Otter Tail Corp: Form 10-K for the period ended Dec 31, 2024

Otter Tail Corporation (OTC) is a holding company which has strategically invested in a portfolio of diversified operations including an electric utility and manufacturing and plastic pipe businesses with corporate offices located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota.

We classify our five operating companies into three reportable segments consistent with our business strategy and management structure. The following table depicts our three segments, and the subsidiary entities included within each segment:

Electric includes the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electric energy in western Minnesota, eastern North Dakota and northeastern South Dakota. Otter Tail Power (OTP), our primary business since 1907, serves approximately 134,000 customers in more than 400 communities across a predominantly rural and agricultural service territory.

Manufacturing consists of businesses engaged in the following manufacturing activities: contract machining; metal parts stamping; fabrication and painting; and production of plastic thermoformed horticultural containers, life science and industrial packaging, material handling components and extruded raw material stock. These businesses have manufacturing facilities in Georgia, Illinois and Minnesota and sell products primarily in the United States.

Plastics consists of businesses producing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe at plants in North Dakota and Arizona. The PVC pipe is sold primarily in the western half of the United States and Canada.

Throughout the remainder of this report, we use the terms "Company," "us," "our," or "we" to refer to OTC and its subsidiaries collectively. We will also refer to our Electric, Manufacturing and Plastics segments and our individual subsidiaries as indicated above.

INVESTMENT AND GROWTH STRATEGY

Our investment and growth strategy is focused on our electric utility as our foundational business, complemented by our investments in our Manufacturing and Plastics segments (collectively, our Manufacturing Platform). This strategic diversification allows us to maintain a moderate risk profile while driving growth through rate base investments in our Electric segment and organic growth opportunities in our Manufacturing Platform. This strategy and risk profile are designed to provide a more predictable earnings stream, to provide growth over long-term cycles, to produce returns above the utility industry average, to support investment grade credit ratings, and to provide for dividend payments to our shareholders.

Our long-term focus remains on executing our strategy to grow our business and achieving operational, commercial and talent excellence to strengthen our position in the markets we serve. Our long-term financial objectives include achieving a compounded annual growth rate in earnings per share in the range of 6 to 8%, with a long-term earnings mix of approximately 65% from our Electric segment and 35% from our Manufacturing Platform. We also are targeting an annual increase in our dividend to be in the range of 6 to 8%. We expect our earnings growth and cash flow generation to be driven by rate base investments in our Electric segment and from existing capacities and recent investments within our Manufacturing and Plastics segments.

Since 2021, our earnings mix has diverged from our long-term target of 65% from our Electric segment and 35% from our Manufacturing Platform and our earnings growth rate has exceeded our long-term targeted growth rate primarily due to market conditions within the PVC pipe industry. These conditions have led to significant revenue, earnings and cash flow growth in our Plastics segment. Currently, we expect these industry conditions to gradually normalize through 2027. As they do, we expect earnings and cash flow generation within our Plastics segment to moderate from current levels. Once these industry conditions have normalized, we expect to achieve our long-term financial objectives as outlined above.

We will continue to review our business portfolio to identify additional opportunities to improve our risk profile, enhance our credit metrics and generate additional sources of cash to support the organic growth opportunities in our Electric, Manufacturing, and Plastics segments. We will also evaluate opportunities to allocate capital to potential acquisitions. We are a committed long-term owner and do not acquire companies in pursuit of short-term gains. However, we will divest of businesses which no longer fit into our strategy and risk profile over the long term.

We maintain a set of criteria used in evaluating the strategic fit of our operating businesses. The operating company should:

• Maintain a minimum level of net earnings and a return on invested capital in excess of the Company’s weighted-average cost of capital,
• Have a strategic differentiation from competitors and a sustainable cost advantage,
• Operate within a stable and growing industry and be able to quickly adapt to changing economic cycles, and
• Have a strong management team committed to operational and commercial excellence.

Our actual mix of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 along with an historical average and long-term expectation are shown below:

HUMAN CAPITAL

Our employees are a critical resource for our business and an integral part of our success. We strive to provide an environment of opportunity and accountability where people are valued and empowered to do their best work. We are focused on the health and safety of our employees and creating a culture of inclusion, excellence and learning. We monitor various metrics and objectives associated with i) employee safety, ii) workforce stability, iii) management and workforce demographics, iv) leadership development and succession planning v) productivity, and vi) employee engagement. We have established the following in furtherance of these efforts:

Safety - Safety is one of our core values. In managing our business, we focus on the safety of our employees and have implemented safety programs and management practices to promote a culture of safety. Safety is also a metric used and evaluated in determining annual incentive compensation. We continually monitor the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Total Recordable Incident Rate (number of work-related injuries per 100 employees for a one-year period) and Lost Time Incident Rate (number of employees who lost time due to work-related injuries per 100 employees for a one-year period). New cases are reported and evaluated for corrective action during monthly safety meetings attended by safety professionals at all locations. Our 2024 Total Recordable Incident Rate was 1.64, compared to 1.70 in 2023 and our Lost Time Incident Rate was 0.16 in 2024, compared to 0.53 in 2023.

Employee and Leadership Development, Succession Planning and Training Programs - We invest in training and professional development for employees, management and leaders throughout the Company to ensure all have the necessary training and skills to perform their work well, and to build enterprise-wide understanding of our culture, strategy and processes. Annual succession planning, individual development planning, mentoring, and supervisory and leadership development programs all play a role in ensuring a capable leadership team now and in the future. Our skill progression and technical training programs help to retain a stable and skilled workforce.

Workforce Stability - Recruiting, retaining and developing employees is an important factor in our continued success and growth. We regularly evaluate our recruiting programs, employee retention and turnover rates.

Employee Engagement - To enhance the effectiveness of our workforce and to help our companies continue to be places where our employees choose to work and thrive, we have undertaken a multi-year series of employee engagement surveys. We use the feedback to help shape the employee programs of our organization.

Human Rights - We are committed to the protection of our employee’s freedom of expression and freedom of organization and assembly.

Inclusive Workplace - We hold every employee accountable for their behavior in maintaining a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. We have implemented education initiatives for all employees, aimed at inclusive leadership and a respectful workplace.

Code of Business Ethics - We require employees to complete training on several topics associated with our code of business ethics to reinforce our commitment to compliance with laws, regulations and values that guide who we are and how we do business.

As of December 31, 2024, we employed 2,133 full-time employees as shown in the table below:

As of December 31, 2024, 371 employees of OTP were represented by local unions of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers under two separate collective bargaining agreements expiring on August 31, 2026 and October 31, 2026. OTP has not experienced any strike, work stoppage or strike vote, and considers its present relations with employees to be good. None of the employees of our other operating companies are represented by local unions.

ELECTRIC Contribution to Operating Revenues: 39% (2024), 39% (2023), 38% (2022)

OTP, headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is a vertically integrated, regulated utility with generation, transmission and distribution facilities to serve its approximately 134,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a service area encompassing approximately 70,000 square miles of western Minnesota, eastern North Dakota and northeastern South Dakota.

CUSTOMERS

Our service territory is predominantly rural and agricultural and includes over 400 communities, most of which have populations of less than 10,000. While our customer base includes relatively few large customers, sales to commercial and industrial customers are significant and in 2024 two customers combined accounted for 19% of segment operating revenues.

The following charts summarize our retail electric revenues by state and by customer segment for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

In addition to retail revenue, our Electric segment also generates operating revenues from the transmission of electricity for others over the transmission assets we wholly or jointly own with other transmission service providers, and from the sale of electricity we generate and sell into the wholesale electricity market.

COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS

Retail electric sales are made to customers in assigned service territories. As a result, most retail customers do not have the ability to choose their electric supplier. Competition is present in some areas from municipally owned systems, rural electric cooperatives and, in certain respects, from on-site generators and co-generators. Electricity also competes with other forms of energy.

Competition also arises from customers supplying their own power through distributed generation, which is the generation of electricity on-site or close to where it is needed, designed to meet specific, local needs. The adoption of distributed generation can be impacted by the availability of tax credits associated with the development and use of distributed energy. Distributed energy resources can include combined heat and power, solar photovoltaic, wind, battery storage, thermal storage and demand-response technologies.

The degree of competition may vary from time to time depending on relative costs and supplies of other forms of energy and advances in technology. Irrespective of the competitive environment, we are focused on providing value to our customers and ensuring our retail rates remain among the lowest in the region and in the nation. In 2024, our summer residential rates were 16% below the regional average and 30% below the national average.

The following table presents our average retail rate per kilowatt-hour (kwh) by customer class and in total for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

Wholesale electricity markets are competitive under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) open access transmission tariffs, which require utilities to provide nondiscriminatory access to all wholesale users. In addition, the FERC has established a competitive process for the construction and operation of certain new electric transmission facilities under federal regulation. Certain states, including the three states in our service territory, have laws which provide the incumbent transmission owner the right of first refusal to construct and own new transmission facilities. Future changes to the laws which provide for the right of first refusal could impact the competitive conditions related to the construction of new transmission facilities.

OTP has franchises to operate as an electric utility in substantially all of the incorporated municipalities it serves. Franchise rights generally require periodic renewal. No franchises are required to serve unincorporated communities in any of the three states OTP serves.

GENERATION AND PURCHASED POWER

OTP primarily relies on company-owned generation, supplemented by power purchase agreements, to supply the energy to meet our customer needs. Wholesale market purchases and sales of electricity are used as necessary to balance supply and demand. Our mix of owned generation and wholesale market energy purchases to meet customer demand are impacted by wholesale energy prices and the relative cost of each energy source with wholesale market energy being utilized when it is determined to be beneficial to customers.

As of December 31, 2024, OTP’s wholly or jointly owned plants and facilities, as well as in place power purchase agreements, and their dependable kilowatt (kW) capacity were:

The following charts summarize the percentage of our generating capacity by source, including owned and jointly owned facilities and through power purchase arrangements, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:

Under the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) requirements, OTP is required to provide sufficient capacity through wholly or jointly owned generating capacity or power purchase agreements to meet its monthly weather-normalized forecast demand, plus a reserve obligation. MISO operates under a seasonal resource adequacy construct in which generation resources are accredited and planning reserve margin requirements are implemented on a seasonal basis. Current planning reserve margin requirements range between 9.0% and 33.9%, depending on the season.

The following charts summarize the percentage of retail kwh sold by source during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

Capacity Additions

As part of our investment plan to meet our future energy needs, the following projects are under development or construction:

Wind Energy Facility Upgrades consist of the replacement and upgrade of hubs, gearboxes, blades, generators and other components of our Ashtabula, Ashtabula III, Langdon and Luverne wind facilities at a total cost of approximately $230 million. Once complete, we expect the increased energy production from these facilities will be equivalent to an additional 40 megawatts (MW) of generation. Our Langdon facility upgrades were completed in the fourth quarter of 2024 and we anticipate the remaining facilities will be completed in 2025. Once complete, the energy production from each of these facilities is eligible for production tax credits (PTCs) over a ten-year period. We expect these projects will lower customer costs through a combination of fuel savings and the tax credit benefits afforded to our customers.

Solway Solar is a solar facility currently under development that is planned to be constructed adjacent to our existing Solway natural gas plant in northern Minnesota. The project is expected to add an additional 50 MW of generating capacity. We estimate the facility will be operational by the end of 2026 and OTP's capital investment is estimated to be $100 million. The recovery of the costs of this project remains subject to regulatory approval.

Abercrombie Solar is solar facility currently under development in southeastern North Dakota. In October 2024, we entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the development assets of the project, including approximately 3,400 acres of land, interconnection agreements, state and local permits, and all other assets of the project. We anticipate we will close on the purchase of the development project in late 2025 or early 2026 and estimate the facility will be operational by the end of 2028. Once complete, the facility is expected to have a generating capacity of 295 MW. OTP's capital investment in the project is estimated to be $450 million. The recovery of the costs of this project remains subject to regulatory approval.

ENERGY TRANSITION

OTP is transitioning to a lower-carbon and increasingly clean energy future, while maintaining affordable and reliable electricity to serve our customers. We have developed the following goals in furtherance of our efforts to support the energy transition:

Own or purchase energy generation that is 55% renewable by 2030.

Reduce carbon emissions from owned generation resources 50% by 2030 from 2005 levels.

Reduce carbon emissions from owned generation resources 97% by 2050 from 2005 levels.

We have undertaken numerous initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the process of generating electricity for our customers. Our recent initiatives include adding the 49 MW Hoot Lake Solar facility to our resource mix, the investment in our wind energy facility upgrades, the commencement of development of the 50 MW Solway Solar and 295 MW Abercrombie Solar facilities, and sponsoring energy conservation programs.

From 2005 through 2024, we have reduced our carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions approximately 40% and increased the amount of renewable generation resources we own or purchase through power purchase agreements by approximately 420 MW. We currently own or contract energy generation that is 37% renewable.

The following chart depicts our energy resource mix, which is the electricity we used to serve our customers in 2005 and 2024, and the projected mix in 2030 and 2050. The amounts include energy generated from owned resources, procured through power purchase agreements and energy purchased in the wholesale market:

RESOURCE MATERIALS

Coal is the principal fuel burned at our jointly owned Big Stone and Coyote Station generating plants. Coyote Station, a mine-mouth facility, burns North Dakota lignite coal. Big Stone Plant burns western subbituminous coal. We source coal for our coal-fired power plants through requirements contracts which do not include minimum purchase requirements but do require all coal necessary for the operation of the respective plant to be purchased from the counterparty. Our coal supply contracts for our Big Stone Plant and Coyote Station have expiration dates in 2026 and 2040, respectively.

The supply agreement between the Coyote Station owners, including OTP, and the coal supplier includes provisions requiring the Coyote Station owners to purchase the membership interests and pay off or assume loan and lease obligations of the coal supplier, as well as complete mine closing and post-mining reclamation, in the event of certain early termination events and at the expiration of the coal supply agreement in 2040. See below and Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report on Form 10-K for additional information.

Coal is transported to Big Stone Plant by rail and is provided under a common carrier rate which includes a mileage-based fuel surcharge.

We purchase natural gas for use at our combustion turbine facilities based on anticipated short-term resource needs. We procure natural gas from multiple vendors at spot prices in a liquid market primarily under firm delivery contracts.

TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

Our transmission and distribution assets deliver energy from energy generation sources to our customers. In addition, we earn revenue from the transmission of electricity over our wholly or jointly owned transmission assets for others under approved rate tariffs. As of December 31, 2024, we were the sole or joint owner of approximately 14,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines.

Midcontinent Independent System Operator

MISO is an independent, non-profit organization that operates the transmission facilities owned by other entities, including OTP, within its regional jurisdiction and administers energy and generation capacity markets. MISO has operational control of our transmission facilities above 100 kilovolts (kV). MISO seeks to optimize the efficiency of the interconnected system, provide solutions to regional planning needs and minimize risk to reliability through its security coordination, long-term regional planning, market monitoring, scheduling and tariff administration functions.

Transmission Additions

MISO Tranche 1.0. In 2022, MISO approved several projects within the first tranche of its long-range transmission plan. Within the first tranche of projects, OTP will be a partial owner of two new 345 kV transmission projects. These projects will be developed and constructed over several years and OTP's total investment in these projects is estimated to be $475 million.

Jamestown-Ellendale includes the construction of a new 345 kV transmission line in southeastern North Dakota spanning approximately 95 miles from Jamestown, North Dakota to Ellendale, North Dakota. This project is in the initial stages of planning and development and is expected to be completed in 2028.

Big Stone South-Alexandria-Big Oaks includes the construction of a new 345 kV transmission line in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota and the addition of a second circuit to an existing 345 kV line in central Minnesota. The new transmission line will span approximately 100 miles between Big Stone, South Dakota and Alexandria, Minnesota. A second circuit will be added to the existing transmission line spanning from Alexandria, Minnesota to Big Oaks, Minnesota. This project is in the initial stages of planning and development and is expected to be completed in 2032.

MISO Tranche 2.1. In December 2024, MISO approved several projects within the second tranche of its long-range transmission plan. Within this second tranche of projects, we anticipate OTP will be a partial owner of three projects, including a new 345 kV transmission line, a new 765 kV transmission line, and the addition of a second circuit to an existing 345 kV transmission line. These projects will be developed and constructed over several years and OTP's total investment in these projects is estimated to be $700 million.

Bison-Alexandria includes the construction of a second 345 kV circuit, which is being added to an existing transmission line in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota. This project is in the initial stages of planning and development and is expected to be completed in 2032.

Maple River-Cuyuna includes the construction of a new 345 kV transmission line in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota, as well as investment in substation expansion. This project is in the initial stages of planning and development and is expected to be completed in 2033.

Big Stone South-Brookings County includes the construction of a new 765 kV transmission line in eastern South Dakota, as well as investment in substation expansion. This project is in the initial stages of planning and development and is expected to be completed in 2034.

Joint Targeted Interconnection Queue (JTIQ). In December 2024, MISO and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) approved a set of transmission projects that are part of a collaboration between MISO and SPP to construct high-voltage transmission lines along the MISO and SPP seam, which spans seven states - Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. These projects will improve reliability and resolve constraints in the transmission system to allow for up to 30 gigawatts of new generation to be added to the system.

OTP expects to participate in one JTIQ project, being the sole owner of a new 345 kV transmission line spanning from Big Stone, South Dakota to Hankinson, North Dakota, and a partial owner of a new 345 kV line spanning from Hankinson, North Dakota to Bison, North Dakota. In October 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) approved a grant in an amount up to 25% of the total JTIQ project costs. OTP's capital investment in these projects, after the impact of the 25% DOE grant, is estimated to be $450 million.

SEASONALITY

Electricity demand is affected by seasonal weather differences, with peak demand occurring in the summer and winter months. As a result, our Electric segment operating results regularly fluctuate on a seasonal basis. In addition, fluctuations in electricity demand within the same season but between years can impact our operating results. We monitor the level of heating and cooling degree days in a period to assess the impact of weather-related effects on our operating results between periods.

PUBLIC UTILITY REGULATION

OTP is subject to regulation of rates and other matters in each of the three states in which it operates and by the federal government for, among other matters, the interstate transmission of electricity. OTP operates under approved retail electric tariff rates in all three states it serves. Tariff rates are designed to recover plant investments, a return on those investments and operating costs. In addition to determining rate tariffs, state regulatory commissions also authorize return on equity (ROE), capital structure and depreciation rates of our capital investments. Decisions by our regulators significantly impact our operating results, financial position and cash flows.

Below is a summary of the regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over OTP covered by each regulatory agency:

In addition to base rates, which are established through periodic rate case proceedings within each state jurisdiction, there are other mechanisms for recovery of our capital investments and operating costs between rate cases. The following table summarizes these recovery mechanisms:

Resource Planning

Under Minnesota law, utilities are required to submit for approval by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) a 15-year advance Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). An IRP is a set of resource options a utility could use to meet the service needs of its customers over the forecast period, including an explanation of the utility’s supply and demand circumstances, and the extent to which each resource option would be used to meet those service needs. The MPUC’s findings of fact and conclusions regarding IRPs are considered to be prima facie evidence, subject to rebuttal, in future rate reviews and other proceedings.

Under North Dakota law, utilities are required to submit for approval by the North Dakota Public Service Commission (NDPSC) a 15-year advance IRP every three years.

South Dakota does not have a formal advance IRP process.

Capital Structure Petition

Minnesota law requires an annual filing of a capital structure petition with the MPUC. In this filing, the MPUC reviews and approves OTP's capital structure. Once approved, OTP may issue securities without further petition or approval, provided the issuance is consistent with the purposes and amounts set forth in the approved petition. OTP’s current capital structure approved by the MPUC on July 30, 2024, allows for an equity-to-total-capitalization ratio between 47.2% and 57.7%, with total capitalization not to exceed $2.2 billion.

Renewable Energy Standard

Minnesota has adopted a renewable energy standard requiring utilities to generate or procure sufficient renewable generation such that the following percentages of total retail electric sales to Minnesota customers come from qualifying renewable sources: 25% by 2025 and 55% by 2035. Qualifying renewable sources are classified as wind, hydropower, hydrogen and certain biomass generation. We met the current renewable sources requirements with a combination of owned renewable generation and purchases from renewable generation sources. Minnesota law also requires 1.5% of total Minnesota retail electric sales by public utilities to be supplied by solar energy. For a public utility with between 50,000 and 200,000 retail electric customers, such as OTP, at least 10% of the 1.5% requirement must be met by solar energy generated by or procured from solar photovoltaic devices with a nameplate capacity of 40 kW or less. We met the current solar requirement with a combination of owned solar generation and solar renewable energy certificate (REC) purchases. We plan to comply with the requirements of this standard in the future through a combination of our existing and projected renewable generation fleet.

Minnesota Clean Energy Law

In February 2023, Minnesota enacted the Clean Energy Law, which requires electric utilities to generate or procure sufficient electricity from carbon-free resources, to provide retail customers in Minnesota with at least the following percentages of carbon-free electric energy: 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040. Carbon-free resources include wind, solar, hydropower and nuclear generation. To provide flexibility, the law allows electric utilities to use RECs to offset carbon emissions and for the MPUC to consider whether a regulated utility's requirement to meet established standards should be delayed due to affordability or reliability impacts. We anticipate at least 80% of our Minnesota retail sales will be served with carbon-free generation by 2030, in compliance with Minnesota's clean energy requirements.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

OTP is subject to stringent federal and state environmental standards and regulations regarding, among other things, air, water and solid waste pollution. OTP's facilities have been designed, constructed and, as necessary, updated to operate in compliance with applicable environmental regulations. However, new or amended laws and regulations or changes in interpretations of current laws and regulations may require additional pollution control equipment or other emission reduction measures which may require future capital investments or ongoing operating and monitoring costs.

Financial Impacts

For the five-year period ended December 31, 2024, OTP invested approximately $4.8 million in environmental control equipment, including $1.7 million in 2024. Our capital budget for the next five years includes approximately $9.0 million of capital investments in environmental control equipment. The timing and amount of our expenditures may change as the regulatory environment changes.

Emerging Environmental Regulation

Regional Haze Rule (RHR). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted the RHR in an effort to improve visibility in national parks and wilderness areas. The RHR requires states, in coordination with the EPA and other governmental agencies, to develop and implement state implementation plans (SIPs) that work towards achieving natural visibility conditions by the year 2064; to set goals to ensure reasonable progress is being made; and to periodically evaluate whether those goals and progress are on track or whether additional emission reductions are necessary. The second RHR implementation period covers the years 2018-2028.

Coyote Station, OTP's jointly owned coal-fired power plant in North Dakota, is subject to assessment in the second implementation period under the North Dakota SIP. The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) submitted its SIP to the EPA in August 2022. In its plan, the NDDEQ concluded it is not reasonable to require additional emission controls during this planning period.

On December 2, 2024, the EPA published its final ruling on North Dakota's SIP, approving certain aspects of the plan and disapproving other aspects of the plan. Regarding the partial disapproval, the EPA found that North Dakota failed to submit a long- term strategy that includes enforceable emissions limitations, compliance schedules, and other measures necessary to make reasonable progress on national visibility goals. Specific to Coyote Station, the EPA found that North Dakota relied on non-statutory visibility modeling to reject the installation of additional nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission controls.

Having disapproved, in part, the North Dakota SIP, the EPA now must promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan within two years from the issuance of its final decision. The Federal Implementation Plan may include emission controls required to satisfy the requirements of the RHR.

We cannot predict with certainty the final resolution of regional haze compliance in North Dakota and specifically the impact, if any, on the operations of Coyote Station. However, significant emission control investments could be required which may have a material impact on our operating results, financial condition and liquidity. Alternatively, such investments may prove to be uneconomic and result in the early closure, sale of or withdrawal from our interest in Coyote Station.

Clean Air Act. In May 2024, the EPA finalized new regulations under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act to regulate GHG emissions from existing and new fossil fuel-based power plants. The final rule establishes subcategories for new combustion turbines and existing coal-fired power plants to achieve certain CO2 emission reduction levels based on the respective subcategory. For existing coal-fired power plants, the applicable subcategory is based upon the date at which the plant will cease operations.

For existing coal-fired power plants anticipated to be operated after January 2039, the regulation set a Best System of Emission Reduction (BSER) based on 90% capture and sequestration of CO2 emissions with a compliance date of January 2032. For existing coal-fired power plants anticipated to be operated after January 2032 but plan to cease operations before January 2039, the regulation set a BSER of 40% co-firing with natural gas, which would result in a 16% reduction in CO2 emissions rate with a compliance date of January 2030. Coal-fired power plants with federally enforceable plans to cease operations by January 2032 are not subject to this regulation.

Several states and industry groups have filed lawsuits challenging the new regulation, arguing the EPA has overstepped its authority under the Clean Air Act.

We continue to review and evaluate the final regulations and the ongoing legal challenges. We cannot at this time conclude what the impact may be on our power plants and the potential impact to our operating results, financial condition and liquidity. However, significant emission control investments could be required, which may have a material impact on our operating results, financial condition and liquidity. Alternatively, such investments may prove to be uneconomic and result in the early closure, sale of or withdrawal from our interest in a coal-fired plant. Coyote Station and Big Stone Plant, our two co-owned coal-fired power plants, are within the scope of the regulations but our combustion turbines are not within the scope of the final regulation.

Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) Regulation. In May 2024, the EPA published a final rule amending CCR regulations, which introduce new requirements for the management of coal ash at active coal-fired power plants and inactive coal-fired power plants with a legacy surface impoundment. The regulations impose new requirements including groundwater monitoring, closure standards, post-closure care obligations and potential remediation activities. We anticipate we will incur costs related to coal ash removal and groundwater monitoring in the future as a result of the amended regulation; however, we continue to review and evaluate the overall impact this regulation may have on our business, including potential impacts to our operating results, financial condition and liquidity.

Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. In May 2024, the EPA published final regulations to strengthen and update Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for coal-fired power plants, tightening the emission standard for toxic metals and finalizing a reduction standard for mercury from existing lignite-fired sources. We continue to review and evaluate the overall impact this regulation may have on our business, including potential impacts to our operating results, financial condition and liquidity.

Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Regulation

Global climate change presents a significant energy and environmental policy challenge. Combustion of fossil fuels for the generation of electricity is a considerable source of CO2 emissions, which is the primary GHG emitted by our utility operations. The federal government, many states and international organizations are pursuing climate policies to regulate GHG emissions as part of a broad-based effort to limit global warming.

The Minnesota Clean Energy Law, passed in 2023, requires electric utilities to generate or procure sufficient electricity from carbon-free resources to provide retail customers in Minnesota with at least the following percentages of carbon-free electric energy: 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040.

The implementation of climate change programs, such as the Minnesota Clean Energy Law, regulations under the Clean Air Act and other existing or future federal or state regulations targeting GHG emissions, may have a significant impact on our utility business.

While the future financial impact of any current, proposed or pending regulation of GHG or other emissions is unknown at this time, any capital or operating costs incurred for additional pollution control equipment or emission reduction measures could materially adversely impact our future operating results, financial position and liquidity unless such costs could be recovered through related rates and/or future market prices for energy.

MANUFACTURING Contribution to Operating Revenues: 26% (2024), 30% (2023), 27% (2022)

Our Manufacturing businesses are engaged in the production of metal or plastics products sold to commercial customers. The following is a brief description of each of these businesses:

BTD Manufacturing, Inc. (BTD), with facilities in Detroit Lakes and Lakeville, Minnesota, Washington, Illinois and Dawsonville, Georgia, provides metal fabrication services for custom machine parts and metal components. BTD is a full-service contract metal fabricator with capabilities in metal stamping and fabrication, tool and die, machining, tube bending, welding, assembly and product painting.

T.O. Plastics, Inc. (T.O. Plastics), with facilities in Otsego and Clearwater, Minnesota, manufactures thermoformed plastics products, including its own line of horticulture containers and custom packaging products for the medical and industrial product markets.

CUSTOMERS

Our metal fabrication business primarily serves Midwestern and Southeastern U.S. original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in the recreational vehicle, lawn and garden, agricultural, construction, industrial, energy equipment and other end markets. Our customers include some of the largest recreational vehicle and equipment manufacturers based in the U.S.

Our plastic products business primarily serves U.S. customers in the horticulture, medical and life sciences, industrial, recreational and electronics industries. Most of our horticulture products are sold through distributors. Our customer packaging products are manufactured to customer specifications and sold directly to the end customer.

Although we sell our products to a large number of customers across a diverse group of end markets, two customers combined to account for approximately 36% of segment operating revenues in 2024.

The principal method of production distribution is by direct shipment to our customers through direct customer pick-up or common carrier ground transportation.

The following presents our revenue by end market for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS

We compete in a highly fragmented market with competition from both domestic and international entities. Our competitors vary in size, ranging from small companies focused on certain end markets or geographical area, to large companies with broad manufacturing capabilities and domestic and international geographical reach. Competition can be geographically regionalized as customers procure products locally to manage cost and minimize logistical complexities. Certain competitors may have broader product lines, more manufacturing capacity and greater distribution capabilities than we do.

We believe the principal competitive factors in our Manufacturing segment are product performance, quality, price, technical innovation, cost effectiveness, customer service and breadth of product line. We intend to continue to compete based on high quality products, innovative production technologies, cost-effective manufacturing techniques, close customer relations and support, and increasing product offerings.

In December 2024, we completed an expansion project at our Georgia location, which added approximately 162,000 square feet of owned manufacturing and warehouse space and will replace a warehouse facility that is currently being leased near the same location. This expansion provides additional manufacturing capacity in the southeastern U.S. to meet customer demand as their manufacturing base expands in the same region.

RESOURCE MATERIALS

We use raw materials in the products we manufacture, including, among others, steel, aluminum, and polystyrene and other plastics resins. Managing price volatility and ensuring raw material availability are important aspects of our business. We attempt to pass increases in the costs of these raw materials through to our customers. Increases in the costs of raw materials that cannot be passed on to customers could have a negative effect on profit margins. Additionally, a certain amount of residual material (scrap) is a by-product of the manufacturing and production processes. Declines in commodity prices for these scrap materials due to weakened demand or excess supply can negatively impact the profitability of our Manufacturing segment.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

Our manufacturing businesses are subject to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including those governing discharges to air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances, the cleanup of contaminated sites and health and safety matters.

PLASTICS Contribution to Operating Revenues: 35% (2024), 31% (2023), 35% (2022)

Our Plastics businesses produce PVC pipe at plants in North Dakota and Arizona. The following is a brief description of these businesses:

Northern Pipe Products, Inc. (Northern Pipe), located in Fargo, North Dakota, manufactures and sells PVC pipe for municipal water, rural water, wastewater, storm drainage systems and other uses in the northern, midwestern, south-central and western regions of the United States as well as central and western Canada.

Vinyltech Corporation (Vinyltech), located in Phoenix, Arizona, manufactures and sells PVC pipe for municipal water, wastewater, water reclamation systems and other uses in the western, northwest and south-central regions of the United States.

PVC pipe is manufactured through an extrusion process, during which PVC compound (a dry powder-like substance) is blended with other materials and introduced into an extrusion machine, where it is heated to a molten state and then forced through a sizing apparatus to produce the pipe. The newly extruded pipe is pulled through a series of water-cooling tanks, marked to identify the type of pipe and cut to finished lengths. We produce pipe in a variety of diameters ranging from 3/4" to 24" and in varying lengths, generally from 10 feet to 20 feet.

CUSTOMERS

Our PVC pipe is used in municipal and wastewater systems, residential and commercial plumbing applications, and rural water systems.

Our pipe products are marketed through a combination of independent sales representatives, company salespersons and customer service representatives. Substantially all of our products are sold through distribution partners, which range from large, national distributors to smaller regional or local distributors. In 2024, two customers, both of which are distributors of PVC pipe, combined to account for 52% of segment operating revenues.

The principal method for distribution of our products is by common carrier ground transportation.

The following presents our revenue by end market for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS

Competition in the plastic pipe industry arises from other PVC pipe manufacturers and the fungible nature of the product. Due to shipping costs, competition is usually regional instead of national in scope. The principal factors of competition are price, customer service, product availability, shipping costs and product performance.

Industry competition is characterized by a limited number of competitors, with the three largest competitors capturing a significant portion of the overall market. These competitors have a broader geographical reach, integration with PVC resin producers, greater manufacturing capacity and national relationships with key distribution partners. We compete on a regional basis, serving our core markets with strong customer service and high-quality products.

In addition to competition with other PVC pipe manufacturers, our PVC pipe competes with other products that serve the same end markets, including ductile iron, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), steel and concrete pipe products.

We will continue to compete based on our high level of service quality, including being a responsive and reliable partner to our customers, through maintaining product availability, by producing high-quality products and using cost-effective production techniques.

In December 2024, we completed an expansion project at our Arizona location, which added approximately 62,000 square feet of manufacturing, warehouse and office space, allowing for additional manufacturing capacity, including the ability to produce large diameter pipe to serve our customers in our regional market.

RESOURCE MATERIALS

PVC resins are acquired in bulk and shipped to our facilities by rail. There are four vendors from which we can source our PVC resin requirements and in 2024 we utilized all four vendors to source our PVC resin. Our contractual arrangements to acquire resin generally include estimated annual order quantities, with no required minimum purchases, and include variable pricing based on market prices for resin. The supply of PVC resin may also be limited due to manufacturing capacity and the limited availability of raw material components, along with rail transportation disruptions from PVC resin plants to our facilities. Most U.S. resin production plants are located in the Gulf Coast region. These plants are subject to the risk of damage and production shutdowns because of exposure to hurricanes or other extreme weather events that occur in this part of the United States. The loss of a key vendor or any interruption or delay in the supply of PVC resin could disrupt the ability of our Plastics segment businesses to manufacture products, cause customers to cancel orders or result in increased expenses for obtaining PVC resin from alternative sources, if such sources were available. We believe we have good relationships with our key raw material vendors.

Due to the commodity nature of PVC resin and the dynamic supply and demand factors worldwide, historically the market for PVC resin has been cyclical and subject to significant fluctuations in price.

In addition to PVC resin, we use certain other materials, such as stabilizers, waxes, gaskets and lumber, in the process of manufacturing and shipping our PVC pipe products. We generally source these materials from a limited number of suppliers, and supply chain constraints or disruptions related to these materials could disrupt our ability to manufacture or ship products and could result in increased costs.

SEASONALITY

Demand for our PVC pipe products can be impacted by seasonal weather differences, with generally lower sales volumes realized in the first quarter of the year when cold temperatures and frozen ground across the northern portion of our footprint can delay or prevent construction activity and consequently delay or prevent customer orders of PVC pipe.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

Our plastics businesses are subject to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including those governing discharges to air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances, the cleanup of contaminated sites and health and safety matters.

RISK FACTORS AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

Our businesses are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Any of the risks described below or elsewhere in this report on Form 10-K or in our other SEC filings could materially adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and liquidity. Additional risks and uncertainties we are not presently aware of or that we currently consider immaterial may also affect our business, operating results, financial condition and liquidity.

OPERATIONAL RISKS

Our strategy includes large capital investments, which are subject to risks.

Our business strategy includes major capital investments at our operating companies. These capital projects are planned years in advance of their in-service dates and are subject to various risks including adverse changes in regulatory treatment or public policy; changes in commodity pricing or construction costs; delivery of critical materials; obtaining necessary permits and licenses; and other adverse conditions. Capital investments in our Electric segment require regulatory approval and are subject to the risks of not being granted timely approval or allowed to be fully recovered. In addition, our ability to construct and own utility assets may be impacted by regulatory requirements to competitively bid such investments, which could impact the amount and timing of our capital investments. A lack of direct ownership, or the inability to complete capital projects on budget and in a timely manner could impact our ability to achieve our strategic financial goals and could adversely impact our operating results and financial condition.

Weather impacts, including seasonal fluctuations, could adversely affect our operating results.

Our Electric segment business is seasonal, and weather patterns have had an impact on our financial performance in the past and may again in the future. Demand for electricity is normally greater in the winter and summer months. Unusually mild summers and winters could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Our Plastics segment businesses can be affected by seasonal weather prohibiting or delaying construction projects at any time of the year in any geography, but specifically times of the year when frozen ground and cold temperatures in many parts of the country can delay construction projects, all of which can result in reduced customer demand and could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

We are subject to physical and transition risks associated with climate change and extreme weather events.

Longer term shifts in climate patterns may impact our customers' demand for electricity, interrupt our business operations and damage our facilities; reduce the availability of natural resources, such as water; and cause disruptions in our supply chains.

Climate change may increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as prolonged periods of extreme cold or heat, and natural disasters, such as severe snow and ice storms, tornadoes, flooding and wildfires. These acute events could result in the interruption of our business operations and damage to our facilities. We may not have sufficient insurance coverage to avoid adverse impacts to our operating results or financial condition from damage to our facilities or an interruption in our business. An extreme weather event within our utility service area could directly affect our capital assets, causing disruption in service to customers, and result in reduced operating revenues and additional repair or replacement costs, due to downed wires and poles or damage to other operating equipment.

In the past, severe weather events in the Gulf Coast region of the U.S. have disrupted the supply of PVC resin, the primary material input of our Plastics segment businesses. As most U.S. PVC resin production plants are located in the Gulf Coast region, an area prone to seasonal hurricane activity and other extreme weather events, our access to PVC resin may be impacted by the volume and magnitude of hurricane and storm activity in this region, which could impact our Plastics segment businesses.

Increased risk of natural disasters, such as wildfires, could have financial consequences, including limiting our ability to secure sufficient insurance coverage, or lead to increased insurance cost. While we carry liability insurance, given an extreme event, if we were found to be liable for damages, amounts that exceed our coverage limit could negatively impact our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

These risks may also negatively impact our credit ratings, which may limit our access to capital markets and increase our borrowing costs. In addition, to the extent investors view climate change, fossil fuel combustion and GHG emissions as a financial risk, our stock price or our ability to access capital markets on favorable terms and conditions could be adversely impacted.

We may experience transition risks in moving towards low carbon generation and manufacturing. For example, we may face challenges with the adoption of new technologies, meeting changing customer expectations, ensuring reliability of electric service, and committing to voluntary GHG emissions reduction goals, as well as complying with evolving local, state or federal regulatory requirements intended to reduce GHG emissions.

Our operations are subject to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.

We are subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other things, discharges to air and water, natural resources, hazardous waste and toxic substances, the cleanup of contaminated sites, and health and safety matters. Our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could result in civil or criminal fines or penalties, enforcement actions, and regulatory or judicial orders enjoining or curtailing operations or requiring corrective measures, which could materially and adversely affect our business. Compliance with these laws and regulations is a significant factor in our business. We have incurred and expect to continue to incur capital expenditures and operating costs to comply with applicable current and future laws and regulations.

Our businesses continue to be subject to additional and changing environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and we could incur additional costs complying with requirements that are promulgated in the future. New laws or regulations or changes to existing laws and regulations in the future may result in disruptions to our business, changes in customer preferences or changes in customer demand, which could adversely impact our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

Recently, various federal and state agencies have heightened their scrutiny of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are manufactured chemicals used in a variety of consumer and industrial products. Regulators have recently proposed additional chemicals be designated as hazardous substances, including a proposal to designate perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid, two of the most common PFAS chemicals, as hazardous substances, which could have wide-ranging impacts on companies across various industries, including ours. At this time, we cannot predict the outcome or the severity of the impact, if any, of future laws or regulations enacted to address PFAS.

Claims, litigation, government investigations and other proceedings may adversely affect our business, operating results and liquidity.

We are periodically subject to actual and threatened claims, litigation, investigations and other proceedings, including proceedings by governments and regulatory authorities, involving utilities regulation, competition and antitrust, product quality matters, and liability claims.

Any of these proceedings, including the currently ongoing proceedings related to our Plastics segment businesses, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results and liquidity. It is possible that a resolution of one or more proceedings, including as a result of a settlement, could involve damages, sanctions, consent decrees or orders requiring us to make substantial future payments, prevent us from offering certain products or services, require us to change our business practices in a manner materially adverse to our business, otherwise disrupt our business, divert management resources, damage our reputation or otherwise have a material effect on our operations. The outcomes of these matters are inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties, and we are unable to determine the likelihood of an outcome or estimate a range of reasonably possible losses, if any, arising from the proceedings at this time.

A cyber incident, security breach or system failure could adversely affect our business and operating results.

The operation of our business is dependent on the secure functioning of our computer hardware and software systems, as well as that of third-party service providers and vendors. Information systems, both ours and those of third parties, are vulnerable to security breaches by computer hackers and cyber terrorists, system failures, the negligent or intentional breach of established controls and procedures or mismanagement of confidential information by employees. Cyber-attacks or other security breaches may also be perpetrated through the use of artificial intelligence, which could introduce additional complexity to such an attack or breach. While we employ a defense-in-depth strategy and regularly conduct cybersecurity assessments, we cannot be certain our information security systems and protocols and those of our vendors and other third parties are sufficient to withstand a cyber-attack or other security breach.

A system failure could result in a disruption to our business including, but not limited to, the inability to produce products or serve our customers. A prolonged system failure could negatively impact our operating results. A major cyber incident could result in significant expenses to investigate and repair security breaches or system damage, and could lead to litigation, fines, other remedial action, heightened regulatory scrutiny and damage to our reputation. For example, we may be subject to liability under various federal, state and international disclosure laws and data protection laws. These laws are subject to change and expansion and may require additional operational changes and costs to comply.

The misappropriation, corruption or loss of personally identifiable information and other confidential data could lead to significant monetary damages, regulatory enforcement actions and breach notification and mitigation expenses, such as credit monitoring, and result in reputational damage affecting relations with shareholders, customers, regulators and others. In addition to property and casualty insurance, which may cover restoration of data, certain physical damage or third-party injuries, we have cybersecurity insurance related to a breach event. However, damage and claims arising from such incidents may not be covered or may exceed the amount of any available insurance.

The loss of or significant reduction in revenue from any of our key customers could have an adverse effect on our operating results.

In 2024, a single customer provided more than 10% of our consolidated operating revenues, and each of our segments have customers which accounted for over 10% of the segment’s operating revenues. In 2024, two customers combined to account for 19% of Electric segment revenues, two customers combined to account for 36% of Manufacturing segment operating revenues and two customers combined to account for 52% of Plastics segment operating revenues, with one of those customers providing more than 10% of our consolidated operating revenues. The loss of any one of these customers or a significant decline in sales to these customers, would have a significant negative impact on the segment's financial condition and operating results, and could have a significant negative impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

The inability to attract and retain a qualified workforce could have an adverse effect on our operations.

The success of our business is heavily dependent on the leadership of our executive officers and key employees for implementation of our strategy. In addition, all of our businesses rely on a qualified workforce, including technical employees who possess certain specialized knowledge and skills. The inability to attract and retain a skilled and stable workforce at necessary staffing levels, whether due to decreases in hiring rates, increases in employee retirements, increases in terminations, or any combination thereof, may negatively affect our ability to service our customers, manufacture products or successfully manage our business and achieve our objectives.

FINANCIAL RISKS

We are subject to capital market and interest rate risks.

We rely on access to debt and equity capital markets as a source of liquidity to fund our investment initiatives, including rate base growth investments in our Electric segment and opportunities for investment, including acquisitions, in our Manufacturing and Plastics segments. Capital markets are impacted by global and domestic economic conditions, monetary policy, commodity prices, geopolitical events and other factors. If we are unable to access capital on acceptable terms and at reasonable costs, our ability to implement our business plans may be adversely affected. In addition, higher market interest rates on outstanding variable-rate indebtedness could also impact our operating results.

A decrease in our credit ratings could increase our borrowing costs and result in additional contractual costs.

We rely on our investment grade credit ratings to provide acceptable costs for accessing the capital markets. A downgrade of our credit ratings could result in higher borrowing costs thereby negatively impacting our operating results and limiting our ability to access capital markets, which may negatively impact our ability to implement our business plans. In addition, OTP is a party to contracts that require the posting of collateral or settlement of applicable contracts if credit ratings fall below certain levels, which may negatively impact our financial condition or liquidity.

Our pension and other postretirement benefit plans are subject to investment and interest rate risks.

The financial obligations and related costs of our pension and other postretirement benefit plans are affected by numerous factors. Assumptions related to future costs, investment returns, actuarial estimates and interest rates have a significant effect on our funding obligations and the cost recognized related to these plans. If our pension plan assets do not achieve our estimated long-term rate of return or if our other estimates prove to be inaccurate, our operating results, financial condition and liquidity may be adversely impacted. In addition, our funding requirements could be impacted by changes to the Pension Protection Act.

We rely on our subsidiaries to provide sufficient earnings and cash flows to allow us to meet our financial obligations and pay dividends to our shareholders.

OTC is a holding company with no significant operations of its own. The primary source of funds for payment of our financial obligations and dividends to our shareholders is from cash provided by our subsidiary companies. Our ability to meet our financial obligations and pay dividends on our common stock principally depends on the earnings, cash flows, capital requirements and general financial positions of our subsidiary companies. In addition, OTP is subject to federal and state regulations which may restrict its ability to pay dividends. Finally, we are also reliant on our subsidiary companies to maintain compliance with financial covenants under our various short- and long-term debt agreements. Our debt agreements include restrictions on the payment of cash dividends upon an event of default.

Changes in tax laws could materially affect our financial condition and operating results.

Our provision for income taxes and tax obligations are impacted by various tax laws and regulations, including the availability of various tax credits, IRS tax policies such as tax normalization and, at times, the ability to carryforward net operating losses and tax credits. Changes in tax laws, regulations and interpretations could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results. Tax law changes that reduce or eliminate production or investment tax credits (ITCs), or the ability to transfer or sell these credits, or a failure to meet the compliance requirements to receive these credits, may impact the economics of constructing certain electric generation resources, which may impact our planned investments, and could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

ELECTRIC SEGMENT RISKS

Our utility business is significantly impacted by government legislation and regulation.

OTP is subject to federal and state legislation and comprehensive regulation by federal and state regulatory agencies, including the public utility commissions in each of the three states in which OTP operates, and by the FERC.

Our financial condition, operating results and liquidity are significantly impacted by and dependent upon our ability to recover the costs associated with providing utility service and earn a return on our utility capital investments. There is no assurance that each state utility commission will judge our utility costs to have been prudently incurred or that rates will produce full recovery of such costs. In addition, changes in the federal or state regulatory framework could impair our ability to recover utility costs historically collected from our customers. Diverging public policy priorities across the jurisdictions we serve and a lack of inter-jurisdictional consensus may impact our ability to recover the cost of and return on our capital investments and our operating costs; it may impact our future capital investment opportunities; and may result in inefficiencies which could negatively impact our financial position, operating results and liquidity.

In addition to the recovery of our utility costs, our profitability is impacted by our authorized ROE, which can be impacted by macroeconomic factors such as interest rates. There can be no assurance that each state utility commission or the FERC will authorize a rate of return which allows us to achieve our financial goals. An adverse decision by one or more regulatory authorities or any prolonged delay in rendering a decision in a rate or other proceeding could adversely impact our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

Inflationary cost pressures have increased the cost of constructing our utility assets and operating our utility business. There can be no assurance that our state regulatory commissions will authorize recovery of rising costs. Regulatory commissions may also limit future capital investments, or the rate of return allowed on such investments in response to inflationary cost pressures and customer bill impacts. Such limitations could negatively impact our financial position, operating results and liquidity.

We may be unable to fully recover costs of our co-owned coal-fired generating facilities.

Changes in regulatory, operational or economic factors could result in the early closure or sale of or withdrawal from our interest in a coal-fired generating facility. In the event of an early closure, a significant asset impairment charge could be required, and we would be obligated to pay for our share of the costs of closure of the generating facility. In the event of a sale of our interest in a generating facility, we may be unable to negotiate the sale on favorable terms, which could result in the recognition of a loss on the sale. There can be no assurance that we would be authorized by any of our state utility commissions to recover any costs or losses associated with the early closure or sale of our interest in a generating facility.

Our IRP, approved in Minnesota by the MPUC in May 2024, directs OTP to commence activities to no longer serve Minnesota customers with capacity or energy from Coyote Station as early as 2029. The discontinuation of service to Minnesota customers from Coyote Station could result in stranded costs, which may significantly impact our operating results, financial condition and liquidity.

Environmental regulation could require us to incur substantial capital expenditures, increased operating costs or make it no longer economically viable to operate some of our facilities.

We are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, waste management, natural resources and health safety. These laws and regulations regulate the modification and operation of existing facilities, the construction and operation of new facilities and the proper storage, handling, cleanup and disposal of hazardous waste and toxic substances. Compliance with these legal requirements may require us to commit significant resources and funds toward environmental monitoring, installation and operation of pollution control equipment, payment of emission fees and securing environmental permits. Obtaining environmental permits can entail significant expense and cause substantial construction delays. Failure to comply with environmental laws and regulations, even if caused by factors beyond our control, may result in civil or criminal liabilities, penalties and fines.

Coyote Station, one of OTP's jointly owned coal-fired power plants, is subject to assessment under the second planning period of the RHR as part of the state of North Dakota's RHR SIP. In December 2024, the EPA partially disapproved the North Dakota SIP related to Coyote Station and now must promulgate a Federal Implementation Plan. The federal plan may include emission controls required to satisfy the requirements of the RHR. We cannot predict with certainty the final resolution of regional haze compliance in North Dakota and specifically the impact, if any, on the operations of Coyote Station. However, significant emission control investments could be required which may have a material impact on our operating results, financial condition and liquidity. Alternatively, such investments may prove to be uneconomic and result in the early closure, sale of, or withdrawal from, our interest in Coyote Station.

Existing environmental laws or regulations may be revised, and new laws or regulations may be adopted or become applicable to us. The multiple jurisdictions that govern our electric utility business may not agree as to the appropriate resource mix, which may lead to costs incurred to comply with one jurisdiction that are not recoverable across all jurisdictions served by the same assets. Revised or additional regulations which result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions, particularly if those costs are not fully recoverable from customers, could have a material effect on our financial condition, operating results and liquidity, making the operation of some of our facilities no longer economically viable.

Actions to address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions could materially impact us.

Current and future federal, state, regional and international legislation and regulations to address global climate change and reduce GHG emissions, including measures such as mandated levels of renewable generation, mandatory reductions in CO2 emission levels, taxes on CO2 emissions, or cap-and-trade regimes, could require us to incur significant costs, which could negatively impact our financial condition, operating results and liquidity if such costs cannot be recovered through rates granted by rate-making authorities or through increased market prices for electricity.

In May 2024, the EPA finalized new regulations under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act to regulate GHG emissions from existing and new fossil fuel-based power plants. The new regulations require existing coal-fired power plants to achieve certain CO2 emissions reduction levels, with the amount of reduction dependent upon the remaining operating life of the facility. The new regulation has the potential to materially impact the operations of our coal-fired power plants, which could have a material impact on our operating results, financial condition and liquidity.

In addition to complying with legislation and regulation, we could be subject to litigation related to climate change. If we were subjected to such litigation, the costs of such litigation could be significant and an adverse outcome could require substantial capital expenditures, changes in operations and possible payment of penalties or damages, which could affect our financial condition, operating results and liquidity if the costs are not recoverable in rates or covered by insurance.

General economic and industry conditions impact our business.

Several factors, many of which are beyond our control, may contribute to reduced demand for energy from our customers or increase the cost of providing energy to our customers. These risks include economic growth or decline in our service areas, demographic changes in our customer base and changes in customer demand or load growth due to, among other items, proliferation of distributed generation, energy efficiency initiatives and technological advancements. In addition, customer demand could be impacted by increased competition in our service territories or the loss of a service territory or franchise. Other risks include increased transmission or interconnection costs, generation curtailment and changes in the manner in which wholesale power is purchased and sold. A decrease in revenues or an increase in expenses related to our electric operations could negatively impact our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

Violations of extensive legal and regulatory compliance requirements could have a negative impact on our business and results of operations.

We are subject to an extensive legal and regulatory framework imposed under federal and state laws and regulatory agencies, including the FERC and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). We could be subject to potential financial penalties for compliance violations. Our transmission systems and electric generation facilities are subject to the NERC mandatory reliability standards, including cybersecurity standards. If a serious reliability incident were to occur, it could have a material effect on our operations or financial results. Some states have the authority to impose substantial penalties in the event of non-compliance. We attempt to mitigate the risk of regulatory penalties through formal training. However, there is no guarantee our compliance program will be sufficient to ensure against violations.

These laws and regulations significantly influence our operations and may affect our ability to recover costs from our customers. We are required to have numerous permits, licenses, approvals and certificates from the agencies and other organizations that regulate our business. We believe we have obtained the necessary approvals for our existing operations and that our business is conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements; however, we are unable to predict the impact on our operating results from the future regulatory activities of any of these agencies and other organizations. Changes in regulations or the imposition of additional regulations could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

Our generation, transmission and distribution facilities could be vulnerable to cyber and physical attack.

OTP owns electric transmission, distribution and generation facilities subject to mandatory and enforceable standards advanced by the NERC. These bulk electric system facilities provide the framework for the electrical infrastructure of OTP’s service territory and interconnected systems, the operation of which is dependent on information technology systems. Further, the information systems that operate OTP’s electric system are interconnected to external networks. Parties that wish to disrupt the U.S. bulk power system or OTP’s operations could view OTP’s computer systems, software or networks as attractive targets for cyber-attack.

In addition, OTP’s generation and transmission facilities are spread throughout a large service territory. These facilities could be subject to physical attack or vandalism that could disrupt OTP’s operations or conceivably the regional or U.S. bulk power system.

OTP is subject to mandatory cybersecurity and physical security regulatory requirements. OTP implements the NERC standards for operating its transmission and generation assets and remains abreast of best practices within the business and the utility industry to protect its computers and computer-controlled systems from outside attack. We rely on industry-accepted security measures and technology to securely maintain confidential and proprietary information necessary for the operation of our systems. In an effort to reduce the likelihood and severity of cyber intrusions, we have cybersecurity processes and controls, and disaster recovery plans designed to protect and preserve the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data and systems. We also take prudent and reasonable steps to protect the physical security of our transmission, distribution and generation facilities. However, all these measures and technology may not adequately prevent security breaches, ransomware attacks or other cyber-attacks, or enable us to recover effectively from such a breach or attack. Any significant interruption or failure of our information systems or any significant breach of security due to cyber-attacks, hacking or internal security breaches or physical attack of our generation or transmission facilities could adversely affect our business and our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

Our generation, transmission and distribution facilities are subject to operational risks, which include circumstances that could result in injuries, loss of life, property damage and fires.

The operation of our generation, transmission and distribution facilities involves many risks including equipment failures, accidents and workforce safety matters, environmental damage, property damage, operator error and the occurrence of catastrophic events such as fires, explosions and floods. Diminished availability or performance of those facilities could result in facility shutdowns, reduced customer satisfaction, reputational harm and regulatory inquiries and fines.

Accidents, fires, explosions, catastrophic failures, general system damage or dysfunction, intentional acts of destruction and other unplanned events related to our infrastructure would increase repair costs and may expose us to liability for personal injury, loss of life and property damage. Fires alleged to have been caused by our transmission, distribution or generation infrastructure, or that allegedly result from our contractors’ operating or maintenance practices, could also expose us to claims for fire suppression and clean-up costs, evacuation costs, fines and penalties, and liability for economic damages, personal injury, loss of life, property damage and environmental pollution, whether based on claims of negligence, trespass or otherwise. We maintain insurance coverage for such operating and event risks, but insurance coverage is subject to the terms and limitations of the available policies and may not be sufficient in amount to cover our ultimate liability. We may be unable to fully recover costs in excess of insurance through customer rates or regulatory mechanisms. If the amount of insurance is insufficient or otherwise unavailable, and if we are unable to fully recover in rates the costs of uninsured losses, our financial condition, operating results and liquidity could be materially affected.

Joint ownership of coal-fired generation facilities could impact our ability to manage changing regulations and economic conditions.

We own our coal-fired generation facilities jointly with other co-owners with varying ownership interests in such facilities. Our ability to make determinations to best navigate changing environmental regulations and economic conditions may be impacted by our rights and obligations under the co-ownership and related agreements, and our ability to reconcile a divergence in the interests of OTP and the co-owners of these generation facilities. Such a divergence could impair our ability to effectively manage these changing conditions to meet our strategic objectives, and could adversely impact our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

We are subject to risks associated with energy and capacity markets.

Our electric business is subject to the risks associated with energy and capacity markets, including changes in market supply, energy and capacity prices. If we need to procure market energy and are faced with shortages in market supply, we may be unable to fulfill our contractual obligations to our retail, wholesale and other customers at previously anticipated costs. This could force us to obtain alternative energy or fuel supplies at higher costs or suffer increased liabilities for unfulfilled contractual obligations. Changes in our own generation capacity or market capacity, including from changes in capacity accreditation, could lead to increased capacity prices. Significantly higher than expected energy or capacity costs could negatively affect our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

We are subject to risks associated with the procurement and transportation of fuel to our coal and natural gas-powered generation facilities.

We rely on a limited number of suppliers to provide coal and a limited number of service providers to transport coal and natural gas to our facilities. A counterparty's failure to perform their obligations may arise due to liquidity challenges or insolvency, operational deficiencies or other circumstances such as severe weather or natural disasters and could impact our ability to provide service to our customers or require us to seek alternative sources for these products and services, if available. A prolonged failure to perform by one or more of our current suppliers or service providers could lead to increased costs or other consequences, which could negatively impact our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

MANUFACTURING SEGMENT RISKS

We are impacted by our customers' strategies, operational decisions and conditions in the end markets they serve.

Our manufacturing businesses derive a large amount of their revenues from customers in the following industry sectors: recreational vehicle/powersports, lawn and garden, construction, agriculture, industrial, energy and horticulture. Factors affecting any of these industries in general could adversely affect our operating results, as growth in our operating revenues is largely dependent on the growth of our customers’ businesses in their respective industries. These factors include:

• our customers’ failure to successfully market their products, gain or retain widespread commercial acceptance of their products or compete effectively in their industries;
• loss of market share for our customers’ products, which may lead our customers to reduce or discontinue purchasing our products and components and to reduce prices, thereby exerting pricing pressure on us;
• economic conditions in the markets in which our customers operate, the United States in particular, including recessionary periods such as a global economic downturn;
• our customers’ decisions to bring the production of components in-house that have traditionally been outsourced to us; and
• seasonality of demand for our customers’ products, which may cause our manufacturing capacity to be underutilized for periods of time;
• product design changes or manufacturing process changes that may reduce or eliminate demand for the components we supply.

We expect future sales will continue to depend on the success of our customers. If economic conditions or demand for our customers’ products deteriorates, we may experience a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

The price and availability of raw materials could adversely impact our operating results.

The companies in our Manufacturing segment use a variety of raw materials in the products they manufacture including, among others, steel, aluminum, and polystyrene and other plastics resins. The price and availability of the raw materials used in our manufacturing processes are based on global supply and demand conditions, which can create volatile pricing and supply disruptions as conditions change. Federal trade policies, including imposed tariffs, can also impact prices for these raw materials. If we are unable to pass cost increases through to our customers or are unable to procure adequate or timely raw material inputs for use in our manufacturing processes, our financial condition, operating results and liquidity could be negatively impacted.

Additionally, a certain amount of residual material (scrap) is a by-product of the manufacturing and production processes used by our manufacturing companies. Declines in commodity prices for these scrap materials due to weakened demand or excess supply can negatively impact the profitability of our manufacturing companies as it reduces their ability to mitigate the cost associated with excess material.

Competition from domestic and foreign manufacturers could affect the revenues and earnings of our manufacturing businesses.

Our manufacturing businesses are subject to intense competition from domestic and foreign manufacturers, many of whom have broader product lines, greater distribution capabilities, greater capital resources, larger marketing, research and development personnel and facilities, and other capabilities. Our ability to compete on product performance, competitive pricing, technological innovation and customer service is critical to our ongoing success. If we are unable to compete in these and potentially other areas, our business and financial condition, operating results and liquidity could be adversely impacted.

Our business may be adversely affected if we are not able to maintain our manufacturing, engineering and technological expertise.

The markets for our manufacturing businesses are characterized by changing technology and evolving process development. The continued success of our businesses will depend on our ability to:

• maintain technological leadership in our industry;
• implement new and expand on current robotics, automation and tooling technologies; and
• anticipate or respond to changes in manufacturing processes in a cost-effective and timely manner.

We may be unable to develop the capabilities required by our customers in the future. The emergence of new technologies, industry standards or customer requirements may render our equipment, inventory or processes obsolete or noncompetitive. We may be required to acquire new technologies and equipment to remain competitive. The acquisition and implementation of new technologies and equipment may require us to incur significant expense and capital investment, which could reduce our margins and affect our operating results. Failure to anticipate and adapt to customers’ changing technological needs and requirements and to maintain manufacturing, engineering and technological expertise may have material adverse effects on our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

PLASTICS SEGMENT RISKS

External factors beyond our control could cause fluctuations in demand for and pricing of our PVC pipe products.

Our PVC pipe products, sold through distributors and wholesalers, are primarily used in municipal and rural water projects, wastewater projects, storm drainage systems and reclamation systems. External factors beyond our control can cause volatility in demand for our products and sales prices impacting our operating margins. These factors can magnify the impact of economic cycles on our business and results of operations. Examples of external factors include:

• general economic conditions including housing and construction markets which can be cyclical;
• increases in interest rates;
• severe weather and natural disasters;
• governmental regulation in the United States; and
• funding shortages for municipal water and wastewater projects.

Sales prices for PVC pipe began to significantly increase in 2021, reaching a peak level in mid-2022. Pipe prices have since retreated from the high point but remain elevated compared to historic levels. Elevated pipe prices led to a significant expansion in our operating margins and cash generation. We expect sales prices for PVC pipe to continue to decline, which will cause a decline in operating margins and cash generation prospectively. The pace and magnitude of the decline in product pricing could materially impact our operating results and liquidity.

Changes in PVC resin prices could negatively affect our plastics business.

The cost of PVC resin is based on global supply and demand conditions, which can create volatile pricing. Changes in PVC resin cost prices can negatively affect PVC pipe prices and profit margins on PVC pipe sales.

Our plastics operations are highly dependent on a limited number of vendors and a limited supply of PVC resin and other materials.

We rely on a limited number of vendors to supply the PVC resin used in our plastics businesses. In 2024, we sourced all of our PVC resin needs from four vendors. In addition, the supply of PVC resin may be limited primarily due to manufacturing capacity and the limited availability of raw material components. Most U.S. resin production plants are located in the Gulf Coast region. This could increase the risk of a shortage of resin in the event of a hurricane, other extreme weather events and other natural disasters in that region. The loss of a key vendor or any interruption or delay in the availability or supply of PVC resin could disrupt our ability to deliver our plastic products, cause customers to cancel orders or require us to incur additional expenses to obtain PVC resin from alternative sources, if such sources were available.

Although PVC resin is the most significant raw material input in our PVC pipe manufacturing process, we also use certain other materials, such as stabilizers, gaskets, lumber, banding and others in the process of manufacturing and shipping our PVC pipe products. We generally source these materials from a limited number of suppliers and any significant supply chain constraints or disruptions related to these materials could also disrupt our ability to manufacture or ship products and could result in increased costs.

We compete against other manufacturers of PVC pipe and manufacturers of alternative products.

Competition in the plastic pipe industry arises from other PVC pipe manufacturers and the fungible nature of the product. Certain of the companies we compete with have a broader geographical reach, integration with PVC resin producers, greater manufacturing capacity and national relationships with key distribution partners. In addition to competing with other plastic pipe manufacturers, our products also complete against similar products serving the same end markets, including ductile iron, HDPE, steel and concrete pipe. Our inability to compete effectively on product price, customer service and product performance may adversely affect the financial performance of our plastics businesses.

GENERAL RISK FACTORS

Changes in economic conditions and economic policies could negatively impact our businesses.

Our businesses are affected by local, national and worldwide economic conditions. Economic recessions, inflation, changes in commodity prices, changes in interest rates and tightening of credit in financial markets could adversely affect our operating results, financial condition and liquidity. In addition, changes in government policies, including trade regulations and tariffs, could impact our businesses, including increasing our costs of materials, negatively impacting our supply chain, reducing sales volumes of our products or services, or disrupting the competitive environment in which we operate. A broad increase in tariffs may also lead to elevated inflation and increased interest rates, which may negatively impact national economic conditions and impact our operating results, financial condition and liquidity.

If we are unable to achieve the organic growth we expect, our financial performance may be adversely affected.

We expect much of our growth in the next few years will come from major capital investments at existing companies. To achieve the organic growth we expect, we must have access to the capital markets, be successful with capital expansion programs related to organic growth, develop new products and services, expand our markets and increase efficiencies in our businesses. Competitive and economic factors could adversely affect our ability to do this. If we are unable to achieve and sustain consistent organic growth, we will be less likely to meet our earnings growth targets, which may adversely affect the market price of our common shares.

The effects of a major public health crisis, such as an epidemic or pandemic, and measures taken to reduce and slow the spread of the disease could adversely impact our business.

A future widespread outbreak of an infectious disease, which affects a large percentage of the population regionally, nationally or globally could impact our business operations, including our employees, customers, construction contractors, suppliers and vendors, and could impact our operating results, financial condition and liquidity.

CYBERSECURITY RISK

The operation of our businesses is dependent on the secure functioning of our computer infrastructure and digital information systems. Furthermore, all our businesses require us to collect and maintain sensitive customer data, as well as confidential employee and shareholder information, which is subject to electronic theft or loss. We also use third-party service providers to electronically process certain of our business transactions and perform certain cyber-related functions, such as system monitoring and critical infrastructure protection and maintenance. The confidentiality, integrity and availability of information systems, both ours and those of our third-party service providers, are vulnerable to security breaches by computer hackers and cyber terrorists and the negligent or intentional breach of established controls and procedures or mismanagement of confidential information by employees. We may also be impacted by attacks and data security breaches of financial institutions, merchants or other business partners. As part of our utility operations, we own electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities that are part of an interconnected regional grid, the operation of which is dependent on information technology systems. Parties who wish to disrupt the U.S. bulk power system or our utility operations could view our computer systems, software or networks as attractive targets for cyber-attack. Although we have not historically experienced material cyber incidents, we and other utilities are subject to cyber-attacks of increasing frequency and sophistication, and any significant interruption or failure of our information systems or any significant breach of security due to cyber-attacks, hacking or internal security breaches, could adversely affect our business and our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

RISK MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGY

Our cybersecurity policies and practices, which are based on the Center for Information Security (CIS) Critical Security Controls, are governed by our information and cybersecurity governance program. The CIS Critical Security Controls are a set of 18 cybersecurity-related controls which aid companies in designing an effective control environment and are viewed as best practices by organizations worldwide. A significant number of our cybersecurity policies and practices associated with our electric utility operations are also subject to regulation by multiple governmental and other agencies.

Our information and cybersecurity governance program is the foundation of our cybersecurity risk management strategy. The program includes policies which authorize and guide the development of procedures, standards and guidelines for personnel activities, incident prevention and reporting, and compliance monitoring. Cybersecurity policies, procedures and controls are reviewed and approved by our Information and Cybersecurity Program (ICSP) group annually, with amendments made as deemed necessary for any updates for regulatory compliance and best practices, legal privacy protection and information protection, or to reflect current technology or new methods for ensuring secure business procedures.

We perform a corporate risk assessment annually, which includes specific consideration and assessment of cybersecurity risk. As part of our risk assessment process, we incorporate results from procedures performed by third-party consultants. We utilize third-party consultants to perform penetration and vulnerability testing and monitoring, as well as overall cybersecurity control testing. Potential risks associated with the use of third-party service providers are monitored and managed through an established service provider management policy. Service providers must meet certain security requirements such as security incident or data breach notification and response protocols, data encryption requirements and data disposal commitments.

In managing cybersecurity risk, we employ a defense-in-depth strategy and regularly monitor our cyber environment for potential new threats. Our strategy includes employee training and awareness on cybersecurity risks and related best practices, required password complexity, the use of multi-factor authentication, information security protocols, anti-virus and anti-ransomware software, a patch management program, the execution of tabletop exercises on a periodic basis, established policies and protocols for cyber incident response planning and reporting, and ongoing internal cybersecurity testing.

GOVERNANCE

At the management level, our cyber program is managed by our ICSP group. The ICSP group consists of Information Technology (IT) managers, IT security subject matter experts, and internal audit personnel and is led by our Vice President of IT who has more than 25 years of experience in IT, enterprise security and cyber risk management, a Bachelor's degree of Science, CIS, Information Technology and Master's of Business, Information Systems, and holds Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Information Security Manager and Certified Data Privacy Solution Engineer designations. The ICSP group is in charge of developing, maintaining and measuring compliance with the information and cybersecurity governance program, as well as monitoring cyber incidents and implementing mitigation measures as part of an evolving, dynamic external environment. Our approach to cybersecurity incident reporting and response planning is governed by our incident response plans established for each of our business units. The plans outline the processes related to detecting, assessing, investigating, mitigating and remediating cyber incidents, as well the communication and reporting plan and the required personnel to be included in the process and communications.

Our cybersecurity risk management is integrated into our overall risk management system through our internal business risk management process. Our business risk management group works closely with our ICSP group to regularly assess and identify possible material risks from cybersecurity threats, including but not limited to, financial, operations, reputational and regulatory impact to the Company, as well as impacts on our employees and customers. Their risk assessment results are reported to our Executive Risk Committee on a quarterly basis. The Executive Risk Committee, which is comprised of our executive officers, meets quarterly to identify and assess short-, medium- and long-term risks, and to ensure adequate mitigation strategies are implemented. During these meetings, the Executive Risk Committee reviews significant and emerging risks, including cybersecurity risks, and assesses the Company’s plans to mitigate or otherwise manage and monitor those risks.

Our Board of Directors provides oversight of our cybersecurity program through quarterly and annual risk reviews and cybersecurity reporting. On a quarterly basis, cybersecurity risk and mitigation strategies are reviewed as part of our business risk management group's reporting to the Board of Directors, which includes the reporting of significant business risks, including cybersecurity mitigation strategies employed to manage these risks and a review of any emerging risks. At least annually, our Vice President of IT provides an overview of our cybersecurity program to the Board of Directors, including a review of key strategies, emerging risks and a summary of key performance indicators. In addition, annually the Board of Directors reviews the results of our penetration and vulnerability testing.

The following provides a summary of our properties which are material to our operations, by segment, as of December 31, 2024.

ELECTRIC SEGMENT

The following reflects our wholly or jointly owned material electric generation facilities as of December 31, 2024:

In addition to our generation facilities, we wholly or jointly own transmission and distribution lines as of December 31, 2024 as follows:

29

MANUFACTURING AND PLASTICS SEGMENTS

The following reflects the properties of our Manufacturing and Plastic segments as of December 31, 2024 which are significant to our operations:

We believe the facilities described above are adequate for our present business.

Several class action complaints have been filed against certain PVC pipe manufacturers, including OTC, alleging, among other things, that the defendants conspired to fix, raise, maintain, and stabilize the price of PVC municipal water and electrical conduit pipe in violation of United States antitrust laws. See Note 14, Commitments and Contingencies, to the consolidated financial statements, which information is incorporated herein by reference, for further discussion of this matter.

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and the related notes appearing under Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

OVERVIEW

Otter Tail Corporation and its subsidiaries form a diverse group of businesses with operations classified into three segments: Electric, Manufacturing and Plastics. Our Electric business is a vertically integrated, regulated utility with generation, transmission and distribution facilities to serve our customers in western Minnesota, eastern North Dakota and northeastern South Dakota. Our Manufacturing segment provides metal fabrication for custom machine parts and metal components, and manufactures extruded and thermoformed plastic products. Our Plastics segment manufactures PVC pipe for use in, among other applications, municipal and rural water, wastewater and water reclamation projects.

2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS

In 2024, our diversified business model generated record financial results, producing net income of $301.7 million, or $7.17 per diluted share, an increase of 3% from $294.2 million, or $7.00 per diluted share, in 2023. Our financial results for the year were driven by earnings growth in our Electric and Plastics segments, partially offset by a decline in our Manufacturing segment earnings. In 2024, we paid an annual dividend of $1.87 per share, or $78.3 million, completing our 86th consecutive year of dividend payments to our shareholders.

Our Electric segment produced earnings growth of 8% in 2024, from $84.4 million in 2023 to $91.0 million in 2024, primarily due to increased retail revenue resulting from an interim rate increase in North Dakota and increased rider revenue, partially offset by the investment and financing costs associated with our rate base investments, resulting in increased depreciation and interest expense compared to the prior year.

Our Manufacturing segment earnings decreased 36% in 2024, from $21.5 million in 2023 to $13.7 million in 2024, primarily due to soft end market demand, which resulted in lower sales volumes and a decrease in gross profit margins in our plastics thermoforming business, partially offset by reduced general and administrative expenses. Decreased profit margins were primarily due to reduced leveraging of fixed manufacturing costs resulting from decreased production and sales volumes.

Our Plastics segment produced earnings growth of 7%, from $187.7 million in 2023 to $200.7 million in 2024, primarily due to the impact of increased sales volumes, driven by strong customer and end market demand. Increased operating revenues, driven by increased sales volumes, were partially offset by a decrease in gross profit margins. Gross profit margins decreased primarily due to decreases in sales prices, which outpaced decreases in the cost of PVC resin and other input materials.

Our earnings mix in 2024 was 30% from our Electric segment and 70% from the combination of our Manufacturing and Plastics segments including unallocated corporate costs. Since 2021, our earnings mix has diverged from our long-term target of 65% from our Electric segment and 35% from our Manufacturing Platform primarily due to market conditions within the PVC pipe industry. These conditions have led to significant revenue, earnings and cash flow growth in our Plastics segment. Currently, we expect these industry conditions to gradually normalize through 2027. As they do, we expect earnings and cash flow generation within our Plastics segment to moderate from current levels and our earnings mix to return to our long-term targeted mix.

PVC PIPE MARKET CONDITIONS

Extraordinary supply and demand conditions in the PVC industry beginning in 2021 have led to a significant expansion in operating margins and elevated earnings in our Plastics segment over the past four years. Periodic disruptions in the supply of PVC resin, the primary material input used in the manufacturing of PVC pipe, coupled with robust demand for resin, led to a significant increase in the cost of resin beginning in 2021. During this time, robust end market demand for PVC pipe led to a rapid and significant increase in sales prices for the product, significantly outpacing the increase in resin input costs, leading to increased operating margins within our Plastics segment. PVC pipe prices and resin costs reached historic levels, peaking in 2022. Sales prices have steadily declined since the third quarter of 2022, a trend that continued throughout 2024; however, operating margins remain elevated relative to historical levels.

In the second half of 2022, our sales volumes declined in response to uncertain and competitive market conditions, which continued through the first half of 2023. Robust infrastructure investment plans, particularly in water supply, sewage, and drainage systems, and increased construction activity drove strong distributor and end market demand for PVC pipe beginning in the second half of 2023 and those trends continued throughout 2024.

The market dynamics impacting our Plastics segment resulted in a significant increase in earnings in the last four years compared to historical levels. We anticipate PVC pipe sales prices will continue to decline over time; however, future supply and demand dynamics, as well as other factors, could impact future product prices. We anticipate PVC pipe prices will gradually normalize through 2027. The marketplace dynamics impacting our Plastics segments are fluid and subject to change and may impact our operating results prospectively.

FINANCIAL AND OTHER METRICS

Heating Degree Days (HDDs) is a measure of how much (in degrees), and for how long (in days), the outside air temperature was below a certain normalized level. Normal weather conditions are defined as the 20-year average of actual historical weather conditions. This measure is commonly used in calculations relating to the energy consumption required to heat buildings.

Cooling Degree Days (CDDs) is a measure of how much (in degrees), and for how long (in days), the outside air temperature was above a certain normalized level. This measure is commonly used in calculations relating to the energy consumption required to cool buildings.

OTP generally bases its forecasted kwh sales and rates on expected consumption under a normal level of HDDs and CDDs over a given period of time in its service territory. Increased or decreased levels of consumption for certain customer classifications are attributed to deviation from the norms and are a significant factor influencing consumption of electricity across our service territory. We present HDDs and CDDs to provide an indication of the impact of weather on kwh sales, revenues and earnings relative to forecast, and on period-to-period results.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For a comparison of fiscal year 2023 to 2022, see Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024.

Provided below is a summary and discussion of our operating results on a consolidated basis followed by a discussion of the operating results of each of our segments, Electric, Manufacturing and Plastics. In addition to the segment results, we provide an overview of our Corporate costs. Our Corporate costs do not constitute a reportable segment, but rather consist of unallocated general corporate expenses, such as corporate staff and overhead costs, the results of our captive insurance company and other items excluded from the measurement of segment performance. Corporate costs are added to operating segment totals to reconcile to totals on our consolidated statements of income.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

(in thousands)

Operating Revenues decreased $18.6 million on a consolidated basis in 2024. Electric segment operating revenues decreased 1% primarily due to decreased fuel recovery and wholesale revenues and the impact of unfavorable weather, partially offset by retail revenue increases due to an interim rate increase in North Dakota in connection with our most recent rate case, as well as increased commercial and industrial sales volumes, and increased rider revenue. Manufacturing segment operating revenues decreased 15% primarily due to lower sales volumes due to soft end market demand across most end markets. Plastics segment operating revenues increased 11% primarily due to increased sales volumes driven by strong customer demand, partially offset by a decrease in sales prices. See our segment disclosures below for additional discussion of items impacting operating revenues.

Operating Expenses decreased $20.9 million in 2024. Electric segment operating expenses decreased primarily due to decreased purchased power costs resulting from lower market energy prices. Operating expenses in our Manufacturing segment decreased primarily due to decreased sales volumes, as discussed above. Operating expenses in our Plastics segment increased primarily due to increased sales volumes, as discussed above. See our segment disclosures below for additional discussion of items impacting operating expenses.

Interest Expense increased $4.1 million in 2024 due to the issuance of an additional $120.0 million of long-term debt at OTP in March, the proceeds of which were used to repay short-term borrowings, fund capital expenditures and support operating activities.

Other Income increased $6.2 million in 2024 primarily due to an increase in investment income earned on our short-term cash equivalent investments and our long-term fixed income investments.

Income Tax Expense decreased $4.1 million in 2024 primarily due to an increase in PTCs produced by our wind and solar generation assets. Our effective tax rate was 17.8% in 2024 and 19.1% in 2023. See Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding factors impacting our effective tax rate.

ELECTRIC SEGMENT RESULTS

The following table summarizes the operating results of our Electric segment for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

(in thousands)

Our Electric segment operating results are impacted by fluctuations in weather conditions and the resulting demand for electricity for heating and cooling. The following table presents heating and cooling degree days as a percent of normal for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

The following table summarizes the estimated effect on diluted earnings per share of the difference in retail sales under actual weather conditions and expected retail sales under normal weather conditions for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and between years:

Retail Revenue decreased $2.6 million primarily due to the following:

• A $13.4 million decrease in fuel recovery revenues, primarily due to lower purchased power costs, as described below.
• A $8.1 million decrease in base revenues from the unfavorable impact of weather compared to last year.

The decreases in retail revenue described above were partially offset by the following:

• A $12.4 million increase from an interim rate increase in North Dakota, effective January 1, 2024, in connection with our most recent rate case.
• A $3.2 million increase in rider revenues, including recovery of our continued investments in advanced metering and outage management systems and wind repowering projects.
• Increased sales volumes to commercial and industrial customers, the mix of customer rates compared to the prior year and other factors.

Purchased Power costs to serve retail customers decreased $16.7 million due to a 17% decrease in the price of purchased power, primarily due to decreased market energy costs, as well as a 5% decrease in the volume of purchased power primarily due to decreased demand resulting from unfavorable weather.

Operating and Maintenance Expense decreased $0.8 million primarily due to decreased vegetative maintenance, outage, transmission tariff and insurance costs, partially offset by increased labor, software and environmental protection costs.

Depreciation and Amortization expense increased $6.8 million primarily due to the placing in service of our metering infrastructure project throughout the year, a full year of depreciation recognized for Hoot Lake Solar, which was placed in service in August 2023, and continued investments in distribution facilities during the year.

Property Taxes decreased $1.0 million due to lower taxes associated with certain wind farm facilities in North Dakota due to a revision of the tax methodology applied to the property and lower taxes in Minnesota.

Interest Expense increased $4.4 million due to the issuance of an additional $120.0 million of long-term debt in March, partially offset by lower interest on short-term borrowings due to lower average borrowings and interest rates compared to the prior year.

Income Tax Expense decreased $3.2 million due to an increase in PTCs produced by our wind and solar generation assets, partially attributable to Hoot Lake Solar going into service in August 2023.

MANUFACTURING SEGMENT RESULTS

The following table summarizes the operating results of our Manufacturing segment for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

(in thousands)

Operating Revenues decreased $60.2 million primarily due to a 15% decrease in sales volumes, with declines experienced in the recreational vehicle, agriculture, construction, lawn and garden, and horticulture end markets. Sales volumes decreased due to lower end market demand and inventory management efforts by manufacturers, distributors and dealers. A 28% decline in scrap metal revenues, largely driven by lower production volumes, also contributed to the decrease in operating revenues.

Cost of Products Sold decreased $42.7 million primarily due to lower sales volumes, as described above. In response to declines in end market demand and decreased sales volumes, we reduced our headcount and operating hours and placed employees on temporary furlough during the year, which also reduced our costs. These decreases were partially offset by reduced leveraging of fixed manufacturing costs resulting from the decreased production and sales volumes.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses decreased $9.3 million primarily due to decreased employee compensation costs resulting from a decrease in headcount and lower variable compensation driven by financial performance in the current year.

Depreciation and Amortization increased $1.9 million due to capital expenditures during the year, which included investments in facility improvements and purchases of equipment.

PLASTICS SEGMENT RESULTS

The following table summarizes the operating results for our Plastics segment for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

(in thousands)

Operating Revenues increased $45.4 million primarily due to a 27% increase in sales volumes driven by customer sales volume growth and strong distributor and end market demand. Sales volumes in 2023 were negatively impacted by distributors and contractors reducing purchase volumes in response to uncertain and competitive market conditions. Although market conditions remain somewhat uncertain, infrastructure investment and active construction across our sales territories contributed to increased distributor and end market demand in 2024. The impact of increased sales volumes was partially offset by decreased sales prices. Our sales prices have steadily declined after peaking in late 2022 and decreased 12% in 2024 compared to the prior year due to continuing changes in market conditions.

Cost of Products Sold increased $23.1 million primarily due to increased sales volumes, as described above. The supply and demand conditions for PVC resin experienced in recent years appear to have normalized and resin costs were less volatile throughout the year than they were in the recent past. The cost of PVC resin and other input materials decreased 13% compared to the prior year, partially offsetting the impact of increased sales volumes.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses increased $4.3 million due to costs associated with ongoing litigation regarding the pricing of PVC pipe, which is further described in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements, as well as increased variable costs associated with our increase in sales volumes and current year financial performance.

CORPORATE

The following table summarizes Corporate results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

(in thousands)

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses increased $12.4 million primarily due to increased insurance expense driven by higher claims costs associated with our self-funded insurance programs, as well as increased variable compensation based on the current year financial performance.

Other Income increased $4.6 million primarily due to an increase in investment income earned on our short-term cash equivalent investments and our long-term fixed income investments, primarily due to additional investments made during the year driven by an increase in cash available for investment.

REGULATORY MATTERS

The following provides a summary of OTP's current and recent rate case filings, rate rider filings, and other regulatory filings that have or are expected to have a material impact on our operating results, financial position or cash flows.

RATE CASES

The following includes a summary of electric rate cases as determined in OTP's most recent general rate case in each state:

(in millions)

North Dakota Rate Case: On November 2, 2023, OTP filed a request with the NDPSC for an increase in revenue recoverable under general rates in North Dakota. In its filing, OTP requested a net increase in annual revenue of $17.4 million, or 8.4%, based on an allowed rate of return on rate base of 7.85% and an allowed rate of ROE of 10.6% on an equity ratio of 53.5% of total capital. The filing also included an interim rate request of a net increase in annual revenue of $12.4 million, or 6.0%, which was approved by the NDPSC on December 13, 2023. Interim rates went into effect on January 1, 2024. On July 3, 2024, OTP filed an update to the original request increasing the amount of the net annual revenue requirement increase from $17.4 million to $22.5 million, or a net increase of 10.9% in annual revenue, to account for certain items identified throughout the regulatory process.

On December 30, 2024, the NDPSC approved a settlement agreement between OTP and certain interested parties in the general rate case and issued its written order on final rates. The key provisions of the order include a revenue requirement of $225.6 million, based on a return on rate base of 7.53%, and an allowed ROE of 10.10% on an equity ratio of 53.5%. The net annual revenue requirement includes a net increase of $13.1 million, or 6.18%. OTP’s revenue requirement was reduced by approximately $3.0 million primarily due to the inclusion of forecasted PTCs plus adjustments for new customer load additions, which were not included in OTP’s updated request filed on July 3, 2024. Through the settlement of the case, the parties also agreed to establish an earnings sharing mechanism, whereby 70% of actual earnings in excess of a 10.20% ROE would be returned to customers, with OTP retaining the remaining 30%.

RATE RIDERS

The following table includes a summary of substantial pending and recently concluded rate rider proceedings:

(in millions)

RESOURCE PLANNING

Minnesota

In May 2024, the MPUC approved OTP’s 2023 to 2037 IRP. Consistent with MPUC practice, the decision was made during deliberations by oral vote and was finalized in a written order issued in July 2024.

The MPUC:

• Directed OTP to procure the following generation resources, subject to additional regulatory review and approval:
• 200 to 300 MW of solar generation by November 1, 2027, or as soon as practicable thereafter,
• 150 to 200 MW of wind generation by December 31, 2029, or as soon as practicable thereafter,
• 20 to 75 MW of battery storage by December 31, 2029, or as soon as practicable thereafter;
• Approved the project to add on-site liquified natural gas storage at our Astoria Station natural gas plant by 2027;
• Directed OTP to designate the Minnesota share of the jointly owned Coyote Station coal-fired plant as an Available Maximum Emergency (AME) resource beginning in 2026 and ending no later than December 2031. If the designation as an AME resource is found to not be feasible, then Minnesota customers shall not continue to pay for or depend on capacity or energy from Coyote Station past 2028; and
• Directed OTP to commence activities to no longer serve Minnesota customers with capacity or energy from Coyote Station as soon as feasible and no later than December 31, 2031.

Under the MPUC’s order, OTP will file its next IRP in May 2026. In this filing, the company will include, among other options, an analysis considering the continued operation of Big Stone Plant with AME.

North Dakota

In December 2024, the NDPSC issued its final order on OTP's IRP. The order stipulated that the commission does not support the addition of new wind or solar generation or battery storage through 2030. Therefore, none of the costs or benefits of the new renewable and battery storage assets in OTP's IRP approved by the MPUC will be assigned to North Dakota customers, including any that may be physically located in North Dakota. In addition, at an informal hearing in July 2024, the NDPSC denied our request for an Advanced Determination of Prudence (ADP) for the on-site liquified natural gas storage at Astoria Station, a project that was part of OTP's IRP approved by the MPUC. We continue to evaluate the benefits of on-site fuel storage at Astoria Station and the development of this project in the future.

LIQUIDITY

LIQUIDITY OVERVIEW

We believe our financial condition is strong and our cash and cash equivalents, other liquid assets, operating cash flows, existing lines of credit, access to capital markets and borrowing ability, because of investment-grade credit ratings, when taken together, provide us ample liquidity to conduct business operations, fund our capital expenditure program and satisfy our obligations as they become due. Our liquidity, including our operating cash flows and access to capital markets, could be impacted by macroeconomic factors outside of our control, including higher interest rates and debt capital costs, and diminished credit availability. In addition, our liquidity could be impacted by non-compliance with certain financial covenants under our various debt instruments. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all financial covenants (see the Financial Covenant section under Capital Resources below).

The following table presents the status of our lines of credit as of December 31, 2024:

(in thousands)

OTC and OTP are each party to separate credit agreements (the OTC Credit Agreement and OTP Credit Agreement, respectively) which provide for unsecured revolving lines of credit. Should additional liquidity be needed, the OTC Credit Agreement includes an accordion feature allowing us to increase the amount available to $290 million, subject to certain terms and conditions. The OTP Credit Agreement also includes an accordion feature allowing OTP to increase that facility to $300 million, subject to certain terms and conditions.

As of December 31, 2024, we had $311.6 million of available liquidity under our credit agreements and $294.7 million of available cash and cash equivalents, resulting in total available liquidity of $606.3 million, compared to total available liquidity of $479.8 million as of December 31, 2023.

CASH FLOWS

The following is a discussion of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

(in thousands)

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities increased $48.2 million primarily due to a decrease in working capital and increased net income. In our Plastics segment, sales and related receivable balances were less volatile than the prior year where sales and related receivable balances increased in the later part of the year. This resulted in decreased working capital in the current year compared to the prior year. Working capital also decreased due to an increase in payables in our Electric segment, due to the timing of capital investment spending, and decreases in receivables and inventories in our Manufacturing segment, due to decreased sales and production volumes during the later part of the current year.

Market dynamics experienced by our Plastics segment businesses in 2024 and 2023 resulted in a significant increase in our overall cash from operations compared to prior periods. We anticipate our cash from operations in future years will decline from current levels consistent with the anticipated decline in Plastics segment earnings.

(in thousands)

Net Cash Used in Investment Activities increased $122.1 million primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures. Capital expenditures during the year included additional investments in our wind repowering and advanced metering and outage management projects at OTP, as well as continued investments in our manufacturing facility expansion projects in Arizona and Georgia. A $50.1 million investment in U.S. treasuries made during the year to secure a fixed rate of return until their maturity in September 2026 also contributed to the increase in net cash used in investing activities.

(in thousands)

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities increased $26.8 million compared to the prior year. Financing activities during the year included the issuance of $120.0 million of long-term debt at OTP, the proceeds of which were used to repay short-term borrowings under the OTP credit agreement, fund Electric segment construction expenditures and support operating activities. We manage the capital structure of OTP independently from our consolidated financial position to ensure compliance with the capital structure approved through regulation; therefore, our decision to issue long-term debt at OTP is not impacted by our consolidated cash and cash equivalent position.

Financing activities during the year also included net repayments of short-term debt of $11.8 million compared to net short-term borrowings of $73.2 million in 2023, and in 2024, we made dividend payments of $78.3 million compared to $73.1 million in 2023.

CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Our capital expenditure plan includes investments in electric generation facilities, transmission and distribution lines and facilities, manufacturing facilities and upgrades, equipment used in the manufacturing process, and computer hardware and information systems. Our capital expenditure plan is subject to review and is revised in light of changes in demands for energy, technology, environmental laws, regulatory approvals, business expansion opportunities, the costs of labor, materials and equipment, and our overall financial condition.

The following provides a summary of capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 for our Electric segment and non-electric businesses and anticipated capital expenditures for the five-year period 2025 through 2029:

(in millions)

40

CONTRACTUAL AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations on December 31, 2024 and the effect these obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods.

(in millions)

Coal contract obligations are based on estimated coal consumption and costs for the delivery of coal to Coyote Station from Coyote Creek Mining Company (CCMC) under the Lignite Sales Agreement (LSA) that ends in 2040. Postretirement benefit obligations include estimated cash expenditures for the payment of retiree medical and life insurance benefits and supplemental pension benefits under our unfunded Executive Survivor and Supplemental Retirement Plan (ESSRP), but do not include amounts to fund our noncontributory funded pension plan, as we are not currently required to make any contributions to that plan. OTP also has contractual agreements for the purchase of capacity and wind-generated energy. Generally, the terms of OTP's wind power purchase agreements require OTP to purchase all of the electricity generated by a particular wind farm, but do not include fixed or minimum payments.

On October 30, 2024, OTP entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of a solar facility currently under development. Under the terms of the agreement, the purchase price is equal to $23.6 million, plus the reimbursement of certain interconnection costs and costs to purchase and store the main power transformer. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur in late 2025 or early 2026.

COMMON STOCK DIVIDENDS

We paid dividends to our shareholders totaling $78.3 million, or $1.87 per share, in 2024. The determination of the amount of future cash dividends to be paid will depend on, among other things, our financial condition, our actual or expected level of earnings and cash flows from operations, the level of our capital expenditures and our future business prospects. As a result of certain statutory limitations or regulatory or financing agreements, restrictions could occur on the amount of distributions allowed to be made by OTC subsidiaries to OTC. These intercompany distributions serve as the primary source of funding for dividends paid to our shareholders. See Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report on Form 10-K for additional information. The decision to declare a dividend is reviewed quarterly by our Board of Directors. On February 4, 2025, our Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.525 per common share.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

Financial flexibility is provided by operating cash flows, unused lines of credit, access to capital markets and alternative financing arrangements such as leasing. Debt financing will be required in the five-year period from 2025 through 2029 to refinance maturing debt and to finance our planned capital investments. Our financing plans are subject to change and are impacted by our planned level of capital investments, decisions to reduce borrowings under our lines of credit, to refund or retire early any of our presently outstanding debt, to complete acquisitions or to use capital for other purposes.

REGISTRATION STATEMENTS

On May 3, 2024, we filed two registration statements with the SEC, replacing two previously filed registration statements upon their expiration. The first statement, a shelf registration, allows us to offer for sale, from time to time, either separately or together in any combination, equity, debt or other securities described in the registration statement. No new equity, debt, or other securities have been issued pursuant to this registration statement. The second registration statement allows for the issuance of up to 1,500,000 common shares under our Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan, which provides our common shareholders, retail customers of OTP and other interested investors a method of purchasing our common shares by reinvesting their dividends and/or making optional cash investments. Shares purchased under the plan may be newly issued common shares or common shares purchased on the open market. As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,429,531 shares available for purchase or issuance under the plan. Both registration statements expire in May 2027.

SHORT-TERM DEBT

The OTC Credit Agreement and OTP Credit Agreement provide for unsecured revolving lines of credit. In December 2024, the credit agreements were amended to extend the maturity date of each credit facility and amend certain financial covenants. The OTP Credit Agreement was also amended to increase the borrowing limit. The agreements generally bear interest at the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus an applicable credit spread, which is subject to adjustment based on the credit ratings of the borrower. The weighted-average interest rate on all outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 was 5.61% and 6.70%.

The following is a summary of key provisions and borrowing information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024:

(in thousands, except interest rates)

LONG-TERM DEBT

In March 2024, OTP entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which OTP issued, in a private placement transaction, $120.0 million of senior unsecured notes consisting of (a) $60.0 million of 5.48% Series 2024A Senior Unsecured Notes due April 1, 2034, and (b) $60.0 million of 5.77% Series 2024B Senior Unsecured Notes due April 1, 2054. The proceeds of the notes were used to repay existing short-term borrowings, fund capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.

As of December 31, 2024, we had $947.0 million of principal outstanding under long-term debt arrangements. Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report on Form 10-K includes information regarding these instruments. The agreements generally provide for unsecured borrowings at fixed rates of interest with maturities ranging from 2026 to 2054.

Financial Covenants

Our short- and long-term debt agreements require OTC and OTP to maintain certain financial covenants. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with these financial covenants as further described below:

OTC, under its financial covenants, may not permit its ratio of interest-bearing debt to total capitalization to exceed 0.60 to 1.00 or 0.65 to 1.00, depending on the debt agreement, may not permit its interest and dividend coverage ratio to be less than 1.50 to 1.00 and may not permit its priority indebtedness to exceed 10% of our total capitalization. As of December 31, 2024, OTC's interest-bearing debt to total capitalization was 0.38 to 1.00, OTC's interest and dividend coverage ratio was 10.00 to 1.00 and OTC had no priority indebtedness outstanding.

OTP, under its financial covenants, may not permit its ratio of interest-bearing debt to total capitalization to exceed 0.60 to 1.00 or 0.65 to 1.00, depending on the debt agreement, may not permit its interest and dividend coverage ratio to be less than 1.50 to 1.00 and may not permit its priority indebtedness to exceed 20% of its total capitalization. As of December 31, 2024, OTP's interest-bearing debt to total capitalization was 0.47 to 1.00, OTP's interest and dividend coverage ratio was 3.34 to 1.00 and OTP had no priority indebtedness outstanding.

None of our debt agreements include any provisions that would trigger an acceleration of the related debt as a result of changes in the credit rating levels assigned to the related obligor by rating agencies.

Credit Ratings

The current credit ratings of OTC and OTP are summarized below:

42

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES INVOLVING SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES

The discussion and analysis of our results of operations are based on financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. Certain of our accounting policies require management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. While we believe the estimates, assumptions and judgments we use in preparing our consolidated financial statements are appropriate and are based on the best available information, they are subject to future events and uncertainties regarding their outcome and therefore actual results may materially differ from these estimates. Management has discussed the application of these critical accounting policies and the development of these estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. The following critical accounting policies affect the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

REGULATORY ACCOUNTING

Our utility business is subject to regulation of rates and other matters by state utility commissions in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota and by the FERC for certain interstate operations. Accordingly, our utility business must adhere to the accounting requirements of regulated operations, which requires the recognition of regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities for amounts that otherwise would impact the statements of income or comprehensive income when it is probable that such amounts will be collected from customers or credited to customers through the rate-making process. This guidance also provides recognition criteria for adjustments to rates outside of a general rate case proceeding, which are provided to encourage or incentivize investments in certain areas such as conservation, renewable energy, pollution reduction or control, improved infrastructure of the transmission grid or other programs that provide benefits to the general public under public policy, laws or regulations. Regulatory assets generally represent costs that have been incurred but have been deferred because future recovery from customers, as established through the rate-making process, is probable. Regulatory liabilities generally represent amounts to be refunded to customers or amounts currently collected from customers for future costs.

We assess the probability of recovery of regulatory assets and the obligations arising from regulatory liabilities on a quarterly basis. Our probability estimates incorporate numerous factors, including recent rate making decisions, historical precedents for similar matters, the regulatory environments in which we operate and the impact these incurred costs may have on our customers. Changes in our assessments regarding the likelihood of recovery or settlement of our regulatory assets and liabilities may have a material impact on our operating results and financial position. Further, if we determine that all or a portion of our utility business no longer meets the criteria for continued application of regulatory accounting, or our regulators disallow recovery of a previously incurred cost or eliminate a regulatory liability, we would be required to remove the associated regulatory assets and liabilities from our consolidated balance sheets and recognize those amounts in the consolidated statements of income as an expense or income item, or in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as a loss or gain, in the period in which this accounting treatment is no longer applicable.

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had regulatory assets of $108.6 million and $111.8 million and regulatory liabilities of $318.2 million and $302.0 million. If future recovery of amounts recorded as regulatory assets was no longer probable, we would be required to recognize an expense or loss in the period in which recovery was deemed to no longer be probable.

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OBLIGATIONS AND COSTS

Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities and expenses are determined by actuaries using numerous assumptions, including a discount rate, an expected return on plan assets, a rate of compensation increase and healthcare cost-trend rates. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report on Form 10-K for additional information on our pension and postretirement benefit plans and related assumptions.

These benefits, for any individual employee, can be earned and related expenses can be recognized and a liability accrued over periods of up to 30 or more years. These benefits can be paid out for up to 40 or more years after an employee retires. Estimates of liabilities and expenses related to these benefits are among our most critical accounting estimates. Although deferral and amortization of fluctuations in actuarially determined benefit obligations and expenses are provided for when actual results on a year-to-year basis deviate from long-range assumptions, compensation increases and healthcare cost increases or a reduction in the discount rate applied from one year to the next can significantly increase our benefit expenses in the year of the change. Likewise, compensation decreases and healthcare cost decreases or an increase in the discount rate applied from one year to the next can significantly decrease our benefit expenses in the year of the change. Also, a change in the expected rate of return on pension plan assets in our funded pension plan or realized rates of return on plan assets that are well above or below assumed rates of return or a change in the anticipated life expectancy of plan participants could result in significant increases or decreases in recognized pension benefit expenses in the year of the change or for many years thereafter because actuarial losses can be amortized over the average remaining service lives of active employees.

We estimate the discount rate through the use of a hypothetical bond portfolio method, which incorporates yields on a collection of high credit quality bonds that produce cash flows similar to our anticipated future benefit payments. We estimate the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets based on asset category studies using historical market returns achieved by our asset portfolio allocation over long-term periods, as well as long-term projected return levels. Other assumptions are developed by reference to available trend or historical data adjusted as necessary for future expectations.

On December 31, 2024, the discount rates used to measure our pension plan and postretirement healthcare obligations were 5.70% and 5.61%, a thirteen and eight basis point increase, respectively, from the estimates used on December 31, 2023. Our estimates used to determine benefit cost for 2024 included a discount rate of 5.57% for pension benefits and 5.53% for postretirement healthcare costs, a six and one basis point increase, respectively, from 2023 estimates. In addition, we estimated our assumed rate of return on pension assets to be 7.00% for 2024, which was unchanged from our 2023 estimate.

The following table summarizes the impact on 2024 pension and postretirement costs for a 25 basis point increase or decrease, holding all other variables constant, on certain key assumptions:

For 2025, we expect pension and other postretirement benefit income to be $4.3 million compared to $8.5 million of income in 2024 due to the impacts of updated actuarial assumptions. See additional information at Note 11 of the consolidated financial statements.

Subsequent increases or decreases in actual rates of return on plan assets over assumed rates, increases or decreases in the discount rate, increases in future compensation levels and increases in retiree healthcare cost inflation rates could significantly change projected costs.

We believe the estimates made for our pension and other postretirement benefits are reasonable based on the information that is known at the point in time the estimates are made. These estimates and assumptions are subject to a number of variables and are subject to change.

GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT

Goodwill is required to be evaluated annually for impairment and more frequently as events or circumstances require. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. We have identified two reporting units which carry a material amount of goodwill, BTD Manufacturing, our contract metal fabrication business, and our Plastics segment. As of December 31, 2024, BTD Manufacturing and our Plastics segment carried a goodwill balance of $18.1 million and $19.3 million, respectively.

We historically tested goodwill for impairment as of December 31st each year; however, in 2024, we elected to change the date of our annual goodwill impairment test to October 1st. We believe this new testing date allows us to better align our annual goodwill impairment testing procedures with our year-end financial reporting, as well as our annual budgeting and forecasting process. This change did not delay, accelerate or avoid the recognition of an impairment charge.

The goodwill impairment test is a single-step quantitative assessment which compares the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value in an amount that is equal to the excess but limited to the amount of recorded goodwill of the reporting unit. An optional qualitative impairment assessment may be performed prior to, and may eliminate the need to perform, the quantitative assessment.

Estimating the fair value of a reporting unit under the quantitative impairment method requires significant judgments and estimates. We estimate the fair value of our reporting units using income and market approaches. Our income approach uses a discounted cash flow methodology to arrive at a fair value estimate by determining the present value of projected future cash flows over a specified period plus a terminal value to reflect cash flows beyond the projection period. The discount rate applied to the estimated future cash flows reflects our estimate of the weighted-average cost of capital of comparable entities. Our market approach includes estimating the fair value of our reporting units by reference to various market indications of value, including fair value estimates using multiples derived from comparable enterprise values to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of select peer companies, and, if available, comparable sales transactions for comparative peer companies.

Our discounted cash flow methodology incorporates significant estimates, which include assumptions of future operating results and cash flows, which are impacted by economic and industry conditions, the amount and timing of estimated capital expenditures, an estimated terminal growth rate and the selection of an appropriate weighted-average cost of capital, among others. Our market approaches require significant judgment in selecting comparable peer companies and comparable sales transactions and from these peer groups selecting an appropriate EBITDA multiple and indication of fair value. In addition, weighting the indications of fair value between the income and market approaches to arrive at a single fair value estimate for each reporting unit also requires judgment.

Our goodwill impairment testing performed in the fourth quarter of 2024 indicated no impairment was present for either reporting unit and the estimated fair value of each reporting unit substantially exceeded the respective carrying value. As part of our testing, we perform various sensitivity analyses to understand if our conclusions are sensitive to changes in certain assumptions. A 3% decrease in projected operating revenues, a one hundred basis point decrease in projected gross profit margins, a one hundred basis point decrease in projected terminal growth rate, a 50 basis point increase in weighted-average cost of capital or a 1.0x decrease in the assumed EBITDA multiple would not lead to a goodwill impairment charge for either reporting unit.

We believe the estimates and assumptions used in our impairment assessments are reasonable and based on the best information available. However, these estimates and assumptions include an inherent degree of uncertainty. Significant adverse changes in our expectations for any of these estimates could result in an impairment charge in a future period which may materially impact our operating results and financial position.

Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. We are primarily exposed to commodity price and interest rate risk.

Commodity Price Risk

Our Electric segment business is exposed to market risk arising from changes in commodity prices for wholesale energy and natural gas. OTP purchases energy in the wholesale market to supplement its own electricity generation and to respond to changes in demand and variability in generating plant output. In addition, OTP procures natural gas as a fuel source for its combustion turbine peaking facilities. OTP's exposure to price risk for these commodities is largely mitigated by the current ratemaking process and regulatory framework, which generally allows recovery of purchased power and fuel costs from our electric customers.

OTP, where prudent, seeks to further manage its exposure to commodity price variability and reduce volatility in prices for its retail customers through the use of derivative instruments, primarily financial swap agreements. OTP does not engage in derivative and hedging activities for trading purposes. As of December 31, 2024, OTP was party to financial swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of 167,200 megawatt-hours of electricity with various settlement dates throughout 2025. As of December 31, 2024, the aggregate fair value of these instruments was $2.0 million, reflected as a liability on our consolidated balance sheets. Holding other variables constant, a ten percent change in energy prices would have had an approximate $0.9 million impact on the fair value of these instruments.

Our Manufacturing and Plastics segment businesses are exposed to market risk arising from changes in commodity prices for certain raw material inputs, including steel, aluminum and PVC and other plastic resins. We manage commodity price risk by attempting to pass changes in the cost of these input materials through to our customers. If our efforts to manage commodity price risk are unsuccessful, the operating revenues and earnings of our Manufacturing and Plastics segment could be impacted.

We do not engage in any hedging activities within our Manufacturing and Plastics segments to manage our commodity price risk.

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to interest rate risk arises from our outstanding short-term debt which is subject to variable rates of interest based on benchmark interest rates, primarily SOFR, and our cash equivalent investments, which earn income at a rate that fluctuates daily, based on changes in U.S. treasury rates. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had $69.6 million and $81.4 million of short-term debt outstanding. Holding other variables constant, a 100 basis point change in interest rates during 2024 would have had an approximate $0.4 million impact to interest expense in 2024 based on our average outstanding short-term debt during the year. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had $282.0 million and $219.7 million invested in cash equivalent investments. Holding other variables constant, a 100 basis point change in the average interest rates during 2024 would have had an approximate $2.3 million impact to our investment income in 2024, based on our average outstanding investment balance during the year.

All of our outstanding long-term debt obligations as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 had fixed interest rates and were not subject to material interest rate risk. We manage our interest rate risk through the issuance of fixed-rate debt with varying maturities, by limiting the amount of variable interest rate debt and the utilization of short-term borrowings to allow flexibility in the timing and placement of long-term debt.

We have not used hedging instruments to manage interest risk arising from our portfolio of borrowings. We maintain a ratio of fixed-rate debt to total debt within a certain range. It is our policy to enter into interest rate transactions and other financial instruments only to the extent considered necessary to meet our stated objectives. We do not enter into interest rate transactions for speculative or trading purposes.

Evaluation of Disclosures Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act)) as of December 31, 2024, the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2024.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report Regarding Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Management is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the consolidated financial statements and representations in this report on Form 10-K. The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis and include some amounts that are based on informed judgments and best estimates and assumptions of management.

In order to assure the consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles, management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). These internal controls are designed only to provide reasonable assurance, on a cost- effective basis, that transactions are carried out in accordance with management’s authorizations and assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or disposition.

Management has completed its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) to conduct the required assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this report on Form 10-K and issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The attestation report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, regarding the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is provided in Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K.