UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the fiscal year ended December 31 , 2023
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: 001-8966
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||||||||
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
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 ☒ No ☐
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 ☐ No ☒
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 preceding 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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company,” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b) ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of June 30, 2023, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $2,199 million based on the closing sale price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
As of February 15, 2024, 32,060,353 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value, $0.001 per share, were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to the registrant’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K where indicated.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||||
| PART I | ||||||||
| Item 1. | ||||||||
| Item 1A. | ||||||||
| Item 1B. | ||||||||
Item 1C. | ||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||
| Item 3. | ||||||||
| Item 4. | ||||||||
| PART II | ||||||||
| Item 5. | ||||||||
| Item 6. | ||||||||
| Item 7. | ||||||||
| Item 7A. | ||||||||
| Item 8. | ||||||||
| Item 9. | ||||||||
| Item 9A. | ||||||||
| Item 9B. | ||||||||
| Item 9C. | ||||||||
| PART III | ||||||||
| Item 10. | ||||||||
| Item 11. | ||||||||
| Item 12. | ||||||||
| Item 13. | ||||||||
| Item 14. | ||||||||
| PART IV | ||||||||
| Item 15. | ||||||||
PART I
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws relating to future events and future results of SJW Group and its subsidiaries that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about SJW Group and its subsidiaries and the industries in which SJW Group and its subsidiaries operate and the beliefs and assumptions of the management of SJW Group. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “strategy,” or “anticipates,” or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this report under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere, and in other reports and documents SJW Group files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), specifically the most recent Form 10-Q and reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC, each as it may be amended from time to time.
The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, but not limited to, the following factors:
•the effect of water, utility, environmental and other governmental policies and regulations, including actions concerning rates, authorized return on equity, authorized capital structures, capital expenditures and other decisions;
•changes in demand for water and other services;
•unanticipated weather conditions and changes in seasonality including those affecting water supply and customer usage;
•the effect of the impacts of climate change;
•unexpected costs, charges or expenses;
•our ability to successfully evaluate investments in new business and growth initiatives;
•contamination of our water supplies and damage or failure of our water equipment and infrastructure;
•the risk of work stoppages, strikes and other labor-related actions;
•catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, terrorist acts, physical attacks, cyber-attacks, epidemic or similar occurrences;
•changes in general economic, political, business and financial market conditions;
•the ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, which can be affected by various factors, including credit ratings, changes in interest rates, compliance with regulatory requirements, compliance with the terms and conditions of our outstanding indebtedness, and general market and economic conditions; and
•legislative and general market and economic developments.
Actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to our overall business, including those more fully described in our filings with the SEC, including our most recent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and speak only as of the date made, and SJW Group undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law.
3
Item 1.Business
General Development of Business
SJW Group was initially incorporated as SJW Corp. in the state of California on February 8, 1985. SJW Group is a holding company with four wholly owned subsidiaries:
•San Jose Water Company (“SJWC”), with its headquarters located at 110 West Taylor Street in San Jose, California 95110, was originally incorporated under the laws of the State of California in 1866. As part of a reorganization on February 8, 1985, SJWC became a wholly owned subsidiary of SJW Group. SJWC is a public utility in the business of providing water service in the metropolitan San Jose, California area.
•SJWNE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, was formed in 2019, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of SJW Group. SJWNE LLC is a special purpose entity established to hold SJW Group’s investment in Connecticut Water Service, Inc. Connecticut Water Service, Inc. with its headquarters located in Clinton, Connecticut, was incorporated in 1974 in the State of Connecticut. As part of the merger transaction between SJW Group and Connecticut Water Service, Inc. on October 9, 2019, Connecticut Water Service, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“CTWS”) became a wholly owned subsidiary of SJWNE LLC. Connecticut Water Service, Inc. is a holding company with four wholly owned subsidiaries. The Connecticut Water Company (“CWC”) and The Maine Water Company (“MWC”) are public utilities in the business of providing water service throughout Connecticut and Maine. The remaining two subsidiaries are Chester Realty, Inc., a real estate company in Connecticut, and New England Water Utility Services, Inc. (“NEWUS”), which provides contract water and sewer operations and other water related services.
•In the third quarter of 2023, the corporate reorganization of our water services organization in Texas was completed. SJWTX Holdings, Inc. is the holding company for SJWTX, Inc., doing business as The Texas Water Company (“TWC”), Texas Water Operation Services, LLC (“TWOS”) and Texas Water Resources, LLC (“TWR”). TWC is a public utility in the business of providing water service in Bandera, Blanco, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina and Travis Counties in the growing region between San Antonio and Austin, Texas. TWC additionally provides wastewater service in Comal and Kendall counties. TWC also holds a 25% equity interest in Acequia Water Supply Corporation (“Acequia”). Acequia has been determined to be a variable interest entity within the scope of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, “Consolidation,” with TWC as the primary beneficiary. As a result, Acequia has been consolidated with TWC. TWOS was created for non-tariffed service operations and TWR was formed to hold wholesale water supply assets.
•SJW Land Company was incorporated in 1985. SJW Land Company owns undeveloped land in California and Tennessee and operates commercial buildings in Tennessee.
Together, SJWC, CWC, TWC, TWOS, TWR, MWC and NEWUS are referred to as “Water Utility Services.”
SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc. are collectively referred to as “Real Estate Services.”
Regulation and Rates
Water Utility Services, excluding non-tariffed activities, are subject to rate regulation based on cost recovery and meets the criteria of accounting guidance for rate-regulated operations, which affects the timing of the recognition of certain revenues and expenses. SJW Group’s consolidated financial statements reflect the actions of regulators in the rate-making process. The rate-making process is intended to provide revenues sufficient to recover normal operating expenses, provide funds for replacement of water infrastructure and produce a fair and reasonable return on stockholder common equity. SJW Group’s regulated operations financing activities are designed to achieve capital structures consistent with regulatory guidelines in the locations where the companies operate. The following summarizes each state’s authorized rates and capital structure as of December 31, 2023:
| California | Connecticut | Texas (a) | Maine (b) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Authorized capital structure (debt/equity) | 45% / 55% | 47% / 53% | 42% / 58% | 50% / 50% | |||||||||||||||||||
Authorized return on equity (c) | 9.31% | 9.00% | 10.88% | 9.70% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Authorized rate base (in millions) | $1,113.7 | $620.1 | $43.3 | $135.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Estimated rate base at year-end (in millions) (d) | $1,136.3 | $731.3 | $106.5 | $172.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
___________________________________
(a)Estimated by management.
(b)The authorized capital structure and return on equity shown are those of the largest division of MWC, the Biddeford and Saco division. Effective January 1, 2024, the Biddeford and Saco division’s authorized return on equity is 9.5% and its authorized capital structure is 49% debt and 51%
4
equity. This return on equity and capital structure will be used for any future Water Infrastructure Surcharge (“WISC”) calculations for all divisions until the Commission has authorized or approved a different return on equity structure in a different proceeding.
(c)For California, the approved WCCM-adjusted return on equity is 10.01% starting January 1, 2024, less a 20 basis point reduction due to the reimplementation of the Water Conservation Memorandum Account (“WCMA”).
(d)An approximation of rate base which includes net utility plant not yet included in rate base pending rate case filings and outcomes. For California, this represents the weighted-average estimated rate base for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
California Regulatory Affairs
SJWC’s rates, service and other matters affecting its business are subject to regulation by the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”).
Generally, there are three types of rate adjustments that affect SJWC’s revenue collection: general rate adjustments, cost of capital adjustments, and offset rate adjustments. General rate adjustments are authorized in general rate case decisions, which usually authorize an initial rate adjustment followed by two annual escalation adjustments. General rate applications are normally filed and processed during the last year covered by the most recent general rate case as required by the CPUC in order to avoid any gaps in regulatory decisions on general rate adjustments. Actual revenue received may be higher or lower than the revenue requirement due to a number of factors including actual customer counts, usage or other regulatory factors in force at the time.
Cost of capital adjustments are rate adjustments resulting from the CPUC’s usual tri-annual establishment of a reasonable rate of return for SJWC’s capital investments.
The purpose of an offset rate adjustment is to compensate utilities for changes in specific pre-authorized offsettable capital investments or expenses, primarily for purchased water, groundwater extraction, purchased power and pensions. Pursuant to Section 792.5 of the California Public Utilities Code, a balancing account must be maintained for each expense item for which such revenue offsets have been authorized. Memorandum accounts track revenue impacts due to catastrophic events, certain unforeseen water quality expenses related to new federal and state water quality standards, energy efficiency, water conservation during periods of mandated water restrictions, water tariffs and other approved activities or as directed by the CPUC. The purpose of balancing and memorandum accounts is to track the under-collection or over-collection associated with such expense changes and activities for future recovery or refund considerations. Carrying balances of the balancing and memo accounts earn a rate of return based on treasury rates.
On May 3, 2021, SJWC filed Application No. 21-05-004 requesting authority to adjust its cost of capital for the period from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024. The request sought a revenue increase of $6.4 million or 1.61% in 2022. The application also proposed a rate of return of 8.11%, an increase from 7.64%, a decrease in the average cost of debt rate from 6.20% to 5.48%, and a return on equity of 10.30%, an increase from 8.90%. In addition, the request sought to adjust SJWC’s currently authorized capital structure of approximately 47% debt and 53% equity to approximately 45% debt and 55% equity. Intervenors in this proceeding, namely the Public Advocates Office and Water Rate Advocates for Transparency, Equity, and Sustainability, suggested a lower return on equity while the latter has also suggested a higher cost of debt and different capital structure as part of their testimonies. On June 29, 2023, the CPUC approved Decision No. 23-06-025 in this proceeding. The decision authorized a rate of return of 7.28% based on a return on equity of 8.80%, a cost of debt of 5.46%, and a capital structure of approximately 45% debt and 55% equity. The CPUC also authorized continuation of the Water Cost of Capital Mechanism (“WCCM”) in the same decision. The WCCM provided for an adjustment to SJWC’s return on equity and cost of debt if the average Moody’s Aa utility bond index rate between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022 varies by more than 100 basis points when compared to the same period from the prior year. The index rate difference between those periods increased 103 basis points, thereby triggering the WCCM. Accordingly, SJWC filed a Tier 2 Advice Letter No. 598 on June 30, 2023, which was subsequently approved with an effective date of July 31, 2023. On July 31, 2023, SJWC filed a Tier 1 Advice Letter No. 599 to implement new rates. The new rates became effective prospectively on the date of the filing and reflected the WCCM-adjusted return on equity of 9.31%, a cost of debt of 5.26%, and an overall rate of return of 7.47%. Advice Letter No. 599 was approved with an effective date of July 31, 2023. Between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023, the index rate increased approximately 140 basis points, surpassing the required WCCM trigger. On October 13, 2023, SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 601 to trigger the WCCM for 2024, which was subsequently approved with an effective date of January 1, 2024. The approved WCCM-adjusted return on equity is 10.01% starting January 1, 2024, less a 20 basis point reduction due to the reimplementation of the WCMA.
The CPUC approved the settlement of 2022 General Rate Case on October 6, 2022 and issued Decision No. 22-10-005 (“2022 GRC Decision”) on October 11, 2022. SJWC received authority for an increase of revenue requirement by $25.1 million or 6.03% in 2022, $13.0 million or 2.94% in 2023, and $16.1 million or 3.56% in 2024. The application included requests to recover $18.2 million from balancing and memorandum accounts and authorization for a $350 million capital budget. Additionally, it further aligned authorized and actual consumption, particularly for business customers, addressed the water
5
supply mix variability, and provided greater revenue recovery in the fixed charge. The approved revenue increase for 2022 was effective retrospectively to January 1, 2022.
SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 585 on November 10, 2022, to recover $20.6 million in the Interim Rates Memorandum Account in accordance with the 2022 GRC Decision. Advice Letter No. 585 was approved with an effective date of January 1, 2023.
SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 586 on November 18, 2022, to increase the authorized revenue requirement by $18.4 million or 4% for the escalation year increase in accordance with the 2022 GRC Decision. Advice Letter No. 586 was approved with an effective date of January 1, 2023.
SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 590 on April 6, 2023, to recover a $14.2 million under-collection in its Monterey Water Revenue Adjustment (“MWRAM”) Account as of March 31, 2023. SJWC proposed that this amount be recovered via a 12-month volume surcharge. Advice Letter No. 590 was approved with an effective date of May 8, 2023.
SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 591 on April 11, 2023, to discontinue its drought allocation surcharges and move from Stage 3 to Stage 1 of its Schedule 14.1. Advice Letter No. 591 was approved with an effective date of April 11, 2023.
SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 592 on April 20, 2023, to continue its WCMA and Water Conservation Expense Memorandum Account under Santa Clara Valley Water District’s (“Valley Water”) voluntary call for 15% conservation. On October 2, 2023, Advice Letter No. 592 was approved with an effective date of April 20, 2023.
SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 596 on May 31, 2023, to increase the authorized revenue requirement by $27.6 million to offset the increases to purchased potable water charges, the groundwater extraction fee, and purchased recycled water charges from its water wholesalers effective July 1, 2023. Advice Letter No. 596 was approved with an effective date of July 1, 2023.
SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 603 on November 14, 2023, to establish a Group Insurance Balancing Account to track the difference between the company’s authorized versus actual costs for medical, dental, and opt-out insurance expenses. Advice Letter No. 603 was approved with an effective date of January 1, 2024.
SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 605 on November 21, 2023, to increase the authorized revenue requirement by $21.3 million or 4.16% for the attrition year increase in accordance with the 2022 GRC Decision. Advice Letter No. 605 was approved with an effective date of January 1, 2024.
On December 15, 2023, SJWC, along with three other California water utilities, filed a joint request for one-year deferment on the cost of capital filings which would otherwise be due on May 1, 2024. Postponing the filing a year would alleviate administrative processing costs on the utilities as well as the CPUC staff, and provide relief for both CPUC and utility resources already strained by numerous other proceedings. The request is conditioned on leaving the current WCCM in place such that any adjustments will be made to the respective utilities cost of capital during the one-year deferment based on the mechanism. The request was approved on February 2, 2024.
On January 2, 2024, SJWC filed General Rate Case Application No. 24-01-001 with the CPUC to increase rates charged for water service by $55.2 million or 11.11% in 2025, by $22 million or 3.99% in 2026, and by $25.8 million or 4.49% in 2027. The application also includes requests to recover $23.5 million from balancing and memorandum accounts, further alignment between actual and authorized usage, and a shift to greater revenue collection in the service charge. The application will undergo a year-long review process and the new rates, if approved, are expected to be effective January 1, 2025.
Connecticut Regulatory Affairs
CWC’s rates, service and other matters affecting its business are subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority of Connecticut (“PURA”).
PURA allows the Connecticut regulated operations to add surcharges to customers’ bills in order to recover certain costs associated with approved eligible capital projects through the Water Infrastructure Conservation Adjustment (“WICA”) in between full rate cases, as well as approved surcharges or sur-credits for the Water Revenue Adjustment (“WRA”).
On January 25, 2023, CWC filed its 2022 WICA reconciliation with PURA. The reconciliation, approved by PURA on March 29, 2023 and effective for 12 months beginning April 1, 2023, replaced the expiring 2021 reconciliation credit of 0.02% with a credit of 0.16%. On January 26, 2023, CWC filed for a WICA increase of $3.3 million in annualized revenues for $27.8 million in completed projects. PURA approved CWC’s application on March 22, 2023. The cumulative WICA surcharge as of April 1, 2023 was 6.19%, collecting $6.5 million on an annual basis.
On February 27, 2023, CWC filed its 2022 WRA. The mechanism reconciles 2022 revenues as authorized in the CWC’s most recent rate case. The 2022 WRA, as approved by PURA on March 24, 2023 and effective for 12 months beginning on April 1, 2023, imposed a 4.97% sur-credit on customer bills to refund the 2022 revenue over-collection.
On July 27, 2023, CWC filed for a WICA increase of $1.3 million in annualized revenues for $11.5 million in completed
6
projects. PURA approved the application, and effective October 1, 2023, the cumulative WICA surcharge is 7.38%.
On October 3, 2023, CWC filed an application with PURA to adjust customer rates. If PURA approves the request as proposed, annual revenues of CWC will increase by approximately $21.4 million or 18.1% over current authorized revenues and would be effective on or about July 1, 2024.
On November 14, 2023, CWC submitted an application to PURA for the approval to issue unsecured notes in the amount of $25.0 million. A decision from PURA approving the application was received on January 10, 2024.
Texas Regulatory Affairs
TWC’s rates are subject to the economic regulation of the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (“PUCT”). The PUCT may authorize rate increases after the filing of an Application for a Rate/Tariff Change. Rate cases may be filed as they become necessary, provided there is no current rate case outstanding. Furthermore, rate cases may not be filed more frequently than once every 12 months.
TWC has no current general rate case pending. However, it filed its application to establish a System Improvement Charge (“SIC”) with the PUCT under Docket No. 54430 on December 30, 2022. This filing will allow TWC to add certain utility plant additions made since 2020 to its rate base, thereby increasing revenue and avoiding the immediate need for a general rate case. The SIC is projected to increase TWC’s water revenue by $1.6 million and sewer revenue by $29 thousand within one year of the approval from the PUCT. On October 17, 2023, the PUCT found the application administratively complete. Once the PUCT files the final order approving the SIC, TWC will be required to file a general rate case within four years. TWC will incrementally increase its SIC annually until its next rate case. TWC expects to receive the final order during the first quarter of 2024. Notwithstanding the SIC filing, TWC will continue to file its annual adjustments for the Water Pass-through Charges (“WPC”) for Canyon Lake, Deer Creek and Kendall West customers. All water supply cost increases are recoverable when the next annual WPC adjustment for each system is filed.
On April 10, 2023, TWC filed an application with the PUCT to acquire the Elm Ridge water system that serves 21 residential customers. TWC has asked for filed rate doctrine treatment, which allows the acquiring utility’s current rates to be applied at the time of acquisition. On December 12, 2023, the Administrative Law Judge filed Order No. 11, which allowed TWC to proceed and the acquisition closed on January 26, 2024. The final order, which transfers the Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (“CCN”) and allows filed rate doctrine, is expected to be approved during the second quarter of 2024.
On July 24, 2023, the PUCT approved TWC's application to acquire KT Water Development Ltd. KT Water Development Ltd. provides service to approximately 570 residential water connections. On August 14, 2023, TWC closed on the acquisition. The PUCT's final decision that transfers the CCN to TWC is expected in the first quarter of 2024, which is when we anticipate approval of our request for fair market value and filed rate doctrine treatment.
On January 5, 2024, TWC filed an application with the PUCT to acquire the 3009 Water Company LLC water system that serves approximately 270 residential connections. TWC requested fair market value and filed rate doctrine treatment which allows the acquiring utility’s current rates to be applied at the time of acquisition. TWC expects to receive approval to close on the acquisition during the third quarter of 2024.
Maine Regulatory Affairs
MWC’s rates, service and other matters affecting its business are subject to regulation by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (“MPUC”). MPUC approves rates on a division-by-division basis in Maine and allows MWC to add surcharges to customers’ bills in order to recover certain costs associated with capital projects through the WISC in between general rate cases. Projects eligible for WISC surcharges include all infrastructure replacement or repair projects, excluding meters, that are necessary for the transmission, distribution or treatment of water.
The rates approved in the Biddeford Saco division by the April 5, 2022 stipulated agreement, which authorized a rate increase of $6.3 million, or 72.5% went into effect on July 1, 2022. The Saco River Drinking Water Resource Center began supplying the water distribution system on June 16, 2022. As part of the stipulated agreement, MWC agreed to file a final phase of the rate case by April 1, 2023. Step 3 of the planned multi-year rate filings for the Saco River Drinking Water Resource Center was filed in accordance with the Commission order on March 31, 2023. The filing requested an increase in revenue requirement of $2.9 million or 19.9% and requested that the increase be implemented over two years with a 12% increase effective July 1, 2023 followed by a 9% increase effective July 1, 2024 with a slight decrease in year three to reach the overall 19.9% requested. On August 25, 2023, the Commission issued an order granting a temporary rate increase of $1.5 million or 10% while the case and the company’s full request are litigated. The company reached a settlement agreement with staff and the Office of the Public Advocate and filed a stipulated settlement agreement with the MPUC on December 22, 2023. The commission approved the stipulation in deliberations on January 5, 2024 with a rate effective date of January 1, 2024. The approved stipulation authorizes an increase in rates of $2.6 million or 17.6%. The Biddeford and Saco division’s increase in rates is based on an authorized return on equity of 9.5% along with a capital structure of 49% debt and 51% equity. This return on equity and capital
7
structure will be used for any future WISC calculations for all divisions until the Commission has authorized or approved a different return on equity structure in a different proceeding.
On February 28, 2022, MWC filed requests for general rate increases in the Camden-Rockland, Freeport, Millinocket and Oakland Divisions. On February 2, 2023, MWC received final decisions from the MPUC on four general rate cases filed in 2022. The rate increases are retroactively effective for January 1, 2023 and authorize a $0.7 million increase in annual revenues.
On June 30, 2023, MWC filed a Water Infrastructure Surcharge for the Camden-Rockland division. The requested surcharge is 2.34% or $0.2 million. The Commission is expected to issue a decision regarding the surcharge in the first quarter of 2024.
Please also see Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Note 3 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”
Description of Business
General
The principal business of Water Utility Services consists of the production, purchase, storage, purification, distribution, wholesale and retail sale of water and wastewater services. SJWC provides water services to approximately 232,400 connections that serve approximately one million people over 139 square miles residing in portions of the cities of San Jose and Cupertino and in the cities of Campbell, Monte Sereno, Saratoga and in the Town of Los Gatos, and adjacent unincorporated territories, all in the County of Santa Clara in the State of California. The CTWS companies provide water service to approximately 141,000 service connections that serve a population of approximately 461,000 people in 81 municipalities with a service area of approximately 272 square miles throughout Connecticut and Maine and 3,000 wastewater connections in Southbury, Connecticut. TWC provides water service to approximately 28,000 service connections that serve approximately 83,000 people in a service area comprising more than 271 square miles in the region between San Antonio and Austin, Texas and approximately 950 wastewater connections. Together, the Water Utility Services distribute water to customers in their respective service areas in accordance with accepted water utility methods.
Water Utility Services also provide non-tariffed services under agreements with municipalities and other utilities. These non-tariffed services include water system operations, maintenance agreements and antenna site leases. In addition, in October 1997, SJWC commenced operation of the City of Cupertino municipal water system under a 25-year lease which was due to expire in September of 2022 and was amended on January 8, 2020. The system is adjacent to the SJWC service area and has approximately 4,600 service connections. Under the terms of the lease, SJWC assumed responsibility for all maintenance and operating costs of the system, while receiving all payments for water service. SJWC paid an upfront $6.8 million concession fee and an additional $5.0 million in capital improvements to the City of Cupertino. On February 25, 2022, SJWC received a letter from the City of Cupertino exercising their option to extend the term of the lease an additional two years through October 1, 2024. SJWC paid an additional $1.6 million concession fee. The total concession fees paid for the agreement are being amortized over the contract term including the extension.
CTWS provides contracted services to water utilities, as well as offers Linebacker® protection plans for public drinking water customers in the states of Connecticut and Maine. Linebacker plans cover a limited amount of the cost of repairs to water and wastewater service lines and in-home plumbing. Services provided are dependent on the selected plan.
SJW Land Company owns undeveloped real estate property in California and Tennessee, as well as commercial and warehouse properties in Tennessee. Chester Realty, Inc. owns commercial properties and parcels of land in Connecticut.
Among other things, operating results from the water business fluctuate according to the demand for water, which is often influenced by seasonal conditions, such as impact of drought, summer temperatures or the amount and timing of precipitation in Water Utility Services’ service areas. Revenue, production expenses and income are affected by changes in water sales and the sources of water supply. Overhead costs, such as payroll and benefits, depreciation, interest on long-term debt, and property taxes are not significantly impacted by seasonality or water supply mix. Generally, earnings are highest in the higher demand, warm summer months and lowest in the lower demand, cool winter months. Certain regulatory mechanisms in our service areas may mitigate the effects of demand fluctuations and/or variations in water supply costs on our operating results.
Water Supply
California Water Supply
SJWC’s water supply consists of groundwater from wells, surface water from watershed run-off and diversion, reclaimed water, and imported water purchased from Valley Water under the terms of a master contract with Valley Water expiring in 2051. During normal rainfall years, purchased water provides approximately 40% to 50% of SJWC’s annual production. An additional 40% to 50% of its water supply is pumped from the underground basin which is subject to a groundwater extraction charge paid to Valley Water. Surface supply, which during a normal rainfall year satisfies about 6% to 8% of SJWC’s annual
8
water supply needs, provides approximately 1% of its water supply in a dry year and approximately 14% in a wet year. In dry years, the decrease in water from surface run-off and diversion and the corresponding increase in purchased and pumped water increases production expenses substantially. The opposite is also true where water production expenses decrease in wet years. In both instances, the impacts of surface water, purchased water, groundwater extraction, and purchased power expenses are now tracked in SJWC’s Full Cost Balancing Account authorized in the 2022 GRC Decision.
The pumps and motors at SJWC’s groundwater production facilities are propelled by electric power. SJWC has installed standby power generators at 38 of its strategic water production sites and manages a fleet of 22 portable generators deployed throughout the distribution system for power outages at remaining pumping facilities. In addition, the commercial office and operations control centers are outfitted with standby power equipment that allow critical distribution and customer service operations to continue during a power outage. Valley Water has informed SJWC that its filter plants, which deliver purchased water to SJWC, are also equipped with standby generators. In the event of a power outage, SJWC believes it will be able to prevent an interruption of service to customers for a limited period by pumping water using generator power and by using purchased water from Valley Water.
In 2023, the level of water in the Santa Clara Valley groundwater basin, which is managed by Valley Water, experienced an increase in most areas due to seasonal recovery, an increase in managed recharge operations, and a decrease in groundwater pumping by various water retailers in the region. As reported by Valley Water at the end of 2023, the groundwater level in the Santa Clara Plain was 17 feet higher compared to the same time in 2022. The total groundwater storage at the end of 2023 was within Stage 1 (Normal) of the Valley Water’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan. On January 1, 2024, Valley Water’s 10 reservoirs were 54% of restricted capacity with 10.9 billion gallons of water in storage. As of December 31, 2023, SJWC’s Lake Elsman was 55.7% of capacity with 11.2 billion gallons of water, 179.3% of the five-year seasonal average. In addition, the rainfall at SJWC’s Lake Elsman was measured at 13 inches for the period from July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023, which is 70.8% of the five-year average. SJWC’s Montevina Water Treatment Plant treated 4 billion gallons of water in 2023, which is 182.5% of the five-year average. SJWC’s Saratoga Water Treatment Plant treated 0.1 billion gallons of water in 2023, which is 73.3% of the five-year average. SJWC believes that its various sources of water supply will be sufficient to meet customer demand in 2024.
On April 11, 2023, Valley Water rescinded its water shortage emergency and 15% mandatory conservation target. Valley Water also established a 15% voluntary call for conservation and retained certain watering and water waste rules in recognition of precipitation volatility and reduced local storage. On the same day, SJWC ended its Mandatory Conservation Plan, which included drought allocations and surcharges, and lowered its drought response from Stage 3 to Stage 1.
California faces long-term water supply challenges. SJWC actively works with Valley Water to meet the challenges by continuing to educate customers on responsible water use practices and conducting long-range water supply planning.
Connecticut Water Supply
CWC’s water sources vary among the individual systems, but overall, approximately 80% of the total dependable yield comes from surface water supplies and 20% from wells. In addition, CWC has water supply agreements to supplement its water supply with the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority and The Metropolitan District that expire 2058 and 2053, respectively.
Texas Water Supply
TWC’s water supply consists of groundwater from wells and purchased treated and raw water from the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (“GBRA”). TWC has long-term agreements with the GBRA, which expire in 2037, 2040, 2044 and 2050, respectively. The agreements, which are take-or-pay contracts, provide TWC with an aggregate of 7,650 acre-feet of water per year from Canyon Lake at prices that may be adjusted periodically by GBRA. TWC also has raw water supply agreements with the Lower Colorado River Authority (“LCRA”) and West Travis Public Utility Agency (“WTPUA”) expiring in 2059 and 2046, respectively, to provide for 350 acre-feet of water per year from Lake Austin and the Colorado River, respectively, at prices that may be adjusted periodically by the agencies. Forty active production wells located in a Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, a regulated portion of the Trinity aquifer, are charged a groundwater pump tax based upon usage.
In August 2023, SJWTX Holdings Inc.’s unregulated subsidiary, TWR, acquired eight wells and the water rights of KT Water Resources LLC (“KTR”). These wells have been projected to yield an additional 6,000 acre-feet per year or more.
Maine Water Supply
Water sources at MWC vary among the individual systems, but overall, approximately 90% of the total dependable yield comes from surface water supplies and 10% from wells. MWC has a water supply agreement with the Kennebec Water District expiring in 2040.
MWC relies on legislatively granted water rights in order to serve customers. In some instances, these rights were granted to predecessor water companies specially chartered by the Maine legislature many decades ago, with those entities later having
9
been merged into MWC. The legislation incorporating these predecessor water companies did not address whether chartered rights may be transferred to another entity without special legislative action. The Maine Business Corporation Act generally provides that property and contract rights of a merged corporation are vested in the surviving corporation without reversion or impairment. In the MPUC proceedings that approved the mergers of these MWC predecessor companies, the survivorship of water rights was not contested.
Please also see further discussion under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Franchises
Franchises granted by local jurisdictions permit Water Utility Services to construct, maintain, and operate water distribution systems within the streets and other public properties of a given jurisdiction.
SJWC holds the necessary franchises to provide water in portions of the cities of San Jose and Cupertino and in the cities of Campbell, Monte Sereno and Saratoga, the Town of Los Gatos and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. None of the franchises have a termination date, other than the franchise for the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County, which terminates in 2035.
CWC’s utility services hold the necessary franchises to provide water in portions of the towns of Ashford, Avon, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bolton, Brooklyn, Burlington, Canton, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Deep River, Durham, East Granby, East Haddam, East Hampton, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Essex, Farmington, Griswold, Guilford, Haddam, Hebron, Killingly, Killingworth, Lebanon, Madison, Manchester, Mansfield, Marlborough, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Oxford, Plainfield, Plymouth, Portland, Prospect, Simsbury, Somers, Southbury, South Windsor, Stafford, Stonington, Suffield, Thomaston, Thompson, Tolland, Vernon, Voluntown, Waterbury, Westbrook, Willington, Windsor Locks and Woodstock. Additionally, the Heritage Village Water division serves the Town of Southbury with wastewater services. None of the franchises of the CWC utility services have a termination date.
MWC holds franchises necessary to provide water services in the towns served which are Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Scarborough (Pine Point), Porter, Parsonsfield, Hiram, Freeport, Camden, Rockland, Rockport, Owls Head, Union, Thomaston, Warren, Bucksport, Skowhegan, Oakland, Hartland, Millinocket and Greenville. None of the franchises with MWC have a termination date.
TWC holds the franchises necessary to provide water and wastewater services to the City of Bulverde and the City of Spring Branch, which terminate in 2029 and 2036, respectively. The unincorporated areas that TWC serves in Comal, Blanco, Bandera, Hays, Kendall, Medina and Travis Counties do not require water service providers to obtain franchises.
Seasonal Factors
Water sales are seasonal in nature and influenced by weather conditions. The timing of precipitation and climatic conditions can cause seasonal water consumption by customers to vary significantly. Demand for water is generally lower during the cooler and rainy winter months. Demand increases in the spring when the temperature rises and rain diminishes.
Competition
The regulated operations of Water Utility Services are public utilities regulated by applicable state public utility commissions and operate within service areas approved by such regulators. Statutory laws provide that no other investor-owned public utility may operate in the service area of another public utility of the same class (e.g., another water utility) without first obtaining from the regulator a certificate of public convenience and necessity or similar authorization. Past experience shows such a certificate will be issued only after demonstrating that service in such area is inadequate.
California law also provides that whenever a public agency constructs facilities to extend utility service to the service area of a privately-owned public utility, like SJWC, such an act constitutes the taking of property and is conditioned upon payment of just compensation to the private utility.
Under the California law, municipalities, water districts and other public agencies have been authorized to engage in the ownership and operation of water systems. Such agencies are empowered to condemn properties operated by privately-owned public utilities upon payment of just compensation and are further authorized to issue bonds (including revenue bonds) for the purpose of acquiring or constructing water systems.
Under Connecticut law, any condemnation of water utility property by a municipality or any unit of state government requires the payment of just compensation for the taking. Further, any condemnation of utility land by a state department, institution or agency (including a municipality) requires the approval of the PURA.
Under Texas law, municipalities, water districts and other public agencies are authorized to engage in the ownership and operation of water systems. Such entities are empowered to acquire property, whether public or private, real or personal, by the
10
exercise of the right of eminent domain, which entails payment to the owner of just compensation for the property taken. However, under current case law those entities may not exercise that right of eminent domain to take the entire operation of an investor-owned utility.
Under Maine law, municipalities-individually and collectively, consumer-owned and standard water districts, and other public agencies are authorized to engage in the ownership and operation of water systems. Such entities may acquire the real and personal property of a privately-owned water company, and take over the company’s operations, by exercising the power of eminent domain. In such a taking, the acquiring entity must furnish the condemnee just compensation.
To the company’s knowledge, no municipality, water district or other public agency has any pending proceeding to condemn any part of its existing water systems. The company is also unaware of any eminent domain proceeding to take any of its property or operations.
Environmental Matters
Water Utility Services produces potable water and generates wastewater and hazardous wastes in accordance with all applicable county, state and federal environmental rules and regulations. Additionally, public utilities are subject to environmental regulation by various other state and local governmental authorities.
Water Utility Services is currently in compliance with all of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (the “EPA”) surface water treatment performance standards, drinking water standards for disinfection by-products and primary maximum contaminant levels. These standards have been adopted and are enforced by the applicable state water, public health and environmental agencies.
Other state and local environmental regulations apply to our Water Utility Services’ operations and facilities. These regulations relate primarily to the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and discharges to the environment, including wastewater operations in the States of Connecticut and Texas. In 2016, SJWC began performing hazardous materials site assessments and remediation prior to the construction phase of capital projects. The site assessments are performed to remove any legacy materials and to obtain site closures from the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health under its Voluntary Cleanup Program.
Water Utility Services is currently in compliance with all state and local public health and environmental regulations applicable to their operations.
Please also see Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Human Capital Resources
In order to continue to achieve SJW Group’s mission of delivering life sustaining, high-quality water and exceptional service to families, businesses and communities, we are committed to attract, retain and develop the highest quality talent. We believe our employees are our most important asset. Throughout our organization, our employees embrace the company’s values of teamwork and respect, straight talk and transparency, integrity and trust, and service and compassion in everything we do. Employees participate in semi-annual employee engagement and satisfaction surveys providing feedback that enables the company to continually assess and implement initiatives to enhance employee satisfaction and retention. Through our board and its committees, we are empowered to address factors that impact our employee strategy and drive positive change in our company and our communities. Our human capital measures and objectives focus on providing a safe and productive work environment that has clear positive and ethical values; a culture that embraces diversity, respect and equity; jobs that offer fair wages as benchmarked to the markets that we live and work in; competitive wages and benefits; and training and development opportunities that support our employees to establish and succeed in meaningful careers at SJW Group.
Basic Workforce Data
As of December 31, 2023, SJW Group had 808 full-time employees, of whom 387 were SJWC employees, 248 were CWC employees, 91 were TWC employees, and 82 were MWC employees. At SJWC, 240 employees are members of unions. Employees working for CWC, MWC and TWC are not represented by unions.
In the first quarter of 2023, SJWC executed three-year bargaining agreements with the International Union of Operating Engineers (“OE”), representing certain employees in the engineering department, and the Utility Workers of America (“UWUA”), representing the majority of all non-administrative employees at SJWC covering the period from January 1, 2023
11
through December 31, 2025. The agreements include a 6% wage increase provided in 2023, 3.5% in 2024 and 5.5% in 2025 for the union employees.
Employee Safety
Aiming for a “zero-harm” culture, our vision is to manage health and safety performance to become a leader in the water services industry. Protecting the health and safety of our employees is a top priority. Our employee health and safety programs, focus on four core elements:
•Safety Leadership: demonstrating management commitment and support, empowering local teams to be accountable for safety;
•Participation: involving every employee in all aspects of the safety program, connecting safety initiatives to serving employees, customers, shareholders, our communities and the environment;
•Hazard Identification and Control: inspecting workplaces, identifying hazards, implementing controls, and partnering with the front-line teams responsible for delivering reliable, clean, safe drinking water and service; and,
•Training: training employees on hazards and how to protect themselves. Incident and crisis management of both known and unknown threats to employee health and safety are anticipated and planned for by our safety team.
We have specific targets that set the trajectory of our safety program to ensure continuous improvement, including:
•Implement processes and systems to track, monitor, report and continually improve health and safety performance;
•Communicate the updated Health and Safety Policy to employees to promote compliance, consultation, and participation of workers on health and safety matters; and
•Strive for zero accidents and injuries.
We have implemented several management systems to plan and respond to workplace safety and training as well as incidents such as pandemics, wildfires, earthquakes, cyber threats and extreme weather, among others. The goal is to safeguard our employees’ health and safety during local, national, or global incidents. Locally, workplace hazards are identified by onsite inspections and from near-miss investigations. More broadly, the team collaborates to anticipate and plan for external events such as a pandemic or for extreme weather or other external events that could impact our operations. Proactive identification of hazards keeps us one step ahead of our constantly changing workplace conditions.
Engagement and Satisfaction
SJW Group has invested significantly in employee engagement and satisfaction in alignment with its values and five building blocks of Community, Customers, Employees, Environment and Shareholders. Employees across SJW Group identified and adopted four sets of core values to guide their work and interactions: integrity and trust, compassion and service, straight talk and transparency, and respect and teamwork. Our leadership employs a servant leadership model where all leaders are encouraged and expected to provide service to their people ensuring that they continue to grow and thrive in their profession, knowledge, and general well-being. Regular “Straight Talk” meetings, employee town halls and quarterly “Leadership on Tap” gatherings are held to continue to build and support our culture and values. Additionally, the company provides ongoing opportunities for employee recognition from peers and leaders and also administers an employee engagement and satisfaction survey twice per year.
Diversity and Inclusion
SJW Group believes that a workplace supporting diversity and inclusion not only promotes equity, teamwork, productivity and collaboration among employees, but also enables us to provide the best services to our customers, communities, and partners and enhance value for our stockholders. We are committed to fostering and maintaining a culture of diversity and inclusion, and we have been tracking our workforce demographics to identify employee teams, geographies, or seniority levels where hiring of minorities or specific demographic representation needs to be addressed. In 2021, CEO Eric Thornburg signed on to the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ CEO pledge, which outlines a specific set of actions the signatory CEOs will take to cultivate a trusting environment where all ideas are welcomed, and employees feel comfortable and empowered to have discussions about diversity and inclusion. The Company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council (the “Council”) is comprised of employee volunteers from all four subsidiaries representing the communities we serve. Since inception, the Council has implemented several impactful initiatives including ongoing education and communications utilizing numerous platforms, providing unconscious bias training, and creating opportunities for all employees to celebrate and support cultural days of personal significance in their communities.
12
During the year ended December 31, 2023, our workforce comprised of:
| Percentage of Workforce | |||||
| Gender: | |||||
| Female | 29 | % | |||
| Male | 70 | % | |||
Undisclosed | 1 | % | |||
| Ethnicity: | |||||
| Hispanic or Latino | 21 | % | |||
| Not Hispanic or Latino | 79 | % | |||
| Race: | |||||
| White | 60 | % | |||
| Asian | 10 | % | |||
| 2 or More Races | 4 | % | |||
| Black or African American | 3 | % | |||
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 1 | % | |||
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 1 | % | |||
| Other/Not Reported | 21 | % | |||
We work to ensure training and development opportunities are available so that all employees can establish and succeed in meaningful careers at SJW Group.
Community Involvement
In support of our mission as trusted, passionate and socially responsible professionals, we are dedicated to the people and the environment of the communities where we live, work, and serve. SJW Group provides various opportunities for our employees to participate in outreach programs from free virtual education programs for adults, employee-led courses for elementary school aged children, winter coat donation drives, environmental cleanups, community events, and grant programs supporting schools and fire departments. In addition, each of our subsidiaries supports their communities through charitable donations or sponsorships with a focus on the communities served. SJWC and CWC also have matching donations for certain programs to further promote our employees’ involvement in their communities. In California, the SJWC Employees Community Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that uses funds from employee contributions and company matches to provide grants to non-profit organizations supported by our employees.
Fair Wages and Competitive Benefits
SJW Group’s future success is largely dependent upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled and qualified employees. Our California and Connecticut subsidiaries operate in particularly competitive labor markets; we believe our compensation package and benefit programs allow us to recruit and retain talented and qualified personnel. Our compensation and benefits programs include:
•Fair employee wages as benchmarked to the markets that our employees live and work in that are consistent with employee roles and responsibilities, skill levels, experience, and knowledge;
•Engagement of nationally, recognized outside compensation and benefits consulting firms to independently evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of compensation for our executive and other officers and to provide benchmarks for executive compensation as compared to peer companies;
•Short-term incentive compensation for management level staff aligning with company financial and operational goals targeted to our stakeholders: customers, communities, employees, and stockholders;
•Alignment with stockholder value by utilizing equity awards linked to investment performance over time, as well as certain absolute financial results;
•A comprehensive annual employee performance review process pursuant to which we determine and communicate to employees annual merit increases, promotions and other changes to responsibilities and duties; and
•Eligibility for all employees to participate in health insurance, dental, vision, cafeteria plans, life and disability/accident coverage, retirement plans and/or salary deferral plans, an employee stock purchase plan, paid and unpaid leaves, a commuter assistance program, professional education and training, and tuition assistance.
13
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following table summarizes the name, age, offices held and business experience for each of our executive officers, as of February 22, 2024:
| Name | Age | Offices and Experience | |||||||||
| Willie Brown | 56 | SJW Group—Vice President and General Counsel. Mr. Brown serves as Vice President and General Counsel of SJW Group and SJWC since June 2021. Mr. Brown served as Corporate Secretary of SJW Group and SJWC from January 2020 to October 2023. Mr. Brown served as Assistant General Counsel of SJW Group and SJWC from January 2020 to June 2021. From April 2018 to October 2023, Mr. Brown served as counsel and Corporate Secretary of various subsidiaries of the Corporation. Since joining SJWC in 2008, Mr. Brown has held various legal positions of increasing scope and responsibly. Prior to joining SJWC, Mr. Brown was an associate at two Silicon Valley law firms and is a member of the State Bar of California. | |||||||||
| Bruce A. Hauk | 53 | SJW Group—Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Hauk serves as the Chief Operating Officer of SJW Group, SJWC, CTWS, and TWC since January 2023 and was the Chief Corporate Development and Strategy Officer of SJW Group, SJWC, CTWS, and TWC from August 2022 to December 2022. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hauk was the President of NextEra Water from May 2021 to August 2022. Prior to joining NextEra, Mr. Hauk served in several roles at American Water Works Company, Inc. from May 2011 to March 2021, lastly serving as President of Regulated Operations and Military Services Group and then as Deputy Chief Operating Officer. Previously, Mr. Hauk served as Deputy Mayor/Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Westfield, Indiana and as Town Manager/Director of Public Works for the City of Westfield, Indiana. | |||||||||
| Kristen A. Johnson | 57 | SJW Group—Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. Ms. Johnson serves as Senior Vice President since November 2022 and Chief Administrative Officer of SJW Group, since April 2020. Ms. Johnson also serves as Senior Vice President of Administration for CTWS and certain of its subsidiaries since November 2019. Ms. Johnson also serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of TWC, and as Senior Vice President of Administration for CWC and MWC, since April 2023. Previously, Ms. Johnson served as Director of Human Resources, Vice President of Human Resources and Vice President and Corporate Secretary of CTWS and its subsidiaries from 2007, 2008, and 2010, respectively. She served as the Corporate Secretary of The Maine Water Company until July 2020. | |||||||||
| Craig J. Patla | 56 | CTWS—President. Mr. Patla serves as President of CTWS and its subsidiaries, except The Maine Water Company, since January 2023. From April 2014 to December 2022, Mr. Patla was Vice President of Service Delivery. From 2011 to 2014, Mr. Patla was Director of Service Delivery. From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Patla was Manager of Service Delivery. From 2004 to 2008, Mr. Patla was Region Manager. Mr. Patla joined CTWS in 1990 as an engineer. | |||||||||
| Eric W. Thornburg | 63 | SJW Group—President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board. Mr. Thornburg serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of SJW Group and SJW Land Company and Chief Executive Officer of SJWC and TWC since November 6, 2017. He has served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of SJW Group, SJWC, SJW Land Company and TWC since April 25, 2018 and Chair of the Board of Directors of SJWNE LLC, CTWS and its subsidiaries since October 9, 2019. Prior to joining SJW Group, Mr. Thornburg served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CTWS since 2006, and Chair of the Board of CTWS since 2007. Mr. Thornburg served as President of Missouri-American Water, a subsidiary of American Water Works Corporation from 2000 to 2004. From July 2004 to January 2006, he served as Central Region Vice President-External Affairs for American Water Works Corporation. | |||||||||
| Andrew F. Walters | 53 | SJW Group—Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Walters serves as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of SJW Group, SJWC, SJW Land Company, and TWC since January 2022. Mr. Walters also serves as Chief Financial Officer of CTWS and its subsidiaries since April 2023. Mr. Walters served as Chief Corporate Development Officer and Integration Executive of SJW Group from November 2019 until January 2022 and previously served as Chief Administrative Officer of SJWC since January 31, 2014. Mr. Walters is also currently the Vice President of Business Planning of CWC and CTWS as of November 7, 2019. Prior to joining SJWC in 2014, Mr. Walters was a managing director and a senior acquisitions officer in the Infrastructure Investments Group of JP Morgan Asset Management from January 2009 to June 2013. Prior to this, Mr. Walters served in the Investment Banking Division of Citigroup as managing director and head of infrastructure for the Americas and in other roles focused on mergers and acquisitions and capital raising for clients, since 1993. | |||||||||
14
Principal Accounting Officer of the Registrant
The following table summarizes the name, age, offices held and business experience for our principal accounting officer, as of February 22, 2024:
| Name | Age | Offices and Experience | |||||||||
| Mohammed G. Zerhouni | 48 | SJW Group—Senior Vice President of Finance, Principal Accounting Officer. Mr. Zerhouni serves as Senior Vice President of Finance, Principal Accounting Officer of SJW Group, SJWC, CTWS and TWC, since January 2023, and CWC and MWC, since January 2024. Prior to joining SJW Group, Mr. Zerhouni was the Chief Financial Officer of Veolia Utility Parent, Inc. (“VUP”) from October 2022 to January 2023 which is part of the North American business of Veolia Group, a rate-regulated water and wastewater company. Previously, Mr. Zerhouni was Vice President/Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of VUP from December 2018 to September 2022. Mr. Zerhouni served in various roles of increasing responsibility up to Senior Manager in the audit practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from December 2004 to December 2018. Mr. Zerhouni is a certified public accountant. | |||||||||
Available Information
SJW Group’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, are made available free of charge through SJW Group’s website at http://www.sjwgroup.com, as soon as reasonably practicable, after SJW Group electronically files such material with, or furnishes such materials to, the SEC. The content of SJW Group’s website is not incorporated by reference to or part of this report.
You may obtain electronic copies of our reports filed with the SEC on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov.
Item 1A.Risk Factors
Investors should carefully consider the following risk factors and warnings before making an investment decision. The risks described below are not the only ones facing SJW Group and its subsidiaries. Additional risks that SJW Group and its subsidiaries does not yet know of or that it currently thinks are immaterial may also impair its business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, SJW Group and its subsidiaries’ business, operating results or financial condition could be materially affected. In such case, the trading price of SJW Group’s common stock could decline and you may lose part or all of your investment. Investors should also refer to the other information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.
Risks Relating To Regulatory and Legal Matters
Our business is regulated and may be adversely affected by changes to the regulatory environment.
Our Water Utility Services represent the tariffed operations of our regulated utilities. Our operating revenue is generated primarily from the sale of water at rates authorized by applicable state public utility commissions (the “Regulators”). The Regulators set rates that are intended to provide revenues sufficient to recover normal operating expenses, provide funds for replacement of water infrastructure and produce a fair and reasonable return on stockholder common equity. Please refer to Part I, Item 1, “Regulation and Rates” for a discussion of the most recent regulatory proceedings affecting the rates of our regulated operations. Consequently, our revenue and operating results depend substantially upon the rates the Regulators authorize.
In our applications for rate approvals, we rely upon estimates and forecasts to propose rates for approval by the Regulators. No assurance can be given that our estimates and forecasts will be accurate or that the Regulators will agree with our estimates and forecasts and approve our proposed rates. To the extent our authorized rates may be too low, revenues may be insufficient to cover Water Utility Services’ operating expenses, capital requirements and SJW Group’s historical dividend rate. In addition, delays in approving rate increases may negatively affect our operating results and operating cash flows.
In addition, policies and regulations promulgated by the Regulators govern the recovery of capital expenditures, the treatment of gains from the sale of real utility property, the offset of production and operating costs, the recovery of the cost of debt, the optimal equity structure, and the financial and operational flexibility to engage in non-tariffed operations. If the regulators implement policies and regulations that will not allow Water Utility Services to accomplish some or all of the items listed above, its future operating results may be adversely affected. Furthermore, from time to time, the commissioners at the Regulators may change. Such changes could lead to changes in policies and regulations and there can be no assurance that the resulting changes in policies and regulation, if any, will not adversely affect our operating results or financial condition.
We have various regulatory mechanisms such as balancing and memorandum accounts and rate adjustment mechanisms for infrastructure replacement, to recover certain costs and expenses. If the Regulators disagree with our calculations of our balancing and memorandum accounts, we may be required to make adjustments that could adversely affect our results of
15
operations. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the Regulators will approve our applications to recover all or a portion of our capital expenditure or infrastructure investment through such rate adjustment mechanisms, and their failure to do so will adversely affect our financial conditions and results of operations.
Recovery of regulatory assets is subject to adjustment by regulatory agencies and could impact the operating results of Water Utility Services.
Generally accepted accounting principles for water utilities include the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities to reflect the actions of regulators as permitted by FASB ASC Topic 980—“Regulated Operations.” These actions may result in the recognition of revenues and expenses in time periods that are different from non-rate-regulated enterprises. In accordance with ASC Topic 980, Water Utility Services record deferred costs on the balance sheet as regulatory assets when it is probable that these costs will be recovered in the ratemaking process. Also, Water Utility Services record regulatory liabilities for amounts expected to be refunded to customers in the ratemaking process and for amounts collected in advance of the related expenditures. Please refer to Note 3 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for a summary of regulatory assets and liabilities. If the assessment of the probability of recovery in the ratemaking process is incorrect and the applicable ratemaking body determines that a deferred cost is not recoverable through future rate increases, the regulatory assets would need to be adjusted, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Water Utility Services is subject to litigation risks concerning water quality and contamination.
In October 2023, CWC, a subsidiary of SJW Group in our Water Utility Services segment, was named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit alleging that the water provided by CWC contained contaminants. CWC intends to vigorously defend itself in this lawsuit. There can be no guarantee that additional lawsuits will not occur in the future. Any environmental or product-related lawsuit, including the class action against CWC, may require us to incur significant legal costs and we may not be able to recover the legal costs from ratepayers or other third parties. Although Water Utility Services has liability insurance coverage for bodily injury and property damage, pollution liability is excluded from this coverage and our excess liability coverage. Pollution liability coverage is in place for the majority of the SJW Group locations and operations but is subject to exclusions and limitations. In addition, any complaints or lawsuits against us based on water quality and contamination may receive negative publicity that can damage our reputation and adversely affect our business and trading price of our common stock.
Water Utility Services is subject to possible litigation or regulatory enforcement action concerning water discharges to Waters of the United States (“WOTUS”).
Regulatory actions and fines related to discharges of water to WOTUS against other water utilities have increased in frequency in recent years. If Water Utility Services is subject to a litigation or regulatory enforcement action, it might incur significant costs in fines and restoration efforts, and it is uncertain whether Water Utility Services would be able to recover some or all of such costs from ratepayers or other third parties. In addition, any litigation or regulatory enforcement action against us regarding a water discharge and/or resulting environmental impact may receive negative publicity that can damage our reputation and adversely affect our business and the trading price of our common stock.
Streamflow regulations in Connecticut could potentially impact our ability to serve our customers.
In December 2011, regulations concerning the flow of water in Connecticut’s rivers and streams were adopted. As promulgated, the regulations require that certain downstream releases be made from seven of CWC’s eighteen active reservoirs no later than ten years following the adoption of stream classifications by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”). Currently, downstream releases are made at two locations. The next streamflow releases will be initiated by October 2024 and will affect two additional reservoirs. No groundwater supply wells are affected by the regulations.
DEEP has finalized stream classifications in all areas of Connecticut where CWC maintains and operates sources of supply. The Company remains engaged in the process in order to minimize impact to our available water supply. Although modified from prior versions, the regulations still have the potential to lower our safe yield, raise our capital and operating expenses and adversely affect our revenues and earnings. Although costs associated with the regulations may be recovered in the form of higher rates and Connecticut law allows for a WICA surcharge to recover capital improvement costs necessary to achieve compliance with the regulations, there can be no assurance PURA would approve rate increases to enable us to recover all such costs and surcharges.
New or more stringent environmental regulations could increase Water Utility Services’ operating costs and affect its business.
Water Utility Services is subject to water quality and pollution control regulations issued by the EPA and environmental laws and regulations administered by the respective states and local regulatory agencies.
16
New or more stringent environmental and water quality regulations could increase Water Utility Services’ water quality compliance costs, hamper Water Utility Services’ available water supplies, and increase future capital expenditures.
Under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, Water Utility Services is subject to regulation by the EPA relating to the quality of water it sells and treatment techniques it uses to make the water potable. The EPA promulgates, from time to time, nationally applicable standards, including maximum contaminant levels for drinking water. Additional or more stringent requirements may be adopted by each state. There can be no assurance that Water Utility Services will be able to continue to comply with all water quality requirements.
Water Utility Services has implemented monitoring activities and installed specific water treatment improvements in order to comply with existing maximum contaminant levels and plan for compliance with future drinking water regulations. However, the EPA and the respective state agencies have continuing authority to issue additional regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act. New or more stringent environmental standards could be imposed that will raise Water Utility Services’ operating costs and capital expenditures, including requirements for increased monitoring, additional treatment of underground water supplies, fluoridation of all supplies, more stringent performance standards for treatment plants, additional procedures to further reduce levels of disinfection by-products, and more comprehensive measures to monitor, reduce or eliminate known or newly identified contaminants such as polyfluoroalkyl substances. There are currently limited regulatory mechanisms and procedures available to us for the recovery of such costs and there can be no assurance that such costs will be fully recovered and failure to do so may adversely affect our operating results.
The impact of climate change and climate change laws and regulations have been passed and are being proposed that require compliance with greenhouse gas emissions standards, as well as other climate change initiatives, which could increase Water Utility Services’ operating costs and affect our business.
Climate change is receiving ever increasing attention worldwide. Many scientists, legislators, and others attribute global warming to increased levels of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide. Climate change laws and regulations enacted and proposed limit greenhouse gases emissions from covered entities and require additional monitoring/reporting. We produce a corporate sustainability report, which provides an overview of our energy usage and greenhouse emissions. At this time, the existing greenhouse gases laws and regulations are not expected to materially harm Water Utility Services’ operations or capital expenditures. While regulation on climate change could change, the uncertainty of future climate change regulatory requirements still remains. We cannot predict the potential impact of future laws and regulations on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Although these future expenditures and costs for regulatory compliance may be recovered in the form of higher rates, there can be no assurance that the various state utility commissions that govern our business would approve rate increases to enable us to recover such expenditures and costs.
Climate change may also impact water supply. For example, severity of drought conditions may impact the availability of water to all Water Utility Services and rising sea levels and their effect on contributing tributary’s water quality may impact the availability of groundwater to Water Utility Services.
We may be at risk for litigation under the principle of inverse condemnation for activities in the normal course of business that have a damaging effect on private property.
Under the California legal doctrine of inverse condemnation, a public utility taking or damaging private property can be responsible to the property owners for compensation, even when damage occurs through no fault or negligence of the utility company and regardless of whether the damage could be foreseen. Based upon existing California case law, SJWC could be sued under the doctrine of inverse condemnation and held liable if its facilities, operations or property, such as mains, fire hydrants, power lines and other equipment, or wildfires in our Santa Cruz Mountain watershed result in damage to private property.
A court finding of inverse condemnation does not obligate the CPUC to allow SJWC to recover damage awards or pass on costs to ratepayers. Insurance coverage for inverse condemnation may not be available or may not be sufficient. SJWC’s liquidity, earnings, and operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to recover the costs of paying claims for damages caused by the operation and maintenance of our property from customers or through insurance.
Our water utility property and systems are subject to condemnation and other proceedings through eminent domain.
State laws in jurisdictions where we operate, including California, Connecticut, Texas and Maine, allow municipalities, water districts and other public agencies to own and operate water systems. If these public agencies are able to establish certain eminent domain elements required under state and federal laws, they may condemn water systems or real property owned by privately owned public utilities in certain circumstances. In general, if a public agency seeks to exercise its eminent domain power to take possession of private property, it must establish that such taking is for a public purpose and must pay just
17
compensation to owners of such property. In the event of eminent domain or condemnation proceedings against our water utility property or systems, we may incur substantial attorney’s fees, consultant and expert fees and other costs in considering a challenge to such proceeding and/or its valuation for just compensation, as well as fees and costs in any subsequent litigation if necessary. If the public agency prevailed and acquired our utility property, we would no longer have access to the condemned property or water system, neither would we be entitled to any portion of revenue generated from the use of such asset going forward. Furthermore, if public agencies succeed in acquiring our assets, there is a risk that we will not receive adequate compensation for the assets taken or be able to recover all charges associated with the condemnation of such assets, which may adversely affect our business operations and financial conditions.
Regulatory agencies may disagree with our valuation and characterization of certain of our assets.
If we determine that assets are no longer used or useful for utility operations, we may remove them from our rate base and subsequently sell those assets with any gain on sales accruing to the stockholders, subject to certain conditions. If the regulators disagree with our characterization, there is a risk that the regulators could determine that a portion or all of the realized appreciation in property value should be awarded to customers rather than our stockholders.
Risks Relating To Business Operations
The adequacy of our water supplies depends upon a variety of factors beyond our control. Interruption in the water supply may adversely affect our reputation and earnings.
We depend on an adequate water supply to meet the present and future needs of our customers. Whether we have an adequate supply varies depending upon a variety of factors, many of which are partially or completely beyond our control, including: the amount of rainfall; the amount of water stored in reservoirs; underground water supply from which well water is pumped; availability from water wholesalers; changes in the amount of water used by our customers; water quality and availability of appropriate treatment technology; legal limitations on water use such as rationing restrictions during a drought; changes in prevailing weather patterns and climate; and population growth.
We purchase our water supply from various governmental agencies and others. Water supply availability may be affected by weather conditions, funding and other political and environmental considerations. In addition, our ability to use surface water is subject to regulations regarding water quality and volume limitations. If new regulations are imposed or existing regulations are changed or given new interpretations, the availability of surface water may be materially reduced. A reduction in surface water could result in the need to procure more costly water from other sources, thereby increasing our water production costs and adversely affecting our operating results if not recovered in rates on a timely basis. From time to time, we enter into water supply agreements with third parties and our business is dependent upon such agreements in order to meet regional demand. The parties from whom we purchase water maintain significant infrastructure and systems to deliver water to us. Maintenance of these facilities is beyond our control. If these facilities are not adequately maintained or if these parties otherwise default on their obligations to supply water to us, we may not have adequate water supplies to meet our customers’ needs.
If we are unable to access adequate water supplies, we may be unable to satisfy all customer demand, which could result in rationing. Rationing may have an adverse effect on cash flow from operations. We can make no guarantee that we will always have access to an adequate supply of water that will meet all required quality standards. Water shortages may affect us in a variety of ways. For example, shortages could: adversely affect our supply mix by causing us to rely on more expensive purchased water; adversely affect operating costs; increase the risk of contamination to our systems due to our inability to maintain sufficient pressure; and increase capital expenditures for building pipelines to connect to alternative sources of supply, new wells to replace those that are no longer in service or are otherwise inadequate to meet the needs of our customers and reservoirs and other facilities to conserve or reclaim water. We may or may not be able to recover increased operating and construction costs on a timely basis, or at all, for our regulated systems through the ratemaking process. We can give no assurance, as to whether we may be able to recover certain of these costs from third parties that may be responsible, or potentially responsible, for any groundwater contamination.
We face competition from other utilities and service providers which might hinder our growth opportunities and mitigate our future profitability.
We face competition from other utilities and service providers which might hinder our growth opportunities and mitigate our future profitability. We face risks of competition from other utilities or other entities authorized by federal, state or local agencies to expand rate-regulated or contracted utility services. Once a state utility regulator grants a franchise to a public utility to serve a specific territory, that utility effectively has an exclusive right to service that territory. Although a new franchise offers some protection against competitors, the pursuit of franchises is often competitive, where new franchises may be awarded to utilities based upon competitive negotiation. Competing entities have challenged, and may challenge in the future, our applications for new franchises.
18
Fluctuations in customer demand for water due to seasonality, restrictions of use, weather, and lifestyle can adversely affect operating results.
Water Utility Services is seasonal, thus quarterly fluctuation in results of operations may be significant. Rainfall and other weather conditions also affect Water Utility Services. Water consumption typically increases during the third quarter of each year when weather tends to be warm and dry. In periods of drought, if customers are encouraged or required to conserve water due to a shortage of water supply or restriction of use, revenue tends to be lower. Similarly, in unusually wet periods, water supply tends to be higher and customer demand tends to be lower, again resulting in lower revenues. Furthermore, certain lifestyle choices made by customers can affect demand for water. For example, a significant portion of residential water use is for outside irrigation of lawns and landscaping. If there is a decreased desire by customers to maintain landscaping for their homes or restrictions are placed on outside irrigation, residential water demand would decrease, which would result in lower revenues.
Conservation efforts and construction codes, which require the use of low-flow plumbing fixtures and appliances, could diminish water consumption and result in reduced revenue. In addition, in time of drought, such as in the drought experienced in California in 2021 to early 2023, mandatory water conservation may become a regulatory requirement that impacts the water usage of our customers. While the impacts of conservation and drought may be mitigated by certain regulatory mechanisms that may apply, such regulatory mechanisms are subject to review and change by the Regulators. Accordingly, there could be no assurance that such regulatory mechanisms will offset the effects of any revenue losses or other adverse impacts to our operating results attributable to these fluctuations in customer demand.
A contamination event or other decline in source water quality could affect the water supply of Water Utility Services and therefore adversely affect our business and operating results.
Water Utility Services is required under drinking water regulations to comply with water quality requirements. Through water quality compliance programs, Water Utility Services monitors for contamination and pollution of its sources of water. In addition, a watershed management program provides a proactive approach to minimize potential contamination activities. There can be no assurance that Water Utility Services will continue to comply fully with all applicable water quality requirements or detect contamination timely or at all. In addition, our facilities and infrastructure, including water towers, reservoirs and wells, may be subject to vandalism, break-ins or attacks, which may cause contamination or damage to our water supply. While we have taken measures to maintain physical security of our facilities, there is no guarantee that such measures will be effective to prevent such events. In the event a contamination is detected, Water Utility Services must either commence treatment to remove the contaminant or procure water from an alternative source. Either of these results may be costly, may increase future capital expenditures and there can be no assurance that the regulators would approve a rate increase to enable us to recover the costs arising from such remedies. In addition, we could be held liable for consequences arising from hazardous substances or contamination in our water supplies or other environmental damages and our reputation may be harmed by the public disclosures or media reports of these events. Our insurance policies may not cover or may not be sufficient to cover the costs of these claims.
Operating under contract water and waste systems subject us to risks.
Water Utility Services operates a number of water and wastewater systems under operation and maintenance contracts. Pursuant to these contracts, such systems are operated according to the standards set forth in the applicable contract, and it is generally the responsibility of the owner of the system to undertake capital improvements over which we may not have control. We may not be able to convince the owner to make needed improvements in order to maintain compliance with applicable regulations. Although violations and fines incurred by water and wastewater systems may be the responsibility of the owner of the system under these contracts, such non-compliance events may reflect poorly on us as the operator of the system and harm our reputation, and in some cases, may result in liability to the same extent as if we were the owner.
The necessity for ongoing physical and technological security has resulted, and may continue to result, in increased operating costs.
The necessity for ongoing physical and technological security has resulted, and may continue to result, in increased operating costs. Because of physical and technological threats to the health and security of the United States of America, we employ procedures to review and modify security measures. We provide ongoing training and communications to our employees about threats to our water supply, our assets and related systems and our employees’ personal safety. We have incurred, and will continue to incur, costs for security measures in efforts to protect against such risks.
19
Water Utility Services rely on information technology and systems that are key to business operations. A system malfunction, security breach, cyber-attacks, or other disruption that compromises our information could expose us to liability and adversely affect business operations. In addition, noncompliance could expose us to liability and adversely affect business operations.
Information technology is key to the operation of the Water Utility Services, including but not limited to payroll, general ledger activities, outsourced bill preparation and remittance processing, providing customer service and the use of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems to operate our distribution system. Among other things, system malfunctions, computer viruses and security breaches could prevent us from operating or monitoring our facilities, billing, and collecting cash accurately and timely analysis and reporting of financial results. In addition, we collect, process, and store sensitive data from our customers and employees, including personally identifiable information, on our networks. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance, or other disruptions. Any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed without our authorization, publicly disclosed, lost, or stolen which could result in legal claims or proceedings, violation of privacy laws or damage to our reputation and customer relationships. Our profitability and cash flow could be affected negatively in the event these systems do not operate effectively or are breached. Further, the use of AI by cybercriminals may increase the frequency and severity of cybersecurity attacks, including against us or our third-party vendors. In addition, we may not be able to develop or acquire information technology that is competitive and responsive to the needs of our business, and we may lack sufficient resources to make the necessary upgrades or replacements of our outdated existing technology to allow us to continue to operate at our current level of efficiency.
In addition, we must comply with privacy laws such as The California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the “CCPA”). The CCPA requires, among other things, covered companies to provide enhanced disclosures to California consumers and to afford such consumers certain privacy rights and consumer protections. The CCPA also establishes statutory damages for victims of data security breaches, and provides additional rights for consumers to obtain their data from any business that has their personally identifying information. We are anticipating updated and finalized implementing regulations under the CCPA that may impact our compliance obligations. We are also subject to Connecticut’s Act Concerning Personal Data Privacy and Online Monitoring, a similar law that took effect July 1, 2023, and will be subject to Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, a consumer privacy law that will be effective July 1, 2024. Moreover, additional state privacy laws have been passed or may be passed in the future, and they may have potential compliance obligations that impact our operations depending on whether we fall under their scope. The effects of these laws have been significant, requiring us to modify our data processing practices and policies and to incur costs and expenses for compliance. Despite our efforts to comply with these laws, we may fail to do so, which may lead to investigations, claims, and proceedings by governmental entities and private parties, damages for breach, and cause us to incur other significant costs, penalties, and other liabilities, as well as harm to our reputation.
A failure of our reservoirs, storage tanks, mains or distribution networks could result in losses and damages that may adversely affect our financial condition and reputation.
We distribute water through an extensive network of mains and store water in reservoirs and storage tanks located across our service areas. The Water Utility Services’ distribution systems were constructed during the period from the early 1900’s through today. A failure of major mains, reservoirs, or tanks could result in injuries and damage to residential and/or commercial property for which we may be responsible, in whole or in part. The failure of major mains, reservoirs or tanks may also result in the need to shut down some facilities or parts of our water distribution network in order to conduct repairs. Such failures and shutdowns may limit our ability to supply water in sufficient quantities to our customers and to meet the water delivery requirements prescribed by governmental regulators, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, liquidity and reputation. We also own and operate numerous dams in California, Connecticut and Maine, and a failure of such dams could result in losses and damages that may adversely affect our financial condition and reputation. Any business interruption or other losses might not be covered by existing insurance policies or be recoverable in rates, and such losses may make it difficult for us to secure insurance in the future at acceptable rates. Our insurance policies may not cover or may not be sufficient to cover the costs of these claims.
The operations of our water and wastewater treatment plants involve physical, chemical, and biological processes and the use of pumps, generators, and other industrial equipment. As a result, our operations are subject to various industrial risks, including chemical spills, discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous substances or gases, effects resulting from confined operating spaces, fires, explosions, mechanical failures, storage tank leaks, and electric shock. These risks can result in personal injury, loss of life, catastrophic damage to or destruction of property and equipment or environmental damage, and related legal proceedings, including those commenced by regulators, neighbors, or others. They may also result in an unanticipated interruption or suspension of our operations and the imposition of liability. The loss or shutdown over an extended period of
20
operations at any of our treatment facilities or any losses relating to these risks could have a material adverse impact on our profitability, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.
Our business and financial performance may be adversely affected by high inflation.
Inflation has the potential to adversely affect our liquidity, business, financial condition and results of operations by increasing our overall cost structure, particularly if we are unable to achieve increases in the rates we charge our customers. There is no guarantee that any future rate increase requests will be approved and granted in a timely manner and/or will be sufficient to cover costs for the impact of high inflation. The existence of inflation in the economy has resulted in, and may continue to result in, higher interest rates and capital costs, shipping costs, supply shortages, increased costs of labor and other similar effects. As a result of inflation, we have experienced and may continue to experience, cost increases. Although we may take measures to mitigate the impact of this inflation, if these measures are not effective, our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity could be materially adversely affected. Even if such measures are effective, there could be a difference between the timing of when these beneficial actions impact our results of operations and when the cost of inflation is incurred.
SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc. have real estate holdings that are subject to various business and investment risks.
SJW Land Company owns real estate in California and Tennessee, and Chester Realty, Inc. owns real estate in Connecticut. The risks of investing directly in real estate vary depending on the investment strategy and investment objective and include the following:
•Market and general economic risks—real estate investment is tied to overall domestic economic growth and, therefore, carries market risk which cannot be eliminated by diversification. Generally, all property types benefit from national economic growth, though the benefits range according to local factors, such as local supply and demand and job creation. Because real estate leases are typically staggered and last for multiple years, there is generally a delayed effect in the performance of real estate in relation to the overall economy. This delayed effect can insulate or deteriorate the financial impact to SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc. in a downturn or an improved economic environment.
•Vacancy rates can climb and market rents can be impacted and weakened by general economic forces, therefore affecting income to SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc.
•A decrease in the value of a real estate property or increase in vacancy could result in reduced future cash flows to amounts below the property’s current carrying value and could result in an impairment charge.
The value of real estate can decrease materially due to a deflationary market, decline in rental income, market cycle of supply and demand, long lag time in real estate development, legislative and governmental actions, environmental concerns, increases in rates of returns demanded by investors, and fluctuation of interest rates, eroding any unrealized capital appreciation and, potentially, invested capital.
The success of SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc.’s real estate investment strategy depend largely on ongoing local, state and federal land use development activities and regulations, future economic conditions, the development and fluctuations in the sale of the undeveloped properties, the ability to identify the developer/potential buyer of the available-for-sale real estate, the timing of the transaction, favorable tax law, and the ability to maintain and manage portfolio properties. There is no guarantee that we will be able to execute the strategy successfully and failure to do so may adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
Work stoppages and other labor relations matters could adversely affect our business and operating results.
As of December 31, 2023, 240 of our 808 total employees were union members. Most of our unionized employees are represented by the UWUA, except certain employees in the engineering department who are represented by the OE. Only employees at SJWC are union members. The current three-year bargaining agreements will expire on December 31, 2025.
We may experience difficulties and delays in the collective bargaining process to reach suitable agreements with union employees, particularly in light of increasing healthcare and pension costs. In addition, changes in applicable law and regulations could have an adverse effect on management’s negotiating position with the unions. Labor actions, work stoppages or the threat of work stoppages, and our failure to obtain favorable labor contract terms during future negotiations may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity.
21
If we fail to maintain safe work sites, we can be exposed to not only people impacts but also to financial losses such as penalties and other liabilities.
Our safety record is critical to our reputation because our business operation involves inherently dangerous activities. We maintain health and safety standards to protect our employees, customers, vendors and the public. Although we intend to adhere to such health and safety standards and aim for zero injuries, it is difficult to avoid accidents at all times.
Our business sites, including construction and maintenance sites, often place our employees and others in close proximity with large pieces of heavy equipment, moving vehicles, pressurized water, underground trenches and vaults, chemicals and other regulated materials. On many sites we are responsible for safety and, accordingly, must implement safety procedures. If we fail to implement such procedures or if the procedures we implement are ineffective or are not followed by our employees or others, or if accidents occur outside of our control, our employees and others may be injured or die. Unsafe work sites also have the potential to increase employee turnover and raise our operating costs. Any of the foregoing could result in financial losses, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, our operations can involve the handling and storage of hazardous chemicals, which, if improperly handled, stored or disposed of, could subject us to penalties or other liabilities. We are also subject to regulations dealing with occupational health and safety. Although we maintain functional employee groups whose primary purpose is to ensure we implement effective health, safety, and environment work procedures throughout our organization, including construction sites and maintenance sites, the failure to comply with such regulations or procedures could subject us to a liability.
Risks Relating To Our Finances and Corporate Matters
We may not have sufficient cash flow or capital resources to fund capital expenditures of our business, and our access to liquidity through the capital markets may be limited.
Our business is capital-intensive. Expenditure levels for renewal and modernization of the system will grow at an increasing rate as components reach the end of their useful lives. SJW Group’s subsidiaries fund capital expenditures through a variety of sources, including cash received from operations, funds received from developers as contributions or advances, borrowings through lines of credit and debt financings, as well as equity financings by SJW Group. We cannot provide any assurance that the historical sources of funds for capital expenditures will continue to be adequate or that the cost of funds will remain at levels permitting us to earn a reasonable rate of return. A significant change in any of the funding sources could impair the ability of Water Utility Services to fund its capital expenditures, which could impact our ability to grow our utility asset base and earnings. Any increase in the cost of capital through higher interest rates or otherwise could adversely affect our results of operations.
Our ability to raise capital through equity or debt may be affected by the economy and condition of the debt and equity markets. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets or deterioration in the strength of financial institutions could adversely affect SJW Group’s ability to draw on its lines of credit, issue long-term debt or sell its equity. In addition, government policies, the state of the credit markets and other factors could result in increased interest rates, which would increase SJW Group’s cost of capital. Furthermore, equity financings may result in dilution to our existing stockholders and debt financings may contain covenants that restrict the actions of SJW Group and its subsidiaries.
We have incurred substantial additional indebtedness that may reduce our business and operational flexibility and increase our borrowing costs.
We have incurred substantial indebtedness resulting in higher debt-to-equity ratio, which may have the effect, among other things, of: reducing our flexibility to respond to changing business, industry and economic conditions; increasing borrowing costs; placing us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other companies in our industry with less debt; potentially having an adverse effect on our issuer and issue ratings; requiring additional cash flow to be used to service debt instead of for other purposes; and potentially impairing our ability to obtain other financing.
In addition, the terms and conditions of such indebtedness, including financial covenants and restrictive covenants, may reduce our business flexibility and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The agreements governing the indebtedness contain covenants that impose significant operating and financial limitations and restrictions on us, including restrictions on the ability to enter particular transactions and engage in other activities that we may believe will be advisable or necessary for our business. In addition, failure to comply with any of the covenants in our existing or future debt agreements could result in a default under those agreements and under other existing agreements containing cross-default provisions. A default would permit lenders to accelerate the maturity of indebtedness under these agreements. Under certain circumstances, we may not have sufficient funds or other resources to satisfy all of our obligations under our indebtedness, including principal and interest payments, which, if not cured, may cause an event of default.
22
Our senior note borrowings include certain financial covenants regarding a maximum debt to equity ratio and an interest coverage requirement. In the event the relevant borrower exceeds the maximum debt to equity ratio or interest coverage requirement, we may be restricted from issuing future debt. In addition, we have issued certain revenue bonds that contain affirmative and negative covenants customary for a loan agreement relating to revenue bonds, including, among other things, certain disclosure obligations, the tax exempt status of the interest on the bonds, and limitations and prohibitions on the transfer of projects funded by the loan proceeds and assignment of the loan agreement.
Certain subsidiaries are required to comply with certain covenants in connection with their various long term loan agreements. These covenants include requirements to maintain a consolidated debt to capitalization ratio and restrictions on cash dividends paid based on restricted net assets. In the event that we violate any of these covenants, an event of default may occur and all amounts due under such loans, senior notes or bonds may come due, which would have an adverse effect on our business operations and financial conditions.
SJW Group has committed to certain “ring-fencing” measures which will enhance CTWS’s separateness from SJW Group, which may limit SJW Group’s ability to influence the management and policies of CTWS (beyond the limitations included in other existing governance mechanisms).
Pursuant to the agreements related to the acquisition of CTWS and commitments made by SJW Group as part of the application for PURA and MPUC approval of the acquisition of CTWS, SJW Group has instituted certain “ring-fencing” measures to enhance CTWS’s separateness from SJW Group and to mitigate the risk that CTWS would be negatively impacted in the event of a bankruptcy or other adverse financial developments affecting SJW Group or its non-ring-fenced affiliates. These commitments became effective upon the closing of the acquisition.
In order to satisfy the ring-fencing commitments, SJW Group formed SJWNE LLC a wholly owned special purpose entity (“SPE”) to own the capital stock of CTWS. The SPE, CTWS and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “CTWS Entities”) adopted certain measures designed to enhance their separateness from SJW Group, with the intention of mitigating the effects on the CTWS Entities of any bankruptcy of SJW Group and its affiliates other than the CTWS Entities (collectively, the “Non-CTWS Entities”). As a result of these ring-fencing measures, in certain situations, SJW Group will be restricted in its ability to access assets of the CTWS Entities as dividends or intercompany loans to satisfy the debt or contractual obligations of any Non-CTWS Entity, including any indebtedness or other contractual obligations of SJW Group. In addition, the ring-fencing structure may negatively impact SJW Group’s ability to achieve certain benefits, including synergies and economies of scale to reduce operating costs of the combined entity, that it anticipates will result from the merger. This ring-fencing structure also subjects SJW Group and the CTWS Entities to certain governance, operational and financial restrictions since the closing of the merger. Accordingly, SJW Group may be restricted in its ability to direct the management, policies and operations of the CTWS Entities, including the deployment or disposition of their respective assets, declarations of dividends, strategic planning and other important corporate issues. Furthermore, the CTWS Entities’ directors have considerable autonomy and, as described in our commitments, have a duty to act in the best interest of the CTWS Entities consistent with the ring-fencing structure and applicable law, which may be contrary to SJW Group’s best interests or be in opposition to SJW Group’s preferred strategic direction for the CTWS Entities. To the extent they take actions that are not in SJW Group’s interests, our financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be materially adversely affected.
Our business strategy, which includes acquiring water systems and expanding non-tariffed services, will expose us to new risks which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our business strategy focuses on the following:
(1)Regional regulated water utility operations (includes water and wastewater);
(2)Regional non-tariffed water utility related services provided in accordance with the guidelines established by the applicable state public utility commissions; and
(3)Out-of-region water and utility related services.
As part of our pursuit of the above three strategic areas, we consider from time-to-time opportunities to acquire businesses and assets. However, we cannot be certain we will be successful in identifying and consummating any strategic business combination or acquisitions relating to such opportunities. In addition, the execution of our business strategy will expose us to different risks than those associated with the current utility operations. We expect to incur costs in connection with the execution of this strategy and any integration of an acquired business could involve significant costs, the assumption of certain known and unknown liabilities related to the acquired assets, the diversion of management’s time and resources, the potential for a negative impact on SJW Group’s financial position and operating results, entering markets in which SJW Group has no or limited direct prior experience and the potential loss of key employees of any acquired company. Any strategic combination or
23
acquisition we decide to undertake may also impact our ability to finance our business, affect our compliance with regulatory requirements, and impose additional burdens on our operations. Any businesses we acquire may not achieve sales, customer growth and projected profitability that would justify the investment. Any difficulties we encounter in the integration process, including the integration of controls necessary for internal control and financial reporting, could interfere with our operations, reduce our operating margins and adversely affect our internal controls. SJW Group cannot be certain that any transaction will be successful or that it will not materially harm operating results or our financial condition.
Adverse investment returns and other factors may increase our pension costs and pension plan funding requirements.
A substantial number of our employees are covered by defined benefit pension plans. Our pension costs and the funded status of the plans are affected by a number of factors including the discount rate, applicable mortality tables, mortality rates of plan participants, investment returns on plan assets, and pension reform legislation. Any change in such factors could result in an increase in future pension costs and an increase in our pension liabilities, requiring an increase in plan contributions which may adversely affect our financial conditions and results of operations.
SJW Group’s dividend policy is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and may be limited by legal and contractual requirements.
We anticipate to continue to pay a regular quarterly dividend, though any such determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent on then-existing conditions, including our financial condition, earnings, legal requirements, including limitations under Delaware law, restrictions in our credit agreements and other debt instruments that limit our ability to pay dividends to stockholders and other factors the board of directors deems relevant. The board of directors of SJW Group may, in its sole discretion, change the amount or frequency of dividends or discontinue the payment of dividends entirely. In addition, our subsidiaries may be subject to restrictions on their ability to pay dividends to us, including under state law, pursuant to regulatory commitments and under their credit agreements and other debt instruments. In this regard, the CTWS Entities are limited from paying dividends to us in certain circumstances under PURA and MPUC regulatory commitments. Any inability of our subsidiaries to pay us dividends may have a material and adverse effect on our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
Our charter documents and Delaware law could prevent a takeover that stockholders consider favorable and could also make it more difficult for stockholders to influence our policies or may reduce the rights of stockholders.
SJW Group’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions that could delay or prevent a change in control of SJW Group. These provisions could also make it more difficult for our stockholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. These provisions include, but are not limited to, the following:
•Authorizing Board of Directors to issue “blank check” preferred stock;
•Prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors;
•Limiting the ability of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders to only stockholders holding not less than 20% of outstanding voting power; and
•Requiring advance notification of stockholder nomination of directors and proposals.
These provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by stockholders of SJW Group to replace or remove its current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of the Board of Directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of management. In addition, the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporate Law (“DGCL”) govern SJW Group. These provisions may prohibit large stockholders, in particular those owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock, from merging or combining with us for a certain period of time without the consent of the Board of Directors.
Furthermore, SJW Group’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that a state or federal court located within Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum (unless the company consents in writing to the selection of an alternate forum) for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of SJW Group, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of SJW Group to the company or its stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Such “exclusive forum” provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with SJW Group or its directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees.
24
We may not be able to maintain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable costs, or at all, to cover all losses incurred in our operations.
We maintain insurance coverage as part of our overall legal and risk management strategy to minimize potential liabilities arising from our operations. Our insurance programs have varying coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions and maximums, and our insurance coverages include: worker’s compensation, employer’s liability, damage to our property, general liability, pollution liability, cybersecurity, and automobile liability. Each policy includes either deductibles or self-insured retentions and policy limits for covered claims. As a result, we may sustain losses that exceed or are excluded from our insurance coverage or for which we are self-insured. The insurance companies may also seek to challenge, reduce or deny any claims we submit, which may prevent us from recovering fully the losses we incurred. In addition, insurance companies may increase premiums or deductibles or reduce coverage limits based on factors that are beyond our control, including industry trends, financial conditions of insurance companies and catastrophic events such as wildfire, earthquake and pandemic. There can be no assurance that we can secure all necessary or appropriate insurance in the future, or that such insurance can be obtain at reasonable cost, or at all.
General Risk Factors
We operate in areas subject to natural disasters, and we may be the target of terrorist activities and other physical threats.
We operate in areas that are prone to earthquakes, fires, floods, extreme weather and other natural disasters. A significant seismic event in northern California, where the majority of our operations are concentrated, or other natural disaster in northern California, Connecticut, Texas or Maine could adversely impact our ability to deliver water to our customers and our costs of operations. A major disaster could damage or destroy our capital assets, harm our reputations and adversely affect our results of operations. The Regulators have historically allowed utilities to establish catastrophic event memorandum accounts as a possible mechanism to recover costs, such as the CEMA memorandum account in California. However, we can give no assurance that our regulators, or any other commission would allow any such cost recovery mechanism in the future.
In light of the potential threats to the nation’s health and security due to terrorist attacks, we have taken steps to increase security measures at our facilities and heighten employee awareness of threats to our water supply. We have also tightened our security measures regarding the delivery and handling of certain chemicals used in our business. In addition, because our operation requires us to interact extensively with the general public, we may be subject to complaints, threats and potentially violent actions by our customers or the public, which may disrupt our business activities and damage our reputation.
We have and will continue to bear increased costs for security precautions to protect our facilities, operations and supplies. These costs may be significant. While some of these costs are likely to be recovered in the form of higher rates, there can be no assurance that the Regulators will approve a rate increase to recover all or part of such costs and, as a result, our operating results and business may be adversely affected. Further, despite these tightened security measures, we may not be in a position to control the outcome of terrorist events should they occur.
Our operations, liquidity, and earnings may be adversely affected by wildfires and risk of fire hazards.
It is possible that wildfires and other fire hazards may occur more frequently, be of longer duration or impact larger areas as a result of drought-damaged plants and trees, lower humidity or higher winds that might be occurring as result of changed weather patterns. The effects of these natural disasters in California’s drought-prone areas, such as the Santa Cruz Mountains, the watershed of which SJWC owns approximately 6,400 acres and where SJWC typically obtains approximately up to 10% of its water supply, may temporarily compromise its surface water supply resulting in disruption in our services and litigation which could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
If our surface water supply is compromised, we may have to interrupt the use of that water supply until we are able to substitute the flow of water from an alternative water source.
In addition, we may incur significant costs in order to treat the impacted source through expansion of our current treatment facilities, or development of new treatment methods. If we are unable to substitute water supply from an alternative water source, or to adequately treat the impacted water source in a cost-effective manner, there may be an adverse effect on our revenues, operating results, and financial condition. The costs we incur to secure an alternative water source or an increase in draws from our underground water system could be significant and may not be recoverable in rates.
Wildfires may destroy or cause damage to properties, facilities, equipment and other assets owned and operated by SJWC or result in personal injuries to our employees and personnel, which may cause temporary or permanent disruption to our water services. In such a case, we may be required to incur significant expenses to repair, replace or upgrade our assets, or to defend
25
against costly litigation or disputes with third parties, any of which may adversely affect our business operations or financial conditions.
While we maintain a business insurance policy, such policy includes limitation and retention that may reduce, or in some cases eliminate, our ability to recover all or a substantial portion of the losses and damages due to wildfire. Our inability to rely fully on insurance coverage may negatively impact our results of operations. Losses by insurance companies resulting from wildfires in California may also cause insurance coverage for wildfire risks to become more expensive or unavailable under reasonable terms, and our insurance may be inadequate to recover all our losses incurred in a wildfire. Furthermore, we might not be allowed to recover in our rates any increased costs of wildfire insurance or the costs of any uninsured wildfire losses.
The price of our common stock may be volatile and may be affected by market conditions beyond our control.
The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate in the future based on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control and unrelated to our financial results. Factors that could cause fluctuations in the trading price of our common stock include volatility of the general stock market or the utility index, regulatory developments, public announcement of material development in strategic transactions, general economic conditions and trends, actual or anticipated changes or fluctuations in our results of operations, actual or anticipated changes in the expectations of investors or securities analysts, actual or anticipated developments in our competitors’ businesses or the competitive landscape generally, litigation involving us or our industry, and major catastrophic event(s) or sales of large blocks of our stock. Furthermore, we believe that stockholders invest in public stocks in part because they seek reliable dividend payments. If there is an oversupply of stock of public utilities in the market relative to demand by such investors, the trading price of our common stock may decrease. Additionally, if interest rates rise above the dividend yield offered by our common stock, demand for our stock and its trading price may also decrease.
We must continue to attract and retain qualified technical and managerial personnel in order to succeed.
Our future success depends substantially upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled technical, operational and financial managers. There is a significant competition for such personnel in our industry. Our ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel depends on many factors, including but are not limited to, our ability to provide competitive compensation and benefit packages, availability of talents in our industry, general workforce trends and macroeconomic conditions. The loss of the services of any member of our management team or the inability to hire and retain experienced management personnel could have an adverse effect on our business, as our management team has knowledge of our industry and customers and would be difficult to replace. We believe we offer competitive compensation and benefits as well as conduct succession planning and provide opportunities for continued development, and we continually strive to recruit and train qualified personnel and retain key employees. There can be no assurance, however, that we will continue to be successful in attracting and retaining the personnel we require to grow and operate profitably.
Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy
We have taken critical steps to ensure the security and protection of our computer systems and networks. Our processes for assessment, identification and management of material risks from cybersecurity threats include routine monitoring of vulnerabilities, evaluations of new service providers, written policies for incident identification and management, and regular testing and assessment of our cybersecurity posture.
We have integrated cybersecurity risk management as part of our company-wide culture. The measures undertaken include, but are not limited to, monthly cybersecurity training for all employees and frequent communication to all employees on the importance of cybersecurity measures.
We have engaged third-party experts to assist us in monitoring and managing our cybersecurity process. Furthermore, we monitor cybersecurity threats at certain of our third-party vendors on a regular basis. As of the date of this report, we are not aware of any material risks from cybersecurity threats that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the company, including our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. We have discussed cybersecurity risks that may affect the company in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” under the headings, “The necessity for ongoing physical and technological security has resulted, and may continue to result, in increased operating costs,” “Water Utility Services rely on information technology and systems that are key to business operations. A system malfunction, security breach, cyber-attacks or other disruption that compromises our information and expose us to liability and adversely affect business operations. In addition, noncompliance could expose us to liability and adversely
26
affect business operations,” and “We may not be able to maintain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable costs, or at all, to cover all losses incurred in our operations.”
Cybersecurity Governance
We have implemented an internal risk assessment process that focuses on the principal risks that have been identified for us, including risks associated with our regulatory environment, business operations and continuity, compliance requirements, information technology and data storage and retrieval facilities, cyber risk, insurance coverage. The Audit Committee, pursuant to its charter, meets at least quarterly with senior leadership and other employees to discuss identified risks and the measures taken to control, manage and mitigate those risks, which include cyber and information security risk. On the basis of these meetings and discussions regarding such risks, the Chairman of the Audit Committee reports periodically to the full Board. The Vice President, Information Security Officer provides cybersecurity updates to the Audit Committee and other members of our senior management as appropriate at least quarterly. Our Vice President, Information Security Officer, and his team is responsible for leading enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy, policy, standards, architecture, and processes, with the support of third-party experts. The Vice President, Information Security Officer has over 30 years of experience in information technology of which over 20 years is in cybersecurity, with industry experience in utilities, banking and e-commerce.
Item 2.Properties
The properties of SJWC consist of a unified water production system located in the County of Santa Clara in the State of California. In general, the property is comprised of franchise rights, water rights, necessary rights-of-way, approximately 6,400 acres of land held in fee (which is primarily non-developable watershed), impounding reservoirs with a capacity of approximately 2.3 billion gallons, 2,492 miles of transmission and distribution mains, distribution storage of approximately 0.20 billion gallons, wells, boosting facilities, diversions, surface water treatment plants, equipment, office buildings and other property necessary to provide water service to its customers.
SJWC maintains all of its properties in good operating condition in accordance with customary practice for a water utility. SJWC’s groundwater pumping stations have a production capacity of approximately 0.26 billion gallons per day and the present capacity for taking purchased water is approximately 0.08 billion gallons per day. The surface water collection system has a physical delivery capacity of approximately 0.03 billion gallons per day. During 2023, a maximum and average of 0.13 billion gallons and 0.09 billion gallons of water per day, respectively, were delivered to the system.
The properties of CTWS consist of land, easements, rights (including water rights), buildings, reservoirs with a capacity of approximately 9.4 billion gallons, standpipes, dams, wells, supply lines, water treatment plants, pumping plants, 2,317 miles of transmission and distribution mains and other facilities and equipment used for the collection, purification, storage and distribution of water throughout Connecticut and Maine. In certain cases, CWC and MWC are or may be a party to limited contractual arrangements for the provision of water supply from neighboring utilities.
Sources of water supply owned, maintained and operated by CTWS include 25 surface water reservoirs and 108 well fields. In addition, CWC and MWC have agreements with various neighboring water utilities to provide water, at negotiated rates, to our water systems. Collectively, these sources have the capacity to deliver approximately 0.08 billion gallons of potable water daily to the 27 major operating systems. CTWS also owns, maintains and operates 50 small, non-interconnected satellite and consecutive water systems, that combined, have the ability to deliver about 3.5 million gallons of additional water per day to their respective systems. CTWS’s 30 water treatment plants have a combined treatment capacity of approximately 0.05 billion gallons per day. In addition, CTWS owns and operates one wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 780,000 gallons per day.
The properties of TWC consist of land, easements, rights (including water rights), buildings, reservoirs, standpipes, wells, supply lines, water treatment plants, pumping plants, 818 miles of transmission and distribution mains and other facilities and equipment used for the collection, purification, storage and distribution of water throughout its service area. TWC maintains a service area that covers approximately 271 square miles located in the southern region of the Texas hill country in Bandera, Blanco, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina and Travis counties. The majority of the service area surrounds an 8,200-surface acre reservoir, Canyon Lake. TWC production wells have the ability to pump a combined 5.8 billion gallons annually. TWC has contracts for 2 billion gallons of untreated surface water and 0.24 billion gallons of treated surface water from the GBRA annually, and 0.11 billion gallons of treated surface water from LCRA. TWC owns and operates three surface water treatment plants with a combined production capacity of 9 million gallons per day. TWC maintains 87 storage tanks with a total storage capacity of 0.02 billion gallons. TWC owns and operates four wastewater treatment plants with a combined capacity of 293,500 gallons per day. In August 2023, TWR acquired eight wells and the water rights of KT Water Resources LLC. These wells have been projected to yield an additional 2.0 billion gallons per year or more.
27
Water Utility Services hold all of its principal properties in fee simple, subject to current tax and assessment liens, rights-of-way, easements, and certain minor defects in title which do not materially affect their use. A substantial portion of treatment, storage and distribution properties owned by MWC are subject to liens of mortgage or indentures that secure bonds, notes and other evidences of long-term indebtedness.
As of December 31, 2023, SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc. own approximately 101 acres of property in the State of California, 55 acres of property in the State of Tennessee and 23 acres of property in State of Connecticut.
The following table is a summary of SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc. properties described previously:
% for Year Ended December 31, 2023 of Real Estate Services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | Location | Acreage | Square Footage | Revenue | Expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warehouse building | Knoxville, TN | 30 | 361,500 | 52 | % | 47 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial building | Knoxville, TN | 15 | 135,000 | 47 | % | 52 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Undeveloped land and parking lot | Knoxville, TN | 10 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Undeveloped land | San Jose, CA | 101 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial building | Clinton, CT | 22 | 9,000 | 1 | % | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial building | Guilford, CT | 1 | 1,300 | — | % | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Item 3.Legal Proceedings
SJW Group and its subsidiaries are subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business. In October 2023, The Connecticut Water Company, a subsidiary of SJW Group, was named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit alleging that the water provided by Connecticut Water contained contaminants. Connecticut Water intends to vigorously defend itself in this lawsuit. There are no pending legal proceedings to which SJW Group or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or to which any of its properties is the subject, that are expected to have a material effect on SJW Group’s business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
28
PART II
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
SJW Group’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SJW.” As of December 31, 2023, there were 271 record holders of SJW Group’s common stock, excluding those shares held in street or nominee name.
Five-Year Performance Graph
The following performance graph compares the changes in the cumulative stockholder return on SJW Group’s common stock with the cumulative total return on a Water Utility Index and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index during the last five years ended December 31, 2023. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2018 in SJW Group’s common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among SJW Group, a Water Utility Index and the S&P 500 Index
The following descriptive data of the performance graph is supplied in accordance with Rule 304(d) of Regulation S-T (numbers represent U.S. dollars ($)):
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SJW Group | $ | 100 | 130 | 130 | 139 | 158 | 130 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water Utility Index | $ | 100 | 140 | 162 | 201 | 173 | 155 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S&P 500 Index | $ | 100 | 131 | 156 | 200 | 164 | 207 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Water Utility Index is the nine water company Water Utility Index (including CTWS up to the time of its merger with SJW Group) prepared by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. The above performance graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that the company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.
Item 6.[Reserved]
29
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except where otherwise noted)
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with “Forward-Looking Statements,” Part 1, Item 1 “Business,” Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors,” and our consolidated financial statements and notes included under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following sections include a discussion of results for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The comparative results for the year ended December 31, 2022 with for the year ended December 31, 2021 generally have not been included in this Form 10-K but may be found in “Part II - Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Business Strategy for Water Utility Services
SJW Group focuses its business initiatives in three strategic areas:
(1)Investing in regional regulated water utility operations to support the health, safety and quality of life of our customers;
(2)Regional non-tariffed water utility related services provided in accordance with the guidelines established by the applicable state public utility commissions; and
(3)Out-of-region water and utility related services.
Regional Regulated Activities
SJW Group’s regulated utility operation is conducted through SJWC, CWC, TWC and MWC. SJW Group plans and applies a diligent and disciplined approach to maintaining and improving its water system infrastructures and also seeks to acquire regulated water systems adjacent to or near its existing service territory. CWC and TWC also provide regulated wastewater services.
The United States water utility industry is largely fragmented and is dominated by municipal-owned water systems. The water industry is regulated, and provides a life-sustaining product. This makes water utilities subject to lower business cycle risks than non-tariffed industries.
Regional Non-tariffed Activities
SJWC provides non-tariffed services, such as water system operations, maintenance agreements and antenna site leases under agreements with municipalities and other utilities. TWC provides non-tariffed wholesale water service to adjacent utilities and non-tariffed wastewater services. CTWS provides non-tariffed services, such as water system operations and maintenance under agreements with municipalities and other utilities. Additionally, CTWS offers Linebacker©, an optional service line protection program covering a limited amount of the cost of repairs for leaking or broken water and wastewater service lines and in-home plumbing to eligible residential customers in Connecticut and water service lines to eligible residential customers in Maine.
SJW Group also seeks appropriate non-tariffed business opportunities that complement its existing operations or that allow it to extend its core competencies beyond existing operations. SJW Group seeks opportunities to fully utilize its capabilities and existing capacity by providing services to other regional water systems, which also will benefit its existing regional customers.
Out-of-Region Opportunities
SJW Group also from time to time pursues opportunities to participate in out-of-region water and utility related services, particularly regulated water and wastewater businesses. SJW Group evaluates out-of-region and out-of-state opportunities that meet SJW Group’s risk and return profile.
The factors SJW Group considers in evaluating such opportunities include:
•Potential profitability;
•Regulatory environment;
•Additional growth opportunities within the region;
•Water supply, water quality and environmental issues;
•Capital requirements;
•General economic conditions; and
•Synergy potential.
30
As part of our pursuit of the above three strategic areas, we consider from time-to-time opportunities to acquire businesses and assets. However, we cannot be certain we will be successful in identifying and consummating any strategic business combination or acquisitions relating to such opportunities. In addition, the execution of our business strategy will expose us to different risks than those associated with the current utility operations. We expect to incur costs in connection with the execution of this strategy and any integration of an acquired business could involve significant costs, the assumption of certain known and unknown liabilities related to the acquired assets, the diversion of management’s time and resources, the potential for a negative impact on SJW Group’s financial position and operating results, entering markets in which SJW Group has no or limited direct prior experience and the potential loss of key employees of any acquired company. Any strategic combination or acquisition we decide to undertake may also impact our ability to finance our business, affect our compliance with regulatory requirements, and impose additional burdens on our operations. Any businesses we acquire may not achieve sales, customer growth and projected profitability that would justify the investment. Any difficulties we encounter in the integration process, including the integration of controls necessary for internal control and financial reporting, could interfere with our operations, reduce our operating margins and adversely affect our internal controls. SJW Group cannot be certain that any transaction will be successful or that it will not materially harm operating results or our financial condition.
Real Estate Services
SJW Group’s real estate investment activity is conducted through SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc. SJW Land Company owns undeveloped land in California and Tennessee and owns and operates commercial buildings in Tennessee. Chester Realty, Inc. owns and operates land and commercial buildings in the State of Connecticut. SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc. manage its acquired income producing and other properties until such time a determination is made to reinvest proceeds from sale of such properties.
Critical Accounting Policies
SJW Group has identified accounting policies delineated below as the policies critical to its business operations and the understanding of the results of operations. The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. SJW Group bases its estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.” SJW Group’s critical accounting policies are as follows:
Recognition of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Generally accepted accounting principles for water utilities include the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities as permitted by ASC Topic 980. In accordance with ASC Topic 980, Water Utility Services, to the extent applicable, records regulatory assets for incurred costs that are deemed probable of recovery from customers. Also, Water Utility Services recognizes regulatory liabilities for amounts expected to be refunded to customers in the rate-making process and for amounts collected in advance of the related expenditures. Regulatory assets or liabilities are also recognized for special revenue programs such as WCMA and WRA in accordance with guidance on alternative revenue programs under ASC Topic 980, including the requirement that such revenues will be collected within 24 months of the year-end in which the revenue is recorded. A reserve is recorded for amounts SJW Group estimates will not be collected within the 24-month period. This reserve is based on an estimate of actual usage over the recovery period, offset by applicable drought surcharges. Application of ASC Topic 980, including determining whether recovery is probable, requires significant judgement by management and includes assessing evidence that may exist prior to regulatory authorization, including regulatory rules and decisions, historical ratemaking practices, and other facts and circumstances that would indicate the recovery or refund is probable. The regulatory assets and liabilities recorded by Water Utility Services primarily relate to asset removal costs, the recognition of deferred income taxes for ratemaking versus tax accounting purposes, balancing and memorandum accounts, pensions and other postretirement benefits, and employee benefit costs. The disallowance of any asset in future ratemaking, including regulatory assets, would require Water Utility Services to immediately recognize the impact of the costs for financial reporting purposes. No disallowances were recognized during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Recognition of Balancing and Memorandum Accounts
Balancing and memorandum accounts are utilized by our California operations. The purpose of a balancing account is to track the under-collection or over-collection associated with expense changes and the revenue authorized by the CPUC to offset those expense changes. Pursuant to Section 792.5 of the California Public Utilities Code, a balancing account must be maintained for expense items for which revenue offsets have been authorized. Balancing and memorandum accounts are recognized by SJWC when it is probable that future recovery of previously incurred costs or future refunds that are to be credited to customers will occur through the ratemaking process.
31
Balancing accounts are currently being maintained for the following items: purchased water, purchased power, groundwater extraction charges, pensions, and general rate case and cost of capital true-ups. The amount in the water production balancing accounts varies with the seasonality of the water utility business such that, during the summer months when the demand for water is at its peak, the account tends to reflect an under-collection, while during the winter months when demand for water is relatively lower, the account tends to reflect an over-collection. The pension balancing account is intended to capture the difference between actual pension expense and the amount approved in rates by the CPUC. The general rate case true-up accounts are a result of revenue shortfalls authorized for collection or refund by the CPUC due to delayed rate case and cost of capital decisions. The MWRAM tracks the difference between the revenue received for actual metered sales through the tiered volumetric rate and the revenue that would have been received with the same actual metered sales if a uniform rate would have been in effect.
SJWC also maintains memorandum accounts to track impacts due to catastrophic events, certain unforeseen water quality expenses related to new federal and state water quality standards, energy efficiency, water conservation, water tariffs, and other approved activities or as directed by the CPUC. The WCMA allows SJWC to track revenue, net of related water costs, associated with reduced sales due to water conservation and associated calls for water use reduction. SJWC records the lost revenue captured in the WCMA balancing accounts. Applicable drought surcharges collected are used to offset the revenue losses tracked in the WCMA.
In assessing the probability criteria for balancing and memorandum accounts between general rate cases, SJWC considers evidence that may exist prior to CPUC authorization that would satisfy ASC Topic 980 subtopic 340-25 recognition criteria. Such evidence may include regulatory rules and decisions, past practices, and other facts and circumstances that would indicate that recovery or refund is probable. When such evidence provides sufficient support, the balances are recorded in SJW Group’s financial statements.
It is typical for the CPUC to incorporate any over-collected and/or under-collected balances in balancing or memorandum accounts into customer rates at the time rate decisions are made as part of SJWC’s general rate case proceedings by assessing temporary sur-credits and/or surcharges. In the case where SJWC’s balancing or memorandum-type accounts that have been authorized by the CPUC reach certain thresholds or have termination dates, SJWC can request the CPUC to recognize the amounts in customer rates prior to the next regular general rate case proceeding by filing an advice letter.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition of a business. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually on October 1st or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. SJW Group first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. In assessing the qualitative factors, SJW Group considers the impact of these key factors: change in industry and competitive environment, financial performance, macroeconomic conditions, and other relevant Company-specific events. If SJW Group determines that as a result of the qualitative assessment it is more likely than not (> 50% likelihood) that the fair value is less than carrying amount, then a quantitative test is performed. SJW Group performed an impairment analysis as of October 1, 2023. The qualitative assessment found no indicators of impairment and therefore did not perform the quantitative impairment test. No impairments occurred during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021.
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
SJW Group’s financial condition and results of operations are influenced by a variety of factors including the following:
•Economic utility regulation;
•Infrastructure investment;
•Compliance with environmental, health and safety standards;
•Production expenses;
•Customer growth;
•Water usage per customer;
•Weather conditions, seasonality and sources of water supply; and
•Merger and acquisition activities, if any.
32
Economic Utility Regulation
Water Utility Services is generally subject to economic regulation by the Regulators overseeing public utilities. Regulatory policies vary from state to state and may change over time. In addition, there may be regulatory lag between the time a capital investment is made, a consumption decrease occurs, or an operating expense increases and when those items are adjusted in utility rates.
SJWC employs a forward-looking test year and has been authorized to use several mechanisms to mitigate risks faced due to regulatory lag and new and changing legislation, policies and regulation. These include memorandum accounts to track revenue impacts due to catastrophic events, certain unforeseen water quality expenses related to new federal and state water quality standards, energy efficiency, water conservation, water tariffs, and other approved activities or as directed by the CPUC. Rate recovery for the balances in these memorandum accounts is generally allowed in a subsequent general rate case. SJWC also maintains balancing accounts to track changes in purchased water, purchased power, groundwater extraction charges and pension costs for later rate recovery. Regulatory risk in California is mitigated by use of a forward-looking test year which allows the return on and return of utility plant on a forecasted basis as it is placed in service, and in some cases interim rate relief is allowed in the event of regulatory lag. The CPUC permits its regulated utilities to acquire other utilities if the proposed sale and asset purchase transaction is determined to be in the public interest. Under Public Utilities Code § 2720, the purchase price, subject to a reasonable test involving appraisals from the acquirer as well as the Public Advocates Office, represents the Fair Market Value. Upon CPUC approval, acquiring utilities can include the Fair Market Value in rate base.
Pursuant to Connecticut regulations, CWC employs a historical test year. To address regulatory risk due to regulatory lag and changing legislation policies and regulations, rate cases may be filed as necessary in Connecticut. Additionally, to mitigate regulatory lag for pipeline replacement and conservation related projects, the Connecticut State Legislature has approved WICA that allows for a surcharge to be added to customer bills semi-annually for certain eligible pre-approved projects. Further, to mitigate risks from variations in revenues from changes in customer usage, the Connecticut State Legislature has approved a WRA to provide for recovery of the company’s authorized revenues.
Pursuant to Texas regulation, TWC employs a historical test year. To address regulatory risk due to regulatory lag and changing legislation policies and regulations, rate cases may be filed as necessary in Texas, provided there is no current rate case outstanding. Further, rate cases may not be filed more frequently than once every 12 months. Additionally, to mitigate regulatory lag for capital improvements, Texas seeks to implement its first SIC. The SIC will allow TWC to earn a return on some of its capital improvements made after 2020 through a surcharge to its customers. The SIC is a cost recovery mechanism recently adopted in Texas that avoids the immediate need for a general rate case. The PUCT permits the acquisition of utilities using a process termed the Fair Market Value. This process brings in three appraisers to determine the market value of a system which the acquiring utility can apply as the value of utility plant included in rate base. In addition, after recent legislation the PUCT adopted rules allowing the application of the Filed Rate Doctrine. This allows water utilities the option of applying their previously approved rates to the customers of newly acquired systems, which encourages consolidation by minimizing rate case expenses.
Pursuant to Maine regulations, MWC employs a historical test year. To address regulatory risk due to regulatory lag and changing legislation policies and regulations, rate cases may be filed as necessary in Maine. Additionally, to mitigate regulatory lag for all infrastructure replacements (except meters), the Maine State Legislature has approved of WISC that allows for a surcharge to be added to customer bills semi-annually for certain pre-approved projects.
Infrastructure Investment
The water utility business is capital-intensive. In 2023 and 2022, company-funded capital improvements were $271,772 and $218,784, respectively, for additions to, or replacements of, property, plant and equipment for our Water Utility Services. We plan to spend approximately $332,000 in 2024 and $1,621,000 over five years for capital improvements. SJW Group funds these expenditures through a variety of sources, including earnings received from operations, debt and equity financing, and other borrowings. SJW Group relies upon lines of credit to fund capital expenditures in the short term and has historically issued long-term debt to refinance our short-term debt. While our ability to obtain financing will continue to be a key risk, we believe that based on our successful 2023 activities, we will have access to the external funding sources necessary to implement our ongoing capital investment programs in the future.
Compliance with Environmental, Health and Safety Standards
Water Utility Services’ operations are subject to water quality and pollution control regulations issued by the EPA and environmental laws and regulations administered by the respective states and local regulatory agencies. Under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, Water Utility Services is subject to regulation by the EPA of the quality of water it sells and treatment techniques it uses to make the water potable. The EPA promulgates nationally applicable standards, including maximum contaminant levels for drinking water. Water Utility Services has implemented monitoring activities and installed specific water
33
treatment improvements enabling it to comply with existing maximum contaminant levels and plan for compliance with future drinking water regulations. However, the EPA and the respective state agencies have continuing authority to issue additional regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Water Utility Services incur substantial costs associated with compliance with environmental, health and safety and water quality regulation to which our water services are subject.
Environmental, health and safety, and water quality regulations are complex and change frequently, and the overall trend has been that they have become more stringent over time. It is possible that new or more stringent environmental standards and water quality regulations could be imposed that will increase Water Utility Services’ water quality compliance costs, hamper Water Utility Services’ available water supplies, and increase future capital expenditures. Future drinking water regulations may require increased monitoring, additional treatment of underground water supplies, fluoridation of all supplies, more stringent performance standards for treatment plants and procedures to further reduce levels of disinfection by-products. In the past, Water Utility Services have generally been able to recover expenses associated with compliance related to environmental, health and safety standards, but future recoveries could be affected by regulatory lag and the corresponding uncertainties surrounding rate recovery.
Production Expenses
Water Utility Services’ operations require significant production inputs which result in substantial production expenses. These expenses include power, which is used to operate pumps and other equipment, purchased water and groundwater extraction charges. For 2023, production expenses accounted for 49% of our total operating expenses. Price increases associated with these production inputs would adversely impact our results of operations until rate relief is granted.
Customer Growth
Customer growth in our Water Utility Services’ is driven by: (i) organic population growth within our authorized service areas and (ii) the addition of new customers to our regulated customer base by acquiring regulated water systems adjacent to or near our existing service territories. During 2023, we had cash outflows of $7,537 for business acquisitions which we believe will allow SJW Group to expand our regulated customer base. Before entering new regulated markets, we evaluate the regulatory environment to ensure that we will have the opportunity to achieve an appropriate rate of return on our investment while maintaining our high standards for quality, reliability and compliance with environmental, health and safety, and water quality standards.
Water Usage Per Customer
Fluctuations in customer demand for water could be due to seasonality, restrictions of use, weather or lifestyle choices, all of which could affect Water Utility Services’ results of operations.
The following is the change in customer usage in 2023 compared to 2022:
•SJWC residential usage decreased 2.9% and business usage decreased 0.8%.
•TWC residential and business usage decreased 8.8%.
•CWC residential usage decreased 7.9% and business usage decreased 3.3%.
•MWC residential usage decreased 7.3% and business usage decreased 14.3%.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, SJWC’s residential and business usage was lower by 15.0% and 3.2%, respectively, than the amount authorized in our 2022-2024 general rate case. SJWC’s service area is currently under voluntary 15% reduction of water consumption. To address the difference between conservation usage and authorized usage in the rate case, the CPUC has approved the activation of the WCMA which tracks the divergence between authorized versus actual consumption in a balancing account for future recovery.
With the availability of the WRA in Connecticut, which allows for recovery of authorized revenues, decreases in consumption year to year do not present the same financial risk as in our other water utility services utilities.
Weather Conditions, Seasonality and Sources of Water Supply
Our ability to meet the existing and future water demands of our customers depends on an adequate supply of water. Drought, governmental restrictions, overuse of sources of water, the protection of threatened species or habitats or other factors may limit the availability of ground and surface water. Also, customer usage of water is affected by weather conditions, in particular during the warmer months. Our water systems experience higher demand in the summer due to the warmer temperatures and increased usage by customers for outside irrigation of lawns and landscaping. In periods of drought, if customers are encouraged or required to conserve water due to a shortage of supply or restriction of use, revenue tends to be lower. Water use restrictions may be imposed at a regional or state level and may affect our service areas regardless of our readiness to meet
34
unrestricted customer demands. Similarly, in unusually wet periods, water supply tends to be higher and customer demand tends to be lower, again resulting in lower revenues.
SJWC believes that its various sources of water supply, which consists of groundwater from wells, surface water from watershed run-off and diversion, reclaimed water, and purchased imported water, will be sufficient to meet customer demand for 2024. In addition, SJWC actively works with Valley Water to address California’s long-term water supply challenges by continuing to educate customers on responsible water use practices and to conduct long-range water supply planning. CWC and MWC believes that they will be able to meet customer demand for 2024 with their existing water supply which consists of groundwater from wells, surface water in reservoirs and purchased water treated by neighboring water utilities. TWC believes that it will be able to meet customer demand for 2024 with their water supply which consists of groundwater from wells and purchased treated and raw water from the GBRA.
Results of Operations
Water sales are seasonal in nature and influenced by weather conditions. The timing of precipitation and climatic conditions can cause seasonal water consumption by customers to vary significantly. Revenue is generally higher in the warm, dry summer months when water usage and sales are greater and lower in the winter months when cooler temperatures and increased rainfall curtail water usage and sales.
See Item 1, “Business” and Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for a discussion of SJW Group’s general business and regulatory activities.
Overview
SJW Group’s consolidated net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $84,987, compared to $73,828 for the same period in 2022. This represents an increase of $11,159 or 15%, from 2022. The increase in net income was primarily driven by rate filings in California and Maine, lower maintenance costs due in part to prior year incurred costs related to the Order of Instituting Investigation settlement agreement, and a decrease in income taxes due to the partial release of an uncertain tax position reserve, partially offset by higher water production expenses, higher debt interest expenses, increased allowances for credit losses, higher depreciation and amortization expense related to new utility plant additions, and a gain on sale of nonutility properties of $6,197 in 2022 that did not recur in 2023.
Operating Revenue
Operating revenue by segment was as follows:
Operating Revenue
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Water Utility Services | $ | 664,679 | 615,093 | ||||||||
| Real Estate Services | 5,684 | 5,605 | |||||||||
Total operating revenue | $ | 670,363 | 620,698 | ||||||||
The change in consolidated operating revenues was due to the following factors:
2023 vs. 2022 Increase/(decrease) | |||||||||||
| Water Utility Services: | |||||||||||
| Consumption changes | $ | (6,624) | (2) | % | |||||||
| Increase in customers | 3,780 | 1 | % | ||||||||
| Rate increases | 46,592 | 8 | % | ||||||||
| Balancing and memorandum accounts: | |||||||||||
MWRAM | 628 | — | % | ||||||||
WCMA | 1,994 | 1 | % | ||||||||
All other | 1,187 | — | % | ||||||||
| Other regulatory mechanisms | 1,875 | — | % | ||||||||
| Other | 154 | — | % | ||||||||
| Real Estate Services | 79 | — | % | ||||||||
Total change in operating revenue | $ | 49,665 | 8 | % | |||||||
35
The revenue increase consists of $49,586 from Water Utility Services and $79 from Real Estate Services.
The revenue increase for Water Utility Services is primarily due to an increase in authorized rates in California and Maine which resulted in $46,592 of additional revenue, an increase of $3,780 from new customers, balancing and memorandum accounts increases were primarily due to WCMA for $1,994 and $1,187 for all other balancing and memorandum accounts, and increases in other regulatory mechanisms by $1,875, partially offset by decreases of $6,624 due to lower usage.
Water Utility Services’ Operating Revenue and Customer Counts
The following tables present operating revenues and number of customers by customer group of Water Utility Services:
Operating Revenue by Customer Group
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Residential and business | $ | 566,651 | 509,284 | ||||||||
| Industrial | 5,038 | 5,619 | |||||||||
| Public authorities | 24,395 | 22,633 | |||||||||
| Others | 56,823 | 50,821 | |||||||||
| Balancing and memorandum accounts and other regulatory mechanisms | 11,772 | 26,736 | |||||||||
| $ | 664,679 | 615,093 | |||||||||
Number of Customers
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Residential and business | 387,616 | 384,346 | |||||||||
| Industrial | 614 | 609 | |||||||||
| Public authorities | 2,424 | 2,389 | |||||||||
| Others | 11,056 | 10,982 | |||||||||
| 401,710 | 398,326 | ||||||||||
Operating Expense
Operating expense by segment was as follows:
Operating Expense
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Water Utility Services | $ | 514,375 | 482,679 | ||||||||
| Real Estate Services | 2,956 | 3,719 | |||||||||
| All Other | 3,597 | 3,322 | |||||||||
| $ | 520,928 | 489,720 | |||||||||
36
The change in consolidated operating expenses was due to the following factors:
2023 vs. 2022 Increase/(decrease) | |||||||||||
| Water production expenses: | |||||||||||
Change in surface water use | $ | (11,510) | (2) | % | |||||||
| Change in usage and new customers | (9,716) | (2) | % | ||||||||
Purchased water and groundwater extraction charge, energy price change and other production expenses, net | 31,767 | 7 | % | ||||||||
Balancing and memorandum account cost recovery | 12,869 | 2 | % | ||||||||
| Total water production expenses | 23,410 | 5 | % | ||||||||
| Administrative and general | 3,252 | 1 | % | ||||||||
| Maintenance | (5,005) | (1) | % | ||||||||
| Property taxes and other non-income taxes | 1,903 | — | % | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,451 | — | % | ||||||||
Gain on sale of nonutility property | 6,197 | 1 | % | ||||||||
| $ | 31,208 | 6 | % | ||||||||
Sources of Water Supply
SJWC’s water supply consists of groundwater from wells, surface water from watershed run-off and diversion, reclaimed water, and imported water purchased from Valley Water under the terms of a master contract with Valley Water expiring in 2051. Surface water is sourced from SJWC’s 6,400 acres of watershed in the Santa Cruz mountains. In 2022, SJWC’s general rate case decision approved the use of the Full Cost Balancing Account which mitigates the cost of the water supply from changes and variations in quantities from each of these sources which affect the overall mix of the water supply. The water rates for purchased water and the groundwater extraction charge may be increased by Valley Water at any time. If an increase occurs, then SJWC would file an advice letter with the CPUC seeking authorization to increase revenues to offset the rate increase.
CWC’s water sources vary among the individual systems, but overall, approximately 80% of the total dependable yield comes from surface water supplies and 20% from wells. In addition, CWC has water supply agreements to supplement its water supply with the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority and The Metropolitan District that expire in 2058 and 2053, respectively.
TWC’s water supply consists of groundwater from wells and purchased treated and raw water from the GBRA. TWC has long-term agreements with the GBRA, which expire in 2037, 2040, 2044 and 2050. The agreements, which are take-or-pay contracts, provide TWC with an aggregate of 7,650 acre-feet of water per year from Canyon Lake at prices that may be adjusted periodically by GBRA. TWC also has raw water supply agreements with the LCRA and WTPUA expiring in 2059 and 2046, respectively, to provide for 350 acre-feet of water per year from Lake Austin and the Colorado River, respectively, at prices that may be adjusted periodically by the agencies. Forty active production wells located in a Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, a regulated portion of the Trinity aquifer, are charged a groundwater pump tax based upon usage.
In August 2023, SJWTX Holdings Inc.’s unregulated subsidiary, TWR acquired eight wells and the water rights of KTR. These wells have been projected to yield an additional 6,000 acre-feet per year or more. TWC staff is currently working on acquiring easements and routing of the waterline and infrastructure needed to get this water into our Triple Peak water system to serve existing customers and planned new developments.
Water sources at MWC vary among the individual systems, but overall, approximately 90% of the total dependable yield comes from surface water supplies and 10% from wells. MWC has a water supply agreement with the Kennebec Water District expiring in 2040.
37
The following table presents the sources of water supply for water utility services:
| Source of Water Supply | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
(billion gallons) | |||||||||||
| Purchased water | 19.5 | 19.7 | |||||||||
| Groundwater | 12.4 | 18.2 | |||||||||
| Surface water | 14.6 | 10.5 | |||||||||
| Reclaimed water | 0.8 | 0.9 | |||||||||
| 47.3 | 49.3 | ||||||||||
Average water production expense per billion gallons | $5.420 million | $4.719 million | |||||||||
The percentages of water supply by source excluding reclaimed water by state is presented below:
| Purchased Water | Groundwater | Surface Water | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| California | 54 | % | 52 | % | 32 | % | 40 | % | 12 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Connecticut | 6 | % | 7 | % | 36 | % | 36 | % | 58 | % | 57 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maine | 2 | % | 3 | % | 7 | % | 8 | % | 91 | % | 89 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas | 17 | % | 28 | % | 34 | % | 28 | % | 49 | % | 44 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Water production in 2023 for Water Utility Services decreased 2.0 billion gallons from 2022. The changes are primarily attributable to changes in consumption by customers driven primarily by weather conditions in California, Maine and Texas.
The contract water rates for SJWC are determined by Valley Water. These rates are adjusted periodically and coincide with Valley Water’s fiscal year, which ends on June 30. The contract water rate for Valley Water’s fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $6.411 million, $5.644 million and $4.953 million per billion gallons, respectively. The contractual cost of the groundwater extraction charge for water pumped from the ground basin was $6.058 million, $5.290 million and $4.600 million per billion gallons for Valley Water’s fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. SJWC’s unaccounted-for water for 2023 and 2022 approximated 8.4% and 8.9%, respectively, as a percentage of production. The unaccounted-for water estimate is based on the results of past experience and the impact of flows through the system, partially offset by SJWC’s main replacements and water loss reduction programs.
CWC has an agreement with the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (“RWA”) to purchase water from RWA. The agreement was signed in April 2006 and became effective upon the receipt of all regulatory approvals in 2008 and will remain in effect for a minimum of fifty years upon becoming effective. In addition, CWC is able, but under no obligation, to purchase up to one million gallons of water per day at the then current wholesale rates per the agreement, $3.1 million per billion gallons as of December 31, 2023. CWC has an agreement with The Metropolitan District (“MDC”) to purchase water from MDC to serve the Unionville system. The agreement became effective on October 6, 2000 and has a term of fifty years beginning May 19, 2003, the date the water supply facilities related to the agreement were placed in service. CWC has agreed to purchase 0.28 billion gallons of water annually from MDC at the published retail rate, three dollars and eighty cents per hundred cubic feet as of December 31, 2023.
MWC has an agreement with the Kennebec Water District for potable water service. The agreement has been in place for 20 years and was extended on November 7, 2020 for a new term of up to 20 years. MWC guarantees a minimum consumption of 0.05 billion gallons of water annually. Water sales to MWC are billed at a wholesale discount of twenty cents per hundred cubic feet of water below Kennebec Water District's tariffed rates. The current tariff rate was one dollar and fifty-one cents per hundred cubic feet as of December 31, 2023.
CTWS’s unaccounted-for water for 2023 and 2022 approximated 13.1% and 14.2%, respectively, as a percentage of production. The unaccounted-for water estimate is based on the results of past experience and the impact of flows through CTWS’s systems, unadjusted for any required system flushing, partially offset by WICA and WISC main replacement programs and lost water reduction initiatives.
The various components of operating expenses are discussed below.
38
Water production expenses
Water production expenses increased $31,767 in higher per unit costs paid for purchased water, groundwater extraction, energy price charges and other production expenses and increased $12,869 in water production balancing and memorandum accounts for the Full Cost Balancing Account, offset by decreases of $11,510 as a result of increased availability of California surface water in 2023 compared to 2022 and $9,716 due to lower customer usage.
Administrative and General Expense
Administrative and general expenses include payroll related to administrative and general functions, all employee benefits charged to expense accounts, insurance expenses, legal fees, regulatory utility commissions’ expenses, expenses associated with being a public company, and general corporate expenses.
Administrative and general expense increased $3,252 in 2023, or 1% of the total operating expenses in 2022 primarily due to an increase in allowances for customer credit losses.
Maintenance Expense
Maintenance expenses decreased $5,005 or 1%, primarily due to prior year incurred costs related to the Order of Instituting Investigation settlement agreement. In addition, proactive asset management and advanced leak detection reducing emergency projects and replacing them with scheduled improvements that are no longer temporary in nature reduced maintenance expenses for the year.
Property Taxes and Other Non-income Taxes
Property taxes and other non-income taxes for 2023 increased $1,903 from 2022. The increase was primarily the result of increased property taxes due to utility plant additions, and an increase in payroll taxes due to increases in wages.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1,451 in 2023. The increases were primarily due to increases in depreciation related to new utility plant additions; partially offset by a $2,400 one-time impact related to amortization on certain Cupertino concession assets in 2022.
Sale of nonutility properties
Gain on sale of nonutility properties decreased $6,197 in 2023 primarily due to the recording of a non-recurring sale of non-utility properties in 2022, and no recorded gain on the sale of nonutility properties in 2023.
Other Income and Expense
The change in other (expense) income in 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily due to an increase in interest expense due to an increase in long-term debt balances, higher interest rates on lines of credit borrowings and an increase in pension non-service cost, offset by the changes in the Rabbi Trust and life insurance policy values and a true-up on prior real estate sale transactions.
SJW Group’s consolidated weighted-average cost of long-term debt, including the amortization of debt issuance costs, was 3.97% and 4.0% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Cost of borrowing on the lines of credit averaged 6.29% and 3.41% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Provision for Income Taxes
Income tax expense for 2023 was $5,956, compared to $8,496 in 2022. The effective consolidated income tax rate was 7% for 2023 and 10% for 2022. The decrease in income tax expense and the effective income tax rate was primarily due to the partial release of an uncertain tax position reserve.
Please refer to Note 7, “Income Taxes,” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation of income tax computed at the federal statutory rate to actual income tax expense.
Other Comprehensive Income
The change in other comprehensive income in 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily due to the change in the benefit obligation for CWC’s supplemental executive retirement plan primarily as a result of changes in the discount rate and the unrealized gain on its investments.
39
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Water Utility Services’ business derives the majority of its revenue directly from residential and business customers. Water Utility Services bills the majority of its customers on a bi-monthly basis. Management believes that the collection rate for its accounts receivables will increase as service disconnections gradually return to normal operations following the expiration of remaining state orders to suspend water service disconnections in 2022 that were instituted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 28, 2023, SJWC submitted the application to receive $10,237 through the State of California Water and Wastewater Arrearages Payment Program to relieve outstanding payment delinquencies for customer accounts greater than 60-days past due as of December 31, 2022. We anticipate the funds to be received in the first quarter of 2024 after the State of California Water and Wastewater Arrearages Payment Program completes the review of this application.
Funds collected from Water Utility Services’ customers are used to pay for water production expenses, in addition to costs associated with general operations. Funds were also generated from borrowings. In 2023, SJW Group and its subsidiaries obtained $70,000 in funds from new long-term debt and $80,659 in funds from equity issuances. From these amounts, SJW Group funded its 2023 capital expenditure programs, refinanced certain short and long-term borrowings, and funded working capital. See Note 4 and Note 6 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for discussion on the equity and debt financing activities of SJW Group. In addition, SJW Group paid cash dividends of $47,905 during the year ended December 31, 2023.
In 2023, the common dividends declared and paid on SJW Group’s common stock represented 56% of net income. Dividends have been paid on SJW Group’s and its predecessor’s common stock for 321 consecutive quarters and the annual dividend amount has increased in each of the last 56 years. While historically SJW Group has generally paid dividends equal to approximately 50% to 60% of its net income, SJW Group cannot guarantee that this trend will continue in the future.
Cash Flow from Operations
In 2023, SJW Group generated cash flow from operations of approximately $190,800 compared to $166,200 in 2022. Cash flow from operations is primarily generated by net income from revenue producing activities, adjusted for non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, share-based compensation, allowance for equity funds used during construction, gains on the sale of assets, and other changes in working capital items. Cash flow from operations increased in 2023 by approximately $24,600. The increase was primarily due to a combination of the following factors: (1) an increase of $16,100 due to higher net income adjusted for non-cash items and general working capital changes, (2) an increase in collections against our regulatory assets and liabilities which generated an increase of $10,600, (3) an increase from postretirement benefits assets and obligations of $5,600, and (4) an increase from other noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities of $2,800, offset by (5) a decrease of $10,500 attributable to tax accruals compared to the prior period.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
In 2023, SJW Group used approximately $271,800 of cash for Company funded capital expenditures, $16,900 for developer funded capital expenditures, $24,200 and $7,537 for nonutility assets and business acquisitions, respectively, primarily for ongoing business and asset acquisition activities in Texas, and $2,100 in utility plant retirement costs. In 2022, SJW Group used approximately $218,800 of cash for Company funded capital expenditures, $22,900 for developer funded capital expenditures, $2,500 in utility plant retirement costs, $600 for real estate investments related to leasehold improvement additions for the properties located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and $400 for ongoing business and asset acquisition activities in Texas. These uses were offset by cash proceeds of $1,000 from the sale of various nonutility properties during the year.
Water Utility Services has budgeted 2024 capital expenditures of approximately $332,000, excluding capital expenditures financed by customer contributions and advances. The 2024 budget is comprised of as follows:
Budgeted Capital Expenditures 2024 | ||||||||
SJWC | $ | 169,000 | ||||||
CWC | 94,000 | |||||||
TWC | 49,000 | |||||||
MWC | 20,000 | |||||||
Total capital expenditures | $ | 332,000 | ||||||
The 2024 capital expenditures budget is concentrated in main replacements. Water Utility Services’ capital expenditures are incurred in connection with normal upgrading and expansion of existing facilities and to comply with environmental regulations. Over the next five years, Water Utility Services expects to incur approximately $1,621,000 in capital expenditures. A significant portion of this amount is subject to future approval from the Regulators. Capital expenditures have the effect of
40
increasing utility plant rate base on which Water Utility Services earns a return. Water Utility Services’ actual capital expenditures may vary from projections due to changes in the expected demand for services, weather patterns, actions by governmental agencies and general economic conditions. Total additions to utility plant normally exceed company-financed additions as a result of new facilities construction funded with advances from developers and contributions in aid of construction.
The Water Utility Services’ distribution systems were constructed during the period from the early 1900’s through today. Expenditure levels for renewal and modernization will occur as the components reach the end of their useful lives. In most cases, replacement cost will significantly exceed the original installation cost of the retired assets due to increases in the costs of goods and services and increased regulation.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased by approximately $50,500 from the same period in the prior year, primarily as a result of increase in cash proceeds from long-term debt and issuances of common stock, partially offset by an increase in the amount of net borrowings on our lines of credit, and an increase in payments of dividends. SJW Group’s cash management policy includes the issuance of long-term debt to pay down borrowings on our lines of credit. As such, during years when long-term borrowings are high, borrowings on our line of credit tend to be low and when long-term borrowings are low, borrowings on our line of credit tend to be high.
SJW Group and its subsidiaries have unsecured bank lines of credit totaling $350,000 as of December 31, 2023. Drawdowns on our lines of credit are restricted by our funded debt not exceeding a percent of total capitalization as defined in our debt covenants. SJW Group expects to periodically draw down on its lines of credit as dictated by our funding needs and subsequently repay such borrowings with cash from operations and issuance of long-term debt or equity. See also “Sources of Capital” below.
Sources of Capital
SJW Group’s regulated operations’ ability to finance future construction programs and sustain dividend payments depends on its ability to maintain or increase internally generated funds and obtain external financing through the issuance of new long-term debt or issuance of equity. The level of future earnings and the related cash flow from operations is dependent, in large part, on the timing and outcome of regulatory proceedings. SJW Group’s regulated operations’ financing activity is designed to achieve capital structures consistent with regulatory guidelines in the locations where the companies operate. See current authorized capital structures in Item 1, “Business” under “Regulation and Rates.”
Short-term Financing Arrangements
SJW Group and its subsidiaries have unsecured line of credit agreements where borrowings are used to refinance existing debt, for working capital, and for general corporate purposes. A summary of the line of credit agreements as of December 31, 2023, and 2022 are as follows:
2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maturity Date | Line Limit | Amounts Outstanding | Unused Portion | Amounts Outstanding | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Syndicated credit agreement: | August 2, 2028 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SJW Group | $ | 50,000 | 10,000 | 40,000 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SJWC | 140,000 | 56,000 | 84,000 | 95,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CTWS | 90,000 | 53,000 | 37,000 | 20,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TWC | 20,000 | 2,500 | 17,500 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total syndicated credit agreement | 300,000 | 121,500 | 178,500 | 115,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CTWS credit agreement | August 2, 2028 | 10,000 | 10,000 | — | 4,578 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CTWS credit agreement | May 15, 2025 | 40,000 | 40,000 | — | 40,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 350,000 | 171,500 | 178,500 | 159,578 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of borrowing on the lines of credit averaged 6.29% and 3.41% for the years ended of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
All of SJW Group’s and subsidiaries’ lines of credit contain customary representations, warranties and events of default, as well as certain restrictive covenants customary for facilities of this type, including restrictions on indebtedness, liens, acquisitions
41
and investments, restricted payments, asset sales, and fundamental changes. All of the lines of credit also include certain customary financial covenants such as a funded debt to capitalization ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. As of December 31, 2023, SJW Group and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all covenants on their lines of credit.
For additional information on SJW Group’s lines of credit, see Note 5 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”
Long-term Financing Arrangements
SJW Group’s and its subsidiaries’ long-term debt activities are for purposes of refinancing short-term borrowings, funding capital expenditures and working capital, and repayments of maturing long-term debt. The following table summarizes the long-term debt issuances and repayments for the year ended December 31, 2023:
| Issuance (Repayment) | Activity Date | Maturity Date | |||||||||||||||
| SJWC: | |||||||||||||||||
Senior note, Series P, 4.85% | $ | 70,000 | Jan 2023 | Feb 2053 | |||||||||||||
| CTWS: | |||||||||||||||||
| Bank term loan, 4.09% | (1,377) | 2023 | December 2027 | ||||||||||||||
| Bank term loan, 4.15% | (610) | 2023 | August 2037 | ||||||||||||||
MWC: | |||||||||||||||||
| Senior Note, Series G, 8.95% | (900) | Nov 2023 | December 2024 | ||||||||||||||
| State revolving fund loans, various series, 0.00%-2.58% | (1,460) | 2023 | 2022-2048 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 65,653 | ||||||||||||||||
On January 22, 2024, CWC sold an aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000 of its 6.46% Senior Notes, Series 2023 due January 1, 2054.
The debt and credit agreements of SJW Group and its subsidiaries contain various financial and other covenants. Non-compliance with these covenants could result in accelerated due dates and termination of the agreements. In addition, the credit agreements contain customary representations and warranties and are subject to customary events of default, which may result in the outstanding debt becoming immediately due and payable. As of December 31, 2023, SJW Group and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all covenants related to its long-term debt agreements.
Equity Financing Arrangements
On March 1, 2023, SJW Group entered into Amendment No. 1 to the equity distribution agreement (the “Equity Distribution Agreement”), dated November 17, 2021, between SJW Group and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (each a “Sales Agent” and, collectively, the “Sales Agents”), pursuant to which SJW Group increased the aggregate gross sales price of shares of SJW Group’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, that may be sold under the Equity Distribution Agreement from $100,000 to $240,000. For the year ended December 31, 2023, SJW Group issued and sold a total of 1,119,806 shares of common stock with a weighted average price of $73.68 per share and received $80,659 in net proceeds under the Equity Distribution Agreement. Since the inception of the Equity Distribution Agreement, SJW Group has issued and sold 2,004,657 shares of common stock with a weighted average price of $73.57 for a total net proceeds of $143,998 and has a remaining $92,509 under the Equity Distribution Agreement.
Credit Rating
The condition of the capital and credit markets or the strength of financial institutions could impact SJW Group’s ability to draw on its lines of credit, issue long-term debt, sell its equity or earn interest income. In addition, government policies, the state of the credit markets and other factors could result in increased interest rates, which would increase SJW Group’s cost of capital. While our ability to obtain financing will continue to be a risk, we believe that based on our 2023 and 2022 activities, we will have access to the external funding sources necessary to implement our ongoing capital investment programs in the future. SJW Group, CTWS and CWC were put on negative watch on September 19, 2023. Standard & Poor’s noted the change in outlook is due to recent regulatory and legislative developments in Connecticut that are not consistent with Standard & Poor’s view of the regulatory framework for investor owned utilities.
42
The following table are the current Standard & Poor’s Rating Service assigned company ratings:
| Entity | Rating | Outlook | ||||||||||||
| SJW Group | A- | Negative | ||||||||||||
| SJWC | A | Stable | ||||||||||||
| CTWS | A- | Negative | ||||||||||||
| CWC | A- | Negative | ||||||||||||
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement/Contractual Obligations
SJW Group has no significant contractual obligations not fully recorded on its Consolidated Balance Sheet or not fully disclosed in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
SJW Group’s contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:
| Total | Contractual Obligations Due in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 3-5 Years | After 5 Years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior notes, Water Utility Services | $ | 680,900 | 40,900 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 610,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank term loans, Water Utility Services | 190,795 | 4,500 | 5,000 | 17,020 | 164,275 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advances for construction, SJWC (1) | 60,975 | 3,034 | 5,848 | 5,520 | 46,573 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| California Pollution Control Financing Authority Revenue Bond, SJWC | 70,000 | — | — | — | 70,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Connecticut Innovations Revenue Bonds, CWC | 22,050 | — | — | 9,550 | 12,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
State revolving fund loans, MWC | 14,239 | 1,504 | 2,546 | 2,396 | 7,793 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior notes, SJW Group | 560,000 | — | — | — | 560,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank term loans, CTWS | 16,457 | 2,071 | 4,405 | 1,873 | 8,108 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seller financing debt, TWR (2) | 29,000 | — | 437 | 1,642 | 26,921 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total contractual cash obligation | $ | 1,644,416 | 52,009 | 33,236 | 53,001 | 1,506,170 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest on contractual obligations | $ | 939,978 | 59,162 | 116,303 | 112,963 | 651,550 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
___________________________________
(1) As of December 31, 2023, advances for construction were $146,582 of which $55,170 was related to non-refundable advances for construction and $30,437 was related to advances which are refundable based on service connections made.
(2) The timing of payments on the seller financing shown in the table above reflects management’s current estimate. The actual timing of payments will be based upon the actual quantities of groundwater produced from the acquired wells.
With regard to uncertain tax positions, we are unable to predict the timing of tax settlements as tax audits can involve complex issues and the resolution of those issues may span multiple years, particularly if subject to negotiation or litigation. For further discussion on uncertain tax positions, please see Note 7 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”
Water Supply Agreements
SJWC purchases water from Valley Water under terms of a master contract expiring in 2051. Delivery schedules for purchased water are based on a contract year beginning July 1, and are negotiated every three years under terms of the master contract with Valley Water. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, SJWC purchased from Valley Water 18.3 billion gallons ($111,173), 18.2 billion gallons ($96,793) and 19.4 billion gallons ($91,938), respectively, of contract water. On June 16, 2022, Valley Water Board of Directors approved treated water deliveries reflecting the contractual delivery schedule reduced by 23% through June 30, 2024. Based on current prices and estimated deliveries, SJWC is committed to purchase from Valley Water a minimum of 90% of the reduced delivery schedule, or 18.9 billion gallons ($121,182) of water at the current contract water rate of $6.41 million per billion gallons in the year ending December 31, 2024. Additionally, SJWC purchases non-contract water from Valley Water on an “as needed” basis if the water supply is available. The contract water rates for SJWC are determined by Valley Water. These rates are adjusted periodically and coincide with Valley Water’s fiscal year, which ends on June 30. The contract water rate for Valley Water’s fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $6.411 million, $5.644 million and $4.953 million per billion gallons, respectively. The contractual cost of the groundwater extraction charge for water pumped from the ground basin was $6.058 million, $5.290 million and $4.600 million per billion gallons for Valley Water’s fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
43
SJWC also pumps water from the local groundwater basin. There are no delivery schedules or contractual obligations associated with the purchase of groundwater. Valley Water determines the groundwater extraction charge and it is applied on a per unit basis. In addition to the Valley Water groundwater extraction charge, SJWC also incurs power costs to pump the groundwater from the basin.
CWC has an agreement with the RWA to purchase water. The agreement was signed in April 2006 and became effective upon the receipt of all regulatory approvals in 2008 and will remain in effect for a minimum of fifty years upon becoming effective. CWC will pay RWA $75 per year as part of a capacity agreement, for a total of 14 years, starting on the effective date of the agreement. In addition, CWC has the option, but is under no obligation, to purchase up to one million gallons of water per day at the then current wholesale rates per the agreement ($3.1 million per billion gallons as of December 31, 2023). CWC has an agreement with the MDC to purchase water from MDC to serve the Unionville system. The agreement became effective on October 6, 2000 and has a term of fifty years beginning May 19, 2003, the date the water supply facilities related to the agreement were placed in service. CWC has agreed to purchase 0.28 billion gallons of water annually from MDC. The rate charged by the MDC at December 31, 2023 were three dollars and eighty cents per hundred cubic feet.
MWC has an agreement with the Kennebec Water District for potable water service. The agreement has been in place for 20 years and was extended on November 7, 2020 for a new term of up to 20 years. MWC guarantees a minimum consumption of 50 million gallons of water annually. Water sales to MWC are billed at a wholesale discount of twenty cents per hundred cubic feet of water below Kennebec Water District's tariffed rates. The current tariff rate was one dollar and fifty-one cents per hundred cubic feet as of December 31, 2023.
TWC has long-term contracts with the GBRA. The agreements expire in 2037, 2040, 2044 and 2050. The agreements, which are take-or-pay contracts, provide TWC with 7,650 acre-feet per year of water supply from Canyon Lake. The water rate may be adjusted by GBRA at any time, provided GBRA gives TWC a 60-day written notice on the proposed adjustment. TWC also has raw water supply agreements with the LCRA and WTPUA expiring in 2059 and 2046, respectively, for 350 acre-feet of water per each agreement per year from Lake Austin and the Colorado River, respectively, at prices that may be adjusted periodically by the agencies.
Employee Benefit Arrangements
SJWC and CTWS sponsor noncontributory defined benefit pension plans and provide health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees. In 2023, SJWC and CTWS contributed $11,145 and $920 to the pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans, respectively. In 2024, SJWC and CTWS expect to make required and discretionary cash contributions of up to $8,744 to the pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans. The amount of required contributions for years thereafter is not actuarially determinable.
SJWC’s other benefit obligations include employees’ and directors’ postretirement benefits, an Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan, Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan, Special Deferral Election Plan and Deferral Election Program for non-employee directors. Under these benefit plans, SJWC is committed to pay approximately $1,909 annually to former officers and directors. Future payments may fluctuate depending on the life span of the retirees and as current officers and executives retire.
CTWS’s other benefit obligations include employees’ postretirement benefits, supplemental executive retirement agreements and deferred compensation agreements and plan. Future payments may fluctuate depending on the contribution rates of employees into the deferred compensation plan and the life span of the retirees and as current officers and executives retire. Under these benefit plans, CTWS is committed to pay approximately $1,678 annually to former officers and directors.
Recently Adopted Accounting Policies and New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for a discussion of recently adopted accounting policies and new accounting pronouncements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
SJW Group is subject to market risks in the normal course of business, including changes in interest rates, pension plan asset values, and equity prices. The exposure to changes in interest rates can result from the issuance of debt and short-term funds obtained through the company’s variable rate lines of credit. SJW Group’s subsidiaries sponsor noncontributory pension and other postretirement plans for its employees. Pension and other postretirement costs and the funded status of the plans may be affected by a number of factors including the discount rate, mortality rates of plan participants, investment returns on plan assets, and pension reform legislation.
SJW Group has no derivative financial instruments, financial instruments with significant off-balance sheet risks, or financial instruments with concentrations of credit risk.
44
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of SJW Group
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SJW Group and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and the schedules listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures to respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
45
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Impact of Rate Regulation on the Financial Statements — Refer to Note 3 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company is subject to rate regulation by state utility regulatory agencies (the “Commissions”), which have jurisdiction with respect to the rates of the Company’s water and wastewater services. Management has determined it meets the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to prepare its financial statements applying the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based rate regulation. Accounting for the economics of rate regulation impacts multiple financial statement line items and disclosures, such as depreciable utility plant; regulatory assets and liabilities; operating revenues; operation and maintenance expense; and depreciation expense.
The Commissions establish rates for the purpose of permitting the recovery of the cost of service and a return on investment. The Company’s rates are subject to regulatory ratemaking processes. The Company records deferred costs and credits on the balance sheet as regulatory assets and liabilities when it is probable that these costs and credits will be recognized in the ratemaking process in a period different from when the costs and credits are incurred. Accounting for such costs and credits is based on management’s judgment and prior historical ratemaking practices, and it occurs when management determines that it is probable that these costs and credits will be recognized in the future revenue of the Company through the ratemaking process.
We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments that underlie the Company’s financial statement line items and disclosure impacted by rate regulation and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of regulatory decisions on the financial statements. Management judgments include assessing the probability of (1) recovery in future rates of incurred costs and (2) the requirement to refund amounts to customers. Given that management’s accounting judgements are based on consideration of evidence, such as regulatory rules and decisions, past practice, and the uncertain outcomes of future regulatory decisions, auditing these judgements required specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due its inherent complexities and pervasive impact on the financial statements.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the impacts of rate regulation include the following, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the initial recognition of amounts as utility plant and regulatory assets or liabilities and the evaluation of the probability of (1) the recovery in future rates of costs incurred as utility plant and deferred as regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the probability of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates, and controls over relevant computations impacting certain regulatory asset or liability balances.
•We read regulatory orders issued by the Commissions to the Company, regulatory statutes, and other publicly available information to evaluate management’s determination of the accounting impacts of any new or revised regulatory decisions and their impact on measurement of related regulatory assets and liabilities.
•We obtained supporting documentation from management regarding the evidence, such as regulatory rules and decisions, past practices, and other facts and circumstances, used in the measurement of regulatory assets and liabilities for compliance with the related orders. We reconciled the underlying data or inputs used in the measurement to rate decisions approved by the Commissions and tested the mathematical accuracy of the calculations.
•We obtained an analysis from management regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities not yet addressed in a regulatory order to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery or a future reduction in rates.
46
•We evaluated the Company’s disclosures related to the impacts of rate regulation, including the balances recorded, and regulatory developments, were appropriate and consistent with the information obtained in our procedures.
KT Water Resources Acquisition — Refer to Note 14 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company completed the acquisition of KT Water Resources. The Company accounted for the transaction as an asset acquisition and allocated the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a relative fair value basis. Given the significant amount of judgment required by management to estimate the relative fair value of the intangible assets, non-utility property and a production payment received as part of the acquisition, performing audit procedures to test the fair value allocation required a high degree of auditor judgment and increased effort, including involving valuation specialists.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the relative fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and the post-closing payment for KT Water Resources included the following, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of controls over the allocation of the purchase price to assets acquired, liabilities assumed and the post-closing payment, and controls over the valuation methods used to value the assets and liabilities, including controls over management's evaluation of inputs and assumptions used in the valuation estimates.
•We obtained and evaluated the third-party valuation report and management's valuation, along with relevant supporting documentation, such as the executed purchase and sale agreement.
•With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we (1) evaluated the reasonableness of the valuation methodologies and significant assumptions used by management and their external valuation specialist, including comparing the key inputs to external market sources, (2) evaluated the reasonableness of the discount rates, including testing the source information underlying the determination of the discount rates, assessing the mathematical accuracy of the calculation, and developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the discount rates selected by management, and (3) assessed the mathematical accuracy of significant calculations in the valuation schedules.
•We evaluated the reasonableness of certain business assumptions used in the valuation, including the quantities of groundwater to be produced by the wells.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
February 22, 2024
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.
47
SJW Group and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Utility plant: | |||||||||||
| Land | $ | ||||||||||
| Depreciable plant and equipment | |||||||||||
Construction work in progress | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets | |||||||||||
| Total utility plant | |||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Net utility plant | |||||||||||
| Nonutility properties and real estate investments | |||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
Net nonutility properties and real estate investments | |||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable: | |||||||||||
Customers, net of allowances for uncollectible accounts of $ | |||||||||||
| Income tax | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
Accrued unbilled revenue | |||||||||||
Assets held for sale | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | |||||||||||
Current regulatory assets | |||||||||||
| Other current assets | |||||||||||
Total current assets | |||||||||||
| Other assets: | |||||||||||
Regulatory assets, less current portion | |||||||||||
| Investments | |||||||||||
Postretirement benefit plans | |||||||||||
Other intangible asset | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
Total other assets | |||||||||||
Total assets | $ | ||||||||||
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
48
SJW Group and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Capitalization and Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Capitalization: | |||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | |||||||||||
Common stock, $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | |||||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt, less current portion | |||||||||||
Total capitalization | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Lines of credit | |||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | |||||||||||
| Accrued groundwater extraction charges, purchased water and power | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | |||||||||||
| Accrued interest | |||||||||||
| Accrued payroll | |||||||||||
| Income tax payable | |||||||||||
Current regulatory liabilities | |||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | |||||||||||
Total current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||
| Advances for construction | |||||||||||
| Contributions in aid of construction | |||||||||||
| Postretirement benefit plans | |||||||||||
Regulatory liabilities, less current portion | |||||||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | |||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||||||
Total capitalization and liabilities | $ | ||||||||||
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
49
SJW Group and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Years ended December 31 (in thousands, except share and per share data)
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating revenue | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating expense: | |||||||||||||||||
| Production Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchased water | |||||||||||||||||
| Power | |||||||||||||||||
| Groundwater extraction charges | |||||||||||||||||
| Other production expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Total production expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Administrative and general | |||||||||||||||||
| Maintenance | |||||||||||||||||
| Property taxes and other non-income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of nonutility properties | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Impairment of long-lived asset | |||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expense | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | |||||||||||||||||
| Other (expense) income: | |||||||||||||||||
Interest on long-term debt and other interest expense | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
Pension non-service (cost) credit | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | |||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income: | |||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment, net of taxes of $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Adjustment to pension benefit plans, net of taxes of $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share | |||||||||||||||||
| —Basic | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| —Diluted | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | |||||||||||||||||
| —Basic | |||||||||||||||||
| —Diluted | |||||||||||||||||
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
50
SJW Group and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Total Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, December 31, 2020 | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized income on investment, net of tax effect of $ | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustment to pension benefit plans, net of taxes of $ | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of restricted and deferred stock units | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee stock purchase plan | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issuance, net of costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid ($ | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, December 31, 2021 | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized loss on investment, net of tax effect of $( | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustment to pension benefit plans, net of taxes of $ | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of restricted and deferred stock units | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee stock purchase plan | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issuance, net of costs | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid ($ | — | — | — | ( | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||