SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
Form 10-Q
|
X | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)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 |
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 |
4 |
|
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings for the three and |
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three and six months ended |
|
|
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements |
7 |
|
Item 2. |
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and |
|
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
Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
|||
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
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 |
|
|
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 |
Six Months Ended |
|||
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
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 |
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 |
Six Months Ended |
|||
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 |
Six Months Ended |
|||
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 |
Six Months Ended |
|||
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 |
December 31 |
|
(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.
Page 13 of 36
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 |
Six Months Ended |
|||
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 |
Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
|||
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 |
||||||
|
Catamount |
|
|
Reclassification & |
|
|
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 |
1 |
- |
- |
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 |
||||||
|
Catamount |
|
|
Reclassification & |
|
|
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 |
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: |
|
|
$.17 |
|
.07 |
|
.02 |
|
(.09) |
|
(.02) |
|
(.02) |
|
(.01) |
|
(.01) |
|
(.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: |
|
|
$.15 |
|
.12 |
|
.05 |
|
(.09) |
|
(.07) |
|
(.03) |
|
(.01) |
2003 Earnings per diluted share |
$.79 |
(b) Included in Other operation, discussed below in Results of Operations.
(c) included in Other income, net, discussed below in Results of Operations.
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 |
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) |
117,283 |
844 |
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) |
219,019 |
2,247 |
212,145 |
995 |
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 |
Six Months Ended |
|||
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 |
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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 |
December 31 |
|
(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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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. 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. 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 |
|
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