Fair Value of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

8. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The accounting standards regarding fair value measurements establish a fair value hierarchy which indicates the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. Level 1 inputs include quoted prices for identical instruments and are the most observable. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and observable inputs such as interest rates, commodity rates and yield curves. Level 3 inputs are not observable in the market and include management’s own judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The Company has recorded its interest rate swap liability at fair value in accordance with the standards. The liability is recorded under the caption “Other deferred credits” on the balance sheet. The table below illustrates the fair value of the interest rate swap as of the end of the reporting period.

Description	September 30, 2020	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Interest Rate Swap	$2,919	$2,919

Fair values are measured as the present value of all expected future cash flows based on the LIBOR-based swap yield curve as of the date of the valuation. These inputs to this calculation are deemed to be Level 2 inputs. The balance sheet carrying value reflects the Company's credit quality as of September 30, 2020. The rate used in discounting all prospective cash flows anticipated to be made under this swap reflects a representation of the yield to maturity for 30-year debt on utilities rated A- as of September 30, 2020. The use of the Company's credit rating resulted in a reduction in the fair value of the swap liability of $126 as of September 30, 2020. The fair value of the swap reflecting the Company's credit quality as of December 31, 2019 is shown in the table below.

Description	December 31, 2019	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Interest Rate Swap	$2,248	$2,248

The carrying amount of current assets and liabilities that are considered financial instruments approximates fair value as of the dates presented. The Company's total long-term debt, with a carrying value of $119,870 at September 30, 2020, and $104,042 at December 31, 2019, had an estimated fair value of approximately $138,000 and $115,000, respectively. The estimated fair value of debt was calculated using a discounted cash flow technique that incorporates a market interest yield curve with adjustments for duration and risk profile. These inputs to this calculation are deemed to be Level 2 inputs. The Company recognized its credit rating in determining the yield curve, and did not factor in third party credit enhancements including the letter of credit on the 2008 Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority Series A issue.

Customers' advances for construction and note receivable had carrying values at September 30, 2020 of $10,291 and $255, respectively. At December 31, 2019, customers' advances for construction and note receivable had carrying values of $7,844 and $255, respectively. The relative fair values of these amounts cannot be accurately estimated since the timing of future payment streams is dependent upon several factors, including new customer connections, customer consumption levels and future rate increases.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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