FORM 11-K
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 11-K
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number 1-3880
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN
FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES
(Full title of the Plan)
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
(Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the Plan)
6363 Main Street, Williamsville, New York 14221
(Address of principal executive office)
 
 

 


 

REQUIRED INFORMATION
1.   Plan financial statements and schedules prepared in accordance with financial reporting requirements of ERISA.
 
    See accompanying Index on next page.
 
2.   Signatures
 
3.   Exhibit
     
Exhibit Number   Description of Exhibit
23
  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 


 

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN
FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE
     
    Page
    Number
 
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  1
 
   
Financial Statements:
   
 
   
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits at December 31, 2008 and 2007
  2
 
   
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
  3
 
   
Notes to Financial Statements
  4 - 11
 
   
Supplemental Schedule:
   
 
   
Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 2008
  12

 


 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Participants and
Plan Administrator of the
National Fuel Gas Company
Tax-Deferred Savings Plan for
Non-Union Employees
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the National Fuel Gas Company Tax-Deferred Savings Plan for Non-Union Employees as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as established by the Auditing Standards Board (United States) and in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Plan is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the National Fuel Gas Company Tax-Deferred Savings Plan for Non-Union Employees as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedule is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
Bonadio & Co., LLP
June 25, 2009
Williamsville, New York

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NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN
FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
                 
    December 31,
    2008   2007
Assets:
               
Investments at fair value:
               
 
               
National Fuel Gas Company Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Fund
  $ 80,017,420     $ 116,282,146  
 
               
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
    31,292,575       51,379,091  
 
               
Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust
    16,013,738       14,912,436  
 
               
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund
    15,671,130       13,742,047  
 
               
Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund
    7,877,263       8,629,131  
 
               
Vanguard European Stock Index Fund
    5,870,766       12,031,576  
 
               
Vanguard STAR Fund
    5,055,816       6,152,814  
 
               
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
    4,961,834       9,215,001  
 
               
Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund
    2,881,884       4,406,718  
 
               
Participant Loan Account
    2,219,317       2,387,943  
     
 
    171,861,743       239,138,903  
Receivables:
               
Employer Contributions
    268,640       251,590  
 
               
Participant Contributions
    5,483       173,708  
 
               
Dividends Receivable
    53,216       45,719  
     
Total Assets
    172,189,082       239,609,920  
 
               
Liabilities:
               
Dividends Payable to Participants
    53,216       45,719  
     
 
               
Net Assets Available for Benefits at Fair Value
    172,135,866       239,564,201  
     
 
               
Adjustment from Fair Value to Contract Value for Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts
    209,352       (112,832 )
     
 
               
Net Assets Available for Benefits
  $ 172,345,218     $ 239,451,369  
     
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

2


 

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN
FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
                 
    December 31,
    2008   2007
Investment Income From National Fuel Gas Company ESOP Fund
  $ 3,157,401     $ 3,063,055  
 
               
Interest and Dividend Income
    800,114       820,153  
 
               
Investment Income from Mutual Funds
    2,829,021       2,886,100  
     
 
               
Total Investment Income
    6,786,536       6,769,308  
 
               
Net Appreciation (Depreciation) in Fair Value of Investments
    (69,182,723 )     25,048,663  
 
               
Employer Contributions
    3,149,859       2,976,042  
 
               
Participant Contributions
    6,992,841       6,637,758  
 
               
Participant Purchase and Loan Fees
    (10,980 )     (5,345 )
 
               
Rollovers and Other Individual Transfers Out
    323,481       170,150  
 
               
Dividend Payments to Participants
    (187,167 )     (85,111 )
 
               
Payments to Participants or Beneficiaries
    (14,977,998 )     (16,155,922 )
     
 
               
Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets Available for Benefits
    (67,106,151 )     25,355,543  
 
               
Net Assets Available for Benefits:
               
Beginning of Year
    239,451,369       214,095,826  
     
 
               
End of Year
  $ 172,345,218     $ 239,451,369  
     
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

3


 

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN
FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 — DESCRIPTION OF PLAN
     General:
     The following is a brief description of the National Fuel Gas Company Tax-Deferred Savings Plan For Non-Union Employees (the Plan) provided for general information purposes only. Participants should refer to the Plan document for more complete information. The Plan is a defined contribution plan as permitted under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan was adopted July 26, 1984, effective as of July 1, 1984, and has been amended and restated since that time. It is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), as amended.
     During 2003, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the merger of the National Fuel Gas Company Employees’ Thrift Plan (the “Thrift Plan”) into the Plan, in part, and into another plan, in part. Specifically, the account balances contained in the Thrift Plan’s Government Bond Fund and the Pooled Investment Contract Fund were merged into the Plan. The account balances containing the employer directed investment fund of the Thrift Plan, which consisted of National Fuel Gas Company Common Stock, were merged into another plan. The merger was effective as of August 1, 2003. Funds previously invested in the Government Bond Fund were initially invested in the Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund, and funds previously invested in the Pooled Investment Contract Fund were initially invested in the Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust. Former Thrift Plan participants have the option to move these funds into other investment options offered by the Plan and retain the same rights and features of the former Thrift Plan. Former Thrift Plan funds are kept separate from any funds that a participant invests directly into the Plan.
     Effective July 1, 2003, an additional Retirement Savings Account benefit was provided to certain participants in the Plan. Participants should refer to the Plan document for more complete information.
     Effective September 28, 2007, the Plan was amended such that the portion of the Trust invested in National Fuel Gas Company Stock Fund A and National Fuel Gas Company Stock Fund B was designated as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”). The ESOP portion of the Plan is intended to be a stock bonus plan as defined in Treasury Regulations section 1.401-1(b)(1)(iii) and a non-leveraged employee stock ownership plan under the requirements of sections 401(a) and 4975(e) of the Internal Revenue Code. Cash dividends paid with respect to shares of stock held in the ESOP as of the record date for such dividends shall be, at the election of the participant or beneficiary, either (i) paid or distributed in cash to the participant or beneficiary, or (ii) paid to the applicable National Fuel Gas Company ESOP Fund and reinvested in National Fuel Gas Company common stock. Except with respect to hardship withdrawals, if a participant or beneficiary fails to make a proper election with respect to a dividend, the participant or beneficiary shall be deemed to have elected to have the dividend paid to the applicable National Fuel Gas Company ESOP Fund and reinvested in National Fuel Gas Company common stock.
     Eligibility and Participation:
     Originally, the Plan was established for the benefit of professional, administrative or executive (i.e. salaried) employees of National Fuel Gas Company and its subsidiaries (the Company). Persons who were salaried employees on July 1, 1984, were eligible to participate at that date. Effective on various dates since July 1, 1984, most non-union non-salaried employees of the Company became eligible to participate in the Plan. New employees must complete 1,000 hours of employment and have attained age 21 in order to become eligible to participate. There are four groups of non-union employees who are eligible to participate in the Plan. Employer contributions vary by group and employee’s years of service and contribution. Certain Plan participants who have completed 12 months of employment, including at least 1,000 hours of service, attained age 21, and whose first hour of service with the Company is credited on or after July 1, 2003 are eligible for an additional Retirement Savings Account benefit. Effective as of July 1, 2005, part-time employees known as “Customer Support Representative I” or “Customer Support Representative II” are not eligible to make salary reduction contributions to the Plan.

4


 

     Contributions:
     Participants may direct the Company to reduce their base salaries by a specified full percentage that ranges from 2% to 50%. These salary reductions are subject to certain Plan and Internal Revenue Code limitations, and the Company remits them to the Plan Trustee on the participants’ behalf. Participants may also contribute amounts representing distributions from other qualified defined benefit or defined contribution plans. Participants direct the investment of their contributions into various investment options offered by the Plan. Participants may change their investment allocation on a daily basis. In addition, the Company makes an employer matching contribution that ranges from 1% to 6% of the participant’s base salary, depending on their participant group, years of service and rate of salary reduction contributions. Beginning January 2004, participants eligible for the Retirement Savings Account benefit will receive a Company contribution of 2% or 3% of the participant’s compensation (in addition to any employer matching contribution under the Plan), depending on the participant’s years of service. The Company contribution in the Retirement Savings Account is participant directed and can be directed into any of the Plan’s investment options except for the Common Stock of National Fuel Gas Company.
     “Base salary” is defined in the Plan generally to mean a participant’s base annual salary for a payroll period. An individual participant’s salary reduction contributions to the Plan are subject to ceilings imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. However, the Company matching contributions are not subject to such ceilings. The ceiling is $16,500 for 2009 compared to $15,500 for 2008. If a participant is age 50 or over, the ceiling increases to $22,000 for 2009 compared to $20,500 for 2008.
     Participants’ accounts, including all salary reduction contributions, employer matching contributions, and the earnings thereon, are at all times fully vested and nonforfeitable. Participants’ accounts within the Retirement Savings Account are 100% vested following five years of service for all pre-January 1, 2007 employer contributions, and following three years of service for all employer contributions thereafter. Forfeitures will be used to reduce Company contributions. There were no forfeitures for the year ended December 31, 2008. Forfeitures amounted to $2,382 for the year ended December 31, 2007. Unused forfeitures amounted to $7,240 and $7,044 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
     Employer Matching Contributions:
     Employer matching contributions are invested in a fund consisting primarily of the common stock of National Fuel Gas Company (National Fuel Gas Company ESOP Fund). This fund also maintains a small cash position in Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund and may also include receivables and/or payables for unsettled security transactions and receivables for accrued dividends. A separate account is maintained for each participant showing his/her interest in this fund.
     Effective January 1, 2007, participants may exchange all or a portion of their National Fuel Gas Company common stock (National Fuel Gas Company ESOP Fund) for an interest in another fund.
     Withdrawals, Loans and Distributions:
     Plan participants (or their beneficiaries) may receive distributions from the Plan upon death, retirement, disability or other termination, in accordance with a qualified domestic relations order, or in the event of hardship, subject to the Plan’s limitations and restrictions. Additionally, Plan participants may borrow from their accounts in accordance with certain Plan rules. In certain cases, participants may postpone receipt of Plan distributions.
     Former Thrift Plan Participants may, at any time, withdraw the entire value of those amounts transferred to the Plan.
     Participant Accounts:
     Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution and an allocation of (a) the Company’s contribution, (b) Plan earnings, and (c) investment fees. Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances, as defined. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s account.

5


 

     Administration:
     A Tax-Deferred Savings Plan Committee appointed by the Chief Executive Officer is the Administrator of the Plan. The assets of the Plan are held by the Trustee, Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company (Vanguard).
     Plan Termination:
     National Fuel Gas Company reserves the right in its discretion to amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan at such time as it deems appropriate, subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event that the Plan is terminated, participants are entitled to all salary reduction contributions, employer matching contributions and earnings thereon within their accounts. Participants with a Retirement Savings Account are entitled to the vested portion of such account.
NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
     Basis of Accounting:
     The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
     As described in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Staff Position (FSP) AAG INV-1 and SOP 94-4-1, Reporting of Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts Held by Certain Investment Companies Subject to the AICPA Investment Company Guide and Defined-Contribution Health and Welfare and Pension Plans (the FSP), investment contracts held by a defined-contribution plan are required to be reported at fair value. However, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits of a defined-contribution plan attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the plan. The Plan invests in investment contracts through a common/collective trust. As required by the FSP, the Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits presents the fair value of the investment in the common/collective trust as well as the adjustment of the investment in the common/collective trust from fair value to contract value relating to the investment contracts. The Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits is prepared on a contract value basis. The requirement of the FSP was applied to the Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2006. Adoption of the FSP had no effect on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for any period presented.
     Investment Valuation and Income Recognition:
     Investments are reported at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. See Note 3 for discussion of fair value measurements.
     Purchases and sales of investments are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Capital gain distributions are included in investment income.
     Risks and Uncertainties:
     The Plan invests in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits.
     Use of Estimates:
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of additions and deductions during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

6


 

     Administrative expenses:
     Expenses related to administration of the Plan and Trust are borne by the Company. The Company paid Vanguard $32,618 and $30,749 for services rendered in connection with the Plan and Trust for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Brokerage commissions and similar costs of acquiring or selling securities (if any) that are incurred by the investment funds are borne by the participant. Loan origination fees and annual maintenance fees for each loan are also borne by the participant.
     Payments of Benefits:
     Benefit payments to participants are recorded upon distribution.
NOTE 3 — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
     On January 1, 2008, the Plan adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. The pronouncement serves to clarify the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect the fair-value measurements have on earnings. SFAS 157 is to be applied whenever another standard requires or allows assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. SFAS 157 establishes a fair-value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques that measure fair value. Those inputs are prioritized into three levels. Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for assets or liabilities that the Plan has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly at the measurement date. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability at the measurement date. The Plan’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The adoption of SFAS 157 has not had a significant impact on the Plan’s financial statements.
     The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s investments that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2008. As required by SFAS 157, financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
                                 
Recurring Fair Value Measures:   At fair value as of December 31, 2008
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
     
 
                               
Investments:
                               
National Fuel Gas Company ESOP Fund
  $     $ 80,017,420     $     $ 80,017,420  
Mutual Funds
    73,611,268                   73,611,268  
Common/Collective Trust Fund
          16,013,738             16,013,738  
Participant Loan Fund
                2,219,317       2,219,317  
     
Total
  $ 73,611,268     $ 96,031,158     $ 2,219,317     $ 171,861,743  
     
     The fair value of the National Fuel Gas Company ESOP Fund is primarily based on the quoted market value of National Fuel Gas Company common stock as well as the value of cash positions, such as money market instruments, and receivables at the close of the Plan year. The mutual funds reported in Level 1 are SEC registered investments. The fair values of the Plan’s mutual funds are based on quoted market prices as these instruments have active markets. The fair value of the Plan’s interest in investment contracts through a common/collective trust is based on information reported by the investment advisor using the audited financial statements of the common/collective trust at year-end. These audited financial statements reported the majority of the investments of the common/collective trust in Level 2, which was the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement. Participant loans are valued at their outstanding balances, an unobservable input, which approximates fair value.

7


 

     The preceding methods described may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
     The table listed below provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the Plan’s assets measured at fair value and classified as Level 3 for the year ended December 31, 2008.
         
Fair Value Measurements Using Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)   Participant Loans  
 
       
Balance as of January 1, 2008
  $ 2,387,943  
Issuances, Repayments and Settlements, Net
    (168,626 )
 
     
Balance as of December 31, 2008
  $ 2,219,317  
 
     
NOTE 4 — INCOME TAXES
     The Internal Revenue Service has determined in a letter dated September 9, 2002 that the Plan and related trust are designed in accordance with applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been recorded. Although the Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter, the Plan administrator and the Plan’s tax counsel believe that the Plan is designed and is currently being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.
NOTE 5 — PARTIES-IN-INTEREST
     The Plan invests in shares of mutual funds managed by an affiliate of Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company (VFTC). VFTC acts as trustee for only those investments as defined by the Plan. The Plan also invests in common stock of National Fuel Gas Company. Transactions in such investments qualify as party-in-interest transactions, which are exempt from the prohibited transaction rules. Investment income from parties-in-interest amounted to $6,786,536 and $6,769,308 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.
NOTE 6 — INVESTMENTS
     The following investments comprised more than 5% of Plan assets at:
                 
    December 31,
    2008   2007
 
               
National Fuel Gas Company ESOP Fund (Participant Directed)
  $ 80,017,420     $ 116,282,146  
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
    31,292,575       51,379,091  
Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust
    16,013,738       14,912,436  
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund
    15,671,130       13,742,047  
Vanguard European Stock Index Fund*
    5,870,766       12,031,576  
 
*   Note: The Vanguard European Stock Index Fund listed above, represents more than 5% of Plan assets for the year ended December 31, 2007, but not for the year ended December 31, 2008. It is listed here for comparative purposes.

8


 

     The net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments including realized gains (losses) on investments sold during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
                 
    For the Years Ended  
    December 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
               
National Fuel Gas Company ESOP Fund (Participant Directed)
  $ (37,157,342 )   $ 21,938,667  
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
    (19,558,240 )     1,737,095  
Vanguard European Stock Index Fund
    (5,364,350 )     975,198  
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund
    (3,337,771 )     187,703  
Vanguard STAR Fund
    (2,197,391 )     (95,666 )
Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund
    (1,560,951 )     78,438  
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund
    (6,678 )     227,228  
 
           
 
  $ (69,182,723 )   $ 25,048,663  
 
           
NOTE 7 — INVESTMENT PROGRAMS
     The funds listed below are the investment options for salary reduction contributions as of December 31, 2008.
     National Fuel Gas Company ESOP Fund:
     The National Fuel Gas Company ESOP Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The fund invests in National Fuel Gas Company common stock to provide investors the possibility of long-term growth through increases in the value of the stock and the reinvestment of dividends. A small portion of the fund may also be invested in cash investments, such as money market instruments, to help accommodate daily transactions.
     Vanguard 500 Index Fund:
     The Vanguard 500 Index Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of large-capitalization stocks. The fund employs a “passive management” or indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, a widely recognized benchmark of U.S. stock market performance that is dominated by the stocks of large U.S. companies. The fund attempts to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the index.
     Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust:
     The Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust seeks to provide current and stable income, while maintaining a stable share value of $1. The fund invests primarily in investment contracts issued by insurance companies, banks or other financial institutions, including investment contracts backed by high-quality fixed income securities. The fund seeks to achieve its objective by diversifying among high credit-quality investments and investment contracts, which are structured to smooth market gains and losses over time.
     Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund:
     The Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund seeks to track the performance of a broad, market-weighted bond index. The fund employs a “passive management” or indexing investment designed to track the performance of the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index. This index measures a wide spectrum of public, investment-grade, taxable, fixed income securities in the United States. This includes government, corporate, and international dollar-denominated bonds, as well as mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, all with maturities of more than one year.
     Vanguard European Stock Index Fund:
     The Vanguard European Stock Index Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of stocks issued by companies located in the major markets of Europe. The fund employs a “passive management” or indexing investment approach by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets

9


 

in the common stocks included in the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe Index. The MSCI Europe Index is made up of common stocks of companies located in sixteen European countries, mostly companies in the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, and Germany. Other countries represented in the index include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.
     Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund:
     The Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of small and mid-capitalization stocks. The fund employs a “passive management” or indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the Standard & Poor’s Completion Index, a broadly diversified index of small and medium sized U.S. companies. The Standard & Poor’s Completion Index contains all of the U.S. common stocks regularly traded on the New York and American Stock Exchanges, and the NASDAQ over-the-counter market, except those stocks included in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. The fund invests all, or substantially all, of its assets in stocks of its target index, with nearly 80% of its assets invested in the 1,200 largest stocks in its target index (covering nearly 80% of the index’s total market capitalization), and the rest of its assets in a representative sample of the remaining stocks.
     Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund:
     The Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund seeks to provide current income while maintaining liquidity and a stable share price of $1. The fund invests in high-quality, short-term money market instruments, including certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances, commercial paper, and other money market securities. To be considered high-quality, a security generally must be rated in one of the two highest credit-quality categories for short-term securities by at least two nationally recognized rating services (or by one, if only one rating service has rated the security). If not rated, the security must be determined by Vanguard to be of quality equivalent to those in the two highest credit-quality categories. The fund will invest more than 25% of its assets in securities issued by companies in the financial services industry. The fund will maintain a dollar-weighted average maturity of 90 days or less.
     Vanguard STAR Fund:
     The Vanguard STAR Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation and income. The STAR Fund invests in a diversified group of other Vanguard mutual funds, rather than in individual securities. The fund follows a balanced investment approach by placing 60% to 70% of its assets in common stocks through eight stock funds; 20% to 30% of its assets in bonds through two bond funds; and 10% to 20% of its assets in short-term investments through a short-term bond fund. The fund’s stock holdings emphasize large-capitalization stocks of domestic companies and, to a lesser extent, a diversified group of stocks in companies located outside the United States. The fund’s bond holdings focus predominately on short and long-term investment-grade corporate bonds and GNMA mortgage-backed securities.
     Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund:
     The Vanguard Pacific Stock Index Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of stocks issued by companies located in the major markets of the Pacific region. The fund employs a “passive management” or indexing investment approach by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the common stocks included in the MSCI Pacific Index. The MSCI Pacific Index consists of common stocks of companies located in Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and New Zealand.
NOTE 8 — RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO FORM 5500
     The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements at December 31, 2008 and 2007 to Form 5500:
                         
    2008   2007        
 
                       
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
  $ 172,345,218     $ 239,451,369          
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
    (209,352 )     112,832          
     
Net assets available for benefits per Form 5500
  $ 172,135,866     $ 239,564,201          
     

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     The following is a reconciliation of the statement of changes in net assets available for benefits per the financial statements at December 31, 2008 and 2007 to Form 5500:
                         
    2008   2007        
 
                       
Increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
  $ (67,106,151 )   $ 25,355,543          
Change in adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
    (322,184 )     239,858          
     
Increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits per Form 5500
  $ (67,428,335 )   $ 25,595,401          
     
NOTE 9 — RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
     In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (FIN 48). This interpretation addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements, and applies to all entities, including employee benefit plans. In accordance with FASB Staff Position No. FIN 48-3, the Company has elected to defer the application of FIN 48 for the Plan until 2009, and currently accounts for evaluating uncertain tax positions in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles related to accounting for contingencies. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the provisions of FIN 48, but does not anticipate it will have a material effect on the Plan’s financial statements.

11


 

SCHEDULE I
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2008
                     
        (c) Description of Investment        
    (b) Identity of Issue,   Including Maturity Date, Rate        
    Borrower, Lessor   of Interest, Collateral, Par       (e) Current
(a)   or Similar Party   or Maturity Value   (d) Cost   Value
   
 
               
*  
National Fuel Gas Company
 
ESOP Fund (3,583,718 units)
  **   $ 80,017,420  
   
 
               
   
Mutual Funds:
               
*  
Vanguard Group of Investment Companies
 
500 Index Fund (376,611 units)
  **     31,292,575  
   
 
               
*  
Vanguard Group of Investment Companies
 
Total Bond Market Index Fund (1,539,404 units)
  **     15,671,130  
   
 
               
*  
Vanguard Group of Investment Companies
 
Prime Money Market Fund (7,877,263 units)
  **     7,877,263  
   
 
               
*  
Vanguard Group of Investment Companies
 
European Stock Index Fund (287,642 units)
  **     5,870,766  
   
 
               
*  
Vanguard Group of Investment Companies
 
STAR Fund (350,368 units)
  **     5,055,816  
   
 
               
*  
Vanguard Group of Investment Companies
 
Extended Market Index Fund (206,657 units)
  **     4,961,834  
   
 
               
*  
Vanguard Group of Investment Companies
 
Pacific Stock Index Fund (351,449 units)
  **     2,881,884  
   
 
               
   
 
               
   
 
 
Total Vanguard Mutual Funds
        153,628,688  
   
 
               
   
 
               
   
Common/Collective Trust (1):
               
*  
Vanguard Group of Investment Companies
 
Retirement Savings Trust (16,223,090 units)
  **     16,013,738  
   
 
               
*  
National Fuel Gas Company Tax Deferred Savings Plan For Non-Union Employees
 
Participant Loan Account (Interest rates range from 4.25% to 12.0%).
        2,219,317  
   
 
               
   
 
               
   
TOTAL
          $ 171,861,743  
   
 
               
 
*   Denotes known party-in-interest to the Plan.
 
**   Investments are participant directed, thus cost information is not required.
(1)   The audited annual report for the Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust has been filed with the Department of Labor by the Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company. The entity’s tax identification number is 23-2186884.

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SIGNATURES
The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
TAX DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN
FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES
(Name of Plan)
         
     
By  /s/ R.J. Tanski      
     R.J. Tanski     
     Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer     
 
     
By  /s/ K.M. Camiolo      
     K.M. Camiolo     
     Controller and Principal Accounting Officer     
 
Date: June 25, 2009

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EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit Number   Description of Exhibit
23
  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

14