UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 30, 2014
UNITIL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| New Hampshire | 1-8858 | 02-0381573 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| 6 Liberty Lane West, Hampton, New Hampshire | 03842-1720 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (603) 772-0775
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
On October 30, 2014, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (the “SJC”) issued its ruling on appeal, upholding the Massachusetts’ Worcester Superior Court’s (the “Court”) decision denying the certification as a class action of a Complaint filed against Unitil Corporation’s (the “Company”) Massachusetts based utility, Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company (Fitchburg). The Complaint, filed in early 2009, and disclosed by the Company in previous filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, seeks an unspecified amount of damages, including the cost of temporary housing and alternative fuel sources, emotional and physical pain and suffering and property damages allegedly incurred by customers in connection with the loss of electric service during the ice storm in Fitchburg’s service territory in December, 2008. The Complaint, as amended, includes M.G.L. ch. 93A claims for purported unfair and deceptive trade practices related to the December 2008 ice storm. Following several years of discovery, the plaintiffs in the complaint filed a motion with the Court to certify the case as a class action. On January 7, 2013, the Court issued its decision denying plaintiffs’ motion to certify the class action. The plaintiffs appealed this decision, and the SJC has now upheld the lower Court’s order. The Company does not have any information at this time as to whether the plaintiffs will proceed with their lawsuit on an individual basis in light of the decision by the SJC. The Company continues to believe these suits are without merit and will continue to defend itself vigorously.
A copy of the slip opinion of the SJC decision is available at: http://www.mass.gov/courts/docs/sjc/reporter-of-decisions/new-opinions/11492.pdf
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
| UNITIL CORPORATION | ||
| By: | ||
| /s/ Mark H. Collin | ||
| Mark H. Collin | ||
| Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | ||
| Date: | October 31, 2014 | |