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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017Annual Report.pdfDominion Enersy Utah Dominion Enersy Wyomins D{tE6F{ld,&S" Law Department 333 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84'l 1'1 Dom inion Energy.com ?Hllui;e"znl$ APR l6 PH 12: 05 .L:.',r,., i,l,:;;l-lCii. iti iii::i ,;0ilii.,llSSlON April 13,2018 VIA FEDERAL EXPRESS Ms. Terri Carlock Idaho Public Utilities Commission 472West Washington P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83702 Questar Gas Company dba Dominion Energt Utah 2017 Annual Report Dear Ms. Carlock: Enclosed are three originals of the Gas Utilities Annual Report for 2017. This is the report format utilized by the State of Utah for reporting annual financial results for the utility. We are providing the same report to you to meet the State of Idaho's requirement. You will also find a copy of Questar Gas Company dba Dominion Energy Utah's intemal financial report for 2017. We trust that this information will be adequate in fulfilling the Commission's six requirements. V truly yours, Jenniffer N Clark Senior Counsel JNC/rp Enclosures Re: ) APH 16 GAS UTILITIES ANNUAL REPORT OF Questar Gas Company dba Dominion Energy Utah Utah Business Entity Number:558729-0142 TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF UTAH For Calendar Year 2017 F.TCE IVED 12:05 C SSION Annual Report (RGS)(Rev. Jan/07) GAS UTILITIES Annual Report of Operations INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING 1. PURPOSE - This form is a regulatory requirement designed to collect financial and other operating data from ALL regulated utilities operating in the State of Utah. This report is Mandatory under UCA S 54-3-22 & Rule R746'400. 2. DATE DUE - This report is for the period January 01 to December 31 . A signed original and an electronic copy of this report are due at the Utah Division of Public Utilities by 4pf!.!:!5= 3. WHERE TO FILE - The completed report is to be mailed or delivered to: Mailing Address Delivery Address Utah Division of Public Utilities Utah Division of Public Utilities 8ox146751 160 East 300 South, 4th Floor Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6751 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Email Address dpudatarequest@utah.qov Questions 801 -530-6653 4. One copy of the report should be retained by the respondent in its files. 5. Complete the report by a means which will result in a permanent record. 6. Each question should be completed fully and accurately, even if answered in a previous annual report. Enter the word "None" where it truly and completely states the fact. 7. For any question, section, or page which is not applicable to the respondent enter the words "Not Applicable" or "NA". Do not omit any pages. 8. Round all dollar figures to whole dollars. Annual Report (RGS)(Rev. Jan/07) Questar Gas Co dba Dominion U1 CalendarYear 20'17 ATTESTATION / CERTI FIGATION OF RESPONSIBILIry I certify that I have examined the information contained in this report submitted to the Utah Division of Public Utilities, and that, to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, all statements of fact contained in this report are true and represent an accurate statement of the affairs of the respondent company as of the date shown below. Signature: Print Name: Title: Phone Number: Fax Number: hall Date:l8 Regulatory Affairs (801)324-5929 Extension: Email:t<ettv.menOennall@dominionenerqv Pleas send one completed hard copy and email one copy to the following: Hard copy to: Utah Division of Public Utilities Heber Wells Building, 4th Floor 160 East 300 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111-6751 Email copy to: (using State approved e-filing protocol.) dpudatarequest@utah.qov Annual Report (RGS)(Rev. Jan/07) General Company & Contact lnformation Company Name:Questar Gas Company dba Dominion Enerqy Utah DBA Name (if different): FKA Name (if different): Address: City: Phone Number: (800) Number: 333 South State Salt Lake City State: UT Zip 84145 (801)324-s100 Fax Number: Principle Business Address: 333 South State City:Salt Lake City State:UT Zip 84145 Corporate Book Address:120 Tredegar Street City Richmond State: VA Zip 00002-321 I Report Contact Person Name: Phone Number: Fax Number: Mike Rawlins Title: Accounting[\ilanager (801)321:26!q Extension Email:mike.rawlins@domin ronenerqv.com Corporate Book Gustodian Name: Karen Doggett Title: AssistantCorporateSecretary Phone Number: (804)819-2123 Extension: Email:Fax Number:karen.doggeft@domin ionenergy.com Contact lnformation Attorney: George l\4arget Title: Managing General CounselName: Firm Name: Address: Gity: Phone Number: (800) Number: 333 South State St Salt Lake City State: UT zip:84145 (801) 324-5090 Extension: Fax Number: Accountant: Name: Firm Name: Address: City: Phone Number: (800) Number: Title: State: _zip: Extension: Fax Number: Other Contacts: Name: Phone Number: Fax Number: Title: Extension E-mail: Name: Phone Number: Fax Number: Title: Extension: E-mail: Name: Phone Number: Fax Number: Title: Extension: E-mail: OFFICERS AND DIREGTORS Report below the officers and directors of respondent at the end of the year. If there were any changes during the year, show name, title, and address of previous officer or director and date of change. Name Address Official Title Salary Number of directors required to constitute a quorum......... UT 84145 * See Statement to Cha Annual 1 3 & vA 23219 P. Zimmer Total amount of directors'fees paid during year........ Number of board of directors meetings held during year. 333 S State JJJ 120 120 120 S State St St St UT 84145 uT 84145 23219 23219 23219 vA 23219 vA 23219 vA 23219 Director Director Director Chief Executive Officer EVP & CFO President F Mark F. McGettrick Carter M. Reid Michelle L. Cardiff Colleen Larkin Bell Shosted STOCKHOLDERS Report below the names and addresses of the stockholders who, at the end of the year, owned or held directly or indirectly 5 percent or more of the voting securities of the respondent. AddressName No, of shares Salary lnmininn flr rac 333 S State SLC, UT 84145 9,1 89,626 Total number ofshares at end ofyear... Total number of stockholders at end ofyear.. 100% 9,1 89,626 Total shares represented by above.. -3- IMPORTANT CHANGES DURING THE YEAR Give particulars concerning the following matters. tVlake the statements explicit and precise. Each inquiry must be answered. Only use "none" or "not applicable" if it correctly states the fact. 1. lmportant additions or changes in franchise rights, including the actual consideration, if any, therefore. 2. lmportant additions or extensions of the utility system such as new structures, exchanges, toll etc. --None-- --None-- 4 COMPARATIVE BALANCE SHEETS (Utah Operations FinancialStatement in Accordance with GAAP) Certificated entity only. Do not consolidate with other affiliated entities. Account Balance at beginning of year Balance at end of year 7,559,770 1,191 150,225,673 88,645,058 94,107 49,333,98'l 27,626,129 4,293,858 3,756,430 3,408,362 6,652,071 15,035,386 68,458,005 91,423,665 52,89'1,067 25,178,232 5,839,469 5,362,243 '10,684,690 334,944,558 76,816,315 2,806,201,599 (737,640,O17) 281,524,827 91 , 105,288 2,950,635,432 -745.918.549 2,145,377,897 5,652,450 14,702,619 3,671,409 2,295,822,171 5,652,450 16,123,130 115,065,368 2,504,348,932 2,714,187,947 200,000,000 48,000,000 '14,500,000 140,834,761 27,887,441 2,955,387 6,916,941 13,O58,142 165,000,000 75,000,000 120,000,000 159,535,478 16,946,125 5,155,915 7,232,880 12,369,335 1,448,609 620,000,000 117,118 77,823,040 475,902,735 18,956,887 199,900,593 454,152,672 600,000,000 5,232,099 78,437,715 274,730,742 12,128,595 455,959,644 562,688,342 1,846,853,045 22,974,065 272.445.463 362,076,359 1,989,177,137 22,974,065 272,445,463 429.591,282 657,495,887 725,010,810 1 Cash and cash equivalents 2 Federal income taxes receivable 3 Accounts and notes receivable 4 Unbilled gas accounts receivable 5 Deferred income taxes - current 6 Gas stored underground 7 Materials and supplies 8 Current regulatory assets 9 Prepaid expenses and other 10 Purchased gas adjustment 11 Total current assets '12 Construction Work in Progress 13 Property, plant and equipment 14 Less allowances for depreciation 15 Net property, plant and equipment 16 Other long-term assets '17 Goodwill 18 Regulatory assets 19 Other longterm assets 20 Total Assets 21 Shortterm debt 22 Notes payable to affiliates 23 Notes pay - Current Port LT Debt 24 Federal income taxes payable 25 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 26 Customer credit balance 27 Current regulatory liabilities 28 lnterest payable 29 Other taxes payable 30 Deferred income taxes - current 31 Purchased gas adjustment 32 Total current liabilities 31 Long-term debt, less current portion 32 Other liabilities 33 Asset retirement obligation 34 Deferred investment tax credits 35 Deferred income taxes 36 Customer contributions-in-aid-of-construction 37 Regulatory and other noncurrent liabilities 38 Total Liabilities 39 Common stock 40 Additional paid-in capital 41 Retained earnings 42 Iotal shareholder's equity-43' Total liabilities and equity ---' -2,714,187,947 -5- COMPARATIVE STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Utah Operations Financial Statement in Accordance with GAAP) Certificated entity only. Do not consolidate with other affiliated entities. Account Amount for Preceding Year Amount for Current Year 1 Operating Revenues 2 Utility Operating Expenses: 3 Gas Purchases 4 Operating Expense 5 Maintenance Expense 6 Depreciation and Amortization 7 Taxes Other Than lncome Taxes 8 lncome Taxes 9 lncome Taxes - Deferred 10 Total Utility Operating Expenses 11 Net Operating lncome 12 Other lncome 13 Other Income Deductions 14 Merger & Restructuring Expense 15 Total Other lncome and Deductions 16 lnterest Charges 17 Net lncome 917,372,395 542,102,395 144,110,958 12,805,655 60,986,811 20,864,958 1,142,859 34,909,109 816,922,745 100,449,651 3,280,068 (365,73e) (15,942,189) (13,027,861) 30,195,462 940,309,864 555,439,839 125,886,273 11,547,824 66,734,934 22,257,842 12,049,867 35,594,691 829,511,270 1 10,798,594 5,758,279 -383,249 (14,479,592) (9,104,562) 34,179,109 57,226,328 67,514,923 -b- COMPARATIVE STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (Utah Operations Financial Statement in Accordance with GAAP) Certificated entity only. Do not consolidate with other affiliated entities. Amount for Preceding Year Amount for Current YearAccount 57,226,328 55,855,973 (118,487,916) 39,147,479 955,815 6,275,793 (15,984,006) (166,504) (52,583,559) 35,608,018 3,557,237 15,5'13,867 9,053,647 36,621,0s9 6,364,824 120,391,702 67,514,923 62,537,032 (199,629,277) (7,819,415) (1 ,1 09,1 88) (108,315,477) 86,938,367 (15,034,195) (688,806) (7,276,328) (2,708,276) 424,870 2,570,923 260,657,128 199,349,755 (24O,378,523) (10,731,028) 138,062,279 (215,429,75s) (301,110) (251 ,1 09,551 ) 4,773,976 99,317,896 (25,300,000) (30,000,000) (215,730,865) 99,260,888 (14,500,000) (8,000,000) 7,559,770 48,791,871 (2,967,925) 10,527,695 6,652,071 76,760,888 (e07,6ee) 7,559,770 Operating Activities Net lncome Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities: Depreciation, depletion and amortization ARO - Accum Depr Change Deferred income taxes Shared-based compensation Changes in operating assets and liabilities Accounts receivable Inventories Prepaid expenses and other Accounts payable and accrued expenses Federal income taxes Other taxes Purchased gas adjustments Other assets Regulatory assets(current) Regulatory liabilities(current) Other liabilities NET CASH (USED lN) PROVIDED FROM OPERATING lnvesting Activities Capital expenditures Property, plant and equiPment Proceeds from disposition of assets NET CASH (USED rN) PROVIDED FROM INVESTING Financing Activities Common stock issued Long-term debt issued, net of issue costs Long-term debt repaid Change in short-term debt Dividends paid Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation NET CASH(USED lN) PROVIDED FROM FINANCING Change in cash and cash equivalents Beginning cash and cash equivalents Ending cash and cash equivalents -7- NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Utah Operations Financial Statement in Accordance with GAAP) Provide the notes to the financial statements and sign the certification below. See Attached Signature of officer -8- Notes to Financial Statements Notr 1. Narunr or OprnarroNs Questar Gas is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dominion Energy Questar which, effective Septernber 2016, is a wholly- owned sub-sidiary of Dominion Energy. Questar Gas distributes natural gas as a public utility in Utah, southwestern Wyoming and a small portion of southeastem Idaho. The Utah, Wyoming and Idaho Commissions have granted Questar Gas the necessary regulatory approvals to serve these areas. Questar Gas also has long-term franchises granted by communities and counties within its service area. Revenue generated by Questar Gas is based primarily on rates established by the Utah and Wyoming Commissions. The Idaho Commission has contracted with the Utah Commission for rate oversight of Questar Gas operations. Wexpro, an affiliate, provides the majority of Questar Gas' natural gas supply and Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline, an affiliate, provides the majority of Questar Gas'transportation and storage services. Questar Gas manages its daily operations through one pri- mary operating segment. It also reports a Corporate and Other segment that primarily includes specific items attributable to its operating segment that are not included in profit measures eval- uated by executive management in assessing the segment's per- formance or in allocating resources. NorB 2. SrcNrrrcANT AccoUNTING PoLICIES General Questar Gas makes certain estimates and assumptions in prepar- ing its Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure ofcontingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues, expenses and cash flows for the periods presented. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Questar Gas reports certain contracts and instruments at fair value. See Note 5 for further information on fair value measure-ments. Certain amounts in the 2016 and 2015 Financial Statements and footnotes have been reclassified to conform to the2017 pre-sentation for comparative purposes. The reclassifications did not affect Questar Gas' net income, total assets, liabilities, equity or cash flows. Operating Revenue Operating revenue is recorded on the basis ofservices rendered, commodities delivered or contracts settled and includes amounts yet to be billed to customers. Questar Gas collects sales taxes; however, these amounts are excluded from revenue. Questar Gas' customer receivables at December 31,2017 and2016 included $91.4 million and $88.6 miltion, respectively, of accrued unbilled revenue based on estimated amounts ofnatural gas delivered but not yet billed to its customers. The primary types of sales and service activities reported . as operating revenue for.Questar,Gas-are as.foilows: Regulated gas sales consist of delivery of natural gas to resi-dential, commercial and industrial customers; Gas transportation consists oftransportation ofgas for commercial and industrial customers who buy their own gas supply; and Other primarily consists of connection fees, royalties, miscellaneous product sales, etc. Purchased Gas Questar Gas obtains the majority of its gas supply from Wexpro's cost-of-service production and pays Wexpro an operator service fee based on the terms of the Wexpro Agreement and the Wexpro II Agreement. Questar Gas also obtains transportation and storage services from Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline. See Note 19 for more information. During the second and third quarters ofthe year, a significant portion ofthe natural gas from Wexpro production is injected into underground storage. This gas is withdrawn from storage as needed during the heating season in the first and fourth quarters. Purchased gas is credited with the value of natural gas as it is injected into storage and debited as it is withdrawn from storage. The details of Questar Gas' purchased gas are as follows: Year Ended December 31 2017 2016 2015 (millions) Gas purchases Affiliated operator service fee Transportation and storage(1) Gathering Royalties Storage (injection), net Purchased-gas account adjustment Other Total purchased qas $555.4 $542.1 $ 558.1 (l) See Note 1 9 for amounts attributable to related parties. Purchased Gas-Deferred Costs Where permitted by regulatory authorities, the diflerences between Questar Gas' purchased gas expenses and the related lev- els ofrecovery for these expenses in current rates are deferred and matched against recoveries in future periods. The deferral of gas costs in excess ofcurrent period recovery is recognized as a regu- latory asset, while rate recovery in excess ofcurrent period gas costs is recognized as a regulatory liability. Virtually all of Questar Gas' nafural gas purchases are either subject to defenal accounting or are recovered from the customer in the same accounting period as the sale. lncome Taxes Judgment and the use of estimates are required in developing the provision for income taxes and reporting oftax-related assets and liabilities. The interpretation oftax laws, including the provisions of the2017 Tax Reform Act, involves uncertainty, since tax authorities may interpret the laws differently. In addition, the states in which we operate may or may not conform to some or all the provisions in the 2017 Tax Reform Act. Ultimate resolution or clarification of income tax matters may result in favorable or unfavorable impacts to net income and cash flows, and adjust- ments to tax-related assets and liabilities could be material. A consolidated federal income tax retum is filed for Domin- ion Energy and its subsidiaries, including Questar Gas for the full year 2017 and going forward. For 2016, a consolidated federal $125.5 304.2 84.9 24.9 21.6 (3.6) (7.3) 5.2 $102.0 $ 82.5 311 .7 319.0 79.3 79.223.7 22.1 26.3 33.3(5.5) (3.5) (0.6) 20.5 5.2 5.0 20 income tax retum was filed for Dominion Energy Questar, including Questar Gas, for the period January 1,2016 through Sep-tember 16,2016. Questar Gas was part of the consolidated federal income tax return filed by Dominion Energy for the period September 17,2016 through December 31,2016.\n addition, where applicable, combined income tax retums for Dominion Energy and its subsidiaries are filed in various states; otherwise, separate state income tax retums are filed. Questar Gas participates in intercompany tax sharing agreements with Dominion Energy and its subsidiaries. Current income taxes are based on taxable income or loss and credits determined on a separate company basis. Under the agreements, if a subsidiary incurs a tax loss or earns a credit, recognition of current income tax benefits is limited to refunds of prior year taxes obtained by the carryback ofthe net operating loss or credit or to the extent the tax loss or credit is absorbed by the taxable income of other Dominion Energy consolidated group members. Otherwise, the net operating loss or credit is carried forward and is recognized as a deferred tax asset until realized. The 2017 Tax Reform Act includes a broad range oftax reform provisions affecting Dominion Energy and its subsidiary Questar Gas, including changes in corporate tax rates and busi-ness deductions. The 2017 Tax Reform Act reduces the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%o for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 . Deferred tax assets and liabilities are meas- ured at the enacted tax rate expected to apply when temporary differences are realized or settled. Thus, at the date of enactment, deferred taxes were remeasured based upon the new 2 I o/o tax rate. The total effect oftax rate changes on federal deferred tax balan- ces is recorded as a component ofthe income tax provision related to continuing operations for the period in which the law is enacted, even ifthe assets and liabilities relate to other compo-nents ofthe financial statements. As a regulated utility, Questar Gas is required to adjust deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the change in income tax rates. However, as it is probable that the effect of the change in income tax rates will be recovered or refunded in future rates, Questa.r Gas recorded a regulatory asset or liability instead of an increase or decrease to deferred income tax expense. Accounting for income taxes involves an asset and liability approach. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are provided, representing fufure effects on income taxes for temporary differ- ences between the bases of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes. Accordingly, defened taxes are recog- nized for the future consequences ofdifferent treatments used for the reporting oftransactions in financial accounting and income tax returns. Questar Gas establishes a valuation allowance when it is more-likely-than-not that ail, or a portion, of a defened tax asset will not be realized. A regulatory asset is recognized if it is probable that future revenues will be provided for the payment of deferred tax liabilities. Questar Gas recognizes positions taken, or expected to be taken, in income tax retums that Ne more-likely-thaa-not to be realized, assuming that the position will be examined by tax authorities with'fuI1 knowledge of all relevant information. If it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax position, or some portion thereo{ will be sustained, the related tax benefits are not recognized in the financial statements. Unrecognized tax benefits may result in an increase in income taxes payable, a reduction of income tax refunds receivable or changes in deferred taxes. Also, when uncertainty about the deductibility of an amount is limited to the timing of such deductibility, the increase in income taxes payable (or reduction in tax refunds receivable) is accompanied by a decrease in deferred tax liabilities. Except when such amounts are presented net with amounts receivable from or amounts pre-paid to tax authorities, noncurrent income taxes payable related to unrecognized tax benefits are classified in other defened credits and other liabilities in the Balance Sheets and current payables are included in accrued interest, payroll and taxes in the Balance Sheets. Questar Gas recognizes interest on underpayments and over- payments of income taxes in interest expense and other income, respectively. Penalties are also recognized in other income. Questar Gas' interest and penalties were immaterial in 2017 ,2016 and 20 I 5. At December 31,2017, Questar Gas' Balance Sheet included $25.0 million of tax-related payables to affiliates, representing $22.0 million of current federal income taxes payable and $3.0 million of state income taxes payable. At December 31,2016, Questar Gas' Balance Sheet included tax-related payables to affiliates of $3.1 million comprised of $1.4 million of federal income taxes payable and $1.7 million of state income taxes payable. These amounts were settled with Dominion Energy during 2017 as part of the final 2016 tax return settlement. Investment tax credits are deferred and amortized over the service lives ofthe properties giving rise to the credits. Cash and Gash Equivalents Cunent banking arrangements generally do not require checks to be funded until they are presented for payment. At December 3 1, 2017 ard 2016, accounts payable included $14.9 million and $7.7 million, respectively, ofchecks outstanding but not yet pre- sented for payment. For purposes ofthe Statements ofCash Flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash in banks and temporary investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less. Derivative lnstruments Questar Gas uses derivative instruments such as physical forwards and options to manage the commodity risk of its business oper-ations. All derivatives, except those for which an exception applies, are required to be reported in the Balance Sheets at fair value. Derivative contracts representing unrealized gain positions and purchased options are reported as derivative assets. Derivative contracts representing unrealized losses and options sold are reported as derivative liabilities. One of the exceptions to fair value accounting, normal purchases and normal sales, may be elected when the contract satisfies certain criteria, including a requirement that physical delivery of the underlying commodity is probable. Expenses and revenues resulting from deliveries under normal purchase contracts and normal sales conhacts, respectively, are included in eamings at the time of contract per-formance. Questar Gas does not offset amounis iecognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to retum cash collateral against amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting 2t Notes to Financial Statements, Continued amangement. See Note 6 for further information about derivatives. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments result in the recognition ofregulatory assets or regulatory liabilities. Real- ized gains or losses on the derivative instruments are generally recognized when the related transactions impact earnings. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment is recorded at iower of original cost or fair value, if impaired. Capitalized costs include labor, materials and other direct and indirect costs such as asset retire- ment costs, AFUDC and overhead costs. The cost of repairs and maintenance, including minor additions and replacements, is generally charged to expense as it is incurred. In2017,2016 and20l5, Questar Gas capitalized AFUDC to properfy, plant and equipment of $0.5 million, $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The undepreciated cost ofproperfy, less salvage value, is generally charged to accumulated depreciation at retirement. Cost of removal collections from utility customers not representing AROs are recorded as regulatory liabilities. For properly subject to cost-of-service rate regulation that will be abandoned significantly before tire end of its useful life, the net carrying value is reclassified from plant-in-service when it becomes probable it will be abandoned. Depreciation of properfy, plant and equipment is computed on the straight-line method based on projected service lives. Questar Gas' average composite depreciation rates on utility property, plant and equipment are as follows: Year Ended December 31 2017 2016 2015 (percent) Distribution Questar Gas evaluates whether or not recovery of its regu- latory assets through future rates is probable and makes various assumptions in its analyses. The expectations of future recovery are generally based on orders issued by regulatory commissions, legislation or historical experience, as well as discussions with applicable regulatory authorities and legal counsel. Ifrecovery ofa regulatory asset is determined to be less than probable, it will be written off in the period such assessment is made. Asset Retirement Obligations Questar Gas recognizes AROs at fair value as incurred or when sufficient information becomes available to determine a reason- able estimate of the fair value of future retirement activities to be performed for which a legal obiigation exists. These amounts are generally capitalized as costs ofthe related tangible long-lived assets. Since relevant market information is not available, fair value is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses. Quarterly, Questar Gas assesses its AROs to determine if circumstances indicate that estimates of the amounts or timing of future cash flows associated with retirement activities have changed. AROs are adjusted when significant changes in the amounts or timing of future cash flows are identified. Questar Gas reports accretion of AROs and depreciation on asset retirement costs associated with its natural gas pipeline assets as an adjustment to the related regu- latory liabilities when revenue is recoverable from customers for AROs. Debt lssuance Costs Questar Gas defers and amortizes debt issuance costs and debt premiums or discounts over the expected lives of the respective debt issues, considering maturity dates and, if applicable, redemption rights held by others. Deferred debt2.52 2.42 2.60 issuance costs axe recorded as a reduction in long-term debt in General and other 4.11 3.79 3.49 the Balance Sheets. Amortization of the issuance costs is reported as interest expense. Unamortized costs associated Long-Lived and lntangible Assets with redemptions of debt securities prior to stated maturity Questar Gas performs an evaluation for impairment whenever dates are generally recognized and recorded in interest expense events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying immediately. As permitted by regulatory authorities, gains or amount of longJived assets or intangible assets with finite lives losses resulting from the refinancing of debt allocable to utility may not be recoverable. A long-lived or intangible asset is written operations subject to cost-based rate regulation are deferred down to fair value if the sum of its expected future undiscounted and amortized over the lives of the new issu-ances. cash flows is less than its carrying amount. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. lnventories Materials and supplies inventories are valued primarily using Regulatory Assets and Liabilities the weighted-average cost method. Stored gas inventory for The accounting for Questar Gas' operations differs from the Questar Gas used in gas distribution operations is valued accounting for nonregulated operations in that it is required to reflect using the weighted-average cost method. the effect ofrate regulation in its Financial Statements. For regulated businesses subject to state cost-of-service rate regulation, regJatory Goodwill practices that assign costs to accounting periods may differ from Questar Gas evaluates goodwill for impairment annually as of accounting methods generally applied by nonregulated companies. April I and whenever an event occurs or circumstances When it is probable that regulators will permit the recovery of current change in the interim that would moreJikely-than-not reduce costs through future rates charged to customers, these costs that the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. otherwise would be expensed by nonregulated companies are deferred rr- asregulatory assets. Likewise, regulatory liabitities;;;.;;;^* New Accounting Standards whg_n.g is p-rglable that regulatorf willpqglr. custo*e..efiindr yvENUE RECOGNITIoN .-- ' In May 2014, the FASB issued revised accounting guidance formrougn ruIllre rates or when revenue ls coltecteo ITom customers Ior, revenue recognition from contracts with customers. The coreexpenolures that nave yet to be rncurred. ueneraily, reguatory assets. ; orinciple ofthis revised accounting guidance is that an entityano lraDllrues are amortlzed mto ulcome over tne penoo autnonzeo Dy- should recognize revenue to depict the transfer ofpromised goodsme regulator. 22 or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consid- eration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendments in this update also require disclosure of the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty ofrevenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. For Questar Gas, the revised accounting guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning January l, 2018. We have completed the evaluation of the impact of this guidance and expect no significant impact on our results of operations. Questar Gas will apply the standard using the modified retrospective method as opposed to the full retrospective method. Tlx Rrnonu In December 2017,rhe staffof the SEC issued guidance which clarifies accounting for income taxes if information is not yet available or complete and provides for up to a one yea.r measure- ment period in which to complete the required analyses and accounting. The guidance describes three scenarios associated with a company's status of accounting for income tax reform: (l) a company is complete with its accounting for certain effects of tax reform, (2) a company is able to determine a reasonable estimate for certain effects of tax reform and records that estimate as a provisional amount, or (3) a company is not able to determine a reasonable estimate and therefore continues to apply accounting for income taxes based on the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to the 2017 Tax Reform Act being enacted. In addition, the guidance provides clarification related to disclosures for entities which are utilizing the measurement period. Questar Gas has recorded its best estimate of the impacts of the 2017 Tax Reform Act as discussed in Note 4. The amounts are considered to be provisional and may result in adjustments to be recognized during the measurement period. Norr 3. OpBnauNG REvENTTE Questar Gas' operating revenue consists of the following: Year Ended December 31,2017 2016 2015 (millions) Residential and commercial gas sales lndustrial gas sales Gas transportation other(1) As indicated in Note 2, Questar Gas' operations, including accounting for income taxes, are subject to regulatory treatment. Reductions in accumulated deferred income tax balances due to the reduction in the corporate income tax rates to 21Yo under the provisions of the 2017 Tax Reform Act may result in arnounts previously collected from utility customers for these deferred taxes to be refundable to such customers, generally through reductions in future rates. The 2017 Tax Reform Act includes provisions that stipulate how these excess deferred taxes are to be passed back to customers for certain accelerated tax depreciation benefits. Potential refunds of other deferred taxes will be determined by Questar Gas' state regulators. See Note 10 for more information. Questar Gas has completed or has made a reasonable estimate for the measurement and accounting ofcertain effects ofthe 2017 Tax Reform Act which have been reflected in the December 3 1, 2017 financial statements. The changes in defened taxes were recorded as either an increase to a regulatory liability or as an adjustment to Questar Gas' deferred tax provision. The items reflected as provisional amounts are related to accel- erated depreciation for tax purposes ofcertain property acquired and placed into service after September 27 ,2017 and the impact of accelerated depreciation on state income taxes to the extent there is uncertainty on conformity to the new federal tax system. The determination of the impact of the income tax effects of the items reflected as provisional amounts represents a reasonable estimate, but will require additional analysis ofhistorical records and further interpretation of the 2017 Tax Reform Act from yet to be issued U.S. Departrnent of the Treasury regulations which will require more time, information and resources than currently available to Questar Gas. Details of Questar Gas' income tax expense and deferred income taxes are provided in the following tables. The components of income tax expense were as follows: Year Ended December 31 2017 2016 2015 (millions) Current: Federal State Total current expense (benefit)1.3 1.4 (18.0) Deferred: Federal State lnvestment tax credits $1.1 $ 0.2 1.2 o.2 $(16.0) (2.0) $877.8 11.7 26.2 31.3 $854.6 17.3 24.6 24.8 $847.3 23.6 21.2 25.5 48.8 4.2 (0.2) 39.8,:29.9 5.9 (0.1)Total operating revenue $947.0 $921.3 $917.6 (1) See Note l9for amounts attributable to afiliates Norn 4. INcourB Taxrs The 2017 Tax Reform Act includes a broad range oftax reform provisions affecting Questar Gas, as discussed in Note 2. The 2017 Act Reform Act reduces the corporate income tax rate from 35Yo to 2lo/o for tax years beginning after December 3 I , 2,017. Lt the date of enactment, federal defened tax assets and liabilities were remeasured based upon the enacted 2lo/o tax rate expected to apply when temporary differences are to be realized and settled. The specific provisions related to regulated public utilities inthe2017 Tax Reform Act generally allows for the continueii Gilucti-bility of interesi exf6nselchanges the tax depreciation of certain properfy acquired after September 27, 2017, arrd continues cer-tain rate normalization requirements for accelerated depreciation benefits. Total deferred expense 45-2 35.7 52.8 Total income tax expense $46.5 $ 37.1 $34.8 The accounting for the reduction in the corporate income tax rate increased deferred income tax expense by $3.0 million for the year ending December 31,2017. 23 Notes to Financial Statements, Continued The difference between the statutory federal income tax rate and Questar Gas' effective income tax rate is explained as follows: Year Ended December 3'1,2017 2016 2015 (millions) Federal income taxes statutory rate lncreases (reductions) resulting from: State taxes, net of federal benefit Amortization of investment tax credits related to rate-regulated assets Leg islative change-federal Other Effective income tax rate 40.8% 39.3% 35.1% ln 2017 , Questar Gas' effective tax rates reflect the net detriment of remeasuring deferred taxes resulting from the lower corporate income tax rate promulgated by the 2017 Tax Reform Act. Significant components of Questar Gas' deferred income taxes were as follows: Year Ended December 31,2017 2016 (millions) Deferred income taxes: Total deferred income tax assets $ 65.8 $ 2.0 Total deferred income tax liabilities 341.9 477.8 Total deferred income tax liabilities $276.1 9475.8 Total deferred income taxes: Property, plant and equipment 2O17 Tax Reform Act impact Employee benefits Deferred compensation Purchased gas costs Other Norn 5. Farn Var,ur MrasunsunNrs Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly trans- action between market participants at the measurement date. However, the use of a mid-market pricing convention (the mid- point between bid and ask prices) is permitted. Fair values are based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in valuation techniques and the inputs to valuations. This includes not only the credit standing of coun- terparties involved and the impact of credit enhancements but also the impact of Questar Gas' own nonperformance risk on its liabilities. Fair value measurements assume that the transaction occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability (the market with the most volume and activity for the asset or liability fiom the perspective ofthe reporting entity), or in the absence ofa principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability (the market in which the reporting entity would be able to maximize the amount received or minimize the amount paid). Questar Gas applies fair value measurements to commodity derivative instruments in accordance with the requirements described above. Questar Gas applies credit adjustments to its derivative fair values in accordance with the requirements described above. lnputs and Assumptions Questar Gas maximizes the use of observable inputs and mini- mizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Fair value is based on actively-quoted market prices, ifavailable. In the absence of actively-quoted market prices, price infonnation is sought from external sources, including broker quotes and industry publications. When evaluating pricing information pro- vided by brokers and other pricing services, Questar Gas considers whether the broker is willing and abie to trade at the quoted price, ifthe broker quotes are based on an active market or an inactive market and the extent to which brokers are utilizing a particular model if pricing is not readily available. If pricing information from extemal sources is not available, or if Questar Gas believes that observable pricing is not indicative of fair value, judgment is required to develop the estimates offair value. In those cases Questar Gas must estimate prices based on available historical and near-term future price information and certain statistical methods, including regression analysis, that reflect its market assumptions. Questar Gas' commodity derivative valuations are prepared by Dominion Energy's Enterprise Risk Management department which creates mark-to-market valuations for Questar Gas' derivative transactions using computer-based statistical models. The inputs that go into the market valuations are transactional information and market pricing information that resides in data warehouse databases. The majority offorward prices are automatically uploaded into the data warehouse databases from various third-party sources. Inputs obtained from third-party sources are evaluated for reliability considering the reputation, independence, market presence, and methodology used by the tliird-party. If for,ivard piices are not available UOa 161i6:p@ sources, then Dominion Energy's Enterprise Risk Management department models the forward prices based on other available market data. A team consisting of risk management and risk 35.0% 35.0% 35.O% 3.2 4.2 1.4 $317.1 (60.7) 19.3 ('1.41 1.5 0.3 $448.2 27.9 (0.6) 0.1 0.2 Total net deferred income tax liabilities $276.1 $475.8 The most significant impact reflected for the 2017 Tax Reform Act is the adjustment of the net accumulated defened income tax liability for the reduction in the corporate income tax rateto2l%o. In addition to amounts recognized in deferred income tax expense, the impacts of the20l7 Tax Reform Act decreased the accumulated defened income tax liability by $184.2 million at December 31,2017. The December 31,2017 balance sheet reflects the impact of the20l7 Tax Reform Act on Questar Gas' regulatory liabilities which increased regulatory liabilities by $244.9 million, and a related deferred tax asset of $60.7 million. This adjustment had no impact on our 2017 cash flows. There were no unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning or end of the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 or 2015. The 2017 federal income tax retum has not been filed. 24 quantitative analysts meets to assess the validity of market prices and mark-to-market valuations. During this meeting, the changes in mark-to-market valuations from period to period are examined and qualified against historical expectations. If any discrepancies are identified during this process, the mark- to-market valuations or the market pricing information is evaluated further and adjusted, if necessary. For options and conhacts with option-like characteristics where observable pricing information is not available from external sources, Questar Gas generally uses a modified Black-Scholes Model or other option model. The inputs and assumptions used in measuring fair value for commodity derivative contracts include the following: Forward commodity prices Transaction prices Price correlation Volumes Commodity location Interest rates Credit quality of counterparties and Questar Gas Credit enhancements Time value Levels Questar Gas also utilizes the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels: Level l-Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for iden-tical assets and liabilities that it has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2-Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level I that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or sim- ilar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means. Instruments categorized in Level 2 primarily include commodity forwards and options. Level 3-Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, includ- ing situations where there is little, if any, market activity. Instruments categorized in Level 3 primarily include long- dated commodity derivatives. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable data (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall in different levels ofthe fair value hierarchy. In these cases, the lowest level input that is significant to a fair value measurement in its entirety determines the appli-cable level in the fair value hierarchy. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability. For derivative contracts, Questar Gas recognizes transfers among Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 based on fair values as of the first day of the month in which the transfer-occurs. Transfers out oflevel 3 represent assets and liabilities that were previously classified as Level 3 for which the inputs became observable for classification in either Level 1 or Level 2. Because the activity and liquidity of commodity markets vary substantially between regions and time periods, the availability of observable inputs for substantially the full term and value of Questar Gas' over- the-counter derivative contracts is subject to change. Level 3 Valuations Fair value measurements are categorized as Level 3 when price or other inputs that are considered to be unobservable are significant to their valuations. Long-dated commodity derivatives are generally based on unobservable inputs due to the length of time to settlement and the absence of market activity and are therefore categorized as Level 3. Questar Gas enters into certain physical forwards, which are considered Level 3 as they have one or more inputs that are not observable and are significant to the valuation. The discounted cash flow method is used to value Level 3 physical forward con- tracts. The discounted cash flow model for forwards calculates mark-to-market valuations based on forward market prices, origi- nal transaction prices, volumes, risk-free rate ofrefurn, and credit spreads. For Level 3 fair value measurements, certain forward market prices are considered unobservable. The unobservable inputs are developed and substantiated using historical information, available market dat4 third-party data, and stat- istical analysis. Periodically, inputs to valuation models are reviewed and revised as needed, based on historical information, updated market dat4 market liquidity and relationships, and changes in third-party pricing sources. The following table presents Questar Gas' quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements at December 31,2017. The range and weighted average are pre-sented in dollars for market price inputs. Fair Value Valuation Unobservable Weighted (millions) Techniques lnput RangeAverage(1) Assets Physical forwards: Natural gas(2) $2.4 Discounted Market price 2.2 - 2.2 Z.B cash flow (per Dth)(3) Total assets $2.4 (l) Averages weighted by volume. (2) Includes basis. (3) Represents market prices beyond defined terms for Level I and 2. Significant Unobservable lnputs Position lmpacl on Change to Fair Value lnpul Measurement Market price Market price Buy lncrease (decrease)Sell lncrease (decrease) Gain (loss) Loss (gain) 25 Sensitivity of the fair value measurements to changes in the significant unobservable inputs is as follows: Notes to Financial Statements, Continued Recurring Fair Value Measurements The following table presents Questar Gas' assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for each hier- archy 1evel, including both current and noncurrent portions: Levell Level2 Level3 Total (millions) At December 31,2017 Assets: Derivatives: Commodity $- $- $2.4 $2.4 Total assets $- $- $2.4 $2.4 At December 31,2016 Assets: Derivatives: Commodity Total assets remaining ntaturities. Thefair value measurements are classified as Level 2. (2) Carrying amount includes amounts which represent tlle unamortized debt issuance costs, discount or premium. Nom 6. DnnrvauvEs AND Hpocp AccouNrrNc AcrrvrrrEs Questar Gas uses derivative instruments to manage exposure to supply and price risk. As discussed in Note 2, changes in the fair value ofderivatives are deferred as regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities until the related transactions impact earnings. See Note 5 for further information about fair value measurements and associated valuation methods for derivatives. Derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross on Questar Gas' Balance Sheets. Questar Gas' derivative contracts include over-the-counter transactions, which are bilateral contracts that are transacted directly with a counterparty. At December 31, 2017 , substantially all ofQuestar Gas' derivative assets and liabilities were not subject to a master netting or similar arangement. Volumes The following table presents the volume of Questar Gas' derivative activity at December 3l, 2017 . These volumes are based on open derivative positions and represent the combined absolute value oftheir long and short positions, except in the case ofoffsetting transactions, for which they represent the absolute value of the net volume of their long and short positions. Cunent Noncunent $- $0.1 $- $0.1 $- $0.1 $- $0.1 Liabilities: Derivatives: Commodity $- $0.1 $- $0.1 2017 2016 (millions) Balance at January 1, Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): lncluded in earnings(l) Included in regulatory assets/liabilities Settlements Balance at December 31 ,$2.4 $ - (l) The gains and losses included in earnings were classified in purchased gas. There were no unrealized gains or losses included in eamings in the Level 3 fair value category relating to assets/liabilities still held at the reporting date for the years ended December 3 1, 2017 and 2016. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Substantially all of Questar Gas' financial instruments are recorded at fair value, with the exception of the instruments described below, which are reported at historical cost. Estimated fair values have been determined using available market information and valuation methodologies considered appropriate by management. The carrying amount of cash and cash equiv-alents, customer and other receivables, affi liated receivables, short-term debt, afliliated current borrowings, payables to affiliates and accounts payabie are representative offair value because ofthe short-term nature of these instruments. For Questar Gas' financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value, the carrying amounts and estimated fair values are as follows: At December 31,2017 2016 Carrying Estimated Fair Carrying Estimated Fair Amount Value(1) Amount Value(1) (millions) Long-term debt, including securities due within one year(2) g71s.9 (l) Fair value is estimated using markzt prices, where available, and interest rates currently available for issuance ofdebt with sintilar terms and Fair Value and Gains and Losses on Derivative lnstruments The following table presents the fair values of Questar Gas' derivatives and where they are presented in its Balance Sheets. Fair Value - Derivatives not under TotalHedge Fair Accounting Value (millions) At December 31,2017 ASSETS Current Assets Commodity $0.4 $0.4 Total current derivative assets(1 )0.4 0.4 Noncurrent Assets Commodity 2.0 2.O Total noncurrent derivative assets(2)2.0 2.0 Total derivative assets $2.4 $2.4 At December 31,2016 ASSETS Current Assets Commodity $0.1 $0.1 Total current derivative assets(1 )0.1 0.1 Total derivative assets $0.1 $0.1 $- $- 0.4 0.2 2.4(0.4) (0.2)Natural Gas (bcf): Basis 9.3 23.0 $783.2 $630.8 $672.6 LIABILITIES' -- ' 'Cuirent Liabilities Commodity $0.1 $0.1 Total current derivative liabilities(3)0.1 0.1 26 Total derivative liabilities $0.1 $0.1 Total liabilities g- 90.'l $ - $0.'1 The following table presents the net change in Questar Gas' assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and included in the Level 3 fair value category. Questar Gas did not have any such items at December 31,2015. (1) Current derivatit)e assets are presented in other cutent assets in Questar Gas' Balance Sheets. (2) Noncurrent derivative assets are presented in other deferred charges and other assets in Questar Gas' Balance Sheets. (j) Current derivative liabilities are presented in other current liabilities in Questar Gas' Balance Sheets. The following table presents the gains and losses on Questar Gas' derivatives, as well as where the associated activity is pre-sented in its Statements of Income. Derivatives not designated as hedging Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in lncome instruments on Derivatives(l) Year Ended December 31,2017 2016 2015 (millions) Derivative Type and Location of Gains (Losses) Commodity(2) Total (1) Includes derivative dctivity amortized out ofregulatory assets/liabilitie s. Amounts deferued into regulatory assets/ltab ilities have no associated ffict in Questar Gas' Statements of Income. (2) Amounts recorded in Questar Gas ' Statements of Income are classified in purchased gas. NorB 7. Pnoponry, PLANT AND EeUIrMENT Major classes of property, plant and equipment and their respective balances for Questar Gas are as follows: Year Ended December 31 2017 2016 NorB 9. Rrcul.rroRY Assnrs aNr Ltanu-rrrrs Regulatory assets and Iiabilities include the following 2017 2016 (milllons) Regulatory assets: Purchased-gas adjustment(1 ) gEp(z) Pipeline integrity costs(3) Contract withholding(a) Other $$10.7 3.3 2.0 0.4 o.2 3.4 1.1 1.9 2.6 0.6 Regulatory assets-current Cost of reacquired debt(s) Pipeline integrity costs(3)$(0.1) s(0.2)$-Reg ulatory assets-noncu rrent(6)$(0.1) $(0.2)$-Total regulatory assets 16.6 9.6 2.7 0.6 3.2 2.3 3.3 5.5 $ 19.9 $ 15.1 Regulatory liabilities: 6610) Cost of plant removal and AROs(8) Other $ 4.4$ 4.2 1.3 2.9 3.5 0.1 Regulatory Iiabilities-current(s)9.9 6.5 Income taxes refundable through future rates(10) Cost of plant removal and AROs(8) Other 244.9 194.0 2.1 '189.1 (millions) Distribution General and other Plant under construction Total property, plant and equipment $3,041.7 $2,883.0 NorB 8. Gooownr, The changes in Questar Gas' carrying amount and segment alloca-tion of goodwill are presented below: Gas Corporate andlnfrastructure Other Total Regulatory liabilities-noncurrent M1.0 189.1 Total regulatory liabilities $ 450.9 $ 195.6 (1) Purchased-gas costs that are differentfrom those providedfor in present rates are accumulated and recovered or credited through future rate changes. (2) The EEP relates to funds expendedfor promoting the conservation ofnatural gas through advertising, rebates for eficient homes and appli-ances and home energ) audits. Costs are recovered from customers through periodtc rate adjustments. Costs incurred in excess ofrecoveries result in an asset; recoyeries in excess of costs incurred result in a liability. (3) The costs of complying with pipeline-integrity regulations are recovered in rates subject to a Utah Commission order. Questar Gas is allowed to recover $7.0 million per year. Costs incurued in excess of this amount will be recovered infuture rate changes. (4) The balance at December 31, 2016 represents a disputed amount with-heldfrom a supplier ofstorage services. The dispute was settled in March 2017 and the amount y)as reversed, which resulted in no material impact to Questar Gas'results of operations, financial position or cash/lows. (5) Gahu and losses on the reacquisition ofdebt by rate-regulated companies are deferred and amortized as interest expense over the would-be remain-ing life ofthe reacquired debt. The reacquired debt costs had aweighted-atterage life ofapproximately 5.1 years as ofDecember 31, 2017. (6) Noncurrent regulatory assets are presented in other deferred charges and other assets in the Balance Sheets. (7) Represents the dffirence between actual and allowed revenues. Any defi-ciency in amounts collected are recovered through per iodic rate adj us t-me nts. $2,605.0 345.6 91.1 $2,436.7 369.5 76.8 (millions) Balance at December 31, 2015(1) No events affecting goodwill $5.6 $_ $5.6 No events affecting goodwill - - - Balance at December 31, 2017(1) $s.e $- $5.6 (l) There are no accumulated impairment losses. 27 Notes to Financial Statements, Continued (8) Cost ofplant removal and AROs represent amounts recovered from cus-tomersfor costs offuture acttvities to remove assets that are expected to be incurred at the tinte ofretirement. (9) Current regulatory liabilities are presented in other current liabilities in the Balance Sheets. (10) Amounts recorded to pass the effect ofreduced income tax rdtes from the 2017 Tax Reform Act to customers infuture periods, which will reverse at the weighted average tax rate that was used to build the reserves over the remaining book life of the property At December 31,2017, none of Questar Gas' regulatory assets were earning a return. Norn 10. RrculAToRY Ml.rrnns As a public utility, Questar Gas is subject to the jurisdiction of the Utah Commission and the Wyoming Commission. Natural gas sales and transportation services are provided under rate schedules approved by the two regulatory commissions. Questar Gas has an infrastructure cost-tracking mechanism that allows it to place into rate base, and eam areturn on, capital expenditures associated with a multi-year natural gas infrastructure-replacement program upon the completion of each proj ect. A 2014 Utah general rate case reset the recovery of costs under the infrastructure-replacement program into general rates until Questar Gas invested $84 million in new pipelines. This dollar threshold was met in November 2014, and thereafter Ques- tar Gas has been able to recover progam capital expenditures through the infrastructure-replacement mechanism. Questar Gas spent approximately $69 million in 2017 under this program. As part of the Dominion Energy Questar Combination, Questar Gas agreed with the Utah Commission to not file a new general rate case to adjust its base distribution non-gas rates prior to July l, 2019 unless otherwise ordered by the Utah Commis- sion. ln addition, Questar Gas agreed with the Wyoming Com- mission to not file a general rate case application with a requested (millions) base rates by $14.5 million. Also, in January 2018, Questar Gas submitted a filing with the Utah Commission for a $2.5 million non-gas revenue requirement decrease due to impacts of the 2017 Tax Reform Act. These filings are pending. Questar Gas will begin to reserve the impacts ofthe cost ofservice reduction as a regulatory liability beginning in 2018 until the rates are reset. The 2017 Tax Reform Act is expected to reduce customer rates due to lower income tax expense recoveries and the settlement of income taxes refundable through future rates. The ultimate resolution of the amount and timing of these rate reductions with Questar Gas' regulators could be material to Questar Gas' operating cash flows. Questar Gas has recorded a reasonable estimate of net income taxes refundable through future rates in the jurisdictions in which it operates. Through actions by the Utah, Wyoming or Idaho Commissions the estimates may be subject to changes that could have a material impact on Questar Gas' results ofoperations, financial condition and/or cash flows. Norn 1L. Assnr RnrrnnrrpNT OBLrcATroNs AROs represent obligations that result from laws, statutes, con- tuacts and regulations related to the eventual retirement ofcertain of Questar Gas' long-lived assets. Revisions to estimates result from material changes in the expected timing or amount of cash flows associated with AROs. As a result of a change in the esti- mated timing of cash flows for the interim retirement of natural gas pipeline components, Questar Gas recorded an increase of $75.1 million to AROs in the third quarter of 2016. The current porlion of the ARO balance is $1.6 million and is included in other current liabilities in the Balance Sheets. The changes to AROs during 2016 and2017 were as follows: Amount rate effective date earlier than January 1,2020. In September 2017, Questar Gas submitted a filing with the Utah Commission for a $5.9 million non-gas increase reflecting forecasted increases in infrastrucfure replacement costs. The Utah Commission approved the filing in September 2017 wilh rates effective October 2017. In October 2017, Questar Gas submitted filings with both the Utah and Wyoming Commissions for a combined $25.8 million gas cost increase reflecting forecasted increases in commodity and transportation costs. The Utah and Wyoming Commissions both approved the f,rlings in October 2017 with rates effective November 2017. In November 2017, Questar Gas submitted a filing with the Utah Commission for a $0.7 million non-gas decrease due to intemrption penalties that were paid by transportation customers. The Utah Commission approved the filing in November. Subsequent to the enactment ofthe 2017 Tax Reform Act Questar Gas' state regulators issued orders requesting that public utilities evaluate the total tax impact on Questar Gas' cost of serv- ice and accrue a regulatory liability attributable to the benefits of the reduction in the corporate income tax rate. Certain of the and Wyoming Commissions detailing the total tax impact on the utility's cost of service. In January 2018, Questar Gas submitted a response to the Utah Commission detailing that the 2017 Tax Reform Act would reduce Questar Gas' revenue requirement for AROs at December 31,2015 Accretion Revision in estimated cash flows Obligations settled during the period $ 0.6 2.9 75.1 (0.8) AROs at December 31 , 201 6 $ 77.8 Accretion Obligations incurred during the period 3.2 0.6 (3.1)Obliqations settled during the qr_{e-ry reqqested tha! QuesJar-Ga1,gb.ql1response to the Utah _and 2016, respegliyely,-p--E-_Q$*provides operatioral services to AROs at December 31,2017 $ 78.5 Norr 12. VanhsLE INTEREST ENTITIES The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE and to disclose certain information about its significant variable interest in the VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the entity that has both: (l) the power to direct activities that most significantiy impact the entity's economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits from the entify that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Questar Gas purchased shared services from DEQPS of $1.5 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31,2017 certain Dominion Energy subsidiaries, including Questar Gas, as a subsidiary service company. The Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 included less than $0. I million and $0. I million due to DEQPS, respectively. 28 Questar Gas entered into a service agreement effective January 2018 with DES, an affiliated VIE. DES provides accounting, legal, finance and certain administrative and technical services to Dominion Energy and its subsidiaries including Questar Gas. Questar Gas determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of DEQPS or DES as it does not have both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact their economic per- formance as well as the obligation to absorb losses and benefits which could be significant to it. Questar Gas has no obligation to absorb more than its allocated share of DEQPS and DES costs. Norr 13. Snonr-rERM DnsrAND CREDTT AcnnnupNrs Questar Gas uses short-term debt to fund working capital require-ments and as a bridge to long-term debt financings. The levels of borrowing may vary significantly during the course of the year, depending upon the timing and amount of cash requirements not satisfied by cash from operations. Questar Gas' short-term flrnancing is supported by the hvo joint revolving credit facilities with Dominion Energy, Virginia Power and Dominion Energy Gas, to which Questar Gas was added as a co-borrower in November 2016. In December 2016, Questar Gas entered into a commercial paper program pursuant to which it began accessing the commercial paper markets. These credit facilities can be used for working capital, as support for the combined commercial paper programs of Dominion Energy, Virginia Power, Dominion Energy Gas and Questar Gas and for other general corporate purposes. Questar Gas' share of commercial paper and letters of credit outstanding under its joint credit facilities with Dominion Energy, Virginia Power and Dominion Energy Gas were as follows: Outstanding Facility Commercial Outstanding Limit Paper(2) Letters of Credit (millions) At December 31,2017 Joint revolving credit facility(l ) Joint revolving credit facility(1) Total $ 1,ooo.o $165.0 $- At December 31,2016 Joint revolving credit facility(1 ) Joint revolving credit facility(1) Total $ 1,000.0 $200.0 $- (l) A maxtmurn of $1.0 billion of thefacilities is available to Questar Gas, assuming adequate capacity is available after giving effect to uses by co-borrowers Dominion Energl, Virginia Power and Dominion Energt Gas. Sublimits for Questar Gas are set within the facility limit but can be changed at the option of the boffovers multiple times per year. At December 31, 2017, the sub-limitfor Questar Gas was $250.0 million. lf Questar Gas has liquidity needs in excess of its subJimit, the sub- limit may be changed or such needs may be satisfied through short- telm inter-company borrowingsfrom Dominion Energt. The maturtty datefor thesefacilities is April 2020. These creditfocilities can be used to support bank borrowings and the issuance oJ commercial paper, as ySlJ q!_!-o-j!pp9!!up to $1.0 billion ("o1_th.e sy!-!tnq!, whichever is less) ofletters ofcredit. (2) The weighted-average interest rate ofthe outstanding commercial paper supported by these creditfacililies was 1.56% and 1.10% at December 3 1, 201 7 and 20 I 6, respectively. Dominion Energy has indicated its intention to replace the existing two joint revolving credit facilities with a $6.0 billion joint revolving credit facility in the first quarter of2018. Terms and covenants ofthe new credit facility are expected to be similar to the existing credit facilities, including that Virginia Power, Dominion Energy Gas and Questar Gas will remain as co-borrowers, except that the maturity will be in five years and the maximum allowed total debt to total capital ratio, with respect to Dominion Energy only, will be increased from 65o/oto 67.5%o. Norn 14. LoNc-rERM DEBT 2017 Weighted- average At December 31.coupon(l) 2017 2016 (millions, except percentages) Unsecured Senior and Medium- Term Notes: 2.98% to 7.2OYo, due 2017 to 2051 4.60% $720.0 $634.5 Total principal 720.0 634.5 Securities due within one year Debt issuance costs Total long{erm debt $ 595.9 $6'16.3 (I) Represents weighted-average coupon rates for debt outstanding as of December 3 l, 20 I 7. Based on stated maturity dates, the scheduled principal pay- ments of long-term debt at December 31,2017 , were as follows: 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafler Total (millions, except percentages) Questar Gas $120.0 $- $- $- $- $600.0 $720.0 Weighted- average Coupon 5.72% (120.0) (4.11 (14.5) (3.7) 5.72%4_37%$ 500.0 500.0 $165.0 tr $ 500.0 500.0 $200.0 In October 2017, Questar Gas entered into an agreement with certain investors to issue through private placement $50 million of 3.30%o l2-year senior notes and $100 million of 3.97%;o30-year senior notes in April 2018. Questar Gas' short-term credit facilities and long-term debt agreements contain customary covenants and default provisions. As of December 31,2017, there were no events of default under these covenants. Any new long-term debt issuance by Questar Gas is subject to approval by the Wyoming Commission. Norr 15. DrvmnND RnsrRrcrroNs The Utah Commission may prohibit any public service company, including Questar Gas, from declaring or paying a dividend to an affiliete iTit is determined that the capiial of Questar Gas is beinfi-- --- impaired or that its service to the public is likely to become impaired. At December 3L,2017 , the Utah Commission had not restricted the payment of dividends by Questar Gas. 29 Notes to Financial Statements, Continued Norn 16. EvrploYEE BENEFTTS Questar Gas participates in retirement benefit plans sponsored by Dominion Energy effective December 2017, reflecting the merger of plans previously sponsored by Dominion Energy Questar, which provides certain retirement benefits to eligible active employees, retirees and qualifying dependents of Questar Gas. Under the terms of its benefit plans, Dominion Energy reserves the right to change, modi$ or terminate the plans. From time to time in the past, benefits have changed, and some ofthese changes have reduced benefits. Pension benefits for Questar Gas employees are covered by a defined benefit pension plan sponsored by Dominion Energy that provides benefits to multiple Dominion Energy subsidiaries. Retirement benefits payable are based primarily on years of serv- Energy subsidiaries. Questar Gas recognized $5.0 million, $4.7 million and $4.5 million of expense in other operations and maintenance expense in the Statements of Income in 2017 , 2016 and 2015, respectively, as employer matching contributions to this plan. Share-based Gompensation Prior to the Dominion Energy Questar Combination, Questar Gas employees participated in certain share-based compensation plans of Dominion Energy Questar. Effective with the Dominion Energy Questar Combination all such awards vested on September 16, 2016. Total share-based compensation experse amounted to $3.0 million in2016 and $1.4 million in 2015. ice, age and the employee's compensation. As a participating NO1f 17. COUIUTMENTS AND employer, Questar Gas is subject to Dominion Energy's funding CONffNCfNCffSpolicy, which is to contribute annually an amount that is in accordance with the provisions of ENSA. During 2017, Questar As a result of issues generated in the ordinary course of business, Gas made $12.2 million of contributions to the pension plan. No Questar Gas is involved in legal proceedings before various courts contributions to the plan by euestar Gas are cunently expected in and is periodically subject to govemmental examinations 2018. Net periodic pension expense (credit) related to the plan was (including by regulatory authorities), inquiries and investigations. $(g.2) million, $6.4 million and $10.4 million in2017,2016 and certain legal proceedings and governmental examinations involve 2015, respectively, recorded in other operations and main-tenance demands for unspecified amounts of damages, are in an initial expense in the Statements of Income. The funded status of various procedural phase, involve uncertainty as to the outcome of pend- Dominion Energy subsidiary groups and employee compensation ing appeals or motions, or involve significant factual issues that are the basis for determining the share oftotal pension costs for need to be resolved, such that it is not possible for Questar Gas to participating Dominion Energy subsidiaries. At December 31, estimate a range of possible loss. For such matters for which 2017 ard2016, the amount due to euestar Gas associated with this Questar Gas cannot estimate a range of possible loss, a statement plan, was $107.1 million and $87.8 million, respectively, recorded to this effect is made in the description of the matter. Other mat- in pension and other postretirement benefit assets in Questar Gas' ters may have progressed sufficiently through the litigation or Balance Sheet. investigative processes such that Questar Gas is able to estimate a Retiree healthcare and life insurance benefits for euestar Gas range.ofpossible loss. For legal proceedings and governmental employees are covered by a health and welfare plan sponsored by examinations for which Questar Gas is able to reasonably estimate Dominion Energy that provides certain retiree healthcare and life a range ofpossible losses, an estimated range ofpossible loss is insurance benefits to multiple Dominion Energy subsidiaries. provided, in excess of the accrued liability (if any) for such mat- Annual employee premiums are based on several factors such as ters'.Any accrued liability is recorded on a gross basis with a retirement date and years ofservice. Net periodic benefit expens. receivable also recorded for any probable insurance recoveries. (credit) related to this plan was $(0.g) miilion, $0.g million and Estimated ranges of loss are inclusive of legal fees and net of any $0.9 million in20l7, iorc *a2015, respectively, recorded in anticipated insurance recoveries. Any estimated range is based on other operations and maintenance expense in the Statements of currently available information and involves elements ofjudg- Income. Employee headcount is the basis for determining the ment and significant uncertainties. Any estimated range of possi- share of total other postretirement benefit costs for particlpating ble loss may not represent Questar Gas' maximum possible loss Dominion Energy subsidiaries. At December 3l,zol7 *Zzotk exposure- The circumstances of such legal proceedings and gov- the amount due from Questar Gas associated with this plan was emmental examinations will change from time to time and actual $14.g million and $13.0 million, respectively, and is reflected as results may vary significantly from the current estimate. For cur- pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities in euestar rent proceedings not specifically reported below, management does Gas, Balance Sheet. not anticipate that the liabilities, ifany, arising from such Dominion Energy holds investments in trusts to fund employee proce.edings would have a material effect on the financial position, benefit payments for the pension and other postretirement benefit liquidity or results of operations of Questar Gas' plans in which euestar Gas' employees participate. Any The CERCL,\ as amended, provides for immediate response investment-related declines in these trusts wili result in future and removal actions coordinated by the EPA in the event of increases in the net periodic cost recognized for such employee threatened releases ofhazardous substances into the environment benefit plans and will be included in the determination of the and authorizes the U.S. government either to clean up sites at amount of cash that euestar Gas will provide to Dominion Enerry which hazardous substances have created actua1 or potential envi- for_its.share of emproyee benent plan contributions. i:H:::ilr#*:%;.#itr#H:J;:5:;:lHflll*jiu-eligo Defined Contribution Plan hansporters of hazardous substances, as well as past and present Questar Gas also participates in a Dominion Energy-sponsored owners and operators of contaminated sites, can be jointly, sev- defined contribution plan which covers multiple Dominion erally and strictly liable for the cost of cleanup. These potentially 30 responsible parties can be ordered to perform a cleanup, be sued for costs associated with an EPA-directed cleanup, voluntarily settle with the U.S. government conceming their liability for cleanup costs, or voluntarily begin a site investigation and site remediation under state oversight. Questar Gas has determined that it is associated with two former manufactured gas plant sites that contain coal tar and other potentially harmful materials. None of the former sites with which Questar Gas is associated is under investigation by any state or federal environmental agency. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the sites, Questar Gas is unable to make an estimate of the potential financial statement impacts. Commitments Currently, the majority of Questar Gas' natural gas supply is provided by cost-of-service reserves developed and produced by Wexpro. In 2017 , Questar Gas purchased the remainder of its gas supply from multiple third parties under index-based or fixed-price contracts. Questar Gas has commitments to purchase gas for $24.6 million in 2018, $17.6 million in2019, $17.0 million in2020, $17.2 million in2021 and $10.0 million in2022 based on forward market prices. Generally, at the conclusion ofthe heating season and after a bid process, new agreements for the next heating season are put in place. Questar Gas bought natural gas under third-parly purchase agreements amounting to $125.5 million in 2017 , $102.0 million in 2016, and $82.4 million in 201 5. In addition, Questar Gas stores gas during off-peak periods (typically during the summer) and withdraws gas from storage to meet peak gas demand (typically in the winter). Questar Gas has contracted for transportation and underground storage services with Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline. Annual payments for these services are expected to amount to $67.8 million in 2018, $58.0 million in2019, $55.3 million in2020, $54.6 million in 2021, and $51.4 million n2022. Questar Gas has third-party transportation and gathering commitments requiring yearly payments of $36.3 million in 2018 afi2019, $35.5 million in 2020, $33.0 million in202l, and $32.3 million in 2022. Norr 18. Cnporr Rrsr Credit risk is the risk offinancial loss ifcounterparties fail to perform their contractual obligations. In order to minimize over-all credit risk, credit policies are maintained, including requiring customer deposits and the evaluation of counterparty financial condition. In addition, counterparties may make available collateral, including letters ofcredit or cash held as margin depos-its, as a result ofexceeding agreed-upon credit limits, or may be required to prepay the transaction. Questar Gas maintains a provision for credit losses based on factors surrounding the credit risk of its customers, historical trends and other information. Management believes, based on credit policies and the December 31,2017 provision for credit losses, that it is unlikely that a material adverse effect on financial position, results of operations or cash flows would occur as a result ofcounterparty nonperformance. Norr 19. RnlarnD-PARTy TnaNslcrroNs Questar Gas engages in related party-transactions primarily with affiliates Wexpro, for cost-of-service natural gas supply, and Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline, for transportation and stor- age services. See Notes 2 and 77 for more details. Questar Gas' receivables and payables balances with affiliates are settled based on contractual terms or on a monthiy basis, depending on the nature ofthe underlying transactions. A discussion of significant related party transactions follows. Questar Gas participates in certain Dominion Energy benefit plans as discussed in Note 16. Dominion Energy Questar and other affiliates provide accounting, legal, finance and certain administrative and technical services to Questar Gas. These costs are included in other oper-ations and maintenance in the Statements of Income The admin-istrative charges are generally allocated based on each affiliated company's proportional share ofrevenues less product costs; property, plant and equipment; and labor costs. Management believes that the allocation method is reasonable. Questar Gas provides certain services to related parties, including technical services. The billed amounts of these services are allocated based on the specific nature ofthe charges. Management believes that the allocation methods are reasonable. The amounts of these services follow: Year Ended December 31 2017 2016 2015 (millions) Transportation and storage services from affiliates(1) Services provided by related parties Services provided to related parties $73.7 50.2 6.0 $ 72.9 65.0 3.2 $ 73.0 55.7 6.7 (1) The costs ofthese services were included in purchased gas in Questar Gas' Statements of Income. The Dominion Energy Questar Combination resulted in merger and restructuring costs of $9.8 million and $13.8 charged from Dominion Energy Questar for the years ended December 31, 2017 ar,d 2016, respectively. There were no merger and restructuring costs for the year ended December 3 1, 2015. These costs primarily consist of employee related costs allocated to Questar Gas and are included in other operations and maintenance in Questar Gas' Statements of Income. Questar Gas' borrowings under the IRCA with Dominion Energy totaled $75.0 million and $48.0 million as of December 3 l, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate for these borrowing was l.53Yo and 1.04%o at December 3 l, 20 17 and 20 | 6, respectively. Interest charges related to Questar Gas' total borrowings from Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Questar totaled $0.2 million and $ 1.3 million for the years ended December 3 l, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and were immaterial for 2015. Norn 20. OprnarrNc SEGMENT The Corporate and Other Segment primwily includes specific items attributable to Questar Gas' operating segment that are not inciuded-ih profit measures evaliiated by executive management in - - assessing the segment's performance or in allocating resources. The net expense for specific items, primarily related to trans- action costs associated with the Dominion Energy Questar 31 Notes to Financial Statements, Continued (millions) 2017 Operating revenue Depreciation and amortization lnterest income lnterest and related charges lncome taxes Net income (loss) Capital expendltures Total assets (billions) Combination, totaled $14.5 million ($11.9 million after-tax) and $15.9 million ($9.6 million after-tax), in2017 and2016 respectively. These costs primarily consist of employee related costs incurred at or allocated to Questar Gas and are included in other operations and maintenance in Questar Gas' Statements of Income. The following table presents segment information pertaining to Questar Gas' operations: Year Ended December 31 Gas Corporate Consolidated lnfrastructure and Other Totat Questar Gas' 2017 results include the impact of the following signifi cant item: Second quarter results include a $6.9 million after-tax charge for transaction costs associated with the Dominion Energy Questar Combination. Questar Gas' 2016 results include the impact of the following sigrifi cant item: Third quarter results include a $7.7 million after-tax charge for transaction costs associated with the Dominion Energy Questar Combination. Norrc 22. SUppT,BMENTAL Orr.aNo Gas INronuarroN (UNAUDTTED) The following information is provided with respect to estimated natural gas reserves, which are managed, developed and delivered by Wexpro at cost-of-service pursuant to the Wexpro Agreement. The estimates of proved gas reserves rvere prepared by Wexpro's reservoir engineers. Gas reserve estimates are subject to numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities ofproved reserves, projecting fufure rates or production and timing of development expenditures. The accuracy ofthese estimates depends on the quality ofavailable data and on engineering and geological inter- pretation and judgment. Reserve estimates are imprecise and will change as additional information becomes available. Geological and engineering data demonshate with reasonable certainty that these quantities are recoverable under existing economic and operating conditions. Since the gas reserves operated by Wexpro are delivered to Questar Gas at cost-of-service, SEC guidelines with respect to standard economic assumptions are not applicable. The SEC anticipated this potential difficulty and provides that companies may give appropriate recognition to differences because ofthe effect ofthe ratemaking process. Accordingly, Wexpro uses a minimum-producing rate or maximum well-life limit to determine the ultimate quantity of gas reserves. Proved Reserves Natural Gas (bc0 Balance at December 31, 2017 Balance at December 31,2016 Balance at December 31 2015 $947.0 70.3 0.6 34.5 49.1 79.4 215.7 2.7 (2.6) (1 1.9) $947.0 70.3 0.6 34.5 46.5 67.5 215.7 2.7 $ 20't6 Operating revenue Depreciation and amortization lnterest income lnterest and related charges lncome taxes Net income (loss) Capital expenditures Total assets (billions) $921.3 61.0 0.3 30.2 43.4 66.8 240.4 2.5 c $921.3 61.0 0.3 30.2 37.1 57.2 240.4 2.5 (; (e.6) 2015 Operating revenue Depreciation and amortization Interest income lnterest and related charges lncome taxes Net income Capital expenditures $917.6 53. I 1.2 28.3 34.8 64.3 217.4 $917.6 55.1 1.2 28.3 34.8 64.3 217.4 $ Noru 21. QuanrERLy f,'TNANCIAL Dara (uNauonon) A summary of Questar Gas' quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 follows. Amounts reflect all adjustments necessary in the opinion of management for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. Results for interim periods may fluctuate as a result of weather con-ditions, changes in rates and other factors. 429.5 469.8 522.4 First Second Third Quarter Quarter Fourth QuarterQuarter (millions) 2017 Operating revenue lncome (loss) from operations Net income (loss) 2016 Operating revenue lncome (loss) from operations Net income (loss) $407.9 $128.283.4 3.8 --47.6 - (16) $ 87.S $297.3(1e.8) 53.3(17.7) 28:9- $396.9 91.9 52.2 $139.7 (2.5) (6.2) $ 90.9 (6.6) (8.5) $319.5 61.5 30.0