0001104659-16-135170.txt : 20160729 0001104659-16-135170.hdr.sgml : 20160729 20160729070948 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-16-135170 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 6-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20160630 FILED AS OF DATE: 20160729 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20160729 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Fortis Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001666175 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911] IRS NUMBER: 980352146 STATE OF INCORPORATION: A4 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 6-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-210261 FILM NUMBER: 161791949 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5 SPRINGDALE STREET STREET 2: FORTIS PLACE, SUITE 1100 CITY: ST. JOHN'S STATE: A4 ZIP: A1B 3T2 BUSINESS PHONE: 709 737-2800 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5 SPRINGDALE STREET STREET 2: FORTIS PLACE, SUITE 1100 CITY: ST. JOHN'S STATE: A4 ZIP: A1B 3T2 6-K 1 a16-15548_16k.htm 6-K

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 6-K

 


 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of July, 2016

 

Commission File Number: 333-210261

 


 

Fortis Inc.

 


 

Fortis Place, Suite 1100
5 Springdale Street
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Canada, A1E 0E4

(Address of Principal Executive Office)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F: Form 20-F o Form 40-F x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): o

 

 

 



 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Fortis Inc. Second Quarter Report for 2016, including the unaudited comparative interim consolidated financial statements as at June 30, 2016 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, together with the notes thereon, and the Management Discussion and Analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the same period.

 

2



 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

Fortis Inc.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

Date: July 29, 2016

/s/ Karl W. Smith

 

By:

Karl W. Smith

 

Title:

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

3


EX-99.1 2 a16-15548_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

St. John’s, NL (July 29, 2016):

 

Fortis Reports Second Quarter Earnings of $107 million

 

Fortis Inc. (“Fortis” or the “Corporation”) (TSX:FTS), a leader in the North American electric and gas utility industry, released its second quarter results today. The Corporation’s net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders for the second quarter were $107 million, or $0.38 per common share, compared to $244 million, or $0.88 per common share, for the second quarter of 2015.  On a year-to-date basis, earnings were $269 million, or $0.95 per common share, compared to $442 million, or $1.59 per common share, for 2015. The most significant difference in quarterly and year-to-date earnings compared to 2015 related to the gains on sale of assets recognized in the second quarter of 2015.

 

On an adjusted basis, net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders for the second quarter were $131 million, or $0.46 per common share, an increase of $8 million, or $0.02 per common share, over the second quarter of 2015.  On a year-to-date basis, adjusted earnings were $321 million, or $1.13 per common share, an increase of $19 million, or $0.04 per common share, over 2015.   A reconciliation of adjusted net earnings and adjusted earnings per common share is provided in the Corporation’s Interim Management Discussion and Analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

Strong second quarter earnings and cash flow; capital expenditure plan on track

 

·                  Factors that resulted in growth in adjusted earnings for the second quarter included:

 

·                  strong performance at most of the Corporation’s regulated utilities;

 

·                  contribution of $4 million from the Aitken Creek gas storage facility in British Columbia (“Aitken Creek”), which was acquired in early April 2016;

 

·                  the strength of the US dollar relative to the Canadian dollar. Approximately 45% of Fortis’ assets are denominated in US dollars. On an annual basis, earnings per common share are affected by approximately $0.01 for each $0.01 change in the US dollar relative to the Canadian dollar; and

 

·                  the timing of quarterly earnings at FortisBC Electric compared to the second quarter of 2015.

 

·                  Earnings growth was tempered by lower earnings at FortisAlberta, due to higher operating expenses and lower average energy consumption, and the sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets in 2015.

 

·                  Cash flow from operating activities was $931 million for the first half of 2016, comparable with the first half of 2015.

 

·                  Capital expenditures for the first half of 2016 were $859 million and the Corporation’s consolidated capital expenditure forecast of $1.9 billion for 2016 is on track.  Caribbean Utilities completed its 39.7 megawatt generation expansion project in the second quarter of 2016, on schedule and below budget, for a total cost of US$79 million.

 

“Our diversified portfolio of utilities continues to deliver strong results,” said Mr. Barry Perry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortis. “Additionally, we expect the acquisition of ITC to further strengthen and diversify our business, as well as accelerate our growth.  In the second quarter we achieved a number of significant milestones related to closing of the acquisition.”

 

A transformative acquisition

 

In February 2016 Fortis announced the acquisition of ITC Holdings Corp. (“ITC”) in a transaction (the “Acquisition”) valued at approximately US$11.3 billion. ITC is the largest independent electric transmission company in the United States.

 

In April 2016 Fortis announced that it reached a definitive agreement with an affiliate of GIC Private Limited, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, to acquire a 19.9% equity interest in ITC for aggregate consideration of US$1.228 billion in cash upon closing of the Acquisition. This completes a significant component of the ITC Acquisition financing plan.

 

In May 2016 and June 2016, both Fortis and ITC received shareholder approvals to proceed with the Acquisition.  The transaction review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States was completed in July 2016.  The closing of the Acquisition remains subject to certain regulatory, state and federal approvals including, among others, those of the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) and the United States Federal Trade Commission/Department of Justice under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The FERC and all of the state regulatory applications associated with the transaction were filed in the second quarter of 2016.  The closing of the Acquisition is expected to occur in late 2016.

 

i



 

Execution of growth strategy

 

On April 1, 2016, Fortis completed the acquisition of Aitken Creek for approximately $349 million (US$266 million), plus working gas inventory.  Aitken Creek is the only underground gas storage facility in British Columbia and has a total working gas capacity of 77 billion cubic feet.  The facility is an integral part of western Canada’s natural gas transmission network.

 

Construction continues on the Tilbury liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) facility expansion (“Tilbury 1A”) in British Columbia, the Corporation’s largest ongoing capital project, at an estimated cost of $440 million.  Approximately $368 million has been invested in Tilbury 1A to the end of the second quarter of 2016 and the facility is expected to be in service in the first quarter of 2017.

 

The Corporation continues to pursue additional LNG infrastructure investment opportunities in British Columbia, including FortisBC Energy’s potential pipeline expansion to the Woodfibre LNG export facility. Woodfibre LNG has obtained an export license from the National Energy Board and received various environmental assessment approvals. FortisBC Energy also received environmental assessment approval from the Squamish First Nation during the second quarter of 2016.  The potential pipeline expansion has an estimated total project cost of $600 million. A final investment decision by Woodfibre LNG is targeted for late 2016.

 

Regulatory proceedings

 

In addition to the ongoing work to secure regulatory approval for the acquisition of ITC, Fortis is actively engaged with all of its existing regulators and is focused on maintaining constructive regulatory relationships and outcomes across its utilities.

 

The most significant regulatory proceeding underway remains Tucson Electric Power Company’s (“TEP”) general rate application.  TEP has requested new retail rates to be effective January 1, 2017, using the year ended June 30, 2015 as a historical test year.  Since its last approved rate order in 2013, which used a 2011 historical test year, TEP’s total rate base has increased by approximately US$0.6 billion and the common equity component of capital structure has increased from 43.5% to approximately 50%.

 

In the second quarter, Newfoundland Power received a decision on its general rate application, which resulted in a decrease in the allowed rate of return on common shareholder’s equity to 8.50% from 8.80%, effective January 1, 2016. UNS Electric is awaiting the outcome of its general rate application and the Corporation’s utilities in British Columbia and Alberta are undergoing generic cost of capital proceedings initiated by the respective regulators.

 

Outlook

 

Fortis expects to close the Acquisition of ITC by the end of 2016. The Acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings per common share in the first full year following closing, excluding one-time acquisition-related expenses. The Acquisition represents a singular opportunity for Fortis to significantly diversify its business in terms of regulatory jurisdictions, business risk profile and regional economic mix.

 

Over the five-year period through 2020, excluding ITC, the Corporation’s capital program is expected to be over $9 billion. This investment in energy infrastructure is expected to increase rate base to more than $20 billion in 2020.  Fortis expects long-term sustainable growth in rate base, resulting from investment in its existing utility operations and strategic acquisitions, to support continuing growth in earnings and dividends.

 

Fortis continues to target 6% average annual dividend growth through 2020. This dividend guidance takes into account many factors, including the expectation of reasonable outcomes for regulatory proceedings at the Corporation’s utilities, the successful execution of the five-year capital expenditure program, and management’s continued confidence in the strength of the Corporation’s diversified portfolio of utilities and record of operational excellence. The Acquisition of ITC supports this dividend guidance.

 

“Our business continues to grow in 2016 and results in 2017 will benefit from the expected outcome of the TEP general rate case, the impact of ITC and continued growth of our underlying business,” said Mr. Perry.  “Over the long term, we are well positioned to enhance value for shareholders through the execution of our capital plan, the balance and strength of our diversified portfolio of businesses, as well as growth opportunities within our franchise regions,” he concluded.

 

ii



 

Teleconference to Discuss Second Quarter 2016 Results

 

A teleconference and webcast will be held on July 29 at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern). Barry Perry, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fortis, and Karl Smith, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Fortis, will discuss the Corporation’s second quarter 2016 results.

 

Analysts, members of the media and other interested parties in North America are invited to participate by calling 1.877.223.4471. International participants may participate by calling 647.788.4922.  Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.  No pass code is required.

 

A live and archived audio webcast of the teleconference will be available on the Corporation’s website, www.fortisinc.com.

 

A replay of the conference will be available two hours after the conclusion of the call until August 29, 2016. Please call 1.800.585.8367 or 416.621.4642 and enter pass code 27371747.

 

iii



 

Interim Management Discussion and Analysis

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016

Dated July 29, 2016

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Forward-Looking Information

1

Corporate Overview

2

Significant Items

3

Financial Highlights

5

Segmented Results of Operations

8

Regulated Electric & Gas Utilities - United States

8

UNS Energy

8

Central Hudson

9

Regulated Gas Utility - Canadian

10

FortisBC Energy

10

Regulated Electric Utilities - Canadian

10

FortisAlberta

10

FortisBC Electric

11

Eastern Canadian Electric Utilities

11

Regulated Electric Utilities - Caribbean

12

Non-Regulated - Energy Infrastructure

13

Non-Regulated - Non-Utility

14

Corporate and Other

14

Material Regulatory Decisions and Applications

15

Consolidated Financial Position

17

Liquidity and Capital Resources

18

Summary of Consolidated Cash Flows

18

Contractual Obligations

20

Capital Structure

21

Credit Ratings

21

Capital Expenditure Program

22

Additional Investment Opportunities

23

Cash Flow Requirements

23

Credit Facilities

24

Financial Instruments

25

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

26

Business Risk Management

26

Changes in Accounting Policies

27

Future Accounting Pronouncements

27

Critical Accounting Estimates

29

Related-Party Transactions

29

Summary of Quarterly Results

30

Outlook

31

Outstanding Share Data

32

Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

F-1

 



 

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

The following Fortis Inc. (“Fortis” or the “Corporation”) Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) has been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations.  The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and the MD&A and audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 included in the Corporation’s 2015 Annual Report.  Financial information contained in the MD&A has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) and is presented in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified.

 

Fortis includes forward-looking information in the MD&A within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements included in this MD&A reflect expectations of Fortis management regarding future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “budgets”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “may”, “might”, “plans”, “projects”, “schedule”, “should”, “target”, “will”, “would” and the negative of these terms and other similar terminology or expressions have been used to identify the forward-looking statements, which include without limitation: statements related to the acquisition of ITC Holdings Corp. (“ITC”), the expected timing and conditions precedent to the closing of the acquisition of ITC, regulatory approvals, governmental approvals and other customary closing conditions; the expectation that Fortis will borrow funds to satisfy its obligation to pay the cash portion of the purchase price; the assumption of ITC debt and expected maintenance of investment-grade credit ratings; the impact of the acquisition on the Corporation’s midyear rate base, credit rating and estimated enterprise value; the expectation that the acquisition of ITC will be accretive to earnings per common share in the first full year following closing, excluding one-time acquisition-related expenses, and that the acquisition will support the average annual dividend growth target of Fortis; the expectation that the Corporation will have its common shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange; targeted annual dividend growth through 2020; the expected timing of filing of regulatory applications and receipt and outcome of regulatory decisions; the expectation that midyear rate base will increase from 2016 to 2020; the Corporation’s forecast gross consolidated capital expenditures for 2016 and total capital spending over the five-year period from 2016 through 2020; the nature, timing and expected costs of certain capital projects including, without limitation, expansion of the Tilbury liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) facility, including Tilbury 1A, the potential pipeline expansion to the Woodfibre LNG site, and additional opportunities including electric transmission, LNG and renewable-related infrastructure and generation; the expectation that the Corporation’s significant capital expenditure program will support continuing growth in earnings and dividends; the expectation that cash required to complete subsidiary capital expenditure programs will be sourced from a combination of cash from operations, borrowings under credit facilities, equity injections from Fortis and long-term debt offerings; the expectation that maintaining the targeted capital structure of the Corporation’s regulated operating subsidiaries will not have an impact on its ability to pay dividends in the foreseeable future; the expectation that borrowing under the Corporation’s committed credit facility may be required from time to time to support the servicing of debt and the payment of dividends; the expectation that the Corporation’s subsidiaries will be able to source the cash required to fund their 2016 capital expenditure programs, operating and interest costs, and dividend payments; the expected consolidated fixed-term debt maturities and repayments over the next five years; the intention of management to refinance long-term committed credit facilities with long-term permanent financing; the expectation that long-term debt will not be settled prior to maturity; the expectation that the Corporation and its subsidiaries will continue to have reasonable access to capital in the near to long terms; the expectation that the combination of available credit facilities and relatively low annual debt maturities and repayments will provide the Corporation and its subsidiaries with flexibility in the timing of access to capital markets; the expectation that the Corporation and its subsidiaries will remain compliant with debt covenants throughout 2016; the intent of management to hedge future exchange rate fluctuations and monitor its foreign currency exposure; the expectation of FortisAlberta to recognize capital tracker revenue in 2016 and that adjustments to capital tracker revenue will be considered in the 2017 Annual Rates Application; the settlement of the Springerville Unit 1 litigation and the timing and conditions precedent to the closing of the settlement, including regulatory approval and satisfaction of customary closing conditions; the expectation that any liability from current legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial position and results of operations; and the expectation that the adoption of future accounting pronouncements will not have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.

 

1



 

Certain material factors or assumptions have been applied in drawing the conclusions contained in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and requested rate orders, no material adverse regulatory decisions being received, and the expectation of regulatory stability; no material capital project and financing cost overrun related to any of the Corporation’s capital projects; the realization of additional opportunities including natural gas related infrastructure and generation; the Board of Directors exercising its discretion to declare dividends, taking into account the business performance and financial conditions of the Corporation; no significant variability in interest rates; no significant operational disruptions or environmental liability due to a catastrophic event or environmental upset caused by severe weather, other acts of nature or other major events; the continued ability to maintain the electricity and gas systems to ensure their continued performance; no severe and prolonged downturn in economic conditions; no significant decline in capital spending; sufficient liquidity and capital resources; the continuation of regulator-approved mechanisms to flow through the cost of natural gas and energy supply costs in customer rates; the ability to hedge exposures to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, natural gas prices and electricity prices; no significant counterparty defaults; the continued competitiveness of natural gas pricing when compared with electricity and other alternative sources of energy; the continued availability of natural gas, fuel, coal and electricity supply; continuation and regulatory approval of power supply and capacity purchase contracts; the ability to fund defined benefit pension plans, earn the assumed long-term rates of return on the related assets and recover net pension costs in customer rates; no significant changes in government energy plans, environmental laws and regulations that may materially negatively affect the operations and cash flows of the Corporation and its subsidiaries; no material change in public policies and directions by governments that could materially negatively affect the Corporation and its subsidiaries; maintenance of adequate insurance coverage; the ability to obtain and maintain licences and permits; retention of existing service areas; the continued tax-deferred treatment of earnings from the Corporation’s Caribbean operations; continued maintenance of information technology infrastructure; continued favourable relations with First Nations; favourable labour relations; that the Corporation can reasonably assess the merit of and potential liability attributable to ongoing legal proceedings; and sufficient human resources to deliver service and execute the capital program.

 

Forward-looking statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Fortis cautions readers that a number of factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements.  These factors should be considered carefully and undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements.  Risk factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations are detailed under the heading “Business Risk Management” in this MD&A and in continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Key risk factors for 2016 include, but are not limited to: uncertainty regarding the completion of the acquisition of ITC, including but not limited to, the receipt of regulatory and other governmental approvals, the availability of financing sources at the desired time or at all, on cost-efficient or commercially reasonable terms and the satisfaction or waiver of certain other conditions to closing; uncertainty related to the realization of some or all of the expected benefits of the acquisition of ITC; uncertainty regarding the outcome of regulatory proceedings of the Corporation’s utilities; uncertainty of the impact a continuation of a low interest rate environment may have on the allowed rate of return on common shareholders’ equity at the Corporation’s regulated utilities; the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; and risk associated with the impact of less favorable economic conditions on the Corporation’s results of operations.

 

All forward-looking information in the MD&A is qualified in its entirety by the above cautionary statements and, except as required by law, Fortis disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

CORPORATE OVERVIEW

 

Fortis is a leader in the North American electric and gas utility business, with total assets of approximately $29 billion and fiscal 2015 revenue of $6.7 billion.  The Corporation’s asset mix is approximately 94% regulated (69% electric, 25% gas), with the remaining 6% comprised of non-regulated energy infrastructure.  The Corporation’s regulated utilities serve more than 3 million customers across Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.

 

Year-to-date June 30, 2016, the Corporation’s electricity distribution systems met a combined peak demand of 9,433 megawatts (“MW”) and its gas distribution system met a peak day demand of 1,335 terajoules. For additional information on the Corporation’s business segments, refer to Note 1 to the Corporation’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and to the “Corporate Overview” section of the 2015 Annual MD&A.

 

The Corporation’s main business, utility operations, is highly regulated and the earnings of the Corporation’s regulated utilities are determined under cost of service (“COS”) regulation and, in certain jurisdictions, performance-based rate-setting (“PBR”) mechanisms.  Generally, under COS regulation the respective regulatory authority sets customer electricity and/or gas rates to permit a reasonable opportunity for the utility to recover, on a timely basis, estimated costs of providing service to customers, including a fair rate of return on a regulatory deemed or targeted capital structure applied to an approved

 

2



 

regulatory asset value (“rate base”).  The ability of a regulated utility to recover prudently incurred costs of providing service and earn the regulator-approved rate of return on common shareholders’ equity (“ROE”) and/or rate of return on rate base assets (“ROA”) depends on the utility achieving the forecasts established in the rate-setting processes.  If a historical test year is used to set customer rates, there may be regulatory lag between when costs are incurred and when they are reflected in customer rates. When PBR mechanisms are utilized in determining annual revenue requirements and resulting customer rates, a formula is generally applied that incorporates inflation and assumed productivity improvements.  The use of PBR mechanisms should allow a utility a reasonable opportunity to recover prudently incurred costs and earn its allowed ROE or ROA.

 

Earnings of regulated utilities may be impacted by: (i) changes in the regulator-approved allowed ROE and/or ROA and common equity component of capital structure; (ii) changes in rate base; (iii) changes in energy sales or gas delivery volumes; (iv) changes in the number and composition of customers; (v) variances between actual expenses incurred and forecast expenses used to determine revenue requirements and set customer rates; (vi) regulatory lag in the case of a historical test year; and (vii) timing differences within an annual financial reporting period between when actual expenses are incurred and when they are recovered from customers in rates. When future test years are used to establish revenue requirements and set base customer rates, these rates are not adjusted as a result of the actual COS being different from that which is estimated, other than for certain prescribed costs that are eligible to be deferred on the balance sheet.  In addition, the Corporation’s regulated utilities, where applicable, are permitted by their respective regulatory authority to flow through to customers, without markup, the cost of natural gas, fuel and/or purchased power through base customer rates and/or the use of rate stabilization and other mechanisms.

 

SIGNIFICANT ITEMS

 

Pending Acquisition of ITC Holdings Corp.: On February 9, 2016, Fortis and ITC Holdings Corp. (“ITC”) (NYSE:ITC) entered into an agreement and plan of merger pursuant to which Fortis will acquire ITC in a transaction (the “Acquisition”) valued at approximately US$11.3 billion, based on the closing price for Fortis common shares and the foreign exchange rate on February 8, 2016. Under the terms of the transaction, ITC shareholders will receive US$22.57 in cash and 0.7520 of a Fortis common share per ITC share, representing total consideration of approximately US$6.9 billion, and Fortis will assume approximately US$4.4 billion of ITC consolidated indebtedness.

 

ITC is the largest independent electric transmission company in the United States.  ITC owns and operates high-voltage transmission facilities in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, serving a combined peak load exceeding 26,000 MW along approximately 15,700 circuit miles of transmission line.  In addition, ITC is a public utility limited to transmission ownership in Wisconsin.  ITC’s tariff rates are regulated by the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”), which has been one of the most consistently supportive utility regulators in North America providing reasonable returns and equity ratios. Rates are set using a forward-looking rate-setting mechanism with an annual true-up, which provides timely cost recovery and reduces regulatory lag.

 

In May 2016 and June 2016, both Fortis and ITC received shareholder approvals to proceed with the Acquisition.  The transaction review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States was completed in July 2016.  The closing of the Acquisition remains subject to certain regulatory, state and federal approvals including, among others, those of FERC and the United States Federal Trade Commission/Department of Justice under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The FERC and all of the state regulatory applications associated with the transaction were filed in the second quarter of 2016.  The closing of the Acquisition is expected to occur in late 2016.

 

The pending Acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings per common share in the first full year following closing, excluding one-time acquisition-related expenses. The Acquisition represents a singular opportunity for Fortis to significantly diversify its business in terms of regulatory jurisdictions, business risk profile and regional economic mix.  On a pro forma basis, 2016 forecast midyear rate base of Fortis is expected to increase by approximately $7.5 billion to approximately $25 billion, as a result of the Acquisition.  Following the Acquisition, Fortis will be one of the top 15 North American public utilities ranked by enterprise value.

 

3



 

The financing of the Acquisition has been structured to allow Fortis to maintain investment-grade credit ratings and maintain the Corporation’s existing capital structure.  Financing of the cash portion of the Acquisition purchase price will be achieved primarily through the issuance of approximately US$2 billion of Fortis debt and the sale of 19.9% of ITC to a minority investor.  In April 2016 Fortis announced that it reached a definitive agreement with an affiliate of GIC Private Limited (“GIC”), Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, to acquire a 19.9% equity interest in ITC for aggregate consideration of US$1.228 billion in cash upon closing of the Acquisition.  This completes a significant component of the ITC Acquisition financing plan.

 

In July 2016 Fortis entered into forward-starting deal-contingent interest rate swap contracts with notional amounts totalling US$1.25 billion.  These derivatives have been designated as a hedge of a portion of the cash flow risk associated with the expected issuance of long-term debt to finance a portion of the cash purchase price of the Acquisition.  For further details on these contracts, refer to the “Financial Instruments” section of this MD&A.

 

In February 2016 the Corporation obtained a total of US$3.7 billion in commitments for non-revolving term credit facilities as bridge financing for the pending Acquisition of ITC.  For further details on these Acquisition credit facilities, refer to the “Credit Facilities” section of this MD&A.

 

Upon completion of the Acquisition, ITC will become a subsidiary of Fortis and approximately 27% of the common shares of Fortis will be held by ITC shareholders.  In connection with the Acquisition, Fortis has become a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registrant and intends to list its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange.  Fortis will continue to have its shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.  In May 2016 the SEC granted effectiveness of the Corporation’s registration statement on Form F-4, which included a proxy statement of ITC and a prospectus of Fortis.  This final registration statement is available at www.sec.gov and under Fortis’ issuer profile at www.sedar.com.

 

Acquisition of Aitken Creek Gas Storage Facility

 

On April 1, 2016, Fortis acquired Aitken Creek Gas Storage ULC (“ACGS”) from Chevron Canada Properties Ltd. for approximately $349 million (US$266 million), plus working gas inventory. The net cash purchase price was primarily financed through US dollar-denominated borrowings under the Corporation’s committed revolving credit facility.

 

ACGS owns 93.8% of the Aitken Creek gas storage site (“Aitken Creek”), with the remaining share owned by BP Canada Energy Company. Aitken Creek is the only underground natural gas storage facility in British Columbia and has a total working gas capacity of 77 billion cubic feet. The facility is an integral part of western Canada’s natural gas transmission network. ACGS also owns 100% of the North Aitken Creek gas storage site which offers future expansion potential.  The financial results of ACGS have been included in the Corporation’s consolidated results from the date of acquisition and are included in the Non-Regulated — Energy Infrastructure reporting segment.

 

4



 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Fortis has adopted a strategy of long-term profitable growth with the primary measures of financial performance being earnings per common share and total shareholder return. The Corporation’s business is segmented by franchise area and, depending on regulatory requirements, by the nature of the assets. Key financial highlights for the second quarter and year-to-date periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 are provided in the following table.

 

Consolidated Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

($ millions, except for common share data)

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

Revenue

 

1,477

 

1,538

 

(61

)

3,234

 

3,453

 

(219

)

Energy Supply Costs

 

480

 

531

 

(51

)

1,172

 

1,364

 

(192

)

Operating Expenses

 

454

 

458

 

(4

)

928

 

931

 

(3

)

Depreciation and Amortization

 

232

 

220

 

12

 

466

 

435

 

31

 

Other Income (Expenses), Net

 

9

 

166

 

(157

)

25

 

183

 

(158

)

Finance Charges

 

150

 

141

 

9

 

293

 

275

 

18

 

Income Tax Expense

 

28

 

76

 

(48

)

70

 

133

 

(63

)

Net Earnings

 

142

 

278

 

(136

)

330

 

498

 

(168

)

Net Earnings Attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Controlling Interests

 

17

 

15

 

2

 

24

 

17

 

7

 

Preference Equity Shareholders

 

18

 

19

 

(1

)

37

 

39

 

(2

)

Common Equity Shareholders

 

107

 

244

 

(137

)

269

 

442

 

(173

)

Net Earnings

 

142

 

278

 

(136

)

330

 

498

 

(168

)

Earnings per Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic ($)

 

0.38

 

0.88

 

(0.50

)

0.95

 

1.59

 

(0.64

)

Diluted ($)

 

0.38

 

0.87

 

(0.49

)

0.95

 

1.58

 

(0.63

)

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding (# millions)

 

283.7

 

277.9

 

5.8

 

283.0

 

277.3

 

5.7

 

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

 

448

 

468

 

(20

)

931

 

918

 

13

 

 

Revenue

 

The decrease in revenue for the quarter and year to date was mainly due to a decrease in non-utility revenue due to the sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets in 2015, the flow through in customer rates of lower energy supply costs at FortisBC Energy, UNS Energy and Central Hudson, and lower wholesale electricity sales at UNS Energy.  The decrease was partially offset by favourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated revenue and contribution from Aitken Creek, which was acquired in April 2016.

 

Energy Supply Costs

 

The decrease in energy supply costs for the quarter and year to date was mainly due to lower commodity costs at FortisBC Energy, UNS Energy and Central Hudson and a decrease in purchased power at UNS Energy due to lower wholesale electricity sales. The decrease was partially offset by energy supply costs at Aitken Creek and unfavourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated energy supply costs.

 

Operating Expenses

 

The decrease in operating expenses for the quarter and year to date was mainly due to a decrease in non-utility operating expenses due to the sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets.  The decrease was partially offset by unfavourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated operating expenses, acquisition-related expenses of $19 million ($15 million after tax) and $35 million ($29 million after tax) for the second quarter and year-to-date 2016, respectively, associated with the pending Acquisition of ITC, and general inflationary and employee-related cost increases.

 

5



 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

The increase in depreciation for the quarter and year to date was primarily due to unfavourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated depreciation and continued investment in energy infrastructure at the Corporation’s regulated utilities. The increase was partially offset by lower non-utility depreciation due to the sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets.

 

Other Income (Expenses), Net

 

The decrease in other income, net of expenses, for the quarter and year to date was primarily due to a net gain of approximately $111 million ($96 million after tax), net of expenses, related to the sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets and a gain of approximately $51 million ($27 million after tax), net of expenses and foreign exchange impacts, on the sale of generation assets, both recognized in the second quarter of 2015.

 

Finance Charges

 

The increase in finance charges for the quarter and year to date was primarily due to acquisition-related fees associated with the Corporation’s Acquisition credit facilities, which totalled approximately $10 million ($7 million after tax) and $14 million ($10 million after tax) for the second quarter and year-to-date 2016, respectively. The impact of unfavourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated interest expense also contributed to the increase.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

The decrease in income tax expense for the quarter and year to date was primarily due to lower earnings before income taxes, primarily due to the net gains on the sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets and generation assets recognized in the second quarter of 2015.

 

Net Earnings Attributable to Common Equity Shareholders and Basic Earnings Per Common Share

 

Fortis supplements the use of US GAAP financial measures with non-US GAAP financial measures, including adjusted net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders and adjusted basic earnings per common share. The Corporation refers to these measures as non-US GAAP financial measures since they are not required by, or presented in accordance with, US GAAP.

 

The Corporation defines: (i) adjusted net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders as net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders plus or minus items that management believes help investors better evaluate results of operations; and (ii) adjusted basic earnings per common share as adjusted net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. The most directly comparable US GAAP measures to adjusted net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders and adjusted basic earnings per common share are net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders and basic earnings per common share.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the non-US GAAP financial measures and each of the adjusting items are discussed in the segmented results of operations for the respective reporting segments.  The adjusting items do not have a standardized meaning as prescribed under US GAAP and are not considered US GAAP measures. Therefore, these adjusting items may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other companies.

 

6



 

Non-US GAAP Reconciliation (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

($ millions, except for common share data)

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

Net Earnings Attributable to Common Equity Shareholders

 

107

 

244

 

(137

)

269

 

442

 

(173

)

Adjusting Items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNS Energy - FERC ordered transmission refunds

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

11

 

FortisAlberta -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital tracker revenue adjustment for 2013 and 2014

 

 

1

 

(1

)

 

(9

)

9

 

Non-Regulated - Energy Infrastructure -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of generation assets

 

 

(27

)

27

 

 

(27

)

27

 

Unrealized loss on mark-to-market of derivatives

 

2

 

 

2

 

2

 

 

2

 

Non-Utility -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gain on sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets

 

 

(96

)

96

 

 

(96

)

96

 

Corporate and Other -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition-related expenses and fees

 

22

 

 

22

 

39

 

 

39

 

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

 

 

1

 

(1

)

 

(8

)

8

 

Adjusted Net Earnings Attributable to Common Equity Shareholders

 

131

 

123

 

8

 

321

 

302

 

19

 

Adjusted Basic Earnings Per Common Share ($)

 

0.46

 

0.44

 

0.02

 

1.13

 

1.09

 

0.04

 

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding (# millions)

 

283.7

 

277.9

 

5.8

 

283.0

 

277.3

 

5.7

 

 

The increase in adjusted net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders for the quarter was mainly due to: (i) strong performance at most of the Corporation’s regulated utilities; (ii) contribution of $4 million from Aitken Creek, which was acquired in early April 2016; (iii) favourable foreign exchange associated with US dollar-denominated earnings; and (iv) the timing of quarterly earnings at FortisBC Electric compared to the second quarter of 2015.  The increase was partially offset by lower earnings at FortisAlberta, due to higher operating expenses and lower average energy consumption, and the sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets in 2015.

 

The increase in adjusted net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders year to date was mainly due to: (i) strong performance at most of the Corporation’s regulated utilities, including a higher allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”) at FortisBC Energy and equity income of $2 million from Belize Electricity Limited (“Belize Electricity”); (ii) favourable foreign exchange associated with US dollar-denominated earnings; and (iii) contribution of $4 million from Aitken Creek and higher earnings at the Waneta Expansion, which commenced production in early April 2015.  The increase was partially offset by: (i) the timing of quarterly earnings at FortisBC Electric compared to the same period in 2015; (ii) lower earnings at FortisAlberta, due to higher operating expenses and lower average energy consumption; (iii) the sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets in 2015; and (iv) higher Corporate and Other expenses.

 

Adjusted earnings per common share for the quarter and year to date were $0.02 and $0.04 higher, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. The impact of the above-noted items on adjusted net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders were partially offset by an increase in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

 

7



 

SEGMENTED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Segmented Net Earnings Attributable to Common Equity Shareholders (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

Regulated Gas & Electric Utilities - United States

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNS Energy

 

56

 

52

 

4

 

68

 

72

 

(4

)

Central Hudson

 

12

 

10

 

2

 

36

 

32

 

4

 

 

 

68

 

62

 

6

 

104

 

104

 

 

Regulated Gas Utility - Canadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FortisBC Energy

 

8

 

7

 

1

 

100

 

95

 

5

 

Regulated Electric Utilities - Canadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FortisAlberta

 

30

 

31

 

(1

)

61

 

72

 

(11

)

FortisBC Electric

 

15

 

11

 

4

 

30

 

34

 

(4

)

Eastern Canadian

 

16

 

15

 

1

 

34

 

34

 

 

 

 

61

 

57

 

4

 

125

 

140

 

(15

)

Regulated Electric Utilities - Caribbean

 

11

 

9

 

2

 

21

 

14

 

7

 

Non-Regulated - Energy Infrastructure

 

19

 

45

 

(26

)

30

 

48

 

(18

)

Non-Regulated - Non-Utility

 

 

104

 

(104

)

 

102

 

(102

)

Corporate and Other

 

(60)

 

(40

)

(20

)

(111)

 

(61

)

(50

)

Net Earnings Attributable to Common Equity Shareholders

 

107

 

244

 

(137

)

269

 

442

 

(173

)

 

The following is a discussion of the financial results of the Corporation’s reporting segments. Refer to the “Material Regulatory Decisions and Applications” section of this MD&A for a further discussion pertaining to the Corporation’s regulated utilities.

 

REGULATED ELECTRIC & GAS UTILITIES - UNITED STATES

 

UNS ENERGY (1)

 

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

Average US:CAD Exchange Rate (2)

 

1.29

 

1.23

 

0.06

 

1.33

 

1.24

 

0.09

 

Electricity Sales (gigawatt hours (“GWh”))

 

3,608

 

3,981

 

(373

)

6,652

 

7,378

 

(726

)

Gas Volumes (petajoules (“PJ”))

 

3

 

2

 

1

 

8

 

7

 

1

 

Revenue ($ millions)

 

490

 

494

 

(4

)

930

 

929

 

1

 

Earnings ($ millions)

 

56

 

52

 

4

 

68

 

72

 

(4

)

 


(1)     Primarily includes Tucson Electric Power Company (“TEP”), UNS Electric, Inc. (“UNS Electric”) and UNS Gas, Inc. (“UNS Gas”)

(2)     The reporting currency of UNS Energy is the US dollar.

 

Electricity Sales & Gas Volumes

 

The decrease in electricity sales for the quarter and year to date was primarily due to lower short-term wholesale and mining retail sales, as a result of less favourable commodity prices compared to the same periods in 2015.  The majority of short-term wholesale sales is flowed through to customers and has no impact on earnings.  The decrease in electricity sales for the quarter and year to date was partially offset by higher residential retail electricity sales, mainly due to warmer temperatures in the second quarter, which increased air conditioning load, and cooler temperatures in the first quarter, which increased electric heating load.

 

Gas volumes for the quarter and year to date were comparable with the same periods in 2015.

 

8



 

Revenue

 

The decrease in revenue for the quarter was mainly due to lower short-term wholesale electricity sales and the flow through to customers of lower purchased power and fuel supply costs. The decrease was partially offset by approximately $18 million of favourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated revenue, an increase in lost fixed-cost recovery revenue and higher residential retail electricity sales.

 

The increase in revenue year to date was due to approximately $59 million of favourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated revenue, an increase in lost fixed-cost recovery revenue and higher residential retail electricity sales.  The increase was partially offset by $18 million (US$13 million), or $11 million (US$8 million) after tax, in FERC ordered transmission refunds associated with late-filed transmission service agreements, lower short-term wholesale electricity sales and the flow through to customers of lower purchased power and fuel supply costs. For details on the FERC order, refer to the “Material Regulatory Decisions and Applications” section of this MD&A.

 

Earnings

 

The increase in earnings for the quarter was primarily due to approximately $3 million of favourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated earnings, lower deferred income tax expense, higher lost fixed-cost recovery revenue and higher residential retail electricity sales.  The increase was partially offset by higher operating expenses.

 

The decrease in earnings year to date was primarily due to $11 million (US$8 million) in FERC ordered transmission refunds, as discussed above, and higher operating expenses.  The decrease was partially offset by approximately $5 million of favourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated earnings, higher lost fixed-cost recovery revenue, higher residential retail electricity sales, and lower deferred income tax expense.

 

CENTRAL HUDSON

 

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

Average US:CAD Exchange Rate (1)

 

1.29

 

1.23

 

0.06

 

1.33

 

1.24

 

0.09

 

Electricity Sales (GWh)

 

1,149

 

1,217

 

(68

)

2,404

 

2,632

 

(228

)

Gas Volumes (PJ)

 

4

 

5

 

(1

)

13

 

15

 

(2

)

Revenue ($ millions)

 

185

 

193

 

(8

)

434

 

485

 

(51

)

Earnings ($ millions)

 

12

 

10

 

2

 

36

 

32

 

4

 

 


(1)     The reporting currency of Central Hudson is the US dollar.

 

Electricity Sales & Gas Volumes

 

The decrease in electricity sales and gas volumes for the quarter and year to date was primarily due to warmer temperatures.

 

Changes in electricity sales and gas volumes at Central Hudson are subject to regulatory revenue decoupling mechanisms and, as a result, do not have a material impact on revenue and earnings.

 

Revenue

 

The decrease in revenue for the quarter and year to date was mainly due to the recovery from customers of lower commodity costs, which were mainly due to lower wholesale prices, and the impact of energy-efficiency incentives earned during the first half of 2015 upon achieving energy saving targets established by the regulator.  The decrease was partially offset by approximately $5 million and $16 million of favourable foreign exchange for the quarter and year to date, respectively, associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated revenue and an increase in base electricity rates effective July 1, 2015.

 

Earnings

 

The increase in earnings for the quarter and year to date was primarily due to approximately $1 million and $3 million, respectively, of favourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated earnings and an increase in base electricity rates effective July 1, 2015, partially offset by the impact of energy-efficiency incentives earned during the first half of 2015, as discussed above.

 

9



 

REGULATED GAS UTILITY - CANADIAN

 

FORTISBC ENERGY

 

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

Quarter

Year-to-Date

Periods Ended June 30

2016

2015

Variance

2016

2015

Variance

Gas Volumes (PJ)

34

36

(2)

102

98

4

Revenue ($ millions)

201

228

(27)

607

716

(109)

Earnings ($ millions)

8

7

1

100

95

5

 

Gas Volumes

 

The decrease in gas volumes for the quarter was primarily due to lower average consumption as a result of warmer temperatures. The increase in gas volumes year to date was due to higher average consumption during the first quarter as a result of colder temperatures.

 

Revenue

 

The decrease in revenue for the quarter and year to date was primarily due to a lower commodity cost of natural gas charged to customers, partially offset by an increase in customer delivery rates effective January 1, 2016.  Lower gas volumes had an unfavourable impact on revenue for the quarter, while higher gas volumes increased revenue year to date. The timing of regulatory flow-through deferral amounts also had a favourable impact on revenue year to date.

 

Earnings

 

The increase in earnings for the quarter and year to date was primarily due to higher AFUDC, partially offset by higher operating expenses. Also contributing to the increase in earnings year to date was the timing of regulatory flow-through deferral amounts.

 

FortisBC Energy earns approximately the same margin regardless of whether a customer contracts for the purchase and delivery of natural gas or only for the delivery of natural gas.  As a result of the operation of regulatory deferral mechanisms, changes in consumption levels and the cost of natural gas do not materially affect earnings.

 

REGULATED ELECTRIC UTILITIES - CANADIAN

 

FORTISALBERTA

 

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

Energy Deliveries (GWh)

 

3,799

 

4,026

 

(227

)

8,355

 

8,693

 

(338

)

Revenue ($ millions)

 

144

 

136

 

8

 

286

 

282

 

4

 

Earnings ($ millions)

 

30

 

31

 

(1

)

61

 

72

 

(11

)

 

Energy Deliveries

 

The decrease in energy deliveries for the quarter and year to date was primarily due to lower average consumption by oil and gas customers as a result of low commodity prices for oil and gas.  The decrease was partially offset by higher energy deliveries to residential customers due to customer growth.

 

Revenue

 

The increase in revenue for the quarter was due to an increase in customer rates effective January 1, 2016 based on a combined inflation and productivity factor of 0.9%, growth in the number of residential customers and higher revenue related to flow-through costs to customers.

 

10



 

The increase in revenue year to date was due to the same factors discussed above for the quarter, partially offset by the impact of a $9 million positive capital tracker revenue adjustment recognized in the first quarter of 2015 that related to 2013 and 2014.

 

Earnings

 

The decrease in earnings for the quarter and year to date was due to higher operating expenses and lower average energy consumption. The decrease in earnings year to date was primarily due to the $9 million positive capital tracker revenue adjustment recognized in the first quarter of 2015, as discussed above.

 

FORTISBC ELECTRIC (1)

 

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

Electricity Sales (GWh)

 

684

 

699

 

(15

)

1,535

 

1,538

 

(3

)

Revenue ($ millions)

 

83

 

80

 

3

 

187

 

176

 

11

 

Earnings ($ millions)

 

15

 

11

 

4

 

30

 

34

 

(4

)

 


(1)        Includes the regulated operations of FortisBC Inc. and operating, maintenance and management services related to the Waneta, Brilliant and Arrow Lakes hydroelectric generating plants. Excludes the non-regulated generation operations of FortisBC Inc.’s wholly owned Walden hydroelectric generating facility, which was sold in February 2016.

 

Electricity Sales

 

The decrease in electricity sales for the quarter and year to date was mainly due to lower average consumption in the second quarter as a result of warmer temperatures.  The decrease year to date was partially offset by higher average consumption in the first quarter as a result of colder temperatures.

 

Revenue

 

The increase in revenue for the quarter and year to date was driven by increases in base electricity rates and surplus capacity sales, partially offset by a decrease in electricity sales.  Revenue year to date was also favourably impacted by higher contribution from non-regulated operating, maintenance and management services associated with the Waneta Expansion.

 

Earnings

 

The increase in earnings for the quarter was primarily due to approximately $3 million associated with the timing of quarterly earnings compared to the same period in 2015, as a result of the impact of regulatory deferral mechanisms, and rate base growth.

 

The decrease in earnings year to date was primarily due to approximately $6 million associated with the timing of quarterly earnings compared to the same period in 2015, as a result of the impact of regulatory deferral mechanisms and the timing of power purchase costs in 2015. An increase in base electricity rates effective January 1, 2015 was established to recover higher power purchase costs, which commenced in the second quarter of 2015. As a result, net earnings were higher in the first quarter of 2015 and the timing effect reversed in the third and fourth quarters of 2015. The decrease year to date was partially offset by higher earnings from non-regulated operating, maintenance and management services and rate base growth.

 

EASTERN CANADIAN ELECTRIC UTILITIES (1)

 

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

Electricity Sales (GWh)

 

1,921

 

1,912

 

9

 

4,627

 

4,671

 

(44

)

Revenue ($ millions)

 

245

 

232

 

13

 

574

 

554

 

20

 

Earnings ($ millions)

 

16

 

15

 

1

 

34

 

34

 

 

 


(1)        Comprised of Newfoundland Power Inc. (“Newfoundland Power”), Maritime Electric Company, Limited (“Maritime Electric”) and FortisOntario Inc. (“FortisOntario”).  FortisOntario mainly includes Canadian Niagara Power Inc., Cornwall Street Railway, Light and Power Company, Limited, and Algoma Power Inc.

 

11



 

Electricity Sales

 

The increase in electricity sales for the quarter was primarily due to customer growth in Newfoundland, partially offset by lower average consumption in Newfoundland and Ontario.

 

The decrease in electricity sales year to date was primarily due to lower average consumption by residential customers in all regions, mainly due to warmer temperatures.  The decrease was partially offset by customer growth in Newfoundland.

 

Revenue

 

The increase in revenue for the quarter and year to date was mainly due to the flow through in customer electricity rates of higher energy supply costs at Newfoundland Power and FortisOntario.  Higher electricity sales had a favourable impact on revenue for the quarter, while lower electricity sales decreased revenue year to date.

 

Earnings

 

Earnings for the quarter and year to date were comparable with the same periods in 2015.  The impact of a decrease in the allowed ROE at Newfoundland Power effective January 1, 2016 was largely offset by the impact of approximately $1 million in business development costs in Ontario in the second quarter of 2015.

 

REGULATED ELECTRIC UTILITIES - CARIBBEAN (1)

 

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

Average US:CAD Exchange Rate (2)

 

1.29

 

1.23

 

0.06

 

1.33

 

1.24

 

0.09

 

Electricity Sales (GWh)

 

215

 

202

 

13

 

405

 

382

 

23

 

Revenue ($ millions)

 

71

 

74

 

(3

)

146

 

152

 

(6

)

Earnings ($ millions)

 

11

 

9

 

2

 

21

 

14

 

7

 

 


(1)        Comprised of Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. (“Caribbean Utilities”) on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, in which Fortis holds an approximate 60% controlling interest, and two wholly owned utilities in the Turks and Caicos Islands, FortisTCI Limited and Turks and Caicos Utilities Limited (collectively “Fortis Turks and Caicos”).  Also includes the Corporation’s 33% equity investment in Belize Electricity.

(2)         The reporting currency of Caribbean Utilities and Fortis Turks and Caicos is the US dollar.

 

Electricity Sales

 

The increase in electricity sales for the quarter and year to date was primarily due to overall warmer temperatures, which increased air conditioning load, and growth in the number of customers as a result of increased economic activity.

 

Revenue

 

The decrease in revenue for the quarter and year to date was mainly due to the flow through in customer electricity rates of lower fuel costs at Caribbean Utilities. The decrease was partially offset by approximately $3 million and $8 million of favourable foreign exchange for the quarter and year to date, respectively, associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated revenue, and electricity sales growth.

 

Earnings

 

The increase in earnings for the quarter and year to date was primarily due to approximately $1 million and $3 million, respectively, of favourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated earnings, electricity sales growth and an increase in capitalized interest at Caribbean Utilities.  Equity income from Belize Electricity also had a favourable impact on earnings year to date.  The increase in earnings for the quarter and year to date was partially offset by higher depreciation.

 

12



 

NON-REGULATED — ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE (1)

 

 

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

Energy Sales (GWh)

 

516

 

492

 

24

 

605

 

552

 

53

 

Revenue ($ millions)

 

67

 

41

 

26

 

95

 

48

 

47

 

Earnings ($ millions)

 

19

 

45

 

(26

)

30

 

48

 

(18

)

 


(1)         Primarily comprised of long-term contracted generation assets in British Columbia and Belize, with a combined generating capacity of 391 MW, and the Aitken Creek natural gas storage facility in British Columbia, with a total working gas capacity of 77 billion cubic feet.  Aitken Creek was acquired by Fortis on April 1, 2016 and the financial results are included in this segment from the date of acquisition. For further information, refer to the “Significant Items” section of this MD&A and Note 15 to the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.  In February 2016 the Corporation sold its 16-MW Walden hydroelectric generating facility.

 

Energy Sales

 

The increase in energy sales for the quarter was primarily due to the Waneta Expansion, as a result of a planned outage in the second quarter of 2015. The increase was partially offset by lower energy sales due to the sale of generation assets in 2015 and February 2016, and decreased production in Belize due to lower rainfall.

 

The increase in energy sales year to date was driven by the Waneta Expansion, which commenced production in early April 2015, and increased production in Belize due to higher rainfall in the first quarter of 2016. The increase was partially offset by lower energy sales due to the sale of generation assets in 2015 and February 2016.

 

Revenue

 

The increase in revenue for the quarter was driven by the acquisition of Aitken Creek in early April 2016, which recognized revenue of $26 million for the second quarter of 2016, and increased production at the Waneta Expansion.  The increase was partially offset by decreased production in Belize and the sale of generation assets.

 

The increase in revenue year to date was driven by the acquisition of Aitken Creek, as discussed above for the quarter, and the Waneta Expansion, which commenced production in early April 2015. The impacts of increased production in Belize and approximately $1 million of favourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated revenue were partially offset by lower revenue due to the sale of generation assets.

 

Earnings

 

The decrease in earnings for the quarter and year to date was primarily due to the recognition of an after-tax gain of approximately $27 million (US$22 million), net of expenses and foreign exchange impacts, on the sale of generation assets in the second quarter of 2015. Excluding the gain, earnings for the quarter and year to date increased by $1 million and $9 million, respectively.  The variance explanations below exclude the impact of the gain.

 

The increase in earnings for the quarter was primarily due to contribution of $2 million from Aitken Creek, net of an after-tax $2 million unrealized loss on the mark-to-market of derivatives, and increased production at the Waneta Expansion.  The increase was partially offset by decreased production in Belize and the sale of generation assets.

 

The increase in earnings year to date was primarily due to the Waneta Expansion, which commenced production in early April 2015, and contribution from Aitken Creek, as discussed above for the quarter. The impacts of increased production in Belize and approximately $1 million of favourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated earnings were partially offset by lower earnings due to the sale of generation assets.

 

13



 

NON-REGULATED - NON-UTILITY (1)

 

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

Revenue

 

 

65

 

(65

)

 

118

 

(118

)

Earnings

 

 

104

 

(104

)

 

102

 

(102

)

 


(1)       Comprised of Fortis Properties, which completed the sale of its commercial real estate and hotel assets in June 2015 and October 2015, respectively.

 

Revenue

 

The decrease in revenue for the quarter and year to date was due to the sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets in 2015.

 

Earnings

 

The decrease in earnings for the quarter and year to date was due to the sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets in 2015.  In the second quarter of 2015, an after-tax net gain of approximately $96 million was recognized related to the sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets.

 

CORPORATE AND OTHER (1)

 

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

($ millions)

 

2016

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

2015

 

Variance

 

Revenue

 

3

7

 

(4

)

5

14

 

(9

)

Operating Expenses

 

28

12

 

16

 

53

17

 

36

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

1

1

 

 

2

1

 

1

 

Other Income (Expenses), Net

 

1

(1

)

2

 

4

8

 

(4

)

Finance Charges

 

34

24

 

10

 

62

45

 

17

 

Income Tax Recovery

 

(17)

(10

)

(7

)

(34)

(19

)

(15

)

 

 

(42)

(21

)

(21

)

(74)

(22

)

(52

)

Preference Share Dividends

 

18

19

 

(1

)

37

39

 

(2

)

Net Corporate and Other Expenses

 

(60)

(40

)

(20

)

(111)

(61

)

(50

)

 


(1)        Includes Fortis net Corporate expenses; non-regulated holding company expenses of FortisBC Holdings Inc. (“FHI”), CH Energy Group, Inc. and UNS Energy Corporation; and the financial results of FHI’s wholly owned subsidiary FortisBC Alternative Energy Services Inc.

 

Net Corporate and Other expenses were impacted by the following items:

 

(i)                  Acquisition-related expenses of $29 million ($22 million after tax) and $49 million ($39 million after tax) for the second quarter and year-to-date 2016, respectively, associated with the pending Acquisition of ITC.  Acquisition-related expenses included: investment banking, legal, consulting and other fees totalling approximately $19 million ($15 million after tax) and $35 million  ($29 million after tax) for the second quarter and year-to-date 2016, respectively, that were included in operating expenses; and fees associated with the Corporation’s Acquisition credit facilities totalling approximately $10 million ($7 million after tax) and $14 million ($10 million after tax) for the second quarter and year-to-date 2016, respectively, that were included in finance charges; and

 

(ii)               A foreign exchange loss of $1 million in the second quarter of 2015 and a foreign exchange gain of $8 million year-to-date 2015 associated with the Corporation’s previous US dollar-denominated long-term other asset that represented the book value of its expropriated investment in Belize Electricity.

 

14



 

Excluding the above-noted items, net Corporate and Other expenses were $38 million for the quarter compared to $39 million for the same period in 2015.  A decrease in revenue due to lower related-party interest income, mainly due to the sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets in 2015, was largely offset by lower operating expenses.  The decrease in operating expenses was mainly due to a $3 million ($2 million after tax) corporate donation in the second quarter of 2015.

 

Excluding the above-noted items, net Corporate and Other expenses were $72 million year to date compared to $69 million for the same period in 2015. The increase was primarily due to: (i) lower revenue, as discussed above for the quarter; (ii) higher finance charges, due to the impact of no longer capitalizing interest upon the completion of the Waneta Expansion in April 2015 and the impact of unfavourable foreign exchange associated with the translation of US dollar-denominated interest expense, partially offset by lower interest on the Corporation’s credit facilities; and (iii) an increase in operating expenses, mainly due to higher share-based compensation expenses, largely as a result of share price appreciation, and other general inflationary increases, partially offset by a corporate donation in the second quarter of 2015, as discussed above for the quarter.  The increase was partially offset by other income associated with the release of provisions on the wind-up of a partnership and a higher income tax recovery.

 

MATERIAL REGULATORY DECISIONS AND APPLICATIONS

 

The nature of regulation associated with each of the Corporation’s regulated electric and gas utilities is generally consistent with that disclosed in the 2015 Annual MD&A. The following summarizes the significant ongoing regulatory proceedings and significant decisions and applications for the Corporation’s regulated utilities in the first half of 2016.

 

UNS Energy

 

General Rate Applications

 

In November 2015 TEP, UNS Energy’s largest utility, filed a general rate application (“GRA”) with the Arizona Corporation Commission (“ACC”) requesting new retail rates to be effective January 1, 2017, using the year ended June 30, 2015 as a historical test year. The key provisions of the rate request included: (i) a base retail rate increase of US$110 million, or 12.0%, compared with adjusted test year revenue; (ii) a 7.34% return on original cost rate base of US$2.1 billion; (iii) a common equity component of capital structure of approximately 50%; (iv) a cost of equity of 10.35% and an average cost of debt of 4.32%; and (v) rate design changes that would reduce the reliance on volumetric sales to recover fixed costs, and a new net metering tariff that would ensure that customers who install distributed generation pay an equitable price for their electric service.  Since its last approved rate order in 2013, which used a 2011 historical test year, TEP’s total rate base has increased by approximately US$0.6 billion and the common equity component of capital structure has increased from 43.5% to approximately 50%. Following the review of intervener direct testimony, TEP filed rebuttal testimony in July 2016.  In rebuttal testimony, TEP revised its rate request to reflect a US$101 million increase in base retail rates, proposed a 7.16% return on original cost rate base, proposed a cost of equity of 10.00%, and a recovery of operating expenses on the third-party owners’ portion of Springerville Unit 1 through base rates. A decision on TEP’s application is expected in the fourth quarter of 2016.

 

In May 2015 UNS Electric filed a GRA requesting new retail rates to be effective May 1, 2016, using 2014 as a historical test year. The nature of UNS Electric’s GRA was similar to that of TEP. In July 2016 the presiding Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) issued a Recommended Opinion and Order that will be considered by the ACC.  The key provisions of the order included approval of a US$15 million non-fuel base rate increase and an allowed ROE of 9.50%. A decision by the ACC is expected in the third quarter of 2016.

 

FERC Order

 

In 2015 TEP reported to FERC that it had not filed on a timely basis certain FERC jurisdictional agreements and, at that time, TEP made necessary compliance filings, including the filing of several TEP transmission service agreements entered into between 2003 and 2015 that contained certain deviations from TEP’s standard form of service agreement.  In April 2016 FERC issued an order relating to the late-filed transmission service agreements, which directed TEP to issue time value refunds to the relevant counterparties to the agreements in an amount up to $18 million (US$13 million), or $11 million (US$8 million) after tax.  TEP accrued this amount in the first quarter of 2016.  As specified in the order, TEP reviewed its calculations of the ordered refunds and determined the refund amount to be US$3 million, which was paid to the relevant counterparties in June 2016.  TEP filed a refund report with FERC in July

 

15



 

2016.  The amount of refunds paid is subject to final approval by FERC and may be modified if FERC does not accept TEP’s refund report.

 

In June 2016, to preserve its rights, TEP petitioned the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals to review the refund order.  In July 2016 TEP filed an unopposed motion to hold the appeal in abeyance, which the Court has since granted.  The results of the compliance filings are still being reviewed by FERC and, as a result, FERC could also impose civil penalties on TEP.

 

FortisAlberta

 

Capital Tracker Applications

 

In February 2016 the Alberta Utilities Commission (“AUC”) issued its decision related to FortisAlberta’s 2014 True-Up and 2016-2017 Capital Tracker Applications, resulting in a capital tracker revenue adjustment of less than $1 million in the first quarter of 2016. Capital tracker revenue related to 2015 is subject to change and FortisAlberta filed a 2015 True-Up Application in June 2016, with a decision expected in the first quarter of 2017.

 

FortisAlberta expects to recognize capital tracker revenue of $65 million for 2016, down $7 million from the amount previously requested in the 2016-2017 Capital Tracker Application to reflect actual capital expenditures and associated financing costs compared to forecast. In April 2016 FortisAlberta filed its Compliance Filing related to the February 2016 capital tracker decision and a decision is expected in the second half of 2016.

 

FortisAlberta expects that the adjustments to capital tracker revenue, as discussed above, will be considered in the 2017 Annual Rates Application, to be filed in September 2016, and reflected in customer rates effective January 1, 2017.

 

Utility Asset Disposition Matters

 

In November 2015 the utilities in Alberta filed an application with the Supreme Court of Canada (the “Supreme Court”) seeking leave to appeal the Court of Appeal of Alberta’s September 2015 decision, which implied that the shareholder is responsible for the cost of stranded assets.  In April 2016 the Supreme Court dismissed the leave to appeal application.  This decision has no immediate impact on FortisAlberta’s financial position; however, it exposes the Company to the risk that unrecovered costs associated with utility assets deemed by the AUC to have been subject to an extraordinary retirement will not be recoverable from customers.

 

Next Generation PBR Proceeding

 

In May 2015 the AUC initiated a generic proceeding to establish parameters for the next term of PBR, being the five-year period from 2018 to 2022.  The AUC is assessing three main issues: (i) rebasing and the going-in rates for the next PBR term; (ii) the productivity factor; and (iii) the ongoing treatment of capital.  In March 2016 FortisAlberta, along with other Alberta utilities, submitted common expert evidence to the AUC on the design of the next PBR term. At that time, FortisAlberta also submitted Company-specific evidence for the implementation of the next PBR term. A hearing was held in July 2016 with a decision expected by the end of 2016.

 

Eastern Canadian Electric Utilities

 

In June 2016 the Newfoundland and Labrador Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities issued an order on Newfoundland Power’s 2016/2017 GRA, with new customer rates effective July 1, 2016.  The order, which established the cost of capital for rate-making purposes for 2016 through 2018, resulted in a decrease in the allowed ROE to 8.50% from 8.80%, effective January 1, 2016, on a 45% common equity component of capital structure. Newfoundland Power is required to file its next GRA for 2019 on or before June 1, 2018.

 

In October 2015 Maritime Electric filed a GRA with the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (“IRAC”) to set customer rates effective March 1, 2016, on expiry of the Prince Edward Island Energy Accord. In January 2016 Maritime Electric and the Government of Prince Edward Island entered into a 2016 General Rate Agreement covering the three-year period from March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2019.  In February 2016 IRAC issued an order effective March 1, 2016 that reflected the terms of the Agreement.  The order provides for an allowed ROE capped at 9.35% on an average common equity component of capital structure of approximately 40% for 2016 through 2018.

 

16



 

Significant Regulatory Proceedings

 

The following table summarizes significant ongoing regulatory proceedings, including filing dates and expected timing of decisions for the Corporation’s regulated utilities.

 

Regulated Utility

Application/Proceeding

Filing Date

Expected Decision

TEP

GRA for 2017

November 2015

Fourth quarter of 2016

UNS Electric

GRA for 2016

May 2015

Third quarter of 2016

Central Hudson

Reforming the Energy Vision

Not applicable

To be determined

FortisBC Energy

2016 Cost of Capital Application

October 2015

Third quarter of 2016

FortisAlberta

2016/2017 GCOC Proceeding

Not applicable

Second half of 2016

 

Next Generation PBR Proceeding

Not applicable

Fourth quarter of 2016

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION

 

The following table outlines the significant changes in the consolidated balance sheets between June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

Significant Changes in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) between

June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015

 

Balance Sheet Account

Increase/
(Decrease)
($ millions)

Explanation

Accounts receivable and other current assets

(130)

The decrease was primarily due to the impact of a seasonal decrease in sales at FortisBC Energy, FortisBC Electric, Newfoundland Power and Central Hudson. The decrease was partially offset by higher transmission rate riders at FortisAlberta.

Utility capital assets

177

The increase was mainly due to utility capital expenditures and the acquisition of Aitken Creek, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange on the translation of US dollar-denominated utility capital assets and depreciation.

Goodwill

(155)

The decrease was primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange on the translation of US dollar-denominated goodwill.

Short-term borrowings

(277)

The decrease was mainly due to the repayment of short-term borrowings at FortisBC Energy using net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt.

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

(252)

The decrease was primarily due to timing of the declaration of the Corporation’s common share dividends, a reduction in capital accruals at FortisBC Energy, and lower amounts owing for energy supply costs at FortisBC Energy, FortisBC Electric, Newfoundland Power and Central Hudson associated with the seasonality of operations.

Long-term debt (including current portion)

391

The increase was primarily due to higher borrowings under committed credit facilities at the Corporation, mainly to finance the acquisition of Aitken Creek, and at the regulated utilities, largely in support of energy infrastructure investment, and the issuance of long-term debt at FortisBC Energy. The increase was partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange on the translation of US dollar-denominated debt and regularly scheduled debt repayments.

 

17



 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

The table below outlines the Corporation’s sources and uses of cash for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, as compared to the same periods in 2015, followed by a discussion of the nature of the variances in cash flows.

 

Summary of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

($ millions)

 

2016

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

2015

 

Variance

 

Cash, Beginning of Period

 

232

299

 

(67

)

242

230

 

12

 

Cash Provided by (Used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Activities

 

448

468

 

(20

)

931

918

 

13

 

Investing Activities

 

(762)

(135

)

(627

)

(1,175)

(688

)

(487

)

Financing Activities

 

380

166

 

214

 

314

322

 

(8

)

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

(2)

(2

)

 

(16)

17

 

(33

)

Change in Cash Associated with Assets Held for Sale

 

1

 

(1

)

(2

)

2

 

Cash, End of Period

 

296

797

 

(501

)

296

797

 

(501

)

 

Operating Activities:  Cash flow from operating activities for the quarter and year to date were comparable with the same periods in 2015. Higher cash earnings were largely offset by changes in working capital and long-term regulatory deferrals.

 

Investing Activities:  Cash used in investing activities was $627 million higher for the quarter and $487 million higher year to date compared to the same periods in 2015. The increase was primarily due to proceeds received from the sale of commercial real estate assets and generation assets in the second quarter of 2015 of approximately $430 million and $77 million (US$63 million), respectively, and the acquisition of Aitken Creek in April 2016 for a net cash purchase price of $318 million. The increase for the quarter and year to date was partially offset by lower capital spending at UNS Energy, FortisBC Energy and FortisAlberta. The decrease in capital spending at UNS Energy was mainly due to the purchase of additional ownership interests in the Springerville Unit 1 generating facility and previously leased coal-handling assets in the first and second quarters of 2015, respectively. The decrease in capital spending at FortisBC Energy was mainly due to lower capital expenditures related to the Tilbury liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) facility expansion (“Tilbury 1A”). At FortisAlberta, the decrease was mainly due to lower Alberta Electric System Operator (“AESO”) contributions and lower capital expenditures for customer growth.

 

Financing Activities:  Cash provided by financing activities was $214 million higher quarter over quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, higher net borrowings under committed credit facilities, partially offset by higher repayments of short-term borrowings at FortisBC Energy.

 

Cash provided by financing activities was $8 million lower year to date compared to the same period in 2015. The decrease was primarily due to lower proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and higher repayments of short-term borrowings at FortisBC Energy, partially offset by higher net borrowings under committed credit facilities and lower repayments of long-term debt and capital lease and finance obligations.

 

18



 

Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issue costs, repayments of long-term debt and capital lease and finance obligations, and net borrowings (repayments) under committed credit facilities for the quarter and year to date compared to the same periods last year are summarized in the following tables.

 

Proceeds from Long-Term Debt, Net of Issue Costs (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

UNS Energy (1)

 

 

61

 

(61

)

 

431

 

(431

)

Central Hudson (2)

 

29

 

 

29

 

29

 

25

 

4

 

FortisBC Energy (3)

 

298

 

150

 

148

 

298

 

150

 

148

 

Fortis Turks and Caicos (4)

 

29

 

 

29

 

29

 

12

 

17

 

Total

 

356

 

211

 

145

 

356

 

618

 

(262

)

 


(1)              In February 2015 TEP issued 10-year US$300 million 3.05% senior unsecured notes. Net proceeds were used to repay long-term debt and credit facility borrowings and to finance capital expenditures. In April 2015 UNS Electric issued 30-year US$50 million 3.95% unsecured notes. The net proceeds were primarily used for general corporate purposes.

(2)              In June 2016 Central Hudson issued 4-year US$24 million 2.16% unsecured notes. The net proceeds were used to finance capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.  In March 2015 Central Hudson issued 10-year US$20 million 2.98% unsecured notes. The net proceeds were used to finance capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.

(3)              In April 2016 FortisBC Energy issued $300 million of unsecured debentures in a dual tranche of 10-year $150 million unsecured debentures at 2.58% and 30-year $150 million unsecured debentures at 3.67%. The net proceeds were used to repay short-term borrowings and to finance capital expenditures.  In April 2015 FortisBC Energy issued 30-year $150 million 3.38% unsecured debentures.  The net proceeds were used to repay short-term borrowings and for general corporate purposes.

(4)              In May 2016 Fortis Turks and Caicos issued 15-year US$23 million 5.14% unsecured notes. The net proceeds will be used to finance capital expenditures. In January 2015 Fortis Turks and Caicos issued 15-year US$10 million 4.75% unsecured notes. The net proceeds were used to finance capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.

 

Repayments of Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease and Finance Obligations (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

UNS Energy

 

(6)

 

(5

)

(1

)

(19)

 

(173

)

154

 

Central Hudson

 

(10)

 

 

(10

)

(10)

 

 

(10

)

FortisBC Energy

 

(7)

 

(12

)

5

 

(9)

 

(14

)

5

 

FortisBC Electric

 

 

 

 

(25)

 

 

(25

)

Newfoundland Power

 

(30)

 

 

(30

)

(30)

 

 

(30

)

Caribbean Utilities

 

(14)

 

(13

)

(1

)

(14)

 

(13

)

(1

)

Fortis Turks and Caicos

 

(2)

 

 

(2

)

(2)

 

 

(2

)

Other

 

 

(36

)

36

 

 

(36

)

36

 

Total

 

(69)

 

(66

)

(3

)

(109)

 

(236

)

127

 

 

Net Borrowings (Repayments) Under Committed Credit Facilities (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Periods Ended June 30

 

Quarter

 

Year-to-Date

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

2016

 

2015

 

Variance

 

UNS Energy

 

22

 

(35

)

57

 

68

 

(122

)

190

 

FortisAlberta

 

45

 

36

 

9

 

62

 

82

 

(20

)

Newfoundland Power

 

24

 

8

 

16

 

46

 

27

 

19

 

Corporate (1)

 

330

 

272

 

58

 

337

 

275

 

62

 

Total

 

421

 

281

 

140

 

513

 

262

 

251

 

 


(1)              Borrowings under the Corporation’s committed credit facility in the second quarter of 2016 were primarily used to finance the acquisition of Aitken Creek.

 

19



 

Borrowings under credit facilities by the utilities are primarily in support of their respective capital expenditure programs and/or for working capital requirements.  Repayments are primarily financed through the issuance of long-term debt, cash from operations and/or equity injections from Fortis.  From time to time, proceeds from preference share, common share and long-term debt offerings are used to repay borrowings under the Corporation’s committed credit facility.

 

Common share dividends paid in the second quarter of 2016 were $70 million, net of $36 million of dividends reinvested, compared to $55 million, net of $40 million of dividends reinvested, paid in the second quarter of 2015. Common share dividends paid year-to-date 2016 were $147 million, net of $65 million in dividends reinvested, compared to $115 million, net of $74 million of dividends reinvested, paid year-to-date 2015. The dividend paid per common share for each of the first and second quarters of 2016 was $0.375 compared to $0.34 for each of the first and second quarters of 2015.  The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the second quarter and year-to-date 2016 was 283.7 million and 283.0 million, respectively, compared to 277.9 million and 277.3 million for the same periods in 2015.

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

The Corporation’s consolidated contractual obligations with external third parties in each of the next five years and for periods thereafter as at June 30, 2016, are outlined in the following table.  A detailed description of the nature of the obligations is provided in the 2015 Annual MD&A and below, where applicable.

 

Contractual Obligations (Unaudited)

 

Total

 

Due
within
1 year

 

Due in
year 2

 

Due in

year 3

 

Due in
year 4

 

Due in
year 5

 

Due
after
5 years

As at June 30, 2016

 

($ millions)

 

Long-term debt

 

11,630

 

415

 

76

 

426

 

68

 

595

 

10,050

Interest obligations on long-term debt

 

9,182

 

518

 

505

 

499

 

488

 

477

 

6,695

Capital lease and finance obligations

 

2,426

 

72

 

65

 

92

 

77

 

61

 

2,059

Renewable power purchase obligations (1)

 

1,509

 

90

 

90

 

90

 

90

 

89

 

1,060

Power purchase obligations

 

1,376

 

296

 

219

 

135

 

62

 

34

 

630

Gas purchase contract obligations

 

1,359

 

351

 

279

 

207

 

152

 

121

 

249

Long-term contracts - UNS Energy (2)

 

1,155

 

176

 

165

 

147

 

131

 

99

 

437

Capital cost

 

478

 

19

 

19

 

19

 

19

 

15

 

387

Purchase of Springerville Unit 1 and common facilities (3)

 

247

 

110

 

49

 

 

 

88

 

Operating lease obligations

 

165

 

11

 

11

 

10

 

9

 

6

 

118

Renewable energy credit purchase agreements

 

146

 

12

 

12

 

12

 

12

 

12

 

86

Defined benefit pension funding contributions

 

121

 

39

 

11

 

9

 

9

 

9

 

44

Waneta Partnership promissory note

 

72

 

 

 

 

72

 

 

Joint-use asset and shared service agreements

 

54

 

3

 

3

 

3

 

3

 

3

 

39

Other

 

82

 

22

 

15

 

21

 

 

 

24

Total

 

30,002

 

2,134

 

1,519

 

1,670

 

1,192

 

1,609

 

21,878

 


(1)                UNS Energy is party to renewable power purchase agreements totalling approximately US$1,168 million as at June 30, 2016, which require UNS Energy to purchase 100% of the output of certain renewable energy generation facilities that have achieved commercial operation. In March 2016 one of the facilities achieved commercial operation, increasing estimated future payments of renewable power purchase contracts by US$58 million as at June 30, 2016.

(2)                In January 2016 the ownership of the San Juan generating station was restructured and a new coal supply agreement came into effect under which TEP’s minimum purchase obligations are US$137 million as at June 30, 2016.

(3)                In February 2016 TEP entered into a settlement agreement with third-party owners of Springerville Unit 1 to purchase the third-party owners’ 50.5% undivided interest in Springerville Unit 1 for US$85 million.  The purchase is expected to close in the third quarter of 2016.  For a discussion of the nature of the Springerville Unit 1 litigation, refer to the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of this MD&A.

 

Other contractual obligations, which are not reflected in the above table, did not materially change from those disclosed in the 2015 Annual MD&A.

 

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For a discussion of the nature and amount of the Corporation’s consolidated capital expenditure program not included in the preceding Contractual Obligations table, refer to the “Capital Expenditure Program” section of this MD&A.

 

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

 

The Corporation’s principal businesses of regulated electric and gas utilities require ongoing access to capital to enable the utilities to fund maintenance and expansion of infrastructure.  Fortis raises debt at the subsidiary level to ensure regulatory transparency, tax efficiency and financing flexibility.  Fortis generally finances a significant portion of acquisitions at the corporate level with proceeds from common share, preference share and long-term debt offerings.  To help ensure access to capital, the Corporation targets a consolidated long-term capital structure containing approximately 35% common equity, 65% debt and preferred equity, as well as investment-grade credit ratings.  Each of the Corporation’s regulated utilities maintains its own capital structure in line with the deemed capital structure reflected in each of the utility’s customer rates.

 

The consolidated capital structure of Fortis is presented in the following table.

 

Capital Structure (Unaudited)

 

As at

 

 

June 30, 2016

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

($ millions)

 

(%)

 

($ millions)

 

(%)

Total debt and capital lease and finance obligations (net of cash) (1)

 

12,054

 

55.0

 

12,022

 

54.9

Preference shares

 

1,820

 

8.3

 

1,820

 

8.3

Common shareholders’ equity

 

8,031

 

36.7

 

8,060

 

36.8

Total (2)

 

21,905

 

100.0

 

21,902

 

100.0

 


(1)         Includes long-term debt, capital lease and finance obligations, including current portion, and short-term borrowings, net of cash.  Excludes deferred financing costs.

(2)         Excludes amounts related to non-controlling interests

 

Excluding capital lease and finance obligations, the Corporation’s capital structure as at June 30, 2016 was 54.0% debt, 8.5% preference shares and 37.5% common shareholders’ equity (December 31, 2015 - 53.8% debt, 8.5% preference shares and 37.7% common shareholders’ equity).

 

CREDIT RATINGS

 

The Corporation’s credit ratings are as follows:

 

Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”)

A- / Negative (long-term corporate credit rating)

 

BBB+ / Negative (unsecured debt credit rating)

DBRS

A (low) / Under Review – Negative Implications (unsecured debt credit rating)

 

The above-noted credit ratings reflect the Corporation’s low business-risk profile and diversity of its operations, the stand-alone nature and financial separation of each of the regulated subsidiaries of Fortis, and management’s commitment to maintaining reasonable levels of debt at the holding company level. In February 2016, after the announcement by Fortis that it had entered into an agreement to acquire ITC, S&P affirmed the Corporation’s long-term corporate credit rating at A-, revised its unsecured debt credit rating to BBB+ from A-, and revised its outlook on the Corporation to negative from stable.  Similarly, in February 2016 DBRS placed the Corporation’s unsecured debt credit rating under review with negative implications.

 

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CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROGRAM

 

A breakdown of the $859 million in gross consolidated capital expenditures by segment year-to-date 2016 is provided in the following table.

 

Gross Consolidated Capital Expenditures (Unaudited) (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year-to-Date June 30, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulated Utilities

 

 

 

Non-Regulated

 

 

 

UNS
Energy

 

Central
Hudson

 

FortisBC
Energy

 

Fortis
Alberta

 

FortisBC
Electric

 

Eastern
Canadian

 

Electric
Caribbean

 

Total
Regulated
Utilities

 

Energy
Infrastructure

 

Corporate
and Other

 

Total

 

218

 

118

 

166

 

166

 

38

 

63

 

64

 

833

 

16

 

10

 

859

 

 


(1)         Relates to cash payments to acquire or construct utility capital assets and intangible assets, as reflected on the consolidated statement of cash flows.  Excludes the non-cash equity component of AFUDC.

 

Planned capital expenditures are based on detailed forecasts of energy demand, weather, cost of labour and materials, as well as other factors, including economic conditions, which could change and cause actual expenditures to differ from those forecast.

 

Gross consolidated capital expenditures for 2016 are forecast to be approximately $1.9 billion.  There have been no material changes in the overall expected level, nature and timing of the Corporation’s significant capital projects from those that were disclosed in the 2015 Annual MD&A, with the exception of those noted below for FortisAlberta and UNS Energy.

 

Capital expenditures at FortisAlberta for 2016 are expected to be lower than the original forecast of $441 million, primarily due to lower AESO contributions and as a result of the current economic downturn in Alberta.  Capital expenditures at UNS Energy for 2016 are expected to be higher than the original forecast, primarily due to a settlement agreement with third-party owners of Springerville Unit 1 to purchase the third-party owners’ 50.5% undivided interest in Springerville Unit 1 for US$85 million.  The purchase is expected to close in the third quarter of 2016.  For a discussion of the nature of the Springerville Unit 1 litigation, refer to the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of this MD&A.

 

FortisBC Energy’s construction of Tilbury 1A in Delta, British Columbia is ongoing. Key construction activities during the second quarter included commencement of the control building construction and continued construction of the LNG storage tank and the liquefaction process area. Tilbury 1A will be included in regulated rate base and is estimated to cost approximately $440 million. It will include a second LNG tank and a new liquefier, both expected to be in service in the first quarter of 2017. Approximately $368 million has been invested in Tilbury 1A to the end of the second quarter of 2016.

 

In the second quarter of 2016, Caribbean Utilities completed its 39.7-MW generation expansion project, which included two 18.5 MW diesel-generating units, one 2.7 MW waste heat recovery steam turbine and associated auxiliary equipment. The generating units will replace retiring generators and provide firm capacity to meet expected load growth. The generation expansion project was completed on schedule and below budget, for a total cost of US$79 million.

 

Over the five-year period through 2020, excluding ITC, gross consolidated capital expenditures are expected to be over $9 billion. The approximate breakdown of the capital spending expected to be incurred is as follows: 39% at U.S. Regulated Electric & Gas Utilities; 35% at Canadian Regulated Electric Utilities, driven by FortisAlberta; 19% at Canadian Regulated Gas Utility; 5% at Caribbean Regulated Electric Utilities; and the remaining 2% at non-regulated operations.  Capital expenditures at the regulated utilities are subject to regulatory approval. Over the five-year period, on average annually, the approximate breakdown of the total capital spending to be incurred is as follows: 50% for sustaining capital expenditures, 35% to meet customer growth, and 15% for facilities, equipment, vehicles, information technology and other assets.

 

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ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

 

In addition to the Corporation’s base consolidated capital expenditure forecast, management is pursuing additional investment opportunities within existing service territories. These additional investment opportunities, as discussed below, are not included in the Corporation’s base capital expenditure forecast and also exclude the pending Acquisition of ITC.

 

The Corporation continues to pursue additional LNG infrastructure investment opportunities in British Columbia, including a pipeline expansion to the proposed Woodfibre LNG site near Squamish, British Columbia and a further expansion of Tilbury. In December 2014 FortisBC Energy received an Order in Council from the Government of British Columbia effectively exempting these projects from further regulatory approval by the British Columbia Utilities Commission.

 

FortisBC Energy’s potential pipeline expansion is conditional on Woodfibre LNG proceeding with its LNG export facility. Woodfibre LNG has obtained an export license from the National Energy Board and received environmental assessment approvals from the Squamish First Nation, the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office, and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. FortisBC Energy also received environmental assessment approval from the Squamish First Nation during the second quarter of 2016. The potential pipeline expansion has an estimated total project cost of $600 million.  A final investment decision by Woodfibre LNG is targeted for late 2016.

 

In July 2016, following the dissolution of a proposed merger between Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. (“Hawaiian Electric”) and NextEra Energy Resources, the 20-year agreement between Fortis Hawaii Energy Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis, and Hawaiian Electric to export LNG to Hawaii was terminated. The Corporation’s Tilbury LNG facility is uniquely positioned to meet customer demand for clean-burning natural gas.  The site is scalable and can accommodate additional storage and liquefaction equipment, and is relatively close to international shipping lanes. Fortis is in discussions with a number of other potential export customers.

 

The Corporation also has other significant opportunities that have not yet been included in the Corporation’s capital expenditure forecast including, but not limited to, the New York Transco, LLC to address electric transmission constraints in New York; renewable energy alternatives at UNS Energy; the Wataynikaneyap transmission line to connect remote First Nations communities at FortisOntario; further gas infrastructure opportunities at FortisBC Energy; and potential further consolidation of Rural Electrification Associations at FortisAlberta.

 

CASH FLOW REQUIREMENTS

 

At the subsidiary level, it is expected that operating expenses and interest costs will generally be paid out of subsidiary operating cash flows, with varying levels of residual cash flows available for subsidiary capital expenditures and/or dividend payments to Fortis. Borrowings under credit facilities may be required from time to time to support seasonal working capital requirements.  Cash required to complete subsidiary capital expenditure programs is also expected to be financed from a combination of borrowings under credit facilities, equity injections from Fortis and long-term debt offerings.

 

The Corporation’s ability to service its debt obligations and pay dividends on its common shares and preference shares is dependent on the financial results of the operating subsidiaries and the related cash payments from these subsidiaries. The Corporation’s regulated subsidiaries may be subject to restrictions that may limit their ability to distribute cash to Fortis.  These include restrictions by certain regulators limiting the amount of annual dividends and restrictions by certain lenders limiting the amount of debt to total capitalization at the subsidiaries. In addition, there are practical limitations on using the net assets of each of the Corporation’s regulated operating subsidiaries to pay dividends based on management’s intent to maintain the regulator-approved capital structures for each of its regulated operating subsidiaries. The Corporation does not expect that maintaining the targeted capital structures of its regulated operating subsidiaries will have an impact on its ability to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

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Cash required of Fortis to support subsidiary capital expenditure programs and finance acquisitions is expected to be derived from a combination of borrowings under the Corporation’s committed corporate credit facility and proceeds from the issuance of common shares, preference shares and long-term debt.  Depending on the timing of cash payments from the subsidiaries, borrowings under the Corporation’s committed corporate credit facility may be required from time to time to support the servicing of debt and payment of dividends. The subsidiaries expect to be able to source the cash required to fund their 2016 capital expenditure programs. For a discussion of the Corporation’s cash flow requirements associated with the pending Acquisition of ITC, refer to the “Significant Items” section of this MD&A.

 

In April 2015 FortisBC Energy filed a short-form base shelf prospectus to establish a Medium-Term Note Debenture Program, under which the Company may issue debentures in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1 billion during the 25-month life of the shelf prospectus. In April 2016 FortisBC Energy issued $300 million of unsecured debentures in a dual tranche of 10-year $150 million unsecured debentures at 2.58% and 30-year $150 million unsecured debentures at 3.67% under the base shelf prospectus.  The net proceeds were used to repay short-term borrowings and to finance capital expenditures.

 

As at June 30, 2016, management expects consolidated fixed-term debt maturities and repayments to average approximately $260 million annually over the next five years. The combination of available credit facilities and relatively low annual debt maturities and repayments provides the Corporation and its subsidiaries with flexibility in the timing of access to capital markets.

 

Fortis and its subsidiaries were compliant with debt covenants as at June 30, 2016 and are expected to remain compliant throughout 2016.

 

CREDIT FACILITIES

 

As at June 30, 2016, the Corporation and its subsidiaries had consolidated credit facilities of approximately $3.5 billion, of which approximately $2.1 billion was unused, including $265 million unused under the Corporation’s committed credit facility. The credit facilities are syndicated mostly with the seven largest Canadian banks, as well as large banks in the United States, with no one bank holding more than 20% of these facilities.  Approximately $3.3 billion of the total credit facilities are committed facilities with maturities ranging from 2019 through 2021.

 

The following table outlines the credit facilities of the Corporation and its subsidiaries.

 

Credit Facilities (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

As at

 

 

 

Regulated

 

Corporate

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

($ millions)

 

Utilities

 

and Other

 

2016

 

2015

 

Total credit facilities (1)

 

2,162

 

1,343

 

3,505

 

3,565

 

Credit facilities utilized:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings

 

(229

)

(5

)

(234

)

(511

)

Long-term debt (2)

 

(179

)

(845

)

(1,024

)

(551

)

Letters of credit outstanding

 

(83

)

(36

)

(119

)

(104

)

Credit facilities unused

 

1,671

 

457

 

2,128

 

2,399

 

 


(1)                Total credit facilities exclude a $300 million option to increase the Corporation’s committed corporate credit facility, as discussed below.

(2)                As at June 30, 2016, credit facility borrowings classified as long-term debt included $179 million in current installments of long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheet (December 31, 2015 - $71 million).

 

As at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, certain borrowings under the Corporation’s and subsidiaries’ credit facilities were classified as long-term debt.  These borrowings are under long-term committed credit facilities and it is management’s intention to refinance these borrowings with long-term permanent financing during future periods. The significant changes in credit facilities from that disclosed in the Corporation’s 2015 Annual MD&A are as follows.

 

In April 2016 FortisBC Electric amended its $150 million unsecured committed revolving credit facility to now mature in May 2019.

 

In April 2016 FHI amended its unsecured committed revolving credit facility resulting in an increase in the facility to $50 million and an extension of the maturity date to April 2019.

 

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In April 2016 the Corporation amended its $1 billion unsecured committed revolving credit facility, resulting in an extension of the maturity date to July 2021.  The Corporation has the option to increase the facility to $1.3 billion from $1 billion.  As at June 30, 2016, the Corporation has not yet exercised this option.

 

In June 2016 FortisOntario amended its $30 million unsecured committed revolving credit facility to now mature in June 2019.

 

In July 2016 FortisBC Energy amended its $700 million unsecured committed revolving credit facility to now mature in August 2021.

 

In July 2016 FortisAlberta amended its $250 million unsecured committed revolving credit facility to now mature in August 2021.

 

In July 2016 Newfoundland Power amended its $100 million unsecured committed revolving credit facility to now mature in August 2021.

 

In connection with the pending Acquisition of ITC, in February 2016 the Corporation obtained commitments of US$2.0 billion from Goldman Sachs Bank USA to bridge the long-term debt financing (“Debt Bridge Facility”) and US$1.7 billion from The Bank of Nova Scotia to primarily bridge the sale of the minority investment in ITC (“Equity Bridge Facilities”). These non-revolving term senior unsecured credit facilities are repayable in full on the first anniversary of their advance. Goldman Sachs Bank USA has syndicated 60% of the Debt Bridge Facility to three other financial institutions, each of which have agreed to provide 20% of such facility.  The Bank of Nova Scotia may syndicate a portion of the Equity Bridge Facilities. The credit facilities table does not include the US$3.7 billion Acquisition credit facilities.

 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The carrying values of the Corporation’s consolidated financial instruments approximate their fair values, reflecting the short-term maturity, normal trade credit terms and/or nature of these instruments, except as follows:

 

Financial Instruments (Unaudited)

 

As at

 

 

June 30, 2016

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

Carrying

 

Estimated

 

 

Carrying

 

Estimated

($ millions)

 

Value

 

Fair Value

 

 

Value

 

Fair Value

Waneta Partnership promissory note

 

57

 

61

 

 

56

 

59

Long-term debt, including current portion

 

11,630

 

12,682

 

 

11,240

 

12,614

 

The fair value of long-term debt is calculated using quoted market prices when available.  When quoted market prices are not available, as is the case with the Waneta Partnership promissory note and certain long-term debt, the fair value is determined by either: (i) discounting the future cash flows of the specific debt instrument at an estimated yield to maturity equivalent to benchmark government bonds or treasury bills with similar terms to maturity, plus a credit risk premium equal to that of issuers of similar credit quality; or (ii) obtaining from third parties indicative prices for the same or similarly rated issues of debt of the same remaining maturities. Since the Corporation does not intend to settle the long-term debt or promissory note prior to maturity, the excess of the estimated fair value above the carrying value does not represent an actual liability.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

The Corporation generally limits the use of derivative instruments to those that qualify as accounting, economic or cash flow hedges, or those that are approved for regulatory recovery.  The Corporation records all derivative instruments at fair value, with certain exceptions including those derivatives that qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale exception. The fair value of derivative instruments are estimates of the amounts that the Corporation would receive or have to pay to terminate the outstanding contracts as at the balance sheet dates.  The Corporation’s derivatives primarily include energy contracts

 

25



 

that are subject to regulatory deferral, as permitted by the regulators, as well as certain limited energy contracts that are not subject to regulatory deferral and cash flow hedges. For details of the Corporation’s derivative instruments as at June 30, 2016, refer to Note 16 to the Corporation’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements. There were no material changes in the nature and amount of the Corporations’ derivative instruments during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 from those disclosed in the 2015 Annual MD&A, except as follows.

 

Aitken Creek holds gas swap contracts to manage its exposure to changes in natural gas prices, to capture natural gas price spreads, and to manage the financial risk posed by physical transactions.  The fair value of the gas swap contracts was calculated using forward pricing provided by third parties.  The unrealized gains and losses on these derivative instruments are recorded in earnings. As at June 30, 2016, unrealized losses totalled $3 million ($2 million after tax).

 

In July 2016 the Corporation entered into forward-starting deal-contingent interest rate swap contracts with notional amounts totalling US$1.25 billion.  These derivatives have been designated as a hedge of a portion of the cash flow risk associated with the expected issuance of approximately US$2 billion of long-term debt to finance a portion of the cash purchase price of the Acquisition of ITC. Any unrealized gains and losses will be recorded in other comprehensive income, with the exception of any hedge ineffectiveness, which will be recorded in earnings. The net gain or loss realized upon settlement of the interest rate swaps will be amortized into earnings over the terms of the associated long-term debt.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

With the exception of letters of credit outstanding of $119 million as at June 30, 2016 (December 31, 2015 - $104 million), the Corporation had no off-balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to materially affect liquidity or the availability of, or requirements for, capital resources.

 

BUSINESS RISK MANAGEMENT

 

Year-to-date 2016, the business risks of the Corporation were generally consistent with those disclosed in the Corporation’s 2015 Annual MD&A, including certain risks, as disclosed below, and an update to those risks, where applicable.

 

Regulatory Risk: For further information, refer to the “Material Regulatory Decisions and Applications” section of this MD&A.

 

Completion of the Acquisition of ITC:  In April 2016 Fortis reached a definitive agreement with GIC to acquire a 19.9% equity interest in ITC upon closing of the Acquisition.  As a result, the risk of not having a minority investor has been mitigated. The closing of the Acquisition of ITC, however, is not conditional upon having a minority investor.

 

In May 2016 and June 2016, both Fortis and ITC received shareholder approvals to proceed with the Acquisition and, as such, the risk of the Acquisition not being approved by the respective shareholders has been eliminated.

 

Capital Resources and Liquidity Risk - Credit Ratings: Year-to-date 2016 the following changes occurred to the debt credit ratings of the Corporation’s utilities: (i) in February 2016, after the announcement by Fortis that it had entered into an agreement to acquire ITC, S&P revised its outlook on TEP, Central Hudson, FortisAlberta, Maritime Electric and Caribbean Utilities to negative from stable; (ii) in March 2016 S&P affirmed Maritime Electric’s secured debt credit rating at ‘A’ and revised its outlook to stable from negative; and (iii) in June 2016 S&P downgraded Central Hudson’s senior unsecured debt rating to ‘A-’ from ‘A’ and revised its outlook to stable from negative.

 

Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post-Employment Benefit Plan Assets:  As at June 30, 2016, the fair value of the Corporation’s consolidated defined benefit pension and other post-employment benefit plan assets was $2,670 million, comparable with $2,647 million as at December 31, 2015.

 

26



 

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared following the same accounting policies and methods as those used to prepare the Corporation’s 2015 annual audited consolidated financial statements, except as described below.

 

Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items

 

Effective January 1, 2016, the Corporation adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-01, Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items. The amendments in this update are part of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards by eliminating the concept of extraordinary items. The above-noted ASU was applied prospectively and did not impact the Corporation’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis

 

Effective January 1, 2016, the Corporation adopted ASU No. 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. The amendments in this update change the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. Specifically, the amendments note the following regarding limited partnerships: (i) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities; and (ii) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. The amendments did not materially impact the Corporation’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements. The amendments did, however, change the Corporation’s 51% controlling ownership interest in the Waneta Expansion Limited Partnership from a voting interest entity to a variable interest entity, resulting in additional disclosure in Note 17 to the Corporation’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments

 

Effective January 1, 2016, the Corporation adopted ASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. The amendments in this update require that in a business combination, an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined.  Under previous guidance, these adjustments were required to be accounted for retrospectively.  ASU No. 2015-16 was applied prospectively and did not have an impact on the Corporation’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

FUTURE ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

The Corporation considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs issued by FASB. The following updates have been issued by FASB, but have not yet been adopted by Fortis.  Any ASUs not included below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable to the Corporation or are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

ASU No. 2014-09 was issued in May 2014 and the amendments in this update create Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and supersede the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, including most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance throughout the codification. This standard completes a joint effort by FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards that clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and that can be applied consistently across various transactions, industries and capital markets. This standard was originally effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and is to be applied on a full retrospective or modified retrospective basis. ASU No. 2015-14 was issued in August 2015 and the amendments in this update defer the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 by one year to annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted as of the original effective date.

 

ASU No. 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations, was issued in March 2016, ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, was issued in April 2016 and ASU No. 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, was issued in May 2016.  The above-noted ASUs clarify implementation guidance in ASC Topic 606.  The effective date and transition requirements of these updates are the same as ASU No. 2014-09.

 

27



 

The majority of the Corporation’s revenue is generated from energy sales to customers based on published tariff rates, as approved by the respective regulators, and is expected to be in the scope of ASU No. 2014-09.  Fortis has not yet selected a transition method and is assessing the impact that the adoption of this standard, and all related ASUs, will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  The Corporation plans to have this assessment substantially complete by the end of 2016.

 

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

 

ASU No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, was issued in January 2016 and the amendments in this update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments.  Most notably, the amendments require the following: (i) equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) to be measured at fair value through earnings; however, entities will be able to elect to record equity investments without readily determinable fair values at cost, less impairment, and plus or minus subsequent adjustments for observable price changes; and (ii) financial assets and financial liabilities to be presented separately in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, grouped by measurement category and form of financial asset. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Fortis is assessing the impact that the adoption of this update will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Leases

 

ASU No. 2016-02 was issued in February 2016 and the amendments in this update create ASC Topic 842, Leases, and supersede lease requirements in ASC Topic 840, Leases. The main provision of ASC Topic 842 is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet by lessees for those leases that were previously classified as operating leases. For operating leases, a lessee is required to do the following: (i) recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, on the balance sheet; (ii) recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term on a generally straight-line basis; and (iii) classify all cash payments within operating activities in the statement of cash flows. These amendments also require qualitative disclosures along with specific quantitative disclosures. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach with practical expedient options. Early adoption is permitted. Fortis is assessing the impact that the adoption of this update will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

 

ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, was issued in March 2016 as part of FASB’s simplification initiative. The areas for simplification in this update involve several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted, however, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. Fortis is assessing the impact that the adoption of this update will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

 

ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, was issued in June 2016 and the amendments in this update require entities to use an expected credit loss methodology and to consider a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Fortis is assessing the impact that the adoption of this update will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

28



 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of the Corporation’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods.  Estimates and judgments are based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Additionally, certain estimates and judgments are necessary since the regulatory environments in which the Corporation’s regulated utilities operate often require amounts to be recognized at estimated values until these amounts are finalized pursuant to regulatory decisions or other regulatory proceedings. Due to changes in facts and circumstances, and the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results may differ significantly from current estimates. Estimates and judgments are reviewed periodically and, as adjustments become necessary, are recognized in earnings in the period in which they become known.  In the event that a regulatory decision is received after the balance sheet date but before the consolidated financial statements are issued, the facts and circumstances are reviewed to determine whether or not it is a recognized subsequent event.

 

Interim financial statements may also employ a greater use of estimates than the annual financial statements.  There were no material changes in the nature of the Corporation’s critical accounting estimates during the six months ended June 30, 2016 from those disclosed in the 2015 Annual MD&A.

 

Contingencies:  The Corporation and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal proceedings and claims associated with the ordinary course of business operations.  Management believes that the amount of liability, if any, from these actions would not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. There were no material changes in the Corporation’s contingencies from those disclosed in the 2015 Annual MD&A, with the exception of the Springerville Unit 1 litigation, as described below.  For complete details of legal proceedings affecting the Corporation, refer to Note 20 to the Corporation’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

UNS Energy

 

Springerville Unit 1

 

In February 2016 TEP entered into an agreement with the third-party owners for the settlement and release of asserted claims and the purchase and sale of beneficial interests in Springerville Unit 1 (the “Agreement”). The Agreement provides that TEP will purchase the third-party owners’ 50.5% undivided interest in Springerville Unit 1 for US$85 million and the third-party owners will pay TEP US$13 million for operating costs related to Springerville Unit 1 incurred on behalf of the third-party owners. Upon completion of the purchase, all outstanding disputes, pending litigation and arbitration proceedings between TEP and the third-party owners will be dismissed with prejudice.

 

The purchase of the third-party owners’ undivided interest in Springerville Unit 1 is subject to, among other things, FERC approval and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. TEP expects the purchase to close in the third quarter of 2016. However, there is no assurance that the settlement will be finalized or that the litigation will not continue.  Therefore, at this time TEP cannot predict the outcome of the claims relating to Springerville Unit 1, and, due to the general and non-specific scope and nature of the claims, TEP cannot determine estimates of the range of loss, if any, at this time and, accordingly no amount has been accrued in the consolidated financial statements. Should the litigation matters continue, TEP intends to continue vigorously defending itself against the claims asserted by the third-party owners and to vigorously pursue the claims it has asserted against the owner trustees and co-trustees.

 

RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Related-party transactions are in the normal course of operations and are measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties. There were no material changes in the nature of the Corporation’s related-party transactions during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 from those disclosed in the 2015 Annual MD&A.

 

29



 

Significant related-party transactions were as follows:  (i) power purchased by FortisBC Electric from the Waneta Expansion, which totalled approximately $3 million and $18 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively; (ii) the Waneta Expansion paid FortisBC Electric for management services associated with the generating facility, which totalled approximately $2 million and $5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively; and (iii) gas storage capacity leased by FortisBC Energy from Aitken Creek, from the date of acquisition, which totalled $5 million.

 

From time to time, the Corporation provides short-term financing to certain of its subsidiaries to support capital expenditure programs, acquisitions and seasonal working capital requirements, bearing interest at rates that approximate the Corporation’s cost of short-term borrowing.  In addition, the Corporation provided long-term financing to certain of its subsidiaries, bearing interest at rates that approximate the Corporation’s cost of long-term debt.  As at June 30, 2016, there were no inter-segment loans outstanding (December 31, 2015 - $48 million) and total interest charged in the first half of 2016 was less than $1 million.

 

SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS

 

The following table sets forth unaudited quarterly information for each of the eight quarters ended September 30, 2014 through June 30, 2016.  The quarterly information has been obtained from the Corporation’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.  These financial results are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period and should not be relied upon to predict future performance.

 

Summary of Quarterly Results

 

 

 

Net Earnings

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

Shareholders

 

Earnings per Common Share

Quarter Ended

 

($ millions)

 

($ millions)

 

Basic ($)

 

Diluted ($)

June 30, 2016

 

1,477

 

107

 

0.38

 

0.38

March 31, 2016

 

1,757

 

162

 

0.57

 

0.57

December 31, 2015

 

1,708

 

135

 

0.48

 

0.48

September 30, 2015

 

1,566

 

151

 

0.54

 

0.54

June 30, 2015

 

1,538

 

244

 

0.88

 

0.87

March 31, 2015

 

1,915

 

198

 

0.72

 

0.71

December 31, 2014

 

1,693

 

113

 

0.44

 

0.43

September 30, 2014

 

1,197

 

14

 

0.06

 

0.06

 

The summary of the past eight quarters reflects the Corporation’s continued organic growth, growth from acquisitions and associated acquisition-related expenses, the impact of the sale of non-regulated assets, as well as the seasonality associated with its businesses.  Interim results will fluctuate due to the seasonal nature of electricity and gas demand and water flows, as well as the timing and recognition of regulatory decisions.  Revenue is also affected by the cost of fuel and purchased power and the cost of natural gas, which are flowed through to customers without markup.  Given the diversified nature of the Corporation’s subsidiaries, seasonality may vary.  Most of the annual earnings of the gas utilities are realized in the first and fourth quarters. Earnings for UNS Energy and Central Hudson’s electric utilities are generally highest in the second and third quarters due to the use of air conditioning and other cooling equipment.

 

June 2016/June 2015: Net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders were $107 million, or $0.38 per common share, for the second quarter of 2016 compared to earnings of $244 million, or $0.88 per common share, for the second quarter of 2015.  A discussion of the quarter over quarter variance in financial results is provided in the “Financial Highlights” section of this MD&A.

 

30



 

March 2016/March 2015:  Net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders were $162 million, or $0.57 per common share, for the first quarter of 2016 compared to earnings of $198 million, or $0.72 per common share, for the first quarter of 2015. The decrease in earnings was primarily due to: $17 million in acquisition-related expenses and $11 million (US$8 million) in FERC ordered transmission refunds recognized in the first quarter of 2016, and a positive capital tracker revenue adjustment of $10 million and a foreign exchange gain of $9 million recognized in the first quarter of 2015.  Excluding these items, the $11 million increase in net earnings was mainly due to: (i) contribution of $4 million from the Waneta Expansion, which came online in early April 2015, and increased production in Belize due to higher rainfall; (ii) favourable foreign exchange associated with US dollar-denominated earnings; (iii) a higher AFUDC at FortisBC Energy; and (iv) strong performance from the utilities in the Caribbean. The increase was partially offset by the timing of quarterly earnings at FortisBC Electric compared to the first quarter of 2015, and higher Corporate and Other expenses.

 

December 2015/December 2014: Net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders were $135 million, or $0.48 per common share, for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to earnings of $113 million, or $0.44 per common share, for the fourth quarter of 2014.  The increase in earnings was primarily due to: (i) favourable foreign exchange impacts; (ii) an increase in base electricity rates at Central Hudson effective July 1, 2015, combined with the impact of storm restoration and other non-recurring expenses recognized in the fourth quarter of 2014; (iii) earnings contribution of approximately $6 million from the Waneta Expansion; (iv) rate base growth associated with capital expenditures and growth in the number of customers at FortisAlberta; and (v) a higher AFUDC at FortisBC Energy, partially offset by higher operating expenses. The timing of regulatory deferral mechanisms had a favourable impact on FortisBC Energy’s earnings for the fourth quarter of 2015 and an unfavourable impact on FortisBC Electric. The increase in earnings was partially offset by lower earnings contribution due to the sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets and higher Corporate and Other expenses.  Corporate and Other expenses included $7 million in acquisition-related expenses in the fourth quarter of 2015 and in the fourth quarter of 2014 included $4 million in interest expense associated with the convertible debentures and a $3 million foreign exchange gain.  Excluding these items, the increase in Corporate and Other expenses was mainly due to a lower income tax recovery and lower related-party interest income.

 

September 2015/September 2014: Net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders were $151 million, or $0.54 per common share, for the third quarter of 2015 compared to earnings of $14 million, or $0.06 per common share, for the third quarter of 2014. Earnings for the third quarter of 2015 were favourably impacted by a $5 million gain on the sale of non-regulated generation assets in Ontario and a $5 million positive adjustment associated with the sale of hotel assets, and were reduced by a $9 million loss on the settlement of expropriation matters related to the Corporation’s investment in Belize Electricity. Earnings for the third quarter of 2014 were reduced by a total of $58 million due to acquisition-related expenses associated with UNS Energy. Excluding these items, the increase in earnings was driven by contribution of $97 million at UNS Energy compared to $37 million for the third quarter of 2014. Earnings contribution of $5 million from the Waneta Expansion also contributed to the increase. Performance was also driven by the Corporation’s other regulated utilities, including rate base growth associated with capital expenditures and customer growth at FortisAlberta; improved performance at Central Hudson; and favourable foreign exchange associated with US dollar-denominated earnings. Earnings at FortisBC Energy and FortisBC Electric were unfavourably impacted by the timing of regulatory deferral mechanisms; however, FortisBC Energy’s earnings were favourably impacted by lower operating expenses and higher AFUDC. The increase was partially offset by higher preference share dividends and finance charges in the Corporate and Other segment, largely associated with the acquisition of UNS Energy.

 

OUTLOOK

 

Fortis expects to close the Acquisition of ITC by the end of 2016. The Acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings per common share in the first full year following closing, excluding one-time acquisition­related expenses. The Acquisition represents a singular opportunity for Fortis to significantly diversify its business in terms of regulatory jurisdictions, business risk profile and regional economic mix.

 

31



 

Over the five-year period through 2020, excluding ITC, the Corporation’s capital program is expected to be over $9 billion. This investment in energy infrastructure is expected to increase rate base to more than $20 billion in 2020.  Fortis expects long-term sustainable growth in rate base, resulting from investment in its existing utility operations and strategic acquisitions, to support continuing growth in earnings and dividends.

 

Fortis continues to target 6% average annual dividend growth through 2020. This dividend guidance takes into account many factors, including the expectation of reasonable outcomes for regulatory proceedings at the Corporation’s utilities, the successful execution of the five-year capital expenditure program, and management’s continued confidence in the strength of the Corporation’s diversified portfolio of utilities and record of operational excellence. The Acquisition of ITC supports this dividend guidance.

 

The Corporation’s business continues to grow in 2016 and results in 2017 will benefit from the expected outcome of the TEP general rate case, the impact of ITC and continued growth of the underlying business.  Over the long term, Fortis is well positioned to enhance value for shareholders through the execution of its capital plan, the balance and strength of its diversified portfolio of businesses, as well as growth opportunities within its franchise regions.

 

OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA

 

As at July 28, 2016, the Corporation had issued and outstanding approximately 284.5 million common shares; 8.0 million First Preference Shares, Series E; 5.0 million First Preference Shares, Series F; 9.2 million First Preference Shares, Series G; 7.0 million First Preference Shares, Series H; 3.0 million First Preference Shares, Series I; 8.0 million First Preference Shares, Series J; 10.0 million First Preference Shares, Series K; and 24.0 million First Preference Shares, Series M.  Only the common shares of the Corporation have voting rights.  The Corporation’s First Preference Shares do not have voting rights unless and until Fortis fails to pay eight quarterly dividends, whether or not consecutive and whether or not such dividends have been declared.

 

The number of common shares of Fortis that would be issued if all outstanding stock options and First Preference Shares, Series E were converted as at July 28, 2016 is as follows.

 

Conversion of Securities into Common Shares (Unaudited)

 

 

As at July 28, 2016

 

Number of

 

 

Common Shares

Security

 

(millions)

Stock Options

 

4.2

First Preference Shares, Series E

 

4.9

Total

 

9.1

 

Additional information, including the Fortis 2015 Annual Information Form, Management Information Circular and Annual Report, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Corporation’s website at www.fortisinc.com.

 

32



 

FORTIS INC.

 

Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015

(Unaudited)

 

Prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States

 

F-1



 

Fortis Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

As at

(in millions of Canadian dollars)

 

 

 

 

June 30,
2016

 

 

December 31,
2015

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

296

 

$

242

 

Accounts receivable and other current assets

 

834

 

964

 

Prepaid expenses

 

71

 

68

 

Inventories

 

292

 

337

 

Regulatory assets (Note 5)

 

201

 

246

 

 

 

1,694

 

1,857

 

Other assets

 

336

 

352

 

Regulatory assets (Note 5)

 

2,264

 

2,286

 

Utility capital assets

 

19,772

 

19,595

 

Intangible assets

 

539

 

541

 

Goodwill

 

4,018

 

4,173

 

 

 

$

28,623

 

$

28,804

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings (Note 18)

 

$

234

 

$

511

 

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

 

1,167

 

1,419

 

Regulatory liabilities (Note 5)

 

304

 

298

 

Current installments of long-term debt (Note 6)

 

415

 

384

 

Current installments of capital lease and finance obligations

 

27

 

26

 

 

 

2,147

 

2,638

 

Other liabilities

 

1,123

 

1,152

 

Regulatory liabilities (Note 5)

 

1,296

 

1,340

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,128

 

2,050

 

Long-term debt (Note 6)

 

11,144

 

10,784

 

Capital lease and finance obligations

 

459

 

487

 

 

 

18,297

 

18,451

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares (1) (Note 7)

 

5,962

 

5,867

 

Preference shares

 

1,820

 

1,820

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

12

 

14

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

506

 

791

 

Retained earnings

 

1,551

 

1,388

 

Total Fortis Inc. shareholders’ equity

 

9,851

 

9,880

 

Non-controlling interests

 

475

 

473

 

 

 

10,326

 

10,353

 

 

 

$

28,623

 

$

28,804

 

 


(1)  No par value.  Unlimited authorized shares; 284.2 million and 281.6 million issued and outstanding as at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 19 and Note 20, respectively)

See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-2



 

Fortis Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)

For the periods ended June 30

(in millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

1,477

 

$

1,538

 

$

3,234

 

$

3,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy supply costs

 

480

 

531

 

1,172

 

1,364

 

Operating

 

454

 

458

 

928

 

931

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

232

 

220

 

466

 

435

 

 

 

1,166

 

1,209

 

2,566

 

2,730

 

Operating income

 

311

 

329

 

668

 

723

 

Other income (expenses), net (Note 10)

 

9

 

166

 

25

 

183

 

Finance charges (Note 11)

 

150

 

141

 

293

 

275

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

170

 

354

 

400

 

631

 

Income tax expense (Note 12)

 

28

 

76

 

70

 

133

 

Net earnings

 

$

142

 

$

278

 

$

330

 

$

498

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

 

$

17

 

$

15

 

$

24

 

$

17

 

Preference equity shareholders

 

18

 

19

 

37

 

39

 

Common equity shareholders

 

107

 

244

 

269

 

442

 

 

 

$

142

 

$

278

 

$

330

 

$

498

 

Earnings per common share (Note 13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.38

 

$

0.88

 

$

0.95

 

$

1.59

 

Diluted

 

$

0.38

 

$

0.87

 

$

0.95

 

$

1.58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Fortis Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

For the periods ended June 30

(in millions of Canadian dollars)

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

142

 

$

278

 

$

330

 

$

498

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized foreign currency translation (losses) gains, net of hedging activities and tax

 

(18)

 

(49)

 

(287)

 

249

 

Reclassification to earnings of foreign currency translation loss on disposal of investment in foreign operations, net of tax

 

 

2

 

 

2

 

Unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale investment, net of tax

 

(1)

 

(2)

 

2

 

(2)

 

Unrealized employee future benefits gains, net of tax

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

(19)

 

(48)

 

(285)

 

249

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

123

 

$

230

 

$

45

 

$

747

 

Comprehensive income attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

 

$

17

 

$

15

 

$

24

 

$

17

 

Preference equity shareholders

 

18

 

19

 

37

 

39

 

Common equity shareholders

 

88

 

196

 

(16)

 

691

 

 

 

$

123

 

$

230

 

$

45

 

$

747

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-3



 

Fortis Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

For the periods ended June 30

(in millions of Canadian dollars)

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

142

 

$

278

 

$

330

 

$

498

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation - capital assets

 

207

 

198

 

416

 

391

 

Amortization - intangible assets

 

17

 

16

 

35

 

32

 

Amortization - other

 

8

 

6

 

15

 

12

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

28

 

48

 

30

 

39

 

Accrued employee future benefits

 

9

 

11

 

22

 

14

 

Equity component of allowance for funds used during construction (Note 10)

 

(6)

 

(5)

 

(13)

 

(9)

 

Gain on sale of non-utility capital assets (Note 10)

 

 

(133)

 

 

(133)

 

Gain on sale of non-regulated generation assets (Note 10)

 

 

(57)

 

 

(57)

 

Other

 

33

 

32

 

54

 

28

 

Change in long-term regulatory assets and liabilities

 

(34)

 

(28)

 

(32)

 

(76)

 

Change in non-cash operating working capital (Note 14)

 

44

 

102

 

74

 

179

 

 

 

448

 

468

 

931

 

918

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in other assets and other liabilities

 

(18)

 

(41)

 

(26)

 

(56)

 

Capital expenditures - utility capital assets

 

(408)

 

(578)

 

(817)

 

(1,108)

 

Capital expenditures - non-utility capital assets

 

 

(5)

 

 

(9)

 

Capital expenditures - intangible assets

 

(25)

 

(34)

 

(42)

 

(54)

 

Purchase of assets held for sale

 

 

(27)

 

 

(27)

 

Contributions in aid of construction

 

7

 

13

 

18

 

28

 

Proceeds on sale of assets (Note 10)

 

 

537

 

10

 

538

 

Business acquisition, net of cash acquired (Note 15)

 

(318)

 

 

(318)

 

 

 

 

(762)

 

(135)

 

(1,175)

 

(688)

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in short-term borrowings

 

(243)

 

(201)

 

(275)

 

(201)

 

Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issue costs

 

356

 

211

 

356

 

618

 

Repayments of long-term debt and capital lease and finance obligations

 

(69)

 

(66)

 

(109)

 

(236)

 

Net advances under committed credit facilities

 

421

 

281

 

513

 

262

 

Advances from non-controlling interests

 

1

 

14

 

1

 

19

 

Issue of common shares, net of costs and dividends reinvested

 

8

 

3

 

27

 

20

 

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares, net of dividends reinvested

 

(70)

 

(55)

 

(147)

 

(115)

 

Preference shares

 

(18)

 

(19)

 

(37)

 

(39)

 

Subsidiary dividends paid to non-controlling interests

 

(6)

 

(2)

 

(15)

 

(6)

 

 

 

380

 

166

 

314

 

322

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

(16)

 

17

 

Change in cash and cash equivalents

 

64

 

497

 

54

 

569

 

Change in cash associated with assets held for sale

 

 

1

 

 

(2)

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

232

 

299

 

242

 

230

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

296

 

$

797

 

$

296

 

$

797

 

 

Supplementary Information to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Note 14)

See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-4



 

Fortis Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited)

For the periods ended June 30

(in millions of Canadian dollars)

 

 

 

Common
Shares

 

Preference
Shares

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Non-
Controlling
Interests

 

Total
Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Note 7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at January 1, 2016

 

$

5,867

 

$

1,820

 

$

14

 

$

791

 

$

1,388

 

$

473

 

$

10,353

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

306

 

24

 

330

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

(285)

 

 

 

(285)

 

Common share issues

 

95

 

 

(3)

 

 

 

 

92

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

Advances from non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

1

 

Foreign currency translation impacts

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8)

 

(8)

 

Subsidiary dividends paid to non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

(15)

 

(15)

 

Dividends declared on common shares ($0.375 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

(106)

 

 

(106)

 

Dividends declared on preference shares

 

 

 

 

 

(37)

 

 

(37)

 

As at June 30, 2016

 

$

5,962

 

$

1,820

 

$

12

 

$

506

 

$

1,551

 

$

475

 

$

10,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at January 1, 2015

 

$

5,667

 

$

1,820

 

$

15

 

$

129

 

$

1,060

 

$

421

 

$

9,112

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

481

 

17

 

498

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

249

 

 

 

249

 

Common share issues

 

95

 

 

(2)

 

 

 

 

93

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

Advances from non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

19

 

Foreign currency translation impacts

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

9

 

Subsidiary dividends paid to non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

 

(6)

 

Dividends declared on common shares ($0.68 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

(189)

 

 

(189)

 

Dividends declared on preference shares

 

 

 

 

 

(39)

 

 

(39)

 

As at June 30, 2015

 

$

5,762

 

$

1,820

 

$

14

 

$

378

 

$

1,313

 

$

460

 

$

9,747

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

F-5



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

Fortis Inc. (“Fortis” or the “Corporation”) is principally an international electric and gas utility holding company. Fortis segments its utility operations by franchise area and, depending on regulatory requirements, by the nature of the assets. Fortis also holds investments in non-regulated energy infrastructure, which is treated as a separate segment. The Corporation’s reporting segments allow senior management to evaluate the operational performance and assess the overall contribution of each segment to the long-term objectives of Fortis.  Each entity within the reporting segments operates with substantial autonomy, assumes profit and loss responsibility and is accountable for its own resource allocation.

 

The following outlines each of the Corporation’s reportable segments and is consistent with the basis of segmentation as disclosed in the Corporation’s 2015 annual audited consolidated financial statements.

 

REGULATED UTILITIES

 

The Corporation’s interests in regulated electric and gas utilities are as follows:

 

a.              Regulated Electric & Gas Utilities - United States: Comprised of UNS Energy, which primarily includes Tucson Electric Power Company (“TEP”), UNS Electric, Inc. (“UNS Electric”) and UNS Gas, Inc. (“UNS Gas”), and Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation (“Central Hudson”).

 

b.              Regulated Gas Utility - Canadian: Primarily includes FortisBC Energy Inc. (“FortisBC Energy”).

 

c.               Regulated Electric Utilities - Canadian: Comprised of FortisAlberta Inc. (“FortisAlberta”), FortisBC Inc. (“FortisBC Electric”), and Eastern Canadian Electric Utilities. Eastern Canadian Electric Utilities is comprised of Newfoundland Power Inc. (“Newfoundland Power”), Maritime Electric Company, Limited (“Maritime Electric”) and FortisOntario Inc. (“FortisOntario”).  FortisOntario mainly includes Canadian Niagara Power Inc., Cornwall Street Railway, Light and Power Company, Limited and Algoma Power Inc.

 

d.              Regulated Electric Utilities - Caribbean: Comprised of Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. (“Caribbean Utilities”), in which Fortis holds an approximate 60% controlling interest, two wholly owned utilities in the Turks and Caicos Islands, FortisTCI Limited and Turks and Caicos Utilities Limited (collectively “Fortis Turks and Caicos”), and also includes the Corporation’s 33% equity investment in Belize Electricity Limited (“Belize Electricity”).

 

NON-REGULATED — ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

 

Non-Regulated - Energy Infrastructure is primarily comprised of long-term contracted generation assets in British Columbia and Belize, and the Aitken Creek natural gas storage facility (“Aitken Creek”) in British Columbia. Aitken Creek was acquired by Fortis on April 1, 2016 and the financial results are included in this segment from the date of acquisition (Note 15). In February 2016 the Corporation sold its Walden hydroelectric generating facility in British Columbia for gross proceeds of approximately $9 million.

 

NON-REGULATED - NON-UTILITY

 

The Non-Utility segment previously included Fortis Properties Corporation (“Fortis Properties”). Fortis Properties completed the sale of its commercial real estate and hotel assets in June 2015 and October 2015, respectively.

 

F-6



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

CORPORATE AND OTHER

 

The Corporate and Other segment captures expense and revenue items not specifically related to any reportable segment and those business operations that are below the required threshold for reporting as separate segments.

 

The Corporate and Other segment includes net corporate expenses of Fortis and non-regulated holding company expenses of FortisBC Holdings Inc. (“FHI”), CH Energy Group, Inc. and UNS Energy Corporation.  Also included in the Corporate and Other segment are the financial results of FortisBC Alternative Energy Services Inc. (“FAES”). FAES is a wholly owned subsidiary of FHI that provides alternative energy solutions, including thermal-energy and geo-exchange systems.

 

PENDING ACQUISITION

 

ITC Holdings Corp.

 

On February 9, 2016, Fortis and ITC Holdings Corp. (“ITC”) (NYSE:ITC) entered into an agreement and plan of merger pursuant to which Fortis will acquire ITC in a transaction (the “Acquisition”) valued at approximately US$11.3 billion, based on the closing price for Fortis common shares and the foreign exchange rate on February 8, 2016. Under the terms of the transaction, ITC shareholders will receive US$22.57 in cash and 0.7520 of a Fortis common share per ITC share, representing total consideration of approximately US$6.9 billion, and Fortis will assume approximately US$4.4 billion of ITC consolidated indebtedness.

 

ITC is the largest independent electric transmission company in the United States.  ITC owns and operates high-voltage transmission facilities in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, serving a combined peak load exceeding 26,000 megawatts along approximately 15,700 circuit miles of transmission line.  In addition, ITC is a public utility limited to transmission ownership in Wisconsin.  ITC’s tariff rates are regulated by the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”), which has been one of the most consistently supportive utility regulators in North America providing reasonable returns and equity ratios. Rates are set using a forward-looking rate-setting mechanism with an annual true-up, which provides timely cost recovery and reduces regulatory lag.

 

In May 2016 and June 2016, both Fortis and ITC received shareholder approvals to proceed with the Acquisition.  The transaction review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States was completed in July 2016.  The closing of the Acquisition remains subject to certain regulatory, state and federal approvals including, among others, those of FERC and the United States Federal Trade Commission/Department of Justice under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The FERC and all of the state regulatory applications associated with the transaction were filed in the second quarter of 2016.  The closing of the Acquisition is expected to occur in late 2016.

 

In April 2016 Fortis announced that it reached a definitive agreement with an affiliate of GIC Private Limited, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, to acquire a 19.9% equity interest in ITC for aggregate consideration of US$1.228 billion in cash upon closing of the Acquisition.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) for interim financial statements.  As a result, these interim consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and disclosures required in the annual consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Corporation’s 2015 annual audited consolidated financial statements. In management’s opinion, the interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are of a recurring nature and necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Corporation.

 

F-7



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

Interim results will fluctuate due to the seasonal nature of electricity and gas demand and water flows, as well as the timing and recognition of regulatory decisions.  Given the diversified group of companies, seasonality may vary.  Most of the annual earnings of the gas utilities are realized in the first and fourth quarters.  Earnings for UNS Energy and Central Hudson’s electric utilities are generally highest in the second and third quarters due to the use of air conditioning and other cooling equipment.

 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates and judgments are based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

 

Additionally, certain estimates and judgments are necessary since the regulatory environments in which the Corporation’s regulated utilities operate often require amounts to be recognized at estimated values until these amounts are finalized pursuant to regulatory decisions or other regulatory proceedings.  Due to changes in facts and circumstances, and the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results may differ significantly from current estimates.  Estimates and judgments are reviewed periodically and, as adjustments become necessary, are recognized in earnings in the period in which they become known. In the event that a regulatory decision is received after the balance sheet date but before the consolidated financial statements are issued, the facts and circumstances are reviewed to determine whether or not it is a recognized subsequent event.

 

Interim financial statements may also employ a greater use of estimates than the annual financial statements. There were no material changes in the nature of the Corporation’s critical accounting estimates during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

An evaluation of subsequent events through July 28, 2016, the date these interim consolidated financial statements were approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, was completed to determine whether circumstances warranted recognition and disclosure of events or transactions in the interim consolidated financial statements as at June 30, 2016.

 

All amounts are presented in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

 

These interim consolidated financial statements are comprised of the accounts of Fortis and its wholly owned subsidiaries and controlling ownership interests. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

 

These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared following the same accounting policies and methods as those used to prepare the Corporation’s 2015 annual audited consolidated financial statements, except as described below.

 

New Accounting Policies

 

Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items

 

Effective January 1, 2016, the Corporation adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-01, Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items. The amendments in this update are part of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards by eliminating the concept of extraordinary items. The above-noted ASU was applied prospectively and did not impact the Corporation’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

F-8



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis

 

Effective January 1, 2016, the Corporation adopted ASU No. 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. The amendments in this update change the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. Specifically, the amendments note the following regarding limited partnerships: (i) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities; and (ii) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. The amendments did not materially impact the Corporation’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements. The amendments did, however, change the Corporation’s 51% controlling ownership interest in the Waneta Expansion Limited Partnership (“Waneta Partnership”) from a voting interest entity to a variable interest entity, resulting in additional disclosure (Note 17).

 

Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments

 

Effective January 1, 2016, the Corporation adopted ASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. The amendments in this update require that in a business combination, an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined.  Under previous guidance, these adjustments were required to be accounted for retrospectively.  ASU No. 2015-16 was applied prospectively and did not have an impact on the Corporation’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

3. FUTURE ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

The Corporation considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs issued by FASB. The following updates have been issued by FASB, but have not yet been adopted by Fortis.  Any ASUs not included below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable to the Corporation or are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

ASU No. 2014-09 was issued in May 2014 and the amendments in this update create Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and supersede the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, including most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance throughout the codification. This standard completes a joint effort by FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards that clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and that can be applied consistently across various transactions, industries and capital markets. This standard was originally effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and is to be applied on a full retrospective or modified retrospective basis. ASU No. 2015-14 was issued in August 2015 and the amendments in this update defer the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 by one year to annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted as of the original effective date.

 

ASU No. 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations, was issued in March 2016, ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, was issued in April 2016 and ASU No. 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, was issued in May 2016.  The above-noted ASUs clarify implementation guidance in ASC Topic 606.  The effective date and transition requirements of these updates are the same as ASU No. 2014-09.

 

The majority of the Corporation’s revenue is generated from energy sales to customers based on published tariff rates, as approved by the respective regulators, and is expected to be in the scope of ASU No. 2014-09.  Fortis has not yet selected a transition method and is assessing the impact that the adoption of this standard, and all related ASUs, will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  The Corporation plans to have this assessment substantially complete by the end of 2016.

 

F-9



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

 

ASU No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, was issued in January 2016 and the amendments in this update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments.  Most notably, the amendments require the following: (i) equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) to be measured at fair value through earnings; however, entities will be able to elect to record equity investments without readily determinable fair values at cost, less impairment, and plus or minus subsequent adjustments for observable price changes; and (ii) financial assets and financial liabilities to be presented separately in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, grouped by measurement category and form of financial asset. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Fortis is assessing the impact that the adoption of this update will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Leases

 

ASU No. 2016-02 was issued in February 2016 and the amendments in this update create ASC Topic 842, Leases, and supersede lease requirements in ASC Topic 840, Leases. The main provision of ASC Topic 842 is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet by lessees for those leases that were previously classified as operating leases. For operating leases, a lessee is required to do the following: (i) recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, on the balance sheet; (ii) recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term on a generally straight-line basis; and (iii) classify all cash payments within operating activities in the statement of cash flows. These amendments also require qualitative disclosures along with specific quantitative disclosures. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach with practical expedient options. Early adoption is permitted. Fortis is assessing the impact that the adoption of this update will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

 

ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, was issued in March 2016 as part of FASB’s simplification initiative. The areas for simplification in this update involve several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted, however, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. Fortis is assessing the impact that the adoption of this update will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

 

ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, was issued in June 2016 and the amendments in this update require entities to use an expected credit loss methodology and to consider a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Fortis is assessing the impact that the adoption of this update will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

F-10



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

4. SEGMENTED INFORMATION

Information by reportable segment is as follows:

 

 

 

REGULATED

 

NON-REGULATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Electric & Gas

 

 

 

Gas

 

Electric

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inter-

 

 

 

June 30, 2016

 

UNS

 

Central

 

 

 

FortisBC

 

Fortis

 

FortisBC

 

Eastern

 

 

 

Caribbean

 

Energy

 

Non-

 

Corporate

 

segment

 

 

 

($ millions)

 

Energy

 

Hudson

 

Total

 

Energy

 

Alberta

 

Electric

 

Canadian

 

Total

 

Electric

 

Infrastructure

 

Utility

 

and Other

 

eliminations

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

490

 

185

 

675

 

201

 

144

 

83

 

245

 

673

 

71

 

67

 

 

3

 

(12)

 

1,477

 

Energy supply costs

 

176

 

52

 

228

 

41

 

 

21

 

154

 

216

 

29

 

16

 

 

 

(9)

 

480

 

Operating expenses

 

146

 

89

 

235

 

69

 

48

 

21

 

34

 

172

 

12

 

9

 

 

28

 

(2)

 

454

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

65

 

15

 

80

 

50

 

44

 

14

 

23

 

131

 

13

 

7

 

 

1

 

 

232

 

Operating income

 

103

 

29

 

132

 

41

 

52

 

27

 

34

 

154

 

17

 

35

 

 

(26)

 

(1)

 

311

 

Other income (expenses), net

 

2

 

1

 

3

 

4

 

 

 

1

 

5

 

1

 

(1)

 

 

1

 

 

9

 

Finance charges

 

25

 

10

 

35

 

33

 

22

 

9

 

14

 

78

 

3

 

1

 

 

34

 

(1)

 

150

 

Income tax expense (recovery)

 

24

 

8

 

32

 

4

 

 

3

 

5

 

12

 

 

1

 

 

(17)

 

 

28

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

56

 

12

 

68

 

8

 

30

 

15

 

16

 

69

 

15

 

32

 

 

(42)

 

 

142

 

Non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

13

 

 

 

 

17

 

Preference share dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18

 

 

18

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to common equity shareholders

 

56

 

12

 

68

 

8

 

30

 

15

 

16

 

69

 

11

 

19

 

 

(60)

 

 

107

 

Goodwill

 

1,784

 

582

 

2,366

 

913

 

227

 

235

 

67

 

1,442

 

183

 

27

 

 

 

 

4,018

 

Identifiable assets

 

6,562

 

2,430

 

8,992

 

5,063

 

3,717

 

1,874

 

2,247

 

12,901

 

1,066

 

1,473

 

 

234

 

(61)

 

24,605

 

Total assets

 

8,346

 

3,012

 

11,358

 

5,976

 

3,944

 

2,109

 

2,314

 

14,343

 

1,249

 

1,500

 

 

234

 

(61)

 

28,623

 

Gross capital expenditures

 

98

 

60

 

158

 

79

 

87

 

19

 

35

 

220

 

42

 

5

 

 

8

 

 

433

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

494

 

193

 

687

 

228

 

136

 

80

 

232

 

676

 

74

 

41

 

65

 

7

 

(12)

 

1,538

 

Energy supply costs

 

196

 

64

 

260

 

73

 

 

21

 

143

 

237

 

36

 

1

 

 

 

(3)

 

531

 

Operating expenses

 

137

 

90

 

227

 

66

 

43

 

22

 

34

 

165

 

11

 

5

 

41

 

12

 

(3)

 

458

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

57

 

14

 

71

 

48

 

42

 

15

 

21

 

126

 

11

 

6

 

5

 

1

 

 

220

 

Operating income

 

104

 

25

 

129

 

41

 

51

 

22

 

34

 

148

 

16

 

29

 

19

 

(6)

 

(6)

 

329

 

Other income (expenses), net

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

2

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

52

 

111

 

(1)

 

(1)

 

166

 

Finance charges

 

25

 

10

 

35

 

34

 

20

 

9

 

14

 

77

 

4

 

1

 

7

 

24

 

(7)

 

141

 

Income tax expense (recovery)

 

28

 

7

 

35

 

1

 

 

2

 

5

 

8

 

 

24

 

19

 

(10)

 

 

76

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

52

 

10

 

62

 

8

 

31

 

11

 

15

 

65

 

12

 

56

 

104

 

(21)

 

 

278

 

Non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

3

 

11

 

 

 

 

15

 

Preference share dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

19

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to common equity shareholders

 

52

 

10

 

62

 

7

 

31

 

11

 

15

 

64

 

9

 

45

 

104

 

(40)

 

 

244

 

Goodwill

 

1,725

 

564

 

2,289

 

913

 

227

 

235

 

67

 

1,442

 

177

 

 

 

 

 

3,908

 

Identifiable assets

 

6,276

 

2,260

 

8,536

 

4,882

 

3,407

 

1,825

 

2,172

 

12,286

 

1,024

 

1,030

 

781

 

601

 

(478)

 

23,780

 

Total assets

 

8,001

 

2,824

 

10,825

 

5,795

 

3,634

 

2,060

 

2,239

 

13,728

 

1,201

 

1,030

 

781

 

601

 

(478)

 

27,688

 

Gross capital expenditures

 

256

 

34

 

290

 

121

 

101

 

28

 

38

 

288

 

23

 

8

 

5

 

3

 

 

617

 

 

F-11



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

REGULATED

 

NON-REGULATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year-to-Date

 

Electric & Gas

 

 

 

Gas

 

Electric

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inter-

 

 

 

June 30, 2016

 

UNS

 

Central

 

 

 

FortisBC

 

Fortis

 

FortisBC

 

Eastern

 

 

 

Caribbean

 

Energy

 

Non-

 

Corporate

 

segment

 

 

 

($ millions)

 

Energy

 

Hudson

 

Total

 

Energy

 

Alberta

 

Electric

 

Canadian

 

Total

 

Electric

 

Infrastructure

 

Utility

 

and Other

 

eliminations

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

930

 

434

 

1,364

 

607

 

286

 

187

 

574

 

1,654

 

146

 

95

 

 

5

 

(30)

 

3,234

 

Energy supply costs

 

356

 

133

 

489

 

175

 

 

61

 

388

 

624

 

66

 

17

 

 

 

(24)

 

1,172

 

Operating expenses

 

299

 

193

 

492

 

140

 

96

 

43

 

69

 

348

 

24

 

16

 

 

53

 

(5)

 

928

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

132

 

31

 

163

 

100

 

89

 

28

 

45

 

262

 

26

 

13

 

 

2

 

 

466

 

Operating income

 

143

 

77

 

220

 

192

 

101

 

55

 

72

 

420

 

30

 

49

 

 

(50)

 

(1)

 

668

 

Other income (expenses), net

 

4

 

2

 

6

 

7

 

2

 

 

1

 

10

 

4

 

1

 

 

4

 

 

25

 

Finance charges

 

51

 

20

 

71

 

64

 

42

 

19

 

28

 

153

 

6

 

2

 

 

62

 

(1)

 

293

 

Income tax expense (recovery)

 

28

 

23

 

51

 

35

 

 

6

 

11

 

52

 

 

1

 

 

(34)

 

 

70

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

68

 

36

 

104

 

100

 

61

 

30

 

34

 

225

 

28

 

47

 

 

(74)

 

 

330

 

Non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

17

 

 

 

 

24

 

Preference share dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37

 

 

37

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to common equity shareholders

 

68

 

36

 

104

 

100

 

61

 

30

 

34

 

225

 

21

 

30

 

 

(111)

 

 

269

 

Goodwill

 

1,784

 

582

 

2,366

 

913

 

227

 

235

 

67

 

1,442

 

183

 

27

 

 

 

 

4,018

 

Identifiable assets

 

6,562

 

2,430

 

8,992

 

5,063

 

3,717

 

1,874

 

2,247

 

12,901

 

1,066

 

1,473

 

 

234

 

(61)

 

24,605

 

Total assets

 

8,346

 

3,012

 

11,358

 

5,976

 

3,944

 

2,109

 

2,314

 

14,343

 

1,249

 

1,500

 

 

234

 

(61)

 

28,623

 

Gross capital expenditures

 

218

 

118

 

336

 

166

 

166

 

38

 

63

 

433

 

64

 

16

 

 

10

 

 

859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

929

 

485

 

1,414

 

716

 

282

 

176

 

554

 

1,728

 

152

 

48

 

118

 

14

 

(21)

 

3,453

 

Energy supply costs

 

384

 

198

 

582

 

290

 

 

46

 

367

 

703

 

81

 

1

 

 

 

(3)

 

1,364

 

Operating expenses

 

272

 

190

 

462

 

136

 

89

 

44

 

73

 

342

 

23

 

8

 

85

 

17

 

(6)

 

931

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

117

 

28

 

145

 

96

 

83

 

29

 

41

 

249

 

22

 

7

 

11

 

1

 

 

435

 

Operating income

 

156

 

69

 

225

 

194

 

110

 

57

 

73

 

434

 

26

 

32

 

22

 

(4)

 

(12)

 

723

 

Other income (expenses), net

 

2

 

4

 

6

 

5

 

1

 

 

 

6

 

1

 

52

 

111

 

8

 

(1)

 

183

 

Finance charges

 

48

 

19

 

67

 

68

 

39

 

19

 

28

 

154

 

8

 

1

 

13

 

45

 

(13)

 

275

 

Income tax expense (recovery)

 

38

 

22

 

60

 

35

 

 

4

 

11

 

50

 

 

24

 

18

 

(19)

 

 

133

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

72

 

32

 

104

 

96

 

72

 

34

 

34

 

236

 

19

 

59

 

102

 

(22)

 

 

498

 

Non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

5

 

11

 

 

 

 

17

 

Preference share dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39

 

 

39

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to common equity shareholders

 

72

 

32

 

104

 

95

 

72

 

34

 

34

 

235

 

14

 

48

 

102

 

(61)

 

 

442

 

Goodwill

 

1,725

 

564

 

2,289

 

913

 

227

 

235

 

67

 

1,442

 

177

 

 

 

 

 

3,908

 

Identifiable assets

 

6,276

 

2,260

 

8,536

 

4,882

 

3,407

 

1,825

 

2,172

 

12,286

 

1,024

 

1,030

 

781

 

601

 

(478)

 

23,780

 

Total assets

 

8,001

 

2,824

 

10,825

 

5,795

 

3,634

 

2,060

 

2,239

 

13,728

 

1,201

 

1,030

 

781

 

601

 

(478)

 

27,688

 

Gross capital expenditures

 

449

 

67

 

516

 

239

 

207

 

60

 

73

 

579

 

44

 

19

 

9

 

4

 

 

1,171

 

 

F-12



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

Related party transactions are in the normal course of operations and are measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties. The significant related party inter-segment transactions for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

 

Significant Related Party Inter-Segment Transactions

Quarter Ended

Year-to-Date

 

June 30

June 30

($ millions)

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 

Sales from Non-Regulated Energy Infrastructure to Regulated Electric Utilities - Canadian

9

 

3

 

24

 

3

 

Revenue from Regulated Electric Utilities - Canadian to Non-Regulated Energy Infrastructure

2

 

 

5

 

 

Sales from Regulated Electric Utilities - Canadian to Non-Utility

 

1

 

 

3

 

Inter-segment finance charges on lending from:

 

 

 

 

Corporate to Non-Utility

 

6

 

 

12

 

 

The significant related party inter-segment asset balances were as follows:

 

 

 

As at June 30

($ millions)

 

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

Inter-segment lending from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Regulated Energy Infrastructure to Eastern Canadian Electric Utilities

 

 

 

 

20

 

20

 

Corporate to Non-Utility

 

 

 

 

 

449

 

Other inter-segment assets

 

 

 

 

41

 

9

 

Total inter-segment eliminations

 

 

 

 

61

 

478

 

 

F-13



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

5. REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

A summary of the Corporation’s regulatory assets and liabilities is provided below.  For a detailed description of the nature of the Corporation’s regulatory assets and liabilities, refer to Note 8 to the Corporation’s 2015 annual audited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

As at

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Regulatory assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

963

 

 

936

 

Employee future benefits

 

574

 

 

627

 

Deferred energy management costs

 

154

 

 

145

 

Manufactured gas plant (“MGP”) site remediation deferral (Note 20)

 

108

 

 

121

 

Rate stabilization accounts

 

102

 

 

119

 

Deferred lease costs

 

94

 

 

90

 

Deferred operating overhead costs

 

72

 

 

66

 

Natural gas for transportation incentives

 

40

 

 

25

 

Final mine reclamation and retiree health care costs (Note 20)

 

39

 

 

39

 

Deferred net losses on disposal of utility capital assets and intangible assets

 

30

 

 

33

 

Property tax deferrals

 

28

 

 

30

 

Springerville Unit 1 unamortized leasehold improvements

 

25

 

 

30

 

Derivative instruments (Note 16)

 

15

 

 

74

 

Other regulatory assets

 

221

 

 

197

 

Total regulatory assets

 

2,465

 

 

2,532

 

Less: current portion

 

(201

)

 

(246

)

Long-term regulatory assets

 

2,264

 

 

2,286

 

 

 

 

As at

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-asset retirement obligation removal cost provision

 

1,055

 

 

1,060

 

Rate stabilization accounts

 

175

 

 

212

 

Electric and gas moderator account

 

76

 

 

88

 

Renewable energy surcharge

 

43

 

 

47

 

Employee future benefits

 

37

 

 

44

 

Energy efficiency liability

 

35

 

 

20

 

Customer and community benefits obligation

 

25

 

 

32

 

Other regulatory liabilities

 

154

 

 

135

 

Total regulatory liabilities

 

1,600

 

 

1,638

 

Less: current portion

 

(304

)

 

(298

)

Long-term regulatory liabilities

 

1,296

 

 

1,340

 

 

F-14



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

6. LONG-TERM DEBT

 

 

 

 

As at

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

2015

 

Long-term debt

 

10,606

 

10,689

 

Long-term classification of credit facility borrowings (Note 18)

 

1,024

 

551

 

Total long-term debt (Note 16)

 

11,630

 

11,240

 

Less:  Deferred financing costs

 

(71

)

(72

)

Less: Current installments of long-term debt

 

(415

)

(384

)

 

 

11,144

 

10,784

 

 

In April 2016 FortisBC Energy issued $300 million of unsecured debentures in a dual tranche of 10-year $150 million unsecured debentures at 2.58% and 30-year $150 million unsecured debentures at 3.67%.  The net proceeds were used to repay short-term borrowings and to finance capital expenditures.

 

In May 2016 Fortis Turks and Caicos issued 15-year US$23 million 5.14% unsecured notes. The net proceeds will be used to finance capital expenditures.

 

In June 2016 Central Hudson issued 4-year US$24 million 2.16% unsecured notes. The net proceeds were used to finance capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.

 

7. COMMON SHARES

 

Common shares issued during the period were as follows:

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

June 30, 2016

 

June 30, 2016

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

($ millions)

 

(in thousands)

 

($ millions)

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

283,050

 

5,917

 

281,562

 

5,867

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

912

 

37

 

1,691

 

66

 

Consumer Share Purchase Plan

 

8

 

1

 

15

 

1

 

Employee Share Purchase Plan

 

80

 

3

 

221

 

8

 

Stock Option Plans

 

136

 

4

 

696

 

20

 

Conversion of convertible debentures

 

1

 

 

2

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

284,187

 

5,962

 

284,187

 

5,962

 

 

8. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

 

Stock Options

 

In February 2016 the Corporation granted 788,188 options to purchase common shares under its 2012 Stock Option Plan (“2012 Plan”) at the five-day volume weighted average trading price immediately preceding the date of grant of $37.30.  The options granted under the 2012 Plan are exercisable for a period not to exceed ten years from the date of grant, expire no later than three years after the termination, death or retirement of the optionee and vest evenly over a four-year period on each anniversary of the date of grant. Directors are not eligible to receive grants of options under the 2012 Plan.

 

F-15



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

The fair value of each option granted was $2.41 per option.  The fair value was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes fair value option-pricing model and the following assumptions:

 

 

Dividend yield (%)

3.9

 

Expected volatility (%)

16.4

 

Risk-free interest rate (%)

0.7

 

Weighted average expected life (years)

5.5

 

 

Directors’ Deferred Share Unit Plan

 

In January 2016, 8,085 Deferred Share Units (“DSUs”) were granted to the Corporation’s Board of Directors, representing the first quarter equity component of the Directors’ annual compensation and, where opted, their first quarter component of annual retainers in lieu of cash.  Each DSU represents a unit with an underlying value equivalent to the value of one common share of the Corporation and is entitled to accrue notional common share dividends equivalent to those declared by the Corporation’s Board of Directors.  The DSUs are fully vested at the date of grant.

 

In April 2016, 6,537 DSUs were granted to the Corporation’s Board of Directors, representing the second quarter equity component of the Directors’ annual compensation and, where opted, their second quarter component of annual retainers in lieu of cash.

 

Performance Share Unit Plans

 

Year-to-date 2016, the Corporation granted 351,737 Performance Share Units (“PSUs”) under the 2015 PSU Plan to senior management of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Corporation’s PSU Plans represent a component of long-term compensation awarded to senior management of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. Each PSU represents a unit with an underlying value equivalent to the value of one common share of the Corporation and is subject to a three-year vesting and performance period, at which time a cash payment may be made.  Each PSU is entitled to accrue notional common share dividends equivalent to those declared by the Corporation’s Board of Directors. As at June 30, 2016, the estimated payout percentages for the grants under the 2013 and 2015 PSU Plans ranged from 87% to 112%.

 

In the second quarter of 2016, 145,736 PSUs were paid out to senior management of the Corporation and its subsidiaries at $37.72 per PSU, for a total of approximately $5 million. The payout was made in respect of the PSUs granted in 2013 at a payout percentage of 96% based on the Corporation’s performance over the three-year period, as determined by the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors.

 

Restricted Share Unit Plans

 

Year-to-date 2016, the Corporation granted 70,393 Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) under the 2015 RSU Plan to senior management of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Corporation’s RSU Plan represents a component of long-term compensation awarded to senior management of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. Each RSU represents a unit with an underlying value equivalent to the value of one common share of the Corporation and is subject to a three-year vesting period, at which time a cash payment may be made. Each RSU is entitled to accrue notional common share dividends equivalent to those declared by the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, stock-based compensation expense of approximately $6 million and $15 million, respectively was recognized ($4 million and $8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively).

 

F-16



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

9. EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS

 

The Corporation and its subsidiaries each maintain one or a combination of defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution pension plans, including group Registered Retirement Savings Plans and group 401(k) plans, for employees.  The Corporation and certain subsidiaries also offer other post-employment benefit (“OPEB”) plans for qualifying employees.  The net benefit cost of providing the defined benefit pension and OPEB plans is detailed in the following tables.

 

 

 

Quarter Ended June 30

 

 

 

Defined Benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension Plans

OPEB Plans

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Components of net benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service costs

 

16

 

 

17

 

 

3

 

 

5

 

Interest costs

 

28

 

 

27

 

 

5

 

 

5

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(35

)

 

(35

)

 

(3

)

 

(2

)

Amortization of actuarial losses

 

11

 

 

14

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

Amortization of past service costs (credits)

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

(3

)

 

(3

)

Regulatory adjustments

 

1

 

 

(1

)

 

3

 

 

1

 

Net benefit cost

 

22

 

 

23

 

 

6

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

Year-to-Date June 30

 

 

 

Defined Benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension Plans

 

OPEB Plans

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Components of net benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service costs

 

32

 

 

34

 

 

7

 

 

9

 

Interest costs

 

55

 

 

54

 

 

11

 

 

11

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(71

)

 

(69

)

 

(6

)

 

(5

)

Amortization of actuarial losses

 

23

 

 

28

 

 

1

 

 

2

 

Amortization of past service costs (credits)

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

(6

)

 

(6

)

Regulatory adjustments

 

3

 

 

(1

)

 

5

 

 

3

 

Net benefit cost

 

43

 

 

47

 

 

12

 

 

14

 

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Corporation expensed $7 million and $15 million, respectively ($6 million and $14 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015), related to defined contribution pension plans.

 

F-17



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

10. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES), NET

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

 

June 30

 

June 30

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 

Equity component of allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”)

 

6

 

5

 

13

 

9

 

Net gain on sale of commercial real estate and hotel assets (1)

 

 

111

 

 

111

 

Gain on sale of non-regulated generation assets (2)

 

 

51

 

 

51

 

Equity income - Belize Electricity

 

1

 

 

3

 

 

Interest income

 

2

 

1

 

4

 

4

 

Net foreign exchange (loss) gain

 

 

(1

)

 

8

 

Other income (expenses), net

 

 

(1

)

5

 

 

 

 

9

 

166

 

25

 

183

 

 


(1) Net of $22 million of expenses associated with the sale and a $13 million impairment on the hotel assets

(2) Net of $6 million of expenses and foreign exchange impacts associated with the sale

 

In June 2015 the Corporation completed the sale of commercial real estate assets for gross proceeds of $430 million.  As a result of the sale, the Corporation recognized a gain on sale of $129 million ($109 million after tax), net of expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015. In the second quarter of 2015, a $13 million impairment loss associated with the pending sale of the hotel assets was recognized reflecting a reduction in the carrying value of the assets to the estimated fair value based on the expected selling price, as well as estimated costs to sell, and $5 million in expenses associated with the pending sale of the hotel assets were recognized.

 

In June 2015 the Corporation sold its non-regulated generation assets in Upstate New York for gross proceeds of approximately $77 million (US$63 million). As a result of the sale, the Corporation recognized a gain on sale of $51 million (US$41 million) ($27 million (US$22 million) after tax), net of expenses and foreign exchange impacts, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

The net foreign exchange (loss) gain related to the translation into Canadian dollars of the Corporation’s previous US dollar-denominated long-term other asset, that represented the book value of the Corporation’s expropriated investment in Belize Electricity, which was settled in August 2015.

 

11. FINANCE CHARGES

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

 

June 30

 

June 30

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 

Interest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt and capital lease and finance obligations

 

144

 

143

 

289

 

283

 

Short-term borrowings

 

2

 

2

 

4

 

5

 

Acquisition credit facilities (Note 18)

 

10

 

 

14

 

 

Debt component of AFUDC

 

(6

)

(4

)

(14)

 

(13

)

 

 

150

 

141

 

293

 

275

 

 

F-18



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

12. INCOME TAXES

 

Income taxes differ from the amount that would be expected to be generated by applying the enacted combined Canadian federal statutory and provincial income tax rate to earnings before income taxes.  The following is a reconciliation of consolidated statutory income taxes to consolidated effective income taxes.

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

 

June 30

 

June 30

 

($ millions, except as noted)

 

2016

2015

 

2016

2015

 

Combined Canadian federal and provincial statutory income tax rate

 

28.0

%

29.0

%

28.0

%

29.0

%

Statutory income tax rate applied to earnings before income taxes

 

48

 

103

 

112

 

183

 

Difference between Canadian statutory rate and rates applicable to foreign subsidiaries

 

(5

)

2

 

(13

)

(1

)

Difference between Canadian provincial statutory rates applicable to subsidiaries in different Canadian jurisdictions

 

(1

)

(3

)

(3

)

(8

)

Items capitalized for accounting purposes but expensed for income tax purposes

 

(6

)

(5

)

(19

)

(20

)

Difference between gain on sale of assets for accounting and amounts calculated for tax purposes

 

 

(13

)

 

(13

)

Other

 

(8

)

(8

)

(7

)

(8

)

Income tax expense

 

28

 

76

 

70

 

133

 

Effective income tax rate

 

16.5

%

21.5

%

17.5

%

21.1

%

 

 

13. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

 

The Corporation calculates earnings per common share (“EPS”) on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted EPS is calculated using the treasury stock method for options and the “if-converted” method for convertible securities.

 

EPS was as follows:

 

 

 

Quarter Ended June 30

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

Net Earnings

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

Net Earnings

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

to Common

 

Average

 

 

 

 

to Common

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders

 

Shares

 

 

 

 

Shareholders

 

Shares

 

 

 

 

 

($ millions)

 

(# millions)

 

EPS

 

 

($ millions)

 

(# millions)

 

EPS

 

Basic EPS (1)

 

107

 

283.7

 

$

0.38

 

 

244

 

277.9

 

$

0.88

 

Effect of potential dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Options

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

Preference Shares

 

3

 

5.6

 

 

 

 

3

 

5.4

 

 

 

 

 

110

 

289.9

 

 

 

 

247

 

284.2

 

 

 

Deduct anti-dilutive impacts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preference Shares

 

(3

)

(5.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

 

107

 

284.3

 

$

0.38

 

 

247

 

284.2

 

$

0.87

 

 


(1)   The Corporation’s Directors DSUs are considered participating securities as they participate in dividend equivalents and these securities are fully vested at the time of grant. The impact of the DSUs have been included in the weighted average number of shares outstanding for purposes of calculating EPS.

 

F-19



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Year-to-Date Ended June 30

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

Net Earnings

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

Net Earnings

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

to Common

 

Average

 

 

 

 

to Common

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders

 

Shares

 

 

 

 

Shareholders

 

Shares

 

 

 

 

 

($ millions)

 

(# millions)

 

EPS

 

 

($ millions)

 

(# millions)

 

EPS

 

Basic EPS (1)

 

269

 

283.0

 

$

0.95

 

 

442

 

277.3

 

$

1.59

 

Effect of potential dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Options

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

Preference Shares

 

5

 

5.6

 

 

 

 

5

 

5.4

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

 

274

 

289.2

 

$

0.95

 

 

447

 

283.6

 

$

1.58

 

 


(1)   The Corporation’s Directors DSUs are considered participating securities as they participate in dividend equivalents and these securities are fully vested at the time of grant. The impact of the DSUs have been included in the weighted average number of shares outstanding for purposes of calculating EPS.

 

14. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

 

June 30

 

June 30

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 

Change in non-cash operating working capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable and other current assets

 

21

 

117

 

84

 

93

 

Prepaid expenses

 

10

 

12

 

(7

)

10

 

Inventories

 

(6

)

(18

)

45

 

42

 

Regulatory assets - current portion

 

(7

)

(7

)

 

32

 

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

 

5

 

8

 

(64

)

(2

)

Regulatory liabilities - current portion

 

21

 

(10

)

16

 

4

 

 

 

44

 

102

 

74

 

179

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to utility capital assets and intangible assets included in current liabilities and long-term other liabilities

 

131

 

184

 

131

 

184

 

Contributions in aid of construction included in current assets

 

8

 

4

 

8

 

4

 

Transfer of deposit on business acquisition (Note 15)

 

38

 

 

38

 

 

Common share dividends reinvested

 

36

 

40

 

65

 

74

 

Exercise of stock options into common shares

 

1

 

 

3

 

2

 

 

F-20



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

15. BUSINESS ACQUISITION

 

AITKEN CREEK

 

On April 1, 2016, Fortis acquired Aitken Creek Gas Storage ULC (“ACGS”) from Chevron Canada Properties Ltd. for approximately $349 million (US$266 million), plus working gas inventory. The net cash purchase price was primarily financed through US dollar­denominated borrowings under the Corporation’s committed revolving credit facility.

 

ACGS owns 93.8% of Aitken Creek, with the remaining share owned by BP Canada Energy Company. Aitken Creek is the only underground natural gas storage facility in British Columbia and has a total working gas capacity of 77 billion cubic feet. The facility is an integral part of western Canada’s natural gas transmission network. ACGS also owns 100% of the North Aitken Creek gas storage site which offers future expansion potential.

 

Revenue at Aitken Creek is primarily generated from long-term lease storage, park and loan activities, and storage optimization activities and is generally recognized on an accrual basis over the term of the related contracts. Optimization revenue results from the purchase of natural gas and its forward sale through financial and physical trading contracts, to manage commodity price risk associated with buying and selling natural gas in future periods. The Corporation records the unrealized gains and losses on the changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments through net earnings.

 

The preliminary allocation of purchase consideration to the assets and liabilities acquired as at April 1, 2016, based on their fair values, resulted in the recognition of approximately $27 million in goodwill, which is associated with deferred income tax liabilities. The acquisition has been accounted for using the acquisition method, whereby financial results of the business acquired have been proportionately consolidated in the financial statements of Fortis commencing on April 1, 2016, and are included in the Non-Regulated - Energy Infrastructure reporting segment.

 

16. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

Fair value is the price at which a market participant could sell an asset or transfer a liability to an unrelated party.  A fair value measurement is required to reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on the best available information.  These assumptions include the risks inherent in a particular valuation technique, such as a pricing model, and the risks inherent in the inputs to the model.  A fair value hierarchy exists that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.

 

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:

 

Level 1:     Fair value determined using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets;

 

Level 2:     Fair value determined using pricing inputs that are observable; and

 

Level 3:              Fair value determined using unobservable inputs only when relevant observable inputs are not available.

 

The fair values of the Corporation’s financial instruments, including derivatives, reflect point-in-time estimates based on current and relevant market information about the instruments as at the balance sheet dates.  The estimates cannot be determined with precision as they involve uncertainties and matters of judgment and, therefore, may not be relevant in predicting the Corporation’s future consolidated earnings or cash flows.

 

F-21



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

The following table presents, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Corporation’s assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis. These assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement and there were no transfers between the levels in the periods presented. For derivative instruments, the Corporation has elected gross presentation for its derivative contracts under master netting agreements and collateral positions.

 

 

 

 

 

As at

 

 

 

Fair value

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

($ millions)

 

hierarchy

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy contracts subject to regulatory deferral (1) (2) (3)

 

Levels 1/2/3

 

22

 

 

7

 

Energy contracts not subject to regulatory deferral (1) (2) (4)

 

Levels 2/3

 

7

 

 

2

 

Available-for-sale investment (5)

 

Level 1

 

36

 

 

33

 

Assets held for sale (6)

 

Level 2

 

 

 

9

 

Other investments (7)

 

Level 1

 

11

 

 

12

 

Total gross assets

 

 

 

76

 

 

63

 

Less: Counterparty netting not offset on the balance sheet (8)

 

 

 

(14

)

 

(6

)

Total net assets

 

 

 

62

 

 

57

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy contracts subject to regulatory deferral (1) (2) (9)

 

Levels 1/2/3

 

30

 

 

78

 

Energy contracts not subject to regulatory deferral (1)

 

Level 2

 

5

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps - cash flow hedges (10)

 

Level 2

 

4

 

 

5

 

Total gross liabilities

 

 

 

39

 

 

83

 

Less: Counterparty netting not offset on the balance sheet (8)

 

 

 

(14

)

 

(6

)

Total net liabilities

 

 

 

25

 

 

77

 

 


(1)     The fair value of the Corporation’s energy contracts is recorded in accounts receivable and other current assets, long-term other assets, accounts payable and other current liabilities and long-term other liabilities.  Unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in fair value of these contracts are deferred as a regulatory asset or liability for recovery from, or refund to, customers in future rates as permitted by the regulators, with the exception of long-term wholesale trading contracts and certain gas swap contracts.

(2)     Changes in one or more of the unobservable inputs could have a significant impact on the fair value measurement depending on the magnitude and direction of the change for each input.  The impacts of changes in fair value are subject to regulatory recovery, with the exception of long-term wholesale trading contracts and certain gas swap contracts.

(3)     As at June 30, 2016, includes $1 million - level 1, $16 million - level 2 and $5 million - level 3 (December 31, 2015 - $2 million - level 2 and $5 million - level 3)

(4)     As at June 30, 2016, includes $2 million - level 2 and $5 million - level 3 (December 31, 2015 - $2 million - level 3)

(5)     The available-for-sale investment is recorded in long-term other assets and unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income until they become realized and are reclassified to earnings.

(6)     As at December 31, 2015, assets held for sale were associated with the Walden hydroelectric generating facility and were included in accounts receivable and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

(7)     Included in long-term other assets on the consolidated balance sheet

(8)     Certain energy contracts are subject to legally enforceable master netting arrangements to mitigate credit risk and netted by counterparty where the intent and legal right to offset exists.

(9)     As at June 30, 2016, includes $21 million - level 2 and $9 million - level 3 (December 31, 2015 - $1 million — level 1, $52 million - level 2 and $25 million - level 3)

(10)    The fair value of the Corporation’s interest rate swaps is recorded in accounts payable and other current liabilities and long-term other liabilities.  Unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income until they become realized and are reclassified to earnings.

 

F-22



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

Derivative Instruments

 

The Corporation generally limits the use of derivative instruments to those that qualify as accounting, economic or cash flow hedges, or those that are approved for regulatory recovery.  The Corporation records all derivative instruments at fair value, with certain exceptions including those derivatives that qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale exception. The fair value of derivative instruments are estimates of the amounts that the Corporation would receive or have to pay to terminate the outstanding contracts as at the balance sheet dates.

 

Energy Contracts Subject to Regulatory Deferral

 

UNS Energy holds electricity power purchase contracts and gas swap and option contracts to reduce its exposure to energy price risk associated with purchased power and gas requirements. UNS Energy primarily applies the market approach for fair value measurements using independent third-party information, where possible.  When published prices are not available, adjustments are applied based on historical price curve relationships, transmission costs and line losses. The fair value of gas option contracts is estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which includes inputs such as implied volatility, interest rates, and forward price curves. UNS Energy also considers the impact of counterparty credit risk using current and historical default and recovery rates, as well as its own credit risk using credit default swap data.

 

Central Hudson holds electricity swap contracts and gas swap and option contracts to minimize commodity price volatility for electricity and natural gas purchases by fixing the effective purchase price for the defined commodities.  The fair value of the electricity swap contracts and gas swap and option contracts was calculated using forward pricing provided by independent third parties.

 

FortisBC Energy holds gas supply contract premiums to fix the effective purchase price of natural gas, as the majority of the natural gas supply contracts have floating, rather than fixed, prices.  The fair value of the natural gas derivatives was calculated using the present value of cash flows based on market prices and forward curves for the cost of natural gas.

 

As at June 30, 2016, these energy contract derivatives were not designated as hedges; however, any unrealized gains or losses associated with changes in the fair value of the derivatives are deferred as a regulatory asset or liability for recovery from, or refund to, customers in future rates, as permitted by the regulators. These unrealized losses and gains would otherwise be recorded in earnings.  As at June 30, 2016, unrealized losses of $15 million (December 31, 2015 - $74 million) were recognized in regulatory assets and unrealized gains of $7 million were recognized in regulatory liabilities (December 31, 2015 - $3 million) (Note 5).

 

Energy Contracts Not Subject to Regulatory Deferral

 

UNS Energy holds long-term wholesale trading contracts that qualify as derivative instruments. The unrealized gains and losses on these derivative instruments are recorded in earnings, as they do not qualify for regulatory deferral.  Ten percent of any realized gains on these contracts are shared with customers through UNS Energy’s rate stabilization accounts.

 

Aitken Creek holds gas swap contracts to manage its exposure to changes in natural gas prices, to capture natural gas price spreads, and to manage the financial risk posed by physical transactions.  The fair value of the gas swap contracts was calculated using forward pricing provided by third parties.  The unrealized gains and losses on these derivative instruments are recorded in earnings.  As at June 30, 2016, unrealized losses totalled $3 million ($2 million after tax).

 

Cash Flow Hedges

 

UNS Energy holds an interest rate swap, expiring in 2020, to mitigate its exposure to volatility in variable interest rates on lease debt.  The after-tax unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income and reclassified to earnings as they become realized. The loss expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months is estimated to be approximately $1 million.  For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, realized losses from cash flow hedges of approximately $1 million was recognized (less than $1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015).

 

F-23



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

Central Hudson holds interest rate cap contracts expiring in 2017 and 2019 on bonds with a total principal amount of US$64 million. Variations in the interest costs of the bonds, including any gains or losses associated with the interest rate cap contracts, are deferred as a regulatory asset or liability for recovery from, or refund to, customers in future rates, as permitted by the regulator and do not impact earnings.

 

In July 2016 the Corporation entered into forward-starting deal-contingent interest rate swap contracts with notional amounts totalling US$1.25 billion.  These derivatives have been designated as a hedge of a portion of the cash flow risk associated with the expected issuance of approximately US$2 billion of long-term debt to finance a portion of the cash purchase price of the Acquisition of ITC. Any unrealized gains and losses will be recorded in other comprehensive income, with the exception of any hedge ineffectiveness, which will be recorded in earnings. The net gain or loss realized upon settlement of the interest rate swaps will be amortized into earnings over the terms of the associated long-term debt.

 

Cash flows associated with the settlement of all derivative instruments are included in operating activities on the Corporation’s consolidated statement of cash flows.

 

Volume of Derivative Activity

 

As at June 30, 2016, the following notional volumes related to electricity and natural gas derivatives that are expected to be settled are outlined below.

 

 

 

Maturity

 

Contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There-

 

Volume

 

(year)

 

(#)

 

2016

 

2017

 

2018

 

2019

 

2020

 

after

 

Energy contracts subject to regulatory deferral:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity swap contracts (gigawatt hours (“GWh”))

 

2019

 

8

 

546

 

730

 

438

 

219

 

 

 

Electricity power purchase contracts (GWh)

 

2017

 

19

 

791

 

145

 

 

 

 

 

Gas swap and option contracts (petajoules (“PJ”))

 

2019

 

125

 

18

 

15

 

7

 

1

 

 

 

Gas supply contract premiums (PJ)

 

2024

 

94

 

50

 

49

 

44

 

26

 

22

 

63

 

Energy contracts not subject to regulatory deferral:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term wholesale trading contracts (GWh)

 

2017

 

14

 

1,713

 

1,688

 

 

 

 

 

Gas swap contracts (PJ)

 

2017

 

479

 

4

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Instruments Not Carried At Fair Value

 

The following table discloses the estimated fair value measurements of the Corporation’s financial instruments not carried at fair value.  The fair values were measured using Level 2 pricing inputs, except as noted.  The carrying values of the Corporation’s consolidated financial instruments approximate their fair values, reflecting the short-term maturity, normal trade credit terms and/or nature of these instruments, except as follows:

 

 

 

As at

 

 

June 30, 2016

 

 

December 31, 2015

(Liability)

 

Carrying

 

Estimated

 

 

Carrying

 

Estimated

($ millions)

 

Value

 

Fair Value

 

 

Value

 

Fair Value

Long-term debt, including current portion (Note 6) (1)

 

(11,630

)

(12,682

)

 

(11,240

)

(12,614)

Waneta Partnership promissory note (2)

 

(57

)

(61

)

 

(56

)

(59)

 


(1)                The Corporation’s $200 million unsecured debentures due 2039 and consolidated borrowings under credit facilities classified as long-term debt of $1,024 million (December 31, 2015 - $551 million) are valued using Level 1 inputs. All other long-term debt is valued using Level 2 inputs.

(2)                Included in long-term other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet (Note 17).

 

F-24



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

The fair value of long-term debt is calculated using quoted market prices when available.  When quoted market prices are not available, as is the case with the Waneta Partnership promissory note and certain long-term debt, the fair value is determined by either: (i) discounting the future cash flows of the specific debt instrument at an estimated yield to maturity equivalent to benchmark government bonds or treasury bills with similar terms to maturity, plus a credit risk premium equal to that of issuers of similar credit quality; or (ii) obtaining from third parties indicative prices for the same or similarly rated issues of debt of the same remaining maturities. Since the Corporation does not intend to settle the long-term debt or promissory note prior to maturity, the excess of the estimated fair value above the carrying value does not represent an actual liability.

 

17. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY

 

On adoption of ASU No. 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, effective January 1, 2016, Fortis was required to reassess its limited partnerships under the voting interest model.  As a result, the Corporation’s ownership interest in the Waneta Partnership is considered to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) based on an assessment of the rights of the limited partners and the general partner.  It was determined under the VIE model that the Corporation is the primary beneficiary of the Waneta Partnership and should, therefore, continue to consolidate its investment.  As the primary beneficiary, the Corporation has the power to direct the activities of the partnership and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the partnership, as discussed below.

 

The purpose of the Waneta Partnership was to construct, own and operate the Waneta Expansion hydroelectric generating facility dam (“Waneta Expansion”) on the Pend d’Oreille River south of Trail, British Columbia, which was completed in April 2015. The Corporation has a 51% controlling ownership interest in the Waneta Partnership, with Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust (“CPC/CBT”) holding the remaining 49% interest. The general partner, which is owned by the Corporation and CPC/CBT in the same proportion as the Waneta Partnership, has a 0.01% interest in the Waneta Partnership. Each partner pays its proportionate share of the costs and is entitled to a proportionate share of the net revenue and expenses. The construction of the Waneta Expansion was jointly financed and managed by the Corporation and CPC/CBT. The Waneta Expansion is operated and maintained by a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation and output is sold to BC Hydro and FortisBC Electric under 40-year contracts.

 

The following details the Waneta Partnership assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses, and cash flow, included in the Corporation’s interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

As at

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

29

 

 

23

 

Accounts receivable and other current assets

 

20

 

 

14

 

Utility capital assets

 

703

 

 

708

 

Intangible assets

 

29

 

 

30

 

 

 

781

 

 

775

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and current liabilities

 

(6

)

 

(18

)

Other liabilities (Note 16)

 

(75

)

 

(74

)

 

 

(81

)

 

(92

)

Net assets before non-controlling interests

 

700

 

 

683

 

 

F-25



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

 

June 30

 

June 30

 

($ millions)

 

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 

Revenue

 

34

 

31

 

53

 

31

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

2

 

3

 

7

 

3

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4

 

4

 

9

 

4

 

Finance charges

 

1

 

1

 

2

 

1

 

 

 

7

 

8

 

18

 

8

 

Net earnings

 

27

 

23

 

35

 

23

 

 

Cash used in investing activities at the Waneta Partnership for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 included capital expenditures of $5 million and $16 million, respectively ($7 million and $14 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively).  Cash from financing activities included dividends paid by the Waneta Partnership to non-controlling interests of $3 million and $9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, (advances from non-controlling interests of $4 million and $9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively).

 

18. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

 

The Corporation is primarily exposed to credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk as a result of holding financial instruments in the normal course of business.

 

Credit risk                                   Risk that a counterparty to a financial instrument might fail to meet its obligations under the terms of the financial instrument.

 

Liquidity risk                  Risk that an entity will encounter difficulty in raising funds to meet commitments associated with financial instruments.

 

Market risk                             Risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market prices.  The Corporation is exposed to foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk and commodity price risk.

 

Credit Risk

 

For cash equivalents, trade and other accounts receivable, and long-term other receivables, the Corporation’s credit risk is generally limited to the carrying value on the consolidated balance sheet.  The Corporation generally has a large and diversified customer base, which minimizes the concentration of credit risk.  The Corporation and its subsidiaries have various policies to minimize credit risk, which include requiring customer deposits, prepayments and/or credit checks for certain customers and performing disconnections and/or using third-party collection agencies for overdue accounts.

 

FortisAlberta has a concentration of credit risk as a result of its distribution service billings being to a relatively small group of retailers.  As at June 30, 2016, FortisAlberta’s gross credit risk exposure was approximately $120 million, representing the projected value of retailer billings over a 37-day period.  The Company has reduced its exposure to $1 million by obtaining from the retailers either a cash deposit, bond, letter of credit, an investment-grade credit rating from a major rating agency, or a financial guarantee from an entity with an investment-grade credit rating.

 

UNS Energy, Central Hudson, FortisBC Energy and Aitken Creek may be exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties to derivative instruments. The Companies use netting arrangements to reduce credit risk and net settle payments with counterparties where net settlement provisions exist. They also limit credit risk by primarily dealing with counterparties that have investment-grade credit ratings.  At UNS Energy, contractual arrangements also contain certain provisions requiring counterparties to derivative instruments to post collateral under certain circumstances.

 

F-26



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

Liquidity Risk

 

The Corporation’s consolidated financial position could be adversely affected if it, or one of its subsidiaries, fails to arrange sufficient and cost-effective financing to fund, among other things, capital expenditures, acquisitions and the repayment of maturing debt.  The ability to arrange sufficient and cost-effective financing is subject to numerous factors, including the consolidated results of operations and financial position of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, conditions in capital and bank credit markets, ratings assigned by rating agencies and general economic conditions.

 

To help mitigate liquidity risk, the Corporation and its regulated utilities have secured committed credit facilities to support short-term financing of capital expenditures and seasonal working capital requirements.

 

The Corporation’s committed credit facility is used for interim financing of acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. Depending on the timing of cash payments from subsidiaries, borrowings under the Corporation’s committed credit facility may be required from time to time to support the servicing of debt and payment of dividends.  As at June 30, 2016, over the next five years, average annual consolidated fixed-term debt maturities and repayments are expected to be approximately $260 million.  The combination of available credit facilities and relatively low annual debt maturities and repayments provides the Corporation and its subsidiaries with flexibility in the timing of access to capital markets.

 

As at June 30, 2016, the Corporation and its subsidiaries had consolidated credit facilities of approximately $3.5 billion, of which approximately $2.1 billion was unused, including $265 million unused under the Corporation’s committed credit facility. The credit facilities are syndicated mostly with the seven largest Canadian banks, as well as large banks in the United States, with no one bank holding more than 20% of these facilities.  Approximately $3.3 billion of the total credit facilities are committed facilities with maturities ranging from 2019 through 2021.

 

The following summary outlines the credit facilities of the Corporation and its subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at

 

 

 

Regulated

 

Corporate

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

($ millions)

 

Utilities

 

and Other

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Total credit facilities (1)

 

2,162

 

1,343

 

3,505

 

 

3,565

 

Credit facilities utilized:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings (2)

 

(229

)

(5

)

(234

)

 

(511

)

Long-term debt (Note 6) (3)

 

(179

)

(845

)

(1,024

)

 

(551

)

Letters of credit outstanding

 

(83

)

(36

)

(119

)

 

(104

)

Credit facilities unused

 

1,671

 

457

 

2,128

 

 

2,399

 

 


(1)      Total credit facilities exclude a $300 million option to increase the Corporation’s committed corporate credit facility, as discussed below.

(2)      The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings was approximately 1.6% as at June 30, 2016 (December 31, 2015 - 1.0%).

(3)       As at June 30, 2016, credit facility borrowings classified as long-term debt included $179 million in current installments of long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheet (December 31, 2015 - $71 million).  The weighted average interest rate on credit facility borrowings classified as long-term debt was approximately 1.7% as at June 30, 2016 (December 31, 2015 - 1.5%).

 

As at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, certain borrowings under the Corporation’s and subsidiaries’ credit facilities were classified as long-term debt.  These borrowings are under long-term committed credit facilities and it is management’s intention to refinance these borrowings with long-term permanent financing during future periods. The significant changes in credit facilities from that disclosed in the Corporation’s 2015 annual audited consolidated financial statements are as follows.

 

In April 2016 FortisBC Electric amended its $150 million unsecured committed revolving credit facility to now mature in May 2019.

 

In April 2016 FHI amended its unsecured committed revolving credit facility resulting in an increase in the facility to $50 million and an extension of the maturity date to April 2019.

 

F-27



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

In April 2016 the Corporation amended its $1 billion unsecured committed revolving credit facility, resulting in an extension of the maturity date to July 2021.  The Corporation has the option to increase the facility to $1.3 billion from $1 billion.  As at June 30, 2016, the Corporation has not yet exercised this option.

 

In June 2016 FortisOntario amended its $30 million unsecured committed revolving credit facility to now mature in June 2019.

 

In July 2016 FortisBC Energy amended its $700 million unsecured committed revolving credit facility to now mature in August 2021.

 

In July 2016 FortisAlberta amended its $250 million unsecured committed revolving credit facility to now mature in August 2021.

 

In July 2016 Newfoundland Power amended its $100 million unsecured committed revolving credit facility to now mature in August 2021.

 

In connection with the pending Acquisition of ITC, in February 2016 the Corporation obtained commitments of US$2.0 billion from Goldman Sachs Bank USA to bridge the long-term debt financing (“Debt Bridge Facility”) and US$1.7 billion from The Bank of Nova Scotia to primarily bridge the sale of the minority investment in ITC (“Equity Bridge Facilities”) (Note 11). These non-revolving term senior unsecured credit facilities are repayable in full on the first anniversary of their advance. Goldman Sachs Bank USA has syndicated 60% of the Debt Bridge Facility to three other financial institutions, each of which have agreed to provide 20% of such facility.  The Bank of Nova Scotia may syndicate a portion of the Equity Bridge Facilities. The credit facilities table does not include the US$3.7 billion Acquisition credit facilities.

 

The Corporation and its currently rated utilities target investment-grade credit ratings to maintain capital market access at reasonable interest rates.  As at June 30, 2016, the Corporation’s credit ratings were as follows:

 

Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”)

A- / Negative (long-term corporate credit rating)

 

BBB+ / Negative (unsecured debt credit rating)

DBRS

A (low) / Under Review - Negative Implications (unsecured debt credit rating)

 

The above-noted credit ratings reflect the Corporation’s low business-risk profile and diversity of its operations, the stand-alone nature and financial separation of each of the regulated subsidiaries of Fortis, and management’s commitment to maintaining reasonable levels of debt at the holding company level. In February 2016, after the announcement by Fortis that it had entered into an agreement to acquire ITC, S&P affirmed the Corporation’s long-term corporate credit rating at A-, revised its unsecured debt credit rating to BBB+ from A-, and revised its outlook on the Corporation to negative from stable.  Similarly, in February 2016 DBRS placed the Corporation’s unsecured debt credit rating under review with negative implications.

 

Market Risk

 

Foreign Exchange Risk

 

The Corporation’s earnings from, and net investments in, foreign subsidiaries are exposed to fluctuations in the US dollar-to-Canadian dollar exchange rate.  The Corporation has decreased the above-noted exposure through the use of US dollar-denominated borrowings at the corporate level.  The foreign exchange gain or loss on the translation of US dollar-denominated interest expense partially offsets the foreign exchange gain or loss on the translation of the Corporation’s foreign subsidiaries’ earnings, which are denominated in US dollars. The reporting currency of UNS Energy, Central Hudson, Caribbean Utilities, Fortis Turks and Caicos and Belize Electric Company Limited is the US dollar.

 

F-28



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

As at June 30, 2016, the Corporation’s corporately issued US$1,793 million (December 31, 2015­ - US$1,535 million) long-term debt had been designated as an effective hedge of a portion of the Corporation’s foreign net investments. As at June 30, 2016, the Corporation had approximately US$2,925 million (December 31, 2015 - US$3,137 million) in foreign net investments remaining to be hedged.  Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations associated with the translation of the Corporation’s corporately issued US dollar-denominated borrowings designated as effective hedges are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive income and serve to help offset unrealized foreign currency exchange gains and losses on the net investments in foreign subsidiaries, which gains and losses are also recorded on the consolidated balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

On an annual basis, it is estimated that a 5 cent, or 5%, increase or decrease in the US dollar relative to the Canadian dollar exchange rate of US$1.00=CAD$1.29 as at June 30, 2016 would increase or decrease earnings per common share of Fortis by approximately 4 cents, excluding the pending Acquisition of ITC.  Management will continue to hedge future exchange rate fluctuations related to the Corporation’s foreign net investments and US dollar-denominated earnings streams, where possible, through future US dollar-denominated borrowings, and will continue to monitor the Corporation’s exposure to foreign currency fluctuations on a regular basis.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The Corporation and most of its subsidiaries are exposed to interest rate risk associated with borrowings under variable-rate credit facilities, variable-rate long-term debt and the refinancing of long-term debt.  The Corporation and its subsidiaries may enter into interest rate swap agreements to help reduce this risk (Note 16).

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

UNS Energy is exposed to commodity price risk associated with changes in the market price of gas, purchased power and coal.  Central Hudson is exposed to commodity price risk associated with changes in the market price of electricity and natural gas. FortisBC Energy is exposed to commodity price risk associated with changes in the market price of natural gas. The risks have been reduced by entering into derivative contracts that effectively fix the price of natural gas, power and electricity purchases. Aitken Creek is exposed to commodity price risk associated with changes in the market price of gas and enters into derivative contracts to manage the financial risk posed by physical transactions.  These derivative instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value and any change in the fair value is deferred as a regulatory asset or liability, as permitted by the regulators, for recovery from, or refund to, customers in future rates, except at Aitken Creek where the changes in fair value are recorded in earnings (Note 16).

 

19. COMMITMENTS

 

There were no material changes in the nature and amount of the Corporation’s commitments from the commitments disclosed in the Corporation’s 2015 annual audited consolidated financial statements, except as follows.

 

UNS Energy is party to renewable power purchase agreements totalling approximately US$1,168 million as at June 30, 2016, which require UNS Energy to purchase 100% of the output of certain renewable energy generation facilities that have achieved commercial operation. In March 2016 one of the facilities achieved commercial operation, increasing estimated future payments of renewable power purchase contracts by US$58 million as at June 30, 2016.

 

In January 2016 the ownership of the San Juan generating station was restructured and a new coal supply agreement came into effect under which TEP’s minimum purchase obligations are US$137 million as at June 30, 2016.

 

In February 2016 TEP entered into a settlement agreement with third-party owners of Springerville Unit 1 to purchase the third-party owners’ 50.5% undivided interest in Springerville Unit 1 for US$85 million.  The purchase is expected to close in the third quarter of 2016 (Note 20).

 

F-29



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

20. CONTINGENCIES

 

The Corporation and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal proceedings and claims associated with the ordinary course of business operations.  Management believes that the amount of liability, if any, from these actions would not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

The following describes the nature of the Corporation’s contingencies.

 

UNS Energy

 

Springerville Unit 1

 

In February 2016 TEP entered into an agreement with the third-party owners for the settlement and release of asserted claims and the purchase and sale of beneficial interests in Springerville Unit 1 (the “Agreement”). The Agreement provides that TEP will purchase the third-party owners’ 50.5% undivided interest in Springerville Unit 1 for US$85 million and the third-party owners will pay TEP US$13 million for operating costs related to Springerville Unit 1 incurred on behalf of the third-party owners. Upon completion of the purchase, all outstanding disputes, pending litigation and arbitration proceedings between TEP and the third-party owners will be dismissed with prejudice.

 

The purchase of the third-party owners’ undivided interest in Springerville Unit 1 is subject to, among other things, FERC approval and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. TEP expects the purchase to close in the third quarter of 2016. However, there is no assurance that the settlement will be finalized or that the litigation will not continue.  Therefore, at this time TEP cannot predict the outcome of the claims relating to Springerville Unit 1, and, due to the general and non-specific scope and nature of the claims, TEP cannot determine estimates of the range of loss, if any, at this time and, accordingly no amount has been accrued in the consolidated financial statements. Should the litigation matters continue, TEP intends to continue vigorously defending itself against the claims asserted by the third-party owners and to vigorously pursue the claims it has asserted against the owner trustees and co-trustees.

 

The following is the history of the outstanding disputes and pending litigation and arbitration proceedings between TEP and the third-party owners.

 

In November 2014 the Springerville Unit 1 third-party owners filed a complaint (“FERC Action”) against TEP with FERC, alleging that TEP had not agreed to wheel power and energy for the third-party owners in the manner specified in the existing Springerville Unit 1 facility support agreement between TEP and the third-party owners and for the cost specified by the third-party owners’. The third-party owners requested an order from FERC requiring such wheeling of the third-party owners energy from their Springerville Unit 1 interests beginning in January 2015 for the price specified by the third-party owners. In February 2015 FERC issued an order denying the third-party owners’ complaint. In March 2015 the third-party owners filed a request for rehearing in the FERC Action, which FERC denied in October 2015. In December 2015 the third-party owners appealed FERC’s order denying the third-party owners’ complaint to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In December 2015 TEP filed an unopposed motion to intervene in the Ninth Circuit appeal.

 

In December 2014 the third-party owners filed a complaint (“New York Action”) against TEP in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County. In response to motions filed by TEP to dismiss various counts and compel arbitration of certain of the matters alleged and the court’s subsequent ruling on the motions, the third-party owners have amended the complaint three times, dropping certain of the allegations and raising others in the New York Action and in the arbitration proceeding described below. As amended, the New York Action alleges, among other things, that TEP failed to properly operate, maintain and make capital investments in Springerville Unit 1 during the term of the leases; and that TEP breached the lease transaction documents by refusing to pay certain of the third-party owners’ claimed expenses. The third amended complaint seeks US$71 million in liquidated damages and direct and consequential damages in an amount to be determined at trial. The third-party owners have also agreed to stay their claim that TEP has not agreed to wheel power and energy as required pending the outcome of the FERC Action. In November 2015 the third-party owners filed a motion for summary judgment on their claim that TEP failed to pay certain of the third-party owners’ claimed expenses.

 

F-30



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

In December 2014 and January 2015, Wilmington Trust Company, as owner trustees and lessors under the leases of the third-party owners, sent notices to TEP that alleged that TEP had defaulted under the third-party owners’ leases. The notices demanded that TEP pay liquidated damages totalling approximately US$71 million. In letters to the owner trustees, TEP denied the allegations in the notices.

 

In April 2015 TEP filed a demand for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) seeking an award of the owner trustees and co-trustees’ share of unreimbursed expenses and capital expenditures for Springerville Unit 1. In June 2015 the third-party owners filed a separate demand for arbitration with the AAA alleging, among other things, that TEP has failed to properly operate, maintain and make capital investments in Springerville Unit 1 since the leases have expired. The third-party owners’ arbitration demand seeks declaratory judgments, damages in an amount to be determined by the arbitration panel and the third-party owners’ fees and expenses. TEP and the third-party owners have since agreed to consolidate their arbitration demands into one proceeding. In August 2015 the third-party owners filed an amended arbitration demand adding claims that TEP has converted the third-party owners’ water rights and certain emission reduction payments and that TEP is improperly dispatching the third-party owners’ unscheduled Springerville Unit 1 power and capacity.

 

In October 2015 the arbitration panel granted TEP’s motion for interim relief, ordering the owner trustees and co-trustees to pay TEP their pro-rata share of unreimbursed expenses and capital expenditures for Springerville Unit 1 during the pendency of the arbitration. The arbitration panel also denied the third-party owners’ motion for interim relief, which had requested that TEP be enjoined from dispatching the third-party owners’ unscheduled Springerville Unit 1 power and capacity. TEP has been scheduling the third-party owners’ entitlement share of power from Springerville Unit 1, as permitted under the Springerville Unit 1 facility support agreement, since June 2015.

 

In November 2015 TEP filed a petition to confirm the interim arbitration order in the Supreme Court of the State of New York naming owner trustee and co-trustee as respondents. The petition seeks an order from the court confirming the interim arbitration order under the Federal Arbitration Act. In December 2015 the owner trustees filed an answer to the petition and a cross-motion to vacate the interim arbitration order.

 

As at June 30, 2016, TEP billed the third-party owners approximately US$35 million for their pro-rata share of Springerville Unit 1 expenses and US$7 million for their pro-rata share of capital expenditures, none of which had been paid as of July 28, 2016.

 

Mine Reclamation Costs

 

TEP pays ongoing reclamation costs related to coal mines that supply generating stations in which the Company has an ownership interest but does not operate. TEP is liable for a portion of final reclamation costs upon closure of the mines servicing the San Juan, Four Corners and Navajo generating stations. TEP’s share of reclamation costs at all three mines is expected to be US$42 million upon expiration of the coal supply agreements, which expire between 2019 and 2031. The mine reclamation liability recorded as at June 30, 2016 was US$24 million (December 31, 2015 - US$25 million) and represents the present value of the estimated future liability.

 

Amounts recorded for final reclamation are subject to various assumptions, such as estimations of reclamation costs, the dates when final reclamation will occur, and the expected inflation rate. As these assumptions change, TEP will prospectively adjust the expense amounts for final reclamation over the remaining coal supply agreements’ terms.

 

TEP is permitted to fully recover these costs from retail customers and, accordingly, these costs are deferred as a regulatory asset (Note 5).

 

Central Hudson

 

Site Investigation and Remediation Program

 

Central Hudson and its predecessors owned and operated MGPs to serve their customers’ heating and lighting needs. These plants manufactured gas from coal and oil beginning in the mid to late 1800s, with all sites ceasing operations by the 1950s. This process produced certain by-products that may pose risks to human health and the environment.

 

F-31



 

FORTIS INC.

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (“DEC”), which regulates the timing and extent of remediation of MGP sites in New York State, has notified Central Hudson that it believes the Company or its predecessors at one time owned and/or operated MGPs at seven sites in Central Hudson’s franchise territory.  The DEC has further requested that the Company investigate and, if necessary, remediate these sites under a Consent Order, Voluntary Clean-up Agreement or Brownfield Clean-up Agreement.  Central Hudson accrues for remediation costs based on the amounts that can be reasonably estimated.  As at June 30, 2016, an obligation of US$88 million (December 31, 2015 - US$92 million) was recognized in respect of site investigation and remediation and, based upon cost model analysis completed in 2014, it is estimated, with a 90% confidence level, that total costs to remediate these sites over the next 30 years will not exceed US$169 million.

 

Central Hudson has notified its insurers and intends to seek reimbursement from insurers for remediation, where coverage exists.  Further, as authorized by the PSC, Central Hudson is currently permitted to defer, for future recovery from customers, differences between actual costs for MGP site investigation and remediation and the associated rate allowances, with carrying charges to be accrued on the deferred balances at the authorized pre-tax rate of return.  In the three-year rate order issued by the PSC in June 2015, Central Hudson’s authorization to defer all site investigation and remediation costs was reaffirmed and extended through June 2018 (Note 5).

 

Asbestos Litigation

 

Prior to and after its acquisition by Fortis, various asbestos lawsuits have been brought against Central Hudson. While a total of 3,355 asbestos cases have been raised, 1,172 remained pending as at June 30, 2016. Of the cases no longer pending against Central Hudson, 2,027 have been dismissed or discontinued without payment by the Company, and Central Hudson has settled the remaining 156 cases. The Company is presently unable to assess the validity of the outstanding asbestos lawsuits; however, based on information known to Central Hudson at this time, including the Company’s experience in the settlement and/or dismissal of asbestos cases, Central Hudson believes that the costs which may be incurred in connection with the remaining lawsuits will not have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows and, accordingly, no amount has been accrued in the consolidated financial statements.

 

FortisBC Electric

 

The Government of British Columbia filed a claim in the British Columbia Supreme Court in June 2012 claiming on its behalf, and on behalf of approximately 17 homeowners, damages suffered as a result of a landslide caused by a dam failure in Oliver, British Columbia in 2010.  The Government of British Columbia alleges in its claim that the dam failure was caused by the defendants’, which include FortisBC Electric, use of a road on top of the dam.  The Government of British Columbia estimates its damages and the damages of the homeowners, on whose behalf it is claiming, to be approximately $15 million.  While FortisBC Electric has notified its insurers, it has been advised by the Government of British Columbia that a response to the claim is not required at this time.  The outcome cannot be reasonably determined and estimated at this time and, accordingly, no amount has been accrued in the consolidated financial statements.

 

FHI

 

In April 2013 FHI and Fortis were named as defendants in an action in the B.C. Supreme Court by the Coldwater Indian Band (“Band”).  The claim is in regard to interests in a pipeline right of way on reserve lands.  The pipeline on the right of way was transferred by FHI (then Terasen Inc.) to Kinder Morgan Inc. in April 2007.  The Band seeks orders cancelling the right of way and claims damages for wrongful interference with the Band’s use and enjoyment of reserve lands.  The outcome cannot be reasonably determined and estimated at this time and, accordingly, no amount has been accrued in the consolidated financial statements.

 

21. COMPARATIVE FIGURES

 

Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to comply with current period presentation.  Acquisition-related expenses were previously included in other income, net of expenses, on the consolidated statement of earnings and have been reclassified to operating expenses.

 

F-32



 

CORPORATE INFORMATION

 

Fortis Inc. is a leader in the North American electric and gas utility business, with total assets of approximately $29 billion and fiscal 2015 revenue of $6.7 billion. The Corporation’s asset mix is approximately 94% regulated (69% electric, 25% gas), with the remaining 6% comprised of non-regulated energy infrastructure.  The Corporation’s regulated utilities serve more than 3 million customers across Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.

 

The Common Shares; First Preference Shares, Series E; First Preference Shares, Series F; First Preference Shares, Series G; First Preference Shares, Series H; First Preference Shares, Series I; First Preference Shares, Series J; First Preference Shares, Series K; and First Preference Shares, Series M of Fortis are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the ticker symbols FTS, FTS.PR.E, FTS.PR.F, FTS.PR.G, FTS.PR.H, FTS.PR.I, FTS.PR.J, FTS.PR.K, and FTS.PR.M, respectively.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar:

 

Computershare Trust Company of Canada

8th Floor, 100 University Avenue

Toronto, ON M5J 2Y1

T:  514.982.7555 or 1.866.586.7638

F:  416.263.9394 or 1.888.453.0330

W: www.investorcentre.com/fortisinc

 

Additional information, including the Fortis 2015 Annual Information Form, Management Information Circular and Annual Report, are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Corporation’s website at www.fortisinc.com.

 

END

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Janet Craig

Vice President, Investor Relations

Fortis Inc.

T: 709.737.2863

 


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