commercial volumes decreased by 24% from last year’s levels as the total number of heating degree days for the period declined by 23%. Industrial volumes, which tend to be less weather sensitive than residential and commercial volumes, reflected a decrease of 4% primarily due to weather and expected cutbacks by a few customers. As a result of the implementation of the rate increase, the Company realized approximately $145,000 in additional margin from customer base charges, which is a flat monthly fee billed to each natural gas customer, and volumetric sales.

The components of the gas utility margin decrease are summarized below:

Net Margin Decrease

 

Customer Base Charge

   $ 80,162   

WNA

     577,037   

Carrying Cost

     (3,006

Volumetric

     (787,166

Other

     (3,149
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ (136,122
  

 

 

 

Other margins increased by $36,185 from last year primarily due to the completion of master meter services contract work. More than half of the revenues and margins included under the caption of “Other” are subject to variations in the level of activity and generally are associated with service contracts that have a limited duration that are subject to renewal on an annual basis. Current service contracts extend through the remainder of the fiscal year; however, any continuation beyond 2012 is uncertain.

Operation and maintenance expenses increased by $31,970, or 1%, over the same period last year. Total employee labor and benefit costs increased by approximately $150,000 over the same period last year primarily due to increased pension and postretirement medical costs related to the amortization of a higher actuarial loss and higher health insurance premiums. Operation and maintenance expenses were reduced by $82,000 due to an increase in the capitalization of benefit costs and general and administrative overheads related to a greater level of expenditures in the Company’s pipeline renewal projects. The remaining reductions in operation and maintenance were related to bad debt expense associated with a reduction in billings and contracted services.

General taxes increased by $24,769, or 8%, primarily due to higher property taxes associated with increases in utility property.

Depreciation expense increased by $53,119, or 5%, on a corresponding increase in utility plant investment primarily due to the completion of several distribution pipeline replacement projects.

Other income, net, decreased by $7,909 primarily due to timing of certain expenditures and a reduction in interest income on short-term cash investments.


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Interest expense remained virtually unchanged as the Company’s total debt position has remained at the $28,000,000 level. The Company has been able to generate sufficient funds from its operations to meet its current cash needs without accessing its line-of-credit.

Income tax expense decreased by $80,068, which corresponds to the decrease in pre-tax income for the quarter. The effective tax rate was 38% for the current period and prior period.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The consolidated financial statements of Resources are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the Company’s financial statements are affected by accounting policies, estimates and assumptions that are necessary to comply with generally accepted accounting principles. Estimates used in the financial statements are derived from prior experience, statistical analysis and professional judgments. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions.

The Company considers an estimate to be critical if it is material to the financial statements and it requires assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made and changes in the estimate are reasonably likely to occur from period to period. The Company considers the following accounting policies and estimates to be critical.

Regulatory accounting – The Company’s regulated operations follow the accounting and reporting requirements of FASB ASC No. 980, Regulated Operations. The economic effects of regulation can result in a regulated company deferring costs that have been or are expected to be recovered from customers in a period different from the period in which the costs would be charged to expense by an unregulated enterprise. When this occurs, costs are deferred as assets in the consolidated balance sheet (regulatory assets) and recorded as expenses when such amounts are reflected in rates. Additionally, regulators can impose liabilities upon a regulated company for amounts previously collected from customers and for current collection in rates of costs that are expected to be incurred in the future (regulatory liabilities).

If, for any reason, the Company ceases to meet the criteria for application of regulatory accounting treatment for all or part of its operations, the Company would remove the regulatory assets or liabilities from the balance sheet related to those elements no longer meeting the criteria and include them in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income for the period in which the discontinuance occurred.

Revenue recognition – Regulated utility sales and transportation revenues are based on rates approved by the SCC. The non-gas cost component of rates may not be changed without a formal rate application and corresponding authorization by the SCC; however, the gas cost component of rates may be adjusted periodically through the PGA mechanism with administrative approval from the SCC. When the Company files a request for a non-gas rate increase, the SCC may allow the Company to place such rates into effect subject to refund pending a final order. Under these circumstances, the Company will estimate the amount of rate


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

increase it anticipates will be approved based on the best available information at the time. Utilizing this estimate, the Company records a provision for possible refund for actual revenues in excess of the amount estimated to be awarded. For the quarter ended December 31, 2011, the Company has recorded a reserve that management believes may be refundable to customers based on its estimates. The amount of the final rate award may be more or less than the amount reflected in the financial statements and will not be known until the Commission issues its order which is not expected before the end of the Company’s second fiscal quarter.

The Company bills its regulated natural gas customers on a monthly cycle. The billing cycle periods for most customers do not coincide with the accounting periods used for financial reporting. The Company accrues estimated revenue for natural gas delivered to customers but not yet billed during the accounting period based on weather during the period and current and historical data. The financial statements included unbilled revenue of $4,083,651 and $7,202,270 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – The Company evaluates the collectibility of its accounts receivable balances based upon a variety of factors including loss history, level of delinquent account balances, collections on previously written off accounts and the general economic climate.

Pension and Postretirement Benefits – The Company offers a defined benefit pension plan (“pension plan”) and a postretirement medical and life insurance plan (“postretirement plan”) to eligible employees. The expenses and liabilities associated with these plans are based on numerous assumptions and factors, including provisions of the plans, employee demographics, contributions made to the plans, return on each plan’s assets and various actuarial calculations, assumptions and accounting requirements. In regard to the pension plan, specific factors include assumptions regarding the discount rate used in determining future benefit obligations, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, compensation increases and life expectancies. Similarly, the postretirement medical plan also requires the estimation of many of the same factors as the pension plan in addition to assumptions regarding the rate of medical inflation and Medicare availability. Actual results may differ materially from the results expected from the actuarial assumptions due to changing economic conditions, volatility in interest rates and changes in life expectancy. Such differences may result in a material impact on the amount of expense recorded in future periods or the value of the obligations on the balance sheet.

Investment performance has improved since the declines experienced in August and September, which led to lower discount rate assumptions and an increase in the negative funded position of both plans. If investment returns continue to improve in 2012, the funded position of both plans should improve. Nevertheless, the Company expects to fund the pension plan for the current fiscal year at $1,000,000 and the postretirement medical plan at $850,000. Even with improvement in investment returns, the Company anticipates maintaining contributions at these levels or higher over the next several years. The Company will continue to evaluate its benefit plan funding levels throughout the year in light of the requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and ongoing investment returns and make adjustments as necessary to avoid benefit restrictions and manage the cost of the benefit plans.


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Derivatives – The Company may hedge certain risks incurred in its operations through the use of derivative instruments. The Company applies the requirements of FASB ASC No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging, which requires the recognition of derivative instruments as assets or liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet at fair value. In most instances, fair value is based upon quoted futures prices for natural gas commodities and interest rate futures for interest rate swaps. Changes in the commodity and futures markets will impact the estimates of fair value in subsequent periods. Furthermore, the actual market value at the point of realization of the derivative may be significantly different from the values used in determining fair value in prior financial statements.

Asset Management

Roanoke Gas uses a third party as an asset manager to manage its pipeline transportation and storage rights and gas supply inventories and deliveries. In return for being able to utilize the excess capacities of the transportation and storage rights, the third party pays Roanoke Gas a monthly utilization fee, which is used to reduce the cost of gas for customers. The current agreement expires in October 2013.

Regulatory

On November 1, 2011, Roanoke Gas Company placed into effect new base rates, subject to refund, that provides for approximately $1,100,000 in additional annual non-gas revenues. The Company has recorded an estimated reserve that management believes may be refundable to customers. The amount of the final rate award may be more or less than the amount reflected in the financial statements and will not be known until the Commission issues its order. The public hearing on the request for this rate increase is scheduled for March 27, 2012, with a final order expected some time after that date.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Due to the capital intensive nature of the utility business, as well as the related weather sensitivity, the Company’s primary capital needs are the funding of its continuing construction program, the seasonal funding of its natural gas inventories, accounts receivable and payment of dividends. To meet these needs, the Company relies on its operating cash flows, line-of-credit agreement, long-term debt and capital raised through the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DRIP”).

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $4,176,143 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2011 compared to a $2,458,699 decrease for the same period last year. The following table summarizes the categories of uses of cash:

 

     December 31,  
     2011     2010  

Cash Flow Summary Three Months Ended:

    

Used in operating activities

   $ (1,507,054   $ (500,971

Used in investing activities

     (2,084,743     (1,489,582

Used in financing activities

     (584,346     (468,146
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (4,176,143   $ (2,458,699
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

The seasonal nature of the natural gas business causes operating cash flows to fluctuate significantly during the year as well as from year to year. Factors including weather, energy prices, natural gas storage levels and customer collections all contribute to working capital levels and the related cash flows. Generally, operating cash flows are positive during the second and third quarters as a combination of earnings, declining storage gas levels and collections on customer accounts all contribute to higher cash levels. During the first and fourth quarters, operating cash flows generally decrease due to increases in natural gas storage levels, rising customer receivable balances and construction activity.

For the three months ended December 31, 2011, cash used in operations increased by approximately $1,006,000 primarily due to the prior year including a refund on federal income taxes. Significantly warmer weather in December resulted in a much smaller increase in both accounts receivable and accounts payable compared to the prior year.

Investing activities are generally composed of expenditures under the Company’s construction program, which involves a combination of replacing aging bare steel and cast iron pipe with new plastic or coated steel pipe and expanding its natural gas system to meet the demands of customer growth. Cash flows used in investing activities increased by approximately $595,000 due to an increased level of capital expenditures. Total capital expenditures were $2,087,493 and $1,489,582 for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase in capital expenditures is attributable to emphasis by the Company to replace the remaining bare steel and cast iron pipe within its natural gas distribution system. To meet this goal, the Company expects capital expenditures to remain near the current annual capital budget of $8,200,000 for the next several years. Depreciation is expected to provide between 50% and 55% of the current year’s projected capital expenditures, with the balance of funding dependent on other sources including net income and corporate borrowing activity, if necessary.

Financing activities generally consist of long-term and short-term borrowings and repayments, issuance of stock and the payment of dividends. As discussed above, the Company uses its line-of-credit arrangement to fund seasonal working capital needs as well as provide temporary financing for capital projects. Cash flow used in financing activities increased by approximately $116,000, from $468,000 to $584,000, primarily due to 11,167 fewer shares of common stock issued this year compared to the same period last year. The impact of lower natural gas prices and their effect on reducing inventory and accounts receivable levels have generated sufficient levels of cash to avoid accessing the line-of-credit during the current and prior year. With natural gas commodity prices projected to move lower over the next several months, the


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Company anticipates its need for working capital funding through its line-of-credit agreement to be minimal through next winter even with a greater emphasis on the pipeline replacement program.

The Company’s line-of-credit agreement will expire on March 31, 2012, unless extended. The Company anticipates being able to extend or replace its current line-of-credit agreement upon expiration; however, there is no guarantee that the line-of-credit will be extended or replaced on terms comparable to those currently in place.

The Company’s $15,000,000 unsecured variable rate note is scheduled to mature on March 31, 2012. Based on discussions with the current lender, the Company anticipates being able to extend this note prior to its maturity on a yearly basis under terms comparable to those currently in place until such time the corresponding swap on the note matures on December 1, 2015.

At December 31, 2011, the Company’s consolidated long-term capitalization, including current maturities of long-term debt, was 64% equity and 36% debt.


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not required.

ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to be effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company completed an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2011.

There were no changes in the internal controls over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Part II – Other Information

ITEM 1 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

As previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the Company received notice that it had been named as a defendant in two civil lawsuits associated with an explosion and fire at a West Virginia residence in November 2009. The suits, filed in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia on June 29, 2010, list Inergy, L.P., RGC Resources, Inc., Inergy Propane, LLC (“Inergy”) d/b/a Highland Propane Company and Otis Cornell as defendants.

On January 31, 2012, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Diversified Energy Company (“Diversified”), received notices from Inergy, a co-defendant with the Company in the litigation stating that Inergy believes that certain claims raised in the litigation are subject to indemnification by the Company and Diversified. The Company does not believe that it is obligated to indemnify Inergy. However, the Company and its legal counsel are continuing to review the terms of the agreements between the parties and to assess the claim. The Company has not changed its assessment of potential liability and does not believe the likelihood of a negative outcome to the Company is probable. If the results of the litigation were adverse to the Company, management believes such damages would be covered by the Company’s applicable insurance policies.

ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS

Not required.

ITEM 2 – UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3 – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

ITEM 4 – RESERVED

ITEM 5 – OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6 – EXHIBITS

 

Number

  

Description

  31.1    Rule 13a–14(a)/15d–14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer.
  31.2    Rule 13a–14(a)/15d–14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer.
  32.1    Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer.
  32.2    Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer.
101*    The following materials from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language); (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, and (iv) Condensed Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

* Pursuant to Rule 406T or Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.


RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned there unto duly authorized.

 

    RGC Resources, Inc.
Date: February 13, 2012   By:  

/s/ John B. Williamson, III

  John B. Williamson, III
  Chairman, President, CEO and CFO