CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2023 RESULTS

• Earnings per share ("EPS")* was $2.04 for the first quarter of 2023, compared to $2.08 for the first quarter of 2022
• Customer consumption was significantly impacted by historically warmer temperatures during the first quarter of 2023, generating a $0.29 reduction in EPS
• Offsetting lower consumption, adjusted gross margin growth was driven by regulatory initiatives, natural gas organic growth, increased demand for CNG, RNG and LNG services and continued pipeline expansion projects
• Obtained Final Rate Order for the Florida natural gas base rate case with new permanent rates effective in March 2023
• Reiteration of long-term earnings and capital expenditures guidance, including continued capital expenditure guidance of $200 million to $230 million for 2023

DOVER, Del., May 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) ("Chesapeake Utilities" or the "Company") today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2023.

The Company's net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was $36.3 million, compared to $36.9 million reported in the same quarter of 2022. Diluted EPS in the quarter was $2.04 per share, compared to $2.08 per share reported in the same prior-year period.

Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were impacted by significantly warmer weather in our service territories, particularly the Delmarva Peninsula and Ohio experienced temperatures which were more than 20 percent higher than historical averages. Also impacting results were higher interest rates associated with the Company's short-term borrowings. These factors were largely offset by contributions from the Company's Florida natural gas base rate proceeding, increased propane margins and fees, organic growth in the Company's natural gas distribution businesses, increased demand for compressed natural gas ("CNG"), renewable natural gas ("RNG") and liquefied natural gas ("LNG") services, incremental contributions associated with regulated infrastructure programs, and continued pipeline expansion projects.

"While we experienced significantly warmer weather and a continued ongoing inflationary environment, Chesapeake Utilities delivered very strong performance during the quarter," commented Jeff Householder, president and CEO. "We continue to capitalize on growth opportunities across our operations. Organic residential customer growth for our Delmarva and Florida natural gas distribution businesses were 5.8 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively. This level of growth reflects the ongoing demand for natural gas services by our customers and the highly attractive nature of the communities we serve."

"We also continue to execute on our regulatory strategy. During the quarter, we finalized our Florida natural gas base rate case, with permanent rates going into effect starting March 1, 2023," continued Householder. "By executing on these core growth strategies and managing costs appropriately, our team was able to drive earnings that were largely in line with last year's results, despite temperatures that were more than 18 percent warmer."

"Our exceptional team, diverse operating footprint and operational flexibility continue to be key strengths for the organization. Given our long-term strategic focus, we continue to invest in our businesses and our people to drive future growth. We are committed to our long-standing track record of year-over-year earnings per share growth, and our long-term earnings and capital expenditures guidance remain unchanged," concluded Householder.

Capital Investment and Earnings Guidance Update

The Company reiterates its long-term capital expenditures and EPS guidance ranges. These include capital expenditures in the range of $900 million to $1.1 billion for the five years ended 2025 and an EPS guidance range of $6.15 to $6.35 per share for 2025. Additionally, the Company reiterates its capital expenditures guidance range of $200 million to $230 million for 2023. The Company continues to review its projections and remains supportive of this guidance.

*Unless otherwise noted, EPS information is presented on a diluted basis.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

**This press release including the tables herein, include references to both Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted Gross Margin. A "non-GAAP financial measure" is generally defined as a numerical measure of a company's historical or future performance that includes or excludes amounts, or that is subject to adjustments, so as to be different from the most directly comparable measure calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP. Our management believes certain non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with GAAP financial measures, provide information that is useful to investors in understanding period-over-period operating results separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on results in any particular period.

The Company calculates Adjusted Gross Margin by deducting the purchased cost of natural gas, propane and electricity and the cost of labor spent on direct revenue-producing activities from operating revenues. The costs included in Adjusted Gross Margin exclude depreciation and amortization and certain costs presented in operations and maintenance expenses in accordance with regulatory requirements. Adjusted Gross Margin should not be considered an alternative to Gross Margin under US GAAP which is defined as the excess of sales over cost of goods sold. The Company believes that Adjusted Gross Margin, although a non-GAAP measure, is useful and meaningful to investors as a basis for making investment decisions. It provides investors with information that demonstrates the profitability achieved by the Company under allowed rates for regulated energy operations and under the Company's competitive pricing structures for unregulated energy operations. The Company's management uses Adjusted Gross Margin as one of the financial measures in assessing a business unit's performance. Other companies may calculate Adjusted Gross Margin in a different manner.

Operating Results for the Quarters Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

Operating income for the first quarter of 2023 was $54.9 million, which was relatively consistent with the same period in 2022, despite significantly warmer temperatures in the Company's northern service territories in 2023. Adjusted gross margin in the first quarter of 2023 was positively impacted by contributions from the Company's Florida natural gas base rate proceeding, increased propane margins and fees, organic growth in the Company's natural gas distribution businesses, increased demand for CNG, RNG and LNG services, incremental contributions associated with regulated infrastructure programs, and continued pipeline expansion projects. These increases in adjusted gross margin were partially offset by reduced consumption experienced during the first quarter of 2023 as a result of unprecedented temperatures in our northern service territories. The Company recorded higher depreciation, amortization and property taxes related to continued capital investments, higher operating expenses associated primarily with growth initiatives, and increased payroll, benefits and employee expenses driven by the ongoing competitive labor market. The Company continued to actively manage its operating expenses to mitigate ongoing interest and other inflationary expense increases.

The key components of the increase in adjusted gross margin** are shown below:

The major components of the increase in other operating expenses are as follows:

The major components of the change in adjusted gross margin** are shown below:

The major components of the increase in other operating expenses are as follows:

Sustainability Initiatives

In February 2022, Chesapeake Utilities published its inaugural sustainability report, and is actively working on an updated report to be published in 2023. The Company continues to remain steadfast in regard to its commitments, including:

• Maintaining a leading role in the journey to a lower carbon future in its service areas.
  
  
• Continuing to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace and further the sustainability of the communities we serve.
  
  
• Operating its businesses with integrity and the highest ethical standards.

These commitments guide the Company's mission to deliver energy that makes life better for the people and communities it serves. They impact every aspect of the Company and the relationships it has with its stakeholders. The Company encourages its investors to review the report, which can be accessed on the Company's website, and welcomes feedback as it continues to enhance its sustainability disclosures. 

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters included in this release may include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements in the Company's 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2023 for further information on the risks and uncertainties related to the Company's forward-looking statements.

Conference Call

Chesapeake Utilities (NYSE: CPK) will host a conference call on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company's financial results for the three months ended  March 31, 2023. To listen to the Company's conference call via live webcast, please visit the Events & Presentations section of the Investors page on www.chpk.com. For investors and analysts that wish to participate by phone for the question and answer portion of the call, please use the following dial-in information:

Toll-free: 800.343.5172
International: 203.518.9848
Conference ID: CPKQ123

A replay of the presentation will be made available on the previously noted website following the conclusion of the call.

About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation offers sustainable energy solutions through its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions, and other businesses.

Please note that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is not affiliated with Chesapeake Energy, an oil and natural gas exploration company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

For more information, contact:

Beth W. Cooper
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Corporate Secretary
302.734.6022

Michael Galtman
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
302.217.7036

Alex Whitelam
Head of Investor Relations
215.872.2507

Financial Summary Highlights

Key variances in results for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 included:

Recently Completed and Ongoing Major Projects and Initiatives

The Company constantly pursues and develops additional projects and initiatives to serve existing and new customers, and to further grow its businesses and earnings, with the intention to increase shareholder value. The following table includes the major projects and initiatives recently completed and currently underway. Major projects and initiatives that have generated consistent year-over-year adjusted gross margin contributions are removed from the table at the beginning of the next calendar year. The discussion of the Company's major projects accompanying this table, includes those projects which began generating adjusted gross margin in the current year, or those which are expected to contribute adjusted gross margin beginning in future years. A comprehensive discussion of all projects reflected below can be found in the Company's first quarter 2023 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company's practice is to add new projects and initiatives to this table once negotiations or details are substantially final and/or the associated earnings can be estimated.

Detailed Discussion of Major Projects and Initiatives

Pipeline Expansions

Southern Expansion
Eastern Shore plans to install a new natural gas driven compressor skid unit at its existing Bridgeville, Delaware compressor station that will provide 7,300 Dts/d of incremental firm transportation pipeline capacity. The Company obtained FERC approval for this project in December 2022 and it is currently estimated to go into service in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Beachside Pipeline Expansion
In June 2021, Peninsula Pipeline and an unrelated party, Florida City Gas, entered into a Transportation Service Agreement for an incremental 10,176 Dts/d of firm service in Indian River County, Florida, to support Florida City Gas' growth along the Indian River's barrier island. As part of this agreement, Peninsula Pipeline has constructed approximately 11.3 miles of pipeline from its existing pipeline in the Sebastian, Florida area east under the Intercoastal Waterway and southward on the barrier island. Construction is complete and the project went into service during April 2023.

North Ocean City Connector
During the second quarter of 2022, the Company began construction of an extension of service into North Ocean City, Maryland. The Company's Delaware natural gas division and its subsidiary, Sandpiper Energy, Inc. are installing approximately 5.7 miles of pipeline across southern Sussex County, Delaware to Fenwick Island, Delaware and Worcester County, Maryland. The project will reinforce the Company's existing system in Ocean City, Maryland and allow for incremental growth along the pipeline. Construction of this project is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2023.  Adjusted gross margin in connection with this project is expected to be recognized contingent upon the completion and approval of the Company's next rate case in Maryland.

St. Cloud / Twin Lakes Expansion
In July 2022, Peninsula Pipeline filed a petition with the Public Service Commission ("PSC") for the State of Florida for approval of its Transportation Service Agreement with the Company's Florida subsidiary, Florida Public Utilities ("FPU"), for an additional 2,400 Dts/day of firm service in the St. Cloud, Florida area. As part of this agreement, Peninsula Pipeline will construct a pipeline extension and regulator station for FPU. The extension will be used to support new incremental load due to growth in the area, including providing service, most immediately, to the residential development Twin Lakes. The expansion will also improve reliability and provide operational benefits to FPU's existing distribution system in the area, supporting future growth. Construction is forecasted to be complete in the second quarter of 2023.

Wildlight Expansion
In August 2022, Peninsula Pipeline and FPU filed a joint petition with the Florida PSC for approval of its Transportation Service Agreement associated with the Wildlight planned community located in Nassau County, Florida. The project enables the Company to meet the significant growing demand for service in Yulee, Florida. The agreement allows the Company to build the project during the construction and build-out of the community, and charge the reservation rate as each phase of the project goes into service. Construction of the pipeline facilities will occur in two separate phases. Phase one consists of three extensions with associated facilities, and a gas injection interconnect with associated facilities.  Phase two will consist of two additional pipeline extensions. Various phases of the project commenced in the first quarter of 2023, with construction on the overall project continuing through 2025.

Lake Wales
In February 2022, Peninsula Pipeline filed a petition with the Florida PSC for approval of its Transportation Service Agreement with FPU for an additional 9,000 Dt/d of firm service in the Lake Wales, Florida area. Approval of the agreement by the Florida PSC will enable Peninsula Pipeline to begin executing on the acquisition of an existing pipeline in the area that will be utilized to serve existing natural gas customers as well as new customers. The Florida PSC approved the petition in April 2023.

CNG/RNG/LNG Transportation and Infrastructure

The Company has made a commitment to meet customer demand for CNG, RNG and LNG in the markets we serve. This has included making investments within Marlin Gas Services to be able to transport these products through its virtual pipeline fleet to customers. To date, the Company has also made an infrastructure investment in Ohio, enabling RNG to fuel a third-party landfill fleet and to transport RNG to end use customers off its pipeline system. Similarly, the Company announced in March 2022, the opening of a high-capacity CNG truck and tube trailer fueling station in Port Wentworth, Georgia. As one of the largest public access CNG stations on the East Coast, it will offer a RNG option to customers in the near future. The Company constructed the station in partnership with Atlanta Gas Light, a subsidiary of Southern Company Gas.

The Company is also involved in various other projects, all at various stages and all with different opportunities to participate across the energy value chain. In many of these projects, Marlin will play a key role in ensuring the RNG is transported to one of the Company's many pipeline systems where it will be injected. The Company includes its RNG transportation services and infrastructure related adjusted gross margin from across the organization in combination with CNG and LNG projects.

Discussed below are some of the recently completed projects as well as a sample of the growth projects in which we are currently involved.

As new projects are finalized, we will provide additional detail on those projects at that time.

Full Circle Dairy
In February 2023, the Company announced plans to construct, own and operate a dairy manure RNG facility at Full Circle Dairy in Madison County, Florida.  The project consists of a facility converting dairy manure to RNG and transportation assets to bring the gas to market. The first injection of RNG is projected to occur in the first half of 2024.

Planet Found Energy Development
In late October 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Planet Found Energy Development ("Planet Found"). Planet Found's farm scale anaerobic digestion pilot system and technology produces biogas from 1,200 tons of poultry litter annually, which can be used to create renewable energy in the form of electricity or upgraded to renewable natural gas. In addition to generating biogas, Planet Found's nutrient capture system plays a major role in converting digestate into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner, which is distributed to bulk and retail markets under the brand Element Soil. The transaction will accelerate Chesapeake Utilities' efforts in converting poultry waste to renewable, sustainable energy while simultaneously improving the local environments in its service territories. The expertise, technologies and know-how can be leveraged for various scale projects across the Company's geographic footprint.

Regulatory Initiatives

Florida Gas Utility Access and Replacement Directive ("GUARD") Program
In February 2023, FPU filed a petition with the Florida PSC for approval of the GUARD program. GUARD is a proposed ten-year program to enhance the safety, reliability and accessibility of portions of the Company's natural gas distribution system. The Company has identified various categories of eligible projects to be included in GUARD, which includes the relocation of mains and service lines located in rear easements and other difficult to access areas to the front of the street, the replacement of problematic distribution mains, service lines and M&R equipment, and system reliability projects. The petition is currently under review by the Florida PSC.

Other Major Factors Influencing Adjusted Gross Margin

Weather and Consumption
For the first quarter of 2023, lower consumption driven primarily by weather resulted in a $6.9 million decrease in adjusted gross margin compared to the same period in 2022. The impact to adjusted gross margin was largely the result of unprecedented temperatures in our northern service territories that were more than 20 percent higher than historical averages. Assuming normal temperatures, as detailed below, gross margin would have been higher by $5.4 million. The following table summarizes HDD and CDD variances from the 10-year average HDD/CDD ("Normal") for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

Natural Gas Distribution Growth
The average number of residential customers served on the Delmarva Peninsula and in Florida increased by approximately 5.8 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively, during 2023. On the Delmarva Peninsula, a larger percentage of the adjusted gross margin growth was generated from residential growth given the expansion of gas into new housing communities and conversions to natural gas as our distribution infrastructure continues to build out. In Florida, as new communities continue to build out due to population growth and infrastructure is added to support the growth, there is increased load from both residential customers as well as new commercial and industrial customers. The details are provided in the following table:

Capital Investment Growth and Capital Structure Updates

The Company's capital expenditures were $41.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The following table shows a range of the forecasted 2023 capital expenditures by segment and by business line:

The capital expenditure projection is subject to continuous review and modification. Actual capital requirements may vary from the above estimates due to a number of factors, including changing economic conditions, supply chain disruptions, capital delays that are greater than currently anticipated, customer growth in existing areas, regulation, new growth or acquisition opportunities and availability of capital. Historically, actual capital expenditures have typically lagged behind the forecasted amounts.

The Company's target ratio of equity to total capitalization, including short-term borrowings, is between 50 and 60 percent. The Company's equity to total capitalization ratio, including short-term borrowings, was approximately 53 percent as of March 31, 2023.

SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation