NOTE 4 - REGULATORY ASSETS

FASB ASC Topic 980 stipulates generally accepted accounting principles for companies whose rates are established or subject to approvals by a third-party regulatory agency. Certain expenses are recoverable through rates charged to our customers, without a return on investment, and are deferred and amortized during future periods using various methods as permitted by the Delaware Public Service Commission, or DEPSC, the Maryland Public Service Commission, or MDPSC, and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or PAPUC. Depreciation and salary study expenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of five years. All other expenses related to Delaware rate proceedings and applications to increase rates are amortized on a straight line basis over a period of two and a half years. Other expenses related to Maryland rate proceedings and applications to increase rates are amortized on a straight line basis over a period of five years or until the next rate increase application. The postretirement benefit obligation is the recognition of an offsetting regulatory asset as it relates to the accrual of the expected cost of providing postretirement health care and life insurance benefits to retired employees when they render the services necessary to earn the benefits. Debt issuance costs are amortized over the term of the related debt, which ranges from ten to thirty years. The deferred income taxes will be amortized over future years as the tax effects of temporary differences that previously flowed through to our customers are reversed. Goodwill was recognized as a result of the acquisition of the Mountain Hill Water Company in August 2008 and is currently being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of fifty years. Deferred acquisition and franchise costs are the result of due diligence costs related to the December 2011 purchase of water assets in Cecil County, Maryland and the November 2010 purchase of the Port Deposit, Maryland water assets. Amortization of these deferred acquisition costs began once the acquired assets were placed into service. These acquisition costs will be amortized over a period of twenty years, while the franchise costs will be amortized over a period of eighty years.

Regulatory assets, net of amortization, comprise:
	(in thousands)
	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015

Postretirement benefit obligation	$	329	$	329
Debt issuance costs		1,656		1,747
Deferred income taxes		435		446
Goodwill		312		318
Deferred acquisition and franchise costs		692		720
Expense of rate and regulatory proceedings		212		616
	$	3,636	$	4,176

Artesian Water contributed $66,000 to its postretirement benefit plan in the first nine months of 2016. These contributions consist of insurance premium payments for medical, dental and life insurance benefits made on behalf of the Company's eligible retired employees.