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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 June 30, 2010.
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 001-31303
 
Black Hills Corporation
Incorporated in South Dakota
IRS Identification Number 46-0458824
625 Ninth Street
Rapid City, South Dakota 57701
 
 
Registrant's telephone number (605) 721-1700
 
 
Former name, former address, and former fiscal year if changed since last report
NONE
 
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 website, 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 (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
 
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
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
 
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.
Class
Outstanding at July 30, 2010
 
 
Common stock, $1.00 par value
39,204,087 shares
 

 

Table of Contents
 
 
Page
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations and Accounting Standards
 
 
 
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income — unaudited
 
 
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — unaudited
 
 
June 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — unaudited
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009
 
 
 
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - unaudited
 
 
 
 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
 
 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
 
 
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
 
 
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
 
 
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
 
 
 
Item 6. Exhibits
 
 
 
 
Signatures
 
 
 
 
Exhibit Index
 
 
 

2

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AND ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
The following terms and abbreviations and accounting standards appear in the text of this report and have the definitions described below:
 
Acquisition Facility
Our $1.0 billion single-draw, senior unsecured facility from which a $383 million draw was used to provide part of the funding for the Aquila Transaction
AFUDC
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
Annexation Agreement
Agreement with the City of Pueblo, Colorado under which the City of Pueblo annexed the property on which Colorado Electric and Colorado IPP are constructing their generation facilities
AOCI
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Aquila
Aquila, Inc.
ASC
Accounting Standards Codification
ASC 810-10-15
ASC 810-10-15, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities"
ASC 820
ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures"
ASC 932-10-S99
ASC 932-10-S99, "Extractive Activities - Oil and Gas, SEC Materials"
Bbl
Barrel
Bcf
Billion cubic feet
Bcfe
Billion cubic feet equivalent
BHCRPP
Black Hills Corporation Risk Policies and Procedures
BHEP
Black Hills Exploration and Production, Inc., representing our Oil and Gas segment, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings
Blackbox
Blackbox settlement with the utilities commission where the dollar figure is agreed upon, but the specific adjustments used by each party to arrive at the figure are confidential
Black Hills Electric Generation
Black Hills Electric Generation, LLC, representing our Power Generation segment, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings
Black Hills Energy
The name used to conduct the business activities of Black Hills Utility Holdings
Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings
Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company that was formerly known as Black Hills Energy, Inc.
Black Hills Power
Black Hills Power, Inc., a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
Black Hills Service Company
Black Hills Service Company, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
Black Hills Utility Holdings
Black Hills Utility Holdings, Inc., a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
Black Hills Wyoming
Black Hills Wyoming, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Electric Generation
Btu
British thermal unit
CFTC
Commodities Futures and Trading Commission
Cheyenne Light
Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power Company, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
Colorado Electric
Black Hills Colorado Electric Utility Company, LP, (doing business as Black Hills Energy), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings
Colorado Gas
Black Hills Colorado Gas Utility Company, LP, (doing business as Black Hills Energy), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings
Colorado IPP
Black Hills Colorado IPP, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Electric Generation
Corporate Credit Facility
Our $525 million credit facility which was terminated on April 15, 2010
CPUC
Colorado Public Utilities Commission
De-designated interest rate swaps
The $250.0 million notional amount interest rate swaps that were originally designated as cash flow hedges under accounting for derivatives and hedges but were de-designated in December 2008

3

 

DOE
U.S. Department of Energy
Dth
Dekatherm. A unit of energy equal to 10 therms or one million British thermal units (MMBtu)
EDF
EDF Trading North America, LLC
Enserco
Enserco Energy Inc., representing our Energy Marketing segment, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
GAAP
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
GSRS
Gas Safety and Reliability Surcharge
Iowa Gas
Black Hills Iowa Gas Utility Company, LLC, (doing business as Black Hills Energy), a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings
IPP
Independent Power Producer
IPP Transaction
Our July 11, 2008 sale of seven of our IPP plants to affiliates of Hastings Fund Management Ltd and IIF BH Investment LLC
IUB
Iowa Utilities Board
JPB
Consolidated Wyoming Municipalities Electric Power System Joint Powers Board
Kansas Gas
Black Hills Kansas Gas Utility Company, LLC, (doing business as Black Hills Energy), a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings
KCC
Kansas Corporation Commission
LIBOR
London Interbank Offered Rate
LOE
Lease Operating Expense
Mcf
One thousand standard cubic feet
Mcfe
One thousand standard cubic feet equivalent
MDU
MDU Resources Group, Inc.
MEAN
Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska
MMBtu
One million British thermal units
MW
Megawatt
MWh
Megawatt-hour
Nebraska Gas
Black Hills Nebraska Gas Utility Company, LLC, (doing business as Black Hills Energy), a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings
NPA
Nebraska Public Advocate
NPSC
Nebraska Public Service Commission
NYMEX
New York Mercantile Exchange
Participation Agreement
Amended and Restated Wygen III Participation Agreement dated July 14, 2010 between BHP, MDU and JPB, which includes JPB as partial owner of Wygen III
PGA
Purchase Gas Adjustment
PPA
Power Purchase Agreement
PPACA
Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act
Revolving Credit Facility
Our $500 million three-year revolving credit facility which commenced on April 15, 2010 and expires on April 14, 2013
SDPUC
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
SEC
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
SEC Release No. 33-8995
SEC Release No. 33-8995, "Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting"
WPSC
Wyoming Public Service Commission
WRDC
Wyodak Resources Development Corp., a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings
 

4

 

 
 
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Operating revenues
$
271,291
 
 
$
257,349
 
 
$
713,623
 
 
$
695,292
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel and purchased power
113,152
 
 
112,169
 
 
365,687
 
 
373,189
 
Operations and maintenance
39,520
 
 
40,461
 
 
82,142
 
 
79,795
 
Gain on sale of operating assets
 
 
 
 
(2,683
)
 
(25,971
)
Administrative and general
46,404
 
 
37,708
 
 
85,492
 
 
79,474
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
30,260
 
 
29,386
 
 
58,655
 
 
62,712
 
Taxes, other than income taxes
11,120
 
 
11,811
 
 
23,793
 
 
23,509
 
Impairment of long-lived assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
43,301
 
Total operating expenses
240,456
 
 
231,535
 
 
613,086
 
 
636,009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
30,835
 
 
25,814
 
 
100,537
 
 
59,283
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(22,622
)
 
(23,338
)
 
(44,388
)
 
(42,239
)
Interest rate swap - unrealized (loss) gain
(24,918
)
 
31,706
 
 
(27,953
)
 
46,469
 
Interest income
84
 
 
329
 
 
330
 
 
856
 
Allowance for funds used during construction - equity
260
 
 
1,314
 
 
2,288
 
 
2,686
 
Other income, net
1,268
 
 
893
 
 
1,686
 
 
1,637
 
Total other income (expenses)
(45,928
)
 
10,904
 
 
(68,037
)
 
9,409
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) income from continuing operations before equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries and income taxes
(15,093
)
 
36,718
 
 
32,500
 
 
68,692
 
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries
1,291
 
 
1,576
 
 
1,608
 
 
1,249
 
Income tax benefit (expense)
5,143
 
 
(13,713
)
 
(11,333
)
 
(19,735
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) income from continuing operations
(8,659
)
 
24,581
 
 
22,775
 
 
50,206
 
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
766
 
Net (loss) income
$
(8,659
)
 
$
24,581
 
 
$
22,775
 
 
$
50,972
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
38,902
 
 
38,598
 
38,875
 
 
38,554
 
Diluted
38,902
 
 
38,658
 
39,042
 
 
38,611
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(0.22
)
 
$
0.64
 
 
$
0.59
 
 
$
1.30
 
Discontinued operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.02
 
Total (loss) earnings per share - basic
$
(0.22
)
 
$
0.64
 
 
$
0.59
 
 
$
1.32
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(0.22
)
 
$
0.64
 
 
$
0.58
 
 
$
1.30
 
Discontinued operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.02
 
Total (loss) earnings per share - diluted
$
(0.22
)
 
$
0.64
 
 
$
0.58
 
 
$
1.32
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends paid per share of common stock
$
0.360
 
 
$
0.355
 
 
$
0.720
 
 
$
0.710
 
The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

 

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
 
 
June 30,
2010
 
December 31,
2009
 
June 30,
2009
 
(in thousands, except share amounts)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
64,033
 
 
$
112,901
 
 
$
122,351
 
Restricted cash
16,169
 
 
17,502
 
 
 
Accounts receivables, net
208,185
 
 
274,489
 
 
181,250
 
Materials, supplies and fuel
135,049
 
 
123,322
 
 
88,672
 
Derivative assets, current
54,589
 
 
37,747
 
 
75,600
 
Income tax receivable, net
 
 
2,031
 
 
 
Deferred income tax asset, current
19,956
 
 
4,523
 
 
17,640
 
Regulatory assets, current
41,852
 
 
25,085
 
 
14,086
 
Other current assets
13,339
 
 
27,270
 
 
31,917
 
Total current assets
553,172
 
 
624,870
 
 
531,516
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
18,261
 
 
18,524
 
 
20,316
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
3,141,029
 
 
2,975,993
 
 
2,819,510
 
Less accumulated depreciation and depletion
(852,414
)
 
(815,263
)
 
(773,278
)
Total property, plant and equipment, net
2,288,615
 
 
2,160,730
 
 
2,046,232
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
353,734
 
 
353,734
 
 
359,288
 
Intangible assets, net
4,189
 
 
4,309
 
 
4,784
 
Derivative assets, non-current
9,726
 
 
3,777
 
 
5,029
 
Regulatory assets, non-current
121,026
 
 
135,578
 
 
133,386
 
Other assets, non-current
21,559
 
 
16,176
 
 
11,189
 
Total other assets
510,234
 
 
513,574
 
 
513,676
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
$
3,370,282
 
 
$
3,317,698
 
 
$
3,111,740
 
 
The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

 

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Continued)
(unaudited)
 
 
June 30,
2010
 
December 31,
2009
 
June 30,
2009
 
(in thousands, except share amounts)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
206,422
 
 
$
229,352
 
 
$
175,190
 
Accrued liabilities
130,194
 
 
151,504
 
 
133,291
 
Derivative liabilities, current
91,259
 
 
57,166
 
 
69,347
 
Accrued income taxes, net
13,974
 
 
 
 
27,152
 
Regulatory liabilities, current
22,447
 
 
7,092
 
 
36,943
 
Notes payable
225,000
 
 
164,500
 
 
270,500
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
4,539
 
 
35,245
 
 
32,086
 
Total current liabilities
693,835
 
 
644,859
 
 
744,509
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
990,130
 
 
1,015,912
 
 
719,243
 
Deferred credits and other liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax liability, non-current
271,684
 
 
262,034
 
 
233,592
 
Derivative liabilities, non-current
18,177
 
 
11,999
 
 
12,098
 
Regulatory liabilities, non-current
50,227
 
 
42,458
 
 
39,967
 
Benefit plan liabilities
148,190
 
 
140,671
 
 
160,712
 
Other deferred credits and other liabilities
115,656
 
 
114,928
 
 
121,519
 
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
603,934
 
 
572,090
 
 
567,888
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders' equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Common stockholders' equity —
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock $1 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; Issued 39,204,231; 38,977,526 and 38,836,918 shares, respectively
39,204
 
 
38,978
 
 
38,837
 
Additional paid-in capital
595,219
 
 
591,390
 
 
586,879
 
Retained earnings
468,430
 
 
473,857
 
 
470,883
 
Treasury stock at cost – 1,021; 8,834 and 3,549 shares, respectively
(27
)
 
(224
)
 
(84
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(20,443
)
 
(19,164
)
 
(16,415
)
Total stockholders' equity
1,082,383
 
 
1,084,837
 
 
1,080,100
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
$
3,370,282
 
 
$
3,317,698
 
 
$
3,111,740
 
 
The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

 

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
Operating activities:
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
22,775
 
 
$
50,972
 
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
 
 
(766
)
Income from continuing operations
22,775
 
 
50,206
 
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
58,655
 
 
62,712
 
Impairment of long-lived assets
 
 
43,301
 
Derivative fair value adjustments
(2,445
)
 
12,780
 
Gain on sale of operating assets
(2,683
)
 
(25,971
)
Stock compensation
1,971
 
 
744
 
Unrealized mark-to-market loss (gain) on interest rate swaps
27,953
 
 
(46,469
)
Deferred income taxes
(6,078
)
 
(21
)
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated subsidiaries
(1,608
)
 
(1,249
)
Allowance for funds used during construction - equity
(2,288
)
 
(2,686
)
Employee benefit plans
8,143
 
 
8,556
 
Other non-cash adjustments
3,380
 
 
2,333
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Materials, supplies and fuel
(19,896
)
 
31,938
 
Accounts receivable and other current assets
93,873
 
 
164,718
 
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
(50,011
)
 
(112,073
)
Regulatory assets
(2,806
)
 
31,623
 
 Regulatory liabilities
13,401
 
 
30,939
 
Other operating activities
1,654
 
 
(6,024
)
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations
143,990
 
 
245,357
 
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations
 
 
883
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
143,990
 
 
246,240
 
 
 
 
 
Investing activities:
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment additions
(171,115
)
 
(163,608
)
Proceeds from sale of ownership interest in operating assets
6,105
 
 
84,199
 
Payment for acquisition of business
(2,250
)
 
 
Working capital adjustment of purchase price allocation on Aquila assets
 
 
7,658
 
Other investing activities
4,239
 
 
(4,963
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(163,021
)
 
(76,714
)
 
 
 
 
Financing activities:
 
 
 
Dividends paid
(28,202
)
 
(27,542
)
Common stock issued
2,281
 
 
1,553
 
Increase in short-term borrowings
268,500
 
 
272,500
 
Decrease in short-term borrowings
(208,000
)
 
(705,800
)
Long-term debt - issuances
 
 
248,500
 
Long-term debt - repayments
(56,488
)
 
(2,001
)
Other financing activities
(7,928
)
 
(2,917
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(29,837
)
 
(215,707
)
 
 
 
 
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(48,868
)
 
(46,181
)
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
Beginning of period
112,901
 
 
168,532
 
End of period
$
64,033
 
 
$
122,351
 
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

8

 

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(Reference is made to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
included in the Company's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K)
 
 
(1)     MANAGEMENT'S STATEMENT
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Black Hills Corporation (the "Company," "us," "we," or "our") without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations; however, we believe that the footnotes adequately disclose the information presented. These condensed quarterly financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto, included in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
 
Accounting methods historically employed require certain estimates as of interim dates. The information furnished in the accompanying condensed quarterly financial statements reflects all estimates which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the June 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009 financial information and are of a normal recurring nature. Certain industries in which we operate are highly seasonal and revenues from, and certain expenses for, such operations may fluctuate significantly among quarterly periods. Demand for electricity and natural gas is sensitive to seasonal cooling, heating and industrial load requirements, as well as changes in market price. In particular, the normal peak usage season for gas utilities is November through March and significant earnings variances can be expected between the Gas Utilities segment's peak and off-peak seasons. Due to this seasonal nature, our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009, and our financial condition as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations and financial condition to be expected as of or for any other period. All earnings per share amounts discussed refer to diluted earnings per share unless otherwise noted.
 
Certain prior year data presented in the financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on total assets, net income, cash flows or earnings per share.
 
 
(2)    RECENTLY ADOPTED AND RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND LEGISLATION
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
 
Extractive Activities — Oil and Gas Reserves (SEC Release #33-8995), ASC 932-10-S99
 
The FASB issued an accounting standards update which aligns the oil and gas reserve estimation and disclosure requirements with the SEC released Final Rule, "Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting" amending the existing Regulation S-K and Regulation S-X reporting requirements to align with current industry practices and technology advances. Key revisions include the ability to include non-traditional resources in reserves, the use of new technology for determining reserves, permitting disclosure of probable and possible reserves, and changes to the oil and gas prices used to determine reserves from the period-end price to a 12-month average price. The average is calculated using the first-day-of-the-month price for each of the 12 months before the end of the reporting period. The amendment was effective for reporting periods ending on or after December 31, 2009. The implementation of this SEC requirement resulted in additional depletion expense of $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.
 
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, ASC 810-10-15
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued a revision regarding consolidations. The amendment requires a company to consider whether an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting should be consolidated. It requires additional disclosures about the involvement with variable interest entities and any significant changes in risk exposure due to that involvement. This standard is effective for annual periods that begin after November 15, 2009 with ongoing re-evaluation. The adoption of this standard in January 2010 did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and cash flows. We also evaluated this standard on a segment basis and the adoption of this standard did not have any impact on our segment reporting.

9

 

 
Fair Value Measurements, ASC 820
 
In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance related to improving disclosures about fair value measurements. The guidance requires separate disclosures of the amounts of transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and a description of the reason for such transfers. In the reconciliation for Level 3, fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs, information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements are required to be presented separately. These disclosures are required for interim and annual reporting periods and were effective for us on January 1, 2010, except for the disclosures related to the purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward activity of Level 3 fair value measurements, which are effective on January 1, 2011. The guidance requires additional disclosures, but did not impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The additional disclosures are included in Note 14 of the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Standards and Legislation
 
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590 and HR 4872)
 
In March 2010, the President of the United States signed into law comprehensive healthcare reform legislation under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as amended by the Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Act (the "PPACA). The potential impact on the Company, if any, cannot be determined until regulations are promulgated under the PPACA.  Included among the provisions of the PPACA is a change in the tax treatment of the Medicare Part D subsidy (the "subsidy") which affects our Non-Pension Postretirement Benefit Plan. Internal Revenue Code Section 139A has been amended to eliminate the deduction of the subsidy in reducing income for years beginning after December 31, 2012. The impact of this change in the tax treatment of the subsidy had an immaterial effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The Company will continue to assess the accounting implications of the PPACA as related regulations and interpretations become available. 
 
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (HR 4173)
 
In July 2010, the President of the United States signed into law comprehensive financial reform legislation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Act"). Title VII of this Act effectively regulates many derivative transactions in the United States that were previously unregulated, including swap transactions in the over-the-counter market. Among other things, the Act (i) mandates the clearing of some swaps through regulated central clearing organizations and the trading of clearing swaps through regulated exchanges or swap execution facilities, in each case subject to certain key exemptions, and (ii) authorizes regulators to establish collateral and margin requirements for certain swap transactions that are not cleared. The Act provides for a potential exception from these clearing and cash collateral requirements for commercial end-users and it includes a number of defined terms that will be used in determining how this exception applies to particular derivative transactions and the parties to those transactions. However, significant rule-making by numerous governmental agencies, particularly the CFTC with respect to non-security commodities, will be required over the next several months to implement the restrictions, limitations, and requirements contemplated by the Act and we will continue to evaluate the impact as these rules become available.
 
 
(3)    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
2010
 
June 30,
2009
 
(in thousands)
Non-cash investing activities—
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment acquired with accrued liabilities
$
32,207
 
 
$
40,053
 
Cash (paid) refunded during the period for—
 
 
 
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)
$
(26,881
)
 
$
(41,969
)
Income taxes
$
(399
)
 
$
23,861
 
 
 
 
 
 

10

 

 
(4)    MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND FUEL
 
The amounts of materials, supplies and fuel included on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, by major classification, are provided as follows (in thousands):
 
Major Classification
 
June 30,
2010
 
December 31,
2009
 
June 30,
2009
Materials and supplies
 
$
32,361
 
 
$
31,535
 
 
$
32,145
 
Fuel - Electric Utilities
 
8,913
 
 
7,128
 
 
7,264
 
Natural gas in storage — Gas Utilities
 
15,513
 
 
24,053
 
 
13,109
 
Gas and oil held by Energy Marketing*
 
78,262
 
 
60,606
 
 
36,154
 
Total materials, supplies and fuel
 
$
135,049
 
 
$
123,322
 
 
$
88,672
 
_____________
* As of June 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, market adjustments related to natural gas held by Energy Marketing and recorded in inventory were $(8.5) million, $(0.3) million and $(3.8) million, respectively (see Note 13 for further discussion of Energy Marketing trading activities).
 
Gas and oil inventory held by Energy Marketing primarily consists of gas held in storage. Such gas is being held in inventory to capture the price differential between the time at which it was purchased and a subsequent sales date. Natural gas volumes held as of June 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009 include 16,289,903 MMBtu, 12,152,465 MMBtu, and 9,437,198 MMBtu, respectively. Crude oil volumes held as of June 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009 include 118,000 Bbl, 69,045 Bbl, and 62,000 Bbl, respectively.
 
Natural gas in storage at our Gas Utilities represents primarily gas purchased for use by our customers. Natural gas volumes held in storage by us fluctuates with the seasonality of our business and the commodity price of natural gas, and the carrying values are impacted by price fluctuations. Volumes held as of June 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009 include 3,730,489 MMBtu, 6,866,550 MMBtu and 3,563,638 MMBtu, respectively.
 
 
(5)    ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
 
Our Accounts receivable represents primarily customer trade accounts at our Electric Utilities and Gas Utilities and counterparty trade accounts at our Energy Marketing segment. This balance fluctuates due to the seasonality of our regulated Gas Utilities and volumes and commodity prices at our Energy Marketing segment. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts which reflects our best estimate of potentially uncollectible trade receivables. We regularly review our trade receivables allowance by considering such factors as historical experience, credit-worthiness, the age of the receivable balances and current economic conditions that may affect our ability to collect.
 
Following is a summary of receivables (in thousands):
 
 
June 30,
2010
 
December 31,
2009
 
June 30,
2009
Accounts receivable, trade
$
185,746
 
 
$
217,723
 
 
$
161,261
 
Unbilled revenues
26,736
 
 
61,387
 
 
26,999
 
Total accounts receivable
212,482
 
 
279,110
 
 
188,260
 
Less allowance for doubtful accounts
(4,297
)
 
(4,621
)
 
(7,010
)
Accounts receivable, net
$
208,185
 
 
$
274,489
 
 
$
181,250
 
 
 

11

 

(6)    NOTES PAYABLE
 
Our credit facilities and debt securities contain certain restrictive covenants including, among others, recourse leverage ratios and consolidated net worth covenant. At June 30, 2010, except as noted below for the Enserco Credit Facility, we were in compliance with these covenants. None of our facilities or debt securities contain default provisions pertaining to our credit ratings.
 
Revolving Credit Facility
 
On April 15, 2010, we terminated our $525 million Corporate Credit Facility and entered into a new $500 million Revolving Credit Facility expiring April 14, 2013. The new Facility can be used for the issuance of letters of credit, to fund working capital needs and for general corporate purposes. The covenants and events of default are substantially the same as the prior facility, except the minimum interest expense coverage ratio covenant was eliminated. Borrowings are available under a base rate option or a Eurodollar option. The cost of borrowings or letters of credit is determined based upon our credit ratings. At current ratings levels, the margins for base rate borrowings, Eurodollar borrowings and letters of credit are 1.75%, 2.75% and 2.75%, respectively. The new facility contains a commitment fee to be charged on the unused amount of the Facility. Based upon current credit ratings, the fee is 0.5%. The facility contains an accordion feature which allows us to increase the capacity of the facility to $600 million. Deferred financing costs of $4.6 million were capitalized and are being amortized over the three-year term of the facility. Amortization of deferred financing costs was $0.4 million and $0.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.
 
Our consolidated net worth was $1,082.4 million at June 30, 2010, which was approximately $246.1 million in excess of the net worth we are required to maintain under the Revolving Credit Facility. At June 30, 2010, our long-term debt ratio was 47.8%, our total debt leverage ratio (long-term debt and short-term debt) was 53.0%, and our recourse leverage ratio was 54.6%. We are currently in compliance with these covenants.
 
Enserco Credit Facility
 
In May 2010, Enserco entered into an agreement for a two-year $250 million committed credit facility. The facility contains an accordion feature which allows us, with the consent of the administrative agent, to increase commitments under the facility to $350 million. This facility replaces the $300 million credit facility which expired on May 7, 2010. Maximum borrowings under the facility are subject to a sub-limit of $50 million. Borrowings under this facility are available under a base rate option or a Eurodollar option. Margins for base rate borrowings are 1.75% and for Eurodollar borrowings are 2.50%.
 
At June 30, 2010, $141.4 million of letters of credit were issued and outstanding under this facility and there were no cash borrowings outstanding. Deferred financing costs of $2.1 million were recorded for the Enserco Credit Facility and are being amortized over the term of the Facility. Amortization of deferred financing costs under our committed Enserco Credit Facility is included in Interest expense on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Income Statement. Amortization of deferred financing costs was approximately $0.4 million and $1.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively, and $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.
 
The June 1, 2010 coal marketing acquisition (see Note 20) included certain contractual positions that caused Enserco to temporarily not in compliance with one of the non-financial covenants to the Enserco Credit Facility as of June 30, 2010. The Enserco Credit Facility limited the net fixed price volume of coal to 1.0 million tons. As of June 30, 2010, Enserco was above that limit. In July, the participating banks waived the non-compliance with this covenant and increased the permitted net fixed price volume of coal allowed to 2.25 million tons for July 2010 and 2.0 million tons thereafter.
 
 

12

 

(7) LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Black Hills Power Series AC Bonds
 
In February 2010, the Black Hills Power Series AC bonds matured. These were paid in full for $30.0 million of principal plus accrued interest of $1.2 million.
 
Black Hills Power Series Y Bonds
 
In February 2010, Black Hills Power provided notice to the bondholders of its intent to call the Series Y bonds in full. These bonds were originally due in 2018. A total of $2.7 million was paid on March 31, 2010, which included the principal balance of $2.5 million plus accrued interest and an early redemption premium of 2.618%. The early redemption premium was recorded in unamortized loss on reacquired debt which is included in Regulatory assets on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and will be amortized over the remaining term of the original bonds.
 
Black Hills Power Series Z Bonds
 
In April 2010, Black Hills Power provided notice to the bondholders of its intent to call the Series Z bonds in full. These bonds were originally due to mature in 2021. A total of $21.8 million was paid on June 1, 2010, which included the principal balance of $20.0 million plus accrued interest and an early redemption premium of 4.675%. The early redemption premium was recorded in unamortized loss on reacquired debt which is included in Regulatory assets on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and will be amortized over the remaining term of the original bonds.
 
 

13

 

(8)    EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations are computed by dividing income from continuing operations by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations are computed by using all dilutive common shares potentially outstanding during a period. A reconciliation of Income from continuing operations and basic and diluted share amounts, used to compute earnings per share, is as follows (in thousands):
 
Period ended June 30, 2010
 
Three Months
 
Six Months
 
 
Income
 
Average Shares
 
Income
 
Average Shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) income from continuing operations
 
$
(8,659
)
 
 
 
$
22,775
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings
 
$
(8,659
)
 
38,902
 
 
$
22,775
 
 
38,875
 
Dilutive effect of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
99
 
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
68
 
Diluted (loss) earnings
 
$
(8,659
)
 
38,902
 
 
$
22,775
 
 
39,042
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
 
$
(0.22
)
 
 
 
$
0.58
 
 
 
 
Period ended June 30, 2009
 
Three Months
 
Six Months
 
 
Income
 
Average Shares
 
Income
 
Average Shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
 
$
24,581
 
 
 
 
$
50,206
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings
 
$
24,581
 
 
38,598
 
 
$
50,206
 
 
38,554
 
Dilutive effect of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock
 
 
 
60
 
 
 
 
57
 
Diluted earnings
 
$
24,581
 
 
38,658
 
 
$
50,206
 
 
38,611
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.64
 
 
 
 
$
1.30
 
 
 
 
The following outstanding securities were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as their effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Options to purchase common stock
137
 
 
435
 
 
228
 
 
435
 
Restricted stock
108
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other
64
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
309
 
 
435
 
 
228
 
 
435
 
 
 

14

 

(9)    OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
 
The following table presents the components of our other comprehensive (loss) income (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
Net (loss) income
$
(8,659
)
 
$
24,581
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
 
 
 
Minimum pension liability adjustments (net of tax of $(—))
(27
)
 
 
Fair value adjustment on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges (net of tax of $746 and $4,072, respectively)
(1,283
)
 
(7,793
)
Reclassification adjustments on cash flow hedges settled and included in net (loss) income (net of tax of $1,843 and $(2,143), respectively)
(3,274
)
 
3,793
 
Comprehensive (loss) income
$
(13,243
)
 
$
20,581
 
 
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
Net income
$
22,775
 
 
$
50,972
 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
 
Minimum pension liability adjustments (net of tax of $(7))
(15
)
 
 
Fair value adjustment on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges (net of tax of $155 and $2,928, respectively)
133
 
 
(4,795
)
Reclassification adjustments on cash flow hedges settled and included in net income (net of tax of $782 and $(4,060), respectively)
(1,397
)
 
7,163
 
Comprehensive income
$
21,496
 
 
$
53,340
 
 
Balances by classification included within Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
June 30,
2010
 
December 31,
2009
 
June 30,
2009
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
$
(10,751
)
 
$
(9,462
)
 
$
(2,191
)
Employee benefit plans
(9,651
)
 
(9,636
)
 
(14,127
)
Amount from equity-method investees
(41
)
 
(66
)
 
(97
)
Total
$
(20,443
)
 
$
(19,164
)
 
$
(16,415
)
 
 

15

 

(10)     COMMON STOCK
 
Other than the following transactions, we had no material changes in our common stock during the first six months of 2010 as reported in Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Equity Compensation Plans
 
•    
We granted 77,693 target performance shares to certain officers and business unit leaders for the January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2012 performance period. Actual shares are not issued until the end of the performance plan period (December 31, 2012). Performance shares are awarded based on our total stockholder return over the designated performance period as measured against a selected peer group and can range from 0% to 175% of target. In addition, the ending stock price must be at least equal to 75% of the beginning stock price for a payout to occur. The final value of the performance shares will vary according to the number of shares of common stock that are ultimately granted based upon the actual level of attainment of the performance criteria. The performance awards are paid 50% in the form of cash and 50% in shares of common stock. The grant date fair value was $24.25 per share.
 
•    
We issued 9,625 shares of common stock under the 2009 short-term incentive compensation plan during the six months ended June 30, 2010. Pre-tax compensation cost related to the awards was approximately $0.3 million, which was accrued for in 2009.
 
•    
We granted 159,230 restricted common shares during the six months ended June 30, 2010. The pre-tax compensation cost related to the awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units of approximately $4.2 million will be recognized over the three-year vesting period.
 
•    
30,000 stock options were exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2010 at a weighted-average exercise price of $21.875 per share which provided $0.7 million of proceeds.
 
Total compensation expense recognized for all equity compensation plans for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $1.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $2.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively.
 
As of June 30, 2010, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards was $8.8 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.
 
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan
 
We have a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan under which stockholders may purchase additional shares of common stock through dividend reinvestment and/or optional cash payments at 100% of the recent average market price. We have the option of issuing new shares or purchasing the shares on the open market. We issued 57,235 new shares at a weighted-average price of $28.36 during the six months ended June 30, 2010. At June 30, 2010, 238,747 shares of unissued common stock were available for future offering under the Plan.

16

 

 
Dividend Restrictions
 
Our Revolving Credit Facility contains restrictions on the payment of cash dividends upon a default or event of default. An event of default would be deemed to have occurred if we did not meet certain financial covenants. The most restrictive financial covenants include the following: a recourse leverage ratio not to exceed 0.65 to 1.00 and a minimum consolidated net worth of $625 million plus 50% of aggregate consolidated net income since January 1, 2005. As of June 30, 2010, we were in compliance with the above covenants.
 
Due to our holding company structure, substantially all of our operating cash flows are provided by dividends paid or distributions made by our subsidiaries. The cash to pay dividends to our shareholders is derived from these cash flows. As a result, certain statutory limitations or regulatory or financing agreements could affect the levels of distributions allowed to be made by our subsidiaries. The following restrictions on distributions from our subsidiaries existed at June 30, 2010:
 
•    
Our utility subsidiaries are generally limited to the amount of dividends allowed by state regulatory authorities to be paid to us as a utility holding company and also may be subject to further restrictions under the Federal Power Act. As of June 30, 2010, the restricted net assets at our Utilities Group were approximately $164.0 million.
 
•    
Our Enserco credit facility is a borrowing base credit facility, the structure of which requires certain levels of tangible net worth and net working capital to be maintained for a given borrowing base election level. In order to maintain a borrowing base election level, Enserco may be restricted from making dividend payments to its parent company. Enserco's restricted net assets at June 30, 2010 were $78.7 million.
 
•    
As a covenant of the Black Hills Wyoming project financing, Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings has restricted assets of $100.0 million. Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings is the parent of Black Hills Electric Generation which is the parent of Black Hills Wyoming.
 
 
(11)     EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
We have three non-contributory defined benefit pension plans (the "Plans"). One Plan covers employees of the following subsidiaries who meet certain eligibility requirements: Black Hills Service Company, Black Hills Power, WRDC and BHEP. The second Plan covers employees of our subsidiary, Cheyenne Light, who meet certain eligibility requirements. The third Plan covers employees of the Black Hills Energy utilities who meet certain eligibility requirements.
 
The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three Plans are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Service cost
$
1,533
 
 
$
1,929
 
 
$
3,066
 
 
$
3,858
 
Interest cost
3,773
 
 
3,679
 
 
7,546
 
 
7,358
 
Expected return on plan assets
(3,623
)
 
(3,458
)
 
(7,246
)
 
(6,916
)
Prior service cost
305
 
 
41
 
 
610
 
 
82
 
Net loss
500
 
 
752
 
 
1,000
 
 
1,504
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost
$
2,488
 
 
$
2,943
 
 
$
4,976
 
 
$
5,886
 
 
We made contributions of less than $0.1 million to the Plans in the first six months of 2010. Contributions of less than $0.1 million and $30.1 million are anticipated to be made to the Plans for 2010 and 2011, respectively.
 

17

 

Non-pension Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plans
 
We sponsor three retiree healthcare plans (the "Healthcare Plans"): the Black Hills Corporation Postretirement Healthcare Plan, the Healthcare Plan for Retirees of Cheyenne Light, and the Black Hills Energy Postretirement Healthcare Plan. Employees who participate in the Healthcare Plans and who retire on or after meeting certain eligibility requirements are entitled to postretirement healthcare benefits.
 
The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Healthcare Plans are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Service cost
$
377
 
 
$
260
 
 
$
754
 
 
$
520
 
Interest cost
611
 
 
542
 
 
1,222
 
 
1,084
 
Expected return on plan assets
(52
)
 
(56
)
 
(104
)
 
(112
)
Prior service benefit
(77
)
 
(22
)
 
(154
)
 
(44
)
Net transition obligation
 
 
15
 
 
 
 
30
 
Net loss (gain)
159
 
 
(8
)
 
318
 
 
(16
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost
$
1,018
 
 
$
731
 
 
$
2,036
 
 
$
1,462
 
 
We anticipate that we will make aggregate contributions to the Healthcare Plans for the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years of approximately $3.8 million and $4.0 million, respectively. The contributions are expected to be made in the form of benefits payments.
 
It has been determined that our post-65 retiree prescription drug plans are actuarially equivalent and qualify for the Medicare Part D subsidy. The decrease in net periodic postretirement benefit cost due to the subsidy was approximately $0.1 million for each of the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Supplemental Non-qualified Defined Benefit Plans
 
Additionally, we have various supplemental retirement plans for key executives (the "Supplemental Plans"). The Supplemental Plans are non-qualified defined benefit plans.
 
The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Supplemental Plans are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Service cost
$
171
 
 
$
117
 
 
$
342
 
 
$
234
 
Interest cost
321
 
 
344
 
 
642
 
 
688
 
Prior service cost
1
 
 
1
 
 
2
 
 
2
 
Net loss
71
 
 
147
 
 
142
 
 
294
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost
$
564
 
 
$
609
 
 
$
1,128
 
 
$
1,218
 
 
We anticipate that we will make aggregate contributions to the Supplemental Plans for the 2010 fiscal year of approximately $0.9 million. The contributions are expected to be made in the form of benefit payments.
 
 

18

 

 
(12)     SUMMARY OF INFORMATION RELATING TO SEGMENTS OF OUR BUSINESS
 
Our reportable segments are based on our method of internal reporting, which generally segregates the strategic business groups due to differences in products, services and regulation. As of June 30, 2010, substantially all of our operations and assets were located within the United States.
 
We conduct our operations through the following six reportable segments:
 
Utilities Group —
 
•    
Electric Utilities, which supplies electric utility service to areas in South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Montana and natural gas utility service to Cheyenne, Wyoming and vicinity; and
 
•    
Gas Utilities, which supplies natural gas utility service in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.
 
Non-regulated Energy Group —
 
•    
Oil and Gas, which produces, explores and operates oil and natural gas interests located in the Rocky Mountain region and other states;
 
•    
Power Generation, which produces and sells power and capacity to wholesale customers from power plants located in Wyoming and Idaho. Additionally, in 2009 our Power Generation segment entered into a 20-year PPA to supply Colorado Electric with 200 MW of capacity and energy from power plants to be constructed in Colorado, which are expected to be placed into service by December 31, 2011;
 
•    
Coal Mining, which engages in the mining and sale of coal from our mine near Gillette, Wyoming; and
 
•    
Energy Marketing, which markets natural gas, crude oil, coal and related services primarily in the United States and Canada.
 
Segment information follows the accounting policies described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In accordance with accounting standards for regulated operations, intercompany fuel and energy sales to the regulated utilities are not eliminated.
 

19

 

Segment information included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Balance Sheets is as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
External
Operating
Revenues
 
Inter-segment
Operating
Revenues
 
Income (Loss)
from Continuing
Operations
Utilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Electric
 
$
135,496
 
 
$
769
 
 
$
7,196
 
   Gas
 
87,115
 
 
 
 
(886
)
Non-regulated Energy:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Oil and Gas
 
18,658
 
 
 
 
221
 
   Power Generation
 
6,679
 
 
 
 
(416
)
   Coal Mining
 
7,805
 
 
7,244
 
 
3,074
 
   Energy Marketing
 
8,895
 
 
 
 
1,327
 
Corporate (a)
 
 
 
 
 
(19,161
)
Inter-segment eliminations
 
 
 
(1,370
)
 
(14
)
Total
 
$
264,648
 
 
$
6,643
 
 
$
(8,659
)
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2009
 
External
Operating
Revenues
 
Inter-segment
Operating
Revenues
 
Income (Loss)
from Continuing
Operations
Utilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Electric
 
$
118,606
 
 
$
215
 
 
$
4,541
 
   Gas
 
93,338
 
 
 
 
442
 
Non-regulated Energy:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Oil and Gas  
 
17,829
 
 
 
 
129
 
   Power Generation
 
7,215
 
 
 
 
758
 
   Coal Mining
 
7,746
 
 
5,747
 
 
(499
)
   Energy Marketing
 
7,738
 
 
 
 
2,210
 
Corporate (a)
 
 
 
 
 
16,780
 
Inter-segment eliminations
 
 
 
(1,085
)
 
220
 
Total
 
$
252,472
 
 
$
4,877
 
 
$
24,581
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
External
Operating
Revenues
 
Inter-segment
Operating
Revenues
 
Income (Loss)
from Continuing
Operations
Utilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Electric
 
$
284,132
 
 
$
942
 
 
$
17,048
 
   Gas (b)
 
330,285
 
 
 
 
18,612
 
Non-regulated Energy:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Oil and Gas
 
38,401
 
 
 
 
2,569
 
   Power Generation
 
14,747
 
 
 
 
664
 
   Coal Mining
 
14,687
 
 
14,342
 
 
4,420
 
   Energy Marketing
 
18,667
 
 
 
 
3,520
 
Corporate (a)
 
 
 
 
 
(24,128
)
Inter-segment eliminations
 
 
 
(2,580
)
 
70
 
Total
 
$
700,919
 
 
$
12,704
 
 
$
22,775
 
 

20

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
 
External
Operating
Revenues
 
Inter-segment
Operating
Revenues
 
Income (Loss)
from Continuing
Operations
Utilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Electric
 
$
255,665
 
 
$
430
 
 
$
13,858
 
   Gas
 
349,676
 
 
 
 
17,708
 
Non-regulated Energy:
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Oil and Gas (c)
 
34,340
 
 
 
 
(25,591
)
   Power Generation (d)
 
14,834
 
 
 
 
17,911
 
   Coal Mining
 
15,683
 
 
12,212
 
 
319
 
   Energy Marketing
 
14,557
 
 
 
 
3,247
 
Corporate (a)
 
 
 
 
 
22,316
 
Inter-segment eliminations
 
 
 
(2,105
)
 
438
 
Total
 
$
684,755
 
 
$
10,537
 
 
$
50,206
 
 
____________
(a)
Income (loss) from continuing operations includes $16.2 million and $18.2 million net after-tax mark-to-market loss on interest rate swaps for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and a $20.6 million and $30.2 million net after-tax mark-to-market gain on interest rate swaps for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009.
(b)
Income (loss) from continuing operations includes a $1.7 million after-tax gain on sale of operating assets at Nebraska Gas.
(c)
As a result of lower natural gas prices at March 31, 2009, our Income (loss) from continuing operations reflects a $27.8 million after-tax non-cash ceiling test impairment of oil and gas assets included in the Oil and Gas segment in the first quarter of 2009 (see Note 18).
(d)
Income (loss) from continuing operations includes $16.9 million after-tax gain on sale to MEAN of 23.5% ownership interest in Wygen I power generation facility.
 
Total assets
June 30,
2010
 
December 31,
2009
 
June 30,
2009
Utilities:
 
 
 
 
 
   Electric
$
1,736,413
 
 
$
1,659,375
 
 
$
1,558,525
 
   Gas
622,585
 
 
684,375
 
 
628,152
 
Non-regulated Energy:
 
 
 
 
 
   Oil and Gas
348,509
 
 
338,470
 
 
347,198
 
   Power Generation
197,545
 
 
161,856
 
 
119,876
 
   Coal Mining
87,474
 
 
76,209
 
 
75,647
 
   Energy Marketing
294,043
 
 
321,207
 
 
299,374
 
Corporate
83,713
 
 
76,206
 
 
82,968
 
Total
$
3,370,282
 
 
$
3,317,698
 
 
$
3,111,740
 
 
 

21

 

(13)     RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
 
Our activities in the regulated and non-regulated energy sector expose us to a number of risks in the normal operation of our businesses. Depending on the activity, we are exposed to varying degrees of market risk and counterparty risk. We have developed policies, processes, systems, and controls to manage and mitigate these risks.
 
Market risk is the potential loss that might occur as a result of an adverse change in market price or rate. We are exposed to the following market risks:
 
•    
Commodity price risk associated with our marketing businesses, our natural long position with crude oil, natural gas and coal reserves and production, and fuel procurement for certain of our gas-fired generation assets and variability in revenue due to changes in gas usage at our regulated Gas Utilities segment resulting from commodity price changes;
 
•    
Interest rate risk associated with variable rate credit facilities and changes in forward interest rates used to determine the mark-to-market adjustment on our interest rate swaps; and
 
•    
Foreign currency exchange risk associated with natural gas marketing transacted in Canadian dollars.
 
Our exposure to these market risks is affected by a number of factors including the size, duration, and composition of our energy portfolio, the absolute and relative levels of interest rates, currency exchange rates and commodity prices, the volatility of these prices and rates, and the liquidity of the related interest rate and commodity markets.
 
We actively manage our exposure to certain market risks as described in Note 3 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our derivative and hedging activities included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are detailed in this Note along with Note 14.
 
Trading Activities
 
Natural Gas, Crude Oil and Coal Marketing
 
We have a natural gas, crude oil and coal marketing business specializing in producer services, end-use origination and wholesale marketing that conducts business in the western and central regions of the United States and Canada.
 
Contracts and other activities at our natural gas, crude oil and coal marketing operations are accounted for under the accounting standards for energy trading contracts. As such, all of the contracts and other activities at our natural gas, crude oil and coal marketing operations that meet the definition of a derivative are accounted for at fair value. The fair values are recorded as either Derivative assets or Derivative liabilities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net gains or losses are recorded as Operating revenues in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Accounting for energy trading contracts precludes mark-to-market accounting for energy trading contracts that are not defined as derivatives pursuant to accounting standards for derivatives. As part of our natural gas, crude oil and coal marketing operations, we often employ strategies that include derivative contracts along with inventory, storage and transportation positions to accomplish the objectives of our producer services, end-use origination and wholesale marketing groups. Except in limited circumstances when we are able to designate transportation, storage or inventory positions as part of a fair value hedge, accounting for derivatives and hedging generally does not allow us to mark inventory, transportation or storage positions to market. The result is that while a significant majority of our natural gas, crude oil and coal marketing positions are economically hedged, we are required to mark some parts of our overall strategies (the derivatives) to market value, but are generally precluded from marking the rest of our economic hedges (transportation, inventory or storage) to market. Volatility in reported earnings and derivative positions results from these accounting requirements.
 
To effectively manage our portfolios, we enter into forward physical commodity contracts, financial derivative instruments including over-the-counter swaps and options, and storage and transportation agreements. The business activities of our Energy Marketing segment are conducted within the parameters as defined and allowed in the BHCRPP and further delineated in the Risk Management Policies and Procedures as approved by our Executive Risk Committee. Our trading contracts do not include credit risk-related contingent features that require us to maintain a specific credit rating.

22

 

 
We use a number of quantitative tools to measure, monitor and limit our exposure to market risk in our natural gas, crude oil and coal marketing portfolio. We limit and monitor our market risk through established limits on the nominal size of positions based on type of trade, location and duration. Such limits include those on fixed price, basis, index, storage, transportation and foreign exchange positions.
 
Daily risk management activities include reviewing positions in relation to established position limits, assessing changes in daily mark-to-market and other non-statistical risk management techniques.
 
The contract or notional amounts and terms of our natural gas, crude oil and coal marketing activities and derivative commodity instruments are as follows:
 
 
Outstanding at
June 30, 2010
 
Outstanding at
December 31, 2009
 
Outstanding at
June 30, 2009
 
Notional
Amounts
 
Latest
Expiration
(months)
 
Notional
Amounts
 
Latest
Expiration
(months)
 
Notional
Amounts
 
Latest
Expiration
(months)
(in thousands of MMBtus)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas basis swaps purchased
238,853
 
 
21
 
 
231,703
 
 
22
 
 
289,140
 
 
28
 
Natural gas basis swaps sold
252,060
 
 
21
 
 
232,673
 
 
22
 
 
302,324
 
 
28
 
Natural gas fixed-for-float swaps purchased
67,103
 
 
39
 
 
60,927
 
 
16
 
 
90,974
 
 
21
 
Natural gas fixed-for-float swaps sold
86,200
 
 
19
 
 
72,904
 
 
25
 
 
100,088
 
 
18
 
Natural gas physical purchases
122,687
 
 
21
 
 
120,680
 
 
27
 
 
168,381
 
 
18
 
Natural gas physical sales
123,629
 
 
39
 
 
124,830
 
 
27
 
 
184,873
 
 
21
 
 
 
Outstanding at
June 30, 2010
 
Outstanding at
December 31, 2009
 
Outstanding at
June 30, 2009
 
Notional
Amounts
 
Latest
Expiration
(months)
 
Notional
Amounts
 
Latest
Expiration
(months)
 
Notional
Amounts
 
Latest
Expiration
(months)
(in thousands of Bbls)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crude oil physical purchases
4,673
 
 
6
 
 
5,048
 
 
12
 
 
5,595
 
 
6
 
Crude oil physical sales
4,754
 
 
6
 
 
4,998
 
 
12
 
 
4,925
 
 
6
 
Crude oil swaps/options purchased
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42
 
 
3
 
Crude oil swaps/options sold
140
 
 
4
 
 
69
 
 
2
 
 
111
 
 
3
 
 
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2010 *
 
 
Notional
Amounts
 
Latest
Expiration
(months)
 
(in thousands of tons)
 
 
 
 
Coal fixed-for-float swaps purchased
6,910
 
 
29
 
 
Coal fixed-for-float swaps sold
4,985
 
 
30
 
 
Coal physical purchases
24,925
 
 
54
 
 
Coal physical sales
6,472
 
 
38
 
 
Coal options purchased
334
 
 
42
 
 
Coal options sold
1,804
 
 
30
 
 
__________
* Coal contracts represent the contractual positions of the coal marketing business acquired on June 1, 2010 and contracts arising from subsequent trading activity.
 
Derivatives and certain natural gas, crude oil and coal marketing activities were marked to fair value on June 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, and the related gains and/or losses recognized in earnings. The amounts included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Income are as follows (in thousands):

23

 

 
 
June 30,
2010
 
December 31,
2009
 
June 30,
2009
Derivative assets, current
$
41,576
 
 
$
25,366
 
 
$
52,870
 
Derivative assets, non-current
$
5,888
 
 
$
3,090
 
 
$
1,802
 
Derivative liabilities, current
$
15,912
 
 
$
9,377
 
 
$
14,970
 
Derivative liabilities, non-current
$
(168
)
 
$
(733
)
 
$
(1,917
)
Cash collateral (receivable)/payable included in derivative assets/liabilities
$
 
 
$
(2,728
)
 
$
(9,267
)
Unrealized gain
$
31,720
 
 
$
17,084
 
 
$
32,352
 
 
In addition, certain volumes of natural gas inventory have been designated as the underlying hedged item in a fair value hedge transaction. These volumes include market adjustments based on published industry quotations. Market adjustments are recorded in Materials, supplies and fuel on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the related unrealized gain/loss on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, effectively offsetting the earnings impact of the unrealized gain/loss recognized on the associated derivative asset or liability described above. As of June 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, the market adjustments recorded in inventory were $(8.5) million, $(0.3) million and $(3.8) million, respectively.
 
Activities Other Than Trading
 
Oil and Gas Exploration and Production
 
We produce natural gas and crude oil through our exploration and production activities. Our natural "long" positions, or unhedged open positions, result in commodity price risk and variability to our cash flows. We employ risk management methods to mitigate this commodity price risk and preserve our cash flows and we have adopted guidelines covering hedging for our natural gas and crude oil production. These guidelines have been approved by our Executive Risk Committee, and are routinely reviewed by our Board of Directors.
 
At June 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, we had a portfolio of swaps and options to hedge portions of our crude oil and natural gas production. We elect hedge accounting on those over-the-counter swaps and options. These transactions were designated at inception as cash flow hedges, documented under accounting for derivatives and hedging, and initially met prospective effectiveness testing. Effectiveness of our hedging position is evaluated at least quarterly.
 
The derivatives were marked to fair value and are recorded as Derivative assets or Derivative liabilities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The effective portion of the gain or loss on these derivatives is reported in other comprehensive income and the ineffective portion is reported in earnings.

24

 

 
We had the following derivatives and related balances (dollars in thousands):
 
 
June 30, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
 
June 30, 2009
 
Crude Oil
Swaps/
Options
 
Natural Gas
Swaps
 
Crude Oil
Swaps/
Options
 
Natural Gas
Swaps
 
Crude Oil
Swaps/
Options
 
Natural Gas
Swaps
Notional*
520,500
 
 
9,397,800
 
 
472,500
 
 
9,602,300
 
 
480,000
 
 
9,862,050
 
Maximum terms in years **
0.25
 
 
0.5
 
 
0.25
 
 
0.75
 
 
0.25
 
 
0.75
 
Derivative assets, current
$
2,040
 
 
$
6,855
 
 
$
3,345
 
 
$
5,994
 
 
$
3,600
 
 
$
14,012
 
Derivative assets, non-current
$
855
 
 
$
2,983
 
 
$
136
 
 
$
551
 
 
$
1,453
 
 
$
1,612
 
Derivative liabilities, current
$
2,170
 
 
$
44
 
 
$
1,220
 
 
$
1,435
 
 
$
 
 
$
361
 
Derivative liabilities, non-current
$
178
 
 
$
4
 
 
$
2,502
 
 
$
391
 
 
$
1,995
 
 
$
1,392
 
Pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) included in balance sheets
$
(161
)
 
$
9,790
 
 
$
(862
)
 
$
4,719
 
 
$
2,543
 
 
$
13,871
 
Earnings
$
708
 
 
$
 
 
$
621
 
 
$
 
 
$
515
 
 
$
 
____________
*
Crude in Bbls, gas in MMBtu.
**
Refers to the term of the derivative instrument. Assets and liabilities are classified as current/non-current based on the timing of the hedged transaction and the corresponding settlement of the derivative instrument.
Based on June 30, 2010 market prices, a $5.5 million gain would be realized and reported in pre-tax earnings during the next 12 months related to hedges of production. Estimated and actual realized gains will likely change during the next 12 months as market prices change.
 
Regulated Gas Utilities - Gas Hedges
 
Our Gas Utilities segment purchases and distributes natural gas in four states. During the winter heating season, our gas customers are exposed to the effect of volatile natural gas prices; therefore, as allowed or required by state utility commissions, we have entered into certain exchange traded natural gas futures, options and basis swaps to reduce our customers' underlying exposure to these fluctuations. These transactions are considered derivatives in accordance with accounting standards for derivatives and mark-to-market adjustments are recorded as Derivative assets or Derivative liabilities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Gains and losses, as well as option premiums upon settlement, on these transactions are recorded as Regulatory assets or Regulatory liabilities in accordance with accounting standards for regulated operations. Accordingly, the earnings impact is recognized in the Consolidated Income Statements as a component of PGA costs when the related costs are recovered through our rates as part of PGA costs in operating revenue.
 
The contract or notional amounts and terms of our natural gas derivative commodity instruments are as follows:
 
 
Outstanding at
June 30, 2010
 
Outstanding at
December 31, 2009
 
Outstanding at
June 30, 2009
 
Notional
Amounts*
 
Latest
Expiration
(months)
 
Notional
Amounts*
 
Latest
Expiration
(months)
 
Notional
Amounts *
 
Latest
Expiration
(months)
Natural gas futures purchased
8,230,000
 
 
21
 
 
6,220,000
 
 
15
 
 
8,920,000
 
 
21
 
Natural gas options purchased
1,520,000
 
 
9
 
 
1,910,000
 
 
3
 
 
2,650,000
 
 
9
 
Natural gas basis swaps purchased
 
 
 
 
225,000
 
 
3
 
 
377,500
 
 
9
 
____________
*
Gas in MMBtus
 

25

 

We had the following derivative balances related to the hedges in our regulated gas utilities (in thousands):
 
 
June 30,
2010
 
December 31,
2009
 
June 30,
2009
Derivative assets, current (a)
$
3,806
 
 
$
3,042
 
 
$
5,118
 
Derivative assets, non-current
$
 
 
$
 
 
$
162
 
Derivative liabilities, non-current
$
612
 
 
$
764
 
 
$
159
 
Net unrealized loss included in regulatory assets
$
7,150
 
 
$
2,578
 
 
$
2,163
 
Cash collateral receivable (payable) included in derivative assets/liabilities
$
9,551
 
 
$
3,789
 
 
$
5,792
 
______________
(a) Includes option premium of $0.8 million, $1.1 million and $1.5 million at June 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, respectively, which will be recorded as a regulatory asset upon settlement of the options.
 
Fuel in Storage
 
At our Electric Utilities, we occasionally hold natural gas in storage for use as fuel for generating electricity with our gas-fired combustion turbines. To minimize associated price risk and seasonal storage level requirements, we occasionally utilize various derivative instruments. These transactions are marked-to-market, designated as cash flow hedges, and recorded in Derivative assets, current and Derivative liabilities, current and Accumulated other comprehensive income on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Gains or losses on these transactions will be recorded in gross margin upon settlement.
 
We had the following swaps and related balances (dollars in thousands):
 
 
June 30,
2010
December 31,
2009
Notional *
232,500
 
232,500
 
Maximum terms in months
4
 
10
 
Current derivative asset
$
312
 
$
 
Current derivative liability
$
 
$
5
 
Pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
$
312
 
$
(5
)
_____________
*
Gas in MMBtus
 
Financing Activities
 
We are exposed to interest rate risk associated with fluctuations in the interest rate on our variable interest rate debt. In order to manage this risk, we have entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements with the intention to convert the debt's variable interest rate to a fixed rate.
 

26

 

Our interest rate swaps and related balances were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
June 30, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
 
June 30, 2009
 
Designated 
Interest Rate
Swaps
 
Dedesignated
Interest Rate
Swaps*
 
Designated
Interest Rate
Swaps
 
Dedesignated
Interest Rate
Swaps*
 
Designated
Interest Rate
Swaps
 
Dedesignated
Interest Rate
Swaps*
Current notional amount
$
150,000
 
 
$
250,000
 
 
$
150,000
 
 
$
250,000
 
 
$
150,000
 
 
$
250,000
 
Weighted average fixed interest rate
5.04
%
 
5.67
%
 
5.04
%
 
5.67
%
 
5.04
%
 
5.67
%
Maximum terms in years
6.50
 
 
0.50
 
 
7.00
 
 
1.00
 
 
7.50
 
 
0.50
 
Derivative liabilities, current
$
6,393
 
 
$
66,740
 
 
$
6,342
 
 
$
38,787
 
 
$
6,045
 
 
$
47,971
 
Derivative liabilities, non-current
$
17,551
 
 
$
 
 
$
9,075
 
 
$
 
 
$
10,469
 
 
$
 
Pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive loss included in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
$
(23,944
)
 
$
 
 
$
(15,417
)
 
$
 
 
$
(16,514
)
 
$
 
Pre-tax (loss) gain included in Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
$
 
 
$
(27,953
)
 
$
 
 
$
55,653
 
 
$
 
 
$
46,469
 
_____________
*
Maximum terms in years reflects the amended mandatory early termination dates of the nine and nineteen year de-designated swaps. If the mandatory early termination dates are not extended, the swaps will require cash settlement based on the swap value on the termination date.
 
Based on June 30, 2010 market interest rates and balances related to our $150 million in designated interest rate swaps, a loss of approximately $6.4 million would be realized and reported in pre-tax earnings during the next twelve months. Estimated and realized losses will likely change during the next twelve months as market interest rates change. Note 14 provides further information related to the $250 million notional swaps that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.
 
Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
Our Energy Marketing segment conducts its gas marketing in the United States and Canada. Transactions in Canada are generally transacted in Canadian dollars and create exchange rate risk for us. To mitigate this risk, we enter into forward currency exchange contracts to offset earnings volatility from changes in exchange rates between the Canadian and United States dollar.
 
The outstanding forward exchange contracts, which had a fair value of less than $0.1 million at June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009, respectively, were recorded as Derivative assets or Derivative liabilities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, the unrealized foreign exchange (loss) gain was less than $(0.1) million and $0.1 million, respectively, while for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, the amount of unrealized foreign exchange loss was $(0.3) million and less than $(0.1) million, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, the realized foreign currency exchange loss was $(0.5) million and $(0.6) million, respectively, while for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, the amount of foreign currency exchange gain was $1.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively. Currency gains or losses on transactions executed in Canadian dollars are recorded in Operating revenues on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income as incurred.
 
 
(14)     FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
 
Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical unrestricted assets or liabilities. This level primarily consists of financial instruments such as exchange-traded securities or listed derivatives.
 
Level 2 — Pricing inputs include quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

27

 

 
Level 3 — Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs reflect management's best estimate of fair value using its own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.
 
Recurring Fair Value Measures
 
Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009 (in thousands):
 
 
 
At Fair Value as of June 30, 2010
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Counterparty
Netting
and Cash
Collateral(a)
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives — Energy Marketing
 
$
 
 
$
173,008
 
 
$
3,411
 
 
$
(128,909
)
 
$
47,510
 
Commodity derivatives — Oil and Gas
 
 
 
11,422
 
 
1,265
 
 
 
 
12,687
 
Commodity derivatives — Regulated Utilities Group
 
 
 
(5,433
)
 
 
 
9,551
 
 
4,118
 
Money market funds
 
9,006
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9,006
 
Total
 
$
9,006
 
 
$
178,997
 
 
$
4,676
 
 
$
(119,358
)
 
$
73,321
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives — Energy Marketing
 
$
 
 
$
142,184
 
 
$
2,500
 
 
$
(128,908
)
 
$
15,776
 
Commodity derivatives — Oil and Gas
 
 
 
2,349
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,349
 
Commodity derivatives — Regulated Utilities Group
 
 
 
612
 
 
 
 
 
 
612
 
Foreign currency derivative
 
 
 
15
 
 
 
 
 
 
15
 
Interest rate swaps
 
 
 
90,684
 
 
 
 
 
 
90,684
 
Total
 
$
 
 
$
235,844
 
 
$
2,500
 
 
$
(128,908
)
 
$
109,436
 
 
 
 
At Fair Value as of December 31, 2009
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Counterparty
Netting
and Cash
Collateral(a)
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
 
$
 
 
$
154,205
 
 
$
4,879
 
 
$
(117,560
)
 
$
41,524
 
Money market fund
 
6,000
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6,000
 
Total
 
$
6,000
 
 
$
154,205
 
 
$
4,879
 
 
$
(117,560
)
 
$
47,524
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
 
$
 
 
$
133,604
 
 
$
5,435
 
 
$
(124,078
)
 
$
14,961
 
Interest rate swaps
 
 
 
54,204
 
 
 
 
 
 
54,204
 
Total
 
$
 
 
$
187,808
 
 
$
5,435
 
 
$
(124,078
)
 
$
69,165
 
 

28

 

 
 
At Fair Value as of June 30, 2009
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Counterparty
Netting
and Cash
Collateral(a)
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
 
$
 
 
$
252,368
 
 
$
13,189
 
 
$
(184,929
)
 
$
80,628
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
 
$
 
 
$
208,577
 
 
$
8,036
 
 
$
(199,987
)
 
$
16,626
 
Foreign currency derivatives
 
 
 
334
 
 
 
 
 
 
334
 
Interest rate swaps
 
 
 
64,486
 
 
 
 
 
 
64,486
 
Total
 
$
 
 
$
273,397
 
 
$
8,036
 
 
$
(199,987
)
 
$
81,446
 
____________
(a) Cash Collateral on deposit in margin accounts under master netting agreements at June 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009 totaled a net $9.6 million, $6.5 million and $15.1 million, respectively.
 
The following tables present the changes in level 3 recurring fair value for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2010
 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2010
 
Commodity
Derivatives
 
Commodity
Derivatives
Balance as of beginning of period
$
1,295
 
 
$
(556
)
Unrealized losses
(952
)
 
(2,167
)
Unrealized gains
2,345
 
 
3,726
 
Purchases, issuance and settlements
(498
)
 
(805
)
Transfers into level 3 (a)
(16
)
 
(16
)
Transfers out of level 3(b)
2
 
 
1,994
 
Balances at end of period
$
2,176
 
 
$
2,176
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in unrealized gains relating to instruments still held as of quarter-end
$
66
 
 
$
1,811
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2009
 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2009
 
Commodity
 Derivatives
 
Commodity
 Derivatives
Balance as of beginning of period
$
13,407
 
 
$
16,398
 
Realized and unrealized losses
(1,310
)
 
(1,555
)
Purchases, issuance and settlements
(747
)
 
(6,054
)
Transfers in and/or out of level 3 (a) (b)
(6,197
)
 
(3,636
)
Balances at end of period
$
5,153
 
 
$
5,153
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in unrealized losses relating to instruments still held as of quarter-end
$
(7,013
)
 
$
(10,455
)
____________
(a)
Transfers into level 3 represent assets and liabilities that were previously categorized as a higher level for which the inputs became unobservable.
(b)
Transfers out of level 3 represent assets and liabilities that were previously classified as level 3 for which the lowest significant input became observable during the period.
 

29

 

Gains and losses (realized and unrealized) for level 3 commodity derivatives are included in Operating revenues on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. If an investor seeks to conduct an analysis of commodity derivatives classified as level 3, the analysis should be undertaken with the understanding that these items may be economically hedged as part of a total portfolio of instruments that may be classified in level 1 or 2, or with instruments that may not be accounted for at fair value. Accordingly, gains and losses associated with level 3 balances may not necessarily reflect trends occurring in the underlying business. Further, unrealized gains and losses for the period from level 3 items may be offset by unrealized gains and losses in positions classified in level 1 or 2, as well as positions that have been realized during the quarter.
 
Fair Value Measures
 
As required by accounting standards for derivatives and hedges, fair values within the following tables are presented on a gross basis and do not reflect the netting of asset and liability positions. Further, the amounts do not include net cash collateral of $9.6 million, $6.5 million and $15.1 million on deposit in margin accounts at June 30, 2010, December 31, 2009, and June 30, 2009, respectively, to collateralize certain financial instruments, which is included in Derivative assets - current. Therefore, the gross balances are not indicative of either our actual credit exposure or net economic exposure. Additionally, the amounts below will not agree with the amounts presented on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, nor will they agree to the fair value measurements presented in Note 13.
 
The following tables present the fair value and balance sheet classification of our derivative instruments as of June 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):
 
Fair Value as of June 30, 2010
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
of Asset
Derivatives
 
Fair Value
of Liability
Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative assets — current
 
$
9,790
 
 
$
1,369
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative assets — non-current
 
6
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative liabilities — current
 
16
 
 
8
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative liabilities — non-current
 
 
 
8
 
Interest rate swaps
Derivative liabilities — current
 
 
 
6,393
 
Interest rate swaps
Derivative liabilities — non-current
 
 
 
17,551
 
Total derivatives designated as hedges
 
 
$
9,812
 
 
$
25,329
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative assets — current
 
$
151,994
 
 
$
115,377
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative assets — non-current
 
20,657
 
 
10,937
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative liabilities — current
 
13,891
 
 
32,010
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative liabilities — non-current
 
 
 
618
 
Foreign currency derivatives
Derivative liabilities — current
 
 
 
15
 
Interest rate swap
Derivative liabilities — current
 
 
 
66,740
 
Total derivatives not designated as hedges
 
 
$
186,542
 
 
$
225,697
 
 
 

30

 

Fair Value as of December 31, 2009
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
of Asset
Derivatives
 
Fair Value
of Liability
Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative assets — current
 
$
4,163
 
 
$
2,977
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative assets — non-current
 
72
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative liabilities — current
 
16
 
 
801
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative liabilities — non-current
 
 
 
55
 
Interest rate swaps
Derivative liabilities — current
 
 
 
6,342
 
Interest rate swaps
Derivative liabilities — non-current
 
 
 
9,075
 
Total derivatives designated as hedges
 
 
$
4,251
 
 
$
19,250
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative assets — current
 
$
135,807
 
 
$
103,035
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative assets — non-current
 
6,490
 
 
2,785
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative liabilities — current
 
19,089
 
 
33,069
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative liabilities — non-current
 
946
 
 
3,815
 
Interest rate swap
Derivative liabilities — current
 
 
 
38,787
 
Total derivatives not designated as hedges
 
 
$
162,332
 
 
$
181,491
 
 
 
Fair Value as of June 30, 2009
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
of Asset
Derivatives
 
Fair Value
of Liability
Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative assets — current
 
$
7,500
 
 
$
3,444
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative assets — non-current
 
3
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative liabilities — current
 
55
 
 
363
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative liabilities — non-current
 
 
 
5
 
Interest rate swaps
Derivative liabilities — current
 
 
 
6,045
 
Interest rate swaps
Derivative liabilities — non-current
 
 
 
10,469
 
Total derivatives designated as hedges
 
 
$
7,558
 
 
$
20,326
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative assets — current
 
$
243,199
 
 
$
186,714
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative assets — non-current
 
15,875
 
 
10,849
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative liabilities — current
 
12,776
 
 
27,465
 
Commodity derivatives
Derivative liabilities — non-current
 
79
 
 
1,703
 
Interest rate swap
Derivative liabilities — current
 
 
 
47,971
 
Foreign currency derivatives
Derivative liabilities — current
 
 
 
334
 
Total derivatives designated as hedges
 
 
$
271,929
 
 
$
275,036
 
 
Our derivative activities are discussed in Note 13. The following tables present the impact that derivatives had on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010.
 

31

 

Fair Value Hedges
 
The impact of commodity contracts designated as fair value hedges and the related hedged items on our accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009 are presented as follows (in thousands):
 
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
Fair Value Hedges
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2010
 
June 30, 2010
Derivatives
in Fair Value
 Hedging Relationships
 
Location of Gain/(Loss)
 on Derivatives
 Recognized in Income
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss)
on Derivatives
 Recognized in Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
 
Operating revenue
 
$
(3,199
)
 
$
8,009
 
Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the hedged item
 
Operating revenue
 
2,569
 
 
(8,178
)
 
 
 
 
$
(630
)
 
$
(169
)
 
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
 
Fair Value Hedges
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2009
 
June 30, 2009
Derivatives
in Fair Value
 Hedging Relationships
 
Location of Gain/(Loss)
 on Derivatives
 Recognized in Income
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss)
on Derivatives
 Recognized in Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
 
Operating revenue
 
$
(639
)
 
$
6,881
 
Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the hedged item
 
Operating revenue
 
1,415
 
 
(5,540
)
 
 
 
 
$
776
 
 
$
1,341
 
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
The impact of cash flow hedges on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009 are presented as follows (in thousands):
 
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
and the Balance Sheet for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
Cash Flow Hedges
Derivatives in
Cash Flow
Hedging
Relationships
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized
in AOCI
Derivative
(Effective
Portion)
 
Location
of Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
(Effective
Portion)
 
Amount of
Reclassified
Gain/(Loss)
from AOCI
into Income
(Effective
Portion)
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized
in Income
on Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
(9,812
)
 
Interest expense
 
$
(3,519
)
 
 
 
$
 
Commodity derivatives
 
(491
)
 
Operating revenue
 
(5,191
)
 
Operating revenue
 
(154
)
Total
 
$
(10,303
)
 
 
 
$
(8,710
)
 
 
 
$
(154
)
 
 

32

 

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
and the Balance Sheet for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009
Cash Flow Hedges
Derivatives in
Cash Flow
Hedging
Relationships
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized
in AOCI
Derivative
(Effective
Portion)
 
Location
of Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
(Effective
Portion)
 
Amount of
Reclassified
Gain/(Loss)
from AOCI
into Income
(Effective
Portion)
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized
in Income
on Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
9,606
 
 
Interest expense
 
$
(610
)
 
 
 
$
 
Commodity derivatives
 
(15,663
)
 
Operating revenue
 
6,546
 
 
Operating revenue
 
(167
)
Total
 
$
(6,057
)
 
 
 
$
5,936
 
 
 
 
$
(167
)
 
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
and the Balance Sheet for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
Cash Flow Hedges
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized
in AOCI
Derivative
(Effective
Portion)
 
Location
of Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
(Effective
Portion)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
(Effective
Portion)
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized
in Income
on Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
(11,886
)
 
Interest expense
 
(3,824
)
 
 
 
$
 
Commodity derivatives
 
6,090
 
 
Operating revenue
 
(1,948
)
 
Operating revenue
 
(317
)
Total
 
$
(5,796
)
 
 
 
$
(5,772
)
 
 
 
$
(317
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
and the Balance Sheet for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
Cash Flow Hedges
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized
in AOCI
Derivative
(Effective
Portion)
 
Location
of Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
(Effective
Portion)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income
(Effective
Portion)
 
Location of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized
in Income
on Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 
Amount of
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
11,721
 
 
Interest expense
 
$
(1,958
)
 
 
 
$
 
Commodity derivatives
 
(8,508
)
 
Operating revenue
 
13,181
 
 
Operating revenue
 
(1,094
)
Total
 
$
3,213
 
 
 
 
$
11,223
 
 
 
 
$
(1,094
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

33

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedge Instruments
 
The impact of derivative instruments that have not been designated as hedges on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009 are presented below (in thousands):
 
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2010
 
June 30, 2010
Derivatives Not Designated
 as Hedging Instruments
 
Location of Gain/(Loss)
 on Derivatives
 Recognized in Income
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss)
 on Derivatives
 Recognized in Income
Commodity derivatives
 
Operating revenue
 
$
6,868
 
 
$
4,209
 
Interest rate swap
 
Interest rate swap — unrealized (loss) gain
 
(24,918
)
 
(27,953
)
Foreign currency contracts
 
Operating revenue
 
(15
)
 
(15
)
 
 
 
 
$
(18,065
)
 
$
(23,759
)
 
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2009
 
June 30, 2009
Derivatives Not Designated
 as Hedging Instruments
 
Location of Gain/(Loss)
 on Derivatives
 Recognized in Income
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss)
 on Derivatives
 Recognized in Income
Commodity derivatives
 
Operating revenue
 
$
(9,239
)
 
$
(17,364
)
Interest rate swap
 
Interest rate swap — unrealized (loss) gain
 
31,706
 
 
46,469
 
Foreign currency contracts
 
Operating revenue
 
(350
)
 
(107
)
 
 
 
 
$
22,117
 
 
$
28,998
 
 
 
(15)     FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The estimated fair value of our financial instruments at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
June 30, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
 
June 30, 2009
 
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair Value
Cash, cash equivalents
 
$
64,033
 
 
$
64,033
 
 
$
112,901
 
 
$
112,901
 
 
$
122,351
 
 
$
122,351
 
Restricted cash
 
$
16,169
 
 
$
16,169
 
 
$
17,502
 
 
$
17,502
 
 
$
 
 
$
 
Derivative financial instruments - assets
 
$
64,315
 
 
$
64,315
 
 
$
41,524
 
 
$
41,524
 
 
$
80,629
 
 
$
80,629
 
Derivative financial instruments - liabilities
 
$
109,436
 
 
$
109,436
 
 
$
69,165
 
 
$
69,165
 
 
$
81,445
 
 
$
81,445
 
Notes payable
 
$
225,000
 
 
$
225,000
 
 
$
164,500
 
 
$
164,500
 
 
$
270,500
 
 
$
270,500
 
Long-term debt, including current maturities
 
$
994,669
 
 
$
1,101,903
 
 
$
1,051,157
 
 
$
1,123,703
 
 
$
751,329
 
 
$
776,616
 
 

34

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of our financial instruments.
 
Cash, Cash Equivalents
 
The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.
 
Restricted Cash
 
Restricted cash is cash held in escrow in accordance with terms of a settlement at our Oil and Gas segment and restricted monies held in restricted cash accounts under our project financing agreement at Black Hills Wyoming.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Derivative Financial instruments are carried at fair value. Our fair value measurements are developed using a variety of inputs by our risk management group, which is independent of the trading function. These inputs include unadjusted quoted prices where available; prices published by various third-party providers; and, when necessary, internally developed adjustments. In many cases, the internally developed prices are corroborated with external sources. Some of our transactions take place in markets with limited liquidity and limited price visibility. Additionally, descriptions of the various instruments we use and the valuation method employed are included in Notes 13 and 14.
 
Notes Payable
 
The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the variable interest rates with short reset periods.
 
Long-Term Debt
 
The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated based on quoted market rates for debt instruments having similar maturities and similar debt ratings. The first mortgage bonds issued by Black Hills Power and Cheyenne Light are either currently not callable or are subject to make-whole provisions which would eliminate any economic benefits for us to call these bonds.
 
 
(16)     COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Legal Proceedings
 
We are subject to various legal proceedings, claims and litigation as described in Note 19 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Except as described below, no material proceedings have developed and no material proceedings have terminated during the first six months of 2010.
 
In the normal course of business, we are subject to various lawsuits, actions, proceedings, claims and other matters asserted under laws and regulations.  We believe the amounts provided in our consolidated financial statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimable contingencies.  However, there can be no assurance that the actual amounts required to satisfy alleged liabilities from various legal proceedings, claims and other matters discussed below, and to comply with applicable laws and regulations, will not exceed the amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements.  As such, costs, if any, that may be incurred in excess of those amounts provided as of June 30, 2010, cannot be reasonably determined and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.
 
Power Purchase Agreement and Purchase Option Agreement
 
In March 2010, Black Hills Power entered into a seven-year PPA and Purchase Option Agreement with the City of Gillette, Wyoming effective April 2010 that replaces a previous agreement. This PPA also provided the City of Gillette, through JPB, with an option to purchase a 23% ownership interest in Black Hills Power's Wygen III facility which commenced commercial operations on April 1, 2010. The City of Gillette notified Black Hills Power of its intent to exercise the option to purchase the 23% ownership interest in Wygen III and the transaction closed in July 2010. The PPA terminated upon the closing of the transaction (See Note 21).
 

35

 

Guarantees
 
We issued a guarantee for $6.0 million for a payment obligation arising from a contract to construct and purchase a new office building by Black Hills Utility Holdings. The office building is a 36,000 square foot office building located in Papillion, Nebraska. The guarantee will expire upon purchase of the building which is expected to be completed in 2011.
 
Black Hills Electric Generation issued a guarantee to the City of Pueblo, Colorado for the lesser of (a) the guaranteed obligations under the Annexation Agreement or (b) $10.0 million for the obligations of Colorado IPP relating to the construction of the 200 MW generation facility currently under construction. The guarantee will continue in force until December 31, 2011 and the current obligations do not exceed $2.9 million.
 
Other Commitments
 
Plans to construct a 180 MW power generation facility by our Colorado Electric utility and a 200 MW power generation facility by our Power Generation segment are progressing. Cost of construction is expected to be approximately $250 million to $260 million for Colorado Electric and $240 million to $265 million for the Power Generation segment. Construction is expected to be completed at both facilities by December 31, 2011. As our plans progress, we are in the process of procuring or have procured contracts for the turbines, building construction and labor. As of June 30, 2010, committed contracts for purchased equipment and construction were 100% and 44 % complete, respectively, for the Colorado Electric utility and 79% and 38%, respectively, for the Power Generation segment.
 
 
(17)     INCOME TAXES
 
Our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was higher than for the six months ended June 30, 2009 primarily as a result of a positive adjustment in the first quarter of 2009 for a previously recorded tax position. We recorded a $3.8 million reduction in tax expense reflecting a re-measurement of a tax position in accordance with accounting for uncertain tax positions for our Oil and Gas segment.
 
 
(18)     IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
 
As a result of lower natural gas prices at March 31, 2009, we recorded a non-cash ceiling test impairment of oil and gas assets included in the Oil and Gas segment. The lower prices at March 31, 2009 resulted in a $43.3 million pre-tax decrease in the full cost accounting method's ceiling limit for capitalized oil and gas property costs. The write-down in the net carrying value of our natural gas and crude oil properties was recorded as Impairment of long-lived assets and was based on the March 31, 2009 NYMEX price of $3.63 per Mcf, adjusted to $2.23 per Mcf at the wellhead, for natural gas; and NYMEX price of $49.66 per barrel, adjusted to $45.32 per barrel at the wellhead, for crude oil.
 
 
(19)     SALE OF OPERATING ASSETS
 
In March 2010, Nebraska Gas sold assets to Metropolitan Utilities District as a result of annexation proceedings by the City of Omaha, Nebraska. Nebraska Gas received $6.1 million in cash and recognized a $1.7 million after-tax gain on the sale.
 
 
(20)    ACQUISITION
 
On June 1, 2010, Enserco expanded the commodities it markets through the acquisition of a coal marketing business from EDF for $2.25 million. Substantially all of the value of the net assets acquired was related to the portfolio of coal marketing contracts. On the June 1, 2010 acquisition date, the fair value of the net assets was approximately $2.4 million which was recorded in Derivative assets and Derivative liabilities. Additionally, we recognized $0.2 million negative goodwill, which was recorded in Other income, net on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Income Statements. For the quarter ended June 30, 2010, Enserco recognized $4.2 million and $(0.4) million of unrealized and realized gross margins, respectively. Further information regarding these coal marketing contracts and activities is included in Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 

36

 

(21)     SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
$200 Million Debt Offering
 
On July 16, 2010, pursuant to a public offering, we issued $200 million aggregate principal of senior unsecured notes due in 2020. The notes were priced at par and carry a fixed interest rate of 5.875%. We received proceeds of $198.7 million, net of underwriting fees. Estimated deferred financing costs were $1.7 million which will be amortized over the 10-year term of the debt. Proceeds were used to pay down a portion of borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility and reduce issued letters of credit.
 
Partial Sale of Wygen III
 
On July 14, 2010, Black Hills Power sold a 23% ownership interest in Wygen III to the JBP for $62.0 million. The JBP exists for the purpose of, among other things, financing the electrical system of the City of Gillette. The transaction entitles the City of Gillette to an ownership interest of approximately 25.3 MW in the plant. The purchase terminates the current PPA with the City of Gillette, and the Wygen III Participation Agreement has been amended to include JPB. The Participation Agreement provides that the City of Gillette will pay Black Hills Power for administrative services and share in the costs of operating the plant for the life of the facility. The estimated amount of net fixed assets sold totaled $55.6 million.
 
Guarantees
 
On July 22, 2010, we issued a guarantee to Colorado Interstate Gas Company for $9.3 million for payment obligations of Black Hills Utilities Holdings, Inc. related to natural gas transportation, storage and services agreements. The guarantee expires July 31, 2011.

37

 

ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We are a diversified energy company operating principally in the United States with two major business groups — Utilities and Non-regulated Energy. We report our business groups in the following reportable operating segments:
 
Business Group
Financial Segment
 
 
Utilities Group
Electric Utilities
 
Gas Utilities
 
 
Non-regulated Energy Group
Oil and Gas
 
Power Generation
 
Coal Mining
 
Energy Marketing
 
Our Utilities Group consists of our Electric and Gas Utility segments. Our Electric Utilities generate, transmit and distribute electricity to approximately 202,750 customers in South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Montana. In addition, Cheyenne Light, which is also reported within the Electric Utilities segment, provides natural gas to approximately 34,100 customers in Wyoming. Our Gas Utilities serve approximately 522,800 natural gas customers in Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. Our Non-regulated Energy Group engages in the production of coal, natural gas and crude oil primarily in the Rocky Mountain region; the production of electric power through ownership of a portfolio of generating plants and the sale of electric power and capacity primarily under long-term contracts; and the marketing of natural gas, crude oil, coal and related services.
 
Certain industries in which we operate are highly seasonal and revenues from, and certain expenses for, such operations may fluctuate significantly among quarterly periods. Demand for electricity and natural gas is sensitive to seasonal cooling, heating and industrial load requirements, as well as changes in market price. In particular, the normal peak usage season for gas utilities is November through March and significant earnings variances can be expected between the Gas Utilities segment's peak and off-peak seasons. Due to this seasonal nature, our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, and our financial condition as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations and financial condition to be expected as of or for any other period.
See Forward-Looking Information in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Item 2, beginning on Page 73.
 
Significant Events
 
Wygen III Power Plant
 
On April 1, 2010, the Wygen III, 110 MW mine-mouth coal-fired power plant commenced commercial operations. As of June 30, 2010, Black Hills Power owned a 75% interest in the facility. As discussed below, Black Hills Power sold an additional 23% ownership interest in the facility during July 2010.
 
Energy Marketing Acquisition
 
In June 2010, our Energy Marketing segment expanded the commodities it markets to include coal through the acquisition of a coal marketing business for $2.25 million. The business will focus on sourcing coal from Wyoming's Powder River Basin for delivery to customers in the western United States.
 

38

 

Rate Case Settlements
 
Black Hills Power - South Dakota
 
In July 2010, the SDPUC approved a final revenue increase of $15.2 million, or 12.7%, for Black Hills Power customers. Interim rates representing a 20% revenue increase were in effect commencing April 1, 2010. A refund will be provided and has been accrued for the difference in rates.
 
Black Hills Power - Wyoming
 
In May 2010, the WPSC approved a final revenue increase of $3.1 million for Black Hills Power customers. The new rates were effective June 1, 2010.
 
Sale of Partial Ownership in Wygen III
 
In March 2010, Black Hills Power entered into a seven-year PPA and Purchase Option Agreement with the City of Gillette, Wyoming effective April 2010 that replaced a previous PPA entered into in 1998. This new agreement also provided the City of Gillette, through JPB, with an option to purchase a 23% ownership interest, or approximately 25.3 MW, in Black Hills Power's Wygen III facility which commenced commercial operations on April 1, 2010. The JPB exists for the purpose of, among other things, financing the electrical system of the City of Gillette. The City of Gillette exercised this option on July 14, 2010 and the JPB purchased the 23% ownership interest in Wygen III for $62.0 million for which Black Hills Power will recognize a gain on the sale of approximately $5.0 million to $6.0 million. Under the Participation Agreement, Black Hills Power will continue to operate Wygen III and the City of Gillette will pay Black Hills Power for administrative services and its share in the costs of operating the plant for the life of the facility. The PPA dated March 2010 terminated upon the closing of the transaction.
 
Smart Grid Funding
 
In April 2010, we reached an agreement with the DOE for smart grid funding through grants totaling $20.7 million for our Electric Utilities. The funds are made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and combined with matching investments from us will enable our electric utilities to install 149,000 smart meters and make related infrastructure investments. Our utilities expect to complete installation of these meters in 2011.
 
 

39

 

Results of Operations
 
Executive Summary and Overview
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2009. Loss from continuing operations and Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2010 was $8.7 million, or $0.22 per share, compared to Income from operations and Net income of $24.6 million, or $0.64 per share, reported for the same period in 2009. The 2010 Loss from continuing operations and Net loss includes a $16.2 million non-cash after-tax unrealized mark-to-market loss on certain interest rate swaps while the 2009 Income from continuing operations and Net income includes a $20.6 million after-tax unrealized mark-to-market gain on these same interest rate swaps.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2009. Income from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was $22.8 million, or $0.58 per share, compared to $50.2 million, or $1.30 per share, reported for the same period in 2009. The 2010 Income from continuing operations includes a $1.7 million after-tax gain on the sale of assets by Nebraska Gas and an $18.2 million non-cash after-tax unrealized mark-to-market loss on certain interest rate swaps. The 2009 Income from continuing operations includes a $30.2 million after-tax mark-to-market gain on these same interest rate swaps, a $27.8 million after-tax non-cash ceiling test impairment, and a $16.9 million after-tax gain on the sale of a 23.5% ownership interest in Wygen I.
 
Net income was $22.8 million, or $0.58 per share, in the first six months of 2010, compared to $51.0 million, or $1.32 per share, for the same period in 2009. In addition to the items mentioned above in income from continuing operations, the 2009 net income also includes $0.8 million of after-tax income from discontinued operations related to the IPP Transaction.
 
Business Group 2010 highlights are as follows:
 
Utilities Group
 
The Utilities Group's Income from continuing operations for the first six months of 2010 was $35.7 million, compared to $31.6 million for the same period in 2009. Our Electric Utilities were positively impacted by interim rates effective April 1, 2010 at Black Hills Power and an increase in off-system sales margins. Our Gas Utilities recorded increased margins due to the impact of recent rate increases not in effect for the entire year of 2009. Additional highlights of the Utilities Group include the following:
 
•    
The Wygen III generating facility commenced commercial operations on April 1, 2010. In September 2009, Black Hills Power filed a request for annual revenue increases of $32.0 million with the SDPUC to recover the costs associated with Wygen III and increases in other costs. On July 7, 2010, the SDPUC approved new rates representing $15.2 million in annual revenues which were effective retroactive to April 1, 2010;
 
•    
In October 2009, Black Hills Power filed a rate request for annual revenue increases of $3.8 million with the WPSC. On May 13, 2010, WPSC approved a rate increase of $3.1 million effective June 1, 2010 for Black Hills Power;
 
•    
In January 2010, Colorado Electric filed a request with the CPUC seeking a $22.9 million increase in annual revenues. On August 5, 2010, the CPUC approved a settlement agreement was for $17.9 million in annual revenues, with an effective date of August 6, 2010;
 
•    
In June 2010, Iowa Gas filed a request for a $4.7 million, or 2.9%, increase in annual revenues with the Iowa Utilities Board. An interim rate increase equal to 1.6% of revenues went into effect on June 18, 2010;
 
•    
We reached agreement with the DOE for smart grid funding through matching grants totaling $20.7 million, made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. During 2010, we have spent $1.2 million of the DOE grant funds and expect to have expended all grant funds by the end of 2011;

40

 

 
•    
In July 2010, Black Hills Power sold a 23% ownership interest in the Wygen III power generation facility to the JPB for $62.0 million. The JPB exists for the purpose of, among other things, financing the electric system of the City of Gillette, Wyoming. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the City of Gillette will pay Black Hills Power for ongoing administrative services and share in the cost of operating the plant for the life of the facility;
 
•    
Plans to construct gas-fired generation to serve Colorado Electric customers are moving forward to start providing energy on January 1, 2012. The 180 MW generation project is expected to cost between $250 million and $260 million, of which $90.1 million has been expended on this project through June 30, 2010. Construction commenced in July 2010 subsequent to the City of Pueblo annexing our site into the city and the receipt of the final air permit from the State of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; and
 
•    
Due to the annexation of an outlying suburb by the City of Omaha, Nebraska, Nebraska Gas sold assets serving approximately 3,000 customers to Metropolitan Utilities District on March 2, 2010. Nebraska Gas received $6.1 million in cash and recognized a $1.7 million after-tax gain on the sale of assets in the first quarter of 2010.
 
Non-regulated Energy Group
 
Income from continuing operations was $11.2 million for the first six months of 2010 for the Non-regulated Energy Group compared to a Loss from continuing operations of $3.7 million in the same period in 2009. Highlights of the Non-regulated Energy Group include the following:
 
•    
In June 2010, Enserco expanded the commodities it markets through the acquisition of a coal marketing business for $2.25 million. During the second quarter of 2010, margins of $3.7 million were recognized as a result of activity in the acquired portfolio of coal marketing contracts;
 
•    
The first quarter of 2009 included a $27.8 million after-tax non-cash ceiling test impairment charge due to a write-down in value of our natural gas and crude oil properties resulting from low quarter-end prices for the commodities at our Oil and Gas segment. The write-down of gas and oil properties was based on period-end NYMEX prices of $3.63 per Mcf, adjusted to $2.23 per Mcf at the wellhead, for natural gas; and $49.66 per barrel, adjusted to $45.32 per barrel at the wellhead, for crude oil;
 
•    
The first quarter of 2009 included a $16.9 million after-tax gain at our Power Generation segment on the sale to MEAN of a 23.5% ownership interest in the Wygen I power generation facility;
 
•    
Plans to construct gas-fired generation at Colorado IPP to serve a 20-year PPA with Colorado Electric are moving forward to start providing energy on January 1, 2012. The 200 MW project is expected to cost between $240 million and $265 million, of which $61.1 million has been expended on this project through June 30, 2010. Construction commenced in July 2010 subsequent to the City of Pueblo annexing our site into the city and the receipt of the final air permit from the State of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; and
 
•    
In May 2010, Enserco entered into a two-year $250 million committed stand-alone credit facility. The new facility includes a $100 million accordion feature.
 
Corporate
 
Loss from continuing operations was $24.1 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to Income from continuing operations of $22.3 million in the same period in 2009. Highlights of the Corporate activities include the following:
 
•    
We recognized a non-cash unrealized mark-to-market loss related to certain interest rate swaps of $18.2 million after-tax for the first six months of 2010 compared to a $30.2 million after-tax unrealized gain on these swaps for the same period in 2009; and
 
•    
On April 15, 2010, we entered into a new three-year $500 million Revolving Credit Facility, which includes a $100 million accordion feature, that will be used to fund working capital needs and general corporate purposes. The new facility replaces the Corporate Credit Facility which terminated on April 15, 2010.
 

41

 

Consolidated Results
 
Revenues, Income (loss) from continuing operations, and Net income (loss) provided by each business group were as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utilities
$
222,611
 
 
$
211,944
 
 
$
614,417
 
 
$
605,341
 
Non-regulated Energy
48,680
 
 
45,405
 
 
99,206
 
 
89,951
 
 
$
271,291
 
 
$
257,349
 
 
$
713,623
 
 
$
695,292
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) income from continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utilities
$
6,309
 
 
$
4,983
 
 
$
35,659
 
 
$
31,566
 
Non-regulated Energy
4,193
 
 
2,818
 
 
11,244
 
 
(3,676
)
Corporate
(19,161
)
 
16,780
 
 
(24,128
)
 
22,316
 
 
$
(8,659
)
 
$
24,581
 
 
$
22,775
 
 
$
50,206
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utilities
$
6,309
 
 
$
4,983
 
 
35,659
 
 
31,565
 
Non-regulated Energy
4,193
 
 
2,818
 
 
11,244
 
 
(3,675
)
Corporate
(19,161
)
 
16,780
 
 
(24,128
)
 
23,082
 
 
$
(8,659
)
 
$
24,581
 
 
$
22,775
 
 
$
50,972
 
 
Income from continuing operations decreased $33.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 reflecting the following:
 
Utilities
 
•    
A $2.7 million increase in Electric Utilities earnings;
 
•    
A $1.3 million decrease in the Gas Utilities earnings;
 
Non-regulated Energy
 
•    
A $0.1 million increase in Oil and Gas earnings;
 
•    
A $3.6 million increase in Coal Mining earnings;
 
•    
A $1.1 million decrease in Energy Marketing earnings;
 
•    
A $1.2 million decrease in Power Generation earnings; and
 
Corporate
 
•    
A $35.9 million decrease in Corporate activities.
 

42

 

Income from continuing operations decreased $27.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 reflecting the following:
 
Utilities
 
•    
A $3.2 million increase in Electric Utilities earnings;
 
•    
A $0.9 million increase in the Gas Utilities earnings;
 
Non-regulated Energy
 
•    
A $28.2 million increase in Oil and Gas earnings;
 
•    
A $4.1 million increase in Coal Mining earnings;
 
•    
A $0.1 million decrease in Energy Marketing earnings;
 
•    
A $17.2 million decrease in Power Generation earnings; and
 
Corporate
 
•    
A $46.4 million decrease in Corporate activities.
 
 
Following are additional details regarding the results of operations from our Utilities and Non-regulated Energy Groups by business segment, and Corporate activities.
 
The following business group and segment information does not include intercompany eliminations or results of discontinued operations. Amounts are presented on a pre-tax basis unless otherwise indicated.
 

43

 

Utilities Group
 
We report two segments within the Utilities Group: Electric Utilities and Gas Utilities. The Electric Utilities segment includes the electric operations of Black Hills Power, Colorado Electric and the electric and natural gas operations of Cheyenne Light. The Gas Utilities segment includes the regulated natural gas utility operations of Black Hills Energy in Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas.
 
Electric Utilities
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
(in thousands)
Revenue — electric
$
128,408
 
 
$
112,998
 
 
$
261,176
 
 
$
235,174
 
Revenue — gas
7,857
 
 
5,823
 
 
23,898
 
 
20,922
 
Total revenue
136,265
 
 
118,821
 
 
285,074
 
 
256,096
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel and purchased power — electric
64,794
 
 
58,938
 
 
138,305
 
 
123,836
 
Purchased gas
4,581
 
 
2,705
 
 
15,772
 
 
12,962
 
Total fuel and purchased power
69,375
 
 
61,643
 
 
154,077
 
 
136,798
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin — electric
63,614
 
 
54,060
 
 
122,871
 
 
111,338
 
Gross margin — gas
3,276
 
 
3,118
 
 
8,126
 
 
7,960
 
Total gross margin
66,890
 
 
57,178
 
 
130,997
 
 
119,298
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating, general and administrative costs
35,956
 
 
32,371
 
 
68,724
 
 
64,287
 
Depreciation and amortization
11,897
 
 
10,967
 
 
23,086
 
 
21,925
 
Total operating expenses
47,853
 
 
43,338
 
 
91,810
 
 
86,212
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
19,037
 
 
13,840
 
 
39,187
 
 
33,086
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(8,448
)
 
(9,486
)
 
(16,702
)
 
(16,985
)
Other income
315
 
 
1,786
 
 
2,440
 
 
3,531
 
Income tax expense
(3,708
)
 
(1,599
)
 
(7,877
)
 
(5,774
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations and net income
$
7,196
 
 
$
4,541
 
 
$
17,048
 
 
$
13,858
 
 

44

 

The following tables summarize revenues, quantities generated and purchased, sales quantities and degree days for our Electric Utilities segment:
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
Revenues (in thousands)
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
 
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
$
11,546
 
 
$
10,391
 
 
$
26,025
 
 
$
24,672
 
Cheyenne Light
6,785
 
 
7,094
 
 
14,710
 
 
14,581
 
Colorado Electric
16,607
 
 
15,185
 
 
36,023
 
 
31,688
 
Total Residential
34,938
 
 
32,670
 
 
76,758
 
 
70,941
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
16,104
 
 
14,551
 
 
30,643
 
 
29,194
 
Cheyenne Light
13,416
 
 
12,565
 
 
25,872
 
 
24,626
 
Colorado Electric
16,005
 
 
13,943
 
 
31,695
 
 
27,171
 
Total Commercial
45,525
 
 
41,059
 
 
88,210
 
 
80,991
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
6,204
 
 
5,030
 
 
10,841
 
 
9,780
 
Cheyenne Light
2,882
 
 
2,758
 
 
5,412
 
 
5,291
 
Colorado Electric
6,841
 
 
6,961
 
 
13,785
 
 
15,053
 
Total Industrial
15,927
 
 
14,749
 
 
30,038
 
 
30,124
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Municipal:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
748
 
 
660
 
 
1,401
 
 
1,296
 
Cheyenne Light
237
 
 
230
 
 
468
 
 
471
 
Colorado Electric
2,871
 
 
1,143
 
 
4,558
 
 
2,172
 
Total Municipal
3,856
 
 
2,033
 
 
6,427
 
 
3,939
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contract Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
7,078
 
 
5,631
 
 
13,796
 
 
12,184
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Off-system Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
8,539
 
 
5,765
 
 
17,255
 
 
14,985
 
Cheyenne Light
2,119
 
 
1,952
 
 
4,710
 
 
3,932
 
Colorado Electric
2,903
 
 
2,974
 
 
10,236
 
 
7,027
 
Total Off-system Wholesale
13,561
 
 
10,691
 
 
32,201
 
 
25,944
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
6,219
 
 
4,808
 
 
10,966
 
 
9,183
 
Cheyenne Light
789
 
 
112
 
 
1,701
 
 
213
 
Colorado Electric
515
 
 
1,245
 
 
1,079
 
 
1,655
 
Total Other
7,523
 
 
6,165
 
 
13,746
 
 
11,051
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
$
128,408
 
 
$
112,998
 
 
$
261,176
 
 
$
235,174
 
 
 

45

 

 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
Quantities Generated and Purchased (in MWh)
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
 
Generated —
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coal-fired:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
559,258
 
 
348,657
 
 
989,831
 
 
786,208
 
Cheyenne Light
181,475
 
 
185,172
 
 
357,899
 
 
376,728
 
Colorado Electric
55,993
 
 
56,856
 
 
126,244
 
 
123,331
 
Total Coal
796,726
 
 
590,685
 
 
1,473,974
 
 
1,286,267
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas and Oil-fired:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
1,106
 
 
5,750
 
 
3,944
 
 
6,825
 
Cheyenne Light
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado Electric
93
 
 
199
 
 
93
 
 
199
 
Total Gas and Oil-fired
1,199
 
 
5,949
 
 
4,037
 
 
7,024
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Generated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
560,364
 
 
354,407
 
 
993,775
 
 
793,033
 
Cheyenne Light
181,475
 
 
185,172
 
 
357,899
 
 
376,728
 
Colorado Electric
56,086
 
 
57,055
 
 
126,337
 
 
123,530
 
Total Generated
797,925
 
 
596,634
 
 
1,478,011
 
 
1,293,291
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased —
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
290,518
 
 
451,191
 
 
720,200
 
 
884,030
 
Cheyenne Light
151,570
 
 
154,286
 
 
344,427
 
 
312,273
 
Colorado Electric
487,956
 
 
493,319
 
 
1,029,158
 
 
980,845
 
Total Purchased
930,044
 
 
1,098,796
 
 
2,093,785
 
 
2,177,148
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Generated and Purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
850,882
 
 
805,598
 
 
1,713,975
 
 
1,677,063
 
Cheyenne Light
333,045
 
 
339,458
 
 
702,326
 
 
689,001
 
Colorado Electric
544,042
 
 
550,374
 
 
1,155,495
 
 
1,104,375
 
Total Generated and Purchased
1,727,969
 
 
1,695,430
 
 
3,571,796
 
 
3,470,439
 
 

46

 

 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
Quantity Sold (in MWh)
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
 
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
113,903
 
 
119,123
 
 
288,438
 
 
282,599
 
Cheyenne Light
59,152
 
 
59,100
 
 
133,972
 
 
130,226
 
Colorado Electric
137,581
 
 
134,557
 
 
304,610
 
 
277,230
 
Total Residential
310,636
 
 
312,780
 
 
727,020
 
 
690,055
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
164,863
 
 
169,955
 
 
349,301
 
 
345,211
 
Cheyenne Light
143,915
 
 
141,555
 
 
289,124
 
 
287,100
 
Colorado Electric
181,641
 
 
169,698
 
 
352,595
 
 
319,164
 
Total Commercial
490,419
 
 
481,208
 
 
991,020
 
 
951,475
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
101,425
 
 
93,984
 
 
188,088
 
 
179,968
 
Cheyenne Light
43,671
 
 
43,425
 
 
84,430
 
 
86,247
 
Colorado Electric
85,484
 
 
98,603
 
 
169,994
 
 
220,417
 
Total Industrial
230,580
 
 
236,012
 
 
442,512
 
 
486,632
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Municipal:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
7,577
 
 
7,567
 
 
15,803
 
 
15,662
 
Cheyenne Light
679
 
 
682
 
 
1,613
 
 
1,707
 
Colorado Electric
33,638
 
 
10,571
 
 
49,416
 
 
17,991
 
Total Municipal
41,894
 
 
18,820
 
 
66,832
 
 
35,360
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contract Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
120,258
 
 
143,248
 
 
288,723
 
 
311,927
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Off-system Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
299,064
 
 
230,617
 
 
530,111
 
 
474,403
 
Cheyenne Light
63,995
 
 
73,947
 
 
148,262
 
 
144,051
 
Colorado Electric
73,513
 
 
94,865
 
 
233,288
 
 
200,808
 
Total Off-system Wholesale
436,572
 
 
399,429
 
 
911,661
 
 
819,262
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Quantity Sold:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
807,090
 
 
764,494
 
 
1,660,464
 
 
1,609,770
 
Cheyenne Light
311,412
 
 
318,709
 
 
657,401
 
 
649,331
 
Colorado Electric
511,857
 
 
508,294
 
 
1,109,903
 
 
1,035,610
 
Total Quantity Sold
1,630,359
 
 
1,591,497
 
 
3,427,768
 
 
3,294,711
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and Company Use:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
43,792
 
 
41,104
 
 
53,511
 
 
67,293
 
Cheyenne Light
21,633
 
 
20,749
 
 
44,925
 
 
39,670
 
Colorado Electric
32,185
 
 
42,080
 
 
45,592
 
 
68,765
 
Total Losses and Company Use
97,610
 
 
103,933
 
 
144,028
 
 
175,728
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Energy
1,727,969
 
 
1,695,430
 
 
3,571,796
 
 
3,470,439
 
 

47

 

 
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Degree Days
2010
 
2009
Heating Degree Days:
Actual
 
Variance
 from
 Normal
 
Actual
 
Variance
 from
 Normal
Actual —
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
904
 
 
9
%
 
1,273
 
 
28
%
Cheyenne Light
1,308
 
 
6
%
 
1,261
 
 
2
%
Colorado Electric
647
 
 
1
%
 
579
 
 
(10
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cooling Degree Days:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual —
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
65
 
 
(37
)%
 
51
 
 
(50
)%
Cheyenne Light
35
 
 
(17
)%
 
24
 
 
(43
)%
Colorado Electric
280
 
 
30
%
 
184
 
 
(15
)%
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
Degree Days
2010
 
2009
Heating Degree Days:
Actual
 
Variance
 from
 Normal
 
Actual
 
Variance
 from
 Normal
Actual —
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
4,296
 
 
4
%
 
4,527
 
 
5
%
Cheyenne Light
4,418
 
 
1
%
 
4,085
 
 
(7
)%
Colorado Electric
3,424
 
 
4
%
 
2,949
 
 
(10
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cooling Degree Days:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual —
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black Hills Power
65
 
 
(35
)%
 
51
 
 
(50
)%
Cheyenne Light
35
 
 
(17
)%
 
24
 
 
(43
)%
Colorado Electric
280
 
 
30
%
 
184
 
 
(15
)%
 
 
Electric Utilities Power Plant Availability
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
Coal-fired plants
90.0
%
(a)
81.8
%
(b)
91.3
%
 
89.5
%
(b)
Other plants
97.4
%
 
92.6
%
 
98.6
%
 
96.0
%
 
Total availability
92.6
%
 
86.0
%
 
93.9
%
 
92.0
%
 
____________
(a)
Reflects addition of Wygen III which commenced commercial operations on April 1, 2010. Wygen III's availability during the three months ended June 30, 2010 was 85.8%.
(b)
Reflects major maintenance outages at Neil Simpson I and Neil Simpson II coal-fired plants. The outages were extended on both units to repair major rotor damage discovered during the overhauls. The Neil Simpson I outage was scheduled for 31 days and was subsequently extended to 39 days. The Neil Simpson II outage was scheduled for 18 days and was subsequently extended to 27 days.
 
 
 

48

 

Cheyenne Light Natural Gas Distribution
 
Included in the Electric Utilities segment is Cheyenne Light's natural gas distribution system. The following table summarizes certain operating information of these natural gas distribution operations:
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Revenues (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
4,770
 
 
$
3,634
 
 
$
14,283
 
 
$
12,646
 
Commercial
2,222
 
 
1,631
 
 
7,055
 
 
6,060
 
Industrial
663
 
 
373
 
 
2,121
 
 
1,807
 
Other
202
 
 
185
 
 
439
 
 
409
 
Total Revenues
$
7,857
 
 
$
5,823
 
 
$
23,898
 
 
$
20,922
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Margins (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
$
2,298
 
 
$
2,089
 
 
$
5,550
 
 
$
5,366
 
Commercial
752
 
 
746
 
 
1,969
 
 
1,917
 
Industrial
60
 
 
98
 
 
227
 
 
268
 
Other
166
 
 
185
 
 
380
 
 
409
 
Total Gross Margins
$
3,276
 
 
$
3,118
 
 
$
8,126
 
 
$
7,960
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volumes Sold (Dth):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
555,636
 
 
553,518
 
 
1,695,179
 
 
1,568,764
 
Commercial
331,723
 
 
333,213
 
 
992,841
 
 
917,636
 
Industrial
135,370
 
 
135,790
 
 
377,545
 
 
383,115
 
Total Volumes Sold
1,022,729
 
 
1,022,521
 
 
3,065,565
 
 
2,869,515
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2009. Income from continuing operations was $7.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $4.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as a result of:
 
Gross margin: Gross margin increased $9.7 million primarily due to an increase of $5.9 million related to the impact of the outcome of the Black Hills Power rate case where interim rates went into effect on April 1, 2010, an increase of $1.2 million for updated transmission cost adjustments at Colorado Electric, an increase of $1.0 million in off-system sales margins resulting from higher prices, and an increase of $1.2 million associated with an intercompany shared services agreement.
 
Operating, general and administrative costs: Operating, general and administrative costs increased $3.6 million primarily due to additional costs of $0.9 million associated with Wygen III which commenced commercial operations on April 1, 2010, increased labor and employee benefit costs, and increased intercompany costs of $1.2 million associated with a shared services agreement.
 
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization increased $0.9 million primarily due to commencement of depreciation on the Wygen III plant commenced commercial operations on April 1, 2010.
 
Interest expense, net: Interest expense, net decreased $1.0 million due to an increase of $1.8 million for AFUDC associated with the borrowed funds for the Colorado Electric plant construction partially offset by higher interest expense of $1.3 million compared to the same period in the prior year resulting from a change in debt structure from short-term debt to longer-term debt.
 
Other income: Other income decreased $1.5 million primarily due to lower AFUDC-equity which decreased upon the placement of Wygen III into commercial operations on April 1, 2010.
 

49

 

Income tax expense: Income tax expense increased $2.1 million primarily due to an increase in earnings compared to the same period in the prior year and a higher effective tax rate resulting from the lower benefit from AFUDC-equity which decreased upon commercial operations of Wygen III.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2009. Income from continuing operations was $17.0 million in the first six months of 2010 compared to $13.9 million in the first six months of 2009 as a result of:
 
Gross margin: Gross margin increased $11.7 million primarily due to a $5.9 million increase related to the impact of the outcome of the Black Hills Power rate case where interim rates went into effect on April 1, 2010, a $2.9 million increase in off-system sales margin resulting from higher prices, and a $3.0 million increase in intercompany revenues from a shared services agreement.
 
Operating, general and administrative costs: Operating, general and administrative costs increased $4.4 million primarily due to costs of $0.9 million associated with Wygen III which commenced commercial operation on April 1, 2010, an increase of $1.2 million in labor and employee benefit costs, an increase of $0.9 million in property taxes, and an increase of $2.1 million in intercompany costs from a shared services agreement.
 
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization increased $1.2 million primarily due to commencement of depreciation on the Wygen III plant placed into service on April 1, 2010.
 
Interest expense, net: Interest expense, net was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Other income: Other income decreased $1.1 million primarily due to decreased AFUDC-equity associated with the construction of our Wygen III facility.
 
Income tax expense: The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 

50

 

Gas Utilities
 
Operating results for the Gas Utilities are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Sales revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas — regulated
$
79,727
 
 
$
86,760
 
 
$
315,182
 
 
$
335,741
 
Other — non-regulated services
7,388
 
 
6,578
 
 
15,103
 
 
13,934
 
Total sales revenue
87,115
 
 
93,338
 
 
330,285
 
 
349,675
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas — regulated
39,324
 
 
46,601
 
 
202,751
 
 
227,816
 
Other — non-regulated services
3,754
 
 
3,891
 
 
7,772
 
 
8,461
 
Total cost of sales
43,078
 
 
50,492
 
 
210,523
 
 
236,277
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
44,037
 
 
42,846
 
 
119,762
 
 
113,398
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating, general and administrative costs
32,091
 
 
30,236
 
 
66,449
 
 
63,232
 
Gain on sale of operating assets
 
 
 
 
(2,683
)
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
6,774
 
 
7,499
 
 
13,819
 
 
15,680
 
Total operating expenses
38,865
 
 
37,735
 
 
77,585
 
 
78,912
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
5,172
 
 
5,111
 
 
42,177
 
 
34,486
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(6,824
)
 
(4,334
)
 
(13,009
)
 
(6,569
)
Other expense
260
 
 
(83
)
 
49
 
 
(118
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
506
 
 
(252
)
 
(10,605
)
 
(10,091
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) income from continuing operations and net (loss) income
$
(886
)
 
$
442
 
 
$
18,612
 
 
$
17,708
 
 

51

 

The following table summarizes regulated Gas Utilities' revenues (in thousands):
 
Revenues
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
$
10,597
 
 
$
10,740
 
 
$
33,449
 
 
$
38,150
 
Nebraska
16,676
 
 
18,864
 
 
73,770
 
 
78,146
 
Iowa
14,896
 
 
16,867
 
 
63,575
 
 
71,411
 
Kansas
10,585
 
 
11,182
 
 
43,929
 
 
41,888
 
Total Residential
52,754
 
 
57,653
 
 
214,723
 
 
229,595
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
2,239
 
 
2,481
 
 
7,228
 
 
8,313
 
Nebraska
5,250
 
 
6,364
 
 
26,660
 
 
28,323
 
Iowa
6,224
 
 
6,888
 
 
29,013
 
 
32,375
 
Kansas
3,054
 
 
3,150
 
 
14,304
 
 
13,566
 
Total Commercial
16,767
 
 
18,883
 
 
77,205
 
 
82,577
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
249
 
 
579
 
 
293
 
 
709
 
Nebraska
636
 
 
577
 
 
2,141
 
 
2,090
 
Iowa
272
 
 
34
 
 
1,183
 
 
651
 
Kansas
3,548
 
 
3,325
 
 
4,335
 
 
4,585
 
Total Industrial
4,705
 
 
4,515
 
 
7,952
 
 
8,035
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transportation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
170
 
 
186
 
 
451
 
 
362
 
Nebraska
1,924
 
 
1,969
 
 
6,573
 
 
5,922
 
Iowa
758
 
 
944
 
 
1,958
 
 
2,044
 
Kansas
1,046
 
 
1,190
 
 
2,984
 
 
2,796
 
Total Transportation
3,898
 
 
4,289
 
 
11,966
 
 
11,124
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
29
 
 
29
 
 
56
 
 
58
 
Nebraska
484
 
 
539
 
 
1,096
 
 
1,186
 
Iowa
138
 
 
267
 
 
582
 
 
693
 
Kansas
952
 
 
585
 
 
1,602
 
 
2,473
 
Total Other
1,603
 
 
1,420
 
 
3,336
 
 
4,410
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Regulated
79,727
 
 
86,760
 
 
315,182
 
 
335,741
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-regulated Services
7,388
 
 
6,578
 
 
15,103
 
 
13,934
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
$
87,115
 
 
$
93,338
 
 
$
330,285
 
 
$
349,675
 
 

52

 

The following table summarizes regulated Gas Utilities' gross margins (in thousands):
 
Gross Margins
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
$
3,965
 
 
$
3,567
 
 
$
10,555
 
 
$
8,682
 
Nebraska
9,714
 
 
8,995
 
 
26,050
 
 
24,130
 
Iowa
8,620
 
 
8,597
 
 
24,075
 
 
24,162
 
Kansas
6,075
 
 
6,292
 
 
16,292
 
 
15,348
 
Total Residential
28,374
 
 
27,451
 
 
76,972
 
 
72,322
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
693
 
 
649
 
 
1,910
 
 
1,616
 
Nebraska
2,039
 
 
2,197
 
 
7,178
 
 
6,941
 
Iowa
2,016
 
 
2,194
 
 
6,629
 
 
7,316
 
Kansas
1,200
 
 
1,276
 
 
3,780
 
 
3,495
 
Total Commercial
5,948
 
 
6,316
 
 
19,497
 
 
19,368
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
68
 
 
149
 
 
91
 
 
184
 
Nebraska
71
 
 
70
 
 
234
 
 
212
 
Iowa
33
 
 
24
 
 
118
 
 
90
 
Kansas
480
 
 
536
 
 
663
 
 
750
 
Total Industrial
652
 
 
779
 
 
1,106
 
 
1,236
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transportation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
170
 
 
186
 
 
451
 
 
362
 
Nebraska
1,924
 
 
1,969
 
 
6,573
 
 
5,921
 
Iowa
758
 
 
945
 
 
1,958
 
 
2,045
 
Kansas
1,046
 
 
1,191
 
 
2,997
 
 
2,797
 
Total Transportation
3,898
 
 
4,291
 
 
11,979
 
 
11,125
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
29
 
 
28
 
 
56
 
 
57
 
Nebraska
483
 
 
539
 
 
1,095
 
 
1,187
 
Iowa
139
 
 
267
 
 
583
 
 
693
 
Kansas
880
 
 
488
 
 
1,143
 
 
1,937
 
Total Other
1,531
 
 
1,322
 
 
2,877
 
 
3,874
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Regulated
40,403
 
 
40,159
 
 
112,431
 
 
107,925
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-regulated Services
3,634
 
 
2,687
 
 
7,331
 
 
5,473
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Gross Margins
$
44,037
 
 
$
42,846
 
 
$
119,762
 
 
$
113,398
 
 

53

 

The following table summarizes regulated Gas Utilities' volumes sold (in Dth):
Volumes Sold
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
1,150,169
 
 
1,141,526
 
 
3,971,016
 
 
3,493,140
 
Nebraska
1,384,365
 
 
1,740,296
 
 
7,720,752
 
 
7,440,074
 
Iowa
1,200,114
 
 
1,487,113
 
 
6,594,008
 
 
6,952,670
 
Kansas
836,716
 
 
1,062,405
 
 
4,405,333
 
 
4,009,303
 
Total Residential
4,571,364
 
 
5,431,340
 
 
22,691,109
 
 
21,895,187
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
269,435
 
 
293,801
 
 
924,808
 
 
803,279
 
Nebraska
652,800
 
 
865,365
 
 
3,197,924
 
 
3,201,025
 
Iowa
799,463
 
 
911,543
 
 
3,707,567
 
 
3,734,480
 
Kansas
343,704
 
 
408,154
 
 
1,688,852
 
 
1,529,081
 
Total Commercial
2,065,402
 
 
2,478,863
 
 
9,519,151
 
 
9,267,865
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
45,902
 
 
118,536
 
 
49,656
 
 
130,793
 
Nebraska
117,670
 
 
112,284
 
 
337,640
 
 
314,765
 
Iowa
46,235
 
 
8,551
 
 
177,501
 
 
90,683
 
Kansas
706,933
 
 
811,964
 
 
817,557
 
 
1,001,218
 
Total Industrial
916,740
 
 
1,051,335
 
 
1,382,354
 
 
1,537,459
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transportation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
176,676
 
 
196,826
 
 
475,219
 
 
431,800
 
Nebraska
5,558,285
 
 
5,830,746
 
 
13,548,913
 
 
13,414,429
 
Iowa
3,944,164
 
 
3,238,495
 
 
9,256,912
 
 
7,305,769
 
Kansas
3,092,475
 
 
3,524,951
 
 
7,302,303
 
 
7,017,578
 
Total Transportation
12,771,600
 
 
12,791,018
 
 
30,583,347
 
 
28,169,576
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colorado
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nebraska
173
 
 
245
 
 
1,149
 
 
1,135
 
Iowa
10,232
 
 
12,335
 
 
52,529
 
 
48,508
 
Kansas
11,844
 
 
17,936
 
 
70,853
 
 
77,518
 
Total Other
22,249
 
 
30,516
 
 
124,531
 
 
127,161
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total volumes
20,347,355
 
 
21,783,072
 
 
64,300,492
 
 
60,997,248
 
 
Degree Days
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2010
 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2010
Heating Degree Days:
Actual
 
Variance
From
 Normal
 
Actual
 
Variance
From
 Normal
Colorado
856
 
 
(10
)%
 
3,693
 
 
(3
)%
Nebraska
495
 
 
(13
)%
 
3,867
 
 
3
%
Iowa
556
 
 
(30
)%
 
4,081
 
 
(8
)%
Kansas*
427
 
 
(5
)%
 
3,118
 
 
4
%
Combined Gas Utilities Heating Degree Days
544
 
 
(17
)%
 
3,747
 
 
(1
)%

54

 

 
 
Degree Days
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2009
 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2009
Heating Degree Days:
Actual
 
Variance
From
 Normal
 
Actual
 
Variance
From
 Normal
Colorado
892
 
 
(7
)%
 
3,418
 
 
(11
)%
Nebraska
562
 
 
%
 
3,565
 
 
1
%
Iowa
797
 
 
8
%
 
4,495
 
 
(8
)%
Kansas*
484
 
 
%
 
2,748
 
 
(5
)%
Combined Gas Utilities Heating Degree Days
654
 
 
%
 
3,643
 
 
(4
)%
_______________
*
Kansas Gas has a 30-year weather normalization adjustment mechanism in place that neutralized the impact of weather on revenues at Kansas Gas.
 
Our Gas Utilities are highly seasonal and sales volumes vary considerably with weather and seasonal heating and industrial loads. Over 70% of our Gas Utilities' revenues and margins are expected in the fourth and first quarters of each year. Therefore, revenues for and certain expenses of, these operations fluctuate significantly among quarters. Depending upon the state jurisdiction, the winter heating season begins around November 1 and ends around March 31.
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2009. Loss from continuing operations was $0.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to Income from continuing operations of $0.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2009 as a result of:
 
Gross margin: Gross margins increased $1.2 million primarily due to increased interim rates at Iowa Gas and Nebraska Gas, and an approved surcharge at Kansas Gas which were effective subsequent to the second quarter of 2009, partially offset by lower volumes.
 
Operating, general and administrative costs: Operating, general and administrative costs increased $1.9 million primarily due to increases in labor and employee benefit costs.
 
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization decreased $0.7 million primarily due to assets that became fully depreciated during 2009.
 
Interest expense, net: Interest expense, net increased $2.5 million primarily resulting from the assignment of longer-term debt to adjust the assigned capital structure.
 
Other expense: Other expense was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Income tax benefit (expense): The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2010 was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2009. Income from continuing operations was $18.6 million in the first six months of 2010 compared to $17.7 million in the first six months of 2009 as a result of:
 
Gross margin: Gross margins increased $6.4 million due to higher volumes on more heating degree days and increased interim rates at Iowa Gas and Nebraska Gas, approved rates at Colorado Gas, and an approved surcharge at Kansas Gas which were effective subsequent to the second quarter of 2009.
 
Operating, general and administrative costs: Operating, general and administrative costs increased $3.2 million primarily due to increases in labor and employee benefit costs.
 
Gain on sale of operating assets: The gain on sale of operating assets of $2.7 million represents assets sold by Nebraska Gas to the City of Omaha, Nebraska after a portion of Nebraska Gas' service territory was annexed by the City.
 

55

 

Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization decreased $1.9 million primarily due to assets becoming fully depreciated during 2009.
 
Interest expense, net: Interest expense, net increased $6.4 million primarily from the assignment of debt to adjust the assigned capital structure and an increased interest rate associated with the assignment of longer-term debt.
 
Other expense: Other expense was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Income tax expense: The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Regulatory Matters — Utilities Group
 
The following summarizes our recent state and federal rate case and surcharge activity (dollars in millions):                         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Approved Capital
Structure
 
 
Type of
 Service
 
Date
Requested
 
Date
Effective
 
Amount
Requested
 
Amount
Approved
 
Return on
Equity
 
Equity
 
Debt
Nebraska Gas
 
Gas
 
11/2006
 
9/2007
 
$
16.3
 
 
$
9.2
 
 
10.4
%
 
51.0
%
 
49.0
%
Nebraska Gas (1)
 
Gas
 
12/2009
 
Pending
 
$
12.1
 
 
Pending
 
Pending
 
Pending
 
Pending
Iowa Gas
 
Gas
 
6/2008
 
7/2009
 
$
13.6
 
 
$
10.8
 
 
10.1
%
 
51.4
%
 
48.6
%
Iowa Gas (2)
 
Gas
 
6/2010
 
Pending
 
$
4.7
 
 
Pending
 
Pending
 
Pending
 
Pending
Colorado Gas
 
Gas
 
6/2008
 
4/2009
 
$
2.7
 
 
$
1.4
 
 
10.3
%
 
50.5
%
 
49.5
%
Kansas Gas
 
Gas
 
5/2009
 
10/2009
 
$
0.5
 
 
$
0.5
 
 
10.2
%
 
50.7
%
 
49.3
%
Black Hills Power (3)
 
Electric
 
9/2008
 
1/2009
 
$
4.5
 
 
$
3.8
 
 
10.8
%
 
57.0
%
 
43.0
%
Black Hills Power (4)
 
Electric
 
9/2009
 
7/2010
 
$
32.0
 
 
$
15.2
 
 
Black Box
 
Black Box
 
Black Box
Black Hills Power (5)
 
Electric
 
10/2009
 
6/2010
 
$
3.8
 
 
$
3.1
 
 
10.5
%
 
52.0
%
 
48.0
%
Colorado Electric (6)
 
Electric
 
1/2010
 
8/2010
 
$
22.9
 
 
$
17.9
 
 
10.5
%
 
52.0
%
 
48.0
%
 
 
(1)
On December 1, 2009, Nebraska Gas filed with the NPSC a $12.1 million rate case requesting a gas revenue increase to recover increased operating costs and distribution system investments. The proposed increase in revenues is about 6.5%. Interim rates, subject to refund, for the entire amount of the proposed increase went into effect on March 1, 2010. A commission decision is anticipated by mid-August 2010.
 
(2)
On June 8, 2010, Iowa Gas filed a request with the Iowa Utilities Board for a $4.7 million, or 2.9%, revenue increase to recover the cost of capital investments we made in our gas distribution system and other expense increases incurred since December 2008. Interim rates, subject to refund, equal to a 1.6% increase in revenues went into effect on June 18, 2010.
 
(3)
On February 10, 2009, the FERC approved a formulaic approach to the method used to determine the revenue component of Black Hills Power's open access transmission tariff, and increased the utility's annual transmission revenue requirement by approximately $3.8 million. The revenue requirement is based on an equity return of 10.8%, and a capital structure consisting of 57% equity and 43% debt. The new rates had an effective date of January 1, 2009.
 

56

 

(4)
On September 30, 2009, Black Hills Power filed a rate case with the SDPUC requesting an electric revenue increase to recover costs associated with Wygen III and other generation, transmission and distribution assets and increased operating expenses incurred during the past four years. Black Hills Power requested a $32.0 million, or 26.6%, increase in annual utility revenues. In March 2010, the SDPUC approved a 20% increase in interim revenues, subject to refund, effective April 1, 2010 for South Dakota customers. On July 7, 2010, the SDPUC approved a final revenue increase of $15.2 million, or 12.7%, and a base rate increase of $22 million, or 19.4% with an effective date of April 1, 2010. The approved capital structure and return on equity are confidential.
 
As part of the settlement stipulation, Black Hills power agreed (1) to credit customers 65% of off-system income with a minimum of $2 million per year; (2) that rates will include a SD Surplus Energy Credit of $2.5 million in year one (fiscal year ending March 2011), $2.25 million in year two, $2.0 million in year three and zero thereafter; and (3) a moratorium of three years on any rate case filings excluding any extraordinary events as defined in the stipulation agreement.
 
(5)
On October 19, 2009, Black Hills Power filed a rate case with the WPSC requesting an electric revenue increase of $3.8 million to recover costs associated with Wygen III and other generation, transmission and distribution assets and increased operating expenses incurred since 1995. On May 4, 2010, Black Hills Power filed a settlement stipulation agreement with the WPSC for a $3.1 million increase in annual revenues. On May 13, 2010, WPSC approved these new rates based on a return on equity of 10.5% with a capital structure of 52% equity and 48% debt. Rates went into effect on June 1, 2010.
 
(6)
On January 5, 2010, Colorado Electric filed a rate case with CPUC requesting an electric revenue increase primarily related to the recovery of rising costs from electricity supply contracts, as well as recovery for investment in equipment and electricity distribution facilities necessary to maintain and strengthen the reliability of the electric delivery system. Colorado Electric requested a $22.9 million, or approximately 12.8%, increase in annual revenues. On August 5, 2010, the CPUC approved a settlement agreement for $17.9 million in annual revenues with a return on equity of 10.5% and a capital structure of 52% equity and 48% debt. New rates are effective August 6, 2010.
  

57

 

Non-regulated Energy Group
 
An analysis of results from our Non-regulated Energy Group's operating segments follows (in thousands):
 
Oil and Gas
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
18,658
 
 
$
17,829
 
 
$
38,401
 
 
$
34,340
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating, general and administrative costs
10,499
 
 
10,049
 
 
20,233
 
 
20,069
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
6,842
 
 
6,197
 
 
12,953
 
 
15,138
 
Impairment of long-lived assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
43,301
 
Total operating expenses
17,341
 
 
16,246
 
 
33,186
 
 
78,508
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
1,317
 
 
1,583
 
 
5,215
 
 
(44,168
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(1,391
)
 
(1,411
)
 
(2,173
)
 
(2,452
)
Other income
239
 
 
168
 
 
542
 
 
330
 
Income tax benefit (expense)
56
 
 
(211
)
 
(1,015
)
 
20,699
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations and net income (loss)
$
221
 
 
$
129
 
 
$
2,569
 
 
$
(25,591
)
 
The following tables provide certain operating statistics for our Oil and Gas segment:
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Fuel production:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bbls of oil sold
84,427
 
 
95,900
 
 
168,818
 
 
195,270
 
Mcf of natural gas sold
2,356,674
 
 
2,653,600
 
 
4,508,850
 
 
5,342,500
 
Mcf equivalent sales
2,863,236
 
 
3,229,000
 
 
5,521,758
 
 
6,514,300
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Average price received: (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas/Mcf (b)
$
4.85
 
 
$
4.39
 
 
$
5.36
 
 
$
4.65
 
Oil/Bbl
$
89.98
 
 
$
58.32
 
 
$
82.19
 
 
$
54.30
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depletion expense/Mcfe
$
2.15
 
 
$
1.67
 
 
$
2.08
 
 
$
2.09
 
____________
(a)
Net of hedge settlement gains/losses
(b)
Exclusive of gas liquids
 

58

 

Following are summaries of LOE/Mcfe:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2010
 
Three Months Ended
 June 30, 2009
 
Location
 
LOE
 
Gathering,
 Compression
 and Processing
 
Total
 
LOE
 
Gathering,
 Compression
and Processing
 
Total
 
New Mexico
 
$
1.36
 
 
$
0.33
 
 
$
1.69
 
 
$
1.18
 
 
$
0.28
 
 
$
1.46
 
 
Colorado
 
0.38
 
 
0.62
 
 
1.00
 
 
1.25
 
 
0.37
 
 
1.62
 
 
Wyoming
 
1.27
 
 
 
 
1.27
 
 
1.52
 
 
 
 
1.52
 
 
All other properties
 
0.65
 
 
 
 
0.65
 
 
0.67
 
 
0.02
 
 
0.69
 
(a)
All locations
 
$
1.09
 
 
$
0.20
 
 
$
1.29
 
 
$
1.17
 
 
$
0.16
 
 
$
1.33
 
(a)
 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 June 30, 2010
 
Six Months Ended
 June 30, 2009
 
Location
 
LOE
 
Gathering,
 Compression
 and Processing
 
Total
 
LOE
 
Gathering,
 Compression
and Processing
 
Total
 
New Mexico
 
$
1.39
 
 
$
0.35
 
 
$
1.74
 
 
$
1.20
 
 
$
0.27
 
 
$
1.47
 
 
Colorado
 
0.45
 
 
0.72
 
 
1.17
 
 
1.00
 
 
0.41
 
 
1.41
 
 
Wyoming
 
1.38
 
 
 
 
1.38
 
 
1.47
 
 
 
 
1.47
 
 
All other properties
 
0.79
 
 
0.03
 
 
0.82
 
 
0.82
 
 
0.07
 
 
0.89
 
(a)
All locations
 
$
1.17
 
 
$
0.22
 
 
$
1.39
 
 
$
1.17
 
 
$
0.17
 
 
$
1.34
 
(a)
__________
(a)
During the first quarter of 2010, our Oil and Gas segment transferred midstream assets to a new subsidiary in our Energy Marketing segment. As a result, 2009 Gathering, Compression and Processing have been modified to reflect the removal of these assets for comparability purposes.
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2009. Income from continuing operations was $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $0.1 million for the same period in 2009 as a result of:
 
Revenue: Revenue increased $0.8 million primarily due to a 10% increase in the average hedged price of natural gas and a 54% increase in average hedged price of oil, partially offset by a 12% decline in oil volumes and an 11% decline in gas volumes and the impact of a $1.2 million charge for the reallocation of certain net revenues associated with reversionary ownership. The volume decline was largely driven by natural production declines from producing properties, reflecting reduced capital deployment during 2010 and 2009.
 
Operating, general and administrative costs: Operating, general and administrative costs were comparable to the same period in prior year.
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization: Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased $0.6 million due to a higher depletion rate partially offset by lower volumes. The depletion rate for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the same period in the prior year is a result of a favorable depletion true-up in 2009 compared to an unfavorable true-up in 2010.
 
Interest expense: Interest expense was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Other income: Other income was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Income tax benefit (expense): Income tax benefit (expense) for the second quarter of 2010 and 2009 reflected an adjustment for depletion rates.
 

59

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2009. Income from continuing operations was $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to a Loss from continuing operations of $25.6 million in the same period in 2009 as a result of:
 
Revenue: Revenue increased $4.1 million due to a 15% increase in the average hedged price of natural gas and a 51% increase in average hedged price of oil, partially offset by a 16% decline in gas volumes, a 14% decline in oil volumes and the impact of a $1.2 million charge for the reallocation of certain net revenues associated with reversionary ownership. The volume decline was largely driven by natural production declines from producing properties, reflecting reduced capital deployment during 2010 and 2009.
 
Operating, general and administrative costs: Operating, general and administrative costs for the first six months of 2010 are comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization: Depreciation, depletion and amortization decreased $2.2 million primarily due to lower volumes.
 
Impairment of long-lived assets: A $27.8 million after-tax non-cash ceiling test impairment charge was taken during the first quarter of 2009. The write-down in the net carrying value of our natural gas and oil properties resulted from low March 31, 2009 quarter-end prices for the commodities. The write-down of gas and oil properties was based on period-end NYMEX prices of $3.63 per Mcf, adjusted to $2.23 per Mcf at the wellhead, for natural gas; and $49.66 per barrel, adjusted to $45.32 per barrel at the wellhead, for crude oil.
 
Interest expense: Interest expense was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Other income: Other income was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Income tax expense: The first six months of 2009 included a $3.8 million positive adjustment of a previously recorded tax position.
 
Coal Mining
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
(in thousands)
Revenue
$
15,049
 
 
$
13,493
 
 
$
29,029
 
 
$
27,895
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating, general and administrative costs
9,050
 
 
10,900
 
 
19,291
 
 
21,095
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
3,321
 
 
3,588
 
 
6,211
 
 
7,574
 
Total operating expenses
12,371
 
 
14,488
 
 
25,502
 
 
28,669
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
2,678
 
 
(995
)
 
3,527
 
 
(774
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income, net
787
 
 
272
 
 
1,105
 
 
583
 
Other income
527
 
 
505
 
 
1,083
 
 
705
 
Income tax expense
(918
)
 
(281
)
 
(1,295
)
 
(195
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations and net income
$
3,074
 
 
$
(499
)
 
$
4,420
 
 
$
319
 
 

60

 

The following table provides certain operating statistics for our Coal Mining segment (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Tons of coal sold
1,459
 
 
1,363
 
 
2,851
 
 
2,870
 
Cubic yards of overburden moved
3,752
 
 
3,473
 
 
7,323
 
 
6,635
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2009. Income from continuing operations was $3.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to a Loss from continuing operations of $0.5 million in the same period in 2009, as a result of:
 
Revenue: Revenue increased $1.6 million primarily due to a 4% increase in average price received, which reflects the impact of regulated sales prices determined in part by an approved return on our coal mine's cost-depreciated investment base, and a 9% increase in tons of coal sold as a result of sales to the Wygen III power plant, which began commercial operations on April 1, 2010, partially offset by the impact on sales volumes from customer plant outages.
 
Operating, general and administrative costs: During 2010, we received approval from the State of Wyoming's Department of Environmental Quality for a revised post mining topography plan. The new plan includes a more efficient method of conducting final reclamation of our mine site by re-assessing the handling of overburden. Accordingly, overburden yards meeting backfill requirements were modified in the three months ended June 30, 2010. This resulted in a reduction to overburden removal costs of approximately $2.0 million. Operating costs also decreased due to lower mining. Cubic yards of overburden moved increased 8%.
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization: Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense decreased $0.3 million due to lower estimated future reclamation costs amortized over the life of the uncovered coal, partially offset by increased depreciation on equipment.
 
Interest income, net: Interest income, net increased $0.5 million due to increased advances to affiliates at higher interest rates.
 
Other income: Other income was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Income tax expense: Income tax expense increased due to higher pre-tax earnings during the three months ended June 30, 2010, and during the three months ended June 30, 2009, the tax benefit generated by percentage depletion had a more significant effect on the income tax provision than in the current period.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2009. Income from continuing operations was $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $0.3 million for the same period in 2009 as a result of:
 
Revenue: Revenue increased $1.1 million due to an increase of approximately 5% in average price received. The higher average price received reflects the impact of regulated sales prices determined in part by an approved return on our coal mine's cost-depreciated investment base. Tons of coal sold were comparable to the prior year as sales associated with the commencement of commercial operations of Wygen III were offset by customer plant outages and lower demand.
 
Operating, general and administrative costs: During 2010, we received approval from the State of Wyoming's Department of Environmental Quality for a revised post mining topography plan. The new plan includes a more efficient method of conducting final reclamation of our mine site by re-assessing the handling of overburden. Accordingly, overburden yards meeting backfill requirements were modified in the six months ended June 30, 2010. This resulted in a reduction to overburden removal costs of approximately $2.0 million. Operating costs also decreased due to lower mining taxes. Cubic yards of overburden moved increased 10%.
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization: Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense decreased approximately $1.4 million due to lower estimated future reclamation costs amortized over the life of our inventory of uncovered coal, partially offset by increased depreciation on equipment.
 

61

 

Interest income, net: Interest income, net increased $0.5 million due to increased advances to affiliates and higher interest rates.
 
Other income: Other income increased $0.4 million primarily due to income from a site lease for the Wygen III power plant which is located on mine property.
 
Income tax expense: Income tax expense increased due to higher pre-tax earnings during the first six months of 2010, and during the first six months of 2009, the tax benefit generated by percentage depletion had a more significant effect on the income tax provision.
 
Energy Marketing
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
(in thousands)
Revenue and gross margins —
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized gas marketing gross margin
$
2,046
 
 
$
11,384
 
 
$
12,567
 
 
$
22,354
 
Unrealized gas marketing gross margin
44
 
 
(5,642
)
 
(960
)
 
(6,978
)
Realized oil marketing gross margin
1,042
 
 
5,131
 
 
2,574
 
 
8,108
 
Unrealized oil marketing gross margin
2,041
 
 
(3,135
)
 
764
 
 
(8,927
)
Realized coal marketing gross margin
(443
)
 
 
 
(443
)
 
 
Unrealized coal marketing gross margin
4,165
 
 
 
 
4,165
 
 
 
Total Revenue and Gross Margins
8,895
 
 
7,738
 
 
18,667
 
 
14,557
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating, general and administrative costs
6,032
 
 
4,040
 
 
11,458
 
 
9,169
 
Depreciation and amortization
127
 
 
129
 
 
259
 
 
262
 
Total operating expenses
6,159
 
 
4,169
 
 
11,717
 
 
9,431
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
2,736
 
 
3,569
 
 
6,950
 
 
5,126
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(800
)
 
(121
)
 
(1,562
)
 
(63
)
Other income
184
 
 
3
 
 
153
 
 
17
 
Income tax expense
(793
)
 
(1,241
)
 
(2,021
)
 
(1,833
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations and net income
$
1,327
 
 
$
2,210
 
 
$
3,520
 
 
$
3,247
 
 
Following is a summary of average daily quantities marketed:
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Natural gas physical sales — MMBtus
1,348,887
 
 
1,582,900
 
 
1,549,913
 
 
1,916,000
 
Crude oil physical sales — Bbls
20,935
 
 
11,846
 
 
17,203
 
 
11,456
 
Coal physical sales — Tons(a)
27,972
 
 
 
 
27,972
 
 
 
______________
(a) The tons of coal marketed are for the period June 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010
 

62

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2009. Income from continuing operations was $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $2.2 million in the same period in 2009 as a result of:
 
Revenue and gross margin: Revenue and gross margin increased $1.2 million primarily driven by unrealized gains on our portfolio of coal marketing contracts acquired on June 1, 2010. The contracts we acquired included a significant "long" coal position. An increase in the market price of coal during June 2010 combined with this "long" position drove the unrealized coal marketing margins during the period. The benefit from coal marketing was supplemented by strong results from increased crude oil volumes marketed and was partially offset by lower margins from decreased natural gas marketing volumes.
 
Operating, general and administrative costs: Operating, general and administrative costs increased $2.0 million primarily due to increased provision for compensation expense on higher margins and increased bank fees as a result of higher letter of credit costs due to a higher utilization level.
 
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization is comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Interest expense, net: Interest expense, net increased $0.7 million primarily due to increased amortization of financing costs related to the committed Enserco Credit Facility and decreased interest income on lower cash balances.
 
Other income: Other income for the three months ended June 30, 2010 is comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Income tax expense: The effective income tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2010 was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2009. Income from continuing operations was $3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2009 as a result of:
 
Revenue and gross margin: Revenue and gross margin increased $4.1 million driven by unrealized gains on our portfolio of coal marketing contracts acquired on June 1, 2010. The contracts we acquired included a significant "long" coal position. An increase in the market price of coal during June 2010 combined with this "long" position drove the unrealized coal marketing margins during the period. The benefit from coal marketing was supplemented by strong results from increased crude oil volumes marketed and was partially offset by lower margins from decreased natural gas marketing volumes.
 
Operating, general and administrative costs: Operating, general and administrative costs increased $2.3 million primarily due to increased provision for compensation expense on higher margins and increased bank fees as a result of higher letter of credit costs due to a higher utilization level.
 
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization is comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Interest expense, net: Interest expense, net increased $1.5 million primarily due to increased amortization of financing costs related to the committed Enserco Credit Facility.
 
Other income: Other income for the six months ended June 30, 2010 is comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Income tax expense: The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

63

 

 
Power Generation
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
(in thousands)
Revenue
$
6,679
 
 
$
7,215
 
 
$
14,747
 
 
$
14,834
 
Cost of sales
2,055
 
 
1,317
 
 
3,742
 
 
2,615
 
Gross margin
4,624
 
 
5,898
 
 
11,005
 
 
12,219
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating, general and administrative costs
3,136
 
 
2,085
 
 
4,823
 
 
3,726
 
Depreciation and amortization
1,298
 
 
945
 
 
2,326
 
 
1,851
 
Gain on sale of operating asset
 
 
 
 
 
 
(25,971
)
Total operating expense (income)
4,434
 
 
3,030
 
 
7,149
 
 
(20,394
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
190
 
 
2,868
 
 
3,856
 
 
32,613
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(1,986
)
 
(3,057
)
 
(3,983
)
 
(6,040
)
Other income
1,171
 
 
1,380
 
 
1,160
 
 
994
 
Income tax benefit (expense)
209
 
 
(433
)
 
(369
)
 
(9,656
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) income from continuing operations and net (loss) income
$
(416
)
 
$
758
 
 
$
664
 
 
$
17,911
 
 
The following table provides certain operating statistics for our plants within the Power Generation segment:
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Contracted power plant fleet availability:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coal-fired plant
98.9
%
*
92.4
%
 
99.5
%
 
94.0
%
Natural gas-fired plants
100.0
%
 
98.5
%
 
100.0
%
 
98.3
%
Total availability
99.3
%
 
94.9
%
 
99.7
%
 
95.7
%
_____
* Contracted availability was not impacted by plant outage at Wygen I as a result of replacement power provision in the contract.
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2009. Loss from continuing operations was $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to Income from continuing operations of $0.8 million in the same period in 2009 as a result of:
 
Revenue: Revenue decreased $0.5 million primarily due to a major overhaul and forced outage at Wygen I.
 
Cost of Sales: Cost of sales increased $0.7 million primarily as a result of the purchase of replacement power due to a major overhaul and forced outage at Wygen I.
 
Operating, general and administrative costs: Operating, general and administrative costs increased $1.1 million primarily due to increased maintenance costs from an extended outage at Wygen I.
 
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization were comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Interest expense, net: Interest expense, net decreased $1.1 million primarily due to a decrease in debt from an intercompany debt restructuring partially offset by interest expense associated with the $120.0 million project financing at Black Hills Wyoming.
 
Other income: Other income was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

64

 

 
Income tax benefit (expense): The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2010 was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2009. Income from continuing operations was $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $17.9 million in the same period in 2009 as a result of:
 
Revenue: Revenue for the first six months of 2010 was comparable to the first six months of 2009.
 
Cost of Sales: Cost of sales increased $1.1 million primarily as a result of purchase of replacement power due to an extended outage at Wygen I.
 
Operating, general and administrative costs: Operating, general and administrative costs increased $1.1 million primarily due to maintenance costs for an extended outage at Wygen I.
 
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Gain on sale of operating asset: The gain on sale of operating asset of $26.0 million in the prior period represents the sale of a 23.5% ownership interest in the Wygen I generating facility to MEAN.
 
Interest expense, net: Interest expense, net decreased $2.1 million primarily due to a decrease in debt from an intercompany debt restructuring partially offset by the interest expense associated with the $120.0 million project financing at Black Hills Wyoming.
 
Other income: Other income is comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Income tax expense: The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was comparable to the same period in the prior year.
 
Corporate
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2009. Loss from continuing operations was $19.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to Income from continuing operations of $16.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as a result of:
 
•    
Unrealized net, mark-to-market after-tax losses for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 of approximately $16.2 million on certain interest rate swaps compared to a $20.6 million unrealized mark-to-market after-tax gain on certain interest rate swaps in the prior period; and
 
•    
A $1.3 million decrease in net interest expense.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2009. Loss from continuing operations was $24.1 million compared to Income from continuing operations of $22.3 million as a result of:
 
•    
Unrealized net, mark-to-market after-tax losses for the six months ended June 30, 2010 of approximately $18.2 million on certain interest rate swaps compared to a $30.2 million unrealized mark-to-market after-tax gain on certain interest rate swaps in the prior period; and
 
•    
A $2.5 million decrease in net interest expense.
 
 
Discontinued Operations
 
Earnings from discontinued operations were $0.8 million, net of tax, for the six month period ended June 30, 2009 relating to working capital and tax adjustments associated with the IPP Transaction.
 

65

 

Critical Accounting Policies
 
There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies from those reported in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. For more information on our critical accounting policies, see Part II, Item 7 of our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Cash Flow Activities
 
During the six month period ended June 30, 2010, we generated sufficient cash flow to meet our operating needs, to fund a portion of our property, plant and equipment additions and to pay dividends on our common stock. We plan to fund future property and investment additions, including the construction of utility and IPP generation to serve our Colorado Electric utility, from internally generated cash resources and external financings.
 
Cash flows from operations of $144.0 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2010 represent a $102.3 million decrease compared to the same period in the prior year. The change in cash provided by operating activities was due to a $27.4 million decrease in income from continuing operations and changes in working capital as follows:
 
•    
A $60.6 million decrease in cash flows from working capital changes. This decrease primarily resulted from a $51.8 million decrease in cash flows from increases in materials, supplies and fuel, a $70.8 million decrease from changes in accounts receivable and other current assets and a $62.1 million increase from changes in accounts payable and other current liabilities. Changes in materials, supplies and fuel primarily relate to natural gas held in storage by Energy Marketing and the Gas Utilities segment which fluctuates based on seasonal trends and economic decisions reflecting current market conditions;
 
and adjusted for non-cash charges and other changes in operating items as follows:
 
•    
A $4.1 million decrease in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense;
 
•    
In 2009, an adjustment of $43.3 million for the non-cash ceiling test impairment charges to write down the net carrying value of our natural gas and crude oil properties due to low period-end commodity prices;
 
•    
A $15.2 million decrease in cash flows from the net change in derivative assets and liabilities primarily from commodity price fluctuations associated with normal operations of our Energy Marketing segment and our Oil and Gas segment;
 
•    
A $2.7 million decrease in 2010 from adjustments for the effect of the gain on sale of operating assets, which relates to the sale of gas utility assets at Nebraska Gas compared to a $26.0 million adjustment in 2009 related to the gain on sale of a 23.5% ownership interest in Wygen III;
 
•    
A $74.4 million increase to adjust for the non-cash effect of unrealized mark-to-market losses on interest rate swaps; and
 
•    
A $6.1 million decrease in cash flows related to changes in deferred income taxes which is primarily due to certain adjustments that involve deferred state income taxes.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2010, we had cash outflows from investing activities of $163.0 million, which were primarily due to the following:
 
•    
Cash outflows of $171.1 million for property, plant and equipment additions. These outflows include approximately $9.1 million related to the construction of our Wygen III power plant, which began commercial operations on April 1, 2010, approximately $40.6 million for construction of 180 MW of natural gas-fired electric generation at Colorado Electric, approximately $45.0 million for construction of 200 MW of natural gas-fired electric generation at Power Generation, approximately $11.6 million in oil and gas property maintenance capital and development drilling, and approximately $14.2 million for new transmission at the Electric Utilities;
 
•    
Cash inflows of $6.1 million of proceeds from the sale of gas utility assets at Nebraska Gas; and
 

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•    
Cash outflows of $2.25 million for the acquisition of the coal marketing business at our Energy Marketing segment.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2010, we had net cash outflows from financing activities of $29.8 million primarily resulting from:
 
•    
A $60.5 million inflow for net borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility;
 
•    
A $28.2 million outflow for payments of cash dividends on common stock; and
 
•    
A $56.5 million outflow from long-term debt payments including $30.0 million for the Series AC bonds, $2.5 million for the Series Y bonds and $20.0 million for the Series Z bonds.
 
Dividends
 
Dividends paid on our common stock totaled $28.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, or $0.72 per share. On July 28, 2010, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.36 per share payable September 1, 2010, which is equivalent to an annual dividend rate of $1.44 per share. The determination of the amount of future cash dividends, if any, to be declared and paid will depend upon, among other things, our financial condition, funds from operations, the level of our capital expenditures, restrictions under our credit facilities and our future business prospects.
 
Financing Transactions and Short-Term Liquidity
 
Our principal sources of short-term liquidity are our Revolving Credit Facility and cash provided by operations. In addition to availability under our Revolving Credit Facility described below, as of June 30, 2010, we had approximately $64.0 million of cash unrestricted for operations.
 
$200 Million Debt Offering
 
On July 16, 2010, pursuant to a public offering, we issued a $200 million aggregate principal of senior unsecured notes due in 2020. The notes were priced at par and carry a fixed interest rate of 5.875%. We received proceeds of $198.7 million, net of underwriting fees. Proceeds were used to pay down a portion of borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility and reduce issued letters of credit.
 

67

 

Revolving Credit Facility
 
On April 15, 2010, we terminated our $525.0 million Corporate Credit Facility and entered into a new $500.0 million Revolving Credit Facility expiring April 14, 2013. The new Revolving Credit Facility can be used for the issuance of letters of credit, to fund working capital needs and for general corporate purposes. Borrowings are available under a base rate option or a Eurodollar option. The cost of borrowings or letters of credit is determined based upon our credit ratings. At current ratings levels, the margins for base rate borrowings, Eurodollar borrowings and letters of credit are 1.75%, 2.75% and 2.75%, respectively. The facility contains a commitment fee to be charged on the unused amount of the Facility. Based upon current credit ratings, the fee is 0.5%. The facility contains an accordion feature which allows us to increase the capacity of the facility to $600.0 million. Deferred financing costs of $4.6 million were capitalized and are being amortized over the three-year term of the facility.
 
At June 30, 2010, we had borrowings of $225.0 million and letters of credit outstanding of $36.5 million on our Revolving Credit Facility. Available capacity remaining on our Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $238.5 million at June 30, 2010.
 
The Revolving Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, such as limitations on the creation of new indebtedness and on certain liens, restrictions on certain transactions, and maintenance of the following financial covenants: (i) consolidated net worth in an amount of not less than the sum of $625 million and 50% of our aggregate consolidated net income, if positive, beginning January 1, 2005 and (ii) a recourse leverage ratio not to exceed 0.65 to 1.00. Subject to applicable cure periods, a violation of any of these covenants would constitute an event of default that entitles the lenders to terminate their remaining commitments and accelerate all principal and interest outstanding.
 
In addition to covenant violations, an event of default under the credit facility may be triggered by other events, such as a failure to make payments when due or a failure to make payments when due in respect of, or a failure to perform obligations relating to, other debt obligations of $35 million or more. Subject to applicable cure periods (none of which apply to a failure to timely pay indebtedness), an event of default would permit the lenders to restrict our ability to further access the credit facility for loans or new letters of credit, and could require both the immediate repayment of any principal and interest outstanding and the cash collateralization of outstanding letter of credit obligations.
 
Our consolidated net worth was $1,082.4 million at June 30, 2010, which was approximately $246.1 million in excess of the net worth we were required to maintain under the credit facility. At June 30, 2010, our long-term debt ratio was 47.8%, our total debt leverage ratio (long-term debt and short-term debt) was 53.0%, and our recourse leverage ratio was approximately 54.6%.
 
Enserco Credit Facility
 
In May 2010, Enserco entered into an agreement for a two-year $250.0 million committed credit facility. The facility includes a $100 million accordion feature which allows us, with the consent of the administrative agent, to increase commitments under the facility. Societe Generale and BNP Paribas are co-lead arranger banks. The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ, Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank BA (Rabobank), Credit Agricole, RZB Finance and U.S. Bank are participating banks. This Facility replaces the $300 million credit facility which expired on May 7, 2010. Maximum borrowings under the facility are subject to a sublimit of $50 million. Borrowings under this facility are available under a base rate option or a Eurodollar option. Margins for base rate borrowings are 1.75% and for Eurodollar borrowings are 2.50%.
 
At June 30, 2010, $141.4 million of letters of credit were issued under this facility and there were no cash borrowings outstanding.
 
As a result of contractual positions acquired with the June 1, 2010 coal marketing business acquisition (see Note 20 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), Enserco was temporarily not in compliance on one of the non-financial covenants to the Enserco Credit Facility. The Enserco Credit Facility limited the net fixed price volume of coal to 1.0 million tons. As of June 30, 2010, Enserco was above that limit. In July, the participating banks waived this covenant violation and increased the permitted net fixed price volume of coal allowed to 2.25 million tons for July 2010 and 2.0 million tons thereafter.
 
Black Hills Power
 
In February 2010, the Black Hills Power Series AC bonds matured. These bonds were paid in full for $30.0 million plus accrued interest of $1.2 million.

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In February 2010, Black Hills Power provided notice to the bondholders of its intent to call the Series Y bonds in full. These bonds were originally due in 2018. A total of $2.7 million was paid on March 31, 2010, which includes the principal balance of $2.5 million plus accrued interest and an early redemption premium of 2.618%.
 
In April 2010, Black Hills Power provided notice to the bondholders of its intent to call the Series Z bonds in full. These bonds were originally due in 2021. A total of $21.8 million was paid on June 1, 2010, which included the principal balance of $20.0 million plus accrued interest and an early redemption premium of 4.675%.
 
Dividend Restrictions
 
Due to our holding company structure, substantially all of our operating cash flows are provided by dividends paid or distributions made by our subsidiaries. The cash to pay dividends to our shareholders is derived from these cash flows. As a result of certain statutory limitations or regulatory or financing agreements, we could have restrictions on the amount of distributions allowed to be made by our subsidiaries.
 
Our utility subsidiaries are generally limited to the amount of dividends allowed by state regulatory authorities to be paid to us as a utility holding company and also may have further restrictions under the Federal Power Act. As of June 30, 2010, the restricted net assets at our Electric and Gas Utilities were approximately $164.0 million.
 
Our Enserco credit facility is a borrowing base credit facility, the structure of which requires certain levels of tangible net worth and net working capital to be maintained for a given borrowing base election level. In order to maintain a borrowing base election level, Enserco may be restricted from making dividend payments to its parent company. The restricted net assets at June 30, 2010 at Enserco were $78.7 million compared to $205.8 million at December 31, 2009. Improved covenants under the new Enserco Credit Facility allowed for a reduction in capital investments in Enserco of more than $40 million.
 
As a covenant of the Black Hills Wyoming project financing, Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings has restricted assets of $100.0 million. Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings is the parent of Black Hills Electric Generation which is the parent of Black Hills Wyoming.
 
Future Financing Plans
 
We have an effective shelf registration statement on file with the SEC under which we may issue, from time to time, senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants and other securities. Although the shelf registration statement does not limit our issuance capacity, our ability to issue securities is limited to the authority granted by our Board of Directors, certain covenants in our finance agreements and restrictions imposed by federal and state regulatory authorities.
 
We have substantial capital expenditures remaining in 2010 and in 2011, which are primarily due to the construction of additional utility and IPP generation to serve our Colorado Electric Utility. Our capital requirements are expected to be financed through a combination of operating cash flows, borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility and long-term financings. We may complete an additional long-term senior unsecured debt financing at the holding company level in 2010 or 2011. We intend to maintain a consolidated debt-to-capitalization level in the range of 50% to 55%. We may also intend to complete a portion of the permanent financing through the issuance of common stock in order to maintain our target debt-to-capitalization level.
 
Interest Rate Swaps
 
We have entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to reduce our exposure to interest rate fluctuations.
 
We have interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $250.0 million that are not designated as hedge instruments. Accordingly, mark-to-market changes in value on these swaps are recorded within the income statement. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively, we recorded a $24.9 million and $28.0 million pre-tax unrealized mark-to-market non-cash loss on the swaps. The mark-to-market value on these swaps was a liability of $66.7 million at June 30, 2010. Subsequent mark-to-market adjustments could have a significant impact on our results of operations. A one basis point move in the interest rate curves over the term of the swaps would have a pre-tax impact of approximately $0.3 million. These swaps hedge interest rate exposure for periods to 2018 and 2028 and have amended mandatory early termination dates ranging from December 15, 2010 to December 29, 2010. We have continued to maintain these swaps in anticipation of our upcoming financing needs, particularly as they relate to our planned capital requirements to build gas-fired power generation facilities to serve our Colorado Electric customers, and because of our upcoming holding company debt maturities, which are $225 million

69

 

and $250 million in years 2013 and 2014, respectively. Alternatively, we may choose to cash settle these swaps at their fair value prior to their mandatory early termination dates, or unless these dates are extended, we will cash settle these swaps for an amount equal to their fair value on the termination dates.
 
In addition, we have $150.0 million notional amount floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, having a maximum remaining term of 6.5 years. These swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges and accordingly, their mark-to-market adjustments are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The mark-to-market value of these swaps was a liability of $23.9 million at June 30, 2010.
 
There have been no other material changes in our financing transactions and short-term liquidity from those reported in Item 7 of our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
 
Credit Ratings
 
Credit ratings impact our ability to obtain short- and long-term financing, the cost of such financing, and vendor payment terms, including collateral requirements. As of June 30, 2010, our senior unsecured credit ratings, as assessed by the three major credit rating agencies, were as follows:
 
Rating Agency *
Rating
Outlook
 
 
 
Moody's
Baa3
Stable
S&P
BBB-
Stable
Fitch
BBB
Stable
 
In addition, as of June 30, 2010, Black Hills Power's first mortgage bonds were rated as follows:
 
Rating Agency
Rating
Outlook
Moody's
A3
Stable
S&P **
BBB
Stable
Fitch
A-
Stable
 
* In July 2010, Moody's and S&P published updated credit reviews on Black Hills Corp., leaving unchanged our senior unsecured credit rating of Baa3 and BBB-, respectively, and leaving unchanged stable ratings outlooks.
** In July 2010, S&P upgraded the senior secured debt rating for Black Hills Power from BBB to BBB+.

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Capital Requirements
 
Actual and forecasted capital requirements for maintenance capital and development capital are as follows (in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2010
Expenditures
 
Total
2010 Planned
Expenditures
 
 
Utilities:
 
 
 
Electric Utilities (1) (2) (3)
$
89,295
 
 
$
277,360
 
Gas Utilities
14,601
 
 
56,480
 
Non-regulated Energy:
 
 
 
Oil and Gas(4)
12,579
 
 
38,320
 
Power Generation (5) 
46,288
 
 
86,300
 
Coal Mining
5,879
 
 
16,540
 
Energy Marketing (6)
217
 
 
2,400
 
Corporate
9,891
 
 
 
 
$
178,750
 
 
$
477,400
 
____________
(1)
During the first quarter of 2010, construction of our Wygen III coal-fired plant was completed at an estimated cost of $186.0 million, which reflects our current 75% ownership interest in the plant.
(2)
Electric Utilities planned capital expenditures include approximately $34.3 million for transmission projects in 2010 (excluding transmission related to the 180 MW power plant at Colorado Electric) of which $14.2 million was spent in the first six months of 2010.
(3)
The 2010 total planned expenditures include capital requirements associated with our plans to build 180 MW gas-fired power generation facilities to serve our Colorado Electric customers. The total construction cost is expected to be approximately $250 million to $260 million to be completed by the end of 2011. We expect to spend capital including transmission of $142.3 million in 2010 particularly related to the commitment to purchase the turbine generators from GE. We spent $42.0 million during the first six months of 2010, leaving $100.3 million to be spent in the remainder of 2010.
(4)
Development capital for our oil and gas properties is expected to be limited to no more than the cash flows produced by those properties. Continued low commodity prices will impact our planned development capital expenditures.
(5)
Our Power Generation segment was awarded the bid to provide 200 MW of power for a twenty year period to Colorado Electric. The total construction cost of the new facilities is expected to be approximately $240 million to $265 million which is expected to be completed by the end of 2011. We expect to spend approximately $80.0 million in 2010 and we spent $44.7 million during the first six months of 2010, leaving $35.3 million to be spent in the remainder of 2010.
(6)
During the first quarter of 2010, our Oil and Gas segment transferred $3.5 million in midstream assets to our Energy Marketing segment to a new subsidiary, Enserco Midstream, LLC. During 2010, we anticipate that an additional $2.0 million will be invested in capital purchases.
 
We continually evaluate all of our forecasted capital expenditures, and if determined prudent, we may defer some of these expenditures for a period of time. Future projects are dependent upon the availability of attractive economic opportunities, and as a result, actual expenditures may vary significantly from forecasted estimates.
 

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Contractual Obligations
 
Unconditional purchase obligations for firm transportation and storage fees for our Energy Marketing segment decreased $11.1 million from $97.7 million at December 31, 2009 to $86.6 million at June 30, 2010. Approximately $53.4 million of the firm transportation and storage fee obligations relate to the 2010-2012 period with the remaining occurring thereafter.
 
Plans to construct a 180 MW power generation facility by our Colorado Electric utility and plans to construct a 200 MW power generation facility at our Power Generation segment are progressing. Cost of construction is expected to be approximately $250 million to $260 million for Colorado Electric and $240 million to $265 million for the Power Generation segment. Construction is expected to be completed at both facilities by December 31, 2011. As our plans progress, we are in the process of procuring or have procured contracts for the turbines, building construction and labor. As of June 30, 2010, committed contracts for purchased equipment and construction were 100% and 44 % complete, respectively, for the Colorado Electric utility and 79% and 38%, respectively, for the Power Generation segment.
 
Guarantees
 
Except as noted below, there have been no new guarantees provided from those previously disclosed in Note 20 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
We issued a guarantee for $6.0 million for a payment obligation arising from a contract to construct and purchase a new office building by Black Hills Utility Holdings. The office building is a 36,000 square foot office building located in Papillion, Nebraska. The guarantee will expire upon purchase of the building which is expected to be completed in 2011.
 
Black Hills Electric Generation issued a guarantee to the City of Pueblo, Colorado for the lesser of (a) the guaranteed obligations under the Annexation Agreement or (b) $10.0 million for the obligations of Colorado IPP relating to the construction of the 200 MW generation facility currently under construction. The guarantee will continue in force until December 31, 2011 and the current obligations do not exceed $2.9 million.
 
On July 22,2 2010, we issued a guarantee to Colorado Interstate Gas Company for $9.3 million for payment obligations of Black Hills Utility Holdings, Inc. related to natural gas transportation storage and services agreements. The guarantee expires July 31, 2011.
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
Other than the new pronouncements reported in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and those discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there have been no new accounting pronouncements that are expected to have a material effect on our financial statements.
 

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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
 
This report contains forward-looking information. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this report that address activities, events, or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which we believe are reasonable based on current expectations and projections about future events and industry conditions and trends affecting our business. Forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties, and certain important factors can cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "could," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "predicts," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar terminology. There are various factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such indicated results will be realized. The factors which may cause our results to vary significantly from our forward-looking statements include the risk factors described in Item 1A. of our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part II, Item 1A of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and other reports that we file with the SEC from time to time, and the following:
 
•    
We are evaluating financing options including senior notes, first mortgage bonds, term loans, project financing and equity issuance. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated include:
 
•    
Our ability to access the bank loan and debt capital markets depends on market conditions beyond our control. If the credit markets deteriorate, we may not be able to permanently refinance some short-term debt and fund our power generation projects on reasonable terms, if at all.
 
•    
Our ability to raise capital in the debt capital markets depends upon our financial condition and credit ratings, among other things. If our financial condition deteriorates unexpectedly, or our credit ratings are lowered, we may not be able to refinance some short-term debt and fund our power generation projects on reasonable terms, if at all.
 
•    
We anticipate that our existing credit capacity and available cash will be sufficient to fund our working capital needs and our maintenance capital requirements. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated include:
 
•    
Our access to revolving credit capacity depends on maintaining compliance with loan covenants. If we violate these covenants, we may lose revolving credit capacity and not have sufficient cash available for our peak winter needs and other working capital requirements, and our forecasted capital expenditure requirements.
 
•    
Counterparties may default on their obligations to supply commodities, return collateral to us, or otherwise meet their obligations under commercial contracts, including those designed to hedge against movements in commodity prices.
 
•    
We expect to fund a portion of our capital requirements for the planned regulated and non-regulated generation additions to supply our Colorado Electric subsidiary through a combination of long-term debt and issuance of equity.
 
•    
We expect contributions to our defined benefit pension plans to be approximately $0.1 million and $30.1 million for the remainder of 2010 and for 2011, respectively. Some important factors that could cause actual contributions to differ materially from anticipated amounts include:
 
•    
The actual value of the plans' invested assets.
 
•    
The discount rate used in determining the funding requirement.
 
•    
The outcome of pending labor negotiations relating to benefit participation of our collective bargaining agreements.
 
•    
We expect the goodwill related to our utility assets to fairly reflect the long-term value of stable, long-lived utility assets. Some important factors that could cause us to revisit the fair value of this goodwill include:
 
•    
A significant and sustained deterioration of the market value of our common stock.
 

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•    
Negative regulatory orders, condemnation proceedings or other events that materially impact our Utilities' ability to generate sufficient stable cash flow over an extended period of time.
 
•    
We expect to make approximately $477.4 million of capital expenditures in 2010. Some important factors that could cause actual costs to differ materially from those anticipated include:
 
•    
The timing of planned generation, transmission or distribution projects for our Utilities is influenced by state and federal regulatory authorities and third parties. The occurrence of events that impact (favorably or unfavorably) our ability to make planned or unplanned capital expenditures could cause our forecasted capital expenditures to change.
 
•    
Forecasted capital expenditures associated with our Oil and Gas segment are driven, in part, by current market prices. Changes in crude oil and natural gas prices may cause us to change our planned capital expenditures related to our oil and gas operations.
 
•    
Our ability to complete the planning, permitting, construction, start-up and operation of power generation facilities in a cost-efficient and timely manner.
 
•    
The timing, volatility, and extent of changes in energy and commodity prices, supply or volume, the cost and availability of transportation of commodities, changes in interest or foreign exchange rates, and the demand for our services, any of which can affect our earnings, our financial liquidity and the underlying value of our assets including creating the possibility that we may be required to take future impairment charges under the SEC's full cost ceiling test for natural gas and oil reserves.
 
•    
Federal and state laws concerning climate change and air emissions, including emission reduction mandates, carbon emissions and renewable energy portfolio standards, may materially increase our generation and production costs and could render some of our generating units uneconomical to operate and maintain.
 
 
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Utilities
 
We produce, purchase and distribute power in four states and purchase and distribute natural gas in five states. All of our gas distribution utilities have PGA provisions that allow them to pass the prudently-incurred cost of gas through to the customer. To the extent that gas prices are higher or lower than amounts in our current billing rates, adjustments are made on a periodic basis to true-up billed amounts to match the actual natural gas cost we incurred. These adjustments are subject to periodic prudence reviews by the state utility commissions. We have a mechanism in South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana for our electric utilities that serves a purpose similar to the PGAs for our gas utilities. To the extent that our fuel and purchased power energy costs are higher or lower than the energy cost built into our tariffs, the difference (or a portion thereof) is passed through to the customer.
 
As allowed or required by state utility commissions, we have entered into certain exchange-traded natural gas futures, options and basis swaps to reduce our customers' underlying exposure to volatility of natural gas prices. These transactions are considered derivatives and are marked-to-market. Gains or losses, as well as option premiums on these transactions, are recorded in Regulatory assets or Regulatory liabilities.
 

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The fair value of our Utilities derivative contracts are summarized below (in thousands):
 
 
June 30,
2010
 
December 31,
2009
Net derivative liabilities
$
(6,045
)
 
$
(1,511
)
Cash collateral
9,551
 
 
3,789
 
 
$
3,506
 
 
$
2,278
 
 
Non Regulated Trading Activities
 
The following table provides a reconciliation of Energy Marketing activity in our natural gas, crude oil and coal marketing portfolio that has been recorded at fair value including market value adjustments on inventory positions that have been designated as part of a fair value hedge during the six months ended June 30, 2010 (in thousands):
 
Total fair value of energy marketing positions marked-to-market at December 31, 2009
$
19,521
 
(a)
Net cash settled during the period on positions that existed at December 31, 2009
(10,272
)
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on new positions entered during the period and still existing at June 30, 2010
17,082
 
 
Realized (gain) loss on positions that existed at December 31, 2009 and were settled during the period
(1,266
)
 
Change in cash collateral
(2,728
)
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on positions that existed at December 31, 2009 and still exist at June 30, 2010
914
 
 
Total fair value of energy marketing positions at June 30, 2010
$
23,251
 
(a)
____________
(a)
The fair value of energy marketing positions consists of derivative assets/liabilities held at fair value in accordance with accounting standards for fair value measurements and market value adjustments to natural gas inventory that has been designated as a hedged item as part of a fair value hedge in accordance with accounting standards for derivatives and hedges, as follows (in thousands):
 
 
June 30,
2010
 
March 31,
2010
 
December 31,
2009
Net derivative assets
$
31,720
 
 
$
25,634
 
 
$
17,084
 
Cash collateral
 
 
171
 
 
2,728
 
Market adjustment recorded in material, supplies and fuel
(8,469
)
 
(11,039
)
 
(291
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total fair value of energy marketing positions marked-to-market
$
23,251
 
 
$
14,766
 
 
$
19,521
 
 
To value the assets and liabilities for our outstanding derivative contracts, we use the fair value methodology outlined in accounting standards for fair value measurements and disclosures. See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 13 and Note 14 of the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
The sources of fair value measurements were as follows (in thousands):
 
Source of Fair Value of Energy Marketing Positions
Maturities
Less than 1 year
 
1 - 2 years
 
Total Fair Value
Cash collateral
$
 
 
$
 
 
$
 
Level 1
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2
25,859
 
 
4,950
 
 
30,809
 
Level 3
168
 
 
743
 
 
911
 
Market value adjustment for inventory (see footnote (a) above)
(8,469
)
 
 
 
(8,469
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total fair value of our energy marketing positions
$
17,558
 
 
$
5,693
 
 
$
23,251
 
 
GAAP restricts mark-to-market accounting treatment primarily to only those contracts that meet the definition of a derivative

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under accounting for derivatives and hedging. Therefore, the above reconciliation does not present a complete picture of our overall portfolio of trading activities or our expected cash flows from energy trading activities. In our natural gas, crude oil and coal marketing operations, we often employ strategies that include utilizing derivative contracts along with inventory, storage and transportation positions to accomplish the objectives of our producer services, end-use origination and wholesale marketing groups. Except in circumstances when we are able to designate transportation, storage or inventory positions as part of a fair value hedge, accounting standards for derivatives generally do not allow us to mark our inventory, transportation or storage positions to market. The result is that while a significant majority of our energy marketing positions are fully economically hedged, we are required to mark some parts of our overall strategies (the derivatives) to market value, but are generally precluded from marking the rest of our economic hedges (transportation, inventory or storage) to market. Volatility in reported earnings and derivative positions should be expected given these accounting requirements. The table below references non-GAAP measures that quantify these positions.
 
The following table presents a reconciliation of our June 30, 2010 energy marketing positions recorded at fair value under GAAP to a non-GAAP measure of the fair value of our energy marketing forward book wherein all forward trading positions are marked-to-market (in thousands):
 
Fair value of our energy marketing positions marked-to-market in accordance with GAAP
(see footnote (a) above)
$
23,251
 
Market value adjustments for inventory, storage and transportation positions that are part of our forward trading book, but that are not marked-to-market under GAAP
(13,955
)
Fair value of all forward positions (non-GAAP)
9,296
 
Cash collateral included in GAAP marked-to-market fair value
 
Fair value of all forward positions excluding cash collateral (non-GAAP) *
$
9,296
 
____________
*
We consider this measure a Non-GAAP financial measure. This measure is presented because we believe it provides a more comprehensive view to our investors of our energy trading activities and thus a better understanding of these activities than would be presented by a GAAP measure alone.
 
Except as discussed above, there have been no material changes in market risk from those reported in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. For more information on market risk, see Part II, Items 7 and 7A. in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and Note 13 of the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 

76

 

Activities Other Than Trading
 
We have entered into agreements to hedge a portion of our estimated 2010, 2011 and 2012 natural gas and crude oil production from the Oil and Gas segment. The hedge agreements in place are as follows:
 
Natural Gas
Location
 
Transaction Date
 
Hedge Type
 
Term
 
Volume
 
Price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(MMBtu/day)
 
 
San Juan El Paso
 
8/20/2008
 
Swap
 
07/10 - 09/10
 
5,000
 
 
$
7.74
 
AECO
 
8/20/2008
 
Swap
 
07/10 - 09/10
 
1,000
 
 
$
7.88
 
AECO
 
10/24/2008
 
Swap
 
10/10 - 12/10
 
1,000
 
 
$
7.05
 
San Juan El Paso
 
12/19/2008
 
Swap
 
07/10 - 09/10
 
3,000
 
 
$
5.95
 
San Juan El Paso
 
12/19/2008
 
Swap
 
10/10 - 12/10
 
5,000
 
 
$
5.89
 
CIG
 
1/26/2009
 
Swap
 
07/10 - 09/10
 
2,000
 
 
$
4.47
 
CIG
 
1/26/2009
 
Swap
 
10/10 - 12/10
 
2,000
 
 
$
4.68
 
CIG
 
1/26/2009
 
Swap
 
01/11 - 03/11
 
2,000
 
 
$
6.00
 
NWR
 
1/26/2009
 
Swap
 
01/11 - 03/11
 
2,000
 
 
$
6.05
 
San Juan El Paso
 
1/26/2009
 
Swap
 
01/11 - 03/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
6.38
 
San Juan El Paso
 
2/13/2009
 
Swap
 
01/11 - 03/11
 
2,500
 
 
$
6.16
 
San Juan El Paso
 
2/13/2009
 
Swap
 
10/10 - 12/10
 
3,000
 
 
$
5.35
 
NWR
 
2/13/2009
 
Swap
 
04/10 - 12/10
 
1,000
 
 
$
4.20
 
AECO
 
3/4/2009
 
Swap
 
01/11 - 03/11
 
1,000
 
 
$
5.95
 
NWR
 
3/4/2009
 
Swap
 
07/10 - 09/10
 
1,000
 
 
$
4.12
 
NWR
 
3/4/2009
 
Swap
 
10/10 - 12/10
 
1,000
 
 
$
4.55
 
San Juan El Paso
 
6/2/2009
 
Swap
 
04/11 - 06/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
5.99
 
AECO
 
6/2/2009
 
Swap
 
04/11 - 06/11
 
800
 
 
$
5.89
 
NWR
 
6/2/2009
 
Swap
 
04/11 - 06/11
 
1,500
 
 
$
5.54
 
San Juan El Paso
 
6/25/2009
 
Swap
 
04/11 - 06/11
 
2,500
 
 
$
5.55
 
CIG
 
6/25/2009
 
Swap
 
04/11 - 06/11
 
1,750
 
 
$
5.33
 
CIG
 
9/2/2009
 
Swap
 
07/11 - 09/11
 
500
 
 
$
5.32
 
NWR
 
9/2/2009
 
Swap
 
07/11 - 09/11
 
500
 
 
$
5.32
 
San Juan El Paso
 
9/2/2009
 
Swap
 
07/11 - 09/11
 
2,500
 
 
$
5.54
 
CIG
 
9/25/2009
 
Swap
 
07/11 - 09/11
 
500
 
 
$
5.59
 
NWR
 
9/25/2009
 
Swap
 
07/11 - 09/11
 
1,000
 
 
$
5.59
 
AECO
 
9/25/2009
 
Swap
 
07/11 - 09/11
 
500
 
 
$
5.76
 
San Juan El Paso
 
9/25/2009
 
Swap
 
07/11 - 09/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
5.91
 
San Juan El Paso
 
10/9/2009
 
Swap
 
07/10 - 09/10
 
1,000
 
 
$
5.65
 
San Juan El Paso
 
10/9/2009
 
Swap
 
10/10 - 12/10
 
1,000
 
 
$
5.90
 
San Juan El Paso
 
10/23/2009
 
Swap
 
10/11 - 12/11
 
2,500
 
 
$
6.23
 
NWR
 
10/23/2009
 
Swap
 
10/11 - 12/11
 
1,500
 
 
$
6.12
 
San Juan El Paso
 
10/23/2009
 
Swap
 
01/11 - 03/11
 
1,000
 
 
$
6.59
 
AECO
 
12/11/2009
 
Swap
 
10/11 - 12/11
 
500
 
 
$
6.27
 
CIG
 
12/11/2009
 
Swap
 
10/11 - 12/11
 
1,500
 
 
$
6.03
 
San Juan El Paso
 
12/11/2009
 
Swap
 
10/11 - 12/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
6.15
 
San Juan El Paso
 
1/8/2010
 
Swap
 
1/12 - 3/12
 
2,500
 
 
$
6.38
 
 
 
 

77

 

Location
 
Transaction Date
 
Hedge Type
 
Term
 
Volume
 
Price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(MMBtu/day)
 
 
NWR
 
1/8/2010
 
Swap
 
01/12 - 03/12
 
1,500
 
 
$
6.47
 
AECO
 
1/8/2010
 
Swap
 
01/12 - 03/12
 
500
 
 
$
6.32
 
CIG
 
1/8/2010
 
Swap
 
01/12 - 03/12
 
1,500
 
 
$
6.43
 
San Juan El Paso
 
1/25/2010
 
Swap
 
1/12 - 3/12
 
5,000
 
 
$
6.44
 
San Juan El Paso
 
3/19/2010
 
Swap
 
7/11 - 9/11
 
500
 
 
$
5.19
 
San Juan El Paso
 
3/19/2010
 
Swap
 
4/12 - 6/12
 
7,000
 
 
$
5.27
 
CIG
 
3/19/2010
 
Swap
 
4/12 - 6/12
 
1,500
 
 
$
5.17
 
NWR
 
3/19/2010
 
Swap
 
4/12 - 6/12
 
1,500
 
 
$
5.20
 
AECO
 
3/19/2010
 
Swap
 
4/12 - 6/12
 
250
 
 
$
5.15
 
San Juan El Paso
 
6/28/2010
 
Swap
 
7/12 - 9/12
 
3,500
 
 
$
5.19
 
NWR
 
6/28/2010
 
Swap
 
7/12 - 9/12
 
1,500
 
 
$
5.01
 
CIG
 
6/28/2010
 
Swap
 
7/12 - 9/12
 
1,500
 
 
$
4.98
 
 
Crude Oil
 
Location
 
Transaction Date
 
Hedge Type
 
Term
 
Volume
 
Price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Bbls/month)
 
 
NYMEX
 
7/16/2008
 
Swap
 
07/10 - 09/10
 
5,000
 
 
$
134.90
 
NYMEX
 
8/20/2008
 
Put
 
07/10 - 09/10
 
5,000
 
 
$
90.00
 
NYMEX
 
9/3/2008
 
Put
 
07/10 - 09/10
 
5,000
 
 
$
90.00
 
NYMEX
 
10/24/2008
 
Put
 
07/10 - 09/10
 
5,000
 
 
$
60.00
 
NYMEX
 
12/5/2008
 
Swap
 
10/10 - 12/10
 
5,000
 
 
$
65.20
 
NYMEX
 
1/26/2009
 
Swap
 
10/10 - 12/10
 
5,000
 
 
$
60.15
 
NYMEX
 
1/26/2009
 
Swap
 
01/11 - 03/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
60.90
 
NYMEX
 
2/13/2009
 
Swap
 
01/11 - 03/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
60.05
 
NYMEX
 
3/4/2009
 
Swap
 
10/10 - 12/10
 
5,000
 
 
$
55.80
 
NYMEX
 
3/4/2009
 
Swap
 
01/11 - 03/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
57.00
 
NYMEX
 
4/8/2009
 
Swap
 
04/11 - 06/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
68.80
 
NYMEX
 
4/23/2009
 
Swap
 
04/11 - 06/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
65.10
 
NYMEX
 
6/2/2009
 
Swap
 
10/10 - 12/10
 
5,000
 
 
$
74.30
 
NYMEX
 
6/2/2009
 
Swap
 
01/11 - 03/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
75.05
 
NYMEX
 
6/2/2009
 
Swap
 
04/11 - 06/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
75.86
 
NYMEX
 
6/4/2009
 
Put
 
04/11 - 06/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
67.00
 
NYMEX
 
9/2/2009
 
Swap
 
07/11 - 09/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
75.10
 
NYMEX
 
9/2/2009
 
Put
 
07/11 - 09/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
63.00
 
NYMEX
 
9/29/2009
 
Swap
 
07/11 - 09/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
74.00
 
NYMEX
 
10/6/2009
 
Put
 
07/11 - 09/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
65.00
 
NYMEX
 
10/9/2009
 
Swap
 
10/11 - 12/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
79.35
 
NYMEX
 
10/23/2009
 
Put
 
10/11 - 12/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
75.00
 
NYMEX
 
11/19/2009
 
Swap
 
04/11 - 06/11
 
1,000
 
 
$
85.35
 
NYMEX
 
11/19/2009
 
Swap
 
07/11 - 09/11
 
1,500
 
 
$
85.95
 
NYMEX
 
11/19/2009
 
Swap
 
10/11 - 12/11
 
5,000
 
 
$
87.50
 
NYMEX
 
1/8/2010
 
Swap
 
07/10 - 09/10
 
5,000
 
 
$
85.60
 
NYMEX
 
1/8/2010
 
Swap
 
10/10 - 12/10
 
5,000
 
 
$
86.88
 
 

78

 

Crude Oil
Location
 
Transaction Date
 
Hedge Type
 
Term
 
Volume
 
Price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Bbls/month)
 
 
NYMEX
 
1/8/2010
 
Put
 
10/11 - 12/11
 
6,000
 
 
$
75.00
 
NYMEX
 
1/8/2010
 
Put
 
01/12 - 03/12
 
5,000
 
 
$
75.00
 
NYMEX
 
1/25/2010
 
Swap
 
01/12 - 03/12
 
5,000
 
 
$
83.30
 
NYMEX
 
2/26/2010
 
Swap
 
01/12 - 03/12
 
5,000
 
 
$
83.80
 
NYMEX
 
3/19/2010
 
Swap
 
01/12 - 03/12
 
5,000
 
 
$
83.80
 
NYMEX
 
3/19/2010
 
Swap
 
04/12 - 06/12
 
5,000
 
 
$
84.00
 
NYMEX
 
3/31/2010
 
Put
 
04/12 - 06/12
 
5,000
 
 
$
75.00
 
NYMEX
 
5/13/2010
 
Swap
 
04/12 - 06/12
 
5,000
 
 
$
87.85
 
NYMEX
 
6/28/2010
 
Swap
 
07/12 - 09/12
 
5,000
 
 
$
83.80
 
 
 
ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of June 30, 2010. Based on their evaluation, they have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
 
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2010 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 

79

 

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
 
Part II — Other Information
 
ITEM 1.    
Legal Proceedings
 
For information regarding legal proceedings, see Note 19 in Item 8 of our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 16 in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which information from Note 16 is incorporated by reference into this item.
 
ITEM 1A.    
Risk Factors
 
Except to the extent updated or described below, there are no material changes to the Risk Factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of Part I in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Municipal governments may seek to limit or deny franchise privileges.
Municipal governments within our utility service territories possess the power of condemnation, and could seek a municipal utility within a portion of our current service territories by limiting or denying franchise privileges for our operations, and exercising powers of condemnation over all or part of our utility assets within municipal boundaries. Although condemnation is a process that is subject to constitutional protections requiring just compensation, as with any judicial procedure, the outcome is uncertain. If a municipality sought to pursue this course of action, we cannot assure that we would secure adequate recovery of our investment in assets subject to condemnation.
 
Derivatives regulations included in current financial reform legislation could impede our ability to manage business and financial risks by restricting our use of derivative instruments as hedges against fluctuating commodity prices and interest rates.
In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Act") was passed by Congress and signed into law. The Act contains significant derivatives regulations, including a requirement that certain transactions be cleared on exchanges and a requirement to post cash collateral (commonly referred to as "margin") for such transactions. The Act provides for a potential exception from these clearing and cash collateral requirements for commercial end-users and it includes a number of defined terms that will be used in determining how this exception applies to particular derivative transactions and the parties to those transactions. The Act requires the CFTC to promulgate rules to define these terms, however we do not yet know the rules that the CFTC will actually promulgate nor the definitions will apply to us.
 
We use crude oil and natural gas derivative instruments in conjunction with our Energy Marketing activities and to hedge a portion of our expected oil and gas production. We also use interest rate derivative instruments to minimize the impact of interest rate fluctuations associated with anticipated debt issuances. Depending on the regulations adopted by the CFTC, we could be required to post additional collateral with our dealer counterparties for our commitments and interest rate derivative transactions. Such a requirement could have a significant impact on our business by reducing our ability to execute derivative transactions to reduce commodity price and interest rate uncertainty and to protect cash flows. Requirements to post collateral may cause significant liquidity issues by reducing our ability to use cash for investment or other corporate purposes, or may require us to increase our level of debt. In addition, a requirement for our counterparties to post collateral could result in additional costs being passed on to us, thereby decreasing our profitability.
 

80

 

ITEM 2.    
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Period
 
Total
Number
of
Shares
Purchased(1)
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans for Programs
 
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares
That May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs
April 1, 2010 -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
April 30, 2010
 
 
 
$
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
May 1, 2010 -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
May 31, 2010
 
62
 
 
$
33.26
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 1, 2010 -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2010
 
 
 
$
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
62
 
 
$
33.26
 
 
 
 
 
____________
(1)
Shares were acquired from certain officers and key employees under the share withholding provisions of the Omnibus Incentive Plan for the payment of taxes associated with the vesting of shares of Restricted Stock.
 

81

 

ITEM 6.    
Exhibits
 
 
Exhibit 4
Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 16, 2010, between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on July 15, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 10.1
Credit Agreement dated April 15, 2010 among Black Hills Corporation, as borrower, The Royal Bank of Scotland, Plc, as administrative agent for the banks under the Credit Agreement, and as a Bank and the other Banks party thereto filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 10-Q filed May 7, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 10.2
Independent Contractor Agreement dated May 3, 2010, between Black Hills Corporation and Lone Mountain Investments, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 10.3
Indemnification Agreement dated as of May 3, 2010, between Black Hills Corporation and John B. Vering.
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 10.4
Joinder Agreement dated May 28, 2010 to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 8, 2009, among Enserco Energy Inc., the borrower, BNP Paribas, as administrative agent, and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on June 3, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 10.5
Third Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement effective May 7, 2010, among Enserco Energy Inc., the borrower, Fortis Capital Corp., Societe Generale, as an issuing bank, a bank and the syndication agent, BNP Paribas, as an issuing bank, a bank, successor administrative agent and collateral agent and the documentation agent, and each of the other financial institutions which are parties thereto (filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on May 13, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 10.6
Fourth Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement effective May 28, 2010, among Enserco Energy Inc., the borrower, BNP Paribas, as administrative agent, collateral agent and the documentation agent, as an issuing bank, and a bank, Societe Generale, as an issuing bank, a bank and the syndication agent, and each of the other financial institutions which are parties thereto (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on June 3, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 10.7
Fifth Amendment to Third Amendment and Restated Credit Agreement effective July 12, 2010, among Enserco Energy, Inc., as borrower, BNP Paribas, as administrative agent, collateral agent and the document agent, as an issuing bank, and a bank, Societe Generale, as an issuing bank, a bank and the syndication agent, and each of the other financial institutions which are parties thereto (filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on July 13, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 10.8
Second Amendment to the 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on May 26, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 101
Financials for XBRL Format
 

82

 

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
 
Signatures
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
 
/s/ David R. Emery
 
David R. Emery, Chairman, President and
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
/s/ Anthony S. Cleberg
 
Anthony S. Cleberg, Executive Vice President
 
and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
Dated: August 6, 2010
 
 

83

 

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit Number
Description
 
 
Exhibit 4
Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 16, 2010, between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on July 15, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
 
Exhibit 10.1
Credit Agreement dated April 15, 2010 among Black Hills Corporation, as borrower, The Royal Bank of Scotland, Plc, as administrative agent for the banks under the Credit Agreement, and as a Bank and the other Banks party thereto filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 10-Q filed May 7, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
 
Exhibit 10.2
Independent Contractor Agreement dated May 3, 2010, between Black Hills Corporation and Lone Mountain Investments, Inc.
 
 
Exhibit 10.3
Indemnification Agreement dated as of May 3, 2010, between Black Hills Corporation and John B. Vering.
 
 
Exhibit 10.4
Joinder Agreement dated May 28, 2010 to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 8, 2009, among Enserco Energy Inc., the borrower, BNP Paribas, as administrative agent, and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on June 3, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
 
Exhibit 10.5
Third Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement effective May 7, 2010, among Enserco Energy Inc., the borrower, Fortis Capital Corp., Societe Generale, as an issuing bank, a bank and the syndication agent, BNP Paribas, as an issuing bank, a bank, successor administrative agent and collateral agent and the documentation agent, and each of the other financial institutions which are parties thereto (filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on May 13, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
 
Exhibit 10.6
Fourth Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement effective May 28, 2010, among Enserco Energy Inc., the borrower, BNP Paribas, as administrative agent, collateral agent and the documentation agent, as an issuing bank, and a bank, Societe Generale, as an issuing bank, a bank and the syndication agent, and each of the other financial institutions which are parties thereto (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on June 3, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
 
Exhibit 10.7
Fifth Amendment to Third Amendment and Restated Credit Agreement effective July 12, 2010, among Enserco Energy, Inc., as borrower, BNP Paribas, as administrative agent, collateral agent and the document agent, as an issuing bank, and a bank, Societe Generale, as an issuing bank, a bank and the syndication agent, and each of the other financial institutions which are parties thereto (filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on July 13, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
 
Exhibit 10.8
Second Amendment to the 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on May 26, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
 
Exhibit 31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Exhibit 31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Exhibit 32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Exhibit 32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Exhibit 101
Financials for XBRL Format

84