UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form | |
(Mark One) |
| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For Quarterly Period Ended
OR |
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For Transition Period From | to |
Commission File Number
RGC Resources, Inc. | ||
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) |
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer |
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
None
(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 | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||||||
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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.
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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated-filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||||||||||
| ☒ | Smaller reporting company | | |||||||||||
Emerging growth company | |
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 is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class | Outstanding at January 31, 2025 |
Common Stock, $5 Par Value | |
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Page No. |
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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Item 1. |
Financial Statements |
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME | |
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | |
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | 5 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | 6 | |
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7 | |
Item 2. |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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Item 3. |
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Item 4. |
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION |
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Item 1. |
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Item 1A. |
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Item 2. |
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Item 3. |
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Item 4. |
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Item 5. |
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Item 6. |
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
AFUDC |
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction |
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AOCI/AOCL |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
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ARO |
Asset Retirement Obligation |
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ARP |
Alternative Revenue Program, regulatory or rate recovery mechanisms approved by the SCC that allow for the adjustment of revenues for certain broad, external factors, or for additional billings if the entity achieves certain performance targets |
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ASC |
Accounting Standards Codification |
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ASU |
Accounting Standards Update as issued by the FASB |
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ATM | At-the-market program whereby a Company can incrementally offer common stock through a broker at prevailing market prices and on an as-needed basis | |||
Company |
RGC Resources, Inc. or Roanoke Gas Company |
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CPCN |
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity |
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DRIP |
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan of RGC Resources, Inc. |
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DTH |
Decatherm (a measure of energy used primarily to measure natural gas) |
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EPS |
Earnings Per Share |
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ERISA |
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 |
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FASB |
Financial Accounting Standards Board |
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FDIC |
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation |
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FERC | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission | |||
GAAP | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States |
HDD |
Heating degree day, a measurement designed to quantify the demand for energy. It is the number of degrees that a day’s average temperature falls below 65 degrees Fahrenheit |
ICC |
Inventory carrying cost revenue, an SCC approved rate structure that mitigates the impact of financing costs on natural gas inventory |
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IRS |
Internal Revenue Service |
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KEYSOP |
RGC Resources, Inc. Key Employee Stock Option Plan |
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LDI | Liability Driven Investment approach, a strategy which reduces the volatility in the pension plan's funded status and expense by matching the duration of the fixed income investments with the duration of the corresponding pension liabilities | |||
LLC |
Mountain Valley Pipeline, L.L.C., a joint venture established to design, construct and operate the Mountain Valley Pipeline and MVP Southgate |
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LNG |
Liquefied natural gas, the cryogenic liquid form of natural gas. Roanoke Gas operates and maintains a plant capable of producing and storing up to 200,000 DTH of liquefied natural gas |
MGP |
Manufactured gas plant |
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Midstream |
RGC Midstream, L.L.C., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resources created to invest in pipeline projects including the MVP and Southgate |
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MVP |
Mountain Valley Pipeline, a FERC-regulated natural gas pipeline connecting the EQT Corporation's gathering and transmission system in northern West Virginia to the Transco interstate pipeline in south central Virginia with interconnects to Roanoke Gas’ natural gas distribution system |
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NQDC Plan |
RGC Resources, Inc. Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan |
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Normal Weather |
The average number of heating degree days over the most recent 30-year period |
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PBGC |
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation |
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Pension Plan |
Defined benefit plan that provides pension benefits to employees hired prior to January 1, 2017 who meet certain years of service criteria |
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PGA | Purchased Gas Adjustment, a regulatory mechanism, which adjusts natural gas customer rates to reflect changes in the forecasted cost of gas and actual gas costs | |||
Postretirement Plan | Defined benefit plan that provides postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to eligible employees hired prior to January 1, 2000 who meet years of service and other criteria | |||
R&D Tax Credit | Research and development federal tax credit defined under Internal Revenue Code section 41 and the related regulations |
Resources |
RGC Resources, Inc., parent company of Roanoke Gas and Midstream |
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RGCO |
Trading symbol for RGC Resources, Inc. on the NASDAQ Global Stock Market |
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RNG | Renewable Natural Gas | |||
RNG Rider | Renewable Natural Gas Rider, the rate component as approved by the SCC that is billed monthly to the Company’s customers to recover the costs associated with the investment in RNG facilities and related operating costs |
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Roanoke Gas | Roanoke Gas Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resources | |||
ROU Asset | Right of Use Asset | |||
RSPD |
RGC Resources, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan for Outside Directors |
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RSPO |
RGC Resources, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan for Officers |
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SAVE |
Steps to Advance Virginia's Energy, a regulatory mechanism per Chapter 26 of Title 56 of the Code of Virginia that allows natural gas utilities to recover the investment, including related depreciation and expenses and provide return on rate base, in eligible infrastructure replacement projects without the filing of a formal base rate application |
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SAVE Plan |
Steps to Advance Virginia's Energy Plan, the Company's approved operational replacement plan and related spending under the SAVE regulatory mechanism |
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SAVE Rider |
Steps to Advance Virginia's Energy Plan Rider, the rate component of the SAVE Plan as approved by the SCC that is billed monthly to the Company’s customers to recover the costs associated with eligible infrastructure projects including the related depreciation and expenses and return on rate base of the investment |
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SCC |
Virginia State Corporation Commission, the regulatory body with oversight responsibilities of the utility operations of Roanoke Gas |
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SEC |
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |
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SOFR | Secured Overnight Financing Rate | |||
Southgate |
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s Southgate project, which is contemplated to extend from the MVP in south central Virginia to North Carolina, of which Midstream owns less than 1% |
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S&P 500 Index |
Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index |
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WNA |
Weather Normalization Adjustment, an ARP mechanism which adjusts revenues for the effects of weather temperature variations as compared to the 30-year average |
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Some of the terms above may not be included in this filing |
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
December 31, | September 30, | |||||||
2024 | 2024 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
Accounts receivable (less allowance for credit losses of $ and $ , respectively) | ||||||||
Inventories | ||||||||
Gas in storage | ||||||||
Prepaid income taxes | ||||||||
Regulatory assets | ||||||||
Interest rate swaps | ||||||||
Other | ||||||||
Total current assets | ||||||||
UTILITY PROPERTY: | ||||||||
In service | ||||||||
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
In service, net | ||||||||
Construction work in progress | ||||||||
Utility property, net | ||||||||
OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||
Regulatory assets | ||||||||
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates | ||||||||
Benefit plan assets | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes | ||||||||
Interest rate swaps | ||||||||
Other | ||||||||
Total other non-current assets | ||||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | $ |
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
December 31, | September 30, | |||||||
2024 | 2024 | |||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt | $ | $ | ||||||
Line-of-credit | ||||||||
Dividends payable | ||||||||
Accounts payable | ||||||||
Customer credit balances | ||||||||
Income taxes payable | ||||||||
Customer deposits | ||||||||
Accrued expenses | ||||||||
Regulatory liabilities | ||||||||
Other | ||||||||
Total current liabilities | ||||||||
LONG-TERM DEBT: | ||||||||
Notes payable | ||||||||
Unamortized debt issuance costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Long-term debt, net | ||||||||
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
Asset retirement obligations | ||||||||
Regulatory cost of retirement obligations | ||||||||
Benefit plan liabilities | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes | ||||||||
Regulatory liabilities | ||||||||
Other | ||||||||
Total deferred credits and other non-current liabilities | ||||||||
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | ||||||||
Common stock, $ par; authorized shares; issued and outstanding and shares, respectively | ||||||||
Preferred stock, par, authorized shares; shares issued and outstanding | ||||||||
Capital in excess of par value | ||||||||
Retained earnings | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | ||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | $ |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
OPERATING REVENUES: | ||||||||
Gas utility | $ | $ | ||||||
Non utility | ||||||||
Total operating revenues | ||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES: | ||||||||
Cost of gas - utility | ||||||||
Cost of sales - non utility | ||||||||
Operations and maintenance | ||||||||
Taxes other than income taxes | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
Total operating expenses | ||||||||
OPERATING INCOME | ||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate | ||||||||
Other income, net | ||||||||
Interest expense | ||||||||
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | ||||||||
INCOME TAX EXPENSE | ||||||||
NET INCOME | $ | $ | ||||||
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE | $ | $ | ||||||
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE | $ | $ |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
NET INCOME | $ | $ | ||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | ||||||||
Interest rate swaps | ( | ) | ||||||
Defined benefit plans | ( | ) | ||||||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX | ( | ) | ||||||
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | $ | $ |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Capital in Excess of Par Value | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Total Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||
Balance - September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Net income | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared ($ per share) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net issuance of common stock ( shares) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance - December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Capital in Excess of Par Value | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Total Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||
Balance - September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Net income | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared ($ per share) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net issuance of common stock ( shares) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance - December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Net income | $ | $ | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
Cost of retirement of utility property | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Stock-based compensation | ||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliate | ||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities which provided cash, exclusive of changes and noncash transactions shown separately | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | ( | ) | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Additions to utility property | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates | ( | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from disposal of utility property | ||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of unsecured notes | ||||||||
Repayments of notes payable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Borrowings under line-of-credit | ||||||||
Repayments under line-of-credit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Proceeds from issuance of stock | ||||||||
Cash dividends paid | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | ||||||||
BEGINNING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | ||||||||
ENDING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | $ | $ | ||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | ||||||||
Cash paid (received) during the period for: | ||||||||
Interest | $ | $ | ||||||
Income taxes | ( | ) |
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
1. | Basis of Presentation |
Resources is an energy services company primarily engaged in the sale and distribution of natural gas. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Resources and its wholly owned subsidiaries: Roanoke Gas and Midstream.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to fairly present Resources' financial position as of December 31, 2024, cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations, comprehensive income, and changes in stockholders' equity for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2024 are not indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 as quarterly earnings are affected by the highly seasonal nature of the business and weather conditions generally result in greater earnings during the winter months.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes are presented under the rules and regulations of the SEC. Pursuant to those rules, certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. Although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024. The September 30, 2024 consolidated balance sheet was included in the Company’s audited financial statements included in Form 10-K.
Roanoke Gas' line of credit has historically been renewed annually in March, and there was approximately $
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024.
Certain amounts previously disclosed have been reclassified to conform to current year presentations.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The new guidance is designed to provide users of financial statements with enhanced disclosures regarding the information provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM) and how the CODM uses the information in assessing the performance of each segment. The new guidance is effective for the Company for fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024 and interim periods within fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025. The Company is continuing to evaluate the new standard and determining the additional disclosure requirements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The new guidance requires that on an annual basis public business entities disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation table and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold (items equal to or greater than 5 percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income or loss by the applicable statutory rate). The required disclosures will provide more granularity regarding the payment of income taxes to federal, state and foreign entities. The Company does not expect certain requirements of this ASU to have a significant impact to its current disclosures as all of its operations are domestic and reside in
states. Changes to the rate reconciliation table will result in additional disclosure. The new guidance is effective for the Company for annual periods beginning October 1, 2025.
In March 2024, the SEC issued its final rule that requires registrants to provide climate disclosures in their annual reports and registration statements. The new guidance requires that registrants provide information about specified financial statement effects of severe weather events and other natural conditions, certain carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates, and material impacts on financial estimates and assumptions in the footnotes to financial statements. The rule also requires additional disclosures outside of the financial statements including governance and oversight of material climate-related risks, the material impact of climate risks on the company's strategy, business model and outlook, risk management processes for material climate-related risks and material climate targets and goals. The Company is currently evaluating the new rule and determining the impact of the additional disclosure requirements, as well as the data needed and the source of that data to comply with required disclosures. The new rule is currently effective for fiscal years beginning in 2027 for smaller reporting companies. The final rule was scheduled to become effective May 28, 2024; however, the SEC has voluntarily stayed the rule's effective date pending judicial review. Depending on when the legal challenges are resolved, the mandatory compliance date may be retained or delayed.
In November 2024, the SEC issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Expense Disaggregation Disclosures. The new guidance requires public business entities to disclose certain additional detail about expenses including, among other items, purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation and intangible asset amortization included within each income statement expense line items within continuing operations. The guidance also requires disclosure of the total amount of selling expenses and the Company’s definition of selling expenses. Such disclosures must be made on an annual and interim basis and integrated with existing disclosure requirements in a tabular format in the footnotes to the financial statements. Further, in January 2025, the SEC issued ASU 2025-01, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Expense Disaggregation Disclosures: Clarifying the Effective Date, which clarified the effective date of ASU 2024-03. The new guidance is effective for the Company for fiscal year beginning October 1, 2027 and interim periods within fiscal year beginning October 1, 2028. The Company is currently assessing the impacts of the new guidance on its financial statement disclosures.
Other accounting standards that have been issued by the FASB, SEC or other standard-setting bodies are not currently applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
2. | Revenue |
The Company assesses new contracts and identifies related performance obligations for promises to transfer distinct goods or services to the customer. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations have been satisfied. In the case of Roanoke Gas, the Company contracts with its customers for the sale and/or delivery of natural gas.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
The following tables summarize revenue by customer, product and income statement classification:
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 | Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Gas utility | Non utility | Total operating revenues | Gas utility | Non utility | Total operating revenues | |||||||||||||||||||
Natural Gas (Billed and Unbilled): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
Commercial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transportation and interruptible | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total contracts with customers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alternative revenue programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Gas utility revenues
Substantially all of Roanoke Gas' revenues are derived from rates authorized by the SCC through its tariffs. Based on its evaluation, the Company has concluded that these tariff-based revenues fall within the scope of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Tariff rates represent the transaction price. Performance obligations include the procurement and transportation of natural gas through the Company's distribution system to customers. The delivery of natural gas to customers results in the satisfaction of the Company’s respective performance obligations over time.
All customers are billed monthly based on consumption as measured by metered usage with payments due 20 days from the rendering of the bill. Revenue is recognized as bills are issued for natural gas that has been delivered or transported. In addition, the Company utilizes the practical expedient that allows an entity to recognize the invoiced amount as revenue, if that amount corresponds to the value received by the customer. Since customers are billed tariff rates, there is no variable consideration in the transaction price.
Unbilled revenue is included in residential and commercial revenues in the preceding table. Natural gas consumption is estimated for the period subsequent to the last billed date and up through the last day of the month. Estimated volumes and approved tariff rates are utilized to calculate unbilled revenue. The following month, the unbilled estimate is reversed, the actual usage is billed and a new unbilled estimate is calculated. The Company obtains metered usage for transportation and interruptible customers at the end of each month, thereby eliminating any unbilled consideration for these rate classes.
Other revenues
Other revenues primarily consist of miscellaneous fees and charges, utility-related revenues not directly billed to utility customers and billings for non-utility activities. Customers are invoiced monthly based on services provided for these activities. The Company utilizes the practical expedient allowing revenue to be recognized based on invoiced amounts. The transaction price is based on a contractually predetermined rate schedule; therefore, the transaction price represents total value to the customer and no variable price consideration exists.
Alternative revenue program revenues
ARPs, which fall outside the scope of ASC 606, are SCC approved mechanisms that allow for the adjustment of revenues for certain broad, external factors, or for additional billings if the entity achieves certain performance targets. The Company's ARPs include its WNA, which adjusts revenues for the effects of weather temperature variations as compared to the 30-year average; the SAVE Plan over/under collection mechanism, which adjusts revenues for the differences between SAVE Plan revenues billed to customers and the revenue earned, as calculated based on the timing and extent of infrastructure replacement completed during the period; and the RNG over/under collection mechanism, which adjusts revenues similar to the SAVE Plan, but is calculated based on the timing and costs associated with owning, operating and maintaining the RNG facility. These amounts are ultimately collected from, or returned to, customers through future rate changes as approved by the SCC.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Customer accounts receivable and liabilities
Accounts receivable, as reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, includes both billed and unbilled customer revenues, as well as amounts that are not related to customers. The asset and liability balances associated with customers are provided below:
Current Assets | Current Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
Trade accounts receivable(1) | Unbilled revenue(1) | Customer credit balances | Customer deposits | |||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
Increase | $ | $ | $ | $ |
(1) Included in accounts receivable in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Amounts shown net of reserve for credit losses.
The Company did not incur any significant costs to obtain contracts during the period. Certain customers elect to pay even amounts monthly, giving rise to assets and liabilities presented in the table above. All amounts clear annually.
3. | Segment Information |
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the Company's executive management in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company uses operating income and equity in earnings to assess segment performance.
Intersegment transactions are recorded at cost.
The reportable segments disclosed herein are defined as follows:
Gas Utility - The natural gas segment of the Company generates revenue from its tariff rates and other regulatory mechanisms through which it provides the sale and distribution of natural gas to its residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Investment in Affiliates - The investment in affiliates segment reflects the income generated through the activities of the Company's investment in the LLC.
Information related to the Company's segments are provided below:
Gas Utility | Investment in Affiliates | Consolidated Total | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Corporate and other | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
Corporate and other | ||||||||||||
Total operating income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
Equity in earnings | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | ||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | ||||||||||||
Corporate and other | ||||||||||||
Total income before income taxes | $ | $ | $ |
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Gas Utility | Investment in Affiliates | Consolidated Total | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Corporate and other | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
Corporate and other | ||||||||||||
Total operating income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
Equity in earnings | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | ||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | ||||||||||||
Corporate and other | ||||||||||||
Total income before income taxes | $ | $ | $ |
Gas Utility | Investment in Affiliates | Consolidated Total | ||||||||||
As of December 31, 2024: | ||||||||||||
Assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Corporate and other | ||||||||||||
Total assets | ||||||||||||
Gross additions to utility property | ||||||||||||
Gross investment in affiliates | $ | $ | $ |
Gas Utility | Investment in Affiliates | Consolidated Total | ||||||||||
As of September 30, 2024: | ||||||||||||
Assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Corporate and other | ||||||||||||
Total assets | ||||||||||||
Gross additions to utility property | ||||||||||||
Gross investment in affiliates | $ | $ | $ |
4. | Rates and Regulatory Matters |
The SCC exercises regulatory authority over the natural gas operations of Roanoke Gas. Such regulation encompasses terms, conditions and rates to be charged to customers for natural gas service, safety standards, service extension and depreciation.
In response to continued inflationary pressures, Roanoke Gas filed a general rate application with the SCC on February 2, 2024 seeking to increase its annual non-gas base rates by $
On June 28, 2024, Roanoke Gas filed for approval of an updated annual SAVE Rider rate to become effective October 1, 2024. The proposed SAVE rate is based on an estimated $
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
On May 30, 2024, Roanoke Gas filed for an RNG Rider update to become effective October 1, 2024. The revenue requirement associated with the proposed RNG Rider is $
5. | Other Investments |
Midstream owns a less than
While under construction, AFUDC provided the majority of the income recognized by Midstream. The amount of AFUDC recognized during the prior year was included in the equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate in the tables below. AFUDC ceased in June 2024 when the pipeline went into commercial operation.
The Company participates in the earnings of the LLC proportionate to its level of investment. With the MVP now in operation, the Company recognizes its share of earnings from the LLC, favorably adjusted for a basis difference between the Company's capital account and its carrying value that arose when the Company recorded an other-than-temporary impairment of its investment in 2022. This basis difference amortization is a favorable non-cash adjustment to income over the operational life of the MVP, which is 40 years. The Company's share of earnings from the LLC and the basis difference amortization are presented under equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate on the condensed consolidated statements of income. The Company received a quarterly cash distribution of approximately $
Midstream assesses the value of its investment in the LLC on at least a quarterly basis, and no impairment indicators were identified in fiscal 2025 or 2024.
Investment balances of MVP and Southgate, as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, are reflected in the table below:
Balance Sheet location: | December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | ||||||
Other Assets: | ||||||||
MVP | $ | $ | ||||||
Southgate | ||||||||
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates | $ | $ |
The change in the investment in unconsolidated affiliates is provided below:
Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Cash investment | $ | $ | ||||||
Change in accrued capital calls | ||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate | ||||||||
Distribution from unconsolidated affiliate | ( | ) | ||||||
Change in investment in unconsolidated affiliates | $ | $ |
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Summary unaudited financial statements of MVP are presented below. Southgate financial statements, which are accounted for under the cost method, are not included.
Income Statements | ||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Revenue | $ | $ | ||||||
Operating expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
AFUDC | ||||||||
Other income, net | ||||||||
Net income | $ | $ |
Balance Sheets | ||||||||
December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | |||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Current assets | $ | $ | ||||||
Construction work in progress | ||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | ||||||||
Other assets | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
Liabilities and Equity: | ||||||||
Current liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
Noncurrent liabilities | ||||||||
Capital | ||||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | $ |
6. | Line of Credit |
On March 24, 2023, Roanoke Gas entered into an unsecured Revolving Note in the principal amount of $
7. | Long-Term Debt |
On March 6, 2024, Midstream entered into the Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement and related Promissory Notes on the non-revolving credit facility. The Sixth Amendment revised the interest rate from Term
On May 2, 2024, Midstream established a new $
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
On May 29, 2024, Midstream paid in full the $
On March 6, 2024, Midstream amended and restated its $
Long-term debt consists of the following:
December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||
Principal | Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs | Principal | Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs | |||||||||||||
Roanoke Gas: | ||||||||||||||||
Unsecured senior note payable at %, due September 18, 2034 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Unsecured term note payable at %, due October 2, 2027 | ||||||||||||||||
Unsecured term note payable at %, due March 28, 2031 | ||||||||||||||||
Unsecured term note payable at %, due December 6, 2029 | ||||||||||||||||
Unsecured term note payable at 30-day plus %, due August 20, 2026 (swap rate at %) | ||||||||||||||||
Unsecured term note payable at Term SOFR plus %, due October 1, 2028 (swap rate at %) | ||||||||||||||||
Midstream: | ||||||||||||||||
Unsecured term note payable at Term SOFR plus % ( % beginning November 1, 2024), due December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||
Unsecured term note payable at Daily Simple SOFR plus %, due January 1, 2028 (swap rate at %) | ||||||||||||||||
Unsecured term note payable at Daily Simple SOFR plus %, due January 1, 2028 with quarterly principal installments of $ that began April 1, 2023, were suspended April 1, 2024, and will resume April 1, 2025 (swap rate at % on designated principal) | ||||||||||||||||
Revolving credit facility at Daily Simple SOFR plus %, due May 2, 2026 | ||||||||||||||||
Total long-term debt | ||||||||||||||||
Less: current maturities of long-term debt | ( | ) | — | ( | ) | — | ||||||||||
Total long-term debt, net current maturities | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Debt issuance costs are amortized over the life of the related debt. As of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, the Company also had an unamortized loss on the early retirement of debt of $
All debt agreements set forth certain representations, warranties and covenants to which the Company is subject, including financial covenants that limit consolidated long-term indebtedness to not more than
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
8. | Derivatives and Hedging |
The Company’s hedging and derivative policy allows management to enter into derivatives for the purpose of managing the commodity and financial market risks of its business operations, including the price of natural gas and the cost of borrowed funds. This policy specifically prohibits the use of derivatives for speculative purposes.
The Company has
The fair value of the current and non-current portions of the interest rate swaps are reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets under the caption interest rate swaps. The table in Note 11 reflects the effect on income and other comprehensive income of the Company's cash flow hedges.
9. | Fair Value Measurements |
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes each input to the valuation method used to measure fair value of financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured and reported on a fair value basis into one of the following three levels:
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices in Level 1 that are either for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date, which require the Company to develop its own assumptions.
The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). All fair value disclosures are categorized within one of the three categories in the hierarchy based on the lowest level that is significant to the valuation.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as required by existing guidance and the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy:
Fair Value Measurements - December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
Quoted | Significant | |||||||||||||||
Prices | Other | Significant | ||||||||||||||
in Active | Observable | Unobservable | ||||||||||||||
Fair | Markets | Inputs | Inputs | |||||||||||||
Value | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | |||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Natural gas purchases | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
Quoted | Significant | |||||||||||||||
Prices | Other | Significant | ||||||||||||||
in Active | Observable | Unobservable | ||||||||||||||
Fair | Markets | Inputs | Inputs | |||||||||||||
Value | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | |||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Natural gas purchases | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | $ | $ | $ |
The fair value of the interest rate swaps are determined by using the counterparty's proprietary models that can include observable quoted market interest rates and interest rate futures as well as certain assumptions regarding past, present and future market conditions.
Under one of the asset management contracts, a timing difference can exist between the payment for natural gas purchases and the actual receipt of such purchases. Payments are made based on a predetermined monthly volume with the price based on weighted average first of the month index prices corresponding to the month of the scheduled payment. At December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, the Company had recorded in accounts payable the estimated fair value of the liability valued at the corresponding first of month index prices for which the liability is expected to be settled.
The Company’s nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis consist of its AROs. The AROs are measured at fair value at initial recognition based on expected future cash flows required to settle the obligation.
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, borrowings under line-of-credit, accounts payable, customer credit balances and customer deposits is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. In addition, the carrying amount of the variable rate line-of-credit is a reasonable approximation of its fair value.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are not adjusted to fair value in the financial statements:
Fair Value Measurements - December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
Quoted | Significant | |||||||||||||||
Prices | Other | Significant | ||||||||||||||
in Active | Observable | Unobservable | ||||||||||||||
Carrying | Markets | Inputs | Inputs | |||||||||||||
Value | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Notes payable | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Fair Value Measurements - September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
Quoted | Significant | |||||||||||||||
Prices | Other | Significant | ||||||||||||||
in Active | Observable | Unobservable | ||||||||||||||
Carrying | Markets | Inputs | Inputs | |||||||||||||
Value | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Notes payable | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | $ | $ | $ |
The fair value of long-term debt is estimated by discounting the future cash flows of the fixed rate debt based on the underlying Treasury rate or other Treasury instruments with a corresponding maturity period and estimated credit spread extrapolated based on market conditions since the issuance of the debt.
ASC 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosures regarding concentrations of credit risk from financial instruments. Cash equivalents are investments in high-grade, short-term securities (original maturity less than three months), placed with financially sound institutions. Accounts receivable are from a diverse group of customers including individuals and small and large companies in various industries.
10. | Earnings Per Share |
Basic EPS for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS was calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period plus potential dilutive common shares. Potential dilutive common shares are calculated in accordance with the treasury stock method, which assumes that proceeds from the exercise of all options are used to repurchase common stock at market value. The number of shares remaining after the proceeds are exhausted represents the potentially dilutive effect of the securities. The computation of diluted EPS for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 excludes potentially dilutive shares of
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
A reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share is presented below:
Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Net income | $ | $ | ||||||
Weighted-average common shares | ||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities: | ||||||||
Options to purchase common stock | ||||||||
Diluted average common shares | ||||||||
Earnings per share of common stock: | ||||||||
Basic | $ | $ | ||||||
Diluted | $ | $ |
11. | Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
A summary of other comprehensive income and loss is provided below:
Tax | ||||||||||||
Before-Tax | (Expense) | Net-of-Tax | ||||||||||
Amount | or Benefit | Amount | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps: | ||||||||||||
Unrealized gains | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
Transfer of realized gains to interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
Net interest rate swaps | ( | ) | ||||||||||
Defined benefit plans: | ||||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial gains | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
Other comprehensive income | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps: | ||||||||||||
Unrealized losses | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
Transfer of realized gains to interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
Net interest rate swaps | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
Defined benefit plans: | ||||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial losses | ( | ) | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) |
The amortization of actuarial gains and losses, reflected in the preceding table, relate to the unregulated operations of the Company. Actuarial gains and losses attributable to the regulated operations are included as a regulatory asset. See Note 13 for a schedule of regulatory assets. The amortization of actual gains and losses is recognized as a component of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs under other income, net in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
Reconciliation of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated | ||||||||||||
Other | ||||||||||||
Interest Rate | Defined Benefit | Comprehensive | ||||||||||
Swaps | Plans | Income | ||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2024 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ |
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
12. | Income Taxes |
The effective tax rates for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 reflected in the table below are less than the combined federal and state statutory rate of
Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Effective tax rate | % | % |
ASC 740 provides for the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recognized in the financial statements. The Company recorded a reserve for unrecognized tax benefits of $
December 31, 2024 | ||||
Beginning balance | $ | |||
Increase resulting from prior period tax positions | ||||
Ending balance | $ |
The Company’s policy is to classify interest associated with uncertain tax positions as interest expense in the financial statements. Tax penalties, if any, are netted against other income.
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return and state income tax returns in Virginia and West Virginia, and thus subject to examinations by federal and state tax authorities. The IRS is currently examining the Company's a result of this examination. The Company's amended federal returns for fiscal and 2019 remain open related to the examination. Aside from these exceptions, the federal returns and the state returns for Virginia and West Virginia for the tax years ended prior to September 30, are no longer subject to examination.
and 2019 amended federal tax returns. The focus of the examination relates to research and development credits, and the results of the examination have not been presented to the Company as of the date of this Form 10-Q. The Company believes its income tax assets and liabilities are fairly stated as of December 31, 2024 and 2023; however, these assets and liabilities could be adjusted as
13. | Regulatory Assets and Liabilities |
The Company’s regulated operations follow the accounting and reporting requirements of ASC 980, Regulated Operations. A regulated company may defer costs that have been or are expected to be recovered from customers in a period different from the period in which the costs would ordinarily be charged to expense by an unregulated enterprise. When this situation occurs, costs are deferred as assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet (regulatory assets) and amortized into expense over periods when such amounts are reflected in customer rates. Additionally, regulators can impose liabilities upon a regulated company for amounts previously collected from customers and for current collection in customer rates of costs that are expected to be incurred in the future (regulatory liabilities). In the event the provisions of ASC 980 no longer apply to any or all regulatory assets or liabilities, the Company would write off such amounts and include the effects in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income in the period which ASC 980 no longer applied.
Regulatory assets included in the Company’s accompanying balance sheets are as follows:
December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | |||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Current Assets: | ||||||||
Regulatory assets: | ||||||||
Accrued WNA revenues | $ | $ | ||||||
Under-recovery of gas costs | ||||||||
Under-recovery of RNG revenues | ||||||||
Under-recovery of SAVE Plan revenues | ||||||||
Accrued pension | ||||||||
Other deferred expenses | ||||||||
Total current | ||||||||
Other Non-Current Assets: | ||||||||
Regulatory assets: | ||||||||
Premium on early retirement of debt | ||||||||
Accrued pension | ||||||||
Other deferred expenses | ||||||||
Total non-current | ||||||||
Total regulatory assets | $ | $ |
Regulatory liabilities included in the Company’s accompanying balance sheets are as follows:
December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | |||||||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||
Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
Regulatory liabilities: | ||||||||
Rate refund | $ | $ | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | ||||||||
Supplier refunds | ||||||||
Other deferred liabilities | ||||||||
Total current | ||||||||
Deferred Credits and Other Non-Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
Regulatory cost of retirement obligations | ||||||||
Regulatory liabilities: | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes | ||||||||
Deferred postretirement medical | ||||||||
Total non-current | ||||||||
Total regulatory liabilities | $ | $ |
As of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, the Company had regulatory assets in the amount of $
14. | Commitments and Contingencies |
Roanoke Gas currently holds the only franchises and/or CPCNs to distribute natural gas in its service area. These franchises generally extend for multi-year periods and are renewable by the municipalities, including exclusive franchises in the cities of Roanoke and Salem and the Town of Vinton, Virginia. All three franchises are set to expire December 31, 2035.
Due to the nature of the natural gas distribution business, the Company has entered into agreements with both suppliers and pipelines for natural gas commodity purchases, storage capacity and pipeline delivery capacity. The Company utilizes two asset managers to assist in optimizing the use of its transportation, storage rights and gas supply in order to provide a secure and reliable source of natural gas to its customers. The Company also has storage and pipeline capacity contracts to store and deliver natural gas to the Company’s distribution system. Roanoke Gas is currently served directly by three primary pipelines that deliver all of the natural gas supplied to the Company’s distribution system. Depending on weather conditions and the level of customer demand, failure of one of these transmission pipelines could have a major adverse impact on the Company's ability to deliver natural gas to its customers and its results of operations. With the MVP now in service, there is an enhanced reliability in the system to meet the Company's increasing distribution demand for natural gas.
15. | Employee Benefit Plans |
The Company has both a pension plan and a postretirement plan. The pension plan covers the Company’s employees hired before January 1, 2017 and provides a retirement benefit based on years of service and employee compensation. The postretirement plan, covering employees hired before January 1, 2000, provides certain health care and supplemental life insurance benefits to retired employees who meet specific age and service requirements. Net pension plan and postretirement plan expense is detailed as follows:
Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Components of net periodic pension cost: | ||||||||
Service cost | $ | $ | ||||||
Interest cost | ||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Recognized loss | ||||||||
Net periodic pension cost | $ | $ |
Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Components of postretirement benefit cost: | ||||||||
Service cost | $ | $ | ||||||
Interest cost | ||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Recognized gain | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Net postretirement benefit cost | $ | ( | ) | $ |
The components of net periodic benefit cost, excluding the service cost component, are included in other income, net in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Service cost is included in operations and maintenance expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
16. | Leases |
The Company has four leases for certain assets including office space and land classified as operating leases with original terms ranging from
Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement. The Company made an accounting policy election that payments under agreements with an initial term of 12 months or less will not be included on the condensed consolidated balance sheet but will be recognized when paid in the consolidated statements of operations.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
The operating lease ROU assets are reflected in other non-current assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The current operating lease liabilities and non-current lease liabilities are included in other current liabilities and deferred credits and other non-current liabilities, respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The expense components of the Company’s operating leases are included under operations and maintenance expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income and were less than $
Other information related to leases were as follows:
Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Supplemental Cash Flow Information: | ||||||||
Cash paid on operating leases | $ | $ | ||||||
Right of use obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations | N/A | N/A | ||||||
Weighted-average remaining term (in years) | ||||||||
Weighted-average discount rate | N/A | N/A | ||||||
On December 31, 2024, the future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases by fiscal year were as follows:
2025 | $ | |||
2026 | ||||
2027 | ||||
2028 | ||||
2029 | ||||
Thereafter | ||||
Total minimum lease payments | ||||
Less imputed interest | ( | ) | ||
Total | $ |
17. | Subsequent Events |
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. There were no items not otherwise disclosed which would have materially impacted the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 2 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements that relate to future transactions, events or expectations. In addition, Resources may announce or publish forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, investments, inflation, rate making, technological developments, new products, research and development activities, operational impacts and similar matters. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and information available at the time of such statements and are believed to be reasonable and are made in good faith. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results and experience to differ
materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development and results of the Company’s business include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the following discussion and within Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K. These factors are difficult to predict and many are beyond the Company’s control. Accordingly, while the Company believes its forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will approximate actual experience or that the expectations derived from them will be realized. When used in the Company’s documents or news releases, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “predict,” “target,” “expect,” “objective,” “projection,” “potential,” “forecast,” “budget,” “assume,” “indicate” or similar words or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “can,” “could,” “may” or “might” are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations only as of the date they are made. The Company assumes no duty to update these statements should expectations change or actual results differ from current expectations except as required by applicable laws and regulations.
The three-month earnings presented herein should not be considered as reflective of the Company’s consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The total revenues and margins realized during the first three months reflect higher billings due to the weather-sensitive nature of the natural gas business.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Overview
Resources is an energy services company primarily engaged in the regulated sale and distribution of natural gas to approximately 63,400 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Roanoke, Virginia and surrounding localities through its Roanoke Gas subsidiary. Midstream, a wholly owned subsidiary of Resources, is a less than 1% investor in both the MVP and Southgate. The utility operations of Roanoke Gas are regulated by the SCC, which oversees the terms, conditions and rates charged to customers for natural gas service, safety standards, extension of service and depreciation. The Company is also subject to regulation from the United States Department of Transportation in regard to the construction, operation, maintenance, safety and integrity of its transmission and distribution pipelines. FERC regulates the prices for the transportation and delivery of natural gas to the Company’s distribution system and underground storage services. In addition, the Company is subject to other regulations which are not necessarily industry specific.
Nearly all of the Company’s revenues are derived from the sale and delivery of natural gas to Roanoke Gas customers based on rates and fees authorized by the SCC. These rates are designed to provide the Company with the opportunity to recover its gas and non-gas expenses and to earn a reasonable rate of return for shareholders based on normal weather. These rates are determined based on various rate applications filed with the SCC. Generally, investments related to extending service to new customers are recovered through the additional revenues generated by the non-gas base rates in place at that time. The investment in replacing and upgrading existing infrastructure, as well as recovering increases in non-gas expenses due to inflationary pressures, regulatory requirements or operational needs, are generally not recoverable until a formal rate application is filed to include the additional investment and higher costs, and new non-gas base rates are approved.
On February 2, 2024, primarily in response to continued inflationary pressures, Roanoke Gas filed for an annual non-gas base rate increase of $4.33 million. The filing also reflected an increase in the Company's authorized return on equity from 9.44% to 10.35%. The new interim non-gas base rates went into effect for customer billings on or after July 1, 2024, subject to refund. On October 16, 2024, the Company reached a settlement with the SCC staff on all outstanding issues in the case. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company agreed to an annual incremental revenue requirement increase of $4.08 million based on a return on equity of 9.90%.
Following extended periods of regulatory and judicial delays, as well as receipt of authorization from the FERC, the MVP entered into service on June 14, 2024 and became available for interruptible or short-term firm transportation service. On July 1, 2024, the MVP commenced long-term firm capacity obligations. See the Equity Investment in Mountain Valley Pipeline section for additional information on the MVP.
As the Company’s business is seasonal in nature, volatility in winter weather and the commodity price of natural gas can impact the effectiveness of the Company’s rates in recovering its costs and providing a reasonable return for its shareholders. In order to mitigate the effect of weather variations and other factors not provided for in the Company's base rates, Roanoke Gas has certain approved rate mechanisms in place that help provide stability in earnings, adjust for volatility in the price of natural gas and provide a return on qualified infrastructure investment. These mechanisms include the SAVE Rider, WNA, ICC, RNG Rider and PGA.
The SAVE Plan and Rider provides the Company with a mechanism through which it recovers costs related to qualified SAVE infrastructure investments on a prospective basis, until a rate application is filed incorporating these investments in non-gas base rates. Roanoke Gas filed and received approval from the SCC for an updated annual SAVE Rider rate which became effective October 1, 2024. As a result of the updated SAVE Rider, SAVE Plan revenues increased by approximately $273,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2024 compared to the same period last year when the recovery of all prior SAVE Plan investment was incorporated into the non-gas base rates that were effective January 1, 2023. The updated SAVE Rider is expected to result in approximately $1,389,000 of annualized SAVE-related revenues during fiscal 2025. Additional information regarding the SAVE Plan and Rider is provided under the Regulatory section below.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
The WNA mechanism reduces the volatility in earnings due to the variability in temperatures during the heating season. The WNA is based on the most recent 30-year temperature average and provides the Company with a level of earnings protection when weather is warmer than normal and provides its customers with price protection when weather is colder than normal. The WNA allows the Company to recover from its customers the lost margin (excluding gas costs) from warmer-than-normal weather and correspondingly requires the Company to refund the excess margin earned for colder-than-normal weather. The WNA mechanism used by the Company is based on a linear regression model that determines the value of a single heating degree day and thereby estimates the revenue adjustment based on weather variance from normal. Any billings or refunds related to the WNA are completed following each WNA year, which extends for the 12-month period from April to March. For the three months ended December 31, 2024, the Company accrued approximately $500,000 in additional revenues under the WNA model for weather that was 6% warmer than normal, respectively, compared to approximately $1,173,000 in additional revenues for weather that was 16% warmer than normal for the corresponding period last year.
The Company has an approved rate structure to mitigate the impact of the financing costs of its natural gas inventory. Under this rate structure, Roanoke Gas recognizes revenue by applying the ICC factor, based on the Company’s weighted-average cost of capital, including interest rates on short-term and long-term debt, and the Company’s authorized return on equity, to the average cost of natural gas inventory during the period. Total ICC revenues decreased by approximately $53,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period last year, due to lower natural gas commodity prices during the 2024 summer storage injection season resulting in a lower average cost of natural gas in storage. Accordingly, fiscal 2025 ICC revenues are expected to continue to remain below last year's levels.
In March 2023, Roanoke Gas began operating the RNG facility, through a cooperative agreement with the Western Virginia Water Authority, to produce commercial quality RNG for delivery into its distribution system. With SCC approval, Roanoke Gas is allowed to recover the costs associated with the investment in RNG facilities and the related operating costs through an RNG Rider added to customer bills. Customers receive the benefit of the monetization of environmental credits generated through the production of RNG. Roanoke Gas recognized approximately $388,000 in RNG revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to approximately $300,000 for the corresponding period in the prior year.
The cost of natural gas, which is a pass-through cost, is independent of the Company's non-gas rates. Accordingly, the Company's approved billing rates include a component designed to allow for the recovery of the cost of natural gas used by its customers. This rate component, referred to as the PGA, allows the Company to pass along to its customers increases and decreases in natural gas costs through a quarterly filing, or more frequent if necessary, once SCC staff approval is received. As actual costs will differ from the projections used in establishing the PGA rate, the Company will either over-recover or under-recover its actual gas costs during the period. The difference between actual costs incurred and costs recovered through the application of the PGA is recorded as a regulatory asset or liability. At the end of the annual deferral period, the balance is amortized over a succeeding 12-month period through the ensuing non-gas rate component.
Results of Operations
The analysis on the results of operations is based on the consolidated operations of the Company, which is primarily associated with the utility segment. Additional segment analysis is provided when Midstream's investment in affiliates represents a significant component of the comparison.
The Company's operating revenues are affected by the cost of natural gas, as reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of income under cost of gas - utility. The cost of natural gas, which includes commodity price, transportation, storage, injection and withdrawal fees, with any increase or decrease offset by a correlating change in revenue through the PGA, is passed through to customers at cost. Accordingly, management believes that gross utility margin, a non-GAAP financial measure defined as utility revenues less cost of gas, is a useful and relevant measure to analyze financial performance. The term gross utility margin is not intended to represent or replace gross margin, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, as an indicator of operating performance and is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. A reconciliation between gross utility margin and gross margin is presented under the Gross Utility Margin section below. The following results of operations analyses will reference gross utility margin.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024:
Net income increased by $249,697 for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period last year, primarily due to the implementation of new non-gas base rates effective July 1, 2024, slightly offset by lower WNA revenues and lower equity earnings from the MVP as the project transitioned from construction to in service, as well as higher interest expense.
The tables below reflect operating revenues, volume activity and heating degree days.
Three Months Ended December 31, | Increase / (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||
2024 |
2023 |
Percentage |
||||||||||||||
Operating Revenues |
||||||||||||||||
Gas utility |
$ | 27,263,204 | $ | 24,391,854 | $ | 2,871,350 | 12 | % | ||||||||
Non utility |
26,282 | 27,498 | (1,216 | ) | (4 | )% | ||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
$ | 27,289,486 | $ | 24,419,352 | $ | 2,870,134 | 12 | % | ||||||||
Delivered Volumes |
||||||||||||||||
Regulated natural gas (DTH) |
||||||||||||||||
Residential and commercial |
2,174,553 | 2,094,640 | 79,913 | 4 | % | |||||||||||
Transportation and interruptible |
1,320,849 | 925,995 | 394,854 | 43 | % | |||||||||||
Total delivered volumes |
3,495,402 | 3,020,635 | 474,767 | 16 | % | |||||||||||
HDD |
1,366 | 1,237 | 129 | 10 | % |
Total operating revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period last year, increased by approximately 12% primarily due to the implementation of a non-gas base rate increase, along with higher delivered volumes, gas costs and SAVE revenues, slightly offset by a decrease in WNA revenue. The non-gas base rate increase implemented in 2024 was the main contributing factor to an approximate $1.6 million increase in non-gas volumetric revenues. In addition, total heating degree days increased by 10% from the same period last year, resulting in a 4% increase in the weather-sensitive residential and commercial volumes, while transportation and interruptible volumes increased 43% primarily driven by business activity of a single, multi-fuel customer during the quarter. We expect the higher usage to continue in the near term, although much of this volume has a lower margin contribution. Gas costs also increased over the prior period primarily due to pipeline capacity charges increasing over $800,000 as a result of higher rates and additional capacity. These capacity charges, which do not impact margin, are expected to continue at a comparable level. SAVE Plan revenues increased as Roanoke Gas continues to invest in qualified SAVE infrastructure projects, resulting in approximately $273,000 more revenue compared to the same period in the prior year. WNA revenues declined approximately $673,000 from the corresponding period last year as weather was only 6% warmer than normal during the current period compared to 16% warmer than normal during the prior period.
Three Months Ended December 31, | Increase | |||||||||||||||
2024 |
2023 |
Percentage |
||||||||||||||
Gross Utility Margin |
||||||||||||||||
Gas utility revenues |
$ | 27,263,204 | $ | 24,391,854 | $ | 2,871,350 | 12 | % | ||||||||
Cost of gas - utility |
11,702,709 | 10,097,016 | 1,605,693 | 16 | % | |||||||||||
Gross utility margin |
$ | 15,560,495 | $ | 14,294,838 | $ | 1,265,657 | 9 | % |
Gross utility margin increased over the same period last year primarily as a result of the implementation of new non-gas base rates and increases in SAVE and RNG revenues, offset by the reduction in WNA and ICC revenues. When adjusted for WNA, the volumetric margin increased by approximately $921,000 primarily due to the new non-gas base rates and increases in transportation and interruptible volumes. The RNG Rider and SAVE Plan contributed an additional $88,000 and $273,000, respectively, to margin, while ICC revenues decreased by approximately $53,000 due to lower cost of gas in storage.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
The changes in the components of gas utility margin are summarized below:
Three Months Ended December 31, | Increase/ | |||||||||||
2024 |
2023 |
(Decrease) |
||||||||||
Customer base charge |
$ | 4,065,148 | $ | 4,032,454 | $ | 32,694 | ||||||
ICC |
189,907 | 243,330 | (53,423 | ) | ||||||||
SAVE Plan |
293,999 | 21,187 | 272,812 | |||||||||
Volumetric |
10,067,087 | 8,473,367 | 1,593,720 | |||||||||
WNA |
500,446 | 1,173,127 | (672,681 | ) | ||||||||
RNG |
388,003 | 300,365 | 87,638 | |||||||||
Other revenues |
55,905 | 51,008 | 4,897 | |||||||||
Total |
$ | 15,560,495 | $ | 14,294,838 | $ | 1,265,657 |
The tables below provide a reconciliation between gross utility margin and gross margin:
Gas Utility |
Investment in Affiliates |
Consolidated Total |
||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 |
||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
||||||||||||
Gas utility |
$ | 27,263,204 | $ | — | $ | 27,263,204 | ||||||
Non utility |
26,282 | — | 26,282 | |||||||||
Total operating revenues |
27,289,486 | — | 27,289,486 | |||||||||
Cost of sales |
||||||||||||
Cost of gas - utility |
(11,702,709 | ) | — | (11,702,709 | ) | |||||||
Cost of sales - non utility |
(4,349 | ) | — | (4,349 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(2,843,360 | ) | — | (2,843,360 | ) | |||||||
Operations and maintenance |
(4,653,956 | ) | (34,715 | ) | (4,688,671 | ) | ||||||
Total cost of sales |
(19,204,374 | ) | (34,715 | ) | (19,239,089 | ) | ||||||
Gross margin (GAAP) |
8,085,112 | (34,715 | ) | 8,050,397 | ||||||||
Corporate and other, net |
(21,933 | ) | — | (21,933 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
2,843,360 | — | 2,843,360 | |||||||||
Operations and maintenance |
4,653,956 | 34,715 | 4,688,671 | |||||||||
Gross utility margin (Non-GAAP) |
$ | 15,560,495 | $ | — | $ | 15,560,495 |
Gas Utility |
Investment in Affiliates |
Consolidated Total |
||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 |
||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
||||||||||||
Gas utility |
$ | 24,391,854 | $ | — | $ | 24,391,854 | ||||||
Non utility |
27,498 | — | 27,498 | |||||||||
Total operating revenues |
24,419,352 | — | 24,419,352 | |||||||||
Cost of sales |
||||||||||||
Cost of gas - utility |
(10,097,016 | ) | — | (10,097,016 | ) | |||||||
Cost of sales - non utility |
(5,150 | ) | — | (5,150 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(2,697,707 | ) | — | (2,697,707 | ) | |||||||
Operations and maintenance |
(4,321,247 | ) | (12,780 | ) | (4,334,027 | ) | ||||||
Corporate and other |
— | — | (1,170 | ) | ||||||||
Total operations and maintenance |
(4,321,247 | ) | (12,780 | ) | (4,335,197 | ) | ||||||
Total cost of sales |
(17,121,120 | ) | (12,780 | ) | (17,135,070 | ) | ||||||
Gross margin (GAAP) |
7,298,232 | (12,780 | ) | 7,284,282 | ||||||||
Corporate and other, net |
(22,348 | ) | — | (21,178 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
2,697,707 | — | 2,697,707 | |||||||||
Operations and maintenance |
4,321,247 | 12,780 | 4,334,027 | |||||||||
Gross utility margin (Non-GAAP) |
$ | 14,294,838 | $ | — | $ | 14,294,838 |
Operations and maintenance expenses increased by $353,474, or 8%, from the same period last year primarily due to inflationary effects on personnel costs, costs to operate and maintain the RNG facility and professional services. Personnel costs increased by approximately $123,000 due to increased staffing and the inflationary impact on salaries and benefits as well as amortization of restricted stock awards. Cost associated with the RNG facility increased approximately $98,000 due to timing differences. Increased IT support costs and corporate insurance premiums accounted for much of the remaining cost increase.
Taxes other than income taxes increased by $90,131, or 14%, primarily due to higher property taxes associated with growth in utility property.
Depreciation expense increased by $143,653, or 5%, consistent with an increase in utility property balances.
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate decreased by $613,622, or 42%. With the MVP in service, the Company now recognizes its share of operational earnings from the MVP, favorably adjusted for the amortization of a basis difference that arose when the Company recorded an other-than-temporary impairment of its investment in 2022, which did not fully replace the amount of AFUDC recognized while construction activities were ongoing during the first quarter of fiscal 2024. See Note 5 of the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the MVP.
Other income, net increased by $352,550 primarily due to an approximate $280,000 decrease in benefit plan costs, coupled with an increase of approximately $101,000 in revenue sharing related to the asset management agreements, which are described in more detail below.
Interest expense increased by $143,657, or 9%, primarily due to higher interest rates on the Company's variable rate debt, along with higher borrowing levels. The weighted-average interest rate on total debt increased from 4.28% during the first quarter of fiscal 2024 to 4.45% during the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The increase in the weighted-average interest rate was associated with Midstream's credit facilities. Total average debt outstanding during the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased by 5% from the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
Roanoke Gas' interest expense increased by $63,472, or 7%, as total average debt outstanding increased by approximately $6,388,000 associated with net borrowings under the Company's line-of-credit. The average interest rate decreased slightly from 4.07% during the first quarter in fiscal 2024 to 4.06% during the first quarter in fiscal 2025. All of Roanoke Gas' long-term debt carry fixed rates either due to fixed rate notes or with variable rate debt that has a corresponding swap agreement. See Note 6 and 7 of the consolidated financial statements for more information on the Company's debt.
Midstream's interest expense increased by $80,185, or 12%, as the average interest rate on Midstream's total debt increased from 4.92% to 5.38% related to higher interest rates on the variable rate credit facilities that were refinanced in fiscal 2024, coupled with an approximate $1,261,000 increase in total average debt outstanding during the period.
Income tax expense increased by $21,558, or 1%, corresponding to an increase in pre-tax income. The effective tax rate was 23.4% and 24.0% for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The effective tax rate is below the combined statutory state and federal rate due to the amortization of excess deferred taxes and tax credits.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The consolidated financial statements of Resources are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements are affected by accounting policies, estimates and assumptions that are necessary to comply with generally accepted accounting principles. Estimates used in the financial statements are derived from prior experience, statistical analysis and management judgments. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions.
There have been no significant changes to the critical accounting policies as reflected in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Asset Management
Roanoke Gas uses third-party asset managers to oversee its pipeline transportation, storage rights and gas supply inventories and deliveries in order to provide a secure and reliable source of natural gas to its customers. In return for utilizing the excess capacities of the transportation and storage rights, the asset managers pay Roanoke Gas a monthly utilization fee. In accordance with an SCC order issued in 2018, a portion of the utilization fee is retained by the Company with the balance passed through to customers through reduced gas costs. Prior to the MVP being placed in service, Roanoke Gas utilized one asset manager. With the MVP now in service, Roanoke Gas has a second asset management agreement for the utilization of its MVP capacity. Both asset management agreements expire March 31, 2025. The Company expects to enter into a new arrangement to begin April 1, 2025.
Equity Investment in Mountain Valley Pipeline
The Company has a less than 1% interest in the MVP, which is accounted for as an equity investment, and a less than 1% interest in the Southgate pipeline, which is contemplated to interconnect with the MVP and accounted for under the cost method.
From inception through May 2024, earnings from the LLC were primarily attributable to AFUDC income. With the MVP in operation, the Company recognizes its share of earnings from the LLC, favorably adjusted for a basis difference between the Company's proportional share of assets and its carrying value that arose when the Company recorded an other-than-temporary impairment of its investment in 2022. This basis difference amortization is a favorable non-cash adjustment over the operational life of the MVP, or 40 years. For the first quarters of fiscal 2025 and 2024, the Company recorded equity in earnings of consolidated affiliate of approximately $850,000 and $1.5 million, respectively, with the 2024 amount being derived from AFUDC. Midstream received a quarterly cash distribution of its share from the LLC of approximately $800,000 in October which was a return on its invested capital. Future quarterly distributions are expected to be of a similar amount. The Company is using this cash to pay interest and other expenditures related to Midstream.
Midstream fully borrowed $25 million under a non-revolving credit facility, which matures in December 2025, as well as $8,895,000 under a separate non-revolving credit facility, which matures in May 2026. Quarterly amortization payments have been suspended on one of Midstream's promissory notes that matures January 1, 2028, and will resume in April 2025 with $1.2 million due over the next 12 months. The Company is actively discussing and anticipates refinancing the line of credit obligation in 2025. Additionally, Midstream is considering the long-term structure of all its debt as the MVP has transitioned from its project phase to being operational. See Note 7 for more information on all borrowings related to Midstream.
Regulatory
See Note 4 of the condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion on Regulatory matters.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Due to the capital-intensive nature of the utility business, as well as the impact of weather variability, the Company’s primary capital needs are the funding of its capital projects, the seasonal funding of its natural gas inventories and accounts receivables, debt service and payments of dividends to shareholders. The Company anticipates funding these items through its operating cash flows, credit availability under short-term and long-term debt agreements and proceeds from the sale of its common stock.
Cash and cash equivalents increased by $1,204,178 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2024 compared to an increase of $1,352,306 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2023. The following table summarizes the sources and uses of cash:
Three Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||
Cash Flow Summary |
2024 |
2023 |
||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
$ | 827,190 | $ | (564,347 | ) | |||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(5,751,463 | ) | (5,300,295 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
6,128,451 | 7,216,948 | ||||||
Increase in cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 1,204,178 | $ | 1,352,306 |
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities:
The seasonal nature of the natural gas business causes operating cash flows to fluctuate significantly during the year as well as from year-to-year. Factors, including weather, energy prices, natural gas storage levels and customer collections, contribute to working capital levels and related cash flows. Generally, operating cash flows are positive during the second and third fiscal quarters as a combination of earnings, declining storage gas levels and collections on customer accounts contribute to higher cash levels. During the first and fourth fiscal quarters, operating cash flows generally decrease due to increases in natural gas storage levels and rising customer receivable balances.
Cash flows from operating activities for the three months ended December 31, 2024 increased by $1,391,537 compared to the same period last year. The table below summarizes the significant components of operating cash flows:
Three Months Ended December 31, | Increase/ | |||||||||||
Cash Flow From Operating Activities: |
2024 |
2023 |
(Decrease) |
|||||||||
Net income |
$ | 5,269,689 | $ | 5,019,992 | $ | 249,697 | ||||||
Non-cash adjustments: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation |
2,843,360 | 2,761,920 | 81,440 | |||||||||
Equity in earnings |
(854,213 | ) | (1,467,835 | ) | 613,622 | |||||||
Distribution from unconsolidated affiliate |
801,816 | — | 801,816 | |||||||||
Changes in working capital and regulatory assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(11,372,730 | ) | (8,963,996 | ) | (2,408,734 | ) | ||||||
Accounts payable |
3,068,681 | 572,694 | 2,495,987 | |||||||||
Income taxes |
1,633,289 | 2,317,469 | (684,180 | ) | ||||||||
Change in over collection of gas costs |
1,339,550 | 2,046,845 | (707,295 | ) | ||||||||
Change in accrued WNA revenues |
(500,446 | ) | (1,173,127 | ) | 672,681 | |||||||
Other |
(1,401,806 | ) | (1,678,309 | ) | 276,503 | |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
$ | 827,190 | $ | (564,347 | ) | $ | 1,391,537 |
The increase in operating cash flows is primarily due to the equity in earnings related to the Company's investment in the MVP and the cash distribution received from the LLC. The decrease in non-cash equity in earnings from the Company's investment in the LLC is a result of the MVP transitioning from the construction phase to being operational. While under construction, AFUDC provided the majority of the income recognized. In October, the Company received a $800,000 quarterly cash distribution of its share from the LLC which was has been accounted for as a return on its invested capital. To a lesser extent, colder weather and increased gas costs compared to the same period last year resulted in higher accounts receivable and accounts payable balances. Pipeline and storage capacity charges during the first quarter of 2025 increased over $800,000 from the same period in the prior year. Additionally, total commodity costs increased from $3.15 per DTH in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 to $3.44 per DTH in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. A colder-than-normal December reduced the uncollected WNA balance as of December 31, 2024 despite the first quarter of fiscal 2025 being warmer than the first quarter in the prior year. As such, the warmer weather experienced during the current quarter contributed approximately $673,000 in additional operating cash. The reduction in cash related to income taxes is primarily attributable to a $1.0 million refund received during the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities:
Investing activities primarily consist of expenditures related to Roanoke Gas' utility property, which includes replacing aging natural gas pipe with new plastic or coated steel pipe, improvements to the LNG plant and gas distribution system facilities and expansion of its natural gas system to meet the customer growth demand. The Company is continuing its focus on SAVE infrastructure replacement projects, including the replacement of pre-1973 first generation plastic pipe. New customer demand for natural gas continues to be steady and therefore extending the natural gas distribution system within its service territory is also a priority. Roanoke Gas' total capital expenditures for the three-month period ended December 31, 2024 were approximately $5.7 million compared to $5.3 million during the same period last year. Total fiscal 2025 capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $22 million. Midstream continues to be invested in the LLC; however, the Company did not make capital contributions in 2024 under a prior agreement with the LLC's managing partner. Accordingly, Midstream's ownership percentage declined during the remaining construction period of the project. Now that the MVP is in service, Midstream will incur periodic, future capital investment related to ongoing MVP operations requirements and system improvements. Midstream has and will continue to make capital investments in Southgate. The targeted timing for completion of the Southgate project is 2028.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities:
Financing activities generally consist of borrowings and repayments under credit agreements, issuance of common stock and the payment of dividends. Net cash flows provided by financing activities were approximately $6.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $7.2 million in net cash flows from financing activities for the same period last year. The $1.1 million decrease in financing cash flows is primarily attributable to net borrowings of $7.9 million under Roanoke Gas' line-of-credit during the first three months of fiscal 2025 compared to net borrowings of $8.9 million in the same period last year. Roanoke Gas' decreased borrowings were slightly offset by a net increase of $485,000 in Midstream's debt. During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, Midstream borrowed a net $40,000 compared to repaying $525,000 during the same period in the prior year. Notes 6 and 7 provide details on the Company's line-of-credit and borrowing activity.
In addition, Resources issued a total of 14,792 shares of common stock resulting in net proceeds of approximately $269,000. No shares were issued through the ATM program during the first quarter of fiscal 2025. During the same period last year, Resources issued 44,367 shares for approximately $821,000, including 26,077 shares through the ATM program for approximately $542,000, net of fees.
Management regularly evaluates the Company’s liquidity through a review of its available financing resources and its cash flows. Resources maintains the ability to raise equity capital through its ATM program, private placement or other public offerings. Management believes Roanoke Gas has access to sufficient financing resources to meet its cash requirements for the next year, including the line of credit and the two private shelf facilities. Roanoke Gas may also adjust capital spending, as necessary, if such a need would arise. Management expects to renew the Roanoke Gas line of credit in March and expects to refinance a portion of the line of credit into a long-term note in the coming months.
With the MVP now in service, Midstream's future cash requirements will relate to regular monthly operating expenses, debt service and capital contributions. The Company received its first cash distribution from MVP of approximately $800,000 in October 2024, and should receive similar distributions quarterly. Midstream's total debt service over the succeeding 12 months includes $26.2 million to retire maturing debt. Management has initiated conversations with its lenders and others to renegotiate Midstream's debt that is coming due over the next 12 to 18 months. With MVP operational and cash distributions being made to the partners, the Company is exploring longer-term financing that may include additional debt amortization and considerations around the Company's capital expenditure expectations. Management has successfully renegotiated Midstream's obligations several times in recent years and believes that it will be able to do so before the applicable due dates. Conversations to date have been positive.
As of December 31, 2024, Resources' long-term capitalization ratio was 45% equity and 55% debt.
ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to be effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports under the Exchange Act are identified, recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Through December 31, 2024, the Company has evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2024.
Management routinely reviews the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and makes changes, as necessary, to enhance the effectiveness of the internal controls. There were no control changes during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
None.
There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Resources' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024.
ITEM 2 – UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3 – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4 – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Number |
|
Description |
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31.1 |
Rule 13a–14(a)/15d–14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
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31.2 |
Rule 13a–14(a)/15d–14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
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32.1* |
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32.2* |
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101.INS |
Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
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101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |||||||
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |||||||
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |||||||
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |||||||
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
* |
These certifications are being furnished solely to accompany this quarterly report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, and are not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Registrant, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing. |
RGC RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
RGC Resources, Inc. |
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Date: February 10, 2025 |
By: |
/s/ Timothy J. Mulvaney |
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Timothy J. Mulvaney |
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Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
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(Principal Financial Officer) |