(16) Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies

Chugach is a participant in various legal actions, rate disputes, personnel matters and claims both for and against Chugach’s interests. Management believes the outcome of any such matters will not materially impact Chugach’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Chugach establishes reserves when a particular contingency is probable and calculable. Chugach has not accrued for any contingency at December 31, 2016, as it does not consider any contingency to be probable nor calculable. Chugach faces contingencies that are reasonably possible to occur; however, they cannot currently be estimated.

Concentrations

Approximately 70% of our employees are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Chugach has three Collective Bargaining Unit Agreements (CBA) with the IBEW. We also have an agreement with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees (HERE). All three IBEW CBA’s have been renewed through June 30, 2021. The HERE contract was renewed through June 30, 2021. We believe our relationship with our employees is good.

Fuel Supply Contracts

Chugach has fuel supply contracts from various producers at market terms. A gas supply contract between Chugach and ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. and ConocoPhillips, Inc. (collectively “ConocoPhillips”), approved effective by the RCA on August 21, 2009, began providing gas in 2010 and expired December 31, 2016. The total amount of gas under the contract was 62 Bcf. This contract was assumed by Chugach and ML&P as part of the BRU acquisition, on the basis of ownership share. As such, Chugach pays ML&P for 70% of gas purchased under this contract. Chugach entered into a gas contract with Hilcorp effective January 1, 2015, to provide gas through March 31, 2018. On September 15, 2014, the RCA approved an amendment to the Hilcorp gas purchase agreement extending gas delivery and subsequently filling 100 percent of Chugach’s needs through March 31, 2019. On September 8, 2015, the RCA approved another amendment to the Hilcorp gas purchase agreement extending the term of the agreement, thus filling up to 100 percent of Chugach’s needs through March 31, 2023. The total amount of gas under this contract is estimated to be 60 Bcf. All of the production is expected to come from Cook Inlet, Alaska. The terms of the ML&P (previously under ConocoPhillips) and Hilcorp agreements require Chugach to manage the natural gas transportation over the connecting pipeline systems. Chugach has gas transportation agreements with ENSTAR Natural Gas Company (ENSTAR) and Hilcorp.

The RCA approved a natural gas supply contract with Marathon Alaska Production, LLC (MAP) effective May 17, 2010. This contract includes two contract extensions that were exercised in 2011. Effective February 1, 2013, this gas purchase agreement was assigned to Hilcorp, who purchased MAP’s assets in Cook Inlet. This contract began providing gas April 1, 2011, and will expire March 31, 2023. The total amount of gas under contract is currently estimated up to 49 Bcf. These contracts fill 100% of Chugach’s needs through March 31, 2023. All of the production is expected to come from Cook Inlet, Alaska.

In 2016, 77% of our power was generated from gas, with 9% generated at the Beluga Power Plant and 88% generated at SPP. In 2015, 86% of our power was generated from gas, with 30% generated at Beluga and 61% generated at SPP.

The terms of the ConocoPhillips and Hilcorp agreements require Chugach to handle the natural gas transportation over the connecting pipeline systems. We have gas transportation agreements with ENSTAR and Hilcorp. The following represents the cost of fuel purchased and or transported from various vendors as a percentage of total fuel costs for the years ended December 31:



	2016		2015		2014
Hilcorp	56.9	%	30.3	%	50.4	%
ConocoPhillips (COP)	32.0	%	58.7	%	43.6	%
AIX Energy	0.7	%	4.7	%	0.0	%
ENSTAR	4.7	%	3.3	%	2.0	%
Harvest (Hilcorp) Pipeline	3.2	%	1.6	%	3.0	%
Miscellaneous	2.5	%	1.4	%	1.0	%

Patronage Capital Payable

Pursuant to agreements reached with HEA and MEA, and discussed in Note (9) – “Patronage Capital,” patronage capital allocated or retired to HEA or MEA is classified as patronage capital payable on Chugach’s balance sheet. HEA’s patronage capital payable was $7.9 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015. MEA’s patronage capital payable was $4.1 million and $3.2 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Regulatory Cost Charge

In 1992, the State of Alaska Legislature passed legislation authorizing the Department of Revenue to collect a Regulatory Cost Charge from utilities to fund the governing regulatory commission, which is currently the RCA. The tax is assessed on all retail consumers and is based on kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption. The tax is collected monthly and remitted to the State of Alaska quarterly. The Regulatory Cost Charge has changed since its inception (November of 1992) from an initial rate of $0.000626 per kWh to the current rate of $0.000675, effective July 1, 2016. The tax is reported on a net basis and the tax is not included in revenue or expense.

Sales Tax

Chugach collects sales tax on retail electricity sold to Kenai and Whittier consumers. The tax is collected monthly and remitted to the Kenai Peninsula Borough quarterly. Sales tax is reported on a net basis and the tax is not included in revenue or expense.

Gross Revenue Tax

Chugach pays to the State of Alaska a gross revenue tax in lieu of state and local ad valorem, income and excise taxes on electricity sold in the retail market. The tax is collected monthly and remitted annually.

Production Taxes

Production taxes on Chugach fuel purchases are paid directly to our gas producers and are recorded under “Fuel” in Chugach’s financial statements.

Underground Compliance Charge

In 2005, the Anchorage Municipal Assembly adopted an ordinance to require utilities to convert overhead distribution lines to underground. To comply with the ordinance, Chugach must expend two percent of a three-year average of gross retail revenue within the Municipality of Anchorage annually in moving existing distribution overhead lines underground. Consistent with Alaska Statutes regarding undergrounding programs, Chugach is permitted to amend its rates by adding a two percent charge to its retail members’ bills to recover the actual costs of the program. The rate amendments are not subject to RCA review or approval. Chugach’s liability was $2,507,482 and $5,184,551 for this charge at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and is included in other current liabilities. These funds are used to offset the costs of the undergrounding program.

Environmental Matters

Since January 1, 2007, transformer manufacturers have been required to meet the US Department of Energy (DOE) efficiency levels as defined by the Energy Act of 2005 (Energy Act) for all “Distribution Transformers.” As of January 1, 2016, the specific efficiency levels are increasing from the original “TP1” levels to the new “DOE-2016” levels. All new transformers are DOE-2016 compliant. At this time a small increase in capital costs is anticipated along with a reduction in energy losses.

The Clean Air Act and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations under the Clean Air Act establish ambient air quality standards and limit the emission of many air pollutants. New Clean Air Act regulations impacting electric utilities may result from future events or new regulatory programs. On August 3, 2015, the EPA released the final 111(d) regulation language aimed at reducing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from existing power plants that provide electricity for utility customers. In the final rule, the EPA took the approach of making individual states responsible for the development and implementation of plans to reduce the rate of CO₂ emissions from the power sector. The EPA initially applied the final rule to 47 of the contiguous states. At this time, Alaska, Hawaii, Vermont, Washington D.C. and two U.S. territories are not bound by the regulation. Alaska may be required to comply at some future date. On February 9, 2016 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on the proposed EPA 111(d) regulations until the DC Circuit decides the case, or until the disposition of a petition to the Supreme Court on the issue. On September 27, 2016, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard oral arguments challenging the legality of the Clean Power Plan. The court is expected to issue a decision in the near future. The EPA 111(d) regulation, in its current form, is not expected to have a material effect on Chugach’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. While Chugach cannot predict the implementation of any additional new law or regulation, or the limitations thereof, it is possible that new laws or regulations could increase capital and operating costs. Chugach has obtained or applied for all Clean Air Act permits currently required for the operation of generating facilities.

Chugach is subject to numerous other environmental statutes including the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and to the regulations implementing these statutes. Chugach does not believe that compliance with these statutes and regulations to date has had a material impact on its financial condition, results of operation or cash flows. However, the implementation of any additional new law or regulation, or the limitations thereof, or changes in or new interpretations of laws or regulations could result in significant additional capital or operating expenses. Chugach monitors proposed new regulations and existing regulation changes through industry associations and professional organizations.