Summary of Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

COVID-19 Effect [Policy Text Block]

Effects of COVID-19

In March 2020, the CDC declared a national emergency due to the rapidly growing outbreak of COVID-19. In response to this declaration and the rapid spread of COVID-19 within the United States, federal, state and local governments throughout the country imposed varying degrees of restrictions on social and commercial activity to promote social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of the illness. These restrictions significantly impacted economic conditions in the United States beginning in 2020 and to a lesser extent have continued into 2022. Chesapeake Utilities is considered an “essential business,” which allowed us to continue operational activities and construction projects while social distancing restrictions were in place. At this time, restrictions have predominantly been lifted as vaccines have become widely available in the United States. Previously existing states of emergency in all of our service territories expired during the second and third quarters of 2021 eliminating a majority of restrictions initially implemented to slow the spread of the virus. The expiration of the states of emergency along with the settlement of our limited proceeding in Florida, has concluded our ability to defer incremental pandemic related costs for consideration through the applicable regulatory process. We have adjusted our operating practices accordingly to ensure the safety of our operations and will take the necessary actions to comply with the CDC, and the Occupational and Safety and Health Administration, as new developments occur.

Refer to Note 5, Rates and Other Regulatory Activities, for further information on the regulated assets established as a result of the incremental expenses associated with COVID-19.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

References in this document to the “Company,” “Chesapeake Utilities,” “we,” “us” and “our” are intended to mean Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, its divisions and/or its subsidiaries, as appropriate in the context of the disclosure.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and GAAP. In accordance with these rules and regulations, certain information and disclosures normally required for audited financial statements have been condensed or omitted. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of our results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented.

Where necessary to improve comparability, prior period amounts have been changed to conform to current period presentation.

Due to the seasonality of our business, results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire fiscal year. Revenue and earnings are typically greater during the first and fourth quarters, when consumption of energy is highest due to colder temperatures.

FASB Statements and Other Authoritative Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Standards Yet to be Adopted

Reference Rate Reform - (ASC 848) - In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which was subsequently amended by ASU 2021-01. The standard provides relief for companies preparing for the discontinuation of interest rates, such as LIBOR, and allows optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The amendments included in this ASU are to be applied prospectively, and are not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.