H2o America 10-Q for FY2021 Q2
H2o America (HTO)
10-Q
2021-07-30
For: 2021-06-30
View Original
Added on
April 12, 2026
About this 10-Q
H2o America filed this 10-Q on July 30, 2021, covering the quarter ended June 30, 2021 (FY2021 Q2).
Headline figures
Quarter ended June 30, 2021, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $152.24M
- up 3.4% from $147.21M a year earlier
- Net income
- $20.78M
- up 5.3% from net income of $19.72M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- $0.69
- unchanged from $0.69 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
___________________________________________
FORM 10-Q
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021
OR
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-8966
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||||||||
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “non-accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No x
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
As of July 23, 2021, there were 29,804,927 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws relating to future events and future results of SJW Group and its subsidiaries that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about SJW Group and its subsidiaries and the industries in which SJW Group and its subsidiaries operate and the beliefs and assumptions of the management of SJW Group. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “strategy,” or “anticipates,” or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.
The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, but not limited to, the following factors:
•the effect of water, utility, environmental and other governmental policies and regulations, including actions concerning rates, authorized return on equity, authorized capital structures, capital expenditures and other decisions;
•changes in demand for water and other services;
•the impact of the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic on our business operation and financial results;
•unanticipated weather conditions and changes in seasonality including those affecting water supply and customer usage;
•climate change and the effects thereof;
•unexpected costs, charges or expenses;
•our ability to successfully evaluate investments in new business and growth initiatives;
•contamination of our water supplies and damage or failure of our water equipment and infrastructure;
•the risk of work stoppages, strikes and other labor-related actions;
•catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, terrorist acts, physical attacks, cyber-attacks, epidemic or other similar occurrences;
•changes in general economic, political, business and financial market conditions;
•the ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, which can be affected by various factors, including credit ratings, changes in interest rates, compliance with regulatory requirements, compliance with the terms and conditions of our outstanding indebtedness and general market and economic conditions; and
•legislative and general market and economic developments.
Results for a quarter are not indicative of results for a full year due to seasonality and other factors. In addition, actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to our overall business, including those more fully described in our filings with the SEC, including our most recent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law.
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| REVENUE | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSE: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Production Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchased water | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Power | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groundwater extraction charges | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other production expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total production expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Administrative and general | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maintenance | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property taxes and other non-income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATING INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on long-term debt and other interest expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Pension non-service cost | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of Texas Water Alliance | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| EARNINGS PER SHARE | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| DIVIDENDS PER SHARE | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Utility plant: | |||||||||||
| Land | $ | ||||||||||
| Depreciable plant and equipment | |||||||||||
| Construction in progress | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets | |||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Real estate investments | |||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents: | |||||||||||
| Cash | |||||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable: | |||||||||||
Customers, net of allowances for uncollectible accounts of $ | |||||||||||
| Income tax | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Accrued unbilled utility revenue | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | |||||||||||
| Current regulatory assets, net | |||||||||||
| Other current assets | |||||||||||
| OTHER ASSETS: | |||||||||||
| Net regulatory assets, less current portion | |||||||||||
| Investments | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| $ | |||||||||||
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
| CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES | |||||||||||
| CAPITALIZATION: | |||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | |||||||||||
Common stock, $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt, less current portion | |||||||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: | |||||||||||
| Line of credit | |||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | |||||||||||
| Accrued groundwater extraction charges, purchased water and power | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | |||||||||||
| Accrued interest | |||||||||||
| Accrued payroll | |||||||||||
| Income tax payable | |||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | |||||||||||
| DEFERRED INCOME TAXES | |||||||||||
| ADVANCES FOR CONSTRUCTION | |||||||||||
| CONTRIBUTIONS IN AID OF CONSTRUCTION | |||||||||||
| POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS | |||||||||||
| REGULATORY LIABILITIES | |||||||||||
| OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES | |||||||||||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See Note 12) | |||||||||||
| $ | |||||||||||
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Total Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCES, December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain on investment, net of tax of $ | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of restricted and deferred stock units | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee stock purchase plan | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issuance, net of costs | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid ($ | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCES, March 31, 2021 | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain on investment, net of tax of $ | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of restricted and deferred stock units | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issuance, net of costs | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid ($ | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCES, June 30, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Total Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCES, December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized loss on investment, net of tax of $( | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of restricted and deferred stock units | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee stock purchase plan | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid ($ | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCES, March 31, 2020 | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain on investment, net of tax of $ | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of restricted and deferred stock units | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid ($ | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCES, June 30, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
6
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
| Six months ended June 30, | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | ||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ( | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||
| Allowance for equity funds used during construction | ( | ||||||||||
| Gain on sale of Texas Water Alliance | ( | ||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable and accrued unbilled utility revenue | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Accounts payable and other current liabilities | ( | ||||||||||
| Accrued groundwater extraction charges, purchased water and power | |||||||||||
| Tax receivable and payable, and other accrued taxes | |||||||||||
| Postretirement benefits | |||||||||||
| Regulatory assets and liabilities excluding income tax temporary differences, net and postretirement benefits. | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Up-front service concession payment | ( | ||||||||||
| Other changes, net | ( | ||||||||||
| NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||
| Additions to utility plant: | |||||||||||
| Company-funded | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Contributions in aid of construction | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Additions to real estate investments | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Payments to retire utility plant, net of salvage | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of Texas Water Alliance | |||||||||||
| Payment for asset acquisition | ( | ||||||||||
| NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ( | ( | |||||||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||
| Borrowings on line of credit | |||||||||||
| Repayments on line of credit | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Long-term borrowings | |||||||||||
| Repayments of long-term borrowings | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs | |||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Dividends paid | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Receipts of advances and contributions in aid of construction | |||||||||||
| Refunds of advances for construction | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other changes, net | ( | ||||||||||
| NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
| NET CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH | |||||||||||
| CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | |||||||||||
| CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD | |||||||||||
| LESS RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD | |||||||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD | $ | ||||||||||
| Cash paid during the period for: | |||||||||||
| Interest | $ | ||||||||||
| Income taxes | |||||||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities: | |||||||||||
| Accrued payables for additions to utility plant | $ | ||||||||||
| Change in accrued payables for construction costs capitalized | ( | ||||||||||
| Utility property installed by developers | |||||||||||
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
7
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2021
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Note 1.General
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods.
Recently Adopted Accounting Principles
In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes”, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes, eliminates certain exceptions within Topic 740, “Income Taxes”, and clarifies certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistency among reporting entities. ASU 2019-12 was effective for SJW Group in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue
Water sales are seasonal in nature and influenced by weather conditions. The timing of precipitation and climatic conditions can cause seasonal water consumption by customers to vary significantly. Due to the seasonal nature of the water business, the operating results for interim periods are not indicative of the operating results for a 12-month period. Revenue is generally higher in the warm, dry summer months when water usage and sales are greater, and lower in the winter months when cooler temperatures and increased precipitation curtail water usage resulting in lower sales.
The major streams of revenue for SJW Group are as follows:
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue from contracts with customers | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Alternative revenue programs, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other balancing and memorandum accounts, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other regulatory mechanisms, net | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rental income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
8
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
June 30, 2021
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
ended June 30, 2021, and 2020, the amounts allocated to administrative and general expense were $1,456 and $1,469 , respectively.
Real Estate Investments
The major components of real estate investments as of June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, are as follows:
| June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Land | $ | ||||||||||
| Buildings and improvements | |||||||||||
| Subtotal | |||||||||||
| Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | ||||||||||
A former wholly owned subsidiary of SJW Group, Texas Water Alliance Limited was sold to Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (“GBRA”) in 2017. The sales agreement with GBRA included a holdback amount of $3,000 to be paid to SJW Group on June 30, 2021, subject to reduction under certain conditions. SJW Group received the holdback amount without reduction from the GBRA on June 29, 2021 and recognized a pre-tax gain on sale of $3,000 .
Note 2.Regulatory Rate Filings
California Regulatory Affairs
On March 17, 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) ordered its regulated water utilities to halt customer disconnection activities in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 2, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-42-20 suspending customer disconnection activities until further notice. On April 16, 2020, the CPUC issued Resolution M-4842 directing utilities to implement emergency customer protections to assist customers such as waiving reconnection deposits, offering payment arrangements, and suspending disconnections for nonpayment. This resolution was effective for up to one year, or April 15, 2021, with the option to extend. On February 11, 2021, the CPUC approved Resolution M-4849 extending customer protections required in Resolution M-4842 through June 30, 2021. The resolution also requires water utilities to develop a transition plan regarding shutoffs and terminations with customers once the moratorium ends. On April 1, 2021, San Jose Water Company (“SJWC”) filed Advice Letter 560 which includes such plan and the filing was approved on June 16, 2021. On June 11, 2021, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-08-21 which ends the suspension on customer disconnection activities on September 30, 2021. On June 16, 2021, the CPUC directed its regulated water utilities to extend the suspension on customer disconnection activities through September 30, 2021, in response to the Governor’s order. On June 23, 2021, SJWC filed Advice Letter 565 to extend Resolution M-4849’s emergency customer protections through September 30, 2021. This advice was approved on July 1, 2021.
SJWC filed Advice Letter 556 on November 16, 2020, with the CPUC requesting authorization to increase its revenue requirement by 11,750 or 3.04 % in 2021 for the final escalation year authorized in our 2018 General Rate Case Decision 18-011-025 which established rates for 2019, 2020, and 2021. This advice letter was approved on December 17, 2020, and new rates became effective January 1, 2021.
On January 4, 2021, SJWC filed General Rate Case Application No. 21-01-003 requesting authority for an increase of revenue of $51,585 or 13.35 % in 2022, $16,932 or 3.88 % in 2023, and $19,195 or 4.24 % in 2024. The application also includes requests to recover $18,499 from balancing and memorandum accounts, authorization for a $435,000 capital budget, further alignment between actual and authorized usage, and a shift to greater revenue collection in the service charge. The application will undergo a year-long review process and new rates, if approved, are expected to be effective in the second quarter of 2022.
On May 3, 2021, SJWC filed Application No. 21-05-004 requesting authority to adjust its cost of capital for the period from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024. The request seeks a revenue increase of $6,418 or 1.61 % in 2022. The application also proposes a rate of return of 8.11 % from the current rate of 7.64 %, a decrease in the average cost of debt rate from 6.20 % to 5.48 %, and a return of equity of 10.30 % from the current rate of 8.90 %. In addition, the request seeks to adjust SJWC’s currently authorized capital structure of approximately 47 % debt and 53 % equity to approximately 45 % debt and 55 % equity. If approved, rates are expected to be effective on January 1, 2022.
9
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
June 30, 2021
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
On May 27, 2021, SJWC filed Advice Letter No. 561/561A with the CPUC requesting authorization to increase revenue by $17,262 or 4.34 % to recover the increases to purchased potable water charges, the groundwater extraction fee, and purchased recycled water charges implemented by Santa Clara Valley Water District (“Valley Water”) and South Bay Water Recycling effective July 1, 2021. This advice letter was approved with an effective date of July 1, 2021.
On June 9, 2021, Valley Water declared a water shortage emergency and asked its retailers to reduce consumption by 15% based on 2019’s volume. On June 18, 2021, SJWC filed Advice Letter 563 with the CPUC to activate Stage 3 of its Rule 14.1, Water Shortage Contingency Plan, in response to Valley Water’s declaration of drought emergency and call for 15% mandatory conservation. Advice Letter 564 was also filed on June 9, 2021, to establish a Water Conservation Memorandum Account to track the revenue impact of authorized vs actual water consumption and the incremental expenses required to implement our mandatory water conservation plan. Similar memorandum accounts were authorized during the previous drought. On July 20, 2021, Advice Letter 564 was approved. Advice Letter 563 is pending with the CPUC.
Connecticut Regulatory Affairs
On October 28, 2020, The Connecticut Water Company (“Connecticut Water”) filed a Water Infrastructure Conservation Adjustment (“WICA”) application representing an additional 1.11 % surcharge or approximately $956 increase in revenues, for a cumulative WICA surcharge of 6.94 %. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority of Connecticut (“PURA”) approved the requested increase with an April 1, 2021 effective date. Additionally, on February 1, 2021, Connecticut Water filed its annual WICA reconciliation which called for a 0.09 % increase of the WICA surcharge. On March 3, 2021, PURA approved the reconciliation, resulting in a net cumulative 7.03 % surcharge for Connecticut Water which became effective on customers’ bills on April 1, 2021. As of June 30, 2021, WICA surcharges for Connecticut Water and its Avon Water division were 7.03 % and 8.51 %, respectively. The Heritage Village Water division does not have an approved WICA surcharge.
On January 15, 2021, Connecticut Water filed an application with PURA to amend rates for its customers, including the divisions of Avon and Heritage Village. The filing requests an increase of $20,206 in annual revenues that includes more than $265,514 in completed infrastructure investments that are not currently in approved rates and surcharges. The filing proposes a new rate that would provide a 15 % reduction in water bills for income-eligible customers, which would be the first low-income rate for a Connecticut water utility, if approved. The filing also includes a tiered block rate structure for residential water customers to promote water conservation. The proposed increase will be applied across the company but may differ by rate divisions, meter size and between customer rate categories. The application also reflects the costs of operating and maintaining the utility, including expenditures on power and treatment additives that have increased since the company’s last general rate case decision in 2010. PURA has 200 days from the filing date to review the application, and the approved rates will go into effect soon thereafter. On July 28, 2021, Connecticut Water received the final decision approving an increase of $5,208 in annual revenues, a return on equity of 9.0 %, with new rates effective July 28, 2021. The final decision also approved the low-income rate, tiered block rate structure for residential water customers and the cost of debt and equity percentage as requested. The final decision did not include all of the requested proforma plant in service due to the timing of its completion. However, no plant was disallowed. Connecticut Water will seek recovery for the projects in the future, including a portion of plant which is eligible for recovery through WICA. In addition, the final decision reset WICA, which was approaching its statutory cap to zero .
Long-term debt issuances for Connecticut Water require regulatory authorization which is typically obtained for a specified amount of debt to be issued during a specified period of time. On March 16, 2021, Connecticut Water filed for PURA approval for the issuance of up to $100,000 of long-term borrowings in 2021. Connecticut Water anticipates to use the proceeds to pay down line of credit borrowings and payoff maturing debt, as well as general working capital needs. Connecticut Water received approval of the financings from PURA on June 9, 2021.
Texas Regulatory Affairs
On January 29, 2021, SJWTX, Inc., doing business as Canyon Lake Water Service Company (“CLWSC”) submitted its Water Pass-Through Charge (“WPC”) true-up report for the Canyon Lake area water systems’ 2020 purchased water costs. The WPC is the annual filing to change the monthly per thousand gallons charge for changes in purchased water costs since the last annual true-up report. The 2020 WPC true-up report resulted in a reduction of the WPC usage rate from $0.95 dollars to $0.7 dollars per thousand gallons which became effective on March 1, 2021. The Deer Creek Ranch water system has a separate WPC. A WPC filing for Deer Creek Ranch is required only when there is a change in purchased water costs. The WPC true-up report for this system was submitted December 1, 2020, which resulted in a decrease in the usage charge from $2.02 to $1.84
10
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
June 30, 2021
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
dollars per thousand gallons, and an increase in the monthly base charge of $0.51 dollars per residential account. The Deer Creek Ranch WPC rate changes became effective February 25, 2021.
A disaster declaration was declared on February 12, 2021 by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (“PUCT”) because of severe winter weather. The PUCT issued orders under Docket No. 51812-6 which prohibited disconnections for non-payment, suspended the rules for late fees and interest, and allowed for estimated billing for the duration of the disaster declaration. On March 5, 2021, the PUCT reinstituted the utilities’ ability to resume charging late fees, and on June 15, 2021, removed the prohibition on disconnections for non-payment.
On June 28, 2021, CLWSC announced that it reached an agreement to acquire the Kendall West and Bandera East utilities in Bandera and Medina counties in Texas and that change in ownership applications had been filed with the PUCT. The acquisition, pending approval by the PUCT, would grow CLWSC by 1,400 service connections that serve an estimated 4,000 county residences. A decision by the PUCT is expected in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Maine Regulatory Affairs
On June 17, 2020, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (“MPUC”) approved a general rate increase for Skowhegan Division customers allowing $198 in additional revenue. Per the MPUC decision, the increase will be implemented in two steps: an initial 9.80 % rate increase effective June 15, 2020, and a 3.51 % rate increase effective July 1, 2021. The combined rate increase is 13.31 %.
On November 23, 2020, The Maine Water Company (“Maine Water”) filed Water Infrastructure Surcharge (“WISC”) applications with the MPUC in five divisions requesting an increase between 1.1 % and 5 %, representing approximately $304 in additional revenues. The WISC applications were approved on December 15, 2020, and December 22, 2020 and the surcharges became effective January 1, 2021.
On March 10, 2021, Maine Water filed a general rate increase application for the Biddeford Saco Division seeking approximately $6,659 , or 77.5 %, in additional revenue. The application has proposed a multi-year rate plan that is designed to ease the transition to higher water bills over the period from July 2021 to July 2023. The primary driver for the increase in rates is the support for a new drinking water treatment facility on the Saco River, a $60,000 project to replace the existing facility that is expected to be in service in the second quarter of 2022. On June 23, 2021, the MPUC approved the first step in the plan adopting the proposed rate smoothing mechanism and implementing a temporary 22.65 % surcharge on all customer bills. The surcharge will be in effect for one year while the MPUC reviews and acts on the requested increase in base rates. A decision on the requested revenue increase is expected in the second quarter of 2022, in alignment with the completion of the new water treatment facility.
Note 3.Regulatory Assets, Net
Regulatory assets, net are comprised of the following as of June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
| June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Regulatory assets: | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax temporary differences, net | $ | |||||||||||||
| Postretirement pensions and other medical benefits | ||||||||||||||
| Business combinations debt premium, net | ||||||||||||||
| Balancing and memorandum accounts, net | ||||||||||||||
| Water Rate Adjustment | ||||||||||||||
| Other, net | ||||||||||||||
| Total regulatory assets, net in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||||||||||
| Less: current regulatory assets, net | ||||||||||||||
| Total regulatory assets, net, less current portion | $ | |||||||||||||
11
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
June 30, 2021
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Note 4.Balancing and Memorandum Accounts
SJWC has established balancing accounts for the purpose of tracking the under-collection or over-collection associated with expense changes and the revenue authorized by the CPUC to offset those expense changes. SJWC also maintains memorandum accounts to track revenue impacts due to catastrophic events, certain unforeseen water quality expenses related to new federal and state water quality standards, energy efficiency, water conservation, water tariffs, and other approved activities or as directed by the CPUC. The Monterey Water Revenue Adjustment Mechanism (“WRAM”) tracks the difference between the revenue received for actual metered sales through the tiered volumetric rate and the revenue that would have been received with the same actual metered sales if a uniform rate would have been in effect.
Balancing and memorandum accounts recorded to regulatory assets, net for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 as follows:
| Three months ended June 30, 2021 | Three months ended June 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning Balance | Regulatory Asset Increase (Decrease) | Refunds (Collections) Adjustments | Ending Balance | Beginning Balance | Regulatory Asset Increase (Decrease) | Refunds (Collections) Adjustments | Ending Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue accounts: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monterey WRAM | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of capital memorandum account | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax memorandum account | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All others | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue accounts | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost-recovery accounts: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water supply costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hydro Generation Research, Development and Demonstration Memorandum Account (“PRVMA”) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| COVID-19 Catastrophic Event Memorandum Account (“CEMA”) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All others | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total cost-recovery accounts | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
June 30, 2021
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| Six months ended June 30, 2021 | Six months ended June 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning Balance | Regulatory Asset Increase (Decrease) | Refunds (Collections) Adjustments | Ending Balance | Beginning Balance | Regulatory Asset Increase (Decrease) | Refunds (Collections) Adjustments | Ending Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue accounts: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monterey WRAM | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of capital memorandum account | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax memorandum account | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All others | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue accounts | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost-recovery accounts: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water supply costs | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PRVMA | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CEMA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All others | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total cost-recovery accounts | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note 5.Capitalization
On March 8, 2021, SJW Group entered into an underwriting agreement with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as the representative of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), which provided for the issuance and sale by SJW Group to the Underwriters 1,030,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, in an underwritten public offering (the “Offering”). The shares in the Offering were sold at a public offering price of $59.00 per share. SJW Group also granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to 154,500 additional shares of common stock, which was exercised in full. The Offering closed on March 11, 2021 and the offering of option shares closed on March 16, 2021.
SJW Group received net proceeds of approximately $66,775 from the Offering and the sale of option shares, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. SJW Group used the proceeds from the offerings to pay down a bank line of credit agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016, between SJWC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and for general corporate purposes, which included, among other things, financing infrastructure improvements and other capital expenditures, repayment of debt or other corporate obligations and working capital.
Note 6.Equity Plans
The Incentive Plan allows SJW Group to provide employees, non-employee board members or the board of directors of any parent or subsidiary, consultants, and other independent advisors who provide services to the company or any parent or subsidiary the opportunity to acquire an equity interest in SJW Group. As of June 30, 2021, 174,489 shares are issuable upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units and deferred restricted stock units and an additional 685,578 shares are available for award issuances under the Incentive Plan.
In connection with the merger with CTWS on October 9, 2019, SJW Group assumed outstanding awards of restricted stock units and deferred share units under the following stock plans: the CTWS 2014 Performance Stock Program, the CTWS 2004 Performance Stock Program and the CTWS 1994 Performance Stock Program (collectively, the “CTWS Plans”). As of June 30, 2021, approximately 56,056 shares are issuable upon the exercise of outstanding restricted stock units and deferred restricted stock units under the CTWS Plans.
13
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
June 30, 2021
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
A summary of compensation costs charged to income and proceeds from the exercise of any restricted stock and similar instruments that are recorded to additional paid-in capital and common stock, by award type, are presented below for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, and 2020.
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to additional paid-in capital and common stock for: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation costs charged to income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ESPP | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock and deferred restricted stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total compensation costs charged to income | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ESPP proceeds | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock and Deferred Restricted Stock
For the three months ended June 30, 2021, and 2020, SJW Group granted under the Incentive Plan 11,732 and 14,346 , respectively, one year and three year service-based restricted stock awards with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $65.43 and $60.17 , respectively, per unit. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, and 2020, SJW Group granted under the Incentive Plan 45,433 and 42,713 , respectively, one year and three year service-based restricted stock awards with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $64.53 and $63.97 , respectively, per unit.
For the three months ended June 30, 2021, and 2020, SJW Group granted under the Incentive Plan 1,182 and 138 target units, respectively, performance-based and market-based restricted stock awards with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $65.70 and $66.99 , respectively, per unit. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, and 2020, SJW Group granted under the Incentive Plan 30,641 and 24,719 target units, respectively, performance-based and market-based restricted stock awards granted with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $66.33 and $72.01 , respectively, per unit. Based upon actual attainment relative to the target performance metric, the number of shares issuable can range between 0 % to 150 % of the target number of shares for performance-based restricted stock awards, or between 0 % and 200 % of the target number of shares for market-based restricted stock awards.
As of June 30, 2021, the total unrecognized compensation costs related to restricted and deferred restricted stock plans amounted to $6,528 . This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.91 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
SJW Group’s recorded expenses were $86 and $174 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, and $74 and $160 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, related to the ESPP. The total unrecognized compensation costs related to the semi-annual offering period that ends July 30, 2021, for the ESPP is approximately $30 . This cost is expected to be recognized during the third quarter of 2021.
Note 7.Bank Borrowings and Long-Term Liabilities
SJW Group’s contractual obligations and commitments include senior notes, bank term loans, revenue bonds, state revolving fund loans and other obligations. Water Utility Services have received advance deposit payments from its customers on certain construction projects and the refunds of the advance deposit payments constitute an obligation of the respective subsidiaries.
Lines of Credit
On April 23, 2021, SJWC closed its $140,000 line of credit agreement which was set to mature on June 1, 2021, and entered into a new $140,000 credit agreement (“SJWC Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the lender (the “Lender”). The SJWC Credit Agreement provides an unsecured credit facility with a letter of credit sublimit of $15,000 . Proceeds of borrowings under the SJWC Credit Agreement may be used to refinance existing debt, for working capital, and for general corporate purposes. The new SJWC Credit Agreement has a maturity date of December 31, 2023. The line of credit bears interest at variable rates. The SJWC Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and events of default, as well as restrictive covenants customary for facilities of this type. The SJWC Credit Agreement also includes certain customary financial covenants such as a funded debt to capitalization ratio.
14
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
June 30, 2021
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Also on April 23, 2021, SJW Group, as guarantor, and CLWSC closed its $5,000 line of credit agreement which was set to mature on June 1, 2021, and entered into a new $5,000 credit agreement (“SJWTX Credit Agreement”) with the Lender. The SJWTX Credit Agreement provides an unsecured credit facility with a letter of credit sublimit of $1,000 . The new SJWTX Credit Agreement has a maturity date of December 31, 2023.
Long-Term Debt
On March 2, 2021, Maine Water entered into a credit agreement with a commercial bank, pursuant to an existing master loan agreement under which the commercial bank issued Maine Water a promissory note on the same date with an aggregate principal amount of $17,000 and a fixed interest rate of 3.89 %, due March 1, 2041. The notes are unsecured obligations of Maine Water. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears on the 20th day of January, April, July and October of each year. The promissory note contains customary representations and warranties. Under the promissory note, Maine Water is required to comply with certain customary affirmative and negative covenants for as long as the notes are outstanding. The notes are also subject to customary events of default, the occurrence of which may result in all of the notes then outstanding becoming immediately due and payable. Proceeds from the borrowing were received on March 18, 2021.
On May 13, 2021, CLWSC entered into a master credit agreement and promissory note with a commercial bank under which it entered into a borrowing agreement for an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $30,000 , of which $20,000 was advanced at the closing date. The borrowing carries a fixed interest rate of 4.01 % due on March 20, 2041. The remaining aggregate principal amount of the promissory note is to be advanced at the discretion of CLWSC before the maturity date. The notes are unsecured obligations of CLWSC. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears on the 20th day of January, April, July and October of each year. The promissory note contains customary representations and warranties. Under the promissory note, CLWSC is required to comply with certain customary affirmative and negative covenants for as long as the notes are outstanding. The notes are also subject to customary events of default, the occurrence of which may result in all of the notes then outstanding becoming immediately due and payable.
On June 25, 2021, SJWC entered into a note purchase agreement with certain affiliates of New York Life Insurance (collectively the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which the company sold an aggregate principal amount of $50,000 of its 3.00 % Senior Notes, Series N (“Series N Notes”) to the Purchasers. The Series N Notes are unsecured obligations of SJWC and are due on June 25, 2051. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 1st and July 1st of each year. The note purchase agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants for as long as the Series N Notes are outstanding. The Series N Notes are also subject to customary events of default, the occurrence of which may result in all of the Series N Notes then outstanding becoming immediately due and payable. The closing occurred simultaneously with the signing of the note purchase agreement.
Note 8.Benefit Plans
SJW Group maintains noncontributory defined benefit pension plans for its eligible employees. SJWC and CTWS employees hired before March 31, 2008, and January 1, 2009, respectively, are entitled to benefits under the pension plans based on the employee’s years of service and compensation. For SJWC employees, hired on or after March 31, 2008, benefits are determined using a cash balance formula based upon compensation credits and interest credits for each employee. Certain CTWS employees hired before March 1, 2012, and covered by a plan merged into the CTWS plan in 2013 are also entitled to benefits based on the employee’s years of service and compensation. CTWS employees hired on or after January 1, 2009, are entitled to an additional 1.5 % of eligible compensation to their company sponsored savings plan. SJW Group does not have multi-employer plans.
In addition, senior management hired before March 31, 2008, for SJWC and January 1, 2009, for CTWS are eligible to receive additional retirement benefits under supplemental executive retirement plans and retirement contracts. SJWC’s senior management hired on or after March 31, 2008, are eligible to receive additional retirement benefits under SJWC’s Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan. The supplemental retirement plans and Cash Balance Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan are non-qualified plans in which only senior management and other designated members of management may participate. SJW Group also provides health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees under employer-sponsored postretirement benefits other than pension plans.
15
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
June 30, 2021
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
The components of net periodic benefit costs for the defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, and 2020 are as follows:
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest cost | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on assets | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Unrecognized actuarial loss | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service cost | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
In 2021, SJW Group expects to make required and discretionary cash contributions of up to $9,043 to the pension plans and other postretirement benefits. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, SJW Group has made $1,480
Note 9.Income Taxes
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, income tax expense was $3,306 and $2,410 , respectively. Income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, was $4,210 and $4,648 , respectively. The effective consolidated income tax rates were 14 % and 18 % for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and 9 % and 17 % for the six months ended June 30, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The lower effective rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, were primarily due to flow-through tax benefits. In addition, discrete tax benefits recorded in the first quarter of 2021 resulted in a lower effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
SJW Group had unrecognized tax benefits, before the impact of deductions of state taxes, excluding interest and penalties of approximately $6,882 and $6,468 as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. SJW Group does not expect its unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly within the next 12 months.
Note 10.Fair Value Measurement
The following instruments are not measured at fair value on SJW Group’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2021, but require disclosure of their fair values: cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The estimated fair value of such instruments as of June 30, 2021, approximates their carrying value as reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of such financial instruments are determined using the income approach based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. There have been no changes in valuation techniques during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. The fair value of these instruments would be categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, with the exception of cash and cash equivalents, which would be categorized as Level 1.
The fair value of SJW Group’s long-term debt was approximately $1,546,640 and $1,570,727 as of June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively, and was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on the current rates for similar financial instruments of the same duration and creditworthiness of the company. The book value of long-term debt was $1,398,396 and $1,363,821 as of June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively. The fair value of long-term debt would be categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
CTWS’s additional retirement benefits under the supplemental executive retirement plans and retirement contracts are funded by investment assets held by a Rabbi Trust. The fair value of the money market funds, mutual funds and fixed income investments in the Rabbi Trust was $3,078 and $3,014 as of June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively, and are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
16
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
June 30, 2021
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Note 11.Segment and Non-Tariffed Business Reporting
SJW Group is a holding company with four subsidiaries: (i) SJWC, a water utility operation with both regulated and non-tariffed businesses, (ii) CLWSC, a regulated water utility located in Canyon Lake, Texas, and its consolidated non-tariffed variable interest entity, Acequia Water Supply Corporation, (iii) SJW Land Company and its consolidated variable interest entity, 444 West Santa Clara Street, L.P., which operated commercial building rentals, and (iv) SJWNE LLC a holding company for CTWS and its subsidiaries, Connecticut Water, Maine Water, New England Water Utility Services, Inc. (“NEWUS”) and Chester Realty, Inc. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 280 - “Segment Reporting,” SJW Group’s reportable segments have been determined based on information used by the chief operating decision maker. SJW Group’s chief operating decision maker includes the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and his executive staff. The first segment is providing water utility and utility-related services to its customers through SJW Group’s subsidiaries, SJWC, Connecticut Water, CLWSC, Maine Water, and NEWUS together referred to as “Water Utility Services.” The second segment is property management and investment activity conducted by SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc., referred to as “Real Estate Services.”
| For Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water Utility Services | Real Estate Services | All Other (1) | SJW Group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regulated | Non-tariffed | Non-tariffed | Non-tariffed | Regulated | Non-tariffed | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenue | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on long-term debt and other interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water Utility Services | Real Estate Services | All Other (1) | SJW Group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regulated | Non-tariffed | Non-tariffed | Non-tariffed | Regulated | Non-tariffed | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenue | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on long-term debt and other interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
17
SJW GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
June 30, 2021
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| For Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water Utility Services | Real Estate Services | All Other (1) | SJW Group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regulated | Non-tariffed | Non-tariffed | Non-tariffed | Regulated | Non-tariffed | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenue | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on long-term debt and other interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water Utility Services | Real Estate Services | All Other (1) | SJW Group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regulated | Non-tariffed | Non-tariffed | Non-tariffed | Regulated | Non-tariffed | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenue | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on long-term debt and other interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
____________________
(1) The “All Other” category for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, includes the accounts of SJW Group, SJWNE LLC and CTWS on a stand-alone basis.
(2) As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company has performed an allocation of goodwill associated with the acquisition of CTWS to two
Note 12.Commitments and Contingencies
18
ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts and otherwise noted)
The information in this Item 2 should be read in conjunction with the financial information and the notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q and the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the related “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in SJW Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws relating to future events and future results of SJW Group and its subsidiaries that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about SJW Group and its subsidiaries and the industries in which SJW Group and its subsidiaries operate and the beliefs and assumptions of the management of SJW Group. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. For more information about such forward-looking statements, including some of the factors that may affect our actual results, please see our disclosures under “Forward-Looking Statements,” and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, including Item 1A under “Risk Factors.”
General:
SJW Group is a holding company with four wholly-owned subsidiaries: San Jose Water Company (“SJWC”), SJWNE LLC, SJWTX, Inc. and SJW Land Company.
SJWC is a public utility in the business of providing water service to approximately 231,000 connections that serve a population of approximately one million people in an area comprising approximately 139 square miles in the metropolitan San Jose, California area.
The principal business of SJWC consists of the production, purchase, storage, purification, distribution, wholesale, and retail sale of water. SJWC provides water service to customers in portions of the cities of San Jose and Cupertino and in the cities of Campbell, Monte Sereno, and Saratoga and the Town of Los Gatos, and adjacent unincorporated territories, all in the County of Santa Clara in the State of California. SJWC distributes water to customers in accordance with accepted water utility methods which include pumping from storage and gravity feed from high elevation reservoirs. SJWC also provides non-tariffed services under agreements with municipalities and other utilities. These non-tariffed services include water system operations, maintenance agreements, and antenna site leases.
SJWC has utility property including land held in fee, impounding reservoirs, diversion facilities, wells, distribution storage, and all water facilities, equipment, office buildings and other property necessary to serve its customers. Under Section 851 of the California Public Utilities Code, properties currently used and useful in providing utilities services cannot be disposed of unless California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) approval is obtained.
SJWC also has approximately 237 acres of nonutility property which has been identified as no longer used and useful in providing utility services. The majority of the properties are located in the hillside areas adjacent to SJWC’s various watershed properties.
SJWNE LLC is the holding company for Connecticut Water Service, Inc. (“CTWS”). CTWS became a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJWNE LLC as part of the merger transaction between SJW Group and CTWS that was completed on October 9, 2019. CTWS, headquartered in Connecticut, serves as a holding company for water utility companies providing water service to approximately 139,000 connections that serve a population of approximately 455,000 people in 81 municipalities throughout Connecticut and Maine and more than 3,000 wastewater connections in Southbury, Connecticut. The subsidiaries held by CTWS that provide utility water services are The Connecticut Water Company (“Connecticut Water”) and The Maine Water Company (“Maine Water”). The remaining two CTWS subsidiaries are Chester Realty, Inc., a real estate company in Connecticut, and New England Water Utility Services, Inc. (“NEWUS”), which provides contract water and sewer operations and other water related services. CTWS also offers Linebacker, an optional service line protection program to eligible residential customers through NEWUS in Connecticut and Maine Water in Maine.
The properties of CTWS’s subsidiaries consist of land, easements, rights (including water rights), buildings, reservoirs, standpipes, dams, wells, supply lines, water treatment plants, pumping plants, transmission and distribution mains and other facilities and equipment used for the collection, purification, storage and distribution of water throughout Connecticut and Maine. In certain cases, Connecticut Water and Maine Water are or may be a party to limited contractual arrangements for the provision of water supply from neighboring utilities.
SJWTX, Inc., doing business as Canyon Lake Water Service Company (“CLWSC”), is a public utility in the business of providing water service to approximately 21,000 connections that serve approximately 62,000 people. CLWSC’s service area comprises more than 247 square miles in the southern region of the Texas Hill Country in Blanco, Comal, Hays and Travis
19
counties, the growing region between San Antonio and Austin, Texas. CLWSC has a 25% interest in Acequia Water Supply Corporation (“Acequia”). The water supply corporation has been determined to be a variable interest entity within the scope of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810 with CLWSC as the primary beneficiary. As a result, Acequia has been consolidated with CLWSC.
SJW Land Company owns undeveloped land and operates commercial buildings in Tennessee. SJW Land Company owned the following real properties during the six months ended June 30, 2021:
% for Six months ended June 30, 2021 of SJW Land Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | Location | Acreage | Square Footage | Revenue | Expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warehouse building | Knoxville, Tennessee | 30 | 361,500 | 47 | % | 44 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial building | Knoxville, Tennessee | 15 | 135,000 | 53 | % | 56 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Undeveloped land and parking lot | Knoxville, Tennessee | 10 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Undeveloped land | San Jose, California | 103 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of June 30, 2021, Chester Realty, Inc. owns 23 acres of undeveloped land and a commercial building in the State of Connecticut.
Business Strategy for Water Utility Services:
SJW Group focuses its business initiatives in three strategic areas:
(1)Regional regulated water utility operations;
(2)Regional non-tariffed water utility related services provided in accordance with the guidelines established by the CPUC in California, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority in Connecticut (“PURA”), the Public Utilities Commission of Texas in Texas, and the Maine Public Utilities Commission in Maine; and
(3)Out-of-region water and utility related services.
As part of our pursuit of the above three strategic areas, we consider from time to time opportunities to acquire businesses and assets. However, we cannot be certain we will be successful in identifying and consummating any strategic business combination or acquisitions relating to such opportunities. In addition, the execution of our business strategy will expose us to different risks than those associated with the current utility operations. We expect to incur costs in connection with the execution of this strategy and any integration of an acquired business could involve significant costs, the assumption of certain known and unknown liabilities related to the acquired assets, the diversion of management’s time and resources, the potential for a negative impact on SJW Group’s financial position and operating results, entering markets in which SJW Group has no or limited direct prior experience and the potential loss of key employees of any acquired company. Any strategic combination or acquisition we decide to undertake may also impact our ability to finance our business, affect our compliance with regulatory requirements, and impose additional burdens on our operations. Any businesses we acquire may not achieve sales, customer growth and projected profitability that would justify the investment. Any difficulties we encounter in the integration process, including the integration of controls necessary for internal control and financial reporting, could interfere with our operations, reduce our operating margins and adversely affect our internal controls. SJW Group cannot be certain that any transaction will be successful or that it will not materially harm operating results or our financial condition.
Real Estate Services:
SJW Group’s real estate investment activity is conducted through SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc. As noted above, SJW Land Company owns undeveloped land and operates commercial buildings in Tennessee. Chester Realty, Inc. owns and operates land and commercial buildings in the State of Connecticut. SJW Land Company and Chester Realty, Inc. manage its income producing and other properties until such time a determination is made to reinvest proceeds from the sale of such properties.
Critical Accounting Policies:
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on the accounting policies used and disclosed in our 2020 consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes that were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and included as part of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, that was filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021.
20
Our critical accounting policies are described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. There have been no changes in our critical accounting policies. Our significant accounting policies are described in our notes to the 2020 consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Recently Adopted Accounting Policies:
See Note 1 of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recently adopted accounting policies for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
Results of Operations:
Water sales are seasonal in nature and influenced by weather conditions. The timing of precipitation and climatic conditions can cause seasonal water consumption by customers to vary significantly. Due to the seasonal nature of the water business, the operating results for interim periods are not indicative of the operating results for a 12-month period. Revenue is generally higher in the warm, dry summer months when water usage and sales are greater, and lower in the winter months when cooler temperatures and increased rainfall curtail water usage and sales.
Overview
SJW Group’s consolidated net income for the three months ended June 30, 2021, was $20,775, an increase of $1,054, or approximately 5%, from $19,721 for the same period in 2020. SJW Group’s consolidated net income for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was $23,391, an increase of $1,253, or approximately 6%, from $22,138 for the same period in 2020. The increase in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2021, was primarily due to an increase in revenue of $5,032 or 3% from an increase in cumulative water rates and increased customer usage, partially offset by an increase in administrative and general expenses, and an increase in production costs at SJWC due to a decrease in available surface water and the increase in customer usage. The increase in net income for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was primarily due to an increase in revenue of $4,063 or 2% from an increase in cumulative water rates and new customers, offset by an increase in administrative and general expenses, an increase in production costs due to a decrease in available low cost surface water, and an increase in depreciation due to assets placed in service in 2020. In addition, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, SJW Group recorded a $3,000 pre-tax gain on sale of utility property from the release of a holdback amount by Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (“GBRA”) in connection with the sale of Texas Water Alliance Limited (“TWA”) that occurred in 2017.
Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) Update
The outbreak of COVID-19 has had significant impact on the global economy. Financial impacts experienced by SJW Group due to the COVID-19 pandemic include higher uncollectible accounts receivables and increased costs from COVID-19 related prevention activities. The regulators in the states SJW Group operates have approved mechanisms to either record a regulatory asset or track in a memorandum account expenses and savings related to COVID-19. SJWC and CLWSC have determined that future recovery of the amount related to COVID-19 activities are probable and have recognized the related regulatory assets. Probability criteria has not yet been met for CTWS. If a state regulator disagrees with the calculation of recorded COVID-19 account balances, we may be required to make adjustments that could adversely affect our results of operations. SJW Group continues to monitor COVID-19 developments affecting our business, employees and suppliers and will take additional precautions as management believes is necessary. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for further discussion.
Operating Revenue
| Operating Revenue by Segment | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Water Utility Services | $ | 150,921 | 145,765 | $ | 264,362 | 260,149 | |||||||||||||||||
| Real Estate Services | 1,320 | 1,444 | 2,664 | 2,814 | |||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 152,241 | 147,209 | $ | 267,026 | 262,963 | ||||||||||||||||||
21
The change in consolidated operating revenues was due to the following factors:
| Three months ended June 30, 2021 vs. 2020 | Six months ended June 30, 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase/(decrease) | Increase/(decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water Utility Services: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumption changes (including unbilled utility revenue) | $ | 1,426 | 1 | % | $ | (1,365) | (1) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Increase in customers | 672 | — | % | 1,118 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Rate increases | 3,561 | 2 | % | 6,402 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Texas winter storm customer credits | (149) | — | % | (839) | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Balancing and memorandum accounts | (59) | — | % | (215) | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Other regulatory mechanisms | (407) | — | % | (887) | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | 112 | — | % | (1) | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Real Estate Services | (124) | — | % | (150) | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | 5,032 | 3 | % | $ | 4,063 | 2 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Operating Expense
| Operating Expense by Segment | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Water Utility Services | $ | 117,514 | 108,944 | $ | 217,361 | 206,322 | |||||||||||||||||
| Real Estate Services | 881 | 850 | 1,762 | 1,681 | |||||||||||||||||||
| All Other | 1,207 | 1,345 | 2,185 | 3,463 | |||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 119,602 | 111,139 | $ | 221,308 | 211,466 | ||||||||||||||||||
The change in consolidated operating expenses was due to the following factors:
| Three months ended June 30, 2021 vs. 2020 | Six months ended June 30, 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase/(decrease) | Increase/(decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water production expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in surface water use | $ | 1,923 | 2 | % | $ | 2,658 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Change in usage and new customers | 1,779 | 2 | % | 1,688 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchased water and groundwater extraction charge, energy price change and other production expenses, net | (706) | (1) | % | (1,515) | (1) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Balancing and memorandum accounts cost recovery | (146) | — | % | (166) | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total water production expenses | 2,850 | 3 | % | 2,665 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Administrative and general | 4,173 | 3 | % | 3,401 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance and memorandum account cost recovery | (619) | — | % | (570) | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Maintenance | 1,253 | 1 | % | 1,432 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Property taxes and other non-income taxes | 47 | — | % | 99 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 759 | 1 | % | 2,815 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | 8,463 | 8 | % | $ | 9,842 | 4 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Sources of Water Supply
SJWC’s water supply consists of imported water purchased from the Santa Clara Valley Water District (“Valley Water”) under the terms of a master contract with Valley Water expiring in 2051, groundwater from wells, surface water from watershed run-off and diversion, and reclaimed water. Surface water is the least expensive source of water. Changes and variations in quantities from each of these sources affect the overall mix of the water supply, thereby affecting water supply cost. In addition, the water rate for purchased water and the groundwater extraction charge may be increased by Valley Water at any time. If an increase occurs, then SJWC would file an advice letter with the CPUC seeking authorization to increase customer rates to offset the cost increase.
22
On July 1, 2021, Valley Water’s 10 reservoirs were at approximately 14% of total capacity with 7,719 million gallons of water in storage, which is 25% of the twenty-year average for this date. Valley Water’s largest reservoir, Anderson, remains drained in preparation for the 8-10 year Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project. As reported by Valley Water, there was 5.79 inches of rainfall, or 41% of the average, in San Jose during the current annual rainfall season that commenced on July 1, 2020. Rainfall at SJWC’s Lake Elsman was measured at 21.72 inches during the just completed rainfall season. Under normal hydrologic conditions, state and federal water allocations represent approximately 40% of the Valley Water’s total annual water supply. As of July 1, 2021, Valley Water reported that allocations from the state and federal water project are approximately 5% and 25%, respectively, of amounts requested in 2021. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation reduced the initial Central Valley Project allocation of 55% down to 25% due to worsening hydrologic conditions. Valley Water also reported that the managed groundwater recharge from January to June in the Santa Clara Plain was 63% of the five-year average. The groundwater level in the Santa Clara Plain is approximately 14 feet lower than the five-year average. According to Valley Water, the projected total groundwater storage at the end of 2021 is expected to fall within the Alert Stage of the Valley Water’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
On July 1, 2021, SJWC’s Lake Elsman contained 247 million gallons of water, of which approximately 97 million gallons can be utilized for treatment in water production. This Lake Elsman volume represents 17% of the five-year average which reflects the low winter rainfall we experienced in our Santa Cruz mountains watershed. Local surface water is a less costly source of water than groundwater or purchased water and its availability significantly impacts SJWC’s results of operations. Typically, SJWC will utilize surface water and additional water from its portfolio of groundwater supplies to supplement imported water from Valley Water. Production from the Montevina Surface Water Treatment Plant through the second quarter was 259 million gallons, which is 17% of the five-year average. On April 14, 2021, SJWC took the Montevina Surface Water Treatment Plant offline due to worsening hydrologic conditions in the local watershed. Through the second quarter, there was no water production at SJWC’s smaller Saratoga Water Treatment Plant. The Saratoga Water Treatment Plant was unable to be placed into service due to lack of run-off from Saratoga Creek and remains offline. Nonetheless, SJWC believes that its various other water supply sources will be sufficient to meet customer demand through the remainder of 2021.
On June 9, 2021, Valley Water declared a water shortage emergency and asked its retailers to reduce consumption by 15% based on 2019 usage. In response to Valley Water’s declaration of drought emergency and call for conservation, SJWC filed with the CPUC to activate Stage 3 of its Rule 14.1 Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Like the most recent drought, the current restrictions center on outdoor water usage which typically accounts for half of a residential customer’s consumption. The restrictions include limits on watering days and times, use of potable water for washing structures and other non-porous surfaces except to protect public health and safety, and no outdoor watering during and up to 48 hours after measurable rainfall.
Connecticut Water utility services’ infrastructure consists of 65 noncontiguous water systems in the State of Connecticut. These systems, in total, consist of approximately 1,800 miles of water main and reservoir storage capacity of 2.4 billion gallons. The dependable yield from our 235 active wells and 18 surface water supplies is approximately 65 million gallons per day. Water sources vary among the individual systems, but overall approximately 72% of the total dependable yield comes from wells and 28% from surface water supplies.
CLWSC’s water supply consists of groundwater from wells and purchased treated and untreated raw water from local water agencies. CLWSC has long-term agreements with the GBRA, which expire in 2037, 2040, 2044 and 2050. The agreements, which are take-or-pay contracts, provide CLWSC with an aggregate of 6,900 acre-feet of water per year from Canyon Lake at prices that may be adjusted periodically by GBRA. CLWSC also has raw water supply agreements with the Lower Colorado River Authority and West Travis Public Utility Agency expiring in 2053 and 2046, respectively, to provide for 350 acre-feet of water per year from Lake Austin and the Colorado River, respectively, at prices that may be adjusted periodically by the agencies. Production wells located in a Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, a regulated portion of the Trinity aquifer, are charged a groundwater pump tax based upon usage. CLWSC has recently updated its Drought Management Plan to better account for both climatic conditions within its service area and increased demand due to new developments. The updated Drought Management Plan has been approved by the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality. CLWSC believes that by following the Drought Management Plan water supply sources will be sufficient to meet customer demand through the remainder of 2021.
Maine Water’s infrastructure consists of 12 noncontiguous water systems in the State of Maine. These systems, in total, consist of approximately 600 miles of water main and reservoir storage capacity of 7.0 billion gallons. The dependable yield from our 14 active wells and 7 surface water supplies is approximately 120 million gallons per day. Water sources vary among the individual systems, but overall approximately 90% of the total dependable yield comes from surface water supplies and 10% from wells.
23
The following table presents the change in sources of water supply, in million gallons, for Water Utility Services:
| Three months ended June 30, | Increase/ (decrease) | % of Total Change | Six months ended June 30, | Increase/ (decrease) | % of Total Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchased water | 6,252 | 5,891 | 361 | 3 | % | 9,898 | 9,526 | 372 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groundwater | 5,964 | 5,499 | 465 | 3 | % | 10,567 | 9,844 | 723 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surface water | 2,001 | 2,387 | (386) | (3) | % | 3,834 | 4,438 | (604) | (3) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclaimed water | 243 | 86 | 157 | 1 | % | 328 | 172 | 156 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14,460 | 13,863 | 597 | 4 | % | 24,627 | 23,980 | 647 | 3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The changes in the source of supply mix were consistent with the changes in the water production expenses.
SJWC’s unaccounted-for water on a 12-month-to-date basis for June 30, 2021, and 2020 approximated 7.1% and 6.4%, respectively, as a percentage of total production. The unaccounted-for water estimate is based on the results of past experience and the impact of flows through the system, partially offset by SJWC’s main replacements and lost water reduction programs.
CTWS’s unaccounted-for water on a 12-month-to-date basis for June 30, 2021 was approximately 15.7% as a percentage of total production. Unaccounted-for water on an acquisition-to-date basis for the period ended June 30, 2020 was approximately 16.7%. The unaccounted-for water estimate is based on the results of past experience and the impact of flows through CTWS’s systems, unadjusted for any required system flushing, partially offset by Water Infrastructure Conservation Adjustment and Water Infrastructure Surcharge main replacement programs and lost water reduction initiatives.
Water Production Expenses
The change in water production expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, was primarily attributable to a decrease in available surface water for SJWC and increases in customer usage, offset by changes in average per unit costs for purchased water, groundwater extraction, energy charges and other production expenses. Valley Water did not increase the unit price of purchased water and groundwater extraction fees for their fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020. SJWC was notified by Valley Water that the unit price of purchased water and the groundwater extraction charge was increased 9.5% and 9.1%, respectively, effective July 1, 2021.
Other Operating Expenses
Operating expenses, excluding water production expenses, increased $5,613 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to increases of $3,821 in administrative and general expenses primarily due to a credit to expense for the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) adoption in prior year and increases in labor, contracted work and rate case expenses, $1,253 in maintenance expense and $759 in depreciation and amortization expense due to increases in utility plant.
Operating expenses, excluding water production expenses, increased $7,177 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to increases of $3,049 in administrative and general expenses in the second quarter, $2,815 in depreciation and amortization expense due to increases in utility plant, and $1,432 in maintenance expenses.
Other (Expense) Income
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, the change in other (expense) income was primarily due to a $3,000 pre-tax gain on sale from the release of a holdback amount by GBRA for the sale of TWA recorded in 2017.
Provision for Income Taxes
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, income tax expense decreased $904 and $2,238, respectively. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to flow-through tax benefits. The effective consolidated income tax rates were 14% and 18% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, and 2020, respectively, and 9% and 17% for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The lower effective rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, were primarily due to flow-through tax benefits. In addition, discrete tax benefits recorded in the first quarter of 2021 resulted in a lower effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (“Act”) was signed into law. SJW Group has considered the income tax implications of the Act in its estimated tax provision and does not believe it will materially impact the company’s year-end tax rate.
24
Regulation and Rates
Almost all of the operating revenue of SJW Group results from the sale of water at rates authorized by the subsidiaries’ respective state utilities commissions. The state utilities commissions set rates that are intended to provide revenue sufficient to recover operating expenses and the opportunity to achieve a specified return on common equity. The timing of rate decisions could have an impact on the results of operations.
See Note 2 of Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of regulatory activities that have occurred during the quarter.
Liquidity:
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, SJW Group generated cash flows from operations of approximately $67,100, compared to $32,300 for the same period in 2020. Cash flow from operations is primarily generated by net income from revenue producing activities, adjusted for non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation, allowance for equity funds used during construction, gains or losses on the sale of assets, and changes in working capital items. Cash flow from operations increased by approximately $34,800. This increase was the result of a combination of the following factors: (1) an increase in collections from accounts receivable and accrued unbilled utility revenue of $15,300, (2) payments of amounts previously invoiced and accrued including accrued productions costs, increased by $7,300, (3) increase in net changes in the balancing and memorandum accounts of $5,700, (4) an up-front payment of $5,000 in the prior year for renewal of the Cupertino service concession agreement that did not reoccur in the current year, and (5) general working capital and net income, adjusted for non-cash items increased $1,500.
As of June 30, 2021, Water Utility Services’ write-offs for uncollectible accounts represented less than 1% of its total revenue, unchanged from June 30, 2020. In 2020, the regulated utilities commissions of the respective states we operate initiated executive orders suspending water service disconnections due to non-payment from customers in light of the then current stay-at-home orders, quarantines and similar governmental restrictions in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the orders have been lifted and the anticipation is that the remaining orders will be lifted in third quarter of 2021. Once lifted, management believes that the collection rate for its accounts receivables will increase to pre-pandemic levels. The financial impact of certain past due accounts are being recorded for future recovery through the rate-making process. There is no guarantee that such recovery will be approved by the respective state regulatory utility commissions.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, SJW Group used cash flows in investing activities of approximately $107,000, compared to $81,100 for the same period in 2020. SJW Group used approximately: (1) $100,100 of cash for company-funded capital expenditures, (2) $7,400 for developer-funded capital expenditures, and (3) $900 for utility plant retirements.
Water Utility Services’ budgeted capital expenditures for 2021, exclusive of capital expenditures financed by customer contributions and advances, are anticipated to be approximately $238,800. As of June 30, 2021, approximately $100,100 or 42% of the $238,800 has been invested.
Water Utility Services’ capital expenditures are incurred in connection with normal upgrading and expansion of existing facilities and to comply with environmental regulations. Over the next five years, Water Utility Services expect to incur approximately $1,400,000 in capital expenditures, which includes replacement of pipes and mains, and maintaining water systems. A significant portion of this amount is subject to future respective state regulatory utility commissions’ approval. Capital expenditures have the effect of increasing utility plant rate base on which Water Utility Services earns a return. Water Utility Services actual capital expenditures may vary from their projections due to changes in the expected demand for services, weather patterns, actions by governmental agencies, and general economic conditions. Total additions to utility plant normally exceed Company-financed additions as a result of new facilities construction funded with advances from developers and contributions in aid of construction.
The Water Utility Services’ distribution systems were constructed during the period from the early 1900’s through today. Expenditure levels for renewal and modernization will occur as the components reach the end of their useful lives. In most cases, replacement cost will significantly exceed the original installation cost of the retired assets due to increases in the costs of goods and services and increased regulation.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021, increased by approximately $4,600 from the same period in the prior year, primarily as a result of (1) an increase in net proceeds from our recent common stock equity offering of $66,800, (2) $3,600 increase in net cash receipts from advances and contributions in aid of construction, and (3) an
25
increase in net proceeds of $2,100 from new long-term debt, offset by (4) a decrease in net borrowings and repayments on our lines of credit of $66,000.
Sources of Capital:
SJW Group’s ability to finance future construction programs and sustain dividend payments depends on its ability to maintain or increase internally generated funds and attract external financing. The level of future earnings and the related cash flow from operations is dependent, in large part, upon the timing and outcome of regulatory proceedings.
Long-term Financing Agreements
SJW Group’s 2011 unsecured senior note of $50,000 was paid in full at maturity on June 30, 2021. SJW Group’s 2019 and 2020 unsecured senior note agreements have terms and conditions that restrict SJW Group from issuing additional funded debt if the funded consolidated debt would exceed 70% of total capitalization. SJW Group was not restricted from issuing future indebtedness as a result of these terms and conditions at June 30, 2021.
SJWC’s financing activity is designed to achieve a capital structure consistent with our CPUC authorized structure of approximately 47% debt and 53% equity. As of June 30, 2021, SJWC’s funded debt and equity were approximately 49% and 51%, respectively.
Funding for SJWC’s future capital expenditure program is expected to be provided primarily through internally-generated funds, the issuance of new long-term debt, and the issuance of equity, all of which will be consistent with regulator guidelines.
SJWC’s unsecured senior note agreements generally have terms and conditions that restrict SJWC from issuing additional funded debt if: (1) the funded debt would exceed 66-2/3% of total capitalization, and (2) net income available for interest charges for the trailing 12-month-calendar period would be less than 175% of interest charges. SJWC was not restricted from issuing future indebtedness as a result of these terms and conditions at June 30, 2021.
On June 25, 2021, SJWC entered into a note purchase agreement with certain affiliates of New York Life Insurance (collectively the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which the company sold an aggregate principal amount of $50,000 of its 3.00% Senior Notes, Series N (“Series N Notes”) to the Purchasers. The Series N Notes are unsecured obligations of SJWC and are due on June 25, 2051. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 1st and July 1st of each year. The note purchase agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants for as long as the Series N Notes are outstanding. The Series N Notes are also subject to customary events of default, the occurrence of which may result in all of the Series N Notes then outstanding becoming immediately due and payable. The closing occurred simultaneously with the signing of the note purchase agreement. As of June 30, 2021, SJWC was in compliance with all such covenants.
SJWC’s loan agreements with the California Pollution Control Financing Authority contain affirmative and negative covenants customary for loan agreements relating to revenue bonds, including, among other things, complying with certain disclosure obligations and covenants relating to the tax exempt status of the interest on the bonds and limitations and prohibitions relating to the transfer of the projects funded by the loan proceeds and the assignment of the loan agreement. As of June 30, 2021, SJWC was in compliance with all such covenants.
CTWS has outstanding term loans with a commercial bank, and under the master loan agreement CTWS is required to comply with certain financial ratio and customary affirmative and negative covenants. The most restrictive of these covenants is to maintain a consolidated (CTWS and its subsidiaries) debt to capitalization ratio of not more than 60%. As of June 30, 2021, CTWS was in compliance with all covenants under the master loan agreement.
Connecticut Water has outstanding term loans with a commercial bank, and under its master loan agreement Connecticut Water is required to comply with financial and customary affirmative and negative covenants substantially identical to those found in CTWS’s master loan agreement. Connecticut Water is required to maintain a debt to capitalization ratio of not more than 60% and an interest coverage ratio of no less than 3 to 1. As of June 30, 2021, Connecticut Water was in compliance with all covenants under its master loan agreement.
Connecticut Water has tax-exempt and taxable Water Facilities Revenue Bonds issued through Connecticut Innovations (formerly the Connecticut Development Authority). The bond indentures and loan agreements contain customary affirmative and negative covenants and also provide for the acceleration of the Revenue Bonds upon the occurrence of stated events of default. As of June 30, 2021, Connecticut Water was in compliance with all covenants of the bond indentures and loan agreements.
Connecticut Water’s unsecured senior notes have terms and conditions that restrict Connecticut Water from issuing additional debt or paying a dividend to CTWS if such debt or distribution would trigger an event of default. The senior note agreements also require Connecticut Water to maintain a debt to capitalization ratio of not more than 60% and an interest coverage ratio of
26
no less than 3 to 1. As of June 30, 2021, Connecticut Water was in compliance with all financial ratio and customary affirmative and negative covenants under this agreement.
CLWSC’s unsecured senior note agreement has terms and conditions that restrict CLWSC from issuing additional funded debt if: (1) the funded debt would exceed 66-2/3% of total capitalization, and (2) net income available for interest charges for the trailing 12-month-calendar period would be less than 175% of interest charges. In addition, SJW Group is a guarantor of CLWSC’s senior note which has terms and conditions that restrict SJW Group from issuing additional funded debt if: (1) the funded consolidated debt would exceed 66-2/3% of total capitalization, and (2) the minimum net worth of SJW Group becomes less than $125,000 plus 30% of Water Utility Services cumulative net income, since December 31, 2005. As of June 30, 2021, CLWSC and SJW Group were not restricted from issuing future indebtedness as a result of these terms and conditions.
On May 13, 2021, CLWSC entered into a master credit agreement and promissory note with a commercial bank under which it entered into a borrowing agreement for an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $30,000, of which $20,000 was advanced at the closing date. The borrowing carries a fixed interest rate of 4.01% due on March 20, 2041. The remaining aggregate principal amount of the promissory note is to be advanced at the discretion of CLWSC before the maturity date. The notes are unsecured obligations of CLWSC. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears on the 20th day of January, April, July and October of each year. The promissory note contains customary representations and warranties. Under the promissory note, CLWSC is required to comply with certain customary affirmative and negative covenants for as long as the notes are outstanding. The notes are also subject to customary events of default, the occurrence of which may result in all of the notes then outstanding becoming immediately due and payable.
Maine Water has First Mortgage Bonds issued to the Maine Municipal Bond Bank through the State Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund and First Mortgage Bonds issued to One America. The associated bond indentures and loan agreements contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including a prohibition on the issuance of indebtedness secured by assets or revenue of Maine Water where the lien is senior to the lien of the bond trustee under the above bonds except as permitted by the bond indentures and related loan and security agreements, a requirement to maintain a debt to capitalization ratio of not more than 65% and an interest coverage ratio of no less than 3 to 1, required compliance with other various financial covenants, and a provision for maturity acceleration upon the occurrence of stated events of default. As of June 30, 2021, Maine Water was in compliance with all covenants in its bond indentures and related loan agreements.
Maine Water has outstanding term loans with a commercial bank and under its master loan agreement, Maine Water is required to comply with financial and customary affirmative and negative covenants substantially identical to those found in CTWS and Connecticut Water’s master loan agreements. Maine Water is required to maintain a debt to capitalization ratio of not more than 60% and an interest coverage ratio of no less than 3 to 1. As of June 30, 2021, Maine Water was in compliance with all covenants under its master loan agreement.
On March 2, 2021, Maine Water entered into a credit agreement with a commercial bank, pursuant to an existing master loan agreement under which the commercial bank issued Maine Water a promissory note on the same date with an aggregate principal amount of $17,000 and a fixed interest rate of 3.89%, due March 1, 2041. The notes are unsecured obligations of Maine Water. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears on the 20th day of January, April, July and October of each year. The promissory note contains customary representations and warranties. Under the promissory note, Maine Water is required to comply with certain customary affirmative and negative covenants for as long as the notes are outstanding. The notes are also subject to customary events of default, the occurrence of which may result in all of the notes then outstanding becoming immediately due and payable. Proceeds from the borrowing were received on March 18, 2021. As of June 30, 2021, Maine Water was in compliance with all financial, affirmative and negative covenants under this agreement.
Short-term Financing Agreements
As of June 30, 2021, SJW Group and its subsidiaries had unsecured bank lines of credit, allowing aggregate short-term borrowings of up to $260,000, of which $5,000 was available to CLWSC under a single line of credit, $140,000 was available to SJWC under a single line of credit, and $40,000 and $75,000, respectively, under a third and fourth line of credit was available to CTWS. At June 30, 2021, SJW Group and its subsidiaries had available unused short-term bank lines of credit totaling $121,459. The lines of credit bear interest at variable rates. On April 23, 2021, the $140,000 line of credit of SJWC, which was set to mature and expire on June 1, 2021, was closed and replaced by a new $140,000 line of credit that will expire on December 31, 2023. On April 23, 2021, the $5,000 line of credit of CLWSC, which was set to mature and expired on June 1, 2021, was closed and replaced by a new $5,000 line of credit that will expire on December 31, 2023. The $40,000 and $75,000 lines of credit for CTWS expire May 15, 2025 and December 14, 2023, respectively. During 2021, the cost of borrowing on SJW Group’s short-term credit facilities has averaged 1.39%. All of SJW Group’s and subsidiaries lines of credit contain customary representations, warranties and events of default, as well as certain restrictive covenants customary for facilities of this type, including restrictions on indebtedness, liens, acquisitions and investments, restricted payments, asset sales, and fundamental changes. All of the lines of credit also include certain customary financial covenants such as a funded
27
debt to capitalization ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. As of June 30, 2021, SJW Group and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all covenants on their lines of credit.
Equity Financing Agreement
On March 8, 2021, SJW Group entered into an underwriting agreement with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as the representative of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), which provided for the issuance and sale by SJW Group to the Underwriters of 1,030,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, in an underwritten public offering (the “Offering”). The shares in the Offering were sold at a public offering price of $59.00 per share. SJW Group also granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to 154,500 additional shares of our common stock, which was exercised in full. The Offering closed on March 10, 2021 and the offering of option shares closed on March 16, 2021.
SJW Group received net proceeds of approximately $66,775 from the Offering and the sale of option shares, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. SJW Group used the proceeds from the offerings to pay down a bank line of credit agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016, between SJWC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and for general corporate purposes, which include, among other things, financing infrastructure improvements and other capital expenditures, repayment of debt or other corporate obligations and working capital.
The condition of the capital and credit markets or the strength of financial institutions could impact SJW Group’s ability to draw on its lines of credit, issue long-term debt, sell its equity or earn interest income. In addition, government policies, the state of the credit markets and other factors could result in increased interest rates, which would increase SJW Group’s cost of capital. While our ability to obtain financing will continue to be a key risk, we believe that based on our 2021 activities, we will have access to the external funding sources necessary to implement our on-going capital investment programs in the future. The current Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service assigned the company rating for SJW Group as an A-, with a stable outlook, SJWC as an A, with a stable outlook, and Connecticut Water as an A- with a stable outlook.
ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
SJW Group is subject to market risks in the normal course of business, including changes in interest rates, pension plan asset values, and equity prices. The exposure to changes in interest rates can result from the issuance of debt and short-term funds obtained through the company’s variable rate lines of credit. SJWC and Connecticut Water sponsor noncontributory pension plans for its employees. Pension costs and the funded status of the plans are affected by a number of factors including the discount rate, mortality rates of plan participants, investment returns on plan assets, and pension reform legislation.
SJW Group has no derivative financial instruments, financial instruments with significant off-balance sheet risks, or financial instruments with concentrations of credit risk.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
SJW Group’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of SJW Group’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that SJW Group’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report have been designed and are functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by SJW Group in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. SJW Group believes that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.
There has been no change in internal control over financial reporting during the second fiscal quarter of 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal controls over financial reporting of SJW Group.
28
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
SJW Group is subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business. There are no pending legal proceedings to which SJW Group or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or to which any of its properties is the subject, that are expected to have a material effect on SJW Group’s business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” in SJW Group’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our other public filings, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. Other than the risk factor below, there has been no material changes from risk factors previously disclosed in “Risk Factors” in SJW Group’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Our business, financial condition, and results of operations have been and will continue to be negatively impacted by the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic.
We are subject to risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020 and early parts of 2021, numerous governmental jurisdictions, including the States of California, Connecticut, Maine and Texas where we operate our water utility services, imposed “shelter-in-place” orders, quarantines, executive orders and similar governmental orders and restrictions for their residents to control the spread of COVID-19 disease. Such orders and restrictions resulted in business closures, work stoppages, slowdowns and delays in commercial activities, unprecedented and widespread unemployment, travel restrictions and cancellation of events, among other effects, thereby negatively impacting our suppliers, employees and customers, among others. Since the start of the second quarter of 2021, there has been increased availability and administration of vaccines against COVID-19, as well as an easing of restrictions on social, business, travel, and government functions, which resulted in gradual resumption of economic and commercial activities. On the other hand, infection rates continue to fluctuate in various regions and new strains of the virus remain a risk. Accordingly, federal and state governments may reinstate restrictions or reverse their prior orders to lift restrictions in response to rising infection rates, which will have a negative effect on our business operations and results of operations.
In response to the pandemic, federal and state governments have and may continue to take actions to impose utility termination moratoriums which prohibit water companies from turning off water supplies for nonpayment of water bills. These and other events associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have reduced the incentive and ability of certain of our residential and commercial customers to pay their water services bills on time, if at all, which could negatively impact our result of operations. Recently, state governments have acted to end existing utility termination moratoriums. For example, Governor Newsom in California issued Executive Order N-08-21 which ends the suspension on customer disconnection activities on September 30, 2021. On June 16, 2021, the CPUC directed its regulated water utilities to extend the suspension on customer disconnection activities through September 30, 2021, in response to the Governor’s order. The required transition plan regarding shutoffs and terminations with customers once the moratorium end was filed and approved by the CPUC through Advice Letter 560. In Connecticut, the March 12, 2020, PURA moratorium ruling to halt shutoff for nonpayment expired on October 1, 2020. However, all public service utilities must submit for the termination process, including customer communications, for PURA approval before resuming shutoffs for nonpayment. Connecticut Water expects to file such plan in the third quarter of 2021. However, if COVID-19 infection rates rise and health officials recommend more stringent measures to stop spread of the disease, state governments may decide to reverse these actions, which may prolong our inability to collect fully water services bills from customers. Furthermore, a significant portion of our revenue is derived from water usage by commercial customers. As many of these customers have suspended, altered or terminated their business operations to comply with government orders, their water usage may decline significantly or cease, which could adversely affect our revenue. Even though many of these legal restrictions have been eased and lifted in certain jurisdictions, including California, some of our commercial customers may decide not to open fully or at all due to their ongoing concerns with health and safety of employees at the workplace, in which case their water usage may remain at a lower level and continue to adversely impact our revenue.
The regulators in states we operate have approved mechanisms to either record a regulatory asset or track, in a memorandum account, expenses and savings related to COVID-19. If a state regulator disagrees with our calculation of recorded COVID-19 account balances, we may be required to make adjustments that could adversely affect our results of operations. While we expect to recover some of the revenue loss and costs through the rate-making processes, there is no guarantee that such recovery will be approved by the regulated utility authorities in a timely manner, or at all.
In addition to loss of revenue, we are subject to the following risks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and related events:
•if governments impose or reinstate “shelter-in-place” orders and quarantines, our planned infrastructure improvement projects could be temporarily interrupted by supply shortages, lack of sufficient workforce and disruption in
29
transportation. This may negatively impact our ability to maintain and improve our infrastructure and provide reliable services to customers. In addition, our expenditures on capital improvements could be reduced, which may in turn impact rate decisions by state regulators.
•wide-spread COVID-19 disease could impact the health of our employees and management team, which may disrupt our business operations;
•a recession, stock market correction, or debt market disruptions resulting from the spread of COVID-19 could materially affect our business, results of operations, cash flow, and the value of our common stock, which may make it more difficult for us to raise capital in equity or debt markets;
•we may experience higher uncollectible accounts receivables and increased costs from COVID-19 related prevention activities.
The full extent of the future impact of COVID-19 pandemic on our operational and financial performance is uncertain and will depend on many factors, many of which are outside our control, including, without limitation, the timing, extent, trajectory and duration of the pandemic; the availability, distribution and effectiveness of vaccines; the imposition of protective public safety measures; and the impact of the pandemic on state and local economy and customer behaviors. Any of these factors may continue to adversely affect our business and financial conditions, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to quickly return to our normal operations.
ITEM 5.OTHER INFORMATION
Quarterly Dividend
On July 28, 2021, the Board of Directors of SJW Group declared the regular quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share of common stock. The dividend will be paid on September 1, 2021, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 9, 2021.
Information Web Sites
SJW Group post information about the operating and financial performance of SJW Group and its subsidiaries on its web sites at www.sjwgroup.com, www.sjwater.com and www.ctwater.com from time to time. The information on our web sites is not a part of and should not be considered incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q.
30
ITEM 6.EXHIBITS
| Exhibit Number | Description | |||||||
| 10.1 | ||||||||
| 10.2 | ||||||||
| 31.1 | ||||||||
| 31.2 | ||||||||
| 32.1 | ||||||||
| 32.2 | ||||||||
| 101.INS | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document. | |||||||
| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |||||||
| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File – the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document | |||||||
(1)Filed currently herewith.
(2)Management contract or compensatory plan or agreement.
31
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.
| SJW GROUP | ||||||||||||||
| DATE: | July 30, 2021 | By: | /s/ JAMES P. LYNCH | |||||||||||
| James P. Lynch | ||||||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal financial officer) | ||||||||||||||
32