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Form 8-K CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE For: Jul 28

July 28, 2016 9:02 AM

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): July 28, 2016

 

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

1-13883

 

77-0448994

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

 

(Commission file number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

1720 North First Street
San Jose, California

 

95112

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(408) 367-8200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o                                    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o                                    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o                                    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o                                    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 2.02.                                       Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

On July 28, 2016, California Water Service Group (the “Company”) issued a press release (a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference) announcing its financial results for the second quarter of 2016, ended June 30, 2016.  A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

As announced, the Company will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 11:00 am EST to discuss financial results and management’s business outlook. The financial results announcement contains information about how to access the conference call and webcast.  A slide presentation, which includes supplemental information relating to the Company, will be used by management during the conference call and webcast.  A copy of the slide presentation is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated by reference herein. The Exhibits will be posted on the Company’s website at www.calwatergroup.com under the “Investor Relations” tab.

 

The information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of this Current Report shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 7.01.                                       Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

The information included in the Exhibits to this report is incorporated by reference in response to this Item 7.01.

 

The information furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of this Current Report shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01.                                       Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

We hereby furnish the following exhibits, which shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, with this report:

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

99.1

 

Press Release issued July 28, 2016

99.2

 

Slide presentation relating to conference call and webcast

 

2



 

SIGNATURES

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

 

 

 

 

Date: July 28, 2016

By:

/s/ Thomas F. Smegal

 

Name:

Thomas F. Smegal

 

Title:

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

 

3


Exhibit 99.1

 

NEWS RELEASE

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

 

 

1720 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112-4598

July 28, 2016
for immediate release

 

 

 

Contact:

Tom Smegal (408) 367-8200 (analysts)
Shannon Dean (310) 257-1435 (media)

 

 

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP ANNOUNCES

 

SECOND QUARTER AND YEAR TO DATE 2016 RESULTS

 

SAN JOSE, CA  —  California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) today announced 2016 second quarter net income of $11.5 million or $0.24 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $9.8 million or $0.21 per diluted common share for the same period last year. The $1.7 million increase was due primarily to higher accrued unbilled revenue resulting from higher customer consumption at the end of the period, which was partially offset by increases in maintenance, depreciation and amortization, and net interest expense.

 

Total revenue increased $8.0 million, or 5.6%, to $152.4 million, compared to revenue of $144.4 million for the second quarter of 2015.  Rate increases added $10.1 million, $8.0 million of which was related to water production cost increases.  The accrued unbilled revenue added $4.6 million.  Revenue decoupling mechanisms and other balancing accounts reduced revenue $7.3 million.  All other changes increased revenue $0.6 million.

 



 

The WRAM account records changes in billed revenue.  Unbilled revenue is an accounting estimate that is accrued at the end of the quarter.  The unbilled revenue accrual is subject to consumption changes and can fluctuate on a quarter-to-quarter basis.

 

Total operating expenses increased $6.0 million, or 4.7%, to $133.9 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to operating expenses of $127.9 million in the second quarter of 2015, principally due to a $4.6 million or 8.6% increase in water production expenses.  The increase in water production expenses was primarily due to a 10% increase in purchased water rates from water wholesalers and a 2% increase in the use of purchased water to meet customer demand.

 

Administrative & general and other operations expenses decreased $1.9 million, or 4.3%, to $42.3 million, due primarily to decreases in pension and post retirement costs of $2.5 million, which were partially offset by increases to water conservation program costs of $0.3 million, California drought program incremental costs of $0.2 million, and employee wage increases of $0.1 million. Water conservation program costs are affected by seasonal patterns and customer demand.  Changes in employee pension and other postretirement benefits and water conservation program expenses for regulated California operations do not affect net income, because the Company is permitted by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to record these costs in balancing accounts for future recovery, which creates a corresponding change to operating revenue.  Drought program costs are tracked in a CPUC-approved memorandum account and require Commission review before they become recoverable.

 

Maintenance expense increased $0.6 million, or 11.4%, to $5.9 million, mostly due to expenses incurred to respond to a large wildfire in the Company’s Kern River Valley District.

 



 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.5 million, or 3.2%, to $15.8 million due to 2015 capital additions.

 

Income taxes increased $1.8 million to $6.9 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to the second quarter of 2015, primarily due to a $2.8 million increase in pre-tax income and a $0.6 million tax benefit recorded in the second quarter of 2015.

 

Other income, net of income taxes, increased $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2016, principally due to an increase in unrealized gains associated with our benefit plan investments.

 

Net interest expense increased $1.0 million, or 14.5%, to $7.6 million, due mostly to the sale of $150.0 million First Mortgage Bonds in the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016 to support infrastructure investments needed to provide a safe and reliable water supply to customers.

 

The under-collected net receivable balance in the WRAM and MCBA mechanism was $28.9 million at the end of the second quarter, down 14.0% or $4.7 million from the balance at the end of the first quarter.

 

According to President and Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki, financial results were in line with expectations, given the continuing drought and the critical importance of investing in water conservation.

 

“The real story for the second quarter isn’t the numbers; it’s our people.  Thanks to our employees, we continued to take a customer-first approach to drought management.  Additionally, we responded effectively and compassionately to a devastating fire in our Kern River Valley District, continued to work diligently on our 2015 General Rate Case, and we were ranked “highest in customer satisfaction among water utilities in the West” by J.D. Power.  In addition, we were named a Top 100 Workplace in the San Francisco Bay

 



 

Area for a fifth consecutive year.  I’m very proud of our team and what we accomplished during the quarter,” Kropelnicki said.

 

Year-to-Date Results

 

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2016, net income was $10.7 million or $0.22 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $11.4 million or $0.24 per diluted common share for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015.  The $0.7 million decrease in net income was primarily due to incremental drought program expenses, increased maintenance, depreciation and amortization, and net interest expenses.  A $0.6 million tax benefit which had occurred in 2015 did not occur in 2016.  Expense increases were partially offset by an increase in accrued unbilled revenue.

 

During the first six months of 2016, the total company-funded and developer-funded investment was $116.2 million in utility plant, up 53.3%, or $40.4 million, from $75.8 million in the first six months of 2015.

 

On July 15, 2016, Cal Water filed an advice letter to recover $4.2 million of incremental drought expenses associated with calendar years 2014 and 2015.  The Company expects to receive approval of this advice letter before the end of 2016.

 

2015 California General Rate Case

 

As previously reported, in July 2015, California Water Service Company (Cal Water) filed a General Rate Case (GRC) application seeking rate increases in all regulated operating districts in California effective January 1, 2017. The 2015 GRC application requests increased revenues of $94.8 million for 2017, $23.0 million for 2018, and $22.6 million for 2019. The primary reason for the requested revenue increase was a proposed

 



 

capital program of $693.0 million in districts throughout California over the three-year period from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018. The GRC process considers the views of several intervenors, including the CPUC’s Office of Ratepayer Advocates (ORA).

 

The Company reviewed the GRC intervenors’ recommendations and composed rebuttal testimony during the second quarter of 2016.   During the months of June and July, the Company and intervenors met in settlement discussions and completed rate case evidentiary hearings at the CPUC on July 18, 2016.  The case is being processed according to the adopted schedule which would allow for a decision at the end of 2016.

 

Other Information

 

All stockholders and interested investors are invited to listen to the second quarter of 2016 conference call on July 28, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. PDT (11:00 a.m. EDT) by dialing 1-888-359-3627 and keying in ID #7514207. A replay of the call will be available from 11:00 a.m. PDT (2:00 p.m. EDT) on July 28, 2016 through September 28, 2016, at 1-888-203-1112 or 1-719-457-0820, ID #7514207. The replay will also be available under the investor relations tab at www.calwatergroup.com. Prior to the call, Cal Water will post a slide presentation on its website.  The presentation can be found at www.calwatergroup.com/docs/earningsslidesjune2016.pdf after 6:00 a.m. PDT. The call will be hosted by President and Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Thomas F. Smegal III.

 

California Water Service Group is the parent company of California Water Service Company, Washington Water Service Company, New Mexico Water Service Company, Hawaii Water Service Company, Inc., CWS Utility Services, and HWS Utility Services, LLC. Together these companies provide regulated and non-regulated water service to approximately 2 million people in more than 100 California, Washington, New Mexico

 



 

and Hawaii communities. Group’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CWT.” Additional information is available online at www.calwatergroup.com.

 

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“Act”). The forward-looking statements are intended to qualify under provisions of the federal securities laws for “safe harbor” treatment established by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections, and management’s judgment about the Company, the water utility industry and general economic conditions. Such words as would, expects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, assumes, anticipates, projects, predicts, forecasts or variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from what is contained in a forward-looking statement. Factors that may cause a result different than expected or anticipated include, but are not limited to: governmental and regulatory commissions’ decisions; consequences of eminent domain actions relating to our water systems; changes in regulatory commissions’ policies and procedures; the timeliness of regulatory commissions’ actions concerning rate relief; inability to renew leases to operate city water systems on beneficial terms; changes in California State Water Resources Control Board water quality standards; changes in environmental compliance and water quality requirements; electric power interruptions; changes in customer water use patterns and the effects of conservation; the impact of weather and climate on water availability, water sales and operating results; the unknown impact of contagious diseases, such as Zika, avian flu, H1N1 flu and severe acute respiratory syndrome, on the Company’s operations; civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts, or apprehension about the possible future occurrences of acts of this type; labor relations matters as we negotiate with the unions; restrictive covenants in or changes to the credit ratings on our current or future debt that could increase our financing costs or affect our ability to borrow, make payments on debt or pay dividends; and, other risks and unforeseen events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements included in this paragraph, as well as the annual 10-K, Quarterly 10-Q, and other reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company assumes no obligation to provide public updates of forward-looking statements.

 



 

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Unaudited

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

2016

 

2015

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Utility plant:

 

 

 

 

 

Utility plant

 

$

2,621,322

 

$

2,506,946

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(836,245

)

(805,178

)

Net utility plant

 

1,785,077

 

1,701,768

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

30,826

 

8,837

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

Customers

 

36,635

 

31,512

 

Regulatory balancing accounts

 

26,453

 

35,052

 

Other

 

11,901

 

14,760

 

Unbilled revenue

 

33,535

 

23,181

 

Materials and supplies at weighted average cost

 

6,393

 

6,339

 

Taxes, prepaid expense, and other assets

 

13,257

 

7,897

 

Total current assets

 

159,000

 

127,578

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

363,321

 

361,893

 

Goodwill

 

2,615

 

2,615

 

Other assets

 

48,110

 

47,399

 

Total other assets

 

414,046

 

411,907

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

2,358,123

 

$

2,241,253

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalization:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value

 

$

480

 

$

479

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

333,561

 

333,135

 

Retained earnings

 

302,719

 

308,541

 

Total common stockholders’ equity

 

636,760

 

642,155

 

Long-term debt, less current maturities

 

555,787

 

508,002

 

Total capitalization

 

1,192,547

 

1,150,157

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

6,133

 

6,043

 

Short-term borrowings

 

75,100

 

33,615

 

Accounts payable

 

77,604

 

66,380

 

Regulatory balancing accounts

 

2,702

 

2,227

 

Accrued interest

 

5,820

 

5,088

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

34,654

 

34,545

 

Total current liabilities

 

202,013

 

147,898

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unamortized investment tax credits

 

1,872

 

1,872

 

Deferred income taxes

 

271,407

 

264,897

 

Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions

 

238,823

 

236,266

 

Regulatory liabilities and other

 

92,141

 

82,414

 

Advances for construction

 

180,429

 

180,172

 

Contributions in aid of construction

 

178,891

 

177,577

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

 

$

2,358,123

 

$

2,241,253

 

 



 

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Unaudited

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

For the Three-Months ended:

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenue

 

$

152,445

 

$

144,414

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Water production costs

 

57,589

 

53,022

 

Administrative and general

 

23,366

 

26,637

 

Other operations

 

18,903

 

17,512

 

Maintenance

 

5,934

 

5,326

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

15,842

 

15,354

 

Income taxes

 

6,870

 

5,102

 

Property and other taxes

 

5,407

 

4,968

 

Total operating expenses

 

133,911

 

127,921

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating income

 

18,534

 

16,493

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Non-regulated revenue

 

3,764

 

3,479

 

Non-regulated expenses

 

(2,809

)

(3,504

)

Income tax (expense) benefit on other income and expenses

 

(384

)

10

 

Net other income (loss)

 

571

 

(15

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense

 

8,434

 

7,061

 

Less: capitalized interest

 

(837

)

(428

)

Net interest expense

 

7,597

 

6,633

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

11,508

 

$

9,845

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.21

 

Diluted

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.21

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

47,972

 

47,880

 

Diluted

 

47,972

 

47,892

 

Dividends per share of common stock

 

$

0.1725

 

$

0.1675

 

 



 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

For the Six-Months ended:

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenue

 

$

274,172

 

$

266,399

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Water production costs

 

98,658

 

98,224

 

Administrative and general

 

51,193

 

54,332

 

Other operations

 

38,205

 

33,355

 

Maintenance

 

11,997

 

9,783

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

31,888

 

30,673

 

Income taxes

 

5,945

 

5,715

 

Property and other taxes

 

11,482

 

10,327

 

Total operating expenses

 

249,368

 

242,409

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating income

 

24,804

 

23,990

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Non-regulated revenue

 

7,192

 

6,726

 

Non-regulated expenses

 

(5,789

)

(5,747

)

Income tax expense on other income and expenses

 

(565

)

(393

)

Net other income

 

838

 

586

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

16,499

 

14,130

 

Less: capitalized interest

 

(1,567

)

(974

)

Net interest expense

 

14,932

 

13,156

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

10,710

 

$

11,420

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.24

 

Diluted

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.24

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

47,938

 

47,853

 

Diluted

 

47,943

 

47,873

 

Dividends declared per share of common stock

 

$

0.3450

 

$

0.3350

 

 


Exhibit 99.2

Second Quarter 2016 Earnings Call Presentation CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE GROUP July 28, 2016

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Forward-Looking Statements This presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("Act"). The forward-looking statements are intended to qualify under provisions of the federal securities laws for "safe harbor" treatment established by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections, and management's judgment about the California drought and its effect on the Company. Words such as would, expects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, assumes, anticipates, projects, predicts, forecasts or variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from what is contained in a forward-looking statement. Factors that may cause a result different than expected or anticipated include, but are not limited to: governmental and regulatory commissions' decisions; changes in regulatory commissions' policies and procedures; the timeliness of regulatory commissions' actions concerning rate relief; eminent domain actions affecting our water systems; electric power interruptions; the ability to successfully implement conservation measures; changes in customer water use patterns; the impact of weather and climate on water sales and operating results; and, other risks and unforeseen events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements included in this paragraph, as well as the annual 10-K, Quarterly 10-Q, and other reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company assumes no obligation to provide public updates of forward-looking statements. 2

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Today’s Participants Marty Kropelnicki President & CEO Tom Smegal Vice President, CFO & Treasurer 3

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Presentation Overview Financial Results Financial Highlights Drought Update Regulatory Update Capital Investment History and Projection Net WRAM Balances EPS Bridge YTD 2015 to YTD 2016 Recent Awards 4

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Q2 Financial Results (amounts are in millions, except for EPS) Q2 2015 Q2 2016 Variance Operating Revenue $144.4 $152.4 5.6% Operating Expenses 127.9 133.9 4.7% Net Operating Income 16.5 18.5 12.4% Other Income 0.0 0.6 Net Interest 6.6 7.6 14.5% Net Income $9.8 $11.5 16.9% EPS $0.21 $0.24 14.3% 5

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Financial Results Six Months Ending June 30 (amounts are in millions, except for EPS) YTD 2015 YTD 2016 Variance Operating Revenue $266.4 $274.2 2.9% Operating Expenses 242.4 249.4 2.9% Net Operating Income 24.0 24.8 3.4% Other Income 0.6 0.8 Net Interest 13.2 14.9 13.5% Net Income $11.4 $10.7 -6.2% EPS $0.24 $0.22 -8.3% 6

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Financial Highlights 2016 is the third year of the California GRC cycle with limited rate relief. Year-to-date earnings reduced by: Incremental drought expenses of $2.2 million. Cal Water has been granted a memorandum account to track drought costs, which are expected to be recovered through the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC’s) advice letter process. Maintenance expense increases of $2.2 million. Since July 2015, maintenance expenses have increased in part from changes to operations and operating conditions related to the drought. In addition, in June 2016 Cal Water incurred an estimated $0.4 million in costs to respond to the Erskine Fire, which affected our Kern River Valley District. Interest expense increases of $1.8 million due to long-term debt issued in October 2015 and March 2016. 2016 Capital Program (millions) The company remains on track to meet the annual target of $180-210 million. WRAM decoupling mechanism (millions) 7 YTD 2016 $116.2 YTD 2015 $75.8 Increase $40.4 53.3% Q2 2016 $28.9 Q2 2015 $47.9 Decrease $19.0 39.7%

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Drought Update 8 California is entering the 5th year since the drought was declared. Northern California received above-normal rainfall and recorded normal snowfall this winter. Southern California had lower-than-normal precipitation. The State Water Project, one of the major backbone surface water systems in the state, has issued a 60% allocation, highest since 2011. The State Water Board has allowed “self-certification” to reflect local supply conditions. Permanent water use regulations expected from the State Water Board in January 2017. Overall supply situation for Cal Water systems has improved; however conditions vary regionally. Cal Water continues to monitor conditions in each system. Company has suspended drought surcharges but is asking customers to meet a minimum 10% conservation target in most areas. State has given water suppliers flexibility to tighten restrictions if conditions warrant.

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Drought – Financial Effects Muted by Regulatory Mechanisms Cal Water has been “decoupled” (minimizes effect of sales and water production costs on earnings) since 2008 with WRAM. Sales decline will not reduce profits. Revenue accrual, not included in WRAM, a short-term impact. Drought costs recorded for future recovery of $3.2 million or $0.04 EPS impact in 2016 YTD. On July 15, 2016, Cal Water filed an advice letter to recover $4.2 million of incremental drought expenses associated with calendar years 2014 and 2015. The Company expects to receive approval from the Commission on this advice letter filing before the end of 2016. Customer surcharges flow to reduce WRAM balances. With $22.1 million of drought surcharges recorded year to date, WRAM balance declined $11.6 million YTD. Lower sales estimates embedded in 2016 rates for most service areas are expected to improve cash collection. 9

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2015 General Rate Case Update Requested Increases $94.8M in 2017 $23.0M in 2018 $22.6M in 2019 80% of rate increase is due to capital investments Proposed CapEx of $693M over three years 18 month process – hearings have concluded 10

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2015 General Rate Case Update Schedule Update The Company reviewed intervenors’ recommendations and composed rebuttal testimony during the second quarter of 2016. During the months of June and July, the Company and intervening parties met in settlement discussions and on July 18, 2016, Cal Water completed the rate case evidentiary hearings at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The case is being processed according to the adopted schedule which would allow for a decision at the end of 2016. Please Note: All settlement discussions in the proceeding are confidential. The company may not discuss whether any items in the case have settled or the nature of any potentially settled matter unless or until an executed settlement agreement is filed with the Commission. 11

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Capital Investment History and Projection in millions *2016-2018 amounts are based upon Company projections including 2015 California Rate Case filing CAGR = 11% (2007-2018) 12 YTD $116

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Net WRAM/MCBA Balance in millions 13

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EPS Bridge YTD 2015 to YTD 2016 14

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Recent Cal Water Awards “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Water Utilities in the West” by J.D. Power Top Workplace in the Bay Area for five consecutive years by Bay Area News Group Second place for Best Mobility Implementation (first place: Duke Energy) by CS Week, a customer service & IT utility association Platinum Hermes Creative Award for outstanding drought communications California Water Service received the highest numerical score among water utilities in the West region in the J.D. Power 2016 Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study, based on 20,951 responses from 24 companies measuring experiences and perceptions of customers with their primary water provider-surveyed March 2016. Individual experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com for more information about the study.

 


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