FAIR VALUE

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability between market participants in the principal market, or in the most advantageous market when no principal market exists. The fair value measurements accounting guidance emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (market participants are assumed to be independent, knowledgeable, able and willing to transact an exchange and not under duress). In considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, a three-tier fair value hierarchy for measuring fair value was established which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1 inputs are based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active (exchange-traded) markets. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions (observable market data) involving identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques (such as option pricing models and discounted cash flow models), for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level 3 inputs consist of unobservable market data which is typically based on an entity’s own assumptions of what a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability as there is little, if any, related market activity.

In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

Executive Benefit Restoration Plan Trust

We have an irrevocable trust with an independent third party to fund the NRECA Executive Benefit Restoration Plan. The trust is funded quarterly to the prior year obligation as determined by the NRECA actuary. The trust consists of investments in equity and debt securities and are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Changes in the fair value of investments in equity securities are recognized in earnings, and changes in fair value of investments in debt securities classified as available-for-sale are recognized in other comprehensive income until realized. The estimated fair value of the investments is based upon their active market value (Level 1 inputs) and is included in other noncurrent assets on our consolidated statements of financial position. The cost and fair values of our investments in the Executive Benefit Restoration Plan trust are as follows (dollars in thousands):


	December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
	Cost		Estimated Fair Value		Cost		Estimated Fair Value
Marketable securities	$	10,821	$	10,298	$	10,604	$	9,808

Marketable Securities

We hold marketable securities in connection with the directors’ and executives’ elective deferred compensation plans which consist of investments in stock funds, bond funds and money market funds. These securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The estimated fair value of the investments is based upon their active market value (Level 1 inputs) and is included in other noncurrent assets on our consolidated statements of financial position. The amortized cost and fair values of our marketable securities are as follows (dollars in thousands):


	December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
	Cost		Estimated Fair Value		Cost		Estimated Fair Value
Marketable securities	$	576	$	530	$	558	$	489

Cash Equivalents

We invest portions of our cash and cash equivalents in commercial paper, money market funds, and other highly liquid investments. The fair value of these investments approximates our cost basis in the investments. In aggregate, the fair value was $83.0 million and $101.8 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Debt

The fair values of debt were estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on our current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. These valuation assumptions utilize observable inputs based on market data obtained from independent sources and are therefore considered Level 2 inputs (quoted prices for similar assets, liabilities (adjusted) and market corroborated inputs). The principal amounts and fair values of our debt are as follows (dollars in thousands):


	December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
	Principal Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Principal Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Total long-term debt	$	3,137,534	$	2,909,301	$	2,981,481	$	2,725,606