0000073088-16-000230.txt : 20160211 0000073088-16-000230.hdr.sgml : 20160211 20160210174713 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000073088-16-000230 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 123 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20151231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20160211 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20160210 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NORTHWESTERN CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000073088 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED [4931] IRS NUMBER: 460172280 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-10499 FILM NUMBER: 161406950 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3010 W 69TH STREET CITY: SIOUX FALLS STATE: SD ZIP: 57108 BUSINESS PHONE: 6059782908 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3010 W 69TH STREET CITY: SIOUX FALLS STATE: SD ZIP: 57108 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NORTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 10-K 1 nwe1231201510k.htm 10-K 10-K


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
S
 
ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015

OR
£
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from          to          

Commission File Number: 1-10499
NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
46-0172280
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
3010 W. 69th Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
 
57108
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 605-978-2900

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
(Title of each class)
 
(Name of each exchange on which registered)
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
 
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Large Accelerated Filer x           Accelerated Filer o           Non-accelerated Filer o           Smaller Reporting Company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x
 
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant was $2,294,283,000 computed using the last sales price of $48.75 per share of the registrant’s common stock on June 30, 2015, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
 
As of February 5, 2016, 48,178,591 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference
Certain sections of our Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K

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INDEX
 
PAGE
 
Part I
 
 
 
 
 
Part II
 
 
 
 
 
Part III
 
 
 
 
 
Part IV
 



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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

On one or more occasions, we may make statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding our assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events. All statements other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report, relating to management's current expectations of future financial performance, continued growth, changes in economic conditions or capital markets and changes in customer usage patterns and preferences are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Words or phrases such as “anticipates," “may," “will," “should," “believes," “estimates," “expects," “intends," “plans," “predicts," “projects," “targets," “will likely result," “will continue" or similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. We caution that while we make such statements in good faith and believe such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in records and other data available from third parties, we cannot assure you that we will achieve our projections. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to:
 
adverse determinations by regulators, as well as potential adverse federal, state, or local legislation or regulation, including costs of compliance with existing and future environmental requirements, could have a material effect on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition;
changes in availability of trade credit, creditworthiness of counterparties, usage, commodity prices, fuel supply costs or availability due to higher demand, shortages, weather conditions, transportation problems or other developments, may reduce revenues or may increase operating costs, each of which could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations;
unscheduled generation outages or forced reductions in output, maintenance or repairs, which may reduce revenues and increase cost of sales or may require additional capital expenditures or other increased operating costs; and
adverse changes in general economic and competitive conditions in the U.S. financial markets and in our service territories.

We have attempted to identify, in context, certain of the factors that we believe may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from our current expectation regarding the relevant matter or subject area. In addition to the items specifically discussed above, our business and results of operations are subject to the uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors" which is part of the disclosure included in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

From time to time, oral or written forward-looking statements are also included in our reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K, Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A, press releases, analyst and investor conference calls, and other communications released to the public. We believe that at the time made, the expectations reflected in all of these forward-looking statements are and will be reasonable. However, any or all of the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K, our Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A and any other public statements that are made by us may prove to be incorrect. This may occur as a result of assumptions that turn out to be inaccurate, or as a consequence of known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, certain of which are beyond our control, will be important in determining our future performance. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those that might be anticipated from forward-looking statements. In light of these and other uncertainties, you should not regard the inclusion of any of our forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or other public communications as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved, and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, your attention is directed to any further disclosures made on related subjects in our subsequent annual and periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “NorthWestern Corporation,” “NorthWestern Energy,” and “NorthWestern” refer specifically to NorthWestern Corporation and its subsidiaries.


3



GLOSSARY

Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) - The single source of authoritative nongovernmental GAAP, which supersedes all existing accounting standards.

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) - A regulatory accounting convention that represents the estimated composite interest costs of debt and a return on equity funds used to finance construction. The allowance is capitalized in the property accounts and included in income.

Base-Load - The minimum amount of electric power or natural gas delivered or required over a given period of time at a steady rate. The minimum continuous load or demand in a power system over a given period of time usually is not temperature sensitive.

Base-Load Capacity - The generating equipment normally operated to serve loads on an around-the-clock basis.

COD - commercial operating date.

Commercial Customers - consists primarily of main street businesses, shopping malls, grocery stores, gas stations, bars and restaurants, professional offices, hospitals and medical offices, motels, and hotels.

Cushion Gas - The natural gas required in a gas storage reservoir to maintain a pressure sufficient to permit recovery of stored gas.

DGGS - The Dave Gates Generating Station at Mill Creek, a 150 MW natural gas fired facility, which provides up to 105 MW of regulation service.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - A Federal agency charged with protecting the environment.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) - The Federal agency that has jurisdiction over interstate electricity sales, wholesale electric rates, hydroelectric licensing, natural gas transmission and related services pricing, oil pipeline rates and gas pipeline certification.

Franchise - A special privilege conferred by a unit of state or local government on an individual or corporation to occupy and use the public ways and streets for benefit to the public at large. Local distribution companies typically have franchises for utility service granted by state or local governments.

GAAP - Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Hedging - Entering into transactions to manage various types of risk (e.g. commodity risk).

Industrial Customers - consists primarily of manufacturing and processing businesses that turn raw materials into products.

Lignite Coal - The lowest rank of coal, often referred to as brown coal, used almost exclusively as fuel for steam-electric power generation. It has high inherent moisture content, sometimes as high as 45 percent. The heat content of lignite ranges from 9 to 17 million Btu per ton on a moist, mineral-matter-free basis.

Midcontinent Area Power Pool (MAPP) - A voluntary association of electric utilities and other electric industry participants that acts as a regional transmission group, responsible for facilitating open access of the transmission system and a generation reserve sharing pool to meet regional demand.

Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) - MISO is a nonprofit organization created in compliance with FERC as a regional transmission organization, to improve the flow of electricity in the regional marketplace and to enhance electric reliability. Additionally, MISO is responsible for managing the energy markets, managing transmission constraints, managing the day-ahead, real-time and financial transmission rights markets and managing the ancillary market.

Midwest Reliability Organization (MRO) - MRO is one of eight regional electric reliability councils under NERC.

Montana Consumer Counsel (MCC) - The state agency that represents the utility and transportation consuming public in Montana.

Montana Public Service Commission (MPSC) - The state agency that regulates public utilities doing business in Montana.

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Nebraska Public Service Commission (NPSC) - The state agency that regulates public utilities doing business in Nebraska.

North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) - NERC oversees eight regional reliability entities and encompasses all of the interconnected power systems of the contiguous United States. NERC's major responsibilities include developing standards for power system operation, monitoring and enforcing compliance with those standards, assessing resource adequacy, and providing educational and training resources as part of an accreditation program to ensure power system operators remain qualified and proficient.

Open Access - Non-discriminatory, fully equal access to transportation or transmission services offered by a pipeline or electric utility.

Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) -The OATT, which is established by the FERC, defines the terms and conditions of point-to-point and network integration transmission services offered by us, and requires that transmission owners provide open, non-discriminatory access on their transmission system to transmission customers.

Peak Load - A measure of the maximum amount of energy delivered at a point in time.

Qualifying Facility (QF) - As defined under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), a QF sells power to a regulated utility at a price determined by a public service commission that is intended to be equal to that which the utility would otherwise pay if it were to build its own power plant or buy power from another source.

Regulation Services - FERC jurisdictional services that ensure reliability and support the transmission of electricity from generation sites to customer loads. Such services are also referred to as ancillary services and include regulating reserves, load balancing and voltage support.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - The U.S. agency charged with protecting investors, maintaining fair, orderly and efficient markets and facilitating capital formation.

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (SDPUC) - The state agency that regulates public utilities doing business in South Dakota.

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) - A nonprofit organization created in compliance with FERC as a regional transmission organization to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and a competitive wholesale electricity marketplace. SPP also serves as a regional electric reliability entity under NERC.

Sub-bituminous Coal - A coal whose properties range from those of lignite to those of bituminous coal and used primarily as fuel for steam-electric power generation. Sub-bituminous coal contains 20 to 30 percent inherent moisture by weight. The heat content of sub-bituminous coal ranges from 17 to 24 million Btu per ton on a moist, mineral-matter-free basis.

Tariffs - A collection of the rate schedules and service rules authorized by a federal or state commission. It lists the rates a regulated entity will charge to provide service to its customers as well as the terms and conditions that it will follow in providing service.

Tolling Contract - An arrangement whereby a party moves fuel to a power generator and receives kilowatt hours (kWh) in return for a pre-established fee.

Transmission - The flow of electricity from generating stations over high voltage lines to substations. The electricity then flows from the substations into a distribution network.

Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) - A federal power-marketing administration and electric transmission agency established by Congress.

Western Electricity Coordination Council (WECC) - WECC is one of eight regional electric reliability councils under NERC.


5



Measurements:

Billion Cubic Feet (Bcf) - A unit used to measure large quantities of gas, approximately equal to 1 trillion Btu.

British Thermal Unit (Btu) - a basic unit used to measure natural gas; the amount of natural gas needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

Degree-Day - A measure of the coldness / warmness of the weather experienced, based on the extent to which the daily mean temperature falls below or above a reference temperature.

Dekatherm - A measurement of natural gas; ten therms or one million Btu.

Kilovolt (kV) - A unit of electrical power equal to one thousand volts.

Megawatt (MW) - A unit of electrical power equal to one million watts or one thousand kilowatts.

Megawatt Hour (MWH) - One million watt-hours of electric energy. A unit of electrical energy which equals one megawatt of power used for one hour.


6



Part I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

 
NorthWestern Corporation, doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides electricity and natural gas to approximately 701,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We have generated and distributed electricity in South Dakota and distributed natural gas in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and have generated and distributed electricity and distributed natural gas in Montana since 2002.

We operate our business in the following reporting segments:
 
Electric operations;
 
Natural gas operations;
 
All other, which primarily consists of unallocated corporate costs.





7



ELECTRIC OPERATIONS

Montana

Our regulated electric utility business in Montana includes generation, transmission and distribution. Our service territory covers approximately 107,600 square miles, representing approximately 73% of Montana's land area, and includes a 2013 census estimated population of approximately 887,100. We deliver electricity to approximately 359,000 customers in 187 communities and their surrounding rural areas, 15 rural electric cooperatives and in Wyoming to the Yellowstone National Park. In 2015, by category, residential, commercial, industrial, and other sales accounted for approximately 40%, 50%, 6%, and 4%, respectively, of our Montana retail electric utility revenue. We also transmit electricity for nonregulated entities owning generation facilities, other utilities and power marketers serving the Montana electricity market. The total control area peak demand was approximately 1,790 MWs, with approximately 1,234 MWs per hour for the year on average, and energy delivered of more than 10.8 million MWHs during the year ended December 31, 2015. Our Montana electric distribution system consists of approximately 17,650 miles of overhead and underground distribution lines and 393 transmission and distribution substations.
 
Our Montana electric transmission system consists of approximately 6,700 miles of transmission lines, ranging from 50 kV to 500 kV, 288 circuit segments and approximately 104,000 transmission poles on approximately 74,000 structures with associated transformation and terminal facilities, and extends throughout the western two-thirds of Montana from Colstrip in the east to Thompson Falls in the west. We are directly interconnected with Avista Corporation; Idaho Power Company; PacifiCorp; the Bonneville Power Administration; WAPA; and Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. (MATL). Such interconnections, coupled with transmission line capacity made available under agreements with some of the above entities, permit the interchange, purchase, and sale of power among all major electric systems in the west interconnecting with the winter-peaking northern and summer-peaking southern regions of the Western power system. We provide wholesale transmission service and firm and non-firm transmission services for eligible transmission customers. Our 500 kV transmission system, which is jointly owned, along with our 230 kV and 161 kV facilities, form the key assets of our Montana transmission system. Lower voltage systems, which range from 50 kV to 115 kV, provide for local area service needs.

Energy Sources and Resource Planning

Resource planning is an important function necessary to meet our future energy needs. We file a biennial Electric Supply Resource Procurement Plan with the MPSC, which guides future resource acquisition activities. We expect to file our next plan during the first quarter of 2016. Our sources of energy by type during 2015 were as follows:

    

Our current annual retail electric supply load requirements average approximately 750 MWs, with a peak load of approximately 1,200 MWs, and are supplied by owned and contracted resources and market purchases with multiple counterparties. Owned generation resources supplied approximately 75% of our retail load requirements for 2015. With the conveyance of the Kerr Project in September 2015, as discussed below, we expect that approximately 60% of our retail obligations will be met by owned generation in 2016. We also purchase power under QF contracts entered into under the Public

8



Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, which provide a total of 212 MWs of contracted capacity, including 87 MWs of capacity from waste petroleum coke and waste coal, 87 MWs of capacity from wind, 24 MWs of capacity from hydro, and 14 MWs of capacity from solar projects, located in Montana. We have several other long and medium-term power purchase agreements including contracts for 135 MWs of renewable wind generation and 21 MWs of seasonal base-load hydro supply. For 2016, including both owned and contracted resources, we have resources to provide over 90% of the energy requirements necessary to meet our forecasted retail load requirements.

Generation Facilities


In 2014, we completed the purchase of hydroelectric generating facilities and associated assets located in Montana (Hydro Transaction). The Hydro Transaction included temporary ownership of the Kerr Project until it was conveyed to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation on September 5, 2015. The remaining hydro facilities are listed in the table below.
Plant
COD
River
Source
FERC
License
Expiration
Net
Capacity
(MW) (1)
Black Eagle
1927
Missouri
2040
21
Cochrane
1958
Missouri
2040
69
Hauser
1911
Missouri
2040
19
Holter
1918
Missouri
2040
48
Madison
1906
Madison
2040
8
Morony
1930
Missouri
2040
48
Mystic
1925
West Rosebud Creek
2050
12
Rainbow
1910/2013
Missouri
2040
60
Ryan
1915
Missouri
2040
60
Thompson Falls
1915
Clark Fork
2025
94
 Total
 
 
 
439
(1) Hebgen facility (0 MW net capacity) excluded from figures. These are run-of-river dams except for Mystic, which is storage generation.

We have a 30% joint ownership interest in Colstrip Unit 4, which provides base-load supply and is operated by Talen Energy. Talen Energy has a 30% joint ownership interest in Colstrip Unit 3. We have a risk sharing agreement with Talen Energy regarding the operation of Colstrip Units 3 and 4, in which each party receives 15% of the respective combined output and is responsible for 15% of the respective operating and construction costs, regardless of whether a particular cost is specified to Colstrip Unit 3 or 4. However, each party is responsible for its own fuel-related costs. Colstrip Unit 4 is supplied with fuel from adjacent coal reserves under coal supply and transportation agreements in effect through 2019. We also own the 40 MW Spion Kop wind project. The capacity of Spion Kop represents the nameplate MW, which varies from actual energy expected to be received as wind generation resources are highly dependent upon weather conditions.


9



Details of our Colstrip Unit 4 and Spion Kop generating facilities are described in the table below.
Name and Location of Plant
 
Fuel Source
 
Plant Capacity (MW)
 
Ownership
Interest
 
Demonstrated
Capacity (MW)
Colstrip Unit 4, located near Colstrip in southeastern Montana
 
Sub-bituminous coal
 
740
 
30%
 
222
Spion Kop Wind, located in Judith Basin County in Montana
 
Wind
 
40
 
100%
 
40

To provide regulation service, we own the Dave Gates Generating Station at Mill Creek (DGGS), a 150 MW natural gas fired facility. The facility normally operates with two units, with a third unit available as an operating spare. With the two units, DGGS is capable of providing up to 93 MW of regulation service under optimum conditions. If the third unit is placed into service, DGGS can provide up to 105 MW of capacity, which is our current peak regulation requirement. In addition, DGGS provided approximately 7 MWs of retail base-load requirements in 2015.
Name and Location of Plant
 
Fuel Source
 
Plant Capacity (MW)
 
Ownership
Interest
 
Regulation
Capacity (MW)
Dave Gates Generating Station, located near Anaconda, Montana
 
Natural Gas
 
150
 
100%
 
105

Renewable portfolio standards (RPS) enacted in Montana currently require that 15% of our annual electric supply portfolio be derived from eligible renewable sources, including resources such as wind, biomass, solar, and small hydroelectric. Eligible renewable resources used to serve our load generate renewable energy credits (RECs). Any RECs in excess of the annual requirements for a given year are carried forward for up to two years to meet future RPS needs. Our owned hydro generation assets are not eligible renewable resources under the RPS. Given contracts under negotiation and our portfolio resources, we expect to meet the Montana RPS requirements through at least 2026. The penalty for not meeting the RPS is up to $10 per MWH for each REC short of the requirement.

As a subset of the total RPS requirement, we were required to acquire, as of December 31, 2015, approximately 68 MW of community renewable energy projects, if cost effective. Since 2008, we have undertaken competitive solicitations to acquire this particular resource but have only contracted for 25 MW. We have filed waivers for the years 2012 through 2014, as we have not been able to contract with projects that meet the required qualifications. The MPSC granted waivers for 2012 and 2013, and the waiver request for 2014 is still pending. We expect to file a waiver request for 2015.

South Dakota

Our South Dakota electric utility business operates as a vertically integrated generation, transmission and distribution utility. We have the exclusive right to serve an area in South Dakota comprised of 25 counties with a combined 2010 census population of approximately 226,200. We provide retail electricity to more than 62,800 customers in 110 communities in South Dakota. In 2015, by category, residential, commercial and other sales accounted for approximately 39%, 59%, and 2%, respectively, of our South Dakota retail electric utility revenue. Peak demand was approximately 306 MWs, the average daily load was approximately 187 MWs, and more than 1.64 million MWHs were supplied during the year ended December 31, 2015.
 
Our transmission and distribution network in South Dakota consists of approximately 3,550 miles of overhead and underground transmission and distribution lines as well as 124 substations. We have interconnection with the transmission facilities of Otter Tail Power Company; Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.; Xcel Energy Inc.; and WAPA. We have emergency interconnections with the transmission facilities of East River Electric Cooperative, Inc. and West Central Electric Cooperative.
 
Energy Sources and Resource Planning

We have a resource plan that includes estimates of customer usage and programs to provide for the economic, reliable and timely supply of energy. We continue to update our load forecast to identify the future electric energy needs of our customers, and we evaluate additional generating capacity requirements on an ongoing basis. We use market purchases and peaking generation to provide peak supply in excess of our base-load capacity. We have an agreement with Missouri River Energy Services to supply firm capacity of 30 MW in 2016, 30 MW in 2017, and 35 MW in 2018. On October 1, 2015, we became a member of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which is a regional transmission organization. As a market participant in SPP, we

10



buy and sell wholesale energy and reserves in both day-ahead and real-time markets through the operation of a single, consolidated SPP balancing authority. We and other SPP members submit generation offers to sell our generation and bids to purchase power to serve our load into the SPP market, with the SPP serving as a centralized dispatch of SPP members' generation resources. The SPP is able to coordinate next-day generation across the region and provide participants with greater access to economical energy.

Our sources of energy by type during 2015 were as follows:

                

Generation Facilities


Our electric supply portfolio consists primarily of power plants that we own jointly with unaffiliated parties. Each of the jointly owned plants is subject to a joint management structure. We are not the operator of any of these plants. Except as otherwise noted, based upon our ownership interest, we are entitled to a proportionate share of the capacity of our jointly owned plants and are responsible for a proportionate share of the operating costs. Additional resources in our supply portfolio include several wholly owned peaking units and three wind projects. We acquired the Beethoven wind project in late 2015. We also purchase the output of two wind projects under power purchase agreements. One of the projects is a QF. We also have several wholly owned peaking/standby generating units at seven locations throughout our service territory.


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Details of our generating facilities are described further in the chart below.

Name and Location of Plant
 
Fuel Source
 
Plant Capacity (MW)
 
Ownership
Interest
 
Demonstrated
Capacity (MW)
Big Stone Plant, located near Big Stone City in northeastern South Dakota
 
Sub-bituminous coal
 
475
 
23.4%
 
111
Coyote I Electric Generating Station, located near Beulah, North Dakota
 
Lignite coal
 
427
 
10.0%
 
43
Neal Electric Generating Unit No. 4, located near Sioux City, Iowa
 
Sub-bituminous coal
 
644
 
8.7%
 
56
Aberdeen Generating Unit, located near Aberdeen, South Dakota
 
Natural gas
 
52
 
100.0%
 
52
Beethoven Wind Project, located near Tripp, South Dakota
 
Wind
 
80
 
100.0%
 
80
Miscellaneous combustion turbine units and small diesel units (used only during peak periods)
 
Combination of fuel oil and natural gas
 
 
 
100.0%
 
98
Total Capacity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
440


The fuel for our jointly owned base-load generating plants is provided through supply contracts of various lengths with several coal companies. Coyote is a mine-mouth generating facility. Neal #4 and Big Stone receive their fuel supply via rail. The average delivered cost by type of fuel burned varies between generation facilities due to differences in transportation costs and owner purchasing power for coal supply. Changes in our fuel costs are passed on to customers through the operation of the fuel adjustment clause in our South Dakota tariffs.
 
Instead of an RPS, South Dakota has a voluntary renewable and recycled energy objective. The objective states that 10% of all electricity sold at retail within South Dakota by 2015 be obtained from renewable energy and recycled energy sources. In 2015, approximately 19% of the South Dakota retail needs were generated from renewable resources. In 2016, we expect to continue to exceed South Dakota's voluntary objective at approximately 22%.

Effective October 1, 2015, we are a transmission owning member of SPP for our South Dakota transmission operations. The Coyote and Big Stone power plants in which we are a joint owner, are connected directly to the MISO system, and we have ownership rights in the transmission lines from these plants to our distribution system. Marketing activities in SPP are handled for us by a third-party provider acting as our agent. Along with operating the transmission system, SPP also coordinates transmission planning for all members of the organization. Upon entering SPP, we exited out of MAPP, which had been our transmission planning region. The MAPP association has since dissolved.
 
NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS

Montana

Our regulated natural gas utility business in Montana includes production, storage, transmission and distribution. We distribute natural gas to approximately 191,500 customers in 105 Montana communities over a system that consists of approximately 5,100 miles of underground distribution pipelines. We also serve several smaller distribution companies that provide service to approximately 32,000 customers. We transmit natural gas in Montana from production receipt points and storage facilities to distribution points and other nonaffiliated transmission systems. We transported natural gas volumes of approximately 41 Bcf, and our peak capacity was approximately 335,000 dekatherms per day during the year ended December 31, 2015.
 

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Our natural gas transmission system consists of more than 2,100 miles of pipeline, which vary in diameter from two inches to 24 inches, and serve more than 130 city gate stations. We have connections in Montana with four major, nonaffiliated transmission systems: Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline, NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd., Colorado Interstate Gas, and Spur Energy. Seven compressor sites provide more than 43,000 horsepower, capable of moving more than 335,000 dekatherms per day. In addition, we own and operate two transmission pipelines through our subsidiaries, Canadian-Montana Pipe Line Corporation and Havre Pipeline Company, LLC.
  
We have municipal franchises to transport and distribute natural gas in the Montana communities we serve. The terms of the franchises vary by community. They typically have a fixed 10-year term and continue for an additional 10-year term unless and until cancelled, with 5 years notice. If a cancellation notice is received, our policy generally is to work with the community to resolve any issues and execute a new franchise. We currently have six franchises, which account for approximately 41,200 or approximately 22 percent of our natural gas customers, where the fixed term has expired. We continue to serve those customers while we obtain formal renewals. During the next five years, nine additional municipal franchises are scheduled to reach the end of their fixed term. We do not anticipate termination of any of these franchises.

Natural gas is used for residential and commercial heating, and for fuel for two electric generating facilities. The demand for natural gas largely depends upon weather conditions. Our Montana retail natural gas supply requirements for the year ended December 31, 2015, were approximately 18.5 Bcf. Our Montana natural gas supply requirements for fuel for the year ended December 31, 2015, were approximately 5.5 Bcf. We have contracted with several major producers and marketers with varying contract durations to provide the anticipated supply to meet ongoing requirements. Our natural gas supply requirements are fulfilled through third-party fixed-term purchase contracts, short-term market purchases and owned production. Our portfolio approach to natural gas supply is intended to enable us to maintain a diversified supply of natural gas sufficient to meet our supply requirements. We benefit from direct access to suppliers in the major natural gas producing regions in the United States, primarily the Rockies (Colorado), Montana, and Alberta, Canada.

Owned Production and Storage

Since 2010, we have acquired gas production and gathering system assets as a part of an overall strategy to provide rate stability and customer value through the addition of regulated assets that are not subject to market forces. As of December 31, 2015, these owned reserves totaled approximately 65.9 Bcf and are estimated to provide approximately 5.3 Bcf each year, or about 27 percent of our expected annual retail natural gas load in Montana. In addition, we own and operate three working natural gas storage fields in Montana with aggregate working gas capacity of approximately 17.75 Bcf and maximum aggregate daily deliverability of approximately 195,000 dekatherms.

South Dakota and Nebraska

We provide natural gas to approximately 87,700 customers in 60 South Dakota communities and four Nebraska communities. We have approximately 2,375 miles of underground distribution pipelines and 55 miles of transmission pipeline in South Dakota and Nebraska. In South Dakota, we also transport natural gas for nine gas-marketing firms and three large end-user accounts. In Nebraska, we transport natural gas for four gas-marketing firms and one end-user account. We delivered approximately 26.5 Bcf of third-party transportation volume on our South Dakota distribution system and approximately 3.0 Bcf of third-party transportation volume on our Nebraska distribution system during 2015.
 
Our South Dakota natural gas supply requirements for the year ended December 31, 2015, were approximately 5.4 Bcf. We contract with a third party under an asset management agreement to manage transportation and storage of supply to minimize cost and price volatility to our customers. In Nebraska, our natural gas supply requirements for the year ended December 31, 2015, were approximately 4.2 Bcf. We contract with a third party under an asset management agreement that includes pipeline capacity, supply, and asset optimization activities. To supplement firm gas supplies in South Dakota and Nebraska, we contract for firm natural gas storage services to meet the heating season and peak day requirements of our customers.
 
We have municipal franchises to purchase, transport and distribute natural gas in the South Dakota and Nebraska communities we serve. The maximum term permitted under Nebraska law for these franchises is 25 years while the maximum term permitted under South Dakota law is 20 years. Our policy generally is to seek renewal or extension of a franchise in the last year of its term. During the next five years, 10 of our South Dakota franchises are scheduled to reach the end of their fixed term. We do not anticipate termination of any of these franchises.


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REGULATION

Base rates are the rates we are allowed to charge our customers for the cost of providing delivery service and rate-based supply services, plus a reasonable rate of return on invested capital. We have both electric and natural gas base rates. We may ask the respective regulatory commission to increase base rates from time to time. We have historically been allowed to increase base rates to recover our utility plant investment and operating costs, plus a return on our capital investment. Rate increases are normally granted based on historical data and those increases may not always keep pace with increasing costs. For more information on current regulatory matters, see Note 4 - Regulatory Matters, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following is a summary of our rate base and authorized rates of return in each jurisdiction:

Jurisdiction and Service
 
Implementation Date
 
Authorized Rate Base (millions) (1)
 
Estimated Rate Base (millions) (2)
 
Authorized Overall Rate of Return
Authorized Return on Equity
Authorized Equity Level
Montana electric delivery (3)
 
January 2011
 
$632.5
 
$946.1
 
7.92%
10.25%
48%
Montana - DGGS (3)
 
January 2011
 
172.7
 
138.8
 
8.16%
10.25%
50%
Montana - Colstrip Unit 4
 
January 2009
 
400.4
 
323.3
 
8.25%
10.00%
50%
Montana Spion Kop
 
December 2012
 
81.7
 
75.0
 
7.0%
10.00%
48%
Montana hydro assets
 
November 2014
 
870.0
 
835.0
 
6.91%
9.80%
48%
Montana natural gas delivery
 
June 2013
 
309.2
 
392.9
 
7.48%
9.80%
47.65%
Montana natural gas production
 
November 2012
 
12.0
 
70.3
 
7.48%
9.80%
47.65%
South Dakota electric (4)
 
December 2015
 
557.3
 
552.0
 
7.24%
n/a
n/a
South Dakota natural gas (4)
 
December 2011
 
65.9
 
65.3
 
7.8%
n/a
n/a
Nebraska natural gas (4)
 
December 2007
 
24.3
 
27.9
 
8.49%
10.40%
n/a
 
 
 
 
$3,126.0
 
$3,426.6
 
 
 
 
(1)    Rate base reflects amounts on which we are authorized to earn a return.
(2)    Rate base amounts are estimated as of December 31, 2015.
(3)
The FERC regulated portion of Montana electric transmission and DGGS are included as revenue credits to our MPSC jurisdiction customers. Therefore, we do not separately reflect FERC authorized rate base or authorized returns.
(4)    For those items marked as "n/a," the respective settlement and/or order was not specific as to these terms.

MPSC Regulation

Our Montana operations are subject to the jurisdiction of the MPSC with respect to rates, terms and conditions of service, accounting records, electric service territorial issues and other aspects of our operations, including when we issue, assume, or guarantee securities in Montana, or when we create liens on our regulated Montana properties. We have an obligation to provide service to our customers with an opportunity to earn a regulated rate of return.

Electric and Natural Gas Supply Trackers - Rates for our Montana electric and natural gas supply are set by the MPSC. Certain supply rates are adjusted on a monthly basis for volumes and costs during each July to June 12-month tracking period. Annually, supply rates are adjusted to include any differences in the previous tracking year's actual to estimated information for recovery during the subsequent tracking year. We submit annual electric and natural gas tracker filings for the actual 12-month period ended June 30 and for the projected supply costs for the next 12-month period. The MPSC reviews such filings and makes its cost recovery determination based on whether or not our electric and natural gas energy supply procurement activities were prudent. If the MPSC subsequently determines that a procurement activity was imprudent, then it may disallow such costs.

Montana Property Tax Tracker - We file an annual property tax tracker (including other state/local taxes and fees) with the MPSC for an automatic rate adjustment, which reflects 60% of the change in property taxes. Adjusted rates are typically effective January 1st of each year.
 
SDPUC Regulation
 
Our South Dakota operations are subject to SDPUC jurisdiction with respect to rates, terms and conditions of service, accounting records, electric service territorial issues and other aspects of our electric and natural gas operations. Our retail

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electric rates, approved by the SDPUC, provide several options for residential, commercial and industrial customers, including dual-fuel, interruptible, special all-electric heating, and other special rates. Our retail natural gas tariffs include gas transportation rates for transportation through our distribution systems by customers and natural gas marketers from the interstate pipelines at which our systems take delivery to the end-user. Such transporting customers nominate the amount of natural gas to be delivered daily. Usage for these customers is monitored daily by us through electronic metering equipment and balanced against respective supply agreements.
 
An electric adjustment clause provides for quarterly adjustment based on differences in the delivered cost of energy, delivered cost of fuel, ad valorem taxes paid and commission-approved fuel incentives. The adjustment goes into effect upon filing, and is deemed approved within 10 days after the information filing unless the SDPUC staff requests changes during that period. A purchased gas adjustment provision in our natural gas rate schedules permits the monthly adjustment of charges to customers to reflect increases or decreases in purchased gas, gas transportation and ad valorem taxes.
 
NPSC Regulation
 
Our Nebraska natural gas rates and terms and conditions of service for residential and smaller commercial customers are regulated by the NPSC. High volume customers are not subject to such regulation, but can file complaints if they allege discriminatory treatment. Under the Nebraska State Natural Gas Regulation Act, a regulated natural gas utility may propose a change in rates to its regulated customers, if it files an application for a rate increase with the NPSC and with the communities in which it serves customers. The utility may negotiate with those communities for a settlement with regard to the rate change if the affected communities representing more than 50% of the affected ratepayers agree to direct negotiations, or it may proceed to have the NPSC review the filing and make a determination. Our tariffs have been accepted by the NPSC, and the NPSC has adopted certain rules governing the terms and conditions of service of regulated natural gas utilities. Our retail natural gas tariffs provide residential, general service and commercial and industrial options, as well as firm and interruptible transportation service. A purchased gas adjustment clause provides for adjustments based on changes in gas supply and interstate pipeline transportation costs.
 
FERC Regulation
 
We are subject to FERC's jurisdiction and regulations with respect to rates for electric transmission service in interstate commerce and electricity sold at wholesale rates, hydro licensing and operations, the issuance of certain securities, incurrence of certain long-term debt, and compliance with mandatory reliability regulations, among other things. Under FERC's open access transmission policy promulgated in Order No. 888, as owners of transmission facilities, we are required to provide open access to our transmission facilities under filed tariffs at cost-based rates. In addition, we are required to comply with FERC's Standards of Conduct, as amended, governing the communication of non-public information between our transmission employees and wholesale merchant employees.
 
Our Montana wholesale transmission customers, such as cooperatives, are served under our OATT, which is on file with FERC. The OATT also defines the terms, conditions and rates of our Montana transmission, including ancillary services. As discussed above, our South Dakota transmission service moved into the SPP during 2015, which is also served under an OATT on file with FERC.
  
Our natural gas transportation pipelines are generally not subject to FERC's jurisdiction under the NGA, although we are subject to state regulation. We conduct limited interstate transportation in Montana and South Dakota that is subject to FERC jurisdiction, but FERC has allowed the MPSC and SDPUC to set the rates for this interstate service. We have capacity agreements in South Dakota and Nebraska with interstate pipelines that are also subject to FERC jurisdiction.

The facilities acquired in the Hydro Transaction are licensed by the FERC. In connection with the relicensing of these generating facilities, applicable law permits the FERC to issue a new license to the existing licensee or to a new licensee, and alternatively allows the U.S. government to take over the facility. If the existing licensee is not relicensed, it is compensated for its net investment in the facility, not to exceed the fair value of the property taken, plus reasonable severance damages to other property affected by the lack of relicensing.
 
Reliability Standards - We must comply with the standards and requirements which apply to the NERC functions for which we have registered in both the MRO for our South Dakota operations and the WECC for our Montana operations. WECC and the MRO have responsibility for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the FERC approved mandatory reliability standards within their respective interconnections. Additional standards continue to be developed and will be adopted in the future. We expect that the existing standards will change often as a result of modifications, guidance and clarification following industry implementation and ongoing audits and enforcement.

15



SEASONALITY AND CYCLICALITY

 
Our electric and gas utility businesses are seasonal businesses, and weather patterns can have a material impact on operating performance. Because natural gas is used primarily for residential and commercial heating, the demand for this product depends heavily upon weather patterns throughout our market areas, and a significant amount of natural gas revenues are recognized in the first and fourth quarters related to the heating season. Demand for electricity is often greater in the summer and winter months for cooling and heating, respectively. Accordingly, our operations have historically generated less revenue and income when weather conditions are milder in the winter and cooler in the summer. When we experience unusually mild winters or summers in the future, these weather patterns could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

ENVIRONMENTAL


The operation of electric generating, transmission and distribution facilities, and gas gathering, transportation and distribution facilities, along with the development (involving site selection, environmental assessments, and permitting) and construction of these assets, are subject to extensive federal, state, and local environmental and land use laws and regulations. Our activities involve compliance with diverse laws and regulations that address emissions and impacts to the environment, including air and water, protection of natural resources and wildlife. We monitor federal, state, and local environmental initiatives to determine potential impacts on our financial results. As new laws or regulations are issued, we assess their applicability and implement the necessary modifications to our facilities or their operation to maintain ongoing compliance.

We strive to comply with all environmental regulations applicable to our operations. However, it is not possible to determine when or to what extent additional facilities or modifications of existing or planned facilities will be required as a result of changes to environmental regulations, interpretations or enforcement policies or, what effect future laws or regulations may have on our operations. The EPA is in the process of proposing and finalizing a number of environmental regulations that will directly affect the electric industry over the coming years. These initiatives cover all sources - air, water and waste. For more information on environmental regulations and contingencies and related capital expenditures, see Note 19 - Commitments and Contingencies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

CORPORATE INFORMATION AND WEBSITE


We were incorporated in Delaware in November 1923. Our Internet address is http://www.northwesternenergy.com. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments, along with our annual report to shareholders and other information related to us, are available, free of charge, on our Internet website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file those documents with, or otherwise furnish them to, the SEC. This information is available in print to any shareholder who requests it. Requests should be directed to: Investor Relations, NorthWestern Corporation, 3010 W. 69th Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57108 and our telephone number is (605) 978-2900. References to our website in this report are provided as a convenience and do not constitute, and should not be viewed as, an incorporation by reference of the information contained on, or available through, the website. Therefore, such information should not be considered part of this report.


16



EMPLOYEES


As of December 31, 2015, we had 1,608 employees. Of these, 1,279 employees were in Montana and 329 were in South Dakota or Nebraska. Of our Montana employees, 470 were covered by seven collective bargaining agreements involving five unions. Six of these agreements expire in 2016. Through the acquisition of PPL Montana's hydroelectric generating facilities, we assumed the terms of an additional agreement, which expires in 2017. Of our South Dakota and Nebraska employees, 196 were covered by a collective bargaining agreement that expires in 2016. We consider our relations with employees to be good.

Executive Officer
 
Current Title and Prior Employment
 
Age on Feb. 5, 2016
Robert C. Rowe
 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director since August 2008. Prior to joining NorthWestern, Mr. Rowe was a co-founder and senior partner at Balhoff, Rowe & Williams, LLC, a specialized national professional services firm providing financial and regulatory advice to clients in the telecommunications and energy industries (January 2005-August, 2008); and served as Chairman and Commissioner of the Montana Public Service Commission (1993–2004).
 
60
 
 
 
 
 
Brian B. Bird
 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since December 2003. Prior to joining NorthWestern, Mr. Bird was Chief Financial Officer and Principal of Insight Energy, Inc., a Chicago-based independent power generation development company (2002-2003). Previously, he was Vice President and Treasurer of NRG Energy, Inc., in Minneapolis, MN (1997-2002). Mr. Bird serves on the board of directors of a NorthWestern subsidiary.
 
53
 
 
 
 
 
Michael R. Cashell
 
Vice President - Transmission since May 2011; formerly Chief Transmission Officer since November 2007; formerly Director Transmission Marketing and Business Planning since 2003. Mr. Cashell serves on the board of directors of a NorthWestern subsidiary.
 
53
 
 
 
 
 
Patrick R. Corcoran
 
Vice President-Government and Regulatory Affairs since December 2004; formerly Vice President-Regulatory Affairs since February 2002; formerly Vice President-Regulatory Affairs for the former Montana Power Company (2000-2002).
 
63
 
 
 
 
 
Heather H. Grahame
 
Vice President and General Counsel since August 2010. Prior to joining NorthWestern, Ms. Grahame was a partner in the law firm of Dorsey & Whitney, LLP, where she co-chaired its Telecommunications practice (1999-2010).
 
60
 
 
 
 
 
John D. Hines
 
Vice President - Supply since May 2011; formerly Chief Energy Supply Officer since January 2008; formerly Director - Energy Supply Planning since 2006. Previously, Mr. Hines served as the Montana representative to the NorthWest Power and Conservation Council (2003-2006).
 
57
 
 
 
 
 
Crystal D. Lail
 
Vice President and Controller since October 2015; formerly Assistant Controller since February 2008 and, prior to that an SEC Reporting Manager. Prior to joining NorthWestern, Ms. Lail was an auditor for KPMG LLP.
 
37
 
 
 
 
 
Curtis T. Pohl
 
Vice President - Distribution since May 2011; formerly Vice President-Retail Operations since September 2005; Vice President-Distribution Operations since August 2003; formerly Vice President-South Dakota/Nebraska Operations since June 2002; formerly Vice President-Engineering and Construction since June 1999. Mr. Pohl serves on the board of directors of a NorthWestern subsidiary.
 
51
 
 
 
 
 
Bobbi L. Schroeppel
 
Vice President, Customer Care, Communications and Human Resources since May 2009, formerly Vice President-Customer Care and Communications since September 2005; formerly Vice President-Customer Care since June 2002; formerly Director-Staff Activities and Corporate Strategy since August 2001; formerly Director-Corporate Strategy since June 2000.
 
47

Officers are elected annually by, and hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors (Board), and do not serve a “term of office” as such.


17




ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risk factors described below, as well as all other information available to you, before making an investment in our common stock or other securities.
 
We are subject to potential unfavorable government and regulatory outcomes, including extensive and changing laws
and regulations that affect our industry and our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and results of operations.

Our profitability is dependent on our ability to recover the costs of providing energy and utility services to our customers and earn a return on our capital investment in our utility operations. We provide service at rates established by several regulatory commissions. These rates are generally set based on an analysis of our costs incurred in a historical test year. In addition, each regulatory commission sets rates based in part upon their acceptance of an allocated share of total utility costs. When commissions adopt different methods to calculate inter-jurisdictional cost allocations, some costs may not be recovered. Thus, the rates we are allowed to charge may or may not match our costs at any given time. While rate regulation is premised on providing a reasonable opportunity to earn a reasonable rate of return on invested capital, there can be no assurance that the applicable regulatory commission will judge all of our costs to have been prudently incurred or that the regulatory process in which rates are determined will always result in rates that will produce full recovery of such costs.

For example, in 2005, the MPSC approved an energy efficiency program, by which we recovered on an after-the-fact basis a portion of our fixed costs that would otherwise have been collected in the kWh sales lost due to energy efficiency programs through our supply tracker. The amount recovered is based upon an independent study. In October 2015, the MPSC issued an order eliminating this mechanism prospectively effective December 1, 2015. An October 2013 MPSC order in our supply tracker approved an independent study of the annual impact of DSM efforts of approximately $7.1 million. Consistent with this approval, for the period July 1, 2012 through November 30, 2015, we recognized $7.1 million of DSM lost revenues for each annual electric supply tracker period and deferred the remaining portion of efficiency efforts in excess of these amounts. Since the 2012/2013, 2013/2014, and 2014/2015 annual electric tracker filings are still subject to final approval, the MPSC may ultimately require us to refund more than we have deferred or approve recovery of more DSM lost revenues than we have recognized since July 2012.

In addition, in our regulatory filings related to DGGS, we proposed an allocation of approximately 80% of costs to retail customers subject to the MPSC's jurisdiction and approximately 20% allocated to wholesale customers subject to FERC's jurisdiction. In March 2012, the MPSC's final order approved using our proposed cost allocation methodology, but requires us to complete a study of the relative contribution of retail and wholesale customers to regulation capacity needs. The results of this study may be used in determining future cost allocations between retail and wholesale customers. However, there is no assurance that both the MPSC and FERC will agree on the results of this study, which could result in an inability to fully recover our costs.

In April 2014, the FERC issued an order affirming a FERC Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) initial decision in September 2012, regarding cost allocation at DGGS between retail and wholesale customers. This decision concluded that only a portion of these costs should be allocated to FERC jurisdictional customers. We filed a request for rehearing, which remains pending. If unsuccessful on rehearing, we may appeal to a United States Circuit Court of Appeals, which could extend into 2017 or beyond. The FERC order was assessed as a triggering event as to whether an impairment charge should be recorded with respect to DGGS. We are evaluating options to use DGGS in combination with other generation resources, including our hydro facilities, to minimize portfolio costs, which may facilitate cost recovery. The cost recovery of any alternative use of DGGS would be subject to regulatory approval and we cannot provide assurance of such approval. We do not believe an impairment loss is probable at this time; however, we will continue to evaluate recovery of this asset in the future as facts and circumstances change. If we are not able to ensure cost recovery of DGGS we may be required to record an impairment charge, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

During the second quarter of 2015, we reached a settlement agreement with an insurance carrier for the former Montana Power Company for what were primarily generation related environmental remediation costs. As a result of this settlement, we recognized a net recovery of approximately $20.8 million, which is reflected as a reduction to operating expenses in our other segment. The environmental remediation costs were never reflected in customer rates and the litigation expenses have not been treated as utility expenses. In a 2002 order approving NorthWestern’s acquisition of the transmission and distribution assets of the Montana Power Company, the MPSC approved a stipulation in which NorthWestern agreed to release its customers from all environmental liabilities associated with the Montana Power Company’s generation assets. While we believe the recovery we recognized as a reduction to operating expenses is not subject to refund to customers, the MPSC could disagree with us and

18



could ultimately require us to refund all or a portion of the net recovery to customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

In addition, the MPSC Order approving the Hydro Transaction provided that customers would have no financial risk related to our temporary ownership of the Kerr Project, with a compliance filing required upon completion of the transfer to CSKT. We sold any excess system generation, which was primarily due to our temporary ownership of the Kerr Project, in the market and provided revenue credits to our Montana retail customers until the transfer to the CSKT. The cost of our temporary ownership was not included in rate base, and the benefits were provided to customers. In December 2015, we submitted the required hydro compliance filing to remove the Kerr Project from cost of service, adjust for actual revenue credits and increase property taxes to actual amounts for the Hydro Transaction.

We are subject to many FERC rules and orders that regulate our electric and natural gas business and are subject to periodic audits. We received notice from FERC in March 2015 that it is conducting an audit of our OATTs and operations in Montana and South Dakota. These audits typically take up to 24 months to complete.

We must also comply with established reliability standards and requirements, which apply to NERC functions in both the MRO for our South Dakota operations and WECC for our Montana operations. The FERC, NERC, or a regional reliability organization may assess penalties against any responsible entity that violates their rules, regulations or standards. Violations may be discovered through various means, including self-certification, self-reporting, compliance investigations, audits, periodic data submissions, exception reporting, and complaints. Penalties for the most severe violations can reach as high as $1 million per violation, per day. If a serious reliability incident or other incidence of noncompliance did occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating and financial results.

To the extent our incurred supply costs are deemed imprudent by the applicable state regulatory commissions, we would not recover some of our costs, which could adversely impact our results of operations and liquidity.

Our wholesale costs for electricity and natural gas supply are recovered through various pass-through cost tracking mechanisms in each of the states we serve. The rates are established based upon projected market prices or contractual obligations. As these variables change, we adjust our rates through our monthly trackers. To the extent our energy supply costs are deemed imprudent by the applicable state regulatory commissions, we would not recover some of our costs, which could adversely impact our results of operations.

In October 2013, the MPSC concluded that $1.4 million of incremental costs associated with regulation service acquired from third parties during a 2012 outage at DGGS were imprudently incurred, and disallowed recovery. We have appealed that decision to the Montana District Court, which upheld the MPSC’s decision with respect to the remaining portion of our appeal in August 2015. On October 9, 2015, we filed an appeal with the Montana Supreme Court of the District Court's August 2015 decision.

Our 2014 electric tracker filing includes market purchases made between July 2013 and January 2014 for replacement power during an outage at Colstrip Unit 4. Inclusion of these costs in the tracker filing is consistent with the treatment of replacement power during previous Colstrip outages. During a June 2014 MPSC work session, approximately $11 million of these incremental market purchases related to the Colstrip Unit 4 outage were identified by the MPSC for additional prudency review. In July 2014, the Montana Consumer Counsel, Montana Environmental Information Center and Sierra Club filed a petition to intervene in the consolidated 2013 and 2014 tracker dockets to challenge our recovery of costs associated with Colstrip Unit 4, particularly the costs incurred as a result of the outage, as imprudent. We believe the costs associated with the outage and incremental market purchases were prudently incurred. However, there is a risk that the MPSC may ultimately disallow all or a portion of these costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating and financial results.

We currently procure a large portion of our natural gas supply through contracts with third-party suppliers. In light of this reliance on third-party suppliers, we are exposed to certain risks in the event a third-party supplier is unable to satisfy its contractual obligation. If this occurred, then we might be required to purchase natural gas supply in the market, which may not be on favorable terms, if at all. If prices were higher in the energy markets, it could result in a temporary material under recovery that would reduce our liquidity.

We are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations and potential environmental liabilities, which could result in significant costs and additional liabilities.

We are subject to extensive laws and regulations imposed by federal, state, and local government authorities in the ordinary course of operations with regard to the environment, including environmental laws and regulations relating to air and

19



water quality, protection of natural resources, migratory birds and other wildlife, solid waste disposal, coal ash and other environmental considerations. We believe that we are in compliance with environmental regulatory requirements; however, possible future developments, such as more stringent environmental laws and regulations, and the timing of future enforcement proceedings that may be taken by environmental authorities, could affect our costs and the manner in which we conduct our business and could require us to make substantial additional capital expenditures or abandon certain projects.

National and international actions have been initiated to address global climate change and the contribution of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions including, most significantly, carbon dioxide. In August 2015, the EPA released final standards of performance to limit GHG emissions from new, modified and reconstructed fossil fuel generating units and from newly constructed and reconstructed stationary combustion turbines. In a separate action that also affects power plants, in August 2015, the EPA released its final rule establishing GHG performance standards for existing power plants under Clean Air Act Section 111(d). EPA refers to this rule as the Clean Power Plan or CPP.

The CPP reduction of 47 percent in carbon dioxide emissions in Montana by 2030 is the greatest reduction target among the lower 48 states, according to a nationwide analysis. Our Montana generation portfolio emits less carbon on average than the EPA's 2030 target due to investments we made prior to 2013 in carbon-free generation resources. However, the CPP's target reduction is applied on a statewide basis, and investments made prior to 2012 are not counted in the CPP's 2030 target. The State of Montana is required by the CPP to submit a satisfactory state plan to EPA by no later than September 2018. The state plan will determine whether we will have to meet rate-based or mass-based requirements and, if the state adopts a mass-based plan, the number and vintages of allowances that will be allocated to Colstrip. Until the plan is submitted, or a federal plan is imposed, we cannot predict the impact of the CPP on us. We asked the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) to study the potential impacts of the CPP across Montana. The BBER study looked at the implications of closing the Colstrip generating facilities in southeast Montana as a scenario for complying with the federal rule. The study's conclusions describe the likely loss of jobs and population, the decline in the local and state tax base, the impact on businesses statewide, and the closure's impact on electric reliability and affordability. The electricity produced at Unit 4 represents approximately 25 percent of our customer needs. Closing Colstrip would lead to higher utility rates in order to replace the base-load generation that currently is provided by Colstrip. Closing Colstrip would also create significant issues with the transmission grid that serves Montana, and we would lose transmission revenues that are credited to lower electric customer bills.

On October 23, 2015, the same date the CPP was published in the Federal Register, we along with other utilities, trade groups, coal producers, labor and business organizations, filed Petitions for Review of the CPP with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Accompanying these Petitions for Review were Motions to Stay the implementation of the CPP. On January 21, 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia denied the requests for stay but ordered expedited briefing on the merits, with oral argument scheduled for June 2, 2016. On January 26, 2016, 29 states and state agencies asked the U.S. Supreme Court to issue an immediate stay of the CPP. On January 27, 2016, 60 utilities and allied petitioners also requested the U.S. Supreme Court to immediately stay the CPP, and we are among the utilities seeking a stay. On February 9, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court entered an order staying the Clean Power Plan. The stay of the CPP will remain in place until the U.S. Supreme Court either denies a petition for certiorari following the U.S. Court of Appeals’ decision on the substantive challenges to the CPP, if one is submitted, or until the U.S. Supreme Court enters judgment following grant of a petition for certiorari. The effect is to delay the CPP’s deadlines until challenges to the CPP has been fully litigated and the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled. We do not expect a final judicial decision on challenges to the CPP until mid-2017 at the earliest, and, more likely, early 2018.

On December 22, 2015 we also filed an administrative Petition for Reconsideration with the EPA, requesting it reconsider the CPP, on the grounds that the CO2 reductions in the CPP were substantially greater in Montana than in the proposed rule. We also requested EPA stay the CPP while it considered our Petition for Reconsideration. At this time no action has been taken on the Petition for Reconsideration or stay request.

Requirements to reduce GHG emissions from stationary sources could cause us to incur material costs of compliance and increase our costs of procuring electricity. Although there continues to be changes in legislation and regulations that affect GHG emissions from power plants, technology to efficiently capture, remove and/or sequester such emissions may not be available within a timeframe consistent with the implementation of such requirements. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact of these risks on our results of operations.

We are evaluating the implications of these rules and technology available to achieve the CO2 emission performance standards. We will continue working with federal and state regulatory authorities, other utilities, and stakeholders to seek relief from the final rules that, in our view, disproportionately impact customers in our region, and to seek relief from the final compliance requirements. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these matters nor what our obligations might be under the

20



state compliance plans with any degree of certainty until they are finalized; however, complying with the carbon emission standards, and with other future environmental rules, may make it economically impractical to continue operating all or a portion of our jointly owned facilities or for individual owners to participate in their proportionate ownership of the coal-fired generating units. This could lead to significant impacts to customer rates for recovery of plant improvements and / or closure related costs and costs to procure replacement power. In addition, these changes could impact system reliability due to changes in generation sources.

Many of these environmental laws and regulations provide for substantial civil and criminal fines for noncompliance which, if imposed, could result in material costs or liabilities. In addition, there is a risk of environmental damages claims from private parties or government entities. We may be required to make significant expenditures in connection with the investigation and remediation of alleged or actual spills, personal injury or property damage claims, and the repair, upgrade or expansion of our facilities to meet future requirements and obligations under environmental laws.

To the extent that costs exceed our estimated environmental liabilities, or we are not successful in recovering remediation costs or costs to comply with the proposed or any future changes in rules or regulations, our results of operations and financial position could be adversely affected.

Weather and weather patterns, including normal seasonal and quarterly fluctuations of weather, as well as extreme weather events that might be associated with climate change, could adversely affect our results of operations and liquidity.

Our electric and natural gas utility business is seasonal, and weather patterns can have a material impact on our financial performance. Demand for electricity and natural gas is often greater in the summer and winter months associated with cooling and heating. Because natural gas is heavily used for residential and commercial heating, the demand for this product depends heavily upon weather patterns throughout our market areas, and a significant amount of natural gas revenues are recognized in the first and fourth quarters related to the heating season. Accordingly, our operations have historically generated less revenue and income when weather conditions are milder in the winter and cooler in the summer. In the event that we experience unusually mild winters or cool summers in the future, our results of operations and financial position could be adversely affected. Higher temperatures may also decrease the Montana snowpack, which may result in dry conditions and an increased threat of forest fires. Forest fires could threaten our communities and electric transmission lines and facilities. Any damage caused as a result of forest fires could negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, exceptionally hot summer weather or unusually cold winter weather could add significantly to working capital needs to fund higher than normal supply purchases to meet customer demand for electricity and natural gas. Our sensitivity to weather volatility is significant due to the absence of regulatory mechanisms, such as those authorizing revenue decoupling, lost margin recovery, and other innovative rate designs. There is also a concern that the physical risks of climate change could include changes in weather conditions, such as changes in the amount or type of precipitation and extreme weather events.

Climate change and the costs that may be associated with its impacts have the potential to affect our business in many ways, including increasing the cost incurred in providing electricity and natural gas, impacting the demand for and consumption of electricity and natural gas (due to change in both costs and weather patterns), and affecting the economic health of the regions in which we operate. Extreme weather conditions creating high energy demand on our own and/or other systems may raise market prices as we buy short-term energy to serve our own system. Severe weather impacts our service territories, primarily through thunderstorms, tornadoes and snow or ice storms. To the extent the frequency of extreme weather events increase, this could increase our cost of providing service. With the Hydro Transaction, we now derive a significant portion of our power supply from hydroelectric facilities. Because of our heavy reliance on hydroelectric generation, snowpack, the timing of run-off, drought conditions, and the availability of water can significantly affect operations. In addition, extreme weather may exacerbate the risks to physical infrastructure. We may not recover all costs related to mitigating these physical and financial risks.

Cyber and physical attacks, threats of terrorism and catastrophic events that could result from terrorism, or individuals and/or groups attempting to disrupt our business, or the businesses of third parties, may affect our operations in unpredictable ways and could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations.

We are subject to the potentially adverse operating and financial effects of terrorist acts and threats, as well as cyber (such as hacking and viruses) and physical security breaches and other disruptive activities of individuals or groups. Our generation, transmission and distribution facilities are deemed critical infrastructure and provide the framework for our service infrastructure. These assets and the information technology systems on which they depend could be direct targets of, or indirectly affected by, cyber attacks and other disruptive activities. Any significant interruption of these assets or systems could

21



prevent us from fulfilling our critical business functions including delivering energy to our customers, and sensitive, confidential and other data could be compromised.

We rely on information technology networks and systems to operate our critical infrastructure, engage in asset management activities, and process, transmit and store electronic information including customer and employee information. Further, our infrastructure, networks and systems are interconnected to external networks and neighboring critical infrastructure systems. Security breaches could lead to system disruptions, generating facility shutdowns or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. In particular, any data loss or information security lapses resulting in the compromise of personal information or the improper use or disclosure of sensitive or classified information could result in claims, remediation costs, regulatory sanctions, loss of current and future contracts, and serious harm to our reputation.

Security threats continue to evolve and adapt. Cyber or physical attacks, terrorist acts, or disruptive activities could harm our business by limiting our ability to generate, purchase or transmit power and by delaying the development and construction of new generating facilities and capital improvements to existing facilities. These events, and governmental actions in response, could result in a material decrease in revenues and significant additional costs to repair and insure assets, and could adversely affect our operations by contributing to the disruption of supplies and markets for natural gas, oil and other fuels. These events could also impair our ability to raise capital by contributing to financial instability and reduced economic activity.

Our plans for future expansion through the acquisition of assets including natural gas reserves, capital improvements to current assets, generation investments, and transmission grid expansion involve substantial risks.

Acquisitions include a number of risks, including but not limited to, additional costs, the assumption of material liabilities, the diversion of management’s attention from daily operations to the integration of the acquisition, difficulties in assimilation and retention of employees, securing adequate capital to support the transaction, and regulatory approval. Uncertainties exist in assessing the value, risks, profitability, and liabilities associated with certain businesses or assets and there is a possibility that anticipated operating and financial synergies expected to result from an acquisition do not develop. The failure to successfully integrate future acquisitions that we may choose to undertake could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our business strategy also includes significant investment in capital improvements and additions to modernize existing infrastructure, generation investments and transmission capacity expansion. The completion of generation and natural gas investments and transmission projects are subject to many construction and development risks, including, but not limited to, risks related to permitting, financing, regulatory recovery, escalating costs of materials and labor, meeting construction budgets and schedules, and environmental compliance. In addition, these capital projects may require a significant amount of capital expenditures. We cannot provide certainty that adequate external financing will be available to support such projects. Additionally, borrowings incurred to finance construction may adversely impact our leverage, which could increase our cost of capital.

Our electric and natural gas operations involve numerous activities that may result in accidents and other operating risks and costs.

Inherent in our electric and natural gas operations are a variety of hazards and operating risks, such as fires, electric contacts, leaks, explosions and mechanical problems. These risks could cause a loss of human life, significant damage to property, loss of customer load, environmental pollution, impairment of our operations, and substantial financial losses to us and others. In accordance with customary industry practice, we maintain insurance against some, but not all, of these risks and losses. The occurrence of any of these events not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations. For our natural gas transmission and distribution lines located near populated areas, including residential areas, commercial business centers, industrial sites and other public gathering areas, the level of damages resulting from these risks potentially is greater.

Our owned and jointly owned electric generating facilities are subject to operational risks that could result in unscheduled plant outages, unanticipated operation and maintenance expenses and increased power purchase costs.

Operation of electric generating facilities involves risks, which can adversely affect energy output and efficiency levels. Operational risks include facility shutdowns due to breakdown or failure of equipment or processes, labor disputes, operator error, catastrophic events such as fires, explosions, floods, and intentional acts of destruction or other similar occurrences affecting the electric generating facilities; and operational changes necessitated by environmental legislation, litigation or regulation. The loss of a major electric generating facility would require us to find other sources of supply or ancillary services, if available, and expose us to higher purchased power costs.

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For example, in early July 2013, following the return to service from a scheduled maintenance outage, Colstrip Unit 4 tripped off-line and incurred damage to its stator and rotor. Colstrip Unit 4 returned to service in early 2014. There is no assurance that we will be able to fully recover our costs for the purchase of replacement power while Colstrip Unit 4 was out of service.

We also rely on a limited number of suppliers of coal for our electric generation, making us vulnerable to increased prices for fuel as existing contracts expire or in the event of unanticipated interruptions in fuel supply. We are a captive rail shipper of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway for shipments of coal to the Big Stone Plant (our largest source of generation in South Dakota), making us vulnerable to railroad capacity and operational issues and/or increased prices for coal transportation from a sole supplier.

Our revenues, results of operations and financial condition are impacted by customer growth and usage in our service territories and may fluctuate with current economic conditions or response to price increases. We are also impacted by market conditions outside of our service territories related to demand for transmission capacity and wholesale electric pricing.

Our revenues, results of operations and financial condition are impacted by customer growth and usage, which can be impacted by a number of factors, including the voluntary reduction of consumption of electricity and natural gas by our customers in response to increases in prices and demand-side management programs, economic conditions impacting decreases in their disposable income, the use of distributed generation resources or other emerging technologies for electricity. Advances in distributed generation technologies that produce power, including fuel cells, micro-turbines, wind turbines and solar cells, may reduce the cost of alternative methods of producing power to a level competitive with central power station electric production. Customer-owned generation itself reduces the amount of electricity purchased from utilities and has the effect of increasing rates unless retail rates are designed to share the costs of the distribution grid across all customers that benefit from their use. Such developments could affect the price of energy, could affect energy deliveries as customer-owned generation becomes more cost-effective, could require further improvements to our distribution systems to address changing load demands and could make portions of our electric system power supply and transmission and/or distribution facilities obsolete prior to the end of their useful lives. Such technologies could also result in further declines in commodity prices or demand for delivered energy. Each of these factors could materially affect our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows through, among other things, reduced operating revenues, increased operating and maintenance expenses, and increased capital expenditures, as well as potential asset impairment charges or accelerated depreciation and decommissioning expenses over shortened remaining asset useful lives.

Demand for our Montana transmission capacity fluctuates with regional demand, fuel prices and weather related conditions. The levels of wholesale sales depend on the wholesale market price, transmission availability and the availability of generation, among other factors. Declines in wholesale market price, availability of generation, transmission constraints in the wholesale markets, or low wholesale demand could reduce wholesale sales. These events could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Poor investment performance of plan assets of our defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plans, in addition to other factors impacting these costs, could unfavorably impact our results of operations and liquidity.

Our costs for providing defined benefit retirement and postretirement benefit plans are dependent upon a number of factors. Assumptions related to future costs, return on investments and interest rates have a significant impact on our funding requirements related to these plans. These estimates and assumptions may change based on economic conditions, actual stock market performance and changes in governmental regulations. Without sustained growth in the plan assets over time and depending upon interest rate changes as well as other factors noted above, the costs of such plans reflected in our results of operations and financial position and cash funding obligations may change significantly from projections.

Our obligation to include a minimum annual quantity of power in our Montana electric supply portfolio at an agreed upon price per MWH could expose us to material commodity price risk if certain QFs under contract with us do not perform during a time of high commodity prices, as we are required to make up the difference. In addition, we are subject to price escalation risk with one of our largest QF contracts.

As part of a stipulation in 2002 with the MPSC and other parties, we agreed to include a minimum annual quantity of power in our Montana electric supply portfolio at an agreed upon price per MWH through June 2029. The annual minimum energy requirement is achievable under normal QF operations, including normal periods of planned and forced outages. However, to the extent the supplied QF power for any year does not reach the minimum quantity set forth in the settlement, we

23



are obligated to purchase the difference from other sources. The anticipated source for any QF shortfall is the wholesale market, which would subject us to commodity price risk if the cost of replacement power is higher than contracted QF rates.

In addition, we are subject to price escalation risk with one of our largest QF contracts due to variable contract terms. In estimating our QF liability, we have estimated an annual escalation rate of three percent over the remaining term of the contract (through June 2024). To the extent the annual escalation rate exceeds three percent, our results of operations, cash flows and financial position could be adversely affected.

We must meet certain credit quality standards. If we are unable to maintain investment grade credit ratings, our liquidity, access to capital and operations could be materially adversely affected.

A downgrade of our credit ratings to less than investment grade could adversely affect our liquidity. Certain of our credit agreements and other credit arrangements with counterparties require us to provide collateral in the form of letters of credit or cash to support our obligations if we fall below investment grade. Also, a downgrade below investment grade could hinder our ability to raise capital on favorable terms, including through the commercial paper markets. Higher interest rates on short-term borrowings with variable interest rates or on incremental commercial paper issuances could also have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

Our corporate support office is owned by us and located at 3010 West 69th Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57108. Our operational support office for our Montana operations is owned by us and located at 11 East Park Street, Butte, Montana 59701. In addition, our operational support office for our South Dakota and Nebraska operations is owned by us and located at 600 Market Street West, Huron, South Dakota 57350. While we do lease some facilities, substantially all of our Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska facilities are owned by us.

Substantially all of our Montana electric and natural gas assets are subject to the lien of our Montana First Mortgage Bond indenture. Substantially all of our South Dakota and Nebraska electric and natural gas assets are subject to the lien of our South Dakota Mortgage Bond indenture. For further information regarding our operating properties, including generation and transmission, see the descriptions included in Item 1.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We discuss details of our legal proceedings in Note 19 - Commitments and Contingencies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Some of this information is about costs or potential costs that may be material to our financial results.



24



Part II




ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock, which is traded under the ticker symbol NWE, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). As of February 5, 2016, there were approximately 1,037 common stockholders of record.

Dividends

We pay dividends on our common stock after our Board declares them. The Board reviews the dividend quarterly and establishes the dividend rate based upon such factors as our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, debt covenant requirements and/or other relevant conditions. Although we expect to continue to declare and pay cash dividends with a targeted long-term dividend payout ratio of 60 - 70 percent of earnings per share, we cannot assure that dividends will be paid in the future or that, if paid, the dividends will be paid in the same amount as during 2015. Quarterly dividends were declared and paid on our common stock during 2015 and 2014 as set forth in the table below.

QUARTERLY COMMON STOCK PRICE RANGES AND DIVIDENDS

 
Prices
 
 
 
High
 
Low
 
Cash Dividends Paid
2015-
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter
$57.07
 
$51.27
 
$0.48
Third Quarter
56.68
 
48.47
 
0.48
Second Quarter
54.65
 
48.44
 
0.48
First Quarter
59.71
 
50.75
 
0.48
2014-
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter
$58.70
 
$45.14
 
$0.40
Third Quarter
52.70
 
45.30
 
0.40
Second Quarter
52.49
 
45.49
 
0.40
First Quarter
47.86
 
42.64
 
0.40

On February 5, 2016, the last reported sale price on the NYSE for our common stock was $57.41.




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ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data has been derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and with “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and other financial data included elsewhere in this report. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period.

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Financial Results (in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues
$
1,214,299

 
$
1,204,863

 
$
1,154,519

 
$
1,070,342

 
$
1,117,316

Net income
151,209

 
120,686

 
93,983

 
98,406

 
92,556

Basic earnings per share
$3.20
 
$3.01
 
$2.46
 
$2.67
 
$2.55
Diluted earnings per share
3.18
 
2.99
 
2.46
 
2.66
 
2.53
Dividends declared per common share
1.92
 
1.60
 
1.52
 
1.48
 
1.44
Financial Position
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
5,278,640

 
$
4,973,943

 
$
3,715,260

 
$
3,485,533

 
$
3,210,438

Long-term debt and capital leases, including current portion and short-term borrowings
2,040,164

 
1,959,831

 
1,327,604

 
1,211,182

 
1,110,063

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
2.9
 
2.3
 
2.5
 
2.7
 
2.5



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ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with “Item 6 Selected Financial Data" and our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For additional information related to our industry segments, see Note 20 - Segment and Related Information, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which is included in Item 8 herein. For information regarding our revenues, net income and assets, see our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.

OVERVIEW

NorthWestern Corporation, doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides electricity and natural gas to approximately 701,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. As you read this discussion and analysis, refer to our Consolidated Statements of Income, which present the results of our operations for 2015, 2014 and 2013. Following is a brief overview of highlights for 2015, and a discussion of our strategy and outlook.
SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN 2015
 
Ÿ
Improvement in Net Income of $30.5 million, which is primarily due to the full year effect of the November 2014 hydro acquisition and an insurance recovery in 2015. These increases were partially offset by increased income tax expense and mild winter weather.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ÿ
In September 2015, we completed the purchase of the 80 MW Beethoven wind project near Tripp, South Dakota, for approximately $143 million.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ÿ
Received approval from the SDPUC in October 2015 of a settlement agreement in our South Dakota electric rate filing resulting in an increase in base rates of approximately $20.2 million, based on an overall rate of return of 7.24%. The settlement also allows us to collect approximately $9.0 million annually related to the Beethoven wind project.
 

 
HOW WE PERFORMED AGAINST OUR 2014 RESULTS
 
Actual
Year-over-Year Change
Revenues by Segment
 
 
 
Electric
$944.4M
é
7.6
 %
Natural Gas
$269.9M
ê
(17.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Margin by Segment(1)
 
 
 
Electric
$663.1M
é
25.3
 %
Natural Gas
$178.3M
ê
(7.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating, Administrative & General Expenses
$297.5M
ê
(2.7
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
$265.8M
é
49.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$151.2M
é
25.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPS (Basic)
$3.20
é
6.3
 %
(1) Non-GAAP financial measure. See "non-GAAP Financial Measure" below.

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STRATEGY

We operate a fully regulated, multi-jurisdictional electric and natural gas utility. As a regulated utility, we function within a cost-based operating structure as approved by various regulatory bodies and operate under exclusive and non-exclusive franchises to provide service in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We are focused on providing our customers with safe and reliable service at reasonable rates.

Our growth has been fueled by a combination of reintegrating supply resources and infrastructure investment. These opportunities allow us to grow our rate base and earn a reasonable return on invested capital for our shareholders.

We plan to continue growing through significant infrastructure investment. This investment includes distribution and transmission infrastructure projects to improve system reliability and safety, and environmental capital expenditures at our jointly owned plants. These investments also reflect our focus on maintaining our system reliability, and allow us to pursue the deployment of newer technology that promotes the efficient use of electricity.

Integrating supply resources provides our customers the benefits associated with more predictable long-term commodity prices. Resource planning is an important function necessary to meet our future energy needs. Based on our current analysis, we are considering electric supply capacity investments and expect to continue to pursue opportunities to add to our natural gas reserves portfolio.

We expect to pursue these investment opportunities in a manner that allows us to be flexible in adjusting to changing economic conditions by adjusting the timing and scale of the projects. See the “Capital Requirements" discussion below for further detail on planned capital expenditures.

General rate cases are necessary to cover the cost of providing safe, reliable service, while contributing to earnings growth and achieving our financial objectives. During the first quarter of each year we evaluate the need for electric and natural gas rate changes in each state in which we provide service.

SIGNIFICANT TRENDS AND REGULATION

South Dakota Electric Rate Case

In December 2014, we filed an electric rate case in South Dakota. The last electric rate case in South Dakota was completed in 1981. In September 2015, we reached a settlement with the SDPUC Staff and intervenors providing for an increase in base rates of approximately $20.2 million, based on an overall rate of return of 7.24%. In addition, the settlement allows us to collect approximately $9 million annually related to the Beethoven wind project as discussed above. The settlement was approved by the SDPUC in October 2015.

We expect net income to increase by approximately $13.6 million in 2016 due to the full year effect of this rate increase and the Beethoven acquisition.

Demand-side management (DSM) lost revenues

Demand side management programs are designed to encourage customers to conserve energy, while incentivizing utilities to aid in these efforts that ultimately reduce the demand for energy. Our customers conserving energy means less power needs to be generated to meet customer demand, resulting in reduced levels of emissions impacting the environment and fewer resources consumed in energy production. In 2005, the MPSC approved an energy efficiency program, by which we recovered on an after-the-fact basis a portion of our fixed costs that would otherwise have been collected in the kWh sales lost due to energy efficiency programs through our supply tracker. The amount recovered is based upon an independent study. Base rates, including impacts of past DSM activities, are reset in general rate case filings. As time passes between rate cases, more energy saving measures (primarily more efficient residential and commercial lighting) are implemented, causing an increase in DSM lost revenues.

In October 2015, the MPSC issued an order eliminating this lost revenue adjustment mechanism prospectively effective December 1, 2015. An October 2013 MPSC order in our supply tracker approved an independent study of the annual impact of DSM efforts of approximately $7.1 million. Consistent with this approval, for the period July 1, 2012 through November 30, 2015, we recognized $7.1 million of DSM lost revenues for each annual electric supply tracker period and deferred the

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remaining portion of efficiency efforts in excess of these amounts. Since the 2012/2013, 2013/2014, and 2014/2015 annual electric tracker filings are still subject to final approval, the MPSC may ultimately require us to refund more than we have deferred or approve recovery of more DSM lost revenues than we have recognized since July 2012.

We expect net income to decrease approximately $4 million in 2016 due to the full year effect of the termination.

Hydro Transaction - Kerr Project

In November 2014, we completed the purchase of 11 hydroelectric generating facilities and associated assets located in Montana for an adjusted purchase price of approximately $904 million (Hydro Transaction). The addition of hydroelectric generation provides long-term supply diversity to our portfolio and reduces risks associated with variable fuel prices. The Hydro Transaction allows us to reduce our reliance on third party power purchase agreements and spot market purchases, more closely matching our electric generation resources with forecasted customer demand. With reduced amounts of purchased power, we are less exposed to market volatility and better positioned to control the cost of supplying electricity to our customers.

The Hydro Transaction included the Kerr Project. Upon the close of the Hydro Transaction, we assumed temporary ownership of the Kerr Project until it was conveyed to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation (CSKT) on September 5, 2015, in accordance with the associated FERC license. Our purchase agreement for the Hydro Transaction included a $30 million reference price for the Kerr Project. In September 2015, the CSKT paid us $18.3 million, which was established through previous arbitration, and Talen Energy (formerly PPL Montana) paid the difference of $11.7 million to us. Upon receipt of the CSKT payment we conveyed the Kerr Project to the CSKT.

The MPSC order approving the Hydro Transaction provided that customers would have no financial risk related to our temporary ownership of the Kerr Project, with a compliance filing required upon completion of the transfer to CSKT. We sold any excess system generation, which was primarily due to our temporary ownership of the Kerr Project, in the market and provided revenue credits to our Montana retail customers until the transfer to the CSKT. Therefore, during our temporary ownership a net benefit of approximately $2.7 million was provided to customers and there was no benefit to shareholders. In December 2015, we submitted the required hydro compliance filing to remove the Kerr Project from cost of service, adjust for actual revenue credits and increase property taxes to actual amounts for the Hydro Transaction. Interim rates were approved in January 2016, and we expect the MPSC to issue a final order during the second quarter of 2016.

While we expect our revenues and expenses to decrease as a result of the conveyance of the Kerr Project, the impact to net income should be minimal.

Montana Electric and Natural Gas Tracker Filings

Each year we submit an electric and natural gas tracker filing for recovery of supply costs for the 12-month period ended June 30 and for the projected supply costs for the next 12-month period. The MPSC reviews such filings and makes its cost recovery determination based on whether or not our electric supply procurement activities were prudent.

Our 2013/2014 electric tracker filing included market purchases made between July 2013 and January 2014 for replacement power during an outage at Colstrip Unit 4. Inclusion of these costs in the tracker filing is consistent with the treatment of replacement power during previous outages. During a June 2014 MPSC work session, approximately $11 million of these incremental market purchases related to the Colstrip Unit 4 outage were identified by the MPSC for additional prudency review. In addition, intervenors challenged our recovery of costs associated with Colstrip Unit 4, particularly the costs incurred as a result of the outage, as imprudent. A hearing was held in October 2015 and we expect the MPSC to issue a final order in first quarter of 2016.

In October 2015, we received a final order in the natural gas consolidated 2013/2014 and 2012/2013 tracker docket. This consolidated docket included our request to continue collecting the cost of service for natural gas production interests acquired in August 2012 and December 2013 in northern Montana's Bear Paw Basin (Bear Paw) on an interim basis. The MPSC order requires that we revise the bridge rates currently used to reflect our actual fixed cost requirements since acquisition of these interests. In addition, the order requires us to make a filing by September 2016 to address the cost-recovery of our gas production fields.


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Dave Gates Generating Station at Mill Creek (DGGS) - FERC Filing

In April 2014, the FERC issued an order affirming a FERC Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) initial decision in September 2012, regarding cost allocation at DGGS between retail and wholesale customers. This decision concluded that only a portion of these costs should be allocated to FERC jurisdictional customers. We have been recognizing revenue consistent with the ALJ's initial decision. As of December 31, 2015, we have cumulative deferred revenue of approximately $27.3 million, which is subject to refund and recorded within current regulatory liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In May 2014, we filed a request for rehearing, which remains pending. In our request for rehearing, we have argued that no refunds are due even if the cost allocation method is modified prospectively. There is no deadline by which FERC must act on our rehearing petition. Customer refunds, if any, will not be due until 30 days after a FERC order on rehearing. If unsuccessful on rehearing, we may appeal to a United States Circuit Court of Appeals. The time line for any such appeal could, depending on when the FERC issues a rehearing order, extend into 2017 or beyond.

The FERC order was assessed as a triggering event as to whether an impairment charge should be recorded with respect to DGGS. We continue to evaluate options to use DGGS in combination with other generation resources, including our hydro facilities, to minimize portfolio costs, which may facilitate cost recovery. The cost recovery of any alternative use of DGGS would be subject to regulatory approval and we cannot provide assurance of such approval. We do not believe an impairment loss is probable at this time; however, we will continue to evaluate recovery of this asset in the future as facts and circumstances change.
INVESTMENT

Distribution and Transmission System Investment

As part of our commitment to maintain high level reliability and system performance we continue to evaluate the condition of our distribution assets to address aging infrastructure through our asset management process. The primary goals of our infrastructure investment are to reverse the trend in aging infrastructure, maintain reliability, proactively manage safety, build capacity into the system, and prepare our network for the adoption of new technologies. We are working on various solutions taking a proactive and pragmatic approach to replace these assets while also evaluating the implementation of additional technologies to prepare the overall system for smart grid applications.

Our Montana Distribution System Infrastructure Project (DSIP) is a multi-year effort to accelerate the replacement and modernization of our existing electric and natural gas distribution system in Montana. With DSIP we intend to address a number of objectives to arrest and/or reverse the trend in aging infrastructure while maintaining and/or improving upon our already high level of safety and reliability. During 2015, we had DSIP capital expenditures of approximately $52 million. We are also working to define the project size, scope and timeline of our overall electric and natural gas transmission and distribution infrastructure investment plan. With this overall plan we also intend to address aging infrastructure, system reliability and safety, capacity and preparing the system for adoption of new technologies.

Our estimated capital expenditures for the next five years, including our electric and natural gas transmission and distribution infrastructure investment plan, are as follows (in thousands):

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Supply Investments

Our resource plans identify portfolio resource requirements including potential investments. Since 2010, we have acquired gas production and gathering system assets as a part of an overall strategy to provide rate stability and customer value through the addition of regulated assets that are not subject to market forces. As of December 31, 2015, these owned reserves totaled approximately 65.9 Bcf and are estimated to provide approximately 5.3 Bcf each year, or about 27 percent of our expected annual retail natural gas load in Montana. We continue to pursue opportunities to secure low cost gas reserves for our customers, with a target of owning 50% of our supply.

Our estimated capital expenditure requirements above do not include estimates for incremental natural gas reserve acquisitions, potential peaking generation needs or other investment opportunities that may arise.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our consolidated results include the results of our divisions and subsidiaries constituting each of our business segments. The overall consolidated discussion is followed by a detailed discussion of gross margin by segment.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

The following discussion includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as another financial measure, Gross Margin, that is considered a “non-GAAP financial measure.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance, financial position or cash flows that exclude (or include) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Gross Margin (Revenues less Cost of Sales) is a non-GAAP financial measure due to the exclusion of depreciation from the measure. The presentation of Gross Margin is intended to supplement investors’ understanding of our operating performance. Gross Margin is used by us to determine whether we are collecting the appropriate amount of energy costs from customers to allow recovery of operating costs. Our Gross Margin measure may not be comparable to other companies’ Gross Margin measure. Furthermore, this measure is not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance.

Factors Affecting Results of Operations

Our revenues may fluctuate substantially with changes in supply costs, which are generally collected in rates from customers. In addition, various regulatory agencies approve the prices for electric and natural gas utility service within their respective jurisdictions and regulate our ability to recover costs from customers.


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Revenues are also impacted to a lesser extent by customer growth and usage, the latter of which is primarily affected by weather. Very cold winters increase demand for natural gas and to a lesser extent, electricity, while warmer than normal summers increase demand for electricity, especially among our residential and commercial customers. We measure this effect using degree-days, which is the difference between the average daily actual temperature and a baseline temperature of 65 degrees. Heating degree-days result when the average daily temperature is less than the baseline. Cooling degree-days result when the average daily temperature is greater than the baseline. The statistical weather information in our regulated segments represents a comparison of this data.


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OVERALL CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2014

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(in millions)
Operating Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric
$
944.4

 
$
878.0

 
$
66.4

 
7.6
 %
Natural Gas
269.9

 
326.9

 
(57.0
)
 
(17.4
)
 
$
1,214.3

 
$
1,204.9

 
$
9.4

 
0.8
 %

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(in millions)
Cost of Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric
$
281.3

 
$
348.6

 
$
(67.3
)
 
(19.3
)%
Natural Gas
91.6

 
134.0

 
(42.4
)
 
(31.6
)
 
$
372.9

 
$
482.6

 
$
(109.7
)
 
(22.7
)%

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(in millions)
Gross Margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric
$
663.1

 
$
529.4

 
$
133.7

 
25.3
 %
Natural Gas
178.3

 
192.9

 
(14.6
)
 
(7.6
)
 
$
841.4

 
$
722.3

 
$
119.1

 
16.5
 %

Consolidated gross margin in 2015 was $841.4 million, an increase of $119.1 million, or 16.5%, from gross margin in 2014. Factors that impacted gross margin included:

 
Gross Margin 2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
Hydro operations
$
135.0

South Dakota electric rate increase
5.6

Property tax trackers
2.1

Electric and natural gas retail volumes
(12.8
)
Expenses recovered in trackers
(5.0
)
Electric QF adjustment
(3.2
)
Gas production rates and deferral
(1.9
)
Other
(0.7
)
Consolidated Gross Margin
$
119.1


Consolidated gross margin increased $119.1 million primarily due to the following:

An increase in generation margin from the November 2014 Hydro Transaction;
An increase in South Dakota electric rates effective July 2015; and

33



An increase in property taxes included in trackers.

These increases were partly offset by:

A decrease in electric and natural gas retail volumes due primarily to warmer winter weather, partly offset by customer growth;
A $5.0 million decrease in costs recovered in our supply trackers, which includes:
A $3.1 million increase in production tax credits, which is a reduction in our customer's rates, as a result of the Beethoven wind project acquisition (offset in income tax expense);
A $1.0 million decrease in production taxes associated with our gas production operations (offset in property and other taxes); and
A $0.9 million decrease in operating expenses, primarily related to efficiency measures implemented by customers (offset in operating, general and administrative expense).
A $3.2 million QF adjustment, which includes:
A $6.1 million increase in the QF liability recorded in the second quarter of 2015 based on a review of contract assumptions in our estimated liability; partly offset by
A $2.9 million lower QF related supply costs based on actual QF pricing and output; and
A decrease in gas production rates and deferral of interim gas production revenue based on actual costs.

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(in millions)
Operating Expenses (excluding cost of sales)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating, general and administrative
$
297.5

 
$
305.9

 
$
(8.4
)
 
(2.7
)%
Property and other taxes
133.4

 
114.6

 
18.8

 
16.4

Depreciation and depletion
144.7

 
123.8

 
20.9

 
16.9

 
$
575.6

 
$
544.3

 
$
31.3

 
5.8
 %

Consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses were $297.5 million in 2015 as compared with $305.9 million in 2014. Primary components of this change include the following:
 
Operating, General, & Administrative
Expenses
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
Insurance recovery, net
$
(20.8
)
Hydro Transaction costs
(9.5
)
Non-employee directors deferred compensation
(4.7
)
Generator maintenance costs
(2.2
)
Bad debt expense
(1.5
)
Fleet fuel costs
(1.2
)
Environmental costs
(1.1
)
Operating expenses recovered in trackers
(0.9
)
Hydro operations
33.2

Employee benefit and compensation costs
3.8

Other
(3.5
)
Decrease in Operating, General & Administrative Expenses
$
(8.4
)

The decrease in operating, general and administrative expenses of $8.4 million was primarily due to the following:

A net insurance recovery primarily associated with electric generation related environmental remediation costs incurred in prior periods;
Lower professional and legal fees due to Hydro Transaction costs incurred in the prior period;

34



Non-employee directors deferred compensation decreased primarily due to a decrease in our stock price. Directors may defer their board fees into deferred shares held in a rabbi trust. If the market value of our stock goes down, deferred compensation expense decreases; however, we account for the deferred shares as trading securities and their decrease in value is also reflected in other income with no impact on net income;
Lower generator maintenance costs at our Dave Gates Generating Station;
Lower bad debt expense, due to improved collection of receivables from customers;
Lower fleet expenses due primarily to lower average fuel costs;
Lower environmental costs; and
Lower operating expenses recovered through our supply trackers, primarily related to efficiency measures implemented by customers.

These decreases were partly offset by hydro operating costs associated with the November 2014 Hydro Transaction and higher employee benefit costs primarily due to higher medical expense and compensation costs.

Property and other taxes were $133.4 million in 2015 as compared with $114.6 million in 2014. This increase was primarily due to plant additions and higher property valuations in Montana, which includes $16.2 million from the Hydro Transaction, partly offset by a $1.0 million decrease in production taxes recovered in trackers associated with our gas production operations.

Depreciation and depletion expense was $144.7 million in 2015 as compared with $123.8 million in 2014. This increase was primarily due to plant additions, including approximately $14.4 million of hydro related depreciation.

Consolidated operating income in 2015 was $265.8 million, as compared with $178.0 million in 2014. This increase was primarily due to the Hydro Transaction and insurance recovery discussed above.

Consolidated interest expense in 2015 was $92.2 million, an increase of $14.4 million, or 18.5%, from 2014. This increase was primarily due to increased debt outstanding associated with the Hydro Transaction. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" for additional information regarding our financing activities.

Consolidated other income in 2015 was $7.6 million as compared with $10.2 million in 2014. This decrease was primarily due to a $4.7 million reduction in the value of deferred shares held in trust for non-employee directors deferred compensation (which, as discussed above, had a corresponding reduction to operating, general and administrative expenses) partially offset by higher capitalization of AFUDC.

Consolidated income tax expense in 2015 was $30.0 million as compared with a benefit of $10.3 million in 2014. This increase was due to higher pre-tax income and an increase in our effective tax rate to 16.6% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 as compared with (9.3)% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. The income tax benefit in 2014 included the release of approximately $12.6 million of previously unrecognized tax benefits due to the lapse of statutes of limitation in the third quarter of 2014. In addition, during the third quarter of 2014, we elected the safe harbor method related to the deductibility of repair costs. This resulted in an income tax benefit of approximately $4.3 million for the cumulative adjustment for years prior to 2014, which is included in the prior year permanent return to accrual adjustments. We currently expect our 2016 effective tax rate to range between 9% - 13%.

The following table summarizes the differences between our effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate (in millions):


35



 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Income Before Income Taxes
$181.2
 
 
 
$110.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax calculated at 35% Federal statutory rate
63.4
 
35.0%
 
38.6
 
35.0%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Permanent or flow through adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State income tax, net of federal provisions
0.3
 
0.1
 
(2.0)
 
(1.8)
Flow through repairs deductions
(24.1)
 
(13.3)
 
(25.3)
 
(22.9)
Release of unrecognized tax benefit
 
 
(12.6)
 
(11.4)
Production tax credits
(5.7)
 
(3.2)
 
(3.1)
 
(2.8)
Plant and depreciation of flow through items
(2.9)
 
(1.6)
 
0.1
 
0.1
Prior year permanent return to accrual adjustments
0.2
 
0.1
 
(5.2)
 
(4.7)
Other, net
(1.2)
 
(0.5)
 
(0.8)
 
(0.8)
 
(33.4)
 
(18.4)
 
(48.9)
 
(44.3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
$30.0
 
16.6%
 
$(10.3)
 
(9.3)%
 
Our effective tax rate typically differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to the regulatory impact of flowing through federal and state tax benefits of repairs deductions, state tax benefit of accelerated depreciation deductions (including bonus depreciation when applicable), and production tax credits.

We expect our cash payments for income taxes will be minimal through at least 2020, based on our projected taxable income and anticipated use of consolidated NOL carryforwards.

Consolidated net income in 2015 was $151.2 million as compared with $120.7 million in 2014. This increase was primarily due to the Hydro Transaction and insurance recovery as discussed above, partly offset by warmer winter weather and the inclusion in our 2014 results of an income tax benefit due to the release of previously unrecognized tax benefits.


36



Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(in millions)
Operating Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric
$
878.0

 
$
865.2

 
$
12.8

 
1.5
 %
Natural Gas
326.9

 
287.6

 
39.3

 
13.7

Other

 
1.7

 
(1.7
)
 
(100.0
)
 
$
1,204.9

 
$
1,154.5

 
$
50.4

 
4.4
 %

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(in millions)
Cost of Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric
$
348.6

 
$
358.7

 
$
(10.1
)
 
(2.8
)%
Natural Gas
134.0

 
120.9

 
13.1

 
10.8

 
$
482.6

 
$
479.6

 
$
3.0

 
0.6
 %

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(in millions)
Gross Margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric
$
529.4

 
$
506.5

 
$
22.9

 
4.5
 %
Natural Gas
192.9

 
166.7

 
26.2

 
15.7

Other

 
1.7

 
(1.7
)
 
(100.0
)
 
$
722.3

 
$
674.9

 
$
47.4

 
7.0
 %

Consolidated gross margin in 2014 was $722.3 million, an increase of $47.4 million, or 7.0%, from gross margin in 2013. Factors that impacted gross margin included:

 
Gross Margin 2014 vs. 2013
 
(in millions)
Natural gas production
$
21.4

Hydro operations
20.5

Electric transmission
5.9

Montana natural gas rate increase
4.9

Natural gas and electric retail volumes
3.0

Operating expenses recovered in trackers
(3.4
)
Electric Demand Side Management (DSM) lost revenues
(1.9
)
Other
(3.0
)
Consolidated Gross Margin
$
47.4


Consolidated gross margin increased $47.4 million primarily due to the following:

An increase in natural gas production margin primarily due to the acquisition of gas production assets in December 2013;
An increase in generation margin from the November 2014 Hydro Transaction;

37



Higher demand to transmit energy across our transmission lines due primarily to interconnection with MATL that went into commercial operation late in 2013;
The full period effect of an increase in Montana natural gas delivery rates implemented in April 2013; and
An increase in natural gas and electric retail volumes due primarily to colder winter weather and customer growth.

These increases were partly offset by:

Lower revenue for operating expenses recovered through our supply trackers, primarily related to efficiency measures implemented by customers; and
A decrease in electric DSM lost revenues recovered through our supply trackers related to efficiency measures implemented by customers. In 2013 we recognized approximately $3.8 million in revenues related to prior tracker periods (including $1.9 million related to calendar year 2012) that we had previously deferred pending approval of our electric tracker filing.

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(in millions)
Operating Expenses (excluding cost of sales)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating, general and administrative
$
305.9

 
$
285.6

 
$
20.3

 
7.1
%
Property and other taxes
114.6

 
105.5

 
9.1

 
8.6

Depreciation
123.8

 
112.8

 
11.0

 
9.8

 
$
544.3

 
$
503.9

 
$
40.4

 
8.0
%


Consolidated operating, general and administrative expenses were $305.9 million in 2014 as compared with $285.6 million in 2013. Primary components of this change include the following:
 
Operating, General, & Administrative
Expenses
2014 vs. 2013
 
(in millions)
Natural gas production
$
8.9

Hydro operating costs
5.5

Hydro Transaction legal and professional fees
5.1

Nonemployee directors deferred compensation
1.7

Operating expenses recovered in trackers
(3.4
)
Other
2.5

Increase in Operating, General & Administrative Expenses
$
20.3


The increase in operating, general and administrative expenses of $20.3 million was primarily due to the following:

Higher natural gas production costs due to the acquisition of the production assets in 2013 discussed above;
Operating costs associated with the November 2014 Hydro Transaction;
Higher legal and professional fees associated with the Hydro Transaction. Hydro Transaction related legal and professional fees were $9.5 million in 2014 as compared with $4.4 million in 2013; and
Non-employee directors deferred compensation increased primarily due to an increase in our stock price.

These increases were partly offset by lower operating expenses recovered in trackers, primarily related to customer efficiency programs. These costs are included in our supply trackers and have no impact on operating income.

Property and other taxes were $114.6 million in 2014 as compared with $105.5 million in 2013. This increase was due primarily to higher assessed property valuations in Montana and plant additions, including approximately $1.9 million related to natural gas production assets and $1.7 million from the Hydro Transaction.


38



Depreciation and depletion expense was $123.8 million in 2014 as compared with $112.8 million in 2013. This increase was primarily due to plant additions, including approximately $4.8 million of depletion related to natural gas production assets and $2.1 million of depreciation from the Hydro Transaction.

Consolidated operating income in 2014 was $178.0 million, as compared with $171.0 million in 2013. This increase was primarily due to an increase in gross margin offset in part by higher operating expenses as discussed above.

Consolidated interest expense in 2014 was $77.8 million, an increase of $7.3 million, or 8.3%, from 2013. This increase includes $3.9 million associated with the bridge credit facility and $2.4 million from the issuance of $450 million of long-term debt in November 2014 related to the Hydro acquisition, and $4.4 million higher interest from the issuance in December 2013 of $100 million of long-term debt unrelated to the Hydro Transaction. These increases were partly offset by approximately $2.2 million in lower interest accrued on supply trackers and $1.2 million higher capitalization of AFUDC.

Consolidated other income in 2014 was $10.2 million as compared with $7.7 million in 2013. This increase was primarily due to a $1.7 million gain on deferred shares held in trust for non-employee directors deferred compensation discussed above and higher capitalization of AFUDC.

Consolidated income tax benefit in 2014 was $10.3 million as compared with expense of $14.3 million in 2013. The following table summarizes the significant differences in income tax (benefit) expense based on the differences between our effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate (in millions):
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Income Before Income Taxes
$
110.4

 
 
 
$
108.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax calculated at 35% Federal statutory rate
38.6

 
35.0
 %
 
37.9

 
35.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Permanent or flow through adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State income, net of federal provisions
(2.0
)
 
(1.8
)
 
(3.1
)
 
(2.8
)
Flow through repairs deductions
(25.3
)
 
(22.9
)
 
(17.8
)
 
(16.4
)
Release of unrecognized tax benefit
(12.6
)
 
(11.4
)
 

 

Prior year permanent return to accrual adjustments
(5.2
)
 
(4.7
)
 
0.5

 
0.5

Production tax credits
(3.1
)
 
(2.8
)
 
(3.2
)
 
(2.9
)
Plant and depreciation of flow through items
0.1

 
0.1

 
(0.6
)
 
(0.5
)
Other, net
(0.8
)
 
(0.8
)
 
0.6

 
0.3

 
(48.9
)
 
(44.3
)
 
(23.6
)
 
(21.8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense
$
(10.3
)
 
(9.3
)%
 
$
14.3

 
13.2
 %

Our effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% due to the regulatory impact of flowing through federal and state tax benefits of repairs deductions, state tax benefit of bonus depreciation deductions and production tax credits. The 2014 benefit also reflects the release of approximately $12.6 million of previously unrecognized tax benefits due to the lapse of statutes of limitation in the third quarter of 2014. In addition, in the third quarter of 2014, we elected the safe harbor method related to the deductibility of repair costs. This resulted in an income tax benefit of approximately $4.3 million for the cumulative adjustment for years prior to 2014, which is included in the prior year permanent return to accrual adjustments.

Consolidated net income in 2014 was $120.7 million as compared with $94.0 million in 2013. This increase was primarily due to the income tax benefit in 2014 as discussed above, along with higher operating income and higher other income, offset in part by higher interest expense.
 

39



ELECTRIC OPERATIONS


We have various classifications of electric revenues, defined as follows:

Retail: Sales of electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Regulatory amortization: Primarily represents timing differences for electric supply costs and property taxes between when we incur these costs and when we recover these costs in rates from our customers.
Transmission: Reflects transmission revenues regulated by the FERC.
Regulation Services: FERC jurisdictional services that ensure reliability and support the transmission of electricity from generation sites to customer loads. Such services include regulating reserves, load balancing and voltage support.
Other: Miscellaneous electric revenues.

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2014

 
Results
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(in millions)
Retail revenue
$
819.8

 
$
778.7

 
$
41.1

 
5.3
 %
Regulatory amortization
39.4

 
33.9

 
5.5

 
16.2

   Total retail revenues
859.2

 
812.6

 
46.6

 
5.7

Transmission
54.7

 
56.0

 
(1.3
)
 
(2.3
)
Regulation Services
1.5

 
1.6

 
(0.1
)
 
(6.3
)
Wholesale and other
29.0

 
7.8

 
21.2

 
271.8

Total Revenues
944.4

 
878.0

 
66.4

 
7.6

Total Cost of Sales
281.3

 
348.6

 
(67.3
)
 
(19.3
)%
Gross Margin
$
663.1

 
$
529.4

 
$
133.7

 
25.3
 %

 
Revenues
 
Megawatt Hours (MWH)
 
Avg. Customer Counts
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Montana
$
275,971

 
$
259,070

 
2,359

 
2,400

 
287,387

 
283,319

South Dakota
49,469

 
50,687

 
551

 
582

 
49,807

 
49,590

   Residential 
325,440

 
309,757

 
2,910

 
2,982

 
337,194

 
332,909

Montana
344,743

 
323,943

 
3,207

 
3,211

 
64,711

 
63,769

South Dakota
75,442

 
75,084

 
974

 
979

 
12,473

 
12,330

Commercial
420,185

 
399,027

 
4,181

 
4,190

 
77,184

 
76,099

Industrial
43,838

 
41,692

 
2,260

 
2,203

 
75

 
76

Other
30,348

 
28,215

 
187

 
177

 
6,119

 
6,147

Total Retail Electric
$
819,811

 
$
778,691

 
9,538

 
9,552

 
420,572

 
415,231


 
Cooling Degree Days
 
2015 as compared with:
 
2015
 
2014
 
Historic Average
 
2014
 
Historic Average
Montana
385
 
332
 
315
 
16% warmer
 
22% warmer
South Dakota
792
 
596
 
734
 
33% warmer
 
8% warmer


40



 
Heating Degree Days
 
2015 as compared with:
 
2015
 
2014
 
Historic Average
 
2014
 
Historic Average
Montana
7,172
 
7,882
 
7,908
 
9% warmer
 
9% warmer
South Dakota
6,924
 
8,399
 
7,681
 
18% warmer
 
10% warmer

The following summarizes the components of the changes in electric margin for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
Gross Margin
2015 vs. 2014
 
(in millions)
Hydro operations
$
135.0

South Dakota rate increase
5.6

Property tax trackers
2.1

Expenses recovered in trackers
(3.4
)
QF adjustment
(3.2
)
Retail volumes
(2.0
)
Other
(0.4
)
Increase in Gross Margin
$
133.7


This increase in margin is primarily due to:

An increase in generation margin from the November 2014 Hydro Transaction;
An increase in South Dakota rates effective July 2015; and
An increase in property taxes included in trackers.

These increases were partly offset by:

A $3.4 million decrease in costs recovered in our supply trackers, which includes:
A $3.1 million increase in production tax credits, which is a reduction in our customer's rates, as a result of the Beethoven wind project acquisition; and
A $0.3 million decrease in operating expenses, primarily related to efficiency measures implemented by customers.
A $3.2 million QF adjustment, which includes:
A $6.1 million increase in the QF liability recorded in the second quarter of 2015 based on a review of contract assumptions in our estimated liability; partly offset by
A $2.9 million lower QF related supply costs based on actual QF pricing and output; and
A decrease in retail volumes due primarily to warmer winter weather partly offset by warmer spring weather, customer growth and warmer summer weather in South Dakota as compared with the same period of 2014.

Billed revenues cover the costs of operating utility assets, paying taxes and interest, and earning a return on our
shareholders’ investments. As a result of the Hydro Transaction, we also earn a return on these assets, thereby increasing
revenue. In addition, our cost of sales are lower due to reduced market purchases of power, which are passed through to retail customers at actual cost with no return component.

The increase in regulatory amortization revenue is due to timing differences between when we incur electric supply costs and when we recover these costs in rates from our customers, which has a minimal impact on gross margin. In addition, our wholesale and other revenues are largely gross margin neutral as they are offset by changes in cost of sales.




41



Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013

 
Results
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(in millions)
Retail revenue
$
778.7

 
$
781.7

 
$
(3.0
)
 
(0.4
)%
Regulatory amortization
33.9

 
25.1

 
8.8

 
35.1

   Total retail revenues
812.6

 
806.8

 
5.8

 
0.7

Transmission
56.0

 
50.1

 
5.9

 
11.8

Regulation Services
1.6

 
1.5

 
0.1

 
6.7

Other
7.8

 
6.8

 
1.0

 
14.7

Total Revenues
878.0

 
865.2

 
12.8

 
1.5

Total Cost of Sales
348.6

 
358.7

 
(10.1
)
 
(2.8
)%
Gross Margin
$
529.4

 
$
506.5

 
$
22.9

 
4.5
 %

 
Revenues
 
Megawatt Hours (MWH)
 
Avg. Customer Counts
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Montana
$
259,070

 
$
271,283

 
2,400

 
2,411

 
283,319

 
280,517

South Dakota
50,687

 
48,574

 
582

 
580

 
49,590

 
49,298

   Residential 
309,757

 
319,857

 
2,982

 
2,991

 
332,909

 
329,815

Montana
323,943

 
321,261

 
3,211

 
3,182

 
63,769

 
63,154

South Dakota
75,084

 
69,800

 
979

 
965

 
12,330

 
12,073

Commercial
399,027

 
391,061

 
4,190

 
4,147

 
76,099

 
75,227

Industrial
41,692

 
41,495

 
2,203

 
2,158

 
76

 
74

Other
28,215

 
29,316

 
177

 
187

 
6,147

 
5,991

Total Retail Electric
$
778,691

 
$
781,729

 
9,552

 
9,483

 
415,231

 
411,107


 
Cooling Degree Days
 
2014 as compared with:
 
2014
 
2013
 
Historic Average
 
2013
 
Historic Average
Montana
332
 
438
 
307
 
24% colder
 
8% warmer
South Dakota
596
 
848
 
733
 
30% colder
 
19% colder

 
Heating Degree Days
 
2014 as compared with:
 
2014
 
2013
 
Historic Average
 
2013
 
Historic Average
Montana
7,882
 
7,817
 
7,889
 
 1% colder
 
Remained flat
South Dakota
8,399
 
8,292
 
7,653
 
 1% colder
 
 10% colder


42



The following summarizes the components of the changes in electric margin for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Gross Margin
2014 vs. 2013
 
(in millions)
Hydro operations
$
20.5

Transmission
5.9

Retail volumes
1.6

Operating expenses recovered in supply tracker                                                                                                       
(3.4
)
DSM lost revenues
(1.9
)
Other
0.2

Increase in Gross Margin
$
22.9


This increase in margin is primarily due to:

An increase in generation margin from the November 2014 Hydro Transaction;
Higher demand to transmit energy across our transmission lines due primarily to interconnection with MATL that went into commercial operation late in 2013; and
An increase in overall retail volumes as a result of colder winter weather and customer growth.

These increases were partly offset by:

Lower revenue for operating expenses recovered through our supply trackers, primarily related to efficiency measures implemented by customers; and
A decrease in DSM lost revenues recovered through our supply trackers related to efficiency measures implemented by customers, as discussed above.

The increase in regulatory amortization revenue reflected above is due to timing differences between when we incur electric supply costs and when we recover these costs in rates from our customers, which has a minimal impact on gross margin.




43



NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS

We have various classifications of natural gas revenues, defined as follows:
Retail: Sales of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Regulatory amortization: Primarily represents timing differences for natural gas supply costs and property taxes between when we incur these costs and when we recover these costs in rates from our customers, which is also reflected in cost of sales and therefore has minimal impact on gross margin.
Wholesale: Primarily represents transportation and storage for others.

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2014

 
Results
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
% Change
 
(in millions)
Retail revenue
$
223.5

 
$
282.6

 
$
(59.1
)
 
(20.9
)%
Regulatory amortization
5.9

 
1.3

 
4.6

 
353.8

   Total retail revenues
229.4

 
283.9

 
(54.5
)
 
(19.2
)
Wholesale and other
40.5

 
43.0

 
(2.5
)
 
(5.8
)
Total Revenues
269.9

 
326.9

 
(57.0
)
 
(17.4
)
Total Cost of Sales
91.6

 
134.0

 
(42.4
)
 
(31.6
)
Gross Margin
$
178.3

 
$
192.9

 
$
(14.6
)
 
(7.6
)%
 
 
Revenues
 
Dekatherms (Dkt)
 
Customer Counts
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Montana
$
98,030

 
$
124,635

 
11,809

 
12,797

 
166,070

 
163,920

South Dakota
24,429

 
29,807

 
2,673

 
3,278

 
38,858

 
38,594

Nebraska
20,948

 
25,488

 
2,340

 
2,730

 
36,947

 
36,845

Residential
143,407

 
179,930

 
16,822

 
18,805

 
241,875

 
239,359

Montana
49,374

 
63,707

 
6,203

 
7,044

 
22,943

 
22,717

South Dakota
16,969

 
22,235

 
2,700

 
3,117

 
6,295

 
6,166

Nebraska
11,700

 
14,297

 
1,810

 
2,058

 
4,650

 
4,629

Commercial
78,043

 
100,239

 
10,713

 
12,219

 
33,888

 
33,512

Industrial
1,168

 
1,286

 
152

 
139

 
263

 
262

Other
854

 
1,130

 
123

 
139

 
153

 
153

Total Retail Gas
$
223,472

 
$
282,585

 
27,810