Code of Massachusetts Regulations
220 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
Title 220 CMR 50.00 - Uniform System Of Accounts For Gas Companies

DEFINITIONS

When used in this system of accounts:

Accounts means the accounts prescribed in this system of accounts.

Actually outstanding as applied to securities issued or assumed by the utility, means those which have been actually issued and are neither retired nor held by or for the utility; provided, however, that securities held by trustees shall be considered as actually outstanding.

Amortization means the gradual extinguishment of an amount in an account by distributing such amount over a fixed period, over the life of the asset or liability to which it applies, or over the period during which it is anticipated the benefit will be realized.

Associated companies means companies or persons that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, or are controlled by, or are under common control with, the accounting company.

Book cost means the amount at which property is recorded in these accounts without deduction of related provisions for accrued depreciation, amortization, or for other purposes.

Control (including the terms "controlling," "controlled by," and "under common control with") means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a company, whether such power is exercised through one or more intermediary companies, or alone, or in conjunction with, or pursuant to an agreement, and whether such power is established through a majority or minority ownership or voting of securities, common directors, officers, or stockholders, voting trusts, holding trusts, associated companies, contract or any other direct or indirect means.

Cost means the amount of money actually paid for property or services. When the consideration given is other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be determined on a cash basis.

Cost of removal means the cost of demolishing, dismantling, tearing down or otherwise removing utility plant, including the cost of transportation and handling incidental thereto.

Debt expense means all expenses in connection with the issuance and initial sale of evidences of debt, such as fees for drafting mortgages and trust deeds; fees and taxes for issuing or recording evidences of debt; cost of engraving and printing bonds and certificates of indebtedness; fees paid trustees; specific costs of obtaining governmental authority; fees for legal services; fees and commissions paid underwriters, brokers, and salesmen for marketing such evidences of debt; fees and expenses of listing on exchanges; and other like costs.

Department unless otherwise indicated by the context, means the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities prescribing this system of accounts.

Department when used in this system of accounts shall mean the departments operated by the utility such as electric, gas, water, etc.

Depreciation as applied to depreciable utility plant, means the loss in service value not restored by current maintenance, incurred in connection with the consumption or prospective retirement of utility plant in the course of service from causes which are known to be in current operation and against which the utility is not protected by insurance. Among the causes to be given consideration are wear and tear, decay, action of the elements, inadequacy, obsolescence, changes in the art, changes in demand and requirements of public authorities.

Discount as applied to the securities issued or assumed by the utility, means the excess of the par or face value of the securities plus interest or dividends accrued at the date of the sale over the cash value of the consideration received from their sale.

Investment advances means advances, represented by notes or by book accounts only, with respect to which it is mutually agreed or intended between the creditor and debtor that they shall be settled by the issuance of securities or shall not be subject to current settlement.

Minor items of property means the associated parts or items of which retirement units are composed.

Net salvage value means the salvage value of property retired less the cost of removal.

Nominally issued as applied to securities issued or assumed by the utility, means those which have been signed, certified, or otherwise executed, and placed with the proper officer for sale and delivery, or pledged, or otherwise placed in some special fund of the utility, but which have not been sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of, or issued direct to trustees of sinking funds in accordance with contractual requirements.

Nominally outstanding as applied to securities issued or assumed by the utility, means those which, after being actually issued, have been reacquired by or for the utility under circumstances which require them to be considered as held alive and not retired, provided however, that securities held by trustees shall be considered as actually outstanding.

Person means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a business trust, or any organized group of persons, whether incorporated or not, or any receiver or trustee.

Premium as applied to securities issued or assumed by the utility, means the excess of the cash value of the consideration received from their sale over the sum of their par or face value and interest or dividends accrued at the date of sale.

Property retired as applied to utility plant, means property which has been removed, sold, abandoned, destroyed, or which for any cause has been withdrawn from service.

Replacing or replacement when not otherwise indicated in the context, means the construction or installation of utility plant in place of property retired, together with the removal of the property retired.

Retirement units means those items of utility plant which, when retired, with or without replacement, are accounted for by crediting the book cost thereof to the utility plant account in which included.

Salvage value means the amount received for property retired, less any expenses incurred in connection with the sale or in preparing the property for sale, or, if retained, the amount at which the material recoverable is chargeable to materials and supplies, or other appropriate account.

Service life means the time between the date utility plant is includible in utility plant in service, or utility plant leased to others, and the date of its retirement. If depreciation is accounted for on a production basis rather than on a time basis, then service life should be measured in terms of the appropriate unit of production.

Service value means the difference between cost and the net salvage value of utility plant.

Utility as used herein and when not otherwise indicated in the context, means any utility to which this system of accounts is applicable.

REGULATORY AUTHORITY

220 CMR 50.00: M.G.L .c. 164, §§ 63 and 81.