HALLADOR ENERGY CO
For the period ended Sep 30, 2024. Filed Nov 12, 2024.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Sep 30, 2024 · Filed Nov 12, 2024
HNRG$10.10+7.9%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-06-30; filed 2024-08-07.
0001437749-24-025219
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONSCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-09-30; filed 2024-11-12.
0001558370-24-015355
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONSThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 60 previous paragraphs and 59 current paragraphs.
23 unchanged; 21 reworded; 15 added; 16 removed; 0 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 37 previous and 45 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (15)
Current report
Hallador Energy made significant progress in its transformation to an Independent Power Producer this quarter by signing a non-binding term sheet (“Term Sheet”) with a leading global data center developer. Our team is working diligently to finalize definitive agreements with this partner and relevant utilities that will support the delivery of our in front of the meter energy and capacity to the large hyperscaler. As we have discussed before, these types of deals are complex arrangements involving multiple parties. If we reach definitive agreements, we will have contracted large portions of our plant’s energy and capacity at much improved margins for more than a decade to come. The completion of the transaction contemplated by the Term Sheet is subject to, among other matters, the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements and there can be no assurance that definitive agreements will be entered into or that the proposed transaction will be consummated on the terms or timeframe currently contemplated, or at all.
Current report
The path to this type of long-term, higher margin transaction has been focused and deliberate. While we have not yet reached a binding agreement, we are encouraged both by the relationship with our current partner and the heavy interest that we continue to see from alternative counterparties in our energy and capacity offerings. This continued interest highlights the supply shortage in accredited capacity that we believe the MISO market is experiencing and provides the Company options in the event that we are unable to reach agreement in connection with the executed Term Sheet.
Current report
We believe accredited capacity in MISO continues to increase in value and demand, particularly in our sales region of MISO Zone 6, an area that includes Indiana and a portion of western Kentucky. This is important to Hallador based on our belief that Hallador has a significant amount of the remaining unsold accredited capacity in MISO Zone 6 over the next few years. Our current belief is guided by several factors, including:
Current report
The Company last reviewed its long-lived assets for impairment during the fourth quarter of 2023 and concluded no impairment was indicated. In preparing the Company’s impairment analysis, it utilizes undiscounted net cash flows over the expected life of the long-lived asset based upon anticipated production along with contracted and forward prices as well as historical operating expenses adjusted for inflation. This cash flow analysis is largely dependent upon the operating plans of the Company, which are reviewed by the Company and its Board of Directors no less than annually, normally during the fourth quarter of each year. Changes in anticipated activity levels, pricing or operating expenses can have significant effects on the ultimate value of the undiscounted cash flow analysis.
Current report
During the third quarter of 2024, the Company began a review of our mining assets and our future mining plans. This review will continue through the fourth quarter of 2024. Should the anticipated future mining activity be reduced, an impairment of our mining assets could occur. The amount of any such potential impairment, if any, is not currently estimable and will ultimately be based upon the finalized operating plans of the Company as approved by its Board of Directors, market driven pricing and cost trends, which are not known at this time. Nevertheless, the carrying amount of the Company’s mining assets is material to its condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2024 and any future impairment of such assets could therefore be material. The Company has concluded that no impairment exists as of September 30, 2024 as no triggering events have occurred during the period ended September 30, 2024.
Current report
2024 vs. 2023 (third quarter)
Current report
Revenues from electric operations increased $4.4 million, or 6.5%, compared to the third quarter of 2023. While the Merom Facility ran less hours in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 2023, the contracted hours were at higher prices. We have new delivered energy contracts and capacity contracts with sales starting in 2024. We entered into three new delivered energy contracts during the current year which increased revenues by $20.9 million. We entered into three capacity contracts during 2023 that began delivery in 2024 and one new capacity contract that we entered into during the current year, which increased revenues by $10.9 million. Revenue increases from new contracts were offset by suppressed MISO pricing (~66% of total energy hours at the Merom node being priced below our production cost at our Merom Facility), and reductions in demand for Power and higher demand for Gas as Gas inventories remained high, with a continued decline in average spot pricing per MBtu of $2.11 compared to $2.59 during the same three-month period in 2023.
Current report
Fuel decreased $21.1 million, or 41.6%, compared to the third quarter of 2023. Our MWh sold decreased by 124 MWh, or 9.5%, from the third quarter of 2023. The decrease in fuel costs are primarily related to our decreased electricity sales and declines in coal market pricing. We used 0.1 million less tons of coal in our electric production compared to the third quarter of 2023. The average purchase price per ton of coal used in the plant on a segment basis, was $53.33 in the third quarter of 2024, decreasing from $76.94 per ton in the third quarter of 2023.
Current report
Cost of purchased power was $3.1 million during the third quarter of 2024. As noted above, when energy hours at the Merom Hub are priced below our production cost at our Merom Facility, we make net hourly purchases of power in the MISO market.
Current report
2024 vs. 2023 (nine months)
Current report
Fuel decreased $70.5 million, or 48.0%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Production decreased by 942 MWh, or 26.1%, from the first nine months of 2023. The decrease in fuel costs are due to the expiration of a coal purchase contract in June of 2023 and declines in coal market pricing. We used 0.5 million less tons of coal in our electric production compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The average purchase price per ton of coal used in the plant on a segment basis, was $54.83 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, decreasing from $62.37 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. As discussed above, average spot prices for Gas were down per MMBtu decreasing the demand for Electric Power.
Current report
Cost of purchased power was $7.7 million during the first nine months of 2024. As noted above, when energy hours at the Merom Hub are priced below our production cost at our Merom Facility, we make net hourly purchases of power in the MISO market.
Current report
2024 vs. 2023 (third quarter)
Current report
2024 vs. 2023 (nine months)
Current report
During the third quarter of 2024, the Company began a review of its Oaktown mining facilities and future mining plan related to this complex. This review will continue through the fourth quarter of 2024. Should the anticipated future mining activity related to the Company’s Oaktown mining facilities be reduced, an impairment of certain mining assets could occur. The amount of any such potential impairment, if any, is not currently estimable and will ultimately be based upon the finalized operating plans of the Company as approved by its Board of Directors, market driven pricing and cost trends, which are not known at this time. Nevertheless, the carrying amount of the Company’s mining assets is material to its condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2024 and any future impairment of such assets could therefore be material.
Removed paragraphs (16)
Previous report
Hallador is on a strategic and deliberate path to transform our company and capture increased value from our products and services as we advance up the value chain by expanding our offerings from fuel production to wholesale electricity sales to powering the industrial end user.
Previous report
For many years, our Sunrise Coal subsidiary was our primary asset, producing fuel to sell to third-party customers. In the fourth quarter of 2022, we acquired the Merom Power Plant through our Hallador Power Company (“Hallador Power” or “HPC”) subsidiary enabling us the ability to convert the majority of our fuel production into wholesale electricity and capacity, which traditionally sells at higher margins than coal. As part of this process, we issued $29.0 million of convertible debt in 2022 to improve our capital position and facilitate the acquisition of the Merom Power Plant. In 2022, $10.0 million of these convertible notes were converted to equity and the remaining balance was converted in the first half of 2024.
Previous report
Looking at the wholesale electric sales we have made since the acquisition of the Merom Power Plant, along with the prices indicated by the forward power curves, we believe that HPC has the potential to achieve gross profit margins greater than the margins we have historically seen in coal sales. In the first quarter of this year, our sales to third-party customers from electricity exceeded those of our sales from coal. In connection with this shift in company focus, we changed our SIC code from 1220 bituminous coal producer to 4911 electric services during the second quarter.
Previous report
Additionally, in the first quarter of this year we announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Hoosier Energy and WIN REMC that provides a pathway to facilitate sales of our electricity to industrial end users of power. As we continue to transform our product offerings from fuel to wholesale electricity, to supplying power to higher value end-users, we believe we can achieve increasingly higher gross profit margins.
Previous report
The recent environment for spot electricity sales has been challenging. This past winter, record high U.S. natural gas (“Gas”) production ran into the ninth warmest winter on record according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The lack of winter heating demand caused Gas inventory levels to climb as much as 38% above the 5-year average. As Gas prices adjusted downward to encourage the market to consume excess Gas inventory, wholesale electric (“Energy”) prices also declined. In the first six months of 2024, approximately 90% of the off-peak Energy hours at the Merom Hub and approximately 60% of the total Energy hours at the Merom Hub priced below our production cost at our Merom facility.
Previous report
Lower Energy prices negatively affected both HPC’s generation model and the dispatch rates of Sunrise Coal’s utility customers. In response to dispatching less, those customers slowed coal shipments from Sunrise during the winter season and throughout the shoulder season this spring.
Previous report
Historically, Sunrise Coal has generated approximately six million tons of coal annually. Following the restructuring, we expect Sunrise to produce roughly 3.5 million tons of coal on an annualized basis for 2024. Total production for the first half of 2024 was 2.2 million tons, and we shipped 2.1 tons at an average sales price of $54.92 on a segment basis. If market conditions warrant, our current operations are capable of producing at a 4.5-million-ton annualized pace. In 2024, we have also secured supplemental coal from third party suppliers at favorable prices. This allows us to diversify self-production supply risk and provides us with additional flexibility in our sales portfolio. The optionality to obtain low-cost tons either internally or from third parties while capturing upward swings in the commodities markets for coal should further maximize margins while optimizing fuel costs at our Merom facility.
Previous report
In response to lower Energy prices and our challenging mining conditions during the first half of 2024, we executed on several financing opportunities, including raising $34.5 million through an At-The-Market (“ATM”) equity offering selling 4.7 million shares at an average price of $7.38 per share and borrowing $5.0 million from several Directors on our Board. In June, we received a $45.0 million prepayment for an 11-month forward Energy sale representing approximately 22% of our annual 6.0 million MWh goal during the term of the contract.
Previous report
2024 vs. 2023 (second quarter)
Previous report
Fuel decreased $20.5 million, or 47.7%, compared to the second quarter of 2023 due to lower coal usage and energy production as a result of weakened demand for electricity. Electric production decreased by 263,000 MWh, or 25.2%, from the second quarter of 2023. We were also able to acquire third-party coal at prices below our production costs for coal, further reducing our fuel expense during the quarter.
Previous report
2024 vs. 2023 (first six months)
Previous report
Operating revenues from electric operations decreased $47.7 million, or 29.1%, compared to the first half of 2023 due to MISO pricing that was lower than our cost to produce at times during the period, low Power demand due to a mild 2024 spring and summer, and higher demand for Gas as Gas prices during the spring season of 2024 (March through May) averaged $1.74 per MBtu compared to $2.21 per MBtu in the spring season of 2023.
Previous report
Fuel decreased $49.5 million, or 51.3%, compared to the first half of 2023 due to lower coal usage and production as a result of weakened demand. Production decreased by 709,000 MWh, or 30.8%, from the first six months of 2023. Gas average spot prices were down $0.30 per MMBtu decreasing the demand for Electric Power.
Previous report
Other operating and maintenance costs increased $8.9 million, or 81.3%, compared to the first half of 2023 primarily due to the planned maintenance outage which resulted in $6.6 million in additional costs for the period.
Previous report
2024 vs. 2023 (second quarter)
Previous report
2024 vs. 2023 (first six months)
Reworded paragraphs (21)
Previous wording
Our goal is for Hallador Power to generate approximately 1.5 million MWh on a quarterly basis, which equates to approximately 6.0 million MWh annually (see Hallador Power’s capacity and utilization information below). During the first half of 2024, Hallador Power generated 1,596,000 MWh, or 53% of our target. During the first half of the year, we experienced sales prices of nearly $261.00 per MWh for limited times, balanced against several days of pricing below our variable cost to produce. These fluctuations led to an inconsistent dispatch schedule.
Current wording
Our goal is for Hallador Power to generate approximately 1,500,000 MWh on a quarterly basis, which equates to approximately 6,000,000 MWh annually (see Hallador Power’s capacity and utilization information below). During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Hallador Power generated 2,670,000 MWh, or 59.3% of our target. During the first nine months of the year, we experienced sales prices of nearly $261.00 per MWh for limited times, balanced against several days of pricing below our variable cost to produce. These fluctuations led to an inconsistent dispatch schedule.
Previous wording
When forward selling Capacity, we target annual sales of around $65.0 million to offset our fixed annual costs at the plant of approximately $60.0 million. We have already sold a large portion of our future Capacity, which we believe makes our forward Capacity sales goals attainable as illustrated in our "Solid Forward Sales Position" table below.
Current wording
When forward selling Capacity, we target annual sales of around $65.0 million to offset our fixed annual costs at the plant of approximately $60.0 million. We have already sold a large portion of our near term Capacity, which we believe makes our forward Capacity sales goals attainable as illustrated in our “Solid Forward Sales Position” table below.
Previous wording
Our forward contracted energy sales position has a significant price increase in future years as illustrated in the graph below.
Current wording
In addition to the Term Sheet discussed above, which is not included in the graph below, our forward contracted energy sales position has a significant price increase in future years as illustrated in the graph below.
Previous wording
To match Sunrise’s production levels and cost structure to that of the market demands, we restructured Sunrise operations in the first quarter of 2024. As we have previously noted, the restructuring included a reduction in force (“RIF”) of approximately 110 people in February, and we have since allowed attrition to further reduce our workforce by approximately 130 additional people, a total workforce reduction of more than 25%. We also restructured our operations to focus on our more profitable units and to idle units with higher production costs. Transitioning our Oaktown mining facilities from 7 units of production to 4 units of production was a deliberate process which took considerable time and effort, and was completed in mid-July. We are encouraged by the early results of Sunrise’s restructuring and have seen improvement in mining costs since we made the decision to adjust our operations.
Current wording
To match Sunrise’s production levels and cost structure to that of the market demands, we restructured Sunrise operations in the first quarter of 2024. As we have previously noted, the restructuring included a reduction in force (“RIF”) of approximately 110 people in February, and we have since allowed attrition to further reduce our workforce by approximately 140 additional people, a total workforce reduction of more than 25%. We also restructured our operations to focus on our more profitable units and to idle units with higher production costs. Transitioning our Oaktown mining facilities from 7 units of production to 4 units of production was a deliberate process which took considerable time and effort, and was completed in mid-July. We are encouraged by the early results of Sunrise’s restructuring and have seen improvement in mining costs since we made the decision to adjust our operations.
Previous wording
For the first six months of 2024, capex was $28.0 million allocated as follows (in millions):
Current wording
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, capex was $39.6 million allocated as follows (in millions):
Previous wording
Our operations are divided into two primary reportable segments: Electric Operations and Coal Operations. The remainder of our operations, which are not significant enough on a stand-alone basis to warrant treatment as an operating segment, are presented as "Corporate and Other and Eliminations" within the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and primarily are comprised of unallocated corporate costs and activities, including a 50% interest in Sunrise Energy, LLC, a private gas exploration company with operations in Indiana, which we account for using the equity method, and our wholly-owned subsidiary Summit Terminal LLC, a logistics transport facility located on the Ohio River.
Current wording
Our operations are divided into two primary reportable segments: Electric Operations and Coal Operations. The remainder of our operations, which are not significant enough on a stand-alone basis to warrant treatment as an operating segment, are presented as “Corporate and Other and Eliminations” within the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and primarily are comprised of unallocated corporate costs and activities, including a 50% interest in Sunrise Energy, LLC, a private gas exploration company with operations in Indiana, which we account for using the equity method, and our held-for-sale wholly-owned subsidiary Summit Terminal LLC, a logistics transport facility located on the Ohio River.
Previous wording
Income from operations decreased $2.5 million, or 26.7%, and decreased $0.13 per MWh, from the three months ended June 30, 2023. The main drivers of this change in income from operations are described in the discussion above.
Current wording
Income from operations increased $22.0 million, or 823.3%, and increased $18.39 per MWh, from the three months ended September 30, 2023. The main drivers of this change in income from operations are described in the discussion above.
Previous wording
Operating revenues from electric operations decreased $14.1 million, or 19.8%, compared to the second quarter of 2023 due to approximately 60% of total Energy hours at the Merom Hub being priced below our production cost at our Merom Facility, low Electric Power demand due to a mild 2024 spring and summer, and higher demand for Gas as Gas prices averaged $2.08 per MBtu during the second quarter of 2024 compared to $2.16 per MBtu during the second quarter of 2023.
Current wording
Delivered energy revenues from electric operations decreased $37.3 million, or 20.2%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to suppressed MISO pricing (~75% of total energy hours at the Merom Hub being priced below our production cost at our Merom Facility), reductions in demand for Power and higher demand for Gas as Gas inventories remained high with a continued decline in average spot pricing per MBtu of $2.11 compared to $2.47 during the same nine-month period in 2023.
Previous wording
Other operating and maintenance costs increased $8.7 million, or 160.8%, compared to the second quarter of 2023 primarily due to the planned maintenance outage which resulted in $6.8 million in additional costs for the period.
Current wording
Other operating and maintenance costs increased $9.3 million, or 56.0%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to our planned maintenance outage during the second quarter of 2024 which resulted in $7.0 million in additional costs for the period.
Previous wording
Income from operations decreased $5.9 million, or 21.2%, and increased $1.68 per MWh, from the six months ended June 30, 2023. The main drivers of this change in income from operations are described in the discussion above.
Current wording
Income from operations increased $16.1 million, or 63.7%, and increased $7.23 per MWh, from the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The main drivers of this change in income from operations are described in the discussion above.
Previous wording
Segment operating revenues from coal operations decreased $66.7 million, or 58.9%, from the second quarter of 2023. Consolidated operating revenues from coal operations decreased $56.0 million, or 63%, from the second quarter of 2023. These declines were due to reductions in volume and average sales price for our coal. Our average sales price, on a segment basis, decreased $11.29 per ton and we sold 0.9 million tons less compared to the second quarter of 2023. Our average sales price on a consolidated basis decreased $7.21 per ton and we sold 0.8 million tons less compared to the second quarter of 2023. Operating revenues for the second quarter of 2024 include $12.9 million in sales to the Merom plant which were eliminated in the consolidation.
Current wording
Segment operating revenues from coal operations decreased $85.6 million, or 63.4%, from the third quarter of 2023. Consolidated operating revenues from coal operations decreased $65.2 million, or 66.6%, from the third quarter of 2023. These declines were due to reductions in volume and average sales price for our coal. Our average sales price, on a segment basis, decreased $12.40 per ton and we sold 1.1 million tons less compared to the third quarter of 2023. Our average sales price on a consolidated basis decreased $7.91 per ton and we sold 1.0 million tons less compared to the third quarter of 2023. Operating revenues for the third quarter of 2024 include $16.7 million in sales to the Merom plant which were eliminated in the consolidation.
Previous wording
Other operating and maintenance costs decreased $14.7 million, or 40.5%, and labor decreased $9.7 million, or 33.3%, from the second quarter of 2023. These changes were driven by the Reorganization Plan disclosed in “Item 1. Note 16 — Organizational Restructuring” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. During the second quarter 2024, we produced 0.4 million tons less than first quarter 2024, we reduced production days from 7 days to 5 days and further reduced our coal employee headcount by 130 employees.
Current wording
Other operating and maintenance costs decreased $32.7 million, or 54.7%, and labor decreased $10.6 million, or 35.3%, from the third quarter of 2023. These changes were driven by impacts from the Reorganization Plan disclosed in*“Item 1. Note 16 — Organizational Restructuring”* to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. During the third quarter 2024, underground costs such as roof support and belt maintenance, fuel and utilities, as well as maintenance costs all had significant decreases in comparison to the third quarter of 2023. We produced 0.7 million tons less in the third quarter of 2024 than the third quarter of 2023.
Previous wording
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization decreased $3.5 million, or 28.4%, from the second quarter of 2023 due to decreases in coal production and the remaining useful lives of the mine development assets.
Current wording
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization decreased $2.5 million, or 21.7%, from the third quarter of 2023 due to decreases in coal production and the remaining useful lives of the mine development assets.
Previous wording
Income (loss) from operations decreased $37.7 million, or 142.9%, and decreased $28.71 per ton, from the three months ended June 30, 2023. The main drivers of this change in income (loss) from operations are described in the discussion above.
Current wording
Income (loss) from operations decreased $36.9 million, or 149.2%, and decreased $25.22 per ton, from the three months ended September 30, 2023. The main drivers of this change in income (loss) from operations are described in the discussion above.
Previous wording
Segment operating revenues from coal operations decreased $95.1 million, or 45.6%, from the first half of 2023. Consolidated operating revenues from coal operations decreased $100.8 million, or 55%, from the first half of 2023. These declines were due to reductions in volume and average sales price for our coal. Our average sales price, on a segment basis, decreased $6.24 per ton and we sold 1.3 million tons less compared to the first six months of 2023. Our average sales price, on a consolidated basis, for the six months ended 2024, decreased $3.11 per ton and we sold 1.6 million tons less compared to the first six months of 2023.
Current wording
Segment operating revenues from coal operations decreased $180.6 million, or 52.6%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Consolidated operating revenues from coal operations decreased $166.0 million, or 58.7%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2023. These declines were due to reductions in volume and average sales price for our coal. Our average sales price, on a segment basis, decreased $8.45 per ton and we sold 2.5 million tons less compared to the first nine months of 2023. Our average sales price, on a consolidated basis, for the first nine months of 2024, decreased $4.63 per ton and we sold 2.6 million tons less compared to the first nine months of 2023.
Previous wording
Other operating and maintenance costs decreased $9.8 million, or 15.5%, and labor decreased $14.0 million, or 23.0%, from the first six months of 2023. These changes were driven by the Reorganization Plan disclosed in “Item 1. Note 16 — Organizational Restructuring” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. During the first six months of 2024, we produced 1.6 million tons less on a segment basis than first six months of 2023, we went from 5 mines producing to 2 mines producing and further reduced our coal employee headcount by 339 employees.
Current wording
Other operating and maintenance costs decreased $42.5 million, or 34.6%, and labor decreased $24.6 million, or 27.1%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2023. These changes were driven by the Reorganization Plan disclosed in*“Item 1. Note 16 — Organizational Restructuring”* to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. During the first nine months of 2024, we produced 2.3 million tons less on a segment basis than the first nine months of 2023. Additionally, we went from 5 mines producing to 1 mine producing and reduced our coal employee headcount by 313 employees as part of the Reorganization Plan.
Previous wording
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization decreased $6.1 million, or 23.6%, from the first half of 2023 due to decreases in coal production and the remaining useful lives of the mine development assets.
Current wording
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization decreased $8.6 million, or 23.0%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to decreases in coal production and the remaining useful lives of the mine development assets.
Previous wording
Income (loss) from operations decreased $62.2 million, or 157.7%, and decreased $22.62 per ton, from the six months ended June 30, 2023. The main drivers of this change in income from operations are described in the discussion above.
Current wording
Income (loss) from operations decreased $99.2 million, or 154.4%, and decreased $23.45 per ton, from the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The main drivers of this change in income from operations are described in the discussion above.
Previous wording
Our effective tax rate (ETR) is estimated at ~23% and ~11% for the six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we recorded income taxes using an estimated annual effective tax rate based upon projected annual income, forecasted permanent tax differences, discrete items, and statutory rates in states in which we operate. Our ETR differs from the statutory rate due primarily to statutory depletion in excess of tax basis and changes in the valuation allowance. The deduction for statutory percentage depletion does not necessarily change proportionately to changes in income (loss) before income taxes.
Current wording
Our effective tax rate (ETR) is estimated at ~24% and ~13% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded income taxes using an estimated annual effective tax rate based upon projected annual income (loss), forecasted permanent tax differences, discrete items, and statutory rates in states in which we operate. Our ETR differs from the statutory rate due primarily to statutory depletion in excess of tax basis and changes in the valuation allowance. The deduction for statutory percentage depletion does not necessarily change proportionately to changes in income (loss) before income taxes.
Previous wording
Inventory is valued at a lower of cost or net realizable value (NRV). Anticipated utilization of low sulfur, higher-cost coal from our Freelandville, and Prosperity mines has the potential to create NRV adjustments as our estimated needs change. The NRV adjustments are subject to change as our costs may fluctuate due to higher or lower production and our NRV may fluctuate based on sales contracts we enter into from time to time. As of June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, coal inventory includes NRV adjustments of $0.9 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
Current wording
Inventory is valued at a lower of cost or net realizable value (NRV). Anticipated utilization of low sulfur, higher-cost coal from our Freelandville, and Prosperity mines has the potential to create NRV adjustments as our estimated needs change. The NRV adjustments are subject to change as our costs may fluctuate due to higher or lower production and our NRV may fluctuate based on sales contracts we enter into from time to time. As of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, coal inventory includes NRV adjustments of $1.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
Previous wording
Long-lived assets used in operations are depreciated and assessed for impairment annually or whenever changes in facts and circumstances indicate a possible significant deterioration in future cash flows is expected to be generated by an asset group. For impairment assessments, management groups individual assets based on a judgmental assessment of the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. The determination of the lowest level of cash flows is largely based on nature of production, common infrastructure, common sales points, common regulation and management oversight to make such determinations. These determinations could impact the determination and measurement of a potential asset impairment. Management evaluates assets for impairment through an established process in which changes to significant assumptions such as prices, volumes and future development plans are reviewed. If, upon review, the sum of the undiscounted pre-tax cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset group, the carrying value is written down to estimated fair value. Because there usually is a lack of quoted market prices for long-lived assets, the fair value of impaired assets is typically determined based on the present values of expected future cash flows using discount rates believed to be consistent with those used by principal market participants. The expected future cash flows used for impairment reviews and related fair value calculations are typically based on judgmental assessments of future volumes, commodity prices, operating costs and capital investment plans, considering all available information at the date of review. Changes to any of the market-based assumptions can significantly affect estimates of undiscounted and discounted pre-tax cash flows and impact the recognition and amount of impairments.
Current wording
Long-lived assets used in operations are depreciated and assessed for impairment annually or whenever changes in facts and circumstances indicate a possible significant deterioration in future cash flows is expected to be generated by an asset group. For impairment assessments, management groups individual assets based on a judgmental assessment of the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. The determination of the lowest level of cash flows is largely based on nature of production, common infrastructure, common sales points, common regulation and management oversight to make such determinations. These determinations could impact the determination and measurement of a potential asset impairment. This cash flow analysis is largely dependent upon the operating plans of the Company, which are reviewed by the Company and its Board of Directors no less than annually, normally during the 4 th quarter of each year. Changes in anticipated activity levels, pricing or operating expenses can have significant effects on the ultimate value of the undiscounted cash flow analysis.