UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 1, 2013
UNITIL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| New Hampshire | 1-8858 | 02-0381573 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| 6 Liberty Lane West, Hampton, New Hampshire | 03842-1720 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (603) 772-0775
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
On April 1, 2013, Unitil Corporation (“Unitil” or “Registrant”) issued a press release announcing that its natural gas distribution utility, Northern Utilities, Inc., filed a rate case requesting approval to change its natural gas distribution base rates with the Maine Public Utilities Commission (“MPUC”). A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The full rate case filing can be located on the MPUC’s website at www.maine.gov/mpuc/online, Docket No. 2013-00133.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
| (d) | Exhibits |
| Number | Exhibit | |
| 99.1 | April 1, 2013 press release announcing the filing of a rate case for Northern Utilities, Inc. | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
| UNITIL CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Mark H. Collin | |
| Mark H. Collin | ||
| Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | ||
Date: April 4, 2013
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Number | Exhibit | |
| 99.1 | April 1, 2013 press release announcing the filing of a rate case for Northern Utilities, Inc. | |
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNITIL FILES FOR A CHANGE IN NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION RATES FOR MAINE CUSTOMERS
APRIL 1, 2013 Portland, Maine – Unitil Corporation (NYSE:UTL) (www.unitil.com) announced today that its Maine local natural gas distribution utility filed a rate case requesting approval to change its natural gas distribution base rates with the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
Unitil has requested an increase of $4.6 million in base revenue, or an increase of approximately 6.3 percent over current operating revenue in its Maine division, effective January 1, 2014. The filing also includes a proposal for a multi-year rate plan that will allow the recovery of costs associated with operational and safety-related improvements and upgrades Unitil is making to its gas distribution system in Maine over the next several years.
“Currently, natural gas is approximately half the cost of oil, and our proposed rate case will not appreciably impact the cost advantage our customers enjoy,” Unitil Chief Financial Officer Mark Collin said. “This rate case will provide an opportunity to bring revenues in line with current operating expenses and rate base, allowing us to continue to improve and expand Unitil’s gas distribution system in Maine to meet the state’s growing demand for natural gas.”
About Unitil Corporation
Unitil Corporation provides for the necessities of life, safely and reliably delivering natural gas and electricity throughout northern New England. We are committed to the communities we serve and to developing people, business practices, and technologies that lead to dependable, more efficient energy. Unitil is a public utility holding company with affiliates that include Unitil Energy Systems, Inc., Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company, Northern Utilities, Inc., and Granite State Gas Transmission, Inc. Together; Unitil Corporation’s operating utilities serve approximately 101,700 electric customers and 73,700, natural gas customers. Other subsidiaries include Unitil Service Corp. and Usource, a non-regulated business segment. For more information about our people, technologies, and community involvement please visit www.unitil.com.
For more information please contact:
David Chong – Investor Relations
Phone: 603-773-6499
Email: chong@unitil.com
Carol Valianti – Media Relations
Phone: 603-773-6447
Email: valianti@unitil.com
6 Liberty Lane West
Hampton, NH 03842
T 603.772.0775 F 603-773-6605 www.unitil.com