NJR 10Q Dec2013


 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10‑Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM             TO             
 
Commission file number 1‑8359
 
NEW JERSEY RESOURCES CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
New Jersey
 
22‑2376465
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
 
 
1415 Wyckoff Road, Wall, New Jersey 07719
 
732‑938‑1480
(Address of principal
executive offices)
 
(Registrant's telephone number,
including area code)
 
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:
Common Stock ‑ $2.50 Par Value
 
New York Stock Exchange
(Title of each class)
 
(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes: x            No: o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes: x            No: o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer: x
Accelerated filer: o
Non-accelerated filer: o
Smaller reporting company: o
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes: o            No: x

The number of shares outstanding of $2.50 par value Common Stock as of February 3, 2014 was 42,138,005.

 

New Jersey Resources Corporation

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
ITEM 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 2.
 
ITEM 3.
 
ITEM 4.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
ITEM 1.
 
ITEM 1A.
 
ITEM 2.
 
ITEM 6.
 
 



GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS                                                                                                                                                        
AFUDC
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
AIP
Accelerated Infrastructure Program
ASC
Accounting Standards Codification
ASU
Accounting Standards Update
Bcf
Billion Cubic Feet
BGSS
Basic Gas Supply Service
BPU
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
CIP
Conservation Incentive Program
CME
Chicago Mercantile Exchange
CNG
Compressed Natural Gas
CR&R
Commercial Realty & Resources Corp.
Dodd-Frank Act
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
DRP
NJR Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan
EDA
New Jersey Economic Development Authority
EDA Bonds
Collectively, Series 2011A, Series 2011B and Series 2011C Bonds issued by the EDA
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
FCM
Futures Commission Merchant
FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FRM
Financial Risk Management
GAAP
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles of the United States
ICE
Intercontinental Exchange
IFRS
International Financial Reporting Standards
Iroquois
Iroquois Gas Transmission L.P.
ISDA
The International Swaps and Derivatives Association
ITC
Investment Tax Credit
JPMC Facility
NJNG's $100 million, four-year credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. expiring in August 2015
JPMC Term Loan
NJR's $100 million, one-year term loan credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. expiring in September 2014
LNG
Liquefied Natural Gas
Loan Agreement
Loan Agreement between the EDA and the Company
MetLife
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
MetLife Facility
NJR's unsecured, uncommitted $100 million private placement shelf note agreement with MetLife, Inc.
MGP
Manufactured Gas Plant
MMBtu
Million Metric British Thermal Unit
Moody's
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
MW
Megawatts
MWh
Megawatt Hour
NAESB
The North American Energy Standards Board
NJR Credit Facility
NJR's $325 million unsecured committed credit facility expiring in August 2017 that NJR entered into in August 2012
NFE
Net Financial Earnings
NGV
Natural Gas Vehicles
NJ RISE
New Jersey Reinvestment in System Enhancement
NJCEP
New Jersey's Clean Energy Program
NJDEP
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

1

NJNG
New Jersey Natural Gas Company
NJNG Credit Facility
The $200 million unsecured committed credit facility expiring in August 2014 that NJNG entered into in August 2011
NPNS
Normal Purchase/Normal Sale
NJR or The Company
New Jersey Resources Corporation
NJR Energy
NJR Energy Corporation
NJR Midstream
NJR Midstream Holdings Corporation
NJR Service
NJR Service Corporation
NJRCEV
NJR Clean Energy Ventures Corporation
NJREI
NJR Energy Investments Corporation
NJRES
NJR Energy Services Company
NJRHS
NJR Home Services Company
NJRPS
NJR Plumbing Services, Inc.
Non-GAAP
Not in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles of the United States
NYMEX
New York Mercantile Exchange
O&M
Operating and Maintenance
OCI
Other Comprehensive Income
OPEB
Other Postemployment Benefit Plans
PIM
Pipeline Integrity Management
Pipeline
NJNR Pipeline Company
Prudential
Prudential Investment Management, Inc.
Prudential Facility
NJR's unsecured, uncommitted $75 million private placement shelf note agreement with Prudential
PTC
Production Tax Credit
RA
Remediation Adjustment
Retail and Other
Retail and Other Operations
Retail Holdings
NJR Retail Holdings Corporation
S&P
Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC
SAFE
Safety Acceleration and Facility Enhancement
Sarbanes-Oxley
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
SAVEGREEN
The SAVEGREEN Project®
SBC
Societal Benefits Clause
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
SREC
Solar Renewable Energy Certificate
Steckman Ridge
Collectively, Steckman Ridge GP, LLC and Steckman Ridge, LP
Superstorm Sandy
Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy
TEFA
Transitional Energy Facilities Assessment
The Exchange Act
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
U.S.
The United States of America
USF
Universal Service Fund
VRDN
Variable Rate Demand Notes


2
New Jersey Resources Corporation

INFORMATION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS                                                                           

Certain statements contained in this report, including, without limitation, statements as to management expectations and beliefs presented in Part I, Item 2. “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” Part I, Item 3. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” Part II, Item I. “Legal Proceedings” and in the notes to the financial statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “may,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “will” “plan,” “should,” or “continue” or comparable terminology and are made based upon management's current expectations and beliefs as of this date concerning future developments and their potential effect upon the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with management's expectations or that the effect of future developments on the Company will be those anticipated by management.

The Company cautions readers that the assumptions that form the basis for forward-looking statements regarding customer growth, customer usage, qualifications for ITCs, PTCs and SRECs, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, capital requirements, future capital expenditures, market risk and other matters for fiscal 2014 and thereafter include many factors that are beyond the Company's ability to control or estimate precisely, such as estimates of future market conditions, the behavior of other market participants and changes in the debt and equity capital markets. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from NJR's expectations include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors of NJR's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013, as well as the following:

•
weather and economic conditions;
•
demographic changes in the NJNG service territory and their effect on NJNG's customer growth;
•
volatility of natural gas and other commodity prices and their impact on NJNG customer usage, NJNG's BGSS incentive programs, NJRES operations and on the Company's risk management efforts;
•
changes in rating agency requirements and/or credit ratings and their effect on availability and cost of capital to the Company;
•
the impact of volatility in the credit markets;
•
the ability to comply with debt covenants;
•
the impact to the asset values and resulting higher costs and funding obligations of NJR's pension and postemployment benefit plans as a result of potential downturns in the financial markets, lower discount rates or impacts associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act;
•
accounting effects and other risks associated with hedging activities and use of derivatives contracts;
•
commercial and wholesale credit risks, including the availability of creditworthy customers and counterparties, liquidity in the wholesale energy trading market;
•
regulatory approval of NJNG's planned infrastructure programs:
•
the ability to obtain governmental approvals and/or financing for the construction, development and operation of certain non-regulated energy investments;
•
risks associated with the management of the Company's joint ventures and partnerships;
•
risks associated with our investments in distributed power projects and our investment in an on-shore wind developer, including the availability of regulatory and tax incentives, logistical risks and potential delays related to construction, permitting, regulatory approvals and electric grid interconnection, the availability of viable projects, NJR's eligibility for ITCs and PTCs, the future market for SRECs and operational risks related to projects in service;
•
timing of qualifying for ITCs due to delays or failures to complete planned solar energy projects and the resulting effect on our effective tax rate and earnings;
•
the level and rate at which NJNG's costs and expenses (including those related to restoration efforts resulting from Post Tropical Cyclone Sandy, commonly referred to as Superstorm Sandy) are incurred and the extent to which they are allowed to be recovered from customers through the regulatory process;
•
access to adequate supplies of natural gas and dependence on third-party storage and transportation facilities for natural gas supply;
•
operating risks incidental to handling, storing, transporting and providing customers with natural gas;
•
risks related to our employee workforce, including a work stoppage;
•
the regulatory and pricing policies of federal and state regulatory agencies;
•
the possible expiration of the NJNG CIP;
•
the costs of compliance with the proposed regulatory framework for over-the-counter derivatives;
•
the costs of compliance with present and future environmental laws, including potential climate change-related legislation;
•
risks related to changes in accounting standards;
•
the impact of a disallowance of recovery of environmental-related expenditures and other regulatory changes;
•
environmental-related and other litigation and other uncertainties;
•
risks related to cyber-attack or failure of information technology systems; and
•
the impact of natural disasters, terrorist activities, and other extreme events on our operations and customers, including any impacts to utility gross margin and restoration costs resulting from Superstorm Sandy.

While the Company periodically reassesses material trends and uncertainties affecting the Company's results of operations and financial condition in connection with its preparation of management's discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition contained in its Quarterly and Annual Reports, the Company does not, by including this statement, assume any obligation to review or revise any particular forward-looking statement referenced herein in light of future events.

3
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I


ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                                                                                                                          

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands, except per share data)
2013

2012
OPERATING REVENUES
 
 
 
Utility
$
233,469

 
$
218,849

Nonutility
644,936

 
517,170

Total operating revenues
878,405

 
736,019

OPERATING EXPENSES
 
 
 
Gas purchases:
 
 
 
Utility
111,202

 
111,321

Nonutility
663,530

 
455,427

Operation and maintenance
42,023

 
40,070

Regulatory rider expenses
19,832

 
13,982

Depreciation and amortization
12,566

 
11,303

Energy and other taxes
17,028

 
16,725

Total operating expenses
866,181

 
648,828

OPERATING INCOME
12,224

 
87,191

Other income
1,127

 
265

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
6,295

 
5,825

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES
7,056

 
81,631

Income tax provision
1,505

 
23,980

Equity in earnings of affiliates
2,142

 
2,555

NET INCOME
$
7,693

 
$
60,206

 
 
 
 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
 
 
BASIC
$0.18
 
$1.44
DILUTED
$0.18
 
$1.44
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE
$0.42
 
$0.40
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
 
 
 
BASIC
42,021

 
41,695

DILUTED
42,239

 
41,758


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
 
2012
Net income
$
7,693

 
$
60,206

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
 
 
Unrealized (loss) on available for sale securities, net of tax of $214 and $221, respectively
(310
)
 
(320
)
Net unrealized (loss) on derivatives, net of tax of $20 and $6, respectively
(34
)
 
(10
)
Adjustment to postemployment benefit obligation, net of tax of $(111) and $(203), respectively
161

 
413

Other comprehensive (loss) income
(183
)
 
83

Comprehensive income
$
7,510

 
$
60,289


See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


4
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I
 
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                                                                                                      


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
 
2012
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Net income
$
7,693

 
$
60,206

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments
65,654

 
(18,335
)
Depreciation and amortization
12,566

 
11,303

Allowance for equity used during construction
(213
)
 
(606
)
Allowance for bad debt expense
414

 
562

Deferred income taxes
(16,506
)
 
22,233

Manufactured gas plant remediation costs
(1,132
)
 
(941
)
Equity in earnings of equity investees, net of distributions received
1,521

 
1,699

Cost of removal - asset retirement obligations
(47
)
 
(137
)
Contributions to postemployment benefit plans
(1,559
)
 
(21,487
)
Changes in:
 
 
 
Components of working capital
(145,315
)
 
(88,145
)
Other noncurrent assets
(1,427
)
 
(14,101
)
Other noncurrent liabilities
9,534

 
2,782

Cash flows (used in) operating activities
(68,817
)
 
(44,967
)
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Expenditures for
 
 
 
Utility plant
(30,277
)
 
(32,869
)
Solar and wind equipment
(24,917
)
 
(15,320
)
Real estate properties and other
(205
)
 
(154
)
Cost of removal
(5,124
)
 
(1,276
)
Distribution from equity investees in excess of equity in earnings
395

 
458

Proceeds from sale of asset
6,000

 
—

Withdrawal from restricted cash construction fund
85

 
5

Cash flows (used in) investing activities
(54,043
)
 
(49,156
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
3,557

 
5,838

Tax benefit from stock options exercised
—

 
62

Proceeds from sale-leaseback transaction
7,576

 
7,076

Payments of long-term debt
(1,576
)
 
(1,384
)
Payments of common stock dividends
(17,617
)
 
(33,320
)
Net proceeds from short-term debt
138,000

 
114,600

Cash flows from financing activities
129,940

 
92,872

Change in cash and cash equivalents
7,080

 
(1,251
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
2,969

 
4,509

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
10,049

 
$
3,258

CHANGES IN COMPONENTS OF WORKING CAPITAL
 
 
 
Receivables
$
(180,484
)
 
$
(142,852
)
Inventories
32,278

 
(54,993
)
Recovery of gas costs
5,513

 
371

Gas purchases payable
13,803

 
58,354

Prepaid and accrued taxes
32,449

 
21,993

Accounts payable and other
(10,052
)
 
11,298

Restricted broker margin accounts
(46,745
)
 
13,188

Customers' credit balances and deposits
3,988

 
(10,897
)
Other current assets
3,935

 
15,393

Total
$
(145,315
)
 
$
(88,145
)
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
 
 
 
Cash paid for:
 
 
 
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)
$
1,704

 
$
966

Income taxes
$
137

 
$
5

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Accrued capital expenditures
$
1,421

 
$
(4,934
)

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

5
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I
 
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                                                                                                      

 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

ASSETS
(Thousands)
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
 
Utility plant, at cost
$
1,701,521

$
1,681,585

Construction work in progress
126,721

114,961

Solar equipment, real estate properties and other, at cost
261,345

249,516

Construction work in progress
24,897

9,093

Total property, plant and equipment
2,114,484

2,055,155

Accumulated depreciation and amortization, utility plant
(390,680
)
(383,895
)
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, solar equipment, real estate properties and other
(30,874
)
(28,144
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
1,692,930

1,643,116

CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
10,049

2,969

Customer accounts receivable
 
 
Billed
371,164

240,281

Unbilled revenues
56,718

7,429

Allowance for doubtful accounts
(5,432
)
(5,330
)
Regulatory assets
27,889

34,372

Gas in storage, at average cost
283,356

314,477

Materials and supplies, at average cost
13,177

14,334

Prepaid and accrued taxes
12,060

42,645

Asset held for sale
—

5,428

Derivatives, at fair value
34,843

53,327

Restricted broker margin accounts
59,313

6,581

Deferred taxes
12,785

8,432

Other
22,399

20,953

Total current assets
898,321

745,898

NONCURRENT ASSETS
 
 
Investments in equity investees
160,437

161,591

Prepaid pension asset
6,207

6,287

Regulatory assets
391,009

402,202

Derivatives, at fair value
1,931

2,761

Other
45,983

42,928

Total noncurrent assets
605,567

615,769

Total assets
$
3,196,818

$
3,004,783


See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


6
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I
 
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                                                                                                      

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
(Thousands)
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
CAPITALIZATION
 
 
Common stock, $2.50 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares;
outstanding December 31, 2013-42,058,818; September 30, 2013-41,961,534
$
112,640

$
112,563

Premium on common stock
301,740

300,196

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss), net of tax
(1,804
)
(1,621
)
Treasury stock at cost and other;
shares December 31, 2013-2,993,764; September 30, 2013-3,060,356
(125,584
)
(128,638
)
Retained earnings
594,928

604,884

Common stock equity
881,920

887,384

Long-term debt
518,049

512,886

Total capitalization
1,399,969

1,400,270

CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
69,527

68,643

Short-term debt
503,600

365,600

Gas purchases payable
268,616

254,813

Accounts payable and other
51,220

60,342

Dividends payable
17,649

17,624

Deferred and accrued taxes
4,314

4,040

Regulatory liabilities
12,567

1,456

New Jersey clean energy program
12,809

14,532

Derivatives, at fair value
77,852

40,390

Restricted broker margin accounts
5,987

—

Customers' credit balances and deposits
28,381

24,393

Total current liabilities
1,052,522

851,833

NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
Deferred income taxes
362,426

372,773

Deferred investment tax credits
5,503

5,584

Deferred revenue
4,583

4,763

Derivatives, at fair value
6,130

2,458

Manufactured gas plant remediation
183,600

183,600

Postemployment employee benefit liability
67,904

67,897

Regulatory liabilities
77,390

79,647

Asset retirement obligation
29,157

28,711

Other
7,634

7,247

Total noncurrent liabilities
744,327

752,680

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 12)



Total capitalization and liabilities
$
3,196,818

$
3,004,783


See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


7
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                              

1.
NATURE OF THE BUSINESS

New Jersey Resources Corporation provides regulated gas distribution services and certain non-regulated businesses primarily through the following subsidiaries:

New Jersey Natural Gas Company provides natural gas utility service to approximately 501,600 retail customers in central and northern New Jersey and is subject to rate regulation by the BPU. NJNG comprises the Natural Gas Distribution segment;

NJR Energy Services Company comprises the Energy Services segment that maintains and transacts around a portfolio of natural gas storage and transportation positions and provides wholesale energy and energy management services;

NJR Clean Energy Ventures, the company’s unregulated distributed power subsidiary, comprises the Clean Energy Ventures segment and reports the results of operations and assets related to the Company's capital investments in distributed power projects, including commercial and residential solar projects and on-shore wind investments;

NJR Midstream Holdings Corporation primarily invests in energy-related ventures through its subsidiaries, NJR Steckman Ridge Storage Company, which holds the Company's 50 percent combined interest in Steckman Ridge and NJNR Pipeline Company, which holds the Company's 5.53 percent ownership interest in Iroquois Gas Transmission L.P. Steckman Ridge and Iroquois comprise the Midstream segment. On November 7, 2013, NJR Energy Holdings Corporation changed its name to NJR Midstream Holdings Corporation; and

NJR Retail Holdings Corporation has two principal subsidiaries, NJR Home Services Company and Commercial Realty & Resources Corporation. Retail Holdings and NJR Energy Corporation are included in Retail and Other operations.

2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by NJR in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and ASC 270. The September 30, 2013, Balance Sheet data is derived from the audited financial statements of the Company. These Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in NJR's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of NJR and its subsidiaries. In the opinion of management, the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments necessary, for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods presented. These adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. Because of the seasonal nature of NJR's utility and wholesale energy services operations, in addition to other factors, the financial results for the interim periods presented are not indicative of the results that are to be expected for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.

Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

Gas in Storage

The following table summarizes gas in storage, at average cost by company as of:
 
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
($ in thousands)
Gas in Storage
 
Bcf
Gas in Storage
 
Bcf
NJNG
 
$
80,789

15.7

 
$
104,979

20.4

NJRES
 
202,567

56.0

 
209,498

62.3

Total
 
$
283,356

71.7

 
$
314,477

82.7



8
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


Available for Sale Securities

Included in other noncurrent assets on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are certain investments in equity securities of a publicly traded energy company that have a fair value of $11.2 million and $11.7 million as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. Total unrealized gains associated with these equity securities, which are included as a part of accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of common stock equity, were $8.6 million ($5.1 million, after tax) and $9.1 million ($5.4 million, after tax) as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. Reclassifications of realized gains out of other comprehensive income into income are determined based on average cost.

Sale of Asset

On October 22, 2013, CR&R sold approximately 25.4 acres of undeveloped land located in Monmouth County with a net book value of $5.4 million for $6 million, generating a pre-tax gain after closing costs of $313,000, which was recognized in other income on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Loan Receivable

NJNG provides interest-free loans, with terms ranging from two to ten years, to customers that elect to purchase and install certain energy efficient equipment in accordance with its BPU-approved SAVEGREEN program. The loans are recognized at net present value on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has recorded $2.5 million and $1.9 million in other current assets and $18.9 million and $14.3 million in other noncurrent assets as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

NJR's policy is to establish an allowance for doubtful accounts when loan balances are outstanding for more than 60 days. As of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, there was no allowance for doubtful accounts established.

Recent Updates to the Accounting Standards Codification

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, an amendment to ASC Topic 210, Balance Sheet, requiring additional disclosures about the effect of an entity's rights of setoff and related master netting arrangements to its financial statements. ASU 2013-01, issued in January 2013, further clarified that the amended guidance was applicable to certain financial and derivative instruments. The Company applied the provisions of the amended guidance retrospectively effective October 1, 2013. The guidance did not impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows, however, it required additional disclosures that are included in Note 4. Derivative Instruments.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, an amendment to ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, which clarifies financial statement presentation for unrecognized tax benefits. The ASU requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion thereof, shall be presented in the balance sheet as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent such a deferred tax asset is not available or the company does not intend to use it to settle any additional taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, the related unrecognized tax benefit will be presented as a liability in the financial statements. The amended guidance will become effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. As of December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits, however, it will apply the provisions of the new guidance, as applicable at the effective date, on a prospective basis.

3.
REGULATION

NJNG is subject to cost-based regulation, therefore, it is permitted to recover authorized operating expenses and earn a reasonable return on its utility investment based on the BPU's approval, in accordance with accounting guidance applicable to regulated operations. The impact of the ratemaking process and decisions authorized by the BPU allows NJNG to capitalize or defer certain costs that are expected to be recovered from its customers as regulatory assets and to recognize certain obligations representing amounts that are probable future expenditures as regulatory liabilities.


9
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


Regulatory assets and liabilities included on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are comprised of the following:
(Thousands)
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
Regulatory assets-current
 
 
Conservation Incentive Program
$
15,080

$
18,887

Underrecovered gas costs
—

953

New Jersey Clean Energy Program
12,809

14,532

Total current
$
27,889

$
34,372

Regulatory assets-noncurrent
 
 
Environmental remediation costs
 
 
Expended, net of recoveries
$
41,762

$
46,968

Liability for future expenditures
183,600

183,600

Deferred income taxes
10,718

10,718

Derivatives at fair value, net
—

19

SAVEGREEN
29,673

30,004

Postemployment and other benefit costs
99,722

101,415

Deferred Superstorm Sandy costs
14,870

14,822

Other
10,664

14,656

Total noncurrent
$
391,009

$
402,202

Regulatory liability-current
 
 
Overrecovered gas costs
$
6,016

$
—

Derivatives at fair value, net
6,551

1,456

Total current
$
12,567

$
1,456

Regulatory liabilities-noncurrent
 
 
Cost of removal obligation
$
76,772

$
79,315

Other
618

332

Total noncurrent
$
77,390

$
79,647


NJNG's recovery of costs is facilitated through its base tariff rates, BGSS and other regulatory tariff riders. As recovery of regulatory assets is subject to BPU approval, if there are any changes in regulatory positions that indicate recovery is not probable, the related cost would be charged to income in the period of such determination.

Recent regulatory filings and/or actions include the following:

•
On September 18, 2013, the BPU approved NJNG's filing to reduce the USF recovery rate resulting in a .5 percent decrease for the average residential heating customer effective October 1, 2013, with an annual impact of approximately $3.8 million.

•
On October 16, 2013, the BPU provisionally approved NJNG's filing to maintain its current BGSS rate along with reductions to its CIP factors effective November 1, 2013 which resulted in a 1 percent reduction to an average residential heat customer's bill, with an annual impact of approximately $7.4 million.

•
On November 21, 2013, NJNG notified the BPU of its intent to reduce its BGSS rate, effective December 1, 2013, resulting in a 6 percent decrease to the average residential heating customer bill, with an annual impact of approximately $29.4 million.

•
On November 22, 2013, the BPU provisionally approved a Stipulation of Settlement for SBC factors that included a reduction in the SBC RA factor to recover $18.7 million annually in MGP expenditures through June 30, 2013, and an increase to its NJCEP factor for a net increase of 1.7 percent to the average residential heat customer effective December 1, 2013, with an annual impact of approximately $12.9 million.

•
On December 18, 2013, the BPU approved a gas service agreement which will allow NJNG to provide transportation service to Red Oak Power, LLC, an electric generation facility, through September 2022.


10
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


4.
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

The Company is subject to commodity price risk due to fluctuations in the market price of natural gas and SREC prices. To manage this risk, the Company enters into a variety of derivative instruments including, but not limited to, futures contracts, physical forward contracts, financial options and swaps to economically hedge the commodity price risk associated with its existing and anticipated commitments to purchase and sell natural gas and SREC sales. In addition, the Company may utilize foreign currency derivatives as cash flow hedges of Canadian dollar denominated gas purchases. These contracts, with a few exceptions as described below, are accounted for as derivatives. Accordingly, all of the financial and certain of the Company's physical derivative instruments are recorded at fair value on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. For a more detailed discussion of the Company's fair value measurement policies and level disclosures associated with the NJR's derivative instruments, see Note 5. Fair Value.

Since the Company chooses not to designate its financial commodity and physical forward commodity derivatives as accounting hedges or to elect NPNS as appropriate, changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments are recorded as a component of gas purchases or operating revenues, as appropriate for NJRES, on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as unrealized gains or (losses). For NJRES at settlement, realized gains and (losses) on all financial derivative instruments are recognized as a component of gas purchases and realized gains and (losses) on all physical derivatives follow the presentation of the related unrealized gains and (losses) as a component of either gas purchases or operating revenues.

NJRES also enters into natural gas transactions in Canada and, consequently, is exposed to fluctuations in the value of Canadian currency relative to the US dollar. NJRES utilizes foreign currency derivatives to lock in the currency translation rate associated with natural gas transactions denominated in Canadian currency. The derivatives may include currency forwards, futures, or swaps and are accounted for as derivatives. These derivatives are being used to hedge future forecasted cash payments associated with transportation and storage contracts along with purchases of natural gas. The Company has designated these foreign currency derivatives as cash flow hedges of that exposure, and expects the hedge relationship to be highly effective throughout the term. Since NJRES designates its foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value of the effective portion of the hedge are recorded in OCI. When the foreign exchange contracts are settled and the related purchases are recognized in income, realized gains and (losses) are recognized in gas purchases on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As a result of NJRES entering into transactions to borrow gas, commonly referred to as “park and loans,” an embedded derivative is created related to differences between the fair value of the amount borrowed and the fair value of the amount that may ultimately be repaid, based on changes in forward natural gas prices during the contract term. This embedded derivative is accounted for as a forward sale in the month in which the repayment of the borrowed gas is expected to occur, and is considered a derivative transaction that is recorded at fair value on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, with changes in value recognized in current period earnings.

Changes in fair value of NJNG's financial derivative instruments are recorded as a component of regulatory assets or liabilities on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as NJNG has received regulatory approval to defer and to recover these amounts through future BGSS rates as an increase or decrease to the cost of natural gas in NJNG's tariff for gas service.

The Company elects NPNS accounting treatment on all physical commodity contracts at NJNG. These contracts are accounted for on an accrual basis. Accordingly, gains or (losses) are recognized in regulatory assets or liabilities on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets when the contract settles and the natural gas is delivered.

During fiscal 2012, NJRCEV began hedging certain of its expected production of SRECs through forward sale contracts. The Company intends to physically deliver the SRECs upon settlement and therefore applies NPNS accounting treatment to the contracts and recognizes related revenue upon transfer of the SRECs.


11
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


Fair Value of Derivatives

The following table reflects the fair value of NJR's derivative assets and liabilities recognized on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of:
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
September 30, 2013
(Thousands)
Balance Sheet Location
Asset
Derivatives
Liability
Derivatives
Asset
Derivatives
Liability
Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NJRES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts
Derivatives - current
 
$
2

 
$
33

 
$
16

 
$
3

 
Derivatives - noncurrent
 
—

 
12

 
—

 
2

Fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
$
2

 
$
45

 
$
16

 
$
5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NJNG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial derivative contracts
Derivatives - current
 
$
6,586

 
$
39

 
$
3,502

 
$
2,045

 
Derivatives - noncurrent
 
—

 
—

 
121

 
140

NJRES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical forward commodity contracts
Derivatives - current
 
8,240

 
28,269

 
11,282

 
14,573

 
Derivatives - noncurrent
 
816

 
1,147

 
541

 
22

Financial derivative contracts
Derivatives - current
 
20,015

 
49,511

 
38,527

 
23,769

 
Derivatives - noncurrent
 
1,115

 
4,971

 
2,099

 
2,294

Fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
$
36,772

 
$
83,937

 
$
56,072

 
$
42,843

Total fair value of derivatives
 
 
$
36,774

 
$
83,982

 
$
56,088

 
$
42,848


At December 31, 2013, the gross notional amount of the foreign currency transactions was approximately $8.3 million, and ineffectiveness in the hedge relationship is immaterial to the financial results of NJR.

Offsetting of Derivatives

NJR transacts under master netting arrangements or similar agreements that allow it to offset derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty, however NJR's policy is to present its derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The tables below summarize the reported gross amounts, the amounts that NJR has the right to offset but elects not to, financial collateral, as well as the net amounts NJR could present in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets but elects not to.

12
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


(Thousands)
Amounts Presented in Balance Sheets (1)
Offsetting Derivative Instruments (2)
Financial Collateral Received/Pledged (3)
Net Amounts (4)
As of December 31, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NJRES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical forward commodity contracts
 
$
9,055

 
$
(5,197
)
 
$
—

 
$
3,858

Financial commodity contracts
 
21,131

 
(21,131
)
 
—

 
—

Foreign currency contracts
 
2

 
(2
)
 
—

 
—

Total NJRES
 
$
30,188

 
$
(26,330
)
 
$
—

 
$
3,858

NJNG
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial commodity contracts
 
$
6,586

 
$
(39
)
 
$
(5,987
)
 
$
560

Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NJRES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical forward commodity contracts
 
$
29,415

 
$
(5,197
)
 
$
(500
)
 
$
23,718

Financial commodity contracts
 
54,482

 
(21,131
)
 
(33,351
)
 
—

Foreign currency contracts
 
46

 
(2
)
 
—

 
44

Total NJRES
 
$
83,943

 
$
(26,330
)
 
$
(33,851
)
 
$
23,762

NJNG
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial commodity contracts
 
$
39

 
$
(39
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of September 30, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NJRES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical forward commodity contracts
 
$
11,823

 
$
(3,549
)
 
$
(100
)
 
$
8,174

Financial commodity contracts
 
40,626

 
(26,063
)
 
6,870

 
21,433

Foreign currency contracts
 
16

 
(5
)
 
—

 
11

Total NJRES
 
$
52,465

 
$
(29,617
)
 
$
6,770

 
$
29,618

NJNG
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial commodity contracts
 
$
3,623

 
$
(2,185
)
 
$
214

 
$
1,652

Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NJRES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical forward commodity contracts
 
$
14,595

 
$
(3,549
)
 
$
(500
)
 
$
10,546

Financial commodity contracts
 
26,063

 
(26,063
)
 
—

 
—

Foreign currency contracts
 
5

 
(5
)
 
—

 
—

Total NJRES
 
$
40,663

 
$
(29,617
)
 
$
(500
)
 
$
10,546

NJNG
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial commodity contracts
 
$
2,185

 
$
(2,185
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

(1)
Derivative assets and liabilities are presented on a gross basis in the balance sheet as the Company does not elect balance sheet offsetting under ASC 210-20.
(2)
Offsetting derivative instruments include: transactions with NAESB netting election, transactions held by FCM's with net margining and transactions with ISDA netting.
(3)
Financial collateral includes cash balances at FCM's as well as cash received from or pledged to other counterparties.
(4)
Net amounts represent presentation of derivative assets and liabilities if the Company were to elect balance sheet offsetting under ASC 210-20.

NJRES utilizes financial derivatives to economically hedge the gross margin associated with the purchase of physical gas for injection into storage and the subsequent sale of physical gas at a later date. The gains or (losses) on the financial transactions that are economic hedges of the cost of the purchased gas are recognized prior to the gains or (losses) on the physical transaction, which are recognized in earnings when the natural gas is sold. Therefore, mismatches between the timing of the recognition of realized gains or (losses) on the financial derivative instruments and gains or (losses) associated with the actual sale of the natural gas that is being economically hedged along with fair value changes in derivative instruments creates volatility in the results of NJRES, although the Company's intended economic results relating to the entire transaction are unaffected.


13
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


The following table reflects the effect of derivative instruments on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as of:
(Thousands)
Location of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives
Amount of gain (loss) recognized
in income on derivatives
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
2013
 
2012
NJRES:
 
 
 
 
Physical commodity contracts
Operating revenues
$
(82
)
 
$
(5,635
)
Physical commodity contracts
Gas purchases
(24,993
)
 
(206
)
Financial derivative contracts
Gas purchases
(40,070
)
 
29,202

Total unrealized and realized (losses) gains
$
(65,145
)
 
$
23,361


Not included in the previous table, are gains (losses) associated with NJNG's financial derivatives that totaled $6.6 million and $(6.2) million for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These derivatives are part of NJNG's risk management activities that relate to its natural gas purchases and BGSS incentive programs. As these transactions are entered into pursuant to and recoverable through regulatory riders, any changes in the value of NJNG's financial derivatives are deferred in regulatory assets or liabilities resulting in no impact to earnings.

As previously noted, NJRES designates its foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges, therefore, changes in fair value of the effective portion of the hedges are recorded in OCI and, upon settlement of the contracts, realized gains and (losses) are reclassified from OCI to gas purchases on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The following table reflects the effect of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on OCI as of:
(Thousands)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) (1)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from OCI into Income (Effective Portion)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
 
Three Months Ended
Three Months Ended
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
2013
2012
2013
2012
2013
2012
Foreign currency contracts
$
(151
)
$
(95
)
$
97

$
79

$
—

$
—

(1)
The settlement of foreign currency transactions over the next twelve months is expected to result in the reclassification of $(32,000) from OCI into earnings. The maximum tenor is April 2015.

NJNG and NJRES had the following outstanding long (short) derivatives as of:
 
 
 
Volume (Bcf)
 
 
 
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
NJNG
Futures
 
24.5

22.6

NJRES
Futures
 
(73.0
)
(64.2
)
 
Options
 
0.9

1.5

 
Physical
 
13.9

7.3



14
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


Broker Margin

Generally, exchange-traded futures contracts require posted collateral, referred to as margin, usually in the form of cash. The amount of margin required is comprised of a fixed initial amount based on the contract and a variable amount based on market price movements from the initial trade price. The Company maintains separate broker margin accounts for NJNG and NJRES. The balances by company, are as follows:
(Thousands)
Balance Sheet Location
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
NJNG
Broker margin - Current assets
$
—

$
213

NJNG
Broker margin - Current (liabilities)
$
(5,987
)
$
—

NJRES
Broker margin - Current assets
$
59,313

$
6,368


Wholesale Credit Risk

NJNG and NJRES are exposed to credit risk as a result of their wholesale marketing activities. In addition, NJRCEV engages in SREC sales. As a result of the inherent volatility in the prices of natural gas commodities, derivatives and SRECs, the market value of contractual positions with individual counterparties could exceed established credit limits or collateral provided by those counterparties. If a counterparty failed to perform the obligations under its contract (e.g., failed to deliver or pay for natural gas), then the Company could sustain a loss.

NJR monitors and manages the credit risk of its wholesale marketing operations through credit policies and procedures that management believes reduce overall credit risk. These policies include a review and evaluation of current and prospective counterparties' financial statements and/or credit ratings, daily monitoring of counterparties' credit limits and exposure, daily communication with traders regarding credit status and the use of credit mitigation measures, such as collateral requirements and netting agreements. Examples of collateral include letters of credit and cash received for either prepayment or margin deposit. Collateral may be requested due to NJR's election not to extend credit or because exposure exceeds defined thresholds. Most of NJR's wholesale marketing contracts contain standard netting provisions. These contracts include those governed by ISDA and the NAESB. The netting provisions refer to payment netting, whereby receivables and payables with the same counterparty are offset and the resulting net amount is paid to the party to which it is due.

The following is a summary of gross credit exposures grouped by investment and noninvestment grade counterparties, as of December 31, 2013. Internally-rated exposure applies to counterparties that are not rated by S&P or Moody's. In these cases, the Company's or guarantor's financial statements are reviewed, and similar methodologies and ratios used by S&P and/or Moody's are applied to arrive at a substitute rating. Gross credit exposure is defined as the unrealized fair value of physical and financial derivative commodity contracts, plus any outstanding wholesale receivable for the value of natural gas delivered and/or financial derivative commodity contract that has settled for which payment has not yet been received. The amounts presented below have not been reduced by any collateral received or netting and exclude accounts receivable for NJNG retail natural gas sales and services.
(Thousands)
Gross Credit Exposure
Investment grade
 
$
250,235

 
Noninvestment grade
 
42,906

 
Internally rated investment grade
 
12,651

 
Internally rated noninvestment grade
 
6,433

 
Total
 
$
312,225

 

Conversely, certain of NJNG's and NJRES' derivative instruments are linked to agreements containing provisions that would require cash collateral payments from the Company if certain events occur. These provisions vary based upon the terms in individual counterparty agreements and can result in cash payments if NJNG's credit rating were to fall below its current level. NJNG's credit rating, with respect to S&P, reflects the overall corporate credit profile of NJR. Specifically, most, but not all, of these additional payments will be triggered if NJNG's debt is downgraded by the major credit agencies, regardless of investment grade status. In addition, some of these agreements include threshold amounts that would result in additional collateral payments if the values of derivative liabilities were to exceed the maximum values provided for in relevant counterparty agreements. Other provisions include payment features that are not specifically linked to ratings, but are based on certain financial metrics.

15
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               



Collateral amounts associated with any of these conditions are determined based on a sliding scale and are contingent upon the degree to which the Company's credit rating and/or financial metrics deteriorate, and the extent to which liability amounts exceed applicable threshold limits. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a liability position on December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, was $2.4 million and $2 million, respectively, for which the Company had not posted collateral. If all thresholds related to the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements had been invoked on December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, the Company would have been required to post an additional $1.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively, to its counterparties. These amounts differ from the respective net derivative liabilities reflected on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets because the agreements also include clauses, commonly known as “Rights of Offset,” that would permit the Company to offset its derivative assets against its derivative liabilities for determining additional collateral to be posted, as previously discussed.

5.
FAIR VALUE

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

The fair value of cash and temporary investments, commercial paper and borrowings under revolving credit facilities are estimated to equal their carrying amounts due to the short maturity of those instruments. Non-current loan receivables are recorded based on what the company expects to receive, which approximates fair value. The Company regularly evaluates the credit quality and collection profile of its customers to approximate fair value.

The estimated fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities and excluding capital leases, is as follows:
(Thousands)
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
Carrying value
$
529,845

$
529,845

Fair market value
$
553,460

$
556,518


NJR utilizes a discounted cash flow method to determine the fair value of its debt. Inputs include observable municipal and corporate yields, as appropriate for the maturity of the specific issue and the Company's credit rating. As of December 31, 2013, NJR discloses its debt within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Fair Value Hierarchy

NJR applies fair value measurement guidance to its financial assets and liabilities, as appropriate, which include financial derivatives and physical commodity contracts qualifying as derivatives, available for sale securities and other financial assets and liabilities. In addition, authoritative accounting literature prescribes the use of a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value based on the source of the data used to develop the price inputs. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to inputs that are based on unobservable market data and include the following:

Level 1
Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. NJR's Level 1 assets and liabilities include exchange traded futures and options contracts, listed equities, and money market funds. Exchange traded futures and options contracts include all energy contracts traded on the NYMEX/CME and ICE that NJR refers internally to as basis swaps, fixed swaps, futures and options that are cleared through a FCM.

Level 2
Other significant observable inputs such as interest rates or price data, including both commodity and basis pricing that is observed either directly or indirectly from publications or pricing services. NJR's Level 2 assets and liabilities include over-the-counter physical forward commodity contracts and swap contracts or derivatives that are initially valued using observable quotes and are subsequently adjusted to include time value, credit risk or estimated transport pricing components for which no basis price is available. Level 2 financial derivatives consist of transactions with non-FCM counterparties (basis swaps, fixed swaps and/or options). For some physical commodity contracts the Company utilizes transportation tariff rates that are publicly available and that it considers to be observable inputs that are equivalent to market data received from an independent source. There are no significant judgments or adjustments applied to the transportation tariff inputs and no market perspective is required. Even if the transportation tariff input was considered to be a “model”, it would still be considered to be a Level 2 input as:

1)     The data is widely accepted and public
2)    The data is non-proprietary and sourced from an independent third party
3)    The data is observable and published


16
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


These additional adjustments are generally not considered to be significant to the ultimate recognized values.

Level 3
Inputs derived from a significant amount of unobservable market data; these include NJR's best estimate of fair value and are derived primarily through the use of internal valuation methodologies.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows:
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
Significant Other Observable Inputs
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
(Thousands)
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Total
As of December 31, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical forward commodity contracts
 
$
—

 
 
$
9,056

 
 
$
—

 
$
9,056

Financial derivative contracts - natural gas
 
27,716

 
 
—

 
 
—

 
27,716

Financial derivative contracts - foreign exchange
 
—

 
 
2

 
 
—

 
2

Available for sale equity securities - energy industry (1)
 
11,192

 
 
—

 
 
—

 
11,192

Other (2)
 
1,442

 
 
—

 
 
—

 
1,442

Total assets at fair value
 
$
40,350

 
 
$
9,058

 
 
$
—

 
$
49,408

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical forward commodity contracts
 
$
—

 
 
$
29,416

 
 
$
—

 
$
29,416

Financial derivative contracts - natural gas
 
54,521

 
 
—

 
 
—

 
54,521

Financial derivative contracts - foreign exchange
 
—

 
 
45

 
 
—

 
45

Total liabilities at fair value
 
$
54,521

 
 
$
29,461

 
 
$
—

 
$
83,982

As of September 30, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical forward commodity contracts
 
$
—

 
 
$
11,823

 
 
$
—

 
$
11,823

Financial derivative contracts - natural gas
 
44,249

 
 
—

 
 
—

 
44,249

Financial derivative contracts - foreign exchange
 
—

 
 
16

 
 
—

 
16

Available for sale equity securities - energy industry (1)
 
11,716

 
 
—

 
 
—

 
11,716

Other (2)
 
1,129

 
 
—

 
 
—

 
1,129

Total assets at fair value
 
$
57,094

 
 
$
11,839

 
 
$
—

 
$
68,933

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical forward commodity contracts
 
$
—

 
 
$
14,595

 
 
$
—

 
$
14,595

Financial derivative contracts - natural gas
 
28,248

 
 
—

 
 
—

 
28,248

Financial derivative contracts - foreign exchange
 
—

 
 
5

 
 
—

 
5

Total liabilities at fair value
 
$
28,248

 
 
$
14,600

 
 
$
—

 
$
42,848

(1)
Included in Other noncurrent assets on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)
Includes various money market funds.

6.
INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY INVESTEES

Investment in equity investees includes NJR's equity method and cost method investments.

Equity Method Investments
(Thousands)
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
Steckman Ridge
$
129,276

$
129,707

Iroquois
22,361

23,084

Total
$
151,637

$
152,791


As of December 31, 2013, the investment in Steckman Ridge includes loans with a total outstanding principal balance of $70.4 million. The loans accrue interest at a variable rate that resets quarterly and are due December 31, 2017.

NJRES and NJNG have entered into transportation, storage and park and loan agreements with Steckman Ridge and Iroquois. See Note 14. Related Party Transactions for more information on these intercompany transactions.


17
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


Cost Method Investments

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, NJR invested $8.8 million in OwnEnergy, a developer of on-shore wind projects, for an 18.7 percent ownership interest and the right, but not the obligation, to purchase certain qualified projects. This investment is accounted for in accordance with the cost method of accounting.

On October 11, 2013, NJRCEV acquired the development rights of the Two Dot wind project in Montana, which is its first onshore wind project. NJRCEV expects to invest approximately $22 million to construct the 9.7 MW wind project.

7.
EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table presents the calculation of the Company's basic and diluted earnings per share for:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands, except per share amounts)
2013
2012
Net income
$
7,693

$
60,206

Basic earnings per share


Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding-basic
42,021

41,695

Basic earnings per common share
$0.18
$1.44
Diluted earnings per share


Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding-basic
42,021

41,695

Incremental shares (1)
218

63

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding-diluted
42,239

41,758

Diluted earnings per common share (2)
$0.18
$1.44
(1)
Incremental shares consist of stock options, stock awards and performance units.
(2)
There were no anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

8.
COMMON STOCK EQUITY

Changes in common stock equity during the three months ended December 31, 2013, are as follows:

(Thousands)
Number of Shares
Common Stock
Premium on Common Stock
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Treasury Stock And Other
Retained Earnings
Total
Balance as of September 30, 2013
41,962

$
112,563

$
300,196

 
$
(1,621
)
 
$
(128,638
)
$
604,884

$
887,384

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7,693

7,693

Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
 
 
 
(183
)
 
 
 
(183
)
Common stock issued under stock plans
111

77

1,544

 

 
3,305


4,926

Cash dividend declared ($.42 per share)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(17,649
)
(17,649
)
Treasury stock and other
(14
)
 
 
 
 
 
(251
)
 
(251
)
Balance as of December 31, 2013
42,059

$
112,640

$
301,740

 
$
(1,804
)
 
$
(125,584
)
$
594,928

$
881,920



18
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table presents the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related tax effects:
(Thousands)
Available for sale securities
Cash flow hedges
Postemployment benefit obligation
Total
Balance as of September 30, 2013
$
5,400

 
$
12

 
$
(7,033
)
 
$
(1,621
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax of $214, $56, $-, $270
(310
)
 
(96
)
 
—

 
(406
)
Losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax of $-, $(36) $(111), $(147)
—

(1) 
62

(2) 
161

(3) 
223

Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax of $214, $20, $(111), $123
(310
)
 
(34
)
 
161

 
(183
)
Balance as of December 31, 2013
$
5,090

 
$
(22
)
 
$
(6,872
)
 
$
(1,804
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of September 30, 2012
$
4,921

 
$
51

 
$
(15,743
)
 
$
(10,771
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax of $221, $35, $-, $256
(320
)
 
(60
)
 
—

 
(380
)
Losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax of $-, $(29) $(203), $(232)
—

(1) 
50

(2) 
413

(3) 
463

Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax of $221, $6, $(203), $24
(320
)
 
(10
)
 
413

 
83

Balance as of December 31, 2012
$
4,601

 
$
41

 
$
(15,330
)
 
$
(10,688
)
(1)
Reclassified to other income in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)
Consists of realized losses related to foreign currency derivatives, which are reclassified to gas purchases in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3)
Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost, a component of operations and maintenance expense in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
9.
DEBT

NJR and NJNG finance working capital requirements and capital expenditures through the issuance of various long-term debt and other financing arrangements, including a commercial paper program and unsecured credit and private placement debt shelf facilities. Amounts available under credit facilities are reduced by bank or commercial paper borrowings, as applicable, and any outstanding letters of credit. Neither NJNG nor the results of its operations are obligated or pledged to support the NJR credit or debt shelf facilities.

A summary of NJR's credit facility and NJNG's commercial paper program and credit facility are as follows:
(Thousands)
December 31, 2013
 
September 30,
2013
 
Expiration Dates
NJR
 
 
 
 
 
Bank revolving credit facility (1)
$
325,000

 
$
325,000

 
August 2017
Notes outstanding at end of period
$
223,100

 
$
97,000

 
 
Weighted average interest rate at end of period
1.09
%
 
1.00
%
 
 
Amount available at end of period (2)
$
101,900

 
$
210,110

 
 
Bank term loan (3)
$
100,000

 
$
100,000

 
September 2014
Loan outstanding at end of period
$
100,000

 
$
100,000

 
 
Weighted average interest rate at end of period
0.72
%
 
0.74
%
 
 
Amount available at end of period
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
Bank letter of credit facility (3) (4)
$
10,000


$
10,000

 
June 2014
NJNG
 
 
 
 
 
Bank credit facility dedicated to EDA Bonds (1) (4)
$
100,000

 
$
100,000

 
August 2015
Bank revolving credit facility (1)
$
250,000

 
$
250,000

 
August 2014
Commercial paper outstanding at end of period
$
180,500

 
$
168,600

 
 
Weighted average interest rate at end of period
0.15
%
 
0.13
%
 
 
Amount available at end of period (5)
$
69,500

 
$
81,400

 
 
(1)
Committed credit facilities, which require commitment fees on the unused amounts.
(2)
Letters of credit outstanding total $19.8 million and $17.9 million as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, which reduces amount available by the same amount.
(3)
Uncommitted.
(4)
There were no borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively.
(5)
Letters of credit outstanding total $731,000 and $266,000 as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, which reduces the amount available by the same amount.

19
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


On January 24, 2014, NJR entered into an agreement for an additional $50 million unsecured committed credit line, which was to expire on the earlier of February 23, 2014, or the effective date of an increase of the revolving credit commitments under the NJR Credit Facility. The additional credit line was put in place primarily to provide additional working capital to NJRES to meet any potential margin calls that may arise in NJRES’ normal course of business. Effective January 31, 2014, NJR utilized the accordion option available under the NJR Credit Facility to increase the amount of credit available from $325 million to $425 million and the additional credit line was thereby terminated on the same date.

NJR Long-term Debt

On May 12, 2011, NJR entered into an unsecured, uncommitted $100 million private placement shelf note agreement allowing NJR to issue senior notes during a two-year issuance period, which expired on May 10, 2013. As of December 31, 2013, NJR had two series of notes outstanding under this agreement, $25 million at 1.94 percent, which will mature on September 15, 2015 and $25 million at 2.51 percent, which will mature on September 15, 2018.

On September 26, 2013, NJR entered into a second unsecured, uncommitted $100 million private placement shelf note agreement allowing NJR to issue senior notes during a three-year issuance period ending September 26, 2016. As of December 31, 2013, $100 million remains available for borrowing under this facility.

On June 30, 2011, NJR entered into an unsecured, uncommitted $75 million private placement shelf note agreement allowing NJR to issue senior notes during a three-year issuance period ending June 30, 2014. As of December 31, 2013, NJR had $50 million at 3.25 percent outstanding under this agreement, which will mature on September 17, 2022.

NJNG Long-term Debt

On April 15, 2013, NJNG issued $50 million of 3.15 percent senior secured notes due April 15, 2028, in the private placement market pursuant to a note purchase agreement entered into on February 8, 2013. Interest is payable semi-annually. The proceeds were used to refinance short-term debt and will fund capital expenditure requirements.

NJNG received $7.6 million and $7.1 million in December 2013 and 2012, respectively, in connection with the sale-leaseback of its natural gas meters. NJNG records a capital lease obligation that is paid over the term of the lease and has the option to purchase the meters back at fair value upon expiration of the lease.

10.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Pension and Other Postemployment Benefit Plans

The components of the net periodic cost for pension benefits, including the Company's Pension Equalization Plan, and OPEB costs (principally health care and life insurance) for employees and covered dependents were as follows:
 
Pension
OPEB
 
Three Months Ended
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
2013
2012
Service cost
$
1,536

$
1,718

$
981

$
1,171

Interest cost
2,516

2,235

1,433

1,287

Expected return on plan assets
(3,869
)
(3,706
)
(1,044
)
(913
)
Recognized actuarial loss
1,399

1,911

625

964

Prior service cost amortization
28

27

(89
)
7

Recognized net initial obligation
—

—

3

(89
)
Net periodic benefit cost
$
1,610

$
2,185

$
1,909

$
2,427


The Company does not expect to be required to make additional contributions to fund the pension plans over the next three fiscal years based on current actuarial assumptions; however, funding requirements are uncertain and can depend significantly on changes in actuarial assumptions, returns on plan assets, interest rates and changes in the demographics of eligible employees and covered dependents. In addition, as in the past, the Company may elect to make contributions in excess of the minimum required amount to the plans. NJR made a discretionary contribution of $20 million to the pension plans during fiscal 2013. There have been no discretionary contributions made during the three months ended December 31, 2013.

20
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part II

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)                                                            

11.
INCOME TAXES

NJR evaluates its tax positions to determine the appropriate accounting and recognition of potential future obligations associated with unrecognized tax benefits. During the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, based on its analysis, the Company determined that there was no need to recognize any liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions.

The effective tax rates for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, are 16.3 percent and 28.5 percent, respectively. The change in the rate is due primarily to the impact of forecasted ITCs, net of deferred taxes, and PTCs for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 of $18.5 million and $13.4 million, respectively.

To calculate the estimated annual effective tax rate, NJR considers solar and wind projects that are probable of being completed and placed in service during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. The estimate includes an assessment of various factors, such as board of director approval, status of contractual agreements, permitting, regulatory approval and interconnection. Adjustments to the effective tax rate and management's estimates will occur as information and assumptions change.

As of December 31, 2013, the Company has state income tax net operating losses of approximately $114.3 million, which generally have a life of 20 years. The Company has recorded a deferred state tax asset of approximately $6.7 million on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, reflecting the tax benefit associated with the loss carryforwards. In addition, as of December 31, 2013 the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $226,000 because it believes that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets related to CR&R and NJR will expire unused. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had a state income tax net operating losses of approximately $104.4 million, a deferred state tax asset of approximately $6.1 million and a valuation allowance of $262,000.

12.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Cash Commitments

NJNG has entered into long-term contracts, expiring at various dates through August 2030, for the supply, storage and delivery of natural gas. These contracts include current annual fixed charges of approximately $98.6 million at current contract rates and volumes, which are recoverable through BGSS.

For the purpose of securing storage and pipeline capacity, NJRES enters into storage and pipeline capacity contracts, which require the payment of certain demand charges by NJRES to maintain the ability to access such natural gas storage or pipeline capacity, during a fixed time period, which generally ranges from one to five years. Demand charges are based on established rates as regulated by the FERC. These demand charges represent commitments to pay storage providers or pipeline companies for the right to store and transport natural gas utilizing their respective assets.

Commitments as of December 31, 2013, for natural gas purchases and future demand fees for the next five fiscal year periods are as follows:
(Thousands)
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Thereafter
NJRES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas purchases
$
337,533

$
45,988

$
15,357

$
—

$
—

$
—

Storage demand fees
21,747

13,819

7,579

5,035

3,318

4,000

Pipeline demand fees
43,745

26,671

13,704

11,965

7,669

4,078

Sub-total NJRES
$
403,025

$
86,478

$
36,640

$
17,000

$
10,987

$
8,078

NJNG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas purchases
$
76,111

$
90,929

$
6,679

$
113

$
—

$
—

Storage demand fees
21,813

22,163

12,396

9,993

9,299

13,948

Pipeline demand fees
50,678

71,145

39,194

34,229

33,960

194,561

Sub-total NJNG
$
148,602

$
184,237

$
58,269

$
44,335

$
43,259

$
208,509

Total (1)
$
551,627

$
270,715

$
94,909

$
61,335

$
54,246

$
216,587

(1)
Does not include amounts related to intercompany asset management agreements between NJRES and NJNG.


21
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


Legal Proceedings

Manufactured Gas Plant Remediation

NJNG is responsible for the remedial cleanup of five MGP sites, dating back to gas operations in the late 1800s and early 1900s that contain contaminated residues from former gas manufacturing operations. NJNG is currently involved in administrative proceedings with the NJDEP, as well as participating in various studies and investigations by outside consultants, to determine the nature and extent of any such contaminated residues and to develop appropriate programs of remedial action, where warranted, under Administrative Consent Orders or Memoranda of Agreement with the NJDEP.

NJNG may, subject to BPU approval, recover its remediation expenditures, including carrying costs, over rolling seven-year periods pursuant to a RA approved by the BPU. In July 2013, NJNG requested approval of its MGP expenditures incurred through June 2013 as well as a reduction in the SBC RA factor to recover $18.7 million annually. The petition was provisionally approved by the BPU on November 22, 2013. As of December 31, 2013, $41.8 million of previously incurred remediation costs, net of recoveries from customers and insurance proceeds, are included in regulatory assets on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

NJNG periodically, and at least annually, performs an environmental review of the MGP sites, including a review of potential liability for investigation and remedial action. NJNG estimated at the time of the review that total future expenditures to remediate and monitor the five MGP sites for which it is responsible, including potential liabilities for Natural Resource Damages that might be brought by the NJDEP for alleged injury to groundwater or other natural resources concerning these sites, will range from approximately $159.8 million to $261.2 million. NJNG's estimate of these liabilities is based upon known facts, existing technology and enacted laws and regulations in place when the review was completed. Where it is probable that costs will be incurred, and the information is sufficient to establish a range of possible liability, NJNG accrues the best estimated amount in the range. If no point within the range is more likely than the other, it is NJNG's policy to accrue the lower end of the range. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2013, NJNG recorded an MGP remediation liability and a corresponding regulatory asset of $183.6 million on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, based on the best estimate. The actual costs to be incurred by NJNG are dependent upon several factors, including final determination of remedial action, changing technologies and governmental regulations, the ultimate ability of other responsible parties to pay and any insurance recoveries.

NJNG will continue to seek recovery of MGP-related costs through the RA. If any future regulatory position indicates that the recovery of such costs is not probable, the related non-recoverable costs would be charged to income in the period of such determination. However, because recovery of such costs is subject to BPU approval, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate recovery through the RA or the impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or cash flows, which could be material.

General

The Company is party to various other claims, legal actions and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business. In the Company's opinion, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

13.
BUSINESS SEGMENT AND OTHER OPERATIONS DATA

NJR organizes its businesses based on its products and services as well as regulatory environment. As a result, the Company manages the businesses through the following reportable segments and other operations: the Natural Gas Distribution segment consists of regulated energy and off-system, capacity and storage management operations; the Energy Services segment consists of unregulated wholesale energy operations; the Clean Energy Ventures segment consists of capital investments in distributed power projects; the Midstream segment consists of NJR's investments in natural gas transportation and storage facilities; the Retail and Other operations consist of heating, cooling and water appliance installation and services, commercial real estate development, other investments and general corporate activities.


22
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


Information related to the Company's various business segments and other operations is detailed below:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Operating revenues
 
 
Natural Gas Distribution
 
 
External customers
$
233,469

$
218,849

Energy Services
 
 
External customers (1)
633,691

503,635

Intercompany
4,018

107

Clean Energy Ventures
 
 
External customers
2,173

3,179

Subtotal
873,351

725,770

Retail and Other
 
 
External customers
9,072

10,355

Intercompany
202

263

Eliminations
(4,220
)
(369
)
Total
$
878,405

$
736,019

Depreciation and amortization
 
 
Natural Gas Distribution
$
9,835

$
9,277

Energy Services
12

11

Clean Energy Ventures
2,511

1,831

Midstream
1

2

Subtotal
12,359

11,121

Retail and Other
207

191

Eliminations
—

(9
)
Total
$
12,566

$
11,303

Interest income (2)
 
 
Natural Gas Distribution
$
261

$
167

Energy Services
—

—

Midstream
268

271

Subtotal
529

438

Retail and Other
—

1

Eliminations
(233
)
(232
)
Total
$
296

$
207

(1)
Includes sales to Canada, which accounted for 3.8 percent and 7.6 percent of total operating revenues during the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
(2)
Included in other income on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

23
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
 
 
Natural Gas Distribution
$
3,984

$
3,584

Energy Services
616

568

Clean Energy Ventures
1,186

783

Midstream
398

591

Subtotal
6,184

5,526

Retail and Other
111

299

Total
$
6,295

$
5,825

Income tax provision (benefit)
 
 
Natural Gas Distribution
$
14,183

$
14,507

Energy Services
(11,273
)
16,164

Clean Energy Ventures
(2,044
)
(7,769
)
Midstream
996

1,243

Subtotal
1,862

24,145

Retail and Other
(191
)
(123
)
Eliminations
(166
)
(42
)
Total
$
1,505

$
23,980

Equity in earnings of affiliates
 
 
Midstream
$
2,942

$
3,491

Eliminations
(800
)
(936
)
Total
$
2,142

$
2,555

Net financial earnings (loss)
 
 
Natural Gas Distribution
$
27,639

$
25,492

Energy Services
7,374

3,014

Clean Energy Ventures
3,614

5,305

Midstream
1,434

1,785

Subtotal
40,061

35,596

Retail and Other
(201
)
(94
)
Eliminations
—

(9
)
Total
$
39,860

$
35,493

Capital expenditures
 
 
Natural Gas Distribution
$
35,401

$
34,145

Clean Energy Ventures
24,917

15,320

Subtotal
60,318

49,465

Retail and Other
205

154

Total
$
60,523

$
49,619


24
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


The chief operating decision maker of the Company is the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer uses NFE as a measure of profit or loss in measuring the results of the Company's segments and operations. A reconciliation of consolidated NFE to consolidated net income is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Consolidated net financial earnings
$
39,860

$
35,493

Less:
 
 
Unrealized loss (gain) from derivative instruments and related transactions(1)
65,652

(18,334
)
Effects of economic hedging related to natural gas inventory
(22,880
)
(20,748
)
Tax adjustments
(10,605
)
14,369

Consolidated net income
$
7,693

$
60,206

(1)
Excludes unrealized losses related to an intercompany transaction between NJNG and NJRES that have been eliminated in consolidation of approximately $285,000 and $67,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The Company uses derivative instruments as economic hedges of purchases and sales of physical gas inventory. For GAAP purposes, these derivatives are recorded at fair value and related changes in fair value are included in reported earnings. Revenues and cost of gas related to physical gas flow is recognized as the gas is delivered to customers. Consequently, there is a mismatch in the timing of earnings recognition between the economic hedges and physical gas flows. Timing differences occur in two ways:

•
Unrealized gains and losses on derivatives are recognized in reported earnings in periods prior to physical gas inventory flows; and

•
Unrealized gains and losses of prior periods are reclassified as realized gains and losses when derivatives are settled in the same period as physical gas inventory movements occur.

NFE is a measure of the earnings based on eliminating these timing differences, to effectively match the earnings effects of the economic hedges with the physical sale of gas. Consequently, to reconcile between GAAP and NFE, current period unrealized gains and losses on the derivatives are excluded from NFE as a reconciling item. Additionally, realized derivative gains and losses are also included in current period net income. However, NFE includes only realized gains and losses related to natural gas sold out of inventory, effectively matching the full earnings effects of the derivatives with realized margins on physical gas flows. NJR also calculates a quarterly tax adjustment based on an estimated annual effective tax rate for NFE purposes.

The Company's assets for the various business segments and business operations are detailed below:
(Thousands)
December 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
Assets at end of period:
 
 
Natural Gas Distribution
$
2,165,350

$
2,094,940

Energy Services
591,430

468,096

Clean Energy Ventures
301,645

253,663

Midstream
152,271

153,536

Subtotal
3,210,696

2,970,235

Retail and Other
90,267

85,293

Intercompany assets (1)
(104,145
)
(50,745
)
Total
$
3,196,818

$
3,004,783

(1)
Consists of transactions between subsidiaries that are eliminated and reclassified in consolidation.


25
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)                                               


14.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

NJRES may periodically enter into storage or park and loan agreements with its affiliated FERC-regulated natural gas storage facility, Steckman Ridge, or transportation agreements with its affiliated FERC-regulated interstate pipeline, Iroquois. As of December 31, 2013, NJRES has entered into storage and park and loan transactions with Steckman Ridge for varying terms, all of which expire in March 2015. Additionally, NJRES has transportation capacity with Iroquois that expires in March 2019. Demand fees, net of eliminations, associated with both Steckman Ridge and Iroquois were $1.6 million and $1.6 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, NJRES had demand fees payable of $143,000 and $392,000 to Steckman Ridge and Iroquois, respectively, which are included in gas purchases payable. As of September 30, 2013, fees payable to Steckman Ridge and Iroquois, were $159,000 and $390,000, respectively.

In January 2010, NJNG entered into a 10-year agreement effective April 1, 2010, for 3 Bcf of firm storage capacity with Steckman Ridge. Under the terms of the agreement, NJNG incurs demand fees, at market rates, of approximately $9.3 million annually, a portion of which is eliminated in consolidation. These fees are recoverable through NJNG's BGSS mechanism and are included in regulatory assets. Additionally, NJNG has transportation capacity with Iroquois that expires by January 2019. Demand fees, net of eliminations, associated with both Steckman Ridge and Iroquois were $1.7 million and $1.4 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. NJNG had demand fees payable to Steckman Ridge in the amount of $776,000 as of December 31, 2013 and $775,000 as of September 30, 2013. NJNG had fees payable to Iroquois of $61,000 as of both December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013.

In December 2009, NJNG and NJRES entered into an asset management agreement that began in January 2010 and ends in March 2015. Under the terms of this agreement, NJNG released certain transportation and storage contracts to NJRES for the entire term of the agreement. NJNG also sold approximately 1 Bcf of natural gas in storage at cost to NJRES. In return, NJNG has the option to purchase index priced gas from NJRES at NJNG's city gate and other delivery locations to maintain operational reliability. In September 2010, NJNG and NJRES entered into an another asset management agreement that began in September 2010 and ends October 2014, whereby NJNG released additional transportation contracts to NJRES for the entire term of the agreement and has the option to purchase index priced gas from NJRES at NJNG's city gate.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS                                                                                                                                                                                   

Critical Accounting Policies

A summary of NJR's critical accounting policies is included in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2013. NJR's critical accounting policies have not changed from those reported in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Refer to Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for discussion of recently issued accounting standards.

Management's Overview

Consolidated

NJR is an energy services holding company providing retail natural gas service in New Jersey and wholesale natural gas and related energy services to customers primarily in the Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent, Appalachian, Northeastern, and Western market areas of the U.S., as well as Canada, through two of its subsidiaries, NJNG and NJRES. In addition, NJR invests in distributed power projects, midstream assets and provides various repair, sales and installations services. A more detailed description of NJR's organizational structure can be found in Item 1. Business of NJR's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

26
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Business Segments

NJR has four primary business segments as presented in the chart below:


In addition to the business segments above, NJR has other non-utility operations that either provide corporate support services or do not meet management's criteria to be treated as a separate business segment. These operations, which comprise Retail and Other, include: appliance repair services, sales and installations at NJRHS; energy-related ventures at NJR Energy and commercial real estate holdings at CR&R.

A summary of the company's consolidated results is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
% change
Operating revenues
$
878,405

$
736,019

19.3
%
Gas purchases
$
774,732

$
566,748

36.7
%

The primary drivers of the changes noted above, which are described in more detail in the individual segment discussions, are as follows:

Operating revenues and gas purchases increased during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, due primarily to:

•
higher average commodity prices at NJRES, which correlate to the higher price levels on the NYMEX, coupled with increased sales volumes; and

•
an increase in firm sales at NJNG as a result of colder weather, customer growth, the return of approximately 75 percent of the customers impacted by Superstorm Sandy in the 1st quarter of fiscal 2013, coupled with higher off-system sales, partially offset by lower BGSS rates.


27
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Net income (loss) by business segment and operations are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
 
2012
Net Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas Distribution
$
27,639

359
 %
 
$
25,492

42
%
Energy Services
(19,386
)
(252
)
 
27,794

46

Clean Energy Ventures
(1,508
)
(19
)
 
5,305

9

Midstream
1,434

19

 
1,785

3

Retail and Other
(201
)
(3
)
 
(94
)
—

Eliminations (1)
(285
)
(4
)
 
(76
)
—

Total
$
7,693

100
 %
 
$
60,206

100
%
(1)
Consists of transactions between subsidiaries that are eliminated in consolidation.

The decrease in net income during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012 was primarily driven by:

•
a decrease at NJRES due primarily to unrealized derivative losses;

•
lower investment tax credits recognized at CEV during the current fiscal quarter; partially offset by

•
an increase at NJNG due primarily to higher margin related to customer growth and infrastructure investments.

Assets by business segment and operations are as follows:
(Thousands)
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2013
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas Distribution
$
2,165,350

68
 %
 
$
2,094,940

70
 %
Energy Services
591,430

18

 
468,096

16

Clean Energy Ventures
301,645

9

 
253,663

8

Midstream
152,271

5

 
153,536

5

Retail and Other
90,267

3

 
85,293

3

Intercompany assets (1)
(104,145
)
(3
)
 
(50,745
)
(2
)
Total
$
3,196,818

100
 %
 
$
3,004,783

100
 %
(1)
Consists of transactions between subsidiaries that are eliminated in consolidation.

The increase in assets during the three months ended December 31, 2013, included additional utility plant expenditures at our Natural Gas Distribution segment and solar and wind expenditures at Clean Energy Ventures. In addition, higher commodity prices and sales volumes contributed to the increase in accounts receivable at Energy Services during three months ended December 31, 2013.

Management of the Company uses NFE, a non-GAAP financial measure, when evaluating its operating results of its Energy Services segment related to financial derivative instruments that have settled and are designed to economically hedge natural gas still in inventory. NFE is a measure of the earnings based on eliminating timing differences surrounding the recognition of certain gains or losses to effectively match the earnings effects of the economic hedges with the physical sale of gas and, therefore, eliminates the impact of volatility to GAAP earnings associated with the derivative instruments. NJR also calculates a quarterly tax adjustment based on an estimated annual effective tax rate for NFE purposes. Any resulting quarterly tax adjustments are applied to its Clean Energy Ventures segment, as such adjustments are related to tax credits generated by NJRCEV. 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 measure.

28
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

The following is a reconciliation of consolidated net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to NFE:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
($ in Thousands)
2013
 
2012
Net income
$
7,693

 
$
60,206

Add:
 
 
 
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments and related transactions
65,652

 
(18,334
)
Effects of economic hedging related to natural gas inventory
(22,880
)
 
(20,748
)
Tax adjustments
(10,605
)
 
14,369

Net financial earnings
$
39,860

 
$
35,493

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
0.18

 
$
1.44

Basic net financial earnings per share
$
0.95

 
$
0.85


NFE by business segment and other operations , discussed in more detail within the operating results sections of each segment, is summarized as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
($ in Thousands)
2013
 
2012
Net Financial Earnings (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas Distribution
$
27,639

69
%
 
$
25,492

72
%
Energy Services
7,374

18

 
3,014

8

Clean Energy Ventures
3,614

9

 
5,305

15

Midstream
1,434

4

 
1,785

5

Retail and Other
(201
)
—

 
(94
)
—

Eliminations (1)
—

—

 
(9
)
—

Total
$
39,860

100
%
 
$
35,493

100
%
(1)
Consists of transactions between subsidiaries that are eliminated in consolidation.

The increase in NFE during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012 was primarily driven by:

•
an increase at NJRES due primarily to higher financial margin from storage assets;

•
an increase at NJNG due primarily an increase in firm sales as a result of colder weather, customer growth, the return of approximately 75 percent of the customers impacted by Superstorm Sandy in the 1st quarter of fiscal 2013, coupled with higher off-system sales, slightly reduced by lower BGSS rates; partially offset by

•
lower SREC revenue at NJRCEV.

Natural Gas Distribution Segment

Overview

NJNG, a natural gas utility that provides regulated retail natural gas service in central and northern New Jersey and also participates in the off-system sales and capacity release markets, comprises our natural gas distribution segment. As a regulated company, NJNG is required to recognize the impact of regulatory decisions on its financial statements. See Note 3. Regulation in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed discussion on regulatory actions, including filings related to programs and associated expenditures as well as rate requests related to recovery of costs.

29
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Our Natural Gas Distribution segment has approximately 501,600 residential and commercial customers in its service territory. The business is subject to various risks, such as those associated with adverse economic conditions, that can negatively impact customer growth, operating and financing costs, fluctuations in commodity prices and customer conservation efforts, which can impact customer usage, certain regulatory actions, environmental remediation and severe weather conditions. It is often difficult to predict the impact of events or trends associated with these risks.

In addition, NJNG's business is seasonal by nature, as weather conditions directly influence the volume of natural gas delivered. Specifically, customer demand substantially increases during the winter months when natural gas is used for heating purposes. As a result, NJNG receives most of its gas distribution revenues during the first and second fiscal quarters and is subject to variations in earnings and working capital during the year.

NJNG's operations are managed with the goal of providing safe and reliable service, growing its customer base, diversifying its margin, promoting clean energy programs and mitigating the risks discussed above, through several key initiatives including:

•
Earning a reasonable rate of return on the investments in its natural gas distribution and transmission systems, as well as timely recovery of all prudently incurred costs in order to provide safe and reliable service throughout NJNG's territory:

-    NJNG is required by the BPU to file a base rate case no later than November 15, 2015;

•
Continuing to invest in the safety and integrity of its infrastructure;

•
Managing its new customer growth rate, which is expected to be approximately 1.5 percent annually over the next two years;

•
Maintaining a collaborative relationship with the BPU on regulatory initiatives, including:

-    planning and authorization of infrastructure investments;

-    pursuing rate and regulatory strategies to stabilize and decouple margin, including the continuation of CIP;

-    utilizing BGSS incentive programs through BPU-approved mechanisms to reduce gas costs and generate earnings;

-    administration and promotion of NJNG's approved SAVEGREEN project;

•
Managing the volatility of wholesale natural gas prices through a hedging program designed to keep customers' BGSS rates as stable as possible; and

•
Working to manage expectations related to its financial obligations associated with its MGP sites.

Superstorm Sandy

In October 2012, high winds, heavy rainfall and the related flooding associated with Superstorm Sandy caused significant damage to portions of NJNG's distribution system. As a result, NJNG curtailed the natural gas infrastructure in certain areas of its service territory that were most heavily damaged, affecting approximately 30,100 of NJNG's customers. As of December 31, 2013, gas service has been restored to approximately 75 percent of those customers. Total capital expenditures associated with the restoration of the affected portions of distribution main were $28.1 million, including $2 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013. In addition, NJNG expects to spend approximately $5.3 million and $5.2 million during fiscal 2014 and 2015, respectively. NJNG filed a petition with the BPU in November 2012, requesting deferral accounting for uninsured incremental O&M costs associated with Superstorm Sandy restoration efforts. NJNG requested that the review of and the appropriate recovery period for such deferred expenses be addressed in NJNG's next base rate case to be filed no later than November 15, 2015. As of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, NJNG had $14.9 million and $14.8 million, respectively, of deferred costs in regulatory assets on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the restoration of its infrastructure. In addition, as a result of the disruption of service to these customers, NJNG lost approximately $1.2 million and $4.7 million in operating revenue and $496,000 and $1.9 million in utility gross margin, during the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.


30
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Infrastructure projects

NJNG has significant annual capital expenditures associated with the management of its natural gas distribution and transmission system, including new utility plant for customer growth and its associated PIM and infrastructure programs.
 
AIP and SAFE

NJNG has implemented BPU-approved infrastructure projects that are designed to enhance the reliability of NJNG's gas distribution system, including AIP and SAFE. The AIP projects were completed in October 2012. NJNG deferred the costs associated with the AIP projects, including a weighted cost of capital, and upon regulatory approval, recovers these investments through its base tariff rates. In August 2012, NJNG received approval from the BPU to recover approximately $8.9 million annually. Effective June 2013, a base rate change was approved by the BPU that permits NJNG to recover an additional $6.5 million annually. Depending on the infrastructure project, recoveries include a weighted average cost of capital of 7.76 percent or 7.12 percent with a return on equity of 10.3 percent.

In October 2012, the BPU approved a stipulation allowing NJNG to implement the SAFE program whereby NJNG is replacing portions of its gas distribution unprotected steel and cast iron infrastructure over a four year period. NJNG will seek to recover $130 million, exclusive of AFUDC accruals, including a weighted average cost of capital of 6.9 percent, with a return on equity of 9.75 percent, in its next base rate case to be filed no later than November 15, 2015.

NGV Advantage

In June 2012, the BPU approved a pilot program for NJNG to invest up to $10 million to build NGV refueling stations in Monmouth, Ocean and Morris counties. As of December 31, 2013, NJNG has begun development of three NGV stations. NJNG will include a cost recovery filing to the BPU in its next base rate case to be filed no later than November 15, 2015. The NGV program was authorized by the BPU to earn an overall weighted average cost of capital of 7.1 percent, including a return on equity of 10.3 percent. A portion of the proceeds from the utilization of the compressed natural gas equipment, along with any available federal and state incentives, will be credited back to ratepayers to help offset the cost of this investment.

NJ RISE

NJNG filed a petition with the BPU in September 2013, seeking approval of NJ RISE, which consists of six capital projects totaling $102.5 million, excluding AFUDC, for gas distribution storm hardening and mitigation projects, along with associated O&M expenses. The submission was made in response to a March 2013 BPU order, initiating a proceeding to investigate prudent, cost efficient and effective opportunities to protect New Jersey’s utility infrastructure from future major storm events. These system enhancements are intended to minimize service impacts during extreme weather events to customers that live in the most storm prone areas of NJNG's service territory. In the filing, NJNG seeks to recover the capital costs associated with NJ RISE through an annual adjustment to its base rate.

Other projects

NJNG is exploring other system enhancements that are designed to support improved reliability in the southern portion of its service territory, referred to as the Southern Reliability Link, as well as to reduce costs associated with the filling of LNG tanks, referred to as Liquefaction.

Below is a summary of estimated capital expenditures for the next two fiscal years:
(Millions)
2014
2015
Customer growth
$
24.7

$
25.6

System maintenance and other
64.2

55.7

AIP/SAFE
31.6

33.7

Superstorm Sandy
5.3

5.2

NGV Advantage
9.0

—

NJ RISE
4.6

13.0

Liquefaction/LNG
16.0

16.3

Southern Reliability
2.3

12.3

Total
$
157.7

$
161.8



31
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Estimated capital expenditures are reviewed on a regular basis and may vary based on the ongoing effects of regulatory oversight, environmental regulations, unforeseen events and the ability to access capital.

Customer growth

In conducting NJNG's business, management focuses on factors it believes may have significant influence on its future financial results. NJNG's policy is to work with all stakeholders, including customers, regulators and policymakers, to achieve favorable results. These factors include the rate of NJNG's customer growth in its service territory, which can be influenced by political and regulatory policies, the delivered cost of natural gas compared with competing fuels, interest rates and general economic and business conditions.

During the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, NJNG added 2,129 and 1,959 new customers and converted 137 and 62 existing customers to natural gas heat and other services. This customer growth represents an estimated increase of approximately $1.2 million annually to utility gross margin assuming normal weather and usage. In addition, NJNG currently expects to add approximately 14,000 to 16,000 new customers during the two-year period of fiscal 2014 and 2015. Based on information from municipalities and developers, as well as external industry analysts and management's experience, NJNG estimates that approximately 50 percent of the growth will come from new construction markets and another 50 percent from customer conversions to natural gas from other fuel sources. This growth would increase utility gross margin under NJNG's base rates by approximately $3.9 million annually, as calculated under NJNG's CIP tariff. See the Natural Gas Distribution Results of Operations section of Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a definition and further discussion of utility gross margin.

SAVEGREEN

SAVEGREEN facilitates home energy audits and provides various grants, incentives and financing alternatives, that are designed to encourage the installation of high efficiency heating and cooling equipment. Depending on the specific incentive or approval, NJNG recovers costs associated with the programs over a two to ten-year period through a tariff rider mechanism. The recovery includes a weighted average cost of capital that ranges from 6.9 percent, with a return on equity of 9.75 percent, to 7.76 percent, with a return on equity of 10.3 percent.

In June 2013, the BPU approved NJNG's 2012 request to extend and expand the current SAVEGREEN program through June 2015, with certain modifications, resulting in grants, incentives and financing investments of more than $85 million, earning a weighted average return of 6.9 percent. In addition, the BPU approved an overall tariff rider rate increase of approximately 1.7 percent that provides a recovery of approximately $12.4 million annually related to NJNG's SAVEGREEN costs and investments on a prospective basis, inclusive of the expanded program features approved by the BPU in June 2013. As of December 31, 2013, the BPU has approved total SAVEGREEN investments of approximately $149.5 million, of which, $71.5 million in grants, rebates and loans has been provided to customers.

Conservation Incentive Program

The CIP eliminates the disincentive to promote conservation and energy efficiency and facilitates normalizing NJNG's utility gross margin for variances not only due to weather but also for other factors affecting customer usage. In March 2013, NJNG and South Jersey Gas Company filed a joint petition with the BPU requesting the continuation of the CIP with certain modifications. The discovery phase remains in process and since no BPU Order on that petition has been issued as of September 2013, the CIP program will continue for up to one additional year or until such an Order is issued, whichever is earlier.

NJNG's total utility firm gross margin includes the following adjustments related to the CIP mechanism:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Weather (1)
$
81

$
3,232

Usage
2,340

3,861

Total
$
2,421

$
7,093

(1)
Compared with the CIP 20-year average, weather was 2.6 percent colder-than-normal during the three months ended December 31, 2013, and 4.1 percent warmer-than-normal during the three months ended December 31, 2012.


32
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Commodity prices

Our Natural Gas Distribution segment is affected by the price of natural gas, which can have a significant impact on our cash flows, short-term financing costs, gas costs recovered from customers, NJNG's ability to collect accounts receivable, which impacts our bad debt expense, and our ability to maintain a competitive advantage over other fuel sources. Natural gas commodity prices may experience high volatility as indicated by NYMEX settlement prices, which serve as a market indicator, as shown below for the 12 month periods ending December 31, 2013 and 2012:
As of December 31, 2013, forward natural gas prices for the next 12 months on the NYMEX, which serve as a forward-looking market indicator, averaged $4.19 per MMBtu, 16.4 percent higher than the average settlement price of $3.60 per MMBtu during fiscal 2013.

A more detailed discussion of the impacts of the price of natural gas to operating revenues, gas purchases and cash flows can be found in the Results of Operations and Cash Flow sections of Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

BGSS

Recovery of natural gas costs

NJNG's cost of gas is passed through to our customers, without markup, by applying NJNG's authorized BGSS tariff rate to actual therms delivered. There is no utility gross margin associated with BGSS costs; therefore, changes in such costs do not impact NJNG's earnings. NJNG monitors its actual gas costs in comparison to its tariff rates to manage its cash flows associated with its allowed recovery of gas costs, which is facilitated through BPU-approved deferred accounting and the BGSS pricing mechanism. Accordingly, NJNG occasionally adjusts its periodic BGSS rates or can issue credits or refunds, as appropriate, for its residential and small commercial customers when the commodity cost varies from the existing BGSS rate. BGSS rates for its large commercial customers are adjusted monthly based on NYMEX prices.

NJNG notified the BPU of its intent to reduce its BGSS rate, in May 2013, effective June 2013, resulting in a 5.2 percent decrease to the average residential heating customer bill, with an annual impact of $26.2 million and again on November 21, 2013, effective December 1, 2013, resulting in a 6 percent decrease to the average residential heating customer bill, with an annual impact of $29.4 million. Refer to Note 3. Regulation in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, for a discussion of BGSS rate actions.


33
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

BGSS Incentive Programs

NJNG is eligible to receive financial incentives through October 2015, for reducing BGSS costs through a series of utility gross margin-sharing programs that include off-system sales, capacity release, storage incentive and FRM programs that are designed to encourage better utilization and hedging of its natural gas supply, transportation and storage assets. Depending on the program, NJNG shares 80 or 85 percent of utility gross margin generated by these programs with firm customers. NJNG is also permitted to propose a process to re-evaluate and discuss alternative incentive programs annually, should performance of the existing incentives or market conditions warrant.

Utility gross margin from incentive programs was $2.5 million and $2.1 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. A more detailed discussion of the impacts to margin can be found in the Results of Operations section of Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Hedging

In order to provide price stability to its natural gas supply portfolio, NJNG employs a hedging strategy with the goal of having at least 75 percent of the Company's projected winter gas purchase volumes hedged by each November 1 and at least 25 percent of the gas purchase requirements hedged for the following April through March period. This is accomplished with financial derivatives, including those that are used in the BGSS incentive programs described below.

Environmental remediation

NJNG is responsible for the environmental remediation of five MGP sites, which contain contaminated residues from former gas manufacturing operations that ceased at these sites by the mid-1950s and, in some cases, had been discontinued many years earlier. Actual MGP remediation costs may vary from management's estimates due to the developing nature of remediation requirements, regulatory decisions by the NJDEP and related litigation. NJNG reviews these costs at the end of each fiscal year and adjusts its liability and corresponding regulatory asset as necessary to reflect its expected future remediation obligation. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2013, NJNG recognized a regulatory asset and an obligation of $183.6 million.

NJNG is currently authorized to recover remediation costs of approximately $18.7 million annually, based on expenditures incurred through June 2013.

Interest Rate Risk

Due to the capital-intensive nature of NJNG's operations and the seasonal nature of its working capital requirements, significant changes in interest rates can also impact NJNG's results. A more detailed discussion can be found in the Liquidity and Capital Resources and Cash Flow sections of Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Operating Results

Utility Gross Margin

NJNG's utility gross margin is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as natural gas revenues less natural gas purchases, sales tax, a TEFA and regulatory rider expenses, and may not be comparable to the definition of gross margin used by others in the natural gas distribution business and other industries. Management believes that utility gross margin provides a more meaningful basis than revenue for evaluating utility operations since natural gas costs, sales tax, TEFA and regulatory rider expenses are included in operating revenue and passed through to customers and, therefore, have no effect on utility gross margin. 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 measure.


34
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

NJNG's operating results are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Utility gross margin
 
 
Operating revenues
$
233,469

$
218,849

Less:
 
 
Gas purchases
115,544

112,161

Energy and other taxes
14,629

14,252

Regulatory rider expense
19,832

13,982

Total utility gross margin
83,464

78,454

Operation and maintenance expenses
27,252

25,191

Depreciation and amortization
9,835

9,277

Other taxes not reflected in utility gross margin
1,074

1,242

Operating income
45,303

42,744

Other income
503

839

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
3,984

3,584

Income tax provision
14,183

14,507

Net income
$
27,639

$
25,492


Operating revenues and gas purchases increased by $14.6 million, or 6.7 percent, and by $3.4 million, or 3 percent, respectively, during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012. A description of the factors contributing to the increases (decreases) in operating revenues and gas purchases are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
2013 v. 2012
(Millions)
Operating
revenue
Gas
purchases
Firm sales
$
15.1

$
7.3

Average BGSS rates (1)
(13.0
)
(12.1
)
Off-system sales
8.5

8.2

CIP adjustments
(4.7
)
—

Superstorm Sandy
3.5

1.8

SAVEGREEN
3.5

—

AIP
2.1

—

Other
(0.4
)
(1.8
)
Total increase
$
14.6

$
3.4

(1)
Operating revenue includes changes in sales tax of $(.9) million during three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012.

An increase in usage related primarily to weather being 6.4 percent colder during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, contributed to increases in operating revenues and gas purchases associated with firm sales. The increase was also due to higher off-system sales revenue driven primarily by a 16.7 percent increase in volumes along with a 1.7 percent increase in the average price of gas sold. These increases were partially offset by lower BGSS rates during the current period along with a decrease in CIP adjustments of $3.2 million related to weather and $1.5 million related to usage. Other includes changes in rider rates, including those related to SAVEGREEN, NJCEP and other programs.


35
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

The following provides more information on the components of Utility Gross Margin and associated throughput (Bcf) of natural gas delivered to customers:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
2013
 
2012
($ in thousands)
Margin
Bcf
 
Margin
Bcf
Utility gross margin/throughput
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
50,560

12.5

 
$
48,335

11.2

Commercial, industrial and other
13,000

2.4

 
12,720

2.2

Firm transportation
17,321

5.0

 
15,174

4.3

Total utility firm gross margin/throughput
80,881

19.9

 
76,229

17.7

BGSS incentive programs
2,456

35.8

 
2,114

32.3

Interruptible
127

1.6

 
111

2.9

Total utility gross margin/throughput
$
83,464

57.3

 
$
78,454

52.9


Utility Firm Gross Margin

Utility firm gross margin is earned from residential and commercial customers who receive natural gas service from NJNG through either sales tariffs, which include a commodity and delivery component, or transportation tariffs, which include a delivery component only.

A description of the factors contributing to the increases in utility firm gross margin are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013 v. 2012
AIP
 
$
2,126

 
Superstorm Sandy
 
1,357

 
Customer impact
 
723

 
SAVEGREEN
 
446

 
Total increase
 
$
4,652

 

The increase in utility firm gross margin during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, was due primarily to increase in revenue related to infrastructure investments and customer growth. In addition, the impact to margin related to Superstorm Sandy was $496,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2013 compared with $1.9 million during the three months ended December 31, 2012, and contributed to the favorable variance in utility gross margin.

The increase in firm transportation margin is due primarily to transfers of customers from residential and commercial sales as a result of increased marketing activity by third party natural gas providers in NJNG's distribution territory. The transfer of customers has no impact on NJNG's total utility firm gross margin since distribution tariff rates are the same for these customer classes.

NJNG's total customers as of September 30, include the following:
 
December 31,
2013
December 31, 2012
Firm customers
 
 
Residential
410,546

410,230

Commercial, industrial & other
25,889

25,878

Residential transport
54,437

47,635

Commercial transport
10,682

9,907

Total firm customers
501,554

493,650

Other
88

83

Total customers
501,642

493,733


36
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

NJNG added 2,129 and 1,959 new customers and converted 137 and 62 existing customers to natural gas heat and other services during the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This customer growth represents an estimated annual increase of approximately .3 Bcf in sales to firm customers, assuming normal weather and usage, which would contribute approximately $1.2 million annually to utility gross margin.

BGSS Incentive Programs

A description of the factors contributing to the increases (decreases) in utility gross margin generated by NJNG's BGSS incentive programs are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013 v. 2012
Off-system sales
 
$
267

 
Capacity release
 
(6
)
 
Storage
 
78

 
FRM
 
3

 
Total increase
 
$
342

 

The increase during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, was due primarily to higher volatility in the market area contributing to increased margins in off-system sales, along with an increase in supply area volatility at storage injection points, which factored into the increase in storage incentive margin.

Operation and Maintenance Expense

A summary and description of the factors contributing to the increases (decreases) in O&M are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013 v. 2012
Compensation and benefits
 
$
1,590

 
Shared corporate costs
 
208

 
Bad debt
 
(154
)
 
Other
 
417

 
Total increase
 
$
2,061

 

The increase in O&M during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, was to due primarily to an increase in compensation and benefits along with various other O&M expenses. The increase in compensation and benefits was driven primarily by higher labor costs related to additional complement and overtime, partially offset by lower pension benefit costs due to an increase in the discount rate.

Depreciation Expense

Depreciation expense increased $558,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2013 as a result of additional utility plant being placed into service.

Operating Income

Operating income increased $2.6 million, during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, due primarily to the increase in total utility gross margin of $5 million, partially offset by increases in O&M and depreciation expense, as previously discussed.


37
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Net Income
 
Net income increased $2.1 million, or 8.4 percent, to $27.6 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013 compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, due primarily to the increase in operating income as previously discussed along with a decrease in income tax provision due to a lower rate for a higher forecasted cost of removal, partially offset by an increase in interest expense associated with long-term debt.

Energy Services Segment

Overview

NJRES is a non-regulated natural gas marketer and is principally engaged in the optimization of natural gas storage and transportation assets. The market areas in which it operates include the Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent, Appalachian, Northeastern and Western regions in the U.S., as well as Canada.

NJRES focuses on creating value from its natural gas assets, which are typically amassed through contractual rights to natural gas transportation and storage capacity within the regions that encompass its market area. Through the use of its capacity contracts, NJRES is able to take advantage of pricing differences between geographic locations, commonly referred to as "locational spreads" or "basis spreads," and pricing differences across time horizons, commonly referred to as "time spreads." To capture these price differences, NJRES may enter into contracts for the future delivery and sales of physical natural gas and simultaneously enters into financial derivative contracts to establish an initial financial margin for each of its forecasted physical commodity transactions. Financial instruments are utilized to economically hedge natural gas inventory placed into storage that will be sold at a later date, all of which were contemplated as part of an entire forecasted transaction. The financial derivative contracts serve to protect the cash flows of the transaction from volatility in commodity prices and can include futures, options, and swap contracts, which are all predominantly actively quoted on the CME/NYMEX. Typically, periods of greater price volatility provide NJRES with additional arbitrage opportunities to generate margin by improving the respective time or locational spreads on a forward basis.

Predominantly all of NJRES' physical purchases and sales of natural gas result in the physical delivery of natural gas. NJRES accounts for its physical commodity contracts and its financial derivative instruments at fair value on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts are included in earnings as a component of operating revenue or gas purchases, as appropriate, on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.Volatility in reported net income at NJRES can occur over periods of time due to changes in the fair value of derivatives, as well as timing differences related to certain transactions. Unrealized gains and losses can fluctuate as a result of changes in the price of natural gas from the original hedge price compared with the market price of natural gas at each reporting date. Volatility in earnings also occurs as a result of timing differences between the settlement of financial derivatives and the sale of the corresponding physical natural gas that was economically hedged. When a financial instrument settles and the natural gas is placed in inventory, the realized gains and losses associated with the financial instrument are recognized in earnings. However, the gains and losses associated with the economically hedged natural gas are not recognized in earnings until the natural gas inventory is sold, at which time NJRES will realize the entire margin on the transaction.

Operating Results

NJRES' financial results are summarized as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Operating revenues
$
637,709

$
503,742

Gas purchases (including demand charges) (1)
663,787

455,754

Gross margin
(26,078
)
47,988

Operation and maintenance expenses
3,585

3,215

Depreciation and amortization
12

11

Other taxes
368

236

Operating (loss) income
(30,043
)
44,526

Other income
—

—

Interest expense, net
616

568

Income tax provision
(11,273
)
16,164

Net (loss) income
$
(19,386
)
$
27,794

(1)
Costs associated with pipeline and storage capacity that are expensed over the term of the related contracts, which varies from less than one year to ten years.

38
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

As of December 31, 2013, NJRES' portfolio of financial derivative instruments was comprised of:

•
73.0 Bcf of net short futures contracts

•
0.9 Bcf of net long option positions

As of December 31, 2012, NJRES' portfolio of financial derivative instruments was comprised of:

•
27.1 Bcf of net short futures contracts and fixed swap positions; and

•
0.7 Bcf of net short basis swap positions.

Operating revenues and gas purchases

Natural gas commodity prices are the primary factor for changes in operating revenues and gas purchases at NJRES. During three months ended December 31, 2013, operating revenues increased $134 million and gas purchases increased $208 million, due primarily to higher average prices, which correlate to the higher price levels on the NYMEX as well as increases in volumes. NYMEX settlement prices averaged $3.60 per MMBtu during the three months ended December 31, 2013 compared with $3.40 per MMBtu during the three months ended December 31, 2012.

Gross margin

Gross margin during the three months ended December 31, 2013, was $74.1 million lower compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, due primarily to a decrease of $83.6 million in unrealized gains during the three months ended December 31, 2013, partially offset by an increase of $2.1 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013, as a result of timing differences in the settlement of certain economic hedges, which are described further below.

Non-GAAP financial measures

Management of the Company uses non-GAAP financial measures, noted as "financial margin" and "NFE," when evaluating the operating results of NJRES. Financial margin and NFE are measures of margin and earnings based on eliminating timing differences associated with certain derivative instruments, as discussed above. Management views these measures as more representative of the overall expected economic result and uses these measures to compare NJRES' results against established benchmarks and earnings targets as these measures eliminate the impact of volatility to GAAP earnings as a result of timing differences associated with these derivative instruments. To the extent that there are unanticipated changes in the markets or to the effectiveness of the economic hedges, NJRES' non-GAAP results can differ from what was originally planned at the beginning of the transaction. 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 measure.

When NJRES reconciles the most directly comparable GAAP measure to both financial margin and NFE, current period unrealized gains and losses on the derivatives are excluded as a reconciling item. Financial margin and NFE also exclude the effects of economic hedging of the value of our natural gas in storage and, therefore, only include realized gains and losses related to natural gas sold out of inventory, effectively matching the full earnings effects of the derivatives with realized margins on the related physical gas flows.

The following table is a computation of NJRES' financial margin:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Operating revenues
$
637,709

$
503,742

Less: Gas purchases
663,787

455,754

Add:
 
 
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments and related transactions
65,201

(18,441
)
Effects of economic hedging related to natural gas inventory
(22,880
)
(20,748
)
Financial margin
$
16,243

$
8,799


39
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

A reconciliation of operating income, the closest GAAP financial measurement, to NJRES' financial margin is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Operating (loss) income
$
(30,043
)
$
44,526

Add:
 
 
Operation and maintenance expenses
3,585

3,215

Depreciation and amortization
12

11

Other taxes
368

236

Subtotal - Gross margin
(26,078
)
47,988

Add:
 
 
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments and related transactions
65,201

(18,441
)
Effects of economic hedging related to natural gas inventory
(22,880
)
(20,748
)
Financial margin
$
16,243

$
8,799


A reconciliation of NJRES' net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP financial measurement to NFE is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Net (loss) income
$
(19,386
)
$
27,794

Add:
 
 
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments and related transactions
65,201

(18,441
)
Effects of economic hedging related to natural gas inventory
(22,880
)
(20,748
)
Tax adjustments
(15,561
)
14,409

Net financial earnings
$
7,374

$
3,014


Financial margin increased $7.4 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, due primarily to higher financial margin from storage assets.

Colder weather during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the prior fiscal quarter contributed to an increase in market volatility and opportunities to generate additional financial margin. The fundamental change in the supply of shale gas and related market volatility is expected to continue to challenge capacity values and NJRES' financial margin and NFE over time, however, NJRES continues to recover value that had been stranded due to these factors and to reduce its overall transportation and storage costs while allowing strategic additions to its portfolio.

Operation and Maintenance Expense

O&M increased $370,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012. The increase was due primarily to increases in consulting and shared corporate services costs.

Net Financial Earnings

NFE increased $4.4 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, due primarily to higher financial margin from storage assets, partially offset by lower financial margin from transportation assets.

Future results are subject to NJRES' ability to maintain and expand its wholesale marketing activities and are contingent upon many other factors, including an adequate number of appropriate counterparties, volatility in the natural gas market, availability of storage arbitrage opportunities, sufficient liquidity in the energy trading market, supply and demand for natural gas and continued access to the capital markets.

40
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Clean Energy Ventures Segment

Overview

Our Clean Energy Ventures segment actively pursues opportunities in the solar renewable energy markets and has entered into various agreements to install solar equipment involving net-metered residential and commercial projects, as well as grid-connected projects. Currently, projects that are placed in service up through December 31, 2016, qualify for a 30 percent federal ITC.

Solar projects placed in service and related ITC eligible expenditures for the three months ended December 31, are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
($ in Thousands)
2013
2012
Placed in service
Projects
MW
ITC Eligible Costs
Projects
MW
ITC Eligible Costs
Net-metered:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
1

0.3

$
988

1

2.4

$
6,591

Residential
175

1.6

5,861

103

0.8

2,967

Grid-connected
1

1.4

4,746

1

6.7

19,286

Total placed in service
177

3.3

$
11,595

105

9.9

$
28,844


As of December 31, 2013, Clean Energy Ventures has placed a total of 59.3 MW of solar assets into service and has 9.2 commercial and 0.3 residential MW under construction. The Company estimates solar-related capital expenditures in fiscal 2014 to be between $70 million and $95 million.

Once projects commence operations or are connected to the grid, for each MWh of electricity produced, an SREC is created. An SREC represents the renewable attributes of the solar-electricity generated and is sold by NJRCEV to counterparties, including certain electric utilities that need to comply with the solar carve-out of New Jersey's renewable portfolio standards.

SREC activity consisted of the following:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
2013
2012
SRECs generated
15,159

9,661

SRECs sold
9,364

25,000

SRECs in inventory at December 31
17,146

13,019


Clean Energy Ventures also has the option to acquire small to mid-size wind projects that fit its investment profile through its 18.7 percent ownership interest in OwnEnergy, a developer of onshore wind projects. On October 11, 2013, NJRCEV acquired the development rights of the Two Dot wind project in Montana, which is its first onshore wind project. NJRCEV expects to invest approximately $22 million to construct the 9.7 MW wind project. This wind project is eligible for a per-kilowatt-hour PTC for a 10-year period following commencement of operation, even though the PTC expired December 31, 2013, since NJRCEV met certain construction milestones prior to December 31, 2013. The project is expected to be operational in the latter half of fiscal 2014 and NJRCEV will recognize the credits when the project produces energy. NJRCEV will also invest approximately $42 million on a second wind project located in Iowa. NJRCEV expects to complete the 20 MW project in fiscal 2015. Both wind projects have 25 year power purchase agreements in place, through which all energy and renewable attributes will be sold to the applicable electricity supplier; however, NJRCEV will retain all PTCs.

Clean Energy Ventures' investments are subject to a variety of factors, such as timing of construction schedules, the permitting and regulatory process, delays related to electric grid interconnection, which can affect our ability to commence operations on a timely basis or, at all, economic trends, the ability to access capital or allocation of capital to other investments or business opportunities

41
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

and other unforeseen events. Solar projects not placed in service, as originally planned prior to the end of a reporting period, would result in a failure to qualify for ITCs and changes in SREC values and could have a significant adverse impact on that period's annual earnings. In addition, since the primary contributors toward the value of qualifying distributed power projects are tax incentives and SRECs, changes in the federal statutes related to the ITC or PTC or in the markets surrounding renewable energy credits, which can be traded or sold to load serving entities that need to comply with state renewable energy standards, could also significantly affect earnings.

Operating Results

The financial results of NJRCEV are summarized as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Operating revenues
$
2,173

$
3,179

Operation and maintenance expenses
2,097

2,269

Depreciation and amortization
2,511

1,831

Other taxes
71

2

Operating (loss)
(2,506
)
(923
)
Other income (loss)
140

(758
)
Interest expense, net
1,186

783

Income tax (benefit)
(2,044
)
(7,769
)
Net (loss) income
$
(1,508
)
$
5,305


Operating revenues consist of the following:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
SREC sales
$
1,434

$
2,912

Energy sales and other
739

267

Total operating revenues
$
2,173

$
3,179


NJRCEV hedges a portion of its expected SREC production through forward sale contracts. As of December 31, 2013, NJRCEV has hedged approximately 34 percent of its SREC inventory and projected SREC production related to its existing commercial assets for energy years 2014 through 2016. Energy years are compliance periods for New Jersey's renewable portfolio standard that run from June 1 to May 31.

Operation and Maintenance Expense

O&M remained relatively flat during the three months ended December 31, 2013 as compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012.

Depreciation Expense

Depreciation expense increased $680,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2013, as compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, as a result of additional solar projects being placed into service.



42
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Income Tax Benefit

NJR’s effective tax rate is significantly impacted by the amount of tax credits forecast to be earned during the fiscal year. GAAP requires NJR to estimate its annual effective tax rate and use this rate to calculate its year-to-date tax provision. Based on projects completed in the first quarter and NJRCEV’s forecast of projects to be completed for the balance of the fiscal year, NJR’s estimated annual effective tax rate is 16.3 percent. Accordingly, $594,000 related to tax credits, net of deferred taxes, were recognized during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with $6.8 million, net of deferred taxes, recognized during the three months ended December 31, 2012.

Net Income

Net income decreased $6.8 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, due primarily to decreased ITCs recognized and operating revenues as well as increased depreciation and interest expenses, partially offset by an increase in other income. Other income during the three months ended December 31, 2013, included insurance recoveries of $140,000 related to Superstorm Sandy, and during the three months ended December 31, 2012, included a $758,000 pre-tax loss associated with the disposal and write-off of a portion of a solar asset that was damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

Non-GAAP financial measures

Management of the Company uses non-GAAP financial measures, noted as "NFE," when evaluating the operating results of Clean Energy Ventures. For NFE purposes an annual estimated effective tax rate is calculated and any necessary quarterly tax adjustment is applied to NJRCEV, as such adjustment is related to tax credits generated by NJRCEV. Accordingly, for NFE purposes, the effective tax rate for fiscal 2014 is estimated at 23.3 percent. Since the effective tax rate is based on certain forecasted assumptions, including estimates surrounding completion of projects, the rate and resulting NFE are subject to change.

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 measure. A reconciliation of NJRCEV's net (loss) income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measurement to NFE is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Net (loss) income
$
(1,508
)
$
5,305

Add:
 
 
Tax adjustments
5,122

—

Net financial earnings
$
3,614

$
5,305


Midstream Segment

Overview

Our Midstream segment invests in natural gas assets, such as natural gas transportation and storage facilities. NJR believes that acquiring, owning and developing these midstream assets, which operate under a tariff structure that has either regulated or market-based rates, can provide a growth opportunity for the Company. To that end, NJR has a 50 percent ownership interest in Steckman Ridge, a storage facility that operates under market-based rates as well as a 5.53 percent ownership interest in Iroquois, a natural gas pipeline operating with regulated rates. NJR is pursuing other potential opportunities that meet its investment and development criteria.

As of December 31, 2013, NJR's net investments in Steckman Ridge and Iroquois were $129.3 million and $22.4 million, respectively.





43
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Operating Results

The financial results of Midstream are summarized as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Equity in earnings of affiliates
$
2,942

$
3,491

Operation and maintenance expenses
$
346

$
140

Interest expense, net
$
130

$
320

Income tax provision
$
996

$
1,244

Net income
$
1,434

$
1,785


Equity in earnings, which is driven primarily by storage revenues generated by Steckman Ridge and transportation revenues generated by Iroquois, is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Steckman Ridge
$
2,005

$
2,315

Iroquois
937

1,176

Total equity in earnings
$
2,942

$
3,491


Retail and Other Operations

Overview

The financial results of Retail and Other have consisted primarily of the operating results of NJRHS, CR&R, and NJR Energy. NJRHS provides service, sales and installation of appliances to approximately 120,000 service contract customers and has been focused on growing its installation business and expanding its service contract customer base. CR&R seeks additional opportunities to enhance the value of its building and undeveloped land. NJR Energy invests in other energy-related ventures. Retail and Other also include organizational expenses incurred at NJR.

Operating Results

The consolidated financial results of Retail and Other are summarized as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
(Thousands)
2013
2012
Operating revenues
$
9,274

$
10,618

Operation and maintenance expenses
$
8,945

$
9,497

Net (loss)
$
(201
)
$
(94
)

Operating revenues decreased $1.3 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013 compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, due primarily to an increase in the demand for generators and other equipment following Superstorm Sandy, which generated higher revenue from installation services during the three months ended December 31, 2012.

O&M decreased $552,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, due primarily to lower equipment and labor costs during the three months ended December 31, 2013, corresponding to the decrease in installations, as discussed above.


44
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Net loss remained relatively flat during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2012, due primarily to decreased revenues, partially offset by decreased O&M, as previously discussed, as well as gain after closing costs of $186,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2013 associated with the sale of 25.4 acres of undeveloped land at CR&R.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

NJR's objective is to maintain an efficient consolidated capital structure that accommodates the different characteristics of each business segment and business operations and provides adequate financial flexibility for accessing capital markets as required.

NJR's consolidated capital structure was as follows:
 
December 31, 2013
September 30, 2013
Common stock equity
45
%
48
%
Long-term debt
26

28

Short-term debt
29

24

Total
100
%
100
%

Common stock equity

NJR satisfies its external common equity requirements, if any, through issuances of its common stock, including the proceeds from stock issuances under its DRP and proceeds from the exercise of options issued under the Company's long-term incentive program. The DRP allows NJR, at its option, to use treasury shares or newly issued shares to raise capital. NJR raised approximately $23.8 million of equity through the DRP during fiscal 2013, by issuing 571,000 new shares. NJR also raised $3.6 million and $3.4 million of equity through the DRP, by issuing 79,464 and 74,668 shares of treasury stock, during the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

In 1996, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to implement a share repurchase program, which has been expanded seven times since the inception of the program. In July 2013, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the number of shares of NJR common stock authorized for repurchase under NJR's Share Repurchase Plan by one million shares to a total of 9.75 million shares. As of December 31, 2013, the Company repurchased a total of approximately 8.1 million of the authorized shares. There were no share repurchases during the three months ended December 31, 2013.

Debt

NJR and its unregulated subsidiaries generally rely on cash flows generated from operating activities, utilization of committed credit facilities and the issuance of commercial paper to provide liquidity to meet working capital and external debt-financing requirements. NJR may from time to time look to access the capital markets to fund long-life assets.

NJR believes that its existing borrowing availability and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to satisfy its and its subsidiaries' working capital, capital expenditures and dividend requirements for the next 12 months. NJR, NJNG, NJRCEV and NJRES currently anticipate that each of their financing requirements for the next 12 months will be met primarily through the issuance of short and long-term debt, meter sale-leasebacks and proceeds from the Company's DRP.

NJR believes that as of December 31, 2013, NJR and NJNG were, and currently are, in compliance with all existing debt covenants, both financial and non-financial.

Long-Term Debt

NJR

NJR has a $50 million, 6.05 percent senior unsecured note, issued through the private placement market, maturing in September 2017.


45
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

On September 26, 2013, NJR entered into an unsecured, uncommitted $100 million private placement shelf note agreement with MetLife. The MetLife Facility, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, allows NJR to issue senior notes to MetLife or certain of MetLife's affiliates from time to time during a three-year issuance period ending September 26, 2016, on terms and conditions, including interest rates and maturity dates, to be agreed upon in connection with each note issuance. Any notes issued under the MetLife Facility will be guaranteed by certain unregulated subsidiaries of NJR. As of December 31, 2013, $100 million remains available for borrowing under the MetLife Facility.

NJR has outstanding $25 million of 1.94 percent senior notes due September 15, 2015, and $25 million of 2.51 percent senior notes due September 15, 2018, which were issued under a now-expired facility with MetLife.

In June 2011, NJR entered into an unsecured, uncommitted $75 million private placement shelf note agreement with Prudential. The Prudential Facility, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, allows NJR to issue senior notes to Prudential or certain of Prudential's affiliates from time to time during a three-year issuance period ending June 30, 2014, on terms and conditions, including interest rates and maturity dates, to be agreed upon in connection with each note issuance. In September 2012, NJR issued $50 million of 3.25 percent senior notes due September 17, 2022. The notes issued under the Prudential Facility are guaranteed by certain unregulated subsidiaries of NJR. As of December 31, 2013, $25 million remains available for borrowing under the Prudential Facility.

NJNG

As of December 31, 2013, NJNG's long-term debt consisted of a $60 million, 4.77 percent unsecured senior note maturing in March 2014, $222.8 million in secured fixed-rate debt issuances, with maturities ranging from 2018 to 2040 , $97 million in secured variable rate debt with maturities ranging from 2027 to 2041 and $57.7 million in capital leases with various maturities ranging from 2014 to 2021.

On April 15, 2013, NJNG issued $50 million of 3.15 percent senior secured notes (3.15 percent notes) due April 15, 2028, in the private placement market pursuant to a note purchase agreement entered into on February 8, 2013. The 3.15 percent notes are secured by an equal principal amount of NJNG's First Mortgage Bonds (Series PP) issued under NJNG's Indenture, until the Release Date. The Release Date, as defined in the note purchase agreement, is the date at which the security provided by the pledge under the Mortgage Indenture would no longer be available to holders of any outstanding series of NJNG's senior secured notes and such indebtedness would become senior unsecured indebtedness. The proceeds from the 3.15 percent notes were used to refinance short-term debt and will fund capital expenditure requirements. The 3.15 percent notes are subject to required prepayments upon the occurrence of certain events and NJNG may at any time prepay all or a portion of the 3.15 percent notes at a make-whole prepayment price.

NJR is not obligated directly or contingently with respect to the 3.15 percent notes or the First Mortgage Bonds.

Long-Term Debt Covenants and Default Provisions

The NJR and NJNG long-term debt instruments contain customary representations and warranties for transaction of their type. They also contain customary events of default and certain covenants that will limit NJR or NJNG’s ability beyond agreed upon thresholds to, among other things:

•Incur additional debt (including a covenant that limits the amount of consolidated total debt of the borrower at the end of a fiscal quarter to 65 percent of the consolidated total capitalization of the borrower, as those terms are defined in the applicable agreement, and a covenant limiting priority debt to 20 percent of the borrower’s consolidated total capitalization, as those terms are defined in the applicable agreement);

•Incur liens and encumbrances;

•Make loans and investments;

•Make dispositions of assets;

•Make dividends or restricted payments;

•Enter into transactions with affiliates; and

•Merge, consolidate, transfer, sell or lease substantially all of the borrower’s assets.

46
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

The aforementioned covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications set forth in the applicable note purchase agreements.

Short-Term Debt

NJR uses its short-term borrowings primarily to finance its share repurchases, to satisfy NJRES' short-term liquidity needs and to finance, on an initial basis, NJR's unregulated NJRCEV investments. NJRES' use of high volume storage facilities and anticipated pipeline park-and-loan arrangements, combined with related economic hedging activities in the volatile wholesale natural gas market, create significant short-term cash requirements.

NJNG satisfies its debt needs by issuing short- and long-term debt based upon its financial profile. The seasonal nature of NJNG's operations creates large short-term cash requirements, primarily to finance natural gas purchases and customer accounts receivable. NJNG obtains working capital for these requirements, and for the temporary financing of construction and MGP remediation expenditures and energy tax payments, through the issuance of commercial paper supported by the NJNG Credit Facility or through short-term bank loans under the NJNG Credit Facility.

As of December 31, 2013, NJR had a revolving credit facility totaling $325 million as described below, with $102 million available under the facility. Additionally, NJR has entered into a $100 million one-year term loan credit agreement, which as of December 31, 2013, had $100 million outstanding with no amount remaining for future borrowings.

NJNG’s commercial paper is sold through several commercial banks under an issuing and paying agency agreement and is supported by the $250 million NJNG Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2013, the unused amount available under the NJNG Credit Facility, including amounts allocated to the backstop under the commercial paper program and the issuance of letters of credit, was $69.5 million. In addition, the JPMC Facility providing liquidity support for NJNG's VRDNs has not been used to date.

Due to the seasonal nature of natural gas prices and demand, NJR and NJNG's short-term borrowings tend to peak in the winter months.

Short-term borrowings were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
(Thousands)
December 31, 2013
NJR
 
Notes Payable to banks:
 
Balance at end of period
$
323,100

Weighted average interest rate at end of period
0.96
%
Average balance for the period
$
246,865

Weighted average interest rate for average balance
0.95
%
Month end maximum for the period
$
323,100

NJNG
 
Commercial Paper and Notes Payable to banks:
 
Balance at end of period
$
180,500

Weighted average interest rate at end of period
0.15
%
Average balance for the period
$
187,338

Weighted average interest rate for average balance
0.15
%
Month end maximum for the period
$
204,500


NJR

As noted above, based on its average borrowings during the three months ended December 31, 2013, NJR's average interest rate was .95 percent, resulting in interest expense of $603,000. Based on average borrowings under the NJR Credit Facility of $246.9 million during the period, a 100 basis point change in the underlying average interest rate would have caused a change in interest expense of approximately $631,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2013.

47
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

As of December 31, 2013, NJR has five letters of credit outstanding totaling $19.8 million, which reduces the amount available under the NJR Credit Facility by the same amount.

On September 13, 2013, NJR entered into a $100 million Term Loan Credit Agreement, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as a Lender and Administrative Agent, which is scheduled to terminate on September 15, 2014.

As of December 31, 2013, NJR had $100 million outstanding under the JPMC Term Loan with no amount remaining for future borrowings. During three months ended December 31, 2013, NJR's average interest rate under the JPMC Term Loan was .73 percent.

In June 2013, NJR entered into an agreement permitting the issuance of stand-alone letters of credit for up to $10 million through June 5, 2014. No amounts have been drawn under this arrangement as of December 31, 2013.

On January 24, 2014, NJR entered into an agreement for an additional $50 million unsecured committed credit line, which was to expire on the earlier of February 23, 2014, or the effective date of an increase of the revolving credit commitments under the NJR Credit Facility. The additional credit line was put in place primarily to provide additional working capital to NJRES to meet any potential margin calls that may arise in NJRES’ normal course of business. Effective January 31, 2014, NJR utilized the accordion option available under the NJR Credit Facility to increase the amount of credit available from $325 million to $425 million and the additional credit line was thereby terminated on the same date.

NJNG

During the three months ended December 31, 2013, based on its average commercial paper outstanding, NJNG's weighted average interest rate on its short-term debt was .15 percent, resulting in interest expense of $72,000. Based on average borrowings under the NJNG Credit Facility and commercial paper program of $187.3 million during the period, a 100 basis point change in the underlying average interest rate would have caused a change in interest expense of approximately $479,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2013.

As of December 31, 2013, NJNG has two letters of credit outstanding totaling approximately $731,000. These letters of credit reduce the amount available under NJNG's committed credit facility by the same amount. NJNG does not anticipate that these letters of credit will be drawn upon by the counterparties. These letters of credit are used for collateral for soil remediation systems and expire on August 11, 2014.

Short-Term Debt Covenants

Borrowings under the NJR Credit Facility, NJNG Credit Facility, JPMC Term Loan and JPMC Facility are conditioned upon compliance with a maximum leverage ratio (consolidated total indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization as defined in the applicable agreements), of not more than .65 to 1.00 at any time. These revolving credit facilities and the JPMC Term Loan contain customary representations and warranties for transactions of this type. They also contain customary events of default and certain covenants that will limit NJR or NJNG's ability beyond agreed upon thresholds, to, among other things:

•incur additional debt;

•incur liens and encumbrances;

•make dispositions of assets;

•enter into transactions with affiliates; and

•merge, consolidate, transfer, sell or lease all or substantially all of the borrower's or guarantors' assets.

These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications set forth in the applicable agreements.


48
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Default Provisions

The agreements governing our long-term and short-term debt obligations include provisions that, if not complied with, could require early payment or similar actions. The most important default events include:

•defaults for non-payment;

•defaults for breach of representations and warranties;

•defaults for insolvency;

•defaults for non-performance of covenants;

•cross-defaults to other debt obligations of the borrower; and

•guarantor defaults.

The occurrence of an event of default under these agreements could result in all loans and other obligations of the borrower becoming immediately due and payable and the credit facilities or term loan being terminated.

Sale-Leaseback

NJNG received $7.6 million and $7.1 million in December 2013 and 2012, respectively, in connection with the sale-leaseback of its natural gas meters. NJNG expects to continue this sale-leaseback program on an annual basis, subject to market conditions.

Contractual Obligations

NJNG's total capital expenditures are projected to be $157.7 million and $161.8 million, in fiscal 2014 and 2015, respectively, and include estimated SAFE construction costs of $31.6 million and $33.7 million, respectively. Total capital expenditures during the three months ended December 31, 2013 were $34.1 million, of which $10.6 million was related to SAFE. In November 2012, NJNG filed a petition with the BPU requesting deferral accounting for actually incurred uninsured incremental O&M costs associated with Superstorm Sandy. As of December 31, 2013, NJNG has deferred $14.9 million in regulatory assets for future recovery. In addition, NJNG requested the review of and the appropriate amortization period for such deferred expenses be addressed in the Company's next base rate case to be filed no later than November 15, 2015. However, there can be no assurances that such recovery mechanisms will be available or, if available, no assurances can be given relative to the timing or amount of such recovery.

NJNG expects to fund its obligations with a combination of cash flow from operations, cash on hand, issuance of commercial paper, available capacity under its revolving credit facility, the issuance of long-term debt and contributions from NJR.

As of December 31, 2013, NJNG's future MGP expenditures are estimated to total $183.6 million. For a more detailed description of MGP see Note 12. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Estimated capital expenditures are reviewed on a regular basis and may vary based on the ongoing effects of regulatory constraints, environmental regulations, unforeseen events, and the ability to access capital.

NJRCEV's expenditures include discretionary spending on capital projects that support NJR's goal to promote clean energy. Accordingly, NJRCEV enters into agreements to install solar equipment involving both residential and commercial projects. Total solar-related capital expenditures during the three months ended December 31, 2013 were $24.9 million. The Company estimates solar-related capital expenditures in fiscal 2014 to be between $70 million and $95 million, of which $24.9 million has been spent and an additional $71.7 million has been committed or accrued. In addition, on October 11, 2013, NJRCEV acquired the development rights of the Two Dot wind project in Montana, which is its first onshore wind project. NJRCEV expects to invest approximately $22 million to construct the 9.7 MW wind project. The project is expected to be operational in the latter half of fiscal 2014. NJRCEV will also invest approximately $42 million on a second wind project located in Iowa. NJRCEV expects to complete the 20 MW project in fiscal 2015.


49
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Capital expenditures related to distributed power projects are subject to change due to a variety of factors, including logistics associated with the start-up of residential and commercial solar projects, such as timing of construction schedules, the permitting and regulatory process, any delays related to electric grid interconnection, which may affect our ability to commence operations at these projects on a timely basis or, at all, economic trends, unforeseen events and the ability to access capital or allocation of capital to other investments or business opportunities.

NJRES does not currently anticipate any significant capital expenditures in fiscal 2014 and 2015.

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet arrangements, with the exception of guarantees covering approximately $370.2 million of natural gas purchases and demand fee commitments and outstanding letters of credit totaling $20.6 million, as noted above.

Cash Flow

Operating Activities

As presented on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, cash flow used in operating activities totaled $68.8 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with $45 million during the three months ended December 31, 2012. Operating cash flows are primarily affected by variations in working capital, which can be impacted by the following:
 
•seasonality of NJR's business;

•fluctuations in wholesale natural gas prices, including changes in derivative asset and liability values;

•timing of storage injections and withdrawals;

•the deferral and recovery of gas costs;

•changes in contractual assets utilized to optimize margins related to natural gas transactions;

•broker margin requirements;

•timing of the collections of receivables and payments of current liabilities; and

•volumes of natural gas purchased and sold.

During the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase in broker margin requirements at NJRES as a result of the impact from higher commodity prices on open positions was the primary factor in the increase in cash used in operating activities.

Investing Activities

Cash flow used in investing activities totaled $54 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with $49.2 million during the three months ended December 31, 2012. The increase was due primarily to an increase in capital expenditures of $8.1 million related to wind projects and $1.5 million related to solar projects at NJRCEV.

Financing Activities

Financing cash flows generally are seasonal in nature and are impacted by the volatility in pricing in the natural gas markets. NJNG's inventory levels are built up during its natural gas injection season (April through October) and reduced during withdrawal season (November through March) in response to the supply requirements of its customers. Changes in financing cash flows can also be impacted by the funding needs of the gas management and marketing functions at NJRES and distributed power investments at NJRCEV.


50
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (Continued)                                                                                                                                                             

Cash flow from financing activities totaled $129.9 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013, compared with $92.9 million during the three months ended December 31, 2012. The increase is due primarily to an increase in short-term borrowings at NJR, partially offset by a decrease in dividend payments when compared with the prior fiscal quarter, which included an accelerated dividend payment the company made to shareholders due to NJR's anticipation of a federal tax increase on dividends that would become effective on January 1, 2013.

Credit Ratings

On January 30, 2014, Moody’s upgraded NJNG’s senior secured rating from Aa3 to Aa2, while maintaining a stable outlook. The rating upgrade was driven primarily by the overall credit supportiveness of the regulatory environment under which NJNG operates. In its review of NJNG’s credit rating, Moody’s considered the BPU's continued support of NJNG’s rate mechanisms, which allows for timely recovery of costs, including those associated with NJNG’s BGSS and CIP. In addition, the favorable recovery of investments related to NJNG’s infrastructure and energy efficiency programs factored into the rating upgrade.

The table below summarizes NJNG's current credit ratings issued by two rating entities, S&P and Moody's:
 
Standard and Poor's
Moody's
Corporate Rating
A
N/A
Commercial Paper
A-1
P-1
Senior Secured
A+
Aa2
Ratings Outlook
Stable
Stable

NJNG is not party to any lending agreements that would accelerate the maturity date of any obligation caused by a failure to maintain any specific credit rating. If such ratings are downgraded below investment grade, borrowing costs could increase, as would the costs of maintaining certain contractual relationships and future financing. Even if ratings are downgraded without falling below investment grade, NJR and NJNG could still face increased borrowing costs under their credit facilities. A rating set forth above is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold the Company's or NJNG's securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time. Each rating set forth above should be evaluated independently of any other rating.

The timing and mix of any external financings will target a common equity ratio that is consistent with maintaining the Company's current short-term and long-term credit ratings.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK                                              

Financial Risk Management

Commodity Market Risks

Natural gas is a nationally traded commodity. Its prices are determined effectively by the NYMEX and over-the-counter markets. The prices on the NYMEX/CME, ICE and over-the-counter markets generally reflect the national balance of natural gas supply and demand, but are also significantly influenced from time to time by other events.

The regulated and unregulated natural gas businesses of NJR and its subsidiaries are subject to market risk due to fluctuations in the price of natural gas. To economically hedge against such fluctuations, NJR and its subsidiaries have entered into forwards, futures contracts, options agreements and swap agreements. To manage these derivative instruments, NJR has well-defined risk management policies and procedures that include daily monitoring of volumetric limits and monetary guidelines. NJR's natural gas businesses are conducted through three of its operating subsidiaries. NJNG is a regulated utility that uses futures, options and swaps to economically hedge against price fluctuations, and its recovery of natural gas costs is governed by the BPU. NJRES uses futures, options, swaps and physical contracts to economically hedge purchases and sales of natural gas and NJR Energy from time to time may enter into energy-related ventures. Financial derivatives have historically been transacted on an exchange and cleared through an FCM, thus requiring daily cash margining for a majority of NJRES' and NJNG's positions. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, certain of NJRES' and NJNG's other transactions that were previously executed in the over-the-counter markets are now cleared through an FCM, resulting in increased margin requirements. The related cash flow impact from the increased requirements is expected to be minimal. Non-financial (physical) derivatives utilized by the Company have received statutory exclusion from similar Dodd-Frank provisions due to the element of physical settlement.

51
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK (Continued)                         

The following table reflects the changes in the fair market value of financial derivatives related to natural gas purchases and sales from September 30, 2013 to December 31, 2013:
 
Balance
Increase
Less
Balance
(Thousands)
September 30, 2013
(Decrease) in Fair
Market Value
Amounts
Settled
December 31, 2013
NJNG
 
$
1,438

 
$
6,527

 
$
1,418

 
$
6,547

NJRES
 
14,563

 
(34,983
)
 
12,932

 
(33,352
)
Total
 
$
16,001

 
$
(28,456
)
 
$
14,350

 
$
(26,805
)

There were no changes in methods of valuations during the three months ended December 31, 2013.

The following is a summary of fair market value of financial derivatives at December 31, 2013, excluding foreign exchange contracts discussed below, by method of valuation and by maturity for each fiscal year period:
(Thousands)
2014
2015
2016 - 2018
After 2018
Total
Fair Value
Price based on NYMEX/CME
$
(3,539
)
$
(464
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
—

 
$
(4,011
)
Price based on ICE
(17,943
)
(3,042
)
 
(1,809
)
 
—

 
(22,794
)
Total
$
(21,482
)
$
(3,506
)
 
$
(1,817
)
 
$
—

 
$
(26,805
)

The following is a summary of financial derivatives by type as of December 31, 2013:
 
 
Volume Bcf
Price per MMBtu
Amounts included in Derivatives (Thousands)
NJNG
Futures
24.5

$3.10 - $4.16
 
$
6,547

 
Options
—

—
 
—

NJRES
Futures
(73.0
)
$3.29 - $9.14
 
(33,353
)
 
Swaps
—

—
 
—

 
Options
0.9

$0.02 - $0.02
 
1

Total
 
 
 
 
$
(26,805
)

The following table reflects the changes in the fair market value of physical commodity contracts from September 30, 2013 to December 31, 2013:
 
Balance
Increase
Less
Balance
(Thousands)
September 30, 2013
(Decrease) in Fair
Market Value
Amounts
Settled
December 31, 2013
NJRES - Prices based on other external data
 
$
(2,772
)
 
(26,595
)
 
(9,007
)
 
$
(20,360
)

The Company's market price risk is predominately related to changes in the price of natural gas at Henry Hub, which is the delivery point for the NYMEX natural gas futures contracts. As the fair value of futures and our fixed swaps is derived from this location, the price sensitivity analysis below has been prepared for all open Henry Hub natural gas futures and fixed swap positions. Based on this, an illustrative 10 percent movement in Henry Hub natural gas futures contract prices for example, increases (decreases) the reported derivative fair value of all open, unadjusted Henry Hub natural gas futures and fixed swap positions by approximately $17.5 million. This analysis does not include potential changes to reported credit adjustments embedded in the $20 million reported fair value.

Derivative Fair Value Sensitivity Analysis
 
(Thousands)
Henry Hub Futures and Fixed Price Swaps
Percent increase in NYMEX natural gas futures prices
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
Estimated change in derivative fair value
$
—

$
(8,727
)
$
(17,453
)
$
(26,179
)
$
(34,905
)
Ending derivative fair value
$
(19,995
)
$
(28,722
)
$
(37,448
)
$
(46,174
)
$
(54,900
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percent decrease in NYMEX natural gas futures prices
0%
(5)%
(10)%
(15)%
(20)%
Estimated change in derivative fair value
$
—

$
8,727

$
17,453

$
26,179

$
34,905

Ending derivative fair value
$
(19,995
)
$
(11,268
)
$
(2,542
)
$
6,184

$
14,910


52
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK (Continued)                         

Wholesale Credit Risk

The following is a summary of gross and net credit exposures, grouped by investment and noninvestment grade counterparties, as of December 31, 2013. Gross credit exposure is defined as the unrealized fair value of derivative and energy trading contracts plus any outstanding wholesale receivable for the value of natural gas delivered and/or financial derivative commodity contract that has settled for which payment has not yet been received. Net credit exposure is defined as gross credit exposure reduced by collateral received from counterparties and/or payables, where netting agreements exist. The amounts presented below exclude accounts receivable for NJNG retail natural gas sales and services.

NJRES' counterparty credit exposure as of December 31, 2013, is as follows:
(Thousands)
Gross Credit Exposure
Net Credit Exposure
Investment grade
 
$
232,554

 
$
174,824

Noninvestment grade
 
41,853

 
17,113

Internally rated investment grade
 
12,270

 
605

Internally rated noninvestment grade
 
6,195

 
493

Total
 
$
292,872

 
$
193,035

NJNG's counterparty credit exposure as of December 31, 2013, is as follows:
(Thousands)
Gross Credit Exposure
Net Credit Exposure
Investment grade
 
$
17,681

 
$
13,786

Noninvestment grade
 
1,053

 
608

Internally rated investment grade
 
381

 
59

Internally rated noninvestment grade
 
238

 
—

Total
 
$
19,353

 
$
14,453


Due to the inherent volatility in the prices of natural gas commodities and derivatives, the market value of contractual positions with individual counterparties could exceed established credit limits or collateral provided by those counterparties. If a counterparty failed to perform the obligations under its contract (for example, failed to deliver or pay for natural gas), the Company could sustain a loss. This loss would comprise the loss on natural gas delivered but not paid for and/or the cost of replacing natural gas not delivered or received at a price that is unfavorable to the price in the original contract. Any such loss could have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Information regarding NJR's interest rate risk can be found in Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks and the Liquidity and Capital Resources - Debt section of Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2013.

Effects of Inflation

Although inflation rates have been relatively low to moderate in recent years, any change in price levels has an effect on operating results due to the capital-intensive and regulated nature of the Company's utility subsidiary. The Company attempts to minimize the effects of inflation through cost control, productivity improvements and regulatory actions when appropriate.


53
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part I


ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES                                                                                                                             

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of end of the period covered by this report, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective, to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2013, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

54
New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part II


ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS                                                                                                                                                

Information regarding reportable legal proceedings is contained in Part I, “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” in NJR's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013, and is set forth in Part I, Item 1, Note 12. Commitment and Contingent Liabilities-Legal Proceedings on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. No legal proceedings became reportable during the quarter ended December 31, 2013, and there have been no material developments during such quarter regarding any previously reported legal proceedings, which have not been previously disclosed.


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS                                                                                                                                                             

While NJR attempts to identify, manage and mitigate risks and uncertainties associated with its business to the extent practical, under the circumstances, some level of risk and uncertainty will always be present. Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of NJR's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K includes a detailed discussion of NJR's risk factors. Those risks and uncertainties have the potential to materially affect NJR's financial condition and results of operations. There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALE OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS                                                  

The following table sets forth NJR's repurchase activity for the quarter ended December 31, 2013:
Period
Total Number of Shares
(or Units) Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
10/01/13 - 10/31/13
—

$
—

—

 
1,649,727
 
11/01/13 - 11/30/13
—

$
—

—

 
1,649,727
 
12/01/13 - 12/31/13
—

$
—

—

 
1,649,727
 
Total
—

$
—

—

 
1,649,727
 

The stock repurchase plan, which was authorized by our Board of Directors, became effective in September 1996 and as of December 31, 2013, included 9.75 million shares of common stock for repurchase, of which, approximately 1,650,000 shares remained available for repurchase. The stock repurchase plan will expire when we have repurchased all shares authorized for repurchase thereunder, unless the repurchase plan is earlier terminated by action of our Board of Directors or further shares are authorized for repurchase.


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New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part II

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS                                                                                                                                                                         

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
31.1+
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
 
31.2+
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
 
32.1+ †
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
 
32.2+ †
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
 
101+
Interactive Data File (Form 10-Q, for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2013, furnished in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language)).
_______________________________

+
Filed herewith.
†    This certificate accompanies this report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed filed by NJR for purposes of Section 18 or any other provision of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


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New Jersey Resources Corporation
Part II

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
 
NEW JERSEY RESOURCES CORPORATION
 
 
(Registrant)
Date:
February 6, 2014
 
 
 
By:/s/ Glenn C. Lockwood
 
 
Glenn C. Lockwood
 
 
Executive Vice President and
 
 
Chief Financial Officer



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