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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Text Block [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates in measuring assets and liabilities and related revenues and expenses. These estimates involve judgments about various future economic factors that are difficult to predict and are beyond our control; therefore, actual results could differ from these estimates. As additional information becomes available, or actual amounts are determined, recorded estimates are revised. Consequently, operating results can be affected by revisions to prior accounting estimates.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at original cost less accumulated depreciation or fair value, if impaired. Costs include direct labor, materials and third-party construction contractor costs, allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC"), and certain indirect costs related to equipment and employees engaged in construction. The costs of repairs and minor replacements are charged to expense as incurred, and the costs of major renewals and betterments are capitalized. Upon retirement or disposition of property within the regulated businesses, the gain or loss, net of salvage value, is charged to accumulated depreciation. Upon retirement or disposition of property owned by the unregulated businesses, the gain or loss, net of salvage value, is charged to income. A summary of property, plant and equipment by classification as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 is provided in the following table:
 
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
Property, plant and equipment
 
 
 
Regulated Energy
 
 
 
Natural gas distribution - Delmarva Peninsula and Florida
$
657,630

 
$
589,149

Natural gas transmission - Delmarva Peninsula, Pennsylvania and Florida
537,654

 
384,360

Electric distribution – Florida
102,133

 
100,227

Unregulated Energy
 
 
 
Propane operations – Mid-Atlantic and Florida
123,632

 
108,177

Natural gas transmission – Ohio
70,225

 
66,037

Electricity and Steam generation – Florida
35,239

 
35,239

Mobile CNG utility and pipeline solutions
7,240

 

Other unregulated energy
1,346

 
1,229

Other
34,584

 
27,699

Total property, plant and equipment
1,569,683


1,312,117

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(294,295
)
 
(270,599
)
Plus: Construction work in progress
108,584

 
84,509

Net property, plant and equipment
$
1,383,972


$
1,126,027


Contributions or Advances in Aid of Construction
Customer contributions or advances in aid of construction reduce property, plant and equipment, unless the amounts are refundable to customers. Contributions or advances may be refundable to customers after a number of years based on the amount of revenues generated from the customers or the duration of the service provided to the customers. Refundable contributions or advances are recorded initially as liabilities. Non-refundable contributions reduce property, plant and equipment at the time of such determination. As of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the non-refundable contributions totaled $2.8 million, $2.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
AFUDC
Some of the additions to our regulated property, plant and equipment include AFUDC, which represents the estimated cost of funds, from both debt and equity sources, used to finance the construction of major projects. AFUDC is capitalized in the applicable rate base for ratemaking purposes when the completed projects are placed in service. During the year ended December 31, 2018, AFUDC totaled $1.9 million, which was reflected as a reduction of interest charges. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, AFUDC was not material.
Assets Used in Leases
Property, plant and equipment for the Florida natural gas transmission operation included $1.4 million of assets, at December 31, 2018 and 2017, consisting primarily of mains, measuring equipment and regulation station equipment used by Peninsula Pipeline to provide natural gas transmission service pursuant to a contract with a third party. This contract is accounted for as an operating lease due to the exclusive use of the assets by the customer. The service under this contract commenced in January 2009 and generates $264,000 in annual revenue for a 20-year term. Accumulated depreciation for these assets totaled $720,000 and $652,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Capital Lease Assets
Property, plant and equipment include capital lease assets related to: (i) a lease arrangement entered into by our Delmarva Peninsula natural gas distribution operation associated with Sandpiper's capacity, supply and operating agreement and (ii) our Mid-Atlantic propane operation's lease arrangement for property in Anne Arundel County Maryland which it intends to purchase during the first quarter of 2019. Information regarding the impact of the capital leases in our financial statements is shown below. Additional information can be found in Note 21, Other Commitments and Contingencies.
 
As of December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
Fair value of asset at lease inception
$
7,816

 
$
7,126

Less: Accumulated amortization
6,506

 
5,056

Capital lease asset
$
1,310

 
$
2,070

 
For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Amortization included in fuel cost recovery mechanism
$1,451
 
$1,401
 
$1,353

Jointly-owned Pipeline
Property, plant and equipment for our Florida natural gas transmission operation also included $6.7 million of assets, at December 31, 2018 and 2017, which consist of the 16-mile pipeline from the Duval/Nassau County line to Amelia Island in Nassau County, Florida, jointly owned with Peoples Gas. The amount included in property, plant and equipment represents Peninsula Pipeline’s 45-percent ownership of this pipeline. Peninsula Pipeline's share of direct expenses for the jointly-owned pipeline are included in the operating expenses of the income statement. Accumulated depreciation for this pipeline totaled $1.4 million and $1.3 million, at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Asset Impairment Evaluations
We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred, which indicate that other long-lived assets may not be fully recoverable. The determination of whether an impairment has occurred is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the asset, compared to the carrying value of the asset. When such events or circumstances are present, we record an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset's carrying value over its fair value, if any.
In May 2016, we received $650,000 in cash pursuant to a settlement agreement with a vendor related to implementation of a customer billing system which is reflected as "Gain from a settlement" in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The retention of this amount is contingent upon engaging this vendor to provide agreed-upon services through May 2020.
Depreciation and Accretion Included in Operations Expenses
We compute depreciation expense for our regulated operations by applying composite, annual rates, as approved by the respective regulatory bodies. The following table shows the average depreciation rates used for regulated operations during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Natural gas distribution – Delmarva Peninsula
2.5%
 
2.5%
 
2.5%
Natural gas distribution – Florida
2.9%
 
2.9%
 
2.9%
Natural gas transmission – Delmarva Peninsula
2.7%
 
2.8%
 
2.7%
Natural gas transmission – Florida
2.3%
 
3.5%
 
3.9%
Electric distribution – Florida
3.4%
 
3.4%
 
3.5%

For our unregulated operations, we compute depreciation expense on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:
Asset Description
Useful Life
Propane distribution mains
10-37 years
Propane bulk plants and tanks
10-40 years
Propane equipment, meters and meter installations
5-33 years
Measuring and regulating station equipment
5-37 years
Natural gas pipelines
45 years
Natural gas right of ways
Perpetual
CHP plant
30 years
Natural gas processing equipment
20-25 years
Office furniture and equipment
3-10 years
Transportation equipment
4-20 years
Structures and improvements
5-45 years
Other
Various


We report certain depreciation and accretion in operations expense, rather than as a depreciation and amortization expense, in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in accordance with industry practice and regulatory requirements. Depreciation and accretion included in operations expense consists of the accretion of the costs of removal for future retirements of utility assets, vehicle depreciation, computer software and hardware depreciation, and other minor amounts of depreciation expense. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we reported $8.5 million, $8.1 million and $7.3 million, respectively, of depreciation and accretion in operations expenses.
 Regulated Operations
We account for our regulated operations in accordance with ASC Topic 980, Regulated Operations, which includes accounting principles for companies whose rates are determined by independent third-party regulators. When setting rates, regulators often make decisions, the economics of which require companies to defer costs or revenues in different periods than may be appropriate for unregulated enterprises. When this situation occurs, a regulated company defers the associated costs as regulatory assets on the balance sheet and records them as expense on the income statement as it collects revenues. Further, regulators can also impose liabilities upon a regulated company, for amounts previously collected from customers and for recovery of costs that are expected to be incurred in the future, as regulatory liabilities. If we were required to terminate the application of these regulatory provisions to our regulated operations, all such deferred amounts would be recognized in the statement of income at that time, which could have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
We monitor our regulatory and competitive environments to determine whether the recovery of our regulatory assets continues to be probable. If we determined that recovery of these assets is no longer probable, we would write off the assets against earnings. We believe that the provisions of ASC Topic 980, Regulated Operations, continue to apply to our regulated operations and that the recovery of our regulatory assets is probable.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues for our natural gas and electric distribution operations are based on rates approved by the PSC in each state in which they operate. Eastern Shore’s revenues are based on rates approved by the FERC. Customers’ base rates may not be changed without formal approval by these commissions. The PSCs, however, have authorized our regulated operations to negotiate rates, based on approved methodologies, with customers that have competitive alternatives. The FERC has also authorized Eastern Shore to negotiate rates above or below the FERC-approved maximum rates, which customers can elect as an alternative to FERC-approved maximum rates.
For regulated deliveries of natural gas and electricity, we read meters and bill customers on monthly cycles that do not coincide with the accounting periods used for financial reporting purposes. We accrue unbilled revenues for natural gas and electricity delivered, but not yet billed, at the end of an accounting period to the extent that they do not coincide. We estimate the amount of the unbilled revenue by jurisdiction and customer class.
All of our regulated natural gas and electric distribution operations have fuel cost recovery mechanisms, except for two utilities that provide only unbundled delivery service (Chesapeake Utilities' Central Florida Gas division and FPU's Indiantown division). These mechanisms allow us to adjust billing rates, without further regulatory approvals, to reflect changes in the cost of purchased fuel. Differences between the cost of fuel purchased and delivered are deferred and accounted for as either unrecovered fuel cost or amounts payable to customers. Generally, these deferred amounts are recovered or refunded within one year.
We charge flexible rates to our natural gas distribution industrial interruptible customers who can use alternative fuels. Interruptible service imposes no contractual obligation to deliver or receive natural gas on a firm service basis.
For the unregulated propane operation business, we record revenue in the period the products are delivered and/or services are rendered for bulk delivery customers without meters. For propane customers with meters and natural gas marketing customers whose billing cycles do not coincide with our accounting periods, we accrue unbilled revenue for product delivered but not yet billed and bill customers at the end of an accounting period, as we do in our regulated businesses.
Our Ohio natural gas transmission/supply operation recognizes revenues based on actual volumes of natural gas shipped using contractual rates based upon index prices that are published monthly.
Our natural gas marketing operation recognizes revenue based on the volume of natural gas delivered to its customers.
Eight Flags records revenues based on the amount of electricity and steam generated and sold to its customers.
We report revenue taxes, such as gross receipts taxes, franchise taxes, and sales taxes, on a net basis.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales includes the direct costs attributable to the products sold or services provided to our customers. These costs include primarily the variable commodity cost of natural gas, electricity and propane, costs of pipeline capacity needed to transport and store natural gas, transmission costs for electricity, costs to gather and process natural gas, costs to transport propane to/from our storage facilities or our mobile CNG equipment to customer locations, and steam and electricity generation costs. Depreciation expense is not included in cost of sales.
Operations and Maintenance Expenses
Operations and maintenance expenses include operations and maintenance salaries and benefits, materials and supplies, usage of vehicles, tools and equipment, payments to contractors, utility plant maintenance, customer service, professional fees and other outside services, insurance expense, minor amounts of depreciation, accretion of removal costs for future retirements of utility assets and other administrative expenses.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Our policy is to invest cash in excess of operating requirements in overnight income-producing accounts. Such amounts are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts due for sales of natural gas, electricity and propane and transportation and distribution services to customers. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded against amounts due based upon our collections experiences and an assessment of our customers’ inability or reluctance to pay. If circumstances change, our estimates of recoverable accounts receivable may also change. Circumstances which could affect such estimates include, but are not limited to, customer credit issues, the level of natural gas, electricity and propane prices and general economic conditions. Accounts are written off when they are deemed to be uncollectible.
Inventories
We use the average cost method to value propane, materials and supplies, and other merchandise inventory. If market prices drop below cost, inventory balances that are subject to price risk are adjusted to their net realizable value. There was no lower-of-cost-or-net realizable value adjustment during 2018, 2017 or 2016.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. We use a present value technique based on discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. The testing of goodwill for 2018, 2017 and 2016 indicated no goodwill impairment.
Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic useful lives.
Other Deferred Charges
Other deferred charges include primarily issuance costs associated with short-term borrowings. These charges are amortized over the life of the related short-term debt borrowings.
Asset Removal Cost
As authorized by the appropriate regulatory body (state PSC or FERC), we accrue future asset removal costs associated with utility property, plant and equipment even if a legal obligation does not exist. Such accruals are provided for through depreciation expense and are recorded with corresponding credits to regulatory liabilities or assets. When we retire depreciable utility plant and equipment, we charge the associated original costs to accumulated depreciation and amortization, and any related removal costs incurred are charged to regulatory liabilities or assets. The difference between removal costs recognized in depreciation rates and the accretion and depreciation expense recognized for financial reporting purposes is a timing difference between recovery of these costs in rates and their recognition for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, these differences are deferred as regulatory liabilities or assets. In the rate setting process, the regulatory liability or asset is excluded from the rate base upon which those utilities have the opportunity to earn their allowed rates of return. The costs associated with our asset retirement obligations are either currently being recovered in rates or are probable of recovery in future rates.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans
Pension and other postretirement plan costs and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and are affected by numerous assumptions and estimates, including the fair value of plan assets, estimates of the expected returns on plan assets, assumed discount rates, the level of contributions made to the plans, and current demographic and actuarial mortality data. We review annually the estimates and assumptions underlying our pension and other postretirement plan costs and liabilities with the assistance of third-party actuarial firms. The assumed discount rates, expected returns on plan assets and the mortality assumption are the factors that generally have the most significant impact on our pension costs and liabilities. The assumed discount rates, health care cost trend rates and rates of retirement generally have the most significant impact on our postretirement plan costs and liabilities.
The discount rates are utilized principally in calculating the actuarial present value of our pension and postretirement obligations and net pension and postretirement costs. When estimating our discount rates, we consider high-quality corporate bond rates, such as the Prudential curve index and the Citigroup yield curve, changes in those rates from the prior year and other pertinent factors, including the expected life of each of our plans and their respective payment options.
The expected long-term rates of return on assets are utilized in calculating the expected returns on the plan assets component of our annual pension plan costs. We estimate the expected returns on plan assets of each of our plans by evaluating expected bond returns, asset allocations, the effects of active plan management, the impact of periodic plan asset rebalancing and historical performance. We also consider the guidance from our investment advisors in making a final determination of our expected rates of return on assets.
We estimate the health care cost trend rates used in determining our postretirement net expense based upon actual health care cost experience, the effects of recently enacted legislation and general economic conditions. Our assumed rate of retirement is estimated based upon our annual reviews of participant census information as of the measurement date.
The mortality assumption used for our pension and postretirement plans reviewed periodically and is based on the actuarial table that best reflects of the expected mortality of the plan participants.
Income Taxes, Investment Tax Credit Adjustments and Tax-Related Contingency
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the income tax effect of temporary differences between the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted income tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are recorded net of any valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that such income tax benefits will be realized. Investment tax credits on utility property have been deferred and are allocated to income ratably over the lives of the subject property.
We account for uncertainty in income taxes in our consolidated financial statements only if it is more likely than not that an uncertain tax position is sustainable based on technical merits. Recognizable tax positions are then measured to determine the amount of benefit recognized in the consolidated financial statements. We recognize penalties and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of other income.
We account for contingencies associated with taxes other than income when the likelihood of a loss is both probable and estimable. In assessing the likelihood of a loss, we do not consider the existence of current inquiries, or the likelihood of future inquiries, by tax authorities as a factor. Our assessment is based solely on our application of the appropriate statutes and the likelihood of a loss, assuming the proper inquiries are made by tax authorities.
Financial Instruments
Our propane operations enter into derivative transactions, such as swaps, put options and call options in order to mitigate the impact of wholesale price fluctuations on inventory valuation and future purchase commitments. Our natural gas marketing operation enters into natural gas futures and swap contracts to mitigate any price risk associated with the purchase and/or sale of natural gas to specific customers. These transactions may be designated as fair value hedges or cash flow hedges, if they meet all of the accounting requirements pursuant to ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and we elect to designate the instruments as hedges. If designated as a fair value hedge, the value of the hedging instrument, such as a swap, future, or put option, is recorded at fair value, with the effective portion of the gain or loss of the hedging instrument effectively reducing or increasing the value of the hedged item. If designated as a cash flow hedge, the value of the hedging instrument, such as a swap, call option or natural gas futures contract, is recorded at fair value with the effective portion of the gain or loss of the hedging instrument being recorded in comprehensive income. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss of a hedge is recorded in earnings. If the instrument is not designated as a fair value or cash flow hedge, or it does not meet the accounting requirements of a hedge under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, it is recorded at fair value with all gains or losses being recorded directly in earnings.
Our natural gas, electric and propane operations and natural gas marketing operations enter into agreements with suppliers to purchase natural gas, electricity, and propane for resale to our respective customers. Purchases under these contracts, as well as distribution and marketing operations sales agreements with counterparties or customers, either do not meet the definition of a derivative, or qualify for “normal purchases and sales” treatment under ASC Topic 815 Derivatives and Hedging, and are accounted for on an accrual basis.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) - On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and all the related amendments using the modified retrospective method. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard to all of our contracts as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The impact of adoption of the new revenue standard was immaterial to our net income.

This standard required entities to recognize revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration that the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires a number of disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and the related cash flows. See Note 5, Revenue Recognition, for additional information.

The following highlights the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on our income statement for the year ended December 31, 2018 and consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018:
 
 
Year Ended 
 December 31, 2018
Income statement
 
As Reported
 
Without Adoption of ASC 606
 
Effect of Change Higher (Lower)
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulated Energy operating revenues
 
$
345,281

 
$
346,289

 
$
(1,008
)
Regulated Energy cost of sales
 
121,828

 
122,463

 
(635
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
40,802

 
40,767

 
35

Income before income taxes
 
77,574

 
77,981

 
(407
)
Income taxes
 
20,994

 
21,106

 
(112
)
Net income
 
56,580

 
56,875

 
(295
)
 
 
As of December 31, 2018
Balance sheet
 
As Reported
 
Without Adoption of ASC 606
 
Effect of Change Higher (Lower)
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued revenue
 
$
27,499

 
$
29,461

 
$
(1,962
)
Long-term receivables and other deferred charges
 
$
6,985

 
$
6,816

 
$
169

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capitalization
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retained earnings
 
$
261,530

 
$
263,323

 
$
(1,793
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The primary impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on our income statement was the delayed recognition of approximately $407,000 in operating income during the year ended December 31, 2018, to future years, and a cumulative adjustment that decreased retained earnings and other assets by $1.8 million at December 31, 2018, associated with a long-term firm transmission contract with an industrial customer.
Compensation-Retirement Benefits (ASC 715) - In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-Retirement Benefit Cost. Under this guidance, employers are required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit costs are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and should not be included in operating expenses. We adopted ASU 2017-07 on January 1, 2018 and applied the changes in the other components of net benefit costs, retrospectively. As our plans have been frozen for some time, there is no service cost component. The components of net benefit costs have been reclassified to other expense. Aside from changes in presentation, implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Statement of Cash Flows (ASC 230) - In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which clarifies how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. We adopted ASU 2016-15 on January 1, 2018. Implementation of this new standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated statement of cash flows.
Compensation - Stock Compensation (ASC 718) - In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Scope of Modification Accounting, to clarify when to account for a change in the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under this guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions or the award classification (equity or liability) change because of a change in the terms or conditions of the award. We adopted ASU 2017-09, prospectively, on January 1, 2018. Implementation of this new standard did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (ASC 220) - In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA. We adopted ASU 2018-02 on January 1, 2018, and reclassified stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our employee benefit plans and commodity contract cash flows hedges. Implementation of this new standard did not have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations. See Note 16, Stockholders' Equity, for additional information.
Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815) - In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, to better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. ASU 2017-12 expands the risks that can be designated as hedged risks in cash flow hedges to include cash flow variability from contractually specified components of forecasted purchases or sales of non-financial assets. ASU 2017-12 requires the entire change in fair value of a hedging instrument that is included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness to be presented in the same income statement line that is used to present the earnings effects of the hedged item for fair value hedges and in other comprehensive income for cash flow hedges. ASU 2017-12 requires a tabular presentation of the income statement effect of fair value and cash flow hedges and eliminates the requirement to disclose the ineffective portion of the change in fair value of hedging instruments. We adopted ASU 2017-12, effective July 1, 2018, with no material impact on our financial statements. See Note 8, Derivative Instruments, for additional information with respect to the disclosures required by ASU 2017-12.
Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (ASC 715-20) - In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans, which removes, clarifies and adds certain disclosure requirements in ASC 715-20 related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. ASU 2018-14 will be effective for our annual and interim financial statements, on a retrospective basis, beginning January 1, 2021, although early adoption is permitted. We early adopted and updated our disclosures during the annual period ended December 31, 2018. Since the guidance impacted disclosures only, there was no impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Recent Accounting Standards Yet to be Adopted
Leases (ASC 842) - In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize leases on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The standard establishes a right of use ("ROU") model that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. The update also expands the required quantitative and qualitative disclosures surrounding leases. ASC 842 was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; and ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for our annual and interim financial statements, beginning January 1, 2019, although early adoption is permitted. We expect to adopt ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019, and use the modified retrospective transition approach to all existing leases.
The new standard permits companies to elect several practical expedients. We expect to elect: (1) the ‘package of practical expedients,’ pursuant to which we do not need to reassess our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs and (2) the ‘use-of-hindsight’ practical expedient, which allows us to use hindsight in assessing impairment of our existing land easements. We also intend to aggregate all non-lease components with the respective lease components.
 
The most significant effect of ASC 842 will be recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities on our balance sheet for our operating leases and providing significant new disclosures about our leasing activities. We currently expect that upon adoption, we will recognize lease liabilities ranging from $11.0 to $13.0 million, with corresponding ROU of the same amount based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments for existing operating leases.
Intangibles-Goodwill (ASC 350) - In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. ASU 2017-04 will be effective for our annual and interim financial statements beginning January 1, 2020, although early adoption is permitted. The amendments included in this ASU are to be applied prospectively. We believe that implementation of this new standard will not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Compensation - Stock Compensation (ASC 718) - In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. ASU 2018-07 will be effective for our annual and interim financial statements beginning January 1, 2019, although early adoption is permitted. We believe that implementation of this new standard will not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Fair Value Measurement (ASC 820) - In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which removes, modifies and adds certain disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in ASC 820. ASU 2018-13 will be effective for our annual and interim financial statements beginning January 1, 2020. Since the changes only impact disclosures, there will be no financial impact.