# notes_to_financial_statements_122_1_duration

entity_id: C000591
filing_name: Gulf_South_Pipeline_Company,_LLC_form2_Q4_1713536437
publication_time: 2024-04-19 14:20:37.000000
start_date: 2023-01-01
end_date: 2023-12-31
disclosure_of_pension_post_retirement_benefit_other_than_pensions_p_b_o_p_and_or_post_employment_benefit_plans_text_block:
  <div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Note 11: Employee Benefits</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Defined Contribution Plan</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South employees are provided retirement benefits under a defined contribution plan, which also provides 401(k) plan benefits to its participants. Costs related to Gulf South’s defined contribution plan were $7.8 million and $7.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Boardwalk Pipeline Partners and its subsidiaries grant to selected employees long-term compensation awards under the 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (2018 LTIP). The following provides information regarding the 2018 LTIP, under which Gulf South received an allocation of expenses of $6.3 million and $5.5 million during 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Boardwalk Pipeline Partners' 2018 LTIP provides for grants of Performance Awards to selected employees of Boardwalk Pipeline Partners. A Performance Award is a long-term incentive award with a stated target amount which is payable in cash, after adjustments, upon vesting based on certain specified performance criteria being met. In the case of retirement, any outstanding and unvested awards would become fully vested upon retirement and the Performance Awards will be paid at the original vesting date. In 2023 and 2022, Boardwalk Pipeline Partners granted to certain employees $16.3 million and $12.5 million of Performance Awards. Boardwalk Pipeline Partners recorded compensation expense of $14.2 million and $12.3 million related to Performance Awards for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, and had $9.8 million and $7.2 million of remaining unrecognized compensation expense related to Performance Awards as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div>

disclosure_of_important_disclosures_regarding_the_financial_statements_text_block:
  <div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">GULF SOUTH PIPELINE COMPANY, LLC</span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">NOTES TO FERC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Note 1: Corporate Structure</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC (Gulf South) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipelines, LP (Boardwalk Pipelines), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (Boardwalk Pipeline Partners). Boardwalk Pipeline Partners is a Delaware limited partnership formed in 2005.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Note 2: Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Basis of Presentation</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The accompanying financial statements of Gulf South have been prepared in accordance with the accounting requirements of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as set forth in its applicable Uniform System of Accounts (USofA) and published accounting releases, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The principal differences from GAAP relate to the fact that these financial statements: (1) as permitted by FERC rules, contain certain condensed financial information and exclude certain footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP; (2) classify certain accounts differently on the Comparative Balance Sheet and Statement of Income; (3) do not reflect the new basis of accounting established as a result of a change in ownership which occurred in 2004 and 2011; (4) contain certain amounts deferred as regulatory assets or liabilities, which were recognized as income or expense for GAAP; (5) reflect income taxes consistent with the FERC USofA and FERC Policy Statements, which were not recorded for GAAP since Gulf South is a wholly owned subsidiary of a partnership; (6) typically reflect the gain or loss on the disposal of assets as a component of accumulated depreciation, not on the Statement of Income; and (7) recognize allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) rather than capitalized interest as allowed under GAAP. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Subsequent events have been evaluated through April 17, 2024, the date these financial statements were available to be issued.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Use of Estimates</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The preparation of financial statements in conformity with the FERC requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the fair values of certain items. Gulf South bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from such estimates.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Fair Value Measurements</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Fair value refers to an exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction in the principal market in which the reporting entity transacts based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability assuming its highest and best use. A fair value hierarchy has been established that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions giving priority, from highest to lowest, to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1); observable inputs not included in Level 1, for example, quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities (Level 2); and unobservable data (Level 3), for example, a reporting entity’s own internal data based on the best information available in the circumstances. Gulf South uses fair value measurements to account for equity securities, asset retirement obligations (ARO) and any impairment charges.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Note 5 contains more information regarding fair value measurements.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Cash</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Cash includes demand deposits with banks or other financial institutions. Gulf South had no restricted cash at December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Cash Management</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South participates in a cash management program to the extent it is permitted under FERC regulations. Under the cash management program, depending on whether Gulf South has short-term cash surpluses or cash requirements, Boardwalk Pipelines either provides cash to Gulf South or Gulf South provides cash to Boardwalk Pipelines. Any outstanding advance balance is settled through a non-cash capital distribution or contribution to Boardwalk Pipelines on a monthly basis. The transactions are represented by demand notes and are stated at historical carrying amounts. Interest income and expense are recognized on an accrual basis when collection is reasonably assured. Amounts are classified as </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Notes Receivable from/Notes Payable to Associated Companies</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> in accordance with the USofA. The interest rate on intercompany demand notes is the term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), or such benchmark replacement rate, plus a margin.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Trade and Other Receivables</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trade and other receivables are stated at their historical carrying amount, net of allowances for doubtful accounts. Gulf South establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts under an expected credit loss model based on historical credit loss experience and specific facts and circumstances. Uncollectible receivables are written off when a settlement is reached for an amount that is less than the outstanding historical balance or a receivable amount is deemed otherwise unrealizable.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Gas Stored Underground and Gas Receivables and Payables</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South has underground gas in storage which is utilized for system management and operational balancing, as well as for services including firm and interruptible storage associated with certain no-notice and parking and lending (PAL) services. Gas stored underground includes the historical cost of natural gas volumes owned by Gulf South, at times reduced by certain operational encroachments upon that gas.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South provides storage services whereby it stores natural gas on behalf of customers and also periodically holds customer gas under PAL services. Since the customers retain title to the gas held by Gulf South in providing these services, Gulf South does not record the related gas on the Comparative Balance Sheet. Gulf South also periodically lends gas to customers. Note 8 contains more information related to Gulf South’s gas loaned to customers.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">In the course of providing transportation and storage services to its customers, Gulf South may receive different quantities of gas from shippers and operators than the quantities delivered on behalf of those shippers and operators. This results in transportation and exchange gas receivables and payables, commonly known as imbalances, which are primarily settled in cash or the receipt or delivery of gas in the future. Settlement of imbalances requires agreement between the pipelines and shippers or operators as to allocations of volumes to specific transportation contracts and timing of delivery of gas based on operational conditions. The receivables and payables are valued at market price.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Plant Materials and Operating Supplies</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Plant materials and operating supplies are carried at average cost. Gulf South expects its plant materials and operating supplies to be used for projects related to its utility plant and for future growth projects. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Gulf South held approximately $11.5 million and $10.3 million of plant materials and operating supplies. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Utility Plant and Repair and Maintenance Costs</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Utility Plant (Plant) is recorded at its original cost of construction, fair value of assets purchased or the initial cost to the entity that first placed the asset into service. Construction costs and expenditures for major renewals and improvements which extend the lives of the respective assets are capitalized. </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Construction Work In Progress </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">is included in the financial statements as a component of </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total Utility Plant</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">. All repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South depreciates assets using the straight-line method at FERC-prescribed rates over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Reflecting the application of composite depreciation, gains and losses from the ordinary sale or retirement of Plant are not recognized in earnings and generally do not impact </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net Utility Plant</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Impairment of Long-lived Assets</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment when, in management’s judgment, events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. When such a determination has been made, management’s estimate of undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the remaining economic useful life of the asset (or asset group) is compared to the carrying amount of the asset (or asset group) to determine whether an impairment has occurred. If an impairment of the carrying amount has occurred, the amount of impairment recognized in the financial statements is determined by estimating the fair value of the assets (or asset group) and recording a loss to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Allowance for Funds Used During Construction </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">AFUDC represents the cost of funds, including equity funds, applicable to regulated natural gas transmission plant under construction as permitted by FERC regulatory practices. The allowance for borrowed funds used during construction is recognized as a reduction to</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> Interest Charges</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> and the allowance for other funds used during construction is included in </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Other Income and Deductions</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">. The following table summarizes the allowance for borrowed funds and allowance for other funds used during construction (in millions):</span></div><div style="text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:70.684%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:70.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.742%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.115%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.743%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">For the Year Ended December 31,</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Allowance for Borrowed Funds Used During Construction</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">1.0</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">0.1 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Allowance for Other Funds Used During Construction</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">3.3</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2.7</span></td></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Income Taxes</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Income taxes are recorded in accordance with the FERC Policy Statement on income tax allowances permitting the accrual of income taxes on a pass-through entity. Deferred income taxes are recognized for differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities at enacted statutory tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates due to future changes in income tax law or results from the final review of tax returns by federal or state tax authorities. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduced the maximum corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning January 1, 2018, which resulted in a regulatory liability of approximately $255.2 million being established for the portion of the reduction related to utility plant (Account 282), which also includes a gross-up calculation of $71.0 million that was offset to a regulatory asset (Account 182). The regulatory liability began amortizing to utility income effective January 1, 2018, over the life of the utility plant, which was estimated to be 34 years. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the regulatory liability balance associated with the tax rate reduction was $205.4 million and $213.7 million.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The amounts of excess deferred federal income tax that are considered protected as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, were $205.4 million and $213.7 million. There was no excess deferred federal income tax that was considered unprotected. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Note 7 contains more information regarding Gulf South’s income taxes.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Asset Retirement Obligations</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The accounting requirements for existing legal obligations associated with the future retirement of long-lived assets require entities to record the fair value of a liability for an ARO in the period during which the liability is incurred. The liability is initially recognized at fair value and is increased with the passage of time as accretion expense is recorded, until the liability is ultimately settled. The accretion expense is included within </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Utility Operating Expenses</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> on the Statements of </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Income. An amount corresponding to the amount of the initial liability is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset and depreciated over the useful life of that asset.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Note 12 contains more information regarding Gulf South’s ARO.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Environmental Liabilities</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South records environmental liabilities based on management’s estimates of the undiscounted future obligation for probable costs associated with environmental assessment and remediation of operating sites. These estimates are based on evaluations and discussions with counsel and operating personnel and the current known facts and circumstances related to these environmental matters.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Note 3 contains more information regarding Gulf South’s environmental liabilities. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Leases</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date. The lease assets and the related liabilities are reduced by equal and offsetting amounts over the lease term. Gulf South has elected not to record any leases with terms of twelve months or less on the Comparative Balance Sheet.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South records lease assets and lease liabilities related to its operating leases on its regulatory balance sheet using the capital lease accounts. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Gulf South did not have any capital leases and had the following balances recorded on its regulatory balance sheet related to operating leases (in millions):</span></div><div style="text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:68.154%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:70.734%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.830%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:9.380%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.175%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:9.381%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">As of<br/>December 31,</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Account 101.1, Property under capital lease</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">15.3</span><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">24.2 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Account 227, Obligations under capital leases - noncurrent</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">13.8</span><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">15.9 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Account 243, Obligations under capital leases - current</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">1.5</span><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#252525;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2.5 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr></table></div><div style="text-align:center"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Revenue Recognition</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Nature of Contracts</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South primarily earns revenues from contracts with customers by providing transportation and storage services for natural gas on a firm and interruptible basis. Gulf South also provides interruptible natural gas PAL services. Gulf South’s customers choose, based upon their particular needs, the applicable mix of services depending upon availability of pipeline and storage capacity, the price of services and the volume and timing of customer requirements. The maximum applicable rates that may be charged by Gulf South are established through the FERC's cost-based rate-making process; however, the FERC also allows for discounted or negotiated rates as an alternative to cost-based rates. Under the FERC regulations, certain revenues that Gulf South collects may be subject to possible refunds to its customers. Accordingly, during a rate case, estimated refund liabilities are recorded considering regulatory proceedings, advice of counsel and estimated risk-adjusted total exposure, as well as other factors. Gulf South's service contracts can range from one to twenty years although Gulf South may enter into shorter- or longer-term contracts, and services are invoiced monthly with payment from the customer generally expected within ten to thirty days, depending on the terms of the contract.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Firm Service Contracts</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">: Gulf South offers firm services to its customers. Gulf South’s customers can reserve a specific amount of pipeline capacity at specified receipt and delivery points on Gulf South’s pipeline system (transportation service) or can reserve a specific amount of storage capacity at specified injection and withdrawal points at Gulf South’s storage facilities (storage service). Gulf South accounts for firm services as a single promise to stand ready each month of the contract term to provide the committed capacity for either transportation or storage services when needed by the customer, which represents a series of distinct monthly services that are substantially the same with the same pattern of transfer to the </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">customer. Although several activities may be required to provide the firm service, the individual activities do not represent distinct performance obligations because all of the activities must be performed in combination in order for Gulf South to provide the firm service.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The transaction price for firm service contracts is comprised of a fixed fee based on the quantity of capacity reserved, regardless of use (capacity reservation fee), plus variable fees in the form of a usage fee paid on the volume of commodity actually transported or injected and withdrawn from storage. Both the fixed and usage fees are allocated to the single performance obligation of providing transportation or storage service and recognized over time based upon the output measure of time as Gulf South completes its stand-ready obligation to provide contracted capacity and the customer receives and consumes the benefit of the reserved capacity, which corresponds with the transfer of control to the customer. The fixed fee is recognized ratably over the contract term, representative of the proportion of the committed stand-ready capacity obligation that has been fulfilled to date, and the usage fee is recognized upon satisfaction of each distinct monthly performance obligation, consistent with the allocation objective and based upon the level of effort required to satisfy the stand-ready obligation in a given month. Capacity reservation revenues derived from a firm service contract are generally consistent during the contract term, but can be higher in winter periods than the rest of the year based upon seasonal rates.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Interruptible Service Contracts</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">: In providing interruptible services to customers, Gulf South agrees to transport or store natural gas for a customer when capacity is available. Gulf South does not account for interruptible services with a customer as a contract until the customer nominates for service and Gulf South accepts the nomination based upon available pipeline or storage capacity because there are no enforceable rights and obligations until that time. The nomination and acceptance process is a daily activity and acceptance is granted based upon priority of service and availability of capacity. Upon acceptance, Gulf South accounts for interruptible services similarly to its firm services.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The transaction price for interruptible service contracts is comprised of a variable fee in the form of a usage fee paid on the volume of commodity actually transported or injected and withdrawn from storage. The transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation of providing interruptible service. Interruptible service revenues for natural gas transportation and storage are generally recognized over time based on the output measure of volume transported or stored when services are rendered upon the successful allocation of the services provided to the customer’s account, which best depicts the transfer of control to the customer and satisfaction of the promised service. Interruptible services are recognized in the month services are provided because Gulf South has a right to consideration from customers in amounts that correspond directly to the value that the customer receives from Gulf South's performance. The rates charged may vary on a daily, monthly or seasonal basis.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Other</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">: Periodically, Gulf South may enter into contracts with customers for the sale of natural gas. Gulf South recognizes revenues for these transactions at the point in time of the physical sale of the commodity, which corresponds with the transfer of control of the commodity to the customer and the consideration is measured as the stated sales price in the contract.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Contract Balances</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South records contract assets primarily related to performance obligations completed but not billed, or partially billed, as of the reporting date. Gulf South records contract liabilities, or deferred revenue, when payment is received in advance of satisfying its performance obligations. Gulf South had contract liabilities recorded in </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Other Deferred Credits</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> of $2.2 million, which is expected to be recognized through 2024, as of December 31, 2023, and had $4.8 million contract liabilities as of December 31, 2022. Gulf South had no contract assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Audit</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">On September 18, 2023, the Division of Audits and Accounting within the Office of Enforcement of the FERC (DAA) issued a report upon the completion of an audit of Gulf South in Docket No. PA21-3-000 covering the period from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2022. The report covered Gulf South’s compliance with the accounting and reporting requirements of FERC’s USofA, among other things, and provided a description of findings and recommendations. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">One of the findings pertained to Gulf South’s AFUDC calculation and the inclusion of short-term debt in its calculation. Gulf South did not include its average daily outstanding borrowings under its cash management program as </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">short-term debt in its AFUDC calculation. This resulted in Gulf South recognizing excess AFUDC in its income statement and over-reporting Plant. Gulf South was instructed by DAA to recalculate AFUDC retroactively for the 2015 through 2022 time period and to record the cumulative impact in the current reporting period. Gulf South recalculated AFUDC and determined that it had over-recognized AFUDC by $47.5 million. Due to the amount of the adjustment, Gulf South requested and received approval from the FERC, in Docket No. AC24-28-000, to record the adjustment to Account 439, Adjustments to Retained Earnings. The cumulative adjustment recorded in Account 439 (Adjustments to Retained Earnings) of $42.6 million includes a cumulative reduction of prior reporting periods net income of $47.5 million related to the AFUDC correction (with the offset being recorded to Plant, Account 101) and a cumulative increase of prior reporting periods net income of $4.9 million related to the correction of depreciation expense (with the offset being recorded to Accumulated Depreciation, Account 108). There were other offsetting adjustments recorded through Account 439 and Account 211, Miscellaneous Paid in Capital, related to the regulatory asset for AFUDC and associated accumulated deferred income taxes.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Several of the other findings related to the recording of certain expenses in the incorrect account. Gulf South has performed a review of its 2023 expenses and made any necessary corrections related to the 2023 recording of expenses in the fourth quarter 2023. Gulf South was also required to perform a review of the recording of its 2022 expenses. While Gulf South was not required to correct the 2022 amounts, the recommendations do require Gulf South to disclose in its footnotes what the amounts should have been upon the completion of the review for comparability purposes. A summary of the adjusted values follows for the year ended December 31, 2022:</span></div><div style="text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;padding-right:36pt;text-align:center;text-indent:36pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:94.345%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:7.890%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.588%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:39.594%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.430%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:16.565%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.588%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:12.149%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.588%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.308%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Account</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Account Description</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Amount Reported in 2022 Form 2</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Adjustment</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Amount after adjustment</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">401</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Operation Expenses</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">138,650,922 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(272,203)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">138,378,719 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">408.1</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Taxes Other than Income Taxes</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">67,521,005 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">186,798 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">67,707,803 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">426.1</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Donations</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">300,114 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">19,250 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">319,364 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">426.4</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Expenditures for Certain Civic, Political and Related Activities</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">62,790 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">66,155 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">128,945 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Note 3:</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Commitments and Contingencies</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Legal Proceedings and Settlements</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South is party to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Management believes the disposition of these outstanding legal actions, including the legal action identified below, will not have a material impact on Gulf South's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">City of New Orleans Litigation</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South, along with several other energy companies operating in Southern Louisiana, has been named as a defendant in a petition for damages and injunctive relief in state district court for Orleans Parish, Louisiana, (Case No. 19-3466) by the City of New Orleans. The case was filed on March 29, 2019. The lawsuit claims include, among other things, negligence, strict liability, nuisance and breach of contract, alleging that the defendants’ drilling, dredging, pipeline and industrial operations since the 1930s have caused increased storm surge risk, increased flood protection costs and unspecified damages to the City of New Orleans. In October 2020, this case was stayed pending the outcome of a consolidated appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in a similar case. On August 5, 2021, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the oil-and-gas defendants in that consolidated appeal, finding that the two cases being appealed should be re-examined in federal district court since they involve operations that were federally overseen at the time. The ruling reverses a previous decision that allowed the cases to be heard in state court, which the plaintiffs had sought. As a result of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision, it is anticipated that this case will be reviewed in federal district court to determine whether the case should be heard in that court.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South and an affiliated operating subsidiary have been named as defendants in several suits in the State of Louisiana that are similar in nature to the City of New Orleans Litigation discussed above. These cases were filed in Louisiana state courts and are advancing to discovery.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Environmental and Safety Matters</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South is subject to federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations in connection with the operation and remediation of various operating sites. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Gulf South had an accrued liability of approximately $4.2 million and $2.2 million related to assessment and/or remediation costs associated with the historical use of polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum hydrocarbons and mercury. The liability represents management’s estimate of the undiscounted future obligations based on evaluations and discussions with counsel and operating personnel and the current known facts and circumstances related to these matters. The related expenditures are expected to occur over the next thirty years. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, approximately $1.3 million and $0.6 million were recorded in </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Miscellaneous Current and Accrued Liabilities</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> and approximately $2.9 million and $1.6 million were recorded in </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Other Deferred Credits</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Clean Air Act and Climate Change</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South’s pipelines and associated facilities are subject to the Clean Air Act (CAA) and comparable state laws and regulations, which regulate the emission of air pollutants from many sources and impose various compliance monitoring and reporting requirements. Under the CAA, Gulf South may be required to obtain pre-approval for the construction or modification of certain projects or facilities expected to produce or significantly increase air emissions, obtain and strictly comply with stringent air permit requirements or utilize specific equipment or technologies to control emissions. The need to obtain permits has the potential to delay the development or expansion of Gulf South’s projects. Over the next several years, Gulf South may be required to incur certain capital expenditures for air pollution control equipment or other air emissions related issues. For example, in 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule under the CAA, lowering the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone to 70 parts per billion under both the primary and secondary standards to provide requisite protection of public health and welfare, respectively. Since that time, the EPA issued area designations with respect to ground-level ozone, issued final requirements that apply to state, local and tribal air agencies for implementing the 2015 NAAQS for ground-level ozone and, on December 31, 2020, published notice of a final action to retain the 2015 ozone NAAQS without revision on a going-forward basis. However, several groups filed litigation over the December 2020 final action and in October 2021, the EPA announced that it would reconsider the December 2020 determination to maintain the November 2015 NAAQS. In August 2023, the EPA announced a new review of the ozone NAAQS to ensure the standards protect people’s health and reflect the most current, relevant science. The new review will incorporate the reconsideration of the December 2020 final action. Until a final decision following the review is released, the full extent of the impacts of any new standards are not clear. States are expected to implement more stringent regulations that could apply to Gulf South's operations. Compliance with any final decision could, among other things, require installation of new emission controls on some of Gulf South's equipment, result in longer permitting timelines and significantly increase its capital expenditures and operating costs. Additionally, the threat of climate change continues to attract considerable public, governmental and scientific attention. As a result, numerous proposals have been made and are likely to continue to be made at the international, national, regional, state and local levels of government to monitor and limit emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). These efforts have included consideration of cap-and-trade programs, carbon taxes, and GHG reporting and tracking programs, and regulations that directly limit GHG emissions from certain sources. The EPA has determined that GHG emissions endanger public health and the environment and, as a result, has adopted regulations under the CAA related to GHG emissions.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Commitments for Construction</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South’s future capital commitments are comprised of binding commitments under purchase orders for materials ordered but not received and firm commitments under binding construction service agreements. As of December 31, 2023, the commitments were approximately $60.0 million, all of which are expected to be settled within the next twelve months.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Pipeline Capacity and Storage Agreements</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South has entered into pipeline capacity agreements with a third-party pipeline to transport gas to off-system markets on behalf of customers and a storage agreement with a third-party facility to store natural gas. Gulf South incurred expenses related to these agreements of $3.3 million and $3.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The table below presents the future commitments related to these agreements as of December 31, 2023 (in millions):</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:center;text-indent:36pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:20.535%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:56.146%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:41.654%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2024</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.3 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2025</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.4 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2026</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.5 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2027</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1.2 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2028</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">0.1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Thereafter</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">11.5 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Note 4: Utility Plant</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Base Gas Transfer</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">In September 2022, Gulf South submitted an application with the FERC seeking authorization to reclassify 13.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of working gas as additional base gas. The reclassification was necessary to reflect changing operational needs and was supported, among other things, by an operational study of certain storage assets. In the first quarter 2023, the FERC comment period closed with no protests. Gulf South received the requested authorization from the FERC in an order issued in April 2023. In accordance with this order, as of June 30, 2023, Gulf South reclassified the carrying amount of approximately $47.8 million of natural gas to </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gas Stored-Base Gas (Account 117.1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">, of which $40.9 million had been recorded in</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> Gas Stored-Current (Account 164.1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">, and $6.9 million had been recorded in </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">System Balancing Gas (Account 117.2).</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Note 5: Fair Value Measurements</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Financial Assets and Liabilities</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">    Gulf South had equity securities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Miscellaneous Current and Accrued Assets</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> of $2.3 million and $3.0 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The equity securities were received as part of a settlement of a bankruptcy claim. The equity securities were valued based on quoted market prices as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and were considered Level 1 investments. Gulf South had no liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South has cash identified as a financial asset that is not measured at fair value, however, for cash, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments and is considered a Level 1 investment. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Gulf South had $3.0 million and $1.5 million of cash recorded on its Comparative Balance Sheet. Gulf South did not have any financial liabilities not measured at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Note 6: Financing</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Long-Term Debt</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">    As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Gulf South had no outstanding long-term debt. In March 2022, Gulf South retired its $300.0 million aggregate principal 4.00% Notes due June 2022. The retirement was funded from the net proceeds of the $500.0 million aggregate principal of 3.60% notes, due September 1, 2032, issued by Boardwalk Pipelines in February 2022. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Revolving Credit Facility</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Boardwalk Pipelines has a revolving credit facility that includes Gulf South as a borrower (Borrower) that is evidenced by a credit agreement, having an aggregate borrowing capacity of $1.0 billion through May 27, 2027, and an aggregate borrowing capacity of $912.2 million from May 28, 2027, to May 26, 2028, of which Gulf South had a borrowing sub-limit of $400.0 million as of December 31, 2023. As of February 15, 2024, the sub-limits had been redistributed at Boardwalk Pipeline's request and Gulf South does not have a borrowing sub-limit. Gulf South's sub-limit can be changed at Gulf South's option as long as the aggregate commitments under the facility do not exceed its aggregate borrowing capacities.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Interest is determined, at Boardwalk Pipelines' election, by reference to (a) the base rate which is the highest of (1) the prime rate, (2) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (3) the one month term SOFR plus 1.00%, or (b) the term SOFR plus a flat 10 basis point credit spread adjustment across all available interest periods. The credit agreement provides for a quarterly commitment fee charged on the average daily unused amount of the revolving credit facility ranging from 0.10% to 0.275% which is determined based on the individual Borrower's credit rating from time to time.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The credit agreement contains various restrictive covenants and other usual and customary terms and conditions, including restrictions regarding the incurrence of additional debt, the sale of assets and sale-leaseback transactions. The financial covenants under the credit agreement require Boardwalk Pipelines and its subsidiaries to maintain, among other things, a ratio of total consolidated debt to consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) measured for the previous twelve months of not more than 5.0 to 1.0, or up to 5.5 to 1.0 for (i) the quarter in which the consummation of a qualified acquisition or series of acquisitions, where the purchase price exceeds $100.0 million over a rolling 12-month period and (ii) the three quarters following the qualified acquisition quarter. Boardwalk Pipelines and its subsidiaries, including Gulf South, were in compliance with all covenant requirements under the credit agreement as of December 31, 2023. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">As of December 31, 2023, Gulf South had available the entire $400.0 million of borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility, but as of April 17, 2024, Gulf South does not have any borrowing capacity available due to the re-distribution of the sub-limits by Boardwalk Pipelines. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Note 7: Income Taxes</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Following is a summary of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in millions):</span></div><div style="text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:43.452%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:44.447%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:3.352%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.901%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">For the Year Ended<br/>December 31,</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Current provision:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:12.6pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Federal</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">40.8</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">22.3 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:12.6pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">State</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">5.4</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2.2 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:30.6pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">46.2</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">24.5 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Deferred provision:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:12.6pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Federal</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">24.5</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">33.5 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:12.6pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">State</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">8.4</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">9.4 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:30.6pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">32.9</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">42.9 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total Income Tax</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">79.1</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">67.4 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Current taxes payable for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, were settled as a credit to </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Other Paid-In Capital</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">. Reconciliations from the provision at the statutory rate to the income tax provision are as follows (in millions):</span></div><div style="text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:center;text-indent:36pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:54.017%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:55.098%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:19.010%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.481%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:19.011%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">For the Year Ended<br/>December 31,</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Provision at statutory rate</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">74.6</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">64.5 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Changes in taxes resulting from:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:11.3pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">State income taxes</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">14.6</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">12.6 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:11.3pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">AFUDC equity</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(0.8)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(0.7)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:11.3pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Other, net</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(9.3)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(9.0)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total Income Tax</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">79.1</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">67.4 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, significant components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in millions):</span></div><div style="text-align:center;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:65.476%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:59.127%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.536%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.490%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.754%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.493%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Deferred Tax Assets:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:14.65pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Cash pool</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">8.3</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">9.5 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:14.65pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Long-term incentive compensation</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">3.1</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2.5 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:14.65pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Other</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">3.2</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">3.4 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:32.65pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total Deferred Tax Assets</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">14.6</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">15.4 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr style="height:9pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Deferred Tax Liabilities:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-indent:14.65pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Utility plant </span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(506.2)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(474.1)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:14.65pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">AFUDC equity</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(15.0)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(33.0)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:14.65pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">AFUDC debt</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(6.6)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(4.0)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:14.65pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Regulatory and tax basis differences in</span><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">the Purchase Transaction</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(117.6)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(117.5)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:14.65pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Other</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(6.3)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(4.4)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:41.65pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total Deferred Tax Liabilities</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(651.7)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(633.0)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Net Deferred Tax Liabilities</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(637.1)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(617.6)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Tax years 2020 through 2023 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and the states in which it operates. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Note 8: Credit Risk</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Major Customers</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Operating revenues received from Gulf South’s major unaffiliated customers (in millions) and the percentage of total unaffiliated operating revenues earned from those customers were:</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:center;text-indent:36pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:79.166%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:40.817%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.115%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.303%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:9.426%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.243%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.659%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:3.411%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.659%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.659%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.303%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:9.426%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.243%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.659%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:3.411%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.666%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="39" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">For the Year Ended<br/>December 31,</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="18" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="18" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Customer</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Revenue</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Revenue</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">%</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">BP Energy Company</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">112.5</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">13</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">114.6 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">15</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">%</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Scona LLC</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">110.6</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">13</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">100.6 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">13</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">%</span></td></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Gas Loaned to Customers</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Natural gas price volatility can cause changes in credit risk related to gas loaned to customers. As of December 31, 2023, the amount of gas owed to Gulf South due to gas imbalances and gas loaned under PAL and certain firm service agreements was approximately 2.9 trillion British thermal units (TBtu). Assuming an average market price during December 2023 of $2.33 per million British thermal unit (MMBtu), the market value of that gas was approximately $6.8 million. As of December 31, 2022, the amount of gas owed to Gulf South due to gas imbalances and gas loaned under PAL and certain firm service agreements was approximately 3.15 TBtu. Assuming an average market price during December 2022 of $5.33 per MMBtu, the market value of that gas was approximately $16.8 million. If any significant customer should have credit or financial problems resulting in a delay or failure to pay for services provided or repay the gas owed to Gulf South, it could have a material adverse effect on Gulf South’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Note 9: Related Party Transactions </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South makes advances to or receives advances from Boardwalk Pipelines under the cash management program described in Note 2. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no advances due to or from Boardwalk Pipelines as the amounts were settled.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">In the fourth quarter 2023, the gas management system that was internally developed by Texas Gas Transmission, LLC (Texas Gas), a wholly owned operating subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipelines, to support the commercial operations of Texas Gas, Gulf South, and another Boardwalk Pipeline operating subsidiary, was placed in service. At that time, Texas Gas began charging Gulf South licensing fees under a software license agreement, which has a term of one year and is automatically renewed annually unless the agreement is terminated by Gulf South with a 30-day advance notice or by Texas Gas at any time. Gulf South incurred charges related to the licensing fee of $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. These charges were derived from a cost of service model, including a rate of return, and allocated amongst the users of the gas management system based on an allocation methodology developed from certain commercial criteria. Management believes the assumptions used and allocations made were on a reasonable basis.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Boardwalk Pipelines provides certain management and other services to Gulf South, including corporate services from Loews. Gulf South incurred charges related to these services of $9.3 million and $7.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Gulf South made non-cash distributions to Boardwalk Pipelines of $454.2 million and $379.4 million. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Boardwalk Pipelines made non-cash contributions to Gulf South of $40.7 million and $327.1 million. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Amounts applicable to PAL services provided to an associated company or transportation and PAL services received from an associated company recorded on the Gulf South Statement of Income were as follows (in millions):</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:66.517%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:66.237%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.255%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.589%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:10.309%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.708%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.589%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:10.313%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="15" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:3.05pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">For the Year Ended</span><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">December 31,</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Associated Company</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:3.05pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:3.05pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Texas Gas Transmission, LLC:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="padding-left:12pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Parking and lending revenues - associated company</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">—</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">4.3 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-indent:12.5pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Transportation expenses - associated company</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">26.1</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">19.9 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:12.5pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Parking and lending expenses - associated company</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">—</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">0.7 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Note 10: Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(in millions):</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:81.547%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:74.629%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:9.848%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.172%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:9.851%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-align:center;text-indent:3.05pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">For the Year Ended</span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">December 31,</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Cash paid during the period for:</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:9pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">3.9</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2.2 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:9pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Interest (net of AFUDC borrowed)</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">—</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:9pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Income taxes, net</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">0.2</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">0.2 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Non-cash activities:</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:9pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Contributions from Boardwalk Pipelines</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">40.7</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">327.1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:9pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Distributions to Boardwalk Pipelines</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">454.2</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">379.4 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-indent:9pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gas stored underground and utility plant</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">47.8</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr></table></div>

disclosure_of_assets_retirement_obligations_a_r_o_text_block:
  <div style="margin-top:2pt;padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Note 12: Asset Retirement Obligations</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South has identified and recorded legal obligations associated with the abandonment of certain pipeline and storage assets, offshore facilities and the abatement of asbestos, consisting of removal, transportation and disposal when removed from certain compressor stations and meter station buildings. Legal obligations exist for the main pipeline and certain other Gulf South assets; however, the fair value of these obligations cannot be determined because the lives of the assets are indefinite. As a result, cash flows associated with retirement of the assets cannot be estimated with the degree of accuracy necessary to establish a liability for the obligations.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The following table summarizes the aggregate carrying amount of Gulf South’s ARO (in millions):</span></div><div style="text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:50.446%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:57.897%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.664%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.274%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.665%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">As of December 31,</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Balance at beginning of year</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">43.5</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">38.4 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:15pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Liabilities recorded</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">8.3</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1.8 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:15pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Liabilities settled</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(10.0)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(6.3)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:15pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accretion expense</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">1.0</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1.2 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:15pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Revision of estimates</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">3.2</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8.4 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Balance at end of year</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">46.0</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">43.5 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gulf South’s depreciation rates for a portion of Plant are comprised of two components. One component is based on economic service life (capital recovery) and the other is based on estimated costs of removal (as a component of negative salvage) which is collected in rates and does not represent an existing legal obligation.</span></div>


entity_id: C001157
filing_name: Cameron_Interstate_Pipeline,_LLC_form2_Q4_1712608219
publication_time: 2024-04-08 20:30:19.000000
start_date: 2023-01-01
end_date: 2023-12-31
disclosure_of_important_disclosures_regarding_the_financial_statements_text_block:
  <div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Cameron Interstate Pipeline, LLC (CIP) is a Delaware limited liability company that was formed in 2003. CIP is an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of Sempra Infrastructure Partners, LP (SI Partners). The Cameron Interstate Pipeline (the pipeline) was initially developed as a 36.5-mile, 42-inch diameter interstate natural gas pipeline in southern Louisiana. The pipeline links Cameron LNG, LLC’s (Cameron LNG JV) regasification and liquefaction facilities, located in Hackberry, Louisiana, to seven pipelines. Cameron LNG JV is 50.2% owned by an affiliate of CIP.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The pipeline is certificated for a capacity of 2.35 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and was completed in October 2008, with commercial operations beginning in June 2009. In the second quarter of 2017, CIP completed and placed into service the expansion of the pipeline that consists of 3.58 miles of 36-inch diameter pipeline adding bi-directional flow to the pipeline to allow it to transport natural gas from the various pipeline interconnections to the Cameron LNG JV liquefaction facilities. The expansion also included a new compressor station, and modifications to existing pipeline interconnections. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">CIP entered into 20-year firm natural gas transportation service agreements (FTSAs) with the liquefaction tolling customers of Cameron LNG JV: Total Gas &amp; Power North America, Inc. and affiliates of MC Global Gas Corporation and Mitsui &amp; Co., Ltd., collectively the “Major Customers.” CIP provides 1.5 billion cubic feet per day of firm natural gas transportation service to the Cameron LNG JV liquefaction facilities. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(a) Basis of Presentation</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">CIP is regulated by the FERC. The accompanying regulatory-basis financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting requirements of the FERC as set forth in its applicable Uniform System of Accounts and published accounting releases, which together form a comprehensive basis of accounting other than generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP). The primary differences between CIP’s FERC reporting and GAAP reporting relate to capitalization of certain costs and classification of certain accounts on the balance sheet, statement of income, and statement of cash flow. CIP is a pass-through entity for federal and state income tax purposes; however, as further discussed in Note 5, the accompanying financial statements include a provision for federal and state income taxes, using the standalone method, as income taxes are a cost component in the rates allowed by the FERC. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">For regulated businesses subject to federal cost-of-service rate regulation, regulatory practices that assign costs to accounting periods may differ from accounting methods generally applied by non-regulated companies. When it is probable that regulators will permit the recovery of current costs through future rates charged to customers, these costs that otherwise would be expensed by non-regulated companies are deferred as regulatory assets. Likewise, regulatory liabilities are recognized when it is probable that regulators will require customer refunds through future rates or when revenue is collected from customers for expenditures that have yet to be incurred. Generally, regulatory assets and liabilities are amortized into income over the period authorized by the regulator. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">CIP evaluates whether or not recovery of regulatory assets or refunds of regulatory liabilities through future rates is probable and makes various assumptions in its analyses. The expectations of future recovery or refunds are generally based on orders issued by regulatory commissions, legislation or historical experience, as well as discussions with applicable regulatory authorities and legal counsel.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Subsequent Events</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">CIP evaluated events and transactions that occurred after December 31, 2023 through April 5, 2024, the date the financial statements were issued, and in the opinion of management, the accompanying statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(b) Use of Estimates</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(c) Revenues from Contracts with Customers</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">CIP primarily generates pipeline transportation revenues from its FTSAs, under which its Major Customers pay a FERC-approved negotiated rate for reserving transportation capacity. CIP recognizes revenues for its stand-ready obligation to provide capacity and transportation services throughout the contractual delivery period, as the customers benefit from the right to utilize the pipeline capacity for the transport and receipt of natural gas. CIP assesses its revenues on a contract-by-contract basis to determine the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty, if any, of revenues being recognized.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Invoiced amounts are based on a fixed negotiated transportation reservation charge. The maximum daily transportation quantity in CIP’s customer contracts vary. Typically, CIP has an unconditional right to customer payments, which are due after the performance obligation to the customer is satisfied. The time between invoicing and when payment is due is typically 10 days. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, total revenues from contracts with customers were $28,566,071 and $28,439,561, respectively. There were no revenues from sources other than contracts with customers. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Receivables from Revenues from Contracts with Customers</span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:97.470%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:49.434%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:22.869%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.868%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.329%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">As of</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">December 31, 2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">December 31, 2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accounts Receivable - Trade</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,453,405 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,449,295 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Major Customers</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">CIP had certain customers whose revenue individually represented 10% or more of its total revenues, or whose accounts receivable balances individually represented 10% or more of its total accounts receivable. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, three customers accounted for 96% of total revenues. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, three customers accounted for 97% of total accounts receivable. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Consideration for CIP’s remaining performance obligations are variable and CIP did not have any contract balances from revenues from contracts with customers as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(d) Centralized Cash Management</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">CIP participates in centralized cash management in which SI Partners utilizes its own bank account to settle CIP’s obligations and to handle cash receipts from customers on behalf of CIP. Cash receipts </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">increase the note receivable from affiliate and cash disbursements decrease the note receivable from affiliate (see Note 7). </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(e) Asset Retirement Obligations </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Asset retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets are recorded at present value in the period following the in-service date, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made and added to the carrying amount of the associated asset. This additional carrying amount is then depreciated over the life of the asset. The liability increases due to the passage of time based on the time value of money until the obligation is settled. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(f) Valuation of Long-Lived Assets </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Company reviews its long-lived assets that are held and used for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. There were no impairments recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%"> </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">3. UTILITY PLANT</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Utility plant is stated at historical cost net of accumulated depreciation and includes all expenditures necessary to prepare the pipeline for operation. In addition, the cost of our utility plant includes an allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) which includes the cost of both debt and equity. No AFUDC was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method at rates intended to amortize the original cost of the assets over their estimated useful lives. Accumulated depreciation as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $80,373,054 and $73,091,735, respectively. Utility plant consisted of the following at December 31, 2023 and 2022:</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:34.550%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.278%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.687%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:20.645%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.391%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:20.649%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">As of</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Useful Life</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">December 31, 2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">December 31, 2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Land rights</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">50 years</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">7,205,837 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">7,205,837 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Transmission plant</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">50 years</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">316,822,280 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">316,822,280 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Valves and other property</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">5-20 years</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">5,270,180 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">5,202,314 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Line pack</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">761,324 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">761,324 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Construction Work in Progress</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">138,052 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">138,052 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Grand Total</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">330,197,673 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">330,129,807 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">4. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The changes in asset retirement obligations are as follows:</span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:35.060%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:17.054%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:22.560%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:20.331%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">December 31, 2023</span><span style="color:#ffffff;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">.</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">December 31, 2022 </span><span style="color:#ffffff;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">.</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Balances as of January 1</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,449,850 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,371,668 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Accretion expense</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">82,811 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">78,182 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Balances as of end of period</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,532,661 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,449,850 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">5. INCOME TAXES</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">CIP is a pass-through entity for federal and state income tax purposes. However, the accompanying financial statements include a provision for federal and state income taxes, as income taxes are a cost component in the rates allowed by the FERC. In calculating income taxes, CIP follows the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification – Income Taxes (ASC 740) for regulatory-basis reporting. Under the asset and liability method of ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those differences are expected to be recorded or settled. Under ASC 740, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in income tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit the use of the existing deferred tax assets. CIP had state income tax net operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2023 and 2022 of $219,071,221 and $219,054,172, respectively. At December 31, 2023 and 2022 management determined that it was more likely than not that the benefit from certain state net operating loss carryforwards would be realized. Therefore, no valuation allowance was recorded at December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:98.214%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:60.718%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:17.990%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:17.992%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Calculation of the effective tax rate and pretax income, and a reconciliation of the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate are as follows:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="9" style="background-color:#b6b6b6;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Years Ended December 31,</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Effective Income Tax Rate and Pretax Income:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Income tax expense</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2,134,080 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2,350,675 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Pretax income</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8,255,593 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">9,011,292 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Effective income tax rate</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">25.9 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">26.1 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr style="height:12pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Reconciliation of Federal Income Tax Rate to Effective Income Tax Rate:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">U.S. federal statutory income tax rate</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">21.0 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">%</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">21.0 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">4.7 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">%</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">4.9 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Permanent Adjustment- AFUDC</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">0.2 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">%</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">0.2 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Effective income tax rate</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">25.9 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">%</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">26.1 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr style="height:13pt"><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The components of income tax expense are as follows:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#c0c0c0;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">INCOME TAX EXPENSE</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#c0c0c0;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#c0c0c0;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Years Ended December 31,</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Current:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">U.S. Federal</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">387,118 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">521,756 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">U.S. State</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">18,112 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 13pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">387,118 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">539,868 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Deferred:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">U.S. Federal</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,261,340 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,270,079 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">U.S. State</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">485,622 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">540,728 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 13pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,746,962 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,810,807 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr></table></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:98.214%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:60.718%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:17.990%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:17.992%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 13pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total income tax expense</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2,134,080 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2,350,675 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr style="height:17pt"><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="9" style="background-color:#b6b6b6;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">ACCUMULATED DEFERRED INCOME TAXES </span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">As of</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">December 31,</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">December 31,</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Deferred tax liabilities:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Differences in financial and tax bases of depreciable and<br/>amortizable assets</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">60,328,812 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">58,610,256 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 13pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total deferred tax liabilities</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">60,328,812 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">58,610,256 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Deferred tax assets:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Net operating losses</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">12,979,969 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">12,978,960 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 13pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Deferred income tax assets before valuation allowances</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">12,979,969 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">12,978,960 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Less: Valuation allowances</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 13pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total deferred income tax assets</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">12,979,969 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">12,978,960 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Net deferred income tax liability</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(47,348,843)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(45,631,296)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">As of December 31, 2023, CIP did not have any contracts with remaining commitments for operations and maintenance. From time to time, CIP is involved in various claims and lawsuits regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business. As of December 31, 2023, there were no outstanding legal proceedings against CIP.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Operations and Maintenance Services Agreement—</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">In October 2008, CIP entered into an operating and maintenance agreement for a pipeline interconnection with Cameron LNG JV. Cameron LNG JV owns the interconnection and metering facilities and CIP performs the operations and maintenance. Cameron LNG JV reimburses CIP for the costs of performing these services.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Note Receivable from Affiliate— </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">There is a note receivable from SI Partners as of December 31, 2023 for up to $250,000,000. The note matures on December 31, 2028 and had a balance of principal and interest of approximately $49,723,938 and $30,439,312 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The interest rate is an intercompany borrowing rate that is variable and is adjusted each month throughout the year. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the interest rate on the promissory note was 4.76% and 4.62%, respectively.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Accounts Payable to Affiliates and Accounts Receivable from Affiliates—</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">CIP, in the normal course of business, enters into routine transactions with affiliates. These amounts are either settled through cash payments in the subsequent month or through the note with SI Partners which increases or decreases the note balance each month.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The following tables show revenues and charges from/to CIP’s affiliates:</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:97.023%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:51.660%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:22.366%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:22.674%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Years Ended December 31,</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Revenues from affiliate</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">43,396 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">40,782 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">O&amp;M and G&amp;A expense from affiliates</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">3,615,183 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">3,644,222 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">As of</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">December 31, 2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">December 31, 2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Note receivable from affiliate</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">49,723,938 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">30,439,312 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Accounts payable to affiliates</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2,510,232 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,789,560 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">******</span></div>


entity_id: C000060
filing_name: Northern_Natural_Gas_Company_form2_Q4_1713535548
publication_time: 2024-04-19 14:05:48.000000
start_date: 2023-01-01
end_date: 2023-12-31
disclosure_of_applicable_notes_text_block:
  <div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%;padding-left:23.78pt">Organization and Operations</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Northern Natural Gas Company (the "Respondent") is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company ("BHE"), a holding company that owns locally managed and operated businesses principally engaged in the energy industry. BHE is a consolidated subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ("Berkshire Hathaway"). The Company owns the largest interstate natural gas pipeline system in the United States, as measured by pipeline miles, which reaches from west Texas to Michigan's Upper Peninsula (the "System"). The Respondent primarily transports and stores natural gas for utilities, municipalities, gas marketing companies and industrial and commercial users. The System consists of two commercial segments. Its traditional end-use and distribution market area in the northern part of its system, referred to as the Market Area, includes points in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Michigan and Illinois. Its natural gas supply and delivery service area in the southern part of its system, referred to as the Field Area, includes points in Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. The Market Area and Field Area are separated at a Demarcation Point. The System consists of 14,200 miles of natural gas pipelines, including 5,800 miles of mainline transmission pipelines and 8,400 miles of branch and lateral pipelines, with a Market Area design capacity of 6.3 billion cubic feet ("Bcf") per day, a Field Area delivery capacity of 1.7 Bcf per day to the Market Area and 1.5 Bcf per day to the West Texas area and over 95.6 Bcf of working gas capacity in five storage facilities. The System is configured with approximately 2,362 active receipt and delivery points which are integrated with the facilities of local distribution companies ("LDC"). Many of the Respondent's LDC customers are part of combined utilities that also use natural gas as a fuel source for electric generation. The Company delivered over 1.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to its customers in 2023.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(2)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%;padding-left:23.78pt">Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Basis of Presentation </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Financial Statements have been prepared based upon the accounting regulations of the FERC pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 18, Part 201, Uniform System of Accounts ("FERC accounting regulations"). Therefore, the Financial Statements contain certain differences from general purpose financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), including accounting for regulatory assets for levelized depreciation and financial statement classifications such as deferred income taxes, income tax expense and accumulated negative salvage.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The preparation of the Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. These estimates include, but are not limited to, the effects of regulation; recovery of long-lived assets; asset retirement obligations ("AROs"); income taxes; unbilled revenue; valuation of certain financial assets and liabilities, including derivative contracts; and accounting for contingencies. Actual results may differ from the estimates used in preparing the Financial Statements. The Respondent has evaluated subsequent events through April 18, 2024, which is the date the audited Financial Statements were available to be issued.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent prepares its Financial Statements in accordance with authoritative guidance for regulated operations, which recognizes the economic effects of regulation. Accordingly, the Respondent is required to defer the recognition of certain costs or income if it is probable that, through the ratemaking process, there will be a corresponding increase or decrease in future regulated rates. Regulatory assets and liabilities are established to reflect the impacts of these deferrals.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent continually evaluates the applicability of the guidance for regulated operations and whether its regulatory assets and liabilities are probable of inclusion in future regulated rates by considering factors such as a change in the regulator's approach to setting regulated rates from cost-based ratemaking to another form of regulation, other regulatory actions or the impact of competition that could limit the Respondent's ability to recover its costs. The Respondent believes the application of the guidance for regulated operations is appropriate and its existing regulatory assets and liabilities are probable of inclusion in future regulated rates. The evaluation reflects the current political and regulatory climate at the federal level. If it becomes no longer probable that the deferred costs or income will be included in future regulated rates, the related regulatory assets and liabilities will be recognized in net income, returned to customers or re-established as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI").</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Fair Value Measurements</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">As defined under GAAP, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability between market participants in the principal market or in the most advantageous market when no principal market exists. Adjustments to transaction prices or quoted market prices may be required in illiquid or disorderly markets in order to estimate fair value. Alternative valuation techniques may be appropriate under the circumstances to determine the value that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction. Market participants are assumed to be independent, knowledgeable, able and willing to transact an exchange and not under duress. Nonperformance or credit risk is considered in determining fair value. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data used to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, estimates of fair value presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current or future market exchange.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Cash equivalents consist of funds invested in money market mutual funds, U.S. Treasury Bills and other investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased. Cash and cash equivalents exclude amounts where availability is restricted by legal requirements, loan agreements or other contractual provisions. Restricted cash and cash equivalents consist substantially of escrow funds held to provide the Company with protection against customer credit risk. A reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, as presented in the Statements of Cash Flows is outlined below and disaggregated by the line items in which they appear on the Balance Sheets (in thousands):</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:54.703%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.989%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.989%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.324%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">As of December 31,</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Cash and cash equivalents</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">11,801 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">16,597 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Restricted cash and cash equivalents in other current assets</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">7,303 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">510 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Restricted cash and cash equivalents in other assets</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">13,675 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">20,697 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:122%">Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash <br/>equivalents</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">32,779 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">37,804 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accounts receivable are primarily short-term in nature with stated collection terms of less than one year from the date of origination and are stated at the outstanding principal amount, net of an estimated allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is based on the Respondent's assessment of the collectability of amounts owed to the Respondent by its customers. This assessment requires judgment regarding the ability of customers to pay or the outcome of any pending disputes. In measuring the allowance for credit losses for accounts receivable, the Respondent primarily utilizes credit loss history. However, the Respondent may adjust the allowance for credit losses to reflect current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that deviate </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">from historical experience. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the allowance for credit losses was insignificant and is included in accounts receivable, net on the Balance Sheets.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Transportation Imbalances</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Shippers schedule their volumes into the Respondent's System with subsequent deliveries to various markets. Imbalance receivables from and payables to shippers are created when receipts to the System from shippers vary from deliveries off the System, excluding quantities retained by the pipeline for fuel. Receipts and deliveries from third parties in connection with balancing and other gas service contracts also result in imbalances. Such imbalances are valued at contractual or market rates and recorded as transportation and exchange gas receivables or payables on the Balance Sheets with offsetting entries to cost of gas and liquids sales on the Statements of Income. The imbalances cause offsetting changes in the volumes of system balancing gas, which are priced at contractual or market rates, and are recorded as adjustments to system gas balances in property, plant and equipment, net on the Balance Sheets and to cost of gas and liquids sales on the Statements of Income. Settlement of imbalances occurs in accordance with the contractual terms of the agreements and timing of delivery of gas based on operational conditions.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Derivatives</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent employs a number of different derivative contracts, which may include forwards, futures, options, swaps and other agreements to manage price risk for natural gas. Derivative contracts are recorded on the Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities and are stated at estimated fair value unless they are designated as normal purchases or normal sales and qualify for the exception afforded by GAAP. Derivative balances reflect offsetting permitted under master netting agreements with counterparties. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Commodity derivatives used in normal business operations that are settled by physical delivery, among other criteria, are eligible for and may be designated as normal purchases or normal sales. Normal purchases or normal sales contracts are not marked-to-market and settled amounts are recognized as operating revenue or cost of gas and liquids sales on the Statements of Income.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">For the Respondent's derivatives not designated as hedging contracts, the settled amount is probable of inclusion in regulated rates. Accordingly, the net unrealized gains and losses associated with interim price movements on contracts that are accounted for as derivatives and probable of inclusion in regulated rates are recorded as regulatory assets and liabilities.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">For the Respondent's derivatives designated as hedging contracts, the Respondent formally assesses, at inception and thereafter, whether the hedging contract is highly effective in offsetting changes in the hedged item. The Respondent formally documents hedging activity by transaction type and risk management strategy.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Inventories</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Inventories consist primarily of materials and supplies, which mainly include replacement parts used in the periodic overhaul of gas compressor units and materials for construction, operation and maintenance and are stated at lower of cost, or market value. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Utility Plant, Net</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:272%">General</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">Additions to property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. The Respondent capitalizes all construction-related material, direct labor and contract services, as well as indirect construction costs, which include debt and equity allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC") on rate base assets. The cost of additions and </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">betterments are capitalized, while costs incurred that do not improve or extend the useful lives of the related assets are generally expensed. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method based on either estimated useful lives or mandated recovery periods as prescribed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC"). Depreciation studies are completed by the Respondent to determine the appropriate group lives, net salvage and group depreciation rates. These studies are reviewed and rates are ultimately approved by the FERC. The United States Code of Federal Regulations require that when utility property, plant and equipment are retired, the original cost of the property retired be charged to accumulated depreciation and amortization, net of salvage and removal costs. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Negative salvage is the amount recovered in rates for the estimated removal cost after salvage proceeds to retire defined retirement units over the life of the system. A negative salvage balance that exceeds accumulated net removal costs incurred is recorded as a regulatory liability. If accumulated net removal costs incurred exceeds a negative salvage balance, a regulatory asset is recorded. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">For general plant, the original cost of the property retired is charged to accumulated depreciation and amortization at the end of the depreciable lives of the asset vintages. Retirement gains or losses are not included in income except in the case of sales of operating units.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent capitalizes debt and equity AFUDC, which represent the cost of debt and equity funds necessary to finance the construction of regulated facilities, as a component of property, plant and equipment, with offsetting credits to the Statements of Income. AFUDC is computed based on guidelines set forth by the FERC. The Respondent is permitted to earn a return on the cost of its rate base assets as well as recover these costs through depreciation expense over the useful lives of the assets.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">AFUDC on borrowed funds totaled $1.9 million and $3.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and is included in interest expense, net on the Statements of Income. AFUDC on equity funds totaled $10.5 million and $16.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and is included in other, net on the Statements of Income.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent receives monetary contributions from customers that are used to aid in the construction or modification of facilities to be owned by the Respondent.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">System Gas</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Storage base gas and system balancing gas are accounted for utilizing the fixed asset accounting method as prescribed by the FERC. Under this approach, system gas volumes are classified as property, plant and equipment, net and valued at cost. Temporary encroachments upon system gas are valued at contractual or current market prices.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Asset Retirement Obligations</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent recognizes AROs when it has a legal obligation to remove or abandon-in-place an asset upon retirement. The Respondent's AROs are related to the decommissioning of all offshore Gulf Coast facilities. The fair value of an ARO liability is recognized in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made, and is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset, which is then depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset. Subsequent to the initial recognition, the ARO liability is adjusted for any revisions to the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows (with corresponding adjustments to property, plant and equipment) and for accretion of the ARO liability due to the passage of time. The difference between the ARO liability, the corresponding ARO asset included in property, plant and equipment, net and amounts recovered in regulated rates to satisfy such liabilities is recorded as a regulatory asset or liability.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Impairment</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent evaluates long-lived assets for impairment, including property, plant and equipment, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable or when the assets are being held for sale. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the asset is reviewed to assess whether the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected from the use of the asset plus the residual value from the ultimate disposal exceeds the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated recoverable amounts, the asset is written down to the estimated fair value and any resulting impairment loss is reflected on the Statements of Income. The impacts of regulation are considered when evaluating the carrying value of regulated assets. There were no impairments in the periods presented.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Revenue Recognition </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent uses a single five-step model to identify and recognize revenue from contracts with customers ("Customer Revenue") upon transfer of control of promised services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Respondent expects to be entitled in exchange for those services.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Substantially all of the Respondent's Customer Revenue is derived from tariff-based transportation and storage arrangements approved by the FERC. These tariff-based revenues have performance obligations to deliver services to customers which are satisfied over time as services are provided.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Revenue recognized is equal to what the Respondent has the right to invoice as it corresponds directly with the value to the customer of the Respondent's performance to date and includes billed and unbilled amounts. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, unbilled revenue was $8.2</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">million and $9.0 million, respectively, and is included in accounts receivable, net on the Balance Sheets. The Respondent's transportation and storage revenue is primarily derived from fixed reservation charges based on contractual quantities and regulated rates. The remaining revenue, consisting primarily of commodity charges, is based on contractual rates and estimated usage based on scheduled quantities. Differences between scheduled quantities and actual measured quantities are reflected in revenue during the following month and historically have been immaterial. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent is subject to FERC regulations and, accordingly, certain revenue collected may be subject to possible refunds upon final FERC orders in pending regulated rate proceedings. The Respondent may record revenue that is subject to refund based on its best estimates of the final outcomes of such proceedings and other third party regulatory proceedings, advice of counsel and estimated total exposure, as well as collection and other risks. The Respondent had no earned revenue subject to refund for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Income Taxes </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Berkshire Hathaway includes the Respondent in its consolidated United States federal income tax return. Consistent with established regulatory practice, the Respondent's provision for income tax expense has been computed on a stand-alone return basis. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are based on differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted income tax rates expected to be in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities that are associated with components of other comprehensive income ("OCI") are charged or credited directly to OCI. Changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities that are associated with property-related basis differences and other various differences that the Respondent deems probable of being reflected in future regulatory rates, are charged or credited directly to a regulatory asset or liability and will be included in rates when the temporary differences reverse. Other changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities are included as a component of income tax expense. Changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities attributable to changes in enacted income tax rates are charged or credited to income tax expense or a regulatory asset or liability in the period of enactment. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce certain deferred income tax assets to the amount that is more-likely-than-not to be realized.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">In determining the Respondent's income taxes, management is required to interpret complex income tax laws and regulations, which includes consideration of regulatory implications imposed by the FERC. The Respondent's income tax returns are subject to continuous examinations by federal and state income tax authorities that may give rise to different interpretations of these complex laws and regulations. Due to the nature of the examination process, it generally takes years before these examinations are completed and these matters are resolved. The Respondent recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the Financial Statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that is more-likely-than-not of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Although the ultimate resolution of the Respondent's federal, state and local income tax examinations is uncertain, the Respondent believes it has made adequate provisions for these income tax positions. The aggregate amount of any additional income tax liabilities that may result from these examinations, if any, is not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Respondent's financial results. The Respondent's unrecognized tax benefits are included in other current assets and other long-term liabilities on the Balance Sheets. Estimated interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions are included as a component of income tax expense on the Statements of Income.</span></div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(3) Utility Plant</span><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Utility plant consists of the following as of December 31 (in thousands):</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:42.501%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.227%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.673%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.673%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:7.236%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Depreciation<br/>Rates</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:32.59pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:32.59pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%"/><div><span style="font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%"/></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Transmission and other plant</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%"><br/><br/></span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">2.49% to 10.0%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5,814,513 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5,359,088 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:2.55pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Storage plant </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(2)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">1.25% to 10.0%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">841,975 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">790,880 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:2.55pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Intangible plant </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(3)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">10.0% to 13.0%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">153,473 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">268,613 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">General plant and buildings</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">2.75% to 20.0%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">164,677 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">152,964 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Property under capital leases</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">502 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">489 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:14.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Utility plant</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1.5pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6,975,140 </span></td><td style="border-top:1.5pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1.5pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6,572,034 </span></td><td style="border-top:1.5pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.55pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">    Construction work-in-progress</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">176,314 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">100,578 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:14.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Total utility plant</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,151,454 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6,672,612 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:2.65pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">     Accumulated depreciation &amp; amortization </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:7pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(4)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1,767,365)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1,626,844)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:14.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Net utility plant</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5,384,089 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5,045,768 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.55pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">    System gas</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">84,633 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">81,930 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:14.75pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Total utility plant, net</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5,468,722 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5,127,698 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:8pt">Rates effective January 1, 2023, Docket No RP22-1033.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:8pt">Includes recoverable system gas that is not depreciated.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:8pt">Includes costs for capitalized software development, contributions in aid of construction, organization and leasehold improvements.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">4.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:9.67pt">Accumulated depreciation and amortization excludes accumulated negative salvage for cost of removal as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 in the amounts of $136,713 and $73,878 respectively.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent had gross costs for capitalized right of use or right of way of $120.0 million and $119.5 million and accumulated amortization of $49.2 million and $47.7 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which is included in transmission and other plant and storage plant and reflected in property, plant and equipment, net on the Balance Sheets. Capitalized right of use or right of way costs based on surviving life of operating plant are amortized at rates of 1.25% for storage plant and 2.49% for transmission plant. Capitalized right of way costs with limited term life contracts are amortized over the life of the contract.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent had gross costs for capitalized software development of $126.7 million and $130.7 million and accumulated amortization of $69.9 million and $69.1 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which is included in intangible plant and reflected in property, plant and equipment, net on the Balance Sheets. Capitalized software development costs are amortized at a rate of 13.0%. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, depreciation expense of $173.4 million and $150.0 million, respectively, and amortization expense of $22.2 million and $22.4 million, respectively, were included in depreciation and amortization on the Statements of Income. The Respondent expects amortization expense to Forecast $23.6 million for 2024, $26.6 million for 2025, $26.0 million for 2026, $24.9 million for 2027 and $22.1 million for 2028.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%"> </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(4) Regulatory Matters</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Regulatory Assets</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">Regulatory assets represent costs that are expected to be recovered in future regulated rates. The Respondent's regulatory assets reflected on the Balance Sheets consist of the following as of December 31 (in thousands):</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:50.536%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.096%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.886%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:15.1pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Remaining Life</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:23.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:23.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:2.5pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Deferred income taxes associated with equity AFUDC </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:15.35pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">44 years</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">33,052 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">30,429 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.55pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Deferred unamortized loss on derivative contract value</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:15.3pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">1-2 years</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6,262 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">32,772 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:2.75pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Employee benefit plan </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(2)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:15.35pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">9 years</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">22,415 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">22,381 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Smart pigging and hydrostatic testing costs</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:15.35pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">4 years</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6,754 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">9,369 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Deferred offshore ARO Accretion &amp; Depr Exp</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:15.2pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">2 years</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">14,226 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">13,693 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Onshore &amp; offshore negative salvage value</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Fuel trackers periodic rate adjustments</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:15.2pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">1 year</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5,041 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">9,035 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:3pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Other</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:15.2pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Various</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,460 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.75pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Total regulatory assets</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">89,210 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">117,680 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:3pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%;padding-left:23.78pt">Amortized at the same rate as onshore transmission plant.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:133%">(2)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:133%;padding-left:23.78pt">Represents amounts not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost that are expected to be included in regulated rates when recognized.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent had regulatory assets not earning a return on investment of $47.9 million and $77.9 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%">The fuel, unaccounted for gas, and under-recovery retainage regulatory asset (liability) is a periodic rate adjustment ("PRA") tracker, which is comprised of trackers for fuel and storage, unaccounted for gas, storage under-recovery and electric compression charges. The electric compression surcharges, when approved, are added to the firm and interruptible transportation rates. The mainline fuel, storage fuel, unaccounted for gas, and storage under-recovery trackers are used to establish fuel and unaccounted for gas retention percentages. The fuel, unaccounted for gas, and under-recovery retainage regulatory asset (liability) consists of the following as of December 31 (in thousands):</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:68.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.919%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Unaccounted for gas volumetric tracker:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Balance, January 1</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1,934)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(9,637)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="padding-left:6pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Unaccounted for activity </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(2,530)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(6,674)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="padding-left:6pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Gas provided </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,062 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">14,377 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Balance, December 31</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,598 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1,934)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Under-recovery retainage</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Balance, January 1</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(302)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">227 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Retained Gas (1) &amp; Tracker Revaluation</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">250 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Over(Under) Recovery of Storage Gas</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">875 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(529)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Balance, December 31</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">823 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(302)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Electric compression tracker:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Balance, January 1</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">97 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(155)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Gas operating revenue</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(543)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(309)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Operating expenses</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">500 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">561 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Balance, December 31</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">54 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">97 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Fuel and storage volumetric tracker:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Balance, January 1</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">7,463 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(11,807)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="padding-left:6pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Gas used </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">43,434 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">81,296 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="padding-left:6pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Gas retained </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(51,546)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(62,026)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Balance, December 31</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(649)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">7,463 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Total</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">2,826 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">5,324 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%;padding-left:23.78pt">Represents amounts recorded to the gas owed to system gas on the Balance Sheets.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">Regulatory liabilities represent income to be recognized or amounts to be returned to customers in future periods. The Respondent's regulatory liabilities reflected on the Balance Sheets consist of the following as of December 31 (in thousands):</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:41.608%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:27.025%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.885%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:28.55pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Remaining Life</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:28.55pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:6.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:3pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:2.5pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Excess deferred income taxes </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">34 years or less</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">366,437 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">364,450 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:2.5pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Employee benefit plan </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(2)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">9 years</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">19,816 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">14,135 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Unrealized gain on derivative contracts</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1-2 years</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6,788 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">10,545 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.55pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Other</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 year</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,844 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">9,769 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.3pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Total regulatory liabilities</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">400,885 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">398,899 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:6pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%;padding-left:23.78pt">Amounts represent income tax liabilities related to tax rate changes on deferred income tax assets and liabilities that the Respondent deems probable of being reflected in future regulatory rates.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">(2)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%;padding-left:23.78pt">Represents amounts not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost that are to be returned to customers in future periods when recognized.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">Other regulatory liabilities include Carlton surcharge revenue and daily delivery variance charge ("DDVC") and penalty trackers. Pursuant to the tariff, the Respondent is allowed to collect Carlton surcharge revenues and DDVC and penalty revenues from the customers during the year. The amounts collected from customers earn interest. The customers are reimbursed each year with interest based on a weighted value proration. Other regulatory liabilities consist of the following as of December 31 (in thousands):</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:68.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.919%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">DDVC and penalty revenue tracker:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Balance, January 1</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6,276 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,180 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="padding-left:6pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Revenue collected </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5,109 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5,892 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Interest expense</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">367 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">152 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Customer reimbursements</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(6,015)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(948)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Balance, December 31</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5,737 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6,276 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Carlton surcharge revenue tracker:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Balance, January 1</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,256 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,422 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="padding-left:6pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Revenue collected </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(2)</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3,600 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3,387 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Interest expense</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">67 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">32 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Customer reimbursements</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3,466)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3,585)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Balance, December 31</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,457 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,256 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,194 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,532 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%">1.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%;padding-left:9.67pt">Represents amounts collected from customers and recorded to other revenue with offsetting amounts                     recorded to operating expenses in the Statements of Income.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%">2.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%;padding-left:9.67pt">Represents amounts collected from customers and recorded to gas transportation revenue with offsetting                                                                                                                                                                 </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%"> amounts recorded to operating expenses in the Statements of Income.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%">                                                                                                </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">    </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(5) Long-Term Debt</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:140%">Long-term debt consists of the following, including unamortized premiums and discounts, as of December 31 (in thousands):</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:41.608%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.864%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:17.054%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.864%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.920%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:19.9pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Par Value</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:36.7pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:37.75pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Long-term debt:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">5.8% Senior Bonds, due 2037</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">150,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">149,931 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">149,928 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">4.1% Senior Bonds, due 2042</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">250,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">249,671 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">249,660 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">4.3% Senior Bonds, due 2049</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">650,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">656,791 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">656,943 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">3.4% Senior Bonds, due 2051</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">550,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">545,391 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">545,294 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 31pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Total long-term debt</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">1,600,000 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">1,601,784 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">1,601,825 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:41.608%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.864%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:17.054%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.864%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.920%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:19.9pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%"> </span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:36.7pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;text-indent:37.75pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Reflected as:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Noncurrent liabilities</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%"> </span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">1,601,784 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">1,601,825 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 31pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Total long-term debt</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%"> </span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">1,601,784 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">1,601,825 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:138%">All of the Respondent's senior notes and bonds are due and payable on their respective maturity dates and none have mandatory prepayment terms.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent is prohibited from making distributions in respect of the shares of its capital stock unless, on the date of any such distribution, none of certain specified events of default exist under its senior unsecured debt and either (1) at the time and as a result of such distribution, the ratio of its debt to its total capital does not exceed 0.65 to 1.0 and the ratio of its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, to its interest expense is not less than 2.5 to 1.0, or (2) if the Respondent is not in compliance with such ratios, its senior unsecured long-term debt rating is at least BBB (or its then equivalent) from Standard and Poor's and Baa2 (or its then equivalent) from Moody's Investors Service, Inc.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%"> </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%"> </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(6) Income Taxes</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Income tax expense consists of the following for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:68.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.919%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Current:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 13pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Federal</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">66,325 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">47,986 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 13pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">State</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">21,104 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">11,237 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">87,429 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">59,223 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Deferred:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 13pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Federal</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">24,340 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">22,241 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 13pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">State</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">10,574 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(866)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">34,914 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">21,375 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Total</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">122,343 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">80,598 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:133%">A reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to the effective income tax rate applicable to income before income tax expense is as follows for the years ended December 31:</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:68.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.919%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Federal statutory income tax rate</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">21.0 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">21.0 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">4.5 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">5.0 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">State apportionment change</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(2.7)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Effects of ratemaking</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(2.2)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(2.9)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Other</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">0.4 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(0.2)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Effective income tax rate</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">23.7 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">20.2 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">The net deferred income tax liability consists of the following as of December 31 (in thousands):</span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:68.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.919%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Deferred income tax assets:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Regulatory liabilities</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">96,819 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">100,132 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Utility plant, net</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">42,613 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">35,947 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Accrued employee expenses</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,658 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,111 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">State carryforwards</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3,897 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">4,191 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Asset retirement obligations</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3,685 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3,668 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Other</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">10,107 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">10,332 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:14.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Total deferred income tax assets</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">164,779 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">161,381 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.39pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Valuation allowance</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(1,446)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(1,306)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Total deferred income tax assets, net</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">163,333 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">160,075 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:2.5pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Deferred income tax liabilities:</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Utility plant, net</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(849,618)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(805,895)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Regulatory assets</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(21,174)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(24,373)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Employee benefits</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(5,001)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3,637)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Other</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1,935)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(7,639)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Total deferred income tax liabilities</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(877,728)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(841,544)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:8.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Net deferred income tax liability</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(714,395)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(681,469)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">The Respondent did not have federal net operating loss or credit carryforwards as of December 31, 2023. The following table provides the Respondent's state net operating loss, charitable contributions, credit carryforwards and expiration dates as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):</span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:72.709%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:21.370%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.621%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.75pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Net operating loss carryforwards</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">72,354 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Deferred income taxes on net operating loss carryforwards</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">3,889 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Expiration dates</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">               2024-indefinite</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Charitable contribution carryforwards</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">648 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Deferred income taxes on charitable contribution carryforwards</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">3 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Expiration dates</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">                     2024-2026</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Other tax credits</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">5 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Expiration dates</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">                     2024-2027</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The valuation allowance primarily relates to Kansas net operating loss carryforwards that are not expected to be realized. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">The U.S. Internal Revenue Service has closed or effectively settled its examination of the Respondent's income tax returns through December 31, 2013. The statute of limitations for the Respondent's income tax returns have expired for certain states through December 31, 2011, and for other states through December 31, 2019, except for the impact of any federal audit adjustments. The closure of examinations, or the expiration of the statute of limitations, for state filings may not preclude the state from adjusting the state net operating loss carryforward utilized in a year for which the statute of limitations is not closed. </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(7) Employee Benefit Plans</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">The Respondent is a participant in benefit plans sponsored by MidAmerican Energy Company ("MEC"), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of BHE. The MidAmerican Energy Company Retirement Plan provides pension benefits for eligible employees ("pension plan") and the MidAmerican Energy Company Welfare Benefit Plan provides certain postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for eligible retirees ("other postretirement plan") on behalf of the Respondent. The Respondent's contributions to the pension plan and other postretirement plan totaled $0.7 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Respondent recorded in other long-term liabilities its portion of the under funded status of the pension plan of $22.4 million as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Respondent reported in other assets its portion of the over funded status of the other postretirement plan of $19.8 million and $14.1 million, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 respectively. Amounts attributable to the Respondent were allocated from MEC to the Respondent in accordance with the intercompany administrative service agreement. Offsetting regulatory assets and liabilities have been recorded related to the amounts not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit costs that will be included in regulated rates. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Net Periodic Benefit Cost</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">For purposes of calculating the expected return on pension plan assets, a market-related value is used. The market-related value of plan assets is calculated by spreading the difference between expected and actual investment returns on equity investments over a five-year period beginning after the first year in which they occur.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net periodic benefit cost for the plans of MEC and its participating affiliates included the following components for the years ended December 31 (in millions):</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:40.120%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:4.111%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Pension</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Other Postretirement</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Service cost</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">10 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">15 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Interest cost</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">32 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">23 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">13 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.6pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Expected return on plan assets</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(30)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(27)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(14)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(14)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.6pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Curtailment</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(10)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.6pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Settlement</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">4 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Net amortization</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(2)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Net periodic benefit cost (credit)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">9 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">4 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent's share of pension cost totaled $2.1 million and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Respondent's share of other postretirement cost totaled $0.7 million and $(1.9)million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Funded Status</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%">The following table is a reconciliation of the fair value of plan assets for MEC and its participating affiliates for the years ended December 31 (in millions):</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:41.013%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:3.218%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Pension</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Other Postretirement</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">490 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">704 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">240 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">308 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Employer contributions</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.6pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Participant contributions</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Actual return on plan assets</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">64 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(130)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">51 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(58)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Settlement</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(57)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Benefits paid</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(45)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(34)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(17)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(14)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Plan assets at fair value, end of year</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">516 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">490 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">278 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">240 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent's contributions to the pension plan and the other postretirement plan totaled $2.1 million and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the fair value of plan assets attributable to the Respondent in the pension plan was $7.0 million and $8.6 million, respectively, and the other postretirement plan was $49.1 million and $41.6 million, respectively. Amounts attributable to the Respondent were allocated from MEC to the Respondent in accordance with the intercompany administrative service agreement.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The following table is a reconciliation of the benefit obligations for MEC and its participating affiliates for the years ended December 31 (in millions):</span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:41.757%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.474%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Pension</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Other Postretirement</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Benefit obligation, beginning of year</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">586 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">781 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">243 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">285 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Service cost</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">10 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">15 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.6pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Interest cost</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">32 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">23 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">13 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Participant contributions</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Actuarial (gain) loss</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">15 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(129)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(4)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(64)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Plan amendments</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">19 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Curtailment</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(10)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Settlement</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(57)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Acquisition</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Benefits paid</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(45)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(34)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(17)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(14)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Benefit obligation, end of year</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">598 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">586 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">241 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">243 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Accumulated benefit obligation, end of year</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">564 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">551 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">MEC paid benefits from the plans to the Respondent's participants totaling $6.5 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the benefit obligation attributable to the Respondent for the pension plan was $29.4 million and $30.9 million, respectively, and for the other postretirement plan was $29.3 million and $27.5 million, respectively.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The funded status of the plans for MEC and its participating affiliates as of December 31 is as follows (in millions):</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:43.691%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.440%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Pension</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Other Postretirement</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Plan assets at fair value, end of year</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">516 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">490 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">278 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">240 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Less - benefit obligation, end of year</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">598 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">586 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">241 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">243 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.6pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Funded status</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(82)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(96)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">37 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.6pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Amounts recognized on the Balance Sheets:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.6pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Other assets</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">37 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.6pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Other current liabilities</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(8)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(8)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.6pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Other liabilities</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">(77)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">(88)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">(3)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.6pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Amounts recognized</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(82)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(96)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">37 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">As of December 31, 2023 the Respondent recorded in other long-term liabilities its portion of the under funded status of the pension plan and in other assets its portion of the over funded status of the other postretirement plan of $22.4 million and $19.8 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, the Respondent recorded in other long-term liabilities its portion of the under funded status of the pension plan and in other assets its portion of the over funded status of the other postretirement plan of $22.4 million and $14.1 million, respectively. Amounts </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">attributable to the Respondent were allocated from MEC to the Respondent in accordance with the intercompany administrative service agreement. Offsetting regulatory assets and liabilities have been recorded related to the amounts not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit costs that will be included in regulated rates.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:125%">Unrecognized Amounts</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The portion of the funded status of the plans for MEC and its participating affiliates not yet recognized in net periodic benefit cost as of December 31 is as follows (in millions):</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:42.947%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.184%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Pension</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Other Postretirement</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Net (gain) loss</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(19)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(4)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(30)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">11 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Prior service (credit) cost</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">18 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">19 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Total</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(22)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(7)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(12)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">30 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">A reconciliation of the amounts not yet recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for MEC and its participating affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows (in millions):</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:32.977%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.227%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.227%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.227%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.227%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.630%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"><br/></span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Regulatory Asset</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"><br/></span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Regulatory Liability</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Receivables<br/> (Payables) <br/>Affiliates</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Pension</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Balance, December 31, 2021</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">22 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(55)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(25)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net loss arising during the year</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(7)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">58 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(25)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">26 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net prior service cost (credit) arising during the year</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Settlement</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(4)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(4)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net amortization</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(8)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">54 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(28)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">18 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Balance, December 31, 2022</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">14 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(20)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(7)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net (gain) loss arising during the year</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(22)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(18)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Settlement</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(19)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(15)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Balance, December 31, 2023</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">16 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(20)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(18)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(22)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:37.144%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.227%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:10.655%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.227%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.227%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.035%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"><br/></span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Regulatory Asset</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Regulatory Liability</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Receivables<br/> (Payables) <br/>Affiliates</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"><br/><br/><br/></span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Other Postretirement</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Balance, December 31, 2021</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">20 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(21)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net gain arising during the year</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">10 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">9 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net prior service cost (credit) arising during the year</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">19 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">19 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net amortization</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">13 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">18 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">31 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Balance, December 31, 2022</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">33 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">30 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net loss arising during the year</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(33)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(11)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(41)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net amortization</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(2)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(33)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">4 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(13)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(42)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Balance, December 31, 2023</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">4 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(16)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(12)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10.5pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Plan Assumptions</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost for MEC and its participating affiliates were as follows:</span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:42.798%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.333%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Pension</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Other Postretirement</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Benefit obligations as of December 31:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Discount rate</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5.45 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5.70 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5.45 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5.60 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.7pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Rate of compensation increase</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.00 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.00 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Interest crediting rates for cash balance plan</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.74 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">2023</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.50 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.74 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">2024</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.50 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.74 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">2025</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.50 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.74 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">2026 and beyond</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.50 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.74 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:14pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Discount rate</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5.70 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.05 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5.60 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2.95 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Expected return on plans assets (1)</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6.35 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">4.30 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6.80 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5.30 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Rate of compensation increase</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.00 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2.75 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.65pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Interest crediting rates for cash balance plan</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.50 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.74 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">N/A</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%;padding-left:23.78pt">Amounts reflected are pre-tax values. Assumed after-tax returns for a taxable, non-union other postretirement plan were 5.52% for 2023, 4.21% for 2022.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">In establishing MEC's assumption as to the expected return on plan assets, MEC utilizes the expected asset allocation and return assumptions for each asset class based on historical performance and forward-looking views of the financial markets.</span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:70.775%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.438%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%"> </span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;text-indent:2.5pt;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Assumed healthcare cost trend rates as of December 31:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">6.20 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">6.50 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Rate that the cost trend rate gradually declines to</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">5.00 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">5.00 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Year that the rate reaches the rate it is assumed to remain at</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">2028</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">2028</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Contributions and Benefit Payments</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">MEC's contributions to its pension and other postretirement benefit plans are expected to be $8 million and $2 million, respectively, during 2024. Funding to MEC's pension benefit plan trust is based upon the actuarially determined costs of the plan and the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended. MEC considers contributing additional amounts from time to time in order to achieve certain funding levels specified under the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended. MEC's funding policy for its other postretirement benefit plan is to generally contribute amounts consistent with its rate regulatory arrangements. The Respondent's contributions to the pension plan and the other postretirement plan are expected to be $1.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively, during 2024.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net periodic benefit costs assigned to MEC affiliates are reimbursed currently in accordance with the intercompany administrative services agreement. The expected benefit payments to participants in MEC's pension and other postretirement benefit plans for 2024 through 2028 and for the five years thereafter are summarized below (in millions):</span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:56.489%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.628%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Projected Benefit Payments</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Pension</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Other Post-retirement</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2024</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">54 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">22 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2025</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">54 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">23 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2026</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">53 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">23 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2027</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">52 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">24 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2028</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">49 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">23 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2029-2033</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">226 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">107 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Plan Assets</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Investment Policy and Asset Allocations</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">MEC's investment policy for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans is to balance risk and return through a diversified portfolio of debt securities, equity securities, and other alternative investments. Maturities for debt securities are managed to targets consistent with prudent risk tolerances. The plans retain outside investment advisors to manage plan investments within the parameters outlined by the MidAmerican Energy Pension and Employee Benefit Plans Administrative Committee. The investment portfolio is managed in line with the investment policy with sufficient liquidity to meet near-term benefit payments. The return on assets assumption for each plan is based on a weighted-average of the expected historical performance for the types of assets in which the plans invest.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The target allocations (percentage of plan assets) for MEC's pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets are as follows as of December 31, 2023:</span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:58.423%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.694%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Pension</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Other Postretirement</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Debt securities </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">40-60</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">25-35</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Equity securities </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">30-60</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">65-75</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Other</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">0-15</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">0-5</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:122%">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:122%;padding-left:23.78pt">For purposes of target allocation percentages and consistent with the plans' investment policy, investment funds are allocated based on the underlying investments in debt and equity securities.</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:115%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Fair Value Measurements</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">A financial asset or liability classification within the three levels of the fair value hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are as follows:</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:13.8pt">Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that an entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:13.8pt">Level 2 - Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:13.8pt">Level 3 - Unobservable inputs reflect an entity's judgment about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability since limited market data exists. An entity develops these inputs based on the best information available, including its own data.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The following table presents the fair value of plan assets for MEC and its participating affiliates, by major category, for the defined benefit pension plan (in millions):</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:43.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.142%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="15" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Input Levels for the Fair Value<br/>Measurements</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Level 1</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Level 2</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Level 3</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">As of December 31, 2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Cash equivalents</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">11 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">11 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Debt securities:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">United States government obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">25 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">25 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Corporate obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">110 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">110 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Municipal obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Agency, asset and mortgage-backed obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">14 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">14 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Equity securities:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">United States companies</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">65 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">65 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">International companies</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total assets in the hierarchy</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">91 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">141 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">232 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Investment funds </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> measured at net asset value</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">284 </span></td><td style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">516 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:43.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.142%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">As of December 31, 2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Cash equivalents</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">15 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">15 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Debt securities:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">United States government obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">22 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">22 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Corporate obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">135 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">135 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Municipal obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">10 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">10 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Agency, asset and mortgage-backed obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">13 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">13 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Equity securities:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">United States companies</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">71 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">71 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">International companies</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total assets in the hierarchy</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">94 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">173 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">267 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Investment funds </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1) </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">measured at net asset value</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">223 </span></td><td style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total </span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">490 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:7pt;font-weight:400;line-height:122%">(1)    </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:122%">Investment funds are comprised of mutual funds and collective trust funds. These funds consist of equity                     and debt securities of approximately 68% and 32%, respectively, for 2023 and 55% and 45%, respectively, for 2022. Additionally, these funds are invested in United States and international securities of approximately 93% and 7%, respectively, for 2023 and 97% and 3%, respectively, for 2022.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The following table presents the fair value of plan assets for MEC and its participating affiliates, by major category, for the defined benefit pension plan (in millions):</span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:43.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.142%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="15" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Input Levels for the Fair Value<br/>Measurements</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Level 1</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Level 2</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Level 3</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">As of December 31, 2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Cash equivalents</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">9 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">9 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Debt securities:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">United States government obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Corporate obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Municipal obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">26 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">26 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Agency, asset and mortgage-backed obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Equity securities:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="padding-left:6pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Investment funds </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">230 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">230 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total </span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">241 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">37 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">278 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:43.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.142%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">As of December 31, 2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Cash equivalents</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">10 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">10 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Debt securities:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">United States government obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Corporate obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Municipal obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">22 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">22 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Agency, asset and mortgage-backed obligations</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Equity securities:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Investment funds </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">201 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">201 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total </span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">213 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">27 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">240 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%;padding-left:23.78pt">Investment funds are comprised of mutual funds and collective trust funds. These funds consist of equity and debt securities of approximately 83% and 17%, respectively for 2023 and 82% and 18%, respectively, for 2022. Additionally, these funds are invested in United States and international securities of approximately 83% and 17%, respectively, for 2023 and 82% and 18%, respectively, for 2022.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%">When available, a readily observable quoted market price or net asset value of an identical security in an active </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">market is used to record the fair value. In the absence of a quoted market price or net asset value of an identical </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">security, the fair value is determined using pricing models or net asset values based on observable market inputs and quoted market prices of securities with similar characteristics. When observable market data is not available, the fair value is determined using unobservable inputs, such as estimated future cash flows, purchase multiples paid in other comparable third-party transactions or other information.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:125%">The Respondent participates in the MEC sponsored defined contribution plan and contributed $5.6 million and $5.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(8)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%;padding-left:23.78pt">Asset Retirement Obligations</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">The Respondent estimates its ARO liabilities based upon detailed engineering calculations of the amount and timing of the future cash spending for a third party to perform the required work. Spending estimates are </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">escalated for inflation and then discounted at a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate. Changes in estimates could occur for a number of reasons, including plan revisions, inflation and changes in the amount and timing of the expected work.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent has concluded that it is legally obligated to remove, or abandon-in-place, its onshore pipeline and related equipment upon the final retirement of the pipeline. While interim removal or abandonment-in-place and replacement of such equipment is probable, the final retirement dates of these assets are not determinable, and therefore, the liabilities for their removal cannot be reasonably estimated. The Respondent has also identified AROs related to asbestos siding on some of its buildings. Because both the methods of settlement and the timing of the retirements are unknown, the amounts of these obligations cannot be reasonably estimated to determine the fair value of these obligations.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent's ARO liability relates to the abandonment of pipeline assets located in offshore waters. The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the Respondent's ARO liabilities for the years ended December 31(in thousands):</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:21.45pt"><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:67.352%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:3.961%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Beginning balance</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">14,256 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">14,397 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Change in estimated costs</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Retirements</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(82)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Accretion</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">429 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(141)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Ending balance</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">14,603 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">14,256 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(9)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%;padding-left:23.78pt">Fair Value Measurements</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">The carrying value of the Respondent's cash, certain cash equivalents, receivables, payables and accrued liabilities approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The Respondent has various financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on the Financial Statements using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy. A financial asset or liability classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are as follows:</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:54pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:14.5pt">Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that an entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.</span></div><div style="padding-left:54pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:54pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:14.5pt">Level 2 - Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:7pt;padding-left:54pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:14.5pt">Level 3 - Unobservable inputs reflect an entity's judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability since limited market data exists. An entity develops these inputs based on the best information available, including its own data.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:7pt;padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="margin-bottom:7pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The following table presents the Respondent's financial assets and liabilities recognized on the Balance Sheets and measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands): </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:31.191%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.850%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="21" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Input Levels for the Fair Value<br/>Measurements</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Level 1</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Level 2</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Level 3</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Other </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">As of December 31, 2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Assets:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Commodity derivatives</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">4,167 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1,711)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,456 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Money market mutual funds</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">48,591 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">48,591 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Investment funds</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">17,981 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">17,981 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">66,572 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">4,167 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1,711)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">69,028 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Liabilities - commodity derivatives</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1,830)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,711 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(119)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:31.191%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.850%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">As of December 31, 2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Assets:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Commodity derivatives</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">13,726 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(2,812)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">10,914 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Money market mutual funds</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">45,697 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">45,697 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Investment funds</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">14,860 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">14,860 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">60,557 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">13,726 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(2,812)</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">71,471 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Liabilities - commodity derivatives</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3,181)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,812 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(369)</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%;padding-left:23.78pt">Represents netting under master netting arrangements.</span></div><div style="text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">Derivative contracts are recorded on the Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities and are stated at estimated fair value unless they are designated as normal purchases or normal sales and qualify for the exception afforded by GAAP. When available, the fair value of derivative contracts is estimated using unadjusted quoted prices for identical contracts in the market in which the Respondent transacts. When quoted prices for identical contracts are not available, the Respondent uses forward price curves. Forward price curves represent the Respondent's estimates of the prices at which a buyer or seller could contract today for delivery or settlement at future dates. The Respondent bases its forward price curves upon market price quotations, when available, or internally developed and commercial models, with internal and external fundamental data inputs. Market price quotations are obtained from independent energy brokers, exchanges, direct communication with market participants and actual transactions executed by the Respondent. Market price quotations for certain major natural gas trading hubs are generally readily obtainable for the applicable term of the Respondent's outstanding derivative contracts; therefore, the Respondent's forward price curves for those locations and periods reflect observable market quotes. The estimated fair value of these derivative contracts is a function of underlying forward commodity prices, related volatility, counterparty creditworthiness and duration of contracts. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent's investments in money market mutual funds and investment funds are stated at fair value. A readily observable quoted market price or net asset value of an identical security in an active market is used to record the fair value.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent's long-term debt is carried at cost on the Financial Statements. The fair value of the Respondent's long-term debt is a Level 2 fair value measurement and has been estimated based upon quoted market prices, where available, or at the present value of future cash flows discounted at rates consistent with comparable maturities with similar credit risks. The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Respondent's long-term debt as of December 31 (in thousands):</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:42.501%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.630%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Carrying<br/>Value</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Fair<br/>Value</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Carrying Value</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Fair<br/>Value</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Long-term debt</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,588,111 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,293,922 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,587,817 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,233,306 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(10)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%;padding-left:18.22pt">Credit Risk</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">The Respondent has a concentration of customers in the electric and gas utility industries, principally in the upper Midwestern states. This concentration of customers may impact the Respondent's overall exposure to credit risk in that the customer base may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry, weather or other conditions. The Respondent's 10 largest customers accounted for 64% of its system-wide transportation and storage revenue in 2023.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">The following customers accounted for 10% or more of the Respondent's total revenues for the years ended December 31 and trade receivables as of December 31:</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:42.501%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.630%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Revenue</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accounts Receivable</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">CenterPoint Energy Resources Corporation </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">13 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">14 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">14 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">12 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:3pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Xcel Energy, Inc. </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(2)</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">12 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">12 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:133%">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:133%;padding-left:23.78pt">The Respondent's agreements are with CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas, CenterPoint Energy Services and CenterPoint Energy Gas Transmission, subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy Resources Corporation.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">(2)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%;padding-left:23.78pt">The Respondent's agreements are with Northern States Power-Minnesota, Northern States Power-Wisconsin, Northern States Power-Generation and Southwestern Public Service Company, subsidiaries of Xcel Energy, Inc.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">For shippers that have withdrawn gas prior to injection under the Respondent's deferred delivery services, the Respondent is exposed to credit risk with respect to those counterparties based upon the value of the gas withdrawn. The balances in transportation and exchange gas receivables were $14.0 million and $22.7 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Included in these amounts were balances owed of $11.2 million </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">and $16.3 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which were related to the Respondent's deferred delivery services.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">As a general policy, collateral is not required for receivables from creditworthy customers. Customers'' financial condition and creditworthiness are regularly evaluated, and historical losses have been minimal. In order to provide protection against credit risk, and as permitted by the terms of the Respondent's tariff, the Respondent has, among other alternatives, required customers that lack creditworthiness as defined by the tariff to provide letters of credit, cash security deposits or to establish separate legally restricted escrow funds to be held until these customers' creditworthiness can be demonstrated. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Respondent has reflected on the Balance Sheets escrow funds of $7.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, in other current assets and $13.7 million and $20.7 million, respectively, in other assets with offsetting amounts in other current liabilities and long-term liabilities, respectively.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(11)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%;padding-left:18.22pt">Commitments and Contingencies</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Purchase Obligations</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent expects to incur significant future capital expenditures to meet system reliability objectives. As of December 31, 2023, the Respondent had firm purchase commitments of $72.2 million. In addition, the Respondent expects to incur significant future capital expenditures for increased customer growth including a commitment to one of its largest customers to meet minimum levels of incremental capacity requests through 2025. Capital expenditure needs are reviewed regularly by management and may change significantly as a result of such reviews. Estimates may change significantly at any time as a result of, among other factors, changes in rules and regulations, including environmental; changes in income tax laws; general business conditions; load projections; system reliability standards; the cost and efficiency of construction labor, equipment, and materials; and the cost and availability of capital. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Easements </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Respondent has non-cancelable easements with minimum payment commitments as of December 31, 2023 of $1.6 million, $1.4 million, $1.4 million, 1.4 million and $1.4 million for the years 2024 through 2028, respectively, and $5.1 million for the total of the years thereafter.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:107%">Legal Matters</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. The Respondent does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its financial results. The Respondent is also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek to impose fines, penalties and other costs in substantial amounts and are described below.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">On March 12, 2021, Vagts Dairy, et al. filed suit against Northern Natural Gas, et al. in Fayette County, Iowa District Court claiming that the cathodic protection system on Northern Natural Gas' pipeline was causing damage to the dairy farm through "stray voltage." The case went to trial on January 18, 2023, and the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs in the amount of $4.75 million, which was subsequently reduced</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">to $4.25 million by the presiding judge. Northern Natural Gas appealed the damage award to the Iowa Supreme Court. Oral arguments on the appeal were heard on January 23, 2024.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(12)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%;padding-left:18.22pt">Revenue from Contracts with Customers</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">The following table summarizes the Respondent's Customer Revenue and revenue not considered Customer Revenue ("Other Revenue") (in thousands):</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:68.394%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.846%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.919%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Year Ended December 31,</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Customer Revenue:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Transportation service</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,064,225 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">897,533 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Storage service</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">119,857 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">106,887 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gas, liquids and other sales</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">41,433 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">125,527 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total Customer Revenue</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,225,515 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,129,947 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Other Revenue </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">236 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(11,577)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,225,751 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,118,370 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">(1)    Other Revenue consists of revenue recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 815,"Derivative and Hedging" and includes net payments to counterparties for the financial settlement of certain derivative contracts.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Remaining Performance Obligations</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:135%">The following table summarizes the Respondent's revenue it expects to recognize in future periods related to significant unsatisfied performance obligations for fixed contracts with expected durations in excess of one year as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:78.215%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.971%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:3.514%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Less than 12 months</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">1,023,277 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">More than 12 months</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">3,824,628 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">Total</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">4,847,905 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(13)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%;padding-left:18.22pt">Other Related Party Transactions</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent provided gas transportation, storage and other services to MEC totaling $98.4 million and $73.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. MEC provides certain administrative and </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">management services, including executive, financial, legal, human resources, payroll and tax, to the Respondent. Expenses incurred by MEC and billed to the Respondent are based on the individual services and expense items provided and were $9.4 million and $8.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. MEC also provided electricity and other services to the Respondent of $0.9 million and $1.5 million for years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 respectively. The Respondent reimbursed MEC $98.4 million and $91.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, for payroll, healthcare benefits and other benefit payments that MEC processed on behalf of the Respondent.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">BHE provides certain administrative and management services, including executive, financial, legal and tax, to the Respondent. Expenses incurred by BHE and billed to the Respondent are based on the individual services and expense items provided and were $34.2 million and $19.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Income tax transactions with BHE resulted in net payments of $129.5 million and $24.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The income tax receivable of $34.1 million and $— million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are due from BHE. The income tax payable of $— million and $8.6 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are due to BHE.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent had net accounts payable to BHE and certain subsidiaries for intercompany transactions totaling $5.6 million and $4.8 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Respondent also had accounts receivable from affiliates of $13.9 million and $11.6 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent provides certain administrative and management services, including executive, financial, regulatory, legal, information technology, human resources and procurement, to Kern River Gas Transmission Company ("Kern River"), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of BHE. The Respondent billed Kern River $2.1 million and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, for these services.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Respondent possesses demand promissory notes from BHE. The balance of the demand promissory notes as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $200.0 million and $225.0 million, respectively. The notes contain variable interest rates based on 30-day SOFR plus a fixed spread per annum. Interest income of $22.1 million and $7.3 million was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">(14)    Subsequent Events</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">In January 2024, the Respondent issued $500.0 million of its 5.625% Senior Bonds due February 1, 2054. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">In January through March of 2024, BHE issued promissory notes totaling $810.0 million and redeemed promissory notes totaling $15.0 million.</span></div>


