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AltaGas

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FY2014 Annual Report · AltaGas
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2014 Annual Report

Clean
Energy
Global
Opportunities
Competitive
Advantage

Vision:
To be a leading North American diversified energy 

infrastructure company.

Clean Energy 

Global Opportunities 

Competitive Advantage 

Safety and Environment 

Community 

Letter to Shareholders 

Corporate Governance 

Financial Strategy 

2

4

6 

10

12

14

18 

20

Five-Year Financial Highlights 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

Consolidated Financial Statements 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Ten-Year Review of Financial and Operating Information 

Shareholder Information 

Corporate Information 

21

22

70

79

122

126

IBC

Strategy: 
To execute opportunities created by the renaissance of 

natural gas in North America and the increasing global 

demand for clean energy by owning and operating a 

diversified mix of assets in gas, power, and utilities.

Gas

Power

Utilities

We invest in assets that process 

We are focused on building, 

We continue to find innovative ways 

and move clean natural gas to key 

owning, and operating a diversified 

to deliver clean and affordable 

markets, including Asia. We provide 

portfolio of clean energy assets 

natural gas to more end-users.

a fully integrated service offering to 

that reduce our carbon footprint.

customers across the natural gas 

energy value chain.

In 2014, we became a global 

In 2014, we successfully completed 

In 2014, we invested $186 million 

exporter and delivered our first 

the largest project in our history, the 

to support customer and rate base 

shipment of liquefied petroleum 

195-MW Forrest Kerr Hydroelectric 

growth across our Utilities and 

gas to Asia. We also signed a 

Facility. We also completed the 

increased our total rate base by 

contract with a Montney producer 

16-MW Volcano Creek Hydroelectric 

8 percent.

to connect Canada’s natural gas  

Facility. With these two facilities, 

from wellhead to export markets.

we added 211 MW of clean, 

hydroelectric generation to our 

power portfolio, increasing our total 

generation by nearly 20 percent 

and renewable generation by over 

130 percent.

1

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportClean
Energy

We are poised to double our assets over the next five years and to expand our 
capabilities to provide clean and affordable energy to more customers for years 
to come.

We have significantly increased our clean energy footprint by executing opportunities driven by the natural gas renaissance in North 
America and the demand for clean energy. We have executed more than $4 billion in growth opportunities over the last five years 
alone, becoming the $8 billion company we are today.

It is estimated that there is more than 3,000 Tcf of gas in the world-class Montney and Duvernay 
gas plays in Canada. By investing in natural gas processing and export infrastructure, we are pursuing 
opportunities to unlock the value of western Canada’s vast natural gas reserves. AltaGas’ gas business 
is uniquely positioned to serve producers in these plays and to supply Asian markets with clean energy.

The abundance of natural gas in North America provides a clean, low-cost energy alternative for home 
and business owners. AltaGas’ utilities deliver clean-burning natural gas to end-users in geographically 
diverse areas of North America. We continue to maximize existing infrastructure to maintain cost-
effective rates, and to invest in upgrades to provide safe and reliable operations. AltaGas expects 
to grow its existing utility infrastructure through the expansion of existing distribution systems, the 
acquisition of new franchises when it is cost effective or strategic, and through fuel switching as 
end-users realize the benefit of choosing a clean, low-cost energy alternative.

AltaGas’  power  assets  are  strategically  located  in  key  markets,  and  our  teams  have  operational 
expertise  and  an  understanding  of  the  various  regulatory  environments.  In  Alberta,  it  is  forecasted 
that  over  3,500  MW  of  coal-fired  power  generation  will  be  retired  through  2030.  This,  coupled  with 
increasing demand over the same period, results in the potential need for approximately 8,000 MW 
of new generation. In the U.S., particularly in California, approximately 15,000 MW of new generation 
will be required by 2030 as new environmental regulations are implemented. AltaGas is positioned in 
these markets, as well as others, to capitalize on opportunities to develop and own additional power 
generation assets to meet the growing North American demand for cleaner energy.

Last year we added more than 200 MW of clean, hydroelectric power generation to our asset base. In 
August 2014, the 195-MW Forrest Kerr Hydroelectric Facility – the largest project in AltaGas’ history 
–  commenced  operations.  Four  months  later,  the  16-MW  Volcano  Creek  Hydroelectric  Facility  also 
achieved commercial operations – two years ahead of schedule. Our employees and contractors, the 
Government of British Columbia, BC Hydro, and the Tahltan First Nation all played key roles in the 
success of these projects and we look forward to working with them closely as we provide clean energy 
to British Columbia for decades to come.

2

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
In August 2014, the Forrest Kerr Hydroelectric Facility started delivering
clean energy to British Columbia through BC Hydro’s 287-kV Northwest Transmission Line. 
The project was completed on time and on budget.

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report

3

Forrest Kerr from Start to Finish at a Glance

July 2008
Acquired
project.

July 2010
Construction
begins.

November 2012 
Iskut River diverted to 
build in-river weir.

Spring 2013
Tunnelling and weir 
completed. Turbine 
installation begins.

March 2014
 Tunnel breakthrough 
to Iskut River.

December 2013
Inlet structure and inlet gate 
bridge completed.

October 2014
Delivers Commercial 
Operations Date certificate.

August 2014
 Commercial operations begin. 

April 2014 
Start of water flow 
at Forrest Kerr. 

June 2014
 Construction
completed.

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report

 
 
 
Northwest Projects by the Numbers

95,000

homes can be powered
by all three projects

1 million
cubic metres

of rock was excavated 
at Forrest Kerr – enough to fill 
400 Olympic-size swimming pools

$1
BILLION

financed on balance sheet 
to construct the three projects

550 milliseconds
is the amount of time it takes for
information to transfer from AltaGas’ offices 
in Calgary to the Northwest Projects site 
using our satellite system

300

temporary jobs were created
during peak construction

79

local contractors were  
hired during construction

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report

Global
Opportunities

In 2014 we started exporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Asia. By opening the 
doors to international markets, we now provide a highly competitive and integrated 
service offering to producers.

Our energy export initiative first gained momentum in early 2013 when AltaGas announced a strategic partnership with Idemitsu 
Kosan Co.,Ltd, to pursue opportunities to export energy from Canada to Asian markets. By first quarter 2014, the AltaGas 
Idemitsu Joint Venture Limited Partnership (AIJVLP) completed the acquisition of a two-thirds strategic interest in Petrogas 
Energy Corp., which owns and operates midstream facilities and an extensive logistics network. This strategic alignment added 
key infrastructure and marketing expertise needed to develop our LPG export business. Subsequently, Petrogas acquired the 
Ferndale LPG storage and distribution facility in Ferndale, Washington. The acquisition was a strong fit for AltaGas, providing 
us with LPG export capability two years ahead of our original schedule. In August 2014, the first shipment of approximately 
500,000 barrels of LPG arrived in Chiba, Japan. We expect to increase volumes up to 30,000 Bbls/d at this facility over the 
next few years. We are also evaluating an additional 30,000 Bbls/d of LPG exports off Canada’s West Coast.

We have also made significant strides towards becoming an early exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) off Canada’s west 
coast. AIJVLP worked diligently throughout 2014 to advance the Douglas Channel LNG project through the Companies’ Creditors 
Arrangement Act proceeding. By early 2015, AIJVLP and two other consortium members gained ownership and control of the 

project, which has a nameplate capacity of 0.55 million tonnes per annum. The consortium is targeting LNG exports by 2018.

Two Years

sooner than originally planned, we are exporting 
LPG to Asia off the U.S. west coast.

60,000 Bbls/d 

Our target for LPG exports off of the west coast 
of Canada and the U.S.

4

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report

Over the next several years,
LPG shipments from the Ferndale Terminal
are expected to increase to 30,000 Bbls/d. 

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report

5

Competitive
Advantage

Significant competitive advantages across our diversified energy infrastructure 
business position us well for sustained future growth.

Gas
We have a competitive service offering from wellhead to export 
markets across the energy value chain. Our unique access to 
international markets creates significant opportunities for AltaGas 
to meet producer needs for new markets and higher netbacks.

Power
Our power assets supply clean electricity to various communities 
in North America. We have significant construction and operational 
expertise to continue to grow our generation portfolio. Strategically 
located assets in Alberta and California provide significant 
opportunities to support the shift to cleaner sources of power.

Utilities
We deliver clean and affordable energy to end-users in Canada and 
the U.S. Our utilities are located in areas where there are supportive 
regulatory regimes, and they are operated by knowledgable teams 
with strong regulatory expertise.

6

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportApproximately 90 percent of our earnings come from contracted or regulated 
assets, ensuring solid, stable earnings and cash flow through economic cycles.

Our Gas segment serves producers in the Western Canadian 
Sedimentary Basin. We own and operate a significant portfolio 
of energy infrastructure assets that includes natural gas 
gathering and processing, natural gas liquids extraction and 
fractionation, transmission, storage, and marketing. The Gas 
segment also includes a 50 percent ownership in AltaGas 
Idemitsu Joint Venture Limited Partnership and a one third 
interest in Petrogas Energy Corp. 

n   More than 2 Bcf of natural gas transacted per day
n   Approximately 70 gathering and processing facilities 
in western Canada and a network of 6,100 km of 
gathering and sales lines 

n   Six extraction plants in Alberta and British Columbia
n   Significant NGL logistics network and access 
to LPG exports through one-third interest in 
Petrogas Energy Corp.

n	 	Joint venture with Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. 
to develop energy export infrastructure

We own and operate 1,449 MW of highly contracted, long-life 
power assets across North America. Our power generation is 
diversified across five fuel sources, including gas-fired, coal-
fired, wind, biomass, and run-of-river assets. More than 
75 percent of total generation capacity is from clean 
energy sources.

n   Generation capacity in Canada and the U.S.
n   25 percent of generation capacity from 

renewable sources

n  More than 2,300 MW under development 

or evaluation

We own and operate natural gas distribution utilities that 
serve more than 560,000 customers across Canada and 
the U.S. Our Utilities segment includes AltaGas Utilities 
Inc. in Alberta, Pacific Northern Gas in British Columbia, 
Heritage Gas Limited in Nova Scotia, SEMCO Energy Gas 
Company in Michigan and Enstar Natural Gas Company 
in Alaska.

n	 Delivered approximately 150 Bcf of natural gas

in 2014

n	 $1.5 billion total rate base
n	 	Opportunities to grow rate base

7

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
 
 
A Leading North American Infrastructure Company

AltaGas operates in a safe, reliable manner in close partnership with First Nations 
and communities. We own and operate a diversified mix of gas, power and utilities 
assets and we are continuing to grow in Canada and the northern and western 
United States.

Forrest Kerr
We safely commissioned the largest project in our history. 
We completed it on time and on budget.

Volcano Creek
We completed this project two years ahead of schedule. 
We have significant engineering, procurement and construction expertise.

Townsend
We are building gas processing infrastructure to support producers. We are helping to 
unlock northeast British Columbia’s vast gas resources with the 198 Mmcf/d Townsend 
shallow-cut natural gas processing facility.

Douglas Channel LNG
With the consortium of credible and experienced partners, we are confident this small scale 
project is well-positioned to be an early exporter of LNG from Canada’s west coast.

Ferndale Terminal
We are exporting LPG to Asia and have access to international markets. 
We see opportunities to expand the capabilities of this facility.

Blythe
We have significantly grown our clean power presence in California. 
We see many opportunities to expand our generating capacity.

8

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportGas

Gas Processing

Gas Processing Under Development

Regional LNG Facility Under Construction

Storage Facility

Storage Facility Under Development

Gas

Gas Processing

Storage Facility Under Construction

Gas Processing Under Development

Power

Coal-Fired Power Generation

Wind Power Generation

Regional LNG Facility Under Construction

Storage Facility

Storage Facility Under Development

Wind Power Generation Under Development

Storage Facility Under Construction

Gas

Hydro Power Generation

Power

Gas Processing

Hydro Power Generation Under Development

Coal-Fired Power Generation

Gas Processing Under Development

Hydro Power Generation Under Construction

Wind Power Generation

Regional LNG Facility Under Construction

Biomass Power Generation

Wind Power Generation Under Development

Storage Facility

Gas-Fired Power Generation

Hydro Power Generation

Storage Facility Under Development

Gas-Fired Power Generation Under Development

Hydro Power Generation Under Development

Storage Facility Under Construction

Gas-Fired Power Generation Under Construction

Hydro Power Generation Under Construction

Power
Utilities

Coal-Fired Power Generation

Utilities

Wind Power Generation

Biomass Power Generation

Gas-Fired Power Generation

Gas-Fired Power Generation Under Development

Wind Power Generation Under Development

Gas-Fired Power Generation Under Construction

Hydro Power Generation

Hydro Power Generation Under Development

Hydro Power Generation Under Construction

Utilities

Utilities

Biomass Power Generation

Gas-Fired Power Generation

Gas-Fired Power Generation Under Development

Gas-Fired Power Generation Under Construction

Utilities

Utilities

9

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportSafety

Above all else, safety is AltaGas’ priority. We remain committed to protecting 
employees, the public, and the environment as we embark on exciting projects 
in new as well as familiar regions. At AltaGas, we believe all incidents are 
preventable and safety is everyone’s responsibility.

AltaGas commits that employees and contractors performing work at our operations will 

conduct  their  work  in  accordance  with  the  health  and  safety  laws  of  any  jurisdiction 

in  which  they  are  working.  They  also  abide  by  the  policies  prescribed  by  the  AltaGas 

Environmental,  Occupational  Health  &  Safety  Management  System.  Anyone  performing 

work for AltaGas has Stop Work Authority. This means everyone – employee or contractor 

– has the right and responsibility to stop any work that they see being done in an unsafe 

manner  without  fear  of  repercussion.  In  2014,  AltaGas’  health  and  safety  audit  score 

for our gas operations was once again in the high nineties. Vehicle accident rates have 

been  trending  downward.  The  frequency  rates  for  first  aid,  medical  aid,  lost-time,  and 

recordable injuries for both our Gas and Utilities segments are also trending downward. 

Health & Safety
Audit Scoring
(%)

09

10

11

12

13

14

100

95

90

85

10

It is AltaGas policy to:

n   Consciously and systematically assess and mitigate hazards in 

the workplace.

n   Perform our work safely by using the right equipment and 

protective apparel.

n   Ensure all workers are properly trained to perform their work competently 

and safely.

n   Respond quickly and carefully to help others in the event of an incident.
n   Report and thoroughly investigate all work-related incidents, near-

misses, injuries, occupational illnesses, and non-conformances.

These are key to maintaining a safe, reliable and 
productive workplace.

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
Environment

Natural gas supply and demand fundamentals, and the demand for clean energy 
in North America, have consistently underpinned AltaGas’ strategy. As we continue 
to grow, we are focused on building, owning, and operating a diversified portfolio 
of clean energy assets that reduces our carbon footprint. 

The protection of the environment is one of AltaGas’ core values. By following sound 

sustainability  practices,  AltaGas  helps  preserve  a  healthy  environment  for  future 

generations. We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint by reducing the 

amount of waste we produce, by reducing the emissions from our facilities, and by using 

energy  more  efficiently.  Through  energy  efficiency  programs  at  our  Harmattan  liquids 
extraction facility and our CO2 and H2S injection process at our Bantry and Turin gas 
processing facilities, it is estimated that AltaGas reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 

approximately 120,000 tonnes in Alberta for the calendar year 2014.

Electricity generated by AltaGas 

run-of-river hydroelectric and 

wind facilities:

n  360,000 MWhs in 2014 
n  1,070,000 MWhs since 2009

Electricity generated by AltaGas 

clean burning natural gas facilities:

n	 1,900,000 MWhs in 2014 
n	 3,600,000 MWhs since 2010

In 2014, AltaGas’ environmental management system audit 
scores for our gas and power operations improved relative to 
the 2013 scores.

n  Gas segment: 82.68 percent* (81.61 percent in 2013)
n  Power segment: 79.82 percent* (78.39 percent in 2013) 
n   In 2014, AltaGas received its highest climate change disclosure score since 
we started reporting in 2007. Disclosure scores are an assessment of the 
quality and completeness of responses and are expressed as a number out 
of 100. When a company’s disclosure score is 50 or more, the response is 
also assessed and ranked in a performance band. The performance score 
is expressed as a band (A, A-, B, C, D, E). 

n  2014 score: 
	 Disclosure score: 78 (69 in 2013)
Performance band: C (D in 2013)

* Preliminary Scores

11

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report	
 
Community

In 2014, AltaGas celebrated its 20th anniversary. As part of the year-long celebration, 
employees were encouraged to participate in a number of volunteer opportunities. 
Employees spent over 74 days giving back to the community by helping with 
activities such as preparing lunches at a homeless shelter, sorting and packing 
gifts for isolated seniors, and building pathways and performing spring clean-up 
at a camp dedicated to helping children who are battling cancer.

Additionally, an employee-driven initiative during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics raised 

$20,000 for Cross Country Canada athletes, earning AltaGas the Sponsor of the Year 

Award for 2014. We also supported the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, with a 

$50,000 contribution to help bring the sport of basketball to the games for the first time. 

In all, AltaGas and its subsidiaries contributed nearly $2 million to 483 organizations.

AltaGas’ objective is to develop long-term relationships and to provide sustainable benefits 

to the communities in which we operate. In 2014, we launched a new partnership with the 

Indian Business Corporation (IBC). Together, AltaGas and IBC developed the AltaGas First 

Nations Development Fund to support the creation and growth of sources of revenue for 

First Nations businesses in Alberta. AltaGas agreed to an interest-free $500,000 loan 

to IBC that will be paid in installments over the next five years. The funding arrangement 

will  boost  IBC’s  capacity  to  finance  viable  First  Nations  entrepreneurs  in  Alberta  as 

demand for IBC’s lending services outstrips its capital. IBC typically receives funding from 

Aboriginal Business Canada, which makes this funding arrangement unique.

Established in 1987, IBC provides financing for First Nations peoples in 

western Canada. IBC believes access to capital for First Nations peoples 

provides opportunities for success and development.

Since 1987 IBC has been able to provide $70 million in financing 
to First Nations business initiatives.

12

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportAt AltaGas, we recognize that volunteering 
reduces stress, improves health, and most importantly 
builds communities. 

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report

13

Letter to Shareholders

David W. Cornhill
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Over  the  past  two  decades,  we  have  built  AltaGas  on  strong  economic 

fundamentals, operational excellence and disciplined financing. The result is 

a business that is resilient and promising as we continue to grow our portfolio 

of energy infrastructure assets underpinned by long-life, low-risk cash flows. 

Our growth in earnings and cash flow, as well as our potential to add over 

$7 billion in new assets over the next five years, positions us extremely well to 

continue to deliver strong growth in dividends and capital appreciation for our 

shareholders. We are a company driven by our core values, which keep us 

focused on delivering not only strong shareholder value, but also strong social 

value. By building a corporate culture based on trust and respect, and supporting 

the communities in which we operate, we believe we will achieve our vision of 

being a leading energy infrastructure company in North America.

14 AltaGas 2014 Annual Report

3,000,000
working hours 

were spent constructing and energizing
Forrest Kerr safely.

With our 2014 accomplishments, we have grown our base 

provide British Columbians with clean power for decades 

business to over $8 billion in total assets and we continue 

to come, and they will deliver reliable cash flow and value 

to strengthen our portfolio of long-life, diversified and 

to AltaGas’ shareholders. The remarkable success of these 

contracted infrastructure across North America. We have 

projects is to be shared by our dedicated employees and 

the strength and stability to weather economic cycles, 

contractors, the Tahltan First Nation, BC Hydro and the 

such as the declining commodity price environment we 

Government of British Columbia.

are currently experiencing. Two-thirds of AltaGas’ business 

consists of regulated utilities and highly contracted power 

I am equally as proud of the accomplishments in our 

generation. The other third is AltaGas’ gas business which 

gas business. Over the last five years we strategically 

is also highly contracted. This means our base business 

positioned ourselves to reach international markets and 

is approximately 90 percent regulated or under long-term 

to work with producers to unlock the value of Canada’s 

contracts, helping ensure that our infrastructure assets 

vast natural gas reserves. In 2014, we made great strides. 

can continue to deliver solid earnings and cash flow even 

Through our interest in Petrogas Energy Corp., we started 

throughout a prolonged downturn.

exporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) off the U.S. west 

coast at the Ferndale Terminal, two years sooner than 

I am very proud of what we achieved in 2014. After four 

originally planned. Our first shipment of LPG arrived in 

years of hard work, AltaGas’ landmark 195-megawatt (MW) 

Chiba, Japan, on August 17, 2014 aboard the Crystal 

Forrest Kerr Hydroelectric Facility was successfully brought 

Marine Very Large Gas Carrier.

online, on time and on budget. Forrest Kerr is the largest 

construction project in our history. It is also one of the 

We also made significant progress on our plans to export 

most remote, making it an impressive feat of engineering, 

liquefied natural gas (LNG) off of Canada’s west coast. 

procurement and construction. More than three million 

Through the successful restructuring of the Douglas 

working hours were spent constructing and energizing 

Channel LNG project and the consortium established with 

Forrest Kerr safely. Employees and contractors called our 

Exmar and EDF Trading, we could potentially commence 

project site home for various lengths of time. Some spent 

exports as early as 2018. Through our subsidiary, Pacific 

long periods away from their families so that the project 

Northern Gas Ltd., we have the only natural gas pipeline 

could stay on track. Due to their outstanding contributions, 

with gas flowing to Kitimat and Prince Rupert. With a 

our construction team was also able to complete the 

smaller scale, floating barge, and capable business 

16-MW Volcano Creek Hydroelectric Facility – two full years 

partners, our project is well positioned to be an early 

ahead of schedule, and on budget. These facilities will 

exporter of LNG from Canada’s west coast.

15

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
“   

We have significant balance sheet strength and ample sources of cash 
available to continue pursuing our numerous growth opportunities. Over the 
next five years we have over $7 billion of opportunities across all three of 
our business segments. 

From a strategic standpoint, our accomplishments on 

$1.7 billion in available credit, and 45 percent debt-to-total 

the LPG and LNG front have established our significant 

capitalization. This gives us significant financial flexibility 

competitive advantage to provide an integrated solution 

as we enter 2015 to fund our growth capital and to take 

and higher netbacks to producers. We offer access to the 

advantage of growth opportunities especially in turbulent 

full value chain from wellhead to export markets, for both 

times when being nimble and financially strong are 

their natural gas and natural gas liquids. Our 15-year 

competitive advantages.

strategic alliance with Painted Pony Petroleum Ltd. is just 

one example of our successful strategy execution. The 

We have significant balance sheet strength and ample 

198-Mmcf/d Townsend shallow cut natural gas processing 

sources of cash available to continue pursuing our numerous 

facility is our first step in unlocking northeast British 

growth opportunities. Over the next five years we have over 

Columbia’s vast resource. We are working hard to build 

$7 billion in opportunities across all three of our business 

further alliances with other producers.

segments. Approximately $3.5 billion of these opportunities 

are in advanced stages of development and construction, and 

Financially, we delivered a record year of cash flow. 

most importantly, these projects are fully financed over the 

On a normalized basis, we achieved record EBITDA of 

next five years and are either regulated or highly contracted.

$546 million and funds from operations of $472 million 

or $3.72 per share, a 17 percent increase over 2013. 

In Power, we continue to build a portfolio of highly 

While Alberta power prices fell nearly 40 percent compared 

contracted, long-life assets that provide stable cash flows. 

to 2013, we saw strong operational performance from our 

By mid-2015 we expect to complete the 66-MW McLymont 

Gas and Utilities segments, and we brought Forrest Kerr 

Creek Project. Like the other two Northwest hydroelectric 

into service. As a result, in 2014 we increased our dividend 

facilities, upon completion the McLymont facility will 

by 16 percent. With a payout ratio of 45 percent of funds 

deliver stable cash flows for decades to come. California’s 

from operations – one of the lowest payout ratios among 

growing demand for clean energy is also expected to 

our peers – we remain well positioned to see further 

create significant opportunities for us. We have strategically 

dividend growth. We also achieved significant success on 

positioned ourselves to potentially triple our Blythe facility. 

the financing side. We raised approximately $2 billion in 

medium-term notes, common equity and preferred shares 

Our utilities continue to have strong growth opportunities 

during the year. This was the most AltaGas has ever raised in 

through improving and upgrading existing infrastructure. 

a single year. Furthermore, 2014 was the first year we issued 

Over the next five years, we see investment opportunities 

30-year medium-term notes. We ended the year with a very 

of over $1 billion and the ability to deliver clean and 

manageable debt maturity profile, $420 million in cash, 

affordable natural gas to an increasing customer base.

16

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
Finally, in Gas there are significant opportunities to 

We also maintained our strong partnerships with Cross 

strengthen and grow our competitive service offering 

Country Canada, STARS and the United Way. I am proud of 

to producers. The lack of processing infrastructure in 

the long-term relationships we have built with First Nations 

northeast British Columbia presents opportunities for 

and other Aboriginal communities and of the relationships 

AltaGas to establish a new hub for natural gas and natural 

we have, and are continuing to build, in the growing number 

gas liquids that is ideally situated with connections 

of communities in which we operate.

to export facilities and markets. We are actively working on 

building out processing capacity in this area and exploring 

AltaGas has achieved an excellent safety and environmental 

opportunities for fractionation to further unlock value for 

record due to our talented and committed employees who 

producers. To the extent that these opportunities are 

continue to deliver significant results, without losing focus 

delayed as a result of the current economic environment, 

on safety, environmental stewardship, and reliable, efficient 

we would look to redeploy growth capital to other attractive 

operations. Last year, AltaGas was once again recognized 

opportunities in our Power and Utilities segments.

with several top employer awards. As we grow, we will 

continue to do our best to support our employees and to 

We also continue to work diligently on the expansion of our 

make a difference in our communities. We are dedicated 

energy export business. This creates another $3 billion in 

to delivering sustainable benefits and building social value.

potential growth opportunities. Through our ownership of 

Petrogas, we see the opportunity to expand LPG exports 

As we embark on the significant opportunities in front of 

up to 30,000 Bbls/d over the next few years at the 

us, we continue to be committed to growing profitably 

Ferndale facility in Washington. We are also working on 

while delivering meaningful social and shareholder value. 

securing a site on Canada’s west coast to export an 

We are poised once again to double our assets. We have 

additional 30,000 Bbls/d.

the financial strength to support our growth and to provide 

dividend growth along the way. Most importantly, we have 

On LNG, Douglas Channel provides us with a site to 

a proven track record for putting our strategy into action 

develop our Triton LNG project. Given the current pricing 

and providing value to shareholders, communities 

environment we will focus our efforts on Douglas Channel 

and employees.

in 2015, but we will continue to evaluate Triton over the 

next couple of years.

I would like to thank our employees, the Board of Directors, 

investors, customers, business partners, communities, and 

The growth opportunities in front of us are larger than 

our service providers for helping us deliver another 

ever before. We have the financial strength and flexibility 

successful year.

to execute on them. We also have established world class 

teams, as well as the systems and processes to 

Sincerely,

be successful.

As we continue to grow we will also continue to focus on 

balancing the needs of our customers and the communities 

in which we operate. Delivering value to communities, 

David W. Cornhill 

our employees, and to our shareholders is the ultimate 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

measure of success for AltaGas. In 2014 we formed or 

maintained key partnerships. In May, AltaGas and the 

Indian Business Corporation (IBC) launched the AltaGas 

First Nations Development Fund. Through this fund, AltaGas 

agreed to an interest-free $500,000 loan to boost IBC’s 

capacity to finance viable First Nations entrepreneurs. 

17

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
Corporate Governance

The members of the Board of 
Directors of AltaGas are elected 
by the shareholders to manage, 
or supervise the management 
of, its business and affairs. It is 
our responsibility to ensure that 
the interests of shareholders 
and other stakeholders are 
properly represented. To that 
end, the Board of Directors has 
assumed responsibility for the 
stewardship of, and 
accountability at, AltaGas, and 

Myron F. Kanik 
Lead Director

Independent director;  
Chair of the GC and  
Member of the HRCC

developed standards and procedures for its operations that 
meet a high standard of governance. We regularly review 
AltaGas’ activities, with a view to ensuring its business 
affairs are conducted appropriately, with the honesty, 
integrity, transparency and accountability that shareholders 
expect. We are committed to continuously meeting those 
high standards.

The annual meeting of shareholders provides AltaGas’ 
executives with the opportunity to communicate AltaGas’ 
goals and strategy to shareholders. The meeting offers 
shareholders the chance to hear first-hand from 
management and to understand AltaGas’ strategy for 
seeking to continually increase shareholder value and grow 
AltaGas. The Board of Directors and AltaGas’ management 
team encourage you to attend the annual meeting of 
shareholders, either in person in Calgary or through the live 
webcast that can be viewed at www.altagas.ca.

The annual meeting will be held at 3:00 p.m. MDT 
on Thursday, April 30, 2015 
at The Fairmont Palliser, Alberta Ballroom
133 - 9th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Myron F. Kanik 
Lead Director

David W. Cornhill 
Chairman and Chief  
Executive Officer

Catherine M. Best 
Director

Independent Director;  
Member of the AC
Member of the EOHSC

Daryl H. Gilbert 
Director

Independent Director;  
Chair of the HRCC and 
Member of the EOHSC 

Robert B. Hodgins 
Director

Independent Director;  
Chair of the AC and  
Member of the GC

Allan L. Edgeworth 
Director

Independent Director; 
Chair of the EOHSC  
Member of the AC

Hugh A. Fergusson 
Director

Independent Director;  
Member of the AC  
and HRCC

David F. Mackie 
Director

Independent Director;  
Member of the GC  
and HRCC

Neil McCrank 
Director

Independent Director;  
Member of the GC  
and EOHSC

18

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportStatement of Governance Practices

AltaGas is committed to a high standard of governance in the belief that it improves performance 
and benefits all shareholders. The following is a summary of AltaGas’ Governance Practices. 
A more detailed description can be found in AltaGas’ Management Information Circular filed on 
the SEDAR system at www.sedar.com.

Mandate of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors exercises 
responsibility for the management and 
supervision of the affairs of AltaGas. 
This includes the appointment and 
monitoring of the Chief Executive Officer, 
the appointment of other senior officers, 
and the approval of their compensation.

The Board of Directors also reviews 
and approves the annual strategic 
plan, which includes key objectives, 
quantifiable operational and financial 
targets, and processes for the 
identification, monitoring and mitigation 
of principal business risks.

The Board of Directors also establishes 
a succession plan that includes the 
appointment, training and monitoring 
of senior management.

The independent Directors of AltaGas 
meet in the absence of management 
and non-independent Directors at each 
meeting of the Board of Directors.

Composition of the Board of Directors
David W. Cornhill, Chairman and Chief 
Executive Officer of AltaGas, is the only 
member of the Board of Directors who 
is also a member of management and 
considered not to be independent.

Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board has four standing committees: 
Governance Committee (GC); Audit 
Committee (AC); Environment, 
Occupational Health and Safety 
Committee (EOHSC); and Human 
Resources and Compensation 
Committee (HRCC). The GC, AC and 
HRCC are composed exclusively of 
non-management, independent directors. 
The EOHSC includes a majority of 
independent, non-management directors. 
Each of the committees has a mandate 
that prescribes its composition and 
responsibilities approved by the 
Board of Directors.

Governance Committee
The GC reviews Board performance 
and provides recommendations for 
improvement with respect to all aspects 
of governance. The GC identifies and 
recommends individuals qualified to 
become members of the Board of 
Directors. It reviews and recommends 
compensation for Directors and, on an 
annual basis, formally assesses the 
effectiveness of the Committees and 
the Board of Directors. The GC is also 
responsible for the orientation and 
education of new Board members 
and continuing development of 
existing members.

The Chair of the GC is Myron F. Kanik, 
an energy industry consultant and 
former President of the Canadian Energy 
Pipeline Association, and Deputy Minister 
in the Alberta Department of Energy.

Audit Committee
The AC consists of four independent and 
financially literate Directors who oversee 
AltaGas’ financial reporting process. It 
reviews and provides recommendations 
to the Board of Directors on annual and 
interim financial statements, and examines 
the adequacy of its risk management 
processes and internal control system 
for financial reporting and disclosure.

The AC approves the appointment, terms 
of engagement, provision of non-audit 
services and proposed fees of the 
independent auditor. At every meeting, 
the AC has the opportunity to meet with 
the independent and internal auditors 
without management present.

The Chair of the AC is Robert B. Hodgins, 
previously Chief Financial Officer of 
Pengrowth Corporation, Treasurer of 
Canadian Pacific Limited and Chief 
Financial Officer of TransCanada 
Pipelines Limited.

Environment, Occupational Health 
and Safety Committee
The EOHSC is responsible for reviewing, 
reporting and making recommendations 
to the Board of Directors on AltaGas’ 
policies and procedures with respect to 
the environment and occupational health 
and safety.

AltaGas is committed to being a 
steward of the environment and to the 
health and safety of its employees.

The Chair of the EOHSC is 
Allan L. Edgeworth, an energy industry 
consultant and former President and 
Chief Executive Officer of Alliance 
Pipeline Ltd.

Human Resources and 
Compensation Committee
The HRCC reviews, reports and provides 
recommendations to the Board of 
Directors on the compensation of the 
Chief Executive Officer and the 
appointment and compensation of senior 
corporate officers. It also reviews 
succession plans, the compensation 
policy for all other employees and the 
approval of all grants of share options.

AltaGas is committed to operating its 
businesses in an ethical manner. In 2006, 
we adopted a Code of Business Ethics, 
which can be viewed on our website.

The Chair of the HRCC is Daryl H. Gilbert, 
a Managing Director with JOG Capital Inc. 
and prior to that Chief Executive Officer 
of Gilbert Laustsen Jung Associates Ltd., 
consultants in reserves evaluation.

19

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportFinancial Strategy

Financial discipline and effective risk management are fundamental to our strategy. 
AltaGas’ financing strategy is to ensure the Corporation has sufficient liquidity to 
meet its capital requirements and to do so at the lowest cost possible.

While growing from over $2 billion in assets five years ago to over $8 billion in assets at 

the end of 2014, AltaGas has successfully created shareholder value, maintained financial 

strength and flexibility, and delivered an effective balance between yield and growth.

Long-life, stable assets with strong contractual 
or regulated underpinnings

n  Predictable and stable cash flows
n  Approximately 90 percent of earnings come from contracted or regulated assets

Financial strength & flexibility

n  Competitive cost of capital
n   Ample liquidity, diversified funding sources, and strong access to capital markets
n  Balance sheet strength and flexibility
n  Investment grade credit ratings

Capital Structure
(%)

Capital Structure
Funds from Operations*
EBITDA*
(%)
($ millions)
($ millions)

Funds from Operations*
($ millions)

2014 Operating Income* 
EBITDA*
($ millions)
($ millions)

2014 Operating Income* 

($ millions)

Preferred Shares

Common Shares

Net Debt

403

509

Preferred Shares

Common Shares

Net Debt

281

337

403

Gas

Power

Utilities

281

509

337

Gas

Power

Utilities

12

219

202

193

266

242

12

240

219

202

193

266

242

240

45

43

45

43

166

167

166

167

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

* Normalized 

20

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

65
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
* Normalized 

* Normalized 

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

* Normalized 

* Normalized 

65

* Normalized 

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
 
Five-Year Financial Highlights

($ millions except as indicated) 

Revenue
Net revenue 1
EBITDA 1
Normalized EBITDA 1
Operating income
Net income applicable to common shares
Normalized net income 1
Total assets
Total long-term liabilities
Net additions to property, plant and equipment
Dividends declared
Distributions declared
Cash flows

Normalized funds from operations 1
Funds from operations 1
Cash from operations

($ per basic share, except shares outstanding)

EBITDA 1
Normalized EBITDA 1
Net income – basic
Net income – diluted
Normalized net income 1
Dividends declared
Distributions declared per share
Cash flows

Normalized funds from operations 1
Cash from operations

Shares outstanding – basic (millions)

During the period 2
End of period

2014

2013 

2012

2011 
(Restated)

2010
(Restated)

2,406
1,019
563
546
264
96
165
8,413
4,074
605
215
–

472
471
458

4.45
4.31
0.75
0.74
1.30
1.69
–

3.72
3.61

127
134

2,043
960
539
509
360
182
176
7,284
3,727
1,145
174
–

402 
400 
366 

4.64
4.38
1.56
1.52
1.51
1.50
–

3.47
3.16

116
122

1,450
665
320
337
214
102
110
5,932
3,357
1,532
133
–

281
255
146

3.36
3.55
1.07
1.06
1.15
1.40
–

2.96
1.54

95
105

1,280
513
257
266
175
83
90
3,556
1,638
643
112
 –

219
213
185

3.06
3.16
0.98
0.97
1.07
1.34
–

2.61
2.21

84
89

1,219
505
235
240
152
117
101
2,743
1,225
212
54
87

193
192
190

2.88
2.95
1.43
1.43
1.24
0.66
1.08

2.36
2.34

82
83

1  Non-GAAP financial measure; see discussion in Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of the MD&A.
2  Weighted average.

EBITDA*

($ millions)

Earnings per Share 1
EBITDA*
($ per share)
($ millions)

Earnings per Share 1
Funds from Operations*
($ millions)
($ per share)

Funds from Operations*
Annual Dividend
($ millions)
($ per common share)

Total Shareholder
Return*

546

509

1.51

546

509

337

1.15

1.07

337

1.51
472

402
1.15

1.07

281

472

1.77
402

1.44

1.53

281

Payout Ratio

(percentage of normalized

funds from operations)

51%

47%

43%

2012

2013

2014

* Normalized 

2012

2012

2013

2013

2014

2014

* Normalized 

2012
2012

2013
2013

2014
2014

* Normalized 

2012

2013

2014

* Normalized 

1 

 Normalized non-GAAP financial measure; see discussion in 
Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of the MD&A.

21

2012

2013

2014

2011

2012

2013

2011

2012

2013

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report+68%+41%+62%+68%+41%+62%-16%+117%+23% 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis

The Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) of operations and Consolidated Financial Statements presented herein are provided 

to enable readers to assess the results of operations, liquidity and capital resources of AltaGas Ltd. (AltaGas or the Corporation) as at, 

and for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. This MD&A dated February 25, 2015, 

should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto of AltaGas as at, 

and for the year ended December 31, 2014. 

This MD&A contains forward-looking statements. When used in this MD&A the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, 

“anticipate”, “believe”, “seek”, “propose”, “estimate”, “expect”, and similar expressions, as they relate to AltaGas or any affiliate of AltaGas, 

are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this MD&A contains forward-looking statements with respect to, among 

others things, business objectives, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business projects, opportunities and financial 

results. Specifically, such forward-looking statements are set forth under: “2015 Outlook” and “Growth Capital”.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ 

materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect AltaGas’ current views with respect to 

future events based on certain material factors and assumptions and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including without 

limitation, changes in market competition, governmental or regulatory developments, changes in tax legislation, general economic 

conditions and other factors set out in AltaGas’ public disclosure documents.

Many factors could cause AltaGas’ or any of its business segments’ actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those 

described in this MD&A, including without limitation those listed above as well as the assumptions upon which they are based proving 

incorrect. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current 

expectations are discussed in the “Risk Management” section of the MD&A and may also include: capital resources and liquidity risk, 

market risk, commodity price risk, operational risk, volume declines, weather, construction, counterparty risk, environmental risk, 

regulatory risk and labour relations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying 

forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this MD&A as intended, planned, 

anticipated, believed, sought, proposed, estimated or expected, and such forward-looking statements included in this MD&A herein 

should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this MD&A. AltaGas does not intend, and does not 

assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law. The forward-looking statements contained 

in this MD&A are expressly qualified as cautionary statements.

Financial outlook information contained in this MD&A about prospective results of operations, financial position or cash flows is based 

on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on management’s assessment 

of the relevant information currently available. Readers are cautioned that such financial outlook information contained in this MD&A 

should not be used for the purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.

Additional information relating to AltaGas can be found on its website at www.altagas.ca. The continuous disclosure materials of  

AltaGas, including its annual MD&A and Consolidated Financial Statements, Annual Information Form, Information Circular and Proxy 

Statement, material change reports and press releases, are also available through AltaGas’ website or directly through the SEDAR system 

at www.sedar.com.

22

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportALTAGAS ORGANIZATION
The businesses of AltaGas Ltd. (AltaGas or the Corporation) are operated by AltaGas, AltaGas Holding Partnership, AltaGas Extraction 

and Transmission Limited Partnership, AltaGas Pipeline Partnership, AltaGas Processing Partnership, AltaGas Utility Group Inc. (Utility 

Group), AltaGas Utility Holdings (Pacific) Inc., and AltaGas Services (U.S.) Inc.

OVERVIEW OF THE BUSINESS
AltaGas is a diversified energy business with a focus on investing in and operating infrastructure to provide clean and affordable 

energy to its customers in North America and Asia. AltaGas’ business strategy is underpinned by strong growth in natural gas supply 

and the growing demand for clean energy. AltaGas executes its strategy through three business segments: Gas, which includes 

natural gas processing, transportation, storage, and natural gas marketing; Power, which includes power generation assets, power 

purchase agreements for power supply, and sale of power to Commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers; and Utilities, which include 

regulated natural gas distribution utilities across North America and a regulated natural gas storage utility in the United States. 

AltaGas has an enterprise value of over $9 billion. With the physical and economic links along the energy value chain, primarily 

from wellhead to burner tip, together with its experienced and talented workforce and its efficient, reliable and profitable assets, 

market knowledge and financial discipline, AltaGas has provided strong, stable and predictable returns to its investors. AltaGas 

focuses on maximizing the profitability of its assets, adding services that are complementary to its existing business segments, 

and growing through the acquisition and development of energy infrastructure, including infrastructure required to support the export 

of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from North America. 

Gas
AltaGas’ Gas segment serves producers in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) and transacts more than 2 Bcf/d of 

natural gas. It includes natural gas gathering and processing, natural gas liquids (NGL) extraction and fractionation, transmission, 

storage and natural gas marketing. The Gas segment also includes the Corporation’s 50 percent investment in AltaGas Idemitsu 

Joint Venture Limited Partnership (AIJVLP) which in turn owns the Corporation’s one-third interest in Petrogas Energy Corp. (Petrogas). 

Gas gathering systems move natural gas from producing wells to processing facilities. The gas is then compressed for transportation. 

The extraction and field fractionation facilities reprocess natural gas to extract and recover ethane and NGL. The transmission pipelines 

deliver natural gas and NGL to distribution systems, end-users or other downstream pipelines. AltaGas buys and resells energy; provides 

gas transportation, storage and gas marketing for producers; and sources gas supply to some of its processing assets. 

AIJVLP is pursuing energy export opportunities, including long-term supply and sales arrangements to meet the growing demand for 

LNG and LPG in Asia. Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. (Idemitsu), AltaGas’ partner in AIJVLP, is a global leader in the supply of energy, 

petroleum, lubricants and petrochemical products and services to Japan. Petrogas is a leading North American integrated midstream 

company with an extensive logistics network consisting of over 1,500 rail cars and 24 rail and truck terminals, which provides key 

infrastructure, supply logistics and marketing expertise required to pursue LPG export opportunities. Together, AltaGas, Idemitsu and 

Petrogas bring key infrastructure assets and marketing expertise along with energy supply and access to markets in Asia to pursue 

LPG export opportunities. 

Through AIJVLP, AltaGas and Idemitsu formed the Douglas Channel LNG Consortium (Consortium), which includes EDF Trading Limited 

(EDFT) and EXMAR NV (EXMAR), to support the plan of arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) 

proceedings for the Douglas Channel LNG project. The Douglas Channel LNG project is a proposed barge-based LNG export facility 

on the west bank of the Douglas Channel in Kitimat, British Columbia with a nameplate capacity of 0.55 million tonnes of LNG per 

annum. On January 28, 2015, the Consortium announced that it had obtained full ownership and control of the Douglas Channel 

LNG project as a result of the statutory plan of arrangement completed under the CCAA proceedings. The Consortium has executed 

long-term lease agreements with the Haisla Nation regarding land and water tenure and with Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) for 

long-term pipeline capacity to supply gas to the project. AltaGas will act as the project manager of the Douglas Channel LNG project. 

The Consortium is targeting a final investment decision (FID) by the end of 2015 and commercial operation in 2018. 

23

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportPower
As at December 31, 2014, the Power segment includes 1,285 MW of power generation capacity from gas-fired, coal-fired, wind, 

biomass and run-of-river assets, along with an additional 81 MW of assets under construction. On January 8, 2015 AltaGas completed 

the acquisition of three western U.S. gas-fired power assets with a total generation capacity of 164 MW. As a result, AltaGas entered 

2015 with 1,449 MW of total power generation capacity.

In 2014, the 195-MW Forrest Kerr Hydroelectric Facility (Forrest Kerr) and 16-MW Volcano Creek Hydroelectric Facility (Volcano Creek) 

were commissioned. The 66-MW McLymont Creek Hydroelectric Facility (McLymont Creek) will be the third and final Northwest Hydro 

Project to come online, with commissioning expected in mid-2015. The 277-MW Northwest Projects are contracted with 60-year 

Electricity Purchase Agreements (EPAs) with BC Hydro that are fully indexed to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Impact Benefit 

Agreements are in place for all three facilities, ensuring a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship between the Tahltan First 

Nation and AltaGas. 

AltaGas owns Blythe Energy Inc. (Blythe), which owns Blythe Energy Center, a 507 MW natural gas-fired power plant, associated major 

spare parts and a related 230 kV 67-mile electric transmission line in southern California. Blythe is fully contracted under a power 

purchase agreement (PPA) with Southern California Edison Company (SCE) until July 31, 2020, at which point the facility is uniquely 

positioned to potentially serve both the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and the Desert Southwest (DSW) markets. 

In 2014, AltaGas acquired a fully permitted and shovel-ready site directly adjacent to the existing Blythe facility, known as the Sonoran 

Energy Project or Blythe II. Also in 2014, AltaGas acquired an additional 76 acres of land north of the current Blythe facility to provide 

further opportunities to expand the Blythe Energy Center (Blythe III). The development of both projects could potentially more than 

triple AltaGas’ current generating capacity in California over the medium and long term.

AltaGas is also expanding its cogeneration fleet at the Harmattan Complex (Harmattan) from 30 MW to 45 MW. AltaGas is in the 

final stages of construction of the additional 15 MW of cogeneration capacity (Cogeneration III), which is being constructed to meet 

the increased power demand at Harmattan and to increase sales to the Alberta power market. Cogeneration III is expected to be in 

service in the first half of 2015. 

AltaGas owns 50 percent of the Sundance B PPA, giving it the rights to 353 MW of power output and ancillary services from coal-fired 

base-load generation until December 31, 2020.

AltaGas owns 117 MW of wind power generation capacity as well as 35 MW of biomass generation capacity from which all power 

generation is sold via long-term contracts.

Utilities
The Utilities segment is composed of natural gas distribution utilities that serve more than 560,000 customers in Canada and the 

United States. The Utilities segment in Canada is composed of AltaGas Utilities Inc. (AUI) in Alberta, PNG in British Columbia, Heritage 

Gas Limited (Heritage Gas) in Nova Scotia, as well as a one-third equity interest in Inuvik Gas Ltd. (Inuvik Gas) in the Northwest 

Territories. The Utilities segment in the United States is comprised of SEMCO Energy Gas Company (SEMCO Gas) in Michigan, ENSTAR 

Natural Gas Company (ENSTAR) in Alaska and a 65 percent interest in Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska LLC (CINGSA), also in 

Alaska. The utilities are generally allowed the opportunity to earn regulated returns that provide for recovery of costs and a return 

on, and of, capital from the regulator-approved capital investment base.

24

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportALTAGAS’ VISION AND OBJECTIVE
AltaGas’ vision is to be a leading North American diversified energy infrastructure company. The Corporation’s overall objective is to 

generate superior economic returns by investing in low-risk, long-life energy assets. The Corporation focuses on assets underpinned by 

contracts with strong counterparties and regulated assets, both of which provide stable utility-like returns and long-life cash flows. 

Diversification increases the stability of earnings and cash flows and reduces AltaGas’ exposure to commodity market volatility. Our 

earnings are underpinned by three business segments, and within each segment there is further diversification: by customer and service 

type in the Gas segment, by fuel source and geography within the Power segment, and by regulatory jurisdiction in the Utilities segment. 

The Corporation also focuses on expanding its business through acquisitions and organic growth to further support dividend and capital 

growth. AltaGas believes that, in the long term, the abundant supply of natural gas in North America and the increasing global demand 

for clean energy will continue to provide opportunities for sustained growth across all its business segments. 

STRATEGY
AltaGas’ strategy is to execute opportunities created by the renaissance of natural gas in North America and the increasing global 

demand for clean energy by owning and operating a diversified mix of assets in gas, power and utilities. 

In the Gas segment, AltaGas’ strategy is focused on investing in assets that process and move natural gas to key markets, including 

Asia, to provide a fully integrated midstream service offering to its customers across the energy value chain. AltaGas is uniquely 

positioned to deliver higher netbacks to producers for natural gas and NGL through its ownership interest in Petrogas and the Ferndale 

Terminal as well as through AltaGas’ role in the Douglas Channel LNG project.

The Power segment is focused on building, owning, and operating a diversified portfolio of clean energy assets that reduces the 

Corporation’s carbon footprint and on meeting North America’s demand for clean energy.

In the Utilities segment, the Corporation is focused on finding innovative ways to continue to deliver clean and affordable natural gas to 

more customers, safely and reliably. 

Integral to AltaGas’ strategy is maintaining financial strength and flexibility, an investment grade credit rating and ready access to  

capital markets. 

AltaGas operates in a safe, reliable manner with ongoing development of organizational capability to execute its strategy. AltaGas has 

the ability to safely deliver capital projects on time and on budget, in close partnership with First Nations and community stakeholders.

Consistent with its mandate of overseeing and directing the Corporation’s strategic direction, AltaGas’ Board of Directors (Board of 

Directors) reviews the Corporation’s strategy on an annual basis. The Corporation continually assesses the macro- and micro-economic 

trends impacting its business and seeks opportunities to generate value for shareholders, including acquisitions, dispositions or other 

strategic transactions. Opportunities pursued by AltaGas must meet strategic, operating and financial criteria.

Investing in and Operating Energy Infrastructure
Natural gas supply and demand fundamentals and the demand for clean energy have consistently underpinned the Corporation’s 

strategy. In recent years, the supply and demand fundamentals have been changing. Abundant supply of natural gas in North America, 

driven by new technology that has improved the economics of unconventional gas plays, has been positive news for North American 

energy consumers and has led to renewed interest in natural gas as an economically-priced, clean-burning fuel. As a result, the use 

of natural gas for power generation and household, commercial and industrial uses is expected to increase substantially, providing 

significant opportunities across AltaGas’ Gas, Power and Utilities segments to invest in and optimize assets. 

25

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportThe abundant supply and relatively low natural gas prices in North America stand in sharp contrast to the higher prices in Asia. 

Investing in export infrastructure represents a compelling opportunity to unlock the value of western Canada’s vast natural gas 

reserves. AltaGas is uniquely positioned to provide producers a competitive service offering across the integrated value chain, from 

wellhead to tidewater. Access to Asian markets provides the opportunity for attractive netbacks to producers, especially those in the 

vast Montney and Duvernay basins under development in northeastern British Columbia and western Alberta. Through AltaGas’ 

ownership of the only natural gas pipeline to Kitimat and Prince Rupert (through its wholly-owned subsidiary PNG) and its investment 

in Petrogas, with its logistics network of rail cars, terminals and storage facilities, including the Ferndale LPG export terminal in the 

State of Washington acquired in 2014, AltaGas can provide multiple outlets for producers to deliver their natural gas and NGL products 

to the highest value markets. In partnership with Idemitsu, AltaGas is actively pursuing multiple LNG and LPG export opportunities.

AltaGas expects that economic growth and increased demand for clean sources of power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will 

require significant development in gas-fired and renewable generation. Within the Power segment, growth is planned through the 

completion of projects currently under construction, the expansion of existing assets, and through the development of its portfolio 

of clean energy generation in North America. AltaGas’ strategic acquisition of the Blythe facility in California provides significant 

opportunities to grow that facility to meet the growing demand for power in California and surrounding regions. 

Within the Utilities segment, growth is expected through expansion of the existing distribution systems to acquire new customers; 

acquisition of new franchises when it is cost effective or strategic to do so; fuel switching as abundant natural gas provides a clean 

low-cost energy alternative; and investment in existing distribution systems to ensure safe, reliable service for AltaGas’ customers. 

There are also natural gas storage opportunities currently under development in Nova Scotia to increase reliability of supply to 

AltaGas’ natural gas distribution customers in that area. 

AltaGas is an industry leading operator of energy infrastructure serving customers since 1994. AltaGas strives to employ the best 

available practices and technologies for integrity management systems and maintenance and operations in order to mitigate risks 

to the public, employees and the environment. Cost efficiency and operating performance are the drivers for increasing value as the 

Corporation continues to build out its portfolio of assets. Key initiatives continue to increase proficiency in managing costs and 

include changes to cost tracking systems and implementing best practice procurement strategies. Superior service, safety and 

reliability are also integral to AltaGas’ customer value proposition. AltaGas has approximately 1,700 employees building long-term 

relationships and sustainable benefits in the communities in which AltaGas operates.

Maintain Financial Strength and Flexibility
Financial discipline and effective risk management are fundamental cornerstones of the Corporation’s strategy. AltaGas’ financing 

strategy is to ensure the Corporation has sufficient liquidity to meet its capital requirements and to do so at the lowest cost possible. 

As a growth-oriented energy infrastructure company, AltaGas creates value for its investors through minimizing its cost of capital and 

maximizing its return on invested capital, which ensures operating cash flows are maintained and growing. The Corporation develops 

and executes financing plans and strategies to maintain and improve its credit ratings, diversify its funding sources and maintain 

ready access to capital markets.

A key element of the Corporation’s stable business model is mitigating its exposure to certain market price risks as well as volume 

risk. In addition to its diversification strategy, the Corporation has developed risk management processes that mitigate earnings 

volatility from commodity price risk and volume risk. AltaGas proactively hedges interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity 

price exposures. As well, the continued management of counterparty credit risk remains an ongoing priority. AltaGas mitigates the 

foreign exchange exposure on its United States investments by incorporating U.S. dollar (US dollar or US$) denominated capital, 

both debt and preferred shares, into its financing strategy.

AltaGas seeks to optimize risk and reward, ensuring that returns are commensurate with the level of risk assumed. 

26

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportContinue to Develop Organizational Capability to Support the Strategy
AltaGas recognizes that to be successful in operating and constructing energy infrastructure, specific core competencies are required. 

To that end, the Corporation continues to focus on training and hiring the required competencies for executing its strategy and 

ensuring that the performance management processes support the long-term objective of creating shareholder value. 

STRATEGY EXECUTION
AltaGas has successfully executed its strategy to create shareholder value and to maintain financial strength and flexibility, growing 

from under $3 billion in assets five years ago to total assets of over $8 billion at the end of 2014. In the last three years, the 

Corporation has reported 6 percent and 10 percent compound annual growth rate in earnings and dividends per share, respectively. 

AltaGas delivers an effective balance between yield and growth. 

2014 was a significant year for AltaGas. The Corporation safely commissioned Forrest Kerr, the largest construction project in its  

20-year history, on time and on budget and completed Volcano Creek two years ahead of schedule. Adding these high quality renewable 

generation assets, which deliver long-term stable cash flows supported by 60-year EPAs, demonstrates the successful execution of 

AltaGas’ strategy. AltaGas continues to make good progress at McLymont Creek, which is expected to be in service in mid-2015. In 

addition, AltaGas optimized its power portfolio in 2014 by divesting the ownership of 25 MW of peaking capacity exposed to the 

merchant Alberta power market, and entered into a purchase and sale agreement for 164 MW of contracted gas-fired assets located 

in the western United States. The transaction closed on January 8, 2015 and increased AltaGas’ presence in the U.S. and overall 

contracted position to further support stable cash flows. AltaGas delivered growth in its Power segment generation of 32 percent in 

2014, providing over 75 percent of total generation from clean energy sources, including hydro, wind, biomass and gas-fired. 

AltaGas also opened the doors to international markets in 2014 and built a competitive service offering for producers. The Corporation 

enhanced its logistics capabilities by increasing its investment in Petrogas in early 2014, bringing its ownership interest to one-third. 

Petrogas subsequently acquired the Ferndale LPG export terminal, which completed shipments to Asia off the U.S. west coast in 

2014. In addition, AltaGas made significant progress on executing its strategy to export LNG off Canada’s west coast. The Douglas 

Channel LNG export initiative was granted creditor approval in 2014, enabling AltaGas and its partners to proceed with the project. 

Gaining access to Asian markets and building competencies from wellhead to tidewater has positioned AltaGas as a preferred partner 

for producers. This was validated by a 15-year strategic alliance with Montney producer Painted Pony Petroleum Ltd. (Painted Pony), 

which was executed in 2014. AltaGas has established a competitive advantage of providing an integrated service offering for 

producers to earn higher netbacks through the successful execution of its strategy in 2014.

In 2014, AltaGas initiated further growth in all business lines with projects such as the acquisition of the Blythe II development 

project and the land acquisition for Blythe III, completing commercial agreements for a 198 Mmcf/d shallow-cut gas processing facility 

(Townsend Facility), and beginning groundwork on AltaGas’ first regional LNG facility in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Construction 

of Cogeneration III is advancing and the project remains on schedule with completion expected in the first half of 2015. In fourth 

quarter 2014, AltaGas completed the construction of the second part of the Cold Lake Pipeline Expansion. Across the utilities, 

AltaGas continued to focus on customer and rate base growth by expanding its existing infrastructure through system upgrade 

programs and organic growth opportunities. 

27

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
In 2014, the Corporation enhanced its financial strength and flexibility through a combination of internally-generated cash flows, the 

Corporation’s dividend reinvestment program (DRIP), and the issuance of $1.8 billion of equity and long-term debt. The Corporation 

extended its debt maturity profile and lowered its cost of debt with the early redemption of $500 million of medium-term notes (MTNs) 

and the issuance of $1.1 billion of MTNs, including the $400 million 30-year issuance. During the year, AltaGas completed a  

$460 million Common Share issuance and a $200 million Preferred Share issuance (Series G Shares). AltaGas maintained sufficient 

liquidity and a strong balance sheet throughout the year and exited 2014 with approximately $1.7 billion of available credit facilities, 

cash and short-term investments of $421 million, and debt-to-total capitalization of 45 percent. AltaGas entered 2015 exceptionally 

well-positioned to fund its growth capital and to take advantage of growth opportunities when they arise.

In May 2014, the Board of Directors approved a 16 percent dividend increase from $1.53 per share to $1.77 per share on an 

annualized basis. The dividend increase reflects the success of AltaGas’ asset additions across all business segments and the 

strength and stability of its cash flows. 

2014 GROWTH HIGHLIGHTS
•  Increased AltaGas’ effective ownership of Petrogas to one-third. Petrogas is a privately-held leading North American integrated 

midstream company;

•  Acquired the remaining 50 percent ownership interest in Alton Natural Gas Storage LP, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary;

•  Through Triton LNG Limited Partnership (Triton LNG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AIJVLP, received National Energy Board (NEB) 

approval to export up to 2.3 million tonnes per year of LNG;

•  Acquired Blythe II, a shovel-ready gas-fired generation development site, located adjacent to the Blythe facility already owned by AltaGas. 

An additional 76 acres of land was also purchased north of the current Blythe facility that provides the potential for further expansion 

of the Blythe Energy Center;

•  Completed Forrest Kerr, the largest project in the Corporation’s history, on time and on budget;

•  Entered into a 15-year strategic alliance with Painted Pony for the development of processing infrastructure and marketing services 

for natural gas and NGL;

•  Completed commercial agreements for the 198 Mmcf/d Townsend natural gas processing facility;

•  Completed the 16 MW Volcano Creek project two years ahead of schedule;

•  Completed construction on the second Cold Lake Pipeline Expansion project;

•  Invested $186 million in the Utilities segment to support customer and rate base growth; and

•  Obtained approval for the CCAA Plan of Arrangement for the Douglas Channel LNG project.

2014 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
•  Normalized EBITDA1 of $546 million in 2014, compared to $509 million in 2013; 
•  Normalized funds from operations1 of $472 million ($3.72 per share) in 2014, compared to $402 million ($3.47 per share) in 2013;
•  Normalized net income1 of $165 million ($1.30 per share) in 2014, compared to $176 million ($1.51 per share) in 2013;

•  Net income applicable to common shares of $96 million ($0.75 per share) in 2014, compared to $182 million ($1.56 per share) 

in 2013; 

•  Dividend payout as a percentage of normalized funds from operations(1) of 45 percent in 2014, compared to 43 percent in 2013; 

•  Net debt as at December 31, 2014 of $2,915 million, compared to $3,201 million as at December 31, 2013; 

•  Debt-to-total capitalization ratio as at December 31, 2014 of 45 percent, compared to 53 percent as at December 31, 2013;

•  On January 13, 2014, issued $200 million of senior unsecured medium-term notes (MTNs) with a coupon rate of 4.40 percent, 

maturing on March 15, 2024, and $100 million senior unsecured MTNs with a coupon rate of 5.16 percent, maturing on  

January 13, 2044;

1  Non-GAAP financial measure; see discussion in Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A.

28

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual Report•  Redeemed $200 million of senior unsecured MTNs early on February 14, 2014. The notes had a coupon rate of 7.42 percent and 

a maturity of April 29, 2014;

•  Issued US$200 million senior unsecured MTNs on March 24, 2014. The notes carry a floating coupon rate of three-month LIBOR 

plus 0.72 percent and mature on March 24, 2016;

•  On April 30, 2014, increased dividends per share by 16 percent to $1.77 on an annualized basis from $1.53;

•  On July 3, 2014, issued 8,000,000 five-year rate-reset Series G Preferred Shares at a price of $25 per Series G Preferred Share 

for aggregate gross proceeds of $200 million, including 2,000,000 Series G Preferred Shares pursuant to the exercise in full of 

an underwriters’ option;

•  On August 15, 2014, issued $300 million of 30-year senior unsecured MTNs. The notes carry a coupon rate of 4.50 percent and 

mature on August 15, 2044;

•  On August 28, 2014, issued 9,027,500 Common Shares at a price of $51 per Common Share for aggregate gross proceeds of 

$460 million, including 1,177,500 Common Shares pursuant to the exercise in full of an underwriters’ option;

•  On November 10, 2014, issued $300 million of senior unsecured MTNs with a coupon rate of 3.84 percent and a maturity of 

January 15, 2025;

•  Redeemed $100 million of senior unsecured MTNs on December 4, 2014. The notes had a coupon rate of 6.94 percent and a 

maturity of June 29, 2016;

•  Redeemed $200 million of senior unsecured MTNs on December 8, 2014. The notes had a coupon rate of 4.10 percent and a 

maturity of March 24, 2016;

•  On December 15, 2014, AltaGas extended the maturity of the SEMCO US$150 million credit facility to December 20, 2019; and

•  On December 17, 2014, AltaGas extended the maturity of its $1.4 billion syndicate credit facility and its $150 million extendible 

revolving letter of credit facility to December 15, 2018.

2015 OUTLOOK
AltaGas’ diversified portfolio of energy infrastructure assets is well positioned to weather commodity and economic cycles. Two-thirds 

of AltaGas’ business consists of regulated utilities and highly contracted power generation. The other third is AltaGas’ Gas business 

which is also highly contracted with take-or-pay and cost-of-service contracts. The Power and Utilities segments are expected to report 

higher earnings and the Gas segment is expected to remain nearly flat to 2014 after adjusting for the impact of the turnarounds at 

Harmattan and the Younger Extraction Plant (Younger) and assuming frac spreads recover in the latter half of 2015. 

AltaGas expects to deliver earnings and cash flow growth in 2015 compared to 2014 as a result of the contribution from the Northwest 

Projects, the investment in Petrogas, growth in rate base and customers at the utilities, several other growth projects coming into 

service, and a weaker Canadian dollar. These increases are expected to offset the impact of lower power prices in Alberta as well 

as lower frac spreads if the lower commodity price environment should persist for all of 2015. Based on the current price environment, 

AltaGas expects that over 90 percent of overall EBITDA will be driven by its portfolio of long-life assets underpinned by long-term, 

take-or-pay and cost-of-service contracts and regulated earnings. 13 percent of overall EBITDA is underpinned by volumes processed 

in the Gas business. In 2015 AltaGas expects to report higher financing costs related to new assets in service, higher income taxes 

and the impact of turnarounds at Younger and Harmattan. 

29

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportFirst quarter 2015 earnings are expected to be lower than same period 2014. While there is an uplift from the impact of the weaker 

Canadian dollar on our U.S. business results, our first quarter 2015 is also expected to be impacted by normal seasonality of the 

utilities and the Northwest Projects, and a planned turnaround at Forrest Kerr, as well as lower frac and Alberta power prices. 

Normalized funds from operations are expected to be roughly flat to first quarter 2014.

Activity in AltaGas’ Gas business is expected to be driven by the continued development in the Montney basin as well as the abundant 

supply and relatively low natural gas price environment in North America. Given the near term momentum of development in the world 

class Montney play, AltaGas expects growing demand for processing infrastructure in the area as natural gas supply increases. 

Surplus natural gas and NGL in western Canada will necessitate energy exports to potentially mitigate the low regional price 

environment. AltaGas is uniquely positioned to deliver higher netbacks to producers by providing a competitive service offering across 

the energy value chain and by connecting producers to the highest value markets, including Asia. 

While the current pace of development in the Montney is strong, if the significantly decreased oil and regional NGL prices experienced 

in late 2014 and early 2015 are sustained, growth opportunities for processing infrastructure could be delayed. To the extent there 

are delays, AltaGas has the potential to redeploy its growth capital into additional attractive investment opportunities across its 

diversified Power and Utility businesses.

Management estimates an average of 6,500 Bbls/d will be exposed to frac spread in 2015. For 2015, AltaGas has hedged 

approximately 50 percent of the estimated 6,500 Bbls/d exposed to frac spread at an average price of approximately $27/Bbl before 

deducting extraction premiums. 

In the Power segment, earnings are expected to be driven by the full year contribution from Forrest Kerr and Volcano Creek, the partial 

year contribution from McLymont Creek, optimization of power assets including increased volumes generated at Sundance, and higher 

contribution from the U.S. power business due to continued growth and development opportunities. The earnings and cash flows 

from Forrest Kerr and Volcano Creek are expected to be seasonally stronger beginning in the second quarter through early in the 

fourth quarter and seasonally weaker in the first quarter based on normal water flow patterns. AltaGas expects to mitigate the impact 

of downward pressure on Alberta power prices in 2015 through its hedging strategy.

AltaGas has hedged approximately 55 percent of volumes exposed to Alberta power prices for first quarter 2015 at an average price 

of approximately $59/MWh. Overall for 2015, AltaGas has hedged approximately 25 percent of volumes exposed to Alberta power 

prices at an average price of approximately $59/MWh. AltaGas expects to continue to hedge its exposure to Alberta power prices 

throughout 2015 at prices lower than 2014 hedged prices if current forward curves persist throughout 2015.

In the Utilities segment, AltaGas expects to continue to benefit from the normal seasonally strong first and fourth quarters due to 

the winter heating season. The utilities are expected to report increased earnings in 2015 driven by increased customer and rate 

base growth. Earnings at all of the utilities except PNG are affected by the weather in their franchise areas with colder weather 

generally benefitting earnings. If the weather varies from the previous year, earnings at the utilities would be affected. If the US dollar 

continues to appreciate, the earnings from the U.S. utilities will benefit accordingly in 2015. Some of this benefit is offset by higher 

US dollar-denominated interest.

30

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportGAS
Description of Assets
AltaGas’ Gas segment serves customers primarily in the WCSB and transacts more than 2 Bcf/d of natural gas including natural 

gas gathering and processing, NGL extraction and fractionation, transmission, storage and natural gas marketing. Gas gathering 

systems move natural gas from producing wells to processing facilities where impurities and certain hydrocarbon components are 

removed. The gas is then compressed to meet downstream pipelines’ operating specifications for transportation. Extraction and 

field fractionation facilities reprocess natural gas to extract and recover ethane and NGL. AltaGas owns 1.6 Bcf/d of extraction 

processing capacity and 1.4 Bcf/d of raw field gas processing capacity. The Gas segment also includes equity investments in 

Petrogas and AIJVLP.

Transmission pipelines deliver natural gas and NGL to distribution systems, end-users or other downstream pipelines. AltaGas 

uses its market knowledge and expertise to create value by buying and reselling natural gas; providing gas transportation, storage 

and gas marketing for producers; and sourcing gas supply for some of the Corporation’s processing assets. The Gas segment 

also includes several expansion and greenfield projects under development, including its energy export projects through AIJVLP.

On January 29, 2013, AltaGas signed an agreement with Idemitsu to form AIJVLP. AltaGas and Idemitsu each own a 50 percent 

interest in AIJVLP. AIJVLP is pursuing opportunities to develop liquefaction infrastructure and long term natural gas supply and 

sales arrangements to meet the growing demand for natural gas in Asia. AIJVLP is also pursuing opportunities to develop a 

Canadian LPG export business, including logistics, plant refrigeration and storage facilities.

Gas

ONTARIO

NOVA SCOTIA

MICHIGAN

Toronto

Detroit

Halifax

BRITISH COLUMBIA

ALBERTA

SASKATCHEWAN

Edmonton

Calgary

Regina

Vancouver

31

Gas Processing

Gas Processing
Under Development

Regional LNG Facility
Under Construction

Transmission Pipeline

Field Gathering &
Processing Area

Storage Facility

Storage Facility
Under Development

Storage Facility
Under Construction

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportOn October 1, 2013, AltaGas completed the acquisition of a 25 percent interest in Petrogas, a privately-held leading integrated 

midstream company. Petrogas’ extensive logistics network, consisting of over 1,500 rail cars and 24 rail and truck terminals, 

provides key infrastructure as well as supply logistics and marketing expertise required to pursue LPG export opportunities. 

Effective March 1, 2014, AltaGas increased its effective ownership of Petrogas to one-third, which it holds through its 50 percent 

interest in AIJVLP. 

On August 19, 2014 AltaGas and Painted Pony signed an agreement to enter into a 15-year strategic alliance for the development 

of processing infrastructure and marketing services for natural gas and NGL. This strategic alliance is expected to further expand 

AltaGas’ fully integrated midstream business by providing Painted Pony with essential gas processing infrastructure for their 

Montney reserves as well as access to global energy markets, including Asia. In the first phase of the strategic alliance, the 

Townsend Facility, a 198-Mmcf/d shallow-cut gas processing facility, will be constructed and operated by AltaGas. 

The Gas segment includes: 

•  Interests in six NGL extraction plants with net licensed inlet capacity of 1.6 Bcf/d. The extraction assets provide stable fixed-fee 

or cost-of-service type revenues and margin based revenues;

•  Four natural gas transmission systems with combined transportation capacity of approximately 0.6 Bcf/d and four NGL pipelines 

with combined capacity of 189,300 Bbls/d. The transmission assets provide stable take-or-pay based revenues. In 2014, Nova 

Chemicals Corporation (Nova Chemicals) provided notice that it intends to exercise its option to purchase the pipelines effective 

March 31, 2017;

•  Approximately 70 gathering and processing facilities in western Canada and a network of approximately 6,100 km of gathering 

and sales lines that gather gas upstream of processing facilities and deliver natural gas into downstream pipeline systems that 

feed North American natural gas markets. The field facilities provide fee-for-service revenues based on volumes processed as well 

as revenues based on take-or-pay contracts. A significant portion of contracts flow through operating costs to producers; 

•  50 percent ownership of the 5.3 Bcf Sarnia natural gas storage facility connected to the Dawn Hub in Eastern Canada; 

•  Natural gas storage projects under construction in Nova Scotia and under development in Michigan;

•  Natural gas marketing and gas transportation services to optimize the value of the infrastructure assets and meet customer needs;

•  50 percent ownership of AIJVLP which is developing LNG and LPG export opportunities from the west coast of Canada to Asia; 

•  One-third ownership in Petrogas, a leading North American integrated midstream company, including the LPG export facility at 

Ferndale, Washington; and

•  15-year strategic alliance with Painted Pony for the development of processing infrastructure and marketing services for natural 

gas and NGL.

The Gas segment provides safe and reliable natural gas and liquids gathering, processing, extraction, transportation and storage 

services to its customers. The strategic focus is to increase profitability of the existing infrastructure, expand and add new 

infrastructure, and redeploy assets in areas with increased exploration and drilling activities in the WCSB. AltaGas also focuses on 

long-term, fixed-fee, take-or-pay and cost-of-service contracts with strong counterparties to mitigate the impact of volume risk and 

increase stability of earnings. 

The Corporation employs a frac hedging strategy that is designed to reduce commodity price exposure. This hedging strategy is 

integrated with the Power segment’s hedging strategy with respect to AltaGas’ combined exposure to commodities. 

32

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCapitalize on Opportunities 
AltaGas plans to grow its gas business by expanding and optimizing strategically-located assets and by adding new assets to serve 

customers by providing access to new markets, primarily Asia. New infrastructure is expected to be larger scale facilities supporting 

the vast reserves in the WCSB as well as the strong producer activity in liquids-rich areas. AltaGas’ strategic investment in Petrogas 

enhances the services provided by the Gas segment by offering integrated midstream services to AltaGas’ customers and creating 

long-term value for the Gas segment. While providing safe and reliable service, AltaGas pursues opportunities in the Gas segment 

to deliver value to its customers and enhance long-term shareholder value. The Corporation’s objectives are to:

•  Capitalize on the infrastructure growth opportunities associated with growing natural gas supply in the WCSB;

•  Provide a fully integrated midstream service offering including pipeline and liquefaction facilities to its customers across the energy 

value chain, with higher producer netbacks resulting from export access to higher value markets, including Asia;

•  Maximize profitability of existing facilities by increasing capacity, utilization and efficiency;

•  Mitigate volume risk through contractual structures, redeployment of equipment and expansion of geographical reach;

•  Expand into new natural gas infrastructure markets such as regional LNG;

•  Coordinate between facilities, business segments and product lines to improve efficiencies and maximize profits; and

•  Maintain strong social license with local communities, First Nations, governments, and regulatory bodies.

In recent years, the WCSB has changed from a maturing basin to one with significant growth potential. AltaGas remains confident 

that the long-term demand for natural gas, combined with improvements in exploration, drilling and completion technology, will support 

the long-term viability of the WCSB. The emergence of unconventional gas plays in the WCSB such as Montney, Horn River, Duvernay 

and Glauconite, as well as increased focus on horizontal multi-fracturing technology have resulted in abundant natural gas supply. 

AltaGas expects growing demand for processing infrastructure in the WCSB as natural gas supply increases. Continued producer 

focus on liquids-rich natural gas and oil is thereby increasing the demand for processing capacity that allows producers to earn higher 

netbacks on liquids-rich gas and associated gas from increasing oil production.

Market demand, including the demand generated from the potential LPG and LNG export projects on the west coast of North America, 

provides significant growth opportunities in the Corporation’s Gas segment. AltaGas expects to capitalize on these opportunities by 

increasing throughput at facilities, by increasing interests in existing plants, and by acquiring and constructing new facilities such as 

liquefaction, natural gas processing, extraction, fractionation, storage and transmission capacity. AltaGas’ 15-year strategic alliance 

with Painted Pony is an example of the Corporation’s ability to partner with producers to provide a fully integrated service offering 

from wellhead to tidewater. 

AltaGas is pursuing a regional LNG business to supply LNG to remote industries and communities for power generation, space heating 

and industrial use in northeastern British Columbia and Northern Canada. 

The natural gas supply to AltaGas’ extraction plants, with the exception of Harmattan and Younger, depends on natural gas demand 

pull from residential, commercial and industrial usage inside and outside of western Canada, and gas liquids demand pull from the 

Alberta petrochemical market and propane heating. Natural gas supply to Younger is dependent on the amount of raw natural gas 

processed at the McMahon gas plant, which is based on the robust natural gas producing region of northeastern British Columbia. 

Harmattan’s raw natural gas supply is based on producer activity in the west-central region of Alberta. Harmattan is the only deep-cut 

and full fractionation plant in the area and is the third largest producer of NGL in the WCSB. There has been significant demand for 

gas processing capacity at Harmattan as a result of the high volume of liquids-rich gas being produced in the area. 

33

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
AltaGas also expects to see increased opportunities to acquire or build gathering and processing infrastructure from, or on behalf 

of, producers wishing to redeploy capital to exploration and production activities rather than to non-core activities such as gas 

processing. The Corporation expects there to be opportunities to increase volumes by tying-in new wells and building or purchasing 

adjoining facilities and systems to create larger processing infrastructure to capture operating synergies and enhance its competitive 

advantage. The strategic location of some of its existing gas processing infrastructure is expected to benefit from growing natural 

gas production in northeastern British Columbia and western Alberta in response to the development of unconventional sources of 

gas, such as the Montney and Duvernay shale gas plays. The 198-Mmcf/d Townsend Facility is an example of AltaGas’ ability to 

capitalize on energy infrastructure growth opportunities while providing a fully integrated midstream service offering to its customers. 

The Gordondale gas plant and the expansion of the Blair Creek facility are meeting liquids extraction needs in the Montney area as 

producers seek to increase netbacks by capitalizing on liquids-rich gas in this prolific area. The contractual underpinning of the 

Gordondale and Blair Creek facilities provides stable cash flows. Overall, the diverse nature of AltaGas’ natural gas and NGL 

infrastructure is expected to provide ongoing opportunities for AltaGas to increase throughput, utilization and profitability. 

Due to the integrated nature of AltaGas’ gas gathering and processing assets, transmission services are often offered in combination 

with gathering and processing, natural gas marketing and extraction services. AltaGas works with customers to create transmission 

solutions in areas where pipeline capacity is required to meet producer and end-user demands. This integrated service model has 

been further enhanced with the ownership interest in Petrogas. Petrogas provides logistics and market services which can be offered 

as additional value to AltaGas’ customers. AltaGas also pursues additional opportunities to enhance the value of its infrastructure 

through services ancillary to its infrastructure based businesses. These include maintaining the cost effective flow of gas through 

extraction plants and increasing services provided to producers. AltaGas has significant gas and power market knowledge which it 

employs across all its assets to enhance returns along the energy value chain and more effectively serve customers’ needs. 

34

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
POWER
Description of Assets
As at December 31, 2014, the Power segment includes 1,285 MW of generating capacity from gas-fired, coal-fired, wind, biomass 

and run-of-river assets. Further power generation of 81 MW is in construction, which includes 66 MW for the McLymont Creek 

run-of-river project and 15 MW of cogeneration at Harmattan. In addition, there is 2,360 MW of power generation in various stages 

of development. On January 8, 2015 AltaGas completed the acquisition of three gas-fired power assets in the western U.S. As a 

result, AltaGas entered 2015 with 1,449 MW of total power generation capacity.

AltaGas continues to expand its geographic footprint and at the end of 2014 owned 557 MW of generating capacity in the United 

States. On May 16, 2013, AltaGas acquired the 507 MW Blythe Energy Center. The gas-fired generation capacity at Blythe is currently 

operating under a long-term PPA with SCE and serves the CAISO market. Due to the structure of the long-term PPA, the majority of 

the facility’s revenues are derived from capacity payments, thereby providing stable cash flows. The current capacity is contracted 

until July 31, 2020, at which time the facility is uniquely positioned to potentially serve both the CAISO and DSW markets. The Blythe 

Energy Center is located on an owned 76-acre site which provides a significant geographic footprint and water resource to support 

future expansions. The facility is directly connected to a Southern California Gas Company natural gas pipeline for its supply and 

interconnects with SCE and the CAISO via its 67-mile transmission line. The facility also has the capability of directly reconnecting 

to the DSW market and El Paso gas supply. The transmission line is capable of transmitting 1,100 MW and has excess capacity to 

meet future load growth. In 2014, AltaGas entered into a long-term agreement with Siemens Energy, Inc. (Siemens) for the maintenance 

of the two existing combustion turbines. Also in 2014, AltaGas acquired a fully permitted and shovel-ready site directly adjacent to 

the existing Blythe facility, known as the Sonoran Energy Project or Blythe II. In addition, AltaGas acquired 76 acres of land north of 

the current Blythe facility to support further expansion opportunities.

Power

BRITISH COLUMBIA

ALBERTA

MANITOBA

MICHIGAN

Coal-Fired Power Generation

Calgary

Edmonton

Detroit

Wind Power Generation

Wind Power Generation
Under Development

Hydro Power Generation

Hydro Power Generation
Under Development

Hydro Power Generation
Under Construction

Biomass Power Generation

Gas-Fired Power Generation

Gas-Fired Power Generation
Under Development

Gas-Fired Power Generation
Under Construction

Vancouver

Winnipeg

Denver

COLORADO

Bismarck

Sacramento

NORTH DAKOTA

Santa Fe

NEW MEXICO

NORTH CAROLINA

CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles

Blythe

Charlotte

35

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportAltaGas owns a 50 percent interest in the Busch Ranch wind farm (Busch Ranch), a 29 MW wind farm in Colorado with a 25-year 

PPA with the local utility, which came into service in October 2012. AltaGas’ biomass assets are a 30 percent working interest in the 

37 MW wood biomass power facility in Grayling, Michigan and a 50 percent working interest in the 48 MW wood biomass power 

facility in Craven County, North Carolina. Both biomass facilities have long-term PPAs.

On December 1, 2014 AltaGas sold four gas-fired peaking plants located in Southern Alberta with a total of 25 MW of generation 

that was exposed to the merchant Alberta power market. AltaGas re-invested these proceeds by acquiring three gas-fired power 

assets in the western U.S. All three assets are currently contracted under PPAs with local creditworthy utilities, and generate stable 

cash flows. 

The Power segment includes:

•  507 MW of gas-fired generating capacity in California at Blythe Energy Center with a further 1,163 MW under development; 

•  353 MW of coal-fired generating capacity in Alberta through the Sundance B PPA. AltaGas employs an economic hedging strategy 

to mitigate the exposure to Alberta spot power prices; 

•  117 MW of wind generation, of which 102 MW is in British Columbia and 15 MW is in Colorado, with a further 1,087 MW in various 

stages of development. All operating wind generation is sold via long-term EPAs;

•  35 MW of biomass generation in the United States. The plants have long-term PPAs with strong counterparties;

•  30 MW of cogeneration capacity in Alberta and a further 15 MW under construction;

•  223 MW of operating run-of-river generation, with 66 MW under construction and 20 MW under development. All Northwest Projects 

have 60-year EPAs fully indexed to CPI; 

•  20 MW of gas-fired peaking plants in Alberta with a further 90 MW under development; 

•  C&I power sales in Alberta which provide further opportunities to hedge a portion of the Alberta generation for periods of one to 

five years; and

•  164 MW of gas-fired generation capacity in the United States acquired on January 8, 2015. The plants are supported by PPAs with 

creditworthy counterparties.

The Corporation employs a power hedging strategy which is designed to balance market and operational risk related to the Sundance 

B PPA, thereby reducing the exposure to Alberta spot power prices and providing earnings stability in the Power segment. AltaGas 

also sells power to C&I end-users in Alberta, providing further earnings stability. Counterparties are subject to credit reviews and 

credit thresholds in the normal course of business. This hedging strategy is integrated with the Gas segment’s hedging strategy with 

respect to AltaGas’ combined exposure to commodities.

Growth in the Power segment aligns with AltaGas’ strategy of generating clean energy and increasing earnings and cash flow stability 

and predictability. AltaGas’ most significant undertaking to date is the construction of the three Northwest Projects with total 

generation capacity of 277 MW. In 2014, AltaGas completed the construction and commissioning of the 195-MW Forrest Kerr facility, 

which is the largest project in AltaGas’ 20-year history. Start-up was also achieved for the 16-MW Volcano Creek facility, with 

construction and commissioning completed two years ahead of schedule. Construction continues to progress well on the 66-MW 

McLymont Creek project, which is expected to be in service by mid-2015. The aggregate 277-MW Northwest Projects, estimated to 

cost approximately $1.0 billion, are underpinned by 60-year EPAs, fully indexed to CPI. Impact Benefit Agreements are in place for 

all three projects, ensuring a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship between the Tahltan First Nation and AltaGas. Also 

operating in British Columbia is the 102-MW Bear Mountain Wind Park (Bear Mountain); McNair, a wholly-owned 10 MW run-of-river 

power generation facility; and Boston Bar, a 25 percent effective interest in a 7 MW run-of-river facility. These projects are also 

underpinned by EPAs with BC Hydro. 

36

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCapitalize on Opportunities 
While providing safe and reliable service, AltaGas pursues opportunities in the Power segment to deliver value to its customers and 

enhance long-term shareholder value. The Corporation’s objectives are to:

•  Capitalize on North American demand for clean energy;

•  Further grow and diversify the power generation portfolio by geography and fuel source; 

•  Acquire and develop power infrastructure backstopped by long-term PPAs or supported by strong power supply and demand 

fundamentals;

•  Execute power hedges to balance operational and market risk and to increase earnings stability from its Alberta power assets; and

•  Maintain strong social license with local communities, First Nations, governments, and regulatory bodies.

AltaGas’ strategy is to build, own and operate long-life, low-risk power infrastructure assets to deliver strong, stable returns for 

investors. Growth is focused on gas-fired and renewable sources of clean energy as the Corporation seeks to capitalize on increasing 

demand for clean power while reducing its carbon footprint.

The demand for clean energy continues to be strong across North America as the industry addresses climate change legislation and 

utilities are faced with renewable portfolio standards. Although coal-fired generation is still the dominant fuel source for power 

generation in North America, it is decreasing in market share for environmental and economic reasons. Low natural gas costs have 

resulted in a cost competitive option to coal as a source of fuel on a marginal cost basis in many parts of North America. The 

economic benefit of gas-fired generation is enhanced by capital cost efficiency, dispatch flexibility and the fact that it is a cleaner 

burning fossil fuel, thus enhancing its appeal as a source of energy. 

AltaGas actively markets electricity and gas directly to end-users, enabling the Corporation to secure fixed-price sales at competitive 

market prices while earning fees associated with the administration of the metered data and billing. These C&I sales are typically 

for three to five year terms. A portion of the electricity sales are used to secure long-term power sales for AltaGas’ Alberta generation 

portfolio, offering AltaGas price certainty and a source of liquidity that has decreased in the wholesale market. C&I customers are 

also supplied through long-term power purchases from third parties. Currently, AltaGas has approximately 120 MW of fixed price 

sales to C&I customers for 2015, 85 MW for 2016, 74 MW for 2017, 18 MW for 2018, 6 MW for 2019 and 4 MW for 2020, with 

average prices in the high $50s per MWh, excluding retail fees.

Opportunities to develop and own additional power generation are likely to arise with the growing North American demand for cleaner 

energy sources such as natural gas, hydroelectric and wind. Both the Canadian federal government’s stated policy to have coal-fired 

generators retire at the end of their useful economic lives and the Once-Through Cooling Water Policy for power generating facility 

intake structures in California may prompt additional opportunities to develop new clean power generation capacity. The Blythe Energy 

Center, Bear Mountain, Busch Ranch, Grayling Generating Station, Craven County wood biomass power facility, the Northwest Projects 

and the U.S. power assets acquisition are all examples of AltaGas’ strategy in action to meet North America’s growing demand for 

clean energy.

AltaGas has approximately 2,360 MW of renewable and gas-fired power under development, including 1,087 MW of wind power, 

1,253 MW of gas-fired generation, and 20 MW of run-of-river hydroelectric developments. The wind projects are geographically 

dispersed in western North America, with 612 MW in Canada and 475 MW in the northern and western regions of the United States, 

while the run-of-river projects are located in British Columbia. AltaGas has 66 MW of run-of-river hydroelectric and 15 MW of gas-fired 

generation under construction. 

In 2014, there was continued progress made in the natural gas industry in developing LNG projects in western Canada. The potential 

addition of LNG export facilities is expected to require additional power generation to support the LNG facilities and the increased 

economic and industrial activity expected to occur in the region. The strategic location of AltaGas’ assets and operational expertise, 

along with a track record of collaborating with First Nations in British Columbia, provide AltaGas with a significant competitive advantage 

to capitalize on opportunities to increase its power generation portfolio to support LNG activities as they materialize.

37

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportUTILITIES
Description of Assets
AltaGas owns and operates utility assets that store and deliver natural gas to end-users in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, 

Michigan and Alaska. AltaGas also owns a one-third equity interest in the utility that delivers natural gas to end-users in Inuvik, 

Northwest Territories. AltaGas’ utility businesses serve over 560,000 customers and have a rate base of approximately $1.5 billion. 

The utilities are underpinned by regulated returns and regulatory regimes that generally provide stable earnings and cash flows. The 

Utilities segment enhances the diversification of AltaGas’ portfolio of energy infrastructure assets and strengthens the Corporation’s 

business profile, thus allowing the Corporation to meet its objective of generating superior economic returns by investing in regulated, 

long-life assets with stable earnings.

The Utilities segment includes: 

•  AUI in Alberta;

•  PNG in British Columbia;

•  Heritage Gas in Nova Scotia;

•  SEMCO Gas in Michigan; 

•  ENSTAR and CINGSA in Alaska; and

•  One-third interest in Inuvik Gas and the Ikhil Joint Venture in the Northwest Territories.

All of the utilities are allowed the opportunity to earn regulated returns. This return on rate base is composed of regulator-allowed 

financing costs and return on equity (ROE). In a cost-of-service regime and Performance Based Regulation (PBR) regime, if actual 

costs are different from those recoverable through approved rates, the utility bears the risk of this difference other than for certain 

costs that are subject to deferral treatment. Inuvik Gas operates a natural gas distribution franchise in a regulatory environment 

where delivery service and natural gas pricing are market-based.

Utilitles

BRITISH COLUMBIA

ALBERTA

Fort St. John

NOVA SCOTIA

Pictou

Guysborough

Cumberland

Colchester

East Hants

Halifax

Halifax

Gas Distribution Area

Transmission Pipeline

Prince Rupert

Kitimat

MICHIGAN

Edmonton 

ALASKA

Anchorage

38

Calgary

Vancouver

Detroit

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
Earnings in the Utilities segment are seasonal, as revenues are primarily based on the demand for space heating in the winter months, 

mainly from November to March. Costs, on the other hand, are generally incurred more uniformly over the year. This typically results 

in stronger first and fourth quarters and weaker second and third quarters. In Alberta, Nova Scotia, Michigan and Alaska, earnings 

can be impacted by variations from normal weather resulting in delivered volumes being different than anticipated. Increases in the 

number of customers or changes in customer usage are other factors that might typically affect delivered volumes and hence actual 

earned returns for the Utilities segment. PNG is authorized by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to maintain a Revenue 

Stabilization Adjustment Mechanism regulatory account to mitigate the effect of weather on deliveries to certain customers and the 

impact on earnings. 

SEMCO Gas

SEMCO Gas owns and operates a regulated natural gas distribution utility in Michigan and an interest in a regulated natural gas 

storage facility in Michigan. At the end of 2014, SEMCO Gas had approximately 300,000 customers. Of these customers, approximately 

90 percent are residential. In 2014, SEMCO Gas experienced customer growth of approximately 1 percent reflecting growth in the 

franchise areas and customer conversions with the favourable price of natural gas. The rate base at year end was approximately 

US$490 million. In 2014, the approved regulated ROE for SEMCO Gas was 10.35 percent on 50 percent equity.

SEMCO Gas is regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). It operates under cost-of-service regulation and utilizes 

actual results from the most recently completed fiscal year along with known and measurable changes in its application for new rates. 

In December 2012, SEMCO Gas filed an application with the MPSC seeking to amend the Main Replacement Program (MRP) effective 

in 2013. SEMCO Gas proposed to double the amount spent annually on the MRP from US$4 million to US$9 million; to double the 

miles of main replaced from 13 miles to 26 miles; to include vintage plastic main as eligible main, and to increase the MRP surcharge 

to recover the incremental capital costs associated with the MRP. On May 29, 2013, the MPSC issued an order approving SEMCO Gas’ 

application. Revised surcharges generating incremental revenue are effective for the period June 1, 2013, through May 30, 2017. 

On January 23, 2015, SEMCO Gas filed an MRP contested rate case. The regulatory proceedings on the MRP case are expected to 

take between six to 12 months. As part of the case, SEMCO Gas is requesting to continue the MRP program for an additional five 

years. The anticipated annual average capital spending over the five year period is approximately US$10 million.

ENSTAR and CINGSA

ENSTAR owns and operates a regulated natural gas distribution utility in Alaska and a 65 percent interest in CINGSA, a regulated 

natural gas storage utility in Alaska. At the end of 2014, ENSTAR had approximately 140,000 customers including regulated, 

transportation and non-regulated business lines. Of these customers, approximately 90 percent are residential. In 2014, ENSTAR 

experienced customer growth of approximately 2 percent reflecting growth in the franchise areas and customer conversions with the 

favourable price of natural gas. The rate base at year end was approximately US$230 million for ENSTAR and US$100 million for 

CINGSA (AltaGas’ 65 percent share). 

ENSTAR and CINGSA are regulated by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA). The companies operate under cost-of-service 

regulation and utilize actual results from the most recently completed fiscal year along with known and measureable changes in their 

application for new rates.

ENSTAR filed a new base rate case in September 2014. In the filing, ENSTAR requested an increase of approximately US$15 million 

in base rate revenue on a normalized annual basis. These rates reflect the addition of approximately US$115 million in gross rate 

base that ENSTAR has invested since its 2009 rate case to ensure the ongoing safe and reliable delivery of natural gas. ENSTAR 

proposed to increase its rates in two steps: (i) an interim and refundable rate increase of 1.0 percent of total revenues, which was 

approved by its regulators and became effective for billings on or after November 1, 2014; and (ii) an additional 4.06 percent increase 

upon final approval or acceptance, bringing a permanent rate increase of 5.06 percent of total normalized annual revenues. The 

second increase is not expected to be approved and implemented until fourth quarter 2015. 

39

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCINGSA made a filing in March 2014, updating the rates for service from the CINGSA Storage Facility to reflect its actual capital 

investment, permanent debt cost and actual operating costs. The calculation of rate base, levelized revenue requirement and rates 

has been adjusted to reflect a final capital cost of approximately US$160 million for the CINGSA Storage Facility. In May 2014, the 

regulators approved CINGSA’s new rates on a permanent basis to be effective for billings on or after May 12, 2014. CINGSA is also 

required to file a base rate case in mid-2017 based upon data from a test year ending December 31, 2016. 

AltaGas Utilities Inc. (AUI)

AUI owns and operates a regulated natural gas distribution utility in Alberta. At the end of 2014, AUI served approximately 76,000 

customers. AUI’s customers are primarily residential and small commercial consumers located in smaller population centers or rural 

areas of Alberta. Customer growth in 2014 was 2 percent, reflecting the continued strong growth of the Alberta market. AUI’s rate 

base at year end was approximately $215 million. 

For 2013 and 2014, AUI’s approved placeholder for regulated ROE was 8.75 percent on a prescribed capital structure of 43 percent 

equity and 57 percent debt. In 2013, the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) commenced a Generic Cost of Capital (GCOC) proceeding 

which will establish the ROE and capital structures for all AUC regulated utilities for 2013, 2014 and, possibly, future years. The 

decision is pending and is expected in early March 2015.

AUI is currently operating under a revenue cap per customer formula under PBR, a regulation that commenced with Alberta electric and 

natural gas distribution companies January 1, 2013 in place of the existing cost-of-service regulatory system. The PBR framework is 

intended to incentivize utilities to be more efficient. The 2014 interim rates were approximately 4 percent higher than those approved 

for 2013 with a decision on final rates from the AUC expected in the second quarter of 2015. The initial PBR term lasts for five years 

(2013-2017) and the AUC will make a determination at the end of the initial term as to how it will proceed for future years.

In addition to capital spend for new business, normal-course system betterment and general plant maintenance, AUI spent 

approximately $20 million in 2014 on its multi-year system rejuvenation program. This program is being undertaken to maintain 

public and worker safety and to ensure reliable and efficient long-term operation of AUI’s gas delivery systems, many of which are in 

their fifth and sixth decade of service. Capital investment under the rejuvenation program has been allowed by the regulator as an 

adjustment factor to the PBR rate resulting in AUI earning its regulated rate of return on the capital.

Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG)

PNG operates a transmission and distribution system in the west central portion of northern British Columbia (PNG West) and in the 

areas of Fort St. John and Dawson Creek (FSJ/DC) and Tumbler Ridge (TR) in northeastern British Columbia (PNG(N.E.)) At the end of 

2014, PNG served approximately 41,000 customers. Customer growth in 2014 was 1 percent, which is strong for PNG’s mature network 

and reflective of the economic activity in this region. PNG’s residential customers comprised approximately 85 percent of its total 

customers. PNG’s rate base at year end was approximately $200 million.

PNG is regulated by the BCUC. On March 25, 2014, the BCUC issued its decision on the GCOC Stage 2 proceeding established during 

2012 of which PNG was a participant. The approved common equity ratio for PNG West and (PNG(N.E.)) TR division was set at 

46.5 percent compared to the previously approved ratios of 45 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The approved common equity ratio 

for (PNG(N.E.)) FSJ/DC division was set at 41 percent compared to the previously approved ratio of 40 percent. The BCUC also set the 

Benchmark Utility ROE at 9.50 percent and established an equity risk premium of 75 basis points (bps) for PNG West and (PNG(N.E.)) 

TR division and an equity risk premium of 50 bps for (PNG(N.E.)) FSJ/DC division. This resulted in an allowed ROE of 10.15 percent for 

PNG West and (PNG(N.E.)) TR and 9.90 percent for (PNG(N.E.)) FSJ/DC effective January 1, 2013. These common equity ratios and 

allowed ROEs were in effect for 2014 and will remain the same for 2015.

40

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportPNG operates under a cost-of-service regulation and filed its annual revenue requirement for (PNG(N.E.)) FSJ/DC in November 2014. 

The application sought approval to increase its 2015 approved rates on an interim basis effective January 1, 2015 pending the BCUC’s 

review of the application. For PNG West and (PNG(N.E.)) TR, PNG filed a letter application requesting that the 2014 rates remain in effect 

for 2015 and any potential increases or decreases in its cost-of-service be addressed through a deferral account to be amortized during 

2016. The Commission approved PNG’s applications on an interim basis effective January 1, 2015 at the levels set forth in the 

applications. A negotiated settlement process (NSP) is expected to be conducted with respect to PNG’s applications during the second 

quarter of 2015. The 2014 rates were approved under a NSP.

On January 20, 2015, PNG received BCUC approval to assign, novate and amend a Gas Transportation Service Agreement (GTSA) with 

EDFT that provides an option to contract for 80 Mmcf/d of the existing capacity in the Western System. If EDFT’s project receives FID, 

it is expected to use the firm gas transportation service to deliver natural gas to a small scale LNG facility to be located in the Douglas 

Channel near Kitimat, British Columbia. Under the amended GTSA, PNG will receive additional option fees in excess of $2 million to 

hold this capacity until the commencement of service. 

Heritage Gas Limited

Heritage Gas Limited (Heritage Gas) has the exclusive rights to distribute natural gas through its distribution system to all or part of 

seven counties in Nova Scotia, including the Halifax Regional Municipality. At the end of 2014, Heritage Gas had approximately 5,800 

customers. Customer growth in 2014 was 14 percent, reflecting Heritage Gas’ relatively new presence in the Nova Scotia energy 

market. Heritage Gas has a relatively balanced mix of residential, small commercial and large commercial customers. Heritage Gas’ 

rate base at year end was approximately $265 million. For 2014 and 2013, Heritage Gas’ approved regulated ROE was 11 percent 

and debt recovery rate was 7.25 percent on a prescribed capital structure of 45 percent equity and 55 percent debt. 

Heritage Gas operates under cost-of-service regulation. Heritage Gas is regulated by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board 

(NSUARB). Heritage Gas has not applied for updated rates for 2015 and continues to assess if it will apply for a change to rates for 

2016 or later. 

In 2012, Heritage Gas began to develop a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucking distribution system which will allow customers 

who are not connected through the traditional pipeline distribution infrastructure to gain access to natural gas. Operations commenced 

in May 2013 and to date the business has been developed and operated as non-regulated. In December 2014 Heritage Gas received 

approval from the NSUARB to expand its regulated operations into Antigonish county. Heritage Gas intends to serve this new market 

using CNG, which would result in a portion of the CNG business being subject to rate-based regulation once the Antigonish distribution 

system is in operation. Heritage Gas invested approximately $1 million into the CNG business in 2014 (2013 – $9 million).

In response to a November 6, 2013 application by Heritage Gas, on February 20, 2014, the NSUARB issued a Decision ruling that 

prudently incurred costs of natural gas storage may be included within Heritage’s cost-of-service. In October 2014, Heritage Gas 

negotiated a long-term Precedent Agreement with Alton Natural Gas Storage LP (Alton), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AltaGas, which 

has been granted NSUARB approval to construct an underground hydrocarbon storage facility in Nova Scotia. Natural gas storage 

service is critical to ensuring security of gas supply for Heritage Gas’ customers. The service will also provide benefits to Heritage 

Gas and its customers in the form of enhanced reliability and delivery of natural gas during the peak heating season, as well as 

reduced natural gas price volatility. In December 2014 Heritage Gas submitted an application to the NSUARB for approval of the 

natural gas storage costs and the method of recovery and allocation of those costs. Heritage Gas expects a decision on the 

application in the first half of 2015. 

41

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
After evaluating a number of alternative upstream transportation options, in October 2014 Heritage Gas signed a Precedent Agreement 

with Spectra Energy on the Atlantic Bridge Project, on the Algonquin Gas Transmission (AGT) pipeline system. The contract, which is 

backed by a guarantee issued by AltaGas, is a 15-year commitment that provides Heritage Gas an opportunity to diversify suppliers 

and provide access to other supply basins. The expected in-service date is fall of 2017. 

Inuvik Gas Ltd. & Ikhil Joint Venture 

AltaGas has a one-third equity interest in Inuvik Gas and the Ikhil Joint Venture (Ikhil) natural gas reserves, which has historically 

supplied Inuvik Gas with natural gas for the Town of Inuvik. The Ikhil natural gas reserves have depleted more rapidly than expected. 

As such, a propane air mixture system producing synthetic natural gas is currently the main source of energy supply for Inuvik Gas 

with Ikhil serving as a back-up. Effective August 8, 2014 Inuvik Gas extended its gas distribution franchise with the town of Inuvik 

for a period of 10 years. AltaGas and the other shareholders in Inuvik Gas continue to pursue alternative long-term energy sources 

for Inuvik Gas including LNG through a developing regional LNG supply chain. 

Capitalize on Opportunities 
While providing safe and reliable service, AltaGas pursues opportunities in the Utilities segment to deliver value to its customers 

and enhance long-term shareholder value. The Corporation’s objectives are to: 

•  Maximize use of existing infrastructure and market penetration in order to maintain cost-effective rates;

•  Invest in safety and the reliability of existing infrastructure;

•  Expand infrastructure to new markets to bring the economic and environmental benefits of gas to new customers without unduly 

burdening existing customers; 

•  Maintain strong community and regulatory relationships while ensuring fair return to shareholders;

•  Develop rate-regulated infrastructure supporting the growth of LNG exports to Asia;

•  Acquire new franchises when the opportunities arise; and 

•  Maintain strong social license with local communities, First Nations, governments, and regulatory bodies. 

AltaGas expects to grow its existing utility infrastructure with customer growth in the franchise areas and through the conversion of 

users of alternative energy sources to natural gas. The growth rate of new customers varies amongst the Corporation’s utilities with 

Heritage Gas seeing significant growth as it penetrates its market while mature utilities such as AUI and SEMCO Gas see more moderate 

growth rates which are generally tied closely to the economic growth of the region. 

Some of AltaGas’ utilities have delivery system upgrade programs underway. SEMCO Gas has the MRP program which is replacing  

26 miles per year of vintage plastic main. AUI has a multi-year system rejuvenation program which is replacing certain infrastructure, 

much of which is in its fifth and sixth decade of service. 

AltaGas’ wholly-owned subsidiary PNG is pursuing an expansion of its transmission line. The expansion would be part of PNG’s regulated 

asset base and would provide transportation infrastructure for the export of LNG from the west coast of Canada.

42

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REVIEW

Years ended December 31 ($ millions) 
Revenue
Net revenue 1 
Normalized operating income 1
Normalized EBITDA 1 
Net income applicable to common shares
Normalized net income 1
Total assets
Total long-term liabilities
Net additions to property, plant and equipment
Dividends declared 2
Cash flows 

Normalized funds from operations 1

2014
2,406 
 1,019 
 366 
 546 
 96 
 165 
 8,413 
 4,074 
 605 
 215 

2013
2,043 
 960 
 353 
 509 
 182 
 176 
 7,284 
 3,727 
 1,145 
 174 

2012
1,450 
 665 
 235 
 337 
 102 
 110 
 5,932 
 3,357 
 1,532 
 133 

472

402

281

($ per share, except shares outstanding)

2014

2013

2012

Normalized EBITDA 1
Net income – basic
Net income – diluted
Normalized net income 1
Dividends declared 2
Cash flows

Normalized funds from operations 1

Shares outstanding – basic (millions)

During the year 3
End of year

 4.31 
 0.75 
 0.74 
 1.30 
 1.69 

 4.38 
 1.56 
 1.52 
 1.51 
 1.50 

 3.55 
 1.07 
 1.06 
 1.15 
 1.40 

3.72 

3.47 

2.96 

 127 
 134 

 116 
 122 

 95 
 105 

1  Non-GAAP financial measure; see discussion in Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A.
2  Dividends declared per common share per month of $0.12 beginning September 10, 2012, $0.125 beginning April 24, 2013, $0.1275 beginning July 31, 2013 

and $0.1475 beginning May 26, 2014. 

3  Weighted average.

FULL YEAR 2014 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REVIEW 
Normalized net income was $165 million ($1.30 per share) for 2014 compared to $176 million ($1.51 per share) reported for 2013. 

Normalized net income decreased compared to 2013 primarily due to lower contribution from Alberta power assets, higher 

compensation costs, preferred share dividends, interest costs, and lower contribution from Energy Services. 

Two of the Northwest Projects were brought into service in second half of 2014 resulting in a negative impact to earnings as a result 

of full depreciation and interest costs recorded during the ramp up period of the facilities. Partially offsetting the significant decline 

in contributions from power assets were the higher contributions from gas assets due to increased volumes at some key processing 

facilities and higher NGL sales, the earnings contributions from Petrogas and Blythe, favourable foreign exchange rates on U.S. 

business results, and continued rate base and customer growth and colder weather at the utilities. 

43

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
Net income applicable to common shares for 2014 was $96 million ($0.75 per share) compared to $182 million ($1.56 per share) 

for 2013. Net income applicable to common shares for 2014 was normalized for after tax amounts related to provisions taken for 

certain assets, impact from the sale of non core assets, unrealized gain or loss on mark to market adjustments, realized and 

unrealized losses on long term investments, costs associated with the early redemption of MTNs, transaction costs related to 

acquisitions and development costs incurred for the energy export projects. Net income applicable to common shares for 2013 was 

normalized for similar extraordinary items as in 2014, excluding the costs associated with the early redemption of MTNs. Results in 

2013 were also normalized for the impact of statutory tax rate changes.

Normalized funds from operations for 2014 increased 17 percent to $472 million ($3.72 per share), compared to $402 million 

($3.47 per share) for 2013. Normalized EBITDA for 2014 increased 7 percent to $546 million compared to $509 million for 2013. 

The increase in cash flow was a result of higher contributions from the Gas and Utilities segments, and the addition of Forrest Kerr, 

partially offset by lower results from Alberta power assets.

Normalized operating income for 2014 was $366 million, compared to $353 million for 2013. Normalized operating results were 

driven by the same factors as described above related to normalized net income excluding interest expense, preferred share dividends 

and income taxes.

Operating and administrative expense for 2014 was $451 million, compared to $431 million for 2013. The increase was primarily 

due to asset growth of the Corporation as well as increased activity to support growth initiatives. Amortization expense for 2014 was 

$173 million compared to $152 million for 2013 mainly due to asset growth of the Corporation. Amortization and accretion expenses 

of $9 million were recorded for the Northwest Projects in 2014. In 2014, $119 million of pre-tax provisions for long-lived assets were 

recorded, compared to $23 million in 2013. Of these provisions, $70 million were taken for certain non-productive gas processing 

assets and $38 million for transmission pipeline assets as a result of a purchase option to be exercised by the customer in 2017.

Interest expense for 2014 was $111 million compared to $102 million for 2013. Interest expense increased due to a higher average 

debt balance of $3,262 million for 2014, compared to $2,966 million for 2013 as a result of the growth of the Corporation, as well 

as slightly lower capitalized interest of $30 million in 2014, compared to $31 million in 2013. The increase in interest expense was 

partially offset by a lower average borrowing rate of 4.3 percent in 2014 (2013 – 4.5 percent). In 2014, interest expense no longer 

being capitalized related to the Northwest Projects was $14 million.

AltaGas recorded income tax expense of $19 million for 2014 compared to $40 million for 2013. Income tax expense decreased due 

to lower taxable earnings in the year driven by provisions taken for long-lived assets and tax on a capital gain realized in 2013. The 

decrease in income tax expense was partially offset by unrealized gains on financial instruments in the year and the impact of 

adjustments in deferred tax estimates recorded in 2013. 

GROWTH CAPITAL
Based on projects currently under review, development or construction, AltaGas expects capital expenditures in the range of $550 

million to $650 million for 2015. The Corporation continues to focus on enhancing productivity and streamlining businesses, 

including the disposition of smaller non-core assets. 

AltaGas’ committed capital program is fully funded through internally-generated cash flow, the DRIP, and available bank lines. As 

at December 31, 2014, the Corporation had approximately $1.7 billion available on its credit facilities as well as cash on hand 

and short-term investments of $421 million primarily from the equity issuance and MTN offering completed in third quarter 2014. 

44

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNorthwest Projects
The Northwest Projects consist of three run-of-river hydroelectric projects in northwestern British Columbia: 195-MW Forrest Kerr,  

16-MW Volcano Creek and 66-MW McLymont Creek. The 277-MW Northwest Projects are contracted with 60-year EPAs with 

BC Hydro fully indexed to the CPI, as well as Impact Benefit Agreements with the Tahltan First Nation. The Forrest Kerr and Volcano 

Creek projects both entered service in 2014. 

McLymont Creek

At the 66-MW McLymont Creek project, construction of the seven kilometre intake access road is complete and intake construction 

is underway. Excavation of the McLymont power tunnel has been completed. Construction of the powerhouse is advancing ahead of 

schedule and installation of the turbines is underway. The project is expected to be in service in mid-2015. 

Townsend Gas Processing Facility 
On August 19, 2014 AltaGas and Painted Pony entered into a 15 year strategic alliance for the development of processing 

infrastructure and marketing services for natural gas and NGL. In the first phase of the strategic alliance, a 198 Mmcf/d shallow 

cut gas processing facility, known as the Townsend Facility, will be constructed and operated by AltaGas, of which Painted Pony will 

reserve the right to a minimum of 150 Mmcf/d of firm capacity. The Townsend Facility will be located approximately 100 kilometers 

north of Fort St. John and 20 kilometers southeast of AltaGas’ Blair Creek facility and is estimated to cost $325 to $350 million. 

Subject to regulatory approvals, construction of the Townsend facility is expected to commence in 2015 and is expected to be 

available by mid 2016, in advance of Painted Pony’s production requirements.

Alton Natural Gas Storage Project
AltaGas has commenced work on the Alton Natural Gas Storage project, with up to 10 Bcf of natural gas storage located near Truro, 

Nova Scotia. Drilling of the wells and construction at the cavern and river sites are complete. AltaGas has entered into a long-term 

storage agreement with Heritage Gas for the first phase, which is subject to regulatory approval by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review 

Board. The issuance of permits by the Nova Scotia Government’s Department of Environment to commence brining has been delayed. 

AltaGas continues to work with the regulatory agencies to obtain the remaining permits, expected in 2015.

AltaGas Idemitsu Joint Venture Limited Partnership (AIJVLP) 
On January 29, 2013, AltaGas signed an agreement with Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. (Idemitsu) to form AIJVLP. AltaGas and Idemitsu 

each own, through subsidiaries, a 50 percent interest in AIJVLP. AIJVLP is pursuing opportunities to develop liquefaction infrastructure 

to meet the growing demand for natural gas in Asia. AIJVLP is also pursuing opportunities to develop a Canadian LPG export business, 

including logistics, plant refrigeration and storage facilities. 

LPG Export Business

On March 1, 2014, AIJVLP completed the acquisition of two-thirds of Petrogas. Petrogas is a privately-held leading North American 

integrated midstream company. Petrogas’ extensive logistics network provides key infrastructure as well as supply logistics and 

marketing expertise required to pursue LPG export opportunities.

On May 1, 2014 Petrogas acquired the Ferndale LPG export terminal located in the State of Washington. The facility is expected to 

increase the number of LPG shipments resulting in a ramp up over the next several years to approximately 30,000 Bbls/d. Tank 

inspections were completed in late 2014. The facility has been re-configured to handle propane. First propane shipments are expected 

in first half 2015.

Through AIJVLP, AltaGas is also developing a greenfield LPG terminal on the west coast of Canada and is currently conducting site 

evaluation studies, which are expected to be completed in 2015. Terminal sites and refrigeration technology are being evaluated. 

AIJVLP is currently in discussions with key stakeholders to determine project timing, and with market participants to develop sales 

and logistics agreements.

45

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportLNG Export Business

In addition to pursuing LPG export initiatives through AIJVLP, AltaGas and Idemitsu formed the Douglas Channel LNG Consortium, 

which includes EDFT and EXMAR, to support the plan of arrangement under the CCAA proceedings for the Douglas Channel LNG 

project. The Douglas Channel LNG project, is a proposed barge based LNG export facility on the west bank of the Douglas Channel 

in Kitimat, British Columbia with a nameplate capacity of 0.55 million tonnes of LNG per annum. On January 28, 2015, the Consortium 

announced that it had obtained full ownership and control of the Douglas Channel LNG project as a result of the statutory plan of 

arrangement completed under the CCAA proceedings. All of the useful assets of the former project have been transferred to the 

Consortium and all creditor claims have been settled. The Consortium has executed long-term lease agreements with the Haisla 

Nation regarding land and water tenure and with PNG for long-term pipeline capacity to supply gas to the project. The Consortium is 

targeting FID by the end of 2015 and commercial operation in 2018.

In addition, AIJVLP continues to evaluate the development of a second LNG export facility. On April 16, 2014, Triton LNG, a wholly 

owned subsidiary of AIJVLP, received NEB approval to export up to 2.3 million tonnes per annum of LNG. The LNG export projects are 

subject to further consultations and regulatory approvals, FIDs and facility constructions.

PNG Pipeline Looping Project (PLP)
PNG continues to proceed with the development of the potential expansion on its natural gas transmission line. PNG has signed 

Transportation Reservation Agreements (TRAs) with two parties to support the PNG expansion project. The TRAs provide for cost 

recovery of development costs related to the PLP and are backstopped by letters of credit provided by the counterparties. On July 

24, 2013, the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) issued an order accepting the project into the environmental 

assessment process following PNG’s filing of its project description.

On March 31, 2014, the BCEAO issued the approved Application Information Requirements (AIR), which specifies the required 

information in an application for environmental assessment certificate. Under the approved environmental assessment process, PNG 

has up to three years to provide the required information. PNG is continuing its consultation activities while undertaking the field 

studies necessary to address the AIR. 

Sonoran Energy Project (Blythe II) and Blythe III 
In second quarter 2014, AltaGas paid US$9 million to acquire the shovel ready Blythe II project, adjacent to the existing AltaGas Blythe 

facility located near the California Arizona border. In fourth quarter 2014, AltaGas commenced the preliminary engineering of the project 

and began early discussions with major equipment suppliers. AltaGas also acquired 76 acres of land north of the current Blythe facility 

for the development of a second expansion (Blythe III). The development of both projects could potentially triple AltaGas’ current 

generating capacity in California over the long term.

Harmattan Cogeneration III
AltaGas is expanding its cogeneration fleet at Harmattan to 45 MW. In first quarter 2014, AltaGas began engineering and procured 

the combustion turbine for the new 15 MW Cogeneration III to meet the increased power demand at Harmattan and increase sales 

to the Alberta power market. Construction is well underway. Pilings and major foundations are complete and the combustion turbine 

and heat recovery steam generator have been installed. Cogeneration III is on schedule and budget and is expected to be in service 

in first half 2015 with a total project cost estimated at $40 million. 

46

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportRegional LNG
AltaGas is developing a small scale LNG production facility in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Capital cost of the Regional LNG 

project is estimated to be approximately $35 million. In fourth quarter 2014, permitting, engineering work and preliminary ground 

work commenced and the purchase orders for major equipment were completed. This LNG production facility is expected to displace 

diesel fuel in both the commercial and residential markets in the area. As market demand for LNG to displace diesel fuel further 

develops, expansion of the business may occur in British Columbia and other regions.

U.S. Power Assets Acquisition
On January 8, 2015 AltaGas completed the acquisition of three gas-fired power assets in the western U.S. with a total generation 

capacity of 164 MW. All three assets are currently contracted under PPAs with local creditworthy utilities and generate stable cash 

flows. The acquisition is consistent with AltaGas’ strategy of capitalizing on the demand for clean energy sources such as natural gas; 

growing and diversifying the power portfolio by increasing AltaGas’ presence in the California and Colorado power markets; providing 

low-risk, fully contracted cash flows; and providing the potential for future organic growth opportunities via repowering of the sites.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This MD&A contains references to certain financial measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may 

not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. The non-GAAP measures and their reconciliation to GAAP financial 

measures are shown below. These measures provide additional information that management believes is meaningful regarding 

AltaGas’ operational performance, liquidity and capacity to fund dividends, capital expenditures and other investing activities. The 

specific rationale for and incremental information associated with each non-GAAP measure is discussed below.

References to net revenue, normalized operating income, normalized EBITDA, normalized net income and normalized funds from 

operations throughout this document have the meanings as set out in this section. 

Net Revenue

Years ended December 31 ($ millions) 
Net revenue 
Add (deduct): 

Other income (expenses)
Income from equity investments

Cost of sales
Revenue (GAAP financial measure)

2014
1,019 

 (25) 
 (39) 
 1,451 
2,406 

2013
960 

 (41) 
 (112) 
 1,236 
2,043 

2012
665 

 (1) 
 (67) 
 853 
1,450 

Management believes that net revenue, which is revenue plus other income (expenses) plus income from equity investments not 

held-for-trading, less the cost of commodities purchased for sale and shrinkage, is a better reflection of performance than revenue, 

since changes in the market price of commodities affect both revenue and cost of sales, and equity investments are part of the 

operating activities for the Corporation.

47

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNormalized Operating Income

Years ended December 31 ($ millions) 
Normalized operating income
Add (deduct):

Transaction costs related to acquisitions
Realized/unrealized losses on long-term investments
Gain on asset dispositions
Provision for long-lived assets
Joint venture development costs
Sundance force majeure arbitration decision
Costs associated with early redemption of MTNs

Operating income
Add (deduct):

Unrealized gain (loss) on mark-to-market adjustments
Interest expense 
Foreign exchange loss 
Income tax expense
Net income applicable to non-controlling interests
Preferred share dividends

Net income applicable to common shares (GAAP financial measure)

2014
366 

 (1) 
 (2) 
 38 
 (119) 
 (1) 
 – 
 (17) 
 264 

 5 
 (111) 
 – 
 (19) 
 (8) 
 (35) 
96 

2013
353 

2012
235 

 (2) 
 (5) 
 41 
 (23) 
 (4) 
 – 
 – 
 360 

 (9) 
 (102) 
 – 
 (40) 
 (7) 
 (20) 
182 

 (6) 
 – 
 – 
 (3) 
 – 
 (11) 
 – 
 215 

 22 
 (61) 
 (9) 
 (46) 
 (4) 
 (15) 
102 

Operating income is a measure of AltaGas’ profitability from its principal operating activities prior to how these activities are financed, 

how the results are taxed, or the impact of unrealized mark-to-market adjustments. The measure is used to assess operating 

performance since management believes that it is a better indicator of operating performance than net income. Operating income 

is calculated from the Consolidated Statements of Income using net income applicable to common shares adjusted for pre-tax 

unrealized gain (loss) on mark-to-market adjustments, interest expense, foreign exchange loss, income tax expense, net income 

applicable to non-controlling interests and preferred share dividends.

Normalized operating income represents operating income adjusted for non-operating related expenses such as transaction costs 

related to acquisitions, realized and unrealized losses on long-term investments, gain on asset dispositions, provision for long-lived 

assets, arbitration decisions, and costs associated with early redemption of MTNs. Normalized operating income also includes an 

adjustment for the development costs incurred by AIJVLP.

48

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNormalized EBITDA

Years ended December 31 ($ millions) 
Normalized EBITDA 
Add (deduct):

Transaction costs related to acquisitions
Realized/unrealized losses on long-term investments
Gain on asset dispositions
Joint venture development costs
Sundance force majeure arbitration decision
Costs associated with early redemption of MTNs

EBITDA
Add (deduct):

Unrealized gain (loss) on mark-to-market adjustments
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Provision for long-lived assets
Accretion expense
Interest expense
Foreign exchange loss 
Income tax expense
Net income applicable to non-controlling interests
Preferred share dividends

Net income applicable to common shares (GAAP financial measure)

2014
546 

 (1) 
 (2) 
 38 
 (1) 
 – 
 (17) 
 563 

 5 
 (173) 
 (119) 
 (7) 
 (111) 
 – 
 (19) 
 (8) 
 (35) 
96 

2013
509 

2012
337 

 (2) 
 (5) 
 41 
 (4) 
 – 
 – 
 539 

 (9) 
 (152) 
 (23) 
 (4) 
 (102) 
 – 
 (40) 
 (7) 
 (20) 
182 

 (6) 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (11) 
 – 
 320 

 22 
 (99) 
 (3) 
 (3) 
 (61) 
 (9) 
 (46) 
 (4) 
 (15) 
102 

EBITDA is a measure of AltaGas’ operating profitability without the impact of mark-to-market adjustments and prior to how business 

activities are financed, assets are amortized or earnings are taxed. AltaGas does not speculate on commodity prices, but rather enters 

into financial instruments to manage risk on a significant portion of the volumes subject to commodity price fluctuations, and therefore 

evaluates company performance excluding unrealized gains or losses from risk management contracts. EBITDA is calculated from the 

Consolidated Statements of Income using net income applicable to common shares adjusted for pre-tax unrealized gain (loss) on mark-

to-market adjustments; depreciation, depletion and amortization; provision for long-lived assets; accretion expense; interest expense; 

foreign exchange loss; income tax expense; net income applicable to non-controlling interests; and preferred share dividends.

Normalized EBITDA represents EBITDA adjusted for non-operating related one-time expenses such as transaction costs related to 

acquisitions, realized and unrealized loss on long-term investments, gain on asset dispositions, arbitration decisions, and costs 

associated with early redemption of MTNs. Normalized EBITDA also includes an adjustment for the development costs incurred by AIJVLP.

Normalized Net Income

Years ended December 31 ($ millions) 
Normalized net income
Add (deduct) after-tax: 

Unrealized gain (loss) on mark-to-market adjustments
Realized/unrealized losses on long-term investments
Transaction costs and foreign exchange loss related to acquisitions
Gain on asset dispositions
Provision for long-lived assets
Joint venture development costs
Sundance force majeure arbitration decision
Costs associated with early redemption of MTNs
Statutory tax rate change

Net income applicable to common shares (GAAP financial measure)

2014
165 

2013
176 

2012
110 

 3 
 (1) 
 – 
 32 
 (89) 
 (1) 
 – 
 (13) 
 – 
96 

 (7) 
 (4) 
 (1) 
 36 
 (17) 
 (3) 
 – 
 – 
 2 
182 

 16 
 – 
 (13) 
 – 
 (2) 
 – 
 (8) 
 – 
 (1) 
102 

49

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNormalized net income represents net income applicable to common shares adjusted for all mark-to-market accounting and non-

operating related one-time expenses, such as transaction costs related to acquisitions, gain on asset dispositions, provision for long-

lived assets, arbitration decisions, costs associated with early redemption of MTNs, and statutory tax rate changes. Normalized net 

income also includes an adjustment for the development costs incurred by AIJVLP.

Normalized Funds from Operations

Years ended December 31 ($ millions) 
Normalized funds from operations 
Add (deduct):

Transaction costs and foreign exchange loss related to acquisitions 
Sundance force majeure arbitration decision

Funds from operations

Add (deduct):
Net change in operating assets and liabilities
Asset retirement obligations settled
Cash from operations (GAAP financial measure)

2014
472 

 (1) 
 – 
 471 

 (11) 
 (2) 
458 

2013
402 

 (2) 
 – 
 400 

 (32) 
 (2) 
366 

2012
281 

 (15) 
 (11) 
 255 

 (106) 
 (3) 
146 

Normalized funds from operations are used to assist management and investors in analyzing financial performance without regard to 

changes in operating assets and liabilities in the period and non-operating related one-time expenses such as transaction costs related 

to acquisitions and arbitration decisions. Funds from operations as presented should not be viewed as an alternative to cash from 

operations or other cash flow measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Funds from operations are calculated from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and are defined as cash from operations before 

net changes in operating assets and liabilities, and expenditures incurred to settle asset retirement obligations.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY REPORTING SEGMENT
Normalized Operating Income 

Years ended December 31 ($ millions) 
Gas
Power
Utilities
Sub-total: Operating Segments
Corporate

GAS
OPERATING STATISTICS

Years ended December 31
Total inlet gas processed (Mmcf/d) 1
Extraction ethane volumes (Bbls/d) 1, 2 
Extraction NGL volumes (Bbls/d) 1, 2 
Total extraction volumes (Bbls/d) 1, 2 
Frac spread – realized ($/Bbl) 1, 3 
Frac spread – average spot price ($/Bbl) 1, 4 

2014
167 
 65 
 166 
 398 
 (32) 
366 

2013
113 
 123 
 150 
 386 
 (33) 
353 

2014
 1,512 
 34,999 
 37,777 
 72,776 
 22.83 
 24.64 

2013
 1,361 
 32,695 
 31,086 
 63,781 
 24.96 
 27.15 

1  Average for the period.
2  Includes Harmattan NGL processed on behalf of customers. 
3  Realized frac spread or NGL margin, expressed in dollars per barrel of NGL, is derived from sales recorded by the segment during the period for frac exposed volumes 

plus the settlement value of frac hedges settled in the period less extraction premiums, divided by the total frac exposed volumes produced during the period.

4  Average spot frac spread or NGL margin, expressed in dollars per barrel of NGL, are indicative of the average sales price that AltaGas receives for propane, butane 

and condensate less extraction premiums, divided by the respective frac exposed volumes for the period.

50

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportIn 2014, total inlet gas processed increased by 151 Mmcf/d, average ethane volumes produced increased by 2,304 Bbls/d and NGL 

volumes produced increased by 6,691 Bbls/d, compared to 2013. The higher total inlet was primarily driven by higher Harmattan 

Co-stream volumes; higher Younger volumes primarily from increased inlet volumes on the Septimus line; higher Gordondale and 

Blair Creek volumes from increased producer drilling; and higher volumes processed at Empress. The increase in total inlet gas 

processed was partially offset by the sale of Ante Creek and declines in dry gas areas. Higher ethane volumes were due to increased 

volumes at Harmattan Co-stream and Empress. Higher NGL volumes were due to increased inlet volumes at Younger, Harmattan 

Co-stream, and Gordondale. 

Full Year Results 2014
The Gas segment reported a 48 percent increase in normalized operating income to $167 million for 2014, compared to $113 million 

in 2013. The increase was primarily a result of the contribution from increased volumes processed at Harmattan, Gordondale, Blair 

Creek, and Younger, combined with higher contribution from sales of NGL, in addition to the earnings contribution from Petrogas. The 

increase was partially offset by higher costs to fulfill firm delivery commitments from operational curtailments of natural gas storage, 

higher pipeline rebalancing costs, lower C&I customers, higher operating expenses related to turnarounds at various gas facilities 

and lower earnings contribution from transportation volumes.

The Gas segment reported operating income of $69 million for 2014, compared to $96 million in 2013. Results for 2014 included 

the impact of a $70 million pre-tax provision taken for certain non-productive gas processing assets and a $38 million pre-tax provision 

taken for Ethylene Delivery Systems (EDS) and Joffre Feedstock Pipeline (JFP) transmission pipeline assets, partially offset by the 

pre-tax gain from the sale of the Ante Creek facility. Also included in 2014 are $2 million of AIJVLP development costs. Results for 

2013 included the $16 million provision taken for certain non-core assets, the $4 million pre-tax gain from the sale of ECNG Energy 

L.P. (ECNG), $3 million of AIJVLP development costs, and $1 million of transaction costs related to acquisitions.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, AltaGas hedged 68 percent of frac exposed production at an average price of approximately 

$26/Bbl before deducting extraction premiums. For the year ended December 31, 2013, AltaGas hedged 70 percent of frac exposed 

production at an average price of approximately $27/Bbl before deducting extraction premiums. The average indicative spot NGL 

frac spread in 2014 was approximately $25/Bbl compared to approximately $27/Bbl in 2013. 

POWER
OPERATING STATISTICS

Years ended December 31
Volume of power sold (GWh) 1
Average price realized on the sale of power ($/MWh) 2
Alberta Power Pool average spot price ($/MWh)

2014
 5,169 
 65.97 
 49.42 

2013
 4,458 
 76.82 
 80.19 

1  Power sold from Sundance B is disclosed as volumes based on target availability and not volumes delivered.
2  Price received excludes Blythe as it earns fixed capacity payments under its power purchase tolling agreement with Southern California Edison Company (SCE).

For the year ended December 31, 2014, volume of power sold increased by 711 GWh compared to 2013. Volumes sold during 2014 

included 4,570 GWh conventional power generation and 599 GWh renewable power generation, compared to 4,004 GWh conventional 

power generation and 454 GWh renewable power generation in 2013. The increase in power generated was primarily due to the 

Blythe acquisition in May 2013 and the contribution from Forrest Kerr coming into service in August 2014. For the year ended 

December 31, 2014, Blythe and Forrest Kerr generated 1,663 and 152 GWh of power, respectively. In 2014, delivered volumes were 

lower than actual availability at the Sundance B units. 

51

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
 
Full Year Results 2014 
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Power segment reported normalized operating income of $65 million compared to  

$123 million for same period 2013. Normalized operating income decreased primarily as a result of a 38 percent decrease in Alberta 

Power Pool spot prices, lower generation from Alberta power assets, and increased administrative expenses. The decrease was 

partially offset by the contribution from Forrest Kerr, despite delays in the Northwest Transmission Line (NTL), and unforeseen weather 

and river conditions causing a slower ramp up of the facility during the second half of 2014. The decrease was also offset by the 

contribution from Blythe, despite a planned major turnaround from March 1 to April 15, 2014 and the impact of favourable foreign 

exchange on U.S. business results.

Operating income in the Power segment was $80 million in 2014, compared to $117 million in 2013. Operating income for 2014 

includes the impact of a $27 million pre tax gain on the sale of power assets and an $11 million pre tax provision taken for a number 

of small hydro power development projects in British Columbia. Also included in 2014 are $1 million of transaction costs related to 

acquisitions. Results for 2013 included a $3 million pre tax provision taken for a number of small wind power development projects 

and $2 million of transaction costs related to acquisitions. 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, AltaGas was 55 percent hedged in Alberta at an average price of $64/MWh. In 2013, AltaGas 

was 62 percent hedged at an average price of $66/MWh.

UTILITIES
OPERATING STATISTICS

Years ended December 31
Canadian utilities 

Natural gas deliveries – end-use (PJ) 1
Natural gas deliveries – transportation (PJ) 1

U.S. utilities 

Natural gas deliveries – end-use (Bcf) 1
Natural gas deliveries – transportation (Bcf) 1

Service sites 2
Degree day variance from normal – AUI (%) 3
Degree day variance from normal – Heritage Gas (%) 3
Degree day variance from normal – SEMCO Gas (%) 4
Degree day variance from normal – ENSTAR (%) 4

2014

2013

 32.7 
 5.6 

 30.4 
 5.8 

 72.3 
 41.0 
 562,746 
 2.3 
 (0.2) 
 16.1 
 (9.0) 

 70.1 
 41.4 
 555,198 
 0.5 
 1.3 
 9.0 
 (1.0) 

1  Petajoule (PJ) is one million gigajoules. Bcf is one billion cubic feet.
2  Service sites reflect all of the service sites of AUI, PNG, Heritage Gas and U.S. utilities, including transportation and non-regulated business lines.
3  A degree day for AUI and Heritage Gas is the cumulative extent to which the daily mean temperature falls below 15 degrees Celsius at AUI and 18 degrees Celsius 
at Heritage Gas. Normal degree days are based on a 20-year rolling average. Positive variances from normal lead to increased delivery volumes from normal 
expectations. Degree day variances do not materially affect the results of PNG as the BCUC has approved a rate stabilization mechanism for its residential and 
small commercial customers.

4  A degree day for U.S. utilities is a measure of coldness determined daily as the number of degrees the average temperature during the day in question is below 
65 degrees Fahrenheit. Degree days for a particular period are determined by adding the degree days incurred during each day of the period. Normal degree days 
for a particular period are the average of degree days during the prior 15 years for SEMCO Gas and during the prior 10 years for ENSTAR.

52

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportREGULATORY METRICS

Years ended December 31
Approved ROE (%)

Canadian utilities (average)
U.S. utilities (average) 
Approved return on debt (%)

Canadian utilities (average)
U.S. utilities (average) 

Rate base ($ millions) 1
Canadian utilities
U.S. utilities 2, 3

2014

2013

 9.7 
 11.2 

 5.9 
 5.3 

 677 
 818 

 10.0 
 11.3 

 6.1 
 5.6 

 605 
 773 

1  Rate base is indicative of the earning potential of each utility over time. Approved revenue requirement for each utility is typically based on the rate base as 

approved by the regulator for the respective rate application, which may be different from that indicated above. 

2  In US dollars.
3  Reflects AltaGas’ 65 percent interest in Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska LLC. The rate base excludes Gas in Storage for ENSTAR. Currently ENSTAR is 
compensated for its Gas in Storage of $51 million (2013 – $53 million) through a carry cost component. ENSTAR has filed to incorporate the Gas in Storage as 
part of its rate base in the current Rate Case before the RCA. It has yet to be determined if ENSTAR will prevail in its request to include Gas in Storage in base 
rates. The decision on the Rate Case is expected in fourth quarter 2015. 

Full Year Results 2014
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Utilities segment reported an 11 percent increase in normalized operating income to 

$166 million compared to $150 million for 2013. The increase was mainly due to customer and rate base growth, favourable foreign 

exchange on the U.S. business results, and colder weather. 

The Utilities segment reported operating income of $166 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $184 million 

for 2013. Results were due to the items described above as well as the $38 million pre-tax gain on the sale of Pacific Trail Pipelines 

Limited Partnership (PTP), partially offset by the $3 million provision taken for assets in Inuvik, both recorded in third quarter 2013. 

CORPORATE
Full Year Results 2014
Normalized operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $32 million, compared to $33 million in 2013. The lower 

normalized operating loss was primarily due to higher interest income and lower Corporate depreciation. The decrease in normalized 

operating income was partially offset by higher administrative expenses due to increased compensation costs. 

The operating loss in the Corporate segment was $50 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $38 million for 

2013. The increase in loss was mainly due to the costs associated with the early redemption of MTNs in 2014, partially offset by 

the unrealized mark-to-market adjustments.

INVESTED CAPITAL 
Invested Capital – Investment Type

Year ended December 31, 2014 ($ millions) 
Invested capital:

Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Long-term investments 

Disposals:

Property, plant and equipment

Net invested capital

Gas

Power

Utilities

Corporate 

Total

91 
 – 
 7 
 98 

 (27) 
71 

285 
 5 
 – 
 290 

 (37) 
253 

184 
 2 
 – 
 186 

 – 
186 

7 
 20 
 53 
 80 

 – 
80 

567 
 27 
 60 
 654 

 (64) 
590 

53

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportInvested Capital – Investment Type

Year ended December 31, 2013 ($ millions) 
Invested capital:

Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Long-term investments 

Disposals:

Property, plant and equipment

Net invested capital

Gas

Power

Utilities

Corporate 

Total

37 
4 
338 
379 

(15) 
364 

878 
 – 
 – 
 878 

 – 
878 

149 
 6 
 – 
 155 

 – 
155 

5 
 12 
 – 
 17 

 – 
17 

1,069 
 22 
 338 
 1,429 

 (15) 
1,414 

The invested capital for Gas included $12 million of maintenance capital. The invested capital for Power also included $13 million related 

to the turnaround at Blythe, which is amortized over four to eight years to align with the timing of major turnarounds at the facility.

RISK MANAGEMENT
The Corporation is exposed to market risk and potential loss from changes in the value of financial instruments. AltaGas enters into 

financial derivative contracts to manage exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign exchange rates. 

During 2014, the Corporation had positions in the following types of derivatives, which are also disclosed in Note 18 of the 

Consolidated Financial Statements:

Commodity Forward Contracts

The Corporation executes gas, power and other commodity forward contracts to manage its asset portfolio and lock in margins from 

back-to-back purchase and sale agreements. In a forward contract, one party agrees to deliver a specified amount of an underlying asset 

to the other party at a future date at a specified price. 

The fair value of power, natural gas and NGL derivatives was calculated using estimated forward prices from published sources for the 

relevant period. The calculation of fair value of interest rate and foreign exchange derivatives used quoted market rates. 

AltaGas does not speculate on commodity prices and therefore does not engage in commodity transactions that create incremental 

exposure or are based solely on expectations of future energy market price movements. Commodity transactions are used to lock in 

margins, optimize underlying physical assets or reduce exposure to energy price movements. AltaGas’ risk management group reviews 

commodity and credit risk on a daily basis and has created and adheres to a conservative risk policy and hedging program. 

Commodity Swap Contracts

Power hedges

AltaGas executes fixed for floating power price swaps to manage its power asset portfolio. A fixed for floating price swap is an 

agreement between two counterparties to exchange a fixed price for a floating price. The Power segment results are affected by the 

price of electricity in Alberta. AltaGas employs derivative commodity instruments for the purpose of managing AltaGas’ exposure to 

power price volatility. The Alberta Power Pool settles power prices on an hourly basis and prices ranged from $7.88/MWh to $999.99/

MWh in 2014 and $0.00/MWh to $1000.00/MWh in 2013. The average Alberta spot price was $49.42/MWh in 2014 (2013 – 

$80.19/MWh). AltaGas moderated the impact of this volatility on its business through the use of financial hedges on a portion of 

its power portfolio. The average price realized for power by AltaGas was $65.97/MWh in 2014 (2013 – $76.82/MWh). For 2015, 

25 percent of volumes exposed to Alberta power prices have been hedged at an average price of approximately $59/MWh.

54

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNGL frac spread hedges

The Corporation executes fixed for floating NGL frac spread swaps to manage its exposure to frac spreads. The financial results of 

several extraction plants are affected by fluctuations in NGL frac spreads. During 2014, the Corporation had NGL frac spread hedges 

for an average of approximately 5,500 Bbls/d at an average price of approximately $26/Bbl. The average indicative spot NGL frac 

spread for 2014 was an estimated $25/Bbl (2013 – $27/Bbl). The average NGL frac spread realized by AltaGas in 2014 was $23/

Bbl (2013 – $25/Bbl). Management estimates an average of approximately 6,500 Bbls/d will be exposed to frac spread in 2015. For 

2015, approximately 50 percent of estimated volumes exposed to frac spread have been hedged at an average price of approximately 

$27/Bbl before deducting extraction premiums. 

Interest Rate Forward Contracts

From time to time, the Corporation enters into interest rate swaps where cash flows of a fixed rate are exchanged for those of a floating 

rate, or vice versa. At December 31, 2014, the Corporation had no interest rate swaps outstanding. At December 31, 2014, the 

Corporation had fixed the interest rate on 86 percent of its debt including MTNs (December 31, 2013 – 73 percent).

Foreign Exchange

Foreign exchange exposure created by transacting commercial arrangements in foreign currency is managed through the use of foreign 

exchange forward contracts whereby a fixed rate is locked in against a floating rate and option agreements whereby an option to transact 

foreign currency at a future date is purchased or sold. 

Foreign exchange gains and losses on long-term debt denominated in US dollars are unrealized and can only be realized when a 

long-term debt matures or is settled. As at December 31, 2014, management designated US$375 million of outstanding debt to 

hedge against the currency translation effect of its foreign investments (December 31, 2013 – US$570 million). US dollar denominated 

long-term debt has been designated as a hedge of the net investment in foreign subsidiaries. This designation has the effect of 

mitigating volatility on net income by offsetting foreign exchange gains and losses on US dollar denominated long-term debt and 

foreign net investment.

55

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCorporation Risks 
AltaGas manages its exposure to risks using the strategies outlined in the following table:

Risks

Strategies and Organizational Capability to Mitigate Risks 

Operational

•  Acquire large working interests to control and optimize operations and maximize efficiencies

•  Contractual provisions often provide for recovery of operating costs

•  Centralized procurement strategy to reduce costs

•  Maintain control over operational decisions, operating cost and capital expenditures by operating jointly-owned 

facilities

•  Maintain standard operating practices, assess and document employee competency, and maintain formal 

inspection, maintenance, safety and environmental programs

•  Purchase business interruption insurance

•  Fixed price operating and maintenance contracts with equipment manufacturers

•  Hedging strategy used to balance price and operating risk; deliveries of certain hedge contracts are suspended 

if there is an outage at Sundance B

•  Backstop Sundance B PPA operations by adding new power generation capacity

Construction

•  Major projects group manages and monitors significant construction projects

•  Strong project control and management framework

•  Appropriate internal management structure and processes

•  Engage specialists in designing and building major projects

•  Contractual arrangements to mitigate cost and schedule risks

Liquidity

•  Forecast cash flow on a continuous basis to maintain adequate cash balances to fund financial obligations 

as they come due and to support business operations

•  Maintain financial flexibility and liquidity needs through a variety of sources including internally-generated 

cash flows, DRIP, access to credit facilities, and long-term debt and equity issuances

•  Execute financing plans and strategies to maintain and improve credit ratings to minimize financing costs 

and support ready access to capital markets

Long-term 

natural gas 

•  Long-term contracts such as take-or-pay, area of mutual interest, geographic franchise with economic out

•  Increase market share by expanding existing facilities or acquiring or constructing new facilities

volume declines 

•  Increase geographic and customer diversity to reduce exposure to individual customer or area of the WCSB

•  Strategically locate facilities to provide secure access to gas supply

•  Capitalize on integrated aspects of AltaGas’ business to increase volumes through its processing facilities

Volume of 

power 

generated

•  PPAs include specified target availability levels

•  Diversification of fuel sources and geography

•  Hedging strategy to balance price and operating risk

•  Undertake extensive wind and hydrology studies to support investment decisions

56

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportRisks

Strategies and Organizational Capability to Mitigate Risks 

Commodity 

•  Contracting terms, processing, storage and transportation fees independent of commodity prices through 

price 

fee-for-service, take-or-pay, fixed-fee or cost-of-service provisions

•  Hedging strategy with hedge targets approved by the Board of Directors

•  Monitor hedge transactions through Risk Management Committee 

•  AltaGas’ Commodity Risk Policy prohibits transactions for speculative purposes

•  Employ hedging practices to reduce exposure to commodity prices and volatility and lock in margins when 

the opportunity arises to increase profitability and reduce earnings volatility

•  Employ strong systems and processes for monitoring and reporting compliance with the Commodity Risk Policy

•  In-depth knowledge and experience of transportation systems, natural gas, NGL and power markets where 

AltaGas operates

•  Hedge power costs

•  Direct marketing to end-use commercial and industrial customers

•  Own and operate gas-fired peaking capacity to backstop the Sundance B PPA and sell energy and ancillary 

services

•  Increase base-load natural gas-fired generating capacity where cost effective to do so

•  Execute long-term inflation adjusted electricity purchase arrangements with power buyers

Counterparty

•  Strong credit policies and procedures

•  Continuous review of counterparty creditworthiness

•  Establish credit thresholds using appropriate credit metrics

•  Closely monitor exposures and impact of price shocks on liquidity

•  Build a diverse customer and supplier base

•  Active accounts receivable monitoring and collections processes in place

•  Credit terms included in contracts

Weather

•  Anticipated volumes are determined based on the 20-year rolling average for weather for the Canadian 

utilities and 15 years for SEMCO Gas and 10 years for ENSTAR

•  PNG has a weather normalization account for residential and small commercial customers 

Regulatory and 

•  Regulatory and commercial personnel monitor and manage regulatory issues

First Nations

•  Proactive regulatory and government relations group, strong working relationships with First Nations, other 

stakeholders, and regulators

•  Build risk mitigation into contracts where appropriate

•  Skilled regulatory department retained

•  Use of expert third parties when needed

Environment 

•  Strong safety and environmental management systems

and safety

•  Continuous process improvement strategy employed

•  Focus on mitigating the impact of the Specified Gas Emitters Regulations 

Labour relations

•  Maintain access to strong labour markets to attract qualified talent

•  Positive employee relations to retain existing talent and maintain strong relations with unions

57

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportLIQUIDITY
Cash Flows

Years ended December 31 ($ millions) 
Cash from operations
Investing activities
Financing activities
Change in cash

2014 
458 
 (591) 
 456 
323 

2013 
366 
 (1,265) 
 931 
32 

Cash from Operations 
Cash from operations reported on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows was $458 million in 2014 compared to $366 million 

in 2013. Cash from operations increased primarily as a result of stronger cash flow generation in the Gas segment driven largely by 

higher volumes processed and higher frac exposed volumes, as well as distributions from Petrogas, partially offset by a lower cash 

flow contribution from Power due mainly to lower Alberta Power Pool spot prices and lower Alberta power generation. 

Working Capital

As at December 31 ($ millions except current ratio) 
Current assets
Current liabilities
Working capital
Current ratio

2014
1,058 
 765 
 293 
 1.4 

2013
621 
 727 
 (106) 
 0.9 

Working capital was in a surplus position of $293 million as at December 31, 2014, compared to a working capital deficit of  

$106 million as at December 31, 2013. The working capital ratio was 1.4 at the end of 2014, compared to 0.9 at the end of 2013. 

The working capital ratio increased due to higher cash and short-term investment balances primarily due to cash on hand as a result 

of debt and equity financings completed in the second half of 2014.

Investing Activities 
Cash used for investing activities in 2014 was $591 million compared to $1.3 billion in 2013. Investing activities in 2014 included  

expenditures of $520 million for property, plant and equipment, $29 million for intangible assets, $50 million for acquisition of short-

term investments, and $53 million for acquisition of long-term investments, partially offset by proceeds of $65 million received on 

disposition  of  assets.  Investing  activities  in  2013  primarily  included  $537  million  related  to  the  Blythe  acquisition;  

$501 million related to investments in property, plant and equipment; $231 million related to the investment of Petrogas; and  

$47 million related to intangible assets.

Financing Activities 
Cash received from financing activities was $456 million in 2014 compared to $931 million in 2013. Financing activities in 2014 

were primarily composed of net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt of $1.3 billion, net proceeds from issuance of common 

shares of $512 million, and issuance of preferred shares of $194 million, partially offset by repayments of long-term and short-term 

debt of $1.3 billion and $18 million, respectively. Financing activities in 2013 were primarily composed of net proceeds from issuance 

of $2.1 billion of long-term debt, issuance of common shares of $448 million, issuance of preferred shares of $194 million, and 

$15 million issuance of short-term debt, partially offset by a $1.6 billion repayment of long-term debt. Total dividends paid in 2014 

were $245 million, compared to $190 million in 2013. The increase was due to higher share count and dividend increases.

58

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCAPITAL RESOURCES
AltaGas’ objective for managing capital is to maintain its investment grade credit ratings, ensure adequate liquidity and maximize 

the profitability of its existing assets and grow its energy infrastructure to create long-term value and enhance returns for its investors. 

AltaGas considers shareholders’ equity (including non-controlling interests), short-term and long-term debt (including current portion) 

less cash and cash equivalents to comprise its capital structure.

The use of debt or equity funding is based on AltaGas’ capital structure which is determined by considering the norms and risks 

associated with each of its business segments. 

As at December 31, 2014, AltaGas had $2.8 billion in MTNs outstanding, PNG debenture notes of $57 million, SEMCO long-term 

debt of $443 million and $182 million drawn from bank credit facilities. As at December 31, 2014, AltaGas’ current portion of long-

term debt was $214 million. 

AltaGas’ earnings coverage ratio, which is defined as the consolidated net income before interest and income taxes divided by total 

interest expense for the rolling twelve months ended December 31, 2014 was 1.90 times. 

AltaGas’ debt-to-total capitalization ratio as at December 31, 2014 was 45 percent (December 31, 2013 – 53 percent). 

($ millions)
Debt

Short-term debt
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt
Less: cash and cash equivalents
Less: short-term investments

Net debt
Shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interests
Total capitalization
Debt-to-total capitalization ratio (%)

December 31, 2014 

December 31, 2013

72 
 214 
 3,050 
 (371) 
 (50) 
 2,915 
 3,541 
 33 
6,489 
 44.9 

84 
 209 
 2,953 
 (45) 
 – 
 3,201 
 2,792 
 38 
6,031 
 53.1 

All of the borrowing facilities have covenants customary for these types of facilities, which must be met at each quarter end. AltaGas 

has been in compliance with these covenants each quarter since the establishment of the facilities. The following table summarizes 

the Corporation’s debt covenants for all credit facilities as at December 31, 2014: 

Ratios 
Debt-to-capitalization 
EBITDA-to-interest expense
EBITDA-to-interest expense (SEMCO)
Debt-to-capitalization (SEMCO)
Debt-to-capitalization (PNG)

Debt covenant requirements
not greater than 65 percent
not less than 2.5x
not less than 2.25x
not greater than 60 percent
not greater than 65 percent

On August 23, 2013, a $4 billion base shelf prospectus valid for 25 months was filed. The purpose of the shelf is to facilitate timely 

execution of future debt and/or equity issuances by disclosing standardized information required for each capital issuance. As at 

December 31, 2014, $2.0 billion remains available on the base shelf prospectus. 

59

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCredit Facilities 

($ millions)
Demand operating facilities
Extendible revolving letter of credit facility
PNG operating facility
Bilateral letter of credit facility 
AltaGas Ltd. revolving credit facility 
SEMCO Energy US$ unsecured credit facility 1, 2

Borrowing  
capacity
70 
 150 
 25 
 125 
 1,400 
 150 
1,920 

Drawn at  
December 31, 2014
4 
 113 
 14 
 13 
–
 38 
182 

Drawn at  
December 31, 2013
11 
 68 
 15 
 68 
 598 
 64 
824 

1  Amount drawn at December 31, 2014 converted at December 2014 month-end rate of 1 US dollar = 1.1601 Canadian dollar (Amount drawn at December 31, 

2013 converted at December 2013 month-end rate of 1 US dollar = 1.0636 Canadian dollar).

2  Borrowing capacity assumed at par.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS 

December 31, 2014

($ millions)
Long-term debt 
Interest on long-term debt 
Operating leases 
Purchase obligations 
Capital project commitments
Pension plan and retiree benefits
Long-term liabilities
Total contractual obligations 

Payments Due by Period

Total
3,263 
 1,273 
 133 
 1,330 
 29 
 216 
 204 
6,448 

Less than  
1 year
214 
 139 
 25 
 336 
 29 
 31 
 – 
774 

1-3 years
457 
 244 
 36 
 615 
–
 33 
 79 
1,464 

4-5 years
388 
 202 
 18 
 191 
–
 37 
 19 
855 

After  
5 years
2,204 
 688 
 54 
 188 
–
 115 
 106 
3,355 

AltaGas has long-term operating lease agreements for gas storage, office space, office equipment and automotive equipment. 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the normal course of business, AltaGas transacts with its subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures. Refer to Note 24 of the 

Consolidated Financial Statements for the amounts due to or from related parties on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the 

classification of revenue, income and expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

CREDIT RATINGS
On November 14, 2014, DBRS Limited (DBRS) reaffirmed the BBB and Pfd-3 ratings for AltaGas. 

On July 3, 2014, DBRS commenced rating of the Series G Preferred Shares with a rating of Pfd-3. 

On July 2, 2014, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) assigned a rating of P-3 (High) to the Series G Preferred Shares.

On December 20, 2013, S&P reaffirmed the BBB and P-3 High (H) ratings for AltaGas. 

On December 4, 2013, DBRS commenced rating of the Series E Preferred Shares with a rating of Pfd-3. 

On December 10, 2013, S&P commenced rating of the Series E Preferred Shares with a rating of P-3 (H).

60

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportAccording to the DBRS rating system, debt securities rated BBB are of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of 

financial obligations is considered acceptable, but the entity may be vulnerable to future events which reduce the strength of the 

entity and its rated securities. “High” or “low” grades are used to indicate the relative standing within a particular rating category. A 

Pfd-3 rating by DBRS is the third highest of six categories granted by DBRS. According to the DBRS rating system, preferred shares 

rated Pfd-3 are of adequate credit quality. While protection of dividends and principal is still considered acceptable, the issuing entity 

is more susceptible to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions, and there may be other adversities present which 

detract from debt protection. Pfd-3 ratings normally correspond with companies whose bonds are rated in the higher end of the BBB 

category. “High” or “low” grades are used to indicate the relative standing within a rating category. The absence of either a “high”or 

“low” designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the category.

According to the S&P rating system, an obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic 

conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment 

on the obligation. The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing 

within the major rating categories. A P-3 rating by S&P is the third highest of eight categories granted by S&P. According to the S&P 

rating system, while securities rated P-3 are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, they are less vulnerable to 

non-payment than other speculative issues. However, it faces ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or 

economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. The 

ratings from P-1 to P-5 may be modified by “high”or “low” grades which indicate relative standing within the major rating categories.

The credit ratings accorded to the securities by the rating agencies are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell the securities 

in as much as such ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. There is no assurance that any 

rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that any rating will not be revised or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency 

in the future if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant.

SHARE INFORMATION
As at December 31, 2014, AltaGas had outstanding 134 million common shares, 8 million series A Preferred Shares, 8 million 

series C US$ Preferred Shares, 8 million series E Preferred Shares, and 8 million series G Preferred Shares with a combined market 

capitalization of approximately $6.6 billion based on a closing trading price on December 31, 2014 of $43.34 per common share, 

$24.99 per series A Preferred Share, $25.15 per series C US$ Preferred Share, $26.00 per series E Preferred Share and $25.70 per 

series G Preferred Share, respectively. 

As at December 31, 2014, there were 5.1 million options outstanding and 3.0 million options exercisable under the terms of the 

share option plan.

DIVIDENDS
AltaGas declares and pays a monthly dividend to its common shareholders. Dividends on preferred shares are paid quarterly. 

Dividends are at the discretion of the Board of Directors and dividend levels are reviewed periodically, giving consideration to the 

ongoing sustainable cash flow as impacted by the consolidated net income, capital expenditures, and debt repayment requirements 

of AltaGas.

On September 10, 2012, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the monthly dividend to $0.12 per common share from 

$0.115 per common share effective with the September dividend.

On April 24, 2013, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the monthly dividend to $0.125 per common share from  

$0.12 per common share effective with the May dividend.

On July 31, 2013, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the monthly dividend to $0.1275 per common share from  

$0.125 per common share effective with the August dividend.

61

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportOn April 30, 2014, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the monthly dividend to $0.1475 per common share from $0.1275 

per common share effective with the May dividend. 

The following table summarizes AltaGas’ dividend declaration history:

Dividends 

Years ended December 31 ($ per common share)
First quarter 
Second quarter 
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Total

Series A Preferred Share Dividends 

Years ended December 31 ($ per preferred share)
First quarter 
Second quarter 
Third quarter 
Fourth quarter
Total

Series C Preferred Share Dividends 

Years ended December 31 (US$ per preferred share)
First quarter 
Second quarter 
Third quarter 
Fourth quarter
Total

Series E Preferred Share Dividends 

Years ended December 31 ($ per preferred share)
First quarter 
Second quarter 
Third quarter 
Fourth quarter
Total

Series G Preferred Share Dividends 

Years ended December 31 ($ per preferred share)
First quarter 
Second quarter 
Third quarter 
Fourth quarter
Total

62

2014 
0.3825 
 0.4225 
 0.4425 
 0.4425 
1.6900 

2014 
0.3125 
 0.3125 
 0.3125 
 0.3125 
1.2500 

2014 
0.2750 
 0.2750 
 0.2750 
 0.2750 
1.1000

2014 
0.3699 
 0.3125 
 0.3125 
 0.3125 
1.3074 

2014 
– 
 –
 0.2896 
 0.2969 
0.5865 

2013 
0.3600 
 0.3700 
 0.3800 
 0.3825 
1.4925 

2013 
0.3125 
 0.3125 
 0.3125 
 0.3125 
1.2500 

2013 
 0.2750 
 0.2750 
 0.2750 
 0.2750 
1.1000

2013 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

2013 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

2012 
0.3450 
 0.3450 
 0.3500 
 0.3600 
1.4000 

2012 
0.3125 
 0.3125 
 0.3125 
 0.3125 
1.2500 

2012 
 – 
 – 
 0.3473 
 0.2750 
0.6223

2012 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

2012 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Since a determination of the value of many assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses is dependent upon future events, the preparation 

of AltaGas’ Consolidated Financial Statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions that have been made using careful 

judgment. AltaGas’ significant accounting policies are contained in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain of 

these policies involve critical accounting estimates as a result of the requirement to make particularly subjective or complex 

judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because of the likelihood that materially different amounts could be 

reported under different conditions or using different assumptions.

AltaGas’ critical accounting estimates continue to be financial instruments: depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, asset 

retirement obligations and other environmental costs, asset impairment assessment, income taxes, pension plans and post-

retirement benefits, and regulatory assets and liabilities.

Financial Instruments and Hedge Accounting
All financial instruments on the balance sheet are initially measured at fair value. The financial assets are classified as held-for-

trading, held-to-maturity, loans and receivables, or available-for-sale. Financial liabilities are classified as held-for-trading or other 

financial liabilities. Subsequent measurement of a financial instrument depends on its classification. AltaGas does not have any 

held-to-maturity financial instruments.

Held-for-trading financial assets and liabilities consist of swaps, options, forwards and equity investments. These financial instruments 

are initially accounted for at their fair value, and changes to fair value are recorded in income. Loans and receivables are accounted 

for at their amortized cost using the effective interest method. The available-for-sale classification includes non-derivative financial 

assets that are designated as available-for-sale or are not included in the other three classifications. Available-for-sale instruments 

are initially accounted for at their fair value, and changes to fair value are recorded through other comprehensive income. Declines 

in fair value below the amortized cost basis that are other-than-temporary are reclassified out of Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) 

to earnings for the period. Investments in equity instruments that do not have a quoted market price in an active market are measured 

at cost. Income earned from these investments is included in other revenue. Other financial liabilities not classified as held-for-trading 

are accounted for at their amortized cost, using the effective interest method.

Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or contracts (the host instrument) are recorded separately and are measured 

at fair value if the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are not closely related to the host instrument, the terms of 

the embedded derivative are not the same as those of a stand-alone derivative, and the total contract is not held-for-trading or 

accounted for at fair value. Changes in fair value are included in income. All derivatives, other than those that meet the expected 

purchase, sale or usage requirements exception, are carried on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value.

Fair value is defined as the amount of consideration that would be agreed upon in an arms-length transaction, other than a forced 

sale or liquidation, between knowledgeable, willing parties who are under no compulsion to act. The best evidence of fair value is a 

quoted bid or ask price, as appropriate, in an active market. Fair value based on unadjusted quoted prices in an active market requires 

minimal judgment by management. Where bid or ask prices in an active market are not available, management’s judgment on 

valuation inputs is necessary to determine fair value. AltaGas uses over-the-counter derivative instruments to manage fluctuations 

in commodity, interest rate and foreign exchange rates. AltaGas estimates forward prices based on published sources adjusted for 

factors specific to the asset or liability, including basis and location differentials, discount rates, currency exchange and interest rate 

yield curves. The forward curves used to mark these derivative instruments to market are vetted against public sources. Where 

observable market data is not available, AltaGas uses valuation techniques which require significant judgment by management.

63

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportAltaGas applies hedge accounting to its arrangements that qualify for hedge accounting treatment for cash flow hedges. In a cash 

flow hedging relationship, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the hedging derivative is recognized in other 

comprehensive income, while any ineffective portion is recognized in income. Gains and losses on derivatives are reclassified to net 

income from accumulated other comprehensive income when the hedged item is sold or terminated early, or when a hedged 

anticipated transaction is no longer expected to occur.

AltaGas designates certain derivatives as hedges at the inception of the hedging contract. The effectiveness of hedges is assessed 

on a regular basis and any changes in the fair value resulting from hedge ineffectiveness is immediately recognized as income.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 
AltaGas performs assessments of amortization of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets. When it is determined that 

assigned asset lives do not reflect the estimated remaining period of benefit, prospective changes are made to the depreciable lives 

of those assets. For regulated entities amortization rates are generally prescribed by the applicable regulatory authority. Amortization 

is a critical accounting estimate because:

•  There are a number of uncertainties inherent in estimating the remaining useful life of certain assets; and

•  Changes in assumptions could result in material adjustments to the amount of amortization that AltaGas recognizes from period 

to period. 

Asset Retirement Obligations and Other Environmental Costs
AltaGas records liabilities relating to asset retirement obligations and other environmental matters. Asset retirement obligations and 

other environmental costs are critical accounting estimates because:

•  The majority of the asset retirement costs will not be incurred for a number of years (estimated between 2016 and 2164), requiring 

AltaGas to make estimates over a long period of time;

•  Environmental laws and regulations could change, resulting in a change in the amount and timing of expenses anticipated to be 

incurred; and

•  A change in any of these estimates could have a material impact on AltaGas’ Consolidated Financial Statements.

Asset Impairment
AltaGas reviews long-lived assets and intangible assets with finite lives whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that 

the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is determined based on an estimate of undiscounted cash 

flows, and measurement of an impairment loss is determined based on the fair value of the assets. This is a critical accounting 

estimate because:

•  It requires management to make assumptions about future cash inflows and outflows over the life of an asset, which are susceptible 

to changes from period to period due to changing information available related to the determination of the assumptions; and

•  The impact of recognizing impairment may be material to AltaGas’ Consolidated Financial Statements.

With respect to impairment assessment, management has made fair value determinations related to goodwill, estimating future cash 

flows as well as appropriate discount rates. The estimates have been applied consistently with prior periods. 

64

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportIncome Taxes
The Corporation is subject to the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada) for purposes of determining the amount of income that 

will be subject to tax in Canada and the Internal Revenue Code (U.S.) for the purposes of determining the amount of income that will 

be subject to tax in the United States. The determination of AltaGas’ and its subsidiaries’ provision for income taxes requires the 

application of these complex rules. 

Substantial deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The recognition of 

deferred tax assets depends on the assumption that future earnings will be sufficient to realize the deferred benefit. The amount of the 

deferred tax asset or liability recorded is based on management’s best estimate of the timing of the realization of the assets or liabilities. 

If management’s interpretation of tax legislation differs from that of tax authorities or if timing of reversals is not as anticipated, the 

provision for income taxes could increase or decrease in future periods. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Pension Plans and Post-retirement Benefits
The determination of pension plan obligations and expense is based on a number of actuarial assumptions. Two critical assumptions 

are the expected long-term rate-of-return on plan assets and the discount rate applied to pension plan obligations. For post-retirement 

benefit plans, which provide for certain health care premiums and life insurance benefits for qualifying retired employees and which 

are not funded, critical assumptions in determining post-retirement obligations and expense are the discount rate and the assumed 

health care cost trend rates. Notes 2 and 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements include information on the assumptions used 

for the purposes of recording the funding status of the plans and the associated expenses.

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
SEMCO, ENSTAR and CINGSA, AUI, Heritage Gas and PNG engage in the delivery and sale of natural gas and are regulated by the 

following regulatory agencies: MPSC and RCA, AUC, NSUARB and BCUC, respectively.

The regulatory agencies exercise statutory authority over matters such as tariffs, rates, construction, operations, financing, returns 

and certain contracts with customers. In order to recognize the economic effects of the actions and decisions of the regulators, the 

timing of recognition of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as a result of regulation may differ from that otherwise 

expected using US GAAP for entities not subject to rate regulation. 

Regulatory assets represent future revenues associated with certain costs incurred in the current period or in prior periods that are 

expected to be recovered from customers in future periods through the rate-setting process. Regulatory liabilities represent future 

reductions or limitations of increases in revenue associated with amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers through the 

rate-setting process.

FUTURE CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, “Revenue 

from Contracts with Customers”. The core principle of the amendments in this Update is that an entity should recognize revenue to 

depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects 

to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendments specify various disclosure requirements that would enable 

users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from 

contracts with customers. The amendments are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning 

on or after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. AltaGas will adopt the new standard effective on January 1, 2017. 

In June 2014, AltaGas commenced a process for the adoption of the Update.

65

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportOFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
AltaGas is not party to any contractual arrangement under which an unconsolidated entity or a material variable interest in an 

unconsolidated entity have any obligation under certain guarantee contracts; a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred 

to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to that entity for such assets. 

AltaGas is not party to any variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk 

support or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services.

In May 2009, the National Energy Board (NEB) issued a decision that set out guiding principles for a mechanism that would set aside 

funds for pipeline abandonment. It also established a five-year action plan for all NEB-regulated companies. In May 2014, the NEB 

issued a decision establishing that, by January 1, 2015, all NEB-regulated companies must have a mechanism in place to provide 

adequate funds to pay for pipeline abandonment. AltaGas Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AltaGas, opted to comply with 

the NEB decision with a surety bond supplied by a surety company regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial 

Institutions in the amount of $41 million.

In October 2014, AltaGas issued a US$92 million guarantee related to all payment obligations under a transportation agreement 

entered into by Heritage Gas Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AltaGas. The transportation agreement is contracted with a third party 

owner of the transportation facility. 

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES (DCP) AND INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING (ICFR)
AltaGas’ management is responsible for establishing and maintaining DCP and ICFR as those terms are defined in National Instrument 

52-109 “Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings”. The objective of this instrument is to improve the quality, 

reliability and transparency of information that is filed or submitted under securities legislation.

The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have designed, with the assistance of AltaGas’ employees:

•  DCP to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to AltaGas’ business is made known to them particularly 

during the period in which AltaGas’ annual filings are being prepared and information required to be disclosed by AltaGas in its 

annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted under securities legislation is processed, summarized and reported 

within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and

•  ICFR to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for 

external purposes in accordance with US GAAP.

The ICFR have been designed based on the framework established in the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the 

Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission.

The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have evaluated, with the assistance of AltaGas’ employees, the effectiveness 

of AltaGas’ DCP and ICFR and concluded that AltaGas’ DCP and ICFR were effective at December 31, 2014. All internal control systems, 

regardless of how well designed, have inherent limitations. As a result, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only 

reasonable assurance.

During 2014, there were no changes made to AltaGas’ ICFR that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its ICFR.

66

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportFOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Normalized Operating Income 1

Three months ended December 31 ($ millions)
Gas 
Power 
Utilities
Sub-total: Operating Segments
Corporate 

2014
41 
 16 
 57 
 114 
 (9) 
105 

2013
39 
 30 
 55 
 124 
 (12) 
112 

1  Non-GAAP financial measure; See discussion in Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A. 

Normalized net income was $48 million ($0.36 per share) for fourth quarter 2014, compared to $60 million ($0.49 per share) reported 

for same quarter 2013. Fourth quarter results reflect the challenging conditions faced in the Power segment as well as increased 

financing costs related to new assets in service and prefunding initiatives in the second half of the year. 

The decrease in normalized net income was primarily a result of lower contribution from Alberta power assets, higher interest expense 

and preferred share dividends, and lower contribution from Blythe. Forrest Kerr entered service in August 2014 resulting in a negative 

impact to fourth quarter earnings as a result of full depreciation and interest costs recorded during the ramp up period. The decrease 

was partially offset by the contributions from the Gas, Utilities, and Corporate segments. 

Net income applicable to common shares for fourth quarter 2014 was $10 million ($0.08 per share) compared to $53 million  

($0.44 per share) for same quarter 2013. Net income applicable to common shares for fourth quarter 2014 was normalized for after-

tax amounts related to provisions taken for certain assets, the impact from the sale of non-core assets, unrealized gain on mark-to-

market adjustments, realized and unrealized losses on long-term investments, transaction costs related to acquisitions, costs 

associated with the early redemption of MTNs, and development costs incurred for the energy export projects. Results in fourth quarter 

2013 were normalized for similar extraordinary items as in fourth quarter 2014, excluding the costs associated with the early 

redemption of MTNs.

Normalized funds from operations for fourth quarter 2014 increased 27 percent to $156 million ($1.17 per share), compared to  

$123 million ($1.01 per share) for same quarter 2013. Normalized EBITDA for fourth quarter 2014 was $155 million, compared to 

$153 million for same quarter 2013. Cash flow increased primarily as a result of the growth in the Gas and Utilities segments, 

distributions from Petrogas, as well as lower administrative expenses, which together were able to more than offset the lower 

contribution from the Alberta power assets and the higher interest expense.

Normalized operating income for fourth quarter 2014 was $105 million, compared to $112 million for same quarter 2013. Normalized 

operating results were driven by the same factors as described above related to normalized net income excluding interest expense, 

preferred share dividends and income taxes.

Operating and administrative expense for fourth quarter 2014 was $114 million, compared to $118 million for same quarter 2013. 

Amortization expense for fourth quarter 2014 increased to $47 million, compared to $40 million for same quarter 2013, mainly due 

to the asset growth of the Corporation. A $70 million provision was taken in fourth quarter 2014 for certain non-productive gas 

processing assets, compared to a provision of $3 million related to certain power assets under development that was recorded in 

same quarter 2013.

67

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
Interest expense for fourth quarter 2014 was $35 million, compared to $27 million for same quarter 2013. Interest expense in fourth 

quarter 2014 increased due to a higher average debt balance of $3,374 million (fourth quarter 2013 – $3,331 million) as a result of 

the Corporation’s growth, lower capitalized interest of $3 million (fourth quarter 2013 – $9 million) due to Forrest Kerr and Volcano 

coming into service, and an increase in the average borrowing rate to 4.4 percent, compared to 4.3 percent in same quarter 2013. 

AltaGas recorded an income tax recovery of $5 million for fourth quarter 2014, compared to income tax expense of $15 million for 

same quarter 2013. Income tax expense decreased primarily due to lower taxable earnings driven by the provisions recorded in 

2014 for long-lived assets. The decrease in income tax expense was partially offset by the tax expense adjustment associated with 

the 2013 adjustments to deferred tax liabilities, effect of capital gains on asset dispositions, and the higher tax expense related 

to financial instruments.

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
The following table illustrates the anticipated effects of possible economic and operational changes on AltaGas’ expected 2015 net income.

Factor Share
Alberta electricity prices 1
Natural gas liquids fractionation spread 2
Degree day variance from normal – Canadian utilities 3
Degree day variance from normal – U.S. utilities 4
Change in CAD per US$ exchange rate

Increase or decrease
$1/Mwh
$1/Bbl
5 percent
5 percent
$0.05

Increase or decrease in  
net income per share
$0.01 
$0.01 
$0.01 
$0.02 
$0.03 

1  Based on approximately two-thirds of Sundance PPA volumes being hedged.
2  Based on approximately one-half of frac spread exposed NGL volumes being hedged.
3  Degree days – Canadian Utilities relate to AUI and Heritage Gas service areas. A degree day is the cumulative extent to which the daily mean temperature falls 
below 15 degrees Celsius at AUI and 18 degrees Celsius at Heritage Gas. Normal degree days are based on a 20-year rolling average. Positive variances from 
normal lead to increased delivery volumes from normal expectations. Degree day variances do not materially affect the results of PNG as the BCUC has approved 
a rate stabilization mechanism for its residential and small commercial customers. 

4  Degree days – U.S. utilities relate to SEMCO Gas and ENSTAR service areas. For U.S. utilities degree days are a measure of coldness determined daily as the 
number of degrees the average temperature during the day in question is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Degree days for a particular period are determined by 
adding the degree days incurred during each day of the period. Normal degree days for a particular period are the average of degree days during the prior 15 years 
for SEMCO Gas and during the prior 10 years for ENSTAR.

68

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportSUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS FOR THE EIGHT MOST RECENT QUARTERS

($ millions)
Total revenue
Net revenue 1 
Normalized operating income 1
Net income before taxes
Net income applicable to common shares

Q4-14
 667 
 285 
 105 
 17 
10 

Q3-14
 444 
 217 
 59 
 30 
17 

Q2-14
 471 
 220 
 65 
 44 
29 

Q1-14
 824 
 297 
 137 
 66 
40 

Q4-13
 581 
 265 
 112 
 75 
53 

Q3-13
 390 
 247 
 64 
 57 
43 

Q2-13
 459 
 212 
 68 
 40 
36 

Q1-13
 614 
 237 
 109 
 76 
49 

($ per share)
Net income applicable to common shares

Basic
Diluted

Dividends declared

Q4-14

Q3-14

Q2-14

Q1-14

Q4-13

Q3-13

Q2-13

Q1-13

0.08 
 0.08 
 0.44 

0.13 
 0.13 
 0.44 

0.23 
 0.23 
 0.42 

0.33 
 0.32 
 0.38 

0.44 
 0.43 
 0.38 

0.36 
 0.35 
 0.38 

0.31 
 0.30 
 0.37 

0.46 
 0.45 
 0.36 

1  Non-GAAP financial measure; See discussion in Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A.

Significant items that impacted individual quarterly earnings were as follows: 

•  In second quarter 2013, AltaGas completed the acquisition of Blythe for total consideration of US$515 million; AltaGas recorded 

$2 million in pre-tax transaction costs; 

•  In second quarter 2013, AltaGas recorded an adjustment of $2 million to its deferred tax liability and an income tax recovery 

resulting from the enactment of a Canadian tax amendment that increased the deduction arising from the tax on dividends paid 

on preferred shares; 

•  In third quarter 2013, AltaGas reported a $38 million pre-tax gain on the sale of PTP by PNG; 

•  In third quarter 2013, AltaGas recorded provisions of $19 million related to the planned sale of certain non-core gas and utility assets; 

•  In fourth quarter 2013, AltaGas sold ECNG. AltaGas recorded a pre-tax gain of $4 million and transaction costs of $1 million related 

to this transaction; 

•  In fourth quarter 2013, AltaGas acquired a 25 percent interest in Petrogas, a privately-held leading North American integrated 

midstream company. AltaGas paid for the initial 25 percent interest with 3 million shares priced at $35.69 per share and  

$231 million of cash;

•  In fourth quarter 2013, AltaGas reclassified an other-than-temporary pre-tax loss of $4 million on its investment in Alterra from 

OCI to income for the period; 

•  In fourth quarter 2013, AltaGas recorded pre-tax provisions of $3 million related to six wind projects under development; 

•  In first quarter 2014, AltaGas completed sale of Ante Creek, a gas processing facility located near Sturgeon Lake, northwestern 

Alberta. The transaction closed on February 12, 2014, with a realized pre-tax gain from the sale of the asset of $12 million; 

•  In first quarter 2014, AltaGas early redeemed $200 million of senior unsecured MTNs, which had a coupon rate of 7.42 percent 

and a maturity of April 29, 2014. The early redemption resulted in total pre-tax cost of $2 million; 

•  In first quarter 2014, AltaGas recorded a pre-tax provision of $38 million for EDS and JFP transmission pipeline assets that will 

be sold to NOVA Chemicals in March 2017; 

•  In first quarter 2014, AltaGas recorded a pre-tax provision of $11 million for certain hydro power development projects in British Columbia; 

•  In third quarter 2014, Forrest Kerr was brought into service but did not contribute significantly to quarterly results due to limited 

power generation during the initial ramp up period;

•  In fourth quarter 2014, AltaGas early redeemed $300 million of senior unsecured MTNs resulting in total pre-tax cost of 

$15 million; and

•  In fourth quarter 2014, AltaGas recorded a pre-tax provision of $70 million for certain non-productive gas processing assets.

69

Management’s Discussion and AnalysisAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportConsolidated Financial Statements

MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) are the responsibility of the management 

of AltaGas Ltd. (AltaGas or the Corporation) and have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The Consolidated 

Financial Statements have been prepared by management in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles 

(US GAAP) and include amounts that are based on estimates and judgments. The MD&A is based on the Corporation’s financial 

results. It compares the Corporation’s financial and operating performance in 2014 to that in 2013. The MD&A should be read in 

conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting for the Corporation. 

Management has designed and maintains a system of internal controls over financial reporting, including a program of internal audits 

to carry out its responsibility. Management believes these controls provide reasonable assurance that financial records are reliable 

and form a proper basis for the preparation of financial statements. Management undertakes communication to employees of policies 

that govern ethical business conduct.

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, 

management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting. Management concluded, 

based on its evaluation, that internal controls over financial reporting are effective as of December 31, 2014, to provide reasonable 

assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes.

The MD&A and Consolidated Financial Statements are approved by the Board of Directors after considering the recommendation of 

the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of directors who are not officers or employees.

The Audit Committee meets with management at least five times a year and meets independently with internal and external auditors 

and as a group to review any significant accounting, internal controls and auditing matters in accordance with the terms of the Charter 

of the Audit Committee, which is set out in the Annual Information Form. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include overseeing 

management’s performance in carrying out its financial reporting responsibilities and reviewing the Consolidated Financial Statements 

and MD&A, before these documents are submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. The internal and independent external 

auditors have access to the Audit Committee without the requirement to obtain prior management approval.

The Audit Committee approves the terms of engagement of the independent external auditors and reviews the annual audit plan, the 

Auditors’ Report and the results of the audit. It also recommends to the Board of Directors the firm of external auditors to be 

appointed by the shareholders.

The shareholders have appointed Ernst & Young LLP as independent external auditors to express an opinion as to whether the 

Consolidated Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the Corporation’s consolidated financial position, results 

of operations and cash flows in accordance with US GAAP.  The report of Ernst & Young LLP outlines the scope of its examination and 

its opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

David W. Cornhill 

Deborah S. Stein

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 

Senior Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of

AltaGas Ltd. 

AltaGas Ltd.

70

Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportINDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT
To the Shareholders of AltaGas Ltd.
We have audited the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements of AltaGas Ltd., which comprise the consolidated balance 

sheets as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income and accumulated 

other comprehensive income (loss), equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies 

and other explanatory information.

Management’s Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with 

United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable 

the preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditors’ Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these Consolidated Financial Statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits 

in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Auditing Standards. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements 

and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Consolidated Financial Statements are free from 

material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the Consolidated Financial 

Statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors’ judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material 

misstatement of the Consolidated Financial Statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor 

considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in order 

to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the 

effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and 

the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the Consolidated 

Financial Statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion. 

Opinion
In our opinion, the Consolidated Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of AltaGas Ltd. as 

at December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with 

United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

Calgary, Canada 

February 25, 2015 

Ernst & Young LLP

Chartered Accountants

71

Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As at ($ millions)
ASSETS
Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investment 
Accounts receivable (note 18)
Inventory (note 6)
Restricted cash holdings from customers
Regulatory assets (note 17)
Risk management assets (note 18)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Deferred income taxes (note 16)

Property, plant and equipment (note 7)
Intangible assets (note 9) 
Goodwill (note 10) 
Regulatory assets (note 17) 
Risk management assets (note 18)
Deferred income taxes (note 16)
Restricted cash holdings from customers
Long-term investments and other assets (notes 11 and 18) 
Investments accounted for by equity method (note 12)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 18)
Dividends payable
Short-term debt (note 13)
Current portion of long-term debt (notes 14 and 18) 
Customer deposits
Regulatory liabilities (note 17) 
Risk management liabilities (note 18)
Deferred income taxes (note 16)
Other current liabilities (note 19) 

Long-term debt (notes 14 and 18) 
Asset retirement obligations (note 15) 
Deferred income taxes (note 16) 
Regulatory liabilities (note 17) 
Risk management liabilities (note 18) 
Other long-term liabilities (notes 18 and 19 )
Future employee obligations (note 23)

72

December 31
2014

December 31 
2013

371.0 
 50.0 
 352.4 
 155.3 
 4.2 
 12.8 
 70.8 
 41.9 
 – 
 1,058.4 
 5,337.0 
 356.9 
 785.1 
 302.0 
 21.1 
 2.2 
 12.2 
 84.6 
 453.9 
8,413.4 

343.6 
 19.8 
 72.4 
 214.4 
 34.9 
 10.0 
 43.5 
 2.1 
 24.4 
 765.1 
 3,049.6 
 70.9 
 467.2 
 136.0 
 14.7 
 204.5 
 131.2 
 4,839.2 

44.8 
 – 
 371.2 
 123.4 
 2.7 
 6.0 
 35.0 
 33.2 
 5.0 
 621.3 
 4,952.5 
 195.3 
 743.1 
 241.2 
 12.3 
 0.8 
 12.8 
 25.9 
 479.1 
7,284.3 

321.8 
 15.6 
 84.4 
 209.1 
 35.0 
 1.8 
 44.7 
 0.5 
 14.5 
 727.4 
 2,952.7 
 76.1 
 442.8 
 124.3 
 7.1 
 52.6 
 71.8 
 4,454.8 

Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)

As at ($ millions)
Shareholders’ equity

Common shares, no par value; unlimited shares authorized; 133.9 million  

issued and outstanding (note 20) 

Preferred shares Series A cumulative redeemable five-year; par value $25; 

authorized 8 million; 8 million issued and outstanding (note 20) 

Preferred shares Series C cumulative redeemable five-year; par value US$25; 

authorized 8 million; 8 million issued and outstanding (note 20) 

Preferred shares Series E cumulative redeemable five-year; par value $25; 

authorized 8 million; 8 million issued and outstanding (note 20) 

Preferred shares Series G cumulative redeemable five-year; par value $25; 

authorized 8 million; 8 million issued and outstanding (note 20)

Contributed surplus
Accumulated deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive income

Total shareholders' equity
Non-controlling interests 
Total equity

Commitments and guarantees (note 22)

See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Approved by the Board of Directors of AltaGas Ltd.

 David W. Cornhill 

 Director 

Robert B. Hodgins

Director

December 31
2014

December 31 
2013

2,759.9 

 2,211.4 

195.9 

200.6 

195.8 

196.1 
 14.9 
 (185.2) 
 163.1 
 3,541.1 
 33.1 
 3,574.2 
8,413.4 

194.1 

 200.6 

 194.9 

–
 13.4 
 (62.1) 
 39.4 
 2,791.7 
 37.8 
 2,829.5 
7,284.3 

73

Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

For the years ended December 31 ($ millions except per share amounts)
REVENUE 
Sales
Services
Regulated operations
Other loss
Unrealized gain (loss) on risk management contracts (note 18)

EXPENSES

Cost of sales, exclusive of items shown separately
Operating and administrative
Accretion of obligations (notes 15 and 19)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (notes 7 and 9)
Provision on long-lived assets (note 4)

Income from equity investments (note 12)
Other income (expenses) (notes 5 and 11)
Foreign exchange loss
Interest expense

Short-term debt
Long-term debt

Income before income taxes
Income tax expense (note 16) 

Current
Deferred

Net income after taxes
Net income applicable to non-controlling interests
Net income applicable to controlling interests
Preferred share dividends
Net income applicable to common shares

Net income per common share (note 21)

Basic
Diluted

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (notes 22 and 23)

Basic
Diluted

See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

2014

2013

845.3 
 489.1 
 1,069.1 
 (2.3) 
 4.7 
 2,405.9 

 1,450.9 
 450.6 
 6.9 
 173.4 
 119.1 
 2,200.9 

 38.6 
 25.4 
 (0.4) 

 1.4 
 110.0 
 157.2 

 14.0 
 5.0 
 138.2 
 8.1 
 130.1 
 34.5 
95.6 

0.75 
0.74 

 126.7 
 128.6 

747.5 
 416.9 
 888.9 
 (1.1) 
 (9.2) 
 2,043.0 

 1,236.2 
 430.5 
 3.7 
 152.5 
 22.6 
 1,845.5 

 112.2 
 41.2 
 (0.3) 

 2.3 
 99.8 
 248.5 

 19.8 
 20.3 
 208.4 
 7.3 
 201.1 
 19.6 
181.5 

1.56 
1.52 

 116.1 
 119.5 

74

Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

For the years ended December 31 ($ millions)
Net income after taxes
Total other comprehensive income (net of taxes)
Comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders and non-controlling 

interests (net of tax)

Comprehensive income attributable to:

Non-controlling interests
Controlling interests

CONSOLIDATED ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)1 

2014
138.2 
 123.7 

261.9 

$8.1 
 253.8 
261.9 

2013
208.4 
 54.8 

263.2 

$7.3 
 255.9 
263.2 

($ millions)
Opening balance, January 1, 2014
Other comprehensive income (loss) 

before reclassification

Amounts reclassified from other 
comprehensive income (note 3)

Net current period other 

comprehensive income (loss)

Ending balance,  

December 31, 2014 2,3,4,5

Opening balance, January 1, 2013
Other comprehensive income (loss) 

before reclassification

Amounts reclassified from other 
comprehensive income (note 3)

Net current period other 

comprehensive income (loss)

Ending balance,  

December 31, 2013 2,3,4,5

Available- 
for-sale

(3.0) 

Cash flow 
hedges 
(10.4) 

Defined 
benefit  
pension  
plans 
(5.7) 

Hedge net 
investments 
(35.9) 

Translation 
foreign 
operations
94.4 

 Total
39.4 

 (10.5) 

 23.7 

 (4.2) 

 (35.0) 

 147.9 

 121.9 

 1.5 

 – 

 0.3 

 – 

 – 

 1.8 

(9.0) 

23.7 

(3.9) 

(35.0) 

147.9 

123.7 

(12.0) 

13.3 

(9.6) 

(70.9) 

242.3 

163.1 

(5.8) 

(1.0) 

(10.2) 

 (2.2) 

 3.8 

(15.4) 

 (0.9) 

 (10.1) 

 3.7 

2.8 

 0.7 

(9.4) 

 3.9 

 0.6 

 – 

 – 

4.5 

 (33.7) 

 90.6 

 (33.7) 

 90.6 

 49.8 

(3.0) 

(10.4) 

(5.7) 

 (35.9) 

 94.4 

1  All amounts are net of tax where applicable. Amounts in parenthesis indicate debits. 
2  Available-for-sale – net of tax recovery $1.7 million (December 31, 2013 – tax recovery $0.4 million). 
3  Cash flow hedges – net of tax expense $4.6 million (December 31, 2013 – $3.4 million). 
4  Defined benefit pension plans – net of tax recovery $3.3 million (December 31, 2013 – tax recovery $1.0 million). 
5  Hedge net investment – net of tax recovery $10.2 million (December 31, 2013 – tax recovery $5.2 million). 

See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 5.0 

54.8 

39.4 

75

Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report2014

2013

2,211.4 
 24.9 
 70.2 
 – 
 4.2 
 449.2 
 2,759.9 

 589.6 
 1.8 
 0.9 
 196.1 
 788.4 

 13.4 
 3.7 
 (2.1) 
 (0.1) 
 14.9 

 (62.1) 
 130.1 
 (4.2) 
 (214.5) 
 (34.5) 
 (185.2) 

 39.4 
 123.7 
 163.1 
 3,541.1 

 37.8 
 8.1 
 (12.8) 
 33.1 
3,574.2 

1,639.9 
 18.9 
 60.3 
 100.0 
 – 
 392.3 
 2,211.4 

 394.7 
 – 
 194.9 
 – 
 589.6 

 10.6 
 4.6 
 (1.4) 
 (0.4) 
 13.4 

 (70.0) 
 201.1 
 – 
 (173.6) 
 (19.6) 
 (62.1) 

 (15.4) 
 54.8 
 39.4 
 2,791.7 

 40.0 
 7.3 
 (9.5) 
 37.8 
2,829.5 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

For the years ended December 31 ($ millions)
Common shares (note 20)
Balance, beginning of year
Shares issued for cash on exercise of options
Shares issued under DRIP 1
Shares issued on private issuance
Deferred taxes on share issuance costs
Shares issued on public offering 
Balance, end of year
Preferred shares (note 20)
Balance, beginning of year
Series A deferred taxes on share issuance costs
Series E issued and share issuance costs, net of taxes
Series G issued and share issuance costs, net of taxes
Balance, end of year
Contributed surplus
Balance, beginning of year
Share options expense
Exercise of share options
Forfeiture of share options
Balance, end of year
Accumulated deficit 
Balance, beginning of year
Net income applicable to controlling interests
Reclassification of taxes on share issuance costs
Common share dividends
Preferred share dividends
Balance, end of year
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance, beginning of year
Other comprehensive income
Balance, end of year
Total shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interests
Balance, beginning of year
Net income applicable to non-controlling interests
Distribution by subsidiaries to non-controlling interests
Balance, end of year
Total equity

1  Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Share Purchase Plan.

See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

76

Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the years ended December 31 ($ millions)
Cash from operations 
Net income after taxes
Items not involving cash:

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Provision on long-lived assets
Accretion of obligations 
Share-based compensation
Deferred income tax expense 
Gain on sale of assets
Income from equity investments
Unrealized (gain)/loss on risk management contracts
Realized/unrealized losses on long-term investments
Losses from extinguishment of debts
Other

Asset retirement obligations settled 
Distributions from equity investments
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 

Accounts receivable
Inventory
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Regulatory assets (current)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Customer deposits
Regulatory liabilities (current)
Other current liabilities
Other operating assets and liabilities

Investing activities
Change in restricted cash holdings from customers
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of intangible assets
Proceeds from dispositions of assets
Contributions to equity investments
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Acquisition of short-term investments
Acquisition of equity investment
Acquisition of long-term investments

2014

138.2 

 173.4 
 119.1 
 6.9 
 3.7 
 5.0 
 (38.1) 
 (38.6) 
 (4.7) 
 1.6 
 16.6 
 1.9 
 (2.4) 
 86.0 

 29.0 
 (21.0) 
 (9.3) 
 (5.9) 
 (11.5) 
 (2.3) 
 7.7 
 (1.1) 
 3.5 
 457.7 

 (1.3) 
 (519.9) 
 (28.7) 
 64.5 
 (7.7) 
 – 
 (50.0) 
 5.0 
 (53.0) 
 (591.1) 

2013

208.4 

 152.5 
 22.6 
 3.7 
 4.2 
 20.3 
 (41.5) 
 (112.2) 
 9.2 
 5.4 
 – 
 5.3 
 (1.9) 
 122.4 

 28.0 
 (18.8) 
 (9.0) 
 (1.5) 
 (48.6) 
 (8.3) 
 (0.4) 
 2.7 
 23.7 
 366.2 

 6.1 
 (501.1) 
 (46.5) 
 51.0 
 (6.8) 
 (536.8) 
 – 
 (230.5) 
 – 
 (1,264.6) 

77

Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

For the years ended December 31 ($ millions)
Financing activities
Net issuance of short-term debt
Issuance of long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs
Repayment of long-term debt
Dividends – common shares
Dividends – preferred shares
Distributions to non-controlling interest
Net proceeds from shares issued on exercise of options
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

The following cash payments have been included in the determination of earnings:

For the years ended December 31 ($ millions)
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest)
Income taxes paid

See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

2014

2013

 (17.6) 
 1,348.1 
 (1,345.7) 
 (210.3) 
 (35.0) 
 (12.8) 
 22.8 
 511.8 
 194.4 
 455.7 
 3.9 
 322.3 
 44.8 
371.0 

2014
97.0 
17.4 

 14.6 
 2,091.7 
 (1,637.5) 
 (170.7) 
 (19.2) 
 (9.5) 
 18.9 
 447.6 
 194.9 
 930.8 
 0.6 
 32.4 
 11.8 
44.8 

2013
98.9 
5.2 

78

Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Tabular amounts and amounts in footnotes to tables are in millions of Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated).

1.  ORGANIZATION AND OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS

The businesses of AltaGas Ltd. (AltaGas or the Corporation) are operated by the Corporation, AltaGas Holding Partnership, 

AltaGas Extraction and Transmission Limited Partnership, AltaGas Pipeline Partnership, AltaGas Processing Partnership, AltaGas 

Utility Group Inc. (Utility Group), AltaGas Utility Holdings (Pacific) Inc., and AltaGas Services (U.S.) Inc.

AltaGas is a diversified energy infrastructure business with a focus on natural gas, power and regulated utilities. AltaGas has 

three business segments, Gas, Power and Utilities. 

AltaGas’ Gas segment serves producers in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) and includes natural gas gathering 

and processing, natural gas liquids (NGL) extraction and fractionation, transmission, storage and natural gas marketing, and the 

one-third ownership investment, through AltaGas Idemitsu Joint Venture Limited Partnership (AIJVLP), in Petrogas Energy Corp. 

(Petrogas). AIJVLP also manages the liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export development projects. 

The Power segment includes 1,285 MW of generating capacity from gas-fired, coal-fired, wind, biomass and run-of-river assets 

in Canada and the United States, along with an additional 81 MW of assets under construction and 2,360 MW of power 

generation in various stages of development.

The Utilities segment is predominantly comprised of natural gas distribution rate regulated utilities in Canada and the United 

States. The utilities are generally allowed the opportunity to earn regulated returns that provide for recovery of costs and a return 

on, and of, capital from the regulator-approved capital investment base. 

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PRESENTATION
These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by management in accordance with United States Generally 

Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP). 

Pursuant to National Instrument 52-107, “Acceptable Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards” (NI 52-107), US GAAP 

reporting is generally permitted by Canadian securities laws for companies subject to reporting obligations under U.S. securities 

laws. However, given that AltaGas is not subject to such reporting obligations and could not therefore rely on the provisions of 

NI 52-107 to that effect, AltaGas sought and obtained exemptive relief by the securities regulators in Alberta and Ontario to 

permit it to prepare its financial statements in accordance with US GAAP. 

The exemption will terminate on or after the earlier of January 1, 2019, the date to which AltaGas ceases to have activities 

subject to rate regulation, or the effective date prescribed for a mandatory application of International Financial Reporting 

Standard for rate regulated accounting.

These Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Corporation and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and 

its interest in various partnerships and joint ventures where AltaGas has an undivided interest in the assets and liabilities of 

the joint venture or partnership. 

Transactions between, and amongst, AltaGas and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and the proportionate interests in joint ventures 

or partnerships are eliminated on consolidation as required by US GAAP. Where there is a party with a non-controlling interest 

in a subsidiary that AltaGas controls, that non-controlling interest is reflected as ‘Non-controlling interests’ in the Consolidated 

Financial Statements. The non-controlling interests in net income (or loss) of consolidated subsidiaries is shown as an allocation 

of the consolidated net income and is presented separately in “Net income applicable to non-controlling interests”.

79

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Business Acquisitions
Business acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method. Under the acquisition method assets and liabilities of 

the acquired entity are recorded at fair value. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. The excess of the consideration 

transferred over the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired is recognized as goodwill.

Rate-Regulated Operations
SEMCO Energy Inc. (SEMCO), AltaGas Utilities Inc. (AUI), Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) and Heritage Gas Limited (Heritage Gas) 

(collectively “Utilities”) engage in the delivery and sale of natural gas and are regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission 

(MPSC) and Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA), Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), British Columbia Utilities Commission 

(BCUC) and the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB), respectively.

The MPSC, RCA, AUC, BCUC and NSUARB exercise statutory authority over matters such as tariffs, rates, construction, operations, 

financing, returns, accounting and certain contracts with customers. In order to recognize the economic effects of the actions and 

decisions of the MPSC, RCA, AUC BCUC and NSUARB, the timing of recognition of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses 

as a result of regulation may differ from that otherwise expected using US GAAP for entities not subject to rate regulation. 

Regulatory assets represent future revenues associated with certain costs incurred in the current period or in prior periods that 

are expected to be recovered from customers in future periods through the rate setting process. Regulatory liabilities represent 

future reductions or limitations of increases in revenue associated with amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers 

through the rate setting process.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, balances with banks and investments in money market instruments with 

original maturities of less than three months.

Short-term Investments
Short-term investments consists of investments in money market instruments with original maturities of more than three and 

less than 12 months. Short-term investments are carried at fair value.

Accounts Receivable
Receivables are recorded net of the allowance for doubtful accounts in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. AltaGas 

regularly analyzes and evaluates the collectability of the accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. If circumstances 

related to the collectability change, the allowance for doubtful accounts is further adjusted. Accounts are written off when 

collection efforts are complete and future recovery is unlikely.

Inventory
Inventory consists of materials, supplies and natural gas, which are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost of 

inventory is assigned using a weighted average cost formula. In general, commodity costs and variable transportation costs are 

capitalized as gas in underground storage. Fixed costs, primarily pipeline demand charges and storage charges, are expensed 

as incurred through the cost of gas.

Restricted Cash Holdings from Customers
Cash deposited which is restricted and is not available for general use by AltaGas is separately presented as restricted cash 

holdings in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 

80

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE), Depreciation and Amortization
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. The Corporation depreciates the cost of capital assets, net of salvage value, on 

a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets, with the exception of rate regulated utilities assets, where 

depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis or over the contract term of a specific agreement at rates as approved by the 

regulatory authorities. 

The U.S. utilities include in depreciation expense an amount allowed for regulatory purposes to be collected in current rates for 

future removal and site restoration costs. The Canadian utilities that collect future removal and site restoration costs in rates defer 

the revenue until the costs are incurred. 

Interest costs are capitalized on major additions to property, plant and equipment until the asset is ready for its intended use. The 

interest rate used for calculating the interest costs to be capitalized is based on AltaGas’ prior quarter actual borrowing long-term 

interest rate, unless AltaGas borrowed funds specifically for the purpose of obtaining an asset. In this case, the interest costs to 

be capitalized are calculated using the actual interest rate applicable to the funds obtained for that asset.

Utilities capitalize an imputed carrying cost on assets during construction as authorized by regulatory authorities and the amount 

so capitalized is an allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC). AFUDC is the amount that a rate regulated enterprise 

is allowed to recover for its cost of financing assets under construction. Capitalized overhead, administrative expenses and AFUDC 

are included in the cost of the related assets and are recovered in rates charged to customers through depreciation expense, as 

allowed by the regulators.

The range of useful lives for AltaGas’ property, plant and equipment is as follows:

Gas assets 

Power generation assets  

Utilities assets 

Corporate assets 

1-45 years

5-120 years

3-80 years

1-5 years

As required by the respective regulatory authorities, net additions to utility assets at Heritage Gas and PNG are not depreciated 

until the year after they are brought into active service and net additions to utility assets at AUI and SEMCO are depreciated 

commencing in the year in which the assets are brought into active service. 

Generally, when a regulated asset is retired or disposed of, there is no gain or loss recorded in income. Any difference between 

the cost and accumulated depreciation of the asset, net of salvage proceeds, is charged to accumulated depreciation or another 

regulatory asset or liability account. It is expected that any gain or loss that is charged to accumulated depreciation or another 

regulatory account will be reflected in future depreciation expense when it is refunded or collected in rates. 

Leases are classified as either capital or operating. Leases that transfer substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership 

of property to AltaGas are accounted for as capital leases. 

Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are recorded at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their term or estimated useful life:

Energy services relationships 

15-19 years

Electricity service agreement 

Software 

Land rights 

Franchises and consents 

60 years

2-5 years

25-60 years

9-25 years

81

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
Goodwill represents that portion of the consideration on acquisitions which was in excess of the fair value of the net assets 

acquired. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but assessed at least annually for impairment, or more often when impairment 

indicators exist. If an impairment test of goodwill shows that the carrying amount of the goodwill is in excess of the fair value, 

a corresponding impairment loss would be recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income. 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
If facts and circumstances suggest that a long-lived asset or an intangible asset may be impaired, the carrying value is reviewed. 

If this review indicates that the value of the asset is not recoverable, as determined by the projected undiscounted cash  

flows related to the asset over its remaining life, then the carrying value of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value less 

cost to sell.

Financial Instruments
Financial instruments are recorded using the mark-to-market method of accounting for transactions under derivative contracts 

for which AltaGas is not permitted, or does not elect, to apply the normal purchase/normal sale exemption, rate regulated 

accounting for financial instruments, or hedge accounting in order to match the earnings impact of those activities to the greatest 

extent permissible. Under the mark-to-market method of accounting, the fair value of these contracts is recorded as derivative 

assets and liabilities at the time of contract execution.

The financial assets are classified as “held-for-trading”, “held-to-maturity”, “loans and receivables”, or “available-for-sale”. Financial 

liabilities are classified as “held-for-trading” or other financial liabilities. Subsequent measurement is determined by classification. 

Held-for-trading financial assets and liabilities consist of swaps, options, forwards and equity securities. These financial 

instruments are initially recorded at their fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in net income. 

AltaGas does not have any held-to-maturity financial assets.

Loans and receivables are recognized at amortized cost using the effective interest method. 

The available-for-sale classification includes non-derivative financial assets that are designated as available-for-sale or are not 

included in the other three classifications. Available-for-sale instruments are initially recorded at fair value and changes to fair 

value are recorded through “Other comprehensive income” (OCI). Declines in fair value below the amortized cost basis that are 

other than temporary are reclassified out of OCI to earnings for the period.

Investments in equity instruments that do not have a quoted market price in an active market are measured at cost. Income 

earned from these investments is included in the Consolidated Statement of Income under “Other income (expenses)”. 

Other financial liabilities not classified as held-for-trading are recognized at amortized cost, using the effective interest method.

Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or contracts (the host instrument) are recorded separately and are measured 

at fair value if the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are not closely related to the host instrument, the terms 

of the embedded derivative are the same as those of a standalone derivative and the entire contract is not held for trading or 

accounted for at fair value. Changes in fair value are included in income. 

82

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
All derivatives, other than those that meet the normal purchase and normal sale (NPNS) exemption, are carried on the 

Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value. A physical contract generally qualifies for the NPNS exemption if the transaction is 

reasonable in relation to AltaGas’ business needs, the counterparty owns or controls resources within the proximity to allow for 

physical delivery, AltaGas intends to receive physical delivery of the commodity, and AltaGas deems the counterparty credit 

worthy. AltaGas continually assesses the contracts designated under the NPNS exemption and will discontinue the treatment 

of these contracts under this exemption where the criteria are no longer met.

Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities
Offsetting of fair value amounts is generally not applied except where a right of set off exists. A right of set off exists only if and 

when AltaGas and its counterparty in the financial instrument owe a determinable amount, the two parties agreed to set off the 

amounts due, AltaGas intends to set off, and the right of set off is enforceable by law.

Hedges
As part of its risk management strategy, AltaGas uses derivatives to reduce its exposure to commodity price, interest rate and 

foreign exchange risk. AltaGas designates certain derivatives as hedges and prepares documentation at the inception of the 

hedging contract. AltaGas performs an assessment at inception and during the term of the contract to determine if the derivative 

used as a hedge is effective in offsetting the risks in the values or cash flows of the hedged item. 

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges is recognized in OCI. Ineffective portions and amounts 

excluded from effectiveness testing of hedges are included in income. Gains or losses from cash flow hedges that have been 

included in accumulated other comprehensive income are included in net income when the underlying transaction has occurred 

or is likely not to occur.

AltaGas designated some of its US dollar denominated long-term debt as a foreign currency hedge of its investment in foreign 

operations. Accordingly, foreign exchange gains and losses, from the dates of designation, on the translation of the US dollar 

denominated long-term debt are included in OCI. 

Long-Term Investments and Other Assets
Long-term investments are recorded at cost or designated as available-for-sale or held-for-trading. Investments in equity 

instruments that do not have a quoted market price in an active market are measured at cost. 

Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method 
The equity method of accounting is used for investments in joint ventures and affiliates in which AltaGas has the ability to 

exercise significant influence, but not control.

Under this method, the assets and liabilities of the joint ventures and affiliates are not consolidated. The investments in net 

assets of the equity investments are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet in “Investments accounted for by equity 

method”. The gain or loss from operations of the joint ventures and affiliates is reported on a net basis in the income statement 

under the caption “Income from equity method investments”. 

Development Costs
AltaGas expenses development costs as incurred unless such development costs meet certain criteria related to technical, 

market, regulatory and financial feasibility for capitalization. Development costs are examined annually to ensure capitalization 

criteria continue to be met. When the criteria that previously justified the deferral of costs are no longer met, the unamortized 

balance is taken as a charge to income in the period when this determination is made. Development costs are amortized based 

on the expected period of benefit, beginning at the commencement of commercial operations.

83

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
Asset Retirement Obligations
AltaGas recognizes asset retirement obligations in the period in which the legal obligation is incurred and a reasonable estimate 

of fair value can be determined. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the asset 

and are depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. The liability is increased due to the passage of time over the 

estimated period until the settlement of the obligation, with a corresponding charge to accretion expense for asset retirement 

obligations.

Certain utility assets will have future legal obligations on retirement but an asset retirement obligation has not been recorded 

due to its indeterminate life and corresponding indeterminable timing and scope of these asset retirement obligations. The U.S. 

utilities recognize asset retirement obligations for some interim retirements, as expected by their regulators, whereas utilities in 

Canada do not. 

Revenue Recognition
Revenue from sales represents the proceeds from the commodity sales in the Gas and Power reporting segments and are 

recognized at the time the product is delivered. 

Revenue from services represents the proceeds from operating leases in the Gas and Power reporting segments where AltaGas 

is the lessor, and fees from the gathering, transportation, processing, and marketing of natural gas. Revenue from services are 

recognized at the time the service is delivered. 

The Utilities reporting segment recognizes revenue, presented as “revenue from regulated operations” in the Consolidated 

Statements of Income, when the product or services are delivered on the basis of regular meter readings or estimates of usage 

and is consistent with the underlying rate setting mechanism mandated by the applicable regulatory authority. 

Realized gains and losses from risk management activities related to commodity prices are recognized when the sale occurs 

or when the underlying financial asset or financial liability is removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheet items “Risk 

management assets” or “Risk management liabilities”.

Unrealized gains and losses in respect of fair value changes to AltaGas’ risk management activities, which do not meet the 

criteria as effective hedges, are recorded as revenue based on the related mark-to-market calculation at the end of the reporting 

period in the Corporate reporting segment.

Transaction Costs Related to Financial Instruments
Transaction costs related to the acquisition of held-for-trading financial assets and liabilities are expensed as incurred. 

Transaction costs for obtaining debt financing are capitalized and included under “Long-term investments and other assets” on 

the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Premiums and discounts are netted against long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 

The deferred charges are amortized over the life of the related debt on an effective interest basis and included in interest 

expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

Foreign Currency Translation
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency for domestic entities are converted at the exchange rate in 

effect at the balance sheet date. Adjustments resulting from the conversion are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of 

Income. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are converted at the exchange rate in effect at the transaction date. Revenues and 

expenses are converted at the exchange rate applicable at the transaction date.

84

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
For foreign entities with a functional currency other than Canadian dollars, AltaGas’ reporting currency, assets and liabilities are 

translated into Canadian dollars at the rate in effect at the reporting date. The exchange rate used to convert a US dollar to a 

Canadian dollar as at December 31, 2014 was 1.1601 (December 31, 2013 – 1.0636).

Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the reporting period. All adjustments resulting from 

the translation of the foreign operations are recorded in OCI. The average exchange rate used to convert a US dollar to a 

Canadian dollar for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 1.1048 (December 31, 2013 – 1.0301). 

Share-Based Compensation Plans
AltaGas follows the fair value method of accounting for share options granted to certain employees and directors. Share options 

are valued at the date of the grant and recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the options. Consideration 

received by AltaGas on exercise of the share options is credited to shareholders’ equity.

AltaGas uses the Black Scholes Merton model to determine the fair value of the options on their grant date and recognizes 

the share-based compensation cost over the vesting period.

AltaGas has a share-based compensation plan in which participants receive phantom shares requiring settlement by cash 

payments. During the graded vesting period, compensation expense is recognized using the liability method and is recorded 

as operating and administrative expense over the vesting period. A change in value of the vested phantom shares is recognized 

in the period the change occurs.

Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits
AltaGas recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of its pension and post-retirement benefit plans as either assets or 

liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The cost of defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement benefits is actuarially determined using the projected benefit 

method prorated on service with a reasonable range of expected plan investment performance and management’s best estimate 

of salary escalation, retirement ages of employees and expected health care costs. The current service cost is the sum of the 

individual current service costs, and the accrued benefit obligation is the sum of the accrued liabilities for all participants.

For purposes of calculating the expected return on plan assets, those assets are valued at fair value. The cumulative net 

actuarial gain or loss at the beginning of the year in excess of 10 percent of the greater of the accrued benefit obligation and 

the fair value of plan assets is amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service life of the active employees. 

The average remaining service period of the active members covered by the defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement 

benefit plans is 12.5 years and 11.7 years, respectively. 

Unamortized actuarial gains (losses) and transitional obligations for non-utility plans are initially recognized in the other 

comprehensive income (losses) and amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service life of active employees 

for the respective plan through the income statement. Utilities recognize unamortized actuarial gains (losses) and transitional 

obligations for pension plans and post-retirement benefits under regulatory and other liabilities. 

85

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
 
Income Taxes
Income taxes for the Corporation and its subsidiaries are calculated using the liability method of tax accounting. Under this 

method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the carrying value and the tax 

bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are in effect in the periods in which 

the differences are expected to be settled or realized. 

Investment tax credits are deferred and amortized over the estimated service lives of the related properties. 

The rate regulated natural gas distribution subsidiaries recognize a separate regulatory asset or liability for the amount of 

deferred income taxes expected to be recovered from, or paid to, customers in the future. 

Net Income per Share
Basic and diluted net income applicable to common shares are computed using the weighted average number of common shares 

and the weighted average number of common shares that could potentially dilute earnings during a reporting period (share-based 

compensation awards). Net income applicable to common shares is the difference between the net income applicable to 

controlling interests less preferred share dividends.

The potentially dilutive impact of the share-based compensation awards is determined using the treasury stock method. Under 

the treasury stock method, awards are treated as if they had been exercised with any proceeds used to repurchase common 

stock at the average market price during the period. Any incremental difference between the assumed number of shares issued 

and purchased is included in the diluted share computation. 

The computation of the diluted net income applicable to common shares excludes the anti-dilutive instruments. These anti-

dilutive instruments were due to certain share-based compensation awards calculated under the treasury stock method. This 

anti-dilution occurs where the exercise prices are higher than the average market value of AltaGas’ share price during the 

applicable period.

Emission Credits
As no active market currently exists, emission credits are carried at cost and included in “Prepaid expenses and other  

current assets”.

USE OF ESTIMATES AND MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY
The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management to make estimates 

and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses 

during the period.

Key areas where management has made complex or subjective judgments, when matters are inherently uncertain include, but 

are not limited to, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, asset retirement obligations, long-lived and intangible 

assets impairment assessment, financial instruments, income taxes, employee future benefits, litigation, share-based 

compensation and regulatory assets and liabilities.

Certain estimates are necessary for the regulatory environment in which AltaGas’ subsidiaries or affiliates operate, which often 

requires amounts to be recorded at estimated values until these amounts are finalized pursuant to regulatory decisions or other 

regulatory proceedings. By their nature, these estimates are subject to measurement uncertainty and may impact the 

Consolidated Financial Statements of future periods. 

86

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
In April 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and 

Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”. The amendments in this Update improve the definition of discontinued 

operations by limiting the discontinued operations to the disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift 

that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. AltaGas adopted the Update effective  

July 7, 2014. The amendments of this Update are applied to the disposals (or classifications as held-for-sale) of components 

occurring after the adoption date. 

In November 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-17, “Business Combinations-Pushdown Accounting”. The amendments in this 

Update provide an acquired entity with an option to apply pushdown accounting when an acquirer obtains control of the acquired 

entity. The amendments in this Update were effective on November 18, 2014. 

FUTURE CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES
In January 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-05, “Service Concession Arrangements”. The amendments in this Update provide 

guidance for accounting for service concession arrangements, previously not covered by US GAAP. A service concession arrangement 

is an arrangement between a public sector entity grantor and an operating entity under which the operating entity operates the 

grantor’s infrastructure. The amendments in this Update should be applied on a modified retrospective basis to service concession 

arrangements that exist at the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year of adoption with a cumulative effect recognized as an adjustment 

to the opening retained earnings balance for the annual period of adoption. The amendments are effective for annual periods, and 

interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2014. AltaGas will adopt the Update for the 

financial periods beginning on January 1, 2015. The adoption of this Update does not have any impact on the preparation and 

presentation of AltaGas’ Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. The core principle of the amendments 

in this Update is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an 

amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The 

amendments specify various disclosure requirements that would enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, 

amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The amendments are effective 

for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is 

not permitted. AltaGas commenced a process for the adoption of the Update. The impacts in the recognition, measurement and 

presentation of revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with the Update are under assessment for AltaGas’ 

Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a 

Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period”. The amendments are effective for annual periods, and 

interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. AltaGas will 

adopt the Update for the financial periods beginning on January 1, 2016. AltaGas does not expect any material impact in the 

preparation and presentation of its Consolidated Financial Statements.

87

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
 
3.  RECLASSIFICATION FROM ACCUMULATED OTHER  

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (AOCI)

AOCI components reclassified
Cash flow hedges

Commodity contracts –  

NGL (ineffective hedge)

Commodity contracts –  

Bond forward 

Available-for-sale
Defined benefit pension plans

Deferred income taxes

4.  PROVISION ON LONG-LIVED ASSETS 

Gas (a)
Power
Utilities

Income statement line item

Year ended  
December 31, 2014

Year ended  
December 31, 2013

Unrealized gains on risk  
management contracts
Interest expense –  
Long-term debt
Other income (expenses)
Other income (expenses)
Operating and administrative expense
Total before income taxes
Income tax expenses – Deferred

(0.4) 

 0.1 
 0.2 
 1.8 
 0.5 
 2.2 
 (0.4) 
1.8 

2014
108.2 
 10.9 
–
119.1 

– 

 0.7 
–
 4.2 
 1.3 
 6.2 
 (1.2) 
5.0 

2013
15.9 
 3.7 
 3.0 
22.6 

(a) Provision for 2014 includes $19.5 million for Ethylene Delivery Systems (EDS) and Joffre Feedstock Pipeline (JFP) transmission pipeline assets and 
$18.7 million for related transmission contracts, all of which will be sold to NOVA Chemicals Corporation in March 2017, in accordance with contractual 
requirements. The provision also includes $56.0 million related to assets assessed as no longer in use and $14.0 million for gas processing assets 
reclassified as “held for sale”. 

5.  OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)

Gain from sale of assets (a) 
Interest income and other revenue
Losses from extinguishment of debts
Other than temporary impairment available for sale (note 11)
Unrealized gain (loss) from held-for-trading assets

Year ended  
December 31, 2014
38.2 
 6.2 
 (17.4) 
 (1.8) 
 0.2 
25.4 

Year ended  
December 31, 2013
41.5 
 5.1 
– 
 (4.3) 
 (1.1) 
41.2 

(a) On March 2, 2011, Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) sold its 50 percent interest in Pacific Trail Pipelines Limited Partnership (PTP), subject to a contingent 
reversionary right at the end of 2013. The purchase price of $50 million was to be paid in two tranches. The first tranche of $30 million was paid to PNG on 
closing in March 2011 while the remaining $20 million was to be paid upon the buyers’ advising PNG that they had issued a notice to proceed with respect to 
the construction of the Kitimat LNG project. On May 23, 2013 PNG and the buyers amended the acquisition agreement by increasing the second payment from 
$20 million to $38 million and removing the contingent reversionary right. During third quarter 2013, PNG received regulatory approval for the amendment, 
received payment of the consideration from the buyers and recognized a $37.5 million pre-tax gain on the transaction.

88

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
6. 

INVENTORY

As at December 31
Natural gas held in storage
Other inventory

7.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

As at December 31

Gas
Power
Utilities
Corporate

Cost
2,318.0 
 2,050.1 
 1,833.5 
 49.6 
6,251.2 

2014
136.7 
 18.6 
155.3 

2014 

Accumulated 
amortization 
 (681.9) 
 (98.5) 
 (108.4) 
 (25.4) 
(914.2) 

Net book  
value 
 1,636.1 
 1,951.6 
 1,725.1 
 24.2 
5,337.0 

2013 

Accumulated 
amortization

 (545.9) 
 (50.9) 
 (65.9) 
 (8.3) 
(671.0) 

Cost 
2,269.8 
 1,759.5 
 1,569.0 
 25.2 
5,623.5 

2013
106.7 
 16.7 
123.4 

Net book  
value 
 1,723.9 
 1,708.6 
 1,503.1 
 16.9 
4,952.5 

Interest capitalized on long-term capital construction projects for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $29.9 million  

(2013 – $30.6 million). 

As at December 31, 2014, the Corporation had spent approximately $440.4 million (2013 – $943.3 million) on capital projects 

under construction that were not yet subject to amortization. 

Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment (including assets under capital leases) for the year ended 

December 31, 2014 was $162.2 million (2013 – $142.3 million). 

Net additions to Utilities assets at PNG and Heritage Gas are not amortized until the year after they are brought into active 

service as required by the respective regulating authorities. Net additions to SEMCO’s utility assets are amortized for one half 

year, in the year in which they are brought into active service, as required by SEMCO’s regulatory authority. Utility assets not yet 

subject to amortization were $48.5 million as at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 – $42.9 million).

8.  OPERATING LEASES

AltaGas is the lessor in several operating lease arrangements. The carrying value of property, plant, and equipment associated 

with these leases was $2,159.4 million as at December 31, 2014 (2013 – $1,113.8 million). The total revenue earned from 

these operating leases was $124.0 million as at December 31, 2014 (2013 – $68.9 million).

The following table sets forth the future fixed minimum revenue related to the operating leases for the years ended December 31:

2015 
2016 
2017
2018
2019

90.3 
 92.1 
 93.9 
 95.7 
97.5 

89

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report9. 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

As at December 31

E&T contracts
Electricity service agreement
Energy services relationships
Software
Land rights
Franchises and consents

2014 

Accumulated 
amortization 
(38.5) 
 (1.8) 
 (6.1) 
 (25.6) 
 (1.7) 
 (1.3) 
(75.0) 

Cost
56.5 
 260.4 
 10.2 
 84.6 
 16.6 
 3.6 
431.9 

Net book  
value 
18.0 
 258.6 
 4.1 
 59.0 
 14.9 
 2.3 
356.9 

2013 

Accumulated 
amortization

(18.9) 

–

 (5.3) 
 (29.8) 
 (1.6) 
 (1.0) 
(56.6) 

Cost 
57.3 
 90.0 
 10.2 
 73.5 
 17.3 
 3.6 
251.9 

Net book 
value 
38.4 
 90.0 
 4.9 
 43.7 
 15.7 
 2.6 
195.3 

Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $11.2 million (2013 – $10.2 million).

As at December 31, 2014, the Corporation had capitalized approximately $36.5 million in software costs (2013 – $11.5 million) 

not yet subject to amortization.

The following table sets forth the estimated amortization expense of intangible assets, excluding any amortization of assets 

not yet subject to amortization, for the years ended December 31:

2015 
2016 
2017
2018
2019
Thereafter

10.  GOODWILL

As at December 31
Balance, beginning of year
Other changes 
Foreign exchange translation

11.  LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS

As at December 31
Investments in publicly-traded entities (a)
Debt financing costs
Refundable deposits
Loan to employees
Other

11.7 
 13.1 
 11.4 
 11.1 
 11.0 
262.2 

2013
714.9 
 (1.7) 
 29.9 
743.1 

2013
5.0 
 17.0 
–
 0.8 
 3.1 
25.9 

2014
743.1 
–
 42.0 
785.1 

2014
46.3 
 22.0 
 15.7 
–
 0.6 
84.6 

(a) Investments in publicly traded entities include common shares issued by Canadian entities that are classified as available for sale for $43.5 million 
(December 31, 2013 – $2.4 million) and held for trading for $2.8 million (December 31, 2013 – $2.6 million). Pursuant to the terms of a private placement in 
2014, $38.5 million of common shares classified as available-for-sale are subject to a one-year hold period restriction, expiring in August 2015.

90

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsIn 2014, an other-than-temporary pre-tax loss of $1.8 million was re-classified from OCI and recognized in the Consolidated 

Statement of Income under “Other income (expenses)” (2013 – $4.2 million). The recognition of the other-than-temporary losses 

was the result of the length of time and extent to which the market value of the shares was less than cost. 

Summary of After-tax Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-sale Recognized in AOCI

For the years ended December 31
Changes in fair value
Other-than-temporary loss

12.  INVESTMENTS ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE EQUITY METHOD

As at December 31
Affiliates
Joint ventures

2014 
(10.5) 
 1.5 
(9.0) 

2014 
2.6 
 451.3 
453.9 

2013 
(0.9) 
 3.7 
2.8 

2013 
338.8 
 140.3 
479.1 

PETROGAS 
On October 1, 2013, AltaGas completed the acquisition of a 25 percent interest in Petrogas, a privately-held leading North 

American integrated midstream company. Petrogas is engaged in the marketing, storage, and distribution of natural gas liquids, 

drilling fluids, fracing fluids, crude oil and condensate diluents. Petrogas and its subsidiaries own underground storage facilities, 

own and lease surface storage, and own and operate processing plants, trucks and transportation equipment, loading and 

terminaling facilities and crude oil blending facilities. AltaGas paid for the acquisition with approximately 2.8 million common 

shares priced at $35.69 per share and $230.5 million of cash. The investment was accounted for using the equity method. 

On October 24, 2013, AltaGas announced it planned to increase its effective ownership of Petrogas to 33 1/3 percent, exercising 

a call option included in the share purchase agreement with the vendor. 

On March 1, 2014, AltaGas transferred its 25 percent ownership interest to AIJVLP. On March 1, 2014, AIJVLP acquired an 

additional 41 2/3 percent interest in Petrogas for $300.8 million cash consideration and a $250.0 million note payable to the 

vendor. As a result of the transaction, Petrogas is effectively owned one-third by each of AltaGas, Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. 

(Idemitsu), and its former majority shareholder. 

91

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
 
 
The table below is a list of joint ventures and affiliates as at December 31, 2014. 

Description
AltaGas Idemitsu Joint Venture LP
AltaGas Idemitsu Management Inc.
ASTC Power Partnership
Boston Bar LP
Busch Ranch Wind Project
Craven County Wood Energy GP
Craven County Wood Energy LP
Eaton Rapids Gas Storage System
Edmonton Ethane Extraction Plant (EEEP)
Empress ATCO (EGLJV)
Empress Provident (PEEP)
Gilby Midstream
Grayling Generating Station GP
Grayling Generating Station LP
Ikhil Joint Venture
Inuvik Gas Ltd. 
Sarnia Airport Storage Pool LP
Sarnia Airport Storage Pool Management Inc.
Younger

Location
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
United States
United States
United States
United States
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
United States
United States
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada

Ownership Percentage
50 
50 
50 
25 
50 
50 
50 
50 
48.667 
7.20 
11.25 
50 
50 
50 
33.334 
33.333 
50 
50 
56.667 

Accounting Method
Equity
Equity
Equity
Equity
Proportionate
Equity
Equity
Equity
Proportionate
Proportionate
Proportionate
Proportionate
Equity
Equity
Proportionate
Equity
Equity
Equity
Proportionate

The tables below represent 100 percent of the most significant investees’ financial information as at December 31, 2014 and 2013. 

For the year ended December 31, 2014
Revenues
Expenses

As at December 31, 2014
Current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Long-term investments and other assets
Current liabilities
Other long-term liabilities

For the year ended December 31, 2013
Revenues
Expenses

As at December 31, 2013
Current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Long-term investments and other assets
Current liabilities
Other long-term liabilities

Proportionate 
Consolidation Method
279.4 
 212.4 
67.0 

 51.0 
 279.3 
 20.0 
 3.1 
 15.3 
 42.7 

Proportionate 
Consolidation Method
194.9 
 148.4 
46.5 

 57.6 
 313.2 
 20.0 
 1.2 
 4.2 
 41.9 

Equity Method
288.0 
 258.8 
29.2 

 39.0 
 79.4 
 80.6 
 875.2 
 33.4 
 252.9 

Equity Method
716.4 
 284.2 
432.2 

 677.4 
 363.3 
 85.8 
 12.5 
 406.4 
 65.9 

Total 
567.4 
 471.2 
96.2 

 90.0 
 358.7 
 100.6 
 878.3 
 48.7 
 295.6 

Total 
911.3 
 432.6 
478.7 

 735.0 
 676.5 
 105.8 
 13.7 
 410.6 
 107.8 

92

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements13.  SHORT-TERM DEBT

As at December 31
Bank indebtedness
$50 million demand operating facility
US$150 million operating facility
$25 million operating facility

2014
26.6 
–
 37.1 
 8.7 
72.4 

2013
3.4 
 7.2 
 62.8 
 11.0 
84.4 

Bank Indebtedness
Bank indebtedness bears interest at the lender’s prime rate or at the interest rate applicable to bankers’ acceptances. The 
prime lending rate at December 31, 2014 was 3.0 percent (December 31, 2013 – 3.0 percent).

Revolving Operating Credit Facilities
As at December 31, 2014, the Corporation held a $50.0 million (December 31, 2013 – $50.0 million) unsecured demand 
revolving operating credit facility with a Canadian chartered bank. Draws on the facility bear interest at the lender’s prime rate 
or at the bankers’ acceptance rate plus a stamping fee. Letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2014 were nil 
(December 31, 2013 – $0.02 million).

As at December 31, 2014, SEMCO held a US$150.0 million (December 31, 2013 – US$150.0 million) unsecured revolving 
operating credit facility with a Canadian chartered bank with a maturity date of December 20, 2019. Draws on the facility can 
be by way of U.S. base-rate loans, letters of credit and LIBOR loans. Letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2014 were 
$0.8 million (December 31, 2013 – $1.0 million).

As at December 31, 2014, AltaGas held a $25.0 million (December 31, 2013 – $25.0 million) bank operating facility which is 
available for working capital purposes, has a term of 18 months and expires on May 22, 2015. The operating facility  
was acquired through the acquisition of PNG. Draws on the facility are by way of prime-rate advances, bankers’ acceptances 
or letters of credit at the bank’s prime rate or for a fee. Letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2014 were $5.7 million 
(December 31, 2013 – $4.2 million).

Other Credit Facilities
As at December 31, 2014, the Utilities segment held a $20.0 million (December 31, 2013 – $20.0 million) unsecured 
uncommitted demand operating credit facility with a Canadian chartered bank. Draws on the facility can be by way of prime rate 
loans, U.S. base-rate loans, letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and LIBOR loans. Letters of credit outstanding at December 
31, 2014 were $3.6 million (December 31, 2013 – $3.6 million).

As at December 31, 2014, AltaGas held a $150.0 million (December 31, 2013 – $150.0 million) unsecured four-year extendible 
revolving letter of credit facility. Draws on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, LIBOR loans, bankers’ 
acceptances or letters of credit. Letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2014 were $112.8 million (December 31, 2013 
– $67.5 million). 

As at December 31, 2014, AltaGas held a $125.0 million (December 31, 2013 – $125.0 million) unsecured bilateral letter of 
credit facility. Borrowings on the facility bear fees and interest at rates relevant to the nature of the draws made. Letters of 
credit outstanding at December 31, 2014 were $12.7 million (December 31, 2013 – $67.6 million). 

93

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
 
 
14.  LONG-TERM DEBT

As at December 31
Credit facilities

Maturity date

$1,400 million unsecured extendible revolving (a)

15-Dec-2018

Medium-term notes

$200 million Senior unsecured – 7.42 percent (b)
$200 million Senior unsecured – 4.10 percent (c)
$100 million Senior unsecured – 6.94 percent (d)
$200 million Senior unsecured – 5.49 percent
$175 million Senior unsecured – 4.60 percent
$200 million Senior unsecured – 4.55 percent
$200 million Senior unsecured – 4.07 percent
$350 million Senior unsecured – 3.72 percent
$300 million Senior unsecured – 3.57 percent
$200 million Senior unsecured – 4.40 percent
$300 million Senior unsecured – 3.84 percent
$100 million Senior unsecured – 5.16 percent
$300 million Senior unsecured – 4.50 percent
US$175 million Senior unsecured – floating (e)
US$200 million Senior unsecured – floating (f)

SEMCO long-term debt

US$90 million CINGSA secured construction  

and term loan (g)

US$300 million SEMCO Senior secured – 5.15 percent (h)
US$82 million SEMCO Senior secured – 4.48 percent

Debenture notes

PNG RoyNat Debenture – 3.79 percent (i)
PNG 2018 Series Debenture – 8.75 percent (i)
PNG 2024 CFI Debenture – 7.39 percent (j)
PNG 2025 Series Debenture – 9.30 percent (i)
PNG 2027 Series Debenture – 6.90 percent (i)

Loan from Province of Nova Scotia (k)
CINGSA capital lease – 3.50 percent
CINGSA capital lease – 4.48 percent
Promissory notes
Other long-term debt

Less current portion

29-Apr-2014
24-Mar-2016
29-Jun-2016
27-Mar-2017
15-Jan-2018
17-Jan-2019
01-Jun-2020
28-Sep-2021
12-Jun-2023
15-Mar-2024
15-Jan-2025
13-Jan-2044
15-Aug-2044
13-Apr-2015
24-Mar-2016

14-Nov-2015
21-Apr-2020
2-Mar-2032

15-Sep-2017
15-Nov-2018
01-Nov-2024
18-Jul-2025
02-Dec-2027
31-Jul-2017
1-May-2040
4-Jun-2068
25-Oct-2015

2014

– 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 200.0 
 175.0 
 200.0 
 200.0 
 350.0 
 300.0 
 200.0 
 300.0 
 100.0 
 299.7 
 203.0 
 232.1 

 – 
 348.0 
 95.1 

 9.8 
 10.0 
 7.4 
 14.5 
 15.5 
 2.1 
 0.5 
 0.2 
 1.0 
 0.1 
 3,264.0 
 214.4 
3,049.6 

2013

578.6 

 200.0 
 200.0 
 100.0 
 200.0 
 175.0 
 200.0 
 200.0 
 350.0 
 300.0 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 186.1 
 – 

 86.3 
 319.1 
 – 

 11.0 
 11.0 
 7.9 
 15.0 
 16.0 
 3.1 
 0.5 
 – 
 1.9 
 0.3 
 3,161.8 
 209.1 
2,952.7 

(a) Borrowings on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, LIBOR loans, bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit. Borrowings on the 
facility have fees and interest at rates relevant to the nature of the draw made. Letters of credit outstanding as at December 31, 2014 were nil (December 
31, 2013 – $19.0 million).

(b) The notes were early redeemed on February 14, 2014. 
(c) The notes were early redeemed on December 8, 2014.
(d) The notes were early redeemed on December 4, 2014.
(e) The notes carry a floating rate coupon of three months LIBOR plus 0.79 percent.
(f)  The notes carry a floating rate coupon of three months LIBOR plus 0.72 percent.
(g) Borrowings on the facility can be by way of LIBOR loans or alternative base rate loans. Borrowings on the facility have fees and interest at rates relevant to 

the nature of the draw made. The facility is non-recourse to the Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska LLC (CINGSA) subsidiary.

(h) Collateral for the US$ MTNs is certain SEMCO assets.
(i)  Collateral for the Secured Debentures consists of a specific first mortgage on substantially all of PNG’s property, plant and equipment, and gas purchase 

and gas sales contracts, and a first floating charge on other property, assets and undertakings.

(j)  Collateral for the Corpfinance International Ltd. (CFI) Debenture consists of first fixed specific and floating charges and a security interest over all the assets 

and undertakings of McNair Creek, a first security interest over all the interests of PNG in partnership interests and shares of McNair Creek. 

(k) The loan is non-interest bearing and, if certain prescribed revenue targets are achieved, interest will immediately begin to accumulate on a prospective 
basis at a rate of 6 percent per annum. In July 2011, Heritage Gas elected to repay the loan in five equal installments beginning July 31, 2012. Heritage 
Gas may also elect to fully repay the loan at any time with no penalty.

94

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements15.  ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

Balance, beginning of year
New obligations
Obligations settled
Revision in estimated cash flow
Accretion expense
Business acquisitions
Foreign exchange translation
Balance, end of year

2014
76.1 
 0.7 
 (3.7) 
 (7.5) 
 4.2 
–
 1.1 
70.9 

2013
56.6 
 0.3 
 (1.8) 
 15.0 
 3.7 
 2.2 
 0.1 
76.1 

The majority of the asset retirement obligations are associated with gas processing facilities in the Gas segment. 

AltaGas estimates the undiscounted cash required to settle the asset retirement obligations, excluding growth for inflation, at 

December 31, 2014 was $235.4 million (December 31, 2013 – $244.7 million). 

The asset retirement obligations have been recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements at estimated values discounted 

at rates between 4.0 and 8.5 percent and are expected to be incurred between 2016 and 2164. No assets have been legally 

restricted for settlement of the estimated liability.

In May 2009, the NEB issued a decision that set out guiding principles for a mechanism that would set aside funds for pipeline 

abandonment. It also established a five-year action plan for all NEB-regulated companies. In May 2014, the NEB issued a 

decision establishing that, by January 1, 2015, all NEB-regulated companies must have a mechanism in place that provides 

adequate funds to pay for pipeline abandonment. AltaGas Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AltaGas, opted to comply 

with the NEB decision with a surety bond supplied by a surety company regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial 

Institutions in the amount of $40.8 million.

95

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report16.  INCOME TAXES 

Consolidated Tax Position
The tax provision recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements differs from the amount computed by applying the combined 

Canadian federal and provincial income tax statutory rates to income before tax as follows:

For the years ended December 31
Income before income taxes – consolidated
Financial instruments – net
Income before financial instruments and income taxes
Income before income taxes – operating subsidiaries
Statutory income tax rate (%)
Expected taxes at statutory rates
Add (deduct) the tax effect of:

Financial instruments
Rate adjustments to enacted Canadian rates
Permanent differences between accounting and tax basis  

of assets and liabilities

Non-taxable portion of capital (gains) losses on disposition  

of assets and investments

Non-taxable portion of recorded equity income
Tax benefit of state expense
Rate adjustment 
Tax on preferred shares
Change in enacted rates on preferred shares
Other

Deferred income tax recovery on regulated assets
Prior year adjustment

Income tax provision

Current

Canada
United States

Deferred

Canada
United States

Effective income tax rate (%)

2014
157.2 
(4.7) 
152.5 
152.5 
25.18 
38.4 

1.2 
(5.1) 

 1.1 

(3.8) 
(7.2) 
4.0 
– 
1.2 
– 
(1.0) 
(4.7) 
(5.1) 
19.0 

8.2 
5.8 
14.0 

(13.5) 
18.5 
5.0 
12.09 

2013
248.5 
 9.2 
 257.7 
 257.7 
 25.18 
 64.9 

 (2.3) 
 1.0 

 1.2 

 (9.4) 
 (1.4) 
 3.5 
 0.6 
 1.0 
 (3.1) 
 (1.0) 
 (4.4) 
 (10.5) 
 40.1 

 11.0 
 8.8 
 19.8 

 3.9 
 16.4 
20.3 
 16.14 

In 2013, $22.7 million of deferred income tax liabilities were assumed on the acquisition of Blythe. In 2014, there were no 

deferred income tax liabilities assumed on acquisitions.

96

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
Deferred income tax liabilities were composed of the following:

As at December 31 
PPE and intangible assets
Regulatory assets
Deferred financing
Deferred compensation
Financial instruments
Non-capital losses
Other

2014
487.4 
 143.9 
 (16.6) 
 (17.0) 
 (1.7) 
 (131.0) 
 2.1 
467.1 

2013
450.1 
 124.6 
 (8.8) 
 (6.1) 
 (1.2) 
 (122.7) 
 1.6 
437.5 

The amount shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as deferred income tax liabilities represents the net differences between 

the tax basis and book carrying values on the Corporation’s balance sheets at enacted tax rates.

As at December 31, 2014 the Corporation had tax-affected non-capital losses of approximately $193.8 million for tax purposes, 

which will be available to offset future taxable income. If not used, these losses will expire between 2015 and 2034.

Uncertain Tax Positions
The Corporation recognizes the benefit of an uncertain tax position only when it is more likely than not that such a position will 

be sustained by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The current and deferred tax impact is 

equal to the largest amount, considering possible settlement outcomes, that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized 

upon settlement with the taxing authorities. 

On an annual basis the Corporation and its subsidiaries file tax returns in Canada and various foreign jurisdictions. In Canada 

AltaGas’ federal and provincial tax returns for the years 2007 to 2013 remain subject to examination by taxation authorities. 

In the United States both the federal and state tax returns filed for the years 2009 to 2014 remain subject to examination by 

the taxation authorities. 

Management determined that the following provision was required for uncertainty on income taxes during the year:

Years ended December 31 
Balance, beginning of year
Increases as a result of positions taken during the year
Balance, end of year

2014
3.3 
 0.4 
3.7 

2013
3.3 
–
3.3 

97

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
17.  REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

AltaGas accounts for certain transactions in accordance with ASC 980, Regulated Operations. AltaGas refers to this accounting 

guidance for regulated entities as “regulatory accounting”. Under regulatory accounting, utilities are permitted to defer expenses 

and income as regulatory assets and liabilities, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets when it is probable that those 

expenses and income will be allowed in the rate-setting process in a period different from the period in which they would have 

been reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income by a non-rate-regulated entity. These deferred regulatory assets and 

liabilities are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income in future periods when the amounts are reflected in customer 

rates. Management’s assessment of the probability of recovery or pass-through of regulatory assets and liabilities requires 

judgment and interpretation of laws and regulatory agency orders, rules, and rate-making conventions. The relevant regulatory 

bodies are the AUC, BCUC and NSUARB in Canada, and MPSC and RCA in the United States.

If, for any reason, the Corporation ceases to meet the criteria for application of regulatory accounting for all or part of its operations, 

the regulatory assets and liabilities related to those portions ceasing to meet such criteria would be de-recognized from the 

Consolidated Balance Sheets and included in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the period in which the discontinuance 

of regulatory accounting occurs. Criteria that give rise to the discontinuance of regulatory accounting include (i) increasing 

competition that restricts the ability of the Corporation to charge prices sufficient to recover specific costs, and (ii) a significant 

change in the manner in which rates are set by regulatory agencies from cost-based regulation to another form of regulation. The 

Corporation’s review of these criteria currently supports the continued application of regulatory accounting for utilities. 

The following table summarizes the regulatory assets and liabilities recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as 

the remaining period, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, over which the Corporation expects to realize or settle the assets 

or liabilities:

98

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsRegulatory assets – current

Deferred cost of gas
Deferred property taxes

Regulatory assets – non-current

Deferred regulatory costs and rate  

stabilization adjustment mechanism

Pipeline rehabilitation costs
Future recovery of pension and other  

retirement benefits (a)

Deferred environmental costs
Deferred loss on reacquired debt
Deferred depreciation and amortization (b)
Deferred future income taxes (c)
Revenue deficiency account (d)
Other

Regulatory liabilities – current

Deferred cost of gas
Deferred property taxes
Deferred regulatory costs
Energy optimization costs
Interruptible storage service revenue
Refundable tax credit

Regulatory liabilities – non-current

Option fees deferral
Refundable tax credit (e)
Future removal and site restoration costs (f)
Load balancing
Insurance recovery of environmental costs
Interruptible storage service revenue
Other

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Recovery Period

12.5 
 0.3 
12.8 

10.4 
 6.0 

 127.3 
 21.6 
 2.9 
 20.3 
 79.1 
 33.4 
 1.0 
302.0 

 3.9 
 – 
 – 
 3.4 
 0.9 
 1.8 
10.0 

 0.7 
 12.2 
 120.7 
 – 
 1.0 
 1.1 
 0.3 
136.0 

 6.0 
–
6.0 

11.0 
 6.6 

 70.4 
 21.5 
 3.2 
 17.0 
 71.2 
 40.0 
 0.3 
241.2 

 1.4 
 0.3 
 0.1 
 – 
 – 
 – 
1.8 

 1.6 
 12.8 
 107.5 
 1.3 
 1.1 
 – 
 – 
124.3 

Less than one year
Less than one year

Various
1-5 years

Various
2-10 years
2-5 years
Various
Various
Various
2-3 years

Less than one year
Less than one year
Less than one year
Less than one year
Less than one year
Less than one year

Various
Various
Various
Various
4 years
2 years
Various

(a)  Certain utilities have recovered pension costs related to regulated operations in rates, and as such the Corporation has recorded a regulatory asset for the 
pension funding deficiency. Depending on the method utilized by the utility the recovery period can be either the expected service life of the employees or 
the benefit period for employees or a specific recovery period as approved by the respective regulator.

(b)  Pursuant to the NSUARB decision dated February 12, 2009, Heritage Gas was ordered to suspend amortization of property, plant and equipment and 
intangible assets for regulatory purposes for the fiscal periods from 2009 to 2011 inclusively. The NSUARB, in its most recent decision dated November 24, 
2011, continued the order to suspend amortization for regulatory purposes for the fiscal periods from 2012 to 2013 inclusively; amortization resumed for 
regulatory purposes in 2014 at 25 percent of authorized rates. Amortization will be phased in over the next three years at the following rates: 2015 at 
50 percent of authorized rates; 2016 at 75 percent of authorized rates; and 2017 at 100 percent of authorized rates. As a result of this order, the Corporation 
recognizes a regulatory asset equal to the amortization that would have otherwise been included in rates. The deferred regulatory asset is expected to be 
recovered over the remaining useful life of related assets, which commenced in 2014.
(c) Remaining amortization period varies depending on the timing of underlying transactions. 
(d)  Heritage Gas has an approval from the NSUARB to use a revenue deficiency account (RDA) until it is fully recovered, subject to a cap of $50 million, imposed 
in 2010, which may be increased subject to approval by the NSUARB. The RDA is the cumulative difference between the revenue requirements and the 
actual amounts billed to customers.

(e)  On September 18, 2013, CINGSA received a US$15.0 million gas storage facility tax credit from the State of Alaska for the benefit of its firm storage service 
customers. CINGSA will derive no direct or indirect benefit from the tax credit. Following receipt of the tax credit, CINGSA deposited it in a separate interest-
bearing account. CINGSA will act as a custodian of the tax credit and any interest earned for the benefit of CINGSA’s customers. On an annual basis, covering 
the years 2012 through 2021, CINGSA will disburse to the customers 1/10th of the amount of the tax credit not subject to refund to the State and interest 
earned. The RCA has approved the disbursement methodology.

(f)   This amount and timing of draw down is dependent upon the cost of removal of underlying utility property, plant and equipment and the life of property, 

plant and equipment. 

99

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report18.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Corporation purchases and sells natural gas, NGL, and power and issues short-and long-term debt. The Corporation uses 

derivative instruments to reduce exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange 

rates that arise from these activities. The Corporation does not make use of derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The fair value of power, natural gas and NGL derivatives was calculated using estimated forward prices from published sources 

for the relevant period. The fair value of interest rate and foreign exchange derivatives was calculated using quoted market rates.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each significant class of financial instruments:

Short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable, short-term debt and dividends payable – the carrying amount 

approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Current portion of long-term debt, long-term debt, and other long-term liabilities – the fair value of current portion of long-term 

debt, long-term debt, and other long-term liabilities have been estimated based on discounted future interest and principal 

payments using estimated interest rates.

Summary of Fair Values
Current portion of long-term debt

Carrying amount
Fair value 

Summary of Fair Values
Long-term debt 

Carrying amount
Fair value 

Summary of Fair Values
Long-term liabilities (a)
Carrying amount
Fair value 

(a) Excludes non-financial liabilities.

December 31
2014

December 31 
2013

214.4 
214.4 

209.1 
212.4 

December 31
2014

December 31 
2013

3,049.6 
3,170.3 

2,952.7 
3,062.6 

December 31
2014

December 31 
2013

155.6 
149.1 

–
–

Fair Value Hierarchy 
AltaGas categorizes its financial assets and financial liabilities into one of three levels based on fair value measurements and 

inputs used to determine the fair value. 

Level 1 – fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values are 

based on direct observations of transactions involving the same assets or liabilities and no assumptions are used. Included in 

this category are publicly traded shares valued at the closing price as at the balance sheet date.

100

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
Level 2 – fair values are determined based on inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. 

AltaGas uses over-the-counter derivative instruments to manage fluctuations in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign 

exchange rates. AltaGas estimates forward prices based on published sources adjusted for factors specific to the asset or 

liability, including basis and location differentials, discount rates, currency exchange and interest rate yield curves. The forward 

curves used to mark-to-market these derivative instruments are vetted against public sources.

Level 3 – fair values are based on inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data. AltaGas uses 

valuation techniques when observable market data is not available. 

December 31, 2014
Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investment
Risk management assets – current
Risk management assets – non-current
Long-term investments and other assets (a) 

Financial liabilities

Risk management liabilities – current
Risk management liabilities – non-current
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt
Other long-term liabilities (b)

December 31, 2013
Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents
Risk management assets – current
Risk management assets – non-current
Long-term investments and other assets (a) 

Financial liabilities

Risk management liabilities – current
Risk management liabilities – non-current
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt
Other long-term liabilities (b)

(a) Excludes non-financial assets and financial assets carried at cost.
(b) Excludes non-financial liabilities. 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

371.0 
50.0 
 – 
 – 
46.3 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 70.8 
 21.1 
 – 

 43.5 
 14.7 
 214.4 
 3,170.3 
 149.1 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

44.8 
 – 
 – 
5.4 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
35.0 
12.3 
 – 

44.7 
7.1 
212.4 
3,062.6 
– 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

371.0 
50.0 
70.8 
21.1 
46.3 

43.5 
14.7 
214.4 
3,170.3 
149.1 

Total

44.8 
35.0 
12.3 
5.4 

44.7 
7.1 
212.4 
3,062.6 
– 

101

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportSummary of Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Risk Management Recognized in Net Income

For the years ended December 31
Natural gas
Storage optimization
NGL Frac Spread
Power
Heat rate
Foreign exchange
Embedded derivative

2014

(7.9) 
 2.1 
 3.2 
 7.5 
 0.1 
 (0.3) 
 – 
4.7 

2013

(0.8) 
 (1.4) 
 (3.9) 
 (2.3) 
 0.2 
 (0.5) 
 (0.5) 
(9.2) 

Summary of Unrealized Gains (Losses) and Tax Recovery (Expense) on Cash Flow Hedges Recognized in AOCI 

Unrealized  
gains
– 
 17.8 
17.8 

Tax 
expense
 – 
 (4.5) 
(4.5) 

Year ended 
December 31 
2014
 – 
 13.3 
13.3 

Unrealized 
Losses

(0.3) 
 (13.5) 
(13.8) 

Tax  
Recovery
 – 
 3.4 
$3.4 

Year Ended 
December 31 
2013

(0.3) 
 (10.1) 
(10.4) 

Bond forward
NGL Frac Spread
AOCI

Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities

As at December 31, 2014

Risk management assets (a) 
Natural gas
Storage optimization

Risk management liabilities (b)
Natural gas
Storage optimization
Total

Gross amounts  
of recognized  
assets/liabilities
61.0 
 1.0 
62.0 

64.9 
 0.1 
65.0 

Gross amounts  
offset in  
Balance Sheet
25.2 
 –
25.2 

25.2 
–
25.2 

Net amounts  
presented in  
Balance Sheet 
35.8 
 1.0 
36.8 

39.7 
 0.1 
39.8 

(a) Net amount of risk management assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is composed of risk management assets (current) balance of $25.2 million 

and risk management assets (non-current) balance of $11.6 million. 

(b) Net amount of risk management liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is composed of risk management liabilities (current) balance of $30.1 million 

and risk management liabilities (non-current) balance of $9.7 million. 

102

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
As at December 31, 2013

Risk management assets (a)
Natural gas
Storage optimization

Risk management liabilities (b)
Natural gas
Storage optimization

Gross amounts  
of recognized  
assets/liabilities
88.2 
 1.9 
90.1 

84.1 
 3.1 
87.2 

Gross amounts  
offset in  
Balance Sheet
57.5 
 1.2 
58.7 

57.5 
 1.2 
58.7 

Net amounts  
presented in  
Balance Sheet 
30.7 
 0.7 
31.4 

26.6 
 1.9 
28.5 

(a) Net amount of risk management assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is composed of risk management assets (current) balance of $27.2 million 

and risk management assets (non-current) balance of $4.3 million. 

(b) Net amount of risk management liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is composed of risk management liabilities (current) balance of $25.4 million 

and risk management liabilities (non-current) balance of $3.2 million. 

  Market Risk on Financial Instruments

AltaGas is exposed to market risk and potential loss from changes in the values of financial instruments. AltaGas enters into 

financial derivative contracts to manage exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign exchange rates. 

Commodity Price Risk Management

Natural Gas

AltaGas purchases and sells natural gas to its customers. The fixed price and market price contracts for both the purchase and 

sale of natural gas extend to 2020. AltaGas had the following contracts and commodity swaps outstanding related to the storage 

optimization activities: 

December 31, 2014
Sales
Purchases
Swaps

December 31, 2013
Sales
Purchases
Swaps

NGL Frac Spread

Fixed price (per GJ)
2.00 to 12.00
2.09 to 9.08
2.51 to 16.26

Period (months)
1-72
1-72
1-10

Notional volume (GJ)
 77,394,117 
 72,262,437 
 4,266,090 

Fixed price (per GJ)
3.05 to 11.20
3.06 to 11.80
4.19 to 4.41

Period (months)
1-58
1-58
1-3

Notional volume (GJ)
 72,722,907 
 69,128,935 
1,314,593

Fair value
39.0 
(37.4) 
(5.5) 

Fair value
3.3 
0.7 
–

AltaGas entered into a series of swaps to lock in a portion of the volumes exposed to NGL frac spread and propane sales. 

AltaGas had the following contracts outstanding:

December 31, 2014
Propane swaps
Butane swaps
WTI swaps
Natural gas swaps

Fixed price
1.0900 to 1.1560 CAD/gal
1.2450 to 1.4000 CAD/gal
101.2 to 104.4 CAD/bbl
3.5975 to 4.045/GJ

Period (months)
1-12
1-12
1-12
1-12

Notional volume 
 810,316 gallons 
 197,104 gallons
 87,600 Bbl 
 4,566,150 GJ

Fair value
19.3 
4.1 
3.2 
(5.7) 

103

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
 
 
December 31, 2013
Propane swaps
Butane swaps
WTI swaps
US$ swaps
Natural gas swaps

Power 

Fixed price
0.7895 to 1.0464 US/gallon
1.15 to 1.3017 US/gallon
91.68 to 96.80 US/Bbl
1.03
3.145 to 3.49/GJ

Period (months)
1-12
1-12
1-12
1-12
1-12

Notional volume 
56,107,800 gallons
14,103,600 gallons
153,300 Bbl
34.7
7,040,580 GJ

Fair value

(14.0) 
(1.4) 
(0.4) 
(0.6) 
2.9 

Under the Sundance B PPA AltaGas has an obligation to buy power at agreed terms and prices to December 31, 2020. The 

Corporation sells the power to the Alberta Electric System Operator at market prices and uses swaps to fix the prices over time on 

a portion of the volumes. AltaGas’ strategy is to mitigate the cash flow risk to Alberta power prices to provide predictable earnings. 

Certain contracts met the expected purchase, sale or usage requirements exception and have not been included in risk management 

assets or liabilities. At December 31, 2014, AltaGas had no intention to terminate any contracts prior to maturity. AltaGas had the 

following commodity forward contracts on electrical power, commodity swaps, and heat rate hedges outstanding:

December 31, 2014
Power sales
Power purchases
Swap sales
Swap purchases
Heat rate electricity sales
Heat rate gas purchases

December 31, 2013
Power sales
Power purchases
Swap sales
Swap purchases
Heat rate electricity sales
Heat rate gas purchases

Fixed price 
(per GJ or MWh)
43.94 to 97.55
48.50 to 88.00
49.10 to 63.00
56.50
61.75 to 75.35
3.93

Fixed price 
(per GJ or MWh)
43.94 to 94.10
48.50 to 105.50
58.75 to 66.00
56.50
66.00 to 86.63
3.085 to 3.7875

Period (months)
1-72
1-48
1-4
1-36
1-4
1

Period (months)
1-48
1-60
1-12
1-48
2
2

Notional volume 
(GJ or MWh) 
 2,808,405 
 1,226,496 
 229,985 
 78,912 
 31,190 
 49,600 

Notional volume  
(GJ or MWh)
 1,631,338 
 1,825,960 
 111,360 
 105,192 
 28,800 
 122,400 

Fair value
22.1 
(9.9) 
2.5 
(0.9) 
0.4 
(0.1) 

Fair value
7.9 
(1.3) 
0.2 
(0.5) 
0.2 
0.1 

Interest Rate Risk Management

To hedge against the effects of future interest rate movements, AltaGas, from time to time, enters into interest rate swap 

agreements to fix the interest rate on a portion of its bankers’ acceptances issued under credit facilities. 

AltaGas had no interest rate swaps outstanding as at December 31, 2014 and 2013. 

Foreign Exchange Risk Management

To manage the risk of fluctuating cash flows due to variations in foreign exchange rates, AltaGas enters into foreign exchange 

forwards, swaps and options for US dollars.

AltaGas had no contracts outstanding as at December 31, 2014 and 2013. 

104

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
Hedge Net Investments

Foreign exchange gains and losses on long-term debt denominated in US dollars are unrealized and can only be realized when 

a long-term debt matures or is settled. As at December 31, 2014, management designated US$375 million of outstanding debt 

to hedge against the currency translation effect of its foreign investments (December 31, 2013 – US$570 million). US dollar 

denominated long-term debt has been designated as a hedge of the net investment in foreign subsidiaries. This designation 

has the effect of mitigating volatility on net income by offsetting foreign exchange gains and losses on US dollar denominated 

long-term debt and foreign net investment.

Sensitivity Analysis 

The sensitivity analysis is estimated based on the notional volumes of each commodity contract and equity security outstanding, 

taking into consideration the future income tax impact.

The following table illustrates potential effects of changes in relevant risk variables on AltaGas’ net income and OCI for contracts 

in place at December 31, 2014:

Factor Share
Alberta electricity average pool prices
Natural gas spot price (AECO)
NGL frac spread:

Propane
Butane
WTI
Natural gas to replace heat value of NGL
Change in CAD per US$ exchange rate

Equity risk

1  Estimated increase or decrease to forward prices or curves

Increase or  
decrease 1
1/MWh
0.50/GJ

Increase or decrease  
in net income
1.8 
0.3 

Increase or  
decrease in OCI
 – 
 – 

1/Bbl
1/Bbl
1/Bbl
0.50/GJ
1 percent
1 percent

 – 
 – 
0.1 
 – 
0.2 
 – 

 0.6 
0.1 
 – 
1.7 
 – 
0.4 

Credit Risk on Financial Instruments 
Credit risk results from the possibility that a counterparty to a financial instrument fails to fulfill its obligations in accordance 

with the terms of the contract. 

AltaGas’ credit policy details the parameters used to grant, measure, monitor and report on credit provided to counterparties. 

AltaGas minimizes counterparty risk by conducting credit reviews on counterparties in order to establish specific credit limits, 

both prior to providing products or services and on a recurring basis. In addition, most contracts include credit mitigation clauses 

that allow AltaGas to obtain financial or performance assurances from counterparties under certain circumstances. AltaGas 

provides an allowance for doubtful accounts in the normal course of its business. 

AltaGas’ maximum credit exposure consists primarily of the carrying value of the non-derivative financial assets and the fair value 

of derivative financial assets. As at December 31, 2014, AltaGas had no concentration of credit risk with a single counterparty.

105

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
 
 
Accounts Receivable Past Due or Impaired
AltaGas had the following past due or impaired accounts receivable (AR):

Trade receivable
Other
Allowance for  
credit losses

As at December 
31, 2014
341.4 
13.5 

AR accruals
126.7 
 – 

Receivables 
impaired
2.5 
 – 

Less than  
30 days
194.7 
 11.9 

 (2.5) 
352.4 

 – 
126.7 

 (2.5) 
– 

 – 
206.6 

31 to  
60 days
11.1 
 – 

 – 
11.1 

61 to  
90 days
2.9 
 – 

 – 
2.9 

Over  
90 days
3.5 
 1.6 

 – 
5.1 

Allowance for credit losses
Allowance for credit losses, beginning of year
Foreign exchange translation
New allowance
Recovery of allowance
Allowance applied to uncollectible customer accounts
Allowance for credit losses, end of year 

As at December 31, 2014
3.8 
 0.1 
 0.7 
 (1.3) 
 (0.8) 
2.5 

Trade receivable
Other receivable
Allowance for  
credit losses

As at December 

31, 2013 AR accruals
171.9 
 – 

373.4 
 1.6 

Receivables 
impaired
3.8 
 – 

Less than  
30 days
174.7 
 – 

 (3.8) 
371.2 

 – 
171.9 

(3.8) 
– 

 – 
174.7 

31 to  
60 days
14.1 
 – 

 – 
14.1 

61 to  
90 days
4.7 
 – 

 – 
4.7 

Over  
90 days
4.2 
 1.6 

 – 
5.8 

Allowance for credit losses
Allowance for credit losses, beginning of year
Foreign exchange translation
New allowance
Allowance applied to uncollectible customer accounts
Allowance for credit losses, end of year 

As at December 31, 2013
3.6 
 0.1 
 1.5 
 (1.4) 
3.8 

Liquidity Risk on Financial Instruments
Liquidity risk is the risk that AltaGas will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. AltaGas manages this risk 

through its extensive budgeting and monitoring process to ensure it has sufficient cash and credit facilities to meet its obligations. 

AltaGas’ objective is to maintain its investment-grade ratings to ensure it has access to debt and equity funding as required.

106

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
AltaGas had the following contractual maturities with respect to non-derivative financial liabilities:

As at December 31, 2014
Accounts payable and  
accrued liabilities

Dividends payable
Short-term debt
Other current liabilities
Long-term liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt

As at December 31, 2013
Accounts payable and  
accrued liabilities

Dividends payable
Short-term debt
Other current liabilities
Long-term liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt

19.  LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

Payments due by period

Total 

Payable 
accruals

Sub total

Less than  
1 year

343.6 
 19.8 
 72.4 
 24.4 
 204.5 
 214.4 
 3,049.6 
3,928.7 

142.2 
 – 
 – 
 8.3 
 – 
 – 
 – 
150.5 

201.4 
 19.8 
 72.4 
 16.1 
 204.5 
 214.4 
 3,049.6 
3,778.2 

201.4 
 19.8 
 72.4 
 16.1 
 – 
214.4 
 – 
524.1 

1-3  
years

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 79.3 
 – 
 457.4 
536.7 

4-5  
years

After 5 
years

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 19.2 
 – 
 388.1 
407.3 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 106.0 
 – 
 2,204.1 
2,310.1 

Payments due by period

Total 

Payable 
accruals

Sub total

Less than  
1 year

1-3  
years

4-5  
years

After 5 
years

321.8 
 15.6 
 84.4 
 14.5 
 52.6 
 209.1 
 2,952.7 
3,650.7 

146.3 
 – 
 – 
 10.1 
 – 
 – 
 – 
156.4 

175.5 
 15.6 
 84.4 
 4.4 
 52.6 
 209.1 
 2,952.7 
3,494.3 

175.5 
 15.6 
 84.4 
 4.4 
 – 
 209.1 
 – 
489.0 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 52.6 
 – 
 579.9 
632.5 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 972.2 
972.2 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 1,400.6 
1,400.6 

In 2010, AltaGas entered into a 60-year CPI indexed EPA and other related agreements with BC Hydro for its 195 MW Forrest 

Kerr run-of-river project. As at December 31, 2013, AltaGas paid an initial consideration of $90.0 million in support of the 

construction and operation of the Northwest Transmission Line (NTL). On July 29, 2014, AltaGas paid $5.3 million to BC Hydro, 

and thereafter future consideration is expected to be approximately $9.8 million per year, adjusted for inflation. 

The NTL came into service on July 12, 2014, an event that triggered AltaGas’ firm commitment with BC Hydro.

The fair value of the firm commitment on initial recognition was measured using an estimated 2 percent inflation rate and  

4.27 percent discount rate. 

This fair value of the NTL liability has been recorded within other current liabilities for $10.6 million and other long-term liabilities 

for $155.6 million. Accretion expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $2.7 million (December 31, 2013 – nil).

The initial consideration and the fair value of the future considerations, for a total amount of $258.5 million, has been recognized 

within the intangible assets and shall be depreciated over 60 years, the term of the EPA with BC Hydro.

107

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
20.  SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Authorization
AltaGas is authorized to issue an unlimited number of voting common shares. AltaGas is also authorized to issue preferred 

shares not to exceed 50 percent of the voting rights attached to the issued and outstanding common shares. 

On April 4, 2013, AltaGas issued 11,615,000 common shares at a price of $34.90 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds 

of approximately $405 million, including 1,515,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise in full of an underwriters’ option. 

On October 1, 2013, AltaGas issued 2,801,905 common shares priced at $35.69 per common share as part of the acquisition 

of a 25 percent interest in Petrogas.

On August 28, 2014, AltaGas issued 9,027,500 common shares at a price of $51.00 per common share for aggregate 

gross proceeds of approximately $460 million, including 1,177,500 common shares pursuant to the exercise in full of an 

underwriters’ option. 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) 
AltaGas has adopted a Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Share Purchase Plan for holders of common shares (the Plan). 

The Plan, as may be amended from time to time, provides eligible holders of common shares with the opportunity to reinvest 

the cash dividends paid by AltaGas on their common shares towards the purchase of new common shares at a 5 percent 

discount to the average market price (as defined below) of the common shares on the applicable dividend payment date (the 

dividend reinvestment component of the Plan). The Plan also provides shareholders who are enrolled in the dividend reinvestment 

component of the Plan with the opportunity to purchase new common shares at the average market price (with no discount) on 

the applicable dividend payment date (the optional cash payment component of the Plan). Each of the components of the Plan 

is subject to prorating and other limitations on availability of new common shares in certain events. The “average market price”, 

in respect of a particular dividend payment date, refers to the arithmetic average (calculated to four decimal places) of the daily 

volume weighted average trading prices of common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the trading days on which at least 

one board lot of common shares is traded during the 10 business days immediately preceding the applicable dividend payment 

date. Such trading prices will be appropriately adjusted for certain capital changes (including common share subdivisions, 

common share consolidations, certain rights offerings and certain dividends). Shareholders resident outside of Canada are not 

entitled to participate in the Plan.

Preferred Shares
Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to receive a cumulative quarterly fixed dividend for the initial period ending 

on, but excluding, September 30, 2015 at an annual rate of 5.00 percent, payable quarterly, as and when declared by the Board 

of Directors of AltaGas. The first dividend payment of $0.4589 per Series A Preferred Share was made on December 31, 2010. 

The dividend rate will reset on September 30, 2015, and every five years thereafter at a rate equal to the sum of the then five-

year Government of Canada bond yield plus 2.66 percent. The Series A Preferred Shares are redeemable by AltaGas, at its 

option, on September 30, 2015, and on September 30 of every fifth year thereafter.

Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares have the right to convert all or any part of their shares into cumulative redeemable 

floating rate preferred shares, the Series B Preferred Shares, subject to certain conditions, on September 30, 2015 and on 

September 30 of every fifth year thereafter. Holders of Series B Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive a cumulative quarterly 

floating dividend at a rate equal to the sum of the then 90-day Government of Canada Treasury Bill yield plus 2.66 percent, as 

and when declared by the Board of Directors of AltaGas.

108

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
Holders of the Series C Preferred Shares are entitled to receive a cumulative quarterly fixed dividend for the initial period ending 

on but excluding September 30, 2017 at an annual rate of US$1.10 per share, payable quarterly, as and when declared by the 

Board of Directors of AltaGas. The first dividend payments of $0.3473 per Series C Preferred Share were payable on October 1, 

2012. The dividend rate will reset on September 30, 2017 and every five years thereafter, equal to the sum of the U.S. Government 

Bond Yield on the applicable rate calculation date plus 3.58 percent. The Series C Preferred Shares shall not be redeemable prior 

to September 30, 2017. On September 30 in every fifth year thereafter, AltaGas may, at its option, redeem for cash all or any part 

of the outstanding Series C shares by payment of US$25 per Series C share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. 

Holders of the Series C Preferred Shares have the right to convert all or any part of their shares into cumulative redeemable 

floating rate preferred shares, the Series D Preferred Shares, subject to certain conditions, on September 30, 2017 and on 

September 30 of every fifth year thereafter. Holders of Series D Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive a cumulative quarterly 

floating dividend at a rate equal to the product of the floating quarterly dividend rate and US$25 per share, and multiplying that 

product by a fraction, the numerator of which is the actual number of days in such quarterly floating rate period and the 

denominator of which is 365 or 366, depending upon the actual number of days in the applicable year. The floating quarterly 

dividend rate will be the annual rate of interest equal to the sum of the Treasury Bill rate on the applicable rate calculation date 

plus 3.58 percent. 

Holders of the Series E Preferred Shares are entitled to receive a cumulative quarterly fixed dividend for the initial period ending 

on, but excluding, December 31, 2018 at an annual rate of 5.0 percent, payable quarterly, as and when declared by the Board 

of Directors of AltaGas. The first dividend payment of $0.3699 per Series E Preferred Share was paid on March 31, 2014. The 

dividend rate will reset on December 31, 2018 and every five years thereafter at a rate equal to the sum of the then five-year 

Government of Canada Bond Yield plus 3.17 percent. The Series E Preferred Shares are redeemable by AltaGas, at its option, 

on December 31, 2018 and on December 31 of every fifth year thereafter. 

Holders of the Series E Preferred Shares have the right to convert all or any part of their shares into cumulative redeemable 

floating rate preferred shares, the Series F Preferred Shares, subject to certain conditions, on December 31, 2018, and on 

December 31 of every fifth year thereafter. Holders of Series F Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive a cumulative quarterly 

floating dividend at a rate equal to the sum of the then 90-day Government of Canada Treasury Bill yield plus 3.17 percent, as 

and when declared by the Board of Directors of AltaGas.

Holders of the Series G Preferred Shares are entitled to receive a cumulative quarterly fixed dividend for the initial period ending 

on, but excluding, September 30, 2019 at an annual rate of 4.75 percent, payable quarterly, as and when declared by the Board 

of Directors of AltaGas. The first dividend payment of $0.2896 per Series G Preferred Share was paid on September 30, 2014. 

The dividend rate will reset on September 30 2019 and every five years thereafter at a rate equal to the sum of the then five-

year Government of Canada Bond Yield plus 3.06 percent. The Series G Preferred Shares are redeemable by AltaGas, at its 

option, on September 30, 2019 and on September 30 of every fifth year thereafter. 

Holders of the Series G Preferred Shares have the right to convert all or any part of their shares into cumulative redeemable 

floating rate preferred shares, the Series H Preferred Shares, subject to certain conditions, on September 30, 2019 and on 

September 30 of every fifth year thereafter. Holders of Series H Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive a cumulative quarterly 

floating dividend at a rate equal to the sum of the then 90-day Government of Canada Treasury Bill yield plus 3.06 percent, as 

and when declared by the Board of Directors of AltaGas.

109

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportCommon Shares Issued and Outstanding
January 1, 2013
Shares issued for cash on exercise of options 
Shares issued under DRIP
Shares issued on private issuance
Shares issued on public offering
December 31, 2013
Shares issued for cash on exercise of options
Shares issued on public offering
Deferred taxes on share issuance costs
Shares issued under DRIP
Issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014

Preferred Shares Series A Issued and Outstanding
January 1, 2013
December 31, 2013
January 1, 2014
Deferred taxes on share issuance costs
Issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014

Preferred Shares Series C Issued and Outstanding
January 1, 2012
January 1, 2013
December 31, 2013
Issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014

Preferred Shares Series E Issued and Outstanding
January 1, 2013
Shares issued on public offering
January 1, 2014
Deferred taxes on share issuance costs
Issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014

Preferred Shares Series G Issued and Outstanding
January 1, 2014
Shares issued on public offering
Share issuance costs, net of taxes
Issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 
Number of shares – basic
Dilutive equity instruments (a)
Number of shares – diluted

Number of shares
 105,336,884 
 806,093 
 1,745,411 
 2,801,905 
 11,615,000 
 122,305,293 
 989,162 
 9,027,500 
–
 1,619,794 
 133,941,749 

Number of shares 
 8,000,000 
 8,000,000 
 8,000,000 
–
 8,000,000 

Number of shares 
–
 8,000,000 
 8,000,000 
 8,000,000 

Number of shares 
–
 8,000,000 
 8,000,000 
–
 8,000,000 

Amount
1,639.9 
 18.9 
 60.3 
 100.0 
 392.3 
2,211.4 
 24.9 
 449.2 
 4.2 
 70.2 
 2,759.9 

Amount 
194.1 
194.1 
194.1 
1.8 
195.9 

Amount 
–
200.6 
200.6 
200.6 

Amount 
–
194.9 
194.9 
0.9 
195.8 

Number of shares 

Amount 

 8,000,000 
–
 8,000,000 

2014 
 126,660,704 
 1,904,208 
 128,564,912 

200.0 
(3.9) 
196.1 

2013 
 116,068,088 
 3,440,922 
 119,509,010 

(a) Includes all options that have a strike price lower than the market share price of AltaGas’ common shares at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

110

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsShare Option Plan
AltaGas has an employee share option plan under which employees and directors are eligible to receive grants. As at December 

31, 2014, 8,270,519 shares were reserved for issuance under the plan. As at December 31, 2014, options granted under the 

plan generally have a term of six to 10 years until expiry and vest no longer than over a four-year period. 

As at December 31, 2014, the unexpensed fair value of share option compensation cost associated with future periods was 

$5.2 million (December 31, 2013 – $6.2 million). As at December 31, 2014, the compensation expense recorded for share 

options was $3.7 million (December 31, 2013 – $4.2 million).

The following table summarizes the Corporation’s share options:

Share options outstanding, beginning of year
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited
Share options outstanding, end of year
Share options exercisable, end of year

1  Weighted average.

Options outstanding

2014

2013

Number of 
options
 5,561,505 
 666,000 
 (989,162) 
 (114,688) 
 5,123,655 
 3,007,280 

Exercise  
price 1 
27.25 
 45.57 
 23.03 
 34.44 
30.28 
25.51 

Number of 
options
 5,846,460 
 801,500 
 (806,093) 
 (280,362) 
 5,561,505 
 2,917,955 

Exercise  
price 1 
25.01 
 37.72 
 21.75 
 26.38 
27.25 
23.28 

The following table summarizes the employee share option plan as at December 31, 2014:

$9.48 to $18.00
$18.01 to $25.08
$25.09 to $50.89

Options outstanding

Options exercisable

 Weighted 
average 
exercise price
15.34 
 20.89 
 34.53 
30.28 

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contractual life
 4.36 
 5.14 
 6.41 
 6.00 

 Number 
outstanding
 307,970 
 1,160,800 
 3,654,885 
 5,123,655 

 Number 

exercisable  Exercise price
15.34 
 20.84 
 30.97 
25.51 

 307,970 
 1,146,550 
 1,552,760 
 3,007,280 

The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with 

assumptions for grants as follows:

Years ended December 31
Risk-free interest rate (%)
Expected life (years)
Expected volatility (%)
Annual dividend per share ($)
Forfeiture rate (%)

2014
 1.71 
 6 
 20.21 
 1.71 
 16.00 

2013
 1.41 
 6 
 23.59 
 1.53 
 15.00 

111

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
Equity-based Compensation Plan
In 2004, AltaGas implemented an equity-based compensation plan, which awards phantom shares to certain employees. Beginning 

in 2008, all employees were eligible to receive phantom shares. The phantom shares are valued based on dividends declared and 

the trading price of the Corporation’s common shares. The shares vest on a graded vesting schedule over a 36 to 44 month period. 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the compensation expense recorded was $4.6 million (2013 – $3.3 million). 

As at December 31, 2014, the unexpensed fair value of equity-based compensation cost associated with future periods was 

$11.7 million (December 31, 2013 – $9.2 million).

21.  NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES 

The following table summarizes the computation of net income applicable to common shares:

Years ended December 31
Numerator:

Net income applicable to controlling interests
Less: Preferred share dividends

Net income applicable to common shares
Denominator (millions of shares):

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Dilutive equity instruments (a)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted

Basic net income applicable per common share
Diluted net income applicable per common share

2014

130.1 
 34.5 
95.6 

 126.7 
 1.9 
 128.6 
0.75 
0.74 

2013

201.1 
 19.6 
181.5 

 116.1 
 3.4 
 119.5 
1.56 
1.52 

(a) Includes all options that have a strike price lower than the market share price of AltaGas’ common shares at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

For year ended December 31, 2014, 642,000 options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because 

their effects were not dilutive (year ended December 31, 2013 – 805,500 options).

22.  COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES 

Commitments
AltaGas has long-term natural gas purchase arrangements, service and storage agreements, long-term commitments for capital 

projects, and operating leases, all of which are transacted at market prices and in the normal course of business.

Future payments of these commitments at December 31, 2014 are estimated as follows:

Gas purchase (a)
Service agreement (b)
Storage services
Capital projects (c)
Operating leases (d)

2015
324.6 
 7.9 
 3.4 
 29.3 
 24.7 
389.9 

2016
293.4 
 8.4 
 3.4 
 – 
  2 4 . 0 
329.2 

2017
297.4 
 8.6 
 3.4 
 – 
 11.6 
321.0 

2018
152.7 
 15.1 
 3.5 
 – 
 11.6 
182.9 

2019
1.3 
 15.0 
 3.5 
 – 
 6.3 
26.1 

2020 and 
beyond
 1.3 
 150.1 
 36.2 
 – 
 54.4 
242.0 

Total
1,070.7 
 205.1 
 53.4 
 29.3 
 132.6 
1,491.1 

(a)  AltaGas enters into contracts to purchase natural gas and natural gas transportation and storage services from various suppliers for its utilities. These 
contracts, which have expiration dates that range from 2015 to 2022, are used to ensure that there is an adequate supply of natural gas to meet the needs 
of customers and to minimize exposure to market price fluctuations.

(b)  In December 2014, AltaGas’ Blythe facility entered into a Long Term Service Agreement (LTSA) with Siemens to complete various upgrade and maintenance 
services on the Combustion Turbines at the Blythe facility over 116,000 EOH/CT, or 20 years, whichever comes first, in exchange for $194.1 million payable 
over the next 19 years, of which $47.2 million is expected to be paid over the next five years. The LTSA has fixed fees that will be incurred in the five years 
following December 31, 2014 and variable fees on a per equivalent operating hour (EOH) basis.

(c)  Commitments for capital projects are related to the construction of Power and Gas assets. Estimated amounts are subject to variability depending on the 

actual construction costs.

(d) Operating leases include lease arrangements for land, office spaces, vehicles, office and other equipment. 

112

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
Guarantees
On October 2014, Heritage Gas Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AltaGas, entered into a throughput contract with a third party 

owner of the transportation facility for the use of their pipelines in the U.S. and Canada. The contract will commence at completion 

of the construction of the pipelines and it will expire 15 years thereafter. The contract is subject to customary regulatory approval. 

AltaGas issued a US $91.7 million guarantee to stand by all payment obligations under the transportation agreement.

Contingencies
AltaGas is participating in a proceeding underway before the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) regarding factors that form the 

basis for certain transmission charges paid by Alberta generators. On January 20, 2015, the AUC released the AUC Loss 

Hearings for the complaints regarding the ISO Transmission Loss Factor Rule and Loss Factor Methodology used for the power 

distribution in Alberta. The AUC will proceed to determine the relief and remedies to be granted in accordance with its findings 

and conclusions regarding its authority and jurisdiction made in its decision. AltaGas is one of the respondents to the complaint 

and it has assessed that it may incur additional payments for transmission charges, but the timing and amount, or range of 

amounts, required to settle the claim cannot be estimated and, accordingly, no accrual of the loss contingency was recognized 

as at December 31, 2014. 

23.  PENSION PLANS AND RETIREE BENEFITS

Defined Contribution Plan
AltaGas has a defined contribution (DC) pension plan for substantially all employees who are not members of defined benefit 

plans. The net pension expense recorded for the DC plan was $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 (year ended 

December 2013 – $4.8 million).

Defined Benefit Plans 
AltaGas has several defined benefit pension plans in Canada and the United States for unionized and non-unionized employees. 

These benefit plans are funded.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP)

AltaGas has non-registered, defined benefit plans that provide defined benefit pension benefits to eligible executives based on 

average earnings, years of service and age at retirement. The SERP benefits will be paid from the general revenue of the 

Corporation as payments come due. Security will be provided for the SERP benefits through a letter of credit within a retirement 

compensation arrangement trust account. 

Post-Retirement Benefits
AltaGas has several post-retirement benefit plans for unionized and non-unionized employees in Canada and the United States. 

Benefits provided to retired employees are limited to the payment of life insurance and health insurance premiums. These benefit 

plans are not funded. Post-retirement benefit plans in the United States provide certain medical and prescription drug benefits 

to eligible retired employees, their spouses and covered dependents. Benefits are based on a combination of the retiree’s age 

and years of service at retirement. 

The most recent actuarial valuation of the defined benefit plans for funding purposes was completed as of December 31, 2014. 

Information from the funding valuation was used in the actuarial valuation completed for expense calculation purposes. The 

next actuarial valuation for funding purposes is required to be completed as of a date no later than December 31, 2015. 

113

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table summarizes the details of the defined benefit plans, including the SERP and post-retirement plans in Canada 

and the United States:

Year ended December 31, 2014
Accrued benefit obligation
Balance, beginning of year 
Actuarial loss
Current service cost
Member contributions
Interest cost
Benefits paid
Plan amendments
Foreign exchange translation
Balance, end of year
Plan assets
Fair value, beginning of year 
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Member contributions
Benefits paid
Foreign exchange translation
Fair value, end of year 
Accrued benefit liability

Year ended December 31, 2013
Accrued benefit obligation
Balance, beginning of year 
Actuarial (gain) loss
Current service cost
Member contributions
Interest cost
Benefits paid
Foreign exchange translation
Balance, end of year
Plan assets
Fair value, beginning of year 
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Member contributions
Benefits paid
Foreign exchange translation
Fair value, end of year 
Accrued benefit liability

Canada

United States

Total 

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits 

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits

108.3 
 16.2 
 5.8 
 – 
 5.2 
 (4.7) 
 – 
 – 
 130.8 

 80.0 
 5.7 
 9.1 
 0.2 
 (4.7) 
 – 
 90.3 
(40.5) 

11.9 
 1.7 
 0.5 
 0.6 
 – 
 (0.3) 
 – 
 – 
 14.4 

 3.6 
 0.3 
 1.1 
 – 
 (0.3) 
 – 
 4.7 
(9.7) 

182.2 
 35.1 
 5.7 
 – 
 9.8 
 (10.6) 
 – 
 16.5 
 238.7 

 157.2 
 10.0 
 – 
 6.7 
 (10.6) 
 14.3 
 177.6 
(61.1) 

60.8 
 11.6 
 1.5 
 – 
 3.3 
 (1.7) 
 (3.7) 
 5.5 
 77.3 

 50.4 
 3.3 
 0.2 
 – 
 (1.7) 
 4.6 
 56.8 
(20.5) 

290.5 
 51.3 
 11.5 
 – 
 15.0 
 (15.3) 
 – 
 16.5 
 369.5 

 237.2 
 15.7 
 9.1 
 6.9 
 (15.3) 
 14.3 
 267.9 
(101.6) 

72.7 
 13.3 
 2.0 
 0.6 
 3.3 
 (2.0) 
 (3.7) 
 5.5 
 91.7 

 54.0 
 3.6 
 1.3 
 – 
 (2.0) 
 4.6 
 61.5 
(30.2) 

Canada

United States

Total 

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits 

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits

109.2 
 (7.6) 
 6.3 
 – 
 4.6 
 (4.2) 
 – 
 108.3 

 67.2 
 7.5 
 9.4 
 0.1 
 (4.2) 
 – 
 80.0 
(28.3) 

13.8 
 (2.8) 
 0.6 
 0.1 
 0.5 
 (0.3) 
 – 
 11.9 

 2.3 
 0.1 
 1.5 
 – 
 (0.3) 
 – 
 3.6 
(8.3) 

 181.6 
 (19.2) 
 6.2 
 – 
 7.8 
 (6.7) 
 12.5 
 182.2 

 119.0 
 25.0 
 11.7 
 – 
 (6.7) 
 8.2 
 157.2 
(25.0) 

 53.1 
 2.4 
 1.3 
 – 
 2.3 
 (2.0) 
 3.7 
 60.8 

 40.3 
 8.3 
 0.5 
 – 
 (1.5) 
 2.8 
 50.4 
(10.4) 

290.8 
 (26.8) 
 12.5 
 – 
 12.4 
 (10.9) 
 12.5 
 290.5 

 186.2 
 32.5 
 21.1 
 0.1 
 (10.9) 
 8.2 
 237.2 
(53.3) 

66.9 
 (0.4) 
 1.9 
 0.1 
 2.8 
 (2.3) 
 3.7 
 72.7 

 42.6 
 8.4 
 2.0 
 – 
 (1.8) 
 2.8 
 54.0 
(18.7) 

114

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsThe following amounts were included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Other current liabilities
Future employee obligations

Defined Benefit 
2014
– 
 0.6 
 101.0 
101.6 

Post-Retirement 
Benefits 2014
 – 
 – 
 30.2 
30.2 

Defined Benefit 
2013
 (0.4) 
 0.6 
 53.1 
53.3 

Post-Retirement 
Benefits 2013
 – 
 – 
 18.7 
18.7 

The following amounts were not recognized in the net periodic benefit cost and recorded in the other comprehensive losses:

Year ended December 31, 2014
Amounts included in 
accumulated other 
comprehensive income (loss)

Amortization actuarial loss 
Past service cost
Net actuarial loss
Total accumulated other 

comprehensive loss on 
a pre-tax basis

Increase (decrease) by the 

amount included in deferred 
tax liabilities

Net amount in accumulated 
other comprehensive loss 
after-tax

Year ended December 31, 2013
Amounts included in  
accumulated other 
comprehensive income (Loss)

Transitional obligation 
Past service cost
Net actuarial loss
Total accumulated other 

comprehensive loss on 
a pre-tax basis

Increase (decrease) by the 

amount included in deferred 
tax liabilities

Net amount in accumulated 
other comprehensive loss 
after-tax

Canada

United States

Total 

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits 

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits

0.5 
 0.1 
 (12.4) 

– 
 – 
 (1.0) 

– 
 – 
 (0.2) 

(11.8) 

(1.0) 

(0.2) 

3.0 

0.2 

0.2 

(8.8) 

(0.8) 

– 

– 
 – 
 – 

– 

– 

– 

0.5 
 0.1 
 (12.6) 

– 
 – 
 (1.0) 

(12.0) 

(1.0) 

 3.2 

0.2 

(8.8) 

(0.8) 

Canada

United States

Total 

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits 

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits

0.1 
 (0.3) 
 (7.1) 

 – 
 – 
 (0.3) 

(0.2) 
 – 
 – 

(7.3) 

(0.3) 

(0.2) 

 – 
 – 
 – 

– 

(0.1) 
 (0.3) 
 (7.1) 

– 
 – 
 (0.3) 

 (7.5) 

 (0.3) 

1.8 

 – 

 0.2 

0.1 

 2.0 

 0.1 

(5.5) 

(0.3) 

– 

0.1 

(5.5) 

(0.2) 

115

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportAmounts to be amortized in the next fiscal year
Actuarial losses
Past service losses
Total

The following are the benefit cost components:

Defined Benefit
1.7 
 0.1 
1.8 

Post-Retirement 
Benefits
0.1 
–
0.1 

Year ended December 31, 2014
Net benefit plan expense  

for the year:

Current service cost and 

expenses
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of actuarial loss 

on accrued benefit obligation

Costs arising in the year

Year ended December 31, 2013
Net benefit plan expense  

for the year:

Current service cost and 

expenses
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of actuarial loss 

on accrued benefit obligation

Costs arising in the year

Canada

United States

Total 

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits 

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits

5.7 
 5.2 
 (4.6) 

1.5 
7.8 

0.5 
 0.6 
 (0.1) 

 – 
1.0 

5.7 
 9.7 
(12.8) 

2.9 
5.5 

1.5 
 3.3 
 (4.1) 

 0.6 
1.3 

11.4 
 14.9 
 (17.4) 

 4.4 
13.3 

2.0 
 3.9 
 (4.2) 

 0.6 
2.3 

Canada

United States

Total 

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits 

Defined 
Benefit

Post-
Retirement 
Benefits

6.2 
 4.6 
(3.9) 

2.5 
9.4 

0.6 
 0.6 
 –

0.3 
1.5 

6.2 
 7.8 
 (10.4) 

4.4 
8.0 

1.3 
 2.3 
 (3.4) 

 0.3 
0.5 

12.4 
 12.4 
(14.3) 

6.9 
17.4 

1.9 
 2.9 
(3.4) 

 0.6 
2.0 

The objective of the Corporation’s investment policy is to maximize long-term total return while protecting the capital value of 

the fund from major market fluctuations through diversification and selection of investments.

The objective for fund returns, over three to five year periods, is the sum of two components – a passive component, which is 

the benchmark index market returns for the asset mix in effect, plus the added value expected from active management. It is 

the Corporation’s belief that the potential additional returns justify the additional risk associated with active management. The 

risk inherent in the investment strategy over a market cycle (a three- to five-year period) is two-fold. There is a risk that the market 

returns, as measured by the benchmark returns, will not be in line with expectations. The other risk is that the expected added 

value of active management over passive management will not be realized over the time period prescribed in each fund 

manager’s mandate. There is also the risk of annual volatility in returns which means that in any one year the actual return may 

be very different from the expected return.

Cash and money market investments may be held from time to time as short-term investment decisions at the discretion of the 

fund manager(s) within the constraints prescribed by their mandate(s). 

116

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsThe Corporation has a target asset mix for the Canadian plans of 45 percent to 55 percent fixed income assets. The target 

asset mix for the U.S. plans is 33 percent fixed income assets. These objectives have taken into account the nature of the 

liabilities and the risk-reward tolerance of the Corporation. 

The collective investment mixes for the plans are as follows as at December 31, 2014:

Canada
Cash and short-term equivalents
Canadian Equities
Foreign Equities
Fixed Income
Real Estate
Other

United States
Cash and short-term equivalents
Foreign Equities
Fixed Income

Total
Cash and short-term equivalents
Canadian Equities
Foreign Equities
Fixed Income
Real Estate
Other

Fair value
3.5 
 30.9 
 17.2 
 38.2 
 5.0 
 0.2 
95.0 

Fair value
0.6 
 158.4 
 75.4 
234.4 

Fair value
4.1 
 30.9 
 175.6 
 113.6 
 5.0 
 0.2 
329.4 

Level 1
3.5 
 30.9 
 17.2 
 38.2 
 – 
 0.2 
90.0 

Level 1
0.6 
 158.4 
 75.4 
234.4 

Level 1
4.1 
 30.9 
 175.6 
 113.6 
 – 
 0.2 
324.4 

Level 2
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 5.0 
 – 
5.0 

Level 2
 – 
 – 
 – 
– 

Level 2
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 5.0 
 – 
5.0 

Percentage of 
Plan Assets (%)
3.69
32.45
18.11
40.17
5.32
 0.08 
100.00

Percentage of 
Plan Assets (%)
0.26
67.56
32.18
100.00

Percentage of 
Plan Assets (%)
1.25
9.36
53.29
34.49
1.54
 0.08 
100.00

Significant actuarial assumptions  

used as at December 31

Discount rate (%)
Expected long-term rate of return on 

plan assets (%)

Rate of compensation increase (%)
Average remaining service life of active 

employees (years)

Defined Benefit 
2014

Post-Retirement 
Benefits 2014

Defined Benefit 
2013

Post-Retirement 
Benefits 2013

3.80-4.90

4.10-4.90

3.20-5.00

0.00-5.00

0.00-7.50
2.75-4.00

0.00-7.50
0.00-3.50

0.00-8.00
0.00-4.00

0.00-8.00
0.00-3.50

12.5

11.7

12.70

12.95

The estimates for health care benefits take into consideration increased health care benefits due to aging and cost increases 

in the future. The assumed initial health care cost trend rates used to measure the expected cost of benefits range between  

4 and 10 percent and the ultimate trend rate between 4 and 5 percent, which is expected to be achieved by 2027.

117

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportThe assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for health care plans. A one 

percentage point change in the assumed health care trend rates would have the following effects for 2014:

Service and interest costs
Accrued benefit obligation

Increase
20.1 
89.3 

Decrease

(13.3) 
(55.7) 

The following table shows the expected cash flows for defined benefit pension and other-post retirement plans:

Expected employer contributions:

2015

Expected benefit payments:

2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020-2024

Defined  
Benefit 

Post-Retirement 
Benefits

14.2 

10.9 
14.0 
13.9 
14.8 
16.0 
96.1 

3.2 

2.3 
2.4 
2.7 
2.9 
3.1 
19.1 

24.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

In the normal course of business, AltaGas transacts with its subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures. Amounts due to or from 

related parties on the Consolidated Balance Sheet were measured at the exchange amount and were as follows:

As at December 31
Due from related parties
Accounts receivable (a)
Long-term investments and other assets (b)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (b)

Due to related parties
Accounts payable (c)
Long-term debt (d)

2014

2013

2.2 
–
 0.8 
3.0 

17.6 
 0.1 
17.7 

1.1 
 0.8 
–
1.9 

20.6 
 0.3 
20.9 

(a) Receivable from joint ventures and an affiliate. 
(b)  AltaGas and one of its managers agreed on a loan in the principal amount of $750,000, to be paid in full with accrued interest at the rate prescribed by 

the Income Tax Act (Canada) on the earlier of the date of employment termination and May 31, 2015. 

(c) Payables to joint ventures. 
(d) Due to an affiliate of the Corporation. 

118

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsYear ended December 31,
Revenue (a)
Cost of sales (b)
Operating and administrative expenses (c)
Other income (expenses) (d)
Interest expense on long-term debt

(a) In the ordinary course of business, AltaGas sold natural gas to an affiliate. 
(b) In the ordinary course of business, AltaGas purchased natural gas from two of its joint ventures. 
(c) Administrative costs recovered from joint ventures.
(d) Interest income from an affiliate. 

2014
94.8 
3.8 
10.7 
0.4 
0.2 

2013
24.1 
12.5 
1.3 
–
0.2 

25.  COMPARATIVE FIGURES 

Certain comparative figures related to income tax liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2013 have been reclassified to 

conform to the presentation adopted in the current year. 

26.  SEGMENTED INFORMATION

AltaGas owns and operates a portfolio of assets and services used to move energy from the source to the end-user. The following 

describes the Corporation’s four reporting segments:

Gas

•  NGL processing and extraction plants;

•  transmission pipelines to transport natural gas and NGL;

•  natural gas gathering lines and field processing facilities;

•  purchase and sale of natural gas and electricity; 

•  natural gas storage facilities; 

•  LNG and LPG development projects; and

•   equity investment in a North American entity engaged in the marketing, storage, and distribution of NGL, 

drilling fluids, crude oil, and condensate diluents.

Power

•  coal-fired, gas-fired, wind, biomass and run-of-river power output under power purchase agreements, 

both operational and under construction; and

•  sale of power to commercial and industrial users in Alberta.

Utilities

•  rate-regulated natural gas distribution assets in Michigan, Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia and Nova 

Scotia; and

•  rate-regulated natural gas storage in Michigan and Alaska.

Corporate

•  the cost of providing corporate services, financing and general corporate overhead, investments in 

public and private entities, corporate assets, financing other segments and the effects of changes in 

the fair value of risk management contracts.

119

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportGeographic Information

Years ended December 31 
Revenue (a) 
Canada
United States

Total

As at December 31
Property, plant and equipment 

Canada
United States

Total

(a) Operating revenue from external customers.

The following tables show the composition by segment: 

Year ended December 31, 2014
Revenue
Unrealized gain on risk management
Cost of sales
Operating and administrative
Accretion of obligations
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Provision on long-lived assets
Income from equity investments
Other income (expenses)
Foreign exchange loss 
Interest expense
Income (loss) before income taxes
Net additions (reductions) to: 

Property, plant and equipment (a)
Intangible assets

As at December 31, 2014:

Gas
1,178.8 
 – 
 (789.6) 
 (177.1) 
 (3.7) 
 (66.8) 
 (108.2) 
 23.6 
 12.0 
 – 
 – 
69.0 

Power
388.0 
 – 
 (244.4) 
 (52.1) 
 (3.1) 
 (38.9) 
 (10.9) 
 13.8 
 27.0 
 – 
 – 
79.4 

Utilities
1,076.9 
 – 
 (651.6) 
 (199.3) 
 (0.1) 
 (64.3) 
 – 
 1.2 
 3.2 
 – 
 – 
166.0 

48.1 
0.6 

306.2 
171.6 

239.9 
3.5 

Goodwill
Segmented assets

161.4 
2,284.3 

 – 
2,338.1 

623.7 
3,148.2 

2014

2013

1,574.9 
 826.3 
2,401.2 

1,376.0 
 676.2 
2,052.2 

2014

2013

3,642.9 
 1,694.1 
5,337.0 

3,418.9 
 1,533.6 
4,952.5 

Intersegment
Elimination

Corporate
– 
 4.7 
 – 
 (29.9) 
 – 
 (3.4) 
 – 
 – 
 (16.8) 
 (0.4) 
 (111.4) 
(157.2) 

10.9 
16.8 

 – 
642.8 

(242.5) 
 – 
 234.7 
 7.8 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

Total
2,401.2 
 4.7 
 (1,450.9) 
 (450.6) 
 (6.9) 
 (173.4) 
 (119.1) 
 38.6 
 25.4 
 (0.4) 
 (111.4) 
157.2 

605.1 
192.5 

785.1 
8,413.4 

(a) Net additions to property, plant and equipment and long-term investments and other assets may not agree to changes reflected in Consolidated Balance 

Sheets due to classification of business acquisition and foreign exchange changes on U.S. assets.

120

AltaGas 2014 Annual ReportNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
Year ended December 31, 2013
Revenue
Unrealized loss on risk management
Cost of sales
Operating and administrative
Accretion of obligations
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Provision on long-lived assets
Income from equity investments
Other income (expenses)
Foreign exchange loss
Interest expense
Income (loss) before income taxes
Net additions (reductions) to:

Property, plant and equipment (a)
Intangible assets

As at December 31, 2013:

Gas
1,019.9 
 – 
 (658.1) 
 (184.7) 
 (3.6) 
 (68.5) 
 (15.9) 
 1.6 
 5.6 
 – 
 – 
96.3 

Power
300.4 
 – 
 (231.8) 
 (33.1) 
 (0.1) 
 (22.8) 
 (3.7) 
 108.1 
 0.3 
 – 
 – 
117.3 

Utilities
894.4 
 – 
 (502.5) 
 (190.2) 
 – 
 (57.3) 
 (3.0) 
 2.5 
 40.2 
 – 
 – 
184.1 

Corporate
 – 
 (9.2) 
 – 
 (28.8) 
 – 
 (3.9) 
 – 
 – 
 (4.9) 
 (0.3) 
 (102.1) 
(149.2) 

42.1 
(7.0) 

333.8 
(0.2) 

765.4 
6.5 

3.3 
9.2 

Intersegment
Elimination

(162.5) 
 – 
 156.2 
 6.3 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

Total
2,052.2 
 (9.2) 
 (1,236.2) 
 (430.5) 
 (3.7) 
 (152.5) 
 (22.6) 
 112.2 
 41.2 
 (0.3) 
 (102.1) 
248.5 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

1,144.6 
8.5 

743.1 
7,284.3 

Goodwill
Segmented assets

161.4 
2,454.8 

 – 
1,924.5 

581.7 
2,765.9 

 – 
139.1 

(a) Net additions to property, plant and equipment and long-term investments and other assets may not agree to changes reflected in Consolidated Balance 

Sheets due to classification of business acquisition and foreign exchange changes on U.S. assets.

121

Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsAltaGas 2014 Annual ReportTen-Year Review of Financial Information

($ millions unless otherwise indicated)

2014

2013

2012

Financial Highlights 1
Income Statement

Revenue
Net revenue 2
EBITDA 2
Operating Income 2

Gas
Power
Utility
Corporate

Net income

Net income per basic share
EBITDA per basic share 2

Cash Flow

Funds from operations 2
Funds from operations per basic share 2
Dividends/distributions per share declared

Balance Sheet

Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Total assets
Short-term debt
Long-term debt 
Shareholders' equity

Share Data (millions)

Shares outstanding at year end
Weighted average shares outstanding for the year (basic)

Ratios (%)

Return on average equity
Return on average invested capital
Debt as a percentage of total capitalization

 2,406 
 1,019 
 563 

 2,043 
 960 
 539 

 1,450 
 665 
 320 

 69 
 80 
 166 
 (50)
 264 
 96 

0.75
4.45

 471 
3.72
1.69

 5,337 
 357 
 8,413 
 72 
 3,050 
 3,541 

133.9
126.7

3.9
5.0
 44.9 

 96 
 117 
 184 
 (38)
 360 
 182 

1.56
4.64

 400 
3.45
1.50

 4,953 
 195 
 7,281 
 84 
 2,953 
 2,792 

122.3
116.1

 9.4 
 8.5 
 53.1 

 94 
 77 
 81 
 (37)
 214 
 102 

1.07
3.36

 255 
2.68
1.40

 3,949 
 190 
 5,932 
 67 
 2,626 
 1,960 

105.3
95.0

 7.8 
 7.7 
 57.4 

1  Financial results 2010 and 2011 were restated to comply with US GAAP.
2  Non-GAAP financial measure; See discussion in Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of the MD&A.

122

Ten-Year Review of Financial Information

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report2011

(restated)

2010

(restated)

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

 1,280 
 513 
 257 

 1,192 
 505 
 235 

 1,268 
 457 
 248 

 1,817 
 477 
 245 

 105 
 87 
 24 
 (41)
 175 
 83 

0.98
3.06

 213 
2.54
1.34

 2,486 
 178 
 3,556 
 17 
 1,214 
 1,355 

89.2
84.0

 8.0 
 8.5 
 49.5 

 95 
 76 
 25 
 (44)
 152 
 117 

1.43
2.88

 192 
2.35
1.74

 1,924 
 80 
 2,743 
 10 
 903 
 1,210 

82.5
81.5

 9.4 
 8.2 
 42.8 

 103 
 88 
 7 
 (28)
 171 
 141 

1.80
3.16

 202 
2.58
2.16

 1,857 
 129 
 2,629 
 15 
 1,000 
 1,049 

80.3
78.5

 13.6 
 10.0 
 49.2 

 104 
 118 
–
 (43)
 178 
 164 

2.38
3.57

 217 
3.15
2.13

 1,437 
 139 
 2,132 
 5 
 561 
 957 

71.9
68.8

 19.6 
 13.6 
 37.8 

 1,428 
 324 
 245 

 59 
 95 
– 
 (27)
 125 
 109 

1.90
4.28

 163 
2.84
2.065

 682 
 96 
 1,173 
 4 
 217 
 585 

58.1 
57.4 

 19.8 
 16.2 
 27.4 

 1,363 
 319 
 173 

 63 
 91 
–
 (28)
 127 
 115 

2.06
3.10

 162 
2.92
1.995

 678 
 103 
 1,110 
–
 266 
 529 

56.4 
55.5 

 22.7 
 16.3 
 33.4 

 1,502 
 297 
 157 

 60 
 49 
 6 
 (7)
 108 
 90 

1.67
2.90

 129 
2.39
1.85

 645 
 111 
 1,068 
 3 
 266 
 479 

54.6 
54.0 

 18.4 
 13.0 
 36.0 

Ten-Year Review of Financial Information

123

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
Ten-Year Review of Operating Information

Operating Statistics
Gas

Total inlet gas processed (Mmcf/d) 1 
Extraction ethane volumes (Bbls/d) 1
Extraction NGL volumes (Bbls/d) 1
Total extraction volumes (Bbls/d) 1,2
Frac spread – realized ($/Bbl) 1,3
Frac spread – average spot price ($/Bbl) 1,4

Power

Volume of power sold (GWh)
Price received on the sale of power ($/MWh) 6
Alberta Power Pool price ($/MWh) 

Canadian utilities

Natural gas deliveries – end-use (PJ) 7
Natural gas deliveries – transportation (PJ) 7

U.S. utilities 8

Natural gas deliveries – end-use (Bcf) 7
Natural gas deliveries – transportation (Bcf) 7

2014

2013

2012

1,512 
 34,999 
 37,777 
 72,776 
22.83 
24.64 

5,168 
65.97 
49.42 

32.7
5.6

72.3
41.0

1,361 
32,695 
31,086 
63,781 
24.96 
27.15 

4,458 
76.82 
80.19 

30.4
5.8

70.1
41.4

1,261 
25,499 
14,593 
40,092 
30.83 
29.22 

3,317 
69.42 
64.32 

28.5
6.8

26.0
13.9

Service sites 9

562,746 

555,198 

547,977 

Degree day variance from normal (%)

AUI 10
Heritage Gas 10
SEMCO Gas 8,11
ENSTAR 8,11

 2.3 
 (0.2)
 16.1 
 (9.0)

 0.5 
 1.3 
 9.0 
 (1.0)

 (0.7)
 (9.1)
 (0.2)
 9.6 

1  Average for the period.
2  Excludes Harmattan NGL processed on behalf of customers.
3  Realized frac spread or NGL margin, expressed in dollars per barrel of NGL, is derived from sales recorded by the segment during the period for frac exposed volumes 
plus the settlement value of frac hedges settled in the period less extraction premiums, divided by the total frac exposed volumes produced during the period.
4  Average spot frac spread or NGL margin, expressed in dollars per barrel of NGL, are indicative of the average sales price that AltaGas receives for propane, 

butane and condensate less extraction premiums, divided by the respective frac exposed volumes for the period.
Includes volumes marketed directly, volumes transacted on behalf of other operating segments and volumes sold in gas exchange transactions.

5 
6  Price received excludes Blythe as it earns fixed capacity payments under its power purchase arrangement with Southern California Edison. 
7  Petajoule (PJ) is one million gigajoules. Bcf is one billion cubic feet.

124

Ten-Year Review of Operating Information

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

1,274 
26,565 
14,513 
41,078 
33.67 
42.88 

3,003 
75.94 
76.22 

21.8
4.6

 –
 –

1,221 
25,453 
12,654 
38,107 
27.27
31.95

2,828 
66.79 
50.76 

 19.90 
 5.30 

 –
 –

1,294
26,817 
13,236 
40,053 
23.46 
19.51 

2,726 
68.97 
47.84 

 6.62 
 0.55 

 –
 –

 115,011 

74,664 

72,717 

–
 (12.7)
– 
–

 (1.60)
 (13.20)
 – 
 – 

 9.90 
 (1.00)
 – 
 – 

1,342 
24,795 
12,242 
37,037 
26.97 
28.79 

2,623 
84.51 
89.95 

–
–

 –
 –

–

–
 – 
 – 
 – 

963 
13,355 
6,752 
20,108 
21.38 
22.48 

2,661 
68.59 
66.84 

 – 
– 

 –
 –

–

–
–
 – 
 – 

956 
13,132 
6,564 
19,696 
18.47 
18.47 

2,878 
69.26 
80.48 

–
–

 –
 –

–

–
–
 – 
 – 

948 
13,155 
6,202 
19,357 
9.31 
9.31 

3,466 
54.59 
70.19 

10.5
9.5

 –
 –

61,447 

(1.4)
 (5.7)
 – 
 – 

8  Results for U.S. utilities are from August 30, 2012.
9  Service sites reflect all of the service sites of AUI, PNG, Heritage Gas and U.S. utilities, including transportation and non-regulated business lines.
10  A degree day for AUI and Heritage Gas is the cumulative extent to which the daily mean temperature falls below 15 degrees Celsius at AUI and 18 degrees Celsius 
at Heritage Gas. Normal degree days are based on a 20-year rolling average. Positive variances from normal lead to increased delivery volumes from normal 
expectations. Degree day variances do not materially affect the results of PNG as the BCUC has approved a rate stabilization mechanism for its residential and 
small commercial customers.

11  A degree day for U.S. utilities is a measure of coldness determined daily as the number of degrees the average temperature during the day in question is below 
65 degrees Fahrenheit. Degree days for a particular period are determined by adding the degree days incurred during each day of the period. Normal degree 
days for a particular period are the average of degree days during the prior 15 years for SEMCO Gas and during the prior 10 years for ENSTAR.

Ten-Year Review of Operating Information

125

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
Shareholder Information

2014 Dividend Declaration History

Ex-Dividend Date
January 23, 2014
February 21, 2014
March 21, 2014
April 23, 2014
May 22, 2014
June 23, 2014
July 23, 2014
August 21, 2014
September 23, 2014
October 23, 2014
November 21, 2014
December 23, 2014
Total 2014 Dividends

Record Date
January 27, 2014
February 25, 2014 
March 25, 2014
April 25, 2014
May 26, 2014
June 25, 2014
July 25, 2014
August 25, 2014
September 25, 2014
October 27, 2014
November 25, 2014
December 29, 2014

Payment Date
February 18, 2014
March 17, 2014 
April 15, 2014
May 15, 2014
June 16, 2014
July 15, 2014
August 15, 2014
September 15, 2014
October 15, 2014
November 17, 2014
December 15, 2014
January 15, 2015

Amount
$0.1275
 $0.1275 
 $0.1275
 $0.1275
 $0.1475
 $0.1475
 $0.1475
 $0.1475
 $0.1475
 $0.1475
 $0.1475
 $0.1475
$1.6900

Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Common Share Purchase Plan of AltaGas Ltd. for Holders of Common Shares
AltaGas has adopted a Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Share Purchase Plan (“Plan”) for holders of common shares of AltaGas Ltd. 

The Plan provides shareholders with a convenient and economical way to maximize their investment in AltaGas. The Plan enables eligible 

shareholders to direct cash dividends paid by AltaGas in respect of their existing shares be reinvested at 95 per cent of the average market 

price (as defined in the Plan) of a share. Shareholders resident outside of Canada are not entitled to participate in the Plan. Eligible 

shareholders can also make optional share purchases at the weighted average market price subject to Plan limits. 

If you wish to participate in the Plan, eligible registered shareholders must enroll directly with Computershare Trust Company of Canada, 

while beneficial shareholders should simply contact their broker, investment dealer, financial institution or other nominee through which 

shares are held, as they must enroll on your behalf. 

Complete details on the DRIP are available on the AltaGas website at www.altagas.ca.

AltaGas Share Price and Volume (ALA)

Volume Traded (millions)

High/Low

Close (dollars)

30

25

20

15

10

5

$60

$50

$40

$30

$20

$10

January
2013

March
2013

June
2013

September
2013

December
2013

March
2014

June
2014

September
2014

December
2014

126

Shareholder Information

AltaGas 2014 Annual Report 
 
Corporate Information

AltaGas is a leading North American diversified energy infrastructure company. AltaGas owns or 
operates a diversified mix of assets in gas, power, and utilities. The Corporation creates value by 
acquiring, growing and optimizing its energy infrastructure, including a focus on clean energy sources.

For more information visit www.altagas.ca.

Management Team

David W. Cornhill 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

David M. Harris 
President and Chief Operating Officer

Deborah S. Stein 
Senior Vice President Finance  
and Chief Financial Officer

John E. Lowe 
Executive Vice President

Dennis A. Dawson 
Corporate Secretary

Kent E. Stout 
Vice President Corporate Resources

Auditors
Ernst & Young LLP 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Transfer Agent
Computershare Trust Company of Canada 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Toll-free: 1-800-564-6253 
Email: service@computershare.com

Investors are encouraged to contact 
Computershare for information concerning 
their security holdings.

Stock Exchange Listing
Toronto Stock Exchange:  
ALA, ALA.PR.A, ALA.PR.U, ALA.PR.E, ALA.PR.G 

Annual Meeting
The annual meeting will be held 
at 3:00 p.m. MDT on 
Thursday, April 30, 2015 at
The Fairmont Palliser, Alberta Ballroom
133 - 9th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta

Definitions
Bbls/d 
Bcf 
EBITDA 

GJ 
GWh 
kV 
Mcf 
Mmcf/d 
MW 
MWh 
PJ 
MMBTU 

barrels per day
billion cubic feet
earnings before interest, taxes, 
depreciation and amortization
gigajoule
gigawatt-hour
kilovolt
thousand cubic feet
million cubic feet per day
megawatt
megawatt-hour
petajoule
million British thermal unit

Printed on
recycled paper.

Forward-looking Information
This annual report may contain certain information that is forward looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The words “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, 
“will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe”, “seek”, “propose”, “estimate”, “project”, “outlook”, “forecast” or other similar words are used to identify such 
forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements in this annual report are intended to provide AltaGas security holders and potential investors with information 
regarding AltaGas and its subsidiaries, including management’s assessment of AltaGas’ and its subsidiaries’ future financial and operations plans and outlook. Forward-
looking  statements  in  this  annual  report  may  include,  among  others,  statements  regarding  business  objectives  and  anticipated  business  prospects,  projects  and 
financial performance of AltaGas and its subsidiaries, expectations or projections about the future, and strategies and goals for growth and expansion. All forward-looking 
statements reflect AltaGas’ beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made. Actual results or events may differ from those 
predicted in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the 
ability of AltaGas to successfully implement its strategic initiatives and whether such strategic initiatives will yield the expected benefits, the operating performance of 
AltaGas’ assets, the price of energy commodities, regulatory processes and decisions, changes in environmental and other laws and regulations, competitive factors in 
the natural gas and power energy sectors, construction and completion of capital projects, labour, equipment and material costs, access to capital markets, interest and 
currency exchange rates, weather, economic conditions in North America. This list should not be considered to be exhaustive. By its nature, forward-looking information 
is subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause AltaGas' actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations 
expressed. Additional information on these and other factors is available in the reports filed by AltaGas with Canadian securities regulators and available through the 
SEDAR system at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed 
in this annual report or otherwise, and to not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. AltaGas undertakes 
no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. 

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TSX: ALA

Investor Relations

AltaGas trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange
TSX: ALA, ALA.PR.A, ALA.PR.U, ALA.PR.E, ALA.PR.G

For investor relations enquiries
please contact:

1-403-691-7100
Tel: 
Toll free:  1-877-691-7199
1-403-691-7150
Fax: 
investor.relations@altagas.ca
email: 

altagas.ca

1700, 355 - 4th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta  T2P OJ1