Regulatory Matters

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2022

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Regulatory Matters

NIPSCO change in accounting estimate

As part of the NIPSCO Gas Settlement and Stipulation Agreement filed on March 2, 2022, NIPSCO Gas agreed to change the depreciation methodology for its calculation of depreciation rates, which reduces depreciation expense and subsequent revenues and cash flows. An order was received on July 27, 2022 approving the rate case and rates were effective as of September 1, 2022.

Columbia of Ohio regulatory filing update

On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, the PUCO Staff issued its Staff Report in Columbia of Ohio's base rate case, filed on June 21, 2021, which was filed in conjunction with applications for an alternative rate plan, approval of certain deferral authority, and updates to certain riders. Columbia of Ohio's application requested a net rate increase approximating a 21.3% or $221.4 million increase in revenue per year. The Staff Report recommended a rate increase of 4.0% - 6.3% or $35.2 million to $57.6 million increase in revenue per year. The Staff recommended adjustments include, but are not limited to, plant assets, labor adjustments, COVID-19 deferrals and environmental remediation costs, rider caps, and rate of return. On May 6, 2022 and May 13, 2022, respectively, Columbia of Ohio and the other parties filed written objections to the Staff report as well as written testimony. On October 31, 2022, Columbia of Ohio filed a joint stipulation and recommendation with certain parties to settle the base rate case. The joint stipulation and recommendation includes a rate increase of 7.97%, or $68.2 million and includes adjustments to, plant assets, pension expenses, environmental remediation costs and other operations and maintenance expenses. The joint stipulation and recommendation also proposes to extend both of Columbia of Ohio's capital investment riders, the IRP and CEP, for capital invested through the 2026 calendar year. The joint stipulation and recommendation is subject to final PUCO approval.

Regulatory deferral related to renewable energy investments

In accordance with the accounting principles of ASC 980, we recognize a regulatory liability or asset for amounts representing the timing difference between the profit earned from the joint ventures and the amount included in regulated rates to recover our approved investments in consolidated joint ventures. The amounts recorded in income will ultimately reflect the amount allowed in regulated rates to recover our investments over the useful life of the projects. The offset to the regulatory liability or asset associated with our renewable investments included in regulated rates is recorded in "Depreciation expense" on the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (unaudited). We recorded a decrease to depreciation expense of $2.2 million and an increase to depreciation expense of $4.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, and zero for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, related to the regulatory deferral of income (loss) associated with our joint ventures, which is not included in current rates. Refer to Note 11, "Variable Interest Entities," for additional information.

FAC Adjustment

As ordered by the IURC on June 15, 2022, NIPSCO is required to refund to customers $8.0 million of over-collected fuel costs. The refund is recorded as a regulatory liability on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited).