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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

Form 10-Q

|  X  |      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended     June 30, 2003    

|     |      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _______ to _______

Commission file number     1-8222

          Central Vermont Public Service Corporation          
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Incorporated in Vermont                          03-0111290        
(State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                    Identification No.)

        77 Grove Street, Rutland, Vermont            05701        
(Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip Code)

                              802-773-2711                              
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                                                                                         
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   X     No       

      Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. As of July 31, 2003 there were outstanding 11,919,665 shares of Common Stock, $6 Par Value.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 1 of 36

CENTRAL VERMONT PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION
Form 10-Q - 2003

Table Of Contents

   

Page

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and
  six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002


3

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings for the three and
  six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002


5

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three and six months ended
  June 30, 2003 and 2002


6

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
  Results of Operations


19

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

32

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

32

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

33

SIGNATURES


35

EXHIBIT INDEX

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 2 of 36

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended   
June 30              

Six Months Ended     
June 30              

 

   2003                  2002   

   2003                2002   

Operating Revenues

$73,588 

$69,720 

$153,064 

$143,929 

         

Operating Expenses

       

   Operation

       

      Purchased power

37,495 

35,248 

77,033 

71,774 

      Production and transmission

6,327 

6,687 

13,633 

12,853 

      Other operation

10,194 

8,872 

22,687 

19,304 

   Maintenance

3,519 

4,219 

6,738 

8,067 

   Depreciation

3,971 

3,921 

7,944 

8,112 

   Other taxes, principally property taxes

3,288 

3,164 

6,634 

6,343 

   Taxes on income

   2,617 

   2,209 

     5,377 

    5,299 

   Total operating expenses

 67,411 

 64,320 

 140,046 

131,752 

         

Operating Income

   6,177 

   5,400 

   13,018 

  12,177 

Other Income and Deductions

 

   Equity in earnings of affiliates

436 

693 

872 

1,327 

   Allowance for equity funds during construction

15 

23 

31 

53 

   Other income, net

1,804 

526 

2,464 

554 

   (Provision) benefit for income taxes

    (564)

     (206)

      (997)

        33 

   Total other income and deductions, net

   1,691 

   1,036 

     2,370 

   1,967 

         

Total Operating and Other Income

  7,868 

   6,436 

   15,388 

 14,144 

Interest Expense

       

   Interest on long-term debt

2,832 

3,129 

5,675 

6,248 

   Other interest

243 

(301)

327 

(151)

   Allowance for borrowed funds during construction

        (7)

       (11)

       (14)

      (26)

   Total interest expense, net

   3,068 

    2,817 

    5,988 

   6,071 

         

Income from continuing operations before preferred stock dividends

4,800 

3,619 

9,400 

8,073 

Preferred stock dividends

      300 

      403 

      599 

      807 

Income from continuing operations

4,500 

3,216 

8,801 

7,266 

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

      295 

      356 

      654 

      686 

Earnings available for common stock

 $4,795 

 $3,572 

 $9,455 

 $7,952 

         

Per Common Share Data:

       

Basic:

       

   Earnings from continuing operations

$.38 

$.28 

$.74 

$.62 

   Earnings from discontinued operations

$.02 

$.03 

$.06 

$.06 

   Earnings per share

$.40 

$.31 

$.80 

$.68 

   Average shares of common stock

11,864,013 

11,662,096 

11,820,577 

11,642,217 

         

Diluted:

       

   Earnings from continuing operations

$.38 

$.27 

$.73 

$.61 

   Earnings from discontinued operations

$.02 

$.03 

$.06 

$.06 

   Earnings per share

$.40 

$.30 

$.79 

$.67 

   Average shares of common stock

12,057,931 

11,921,435 

12,006,282 

11,894,594 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Page 3 of 36

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)

June 30   

December 31

 

      2003                      2002     

 

(unaudited) 

 

Assets

   

Utility Plant, at original cost

$489,891 

$487,184 

         Less accumulated depreciation

 208,262 

 201,908 

 

281,629 

285,276 

         Construction work-in-progress

10,547 

9,049 

         Nuclear fuel, net

        899 

     1,130 

         Net utility plant

 293,075 

 295,455 

Investments and Other Assets

   

         Investments in affiliates

23,754 

23,716 

         Non-utility investments

34,340 

35,087 

         Non-utility property, less accumulated depreciation

     2,185 

     2,224 

         Total investments and other assets

   60,279 

   61,027 

     

Current Assets

   

         Cash and cash equivalents

44,374 

60,364 

         Restricted cash for non-utility investment

11,000 

         Notes Receivable

3,750 

3,750 

         Accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts
            ($1,168 in 2003 and $1,303 in 2002)


23,184 


23,945 

         Unbilled revenues

13,004 

15,985 

         Materials and supplies, at average cost

3,360 

3,341 

         Prepayments

2,548 

2,375 

         Other current assets

5,286 

4,619 

         Assets held for sale

     9,398 

     9,596 

         Total current assets

 115,904 

 123,975 

Regulatory Assets

   20,059 

   22,430 

Other Deferred Charges

   30,071 

   30,043 

Total Assets

 519,388 

 532,930 

     

Capitalization and Liabilities

   

Capitalization

   

         Common stock, $6 par value, authorized 19,000,000 shares;

   

            11,908,711 shares; issued & outstanding

71,452 

70,845 

         Other paid-in capital

48,689 

48,434 

         Accumulated other comprehensive income

339 

150 

         Deferred compensation plans - employee stock ownership plans

(704)

(1,041)

         Treasury stock (0 and 64,854 shares, respectively, at cost)

(857)

         Retained Earnings

   81,755 

   80,077 

         Total Common stock equity

201,531 

197,608 

         Preferred and preference stock

8,054 

8,054 

         Preferred stock with sinking fund requirements

9,000 

10,000 

         Long-term debt

129,251 

137,908 

         Capital lease obligations

   11,241 

   11,762 

         Total capitalization

 359,077 

 365,332 

Current Liabilities

   

         Current portion of preferred stock

1,000 

         Current portion of long-term debt

14,177 

20,879 

         Accounts payable

3,418 

5,572 

         Accounts payable - affiliates

11,013 

11,665 

         Accrued income taxes

1,165 

951 

         Dividends declared

2,914 

         Nuclear decommissioning costs

3,620 

3,263 

         Other current liabilities

19,825 

20,319 

         Liabilities of assets held for sale

     5,578 

      5,987 

         Total current liabilities

   62,710 

    68,636 

Deferred Credits

   

         Deferred income taxes

40,225 

41,766 

         Deferred investment tax credits

5,074 

5,267 

         Nuclear decommissioning costs

19,291 

20,899 

         Other deferred credits

   33,011 

    31,030 

         Total deferred credits

   97,601 

    98,962 

Commitments and Contingencies

   

Total Capitalization and Liabilities

$519,388 

$532,930 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Page 4 of 36

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended   
June 30              

Six Months Ended     
June 30              

 

   2003                  2002   

   2003                2002   

Retained Earnings at Beginning of Period

$79,640 

 $73,642 

$80,077 

 $69,171 

Net Income from continuing operations

4,800 

3,619 

9,400 

8,073 

Net Income from discontinued operations

      295 

     356 

      654 

       686 

         

Retained Earnings Before Dividends

84,735 

77,617 

90,131 

77,930 

Cash Dividend Declared

       

   Preferred Stock

300 

403 

599 

807 

   Common Stock

    2,625 

   5,132 

    7,806 

    5,132 

   Total Dividends Declared

2,925 

5,535 

8,405 

5,939 

Other Adjustments

(55)

149 

29 

240 

Retained Earnings at End of Period

$81,755 

$72,231 

$81,755 

$72,231 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

Page 5 of 36

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

Six Months Ended June 30

   2003                     2002   

Cash Flows Provided (Used) By:

   

   Operating Activities

$9,400 

$8,073 

      Net income from continuing operations

   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

   

         Equity in earnings of affiliates

(872)

(1,327)

         Dividends received from affiliates

775 

1,110 

         Equity in earnings from non-utility investments

(4,146)

(5,510)

         Distribution of earnings from non-utility investments

4,947 

4,952 

         Depreciation

7,944 

8,112 

         VT Yankee fuel rod maintenance deferral

(3,767)

         Amortization of capital leases

548 

545 

         Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

(1,453)

1,079 

         Net amortization of nuclear replacement energy and maintenance costs

327 

2,786 

         Amortization of conservation and load management costs

1,108 

1,108 

         Decrease in accounts receivable and unbilled revenues

3,426 

4,062 

         Increase in accounts receivable - assoc. companies

(66)

         Decrease in accounts payable

(2,486)

(3,653)

         Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes

215 

(74)

         Change in other working capital items

(1,370)

(2,573)

         Other, net

   2,694 

    1,686 

      Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

  20,991

  16,609 

     

    Investing Activities

   

      Construction and plant expenditures

(6,358)

(6,028)

      Conservation and load management expenditures

(80)

(99)

      Return of capital

47 

93 

      Non-utility investments

(668)

      Other investments, net

     (118)

          24

      Net cash used for investing activities of continuing operations

  (6,509)

  (6,678)

     

    Financing Activities

   

      Proceeds from exercise of stock options

1,246 

416 

      Proceeds from dividend reinvestment program

912 

      Retirement of long-term debt

(15,359)

(109)

      Retirement of preferred stock

(1,000)

      Common and preferred dividends paid

(5,491)

(5,948)

      Reduction in capital lease obligations

     (548)

     (545)

      Net cash used for financing activities of continuing operations

(19,240)

  (7,186)

     

    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

       (88)

            - 

Cash flows used by discontinued operations

       (144)

      (198)

     

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

(4,990)

2,547 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year

  60,364 

  45,491 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year

$55,374 

$48,038 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

   

Cash paid during the year for:

   

         Interest (net of amounts capitalized)

$6,180

$5,797 

         Income taxes (net of refunds)

$7,923

$7,581 

     
     

     

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

Page 6 of 36

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

About Central Vermont Public Service Corporation  Central Vermont Public Service Corporation ("the Company" or "CVPS") is a Vermont-based electric utility that distributes, transmits and markets electricity and invests in renewable and independent power projects. Wholly owned subsidiaries include: Connecticut Valley Electric Company ("Connecticut Valley"), which distributes and sells electricity in parts of New Hampshire; Catamount Energy Corporation ("Catamount"), which invests primarily in wind energy projects in the United States and Western Europe; and Eversant Corporation ("Eversant"), which operates a rental water heater business through its subsidiary, SmartEnergy Water Heating Services, Inc. See Note 6, Discontinued Operations - Connecticut Valley Sale.

     On April 8, 2003, the Company filed a petition with the Vermont Public Service Board ("PSB") to transfer its shares of Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation to Custom Investment Corporation ("Custom"), a wholly owned passive investment subsidiary. The Company also intends to transfer its interests in Maine Yankee, Connecticut Yankee and Yankee Atomic to Custom and is considering the transfer of its interests in Vermont Electric Power Company.

     The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for financial statements. In Management's opinion all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the second quarter and first half of 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission f ilings.

Discontinued Operations On May 23, 2003, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission ("NHPUC") approved the sale of Connecticut Valley's franchise and net plant assets to Public Service Company of New Hampshire ("PSNH"). Accordingly, the Company classified certain assets and liabilities of Connecticut Valley as held for sale in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, ("SFAS No. 144"). In addition, as required by SFAS No. 144, the results of operations related to Connecticut Valley are reported as discontinued operations, and prior periods have been restated. For restatement purposes, certain of the Company's common corporate costs, which were previously allocated to Connecticut Valley, have been reallocated to reflect the sale's impact on continuing operations.

Stock-Based Compensation The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations in accounting for its stock option plans. The Company adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure - an amendment of SFAS No. 123. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share as if the fair value method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested awards in each period. The fair value of options at date of grant was estimated using the binomial option-pricing model.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended      

Six Months Ended       

June 30                   

June 30                 

       2003    

      2002     

       2003       

      2002     

Net Income from Continuing Operations, as reported

$4,800

$3,619

$9,400

$8,073

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense *

37

30

75

59

   Pro forma net income from Continuing Operations

4,763

3,589

9,325

8,014

         

Earnings per share from Continuing Operations:

       

  Basic - as reported

$.38

$.28

$.74

$.62

  Basic - pro forma

$.38

$.27

$.74

$.62

         

  Diluted - as reported

$.38

$.27

$.73

$.61

  Diluted - pro forma

$.37

$.27

$.73

$.61

         

* Fair value-based method for all awards, net of related tax effects.

Page 7 of 36

Reclassifications The Company will record reclassifications to the financial statements of the prior year when considered necessary or to conform to current year presentation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Asset Retirement Obligations: In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") approved the issuance of SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations ("SFAS No. 143"). It provides accounting requirements for the recognition and measurement of liabilities associated with the retirement of long-lived assets and requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. The Company adopted SFAS No. 143 on January 1, 2003 as required and did not have a cumulative effect upon adoption.

     The Company has legal retirement obligations associated with decommissioning related to its investments in nuclear plants, certain of its jointly owned generating plants and certain Catamount investments. The Company's regulated operations also collect removal costs in rates for certain utility plant assets that do not have associated legal asset retirement obligations. As of June 30, 2003, approximately $4.7 million related to non-legal removal costs is recorded in Accumulated Depreciation.

Variable Interest Entities: In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. It requires the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity to consolidate that entity. The Interpretation must be applied to any existing interests in variable interest entities beginning in the third quarter of 2003. The Company does not expect to consolidate any existing interests in unconsolidated entities pursuant to requirements of Interpretation 46.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities:  In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This standard amends and clarifies accounting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This statement clarifies when a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristic of a derivative and when a derivative contains a financing component. This statement also amends the definition of an underlying to conform to the language contained in FIN No. 45, Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others. This statement is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The Company is assessin g how this statement might impact its future results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

NOTE 2 - REGULATORY ACCOUNTING

     The Company is regulated by the PSB, NHPUC and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC"), with respect to rates charged for service, accounting and other matters pertaining to regulated operations. The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation ("SFAS No. 71"), for its regulated Vermont service territory, FERC-regulated wholesale business and Connecticut Valley's New Hampshire service territory. Management periodically reviews these criteria to ensure continuing application of SFAS No. 71 is appropriate. Based on a current evaluation of the factors and conditions expected to impact future cost recovery, Management believes future recovery of regulatory assets in Vermont and New Hampshire for its retail and wholesale businesses is probable.

     Under SFAS No. 71 the Company accounts for certain transactions in accordance with permitted regulatory treatment. As such, regulators may permit incurred costs, typically treated as expenses by unregulated entities, to be deferred and expensed in future periods when recovered in future revenues. Regulatory assets related to Connecticut Valley are included in assets held for sale on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In the event that the Company no longer meets the criteria under SFAS No. 71 and there is not a rate mechanism to recover these costs, the Company would be required to write off related regulatory assets, certain other deferred charges and regulatory liabilities as summarized in the table that follows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 8 of 36

 

(Dollars in thousands)     

 

June 30 

December 31

Net Regulatory Assets, Deferred Charges and Regulatory Liabilities

      2003     

      2002      

Regulatory assets

Conservation and load management (a)

$933

$1,853

Nuclear refueling outage costs

439

762

Income taxes

5,776

5,849

Maine Yankee nuclear power plant dismantling costs (b)

8,392

8,959

Connecticut Yankee nuclear power plant dismantling costs (b)

3,389

3,774

Unrecovered plant and regulatory study costs

989

1,099

Other regulatory assets

      141

      134

     Subtotal Regulatory assets

 20,059

 22,430

     

Other deferred charges

   

Vermont Yankee fuel rod maintenance deferral

4,034

3,854

Vermont Yankee sale costs

8,447

8,197

Yankee Atomic incremental dismantling costs (b)

8,046

7,872

Connecticut Yankee incremental dismantling costs (b)

3,558

3,558

Hydro-Quebec Sellback #3 derivative

       666

       666

     Subtotal Other deferred charges

  24,751

  24,147

     

Other deferred credits

   

Hydro-Quebec ice storm settlement (a)

8

Millstone Decommissioning (a)

155

IPP Settlement Reimbursement - Docket No. 6270 (c)

319

Excess over allowed rate of return cap - 2002 (d)

712

681

Other regulatory liabilities

      783

       592

     Subtotal Other deferred credits

   1,969

    1,281

     

Net Regulatory Assets

$42,841

$45,296

 
 

  1. On October 4, 2002, the PSB approved the Company's proposal to reduce regulatory assets using the remaining Hydro-Quebec settlement and funds collected for Millstone Unit #3 decommissioning. The Company is recovering the decommissioning costs in rates, but its decommissioning payments currently have ended. In the third quarter of 2002, the Company reduced regulatory assets related to Conservation and Load Management by about $2 million. In January 2003, the Company began recording the Millstone Unit #3 decommissioning non-payments as a regulatory liability, with carrying charges. At June 30, 2003 the regulatory liability is about $0.2 million and will continue to increase unless rates are adjusted to exclude such collections or the Company chooses or is required to renew funding in the future. This regulatory liability, including carrying charges, will be addressed in the Company's next rate proceeding.
  2. Recovery of the unamortized dismantling costs for Connecticut Yankee and Maine Yankee is provided without a return on investment through 2007 and 2008, respectively. Other deferred charges related to dismantling costs for these facilities and for Yankee Atomic are not currently included for recovery in rates. In June 2003, the Company requested an Accounting Order from the PSB for treatment of these incremental costs as Other deferred charges. See Note 7, Commitments and Contingencies, for more detail.
  3. In the first quarter of 2003, as a result of the Independent Power Producers ("IPP") settlement, which is described in Note 7, Commitments and Contingencies, the Company was reimbursed for legal costs from non-participating parties to the IPP negotiations who derived benefits. At June 30, 2003 the regulatory liability is approximately $0.3 million. The PSB also approved the Company's request for treatment of the savings credits as a regulatory liability, including carrying charges, to be addressed in its next rate proceeding.
  4. In 2002, the Vermont utility earned about $0.4 million, after-tax, above its allowed rate of return on common equity of 11 percent. The Vermont utility's earnings were reduced by that amount to stay at the earnings cap. The related deferral of about $0.7 million pre-tax is included in Other deferred credits on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The PSB approved the Company's request to treat the excess earnings as a regulatory liability to be addressed in its next rate proceeding.

 

 

 

Page 9 of 36

NOTE 3 - INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation ("Vermont Yankee" or "VYNPC") Summarized financial information for VYNPC is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended  
June 30              

Six Months Ended   
June 30              

Earnings

     2003     

     2002     

     2003     

     2002     

Operating revenues

$49,014 

$46,764 

$96,982 

$85,495 

Operating income

$326 

$2,956 

$554 

$5,654 

Net income

$722 

$1,462 

$1,407 

$2,949 

         

Company's equity in net income (a)

$240 

$471 

$467 

$980 

         

(a) The Company's ownership changed from 31.3 to 33.23 percent in the third quarter of 2002.

     On July 31, 2002, Vermont Yankee completed the sale of its assets to Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, LLC ("Entergy"), and Entergy assumed the decommissioning liability for the plant and its decommissioning trust fund. The agreement included a purchased power contract ("PPA") with prices generally ranging from 3.9 cents to 4.5 cents per kilowatt-hour through 2012. Starting in November 2005, the PPA will include a mechanism that lowers the power costs if market prices drop significantly. If market prices rise, the contract prices do not change.

     All regulatory approvals were granted on terms acceptable to the parties to the transaction. Certain intervener parties appealed the PSB approval to the Vermont Supreme Court. On July 25, 2003, the Court upheld the sale, rejecting the intervener's appeal.

     The Company has a 33.23 percent equity interest in VYNPC, which administers the purchased power contracts among the former plant owners and Entergy. The Company receives its 35 percent entitlement of Vermont Yankee output sold by Entergy to VYNPC, and one remaining secondary purchaser receives a small percentage of the Company's entitlement. Under the PPA between Entergy and VYNPC, VYNPC pays Entergy only for generation at fixed rates; VYNPC in turn bills the PPA charges from Entergy with certain residual costs of service through a FERC tariff to the Company and the other VYNPC sponsors.

     Although the sale closed on July 31, 2002, the final calculation of the distributions is not complete. Cash distributions related to the sale will be received in 2003. The Company expects either a small gain or loss related to this transaction.

     Vermont Yankee's revenues shown above include sales to the Company of $17.1 million for the second quarter and $33.8 million for the first half of 2003, compared to $16.3 and $28.9 million for the comparable periods in 2002. These amounts are reflected as purchased power and for 2002 are shown net of deferrals and amortization, in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company no longer bears the operating costs and risks associated with running the plant or the costs and risk associated with the eventual decommissioning.

Vermont Electric Power Company, Inc. ("VELCO") Summarized financial information for VELCO is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended
June 30            

Six Months Ended
June 30            

Earnings

    2003    

    2002    

    2003    

    2002    

Transmission revenues

$5,635 

$5,312 

$11,270 

$11,796 

Operating income

$1,378 

$1,174 

$2,750 

$2,337 

Net income

$349 

$318 

$622 

$513 

         

Company's equity in net income (a)

$158 

$181 

$329 

$264 

         

(a) The Company's common stock ownership changed from 56.8 to 50.6 percent in the third quarter of 2002.

     VELCO's revenues shown above include transmission services to the Company (reflected as production and transmission expenses in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income) of $2.5 million for the second quarter and $5.7 million for the first half of 2003, compared to $3.2 and $6.3 million for the comparable periods in 2002.

 

Page 10 of 36

NOTE 4 - NON-UTILITY INVESTMENTS

     Catamount invests through its wholly owned subsidiaries in non-regulated energy generation projects in the United States and Western Europe. As of June 30, 2003, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Catamount has interests in eight operating independent power projects located in Glenns Ferry and Rupert, Idaho; Rumford, Maine; East Ryegate, Vermont; Thetford, England; Hopewell, Virginia; Thuringen, Germany and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.

     Catamount's earnings were $0.2 and $0.5 million for the second quarter of 2003 and 2002, respectively, and $0.1 and $0.9 million for the first half of 2003 and 2002, respectively.   Information regarding certain of Catamount's investments follows.

Fibrothetford Limited Continuing equity losses have been applied as a reduction to Catamount's note receivable balance from Fibrothetford. Catamount reserved $0.5 and $0.9 million of note receivable interest income for the second quarter and first half of 2003, and $0.4 and $0.7 million for the comparable periods in 2002.

     On December 30, 2002, Catamount entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement with a third party for the sale of its Fibrothetford investment interests. The buyer could have terminated the Agreement if the sale was not consummated prior to March 31, 2003. In July 2003, the buyer suspended the sale. Catamount can not predict whether the sale will ultimately be consummated.

Glenns Ferry and Rupert Both Rupert and Glenns Ferry were issued an Events of Default notice by their lender in May 2002. Steam host restructurings in 2002 cured most of the events of default identified in the Events of Default notices. Rupert cured its remaining events of default in March 2003 and management anticipates that Glenns Ferry will cure its remaining events of default by the end of 2003. Management does not believe this will have a material impact on Catamount.

Sweetwater On June 30, 2003, Catamount entered into an equity commitment for up to a $10.1 million equity investment in the 37.5-MW wind farm in Nolan County, Texas known as Sweetwater I. Providing conditions to the equity commitment are satisfied, Catamount will become an equity partner in December 2003.

NOTE 5 - RETAIL RATES

     The Company recognizes adequate and timely rate relief is required to maintain its financial strength, particularly since Vermont law does not allow power and fuel costs to be passed to consumers through fuel adjustment clauses. The Company will continue to review costs and request rate increases when warranted.

Vermont Retail Rates On June 26, 2001, the PSB approved a settlement with the DPS, including a 3.95 percent increase effective July 1, 2001. As part of the settlement, the Company agreed to a $9 million write-off ($5.3 million after-tax) of regulatory assets and a rate freeze through January 1, 2003.

     The order ended uncertainty over Hydro-Quebec cost recovery by providing full cost recovery, made the January 1, 1999 temporary rates permanent, allowed the Vermont utility a return on common equity of 11 percent for the year ending June 30, 2002 (capped through January 1, 2004), and created new service quality standards. The rate order requires CVPS to return up to $16 million to ratepayers if there is a merger, acquisition or asset sale that requires PSB approval.

     In accordance with the PSB's approval of the Vermont Yankee sale, on April 15, 2003, the Company filed Cost of Service Studies for rate years 2003 and 2004 to determine whether a rate decrease is appropriate in either year. On July 11, 2003, the Company and DPS signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("Memorandum") regarding the Company's rates and allowed return on equity through the end of 2005, subject to a prior rate change.  The Memorandum is subject to approval by the PSB, and provides, among other things, the following:

 

Page 11 of 36

     In July 2003, the PSB opened a Docket to review the Memorandum; a prehearing conference is scheduled for September 2003. The Company cannot predict whether the PSB will approve the Memorandum.

New Hampshire Retail Rates Connecticut Valley's retail rate tariffs, approved by the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission ("NHPUC"), contain a Fuel Adjustment Clause ("FAC") and a Purchased Power Cost Adjustment ("PPCA"). Under these clauses, Connecticut Valley recovers its estimated annual costs for purchased energy and capacity, which are reconciled when actual data is available.

     On December 20, 2002, the NHPUC approved Connecticut Valley's fuel and purchased power rates for 2003, and on December 30, 2002, the Commission approved a Business Profits Tax Adjustment Percentage for 2003. Rates increased 8.5 percent on January 1, 2003.

     On April 16, 2003, the NHPUC approved Connecticut Valley's request for an Interim PPCA to reduce a potential overcollection during the remainder of 2003. As a result, Connecticut Valley's rates decreased 6.3 percent beginning May 1, 2003, and revenues are expected to decrease $0.8 million for the year. These rates are expected to remain in effect until completion of the sale. See Note 6, Discontinued Operations - Connecticut Valley Sale below.

NOTE 6 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - CONNECTICUT VALLEY SALE

     On December 5, 2002, the Company agreed to sell Connecticut Valley's franchise and net plant assets to Public Service Company of New Hampshire ("PSNH"). The agreement resulted from months of negotiations with the Governor's Office of Energy and Community Services, NHPUC staff, the Office of Consumer Advocate, the City of Claremont and New Hampshire Legal Assistance. The sale is intended to resolve all Connecticut Valley restructuring litigation in New Hampshire and the Company's stranded cost litigation at FERC. The sale is expected to close January 1, 2004.

     PSNH will pay to Connecticut Valley for Connecticut Valley's franchise, net plant assets and related items, the book value of the assets, which approximates $9 million at June 30, 2003, plus $21 million, plus certain other adjustments as provided in the agreement. PSNH will acquire Connecticut Valley's poles, wires, substations and other facilities, and several independent power obligations, including the Wheelabrator contract. The $21 million payment will enable Connecticut Valley and the Company to terminate their wholesale power contract.

     On January 31, 2003, Connecticut Valley, the Company, PSNH and various other parties asked the NHPUC to approve settlements and transactions related to the sale. The parties sought approval to implement restructuring in Connecticut Valley's service territory after the sale is completed, resolve litigation between the NHPUC, Connecticut Valley and the Company, and complete the sale.

     On May 23, 2003, following technical hearings on May 15, 2003, the NHPUC approved the sale without conditions. In its order the NHPUC also approved the settlement with Wheelabrator. On July 22, 2003, the Company and PSNH filed an application with FERC for approval of the sale of facilities under its jurisdiction. The Company and Connecticut Valley filed an Offer of Settlement with FERC the same day to permit termination of the wholesale power contract and related exit fee proceedings upon completion of the sale.

     In accordance with SFAS No. 144, in the second quarter of 2003, the Company classified the assets and liabilities of Connecticut Valley as held for sale in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, as required by SFAS No. 144, the results of operations related to Connecticut Valley are reported as discontinued operations, and prior periods have been restated. For restatement purposes, certain of the Company's common corporate costs, which were previously allocated to Connecticut Valley, have been reallocated to reflect the impact of the sale on continuing operations.

     Whether the sale results in a gain or loss is highly dependent on power market price forecasts at the time of the sale. At this time, Management cannot estimate whether the sale will result in a gain or loss.  If the sale transaction does not close, and the FERC exit fee proceeding, described below, ends unfavorably, there would be a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

 

Page 12 of 36

     As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, Connecticut Valley's results of operations may not be representative of a stand-alone company. Summarized financial information related to Connecticut Valley, including the reallocation of certain corporate common costs, reflecting Management's best estimate of impacts of the Connecticut Valley sale, are shown in the tables below.

     Summarized unaudited results of operations of the discontinued operations were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended   
June 30              

Six Months Ended     
June 30              

 

   2003                  2002   

   2003                2002   

         

Operating revenues

$4,701 

$5,111 

$9,803 

$9,877 

Operating expenses

       

   Purchased power

3,518 

3,871 

7,396 

7,418 

   Other operating expenses

493 

570 

1,019 

1,155 

   Income tax expense

   280 

   268 

   579 

   522 

   Total operating expenses

4,291 

4,709 

8,994 

9,095 

Operating income

410 

402 

809 

782 

         

Other income (expense), net

 (115)

   (46)

 (155)

   (96)

         

Net Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

$295 

$356 

$654 

$686 

     The assets and liabilities related to Connecticut Valley are reported as held for sale on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The major classes of assets and liabilities are as follows (dollars in thousands):

June 30     
        2003        

December 31 
        2002        

 

(unaudited)  

(unaudited)

     

Current Assets

   

         Net utility plant

$9,088

$9,164

         Other current assets

     310

    432

         Total assets held for sale

$9,398

$9,596

     

Current Liabilities

   

         Accounts payable

$1,828

$2,237

         Short-term debt (a)

  3,750

  3,750

         Total current liabilities held for sale

$5,578

$5,987

     

(a) Related to a Note Payable to the Company, which is expected to be paid off at the time of the sale. Reported as Notes Receivable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

FERC Exit Fee Proceedings On February 28, 1997, the NHPUC told Connecticut Valley to stop buying power from the Company. The Company asked for FERC approval, in June 1997, for a transmission rate surcharge to recover stranded costs if Connecticut Valley canceled the rate schedule. In December 1997, FERC rejected the proposal, but said it would consider an exit fee if the contract was canceled. A rehearing motion was denied, so the Company applied for an exit fee totaling $44.9 million as of December 31, 1997.

     On April 24, 2001, a FERC Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") issued an Initial Decision, ruling that if Connecticut Valley terminates its wholesale contract and becomes a wholesale transmission customer of the Company, Connecticut Valley must pay stranded costs to the Company. The ALJ calculated the stranded cost payment at nearly $83 million through 2016. The exit fee decreases annually if service continues, and will be recalculated if the wholesale contract ends.

     On October 29, 2002, the Company and NHPUC asked FERC to withhold its final exit fee order so the parties could continue negotiating a settlement. The Connecticut Valley sale, described in detail above, would make the FERC decision moot.

     On July 22, 2003, the Company and Connecticut Valley filed an Offer of Settlement with FERC to permit termination of the wholesale power contract and related exit fee proceedings upon completion of the sale.

 

 

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     Absent the sale, if Connecticut Valley had to end its contract with the Company and no exit fee was approved, the Company would have to recognize a pre-tax loss of about $27.4 million as of December 31, 2004. That is the earliest termination could occur under the rate schedule. Additionally, the Company would have to write-off approximately $0.6 million pre-tax of regulatory assets. The sale of Connecticut Valley to PSNH, which includes the receipt of $21 million, would resolve these issues. Management believes that the January 1, 2004 closing for the sale is probable.

Wheelabrator Power Contract Connecticut Valley purchases power from several Independent Power Producers, who own qualifying facilities as defined by the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. In the first half of 2003, Connecticut Valley bought 18,696 mWh under long-term contracts with these facilities, 93 percent from Wheelabrator Claremont Company, L.P., ("Wheelabrator") which owns a trash-burning generating facility. Connecticut Valley had filed a complaint with FERC stating its concern that Wheelabrator has not been a qualifying facility since it began operation. On February 11, 1998, FERC denied Connecticut Valley's request for a refund of past power costs and lower future costs. Connecticut Valley's request for a rehearing was denied. Connecticut Valley appealed to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. It denied the appeal, but said Connecticut Valley could seek relief from the NHPUC. On May 12, 2000, Connecticut Valley asked the NHPUC to amend the contract to permit purc hase of only net output of the facility. Connecticut Valley also sought a refund, with interest, for purchases of the difference between net and gross output.

     On March 29, 2002, the NHPUC denied Connecticut Valley's petition. The NHPUC found that its original 1983 order did not authorize sales in excess of 3.6 MW and ordered Connecticut Valley to stop any additional purchases. Wheelabrator has been making sales of up to 4.5 MW of capacity and related energy since 1987.

     On April 29, 2002, Connecticut Valley, Wheelabrator, NHPUC Staff and the Office of Consumer Advocate submitted a settlement with the NHPUC, requiring Wheelabrator to make five annual payments of $150,000 and a sixth payment of $25,000, and Connecticut Valley to make six annual payments of $10,000, to be credited to customer bills. The settlement does not change the contract between Connecticut Valley and Wheelabrator.

     A hearing on the settlement was held June 7, 2002. The NHPUC issued an Order on July 5, 2002, but did not rule on the settlement. Instead, the NHPUC said it would appoint a mediator to work with all parties to see if a new settlement could be reached. The NHPUC selected a mediator and, after several mediation sessions, the mediator issued a report on December 18, 2002. The opponents still oppose the settlement.

     The NHPUC's May 23, 2003 approval of the sale included approval of the settlement with Wheelabrator. Through the sale, PSNH will acquire Connecticut Valley's independent power obligations, including the Wheelabrator contract.

NOTE 7 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Nuclear Decommissioning The Company is responsible for paying its 1.7303 joint-ownership percentage of Millstone Unit #3 decommissioning costs and its entitlement percentages of 2, 2 and 3.5 percent of decommissioning costs related to Maine Yankee, Connecticut Yankee and Yankee Atomic, (the "Yankee companies"), respectively.

Millstone Unit #3 The Company's contributions to the Millstone Unit #3 Trust Fund ceased in 2001, based on the lead owner's representation to various regulatory bodies that the Trust Fund, for its share of the plant, exceeded the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's minimum calculation required. The Company could choose to renew funding at its discretion as long as the minimum requirement is met or exceeded.

Yankee companies The Company is one of several sponsor companies with ownership interests in the Yankee companies. These companies have permanently shut down generating activities and are currently conducting decommissioning activities. The Company is responsible for paying its entitlement shares, which are equal to its ownership percentages, of decommissioning costs for all three plants.

     Each company regularly revises its revenue requirement forecasts, which reflect the future payments required by sponsor companies to recover estimated decommissioning and all other costs. Based on revised estimates in 2002, Maine Yankee decommissioning costs increased by $40 million and Connecticut Yankee decommissioning costs increased by $150 million over prior estimates utilized at FERC. Based on a 2003 update, Yankee Atomic's decommissioning costs are now forecast at an additional $188 million. These increases are due mainly to increases in projected costs of spent fuel storage, security and liability and property insurance.

 

 

 

 

Page 14 of 36

     The Company's shares of estimated revenue requirements for each plant are reflected on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as either regulatory assets or other deferred charges, depending on current recovery in existing rates, and nuclear decommissioning liabilities (current and non-current). At June 30, 2003, the Company had regulatory assets of about $8.4 and $3.4 million related to Maine Yankee and Connecticut Yankee, respectively, and other deferred charges of about $3.5 and $7.9 million related to Connecticut Yankee and Yankee Atomic, respectively. These amounts are subject to ongoing review and revisions and the Company will adjust the associated regulatory assets, other deferred charges and nuclear decommissioning liabilities accordingly.

     The decision to prematurely retire these nuclear power plants was based on economic analyses of operating costs compared to costs of closing them and incurring replacement power costs over the remaining period of the plants' operating licenses. The Company believes that the premature retirements would lower costs to customers, and based on the current regulatory process, its proportionate shares of Maine Yankee, Connecticut Yankee and Yankee Atomic decommissioning costs will be recovered through the regulatory process. Therefore, the ultimate resolution of the premature retirement of the three plants has not and should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's earnings or financial condition.

Maine Yankee Costs billed by Maine Yankee, including a provision for decommissioning, are expected to be paid between 2003 and 2008, and are being collected from the Company's customers through existing retail and wholesale rate tariffs.

     Maine Yankee's current billings to sponsor companies are based on their most recent rate case settlement, approved by FERC on June 1, 1999. Under the settlement, Maine Yankee agreed to file a FERC rate proceeding with an effective date for new rates of no later than January 1, 2004. The Company expects that Maine Yankee will seek recovery of the incremental cost increase described above in their next FERC rate filing.

Connecticut Yankee Costs billed by Connecticut Yankee, including a provision for decommissioning, are expected to be paid between 2003 and 2007, and are being collected from the Company's customers through existing retail and wholesale rate tariffs.

     Connecticut Yankee is currently involved in a contract dispute with Bechtel Power Corporation ("Bechtel"). The dispute is in regards to Connecticut Yankee's concern with Bechtel's performance. Bechtel had been Connecticut Yankee's decommissioning contractor. On June 13, 2003, following unsuccessful attempts to reach a mutually acceptable settlement, Connecticut Yankee notified Bechtel of its plans to terminate the contract for various contract defaults including its "refusal to provide a Project Completion Schedule and to perform the remaining decommissioning tasks." Under the contract, Bechtel had 30 days to cure its defaults before the termination became effective; it failed to do so. As a result, on July 14, 2003, Connecticut Yankee became the general contractor for the decommissioning.

     Bechtel responded to the notice of termination by filing a complaint for breach of contract, misrepresentation, and bad faith in Middlesex County Superior Court on June 23, 2003. Bechtel charges that Connecticut Yankee's mismanagement of the decommissioning effort and undisclosed problems over years of prior operations, delayed the project by three years and increased costs to Bechtel.

     Connecticut Yankee is expected to bring a lawsuit against Bechtel. This is a commercial contract dispute; Bechtel's defaults are not related to safety, security or workmanship issues. Connecticut Yankee estimates that as a result of Bechtel's poor contract performance, the project is more than 2 1/2 years behind schedule.

     Connecticut Yankee is required to file an updated cost of service with FERC by July 1, 2004. The Company expects Connecticut Yankee to request recovery from its sponsor companies of the $150 million in increased decommissioning costs. The Company also expects the same request regarding the excess project completion costs resulting from the Bechtel contract termination, pending recovery of those costs from Bechtel, and, if necessary, American Home Insurance Company. It provided a $36 million Performance Bond to Connecticut Yankee. Management cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

Yankee Atomic Billings to sponsor companies ended in July 2000 based on Yankee Atomic's determination that it had collected sufficient funds to complete the decommissioning effort. Therefore the Company is not currently collecting costs in its existing rates.

     Yankee Atomic made a filing to FERC in April 2003 for rates effective June 2003 with collections from sponsor companies from June 2003 through December 2010 related to the increased costs described above. FERC approved the resumption of billings starting June 2003 subject to refund. The Company expects its share of these costs to be approximately $1.1 million in 2003 and that these costs will be recoverable in future rates.

 

Page 15 of 36

Environmental   Over the years, more than 100 companies have merged into or been acquired by CVPS. At least two of the companies used coal to produce gas for retail sale. This practice ended more than 50 years ago. Gas manufacturers, their predecessors and the Company used waste disposal methods that were legal and acceptable then, but may not meet modern environmental standards and could represent liability.

     Some operations and activities are inspected and supervised by federal and state authorities, including the Environmental Protection Agency. The Company believes that it is in compliance with all laws and regulations and has implemented procedures and controls to assess and assure compliance. Corrective action is taken when necessary. Below is a brief discussion of known material issues.

Cleveland Avenue Property The Cleveland Avenue property in Rutland, Vermont, was used by a predecessor to make gas from coal. Later, the Company sited various operations there. Due to coal tar deposits, Polychlorinated Biphenyl contamination and potential off-site migration, the Company conducted studies in the late 1980s and early 1990s to quantify the situation. Investigation has continued, and the Company is working with the State of Vermont to develop a mutually acceptable solution.

Brattleboro Manufactured Gas Facility In the 1940s, the Company owned and operated a manufactured gas facility in Brattleboro, Vermont. The Company ordered a site assessment in 1999 on request of the State of New Hampshire. In 2001, New Hampshire said no further action was required, though it reserved the right to require further investigation or remedial measures. In 2002, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources notified the Company that its corrective action plan for the site, including groundwater monitoring and controls, was approved. That plan is now in place.

Dover, New Hampshire, Manufactured Gas Facility In 1999, PSNH contacted the Company about this site. PSNH alleged that the Company was partially liable for cleanup, since the site was previously operated by Twin State Gas and Electric ("Twin State"), which merged into CVPS the day PSNH bought the facility.

     The Company agreed to non-binding mediation regarding liability. Lengthy mediation followed with numerous parties, including the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. A settlement with PSNH was reached, in which certain liabilities the Company might have had were assigned to PSNH in return for a cash payment. As a result, the Company reversed $1.7 million in environmental reserves in the second quarter of 2002.

     As of June 30, 2003, a reserve of $7.4 million is recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. This represents Management's best estimate of the cost to remedy issues at these sites.  There is no pending or threatened litigation regarding other sites with the potential to cause material expense. No government agency has sought funds from the Company for any other study or remediation.

Independent Power Producers   The Company receives power from several Independent Power Producers ("IPPs"). These plants use water, biomass and trash as fuel. Most of the power comes through a state-appointed purchasing agent, VEPP Inc. ("VEPPI"), which assigns power to all Vermont utilities under PSB rules. For the first half of 2003, the Company received 98,954 mWh, which accounts for 7.4 percent of the total mWh purchased and 13.5 percent of purchased power costs. Included in the 98,954 mWh were 72,841 mWh received through VEPPI, and 17,363 mWh bought by Connecticut Valley from a trash-burning plant owned by Wheelabrator Claremont Company, L.P.

     In 1999, the Company and 17 other Vermont utilities asked the PSB to make seven changes in the IPPs' contracts with the state, to reduce power costs for customers' benefit. The PSB opened an investigation. Three companies later dropped out of the case, and Green Mountain Power was forced out due to a previous no-litigation agreement with several IPP owners.

     Legal proceedings and negotiations continued until early 2002, when a settlement was filed with the PSB. The Company also agreed to jointly support efforts before the Vermont Legislature, resulting in the enactment of legislation to approve the use of securitization to buy down some of the IPPs' purchasing agent contracts. The Company believes that these efforts create the potential for more savings.

     After a series of hearings, in which non-petitioning utilities sought some of the settlement's benefits, a Hearing Officer issued a Proposal for Decision. It would require proportional sharing of the cost savings among all Vermont electric utilities, and reimbursement of litigation costs by the non-petitioning companies. In January 2003, the Company, other petitioning utilities, the DPS and certain non-petitioning utility parties filed an agreement, making minor changes to the proposed

 

 

Page 16 of 36

decision. On January 15, 2003, the PSB issued a final order approving the settlement. The PSB required that the parties make certain compliance filings, including final dispatch agreements for the Ryegate and Sheldon Springs facilities, and utility-specific plans for distributing savings to customers. By Orders dated June 9 and July 10, 2003, the PSB approved the Company's compliance filings and the Ryegate dispatch agreement. The petitioning utilities, VEPPI and Missisquoi Associates are finalizing a proposed Sheldon Springs dispatch agreement. Based on the settlement, nominal cost savings to all Vermont utilities are estimated between $8 million and $9 million between 2004 and 2014, exclusive of savings that might result from implementation of IPP contract buy downs through securitization. The Company should receive approximately 40 percent of the power savings credits made available under the settlement. Under the settlement, the power cost savings could not begin until a certificate o f consent was issued by the IPPs indicating that all conditions required under the settlement were satisfied. In June 2003, the IPPs issued the required certificates, and VEPPI began passing along power cost savings to all Vermont utilities including the Company. The Company cannot predict when the final Sheldon Springs dispatch agreement will become effective although it is expected to occur before the end of 2003.

    See Note 2, Regulatory Accounting, for additional information.

NOTE 8 - RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME AND AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON
                 STOCK AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     The following table represents a reconciliation of net income from continuing and discontinued operations to net income available for common stock and the average common shares outstanding basic to diluted (dollars in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended   
June 30               

Six Months Ended     
June 30               

 

2003  

2002  

2003  

2002  

Net income from continuing operations before preferred stock

$4,800 

$3,619 

$9,400 

$8,073 

Preferred stock dividend requirements

     300 

     403 

     599 

     807 

Net income from continuing operations

4,500 

3,216 

8,801 

7,266 

Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

     295 

     356 

     654 

     686 

Net income available for common stock

$4,795 

$3,572 

$9,455 

$7,952 

         

Average shares of common stock outstanding - basic

11,864,013 

11,662,096 

11,820,577 

11,642,217 

   Dilutive effect of stock options

101,087 

117,446 

92,874 

110,484 

   Dilutive effective of performance plan shares

      92,831 

     141,893 

      92,831 

     141,893 

Average shares of common stock outstanding - diluted

12,057,931 

11,921,435 

12,006,282 

11,894,594 


     The changes in the components of other comprehensive income/(loss) net of income tax effects, as shown in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are as follows (dollars in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended   
June 30               

Six Months Ended     
June 30               

 

2003  

2002  

2003  

2002  

Income from continuing operations

$4,500 

$3,216 

$8,801 

$7,266 

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     295 

     356 

     654 

     686 

4,795 

3,572 

9,455 

7,952 

         

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

       

    Foreign currency translation adjustments

434 

622 

251 

469 

    Unrealized losses on securities

         - 

         - 

     (62)

         - 

         

Comprehensive income

$5,229 

$4,194 

$9,644 

$8,421 

NOTE 9 - SEGMENT REPORTING

     The Company's reportable operating segments include:

Central Vermont Public Service Corporation ("CV"), which engages in the purchase, production, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity in Vermont. Custom Investment Corporation is included with CV in the table below.

Catamount Energy Corporation ("Catamount"), which invests in non-regulated, energy generation projects in the United States and Western Europe.

Page 17 of 36

All Other, which includes operating segments below the quantitative threshold for separate disclosure. These operating segments include 1) Eversant Corporation ("Eversant"), which engages in the sale or rental of electric water heaters through a subsidiary, SmartEnergy Water Heating Services, Inc., to customers in Vermont and New Hampshire. Eversant was reported separately as of December 31, 2002.  All prior period amounts have been restated to reflect this new classification; 2) C. V. Realty, Inc., a real estate company whose purpose is to own, acquire, buy, sell and lease real and personal property and interests therein related to the utility business and 3) Catamount Resources Corporation, which was formed to hold the Company's subsidiaries that invest in non-regulated business opportunities.

     The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Intersegment revenues include revenues for support services, including allocations of building costs for space rental, software systems and equipment, to Catamount and Eversant. Due to the pending sale of Connecticut Valley's franchise and net plant assets as described in Note 6, Discontinued Operations - Connecticut Valley, results of operations for Connecticut Valley are reported as discontinued operations in the segment table below.

     The intersegment sales and services for each jurisdiction are based on actual rates or current costs. The Company evaluates performance based on stand-alone operating segment net income. Financial information by industry segment for the second quarter of 2003 and 2002 and the first six months of 2003 and 2002 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30

           
 


CV
VT

Catamount
Energy
Corporation



All Other (a)


Discontinued
Operations (d)

Reclassification &
Consolidating
Entries



Consolidated

             

2003

           

Revenues from external customers

$73,588 

$139 

$485 

$(624)

$73,588 

Intersegment revenues

23 

(23)

Equity income - utility affiliates (b)

436 

436 

Equity income - non-utility affiliates (c)

2,020 

(2,020)

Net income from continuing operations

4,430 

233 

137 

4,800 

Net income from discontinued operations

$295 

295 

Total assets held for sale

9,398 

9,398 

Total assets

463,905 

52,996 

3,528 

9,398 

(10,439)

519,388 

2002

           

Revenues from external customers

$69,720 

$59 

$499 

$(558)

$69,720 

Intersegment revenues

27 

-

(27)

Equity income - utility affiliates (b)

693 

-

693 

Equity income - non-utility affiliates (c)

2,943 

-

(2,943)

Net income from continuing operations

2,932 

686 

3,619 

Net income from discontinued operations

$356 

356 

Total assets held for sale at December 31, 2002

9,596 

9,596 

Total assets at December 31, 2002

458,042 

60,743 

13,539 

9,596 

(8,990) 

532,930 

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30

           
 


CV
VT

Catamount
Energy
Corporation



All Other (a)


Discontinued
Operations (d)

Reclassification &
Consolidating
Entries



Consolidated

             

2003

           

Revenues from external customers

$153,064 

$191 

$986 

$(1,177)

$153,064 

Intersegment revenues

51 

(51)

Equity income - utility affiliates (b)

872 

872 

Equity income - non-utility affiliates (c)

4,146 

(4,146)

Net income from continuing operations

9,057 

96 

247

9,400 

Net income from discontinued operations

$654

654 

Total assets held for sale

9,398

9,398 

Total assets

463,905 

52,996 

3,528 

9,398

(10,439)

519,388 

2002

           

Revenues from external customers

$143,929 

$300 

$923

$(1,223)

$143,929 

Intersegment revenues

52 

-

(52)

Equity income - utility affiliates (b)

1,327 

-

1,327 

Equity income - non-utility affiliates (c)

5,510 

-

(5,510)

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

7,546 

911 

(384)

8,073 

Net income from discontinued operations

-

$686

686 

Total assets held for sale at December 31, 2002

-

9,596

9,596 

Total assets at December 31, 2002

458,042 

60,743

13,539

9,596

(8,990) 

532,930 

  1. Includes segments below the quantitative threshold.
  2. See Note 3, Investments in Affiliates.
  3. See Note 4, Non-Utility Investments.
  4. See Note 6, Discontinued Operations - Connecticut Valley Sale.

Page 18 of 36

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

In this section we explain the general financial condition and the results of operations for Central Vermont Public Service Corporation ("the Company", "we" or "our") and its subsidiaries.

Forward looking statements  Statements contained in this report that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe-harbors from the liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements made that are not historical facts are forward-looking and, accordingly, involve estimates, assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Actual results will depend, among other things, upon the actions of regulators, the pending sale of our wholly owned subsidiary, Connecticut Valley Electric Company ("Connecticut Valley"), performance of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, effects of and changes in weather and economic conditions, volatility in wholesale electric markets, our ability to maintain our current credit ratings and performance of our non-regulated businesses. These and other risk factors are deta iled in our annual report filed on Form 10-K as well as interim reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We cannot predict the outcome of any of these matters; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such indicated results will be realized. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date of this report. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revision to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Preparation of our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and revenues and expenses. The following is a discussion of some of our most critical accounting policies. Also see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Critical Accounting Policies included in our annual report filed on Form 10-K.

Regulation  The Company is regulated by the Vermont Public Service Board ("PSB"), the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission ("NHPUC") and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC"), with respect to rates charged for service, accounting and other matters pertaining to regulated operations. The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation ("SFAS No. 71"), for its regulated Vermont service territory, FERC-regulated wholesale business and Connecticut Valley's New Hampshire service territory. We periodically review these criteria to ensure continuing application of SFAS No. 71 is appropriate. Based on a current evaluation of the various factors and conditions expected to impact future cost recovery, we believe future recovery of our regulatory assets in Vermont and New Hampshire is probable.

     In the event that we determine the Company no longer meets the criteria under SFAS No. 71, the accounting impact would be an extraordinary charge to operations of about $42.8 million on a pre-tax basis as of June 30, 2003, assuming that no stranded cost recovery would be allowed through a rate mechanism.

Discontinued Operations On May 23, 2003, the NHPUC approved the sale of Connecticut Valley's franchise and net plant assets to Public Service Company of New Hampshire ("PSNH"). Accordingly, the Company classified the assets and liabilities of Connecticut Valley as held for sale in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, ("SFAS No. 144"). In addition, as required by SFAS No. 144, the results of operations related to Connecticut Valley are reported as discontinued operations, and prior periods have been restated. For restatement purposes, certain of the Company's common corporate costs, which were previously allocated to Connecticut Valley, have been reallocated to reflect the sale's impact on continuing operations.

Pension and Postretirement Benefits We record pension and other postretirement benefit costs in accordance with SFAS No. 87, Employers' Accounting for Pensions, and SFAS No. 106, Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions.

     The market value of pension plan assets has been affected by sharp declines in the capital markets. We anticipate increases in pension expense of $1.7 million for 2003. Pension costs and cash funding requirements are expected to increase in future years and could become even more material without a significant recovery in the capital markets. As of June 30, 2003, the market value of pension plan trust assets was $58.6 million, including $38.7 million in marketable equity securities, compared to pension plan trust assets of $55.9 million at December 31, 2002.

 

Page 19 of 36

     We also anticipate increases in postretirement expense of $0.6 million for 2003. The increase is primarily driven by higher than expected medical claims experience.

EARNINGS OVERVIEW

     The Company reported consolidated second quarter earnings of $5.1 million, or 40 cents per diluted share of common stock, a 10-cent increase from a year ago. Second quarter 2002 earnings totaled $4 million, or 30 cents per diluted share of common stock.

     For the first six months of 2003, the Company reported earnings of $10.1 million, or 79 cents per diluted share of common stock, a 12-cent increase from a year ago. First six months of 2002 earnings totaled $8.8 million, or 67 cents per diluted share of common stock.

     The results of operations related to the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Connecticut Valley, have been reported separately as discontinued operations. The sale of Connecticut Valley's franchise and net plant assets to PSNH is expected to close January 1, 2004. In the second quarter and first six months of 2003, discontinued operations contributed 2 and 6 cents to consolidated earnings per share (basic and diluted) compared to 3 and 6 cents for the comparable periods in 2002.

     The following tables provide a reconciliation of 2003 and 2002 diluted earnings per share.

Second quarter 2003 vs. second quarter 2002:

2002 Earnings per diluted share

$.30 

   

Year over Year Effects on Earnings:

 
  • Lower other operating expenses (a)

$.17 

  • Lower net power costs

.07 

  • Higher retail sales

.02 

  • Reversal of environmental reserve in 2002 (b)

(.09)

  • Lower equity in earnings

(.02)

  • Lower earnings at Catamount (c)

(.02)

  • Lower other operating revenue

(.01)

  • Lower earnings at Eversant (c)

(.01)

  • Income from discontinued operations

 (.01)

   

2003 Earnings per diluted share

$.40 

First six months 2003 vs. first six months 2002:

2002 Earnings per diluted share

$.67 

   

Year over Year Effects on Earnings:

 
  • Higher retail sales

$.15 

  • Lower other operating expenses (d)

.12 

  • Earnings at Eversant vs. losses in 2002 (c)

.05 

  • Reversal of environmental reserve in 2002 (b)

(.09)

  • Lower earnings Catamount (c)

(.07)

  • Lower equity in earnings

(.03)

  • Higher net power costs

 (.01)

   

2003 Earnings per diluted share

$.79 

  1. Lower life insurance expense due to market fluctuations, lower ISO-New England transmission congestion charges, lower storm-related restoration costs in 2003 compared to 2002, internal cost cutting, lower employee medical costs and additional reserve for bad debt in 2002, offset by higher employee-related costs such as pension.

(b) Included in Other operation, discussed below in Results of Operations.

(c) included in Other income, net, discussed below in Results of Operations.

  1. Mostly lower storm restoration costs in 2003 compared to 2002, internal cost cutting and lower life insurance expense, offset by increased employee pension costs.

 

Page 20 of 36

The year-over-year variances are explained in more detail in the following Results of Operations.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Operating Revenues and Megawatt-hour ("mWh") Sales Revenue from operations and related mWh sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 are summarized below:

Three Months Ended June 30              

mWh Sales         

Revenues (000's)    

 

2003  

2002  

2003  

2002  

Retail sales:

       

 Residential

208,599

205,225

$28,037

$27,568

 Commercial

196,087

201,571

24,167

24,390

 Industrial

92,614

92,958

7,875

7,749

 Other retail

    1,346

    1,390

      400

       412

  Total retail sales

498,646

501,144

 60,479

  60,119

Resale sales:

       

 Firm (1)

1,152

478

29

32

 RS-2 power contract (2)

28,081

28,739

2,453

2,857

 Other

200,929

136,653

    8,719

    4,665

  Total resale sales

230,162

165,870

  11,201

    7,554

Other revenues

           -

           -

    1,908

    2,047

  Total

728,808

667,014

$73,588

$69,720

Six Months Ended June 30                   

mWh Sales         

Revenues (000's)    

 

2003  

2002  

2003  

2002  

Retail sales:

       

 Residential

481,618

455,405

$62,951

$59,869

 Commercial

410,034

410,821

49,368

49,173

 Industrial

194,393

204,549

16,807

17,181

 Other retail

      2,695

      2,726

        797

         806

  Total retail sales

1,088,740

1,073,501

$129,923

$127,029

Resale sales:

       

 Firm (1)

2,649

1,036

89

65

 RS-2 power contract (2)

60,485

61,622

5,315

5,314

 Other

   306,301

   257,925

    14,247

      8,029

  Total resale sales

   369,435

   320,583

    19,651

    13,408

Other revenues

               -

               -

      3,490

      3,492

  Total

1,458,175

1,394,084

$153,064

$143,929

  1. Firm sales are compensatory and are based on FERC filed tariffs.
  2. RS-2 power contract is the full requirements contract between the Company and Connecticut Valley. The Company and Connecticut Valley plan to terminate the RS-2 contract at completion of the sale. See Discontinued Operations below.

     Operating revenues increased $3.9 million for the second quarter of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002, primarily due to higher other resale sales resulting from higher rates for contract sales and wholesale market prices in New England combined with higher mWh sales. The increased volume is the result of fewer mWh available for resale in 2002, partly due to the 2002 Vermont Yankee mid-cycle outage.

     Operating revenues for the first half of 2003 increased $9.1 million compared to the same period in 2002 due to the following factors:

 

 

 

 

 

Page 21 of 36

Net Purchased Power and Production Fuel Costs Cost components of net purchased power and production fuel for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 are summarized in the following table (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30                       

 

2003

2002

 

Units

Amount

Units

Amount

Purchased power:

       

  Capacity (MW)

346

$10,125

391

$24,231

  Energy (mWh)

648,289

 27,370

599,519

 11,017

Total purchased power

 

37,495

 

35,248

Production fuel (mWh)
Total purchased power and production fuel

117,283

      844
 38,339

113,934

      425
35,673

Less entitlement and other resale sales (mWh)

200,929

   8,719

136,653

   4,665

         

Net purchased power and production fuel costs

 

$29,620

 

$31,008

 

Six Months Ended June 30                     

 

2003

2002

 

Units

Amount

Units

Amount

Purchased power:

       

  Capacity (MW)

387

$20,658

407

$46,114

  Energy (mWh)

1,326,701

 56,375

1,281,068

  25,660

Total purchased power

 

77,033

 

71,774

Production fuel (mWh)
Total purchased power and production fuel

219,019

   2,247
 79,280

212,145

      995
72,769

Less entitlement and other resale sales (mWh)

306,301

 14,247

257,925

   8,029

         

Net purchased power and production fuel costs

 

$65,033

 

$64,740

     The sale of Vermont Yankee effective July 31, 2002, resulted in a significant change to the Company's purchased power cost structure when comparing the second quarter and first half of 2003 and 2002. All purchases made under the purchased power agreement ("PPA") that became effective after the sale are recorded as energy purchases. Prior to the sale, the great majority of Vermont Yankee costs were recorded as capacity purchases.

     Net purchased power and production fuel costs decreased $1.4 million for the second quarter of 2003 compared to 2002 due to the following factors:

     Net purchased power and production fuel costs increased $0.3 million for the first half of 2003 compared to 2002 due to the following factors:

 

 

 

 

 

Page 22 of 36

Other Operating Costs Other major elements of the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the second quarter and first half of 2003 compared to the same periods in 2002 are discussed below.

Other operation The $1.3 and $3.3 million increase for the second quarter and first half of 2003, respectively, are related to higher employee-related expenses such as pension benefit costs for the first half of 2003. Also, in the second quarter of 2002, $1.7 million of certain environmental reserves were reversed. Offsetting these unfavorable variances, was a decrease in bad debt provisions booked in 2003.

Maintenance  The $0.7 and $1.3 million decrease for the second quarter and first half of 2003, respectively, are primarily due to lower storm restoration costs in 2003 compared to 2002 and lower transmission costs.

Equity in earnings of affiliates The $0.3 and $0.5 million decrease for the second quarter and first half of 2003, respectively, resulted from the July 2002 sale of Vermont Yankee.

Other income, net The $1.3 and $1.9 million increase for the second quarter and first half of 2003, respectively, are summarized in the table below (dollars in millions):

 

2003 vs. 2002                      

 

Second quarter

Year to date

          Catamount

$(0.2)

$(0.8)

          Eversant

 0.5 

(0.2)

          Other

 1.0 

  2.9 

               Total Variance

$1.3 

$1.9 

Catamount Lower earnings primarily resulted from lower equity in earnings from certain of its investments, one of which was sold in the fourth quarter of 2002, partially offset by lower interest expense from lower debt and gain on foreign currency.

Eversant Excluding the favorable impact of the 2002 IRS settlement that is included in Other interest expense described below, Eversant's earnings were $0.5 million higher in the second quarter and $0.2 million lower in the first half of 2003, respectively. These variances resulted from discontinuing efforts to pursue non-regulated business opportunities.

Other This primarily resulted from lower life insurance expense in the second quarter and first half of 2003 due to market fluctuations, lower carrying charges related to certain regulatory items and lower other costs.

Interest on long-term debt  The $0.3 and $0.6 million decrease for the second quarter and first half of 2003, respectively, are primarily related to lower principal balances due to the reduction of Catamount's outstanding revolver balance and lower utility debt.

Other interest expense The $0.5 million increase in interest expense for both the second quarter and first half of 2003 is primarily related to the 2002 reversal of an IRS interest expense accrual related to Eversant, which was previously recorded in the fourth quarter of 2001.

Income taxes Federal and state income taxes fluctuate with the level of pre-tax earnings in relation to permanent differences. Income taxes increased in the first half of 2003, due to changes in permanent differences for the periods and an increase in Catamount's valuation allowance.

Discontinued Operations Represents results of operations related to Connecticut Valley, which is classified as held for sale. See discussion of Discontinued Operations below.

Cash Dividend Declared  Preferred stock dividends decreased by $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the second quarter and first half of 2003, respectively, related to lower outstanding preferred stock balances. Common stock dividends decreased $2.5 million in the second quarter of 2003 and increased $2.7 million in the first half of 2003 due to timing of dividend declarations. The quarterly dividend per share amount and payment schedule remain unchanged.

 

 

 

 

 

Page 23 of 36

POWER SUPPLY MATTERS

Sources of Energy We purchase approximately 90 percent of our power under several contracts of varying duration. Our purchased power portfolio includes a mix of base load and schedulable resources and wholly owned resources to help cover peak load periods.

Jointly owned units Our joint-ownership interests include 1.7303 percent in Unit #3 of the Millstone Nuclear Power Station, 20 percent in Joseph C. McNeil, a 53-MW wood-, gas- and oil-fired unit, and 1.78 percent joint-ownership in Wyman #4, a 619-MW oil-fired unit.

Wholly owned units Our wholly owned units include 20 hydroelectric generating units, two oil-fired and one diesel-peaking unit with a combined nameplate capability of 73.6 MW.

     In January 2003, the Company, the State of Vermont, the Vermont Natural Resources Council and other parties reached an agreement to allow us to relicense the four dams we own and operate on the Lamoille River. According to the agreement, we will receive a water quality certificate from the State, which is needed for FERC to relicense the facilities for 30 years. The agreement also stipulates that subject to various conditions we must begin decommissioning Peterson Dam in approximately 20 years. The agreement requires PSB approval of full rate recovery related to decommissioning the Peterson Dam including full rate recovery of replacement power costs when the dam is out of service. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

Long-Term Contracts We have long-term power contracts with Hydro-Quebec and Vermont Yankee for about 85 percent of our total annual energy (mWh) purchases. See Note 3, Investments in Affiliates, for information related to the July 2002 sale of Vermont Yankee. Additionally, we are required to purchase power from various Independent Power Producers ("IPPs") under long-term contracts. See Note 7, Commitments and Contingencies, for information related to the recent settlement with the IPPs.

Other Short Term We engage in short-term purchases and sales with ISO-New England and other electric utilities, primarily in New England, to minimize the net costs and risk of serving our customers. Based on our long-term power forecasts, we entered into a forward sale transaction for about 306,000 mWh for the period beginning February 1, 2003 and ending December 31, 2003.

Nuclear Decommissioning We are responsible for paying our 1.7303 joint-ownership percentage of Millstone Unit #3 decommissioning costs and our entitlement percentages of 2, 2 and 3.5 percent of decommissioning costs related to Maine Yankee, Connecticut Yankee and Yankee Atomic (the "Yankee companies"), respectively.

Millstone Unit #3 Our contributions to the Millstone Unit #3 Trust Fund ceased in 2001, based on the lead owner's representation to various regulatory bodies that the Trust Fund, for its share of the plant, exceeded the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's minimum calculation required. We could choose to renew funding at our discretion as long as the minimum requirement is met or exceeded.

Yankee companies We are one of several sponsor companies with ownership interests in the Yankee companies. These companies have permanently shut down generating activities and are currently conducting decommissioning activities. We are responsible for paying our entitlement shares, which are equal to our ownership percentages, of decommissioning costs for all three plants.

     Each company regularly revises its revenue requirement forecasts, which reflect the future payments required by sponsor companies to recover estimated decommissioning and all other costs. Based on revised estimates in 2002, Maine Yankee decommissioning costs increased by $40 million and Connecticut Yankee decommissioning costs increased by $150 million over prior estimates utilized at FERC. Based on a 2003 update, Yankee Atomic decommissioning costs are now forecast at an additional $188 million. These increases are due mainly to increases in the projected costs of spent fuel storage, security and liability and property insurance.

     Our shares of estimated revenue requirements for each plant are reflected on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as either regulatory assets or other deferred charges, depending on current recovery in existing rates, and nuclear decommissioning liabilities (current and non-current). At June 30, 2003, we had regulatory assets of about $8.4 million and $3.4 million related to Maine Yankee and Connecticut Yankee, respectively, and other deferred charges of about $3.5 million and $7.9 million related to Connecticut Yankee and Yankee Atomic, respectively. These amounts are subject to ongoing review and revisions. We will adjust the associated regulatory assets, other deferred charges and nuclear decommissioning liabilities accordingly.

Page 24 of 36

     The decision to prematurely retire these nuclear power plants was based on economic analyses of the costs of operating them compared to costs of closing them and incurring replacement power costs over the remaining period of the plants' operating licenses. We believe the premature retirements would lower costs to customers and based on the current regulatory process, our proportionate shares of Maine Yankee, Connecticut Yankee and Yankee Atomic decommissioning costs will be recovered through the regulatory process. Therefore, the ultimate resolution of the premature retirement of the three plants has not and should not have a material adverse effect on our earnings or financial condition.

Maine Yankee Costs billed by Maine Yankee, including a provision for decommissioning, are expected to be paid between 2003 and 2008, and are being collected from our customers through existing retail and wholesale rate tariffs.

     Maine Yankee's current billings to sponsor companies are based on their most recent rate case settlement, approved by FERC on June 1, 1999. Under the settlement, Maine Yankee agreed to file with FERC a rate proceeding with an effective date for new rates of no later than January 1, 2004. We expect that Maine Yankee will seek recovery of the incremental cost increase described above in their next FERC rate filing.

Connecticut Yankee Costs billed by Connecticut Yankee, including a provision for decommissioning, are expected to be paid between 2003 and 2007, and are being collected from our customers through existing retail and wholesale rate tariffs.

     Connecticut Yankee is currently involved in a contract dispute with Bechtel Power Corporation ("Bechtel"). The dispute is in regards to Connecticut Yankee's concern with Bechtel's performance. Bechtel had been Connecticut Yankee's decommissioning contractor. On June 13, 2003, following unsuccessful attempts to reach a mutually acceptable settlement, Connecticut Yankee notified Bechtel of its plans to terminate the contract for various contract defaults including its "refusal to provide a Project Completion Schedule and to perform the remaining decommissioning tasks." Under the contract, Bechtel had 30 days to cure its defaults before the termination became effective; it failed to do so. As a result, on July 14, 2003, Connecticut Yankee became the general contractor for the decommissioning.

     Bechtel responded to the notice of termination by filing a complaint for breach of contract, misrepresentation, and bad faith in Middlesex County Superior Court on June 23, 2003. Bechtel charges that Connecticut Yankee's mismanagement of the decommissioning effort and undisclosed problems over years of prior operations, delayed the project by three years and increased costs to Bechtel.

     Connecticut Yankee is expected to bring a lawsuit against Bechtel. This is a commercial contract dispute; Bechtel's defaults are not related to safety, security or workmanship issues. Connecticut Yankee estimates that as a result of Bechtel's poor contract performance, the project is more than 2 1/2 years behind schedule.

     Connecticut Yankee is required to file an updated cost of service with FERC by July 1, 2004. The Company expects Connecticut Yankee to request recovery from its sponsor companies of the $150 million in increased decommissioning costs. We expect the same request regarding the excess project completion costs, resulting from the Bechtel contract termination pending recovery of those costs from Bechtel, and, if necessary, American Home Insurance Company. It provided a $36 million Performance Bond to Connecticut Yankee. Management cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

Yankee Atomic Billings to sponsor companies ended in July 2000 based on Yankee Atomic's determination that it had collected sufficient funds to complete the decommissioning effort. Therefore we are not currently collecting costs in our existing rates.

     Yankee Atomic made a filing to FERC in April 2003 for rates effective June 2003 with collections from sponsor companies from June 2003 through December 2010 related to the increased costs described above. FERC approved the resumption of billing starting June 2003 subject to refund. We expect our share of these costs to be approximately $1.1 million in 2003 and that these costs will be recoverable in future rates.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     We ended the first half of 2003 with cash and cash equivalents of $55.4 million, a decrease of $5 million from December 31, 2002. The decrease resulted from $20.9 million provided by operating activities, offset by $6.5 million used for investing, $19.2 million used for financing, $0.1 million used by the effect of exchange rate changes on cash and $0.1 million used by discontinuing operations. For the first half of 2002 we had cash and cash equivalents of $48 million, an increase of $2.5 million from the beginning of the year due to $16.6 million provided by operating activities, offset by $6.7 million used for investing activities, $7.2 million used for financing activities and $0.2 million used by discontinued operations.

 

Page 25 of 36

     Our liquidity is primarily affected by the level of cash generated from operations, reduced by the funding requirements of ongoing construction programs.  We believe that sufficient cash flow will be generated from operations to fund our anticipated needs through at least 2004. The $75 million Second Mortgage Bonds mature on August 1, 2004. It is currently anticipated that all or a majority of the debt will be refinanced at maturity. The type, timing and terms of future financing that we may need will depend upon our cash needs, the availability of refinancing sources and the prevailing conditions in the financial markets.

Operating Activities  Net income, depreciation, deferred income taxes and investment tax credits provided cash of $15.9 million for the first half of 2003 and $17.3 million for the first half of 2002. Working capital and other operating activities provided and used about $5 million and $0.7 million of cash for the first half of 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Investing Activities Construction and plant expenditures of continuing operations used cash of approximately $6.4 and $6.0 million for the first half of 2003 and 2002, respectively, while other investing activities used $0.1 and $0.7 million.

Financing Activities The table below provides a summary of financing activity for the first half of 2003 and 2002 (dollars in millions).

 

2003

2002

Dividends paid on common stock

$(5.2)

$(5.1)

Dividends paid on preferred stock

(0.3)

(0.8)

Pay down of capital lease obligation

(0.5)

(0.5)

Retirement of long-term debt

(15.4)

(0.1)

Retirement of preferred stock

0.0 

(1.0)

Dividend reinvestment program

1.0 

0.0 

Exercise of stock options

1.2 

0.4 

Other

     0.0 

  (0.1)

 

$(19.2)

$(7.2)

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash  Net cash flow used by the effect of exchange rate changes on cash was $0.1 million in the first half of 2003, resulting from Catamount's foreign currency translations.

Discontinued Operations Cash used by discontinued operations was $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the first half of 2003 and 2002, respectively. See discussion of Discontinued Operations below.

Utility

     Based on outstanding debt at June 30, 2003, the aggregate amount of utility long-term debt maturities and sinking fund requirements are $10.5 million and $75 million for years 2003 and 2004.  The 8.3 percent Dividend Series Preferred Stock is redeemable at par through a mandatory sinking fund of $1.0 million annually. It is currently anticipated that all, or a majority of, the $75 million Second Mortgage Bonds, maturing at August 1, 2004, will be refinanced at maturity. Substantially all of our Vermont utility property and plant is subject to liens under the First and Second Mortgage Bonds.

     We extended an aggregate of $16.9 million of letters of credit with Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, expiring on November 30, 2004. These letters of credit support three series of Industrial Development/Pollution Control Bonds, totaling $16.3 million. These letters of credit are secured by a first mortgage lien on the same collateral supporting our first mortgage bonds.

     Our long-term debt arrangements contain financial and non-financial covenants. At June 30, 2003, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants related to various debt agreements.

Non-Utility

     Catamount has a $25 million revolving credit/term loan facility and letters of credit, of which $6 million was outstanding at June 30, 2003. The facility expired on November 12, 2002 and on December 31, 2002 Catamount and its lender entered into the First Amendment to the facility that, among other things, extended the revolver facility for an additional two years. Under the two-year extension, Catamount can borrow against new operating projects subject to terms and conditions of the facility. Additionally, the outstanding revolver loans were converted to amortizing loans on a two-year term-out schedule.

 

 

 

Page 26 of 36

The interest rate is variable, prime-based. Catamount's assets secure the facility.  The aggregate amount of Catamount's long-term debt maturities, including Catamount's office building mortgage are $3.7 million and $2.5 million for years 2003 and 2004, respectively. Catamount's long-term debt contains financial and non-financial covenants. At June 30, 2003, Catamount was in compliance with all covenants under the revolver.

     At June 30, 2003, Catamount had $11 million of restricted cash invested in a 30-day certificate of deposit, representing the funds collateralizing Catamount's Sweetwater I investment commitment. When the certificate of deposit matured in late July, the restricted cash was reduced to the maximum amount of Catamount's commitment of $10.1 million.

DIVERSIFICATION

     Catamount Resources Corporation was formed to hold our subsidiaries that invest in non-regulated business opportunities including Catamount and Eversant.

Catamount

     Catamount invests through its wholly owned subsidiaries in non-regulated energy generation projects in the United States and Western Europe. As of June 30, 2003, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Catamount has interests in eight operating independent power projects located in Glenns Ferry and Rupert, Idaho; Rumford, Maine; East Ryegate, Vermont; Thetford, England; Hopewell, Virginia; Thuringen, Germany and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.

Fibrothetford Limited Continuing equity losses have been applied as a reduction to Catamount's note receivable balance from Fibrothetford. Catamount reserved $0.5 and $0.9 million of note receivable interest income for the second quarter and first half of 2003, and $0.4 and $0.7 million for the comparable periods in 2002.

     On December 30, 2002, Catamount entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement with a third party for the sale of its Fibrothetford investment interests. The buyer could have terminated the Agreement if the sale was not consummated prior to March 31, 2003. In July 2003, the buyer suspended the sale. Catamount can not predict whether the sale will ultimately be consummated.

Glenns Ferry and Rupert Both Rupert and Glenns Ferry were issued an Events of Default notice by their lender in May 2002. Steam host restructurings in 2002 cured most of the events of default identified in the Events of Default notices. Rupert cured its remaining events of default in March 2003 and management anticipates that Glenns Ferry will cure its remaining events of default by the end of 2003. Management does not believe this will have a material impact on Catamount.

Sweetwater On June 30, 2003, Catamount entered into an equity commitment for up to a $10.1 million equity investment in the 37.5-MW wind farm in Nolan County, Texas known as Sweetwater I. Providing conditions to the equity commitment are satisfied, Catamount will become an equity partner in December 2003.

     Catamount's earnings were $0.2 and $0.5 million for the second quarter of 2003 and 2002, respectively, and $0.1 and $0.9 million for the first half of 2003 and 2002, respectively. See Competition - Risk Factors below and Note 4, Non-Utility Investments, for more information regarding Catamount.

Eversant

     Eversant has a $1.4 million equity investment, representing a 12 percent ownership interest in The Home Service Store, Inc. ("HSS"), as of June 30, 2003.  Eversant accounts for its investment in HSS on a cost basis.

     During 2001, AgEnergy (formerly SmartEnergy Control Systems), a wholly owned subsidiary of Eversant, filed a claim in arbitration against Westfalia-Surge, the exclusive distributor that marketed and sold its SmartDrive Control product. The arbitration concerned AgEnergy's claim that Westfalia-Surge had not conducted itself in accordance with the exclusive distributorship agreement between the parties. On January 28, 2002, AgEnergy received an adverse decision related to the arbitration proceeding with Westfalia-Surge.  On November 6, 2002, Westfalia filed a Petition to Confirm the Arbitrator's Award in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, which effectively sought to expand the Arbitrator's Award. AgEnergy sought dismissal of the Petition to the extent it sought costs in excess of those established by the Arbitrator. The petition was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

     SmartEnergy Water Heating Services, Inc. had earnings of $0.1 million for the second quarter and $0.2 million for first half of 2003 and earnings of the same amounts for each of the comparable periods in 2002.

 

 

Page 27 of 36

     Overall, Eversant had earnings of $0.1 and $0.2 million for the second quarter of 2003 and 2002, respectively, and earnings of $0.2 million and losses of $0.4 million for first half of 2003 and 2002.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - CONNECTICUT VALLEY SALE

     On December 5, 2002, we agreed to sell Connecticut Valley's franchise and net plant assets to Public Service Company of New Hampshire ("PSNH"). The agreement resulted from months of negotiations with the Governor's Office of Energy and Community Services, NHPUC staff, the Office of Consumer Advocate, the City of Claremont and New Hampshire Legal Assistance. The sale is intended to resolve all Connecticut Valley restructuring litigation in New Hampshire and our stranded cost litigation at FERC. The sale is expected to close January 1, 2004.

     PSNH will pay to Connecticut Valley for Connecticut Valley's franchise, net plant assets and related items, the book value of the assets, which approximates $9 million at June 30, 2003, plus $21 million, plus certain other adjustments as provided in the agreement. PSNH will acquire Connecticut Valley's poles, wires, substations and other facilities, and several independent power obligations, including the Wheelabrator contract. The $21 million payment will enable Connecticut Valley and the Company to terminate their wholesale power contract.

     On January 31, 2003, Connecticut Valley, the Company, PSNH and various other parties asked the NHPUC to approve settlements and transactions related to the sale. The parties are seeking approval to implement restructuring in Connecticut Valley's service territory after the sale is completed, resolve litigation between the NHPUC, Connecticut Valley and the Company, and complete the sale.

     On May 23, 2003, following technical hearings on May 15, 2003, the NHPUC approved the sale without conditions. In its order the NHPUC also approved the settlement with Wheelabrator. On July 22, 2003, the Company and PSNH filed an application with FERC for approval of the sale of facilities under its jurisdiction. The Company and Connecticut Valley filed an Offer of Settlement with FERC on the same day to permit termination of the wholesale power contract and related exit fee proceedings upon completion of the sale.

     In accordance with SFAS No. 144, in the second quarter of 2003, the Company classified the assets and liabilities of Connecticut Valley as held for sale in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, as required by SFAS No. 144, the results of operations related to Connecticut Valley are reported as discontinued operations, and prior periods have been restated. For restatement purposes, certain of the Company's common corporate costs, which were previously allocated to Connecticut Valley, have been reallocated to reflect the impact of the sale on continuing operations.

     Whether the sale results in a gain or loss is highly dependent on power market price forecasts at the time of the sale. At this time, Management cannot estimate whether the sale will result in a gain or loss.  If the sale transaction does not close, and the FERC exit fee proceeding, described below, ends unfavorably, there would be a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

     As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, Connecticut Valley's results of operations may not be representative of a stand-alone company. Summarized financial information related to Connecticut Valley, including the reallocation of certain corporate common costs, reflecting Management's best estimate of impacts of the Connecticut Valley sale, are shown in the tables below.

     Summarized unaudited results of operations of the discontinued operations were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended   
June 30              

Six Months Ended     
June 30              

 

   2003                  2002   

   2003                2002   

         

Operating revenues

$4,701 

$5,111 

$9,803 

$9,877 

Operating expenses

       

   Purchased power

3,518 

3,871 

7,396 

7,418 

   Other operating expenses

493 

570 

1,019 

1,155 

   Income tax expense

   280 

   268 

    579 

   522 

   Total operating expenses

4,291 

4,709 

8,994 

9,095 

Operating income

410 

402 

809 

782 

         

Other income (expense), net

  (115)

    (46)

   (155)

    (96)

         

Net Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

$295 

$356 

$654 

$686 

Page 28 of 36

     The assets and liabilities related to Connecticut Valley are reported as held for sale on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The major classes of assets and liabilities are as follows (dollars in thousands):

June 30     
        2003        

December 31 
        2002        

 

(unaudited)  

(unaudited)  

     

Current Assets

   

         Net utility plant

$9,088

$9,164

         Other current assets

     310

     432

         Total assets held for sale

$9,398

$9,596

     

Current Liabilities

   

         Accounts payable

$1,828

$2,237

         Short-term debt (a)

  3,750

  3,750

         Total current liabilities held for sale

$5,578

$5,987

     

(a) Related to a Note Payable to the Company, which is expected to be paid off at the time of the sale. Reported as Notes Receivable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

FERC Exit Fee Proceedings On February 28, 1997, the NHPUC told Connecticut Valley to stop buying power from the Company. We asked for FERC approval, in June 1997, for a transmission rate surcharge to recover stranded costs if Connecticut Valley canceled the rate schedule. In December 1997, FERC rejected the proposal, but said it would consider an exit fee if the contract was canceled. A rehearing motion was denied, so we applied for an exit fee totaling $44.9 million as of December 31, 1997.

     On April 24, 2001, a FERC Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") issued an Initial Decision, ruling that if Connecticut Valley terminates its wholesale contract and becomes a wholesale transmission customer of the Company, Connecticut Valley must pay stranded costs to the Company. The ALJ calculated the stranded cost payment at nearly $83 million through 2016. The exit fee decreases annually if service continues, and will be recalculated if the wholesale contract ends.

     On October 29, 2002, the Company and NHPUC asked FERC to withhold its final exit fee order so the parties could continue negotiating a settlement. The Connecticut Valley sale, described in detail above, would make the FERC decision moot.

     On July 22, 2003, the Company and Connecticut Valley filed an Offer of Settlement with FERC to permit termination of the wholesale power contract and related exit fee proceedings upon completion of the sale.

     Absent the sale, if Connecticut Valley had to end its contract with the Company and no exit fee was approved, the Company would have to recognize a pre-tax loss of about $27.4 million as of December 31, 2004. That is the earliest termination could occur under the rate schedule. Additionally, the Company would have to write-off approximately $0.6 million pre-tax of regulatory assets. The sale of Connecticut Valley to PSNH, which includes the receipt of $21 million, would resolve these issues. Management believes that the January 1, 2004 closing for the sale is probable.

Wheelabrator Power Contract Connecticut Valley purchases power from several Independent Power Producers, who own qualifying facilities as defined by the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. In the first half of 2003, Connecticut Valley bought 18,696 mWh under long-term contracts with these facilities, 93 percent from Wheelabrator Claremont Company, L.P., ("Wheelabrator") which owns a trash-burning generating facility. Connecticut Valley had filed a complaint with FERC stating its concern that Wheelabrator has not been a qualifying facility since the facility began operation. On February 11, 1998, FERC denied Connecticut Valley's request for a refund of past power costs and lower future costs. Connecticut Valley's request for a rehearing was denied. Connecticut Valley appealed to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. It denied the appeal, but said Connecticut Valley could seek relief from the NHPUC. On May 12, 2000, Connecticut Valley asked the NHPUC to amend the contract to p ermit purchase of only net output of the facility. Connecticut Valley also sought a refund, with interest, for purchases of the difference between net and gross output.

     On March 29, 2002, the NHPUC denied Connecticut Valley's petition. The NHPUC found that its original 1983 order did not authorize sales in excess of 3.6 MW and ordered Connecticut Valley to stop any additional purchases. Wheelabrator has been making sales of up to 4.5 MW of capacity and related energy since 1987.

 

 

 

Page 29 of 36

     On April 29, 2002, Connecticut Valley, Wheelabrator, NHPUC Staff and the Office of Consumer Advocate submitted a settlement with the NHPUC, requiring Wheelabrator to make five annual payments of $150,000 and a sixth payment of $25,000, and Connecticut Valley to make six annual payments of $10,000, to be credited to customer bills. The settlement does not change the contract between Connecticut Valley and Wheelabrator.

     A hearing on the settlement was held June 7, 2002. The NHPUC issued an Order on July 5, 2002, but did not rule on the settlement. Instead, the NHPUC said it would appoint a mediator to work with all parties to see if a new settlement could be reached. The NHPUC selected a mediator and, after several mediation sessions, the mediator issued a report on December 18, 2002. The opponents still oppose the settlement.

     The NHPUC's May 23, 2003 approval of the sale included approval of the settlement with Wheelabrator. Through the sale, PSNH will acquire Connecticut Valley's independent power obligations, including the Wheelabrator contract.

RATES AND REGULATION

     We recognize that adequate and timely rate relief is required to maintain our financial strength, particularly since Vermont law does not allow power and fuel costs to be passed to consumers through fuel adjustment clauses. We will continue to review costs and request rate increases when warranted. In May 2002, we announced planned cost-cutting efforts and a goal to refrain from filing for a rate increase before 2006 absent unforeseen developments.

Vermont Retail Rates

     Our current rates became effective with bills rendered July 1, 2001. These rates are based on our June 26, 2001 approved rate case settlement. In accordance with the PSB's Order approving the sale of the Vermont Yankee assets, on April 15, 2003, we filed Cost of Service Studies for rate years 2003 and 2004 to determine whether a rate decrease is appropriate in either year. On July 11, 2003, we reached an agreement with the DPS to freeze our rates through 2004 and cap our allowed return on equity through 2005, subject to a prior rate change. See Note 5, Retail Rates, for more detail.

New Hampshire Retail Rates

     Connecticut Valley's retail rate tariffs, approved by the NHPUC contain a Fuel Adjustment Clause ("FAC"), and a Purchased Power Cost Adjustment ("PPCA"). Under these clauses, Connecticut Valley recovers its estimated annual costs for purchased energy and capacity, which are reconciled when actual data is available. See Note 5, Retail Rates, for more detail.

ELECTRIC INDUSTRY RESTRUCTURING

     The electric utility industry is undergoing a transition. Many states, including New Hampshire, have tried to create greater competition, customer choice and market influence while retaining the benefits of the regulatory system. The pace of transition slowed in 2001, due primarily to deregulation problems in California and the collapse of the wholesale market. At this time, there is no ongoing effort to introduce retail choice in Vermont.

Regional Transmission Organizations  Pursuant to FERC Order No. 888 (issued April 1996) we operate our transmission system under an open-access tariff.

     In 1999, FERC began work to amend regulations and facilitate formation of regional transmission organizations ("RTO"). Late that year, FERC issued Order No. 2000 for that purpose. Since then, we have participated in numerous related proceedings. On November 22, 2002, NEPOOL notified FERC that it was withdrawing a proposal made with New York to form the Northeast RTO. NEPOOL has since suggested creation of an RTO for New England, and is expected to file for that purpose sometime in 2003. We, along with other transmission-owning entities in New England, including VELCO, are in talks to create an Open Access Transmission Tariff and Transmission Owners Agreement that will govern the provision of transmission services in conjunction with the formation of an RTO for New England, in compliance with Order No. 2000. FERC issued a Standard Market Design Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ("SMD NOPR") in July 2002 to establish nation-wide rules for power markets and RTOs. After 10 mon ths of outreach and input from stakeholders, FERC issued a White Paper on April 28, 2003 to clarify its positions. The New England RTO filing will most likely reflect some of the changes in the FERC position. The rulemaking is designed to separate governance and operation of the transmission system from generation companies and other market participants and to facilitate power markets with common rules. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter or its impact.

 

 

 

 

Page 30 of 36

Standard Market Design ("SMD") ISO-New England implemented SMD on March 1, 2003. The following is a discussion of some of the changes resulting from SMD:

     The vast majority of our generating resources are located in Vermont or delivered at locations such that congestion is not expected to be significant relative to what had been our share of regional congestion. Because of their magnitude, congestion and loss costs are the two types of power-related costs with the greatest potential to change the cost of service compared to the pre-SMD environment.

     In general, we own or hold entitlements to generation that can be self-scheduled in the day-ahead market. We are using that market to clear the majority of our load and generation, including generation resources that we self-schedule, with any remaining resources and residual load settling in the real-time market. The overall price level and volatility of these new markets are still not known given that SMD became operational on March 1, 2003. We will continue to use risk-mitigation strategies and our largely firm-priced sources to limit risks.

     ISO-New England is also working with the region's stakeholders to propose to FERC a new cost allocation rule to determine who will pay for upgrades to the regional transmission network. VELCO is planning several upgrades. Our share of the costs of any new investments will be affected by FERC cost-allocation rulings.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
     See Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements and Recent Accounting Pronouncements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 for additional information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 31 of 36

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

COMPETITION - RISK FACTORS

Utility If retail competition is implemented in Vermont or in Connecticut Valley's New Hampshire service territory, we are unable to predict the impact on our revenues, our ability to retain existing customers with respect to their power supply purchases and attract new customers or the margins that will be realized on retail sales of electricity, if any such sales are sought. We expect power distribution and transmission service to our customers to continue on an exclusive basis subject to continuing economic regulation. See Note 2, Regulatory Accounting, for more information.

Interest Rate Risk As of June 30, 2003, we have $16.3 million of Industrial Development/Pollution Control bonds outstanding, of which $10.8 million have an interest rate that floats monthly with the short-term credit markets and $5.5 million that floats every five years with the comparable credit markets. All other utility debt has a fixed rate. There are no interest lock or swap agreements in place. We have $37.1 million of consolidated temporary cash investments as of June 30, 2003, including $3.4 million of non-utility temporary cash investments. Interest rate changes could also impact calculations related to estimated pension and other benefit liabilities, affecting pension and other benefit expenses and potentially requiring contributions to the trusts.

Equity Market Risk As of June 30, 2003, our pension trust held marketable equity securities in the amount of $38.7 million and our share of the Millstone Unit #3 decommissioning trust held marketable equity securities of $2.5 million. We also maintain a variety of insurance policies in a Rabbi Trust with a current value of $4.7 million to support various supplemental retirement and deferred compensation plans. The current values of certain of these policies are affected by changes in the equity market.

Non-Utility Catamount has refocused its efforts from being an investor in late-stage renewable energy to being primarily focused on developing, owning and operating wind energy projects.  Catamount's future success is dependent on the acceptance of wind power as an energy source by large producers, utilities, and other purchasers of electricity. Historically, the wind energy industry had a reputation for numerous problems relating to the failure of many wind-power generating facilities developed in the early 1980s to perform acceptably. In addition, many potential customers believe that wind energy is an unpredictable and inconsistent resource, is uneconomic compared to other sources of power and does not produce stable voltage and frequency. Although Catamount believes that these concerns are adequately addressed in the near-term, there is no guarantee of wind power acceptance by potential customers as an energy source.

Interest Rate Risk Catamount has a variable rate revolving credit/term loan facility with an outstanding balance of $6 million at June 30, 2003. The outstanding balance is scheduled to term out towards the end of 2004 thereby reducing Catamount's exposure to interest rate risk. Catamount also maintains cash and temporary cash investment accounts to meet its liquidity needs. At June 30, 2003, Catamount's cash and temporary cash investments, excluding restricted cash amounted to $7.9 million.

     Also see Competition - Risk Factors in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 for additional information related to utility and non-utility risk factors.

Item 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company's management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company's management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that material information relating to the Company with respect to the period covered by this report was made known to them. There have been no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to evaluation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 32 of 36

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings.

 

The Company is involved in legal and administrative proceedings in the normal course of business and does not believe that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the financial position or the results of operations of the Company, except as otherwise disclosed herein.

Item 2.

Changes in Securities.

 

None.

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

None.

Item 5.

Other Information.

 

None.

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

 

(a)

List of Exhibits

 
 

4.62

Forty-Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 1, 2003 and resolutions allowing the use of extensions and purchased property to satisfy Renewal Fund requirements and approving the succession of the Trustee and matters connected therewith adopted February 24, 2003.

 

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

(b)

Item 5.







Item 9.



Item 5.




Items 7. & 12.

Dated May 27, 2003 re: New Hampshire Public Utilities Order No. 24,176, dated May 23, 2003, Approving the Application for Approval of Settlements and Related Transactions Related to the Implementation of Restructuring in the Area Served by Connecticut Valley Electric Company Inc.

No other Current Reports on Form 8-K were filed during the second quarter of 2003; however

Dated July 1, 2003 re: Presentation for retail brokers and investment advisors operating in the Rutland, Vermont region. The presentation was delivered by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Dated July 11, 2003 re: The Company and the Vermont Department of Public Service reached agreement on a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the Company's rates and allowed return on equity through the end of year 2004 in connections with a cost of service filing made by the Company.

                            Page 33 of 36

On July 29, 2003, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 29, 2003 under Items 7 and 12 a press release reporting the results of the Company's operations for the second quarter ending June 30, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 34 of 36

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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

CENTRAL VERMONT PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION

 

(Registrant)

   
   

By

 /s/ Jean H. Gibson                                                                                

 

Jean H. Gibson
Senior Vice President, Principal Financial Officer, and Treasurer

   

Dated August 11, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 35 of 36

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number

Exhibit Description

4.62

Forty-Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 1, 2003 and resolutions allowing the use of extensions and purchased property to satisfy Renewal Fund requirements and approving the succession of the Trustee and matters connected therewith adopted February 24, 2003.

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 36 of 36