REGULATORY ASSETS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

REGULATORY ASSETS [Abstract]

Amortization Period of Other Regulatory Expense

Regulatory expenses amortized on a straight-line basis are noted below:

Expense	Years Amortized
Rate case studies	5
Delaware rate proceedings	2.5
Maryland rate proceedings	5
Debt related costs	15 to 30 (based on term of related debt)
Goodwill (resulting from acquisition of Mountain Hill Water Company in 2008)	50
Deferred acquisition costs (resulting from purchase of water assets in Cecil County, Maryland in 2011 and Port Deposit, Maryland in 2010)	20
Franchise Costs (resulting from purchase of water assets in Cecil County, Maryland in 2011)	80

Regulatory Assets, Net of Amortization, Comprise

Regulatory assets, net of amortization, comprise:
	(in thousands)
	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Postretirement benefit obligation	$	51	$	51
Deferred income taxes		374		386
Expense of rate case studies		20		27
Debt related costs		5,321		5,556
Goodwill		283		288
Deferred acquisition and franchise costs		553		583
	$	6,602	$	6,891