Lail said drivers for the quarter included improved margin (net of weather impacts), offset by higher operating costs, depreciation, and interest expense. She highlighted two components behind higher operating costs: Chief Financial Officer Crystal Lail said GAAP earnings included "the impacts of a historically warm first quarter, merger-related costs and costs related to incremental Colstrip ownership." On an adjusted basis, Lail said the company delivered $1.31 of earnings , representing a 7.4% increase f ...