New Jersey Resources Reports Fourth-quarter and Fiscal 2020 Results

11/30/20

WALL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR) reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2020. Highlights included:

  • Consolidated net income of $193.9 million for fiscal 2020, compared with $169.5 million in fiscal 2019
  • Consolidated net financial earnings (NFE), a non-GAAP financial measure, of $196.2 million for fiscal 2020, or $2.07 per share, compared with $175.0 million, or $1.96 per share, in fiscal 2019
  • Increased annual dividend by 6.4 percent to $1.33 per share
  • NJNG filed a proposal with the BPU to significantly expand its energy efficiency offerings
  • NJR Clean Energy Ventures (CEV) placed eight commercial solar installations into service and acquired one operating asset, adding 60 megawatts (MW) of total installed capacity in fiscal 2020

Fiscal 2020 net income totaled $193.9 million, or $2.05 per share, compared with $169.5 million, or $1.90 per share, in fiscal 2019. Fourth-quarter net income totaled $43.3 million, or $0.45 per share, compared with $18.1 million, or $0.20 per share, during the same period last year.

Fiscal 2020 NFE totaled $196.2 million, or $2.07 per share, in-line with the previously announced guidance range, compared with $175.0 million, or $1.96 per share, in fiscal 2019. Fourth-quarter NFE totaled $54.7 million, or $0.57 per share, compared with $26.0 million, or $0.29 per share, during the same period last year.

"Thanks to the performance of our talented and dedicated team through an unprecedented global pandemic, we were able to deliver solid results and achieve NFE in-line with our guidance range for fiscal 2020," said Steve Westhoven, President and CEO of New Jersey Resources. "As reflected in our results, we are committed to serving our customers with safe, reliable, clean energy and reaching our sustainability goals through our diversified portfolio of energy infrastructure investments. With the new financial growth targets that we announced in connection with our Analyst Day today, including raising long-term NFEPS and dividend growth rates, our outlook for the future is strong."

NFE is a financial measure not calculated in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of the United States. It is a measure of earnings based on eliminating timing differences surrounding the recognition of certain gains or losses, net of applicable tax adjustments, to effectively match the earnings effects of the economic hedges with the physical sale of natural gas, Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) and foreign currency contracts. NFE/net financial loss eliminates the impact of volatility to GAAP earnings associated with unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments in the current period. For further discussion of this financial measure, please see the explanation below under “Non-GAAP Financial Information.”

GAAP requires us, during the interim periods, to estimate our annual effective tax rate and use this rate to calculate the year-to-date tax provision. We also determine an annual estimated effective tax rate for NFE purposes and calculate a quarterly tax adjustment based on the differences between our forecasted net income and our forecasted NFE for the fiscal year.

A table detailing net financial (loss) earnings for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2020, and 2019, is provided below.

COVID-19 Impact Update:

NJR has not made any significant changes to capital programs due to COVID-19. NJNG operations and delivery of natural gas to its approximately 558,000 customers has largely been unaffected by the ongoing pandemic. NJR will continue to closely monitor the potential impacts of the pandemic and will adjust its plan accordingly to ensure the delivery of essential services to customers, while maintaining the safety and health of its employees, customers and communities.

Analyst Day Information:

In a separate announcement, the Company today provided its fiscal 2021 guidance and long-term financial targets. NJR will host a virtual Analyst Day today at 8:30 a.m. ET and the senior leadership team will discuss the Company's strategic value proposition and long-term financial growth targets, as well as its year-end fiscal 2020 earnings results. The video webcast of the virtual Analyst Day, including a copy of the presentation, and a question and answer session, will be broadcast over the internet and can be accessed at https://investor.njresources.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx. For those unable to listen to the webcast, an archived version will be available at the same location.

Regulated Business Update:

New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG)

NJNG reported fiscal 2020 NFE of $126.9 million, compared to NFE of $78.1 million during fiscal 2019. Fourth-quarter net financial loss was $15.3 million, compared with net financial loss of $18.4 million during the same period in fiscal 2019. The increase in both periods was due primarily to increased base rates from NJNG's rate case settlement in November 2019 and lower operating and maintenance (O&M) expenses.

Customer Growth:

  • NJNG added 8,349 new customers during fiscal 2020, compared with 9,711 in fiscal 2019. The lower customer growth was due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Infrastructure Update:

  • NJNG's Infrastructure Investment Program (IIP) is a five-year, $150 million program approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) on October 28, 2020. The IIP consists of a series of infrastructure projects designed to support the enhanced safety and reliability of NJNG's natural gas distribution system. The original filing included an information technology (IT) upgrade component, which NJNG voluntarily withdrew and will seek to recover associated costs in future rate case proceedings.
  • The Southern Reliability Link (SRL)will diversify supply to our customers by providing a new intrastate feed into the southern end of NJNG’s distribution system. SRL began construction in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and is projected to be placed in service in 2021. The total cost of SRL is expected to be in the range of $250 million to $270 million. Construction continues on SRL with over 80 percent of the project complete.
    • NJNG has submitted its response to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding the suspension of permits for certain sections of SRL's construction. Following a comprehensive review process of our drilling plans for the remainder of the project, the DEP reinstated our permits, allowing us to fully proceed with our construction plans.
  • Safety Acceleration and Facilities Enhancement (SAFE) II is the five-year, $158 million program approved by the BPU in September 2016 to replace the remaining unprotected bare steel main and associated services in NJNG’s distribution system. In fiscal 2020, NJNG invested $56.5 million to replace 70 miles of unprotected bare steel main and services.
  • The New Jersey Reinvestment in System Enhancement (NJ RISE) programis a $102.5 million investment program comprised of six projects related to storm hardening and mitigation. During the fourth-quarter of fiscal 2020, construction began on a new regulator station, the final portion of the North Seaside Reinforcement project. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of calendar year 2020.
  • The SAFE II and NJ RISE programs are eligible for annual rate increases. On March 31, 2020, NJNG filed its annual petition with the BPU, requesting a rate increase of approximately $7.4 million for the recovery of the related capital costs through June 30, 2020. NJNG updated the filing in July 2020 to reflect the actual results through June 30, 2020, reducing the rate increase to $7.1 million. The BPU approved the filing and the new rates became effective on October 1, 2020.

BGSS Incentive Programs:

BGSS incentive programs contributed $9.5 million to utility gross margin in fiscal 2020, compared with $8.4 million during the same period in fiscal 2019. The higher results were due to improved margins in off-system sales and storage incentive programs, which were partially offset by a decrease in capacity release volume.

Energy-Efficiency Programs:

The SAVEGREEN Project®, NJNG’s energy-efficiency program, invested $30.8 million during fiscal 2020 to help customers with energy-efficiency upgrades for their homes and businesses. NJNG recovered $10.3 million of its SAVEGREEN investment in fiscal 2020.

  • On September 25, 2020, NJNG filed a petition with the BPU for an additional three-year SAVEGREEN program consisting of approximately $127 million of direct investment, $113 million in financing options, and $23 million in O&M expenses, effective July 1, 2021.

Storage and Transportation

Storage and Transportation, formerly known as the Midstream reporting segment, reported fiscal 2020 NFE of $18.3 million, compared with $14.7 million during fiscal 2019. Fourth-quarter NFE were $7.4 million, compared with $3.5 million during the same period in fiscal 2019. The increase in NFE for both periods was due to incremental operating income from Leaf River and Adelphia Gateway, partially offset by increased O&M and interest expense related to the acquisition and operations of those assets.

Infrastructure Updates:

  • Adelphia Gateway - On October 5, 2020, Adelphia Gateway received a Partial Notice to Proceed from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to begin construction. The construction includes the conversion of 50 miles of the existing 84-mile pipeline from oil to natural gas to bring much-needed supply to constrained markets in the Philadelphia region.
  • PennEast - On January 30, 2020, PennEast filed with FERC an abbreviated application for amendment of its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, requesting a phased-in approach to the PennEast project. The first phase of the project would include construction of the pipeline in Pennsylvania with interconnections within the state. Also, on January 30, 2020, FERC issued a declaratory order related to the ruling by the Third Circuit, supporting PennEast.
    • On February 18, 2020, PennEast filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to overturn the September 10, 2019 Third Circuit decision vacating the New Jersey Federal District Court's December 13, 2018 condemnation order blocking pipeline construction.
    • On June 29, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court invited the U.S. Solicitor General to express his views regarding the issues presented in the petition for writ of certiorari.
    • On August 3, 2020, FERC issued a positive environmental assessment for Phase I of the project, finding no significant environmental impact.

Unregulated Businesses Update:

Clean Energy Ventures (CEV)

CEV reported fiscal 2020 NFE of $53.0 million, compared with NFE of $77.5 million in fiscal 2019. The decrease in NFE was due to fewer Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) recognized on projects placed in service and the absence of contributions from the wind portfolio, which was sold during fiscal 2019. Fourth-quarter NFE were $55.8 million, compared with NFE of $52.7 million during the same period in fiscal 2019. The increase in NFE was due to higher SREC sales.

Solar Investment Update:

  • In fiscal 2020, CEV placed eight commercial solar projects into service and acquired one operational asset, adding 60 MWs, increasing CEV's total installed capacity to over 350 MW.
  • The Sunlight Advantage®, CEV's residential solar leasing program, added 481 customers in fiscal 2020 and now serves over 8,600 residential and small-midsize commercial customers in New Jersey.

Energy Services

Energy Services reported fiscal 2020 net financial loss of $(7.9) million, compared to NFE of $2.9 million for the same period last fiscal year. The decrease in NFE for fiscal 2020 was due primarily to challenging market conditions created by unusually warm weather on the U.S. east coast last winter compounded by operational issues on a key interstate pipeline. Fourth-quarter NFE was $1.6 million, compared with a net financial loss of $(10.7) million during the same period last year. The increase in NFE for the fourth quarter was due to lower demand charges and increased natural gas pricing volatility leading to more market opportunities compared to the same period last year.

Home Services and Other Operations

Home Services and Other Operations reported fiscal 2020 NFE of $5.8 million compared to NFE of $1.9 million for the same period in fiscal 2019. Fourth-quarter NFE were $5.1 million, compared with net financial loss of $1.0 million during the same period in fiscal 2019. The increase in both periods was due to lower O&M expenses and an income tax benefit associated with the revaluation of certain deferred state tax liabilities.

Effective Tax Rate:

NJR’s annual effective tax rate increased to (3.7) percent in fiscal 2020 from (28.7) percent in fiscal 2019. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, NJR recognized $37.1 million related to tax credits, net of deferred taxes, compared with $56.8 million during the same period last year.

Capital Expenditures and Cash Flows:

NJR is committed to maintaining a strong financial profile, while continuing to invest capital in regulated and unregulated energy projects.

  • During fiscal 2020, capital expenditures were $499.1 million, of which $333.9 million were related to NJNG, compared with capital expenditures of $531.4 million, of which $372.1 million were related to NJNG, during the same period of fiscal 2019.
  • During fiscal 2020, cash flows from operations were $213.5 million, compared with $194.1 million during the same period of fiscal 2019. The increase was primarily due to increased margin at NJNG from increased base rates.

About New Jersey Resources

New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR) is a Fortune 1000 company that, through its subsidiaries, provides safe and reliable natural gas and clean energy services, including transportation, distribution, asset management and home services. NJR is composed of five primary businesses:

  • New Jersey Natural Gas, NJR’s principal subsidiary,operates and maintains over 7,500 miles of natural gas transportation and distribution infrastructure to serve over half a million customers in New Jersey’s Monmouth, Ocean, Morris, Middlesex and Burlington counties.
  • Clean Energy Ventures invests in, owns and operates solar projects with a total capacity of over 350 megawatts, providing residential and commercial customers with low-carbon solutions.
  • Energy Services manages a diversified portfolio of natural gas transportation and storage assets and provides physical natural gas services and customized energy solutions to its customers across North America.
  • Storage and Transportation serves customers from local distributors and producers to electric generators and wholesale marketers through its ownership of Leaf River and the Adelphia Gateway Pipeline Project, as well as our 50 percent equity ownership in the Steckman Ridge natural gas storage facility, and our 20 percent equity interest in the PennEast Pipeline Project.
  • Home Services provides service contracts as well as heating, central air conditioning, water heaters, standby generators, solar and other indoor and outdoor comfort products to residential homes throughout New Jersey.

NJR and its more than 1,100 employees are committed to helping customers save energy and money by promoting conservation and encouraging efficiency through Conserve to Preserve® and initiatives such as The SAVEGREEN Project® and The Sunlight Advantage®.

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