- Full Year 2023 earnings per share ("EPS")* was $4.73, including transaction-related expenses
attributable to the acquisition of Florida City Gas ("FCG") of
$0.58 per share, compared to
$5.04 per share in 2022
- Adjusted EPS**, which excludes the transaction-related
expenses, was $5.31 for the year
ended 2023, or an increase of 5.4 percent over 2022
- EPS for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $1.26, including transaction-related expenses of
$0.38 per share, versus $1.47 per share for the fourth quarter of
2022
- Adjusted EPS** for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by
12 percent to $1.64 compared to the
fourth quarter of 2022
- Adjusted gross margin** increased by $33.9 million during the year driven by
regulatory initiatives, natural gas organic growth and continued
pipeline expansion projects, increased propane margins and fees and
incremental margin from FCG
- Significantly warmer than normal temperatures impacted
customer consumption throughout 2023, lowering both EPS and
Adjusted EPS by approximately $0.54
per share for the full year and $0.14
for the fourth quarter
DOVER,
Del., Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake
Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) ("Chesapeake Utilities" or the
"Company") today announced financial results for the year and the
fourth quarter ended December 31,
2023. The Company's acquisition of FCG was completed on
November 30, 2023, and the financial
results of FCG have been included from the acquisition date.
For 2023, adjusted net income**, which excludes
transaction-related expenses related to the acquisition of FCG, was
$97.8 million compared to
$89.8 million in 2022, representing
approximately 9 percent growth. Adjusted EPS** for the year ended
December 31, 2023 was $5.31
compared to $5.04 per share reported
in the prior-year, representing growth of more than 5 percent.
Full year earnings were driven by contributions from the
Company's regulatory initiatives, organic growth in the Company's
natural gas distribution businesses and continued pipeline
expansion projects, increased propane margins and fees, and
contributions from FCG. These improvements were partially offset by
significantly warmer weather in some of our service territories
throughout the year, increased interest expense attributable to
higher rates on our short-term borrowings, and the impact of new
senior notes and common shares issued in connection with the FCG
acquisition.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company's adjusted net income
was $33.1 million, compared to
$26.2 million reported in the fourth
quarter of 2022. Adjusted EPS in the fourth quarter of 2023 was
$1.64 per share, compared to
$1.47 per share reported in the same
prior-year period, representing growth of approximately 12 percent.
Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2023 were primarily driven by
the factors discussed for the full year, with enhanced margin
contributions during the quarter partially offset by reduced
customer consumption compared to the prior-year period and lower
adjusted gross margin from virtual pipeline services.
"In 2023, Chesapeake Utilities delivered its 17th year of
consecutive record earnings, excluding transaction costs related to
our Florida City Gas acquisition, despite rising interest rates and
significantly warmer temperatures," commented Jeff Householder, chairman, president and CEO.
"Our team executed on all fronts, with our legacy businesses
continuing to make growth investments, advance regulatory
initiatives and prudently manage expenses. Our regulated natural
gas distribution businesses gained customers at more than twice the
national average, we executed on several opportunities to expand
our natural gas transmission systems, and our non-regulated
businesses also contributed meaningfully. In November, we
successfully completed the FCG acquisition and immediately began to
integrate the business, which will drive significant incremental
earnings growth, as we deploy our operational and regulatory
expertise on a broader scale. Our collective efforts resulted in
year-to-date Adjusted EPS of $5.31
versus 2022 EPS of $5.04, largely
driven by incremental adjusted gross margin of $33.9 million."
"Our performance in 2023, coupled with the expected contribution
of FCG and validation of our financial models for 2024, reinforces
our commitment to achieving our 2025 guidance of $6.15-$6.35 per
share. We are also introducing guidance of $5.33-$5.45 per
share for 2024, which will be a transitional year as we begin to
realize the impact of our FCG integration efforts. Across the
organization, we remain committed to delivering on the attractive
opportunities across our growth platforms, including executing on
the incremental opportunities driven by FCG, achieving another
record year of performance and driving increased shareholder
value," concluded Householder.
Acquisition of Florida City Gas
On November 30, 2023, the Company
completed the acquisition of FCG for $923.4 million in cash, including working
capital adjustments, pursuant to the previously disclosed stock
purchase agreement with Florida
Power & Light Company. Upon completion of the
acquisition, FCG became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
and is included within the Company's Regulated Energy
segment. FCG serves approximately 120,000 residential and
commercial natural gas customers across eight counties in
Florida, including Miami-Dade, Broward, Brevard, Palm
Beach, Hendry, Martin, St.
Lucie and Indian River. Its
natural gas system includes approximately 3,800 miles of
distribution main and 80 miles of transmission pipe. Results
for FCG are included within the Company's consolidated results from
the acquisition date.
In June 2023, FCG received
approval from the Florida Public Service Commission ("PSC") for a
$23.3 million total increase in
base revenue in connection with its May
2022 rate case filing. The new rates, which became effective
as of May 1, 2023, included the
transfer of its Safety, Access, and Facility Enhancement ("SAFE")
program provisions from a rider clause to base rates, an increase
in rates associated with a liquefied natural gas facility, and
approval of FCG's proposed reserve surplus amortization mechanism
("RSAM") with a $25.0 million
reserve amount. The RSAM is recorded as either an increase or
decrease to accrued removal costs on the balance sheet, with a
corresponding increase or decrease to depreciation and amortization
expense.
Capital Investment and Earnings Guidance
Because of the significance of the FCG acquisition, the Company
is providing annual guidance for 2024, the first full year as a
combined company. The Company expects to generate EPS of
$5.33 to $5.45 per share in 2024 given the investment
opportunities within and surrounding FCG, incremental margin
opportunities present across the Company's value chain, regulatory
initiatives, operating synergies and other factors. The Company is
also affirming its previously announced 2024 capital expenditure
guidance of $300 million to
$360 million.
From a longer-term EPS perspective, the Company is also
reaffirming its 2025 EPS guidance range of $6.15 to $6.35, as
well as the 2028 EPS guidance range of $7.75 to $8.00 per
share. This would imply an EPS growth rate of approximately 8
percent from the current 2025 EPS guidance range, or since 2018, an
8.5 percent growth rate.
The Company continues to support its previously introduced
capital expenditure guidance for the five-year period ended 2028
that will range from $1.5 billion to
$1.8 billion.
*Unless otherwise noted, EPS and Adjusted EPS information is
presented on a diluted basis.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
**This press release including the tables herein, include
references to both Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
("GAAP") and non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted Gross
Margin, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS. A "non-GAAP financial
measure" is generally defined as a numerical measure of a company's
historical or future performance that includes or excludes amounts,
or that is subject to adjustments, so as to be different from the
most directly comparable measure calculated or presented in
accordance with GAAP. Our management believes certain non-GAAP
financial measures, when considered together with GAAP financial
measures, provide information that is useful to investors in
understanding period-over-period operating results separate and
apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportionately
positive or negative impact on results in any particular
period.
The Company calculates Adjusted Gross Margin by deducting the
purchased cost of natural gas, propane and electricity and the cost
of labor spent on direct revenue-producing activities from
operating revenues. The costs included in Adjusted Gross Margin
exclude depreciation and amortization and certain costs presented
in operations and maintenance expenses in accordance with
regulatory requirements. The Company calculates Adjusted Net Income
and Adjusted EPS by deducting costs and expenses associated with
significant acquisitions that may affect the comparison of
period-over-period results. These non-GAAP financial
measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP and
should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for,
the comparable GAAP measures. The Company believes that these
non-GAAP measures are useful and meaningful to investors as a basis
for making investment decisions, and provide investors with
information that demonstrates the profitability achieved by the
Company under allowed rates for regulated energy operations and
under the Company's competitive pricing structures for unregulated
energy operations. The Company's management uses these non-GAAP
financial measures in assessing a business unit's and the overall
Company performance. Other companies may calculate these non-GAAP
financial measures in a different manner.
The following tables reconcile Gross Margin, Net Income, and
EPS, all as defined under GAAP, to our non-GAAP measures of
Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS for
each of the periods presented.
Adjusted Gross
Margin
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2023
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
Regulated
Energy
|
|
Unregulated
Energy
|
|
Other and
Eliminations
|
|
Total
|
Operating
Revenues
|
|
$
473,595
|
|
$
223,148
|
|
$
(26,139)
|
|
$
670,604
|
Cost of
Sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas, propane
and electric costs
|
|
(140,008)
|
|
(102,492)
|
|
26,019
|
|
(216,481)
|
Depreciation &
amortization
|
|
(48,162)
|
|
(17,347)
|
|
8
|
|
(65,501)
|
Operations &
maintenance expenses (1)
|
|
(27,485)
|
|
(31,507)
|
|
343
|
|
(58,649)
|
Gross Margin
(GAAP)
|
|
257,940
|
|
71,802
|
|
231
|
|
329,973
|
Operations &
maintenance expenses (1)
|
|
27,485
|
|
31,507
|
|
(343)
|
|
58,649
|
Depreciation &
amortization
|
|
48,162
|
|
17,347
|
|
(8)
|
|
65,501
|
Adjusted Gross
Margin (Non-GAAP)
|
|
$
333,587
|
|
$
120,656
|
|
$
(120)
|
|
$
454,123
|
|
|
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2022
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
Regulated
Energy
|
|
Unregulated
Energy
|
|
Other and
Eliminations
|
|
Total
|
Operating
Revenues
|
|
$
429,424
|
|
$
280,750
|
|
$
(29,470)
|
|
$
680,704
|
Cost of
Sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas, propane
and electric costs
|
|
(127,172)
|
|
(162,683)
|
|
29,349
|
|
(260,506)
|
Depreciation &
amortization
|
|
(52,707)
|
|
(16,257)
|
|
(9)
|
|
(68,973)
|
Operations &
maintenance expenses (1)
|
|
(35,472)
|
|
(29,825)
|
|
9
|
|
(65,288)
|
Gross Margin
(GAAP)
|
|
214,073
|
|
71,985
|
|
(121)
|
|
285,937
|
Operations &
maintenance expenses (1)
|
|
35,472
|
|
29,825
|
|
(9)
|
|
65,288
|
Depreciation &
amortization
|
|
52,707
|
|
16,257
|
|
9
|
|
68,973
|
Adjusted Gross
Margin (Non-GAAP)
|
|
$
302,252
|
|
$
118,067
|
|
$
(121)
|
|
$
420,198
|
|
|
For the Three Months
Ended December 31, 2023
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
Regulated
Energy
|
|
Unregulated
Energy
|
|
Other and
Eliminations
|
|
Total
|
Operating
Revenues
|
|
$
127,774
|
|
$
64,262
|
|
$
(6,701)
|
|
$
185,335
|
Cost of
Sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas, propane
and electric costs
|
|
(34,316)
|
|
(27,424)
|
|
6,736
|
|
(55,004)
|
Depreciation &
amortization
|
|
(8,982)
|
|
(4,424)
|
|
2
|
|
(13,404)
|
Operations &
maintenance expense (1)
|
|
(3,868)
|
|
(7,573)
|
|
46
|
|
(11,395)
|
Gross Margin
(GAAP)
|
|
80,608
|
|
24,841
|
|
83
|
|
105,532
|
Operations &
maintenance expenses (1)
|
|
3,868
|
|
7,573
|
|
(46)
|
|
11,395
|
Depreciation &
amortization
|
|
8,982
|
|
4,424
|
|
(2)
|
|
13,404
|
Adjusted Gross
Margin (Non-GAAP)
|
|
$
93,458
|
|
$
36,838
|
|
$
35
|
|
$
130,331
|
|
|
For the Three Months
Ended December 31, 2022
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
Regulated
Energy
|
|
Unregulated
Energy
|
|
Other and
Eliminations
|
|
Total
|
Operating
Revenues
|
|
$
118,360
|
|
$
78,081
|
|
$
(9,141)
|
|
$
187,300
|
Cost of
Sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas, propane
and electric costs
|
|
(38,908)
|
|
(42,207)
|
|
9,112
|
|
(72,003)
|
Depreciation &
amortization
|
|
(13,211)
|
|
(4,232)
|
|
2
|
|
(17,441)
|
Operations &
maintenance expenses (1)
|
|
(9,779)
|
|
(8,114)
|
|
304
|
|
(17,589)
|
Gross Margin
(GAAP)
|
|
56,462
|
|
23,528
|
|
277
|
|
80,267
|
Operations &
maintenance expense (1)
|
|
9,779
|
|
8,114
|
|
(304)
|
|
17,589
|
Depreciation &
amortization
|
|
13,211
|
|
4,232
|
|
(2)
|
|
17,441
|
Adjusted Gross
Margin (Non-GAAP)
|
|
$
79,452
|
|
$
35,874
|
|
$
(29)
|
|
$
115,297
|
|
(1)
Operations & maintenance expenses within the Consolidated
Statements of Income are presented in accordance with regulatory
requirements and to provide comparability within the industry.
Operations & maintenance expenses which are deemed to be
directly attributable to revenue producing activities have been
separately presented above in order to calculate Gross Margin as
defined under US GAAP.
|
Adjusted Net Income
and Adjusted EPS
|
|
|
|
Year
Ended
|
|
Three Months
Ended
|
|
|
December
31,
|
|
December
31,
|
(in thousands,
except shares and per share data)
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
Net Income
(GAAP)
|
|
$
87,212
|
|
$
89,796
|
|
$
25,328
|
|
$
26,150
|
FCG transaction-related
expenses, net (1)
|
|
10,625
|
|
—
|
|
7,727
|
|
—
|
Adjusted Net Income
(Non-GAAP)
|
|
$
97,837
|
|
$
89,796
|
|
$
33,055
|
|
$
26,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common
shares outstanding - diluted
|
|
18,434,857
|
|
17,804,294
|
|
20,178,402
|
|
17,825,935
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings Per Share -
Diluted (GAAP)
|
|
$
4.73
|
|
$
5.04
|
|
$
1.26
|
|
$
1.47
|
FCG transaction-related
expenses, net (1)
|
|
0.58
|
|
—
|
|
0.38
|
|
—
|
Adjusted Earnings
Per Share - Diluted (Non-GAAP)
|
|
$
5.31
|
|
$
5.04
|
|
$
1.64
|
|
$
1.47
|
|
(1) Transaction-related
expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 represent costs
incurred attributable to the acquisition of FCG, including pretax
operating expenses of $10.4 million associated with legal,
consulting and audit fees and $4.1 million of interest charges
related to pretax fees and expenses associated with the Bridge
Facility.
|
Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated
Results
|
|
|
Year Ended December
31,
|
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
Change
|
|
Percent
Change
|
Adjusted gross
margin**
|
$
454,123
|
|
$
420,198
|
|
$
33,925
|
|
8.1 %
|
Depreciation,
amortization and property taxes
|
91,180
|
|
91,795
|
|
(615)
|
|
(0.7) %
|
FCG transaction-related
expenses
|
10,355
|
|
—
|
|
10,355
|
|
N/A
|
Other operating
expenses
|
201,785
|
|
185,470
|
|
16,315
|
|
8.8 %
|
Operating
income
|
$
150,803
|
|
$
142,933
|
|
$
7,870
|
|
5.5 %
|
Operating income during 2023 was $150.8
million, an increase of $7.9
million or 5.5 percent compared to the prior year. Excluding
transaction-related expenses associated with the acquisition of
FCG, operating income increased $18.2
million or 12.8 percent compared to the prior year. Adjusted
gross margin during 2023 was positively impacted by regulatory
initiatives, organic growth in the Company's natural gas
distribution businesses and continued pipeline expansion projects,
increased propane margins and fees and contributions from FCG.
These increases were partially offset by a $13.6 million reduction in adjusted gross margin
from reduced customer consumption resulting from the significantly
warmer temperatures in our northern service territories throughout
the year. Higher operating expenses were largely associated with
increased employee costs driven by growth initiatives, the ongoing
competitive labor market and higher benefits costs compared to the
prior-year period. Increases in depreciation and amortization
expense attributable to growth projects that were placed into
service during the current year were offset by reductions related
to revised depreciation rates approved in the Company's Florida
Natural Gas rate case and electric depreciation study filing, and a
$5.1 million RSAM adjustment from
FCG.
Regulated Energy
Segment
|
|
|
Year Ended December
31,
|
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
Change
|
|
Percent
Change
|
Adjusted gross
margin**
|
$
333,587
|
|
$
302,252
|
|
$
31,335
|
|
10.4 %
|
Depreciation,
amortization and property taxes
|
71,653
|
|
73,961
|
|
(2,308)
|
|
(3.1) %
|
FCG transaction-related
expenses
|
10,355
|
|
—
|
|
10,355
|
|
N/A
|
Other operating
expenses
|
125,380
|
|
112,974
|
|
12,406
|
|
11.0 %
|
Operating
income
|
$
126,199
|
|
$
115,317
|
|
$
10,882
|
|
9.4 %
|
The key components of the increase in adjusted gross margin**
are shown below:
(in
thousands)
|
|
Rate changes associated
with the Florida natural gas base rate proceeding
(1)
|
$
13,361
|
Contribution from the
acquisition of FCG
|
8,687
|
Natural gas growth
including conversions (excluding service expansions)
|
6,214
|
Natural gas
transmission service expansions
|
4,812
|
Contributions from
regulated infrastructure programs
|
2,597
|
Changes in customer
consumption, driven by significantly warmer temperatures
|
(5,096)
|
Other
variances
|
760
|
Year-over-year
increase in adjusted gross margin**
|
$
31,335
|
|
(1) Includes adjusted gross margin
contributions from interim rates and permanent base rates that
became effective in March 2023.
|
The major components of the increase in other operating expenses
are as follows:
(in
thousands)
|
|
Payroll, benefits and
other employee-related expenses
|
$
5,054
|
FCG operating
expenses
|
4,190
|
Facilities expenses,
maintenance costs and outside services
|
1,416
|
Customer service
related costs
|
764
|
Regulatory
expenses
|
658
|
Other
variances
|
324
|
Year-over-year
increase in other operating expenses
|
$
12,406
|
Unregulated
Energy Segment
|
|
|
Year Ended December
31,
|
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
Change
|
|
Percent
Change
|
Adjusted gross
margin**
|
$
120,656
|
|
$
118,067
|
|
$
2,589
|
|
2.2 %
|
Depreciation,
amortization and property taxes
|
19,525
|
|
17,809
|
|
1,716
|
|
9.6 %
|
Other operating
expenses
|
76,705
|
|
72,908
|
|
3,797
|
|
5.2 %
|
Operating
income
|
$
24,426
|
|
$
27,350
|
|
$
(2,924)
|
|
(10.7) %
|
The major components of the change in adjusted gross margin**
are shown below:
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
Propane
Operations
|
|
|
Increased propane
margins and fees
|
|
$
8,821
|
Propane customer
consumption - primarily weather related
|
|
(8,235)
|
Decreased customer
consumption due to conversion of customers to our natural gas
system
|
|
(793)
|
Aspire
Energy
|
|
|
Increase in gathering
margin
|
|
1,141
|
Increased customer
consumption
|
|
496
|
Eight
Flags
|
|
|
Increased
electric generation margin
|
|
1,018
|
Other
variances
|
|
141
|
Year-over-year
increase in adjusted gross margin**
|
|
$
2,589
|
The major components of the increase in other operating expenses
are as follows:
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
Increased payroll,
benefits and other employee-related expenses
|
|
$
3,959
|
Other
variances
|
|
(162)
|
Year-over-year
increase in other operating expenses
|
|
$
3,797
|
Operating Results for the Quarters Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated
Results
|
|
|
Three Months
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
Change
|
|
Percent
Change
|
Adjusted gross
margin**
|
$
130,331
|
|
$
115,297
|
|
$
15,034
|
|
13.0 %
|
Depreciation,
amortization and property taxes
|
20,262
|
|
23,274
|
|
(3,012)
|
|
(12.9) %
|
FCG transaction-related
expenses
|
6,456
|
|
—
|
|
6,456
|
|
N/A
|
Other operating
expenses
|
56,298
|
|
49,071
|
|
7,227
|
|
14.7 %
|
Operating
income
|
$
47,315
|
|
$
42,952
|
|
$
4,363
|
|
10.2 %
|
Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $47.3 million, an increase of $4.4 million or 10.2 percent compared to the same
period in 2022. Excluding transaction-related expenses associated
with the acquisition of FCG, operating income increased
$10.8 million or 25.2 percent
compared to the same period in 2022, despite warmer temperatures in
the Company's northern service territories during the quarter.
Adjusted gross margin during the quarter was positively impacted by
regulatory initiatives, organic growth in the Company's natural gas
distribution businesses and continued pipeline expansion projects,
increased propane margins and fees, and contributions from FCG.
These increases were partially offset by a $3.9 million reduction in adjusted gross margin
from reduced customer consumption attributable to intra-period
weather volatility experienced in our northern service territories
during the quarter. Also offsetting the increase in adjusted gross
margin were higher employee costs driven by growth initiatives, the
ongoing competitive labor market and higher benefits costs.
Depreciation and amortization expense during the fourth quarter of
2023 includes the effects of the revised depreciation rates
approved in the Company's Florida Natural Gas rate case and
electric depreciation study filing, and the $5.1 million RSAM adjustment from FCG.
Regulated Energy
Segment
|
|
|
Three Months
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
Change
|
|
Percent
Change
|
Adjusted gross
margin**
|
$
93,458
|
|
$
79,452
|
|
$
14,006
|
|
17.6 %
|
Depreciation,
amortization and property taxes
|
15,238
|
|
18,736
|
|
(3,498)
|
|
(18.7) %
|
FCG transaction-related
expenses
|
6,456
|
|
—
|
|
6,456
|
|
N/A
|
Other operating
expenses
|
37,393
|
|
29,601
|
|
7,792
|
|
26.3 %
|
Operating
income
|
$
34,371
|
|
$
31,115
|
|
$
3,256
|
|
10.5 %
|
The key components of the increase in adjusted gross margin**
are shown below:
(in
thousands)
|
|
Contribution from the
acquisition of FCG
|
$
8,687
|
Rate changes associated
with the Florida natural gas base rate proceeding
(1)
|
1,921
|
Natural gas
transmission service expansions
|
1,836
|
Natural gas growth
including conversions (excluding transmission service
expansions)
|
1,536
|
Contributions from
regulated infrastructure programs
|
841
|
Changes in customer
consumption - primarily related to weather
|
(1,824)
|
Other
variances
|
1,009
|
Period-over-period
increase in adjusted gross margin**
|
$
14,006
|
|
(1) Includes adjusted gross margin
contributions from permanent base rates that became effective in
March 2023.
|
The major components of the increase in other operating expenses
are as follows:
(in
thousands)
|
|
FCG operating
expenses
|
$
4,190
|
Payroll, benefits and
other employee-related expenses
|
2,753
|
Other
variances
|
849
|
Period-over-period
increase in other operating expenses
|
$
7,792
|
Unregulated
Energy Segment
|
|
|
Three Months
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
Change
|
|
Percent
Change
|
Adjusted gross
margin**
|
$
36,838
|
|
$
35,874
|
|
$
964
|
|
2.7 %
|
Depreciation,
amortization and property taxes
|
5,025
|
|
4,540
|
|
485
|
|
10.7 %
|
Other operating
expenses
|
18,916
|
|
19,541
|
|
(625)
|
|
(3.2) %
|
Operating
income
|
$
12,897
|
|
$
11,793
|
|
$
1,104
|
|
9.4 %
|
The major components of the change in adjusted gross margin**
are shown below:
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
Propane
Operations
|
|
|
Reduced propane
customer consumption
|
|
$
(2,652)
|
Increased propane
margins and service fees
|
|
2,432
|
Decreased customer
consumption due to conversion of customers to our natural gas
system
|
|
(137)
|
CNG/RNG/LNG
Transportation and Infrastructure
|
|
|
Lower level of virtual
pipeline services
|
|
(1,258)
|
Aspire
Energy
|
|
|
Increased gathering
margins
|
|
1,646
|
Increased customer
consumption
|
|
750
|
Other
variances
|
|
183
|
Quarter-over-quarter
increase in adjusted gross margin**
|
|
$
964
|
The major components of the increase in other operating expenses
are as follows:
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
Increased payroll,
benefits and other employee-related expenses
|
|
$
356
|
Decreased facilities
expenses, maintenance costs and outside services
|
|
(613)
|
Other
variances
|
|
(368)
|
Quarter-over-quarter
increase in other operating expenses
|
|
$
(625)
|
Forward-Looking Statements
Matters included in this release may include forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Please refer to the Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements in
the Company's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information on the risks and uncertainties related to the Company's
forward-looking statements.
Conference Call
Chesapeake Utilities (NYSE: CPK) will host a conference call on
Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 8:30
a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company's financial results
for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023. To
listen to the Company's conference call via live webcast, please
visit the Events & Presentations section of the Investors page
on www.chpk.com. For investors and analysts that wish to
participate by phone for the question and answer portion of the
call, please use the following dial-in information:
Toll-free: 800.267.6316
International: 203.518.9848
Conference ID: CPKQ423
A replay of the presentation will be made available on the
previously noted website following the conclusion of the call.
About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy
delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Chesapeake
Utilities Corporation offers sustainable energy solutions through
its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity
generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile
compressed natural gas utility services and solutions, and other
businesses.
Please note that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is not
affiliated with Chesapeake Energy, an oil and natural gas
exploration company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
For more information, contact:
Beth W. Cooper
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and
Assistant Corporate Secretary
302.734.6022
Michael D. Galtman
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
302.217.7036
Financial
Summary
(in thousands,
except shares and per-share data)
|
|
|
Year
Ended
|
|
Three months
ended
|
|
December
31,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
Adjusted Gross
Margin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regulated Energy
segment
|
$ 333,587
|
|
$
302,252
|
|
$
93,458
|
|
$ 79,452
|
Unregulated
Energy segment
|
120,656
|
|
118,067
|
|
36,838
|
|
35,874
|
Other businesses
and eliminations
|
(120)
|
|
(121)
|
|
35
|
|
(29)
|
Total Adjusted Gross
Margin**
|
$ 454,123
|
|
$
420,198
|
|
$
130,331
|
|
$
115,297
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regulated
Energy segment
|
$ 126,199
|
|
$
115,317
|
|
$
34,371
|
|
$ 31,115
|
Unregulated Energy segment
|
24,426
|
|
27,350
|
|
12,897
|
|
11,793
|
Other
businesses and eliminations
|
178
|
|
266
|
|
47
|
|
44
|
Total Operating
Income
|
150,803
|
|
142,933
|
|
47,315
|
|
42,952
|
Other income,
net
|
1,438
|
|
5,051
|
|
402
|
|
597
|
Interest
charges
|
36,951
|
|
24,356
|
|
15,679
|
|
6,952
|
Income Before Income
Taxes
|
115,290
|
|
123,628
|
|
32,038
|
|
36,597
|
Income taxes
|
28,078
|
|
33,832
|
|
6,710
|
|
10,447
|
Net
Income
|
$
87,212
|
|
$ 89,796
|
|
$
25,328
|
|
$ 26,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings Per Share
of Common Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
$
4.75
|
|
$
5.07
|
|
$
1.26
|
|
$
1.47
|
Diluted
|
$
4.73
|
|
$
5.04
|
|
$
1.26
|
|
$
1.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted Net Income
and Adjusted Earnings Per Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income
(GAAP)
|
$
87,212
|
|
$ 89,796
|
|
$
25,328
|
|
$ 26,150
|
FCG
transaction-related-expenses, net (1)
|
10,625
|
|
—
|
|
7,727
|
|
—
|
Adjusted Net Income
(Non-GAAP)**
|
$
97,837
|
|
$ 89,796
|
|
$
33,055
|
|
$ 26,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common
shares outstanding - diluted
|
18,434,857
|
|
17,804,294
|
|
20,178,402
|
|
17,825,935
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings Per Share -
Diluted (GAAP)
|
$
4.73
|
|
$
5.04
|
|
$
1.26
|
|
$
1.47
|
FCG
transaction-related-expenses, net (1)
|
0.58
|
|
—
|
|
0.38
|
|
—
|
Adjusted Earnings
Per Share - Diluted (Non-GAAP)**
|
$
5.31
|
|
$
5.04
|
|
$
1.64
|
|
$
1.47
|
|
(1)
Transaction-related expenses for the year and quarter ended
December 31, 2023 represent costs incurred attributable to the
acquisition of FCG, including operating expenses associated with
legal, consulting and audit fees and interest charges related to
fees and expenses associated with the Bridge Facility.
|
Financial Summary Highlights
Key variances in operations between 2022 and 2023 included:
(in thousands,
except per share data)
|
|
Pre-tax
Income
|
|
Net
Income
|
|
Earnings
Per Share
|
Year ended
December 31, 2022 Adjusted Results**
|
|
$
123,628
|
|
$
89,796
|
|
$
5.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-recurring
Items:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One-time benefit
associated with reduction in state tax rate
|
|
—
|
|
2,469
|
|
0.13
|
Absence of interest
income from federal income tax refund
|
|
(826)
|
|
(600)
|
|
(0.03)
|
Absence of gain from
sales of assets
|
|
(1,902)
|
|
(1,382)
|
|
(0.07)
|
|
|
(2,728)
|
|
487
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increased
(Decreased) Adjusted Gross Margins:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contribution from rate
changes associated with Florida Natural Gas base rate
proceeding*
|
|
13,361
|
|
9,820
|
|
0.53
|
Increased propane
margins per gallon and fees
|
|
8,821
|
|
6,483
|
|
0.34
|
Contribution from the
acquisition of FCG
|
|
8,687
|
|
6,385
|
|
0.35
|
Natural gas growth
(excluding service expansions)
|
|
6,214
|
|
4,567
|
|
0.25
|
Natural gas
transmission service expansions*
|
|
4,812
|
|
3,537
|
|
0.19
|
Contributions from
regulated infrastructure programs*
|
|
2,597
|
|
1,909
|
|
0.10
|
Increased margins from
Aspire Energy
|
|
1,141
|
|
839
|
|
0.05
|
Increased adjusted
gross margin from off-system natural gas capacity sales
|
|
960
|
|
706
|
|
0.04
|
Customer consumption
primarily resulting from weather
|
|
(13,627)
|
|
(10,016)
|
|
(0.54)
|
|
|
32,966
|
|
24,230
|
|
1.31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Increased)
Decreased Operating Expenses (Excluding Natural Gas, Propane, and
Electric Costs):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payroll, benefits and
other employee-related expenses
|
|
(9,013)
|
|
(6,625)
|
|
(0.36)
|
FCG operating
expenses
|
|
(4,190)
|
|
(3,080)
|
|
(0.17)
|
Facilities expenses,
maintenance costs and outside services
|
|
(1,756)
|
|
(1,290)
|
|
(0.07)
|
Customer service
related costs
|
|
(820)
|
|
(603)
|
|
(0.03)
|
Regulatory
expenses
|
|
(658)
|
|
(484)
|
|
(0.03)
|
Depreciation,
amortization and property tax costs
|
|
615
|
|
452
|
|
0.02
|
Decreased vehicle
expenses
|
|
577
|
|
424
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
(15,245)
|
|
(11,206)
|
|
(0.62)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
charges
|
|
(8,494)
|
|
(6,243)
|
|
(0.34)
|
Change in pension
expense
|
|
(1,453)
|
|
(1,068)
|
|
(0.06)
|
Increase in shares
outstanding due to 2023 and 2022 equity offerings
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
(0.17)
|
Net other
changes
|
|
1,070
|
|
1,841
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
(8,877)
|
|
(5,470)
|
|
(0.45)
|
Year ended
December 31, 2023 Adjusted Results**
|
|
$
129,744
|
|
$
97,837
|
|
$
5.31
|
|
* Refer to Major
Projects and Initiatives Table for additional
information.
|
**
Transaction-related expenses attributable to the acquisition of FCG
have been excluded from the Company's non-GAAP measures of adjusted
net income and adjusted EPS. See previous tables for a
reconciliation of these items against the related GAAP
measures.
|
Key variances between the fourth quarter of 2022 and the fourth
quarter of 2023 included:
(in thousands,
except per share data)
|
|
Pre-tax
Income
|
|
Net
Income
|
|
Earnings
Per Share
|
Fourth
quarter of 2022 Adjusted Results**
|
|
$
36,597
|
|
$
26,150
|
|
$
1.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-recurring
Items:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One-time benefit
associated with reduction in state tax rate
|
|
—
|
|
1,185
|
|
0.06
|
Absence of interest
income from federal income tax refund
|
|
(197)
|
|
(141)
|
|
(0.01)
|
|
|
(197)
|
|
1,044
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increased
(Decreased) Adjusted Gross Margins:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contribution from the
acquisition of FCG
|
|
8,687
|
|
6,547
|
|
0.32
|
Increased propane
margins and fees
|
|
2,432
|
|
1,833
|
|
0.09
|
Contribution from rate
changes associated with Florida natural gas base rate
proceeding
|
|
1,921
|
|
1,448
|
|
0.07
|
Natural gas
transmission service expansions
|
|
1,836
|
|
1,384
|
|
0.07
|
Increased margins from
Aspire Energy
|
|
1,646
|
|
1,240
|
|
0.06
|
Natural gas growth
including conversions (excluding service expansions)
|
|
1,536
|
|
1,157
|
|
0.06
|
Contributions from
regulated infrastructure programs
|
|
841
|
|
634
|
|
0.03
|
Customer consumption
primarily resulting from weather
|
|
(3,862)
|
|
(2,911)
|
|
(0.14)
|
Reduced demand for
CNG/RNG/LNG services
|
|
(1,258)
|
|
(948)
|
|
(0.05)
|
|
|
13,779
|
|
10,384
|
|
0.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Increased)
Decreased Operating Expenses (Excluding Natural Gas, Propane, and
Electric Costs):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FCG operating
expenses
|
|
(4,190)
|
|
(3,158)
|
|
(0.16)
|
Payroll, benefits and
other employee-related expenses
|
|
(3,109)
|
|
(2,343)
|
|
(0.12)
|
Depreciation,
amortization and property tax costs
|
|
3,012
|
|
2,270
|
|
0.11
|
Facilities expenses,
maintenance costs and outside services
|
|
277
|
|
209
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
(4,010)
|
|
(3,022)
|
|
(0.16)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
charges
|
|
(4,627)
|
|
(3,487)
|
|
(0.17)
|
Increase in shares
outstanding due to 2023 equity offering
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
(0.17)
|
Net other
changes
|
|
1,051
|
|
1,986
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
(3,576)
|
|
(1,501)
|
|
(0.23)
|
Fourth
quarter of 2023 Adjusted Results**
|
|
$
42,593
|
|
$
33,055
|
|
$
1.64
|
|
**
Transaction-related expenses attributable to the acquisition of FCG
have been excluded from the Company's non-GAAP measures of adjusted
net income and adjusted EPS. See previous tables for a
reconciliation of these items against the related GAAP
measures.
|
Recently Completed and Ongoing Major Projects and
Initiatives
The Company constantly pursues and develops additional projects
and initiatives to serve existing and new customers, further grow
its businesses and earnings, and increase shareholder value. The
following table includes the major projects and initiatives
recently completed and currently underway. Major projects and
initiatives that have generated consistent year-over-year adjusted
gross margin contributions are removed from the table at the
beginning of the next calendar year. The discussion of the
Company's major projects accompanying this table, includes those
projects which began generating adjusted gross margin in the
current year, or those which are expected to contribute adjusted
gross margin beginning in future years. A comprehensive discussion
of all projects reflected below can be found in the Company's 2023
Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company's practice is to add new
projects and initiatives to this table once negotiations or details
are substantially final and/or the associated earnings can be
estimated.
|
Adjusted Gross
Margin**
|
|
Year Ended December
31,
|
|
Estimate for
Calendar Year
|
(in
thousands)
|
2022
|
|
2023
|
|
2024
|
|
2025
|
Pipeline
Expansions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guernsey Power
Station
|
$
1,377
|
|
$
1,478
|
|
$
1,482
|
|
$
1,478
|
Southern
Expansion
|
—
|
|
586
|
|
2,344
|
|
2,344
|
Winter Haven
Expansion
|
260
|
|
637
|
|
626
|
|
626
|
Beachside Pipeline
Expansion
|
—
|
|
1,810
|
|
2,451
|
|
2,414
|
North Ocean City
Connector
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
494
|
St. Cloud / Twin Lakes
Expansion
|
—
|
|
264
|
|
584
|
|
584
|
Clean Energy
(1)
|
126
|
|
1,064
|
|
1,009
|
|
1,079
|
Wildlight
|
—
|
|
471
|
|
2,000
|
|
2,038
|
Lake Wales
|
—
|
|
265
|
|
454
|
|
454
|
Newberry
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
862
|
|
2,585
|
Total Pipeline
Expansions
|
1,763
|
|
6,575
|
|
11,812
|
|
14,096
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CNG/RNG/LNG
Transportation and Infrastructure
|
11,100
|
|
11,181
|
|
12,500
|
|
13,969
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regulatory
Initiatives:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Florida GUARD
Program
|
—
|
|
353
|
|
2,421
|
|
5,136
|
FCG SAFE
Program
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
2,683
|
|
5,293
|
Capital Cost Surcharge
Programs
|
2,001
|
|
2,829
|
|
3,979
|
|
4,374
|
Florida Rate Case
Proceeding (2)
|
2,474
|
|
15,835
|
|
17,153
|
|
17,153
|
Maryland Rate Case
(3)
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
TBD
|
|
TBD
|
Electric Storm
Protection Plan
|
486
|
|
1,326
|
|
2,433
|
|
3,951
|
Total Regulatory
Initiatives
|
4,961
|
|
20,343
|
|
28,669
|
|
35,907
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$
17,824
|
|
$
38,099
|
|
$
52,981
|
|
$
63,972
|
|
(1) Includes adjusted gross margin
generated from interim services through the project in-service date
in September 2023.
|
(2) Includes adjusted gross margin
during 2023 comprised of both interim rates and permanent base
rates which became effective in March 2023.
|
(3) Rate case application filed with
the Maryland PSC in January 2024. See additional information
provided below.
|
Discussion of Major Projects and Initiatives
Pipeline Expansions
Southern Expansion
Eastern Shore installed a
new natural gas driven compressor skid unit at its existing
Bridgeville, Delaware compressor
station that provides 7,300 Dts/d of incremental firm
transportation pipeline capacity. The project was placed in service
in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Beachside Pipeline Expansion
In June 2021, Peninsula Pipeline and FCG entered
into a Transportation Service Agreement for an incremental 10,176
Dts/d of firm service in Indian River
County, Florida, to support Florida City Gas' growth along
the Indian River's barrier island. As part of this agreement,
Peninsula Pipeline constructed approximately 11.3 miles of pipeline
from its existing pipeline in the Sebastian, Florida area east under the
Intercoastal Waterway and southward on the barrier island. The
project was completed and went into service in April 2023. Subsequent to the acquisition of FCG,
the agreement is now an affiliate agreement.
North Ocean City Connector
During the second
quarter of 2022, the Company began construction of an extension of
service into North Ocean City,
Maryland. The Company's Delaware natural gas division and its
subsidiary, Sandpiper Energy, Inc. installed approximately 5.4
miles of pipeline across southern Sussex
County, Delaware to Fenwick
Island, Delaware and Worcester
County, Maryland. The project reinforces the Company's
existing system in Ocean City,
Maryland and enables incremental growth along the pipeline.
Construction of this project was completed in the second quarter of
2023. The Company filed a natural gas rate case application with
the PSC for the state of Maryland
in January 2024 as discussed
below. Adjusted gross margin in connection with this project
is contingent upon the completion of the rate case and inclusion of
the project in rate base.
St. Cloud / Twin Lakes
Expansion
In July 2022,
Peninsula Pipeline filed a petition with the Florida PSC for
approval of its Transportation Service Agreement with the Company's
Florida subsidiary, Florida Public Utilities ("FPU"), for an
additional 2,400 Dts/day of firm service in the St. Cloud, Florida area. As part of this
agreement, Peninsula Pipeline constructed a pipeline extension and
regulator station for FPU. The extension supports new incremental
load due to growth in the area, including providing service, most
immediately, to the residential development Twin Lakes. The
expansion also improves reliability and provides operational
benefits to FPU's existing distribution system in the area,
supporting future growth. Construction is complete and the project
went into service in July 2023.
Wildlight Expansion
In August 2022, Peninsula Pipeline and FPU filed a
joint petition with the Florida PSC for approval of its
Transportation Service Agreement associated with the Wildlight
planned community located in Nassau
County, Florida. The project enables the Company to meet the
significant growing demand for service in Yulee, Florida. The agreement allows the
Company to build the project during the construction and build-out
of the community, and charge the reservation rate as each phase of
the project goes into service. Construction of the pipeline
facilities will occur in two separate phases. Phase one consists of
three extensions with associated facilities, and a gas injection
interconnect with associated facilities. Phase two will consist of
two additional pipeline extensions. Various phases of the project
commenced in the first quarter of 2023, with construction on the
overall project continuing through 2025.
Lake Wales
In
February 2023, Peninsula Pipeline
filed a petition with the Florida PSC for approval of its
Transportation Service Agreement with the Company's Florida natural
gas distribution business, FPU, for an additional 9,000 Dt/d of
firm service in the Lake Wales,
Florida area. The PSC approved the petition in April 2023. Approval of the agreement enabled
Peninsula Pipeline to complete the acquisition of an existing
pipeline in May 2023 that is being
utilized to serve the Company's current and new natural gas
customers.
Newberry
In
April 2023, Peninsula Pipeline filed
a petition with the Florida PSC for approval of its Transportation
Service Agreement with FPU for an additional 8,000 Dt/d of firm
service in the Newberry, Florida
area. The petition was approved by the Florida PSC in the third
quarter of 2023. Peninsula Pipeline will construct a pipeline
extension, which will be used by FPU to support the development of
a natural gas distribution system to provide gas service to the
City of Newberry. A filing to
address the acquisition and conversion of propane community gas
systems in Newberry was made in
November 2023, and the Florida PSC is
scheduled to vote on this in March
2024. The Company anticipates beginning the conversions of
the community gas systems in the second quarter of 2024.
Worcester Resiliency Upgrade
In August 2023, Eastern Shore filed an application
with the FERC requesting authorization to construct the Worcester
Resiliency Upgrade, which consists of a mixture of storage and
transmission facilities in Sussex County,
DE and Wicomico,
Worcester, and Somerset Counties in Maryland. The project will provide long-term
incremental supply necessary to support the growing demand of the
participating shippers. Eastern Shore has requested certificate
authorization by December 2024, with
a target in-service date by the third quarter of 2025.
East Coast Reinforcement Projects
In
December 2023, Peninsula Pipeline
filed a petition with the Florida PSC for approval of its
Transportation Service Agreements with FPU for projects that will
support additional supply to communities on the East Coast of
Florida. The projects are driven by the need for increased supply
to coastal portions of the state that have experienced an increase
in population growth. Peninsula Pipeline will construct several
pipeline extensions which will support FPU's distribution system in
the areas of Boynton Beach and
New Smyrna Beach with an
additional 15,000 Dts/day and 3,400 Dts/day, respectively. The
Florida PSC is scheduled to vote on the projects in March 2024.
Central Florida Reinforcement Projects
In
February 2024, Peninsula Pipeline
filed a petition with the Florida PSC for approval of its
Transportation Service Agreements with FPU for projects that will
support additional supply to communities located in Central Florida. The projects are driven by
the need for increased supply to communities in central Florida
that have experienced an increase in population growth. Peninsula
Pipeline will construct several pipeline extensions which will
support FPU's distribution system in the areas of Plant City and Lake Mattie with an additional
5,000 Dts/day and 8,700 Dts/day, respectively.
CNG/RNG/LNG Transportation and
Infrastructure
The Company has made a commitment to meet customer demand for
CNG, RNG and LNG in the markets we serve. This has included making
investments within Marlin Gas Services to be able to transport
these products through its virtual pipeline fleet to customers. To
date, the Company has also made an infrastructure investment in
Ohio, enabling RNG to fuel a
third-party landfill fleet and to transport RNG to end use
customers off its pipeline system. Similarly, the Company announced
in March 2022, the opening of a
high-capacity CNG truck and tube trailer fueling station in
Port Wentworth, Georgia. As one of
the largest public access CNG stations on the East Coast, it will
offer a RNG option to customers in the near future. The Company
constructed the station in partnership with Atlanta Gas Light, a
subsidiary of Southern Company Gas.
The Company is also involved in various other projects, all at
various stages and all with different opportunities to participate
across the energy value chain. In many of these projects, Marlin
will play a key role in ensuring the RNG is transported to one of
the Company's many pipeline systems where it will be injected. The
Company includes its RNG transportation services and infrastructure
related adjusted gross margin from across the organization in
combination with CNG and LNG projects.
As new projects are finalized, we will provide additional detail
on those projects at that time. Discussed below is a current
project in which we are in the construction phase:
Full Circle Dairy
In February 2023, the Company announced plans to
construct, own and operate a dairy manure RNG facility at Full
Circle Dairy in Madison County,
Florida. The project consists of a facility converting dairy
manure to RNG and transportation assets to bring the gas to market.
The first injection of RNG is projected to occur in the first half
of 2024.
Regulatory Initiatives
Florida Gas Utility Access and Replacement Directive
("GUARD") Program
In February
2023, FPU filed a petition with the Florida PSC for approval
of the GUARD program. GUARD is a ten-year program to enhance the
safety, reliability, and accessibility of portions of the Company's
natural gas distribution system. The Company identified various
categories of projects to be included in GUARD, which include the
relocation of mains and service lines located in rear easements and
other difficult to access areas to the front of the street, the
replacement of problematic distribution mains, service lines, and
maintenance and repair equipment and system reliability projects.
In August 2023, the Florida PSC
approved the GUARD program, which included $205 million of capital expenditures projected to
be spent over a 10-year period.
FCG SAFE Program
In June
2023, the Florida PSC issued the approval order for the
continuation of the SAFE program beyond its 2025 expiration date
and inclusion of 150 miles of additional mains and services located
in rear property easements. The SAFE program is designed to
relocate certain mains and facilities associated with rear lot
easements to street front locations to improve FCG's ability to
inspect and maintain the facilities and reduce opportunities for
damage and theft. In the same order, the Commission approved a
replacement of 160 miles of pipe that was used in the 1970s and
1980s and shown through industry research to exhibit premature
failure in the form of cracking. The program includes projected
capital expenditures of $205 million
over a 10-year period.
Maryland Natural Gas Rate Case
In January 2024, the Company's natural gas
distribution businesses in Maryland, CUC-Maryland Division, Sandpiper
Energy, Inc., and Elkton Gas Company (collectively, "Maryland natural gas distribution businesses")
filed a joint application for a natural gas rate case with the
Maryland PSC. In connection with the application, we are seeking
approval of the following: (i) permanent rate relief of
approximately $6.9 million; (ii)
authorization to make certain changes to tariffs to include a
unified rate structure and to consolidate the Maryland natural gas distribution businesses
under the new corporate entity which we anticipate will be called
Chesapeake Utilities of Maryland,
Inc.; and (iii) authorization to establish a rider for recovery of
the costs associated with our new technology systems. The outcome
of the application is subject to review and approval by the
Maryland PSC.
Other Major Factors Influencing Adjusted Gross Margin
Weather and Consumption
Weather had a
significant impact on adjusted gross margin during 2023, driven
largely by significantly warmer weather in some of the Company's
service territories resulting in reduced consumption. This resulted
in adjusted gross margin being negatively impacted by approximately
$13.6 million compared to 2022.
The following table summarizes HDD and CDD variances from the
10-year average HDD/CDD ("Normal") for the year and quarter-to-date
periods ended December 31, 2023
compared to the respective 2022 periods.
HDD and CDD Information
|
Year
Ended
|
|
|
|
Quarter
Ended
|
|
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
Variance
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
Variance
|
Delmarva
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual HDD
|
3,416
|
|
4,088
|
|
(672)
|
|
1,347
|
|
1,485
|
|
(138)
|
10-Year Average HDD
("Normal")
|
4,161
|
|
4,147
|
|
14
|
|
1,430
|
|
1,437
|
|
(7)
|
Variance from
Normal
|
(745)
|
|
(59)
|
|
|
|
(83)
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Florida
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual HDD
|
664
|
|
836
|
|
(172)
|
|
293
|
|
301
|
|
(8)
|
10-Year Average HDD
("Normal")
|
826
|
|
828
|
|
(2)
|
|
276
|
|
285
|
|
(9)
|
Variance from
Normal
|
(162)
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ohio
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual HDD
|
5,043
|
|
5,532
|
|
(489)
|
|
1,895
|
|
1,918
|
|
(23)
|
10-Year Average HDD
("Normal")
|
5,594
|
|
5,557
|
|
37
|
|
1,933
|
|
1,943
|
|
(10)
|
Variance from
Normal
|
(551)
|
|
(25)
|
|
|
|
(38)
|
|
(25)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Florida
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual CDD
|
3,101
|
|
2,826
|
|
275
|
|
308
|
|
340
|
|
(32)
|
10-Year Average CDD
("Normal")
|
2,934
|
|
2,929
|
|
5
|
|
399
|
|
394
|
|
5
|
Variance from
Normal
|
167
|
|
(103)
|
|
|
|
(91)
|
|
(54)
|
|
|
Natural Gas Distribution Growth
The average number of residential customers served on the
Delmarva Peninsula and in our legacy Florida operations increased
by approximately 5.4 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively, during
2023.
On the Delmarva Peninsula, a larger percentage of the adjusted
gross margin growth was generated from residential growth given the
expansion of gas into new housing communities and conversions to
natural gas as our distribution infrastructure continues to build
out. In Florida, as new communities continue to build out due to
population growth and the additional infrastructure to support the
growth, there is increased load from both residential customers as
well as new commercial and industrial customers. The details
on adjusted gross margin attributable to customer growth for our
legacy natural gas distribution operations are provided in the
following table:
|
Adjusted Gross
Margin**
|
|
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2023
|
(in
thousands)
|
Delmarva
Peninsula
|
|
Florida
(1)
|
Customer
growth:
|
|
|
|
Residential
|
$
1,895
|
|
$
1,599
|
Commercial and
industrial
|
589
|
|
2,131
|
Total customer
growth
|
$
2,484
|
|
$
3,730
|
|
(1) Customer
growth amounts for our legacy Florida operations include the
effects of revised rates associated with the Company's natural gas
base rate proceeding, but exclude the effects of the FCG
acquisition.
|
Capital Investment Growth and Capital Structure
Updates
The Company's capital expenditures were $1.1 billion, which includes $923.4 million attributable to the purchase of
FCG and $3.9 million related to an
acquisition in the propane distribution business. The following
table shows total capital expenditures for the year ended
December 31, 2023 by segment and by
business line:
|
|
For the Year
Ended
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
December 31,
2023
|
Regulated
Energy:
|
|
|
Natural gas
distribution
|
|
$
109,245
|
Natural gas
transmission
|
|
40,179
|
Electric
distribution
|
|
19,745
|
Total Regulated
Energy
|
|
169,169
|
Unregulated
Energy:
|
|
|
Propane
distribution
|
|
14,287
|
Energy
transmission
|
|
5,469
|
Other unregulated
energy
|
|
20,508
|
Total Unregulated
Energy
|
|
40,264
|
Other:
|
|
|
Corporate and other
businesses
|
|
1,762
|
Total Other
|
|
1,762
|
Legacy capital
expenditures
|
|
211,195
|
FCG Acquisition
(1)
|
|
926,702
|
Total 2023 Capital
Expenditures
|
|
$
1,137,897
|
|
(1) Includes
amounts for the acquisition of FCG net of cash acquired and their
capital expenditures from the date of the acquisition through
December 31, 2023. For additional information regarding
acquisitions refer to Note 4 in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
|
The following table shows a range of the forecasted 2024 capital
expenditures by segment and by business line:
|
2024
|
(in
thousands)
|
Low
|
|
High
|
Regulated
Energy:
|
|
|
|
Natural gas
distribution
|
$ 150,000
|
|
$
170,000
|
Natural gas
transmission
|
90,000
|
|
120,000
|
Electric
distribution
|
25,000
|
|
28,000
|
Total Regulated
Energy
|
265,000
|
|
318,000
|
Unregulated
Energy:
|
|
|
|
Propane
distribution
|
13,000
|
|
15,000
|
Energy
transmission
|
5,000
|
|
6,000
|
Other unregulated
energy
|
13,000
|
|
15,000
|
Total Unregulated
Energy
|
31,000
|
|
36,000
|
Other:
|
|
|
|
Corporate and other
businesses
|
4,000
|
|
6,000
|
Total 2024
Forecasted Capital Expenditures
|
$
300,000
|
|
$
360,000
|
The capital expenditure projection is subject to continuous
review and modification. Actual capital requirements may vary from
the above estimates due to a number of factors, including changing
economic conditions, supply chain disruptions, capital delays that
are greater than currently anticipated, customer growth in existing
areas, regulation, new growth and availability of capital.
Historically, actual capital expenditures have typically lagged
behind the forecasted amounts. See "Capital Investment and Earnings
Guidance" discussed above for additional information on our capital
expenditure forecast.
The Company's target ratio of equity to total capitalization,
including short-term borrowings, is between 50 and 60 percent. The
Company's equity to total capitalization ratio, including
short-term borrowings, was approximately 47 percent as of
December 31, 2023 and included the
impacts associated with financing the FCG acquisition.
Chesapeake Utilities
Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Year
Ended
|
|
Three months
ended
|
|
|
December
31,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
(in thousands,
except shares and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regulated
Energy
|
|
$
473,595
|
|
$ 429,424
|
|
$
127,774
|
|
$ 118,360
|
Unregulated
Energy
|
|
223,148
|
|
280,750
|
|
64,262
|
|
78,081
|
Other businesses and
eliminations
|
|
(26,139)
|
|
(29,470)
|
|
(6,701)
|
|
(9,141)
|
Total Operating
Revenues
|
|
670,604
|
|
680,704
|
|
185,335
|
|
187,300
|
Operating
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas and
electricity costs
|
|
140,008
|
|
127,172
|
|
34,316
|
|
38,908
|
Propane and natural
gas costs
|
|
76,474
|
|
133,334
|
|
20,688
|
|
33,095
|
Operations
|
|
178,437
|
|
164,505
|
|
50,290
|
|
43,526
|
Transaction-related
expenses
|
|
10,355
|
|
—
|
|
6,456
|
|
—
|
Maintenance
|
|
20,401
|
|
18,176
|
|
4,914
|
|
4,903
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
|
65,501
|
|
68,973
|
|
13,405
|
|
17,441
|
Other taxes
|
|
28,625
|
|
25,611
|
|
7,951
|
|
6,475
|
Total operating
expenses
|
|
519,801
|
|
537,771
|
|
138,020
|
|
144,348
|
Operating
Income
|
|
150,803
|
|
142,933
|
|
47,315
|
|
42,952
|
Other income,
net
|
|
1,438
|
|
5,051
|
|
402
|
|
597
|
Interest
charges
|
|
36,951
|
|
24,356
|
|
15,679
|
|
6,952
|
Income Before Income
Taxes
|
|
115,290
|
|
123,628
|
|
32,038
|
|
36,597
|
Income Taxes
|
|
28,078
|
|
33,832
|
|
6,710
|
|
10,447
|
Net
Income
|
|
$
87,212
|
|
$
89,796
|
|
$
25,328
|
|
$
26,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
Common Shares Outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
18,370,758
|
|
17,722,227
|
|
20,112,530
|
|
17,741,166
|
Diluted
|
|
18,434,857
|
|
17,804,294
|
|
20,178,402
|
|
17,825,935
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings Per Share
of Common Stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
4.75
|
|
$
5.07
|
|
$
1.26
|
|
$
1.47
|
Diluted
|
|
$
4.73
|
|
$
5.04
|
|
$
1.26
|
|
$
1.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted Net Income
and Adjusted Earnings Per Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income
(GAAP)
|
|
$
87,212
|
|
$
89,796
|
|
$
25,328
|
|
$
26,150
|
Transaction-related
expenses, net (1)
|
|
10,625
|
|
—
|
|
7,727
|
|
—
|
Adjusted Net Income
(Non-GAAP)**
|
|
$
97,837
|
|
$
89,796
|
|
$
33,055
|
|
$
26,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings Per Share -
Diluted (GAAP)
|
|
$
4.73
|
|
$
5.04
|
|
$
1.26
|
|
$
1.47
|
Transaction-related
expenses, net (1)
|
|
0.58
|
|
—
|
|
0.38
|
|
—
|
Adjusted Earnings
Per Share - Diluted (Non-GAAP)**
|
|
$
5.31
|
|
$
5.04
|
|
$
1.64
|
|
$
1.47
|
|
(1)
Transaction-related expenses for the year and quarter ended
December 31, 2023 represent costs incurred attributable to the
acquisition of FCG, including operating expenses associated with
legal, consulting and audit fees and interest charges related to
fees and expenses associated with the Bridge Facility.
|
Chesapeake Utilities
Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance
Sheets (Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
As of December
31,
|
Assets
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
(in thousands,
except shares and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
Property, Plant and
Equipment
|
|
|
|
|
Regulated
Energy
|
|
$
2,418,494
|
|
$
1,802,999
|
Unregulated
Energy
|
|
410,807
|
|
393,215
|
Other businesses and
eliminations
|
|
30,310
|
|
29,890
|
Total property, plant
and equipment
|
|
2,859,611
|
|
2,226,104
|
Less: Accumulated
depreciation and amortization
|
|
(516,429)
|
|
(462,926)
|
Plus: Construction work
in progress
|
|
113,192
|
|
47,295
|
Net property, plant and
equipment
|
|
2,456,374
|
|
1,810,473
|
Current
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
4,904
|
|
6,204
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
|
74,485
|
|
65,758
|
Less: Allowance for
credit losses
|
|
(2,699)
|
|
(2,877)
|
Trade receivables,
net
|
|
71,786
|
|
62,881
|
Accrued
revenue
|
|
32,597
|
|
29,206
|
Propane inventory, at
average cost
|
|
9,313
|
|
9,365
|
Other inventory, at
average cost
|
|
19,912
|
|
16,896
|
Regulatory
assets
|
|
19,506
|
|
41,439
|
Storage gas
prepayments
|
|
4,695
|
|
6,364
|
Income taxes
receivable
|
|
3,829
|
|
2,541
|
Prepaid
expenses
|
|
15,407
|
|
15,865
|
Derivative assets, at
fair value
|
|
1,027
|
|
2,787
|
Other current
assets
|
|
2,723
|
|
428
|
Total current
assets
|
|
185,699
|
|
193,976
|
Deferred Charges and
Other Assets
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
508,174
|
|
46,213
|
Other intangible
assets, net
|
|
16,865
|
|
17,859
|
Investments, at fair
value
|
|
12,282
|
|
10,576
|
Derivative assets, at
fair value
|
|
40
|
|
982
|
Operating lease
right-of-use assets
|
|
12,426
|
|
14,421
|
Regulatory
assets
|
|
96,396
|
|
108,214
|
Receivables and other
deferred charges
|
|
16,448
|
|
12,323
|
Total deferred charges
and other assets
|
|
662,631
|
|
210,588
|
Total
Assets
|
|
$
3,304,704
|
|
$
2,215,037
|
Chesapeake Utilities
Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated
Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
As of December
31,
|
Capitalization and
Liabilities
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
(in thousands,
except shares and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalization
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders'
equity
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, par
value $0.01 per share (authorized 2,000,000 shares),
no shares issued and outstanding
|
|
$
—
|
|
$
—
|
Common stock, par
value $0.4867 per share (authorized 50,000,000 shares)
|
|
10,823
|
|
8,635
|
Additional paid-in
capital
|
|
749,356
|
|
380,036
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
488,663
|
|
445,509
|
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
|
|
(2,738)
|
|
(1,379)
|
Deferred compensation
obligation
|
|
9,050
|
|
7,060
|
Treasury
stock
|
|
(9,050)
|
|
(7,060)
|
Total stockholders'
equity
|
|
1,246,104
|
|
832,801
|
Long-term debt, net of
current maturities
|
|
1,187,075
|
|
578,388
|
Total
capitalization
|
|
2,433,179
|
|
1,411,189
|
Current
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of
long-term debt
|
|
18,505
|
|
21,483
|
Short-term
borrowing
|
|
179,853
|
|
202,157
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
77,481
|
|
61,496
|
Customer deposits and
refunds
|
|
46,427
|
|
37,152
|
Accrued
interest
|
|
7,020
|
|
3,349
|
Dividends
payable
|
|
13,119
|
|
9,492
|
Accrued
compensation
|
|
16,544
|
|
14,660
|
Regulatory
liabilities
|
|
13,719
|
|
5,031
|
Derivative
liabilities, at fair value
|
|
354
|
|
585
|
Other accrued
liabilities
|
|
13,362
|
|
13,618
|
Total current
liabilities
|
|
386,384
|
|
369,023
|
Deferred Credits and
Other Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income
taxes
|
|
259,082
|
|
256,167
|
Regulatory
liabilities
|
|
195,279
|
|
142,989
|
Environmental
liabilities
|
|
2,607
|
|
3,272
|
Other pension and
benefit costs
|
|
15,330
|
|
16,965
|
Derivative liabilities
at fair value
|
|
927
|
|
1,630
|
Operating lease -
liabilities
|
|
10,550
|
|
12,392
|
Deferred investment
tax credits and other liabilities
|
|
1,366
|
|
1,410
|
Total deferred credits
and other liabilities
|
|
485,141
|
|
434,825
|
Environmental and other
commitments and contingencies (1)
|
|
|
|
|
Total Capitalization
and Liabilities
|
|
$
3,304,704
|
|
$
2,215,037
|
|
(1) Refer to
Note 19 and 20 in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2023 for further information.
|
Chesapeake Utilities
Corporation and Subsidiaries
Distribution Utility
Statistical Data (Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
For Three Months
Ended December 31, 2023
|
|
For the Three Months
Ended December 31, 2022
|
|
|
Delmarva NG
Distribution
|
|
Florida
Natural Gas
Distribution (1)
|
|
Florida City
Gas
Distribution (2)
|
|
FPU Electric
Distribution
|
|
Delmarva NG
Distribution
|
|
Florida
Natural Gas
Distribution (1)
|
|
FPU Electric
Distribution
|
Operating
Revenues (in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential
|
|
$
20,148
|
|
$
12,246
|
|
$
5,042
|
|
$
10,195
|
|
$
21,643
|
|
$
12,265
|
|
$
8,417
|
Commercial and
Industrial
|
|
12,625
|
|
28,413
|
|
5,872
|
|
12,134
|
|
14,005
|
|
25,895
|
|
9,758
|
Other
(3)
|
|
5,697
|
|
2,255
|
|
1,159
|
|
(1,310)
|
|
7,569
|
|
6,154
|
|
(1,054)
|
Total Operating
Revenues
|
|
$
38,470
|
|
$
42,914
|
|
$
12,073
|
|
$
21,019
|
|
$
43,217
|
|
$
44,314
|
|
$
17,121
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volumes (in Dts for
natural gas and MWHs for electric)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential
|
|
1,087,809
|
|
529,697
|
|
157,884
|
|
62,067
|
|
1,052,182
|
|
513,623
|
|
62,252
|
Commercial and
Industrial
|
|
2,707,601
|
|
10,451,908
|
|
940,028
|
|
144,801
|
|
2,648,324
|
|
8,447,631
|
|
76,298
|
Other
|
|
79,586
|
|
—
|
|
549,132
|
|
—
|
|
76,384
|
|
944,334
|
|
—
|
Total
|
|
3,874,996
|
|
10,981,605
|
|
1,647,044
|
|
206,868
|
|
3,776,890
|
|
9,905,588
|
|
138,550
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
Customers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential
|
|
98,974
|
|
89,383
|
|
112,585
|
|
25,722
|
|
94,535
|
|
86,304
|
|
25,563
|
Commercial and
Industrial
|
|
8,256
|
|
8,434
|
|
8,587
|
|
7,370
|
|
8,130
|
|
8,360
|
|
7,369
|
Other
|
|
23
|
|
6
|
|
6
|
|
—
|
|
4
|
|
6
|
|
—
|
Total
|
|
107,253
|
|
97,823
|
|
121,178
|
|
33,092
|
|
102,669
|
|
94,670
|
|
32,932
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2023
|
|
For the Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2022
|
|
|
Delmarva NG
Distribution
|
|
Florida
Natural Gas
Distribution (1)
|
|
Florida
City Gas
Distribution (2)
|
|
FPU Electric
Distribution
|
|
Delmarva NG
Distribution
|
|
Florida
Natural Gas
Distribution (1)
|
|
FPU Electric
Distribution
|
Operating
Revenues (in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential
|
|
$
87,709
|
|
$
50,792
|
|
$
5,042
|
|
$
49,542
|
|
$
83,373
|
|
$
46,824
|
|
$
38,954
|
Commercial and
Industrial
|
|
54,261
|
|
108,913
|
|
5,872
|
|
52,047
|
|
53,083
|
|
98,419
|
|
40,110
|
Other
(3)
|
|
(997)
|
|
8,655
|
|
1,159
|
|
(2,115)
|
|
2,803
|
|
10,627
|
|
2,650
|
Total Operating
Revenues
|
|
$
140,973
|
|
$
168,360
|
|
$
12,073
|
|
$
99,474
|
|
$
139,259
|
|
$
155,870
|
|
$
81,714
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volumes (in Dts for
natural gas and MWHs for electric)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential
|
|
4,389,934
|
|
2,081,045
|
|
157,884
|
|
300,118
|
|
4,645,336
|
|
2,086,597
|
|
305,593
|
Commercial and
Industrial
|
|
10,230,662
|
|
41,498,921
|
|
940,028
|
|
384,306
|
|
10,402,091
|
|
37,902,801
|
|
325,785
|
Other
|
|
293,186
|
|
627,934
|
|
549,132
|
|
—
|
|
307,397
|
|
3,418,788
|
|
5,978
|
Total
|
|
14,913,782
|
|
44,207,900
|
|
1,647,044
|
|
684,424
|
|
15,354,824
|
|
43,408,186
|
|
637,356
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
Customers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential
|
|
97,666
|
|
88,384
|
|
112,585
|
|
25,719
|
|
92,694
|
|
85,074
|
|
25,516
|
Commercial and
Industrial
|
|
8,246
|
|
8,415
|
|
8,587
|
|
7,372
|
|
8,121
|
|
8,322
|
|
7,351
|
Other
|
|
23
|
|
6
|
|
6
|
|
—
|
|
4
|
|
6
|
|
—
|
Total
|
|
105,935
|
|
96,805
|
|
121,178
|
|
33,091
|
|
100,819
|
|
93,402
|
|
32,867
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) In
accordance with the Florida PSC approval of our natural gas base
rate proceeding, effective March 1, 2023, our natural gas
distribution businesses in Florida (FPU, FPU-Indiantown division,
FPU-Fort Meade division and Chesapeake Utilities CFG division) have
been consolidated and amounts above are now being presented on a
consolidated basis consistent with the final rate order.
|
(2) Operating revenues and volumes for FCG include amounts
from the acquisition date. Customer totals for FCG reflect actual
amounts at December 31, 2023 since the period from the acquisition
covered only one month.
|
(3) Operating Revenues from "Other" sources include
unbilled revenue, under (over) recoveries of fuel cost,
conservation revenue, other miscellaneous charges, fees for billing
services provided to third parties and adjustments for pass-through
taxes.
|
|
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chesapeake-utilities-corporation-reports-fiscal-year-2023-results-302068039.html
SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation