40 md & a duke energy 2018 areas of focus and accomplishments operational excellence and reliability . the safety of our workforce is a core value . our employees delivered strong safety results in 2018 , and we maintained our industry-leading performance levels from 2016 and 2017. the reliable and safe operation of our power plants , electric distribution system and natural gas infrastructure is foundational to our customers , our financial results and our credibility with stakeholders . our nuclear and fossil/hydro generation fleets demonstrated strong performance , exceeding their respective reliability targets . five of our six nuclear sites have achieved inpo 1 status , the industry 's highest distinction . our electric distribution system performed well throughout the year , though we see opportunities to reduce outage durations . storm response and system restoration . 2018 was a year of intense storm activity , with hurricane florence and hurricane michael delivering a significant impact to our jurisdictions . employees and utility partners worked tirelessly to restore 3 million outages during the hurricane season . our team restored 93 percent of outages within five days during hurricane florence and 90 percent of outages within three days during hurricane michael . our ability to effectively handle all facets of the 2018 storm response efforts is a testament to our team 's extensive preparation and coordination in advance of the storm , applying lessons learned from previous storms , and on-the-ground management throughout the restoration efforts . customer satisfaction . duke energy continues to transform the customer experience through our use of customer data to better inform operational priorities and performance levels . this data-driven approach allows us to identify the investments that are the most important to the customer experience . in 2018 , we instituted more proactive communications , such as text alerts during outages , in response to customer expectations . over time our work with data analytics will result in customer satisfaction improvement as measured through j.d . power and other surveys . constructive regulatory and legislative outcomes . one of our long-term strategic goals is to achieve modernized regulatory constructs in our jurisdictions . modernized constructs provide benefits , which include improved earnings and cash flows through more timely recovery of investments , as well as stable pricing for customers . we achieved constructive regulatory outcomes in 2018 in north carolina for both duke energy carolinas and duke energy progress , including the recovery of coal ash basin closure costs . the ohio comprehensive settlement agreement in 2018 , approved by puco , was a favorable outcome that will enable the creation of a new powerforward rider to recover costs associated with projects to modernize the grid and transform the customer experience . we are making progress in addressing tax reform across our jurisdictions , targeting solutions that provide benefits to customers and support the long-term credit quality of our utilities . cost management and efficiencies . duke energy has a demonstrated track record of driving efficiencies and productivity into the business , including merger integration and continuous improvement efforts . we continue to leverage new technology and data analytics to drive additional efficiencies across the business in response to a transforming landscape . in 2018 , we established a digital transformation initiative that is tasked with identifying the best ways to use digital capabilities throughout our business . modernizing the power grid . our grid improvement programs continue to be a key component of our growth strategy . modernization of the electric grid , including smart meters , storm hardening , self-healing and targeted undergrounding helps to ensure the system is better prepared for severe weather , improves the system 's reliability and flexibility , and provides better information and services for customers . grid improvements enable successful storm response ; for example , in the carolinas , self-healing grid technologies rerouted power from damaged lines and systems to minimize outages . in 2018 , we deployed 1.6 million smart meters resulting in 4.3 million customers having access to this technology across our regulated footprint . generating cleaner energy . we advanced efforts to generate cleaner energy , including progress on several strategic investments during 2018. overall , we have lowered our carbon emissions by over 30 percent since 2005 , consistent with our goal to reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030. two natural gas plants came online in 2018 and construction continues on a third one . in our commercial renewable business , our shoreham solar facility came online in 2018. expanding the natural gas platform . we continue to pursue natural gas infrastructure investments . we are working diligently to construct the acp pipeline to bring low-cost gas supply and economic development opportunities to the mid-atlantic . while we navigate the impacts of permitting delays and court rulings , we remain steadfast in our commitment to this backbone infrastructure for the southeast u.s. in 2018 , piedmont announced plans to construct a new liquefied natural gas facility in robeson county north carolina on property piedmont already owns . this investment will help piedmont provide a reliable gas supply to customers during peak usage periods . we expect to begin construction in the summer of 2019. dividend growth . in 2018 , duke energy continued to grow the dividend payment to shareholders by approximately 4 percent . 2018 represented the 92nd consecutive year duke energy paid a cash dividend on its common stock . 41 md & a duke energy duke energy objectives – 2019 and beyond duke energy will continue to deliver exceptional value to customers , be an integral part of the communities in which we do business , and provide attractive returns to investors . we have an achievable , long-term strategy in place and it is producing tangible results , yet the industry in which we operate is becoming more and more dynamic . story_separator_special_tag the variance was primarily due to the lower statutory federal corporate tax rate under the tax act , a decrease in pretax income and the impact of the tax act in the prior year . the etrs for the years ended december 31 , 2018 , and 2017 were 20.7 percent and 29.7 percent , respectively . the decrease in the etr was primarily due to the lower statutory federal corporate tax rate under the tax act and the amortization of excess deferred taxes partially offset by the impact of the tax act in the prior year . see the tax act section above for additional information . year ended december 31 , 2017 , as compared to 2016 electric utilities and infrastructure 's results were impacted by the tax act , growth from investments , lower operations and maintenance expense and higher weather-normal retail sales volumes , partially offset by less favorable weather , impairment charges due to regulatory settlements , increased depreciation and amortization , higher interest expense and higher property and other taxes . the following is a detailed discussion of the variance drivers by line item . operating revenues . the variance was driven primarily by : a $ 292 million decrease in retail sales , net of fuel revenue , due to less favorable weather in the current year ; and a $ 235 million decrease in fuel revenues driven by lower retail sales volumes , lower fuel prices included in rates and changes in the generation mix . partially offset by : a $ 364 million increase in rider revenues including increased revenues related to energy efficiency programs , duke energy florida 's nuclear asset securitization , midwest transmission and distribution capital investments and duke energy indiana 's edwardsport igcc plant , as well as an increase in retail pricing due to base rate adjustments for duke energy florida 's osprey acquisition and hines chillers and the duke energy progress south carolina rate case ; an $ 86 million increase in weather-normal sales volumes to customers ; and a $ 26 million increase in other revenues primarily due to favorable transmission revenues . operating expenses . the variance was driven primarily by : a $ 160 million increase in impairment charges primarily due to the write-off of remaining unrecovered levy nuclear project costs in the current year at duke energy florida and the disallowance from rate base of certain projects at the mayo and sutton plants in the current year at duke energy progress related to the partial settlement in the north carolina rate case ; a $ 113 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense primarily due to additional plant in service ; and a $ 58 million increase in property and other taxes primarily due to higher property taxes . 46 md & a segment results - electric utilities and infrastructure partially offset by : a $ 216 million decrease in fuel expense ( including purchased power ) primarily due to lower retail sales and changes in the generation mix ; and a $ 73 million decrease in operation , maintenance and other expense primarily due to lower plant outage , storm restoration and labor and benefits costs partially offset by higher operational costs that are recoverable in rates . interest expense . the variance was due to higher debt outstanding in the current year and duke energy florida 's crystal river unit 3 regulatory asset debt return ending in june 2016 upon securitization . income tax expense . the variance was primarily due to a decrease in pretax income and the impact of the tax act . the effective tax rates for the years ended december 31 , 2017 , and 2016 were 29.7 percent and 35.5 percent , respectively . the decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the impact of the tax act . see the tax act section above for additional information . matters impacting future electric utilities and infrastructure results on may 18 , 2016 , the ncdeq issued proposed risk classifications for all coal ash surface impoundments in north carolina . all ash impoundments not previously designated as high priority by the coal ash act were designated as intermediate risk . certain impoundments classified as intermediate risk , however , were eligible for reassessment as low risk pursuant to legislation enacted on july 14 , 2016. on november 14 , 2018 , ncdeq issued final low-risk classifications for these impoundments , indicating that duke energy carolinas and duke energy progress have satisfied the permanent replacement water supply and certain dam improvement requirements set out in the coal ash management act . as the final closure plans and corrective action measures are developed and approved for each site , the closure work progresses and the closure method scope and remedial action methods are determined , the complexity of work and the amount of coal combustion material could be different than originally estimated and , therefore , could materially impact electric utilities and infrastructure 's results of operations , financial position and cash flows . see note 9 to the consolidated financial statements , `` asset retirement obligations , `` for additional information . duke energy is a party to multiple lawsuits and could be subject to fines and other penalties related to operations at certain north carolina facilities with ash basins . in addition , the orders issued in the duke energy carolinas and duke energy progress north carolinas rate cases supporting recovery of past coal ash remediation costs have been appealed by various parties . the outcome of these appeals , lawsuits and potential fines and penalties could have an adverse impact on electric utilities and infrastructure 's results of operations , financial position , and cash flows . see notes 4 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements , `` regulatory matters `` and “ commitments and contingencies , ” respectively , for additional information . on june 22 , 2018 ,

senior unsecured debt baa1 a- n/a piedmont natural gas stable stable n/a senior unsecured a3 a- n/a credit ratings are intended to provide credit lenders a framework for comparing the credit quality of securities and are not a recommendation to buy , sell or hold . the duke energy registrants ' credit ratings are dependent on the rating agencies ' assessments of their ability to meet their debt principal and interest obligations when they come due . if , as a result of market conditions or other factors , the duke energy registrants are unable to maintain current balance sheet strength , or if earnings and cash flow outlook materially deteriorates , credit ratings could be negatively impacted . cash flow information the following table summarizes duke energy 's cash flows for the three most recently completed fiscal years . replace_table_token_36_th 73 md & a liquidity and capital resources operating cash flows the following table summarizes key components of duke energy 's operating cash flows for the three most recently completed fiscal years . replace_table_token_37_th for the year ended december 31 , 2018 , compared to 2017 , the variance was driven primarily by : a $ 684 million increase in net income after adjustment for non-cash items primarily due to favorable weather and increased pricing and volumes in the current period ; and a $ 38 million decrease in payments to aros . offset by : a $ 122 million increase in contributions to qualified pension plans ; and a $ 105 million payment for disposal of beckjord .


 Write a concise suspicious activity report of the following text delimited by triple backquotes. Return your response as a formal report which covers the key points highlighting the location,dates,entity names and account holder information in chronological order of the text.
     ```senior unsecured debt baa1 a- n/a piedmont natural gas stable stable n/a senior unsecured a3 a- n/a credit ratings are intended to provide credit lenders a framework for comparing the credit quality of securities and are not a recommendation to buy , sell or hold . the duke energy registrants ' credit ratings are dependent on the rating agencies ' assessments of their ability to meet their debt principal and interest obligations when they come due . if , as a result of market conditions or other factors , the duke energy registrants are unable to maintain current balance sheet strength , or if earnings and cash flow outlook materially deteriorates , credit ratings could be negatively impacted . cash flow information the following table summarizes duke energy 's cash flows for the three most recently completed fiscal years . replace_table_token_36_th 73 md & a liquidity and capital resources operating cash flows the following table summarizes key components of duke energy 's operating cash flows for the three most recently completed fiscal years . replace_table_token_37_th for the year ended december 31 , 2018 , compared to 2017 , the variance was driven primarily by : a $ 684 million increase in net income after adjustment for non-cash items primarily due to favorable weather and increased pricing and volumes in the current period ; and a $ 38 million decrease in payments to aros . offset by : a $ 122 million increase in contributions to qualified pension plans ; and a $ 105 million payment for disposal of beckjord .
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 Suspicious Activity Report : 40 md & a duke energy 2018 areas of focus and accomplishments operational excellence and reliability . the safety of our workforce is a core value . our employees delivered strong safety results in 2018 , and we maintained our industry-leading performance levels from 2016 and 2017. the reliable and safe operation of our power plants , electric distribution system and natural gas infrastructure is foundational to our customers , our financial results and our credibility with stakeholders . our nuclear and fossil/hydro generation fleets demonstrated strong performance , exceeding their respective reliability targets . five of our six nuclear sites have achieved inpo 1 status , the industry 's highest distinction . our electric distribution system performed well throughout the year , though we see opportunities to reduce outage durations . storm response and system restoration . 2018 was a year of intense storm activity , with hurricane florence and hurricane michael delivering a significant impact to our jurisdictions . employees and utility partners worked tirelessly to restore 3 million outages during the hurricane season . our team restored 93 percent of outages within five days during hurricane florence and 90 percent of outages within three days during hurricane michael . our ability to effectively handle all facets of the 2018 storm response efforts is a testament to our team 's extensive preparation and coordination in advance of the storm , applying lessons learned from previous storms , and on-the-ground management throughout the restoration efforts . customer satisfaction . duke energy continues to transform the customer experience through our use of customer data to better inform operational priorities and performance levels . this data-driven approach allows us to identify the investments that are the most important to the customer experience . in 2018 , we instituted more proactive communications , such as text alerts during outages , in response to customer expectations . over time our work with data analytics will result in customer satisfaction improvement as measured through j.d . power and other surveys . constructive regulatory and legislative outcomes . one of our long-term strategic goals is to achieve modernized regulatory constructs in our jurisdictions . modernized constructs provide benefits , which include improved earnings and cash flows through more timely recovery of investments , as well as stable pricing for customers . we achieved constructive regulatory outcomes in 2018 in north carolina for both duke energy carolinas and duke energy progress , including the recovery of coal ash basin closure costs . the ohio comprehensive settlement agreement in 2018 , approved by puco , was a favorable outcome that will enable the creation of a new powerforward rider to recover costs associated with projects to modernize the grid and transform the customer experience . we are making progress in addressing tax reform across our jurisdictions , targeting solutions that provide benefits to customers and support the long-term credit quality of our utilities . cost management and efficiencies . duke energy has a demonstrated track record of driving efficiencies and productivity into the business , including merger integration and continuous improvement efforts . we continue to leverage new technology and data analytics to drive additional efficiencies across the business in response to a transforming landscape . in 2018 , we established a digital transformation initiative that is tasked with identifying the best ways to use digital capabilities throughout our business . modernizing the power grid . our grid improvement programs continue to be a key component of our growth strategy . modernization of the electric grid , including smart meters , storm hardening , self-healing and targeted undergrounding helps to ensure the system is better prepared for severe weather , improves the system 's reliability and flexibility , and provides better information and services for customers . grid improvements enable successful storm response ; for example , in the carolinas , self-healing grid technologies rerouted power from damaged lines and systems to minimize outages . in 2018 , we deployed 1.6 million smart meters resulting in 4.3 million customers having access to this technology across our regulated footprint . generating cleaner energy . we advanced efforts to generate cleaner energy , including progress on several strategic investments during 2018. overall , we have lowered our carbon emissions by over 30 percent since 2005 , consistent with our goal to reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030. two natural gas plants came online in 2018 and construction continues on a third one . in our commercial renewable business , our shoreham solar facility came online in 2018. expanding the natural gas platform . we continue to pursue natural gas infrastructure investments . we are working diligently to construct the acp pipeline to bring low-cost gas supply and economic development opportunities to the mid-atlantic . while we navigate the impacts of permitting delays and court rulings , we remain steadfast in our commitment to this backbone infrastructure for the southeast u.s. in 2018 , piedmont announced plans to construct a new liquefied natural gas facility in robeson county north carolina on property piedmont already owns . this investment will help piedmont provide a reliable gas supply to customers during peak usage periods . we expect to begin construction in the summer of 2019. dividend growth . in 2018 , duke energy continued to grow the dividend payment to shareholders by approximately 4 percent . 2018 represented the 92nd consecutive year duke energy paid a cash dividend on its common stock . 41 md & a duke energy duke energy objectives – 2019 and beyond duke energy will continue to deliver exceptional value to customers , be an integral part of the communities in which we do business , and provide attractive returns to investors . we have an achievable , long-term strategy in place and it is producing tangible results , yet the industry in which we operate is becoming more and more dynamic . story_separator_special_tag the variance was primarily due to the lower statutory federal corporate tax rate under the tax act , a decrease in pretax income and the impact of the tax act in the prior year . the etrs for the years ended december 31 , 2018 , and 2017 were 20.7 percent and 29.7 percent , respectively . the decrease in the etr was primarily due to the lower statutory federal corporate tax rate under the tax act and the amortization of excess deferred taxes partially offset by the impact of the tax act in the prior year . see the tax act section above for additional information . year ended december 31 , 2017 , as compared to 2016 electric utilities and infrastructure 's results were impacted by the tax act , growth from investments , lower operations and maintenance expense and higher weather-normal retail sales volumes , partially offset by less favorable weather , impairment charges due to regulatory settlements , increased depreciation and amortization , higher interest expense and higher property and other taxes . the following is a detailed discussion of the variance drivers by line item . operating revenues . the variance was driven primarily by : a $ 292 million decrease in retail sales , net of fuel revenue , due to less favorable weather in the current year ; and a $ 235 million decrease in fuel revenues driven by lower retail sales volumes , lower fuel prices included in rates and changes in the generation mix . partially offset by : a $ 364 million increase in rider revenues including increased revenues related to energy efficiency programs , duke energy florida 's nuclear asset securitization , midwest transmission and distribution capital investments and duke energy indiana 's edwardsport igcc plant , as well as an increase in retail pricing due to base rate adjustments for duke energy florida 's osprey acquisition and hines chillers and the duke energy progress south carolina rate case ; an $ 86 million increase in weather-normal sales volumes to customers ; and a $ 26 million increase in other revenues primarily due to favorable transmission revenues . operating expenses . the variance was driven primarily by : a $ 160 million increase in impairment charges primarily due to the write-off of remaining unrecovered levy nuclear project costs in the current year at duke energy florida and the disallowance from rate base of certain projects at the mayo and sutton plants in the current year at duke energy progress related to the partial settlement in the north carolina rate case ; a $ 113 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense primarily due to additional plant in service ; and a $ 58 million increase in property and other taxes primarily due to higher property taxes . 46 md & a segment results - electric utilities and infrastructure partially offset by : a $ 216 million decrease in fuel expense ( including purchased power ) primarily due to lower retail sales and changes in the generation mix ; and a $ 73 million decrease in operation , maintenance and other expense primarily due to lower plant outage , storm restoration and labor and benefits costs partially offset by higher operational costs that are recoverable in rates . interest expense . the variance was due to higher debt outstanding in the current year and duke energy florida 's crystal river unit 3 regulatory asset debt return ending in june 2016 upon securitization . income tax expense . the variance was primarily due to a decrease in pretax income and the impact of the tax act . the effective tax rates for the years ended december 31 , 2017 , and 2016 were 29.7 percent and 35.5 percent , respectively . the decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the impact of the tax act . see the tax act section above for additional information . matters impacting future electric utilities and infrastructure results on may 18 , 2016 , the ncdeq issued proposed risk classifications for all coal ash surface impoundments in north carolina . all ash impoundments not previously designated as high priority by the coal ash act were designated as intermediate risk . certain impoundments classified as intermediate risk , however , were eligible for reassessment as low risk pursuant to legislation enacted on july 14 , 2016. on november 14 , 2018 , ncdeq issued final low-risk classifications for these impoundments , indicating that duke energy carolinas and duke energy progress have satisfied the permanent replacement water supply and certain dam improvement requirements set out in the coal ash management act . as the final closure plans and corrective action measures are developed and approved for each site , the closure work progresses and the closure method scope and remedial action methods are determined , the complexity of work and the amount of coal combustion material could be different than originally estimated and , therefore , could materially impact electric utilities and infrastructure 's results of operations , financial position and cash flows . see note 9 to the consolidated financial statements , `` asset retirement obligations , `` for additional information . duke energy is a party to multiple lawsuits and could be subject to fines and other penalties related to operations at certain north carolina facilities with ash basins . in addition , the orders issued in the duke energy carolinas and duke energy progress north carolinas rate cases supporting recovery of past coal ash remediation costs have been appealed by various parties . the outcome of these appeals , lawsuits and potential fines and penalties could have an adverse impact on electric utilities and infrastructure 's results of operations , financial position , and cash flows . see notes 4 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements , `` regulatory matters `` and “ commitments and contingencies , ” respectively , for additional information . on june 22 , 2018 ,

